Publications (101) View all
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Chapter: Theory of mind und self-projection.
11/2012: pages 111-120; , ISBN: 3642249159 -
Article: Resuscitating the heart but losing the brain: brain atrophy in the aftermath of cardiac arrest.
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ABSTRACT: Many survivors of cardiac arrest are left with considerable long-term impairments due to a transient ischemic state of the brain. Neuropsychologists identified a wide range of neuropsychological deficits in these patients besides the well-known amnesic syndrome. To date, there is no complete and unbiased documentation of the affected brain areas in vivo. We aimed to identify the brain tissue atrophy underlying the observed neuropsychological deficits in a case-control study. We measured gray matter loss by voxel-based morphometry of 3-T structural magnetic resonance images in a sample of 12 patients who had had cardiac arrest with successful subsequent resuscitation in comparison with 12 individually age- and sex-matched control subjects. Such data are rare because many of these patients wear cardiac pacemakers. We found extensive reductions of gray matter volumes in the anterior, medial, and posterior cingulate cortex, the precuneus, the insular cortex, the posterior hippocampus, and the dorsomedial thalamus in tight correlation with neuropsychological impairments, namely, amnestic deficits and apathy. The identified neuroanatomical pattern of brain tissue loss substantiates the reports of wide-ranging neuropsychological impairments in patients after cardiac arrest.Neurology 01/2010; 74(4):306-12. · 8.31 Impact Factor -
Article: Elevated S100B levels in schizophrenia are associated with insulin resistance.
Molecular psychiatry 01/2010; 15(1):3-4. · 15.05 Impact Factor -
Article: Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system - treatment with steroids?
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ABSTRACT: Steroids have been suggested as a therapeutic option for superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (SSCNS) without identifiable bleeding source. Longitudinal observational data of a patient with idiopathic SSCNS who was repeatedly treated with methylprednisolone over a course of 2 years are reported. The case history is critically discussed on the background of the sparse literature. In conclusion, if at all, there is only a limited and temporary, mostly subjective clinical response to steroids in SSCNS. Systematic studies of this medication in SSCNS do not seem warranted. Pathophysiological considerations hopefully may lead to more helpful medications for this chronic and debilitating disorder.Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics 10/2009; 34(5):603-5. · 1.57 Impact Factor -
Article: S100B serum levels are closely correlated with body mass index: an important caveat in neuropsychiatric research.
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ABSTRACT: Elevated blood levels of S100B in neuropsychiatric disorders have so far been mainly attributed to glial pathologies. However, increases or dysfunction of adipose tissue may be alternatively responsible. Our study assessed S100B serum levels in 60 adult subjects without a prior history of neuropsychiatric disorders. S100B concentrations were closely correlated with the body mass index (BMI, range 18-45 kg/m(2)) as well as levels of leptin and adipocyte-type fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP/FABP4) that are well-known adipose-related factors. Effect sizes as measured by Cohen's d indicated medium (0.8 > d > 0.5) to strong effects (d > 0.9) of BMI on S100B blood levels. In conclusion, physiological S100B levels in humans appear to closely reflect adipose tissue mass, which should therefore be considered as an important confounding factor in clinical studies examining the role of S100B.Psychoneuroendocrinology 09/2009; 35(2):321-4. · 5.81 Impact Factor
