Effects of childhood trauma on BDNF and TBARS during crack-cocaine withdrawal.

Objective: To evaluate the association between childhood trauma (CT) and serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) during crack-cocaine withdrawal.

Method: Thirty-three male crack-cocaine users were recruited at admission to a public addiction treatment unit. Serum BDNF and TBARS levels were evaluated at intake and discharge.

Crack-cocaine users have less family cohesion than alcohol users.

Objective: Many studies correlate characteristics of family functioning and the development of drug addiction. This study sought to evaluate and compare the family environment styles of two groups of psychoactive substance users: 1) alcohol-only users and 2) crack-cocaine users.

Methods: Three hundred and sixty-four users of alcohol, crack-cocaine, and other drugs, recruited from research centers in four Brazilian capitals participated in this study.

Lisdexamfetamine: A pharmacokinetic review.

Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a d-amphetamine (d-AMPH) pro-drug used to treat Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) symptoms. The in vivo pharmacodynamics of LDX is the same as that of its active product d-AMPH, although there are a few qualitative and quantitative differences due to pharmacokinetics. Due to the specific pharmacokinetics of the long-acting stimulants, this article revises the pharmacokinetic studies on LDX, the newest amphetamine pro-drug.

Crack cocaine users show differences in genotype frequencies of the 3' UTR variable number of tandem repeats of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1/SLC6A3).

Background: Due to the mechanism of action of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in drug addiction, the DAT1 gene is a potential candidate for molecular studies. This paper aims to compare the prevalence of allele and genotype frequencies created by the 3' UTR variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) of this gene between crack cocaine users and controls.

Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 237 current adult crack cocaine abusers or dependents (DSM-IV TR criteria) from in- and outpatient clinics in southern Brazil and 205 community controls were compared.

Perceptions of parental bonding in freebase cocaine users versus non-illicit drug users.

Background & Objectives: Evidence has suggested that parenting styles have peculiar characteristics in families with drug-related issues. This study was undertaken to investigate the perception of crack (smoke cocaine) users and non-users about parental bonding quality regarding care and control in Brazil.

Methods: A total of 198 hospitalized crack users and 104 users of any non-illicit drug were assessed using the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), the sixth version of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).

Crack/cocaine users show more family problems than other substance users.

Objectives: To evaluate family problems among crack/cocaine users compared with alcohol and other substance users.

Methods: A cross-sectional multi-center study selected 741 current adult substance users from outpatient and inpatient Brazilian specialized clinics. Subjects were evaluated with the sixth version of the Addiction Severity Index, and 293 crack users were compared with 126 cocaine snorters and 322 alcohol and other drug users.

Oxidative stress and BDNF as possible markers for the severity of crack cocaine use in early withdrawal.

Rationale: An important goal of addiction research is to discover neurobiological markers that could predict the severity of addiction and help to determine appropriate treatment. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) are being related to cerebral plasticity and impairment caused by substance abuse.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate alteration of TBARS and BDNF levels among crack cocaine users during early drug withdrawal and its relationship to severity of drug use.

The Crack Use Relapse Scale (CURS): development and psychometric validation.

Objective: To report the development and validation of the Crack Use Relapse Scale (CURS) in an inpatient population.

Methods: A pilot study with 30 male crack users was conducted to generate 35 sentences related to the construct of interest. A five-point Likert scale including 25 items and, initially, nine theoretical factors was generated and utilized in a cross-sectional study with a sample of 333 hospitalized male crack users.

The effects of ADHD in adult substance abusers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychiatric comorbidities and different areas of life functioning in substance abusers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. A cross-sectional, multi-center study involving 285 adult substance abusers from outpatient and inpatient clinics was performed. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, the sixth version of the Addiction Severity Index, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview were used for data collection.

Increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in early crack cocaine withdrawal.

Recent reports suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) could be a biomarker for relapse, drug craving and withdrawal severity. In particular, elevated BDNF levels among former cocaine users have been associated with higher rates of relapse in 90 d. However, no data are available on BDNF levels at baseline and during crack cocaine withdrawal.

Brain injury markers (S100B and NSE) in chronic cocaine dependents.

Objective: Studies have shown signs of brain damage caused by different mechanisms in cocaine users. The serum neuron specific enolase and S100B protein are considered specific biochemical markers of neuronal and glial cell injury. This study aimed at comparing blood levels of S100B and NSE in chronic cocaine users and in volunteers who did not use cocaine or other illicit drugs.

Brazilian female crack users show elevated serum aluminum levels.

Objective: There is no information in the literature on the impact of crack smoking using crushed aluminum cans as makeshift pipes, a common form of crack use in Brazil. Since aluminum intake is associated with neurological damage, we measured serum aluminum levels in crack smokers. The objective of this study was to ascertain the levels of aluminum in crack users who smoke on makeshift aluminum pipes.

References to alcohol consumption and alcoholism in medical records of a general hospital of Porto Alegre, Brazil--a comparison between samples with a 20 year gap.

Two samples of inpatients (493 and 158 subjects, respectively) of a large teaching hospital, collected using the same methodology and with a 20-year time frame, were analyzed aiming at finding information about alcohol consumption, abuse or dependence in the subjects' medical charts. Items reviewed were: the list of medical problems; hospital intake form; daily nursing review; medical anamnesis; pre-surgery records, and discharge forms. Only 54% and 50% of each sample, respectively, had some type of reference to alcohol consumption; when references were present, they were in most part incomplete, possibly reflecting distortions in the process of gathering information about alcohol consumption that involves the client and the health professionals.