The switching process from buprenorphine sublingual tablets to the monthly buprenorphine subcutaneous depot injection in opioid dependent patients.

The 2018 European Union (EU) approved weekly and monthly subcutaneous buprenorphine depot injection (BUP-XR), for opioid substitution medication proved to offer some specific treatment benefits. The present study examines the process of switching from buprenorphine sublingual tablets (BUP-SL) to BUP-XR from a patient's point of view. In total, nine patients were surveyed by means of an open-answer questionnaire regarding course and side effects of the medication switch.

Quality of Life in Opioid Replacement Therapy: A Naturalistic Cross-Sectional Comparison of Methadone/Levomethadone, Buprenorphine, and Diamorphine Patients.

Background: Research on quality of life (QoL) of chronically ill patients provides an opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of long-term treatments. Although it is established that opioid replacement therapy is an effective treatment for opioid-dependent patients, there is little knowledge about physical and psychological functioning of QoL for different treatment options.

Objectives: Altogether, 248 opioid-dependent patients receiving substitution treatment with either methadone/levomethadone (n = 126), diamorphine (n = 85), or buprenorphine (n = 37) were recruited in 6 German therapy centers.

Lumbar puncture rapidly improves olfaction in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension: A cohort study.

Background: A lumbar puncture constitutes an important diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Chronic overflow of cerebrospinal fluid into the sheaths of the olfactory nerves appears to be related to olfactory impairment in these patients. Here, we asked whether cerebrospinal fluid drainage in idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients improves olfactory function.

Individual differences in impulsivity and need for cognition as potential risk or resilience factors of diabetes self-management and glycemic control.

Objective: Impulsivity is marked by insufficient reflection and forethought, whereas Need for Cognition (NFC) also referred to as cognitive motivation or intellectual engagement is marked by elaborated thinking. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of these personality traits as resilience or risk factors, respectively, in diabetes self-management and glycaemic control. Further, it was examined whether diabetes-specific self-efficacy could serve as a mediator of these relationships.

The effect of CSF drain on the optic nerve in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Background: Elevation of intracranial pressure in idiopathic intracranial hypertension induces an edema of the prelaminar section of the optic nerve (papilledema). Beside the commonly observed optic nerve sheath distention, information on a potential pathology of the retrolaminar section of the optic nerve and the short-term effect of normalization of intracranial pressure on these abnormalities remains scarce.

Methods: In this exploratory study 8 patients diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension underwent a MRI scan (T2 mapping) as well as a diffusion tensor imaging analysis (fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity).

Olfactory dysfunction in patients with primary progressive MS.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that olfactory function is more impaired in patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS) than that in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

Methods: Standardized olfactory testing was performed in 32 patients with PPMS, 32 patients with RRMS, and 32 healthy controls (HCs). Patients with olfactory dysfunction due to an alternative primary etiology were excluded.

Identification of neovascularization by contrast-enhanced ultrasound to detect unstable carotid stenosis.

Background: Plaque neovascularization accompanies local inflammation and critically contributes to plaque instability. Correct identification of intraplaque neovascularization by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may provide an additional risk marker in carotid stenosis. This pilot study investigates the correlation between histological evaluation of carotid plaque specimens and pre-surgery CEUS to identify neovascularization.

Does IIH Alter Brain Microstructures? - A DTI-Based Approach.

Introduction: To investigate the correlation of microstructural parameters with CSF pressure and macroscopic changes assessed by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

Methods: Twenty-three patients with IIH as well as age-, sex-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls underwent high resolution MR imaging of the optic nerve sheaths (ONS), pituitary gland, and ventricles. For DTI data a voxelwise permutation analysis was performed for the whole brain and ROI analysis was performed for the optic nerve and optic radiation.

Longitudinal Testing of Olfactory and Gustatory Function in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate changes of the olfactory and gustatory capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methodology: 20 MS patients were tested longitudinally for 3 years after initial testing. The Threshold Discrimination Identification test (TDI) was used for subjective olfactometry.

Treatment of Edema Associated With Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Cerebral edema (i.e., "brain swelling") is a common complication following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and is associated with worse clinical outcomes.

Human Data Supporting Glyburide in Ischemic Stroke.

The SUR1-TRPM4 channel is a critical determinant of edema and hemorrhagic transformation after focal ischemia. Blockade of this channel by the small molecule glyburide results in improved survival and neurological outcome in multiple preclinical models of ischemic stroke. A robust, compelling body of evidence suggests that an intravenous formulation of glyburide, RP-1127, can prevent swelling and improve outcome in patients with stroke.

Attentional dysfunction in abstinent long-term cannabis users with and without schizophrenia.

Long-term cannabis use may confer cognitive deficits and increased risk of psychosis. However, the relationship between cannabis use and schizophrenia is complex. In particular, little is known about the effects of chronic cannabis use on the attention-related electric brain response in schizophrenia.