Objective: To evaluate the serum leptin levels in cannabis smokers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional population-based study of participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic data and the use of psychoactive substances. Leptin levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Results: Of the 911 participants, 6.7% were identified as cannabis smokers and had significantly lower leptin levels (p = 0.008). When stratified by gender, there was a significant decrease in leptin levels among male smokers (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Cannabis smoking was linked to leptin levels in men, suggesting that the response to biological signals may be different between men and women.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of alcohol abuse and/or dependence in a population-based sample of young adults and assess the prevalence of comorbid mood disorders, anxiety, and suicide risk in this population. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study enrolled 1,953 young adults aged 18-35 years. The CAGE questionnaire was used to screen for alcohol abuse and/or dependence, with CAGE scores ≥ 2 considered positive. Psychiatric disorders were investigated through the structured Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Results: Alcohol abuse and/or dependence was identified in 187 (9.60%) individuals (5.10% among women and 15.20% among men). Alcohol abuse and/or dependence were more prevalent among men than women, as well as among those who used tobacco, illicit drugs or presented with anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and suicide risk. Conclusion: These findings suggest that alcohol abuse and/or dependence are consistently associated with a higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities, could be considered important predictors of other psychiatric disorders, and deserve greater public heath attention, pointing to the need for alcohol abuse prevention programs.

A proteína S100B cerebral tem sido utilizada como um marcador periférico de injúrias do sistema nervoso central (SNC). Entretanto, estudos recentes demonstraram que a S100B também aumenta após o exercício físico, embora o significado desse aumento ainda não esteja bem claro. Apesar de ser liberada, principalmente, por astrócitos, no sistema nervoso central, fontes de produção extracerebral de S100B durante o exercício podem estar implicadas no aumento sérico desta proteína. No entanto, exercícios que implicam impacto ao cérebro como o boxe, por exemplo, o aumento é claramente associado à lesão cerebral. Assim, trabalhos propõem que o aumento da S100B após o exercício estaria relacionado à secreção ativa por adipócitos e músculos lesados. Uma vez que a liberação da S100B pelo músculo lesado seja confirmada experimentalmente, o uso desta proteína poderia ser aprofundado, principalmente, no treinamento esportivo. Atualmente, estamos desenvolvendo protocolos na direção de avaliar o potencial valor da S100B como indicador de lesão do músculo esquelético. Portanto, o objetivo da presente revisão é apresentar o atual estado de conhecimento sobre a relação entre a proteína S100B e o exercício físico, discutindo os possíveis mecanismos envolvidos e propondo novas abordagens.

Protein S100B has been used as a peripheral biochemical marker of brain injury and/or activity. However, recent studies have demonstrated that this protein is also increased in serum after physical exercise, although the interpretation of this finding remains controversial. Although predominantly released by astrocytes in the central nervous system, extracerebral sources of protein S100B have been suggested to contribute to the increase in serum levels of this protein. However, in the case of exercises that have an impact on the brain such as boxing, elevated levels are clearly associated with brain damage. More recently, some studies have proposed that protein S100B might be released by activated adipocytes and by damaged muscle cells. If confirmed experimentally, protein S100B might be potentially useful in sports training. We are currently investigating the potential role of serum protein S100B as an indicator of muscle damage. Therefore, the objective of this review was to discuss the current knowledge about the relationship between physical exercise and serum protein S100B and its possible leakage from muscle cells injured by exercise.

A síndrome de Crouzon é caracterizada por deformidade craniana, alterações faciais e exoftalmia. O retardo no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor é observado em alguns casos. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a influência do momento da cirurgia, da classe sócio-econômica associada ao nível educacional dos pais e da ocorrência de malformações do sistema nervoso central no desenvolvimento cognitivo destes pacientes correlacionando estes achados à qualidade de vida deles e de suas famílias. Foram estudados 11 pacientes com diagnóstico de síndrome de Crouzon com idade entre um ano e quatro meses e treze anos. A avaliação multidisciplinar dos pacientes incluiu, avaliação social, avaliação cognitiva, estudo do encéfalo por ressonância magnética e avaliação da qualidade de vida. O quociente de inteligência variou de 46 a 102 (m=84,2) e foi correlacionado de forma inversa com o Fator 4 do Questionário de Recursos e Estresse Simplificado (incapacidade da criança); não se correlacionou com as alterações encefálicas, com a condição sócio-econômica dos pais e nem com o momento do tratamento neurocirúrgico.

Crouzon syndrome is characterized by cranial and facial abnormalities and exophtalmos. Mental retardation is sometimes observed. The objective of this study was to correlate brain malformations, timing for surgery and also social classification of families and parents education to the neuropsychological evaluation and to the quality of life of these families. Eleven patients with Crouzon syndrome were studied, whose ages were between 16 and 132 months. The multidisciplinary evaluation included : social evaluation, cognitive evaluation, brain studies by magnetic ressonance imaging and quality of life evaluation. The intelligence quotient values observed were between 46 and 102 (m=84.2) and was correlated (inverted correlation) to the factor IV of the short-form of the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress. Mental development was not correlated to brain malformation, neither to the age at time of operation or to the level of family environment and parents education.

A síndrome de Apert é caracterizada por cranioestenose, sindactilia simétrica e outras malformações sistêmicas. O retardo no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor é freqüentemente observado. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar as malformações do sistema nervoso central, o momento da cirurgia e a classe sócio-econômica associada ao nível educacional dos pais como variáveis que possam influenciar no desenvolvimento cognitivo. Foram estudados 18 pacientes com diagnóstico de síndrome de Apert com idade entre 14 e 322 meses e as alterações encefálicas foram observadas em 55,6%. O quociente de inteligência variou de 45 a 108 e estava correlacionado com a classe sócio-econômica e com o nível de instrução dos pais; não se correlacionou com as alterações encefálicas nem com o momento do tratamento neurocirúrgico. Em conclusão, a condição sócio-econômica e o nível de instrução dos pais foram relevantes na determinação do desenvolvimento cognitivo destes pacientes.

Apert syndrome is characterized by craniosynostosis, symmetric syndactyly and other systemic malformations, with mental retardation usually present. The objective of this study was to correlate brain malformations and timing for surgery with neuropsychological evaluation. We also tried to determine other relevant aspects involved in cognitive development of these patients such as social classification of families and parents’ education. Eighteen patients with Apert syndrome were studied, whose ages were between 14 and 322 months. Brain abnormalities were observed in 55.6% of them. The intelligence quotient or developmental quotient values observed were between 45 and 108. Mental development was related to the quality of family environment and parents’ education. Mental development was not correlated to brain malformation or age at time of operation. In conclusion, quality of family environment was the most significant factor directly involved in mental development of patients with Apert syndrome.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a acurácia da tomografia computadorizada (TC) e da tomografia computadorizada por emissão de fóton único (SPECT) no diagnóstico de demência. Cinquenta e dois pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de demência e 11 controles foram estudados. Os exames foram interpretados por um neuroradiologista e um radiologista nuclear, ambos cegos quanto aos dados clínicos. No diagnóstico de demência, a TC e a SPECT mostraram sensibilidades iguais (82,7%) e estatisticamente especificidades semelhantes (63,8 e 81,8%, respectivamente). A especificidade da SPECT no diagnóstico da doença de Alzheimer (100%) foi significativamente superior à da TC (69%). Contudo, ambos os métodos mostraram sensibilidades semelhantes na detecção de doença de Alzheimer. Em conclusão, TC e SPECT mostraram acurácia similar no diagnóstico de demência. A alta especificidade observada no diagnóstico de doença de Alzheimer pode ser útil na confirmação do diagnóstico clínico, especialmente na forma pré-senil da doença.

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) in the diagnosis of dementia. Fifty-two patients with clinical diagnosis of dementia and 11 controls were studied. The scans were interpreted by one experienced neuroradiologist and one nuclear radiologist, both blinded to the clinical data. In the diagnosis of dementia, CT and SPECT showed equal sensitivity (82.7%) and statistically similar specificity (63.8 and 81.8%, respectively). The specificity of SPECT in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (100%) was statistically superior to CT (69%). However, both methods showed similar sensitivity in detecting Alzheimer's disease. In conclusion, SPECT and CT showed similar accuracy in the diagnosis of dementia. The quite high specificity of SPECT in Alzheimer's disease may be useful for confirming that diagnosis, particularly for patients with presenile onset of the disease.