bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychology in the Differential Diagnosis of Dual Pathology: Schizophrenia and Drugs Abuse/Dependence
Authors: Vargas M.L. , Lopez S. , del Brio A.M. , Fernandez M.L. , Franco M.A. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:Dual diagnosis of schizophrenic disorders and drug abuse/dependence are increasing due to more frequent use of cannabis and cocaine. It is important to differentiate between primary schizophrenia with associate drug abuse/dependence and drug-induced psychosis. The objective is to detect neuropsychological differences between drug users and non-users in schizophrenia patients, which could be used as diagnostic tools.Method:We conduct one case-control study on 12 schizophrenia out-patients (10 male) with vital history of drug abuse/dependence (mainly cannabis and cocaine) and one control group of 18 schizophrenia out-patients (12 male) who never used illegal drugs (global age mean: 32.8 years; SD:7.2). It was applied one neuropsychological battery sensitive to the neuropsychological deficit frequent in schizophrenia: WAIS-III, BADS, WCST, Colour Trails, Trail Making A and B, BVRT, California Verbal Learning Test (spanish version: TAVEC). Variables was summarized determining Z values and principal components. It was constructed one Logistic Regression Model to determinate the better predicting model of drug use state.Results:The resultant model included two predictors: WAIS Perceptive Organization Index and Trails Component. The prediction formula for Ln Odd Ratio of drug abuse/dependence group is: -13.83 + 1.09 (Trails Z score) + 0.16 (WAIS Perceptive Organization Index). It explains for 63% of the variance (p = 0.001). The ROC curve for using in diagnose was constructed.Conclusion:Neuropsychological diagnosis can contribute to the differential diagnosis of schizophrenia in dual pathology. The better functioning in visual-spatial tasks increases the probability of psychosis related with drugs use.
New Potential Molecular Targets for Cannabis Addition
Authors: Vieira-Coelho M. , Azevedo J. , Esteves M. 
Published: March 2009

Cannabis is considerer the most widely abused illicit drug in the world. The recent rising prevalence of cannabis use by young adults and increasing evidence of adverse health effects makes the search for new pharmacotherapy to reduce cannabis abuse extremely important. To date no medication has been approved for the treatment of cannabis addition.This study reviews recent results with potential interest for future pharmacological treatment of Cannabis dependence. Most of the relevant data obtained for treatment of cannabis dependence target the endocannabinoid or the central cholinergic systems, both involved and interact in brain systems implicated drug reinforcement. In laboratory animals blockade of cannabinoids CB1 receptors reverses central effects of cannabinoids. Rimonabant is a selective, orally active, cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist (inverse agonist) that has been shown in animals to modulate cannabinoid signaling in brain reward circuit. In humans, it has been shown that rimonabant, single or repeated oral doses blocked psychological and physiological effects of smoked marijuana (1). Although psychiatric adverse side affects like depression were reported with rimonabant, this compound was already been approved for treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Very recently, blockade of α7 nicotinic receptors was shown to reverse abuse-related behavioral and neurochemical effects of cannabinoids in rats (2).In conclusion, besides cannabinoid CB1 receptor, the homomeric α7 nicotinic receptors are novel molecular targets in the development of new drugs for treatment of cannabis addition.
Influence of Ethanol on Apoptosis of Lymphocytes and Neutrophils
Authors: Zhernova E. , Vyalova N. , Ivanova S. 
Published: March 2009

Objective of this study was researching the apoptosis of lymphocytes and neutrophils in alcoholic patients as compared with healthy individuals. 58 men with alcoholism were examined along with 22 healthy age-matched men. The content of cells expressing the Fas-receptor as apoptosis marker was studied by indirect immunofluorescent method. Also determination of apoptosis by morphological examination was performed.The relative content of lymphocytes expressing receptors of readiness to Fas-dependent apoptosis in alcoholics (16,56±1,19%, p< 0,05) significantly exceeds the same index in healthy controls (11,63±0,31%, p< 0,05). Also influence of 0,5% of ethanol in vitro on expression of receptor CD95 was studied. In group of healthy donors there is statistically significant increase in a parameter apoptosis lymphocytes (17,00±0,85% and 11,63±0,31% accordingly, p< 0,05) and for alcoholics it is shown insignificant changes up to 20,05±1,72%. The percentage of lymphocytes with morphological characteristics of nuclear fragmentation in alcoholic patients was five as much in comparison with the corresponding indexes of healthy men (5,07±0,63% and 0,90±0,18%, p< 0,001 respectively). The percentage of neutrophils with morphological characteristics of nuclear fragmentation in alcoholic patients statistically increase in comparison with the corresponding indexes of healthy men (1,14±0,36%, and 0,42±0,14%, p< 0,05 respectively). Also the index of apoptosis realization was calculated. It has been found that the index of apoptosis realization in alcoholics (14,36±2,38%) significantly exceeds the same index in healthy controls (7,74±1,65%, p< 0,05).According to the performed analysis it is possible to suppose that alcohol increases the readiness of lymphocytes and neutrophils to apoptosis.
Efficacy of a Drug Screening Protocol
Authors: Zallo E. , Torreblanca M. , Arroita A. , Euba O. , Sánchez N. , Barreiro A. , Merino R. , Pinilla E. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:Comorbidity between drug misuse and mental disorders affects negatively in the prognosis of psychiatric illness, so it’s important to guarantee drug abstinence during hospitalization.The Hospital of Zamudio contains short and medium stay units. Patients are referred to medium stay units when disorders are more serious or the symptoms are resistant to treatment.In February 2003, a multidisciplinary group was formed to evaluate the situation of drug use in a psychiatric hospital and a drug screening protocol was then created.We evaluate if the enforcement of the protocol, has decreased drug use during hospitalization.Methods:It’s compared, retrospectively, drug use (positive results in urine samples) since the screening drug protocol was enforced (2003) to 2007. Urine samples are collected when there’s a past misuse history, consumption suspicion, randomly and every time the patient leave for home. It’s also compared the differences between short and medium stay units.Results:It’s proved that drug use decreases during hospitalization since the new protocol came into force in a medium stay unit. This drug protocol is not useful in a short stay unit.Conclusions:The introduction and completion of this protocol provokes a high reduction of drug use in a medium stay unit. This design seems not to be adequate to short stay units. Probably, collecting urine samples when patients came into a short unit gives false positive results because these patients don’t come from other hospitalization units as in the case of medium stay unit.
The Role of Beliefs and Expectancies in Adopting Health Behaviors by Pregnant Smokers
Authors: Zycinska J. 
Published: March 2009

Objective:The aim of the study was to explore the predictability of beliefs and expectancies concerning one’s own health and the health of the infant in electing health behaviors by pregnant smokers.Methods:The study comprised 442 women, mean age 28.33 (SD=4.54), in normal pregnancy. Among the subjects 10.4% were current smokers while 30.3% had quit the habit. The beliefs and expectancies were evaluated using own questionnaire. Health behaviors were assessed on the basis of the IZZ by Z. Juczyński, supplemented by specific pregnancy-related behaviors.Results:Pregnant non-smokers adopted significantly more health behaviors in comparison with pregnant smokers. The multiple regression analysis revealed the highest effectiveness of the applied model among pregnant smokers (55% of the explained variance). Predictors of increased pregnancy-related health behaviors were: expectancies concerning delivery, internal health locus of control and self-efficacy associated with quitting smoking. Surprisingly, the socioeconomic status and educational attainment as well as the level of nicotine addiction did not influence these behaviors. The study verified discontinuity patterns of the TTM.Conclusions:Programs intended for pregnant smokers should aim not only at cessation of smoking but also at improving life styles. The general transformation of cognitive variables related to this process is more important than the phases of health behavior change.
The Memory and Attention Test (MAT), an Adaptive, Computer-based Performance Test: Evaluation in Dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Control Subjects
Authors: Adler G. , Bektas M. , Hoffmann P. 
Published: March 2009

The Memory and Attention Test (MAT), a newly developed, adaptive, computer-based performance test was evaluated in a mixed group of patients with Alzheimer's dementia, subjects with mild cognitive impairment and control subjects at ages from 60 to 89 years.By means of the MAT, working memory and short-term memory are assessed in the verbal, figural and episodic domains by means of six independent tests individually adjusted to the subjects level of performance on the basis of intermediate results. Sustained attention is also assessed.For evaluation purposes, well established tests for the respective memory domains were applied. They were the Auditory Verbal and Learning Test (AVLT), the Benton Test, the delayed reproduction of the Taylor Figure, the subtests working memory and logical memory of the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) and the Alterskonzentrationstest (AKT), a test analogous to the d2 test, especially suited and standardized for older subjects. Acceptance of the MAT was assessed by means of a questionnaire developed for this purpose.Computerized testing was commonly well accepted by the subjects. There were highly significant positive correlations between performance in the MAT domains and performance in the respective reference assessments. Thus, the MAT may be a useful diagnostic tool for the assessment of dementia patients. It may be applied for early diagnosis, assessment of progression of disease and demonstration of treatment effects, particularly for disease-modifying treatments in Alzheimer's disease. Standardization relating to age and and education as well as the provision of versions in various languages are under way.
The Memory and Attention Test (MAT): An Adaptive, Computer-based Performance Test for Early Recognition and Treatment Evaluation in Dementia
Authors: Adler G. , Bektas M. , Hoffmann P. 
Published: March 2009

Performance tests in dementia usually aim at a differentiated and standardized assessment of memory. They may be applied for early diagnosis, assessment of progression and demonstration of treatment effects, particularly for disease-modifying treatments in Alzheimer's dementia.The tests currently applied are subject to various limitations. The results obtained are contaminated by impairments in cognitive domains other than memory, because respective capabilities are a precondition for the assessment of memory by means of these tests. For instance, some tests for the assessment of visual memory imply a certain level of motor, constructional or executive capabilities. On the other hand, the memory tests available are usually not adaptive, i.e. they may not be individually adjusted to the level of performance. Adaptivity as a feature of a neuropsychological performance test requires sequence control based on intermediate results and may be realized by the implementation of the test on a computer. The handling and the design of the user surface have to be adapted to the requirements of older people.In order to meet these demands, a computer-based adaptive memory and attention test, the MAT was developed. Working memory and short-term memory are assessed in the verbal, visual and episodic domains by six independent tests individually adjusted to the subjects level of performance on the basis of intermediate results. Sustained attention is also assessed. The single tests do not require constructional or executive abilities. Make-up and handling are adapted to the requirements of older people.
Beneficial Effects of Memantine in Every Day Medical Practice: Results from a Large Greek Observational Study
Authors: Stamouli S. , Tzanakaki M. , Laggis N. , Giatas S. , Georgiadis G. , Sestrini M. 
Published: March 2009

Memantine, NMDA-R antagonist, is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (MMSE< 20) (AD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of memantine when used in routine clinical practice.The 6-months, observational, open-label, multicentre study in 202 specialist centers in Greece evaluated the efficacy of memantine using the MMSE and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Safety was evaluated by spontaneously reported adverse events (AEs). Statistical efficacy analyses were performed in the Intent-To-Treat (ITT) (at least one post-baseline evaluation) and Per Protocol (PP) datasets (evaluations at both 3 and 6 months).The study included 2570 AD patients (age: 74.8±6.8, 54.6% women, baseline MMSE score: 18.0±5.0). 34.2% had received previous treatment with acetylocholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), while for 65.8% memantine was the first treatment option. At baseline 91.5% were prescribed memantine as monotherapy, the remainder also received AChEIs. During the 6 months of the study, 80.9% continued memantine monotherapy. MMSE score was significantly improved from baseline at 3 (17.9±5.1 vs 19.2±5.0, p< 0.001, repeated measures analysis of variance Hotelling's test, ITT) and 6 months (17.9±5.1 vs 19.7±5.1). At 6 months, 67% of the ITT population had improved their MMSE score and 18.6% had no change. 19 patients (0.7%) terminated the therapy prematurely due to AEs. AEs were reported in 182 (7.1%) patients: the most common was dizziness (1.45%). 8 (0.3%) of the AEs were severe.These results in naturalistic settings support the excellent efficacy and tolerability profile of memantine.
Effects of Chinese Herb Danshen-Dahuang on Hippocampal Gene Expression of APP and PS1 in Rats with Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Han B. , Tang R. , Han D. , Wang F. , Zhao S. , Xu M. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:To investigate the effect of Chinese herb Danshen-Dahuang on learning and memory ability in rats with Alzheimer disease (AD) induced by D-galactose and AlCl3 and its possible mechanisms.Methods:The AD model was produced by injecting D-galactose and AlCl3 intraperitoneally for 90 days. Since the 20th day of D-galactose and AlCl3 intraperitoneal injection, the rats in Danshen-Dahuang group had been treated with Danshen-Dahuang extraction by intragastric administration for 70 days. Subsequently,learning and memory ability of the mice was evaluated by Morris water maze and hippocampal gene expression of APP, PS1 was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results:Rats intragastric administration with Danshen-Dahuang, mice had shorter latency (P< 0.05) and less error times (P< 0.05) in water maze test compared with those in AD model group. At the same time, Danshen-Dahuang down regulated the expression of APP, PS1 mRNA (P< 0.05) in hippocampus.Conclusions:Danshen-Dahuang improves the learning and memory ability of AD rats, its mechanism may be related to the downregulated expression of APP, PS1 mRNA.
Interferon Gamma +874 T/A Gene Polymorphism is not a Risk Factor in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Juhász A. , Fehér Á. , Rimanóczy Á. , Kálmán J. , Janka Z. 
Published: March 2009

Inflammatory processes seem to play a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Local inflammatory mechanisms can affect to neurotoxicity, interfere with beta amyloid expression and metabolism. The increased production of amyloid precursor protein eventually leads to the deposition of amyloid beta. Interferon (INF) gamma plays a pivotal role in the inflammatory processes.The aim of this study was to evaluate the putative role of INF gamma +874 T/A polymorphism and its association with apolipoprotein E (ApoE) 4 allele in AD.One hundred and eighty nine healthy controls (HC) and 191 patients with AD were involved in this study. The probable AD patients were diagnosed by NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. The DNA was extracted from whole peripheral blood. INF gamma +874 T/A and ApoE polymorphisms were assessed by the PCR based method.ApoE 4 allele occurrence in AD was 27% compared to 9% in HC. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of INF gamma genotypes (AD: A/A:30.9%, T/A:46.1%, T/T:23.0%; HC: A/A:21.7%, T/A:54.5%, T/T:23.8%, p=0.110) or alleles. The INF gamma A/A genotype was more frequent in the presence of ApoE 4 allele in AD (13.6%) than in the HC (4.8%).Our results confirm the role of ApoE 4 allele in AD. However, no association was found between the INF gamma +874 T /A polymorphism and AD. The simultaneous occurrence of ApoE 4 allele and one of the INF gamma genotypes presumably can not modify the risk for AD. (ETT 198/04/2006 and OTKA K 60589/2006).
Delusions and Hallucinations as First Symptoms of Frontotemporal Dementia: A Case Report of a 48-Year Old Male
Authors: Malta R. , Torres C. , Faria T. , Almeida S. 
Published: March 2009

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) generally has a presenile onset, behavioral manifestations dominate the clinical picture during which cognitive functions are still relatively intact. Therefore, particularly in the early stages of FTD it is difficult to differentiate this type of dementia from other types of dementia and psychiatric disorders.Although most patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) present with neuropsychiatric symptoms, the frequency of psychotic symptoms, assumed to be rare, is still unclear possibly due to limited temporal-limbic involvement in this disorder. We report the case of a 48-year old man admitted in a psychiatric ward with delusions and hallucinations.Significant behavior impairment was present related to social isolation and personality changes. Structural and functional neuroimaging methods disclosed asymmetric frontal and bitemporal damage, mainly on the left. Differential diagnosis consisted of psychotic disorders as well as one of the subtypes of the frontotemporal lobar degeneration group.
Proton Spectroscopy in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Montull C. , Mercader J.M. , Blesa R. , Peri J. , Bertomeu M. 
Published: March 2009

Objectives:To establish whether 1H - MRS aids early diagnosis of progression to Alzheimer's disease in patients with MCI.Material and methods:21 patients with MCI underwent 1H - MRS using a 1.5 T GE scanner. The voxel of interest was located in the posterior cingulate. NAA/Cr, mI/Cr and NAA/mI were evaluated. Patients with MCI were compared with a group of 15 patients at various stages of AD and with 11 normal controls. Patients with MCI were followed up for four years, though by the fourth year the number of patients had fallen to 7. All subjects underwent a neurological exploration and the MMSE and ADAS neuropsychological tests.Results:In the four-year longitudinal study, 78% of the MCI subjects progressed to AD. The 1H -MRS of these subjects differed from that of the normal controls but no significant differences appeared in the evolution. From the outset it was closer to that of the AD subjects, especially in terms of the high levels of mI/Cr. Before the clinical appearance of dementia a sudden increase in mI was observed.MCI subjects showed an increase in mI/Cr and a fall in NAA/Cr, as well as an increase in mI/NAA (p< 0.005).AD subjects presented a significant reduction in NAA/Cr (p< 0.05) compared with controls. The mI/Cr and the mI/NAA presented significant increases (p< 0.005) in AD.Conclusion:Though other studies are required, 1H -MRS appear to aid early diagnosis of AD in subjects with MCI.
Extreme Alleles at the Human Caveolin 1 Gene Novel Purine Complex and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Ohadi M. , Heshmati Y. , Mirabzadeh A. 
Published: March 2009

Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is the principal structural protein of caveolae membranes that are found in most cell types. Aberrant expression and mutation of this gene are associated with a wide range of disorders including neurodegenerative disorders and various cancers. We report a novel purine complex of three polymorphic motifs located at the enhancer region of the gene and risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Extreme haplotypes with accumulated homozygosity for those haplotypes were observed in the Alzheimer's cases comparing with the controls (p< 0.000). Based on our findings, there is a window of haplotypes and haplotype lengths in the controls. Shorter and longer haplotypes were associated with Alzheimer's disease in our cases.This purine complex contains GGAA and GAAA motifs, the consensus binding sites for the Ets and IRF family transcription factors, respectively, and is highly conserved in distantly-related non-human primates in respect with location and motif sequence. The effect of the extreme haplotypes in the expression of the gene and the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease remain to be clarified.
A Novel Polymorphic Purine Complex at the Upstream Region of the Human Caveolin-1 Gene and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Ohadi M. , Heshmati Y. , Mirabzadeh A. , Khorshid H.R. Khorram , Kamali K. 
Published: March 2009

Crucial interaction of caveolin-1 (CAV1) with beta- and gamma-secretases, and aberrant expression of the gene encoding this protein in Alzheimer's disease (AD) support a role for CAV1 in the pathophysiology of this disease.We report a novel polymorphic purine complex stretching ~150 bp of genomic DNA at the 1.5 kb upstream region of the human CAV1 gene, alleles and genotypes of which are associated with sporadic late-onset AD. Extra-short alleles were observed in the case group that were absent in the control subjects. Increased homozygosity for haplotypes was also observed at this region in the Alzheimer's cases, for those alleles and allele lengths shared by the case and control groups [(c2=30.75, df=1, p< .000, OR=4.54, CI 95% (2.56-8.3)]. This region contains GGAA and GAAA motifs, the consensus binding sites for the Ets and IRF family transcription factors, respectively, and is highly conserved in distantly-related non-human primates in respect with location and motif sequence. The effect of this complex sequence on the expression of CAV1, and the related mechanisms in the pathophysiology of AD remain to be clarified.
A Challenging Case of Dementia
Authors: Pereira C. , Cordeiro S. 
Published: March 2009

Background:Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are the most common causes of presenile dementia. Diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation based on neurologic and neuropsychological performance. Neuroimaging, including single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is often obtained for confirmation. The overlap of symptoms in initial presentation such as changes in mood, personality, and behaviour may difficult the differential diagnosis. The present report aims to describe the case of a 68 year old male, with no prior psychiatric history until the age of 66, when he was first admitted for hospitalization with the diagnosis of severe depressive episode without psychotic symptoms (ICD10 F32.2). Two years later he was hospitalized for the second time, Investigation led to the diagnosis of dementia. Diagnostic categorization was difficult in the absence of imaging results consistent with clinical presentation and therapeutic response to cholinesterase inhibitors.Aims:To describe an atypical presentation of dementia and discuss the diagnosis and therapeutic response.Methods:We performed a Clinical file review and a comprehensive MEDLINE database search.