Widespread higher fractional anisotropy associates to better cognitive functions in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis

In schizophrenia patients, cognitive functions appear linked to widespread alterations in cerebral white matter microstructure. Here we examine patterns of associations between regional white matter and cognitive functions in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis. One hundred and sixteen individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis and 49 matched healthy controls underwent 3 T magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging and cognitive assessments. Group differences on fractional anisotropy were tested using tract-based spatial statistics. Group differences in cognitive functions, voxel-wise as well as regional fractional anisotropy were tested using univariate general linear modeling. Multivariate partial least squares correlation analyses tested for associations between patterns of regional fractional anisotropy and cognitive functions. Univariate analyses revealed significant impairments on cognitive functions and lower fractional anisotropy in superior longitudinal fasciculus and cingulate gyrus in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis. Partial least squares correlation analysis revealed different associations between patterns of regional fractional anisotropy and cognitive functions in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis compared to healthy controls. Widespread higher fractional anisotropy was associated with better cognitive functioning for individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis, but not for the healthy controls. Furthermore, patterns of cognitive functions were associated with an interaction-effect on regional fractional anisotropy in fornix, medial lemniscus, uncinate fasciculus, and superior cerebellar peduncle. Aberrant associations between patterns of cognitive functions to white matter may be explained by dysmyelination

Occlusal adjustment using the bite plate-induced occlusal position as a reference position for temporomandibular disorders: a pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many researchers have not accepted the use of occlusal treatments for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). However, a recent report described a discrepancy between the habitual occlusal position (HOP) and the bite plate-induced occlusal position (BPOP) and discussed the relation of this discrepancy to TMD. Therefore, the treatment outcome of evidence-based occlusal adjustments using the bite plate-induced occlusal position (BPOP) as a muscular reference position should be evaluated in patients with TMD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The BPOP was defined as the position at which a patient voluntarily closed his or her mouth while sitting in an upright posture after wearing an anterior flat bite plate for 5 minutes and then removing the plate. Twenty-one patients with TMDs underwent occlusal adjustment using the BPOP. The occlusal adjustments were continued until bilateral occlusal contacts were obtained in the BPOP. The treatment outcomes were evaluated using the subjective dysfunction index (SDI) and the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index (CDI) before and after the occlusal adjustments; the changes in these two indices between the first examination and a one-year follow-up examination were then analyzed. In addition, the difference between the HOP and the BPOP was three-dimensionally measured before and after the treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The percentage of symptom-free patients after treatment was 86% according to the SDI and 76% according to the CDI. The changes in the two indices after treatment were significant (p < 0.001). The changes in the mean HOP-BPOP differences on the x-axis (mediolateral) and the y-axis (anteroposterior) were significant (p < 0.05), whereas the change on the z-axis (superoinferior) was not significant (p > 0.1).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although the results of the present study should be confirmed in other studies, a randomized clinical trial examining occlusal adjustments using the BPOP as a reference position appears to be warranted.</p

Supplier-induced demand for psychiatric admissions in Northern New England

The development of hospital service areas (HSAs) using small area analysis has been useful in examining variation in medical and surgical care; however, the techniques of small area analysis are underdeveloped in understanding psychiatric admission rates. We sought to develop these techniques in order to understand the relationship between psychiatric bed supply and admission rates in Northern New England. Our primary hypotheses were that there would be substantial variation in psychiatric admission across geographic settings and that bed availability would be positively correlated with admission rates, reflecting a supplier-induced demand phenomenon. Our secondary hypothesis was that the construction of psychiatric HSAs (PHSAs) would yield more meaningful results than the use of existing general medical hospital service areas

Diclofenac sodium and occlusal splint therapy in TMJ osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

The aim of the study was to compare treatment with diclofenac sodium (Voltaren 3 x 50 mg) to occlusal splint therapy in a randomized, single-blind controlled trial of patients with a diagnosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) in accordance with Research Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders. Patients with general joint disorders or restrictions against medication with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug were not included. Twenty-seven females and two males (aged 36-76 years) included, answered a standardized questionnaire and were clinically examined and they underwent TMJ tomography. The treatment was randomized to either splint (n = 15) or diclofenac (n = 14). The temperatures over the TMJs were determined. The patients were re-examined 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after the start of treatment. A 1-year follow-up was carried out using questionnaires. After 1 week of treatment with diclofenac, significant reductions of pain and discomfort, TMJ tenderness and joint pain on jaw movements were noted. The splint therapy gave a significant reduction of reported symptoms after 1 month of treatment. Both treatments gave few adverse effects and were on an equal level. Estimation of the degree of inflammation by measuring the surface temperature over the TMJ was not reliable. Structural changes of the symptomatic TMJs were radiographically found in 82%, the contralateral, symptom-free TMJ had changes in 36%. There was a discrepancy between the clinical and the radiographical findings. Diclofenac gave a more rapid improvement, but both treatments gave a significant reduction of symptoms of TMJ OA within 3 months which remained at the one-year follow-up

Temporomandibular disorders in children and adolescents : A survey of dentists' attitudes, routine and experience

The aim of this study was to survey the experience and routine of, attitudes toward, and need for specialist resources in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in children and adolescents among public dentists. A questionnaire study was conducted in three counties in Sweden: Ostergotland, Vastmanland, and Goteborg. The questionnaire was sent to 286 Public Dental Service dentists. It contained questions on demographic issues, quality assurance, clinical experience and expertise, attitudes, and the need for specialist resources. Eighty-seven per cent (250) of the dentists answered the questionnaire. The dentists in the three areas reported good routine and safety in occlusal splint treatments (74%-81%), occlusal equilibration (28%-55%), jaw exercise (25%-29%), and medication treatments (3%-55%). Good experience concerning diagnostics and therapy decision was reported by 25%-50% of the dentists. A significantly greater portion of the dentists in Vastmanland had attended courses in TMD compared with the two other counties (p=0.001). Registrations of quality variables such as verbal and/or written case histories with questions on facial pain and tension-type headache (1%-39%) and measurements of jaw openings were performed less frequently in the three counties (0%-5%). Fifty-five per cent of the dentists had a positive attitude toward the care of children and adolescents with TMD. A large need for specialist resources with the possibility to send referrals or to consult was reported by 98%-100% of the respondents, to participate in continuing education by 97%-98%, and to do auscultation by 61%-82%. In conclusion, many of the dentists lacked routines for making diagnoses, deciding therapy, and judging treatment results. Good routines were reported only in occlusal splint therapy. The majority of the dentists had a positive attitude toward the care of children and adolescents with TMD-related symptoms. The majority of the dentists reported a great need for TMD specialists.</p