scholarly journals Brain volume in chronic ketamine users — relationship to sub-threshold psychotic symptoms and relevance to schizophrenia

Author(s):  
Robert A. Chesters ◽  
Fiona Pepper ◽  
Celia Morgan ◽  
Jonathan D. Cooper ◽  
Oliver D. Howes ◽  
...  

Abstract Rationale Ketamine may model aspects of schizophrenia arising through NMDA receptor activity deficits. Although acute ketamine can induce effects resembling both positive and negative psychotic symptoms, chronic use may be a closer model of idiopathic psychosis. Objectives We tested the hypotheses that ketamine users had lower brain volumes, as measured using MRI, and greater sub-threshold psychotic symptoms relative to a poly-drug user control group. Methods Ketamine users (n = 17) and poly-drug using controls (n = 19) were included in the study. All underwent volumetric MRI imaging and measurement of sub-threshold psychotic symptoms using the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental State (CAARMS). Freesurfer was used to analyse differences in regional brain volume, cortical surface area and thickness between ketamine users and controls. The relationship between CAARMS ratings and brain volume was also investigated in ketamine users. Results Ketamine users were found to have significantly lower grey matter volumes of the nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus, cerebellum and total cortex (FDR p < 0.05; Cohen’s d = 0.36–0.75). Within the cortex, ketamine users had significantly lower grey matter volumes within the frontal, temporal and parietal cortices (Cohen’s d 0.7–1.31; FDR p < 0.05). They also had significantly higher sub-threshold psychotic symptoms (p < 0.05). Frequency of ketamine use showed an inverse correlation with cerebellar volume (p < 0.001), but there was no relationship between regional brain volumes and sub-threshold psychotic symptoms. Conclusions Chronic ketamine use may cause lower grey matter volumes as well as inducing sub-threshold psychotic symptoms, although these likely arise through distinct mechanisms.

Author(s):  
Roxana Steliana Miclaus ◽  
Nadinne Roman ◽  
Ramona Henter ◽  
Silviu Caloian

More innovative technologies are used worldwide in patient’s rehabilitation after stroke, as it represents a significant cause of disability. The majority of the studies use a single type of therapy in therapeutic protocols. We aimed to identify if the association of virtual reality (VR) therapy and mirror therapy (MT) exercises have better outcomes in lower extremity rehabilitation in post-stroke patients compared to standard physiotherapy. Fifty-nine inpatients from 76 initially identified were included in the research. One experimental group (n = 31) received VR therapy and MT, while the control group (n = 28) received standard physiotherapy. Each group performed seventy minutes of therapy per day for ten days. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test showed that both groups registered significant differences between pre-and post-therapy clinical status for the range of motion and muscle strength (p < 0.001 and Cohen’s d between 0.324 and 0.645). Motor Fugl Meyer Lower Extremity Assessment also suggested significant differences pre-and post-therapy for both groups (p < 0.05 and Cohen’s d 0.254 for the control group and 0.685 for the experimental group). Mann-Whitney results suggested that VR and MT as a therapeutic intervention have better outcomes than standard physiotherapy in range of motion (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.693), muscle strength (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.924), lower extremity functionality (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.984) and postural balance (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.936). Our research suggests that VR therapy associated with MT may successfully substitute classic physiotherapy in lower extremity rehabilitation after stroke.


Author(s):  
Mohamed Abdelkader Souissi ◽  
Achraf Ammar ◽  
Omar Trabelsi ◽  
Jordan M. Glenn ◽  
Omar Boukhris ◽  
...  

The purpose of the present study was to investigate which of two strategies, Video Feedback with Pedagogical Activity (VF-PA) or Video Feedback (VF), would be more beneficial for the remote error correction of the snatch weightlifting technique during the confinement period. Thirty-five school aged children with at least three months of weightlifting experience were randomized to one of three training conditions: VF-PA, VF or the Control group (CONT). Subjects underwent test sessions one week before (T0) and one day after (T1) a six-session training period and a retention test session a week later (T2). During each test session, the Kinovea version 0.8.15 software measured the kinematic parameters of the snatch performance. Following distance learning sessions (T1), the VF-PA improved various kinematic parameters (i.e., barbell horizontal displacements, maximum height, looping and symmetry) compared with T0 (p < 0.5; Cohen’s d = 0.58–1.1). Most of these improvements were maintained during the retention test (T2) (p<0.01, Cohen’s d = 1.2–1.3) when compared withT0. However, the VF group improved only twoparameters (i.e., barbell symmetry and horizontal displacement) at T1 (p < 0.05; Cohen’s d = 0.9), which were not maintained at T2. Better horizontal displacement and looping values were registered during the retention test in the VF-PA group compared with theCONT group (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d = 1.49–1.52). The present findings suggest combining video feedback with pedagogical activity during the pandemic induced online coaching or physical education to improve movement learning in school aged children.


Author(s):  
Claire E Kelly ◽  
Deanne K Thompson ◽  
Alicia J Spittle ◽  
Jian Chen ◽  
Marc L Seal ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo explore whether regional brain volume and white matter microstructure at term-equivalent age (TEA) are associated with development at 2 years of age in children born moderate–late preterm (MLPT).Study designA cohort of MLPT infants had brain MRI at approximately TEA (38–44 weeks’ postmenstrual age) and had a developmental assessment (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development and Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment) at 2 years’ corrected age. Relationships between cortical grey matter and white matter volumes and 2-year developmental outcomes were explored using voxel-based morphometry. Relationships between diffusion tensor measures of white matter microstructure (fractional anisotropy (FA) and axial (AD), radial (RD) and mean (MD) diffusivities) and 2-year developmental outcomes were explored using tract-based spatial statistics.Results189 MLPT children had data from at least one MRI modality (volumetric or diffusion) and data for at least one developmental domain. Larger cortical grey and white matter volumes in many brain regions, and higher FA and lower AD, RD and MD in several major white matter regions, were associated with better cognitive and language scores. There was little evidence that cortical grey matter and white matter volumes and white matter microstructure were associated with motor and behavioural outcomes.ConclusionsRegional cortical grey matter and white matter volumes and white matter microstructure are associated with cognitive and language development at 2 years of age in MLPT children. Thus, early alterations to brain volumes and microstructure may contribute to some of the developmental deficits described in MLPT children.


2020 ◽  
pp. 109861112094438
Author(s):  
M. Hunter Martaindale

Law enforcement officers are sometimes required to make split-second use of force decisions. One factor that can impact their decision-making process is the presence of a weapon. This experiment sought to improve the speed and accuracy of weapon identification in a dynamic use of force scenario through the principles of deliberate practice. This research utilized randomized control trial with random assignment to either a control or test condition. Eighty-seven participants completed the pretest, intervention, and posttest. Participants’ vision was recorded via a mobile vision-tracker. With only 20 minutes of training, the test group made 1/3 the amount of decision errors as the control group (Cohen’s d = 0.95). The test group was about 16% faster than the control group at visually finding the object in the suspect’s hand and determining if it was a gun or not (Cohen’s d = 0.91).


Retos ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 179-184
Author(s):  
Emilio J Martinez-López ◽  
Jesús Moreno-Cerceda ◽  
Sara Suarez-Manzano ◽  
Alberto Ruiz-Ariza

Sustituir el tiempo sedentario por la práctica sistemática de actividad física (AF) es uno de los grandes retos  educativos y sociales dirigidos a jóvenes con sobrepeso-obesidad. El objetivo principal fue analizar el efecto en el índice de masa corporal (IMC) de un programa de AF extraescolar que empleó el pulsómetro como mecanismo para cuantificar el volumen e intensidad del ejercicio. Participaron 69 escolares con sobrepeso-obesidad de 9 a 12 años. La muestra se aleatorizó en grupo con programa y pulsómetro (GE1, n=23), grupo con solo programa (GE2, n=23), y grupo control que no realizó programa ni empleó pulsómetro (GC, n=23). Los resultados mostraron que GE1 había disminuido el IMC respecto al GC a los dos y tres meses de intervención (-1.65 kg/m2; p=.037, d de Cohen=.786; y -2.02 kg/m2, p=.006, d de Cohen=.895, respectivamente). GE1 incrementó significativamente el tiempo diario de intensidad máxima de AF medida por el pulsómetro (p=.028). El 86.9% y el 60.8% de los alumnos del GE1 y GE2 respectivamente afirmaron estar bastante o totalmente de acuerdo con el ítem “He comprobado que realizo más actividad física diaria que antes”. La mayoría de niños y padres del GE1 consideraron la experiencia como positiva y motivante para realizar más AF. Se concluye que un programa dirigido desde la Educación Física, que combina AF extraescolar y emplea el pulsómetro como mecanismo de control, disminuye el IMC en jóvenes con sobrepeso-obesidad después de dos meses de aplicación, aumenta la motivación por la práctica físico-deportiva, e implica cambios positivos en los hábitos de salud familiares. Abstract. Replacing sedentary time with systematic practice of PA is one of the major social and health challenges of globalized world. The main aim of this research was to analyze the effect of a program based on extracurricular PA, using heart rate monitor to quantify the volume and intensity of PA, on the body mass index (BMI). 69 young students with overweight-obesity aged nine to 12 years participated in this study. The sample was randomly split in two groups: PA program and heart rate monitor (EG1, n=23), PA program without heart rate monitor (EG2, n=23), and control group, whose members did not carry out any program nor used any heart rate monitor (CG, n=23). Results showed that GE1 decreased BMI more than CG after two and three months of intervention (-1.65 kg/m2; p=.037, Cohen’s d=.786; y -2.02 kg/m2, p=.006, Cohen’s d =.895, respectively). G1 significantly increased the daily time of PA at maximum intensity measured by the heart rate monitor (p=.028). 86.9% and 60.8% of students in EG1 and EG2 respectively, were quite or totally in agreement with the item "I have verified that I carry out more physical activity daily than before". The majority of children and parents in EG1 considered the experience as positive and motivating to practice more PA. A program focused on Physical Education and combining extracurricular PA and heart rate monitor as a control mechanism, decreases BMI in overweight-obese young students after two months of application, increases motivation towards PA and sport practice, and implies positive changes in family health habits.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasrin Soleimani ◽  
Mansoureh Refaei ◽  
Farideh Kazemi

Abstract Background: The World Health Organization states that mothers during labor and delivery should be supported by people with whom they feel comfortable, because one of the non-pharmacological methods of relieving labor pain is the continued support of midwives in labor. The primary objectives of this study were to determine the effect of continuous midwifery support in labor on delivery experience and self-esteem of nulliparous women 6 weeks after delivery.Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed in 2021 on 70 pregnant women admitted to the delivery ward who met the inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups through balanced block randomization with a block size of 4. Participants completed a demographic and midwifery information questionnaire before entering the study. In the intervention group, in addition to routine labor care, the researcher was present at the mother's bedside and was present with the mother continuously throughout the labor and up to 2 hours after delivery and provided the necessary support. The control group received only routine labor and postpartum care. Six weeks after delivery, participants in both groups were contacted to complete the CEQ and Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaires. Finally, data were collected and analyzed. Significance level was considered 0.05.Results: By controlling the effect of duration of the first and second stages of labor as potential confounders, the mean (sd) of childbirth experience 6 weeks after delivery was 70.92 (7.07) in the intervention group and 59.69 (7.08) in the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (p <0.001). The amount of effect size indicates a very strong effect of the intervention on improving the childbirth experience (Cohen’s d = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.26). Comparison of the mean of maternal self-esteem showed that this rate in the intervention group was 2 scores higher than the control group and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.05). Cohen's d indicates the average effect of intervention on mothers' self-esteem score (Cohen's d = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.06, 1.05).Conclusions: Continuous support of the midwife in labor and up to 2 hours after delivery can lead to a better childbirth experience and increase the mother's self-esteem up to 6 weeks after delivery.Trial registration: IRCT ID: IRCT20201102049233N1, First Registration date: 2021-06-04


2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 205521732110707
Author(s):  
Satori Ajitomi ◽  
Juichi Fujimori ◽  
Ichiro Nakashima

Background Two-dimensional (2D) measures have been proposed as potential proxies for whole-brain volume in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective To verify whether 2D measurements by routine MRI are useful in predicting brain volume or disability in MS. Methods In this cross-sectional analysis, eighty-five consecutive Japanese MS patients—relapsing-remitting MS (81%) and progressive MS (19%)—underwent 1.5 Tesla T1-weighted 3D MRI examinations to measure whole-brain and grey matter volume. 2D measurements, namely, third ventricle width, lateral ventricle width (LVW), brain width, bicaudate ratio, and corpus callosum index (CCI), were obtained from each scan. Correlations between 2D measurements and 3D measurements, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), or processing speed were analysed. Results The third and lateral ventricle widths were well-correlated with the whole-brain volume ( p < 0.0001), grey matter volume ( p < 0.0001), and EDSS scores ( p = 0.0001, p = .0004, respectively).The least squares regression model revealed that 78% of the variation in whole-brain volume could be explained using five explanatory variables, namely, LVW, CCI, age, sex, and disease duration. By contrast, the partial correlation coefficient excluding the effect of age showed that the CCI was significantly correlated with the EDSS and processing speed ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion Ventricle width correlated well with brain volumes, while the CCI correlated well with age-independent (i.e. disease-induced) disability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S206-S206
Author(s):  
Monica Kayo ◽  
Silvia Scemes ◽  
Mariangela Gentil Savoia ◽  
Ary Gadelha ◽  
Rodrigo Bressan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Poor social skills are a core characteristic of schizophrenia and are highly associated with the progression of negative symptoms. While positive symptoms have a good response to antipsychotics, the treatment of negative symptoms remains an unmet need. Methods A randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a 20-week social skills training (SST) program for the improvement of negative symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) with predominantly negative persistent symptoms, with a score &gt; 4 (moderate) in at least 3 items of the Negative Symptom Factor Score (NSFS) (blunted affect, emotional withdrawal, poor rapport, passive social withdrawal, lack of spontaneity, motor retardation and active social avoidance). Each session lasted 60 minutes and included 6 to 9 participants. The SST sessions were conducted by trained psychologists, following topics previously outlined in a manual, and role-playing activities. The non-directive control group was conducted by nurses specialists in mental health, with the same duration but without role-playing activities. Control groups’ therapists were instructed not to give directions to the patients but to listen and redirect questions to the group. TRS was defined as the persistence of psychotic symptoms after at least two adequate trials with two different antipsychotics, All patients were taking clozapine. Blinded raters evaluated the patients at baseline, 20 weeks and after 6 months follow-up by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and the Social Skills Inventory (SSI). Longitudinal comparisons between groups were carried out using a linear mixed-effects model at pre, post and follow-up to assess differences between groups. Cohen’s d effect size was computed at each time point. Primary outcome measure was the PANSS negative subscale score.Social skill were assessed with the Social Skills Inventory. Results 62 patients were randomized to SST (N=29) and control group (N=33). Subjects were predominantly male (70.96%) and single (88.70%). At baseline, groups showed no differences in terms of demographic variables and illness duration. Patients were moderately ill, with mean CGI = 4.10 (SD 0.78) in SST group and 4.34 (0.90) in the control group, and had a high baseline PANSS score, with a mean total PANSS 71.90 (10.83) in the SST group and 70.4 (13.8) in the control group. The mean PANSS negative subscale score was 25.48 (4.56) in SST group and 25.13 (6.34) in control group; in the SST group 28 patients completed the 20-week intervention and 24 were assessed after 6 months; in the control group, 18 completed the treatment and 16 were assessed at the follow-up. After the 20-week intervention period, the PANSS negative scores were 24.57 (4.92) in the SST group and 22.67 (6.59) in the control group. At the follow-up, the negative score was 23.92 (5.85) in the SST group and 22.97 (5.32) in the control. There was no improvement at any timepoint (p= 0.162) or any difference between groups (p= 0.864). Patients remained clinically stable during the study. The only symptom which showed a significant improvement was the control of aggressiveness (Cohen’s d at week 20 = 0.445 [IC 95% -0.140; 1.030]), which was maintained at follow-up (Cohen’s d = 0.682 [IC 95% 0.037; 1.327]). Discussion The study has limitations: the SSI was not designed to assess social skills in patients with psychosis, and we have not assessed the adherence to pharmacological treatment. Our findings suggest that SST is not effective to improve negative symptoms in patients with TRS with predominantly negative symptoms, but may be potentially useful for the control of aggressiveness in situations such as criticism and mockery, which frequently occur in social interactions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodie Andruschko ◽  
Anthony D. Okely ◽  
Phil Pearson

This study examined the feasibility and potential efficacy of a multi-faceted secondary school–based intervention among low-fit adolescent females. TheSport4Funprogram was designed to promote physical activity participation, fundamental movement skill proficiency, perceived physical competence, and enjoyment of physical activity in secondary school students. The intervention consisted of three components including two practical components—weekly movement skill activities for 90 min during compulsory school sport and sports-based activities for 60 min after school (non-compulsory) for 6 months—and one theoretical component—three 15-min theory sessions completed during homeroom (or roll call) time per week. The control group participated in their regular school activities. Compared with females in the control group, those in the intervention group showed a greater increase in total weekday accelerometer counts per min (adjusted difference, 77.49; 95% CI, 8.21–132.77;p = .03; Cohen’s d = 1.26). The difference in total fundamental movement skill components mastered favored the intervention group but was not statistically significant (adjusted difference, 1.48; 95% CI, −1.21–4.17;p = .26, Cohen’s d = 0.48). Targeting fundamental movement skills may be a potentially novel and motivating way to promote activity among low-fit adolescent girls; however, challenges in recruitment and implementation warrant further investigation before adopting this approach more broadly.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Deni Kurniawan ◽  
Eko Suyanto ◽  
I Dewa Putu Nyeneng

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan pengaruh penerapan suplemen buku siswa berbasis scientific approach terhadap hasil belajar dan sikap ilmiah pada materi dinamika gerak. Sampel penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas X IPA 1 dan siswa kelas X IPA 2 SMAN 15 Bandarlampung. Penelitian ini menggunakan tipe penelitian pretest-posttest control group design. Data yang didapat kemudian diuji dengan analisis N-gain, uji normalitas, uji homogenitas, uji independent sampel t-test, dan analisis effect size Cohen’s D. Rata-rata N-gain hasil belajar pada kelas eksperimen 0,75 dan kelas kontrol 0,62. Rata-rata N-gain sikap ilmiah pada kelas eksperimen 0,32 dan kelas kontrol 0,23. Hasil uji beda N-gain hasil belajar menunjukkan nilai sig. (2-tailed) yaitu 0,001. Hasil uji beda N-gain sikap ilmiah siswa menunjukkan nilai sig. (2-tailed) yaitu 0,000. Nilai sig. (2-tailed) pada hasil belajar dan sikap ilmiah yang kurang dari 0,05 menunjukkan terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan penerapan suplemen buku siswa berbasis scientific approach terhadap hasil belajar dan sikap ilmiah siswa. Nilai effect size hasil belajar ialah 0,88 dan sikap ilmiah ialah 1,34. Berdasarkan nilai rata-rata N-gain siswa kelas eksperimen yang lebih tiggi dari kelas kontrol dan effect size yang diperoleh, maka suplemen buku siswa berbasis scientific approach dapat digunakan untuk membantu meningkatkan hasil belajar sikap ilmiah siswa.


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