Publications by authors named "Mitra Shokat"

Symptoms of mental distress increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among older adolescents and young adults. Mental health distress may make it more challenging for young people to seek other needed health care, including contraception. This study explored the association of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress with delays in getting a contraceptive method or prescription.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study evaluates the availability of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate-subcutaneous (DMPA-SC) for self-administration via telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, using survey data from 849 healthcare providers across 503 clinics.
  • Findings show a significant increase in DMPA-SC availability for self-administration from 4% pre-pandemic to 14% during the pandemic, with independent abortion clinics and Title X-funded clinics being more likely to provide it.
  • The study also indicates that telemedicine played a crucial role in facilitating access to DMPA-SC during the pandemic, highlighting a shift in contraceptive care delivery methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: We describe the first 24 months of expanded family planning services for low-income immigrants under Oregon's Reproductive Health Equity Act. We examined postabortion contraceptive use in rural versus urban locations.

Study Design: We conducted a historical cohort study of abortion services reimbursed under the Reproductive Health Equity Act in the first 2 years after its implementation (2018 and 2019).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This cohort study describes the first 24 months of abortion services covered under Oregon's Reproductive Health Equity Act and distances traveled by women to receive care.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a rare, genetic disease in which increased very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in the central nervous system (CNS) cause demyelination and axonopathy, leading to neurological deficits. Sobetirome, a potent thyroid hormone agonist, has been shown to lower VLCFAs in the periphery and CNS. In this study, two pharmacological strategies for enhancing the effects of sobetirome were tested in Abcd1 KO mice, a murine model with the same inborn error of metabolism as X-ALD patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Oligodendrocyte processes wrap axons to form neuroprotective myelin sheaths, and damage to myelin in disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), leads to neurodegeneration and disability. There are currently no approved treatments for MS that stimulate myelin repair. During development, thyroid hormone (TH) promotes myelination through enhancing oligodendrocyte differentiation; however, TH itself is unsuitable as a remyelination therapy due to adverse systemic effects.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF