Levels of inflammatory markers are differentially expressed in sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait.

Although sickle cell anemia (SCA) is related to inflammation, the profile of inflammatory markers in sickle cell trait (SCT) is poorly studied. This is a cross-sectional study of inflammatory biomarkers carried out involving adults with SCA in steady state, SCT and controls. The SCA group had higher levels of lactato dehydrogenase, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha than the others, while the SCT group had similar levels to control group.

We need to move more: Neurobiological hypotheses of physical exercise as a treatment for Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases in the world. The degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and chronic inflammation impair specific brain areas, which in turn result in lesser motor control, behavioral changes and cognitive decline. Nowadays, drug-treatments are the foremost approaches in treating PD.

Comparison of strength training, aerobic training, and additional physical therapy as supplementary treatments for Parkinson's disease: pilot study.

Introduction: Physical rehabilitation is commonly used in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) to improve their health and alleviate the symptoms.

Objective: We compared the effects of three programs, strength training (ST), aerobic training (AT), and physiotherapy, on motor symptoms, functional capacity, and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in PD patients.

Methods: Twenty-two patients were recruited and randomized into three groups: AT (70% of maximum heart rate), ST (80% of one repetition maximum), and physiotherapy (in groups).

Muscle strength and executive function as complementary parameters for the assessment of impairment in Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the quantitative results of functional and cognitive performance of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and disease severity; and to study the relationship between patients' functional and cognitive capacity and motor impairment (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale - UPDRS III).

Method: Twenty-nine subjects clinically diagnosed with PD were classified into three groups according to disease severity using the modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale (H&Y). They were submitted to functional (Senior Fitness Test) and neuropsychological tests.

EEG frontal asymmetry in the depressed and remitted elderly: is it related to the trait or to the state of depression?

Background: Over the last 30 years, frontal EEG asymmetry has been investigated with regards to the study of emotion, motivation, and psychopathology.

Method: We analyzed the frontal alpha asymmetry, depressive symptoms with a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and quality of life with a Short Form Health Survey-36® (SF-36®) in depressed (n=12), remitted (n=8) and non-depressed (n=7) elderly subjects. We also evaluated the correlation between the frontal EEG asymmetry and physical and mental aspects of SF-36®.