Use of multimetric statistical analysis to characterize and discriminate between the performance of four Alzheimer's transgenic mouse lines differing in Abeta deposition

Behavioral assessment of genetically-manipulated mouse lines for Alzheimer's disease has become an important index for determining the efficacy of therapeutic interventions and examining disease pathogenesis. However, the potential for higher level statistical analyses to assist in these goals remains largely unexplored. The present study thus involved multimetric statistical analyses of behavioral and beta-amyloid (Abeta) deposition measures from four PDAPP-derived transgenic mouse lines that differ in extent of Abeta deposition. For all four lines, multiple behavioral measures obtained from a comprehensive task battery administered at 15-16 months of age were collectively examined by correlation, factor, and discriminant function analyses. In addition, both compact and total beta-amyloid (Abeta) histologic measures were determined from the same animals. Widespread intra- and inter-task correlations were evident, with impairment in all three water tasks (Morris maze, platform recognition, and radial arm water maze) correlating extensively with Abeta deposition in hippocampus and cerebral cortex. By elucidating the underlying relationships among measures, factor analysis revealed a single primary factor (Factor 1) that loaded most cognitive measures, particularly those for working memory and recognition. Abeta deposition measures loaded exclusively on this primary factor. In individual animals, only factor scores derived from this primary factor were correlated with Abeta deposition. Both of these findings again underscore the association between cognitive impairment and Abeta deposition. Finally, discriminant function analysis (step-wise forward method) was able to distinguish between all four AD transgenic lines based on behavioral performance alone, as well as when Abeta deposition measures were included. Our results demonstrate the utility of higher level, multimetric analysis of behavioral measures from AD transgenic mice. Analyses such as these will be very beneficial for the functional evaluation of therapeutic interventions against AD and for finding behavioral measures that can serve as predictors of pathology.     

Institutionalization and psychological suffering: notes on the mental health of institutionalized adolescents in Brazil

This article examines the relationship between the institutionalization of needy children and adolescents and the resulting psychological suffering. Individuals who have been institutionalized for long periods suffer from increased fragility in psychological structure, becoming more vulnerable and at risk as a direct consequence of the treatment they receive in such institutions. The work described here is part of the Research Program on Adolescents, Mental Health and Culture, which is being conducted at the Child and Youth Care and Rehabilitation Center at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (CARIM/IPUB/UFRJ).     

Familial suicide behaviour: association with probands suicide attempt characteristics and 5-HTTLPR polymorphism

OBJECTIVE: There is compelling evidence that a serotonergic dysfunction may play a major role in suicide behaviour and it has also been demonstrated that suicide is, at least partially, genetically determined. Thus, the serotonin-related genes are the major candidates. Previously a functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) was identified and the presence of the short allele (S) was found to be associated with a lower level of expression of the gene and lower levels of 5-HT uptake when compared with the long allele (L).The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between family suicide behaviour history and probands' suicide attempt (SA) history, SA characteristics and 5-HTTLPR genotype. METHOD: We genotyped 237 probands (major depressed or schizophrenic patients) and used a semistructured interview to determine probands' SA characteristics and first- and second-degree family suicidal behaviour. RESULTS: An association between suicidal family history and proband's SA but not with SA characteristics and probands genotype was found. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that multiple biological and environmental factors underlie familial transmission of suicidal behaviour.     

Dopamine transporter binding in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: a [123I]FP-CIT/SPECT study

Objective: To investigate dopamine transporter binding in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) with SPECT and [¹²³I]FP‐CIT. Method: Ten neuroleptic naïve/free patients with GTS, and 10 age‐ and gender‐matched normal volunteers were studied. Subjects were clinically evaluated. GTS severity and affective symptoms were measured and the presence of GTS‐related behaviours were recorded. Results: The GTS group showed significantly higher binding in both caudate and putamen nuclei than the controls. No associations were found between striatal binding ratios and measures of affect or GTS‐related behaviours. Conclusion: Patients with GTS show higher striatal binding of FP‐CIT to the striatum in comparison with age‐ and gender‐matched control subjects, indicating that dopamine transporter abnormalities are involved in the pathophysiology of GTS. These abnormalities appear to be distributed across both caudate and putamen.     

Guillain-Barré syndrome in the course of dengue: case report

This case report describes the findings of a 45-year-old white woman from Brazil, who developed myalgia, fever and macular rash. She was diagnosed as having dengue, based on clinical manifestations and specific IgM titers. One week after the first symptoms of dengue, the patient developed muscle weakness, followed by tetraplegia with areflexia, and respiratory insufficiency. The electromyography had evidence of demyelinating neuropathy and the cerebrospinal fluid showed albuminocytologic dissociation. These neurologic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The patient was treated with immunoglobulin and metylprednisolone. Mechanical ventilation was started one week after hospital admission and maintained for four weeks. After six weeks of hospitalization the patient was discharged from the hospital on wheel chair, presenting mild muscle weakness and loss of patellar and ankle reflexes. When the patient was seen at the outpatient service three weeks after hospital discharge she was able to walk with help. This case report suggests a possible association between dengue and Guillain-Barré syndrome.