Use of the mini-mental state examination in research on the elderly in Brazil: a systematic review

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used cognitive screening test around the world. In Brazil, different MMSE versions and many cut-off points have been used. A systematic review of papers indexed in Scielo was conducted in order to analyze use of the MMSE in Brazilian empirical studies with elderly people. To search for these texts, the complete name of the instrument and its abbreviation were used. A growth trend in the scientific production during the 1998 to 2013 period was observed. Eleven versions of the MMSE were identified and the Bertolucci et al. version was the most cited. Over half of the studies used schooling as the criteria to establish cut-off points. The studies were predominantly conducted using samples recruited from large cities in the Southeastern region and in the community. Despite the growing trend of research with the elderly using the MMSE, the psychometric properties of this scale of measurement have been the subject of little investigation. Despite the widespread use of the MMSE in Brazil, there is a lack of standardization and evidence of validity for this this scale of measurement.O Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) é o teste de rastreio cognitivo mais utilizado no mundo. No Brasil, diferentes versões e pontos de corte do MEEM têm sido usados. Para analisar seu uso em estudos empíricos brasileiros com idosos, efetuou-se uma revisão sistemática de artigos indexados na SciELO. Foram utilizados o nome completo do instrumento e sua abreviação para recuperar os textos. Observou-se uma tendência de crescimento da produção científica analisada, no período de 1998 a 2013. Foram mencionadas 11 versões do MEEM, destacando-se a de Bertolucci et al. Mais da metade das investigações fizeram uso da escolaridade como critério para estabelecer pontos de corte. Os estudos têm sido realizados predominantemente com amostras recrutadas em grandes cidades da região Sudeste e na comunidade. Não obstante a tendência de crescimento de pesquisas com idosos que utilizam o MEEM, as propriedades psicométricas dessa medida têm sido pouco investigadas. Apesar da ampla utilização do MEEM no Brasil, faltam padronização e evidências de validade para essa medida

Valproate induces in vitro accumulation of long-chain fatty acylcarnitines

To elucidate the interference mechanisms of valproate (VPA) with mitochondrial fatty acid beta -oxidation (FAO), the profile of acylcarnitine formation was studied in vitro. Human fibroblasts were incubated with 0.2 mmol/L [U-C-13]palmitate, 0.4 mmol/L L

Differential effect of valproate and its Delta(2)- and Delta(4)-unsaturated metabolites, on the beta-oxidation rate of long-chain and medium-chain fatty acids

Overall fatty acid oxidation rates were investigated in rat hepatocytes using [9,10-H-3]palmitic, [9,10-H-3]-oleic, [9.10-H-3]-myristic and [2,3-H-3]-phenylpropionic acids. The effect of both valproate (VPA) (0-10 mM) and two of its unsaturated metabolit

A novel metabolite of valproate formed in vitro in rat liver mitochondria

The mitochondrial metabolism of valproic acid (VPA) was investigated in vitro to elucidate its beta-oxidation pathway since the characterization of VPA intermediates in the acyl-CoA thioester form, and not just in their free acid form, has not been full

Characterization of plasma acylcarnitines in patients under valproate monotherapy using ESI-MS/MS

Objectives: The effect of administration of the antiepileptic drug valproate (VPA), on the composition of the plasma acylcarnitine profile (including free carnitine) was investigated. Design and methods: Plasma samples were obtained from 18 individuals (