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Teixeira F, Peixoto D, Bogas M, Afonso C, Araújo D. AB1254 Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis evaluated by “ultrasonic biopsy”. Ann Rheum Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-eular.1250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Peixoto D, Teixeira F, Raposo A, Costa J, Bogas M, Afonso C, Araújo D. AB0802 Beliefs and treatment satisfaction in patients receiving biological agents. Ann Rheum Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-eular.3124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Peixoto D, Teixeira F, Costa J, Costa L, Araújo D. AB1129 Radiological cervical spine involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis in adulthood. Ann Rheum Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-eular.1127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Rodrigues AJ, Leão P, Pêgo JM, Cardona D, Carvalho MM, Oliveira M, Costa BM, Carvalho AF, Morgado P, Araújo D, Palha JA, Almeida OFX, Sousa N. Mechanisms of initiation and reversal of drug-seeking behavior induced by prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids. Mol Psychiatry 2012; 17:1295-305. [PMID: 21968930 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2011.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stress and exposure to glucocorticoids (GC) during early life render individuals vulnerable to brain disorders by inducing structural and chemical alterations in specific neural substrates. Here we show that adult rats that had been exposed to in utero GCs (iuGC) display increased preference for opiates and ethanol, and are more responsive to the psychostimulatory actions of morphine. These animals presented prominent changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), a key component of the mesolimbic reward circuitry; specifically, cell numbers and dopamine (DA) levels were significantly reduced, whereas DA receptor 2 (Drd2) mRNA expression levels were markedly upregulated in the NAcc. Interestingly, repeated morphine exposure significantly downregulated Drd2 expression in iuGC-exposed animals, in parallel with increased DNA methylation of the Drd2 gene. Administration of a therapeutic dose of L-dopa reverted the hypodopaminergic state in the NAcc of iuGC animals, normalized Drd2 expression and prevented morphine-induced hypermethylation of the Drd2 promoter. In addition, L-dopa treatment promoted dendritic and synaptic plasticity in the NAcc and, importantly, reversed drug-seeking behavior. These results reveal a new mechanism through which drug-seeking behaviors may emerge and suggest that a brief and simple pharmacological intervention can restrain these behaviors in vulnerable individuals.
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Palmares J, Castro-Correia J, Coutinho MF, Araújo D, Delgado L. Immunosuppression in Behçet's disease Clinical management and long-term visual outcome. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2012; 3:99-106. [PMID: 22827276 DOI: 10.3109/09273949509085037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The authors review the visual prognosis of 44 patients with Behçet's disease referred to the Ophthalmology and Rheumatology Departments (Hospital S. João-one of the two major referral centers in Northern Portugal), due to ocular complaints or for routine examination, in the last ten years. All fulfilled the clinical criteria for diagnosis of Behçet's disease. Twenty-six were male and 18 female, with mean age 37 years (range 23-66). The mean evolution time since the first clinical manifestations was ten years (range 1-21). Aphthous stomatitis (100%) and genital ulcers (77.3%) were the initial manifestations preceding eye involvement. HLA-B(51)(5) was present in 27 of 36 typed patients (75%). Ocular manifestations were present in 33 patients (75%)-22 patients with panuveitis, eight with hypopyon, four with chronic anterior uveitis and three with episcleritis. Mean age of onset of ocular complications was 32 years (range 20-54). Retinal vaso-occlusive vasculitis was diagnosed in 26 patients (22 with panuveitis and four with posterior uveitis). To prevent ocular relapses, all needed immunosuppression with corticosteroids (drops, depo or systemic), combined with cyclosporine A (CsA) (5 mg/kg/day) in 13 patients and with chlorambucil or cyclophosphamide in six patients, when sight threatening uveitis had previously been refractory to treatment with systemic steroids. The 13 patients under CsA were observed for a period ranging from eight months to five years. Lowdose CsA was found to abrogate the intraocular inflammation, was well tolerated and had no major adverse effects. Regardless of the type of treatment, 21% (14/66) of the eyes lost useful vision five to ten years after initial diagnosis.
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Peixoto D, Teixeira F, Costa JA, Costa L, Araújo D. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: the importance of its recognition in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. ACTA REUMATOLOGICA PORTUGUESA 2012; 37:192-194. [PMID: 23149644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical-radiological entity characterized by the association of clinical neurological signs (headache, confusion, vision changes, vomiting and seizures) and the typical changes in magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Its pathogenesis is still poorly defined but seems to imply a vascular and endothelial dysfunction. It occurs more frequently in patients with hypertensive encephalopathy, eclampsia, renal failure and has also been associated with the use of immunosuppressive drugs. The authors present a case of PRES in a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus with active and severe manifestations of the disease.
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Jelescu IO, Leppert IR, Narayanan S, Araújo D, Arnold DL, Pike GB. Dual-temporal resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI protocol for blood-brain barrier permeability measurement in enhancing multiple sclerosis lesions. J Magn Reson Imaging 2011; 33:1291-300. [PMID: 21590997 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.22565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To design a more accurate and reproducible technique for the measurement of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in gadolinium-enhancing multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four MS patients were scanned using a new dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol based on an uninterrupted two-part acquisition consisting of an initial part at high temporal and low spatial resolutions and a second part at low temporal and high spatial resolutions. The method preserves both the high spatial resolution needed for the often small size of lesions and the high temporal resolution required during the first minute after injection to sufficiently sample the first-pass bolus. Simulations compared the performance of this new protocol with the conventional one at low temporal and high spatial resolutions throughout. RESULTS The BBB permeability estimates changed by up to 33% between the two protocols. The new protocol led to simulated error on K(trans) of 7%-10%, versus 7%-30% with the conventional protocol, and was more robust with respect to offsets between acquisition and injection start times, differences in shape of the first-pass peak, and permeability values. CONCLUSION The dual-temporal resolution protocol produces improved BBB permeability estimates and provides a more complete view of active inflammatory MS lesion pathology.
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Travassos B, Araújo D, Vilar L, McGarry T. Interpersonal coordination and ball dynamics in futsal (indoor football). Hum Mov Sci 2011; 30:1245-59. [PMID: 21683464 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2011.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2010] [Revised: 04/16/2011] [Accepted: 04/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Here, we report an investigation of the patterned movement behavior of players for a specific sub-phase of the game of futsal, namely when the goalkeeper for the attacking team is substituted with an extra outfield player. The movement trajectories of the ball and players were recorded in both lateral and longitudinal directions and investigated using relative phase analysis. Some differences in phase relations between different playing dyads were noted, indicating specificity of phase attractions, or otherwise, for certain players. In general terms, the defenders demonstrated strong in-phase attractions with the ball and with each other, whereas weaker phase attractions, indicated by increased relative phase variability, were observed for the attackers and ball, as well as between attackers themselves. These results demonstrate different coordination dynamics for the defending and attacking dyads, from which we interpret evidence for different playing sub-systems consistent with different team objectives linked together in an overarching game structure. In keeping with dynamical systems theory for complex systems, we view this sub-phase of futsal as being characterized by coordinated behavior patterns that emerge as a result of self-organizing processes. These dynamic patterns are generated within functional constraints, with players and teams exerting mutual influence on each other.
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Araújo D, Travassos B, Vilar L. Tactical skills are not verbal skills: a comment on Kannekens and colleagues. Percept Mot Skills 2010; 110:1086-8. [PMID: 20865996 DOI: 10.2466/pms.110.c.1086-1088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In 2009, Kannekens and colleagues evaluated the development of tactical skills of elite youth football players using a method based on verbal reports. Results showed no improvements in players' tactical skills over the years of their longitudinal study. These results are based on an erroneous assumption that tactical skills and verbalizations about tactical skills are equivalent. This note comprises an explanation of why verbal reports are not a valid measure of tactical skills.
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Gutiérrez M, Pastore CE, Araújo D, Miguel-Sánchez J, Rodríguez-Messmer E. Mechanism of phase separation generation in Ge-based solar cell tunnel junctions. JOURNAL OF NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY 2010; 10:1166-1170. [PMID: 20352773 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2010.1866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Enhanced performance, reduced cost and compact dimensions are a prerequisite for novel products in the solar industry. III-V based multi-junction heterostructures are promising devices to give an answer to make a substancial step in the photovoltaic technology. However, such heterostructures need tunnel junctions to connect the different active layers and so ternary alloys are needed to tune the energy gap. In the present contribution, artefacts generated by ternary alloying are investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Composition modulation in In0.015Ga0.985As/In0.3Ga0.7P/Al0.3Ga0.7As/In0.3Ga0.6Al0.1P/In0.3Al0.7P/In0.015Ga0.985As heterostructures grown on Ge subtrates is observed. This should affect the spectral sensitivity of the active layer. But, as a probably more important consequence, this observed modulation is shown to also generate modulation in the Al0.3Ga0.7As tunnel junction. This behaviour is anomalous in standard AIGaAs thick epilayers grown on GaAs substrates. In the present case, it could strongly affect the carrier transport imposing an important handicap to their potential application within electro-optical components.
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da Costa JAT, Ribeiro A, Bogas M, Costa L, Varino C, Lucas R, Rodrigues A, Araújo D. Mortality and functional impairment after hip fracture - a prospective study in a Portuguese population. ACTA REUMATOLOGICA PORTUGUESA 2009; 34:618-626. [PMID: 20852575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Osteoporotic hip fractures (HF) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality with increasing familial, social and economic repercussions. The objectives of this paper were to evaluate the status vitae at 6 and 12 months of a cohort of patients with an osteoporotic HF and the risk factors for 12-month mortality as well as to evaluate the functional outcome and the overall health perception of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a 12-month follow-up evaluation of a cohort of 184 patients older than 65 years admitted to our centre with a non-pathological osteoporotic HF from January 1st to December 31st 2007. Baseline data collection was performed in the first 72 hours after admission and, 12 months later, a second evaluation was conducted, by telephone in order to ascertain their status vitae and functional status. The magnitude of sex--specific, age-adjusted associations between potential prognostic factors and mortality was estimated using hazard ratios (HR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), calculated using Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS It was possible to ascertain the status vitae in 164 (89.1%) patients. Overall 12-months mortality was 26.8% (48.3% in males and 22.2% in females). Mortality was higher in patients that became bedridden, were unable to walk again, were admitted to a hospital during the follow-up for any cause and who became dependent in their daily living activities. After discharge, physical therapy and ability to walk again were associated with a lower risk of death. Most of the patients reported a decline of their overall health-related quality of life. More than 75% of patients became totally dependent after HF. CONCLUSION This study reinforces the HF poor outcome. Twelve-month mortality rates were similar to the estimates obtained in other studies, although the 6-month's mortality was higher. Physical deterioration and loss of independence in activities of daily living were evident in this study and constituted major factors for low self-esteem and deterioration of quality of life. Our findings may constitute an evidence for action in this particular population, with an active search for means to improve the outcome of HF in these patients.
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Sanches R, Crippa J, Hallak J, de Sousa J, Araújo D, Santos A, Zuardi A. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the frontal, cingulate and perirolandic cortices and its relationship to skin conductance in patients with schizophrenia. Braz J Med Biol Res 2008; 41:1132-41. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2008001200015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2008] [Accepted: 12/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Costa J, Bogas M, Ribeiro A, Alcino S, Araújo D. [Multiple enchondromatosis: Ollier's disease]. ACTA REUMATOLOGICA PORTUGUESA 2008; 33:473-474. [PMID: 19107092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
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Bogas M, Afonso MC, Araújo D. [Sacroileitis and acne conglobata: SAPHO syndrome]. ACTA REUMATOLOGICA PORTUGUESA 2008; 33:370-371. [PMID: 18846019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
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Trzesniak C, Uchida R, Santos Filho A, Araújo D, Graeff F, Santos A, Guimarães F, Del-Ben C, Crippa J. Reduced hippocampal N-Acetylaspartate in patients with panic disorder. Eur Psychiatry 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2008.01.1235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Crippa J, Zuardi A, Busatto G, Santos-Filho A, Graeff F, Borduqui T, Santos A, Araújo D, Duran F, Del-Ben C, Freitas M. Grey matter correlates of cognitive measures of the simulated public speaking test in social anxiety spectrum: a voxel-based study. Eur Psychiatry 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2008.01.359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Velasco TR, Zanello PA, Dalmagro CL, Araújo D, Santos AC, Bianchin MM, Alexandre V, Walz R, Assirati JA, Carlotti CG, Takayanagui OM, Sakamoto AC, Leite JP. Calcified cysticercotic lesions and intractable epilepsy: a cross sectional study of 512 patients. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2006; 77:485-8. [PMID: 16543527 PMCID: PMC2077509 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2005.078675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurocysticercosis is a major cause of epilepsy in developing countries and is endemic in Brazil. To test the hypothesis that the aetiological profile of patients with intractable epilepsy in Brazil includes neurocysticercosis, we conducted a cross sectional study investigating the aetiology of intractable epilepsy. METHODS A total of 512 patients evaluated at the outpatient clinic for intractable epilepsy at the Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine were included in the survey. Medical intractability was determined on the basis of seizure incidence and severity, and response to appropriate epilepsy management. Neuroimaging included brain CT with non-contrasted and contrasted phases and high resolution MRI. Patients were divided into neurocysticercosis and non-neurocysticercosis groups according to previous diagnostic criteria. RESULTS The most common epileptogenic lesions were mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS; 56.0%), malformations of cortical development (12.1%), and brain tumours (9.9%). Neuroimaging was normal in 8.7% of patients. Calcifications were found in 27% of patients and were significantly more common in patients with MTS than in those without MTS (p<0.001). Isolated neurocysticercosis was found in only eight patients (1.56%). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that neurocysticercosis is an uncommon cause of intractable epilepsy, even in an endemic region such as Brazil, and that it may only represent a coexistent pathology. However, an analysis of our findings reveals that neurocysticercosis was more common in patients with MTS. This finding could suggest either that there is a cause-effect relationship between MTS and neurocysticercosis, or that MTS and neurocysticercosis co-vary with a missing variable, such as socio-economic status.
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Hristovski R, Davids K, Araújo D. Bifurcations in motor solutions to the continuous boxing hand-striking task: Some spatial, sequential and temporal characteristics. J Biomech 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9290(06)83008-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Araújo D, Passos P, Davids K. The dynamics of interpersonal coordination as emergent properties in sport. J Biomech 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9290(06)83009-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Araújo D, Cella MD, Brescovit DA. Cytogenetic analysis of the neotropical spider Nephilengys cruentata (Araneomorphae, Tetragnathidae): standard staining nors, C-bands and base-specific fluorochromes. BRAZ J BIOL 2005; 65:193-202. [PMID: 16097721 DOI: 10.1590/s1519-69842005000200002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work is to characterize Nephilengys cruentata in relation to the diploid number, chromosome morphology, type of sex determination chromosome system, chromosomes bearing the Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs), C-banding pattern, and AT or GC repetitive sequences. The chromosome preparations were submitted to standard staining (Giemsa), NOR silver impregnation, C-banding technique, and base-specific fluorochrome staining. The analysis of the cells showed 2n = 24 and 2n = 26 chromosomes in the embryos, and 2n = 26 in the ovarian cells, being all the chromosomes acrocentric. The long arm of the pairs 1, 2 and 3 showed an extensive negative heteropycnotic area when the mitotic metaphases were stained with Giemsa. The sexual chromosomes did not show differential characteristics that allowed to distinguish them from the other chromosomes of the complement. Considering the diploid numbers found in N. cruentata and the prevalence of X1X2 sex determination chromosome system in Tetragnathidae, N. cruentata seems to possess 2n = 24 = 22 + X1X2 in the males, and 2n = 26 = 22 + X1X1X2X2 in the females. The pairs 1, 2 and 3 showed NORs which are coincident with the negative heteropycnotic patterns. Using the C-banding technique, the pericentromeric region of the chromosomes revealed small quantity or even absence of constitutive heterochromatin, differing of the C-banding pattern described in other species of spiders. In N. cruentata the fluorochromes DAPI/DA, DAPI/MM and CMA3/DA revealed that the constitutive heterochromatin is rich in AT bases and the NORs possess repetitive sequences of GC bases.
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Guarnieri R, Araújo D, Carlotti CG, Assirati JA, Hallak JEC, Velasco TR, Alexandre V, Terra-Bustamante VC, Walz R, Bianchin MM, Wichert-Ana L, Linhares M, Dalmagro CL, Inuzuka LM, Sakamoto AC. Suppression of obsessive-compulsive symptoms after epilepsy surgery. Epilepsy Behav 2005; 7:316-9. [PMID: 16043417 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2005.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2004] [Revised: 05/25/2005] [Accepted: 05/27/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We report two male patients with medically intractable epilepsy and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. Both patients experienced remission of obsessive-compulsive symptoms after surgical treatment of epilepsy. Although the surgeries targeted different brain regions, the two patients had in common unilateral anterior cingulate cortex ablation. On the basis of these observations, we discuss the pathophysiology of OCD symptoms, emphasizing the role of corticosubcortical pathways in their genesis. Our data suggest that surgeries that affect neural loops associated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms can lead to an improvement of OCD; however, the structures responsible for this effect cannot be conclusively determined.
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Terra-Bustamante VC, Coimbra ER, Rezek KO, Escorsi-Rosset SR, Guarnieri R, Dalmagro CL, Inuzuka LM, Bianchin MM, Wichert-Ana L, Alexandre V, Takayanagui OM, Araújo D, dos Santos AC, Carlotti CG, Walz R, Markowitsch HJ, Sakamoto AC. Cognitive performance of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and incidental calcified neurocysticercosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2005; 76:1080-3. [PMID: 16024883 PMCID: PMC1739752 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2004.048934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although chronic calcified neurocysticercosis (NCC) has been considered a major cause of symptomatic epilepsy in developing countries, it can also be an incidental pathological finding in epileptic patients from endemic regions. The mechanisms of brain plasticity occurring in patients with NCC during and after the inflammatory process related to the parasite infection, death, degeneration, and calcification within the host brain might be an independent factor for cognitive impairment in patients with NCC and epilepsy. In order to assess this possibility cognitive performance of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy related to hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS) with and without NCC was investigated through structured neuropsychological testing. METHODS Cognitive performance of long term MTLE-HS patients with (HS-NCC group, n = 32) and without NCC (HS only, n = 48) was compared. Imbalances between the two groups with respect to clinical, demographic, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological variables were adjusted by linear multiple regression analysis and Bonferroni correction for multiple tests. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS There were no cognitive performance differences between HS-NCC and HS only patients, leading to the conclusion that chronic calcified NCC per se does not aggravate the cognitive performance of patients with long term MTLE-HS.
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Walz R, Castro RMRPS, Landemberger MC, Velasco TR, Terra-Bustamante VC, Bastos AC, Bianchin M, Wichert-Ana L, Araújo D, Alexandre V, Santos AC, Machado HR, Carlotti CG, Brentani RR, Martins VR, Sakamoto AC. Cortical malformations are associated with a rare polymorphism of cellular prion protein. Neurology 2005; 63:557-60. [PMID: 15304595 DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000133400.34423.ad] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies in animals lacking the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) gene (Prnp) showed higher neuronal excitability in vitro and increased sensitivity to seizures in vivo. The authors previously reported a rare polymorphism at codon 171 (Asn-->Ser) of human Prnp to be associated with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy related to hippocampal sclerosis. They demonstrated that the same variant allele is also associated with symptomatic epilepsies related to different forms of malformations of cortical development.
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Carneiro AA, Vilela GR, Fernandes JB, Araújo D, Baffa O, Elias J, St Pierre G, Angulo IL, Covas DT. In vivo tissue characterization using magnetic techniques. NEUROLOGY & CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY : NCN 2004; 2004:85. [PMID: 16012653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Among the few non-invasive methods to quantify liver iron deposits, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biomagnetic liver susceptometry (BLS) have been considered the best to evaluate iron overload in the body. This diagnosis is necessary for patients who regularly receive red blood cells transfusion and that have a genetic disorder known as hemochromatosis. In this work, we present the evaluation of the clinical usefulness of MRI and BLS of hepatic tissue to quantify iron deposits in non-transfused and transfused patients. Liver iron evaluation by MRI and BLS were performed in a group of 48 patients. The MRI images weighted in T2 were acquired using multi-slice single-spin-echo (SSE) and single-slice multi-spin-echo (MSE), conducted on a 1.5 T whole body scanner. BLS measurements were performed using an ac superconducting susceptometer based on SQUID. Typically MRI is able to evaluate iron overload in liver as high as 30 mg/g(dry tissue) when using MRI scanners provided with specially designed pulse sequences. For higher iron concentrations susceptibility measurement works better than MRI to evaluate higher iron overloads in the liver, because in this case there is saturation of MRI signal.
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Crippa JAS, Uchida R, Busatto GF, Guimarães FS, Del-Ben CM, Zuardi AW, Santos AC, Araújo D, McGuire PK, Graeff FG. The size and prevalence of the cavum septum pellucidum are normal in subjects with panic disorder. Braz J Med Biol Res 2004; 37:371-4. [PMID: 15060705 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2004000300013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Panic disorder is thought to involve dysfunction in the septohippocampal system, and the presence of a cavum septum pellucidum might indicate the aberrant development of this system. We compared the prevalence and size of cavum septum pellucidum in 21 patients with panic disorder and in 21 healthy controls by magnetic resonance imaging. The length of the cavum septum pellucidum was measured by counting the number of consecutive 1-mm coronal slices in which it appeared. A cavum septum pellucidum of >6 mm in length was rated as large. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients (16 of 21 or 76.2%) and controls (18 of 21 or 85.7%) with a cavum septum pellucidum (P=0.35, Fisher's exact test, one-tailed), and no members of either group had a large cavum septum pellucidum. The mean cavum septum pellucidum rating in the patient and control groups was 1.81 (SD=1.50) and 2.09 (SD=1.51), respectively. There were also no significant differences between groups when we analyzed cavum septum pellucidum ratings as a continuous variable (U=196.5; P=0.54). Across all subjects there was a trend towards a higher prevalence of cavum septum pellucidum in males (100%, 10 of 10) than females (75%, 24 of 32; P=0.09, Fisher's exact test, one-tailed). Thus, we conclude that, while panic disorder may involve septo-hippocampal dysfunction, it is not associated with an increased prevalence or size of the cavum septum pellucidum.
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