Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning in Huntington's disease mutation carriers compared with mutation-negative first-degree controls.

Neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease (HD) occurs in various brain regions including the hypothalamus. In this cross-sectional study, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning was studied in 26 presymptomatic and 58 symptomatic HD mutation carriers, and 28 controls. HPA axis functioning was measured through salivary cortisol in the day curve, the cortisol awakening response (CAR), the area under the curve (AUC), the morning rise, and the dexamethasone suppression test (DST).

The practice of electroconvulsive therapy in Malawi.

Objectives: To describe the practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), including indications, efficacy, and side effects, in patients treated with unmodified ECT at Zomba Mental Hospital (ZMH) in Malawi.

Methods: A naturalistic, descriptive cohort study that includes all patients receiving ECT in March and April 2006. Efficacy of ECT treatment was assessed with the "Clinical Global Impression" of change scale, and side effects and complications were systematically assessed with a checklist.