The effect of acute and chronic nicotine consumption on intra-cortical inhibition and facilitation: A transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of acute and chronic nicotine consumption on measures of intracortical inhibition and facilitation.

Methods: This study involved 50 chronic heavy cigarette smokers and 40 healthy subjects matched for age, sex and educational level, with no history of chronic nicotine intake. Intracortical inhibition and facilitation were assessed using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures of motor threshold (MT), short- and long-interval intra-cortical inhibition (SICI, LICI), cortical silent period (CSP) and intra-cortical facilitation (ICF).

Effect of psychotropic drugs on cortical excitability of patients with major depressive disorders: A transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be used to evaluate the effects of pharmacological interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sertraline, and the atypical antipsychotic drugs quetiapine and olanzapine, on cortical excitability in unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The study included 45 medication-free MDD patients diagnosed according to DSM V.

Oxidative stress and psychiatric morbidity in patients with facial acne.

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common cosmetic problem that is frequently associated with psychosocial disturbances as well as increased oxidative stress. However, oxidative stress and psychological aspects have been studied separately in acne.

Objective: To evaluate the relationships between oxidative stress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in acne patients.