ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9228-7114
Current Organisations
University of Plymouth
,
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-10-2018
DOI: 10.1007/S00702-018-1946-5
Abstract: There is evidence that dopamine receptors D2 (DRD2) and D4 (DRD4) polymorphisms may influence substance use disorders (SUD) susceptibility both in idually and through their influence in the formation of DRD2-DRD4 heteromers. The dopaminergic role on the vulnerability to addiction appears to be influenced by sex. A cross-sectional study with 307 crack cocaine addicts and 770 controls was conducted. The influence of DRD2 rs2283265 and DRD4 48 bp VNTR in exon 3 variants, as well as their interaction on crack cocaine addiction susceptibility and severity were evaluated in women and men separately. An association between the DRD2 T allele and crack cocaine addiction was found in women. In this same group, interaction analysis demonstrated that the presence of DRD2-T allele and concomitant absence of DRD4-7R allele were associated with risk for crack cocaine addiction. No influence of DRD2 and DRD4 variants was observed in men regarding addiction severity. This study reinforces the role of dopaminergic genes in externalizing behaviors, especially the influence of DRD2-DRD4 interaction on SUD. This is the fourth s le that independently associated the DRD2-DRD4 interaction with SUD itself or related disorders. In addition, our findings point out to a potential difference of dopaminergic neurotransmission across sex influencing addiction susceptibility.
Publisher: EDITORA SCIENTIFIC
Date: 2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPSYCHIRES.2017.02.011
Abstract: This study examined the effects of glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genes on susceptibility to crack cocaine addiction and BDNF levels. Crack addicted patients who sought treatment (n = 280) and non-addicted in iduals (n = 241) were assessed. Three SNPs in NR3C1 (rs6198, rs41423247, and rs10052957), three in CRHR1 (rs12944712, rs110402, and rs878886), and one in BDNF (rs6265) were genotyped. No significant effect was seen in the case-control analyses. Crack cocaine addicted patients showed significantly lower serum BDNF levels. Significant effects were observed for NR3C1 rs41423247 and rs10052957. These effects were restricted to non-addicted in iduals and they were supported by significant gene-by-disease status interactions. For CRHR1, all SNPs were associated with BDNF levels. Although there were significant effects only in the analysis restricted to non-addicted in iduals, the lack of significant results in the gene-by-disease status interaction analyses suggest a general effect on BDNF levels. The haplotype analyses presented the same effect seen in the single marker analyses. This study suggests that SNPs in the NR3C1 and CRHR1 genes may influence BDNF levels, but this effect is blunted in the context of crack cocaine addiction. Therefore, our data may be interpreted in light of several studies showing pronounced effects of crack cocaine on BDNF levels. Since peripheral BDNF is a biomarker for several psychiatric phenotypes, our results may be useful in interpreting previous associations between stress-related SNPs, drug addiction, and depression.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPBA.2017.05.021
Abstract: Point-of-collection testing (POCT) devices for drugs of abuse are used to screen for the presence of psychoactive substances (PAS) in different types of settings and environments. However, these quick and advantageous tools also present disadvantages, including low-reliability measures in comparison to chromatographic assays. Therefore, this article presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating the reliability of measurements of PAS detection in oral fluid using POCT devices. The reliability measures for detection of the five most important drug classes - cocaine, hetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids and opioids, are reported. The article also presents a subgroup analysis considering the reliability estimates for the different POCT devices that were evaluated by the studies contemplated in the review. A discussion considering the strengths and limitations of POCT techniques was performed in order to guide policymakers, traffic agents and other professionals who also conduct such tests. The use of POCT devices often involves legal and moral aspects of the subjects tested, which demands critical evaluation of these devices before they are implemented in different settings.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.AAP.2011.02.016
Abstract: To investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with alcohol- or drug-related traffic crashes (TC) in a s le of TC victims who were admitted to the two emergency rooms of Porto Alegre in southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study with consecutive s les was used. Victims of non-fatal TCs (as drivers, passengers or pedestrians) who had presented at emergency rooms during the 45 days of data collection were selected. Subjects participated in a structured interview, were breathalyzed and underwent salivary drug testing. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to verify factors associated with alcohol or drug use. Of the 609 victims who participated in the interview, 72% were male, and the median age was 29 years (interquartile range 23.0-40.0 years). The drivers were mostly men (p<0.001), with a higher binge drinking rate (p=0.003) and marijuana use (p=0.005) than seen in pedestrian and passengers. The prevalence of a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ranged from 7.8% among the drivers to 9.2% among the pedestrians (p=0.861), and the cannabis prevalence was 13.3% among the drivers. The variables associated with an alcohol-related accident were binge drinking in the prior 12 months (OR 2.4 CI 95% 1.1-5.1) and coming from a party/bar (OR 8.7 CI 95% 2.8-26.7). Alcohol abuse or dependence increased by 5.2-fold the chance of another substance-related TC. The large number of in iduals found in TC-related emergency room visits in a short time frame is evidence of the Brazilian epidemic of TC. The data showed that alcohol abuse or dependence also increases the risk of intoxication by other drugs, and they point to alcohol and drug use as a major problem requiring specific TC-related public policies and law enforcement.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 04-05-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.DRUGALCDEP.2016.09.017
Abstract: Substance use disorders are associated with the increased risk of driving under the influence (DUI), but little is known about crack-cocaine and its relationship with road traffic crashes (RTC). A multicenter s le of 765 crack-cocaine users was recruited in six Brazilian capitals in order to estimate the prevalence of DUI and RTC involvement. Legal, psychiatric, and drug-use aspects related with traffic safety were evaluated using the Addiction Severity Index - 6th version (ASI-6) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Seventy-six (28.3%) current drivers reported accident involvement following crack-cocaine use. Among drivers (n=269), 45.7% and 30.5% reported DUIs in the past 6 months and 30 days, respectively. Drivers reporting DUI's in the past month (n=82) had higher scores in the "psychiatric", "legal", and "family problems" subscales from the ASI-6, and lower scores in the "family social support" subscale in comparison to those without a history of DUIs (n=187). An overall high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity and substance consumption was observed. Participants with 5+ years of crack-cocaine use were more likely to have been in a RTC (RR=1.52, 95%IC: 1.02-2.75), independently of marijuana use, binge drinking and psychiatric comorbidities. The high prevalence of RTC and DUI involvement among crack-using drivers supports the idea that they are at a high risk group regarding traffic safety. Years of crack consumption seem to be associated with RTC involvement. Also, the presence of psychiatric comorbidities, poly-drug use, and cognitive impairment usually associated with crack addiction could yield additional risk of accidents.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2023
DOI: 10.1016/J.JDENT.2022.104366
Abstract: Intracranial abscesses are relatively uncommon, but can result in significant mortality and morbidity. Whilst many potential causes of brain abscesses are recognised, in many cases the origin of infection remains clinically unidentified. Our objective was to investigate the role of bacteria found in the oral cavity in the development of brain abscesses. A retrospective analysis was performed using data from 87 patients admitted to a single UK neurosurgical unit with brain abscesses over a 16-year period. Using microbiological data obtained from abscess s ling and peripheral cultures, species of bacteria were categorised in patients where no primary source of infection was identified (NSI) for their brain abscess (n=52), or where an infective source (ISI) was identified. The microbiological data was then screened to identify common oral bacteria in each group. Brain abscesses from the ISI group (n=35) demonstrated a significantly lower preponderance of oral bacteria (n=8), than the NSI group (n=29) (p<0.05). Brain abscesses from the NSI group also had significantly higher counts of Streptococcus Anginosus compared to ISI (p<0.05), with brain abscesses being most common in the frontal and parietal lobes for both ISI and NSI. These findings suggest that the oral cavity could be considered as a source of occult infection in cases of brain abscess where no clear cause has been identified. Future studies should include oral screening and microbiome analysis to better understand the mechanisms involved and develop approaches for prevention. Oral bacteria may be an under-recognised cause of brain abscesses. Careful review of oral health in brain abscess patients may help establish causation, particularly in patients with no cause for their abscess identified. Good levels of oral health may help prevent the development of brain abscesses in some in iduals.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Lisia von Diemen.