A generic operational strategy to qualify translational safety biomarkers.

The importance of using translational safety biomarkers that can predict, detect and monitor drug-induced toxicity during human trials is becoming increasingly recognized. However, suitable processes to qualify biomarkers in clinical studies have not yet been established. There is a need to define clear scientific guidelines to link biomarkers to clinical processes and clinical endpoints.

Neurokinin B, neurotensin, and cannabinoid receptor antagonists and Parkinson disease.

The neuropeptides neurokinin B, neurotensin, and anandamide, the endogenous ligands of NK3, NT1, and CB1 receptors respectively, are known to interact with brain dopaminergic transmission. This study evaluated the effects of these three antagonists of the NK3 (SR 142801), neurotensin (SR 48692), and cannabinoid (SR 141716) receptors on the severity of motor symptoms and levodopa-induced dyskinesias after administration of a single dose of levodopa in 24 patients with Parkinson disease. In this exploratory randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, at the dose used, the drugs tested were well tolerated and could not improve parkinsonian motor disability.

Long-term prognosis of symptomatic lacunar infarcts. A hospital-based study.

Background And Purpose: This study concerns the long-term prognosis of lacunar infarcts.

Methods: We report the analysis of our hospital-based series of 178 patients consecutively admitted for a lacunar syndrome due to a lacunar infarct diagnosed with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Demographic data, medical history, vascular risk factors, and imaging data were recorded for each patient.

[Association of lacunar infarction and intracerebral hematoma].

Five out of 160 cases of lacunar infarcts were preceded or followed by intracerebral hemorrhage. Four patients were hypertensive. This association raises the question of a common risk factor in lacunar infarct and intracranial hemorrhage.

[Hearing in the elderly and hearing aids].

Statistically progressive deteriorations in the population, due more to pathological impairments than to aging properly speaking, must be distinguished from presbycusis. The onset of auditive impairment varies with genetic factors. In a statistical audiometric study, it is found that the better the hearing of a subject before the impact of presbycusis, the better the chances are of maintaining hearing; the opposite applies in the case of major auditive deterioration.