Purpose/Background It is well documented that one of the pathophysiological mechanisms of negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia is hypofunction of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of nanocurcumin as an adjuvant agent on psychotic symptoms, especially negative symptoms, in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods/Procedures Fifty-six inpatients with stable chronic schizophrenia and predominant negative symptoms were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to nanocurcumin soft gel capsule (160 mg/d) and control groups, along with their antipsychotic regimen for 16 weeks. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, Clinical Global Impressions—Severity, and Clinical Global Impressions—Improvement scales. Extrapyramidal symptoms were evaluated by Simpson-Angus Scale and Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale. Patients were assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 after the medication started. Findings/Results No significant differences were observed in demographic or clinical variables between both groups at baseline. The nanocurcumin group showed significantly greater improvement on the negative subscale (P = 0.05), the general psychopathology subscale (P < 0.001), the positive subscale (P = 0.004), total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (P < 0.001), Clinical Global Impressions—Severity (P < 0.001), and Clinical Global Impressions—Improvement scores (P < 0.001) in comparison with the control group at the endpoint. Extrapyramidal symptom rating scales and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and frequency of other adverse effects were comparable between 2 groups. Implications/Conclusions The present study indicates nanocurcumin as a safe and potential adjunctive treatment strategy for treatment of primary negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Background:Sore throat and hoarseness are the most frequent subjective complaints after tracheal intubation for general anesthesia. We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous (IV) dexamethasone plus ketamine gargle for reducing the incidence and severity of post-operative sore throat (POST) and hoarseness.Materials and Methods:140 patients (aged 16-65 year) scheduled for elective surgery were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated into four groups of 35 subjects each: Group K, gargled 40 mg ketamine in 30 ml saline; Group D, were infused 0.2 mg/kg IV dexamethasone; Group KD, gargled 40 mg ketamine in 30 ml saline plus 0.2 mg/kg IV dexamethasone; Group P (placebo) that received saline (gargle and IV). POST was graded at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h after operation on a four-point scale (0-3).Results:The incidence and severity of POST were significantly lower in Group KD, compared with the other groups at all times after tracheal extubation for up to 24 h (P < 0.05). Also the incidence and severity of hoarseness were significantly lower in each Groups of KD and K and D compared with group placebo (P < 0.05).Conclusion:The prophylactic use of 0.2 mg/kg of IV dexamethasone plus ketamine gargle significantly reduced the incidence and severity of POST compared with using each of these drugs alone or using placebo.
Introduction: Lujan-Fryns syndrome (LFS) is an X-linked disorder characterized by varying degrees of symptoms, including mental retardation, Marfanoid habitus, facial deformities, hyper nasal speech, and psychopathology and related behavioral abnormalities. The prevalence and full spectrum of LFS's clinical symptoms remain unknown, but the disease is reportedly caused by at least one mutation in the mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12) gene.Case Presentation: This study reports the case of an 18-year-old male with moderate mental disability, a height exceeding the 97th percentile, marfanoid characteristics, obvious craniofacial appearance, and psychiatric and behavioral disorders. Adults with LFS are usually tall, but their heights still fall within the normal range. Conclusions: The higher-than-normal mean height of the young man and psychosis led us to conclude that patients with LFS may be those taller than the normal range. The results provided insights into clinical and therapeutic remedies and highlighted the need to carefully examine the psychological and neuropsychological symptoms of LFS.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.