Os familiares são importantes cuidadores de pessoas com transtorno bipolar, podendo estar vulneráveis à sobrecarga, alterações na qualidade de vida e à utilização de psicofármacos. Os objetivos neste estudo foram verificar a prevalência do consumo de psicofármacos e fatores associados em familiares cuidadores de pessoas com transtorno bipolar e compreender o significado que eles atribuem para o próprio consumo do psicofármaco. Trata-se de estudo misto, realizado em duas etapas e em três serviços de um município paulista. A etapa quantitativa foi transversal analítica, para avaliar fatores associados ao consumo de psicofármacos entre familiares cuidadores. Participaram dessa etapa 100 familiares cuidadores, mediante aplicação da Escala de Avaliação da Sobrecarga Familiar; Escala de Avaliação da Qualidade de Vida e questionários para verificar o consumo de psicofármacos e dados demográficos e socioeconômicos. Para análise da associação entre variáveis demográficas e socioeconômicas e o consumo de psicofármacos foram utilizados os testes qui-quadrado e teste exato de Fisher. Para comparação dos escores médios das escalas de qualidade de vida e de sobrecarga familiar foram utilizados o teste U de Mann-Whitney, para as subescalas e domínios sem distribuição normal, e t de Student, para aqueles com distribuição normal. Foi realizado modelo de regressão logística para identificar os preditores de uso de psicofármacos. O consumo de psicofármacos foi de 32%, com predomínio de prescrições feitas por psiquiatras (41%), de antidepressivos (65,6%) e ansiolíticos (59,4%), e diferença estatisticamente significante em relação ao consumo quando comparado às variáveis sexo (p=0,031) e ocupação (p=0,006). A sobrecarga não apresentou associações estatisticamente significantes, enquanto a qualidade de vida foi melhor entre familiares cuidadores que não consumiam psicofármacos. As variáveis domínio social (OR=0,9530; IC 95% 0,9270-0,9760) da escala de qualidade de vida e unidade HC (OR=0,2674; IC 95% 0,0764-0,8141) contribuíram para o modelo de regressão. Na etapa qualitativa do estudo enfocou-se o significado que o familiar cuidador atribui ao próprio consumo de psicofármaco, utilizando-se o Interacionismo Simbólico como referencial teórico e a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados como referencial metodológico. Os dados qualitativos foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas abertas gravadas com 32 familiares cuidadores e foram analisados em três etapas: codificação aberta, axial e seletiva. Os familiares cuidadores aprendem a conviver com a pessoa com transtorno bipolar e buscam o psicofármaco como forma de autocuidado para assumir a tarefa de ser cuidador. As crenças, medos e percepções relacionadas ao consumo, somadas à falta de informações e à presença de efeitos colaterais levam o familiar cuidador a repensar a importância do consumo. Contudo, a utilização do psicofármaco não é interrompida para a maioria em razão dos benefícios percebidos e da possibilidade de seguir a vida com mais equilíbrio e qualidade de vida. Os resultados desta pesquisa oferecem maior compreensão do fenômeno estudado e subsídios para a melhoria da assistência para essa clientela / Family members are important caregivers of people with Bipolar Disorder (BD) and may be vulnerable to overload, changes in quality of life and use of psychotropic drugs. This study aimed to verify the prevalence of consumption of psychotropic drugs and associated factors in family caregivers of people with BD and to understand the meaning they attribute to the consumption of psychotropic drugs. This mixed study was carried out in two stages and in three services of a city of São Paulo state. The quantitative stage used the analytical cross sectional method to evaluate factors associated to the consumption of psychotropic drugs by family caregivers. The total of 100 family caregivers participated in this stage and the Family Overload Evaluation Scale (FBIS-BR); the quality of life evaluation scale - WHOQOL-Bref; and questionnaires to verify the consumption of psychotropic drugs and demographic and socioeconomic data were used to collect data. The Chi-square test and Fisher\'s exact test were used to analyze the association between demographic and socioeconomic variables and consumption of psychotropic drugs. The Mann-Whitney U test for the subscales and domains with non-normal distribution and Student\'s t test for those with normal distribution were used to compare the mean scores of the quality of life and family overload scales. A logistic regression model was developed to identify the predictors of use of psychotropic drugs. Consumption of psychotropic drugs was of 32%, with predominance of prescriptions provided by psychiatrists (41%), antidepressants (65.6%) and anxiolytics (59.4%), and a statistically significant difference when consumption was compared with the sex variables (p=0.031) and occupation (p=0.006). The overload did not present statistically significant associations, whereas the quality of life was better among family caregivers who did not consume psychotropic drugs. The social domain variables (OR=0.9530; IC 95% 0.9270-0.9760) of the quality of life scale and HC unit (OR=0.2674, IC 95% 0.0764-0.8141) contributed for the regression model. The qualitative stage of the study focused on the meaning that the familiar caregiver attributes to the own consumption of psychotropic drug and used Symbolic Interactionism as theoretical reference and the Grounded Theory as a methodological reference. Qualitative data were obtained through recorded open interviews with 32 family caregivers and were analyzed in three steps: open, axial and selective coding. Family caregivers learn to live with the person with BD and take psychotropic drugs as a form of self-care related to the task of being a caregiver. Beliefs, fears and perceptions regarding the consumption coupled with lack of information and the presence of side effects, lead the family caregiver to rethink the importance of consumption. However, the use of psychotropic drugs is not interrupted for the majority due to perceived benefits and the possibility to continue life with balance and quality of life. The results showed a better understanding of the studied phenomenon and subsidies for the improvement of care for this clientele

Introdução: Adolescência é um período de maior vulnerabilidade com relação ao uso de álcool, drogas e outras substâncias psicoativas entre os universitários, e seu uso abusivo constitui um grave problema de saúde pública mundial. O consumo abusivo de álcool é um fator de agravamento de várias doenças, principal fator de risco para mortes prematuras e comportamento de risco. Estudos epidemiológicos indicam uma alta prevalência de consumo de substâncias psicoativa na faixa etária de 18 a 25 anos entre os jovens brasileiros. O \"Aprimoramento Cognitivo Farmacológico\" (ACF) referese ao uso de medicamentos por pessoas saudáveis para melhorar o funcionamento do cérebro e aprimorar o desempenho cognitivo, tendo o Metilfenidato (MTF) um dos medicamentos mais utilizados para esta finalidade. Objetivo: Avaliar o consumo de álcool e outras substâncias psicoativas e medicamentos não prescritos e comportamentos de risco entre os estudantes universitários da Faculdade de Educação e Meio Ambiente - FAEMA. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo do tipo transversal de abordagem quantitativa, que utilizou uma amostra de conveniência, não probabilística, de estudantes universitários. Instrumento: Para coleta de dados será utilizado um questionário on line composto por informações sociodemográficas, o Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) e o Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involving Screening Test (ASSIST). Resultados: O ACF entre os jovens é cada vez mais preocupante, tendo o MTF (23,2%) o medicamento mais utilizado. O uso não medico e a automedicação aumenta o risco de dependência e 67% são adeptos dessa prática e, 79,3% desconhecem sua indicação clínica e os riscos para saúde, sendo 70,9% do sexo feminino e 34,4% dos casos apresentou algum efeito colateral. A curiosidade (24,49%; p<0,05; b=2,396), apresentou maior significância entre as variáveis. O álcool (74,3%) é a principal droga de abuso entre os universitários, sendo que 54,4% tiveram um primeiro contato com idade inferior a 17 anos, 21,4% já teve de problemas familiares em decorrência do seu uso. Em relação ao consumo BD, 46,1% fazem uso dessa maciço de álcool e 73,2% tem idade de 18 a 23 anos, sendo mais comum no sexo feminino (69%). Essa prática está relacionada ao comportamento de risco, onde 58,3% declararam que a prática de relações sexuais desprotegidas, 13,7% haviam ingerido bebida alcoólica antes da relação sexual e em 53,1% dos casos (R2=56,4), o risco desse comportamento está diretamente relacionado com a frequência de consumo. Conclusão: O ACF entre os jovens é uma realidade preocupante e, independente da droga, nenhuma é segura quando não há indicação clínica, podendo ser passíveis de desenvolver dependência, havendo necessidade de intensificar os estudos de consumo a longo prazo. O índice de uso de drogas dentre as quais o álcool tem grande relevância é elevado no meio universitário e tem relação direta com o risco de contrair doenças sexualmente transmissíveis / Introduction: Youth is a period of vulnerability regarding the use of alcohol, drugs and other psychoactive substances, especially considering college students, and alcohol abuse is a serious global public health problem. Alcohol abuse is a worsening factor for several diseases, as well as the main risk factor for premature death and risk behaviors. Epidemiological studies indicate a high prevalence of psychoactive substance use in the age group of 18 to 25 years-old among Brazilians. \"Pharmacological Cognitive Enhancement\" (PCE) refers to medication use by healthy individuals to improve brain function and cognitive performance, the Methylphenidate (MTF) is one of the most commonly used drugs for this purpose. Objective: To evaluate alcohol and other psychoactive substances including non-prescription drugs\' consumption and risk behaviors in undergraduate students of the College of Education and Environment (FAEMA), in Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, using a non-probabilistic convenience sample of undergraduate students. Survey: An online questionnaire with sociodemographic information, the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involving Screening Test (ASSIST) were used for data collection. Results: PCE among young people is a worrying behavior, being MTF (23.2%) the most used drug. Non-medical use and self-medication increase the risk of dependence and 67% of participants referred this practice, being 79.3% unaware of MTF clinical indication and health risks. From the MTF users, 70.9% were female and 34.4% presented side effects. Curiosity (24.49%, p <0.05, b = 2.396) has greater statistical significance among the studied variables. Alcohol (74.3%) is the main drug used among undergraduate students, with 54.4% stating their first contact with alcohol before 17 years-old; 21.4% had family problems due to alcohol use. Regarding binge drinking, 46.1% are adept to this practice and 73.2% are 18 to 23 years-old, being more common in females (69%). This practice is related to risk behaviors, as the majority of participants (58.3%) stated to have unprotected sexual intercourse, 13.7% had ingested alcohol before this practice and in 53.1% (R2 = 56.4) the risk of this behavior is directly related to the frequency of alcohol consumption. Conclusion: PCE among young individuals is a worrying reality and, independent of the drug, none is safe without clinical indication, making individuals susceptible to dependence. Therefore, it is crucial to intensify studies on long term drug consumption. The frequency of drug use, among which alcohol has great relevance, is high in the college environment and it is directly related to the risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases

Nos últimos anos, o uso dos psicotrópicos em idosos, aumentou expressivamente em decorrência da ampliação das indicações terapêuticas dessa classe, do lançamento de agentes com menor perfil de toxicidade e do reconhecimento de que determinados quadros clínicos, prevalentes nessa faixa etária, podem ser tratados com esses medicamentos. Todavia, o uso de psicotrópicos pode estar relacionado a eventos adversos que causam impacto no perfil de morbi-mortalidade desse grupo de indivíduos. Desse modo, os objetivos do presente estudo foram identificar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao uso de psicotrópicos entre os idosos do Município de São Paulo. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de base populacional, cujos dados foram obtidos do Estudo Saúde, Bem-estar e Envelhecimento SABE. A amostra foi constituída de 1.115 idosos de 65 anos ou mais, que foram reentrevistados no ano de 2006. Para coleta de informações utilizaram-se as seções do questionário sobre Informações pessoais (A), Avaliação cognitiva (B), Estado de saúde (C), Estado funcional (D), Medicamentos (E) e Uso e acesso a serviços (F). Os psicotrópicos foram classificados de acordo com a Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical Classification System (ATC). Na analise dos dados utilizou-se o pacote estatístico STATA com realização de regressão logística. Considerou-se nível de significância de p<0,05. A prevalência de uso de psicotrópicos de 12,2%, a qual foi representada por antidepressivos (7,2%), benzodiazepínicos (6,1%) e antipsicóticos (1,8%). No grupo que usou psicotrópicos, 15,9% pertenciam ao sexo feminino, 15,1% apresentaram 75 anos ou mais, 21% relataram possuir quatro e mais doenças e 27,5% usar cinco ou mais medicamentos. Os fatores associados ao uso de psicotrópicos foram : sexo feminino (OR = 1,70; IC95% 1,05 - 2,74), limitação de atividade instrumental de vida diária (OR = 1,871; IC95% 1,16 - 3,04), presença de declínio cognitivo (OR = 1,76; IC95% 1,02 - 3,03), depressão (OR = 5,36; IC95% 3,34 - 8,61) e uso de cinco ou mais medicamentos (OR = 1,28; IC95%1,16 - 1,42). Cerca de um em cada dez idosos do SABE utilizou psicotrópicos, principalmente os antidepressivos. O conjunto dos fatores de risco associados ao uso de psicotrópicos pode indicar que os idosos mais vulneráveis foram aqueles com maior grau de dependência, seja em decorrência de comprometimento clínico causado por doenças, seja pelo uso de psicotrópicos inapropriados / Over the last years, the use of psychotropic drugs in the elderly has risen expressively, due to the increasing of the therapeutic indications of this class, the launching of agents with a profile of low level of toxics, and to the acknowledgement that certain clinical conditions, dominant within this age group, can be treated with this medicine. However, the use of psychotropic drugs can be linked to adverse events which cause impact in the profile of morbid-mortality of this age group. Therefore, the aim of the present study has been to identify the prevalence and factors associated to the use of psychotropic drugs among elderly people in São Paulo City. It is a transversal, population based study, obtained from the Estudo Saúde, Bem-estar e Envelhecimento SABE. The sample was constituted of 1.115 elderly people, aging 65 and over, who were re-interviewed in 2006. For the gathering of information, the sections of the questionnaire on Personal Information (A), Cognitive Evaluation (B), Health State (C), Functional State (D), Medicine (E) and Use and Access to Facilities (F) were used. Psychoactive drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical Classification System (ATC). In the data analysis, it was used the statistic component STATA with logistic regression. A level of significance was considered of being p<0,05. The prevalence of the use of psychotropic drugs of 12,2%, which was represented by anti-depressants (7,2%), benzodiazepine (6,1%) and anti-psychotics (1,8%). In the group that used psychotropic drugs, 15,9% were female, 15,1% were 75 years old and older, 21% claimed having four or more different diseases, and 27,5% making use of five or more different sorts of medicine. The factors associated to the use of psychotropic drugs were: female gender (OR = 1,70; IC95% 1,05 - 2,74), limitation of daily life instrumental activity (OR = 1,871; IC95% 1,16 - 3,04), presence of cognitive decreasing (OR = 1,76; IC95% 1,02 - 3,03), depression (OR = 5,36; IC95% 3,34 - 8,61) and use of five or more sorts of medicine (OR = 1,28; IC95%1,16 - 1,42). About one in ten elderly people in SABE used psychotropic drugs, mainly anti-depressants. The range of risk factors associated to the use of psychotropic drugs may indicate that the most vulnerable elderly people were those with higher level of dependency, whether in consequence of a clinical implication caused by diseases, or by the use of inappropriate psychotropic drugs

Nosso laboratório vem trabalhando no metabolismo de GABA, projeto derivado de estudos da via prolinaglutamato em T. cruzi. Os efeitos dos psicofarmacos, acamprosato e levomepromazina, em diferentes aspectos da biologia do T. cruzi apontam estes como compostos líderes para o desenho de novas drogas com capacidade terapêutica otimizada contra o T. cruzi. / Our laboratory has been working on the metabolism of the GABA in T. cruzi, a project derived from studies on the prolineglutamate pathway in this organism. The effects of two psycodrugs, acamprosate and levomepromazine, showed that both could be leader compounds for the new drugs design with optimized therapeutic capacity against T.cruzi.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os transtornos psiquiátricos são altamente prevalentes e têm sido associados ao maior uso de serviços e de medicamentos. Entretanto resultados do World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health (WHM) Surveys, conduzidos em diversos países, têm apresentado baixas prevalências de uso de psicofármacos entre sujeitos com diagnóstico de transtornos psiquiátricos no ano anterior à entrevista. OBJETIVOS: Estimar a prevalência, o padrão, e os fatores associados ao uso de psicofármacos em amostra da população geral e entre sujeitos com diferentes diagnósticos para doenças psiquiátricas, de acordo com DSM-IV. MÉTODOS: Os dados são provenientes do São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey (SPMHS), segmento brasileiro do estudo World Mental Health Survey (WMH survey). O WMH survey é uma iniciativa da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), da Universidade de Harvard e Universidade de Michigan, que vem sendo realizada em mais de 28 centros de pesquisa no mundo. O São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey é um estudo de corte transversal, de base populacional, desenhado para avaliar a morbidade psiquiátrica em uma amostra representativa da população geral, com 18 anos ou mais, residentes na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. Uma amostra de 5.037 indivíduos (taxa de resposta: 81,3%) foi entrevistada por leigos treinados, utilizando a versão do Composite International Diagnostic Interview para o World Mental Health Survey, elaborado para gerar diagnósticos de acordo com o DSM-IV. O foco do presente estudo foi uma subamostra de 2.935 entrevistados, os quais foram avaliados com a versão longa da entrevista e que foram questionados sobre psicofármacos prescritos no ano anterior à entrevista para \"problemas com emoções, nervos, saúde mental, uso de substâncias, energia, concentração, sono ou a capacidade de lidar com o estresse\". Os dados foram ponderados para ajustar a subamostragem dos não casos dessa subamostra e para ajustar as discrepâncias residuais entre as distribuições amostrais e populacionais de uma série de variáveis sociodemográficas, garantindo, assim, a representatividade dessa subamostra. RESULTADOS: Apenas 6,13% dos respondentes relataram o uso de psicofármacos no ano anterior à entrevista. Os hipnóticos e sedativos (incluindo os benzodiazepínicos) (3,63%) e os antidepressivos (3,46%) foram os mais comumente relatados, enquanto os estabilizadores de humor (0,64%) e os antipsicóticos (0,61%) foram pouco frequentes. Ser do sexo feminino (OR= 2,55; 95% IC=1,58-4,11), avançar da idade, escolaridade abaixo do nível superior e ter maior renda foram fatores associados ao maior uso de psicofármacos, assim como ter comorbidades e transtornos graves. A prevalência de transtornos psiquiátricos de acordo com os critérios do DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI no ano anterior à entrevista foi 29,49%. Entretanto, somente 13,75% dos sujeitos com diagnóstico de transtorno psiquiátrico no ano anterior à entrevista, 24,93% com transtorno de humor, 14,43% com transtorno de ansiedade e, aproximadamente, 10% com transtorno por uso de substância e com transtorno de controle do impulso relataram uso de psicofármacos no mesmo período. Respondentes sem diagnóstico também reportaram uso de psicofármacos (2,94%). O uso de antidepressivos (9,10%) e de hipnóticos e sedativos (7,81%) foi pouco frequente naqueles com diagnóstico, apresentando a seguinte distribuição, respectivamente: sujeitos com transtorno de humor (17,94% e 14,70%), ansiedade (9,04% e 8,08%), controle de impulso (6,76% e 5,80%) e por uso de substâncias (5,08% e 7,86%). O uso de psicofármacos foi maior entre sujeitos que apresentaram três transtornos ou mais (26,91%) quando comparado aos que apresentaram dois (15,21%) ou um transtorno (8,96%). Entre os sujeitos com transtornos considerados leve, de moderada gravidade e grave, a prevalência de uso de psicofármacos foi 6,60%, 10,68% e 23,77%, respectivamente. Entretanto aproximadamente 75% casos graves e com três ou mais transtornos, permaneceram sem tratamento farmacológico. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados sugerem que a maioria dos sujeitos com transtornos psiquiátricos ativos não estão recebendo tratamento farmacológico para seus transtornos psiquiátricos na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. Políticas públicas poderiam aumentar o acesso aos cuidados de saúde adequado, particularmente entre sujeitos com transtornos graves e comorbidades / INTRODUCTION: Mental Disorders are highly prevalent and have been associated with high use of health services and medications. However results of the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health (WHM) Surveys carried out in several countries have found low prevalence rates of psychotropic medication among those with 12-month disorders. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence, pattern, and associated factors with the use of psychotropic medication in a sample in the general population and, within this sample, among those with different diagnoses for psychiatric disorders, according to DSM-IV. METHODS: Data were from the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey (SPMHS), the Brazilian segment of the World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative, coordinated by the World Health Organization and Harvard University, which has been held in more than 28 research centers in the world. The São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey is a cross-sectional population-based study, designed to evaluate psychiatric morbidity in a representative sample in the general population, aged 18 years or more, living in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area. A sample of 5,037 individuals (response rate: 81.3%) was assessed by trained lay interviewers using the World Mental Health version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, designed to generate DSM-IV diagnoses. The focus of the current report was a subsample of 2,935 subjects to whom the long version of the interview was applied and were asked about prescription medicines that used in the previous12 months for \"problems with emotions, nerves, mental health, substance use, energy, concentration, sleep or ability to cope with stress\". Data were weighted to adjust the undersampling of long interview respondents non-cases and to adjust residual discrepancies between the sample and population distributions of a range of sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: Only 6.13% of the respondents reported psychotropic medication use in the previous year the interview. Hypnotics and sedatives (including benzodiazepines) (3.63%) and antidepressants (3.46%) were the most commonly reported, while mood stabilizers (0.64%) and antipsychotics (0.61%) were used less frequently. In the general population of the SPMHS, be female gender (OR= 2.55; 95% IC=1.58-4.11), older, education low level high and higher income were associated the higher psychotropic medication use, well as have comorbidity and serious disorders. The 12-month prevalence of DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorder was 29.49%. However, only 13.75% of those with 12-month disorders, 24.93% among those with mood disorder, 14.43% in those with anxiety disorder and, approximately 10% impulse-control disorder and substance use disorder reported psychotropic medication use in the same period. Respondents without diagnosis also reported psychotropic medication use (2.94%). Antidepressants (9.10%) and hypnotics and sedatives (7.81%) were commonly reported, with the following distribution, respectively: subjects with mood disorder (17.94% and 14.70%), anxiety (9.04 % and 8.08%), impulse control (6.76% and 5.80%), and substance use (5.08% and 7.86%). Psychotropic medication use was higher among the respondents with three or more disorders (26.91%), when compared with those with two (15.21%) or with one disorder (8.96%). Among the respondents with mild, moderate, or severe disorders, the prevalence of Psychotropic medication use was 6.60%, 10.68%, and 23.77%, respectively. However approximately 75% severe cases and comorbidities, remained without pharmacologic treatment. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the majority of individuals diagnosed with an active mental disorder are not being treated with psychotropic medication in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area. Public policies should increase access to appropriate care, particularly among subjects with serious disorders and comorbidities

Nos últimos anos, o uso dos psicotrópicos em idosos, aumentou expressivamente em decorrência da ampliação das indicações terapêuticas dessa classe, do lançamento de agentes com menor perfil de toxicidade e do reconhecimento de que determinados quadros clínicos, prevalentes nessa faixa etária, podem ser tratados com esses medicamentos. Todavia, o uso de psicotrópicos pode estar relacionado a eventos adversos que causam impacto no perfil de morbi-mortalidade desse grupo de indivíduos. Desse modo, os objetivos do presente estudo foram identificar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao uso de psicotrópicos entre os idosos do Município de São Paulo. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de base populacional, cujos dados foram obtidos do Estudo Saúde, Bem-estar e Envelhecimento SABE. A amostra foi constituída de 1.115 idosos de 65 anos ou mais, que foram reentrevistados no ano de 2006. Para coleta de informações utilizaram-se as seções do questionário sobre Informações pessoais (A), Avaliação cognitiva (B), Estado de saúde (C), Estado funcional (D), Medicamentos (E) e Uso e acesso a serviços (F). Os psicotrópicos foram classificados de acordo com a Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical Classification System (ATC). Na analise dos dados utilizou-se o pacote estatístico STATA com realização de regressão logística. Considerou-se nível de significância de p<0,05. A prevalência de uso de psicotrópicos de 12,2%, a qual foi representada por antidepressivos (7,2%), benzodiazepínicos (6,1%) e antipsicóticos (1,8%). No grupo que usou psicotrópicos, 15,9% pertenciam ao sexo feminino, 15,1% apresentaram 75 anos ou mais, 21% relataram possuir quatro e mais doenças e 27,5% usar cinco ou mais medicamentos. Os fatores associados ao uso de psicotrópicos foram : sexo feminino (OR = 1,70; IC95% 1,05 - 2,74), limitação de atividade instrumental de vida diária (OR = 1,871; IC95% 1,16 - 3,04), presença de declínio cognitivo (OR = 1,76; IC95% 1,02 - 3,03), depressão (OR = 5,36; IC95% 3,34 - 8,61) e uso de cinco ou mais medicamentos (OR = 1,28; IC95%1,16 - 1,42). Cerca de um em cada dez idosos do SABE utilizou psicotrópicos, principalmente os antidepressivos. O conjunto dos fatores de risco associados ao uso de psicotrópicos pode indicar que os idosos mais vulneráveis foram aqueles com maior grau de dependência, seja em decorrência de comprometimento clínico causado por doenças, seja pelo uso de psicotrópicos inapropriados / Over the last years, the use of psychotropic drugs in the elderly has risen expressively, due to the increasing of the therapeutic indications of this class, the launching of agents with a profile of low level of toxics, and to the acknowledgement that certain clinical conditions, dominant within this age group, can be treated with this medicine. However, the use of psychotropic drugs can be linked to adverse events which cause impact in the profile of morbid-mortality of this age group. Therefore, the aim of the present study has been to identify the prevalence and factors associated to the use of psychotropic drugs among elderly people in São Paulo City. It is a transversal, population based study, obtained from the Estudo Saúde, Bem-estar e Envelhecimento SABE. The sample was constituted of 1.115 elderly people, aging 65 and over, who were re-interviewed in 2006. For the gathering of information, the sections of the questionnaire on Personal Information (A), Cognitive Evaluation (B), Health State (C), Functional State (D), Medicine (E) and Use and Access to Facilities (F) were used. Psychoactive drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical Classification System (ATC). In the data analysis, it was used the statistic component STATA with logistic regression. A level of significance was considered of being p<0,05. The prevalence of the use of psychotropic drugs of 12,2%, which was represented by anti-depressants (7,2%), benzodiazepine (6,1%) and anti-psychotics (1,8%). In the group that used psychotropic drugs, 15,9% were female, 15,1% were 75 years old and older, 21% claimed having four or more different diseases, and 27,5% making use of five or more different sorts of medicine. The factors associated to the use of psychotropic drugs were: female gender (OR = 1,70; IC95% 1,05 - 2,74), limitation of daily life instrumental activity (OR = 1,871; IC95% 1,16 - 3,04), presence of cognitive decreasing (OR = 1,76; IC95% 1,02 - 3,03), depression (OR = 5,36; IC95% 3,34 - 8,61) and use of five or more sorts of medicine (OR = 1,28; IC95%1,16 - 1,42). About one in ten elderly people in SABE used psychotropic drugs, mainly anti-depressants. The range of risk factors associated to the use of psychotropic drugs may indicate that the most vulnerable elderly people were those with higher level of dependency, whether in consequence of a clinical implication caused by diseases, or by the use of inappropriate psychotropic drugs

Nosso laboratório vem trabalhando no metabolismo de GABA, projeto derivado de estudos da via prolinaglutamato em T. cruzi. Os efeitos dos psicofarmacos, acamprosato e levomepromazina, em diferentes aspectos da biologia do T. cruzi apontam estes como compostos líderes para o desenho de novas drogas com capacidade terapêutica otimizada contra o T. cruzi. / Our laboratory has been working on the metabolism of the GABA in T. cruzi, a project derived from studies on the prolineglutamate pathway in this organism. The effects of two psycodrugs, acamprosate and levomepromazine, showed that both could be leader compounds for the new drugs design with optimized therapeutic capacity against T.cruzi.

The main theme of this thesis is that there is a common structural basis for drugs acting on the central nervous system (CNS), and that this concept may be used to design new CNS-active drugs which have greater specificity and hence less side-effects. To develop these ideas, the biological basis of how drugs modify CMS neurotransmission is described, and illustrated using dopaminergic pathways. An account is then given of the use of physicochemical concepts in contemporary drug design. The complete conformational analysis of several antipsychotic drugs is used to illustrate some of these techniques in the development of a model for antipsychotic drug action. After reviewing current structure-activity studies in several classes of CNS drugs (antipsychotics, anti-depressants, stimulants, hal1ucinogens, anticonvulsants and analgesics), a hypothesis for a common structural basis of CNS drug action is proposed- This is based on a topographical comparison of the X-ray structures of eight representative CNS-active drugs, and consists of three parts: 1.there is a common structural basis for the activity of many different CNS-active drug classes; 2. an aromatic ring and a nitrogen atom are the primary binding groups whose topographical arrangement is fundamental to the activity of these drug classes; 3. the nature and placement of secondary binding determines different classes of CNS drug activity. A four-Point model for this common structural basis is then defined using 14- CNS-active drug structures that include the original eight used in proposing the hypothesis. The coordinates of this model are: R1 (0. 3.5, 0), R2 (0, -3.5, O), N (4.8. -0.3, 1.4), and R3 (6.3, 1.3, 0), where R1 and R2 represent the point locations of a hydrophobic interaction of the common aromatic ring with a receptor, and R3 locates the receptor point for a hydrogen bond involving the common nitrogen, N. Extended structures were used to define the receptor points R1, R2 and R3, and the complete conformational space of each of the 14 molecules was considered. It is then shoun that the model may be used to predict whether a given structure is likely to show CNS activity: a search over 1,000 entries in the current Merck Index shows a high probability (82%) of CNS activity in compounds fitting the structural model. Analysis of CNS neurotransmitters and neuropeptides shows that these fit the common model well. Based on the available evidence supporting chemical evolution, protein evolution, and the evolution of neurotransmitter functions, it is surmised that the aromatic ring/nitrogen atom pharmacophore proposed in the common model supports the idea of the evolution of CNS receptors and their neurotransmitters, possibly from an aromatic amine or acety1cho1ine acting as a primaeval communicating molecule. The third point in the hypothesis trilogy is then addressed. The extensive conformation-activity analyses that have resulted in well-defined models for five separate CNS drug classes are used to map out the locations of secondary binding groups relative to the common model for anti-psychotics, antidepressants, analgesics, anticholinergics, and anticonvulsants. With this information, and knowledge derived from receptor-binding data, it is postulated that drugs having specified activity could be designed. In order to generate novel structures having a high probability of CNS-activity, a process of drug design is described in which known CNS structures are superimposed topographically using the common model as a template. Atoms regarded as superfluous may be selectively deleted and the required secondary binding groups added in predicted locations to give novel structures. It is concluded that this process provides the basis for the rational design of new lead compounds which could further be optimized for potent and specific CNS activity.

This thesis is based on a study conducted for the state of Oregon's Office of Mental Health Services (OMHS). OMHS' primary research objectives included 1) the identification of the unfunded population (individuals who are uninsured and ineligible for Medicaid) who seek services at community mental health programs and 2) an examination of this group's access to atypical antipsychotic and antidepressant medications. OMHS sought this data in order to inform legislative decisions regarding a forthcoming state budget proposal for a specialized atypicals fund. The author collected ethnographic data through semi-structured interviews with 57 mental health clinicians and 41 mental health advocates throughout Multnomah, Linn and Lincoln counties. While answers to the primary research objectives were inconclusive, the qualitative data characterizes the target population and contextualizes the unfunded client's medication access issues at county-related mental health clinics. Specifically, the study results indicate that 1) the complex characteristics of the unfunded population and the inadequacies of the available medication resource programs should be examined more thoroughly before allocating appropriated funds, 2) insufficient mental health services in general is the foremost problem for unfunded clients, and that which contributes to difficulties in accessing psychotropic medications, and 3) appropriated funds from the state's budget would not adequately resolve the medication needs for the target population. The study findings suggest that the state's concern with atypical medications overshadows existing practical, everyday problems in the clinics. The author analyzes the study from a Critical Medical Anthropology perspective, examining the relationships between the global and local contexts surrounding atypical medications, and discussing the practical use of the research data. From this perspective, the state's preoccupation with supplying atypical medications for the target population appears to be driven more by the pharmaceutical industry's profit-making interests and the historical role of the public psychiatric field than by quality health care decisions. The author also discusses medical hegemony in terms of the psychiatric field, and the ways in which this effects the asymmetrical power within the Oregon mental health system. / Graduation date: 2000

A physically inactive lifestyle is a predisposing risk factor for fall-related hip fracture. The circumstances, or precipitating factors, surrounding hip fractures are, however, not well understood, a factor of relevance for Swedish adults who have one of the highest hip fracture risks in the world. The aims of this thesis, therefore, were: to explore perceptions of physical activity (PA) among older adults, to describe the circumstances surrounding hip fracture events and the health characteristics of those who experience them. Four observational studies were conducted involving qualitative, epidemiological and mixed method designs. Participants in study I were recruited from community settings in Stockholm and Dublin (n=30). Studies II-IV (sample sizes, n=484, n=125, n=477) were based on a population-based sample of people admitted to Uppsala University hospital due to hip fracture. Study IV also incorporated the background population of Uppsala county in 2010 (n=117 494). Analysis of PA perceptions in study I revealed that PA which is functional nature is perceived as most meaningful among certain participants. The uptake of PA in later years was a means of creating a new self-identify and being active in outdoor environments was an important culture-specific motivator to PA among Swedish participants. Analysis of hip fractures patterns in studies II-III showed that: hip fractures among psychotropic drug users were twice as likely to occur during night-time hours compared to those occurring among people not receiving these drugs. Additionally, the fall-related hip fractures of community dwellers with poorest health and function tended to occur indoors during positional changes. In study IV, all categories of disease (according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) were seen to be positively associated with hip fracture.  Cardiovascular disease and previous injury (including previous fracture) posed the highest relative and absolute fracture risks. Detailed investigation of hip fracture circumstances reveal patterns in health and functional characteristics, which provide information regarding predisposing and precipitating factors for these events. This knowledge, in combination with findings regarding PA perceptions, can be used when identifying individuals at high risk for hip fracture and when tailoring fracture prevention at an individual level to those at risk.