This study aimed to examine whether polymorphisms in the SNCA gene were associated with alcohol taste cue elicited responses in the brain, one such intermediate phenotype. Method: A total of 326 heavy drinkers who underwent

an alcohol taste task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) also were genotyped. Analyses focused on two previously identified SNCA variants (rs2583985 and rs356168) as well as 27 other single nucleotide polymorphisms from the Illumina see more Human1M BeadChip that were used in an exploratory analysis of the whole gene. Neurobiological phenotypes were defined as fMRI blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) responses to alcohol taste cue (vs. a control cue) in seven regions of interest known to be involved in cue processing and rich in dopaminergic axon terminals. Results: Polymorphisms in the SNCA gene were significantly correlated with BOLD activation. Specifically, the largest effect sizes and significance were seen for rs2583985 in paracingulate and caudate (focused analysis) and for rs1372522 in paracingulate (exploratory analysis). Activation in all regions of interest was correlated with alcohol-dependence severity. Conclusions: SNCA genotype was found to be associated with the degree of fMRI

A-769662 inhibitor BOLD response during exposure to the taste of alcohol versus a control taste. This study also further validates the use of this alcohol taste task as an intermediate phenotype for alcohol-dependence severity. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 74, 233-244,2013)”
“Objective

With the increasing use of biologics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, the Hong Kong IBD Society developed a set of consensus statements intended to serve as local recommendations for clinicians about the appropriate use of biologics for treating inflammatory bowel disease.\n\nParticipants The consensus meeting was held on 9 July 2011 in Hong Kong. Draft consensus statements were developed by core members of the Hong Kong IBD Society, including local gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons experienced in managing patients with inflammatory bowel disease.\n\nEvidence Published literature Silmitasertib and conference proceedings on the use of biologics in management of inflammatory bowel disease, and guidelines and consensus issued by different international and regional societies on recommendations for biologics in inflammatory bowel disease patients were reviewed.\n\nConsensus process Four core members of the consensus group drafted 19 consensus statements through the modified Delphi process. The statements were first circulated among a clinical expert panel of 15 members for review and comments, and were finalised at the consensus meeting through a voting session. A consensus statement was accepted if at least 80% of the participants voted “accepted completely” or “accepted with some reservation”.