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Ross RE, Saladin ME, George MS, Gregory CM. Acute effects of aerobic exercise on corticomotor plasticity in individuals with and without depression. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 176:108-118. [PMID: 38852541 PMCID: PMC11283944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although complex in nature, the pathophysiology of depression involves reduced or impaired neuroplastic capabilities. Restoring or enhancing neuroplasticity may serve as a treatment target for developing therapies for depression. Aerobic exercise (AEx) has antidepressant benefits and may enhance neuroplasticity in depression although the latter has yet to be substantiated. Therefore, we sought to examine the acute effect of AEx on neuroplasticity in depression. METHODS Sixteen individuals with (DEP; 13 female; age = 28.5 ± 7.3; Montgomery-Äsberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] = 21.3 ± 5.2) and without depression (HC; 13 female; age 27.2 ± 7.5; MADRS = 0.8 ± 1.2) completed three experimental visits consisting of 15 min of low intensity AEx (LO) at 35% heart rate reserve (HRR), high intensity AEx (HI) at 70% HRR, or sitting (CON). Following AEx, excitatory paired associative stimulation (PAS25ms) was employed to probe neuroplasticity. Motor evoked potentials (MEP) were assessed via transcranial magnetic stimulation before and after PAS25ms to indicate acute changes in neuroplasticity. RESULTS PAS25ms primed with HI AEx led to significant increases in MEP amplitude compared to LO and CON. HI AEx elicited enhanced PAS25ms-induced neuroplasticity for up to 1-h post-PAS. There were no significant between-group differences. CONCLUSION HI AEx enhances PAS measured neuroplasticity in individuals with and without depression. HI AEx may have a potent influence on the brain and serve as an effective primer, or adjunct, to therapies that seek to harness neuroplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan E Ross
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Health Sciences and Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Michael E Saladin
- Department of Health Sciences and Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Mark S George
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Chris M Gregory
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Health Sciences and Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Jung NH, Egert-Schwender S, Schossow B, Kehl V, Wahlländer U, Brich L, Janke V, Blankenstein C, Zenker M, Mall V. Improvement of synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in RASopathies-a monocentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial (SynCoRAS). Trials 2023; 24:383. [PMID: 37280688 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07392-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is a common medical issue in rat sarcoma (RAS) pathway disorders, so-called RASopathies, like Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) or Noonan syndrome (NS). It is presumed to be caused by impaired synaptic plasticity. In animal studies, pathway-specific pharmacological interventions with lovastatin (LOV) and lamotrigine (LTG) have been shown to improve synaptic plasticity as well as cognitive function. The aim of this clinical trial is to translate the findings of animal studies to humans and to probe the effect of lovastatin (NS) and lamotrigine (NS and NF1) on synaptic plasticity and cognitive function/alertness in RASopathies. METHODS Within this phase IIa, monocentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial (syn. SynCoRAS), three approaches (approaches I-III) will be carried out. In patients with NS, the effect of LTG (approach I) and of LOV (approach II) is investigated on synaptic plasticity and alertness. LTG is tested in patients with NF1 (approach III). Trial participants receive a single dose of 300 mg LTG or placebo (I and III) and 200 mg LOV or placebo (II) daily for 4 days with a cross-over after at least 7 days. Synaptic plasticity is investigated using a repetitive high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocol called quadri-pulse theta burst stimulation (qTBS). Attention is examined by using the test of attentional performance (TAP). Twenty-eight patients are randomized in groups NS and NF1 with n = 24 intended to reach the primary endpoint (change in synaptic plasticity). Secondary endpoints are attention (TAP) and differences in short interval cortical inhibition (SICI) between placebo and trial medication (LTG and LOV). DISCUSSION The study is targeting impairments in synaptic plasticity and cognitive impairment, one of the main health problems of patients with RASopathies. Recent first results with LOV in patients with NF1 have shown an improvement in synaptic plasticity and cognition. Within this clinical trial, it is investigated if these findings can be transferred to patients with NS. LTG is most likely a more effective and promising substance improving synaptic plasticity and, consecutively, cognitive function. It is expected that both substances are improving synaptic plasticity as well as alertness. Changes in alertness may be a precondition for improvement of cognition. TRIAL REGISTRATION The clinical trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03504501; https://www. CLINICALTRIALS gov ; date of registration: 04/11/2018) and in EudraCT (number 2016-005022-10).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai H Jung
- Social Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Silvia Egert-Schwender
- Münchner Studienzentrum, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Beate Schossow
- Münchner Studienzentrum, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Victoria Kehl
- Münchner Studienzentrum, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ute Wahlländer
- Institut for General Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Louisa Brich
- Social Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Viktoria Janke
- Münchner Studienzentrum, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christiane Blankenstein
- Münchner Studienzentrum, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Volker Mall
- Social Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Antidepressant effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is not impaired by intake of lithium or antiepileptic drugs. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2021; 271:1245-1253. [PMID: 34218305 PMCID: PMC8429361 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-021-01287-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The effect of concomitant medication on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) outcomes in depression remains understudied. Recent analyses show attenuation of rTMS effects by antipsychotic medication and benzodiazepines, but data on the effects of antiepileptic drugs and lithium used as mood stabilizers or augmenting agents are sparse despite clinical relevance. Preclinical electrophysiological studies suggest relevant impact of the medication on treatment, but this might not translate into clinical practice. We aimed to investigate the role of lithium (Li), lamotrigine (LTG) and valproic acid (VPA) by analyzing rTMS treatment outcomes in depressed patients. METHODS 299 patients with uni- and bipolar depression treated with rTMS were selected for analysis in respect to intake of lithium, lamotrigine and valproic acid. The majority (n = 251) were treated with high-frequency (10-20 Hz) rTMS of the lDLPFC for an average of 17 treatment sessions with a figure-of-8 coil with a MagVenture system aiming for 110% resting motor threshold, and smaller groups of patients were being treated with other protocols including intermittent theta-burst stimulation and bilateral prefrontal and medial prefrontal protocols. For group comparisons, we used analysis of variance with the between-subjects factor group or Chi-Square Test of Independence depending on the scales of measurement. For post-hoc tests, we used least significant difference (LSD). For differences in treatment effects between groups, we used an ANOVA with the between-subjects factor group (groups: no mood stabilizer, Li, LTG, VPA, Li + LTG) the within-subjects factor treatment (pre vs. post treatment with rTMS) and also Chi-Square Tests of independence for response and remission. RESULTS Overall, patients showed an amelioration of symptoms with no significant differences for the main effect of group and for the interaction effect treatment by group. Based on direct comparisons between the single groups taking mood stabilizers against the group taking no mood stabilizers, we see a superior effect of lamotrigine, valproic acid and combination of lithium and lamotrigine for the response and remission rates. Motor threshold was significantly and markedly higher for patients taking valproic acid. CONCLUSION Being treated with lithium, lamotrigine and valproic acid had no relevant influence on rTMS treatment outcome. The results suggest there is no reason for clinicians to withhold or withdraw these types of medication from patients who are about to undergo a course of rTMS. Prospective controlled work on the subject is encouraged.
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Minzenberg MJ, Leuchter AF. The effect of psychotropic drugs on cortical excitability and plasticity measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation: Implications for psychiatric treatment. J Affect Disord 2019; 253:126-140. [PMID: 31035213 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.04.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an emerging treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders. Patients in rTMS treatment typically receive concomitant psychotropic medications, which affect neuronal excitability and plasticity and may interact to affect rTMS treatment outcomes. A greater understanding of these drug effects may have considerable implications for optimizing multi-modal treatment of psychiatric patients, and elucidating the mechanism(s) of action (MOA) of rTMS. METHOD We summarized the empirical literature that tests how psychotropic drugs affect cortical excitability and plasticity, using varied experimental TMS paradigms. RESULTS Glutamate antagonists robustly attenuate plasticity, largely without changes in excitability per se; antiepileptic drugs show the opposite pattern of effects, while calcium channel blockers attenuate plasticity. Benzodiazepines have moderate and variable effects on plasticity, and negligible effects on excitability. Antidepressants with potent 5HT transporter inhibition reduce both excitability and alter plasticity, while antidepressants with other MOAs generally lack either effect. Catecholaminergic drugs, cholinergic agents and lithium have minimal effects on excitability but exhibit robust and complex, non-linear effects in TMS plasticity paradigms. LIMITATIONS These effects remain largely untested in sustained treatment protocols, nor in clinical populations. In addition, how these medications impact clinical response to rTMS remains largely unknown. CONCLUSIONS Psychotropic medications exert robust and varied effects on cortical excitability and plasticity. We encourage the field to more directly and fully investigate clinical pharmaco-TMS studies to improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Minzenberg
- Neuromodulation Division, Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024, United States.
| | - A F Leuchter
- Neuromodulation Division, Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024, United States
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Suppa A, Quartarone A, Siebner H, Chen R, Di Lazzaro V, Del Giudice P, Paulus W, Rothwell J, Ziemann U, Classen J. The associative brain at work: Evidence from paired associative stimulation studies in humans. Clin Neurophysiol 2017; 128:2140-2164. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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ter Braack EM, Koopman AWE, van Putten MJ. Early TMS evoked potentials in epilepsy: A pilot study. Clin Neurophysiol 2016; 127:3025-3032. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Sleep recalibrates homeostatic and associative synaptic plasticity in the human cortex. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12455. [PMID: 27551934 PMCID: PMC4996971 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep is ubiquitous in animals and humans, but its function remains to be further determined. The synaptic homeostasis hypothesis of sleep–wake regulation proposes a homeostatic increase in net synaptic strength and cortical excitability along with decreased inducibility of associative synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) due to saturation after sleep deprivation. Here we use electrophysiological, behavioural and molecular indices to non-invasively study net synaptic strength and LTP-like plasticity in humans after sleep and sleep deprivation. We demonstrate indices of increased net synaptic strength (TMS intensity to elicit a predefined amplitude of motor-evoked potential and EEG theta activity) and decreased LTP-like plasticity (paired associative stimulation induced change in motor-evoked potential and memory formation) after sleep deprivation. Changes in plasma BDNF are identified as a potential mechanism. Our study indicates that sleep recalibrates homeostatic and associative synaptic plasticity, believed to be the neural basis for adaptive behaviour, in humans. Sleep deprivation is believed to lead to homeostatic increases in synaptic strength and reduced inducibility of associative LTP, based mainly on findings from animal studies. Here, Kuhn et al. demonstrate similar sleep-dependent synaptic plasticity changes in humans along with altered plasma BDNF levels.
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Fuhl A, Müller-Dahlhaus F, Lücke C, Toennes SW, Ziemann U. Low Doses of Ethanol Enhance LTD-like Plasticity in Human Motor Cortex. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:2969-80. [PMID: 26038159 PMCID: PMC4864632 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Humans liberally use ethanol for its facilitating effects on social interactions but its effects on central nervous system function remain underexplored. We have recently described that very low doses of ethanol abolish long-term potentiation (LTP)-like plasticity in human cortex, most likely through enhancement of tonic inhibition [Lücke et al, 2014, Neuropsychopharmacology 39:1508-18]. Here, we studied the effects of low-dose ethanol on long-term depression (LTD)-like plasticity. LTD-like plasticity was induced in human motor cortex by paired associative transcranial magnetic stimulation (PASLTD), and measured as decreases of motor evoked potential input-output curve (IO-curve). In addition, sedation was measured by decreases in saccade peak velocity (SPV). Ethanol in two low doses (EtOH<10mM, EtOH<20mM) was compared to single oral doses of alprazolam (APZ, 1mg) a classical benzodiazepine, and zolpidem (ZLP, 10 mg), a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic, in a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled crossover design in ten healthy human subjects. EtOH<10mM and EtOH<20mM but not APZ or ZLP enhanced the PASLTD-induced LTD-like plasticity, while APZ and ZLP but not EtOH<10mM or EtOH<20mM decreased SPV. Non-sedating low doses of ethanol, easily reached during social drinking, enhance LTD-like plasticity in human cortex. This effect is most likely explained by the activation of extrasynaptic α4-subunit containing gamma-aminobutyric type A receptors by low-dose EtOH, resulting in increased tonic inhibition. Findings may stimulate cellular research on the role of tonic inhibition in regulating excitability and plasticity of cortical neuronal networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fuhl
- Department of Neurology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Florian Müller-Dahlhaus
- Department of Neurology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany,Department of Neurology & Stroke, and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Caroline Lücke
- Department of Neurology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan W Toennes
- Department of Forensic Toxicology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany,Department of Neurology & Stroke, and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany,Department of Neurology & Stroke, and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, Tübingen, D-72076, Germany, Tel: +49 7071 2982049, Fax: +49 7071 295260, E-mail:
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Suppa A, Rocchi L, Li Voti P, Papazachariadis O, Casciato S, Di Bonaventura C, Giallonardo A, Berardelli A. The Photoparoxysmal Response Reflects Abnormal Early Visuomotor Integration in the Human Motor Cortex. Brain Stimul 2015; 8:1151-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2015.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Strigaro G, Falletta L, Cerino A, Pizzamiglio C, Tondo G, Varrasi C, Cantello R. Abnormal motor cortex plasticity in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Seizure 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Croarkin PE, Thomas MA, Port JD, Baruth JM, Choi DS, Abulseoud OA, Frye MA. N-acetylaspartate normalization in bipolar depression after lamotrigine treatment. Bipolar Disord 2015; 17:450-7. [PMID: 25495884 PMCID: PMC4655601 DOI: 10.1111/bdi.12285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to examine N-acetylaspartate (NAA), a general marker of neuronal viability, and total NAA (tNAA), the combined signal of NAA and N-acetylaspartylglutamate, in bipolar depression before and after lamotrigine treatment. Given that NAA is synthesized through direct acetylation of aspartate by acetyl-coenzyme A-l-aspartate-N-acetyltransferase, we hypothesized that treatment with lamotrigine would be associated with an increase in NAA level. METHODS Patients with bipolar depression underwent two-dimensional proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the anterior cingulate at baseline (n = 15) and after 12 weeks of lamotrigine treatment (n = 10). A group of age-matched healthy controls (n = 9) underwent scanning at baseline for comparison. RESULTS At baseline, patients with bipolar depression had significantly lower NAA [mean standard deviation (SD) = 1.13 (0.21); p = 0.02] than controls [mean (SD) = 1.37 (0.27)]. Significant increases in NAA [mean (SD) = 1.39 (0.21); p = 0.01] and tNAA [mean (SD) = 1.61 (0.25); p = 0.02] levels were found after 12 weeks of lamotrigine treatment. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest an NAA deficit in bipolar depression that is normalized after lamotrigine treatment. Future research is warranted to evaluate whether baseline NAA level is a potential biomarker for identifying lamotrigine response patterns and whether this functional brain change has an associated clinical response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Croarkin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - M Albert Thomas
- Department of Radiology, Psychiatry, and Biomedical Engineering, Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - John D Port
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Doo-Sup Choi
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Mark A Frye
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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Kimiskidis VK, Valentin A, Kälviäinen R. Transcranial magnetic stimulation for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. Curr Opin Neurol 2014; 27:236-41. [DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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