Potential aripiprazole-mediated extrapyramidal symptoms in an adult with developmental disabilities.

PURPOSE: A case of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) following administration of aripiprazole to a man with developmental disabilities who had never received antipsychotic medications and had no history of movement disorders is presented. SUMMARY: The patient was a 40-year-old male with developmental disabilities. He was nonverbal, profoundly mentally retarded, and diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and orthopedic problems. He developed episodic movements possibly consistent with EPS secondary to aripiprazole usage. The patient was antipsychotic naive before initiation of aripiprazole 5 mg daily. Concurrent medications at the time of EPS onset included oxazepam, baclofen, and citalopram. Baclofen and oxazepam were prescribed secondary to right-sided hemiparesis contractures. Aripiprazole, 5 mg daily, was initiated in November 2004 as an augmentation strategy for the diagnosis of OCD. Facial, tongue, and arm movements were first reported approximately five weeks after the initiation of aripiprazole. Initial symptoms resolved after approximately 24 hours. The dosage was increased to 10 mg daily two weeks later. Dystonic episodes continued on an intermittent basis, and the patient presented with lower-lip thrusting and upper-limb athetosis. These movements interfered with the patient's eating, chewing, and holding of utensils. Several of the standard treatment strategies for EPS were used. Initially, diphenhydramine hydrochloride 25 mg was administered orally every six hours. The patient's movements resolved following diphenhydramine administration. Aripiprazole was subsequently discontinued secondary to its lack of efficacy for OCD and the development of a movement disorder. CONCLUSION: A patient with developmental disabilities who had no history of movement disorders developed EPS following initiation of aripiprazole.     

Transgenic mice expressing constitutive active MAPKAPK5 display gender-dependent differences in exploration and activity

Background  

The mitogen-activated protein kinases, MAPKs for short, constitute cascades of signalling pathways involved in the regulation of several cellular processes that include cell proliferation, differentiation and motility. They also intervene in neurological processes like fear conditioning and memory. Since little remains known about the MAPK-Activated Protein Kinase, MAPKAPK5, we constructed the first MAPKAPK knockin mouse model, using a constitutive active variant of MAPKAPK5 and analyzed the resulting mice for changes in anxiety-related behaviour.     

Effects of decreased insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulation on hypoxia inducible factor 1-α protein synthesis and function during cutaneous repair in diabetic mice

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (Igf-1), a critical mediator of tissue repair, is significantly decreased in diabetic wounds. Furthermore, decreased levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (Hif-1alpha) and its target genes are also associated with impaired wound healing in diabetic mice. The aim of our study was to examine whether the reduced levels of Igf-1 are responsible for the reduction in Hif-1alpha protein synthesis and activity in diabetic wounds. We provide evidence that Igf-1 regulates Hif-1alpha protein synthesis and activity during wound repair. In addition, Igf-1 stimulated phosphytidylinositol 3-kinase activity in diabetic fibroblasts, which, in turn, increased activation of the translational regulatory protein, p70 S6 kinase. Moreover, improved healing of diabetic wounds by addition of recombinant IGF-1 protein was associated with an increase in Hif-1alpha protein synthesis and function in vivo.     

Understanding contrast media.

More than 10 million radiologic examinations requiring intravascular injection of iodinated contrast media are performed in the United States each year. Iodinated contrast media are considered to be safe diagnostic drugs, and the incidence of adverse reaction is low. However, as with any drug, the administration of contrast media is not without risk. Nurses involved in patient care should have some understanding of the properties and potential effects of iodinated contrast media.