White matter abnormalities in Gulf War veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot study.

Background: Gulf War veterans were exposed to environmental toxins not present in other combat theaters resulting in a unique biological signature that only partially resembles that seen in other combat veterans with PTSD. Thus it is important to determine if brain abnormalities seen in non-Gulf War veterans with PTSD are also present in Gulf War veterans. In this pilot study, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography was used to assess the ultra-structural integrity of fronto-limbic white matter connections in Gulf War veterans with and without PTSD.

Expert panel assessment of acute liver injury identification in observational data.

Background: Observational data are useful for studying drug safety; however, to be effective, accurate outcome measurement is paramount.

Objectives: This study compared alternative outcome definitions for acute liver injury (ALI) and explored opportunities for improving ALI identification in observational data.

Methods: The Truven MarketScan® Lab Database (MSLR) was used to identify patients meeting at least 1 of 4 ALI definitions, including definitions based on diagnosis codes, laboratory measures, or combinations of diagnoses, procedures, and/or laboratory measures.

Developmental differences in diffusion tensor imaging parameters in borderline personality disorder.

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) often presents during adolescence. Early detection and intervention decreases its subsequent severity. However, little is known about early predictors and biological underpinnings of BPD.

Comparison of phenobarbital with bromide as a first-choice antiepileptic drug for treatment of epilepsy in dogs.

Objective: To compare efficacy and safety of treatment with phenobarbital or bromide as the first-choice antiepileptic drug (AED) in dogs.

Design: Double-blinded, randomized, parallel, clinical trial.

Animals: 46 AED-naïve dogs with naturally occurring epilepsy.

The effects of hypertension and body mass index on diffusion tensor imaging in schizophrenia.

Recently, the negative effects of hypertension and elevated body mass index on cognitive functioning in schizophrenia have been reported (Friedman et al., 2010). Data suggests that cognitive changes in hypertensive patients from the general population may be mediated, in part, by white matter damage.

Physiological and clinical changes after therapeutic massage of the neck and shoulders.

Little is known regarding the physiological and clinical effects of therapeutic massage (TM) even though it is often prescribed for musculoskeletal complaints such as chronic neck pain. This study investigated the influence of a standardized clinical neck/shoulder TM intervention on physiological measures assessing α-motoneurone pool excitability, muscle activity; and the clinical measure of range of motion (ROM) compared to a light touch and control intervention. Flexor carpi radialis (FCR) α-motoneurone pool excitability (Hoffmann reflex), electromyography (EMG) signal amplitude of the upper trapezius during maximal muscle activity, and cervical ROM were used to assess possible physiological changes and clinical effects of TM.

Occupational solvent exposure and brain function: an fMRI study.

Background: Deficits in cognitive function have been demonstrated among workers chronically exposed to solvents, but the neural basis for these deficits has not been shown.

Objectives: We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare pathophysiological changes in brain function between solvent-exposed and control workers.

Methods: Painters, drywall tapers, and carpenters were recruited from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 9 in New York City and District Council 21 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and from the Carpenters Union in New Jersey.

Temporal characteristics of tract-specific anisotropy abnormalities in schizophrenia.

White matter abnormalities have been detected using diffusion tensor imaging in a variety of locations in the brains of patients with schizophrenia. Studies that included first-episode patients report less severe or no abnormalities but more pronounced deficits in chronic patients. Here, we investigated these abnormalities in a very large group of patients with schizophrenia who had both large ranges in age and in duration of illness.