Molecular status of plasma fibronectin as an additional biomarker for assessment of Alzheimer's dementia risk.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant angiogenesis and senescence of the cerebrovascular system could initiate neurovascular events leading to neurovascular disorders. Fibronectin (FN) exerts a strong angiogenic influence on endothelial cells in the central nervous system. METHODS: In the present study the expression of the plasma fibronectin molecular forms in an Alzheimer patient group, compared with vascular dementia and age-matched control groups was analyzed by immunoblotting. RESULTS: FN in the plasma of the elderly individuals with and without dementia exists as a mixture of heterogeneous molecules with increasing molecular masses. Apart from the wide approximately 240-kDa and approximately 220-kDa FN bands, normally present in plasma, the high molecular FN forms having approximately 280 kDa and approximately 320 kDa appeared in the plasma of the Alzheimer dementia group more frequently and at the higher amounts than in the vascular dementia and age-matched nondemented groups. CONCLUSIONS: The plasma FN molecular status seems to be a molecular additional biomarker for assessment of dementia risk.

[Disorder of liver functions in a schizophrenic patient after long-term risperidone treatment--case report]. / Zaburzenia funkcji watroby w przebiegu dlugotrwalego leczenia risperidonem u chorego na schizofrenie--opis przypadku.

We present a 51-year old man with an 18-year history of chronic paranoid schizophrenia. The last four years he was treated only with risperidone at a dose of 3 mg per day. He was admitted to hospital due to a psychotic decompensation. Jaundice and skin pruritus were also observed at admission. Laboratory tests revealed elevated liver enzymes. Cholestatic and viral hepatitis were excluded. Risperidone was changed to other antipsychotic drugs. After 7 weeks of treatment the patient was discharged with significant improvement of his mental condition. The liver function test results returned to normal values except for the slightly increased total bilirubin level. Regular liver monitoring was suggested. In this case liver dysfunction was possibly correlated with long-term risperidone therapy.