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Behavioural Brain Research Jun 2024Stressful life event is closely associated with depression, thus strategies that blunt or prevent the negative effect stress on the brain might benefits for the...
Stressful life event is closely associated with depression, thus strategies that blunt or prevent the negative effect stress on the brain might benefits for the treatment of depression. Although previous study showed the role of protein kinase R (PKR)-like ER kinase (PERK) in inflammation related depression, its involvement in the neuropathology of chronic stress induced depression is still unknown. We tried to explore whether block the PERK pathway would alleviate the animals' depression-like behavior induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) and investigate the underlying mechanism. The CRS-exposed mice exhibited depression-like behavior, including anhedonia in the sucrose preference test (SPT), and increased immobility time in tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). ISRIB administration for 2 weeks significantly improved the depression-like behavior in male mice exposed to CRS, which was manifested by markedly increasing the sucrose preference and reducing the immobility time in the FST and TST. However, we observed that exposure to the same dose of ISRIB in CRS female mice only showed improved anhedonia-like deficits,leaving unaltered improvement in the FST and TST. Mechanically, we found that ISRIB reversed the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, indicating decreased levels of serum corticosterone, reduced hippocampal glucocorticoidreceptor (GR) expression and expression of FosB in hypothalamic paraventricularnucleus (PVN), which was accompanied by preserved hippocampal neurogenesis. The present findings further expand the potential role of ER stress in depression and provide important details for a therapeutic path forward for PERK inhibitors in mood disorders.
PubMed: 38942086
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115122 -
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 -
Medicine Jun 2024Observational studies have reported a relationship between multiple common dermatoses and mental illness. To assess the potential bidirectional causality between 3 skin...
Observational studies have reported a relationship between multiple common dermatoses and mental illness. To assess the potential bidirectional causality between 3 skin disorders (psoriasis, eczema, and urticaria) and 4 psychiatric disorders (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and anxiety) in the European population, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, which provides definitive evidence for causal inference. Eligible single nucleotide polymorphisms were screened for dermatological and psychiatric disorders using a genome-wide association study database. We conducted bidirectional, 2-sample MR analysis using instrumental variables related to psoriasis, eczema, and urticaria as exposure factors, and bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, and anxiety as outcomes. Reverse MR analysis with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, and anxiety as exposure and psoriasis, eczema, and urticaria as outcomes were also performed, and the causality was analyzed using inverse-variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods. To thoroughly assess causality, sensitivity analyses were conducted using the IVW, MR-PRESSO, and MR-Egger methods. The results showed that bipolar disorder increased the incidence of psoriasis (odds ratio = 1.271, 95% confidence interval = 1.003-1.612, P = .047), heterogeneity test with Cochran Q test in the IVW showed P value > .05, (P = .302), the MR-Pleiotropy and MR-PRESSO (outlier methods) in the multiplicity test showed P value > .05, (P = .694; P = .441), and MR-Pleiotropy evidence showed no apparent intercept (intercept = -0.060; SE = 0.139; P = .694). Major depression increased the risk of eczema (odds ratio = 1.002, 95% confidence interval = 1.000-1.004, P = .024), heterogeneity test showed P value > .05, (P = .328), multiplicity detection showed P value > .05, (P = .572; P = .340), and MR-Pleiotropy evidence showed no apparent intercept (intercept = -0.099; SE = 0.162; P = .572). Sensitivity analyses of the above results were reliable, and no heterogeneity or multiplicity was found. This study demonstrated a statistically significant causality between bipolar disorder and psoriasis, major depression, and eczema in a European population, which could provide important information for physicians in the clinical management of common skin conditions.
Topics: Humans; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Psoriasis; Eczema; Europe; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Urticaria; Mental Disorders; Genome-Wide Association Study; Bipolar Disorder; Female; Schizophrenia; Depressive Disorder, Major; Causality; Male
PubMed: 38941419
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038586 -
Schizophrenia Bulletin Jun 2024
PubMed: 38941234
DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae114 -
International Clinical... Jun 2024Postpartum depression (PPD) is an increasingly prevalent but still poorly characterized disorder. Causal and modulating factors include hormones fluctuations, such as...
Postpartum depression (PPD) is an increasingly prevalent but still poorly characterized disorder. Causal and modulating factors include hormones fluctuations, such as estrogen, progesterone, and allopregnolone, pathways imbalances, such as oxytocin and kynurenine, chronobiological factors, and brain imaging alterations. Treatment may differ from the traditional major depression management, while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as sertraline are commonly used and suggested by guidelines, neurosteroids such as brexanolone and the more convenient zuranolone have been recently approved. Newer neurosteroids such as ganaxolone, valaxanolone, and lysaxanolone are currently under development, but also esketamine and psychedelics are promising potential treatments. Other somatic treatments including brain stimulation techniques and light therapy also showed benefit. PPD is therefore increasingly understood as, at least partially, independent from major depressive disorder. Specific and individualized treatments including pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies are progressively being introduced in the routine clinical practice.
PubMed: 38941162
DOI: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000560 -
Archives of Women's Mental Health Jun 2024Postpartum mood disorders affect many women following childbirth. Prescribing medication for depression and anxiety is one strategy for the effective treatment of...
PURPOSE
Postpartum mood disorders affect many women following childbirth. Prescribing medication for depression and anxiety is one strategy for the effective treatment of postpartum mood disorders. Left untreated, mothers experiencing these disorders and their infants face increased risks of adverse health outcomes. Little is known about how diagnosis and treatment of postpartum mood disorders changed during COVID-19.
METHODS
We used a retrospective pooled cross-sectional design in a sample of privately-insured postpartum women in U.S. claims data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020. We measured changes in diagnoses of anxiety and depression and changes in prescription fills and days supplied of classes of medications used to treat these conditions (antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and z-drugs). We used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression for each outcome variable during the pre-pandemic period and forecast expected outcomes the observation period. Forecasted and actual values of the outcomes were then compared.
RESULTS
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, diagnoses of depression and anxiety were not significantly higher among privately insured postpartum women in the United States. The proportion of privately-insured postpartum women filling a benzodiazepine prescription increased by 15.2%.
CONCLUSIONS
We find diagnosis of postpartum mood disorders did not increase after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, fills of benzodiazepines increased among privately-insured postpartum women. Given prior evidence of increased depressive and anxiety symptoms among postpartum women during COVID-19, this suggests increased barriers to appropriate diagnoses and treatment for depression during this period.
PubMed: 38940966
DOI: 10.1007/s00737-024-01488-4 -
Psychology and Psychotherapy Jun 2024Intrusive mental imagery is associated with anxiety in bipolar disorder (BD) and presents a novel treatment target. Imagery-based treatments show promise in targeting...
Experiences of imagery-based treatment for anxiety in bipolar disorder: A qualitative study embedded within the image based emotion regulation feasibility randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVES
Intrusive mental imagery is associated with anxiety in bipolar disorder (BD) and presents a novel treatment target. Imagery-based treatments show promise in targeting anxiety and improving mood instability. This qualitative study explored experiences of receiving up to 12 sessions of a brief structured psychological intervention: Image-Based Emotion Regulation (IBER), which targets maladaptive mental imagery in the context of BD with an aim to modify the emotional impact of these images.
DESIGN
A qualitative study embedded within the Image Based Emotion Regulation (IBER) feasibility randomised controlled trial.
METHODS
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants in the treatment arm of the trial who received IBER + treatment as usual. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS
Despite some initial scepticism about imagery-focused treatment, all participants expressed broadly positive accounts of treatment experiences. High levels of engagement with imagery modification techniques, beneficial use of techniques post treatment and improvements in anxiety management and agency were described by some. Three sub-groups were identified: those who reported a powerful transformative impact of treatment; those who embedded some new techniques into their daily lives, and those who felt they had techniques to use when needed. No participants reported overall negative experiences of the IBER treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this study highlight the value for treatment recipients of modifying the underlying meanings associated with maladaptive imagery, and the personalised skills development to manage anxiety within bipolar disorders. Findings can inform treatment refinements and further trial-based evaluations.
PubMed: 38940581
DOI: 10.1111/papt.12538 -
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS IN PAEDIATRIC SURGICAL PATIENTS: AN OVERVIEW OF THE NIGERIAN ADOLESCENTS.Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine Apr 2024Less than three decades ago, depression was seen as a predominantly adult disorder as children were considered too developmentally immature to experience depressive...
INTRODUCTION
Less than three decades ago, depression was seen as a predominantly adult disorder as children were considered too developmentally immature to experience depressive disorders, and adolescent low mood was considered as part of 'normal' teenage mood swings. Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents is a serious psychiatric illness especially in paediatric surgical patients. This may be due to their altered metabolic rate and heighten metabolic response to trauma which has significant implications for the psychological development of the child, yet it remains under-recognized and undertreated. The well-being of the care givers is also not left out as the care givers are inundated with the task of sourcing and providing finance for hospital care., in addition to the stress of providing care for the patient. This may result in loss of man hour, sleeplessness, and physical exhaustion associated with caring for these ill children which can ultimately significantly increase the risk of them having depressive episode. The aim of this commentary is to highlight the fact that paediatric surgical patients are not exempt to having a major depressive disorder and the care givers should also be evaluated during hospital admission of their wards.
METHODOLOGY
This is a commentary on depressive disorders among Nigerian paediatric surgical patients. Related publications on children and adolescents presenting to hospital were searched using the domain - Depression in Nigerian adolescent, Paediatric surgery patients on PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE to appraise this review.
CONCLUSION
Mood disorders, especially depression in children and adolescents have been studied increasingly over the last two decades and surgical conditions worsen the outlook, culminating in increased knowledge about the presentation, and treatment. Despite this, it is still often missed or misdiagnosed because it sometimes presents with uncharacteristic symptoms. Prevalence of depressiion among paediatric surgical patient were found to be between 46-82% in this review among Nigerian patients.
PubMed: 38939881
DOI: No ID Found -
Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience 2024Stimulants are the first-line pharmacological treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We present the unique case of a patient who developed a...
Stimulants are the first-line pharmacological treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We present the unique case of a patient who developed a chewing compulsion when taking mixed amphetamine salts (MAS). A 32-year-old female patient with a past medical history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, and migraines was seen for initial psychiatric assessment due to concerns for irritability. She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); generalized anxiety disorder; ADHD, inattentive type; and unspecified bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine was started and titrated to 25mg twice per day, with improved mood stability. MAS immediate-release (IR) was started at 2.5mg and titrated to 5mg daily for ADHD. She then experienced an uncontrollable urge to chew, finding relief when chewing on a child's teething necklace, which provided satisfaction and a reduction in anxiety. She denied jaw tightness or teeth grinding. The dose of MAS IR was reduced to 2.5mg daily with improvement in symptoms and later increased again to 5mg daily, which she was then able to tolerate. Stereotyped biting behaviors have been observed in rats with the use of amphetamines, and the onset of compulsive behavior has emerged in children with the use of dextroamphetamine. However, this is the first known case of compulsive chewing or biting movements reported in humans with MAS use. This case highlights the need to assess patients for adverse events, such as compulsive biting and chewing movements or other oral facial stereotypies, after commencement of stimulants, including MAS.
PubMed: 38938532
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a recurrent episodic mood disorder that represents the third leading cause of disability worldwide. In MDD, several factors can... (Review)
Review
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a recurrent episodic mood disorder that represents the third leading cause of disability worldwide. In MDD, several factors can simultaneously contribute to its development, which complicates its diagnosis. According to practical guidelines, antidepressants are the first-line treatment for moderate to severe major depressive episodes. Traditional treatment strategies often follow a one-size-fits-all approach, resulting in suboptimal outcomes for many patients who fail to experience a response or recovery and develop the so-called "therapy-resistant depression". The high biological and clinical inter-variability within patients and the lack of robust biomarkers hinder the finding of specific therapeutic targets, contributing to the high treatment failure rates. In this frame, precision medicine, a paradigm that tailors medical interventions to individual characteristics, would help allocate the most adequate and effective treatment for each patient while minimizing its side effects. In particular, multi-omic studies may unveil the intricate interplays between genetic predispositions and exposure to environmental factors through the study of epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, gut microbiomics, and immunomics. The integration of the flow of multi-omic information into molecular pathways may produce better outcomes than the current psychopharmacological approach, which targets singular molecular factors mainly related to the monoamine systems, disregarding the complex network of our organism. The concept of system biomedicine involves the integration and analysis of enormous datasets generated with different technologies, creating a "patient fingerprint", which defines the underlying biological mechanisms of every patient. This review, centered on precision medicine, explores the integration of multi-omic approaches as clinical tools for prediction in MDD at a single-patient level. It investigates how combining the existing technologies used for diagnostic, stratification, prognostic, and treatment-response biomarkers discovery with artificial intelligence can improve the assessment and treatment of MDD.
PubMed: 38938457
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1422939