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Psychology in the Schools Apr 2024While early childhood educators' mental health is important, it may also affect the well-being and education of their students. Yet, little research has described the...
While early childhood educators' mental health is important, it may also affect the well-being and education of their students. Yet, little research has described the stress and stressors of early childhood educators (ECEs), particularly as the pandemic wanes. This pilot study aimed to (1) describe ECEs' psychological and physiological stress and (2) examine the association between ECEs' psychological and physiological stress levels with stressors. A convenience sample of 67 ECEs, serving children 0-5 years old from 13 early educational centers completed surveys on psychological stress (perceived stress, anxiety, and depression), stressors (economic hardship, food insecurity, adverse childhood experiences), and demographics in Fall 2021. A subsample of ECEs provided hair samples, analyzed for cortisol, to estimate physiologic stress. Regarding stress, 63% met the criteria for major depressive disorder and 41% for generalized anxiety disorder. Only 26% were taking medications to manage mental health. About 25% experienced the stressors of food insecurity and economic hardship; 80% experienced at least one adverse childhood experience. Only education level significantly predicted perceived stress and depression - above and beyond stressors, household income, race, and age. The results have policy and practice implications for implementing evidence-based solutions to buffer stress and stressors in early childhood educators.
PubMed: 38933217
DOI: 10.1002/pits.23118 -
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2024The aim of our study was to explore the relation between serum levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, thyroid function with the risk of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in...
PURPOSE
The aim of our study was to explore the relation between serum levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, thyroid function with the risk of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in depressed adolescents.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We retrospected the electronic records of 454 hospitalized patients aged 13-17 years old with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (239 patients with NSSI and 215 subjects without NSSI), and collected their demographic and clinical information, including serum levels of total bilirubin (Tbil), uric acid (UA), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
RESULTS
The incidence of NSSI was 52.6% among depressed adolescents aged 13-17, 57.1% in female and 38.5% in male. After using the propensity scoring method to exclude the influence of age between the two groups, it was found that patients with NSSI showed lower levels of Tbil (P=0.046) and UA (P=0.015) compared with those without NSSI. Logistic regression results showed that serum UA was associated with NSSI behavior in female patients (OR=0.995, 95% CI: 0.991-0.999, P=0.014), and TSH was associated with NSSI in male participants (OR=0.499, 95% CI: 0.267-0.932, P=0.029).
CONCLUSION
Female and male may have different pathological mechanisms of NSSI. NSSI is more likely to be related to antioxidant reaction in female adolescent patients, while more likely to be related to thyroid function in male depressed adolescent patients.
PubMed: 38933097
DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S452643 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Major depressive disorder (MDD) pathogenesis may involve metalloids in a significant way. The aim of our study was to identify potential links between MDD and metalloid...
BACKGROUND
Major depressive disorder (MDD) pathogenesis may involve metalloids in a significant way. The aim of our study was to identify potential links between MDD and metalloid elements [boron (B), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb)].
METHODS
A total of 72 MDD cases and 75 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited from Zhumadian Second People's Hospital in Henan Province, China. The levels of four metallic elements (B, Ge, As, and Sb) in the serum and urine were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
RESULTS
In comparison to the HCs, the B, As, and Sb levels were considerably lower in the MDD group ( < 0.05) in the serum; the MDD group had significantly higher ( < 0.05) and significantly lower ( < 0.001) B and Sb levels in the urine. After adjusting for potential confounders, serum B (OR = 0.120; 95% CI, 0.048, 0.300; < 0.001) and Sb (OR = 0.133; 95% CI, 0.055, 0.322; < 0.001) showed a negative correlation with MDD. Urine B had a negative correlation (OR = 0.393; 95% CI, 0.193, 0.801; = 0.01) with MDD, while urine Sb had a positive correlation (OR = 3.335; 95% CI, 1.654, 6.726; = 0.001) with MDD.
CONCLUSION
Our current research offers insightful hints for future investigation into the function of metalloids in connection to MDD processes.
PubMed: 38932939
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1403852 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Female; Depression, Postpartum; Antidepressive Agents; Pregnancy
PubMed: 38932736
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.24.0035 -
Journal of Clinical Psychology Jun 2024Cognitive theories emphasize the central role of anger and anger suppression in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). According to these theories, anger suppression is...
Mediation analyses of longitudinal data investigating temporal associations between inflated sense of responsibility, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and anger suppression.
OBJECTIVE
Cognitive theories emphasize the central role of anger and anger suppression in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). According to these theories, anger suppression is seen as a consequence of OCD, whereas cognitive beliefs, such as an inflated sense of responsibility, are seen as antecedent factors. To extend the findings from cross-sectional studies, the current study investigated the temporal associations between OCD symptoms, an inflated sense of responsibility, and anger suppression. Consistent with cognitive considerations, we hypothesized that OCD symptoms mediate the association between feelings of responsibility and anger suppression. These associations were also explored in patients presenting particularly high checking-related symptoms. Further, the stability of effects beyond controlling for depressive symptoms and medication intake was explored.
METHODS
A total of N = 48 patients with OCD (50% female, M = 32.46 [SD = 10.63] years of age) completed measures on obsessive beliefs, OCD symptoms, and anger suppression at three assessment points: before and after a metacognitive intervention as well as at a follow-up 6 months later. Mediation models investigating symptom associations at these three timepoints were conducted. Exploratory analyses investigating these associations in individuals presenting high checking-related symptoms (n = 20) and testing the stability of effects beyond controlling for depressive symptoms and medication intake were conducted.
RESULTS
The sense of responsibility did not significantly predict the level of anger suppression. A temporal association between OCD symptoms (as assessed with the self-report measure) and anger suppression could be evidenced, which was stable beyond controlling for depressive symptoms and medication intake. Against the expectations based on cognitive theories, the sense of responsibility did not predict OCD symptoms. No mediating effect of OCD symptoms was found.
CONCLUSION
In line with cognitive viewpoints, the present study shows that higher OCD symptoms predict higher levels of anger suppression in a longitudinal design, thereby contributing to the suppression of anger. This effect seems to be independent from depressive symptoms and medication intake. The effect of sense of responsibility on OCD symptoms was less clear and could only be found in the subgroup of patients with OCD and checking-related symptoms, who generally presented higher levels of responsibility. Overall, this is the first study demonstrating temporal associations between OCD symptoms and anger suppression. Acknowledging that anger and anger suppression may be a consequence of OCD symptoms and may also affect aspects of psychotherapy, which can ultimately inform future adjustments to psychotherapeutic treatment.
PubMed: 38932513
DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23729 -
Pharmaceutics Jun 2024Fluvoxamine is used in children and adolescents ('youths') for treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) but also off-label for depressive and anxiety disorders. This...
INTRODUCTION
Fluvoxamine is used in children and adolescents ('youths') for treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) but also off-label for depressive and anxiety disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between fluvoxamine dose and serum concentrations, independent correlates of fluvoxamine concentrations, and a preliminary therapeutic reference range (TRR) for youths with OCD and treatment response.
METHODS
Multicenter naturalistic data of a therapeutic drug monitoring service, as well as prospective data of the 'TDM Vigil study' (EudraCT 2013-004881-33), were analyzed. Patient and treatment characteristics were assessed by standardized measures, including Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) and -Change (CGI-I), with CGI-I of much or very much improved defining treatment response and adverse drug reactions using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale. Multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of sex, age, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and fluvoxamine dose on fluvoxamine serum concentrations.
RESULTS
The study included 70 youths (age = 6.7-19.6 years, OCD = 78%, mean fluvoxamine dose = 140.4 (range = 25-300) mg/d). A weak positive correlation between daily dose and steady-state trough serum concentrations was found (r = 0.34, = 0.004), with dose variation explaining 16.2% of serum concentration variability. Multivariable correlates explaining 25.3% of the variance of fluvoxamine concentrations included higher fluvoxamine dose and lower BMI. Considering responders with OCD, the estimated TRR for youths was 55-371 ng/mL, exceeding the TRR for adults with depression of 60-230 ng/mL.
DISCUSSION
These preliminary data contribute to the definition of a TRR in youth with OCD treated with fluvoxamine and identify higher BMI as a moderator of lower fluvoxamine concentrations.
PubMed: 38931893
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060772 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Heart rate variability (HRV) is related to cardiac vagal control and emotional regulation and an index for cardiac vagal control and cardiac autonomic activity. This...
Heart rate variability (HRV) is related to cardiac vagal control and emotional regulation and an index for cardiac vagal control and cardiac autonomic activity. This study aimed to develop the Taiwan HRV normative database covering individuals aged 20 to 70 years and to assess its diagnosing validity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). A total of 311 healthy participants were in the HRV normative database and divided into five groups in 10-year age groups, and then the means and standard deviations of the HRV indices were calculated. We recruited 272 patients with MDD for cross-validation, compared their HRV indices with the normative database, and then converted them to Z-scores to explore the deviation of HRV in MDD patients from healthy groups. The results found a gradual decline in HRV indices with advancing age in the HC group, and females in the HC group exhibit higher cardiac vagal control and parasympathetic activity than males. Conversely, patients in the MDD group demonstrate lower HRV indices than those in the HC group, with their symptoms of depression and anxiety showing a negative correlation with HRV indices. The Taiwan HRV normative database has good psychometric characteristics of cross-validation.
Topics: Humans; Heart Rate; Depressive Disorder, Major; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Autonomic Nervous System; Young Adult; Databases, Factual; Taiwan; Electrocardiography; Heart
PubMed: 38931788
DOI: 10.3390/s24124003 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Growing evidence suggests that activators of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2), such as sulforaphane, may represent promising novel pharmacological...
Growing evidence suggests that activators of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2), such as sulforaphane, may represent promising novel pharmacological targets for conditions related to oxidative stress, including depressive disorder. Therefore, we conducted a study to explore the behavioral and biochemical effects of repeated (14 days) sulforaphane (SFN) treatment in the olfactory bulbectomy (OB) animal model of depression. An open field test (OFT), splash test (ST), and spontaneous locomotor activity test (LA) were used to assess changes in depressive-like behavior and the potential antidepressant-like activity of SFN. The OB model induced hyperactivity in mice during the OFT and LA as well as a temporary loss of self-care and motivation in the ST. The repeated administration of SFN (10 mg/kg) effectively reversed these behavioral changes in OB mice across all tests. Additionally, a biochemical analysis revealed that SFN (10 mg/kg) increased the total antioxidant capacity in the frontal cortex and serum of the OB model. Furthermore, SFN (10 mg/kg) significantly enhanced superoxide dismutase activity in the serum of OB mice. Overall, the present study is the first to demonstrate the antidepressant-like effects of repeated SFN (10 mg/kg) treatment in the OB model and indicates that these benefits may be linked to improved oxidative status.
PubMed: 38931429
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060762 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a persistent psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as warfare, natural disasters, or...
Effects of Evodiamine on Behavior and Hippocampal Neurons through Inhibition of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Modulation of the Renin Angiotensin Pathway in a Mouse Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a persistent psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as warfare, natural disasters, or other catastrophic incidents, typically characterized by heightened anxiety, depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction. In this study, animals subjected to single prolonged stress (SPS) were administered evodiamine (EVO) and compared to a positive control group receiving sertraline. The animals were then assessed for alterations in anxiety, depression, and cognitive function. Histological analysis was conducted to examine neuronal changes in the hippocampus. In order to predict the core targets and related mechanisms of evodiamine intervention in PTSD, network pharmacology was used. The metabolic markers pre- and post-drug administration were identified using nontargeted serum metabolomics techniques, and the intersecting Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were screened. Finally, the core targets were validated through molecular docking, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and immunofluorescence staining to confirm the anti-PTSD effects and mechanisms of these targets. As well as improving cognitive impairment, evodiamine reversed anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. It also inhibited the reduction in the number of hippocampal neuronal cells and Nissl bodies in SPS mice inhibited angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels in the hippocampus of SPS mice, and modulated the renin angiotensin pathway and its associated serum metabolites in brain tissue. Evodiamine shows promise as a potential candidate for alleviating the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Topics: Animals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Hippocampus; Quinazolines; Mice; Neurons; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Renin-Angiotensin System; Behavior, Animal; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Depression; Molecular Docking Simulation; Anxiety; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Network Pharmacology
PubMed: 38931311
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121957 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Postnatal depression is a common and severe complication of childbirth. It is an important public health problem with significant implications for both mothers and... (Review)
Review
Postnatal depression is a common and severe complication of childbirth. It is an important public health problem with significant implications for both mothers and children. The exact mechanisms underlying and the factors influencing the occurrence of postnatal depression remain unclear. The literature suggests that certain dietary deficiencies during pregnancy and the postnatal period may contribute to a greater risk of maternal depression. This review focuses on the role of selenium in postnatal depression. It collects evidence from published interventional and observational studies investigating the relationship between selenium intake during the antenatal and postnatal periods and the mental status of postpartum women and summarises information about biological mechanisms that may underlie the association between selenium status and postnatal depression. The review includes studies identified through electronic searches of Medline (via PubMed) and Google Scholar databases until December 2023. Despite the small number of relevant studies and their potential methodological limitations, the findings suggest that optimizing selenium status may support the prevention and treatment of postnatal depression. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are necessary to confirm the clinical significance of these effects.
Topics: Humans; Selenium; Depression, Postpartum; Female; Pregnancy; Nutritional Status; Postpartum Period; Dietary Supplements; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Adult
PubMed: 38931280
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121926