Antidepressant-like effect of magnetic resonance imaging-based stimulation in mice

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Maurice Preter MD

Antidepressant-like effect of magnetic resonance imaging-based stimulation in mice.

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Mar 30;31(2):503-9. Epub 2007 Jan 10. Related Articles,Links

Rokni-Yazdi H, Sotoudeh H, Akhondzadeh S, Sotoudeh E, Asadi H, Shakiba M.

Department of Radiology and Imaging, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Keshavarz Blvd., Tehran 14197-33141, Iran. rokniyaz@sina.tums.ac.ir

INTRODUCTION: It has been reported that a novel type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan called echo planar magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (EP-MRSI) may show antidepressant effects. We examined whether the two routine diagnostic protocols of MRI [T1 and echo planar diffusion weighted imaging (EPI-DWI)], have antidepressant-like effects in an animal model of depression. METHODS: The effects of standard EPI-DWI and T1 MRI on immobility, swimming and climbing times in the modified forced swimming test (FST) in mice were examined. After exposure to the first session of modified forced swimming test, we randomly divided the mice into four groups. The first group (T1 MRI group, n=21) received a 15-minute stimulation of T1 sequence. The second group (EPI-DWI MRI group, n=21) received a 15-minute stimulation of EPI-DWI protocol. The third group (sham group, n=21) spent 15 min in a tunnel similar to the MRI gantry in terms of size, temperature and light intensity and received recorded sounds from a normal session of EPI-DWI with similar duration and intensity. The fourth group acted as controls (n=21).The second session of the modified FST was conducted twelve hours later. The mean of immobility, swimming and climbing times in this session were compared to the control group. RESULTS: T1 weighted and EPI-DWI MRI groups showed a reduction in immobility time compared to the control group (P value<0.002, P value<0.017 respectively). This effect is comparable to that seen in the FST after the administration of antidepressant agents. The climbing time in the group subjected to EPI-DWI MRI was longer than the control group (P value<0.035). Previous studies showed similar effects after the administration of antidepressant drugs affecting the catecholamine systems. The swimming time in the T1 MRI group was significantly longer than the control group (P value<0.037). Previous studies showed qualitatively similar effect to that of anti-depressant drugs affecting the serotoninergic systems. The swimming, climbing and immobility times in the sham and control groups showed no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings raise the possibility that MRI-based stimulation may have antidepressant-like effects in mice. This is likely to be through different mechanisms in T1 weighted and EPI-DWI protocols. However the possible biological basis of this effect is not yet understood and we would advocate further studies of MRI-based stimulation effects on transmitters in the different organs in the body specially the brain.

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Neuropsychiatric consequences of traumatic brain injury: A comparison between two age groups

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Maurice Preter MD
Brain Inj. 2007 Mar;21(3):301-7. Related Articles,Links
Neuropsychiatric consequences of traumatic brain injury: A comparison between two age groups.

Deb S, Burns J.

Division of Neuropsychiatry, Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, University of Birmingham. Birmingham. UK.

Background: Neurobehavioural symptoms and certain psychiatric disorders are common after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Relatively few studies have investigated the effect of age upon these outcomes. Aim: Our aim was to compare the rates of neurobehavioural symptoms and psychiatric disorders between 18-65 year old and over 65 year old patients with TBI. Method: 120 adults aged 18 to 65 years and 45 adults over 65 years of age who were admitted to a hospital following a TBI were assessed for neurobehavioural symptoms and psychiatric disorders one year after the injury. Results: Our estimate suggested that a higher proportion of 18-65 year old patients (32%) had ICD-10 psychiatric disorders according to the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) interview compared with patients over 65 years of age (16%). Similarly, the ICD-10 depressive disorder was more common among the younger patients (16%) than the older group of patients (11%). None of these differences were statistically significant. However, a multiple regression analysis revealed that among other risk factors, a younger age was significantly associated with the presence of a psychiatric disorder. Also, a significantly higher rate of psychiatric caseness was detected among the younger age group using screening instruments such as the General Health Questionniare-28 (GHQ-28) (p < 0.01) and the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R) (p < 0.01). The rates of individual neurobehavioural symptoms varied significantly between the two age groups. The most prevalent symptoms in 18-65 year olds were irritability (37%) and sleep problems (37%). In the older group of patients the most prevalent symptoms were poor memory (40%), dependence (38%) and slowness in thinking (33%). Conclusion: 18-65 year old patients are likely to be at a greater risk of psychiatric morbidity following TBI than over 65 year olds whereas neurobehavioural symptoms are prevalent in both age groups.

PMID: 17453758 [PubMed – in process]

Posted in Aging, Events, Fifth Avenue Concierge Medicine, Forensic Neuropsychiatry, Health, News, Psychiatry/Neurology | Tagged |

Migraine and risk of cardiovascular disease in men

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Maurice Preter MD
Migraine and risk of cardiovascular disease in men
Arch Intern Med. 2007 Apr 23;167(8):795-801.

Migraine and risk of cardiovascular disease in men.

Kurth T, Gaziano JM, Cook NR, Bubes V, Logroscino G, Diener HC, Buring JE.

Divisions of Preventive Medicine.

BACKGROUND: The vascular component of the migraine-specific physiologic profile and the observed adverse cardiovascular risk profile in migraineurs suggest an association between migraine and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In women, migraine has been associated with increased risk of CVD, including coronary events. Compatible data in men are lacking. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 20 084 men aged 40 to 84 years participating in the Physicians’ Health Study. In yearly questionnaires, men were asked for information on migraine, risk factors, and the occurrence of study end points. We classified men as having migraine if they indicated migraine during the first 5 years, after which time follow-up began. Information on aura was not available. All the men were free of CVD at the start of follow-up. During a mean of 15.7 years, we followed up participants for the occurrence of a first major CVD event (nonfatal ischemic stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or death from ischemic CVD). We also evaluated the individual end points, coronary revascularization, and angina. RESULTS: A total of 1449 men (7.2%) reported migraine, and during follow-up, 2236 major CVD events occurred. Compared with nonmigraineurs, men who reported migraine had multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.24 (1.06-1.46; P = .008) for major CVD, 1.12 (0.84-1.50; P = .43) for ischemic stroke, 1.42 (1.15-1.77; P<.001) for myocardial infarction, 1.05 (0.89-1.24; P = .54) for coronary revascularization, 1.15 (0.99-1.33; P = .068) for angina, and 1.07 (0.80-1.43; P = .65) for ischemic cardiovascular death. CONCLUSION: In this large prospective cohort of apparently healthy men, migraine was associated with increased risk of major CVD, which was driven by increased risk of myocardial infarction.

PMID: 17452542 [PubMed – in process]

Posted in Fifth Avenue Concierge Medicine, Health, News, Psychiatry/Neurology | Tagged |

Effects of acupuncture as a treatment for hyperventilation syndrome: a pilot, randomized crossover trial

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Maurice Preter MD
Effects of acupuncture as a treatment for hyperventilation syndrome: a pilot, randomized crossover trial
First pilot study on acupuncture in the treatment of panic disorder, here called “hyperventilation syndrome”.

J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Jan-Feb;13(1):39-46. Related Articles,Links

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Effects of acupuncture as a treatment for hyperventilation syndrome: a pilot, randomized crossover trial.

Gibson D, Bruton A, Lewith GT, Mullee M.

Physiotherapy Department, Southampton University Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Southampton, Southampton, UK. denise902@aol.com

BACKGROUND: Sustained and subtle hyperventilation can result in a wide variety of symptoms, leading to a chronic condition that has been termed hyperventilation syndrome (HVS). Treatment options include physiotherapy, in the form of breathing retraining (BR), but additional approaches aim to reduce the anxiety that is recognized as being a frequent component of this condition. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether acupuncture is an appropriate treatment for HVS to reduce anxiety, and whether a crossover trial is an appropriate study design to evaluate acupuncture in this condition. DESIGN: A single-blind crossover trial was carried out comparing the effects of 4 weeks (30 minutes twice weekly) acupuncture and BR on patients with HVS. SUBJECTS: Ten (10) patients diagnosed with HVS were recruited to the trial and randomized into two groups. Both groups received acupuncture and BR with a washout period of 1 week. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure used was the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale. Other outcome measures used were the Nijmegen questionnaire and Medical Research Council Dyspnea scale. RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant treatment differences between acupuncture and breathing retraining, in favor of acupuncture. Reductions were found in the HAD A (anxiety) (p = 0.02) and Nijmegen (symptoms) (p = 0.03) scores. There was no statistical evidence of any carryover effects. However, when graphically examining individual anxiety scores, in those who received acupuncture first, there was a reduction in anxiety levels which persisted through the washout period, suggesting that there may have been some carryover effect from this treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that acupuncture may be beneficial in the management of HVS in terms of reducing anxiety levels and symptom severity. However, there may be some carryover effect, after acupuncture treatment, which went undetected because the small sample size. This preliminary study provides the basis for a larger, sufficiently powered and methodologically sound trial.

PMID: 17309376 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Posted in Psychiatry/Neurology |

Neck collar, “act-as-usual” or active mobilization for whiplash injury? A randomized parallel-group trial.

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Maurice Preter MD
Neck collar, “act-as-usual” or active mobilization for whiplash injury? A randomized parallel-group trial.
Spine. 2007 Mar 15;32(6):618-26. Related Articles,Links

Neck collar, “act-as-usual” or active mobilization for whiplash injury? A randomized parallel-group trial.

Kongsted A, Qerama E, Kasch H, Bendix T, Winther F, Korsholm L, Jensen TS.

Back Research Center, Clinical Locomotion Sciences, Backcenter Funen, University of Southern Denmark, Ringe, Denmark. alik@shf.fyns-amt.dk

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, parallel-group trial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of 3 early intervention strategies following whiplash injury. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Long-lasting pain and disability, known as chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD), may develop after a forced flexion-extension trauma to the cervical spine. It is unclear whether this, in some cases disabling, condition can be prevented by early intervention. Active interventions have been recommended but have not been compared with information only. METHODS: Participants were recruited from emergency units and general practitioners within 10 days after a whiplash injury and randomized to: 1) immobilization of the cervical spine in a rigid collar followed by active mobilization, 2) advice to “act-as-usual,” or 3) an active mobilization program (Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy). Follow-up was carried out after 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury. Treatment effect was measured in terms of headache and neck pain intensity (0-10), disability, and work capability. RESULTS: A total of 458 participants were included. At the 1-year follow-up, 48% of participants reported considerable neck pain, 53% disability, and 14% were still sick listed at 1 year follow-up. No significant differences were observed between the 3 interventions group. CONCLUSION: Immobilization, “act-as-usual,” and mobilization had similar effects regarding prevention of pain, disability, and work capability 1 year after a whiplash injury.

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PMID: 17413465 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Posted in Fifth Avenue Concierge Medicine, Health, News, Psychiatry/Neurology | Tagged |