bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an affection, love and sex education program for people with moderate intellectual disabilities
Authors: Couture G. , Daigle M.S. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThe Programme d’éducation à la vie affective, amoureuse et sexuelle (ÉVAAS), an affection, love and sex education program for people with moderate intellectual disabilities (Desaulniers, Boucher, Boutet, & Voyer, 2001), is widely used in Quebec and is applied in several locations in Belgium, France and Switzerland.ObjectivesAn implementation evaluation was recently completed as the first stage of a program evaluation.AimsThe aim of the project was to establish the value of this program.MethodsFor the purpose, 73 ÉVAAS sessions at five different sites were observed and questionnaires and interviews with 10 group leaders and their supervisors were analyzed.ResultsIt was found above all that the program was normally implemented in accordance with its spirit and objectives. However, it was also noted that follow-up to interventions carried out during ÉVAAS sessions was much less structured and sustained, particularly as regards those intended for friends and family.ConclusionsThe research team formulated seven recommendations regarding the program's implementation framework and adjustments required to ensure the achievement of its objectives. The recommendations concern the authors of the program, the educators who use it, their supervisors, as well as service managers.
A survey of the role of allied mental health services in learning disabilities at Lanchester Road Hospital, Durham
Authors: Reddy J. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionAllied mental health services play important role in patients’ care in Learning Disabilities as they are more in contact with the patients. Their knowledge about common side effects of medication and relevance of routine blood investigations help Clinicians to provide appropriate care and support.ObjectiveTo ascertain the knowledge of Allied mental health services about common side effects of medication and relevance of routine blood investigations.MethodologySurvey questionnaire was distributed to staff between November 09 and January 10.The questions included about the common side effects of Lithium, Insulin, High dose Antidepressants, High dose Antipsychotics and Anticoagulant Medication. Relevance of Routine Blood Tests and Blood Pressure Monitoring were also asked. Number of questionnaire distributed - 60. Number of Respondents -30. Responses were collected anonymously.ResultsRespondent Classification -Registered Nurses- 4, Nursing Assistants- 12, Care Assistants- 10, Associate Practioner- 1, Deputy Charge Nurses- 2, Occupational Therapist -1.Of the Registered Nurses, Associate Practioners, Deputy Charge Nurses the results were 100%. With the Nursing Assistant- 25% (3), Care Assistant- 10% (1) and OT was aware of Routine blood tests and BP.The Nursing Assistants and Care Assistants were aware of one side effect for Lithium, Clozapine, Anticoagulants and Insulin. They were not aware of side effects of High dose Antidepressants & High dose Antipsychotics. The awareness of relevance of Routine Blood Tests and Blood Pressure Monitoring was 80% and 90% respectively.Conclusions•Arrange educational meetings to the Support workers•Conduct the survey in a year's time
Audit of the resettlement process: Mallow ward, Muckamore Abbey Hospital
Authors: Towobola A. , McLorinan P. , Hanna H. 
Published: May 2011

In accordance with The UN Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons, the Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability of Northern Ireland emphasized the need to establish a new service model for people with learning disability, focusing on their integration in the community. Following the Government's Action plan, guidelines were developed to guide the process of resettlement.This study looked at how well the standards have been met in resettling patients from Mallow ward, the Children’s Learning Disability Unit of Muckamore Abbey Hospital, Antrim, Northern Ireland, given the cost implications of resettling long-stay patients and the impact on the service users.Objectives1. To evaluate the resettlement process2. To identify areas needing developmentMethodsIn January 2010 we identified 14 children admitted between November 2008 (guideline implementation) and March 2009 (ministerial target date). Data collection involved review of case notes and interviewing residential Care managers.ResultsThe admission dates of the children (aged 13 – 19) ranged between March 2003 and March 2009. 11 (79%) children had been resettled in the community. Standards were achieved 100% in several domains including risks assessments, information sharing and patient/carer involvement. 5 (45%) children were discharged within 4 weeks of trial resettlement. Common problems included aggression, seizures, constipation and encopresis. The feedbacks from current placements were mostly positive.DiscussionCompliance with standards ensured smooth resettlement. 45% discharged within 4 weeks of trial resettlement reflects the appropriate focus on patient safety rather than targets. Limited resources impacted on delayed discharge.
Mental retardation and long- acting injectable risperidone: Clinic evidence during 7 years
Authors: Venegas N. , Guerra A. , Siles I. 
Published: May 2011

Antipsychotics are frequently used in the Intellectual Disability when displayed conduct disorder or specific psychiatric disorders such as disruptive behavior disorder as disruptive disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, various psychotic disorders, disorder Impulse Control Disorders, etc. The long-acting Injectable risperidone is a drug which by its nature from the beginning makes the maintenance treatment of these patients. In a study conducted by our team in 2007 was described the good therapeutic response to long-acting injectable risperidone (LAIR) in psychiatric disorders in this population.ObjectivesIn depth study of the use of long-acting injectable risperidone in this specific population on the basis of a previous study on a sample of 60 Pack. To describe the demographic characteristics of the new sample of 80 patients, type of Mental Retardation and the most common psychiatric diagnoses. To analyze the therapeutic response to treatment by comparing the clinical course before and after treatment with long-acting injectable risperidone (episodes of aggression, hospitalization, emergency room visits, mechanical restraint, disruptive behavior ...). The dose of long-acting injectable risperidone used, the presence of antipsychotic combination therapy, side effects, etc. are analized. We analyze the information on family overload in relation to treatment with Long- acting injectable Risperidone in a part of the sample.ResultsThe study of a sample of 80 patients of both sexes, with diagnosis of mental retardation treated with LAIR is in the process of statistical analysis. But it is possible to appreciate the good therapeutic response and high tolerability of patients to treatment.
BDNF plasma levels in bipolar and unipolar depression
Authors: Dell’Osso L. , Piccinni A. , Carlini M. , Veltri A. , Baroni S. , Marazziti D. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThere is increasing evidence that Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression and the actions of antidepressants.AimsThe aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between the BDNF plasma levels and clinical variables in unipolar versus bipolar depressed patients.MethodsThirty-three outpatients (17 with unipolar and 16 with bipolar depression) and 15 healthy controls were included in the study. BDNF concentrations were measured with an ELISA assay method. Severity of depression was assessed by means of the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Severity of Illness scale.ResultsThe BDNF plasma levels were significantly reduced in patients with unipolar or bipolar depression, with no significant difference between the two groups. Significant and negative correlations were found in the total sample between BDNF levels and the HRSD total scores, the retardation factor scores and CGI “severity of illness” scores. When the same analyses were repeated in each group separately, these findings were confirmed only in patients with bipolar depression.ConclusionsOur results show that lower BDNF levels may be related to both severity of depression and retardation symptoms in bipolar depression. Further studies need to ascertain whether and how the BDNF levels may be associated with any psychopathological dimensions of the depressive state and be used as a biological marker to differentiate bipolar from unipolar depression.
Action-inhibition hierarchies: Using a simple gastropod model to investigate serotonergic and dopaminergic control of action selection and reinforcement learning
Authors: Hodgkinson S. , Steyer J. , Jandl M. , Kaschka W.P. ,   Biological Research Group
Published: May 2011

IntroductionBasal ganglia (BG) activity plays an important role in action selection and reinforcement learning. Inputs from and to other areas of the brain are modulated by a number of neurotransmitter pathways in the BG. Disturbances in the normal function of the BG may play a role in the aetiology of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.AimsDevelop a simple animal model to evaluate interactions between glutamatergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic and GABAergic neurones in the modulation of action selection and reinforcement learning.ObjectivesTo characterise the effects of changing dopaminergic and serotonergic activity on action selection and reinforcement learning in an animal model.MethodsThe food seeking / consummation (FSC) activity of the gastropod Planorbis corneus was suppressed by operant conditioning using a repeated unconditioned stimulus-punishment regime. The effects of elevated serotonin or dopamine levels (administration into cerebral, pedal and buccal ganglia), on operantly-conditioned FSC activity was assessed.ResultsOperantly-conditioned behaviour was reversed by elevated ganglia serotonin levels but snails showed no food consummation motor activity in the absence of food. In contrast, elevated ganglia dopamine levels in conditioned snails elicited food consummation motor movements in the absence of food but not orientation towards a food source.ConclusionsThe modulation of FSC activity elicited by reinforcement learning is subject to hierarchical control in gastropods. Serotoninergic activity is responsible establishing the general activity level whilst dopaminergic activity appears to play a more localised and subordinate ‘command’ role.
Protective effect of nigella sativa extract and thymoquinone on serum/glucose deprivation-induced PC12 cells death
Authors: Sadeghnia H.R. , Mousavi S.H. , Tayarani-Najaran Z. , Asghari M. 
Published: May 2011

The serum/glucose deprivation (SGD)-induced cell death in cultured PC12 cells represents a useful in vitro model for the study of brain ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders.Nigella sativa L. and its active component, thymoquinone (TQ) have been known as a source of antioxidants. In the present study, the protective effects of N. sativa and TQ on cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cultured PC12 cells were investigated under SGD conditions. PC12 Cells were pretreated with different concentrations of N. sativa extract (15.62–250 μg/ml) and TQ (1.17–150 μM) for 2 h and then subjected to SGD for 6 or 18 h. Cell viability was quantitated by MTT assay. Intracellular ROS production was measured by flow cytometry using 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA) as a probe. SGD induced significant cells toxicity after 6, 18, or 24 h (p < 0.001). Pretreatment with N. sativa (15.62–250 μg/ml) and TQ (1.17–37.5 μM) reduced SGD-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells after 6 and 18 h. A significant increase in intracellular ROS production was seen following SGD (p < 0.001). N. sativa (250 μg/ml, p < 0.01) and TQ (2.34, 4.68, 9.37 μM, p < 0.01) pretreatment reversed the increased ROS production following ischemic insult. The experimental results suggest that N. sativa extract and TQ protects the PC12 cells against SGD-induced cytotoxicity via antioxidant mechanisms. Our findings might raise the possibility of potential therapeutic application of N. sativa extract and TQ for managing cerebral ischemic and neurodegenerative disorders.
Neurotransmitters related to depression and psychosis in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Scherer E.A. , Gitaí D.L.G. , Brusco J. , Lucio-Eterovic A.K.B. , Andrade V.D.S.S. , Carlotti Junior C.G. , Hallak J.E.C. , Leite J.P. , Moreira J.E. ,   FAPESP/CNPq
Published: May 2011

IntroductionEpilepsy affects between 1 and 2% of the world population. Drug refractoriness is common and about 40% of patients suffer from psychiatric disorders.ObjectiveKnowing noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and substance P receptors’ role in hippocampi removed from people with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with or without psychiatric comorbidity.AimsTo assess whether there are differences in different neurotransmitters’ roles in TLE with or without psychiatric comorbidity.MethodTacMan real-time PCR assay to quantify the receptors’ mRNA in 48 TLE patients without (Epilepsy-24) or with psychosis (Psychosis-10) or depression (Depression-14) and 8 necropsies (Controls).ResultsAD2A and AD2C showed differences and more expression in the Epilepsy group when compared with Control and Psychosis. AD2A showed significance in the Antiepileptic variable, a substance that activates AD2A in the hippocampus. AD2A and AD2C without difference for Epilepsy and Depression indicate a two-way relation or common pathogenesis between these illnesses; and their minor expression in the Psychosis group suggests different adrenergic mechanisms connected with psychosis and epilepsy. D2 showed a significant difference in the Psychiatric Diagnosis Subtype and Epileptic Seizures frequency, probably due to chronicity and number of depressive episodes. The role of 5-HT2A in TLE is indicated by its greater expression in the Epilepsy group when compared with the Control, with significance for the Epileptic Seizures frequency. No significant results were found for D4, 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C and NK1.ConclusionProspective research with complementary methods (immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, electronic microscopy and neuroimaging) is suggested to identify, locate and visualize the receptors’ distribution.
Membrane lipid rafts are required for D2 dopamine receptor signaling
Authors: Sibley D. , Hazelwood L. , Roof R. , Free R.B. , Han Y. , Javitch J. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionLipid rafts are specialized membrane microdomains enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids and are important in the organization of receptor-protein complexes and the regulation of signaling.Objective/aimsGiven the emerging significance of lipids with respect to receptor structure and activation, we investigated the role of lipid rafts and membrane cholesterol on D2 dopamine receptor (DAR) signaling. As the D2 DAR is the molecular target for all antipsychotic drugs, more information about its signaling may help refine therapeutics for schizophrenia.MethodsD2 DAR constructs were expressed in HEK293T cells. Sucrose density fractionation resolved lipid rafts from other membrane components. Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCD) was used to deplete membrane cholesterol and to disrupt lipid rafts.ResultsDetergent solubilization followed by sucrose gradient centrifugation resolved lipid rafts from heavier membrane fractions. The D2 DAR was equally distributed amongst both the lipid raft and heavier membrane fractions. Pretreatment with MCD, however, eliminated both lipid raft markers and the D2 DAR from lipid raft fractions, although the receptor was still found in heavier membrane fractions. We also found that MCD treatment abolished D2 DAR-mediated inhibition of cAMP accumulation. In contrast D1 DAR-stimulated cAMP accumulation was unaffected by MCD treatment.ConclusionsOur current results show that the D2 DAR is distributed in multiple membrane microdomains, including cholesterol-rich lipid rafts. We found that extraction of cholesterol disrupted lipid rafts and also an eliminated D2 DAR-mediated signaling. Thus, we hypothesize that lipid rafts are critical for D2 DAR signaling to occur.
Perinatal exposure to alcohol disturbs spatial learning and glutamatergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus
Authors: Zink M. , Ferbert T. , Frank S.T. , Seufert P. , Gebicke-Härter P.J. , Spanagel R. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionPerinatal exposure to alcohol (PEA) induces general developmental and specific neuropsychiatric disturbances in association with disturbed synaptic plasticity and functions of the amino acid neurotransmitter glutamate.ObjectiveWe were interested in effects of ethanol during the terminal neurodevelopmental differentiation on glutamatergic neurotransmission.AimsTo establish an animal model based on vapor chamber exposure and to assess the expression of vGluT1, EAAT1 to 4, NMDA receptor (NR) subunits 1, 2A to D and NR binding with 3H-labeled MK 801.MethodsAfter delivery, female Wistar Han outbred rats (N = 4) and their pups were exposed until postnatal day 8 (P8). At the age of 5 months, the animals were behaviorally characterized. Both, at P8 and after the testing we performed in situ-hybridizations receptor binding assays.ResultsPEA-pubs showed a pronounced and highly significant retardation of body weight and length. Behavioral testing revealed no differences in locomotion and anxiety (open field and elevated plus maze) as well as T-maze-learning, but significantly impaired hippocampus-dependent spatial learning (MWM). We observed significant inductions of vGluT1, EAAT1, EAAT3, NR2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, as well as trends of increased NR1 mRNA. NR binding was found increased in hippocampus (P8) and parietal cortex (P8 and 5M).ConclusionsThe observed inductions of glial glutamate transporters validate previous in vitro data. Altered glutamatergic neurotransmission in general might be considered a molecular correlate of the learning deficit in our PEA model. This further supports the glutamatergic theory of PEA and suggests new targets for therapeutic interventions.
Are there structural brain changes following 10 days of SSRI administration investigated by voxel-based morphometry?
Authors: Baldinger P. , Savli M. , Kranz G.S. , Höflich A. , Kraus C. , Windischberger C. , Kasper S. , Lanzenberger R. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThere is evidence that psychiatric diseases are accompanied by structural alterations in the human brain, partly reversible by pharmacological treatments. Several studies including Tost et al. (Nat.Neurosci.2010;13(8):920-2) investigated the effect of psychotropic drugs on neuronal plasticity pointing towards rapid pharmacologically induced brain grey matter variations, apart from already presumed slow structural changes within weeks. Here, we investigated the short-term (days) structural effects of SSRIs.ObjectiveTo identify structural changes of grey and white matter following 10d of oral administration (citalopram/escitalopram vs. placebo) in 18 healthy subjects investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using voxel-based morphometry (VBM).MethodsStudy design: Randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.Subjects: 18 healthy caucasian subjects (6 female 24.8 ± 2.5 years, 12 males 28.9 ± 6.7 years) MRI: 3 MRI scans/subject (3 Tesla scanner)Treatment: 10d of oral medication intake of either 20 mg citalopram/d, 10 mg escitalopram/d or placebo in alternating order of administrationData analysis: VBM, as implemented in SPM8.Statistical analysis: analysis of variance (ANOVA, FWE corrected), post-hoc pair-wise comparisons.ResultsANOVA (grey matter: F(2,48) = 18.85, p < 0.05; white matter: F(2,48) = 17.79, p < 0.05) did not reveal suprathreshold clusters in grey or white matter.ConclusionThis VBM-study does not support previous short-time (days) MR findings of pharmacologically-induced structural alterations in the brain, considering the lack of significant changes in grey and white matter volumes following 10d of SSRI administration. This divergence may be caused by dissent pharmacological effects of SSRIs compared to other psychotropic drugs.
Increased functional coupling between basalganglia and cingulate and prefrontal cortex during resting state conditions in remitted major depressive disorder
Authors: Boubela R. , Kalcher K. , Pail G. , Huf W. , Scharinger C. , Hartinger B. , Windischberger C. , Filzmoser P. , Moser E. , Kasper S. , Pezawas L. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionConverging evidence suggests alterations of neural activation in the basal ganglia to represent neural correlates of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). While a previous study reported increases of functional connectivity in resting state activity between the caudate nuclei and the posterior cingulate cortex in acutely depressed patients, it remains unclear whether this finding persists during full remission once antidepressant treatment has been discontinued.ObjectivesTo investigate patterns of functional coupling between the basal ganglia and cortical regions during resting-state conditions.AimsTo determine whether increases of functional connectivity between caudate nuclei, putamen, and pallidum with cortical regions, in particular the cingulate cortex, pertain during remission of MDD.MethodsForty-three remitted depressed (rMDD) patients and thirty-five healthy controls were recruited at Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, and performed a six minute resting-state fMRI scan. Seed time series were extracted from the preprocessed data using individual masks for the basal ganglia and correlated with all nodes in a surface based analysis using FreeSurfer, AFNI and SUMA. The resulting correlation coefficients were then Fisher-transformed, group results were determined by comparing group mean smoothed z-scores with a two-sample t-test.ResultsIncreased resting-state functional connectivity was revealed between basal ganglia and cingulate as well as prefrontal cortex in the rMDD group compared to healthy controls.ConclusionsOur preliminary results revealed increased functional coupling between the basal ganglia and wide parts of the cingulate and prefrontal cortex to possibly represent a specific neural pattern during remission of MDD.