scholarly journals Demystifying Grief in the Dementia Divide: A Case for Grief Therapy in Dementia Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 877-877
Author(s):  
Adrienne Ione
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Grief Therapy ◽  
Diagnosis Of Dementia ◽  
Just Society ◽  
Therapeutic Recommendation ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Control Study

Abstract The results of emotional and psychological losses overlap with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in the neuronal and structural changes in the brain. The aim of this current study was to explore the magnifying effects of COVID-19 on exacerbating residual losses, illuminating a case for using grief therapy to moderate BPSD. A case control study was conducted with people ages 65 and greater, with an established diagnosis of dementia prior to March 2020. Compared with an active control group - participants without a current dementia diagnosis who self-reported mild cognitive shifts and who also received active grief-informed therapies – offer supporting evidence of a strong factor of efficacy for including grief therapy in services offered to people living with dementia. Evidence of a continued point improvement on both the brief grief questionnaire and inventory of complicated grief, as well as decreased severity of items on NPI-Q corroborate this therapeutic recommendation. Now more than ever – as people across the globe who are diagnosed with dementia face uncertain ramifications of previous grief episodes, ones that have potentially been reignited by the flames of COVID-19 – therapists must foster safe spaces informed by novel therapeutic grief approaches. In any just society, emphasis on therapeutic techniques that allow participants to ventilate their feelings and fears, as well as promote movement along a continuum from isolation to intimacy, must prevail. People exhibiting BPSD should not be excluded from such treatments.

The Effect of Crystal Dependence on Brain Activity Related to the Perception of Pleasure Using fMRI

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Yoonessi ◽  
Seyed Amir Hossein Batouli ◽  
Iman Ahmadnezhad ◽  
Hamid Soltanian-zadeh
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Control Study

Background: Addiction is currently one of the problems of human society. Drug abuse is one of the most important issues in the field of addiction. Methamphetamine (crystal) is one of the drugs that has been abused in recent decades. Methods: In this case-control study, 10 individuals aged 20 to 40 years old with at least 2 years of experience of methamphetamine consumption without any history of drug use or other stimulants from clients and drug withdrawal centers in Tehran City, and 10 healthy volunteers were selected. Age, social status, and economic status of addicts were included in the fMRI apparatus, and 90 selected pleasurable, non-pleasurable, and neutral images (IAPS) were displayed by the projector through an event-related method. The playback time of each photo was 3 s, and after this process, the person outside the device, without the time limit selected the enjoyable and unpleasant images. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, alcohol use, and smoking history (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of the age at first use between members of the methamphetamine-dependent group. Also, the methamphetamine-dependent group showed more brain activity in their pre-center and post-center gyrus than the normal (control) group. Conclusions: According to the results obtained in this study, in general, it can be concluded that there are some areas in the brain of addicts that are activated when watching pleasant photos, while these areas are not active in the brains of normal people.

scholarly journals PECULIARITIES OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN BRAIN OF PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION, HYPOTHYROIDISM AND DURING THE COMORBID COURSE OF THESE TWO DISEASES

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 67-71
Author(s):  
M.I. Lesiv ◽  
V.A. Hryb
Keyword(s):  
Frontal Lobe ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Group I ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Brain

This article presents the investigation of structural parameters of the brain in 67 patients aged 47.23 ± 2.64 years, whose duration of the disease was 13.27 ± 0.75 (from 2 to 19) years. The control group included 18 healthy individuals of the same age (47.84 ± 0.36 years), whose selection was carried out based on the anamnesis and the absence of hypothyroidism and hypertension. According to the data we discussed in our previous publications, during neuropsychological testing we registered memory deterioration in patients with hypertension assessed by the test for learning 10 words according to the method proposed by A.R. Luria (p <0.05), as well as serial counting by the Matisse scale (p <0.05). The patients with hypothyroidism were found as demonstrating attention deficiency (p <0.05) by applying the method of "Selectivity of attention" (G. Munsterberg test). For more detailed assessment, we used Schulte tables, the result of which demonstrates the state of the domain of the patient's executive functions and proves the instability of attention. The analysis of the results showed that taking into account the interaction between hypertension and hypothyroidism, the most affected cognitive domains were memory and attention, respectively (p <0.05). To diagnose cognitive and mnestic disorders of all groups, we used MR imaging, measured the transverse dimensions of the medial, lateral (temporal horn) and vertical perihippocampal spaces, and evaluated the volume of gray matter (cortex) of the frontal lobe of the brain in 3 zones. The measurements were performed in the right and left hemispheres. There was a significant increase in the indices of the medial and upper perihippocampal right and left in the patients in group III compared with the groups I and II. The lateral perihypocampal index did not differ significantly in the three groups (p> 0.05). Thus, taking into account the interaction of factors (hypertension and hypothyroidism), the patients were found to have an increase in perihippocampal indices (p> 0.05). Based on the data in table 2, in the patients of group I the average value of the frontal lobe was 634.06 ± 10.92. In the patients of group II, the average value of the frontal lobe was 638.6 ± 7.82, and in the patients of group III, the average value of the frontal lobe was 601.3 ± 3,325. There was no statistically significant difference between groups I and II (p = 0.05). But groups I and III demonstrated statistically significant difference between the indicators (p <0.05). We also found a statistically significant difference between groups II and III (p <0.05). Thus, in patients with hypertension, hypothyroidism and hypertension with concomitant hypothyroidism, an increase in perihippocampal indices, a decrease in the volume of gray matter (cortex) of the frontal lobe of the brain (right and left), significantly exceeded possible (involutional or otherwise). Thus, the results of the study indicate that in cases of isolated hypertension, hypothyroidism, and in the comorbidity of hypertension and hypothyroidism, there has been detected a significant acceleration of atrophic processes.

scholarly journals MICROGLIOSISINWHITEMATTER OF THE BRAIN IN CHRONIC HCV-INFECTION: MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Maybogin ◽  
M. K. Nedzved
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Nervous Tissue ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Virus Protein ◽  
Chronic Hcv Infection ◽  
Chronic Hcv ◽  
Tissue Reactions ◽  
The Brain

The course of a chronic HCV infection in 50% of cases is followed by affection of the brain. Its most frequent manifestations are various cognitive and psychogenic and neurological disorders. It is considered they are based on the activation of HCV infected microglial cells and related to this exitotoxic injury of neurons. According to the data of literature similar changes of microglia in white matter play an important role in a pathogenesis of HIV-associated subcortical dementia. Despite active studying the role of microglia in HCV infection, structural changes and tissue reactions of these cells in nervous tissue remain unexplored. In this regard the purpose of this research was comprehensive immunomorphological research of microglia cells in white matter of different departments of brain in HCV infection. Object of a research was autopsy samples of white brain matter from 40 patients died in the outcome of a chronic HCV infection. 20 people deceased without infectious and mental pathology made up the control group. After histological processing by standard methodic microscopic sections of white matter samples were prepared and stained with review and elective stainings. The immunohistochemical research was conducted using antibodies to virus protein NS3 and antibodies to CD68 microglia cells. The evaluation of microglia cells reactive changes in nervous tissue was performed with submitted earlier methodic. Statistical processing of results was carried out by dispersive Kruskal-Wallis analysis using the SSPS application programs. Level of significance p was accepted equal 0,05. It was established that during chronic HCV infection in white matter of the brain occurs productive changes of microglia cells. They are presented with diffuse and focal anizomorphic microgliosis which expressiveness differs depending on departments of the brain develop (p=0,000). The highest rates of a microgliosis are defined in white matter of brain hemispheres and a brainstem (р=0,05). Morphological features of microgliosis during HCV infection include glial knots formation, phagocytic transformation of microglia with prevalence of amoeboid cells, granular globes appearance, rod microglia congestions in a hippocampus and also degenerative changes in perifocal white matter. These changes of a microglia can be considered as a morphological equivalent of infected with HCV microglia cells activation. The revealed changes indicate that the microgliosis is typical morphological feature of brain injury during chronic HCV infection, and it plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the HCV-associated damage of central nervous system.

Music therapy in moderate and severe dementia of Alzheimer's type: a case–control study

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. B. Svansdottir ◽  
J. Snaedal
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Therapy Group ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Study

Background: Music therapy is a potential non-pharmacological treatment for the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, but although some studies have found it to be helpful, most are small and uncontrolled.Methods: This case–control study was carried out by qualified music therapists in two nursing homes and two psychogeriatric wards. The participants were 38 patients with moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) assigned randomly to a music therapy group and a control group.Results: The study showed a significant reduction in activity disturbances in the music therapy group during a 6-week period measured with the Behavior Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD). There was also a significant reduction in the sum of scores of activity disturbances, aggressiveness and anxiety. Other symptoms rated by subscales of the BEHAVE-AD did not decrease significantly. Four weeks later the effects had mostly disappeared.Conclusions: Music therapy is a safe and effective method for treating agitation and anxiety in moderately severe and severe AD. This is in line with the results of some non-controlled studies on music therapy in dementia.

scholarly journals Monosodium Glutamate Maintains Antioxidant Balance in the Neuro-Retinal Axis of Male Wistar Rats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halima Nalugo ◽  
Herbert Izo Ninsiima ◽  
Keneth Iceland Kasozi ◽  
Ritah Nabirumbi ◽  
Lawrence Obado Osuwat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catalase Activity ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Monosodium Glutamate ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Group I ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Purpose Information on monosodium glutamate (MSG) safety in the eye-brain axis remains scarce. The objective of the study was to establish changes in calcium (Ca2+) concentrations, catalase activity, Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and identify any major histological changes associated with parenteral and feed supplementation of MSG in male Wistar rats. This is important to guide policy on human consumption of food additives.Methods Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 6) for a period of one month. Group I and IV were treated with MSG 6g/kg and 60 mg/kg subcutaneous, while groups II and III at 5% and 2% MSG feed supplement. Group V was the control group treated with normal saline (no MSG). The eye and brain were analyzed for Ca2+, catalase, MDA levels and histological analysis was done using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining.Results Calcium levels in the eye was reduced at high (6g/kg/day and 5% s.c) MSG treatments while in the brain these remained constant. Since Ca2+ plays a crucial role in catalase activity, levels of catalase were not affected in eye-brain axis. MDA levels were elevated at high MSG treatments and no structural changes in the retina of the eye and no damage were found in the brain.Conclusion MSG maintained catalase levels, Ca2+ and no structural changes were observed in the eye and brain.

scholarly journals Hospital-based case control study and animal study on the relationship between nonylphenol exposure and depression

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11384
Author(s):  
Ya Luo ◽  
Weihong Xu ◽  
Wei Ou ◽  
Ting Wang ◽  
Changwei Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Exposure ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Sucrose Preference ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Exposure Group ◽  
Monoamine Neurotransmitters ◽  
Healthy Group ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Control Study

Objectives The aim of this work is to explore the association between chronic exposure to nonylphenol (NP), a representative environmental endocrine disruptor (EED), and the risk of depression and its potential mechanism. Methods A hospital-based case control study was conducted from August to December 2018. Forty-one patients with confirmed depression and 47 healthy volunteers were recruited. In vitro, 20 rats were randomly divided into the control group (corn oil) and NP exposure group (n = 10 per group), which were gavaged at a dose of 4 mg/kg w/day for 180 days. Results The depressed patient group had higher Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) (P < 0.001) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) (P < 0.001) scores than the healthy group. The serum NP level (P = 0.009) in the depressed group was higher than that in the healthy group, and the BDNF level (P = 0.001) was lower. The serum levels of monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine (DA) (P = 0.070), epinephrine (E) (P = 0.001), and noradrenaline (NE) (P = 0.000) were lower than those in the healthy group. In the sucrose preference test, the sucrose preference time for the exposure group of rats was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.001). In the forced swim test, a longer resting time was measured for the exposure group of rats as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The level of NP (P < 0.001) in the brain tissue of the NP exposure group was higher than that in the control group, and the serum level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (P = 0.004) was lower. Histopathological examination of the brain biopsies illustrated that the neuronal cells and nuclei in the hippocampus of the exposed group exhibited slight shrinkage. Conclusion Chronic exposure to NP at environmental doses will result in the accumulation of NP in the brain and blood, and induction of depression, which might be associated with the alterations in the expression levels of BDNF and monoamine neurotransmitters.

Chronic immobilization stress induces anxiety-related behaviors and affects brain essential minerals in male rats

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Zafer Sahin ◽  
Alpaslan Ozkurkculer ◽  
Omer Faruk Kalkan ◽  
Ahmet Ozkaya ◽  
Aynur Koc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immobilization Stress ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
Swimming Test ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Center Area ◽  
Chronic Immobilization Stress

Abstract. Alterations of essential elements in the brain are associated with the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. It is known that chronic/overwhelming stress may cause some anxiety and/or depression. We aimed to investigate the effects of two different chronic immobilization stress protocols on anxiety-related behaviors and brain minerals. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups as follows ( n = 10/group): control, immobilization stress-1 (45 minutes daily for 7-day) and immobilization stress-2 (45 minutes twice a day for 7-day). Stress-related behaviors were evaluated by open field test and forced swimming test. In the immobilization stress-1 and immobilization stress-2 groups, percentage of time spent in the central area (6.38 ± 0.41% and 6.28 ± 1.03% respectively, p < 0.05) and rearing frequency (2.75 ± 0.41 and 3.85 ± 0.46, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) were lower, latency to center area (49.11 ± 5.87 s and 44.92 ± 8.04 s, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively), were higher than the control group (8.65 ± 0.49%, 5.37 ± 0.44 and 15.3 ± 3.32 s, respectively). In the immobilization stress-1 group, zinc (12.65 ± 0.1 ppm, p < 0.001), magnesium (170.4 ± 1.7 ppm, p < 0.005) and phosphate (2.76 ± 0.1 ppm, p < 0.05) levels were lower than the control group (13.87 ± 0.16 ppm, 179.31 ± 1.87 ppm and 3.11 ± 0.06 ppm, respectively). In the immobilization stress-2 group, magnesium (171.56 ± 1.87 ppm, p < 0.05), phosphate (2.44 ± 0.07 ppm, p < 0.001) levels were lower, and manganese (373.68 ± 5.76 ppb, p < 0.001) and copper (2.79 ± 0.15 ppm, p < 0.05) levels were higher than the control group (179.31 ± 1.87 ppm, 3.11 ± 0.06 ppm, 327.25 ± 8.35 ppb and 2.45 ± 0.05 ppm, respectively). Our results indicated that 7-day chronic immobilization stress increased anxiety-related behaviors in both stress groups. Zinc, magnesium, phosphate, copper and manganese levels were affected in the brain.

Rorschach Characteristics in Adolescents with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2006 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Santoantonio ◽  
L. Yazigi ◽  
E. I. Sato
Keyword(s):  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intelligence Scale ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Control Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the personality characteristics in adolescents with SLE. The research design is a case-control study by means of the Rorschach Method and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Study group: 30 female adolescents with lupus, 12–17 years of age. The SLE Disease Activity Index was administered during the period of psychological evaluation. Control group: 32 nonpatient adolescents were matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic level. In the Wechsler Intelligence Scale the mean IQ of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (77 and 98, respectively, p < .001). In the Rorschach, the lupus patients showed greater difficulty in interpersonal interactions, although they displayed the resources to process affect and to cope with stressful situations. A positive moderate correlation (p = .069) between the activity index of the disease and the affect constriction proportion of the Rorschach was observed: the higher the SLEDAI score, the lower the capacity to process affect. There is a negative correlation between the activity index of the disease and the IQ (p = .001): with a higher activity index of the disease, less intellectual resources are available.

Native Ubiquitin Structural Changes Resulting from Complexation with β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Mae Wilson ◽  
Aurora Burkus-Matesevac ◽  
Samuel Maddox ◽  
Christopher Chouinard
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Noncovalent Complex ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Protein Size ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Critical Binding ◽  
Protein Response ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) has been linked to the development of neurodegenerative (ND) symptoms following chronic environmental exposure through water and dietary sources. The brains of those affected by this condition, often referred to as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS-PDC), have exhibited the presence of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) from protein aggregation. Although numerous studies have sought to better understand the correlation between BMAA exposure and onset of ND symptoms, no definitive link has been identified. One prevailing hypothesis is that BMAA acts a small molecule ligand, complexing with critical proteins in the brain and reducing their function. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of BMAA exposure on the native structure of ubiquitin. We hypothesized that formation of a Ubiquitin+BMAA noncovalent complex would alter the protein’s structure and folding and ultimately affect the ubiquitinproteasome system (UPS) and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Ion mobility-mass spectrometry revealed that at sufficiently high concentrations BMAA did in fact form a noncovalent complex with ubiquitin, however similar complexes were identified for a range of additional amino acids. Collision induced unfolding (CIU) was used to interrogate the unfolding dynamics of native ubiquitin and these Ubq-amino acid complexes and it was determined that complexation with BMAA led to a significant alteration in native protein size and conformation, and this complex required considerably more energy to unfold. This indicates that the complex remains more stable under native conditions and this may indicate that BMAA has attached to a critical binding location.

Native Ubiquitin Structural Changes Resulting from Complexation with β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Mae Wilson ◽  
Aurora Burkus-Matesevac ◽  
Samuel Maddox ◽  
Christopher Chouinard
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Noncovalent Complex ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Protein Size ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Critical Binding ◽  
Protein Response ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) has been linked to the development of neurodegenerative (ND) symptoms following chronic environmental exposure through water and dietary sources. The brains of those affected by this condition, often referred to as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS-PDC), have exhibited the presence of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) from protein aggregation. Although numerous studies have sought to better understand the correlation between BMAA exposure and onset of ND symptoms, no definitive link has been identified. One prevailing hypothesis is that BMAA acts a small molecule ligand, complexing with critical proteins in the brain and reducing their function. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of BMAA exposure on the native structure of ubiquitin. We hypothesized that formation of a Ubiquitin+BMAA noncovalent complex would alter the protein’s structure and folding and ultimately affect the ubiquitinproteasome system (UPS) and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Ion mobility-mass spectrometry revealed that at sufficiently high concentrations BMAA did in fact form a noncovalent complex with ubiquitin, however similar complexes were identified for a range of additional amino acids. Collision induced unfolding (CIU) was used to interrogate the unfolding dynamics of native ubiquitin and these Ubq-amino acid complexes and it was determined that complexation with BMAA led to a significant alteration in native protein size and conformation, and this complex required considerably more energy to unfold. This indicates that the complex remains more stable under native conditions and this may indicate that BMAA has attached to a critical binding location.

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