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Journal of Integrative Neuroscience Jan 2024Both classic epigenetic modifications and microRNAs can impact a range of bodily processes, from metabolism to brain function, and may contribute to the development of... (Review)
Review
Both classic epigenetic modifications and microRNAs can impact a range of bodily processes, from metabolism to brain function, and may contribute to the development of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and psychiatric disorders. Numerous studies suggest a connection between epigenetic changes and mood disorders. In this study, we performed a comprehensive search using PubMed and Google for the terms "epigenetics", "ageing", "miRNA", "schizophrenia", and "mood disorders" in the titles and abstracts of articles. Epigenetic changes during early life may play a crucial role in triggering severe mental disorders and shaping their clinical trajectory. Although these alterations can take place at any age, their impact may not be immediately evident or observable until later in life. Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in the ageing process and challenge the prevailing belief that mutations are the primary driver of ageing. However, it is plausible that these epigenetic changes are a consequence of the disorder rather than its root cause. Moreover, both the disorder and the epigenetic alterations may be influenced by shared environmental or genetic factors. In the near future, we might be able to replace chronological age with biological age, based on the epigenetic clock, with the promise of providing greater therapeutic benefits. A wide range of epigenetic drugs are currently under development at various stages. Although their full effectiveness is yet to be realized, they show great potential in the treatment of cancer, psychiatric disorders, and other complex diseases.
Topics: Humans; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Mental Disorders; Schizophrenia; MicroRNAs; Aging
PubMed: 38287856
DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2301013 -
BMC Psychiatry Apr 2024Previous studies have reported associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and several mental disorders. However, further research is required to determine...
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have reported associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and several mental disorders. However, further research is required to determine whether these associations are causal. Therefore, we evaluated the bidirectional causality between the genetic liability for OSA and nine mental disorders by using Mendelian randomization (MR).
METHOD
We performed two-sample bidirectional MR of genetic variants for OSA and nine mental disorders. Summary statistics on OSA and the nine mental disorders were extracted from the FinnGen study and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. The primary analytical approach for estimating causal effects was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW), with the weighted median and MR Egger as complementary methods. The MR Egger intercept test, Cochran's Q test, Rucker's Q test, and the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) test were used for sensitivity analyses.
RESULT
MR analyses showed that genetic liability for major depressive disorder (MDD) was associated with an increased risk of OSA (odds ratio [OR] per unit increase in the risk of MDD, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.11-1.49; P < 0.001). In addition, genetic liability for OSA may be associated with an increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (OR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.02-1.56; p = 0.032). There was no evidence that OSA is associated with other mental disorders.
CONCLUSION
Our study indicated that genetic liability for MDD is associated with an increased risk of OSA without a bidirectional relationship. Additionally, there was suggestive evidence that genetic liability for OSA may have a causal effect on ADHD. These findings have implications for prevention and intervention strategies targeting OSA and ADHD. Further research is needed to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying our findings and the relationship between OSA and other mental disorders.
Topics: Humans; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Depressive Disorder, Major; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Mental Disorders; Genetic Predisposition to Disease
PubMed: 38654235
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05754-8 -
BMJ Mental Health Nov 2023Despite the evidence supporting the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and severe mental disorders (SMD), the directionality of the associations between...
BACKGROUND
Despite the evidence supporting the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and severe mental disorders (SMD), the directionality of the associations between income or education and mental disorders is still poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential bidirectional causal relationships between genetic liability to the two main components of SES (income and educational attainment (EA)) on three SMD: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BD) and depression.
METHODS
We performed a bidirectional, two-sample univariable Mendelian randomisation (UVMR) and multivariable Mendelian randomisation (MVMR) study using SES phenotypes (income, n=397 751 and EA, n=766 345) and SMD (schizophrenia, n=127 906; BD, n=51 710 and depression, n=500 119) genome-wide association studies summary-statistics to dissect the potential direct associations of income and EA with SMD.
FINDINGS
UVMR showed that genetic liability to higher income was associated with decreased risk of schizophrenia and depression, with a smaller reverse effect of schizophrenia and depression on income. Effects were comparable after adjusting for EA in the MVMR. UMVR showed bidirectional negative associations between genetic liability to EA and depression and positive associations between genetic liability to EA and BD, with no significant effects on schizophrenia. After accounting for income, MVMR showed a bidirectional positive direction between genetic liability to EA and BD and schizophrenia but not with depression.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest a heterogeneous link pattern between SES and SMD. We found a negative bidirectional association between genetic liability to income and the risk of schizophrenia and depression. On the contrary, we found a positive bidirectional relationship of genetic liability to EA with schizophrenia and BD, which only becomes apparent after adjusting for income in the case of schizophrenia.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
These findings shed light on the directional mechanisms between social determinants and mental disorders and suggest that income and EA should be studied separately in relation to mental illness.
Topics: Humans; Genome-Wide Association Study; Mental Disorders; Schizophrenia; Bipolar Disorder; Social Class
PubMed: 38007229
DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2023-300821 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023The brain-gut axis link has attracted increasing attention, with observational studies suggesting that the relationship between common mental disorders and inflammatory...
BACKGROUND
The brain-gut axis link has attracted increasing attention, with observational studies suggesting that the relationship between common mental disorders and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may run in both directions. However, so far, it is not clear whether there is causality and in which direction.
METHODS
We conducted a bidirectional 2-sample Mendelian randomization study to investigate the relationship between IBD, including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), and mental disorders, using summary-level GWAS data. The main analysis was the inverse variance weighted method. IBD (including CD and UC), and nine mental disorders were used as both exposures and outcomes.
RESULTS
We found that UC could significantly lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder, with odds ratio (OR) of 1.245 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.069-1.450; =0.008), 1.050 (95%CI: 1.023-1.077; =2.42×10), and 1.041 (95%CI: 1.015-1.068; =0.002) respectively. In addition, we found that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia could increase the odds of IBD, with OR values of 1.138 (95%CI: 1.084-1.194; =1.9×10), and 1.115 (95%CI: 1.071-1.161; =1.12×10), respectively. Our results also indicate that obsessive-compulsive disorder could lead to IBD, especially for UC, with OR values of 1.091 (95%CI: 1.024-1.162; =0.009), and 1.124 (95%CI: 1.041-1.214; =0.004), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that the brain-gut axis involves the association between IBD, especially UC, and some mental disorders, which guides the targeted prevention, management, and mechanism exploration of these diseases.
Topics: Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Mental Disorders; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Ascomycota
PubMed: 37901213
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1267834 -
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and... Sep 2023As rates of substance use and mental disorders continue to rise, individuals with mental health and substance use challenges and their supporters could benefit from...
As rates of substance use and mental disorders continue to rise, individuals with mental health and substance use challenges and their supporters could benefit from practical, accessible, cost-effective, wellness-focused tools outlining simple daily strategies to promote long-term recovery. The current article describes such a tool, the Journey to Wellness Guide, based on the Wellness Model, and developed through a co-production process. refers to a process of research, service design, and educational materials development where people with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges share decision-making power throughout all stages of production, including the sharing of results. The co-production process resulted in a well-received wellness tool and tip guides for personal use, supporting others, and use in a group context. The value of this tool for psychosocial nursing and behavioral health care worker self-care and practice is outlined. [(9), 24-30.].
Topics: Humans; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Mental Health Services; Self Care; Psychiatric Nursing
PubMed: 36989482
DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20230321-02 -
History of Psychiatry Sep 2023Originally put forward to defend history from the encroachment of physics, the distinction between understanding and explanation was built into the foundations of Karl...
Originally put forward to defend history from the encroachment of physics, the distinction between understanding and explanation was built into the foundations of Karl Jaspers' 'phenomenological' psychiatry, and it is revised, used and defended by many still working in that tradition. On the face of it, this is rather curious. I examine what this notion of 'understanding' amounts to, why it entered and remains influential in psychiatry, and what insights for contemporary psychiatry are buried in the notion. I argue that it is unhelpfully associated with the view that the mental is epistemologically and methodologically autonomous, but that it nevertheless highlights an important lacuna in many views of psychiatry and the scientific study of humans more generally.
Topics: Humans; History, 20th Century; Psychiatry; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 37092812
DOI: 10.1177/0957154X231163275 -
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry May 2024
Topics: Humans; Psychotherapy; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 38780526
DOI: 10.4088/JCP.24ed15386 -
BMC Psychiatry Sep 2023Impulsivity is a transdiagnostic feature linked to severe clinical expression and a potential target for psychopharmacological strategies. Biological underpinnings are...
BACKGROUND
Impulsivity is a transdiagnostic feature linked to severe clinical expression and a potential target for psychopharmacological strategies. Biological underpinnings are largely unknown, but involvement of immune dysregulation has been indicated, and the effects of psychopharmacological agents vary. We investigated if impulsivity was associated with circulating immune marker levels and with a range of psychopharmacological treatment regimens in severe mental disorders.
METHODS
Impulsivity was assessed in a sample (N = 657) of patients with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder (SCZ) (N = 116) or bipolar disorder (BD) (N = 159) and healthy participants (N = 382) using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) questionnaire. Plasma levels of systemic immune markers (RANTES, IL-1RA, IL-18, IL-18BP, sTNFR-1) were measured by enzyme immunoassays. Patients underwent thorough clinical assessment, including evaluation of psychotropic medication. Associations were assessed using linear regressions.
RESULTS
Impulsivity was positively associated with SCZ (p < 0.001) and BD (p < 0.001) diagnosis and negatively associated with age (p < 0.05), but not significantly associated with any of the circulating immune markers independently of diagnostic status. Among patients, impulsivity was negatively associated with lithium treatment (p = 0.003) and positively associated with antidepressant treatment (p = 0.011) after controlling for diagnosis, psychotropic co-medications, manic symptoms, and depressive symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
We report elevated impulsivity across SCZ and BD but no associations to systemic immune dysregulation based on the current immune marker selection. The present study reveals associations between impulsivity in severe mental disorders and treatment with lithium and antidepressants, with opposite directions. Future studies are warranted to determine the causal directionality of the observed associations with psychopharmacotherapy.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Mental Disorders; Impulsive Behavior; Bipolar Disorder; Psychotic Disorders; Lithium
PubMed: 37674162
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05154-4 -
BMJ Mental Health Oct 2023People with severe mental illness (SMI) have a higher prevalence of several chronic physical health conditions, and the prevalence of physical multimorbidity is expected... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
People with severe mental illness (SMI) have a higher prevalence of several chronic physical health conditions, and the prevalence of physical multimorbidity is expected to rise. The aim of this study was to assess the strength of the association between SMI and physical multimorbidity.
STUDY SELECTION AND ANALYSIS
We systematically searched PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and the behavioural sciences collection databases, from inception to 31 January 2023, for studies that investigated the association between SMI and physical multimorbidity. Humans of any age either clinically diagnosed and/or currently receiving treatment for SMI, specified as schizophrenia (and related psychotic disorders), bipolar disorder and psychotic depression, were eligible. Data from studies selected for inclusion were converted into ORs, with a subsequent meta-analysis conducted.
FINDINGS
We included 19 studies with a total of 194 123 patients with SMI with different diagnoses and drawn from the general population. The pooled OR for physical multimorbidity in people with versus without SMI was 1.84 (95% CI 1.33 to 2.54), with the analysis indicating a high level of heterogeneity (98.38%). The other 15 studies included in the systematic review for which it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis showed strong associations between SMI and physical multimorbidity.
CONCLUSIONS
The current evidence highlights the link between SMI and physical multimorbidity. A multidisciplinary approach is now urgent to develop the best models of services tailored to patients with SMI with physical multimorbidities to improve physical, mental and social outcomes. CRD42023395165.
Topics: Humans; Multimorbidity; Mental Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Bipolar Disorder; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 37907331
DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2023-300870 -
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Oct 2023Salla disease (SD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder characterised by intellectual disability ataxia, athetosis, nystagmus, and central nervous system demyelination.... (Review)
Review
Salla disease (SD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder characterised by intellectual disability ataxia, athetosis, nystagmus, and central nervous system demyelination. Although the neurological spectrum of SD's clinical phenotype is well defined, psychotic symptoms in SD remain unreported. We reviewed the presence of psychiatric symptoms in patients diagnosed with SD. Medical records of all SD patients at Oulu University Hospital during the years 1982-2015 were systematically reviewed to evaluate the presence of psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms were frequently associated with SD (10/24, 42%), and two patients were described as developing psychosis as adolescents. We reported their clinical characteristics in detail and assessed the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in a cohort of 24 patients. Other psychiatric factors associated with SD were sleeping disorders (8/24, 32%), aggressive behaviour disorders or restlessness (6/24, 25%), and off-label antipsychotic medication (4/24, 17%). This report expands the knowledge of the phenotypic spectrum of SD and demonstrates the importance of recognising the possibility of psychiatric symptoms, including psychosis, in persons with SD.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Sialic Acid Storage Disease; Mental Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Antipsychotic Agents; Phenotype
PubMed: 35796883
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02031-5