133 research outputs found
Time Perception in Cocaine-Dependent Patients
No full textThe involvement of the dopamine system in modulating time perception has been widely reported. Clinical conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, addictions) that alter dopaminergic signaling have been shown to affect motor timing and perceived duration. The present study aimed at investigating whether the effects of chronic stimulant use on temporal processing are time-interval dependent. All participants performed two different time bisection tasks (480/1920 ms and 1200/2640 ms) in which we analysed the proportion of long responses for each stimulus duration as well as an index of perceived duration and one of sensitivity. Regarding the proportion of long responses, we found no differences between groups in either time bisection task but patients had more variable results than controls did in both tasks. This study provides new insight into temporal processing in stimulant-dependent patients. Regardless of the time interval tested, the results showed comparable temporal ability in patients and controls, but higher temporal variability in patients. This finding is consistent with impairment of frontally-mediated cognitive functions involved in time perception rather than impairment in time processing per se
Update on Cannabidiol Clinical Toxicity and Adverse Effects: a Systematic Review
No full textBackground: Compelling evidence from preclinical and clinical studies supports the therapeutic role of cannabidiol (CBD) in several medical disorders. We reviewed the scientific evidence on CBD-related toxicity and adverse events (AEs) in 2019, at the beginning of the spike in clinical studies involving CBD. However, CBD safety remained uncertain. Objective: With the benefit of hindsight, we aimed to provide an update on CBD-related toxicity and AEs in humans. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were accessed in October 2022 to identify clinical studies mentioning CBD-related toxicity/AEs from February 2019 to September 2022. Study design, population characteristics, CBD doses, treatment duration, co-medications, and AEs were compiled. Results: A total of 51 reports were included. Most studies investigated CBD efficacy and safety in neurological conditions, such as treatment-resistant epilepsies, although a growing number of studies are focusing on specific psychopathological conditions, such as substance use disorders, chronic psychosis, and anxiety. Most studies report mild or moderate severity of AEs. The most common AEs are diarrhea, somnolence, sedation, and upper respiratory disturbances. Few serious AEs have been reported, especially when CBD is co-administered with other classes of drugs, such as clobazam and valproate. Conclusions: Clinical data suggest that CBD is well tolerated and associated with few serious AEs at therapeutic doses both in children and adults. However, interactions with other medications should be monitored
Centrality of striatal cholinergic transmission in Basal Ganglia function
No full textWork over the past two decades revealed a previously unexpected role for striatal cholinergic interneurons in the context of basal ganglia function. The recognition that these interneurons are essential in synaptic plasticity and motor learning represents a significant step ahead in deciphering how the striatum processes cortical inputs, and why pathological circumstances cause motor dysfunction. Loss of the reciprocal modulation between dopaminergic inputs and the intrinsic cholinergic innervation within the striatum appears to be the trigger for pathophysiological changes occurring in basal ganglia disorders. Accordingly, there is now compelling evidence showing profound changes in cholinergic markers in these disorders, in particular Parkinson's disease and dystonia. Based on converging experimental and clinical evidence, we provide an overview of the role of striatal cholinergic transmission in physiological and pathological conditions, in the context of the pathogenesis of movement disorders
Efficacy and safety profile of prolonged release oxycodone in combination with naloxone (OXN PR) in Parkinson’s disease patients with chronic pain
No full textPain is a relevant and often underestimated non-motor symptom affecting the quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Although some pain symptoms can be effectively treated by dopaminergic medication, a correct diagnosis of the different types and distribution of pain in PD is challenging, and accordingly, its treatment remains troublesome. We evaluated the efficacy and the safety of a prolonged release oral formulation of oxycodone hydrochloride combined with naloxone hydrochloride dehydrate, in a fixed ratio of 2:1 (OXN PR). A total of 16 PD patients with history of pain with a minimum intensity of four on numerical rating scale (NRS) received low-dose OXN PR (5/2.5 mg twice daily) and were observed for a period of 8 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was the pain severity measured with NRS and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Secondary efficacy measured the safety profile by recording the occurrence of side effects, clinical global impression of change (CGI-C), Parkinson's disease sleep scale 2 (PDSS-2), Bowel function index (BFI). Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Patients who completed the study (14 out of 16) reported a significant pain relief as observed by the reduction of NRS and BPI scores. No adjustment of dopaminergic therapy was required. No significant changes were observed in bowel function and constipation symptoms as measured by the BFI during the 8-week period. Similarly, no changes were observed in PDSS-2 score, whereas an improvement was recorded by CGI-C compared to baseline. Low-dose oral OXN PR was efficacious for the management of pain symptoms of patients with PD. More importantly, patients did not experience significant side effects, such as constipation or sedation. Our study provides evidence that opioids can be used to treat pain symptoms in PD patients
Early synaptic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: Insights from animal models
No full textThe appearance of motor manifestations in Parkinson's disease (PD) is invariably linked to degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. Traditional views on PD neuropathology have been grounded in the assumption that the prime event of neurodegeneration involves neuronal cell bodies with the accumulation of metabolic products. However, this view has recently been challenged by both clinical and experimental evidence. Neuropathological studies in human brain samples and both in vivo and in vitro models support the hypothesis that nigrostriatal synapses may indeed be affected at the earliest stages of the neurodegenerative process. The mechanisms leading to either structural or functional synaptic dysfunction are starting to be elucidated and include dysregulation of axonal transport, impairment of the exocytosis and endocytosis machinery, altered intracellular trafficking, and loss of corticostriatal synaptic plasticity. The aim of this review is to try to integrate different lines of evidence from both pathogenic and genetic animal models that, to different extents, suggest that early synaptic impairment may represent the key event in PD pathogenesis. Understanding the molecular and cellular events underlying such synaptopathy is a fundamental step toward developing specific biomarkers of early dopaminergic dysfunction and, more importantly, designing novel therapies targeting the synaptic apparatus of selective, vulnerable synapses. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Le Professeur P. Ionesco-Stoian (1909-1985)
No full textDer Professor P. Ionesco-Stoian. (1909-1985).
Die Verfasserin beschreibt kurz das Werk dieses gelehrten Apothekers und ausserordentlichen Organisators, indem sie seine Verbindungen zu Frankreich würdigt.Professor P. Ionesco-Stoian (1909-1985).
The author succinctly reviews the Oeuvre of this erudite pharmacist and excellent organizer, while dwelling upon his ties with France.Baicu Graziella. Le Professeur P. Ionesco-Stoian (1909-1985). In: Revue d'histoire de la pharmacie, 74ᵉ année, n°270, 1986. pp. 213-214
Distinct roles of group I mGlu receptors in striatal function
No full textIn the recent past, evidence accumulated in favour of a central role of group I metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, mGlu1 and mGlu5, in the modulation of cell excitability both of striatal medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs) and interneuronal population. Electrophysiological and pharmacological studies have clearly shown that activation of mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptors exerts distinct actions, depending on the neuronal subtype involved. MGlu5 receptor activation mediates the potentiation of NMDA responses in MSNs, and underlies the retrograde inhibitory signaling by endocannabinoids at corticostriatal synapses. Conversely, both group I mGlu receptors are involved in long-term synaptic plasticity of MSNs. Likewise, either mGlu1 or mGlu5 receptors are engaged in shaping the excitability of large cholinergic interneurons, playing different roles in the membrane responses. Differently, although GABAergic parvalbumin-positive, fast-spiking interneurons have been shown to express both group I receptors, only mGlu1 receptor seems to mediate membrane and synaptic responses. This review provides a brief survey of the cellular and synaptic actions of group I mGlu receptors, and discusses the potential relevance of these findings in neostriatal function and motor control
increase in rat cortical neurons in vitro
No full textWe analyzed the effects of seletracetam (ucb 44212; SEL), a new antiepileptic drug candidate, in an in vitro model of epileptic activity. The activity of SEL was compared to the effects of levetiracetam (LEV; Keppra), in the same assays
Citizenship in the Age of Globalization
No full textThe article deals with social rights enjoyed by non-citizens in European countries. The author argues that the enjoyment of social rights is unavoidable to build up a path towards the full citizenship status
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