bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation Between Psychosocial Stress and Depression among Adolescents
Authors: Markeviciute A. , Pilkauskiene I. , Gostautas A. , Adomaitiene V. , Vaitkevicius R. , Gustainiene L. , Ribakoviene V.
Published: March 2009

Background:

The data of various studies indicates, that stressful life events having a strong influence to the development of depression in adolescence.

Aim:

To study the correlation between psychosocial stress and depression among adolescents.

Methods:

The subjects of the study were 1026 schoolchildren (519 boys and 507 girls) of secondary schools (ninth form pupils) of one administrative region of Lithuania. Average age of adolescents was 14,8±1,12 years. The 57-item Depression scale of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (MMPI-A D) and 7-item Reeder scale were used.

Results:

The first four factors of depression (pessimism, hostility, somatic health, tension-anxiety) after MMPI-A D scale orthogonal varimax rotation were used in data analysis. Correlative analysis was show statistically meaning correlations between depression, the pessimism factor and the all items of psychosocial stress for the girls. The boys’ tension-anxiety factor correlated statistically meaning with all items of psychosocial stress. Comparing depressive and not depressive adolescents according Reeder scale, determined that both: depressive boys (p=0,043), and depressive girls (p< 0,0001) experienced more psychosocial stress comparing with not depressive adolescents. The stepwise regression analyses differed an importance of the items “nervous tension” (p=0,011), “stress because of communication” (p=0,014) for the girls’ depression and the items “nervous tension” (p=0,011), “physical and mental exhaustion at the end of a day” (p=0,003) for the boys’ depression.

Conclusions:

1.

Depressive boys and girls experienced more psychosocial stress comparing with not depressive adolescents.

2.

Psychosocial stress is important for prognosis of depression in adolescence.
Augmentation of Zonisamide in Poor or Non-responder Patients Treated with Duloxetine for Single or Recurrent Unipolar Major Depressive Episode
Authors: Fornaro M. , Bandini F. , Mattei C. , Battaglia F. , Ogliastro C. , Fornaro P.
Published: March 2009

Objectives:

The aim of our ongoing study is to investigate the effectiveness of Zonisamide augmentation to Duloxetine in partial and non-responder patients in course of Unipolar Major Depressive Episode.

Method:

35 outpatients will be enrolled in a 12-weeks open-label study including both genders, 18 to 65 years old subjects. Unipolar Major Depressive Episode diagnosis will be performed at screening time using “Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-Axis-I Disorders- Italian 1996 version” (SCID-I, First et al., 1996) and by a ≥14 total score for the “Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomathology-Self Rated” (QIDS-SR, Rush et al., 2003). Patients will be repeatedly evaluated during the course of the study using a wide range of mood and anxiety rating scales and monitoring biomarkers such as electroretinogram b-wave amplitude, interleukins, flogosis and BDNF factors etc. At week 6, Duloxetine partial/non responders will be augmetated to Zonisamide and further evaluations of mentioned markers will be repeated. A “Fisher-test” or χ² analysis will be performed at the end of the study. Expected p will be ≤ 0,005.

Hypothesis:

We expect Zonisamide augmentation to be an effective treatment for SNRI-resistant Major Depression.
High Work Demands and Depression: The Moderating Role of the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTT) and Work Control
Authors: Melchior M. , Moffitt T.E. , Poulton R. , Sugden K. , Caspi A.
Published: March 2009

Background:

High work demands (i.e. a heavy workload, tight time pressures, conflicting work tasks) put individuals at high risk of depression. Our aim was to test whether the relationship between high work demands and depression is moderated by genetic vulnerability to depression and by work control.

Methods:

Participants are members of the Dunedin Study, a 1972-73 longitudinal birth cohort assessed most recently in 2004-2005, at age 32 (96% response rate). This analysis included all participants who were employed at age 32. Depression was measured using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Work demands and work control were assessed in an interview. Genetic vulnerability to stress was ascertained by the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT).

Results:

Among individuals exposed to high work demands, symptoms of depression were significantly higher among those who carried two short alleles of the 5-HTT gene (‘s/s’ group) than among ‘l’ carriers (interaction between 5-HTT gene and work demands: β=4.22, se=1.86, p=0.02). However, this gene-environment interaction was only present among those individuals who had low control over their work (interaction between 5-HTT gene and high work demands: β: 7.21, se: 2.73, p=0.009), not among those who had high work control (interaction between 5-HTT gene and high work demands: β: 1.32, se: 2.53, p=0.60).

Conclusion:

Pending replication, the serotonin transporter gene appears to moderate the effects of high work demands on symptoms of depression. This gene-environment interaction is attenuated by high work control.
Clinically Significant Change in Treatments for Depression
Authors: Moleiro C. , Beutler L.
Published: March 2009

The assessment of change has been a problematic issue in psychotherapy research and has become increasingly important in up rise of evidence-based practices. In the present paper, the clinical significance of the change of 243 patients who received one of nine treatments for depression was analyzed using the Reliable Change Index (Jacobson, Follette, & Revenstorf, 1984) and normative comparisons (Equivalency Testing; Kendall, Marrs-Garcia, Nath, & Sheldrick, 1999). While the first method addresses the question of whether or not the change that occurred was large enough to be attributable to treatment rather than to measurement error, the second method addresses the issue of comparing the level of functioning of treated individuals with non-clinical population. Hence, the nine treatments of depression (8 psychotherapies e 1 drug treatment) were compared in terms of their reliability and clinical significance. Traditional statistical tests in treatment outcome studies were also conducted. Findings support the importance of analysing the clinical significance of change during treatment. While all but one treatment led to statistical significant changes in depressive symptoms, differences among treatments were found in terms of their reliability and clinical significance. Implications of the use of clinical significance testing in the exploration of empirical support for treatments of depression in conjunction with traditional statistical analyses are discussed, which will be more readily useful and meaningful to clinicians who wish to embark in evidence-based practices.
Genetic and Environmental Impacts in Major Depressive Disorder are Mediated Via Kynurenine Pathway of Tryptophan Metabolism
Authors: Oxenkrug G.
Published: March 2009

We were first to propose up-regulation of KYN pathway of TRY metabolism as an etiological factor in depression: “in depression metabolism of TRY is shunted away from serotonin production, and towards KYN production” since “activity of liver TRY-pyrrolase is stimulated by raised blood corticosteroids levels” (Lapin & Oxenkrug, Lancet, 1969). TRY-pyrrolase, i.e., tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) was the only known enzyme catalyzing TRY conversion into KYN. TDO is mostly located in liver and activated by cortisol and prolactin. Seven years later another enzyme catalyzing TRY conversion into KYN, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), was discovered. IDO is located in microglia, astrocytes and macrophages, and transcriptionally induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Discovery of neurotropic activity of kynurenines suggested that upregulation of TRY - KYN pathway not only augments serotonin deficiency but also underlines depression-associated anxiety, psychosis and cognitive decline. Simultaneous presence of high promoters alleles of pro-inflammatory cytokines genes (IFNG and TNF-alpha) determines genetic predisposition to depression via up-regulation of IDO while impact of environmental stresses is mediated via hormonal activation of TDO. Potentiation of IFNG-induced up-regulation of IDO by stress hormones further underscores the importance TRY-KYN pathway as major meeting point of gene-environment interaction in depression and as a new target for pharmacological intervention.
Depression in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report
Authors: Paixão L. , Avelino M.J.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Depression is the predominant psychological disturbance in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with lifetime prevalence around 50% and annual prevalence of 20%. Depression is commoner during relapses and may exacerbate fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. The aetiology of depression is multifactorial and likely associated with psychological stress, focal demyelinating lesions and immune dysfunction. There is no correlation between age, gender, duration of illness and sex. Unlike it was believed for the treatment with interferon β, recent side effects data from clinical trials have failed to confirm that this medication is associated with an increased risk of depression in patients with MS. Treating depression improves quality of life and improves adherence to disease-modifying drugs. Treatment with pharmacotherapy is particularly challenging given the somatic symptoms overlap between MS and depression and the increased burden of their side effects.

Aims:

To demonstrate the relationship between depression and MS.

Methods:

We report a case of depression in a 32 year old woman with MS, treated twice with bolus of metilprednisolone, taking interferon β at present. Her psychopathological symptoms have been sadness, terminal insomnia, anorexia, fatigue, social isolation, anhedonia, increased worry, pessimism, loss of self-esteem and suicidal ideation (not structured). The pharmacotherapy used to treat the depression was firstly fluoxetine and lately venlafaxine.

Results:

There has been an improvement on the patient's symptoms related both to the depression and to the MS.

Conclusions:

This case demonstrates once more, the complex relationship between those two clinical entities.
Grieving Process in Children and Adults Using Services of the Psychiatric Hospital of Petra Olympus, Katerini, Greece. Similarities - Differences
Authors: Papanikolaou K. , Voura N. , Stilopoulos L.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

The demonstration of differences in grieving process between children mourning for the parent and adults grieving for their spouse.

Method:

Sub-structured clinical interviews were given to 10 adults and 10 children using the services of the Psychiatric Hospital of Petra Olympus to evaluate their reactions and grieving process.

Discussion:

2 of the evaluated children had outbursts of cries during the sessions. This behavior was the same at home.

8 played the role of the ‘supportive adult’ to the grieving parent, not allowing themselves to express feelings of anger, grief, guilt, and fears. They didn't ask for support, in fear of becoming a burden to the rest of the family.

Their parents noticed changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, and behavior.

One child wasn't well-informed about the loss and didn't fully understand what had happened to the deceased.

As for parents, 8 asked and received medical support and medication,

whilst 2 started consuming alcohol. 6 were avoiding talking to their children and sharing their feelings, whereas 3 mentioned incapability to go on with their life.

Conclusions:

Children mourn in a different way from adults. Their grief may not be easily detected.

The proper way of informing the child, the encouragement to the expression of feelings, the living memories of their late parent and the participation in the family grieving process (both for children and adults) are not causes of further stress and anxiety but lead to a better way of resolving the grieving process, offering comfort and relief.
Prevalence of Major Depression in Barcelona Primary Care Settings: A Comparative Study Between Latinos and Native Born Patients
Authors: Pedrini E. , Sanchez F. Collazos , Qureshi A. , Valero S. , Ramos M. , Revollo H.W. , Delgadillo C.A.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Immigration to Spain is a recent but rapidly growing fenomena. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the immigrants relative to natives is an inconclusive theme, given that several studies have found contradictory results.

This study presents sociodemographic characteristics and the prevalence of mood disorders (detected with MINI) of 842 adults (411 Latinos and 431 Natives), attending primary care in the greater Barcelona metropolitan area.

Results:

Most of the sample was female (n=591; 70.2%), the mean age was 34.7 (±9.8) years, range 18-65. Significant (p< 0,001) differences were found between the two groups in: scholarization, housing, work status, income and percived social network.

The prevalence of actual major depresssive disorder (MDD) was 12.7% in the total sample, with a higer prevalence in the Latinos (n=68; 16.5%) than Natives (n=39; 9.0%); p=0.001 X2=10.57.There was no difference in total prevalences of other mood disorders between the two groups. Analysis -through logistic regression- of only those patients with complete data, (n=613; 307 Latinos and 306 Natives) showed that the probability of MDD was higer in Latinos than in Native patients (OR= 2.4; 95% CI= 1.5-4.0). After adjusting for gender and all the significantly different variables, the higer risk of MDD in Latinos disappeared (OR= 1.3; 95% CI= 0.7-2.4).

Conclusions:

From these data we can conlude that the relation between immigrant status and depression is not direct but rather mediated by disadvantaged social conditions. In further similar studies social variables should be considered.
Screening Acuracy of the Portuguese Version of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale
Authors: Pereira A. , Bos S. , Maia B. , Marques M. , Soares M.J. , Gomes A. , Valente J. , Macedo A. , Azevedo M.H.
Published: March 2009

Screening for postpartum depression has been considered essential. The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS; Beck & Gable, 2002) is a self-report instrument, composed of 35 items placed in the specific context of new maternity. The aim of the present study was to determine, for the first time, PDSS cut-off points (adjusted to the real prevalence) and associated conditional probabilities to screen for depression in the post-partum, according to DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria. Participants were 452 women, mean age=30.52 years (SD=4.176) in their third month post-partum (M=13.07 weeks post-partum; SD=1.808). All women completed the Portuguese version of the PDSS and were interviewed using the Mood disorders Section/Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. ROC analysis was applied and both cut-off points and associated conditional probabilities adjusted to the real prevalence were determined. For major depression/DSM-IV the cut-off point of 69 (prevalence - 4.0%), resulted in sensitivity of 77.8%, specificity of 86.9%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 19.7% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.9%; for depressive disorder/ICD-10 the cut-off point of 67 (prevalence - 4.9%) determined sensitivity 77.3%, specificity 85.3%, PPV 21.2%, NPV 98.6%; for mild/moderate depression with somatic syndrome or severe depression without psychotic symptoms/ICD-10 (prevalence - 2.7%) the cut-off point of 80 was associated to sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 94.3%, PPV 30.6% and NPV 99.8%.In conclusion, the Portuguese version of the PDSS revealed to be a valid instrument to screen for depression in the post-partum.

*Data for this study were drawn from a research project on Postpartum Depression and Sleep, FCT (POCI/SAU-ESP/57068/2004).
The Five Factor Model of Personality and Psychotic Symptoms in Depression
Authors: Todorovic M. , Perunicic I. , Pavkovic T.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

Five factor model of personality tends to measure basic personality structure. Some authors clam that this model is not enough to explain every psychological phenomenon and that sixth factor model is a better solution especially in prediction of psychopathology. The objective of this research is to investigate this hypothesis, whether is possible to explain psychotic symptoms in depression using the five factor model and which is a better option five or sixth model of personality in prediction depression with psychotic symptoms.

Method:

Sample consisted of 30 inpatients diagnosed depression with psychotic symptoms and 30 inpatients diagnosed depression without psychotic symptoms. Depression was assessed by ICD-X criteria and confirmed by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (21-item form) and by clinical scales from Milons Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI III). All the participants were administered Neo Pir (five factor model of personality-measures basic personality structure) and DELTA-9 (measures psychoticism proneness).

Results:

We found one statistically significant canonical function that discriminate two groups of depressed patients. This function shows that domains of sixth factor-psychoticisam better discriminate psychotic symptoms then dimensions from Neo Pir.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggested that the five factor model is not enough to explain and predict psychotic features in depression and that using a new concept of psychoticisam or six factor model of personality could be a better solution in clinical setting.
Neuroendocrine Response to Traumatic Dissociation in Patients with Unipolar Depression
Authors: Raboch J.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Dissociation is traditionally attributed to trauma and other psychological stress that are linked to dissociated traumatic memories. Although recent studies regarding neuroendocrinology of traumatic dissociation are rare, they suggest possible dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The aim of the present study is to perform examination of HPA axis functioning indexed by basal prolactin and cortisol and test their relationship to psychic and somatoform dissociative symptoms.

Design:

Clinical and laboratory study of consecutive inpatients.

Setting:

Patients treated at the university hospital, Psychiatry department of Charles University in Prague.

Participants:

40 consecutive inpatients with diagnosis of unipolar depression mean age 43.37 (SD=12.21).

Main outcome measures:

Assessment of psychic and somatoform dissociation (DES, SDQ-20), depressive symptoms (BDI-II) and basal serum prolactin and cortisol.

Results:

Data show that prolactin and cortisol as indices of HPA axis functioning manifest significant relationship to dissociative symptoms. Main results represent highly significant correlations between psychic dissociative symptoms (DES) and serum prolactin (r=0.55, p=0.0001), and relationship between somatoform dissociation (SDQ-20) and serum cortisol (r=-0.38, p=0.008).

Conclusions:

These results indicate relationship between HPA-axis reactivity and psychosocial stress as a function of dissociative symptoms in unipolar depressive patients that could reflect passive coping behavior and disengagement.
Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Ramos S. , Prata J. , Rocha-Gonçalves F. , Coelho R.
Published: March 2009

The co-occurence of depression and congestive heart failure (CHF) represents a great challenge and opportunity for those interested in exploring the complex interactions between the brain and the heart. The cumulative effect of these medical conditions has an evident effect on quality of life.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and symptoms of depression among a group of 103 adult patients with CHF recruited from an outpatient cardiology practice and determine the factors related to a poor outcome. The challenge was to identify the group of patients who are at risk of suffering from depression and poor quality of life as early as possible and try to provide them appropriate psychiatric treatment.

The results of this study lead us to suggest that an older female patient with a more severe illness (NYHA ≥ II) and renal impairment is at great risk of presenting simultaneously depressive sintomatology and poorer perception of quality of life, thus beeing a strong candidate to a very negative evolution of her cardiac condition.

These findings allow us to define a group of patients that would surely benefit from a closer psychiatric and cardiac management.

The high prevalence of depression, the complexity of managing it and the recent evidence demonstrating that depression is associated with increased morbidity and mortality suggests that is important the development of collaborative and integrative approaches combining the medical expertise and interest of psychiatrists, cardiologists and internists and the involvement of psychologists and social workers.
Life Events and Social Support During Pregnancy: Are they Related to Depressive Symptoms in Immediate Postpartum?
Authors: Incio L. Rodriguez , Gelabert E. , Bonet M. Udina , Langohr K. , García P. Navarro , de la Cruz R. Navines , García-Esteve L. , Laffon R. Martin-Santos
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Pregnancy and postpartum both imply high risk for developing psychiatric disorders in women.

Aims:

To study the relationship between life events (LE) and social support degree (SS) during pregnancy and depressive symptoms in early postpartum period.

Method:

A cross-sectional study of 309 consecutive Spanish women, evaluated the second day postpartum. They were all over 18 years old and have signed the informed consent. We excluded: illiteracy, cognitive impairment or severe medical illness, psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and decease of the newborn. We collected socio-demographic and obstetrical data, as well as family and personal psychiatric history, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), LE (Saint Paul Ramsey) and SS (DUKE-UNK).

Results:

Mean age (SD) was 31.6 (4.7). Most of women were married, had intermediated or high level of education. Sixty-one percent were primiparous. Twenty-six percent had family history and 22% had personal psychiatric history. Mean (SD) of LE was 0.95 (0.89) and of SS was 53.1 (7.6). The prevalence of depressive symptoms according to EPDS scores was 18%. This subgroup of depressed women had more psychiatric family history (p=0.046), less LE (p< 0.001) and more SS during pregnancy (p=0.048). Logistic regression analysis showed that SS was the only significant variable (OR=1.085; 95%CI=0.997-0.994; p=0.001). LE did not achieve statistical significance (OR=1.085; 95%CI=0.997-1.180; p=0.059).

Conclusions:

Low social support degree during pregnancy is associated with depressive symptoms during immediate postpartum.

This study has been done in part with grants Instituto Carlos III: G03/184, FIS: PI04178; 05/2565.
Efficacy of Pharmacotherapy and Cognitive Therapy, alone and in Combination in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Shamsaei F. , Rahimi A. , Zarabian M.K.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To assess the efficacy of pharmacotherapy (citalopram) and cognitive therapy, alone or in combination for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Methods:

This study was a randomised controlled clinical trial. We randomly assigned 120 adults with a major depressive disorder to 8-week treatment with either citalopram, cognitive therapy, or both. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed using DSM-IV criteria. Patients were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory before and after treatment.

Results:

Statistical analysis showed that cognitive therapy, pharmacotherapy, and combined therapy were effective in the treatment of depression. There was no significant difference between medication and cognitive therapy. Treatment with the cognitive therapy intervention and citalopram combined yielded better responses than treatment with citalopram or cognitive therapy alone.
Nosological Structure of Atypical Depression in Psychiatric Department
Authors: Shepenev A.
Published: March 2009

The increase of depressive disorders and wide prevalence of atypical depression (AD) (DSM-IV criteria) are relevant problems in contemporary psychiatry.

Objective:

To assess prevalence and structure of AD in psychiatric inpatients.

Material and methods:

61 women and 20 men have been evaluated. Typical and atypical symptoms of depression have been estimated with SIGH-SAD (Williams J. et al., 1991). The main group (27.2%) consisted of 18 women and 4 men at the age of 48±9 years who had more than 7 points of atypical symptoms according to SIGH-SAD. The group without atypical symptoms (comparison group) included 43 women and 16 men at the age of 50.4±12 years.

Results:

In the main group, the ratio between men and women was 1:4.5 and in the comparison group it was 1:2.7. Dysthymia predominated in the main group. Among women, it was found in 55.6% of cases and among men, 25%. Recurrent depressive disorder was in 31.8% (men - 50%, women - 22.2%). Recurrent depressive disorder was predominant diagnosis (44.6%) in comparison group (45% - women, 43.8% - men). Dysthymia has been revealed in 8.9% of cases (10% - women, 6.25% - men) in comparison group. At admission the total average score according to SIGH-SAD was 30,5±5.5 in the main group.

Conclusion:

Results show that AD among psychiatric inpatients is found in 27.2% of cases. Dysthymia is a predominant variant of affective disorders and it dominates among women.
Clinical and Demographic Characteristics and Bipolarity Features in Treatment-resistant Depression - Preliminary Results from Polish TRES-DEP Study
Authors: Dudek D. , Siwek M. , Pawłowski T. , Borowiecka-Kluza J. , Kiejna A. , Łojko D. , Kraszewski R. , Roczeń R. , Rybakowski J.K.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

The Polish multicenter Treatment Resistant Depression Project (TRES-DEP) has aimed to study a number of demographic, clinical and psychometric characteristics comparing patients with treatment-resistant (TR) and treatment non-resistant depression (TNR). Fifty patients with TR depression (group 1) and 50 patients with TNR depression (group 2) were included in this preliminary analysis.

Method:

Treatment-resistant depression was recognized on account of lack of significant improvement following at least two adequate courses of antidepressant treatment. The exclusion criteria were treatment with mood stabilizers, diagnosis of substance misuse, dementia or severe somatic disease. The presence of bipolarity features was assessed by Polish version of Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ).

Results:

Significantly more patients with TR depression compared with TNR had family history of mental disorders, especially alcohol dependence (24% vs 8%, p=0,03), had more previous depressive episodes (8.5±5.0 vs 5.1±3.8; p=0.001), and reported shorter time from the last hospitalization (14.8±26.5 vs 41.9±71.1 months, p< 0.005). Patients from group 1 significantly more frequently fulfilled MDQ criteria for bipolarity than patients from group 2 (44% vs 12%, p< 0.001). Among TR patients, MDQ-positive compared with MDQ-negative more frequently reported treatment nonadherence (41% vs 18%, p=0.055), suicidal attempts (41% vs 18%, p=0.055) and inadequate remission (100% vs 21%; p< 0.05).

Conclusion:

Our preliminary results point to clinical differences between patients with TR and TNR depression, including higher scores on bipolarity scale in TR. The features of bipolarity may be an important reason for non-response during antidepressant treatment of depression and worse clinical course and outcome.
Stress in Women with Postpartum Obsessive-compulsive Disorder: A Neuroimaging Study
Authors: Lord C. , Hall G. , Soares C.N. , Steiner C.N. , Steiner M.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

Postpartum onset of anxiety disorders, particularly of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are rarely reported in the literature although frequently observed in the clinical setting. The obsessions and compulsions focus on the newborn and create immense distress. Research on the stress response in postpartum psychiatric populations is limited and the neural and neuroendocrine correlates of postpartum OCD is unclear. Few studies investigated the brain circuitry involved in OCD, very few included women and none in the postpartum period, and none of which focus on the stress reactivity underlying network.

The purpose of this study is to examine neural activation in women with postpartum OCD as compared to healthy postpartum women in response to a stress task using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Method:

Subjects are females diagnosed with postpartum OCD and matched healthy controls. During the stress phase, fMRI is recorded to observe brain activity while subjects complete the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST), a psychological stressor. Saliva samples are obtained before and after the stressor to assess the hormonal stress response along with subjective stress rating.

Results:

To date, 9 postpartum OCD women and 10 controls completed the study. Preliminary analyses show that the majority of the subjects demonstrated an increase in subjective stress rating with postpartum OCD women experiencing the MIST more stressful compared to controls. As previously reported we observed deactivation throughout the limbic system in all subjects but only the postpartum OCD women also recruited the orbitofrontal cortex.

Conclusion:

These preliminary observations are consistent with the literature and point toward a distinct stress brain activation pattern in postpartum OCD women. It is hoped that the results of this study will provide further insight into the nature of neurophysiological and neuroendocrinological involvement in postpartum OCD.
Gender Differences in Brain Serotonin Synthesis in Individuals with Major Depressive Disorder: A A-[11C]MT Pet Imaging Study
Authors: Frey B.N. , Skelin I. , Sakai Y. , Nishikawa M. , Diksic M.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

Women are at higher risk than men to develop major depressive disorder (MDD), but the mechanisms underlying the higher risk for MDD in women are unknown. There is a wealth of data showing gender differences in brain morphology and function. In addition, preclinical studies have demonstrated reciprocal relationships between ovarian hormones and serotonin neurotransmission. Thus, gender differences in brain serotonin neurotransmission are potential underlying mechanisms. In the present study, we compared normalized α-[11C]methyl-L-tryptophan brain trapping constant (α-[11C]MTrp K*; ml/g/min), an index of serotonin synthesis, between men and women with MDD.

Method:

α-[11C]MTrp K* was measured in 25 medication-free individuals with MDD (13 females and 12 males) using positron emission tomography. Comparisons of normalized α-[11C]MTrp K* values between men and women were conducted at the voxel level using Statistical Parametric Mapping 2 (SPM2) analysis.

Results:

Women with MDD displayed significantly higher (p< 0.005) normalized α-[11C]MTrp K* than men in the inferior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), parahippocampal gyrus, precuneus and superior parietal lobule, and occipital lingual gyrus.

Conclusions:

This finding suggests that depressive women have higher serotonin synthesis in multiple regions of the prefrontal cortex and limbic system involved with mood regulation. Gender differences in brain serotonin synthesis may be associated with higher risk for MDD in women because extra levels of tissue 5-HT could create non-physiological connections influencing changes in mood.
Depression in Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Stetkiewicz A. , Goch A. , Borkowska A.
Published: March 2009

Background and aims:

Current studies showed a significant association between depression and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Depression is a significant etiopathogenetic factor of CHD and caused with worsening of the course of the illness. The aim of this study was to asses the relationship between the intensity of depressed symptoms and the course of the illness and also demographic factors.

Methods:

The group of 111 CHD patients (89 male, 22 female) aged 41-65 years (mean 55±5,6). The individuals were assessed according to the following criteria: sex, job status (working, unemployed, retired), vascular diseases in family, myocardial infarction (MI) in history, number of MI, patients with acute MI were divided according to the duration of time from the onset of MI pain (patients who passed MI within a week and above a week from the onset of MI). The intensity of depressive symptoms were assessed by subjective Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and objective Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).

Results:

The intensity of depressed symptoms in BDI was 9,9±7,5 and in HDRS 6,6±4,5. Females showed significant higher level of depression compared with males.In patients who passed MI within a week before the evaluation as compared with those whose term after MI was longer than a week the less level of depression was observed. Also active workers presented significantly less degree of depressive symptoms than pensioners.

Conclusion:

The results obtained showed the association between the intensity of depression and the more severe course of the CHD, especially in female and pension patients.

Acknowledgements:

This research was supported by grant 502-16-653 Medical University of Lodz
Influence of Depressive Disorder on Epilepsy Patients Life Quality
Authors: Suljic E. , Kucukalic A. , Loncarevic N. , Bravo-Mehmedbasic A.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Interictal depression as a co-morbid disorder can be seen among more than 40% of patients with epilepsy. Sex, epilepsy duration, type of seizures as well as applied antiepileptic drugs can cause development of depression which influence patient's life quality.

Goal:

To test relation between depressive disorders and patients sex, duration of illness, type of epileptic fits, antiepileptic therapy and life quality.

Material and methods:

Prospectively, randomly selected, we tested 300 patients with epilepsy, with or without depressive affective disorder at the Outpatient Department for Epilepsies at the Clinical Center Sarajevo. All patients answered Beck and Hamilton depression scale.

Results:

Baseline is consisded of male patients which made 54 % with the average age of 37.7 years, as well as female patients at average age 32.83 years. Depressive disorder according to the results at the Beck scale was present in 34%, and according to the Hamilton scale in 38.9%. Duration of illnesses longer than 20 years had 56% women with the expressed depressive disorder, compared to the 42% men's with depression (p< 0.01). Partial complex seizures were more often among women (p< 0.05). Carbamazepin as monotherapy was applied for more than a half of the baseline, and combined with carbamazepin significantly more frequently among men's (p< 0.0001), while female patients had significantly more often Lamotrigil.

Conclusion:

Depressive disorder is significantly more frequent among women with partial complex seizures, earlier epilepsy onset, and significantly more often on Phenobarbital therapy. Presence of depression with epilepsy significantly reduced patient's life quality.
The Study of Rearing, Coping, Attributional Style and their Relations in Depression Adolescents
Authors: Tang J. , Wang G. , Liu Z. , Shu C. , Xiao L.
Published: March 2009

Background and aims:

To explore rearing, coping, attributional style and their relations in depression adolescents.

Methods:

64 adolescents with depressive disorder and 125 normal subjects of similar age, sex were presented with self-made social demographic scale, Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran-own memories of parental rearing practices in childhood (EMBU), Children attributional style questionnaire (CASQ) and Coping style questionnaire.

Results:

1.

As to EMBU, there was a significant deficit in parental emotional warmth (p< 0.001) with depression adolescents, and whose parental punishment and strict (p< 0.05), rejection and denial (p< 0.001) were higher than normal ones.

2.

As to CASQ, the differences were significant in self-blame (p< 0.001), asking for help (p< 0.001), daydreaming (p< 0.001) and recession (p< 0.05).

3.

The difference of attributional pattern was significant (p< 0.001).

4.

Mather’ emotional warmth and rejection and denial were both related to adolescents’ coping style and attributional style.

Conclusion:

Depressive adolescents had negative coping style and attributional style, and mother’ rearing style may has relation with them.
Health-related Quality of Life in Depressed Patients: 6-month Results from the French Cohort of Finder Study
Authors: Dantchev N. , Tcherny-Lessenot S. , Goldberger C. , Hautin J.
Published: March 2009

Objectives:

to describe the impact of pain on quality of life (QoL) in patients with depression

Methods:

FINDER was a 6-month, european observational study to assess outcomes of QoL (SF36, EQ-5D), depression and anxiety (HADS), somatic (SSI) and pain (VAS) in a clinically diagnosed population initiating antidepressants.

Results:

606 patients enrolled in France by 57 psychiatrists and 46 general practitioners were 45.6±13.0 years old, 69% female and 39% have had a previous episode in the last 2 years. According to the patient rated HADS score greater than 11, 75% of patients were classified as cases for depression and 84% as cases for anxiety. 51% of patients rated their overall pain severity (based on VAS cut-off of 30) as moderate/severe, with 65% of them reporting no medical explanation for their pain.

During the 6-month follow-up, French patients improved on SF36 physical score (46.8±10.4 to 50.2±8.3) and mental score (20.2±8.6 to 40.5±12.3), EQ-5D Health State Index (0.38±0.28 to 0.75±0.27) and EQ-5D VAS (39.9±20.0 to 71.4±20.3). Patients with moderate/severe pain at baseline and patients defined as cases for depression or anxiety at baseline had poorer QoL scores on SF36 physical score, EQ-5D Health State Index, EQ-5D VAS and HADS both at baseline and over the 6 months of since treatment started.

Conclusions:

Over half of French patients of this study experienced pain associated with depression. We observed that patients experiencing a moderate/severe pain at baseline had worse outcomes on QoL and depression response than those with mild or not pain at baseline.
Online Victimization, Depression and Anxiety Among Adolescents in the us
Authors: Tynes B. , Giang M.
Published: March 2009

In the mid-1990s, the Internet was lauded for its potential to usher in an electronic global village free of race, gender and other physical indicators of difference. Recent research has shown, however, that many of the social ills that exist offline are recreated online. Adolescents experience these social ills as cyberbullying, online harassment, exposure to unwanted sexual solicitation/material and online racial prejudice. Scholars have tried to measure these experiences with questionnaires, but a standardized measure is needed in the field. In this presentation, we discuss the development of a comprehensive measure of online victimization developed to assess the nature, frequency and stress associated with these experiences. The Online Victimization Scale was administered online to 280 high school students in the US. A principal axis factor analysis was performed. The analysis yielded five factors: general victimization, sexual victimization, vicarious and group discrimination, stress, and individual discrimination. The factors accounted for 61% of the variance. Using the five factors, we examined the associations between online victimization and psychological adjustment. Online victimization was related to depression and anxiety over and above related offline victimization and stress measures.
Impact of Depressive Symptoms on the Work-life Quality of Financial Workers in China
Authors: Wang X.-L.
Published: March 2009

Depression cases have been reported among workers in the financial industries. Occupations in this industry are considered among the most stressful ones. This study aimed to examine the impact of depressive symptoms of financial workers in China on their productivity and well-being. A survey was conducted using a convenient sample of 1024 financial workers recruited from three large-scale financial organizations located in the north and south of China. The result of Hierarchical Regression Analyses shows that depressive symptoms of workers significantly impaired their work-life quality. Severity of depressive symptoms had significant positive relationships with three behavioral manifestations at works. These are, in order of decreasing effect size, turnover intention, presenteeism, and absenteeism. Specifically, depressive symptoms had a larger effect on presenteeism compared to absenteeism, which implies the unawareness or insufficient recognition of Chinese workers towards depression as an illness in comparison with other physical illnesses. Moreover, a Univariate Analysis was conducted to study the moderating effect of emotional labor on the relationship between the severity of depressive symptoms and presenteeism. An aggravating effect was found, displaying a greater damage of depressive symptoms to psychosocial functions of workers. Besides, depressive symptoms of workers also impaired their quality of life in aspects such as interpersonal relationships, life situation, and so on. This study provides evidence of impairments of depression in the workplace, urging the management to pay more attention to its employees' mental health no matter whether it is for the sake of the company's benefit or the employees' well-being.
The New Theory of Carcinogenesis - The Theory of Gene Multiple Hits
Authors: Han-You X.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

There is no report about the new theory of gene multiple hits. Which is identified through a MEDLINE search.

Result:

The result of new discovery: explanation of the gene multiple hits theory

We have known that cancer development is caused by the long time carcinogens' effects. The carcinogens include psychological, social, behavioral, emotional and spiritual issues factors and hereditary factors, et al. After all, the author may say in this way that before the cancer development, there are many different proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressive genes suffer from many different carcinogens' hits and damages, that is gene multiple hits. And finally, after the genes are hit many times by the environmental or chemical factors; biological factors; physical factors and hereditary factors, et al., the cancer are developed.

Discussion:

The major previous theory for cancer development mechanism is the gene two hits theory. It is clear that this old theory can not fully explain all the findings for cancer development mechanism. Only can the gene multiple hits theory explain fully all the scientific findings for the cancer development mechanism. Therefore, the new theory is very scientific.

Conclusion:

The significances of the gene multiple hits theory.

The new theory not only fully explain the research findings for cancer development mechanism. But also summarizes the huge lots of different scientific research findings and using the single new theory represents the whole related scientific research findings.
Prenosological Symptoms of Depression at Adolescent as Prediction of the Big Depression in the Elder
Authors: Elena M. , Irina Z.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that the risk of occurrence of depressions increases in the period between adolescent and adult ages. The current research described the most frequent subdepressive's symptoms.The aim was to analyze the importance of subclinical depressive symptoms as risk factors of the future depression.

Methods:

There were 37 adolescent investigated of 13-18 years old, 9 of them were 18 years old. Symptoms of depression were measured by Beck's test. Also the frequency of separate depressive's symptoms with the Hamilton's test was considered: mood lowering, normal activity decrease, psychomotor torpidity, guilt feelings, attention deficit, fatigue, learning problems, reduction of socializing communications, sleep and appetite disorders, suicide thoughts.

Results:

The research demonstrated that 16 participants had subdepressive disorders with 9 points of Beck's test. 11 adolescent (13-17 year old) and 9 (18 year old) corresponded 19 points on Beck's test. The later were mostly predisposed to depression.

Conclusions:

The conducted study pointed out that sudepressive symptoms which didn't meet the criteria of a big depression could be considered as a predictable factors of depressive disorders in the old year age.
Possibilities of Using Electroencephalography in Cerebral Dominance Study
Authors: Danoiu S. , Danoiu M.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to distinguish electroencephalographic possible typical features at left handed children as against to right children, and also to find out possible range aspects which can suggests the central dominance for language.

Method:

Electroencephalographic (EEG) band was recorded on an EEG device (Pegasus Digital EEG-EMS GmbH - Austria) according to the international standards.

Subjects:

Sample I: 8 left handed children (av. 9.38 SD 3.53 yrs); Sample II: 18 right handed children (av. 11.06 SD 2.48 yrs).

Using the data obtained by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), we performed comparisons regarding the index, and the average frequency for delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands. The comparisons was performed for each subject, for each band, and pair of electrode between left and right hemisphere, between left and right children for every electrode, and for the two hemispheres.

Results:

We have found significant differences on EEG features between left and right children regarding both index, and frequency of the main cerebral rhythm, the most meaningful been at alpha, and beta rhythms. For instance the beta frequency was higher on the left recordings, mostly at right children, where seven of the electrode pairs presents significant differences.

Conclusions:

In contrast with classical, and virtual analysis the Digital EEG, and FFT test is a method that can be useful to study the cerebral dominance. The advantage of this method pleads the fact that firstly it is a noninvasive method, and despite other sophisticated functional techniques remains the most inexpensive.
Neuroimage in Psychiatry - What Can we See?
Authors: Mateus M. , Silva C. , Nogueiro O. , Redondo J.
Published: March 2009

In the 20th century, scientists attempted to limitate the workings of the mind onto the brain by detailing its anatomy and physiology. The task of localizing function, however, has proven to be very difficult than initially presumed, with almoust all regions of the brain subserving a variety of processes and having only loose coupling of structure and function. As we know, the majority of neuropsychological tests and the brain capacities they tap lack brain regional specificity. This is a complex and sophisticated problem, that gets much worse in the brain that is compounded significantly by damage or disease. However, in the past two decades, neuroimaging has rekindled and renewed enthusiasm for unraveling brain function. Recent studies of cerebral image show “in vivo” what had already been proven in the laboratory: there are multiples neuroquimical changes in cortical and subcortical areas of the brain in psychiatric patients.

Amongst the many techniques and technologies that have been developed, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has proven to be one of the most exciting and perhaps the most used. It has permitted unprecedented access to the living brain. The authors propose to do a brief review on the late descoverys and studys that have been done with neuroimage.