Can Ketogenic Diet Improve Alzheimer's Disease? Association With Anxiety, Depression, and Glutamate System.

Background: Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in our society, mainly characterized by loss of cognitive function. However, other symptoms such as anxiety and depression have been described in patients. The process is mediated by alterations in the synaptic and extrasynaptic activity of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which are linked to a hypometabolism of glucose as the main source of brain energy. In that respect, Ketogenic diet (KD) has been proposed as a non-pharmacological treatment serving as an alternative energy source to the neurons increasing the fat percentage and reducing the carbohydrates percentage, showing promising results to improve the cognitive symptoms associated with different neurodegenerative disorders, including AD. However, the association of this type of diet with emotional symptoms and the modulation of glutamate neurotransmission systems after this dietary reduction of carbohydrates are unknown. Objective: The aim of this short review is to provide update studies and discuss about the relationship between KD, anxiety, depression, and glutamate activity in AD patients. Discussion: The main results suggest that the KD is an alternative energy source for neurons in AD with positive consequences for the brain at different levels such as epigenetic, metabolic and signaling, and that the substitution of carbohydrates for fats is also associated with emotional symptoms and glutamate activity in AD.

Metabolic and Functional Improvements in a Patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2 after EGCG Administration: A Case Report.

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to report a case of a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 (CMT2) treated with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) for 4 months in order to assess its therapeutic potential in CMT2. Materials and Methods: The study included a brother and a sister who have CMT2. The sister received 800 mg of EGCG for 4 months, while her brother received placebo for the same period of time. Both participants were assessed before and after daily administration by means of anthropometry; analysis of inflammatory and oxidation markers of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) in the blood sample; and motor tests: 2-min walk test (2MWT), 10-m walk test (10MWT), nine-hole peg test (9HPT) and handgrip strength measurement using a handheld Jamar dynamometer. Results: Regarding muscular and motor functions associated with higher inflammation and oxidation, improvements only observed in the woman in all analysed parameters (both biochemical and clinical associated with the metabolism and functionality) after 4 months of treatment with EGCG are noteworthy. Thus, this treatment is proposed as a good candidate to treat the disease.

Growth hormone effects on childrens height with achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia: a systematic review and metanalysis

Introduction: Achondroplasia (Ach) is the most frequent cause of dwarfism. The first therapeutic strategy offered to patients with Ach was. However, GH has played un important role in Ach and Hypochondroplasia (Hch), despite short-term and long-term effects. Purpose: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of GH in the height of patients with Ach and Hch in the short and long term. Methods: 12 studies were included selected from the Pubmed database (3 Randomized Clinical trials (RCTs) and 9 prospective studies) from 1993 to 2014. Comparing high and low doses of GH. The systematic review included 9 prospective studies and the high-dose GH arm of the 3 RCTs. Inclusion criteria was focused on paediatric patients with Ach and Hch treated with GH. Demographic variables were collected including age, gender, dose, height and follow-up. The height variables included height increase and height velocity. Finally, 363 patients with Ach and 41 patients with Hcb were included. A was performed with a follow-up from one to 3 years. Results: In patients with Ach the average height velocity at one, two and three years were 2.65, 1.07 and -0.87 cm/years respectively (p<0.05). The RCTs showed a significant increase in height velocity in patients treated with high dose of GH (MD= 1.38, 95% CI: 0.68-2.07, p=0.0001, I2=0%) . Height at one year increased 0.61 cm. The RCTs did not show significant differences (MD 0.11, 95% CI: 0.17-0.39, p=0.44, I2 = 0%). Finally, patients with Hch increased height velocity 4 cm/year at the first year (p<0.05). Conclusion: GH treatment is beneficial in the shor-term height of children with Ach and Hch. GH effect on different ages and subgroups is unknown, as well as its possible long--term consequences