Immunotherapeutic treatment of inflammation in mice exposed to methamphetamine.

Introduction: Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat methamphetamine addiction, including the inflammatory, neurotoxic, and adverse neuropsychiatric effects. We have shown that partial (p)MHC class II constructs (i.e.

Inflammatory and mental health sequelae of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant negative consequences to mental health. Increased inflammatory factors and neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as cognitive impairment ("brain fog"), depression, and anxiety are associated with long COVID [post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), termed neuro-PASC]. The present study sought to examine the role of inflammatory factors as predictors of neuropsychiatric symptom severity in the context of COVID-19.

Point-of-Care Noninvasive Technology for Pediatric Dehydration Assessment.

Objective: Dehydration is a commonly encountered problem worldwide. Current clinical assessment is limited by subjectivity and limited provider training with children. The objective of this study is to investigate a new noninvasive, point-of-care technology that measures capillary refill combined with patient factors to accurately diagnose dehydration.

Yoga for veterans with PTSD: Cognitive functioning, mental health, and salivary cortisol.

Research indicates that cognitive functioning is negatively impacted by exposure to chronic stress due to overactivation of the stress response. Yoga has demonstrated benefits when practiced by individuals diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This quasi-experimental pilot study examined the impact of a yoga intervention on cognitive functioning, symptoms of PTSD, and the biological stress response in Veterans diagnosed with PTSD.

Partial MHC/neuroantigen peptide constructs attenuate methamphetamine-seeking and brain chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 levels in rats.

There are no medications that target the neurotoxic effects or reduce the use of methamphetamine. Recombinant T-cell receptor ligand (RTL) 1000 [a partial major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) class II construct with a tethered myelin peptide], addresses the neuroimmune effects of methamphetamine addiction by competitively inhibiting the disease-promoting activity of macrophage migration inhibitory factor to CD74, a key pathway involved in several chronic inflammatory conditions, including substance use disorders. We previously reported that RTL constructs improve learning and memory impairments and central nervous system (CNS) inflammation induced by methamphetamine in mouse models.

Neuroinvasion and cognitive impairment in comorbid alcohol dependence and chronic viral infection: An initial investigation.

Viruses that invade the central nervous system (CNS) can cause neuropsychiatric impairments. Similarly, chronic alcohol exposure can induce inflammatory responses that alter brain function. However, the effects of a chronic viral infection and comorbid alcohol use on neuroinflammation and behavior are not well-defined.

S100B and Inflammatory Cytokine Levels in Blood as Potential Markers of Blood-Brain Barrier Damage and Psychiatric Impairment in Comorbid Hepatitis C Viral Infection and Alcohol Use Disorder.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and alcohol use disorder (AUD) both adversely affect the immune system resulting in alterations in immune cell signaling and inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to investigate how comorbid AUD contributes to abnormalities in inflammatory mediators and psychiatric impairments in adults with HCV.

Methods: Alcohol use, mood, and inflammatory factors were evaluated at 3 time points (baseline, week 4, and week 12) in Veterans with HCV, with (n = 42) and without (n = 13) comorbid AUD.

Parallel Effects of Methamphetamine on Anxiety and CCL3 in Humans and a Genetic Mouse Model of High Methamphetamine Intake.

Background: Methamphetamine (MA) abuse causes immune dysfunction and neuropsychiatric impairment. The mechanisms underlying these deficits remain unidentified.

Methods: The effects of MA on anxiety-like behavior and immune function were investigated in mice selectively bred to voluntarily consume high amounts of MA [i.