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Guillermo Ponce

Publications and source records attributed to Guillermo Ponce.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

(AAT)n repeat in the cannabinoid receptor gene, CNR1: association with schizophrenia in a Spanish population.

The cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) has been associated with addictive disorders and schizophrenia in different studies. We have compared the frequencies of the alleles for the 3'-UTR CNR1 microsatellite in a sample of 113 Spanish schizophrenic patients, including 68 with comorbid substance abuse, and 111 healthy controls. We report that the frequency of the allele 4 of this microsatellite is significantly lower in schizophrenia patients when compared with controls (chi(2) = 7.858; df 1; P = 0.005). No differences have been found with respect to substance abuse.Thus, the allele 4 represents, in our sample, a protective factor against schizophrenia (odds ratio 0.468, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27-0.79). The population attributable genetic risk for the allele 4 absence is 30% (95% CI = 17-41%) and the attributable risk for the allele 4 absence in those with schizophrenia is 53% (95% CI = 20-73%). Our results suggest that, independent of substance abuse, differences in the cannabinoid system function could be involved in the vulnerability to schizophrenia in Spanish population.

Adult↗

Long-acting injectable risperidone compared with zuclopenthixol in the treatment of schizophrenia with substance abuse comorbidity.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of long-acting risperidone and zuclopenthixol in subjects with schizophrenia and substance abuse. METHOD: A total of 115 subjects with schizophrenia and substance use disorders were enrolled for an open, randomized, controlled, 6-month follow-up study. Fifty-seven subjects were selected for treatment with long-acting injectable risperidone, while another 58 were treated with zuclopenthixol-depot. RESULTS: Long-acting risperidone patients presented fewer positive urine tests (8.67 compared with 10.36, P = 0.005), showed improved scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and showed better compliance with the Substance Abuse Management program. The use of long-acting risperidone and less severe dependence explained the outcome at the end of the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Long-acting injectable risperidone was more effective than zuclopenthixol-depot in improving substance abuse and schizophrenia symptoms in subjects with dual diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Naltrexone improves outcome of a controlled drinking program.

Naltrexone is widely used in therapeutic programs with abstinence as a goal. However, it has been used in only a few studies aimed at reducing alcohol consumption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of naltrexone as an adjunct in controlled drinking programs. This was an open randomized study of 12 weeks duration that compared two therapeutic strategies: use of naltrexone in a controlled drinking program (NTX+CD) and the controlled drinking program alone (CD), without NTX. Each group comprised 30 male patients with mild alcohol dependence. During treatment, there were no differences between groups in drinking behavior, though the NTX+CD group showed significantly less craving. In the 12-month follow-up period, the NTX+CD group showed significantly fewer drinking days and heavy drinking days and less craving than the CD group. The results of this study suggest a role for naltrexone in controlled drinking programs.

Adult↗