Management of Severe Hemiballismus: Treatment Challenges in the Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting: A Case Presentation.

Unlabelled: We report a case of a patient with profound right-sided hemiballismus resulting from an acute unilateral left thalamic lesion. The hemiballismus was significant and persistent, resulting in profound functional disability. We discuss the use of low-dose haloperidol in conjunction with acute rehabilitation in the treatment of hemiballismus, resulting in decreased amplitude and frequency of adventitious movements and leading to substantial functional gains in our patient.

Tacr1 gene variation and neurokinin 1 receptor expression is associated with antagonist efficacy in genetically selected alcohol-preferring rats.

Background: Genetic deletion or antagonism of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) decreases alcohol intake, alcohol reward, and stress-induced alcohol relapse in rodents, while TACR1 variation is associated with alcoholism in humans.

Methods: We used L822429, a specific antagonist with high affinity for the rat NK1R, and examined whether sensitivity to NK1R blockade is altered in alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Operant alcohol self-administration and progressive ratio responding were analyzed in P-rats and their founder Wistar line.

The kappa opioid receptor antagonist JDTic attenuates alcohol seeking and withdrawal anxiety.

The role of kappa-opioid receptors (KOR) in the regulation of alcohol-related behaviors is not completely understood. For example, alcohol consumption has been reported to increase following treatment with KOR antagonists in rats, but was decreased in mice with genetic deletion of KOR. Recent studies have further suggested that KOR antagonists may selectively decrease alcohol self-administration in rats following a history of dependence.

Stress-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking in rats is selectively suppressed by the neurokinin 1 (NK1) antagonist L822429.

Rationale: Genetic inactivation or pharmacological antagonism of neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors blocks morphine and alcohol reward in rodents, while NK1 antagonism decreases alcohol craving in humans. The role of the NK1 system for relapse-like behavior has not previously been examined.

Objective: Divergence between human and rodent NK1 receptors has limited the utility of NK1 antagonists developed for the human receptor species for preclinical studies of addiction-related behaviors in rats.