Increased expression of BDNF mRNA in the frontal cortex of autistic patients.

Autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders for which genetic components have been well defined. However, specific gene deregulations related to synapse function in the autistic brain have not been as extensively described. Based on a candidate genes approach, we present in this study the expression data of 4 transcripts of interest (BDNF, CAMK2a, NR-CAM and RIMS1) located at the synapse in two regions of interest in the context of the ASDs; the lobule VI of cerebellum and the Brodmann area 46.

Netrin G1: its downregulation in the nucleus accumbens of cocaine-conditioned mice and genetic association in human cocaine dependence.

Netrin G1 is a presynaptic ligand involved in axonal projection. Although molecular mechanisms underlying cocaine addiction are still poorly understood, Netrin G1 might have a role as a regulator of anxiety, fear and spatial memory, behavioural traits impaired in the context of cocaine exposure. In this study, the Netrin G1 (Ntng1) expression was investigated in the nucleus accumbens of mice primarily conditioned to cocaine using a place preference paradigm.

Ibuprofen can induce syndrome of inappropriate diuresis in healthy young patients.

A 30-year-old caucasian woman, without past medical history or known drug use, was admitted to the emergency department for persistent fever and arthralgias. The laboratory analysis showed moderate hypoosmolar hyponatremia (Na: 132 mmol/L, osmolality: 239 mOsm/L), normal sodium excretion (<20 mmol/L), and a high urinary osmolality (415 mOsm/L). Later, she deteriorated with seizures and deeper hyponatremia (Na: 113 mmol/L) and so was moved to the critical care unit.

Genetics of dopamine receptors and drug addiction.

Dopamine plays a key role in reward behavior, yet the association of drug dependence as a chronic, relapsing disorder with the genes encoding the various dopaminergic receptor subtypes remains difficult to delineate. In the context of subsequent genome-wide association (GWAS) research and post-GWAS investigations, we summarize the novel data that link genes encoding molecules involved in the dopaminergic system (dopamine receptors, transporter and enzymes in charge of its metabolism) to drug addiction. Recent reports indicate that the heritability of drug addiction should be high enough to allow a significant role for a specific set of genes, and the available genetic studies, which might not be already conclusive because of the heterogeneity of designs, methods and recruited samples, should support the idea of a significant role of at least one gene related to dopaminergic system.