Longitudinal assessment of neuropsychological functioning, psychiatric status, functional disability and employment status in chronic fatigue syndrome.

The longitudinal course of subjective and objective neuropsychological functioning, psychological functioning, disability level, and employment status in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was examined. The relations among several key outcomes at follow-up, as well as the baseline characteristics that predict change (e.g., improvement), were also evaluated. The study sample consisted of 35 individuals who met the 1988 and 1994 CFS case definition criteria of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at intake. Participants were evaluated a mean of 41.9 (SEM = 1.7) months following their initial visit (range = 24-63 months). Results indicated that objective and subjective attention abilities, mood, level of fatigue, and disability improve over time in individuals with CFS. Moreover, improvements in these areas were found to be interrelated at follow-up. Finally, psychiatric status, age, and between-test duration were significant predictors of outcome. Overall, the prognosis for CFS appears to be poor, as the majority of participants remained functionally impaired over time and were unemployed at follow-up, despite the noted improvements.

Nigrostriatal catecholamine metabolism in guinea pigs is altered by purine enzyme inhibition.

The effect of purine enzyme inhibition on catecholamine metabolism was investigated in guinea pigs. Catecholamine levels were measured in the nigrostriatal brain structures of male guinea pigs following treatment with allopurinol (a xanthine oxidase inhibitor; 250 mg/kg i.p.) or allantoxanimide (a uricase inhibitor; 200 mg/kg i.p.) once a day for 4 days. Tissue was analyzed from the striatum and the substantia nigra. Norepinephrine, dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), ascorbic acid, and uric acid were quantified with electrochemical and ultraviolet detection following separation by liquid chromatography. Allopurinol had no effect on nigrostriatal dopamine levels but decreased DOPAC levels (P<0.05) in the striatum. Allantoxanimide increased norepinephrine levels and decreased DOPAC levels in the striatum (P<0.05). Allopurinol decreased uric acid levels in the striatum and substantia nigra (P<0.05). Allantoxanimide increased uric acid levels in the striatum and the substantia nigra (P<0.05). These results indicate that alterations in purinergic enzyme activity can influence catecholamine metabolism within the nigrostriatal system of the guinea pig.

Adult rats stressed as neonates show exaggerated behavioral responses to both pharmacological and environmental challenges.

Adult rats that were isolated from the mother and nest for 1 hr per day from Postnatal Day 2 to 9 were studied. Controls consisted of handled littermates as well as separate litters that were never handled. As adults, animals were given either a pharmacological challenge (1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg amphetamine) or an environmental challenge (restraint). Previously isolated animals demonstrated increased activity compared to controls at both drug doses. Similarly, isolated animals manifested exaggerated inhibition of activity after restraint. Previously isolated animals usually did not show differences compared to controls under baseline conditions (saline injection or no restraint). The neuroplastic changes that result from the neonatal experience are long lasting and appear when the system is challenged.