Decreased brain choline uptake in older adults: an in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
Article Abstract:
Absorption of brain choline appears to decline with age, creating an undersupply that may contribute to dementia. Choline is a vitamin-like substance that is nutritionally obtained from dietary lecithin. Researchers studied two groups of healthy volunteers: one group between the ages of 20 and 40 years and another group between the ages of 60 and 85 years. Volunteers received choline and then had their blood drawn. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed to evaluate plasma choline concentration. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to assess concentration of choline-containing compounds in the brain before and after ingesting choline. Three hours after ingestion of choline, the choline-creatine ratio rose only 16% in the older adults compared to 60% for the younger adults. Decreased choline absorption may be linked to dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease. Older adults with higher levels of choline absorption may be at lower risk for dementias.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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The residual cognitive effects of heavy marijuana use in college students
Article Abstract:
Heavy marijuana use may cause intellectual defects that persist after the drug is stopped. Researchers recruited 129 college students who professed to using marijuana for at least 2 years. Sixty-five were heavy users who had smoked marijuana 22 to 30 days in the previous 30 days and 64 were light users, having smoked only zero to 9 days in the previous 30 days. They were observed for at least 19 hours to ensure they did not use marijuana and were then given a battery of psychological tests. Although marijuana did not seem to affect memory, it did affect attention, mental flexibility and learning. Heavy users had more problems in these areas than light users. Difficulty with attention could have subtle effects on the ability to function.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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Cocaine-induced cerebral vasoconstriction detected in humans with magnetic resonance angiography
Article Abstract:
Cocaine appears to be capable of constricting blood vessels in the brain, even at low doses. Researchers gave cerebral angiograms to 24 healthy cocaine users before and after cocaine or a placebo to determine whether the drug constricted blood vessels in the brain. Cocaine was significantly more likely to constrict blood vessels than placebo even at doses of 0.2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Participants who used cocaine frequently were most likely to experience cocaine-induced blood vessel constriction.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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