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Physiology & Behavior Jun 2024The roles of metabolic signals, including Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), have been implicated in multiple domains outside metabolic regulation. There is a growing... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The roles of metabolic signals, including Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), have been implicated in multiple domains outside metabolic regulation. There is a growing interest in repurposing Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) as therapeutics for motivation and reward-related behavioural disturbances. Herein, we aim to systematically review the extant evidence on the potential effects of GLP-1RAs on the reward system.
METHODS
The study followed PRISMA guidelines using databases such as OVID, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The search focused on "Reward Behavior" and "Glucagon Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists" and was restricted to human studies. Quality assessment achieved by the NIH's Quality Assessment of Controlled Intervention Studies RESULTS: GLP-1RAs consistently reduced energy intake and influenced reward-related behaviour. These agents have been associated with decreased neurocortical activation in response to higher rewards and food cues, particularly high-calorie foods, and lowered caloric intake and hunger levels.
DISCUSSION
GLP-1RAs show promise in addressing reward dysfunction linked to food stimuli, obesity, and T2DM. They normalize insulin resistance, and might also modulate dopaminergic signalling and reduce anhedonia. Their effects on glycemic variability and cravings suggest potential applications in addiction disorders.
PubMed: 38945189
DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114622 -
Clinical Psychology Review Jun 2024The purpose of the current review was to address four questions: 1) Are there differences in family functioning or family environment among patients with different... (Review)
Review
The purpose of the current review was to address four questions: 1) Are there differences in family functioning or family environment among patients with different eating disorder (ED) diagnoses? 2) Are there differences in the perception of family functioning or family environment among different family members? 3) Is family functioning or family environment related to ED symptomatology? 4) Does family functioning or family environment change as a result of ED treatment? and 4a) If so, does this impact ED treatment outcome? Although most studies found no differences among ED diagnostic groups, those that did generally found worse family functioning among those with binge/purge symptoms than among those with the restricting subtype of anorexia nervosa. Differences in perceptions of family functioning among family members were found, with patients generally reporting worse functioning than their parents. Worse family functioning was generally found to be related to worse ED symptoms. The variety of treatment approaches and different assessments of outcome made it somewhat unclear whether family functioning consistently improves with ED treatment. More research is needed on family functioning and EDs, particularly in understudied groups such as males, and those with ED diagnoses other than anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
PubMed: 38941693
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102462 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder causing progressive neurodegeneration which, aside from symptomatic therapies for controlling... (Review)
Review
: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder causing progressive neurodegeneration which, aside from symptomatic therapies for controlling psychological and motor problems, currently has no effective treatment. People who receive this diagnosis often feel disoriented and lost without guidance. Furthermore, HD patients are estimated to have a two to seven times greater risk of suicide death compared to the general population. The current review investigates the complex relationship between HD and suicide, seeking to identify key risk factors influencing suicidal ideation and behaviour in affected individuals. : We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were searched for on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases, and 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. : The findings reveal that emotional strain, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and the absence of a cure contribute to heightened suicidal tendencies in HD patients. Critical periods for suicide risk coincide with early symptomatic stages of disease or the successive phase, with the loss of independence impacting on daily functioning. Risk factors associated with HD include a depressive mood, cognitive impairments, and a history of suicide attempts. : From a prevention perspective, a comprehensive multidisciplinary and multidimensional approach could enhance the overall well-being of people with HD. In particular, screening for suicidal thoughts in people with HD could mitigate suicide risk.
PubMed: 38929966
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123437 -
Canadian Journal of Pain = Revue... 2024Pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation (PRFN) of greater occipital nerve (GON) is considered in patients with headaches failing to achieve sustained analgesic benefit...
BACKGROUND
Pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation (PRFN) of greater occipital nerve (GON) is considered in patients with headaches failing to achieve sustained analgesic benefit from nerve blocks with local anesthetic and steroids. However, the evidence supporting this practice is unclear.
AIMS
This narrative systematic review aims to explore the effectiveness and safety of GON PRFN on headaches.
METHODS
Databases were searched for studies, published up to February 1, 2024, investigating PRFN of GON for adults with headaches. Abstracts and posters were excluded. Primary outcome was change in headache intensity. Secondary outcomes included effect on monthly headache frequency (MHF), mental and physical health, mood, sleep, analgesic consumption, and side-effects. Two reviewers screened and extracted data.
RESULTS
Twenty-two papers (2 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 11 cohort, and 9 case reports/series) including 608 patients were identified. Considerable heterogeneity in terms of study design, headache diagnosis, PRF target and settings, and image-guidance was noted. PRFN settings varied (38-42°C, 40-60 V, and 150-400 Ohms). Studies demonstrated PRFN to provide significant analgesia and reduction of MHF in chronic migraine (CM) from 3 to 6 months; and significant pain relief for ON from six to ten months. Mild adverse effects were reported in 3.1% of cohort. A minority of studies reported on secondary outcomes. The quality of the evidence was low.
CONCLUSIONS
Low-quality evidence indicates an analgesic benefit from PRFN of GON for ON and CM, but its role for other headache types needs more investigation. Optimal PRFN target and settings remain unclear. High-quality RCTs are required to further explore the role of this intervention. PROSPERO ID CRD42022363234.
PubMed: 38915302
DOI: 10.1080/24740527.2024.2355571 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Jun 2024Bipolar disorder (BD) has a high disease burden and the highest mortality risk in BD comes from suicide. Bipolar disorder type II (BD-II) has been described as a milder... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Bipolar disorder (BD) has a high disease burden and the highest mortality risk in BD comes from suicide. Bipolar disorder type II (BD-II) has been described as a milder form of bipolar disorder; however, extant literature is inconsistent with this description and instead describe illness burden and notably suicidality comparable to persons with bipolar I disorder (BD-I). Towards quantifying the hazard of BD-II, herein we aim via systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the rates of completed suicide in BD-I and BD-II.
METHOD
We conducted a literature search on PubMed, OVID (Embase, Medline) and PsychINFO databases from inception to June 30th, 2023, according to PRISMA guidelines. Articles were selected based on the predetermined eligibility criteria. A meta-analysis was performed, comparing the risk of completed suicide between individuals diagnosed with BD-I to BD-II.
RESULTS
Four out of eight studies reported higher suicide completion rates in persons living with BD-II when compared to persons living with BD-I; however, two of the studies reported non-significance. Two studies reported significantly higher suicide completion rates for BD-I than BD-II. The pooled odds ratio of BD-II suicide rates to BD-I was 1.00 [95 % CI = 0.75, 1.34].
LIMITATIONS
The overarching limitation is the small number of studies and heterogeneity of studies that report on suicide completion in BD-I and BD-II.
CONCLUSION
Our study underscores the severity of BD-II, with a risk for suicide not dissimilar from BD-I. The greater propensity to depression, comorbidity and rapid-cycling course reported in BD-II are contributing factors to the significant mortality hazard in BD-II.
PubMed: 38901691
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.06.045 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Suicide is a major public health priority, and its molecular mechanisms appear to be related to glial abnormalities and specific transcriptional changes. This study... (Review)
Review
Suicide is a major public health priority, and its molecular mechanisms appear to be related to glial abnormalities and specific transcriptional changes. This study aimed to identify and synthesize evidence of the relationship between glial dysfunction and suicidal behavior to understand the neurobiology of suicide. As of 26 January 2024, 46 articles that met the inclusion criteria were identified by searching PubMed and ISI Web of Science. Most postmortem studies, including 30 brain regions, have determined no density or number of total Nissl-glial cell changes in suicidal patients with major psychiatric disorders. There were 17 astrocytic, 14 microglial, and 9 oligodendroglial studies using specific markers of each glial cell and further on their specific gene expression. Those studies suggest that astrocytic and oligodendroglial cells lost but activated microglia in suicides with affective disorder, bipolar disorders, major depression disorders, or schizophrenia in comparison with non-suicided patients and non-psychiatric controls. Although the data from previous studies remain complex and cannot fully explain the effects of glial cell dysfunction related to suicidal behaviors, they provide risk directions potentially leading to suicide prevention.
Topics: Humans; Neuroglia; Suicide; Brain; Biomarkers; Autopsy; Suicidal Ideation; Bipolar Disorder
PubMed: 38891940
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115750 -
BMC Women's Health Jun 2024Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent mental health disorder with females experiencing higher rates of depression (11.6%), anxiety (15.7%) and...
BACKGROUND
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent mental health disorder with females experiencing higher rates of depression (11.6%), anxiety (15.7%) and physiological distress (14.5%) than males. Recently, the Endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been proposed to be a key contributing factor in the pathogenesis and symptom severity of MDD due to its role in neurotransmitter production, inflammatory response and even regulation of the female reproductive cycle. This review critically evaluates evidence regarding ECS levels in female-sexed individuals with depressive disorders to further understand ECS role.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature review of available research published prior to April 2022 was identified using PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), CINAHL (EBSCO), Web of Science, AMED and Scopus (Elsevier). Studies were included if they reported ECS analysis of female-sexed individuals with depression and were excluded if they did not differentiate results between sexes, assessed mental health conditions other than depression, tested efficacy of endocannabinoid/n-acylethanolamine/cannabis or marijuana administration and that were unable to be translated. Critical appraisal of each included study was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for Systematic Reviews.
RESULTS
The 894 located citations were screened for duplicates (n = 357) and eligibility by title and abstract (n = 501). The full text of 33 studies were reviewed, and 7 studies were determined eligible for inclusion. These studies indicated that depressed female-sexed individuals have altered levels of ECS however no significant pattern was identified due to variability of study outcomes and measures, limiting overall interpretation.
DISCUSSION
This review suggests potential involvement of ECS in underlying mechanisms of MDD in female sexed-individuals, however no pattern was able to be determined. A major contributor to the inability to attain reliable and valid understanding of the ECS levels in female-sexed individuals with depression was the inconsistency of depression screening tools, inclusion criteria's and analysis methods used to measure eCBs. Future studies need to implement more standardised methodology to gain a deeper understanding of ECS in female-sexed individuals with depressive disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION : This review was submitted to PROSPERO for approval in April 2022 (Registration #CRD42022324212).
Topics: Humans; Endocannabinoids; Female; Depressive Disorder, Major; Sex Factors; Male
PubMed: 38886733
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03168-y -
Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology &... Jun 2024The various pharmacological interventions, ranging from mood stabilizers and antipsychotics to antidepressants, reflect the diff/iculty of treating depressive/manic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The various pharmacological interventions, ranging from mood stabilizers and antipsychotics to antidepressants, reflect the diff/iculty of treating depressive/manic symptomatology of bipolar disorder (BD). Among a broad range of mechanisms implicated, immune dysregulation may contribute to the increased inflammation that influences the course of BD. Inflammatory, neurotrophic and oxidative stress factors may be identified as promising peripheral biomarkers in brain functioning, perhaps serving as predictors of an effective response to treatment for BD. The present systematic review aimed to examine the evidence supporting the pharmacotherapeutic value of inflammatory and neurotrophic biomarkers in BD.
METHODS
PubMed, PsychINFO, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from inception to May 2024 by two independent reviewers. A total of 40 studies with 3371 patients with diagnosis and intervention of BD were selected.
RESULTS
Inconsistencies in the effects of pharmacological treatments on the connection between the expected anti-inflammatory response and symptomatologic improvement were identified. Mood stabilizers (lithium), antipsychotics (quetiapine), antidepressants (ketamine) or their combination were described to increase both pro-inflammatory (TNFα, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-8) factors. Other medications, such as memantine and dextromethorphan, autoimmune (infliximab) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (aspirin, celecoxib) drugs, antidiabetics (pioglitazone), and even dietary supplementation (omega-3), or their combination, clearly decrease inflammatory factors (TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, C-reactive protein) and/or increase the neurotrophic factor BDNF in BD patients.
CONCLUSION
Inflammation in BD requires further investigation to understand the underlying immunologic mechanism, to identify predictors of treatment response, and to make informed decisions about the use and development of more effective pharmacological interventions for BD.
PubMed: 38879067
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111056 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Patients with cancer experience significant psychosocial distress. Stressors include interpersonal difficulties like loneliness, isolation, thwarted belongingness,...
OBJECTIVE
Patients with cancer experience significant psychosocial distress. Stressors include interpersonal difficulties like loneliness, isolation, thwarted belongingness, communication impediments, and conflicts. Interventions are required that address their specific psychosocial needs. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a promising concept for the treatment of psychosocial distress associated with cancer because it addresses patients' interactions and role transformations. This review aims to provide an overview of the current evidence regarding interventions for patients with cancer based on IPT.
METHODS
A systematic review following PRISM guidelines was conducted, including randomized controlled trials of IPT-based interventions in patients with cancer, assessing effects on distress, depression, and anxiety.
RESULTS
Eight studies were included, sampling 390 patients in total. Seven out of eight studies assessed exclusively women with breast cancer. Two studies described IPT interventions and showed stronger improvement in depression and anxiety compared to TAU and equal improvement in depression compared to other psychotherapy interventions. Six studies described remote Interpersonal Counselling (IPC). One found remote IPC to be superior to control conditions regarding depression, and one found remote IPC to be superior to attention control, but not active control conditions. No study found remote IPC to be superior to control conditions regarding distress.
DISCUSSION
There are few randomized controlled trials of IPT for patients with cancer. Results regarding depression and anxiety are promising for in-person IPT, but mixed for remote IPC.
CONCLUSION
The review suggests in-person IPT, but not remote IPC, may yield benefits for patients with cancer. Research on the subject is scarce, and to inform implementation of IPT interventions, research with diverse groups of patients with cancer is required.
SYSTEMATIC TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO, Identifier CRD42023410687.
PubMed: 38873503
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1367807 -
PCN Reports : Psychiatry and Clinical... Jun 2023The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the evidence base to date for exercise interventions/interventions that aim to increase physical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the evidence base to date for exercise interventions/interventions that aim to increase physical activity using a modality that can be accessed from home (i.e., online or video-based programs), and its effects on anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.
METHODS
A broad search was conducted using six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO, ERIC and Scopus) on February 23, 2022. Studies with children or adolescents between the ages 5 and 18 years were included. Of the 2527 records that were identified, nine studies met the full-inclusion criteria. Their quality was assessed by two independent researchers using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) and Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-Post) Studies with No Control Group. Meta analyses were conducted for studies that specifically assessed anxiety and depression.
RESULTS
The overall results indicated that there is some evidence suggesting the positive effects of exercise interventions delivered online in reducing children's and adolescents' anxiety ( = -0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.12 to -0.86). Meanwhile, there seems to be insufficient evidence for its efficacy in reducing low mood ( = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.84 to 0.01). Motivational and coaching based interventions to increase levels of physical activity may be limited in their efficacy, whilst having children exercise along with a video or live sessions online appears promising.
CONCLUSION
The current preliminary review revealed potential benefits of at-home interventions that had children and adolescents exercise along with a video in improving anxiety.
PubMed: 38868129
DOI: 10.1002/pcn5.103