White matter abnormalities and their impact on attentional performance in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Inattention is the most important behavioral feature of adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neuroimaging studies in ADHD have demonstrated abnormalities primarily in the frontostriatal circuitry and were mostly conducted in children. We investigated white matter (WM) integrity in adult ADHD patients and the correlation of WM microstructure and neuropsychological parameters in 37 (21 men) never-medicated adult ADHD patients and 34 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

Disturbed structural connectivity is related to inattention and impulsivity in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Inattention and impulsivity are the most prominent clinical features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood. Structural and functional neuroimaging studies of subjects with ADHD have demonstrated abnormalities in several brain areas, including fronto-striatal and fronto-cerebellar networks. Mostly, these studies were based on volumetric measurements and have been conducted in children.

Disturbed brain activation during a working memory task in drug-naive adult patients with ADHD.

Neuroimaging studies in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have shown abnormalities in several brain areas including the frontostriatal circuitry and were mostly conducted in children and adolescents. We investigated 30 never-medicated adult ADHD patients (16 males) and 30 matched healthy control individuals. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was acquired during a working memory paradigm (n-back).

Altered benzodiazepine receptor sensitivity in alcoholism: a study with fMRI and acute lorazepam challenge.

Previous studies suggested altered sensitivity of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor system in alcoholic patients. Expanding on these findings, the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study aimed to assess whether a differential modulation of cognitive brain activation by an acute GABAergic drug challenge could be detected in patients with alcoholism. Eight detoxified male patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence and nine healthy male control subjects were studied with fMRI while performing a 2-back working memory task.

Tiagabine does not attenuate alcohol-induced activation of the human reward system.

Rationale: The rewarding effects of ethanol and other drugs of abuse are mediated by activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system. Recent neuroimaging studies in primates and humans suggest that cocaine-induced dopamine stimulation might be diminished by drugs augmenting gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA-A) receptor function such as the GABA transaminase inhibitor vigabatrin.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to test the property of the selective GABA transporter 1 (GAT1) inhibitor tiagabine to block ethanol-induced activation of the mesolimbic reward system in an i.

[Institutionalisation-index--a simple method to estimate direct treatment costs for institutionalised forms of community mental health care].

Aim: Investigations of treatment costs are of increasing importance in community mental health care. Yet, they are often difficult and expensive to conduct. This study explores whether and, if so, to what extent direct treatment costs as paid by insurance companies and social welfare in the German health care system can be estimated through a simple Institutionalisation-Index.

[Patient characteristics, length of treatment and costs in a model institution of community mental health care].

Aim: Since the 1970s, a model institution for community mental health care with three partial hospitalisation programmes and various out-patient services was run in the Berlin district Charlottenburg. The study evaluates, to what extent the institution fulfilled its aim to provide long-term care for severely and chronically ill patients at relatively low costs. It also identified predictors of outcome.