An association study between Heme oxygenase-1 genetic variants and Parkinson's disease.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) supplies brain tissues with nutrients, filters harmful compounds from the brain back to the bloodstream, and plays a key role in iron homeostasis in the human brain. Disruptions of the BBB are associated with several neurodegenerative conditions including Parkinson's disease (PD). Oxidative stress, iron deposition and mitochondrial impaired function are considered as risk factors for degeneration of the central nervous system.

A polymorphism located at an ATG transcription start site of the heme oxygenase-2 gene is associated with classical Parkinson's disease.

Aim: Oxidative stress and iron deposition is related to Parkinson's disease (PD). Heme oxygenase 2 (HMOX2) catalyzes the cleavage of the heme ring to form biliverdin with release of iron and carbon monoxide. This study aims to analyze variations in the HMOX2 gene in patients with PD.

[Depression in cancer patients: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations].

Background And Aims: Oncologic diseases currently have a high prevalence and present as one of the leading causes of death in the western world. Clinical depression and emotional distress are often the outcome of the threat these diseases present to individual existence. Although its precise determination is hampered by methodological problems, up to 50% of cancer patients may become clinically depressed and experience intense personal distress.

LINGO1 gene analysis in Parkinson's disease phenotypes.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET) may share some etiopathogenic factors. A genome-wide association study has shown that LINGO1 gene variants are associated with increased risk of ET. We hypothesized that LINGO1 variants could increase susceptibility to PD.

48,XXYY in a General Adult Psychiatry Department.

The 48,XXYY syndrome is a distinct clinical and genetic entity, with an incidence of 1:17,000 to 1:50,000 newborns. Patients often access mental healthcare services due to behavior problems, such as aggressiveness and impulsiveness, and are frequently intellectually disabled. We report a case of a patient with 48,XXYY syndrome treated in a general adult psychiatry department.

Heart failure and depression: an association with clinical importance.

Major depression is found in one fifth of heart failure patients, and clinically significant depressive symptoms in almost half. The association of depression and heart failure appears to be related both to the psychological aspects of severe heart disease, and to pathophysiological and psychosocial mechanisms. The presence of depression is associated with a worsening of the prognosis, and increased risk of death, rehospitalization, and functional decline.

Genetic variability of histamine receptors in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Changes in the density and expression of histamine receptors (HRH) have been detected in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, and HRH antagonists bring about improvements in motor and other symptoms, thus suggesting that HRH play a role in the clinical response of PD patients. This study is aimed to analyse polymorphic variations of HRH in patients with PD.

Methods: Leukocytary DNA from 195 PD patients and a control group of 231 unrelated healthy individuals was studied for the nonsynonymous HRH1Leu449Ser and the promoter HRH2G-1018A polymorphisms by using amplification-restriction analyses.

Nonsynonymous polymorphisms of histamine-metabolising enzymes in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To analyze genetically based impairment in histamine-metabolising enzymes in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: Leukocytary DNA from 214 PD patients and a control group of 295 unrelated healthy individuals was studied for nonsynonymous histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) and diamine oxidase (ABP1) polymorphisms by using amplification-restriction analyses.

Results: An association of the HNMT Thr105Ile polymorphism, but not of the ABP1 His645Asp polymorphism, with PD was observed.