Erratum to: Association between Modifiable Risk Factors and Levels of Blood-Based Biomarkers of Alzheimer's and Related Dementias in the Look AHEAD Cohort.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.14283/jarlife.2024.1.].

Association between Modifiable Risk Factors and Levels of Blood-Based Biomarkers of Alzheimer's and Related Dementias in the Look AHEAD Cohort.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that a number of factors can influence blood-based biomarker levels for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's related dementias (ADRD). We examined the associations that demographic and clinical characteristics have with AD/ADRD blood-based biomarker levels in an observational continuation of a clinical trial cohort of older individuals with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity. Methods: Participants aged 45-76 years were randomized to a 10-year Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) or a diabetes support and education (DSE) condition. Stored baseline and end of intervention (8-13 years later) plasma samples were analyzed with the Quanterix Simoa HD-X Analyzer. Changes in Aß42, Aß40, Aß42/Aß40, ptau181, neurofilament light chain (NfL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were evaluated in relation to randomization status, demographic, and clinical characteristics. Results: In a sample of 779 participants from the Look AHEAD cohort, we found significant associations between blood-based biomarkers for AD/ADRD and 15 of 18 demographic (age, gender, race and ethnicity, education) and clinical characteristics (APOE, depression, alcohol use, smoking, body mass index, HbA1c, diabetes duration, diabetes treatment, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, and history of cardiovascular disease) . Conclusions: Blood-based biomarkers of AD/ADRD are influenced by common demographic and clinical characteristics. These factors should be considered carefully when interpreting these AD/ADRD blood biomarker values for clinical or research purposes.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA): a novel option in the treatment of pediatric patients. / Tiroidectomía transoral endoscópica con abordaje vestibular (TOETVA): una nueva opción para el tratamiento de pacientes pediátricos.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid surgery has increased in the pediatric population. One of the main issues following this surgery is the presence of a neck scar, which has been reported to have an impact on quality of life. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy is used in adult patients with good results, but there are few reports on the use of this technique in pediatrics. CLINICAL CASE: 17-year-old female patient diagnosed with toxic nodular goiter. As a result of the patient's refusal to undergo conventional surgery due to the scar, transoral endoscopic lobectomy was carried out. The surgical technique used will be described. DISCUSSION: In order to prevent the psychological and social impact of neck scars in children, and given the results published on the use of this technique in pediatrics, transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy stands as an alternative to conventional thyroidectomy in adequately selected patients eager to avoid neck scars.

INTRODUCCION: La cirugía tiroidea ha aumentado en la edad pediátrica, y uno de los problemas luego de esta cirugía es la presencia de una cicatriz cervical, que se reportó como causa de alteración en la calidad de vida. La tiroidectomía transoral endoscópica se utiliza en pacientes adultos con buenos resultados, pero hay escasos reportes de la utilización de esta técnica en pediatría. CASO CLINICO: Paciente femenina de 17 años con diagnóstico de bocio nodular tóxico. Ante la negativa de realizarse una cirugía convencional por la cicatriz, se realizó lobectomía transoral endoscópica. Se detalla la técnica quirúrgica. COMENTARIOS: Con el objetivo de prevenir alteraciones psico-sociales que pueden provocar las cicatrices cervicales en niños, y con los resultados publicados sobre la utilización de esta técnica en pediatría, podemos decir que la tiroidectomía transoral endoscópica puede ser una alternativa a la tiroidectomía convencional en pacientes adecuadamente seleccionados que deseen evitar una cicatriz cervical.

Tiroidectomía transoral endoscópica con abordaje vestibular (TOETVA): una nueva opción para el tratamiento de pacientes pediátricos / Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA): a novel option in the treatment of pediatric patients

Introducción: La cirugía tiroidea ha aumentado en la edad pediátri-ca, y uno de los problemas luego de esta cirugía es la presencia de unacicatriz cervical, que se reportó como causa de alteración en la calidadde vida. La tiroidectomía transoral endoscópica se utiliza en pacientesadultos con buenos resultados, pero hay escasos reportes de la utilizaciónde esta técnica en pediatría. Caso clínico: Paciente femenina de 17 años con diagnóstico debocio nodular tóxico. Ante la negativa de realizarse una cirugía con-vencional por la cicatriz, se realizó lobectomía transoral endoscópica.Se detalla la técnica quirúrgica. Comentarios: Con el objetivo de prevenir alteraciones psico-so-ciales que pueden provocar las cicatrices cervicales en niños, y con losresultados publicados sobre la utilización de esta técnica en pediatría,podemos decir que la tiroidectomía transoral endoscópica puede ser unaalternativa a la tiroidectomía convencional en pacientes adecuadamenteseleccionados que deseen evitar una cicatriz cervical.(AU)

Introduction: Thyroid surgery has increased in the pediatric population. One of the main issues following this surgery is the presence of aneck scar, which has been reported to have an impact on quality of life. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy is used in adult patients with goodresults, but there are few reports on the use of this technique in pediatrics.Clinical case: 17-year-old female patient diagnosed with toxic nodular goiter. As a result of the patient’s refusal to undergo conventionalsurgery due to the scar, transoral endoscopic lobectomy was carried out.The surgical technique used will be described. Discussion: In order to prevent the psychological and social impactof neck scars in children, and given the results published on the use ofthis technique in pediatrics, transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy standsas an alternative to conventional thyroidectomy in adequately selectedpatients eager to avoid neck scars.(AU)

A prospective cohort study to identify and evaluate endotypes of venous thromboembolism: Rationale and design of the Genotyping and Molecular Phenotyping in Venous ThromboEmbolism project (GMP-VTE).

Several clinical, genetic and acquired risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been identified. However, the molecular pathophysiology and mechanisms of disease progression remain poorly understood. This is reflected by uncertainties regarding the primary and secondary prevention of VTE and the optimal duration of antithrombotic therapy. A growing body of literature points to clinically relevant differences between VTE phenotypes (e.g. deep vein thrombosis (DVT) versus pulmonary embolism (PE), unprovoked versus provoked VTE). Extensive links to cardiovascular, inflammatory and immune-related morbidities are testament to the complexity of the disease. The GMP-VTE project is a prospective, multi-center cohort study on individuals with objectively confirmed VTE. Sequential data sampling was performed at the time of the acute event and during serial follow-up investigations. Various data levels (e.g. clinical, genetic, proteomic and platelet data) are available for multi-dimensional data analyses by means of advanced statistical, bioinformatic and machine learning methods. The GMP-VTE project comprises n = 663 individuals with acute VTE (mean age: 60.3 ±â€¯15.9 years; female sex: 42.8%). In detail, 28.4% individuals (n = 188) had acute isolated DVT, whereas 71.6% subjects (n = 475) had PE with or without concomitant DVT. In the study sample, 28.9% (n = 129) of individuals with PE and 30.1% (n = 55) of individuals with isolated DVT had a recurrent VTE event at the time of study enrolment. The systems-oriented approach for the comprehensive dataset of the GMP-VTE project may generate new biological insights into the pathophysiology of VTE and refine our current understanding and management of VTE.

[Hyponatremia-induced life-threatening cerebral edema after ecstasy use]. / Hyponatriämieinduziertes lebensbedrohliches Hirnödem nach Ecstasykonsum.

Ecstasy, a psychoactive amphetamine derivative, is a popular party drug. We report the cases of 2 young adults who developed cerebral edema due to hyponatremia. One patient was released from the hospital without any sequelae, whereas the second patient died due to cerebral edema. Severe cases of symptomatic hyponatremia after ecstasy consumption are described in the literature with partially fatal clinical outcomes. Thus, physicians should be aware of early and consequent control of the sodium and choose an interdisciplinary treatment decision.

A study of donepezil in female breast cancer survivors with self-reported cognitive dysfunction 1 to 5 years following adjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Some breast cancer survivors report cognitive difficulties greater than 1 year after chemotherapy. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) may improve cognitive impairment. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study to assess the feasibility of using the AChEI, donepezil, to improve subjective and objective measures of cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Women who received adjuvant chemotherapy 1-5 years prior with current cognitive dysfunction symptoms were randomized to 5 mg of donepezil/day vs placebo for 6 weeks and if tolerated 10 mg/day for 18 weeks for a total of 24 weeks. A battery of validated measures of attention, memory, language, visuomotor skills, processing speed, executive function, and motor dexterity and speed was administered at baseline and at 24 and 36 weeks. Subjective cognitive function, fatigue, sleep, mood, and health-related quality of life were evaluated at baseline and at 12, 24, and 36 weeks. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were enrolled, 76 % completed the study, self-reported compliance was 98 %, and toxicities were minimal. At the end of treatment, the donepezil group performed significantly better than the control group on two parameters of memory-the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test -Revised (HVLT-R) Total Recall (p = 0.033) and HVLT-R Discrimination (p = 0.036). There were no significant differences on other cognitive variables or in subjective cognitive function or quality of life. CONCLUSION: Accrual to this feasibility trial was robust, retention was good, compliance was excellent, and toxicities were minimal. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Randomized clinical trials in breast cancer survivors to improve cognitive dysfunction are feasible. A phase III trial testing the efficacy of donepezil is warranted given these pilot results.

Change in neighborhood environments and depressive symptoms in New York City: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Physical and social features of neighborhoods, such as esthetic environments and social cohesion, change over time. The extent to which changes in neighborhood conditions are associated with changes in mental health outcomes has not been well-established. Using data from the MultiEthnic Study of Atherosclerosis, this study investigated the degree to which neighborhood social cohesion, stress, violence, safety and/or the esthetic environment changed between 2002 and 2007 in 103 New York City Census tracts and the associations of these changes with changes in depressive symptoms. Neighborhoods became less stressful, more socially cohesive, safer, and less violent. White, wealthy, highly educated individuals tended to live in neighborhoods with greater decreasing violence and stress and increasing social cohesion. Individuals living in neighborhoods with adverse changes were more likely to have increased CES-D scores, although due to limited sample size associations were imprecisely estimated (P>0.05). Changes in specific features of the neighborhood environment may be associated with changes in level of depressive symptoms among residents.

The value of multimodality imaging for detection, characterisation and management of a wall adhering structure in the right atrium.

The case presents a wall adherent structure in the right atrium in a young patient with peripheral t-cell lymphoma followed by successful prolonged lysis therapy resulting in the resolution of the thrombus is presented. This case highlights the utility of multimodality imaging in an accurate assessment of the right atrium thrombus and the effectiveness of prolonged lysis therapy.

Fluoxetine treatment induces EAAT2 expression in rat brain.

Synaptic pathology and disturbed glutamatergic neurotransmission contribute to the neurobiology of depression. Reduced expression of glutamate transporters, most importantly excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT2), was reported in human studies and animal models. We therefore assessed the effects of antidepressant treatment upon EAAT2 expression. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of the antidepressants desipramine (DES, N = 7), fluoxetine (FLU, N = 7), tranylcypromine (TRAN, N = 5) or a saline control (CON, N = 5) for a period of 14 days. The expression of the major glial glutamate transporter EAAT2 was evaluated by semi-quantitative in situ hybridizations using a (35)S-labeled cRNA probe. Treatment with FLU significantly induced EAAT2 expression in hippocampal and cortical regions in comparison with saline injections, while DES and TRAN-applications did not exert significant effects. It can be postulated that increased expression of EAAT2 may counterbalance the tonus of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Our findings are in concert with human post-mortem findings, valid animal models of depression, antidepressive effects of NMDA-antagonists, and the glutamatergic theory of depression. Further studies should examine the effects of antidepressant treatments upon EAAT2 expression in rodent models of depression to further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

[The BSD Health Study: a pilot study to examine the comparability of Bavarian blood donors with the Bavarian general population by a comparison with KORA S4]. / Die BSD Gesundheitsstudie: eine Pilotstudie zur Untersuchung der Vergleichbarkeit bayerischer Blutspender mit der Allgemein-bevölkerung Bayerns durch einen Vergleich mit KORA S4.

AIM: The aim of this pilot study was to compare the health status of Bavarian blood donors to the general population in Bavaria (Southern Germany). METHODS: Blood donors in Bavaria were evaluated with respect to socio-demographic characteristics, smoking status and selected diseases. The subset of blood donors from rural areas and aged 35-74 years (n=1 187), was compared to participants in the population-based survey KORA S4 living in rural areas near Augsburg (n=1 870). The comparison was based on logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: Bavarian blood donors lived significantly more often in communities with less than 20 000 inhabitants (OR=4.73, KI: 3.69-6.13). They were more often born in Germany (OR=2.71, KI: 2.12-3.50) and had less university degrees (OR=0.60, KI: 0.44-0.81). Never smoking is more common in blood donors (OR=1.53, 95% KI: (1.30; 1.80)). The prevalence of asthma, myocardial infarction (HI) and cancer (men only) is significantly lower in blood donors compared to the general population both living in rural areas (OR (Asthma)=0.32, 95% KI: (0.20; 0.52); OR (HI)=0.17, 95% KI: (0.08; 0.34)). The initially significantly lower number of cancer cases in male blood donors disappeared after adjustment for smoking status and community size. No difference was detected for type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSION: With the exception of type 2 dia-betes, the prevalence of the investigated diseases was lower in blood donors than in the general population. Differences can probably be explained by lifestyle factors as there might be a selection of healthier and more health-conscious blood donors. In the literature, a reduced risk of MI is discussed to be related to the frequency of blood donation. However, these questions need further research.

Itch characteristics in atopic dermatitis: results of a web-based questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Itch significantly impairs the quality of life of patients with atopic dermatitis. However, only a few previous studies have examined the specific characteristics of itch in atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency, intensity and perceived characteristics of pruritus among individuals with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Questionnaire reliability and validity were established in pilot testing. Survey participants completed the comprehensive, web-based 'Characteristics of itch' questionnaire. Participants provided anonymous demographic information and answered questions regarding itch intensity, frequency, timing, duration, location, associated symptoms and itch descriptors. RESULTS: A total of 304 individuals with atopic dermatitis completed the web-based questionnaire. Itch occurred at least once daily in 91% of the individuals surveyed. Of the 32 itch descriptors rated by survey participants, 31 demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation with the participants' ratings of itch intensity (P < 0.001). More than half the survey participants reported pain (59%) and heat sensation (53%) associated with itch. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire was found to be a useful tool in characterization of itch. Pain appears to be an important component of atopic dermatitis. The strong correlation between itch descriptors and itch intensity suggests that such descriptors serve as strong indicators of the symptomatology in atopic dermatitis.

Diagnosed skin diseases among migrant farmworkers in North Carolina: prevalence and risk factors.

Skin diseases are common among farmworkers, yet little research documents their prevalence and risk factors. This analysis documents the prevalence of skin diseases among farmworkers in North Carolina, examines variation in the prevalence across the agricultural season, and delineates factors associated with skin disease. Data are from a longitudinal surveillance study with assessments at approximately three-week intervals from May through October 2005. The sample included 304 farmworkers from 45 camps with 1048 data points. Data collection included a structured interview and a standard set often digital photographs. A board-certified dermatologist reviewed the photographs and made specific diagnoses in five categories: inflammatory disease, infection, pigmentary disorder, tumor, and trauma. The prevalences of the five skin disease categories and specific diagnoses are described with counts and frequencies for the entire season and for six time periods. The inflammatory disease and infectious disease categories are modeled with an extension of logistic regression that accounts for repeated measures and clustering of farmworkers within camps. Farmworkers experience high levels of inflammatory skin disease (57.2%) including acne, folliculitis, and contact dermatitis; infectious skin disease (73.8%) including tinea pedis, onychomycosis, and warts; pigmentary disorders (19.1%); and trauma (34.5%). The odds of inflammatory skin disease decreased with age, while those for infectious skin disease increased with age. The odds of inflammatory skin disease increased with pesticide exposure and decreasing housing quality. Skin diseases are highly prevalent among farmworkers. Research is needed to delineate specific factors causing high levels of infection and inflammation in this population.

[Diabetes study in Bavaria: known risk factors correlate with an increased level of HbA1c]. / Diabetes Studie Bayern: Bekannte Risikoparameter korrelieren mit erhöhten HbA1c-Werten.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Approximately six million Germans have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. A continuously increasing number of people with diabetes is expected within the next few years. Genetic disposition, age and especially lifestyle play an important role in the development of the disease. Diabetes normally develops during a long preclinical phase. During this preclinical phase an impaired glucose tolerance can easily be detected. Since an impaired glucose tolerance is often reversible the onset of diabetes can be prevented effectively by a change of lifestyle during this phase. The Bavarian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service therefore determined the diabetes risk among its blood donors during two one-week study periods. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The diabetes risk of the participating donors was assessed by using the FindRisk diabetes test published by the German Diabetes Foundation and the HbA1c test. RESULTS: Approximately 12 percent of the participants (8187 persons aged 18-68 years) showed a moderate, high or even very high risk of developing diabetes within the next 10 years. The probability of developing the disease ranged from 17% (moderate risk) to 50% (very high risk). This corresponds to 3% of persons with unknown diabetes among the total population. An elevated HbA1c was found in approximately 5% of the donors in the first study week and in approximately 19% in the second study week. The analysis of the questionnaire and the HbA1c results indicated that elevated HbA1c values correlate with known diabetes risk factors. Persons with a body mass index greater than 25, an increased score in the FindRisk questionnaire and aged over 50 years more frequently showed an elevated HbA1c value. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a diabetes risk questionnaire and HbA1c testing could be used successfully for diabetes screening in an identified risk group.

Analysis and cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from umbilical cord blood.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an important source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSC/HPC) for the reconstitution of the hematopoietic system after clinical transplantation. Cryopreservation of these cells is critical for UCB banking and transplantation as well as for research applications by providing readily available specimens. The objective of this study was to optimize cryopreservation conditions for CD34+ HSC/HPC from UCB. METHODS: Cryopreservation of CD34+ HSC/HPC from UCB after mononuclear cell (MNC) preparation was tested in a research-scale setup. Experimental variations were concentration of the cryoprotectant, the protein additive and cell concentration. In addition, protocols involving slow, serial addition and removal of DMSO were compared with standard protocols (fast addition and removal of DMSO) in order to avoid osmotic stress for the cryopreserved cells. Viability and recoveries of MNC, CD34+ cells and total colony-forming units (CFU) were calculated as read-outs. In addition, sterility testing of the collected UCB units before further processing was performed. RESULTS: The optimal conditions for cryopreservation of CD34+ HPC in MNC preparations were 10% DMSO and 2% human albumin at high cell concentrations (5 x 10(7) MNC/mL) with fast addition and removal of DMSO. After cryopreservation using a computer-controlled freezer, high viabilities (89%) and recoveries for CD34+ cells (89%) as well as for CFU (88%) were observed. Microbial contamination of the collected UCB samples was reduced to a rate of 6.4%. DISCUSSION: Optimized cryopreservation conditions were developed for UCB MNC in respect of the composition of the cryosolution. In addition, our results showed that fast addition of DMSO is essential for improved cryopreservation and post-thaw quality assessment results, whereas the speed of DMSO removal after thawing has little influence on the recoveries of CD34+ cells and CFU.

Skin disease among Latino farmworkers in North Carolina.

An estimated 4.2 million seasonal and migrant farmworkers and their dependents live in the U.S. Most of these farmworkers are Latino. These workers are exposed to numerous occupational and environmental risk factors that can result in skin disease. Few data exist on the prevalence of skin disease in this population. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and predictors of skin disease in a sample of Latino farmworkers in North Carolina. A sample of 59 farmworkers was recruited and interviewed at two camps during the 2004 agricultural season. A dermatologist completed a skin exam of each worker and recorded any skin disease present. Forty-two (77.7%) of the 54 men, and all five of the women examined had a diagnosed skin disease. For the men, onychomycosis (nail fungus, 31.5%), tinea pedis (foot fungus, 27.8%), and acne (24.1 %) were the most commonly diagnosed skin diseases, with contact dermatitis diagnosed in 5.6% of the sample. Other diagnoses included scars, sunburn, and atopic dermatitis. Among the women, diagnoses included melasma (dark patches on the face, 2 cases), xerosis (excessively dry skin, 1 case), tinea pedis (2 cases), onychomycosis (1 case), acne (1 case), and insect bites (1 case). There were no statistically significant differences between workers in the two camps despite different growing seasons and different crops harvested. Skin disease is prevalent among the North Carolina Latino farmworkers who participated in this study, with fungal disease being the most prevalent.

[The STEMMAT-project as part of health initiative BayernAktiv: adult stem cells from umbilical cord and cord blood as alternative to embryonic stem cell research]. / Das STEMMAT-Projekt als Teil der Gesundheitsinitiative BayernAktiv: Adulte Stammzellen aus Nabelschnur und -blut als Alternative zur embryonalen Stammzellforschung.

Adult stem cells from umbilical cord and cord blood are an interesting alternative to embryonic stem cells because such research is commonly recognized as ethical undisputed and many aspects are still insufficiently investigated. In the context of the STEMMAT research project (STEM = Stem Cell and MAT = Material) different aspects of stem cells from umbilical cord and cord blood are investigated, to improve basic science understanding and potentially leading someday to a clinical application.

Filter Buffy Coats (FBC): a source of peripheral blood leukocytes recovered from leukocyte depletion filters.

In compliance with federal regulations, blood banks routinely use leukocyte depletion filters to eliminate contaminating leukocytes from blood products such as red blood cell and platelet concentrates. We developed and optimized conditions to elute leukocytes adsorbed to these filters; resulting in leukocyte suspensions which we termed Filter Buffy Coats (FBCs). These Filter Buffy Coats can replace standard buffy coats for various research applications. After optimizing both the filter elution medium as well as elution protocols, we compared commonly used leukocyte depletion filters from four different manufacturers. Relative fractions as well as total recoveries of leukocyte subsets, such as lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes, found in Filter Buffy Coats were identified and compared among the filters as well as to standard buffy coats and whole blood. Flow cytometric analysis of Filter Buffy Coats confirmed the presence of T- and B-lymphocytes, NK cells and monocytes. Furthermore, a significant quantity of CD34(+) hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells (HSC/HPC) was detected in Filter Buffy Coats prepared from different filters, thus making FBCs a valuable source for research on HSC/HPC. Colony assays revealed that most of these CD34(+) cells are functional. Using immunomagnetic cell sorting (MACS), we isolated a variety of leukocyte populations from FBC mononuclear cells (Filter-PBMCs) including T lymphocytes (CD4(+), CD8(+), CD3(+)), B lymphocytes (CD19(+)), NK cells (CD56(+)), HSC/HPC (CD34(+), CD133(+)) or dendritic cells (BDCA-4(+)). Functional properties of Filter-PBMCs, as well as of some of these isolated leukocyte populations, were confirmed using standard assays. In summary, Filter Buffy Coats are a valuable and convenient source of different peripheral leukocyte populations and can replace standard buffy coat preparations for research applications.

Statins and cognitive function in the elderly: the Cardiovascular Health Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of statin drug use on cognitive and MRI change in older adults. METHODS: Participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a longitudinal study of people age 65 or older, were classified into three groups determined by whether they were taking statin drugs on a continuous basis, intermittently, or not at all. The untreated group was further divided into categories based on National Cholesterol Education Program recommendations for lipid-lowering treatment. Participants with prevalent or incident clinical TIA or stroke or with baseline Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) scores at or below 80 were excluded. Outcomes examined included rate of change on the 3MS over an average observational period of 7 years, along with changes in MRI white matter grade and measures of atrophy. RESULTS: Three thousand three hundred thirty-four participants had adequate data for analysis. At baseline, the untreated group in which lipid-lowering drug treatment was recommended were slightly older, less likely to be on estrogen replacement, and had higher serum cholesterol and lower 3MS scores than the statin-treated group. The rate of decline on the 3MS was 0.48 point/year less in those taking statins compared with the untreated group for which treatment was recommended (p = 0.069) and 0.49 point/year less in statin users compared with the group in which lipid-lowering treatment was not recommended (p = 0.009). This effect remained after controlling for serum cholesterol levels. One thousand seven hundred thirty participants with baseline 3MS scores of > 80 underwent cranial MRI scans on two occasions separated by 5 years. There was no significant difference in white matter grade change or atrophy measures between groups. CONCLUSION: Statin drug use was associated with a slight reduction in cognitive decline in an elderly population. This relationship could not be completely explained by the effect of statins on lowering of serum cholesterol.

[Synaptic vesicle proteins and psychiatric disorders]. / Synaptische Vesikel--proteine und psychiatrische Erkrankungen.

Synaptic vesicle proteins modulate the release of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft via regulation of vesicle transport, membrane fusion and exocytosis. Due to their relevance for neural and synaptic plasticity, they represent an important object of molecular psychiatric research. There is increasing evidence that they play a significant role in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, psychotropic drugs differentially modify the expression of synaptic vesicle proteins; thus, this group of molecules is also of considerable interest from a therapeutic point of view.