Hyperlocomotion induced by MK-801 may be mediated by reduced adenosinergic activity. These results also suggest that locomotor and cognitive effects of MK-801 can be dissociated and are distinctly modulated. Finally, these findings agree with the adenosine hypofunction model of schizophrenia, since NMDA receptor antagonists are a pharmacological model for this disorder.

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N-methyl-D aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, such as MK-801, and the dopamine indirect agonist amphetamine are pharmacological models used for the evaluation of putative new treatments for schizophrenia. Since the psychotomimetic effects of NMDA antagonists have recently been linked to their ability to increase glutamate release and since the glutamate release inhibitor riluzole prevented NMDA antagonist neurotoxicity, we evaluated the effect of riluzole on hyperlocomotion induced by MK-801 (0.25 mg/kg) and amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg). Mice pretreated with riluzole (3 mg/kg) did not influence baseline or MK-801-induced behavior, but 10 mg/kg produced moderate hypolocomotion alone and somewhat prolonged MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion. Pretreatment with riluzole 10 mg/kg, but not 3 mg/kg, had a moderately depressant effect both on spontaneous and amphetamine-induced locomotion. Taken together, these results suggest that riluzole would not be particularly effective as a treatment for schizophrenia and the neurotoxic and behavioral effect of NMDA antagonists do not clearly correlate.

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Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Neben der palliativmedizinischen Versorgung fordern die Deutsche und die Europäische Gesellschaft für Palliativmedizin die Berücksichtigung der sozialen Bedürfnisse von Patienten mit weit fortgeschrittenen und unheilbaren Erkrankungen. Soziale Isolation kann die Lebensqualität und den Krankheitsverlauf verschlechtern oder zur Verkürzung der Lebensdauer führen. Diese Arbeit soll den Effekt eines Integrationsprojekts auf den persönlichen (Lebensqualität, Selbstsicherheit, Krankheitsbewältigung) und sozialen (gesellschaftliche Reintegration) Nutzen für Palliativpatienten analysieren. Methodik Im Anschluss an eine mehrtägige Reise für Palliativpatienten nach Rom wurden 17 Teilnehmer und sieben Betreuer zum soziopsychologischen Gewinn mittels audioregistrierter telefonischer Leitfadeninterviews befragt. Die Interviews wurden transkribiert und in einem mehrstufigen Prozess inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet und zusammengefasst. Ergebnisse Eine organisierte Reise steigerte die soziale Integration, Lebensqualität und Selbstsicherheit von Palliativpatienten und führte zu einer besseren Krankheitsbewältigung. Schlussfolgerung Die Aussagen von Patienten und Betreuern spiegeln die Notwendigkeit und den Nutzen der gesellschaftlichen Integration von Palliativpatienten wider.

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Tageshospize stellen einen neuen Baustein der palliativmedizinischen Versorgung dar. Daten zu organisatorischen und grundlegenden versorgungsrelevanten Aspekten liegen kaum vor. Diese sollen nun aus Sicht von Patienten und Angehörigen erhoben werden. Methodik In einer schriftlichen Umfrage unter 209 Palliativpatienten und 105 Angehörigen an drei onkologischen Zentren wurden erste Eindrücke zum Bedarf und zur Planungsumsetzung von Tageshospizen ermittelt. Ergebnisse 81 % (n = 169) der Patienten und 75 % (n = 79) der Angehörigen erwarteten einen Benefit durch den Besuch von Tageshospizen. Öffnungszeiten wurden v. a. wochentags von 7:00–19:00 Uhr präferiert. 39 % (n = 41) der Angehörigen fühlten sich durch die Patientenpflege zeitweise überlastet, 80 % (n = 84) gingen von einer Entlastung durch ein Tageshospiz aus. Schlussfolgerung Tageshospize könnten aus Sicht von Patienten und Angehörigen die palliativmedizinische Versorgung sinnvoll ergänzen. Der Bedarf scheint v. a. unter der Woche zu den Hauptarbeitszeiten zu liegen.

Backgroud: Psychosis frequently occurs in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), being associated with more severe cognitive decline, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Objective: To investigate the effect of centrally administered β-amyloid peptide, a model for AD, in the locomotor response to amphetamine, caffeine and MK-801, which are psychoactive drugs related to neurochemical changes occurring in psychosis. Methods: Mice were intracerebroventricularly injected with β-amyloid (25–35), and after 1 week they were tested in the passive avoidance, spontaneous alternation and locomotor tasks. Results: Besides impaired performance in inhibitory avoidance and spontaneous alternation tasks, β-amyloid-treated mice showed increased spontaneous locomotion, augmented response to amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg), blunted response to caffeine (30 mg/kg) and no difference in MK-801 (0.25 mg/kg)-induced locomotor activation when compared to its respective control. Conclusion: These results are compatible with the hypothesis that β-amyloid peptide may predispose to psychotic symptoms of AD by increasing sensitivity of the dopaminergic system, possibly related to a decreased adenosinergic inhibitory tone.

Background There is controversy regarding the practical implementation of symptom-focused oncological cancer therapies to hospice residents. In this study, we aim to analyse the use and indication of supportive-oncological cancer therapies in hospices. Methods We conducted a retrospective survey of all residents of two hospice centres in the government district of Lower Bavaria, Germany. Hospice 1 (H1) was a member of an oncological–palliative medical network, and hospice 2 (H2) was independently organized. The evaluation period was the first 40 months after the opening of the respective hospice care centre. Demographical and epidemiological data as well as indications and type of supportive-oncological cancer therapies were recorded. A descriptive analysis and statistical tests were performed. Results Of the 706 residents, 645 had an underlying malignant disease. The average age was 72 years and the mean residence time was 28 days. The most frequent cancer types were gastrointestinal cancers, gynaecological cancers and bronchial carcinomas. Overall 39 residents (33 in H1 and 6 in H2, p < 0.01) received symptom-focused oncological cancer therapy. The average age of these residents was 68 years, and the mean residence time was 55 days. The most common therapeutic indications were dyspnoea and pain. The most common symptom-focused oncological cancer therapies were bisphosphonates, transfusions (erythrocyte- and platelet- concentrates), radiotherapy and anti-proliferative drugs (chemotherapy, anti-hormonal- and targeted- therapies). Patients with therapy lived significantly longer than patients without therapy (p < 0.01). Conclusions Symptom-focused oncological cancer therapies can be implemented in hospices; however, their implementation seems to require certain structural and organizational prerequisites as well as careful patient selection. As a palliative medical approach, the focus is to ameliorate the symptoms and not prolong life. Symptom-focused oncology treatment could be a further and important part for the therapy of hospice patients in the future.