Yesim Can

Neuroprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid and methylprednisolone on the spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate the putative neuroprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on spinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rabbits. Methods. Thirty-five adult female New Zeland rabbits, weighing 2,000–3,500 g (mean: 2,800), were divided randomly into five groups of seven rabbits each (n: 7) as Group 1: sham, only laparotomy; Group 2 (İ/R): I/R; Group 3 (LA): I/R and 100 mg/kg of LA; Group 4 (MP): I/R and 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone (MP); and Group 5 (LA + MP): I/R and 100 mg/kg of LA plus 30 mg/kg of MP. Results. A statically significant effect of LA, MP, and LA plus MP on lowering malondialdehyde levels both in the blood and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been observed. Nitric oxide is significantly decreased in the blood and spinal cord tissues, and also in the CSF but it is not significant. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione levels were increased by LA administration. Conclusion. LA exhibits antioxidant efficacy in spinal cord I/R injury, but it cannot decrease the oxidative stress. The histopathological result of the present study also demonstrated that LA has neuroprotective effect in spinal cord injury.

Serum adiponectin and resistin levels in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder

We aimed to investigate the changes in serum adiponectin and resistin levels in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder and control groups. The serum adiponectin and resistin levels of 29 patients (16 females, 13 males) with obsessive compulsive disorder and weight, age and sex-matched 31 healthy controls (17 females, 14 males) were determined. Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was applied to all groups. ELISA method was used to measure adiponectin and resistin levels. The mean adiponectin level was 11.92±2.04 ng/ml and resistin level was 13.23±2.78 ng/ml in obsessive compulsive disorder group, while it was 18.81±5.24 ng/ml and 8.17±2.53 ng/ml in control group. Changes in plasma adiponectin and resistin levels in obsessive compulsive disorder may have implications about possible cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities seen in obsessive compulsive patients.

Psychometric properties of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) in heroin dependent adults and adolescents with drug use disorder -

Objective: The psychometric properties of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10), developed to screen individuals for drug problems, are evaluated in Turkish patients with drug use disorder. Method: Participants included 100 adolescents with drug use disorder in a substance abuse treatment program for adolescents, 123 heroin dependent adults in a residential substance abuse treatment program, and 35 alcohol dependents from the same clinic who did not report a drug abuse problem. Results: The DAST-10 was found to be a psychometrically sound drug abuse screening measure with high convergent validity (r=0.76) when correlation with the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) was measured and to have a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.92. In addition, a single component accounted for 59.35% of total variance, and the DAST-10 had sensitivity and specificity scores of 0.98 and 0.91, respectively, when using the optimal cut-off score of 4. Additionally, the DAST-10 showed good discriminant validity as it significantly differentiated patients with drug use disorder from alcohol dependents. Conclusions: These findings support the DAST as a reliable and valid drug abuse screening instrument that measures a unidimensional construct. Further research is warranted with additional clinical populations and with high risk populations such as those in criminal justice settings.

Relationships of personality dimensions with impulsivity in alcohol-dependent inpatient men.

Abstract Background: Impulsivity is closely related to substance use and abuse, both as a contributor to use and as a consequence of use. Particular dimensions of temperament and character were reported to be associated with trait impulsivity in different populations. Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of personality dimensions with impulsivity among men with alcohol dependence. Also we wanted to control the effect of depression and anxiety symptoms on this relationship. Methods: Participants were consecutively admitted male alcohol-dependent inpatients (n = 94) and healthy controls (n = 63). Patients were investigated with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, version 11 (BIS-11), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90-R). Results: Severity of impulsivity and dimensions of impulsivity were higher in alcohol-dependent inpatients than in healthy controls. Impulsivity was negatively correlated with reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness and cooperativeness, but positively correlated with novelty seeking, harm avoidance, depression and anxiety. Although high depression and temperament dimensions (high novelty seeking, harm avoidance and low reward dependence) predicted impulsivity, combinations of personality dimensions that predict dimensions of impulsivity differed. Conclusions: Results may suggest that together with depression when impulsivity is the problem, both dimensions of impulsivity and personality must be evaluated and the treatment should be shaped accordingly for alcohol-dependent inpatients.

The severity of attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and its relationship with lifetime substance use and psychological variables among 10th grade students in Istanbul

AIM The aim of this study was to determine the severity of attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms (ADHS) and related psychological and behavioral variables among 10th grade students in Istanbul/Turkey. METHODS Cross-sectional online self-report survey conducted in 45 schools in 15 districts Istanbul. The questionnaire included sections about demographic data and use of substances including tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Also ADHS, depression, anxiety, anger and sensation seeking subscales of Psychological Screening Test for Adolescents (PSTA) were used. The analyses were conducted based on the 4938 subjects. RESULTS Mean ADHS score was higher in females and among those with a lifetime use of tobacco, alcohol and drug, and having self-harming behavior and suicidal thoughts. ADHS score was correlated with depression, anxiety, anger and sensation seeking scores. In univariate covariance analysis (ANCOVA); depression, anxiety, anger, sensation seeking, lifetime alcohol use and suicidal thoughts predicted the severity of ADHS. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that, since ADHS is associated with depression, anxiety, anger, sensation seeking, lifetime alcohol use and suicidal thoughts among 10th grade students, clinicians should screen suicidality and comorbid psychiatric symptoms routinely in adolescents with ADHS.

Non-suicidal self-harm behavior within the previous year among 10th-grade adolescents in Istanbul and related variables.

Abstract Background: Non-suicidal self-harm behavior (SHB), which is a pervasive and dangerous problem, is frequent among adolescents and it is important to evaluate the associated psychological and social factors to better understand its nature and to plan treatment programs. Aims: Aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of SHB and the associated variables such as substance use, psychological, behavioral and social factors among 10th-grade students in Istanbul/Turkey. Methods: Cross-sectional online self-report survey conducted in 45 schools from the 15 districts in Istanbul/Turkey. A representative sample of 4957 10th-grade students was studied between October 2012 and December 2012. Results: SHB within the previous year were reported by 14.4% of the students (n = 713). Lifetime suicidal thoughts or behavior, tobacco, alcohol and/or drug use, symptoms of depression, anxiety and impulsive, delinquent and aggressive behaviors were also associated with SHB in Turkish 10th-grade students. Conclusions: The findings of the present study may be relevant in prevention and management of SHB as well as important problems among students, such as substance use, impulsive, delinquent, aggressive and suicidal behavior.

Alkol ve Madde Bağımlılığında Remisyon ve Depreşme

Ozet Alkol ve madde bagimliligi kronik bir hastalik olup alkol madde bagimliligi gelistikten sonra yasam boyunca devam etmektedir. Bu yuzden dogal gidisi remisyon ve depresmeler belirler. Alkol madde bagimlilarinda zaman zaman remisyon donemleri arkasindan depresme donemleri ortaya cikabil- mekte ve bu depresme donemleri de kisileri alkol maddenin tum olumsuz etkileri ile karsi karsiya birakabilmektedir. Depresme riskini belirleyen gunumuze kadar pek cok faktorden soz edilmistir. Bu faktorler bireysel, durumsal olabildigi gibi fizyolojik temelleri de olan faktorlerdir. Bunlarin birbirleri ile karsilikli etkilesimi depresme acisindan oldukca onemlidir. Depresme bagimlilik gelismis kisilerin tekrar alkol madde kullanmaya baslamalarini onlemek icin uzerinde oldukca fazla calisilmis bir alandir. Bagimli hastalarin remisyon donemlerinde yasadiklari zorluklarin veya tekrarlayan depres- me sureclerinin ayrintili olarak tanimlanabilmesi alkol madde bagimliliginda tedavi stratejilerinin belirlenmesi ve sonraki depresme sureclerinin onlenmesi konusunda bagimlilik alaninda calisan klinisyenlere yol gosterici olacaktir. Anahtar sozcukler: Alkol ve madde bagimliligi, remisyon, depresme. Abstract Alcohol and substance addiction is a chronic disease and continues throughout individuals life once after addiction develops. Therefore its natural course is characterized by remissions and relapses. In addiction, relapse periods can be followed by remission periods and individuals encounter with negative effects of alcohol and substances in these relapse periods. Many factors have been defined to determine the risk of relapse up to the date. These factors can be situational or personal and they also have physiological bases. Interaction of these factors with each other is critical in terms of relapse. Relapse is a quite well studied area in the literature, in order to prevent the individuals from restarting alcohol and substance use again. Defining the challenges of addicted patients in remis- sion periods and recurrent periods of relapse in detail will guide clinicians to determine treatment strategies in addiction and to prevent subsequent relapse periods.

Alcohol use disorder and emotional abuse: the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas

Objective: Studies have shown a relationship between the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the existence of childhood traumas (CT). In this study, in order to gain a better understanding of the association between CT and AUD, the relationship between CT and AUD was analyzed. Further, it was investigated whether Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) play a mediating role in the relationship between emotional abuse (EA) and AUD. Methods: The participants were consecutively admitted male alcohol-dependent inpatients (n=220) and healthy controls (n=108). The participants were investigated with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) and Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Mediation ana-lyses were conducted in order to evaluate the mediating effect of EMS between the relationship of AUD and CT. Results: The difference between CT total score and the EA score between the control group and the AUD group were statistically significant. An analysis of different types of traumas in the correlation with AUD revealed EA as the main predictor of AUD both directly and through its mediating effect with the EMS. In addition, it was determined that in the relationship between EA and AUD, EMS such as Enmeshment, Emotional Inhibition, Dependence and Insufficient Self-Control had mediating effect. Discussion: CT, especially EA are quite common in male inpatients with AUD and the negative effects of EA may play an important role in the development of AUD by causing EMS. Our findings imply that those with EA history in childhood may be particularly vulnerable to the development of AUD in adulthood. Therefore, in the prevention of the development and in the treatment of AUD, it may be useful to take into consideration EA experiences, to screen EMS that may mediate such relationship through scales and to conduct interventions in this regard.

ALKOL KULLANIM BOZUKLUKLARINDA ERKEN DÖNEM UYUMSUZ ŞEMALARIN ÜSTESİNDEN GELME BİÇİMLERİ: ŞEMA TERAPİ ÇERÇEVESİNDE BİR ARAŞTIRMA

Amac sema terapi acisindan alkol kullanim bozuklugunun nedenlerini arastirmaktir. Yontem: Calismaya 248 kisi katildi. Katilimci grubu Bakirkoy Ruh Sagligi ve Sinir Hastaliklari Egitim Arastirma Hastanesi, Alkol ve Madde Bagimliligi Arastirma Tedavi ve Egitim Merkezi’nde (AMATEM) yatan alkol kullanim bozuklugu tanisi almis 168 erkek hastadan, karsilastirma grubu alkol kullanim bozuklugu olmayan ve herhangi bir psikiyatrik tanisi bulunmayan, toplumdan tesadufi olarak secilen 80 erkekten olustu. Katilimcilara Sosyodemografik Veri Formu, Young Rygh Kacinma Olcegi ve Young Telafi Olcegi verildi. Sonuclar: Alkol kullanim bozuklugu olan bireylerin sema kacinma ve sema telafi puanlarinin kontrol grubuna gore yuksek oldugu bulundu. Tartisma: Alkol kullanim bozukluguna sema terapi cercevesinde yaklasmak, kisilerin alkol alinimina sebep olan sema surdurucu stilin anlasilmasini ve daha iyi bir tedavinin saglanmasini saglayacaktir.

Partial mediator role of physical abuse on the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and severity of dissociative experiences in a sample of inpatients with alcohol use disorder

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms with dissociative experiences, and the mediator role of childhood traumas on this relationship, while controlling the effect of depression in alcohol use disorder (AUD). Settings and Design: It was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: One hundred and ninety inpatients with AUD were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory, the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Childhood Trauma Qestionnaire, and Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). Statistical Analysis: One-way ANOVA, Chi-squared test, and hierarchical linear regression model were performed. Results: The ratio of those who receive 10 points or less from DES was 26.8%, those who receive points between 11 and 30 was 45.3%, and those who receive more than 30 points was 27.9%. The latter group that was considered as a group with high risk of dissociative disorder had higher scores from depression, childhood trauma, and ADHD scores than the other groups. Rate of those with high probability of ADHD was higher among this group. ASRS total score and inattentive subscale scores were moderately (r = 0.552 and r = 0.547, respectively) and hyperactive/impulsive subscale was mildly (r = 0.430) correlated with DES score. Severity of ADHD was related with the severity of dissociative symptoms, and physical abuse had partial mediator effect on this relationship, even after controlling the depressive symptoms. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the presence of severe IN symptoms is an important factor related with dissociative tendency in AUD population with a history of physical abuse.