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1.
World J Psychiatry ; 12(7): 944-957, 2022 Jul 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36051595

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The rising number of people using methamphetamine leads to an increasing need for treatment options for this patient group. Evidence-based research on the efficacy of treatment programs for methamphetamine users is limited. Due to specific characteristics of methamphetamine users, the question arises whether established treatment methods for individuals using other substances can be effective for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence as well. We hypothesize that there are significant differences between the two groups that may affect the effectiveness of treatment and worsen the prognosis of treatment outcomes for methamphetamine users compared to consumers of other substances. AIM: To investigate potential differences in cognitive functioning and psychopathology between methamphetamine users and other substance users and possible correlations with treatment outcomes. METHODS: A total of 110 subjects were recruited for an observational, longitudinal study from a German inpatient addiction treatment center: 55 patients with methamphetamine dependence and 55 patients with dependence of other substances ("OS group"). Both groups were examined at beginning (baseline) and end of treatment (after 6 mo) with regard to treatment retention, craving, cognitive functioning, psychosocial resources, personality traits, depression, and other psychiatric symptoms. Instruments used were Raven's IQ test, Mannheimer craving scale, cognitrone cognitive test battery, NEO personality factors inventory, Hamilton depression scale, Becks depression inventory, and a symptom checklist. The statistical methods used were χ 2-test, t-test and multiple mixed ANOVAs. RESULTS: A total drop-out rate of 40% (methamphetamine-group: 36.4%; OS-group: 43.6%) was observed without significant differences between groups. At baseline, methamphetamine-group subjects significantly differed from OS-group individuals in terms of a lower intelligence quotient, fewer years of education, slower working speed, and decreased working accuracy, as well as less cannabinoid and cocaine use. Methamphetamine-group subjects further showed a significantly lower score of conscientiousness, depressive, and psychiatric symptoms than subjects from the OS-group. In both groups, a reduction of craving and depressive symptoms and an improvement of working speed and working accuracy was noted after treatment. CONCLUSION: There are differences between methamphetamine users and users of other drugs, but not with regard to the effectiveness of treatment in this inpatient setting. There are differences in cognitive function and psychopathology between methamphetamine and other drugs users. The existing treatment options seem to be an effective approach in treating methamphetamine dependence.

2.
Internet Interv ; 28: 100517, 2022 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35251940

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorder, a prevalent and disabling mental health problem, is often characterized by a chronic disease course. While effective inpatient and aftercare treatment options exist, the transferal of treatment success into everyday life is challenging and many patients remain without further assistance. App-based interventions with human guidance have great potential to support individuals after inpatient treatment, yet evidence on their efficacy remains scarce. OBJECTIVES: To develop an app-based intervention with human guidance and evaluate its usability, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness. METHODS: Individuals with alcohol use disorder (DSM-5), aged 18 or higher, without history of schizophrenia, undergoing inpatient alcohol use disorder treatment (N = 356) were recruited in eight medical centres in Bavaria, Germany, between December 2019 and August 2021. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either receive access to treatment as usual plus an app-based intervention with human guidance (intervention group) or access to treatment as usual plus app-based intervention after the active study phase (waitlist control/TAU group). Telephone-based assessments are conducted by diagnostic interviewers three and six weeks as well as three and six months after randomization. The primary outcome is the relapse risk during the six months after randomization assessed via the Timeline Follow-Back Interview. Secondary outcomes include intervention usage, uptake of aftercare treatments, AUD-related psychopathology, general psychopathology, and quality of life. DISCUSSION: This study will provide further insights into the use of app-based interventions with human guidance as maintenance treatment in individuals with AUD. If shown to be efficacious, the intervention may improve AUD treatment by assisting individuals in maintaining inpatient treatment success after returning into their home setting. Due to the ubiquitous use of smartphones, the intervention has the potential to become part of routine AUD care in Germany and countries with similar healthcare systems.

3.
Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr ; 89(7-08): 382-384, 2021 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34237782

ABSTRACT

Ethyl chloride spray, which is usually used to relieve pain after injuries, is increasingly being used as a sniffing alternative. The number of people using this is rising due to its easy availability, cost-effectiveness and legality. The high lipid solubility of ethyl chloride leads to a rapid absorption of it in the lungs. However, data on the biotransformation of ethyl chloride in humans are sparse. We present the case of a 53-year-old male who had been inhaling ethyl chloride up to 3 times a week since 25 years, and describe his symptoms and the circumstances of abuse. This should help raise awareness of this issue so that abuse can be recognized early and rapid action taken.


Subject(s)
Ethyl Chloride , Inhalant Abuse , Humans , Inhalant Abuse/complications , Male , Middle Aged , Pain , Pain Measurement
4.
Psychiatry Res ; 281: 112599, 2019 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31629302

ABSTRACT

A continuously rising consumption of methamphetamine (MA) has been suggested to be associated with increasing cognitive dysfunction. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between cognitive functions and gender, drug using patterns and treatment-attending profiles of recently abstinent MA users over the course of six months abstinence. Data were collected from 108 participants in two inpatient rehabilitation centers. The mean duration of MA use was 11.5 years. Interviews and cognitive tests (cognitrone, Stroop, TMT, nback) were performed right after the withdrawal and again after approx. six months of abstinence. Comparisons and explorative analyses between the groups (gender, primary MA/ multidrug users, early dropouts/ completers) regarding cognitive variables were performed. At baseline a significant decline in general neuropsychological functioning and attention/concentration after ongoing years of consumption were found. After a period of six months abstinence, cognitive performances remained stable or improved significantly for cognitrone percentile and cognitive flexibility. Normal cognitive functions were measured in former MA users after acute withdrawal which remained stable and partly improved in those patients who refrained from substance abuse over six months. Continued long-term MA intake was the only identified indicator of poorer cognitive performance. These results point towards a regain of cognitive performance in patients abstinent from MA.


Subject(s)
Amphetamine-Related Disorders/psychology , Cognition Disorders/psychology , Cognition/physiology , Methamphetamine/adverse effects , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Amphetamine-Related Disorders/diagnosis , Amphetamine-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Cognition Disorders/diagnosis , Cognition Disorders/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/diagnosis , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/epidemiology , Time Factors , Young Adult
5.
Dalton Trans ; 48(32): 12040-12049, 2019 Aug 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31292575

ABSTRACT

Quadruplex nucleic acids - DNA/RNA secondary structures formed in guanine rich sequences - proved to have key roles in the biology of cancers and, as such, in recent years they emerged as promising targets for small molecules. Many reports demonstrated that metal complexes can effectively stabilize quadruplex structures, promoting telomerase inhibition, downregulation of the expression of cancer-related genes and ultimately cancer cell death. Although extensively explored as anticancer agents, studies on the ability of ruthenium arene complexes to interact with quadruplex nucleic acids are surprisingly almost unknown. Herein, we report on the synthesis and characterization of four novel Ru(ii) arene complexes with 1,3-dioxoindan-2-carboxamides ligands bearing pendant naphthyl-groups designed to bind quadruplexes by both stacking and coordinating interactions. We show how improvements on the hydrolytic stability of such complexes, by substituting the chlorido leaving ligand with pyridine, have a dramatic impact on their interaction with quadruplexes and on their cytotoxicity against ovarian cancer cells.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Calixarenes/pharmacology , Coordination Complexes/pharmacology , G-Quadruplexes , Ruthenium/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Calixarenes/chemistry , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Coordination Complexes/chemical synthesis , Coordination Complexes/chemistry , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Humans , Ligands , Molecular Structure , Ruthenium/chemistry , Structure-Activity Relationship , Tumor Cells, Cultured
6.
Eur J Med Chem ; 156: 148-161, 2018 Aug 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30006161

ABSTRACT

Fluorescent 4-ethylthio-1,8-naphthalimides containing rhodium(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and ruthenium (II) NHC fragments were synthesised and evaluated for their antiproliferative effects, cellular uptake and DNA-binding activity. Both types of organometallics triggered ligand dependent efficient cytotoxic effects against tumor cells with the rhodium(I) NHC derivatives causing stronger effects than the ruthenium (II) NHC analogues. Antiproliferative effects could also be observed against several pathogenic Gram-positive bacterial strains, whereas the growth of Gram-negative bacteria was not substantially affected. Cellular uptake was confirmed by atomic absorption spectroscopy as well as by fluorescence microscopy indicating a general ligand dependent accumulation in the cells. An in-depth study on the interaction with DNA confirmed insertion of the naphthalimide moiety between the planar bases of B-DNA via an intercalation mechanism, as well as its stacking on top of the quartets of G-quadruplex structures. Furthermore, additional coordinative binding of the organometallic complexes to the model DNA base 9-ethylguanine could be detected. The studied compounds thus represent promising bioorganometallics featuring strong pharmacological effects in combination with excellent cellular imaging properties.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Intercalating Agents/chemistry , Naphthalimides/chemistry , Rhodium/chemistry , Ruthenium/chemistry , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Bacteria/drug effects , Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Cell Death/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Fluorescent Dyes/pharmacology , G-Quadruplexes/drug effects , Humans , Intercalating Agents/pharmacology , Ligands , Naphthalimides/pharmacology , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Organometallic Compounds/chemistry , Organometallic Compounds/pharmacology , Rhodium/pharmacology , Ruthenium/pharmacology
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