No abstract

Objective. search whether a specific deficit in Theory of Mind (ToM) can be found in fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) but not in Alzheimer Type dementia (AD). The search was further supported with brain neuro-images analysis. Method. Neuropsychological tests, executive function tests, Yesavage depression scale and ToM tests using Happe’s strange stories tests (SST) were administered, to highlight any differences between Alzheimer and Frontotemporal dementia patients in their capacity to build inferences of other subject’s mental states and interpreting a non literal or metaphoric sentence. With this purpose 20 patients with AD and 20 with FTD, age, sex, literacy and IQ matched were selected for this study. Analysis: data were analyzed with ANOVA and correlation tests Results. Patients with FTD performed worst than AD in SST but had identical outcomes in physical events control task. These results didn’t show a meaningful correlation with EF tests. Discussion. Both groups offered low contextual content answers, but the percentage was greater with FTD. Those results are correlated with hypometabolism in ventromedial and dorsolateral brain areas, demonstrated with SPECT. Conclusions. FTD patients show a specific deficit in Theory of Mind which renders them incapable of building inferences on mental states.

Background: Several neuropsychological deficits have been detected in subjects at ultra high risk of developing psychosis, but the best neuropsychological instruments to detect these deficits are yet to be determined. Objectives: Assess neuropsychological profile of subjects at ultra high risk of psychosis (UHRP) using MATRICS battery (Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia) compared with age, gender and Intelligence Quotient matched controls. Method: Neuropsychological functioning was measured in 27 UHRP patients and 38 controls using MATRICS battery. UHRP was diagnosed using the Cognitive Assessment of at Risk Mental States (CAARMS) scale, and both social and global functioning was assessed as well. Comparisons between groups were established using ANOVA, ANCOVA and Pearson correlation. Results: UHRP subjects scored 0.5 to 1.7 SD below controls in working memory, verbal and visual learning and social cognition. Discussion: UHRP subjects exhibit selective deficits in neuro-cognitive functioning when compared with controls, which can be detected with MATRICS. This instrument seems to be helpful for early detection of UHRP states.

Rechallenge is a viable option after a benign lamotrigine-induced rash, and can even be rechallenged after rash with greater precautions when there exists one or two potentially serious signs. In cases of more serious rash there are no reliable data available on rechallenge safety and it may pose a significant risk. In those cases rechallenge should better be avoided between 4 weeks from first rash.

Objetivos: Investigar la influencia de las redes sociales, apoyo social y uso de servicios de salud sobre la depresión en cuidadores de adultos mayores rurales. Sujetos: 100 cuidadores rurales proveedores de cuidados para adultos mayores. Método: Estudio transversal con muestreo aleatorio estratificado; se administra a los cuidadores la escala de apoyo social (EAS), de redes sociales (ERS) y de depresión (CES-D). Resultados: Los cuidadores se dividieron en dos grupos según proveyeran cuidados a adultos mayores sanos (AMS) o enfermos (AME). Los cuidadores para AMS y AME fueron esposa (28 y 43%), hijos y nueras (51 y 40%) y nietos (2 y 7,5%) respectivamente. Los tres servicios de salud más usados por cuidadores fueron visita médica (65,2%), ayuda de familiares/amigos (41,2%), curadores alternativos o medicinas no tradicionales (31,9%). Hubo diferencias significativas entre cuidadores de adultos mayores sanos y enfermos en depresión (t=3.195, p<0.01) y ERS (t=1.955, p<0.05). La depresión se asocia con edad de cuidadores (β=2.332), ingresos (β=−0.325), tiempo de cuidados (β=0.253), ERS (β=−1.984, p=0.001) y género del adulto mayor (β=0.143, p<0.003). Discusión: La familia es la principal fuente de cuidados en medios rurales de menores ingresos socioeconómicos, la esposa e hijas ocupan roles centrales, usando recursos médicos y no tradicionales. La depresión de cuidadores se asocia con características de adultos mayores, siendo la disponibilidad de fuentes de apoyo un mediador potencial. Conclusión: La disponibilidad de apoyos sociales y uso de servicios de salud son importantes para cuidadores rurales, como recursos para disminuir la severidad y presencia de depresión