However, in recent years more and more conflicting data have suggested that development of sickness following peripheral immune challenge could be independent of cytokines. Hence, it is confusing as to whether cytokines really do act as primary mediators of sickness, or if they are secondary to alternative inducing factor(s). In this review, we will (1) introduce the relationships between systemic inflammation, cytokines, sickness, and delirium, and (2) attempt to interpret the recent controversies. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Low vitamin

B12 and high homocysteine (Hcy) levels are common in older adults and may be associated with worse neurological function. The aim of this study is to determine whether changes in B12 or Hcy levels are associated selleck chemicals with longitudinal changes in peripheral nerve function and clinical neurological signs and symptoms.

Participants aged 60 years and older at baseline (n = 678; 72.2 +/- 6.2 years; 43.5% male) were from the InCHIANTI Study. Low B12 (< 260 pmol/L) and high Hcy (>= 13 mu mol/L) were measured at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Neurological function was assessed by peroneal nerve conduction amplitude (compound motor action potential)

and velocity, neurological examination, and peripheral neuropathy selleck symptoms at baseline, 3-year, and 6-year follow-up.

At baseline, 43.8% had low B12 levels and 58.6% had high Hcy levels. Over 6 years, 12.4% declined to poor compound motor action potential (<

1 mV) and 42.1% declined to poor nerve conduction velocity (< 40 m/s). In mixed models analyses, sustained high Hcy was associated with worse compound motor action potential compared with sustained normal Hcy (p = .04), adjusting for demographics, diabetes, and folate level. Participants whose Hcy level became high at follow-up were more likely to become unable to detect monofilament at 6-year follow-up compared with those with sustained normal Hcy (odds ratio: 5.4; 95% CI: 1.5-19.0), adjusting for demographics, diabetes, body mass index, and peripheral arterial disease. There was no association with vitamin B12 level or with symptoms.

High Hcy may be associated with worse sensory and motor peripheral nerve function. Because poor nerve function Etomidate has been associated with lower strength and physical performance, these results have important implications for disability in older adults.”
“Given the hypothesised association between cannabis use and schizophrenia, and the well documented alterations in pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) that are observed in schizophrenia, it is of interest to examine the effects of cannabis use on PPI.

The objective of the study was to use novel methodology for the measurement and characterisation of attentional modulation of PPI, in order to examine the nature of PPI in chronic cannabis users.