A multi-element psychosocial intervention for early psychosis (GET UP PIANO TRIAL) conducted in a catchment area of 10 million inhabitants: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial

Multi-element interventions for first-episode psychosis (FEP) are promising, but have mostly been conducted in non-epidemiologically representative samples, thereby raising the risk of underestimating the complexities involved in treating FEP in 'real-world' services

Trans-sezione dell'arteria poplitea causata da esostosi

Two cases of post-traumatic transection of the popliteal artery in patients with exostosis of the lower extremities are reported. This complication does not seem to have been previously described in the literature. The pathogenetic, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are analysed

Effect of homotaurine in patients with cognitive impairment: Results from an Italian observational retrospective study

Background & Aims: This observational retrospective study aimed at evaluating the effects of one-year administration of homotaurine (tramiprosate) in a sample patients presenting with symptoms of mild cognitive impairment. Methods: Patient’s demographic data and medical history are reported. Each patient performed brain imaging and neuropsychological assessment to reach the diagnosis. Each patient assumed 100 mg total dose of homotaurine/day. The evolution of the cognitive decline over time was evaluated my means of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results: 245 patients from 28 different centres in Italy were recruited. Significant improvements from baseline expressed as mean MMSE total score were observed in patients with aMCI at months 8 and 12 (p < 0.0001), and in those with mMCI at month 4 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Administration of homotaurine revealed beneficial effects in our sample population of MCI patients. Our results indicate clearly that homotaurine may well be considered as a potential symptomatic treatment for cognitive symptoms. Further research is however needed to clarify whether this compound could influence the progression of cognitive decline