scholarly journals The Role of HPA Axis and Allopregnanolone on the Neurobiology of Major Depressive Disorders and PTSD

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5495
Author(s):  
Felipe Borges Almeida ◽  
Graziano Pinna ◽  
Helena Maria Tannhauser Barros
Keyword(s):  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Physiological Adaptations ◽  
Suppression Test ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders ◽  
Cortisol Release

Under stressful conditions, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis acts to promote transitory physiological adaptations that are often resolved after the stressful stimulus is no longer present. In addition to corticosteroids (e.g., cortisol), the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone, 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one) participates in negative feedback mechanisms that restore homeostasis. Chronic, repeated exposure to stress impairs the responsivity of the HPA axis and dampens allopregnanolone levels, participating in the etiopathology of psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDD and PTSD patients present abnormalities in the HPA axis regulation, such as altered cortisol levels or failure to suppress cortisol release in the dexamethasone suppression test. Herein, we review the neurophysiological role of allopregnanolone both as a potent and positive GABAergic neuromodulator but also in its capacity of inhibiting the HPA axis. The allopregnanolone function in the mechanisms that recapitulate stress-induced pathophysiology, including MDD and PTSD, and its potential as both a treatment target and as a biomarker for these disorders is discussed.

scholarly journals Reduced Energy Per Cycle, a Marker of Glutamatergic Synaptic Strength, in Individuals Diagnosed with PTSD and Depression

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynnette Averill ◽  
Lihong Jiang ◽  
Prerana Purohit ◽  
Anastasia Coppoli ◽  
Christopher Averill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Synaptic Strength ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders

Trauma and chronic stress are believed to induce and exacerbate psychopathology by disrupting glutamate synaptic connectivity. In this pilot study, we utilized energy-per-cycle (EPC), a novel putative biomarker of glutamatergic synaptic strength, to investigate the role of prefrontal neurotransmission in trauma psychopathology. Healthy control (n=18) and patients with comorbid posttraumatic stress and major depressive disorders (PTSD+MDD; n=16) completed 13C-acetate magnetic resonance spectroscopy scans to estimate prefrontal EPC, which is the ratio of neuronal energetic needs per glutamate neurotransmission cycle (VTCA/VCycle). Patients with PTSD+MDD were found to have 28% reduction in prefrontal EPC (t=3.0; df=32, p=0.005). There was no effect of sex on EPC, but age was negatively associated with prefrontal EPC across groups (r=-0.46, n=34, p=0.006). Controlling for age did not affect the study results. Exploratory analyses found antidepressants to have statistically significant effects (F(2,30)=5.3, p=0.01), with the lowest EPC in the unmedicated PTSD+MDD participants (p=0.003). Patients with comorbid PTSD and MDD have reduced prefrontal glutamatergic synaptic strength, as estimated by EPC. Antidepressant treatment appears to partially normalize the prefrontal EPC deficits. These findings suggest that reduced glutamatergic synaptic strength may contribute to the pathophysiology of comorbid PTSD and MDD and might be targeted by novel treatments.

scholarly journals Plasma concentrations of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) in Patients with Substance Use Disorders and Comorbid Major Depressive Disorders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Torres Galván ◽  
María Flóres López ◽  
Pablo Romero Sanchíz ◽  
Nerea Requena Ocaña ◽  
Oscar Porras Perales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor ◽  
Colony Stimulating Factor ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders ◽  
Stimulating Factor

Abstract Aims: Granulocyte colony–stimulating factor (G-CSF) has raised much interest due to its role to cocaine addiction in preclinical models. We analyzed the circulating expression of G-CSF in abstinent chronic users of alcohol and/or cocaine with or without comorbid major depressive disorders to investigate the role of this trophic factor with complicated substance use disorders.Methods: We recruited 176 patients and 136 controls. Patients were divided in 50 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 126 abstinent substance use disorders (SUD) patients undergoing treatments for alcohol (N=66) or cocaine (N=60) addiction according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. A blood sample was collected to examine plasma concentrations of G-CSF.Results: The plasma concentrations of G-CSF were significantly decreased in the cocaine group compared with the SUD control group. There was a sex dimorphism in the alcohol group, with lower G-CSF concentrations in women compared with men. Plasma concentrations of G-CSF were associated with abstinence and with the length of alcohol problems. The decrease in G-CSF was associated with comorbid MDD, a finding specific for SUD patients since there were no alterations of G-CSF primary settings MDD outpatients.Conclusions: Circulating G-CSF is reduced in SUD patients, being associated to comorbid MDD. A sex-dependent effect was observed in female AUD. Plasma G-CSF concentrations might be used as a predictor of length of chronic alcohol use and as a stratification role in the dual diagnosis in SUD. Further investigation is needed to explore the role of G-CSF as potential biomarker of pathogenic/prognosis in SUD population.

scholarly journals Anticonvulsant effects of desvenlafaxine on modulating brain monoamine and oxidative stress in mice

2023 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Saad Alharbi
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Maximal Electroshock ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders ◽  
Brain Monoamine ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Abstract Desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS) inhibits serotonin reuptake selectively and is approved for major depressive disorders. This research investigated influence of DVS on modulating brain monoamine and oxidative stress in mice. The antiepileptic potential of DVS (10, 20, or 30 mg/kg/i.p.) in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ; 85 mg/kg) with i.p. route of administration, strychnine (STR; 75 mg/kg) with i.p. route, pilocarpine (400 mg/kg) with s.c. route and maximal electroshock MES-induced convulsion in mouse models. The activities of oxidative stress, i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) as well as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brains of PTZ-induced convulsive mice. Treatment with DVS increased the latency to develop siezures and declined mortalities in rodents against PTZ, STR and pilocarpine-induced convulsions. Results of MES-leaded siezures revealed that DVS reduced tonic hind limb extension duration and mortalities significantly. Brain, SOD, GSH and GABA level were significantly (P<0.01) increased and LPO reduced significantly (P<0.01) after DVS treatment. Furthermore, the DVS did not show any motor coordination signs in the rotarod test. We demonstrated that the role of DVS in convulsion genesis in mice under control condition and attenuate the PTZ-induced oxidative damage.

scholarly journals The Role of Intelligence Quotient as a Risk Factor for Depression: a Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-54
Author(s):  
Bella Sagita Pratiwi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Intelligence Quotient ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Cure Rate ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Psychomotor Disorders ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders

A B S T R A C TDepression is a mood disorder with general characteristics in the form of changes insleep patterns and appetite, psychomotor disorders, concentration problems,anhedonia, fatigue, hopelessness and helplessness, and suicidal ideation. If thedepressive disorder goes on for a long time (dysthymia), the person is suggested to bemoody, lazy, or withdrawn from relationships because he loses interest in almost allaspects of his life. Depression is a psychiatric disorder that is often found with aprevalence of around 15%. In general, the onset of major depressive disorders is atthe age of 20 to 50 years, but the most often is at the age of 40 years. Cognitive playsa role in the aetiology and prognosis of someone with depression. The higher thecognitive level of a person, the more it will affect the cure rate and prevent recurrencein someone experiencing psychiatric disorders. This literature review will explain therole of intelligence quotient in depressive disorders.

scholarly journals Development of a Nomogram for Predicting Depression in the Elderly Using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 among a Nationwide Sample of Korean Elderly

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 645
Author(s):  
Haewon Byeon
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Subjective Health Status ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Moderate Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders

This cross-sectional study developed a nomogram that could allow medical professionals in the primary care setting to easily and visually confirm high-risk groups of depression. This study analyzed 4011 elderly people (≥60 years old) who completed a health survey, blood pressure, physical measurement, blood test, and a standardized depression screening test. A major depressive disorder was measured using the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). This study built a model for predicting major depressive disorders using logistic regression analysis to understand the relationship of each variable with major depressive disorders. In the result, the prevalence of depression measured by PHQ-9 was 6.8%. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the major depressive disorder of the elderly living alone was significantly (p < 0.05) related to monthly mean household income, the mean frequency of having breakfast per week for the past year, moderate-intensity physical activity, subjective level of stress awareness, and subjective health status. The results of this study implied that it would be necessary to continuously monitor these complex risk factors such as household income, skipping breakfast, moderate-intensity physical activity, subjective stress, and subjective health status to prevent depression among older adults living in the community.

scholarly journals Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of depressive symptoms, dysthymia and major depressive disorders among homeless people

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e040061
Author(s):  
Getinet Ayano ◽  
Asmare Belete ◽  
Bereket Duko ◽  
Light Tsegay ◽  
Berihun Assefa Dachew
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders

ObjectivesTo assess the global prevalence estimates of depressive symptoms, dysthymia and major depressive disorders (MDDs) among homeless people.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesDatabases including PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched up to February 2020 to identify relevant studies that have reported data on the prevalence of depressive symptoms, dysthymia and MDDs among homeless people.Eligibility criteriaOriginal epidemiological studies written in English that addressed the prevalence of depressive problems among homeless people.Data extraction and synthesisA random-effect meta-analysis was performed to pool the prevalence estimated from individual studies. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were employed to compare the prevalence across the groups as well as to identify the source of heterogeneities. The Joanna Briggs Institute’s quality assessment checklist was used to measure the study quality. Cochran’s Q and the I2 test were used to assess heterogeneity between the studies.ResultsForty publications, including 17 215 participants, were included in the final analysis. This meta-analysis demonstrated considerably higher prevalence rates of depressive symptoms 46.72% (95% CI 37.77% to 55.90%), dysthymia 8.25% (95% CI 4.79% to 11.86%), as well as MDDs 26.24% (95% CI 21.02% to 32.22%) among homeless people. Our subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms was high among younger homeless people (<25 years of age), whereas the prevalence of MDD was high among older homeless people (>50 years of age) when compared with adults (25–50 years).ConclusionThis review showed that nearly half, one-fourth and one-tenth of homeless people are suffering from depressive symptoms, dysthymia and MDDs, respectively, which are notably higher than the reported prevalence rates in the general population. The findings suggest the need for appropriate mental health prevention and treatment strategies for this population group.

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