Complex I,Iron, and ferritin in Parkinson's disease substantia nigra

Elevated iron levels, enhanced oxidative damage, and complex I deficiency have been identified in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease patients. To understand the interrelationship of these abnormalities, we analyzed iron levels, ferritin levels, and complex I activity in the substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease. Total iron levels were increased significantly, ferritin levels were unchanged, and complex I activities were decreased significantly in the substantia nigra samples. The failure of ferritin levels to increase with elevated iron concentrations suggests that the amount of reactive iron may increase in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease patients. There was no correlation between the iron levels and complex I activity or the iron-ferritin ratio and complex I activity in the substantia nigra samples.     

Optimal metabolite curve fitting for kinetic modeling of 11C-WAY-100635.

Many quantitative imaging protocols that make use of a metabolite-corrected arterial input function require the use of a mathematic model to describe the rate of metabolism of the radioligand. Commonly, parametric models are fit to metabolism data and then the fitted model is used to correct the plasma input function. (11)C-WAY 100635 is a rapidly metabolized radioligand used extensively in mapping the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1A system. METHODS: To evaluate the adequacy of fit of 4 metabolite models, we examined data from 92 subjects who received an injection of (11)C-WAY 100635, were imaged with PET, and underwent measurement of total plasma concentration and metabolites. The performance of these models was assessed according to residual plots, as well as fit and information criteria. RESULTS: The study showed that the choice of model has a substantial effect on the resulting estimates of outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Among the models considered, the Hill model provides the best fit across all criteria.     

Physician assistants in academic radiology: the harborview experience

We describe a model of how physician assistants can be used in an academic medical center to expand radiologist productivity, and to enhance the departmental academic and educational missions. At Harborview Medical Center, following a training program and graduated responsibility under supervision, physician assistants provide initial interpretation of radiology studies, consultation to referring physicians, and perform less complicated interventional procedures. Acceptance of physician assistants by the radiologists, radiology residents, and referring physicians has been high. Although the impact of physician assistants on departmental clinical productivity is difficult to measure, our data suggest that radiologists are more efficient when physician assistants are assigned to service, both in terms of numbers of studies interpreted, and timeliness of reporting and billing. As a result of the success of our program, we believe that physician assistants can have an important role in radiology practice.     

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex N-acetylaspartate/total creatine (NAA/tCr) loss in male recreational cannabis users.

BACKGROUND: Cannabinoids present neurotoxic and neuroprotective properties in in vitro studies, inconsistent alterations in human neuroimaging studies, neuropsychological deficits, and an increased risk for psychotic episodes. METHODS: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS), neuropsychological testing, and hair analysis for cannabinoids was performed in 13 male nontreatment-seeking recreational cannabis users and 13 male control subjects. RESULTS: A significantly diminished N-acetylaspartate/total creatine (NAA/tCr) ratio in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was observed in cannabis users (p = .0003). The NAA/tCr in the putamen/globus pallidum region correlated significantly with cannabidiol (R(2) = .66, p = .004). Results of the Wisconsin Card Sorting test, Trail making Test, and D2 test for attention were influenced by cannabinoids. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic recreational cannabis use is associated with an indication of diminished neuronal and axonal integrity in the DLPFC in this study. As chronic cannabis use is a risk factor for psychosis, these results are interesting because diminished NAA/tCr ratios in the DLPFC and neuropsychological deficits were also reported in schizophrenia. The strong positive correlation of NAA/tCr and cannabidiol in the putamen/globus pallidum is in line with neuroprotective properties of cannabidiol, which were also observed in in vitro model studies of Parkinson's disease.