Search NEL Online

Journal Article 2010; 31(4): 438-445 PubMed PMID: 20802444 Citation  Keywords:  Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity:etiology, Brain:metabolism, Catecholamines:metabolism, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Nerve Net:metabolism,.   

: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a most common psychiatric disorder in the childhood. The exact pathomechanisms related to ADHD core symptoms--hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention--are still unclear. The developmental dysfunction of cortical-striatal-thalamic-cortical network combined with the dysregulation of catecholamine neurotransmitters could be responsible for symptoms of the disorder. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a method which allows a partial view on molecular mechanisms of biochemical and metabolic processes in human brain by in vivo measurement. We address the hypothesis of a potential pathomechanisms associated with ADHD symptoms which is based on the studies concerning magnetic resonance spectroscopy method and ADHD....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2010; 31(4): 483-488 PubMed PMID: 20802443 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Analysis of Variance, Autistic Disorder:blood, Body Mass Index, Child, Humans, Male, Testosterone:blood, Young Adult,.   

OBJECTIVE: Research on the biological pathophysiology of autism has found some evidence that alterations in androgenic hormones may play a role in the pathophysiology of that disorder. We studied morning concentrations of serum testosterone in a very homogenic group of postpubertal youngsters with autism and a group of normal controls.

METHODS: This study examines the serum testosterone concentration on 9 consecutive time points between 08.00 AM and 12.00 AM in 18 high- functioning male youngsters with autism (age 12-18) and 22 healthy volunteers participated in this study. All subjects passed the onset of puberty (Tanner-stage III-IV) and were of the Caucasian race.

RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant time effect, with a decline in the testosterone concentration during the test and time X diagnosis interaction.The total testosterone concentration was significantly lower in the autism group compared to the group of normal controls.

CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease in serum testosterone concentration in male youngsters with autism suggest that the turnover of testosterone may take part in the pathophysiology of autism. Suggestions for further research are discussed....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Case Reports 2010; 31(4): 446-450 PubMed PMID: 20802440 Citation  Keywords:  Glucose Clamp Technique, Humans, Insulin Resistance, Lipomatosis, Multiple Symmetrical:diagnosis, Liver:pathology, Male, Middle Aged,.   

OBJECTIVE: Benign symmetrical lipomatosis (BSL) is a rare disease characterized by the presence of multiple, symmetric and nonencapsulated fat masses. Alcoholism is observed in nearly 90% patients. However the etiology of this disease is still unclarified. BSL is very rare in Chinese people. Herein we described the endocrine and metabolic status of a patient with typical BSL. We also discussed the clinical manifestation, etiology, diagnosis and treatment for BSL.

RESULTS: Hyperuricemia and abnormal liver enzyme levels were observed in this case. However insulin sensitivity and function of the thyroid, adrenal glands and pituitary were all normal. The insulin sensitivity was assessed by the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clam.

CONCLUSIONS: Although an association had been found between BSL and some endocrinological or metabolic disorders including abnormal glucose tolerance, excessive secretion of insulin, hyperuricemia, and so on, they were not specific for BSL. It is necessary to develop into the pathogenesis of BSL further....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2010; 31(4): 477-482 PubMed PMID: 20802439 Citation  Keywords:  Analysis of Variance, Animals, Axons:pathology, Blood-Brain Barrier:pathology, Brain Edema:chemically induced, Dentate Gyrus:pathology, Female, Male, Mannitol, Myelin Sheath:pathology, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Time Factors,.   

OBJECTIVES: Clinically very serious condition of ischaemia and brain injury which are often associated with brain oedema is frequently accompanied by the impairment of the structural integrity of axons. We wondered whether the brain oedema (without ischemia brain injury) can induce structural axonal impairment.

METHODS: Brain oedema was induced by osmotic blood-brain barrier opening with 20% mannitol applied selectively into the internal carotid. Axonal changes were recognized as signs of myelin disintegration (oedematous vesicles, varicosity, myelin fragmentation) at histological sections stained with Black Gold in hippocampal areas CA1 and CA3 and in the dentate gyrus and cerebral cortex at time intervals of one hour, one day, three days and one week after the oedema induction.

RESULTS: Impairment of the structural integrity was identified in myelin sheets in all areas studied in all experimental groups. Whereas in the control group axon were of the uniform diameter, in the experimental groups various forms of myelin disintegration were observed. The progression of myelin damage depended on the time elapsed after the oedema induction.

CONCLUSION: Opening the blood-brain barrier with an osmotic insult induces brain oedema which represents a factor triggering axonal impairment accompanied with myelin changes. The development of axonal changes initiated by brain oedema only (without ischemia brain injury) is a novel observation....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2010; 31(4): 530-537 PubMed PMID: 20802438 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Axons:pathology, Microscopy, Electron, Nerve Regeneration:physiology, Optic Nerve:pathology, Optic Nerve Injuries:pathology, Rats,.   

OBJECTIVE: The present work was aimed at studying the ultra structural changes of the proximal (retinal) stump of the intracranially transected optic nerve of the rat for any possible regenerative ability.

METHODS: Specimens were collected one (1 wpo) and four weeks(4 wpo) after the transection and the cross sections of the stumps were studied by electron microscopy by dividing them into three zones, (1) the central zone, (2) the intermediate zone, and (3) the peripheral zone.

RESULTS: The present results showed evident morphological changes in these zones both in the 1 wpo and 4 wpo groups. The signs of degeneration were more marked in the central zone than in the peripheral zone and they were more prominent in the 1 wpo group than in the 4 wpo group. The most prominent sign of the degeneration was loss or lack of the healthy myelinated axons. The main evidence of the regenerative ability was the reappearance of the apparently healthy myelinated axonal profiles, with a parallel decrease of the non myelinated ones. This regenerative feature was more prominent peripherally and might be an indication that ischemia was the cause of optic nerve degeneration.

CONCLUSIONS: The present work revealed a clear morphological evidence of the regenerative capability of the intracranially transected optic nerve though it is considered as a part of the CNS....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Comparative Study 2010; 31(3): 336-342 PubMed PMID: 20588251 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Antidepressive Agents:pharmacology, Antipsychotic Agents:pharmacology, Benzodiazepines:pharmacology, Cerebral Cortex:drug effects, Citrate (si)-Synthase:metabolism, Electron Transport:drug effects, Electron Transport Complex I:metabolism, Electro.   

OBJECTIVE: Mitochondrial dysfunctions, impaired bioenergetics and dysfunction of neurotrophins are included in many neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. We investigated in vitro effects of pharmacologically different antidepressants and mood stabilizers on mitochondrial enzymes to discover, which mitochondrial functions could be involved in pathophysiology of mood disorders.

METHODS: In vitro effects of eight pharmacologically different antidepressants (desipramine, amitriptyline, imipramine, citalopram, venlafaxine, mirtazapine, tianeptine, and moclobemide) and three mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, and olanzapine) on the activities of mitochondrial enzymes (citrate synthase and enzymes in electron transport chain, i.e. complexes I, II, IV) were measured in crude mitochondrial fraction isolated from pig brain.

RESULTS: Most of the antidepressants and mood stabilizers inhibited the activities of respiratory electron transport chain complexes, complexes I and IV were the most affected. Statistically significant decrease of the complex I activity was caused by desipramine, amitriptyline, imipramine, citalopram, mirtazapine, valproate and olanzapine. Complex II was significantly inhibited only by amitriptyline, imipramine, citalopram and venlafaxine. Complex IV was significantly inhibited by all tested drugs except for citalopram and moclobemide. Unchanged or slightly increased citrate synthase activity was observed; significant activation of the enzyme was observed after citalopram, tianeptine and olanzapine.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that antidepressants may act generally as inhibitors of complex I and complex IV of the electron transport chain. These mitochondrial enzymes are suggested as proper candidates in searching of new biological markers of mood disorders, targets of new antidepressants or predictors of response to pharmacotherapy....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2010; 31(3): 399-405 PubMed PMID: 20588250 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Cognition Disorders:complications, Depression:complications, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2:complications, Female, Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated:metabolism, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychomotor Performance,.   

OBJECTIVES: The most important factors in the pathogenesis of cognitive disorders in diabetes mellitus (DM) are metabolic changes directly caused by hyperglycemia. Impairment of cognitive function is accompanied by a decrease in cerebral insulin. Insulin improves cognitive processes, including somatosensoric cognitive functions. Cognitive disorders are especially pronounced if diabetic patients suffer also from depression.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The evaluation of cognitive functions, especially sensomotoric skills were obtained from three study groups (aged 37-52 years): 30 healthy subjects, 40 diabetic patients with clinically documented depression and 30 depressive patients without DM. The sensomotoric skills were carried out using a SPS-2001E apparatus - a computer working stress simulator. The examination with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were also performed in all the investigated persons.

RESULTS: Sensomotoric skills investigation revealed slight cognitive disorders in the early stages DM (subgroup IA) and its intensification according to increasing BDI scores and HbA1c blood concentration (from subgroup IA to IC). Intensification of sensomotoric cognitive disorders was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the depressive patients with DM (group I), than in these without DM (group III).

CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results suggest that coincidence of aggravating factors, such as depression and metabolic disorders in DM, may cause mutual interactions leading to premature and more intense cognitive impairment. The method proposed by the authors may serve as a screening examination in early diagnosis of CNS disorders reflected by somatosensoric cognitive disorders. The presented work indicates importance of sensomotoric skills investigation for the early diagnosis of the nervous system damage related to DM....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Comparative Study 2010; 31(3): 384-389 PubMed PMID: 20588249 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Apgar Score, Cesarean Section:statistics & numerical data, Female, Fertilization, Fertilization in Vitro, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications:epidemiology, Pregnancy Trimester, Second, Pregnancy Trimester, Third, Pregn.   

BACKGROUND: Most authors agree that the twin pregnancies have a higher risk of complications compared to singleton pregnancies. However, there is no unanimity as to whether the risk of complications in twin pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization is higher than in twin pregnancies resulting from spontaneous conception.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency rates of complications in the second and third trimester of dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies resulting from IVF (group I) compared to dichorionic-diamniotic and monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies resulting from spontaneous conception (group II and III).

RESULTS: The rate of cesarean section and cervical cerclage was significantly higher in the group I. Polyhydramnios occurred less frequently in group I than in group III. The discordant growth of fetuses occurred significantly more frequently in the group I. The frequency of other complications did not differ in the studied groups. The Apgar score was similar in the group I and II but significantly lower in the group III compared to the group I.

CONCLUSIONS: 1) The frequency of complications in twin pregnancies after IVF is similar to those in the twin pregnancies conceived spontaneously. 2) In the twin pregnancies after IVF it is necessary to expect only a higher frequency of caesarean sections, cervical incompetence and a discordant growth of the twins when comparing with twin pregnancies conceived spontaneously. 3) In the twin pregnancies after IVF the intrauterine fetal demise and polyhydramnios occurred less frequently than in monochorionic-diamniotic pregnancies after spontaneous conception....

Read abstract  Full text PDF