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Key Clinical Message This case study describes the feasibility and safety of psychedelic‐assisted therapy (PAT) as a home‐based intervention for a patient with throat cancer experiencing significant existential distress. The patient tolerated the intervention well. This case supports the feasibility and safety of PAT for patients with life‐threatening conditions in a home setting. Abstract Psychedelic‐assisted therapy (PAT), as it is practiced today, merges traditional psychotherapeutic techniques with the use of psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, or MDMA with the aim of unlocking deeper insights in patients and treating mental conditions that are resistant to other forms of therapy. The present case study describes the safety of PAT as a home‐based intervention for a patient with throat cancer experiencing significant existential distress. The patient tolerated the intervention well and was asked to report on measures of anxiety, depression, and distress related to his somatic condition. The observations provided by this clinical case report align with previous findings, suggesting that PAT can be safely applied to potentially provide relief from existential distress in patients with life‐threatening conditions. As this is a single‐case study, generalizations should be made cautiously. Moreover, placebo effects, expectancy effects, and the natural course of the disease may influence outcomes. Future research should consider controlled trials to ascertain the efficacy and safety of such interventions in diverse settings.

Objective.--The aim of the present study was to evaluate a possible involvement of 2 polymorphisms of the serotonin 5HT2A receptor gene (A-1438G and C516T) as risk factors for medication overuse headache (MOH) and whether the presence of these polymorphic variants might determine differences within MOH patients in monthly drug consumption.Background.--Despite a growing scientific interest in the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of MOH, few studies have focused on the role of genetics in the development of the disease, as well as on the genetic determinants of the inter-individual variability in the number of drug doses taken per month.Methods.--Our study was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism on genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood of 227 MOH patients and 312 control subjects. Genotype-specific risks were estimated as odds ratios with associated 95% confidence intervals by unconditional logistic regression and adjusted for age and gender. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify significant predictors of the number of drug doses taken per month.Results.--No significant association was found between 5HT2A A and 1438G and C516T gene polymorphisms and MOH risk. In contrast, a higher consumption of monthly drug doses was observed among 516T 5HT2A carriers (median 50, range 13-120) compared to 516CC patients (median 30, range 12-128) (Mann-Whitney U-test, P = .018). In the stepwise multiple regression analysis, C516T 5HT2A polymorphism (P = .018) and class of overused drug (P = .047) emerged as significant, independent predictors of the monthly drug consumption in MOH patients.Conclusions.--Although our results do not support a major role of the A-1438G and C516T polymorphic variants of the 5HT2A gene in the susceptibility of MOH, our findings support an influence of the C516T polymorphism on the number of symptomatic drug doses taken and, possibly, on the drug-seeking behavior in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we measured the lymphocyte levels of proteins involved in apoptosis regulation such as Bcl-2 the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) caspase-3, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), either untreated or under therapy with dopaminergic agents (L-Dopa alone or L-dopa + dopamine agonists) and in healthy volunteers. All PD groups showed increased activity of caspase-3, compared to controls, particularly those under treatment only with L-Dopa. In this latter group, the increase in caspase-3 activity was also paralleled by an increase in the concentration of Cu/Zn SOD. In addition, patients taking L-Dopa + dopamine agonists showed marked decrease in Bcl-2 levels and increased PBR expression, which seems in keeping with the hypothesis that PBR may be functionally related to Bcl-2. In conclusion, we found clear modifications in the levels of proteins involved in the control of apoptosis in lymphocytes of PD patients. These changes were disease related but also modulated by the pharmacological treatment, which confirms the potential role of apoptosis in PD pathogenesis and the modulatory influence of dopaminergic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Modern management of Parkinson's disease (PD) aims to obtain symptom control, to reduce clinical disability, and to improve quality of life. Music acts as a specific stimulus to obtain motor and emotional responses by combining movement and stimulation of different sensory pathways. We explored the efficacy of active music therapy (MT) on motor and emotional functions in patients with PD.Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blinded study lasted 3 months. It consisted of weekly sessions of MT and physical therapy (PT). Thirty-two patients with PD, all stable responders to levodopa and in Hoehn and Yahr stage 2 or 3, were randomly assigned to two groups of 16 patients each. We assessed severity of PD with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, emotional functions with the Happiness Measure, and quality of life using the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire. MT sessions consisted of choral singing, voice exercise, rhythmic and free body movements, and active music involving collective invention. PT sessions included a series of passive stretching exercises, specific motor tasks, and strategies to improve balance and gait.Results: MT had a significant overall effect on bradykinesia as measured by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (p < .034). Post-MT session findings were consistent with motor improvement, especially in bradykinesia items (p < .0001). Over time, changes on the Happiness Measure confirmed a beneficial effect of MT on emotional functions (p < .0001). Improvements in activities of daily living and in quality of life were also documented in the MT group (p < .0001). PT improved rigidity (p < .0001).Conclusions: MT is effective on motor, affective, and behavioral functions. We propose active MT as a new method for inclusion in PD rehabilitation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies several non-hormonal treatment options for premenstrual syndrome. Key issues of interest; Analysis of pertinent topics and relevant issues; Implications on studies of menstruation disorders.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ageing on the activity of both the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic system in response to physical and metabolic stimuli. Eight young and eight elderly healthy subjects were studied. Three different tests were performed: handgrip, cold pressor and insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. Plasma beta-endorphin (β-END), cortisol and norepinephrine (NEpi) levels were measured before and during the tests. While the two physical tests, handgrip and cold pressor, did not induce significant changes in plasma β-END and cortisol levels, plasma NEpi levels rose in both young and aged subjects. The response of plasma NEpi was significantly higher in elderly than in young men. During the insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. plasma β-END. cortisol and NEpi values significantly increased in both young and elderly men, the group of elderly subjects showing an enhanced responsiveness of plasma NEpi levels. These data suggest that ageing is associated with an increased activity of the sympathetic system and a normal responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal aids to the hypoglycaemic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]