摘要:

The (US) National Academy of Sciences Registry of aging twin veterans contains 15,924 pairs of white male twins born between 1917 and 1927. About 8,000 pairs are living today. In preparation for a study of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in this Registry, we investigated 829 members of pairs living in North and South Carolina, Virginia, in the District of Columbia, and Maryland. A brief telephone interview for cognitive symptoms was administered to 678 (91.4%) of 742 subjects located. Cognitive dysfunction was identified initially in 124 individuals (18.3%), whose clinical histories were then obtained over the telephone. Results suggested that 108 subjects did not have AD. Ten (62.5%) of the remaining 16 subjects underwent diagnostic evaluation for dementia. One had cerebrovascular disease with coincident depression. Two others with probable AD were a monozygotic (MZ) pair. The remaining 7 subjects had possible AD or a mild but progressive cognitive disorder suggestive of early AD. Upon subsequent examination, 3 of 4 MZ co-twins showed significant symptoms that had not been detected during screening procedures. None of 3 dizygotic co-twin showed any significant abnormality. These results suggest: (1) that a combination of mailed information, telephone interviews, and clinical examination provides a feasible means of detecting AD in the Registry, (2) that about 150 pairs with presumptive AD in 1 or both subjects will be identified in a full study of the Registry; (3) that concordance for AD in MZ pairs may exceed prior estimates, but (4) that such rates of concordance are apparent only upon detailed evaluation of apparently normal co-twins as well as their impaired brothers. Longitudinal observation of pairs with apparently affected individuals will be required for definitive conclusions.

ISSN:1420-8008    

DOI:10.1159/000107157

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1990

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

A cDNA encoding epitopes present in paired helical filaments (PHF) in Alzheimer's disease has been characterized by DNA sequencing and by immunochemical analysis of the encoded recombinant protein fragment. The cDNA encodes 773 amino acids specific of the rat high molecular weight microtubule-associated protein MAP2. This amino acid sequence is localized in the side arm projection domain of MAP2. An antiserum raised against the expressed fusion protein encoded by this cDNA labels the high molecular weight MAP2 but not the 70 kDa MAP2c abundant in developing brain. This antiserum labels PHF in situ but only a proportion of isolated PHF. In situ hybridization on human brain sections did not demonstrate an increase in mRNA for MAP2 in tangle-bearing neurones. We suggest that the association of this MAP2 fragment with PHF in situ results from posttranslational modifications of MAP2.

ISSN:1420-8008    

DOI:10.1159/000107158

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1990

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Twenty-two patients suffering from mild to moderate dementia of vascular origin were treated with vinpocetine, 30 mg/day during 16 weeks, in an open pilot study. Response to treatment was assessed with the Gottfries-Bråne-Steen geriatric rating scale and psychometric tests. Effects on concentrations of neurotransmitters in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and on the blood-brain barrier function were also studied. According to the ratings and tests, the only noticeable improvement was reduced fear/panic. This improvement may very well be attributable to increased care of the patients during the study. The drug did not influence the monoamine metabolites in the CSF or the blood-brain barrier function. On the basis of these results we conclude that vinpocetine has no effect on patients suffering from mild to moderate dementia of vascular origin.

ISSN:1420-8008    

DOI:10.1159/000107159

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1990

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are not only effective antidepressants, but also have several other applications. Yet, they are infrequently used as a result of their potential to cause toxic side effects such as tyramine-induced hypertensive crisis (cheese effect). A resurgence of interest in MAOIs followed the finding of two forms of MAO. This resulted from the development of drugs that selectively inhibit the metabolism of serotonin and norepinephrine (MAO-A) or dopamine and phenethylamine (MAO-B). MAO-B is the predominant MAO found in the human brain. Theoretically, selective MAO-B inhibition can enhance brain MAO levels while leaving intestinal MAO-A intact, thus bypassing the cheese effect, L-deprenyl is the most extensively studied MAO-B inhibitor. At low doses, it is very selective for MAO-B and is not associated with the cheese effect. At higher doses, it is virtually nonselective. L-deprenyl enhances the effect of L-dopa on Parkinson's disease and may retard its natural progression. Although studies have found L-deprenyl to be an effective antidepressant only at nonselective doses, certain subtypes of depression may respond to selective doses. Also, evidence suggests that L-deprenyl has a positive effect on the general function and cognitive abilities of Alzheimer patients. Studies to date, including those showing a significant increase in the life span of rats following L-deprenyl use have led to the speculation that L-deprenyl may not only treat or retard degenerative diseases and acute brain insults, but may prove to be the first antiaging medication. Several other potential applications of MAO-B inhibitors include panic, ADHD, sexual dysfunction, and PTSD. It remains unclear what role MAO-B inhibition plays in the various therapeutic effects of L-deprenyl. Other potential mechanisms are discussed.

ISSN:1420-8008    

DOI:10.1159/000107160

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1990

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are not only effective antidepressants, but also have several other applications. Yet, they are infrequently used as a result of their potential to cause toxic side effects such as tyramine-induced hypertensive crisis (cheese effect). A resurgence of interest in MAOIs followed the finding of two forms of MAO. This resulted from the development of drugs that selectively inhibit the metabolism of serotonin and norepinephrine (MAO-A) or dopamine and phenethylamine (MAO-B). MAO-B is the predominant MAO found in the human brain. Theoretically, selective MAO-B inhibition can enhance brain MAO levels while leaving intestinal MAO-A intact, thus bypassing the cheese effect, L-deprenyl is the most extensively studied MAO-B inhibitor. At low doses, it is very selective for MAO-B and is not associated with the cheese effect. At higher doses, it is virtually nonselective. L-deprenyl enhances the effect of L-dopa on Parkinson's disease and may retard its natural progression. Although studies have found L-deprenyl to be an effective antidepressant only at nonselective doses, certain subtypes of depression may respond to selective doses. Also, evidence suggests that L-deprenyl has a positive effect on the general function and cognitive abilities of Alzheimer patients. Studies to date, including those showing a significant increase in the life span of rats following L-deprenyl use have led to the speculation that L-deprenyl may not only treat or retard degenerative diseases and acute brain insults, but may prove to be the first antiaging medication. Several other potential applications of MAO-B inhibitors include panic, ADHD, sexual dysfunction, and PTSD. It remains unclear what role MAO-B inhibition plays in the various therapeutic effects of L-deprenyl. Other potential mechanisms are discussed.

ISSN:1420-8008    

DOI:10.1159/000107161

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1990

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are not only effective antidepressants, but also have several other applications. Yet, they are infrequently used as a result of their potential to cause toxic side effects such as tyramine-induced hypertensive crisis (cheese effect). A resurgence of interest in MAOIs followed the finding of two forms of MAO. This resulted from the development of drugs that selectively inhibit the metabolism of serotonin and norepinephrine (MAO-A) or dopamine and phenethylamine (MAO-B). MAO-B is the predominant MAO found in the human brain. Theoretically, selective MAO-B inhibition can enhance brain MAO levels while leaving intestinal MAO-A intact, thus bypassing the cheese effect, L-deprenyl is the most extensively studied MAO-B inhibitor. At low doses, it is very selective for MAO-B and is not associated with the cheese effect. At higher doses, it is virtually nonselective. L-deprenyl enhances the effect of L-dopa on Parkinson's disease and may retard its natural progression. Although studies have found L-deprenyl to be an effective antidepressant only at nonselective doses, certain subtypes of depression may respond to selective doses. Also, evidence suggests that L-deprenyl has a positive effect on the general function and cognitive abilities of Alzheimer patients. Studies to date, including those showing a significant increase in the life span of rats following L-deprenyl use have led to the speculation that L-deprenyl may not only treat or retard degenerative diseases and acute brain insults, but may prove to be the first antiaging medication. Several other potential applications of MAO-B inhibitors include panic, ADHD, sexual dysfunction, and PTSD. It remains unclear what role MAO-B inhibition plays in the various therapeutic effects of L-deprenyl. Other potential mechanisms are discussed.

ISSN:1420-8008    

DOI:10.1159/000315526

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1990

数据来源: Karger

ISSN:1420-8008    

DOI:10.1159/000107162

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1990

数据来源: Karger

ISSN:1420-8008    

DOI:10.1159/000107163

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1990

数据来源: Karger

ISSN:1420-8008    

DOI:10.1159/000107164

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1990

数据来源: Karger