骨折愈合过程中降钙素基因相关肽表达与脑损伤的影响

背景：临床观察及实验研究发现合并中枢神经损伤的骨折愈合加速,但其具体机制尚未明确。 目的：观察股骨骨折合并脑损伤大鼠骨痂中降钙素基因相关肽及其mRNA的表达变化,探讨脑损伤对骨折愈合的影响及作用机制。 设计、时间及地点：随机对照动物实验,于2007-01/10在华北煤炭医学院骨科实验室完成。 材料：健康12周龄雌性SD大鼠64只,建立大鼠开放骨折模型。 方法：骨折造模后64只SD大鼠随机数字法分为骨折合并脑损伤组和单纯骨折组,每组32只,骨折合并脑损伤组接着制备脑损伤模型。造模后7,14,21,28 d分批麻醉并处死动物,苏木精-伊红染色观察骨折愈合情况,免疫组织化学染色及原位杂交检测降钙素基因相关肽及其mRNA的表达变化。 主要观察指标：①造模后28 d大鼠右侧股骨X射线平片表现。②造模后不同时间点两组大鼠骨痂苏木精-伊红染色、免疫组织化学染色及原位杂交结果。 结果：64只SD大鼠均进入结果分析。①X射线平片显示与单纯骨折组相比,骨折合并脑损伤组骨折端骨痂形成早,骨痂量多。②苏木精-伊红染色示单纯骨折组呈典型骨折愈合过程,而骨折合并脑损伤组骨痂形成及改造提前,骨折愈合加速。免疫组织化学染色显示骨折愈合过程中内皮细胞、骨祖细胞、软骨细胞及成骨细胞表达降钙素基因相关肽。骨折合并脑损伤组造模后各时间点阳性细胞数均高于单纯骨折组,差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。原位杂交检测示骨折合并脑损伤组造模后7,14,21 d表达降钙素基因相关肽mRNA的成骨细胞数均高于单纯骨折组,差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。 结论：脑损伤对骨折愈合有促进作用,可能与合并脑损伤后降钙素基因相关肽及其mRNA表达水平升高有关。     

脑损伤并胫骨骨折大鼠骨痂中神经肽的分布及意义*☆

目的: 研究证明，含有P物质、降钙素基因相关肽、血管活性肠肽、神经肽Y和酪氨酸羟化酶等神经肽的肽能神经共同存在于骨组织中，主要分布于骨代谢活跃的区域，表明这些肽能神经与骨的生长、发育密切相关。观察脑损伤后大鼠胫骨骨痂中神经肽的表达。 方法：实验于2007-02/05在广西医科大学实验动物中心完成。①实验分组：雄性Wistar大鼠130只，体质量450~550 g，随机数字表法分为单纯骨折组（n =60），脑损伤合并骨折组（n =60），正常对照组（n =10）。②实验方法：麻醉后显露大鼠右颅顶骨，中线旁2 mm 处开直径5 mm 骨窗，液压打击致中度脑损伤，并制备大鼠胫骨骨折模型，其中单纯骨折组头部只做颅骨开窗，正常对照组不做任何处理。③实验评估：术后3，7，14，21，28，35 d 苏木精-伊红染色和神经肽免疫组织化学染色观察神经肽在大鼠胫骨中的分布及胫骨骨折骨痂的连续性及骨折愈合情况。计算机X射线摄像仪（CR）摄片测定术后14，21，28 d 脑损伤合并骨折组及单纯骨折组骨痂面积大小。 结果：纳入大鼠130只，均进入结果分析。①脑损伤合并骨折组早期形成大量纤维骨痂和软骨骨痂，骨痂中神经肽免疫阳性神经纤维较多，明显增厚的骨膜内层骨祖细胞、幼稚的软骨细胞胞质内降钙素基因相关肽、P物质、血管活性肠肽、酪氨酸羟化酶、神经肽Y强阳性表达。②脑损伤合并骨折组14 d 纤维骨痂中的软骨细胞团增大，骨膜下软骨细胞层增厚；21 d 小梁骨明显增厚，软骨岛增大；28 d 仍可见大量的纤维骨痂和软骨骨痂，软骨细胞团周边有少量结构稀疏的编织骨形成。单纯骨折组骨膜反应轻，纤维骨痂量少，骨内成骨和软骨内成骨并存，以前者为主，骨折愈合过程明显晚于脑损伤合并骨折组。③14，21 d 脑损伤合并骨折组骨痂面积较单纯骨折组大（P < 0.01）；21，28 d 脑损伤合并骨折组骨痂面积变化明显快于单纯骨折组，提示骨痂塑性快（P < 0.01）。CR摄片发现，各骨折组大鼠骨折端均未发现不愈合现象，单纯骨折组骨折线清晰，骨痂量较少；脑损伤合并骨折组骨性愈合较好，骨痂量较多，骨折线模糊。 结论：正常大鼠骨生长活跃区有丰富的肽能神经支配。脑损伤后骨痂中神经肽有显著改变，并引起骨痂量和质的改变，骨折愈合加速。     

神经生长因子对大鼠胫骨骨折愈合的影响

背景：临床中发现失神经可导致骨折断端骨痂过度生长甚至在肌肉中出现异位骨化 ,这一现象提示神经因素对骨折愈合有影响。 目的：探讨神经生长因子对大鼠胫骨骨折愈合的影响。 设计、时间及地点：随机对照动物实验，于2005-06/2006-03在解放军第二军大学动物实验中心完成。 材料：健康雄性3个月龄SD大鼠120只，体质量250~300 g，随机分为单纯左胫骨骨折组和神经生长因子治疗组，每组60只。注射用神经生长因子由厦门北大之路生物工程有限公司提供。 方法：两组大鼠制备单纯胫骨骨折，神经生长因子治疗组肌注2 000 AU(1.4 g)，1 次/ d,分别注射两侧腓肠肌，连续肌注2周。伤后第4周对2组大鼠骨折断端行断层CT，测量骨折断端最大横截面及计算骨痂灰度值，行生物力学3点折弯试验。 主要观察指标：①骨组织形态计量学、骨密度测定。②骨痂组织形态学的观察。③免疫组化法测定骨痂组织骨钙素的表达。④观察2组大鼠骨痂中成骨细胞的超微结构变化。⑤Western印迹检测Ⅰ、Ⅱ型胶原的表达。 结果：神经生长因子治疗组3点折弯试验各项生物力学参数均优于单纯左胫骨骨折组(P < 0.05)。形态学及超微结构观察见神经生长因子治疗组骨折愈合优于单纯左胫骨骨折组。神经生长因子治疗组Ⅰ型胶原蛋白表达明显高于单纯左胫骨骨折组(P < 0.05)；而单纯左胫骨骨折组骨痂Ⅱ型胶原蛋白的表达明显高于神经生长因子治疗组(P < 0.05)。 结论：生物力学测试及Ⅰ型胶原蛋白表达和成骨细胞微观结构均说明神经生长因子对骨折断端的骨化有促进作用，其途径有可能在骨痂生长的不同时期通过调节Ⅰ、Ⅱ型胶原的量来调控骨折的愈合。     

可变刚度可降解-DL-聚乳酸泡沫衬垫材料与钛合金组成接骨板系统治疗胫骨骨折

背景：理想的骨折固定系统,在骨折早期应能达到坚强固定,后期要能防止应力遮挡作用诱发的固定骨段的骨质疏松。可降解骨科内固定材料无疑为此种骨折固定系统提供了理论可能。 目的：旨在评估自制可变刚度接骨板系统(由可降解聚-DL-乳酸泡沫衬垫材料和钛合金接骨板组成)对兔胫骨干中段骨折的固定效果和对骨折愈合的影响。 方法：新西兰大白兔64只采用随机数字表法分为实验组和对照组,线锯造成兔右侧胫骨中段骨折模型。用相对分子质量为 200 000的自制超高相对分子质量聚乳酸材料膜垫(厚1 mm)和4孔钛合金Tc4接骨板制作成可变刚度接骨板系统固定实验组兔胫骨中段骨折,以单纯Tc4钛合金接骨板固定对照组。于第2,4,8,12周处死动物,从大体观察、X射线平片、组织学和骨生物力学等方面观察和评定骨折愈合情况。 结果与结论：X射线及大体标本示术后两组对位效果佳,无移位。组织学观察可见术后同期实验组标本较对照组标本骨痂内骨小梁排列紧密、髓腔开通完全、新生骨组织改塑重建完整。生物力学结果显示8周时两组愈合骨最大抗弯曲强度差异无显著性意义。12周时实验组愈合骨抗弯曲刚度优于对照组。提示自制可变刚度接骨板系统用于兔胫骨骨折固定效果可靠,有利于骨折段骨痂改塑重建,利于骨折愈合,用于骨折内固定治疗效果优于单纯钢板,为其进一步临床应用研究提供了实验依据。 关键词：接骨板;D、L-聚乳酸;膜垫;胫骨骨折;可降解材料 doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.12.003     

降钙素基因相关肽诱导脂肪干细胞向成骨细胞的分化

背景：已证实降钙素基因相关肽可促进成骨细胞的增殖与分化，并加速骨折的愈合、促进异位骨化的形成，但其是否具有促使脂肪干细胞向成骨细胞定向分化的作用作者未查到相关报道。 目的：探讨降钙素基因相关肽在体外定向诱导脂肪干细胞向成骨细胞增殖分化的可行性。 设计、时间及地点：细胞学体外观察，基因及蛋白质学检测，于2006-10/2007-08在武汉大学医学院中心实验室和三峡大学医学院病理实验室完成。 材料：清洁级4月龄健康新西兰大耳白兔2只。 方法：密度梯度离心+贴壁法体外分离培养兔脂肪干细胞，传至第3代分为2组：对照组加入含10 mmol/Lβ-甘油磷酸钠、50 mg/L抗坏血酸、1×10-8 mol/L地塞米松、体积分数为0.15的胎牛血清的RPMI 1640骨诱导培养基，实验组在此基础上加入1 μg/L降钙素基因相关肽进行诱导培养。 主要观察指标：细胞形态学变化，免疫组织化学染色测定细胞碱性磷酸酶活性，四环素标记法检测矿化结节的形成，RT-PCR和Western blot法检测成骨细胞标志性蛋白I型胶原、骨钙素的表达。 结果：实验组脂肪干细胞经成骨诱导培养后，形态规则、多角型细胞增多，细胞倍增时间明显短于对照组。随诱导时间的延长，实验组细胞碱性磷酸酶活性呈增加趋势，诱导7，10，14 d细胞碱性磷酸酶活性均显著高于对照组(t=13.26，P < 0.01)。诱导21 d与对照组比较，实验组形成的金黄色圆形矿化结节数量增多，结节增大。诱导7 d，14 d实验组I型胶原及骨钙素mRNA、蛋白水平的表达均强于对照组。 结论：在体外降钙素基因相关肽能诱导并促进兔脂肪干细胞向成骨细胞方向分化。     

脑损伤合并骨折与单纯骨折患者血管内皮生长因子的表达及其临床意义

背景：临床发现,脑损伤合并骨折有些部位骨痂过度生长,出现异位骨化,骨折愈合明显加快。 目的：对比观察脑损伤合并骨折与单纯骨折两组患者骨折愈合过程骨痂中血管内皮生长因子的表达及分布,探讨临床意义及其作用机制。 设计、时间及地点：分组对照观察,于2006-02/2007-07在解放军第四军医大学西京医院完成。 对象：合并脑损伤组与单纯骨折组骨痂病理标本各50例。合并脑损伤组：男41例,女9例,年龄19~55岁;单纯骨折组：男36例,女14例,年龄17~52岁。 方法：取两组患者各50例受伤7~10,11~15,16~20,21~27,28~35 d的骨痂标本,用免疫组织化学方法,检测两组患者不同时期骨痂标本中血管内皮生长因子含量高低,观察骨折愈合速度。 主要观察指标：①X射线观察结果。②免疫组织化学染色图像分析。 结果：在骨折愈合的不同阶段,两组骨痂内表达血管内皮生长因子的细胞来源一致,合并脑损伤组骨祖细胞、成骨细胞、软骨细胞中早期表达程度明显高于单纯骨折组,骨祖细胞增殖,成骨细胞、软骨细胞分化明显增加,7~10 d达到高峰,高峰持续30 d后逐渐减少;单纯骨折组在11~15 d出现高峰,高峰在20 d开始下降,峰值明显低于合并脑损伤组,配对t检验两组比较差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。合并脑损伤组在伤后4周即可见X射线片长骨骨折处大量骨痂生长,单纯骨折组在伤后7~9周才见到大量骨痂生长。 结论：脑损伤合并骨折患者骨折愈合早期血管内皮生长因子表达显著强于单纯骨折患者,持续时间明显延长;血管内皮生长因子促进骨祖细胞增殖,成骨细胞、软骨细胞分化明显高于单纯骨折组;骨祖细胞增殖、成骨细胞及软骨细胞快速大量分化,是骨折快速愈合机制之一。     

合并中枢神经损伤骨折愈合过程中胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的作用

背景：胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ由成骨细胞合成,并对成骨细胞具有促进增殖和分化作用。 目的：观察中枢神经损伤对胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ在血清、局部骨痂的表达及骨折愈合的影响。 方法：取Wistar大鼠随机分成正常对照组、脑损伤-骨折组、脊髓损伤-骨折组、单纯骨折组。于术后第1,2,3周测量血清中胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ水平;术后第2,3周行X射线摄片评估骨痂愈合情况,术后1,2,3,4周取股骨制作标本,测量骨痂体积,术后3 d,1,2周免疫组织化学染色法检测骨痂局部胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的表达。 结果与结论：正常对照组、单纯骨折组的胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ血清质量浓度无明显变化,脑损伤-骨折组和脊髓损伤-骨折组骨痂体积、X射线评分高于单纯骨折组(P < 0.05);伤后3 d, 1,2周时,脑损伤-骨折组和脊髓损伤-骨折组胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的血清质量浓度较其他两组明显增加(P < 0.01);伤后1周,脑损伤-骨折组和脊髓损伤-骨折组骨折端平均阳性细胞数高于单纯骨折组(P < 0.01)。提示中枢神经损伤可以影响血清中胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的质量浓度和骨痂局部的表达,从而能促进骨折愈合。     

降钙素基因相关肽与骨修复及骨重建

骨折的愈合过程是通过一系列复杂的因子来调节完成的，其中，降钙素基因相关肽已经被证实在骨代谢中发挥合成作用。有人发现在骨折局部含降钙素基因相关肽的神经纤维明显增加。降钙素基因相关肽是表达于骨组织的一种重要的感觉神经肽，虽然最初发现其主要作用是扩张血管，增加血流量，但是大量的动物实验结果表明，成骨细胞定向表达降钙素基因相关肽可以增加骨密度，刺激松质骨形成。尤其是降钙素基因相关肽受体在大鼠成骨细胞上的发现，为降钙素基因相关肽具有直接调节骨生长的作用提供了更有力的证据。降钙素基因相关肽也被证明是一种与炎症反应相关的神经肽，有文献报道，骨折时它可以诱发损伤局部炎症细胞浸润。虽然已经认识到降钙素基因相关肽在骨修复及骨重建中的重要作用，但其具体作用机制仍不明了。     

锁定加压钢板内固定对犬双侧胫骨中段骨折愈合的影响

背景：近年来随着人们对骨折愈合生物学特征的重视,在AO基础提出了BO理念,这一理念促进了接骨板研制的极大发展。 目的：观察锁定加压钢板内固定对犬双侧胫骨中段骨折愈合的影响。 设计、时间及地点：对比观察,于2006-06/2007-10在南方医科大学创伤骨科组织工程实验室完成。 材料：24只健康成年家犬,体质量14.5~21.2 kg,雌雄不拘,用于制备双侧胫骨中段横形骨折模型。锁定加压钢板,316L不锈钢制作,由天津正天医疗器械有限公司提供;同等型号AO传统钢板,由马特仕(上海)医疗器械贸易有限公司提供。 方法：将实验动物小腿胫骨右侧用锁定加压钢板内固定作为实验组,左侧用同等型号的AO传统钢板内固定作对照。 主要观察指标：术后2,4,6周获取骨标本分别行X射线、光镜、微血管造影观察和钢板下皮质骨微血管面积分数分析。 结果：①X射线观察：两种接骨板固定组骨折断端均良好愈合,实验组有较多的骨痂,对照组板下皮质骨见吸收、变薄现象。②光镜观察：对照组钢板下较早出现明显的骨吸收腔,大多骨细胞结构破坏;实验组钢板下未出现骨吸收腔,大多骨细胞结构完整。③微血管造影观察：术后2周,对照组钢板下皮质骨出现大面积缺血区,并持续到术后6周;术后2周,实验组钢板下出现较小范围的缺血区,但微血管走行及分布紊乱,到术后6周,缺血区基本消失,微血管走行基本恢复正常。④钢板下皮质骨内微血管面积分数分析：术后2,4,6周,实验组分别为对照组的1.78,2.26,2.69倍,差异具有显著性意义(P < 0.05~0.01)。 结论：锁定加压钢板能保护骨折早期骨膜血供,骨折愈合后期能减轻皮质骨内静脉回流阻力,有利于离心性血流的恢复,促进骨折愈合。     

经皮骨膜下注射成骨细胞治疗骨折延迟愈合与骨不连26例

26例患者中骨折延迟愈合14例，骨不连12例，均行骨膜下及骨折间隙注射成骨细胞治疗。从患者自身髂后上棘抽取骨髓组织，经体外诱导、培养、扩增为成骨细胞，按无菌操作术在X射线定位下于骨折延迟愈合或骨不连病变部位骨膜下及骨折间隙注射浓度为1×105 cells/mL的成骨细胞5~8 mL，注射后4，6，10，14周定期摄X射线片观察病变部位骨痂生长情况。所有病例随访3~12个月，平均5.3个月。复查X射线片见4周有骨痂形成，6周骨痂包绕骨折断端，10周骨折线模糊，14周骨折线消失。所有患者骨折均愈合，平均愈合时间为12.1周。提示经皮骨膜下注射成骨细胞治疗骨折延迟愈合与骨不连是一种有效的修复方法。     

Epilepsy and anomalies of neuronal migration: MRI and clinical aspects

Neuronal migration disorders are the result of disturbed brain development. In such disorders, neurons are abnormally located. In diagnosing these conditions, magnetic resonance imaging is superior to any other imaging technique. This enables us to improve our knowledge of the clinical correlates of neuronal migration. With reference to migrational disorder, a retrospective study of all 303 patients with epileptic seizures referred for magnetic resonance imaging during a 3-year period was performed, 13 patients (aged 12-41, mean age 27) were identified. They represent 4.3% of the entire study group. Of the patients with known epilepsy, 6.7% and of the mentally retarded, 13.7% had migrational disorders. Four patients had schizencephaly as the dominant finding, one was classified as hemimegalencephaly, 2 had isolated heterotopias, and 6 had localized pachy- and/or poly-microgyria. The clinical pictures are complex. Ectopias of grey matter are recognised foci of epilepsy, but from an epileptological and a clinical viewpoint little attention has been given to these disorders. The present study shows that malmigration is not rare in epilepsy patients, especially not in the mentally retarded.     

Hepatic Considerations in the Use of Antiepileptic Drugs

Summary: Virtually all of the major antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can cause hepatotoxicity, although fatal hepatic reactions are rare. The mechanisms, incidences, and risk profiles for such reactions differ from drug to drug. With carbamazepine and phenytoin, hepatotoxicity may be due to drug hypersensitivity. Although the profiles of patients at risk have not been well-defined for these two antiepileptic drugs, it would appear from reports in the literature that older adolescents and adults are at higher risk than children of developing serious or fatal hepatotoxicity. Once hepatotoxicity develops, mortality rates are 10–38% with phenytoin and 25% for carbamazepine. The risk profile for valproate fatal hepatotoxicity has been more clearly defined. Those at primary risk of fatal hepatic dysfunction are children under the age of 2 years who are receiving multiple anticonvulsants and also have significant medical problems in addition to severe epilepsy. The risk is considerably lower for patients over the age of 2 years on valproate monotherapy. In contrast to the risk profile with other AEDs, adults receiving valproate as monotherapy have the lowest risk of hepatotoxicity. Fatal hepatic dysfunction coincident with valproate may be the result of aberrant drug metabolism. Concomitant use of AEDs that induce microsomal P450 enzymes (e.g., phenytoin and phenobarbital) may enhance the production of a toxic metabolite, and hence the greater risk of hepatotoxicity with polypharmacy.     

Vascular Malformations and Epilepsy: Clinical Considerations and Basic Mechanisms

Summary: Vascular malformations (VMs) are associated with epilepsy. The natural history of the various VMs, clinical presentation, and tendency to provoke epilepsy determine treatment strategies. Investigations have probed the mechanisms of epileptogenesis associated with these lesions. Electrophysiologic changes are associated with epileptogenic cortex adjacent to VMs. Putative pathophysiologic mechanisms of epileptogenesis include neuronal cell loss, glial proliferation and abnormal glial physiology, altered neurotransmitter levels, free radical formation, and aberrant second messenger physiology.     

Classification of methods in transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) and evolving strategy from historical approaches to contemporary innovations

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) encompasses all methods of non-invasive current application to the brain used in research and clinical practice. We present the first comprehensive and technical review, explaining the evolution of tES in both terminology and dosage over the past 100 years of research to present day. Current transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation (tPCS) approaches such as Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) descended from Electrosleep (ES) through Cranial Electro-stimulation Therapy (CET), Transcerebral Electrotherapy (TCET), and NeuroElectric Therapy (NET) while others like Transcutaneous Cranial Electrical Stimulation (TCES) descended from Electroanesthesia (EA) through Limoge, and Interferential Stimulation. Prior to a contemporary resurgence in interest, variations of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation were explored intermittently, including Polarizing current, Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS), and Transcranial Micropolarization. The development of these approaches alongside Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and pharmacological developments are considered. Both the roots and unique features of contemporary approaches such as transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) and transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS) are discussed. Trends and incremental developments in electrode montage and waveform spanning decades are presented leading to the present day. Commercial devices, seminal conferences, and regulatory decisions are noted. We conclude with six rules on how increasing medical and technological sophistication may now be leveraged for broader success and adoption of tES.     

Carbamazepine Efficacy and Utilization in Children

Summary: Carbamazepine is effective for preventing partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in children. Although absence epilepsies are more common in children than adults, an estimated 80% of children with epilepsy have seizure types or epilepsies that are potentially responsive to carbamazepine. The differential diagnosis of ictal staring is an especially important issue in children because absence and atypical absence seizures are more prevalent in children than adults. Age-related pharmacokinetic differences and drug interactions are major considerations in children. On average, children have higher clearance rates of carbamazepine, shorter half-lives, and higher ratios of carbamazepine-10, 11-epoxide to carbamazepine than adults. In addition, children with severe epilepsy are more likely to require multiple-drug therapy, which can lead to complex drug interactions. When carbamazepine is administered along with valproate, drug protein binding interactions can cause intermittent side effects.     

Neonatal Seizures: Problems in Diagnosis and Classification

Summary: The clinical identification of neonatal seizures is critical for the recognition of brain dysfunction; however, diagnosis is often difficult because of the poorly organized and varied nature of these behaviors. Current classification systems are limited in their ability to communicate motor, autonomic, and electroencephalo-graphic features of seizures precisely and to provide a basis for uniform effective diagnosis, therapy, and determination of prognosis. Recent investigations of neonates, utilizing bedside electroencephalographic/polygraphic/ video monitoring techniques, have provided the basis for improved diagnosis and classification of seizures in the newborn. These studies have demonstrated that not all clinical phenomena currently considered to be seizures require electrocortical epileptiform activity for their initiation or elaboration. In addition, the specific clinical character of the phenomena considered to be seizures, the clinical state of the infant, and the character of the EEG indicate the probable pathophysiological mechanisms involved and suggest probable etiologies, prognosis, and therapy. Similarities between animal models that demonstrate reflex physiology and neonates with motor automatisms and tonic posturing suggest that these clinical behaviors may not be epileptic in origin but, rather, primitive movements of progression and posture mediated by brainstem mechanisms. Although not all clinical behaviors currently considered to be neonatal seizures may have similar pathophysiological mechanisms, they are clinically significant because they all indicate brain dysfunction.     

Valproate Monotherapy in the Management of Generalized and Partial Seizures

Summary: For decades, therapeutic tradition has promoted the concept of polypharmacy in the management of epilepsy. In recent years, however, studies have shown that, for most patients, monotherapy can provide comparable or better seizure control than administration of multiple anticonvulsants, while diminishing the potential for adverse reactions, drug interactions, and poor compliance. Valproate is an important monotherapeutic agent that is highly effective in the control of idiopathic primary and secondarily generalized epilepsies, and partial seizures that do not generalize. Comparative studies have found that valproate is at least as effective as phenytoin and carbamazepine in the treatment of generalized and partial seizures. Given the similar efficacy, other factors such as pharmacokinetics and side effects may therefore determine anticonvulsant selection for monotherapy.     

Un nouveau cadre conceptuel de travail pour la psychiatrie

In an attempt to place psychiatric thinking and the training of future psychiatrists more centrally into the context of modern biology, the author outlines the beginnings of a new intellectual framework for psychiatry that derives from current biological thinking about the relationship of mind to brain. The purpose of this framework is twofold. First, it is designed to emphasize that the professional requirements for future psychiatrists will demand a greater knowledge of the structure and functioning of the brain than is currently available in most training programs. Second, it is designed to illustrate that the unique domain which psychiatry occupies within academic medicine, the analysis of the interaction between social and biological determinants of behavior, can best be studied by also having a full understanding of the biological components of behavior.