BDNF levels and nigrostriatal degeneration in "drug naïve" Parkinson's disease patients. An "in vivo" study using I-123-FP-CIT SPECT.

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and whose cause remains unclear. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein involved in dopaminergic cells survival. Previous studies have shown decreased serum BDNF levels in PD patients. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate serum BDNF levels in a group of recently diagnosed non-medicated PD patients and its relationship with the nigrostriatal system degeneration using I-123-FP-CIT. METHODS: 30 recently diagnosed, unmedicated PD patients were included in this study. Serum BDNF levels were measured twice using a sandwich enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay and compared with levels of 27 unrelated Caucasian healthy adults. A I-123-FP-CIT SPECT was performed in all PD Patients in order to assess the association between serum BDNF levels and I-123-FP CIT uptake in several brain areas using a volumetric semi-automatic method. RESULTS: PD patients showed lower serum BDNF levels (Median = 49.61, IQ range: 43.55 to 61.82) than the controls (Median = 68.82, IQ range: 51.87 to 88.14) (U = 211.00, z = -3.10, p = 0.002). BDNF levels in PD patients correlated with both caudate (Spearman r = 0.58, p = 0.001 for ispilateral and r 0.55, p = 0.002 for contralateral) and putamen (Spearman r = 0.68, p < 0.001 for ipsilateral and r = 0.80, p < 0.001 for contralateral) I-123-FP-CIT uptake ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Serum BDNF levels were lower in recently diagnosed, untreated PD patients compared to controls. These lower levels were significantly correlated with the I-123-FP-CIT uptake ratios.

Factores clínicos y psicopatológicos asociados a los trastornos del control de impulsos en la enfermedad de Parkinson / Clinical and psychopathological factors associated with impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease

Introducción: Los trastornos del control de los impulsos (TCI) son una complicación que puede aparecer en los pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP). Su presencia se ha relacionado con diversos factores y confiere tal gravedad clínica que obliga a realizar un abordaje específico y multidisciplinar. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la frecuencia y los factores tanto clínicos como psicopatológicos asociados a su aparición. Métodos: Estudio transversal, descriptivo y analítico con una muestra de pacientes con EP a quienes se evaluó la presencia de algún TCI. Se administraron escalas clínicas para valorar la gravedad de la enfermedad, los rasgos de personalidad y diferentes síntomas psicopatológicos presentes en el momento de la valoración. Resultados: La muestra fue de 115 pacientes, de los cuales un 23,48% (n = 27) presentaba algún TCI, siendo los más frecuentes la hipersexualidad en el 12,2% (n = 14) y la ingesta compulsiva en el 10,1% (n = 12). De los diferentes factores clínicos y psicopatológicos analizados, se asociaron con la presencia de TCI el tratamiento con agonistas dopaminérgicos (OR: 13,39), la edad de inicio más precoz de la enfermedad (OR: 0,92), una puntuación mayor en la escala UPDRS-I (OR: 1,93), la ansiedad como rasgo (OR: 1,05) y la impulsividad no planificada (OR: 1,13). Conclusiones: Los TCI son frecuentes en la EP. El tratamiento con agonistas dopaminérgicos es el factor de riesgo más importante. Niveles elevados de impulsividad y ansiedad en el momento de la valoración, así como una edad de inicio precoz, incrementan el riesgo. Sin embargo, los rasgos de personalidad previos no confieren un mayor riesgo

Introduction: Impulse control disorders (ICD) constitute a complication that may arise during the course of Parkinson's disease (PD). Several factors have been linked to the development of these disorders, and their associated severe functional impairment requires specific and multidisciplinary management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of ICDs and the clinical and psychopathological factors associated with the appearance of these disorders. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study of a sample of 115 PD patients evaluated to determine the presence of an ICD. Clinical scales were administered to assess disease severity, personality traits, and presence of psychiatric symptoms at the time of evaluation. Results: Of the 115 patients with PD, 27 (23.48%) displayed some form of ICD; hypersexuality, exhibited by 14 (12.2%), and binge eating, present in 12 (10.1%), were the most common types. Clinical factors associated with ICD were treatment with dopamine agonists (OR: 13.39), earlier age at disease onset (OR: 0.92), and higher score on the UPDRS-I subscale; psychopathological factors with a significant association were trait anxiety (OR: 1.05) and impulsivity (OR: 1.13). Conclusions: ICDs are frequent in PD, and treatment with dopamine agonists is the most important risk factor for these disorders. High impulsivity and anxiety levels at time of evaluation, and younger age at disease onset, were also linked to increased risk. However, presence of these personality traits prior to evaluation did not increase risk of ICD

[Clinical and psychopathological factors associated with impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease]. / Factores clínicos y psicopatológicos asociados a los trastornos del control de impulsos en la enfermedad de Parkinson.

INTRODUCTION: Impulse control disorders (ICD) constitute a complication that may arise during the course of Parkinson's disease (PD). Several factors have been linked to the development of these disorders, and their associated severe functional impairment requires specific and multidisciplinary management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of ICDs and the clinical and psychopathological factors associated with the appearance of these disorders. METHODS: Cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study of a sample of 115 PD patients evaluated to determine the presence of an ICD. Clinical scales were administered to assess disease severity, personality traits, and presence of psychiatric symptoms at the time of evaluation. RESULTS: Of the 115 patients with PD, 27 (23.48%) displayed some form of ICD; hypersexuality, exhibited by 14 (12.2%), and binge eating, present in 12 (10.1%), were the most common types. Clinical factors associated with ICD were treatment with dopamine agonists (OR: 13.39), earlier age at disease onset (OR: 0.92), and higher score on the UPDRS-I subscale; psychopathological factors with a significant association were trait anxiety (OR: 1.05) and impulsivity (OR: 1.13). CONCLUSIONS: ICDs are frequent in PD, and treatment with dopamine agonists is the most important risk factor for these disorders. High impulsivity and anxiety levels at time of evaluation, and younger age at disease onset, were also linked to increased risk. However, presence of these personality traits prior to evaluation did not increase risk of ICD.

Cortisol responses in children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a possible marker of inhibition deficits.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous disease whose neurobiological background is not completely understood. It has been proposed that deficits of the inhibitory function with an underactive behavioral inhibition system (BIS) may be in the core of ADHD. In this regard, this review summarizes all studies that examine the involvement of cortisol in ADHD. Differences in cortisol responses from different ADHD subtypes, hyperactive/impulsive, inattentive, and combined, are analyzed. In addition, we examine the role of comorbidities as confounding factors in the study of cortisol in ADHD, including comorbid disruptive behavioral disorder (DBD), as well as anxiety and depressive disorders. Because ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition and approximately half of the children enter adulthood with the disorder, we review cortisol studies in adults and children separately. Two diverse patterns of cortisol have been reported both in children and adults with ADHD. Blunted cortisol responses to stress are associated with comorbid DBD, whereas high cortisol responses are associated to comorbid anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, the inhibitory deficits in ADHD do not appear to be related directly to cortisol deficits in either children or adults. This review increases our understanding of the heterogeneity of ADHD and could help in determining new strategies for the treatment of these patients. Future studies including gender and a more systematic methodology to study the cortisol response are needed.

Alteraciones del sueño y síndrome de piernas inquietas en un adulto con síndrome de Asperger, a propósito de un caso / Sleep disorders and restless legs syndrome in an adult with Asperger’s disorder, a case report

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Eficacia y manejo clínico de la buprenorfina / Efficacy and clinical management of buprenorphine

Objetivo. Describir la eficacia clínica dela buprenorfina en el tratamiento de los pacientesdependientes de opiáceos, junto a otros aspectos relevantes de su manejo clínico.Material y métodos. Se describen los estudios mássignificativos que han valorado la utilidad de la buprenorfina como tratamiento de mantenimiento depacientes dependientes de opiáceos, en comparacióncon placebo y otros fármacos. También se exponenalgunos estudios que desarrollan otros aspectos deluso y manejo clínico de la buprenorfina.Resultados. La buprenorfina es un fármaco opiáceoque ha demostrado su eficacia frente a placeboy otros tratamientos (metadona, levo-alfa acetilmetadol[LAAM], morfina y heroína) en el manejo depacientes dependientes de opiáceos. Es un fármacoseguro y bien tolerado que permite una posologíaajustable a las necesidades del paciente, hechos quefacilitan el acceso al tratamiento y su seguimiento.Conclusiones. La buprenorfina es eficaz en el tratamientode pacientes dependientes de opiáceos tanto en programas de mantenimiento como de desintoxicación,siendo especialmente útil en enfermos con trastornos afectivos concomitantes

Objectives. To describe both, the clinicalefficacy of buprenorphine in the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence and the most relevantsaspects of the clinical use.Material and methods. This review describes themost relevant studies that have evaluated the efficacyof burprenorphine as maintenance treatmentof opioid dependence, compared to placebo and other opiate treatments. Other indication for which buprenorphine has been studied are described.Results. Buprenorphine is an opiate that has demonstratedefficacy in the maintenance treatment of opiate dependent patients when compared to placeboas well as to other opiate treatments (methadone,L-alpha-acetyl-methadol [LAAM], morphine and heroin). Buprenorphine is a safe and well tolerated drug and can be used as fixed or flexible doses, which means that is easy to start the treatment and carry on it.Conclusions. Buprenorphine is effective in thetreatment of opiate addiction, in maintenance or detoxification programs, specially in patients with affective disorders comorbidity

[Morphine maintenance treatment in opiate dependent patients]. / Tratamiento con morfina en la dependencia de opiáceos.

Morphine is an opiate drug widely used as an analgesic in multiple medical diseases. Currently, its management in the maintenance treatment of opiate dependent patients is being studied. The most significant studies are described. In these, its usefulness has been assessed in comparison with other treatments, such as methadone, buprenorphine. Morphine has shown efficacy and tolerability. Its management is easy both in patients who consume heroin as well as those who have received other opiate drugs. Thus, it is a drug that may extend the therapeutic armamentarium in patients who begin with treatment with other opiates for the first time or who have previously received them. However, new studies must be conducted to adequately characterize its clinical use.

Tratamiento con morfina en la dependencia de opiáceos / Morphine maintenance treatment in opiate dependent patients

La morfina es un fármaco opiáceo ampliamente utilizado como analgésico en múltiples patologías médicas. En la actualidad se está estudiando su manejo en el tratamiento de mantenimiento en pacientes dependientes de opiáceos. Se describen los estudios más significativos en los que se ha valorado su utilidad en comparación con otros tratamientos, como la metadona o la buprenorfina. La morfina ha demostrado eficacia y tolerabilidad, su manejo es sencillo tanto en pacientes que consumen heroína como en los que han recibido otros fármacos opiáceos, por lo que es un medicamento que puede ampliar el arsenal terapéutico en pacientes que se incorporen por primera vez o que hayan recibido previamente tratamiento con otros opiáceos. Sin embargo es necesario realizar nuevos estudios para caracterizar adecuadamente su uso clínico (AU)

Morphine is an opiate drug widely used as an analgesic in multiple medical diseases. Currently, its management in the maintenance treatment of opiate dependent patients is being studied. The most significant studies are described. In these, its usefulness has been assessed in comparison with other treatments, such as methadone, buprenorphine. Morphine has shown efficacy and tolerability. Its management is easy both in patients who consume heroin as well as those who have received other opiate drugs. Thus, it is a drug that may extend the therapeutic armamentarium in patients who begin with treatment with other opiates for the first time or who have previously received them. However, new studies must be conducted to adequately characterize its clinical use (AU)