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Gene expression pattern in the adult brain of the experimental rat after prenatal exposure to methamphetamine
Tomášková, Anežka ; Černá, Marie (advisor) ; Rudá, Jana (referee)
Introduction: Methamphetamine is a drug frequently taken by drug-addicted pregnant women and happens to be one of the most commonly used drugs in the Czech Republic. This drug passes easily through a placental barrier into the fetus. Thus it can negatively affect not only the mother but also the prenatal development of her offspring. Objectives: This research aims to provide a general screening of gene expression in selected regions of the F1 generation of the brain prenatally affected by methamphetamine, to verify whether exposure to methamphetamine affects the generation of offspring of exposed females at the level of gene expression in selected regions of the brain, and to valuate possible changes in gene expression. Methods: In selected parts of the brain, collected from a rat, the microarray hybridization and the real-time PCR were set to evaluate express changes in the expression of selected genes. Results: Statistical analysis of the microarray hybridization did not show a significantly altered gene expression in the tested genes. Only boundary values for 13 genes were measured, which were further tested by the real-time PCR. After a statistic evaluation of the real-time PCR, the significantly altered expression was found in 2 genes. The notably changed expression of DRD3 and TACR3 genes...
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Prenatal exposure to methamphetamine and its effect on the gene expression in the selected parts of the brains of experimental rats
Tomášková, Anežka ; Zoubková, Hana (advisor) ; Rudá, Jana (referee)
Introduction: Methamphetamine is a drug frequently abused by drug-addicted pregnant women and also one of the mostcommonly used drugs in the CzechRepublic. This drug passes easily through a placental barrier into the fetus. Thus it can negatively affect not only the mother but also the prenatal development of her offspring. Objectives: In the framework of the grant project GA CR: 14-03708S, the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to methamphetamine were detected. It was determined whether the prenatal methamphetamine exposure affects the generation of offspring of exposed females at the level of gene expression of genes in specific regions of the brain, striatum, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Methods: In the selected parts of the brain, which were removed from the rat, the microarray hybridization and the real-time PCR to express changes in expression of selected genes were performed. Results: Statistical analysis of microarray hybridization did not show the significantly altered gene expression in tested genes significantly. Only boundary values for 13 genes were measured, which were further tested by real-time PCR.After a statistic evaluation of real-time PCR, the significantly altered expression was found in 2 genes. The significantly changed expression of DRD3 and TACR3 genes was found...
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Options possible use of methylphenidate as a substitution substance in addiction to methamphetamine
Petrlová, Ivana ; Šejvl, Jaroslav (advisor) ; Minařík, Jakub (referee)
Methamphetamine is currently a leading addictive substance abused by problem drug users on the Czech drug scene. The number of problem drug users of methamphetamine accounts for approximately 73 % of all problem drug users and most of them use methamphetamine for injection. There is no approved effective pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine addiction worldwide. A major benefit for users of methamphetamine due to their number and risks that problem and injecting drug use bring could be substitution treatment such as opiate addiction. Even though there are a few doctors in the Czech republic, who prescribe amphetamine-type drugs to patients diagnosed by F15.2. as a substitution substances, no substance is widely accepted and extended. One of those compounds is methylphenidate hydrochloride known under the trade names Ritalin® and Concerta® .The possibilities of using these substances will be dealt with in my bachelor thesis. The aim of this bachelor thesis is to map out up-to-date knowledge of the use of methylphenidate as a substitution substance in addiction to methamphetamine and describing the possibilities of its potential use for substitution therapy. The bachelor thesis has a research character and works with monographs, published articles and clinical studies dealing with the given issue. The...
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Design of Pilot Clinical Trial of Treatment of Hepatitis C in Polyvalent Problem Drug Users with Pharmacological Substitution of Opioids and Methamphetamine (HCV-PPDUSOM)
Oktábec, Zbyněk ; Gabrhelík, Roman (advisor) ; Minařík, Jakub (referee)
Charles University in Prague First Faculty of Medicine Study programme: Specialization in Health Care Branch of Study: Addictology PharmDr. Bc. Zbyněk Oktábec, Ph.D. et Ph.D. Design of Pilot Clinical Trial of Treatment of Hepatitis C in Polyvalent Problem Drug Users with Pharmacological Substitution of Opioids and Methamphetamine (HCV-PPDUSOM) Master's Thesis Advisor: Mgr. Roman Gabrhelík, Ph.D. Prague, 2016 Abstract Hepatitis C is one of the most serious blood-borne complications of somatic health status of drug users. The HCV-positive injecting drug users are therefore directly indicated for the treatment of this type (and other types also) of hepatitis. Problematic adherence and treatment compliance is obvious in this group. Both foreign and domestic experiences show that stabilization of the use of illegal (and/or illegally acquired) substances is the essential part of the treatment of hepatitis. The interaction of the high quality treatment of somatic, psychosocial and add-on pharmacological care, including the substitution of illegal (and/or illegally acquired) drugs, leads to patient's increased compliance and adherence to HCV treatment. This diploma thesis is presenting both the theoretical frame and the study design of the pilot clinical trial of HCV treatment with the supportive substitution...
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Gene expression of specific parts of CNS in a rat model for transgenerational transmission of drug addiction.
Radilová, Kateřina ; Černá, Marie (advisor) ; Rothová, Olga (referee)
Methamphetamine (MA) is a drug often abused by drug-addicted women and also is the mostly used drug in the Czech Republic. This drug crosses the placental and hematoencephalic barriers easily and therefore it can negatively affect not just mother herself, but also the development of the fetus. Even though there have been several published studies evincive negative effects of MA to posterity of drug-addicted mothers, the most critical term during pregnancy for the fetus remains unknown. In this study are examined CNS structures, which are directly influenced by methamphetamine action. Their function may lead to drug addiction through pleasurable feelings, such as reward feeling evoking. In the next chapter are analysed neurotransmitters and their transporters, which are related to methamphetamine effects. Studying their structure, localization or development during life may help to bring near the drug functioning in different life periods. Methamphetamine itself and its effects are closer described in the last part of this study. The problem of methamphetamine exposed fetus is outlined there - prenatal and postnatal so far known differences, but also sex differences in methamphetamine pharma- cokinetics.
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Socioeconomic status and criminal problems of problematic opioids and metamphetamine users
Zittová, Lucie ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Nechanská, Blanka (referee)
of the thesis Introduction: This dissertation focuses on socioeconomic status and problems with law of problematic opioid and methamphetamine users. Long-term intensive use of drugs leads not only to health impacts, but also social such as the inability of financial autonomy, indebtedness, unemployment, failure to comply with the respective social roles, fiduciary social functioning, poor housing etc. Great number of users are influenced by the drug in situations such as interpersonal relationship, family functioning and partnerships, there is a change of social status, social isolation or exclusion. Effective interventions and service development should always start with a good knowledge of the situation and needs of the user, who claims the service. Claim: The goal of this thesis is finding socioeconomic status and criminal situation of problematic methamphetamine and opioids users consequently draw recommendations towards services that work with these clients. Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire study was carried among clients who have started a treatment episode or contacted selected facility type such as a contact centre, psychiatric AT ambulance, therapeutic community, medium-term inpatient treatment or replacement therapy. Recruitment into the study took place from June 2015 until October...
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Recent Findings on the Pharmacotherapy of Methamphetamine Dependence: Potentially Suitable Substances for Methamphetamine Substitution
Oktábec, Zbyněk ; Gabrhelík, Roman (advisor) ; Minařík, Jakub (referee)
Charles University in Prague First Faculty of Medicine Study programme: Specialization in Health Care Branch of Study: Addictology PharmDr. Zbyněk Oktábec, Ph.D. et Ph.D. Recent Findings on the Pharmacotherapy of Methamphetamine Dependence: Potentially Suitable Substances for Methamphetamine Substitution Bachelor's Thesis Advisor: Mgr. Roman Gabrhelík, Ph.D. Prague, 2014 Abstract Methamphetamine has long been a lead drug of abuse among problem drug users on the Czech drug scene. At the moment, there is no worldwide effective pharmacological treatment of addiction on the methamphetamine/amphetamine-like substances. There have been found substances, with the greater or lesser success, from different ATC groups as well as some new substances, which some patients/clients could profit from. Nevertheless we still fail to find a widely effective pharmacotherapy of methamphetamine dependence, which would be efficacious and broadly applicable, i.e. as the substances in the treatment of opioid dependence. This work aims to present current information on substitution and/or craving reduction therapy in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. This paper has the character of a research/review work and uses up-to-date data, not only in published articles and in the primary literature, but in ongoing clinical trials...
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Mapping and description of treatment interventions in Apolinar treatment facility with focus on metamphetamine users
Hetzerová, Lucie ; Gabrhelík, Roman (advisor) ; Vacek, Jaroslav (referee)
The aim of this work was to map the treatment interventions with woman ward block of the Clinic of addictology - Apolinář, with the focus on users of methamphetamine. The topic of this work was chosen based on the absence of researches with this issue. Literature dealing with this issue in our country is unfortunately sporadic and therefore based on the general literature on this topic. The representative number of patients with methamphetamine addiction wasn't ensured during the research. The permission by the Ethical Committee would be needed as well. Due to the time limitation the most effective way was to choose the employees of the Clinic of addictology - Apolinar, who have experience with these patients. The final research had 5 respondents. The research included the interviews with the employees and was supported also by analysis of documentation and observation of researcher during her internship. Based on the research it was found that methamphetamine-dependent patients are young, immature, creative and impulsive, with external motivation and dissocial behavior. These are mostly patients who have developed basic structures and patterns of life. Methamphetamine- dependent patients can also be aggressive, destructive and ruthless. They do not know the rules of proper conduct or common...
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Drugs and activities that could cause danger to life, health or damage to property
HANDSCHUHOVÁ, Silvie
The objective of this thesis is to summarize the effects of drugs, especially of the cannabinoids and amphetamine type stimulants, and to analyse which of these substances leads to high-risk activities, that could endanger life, health or result in damage to property. One of these activities, an important one, is driving under the influence of drugs. Driving itself is a complex demand, involving perception, decision making, psychomotor skills, knowledge, as well as attitudes and personality characteristics. Substance use and abuse has an impact on the functioning of the brain and mental processes and therefore on the performance of the driving task. Driving under the influence of drugs is a high risk activity which endangers not only the driver but also their surroundings. In the last few years, the Czech Republic registered a rapid increase in the number of impaired drivers, namely at police check points and in car accidents. The young drivers are mostly under influence of marijuana, respectively tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Its negative effect on driving results from impaired co-ordination, slowed complex reaction time and in space and time distortion. The second group of drugs which can impair drivers is amphetamine type stimulants. Amphetamines are frequently sought by truck drivers, especially long-haul drivers, in Western Europe for its stimulative effects. In the Czech Republic the methamphetamine, Pervitin, is much more common. Intoxication is characterized by increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, increased respiration, rapid heart rate and an irregular heartbeat. The risk factors for driving are a lack of concentration and an overestimation of one{\crq}s own capabilities. After the acute phase of intoxication subsides, fatigue or states of narcolepsy may occur. Another amphetamine-based drug is methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA or Ecstasy. This synthetic substance, chemically related to mescaline, is dangerous due to its ability to regulate body temperature. On rare but unpredictable occasions, this can lead to sharp hyperthermia, resulting in liver, kidney and cardiovascular system failure, and death. It can also cause hallucinations. All common drugs are easily detectable with ``drug test-cards{\crqq}, which are used during police checks around the the world. The Czech Republic is currently testing their utilization and is preparing legislation accordingly. Utilization of these tests during random checks could help to decrease the number of fatal road accidents and could help to decrease the number of impaired drivers on the roads.
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Abuse of ecstasy in South Bohemia region and possibilities of prevention
POLÁK, Robert
Ecstasy, MDMA (3,4-methylendioxymetamfetamin) is a synthetic, psychoactive substance, chemically similar to stimulant methamphetamine and hallucinogenic mescaline. MDMA is active primarily on neurons in the brain. For the communication with other neurons, neurons are using serotonin. Serotonin system plays a significant role in regulation of mood, aggressiveness, sleep and pain sensitivity. In high dosage MDMA disturbs the ability of the body to regulate body temperature. This may lead to fast increase in body temperature (hyperthermia). Ecstasy is generally considered to be a rather safe drug, although a number of physical as well as psychiatrical consecutive health problems have occurred. Specific mechanisms of MDMA toxicity have still not been fully clarified; however, it is obvious that these cannot be attributed only to MDMA over dosage or the use of impure tablets (i.e. e. toxicity cannot be ascribed plainly to admixture in tablets).
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