bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delineation of a Genetically Validated Affective Temperament Scale: Association of TEMPS-A Items with 5-HTTLPR
Authors: Gonda X. , Fountoulakis K.N. , Lazary J. , Laszik A. , Rihmer Z. , Akiskal H.S. , Bagdy G.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Affective temperaments as measured by the TEMPS-A are known to be associated with 5-HTTLPR, however, this association is valid in case of all scales within the depressive superfactor (depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, anxious). Less attention was paid to the association of items composing these affective temperament scales with the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of TEMPS-A items with the s allele of the 5-HTTLPR.

Method:

138 psychiatrically healthy women completed the TEMPS-A questionnaire and were genotyped for 5-HTTLPR. Scores of subjects on the temperament scales, subscales and items were compared in subjects carrying and not carrying the s allele (dominant model) using ANOVA. We selected items with significantly different mean scores between two groups and performed item analysis.

Results:

Subjects in the two groups had significantly different scores on the depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperament scales. Subjects carrying and not carrying the s allele had significantly different scores on 12 items, 9 of which were retained in a derived 5-HTTLPR phenotype scale after item analysis.

Discussion:

Our data provide further support for the association of affective temperaments with the s allele. Although the cyclothymic temperament shows the strongest association, all temperaments within the depressive superfactor have a similar share in this association. The newly derived 5-HTTLPR Phenotype Scale shows strong association with 5-HTTLPR genotype and phenotype, therefore this scale should be further investigated in relation to psychiatric disorders, pharmacological response, and suicide, as well as psychological traits and temperaments.
Religious Moral Beliefs and Depressiveness Amongst War Veterans in Bosnia and Herzegovina After war 1992-95
Authors: Hasanović M. , Pajević I.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

To determine association of religious moral beliefs and depressiveness of war veterans twelve years after Bosnia-Herzegovina war 1992-95, finished.

Methods:

The sample consists of 99 male war veterans aged 41.7±6.8 years, who were inpatients (n=50) in Department of Psychiatry in Tuzla with clinically presented depression and those who were observed as healthy regarding results of previous psychological testing (n=49). Groups were equalized by educational level (secondary school), behavioral characteristics, family structure, and level of exposure to war trauma. Subjects were assessed with regard to the level of belief in some basic ethical principles that arise from religious moral values. The score of religious moral belief index was used to compare two groups of subjects. For sample selection the measuring instruments were used to assess the religious, moral and social profile of subject. We applied the Bosnia-Herzegovina versions of Hopkins Symptom Checklist - 25 (HSCL-25) for measuring of depression symptoms and Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) for measuring of trauma experiences.

Results:

The score of the religious moral belief index was significantly negatively correlated to the score of depressiveness (Pearson's r=-0.289, P=0.004).

Conclusions:

A higher index of religious moral beliefs amongst war veterans was associated with lower level of depressiveness. In this way, it helps protection, development and socialization of the war veterans after surviving severe war traumatization, leading to the mental health stability.
Perinatal Depression and Use of Health Services in British Women of Pakistani Origin
Authors: Mukherjee I. , Husain M. , Khan S. , Husain N.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Perinatal depression (PND) has adverse effects on the well being of the mother-infant dyad. Women with PND often show different patterns of help seeking behaviour.

Objective:

We aimed to examine the association between PND and the reporting of health events and healthcare use in a cohort of British women of Pakistani origin.

Method:

Participants were recruited from antenatal clinics in the North West of England and followed up 6 months postnatal. Sixty-seven women diagnosed with depression using the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) were compared with 156 non depressed controls in terms of reporting of health events elicited using the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS). Health events included any condition that involved attending primary or secondary care.

Results:

Depressed mothers were 1.5 times more likely to report a health event within the perinatal period (p=0.005) and 1.8 times more likely to report a health event (0.031) outside the perinatal period. Depressed mothers were more likely to attend secondary care services for their children (p=0.001) but there was no significant difference in terms of attendance at primary care.

Conclusion:

Depressed mothers were more likely to report personal health events and more likely to access secondary care rather than primary care services for health events affecting their children. This highlights the hidden costs of this condition and the need for adequate diagnosis and management of this treatable but under recognised illness.
Anxiety, Depression and Health Beliefs in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patients
Authors: Karamanidou C. , Theofilou P. , Ginieri-Coccossis M. , Synodinou C. , Papadimitriou G.
Published: March 2009

Health locus of control (HLOC) constitutes an important psychological domain of interest to the manifestation and course of disease. Research has shown that health locus of control beliefs can be predictive of anxiety and depression and could therefore act as a good determinant of psychological adjustment for patients with chronic conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between locus of control health beliefs with depression and anxiety in end stage renal disease patients. Also, to explore whether these beliefs can indeed predict patients’ psychological adjustment. 144 adult patients undergoing haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis participated in this cross-sectional prospective study. Sociodemographic and medical characteristics were recorded and the following structured questionnaires were administered: the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) (Wallston et al, 1994), the Centre of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (Fountoulakis et al, 2001), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory 2 (STAI 2) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) (Garyfallos et al, 1991). ANOVA analysis was performed to examine whether patients’ MHLC scores correlated with CES-D, STAI 2 and GHQ scores and regression analysis was performed to determine the degree to which health locus of control beliefs can predict depression and anxiety. Results revealed significant relationships between health locus of control beliefs and anxiety, depression thus demonstrating the role health beliefs can play in patients’ psychological adjustment with important implications for clinical practice.
Evaluation of Functionality in Families with Depressed Patient by Using the FFS - Poster Prezentation
Authors: Maria-Silvia T.
Published: March 2009

Depression is a disorder of representation and regulation of mood and emotion; it affects 5% of world population, in a year. Unlike normal loss and sadness feelings, major depression is persistant and it interferes significantly with thoughts, behaviour, emotions, activity and health of the individual. If untreated, depression can lead to suicide. Using family therapy in treating psychiatric patients is a must due to the significance that a family holds in individual and society life.

Objective:

Assesing family functionality in families with a member diagnosed according to DSM IV TR with depressive disorder; depression intensity was assesed with HDRS.

Methods:

A sample of 3o families (71 members); FFS assesses the most important and consistent five functioning areas: positive affect, comunication, conflicts, worries and rituals.

Results:

Values obtained in each of the 40 questions of the scale can give information on variables affecting the increase or decrease in subscales values. Positive affect 35,07, communication 37, conflicts 15,11, worries 40,77, rituals 45,03. The reuslts were compared to those obtained by assessin normal families from a control group of 132 families (323 members).

Conclusions:

Differences were noticed. Values obtained in our study represent the standard of functioning of families with a depressed member.
Psychopathology Regularities of Formation of Different Forms of Dysthymia
Authors: Maruta N. , Zavalko Y.
Published: March 2009

Depressive disorders are a polymorphic group that is stipulated by a different genesis of the conditions (endogenous, psychogenic, organic). Dysthymia is one of the most complicated forms of psychopathology with depressive disorders.

A complex examination of 182 persons with dysthymia (60.5% were female and 39.5% were male patients from 20 to 49 years old) was performed. Clinical-psychopathological, psychometric, psycho-diagnostic investigations and statistical methods were used.

A clinical-psychopathological stricture of dysthymia are ambiguous and polymorphic. This allows us to define three variants of the pathology: dysphoric, somatic-vegetative, senestho-hypochondriacal.

In a dysphoric variant a leading role belongs to accentuations of character (asthenic-neurotic type - 47.6%; labile type - 38.1%; cycloid type - 14.3%), which form a low stress-resistance, an emotional tension, and a depressive type of reaction on external events. In a genesis of a somatic-vegetative variant of dysthymia a leading role belongs to psychogenic factors characterized with a chronic and combined type and registered in 91.8% of patients. A senestho-hypochondriacal variant of dysthymia is formed due to a premorbidly changed “ground” (premorbid somatic and neurological diseases were registered in 91.1% of patients).

Criteria for diagnosis of dysthymia includes: etiological factors (constitutional psychogenic and biological parameters), structure of clinical-psychopathological manifestations (somatic-vegetative, sensitive, movement, and psychopathological disorders), peculiarities of personality, direction of a conflict zone (past, present, future), presence of mechanisms of a subconscious exaggeration of severity of the conditions.

Treatment is performed by means of combination of pharmaco- and psychotherapy, which must be use on step-by-step basis as cessation, stabilization, and prevention.
Plasma Cortisol Levels and Physical Aggression in Depressed Patients
Authors: Mattioli B. , Camardese G. , Pizi G. , Adamo F. , Bria P.
Published: March 2009

An analysis of the biological mechanisms underlying both aggression and major depression (MD) shows the implication of common features. There is a well known link between MD and hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Moreover, the HPA axis dysfunction has been identified as a promising predictor of suicidal behaviours in mood disorders.

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between aggressive behaviour and plasma cortisol levels during a Major Depression Episode (MDE).

83 patients (M/F = 43/40; mean age 47,70±14,52) with a Mood Disorder during a MDE have been recruited at the Day Clinic of Psychiatry of the Catholic University in Rome.

A blood sample for the determination of plasma cortisol levels was collected before antidepressant treatment. Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) was used to evaluate aggression traits such as Verbal Aggression (VA), Physical Aggression (PA), Anger (A), Hostility (H) and total Aggression score (AQtot). No significant correlation between plasma cortisol levels and VA, A, H or AQtot was found. A positive correlation between PA scores and plasma cortisol levels was reported (r = 0.39; p = 0.007).

Physical Aggression underline a risk for subsequent inner-directed violence, including suicidal thoughts and behaviours and it is also associated to a serotoninergic system dysfunction. An abnormal interaction between the HPA mechanisms and serotonergic systems has also been suggested in suicidal behaviours.

Our results confirm the importance of further research with more sensitive markers to monitor HPA axis activity (e.g. Dexamethasone/CRH test), serotonergic activity and psychopathological features in depressed patients.
The Gender, its Contingencies and Depression
Authors: Miguel F.
Published: March 2009

The goal of this study is to explore the role of gender (female/ male) and its contingencies (personality's features and the impact of psychosocial stress factors) in the vulnerability for depression. This study covered a population of twenty men and twenty women, of 35 to 55 years old, diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (DSM-IV), followed in outpatient clinical Department of Psychiatry of HUC. Each gender was acceded with NEO- PI-R (personality's five domains) and a comparative analysis was done regarding each item of this scale and its value as a depressive mood element inductor. In parallel it is also analysed the impact of psychosocial stress factors (health, love, social and professional lives) in the perpetuation (recurrence) of the depressive episodes, emphasizing the most constant and relevant for each sex.
Depression and Fibromyalgia: Two Distinct Disorders with a “Hard Life” in Common?
Authors: Miguel F.
Published: March 2009

This study is appointed to appraise the impact of life's events and psychosocial stress factors (violence, abuse and negligence in childhood, parental or spouse's alcoholism; sexual abuse, abandoning, misery, loss of a dear and close one, incommensurable life situations and other minor averse episodes) in the vulnerability for depression and fibromyalgia. With this purpose a population of forty women followed in outpatient clinical Department of Psychiatry of HUC [twenty with the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia (American College of Rheumatology) and the remainder with Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis (DSM-IV)] was accessed. It is discussed in a comparative way for both groups, the incidence and nature of negative life events, the valorization and threshold of frustration face to these adverse circumstances, adaptability, personality's features, coping strategies and eventual personal profits with the perpetuation of the disturbance.
Analysis of Pooled Data: Once-daily Extended Release Quetiapine Fumarate (Quetiapine XR) Monotherapy in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Authors: Montgomery S. , Weisler R. , Earley W. , Åstrom M. , Lazarus A.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine XR monotherapy in patients with MDD.

Methods:

Data were analysed from two 6-week, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (D1448C00001, D1448C00002), prospectively designed to be pooled. Outpatients received quetiapine XR 150mg/day (n=315), 300mg/day (n=323), placebo (n=330). Primary outcome: change at Week 6 in MADRS total scores. Other assessments: MADRS individual item scores, HAM-A total scores, MADRS response and remission; AE reporting.

Results:

Quetiapine XR 150mg/day and 300mg/day reduced MADRS total scores at Week 6 (-14.7 and -14.7; p< 0.001) versus placebo (-11.1); significant reductions were also seen at Week 1 (p< 0.001).

Subgroup analyses showed the therapeutic effect of quetiapine XR was neither limited to nor driven by factors such as gender, age or depression severity.

Quetiapine XR demonstrated consistent improvements in MADRS items: both doses significantly improved 8/10 items at Week 6 versus placebo. At Week 6, MADRS response (≥50% decrease in total score) was 52.7% (p< 0.001), 49.5% (p< 0.001) versus 33.0%; MADRS remission (total score ≤10) was 33.7% (p< 0.01), 34.7% (p< 0.01) versus 24.2% for quetiapine XR 150mg/day and 300mg/day and placebo, respectively. Quetiapine XR 150mg/day and 300mg/day improved HAM-A total scores versus placebo at Week 1 (-4.6 [p< 0.01], -4.7 [p< 0.01], -3.6) and Week 6 (-8.1 [p< 0.001], -7.9 [p< 0.001], -6.2). Common AEs (≥10%) were dry mouth, sedation, somnolence, dizziness, headache and nausea with quetiapine XR.

Conclusion:

In patients with MDD, quetiapine XR monotherapy improved a broad range of depressive symptoms, with improvements seen from Week 1. Quetiapine XR was generally well tolerated.
The Correlations of Suicide Attempts in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Nastase S. , Ivanovici D. , Vrabie M. , Dumitrescu I.M. , Mihailescu A.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

We have pursued the association between clinical and socio-demographic characteristics and the suicide attempts at inpatients with major depressive disorder.

Method:

We ran an historical case control study to analyse the individual characteristics associated with suicide attempts in the depression inpatients admitted into the 9th Department of the Clinical Psychiatric Hospital “Al. Obregia” between 01 January 2007 - 01 January 2008. A total of 168 subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) were included in the study. The patients were separated into two subgroups: “S” - the group with suicide attempt as reason of the present admission into hospital and the comparative group “C” - those without a suicidal attempt at the present admission (used as control group). The two groups were compared with respect to the individual characteristics, following their possible association with the suicidal attempts risk. We used the chi-square (x2) statistic for categorical variables.

Results:

Our findings suggest that the most robust predictors of suicide attempts in depression are the younger age of the depression onset, previous psychiatric hospitalizations, low socio-economic status, “single” marital status (widowed/divorced), with no children, heredocolateral history of suicidal attempts and the comorbidity with the problematic alcohol consumption.

Conclusion:

The risk factors associated with the suicidal attempts are useful for the screening, finding, prediction and prophylaxis of suicide attempts in major depression.
The Demo Trial: An Observer-blinded RCT of Strength Versus Aerobic Versus Relaxation Training for Patients with Mild to Moderate Depression
Authors: Nordentoft M. , Krogh J.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To assess the benefit and harm of exercise training in adults with clinical depression.

Method:

The DEMO trial is a randomized pragmatic trial for patients with unipolar depression. Patients with unipolar depression (n=165) were allocated to supervised strength, aerobic, or relaxation training during a four-month period. The primary outcome was the Hamilton depression scale and the secondary outcome was percentage of absence from work.

Result:

At 4 months, the strength increased in the strength group and the maximal oxygen uptake increased in the aerobic group vs. the relaxation group. At 4 months the change in HAM-D17 was -1.3 (-3.7 to 1.2; p =.3) and 0.4 (-2.0 to 2.9; p= .3) for the strength and aerobic vs. the relaxation group. At twelve months, the differences were -0.2 (-2.7 to 2.3; p = .8) and 0.6 (-1.9 to 3.1; p = .6). At twelve months, the differences in absence from work was -12.1% (-21.1 to -3.1; p = .009) and -2.7% (-11.7 to 6.2; p = .5) for the strength and aerobic vs. the relaxation group.

Conclusion:

These findings do not suggest a biologically mediated effect of exercise on symptom severity in depressed patients, but support a beneficial effect of strength training on work capacity.
The Evaluation of Type d Personality, Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Prata J. , Ramos S. , Rocha-Gonçalves F. , Coelho R.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in western industrialized countries and account for disability and loss of productivity. Type D personality and depression are established psychosocial factors with a negative impact on prognosis following acute events.

Methods:

We evaluated 65 patients admitted to a coronary unit with ACS regarding type D personality (DS-14), depression (BDI-II, HADS), anxiety (HADS), clinical depression (clinical interview following DSM-IV-TR criteria) and quality of life (SF-36). SPSS 12.0 was used for statistical analysis and significance considered for p< 0.05.

Results:

We found that 38.5% of patients had type D personality and divided the sample into two groups. No significant differences were found regarding social and demographic factors but differences were found regarding diagnosis on admission: type D patients had more AMI with ST elevation (p< 0.05). Type D patients had significantly higher scores in depression and anxiety scales of the HADS (p< 0.01) and worse quality of life in most SF-36 subscales (p< 0.01). There was a negative and significant correlation between the HADS and all the SF-36 subscales, strongest in the mental health subscale (p< 0.01).

Conclusions:

Type D patients have higher indices of anxiety and depression and worse quality of life when compared with other patients, and constitute a high risk group of worse prognosis. Our results also suggest differences between groups regarding the type of acute event but these results require further confirmation.
Reward Sensitivity and Response to Treatment in Major Depression
Authors: Vrieze E. , Pizzagalli D. , Demyttenaere K. , Claes S.
Published: March 2009

Rationale:

Anhedonia, or the lack of reactivity to a pleasurable stimuli is expressed as reduced reward sensitivity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) (1). Reward experience might discriminate between depressed patients who respons to treatment and those who do not (2).

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that patients non-responsive to treatment show reduced reward sensitivity compared to responsive patients.

Method:

A probabilistic computer task was used to measure reward sensitivity objectively (3). Twenty-eight medicated inpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for MDD performed the reward task within the first week after submission and again after eight weeks. The response to treatment was assessed with the Hamilton Depression rating Scale (HDRS). Patients with scores less that ten or a fifty percent reduction on the HDRS after 8 weeks were considered responders to treatment. Sixteen healthy subjects were recruited as controls.

Results:

When considering reward sensitivity at baseline, the control group was significantly more sensitive to reward than the responders group and the non-responders group, who were the least reward sensitive (F = 11.88; p < 0.01). After 8 weeks, responders showed an almost similar reward dependence to controls on the task, however non-responders still preformed significantly worse compared to both responders and controls (F= 8.71; p< 0.01).

Conclusion:

These results support the hypothesis that impairment of reward responsiveness might influence response to treatment in patients with MDD.
Opposite Neural Effects of the Main Psychoactive Ingredients of Cannabis- Neural Basis for Potential Therapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol
Authors: Bhattacharyya S. , Fusar-Poli P. , Borgwardt S. , Martin-Santos R. , Carroll C. , Seal M. , Crippa J. , Atakan Z. , Mcguire P.
Published: March 2009

There is considerable interest in the therapeutic potential of Cannabidiol (CBD), the second most abundant component of Cannabis. While delta-9-THC, the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, impairs memory and induces anxiety and psychotic symptoms acutely and increases the risk of psychotic disorders in regular cannabis users, CBD does not impair memory, may have anxiolytic and possibly antipsychotic effects. Hence, we compared directly the acute neural effects of these two active ingredients of cannabis, by combining pharmacological challenge with fMRI. Using a double-blind, repeated measures design and oral challenge with 10mg of delta-9-THC, 600mg of CBD or placebo in 15 healthy volunteers, we examined whether delta-9-THC and CBD have opposing effects on the neural substrates of verbal memory and fear processing and whether they also have opposing effects on the neural substrates of anxiety and psychotic symptoms induced by delta-9-THC. Delta-9-THC induced anxiety and psychotic symptoms acutely while there was a trend for a reduction in anxiety but no change in psychotic symptoms with CBD. During the memory task, delta-9-THC attenuated and CBD increased activation in the striatum bilaterally. Effect of delta-9-THC on striatal activation was inversely correlated with the psychotic symptoms induced by it concomitantly. During the processing of fearful faces, delta-9-THC increased and CBD attenuated activation in the amygdala and these effects correlated with their anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects respectively. These opposing effects of CBD on the key neural substrates for psychotic symptoms and anxiety induced by delta-9-THC may suggest its possible therapeutic role in countering these conditions.
Brain Imaging in Clinical Psychiatry: Why?
Authors: Davoren M. , Doherty A. , Breen E. , Sheehan J. , Kelly B.D.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

To explore clinical indications for, and results of, brain imaging in a department of general adult psychiatry.

Method:

We reviewed the 100 most recent episodes of brain imaging at the Department of General Adult Psychiatry, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin.

Results:

Patients had a mean age of 55.30 years. The most common indications for scans were cognitive impairment (33%) and other neurological concerns (e.g. seizures) (30%). Forty-seven per cent of scans were abnormal. The most common abnormalities were ischaemia (17%) and atrophy (10%). Patients with abnormal scans were older than those with normal scans (61.90 and 48.70 years, respectively; p< 0.001).

Conclusion:

Brain imaging contributes significantly to diagnosis in general adult psychiatry, especially for older patients.
Neurobiological Substrate of Autism Spectrum Disorder - Cerebral Blood Flow Distribution of 11C-butanol as Assessed by PET/CT
Authors: Pagani M. , Manouilenko I. , Stone-Elander S. , Odh R. , Salmaso D. , Danielsson A.-M. , Hatherly R. , Jacobsson H. , Larsson S.A. , Bejerot S.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Functional studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have shown localised focal hypoperfusion and abnormalities in the anatomo-functional connectivity of limbic-striatal “social” brain. However, no common regional abnormalities have been found across studies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the cerebral blood flow (CBF) at rest in subjects with ASD as compared to a group of healthy controls.

Methods:

In this preliminary investigation six normal intelligence patients with ASD and 5 age and sex matched healthy controls (HC) were examined using PET/CT camera and, as CBF tracer, 11C-butanol, a radiopharmaceutical produced on-site. The combination of these two methodologies reduced the whole examination time to less than 10 minutes. Statistical Parametric Mapping was implemented to analyse the data.

Results:

As compared to HC, ASD showed a highly significant CBF increase (height threshold p=0.001, p< 0.0001 at voxel-level), bilaterally, in large portions of the cerebellum, of the visual associative cortex and of the posterior parietal lobe.

Conclusions:

This preliminary study was performed by the state-of-the-art neuroimaging methodologies that reduced considerably the examination time and resulted in less stress and more reliable investigations. The occipital and parietal associative cortex as well as the cerebellum showed an increased CBF in ASD, underscoring their involvement in the disease and raising methodological and diagnostic issues to be considered when exploring the neuroanatomy of ASD.
Effects of the DAT 3’UTR VNTR Genotype on Brain Function in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Prata D.P. , Mechelli A. , Fu C. , Picchioni M. , Kane F. , Kalidindi S. , Mcdonald C. , Kravariti E. , Toulopoulou T. , Saeedzadeh-Sardahaee F. , Murray R. , Collier D. , Mcguire P.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

To examine the effect of a polymorphism in the Dopamine Transporter (DAT) gene on brain activation during executive function and, for the first time:

1.

determine the extent to which this is altered in schizophrenia and

2.

use a verbal fluency paradigm.

This is relevant since:

1.

DAT plays a key role in the regulation of dopamine, which modulates cortical activation during cognitive tasks and

2.

a disruption of dopamine function is a fundamental pathophysiological feature of schizophrenia.

Method:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure whole-brain responses during overt verbal fluency in 85 subjects: 44 healthy volunteers and 41 DSM-IV schizophrenia patients. Main effects of genotype and diagnostic group on activation and their interaction were estimated using an ANOVA in SPM5.

Results:

The 10-repeat allele of the 3'UTR VNTR was associated with greater activation than the 9-repeat allele in the left (Z=4.8; FWEp=0.005) and right (Z=4.2; FWEp=0.057) anterior insula and with decreased activation in the rostral anterior cingulate (Z=4.3 FWEp=0.04) during word generation (versus baseline). These effects were irrespective of diagnostic group but generally more marked in patients. There were also strong trends for groupxgenotype interactions in the left middle frontal gyrus and the left nucleus accumbens. Analysis was controlled for task performance, IQ, antipsychotic medication, psychopathology and demographics.

Conclusion:

Cortical function during executive tasks is normally modulated by variation in the DAT gene, effect which is dependent on the brain region. DAT's effect may be altered in schizophrenia patients, which may reflect altered central dopamine function.
Abnormal Emotional Responses to Pleasant and Unpleasant Visual Stimuli in First Episode Schizophrenia: f-MRI Investigation
Authors: Casacchia M. , Mazza M. , Catalucci A. , Pollice R. , Gallucci M. , Roncone R.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Affective deficits (flat affect, a diminished expression of emotion, anhedonia, and lowered ability to experience pleasure) are very common in schizophrenia. In emotion feeling, the crucial role of the insula, rather than of the primary somatosensory cortices, strongly suggests that the neural substrate for emotions is not merely sensorial. It is more likely that the activation of the insula representation of the viscero-motor activity is responsible for feeling of disgust. A recent MRI study demonstrated specific left anterior insular volume reduction in chronic schizophrenia patients: sustainable is the suggestion that emotion of disgust or of taste may be related to the experience of pleasure, which probably is compromise in schizophrenics.We investigated fMRI brain activations in first episode schizophrenic subjects with negative symptoms and in healthy subjects elicited by pleasant and unpleasant visual stimuli.

Method:

Ten first-episode schizophrenic subjects with normal IQ were recruited from the psychiatric service “SMILE” of San Salvatore Hospital and 10 healthy volunteers matched for age and education were scanned during observation of pleasant and unpleasant visual stimuli. Functional images were acquired with a 1.5T MRI scanner. Blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast was obtained using EPI T2* weighted images.

Results:

The most important result of the study was the demonstration that anterior insula was activated by the exposure to disgusting stimula in normal subjects but not in schizophrenic subjects.

Conclusion:

This failure of the neural systems used to support emotional attribution is consistent with pervasive problems in experiencing emotions by schizophrenics.
Efficacy of Combined Treatments, Psychological and Pharmacological, for Depression in Adults
Authors: Carvalho M. , Estevens D. , Tur O.
Published: March 2009

According to the state of the art, combined treatments for depression are more efficacious than a unique approach. However, studies on the efficacy of different psychological treatments are scarce. We will present the results of an on-going research, carried out with the main purpose of analysing the efficacy of two psychological empirically validated treatments for depression, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonnal Therapy (IPT), combined with psychopharmacological approach. A sample of 30 adult females will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) CBT and pharmacological treatment; 2) IPT and pharmacological treatment; and 3) only pharmacological treatment. A multimodal assessment matrix will be used to evaluate depression, suicidal ideation and intention, and individual, social, and environmental factors commonly related to the onset of major depression, namely hopelessness and pessimism, cognitive processing, interpersonal relations, life events, before, at the end of treatments, and at follow-up. We expect that both combined approaches will be more efficacious in the reduction of depressive symptoms, including suicidal behaviours, compared to the pharmacological approach. We also expect to understand the sensitivity to change of the assessed psychological processes underlying each form of psychotherapy.
Cognitive-behaviour Therapy to Enhancing Self-esteem Concerns Improves Smoking Cessation Outcome in Patients with Mental Disorders: The Pilot Study
Authors: Wojtyna E.J. , Dosiak M.M.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Tobacco dependence is common in patients with mental disorders. At the same time the self-esteem of these patients is very low. Failures, which inmates may suffer during smoke cessation, may lower their self-esteem more and more. The aim of the study was to indicate the influence of CBT on self-esteem and smoking cessation among inmates.

Methods:

The study comprised 44 mentally ill heavy smokers (38 with schizophrenia and 6 with depression). CBT was adopted for the experimental group (n=19). The CBT-group participated in twelve weekly two-hour therapeutic sessions concentrated on enhancing a self-esteem, and twelve weekly educational sessions. The control group (n=25) participated in educational training only. The study was of a linear character. The following methods were used: Self-Esteem Scale, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, characteristic of tobacco use questionnaire and monitoring the amount of cigarettes.

Results:

An improvement in self-esteem was observed in the period following the therapy among CBT-group in comparison with the control group. After therapy inmates from CBT-group smoked less cigarettes than control group and faster decided on a smoking cessation. After interventions self-esteem was negatively correlated with amount of cigarettes. Twelve patients from CBT-group stopped smoking completely in comparison with eight from control group.

Conclusions:

CBT improves the self-esteem in mentally ill patients and it may by used as a very helpful method for smoking cessation among this group of smokers.
Self-reported Rumination as Trait Marker for Depression: Evidence from Functional Neuroimaging [P02-20]
Authors: Arnone D. , Pegg E. , Mckie S. , Downey D. , Elliott R. , Deakin J.F.K. , Anderson I.M.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Research using fMRI indicates that sustained limbic activity is linked to processing negative words and self-reported rumination in currently depressed individuals. It is unknown whether this is also present in remitted depressed individuals. We tested the hypothesis that a tendency to ruminate constitutes a trait for depression by using a standard covert fMRI emotional task face in previously and never depressed volunteers and postulated that high rumination scores would correlate with activity in brain areas previously associated with depression.

Methods:

37 controls (25 female) and 30 remitted depressed (RD, 22 female) were enrolled. Volunteers completed the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) and underwent fMRI scanning using a standard covert fMRI emotional task faces. Significance level was set at p < 0.05 (FWE).

Results:

With RRS score controlled for RD showed reduced subcortical and limbic activity to sad and fearful faces compared to controls. Correlations between RRS scores and neural activity in all participants and control participants alone were very limited. However, in RD, RRS score was negatively correlated with neural response to happy faces and positively correlated with neural response to sad and fearful faces, in cortical and limbic regions associated with depression (hippocampus, thalamus, caudate, insula and cingulate gyrus).

Conclusion:

The results suggest that reduced limbic activity is associated with remission, possibly as a maintenance mechanism. However, within the remitted group the more ruminative participants show greater response in these areas to negative stimuli, and less to positive stimuli. This could be a neurobiological marker for risk of relapse.
F2695: A New Therapeutic Potential for Major Depression a Phase ii Double-blind Randomised Trial Results
Authors: Mansuy L.
Published: March 2009

F2695 is a novel antidepressant exerts simultaneous noradrenergic and serotoninergic neurotransmitter effects.

F2695 SR was administered in patients with Major Depression in a randomized, multinational, double-blind, placebo-controlled 10-week study, assessing the efficacy and safety of F2695 SR progressive titration safety adapted doses from 75 mg to 100 mg od, in out-patients with Major Depressive Disorders. The 563 randomized patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorders and presented moderate or severe Major Depressive Disorders. Efficacy analysis found a significant difference between F2695 and placebo in favour of the active treatment in term of a significantly greater improvement in MADRS total score with F2695 compared with placebo (p< 0.0001). In addition, significantly more patients achieved MADRS response (a decrease in total score equal or superior to 50%) and MADRS remission (defined as a total score inferiorior to10) in the F2695 group than in the placebo group such an effect being usually not seen on this measure in the relatively short time span of a ten-week study. At the doses tested, F2695 was effective from early in the treatment (week 2) and the difference in efficacy compared with placebo increased steadily throughout the study.

The severity to entry in this study was relatively high and the mean MADRS entry score was 31, about 40% of patients were in the severe category of depression.

This study: provided evidence of the efficacy of F2695 in major depression population. Therapeutic effect was sustained in term of effect-size, responders and remissions rate, in front of placebo.
Compared Diagnostic Stability Between Mood Disorders and Psychotic Disorders in a Day-care Psychiatric Unit
Authors: Martins A. , Domingues I. , Pedrosa R. , Sousa V. , Marques J. , Silva A. , Curral R. , Torres A. Roma
Published: March 2009

Psychiatric diagnosis depends more from the experts' opinion than from the biological basis of the diseases. Therefore the lack of diagnostic stability among the psychiatric practice is not a rare situation. This usually results in increased costs in treatment and sometimes in worst outcome for the patient who is misdiagnosed at the onset of the illness.

The authors evaluated diagnostic stability among a population of 302 patients receiving psychiatric treatment in a day-care unit of a central hospital between January/2005 and June/2008. The study compared diagnostic stability of 146 patients diagnosed as mood disorder with diagnostic stability of 83 patients diagnosed as psychotic disorder.

There was high diagnostic stability either for mood disorders as for psychotic disorders. This fact provides the chance of planning more accurate treatment strategies and better outcome.
A Qualitative Analysis on What Brazilian Psychiatrists Want from Current Diagnostic Classifications
Authors: Júnior A. Santos , Silva L.F.A.L. , Banzato C.E.M. , Pereira M.E.C.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

To analyze the qualitative answers profile of an anonymous standardized survey, with qualitative and quantitative questions, about the Brazilian psychiatrists' perceptions on their use of the multiaxial diagnostic systems ICD 10 and DSM-IV and on their expectations about future revisions of these classifications (ICD-11 and DSM-V).

Method:

the questionnaire, elaborated by Graham Mellsop (New Zealand), was translated into Portuguese and sent through mail to 1050 psychiatrists affiliated to the Brazilian Psychiatry Association. The quantitative analysis is presented elsewhere.

Results:

One hundred and sixty questionaries returned (15,2%). From these, 71,1% of the open questions where answered. The most needed and/or desirable qualities in a psychiatric classification were found to be: simplicity, criteria clarity, objectivity, comprehensibility, reliability and ease to use. The axis I of the ICD-10 was reported to be the most used due to its instrumental character in addition to being the official classification, including for legal and bureaucratic purposes. The DSM-IV was also used in the everyday practice, mostly for education and research purposes, by psychiatrists with academic affiliations. The less frequent use of the multiaxial systems was justified by the lack of training and familiarity, the overload of information and by the fact they are not mandatory. It was evaluated that some diagnostic categories must be reviewed, like: mental retardation, eating disorders, personality disorders, sleeping disorders, child and adolescence disorders, affective and schizoaffective disorders.

Conclusion:

This material offers a systematic panorama about the psychiatrists' opinions and expectations concerning the diagnostic instruments used in the daily practice.
Prevalence of Mental Health Patient Hospitalized in Medical Wards in Beheshti Hospital in 2007
Authors: Akasheh G. , Sedighi M.
Published: March 2009

Mental disorders are one of the most problems in the world and influence on medical disease thus this study investigated the prevalence of mental disorders in medical wards of Beheshti hospital.

Method and materials:

This study was a descriptive research in 260 patients hospitalized in medical wards of Beheshti hospital. Data was collected in two groups:

1.

Identification data includes: name, age, gender, maritial status, resident place and previous mental disorder and type of medical ward.

2.

G.H.Q. Those who scores were higher than the cut of point in GHQ, were psychiatrically interviewed based on DSM-IV TR criteria.

The results were analyzed by descriptive statistic.

Result:

54.2% suffered from mental disorder include: mood disorder (34.2%), anxiety disorder (9.6%), somatoform disorder (1.5%) and psychosis (0.4%). The rate of illness in female was 56.9% versus 42.7% in male. Prevalence of psychotic disorder is more than findings of Higashi and Yashiro (27 to 39%) and Koeng in Duke university (36.5% MDD).

Conclusion:

Mental disorders are common in general hospital and consult with psychiatrist and liasion psychiatry is very important.
An Assessment of the Assertiveness among Students of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Yektatalab S.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

One of the most important attitudes which can affect personal, professional and social operation of individual, especially medical students is assertiveness.

Material and methods:

The samples of this research consist of 412 students of Jahrom University who are studying in Doctoral, Nursing, Technician of operation room and technician of Narcosis. Ratus Assertiveness test was used for gathering data.

Results:

The score of assertiveness was between 73/8-173.82.3% of students were unassertive and 17/7% was assertive. The highest rate of assertiveness was observed in the students of Narcosis (121.44±19.19) and the lowest rate was seen among doctoral students (113.30±14.64).

Conclusion:

The results reveal the prevalence of unassertiveness in the students of Jahrom University. The low assertiveness score in the male students is clear. Also students whose fathers are highly educated and also students who have better economic situation, have higher score.
Emotional Processing in Eating Disorders
Authors: Castro L.C. , Martins M.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Patients with eating disorders are reported to show emotional processing deficits compared to healthy controls.

Aim:

To study and discuss the role of emotional processing in eating disorders.

Methods:

Review of the literature.

Results:

Several studies found a marked impairment in emotional processing in eating disorder patients. These emotion-processing deficits seem to be independent of affective symptoms. Different studies address different concepts as emotional awareness, alexithymia and facial or voice emotional recognition. The emotional processing and functioning of eating disorder patients highly impact their relational styles and behaviour.

Discussion:

The literature suggests global emotion-processing deficits in eating disorders. The emotion-processing deficits in eating disorder patients may contribute to the poor interpersonal communication, lack of social cognition and lack of empathy frequently seen in these patients. It is extremely important a better understanding of these complex relationships as they can act as maintenance factors of the eating disorder, contributing to social isolation and therapeutic failure. The prognostic implications of these findings, as well as potential therapeutical interventions are topics valuable for future research in this area.
Organic Eating Disorders of Morbid Hunger & Hyperphagia After Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Presentation and Prevalence
Authors: Faruqui R. , Rowell A.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Morbid Hunger or persistent Hyperphagia are rare conditions after TBI and can pose life threatening health risks to the patient, risks of aggression towards professional and family carers managing this behaviour, and the ability to function in social settings.

Method:

1.

Systematic search of Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL, DARE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Clinical Trials Register, using terms Eating Disorders, Organic Eating Disorders, Binge Eating, Anorexia Nervosa, Hyperphagia, Morbid Hunger, Satiety, Hypothalamus, Pituitary Glands, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Acquired Brain Injury.

2.

Diagnostic review of currently admitted hospital patients at a tertiary care brain injury rehabilitation centre in order to establish point prevalence.

3.

Review of Dietetic records to establish clinical presentation and management principles.

Results:

Systematic review identified case reports and case series of these disorders, providing description of three distinct traumatic presentations:

a. Persistent Hyperphagia after head injury.

b. Serious food seeking behaviour and overeating after surgery for neoplasm resulting in pituitary/ hypothalamic injury.

c. Head Injury variant of Kleine Levine Syndrome presenting with Hyperphagia, Hypersomnolence, and Hypersexuality.

Diagnostic review of 88 admitted patients identified 2 (3%) patients presenting with this condition.

Review of dietetic records confirmed the persistent and serious nature of this presentation and identified a high need for environmental and cue exposure control in management of this condition.

Conclusions:

Organic eating disorders are rare but potentially life threatening conditions, requiring formal cataloguing and recognition in diagnostic classifications to facilitate systematic study of pathophysiology and relevant management strategies.