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The disposition of sympathetic transmitter within the wall of rat femoral and rabbit saphenous arteries has been studied during sympathetic stimulation. Using a histochemical fluorescence technique, sharply delineated bead-like fluorescent spots representing sympathetic nerve terminals were found at the adventitiomedial junction. In specimens excised during sympathetic nerve stimulation, the entire media was veiled by fluorescent material representing noradrenaline which had diffused into that layer after release. The localization of the nerve terminals in controls as well as diffusion of transmitter during stimulation in the rat femoral artery was corroborated by autoradiography of tritiated noradrenaline.

In the current experiment, we used the saccadometric test to study the effect of a single therapeutic dose of methadone on the integrity of cortico-subcortical brain functioning. In this prospective study, we used the Saccadometer System (Advanced Clinical Instrumentation, Cambridge, UK). The saccadometric test was performed before and 1.5 hours after methadone dosing. We analyzed the following saccadic parameters: latency, duration, amplitude, average and peak velocity, and processing performance (promptness) as well as a number of different types of saccades (like correct/incorrect, under/overshoot, and left-sided/right-sided). The sample consists of 40 subjects with an average 18 years of opioid addiction. The mean age is 35.3 ± 7 (80% males and 20% females). The mean period of heroin dependence is 15.3 ± 6.3 years. The mean daily dose of methadone in substitution therapy is 90 ± 26.5 mg. After administration of a single therapeutic dose of methadone, there were statistically significant differences in the values of saccade duration and latency when compared to the values before the drug administration. Average duration of saccade was significantly longer [51.40 ± 8.75 ms versus 48.93 ± 6.91 ms, z = 2.53, p = .01] and average latency was significantly longer [198.85 ± 52.57 ms versus 183.05 ± 30.95 ms, z = 2.09 p < .03]. This is the first study to test the therapeutic effect of daily methadone dosing on the integrity of the cortico-subcortical brain functions as measured by the saccadometry. More research is needed to explore the effect of illicit opioid use on the integrity of brain structures and functions, and the protective effect of opioid agonist therapy on reversing the damaging effects of illicit opioid use.

Background and Objectives: Evidence suggests that methadone may play a protective role in the faulty decision-making in heroinaddicted individuals. This may reduce craving for opioids and the risky decisions associated with active opioid use. Methods: We tested the effect of a daily therapeutic dose of methadone on faulty decision-making in eighty (n ¼ 80) individuals with a history of opioid addiction. We used the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and compared the score and response time before and after the daily methadone dosing. Results: The mean net IGT score before methadone dose was 10 (AE22) and 22 (AE23) after methadone dose (t ¼ 4.23, p ¼ .00006). These results reflect statistically significant improvement in faulty decisions after the administration of the daily methadone dose.The mean response time for the reward cards before methadone dose were 1,856 ms (AE871) and 1,465 ms (AE851) after methadone dose (t ¼ 2.55, p ¼ .012). The mean response time for the punishment cards before methadone dose were 1,688 ms (AE911) and 1,399 ms (AE827) after methadone dose (t ¼ 1.86, p ¼ .065). These results reflect statistically significant improvement in response time to a rewarding healthy decisions after the administration of the daily methadone dose. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: This is the first study to report the effect of a therapeutic dose of methadone on improving faulty decisions for individuals with a long history of opioids addiction. This study demonstrated that the time to making a healthy decision was significantly shorter as a result of administration of methadone. (Am J Addict

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ObjectiveThe aim of study is to assess the graphomotor and psychomotor skills and eye-hand coordination in patients with schizophreniaMethods30 patients were examined. The most accurate mapping of geometric shapes printed on the sheet, by drawing on dominant hand contour was the task for patients. The original test implemented on tablet was used. Designed software allowed an analysis of the motion's parameters: force levels, the time of the task, speed and acceleration of the plot, the amplitude and frequency of hand tremors. Results were compared with healthy group.ResultsSlight tremors reduced mean amplitude of the primary component (1 Hz), while slightly increasing the mean amplitude for the components 2, 3 and 8 in the task of drawing the figures for the spectrum of trembling deviation was observed. In the signature task observed a significant reduction in the mean amplitude of tremors in the middle of the component analysis (5 Hz to 9 Hz). Significant changes in the range: 2 Hz to 5 Hz and 7 Hz to 16 Hz in the task of drawing the figures for the spectrum force levels ware observed.ConclusionComparison of the dynamics of motion in patients with schizophrenia to healthy subjects in the control group indicate a significant impairment of graphomotor and psychomotor efficiency. Particularly, the most differentiate these two groups refers to parameters quantitatively measured the level of tremors the dominant hand tremors, mostly in the fundamental frequency.

AimsThe aim of this study was to assess the differences in saccadic latency (a measure of time delay experienced in eye movements) between alcohol-dependent and healthy controls.Materials and methodsParticipantsNinety-nine alcohol dependent patients were examined. Thirty-eight healthy controls were matched to the affected cohort according to demographic characteristics.AssessmentIn this study we used the Saccadometer Advanced System (Advanced Clinical Instrumentation, Cambridge, UK). The Saccadometer System allows quick and easy collection of saccadic responses within the shortest physiologically possible time (100 saccades in 5 min). The brevity of the testing routine minimizes any potential influence on the results due to fatigue in the test subjects. The eye movement measurements are automated and synchronised with stimuli presentation. This study analyzed saccadic latency and standard deviation of mean latency.ResultsThere was higher saccadic latency and standard deviation of mean latency in alcohol-dependent individuals (224.43±56.24 msec) when compared to healthy controls (187.84±25.65 msec). A marked asymmetry of standard deviation of mean latency between right-sided and left-sided saccades was observed in the affected cohort. There was an increased standard deviation of right-sided saccades mean latency (69.96 msec) in alcohol-dependent individuals when compared to healthy controls (30.93 msec) and also an increased standard deviation of left-sided saccades mean latency (59.33 msec) when compared to healthy controls (33.09 msec).ConclusionIt was found that alcohol dependence is associated with impaired (longer time delay) saccadic reaction.

Objective The study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the IPOS-Pol for patient self-reporting. Method Patients (>18 years of age) with advanced cancer admitted to three palliative care centers (inpatient units and home-based) were recruited to a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational, prospective study. Participants provided responses to the IPOS-Pol Patient version and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire – Core 15 – Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) Polish version at baseline (T1) and four to seven days later (T2). We assessed test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the tool. Results One hundred and eighty patients were included. Test–retest reliability demonstrated no statistically significant differences in the average outcomes of the IPOS-Pol between T1 and T2 (27.2 ± 9.2 vs. 26.5 ± 8.7; p > 0.05). The intra-class correlation coefficient between T1 and T2 was r = 0.83 (p < 0.0001), the intra-class correlation coefficient for test–retest reliability of the IPOS-Pol items ranged from 0.63 to 0.84 (p < 0.0001), and the Cronbach's α coefficient for internal consistency was 0.773. The correlation coefficient between the IPOS-Pol and EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL total score was 0.79 (p < 0.001). Significance of results The patient version of the Polish adaptation of IPOS is a valid and reliable outcome measure for assessing symptoms and concerns of individuals receiving palliative care, as well as the quality of care provided.