Samenvatting
In this thesis, clinical and methodological studies have been performed to add to the clarification of as yet insufficiently characterized neurobiological mechanisms in common neurologic and psychiatric conditions, including traumatic brain injury and its sequelae and compulsive pornography use. Using positron emission tomography (PET), we studied whether neuroinflammation was present in currently active kickboxers as a consequence of chronic repetetive head injury. The results show that this may be present in a subset of kickboxers, although no relation with the performance on neuropsychological tasks could be demonstrated. Future studies may elucidate whether this process could lead to symptoms later on, such as the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Another clinical study focused on subjects with problematic pornography use. In contrast to what is commonly observed in substance use disorders, these subjects did not show typical dopaminergic D2/3 reductions in the striatum or hypofrontality. These findings suggest that the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction to complex psychological stimuli like pornography exposure may be fundamentally different from those underlying addiction to chemical substances.
Finally, methodological studies were performed focusing on presynaptic dopaminergic imaging, which has a role in evaluating parkinsonism. Results indicate that slightly different patterns of presynaptic dopaminergic deficits may be present in different parkinsonian syndromes. This information may be used in the assessment of presynaptic dopaminergic scans in the clinic.
Another clinical study focused on subjects with problematic pornography use. In contrast to what is commonly observed in substance use disorders, these subjects did not show typical dopaminergic D2/3 reductions in the striatum or hypofrontality. These findings suggest that the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction to complex psychological stimuli like pornography exposure may be fundamentally different from those underlying addiction to chemical substances.
Finally, methodological studies were performed focusing on presynaptic dopaminergic imaging, which has a role in evaluating parkinsonism. Results indicate that slightly different patterns of presynaptic dopaminergic deficits may be present in different parkinsonian syndromes. This information may be used in the assessment of presynaptic dopaminergic scans in the clinic.
Originele taal-2 | English |
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Kwalificatie | Doctor of Philosophy |
Toekennende instantie |
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Begeleider(s)/adviseur |
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Datum van toekenning | 17-jan.-2024 |
Plaats van publicatie | [Groningen] |
Uitgever | |
Gedrukte ISBN's | 978-94-6483-574-8 |
DOI's | |
Status | Published - 2024 |