Learning about brain physiology and complexity from the study of the epilepsies

The brain is a complex system, which produces emergent properties such as those associated with activity-dependent plasticity in processes of learning and memory. Therefore, understanding the integrated structures and functions of the brain is well beyond the scope of either superficial or extremely reductionistic approaches. Although a combination of zoom-in and zoom-out strategies is desirable when the brain is studied, constructing the appropriate interfaces to connect all levels of analysis is one of the most difficult challenges of contemporary neuroscience. Is it possible to build appropriate models of brain function and dysfunctions with computational tools? Among the best-known brain dysfunctions, epilepsies are neurological syndromes that reach a variety of networks, from widespread anatomical brain circuits to local molecular environments. One logical question would be: are those complex brain networks always producing maladaptive emergent properties compatible with epileptogenic substrates? The present review will deal with this question and will try to answer it by illustrating several points from the literature and from our laboratory data, with examples at the behavioral, electrophysiological, cellular and molecular levels. We conclude that, because the brain is a complex system compatible with the production of emergent properties, including plasticity, its functions should be approached using an integrated view. Concepts such as brain networks, graphics theory, neuroinformatics, and e-neuroscience are discussed as new transdisciplinary approaches dealing with the continuous growth of information about brain physiology and its dysfunctions. The epilepsies are discussed as neurobiological models of complex systems displaying maladaptive plasticity.

Remodeling in the ischemic heart: the stepwise progression for heart

Abstract Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world and in developing countries. Acute mortality from acute myocardial infarction (MI) has decreased in the last decades. However, the incidence of heart failure (HF) in patients with healed infarcted areas is increasing. Therefore, HF prevention is a major challenge to the health system in order to reduce healthcare costs and to provide a better quality of life. Animal models of ischemia and infarction have been essential in providing precise information regarding cardiac remodeling. Several of these changes are maladaptive, and they progressively lead to ventricular dilatation and predispose to the development of arrhythmias, HF and death. These events depend on cell death due to necrosis and apoptosis and on activation of the inflammatory response soon after MI. Systemic and local neurohumoral activation has also been associated with maladaptive cardiac remodeling, predisposing to HF. In this review, we provide a timely description of the cardiovascular alterations that occur after MI at the cellular, neurohumoral and electrical level and discuss the repercussions of these alterations on electrical, mechanical and structural dysfunction of the heart. We also identify several areas where insufficient knowledge limits the adoption of better strategies to prevent HF development in chronically infarcted individuals.

Espiritualidade no paciente em diálise: o nefrologista deve abordar?

INTRODUÇÃO: Os trabalhos que tratam da relação entre espiritualidade e saúde têm se disseminado pelas publicações internacionais, mostrando associações entre menores níveis de depressão e ansiedade, melhor qualidade de vida, menor número de internações e mortalidade. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a relação da espiritualidade, religiosidade e saúde em pacientes em diálise. MÉTODOS: Por meio de consulta nos bancos do SciELO, LILACS, Medline e PsycINFO foi feita revisão de literatura. Foram selecionados e discutidos os artigos que discutiam a relação entre espiritualidade e saúde em pacientes dialíticos. RESULTADOS: Os estudos que abordam o tema demonstram uma relação entre maior espiritualidade e maior religiosidade com melhor qualidade de vida, menor prevalência de depressão, maior suporte social, mais satisfação com a vida e mais satisfação com o tratamento médico provido pelo nefrologista. Da mesma forma, verificou-se que pacientes dialíticos que possuíam menor espiritualidade solicitavam mais tratamentos para estímulo de vida (intubação orotraqueal, por exemplo) e que a espiritualidade foi fator de enfrentamento (coping) para os familiares dos pacientes em diálise. Na literatura consultada, não foi encontrada associação entre espiritualidade e qualidade do sono, aderência aos medicamentos e mortalidade. CONCLUSÃO: A espiritualidade e a religiosidade possuem um papel importante para o paciente em diálise. Mostra-se relacionada com pontos importantes na própria relação médico-paciente, na qualidade de vida e enfrentamento à doença, devendo ser considerada pelos profissionais que assistem a esse tipo de paciente.