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Evolution of sub-ice-shelf channels reveals changes in ocean-driven melt in West Antarctica
- Karen E. Alley, Richard B. Alley, Alex D. Crawford, Naomi Ochwat, Christian T. Wild, Juliana Marson, Tasha Snow, Atsuhiro Muto, Erin C. Pettit, Sarah F. Child, Martin Truffer, Gabriela Collao-Barrios, Ted A. Scambos
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- Journal:
- Journal of Glaciology , First View
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 March 2024, pp. 1-15
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Basal channels, which are troughs carved into the undersides of ice shelves by buoyant plumes of water, are modulators of ice-shelf basal melt and structural stability. In this study, we track the evolution of 12 large basal channels beneath ice shelves of the Amundsen and Bellingshausen seas region in West Antarctica using the Landsat record since its start in the 1970s through 2020. We observe examples of channel growth, interactions with ice-shelf features, and systematic changes in sinuosity that give insight into the life cycles of basal channels. We use the last two decades of the record, combined with contemporary ice-flow velocity datasets, to separate channel-path evolution into components related to advection by ice flow and those controlled by other forcings, such as ocean melt or surface accumulation. Our results show that ice-flow-independent lateral channel migration is overwhelmingly to the left when viewed down-flow, suggesting that it is dominated by Coriolis-influenced ocean melt. By applying a model of channel-path evolution dominantly controlled by ice flow and ocean melt, we show that the majority of channels surveyed exhibit non-steady behavior that serves as a novel proxy for increased ocean forcing in West Antarctica starting at least in the early 1970s.
Low prevalence of secondary endosymbionts in aphids sampled from rapeseed crops in Germany
- A. N. Manentzos, A. M. C. Pahl, P. Melloh, E. A. Martin, D. J. Leybourne
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- Bulletin of Entomological Research , First View
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 06 March 2024, pp. 1-6
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Peach-potato aphids, Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera:Aphididae), and cabbage aphids, Brevicoryne brassicae Linnaeus (Hemiptera:Aphididae), are herbivorous insects of significant agricultural importance. Aphids can harbour a range of non-essential (facultative) endosymbiotic bacteria that confer multiple costs and benefits to the host aphid. A key endosymbiont-derived phenotype is protection against parasitoid wasps, and this protective phenotype has been associated with several defensive enodsymbionts. In recent years greater emphasis has been placed on developing alternative pest management strategies, including the increased use of natural enemies such as parasitoids wasps. For the success of aphid control strategies to be estimated the presence of defensive endosymbionts that can potentially disrupt the success of biocontrol agents needs to be determined in natural aphid populations. Here, we sampled aphids and mummies (parasitised aphids) from an important rapeseed production region in Germany and used multiplex PCR assays to characterise the endosymbiont communities. We found that aphids rarely harboured facultative endosymbionts, with 3.6% of M. persicae and 0% of B. brassicae populations forming facultative endosymbiont associations. This is comparable with endosymbiont prevalence described for M. persicae populations surveyed in Australia, Europe, Chile, and USA where endosymbiont infection frequencies range form 0–2%, but is in contrast with observations from China where M. persicae populations have more abundant and diverse endosymbiotic communities (endosymbionts present in over 50% of aphid populations).
Hidden curricula in academic medicine: Streamlining success for early career scholars from majority and diverse backgrounds
- Felicity T. Enders, Elizabeth H. Golembiewski, Karen N. DSouza, Ashley E. Martin, Cassie C. Kennedy
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- Journal of Clinical and Translational Science / Volume 8 / Issue 1 / 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 06 February 2024, e52
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The hidden curriculum (HC), or implicit norms and values within a field or institution, affects faculty at all career stages. This study surveyed affiliates of a junior faculty training program (n = 12) to assess the importance of HC topics for junior faculty, mentors, and institutional leaders. For non-diverse junior faculty and their mentors, work-life balance, research logistics, and resilience were key HC topics. Coping with bias and assertive communication were emphasized for diverse junior faculty and mentors. Institutional norms and vision were essential for leaders, while networking was important for all groups. Future research should explore HC needs and potential interventions.
3 Two Dominant Post-COVID Subtypes in Patients Seeking Treatment for “Brain Fog” Through a Post-COVID Treatment Clinic
- Kristine Lokken, Jamie Hansel Robinson, Richard Kennedy, David E Vance, Ronald M Lazar, Roy C Martin, Melissa J Greenfield, Pariya F Wheeler, Adam Gerstenecker
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 876-877
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Objective:
To examine patterns of cognitive function among a clinical sample of patients seeking treatment for Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).
Participants and Methods:One hundred nineteen patients each completed a baseline neuropsychological evaluation, including clinical diagnostic interview, cognitive assessments, and a comprehensive battery of self-report questionnaires. Patients had a mean age of 50 years (range:18 to 74, SD=10.1) and a mean of 15.5 years (SD=2.54) of formal education. Patients were primarily female (74%) and of White/Caucasian race (75%). Hierarchical agglomerative clustering was used to partition the data into groups based on cognitive performance. Euclidean distance was used as the similarity measure for the continuous variables and within-cluster variance was minimized using Ward’s method. The optimal number of clusters was determined empirically by fitting models with 1 to 15 clusters, with the best number of clusters selected using the silhouette index. All analyses were conducted using the NbClust package, an R package for determining the relevant number of clusters in a data set.
Results:Clustering yielded two distinct clusters of cognitive performance. Group 1 (n=57) performed worse than Group 2 (n=62) on most cognitive variables (including a brief cognitive screener and tests of attention/working memory, executive function, processing speed, learning and delayed recall). Of note, there were no significant differences between groups on an infection severity scale, hospitalizations/ICU admissions, initial or current COVID-19 symptoms, or prior comorbidities. Groups did not differ in age or gender, but Group 1 had a lower education level than Group 2 (M=14.7, SD=2.45 vs. M=16.2, SD=2.42; p=.001). Group 1 also had significantly more minorities than Group 2 (40% vs. 8%; p<.001). No other demographic differences (income, living arrangement, or marital status) were observed. In comparison to Group 2 patients, Group 1 patients self-reported significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression and functional impairment (Functional Activities Questionnaire: M=11.3, SD=8.33 vs. M=7.65, SD=7.97), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale: M=24.7, SD=7.90 vs. M=20.3, SD=7.89), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index: M=16.0, SD=6.50 vs. M=13.1, SD=6.76), and subjective cognitive functioning (Cognitive Failures Questionnaire: M=58.8, SD=16.9 vs. M=50.3, SD=18.6; p’s<.05).
Conclusions:Findings indicate two predominant subtypes of patients seeking treatment for PASC, with one group presenting as more cognitively impaired and reporting greater levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia, perceived stress, functional limitations, and subjective cognitive impairment. Future directions include follow-up assessments with these patients to determine cognitive trajectories over time and tailoring treatment adjuncts to address mood symptoms, insomnia, functional ability, and lifestyle variables. Understanding mechanisms of differences in cognitive and affective symptoms is needed in future work. Limitations to the study were that patients were referred for evaluation based on the complaint of “brain fog” and the sample was a homogenous, highly educated, younger group of individuals who experienced generally mild COVID-19 course.
4 Evaluating Plasma GFAP for the Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia
- Madeline Ally, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Nicholas J. Ashton, Thomas K. Karikari, Hugo Aparicio, Michael A. Sugarman, Brandon Frank, Yorghos Tripodis, Ann C. McKee, Thor D. Stein, Brett Martin, Joseph N. Palmisano, Eric G. Steinberg, Irene Simkina, Lindsay Farrer, Gyungah Jun, Katherine W. Turk, Andrew E. Budson, Maureen K. O’Connor, Rhoda Au, Wei Qiao Qiu, Lee E. Goldstein, Ronald Killiany, Neil W. Kowall, Robert A. Stern, Jesse Mez, Michael L. Alosco
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 408-409
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Objective:
Blood-based biomarkers represent a scalable and accessible approach for the detection and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Plasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and neurofilament light (NfL) are validated biomarkers for the detection of tau and neurodegenerative brain changes in AD, respectively. There is now emphasis to expand beyond these markers to detect and provide insight into the pathophysiological processes of AD. To this end, a reactive astrocytic marker, namely plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), has been of interest. Yet, little is known about the relationship between plasma GFAP and AD. Here, we examined the association between plasma GFAP, diagnostic status, and neuropsychological test performance. Diagnostic accuracy of plasma GFAP was compared with plasma measures of p-tau181 and NfL.
Participants and Methods:This sample included 567 participants from the Boston University (BU) Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) Longitudinal Clinical Core Registry, including individuals with normal cognition (n=234), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n=180), and AD dementia (n=153). The sample included all participants who had a blood draw. Participants completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery (sample sizes across tests varied due to missingness). Diagnoses were adjudicated during multidisciplinary diagnostic consensus conferences. Plasma samples were analyzed using the Simoa platform. Binary logistic regression analyses tested the association between GFAP levels and diagnostic status (i.e., cognitively impaired due to AD versus unimpaired), controlling for age, sex, race, education, and APOE e4 status. Area under the curve (AUC) statistics from receiver operating characteristics (ROC) using predicted probabilities from binary logistic regression examined the ability of plasma GFAP to discriminate diagnostic groups compared with plasma p-tau181 and NfL. Linear regression models tested the association between plasma GFAP and neuropsychological test performance, accounting for the above covariates.
Results:The mean (SD) age of the sample was 74.34 (7.54), 319 (56.3%) were female, 75 (13.2%) were Black, and 223 (39.3%) were APOE e4 carriers. Higher GFAP concentrations were associated with increased odds for having cognitive impairment (GFAP z-score transformed: OR=2.233, 95% CI [1.609, 3.099], p<0.001; non-z-transformed: OR=1.004, 95% CI [1.002, 1.006], p<0.001). ROC analyses, comprising of GFAP and the above covariates, showed plasma GFAP discriminated the cognitively impaired from unimpaired (AUC=0.75) and was similar, but slightly superior, to plasma p-tau181 (AUC=0.74) and plasma NfL (AUC=0.74). A joint panel of the plasma markers had greatest discrimination accuracy (AUC=0.76). Linear regression analyses showed that higher GFAP levels were associated with worse performance on neuropsychological tests assessing global cognition, attention, executive functioning, episodic memory, and language abilities (ps<0.001) as well as higher CDR Sum of Boxes (p<0.001).
Conclusions:Higher plasma GFAP levels differentiated participants with cognitive impairment from those with normal cognition and were associated with worse performance on all neuropsychological tests assessed. GFAP had similar accuracy in detecting those with cognitive impairment compared with p-tau181 and NfL, however, a panel of all three biomarkers was optimal. These results support the utility of plasma GFAP in AD detection and suggest the pathological processes it represents might play an integral role in the pathogenesis of AD.
4 Risk Factor and Biomarker Correlates of FLAIR White Matter Hyperintensities in Former American Football Players
- Monica T Ly, Fatima Tuz-Zahra, Yorghos Tripodis, Charles H Adler, Laura J Balcer, Charles Bernick, Elaine Peskind, Megan L Mariani, Rhoda Au, Sarah J Banks, William B Barr, Jennifer V Wethe, Mark W Bondi, Lisa Delano-Wood, Robert C Cantu, Michael J Coleman, David W Dodick, Michael D McClean, Jesse Mez, Joseph N Palmisano, Brett Martin, Kaitlin Hartlage, Alexander P Lin, Inga K Koerte, Jeffrey L Cummings, Eric M Reiman, Martha E Shenton, Robert A Stern, Sylvain Bouix, Michael L Alosco
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 608-610
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Objective:
White matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden is greater, has a frontal-temporal distribution, and is associated with proxies of exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) in former American football players. These findings suggest that in the context of RHI, WMH might have unique etiologies that extend beyond those of vascular risk factors and normal aging processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlates of WMH in former elite American football players. We examined markers of amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration, inflammation, axonal injury, and vascular health and their relationships to WMH. A group of age-matched asymptomatic men without a history of RHI was included to determine the specificity of the relationships observed in the former football players.
Participants and Methods:240 male participants aged 45-74 (60 unexposed asymptomatic men, 60 male former college football players, 120 male former professional football players) underwent semi-structured clinical interviews, magnetic resonance imaging (structural T1, T2 FLAIR, and diffusion tensor imaging), and lumbar puncture to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers as part of the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. Total WMH lesion volumes (TLV) were estimated using the Lesion Prediction Algorithm from the Lesion Segmentation Toolbox. Structural equation modeling, using Full-Information Maximum Likelihood (FIML) to account for missing values, examined the associations between log-TLV and the following variables: total cortical thickness, whole-brain average fractional anisotropy (FA), CSF amyloid ß42, CSF p-tau181, CSF sTREM2 (a marker of microglial activation), CSF neurofilament light (NfL), and the modified Framingham stroke risk profile (rFSRP). Covariates included age, race, education, APOE z4 carrier status, and evaluation site. Bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals assessed statistical significance. Models were performed separately for football players (college and professional players pooled; n=180) and the unexposed men (n=60). Due to differences in sample size, estimates were compared and were considered different if the percent change in the estimates exceeded 10%.
Results:In the former football players (mean age=57.2, 34% Black, 29% APOE e4 carrier), reduced cortical thickness (B=-0.25, 95% CI [0.45, -0.08]), lower average FA (B=-0.27, 95% CI [-0.41, -.12]), higher p-tau181 (B=0.17, 95% CI [0.02, 0.43]), and higher rFSRP score (B=0.27, 95% CI [0.08, 0.42]) were associated with greater log-TLV. Compared to the unexposed men, substantial differences in estimates were observed for rFSRP (Bcontrol=0.02, Bfootball=0.27, 994% difference), average FA (Bcontrol=-0.03, Bfootball=-0.27, 802% difference), and p-tau181 (Bcontrol=-0.31, Bfootball=0.17, -155% difference). In the former football players, rFSRP showed a stronger positive association and average FA showed a stronger negative association with WMH compared to unexposed men. The effect of WMH on cortical thickness was similar between the two groups (Bcontrol=-0.27, Bfootball=-0.25, 7% difference).
Conclusions:These results suggest that the risk factor and biological correlates of WMH differ between former American football players and asymptomatic individuals unexposed to RHI. In addition to vascular risk factors, white matter integrity on DTI showed a stronger relationship with WMH burden in the former football players. FLAIR WMH serves as a promising measure to further investigate the late multifactorial pathologies of RHI.
5 Antemortem Plasma GFAP Predicts Alzheimer’s Disease Neuropathological Changes
- Madeline Ally, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Nicholas J. Ashton, Thomas K. Karikari, Hugo Aparicio, Michael A. Sugarman, Brandon Frank, Yorghos Tripodis, Brett Martin, Joseph N. Palmisano, Eric G. Steinberg, Irene Simkina, Lindsay Farrer, Gyungah Jun, Katherine W. Turk, Andrew E. Budson, Maureen K. O’Connor, Rhoda Au, Wei Qiao Qiu, Lee E. Goldstein, Ronald Killiany, Neil W. Kowall, Robert A. Stern, Jesse Mez, Bertran R. Huber, Ann C. McKee, Thor D. Stein, Michael L. Alosco
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- Journal:
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 409-410
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Objective:
Blood-based biomarkers offer a more feasible alternative to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) detection, management, and study of disease mechanisms than current in vivo measures. Given their novelty, these plasma biomarkers must be assessed against postmortem neuropathological outcomes for validation. Research has shown utility in plasma markers of the proposed AT(N) framework, however recent studies have stressed the importance of expanding this framework to include other pathways. There is promising data supporting the usefulness of plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in AD, but GFAP-to-autopsy studies are limited. Here, we tested the association between plasma GFAP and AD-related neuropathological outcomes in participants from the Boston University (BU) Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC).
Participants and Methods:This sample included 45 participants from the BU ADRC who had a plasma sample within 5 years of death and donated their brain for neuropathological examination. Most recent plasma samples were analyzed using the Simoa platform. Neuropathological examinations followed the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center procedures and diagnostic criteria. The NIA-Reagan Institute criteria were used for the neuropathological diagnosis of AD. Measures of GFAP were log-transformed. Binary logistic regression analyses tested the association between GFAP and autopsy-confirmed AD status, as well as with semi-quantitative ratings of regional atrophy (none/mild versus moderate/severe) using binary logistic regression. Ordinal logistic regression analyses tested the association between plasma GFAP and Braak stage and CERAD neuritic plaque score. Area under the curve (AUC) statistics from receiver operating characteristics (ROC) using predicted probabilities from binary logistic regression examined the ability of plasma GFAP to discriminate autopsy-confirmed AD status. All analyses controlled for sex, age at death, years between last blood draw and death, and APOE e4 status.
Results:Of the 45 brain donors, 29 (64.4%) had autopsy-confirmed AD. The mean (SD) age of the sample at the time of blood draw was 80.76 (8.58) and there were 2.80 (1.16) years between the last blood draw and death. The sample included 20 (44.4%) females, 41 (91.1%) were White, and 20 (44.4%) were APOE e4 carriers. Higher GFAP concentrations were associated with increased odds for having autopsy-confirmed AD (OR=14.12, 95% CI [2.00, 99.88], p=0.008). ROC analysis showed plasma GFAP accurately discriminated those with and without autopsy-confirmed AD on its own (AUC=0.75) and strengthened as the above covariates were added to the model (AUC=0.81). Increases in GFAP levels corresponded to increases in Braak stage (OR=2.39, 95% CI [0.71-4.07], p=0.005), but not CERAD ratings (OR=1.24, 95% CI [0.004, 2.49], p=0.051). Higher GFAP levels were associated with greater temporal lobe atrophy (OR=10.27, 95% CI [1.53,69.15], p=0.017), but this was not observed with any other regions.
Conclusions:The current results show that antemortem plasma GFAP is associated with non-specific AD neuropathological changes at autopsy. Plasma GFAP could be a useful and practical biomarker for assisting in the detection of AD-related changes, as well as for study of disease mechanisms.
Associations of an individual's need for cognition with structural brain damage and cognitive functioning/impairment: cross-sectional population-based study
- Lotte S. Truin, Sebastian Köhler, Irene S. Heger, Martin P. J. van Boxtel, Miranda T. Schram, Walter H. Backes, Jacobus F. A. Jansen, Martien M. C. J. M. van Dongen, Nanne K. de Vries, Hein de Vries, Simone J. P. M. Eussen, Coen D. A. Stehouwer, Marjolein E. de Vugt, Kay Deckers
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- The British Journal of Psychiatry , FirstView
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 18 December 2023, pp. 1-9
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Background
High cognitive activity possibly reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
AimsTo investigate associations between an individual's need to engage in cognitively stimulating activities (need for cognition, NFC) and structural brain damage and cognitive functioning in the Dutch general population with and without existing cognitive impairment.
MethodCross-sectional data were used from the population-based cohort of the Maastricht Study. NFC was measured using the Need For Cognition Scale. Cognitive functioning was tested in three domains: verbal memory, information processing speed, and executive functioning and attention. Values 1.5 s.d. below the mean were defined as cognitive impairment. Standardised volumes of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and presence of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) were derived from 3T magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple linear and binary logistic regression analyses were used adjusted for demographic, somatic and lifestyle factors.
ResultsParticipants (n = 4209; mean age 59.06 years, s.d. = 8.58; 50.1% women) with higher NFC scores had higher overall cognition scores (B = 0.21, 95% CI 0.17–0.26, P < 0.001) and lower odds for CSVD (OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.60–0.91, P = 0.005) and cognitive impairment (OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.48–0.76, P < 0.001) after adjustment for demographic, somatic and lifestyle factors. The association between NFC score and cognitive functioning was similar for individuals with and without prevalent cognitive impairment. We found no significant association between NFC and WMH or CSF volumes.
ConclusionsA high need to engage in cognitively stimulating activities is associated with better cognitive functioning and less presence of CSVD and cognitive impairment. This suggests that, in middle-aged individuals, motivation to engage in cognitively stimulating activities may be an opportunity to improve brain health.
Selected rock powders as sources of nutrients for soil fertilization and maize-wheat grain production in southern Brazil
- A. L. Bamberg, R. Martinazzo, C. A. P. Silveira, C. N. Pillon, L. Stumpf, M. Bergmann, P. van Straaten, E. S. Martins
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- The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 161 / Issue 5 / October 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 December 2023, pp. 654-668
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The current study evaluated alternative sources of nutrients to improve the soil fertility status and yield of maize-wheat succession in Southern Brazil. The treatments were: T1: no fertilization; T2: liming with dolomitic marble; T3: alternative liming (AL) with limestone interbedded with shale; T4: AL + 50% P - with Arad natural phosphate (P-ANP) + 50% P – triple superphosphate (P-TSP); T5: AL + 100% P-ANP; T6: AL + 100% P-ANP + 100% K-rich monzogranite; T7: AL + 100% P-ANP + 100% N (50% N from tung pressed cake (N-TPC) + 50% N-urea); T8: AL + 100% P-ANP + 100% K-rich monzogranite + 100% N (50% N-TPC + 50% N-Urea) + 100% S; T9: AL + regional average rate of NPK (5-20-20) formulation. Except for T7 and T8, all treatments received the full recommended rate of N through Urea. Immediate and residual effects were evaluated over 2.5 years (90, 360 and 900 days) on soil fertility and maize - wheat yield. The limestone interbedded with shale released Ca, Mg and corrected soil acidity similarly to dolomitic marble. The fertilization strategies used in T4, T7 and T8 presented the highest cumulative productivities while T3 (U$ = 1223), T9 (U$ = 1174) and T4 (U$ = 1122) resulted in higher profits than the other evaluated fertilization strategies. The limestone interbedded with shale (T3), alone or combined with 50% of P-ANP + 50% of P – TSP (T4) provided the best economical and technical results, highlighting the potential of selected alternative regional sources for soil fertility improvement and plant-nutrients supply.
GWAS of Dizygotic Twinning in an Enlarged Australian Sample of Mothers of DZ Twins
- Scott D. Gordon, David L. Duffy, David C. Whiteman, Catherine M. Olsen, Kerrie McAloney, Jessica M. Adsett, Natalie A. Garden, Simone M. Cross, Susan E. List-Armitage, Joy Brown, Jeffrey J. Beck, Hamdi Mbarek, Sarah E. Medland, Grant W. Montgomery, Nicholas G. Martin
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- Journal:
- Twin Research and Human Genetics / Volume 26 / Issue 6 / December 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 23 November 2023, pp. 327-338
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Female fertility is a complex trait with age-specific changes in spontaneous dizygotic (DZ) twinning and fertility. To elucidate factors regulating female fertility and infertility, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on mothers of spontaneous DZ twins (MoDZT) versus controls (3273 cases, 24,009 controls). This is a follow-up study to the Australia/New Zealand (ANZ) component of that previously reported (Mbarek et al., 2016), with a sample size almost twice that of the entire discovery sample meta-analysed in the previous article (and five times the ANZ contribution to that), resulting from newly available additional genotyping and representing a significant increase in power. We compare analyses with and without male controls and show unequivocally that it is better to include male controls who have been screened for recent family history, than to use only female controls. Results from the SNP based GWAS identified four genomewide significant signals, including one novel region, ZFPM1 (Zinc Finger Protein, FOG Family Member 1), on chromosome 16. Previous signals near FSHB (Follicle Stimulating Hormone beta subunit) and SMAD3 (SMAD Family Member 3) were also replicated (Mbarek et al., 2016). We also ran the GWAS with a dominance model that identified a further locus ADRB2 on chr 5. These results have been contributed to the International Twinning Genetics Consortium for inclusion in the next GWAS meta-analysis (Mbarek et al., in press).
Agricultural Research Service Weed Science Research: Past, Present, and Future
- Stephen L. Young, James V. Anderson, Scott R. Baerson, Joanna Bajsa-Hirschel, Dana M. Blumenthal, Chad S. Boyd, Clyde D. Boyette, Eric B. Brennan, Charles L. Cantrell, Wun S. Chao, Joanne C. Chee-Sanford, Charlie D. Clements, F. Allen Dray, Stephen O. Duke, Kayla M. Eason, Reginald S. Fletcher, Michael R. Fulcher, John F. Gaskin, Brenda J. Grewell, Erik P. Hamerlynck, Robert E. Hoagland, David P. Horvath, Eugene P. Law, John D. Madsen, Daniel E. Martin, Clint Mattox, Steven B. Mirsky, William T. Molin, Patrick J. Moran, Rebecca C. Mueller, Vijay K. Nandula, Beth A. Newingham, Zhiqiang Pan, Lauren M. Porensky, Paul D. Pratt, Andrew J. Price, Brian G. Rector, Krishna N. Reddy, Roger L. Sheley, Lincoln Smith, Melissa C. Smith, Keirith A. Snyder, Matthew A. Tancos, Natalie M. West, Gregory S. Wheeler, Martin M. Williams, Julie Wolf, Carissa L. Wonkka, Alice A. Wright, Jing Xi, Lew H. Ziska
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- Journal:
- Weed Science / Volume 71 / Issue 4 / July 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 16 August 2023, pp. 312-327
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) has been a leader in weed science research covering topics ranging from the development and use of integrated weed management (IWM) tactics to basic mechanistic studies, including biotic resistance of desirable plant communities and herbicide resistance. ARS weed scientists have worked in agricultural and natural ecosystems, including agronomic and horticultural crops, pastures, forests, wild lands, aquatic habitats, wetlands, and riparian areas. Through strong partnerships with academia, state agencies, private industry, and numerous federal programs, ARS weed scientists have made contributions to discoveries in the newest fields of robotics and genetics, as well as the traditional and fundamental subjects of weed–crop competition and physiology and integration of weed control tactics and practices. Weed science at ARS is often overshadowed by other research topics; thus, few are aware of the long history of ARS weed science and its important contributions. This review is the result of a symposium held at the Weed Science Society of America’s 62nd Annual Meeting in 2022 that included 10 separate presentations in a virtual Weed Science Webinar Series. The overarching themes of management tactics (IWM, biological control, and automation), basic mechanisms (competition, invasive plant genetics, and herbicide resistance), and ecosystem impacts (invasive plant spread, climate change, conservation, and restoration) represent core ARS weed science research that is dynamic and efficacious and has been a significant component of the agency’s national and international efforts. This review highlights current studies and future directions that exemplify the science and collaborative relationships both within and outside ARS. Given the constraints of weeds and invasive plants on all aspects of food, feed, and fiber systems, there is an acknowledged need to face new challenges, including agriculture and natural resources sustainability, economic resilience and reliability, and societal health and well-being.
New-Onset Bipolar Disorder in Late Life: a case report and review of literature
- A. Sanz Giancola, E. Arroyo Sánchez, P. Setién Preciados, M. Martín Velasco, I. Romero Gerechter, C. Díaz Mayoral
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S691
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Introduction
The elderly represents the fastest growing group of the population. It is fair to assume that the portion of old age patients suffering from bipolar disorder will grow in a similar manner. Elderly patients represent approximately 25% of the bipolar population. Summarizing, 5–10% of patients were 50 years of age when they experienced their first manic episode, constituting the subgroup of late onset bipolar disorder (LOBD).
ObjectivesThe purpose of this case report and literature review is to emphasise the importance of LOBD in old population and to highlight its still sparse-knowledge.
MethodsDescriptive case study and review of literature (Arnold,I. et al. Old Age Bipolar Disorder—Epidemiology, Aetiology and Treatment. Medicina 2021,57,587; Baldessarini et al. Onset-age of bipolar disorders at six international sites. J Affect Disord 2010;121(1-2):143-6).
ResultsA 60-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department for evaluation by her family. Over the past 7 days, the patient has become increasingly irritable and argumentative, is sleeping less, is talking faster than usual and has begun to express paranoid concerns about her students “stealing my exam”. The patient is a university professor.
In the assessment interview she is hyperverbal, expansive, and grandiose. The family has also just recently discovered that she has spent a large sum of money on the Internet.
She has no history of psychiatric contact or substance use disorders; however, she has a family history of severe depression.
In the absence of any plausible non-psychiatric condition that could mimic or induce mania, the working diagnosis is bipolar I disorder, most recent episode (MRE) manic with psychotic features.
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ConclusionsThe share of older age bipolar disorder will grow constantly in the next decades and further research on this neglected patient group is urgently required.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Lithium management in pregnant patients with bipolar disorder
- I. Romero Gerechter, M. Martín Velasco, A. Sanz Giancola, E. Arroyo Sánchez, C. Díaz Mayoral, P. Setien Preciados
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S198
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Introduction
Women with bipolar disorder often ask their treating clinician for information about family planning, as they are concerned about the impact of their illness on offspring. Pregnancy places additional stress on patients, and physiological changes are particularly acute during postpartum. On the other hand, the risk of abnormalities and teratogenicity from psychotropic drugs is significant. The decision wether resuming or discontinuating lithium is discussed.
ObjectivesWe present a theoretical review on the topic.
MethodsA bibliographic review is presented.
ResultsThe choice to continue medication during pregnancy balances the risks of an untreated illness with the risks of medication exposure. Abrupt discontinuation of psychotropic medications is associated with an increased risk for illness recurrence. Women with BD who discontinue their medications before or during pregnancy have a 71% risk of recurrence with new episodes occurring most frequently in the first trimester. Recurrent illness during pregnancy is associated with a 66% increase in the risk of postpartum episodes. Untreated or under-treated BD during pregnancy is associated with poor birth outcomes independent of pharmacotherapy exposure, including preterm birth, low birth-weight, intrauterine growth retardation, small for gestational age, fetal distress, and adverse neurodeve- lopmental outcomes. Women with untreated BD also have behavioral risk factors such as decreased compliance with prenatal care, poor nutrition, and high-risk behaviors. Impaired capacity to function may result in loss of employment, health care benefits, and social support. The biological and psychosocial risks of a BD episode are the justification for the risk of medication exposure.
Fetal exposure to lithium has been associated with an increased risk for cardiac abnormalities. The risk for Ebstein’s anomaly with first trimester exposure is 1 (0.1%) to 2 in 1000 (0.2%), but the absolute risk remains low. Folate supplementation with 5 mg reduces the risk and severity of congenital heart disease. Lithium toxicity causes lethargy, hypotonia, tachycardia, coma, cyanosis, and chronic twitching in the newborn.
Strategies to minimize fetal exposure and maintain efficacy include using the lowest effective dose, prescribing lithium twice daily to avoid high peak serum concentrations, and regular monitoring of lithium serum concentrations. The effective serum concentration must be established before pregnancy. If a therapeutic concentration has not been established, the lithium dose is titrated to a concentration within the therapeutic range. Breast feeding is discouraged in women taking lithium because of the high rate of transmission to the infant.
ConclusionsTreatment decisions for pregnant women with mood disorders must weigh the potential for increased risks of lithium during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, against its effectiveness at reducing relapse.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Clozapine use in drug induced psychosis in Parkinson´s disease: a case report and review of literature.
- A. Sanz Giancola, P. Setién Preciados, E. Arroyo Sánchez, I. Romero Gerecther, M. Martín Velasco, C. Díaz Mayoral
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S1041
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Introduction
The occurrence of psychotic symptoms induced by dopaminergic drugs marks a new phase in the course of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The term drug induced psychosis may be used when other significant psychiatric diseases are excluded in patients with no history of psychosis. The prevalence of dopaminomimetic psychosis varies from 5% to 20%. Therefore, knowledge of the psychopharmacological management of this condition is essential.
ObjectivesThe purpose of this case report and literature review is to to learn the psychopharmacological management of this not uncommon medical complication.
MethodsDescriptive case study and review of literature
ResultsWe present the case of a 71-year-old man with a medical history of Parkinson’s disease with partial response to treatment with high doses of levodopa and carbidopa.
He was brought to the emergency department by his family due to the presence of behavioural alterations at home.
The patient reported seeing men in foam trying to harm his family. In a disjointed way in his speech, he links this idea with the delusional belief that he is being watched by electronic devices placed throughout the house. In a variegated manner he links this with a coelotypical type of discourse, however the delusional ideation remains unstructured throughout.
With no previous personal or family history of mental health and ruling out underlying organic conditions, a diagnosis of psychosis secondary to pharmacological treatment for Parkinson’s disease is presumed.
Considering the risks and benefits, it was decided to maintain the anti-Parkinson’s dose in order to avoid worsening the patient’s motor function. Therefore, after reviewing the literature, the best option was to introduce clozapine at low doses, up to 50 mg at night, with the respective analytical control. After a week’s admission, the patient began to improve psychopathologically, achieving an ad integrum resolution of the psychotic symptoms.
ConclusionsDespite the availability of other antipsychotic treatments such as quetiapine or the more recent pimavanserin, clozapine remains the treatment of choice for drug-induced psychosis in Parkinson’s disease.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
An interesting clinical case. New therapies in Dissociative Identity Disorder.
- P. García Vázquez, E. Seijo Zazo, C. Vilellla Martin, A. Serrano García, C. M. Franch Pato, E. Martína Gil, C. Alvarez Vazquez
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S970-S971
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Introduction
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) also referred as multiple personality disorder is a chronic post-traumatic condition. It is characterized according to DSM-5 by “disruption of identity characterized by two or more distinct personality states”, with “marked discontinuity in sense of self… accompanied by related alterations in affect, behavior, consciousness, memory, perception, cognition, and/or sensory-motor functioning.”
ObjectivesHere, we present a case of a 33-year-old Caucasian female with no psychiatric history until 2 years ago, privately. The patient is admitted to the Psychiatry Service due to worsening. During admission, consultations are made to the Neurology Service and the Neurophysiology Service, who request an electroencephalogram, an MRI and a brain scan, resulting in normality.
After discharge, she returns home with her parents, and the crisis become more frequent and of longer duration. She acknowledges that during these periods she is dominated by her alternate personality, which she is unaware of until her family informs her. This personality is a demon, who verbally assaults and even physically threatens her surroundings, and can hardly be controlled by the prayers of her family.
MethodsDespite psychopharmacological treatment, as well as the cognitive-behavioral therapy carried out by the patient for more than two years, there was no improvement. Once she comes to the consultation, it is decided to carry out a therapy guided by the central Rogerian attitudes, originating a process of empathic resonance of the therapist, which influences the experience of the patient. Three main interventions are carried out, the awareness of the disease, the regulation of the intensity of this experience, to maintain the attention and the exploration of what guides the change. After carrying out this intervention, the patient is currently asymptomatic.
ResultsCurrently, there are not evidence-based treatment guidelines. The most common approach is individual psychodynamic psychotherapy according to practice-based guidelines initiated by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
To handle the present case, we used a model with two pillars, the patient’s commitment and the investigation of microprocesses within a process of experiential exploration, in which the therapist is a facilitator of reflective attention and experimental awareness.
ConclusionsThe torpid evolution suffered by the patient, with little clinical improvement to the interventions carried out, and the absence of evidence on the treatment, led to a therapeutic approach focused on the empathic resonance process of the therapist, with good results.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Moria or Mania? Manic symptoms as the clinical manifestation of glioblastoma recurrence: a case report
- F. Mayor Sanabria, M. E. Expósito Durán, M. Fernández Fariña, C. E. Regueiro Martín-Albo, M. Paz Otero, I. Alberdi Páramo, B. Rodado León
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S520
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Introduction
Up to 50% of patients with brain tumors experience psychiatric symptoms, and rates up to 80% have been reported in malignant neoplasms such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Still, clinical presentation as mania-like syndromes is a rare phenomenon, mainly occurring when frontal structures are compromised.
We present the case of a 42-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital due to manic symptoms coinciding with a recurrence of a bifrontal GBM, for which she underwent surgery 5 months prior.
Objectives1) To describe the clinical particularities of this case, focusing on the differential diagnosis.
2) To review the association between manic symptoms and frontal dysfunction caused by brain tumors, with special interest on GBM.
MethodsA review of the patient’s clinical history and complementary tests performed was carried out. Likewise, we reviewed the available literature in relation to manic symptoms related to brain tumors.
ResultsThe patient’s GBM recurrence presented with late onset symptoms of mania, including euphoric mood, increased spending, ideas of grandiosity and hyper-religiosity. She had no previous psychiatric history but, interestingly, she had an extensive affective burden in her family, with 4 consummated suicides. However, she also presented other clinical signs, such as disorientation, perseveration, mild memory impairment and stereotyped motor behaviors, that pointed to relevant frontal lobe dysfunction, suggesting Moria as a possible contribution for the symptoms described.
Manic symptoms in the context of brain tumors appear in 7-15% of patients with psychiatric symptoms, usually associated with right frontal dysfunction (75% of cases). Bifrontal affectation, such as this patient, is only described in 6% of cases. Although fast growing, malignant tumors have been associated with higher rates of psychiatric symptoms, no correlation has been described between these and brain tumor histology.
Conclusions- The presence of atypical manic symptoms, such as those presented in this case, should raise clinical concern for secondary mania.
- Moria shares similarities with mania, including mood elevation, tendency to hilarity or hyper-sexuality, that may hinder diagnosis of patients with frontal dysfunction.
- This case outlines the difficulties in making a differential diagnosis in patient with both manic and neurological signs, and highlights the implication of frontal structures in the development of manic symptoms.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Cultural factors in depressive experience and its severity: A case report
- C. Regueiro Martín-Albo, F. Mayor Sanabria, E. Expósito Durán, M. Fernández Fariña, M. Navas Tejedor
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S816
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Introduction
For a very long time, anthropologists and psychiatrists have studied how the symptomatology of mental diseases varies among cultures. Different social environments approach depression in different ways, and cultural practices and meanings influence how it develops. Culture also affects how symptoms are felt and described, how treatments are chosen, how patients and doctors interact, how likely it is that certain events, like suicide, will occur, and how professionals behave. As a result, all of these circumstances must be taken into consideration when approaching the diagnosis and management of depressive disorders. To illustrate the above, we present the case of a 31-year-old man, originally from Nigeria, who was admitted to the hospital after a suicide attempt by precipitation onto the subway tracks.
Objectives(1) To describe the clinical particularities of this case, focusing on the diagnostic difficulties we faced derived from intercultural contrasts (2) To review cross-cultural differences in the symptomatology and its implication on severity of depressive disorders.
MethodsA review of the patient’s clinical history and complementary tests performed was carried out. Likewise, a bibliographic review of the available scientific literature was also performed in relation to transcultural depressive experiences and its severity.
ResultsThere is little evidence in favor of a direct link between sociocultural factors and severe depression, but we reviewed the arguments that look significant for further research. Depressive illnesses are found in all societies and their symptomatic expression varies culturally, particularly in terms of somatization and delusional ideas. Similarly, the social and individual representations of the disease depend on the culture, and some conceptual models can increase the effects of stigmatization. These cross-cultural variations could influence the care-seeking process and therefore modulate the evolution of the disease in the sense of greater severity.
ConclusionsAll societies experience depressive disorders, which exhibit symptoms that vary culturally, especially in terms of somatization and delusional beliefs.
The care-seeking process is affected by cross-cultural differences, and as a result, the disease’s progression may also be modulated in terms of increased severity.
When we ignore cultural factors in understanding, assessing, and treating depression, we are contributing to misdiagnosis and errors in patient management.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Psychotic denial of pregnancy: case report and narrative literature review.
- M. Martín Velasco, I. Romero Gerechter, C. Díaz Mayoral, E. Arroyo Sánchez, A. Sanz Giancola, P. Setién Preciados
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S1129
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Introduction
Denial of pregnancy is the phenomenon where a woman fails to recognize or accept her pregnancy at >20 weeks gestational age. It associates with increased morbidity and mortality of mother and child, and can be classified as non-psychotic or psychotic. There is fewer medical literature regarding the latter, making it difficult to recognize, let alone to treat, since we do not have robust data regarding incidence nor approved interventions or treatment.
ObjectivesTo describe this unfamiliar entity in order to be able to perform a proper diagnosis and thus prevent possible negative outcomes.
MethodsWe present a case report alongside a narrative literature review on the topic.
ResultsWe report the case of a 39-year-old caucasian woman, foreign, undomiciled, with an advanced pregnancy, who was admitted to a Psychiatry in-patient unit due to psychotic symptoms such as mistrust and delusions. She showed scarce collaboration during assessment and did not give any plausible information about her identity. Her birthplace and prior medical records were therefore unknown. Apparently, she had no family nor social support network. Despite the obvious signs, she did not recognize being pregnant and showed great irritability when asked; her responses ranged from claiming she was suffering from a gastric tumor and making delusional attributions of symptoms clearly related to the pregnancy to partially acknowledging her state but refusing to answer any questions on the matter. Blood work showed no significant abnormalities and obstetric ultrasound revealed a low risk 35 weeks pregnancy.
With an estimated prevalence of 1:475 in general population, denial of pregnancy is not as rare as it may seem. The psychotic variant, however, is rather uncommon. Typically, women with psychotic pregnancy denial have prior history of major mental illness, most frequently schizophrenia, and suffer from extreme psychosocial vulnerability. They usually present previous or anticipated child custody loss, which hampers the process of developing antenatal attachment behaviours. Psychotic denial does not associate with concealing, since these women are mentally detached from the gestation and tend to create delusional explanations to their pregnancy symptoms. Not all of them show complete denial, some being able to acknowledge it, though mostly in an inconsistent way. These patients often fail to seek prenatal care or are noncompliant, they are at greater risk of drug exposure, and some are unable to recognize symptoms of labour, all of which increases the rate of negative outcomes for mother and baby, including neonaticide.
ConclusionsPsychotic denial is a rare diagnosis which should be properly assessed due to its clinical implications and the need to prevent potential negative outcomes for mother and baby.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Application of family therapy in a case of anorexia nervosa
- C. Díaz Mayoral, I. Romero Gerechter, E. Arroyo Sánchez, M. Martín Velasco, A. Sanz Giancola, M. Martín de Argila
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S848
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Introduction
Anorexia nervosa is a behavioral mental disorder, characterized by body dysmorphia, an intense fear of gaining weight and behaviors that interfere with this, in addition to a restriction of food intake, associated usually with medical complications, even a considerable risk of death.
Several psychotherapeutic approaches have been used along last decades. Until relatively recently, parents have been recognized as part of the problem, but nowadays we involve them into the therapeutic process through family therapy based on a systemic approach, recommended in current published clinical guidelines and research findings, with consistent evidence, as the first-line treatment of patients with anorexia nervosa.
ObjectivesA case of a patient with anorexia nervosa, is presented followed by a theoretical review on the topic.
MethodsA case is presented with a bibliographic review.
ResultsA 24-yeard-old female was hospitalized for renutrition due to a significant weight loss and multiple physical symptoms. After 4 months without progress, the patient was transferred to the psychiatric ward.
Once there, physical stabilisation was achieved with family therapy and pharmacological treatment, based on progressive administration of Clomipramine, previously assessed by Cardiology, which improved rumination and obsessive behaviour. We conduct daily individual and weekly family interviews, working on family dynamics, emotional regulation strategies and more adaptive ways of communication. Likewise, several lines of action were found in the systemic work: peripheral father; maternal over-involvement; fraternal rivalry; difficulties of interaction between all of them, derived from “the role of the sick person” and intra-family communication around the illness. Finally, showed effectiveness in terms of an improvement in interpersonal relationships, greater assertiveness and an optimistic attitude with an active search for coping strategies.
ConclusionsHistorically, parents have been recognized by a causal factor in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Nevertheless, the abolition of the emphasis on family responsibility, motivated by a philosophic and evidence-based, has allowed us to see them as an essential resource in aiding the patient in the improvement process. This parental involvement has resulted in a relevant reduction in morbidity, as well as a significant decrease treatment attrition rates. It has been noted a re-establishment in other individual and family factors such as self-esteem, quality of life, and some aspects of the experiences of caregiving, and behavioral symptoms have been resolved.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Visual hallucinosis and Linezolid use: A case report.
- M. Fernández Fariña, C. E. Regueiro Martín-Albo, M. E. Expósito Durán, F. Mayor Sanabria, Í. Alberdi Páramo
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S1012
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Introduction
We present the case of a 78-year-old man with multiple somatic pathologies and associated depressive symptoms, under treatment with Citalopram 10mg, who was admitted due to cholangitis secondary to biliary prosthetic obstruction.
Empirical antibiotic treatment with Meropenem and Linezolid was started, along with an increase in the dose of Citalopram to 20mg due to mood worsening. The patient begins with symptoms consisting of complex and polymorphic visual hallucinosis, without any affective or behavioral repercussions. He does not present another semiology of the psychotic sphere.
ObjectivesTo highlight the importance of knowing the different interactions and adverse effects of drugs for good clinical management.
MethodsWe collected the complete medical history of our patient and we carried out a review of the interactions and adverse effects described with the antibiotic drug Linezolid.
ResultsAs the onset of hallucinations was temporarily correlated with the use of medications, drug-induced hallucinations were suspected, resolving completely after 2 days after withdrawal of Linezolid treatment.
Linezolid is a nonselective inhibitor of MAO A and B, preventing the destruction of monoamine neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine. It has dopaminergic properties that may enhance the central nervous system effects of anticholinergics and co-prescription with serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
ConclusionsThis case highlights the importance of taking into account drug interactions and adverse effects to reduce the risk of drug induced symptoms and optimize their management.
The increase in resistance to antibiotic treatment allows us to anticipate that the use of Linezolid will increase in the coming years, and it is important to know its mechanism of action given the interactions with psychotropic drugs that we use in our usual clinical practice
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared