Avicenna Journal of Neuropsychophysiology
Year:2015 | Volume:2 | Issue:4|Papers Count:5

Background: There is a need to examine the prevalence of pediatric chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) in the general community, as well as the relative frequency of CFS and ME among various groups (e.g., different age groups, genders, racial/ethnic groups, and socioeconomic strata) and to compare these individuals with community controls.Objectives: In the present study, we describe an ongoing NIH-funded study which will answer basic epidemiologic pediatric issues for pediatric CFS and ME.Materials and Methods: We used a multiple-stage design, beginning with a brief screening for CFS- and ME-like symptomatology, followed by a more rigorous medical and psychiatric diagnostic evaluation.Results: We provide two case studies showing the types of data we are collecting, and how the data are being used to inform diagnostic decisions.Conclusions: Our methods will allow us to determine the prevalence of pediatric CFS and ME status in the general community.

Background: Previous studies have shown that magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-n) improve passive avoidance memory in adult male mice. Alternatively, muscarinic receptors of the cholinergic system have a primary role in memory formation but their relationship with the improvement effects of magnesium on memory is not clear.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nano magnesium oxide on memory deficits induced by atropine as a muscarinic receptor antagonist in passive avoidance memory tests.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, NMRI male mice were placed in groups receiving atropine (0.1 and 1 mg/kg), recipient of MgO-n (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg) and groups receiving atropine in effective dose and different doses of MgO-n were used. Saline was used as a vehicle for drugs in the control groups. Memory was evaluated with a step-down apparatus to determine the coming down latency from a safe platform on days 1, 3, and 7 after training. Locomotor activity was also evaluated through an open field test in all groups after memory measurements.Results: The results showed that atropine (1 mg/kg) decreased the latency time of coming down from the podium and induced memory deficits (P<0.01). MgO-n in doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg caused a significant increase in latency time of coming down from the podium over one week (P<0.001). MgO-n was able to reverse memory impairments resulting from atropine (1 mg/kg) (P< 0.001). Locomotor activity did not change in any of the groups.Conclusions: It seems that the potentiating effect of MgO-n on memory is due to interference with the cholinergic pathway.

Background: Drug abuse is a major problem in the communities and has many harmful effects on human body.Objectives: The current study aimed to compare the efficacy of matrix method on anxiety and attitude of male crack abusers referred to addiction treatment centers in Tonkabon, Iran, in 2014.Patients and Methods: The current semi -experimental study included 1, 000 males referred to addiction treatment centers in Tonkabon with crack abuse history in 2014. Based on Morgan sample volume formula, 278 males with anxiety and higher attitude to drug abuse were randomly selected from 1, 000 males referred to addiction treatment centers in Tonkabon. Then, 30 subjects were reselected out of them and equally assigned into two groups of experimental and control, 15 subjects in each group. The experimental group received 24 sessions of 30 - 60 minutes matrix treatment method in group, but the control group received no training. At the end of training period the post-test was carried out. The research findings confirmed the efficacy of matrix method on anxiety and attitude to crack abuse among those referring to the addition treatment center.Results: The single covariance analysis of ANCOVA indicated that the value of Eta about 72% of variance of anxiety variable and about 76% of variance of drug abuse variable are taken in to account for variable of group. The intervention was effective in reducing anxiety and attitude to crack in males. Evaluating the adjusted mean showed the effectiveness of matrix method on anxiety and attitude to crack abuse in males.Conclusions: The research result showed that matrix method affected the reduction of methamphetamine and attitude to crack abuse in males referred to the addition treatment center.

Background: The Althaea officinal is (marshmallow) plant is traditionally used to treat skin burns and constipation and to reduce inflammation.Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute and chronic analgesic effects of the essential oil of Althaea officinal is leaves (EOAO) in adult male mice.Materials and Methods: This experimental study used thirty-six adult male mice, which were randomly divided into six groups: a control, three groups treated with EOAO (18, 38, or 80 mg/kg, i.p.), a morphine group (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and a group treated with a combination of naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and 80 mg/kg EOAO. The analgesic effects of EOAO were evaluated by writhing, tail-flick, and formalin tests. The essential oil of the plant was prepared by the steady distillation method and its composition was analyzed by GC/MS.Results: Significant ant inociceptive effects were noted with doses of 38 and 80 mg/kg EOAO in the chronic phase response of the formalin test (P<0.05 versus control). Doses of 38 and 80 mg/kg EOAO had a significant analgesic effect in the writhing test (P< 0.05 and P<0.01, respectively, versus control). The 80 mg/kg dose of EOAO caused an enhancement in reaction time in the tail-flick test (P<0.01 versus control).Conclusions: EOAO showed an analgesic effect that may involve both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Background: Considering the fundamental role that parents play in a family dynamic, it is important to explore the parent-child relationship and examine what protective behaviors or risk factors may contribute to the onset of substance use in children.Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the correlation between child-parent relationships and parents’ preventive behaviors and their effect on the onset of substance use in children.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2014 among 234 randomly selected volunteer participants. These participants, who were all Tehran-based Iranian mothers, filled out a self-administered questionnaire in which they recorded: I-demographic information, II of family-based behaviors aimed at preventing the onset of substance use in children, and III of the child-parent relationship. Data were analyzed via SPSS software (ver.21.0) using Pearson correlations, independent t-tests, and ANOVA at a 95% significant level.Results: Results reported a negative significant correlation between conflict and closeness (r=-0.465, P³ 0.001), a positive significant correlation between closeness and preventive behaviors (r=0.852, P³ 0.001), and a negative significant correlation between conflict and preventive behaviors (r=-0.605, P³ 0.001).Conclusions: The findings suggest that the development of preventive programs will contribute to increases in the child-mother closeness relationship and will help to prevent the onset of substance use in children.