Biomedical subjects

Kristen E D'Anci

Publications and source records attributed to Kristen E D'Anci.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Hydration and cognitive function in children.

Adequate fluid intake is critical for survival. While adults are at liberty to drink fluids as wanted, children and infants are dependent upon caregivers for food and fluid. Children are at greater risk for dehydration than adults due to their higher surface-to-mass ratio. Additionally, children have different thirst sensitivities and body cooling mechanisms than adults. Children differ from adults in total body water content, and boys and girls differ in body water content with maturation. Research in young adults shows that mild dehydration corresponding to only 1% to 2% of body weight loss can lead to significant impairment in cognitive function. Dehydration in infants is associated with confusion, irritability, and lethargy; in children, it may produce decrements in cognitive performance.

Body Surface Area↗

PubMed2004

Naltrexone antagonism of morphine antinociception in sucrose- and chow-fed rats.

Rats given long-term access to a palatable sucrose solution are more sensitive to (1) the analgesic potency of morphine and (2) the anorectic actions of naltrexone. In the present experiment, the ability of naltrexone to antagonize the antinociceptive properties of morphine was examined in sucrose- and chow-fed rats. Twenty adult male Long-Evans rats were maintained on chow and water. Ten rats were also given ad libitum access to a 32% sucrose solution for three weeks. Baseline and post-drug nociceptive thresholds were determined with a warm water (52 degrees C) tail-withdrawal procedure. Complete morphine dose-effect curves (0.32-100.0 mg/kg) were determined alone and in the presence of naltrexone (0.32-0.32 mg/kg). Morphine produced significant increases in tail-withdrawal latencies in both groups of animals. Rats drinking sucrose had significantly longer tail-withdrawal latencies than rats given only chow and water. Naltrexone produced significant and surmountable dose-dependent rightward shifts in the morphine dose-response curves for both groups, but did not differ in potency across diets. The present data support and extend our earlier findings showing sucrose enhancement of morphine-induced antinociception in rats given a palatable sucrose solution to drink.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2004

Folate and brain function in the elderly.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Over the past several decades, folate has emerged as an important nutrient in several key conditions of concern to the elderly. Subclinical levels of folate inadequacy can have significant negative impacts on health in older individuals. RECENT FINDINGS: Serum and red blood cell folate levels are associated with depression in younger individuals, but the relationship is less clear in older people. However, folate status does predict response to antidepressant treatment in older individuals. Cognitive decline and some forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, are associated with lower folate levels. Supplementation with folic acid can provide cognitive benefits in some circumstances. Folic acid supplementation is generally regarded as safe; however, there remains some concern that high levels of folic acid may exacerbate the neurological consequences of a vitamin B12 deficiency. SUMMARY: Evidence for the role of folate in depression and dementia in the aged is increasing, although there remains much about mechanisms to be determined.

Aged↗