Use of non-invasive stimulation in movement disorders: a critical review.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive stimulation has been widely used in the past 30 years to study and treat a large number of neurological diseases, including movement disorders. OBJECTIVE: In this critical review, we illustrate the rationale for use of these techniques in movement disorders and summarize the best medical evidence based on the main clinical trials performed to date. METHODS: A nationally representative group of experts performed a comprehensive review of the literature in order to analyze the key clinical decision-making factors driving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in movement disorders. Classes of evidence and recommendations were described for each disease. RESULTS: Despite unavoidable heterogeneities and low effect size, TMS is likely to be effective for treating motor symptoms and depression in Parkinson's disease (PD). The efficacy in other movement disorders is unclear. TMS is possibly effective for focal hand dystonia, essential tremor and cerebellar ataxia. Additionally, it is likely to be ineffective in reducing tics in Tourette syndrome. Lastly, tDCS is likely to be effective in improving gait in PD. CONCLUSIONS: There is encouraging evidence for the use of noninvasive stimulation on a subset of symptoms in selected movement disorders, although the means to optimize protocols for improving positive outcomes in routine clinical practice remain undetermined. Similarly, the best stimulation paradigms and responder profile need to be investigated in large clinical trials with established therapeutic and assessment paradigms that could also allow genuine long-term benefits to be determined.

A dependência da nicotina associada ao uso de álcool e outras substâncias psicoativas / The nicotine dependence associated with alcohol use and other psychoactive substance

Analisar a associação entre a dependência de nicotina com o uso de álcool, outras substâncias psicoativas e transtorno depressivo. Os tabagistas foram recrutados a partir do Centro de Referência de Abordagem e Tratamento do Tabagismo no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Londrina(AHC/UEL). Todos os participantes foram informados e assinaram o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Estadual de Londrina. Os instrumentos foram: questionário estruturado, teste de triagem do envolvimento com álcool, tabaco e outras substâncias (ASSIST v 3.0), teste de Fargerstrõm de Dependência de Nicotina (FTND) e critérios diagnósticos para pesquisa de transtorno depressivo, da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Os tabagistas apresentaram as seguintes características sócio-demográficas: predomínio do sexo feminino, e média de idade de 47 anos, com capacidade para atividades domésticas e trabalho. A média de idade de início do uso do tabaco foi de 16 anos. O teste de Fagerstrõm apresentou uma pontuação média de seis, tanto para tabagistas com e sem uso de substâncias psicoativas, A relação encontrada entre a depressão grave e o uso de substâncias psicoativas foi significativa. Este estudo evidenciou uma associação entre o uso do tabaco, de outras substâncias psicoativas e transtorno depressivo. Os profissionais da saúde deveriam identificar subgrupos de fumantes adultos com associação de depressão e uso de substâncias psicoativas, e promover uma intervenção em ambas as comorbidades para maior efetividade do abandono do tabaco.

To examine an association between nicotine dependence with alcohol, other psychoactive use, and depressive disorder. Smokers were recruited from Centro de Referência de Abordagem e Tratamento do Tabagismo at the Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Londrina (AHC/ UEL). Allsubjects were informed and gave then written consent for the research as approved by the Ethics Research Committee of Universidade Estadual de Londrina. The measures used were: structured questionnaire, alcohol, smoking, and psychoactive substance involvement screening test (ASSIST v 3.0), the Fagerstrõm test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and the Diagnostic Interview for Research on Depressive Disorder of the World Health Organization. Smokers presented the following socio-demographic characteristics: prevalence of the female sex and mean age of 47 years old with capacity for domestic activities and work. The mean age of onset of cigarette use for smokers was 16 years old. Fagerstrõm’s test presented amedium punctuation of 6, so much for users of substances psicoativas, as for the ones that they don’t use them. Relationship between serious depression and the of psychoactive substances use was relevant forthe research. This study evidenced an association among the use of the tobacco and other psychoactive substances, and depressive disorder. The health professional in smoking cessation intervention would be to identify subgroups of adult smokers, associated with depression, psychoactive substance use, and promote an intervention in both comorbidities and larger effectiveness of the smoking cessation.