Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of L-carnosine supplementation in children with autistic spectrum disorders.

L-Carnosine, a dipeptide, can enhance frontal lobe function or be neuroprotective. It can also correlate with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-homocarnosine interaction, with possible anticonvulsive effects. We investigated 31 children with autistic spectrum disorders in an 8-week, double-blinded study to determine if 800 mg L-carnosine daily would result in observable changes versus placebo. Outcome measures were the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, the Expressive and Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary tests, and Clinical Global Impressions of Change. Children on placebo did not show statistically significant changes. After 8 weeks on L-carnosine, children showed statistically significant improvements on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (total score and the Behavior, Socialization, and Communication subscales) and the Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary test (all P < .05). Improved trends were noted on other outcome measures. Although the mechanism of action of L-carnosine is not well understood, it may enhance neurologic function, perhaps in the enterorhinal or temporal cortex.

Relação entre dependência de internet e traços de personalidade em estudantes universitários / Relationship between internet dependency and personality traits in undergraduates

Objetivou-se avaliar a associação entre os traços de personalidade e uso excessivo de internet em universitários. Este estudo transversal, quantitativo, realizado em 2017 com 259 universitários de uma instituição de ensino superior particular, na região Sul do Brasil. Utilizou-se um instrumento sociodemográfico, a escala de Personalidade de Comrey (CPS) e internet Addiction Test (IAT). Os dados foram analisados no Statistical Package for Social Sciences, versão 23.0, por meio de testes estatísticos Kolmogorov Smirnov, Spearman, t de student, Regressão Logística Multivariada e o método Bakcward (p≤ 0,05). A maioria dos participantes usufrui da internet em casa, através do celular, para fins de utilização de redes sociais e com prevalência do sexo feminino. Existe correlação negativa bem fraca entre a escala T do CPS e a IAT (p=0,144), e correlação negativa fraca entre as escalas A (p=0,262) e S (p=0,231). Sugerem-se mais estudos e intervenção neste campo e com este público-alvo.

The association between personality traits and excessive usage of the Internet in undergraduates is investigated through a transversal and quantitative study in 2017 with 259 undergraduates in a private higher institution in south Brazil. The sociodemographic tool, Comprey´s Personality Scale and the Internet Addiction Test were employed. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences 23.0, by statistic tests Kolmogorov Smirnov, Spearman, Student´s t, Multivariate Logistic Regression and by Bakcward method (p≤ 0.05). Most participants, particularly females, use the Internet at home, through their mobiles, in social networks. There is negative co-relationship between scale T of CPS and IAT (p=0.144), and a weak negative co-relationship between scales A (p=0.262) and S (p=0.231). More studies and field intervention are required in this field and target population.