Impact of Nicotine on Cognition in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review.

Nicotine is the psychoactive component given tobacco has several main components and acts as an agonist for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the nervous system. Although the ligand-gated cation channels known as nAChRs are found throughout the nervous system and body, this review focuses on neuronal nAChRs. Individuals with psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, comorbid substance use disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, major depression, and bipolar disorder have increased rates of smoking. These psychiatric disorders are associated with various cognitive deficits, including working memory, deficits in attention, and response inhibition functions. The cognitive-enhancing effects of nicotine may be particularly relevant predictors of smoking initiation and continuation in this comorbid population. Individuals with schizophrenia make up a significant proportion of smokers. Literature suggests that patients smoke to alleviate cognitive deficiencies due to the stimulating effects of nicotine. This narrative review examines the role of nicotine on cognition in schizophrenia.

Role of multiparametric MRI in long-term surveillance following focal laser ablation of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) appearance of the prostate following focal laser ablation (FLA) for PCa and to identify imaging characteristics associated with recurrent disease. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent FLA for low-intermediate risk PCa between 2010 and 2014 was performed. Early (median 4 months) and late mpMRI (median 49 months) follow-up were qualitatively assessed for T2-weighted, dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) appearances and also compared to corresponding PSA values and biopsy results. RESULTS: 55 cancers were treated in 54 men (mean age 61.0 years). Early mpMRI was performed in 30 (54.5%) patients while late follow-up mpMRI in 42 (84%). Ill-defined scarring with and without atrophy at the treatment site were the most common appearances. In patients with paired MRI and biopsy, one of four patients with clinically significant PCa on biopsy (≥GG2 or≥6 mm GG1) showed hyperenhancement or restricted diffusion at early follow-up. At late follow-up, positive biopsies were seen in 5/8 (63%) cases with hyperenhancement and 5/6 (83%) cases with restricted diffusion at the treatment site. PSA change was not associated with biopsy results at either time point. CONCLUSION: mpMRI is able to document the morphological and temporal changes following focal therapy. It has limited ability to detect recurrent disease in early months following treatment. Late-term mpMRI is sensitive at identifying patients with recurrent disease. Small sample size is, however, a limitation of the study. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Implementing MRI in follow-up after FT may be useful in predicting residual or recurrent PCa and therefore provide reliable outcome data.

The New Kid on the Block: The Mechanisms of Action of Hyperleptinemia in Coronary Artery Disease and Atherosclerosis.

Leptin is an adipocytokine that consists of 167 amino acids. It functions as a regulator of hunger and energy expenditure. Leptin loses its ability to carry out its physiological function at high serum levels, and many studies have associated this loss of function with the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). This literature review aims to outline the steps by which leptin leads to CAD and atherosclerosis. Two independent researchers extracted animal and human studies from PubMed and Google Scholar databases. We applied PubMed search builder options: pathology, pathophysiology, metabolism, and physiology to focus the search results. This study concluded that the mechanism by which leptin might lead to CAD via pressor and depressor effects on vascular tone, enhancing atherosclerotic plaques, and through numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms, the most common being that of the leptin receptor gene rs113701.

The Efficacy of Herbal Supplements and Nutraceuticals for Prevention of Migraine: Can They Help?

Migraine is a common neurological disorder associated with or without aura. Although the pathophysiology of migraine is not very well understood, pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress biomarkers are found to be increased in migraine. Multiple studies have been done to see if alternative medicine such as herbal supplements and nutraceuticals are effective in the prevention and treatment of migraine headaches. This review aimed to evaluate the effect of supplements like coenzyme Q10, riboflavin (vitamin B2), feverfew, and magnesium on the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks. We performed a thorough literature search using mainly PubMed. We included studies published in the last 10 years, those conducted among adult human participants 18-65 years of age, and those published in the English language. Based on the articles selected for the final review, we concluded that herbal supplements and nutraceuticals help reduce the frequency of migraine headaches; however, mixed results were seen regarding the severity and duration of headaches. Moreover, there were no concerning side effects with these supplements. Therefore, physicians can suggest herbal supplements to patients who experience adverse effects from pharmaceutical drugs and desire a more natural treatment.