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Patricia Araújo Pereira,
Marco Aurélio Romano-Silva,
Maria Aparecida Camargos Bicalho,
Edgar Nunes de Moraes,
Leandro Malloy-Diniz,
Guilherme José Garcia Santos Pimenta,
Marina Pena Mello,
Isadora Cristine Reis Sguizzato Bozzi,
Luiz Armando de Marco, Rodrigo Nicolato,
Debora Marques Miranda
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to examinethe association between polymorphism in thecatechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT) gene and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a Brazilianpopulation. The case-control method was used to study the association between AD and geneticvariants of COMT. Six tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in the COMT gene were genotyped by RT-PCR. Ourfindings showed that the 6 tag SNPs analyzed in this study were not associated with AD at the alleleand genotype levels in comparison with the control group. No statistical difference was foundbetween groups with and without behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Ourresults do not support the hypothesis that the polymorphisms of theCOMT gene may be associated with susceptibility to AD withand without BPSD.
Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders 08/2012; 34(2):90-5. · 2.14 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To analyze the psychometric properties of the Token test (TT), a verbal comprehension test, and its applicability to the diagnosis of mild Alzheimer's disease (AD).
One hundred and sixty participants (80 AD and 80 controls) performed the TT and a short battery of neuropsychological tests designed to evaluate general cognitive status, working memory and executive functions. Internal consistency, factor structure, correlation with other measures and group comparisons were evaluated.
The test evinced good internal consistency and a bi-factorial structure (related to comprehension and attention). Differences between AD and controls were significant, however the TT presented only moderate sensitivity and specificity for the AD diagnosis.
The TT showed evidence of good psychometric properties and adequacy for characterizing comprehension deficits in AD, but it was not an appropriate test for the AD detection and diagnosis.
Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria 06/2012; 70(6):435-40. · 0.55 Impact Factor
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Gustavo E A Brito-Melo, Rodrigo Nicolato,
Antonio Carlos P de Oliveira,
Gustavo B Menezes,
Felipe J N Lélis,
Renato S Avelar,
Juliana Sá,
Moisés Evandro Bauer,
Bruno R Souza,
Antonio L Teixeira,
Helton José Reis
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ABSTRACT: Schizophrenia is characterized by a slow deteriorating mental illness. Although the pathophysiology mechanisms are not fully understood, different studies have suggested a role for the immune system in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. To date, an altered expression or signaling of neurotransmitters receptors is observed in immune cells during psychiatric disorders. In the present study, we investigated the expression of different serotonin and dopamine receptors in T-cells of schizophrenic and control patients. We used flow cytometry to determine the pattern of expression of dopamine (D2 and D4) and serotonine receptors (SR1A, SR1C, SR2A, SR2B), as well as serotonin transporter (ST), in T-cell subsets (CD4 and CD8). Expression of serotonin receptors and ST in T-cells of schizophrenic patients were not different from controls. However, the percentages of CD4+D4+ and CD8+D4+ were increased in schizophrenic patients as compared to controls. In addition, increased percentages of CD8+D2+ cells were also observed in schizophrenic patients, albeit this population revealed lower CD4+D2+ cells in comparison to controls. Interestingly, a relationship between clinical symptoms and immunological parameters was also observed. We showed that the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) were positively related to CD8+D2+ cells, though AIMS was inversely related to CD4+D4+ cells. In conclusion, the alteration in the pattern of cell population and molecules expressed by them might serve as a promising biomarker for diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Journal of psychiatric research 04/2012; 46(6):738-42. · 3.72 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The Tower of London (TOL) is used for evaluating planning skills, which is a component of the executive functions. Different versions and scoring criteria were developed for this task, and some of them present with different psychometrical properties. This study aimed to evaluate two specific scoring methods of the TOL in diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment and probable Alzheimer's disease. The TOL total scores from 60 patients of each diagnosis were compared with the performance of 60 healthy-aged controls using receiver operating characteristics analysis and multinomial logistic regression. Krikorian method better diagnosed Alzheimer's disease, while Portellas's was better at discriminating healthy controls from Mild Cognitive Impairment, but were not efficient at comparing this last group with Alzheimer's patients. Regression analysis indicates that in addition to screening tests, TOL improves the classification of the three groups. The results suggest the two scoring methods used for this task may be useful for different diagnostic purposes.
Psychological Reports 04/2012; 110(2):477-88. · 0.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Recent finding suggests that in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) executive functions deficits may be a frequent clinical finding. Automatic and Controlled attentional processes are related to the allo-cation of cognitive resources in different stimuli, being important to executive functioning. The present study aims at assessing the hypothesis of executive dysfunction deficits in MCI patients. Method: forty five MCI patients and forty five normal aging controls (NC) were assessed with the Five Digits Test (5D), a Mini-Verbal test version of the Stroop Test. Group comparisons were performed by t tests and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Results: comparisons indicates significant differences between NC and MCI in efficiency measures of controlled attentional processes, with moderate effect sizes, but not in automatic attentional processes or processing speed. Conclusion: the present work shows a selective pat-tern of impairment in MCI, indicating specific deficits in executive functioning with spared processing speed.
Psychology. 01/2012; 3(5-2152-7180):379-383.
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ABSTRACT: The Tower of London (TOL) is a task used for assessing planning skills, a component of the executive functions. The present study aimed to investigate the contribution of TOL for the assessment of planning skills of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients. We also aimed to evaluate two specific scoring methods of the TOL’s correction (Krikorian’s x Portela’s score method). Ninety six participants were included in this study (53 females; mean age 75.18 + / -7.31 years) - 35 healthy controls, 30 amnestic MCI and 35 multiple domain amnestic MCI. Our results show that only multiple domains amnestic MCI performed worse than the control group. Furthermore, adding the TOL (considering both Krikorian
and Portela’s method) to the Mini-Mental State Exam the correct classification of subjects according to its diagnostics improves significantly. Our finding suggests that both Krikorian’s and Portella’s score method for TOL have good psychometric properties considering the assessment of executive impairment in elderly subjects.
Revista Neuropsiscología Latinoamericana. 01/2012; 4(2-2075-9479):16-21.
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ABSTRACT: Abstract. This paper aims at reviewing the literature on the use of Rey’s Verbal Auditory Learning Test (RAVLT) with respect to its potential contribution to the differential diagnosis between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease. We researched articles published in the last ten years, indexed in the databases of PubMed and Lilacs, which were designed to evaluate the use of the RAVLT
in the diagnosis of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Thirty-seven studies were selected according to the methodology outlined. Seventeen items assessed the utility of the RAVLT test in neuropsychological assessment of de-mentia is usefulness to differentiate AD and normal development and twenty studies investigated the performance of normal elderly on RAVLT or how the factors age, education and gender may influence the performance in the test. Weconclude that the RAVLT is an effective tool to assist in the differential diagnosis between normal and pathological aging. It is necessary, however, further stud-ies on regulation of it to evaluate the different dementia syndromes.
Contextos Clínicos 01/2012; 5(1-1983-3482):10-25.
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ABSTRACT: Background: The Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) is widely used for the assessment of episodic memory. However, there are few studies in Brazil assessing its psychometric properties. Objectives: To search for evidence of reliability and construct validity of the RAVLT, and to assess the influence of age,
schooling, gender, and depressive symptoms on test performance. Methods: One hundred twenty-six healthy older adults (aged 60 and over) performed the RAVLT, Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Reliability was assessed by analysis of internal
consistency, and construct validity by factor analysis and correlations with the MMSE and CDT. The influence of age, schooling and depressive symptoms was estimated by conducting linear regression analysis, and the role of gender by comparing the performance of males and females. Results: The RAVLT showed a high internal consistency, weak correlations with the MMSE and CDT, and a bifactorial structure, which is related to the processes of learning and episodic memory retrieval. Only age and gender affected test performance. Discussion: Our results provide evidence of reliability and construct validity in the tested
RAVLT version, attesting its potential for clinical and research purposes for the Brazilian elderly population.
Revista de Psiquiatria Clínica 01/2012; 39(1-0101-6083):19-23. · 0.50 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: OObjective: Executive functions and processing speed assessment in subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are often made by use of classical neuropsychological tasks (e.g.: Stroop Color Word Test). Drawbacks in instruments like the chromatic and linguistic properties of the SCWT have limited its application in elderly. An alternative are the Mini-Verbal Tests (MVT) where language content is kept on a minimum. We evaluate the use of a MVT version of the Stroop paradigm in the assessment of a mixed clinical group of older adults and its relation with global cognitive impairment. Method: In a case-control study, we examined 114 subjects divided in four groups: 30 AD, 30 MCI, 24 MDD, and 30 community-dwelling normal aged controls (NAC) with the Five Digit Test (5D) a MVT adaptation of the SCWT, in low educated older adults. The four groups were compared by one-way ANOVA in the processing speed, inhibition and cognitive shifting components of 5D. Results: Our results suggest that the processing speed impairments may be a more consistent finding in diffuse neurological damage cases as dementia, or chronic mood disorders, although the inhibition deficits may be a more specific feature of the dementia. The shifting component of the 5D have also shown good clinical validity in the characterization of MDD patients (which shown a slower performance when compared to NAC) and AD (where an expressive amount of patients were unable to perform the task and error were more frequently). Conclusion: The 5D seems a valuable tool for the assessment of processing speed and executive functions in the clinical population of Brazilians low educated older adults, being an alternative to the classic SCWT.
Clinical Neuropsychiatry 12/2011; 8(6-1724-4935):339-346.
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ABSTRACT: A large body of evidence suggests that several aspects of face processing are impaired in autism and that this impairment might be hereditary. This study was aimed at assessing facial emotion recognition in parents of children with autism and its associations with a functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter (5HTTLPR).
We evaluated 40 parents of children with autism and 41 healthy controls. All participants were administered the Penn Emotion Recognition Test (ER40) and were genotyped for 5HTTLPR.
Our study showed that parents of children with autism performed worse in the facial emotion recognition test than controls. Analyses of error patterns showed that parents of children with autism over-attributed neutral to emotional faces. We found evidence that 5HTTLPR polymorphism did not influence the performance in the Penn Emotion Recognition Test, but that it may determine different error patterns.
Facial emotion recognition deficits are more common in first-degree relatives of autistic patients than in the general population, suggesting that facial emotion recognition is a candidate endophenotype for autism.
Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 09/2011; 33(3):261-7. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Objective: This transversal study aims to evaluate the discriminant validity of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) by comparing a sample of normal elderly with a patient at the initial stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Age and educational attainment matched patients at the initial stages of Alzheimer’s disease (n = 35) and normal elderly (n = 35) were submitted to the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Mini Mental State Examination and the Geriatric Depression Scale. The performance of the two groups was compared using the Mann-Whitney test at each stage of the RAVLT and by ROC analysis the discriminant validity of the test in both populations was evaluated. r esults: The group at the initial stages of Alzheimer’s disease had significantly worse performance in all steps of the RAVLT compared to the control group, and the steps showed good diagnostic power, with areas under the curve ranging between 0.806 and 0.989 (A1 = 0,806; A2 = 0,869; A3 = 0,958; A4 = 0,947; A5 = 0,989; A6 = 0,962; A7 = 0,985; TOTAL = 0,975; LOT = 0,895; REC = 0 ,915). Conclusion: The results suggest that the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test is effective for discriminating normal elderly seniors from the ones in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Jornal brasileiro de psiquiatria 01/2011; 60(4-004720-85):253-258.
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ABSTRACT: Male patient, 81 years, referred by Geriatry to Geriatric Psychiatry by presenting agitation,
aggression and delusions . Initial evaluation raises doubts about the characteristics of delusions
of grandeur and its differentiation from pseudologia fantastica or vain mythomania. He
presents narcissist ic personality traits . It is also discussed the possibility of confabulations.
Expansive hyperthymia in the past and present, but the changes of the imagination does not
always depend on the expansion of humor. The patient claims to be the owner of "REFER", a
term related to Rede Ferroviária (n etwork rail) , where he worked, to have had several careers,
and to own several buildings of great value. He exalts himself with relatives when challenged.
He reported to be an aircraft commander and to have helped pilots on a trip, as well as to have
received a commenda tion from the Order of Lawyers. In a psychodynamic point of view , he
remains trough his beliefs as self - sufficient and authoritative provider of the family. There are
reports of forgetfulness since 2008 and worsening of spatial orientation. Informants d eny
progressive deterioration in memory deficit ( confirmed by follow - up with Mini- Mental), but the
functional loss appeared to be progressive : he can’t turn on the television or use the phone .
Today he is t otal dependent on i nstrumental activities of daily living - ADL ( employed Lawton -
Brody S cale) and partially dependent for basic ADL ( employed Katz Index). He presents
apraxia , as some difficulty buttoning his shirt. Neuropsychological tests indicate dement ia, as
well as the imaging studies ( mixed dementia). Remaining laboratory findings do not justify the
neuro psychiatric condition. The diagnostic hypotheses are of mixed dementia, late paraphrenia
or delusional disorder - content of grandeur ( delusions were not bizarre and there were no
changes in sensory perception , hence it was excluded schizophrenia), also late bipolar
disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder. There remains the question whether changes of
the imagination, at least in the initial st age , would correspond to pseudologia fantastica, and to
what extent this would be associated with delusions of grandeur in this case. From the
standpoint of general practice, there are also diagnostic impressions of hypertension , benign
prostatic hyperplas ia , kidney stones, pangastritis , CKD class 2 ( mild), hypovitaminosis B12
(with regular replacement) and hypertensive hypertrophic cardiopathy with preserved systolic
function. S everal prescriptions are mentioned, and the introduction of galantamine . It fol lows
discussion, which includes the possibility that hypomanic patients act as opposed to what
happens in depressive pseudodementia, namely with a deceptive performance or hyp omanic
pseudohealthiness, which c an in initial dementias undesirably delay specif ic treatment and the
use of anticholinesterasic agent.
Casos Clín Psiquiatria. 01/2011; 13:15.
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Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 09/2009; 34(1):233-5. · 3.25 Impact Factor
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Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 09/2009; 31(3):286-7. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 07/2009; 31(2):188-9. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 01/2009; 30(4):399-400. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences 01/2009; 21(4):477. · 2.34 Impact Factor
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Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 10/2008; 30(3):299-300. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: There is a growing body of evidence implicating the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. As circulating BDNF levels may reflect the BDNF levels in the brain, we assessed serum BDNF in 40 institutionalized schizophrenic patients and 20 healthy controls. Serum BNDF levels were significantly increased in schizophrenic patients when compared to control subjects (p<0.001). Interestingly, serum BDNF correlated positively with the clinical scores at the negative subscale of the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) (r=0.41; p<0.01). Our results confirm the emergent literature on the involvement of BDNF in schizophrenia.
Neuroscience Letters 08/2008; 439(2):157-9. · 2.11 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Inflammatory and immune alterations occur and may be relevant in patients with schizophrenia. Chemokines are a subgroup of cytokines that play a major role in the recruitment of determined subsets of leukocytes into tissues. To date no study has evaluated whether levels of chemokines are altered in patients with schizophrenia.
To evaluate serum levels of CC and CXC chemokines of schizophrenic patients and age- and gender-matched controls.
Forty male institutionalized schizophrenic patients (mean+/-SD age, 52.3+/-9.9) and 20 asymptomatic matched controls were recruited for this study. Severity of symptoms was assessed using BPRS, PANSS and AIMS. All patients were under typical antipsychotic treatment. Serum concentrations of chemokines were measured by ELISA.
There was no statistical difference in serum levels of CCL2, CCL3, CCL24, CXCL9 and CXCL10 between controls and patients. Serum levels of CCL11 were increased in schizophrenic patients when compared to controls. Serum levels of chemokines were not correlated with the length of disease or hospitalization and the severity of involuntary movements, positive and/or negative symptoms.
CCL11 is a ligand for CCR3, a receptor expressed preferentially on Th2 lymphocytes, mast cells and eosinophils. Higher serum levels of CCL11 in schizophrenia reinforce the view that this disease may be associated with a Th1/Th2 imbalance with a shift toward a Th2 immune response.
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 05/2008; 32(3):710-4. · 3.25 Impact Factor
