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Introduction: Qualitative research methods can be used to obtain a deeper understanding of patient experience by collecting information in the patients’ own words about their encounters, perspectives, and feelings. In this study, patients with schizophrenia were interviewed to capture their voice and to complement the quantitative data typically obtained in clinical trials. Methods: Semi-structured exit interviews were conducted with 41 patients who completed or prematurely discontinued from a phase 3, open-label trial (NCT02873208). The interview guide included open-ended questions on current and prior disease burden, symptoms, quality of life, and treatment experiences. Steps taken to reduce interview stress and secure the validity of data included interviewer sensitivity training specific to mental health conditions and schizophrenia, use of in-person interviews whenever possible and use of videoconferencing for remote interviews to promote trust and comfort, and working closely with clinical site staff to identify patient eligibility and willingness to participate. Transcripts based on audio recordings were content coded and analyzed using thematic analysis; a post-hoc quantitative content analysis was conducted. Results: Patients reported that the symptoms of schizophrenia negatively impacted their work, relationships, self-esteem, emotional health, and daily activities. Most patients had positive experiences with medications that alleviated hallucinations, depression, and anxiety. However, side effects of medications were associated with negative impacts on physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive health. Lack of energy/drowsiness, weight gain, mood changes, and involuntary movements were the most common side effects reported with the use of antipsychotic medications. Patients reported unmet treatment needs related to better symptom control and to improved social and physical functioning. Conclusion: Collection of qualitative information within a schizophrenia clinical development process provides value and insights into patients’ views on burden of illness, experiences with previous medications, and experiences following participation in a clinical trial and can inform design for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In a preterm hypoxia–ischemia model in the post-natal day 3 rat, we characterized how the expression of purine ionotropic P2X4 receptors change in the brain post-insult. After hypoxia–ischemia, P2X4 receptor expression increased significantly and was associated with a late increase in ionised calcium binding adapter molecule-1 protein expression indicative of microglia cell activation. Minocycline, a potent inhibitor of microglia, attenuated the hypoxia–ischemia-induced increase in P2X4 receptor expression. We postulate that P2X4 receptor-positive microglia may represent a population of secondary injury-induced activated microglia. Future studies will determine whether this population contributes to the progression of injury in the immature brain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Mapping or matching the items in a clinical outcome assessment (COA) to concepts that define a condition is a common method for evaluating a COA's concept coverage. The purpose of this research was to address the lack of formal guidance for conducting this task by developing a framework for best practices in COA concept mapping and applying it to a case study., Methods: To develop the framework, we examined the literature and created a draft set of best practices which was then reviewed by experienced researchers through focus groups before being finalized. To conduct the case study, we extracted data from a systematic review of knee osteoarthritis (KO) symptoms and impacts and used the framework to map relevant concepts to items in the SF-36v2 ® Health Survey (SF-36v2)., Results: The framework guides researchers in defining the purpose of and data sources for the mapping, establishing guiding principles and decision-making thresholds, and conducting the mapping exercise. The results of the case study demonstrate the usefulness of the framework in identifying 27/36 items (75%) in the SF-36v2 that addressed concepts that define KO., Conclusion: This case study illustrates how the framework for best practices in COA concept mapping may be used, highlighting how establishing clear concept definitions and guiding principles and following a structured process throughout can help produce consistent, reliable, and reproducible results. The results from this rigorous approach can provide valuable evidence to support decisions about the appropriateness of a COA for the intended patient population., (© 2024. The Author(s).)