A review of the cognitive effects of electroconvulsive therapy in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To review studies that examined the impact of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on cognitive functioning in depressed older people. METHODS: Studies were systematically retrieved using PsychINFO and MEDLINE, with additional articles sourced from lists of references. Given our aged-care focus, study participants had a minimum mean age of 60 years, with no single participant younger than 50 years. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies met our criteria. Apart from evidence of interictal slowing of information processing speed, there were mixed results with regard to the impact of ECT on other cognitive domains. Factors contributing to this variability in results include the lack of discrimination between unilateral, bilateral, or mixed electrode placement; the inclusion of patients with dementia; the small sample sizes; and the use of tests insensitive to subtle cognitive changes. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of ECT in elderly recipients' cognition remains unclear, and further research with more critically selected methods is required. In the meantime, we recommend that clinicians regularly administer brief focused cognitive tests before, during, and after treatment to monitor progress.

The impact of stimulants on a clinical measure of attention in children with ADHD.

The effect of stimulant medication on the attentional functioning of 23 children (8-12 yrs) with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was investigated. Significant main effects of medication and TEA-Ch subtests were found, however there was no significant interaction. Planned contrasts showed that stimulants improved performance on the sustained attention, but not the selective or divided attention, subtests. Similar to previous studies, the results indicate that stimulants improve sustained attention in children with ADHD. Significant effects of stimulants on selective and divided attention, however, were not as apparent. Therefore, care must be taken when using TEA-Ch subtests to assess performance change subsequent to stimulant administration.

Protein translocation assays: key tools for accessing new biological information with high-throughput microscopy.

Redistribution technology is a cell-based assay technology that uses protein translocation as the primary readout for the activity of cellular signaling pathways and other intracellular events. Protein targets are labeled with the green fluorescent protein, and stably transfected cell lines are generated. The assays are read using a high-throughput, optical microscope-based instrument, several of which have become available commercially. Protein translocation assays can be formatted as agonist assays, in which compounds are tested for their ability to promote protein translocation, or as antagonist assays, in which compounds are tested for their ability to inhibit protein translocation caused by a known agonist. Protein translocation assays are high-content, high-throughput assays primarily used for profiling of lead series, primary screening of compound libraries, and as readouts for gene-silencing studies using siRNAs. This chapter describes two novel high-content Redistribution assay technologies: (1) The p53:hdm2 GRIP interaction assay, in which one high-content image feature is used for detection of primary hits, whereas a different feature is used to deselect compounds with unwanted mode of action, and (2) application of siRNAs to Redistribution assays, exemplified by knockdown of Akt isoforms in a FKHR translocation assay reporting on the PI3 kinase signaling pathway.

[Transverse fracture of the body of C2. Apropos of a case]. / Fracture séparation sagittale transcorporéale de C2. A propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: A new fracture of the body of C2 is described. The mechanism is an axial compression producing a body sagittal fracture spreading to the posterior arch with a separation effect. CASE REPORT: A 29 years old female fell from the second floor. Examination showed a head injury and upper neck stiffness. Specific radiological signs was reported on the standard X-ray. The fracture involved the body and the lamina of C2 with a sagittal separation. No neurological abnormality was detected. CT scan provided additional information and allowed the survey of bone healing. Non operative treatment was undertaken by minerva jacket for four months carying complete recovery. DISCUSSION: The mechanism of this fracture seems to be similar to Jefferson's fracture. Review of the literature showed that fractures of the body of C2 are uncommon. Their different types are discussed.