Immunolocalization of different neuropeptides in human interthalamic adhaesion indicates its functionality.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The interthalamic adhaesion (IA), gray matter connecting both thalami, is absent in about a quarter of human brains. Controversies are present about the nature and functional significance of the human IA. METHODS: In six adult human brains we investigated the expression of different neuropeptides: somatosatin (SOM), neuropeptide Y (NPY), ghrelin, neurotensin (NT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), substance P (SP) and L-enkephalin (L-Enk) in neurons and/or neuropil of the IA, using immunohistochemistry (streptavidin-biotin technique). RESULTS: In neurons, as well as in fibers, we found immunoreactivity for ghrelin, SOM, L-Enk and NT. However, reactivity for NPY, SP and ACTH was present only in fibers within the IA. Fusiform neurons were immunoreactive for SOM, Ghrelin, L-Enk, and NT, neurons with oval perikaryon for SOM, and L-Enk, triangular neurons showed immunoreactivity mainly for NT and multipolar neurons for NT and L-Enk. CONCLUSION: These findings can contribute to the understanding of the function of interthalamic adhaesion, and to resolving the question whether it is a vestigial structure. No mather if the interthalamic adhaesion is vestigial structure or not, its presence or absence could be a marker for other, genetic or functional differences between human brains. Our findings indicate the presence of certain neuronal organization in the human interthalamic adhaesion which could have functional significance, and do not support its vestigial nature.

The role of C-Fos protein, somatostatin and neuropeptide Y in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain injuries based on animal model of cerebral ischemia.

The aim of this study was to define all the areas of changes in expression of nuclear c-Fos protein (c-Fos), cytoplasmic somatostatin (SS) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in rat brain during experimental ischemia. Using the immunohistochemical method, brain mapping (based on the atlas by Paxinos & Watson) of immunoreactivity for c-Fos, SS and NPY in 39 rats, was studied in telencephalon, diencephalon and midbrain after resistant and transitory ischemia. The first experimental group (R group) was exposed to resistant ischemia by occlusion (10 minutes) of four vessels according to the Pulsinelli method. The second group was first exposed to transitory (4 minutes) ischemia (preconditioning) and, after 72 hours, to total ischemia as in the R group. There was a statistical difference between the R and T group in the c-Fos reaction, especially in the parietofrontal cortex, anterior amygdaloid area, claustrum, reuniens nucleus and suprachiasmatic nucleus. The dominant immunohistochemical reactivity was found for c-Fos protein, and the most reactive in terms of co-localization of c-Fos with SS and NPY was periventricular area of hypothalamus. The mapping showed that both, phylogenetically new as well as phylogenetically older brain structures reacted immunohistochemically. The results of our study, regarding the impact of preconditioning with a short period of ischemia on c-Fos activity and co-localization of c-Fos with SS and NPY immunoreactivity, showed the need for future studies of brain neuropeptides related to regional and time effects, and indicated brain structures which may require pharmacological targeting to achieve neuroprotective level of proto-oncogene activity in populations at risk.

Lamotrigine augmentation in delirium tremens.

INTRODUCTION: Delirium tremens (DT) is most severe neurological complication of alcohol withdrawal with high mortality rate. DT is related to an altered balance of excitatory and inhibitory amino-acid neurotransmitters, which is basically due to upregulation of glutaminergic neurotransmission induced by chronic ethanol exposure. Lamotrigine (LTG) is believed to act by reducing excitatory glutamate release due to inhibition of Na (+) channels. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate efficiency of the LTG therapy in the treatment of delirium tremens. METHODS: This prospective clinical study included 240 patients with ICD-10 criteria for DT, who were randomly divided into control and experimental group. The patients were observed within 28 days at the Intensive Care Unit of the Centre for Urgent Psychiatric disorders, according to a specific protocol, which included CIWA-Ar and MDAS clinical scales. Control and experimental group were treated according to the NIAAA protocol for 2004, and experimental group with adding of LTG according to a specific program. RESULTS: CIWA and MDAS scores in the experimental and control group has statistical significant differences after the third day (p > 0.1), and especially after the fifth day (ECIWA5/KCIWA5 = 8.36 +/- 6.782/32 +/- 5.562; EMDAS5/KMDAS5 = 4.89 +/- 3.408/26.33 +/- 1.497) (p > 0.5). CONCLUSION: LTG is significantly efficient in the treatment of delirium tremens, but it does not decrease mortality rate.

Aggression in adolescents: characteristics and treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Vulnerability of young people and frustration of their basic biological, emotional, cognitive and social needs can induce a series of psycho-pathological manifestations, including aggression. OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study is to examine the manifestations of aggressiveness in young people and to establish the difference between aggressive responses of two age groups; adolescents aged 16-19 years and older adolescents aged 20-26 years. METHODS: The sample consists of 100 young people aged 16-19 years (46 adolescents) and 20-26 years (54 adolescents). For the purposes of this study, we have constructed a questionnaire in which we entered the data obtained on the basis of a standard psychiatric examination, auto- and hetero-anamnesis data, and data obtained using the standard battery of psychological tests. RESULTS: Statistically significant association was found between verbal aggression and physical aggression (p = 0.002), verbal aggression and suicide attempts (p = 0.02), verbal aggression and substance abuse (p = 0.009), verbal aggression and low frustration tolerance (LFT) (p = 0.007), suicide attempt and LFT (p = 0.052). The younger group was significantly more verbally aggressive compared to the older group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Verbal aggression, which was significantly associated with physical aggression, suicide attempts, substance abuse and LFT, indicates the need for timely interventions for the prevention of more serious and malignant forms of aggression.