Karolinska Institutet

About: Karolinska Institutet is a education organization based out in Stockholm, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 46212 authors who have published 121142 publications receiving 6008130 citations.

Risk score for the prediction of dementia risk in 20 years among middle aged people: a longitudinal, population-based study.

Abstract: Summary Background Several vascular risk factors are associated with dementia. We sought to develop a simple method for the prediction of the risk of late-life dementia in people of middle age on the basis of their risk profiles. Methods Data were used from the population-based CAIDE study, which included 1409 individuals who were studied in midlife and re-examined 20 years later for signs of dementia. Several midlife vascular risk factors were studied to create the scoring tool. The score values were estimated on the basis of β coefficients and the dementia risk score was the sum of these individual scores (range 0–15). Findings Occurrence of dementia during the 20 years of follow-up was 4%. Future dementia was significantly predicted by high age (≥47 years), low education ( Interpretation The dementia risk score is a novel approach for the prediction of dementia risk, but should be validated and further improved to increase its predictive value. This approach highlights the role of vascular factors in the development of dementia and could help to identify individuals who might benefit from intensive lifestyle consultations and pharmacological interventions.

Self reported cannabis use as a risk factor for schizophrenia in Swedish conscripts of 1969: historical cohort study

Abstract: Objectives: An association between use of cannabis in adolescence and subsequent risk of schizophrenia was previously reported in a follow up of Swedish conscripts. Arguments were raised that this association may be due to use of drugs other than cannabis and that personality traits may have confounded results. We performed a further analysis of this cohort to address these uncertainties while extending the follow up period to identify additional cases. Design: Historical cohort study. Setting: 1969-70 survey of Swedish conscripts (>97% of the country's male population aged 18-20). Participants: 50 087 subjects: data were available on self reported use of cannabis and other drugs, and on several social and psychological characteristics. Main outcome measures: Admissions to hospital for ICD-8/9 schizophrenia and other psychoses, as determined by record linkage. Results: Cannabis was associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia in a dose dependent fashion both for subjects who had ever used cannabis (adjusted odds ratio for linear trend of increasing frequency 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 1.4, P 50 times was 6.7 (2.1 to 21.7) in the cannabis only group. Similar results were obtained when analysis was restricted to subjects developing schizophrenia after five years after conscription, to exclude prodromal cases. Conclusions: Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia, consistent with a causal relation. This association is not explained by use of other psychoactive drugs or personality traits relating to social integration. #### What is already known about this topic What is already known about this topic Use of cannabis has been associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia Alternative explanations for this association include confounding by personality or by use of other drugs such as amphetamines, and use of cannabis as a form of self medication secondary to the disorder #### What this study adds What this study adds Self reported cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of subsequently developing schizophrenia, consistent with a causal relation This association is not explained by sociability personality traits, or by use of amphetamines or other drugs Self medication with cannabis is an unlikely explanation for the association observed

Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study: Associations with Neonatal Anthropometrics

Abstract: Objective: To examine associations of neonatal adiposity with maternal glucose levels and cord serum C-peptide in a multicenter multinational study, the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study, thereby assessing the Pederson hypothesis linking maternal glycemia and fetal hyperinsulinemia to neonatal adiposity. Research Design and Methods: Eligible pregnant women underwent a standard 75 gm OGTT between 24 and 32 weeks gestation (as close to 28 weeks as possible). Neonatal anthropometrics and cord serum C-peptide were measured. Associations of maternal glucose and cord serum C-peptide with neonatal adiposity (sum of skinfolds > 90th percentile or percent body fat > 90th percentile) were assessed using multiple logistic regression analyses, with adjustment for potential confounders, including maternal age, parity, BMI, mean arterial pressure, height, gestational age at delivery, and the baby's gender. Results: Among 23,316 HAPO study participants with glucose levels blinded to caregivers, cord serum C-peptide results were available for 19,885 babies and skin fold measurements for 19,389. For measures of neonatal adiposity there were strong statistically significant gradients across increasing levels of maternal glucose and cord serum C-peptide, which persisted after adjustment for potential confounders. In fully adjusted continuous variable models, odds ratios ranged from 1.35 to 1.44 for the two measures of adiposity for fasting, 1-hour, and 2-hour plasma glucose higher by one standard deviation. Conclusions: These findings confirm the link between maternal glucose and neonatal adiposity, and suggest that the relationship is mediated by fetal insulin production and that the Pedersen hypothesis describes a basic biologic relationship influencing fetal growth.

Brain Cholesterol: Long Secret Life Behind a Barrier

Abstract: Although an immense knowledge has accumulated concerning regulation of cholesterol homeostasis in the body, this does not include the brain, where details are just emerging. Approximately 25% of the total amount of the cholesterol present in humans is localized to this organ, most of it present in myelin. Almost all brain cholesterol is a product of local synthesis, with the blood-brain barrier efficiently protecting it from exchange with lipoprotein cholesterol in the circulation. Thus, there is a highly efficient apolipoprotein-dependent recycling of cholesterol in the brain, with minimal losses to the circulation. Under steady-state conditions, most of the de novo synthesis of cholesterol in the brain appears to be balanced by excretion of the cytochrome P-450-generated oxysterol 24S-hydroxycholesterol. This oxysterol is capable of escaping the recycling mechanism and traversing the blood-brain barrier. Cholesterol levels and cholesterol turnover are affected in neurodegenerating disorders, and the capacity for cholesterol transport and recycling in the brain seems to be of importance for the development of such diseases. The possibility has been discussed that administration of inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis may reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer disease. No firm conclusions can, however, be drawn from the studies presented thus far. In the present review, the most recent advances in our understanding of cholesterol turnover in the brain is discussed.