Changes and advancements in technology have the potential to benefit older adults by promoting independence and increasing the ability to age in place. However, older adults are less likely to adopt new technology unless they see benefits to themselves. This study assessed the perceptions of 30 older adults in the Midwest concerning technology via three separate focus groups (i.e., independent apartment complex, a rural community, exercise program participants), which addressed a need in the literature (i.e., inclusion of oldest-old and rural individuals). The focus group questions included items such as what technology older adults currently used, desired improvements in technology, and the greatest challenges participants were facing or would face in the future. Overall, older adults were enthusiastic about learning new forms of technology that could help them maintain their independence and quality of life. Five themes emerged from all three focus groups: (a) Frustrations, Limitations, and Usability Concerns; (b) Transportation; (c) Help and Assistance; (d) Self-Monitoring; and (e) Gaming. The themes have important implications for future technology developed for older adults; in particular, older adults were willing and eager to adopt new technology when usefulness and usability outweighed feelings of inadequacy.

Many forms of cancer present with a complex metabolic profile characterised by loss of lean body mass known as cancer cachexia. The physical impact of cachexia contributes to decreased patient quality of life, treatment success and survival due to gross alterations in protein metabolism, increased oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. The psychological impact also contributes to decreased quality of life for both patients and their families. Combination therapies that target multiple pathways, such as eicosapentaenoic acid administered in combination with exercise, appetite stimulants, antioxidants or anti-inflammatories, have potential in the treatment of this complex syndrome and require further development.

The locomotor stimulation induced by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine) in mice was regarded as a model of at least some aspects of schizophrenia. The serotonin synthesis inhibitor dl-p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) was used to evaluate the involvement of endogenous serotonin in (a) the induction of MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion in NMRI mice, and (b) the inhibition of MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion by each of five monoaminergic antagonists (M100907, clozapine, olanzapine, raclopride, SCH23390). Further, brain monoaminergic biochemistry was characterised in rats and mice after various drug treatments. PCPA pretreatment did not significantly reduce MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion in any of the experiments performed; however in a meta-analysis of six experiments, the locomotion displayed by MK-801-treated animals was diminished 17% by PCPA pretreatment. The selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 exerted a dose-dependent inhibition of MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion. This effect was abolished in mice pretreated with PCPA, but could be restored in a dose-dependent manner by restitution of endogenous 5-HT by means of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). On the other hand, the inhibition of MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion exerted by the selective dopamine D-2 receptor antagonist raclopride or the dopamine D-1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 was unaffected by PCPA pretreatment. The antipsychotics clozapine and olanzapine displayed a split profile. Hence, the inhibitory effect on MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion exerted by low doses of these compounds was diminished after PCPA pretreatment, while inhibition exerted by higher doses was unaffected by PCPA. These results suggest that (1) MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion is accompanied by an activation of, but is not fully dependent upon, brain serotonergic systems. (2) In the hypoglutamatergic state induced by MK-801, endogenous serotonin exerts a stimulatory effect on locomotion through an action at 5-HT2A receptors, an effect that is almost completely counterbalanced by a concomitant inhibitory impact on locomotion, mediated through stimulation of serotonin receptors other than 5-HT2A receptors. M100907, by blocking 5-HT2A receptors, unveils the inhibitory effect exerted on locomotion by these other serotonin receptors. (3) Dopamine D-2 receptor antagonistic properties of antipsychotic compounds, when they come into play, override 5-HT2A receptor antagonism. Possible implications for the treatment of schizophrenia with 5-HT2A receptor antagonists are discussed. It is hypothesized that treatment response to such agents is dependent on increased serotonergic tone.

Pridopidine (ACR16) belongs to a new pharmacological class of agents affecting the central nervous system called dopaminergic stabilizers. Dopaminergic stabilizers act primarily at dopamine type 2 (D(2)) receptors and display state-dependent behavioural effects. This article aims to give an overview of the preclinical neurochemical and behavioural in vivo pharmacological properties of pridopidine. Pridopidine was given s.c. to male Sprague-Dawley rats (locomotor, microdialysis and tissue neurochemistry) and i.p. to Swiss male mice (tail suspension test). Pridopidine dose-dependently increased striatal tissue levels of the dopamine metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanin (ED(50)=81 micromol/kg), and prefrontal cortex dialysate levels of dopamine and noradrenaline as measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The agent reduced hyperlocomotion (d-amphetamine: ED(50)=54 micromol/kg; MK-801: ED(50)=40 micromol/kg), but preserved spontaneous locomotor activity, confirming state-dependent behavioural effects. In addition, pridopidine significantly reduced immobility time in the tail suspension test. We conclude that pridopidine state-dependently stabilizes psychomotor activity by the dual actions of functional dopamine D(2) receptor antagonism and strengthening of cortical glutamate functions in various settings of perturbed neurotransmission. The putative restoration of function in cortico-subcortical circuitry by pridopidine is likely to make it useful for ameliorating several neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Huntington's disease.