Association between a common CYP17A1 haplotype and anxiety in female anorexia nervosa.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the main brain neurosteroid, has been implicated in various psychiatric disorders especially those including gender differences. We studied genetic variability in the DHEA-producing enzyme CYP17A1 in relation to anorexia nervosa (AN) susceptibility and AN-related co-morbidities. We performed analysis of 100 Israeli AN family trios accounting for CYP17A1 haplotypes characteristic of populations of European origin and studied genotype-phenotype relationships using correlation analyses and transmission disequilibrium test.

Haplotype analysis of the COMT-ARVCF gene region in Israeli anorexia nervosa family trios.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe and complex psychiatric disorder with a significant genetic contribution. Previously, we found an association between AN and the 158Val/Met polymorphism of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene in a family-based study of 51 Israeli AN trios. In the present study, we extended the original sample to include 85 family trios [66 AN restricting (AN-R) and 19 bingeing/purging (AN-BP) subtype] and performed a family-based transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis for five SNPs in the COMT and two in the adjacent ARVCF gene.

[Development and assessment of simulated patient based curricular unit in order to improve clinical skills in adolescent medicine of pediatric and family practice residents].

Objective: This study describes the development and evaluation of a curricular program aimed at improving the clinical and communication skills required for managing the clinical encounter with adolescents, among pediatric and family practice residents using the technique of standardized patients.

Methods: A daylong curricular unit which included: clinical interviews with simulated patients presenting typical clinical problems occurring among adolescents; a teaching unit explaining the principles of communication with adolescents and a clinical discussion and feedback session using video clips. Forty-eight residents in pediatrics and family practice undertook the curricular unit.

CAG repeat polymorphism within the KCNN3 gene is a significant contributor to susceptibility to anorexia nervosa: a case-control study of female patients and several ethnic groups in the Israeli Jewish population.

The human small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel gene KCNN3 has been involved in mechanisms underlying neuronal function and plasticity. A multiallelic CAG repeat polymorphism within the KCNN3 has been associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We have previously reported in a family-based study that longer CAG repeats are preferentially transmitted to patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Long-term cognitive outcomes of a cohort of children with cryptogenic infantile spasms treated with high-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of children with cryptogenic infantile spasms treated with high-dose synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and the relation between early treatment, within 1 month of onset, and outcome.

Methods: We assessed the long-term cognitive and seizure outcomes of 37 patients with cryptogenic infantile spasms (onset, age 3 to 9 months) receiving standardized treatment regimen of high-dose tetracosactide depot, 1 mg IM every 48 h for 2 weeks, with a subsequent 8- to 10-week slow taper and followed by oral prednisone, 10 mg/day for a month, with a subsequent slow taper for 5 months or until the infant reached the age of 1 year, whichever came later. Development was assessed before treatment.