Differential melatonin alterations in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

Background: Melatonin, which plays an important role for regulation of circadian rhythms and the sleep/wake cycle has been linked to the pathophysiology of major depressive and bipolar disorder. Here we investigated melatonin levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of depression and bipolar patients to elucidate potential differences and commonalities in melatonin alterations across the two disorders.

Methods: Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, CSF and serum melatonin levels were measured in 108 subjects (27 healthy volunteers, 44 depressed and 37 bipolar patients).

Associations of pineal volume, chronotype and symptom severity in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and healthy controls.

The pineal gland, as part of the human epithalamus, is the main production site of peripheral melatonin, which promotes the modulation of sleep patterns, circadian rhythms and circadian preferences (morningness vs. eveningness). The present study analyses the pineal gland volume (PGV) and its association with circadian preferences and symptom severity in adult ADHD patients compared to healthy controls.

A Low Cost Metal-Free Vascular Access Mini-Port for Artifact Free Imaging and Repeated Injections in Mice.

Purpose: Small injection ports for mice are increasingly used for drug testing or when administering contrast agents. Commercially available mini-ports are expensive single-use items that cause imaging-artifacts. We developed and tested an artifact-free, low-cost, vascular access mini-port (VAMP) for mice.

Abciximab does not prevent ischemic lesions related to cerebral angiography: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: To assess the efficiency of IIb/IIIa platelet receptor inhibition by abciximab in the prevention of silent embolism during digital subtraction angiography.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, prospective study, pre- and postangiographic diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) of 184 participants was evaluated for the occurrence of silent embolism.

Results: No significant relationship was found between the patients receiving abciximab before digital subtraction angiography (15 of 90; 16.

A diagnostic pitfall for intracranial aneurysms in time-of-flight MR angiography: small intracranial lipomas.

Objective: The sensitivity of MR angiography (MRA) for aneurysms smaller than 3 mm in diameter is limited. Diagnostic pitfalls may arise from primary T1 hyperintense lesions on time-of-flight (TOF) imaging adjacent to a vessel. Independently, three patients were referred from outside facilities for diagnostic workup of suspected aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar system on TOF images.