Comparison of parent and teacher reports of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms from two placebo-controlled studies of atomoxetine in children.

BACKGROUND: The validity of parent reports regarding children's attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms has been questioned. This study assessed whether parent reports were as sensitive as teacher reports to document change in ADHD symptoms during clinical trials with atomoxetine. METHODS: Data were compared from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of atomoxetine using different versions (parent or teacher) of the same rating scale (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV [parent or teacher] Version: Investigator Administered and Scored - ADHD RS). Exclusion criteria included history of bipolar disorder, psychosis, seizures, alcohol abuse, or positive drug screen. Patients (6-16 years old) were treated with atomoxetine (titrated to a maximum dose of 1.8 mg/kg/day) administered once daily for up to 7 weeks. Parent and teacher ratings were compared using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model. RESULTS: The analysis (n = 318) showed that treatment effects (mean change, baseline to endpoint) were similar between parent and teacher ratings (total, p = .762; inattention, p = .519; hyperactive/impulsive, p = .955). Effect sizes also were similar based on total scores (parent ratings = .69; teacher ratings = .63). CONCLUSIONS: Parent reports are as sensitive as teacher reports in assessing the efficacy of long-acting pharmacologic treatment for ADHD in children during clinical trials using the nonstimulant atomoxetine.     

阿尔茨海默病患者的执行功能障碍

目的了解阿尔茨海默病(A lzhe im er d isease,AD)患者执行功能损害状况及对于生活能力的影响,探讨执行功能障碍与记忆等AD常见认知功能损害的相关性。方法运用神经心理学测验的方法对40例AD患者及30例轻度认知功能损害(m ild cogn itive impairm ent,MC I)患者进行执行功能、记忆及其他认知功能检查,同时进行生活能力评定。另外选择40名健康老人作对照。结果AD组的执行功能测验成绩均显著低于健康对照组(P<0.01),其中额叶功能评定量表(FAB)(5.29±2.47)分,执行性画钟作业(CLOX1)(4.63±3.56)分,Stroop测验错误次数(Stroop1)(14.17±8.99)分,词语流畅性测验(RVR)(17.56±10.51)分。除Stroop测验反应时间(Stroop2)外,MC I组的其他执行功能测验成绩显著低于健康对照组(P<0.05),其中FAB为(7.67±2.44)分,CLOX1为(7.86±3.78)分,Stroop1为(7.21±8.07)分,RVR为(30.86±8.38)分。用多元逐步回归方法分析不同认知功能对生活能力的影响,结果为反映执行功能的FAB测验成绩处于第一位,独立与操作性日常生活能力(IADL)相关(β=-0.778,t=-7.079,P<0.01)。各项执行功能测验与年龄相关性不明显(r=0.026~0.250,P>0.05),与简易精神状态量表(MMSE)、记忆测验成绩相关性好(r=0.438~0.786,P<0.01)。结论AD患者具有明显的执行功能障碍;在尚未到达痴呆水平的MC I阶段也可发现执行功能损害。执行功能和整体认知功能及记忆等认知域功能具有良好的相关性。AD患者的执行功能障碍是导致生活能力下降的重要因素。     

Aggressive behavior linked to corticotropin-reactive autoantibodies.

BACKGROUND: Altered stress response is characteristic for subjects with abnormal aggressive and antisocial behavior, but the underlying biological mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesized that autoantibodies (autoAbs) directed against several stress-related neurohormones may exist in aggressive subjects. METHODS: Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we studied whether autoAbs directed against corticotropin (ACTH), alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), oxytocin, and vasopressin are present in serum of male subjects with conduct disorder and prisoners with history of violence. Healthy blood donors served as control subjects. RESULTS: Both conduct disorder and prisoners groups displayed strongly increased levels of ACTH-reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) autoAbs compared with control subjects. Levels of oxytocin-reactive IgM autoAbs were slightly increased in both groups of aggressive subjects, whereas levels of vasopressin-reactive IgG and IgM autoAbs were lower only in conduct disorder. No differences in the levels of alpha-MSH-reactive autoAbs were found between aggressive and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of ACTH-reactive autoAbs as well as altered levels of oxytocin- and vasopressin-reactive autoAbs found in aggressive subjects may interfere with the neuroendocrine mechanisms of stress and motivated behavior. Our data suggest a new biological mechanism of human aggressive behavior that involves autoAbs directed against several stress-related neurohormones.     

双相情感障碍抑郁相与单相抑郁发作临床分析

目的:对双相情感障碍抑郁相和单相抑郁发作进行临床分析。方法:对双相情感障碍抑郁相和单相抑郁发作患者各30例进行临床分析。结果:双相情感障碍抑郁相有如下特点:①发病年龄早;②女性多见;③具有“精力过盛”性人格;④一级亲属中有双相障碍的家族史;⑤症状多为非典型抑郁发作或伴有精神病性症状。结论:如首次抑郁发作的症状符合以上特点,则可能以后发展为双相情感障碍,应使用足量心境稳定剂,谨慎使用抗抑郁剂,以免转为躁狂发作。     

Hemichorea associated with polycythaemia vera

Abstract Chorea is a rare complication of polycythaemia vera. Polycythaemic chorea occurs predominantly in females and usually in generalised form. We present a 66-year-old woman with acute onset hemichorea-ballism with no vascular pathology in the basal ganglia region. A clear relationship was observed between the onset of chorea and worsening of haematological parameters in the patient. After repeated phlebotomies the patient's clinical status was improved. Polycythaemic chorea must be considered, especially in the elderly, as early diagnosis leads to effective treatment and prevention of complications.     

Caudate nucleus volume and cognitive performance: Are they related in childhood psychopathology?

BACKGROUND: Impaired neuropsychological test performance, especially on tests of executive function and attention, is often seen in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Structures involved in fronto-striatal circuitry, such as the caudate nucleus, may support these cognitive abilities. However, few studies have examined caudate volumes specifically in children with ASD, or correlated caudate volumes to cognitive ability. METHODS: Neuropsychological test scores and caudate volumes of children with ASD were compared to those of children with bipolar disorder (BD) and of typically developing (TD) children. The relationship between test performance and caudate volumes was analyzed. RESULTS: The ASD group displayed larger right and left caudate volumes, and modest executive deficits, compared to TD controls. While caudate volume inversely predicted performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in all participants, it differentially predicted performance on measures of attention across the ASD, BD and TD groups. CONCLUSIONS: Larger caudate volumes were related to impaired problem solving. On a test of attention, larger left caudate volumes predicted increased impulsivity and more omission errors in the ASD group as compared to the TD group, however smaller volume predicted poorer discriminant responding as compared to the BD group.     

血色病肝脏铁过度沉着症1例

1.病例资料：患者，男，48岁。以“乏力、多饮、多尿、多食，伴消瘦4个月，加重1周”入院。既往有乙型肝炎和地中海贫血病史30年，无输血史，无血色病家族史，曾行“脾脏切除”治疗。查体：慢性贫血面容，全身皮肤黄染有散在色素沉着，巩膜黄染，双手肝掌，男性乳房发育；肼右肋下3cm，剑突下5cm，质硬；腹部未触及肿块。     

棉酚服用者睾丸活检的形态及定量组织学研究

对48例服棉酚者睾丸活检组织进行形态学及定量组织学研究。光镜下可见紊乱型、脱落型和严重障碍型三种精子发生障碍。电镜下可见除精子细胞、精母细胞改变外,精原细胞及支持细胞结构也有明显改变。自动图象分析结果表明:三种类型生精障碍曲细精管横截面平均面积和平均细胞总面积与正常对照相比,存在非常显著差异:三种类型生精障碍之间的曲细精管横截面平均面积和平均细胞总面积也有非常显著差异。     

Musical obsession or pseudohallucination: Electrophysiological standpoint

Reported herein is a case of obsessive–compulsive disorder with persistent and distressing musical obsessions along with other symptoms. Advanced source analysis of electroencephalographic data indicated high spectral power over the bifrontal region. The musical symptoms were resistant to pharmacotherapy but there was some reduction in frequency and duration of musical obsessions with thought-stopping technique.     

Bulbar and spinal muscular atrophy (Kennedy's disease): a review

Bulbar and spinal muscular atrophy (BSMA) is an adult-onset, X-linked recessive trinucleotide, polyglutamine disorder, caused by expansion of a polymorphic CAG tandem-repeat in exon 1 of the androgen-receptor (AR) gene on chromosome Xq11-12. Pathogenetically, mutated AR accumulates in nuclei and cytoplasm of motor neurons, resulting in their degeneration and loss. Phenotypically, patients present with amyotrophic, proximal or distal weakness and wasting of the facial, bulbar and limb muscles, occasionally sensory disturbances, and endocrinologic disturbances, such as androgen resistance, gynecomastia, elevated testosterone or progesterone, and reduced fertility. There may be mild hyper-CK-emia, abnormal motor and sensory nerve conduction studies, and neuropathic and myopathic alterations on muscle biopsy. The golden standard for diagnosing BSMA is genetic analysis, demonstrating a CAG-repeat number >40. No causal therapy is available, but symptomatic therapy should be provided for tremor, endocrinologic abnormalities, sensory disturbances, or muscle cramps. The course is slowly progressive, the ability to walk lost only late in life, only few patients require ventilatory support, and life expectancy only slightly reduced.