Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)possibly plays a causative role in mood disorders.This hypothesis originated with studies on the beneficial effect of valproate in mania and as a mood stabilizer.Since valproate is known f...Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)possibly plays a causative role in mood disorders.This hypothesis originated with studies on the beneficial effect of valproate in mania and as a mood stabilizer.Since valproate is known for its action in increasing the level of GABA,it was indirectly suggested that decreasing levels of GABA were responsible for mood alterations.To identify factors causing the decreased levels of GABA,studies have concentrated on the activity of the enzyme L-glutamic acid decarboxylase(GAD),which catalyzes the transformation of glutamate to GABA,as a decreasing function of this enzyme induces lower levels of the neurotransmitter.Moreover,a very limited amount of research investigated the possible role of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies(GADA)in determining a decreased enzymatic function of GAD.If these findings are confirmed,it will be possible to improve diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders.In addition,if the presence of GADA is associated with a genetic trait,this would allow and facilitate early diagnoses.展开更多
Tobacco smoking is considered to be one of the main risk factors in the development of chronic pain.Long-term chronic exposure to nicotine and other forms of tobacco have been shown to be associated with an increased ...Tobacco smoking is considered to be one of the main risk factors in the development of chronic pain.Long-term chronic exposure to nicotine and other forms of tobacco have been shown to be associated with an increased incidence of pain.Studies have shown that acupuncture can help smokers to reduce their desire to smoke,reduce their withdrawal symptoms,and avoid a relapse after treatment.However,little has been reported about the effects of acupuncture on pain sensitivity caused by long-term smoking.Models of hyperalgesia were established in rats exposed to nicotine for 6 weeks.After 6 weeks of continuous nicotine exposure,electroacupuncture at bilateral acupoints Zusanli(ST36)and Taichong(LR3)was performed 20 minutes per day for 6 days at a continuous wave with a frequency of 2 Hz and a stimulus intensity of 1 m A.The results revealed that electroacupuncture treatment increased the mechanical response threshold of hind paw of nicotine-dependent rats with hyperalgesia and up-regulated the protein expression of pain-related factorsμ-opioid receptor,β-endorphin and glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 in the spinal cord and midbrain periaqueductal gray and the protein expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 in the spinal cord.These findings suggest that electroacupuncture treatment has positive analgesic effects on pain sensitivity caused by long-term chronic nicotine exposure.One possible mechanism for the improved analgesia is that electroacupuncture increases the expression of painrelated factors in the spinal cord and midbrain periaqueductal gray.This study was approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(IACUC)of the University of Miami(#18-167)on December 12,2018.展开更多
Autoimmune limbic encephalitis is most commonly associated with antibodies against the N‑methyl‑D‑aspartate receptor(NMDAR),among other neuronal cell surface receptors.Here,a case of a pregnant female with limbic ence...Autoimmune limbic encephalitis is most commonly associated with antibodies against the N‑methyl‑D‑aspartate receptor(NMDAR),among other neuronal cell surface receptors.Here,a case of a pregnant female with limbic encephalitis in the presence of multiple additional autoimmune antibodies is described.The patient was a 36‑year‑old female who presented with 4 days of confusion,hallucinations,hypersexuality,disinhibition,and pressured speech.The patient’s work‑up detected the presence of anti‑NMDAR antibodies,anti‑glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies,and a yet uncharacterized neuronal autoantibody.The patient was also found to be pregnant.No evidence of ovarian or other pelvic malignancy was discovered.Symptomatic control was achieved with plasma exchange.展开更多
文摘Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)possibly plays a causative role in mood disorders.This hypothesis originated with studies on the beneficial effect of valproate in mania and as a mood stabilizer.Since valproate is known for its action in increasing the level of GABA,it was indirectly suggested that decreasing levels of GABA were responsible for mood alterations.To identify factors causing the decreased levels of GABA,studies have concentrated on the activity of the enzyme L-glutamic acid decarboxylase(GAD),which catalyzes the transformation of glutamate to GABA,as a decreasing function of this enzyme induces lower levels of the neurotransmitter.Moreover,a very limited amount of research investigated the possible role of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies(GADA)in determining a decreased enzymatic function of GAD.If these findings are confirmed,it will be possible to improve diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders.In addition,if the presence of GADA is associated with a genetic trait,this would allow and facilitate early diagnoses.
基金supported by a grant from Department of Anesthesiology,Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management,University of Miami Miller School of Medicine,USA。
文摘Tobacco smoking is considered to be one of the main risk factors in the development of chronic pain.Long-term chronic exposure to nicotine and other forms of tobacco have been shown to be associated with an increased incidence of pain.Studies have shown that acupuncture can help smokers to reduce their desire to smoke,reduce their withdrawal symptoms,and avoid a relapse after treatment.However,little has been reported about the effects of acupuncture on pain sensitivity caused by long-term smoking.Models of hyperalgesia were established in rats exposed to nicotine for 6 weeks.After 6 weeks of continuous nicotine exposure,electroacupuncture at bilateral acupoints Zusanli(ST36)and Taichong(LR3)was performed 20 minutes per day for 6 days at a continuous wave with a frequency of 2 Hz and a stimulus intensity of 1 m A.The results revealed that electroacupuncture treatment increased the mechanical response threshold of hind paw of nicotine-dependent rats with hyperalgesia and up-regulated the protein expression of pain-related factorsμ-opioid receptor,β-endorphin and glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 in the spinal cord and midbrain periaqueductal gray and the protein expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 in the spinal cord.These findings suggest that electroacupuncture treatment has positive analgesic effects on pain sensitivity caused by long-term chronic nicotine exposure.One possible mechanism for the improved analgesia is that electroacupuncture increases the expression of painrelated factors in the spinal cord and midbrain periaqueductal gray.This study was approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(IACUC)of the University of Miami(#18-167)on December 12,2018.
文摘Autoimmune limbic encephalitis is most commonly associated with antibodies against the N‑methyl‑D‑aspartate receptor(NMDAR),among other neuronal cell surface receptors.Here,a case of a pregnant female with limbic encephalitis in the presence of multiple additional autoimmune antibodies is described.The patient was a 36‑year‑old female who presented with 4 days of confusion,hallucinations,hypersexuality,disinhibition,and pressured speech.The patient’s work‑up detected the presence of anti‑NMDAR antibodies,anti‑glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies,and a yet uncharacterized neuronal autoantibody.The patient was also found to be pregnant.No evidence of ovarian or other pelvic malignancy was discovered.Symptomatic control was achieved with plasma exchange.
