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Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in... 2022Cocaine/crack use affects immune system molecules and development of mental disorders has been identified.
BACKGROUND
Cocaine/crack use affects immune system molecules and development of mental disorders has been identified.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship of polymorphisms in the (-308G/A), IL-10 (-819C/T) and (-786T/C) genes with mental disorders in cocaine and crack users.
METHODS
A case-control study was carried out, which included 107 cocaine and crack users and 115 controls who never used healthy cocaine and crack. The SNPs in the (-308G/A), (-819C/T) and (-786T/C) genes were genotyped by real time PCR.
RESULTS
As for the individuals included in this study, the average age of 31.4 years (± 8.59). We identified that the G/A genotype to TNFA (-308) (OR = 0.24; p = 0.03) and the A allele (OR = 0.30; p = 0.03) were associated with reduced risk for dysthymic disorder. The T allele of the IL-10 (-819) polymorphism was associated with decreased risk of developing panic disorder (OR = 0.44; p = 0.01), while the C allele was correlated with an increased risk for alcohol dependence (OR = 1.97; p = 0.04), alcohol abuse (OR = 1.81; p = 0.04) and psychotic syndrome (OR = 2.23; p = 0.01). C/C genotype was correlated with increased chances of developing current psychotic syndrome (OR = 4.23; p = 0.01).
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that genetic polymorphisms promote susceptibility or promote protection for clinical phenotypes of psychiatric comorbidities in cocaine and crack users and be considered as good prognostic markers.
PubMed: 37274848
DOI: 10.2174/17450179-v18-e2201140 -
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics Jul 2024Despite its milder severity, the chronic nature of dysthymia leads to significant impairments and functional limitations. The treatment of dysthymia has received... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Despite its milder severity, the chronic nature of dysthymia leads to significant impairments and functional limitations. The treatment of dysthymia has received considerably less research attention compared to major depressive disorder (MDD).
AREAS COVERED
The authors have conducted a comprehensive review on the treatment of dysthymia. Their primary objective was to identify therapeutic options that have demonstrated genuine efficacy. To do this, they searched the PubMed database, without any time restrictions, to retrieve original studies. The samples were exclusively comprised individuals diagnosed with dysthymia according to the diagnostic criteria outlined in DSM-III, DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, or DSM-IV-TR.
EXPERT OPINION
Within the realm of dysthymia treatment, several antidepressants, including imipramine, sertraline, paroxetine, minaprine, moclobemide, and amineptine, in addition to the antipsychotic agent amisulpride, have demonstrated superiority over placebo. In certain studies, psychotherapeutic interventions did not distinguish themselves significantly from pharmacological treatments and failed to exhibit greater efficacy than a placebo. However, these findings remain inconclusive due to the limited number of studies and substantial methodological limitations prevalent in a significant proportion of them. Limitations include factors like small sample sizes, the absence of placebo comparisons, and a lack of study blinding.
Topics: Humans; Dysthymic Disorder; Antidepressive Agents; Antipsychotic Agents; Psychotherapy
PubMed: 38805342
DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2360671 -
The World Journal of Biological... Dec 2020Temperamental traits as ascertained by the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-Questionnaire (TEMPS-A) have been suggested as promising...
OBJECTIVES
Temperamental traits as ascertained by the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-Questionnaire (TEMPS-A) have been suggested as promising intermediate phenotypes of mental disorders. In anxiety disorders, however, TEMPS scales and their genetic underpinnings are still understudied.
METHODS
TEMPS-A scores in 109 patients with panic disorder (PD) were compared to a sample of 536 healthy probands. All participants were genotyped for serotonin transporter gene variation (LPR/rs25531).
RESULTS
PD patients displayed significantly increased scores on the dysthymic, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious subscales, and lower scores on the hyperthymic subscale, respectively (all ps < 0.001) compared to healthy probands. In the total sample, the less active LPR/rs25531 S/L alleles were associated with higher scores on the dysthymic, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperaments (all ps < 0.01), but not the hyperthymic subscale. Mediation analyses revealed anxious temperament in particular to mediate the relationship between genotype and PD.
CONCLUSIONS
Dysthymic, cyclothymic, irritable and notably anxious temperament could serve as valuable intermediate phenotypes in efforts to unravel neurobiological, particularly serotonin system related genetic pathomechanisms associated with PD and potentially contribute to a panel of vulnerability markers guiding early targeted preventive interventions.
Topics: Humans; Panic Disorder; Personality Inventory; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; Surveys and Questionnaires; Temperament
PubMed: 31852378
DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2019.1705999 -
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Jul 2022Polypharmacy and late-life depression often congregate in the geriatric population. The primary objective is to identify determinants of polypharmacy in patients with... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
Polypharmacy and late-life depression often congregate in the geriatric population. The primary objective is to identify determinants of polypharmacy in patients with depression, and second to examine polypharmacy in relation to various clinical phenotypes of depression and its course.
METHODS
A longitudinal observational study using data of the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older persons (NESDO) including 375 patients with depression 60 years and 132 non-depressed comparisons. Linear and logistic regression were used to analyze both polypharmacy (dichotomous: ≥5 medications) and number of prescribed drugs (continuous) in relation to depression, various clinical phenotypes, and depression course.
RESULTS
Polypharmacy was more prevalent among patients with depression (46.9%) versus non-depressed comparisons (19.7%). A lower level of education, lower cognitive functioning, and more chronic diseases were independently associated with polypharmacy. Adjusted for these determinants, polypharmacy was associated with a higher level of motivational problems, anxiety, pain, and an earlier age of onset. A higher number of drugs was associated with a worse course of late-life depression (OR = 1.24 [95% CI: 1.03-1.49], p = 0.022).
CONCLUSION
Older patients with depression have a huge risk of polypharmacy, in particular among those with an early onset depression. As an independent risk factor for chronic depression, polypharmacy needs to be identified and managed appropriately. Findings suggest that depression moderates polypharmacy through shared risk factors, including motivational problems, anxiety, and pain. The complex interaction with somatic health burden requires physicians to prescribe medications with care.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Dysthymic Disorder; Humans; Pain; Polypharmacy
PubMed: 35435249
DOI: 10.1111/acps.13435 -
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the... Oct 2020Mental illnesses may explain vulnerability to develop extremist beliefs that can lead to violent protest and terrorism. Yet there is little evidence.
BACKGROUND
Mental illnesses may explain vulnerability to develop extremist beliefs that can lead to violent protest and terrorism. Yet there is little evidence.
AIMS
To investigate the relationship between mental illnesses and extremist beliefs.
METHOD
Population survey of 618 White British and Pakistani people in England. Extremism was assessed by an established measure of sympathies for violent protest and terrorism (SVPT). Respondents with any positive scores (showing sympathies) were compared with those with all negative scores. We calculated associations between extremist sympathies and ICD-10 diagnoses of depression and dysthymia, and symptoms of anxiety, personality difficulties, autism and post-traumatic stress. Also considered were demographics, life events, social assets, political engagement and criminal convictions.
RESULTS
SVPT were more common in those with major depression with dysthymia (risk ratio 4.07, 95% CI 1.37-12.05, P = 0.01), symptoms of anxiety (risk ratio 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15, P = 0.002) or post-traumatic stress (risk ratio 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05, P = 0.003). At greater risk of SVPT were: young adults (<21 versus ≥21: risk ratio 3.05, 95% CI 1.31-7.06, P = 0.01), White British people (versus Pakistani people: risk ratio 2.24, 95% CI 1.25-4.02, P = 0.007) and those with criminal convictions (risk ratio 2.23, 95% CI 1.01-4.95, P = 0.048). No associations were found with life events, social assets and political engagement.
CONCLUSION
Depression, dysthymia and symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress are associated with extremist sympathies.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Dysthymic Disorder; England; Ethnicity; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; Pakistan; Politics; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Surveys and Questionnaires; Violence; White People; Young Adult
PubMed: 30873926
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2019.14 -
Human Psychopharmacology Nov 2021Depressive symptoms occur in several psychiatric disorders, often in the absence of a formal diagnosis of depression. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Depressive symptoms occur in several psychiatric disorders, often in the absence of a formal diagnosis of depression. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of amisulpride, both alone and as augmentation therapy, in the treatment of depressive symptoms in individuals with any major psychiatric disorder.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, GreyLit, OpenGrey and ProQuest up to March 2020 for randomised controlled trials focussing on the treatment of an acute depressive episode in any major psychiatric disorder. A random-effect meta-analysis was performed to synthesize the findings on depressive symptoms (primary outcome), response rate and tolerability.
RESULTS
We retrieved 11 studies including 2065 patients with a diagnosis of dysthymia (eight studies), major depression (one study) or schizophrenia (two studies). Amisulpride 50 mg/day was associated with a larger reduction of depressive symptoms compared to placebo (standardised mean difference [SMD] = -0.70, CI 95% -0.92, -0.49; I = 0.0%), and was found to be comparable to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; SMD = -0.08, CI 95% -0.23, 0.06, I = 0.0%), amineptine, imipramine and amitriptyline in the treatment of dysthymia (three studies, not pooled). In individuals with schizophrenia, amisulpride administered at higher doses (>400 mg/day) was comparable to olanzapine and risperidone (two studies, not pooled). In terms of tolerability, amisulpride was superior to placebo for dysthymia (odds ratio [OR] = 3.94, CI 95% 1.07, 14.48; I = 0.0) and comparable with SSRIs (OR = 0.94, CI 95% 0.55, 1.62; I = 0.0%).
CONCLUSION
Treatment with amisulpride could be a valid choice for selected individuals with dysthymia or depressive symptoms in the context of schizophrenia. More studies on the efficacy and tolerability of amisulpride are needed to draw firm conclusions on its potential benefits in other psychiatric disorders.
Topics: Amisulpride; Antipsychotic Agents; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Dysthymic Disorder; Humans
PubMed: 34727399
DOI: 10.1002/hup.2801 -
Archives of Medical Science : AMS 2020Nowadays, depression is conceptualized as an immune-inflammatory and oxidative stress disorder associated with neuroprogressive changes as a consequence of peripherally...
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, depression is conceptualized as an immune-inflammatory and oxidative stress disorder associated with neuroprogressive changes as a consequence of peripherally activated immune-inflammatory pathways, including peripheral cytokines and immune cells which penetrate into the brain via the blood barrier, as well as nitro-oxidative stress and antioxidant imbalances. The aim of this study was to investigate whether personality traits predisposing to a depressive episode (hypochondria, dysthymic, hysteria) are associated with changes in peripheral gene expression for selected indicators of inflammation and oxidative balance.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
One hundred four people meeting the diagnostic criteria specified for a depressive episode took part in the study. Selected scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) were used to measure personality traits. Expression at the mRNA and protein level for manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) was examined.
RESULTS
Scales for the neurotic triad of the MMPI-2 test correlated significantly with the expression at the level of mRNA and protein for MnSOD, MPO and metalloproteinases 2 and 9.
CONCLUSIONS
The scales specified for the neurotic triad of the MMPI-2 test correspond substantially with the expression of MnSOD, MPO and metalloproteinases 2 and 9 at the mRNA and protein levels in the group of patients suffering from depression.
PubMed: 32542087
DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2019.83146 -
Gut and Liver May 2024Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered a stress disorder characterized by psychological and gastrointestinal dysfunction. IBS patients not only suffer from... (Review)
Review
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered a stress disorder characterized by psychological and gastrointestinal dysfunction. IBS patients not only suffer from intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation but also, experience dysthymic disorders such as anxiety and depression. Studies have found that corticotropin-releasing hormone plays a key role in IBS with comorbid dysthymic disorders. Next, we will summarize the effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the central nervous system and periphery on IBS with comorbid dysthymic disorders and relevant treatments based on published literatures in recent years.
Topics: Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Humans; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Dysthymic Disorder; Comorbidity
PubMed: 37551453
DOI: 10.5009/gnl220346 -
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Jan 2021To evaluate morbidity during long-term follow-up with clinical treatment of affective and schizoaffective disorder subjects followed from hospitalization for first major...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate morbidity during long-term follow-up with clinical treatment of affective and schizoaffective disorder subjects followed from hospitalization for first major psychotic episodes.
METHODS
We followed adult subjects systematically at regular intervals from hospitalization for first-lifetime episodes of major affective and schizoaffective disorders with initial psychotic features. We compiled % of days with morbidity types from detailed records and life charts, reviewed earliest antecedent morbidities, compared both with final diagnoses and initial presenting illness types, and evaluated morbidity risk factors with regression modeling.
FINDINGS
With final diagnoses of bipolar-I (BD-I, n = 216), schizoaffective (SzAffD, 71), and major depressive (MDD, 42) disorders, 329 subjects were followed for 4.47 [CI: 4.20-4.47] years. Initial episodes were mania (41.6%), mixed states (24.3%), depression (19.5%), or apparent nonaffective psychosis (14.6%). Antecedent morbidity presented 12.7 years before first episodes (ages: SzAffD ≤ BD-I < MDD). Long-term % of days ill ranked SzAffD (83.0%), MDD (57.8%), BD-I (45.0%). Morbidity differed by diagnosis and first-episode types, and was predicted by first episodes and suggested by antecedent illnesses. Long-term wellness was greater with BD-I diagnosis, first episode not mixed or psychotic nonaffective, rapid onset, and being older at first antecedents, but not follow-up duration.
CONCLUSIONS
Initially, psychotic BD-I, SzAffD, or MDD subjects followed for 4.47 years from first hospitalization experienced much illness, especially depressive or dysthymic, despite ongoing clinical treatment. Antecedent symptoms arose years before index first episodes; antecedents and first episode types predicted types and amounts of long-term morbidity, which ranked: SzAffD > MDD > BD-I.
Topics: Adult; Depressive Disorder, Major; Hospitalization; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Morbidity; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 33043430
DOI: 10.1111/acps.13243 -
Epilepsia Jan 2021To utilize traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a model for investigating functioning during acute stress experiences in psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and to...
OBJECTIVE
To utilize traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a model for investigating functioning during acute stress experiences in psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and to identify neural mechanisms underlying the link between changes in processing of stressful experiences and mental health symptoms in PNES.
METHODS
We recruited 94 participants: 50 with TBI only (TBI-only) and 44 with TBI and PNES (TBI + PNES). Participants completed mood (Beck Depression Inventory-II), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom (PTSD Checklist-Specific Event) assessments before undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging during an acute psychosocial stress task. Linear mixed-effects analyses identified clusters of significant interactions between group and neural responses to stressful math performance and stressful auditory feedback conditions within limbic brain regions (volume-corrected α = .05). Spearman rank correlation tests compared mean cluster signals to symptom assessments (false discovery rate-corrected α = .05).
RESULTS
Demographic and TBI-related measures were similar between groups; TBI + PNES demonstrated worse clinical symptom severity compared to TBI-only. Stressful math performance induced relatively greater reactivity within dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (PFC) and right hippocampal regions and relatively reduced reactivity within left hippocampal and dorsolateral PFC regions for TBI + PNES compared to TBI-only. Stressful auditory feedback induced relatively reduced reactivity within ventral PFC, cingulate, hippocampal, and amygdala regions for TBI + PNES compared to TBI-only. Changes in responses to stressful math within hippocampal and dorsal PFC regions were correlated with increased mood, anxiety, and PTSD symptom severity.
SIGNIFICANCE
Corticolimbic functions underlying processing of stressful experiences differ between patients with TBI + PNES and those with TBI-only. Relationships between these neural responses and symptom assessments suggest potential pathophysiologic mechanisms in PNES.
Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Brain; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Conversion Disorder; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Dysthymic Disorder; Female; Functional Neuroimaging; Hippocampus; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Neural Pathways; Prefrontal Cortex; Seizures; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 33238045
DOI: 10.1111/epi.16758