[Changes of serotonergic neurons induced by low dose nicotine in rat forebrain].

Nicotine has been reported to exert several biological and pharmacological activities in central nervous system. There are many studies on the relationship between dopaminergic neurons and nicotine dependence. However, the relevance between nicotine and serotonergic neurons on dependence remains unknown.

Cerebral blood flow changes in general paresis following penicillin treatment: a longitudinal single photon emission computed tomography study.

Three cases of general paresis were successfully treated with high-dose penicillin. In all cases, cerebrospinal fluid cell counts decreased to normal and mental status improved rapidly. Cerebrospinal fluid protein concentrations decreased and IQ scores and overall levels of functioning improved gradually over 1 year.

Chronic high-dose nitrazepam dependence 123I-IMP SPECT and EEG studies.

A patient who took 50-100 mg nitrazepam per day for 25 years is presented. (123)I-IMP SPECT (autoradiography method) and EEG were performed sequentially on the subject during and after the withdrawal syndrome. Severe hypoperfusion of the whole brain on SPECT and diffuse slow activity on EEG were demonstrated during the withdrawal syndrome and subsequently remarkably improved.