Rationale Numerous neuroimaging studies have demonstrated lower neural tissue density in chronic cocaine users, which may be linked to cognitive dysfunction. Objectives The goal of this study was to determine whether neural tissue density was also impaired in individuals abstinent from cocaine and whether any observed changes were associated with cognitive performance. Methods A total of 73 participants were included: 24 active cocaine users, 24 abstainers (abstinent for at least 1 month), and 25 nondrug-abusing controls rigorously matched for age, gender, and IQ. All participants performed a cognitive assessment battery and received an MRI which was analyzed using voxel-based morphometry. Results The abstainers had significantly higher gray matter density than the current cocaine users in neocortical areas including the frontal and temporal cortex. In contrast to the users, there was no difference in white matter density in the abstainers relative to the controls. The abstainers performed better than current users on several behavioral tasks. Within users and abstainers, cortical density was correlated with performance on memory and reaction time tasks. Subcortical gray matter density was lower in both the users and abstainers relative to the controls. Within abstainers, subcortical tissue density was correlated with the ability to set-shift. Conclusions These data suggest that individuals able to remain abstinent from cocaine for at least 1 month have elevated neocortical tissue density and perform better on multiple cognitive tests, relative to current cocaine users. Larger, longitudinal studies are needed to address this interaction between abstinence, cognition, and cortical tissue density directly.

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Intensity of lymphoma on FDG PET is likely associated with Glut1 expression. The nonlymphomatous, benign cells may play an important role in visualization of lymphoma on FDG PET.

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Background and study aims: Retrograde single-balloon enteroscopy (RSBE) facilitates evaluation of the distal small bowel and provision of appropriate therapy when necessary. Intubation of the terminal ileum (TI) is a major rate-limiting step, with failure rates as high as 30 %. Cap-assisted endoscopy has proven beneficial in other aspects of endoscopy. We have noticed that it similarly aids in TI intubation during RSBE by facilitating opening of the ileocecal valve (ICV). The primary aim of this study was to measure the TI intubation rate using cap-assisted RSBE. Other procedural details and outcomes were also measured. Patients and methods: A total of 36 consecutive RSBEs performed between July 2011 and May 2014 at the Medical University of South Carolina were retrospectively reviewed. All procedures were performed or supervised by our center’s small bowel endoscopist (ASB). Outcomes measured included TI intubation rate, procedure time, depth of maximal insertion (DMI), diagnostic yield (DY), therapeutic yield (TY), and complications. Results: The TI intubation rate was 97 % (35 /36). The one failure was due to stool completely obscuring the cecum. Median procedure time was 54 minutes, with a mean DMI of 68 cm beyond the ICV. The technical success rate was 86 %, whereas DY and TY were 61 % and 25 %, respectively. There were no complications. The study was limited in that it involved a single endoscopist at a single center. Conclusions: Cap-assisted RSBE results in a high TI intubation rate, without compromise to safety or procedural yield.