Use of psychoactive substances in persons with spinal cord injury: A literature review

AbstractObjectiveTo undertake a critical review of literature on use of legal and illegal psychoactive substances (PAS) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) before and after trauma.Material and methodsHundred and five articles published between 1980 and 2014 on alcohol and drug use in persons with SCI before and after trauma were retrieved from the PubMed and PsycInfo search engines.ResultsBefore injury, 25% to 96% of people with SCI reported using alcohol, while 32% to 35% had used illegal drugs. At the time of injury, 31% to 50% of individuals with SCI were intoxicated with alcohol, 16% to 33% with drugs and 26% with a combination of drugs and alcohol. Among those reporting PAS use before injury, up to 50% stated that they had reduced their use during active rehabilitation, during which time only 6% consumed psychoactive substances for the first time. A variety of risk factors are associated with consumption subsequent to spinal cord injury: personality alteration (impulsiveness, aggressiveness), posttraumatic depression, poor coping skills, lack of social support and pain. PAS use can affect the process of rehabilitation, diminish the effectiveness of medication and result in various medical complications.Discussion/conclusionsFew studies have explored the use of alcohol, drugs and psychoactive medications before SCI and during active rehabilitation. To our knowledge, no study has analyzed the evolution of PAS use after hospital discharge, even though return home is associated with new stressors that may trigger risky behaviors. It should be a priority, as early as possible during rehabilitation, to detect persons at risk of developing PAS abuse

Stimulation of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion Induces Reperfusion and Blood-Brain Barrier Protection in the Photothrombotic Stroke Model

The treatment of stroke remains a challenge. Animal studies showing that electrical stimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) exerts beneficial effects in the treatment of stroke have led to the initiation of clinical studies. However, the detailed effects of SPG stimulation on the injured brain are not known.The effect of acute SPG stimulation was studied by direct vascular imaging, fluorescent angiography and laser Doppler flowmetry in the sensory motor cortex of the anaesthetized rat. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by the rose bengal (RB) photothrombosis method. In chronic experiments, SPG stimulation, starting 15 min or 24 h after photothrombosis, was given for 3 h per day on four consecutive days. Structural damage was assessed using histological and immunohistochemical methods. Cortical functions were assessed by quantitative analysis of epidural electro-corticographic (ECoG) activity continuously recorded in behaving animals.Stimulation induced intensity- and duration-dependent vasodilation and increased cerebral blood flow in both healthy and photothrombotic brains. In SPG-stimulated rats both blood brain-barrier (BBB) opening, pathological brain activity and lesion volume were attenuated compared to untreated stroke animals, with no apparent difference in the glial response surrounding the necrotic lesion.SPG-stimulation in rats induces vasodilation of cortical arterioles, partial reperfusion of the ischemic lesion, and normalization of brain functions with reduced BBB dysfunction and stroke volume. These findings support the potential therapeutic effect of SPG stimulation in focal cerebral ischemia even when applied 24 h after stroke onset and thus may extend the therapeutic window of currently administered stroke medications

Végétation, sol et écoclimat actuel des tourbières de la région de Québec

Les auteurs présentent quelques résultats des études écologiques récentes entreprises sur les tourbières suivantes de la région de Québec : Les Saules, Champigny, Beauséjour et Harlaka. Leur végétation a été classée en treize associations et regroupées en quatre ensembles physionomiques. Elle colonise une grande variété de sols appartenant principalement à l’ordre organique et à l’ordre gleysolique. Quant à l’écoclimat, il est différent de façon significative par rapport au climat général; la radiation en sous-bois est plus faible et la température du sol est plus basse en été. Enfin, les auteurs indiquent quelques utilisations possibles de ces résultats en paléoécologie ainsi qu’en aménagement, interprétation et protection de ces milieux. Ils proposent notamment que les deux tourbières du Québec métropolitain soient utilisés pour l’interprétation écologique de la nature et que la tourbière de Beauséjour, une fois agrandie, soit nommée réserve écologique intégrale.The authors present some of the results of recent ecological studies in the following bogs of Québec City area: Les Saules, Champigny, Beauséjour and Harlaka. Their vegetation has been classified in thirteen associations, grouped in four physionomie units. They occupy different types of soils which belong mainly to the organic and gleysolic orders. The ecoclimate of these bogs is significantly different from the general climate; radiation under canopy is lower and soil temperature is lower in summer. The authors suggest some possible utilizations of these results in paleoecol-ogy and in management, interpretation and protection of these environments. They propose that the two bogs from Greater Québec be used for ecological interpretation of Nature and that the Beauséjour bog, after being enlarged, should be declared an integral ecological preserve