Metabolic Alterations in Parkinson's Disease after Thalamotomy, as Revealed by 1H MR Spectroscopy

Objective: To determine, using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1H MRS) whether thalamotomy in patients with Parkinson\u27s disease gives rise to significant changes in regional brain metabolism. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients each underwent stereotactic thalamotomy for the control of medically refractory parkinsonian tremor. Single-voxel 1H MRS was performed on a 1.5T unit using a STEAM sequence (TR/TM/TE, 2000/14/20 msec), and spectra were obtained from substantia nigra, thalamus and putamen areas, with volumes of interest of 7-8ml, before and after thalamotomy. NAA/Cho, NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr metabolite ratios were calculated from relative peak area measurements, and any changes were recorded and assessed. Results: In the substantia nigra and thalamus, NAA/Cho ratios were generally low. In the substantia nigra of 80% of patients (12/15) who showed clinical improvement, decreased NAA/Cho ratios were observed in selected voxels after thalamic surgery (\u3c 0.05). In the thalamus of 67% of such patients (10/15), significant decreases were also noted (\u3c 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the NAA/Cho ratio may be a valuable criterion for the evaluation of Parkinson\u27s disease patients who show clinical improvement following surgery. By highlighting variations in this ratio, 1H MRS may help lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiologic processes occurring in those with Parkinson\u27s disease

Longitudinal consent-related abilities among research participants with schizophrenia: Results from the CATIE study

Research participants must have adequate consent-related abilities to provide informed consent at the time of study enrollment. We sought to determine if research participants with schizophrenia maintain adequate consent-related abilities during a longitudinal study. If participants lose abilities during a trial they may not be able to judge and protect their interests. If reduced abilities are common or can be predicted, special protections can be targeted appropriately

Excavating Belief: The Role of Faith in a Science-Oriented Society

The Bible as we know it has been in existence for almost 2000 years. Over 50% of the world\u27s population identify themselves with groups that accept it as supreme authority and ultimate truth. Some read it as literal, and form their lives to fit to the Bible, while others rad it as metaphorical and form the Bible to fit their lives. Many have killed in the name of it and what it represents; many more have died for it and not given up their ideologies. For centuries, acceptance of this book has been based on faith alone. The need for evidence has not always been a priority. In fact, up until the Nineteenth Century, knowledge in place of faith was often dismissed. Over time, though, as scientific methods have matured and empirical evidence has attained a higher level of importance, the quest to prove or disprove the parts of history presented in the Bible has become a priority for many. Proof of specific people , places, and well known events are constantly being searched for as new tools are made available and science becomes more established. One particular way in which the stories presented in the Bible can be validated is through archaeology