Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Proteomics is rapidly achieving recognition as a complimentary and perhaps superior approach to examine global changes in protein abundance in complex biological systems and the value of these techniques in neuropsychiatry is beginning to be acknowledged. Characterizing the brain’s regional proteomes provides a foundation for the detection of proteins that may be involved in disease-related processes. Firstly, optimal conditions were achieved for the application of two dimensional-gel electrophoresis (2D-GE)-based proteomics with postmortem human brain tissue. These optimized techniques were then applied to soluble fractions of adjacent grey and white matter of a single cytoarchitecturally defined area (Brodmann area 9; BA9) and of two adjacent regions of frontal white matter (BA9 and CC body) from healthy individuals. These normative proteomic comparisons highlighted the importance of correct tissue sampling, i.e. proper separation of regional white matter, as heterogeneity in the respective proteomes was demonstrated. Furthermore, they stressed the necessity for future molecular brain mapping studies. The main focus of this thesis however, was to examine the proteomes of brain regions specifically vulnerable to alcohol-induced damage underlying cognitive dysfunction. Alcoholic patients commonly experience mild to severe cognitive decline. It is postulated that cognitive dysfunction is caused by an alcohol-induced region selective brain damage, particularly to the prefrontal cortex. The cerebellum is increasingly recognized for its role in various aspects of cognition and alcohol–induced damage to the cerebellar vermis could indirectly affect neurocognitive functions attributed to the frontal lobe. We used a 2D-GE-based proteomics approach to compare protein abundance profiles of BA9 grey and white matter and the cerebellar vermis from human alcoholics (neurologically uncomplicated and alcoholics complicated with liver cirrhosis) and healthy control brains. Among the protein level changes observed are disturbances in the levels of a number of thiamine-dependent enzymes. A derangement in energy metabolism perhaps related to thiamine deficiency seems to be important in all regions analysed, even where there are no clinical or pathological findings of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. Evidence of oxidative changes was also seen in all regions and effects of liver dysfunction in the vermis found. However, overall, these results highlight the complexity of this disease process in that a number of different proteins from different cellular pathways appear to be affected. By identifying changes in protein abundance levels in the prefrontal grey and white matter and the cerebellar vermis, hypotheses may draw upon more mechanistic explanations as to how chronic ethanol consumption causes the structural and functional alterations associated with alcohol-related brain damage. Furthermore, by comparing these results, we may be able to isolate disturbances in molecular pathways specific to the brain damage caused by alcohol, severe liver dysfunction and thiamine deficiency.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Göteborg : Göteborgs universitet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-87). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-125).

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Medicine, 1997. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 57-78.

Thesis (MSc.(Anatomy)--Faculty of Health Sciences)-University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Speech Pathology and Audiology, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-50).

<p>Stroke is a widespread disease in Sweden. Nurses play a central part for those who suffer from a stroke irrespective of where in the care chain they meet. To be able to meet the patients’ need of care the nurse must understand his/her lifeworld. Each and every patient is unique and the experience of being struck by a stroke depends on personality and life situation. Those who suffer from aphasia are usually excluded in research and therefore there is lack of improtant knowledge. The aim of this study is to describe the experiences of suffering from and living with a stroke. By studying autobiographies the opportunity has opened to share the experiences of patients suffering from aphasia. To suffer from stroke is a big changeover in life and gives visible and invisible disabilities. These disabilities limit them in their every day life. Nursing staff becomes authorities and it’s important that the staff provides time for discussions. A fruitful discussion reduces suffering and creates feelings of being noticed and involvement. The result shows that those who suffer longs and endeavours for living life as normal as possible.</p> / <p>I Sverige är stroke en av våra stora folksjukdomar. De som drabbas är en stor patientgrupp och sjuksköterskor har en central roll i deras omvårdnad oavsett vart i vårdkedjan de befinner sig. För att kunna bemöta patientens behov av omvårdnad måste sjuksköterskan sätta sig in i patientens livsvärld. Varje patient är unik och upplevelsen av att drabbas är olika beroende på personlighet och livssituation. Personer med afasi har tidigare uteslutits i studier vilket gör att det saknas forskning inom ett stort och viktigt område. Syftet med studien är att beskriva människors upplevelser av att drabbas av och leva med stroke. Genom att studera självbiografier tillkom även möjligheten att ta del av patienter med afasis upplevelser. Att drabbas av stroke är en stor omställning i livet och ger synliga och osynliga handikapp som begränsar i vardagslivet. Vårdpersonal blir auktoriteter i deras liv, och det är viktigt att de har tid för samtal med de drabbade. Ett gott samtal upplevs minska lidande och skapar känslan av att vara sedd och delaktig i vården. Resultatet visar att de drabbade längtar och strävar efter att leva livet så normalt som möjligt.</p>

Disputats, Umeå universitet, 2006. / Härtill 3 uppsatser.

Growing demand on the limited resources available to head-injured individuals, emphasizes the need for accurate diagnosis and proper allocation of funds. Consequently, neuropsychologists are increasingly asked to render opinions regarding the validity of cognitive deficits reported following head injury. Detection of biased responding has typically been approached through the use of symptom validity measures and/or evaluation of performance patterns on standardized neuropsychological tests. This dissertation examined patterns of malingered performance on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III), Wechsler Memory Scale-III (WMS-III), and a self-report measure of physical and psychological symptoms. In addition, attempts were made to address several methodological concerns noted in previous analogue studies (e.g., allocation of preparation time). Malingered performance was compared to that of a normal control group (NC = 34) and a group of mildly head injured individuals (MHI = 22). Results revealed that the simulating group (SIM = 32) endorsed more subjective concerns than the NC group. On the cognitive measures, simulators showed a tendency towards general suppression of performance versus specific areas of deficit (e.g., attention). Specifically, the SIM group suppressed their performance on the WAIS-III, but not typically enough to differentiate them statistically from either the NC or MHI groups. The SIM group's performance on the WMS-III was more in keeping with the overall suppressed performance pattern reported in previous research. Although simulators often performed significantly worse than the NC group, they did not generally suppress their performance excessively when compared to the MHI group. Results obtained in this study may reflect the use of more detailed instructions or the preparation time allocated to the SIM group. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of incorporating multiple detection measures to assure the accurate assessment and diagnosis of head injury. / Graduate