scholarly journals The effects of caffeine on olfactory function and mood: an exploratory study

2020 ◽  
Vol 237 (12) ◽  
pp. 3511-3517
Author(s):  
Lorenzo D. Stafford ◽  
Kaylee Orgill
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Human Studies ◽  
Threshold Sensitivity ◽  
Complex Profile ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Odour Threshold ◽  
Older Populations ◽  
To Receive

AbstractCaffeine has been demonstrated to enhance olfactory function in rodents, but to date, the sparse research in humans has not shown any equivalent effects. However, due to the methodological nature of those human studies, a number of questions remain unanswered, which the present study aimed to investigate. Using a double-blind experimental design, participants (n = 40) completed baseline mood measures, standardised threshold and identification tests and were then randomly allocated to receive a capsule containing either 100 mg of caffeine or placebo, followed by the same olfactory tests and mood measures. Results revealed that despite a trend toward elevated arousal following caffeine for habitual caffeine consumers, there were no changes in odour function. In contrast, for non-caffeine consumers, caffeine acted to enhance odour (threshold) sensitivity but reduce odour identification. Overall, these findings demonstrate a complex profile of effects of caffeine on odour function and, given the evidence from the wider caffeine literature, it is proposed that the effects of caffeine might be limited to older populations.

The Effects of a Caffeine Placebo and Experimenter Expectation on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Walach ◽  
Stefan Schmidt ◽  
Yvonne-Michelle Bihr ◽  
Susanne Wiesch
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Being There ◽  
To Receive

We studied the effect of experimenter expectations and different instructions in a balanced placebo design. 157 subjects were randomized into a 2 × 4 factorial design. Two experimenters were led to expect placebos either to produce physiological effects or not (pro- vs. antiplacebo). All subjects except a control group received a caffeine placebo. They were either made to expect coffee, no coffee, or were in a double-blind condition. Dependent measures were blood pressure, heart rate, well-being, and a cognitive task. There was one main effect on the instruction factor (p = 0.03) with the group “told no caffeine” reporting significantly better well-being. There was one main effect on the experimenter factor with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” having higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008). There was one interaction with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” to receive coffee doing worse in the cognitive task than the rest. Subjects instructed by experimenter “antiplacebo” were significantly less likely to believe the experimental instruction, and that mostly if they had been instructed to receive coffee. Contrary to the literature we could not show an effect of instruction, but there was an effect of experimenters. It is likely, however, that these experimenter effects were not due to experimental manipulations, but to the difference in personalities.

The Antiaggressive Action of Combined Haloperidol-Propranolol Treatment in Schizophrenia

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gadi Maoz ◽  
Daniel Stein ◽  
Sorin Meged ◽  
Larisa Kurzman ◽  
Joseph Levine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scales ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Propranolol Group ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Propranolol Treatment ◽  
Simultaneous Decrease ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Haloperidol Treatment ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Drug Free

Psychopharmacological interventions for managing aggression in schizophrenia have thus far yielded inconsistent results. This study evaluates the antiaggressive efficacy of combined haloperidol-propranolol treatment. Thirty-four newly admitted schizophrenic patients were studied in a controlled double-blind trial. Following a 3-day drug-free period and 7 days of haloperidol treatment, patients were randomly assigned to receive either haloperidol-propranolol or haloperidol-placebo for eight consecutive weeks. Doses of medications were adjusted as necessary; biperiden was administered if required. Rating scales were applied to assess aggression, anger, psychosis, depression, anxiety and extrapyramidal symptoms. The mean daily dose of haloperidol was 21 mg (SD = 6.4) in the research group and 29 mg (SD = 6.9) in the controls. Mean and maximal daily doses of propranolol were 159 mg (SD = 61) and 192 mg (SD = 83), and of placebo, 145 mg (SD = 50) and 180 mg (SD = 70), respectively. Compared with the controls, the scores for the research patients decreased significantly from baseline, particularly after 4 weeks of treatment, for some dimensions of anger, psychosis, anxiety, and neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism. A tendency for reduced aggression was shown in the combined haloperidol-propranolol group for some dimensions but not others. These patients also required significantly less biperiden. The tendency toward elevated antiaggressive effect of combined haloperidol-propranolol treatment compared to haloperidol alone may be explained by a simultaneous decrease in aggression, psychotic symptomatology, and anxiety.

Frühgeborene unter maschineller Beatmung: Immunmodulatorischer Effekt der präventiven Gabe von Azithromycin

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Maximilian Jorczyk
Keyword(s):  
Very Low Birth Weight ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Preterm Neonates ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Therapeutic Possibilities ◽  
Inflammatory Effect

<b>Introduction:</b> Macrolides have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that give this class of antibiotics a role that differs from its classical use as an antibiotic, which opens new therapeutic possibilities. <b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of azithromycin in preventing mechanical ventilation (MV)-induced lung injury in very-low-birth-weight preterm neonates. <b>Methods:</b> This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of preterm neonates who received invasive MV within 72 h of birth. Patients were randomized to receive intravenous azithromycin (at a dose of 10/mg/kg/day for 5 days) or placebo (0.9% saline) within 12 h of the start of MV. Two blood samples were collected (before and after intervention) for measurement of interleukins (ILs) and PCR for <i>Ureaplasma</i>. Patients were followed up throughout the hospital stay for the outcomes of death and bronchopulmonary dysplasia defined as need for oxygen for a period of ≥28 days of life (registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03485703). <b>Results:</b> Forty patients were analyzed in the azithromycin group and 40 in the placebo group. Five days after the last dose, serum IL-2 and IL-8 levels dropped significantly in the azithromycin group. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of death and O<sub>2</sub> dependency at 28 days/death in azithromycin-treated patients regardless of the detection of <i>Ureaplasma</i> in blood. <b>Conclusions:</b> Azithromycin has anti-inflammatory effects, with a decrease in cytokines after 5 days of use and a reduction in death and O<sub>2</sub> dependency at 28 days/death in mechanically ventilated preterm neonates.

scholarly journals Preemptive ganciclovir for mechanically ventilated patients with cytomegalovirus reactivation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Papazian ◽  
◽  
Samir Jaber ◽  
Sami Hraiech ◽  
Karine Baumstarck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Invasive Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Intravenous Ganciclovir ◽  
Subdistribution Hazard ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated ◽  
Cytomegalovirus Reactivation ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Cmv Reactivation

Abstract Background The effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation on the length of mechanical ventilation and mortality in immunocompetent ICU patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation remains controversial. The main objective of this study was to determine whether preemptive intravenous ganciclovir increases the number of ventilator-free days in patients with CMV blood reactivation. Methods This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial involved 19 ICUs in France. Seventy-six adults ≥ 18 years old who had been mechanically ventilated for at least 96 h, expected to remain on mechanical ventilation for ≥ 48 h, and exhibited reactivation of CMV in blood were enrolled between February 5th, 2014, and January 23rd, 2019. Participants were randomized to receive ganciclovir 5 mg/kg bid for 14 days (n = 39) or a matching placebo (n = 37). Results The primary endpoint was ventilator-free days from randomization to day 60. Prespecified secondary outcomes included day 60 mortality. The trial was stopped for futility based on the results of an interim analysis by the DSMB. The subdistribution hazard ratio for being alive and weaned from mechanical ventilation at day 60 for patients receiving ganciclovir (N = 39) compared with control patients (N = 37) was 1.14 (95% CI from 0.63 to 2.06; P = 0.66). The median [IQR] numbers of ventilator-free days for ganciclovir-treated patients and controls were 10 [0–51] and 0 [0–43] days, respectively (P = 0.46). Mortality at day 60 was 41% in patients in the ganciclovir group and 43% in the placebo group (P = .845). Creatinine levels and blood cells counts did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions In patients mechanically ventilated for ≥ 96 h with CMV reactivation in blood, preemptive ganciclovir did not improve the outcome.

scholarly journals EXPRESS: Experimental Design of the EDIPHY (Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone in Pulmonary Hypertension) Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 204589402198955
Author(s):  
Thomas Patrick Walsh ◽  
Grayson Baird ◽  
Michael K Atalay ◽  
Saurabh Agarwal ◽  
Daniel Arcuri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Sex Hormone ◽  
Pulmonary Vascular Disease ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Adrenal Steroid ◽  
Blood Institute ◽  
Post Menopausal ◽  
Rv Function

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains life-limiting despite numerous approved vasodilator therapies. Right ventricular (RV) function determines outcome in PAH but no treatments directly target RV adaptation. PAH is more common in women, yet women have better RV function and survival as compared to men with PAH. Lower levels of the adrenal steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester are associated with more severe pulmonary vascular disease, worse RV function, and mortality independent of other sex hormones in men and women with PAH. DHEA has direct effects on nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) synthesis and signaling, direct antihypertrophic effects on cardiomyocytes, and mitigates oxidative stress. EDIPHY (Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone in Pulmonary Hypertension) is an on-going randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial of DHEA in men (n = 13) and pre- and post-menopausal women (n = 13) with Group 1 PAH funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. We will determine whether orally administered DHEA 50 mg daily for 18 weeks affects RV longitudinal strain measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, markers of RV remodeling and oxidative stress, NO and ET-1 signaling, sex hormone levels, other PAH intermediate end points, side effects and safety. The crossover design will elucidate sex-based phenotypes in PAH and whether active treatment with DHEA impacts NO and ET-1 biosynthesis. EDIPHY is the first clinical trial of an endogenous sex hormone in PAH. Herein we present the study’s rationale and experimental design.

scholarly journals The Composition and Diversity of the Gut Microbiota in Children Is Modifiable by the Household Dogs: Impact of a Canine-Specific Probiotic

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 557
Author(s):  
Carlos Gómez-Gallego ◽  
Mira Forsgren ◽  
Marta Selma-Royo ◽  
Merja Nermes ◽  
Maria Carmen Collado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Home Environment ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Probiotic Intervention ◽  
Probiotic Product ◽  
Acid Producing Bacteria ◽  
Double Blind Design ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Gut Microbiota Composition

The development of the infant gut microbiota is initiated during pregnancy and continued through early life and childhood, guided by the immediate environment of the child. Our aim was to characterize the shared microbiota between dogs and children as well as to determine whether introduction to dogs of a dog-specific probiotic combination modifies the transfer process. We studied 31 children from allergic families with pet dog(s) and 18 control families without a dog. Altogether 37 dogs were randomized for a 4-week period in a double-blind design to receive canine-derived probiotic product containing a mixture of L. fermentum, L. plantarum, and L. rhamnosus, or placebo. Fecal samples from children and dogs were taken before and after the treatment. Distinctive gut microbiota composition was observed in children with dogs compared to those without a dog, characterized by higher abundance of Bacteroides and short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria such as Ruminococcus and Lachnospiraceae. Probiotic intervention in dogs had an impact on the composition of the gut microbiota in both dogs and children, characterized by a reduction in Bacteroides. We provide evidence for a direct effect of home environment and household pets on children microbiota and document that modification of dog microbiota by specific probiotics is reflected in children’s microbiota.

489 Pivotal Phase 3 Study of FT218, a Once-Nightly Sodium Oxybate Formulation, in Patients With Narcolepsy: REST-ON Primary Results

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A193-A193
Author(s):  
Clete Kushida ◽  
Colin Shapiro ◽  
Thomas Roth ◽  
Michael Thorpy ◽  
Russell Rosenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Sleep Latency ◽  
Sodium Oxybate ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Pivotal Phase ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Maintenance Of Wakefulness Test ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Clinical Global Impression Improvement

Abstract Introduction Sodium oxybate (SO) is an effective treatment for patients with narcolepsy; however, currently available SO formulations require twice-nightly dosing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of FT218, an investigational once-nightly controlled-release SO formulation, for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy types 1 (NT1) and 2 (NT2). Methods This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study in patients with narcolepsy ≥16 years old. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive FT218 or matching placebo: 4.5 g/night for 1 week, 6.0 g/night for 2 weeks, 7.5 g/night for 5 weeks, and 9.0 g/night for 5 weeks (maximum treatment duration, 13 weeks). Coprimary endpoints were mean sleep latency (minutes) on maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT), Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) of sleepiness, and weekly number of cataplexy attacks (NCAs; NT1 only). Results A total of 212 patients were randomized and received study treatment (FT218, n=107; placebo, n=105). FT218 showed significant (P&lt;0.001) improvement vs placebo in mean sleep latency on MWT for all evaluated doses; LS mean difference (minutes) between FT218 and placebo was 6.13 at 9.0 g (week 13), 6.21 at 7.5 g (week 8), and 4.98 at 6.0 g (week 3). A higher proportion of patients receiving FT218 were much/very much improved on CGI-I vs placebo (72% vs 31.6% at 9.0 g; 62.6% vs 22.8% at 7.5 g; and 40.1% vs 6.1% at 6.0 g; all P&lt;0.001). LS mean difference between FT218 and placebo in mean weekly NCAs was significant (P&lt;0.001) for all doses: −6.65 at 9.0 g, −6.27 at 7.5 g, and −4.83 at 6.0 g. The most common adverse reactions were nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, enuresis, and decreased appetite. Conclusion All evaluated doses of FT218 showed significant improvement vs placebo in mean sleep latency on MWT, CGI-I, and weekly NCAs. FT218 was generally well tolerated and the most common adverse events were consistent with known side effects of SO. Support (if any) Avadel Pharmaceuticals.

scholarly journals Phase 1 Study of the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of the β-Lactamase Inhibitor Vaborbactam (RPX7009) in Healthy Adult Subjects

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 6326-6332 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Griffith ◽  
Jeffery S. Loutit ◽  
Elizabeth E. Morgan ◽  
Stephanie Durso ◽  
Michael N. Dudley
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Clearance ◽  
Healthy Adult ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Doses ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Lactamase Inhibitor

ABSTRACTVaborbactam (formerly RPX7009) is a member of a new class of β-lactamase inhibitor with pharmacokinetic properties similar to those of many β-lactams, including carbapenems. The pharmacokinetics and safety of vaborbactam were evaluated in 80 healthy adult subjects in a first-in-human randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, sequential single- and multiple-ascending-dose study. A total of 10 dose cohorts were enrolled in the study, with 6 subjects randomized to receive 250 to 2,000 mg of vaborbactam and 2 subjects randomized to receive placebo in each cohort. Maximum concentrations for vaborbactam were achieved at the end of the 3-h infusion. Vaborbactam exposure (Cmaxand area under the concentration-time curve [AUC]) increased in a dose-proportional manner following multiple doses. There was no evidence of accumulation with multiple doses, consistent with the terminal half-life of ∼2 h. Both the volume of distribution (Vss) and plasma clearance were independent of dose. For the 2,000-mg dose, the plasma clearance was 0.17 ± 0.03 liters/h, the AUC from 0 h to infinity (AUC0–∞) was 144.00 ± 13.90 mg · h/liter, and theVsswas 21.80 ± 2.26 mg · h/liter. Urinary recovery was 80% or greater over 48 h across all dose groups. No subjects discontinued the study due to adverse events (AEs), and no serious AEs (SAEs) were observed. All AEs were mild to moderate and similar among the vaborbactam- and placebo-treated subjects, with mild lethargy as the only unique AE reported with the high dose of vaborbactam. Overall, this study revealed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of vaborbactam and formed the basis for advancement into patient studies in combination with meropenem, including treatment of patients with carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae(CRE) infections. (This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT01751269.)

Synthetic Food Colors and Hyperactivity in Children: A Double-Blind Challenge Experiment

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 975-983
Author(s):  
J. Preston Harley ◽  
Charles G. Matthews ◽  
Peter Eichman
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Behavior ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Comparable Data ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Multiple Trials ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Male Subjects ◽  
Comparison Measures

Nine hyperactive male subjects, selected on the basis of showing a favorable "response" to the Feingold diet in an earlier study, were maintained on a strict elimination (Feingold) diet for 11 weeks, and were given multiple trials of placebo and challenge food materials. Parental and teacher ratings, classroom behavior observations, and neuropsychological test scores obtained during baseline, placebo, and challenge conditions, in general, were not found to be adversely affected by the artificial color challenge materials. As expected, comparable data gathered on a matched control group showed them to receive substantially better ratings than the hyperactive subjects on the majority of the comparison measures employed. Possible explanations for the discrepancy between the dramatic clinical-anecdotal reports that have been given and the much more equivocal findings from format experimental projects are presented.

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