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Amanda Green

Publications and source records attributed to Amanda Green.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Prepulse inhibition deficits in GAD65 knockout mice and the effect of antipsychotic treatment.

Recent postmortem studies in humans suggest that defects in GABAergic neurotransmission might contribute to the neuropathology associated with schizophrenia. Disturbances in GABAergic systems may also contribute to the sensorimotor gating deficits classically observed in schizophrenic patients, including deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI). To explore the relationship, the current study examined the integrity of PPI and startle habituation in knockout (KO) mice that lack the GABA synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD 65). GAD65 KO mice displayed normal baseline and habituated startle responses, which did not differ from GAD65 wild-type (WT) or heterozygous (HET) mice. However, GAD65 KO mice showed robust deficits in PPI which were reversed by the atypical antipsychotic agent clozapine. These results lend support to the view that abnormalities in GABAergic systems might contribute to the basic pathophysiological mechanisms in schizophrenia.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2003

Residential smoking therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a pilot 4-day residential smoking treatment program for smokers who had relapsed after participation in an outpatient smoking program. DESIGN: A single-arm clinical trial. Participants stayed in a supportive, smoke-free environment for 4 days during which they attended educational sessions on nutrition, exercise, and psychology. Nicotine withdrawal was treated with nicotine inhalers and patches. After discharge, participants attended monthly outpatient group sessions for 6 months. SETTING: The Durham, NC Veterans Affairs Medical Center residential unit. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three medical outpatient smokers. MEASUREMENTS: Seven-day point prevalence smoking abstinence was determined by self-report of zero cigarettes smoked and verified by exhaled carbon monoxide <8 parts per million. MAIN RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 57.4 years; 100% were male; 61% were Caucasian; and 39% were African American. The mean score on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence was 7.1 (SD 2.3). Daily nicotine doses ranged from the nicotine inhaler alone to 56 mg of transdermal nicotine plus nicotine inhaler. Verified smoking abstinence on discharge (after 4 days) was 21/23 or 91.3% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 73 to 100). At 6 months, the 7-day point abstinence rate was 6/23 or 26.1% (95% CI, 15 to 36). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot residential smoking treatment program was designed to assist smokers who relapsed after outpatient treatment. Four days of residential smoking therapy successfully relieved smoking withdrawal. At 6 months after discharge, participants maintained an abstinence rate comparable to other medical therapies for smoking.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Testing the revised stress-response sequence model in pediatric oncology nurses.

In a series of five studies, the research team tested components of the stress-response sequence (SRS) model to determine the relationships between role-related stress, coping, and work consequences in pediatric oncology nurses. The combined outcomes indicated that the model required revision to include role-related meaning; this study tested the revised model. Eighty-nine pediatric oncology nurses from one setting completed seven study questionnaires. The new scale, the Role-Related Meaning Scale, created for this study achieved a Cronbach's alpha of .83 and significant positive correlations with other study variables. Descriptive findings indicate that the nurses are moderately to highly stressed; use coping strategies frequently and effectively; have high levels of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and group cohesion; and exhibit low intent to leave the organization. Importantly, the stress and coping components of the model did not predict role consequences. These outcomes suggest that the revised SRS model does not adequately predict role consequences in pediatric oncology nurses. A new model is proposed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗