The effects of proton pump inhibitors on neuropsychological functioning.

Objective: The current study investigated the effects of proton pump inhibitor use and apolipoprotein ε4 carrier status on changes in neuropsychological functioning in healthy adults with familial risk factors for dementia.

Methods: As part of the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention study, 1,573 subjects were administered questionnaires on their medical history, gave blood samples, and were administered neuropsychological assessments during four visits over a 10-15 year period. Linear mixed models assessed if non-users, subjects who stopped, started, or consistently used proton pump inhibitors differed in changes in working memory, verbal memory, psychomotor speed, and cognitive flexibility.

Feasibility and acceptability of a single-session, videoconference-delivered group intervention for pain in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Chronic pain is one of the most common and interfering symptoms experienced by people with MS. There is an opportunity to shift the paradigm from interventions delivered after pain has become chronic to early, proactive interventions to alter the impact of MS-related pain. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a remotely delivered single-session group intervention to modify the pain trajectory for individuals with early MS.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain in multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: Chronic pain is one of the most prevalent and disabling symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Individuals with MS are interested in nonpharmacologic pain management approaches. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious in improving MS-related pain outcomes.

Mental Health Care for LGBT Older Adults in Long-Term Care Settings: Competency, Training, and Barriers for Mental Health Providers.

Objectives: To assess mental health providers' experience with LGBT older adults in long-term care (LTC) settings and perceived barriers to quality care.

Methods: Providers (N = 57) completed an online survey on demographics and practice characteristics. They were also asked about: number of LGBT residents they've worked with, relevance of LGBT issues to their practice, preparedness, willingness to learn, hours of formal/informal training, and barriers to providing care to LGBT patients.

The body compassion scale: Development and initial validation.

As the newer mindfulness and acceptance-based cognitive behavioral therapies continue to grow, it is important that corresponding valid and reliable assessment tools are developed and evaluated. This article describes the initial development and validation of the body compassion scale. The body compassion scale is a theoretically derived measure designed to bridge the constructs of body image and self-compassion to provide a targeted measure of underlying mindfulness and acceptance-based constructs.

Beyond Mindfulness: Buddha Nature and the Four Postures in Psychotherapy.

We propose to incorporate the contextual view of the Buddhist teachings of the Three Turnings into applications of mindfulness in psychotherapy; specifically by applying the teaching of the Four Postures, which are expressions of innate health in ordinary life activities. This practice may expand understanding of the core mechanisms of different modalities of mindfulness and psychotherapy, thereby supporting clinicians in guiding clients on a healing path that is in natural alignment with each individual. By its allegiance to inherent wakefulness (Buddha Nature), this teaching supports clients in appreciating their own inherent health and the health of the world around them.

Development of a risk reduction intervention to reduce bacterial and viral infections for injection drug users.

Bacterial infections are widespread problems among drug injectors, requiring novel preventive intervention. As part of a NIDA-funded study, we developed an intervention based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model, past research, injection hygiene protocols, and data collected from focus groups with 32 injectors in Denver in 2009. Qualitative responses from focus groups indicated that most participants had experienced skin abscesses and believed that bacterial infections were commonly a result of drug cut, injecting intramuscularly, and reusing needles.

Endocrine receptors as targets for new drugs.

Increasingly detailed knowledge of cellular signalling pathways is providing a sound basis for the development of specific drugs aimed at selected components of the pathways. Many of these targets are receptors and the multitude of hormone receptors makes endocrine functions a rich proving ground for this research. This article reviews a recent meeting (Insights into Receptor Function and New Drug Development Targets; 5th Endocrinology Colloquium of the Fondation Ipsen, Paris, December 5, 2005) where progress in defining suitable targets for drug therapies in the endocrine system and in designing drugs for some of these targets was discussed.

Gonadal hormones humour the brain.

The relationship between the brain and the endocrine system is now seen to extend far beyond the regulation of somatic hormone production by the hypothalamus and pituitary: the brain itself can be considered both as an endocrine organ, producing hormones that act both within and outside the central nervous system, and as a target for hormones. The current extent of this concept with respect to the gonadal hormones was explored at a recent meeting ('Hormones and the Brain', Third Endocrinology Colloquium of the Fondation Ipsen, Paris, December 8, 2003). The discussion, reviewed in this article, ranged from intracellular signalling pathways and intercellular networks regulating hormone production and action in the central nervous system to hormone involvement in the generation of sexual behaviour and in development, plasticity, neuroprotection and repair.

Weight in the balance.

The adage 'we are what we eat' is taking on a new meaning in our well-fed and increasingly sedentary culture, as many of us convert much of our excess food into body fat; in the USA, 60% of the population is now considered to be overweight. Obesity brings with it an increased risk of developing type II diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, so the mechanisms that control food intake and body weight are of considerable importance for public health and clinical medicine. The mass of body fat is now known to be regulated by several hormones and neuropeptides.