What is the role of the cerebellum in the pathophysiology of dystonia?

Journal of Neurology -     

Is part of the molecular basis of the perineurial barrier function the lack of endogenous carbohydrate-binding proteins?

The sugar part of cellular glycoconjugates and specific endogenous sugar receptors, i.e., lectins, can establish a system of biological recognition based on protein-carbohydrate interactions. An assortment of labelled (neo)glycoproteins, carrying different types of sugar moieties, is synthesized to localize respective sugar receptors. With these tools, the histochemical patterns of endogenous carbohydrate-binding receptors of the epi-, peri-, and endoneurium were analyzed in human sural and accessory nerves and in swine sciatic nerve. This approach is complementary to the application of plant lectins, focusing on endogenous carbohydrate-binding proteins (lectins). In contrast to the epi- and endoneurium, which bound certain types of carbohydrates, such endogenous sugar receptors were histochemically not detectable in the perineurial cells. Moreover, no histochemical reaction was present in the "connective tissue septa" localized in the endoneurium in which the endoneurial vessels were embedded. This common property supplies evidence that these septa are composed of perineurial cells. They may represent a barrier in addition to the capillary endothelium. Our observations suggest histogenetical differences between the cell populations of epi- and endoneurium vs. perineurium. This significant difference in the ability to bind carbohydrate residues, conjugated to a carrier protein, is contradictory to the assumption that perineurial cells and fibroblasts are functional variants of the same cell type. The histochemical patterns of endogenous carbohydrate-binding receptors found in human and swine nerves were similar but not identical, with exception of the perineurium, reflecting phylogenetic differences in the expression of sugar-binding proteins. The absence of specific sugar receptors in perineurial cells, however, seems to be a more general phenomenon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sexual differences of the effects of prenatal stress on the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinaseas in the hippocampus of offspring rats

IN T R O D U C T IO N Anim als that are stressed during the prenatal period display w idespread neurobiological,behavioraland cognitive changes.Prenat alstress (PN S) has been associated w ith disturbances in the hy- pothalam ic-pituitary-adrenal (H PA) a…     

Does the definition of borders of the planum temporale influence the results in schizophrenia?

OBJECTIVE: The planum temporale, a highly asymmetric neocortical area of the temporal lobe, has a possible role in schizophrenia. The authors used three different anatomical definitions of the planum temporale to examine the anterior, posterior, and total planum temporale gray matter volumes simultaneously. METHOD: Magnetic resonance imaging was used to examine 30 male schizophrenic patients and 30 healthy male comparison subjects. The total planum temporale was identical in all three anatomical definitions applied to determine the border between the anterior and posterior planum temporale regions. RESULTS: No significant differences between men with and without schizophrenia were detected with regard to planum temporale volumes and asymmetry coefficients for any of the three definitions. CONCLUSIONS: The authors could not prove the hypothesis that the definition of planum temporale borders influences the results concerning possible disturbances of planum temporale asymmetry in patients with schizophrenia.     

Changes in the Expression of Genes of the Glutamate Transporter and Subunits of the NMDA and AMPA Receptors in the Rat Amygdala in the Lithium–Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy

The molecular changes in the glutamatergic system of the rat amygdala were studied during the latent phase of the lithium–pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy in order to identify the potential involvement of these changes in epileptogenesis. The real-time PCR method was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of the NMDA and AMPA receptor subunits, as well as the excitatory amino acid transporter-2 (EAAT2) in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala 7 days after the seizures caused by administration of pilocarpine. The results of the experiments were as follows: (1) an increase in the expression ratio of the GluN2a/GluN2b NMDA receptor subunits with an unchanged expression level of the GluN1 subunit; (2) increased expression of the GluA2 subunit of AMPA receptors with the invariance of GluA1, and (3) enhanced expression of the EAAT2. According to literature data, the expression of the same genes decreased in the hippocampus in the same model of epilepsy. Neurodegeneration was reported in both brain regions. The opposite changes in the expression of the glutamatergic system genes in the hippocampus and amygdala during the latent period of the lithium–pilocarpine model suggest the occurrence of factors that can both contribute to and hinder epileptogenesis.     

Modeling the Protonation States of the Catalytic Aspartates in β-Secretase and the Process of the Enzymatic Hydrolysis

背景：阿尔茨海默病(AD）主要表现为脑内β-淀粉样蛋白（Aβ）沉积，Aβ由β-淀粉酶（β- Secretase，BACE）催化水解淀粉样前体蛋白（amyloid precursor protein, APP）产生，但是BACE的催化机制至今仍不清楚。 目的：确定质子在BACE催化性氨基酸(Asp 32 和 Asp 228)中的精确定位，同时在计算机上模拟BACE催化底物APP蛋白的全部过程，揭示BACE催化水解底物的机制。 设计，时间和 SETTING: 全部的量子化学计算在中山大学中山医学院人体解剖教研室进行，2008年8月至2009年3月。 材料: 一台linux计算机工作站，商业性的大型药物设计软件包Schrodinger, 针对学术机构免费的量子化学软件 MOPAC 2007。 方法: 在计算机上构建了一个BACE催化模型，应用量子化学/分子力学(QM/MM)相结合的方法在密度泛函理论水平的基础上计算质子在BACE催化性氨基酸(Asp 32 和 Asp 228)中的精确定位； 在量子化学的半经验理论水平基础上模拟BACE催化水解底物肽EVNL/AAEF的全部过程。 主要结果指标: 计算BACE和底物在不同的单质子化状态下两个催化性氨基酸中的4个羧基氧原子的共面性；在模拟催化水解底物过程中检测BACE催化活性区域内空间和能量的变化。 结果： BACE的同分异构体228o,其4个催化氨基酸羧基氧原子形成的二面角为8.7°；而且利用这种同分异构体（228o）作为初始状态，催化水解底物的活化能最低（1.6959 kcal/mol），焓最高（-7.4055 kcal/mol）。 结论：在催化前，质子最有可能位于BACE的催化氨基酸Asp 228的外位羧基氧原子上,催化水解时，Asp 228作为催化酸，Asp 32 作为催化碱驱动催化水分子攻击底物，形成四面体中间物后，质子的换位到Asp 32的内位羧基氧原子上。     

An exploration of the relevance of the concept of “flow” in art therapy

Abstract

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a psychologist, conducted research into the psychological state of happiness. A result of this work is the concept of “flow” (Csikszentmihalyi, 1992 Czikszentmihalyi, M. 1992. “Flow”: The psychology of happiness, USA: Harper & Row.  [Google Scholar]). Csikszentmihalyi's work has to date not been reviewed in art therapy literature for its relevance to our clinical practice or theoretical conceptualisation. Both art therapy and the concept of “flow” are concerned with the well-being of the individual. In this paper I will explore possible intersections between them. I present a summary of the salient features of Csikszentmihalyi's findings in regard to flow and explore how I have found that an understanding of this psychological state can be relevant in my art therapy practice. A consideration of the phenomenon of “flow” may be a way of re-addressing a balance between understanding an art therapy client's areas of “wellness” and “strength” as well as possible areas of “ illness” or “difficulty”.     

Microanatomical study of the nutrient artery of the glossopharyngeal nerve root**☆

BACKGROUND： Because the artery leading to the glossopharyngeal nerve is small and complex, insufficient blood supply can occur due to atherosclerosis, occlusion, or injury. This sometimes results in corresponding nerve degeneration, demyelination, and/or arachnoid adhesion.
OBJECTIVE： To observe the nutrient artery origin of the glossopharyngeal nerve root in the medulla oblongata region, as well as the relationship between the artery and glossopharyngeal nerve root, to verify dependence of primary glossopharyngeal neuralgia, which is related to contact and compression of the nutrient artery of the glossopharyngeal nerve root.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Repetitive measurement. The experiment was performed at Harbin Medical University and Daqing Oilfields General Hospital between November 2006 and April 2007.
MATERIALS： Ten cadaver heads （seven male and three female） were supplied by the Department of Anatomy, Harbin Medical University. A total of 15 patients （nine male and six female）, aged 38-56, that suffered from glossopharyngeal neuralgia were treated at Daqing Oilfields General Hospital and were between 38-56 years old. All cadaver heads were strictly handled according to the Guideline for Medical Ethics Committee. The patients agreed to the criteria set for the study objects.
METHODS： （1）The bilateral veins of the nutrient artery were dissected under a surgery microscope. A sliding caliper was used to measure the length of the glossopharyngeal nerve from the oblongata to the jugular foramen. The origin of the nutrient artery was noted, as well as the courser and diameter to explore the relationship between the glossopharyngeal nerve root and the vertebral artery, posterior inferior cerebellar artery, anterior inferior cerebellar artery, as well as the branching veins. （2） A total of 15 patients received glossopharyngeal neuralgia surgery. Contact or oppression of the glossopharyngeal nerve with the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, the anterior inferior cerebellar artery     

What is the purpose of launching the World Journal of Psychiatry?

The first issue of World Journal of Psychiatry (WJP), whose preparatory work was initiated on May 18, 2011, will be published on December 31, 2011. The WJP Editorial Board has now been established and consists of 103 distinguished experts from 32 countries. Our purpose of launching WJP is to publish peer-reviewed, high-quality articles via an open-access online publishing model, thereby acting as a platform for communication between peers and the wider public, and maximizing the benefits to editorial board members, authors and readers.     

Application of the concept of continuous dopaminergic stimulation for the management of Parkinson’s disease

Continuous dopaminergic stimulation（CDS）is a prominent therapeutic concept for the treatment of Parkinson＇s disease（PD）,which proposes that continuous brain dopamine-receptor stimulation,rather than intermittent doses of oral L-dopa,prevents or manages L-dopa-induced dyskinesias（LIDs）.In the normal situation,dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta fire tonically to keep the dopamine receptor stimulation at a steady-state level.But when the dopaminergic pathway is impaired,the dopamine receptor stimulation becomes intermittent or pulsatile.This pulsatile stimulation causes a series of gene and protein changes in striatal neurons,leading to alterations in the firing patterns of basal ganglia neurons that result in LIDs.Studies in animal models and clinical trials of PD have shown that approaches providing CDS,currently including patches,extended-release formulations of L-dopa or dopamine agonists,continuous delivery of apomorphine and duodenal L-dopa infusion,are associated with a decreased risk of LIDs.In this review,we summarize both preclinical and clinical evidence for the five methods that may provide CDS in theory and compare the advantages and disadvantages of these methods.     

Contribution of corticosteroid to the treatment of pain in the acute phase of Guillain-Barré syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Pain is a common problem in both adults and children with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Corticosteroids are rarely used in the treatment of pain in the course of GBS, although some authors have pointed out their value for the treatment of neuropathic pain. We report four patients with GBS whose pain was rapidly relieved by administration of corticosteroids. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively a series of four patients with GBS seen from September 2001 to February 2003. All patients had plexual (Case 3), trunkular (case 1), radicular (case 2) or focal (case 4) pain. Pain was treated with corticosteroids via oral (cases 1 and 2) or intravenous routes (cases 3 and 4). Corticoids where used after failure of other analgesic agents. RESULTS: Pain relief was obtained after the first administration and persisted even after tapering off steroid treatment. No particular complication was observed during treatment course. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that controlled studies should be set up to evaluate the place of corticosteroid treatment for the management of pain in patients with GBS.     

Does age at the onset of narcolepsy influence the course and severity of the disease?

ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to compare the course and severity of narcolepsy in relation to different ages at the disease onset.MethodsClinical interviews with the completion of the Stanford questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) were evaluated in 105 patients (44 males, 61 females, mean age 45.4 ± 19.2, BMI 29.2 ± 5.8) suffering from narcolepsy.ResultsThe severity of the disease was judged by clinical complaints, ESS value and MSLT results. No relations with the age at onset and clinical tetrad were found, however, smoking may be associated with an increased risk of hypnagogic hallucinations. There was no correlation between the number of sleep and cataplectic attacks and the age at onset, nor did subjective ESS show any significant dependence. However, earlier onset of the disease correlated with shorter MSLT mean latency. A correlation was found between the BMI and narcolepsy sleepiness rating in the elderly and between degree of education attained and subjective complaints.ConclusionsThe clinical severity of narcolepsy does not depend on the age at onset.     

What does the study of the spatial patterns of pathological lesions tell us about the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders?

Discrete pathological lesions, which include extracellular protein deposits, intracellular inclusions and changes in cell morphology, occur in the brain in the majority of neurodegenerative disorders. These lesions are not randomly distributed in the brain but exhibit a spatial pattern, that is, a departure from randomness towards regularity or clustering. The spatial pattern of a lesion may reflect pathological processes affecting particular neuroanatomical structures and, therefore, studies of spatial pattern may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of a lesion and of the disorders themselves. The present article reviews first, the statistical methods used to detect spatial patterns and second, the types of spatial patterns exhibited by pathological lesions in a variety of disorders which include Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, dementia with Lewy bodies, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, Pick's disease and corticobasal degeneration. These studies suggest that despite the morphological and molecular diversity of brain lesions, they often exhibit a common type of spatial pattern (i.e. aggregation into clusters that are regularly distributed in the tissue). The pathogenic implications of spatial pattern analysis are discussed with reference to the individual disorders and to studies of neurodegeneration as a whole.