Ambea Year End Report 2019

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Ambea Year End Report 2019 Annual Report with Quality & Sustainability Report 2019 We make the world a better place, one person at a time. CONTENTS Contents The year in brief ........................................... 4 CEO comments ............................................ 6 Our competitive environment .....................8 Targets and strategy ............................... 12 How we create value.................................... 15 Financial targets ......................................... 16 Sustainable care .....................................18 Doing it right should be easy .........................20 Our employees make the world a better place .24 Ambea, a socially responsible company ..........28 Our operations .......................................32 Vardaga .....................................................34 Nytida .......................................................36 Stendi ........................................................38 Altiden ...................................................... 40 Klara ......................................................... 41 Statutory Annual Report ......................... 42 Corporate Governance Report .......................43 Risks ........................................................ 48 The share ...................................................50 The population is growing in Scandinavia and the oldest age groups are growing fastest. That is leading to a sharply Financial statements ...............................57 growing need for care services. Read more on page 9. Directors’ report .........................................58 Consolidated financial statements ............... 64 Notes for the Group .................................... 68 Parent Company financial statements .......... 111 Notes for the Parent Company ..................... 115 The Board of Directors’ assurance.................119 Auditor’s report ......................................... 120 Sustainability notes ....................................128 GRI Content Index ......................................132 Highlighted in blue The audited Annual Report and consolidated financial state ments are on pages 42–110. The Corporate Governance Report has been reviewed by the auditors and can be found A commitment to quality is the foundation of Ambea’s work. on pages 43–55. Everyone has the right to high-quality care while society’s resources should be managed effectively. Read more on page 20. Highlighted in grey The mandatory sustainability report can be found on pages 18–31 and 128–133. COVER: A rehearsal in Kung Saga special needs upper secon- dary school. The school has an aesthetic focus and puts on a production every year. In spring 2019, the school performed its own musical, King Story High School. 2 • AMBEA 2019 ANNUAL REPORT ABOUT AMBEA This is Ambea Ambea is one of the leading care providers in Scandina- port, training and social care staffing. Our clients are mu- via. We work with the elderly, and people with disabilities nicipalities across Scandinavia who purchase our services or a need for psychosocial support. on behalf of their municipal residents. Due to the sharply Our mission is to ensure that every individual in our growing need for care, we are building new residential approximately 900 units across Sweden, Norway and facilities and thereby reducing the pressure on municipali- Denmark can live a good life based on their own personal ties. We are also driving developments to improve quality preferences and priorities. We achieve that by combining while, at the same time, reducing costs, for example, with committed and competent employees with central systems our care concept and technical solutions. and procedures. We are ultimately guided by our vision: Ambea has 26,000 employees and has been listed on We make the world a better place, one person at a time. Nasdaq Stockholm since 2017. Our corporate group provides residential facilities, sup- Our operations Share of group net sales in parentheses Norway (28%) Stendi division Net sales SEK 3,106 million EBITA SEK 44 million Sweden (68%) Division Net sales EBITA Vardaga SEK 3,494 million SEK 207 million Nytida SEK 3,664 million SEK 512 million Denmark (4%) Klara SEK 292 million SEK 25 million Altiden division Net sales SEK 484 million EBITA SEK -12 million 73% 26,000 900 of net sales in Own Management employees in the Ambea Group operations in Scandinavia AMBEA 2019 ANNUAL REPORT • 3 2019 IN BRIEF The year in brief Care across Scandinavia On 21 January, when our acquisition of the former Aleris Omsorg operations was completed, Ambea grew to about 900 units and 26,000 employees. Since that date, Ambea has been the leading private provider of elderly care and disability care in the Scandinavian market. We are also a leading player in our local markets: Sweden, Norway and Denmark. 2019 was characterised by an intensive integration pro- cess, when the introduction of Ambea’s care model began, with a focus on quality, innovation and leadership in the operations that were previously Aleris Omsorg. The aim is to ensure even more satisfied care receivers and clients, as well as long-term growth and financial stability. Due to the acquisition, Denmark became a new market for us. In Sweden and Norway, our operations were exten- ded into many more locations. The wider geographic spread will enable Ambea to continue growing and providing new and modern care placements – for which there is a major need across Scandinavia. Brand new facilities for our care receivers! We are happy and proud of the number of new Ambea faci- lities and units that opened in 2019. The Vardaga division opened its doors to elderly patients in eight new nursing homes in Skåne, Gothenburg and Greater Stockholm. At the same time, Nytida opened seven new homes across Sweden for people with disabilities or needs for social care. In Oslo, Stendi opened a new child care home. ... and more facilities are under way! Villa Havsglimt is a new and modern nursing home in Allarp, Sweden, that will open its doors in 2020. To meet the sharply growing need for care services, Ambea will continue to establish new units for the elderly, and for people with disabilities or a need for psychosocial support. Care receiver satisfaction In 2019, we upped our pace and a record number of units are now either under construction or contracted: a total of Ambea’s units deliver high-quality care. Warm con- 57 across Scandinavia. firmation is the high ratings we once again received The design and décor of Ambea’s new residential facili- from our care receivers in the 2019 Care Receiver ties sets them apart. We are focused on our residents from Surveys (conducted in Sweden by the National Board the early stages of planning and create the best conditions of Health and Welfare and the Swedish Association for a good life with high-quality, person-centred care. One of Local Authorities and Regions). This view was example is Ambea’s residential concept in elderly care. also confirmed by the complementary Unit Surveys, It combines Nordic design with interior details that are where the National Board of Health and Welfare adapted to age-related visual and sensory impairment – measures quality in more objective ways. Overall, all based on research and evidence. That is how we create our units performed better on average than both a cosy and homely environment, specifically adapted to other private units and municipal units. the target group. 4 • AMBEA 2019 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 IN BRIEF Gender equal workplace Attractive employer In 2019, Ambea was included on the Allbright Foundation’s There is a major shortage of care workers and the list of most gender-equal companies on the Stockholm shortfall is growing sharply across the Scandina- Stock Exchange for the second consecutive year. Since vian countries. For example, more than half of all April 2019, our Group management team has consisted jobs created in Sweden between 2017 and 2025 will of seven women and five men – while eight of ten listed need to be in municipalities and regions to meet the companies have male-dominated management teams. 77 growing need, according to the Swedish Association per cent of our managers are women. Lena Hofsberger has of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR). been the Chair of Ambea’s Board since 2012. Ambea is working in a variety of ways to secure our recruitment needs. Initiatives include a digital recruitment process, clear employee development and career paths and competitive compensation. In 2019, we introduced a frequent employee satisfac- tion survey to collect fast feedback. We can happily confirm that the number of applicants has been very high for our start-up facilities, where the employees work together to design a totally new operation. Welfare challenge debate The January Agreement in Sweden, a policy agreement bet- ween the Swedish government (the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party), the Centre Party and the Liberals, strengthened the individual’s right to freedom of choice, and shifted the focus for care from operational form to quality. In 2019, there was an increase in the general awareness of challenges facing the Scandinavian welfare states in terms of the sharply growing need for care due to growing and ageing “During the year, we took populations. The situation in elderly care was particularly highlighted. By 2026, for example, the number of people aged steps to become the leading 80 years or over in Sweden is expected to rise by 200,000. The Swedish government estimates that 560 new nursing ho- Scandinavian
Recommended publications
  • Scoil Chormaic a Guide to Training and Adult Services
    SCOIL CHORMAIC A GUIDE TO TRAINING AND ADULT SERVICES 1 Table of Contents Introduction (Part 1)...................................................................................................3 Introduction (Part 2)...................................................................................................4 Occupational Guidance Service, Disability Services.................................................5 Aspect Day Service...................................................................................................6 Kilkenny Initiative for Training and Education (K.I.T.E.)..........................................10 Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA).........................................................................15 National Learning Network (NLN)/ Ancaire Day Outreach Service.........................20 Cluain Training and Enterprise...............................................................................23 Moorehaven Training Centre..................................................................................27 Gateway Training Centre (Brothers of Charity)......................................................28 RehabCare.............................................................................................................30 Camphill Communities of Ireland............................................................................32 Damien House Services.........................................................................................36 Brothers of Charity, Clare Region...........................................................................37
    [Show full text]
  • Bradley, E. Korossy, M
    HELP with Behaviours That Challenge Abstract When individuals with intellectual and developmental dis- abilities engage in behaviours that challenge, their poten- Volume 22, Number 2, 2016 tial for full community participation, integration and qual- ity of life is greatly compromised. Embedded in the acronym HELP (Health, Environment & Supports, Lived Experience, Psychiatric Disorder), this article describes a biopsychosocial Authors multi-perspective understanding of these behaviours. HELP is an approach that can be embraced comfortably by all stakehold- Elspeth Bradley,1 ers (including individuals with intellectual and developmental Marika Korossy2 disabilities and their families), empowers problem solving and has implications for effective intervention. 1 Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Behaviours that challenge (BTC), otherwise known as “chal- Toronto ON lenging behaviours,” (National Collaborating Centre for 2 Surrey Place Centre Mental Health [NCCMH], 2015) are observed in people with (retired), intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) (DSM-5; Toronto ON American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Epidemiological studies estimate that BTC are present in 5–15% of the popu- lation with IDD (NCCMH, 2015) and occur more frequently in those with greater severity of disability (Cooper, Smiley, Allan et al., 2009a; Cooper, Smiley, Jackson et al., 2009b). These behaviours may start early, have a relapsing and remitting course and can challenge services and care provid- ers. As a consequence, individuals engaging in these behav- iours are frequently the recipients of intrusive interventions including the over prescription of psychotropic medication, particularly antipsychotic medication, giving rise to ser- ious side effects, increased medical morbidity and mortal- ity (Alexander, Branford, & Devapriam, 2016; Sheehan et al., 2015). BTC lead to reduced quality of life both for individuals Correspondence so engaged, and their care providers as well as frequently preventing full community integration.
    [Show full text]
  • “What Happened Ten Years Ago Is History, What Happened Last Year Is History, in This Industry It All Changes So Quickly”
    “What happened ten years ago is history, what happened last year is history, in this industry it all changes so quickly” Management Control Systems as a Package in the Context of Innovation by Petter Berg & Philip Johnsson May 2018 Master’s Programme in Accounting and Finance Supervisor: Rolf G. Larsson Examiner: Johan Dergård Abstract Seminar date: May 31, 2018 Course: BUSN79 Degree Project in Accounting and Finance Authors: Petter Berg & Philip Johnsson Advisor: Rolf G. Larsson Keywords: Management control, Innovation, MCS as a package, Target Costing, Sports retail industry Purpose: The purpose of this study is to contribute to the context of MCSs supporting innovation. Further, the aim is to investigate how the MCS as a package can be modified to fit in the context of innovation. Methodology: A qualitative research approach was used, containing a literature review, an explanatory single-case study and limitations. Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework is based on theories regarding the field of management control, innovation and target costing Empirical foundation: The empirical data consists of research conducted through a semi- structured interview with one case company in the sports retail industry. The empirical data also consists of previous research within the research area. Conclusions: This study finds that innovation of both incremental and radical character is present in the case of Stadium. Nevertheless, the radical innovation is dominant, with a locus of innovation from the day-to-day actions. The type of strategy and locus of innovation is supported by different MCSs. It is evident the MCS work as a package, where cultural controls and cybernetic controls are the major drivers in supporting innovation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Reflective Journey the Reflective Journey: a Practitioner’S Guide to the Low Arousal Approach
    The Reflective Journey The Reflective Journey: A Practitioner’s Guide to the Low Arousal Approach Andrew McDonnell, CEO Studio3, Clinical psychologist, Visiting Professor of Autism Studies at Birmingham City University The Low Arousal Practitioner • The low arousal approach was developed in the late 1980s as an approach to managing crisis situations • There has been a strong emphasis on ‘in the moment’ crisis management – for example, avoid making demands, be aware of non-verbal cues etc • The key is understanding that we often inadvertently trigger situations or make them worse • Low arousal is about being reflective as a practitioner, and looking at ourselves first and the individual second What Makes a Good Low Arousal Practitioner? • What are the main characteristics of a good low arousal practitioner? • What are their values? • How can we recognise a low arousal practitioner? • What are the features of a low arousal practitioner you work with? The Original Definition " Attempts to alter staff behaviour by avoiding confrontational situations and seeking the path of least resistance” (McDonnell, Reeves, Johnson & Lane, 1998: p164) Low arousal is about ‘us’ not ‘them’ • Many of the central principles of the low arousal approach are based on non-violent philosophies, such as Buddhism and Quaker beliefs • There are also strong influences from mindfulness and particularly the role of reflective practice • Before you attempt to change or ‘manage’ another person, you need to reflect on your own behaviour Early Practice In 1985, as a young practitioner I often witnessed extreme restraint methods such as the one shown below: Experiences of Trauma in Care “Andrew worked in a service supporting with people with disabilities.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Opportunities for Sports Marketing and Consultancy Services to 2022
    Global opportunities for sports marketing and consultancy services to 2022 Ardi Kolah A management report published by IMR Suite 7, 33 Chapel Street Buckfastleigh TQ11 0AB UK +44 (0) 1364 642224 [email protected] www.imrsponsorship.com Copyright © Ardi Kolah, 2013. All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms and licences issued by the CLA. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside these terms should be sent to the publisher. 2 About the Author Ardi Kolah BA. LL.M, FCIPR, FCIM A marketing and communications practitioner with substantial sports marketing, business and social media experience, he has worked with some of the world’s most successful organisations including Westminster School, BBC, Andersen Consulting (Accenture), Disney, Ford, Speedo, Shell, The Scout Association, MOBO, WPP, Proctor & Gamble, CPLG, Brand Finance, Genworth Financial, ICC, WHO, Yahoo, Reebok, Pepsi, Reliance, ESPN, Emirates, Government of Abu Dhabi, Brit Insurance, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Defence Academy, Cranfield University, Imperial College and Cambridge University. He is the author of the best-selling series on sales, marketing and law for Kogan Page, published worldwide in 2013 and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors and Chair of its Law and Marketing Committee.
    [Show full text]
  • Annex 1: Understanding Autism Quiz
    Annexes Annex 1: Understanding autism quiz Annex 1: Understanding autism quiz 1. Autism affects more males than females YES NO MAYBE 2. Autism is caused by the MMR vaccine. YES NO MAYBE 3. Most people on the autism spectrum are of average or YES NO MAYBE above average IQ. 4. Reported prevalence rate of autism in the UK is 1 IN 60 1 IN 100 1 IN 200 approximately. 5. If a family has one autistic child the other children will YES NO MAYBE also be on the autism spectrum. 6. The number of people on the autism spectrum are YES NO MAYBE entering higher education (university) is on the increase. 7. The proportion of autistic people who have at least 20% 50% 70% one co-occurring condition is: 8. Autistic individuals are more likely to come into YES NO MAYBE contact with the law. 9. Autistic individuals all have sensory sensitivities and/or YES NO MAYBE difficulties or differences in sensory processing. 10. The proportion of autistic individuals who show 10% 25% 50% exceptional skills (e.g. in music, drawing, maths) is: 11. Autistic individuals are generally better at understanding the bigger picture (e.g. the wider context, the gist of a YES NO MAYBE message) than understanding details. 12. Difficulties with executive functioning (e.g. planning and organising, processing sequences, inhibiting YES NO MAYBE inappropriate behaviour) are unique to autistic individuals. 13. The number of children and adults reported as on the autism spectrum is pretty much the same the YES NO MAYBE world over. 14. Autistic individuals experience higher levels of stress YES NO MAYBE and anxiety than those without autism.
    [Show full text]
  • – Together, We Create Attractive Meeting Places –
    ANNUAL REPORT – TOGETHER, WE CREATE ATTRACTIVE MEETING PLACES – THIS IS ATRIUM LJUNGBERG Atrium Ljungberg’s work involves creating sustainable environments where people want to be, today and in the future – environments that contribute to society’s development and which provide a foundation for growth and business. Properties are the core of our operations but we are actually more interested in the people who spend their time in the environ­ ments that we create. Because together with customers, suppliers, local authorities and other partners, we are building a sustainable future. • Atrium Ljungberg is one of Sweden’s largest listed property companies and has been listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm Exchange since 1994. • We own, develop and manage properties, primarily for the retail and office sectors. • We create attractive meeting places by adding residential premises and cultural, service and educational facilities to our areas. The operations enrich one another and the combinations generate added value for our customers and society at large. OUR LOCATIONS • We are primarily located in Stockholm, Uppsala and Malmö. • Our retail hubs are located in all of these regions. • The office properties are concentrated on strong growth areas in Stockholm. • Our residential properties are an integral part of the city district of Ärvinge in Kista and the Mobilia area in Malmö. OUR BUSINESS • Atrium Ljungberg takes a long-term approach to property ownership – we develop and manage in a manner that ensures long­term ownership. • We create value growth by developing and improving new and existing properties and development rights through active management, based around the customer.
    [Show full text]
  • 181109 Markus Hernes.Pdf (2.006Mb)
    “What Are We Doing?” Managing challenging behaviour and reducing the use of compulsion and power through legislative reflections and Positive Behaviour Support Markus Hernes Master’s Thesis Master of Philosophy in Special Needs Education Department of Special Needs Education Faculty of Educational Sciences UNIVERSITY OF OSLO Autumn 2018 !II “I found it challenging, and at the same time quite exhilarating. But also a feeling of, you know, what are we doing? We just can’t continue, we need to know what we are doing.” !III !IV Abstract This thesis is concerned with how and in what ways the technology of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) might help reduce the use of compulsion and power in schools. In Norway, legislative confusion in schools regarding the use of compulsion and power relating to legislative matters, is not a new or controversial issue. The Education Act §9 A-10 prohibits any use of restrictive methods, but the Penal Code §§ 17 and 18 might be applied in situations of a serious nature. This discrepancy might create a legislative vacuum in which the line between the duty of care, and the use of coercion, might be difficult to navigate or, in the worst case, lead to the unlawful use of compulsion and power in Norwegian schools. The study aims to investigate in what ways current legislation might contribute to the reduction in the use of compulsion and power, in what way PBS might help to clarify the current legislative confusion, and which components of PBS that might lead to the reduction in the use of compulsion and power.
    [Show full text]
  • An Investigation of Physiological Arousal in Children with Autism And
    An Investigation of Physiological Arousal in Children with Autism and Co-morbid Challenging Behaviour Sinéad Lydon A thesis submitted to Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology 2015 Supervisors: Dr. Olive Healy (Trinity College Dublin) and Professor Brian Hughes (National University of Ireland, Galway). Declaration I declare that this thesis has not been submitted as an exercise for a degree at this or any other university and it is entirely my own work. I agree to deposit this thesis in the University’s open access institutional repository or allow the library to do so on my behalf, subject to Irish Copyright Legislation and Trinity College Library conditions of use and acknowledgement. Sinéad Lydon Table of Contents Page Summary i Funding iv Acknowledgements v Publications and conference proceedings arising from this thesis vi List of tables vii List of figures x List of abbreviations xi Chapter 1 General introduction 1 Challenging behaviour in autism spectrum disorder 2 Physiological activity in autism spectrum disorder 9 Theories linking physiological activity and challenging behaviour 12 Empirical investigations of the relation between physiological activity 19 and challenging behaviour Conclusions and research aims 29 Chapter 2 A systematic review of physiological reactivity to 33 stimuli in autism spectrum disorder Abstract 34 Introduction 35 Method 38 Results 45 Discussion 70 Chapter 3 Salivary cortisol levels and challenging
    [Show full text]
  • Portfolio Including Thesis ADELINE ANN CRAWFORD a Portfolio
    Portfolio including Thesis Volume I of 2 ADELINE ANN CRAWFORD A portfolio submittedin partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Hertfordshire for the degreeof Doctor of Clinical Psychology including a Thesis entitled: Brain Injury and the Experience of Caring: Intrapersonal Aspects from a Personal Construct Perspective The programme of study was carried out in the Department of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire August 2006 TEXT BOUND INTO THE SPINE Contents PageNumber Written ExerciseI 2 Written Exercise 2 24 Small Scale Service Related Project 45 LiteratureReview 69 Thesis Title Page 90 Thesis Contents 91 Dedication 95 Abstract 96 Introduction 97 Method 119 Results 133 Discussion 159 References 177 Acknowledgements 196 Appendices 197 Critical Review 232 I Written Exercise 1 Critically evaluate the concept of "dual diagnosis" and argue its degree of relevance to treatment planning. Introduction To critically evaluate the concept of dual diagnosis, that is two comorbid or simultaneously existing psychiatric disorders (Mueser et at., 2001), the unitary concept of diagnosis must be critically analysed. The concept of diagnosis forms the basis of the contemporary medical model (Kroese and Holmes, 2001), although systems of classification have been in existence since classical times (Gross and Mcllveen, 1996). Diagnosis has several explicit purposes including aiding research; summarising information; and guiding treatment (Nurcombe, 2000). To explore the concept of psychiatric diagnosis, the categorical diagnostic framework of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) will be the exemplar analysed. This system of diagnosis is multi-axial, involving assessmenton five axes all of which map on to different kinds of information that ought to enable the assessorto plan treatment (ibid.
    [Show full text]
  • Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon MEDIA GUIDE 2016
    Updated 2016-05-20 GöteborgsVarvet Half Marathon MEDIA GUIDE 2016 A world-class racing event promoting a healthy lifestyle and offering a great atmosphere A sustainable event with many things happening GöteborgsVarvet Half Marathon has chosen to invest in sustainability. The event has received a diplomas for our hard work towards sustainability, been recognized at an awards ceremony of AIMS Green Award 2013 and currently working to receive the international standard ISO-20121, for a sustainable event. Key elements in our work towards sustainability is social engagement, economy, and environment. As a major organizer, we want to be a role model in setting standards and routines that contri- bute to healthy lifestyles for individuals and the society as a whole. Aside from being proud of all the participants in the race I am extra proud of the organization ”HEJA Göteborg” that has running school programs for children in different parts of Gothenburg with our goal to expand the program to other areas. Runners participating in the races are contributing to various athletic clubs, with all the surplus from the races going direct to the athletic clubs and associations. Participants can even contribute to our sus- tainable efforts by recycling all waste, choosing one of the vegetarian alternatives offered in the race area and by choosing the most envi- ronmentally friendly form of transportation to and from the race. All of our 4000 volunteers and race officials will receive vegetarian food. A new addition for this year is that all of the participants can travel via public transportation two extra days during the week of the race.
    [Show full text]
  • Marias Kappa
    From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden THE KYNURENINE PATHWAY AND DEVELOPMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA – IMMUNOLOGICAL AND GENETIC ASPECTS Maria Holtze Stockholm 2011 All previously published papers were reproduced with permission from the publisher. Published by Karolinska Institutet. Printed by Larserics Digital Print AB. Cover: Artwork by Christina Holtze and Magnus Knutsson. © Maria Holtze, 2011 ISBN 978-91-7457-469-2 Till Martin ABSTRACT Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with symptoms ranging from hallucinations to poor social functioning and cognitive deficits. Despite decades of research, the etiology of the disease remains puzzling. Genetic aberrations as well as exposure to infection during early life are associated with an increased risk for development of the disease. Recent studies also describe an immune activation in schizophrenia. The immune-related and neuroactive compound kynurenic acid (KYNA), is implicated in the pathophysiology of the disease. KYNA is an astrocyte-derived end product of the kynurenine pathway, the main metabolic route of tryptophan degradation. The aim of the present thesis was to evaluate if disturbances – genetic or caused by early-life infection – in the kynurenine pathway, in particular with regard to KYNA, could contribute to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. Our results show that infection with the neurotropic influenza A/WSN/33 virus generates a profound induction of the kynurenine pathway in vitro in mouse cell cultures of cortical glial cells and hippocampal neurons, including a robust increase of transcripts encoding IDO and TDO, the enzymes regulating the first and rate-limiting reaction of KYNA production. A systemic injection of the influenza A/WSN/33 virus to wild-type and immune-deficient mice (Tap1-/-), that lack CD8+ T cells, at postnatal day (P) 3 or 4 showed that the infection stimulated the kynurenine pathway in early life.
    [Show full text]