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Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor dysfunction. Recent studies have shown that curcumin (CUR) has neuroprotective effects in PD experimental models. However, its efficacy is limited due to low water solubility, bioavailability, and access to the central nervous system. In this study, we compared the effects of new curcumin-loaded nanoemulsions (NC) and free CUR in an experimental model of PD. Adult Swiss mice received NC or CUR (25 and 50 mg/kg) or vehicle orally for 30 days. Starting on the eighth day, they were administered rotenone (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally until the 30th day. At the end of the treatment, motor assessment was evaluated by open field, pole test, and beam walking tests. Oxidative stress markers and mitochondrial complex I activity were measured in the brain tissue. Both NC and CUR treatment significantly improved motor impairment, reduced lipoperoxidation, modified antioxidant defenses, and prevented inhibition of complex I. However, NC was more effective in preventing motor impairment and inhibition of complex I when compared to CUR in the free form. In conclusion, our results suggest that NC effectively enhances the neuroprotective potential of CUR and is a promising nanomedical application for PD.

Resumo Introdução A dependência de drogas é considerada um transtorno de etiologia heterogênea, existem diretrizes para o seu tratamento, mas ainda ocorre um alto índice de evasão. O estudo teve como objetivo identificar a prevalência e fatores associados à evasão do tratamento. Métodos Estudo transversal, com análise de 593 prontuários e de 30 entrevistas aplicadas em pacientes que não tiveram aderência em um ambulatório de dependência química em um município do sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Resultados O índice de abandono foi de 82%. O tempo de tratamento (Coef = –0,14; EP = 0,08; OR = 0,9), o atendimento com o assistente social (Coef = –0,68; EP = 0,33; OR = 0,5) e com psicólogo (Coef = –0,66; EP = 0,44; OR = 0,5) foram os principais fatores de proteção ligados à diminuição da probabilidade do abandono. O motivo de abandono mais relatado foi a colisão dos horários de atendimento com o de trabalho (33%, n = 10). Conclusão Torna-se necessário dar atenção ao fenômeno de evasão com o intuito de propiciar alternativas para o aumento da adesão e retorno dos pacientes. Abstract Introduction Drug addiction is considered a heterogeneous etiology disorder, there are guidelines for their treatment, but still there is a high drop out rate. The research has the purpose to identify the prevalence and associated factors to the abandonment of the treatment. Methods Cross-sectional study, with a review of 593 medical records and 30 interviews applied to patients who had not adhered to treatment in a substance abuse clinic in a municipality located in southern Rio Grande do Sul. Results The dropout rate was 82%. The treatment time (Coef = –0.14, SE = 0.08; OR = 0.9), treatment with the social worker (Coef = –0.68, SE = 0.33, OR = 0.5) and psychological treatment (Coef = –0.66, SE = 0.44, OR = 0.5) decreased to the likelihood of abandonment. The most frequently reported reason in the interviews to justify the abandonment was the service’s opening hours coinciding with working hours (33%, n = 10). Conclusion It is necessary to pay attention to the evasion phenomenon in order to provide alternatives to increasing compliance and the return of these patients.