Androgen levels were lower in middle-aged than young women, which was associated with decreased amygdala reactivity. Endogenous testosterone levels correlated positively with amygdala reactivity across the young and middle-aged women. The middle-aged women received a single nasal dose of testosterone in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover manner, which rapidly increased

amygdala reactivity to a level comparable to the young women. The enhanced testosterone levels correlated positively with superior frontal cortex responses and negatively with orbitofrontal cortex responses across individuals, which may reflect testosterone-induced changes in amygdala regulation. These results show that testosterone modulates amygdala reactivity in women, and suggest that the age-related decline

in androgen levels contribute to the decrease in amygdala reactivity.”
“Objective: This study examines the outcomes of mitral valve click here repair in a defined group of patients with mitral regurgitation caused by advanced myxomatous degeneration.

Methods: Advanced myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve was defined as a degenerative process Fludarabine cost whereby both leaflets are voluminous and aneurysmal and the mitral annulus diameter exceeds 40 mm and has posterior displacement, as determined by means of echocardiographic analysis. Over a 16-year period, we identified 183 patients who underwent valve repair in this subgroup of myxomatous degeneration. Urocanase The repair consisted of relocating the posterior mitral annulus to the endocardium of the left ventricle at the atrioventricular junction, correction of leaflet prolapse, and annuloplasty. Analysis of perioperative

variables and postoperative outcomes were undertaken. The mean follow-up was 5.9 +/- 4.2 years and complete.

Results: The patients’ mean age was 52 years, and 118 were men. All patients had mitral regurgitation preoperatively. There were no early and only 8 late deaths (2 valve-related deaths). The survival at 10 years was 92% +/- 3%. Six patients required reoperation on the mitral valve, 5 for recurrent severe mitral regurgitation. The freedom from reoperation at 10 years was 93% +/- 3%. Six patients had severe and 21 had moderate mitral regurgitation. The freedom from recurrent moderate or severe mitral regurgitation at 10 years was 80% +/- 5%. We could not identify independent predictors of recurrent mitral regurgitation.

Conclusions: Mitral valve repair for advanced myxomatous degeneration on the mitral valve provides excellent early functional results, but late recurrent regurgitation is common, despite correction of dilated and displaced mitral annulus and leaflet prolapse.”
“Sex differences have been reported in a variety of affective and neurodegenerative disorders that involve dysfunctional dopamine (DA) neurotransmission.