Dynamic, adaptive changes in MAO-A binding after alterations in substrate availability: an in vivo [(11)C]-harmine positron emission tomography study.

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is an important target in the pathophysiology and therapeutics of major depressive disorder, aggression, and neurodegenerative conditions. We measured the effect of changes in MAO-A substrate on MAO-A binding in regions implicated in affective and neurodegenerative disease with [(11)C]-harmine positron emission tomography in healthy volunteers. Monoamine oxidase A V(T), an index of MAO-A density, was decreased (mean: 14%±9%) following tryptophan depletion in prefrontal cortex (P<0.

Use and safety of antipsychotic drugs during pregnancy.

The incidence of schizophrenia in the general population ranges from about 1% to 2%. Schizophrenia affects men and women equally, occurring in all cultures and socioeconomic classes. The peak age of onset in women is 25 to 35 years, which are also the peak childbearing years, and women with psychotic illnesses are likely to have more unplanned pregnancies than women without a psychotic illness.

Comparing folic acid pharmacokinetics among women of childbearing age: single dose ingestion of 1.1 versus 5 MG folic acid.

Background: A 2001 study suggested that supplementation with 5 mg folic acid, among women of childbearing age, is needed to render maximum protection against neural tube defects (NTD). No human study is presently available which examined the pharmacokinetics of 5 mg folic acid.

Objective: To compare the pharmacokinetics of ingesting a single dose of 5 mg versus 1.

Treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: an updated algorithm.

QUESTIONMy patient has severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). I am having difficulty treating her, as nothing she has tried so far has been really effective. I heard that there is some new information regarding the treatment of this condition.

Pregnancy outcome following high doses of Vitamin E supplementation.

The recommended dose of Vitamin E in human pregnancy is 22-30 mg/day. High doses of Vitamin E (>or=400 IU/day) have been shown to attenuate or even prevent the damaging effect of ethanol and diabetes on the fetus in experimental animal models. The Motherisk program prospectively enrolled, and followed-up on, 82 pregnant women exposed to high doses (>or=400 IU/day) of Vitamin E during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Is lack of morning sickness teratogenic? A prospective controlled study.

Background: Case-control studies have suggested that the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) may have a protective effect against specific malformations. These suggestions have been interpreted as if the lack of NVP may put mothers at an increased teratogenic risk.

Methods: A prospective, cohort-controlled study was done comparing pregnancy outcome in women not experiencing NVP with those experiencing NVP at two levels of clinical severity.

Placental handling of fatty acid ethyl esters: perfusion and subcellular studies.

The measurement of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) in neonatal meconium is a novel test to confirm prenatal ethanol exposure. The origin of FAEE in the maternal-placental-fetal unit is not known. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether FAEE are transferred and metabolized by the human placenta.

In vitro analysis of human transplacental transport of desmopressin.

Objective: Desmopressin (DDAVP) therapy may be required during pregnancy, but there are limited data about its safety. We wished to verify whether DDAVP is transported across the human placenta.

Methods: Using the in vitro human placental cotyledon perfusion model, we performed serial measurements of maternal and fetal DDAVP concentrations.

Diclectin therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: effects of optimal dosing.

Objectives: (1) To quantify rates of suboptimal use of pyridoxine hydrochloride-doxylamine (Diclectin); and (2) to study responses to optimal doses of Diclectin in women previously taking a suboptimal dose.

Methods: Women who called the Motherisk NVP helpline, and were taking only Diclectin (vitamin B6 10 mg and doxylamine 10 mg), were enrolled in the study and assessed for the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) with the Motherisk-PUQE (pregnancy-unique quantification of emesis and nausea) scoring system. Their Diclectin doses were subsequently increased according to body weight and individual symptoms.

Effects of aspirin consumption during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes: meta-analysis.

Background: We assessed the effects and safety of aspirin treatment during pregnancy on fetal and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE (1966-2001), EMBASE (1980-2000), TOXLINE (1994-2000), EB M Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1991-2000), Reproductive Toxicology (2001), teratology texts, and bibliographies of all the included studies. We looked for published randomized controlled studies reporting aspirin treatment to improve outcomes of moderate- and high-risk pregnancies.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among veterinary staff in Ontario, Canada (2002): implications for teratogenic risk.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii infection is embryotoxic in humans. It is mainly transmitted through raw/undercooked meat and ingestion of oocysts in cat feces. There remains controversy about the actual risk of cats transmitting the disease to humans.

Transfer of insulin lispro across the human placenta: in vitro perfusion studies.

Objective: Insulin lispro (Humalog), a human insulin analog, has a more rapid onset, earlier peak, and shorter duration of glucose lowering activity than regular human insulin. However, it is not known whether insulin lispro crosses the human placenta and reaches the fetus. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to examine whether insulin lispro crosses the placenta using the technique of perfusing a human placental lobule in vitro.

Aspirin consumption during the first trimester of pregnancy and congenital anomalies: a meta-analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine, on the basis of published reports, whether aspirin use during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations.

Study Design: We reviewed the literature for published studies that reported exposure to aspirin during the first trimester of pregnancy and congenital malformations. Two reviewers independently determined whether a study should be included in the final analysis and extracted the data.