Optimized germinated soybean/cornstarch extrudate and its in vitro fermentation with human inoculum.

The aim of this work was to optimise a soybean/cornstarch extrudate by adjusting a central composite design and to maximise a product with a high protein and resistant starch (RS) content by evaluating the indigestible fractions through in vitro colonic fermentation and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with potential health benefits. According to the response surface analysis and RS maximisation results, an optimisation of the independent variables was obtained as follows: 32.5% feed moisture, 144 °C extrusion temperature and a proportion of 44% germinated soybean flour and 56% cornstarch. A product with a 2.11% expansion index, 6.25 N hardness, a glycaemic index of 49 and 12% resistant starch was obtained. The optimised extrudate showed a 36% indigestible fraction and high fermentability with respect to that of the lactulose control. Furthermore, the decrease in pH was inversely proportional to the production of SCFAs and the volume of gas generated. Acetic, propionic, and butyric acids were produced at a molar ratio of 62:27:11, while the highest SCFA concentrations were found 48 h after incubation. The RS of the optimised extruder was a viable substrate for in vitro colonic fermentation, suggesting that it is a good food source to produce SCFAs, which could exert an effect on the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.

Optimal germination condition impacts on the antioxidant activity and phenolic acids profile in pigmented desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds.

Legume sprouts are considered natural, healthy products that provide a source of bioactive compounds to fight against chronic diseases. This study aims to identify the optimal germination temperature (GT) and germination time (Gt) to maximize total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC, FC), and antioxidant activity (AoxA) of desi chickpea. Response surface methodology was used as an optimization tool. An experimental design with two factors (GT and Gt) and five levels was used (13 treatments). The sprouts from each treatment were lyophilized, tempered, and milled to obtain germinated chickpea flours (GCF). To predict the phytochemicals composition and AoxA in GCF, regression models were developed. Maximum TPC, FC, and AoxA were attained during germination 33.7 °C for 171 h. Optimized germinated chickpea flour produced applying the optimal germination conditions resulted in an increase of protein and total dietary fibre content, TPC, FC, phenolic acids profile, and AoxA. Germination at optimal conditions also increased the level of coumaric, ferulic, synapic, ellagic, and syringic acids. This study demonstrated that germination carried out under optimal conditions enhanced the nutraceutical value of desi chickpea seeds.

Neuroanatomy of financial decisions.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroeconomics is a new science that studies the brain processes involved in taking decisions, particularly related to economy and it has experienced an important advance in the recent years due to the development of the new neuroimaging techniques, basically functional magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this paper it to carry out a review of the literature on the different neurological mechanisms involved in taking financial decisions, the concerned brain structures and the diseases that can affect them. SOURCES: We made a non systematic review of the literature in primary (PubMed) and secondary (Tripdatabase and Cochrane Library) bibliographic databases. We also used bibliography given by the Asociación Española de Neuroeconomía. DEVELOPMENT: Brain reward and loss aversion systems suppose a balance that makes us take one or another decision. Dopamine plays an important role on it and several brain structures have been involved in this balance such as the amygdale, the insula, the medial prefrontal cortex, the anterior and posterior cingulated cortex, the accumbens nucleus and the ventral tegmental area. The alteration of this balance may produce inappropriate financial behaviors what may occur in common diseases including depression, mania, alcoholism, gambling and several impulse control disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologists should define our role in this interdisciplinary field due to the privileged position of our specialty to study how the brain works and due to the potential growing of this science in the near future.

Oxcarbazepine monotherapy in carbamazepine-unresponsive trigeminal neuralgia.

The objective of this prospective open-label study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oxcarbazepine in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) unresponsive to treatment with the standard antiepileptic drug, carbamazepine. Thirty-five patients with idiopathic TN, who underwent treatment with oxcarbazepine monotherapy for at least 12 weeks, were studied. Pain was assessed using mean pain frequency, responder rate, pain-free patients and clinical global impression. The mean maintenance dose was 773.7 mg/day. There was a significant decrease in the mean of the main scores following 12 weeks of treatment (p<0.05) compared with baseline. Oxcarbazepine was effective from the first month of treatment. There was a significant reduction in pain frequency, leading to improvements in patient satisfaction. In general, oxcarbazepine was well tolerated. Oxcarbazepine appears to be an important alternative therapeutic approach for patients affected by TN. This study adds to the existing literature arriving at the same findings.

[Topiramate in comorbid disorders: epilepsy and migraine]. / Topiramato en enfermedades comórbidas: epilepsia y migraña.

INTRODUCTION: With relative frequency epilepsy and migraine are associated in a same patient. Some times it is difficult to distinguish an attack of others. Reason why it would be of utility to have a treatment effective in both pathologies. It is tried to study in patients with this comorbidity, how of effective it is a drug indicated in the two pathologies, as it is topiramate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational, longitudinal and prospective study is made, where 15 patients are recruited with this association, and which they were treated with topiramate. They are revaluated at three and six months of treatment. RESULTS: Significant differences are obtained (p < 0.05) in all the studied variables (severity and duration of the migraine attacks and frequency of the migraine and epileptic attacks), with a medium dose of 100 mg/day of topiramate, at the end of the study. Not serious adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Topiramate in monotherapy seems to be a suitable treatment in patients who undergo epileptic and migrainous attacks jointly.

Utilidad del CANs SCORE para valoración clínica del estado nutricional del recién nacido de término / Utility of the CANs SCORE for clinical assessment of the nutritional the new born status of

Se conoce que la Desnutrición Fetal predispone a una mayor morbimortalidad perinatal, secundaria a sufrimiento fetal, aspiración de meconio, asfixia, hipoglucemia neonatal y síndrome de hiperviscosidad. También se asocia, a medio-largo plazo, a un mayor riesgo en comparación con la población general de presentar trastornos neurológicos o mentales (trastornos cognitivos y del aprendizaje), complicaciones endocrinológicas, metabólicas y cardiovasculares, por lo que sería conveniente identificar a estos recién nacidos precozmente, para promover una vigilancia e intervención adecuadas. Objetivo: demostrar la utilidad de la Evaluación Clínica Neonatal utilizando el CANs SCORE (Evaluación Clínica del Estado Nutricional), desarrollado y publicado por Mettcoff en 1994. Métodos: se realizó un estudio piloto transversal de marzo a junio de 2018, en el Hospital "Cochabamba", de nivel II, seleccionando 50 recién nacidos a término que presentasen signos clínicos para desnutrición según la escala de Mettcoff. Se realizaron mediciones antropométricas completas y exámenes de parámetros de laboratorio relacionados. Se utilizaron comparaciones de medias y correlaciones con valores del score-Z calculado mediante la herramienta Intergrowth- 21st, para evaluar los datos. Resultados: se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los parámetros antropométricos básicos evaluados como peso, talla, perímetro cefálico. Además, la evaluación mediante la escala de Mettcoff permitió la detección de DESNUTRICIÓN FETAL en recién nacidos que de otra manera se clasificarían como de peso adecuado para la Edad Gestacional (AEG). En el laboratorio los hallazgos fueron: disminución o aumento de las concentraciones de algunos de los parámetros bioquímicos evaluados; los más llamativos fueron la disminución de los niveles de albúmina sérica; también disminución de las concentraciones de calcio en más del 90% de la población estudiada y una elevación sistemática de los valores de creatinina en la mayoría, 80% de los casos. Conclusiones: el puntaje CANs es una herramienta clínica útil, sencilla y de fácil aplicación que permite identificar con mayor precisión el grado de desnutrición en recién nacidos y podría validarse estadísticamente en series más amplias y estudios sistemáticos.

It is known that Fetal Malnutrition predisposes to greater perinatal morbidity and mortality, secondary to fetal distress, meconium aspiration, asphyxia, neonatal hypoglycemia and hyperviscosity syndrome. It is also associated, in the medium-long term, with a higher risk compared to the general population of presenting neurological or mental disorders (cognitive and learning disorders), endocrinological, metabolic and cardiovascular complications, so it would be convenient to identify these newborns with DF early in life to promote appropriate surveillance and intervention. Objective:to demonstrate the usefulness of the Neonatal Clinical Assessment using the CANs SCORE (Clinical Assessment of Nutritional Status), developed and published by Mettcoff in 1994. Methods: a transversal pilot study was carried out from March to June 2018, in the second level Hospital "Cochabamba" , selecting 50 term neonates who had a positive score for malnutrition according to the Mettcoff scale. Complete anthropometric measurements and examinations of related laboratory parameters were performed. Comparisons of means and correlations were used to evaluate the data with Z-score values calculated using the Intergrowth -21st toolª. Results: statistically significant differences were found between the basic anthropometric parameters as weight, height, head circumference evaluated. Furthermore, the evaluation using the Mettcoff scale allowed the detection of FETAL MALNUTRITION in newborns who are otherwise classified as having adequate weight for Gestational Age (AEG). In the laboratory, the main findings were: decreased or increased concentrations of some of the biochemical parameters evaluated: the most striking findings being decreased serum albumin levels; also decreased calcium concentrations in 100% of the studied population and a systematic elevation of creatinine values in most of 90% of cases. Conclusions: the CANs score is a useful, simple and easy-to-apply clinical tool that allows the degree of malnutrition in Newborns to be identified with greater precision and it could be statistically validated in larger series and systematic studies.

[Non-typhi Salmonella bacteremia in children: an 11-year review]. / Bacteriemia por Salmonella no typhi en niños: revisión de 11 años.

OBJECTIVES: To review the clinical and bacteriological features of pediatric patients with non-typhi Salmonella (NTS) bacteremia. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of children aged less than 14 years with culture-proven NTS bacteremia in the previous 11 years in a referral hospital in Madrid, Spain. RESULTS: A total of 29 cases of NTS bacteremia were diagnosed. Of these, 27 were used for study purposes. The mean age was 11.1 months (range: 3 days to 11 years); 48% were infants aged < 1 year. Eleven children (41%) had an underlying disease. These included immunodeficiency in seven (malignant disease in three, IgA-IgG2 deficit in one, chronic granulomatous disease in one, HIV infection in one, and systemic lupus erythematosus in one patient on steroid treatment), liver disease in three, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in one. Clinical manifestations at the initial visit included: fever > 39 C (85%), diarrhea (67%), and vomiting (37%). Seven patients had occult bacteremia. Three children (11 %) required intensive care management for severe sepsis. Five patients presented extraintestinal focal infections: arthritis in two, osteomyelitis in one, urinary tract infection in one, and pneumonia in one. None of the children had meningitis or died as a result of NTS infection. The most common serogroups isolated were Salmonella D9, and B4-5 (38% each). Eleven strains (38%) were resistant to amoxicillin and five (17%) were resistant to cotrimoxazole. Only one patient developed persistent bacteremia. All the children made a complete recovery without further complications. CONCLUSIONS: NTS bacteremia is an uncommon entity but it should be considered in infants and immunocompromised children. Although focal complications may occur, the usual outcome with appropriate antimicrobial treatment is a full recovery.

[Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in childhood endobronchial tuberculosis]. / Fibrobroncoscopia en la tuberculosis endobronquial.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial tuberculosis is a classical manifestation of primary tuberculosis in childhood. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB) is an ancillary diagnostic tool, but its utility and indications are not well established. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the FB performed over 11 years (1992-2003) in children with a diagnosis of tuberculosis and to review the literature. A further aim was to establish the current usefulness of FB in children with tuberculosis and propose criteria to determine the indications for FB in this population. METHODS: We report a retrospective series (n 5 16). FB was indicated in children who showed any of the following findings in chest roentgenogram: a) persistent parenchymal consolidation; b) lymphadenopathy and consolidation; c) hyperinsufflation (emphysema); d) atelectasias, and e) airway narrowing caused by lymphadenopathies. Published series on the topic were reviewed and six studies were suitable for comparison with our own. RESULTS: Endobronchial tuberculosis was found in seven children (43 %) and extrinsic compression was found in three (18 %). The microbiological results obtained from FB samples were not superior to those obtained from classical diagnostic methods. The sensitivity of the proposed criteria for suspicion of endobronchial tuberculosis was 71 %. Endoscopic findings justified a change in therapy in 50 % of the children (addition of corticoids or surgery) and this percentage was similar to that reported in other series. CONCLUSIONS: FB does not usually improve microbiological diagnosis of tuberculosis but can be useful when choosing the most appropriate therapy in children with suspected endobronchial tuberculosis. In some cases, computed tomography may make FB unnecessary, but in others this procedure can be therapeutic (obstruction due to caseum, atelectasias). Establishing the indications for FB in childhood tuberculosis is difficult, but the proposed criteria may be an acceptable guide to identifying which patients could benefit most from this procedure. Not all children with endobronchial tuberculosis require corticoids.

[Eslicarbazepine in patients with hipercholesterolemia associated to carbamazepine and oxcarbacepine]. / Eslicarbacepina en pacientes con hipercolesterolemia asociada a carbamacepina y oxcarbacepina.

TITLE: Eslicarbacepina en pacientes con hipercolesterolemia asociada a carbamacepina y oxcarbacepina.

Evaluation of non-aqueous capillary zone electrophoresis for the determination of histamine H2 receptor antagonists in pharmaceuticals.

A new non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis method is proposed for the separation and simultaneous determination of cimetidine, ranitidine, roxatidine, nizatidine and famotidine by using a 30-cm long × 75 µm i.d. fused silica capillary and UV detection at 214 nm. Using a temperature of 25°C, an applied voltage of 15 kV, and a background electrolyte consisting of methanol containing 10 mM ammonium acetate and 0.2% acetic acid allowed the analytes to be separated in less than 4 min. The limits of detection obtained ranged from 7 and 17 µg L(-1). The proposed method was successfully used to determine the analytes in pharmaceutical preparations and its results were checked against an HPLC method.

[Zonisamide in refractory essential tremor]. / Zonisamida en el temblor esencial refractario.

INTRODUCTION: Essential tremor is one of the most frequent movement disorders. It is characterized by postural and action tremor that may affect different regions of the body. Among current treatments propranolol and primidone are included. However, these two drugs have demonstrated a limited efficacy and several adverse events. Additionally, they are contraindicated in patients with cardiac insufficiency and several respiratory diseases. New antiepileptic drugs are revealing as a possibility in the treatment of this disease. AIM. To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of zonisamide in the treatment of essential tremor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We perform a retrospective study about 13 patients with essential tremor refractory to an average of 2.8 drugs. Age, sex, zonisamide dosage, adverse events, duration and response to the treatment before and after the treatment were collected and analysed. Average zonisamide dosage was 215 mg/day and average duration of the treatment was 121 days. RESULTS: Nine of 13 patients included in our study experienced a good response. A positive response was understood as a decrease on the limitation of daily activities and an improvement on neurological examination. Zonisamide was well tolerated and no patient abandoned the study for this reason. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that zonisamide is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of essential tremor. Placebo-controlled and bigger studies are warranted to confirm these results.

Nutritional properties of quality protein maize and chickpea extruded based weaning food.

Malnutrition is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among young children in most of the developing countries. To minimize the adversities of malnutrition, low-cost infant supplementary foods have been developed and are being supplied to the needy through state-sponsored nutrition intervention programmers. The present study had two objectives: to determine the best combination of nixtamalized extruded quality protein maize (NEMF) and extruded chickpea (ECF) flours for producing a weaning food, and to evaluate the nutritional properties of the optimized NEMF/ECF mixture and the weaning food. The NEMF and ECF were produced applying combinations of extrusion temperature/screw speed of 79.4 degrees C/73.5 rpm, and 150.5 degrees C/190.5 rpm, respectively. Response surface methodology was applied to determine the optimum combination NEMF/ECF; the experimental design generated 11 assays. Mixtures from each assay were evaluated for true protein (TP) and available lysine (AL). Each one of 11 mixtures were used for preparing 11 weaning foods which were sensory evaluated for acceptability (A). The best combination of NEMF/ECF for producing a weaning food was NEMF = 21.2%/ ECF = 78.8 %. This mixture had a global desirability (D) of 0.93; it contained 20.07% proteins (DM), 5.70% lipids (DM), and 71.14% carbohydrates (DM); its essential amino acids (EAA) profile satisfactorily covered the EAA requirements for children 2-5 years old, except for Trp. The weaning food prepared with the optimized mixture had high protein quality and digestibility and could be used to support the growth of infants.

Determination of ibuprofen and tetrazepam in human urine by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

A new micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography method (MEKC) is proposed for the determination of ibuprofen and tetrazepam in human urine samples over a concentration range of therapeutic interest. A fused silica capillary (60 cm x 75 microm) is used. Ibuprofen and tetrazepam are detected via UV detection at 220 and 228 nm, respectively. Separation is performed at 25 degrees C and at a separation voltage of 30 kV, with 15 mM borate buffer (pH 10.2) containing 40 mM sodium dodecylsulfate as the electrolyte solution. Under these conditions the analytes were separated in <11 min. Sulfamethazine is used as an internal standard. Prior to determination, the samples are purified and enriched by means of an extraction-preconcentration step with a preconditioned C18 cartridge and by eluting the compounds with methanol. Good linearity, accuracy, precision, robustness and solution stability were achieved for the technique. Detection limits of 200 microg L(-1) for ibuprofen and 300 microg L(-1) for tetrazepam were obtained. These analytes were then determined in real urine using the technique.

Chronic alcoholism enhances hepatocarcinogenicity of diethylnitrosamine in rats fed a marginally methyl-deficient diet.

To determine whether the chronic consumption of ethanol was capable of enhancing the hepatocarcinogenic activity of diethylnitrosamine per se, or through the accentuation of a methyl deficiency, two groups (A and B) of Sprague-Dawley female rats were fed for 10 months either a 20% casein basal diet marginally deficient in methyl, or the same diet supplemented with choline (1 gm per 100 gm) and folic acid (0.54 mg per 100 gm). Both groups were offered a drinking ethanol solution, while two other nonalcohol control groups (C and D) were isocalorically pair-fed to Groups A and B, and received diets in which the alcohol consumed by the corresponding groups was replaced by isocaloric amounts of sucrose. A baseline nonalcohol Group E, isocalorically pair-fed to Group A, received the intact basal diet of Group A and water. One day before the initiation of the experiment, and again 2 months later, all rats from the five groups were injected with a single i.p. dose of diethylnitrosamine (100 mg per kg). The growth attained by all groups was statistically similar. Hepatic triglycerides in Group A were significantly higher than in all the other groups. While in Group A primary hepatocellular carcinomas and renal tumors were encountered at the end of the experiment in 3 of 6 and in 2 of 6 rats, respectively, no malignancies were observed in any of the other groups. These results indicate that chronic ethanol consumption enhances the hepatocarcinogenic and renal tumorigenic activity of diethylnitrosamine, and strongly suggest that this action is mediated through the accentuation of methyl deficiency.

Effects of dietary selenium on hepatic and renal tumorigenesis induced in rats by diethylnitrosamine.

Seven groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats (approximately 200 gm initial body weight) were injected i.p. with a single subcarcinogenic dose of diethylnitrosamine (40 mg per kg body weight) between 8 to 10 hr after partial hepatectomy, and after a recovery period of 3 weeks (herein called induction stage) received 0.05% phenobarbital in the diet for the rest of the experiment (promotion stage). The rats were fed a 20% casein-based diet containing 0.16 ppm of selenium or the same diet supplemented with 4 or 6 ppm of selenium as sodium selenite. The effects of these three dietary regimens were tested when administered 9 to 11 days before and during induction, 1 week before and during promotion or during the entire experiment. Pair-feeding conditions were used to minimize influences due to differences in food intake and growth. Despite similarities in food intakes, the growth rates in groups receiving the 6 ppm-selenium diet during promotion or during the entire experiment were in general significantly lower than in rats fed the 4 ppm-selenium diet or the 0.16 ppm-selenium basal diet. Survival rates were also significantly reduced in rats fed the 4 and 6 ppm-selenium diets during promotion or during the entire experiment. In rats killed at the 19th week for interim assessment of the experiment's progress, the stereologically analyzed numerical and volumetric densities of hepatic premalignant hyperplastic nodules did not differ significantly between groups. All the remaining rats were killed at the 46th week.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of selenium supplementation on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.

Four groups of weanling male Wistar rats (Groups A-D) received diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 40 ppm) in their drinking water for four weeks; after a recovery period of two weeks, they received (for the rest of the experiment) phenobarbital (PB, 500 ppm) added to a Torula yeast-based diet containing 0.17 ppm of selenium. Dietary selenium (2 ppm), as sodium selenite, was given to Group B one week before and during DEN treatment, to Group C one week before and during PB treatment, and to Group D during the entire experiment. Groups A and E received the unsupplemented diet, whereas Group E was not treated with DEN or PB. Pair-feeding conditions were used to minimize possible influences of differences in food intake and growth. Rats were killed at the 19th and 24th weeks after the experiment began. No significant differences were found in food and fluid intakes or in growth rates among the groups. Livers in Group E were histologically normal, whereas preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions were found in all other groups. In rats killed at the 19th and 24th weeks, the numerical and the volumetric densities of preneoplastic lesions did not differ significantly between all the groups. Similarly, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas only detected at 24 weeks was not significantly different between the groups. These results indicated that in this particular model of hepatocarcinogenesis, the dietary supplementation of 2 ppm of selenium did not modify the development of preneoplasia and carcinomas.

Evaluation of the effect of glucan on hepatic, renal and mammary tumorigenesis in rats.

Glucan was evaluated for its ability to modify the hepatic and renal tumorigenesis induced in partially hepatectomized Sprague-Dawley female rats by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and phenobarbital (PB), and the mammary tumorigenesis induced in intact Sprague-Dawley female rats by N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU). In both models the rats received every two weeks i.v. glucan (10 mg/kg) or equivalent amounts of dextrose. The results indicated that glucan did not significantly modify the incidence of the chemically-induced hepatic, renal and mammary tumors.

Nixtamalized flour from quality protein maize (Zea mays L). optimization of alkaline processing.

Quality of maize proteins is poor, they are deficient in the essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan. Recently, in Mexico were successfully developed nutritionally improved 26 new hybrids and cultivars called quality protein maize (QPM) which contain greater amounts of lysine and tryptophan. Alkaline cooking of maize with lime (nixtamalization) is the first step for producing several maize products (masa, tortillas, flours, snacks). Processors adjust nixtamalization variables based on experience. The objective of this work was to determine the best combination of nixtamalization process variables for producing nixtamalized maize flour (NMF) from QPM V-537 variety. Nixtamalization conditions were selected from factorial combinations of process variables: nixtamalization time (NT, 20-85 min), lime concentration (LC, 3.3-6.7 g Ca(OH)2/l, in distilled water), and steep time (ST, 8-16 hours). Nixtamalization temperature and ratio of grain to cooking medium were 85 degrees C and 1:3 (w/v), respectively. At the end of each cooking treatment the steeping started for the required time. Steeping was finished by draining the cooking liquor (nejayote). Nixtamal (alkaline-cooked maize kernels) was washed with running tap water. Wet nixtamal was dried (24 hours, 55 degrees C) and milled to pass through 80-US mesh screen to obtain NMF. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied as optimization technique, over four response variables: In vitro protein digestibility (PD), total color difference (deltaE), water absorption index (WAI), and pH. Predictive models for response variables were developed as a function of process variables. Conventional graphical method was applied to obtain maximum PD, WAI and minimum deltaE, pH. Contour plots of each of the response variables were utilized applying superposition surface methodology, to obtain three contour plots for observation and selection of best combination of NT (31 min), LC (5.4 g Ca(OH)2/l), and ST (8.1 hours) for producing optimized NMF from QPM.

Neuroanatomía de las decisiones financieras / Neuroanatomy of financial decisions

Introducción: La neuroeconomía es una nueva disciplina que estudia los procesos cerebrales de toma de decisiones, fundamentalmente económicas y que ha adquirido un importante avance en los últimos años con el desarrollo de las modernas técnicas de neuroimagen, como la resonancia magnética cerebral funcional. Este artículo realiza una revisión de la bibliografía sobre los diferentes mecanismos neurológicos implicados en la toma de decisiones financieras, las estructuras cerebrales involucradas y las enfermedades que pueden afectarlos. Fuentes: Realizamos una revisión no sistemática de la literatura, tanto en fuentes de información primaria (PubMed) como de información secundaria (Tripdatabase y Cochrane Library). También se utilizó bibliografía cedida por la Asociación Española de Neuroeconomía. Desarrollo:Los sistemas de recompensa cerebral y de aversión a la pérdida suponen un equilibrio que hará que optemos por una u otra decisión. En este equilibrio en el que la dopamina desempeña un papel primordial, se han visto involucradas varias estructuras cerebrales como la amígdala, la ínsula, la corteza prefrontal medial, las cortezas cinguladas anterior y posterior, el núcleo accumbens y el área tegmental ventral. Su alteración supone la producción de conductas financieras inapropiadas como tienen lugar en enfermedades tan frecuentes como la depresión, la manía, el alcoholismo, la ludopatía o diversos trastornos del control de impulsos.Conclusiones: Los neurólogos deberíamos definir nuestro papel en esta ciencia pluridisciplinar, dada la posición de privilegio de nuestra especialidad para estudiar el funcionamiento cerebral, y al más que posible crecimiento que se espera que la neuroeconomía adquiera en un futuro cercano (AU)

Introduction: Neuroeconomics is a new science that studies the brain processes involved in taking decisions, particularly related to economy and it has experienced an important advancein the recent years due to the development of the new neuroimaging techniques, basically functional magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this paper it to carry out a review of theliterature on the different neurological mechanisms involved in taking financial decisions, the concerned brain structures and the diseases that can affect them. Sources: We made a non systematic review of the literature in primary (PubMed) and secondary(Tripdatabase and Cochrane Library) bibliographic databases. We also used bibliography given by the Asociación Espa˜nola de Neuroeconomía.Development: Brain reward and loss aversion systems suppose a balance that makes us take one or another decision. Dopamine plays an important role on it and several brain structureshave been involved in this balance such as the amygdale, the insula, the medial prefrontal cortex, the anterior and posterior cingulated cortex, the accumbens nucleus and the ventraltegmental area. The alteration of this balance may produce inappropriate financial behaviors what may occur in common diseases including depression, mania, alcoholism, gambling andseveral impulse control disorders.Conclusions: Neurologists should define our role in this interdisciplinary field due to the privileged position of our specialty to study how the brain works and due to the potential growingof this science in the near future (AU)