In patients with major depressive disorders, depression, stress axis activity and problem solving skills as a proxy of executive functions are unrelated

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S524-S524
Author(s):  
S. Brand ◽  
M. Hatzinger ◽  
U.M. Hemmeter ◽  
D. Sadeghi Bahmani ◽  
E. Holsboer-Trachsler
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Cortisol Secretion ◽  
Transfer Performance ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Cognitive Information ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders ◽  
Over Time

IntroductionMajor depressive disorders (MDD) are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders worldwide. While there is abundant literature showing that an increased cortisol secretion, understood as a proxy of the deteriorated hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity (HPA AA), and poor cognitive performance are tightly related, less is known as regards to the HPA AA and higher cognitive information processes such as problem solving.AimsInvestigating the association between cortisol secretion and problem solving performance among patients with MDD.MethodsFifteen inpatients with MDD (HDRS > 24; mean age: 59 years; 80% females) underwent a pharmacologic HPA AA challenge both at baseline and six weeks later to assess the cortisol secretion. They were treated with standard antidepressants at therapeutic dosages. Further, they learned how to solve the Tower-of-Hanoi problem-solving task (ToH-PS-T) and how to apply the problem solving strategy to other tasks (transfer). Testing occurred both at baseline and six weeks later. Outcome variables were symptoms of depression, cortisol secretion and the performance to transfer the acquired ToH-PS-T.ResultsBoth symptoms of depression and cortisol secretion decreased over time, and transfer performance increased over time. Neither at baseline nor six weeks later, symptoms of depression, transfer performance and cortisol secretion were statistically related.ConclusionsThe pattern of results suggests that cortisol secretion as a proxy of physiological stress regulation, symptoms of depression, and higher order cognitive performances seem unrelated. Given that cognitive information processing performance substantively increased regardless from depression and cortisol secretion, problem-solving skills need to be focused separately.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals To evaluate the efficacy of Brahmi Ghrita in the management of Vishada (depression)

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pravin Mali
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intellectual Ability ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders ◽  
The Subject

Depressed mood, helplessness, worthlessness and hopelessness were the symptoms present in more than 95% of the subjects. 33 subjects displaying the symptoms of Vishada (Depression) within the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Subjects with suicidal tendencies, other psychiatric disorders, major depressive disorders, and pregnant women were excluded. A dose of 6 grams of Brahmi  Ghrita was given twice a day. The effect of the therapy was assessed using Hamilton’s Depression Rating Scale, and Self prepared. Rating Scale of Vishada, based on the scoring achieved by the subject before and after treatment. The result of the study can be summarized as follows - the overall effect of the therapy proves that after thirty days of treatment many symptoms of depression decrease in magnitude, with statistical significance. The drugs present in Brahmi  Ghrita are Srotoshodhaka  and medhya (purify the channels of the body and improves intellectual ability), Vatanulomaka ( corrects the direction of the flow of vata), Vatahara (reduce the level of Vata present in the body), and stimulant in nature. These properties inherently remove the avarana of Kapha and act on Vata. At this juncture, we can conclude that Brahmi  Ghrita has good results in managing Vishada (Depression), within thirty days of treatment.

Psychological Interventions for Cognitive Dysfunction in Major Depressive Disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 241-256
Author(s):  
Claudia Woolf ◽  
Loren Mowszowski ◽  
Sharon Naismith
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Neuropsychological Impairment ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Neuropsychological Dysfunction ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Full Remission ◽  
Affective Symptoms ◽  
Major Depressive Disorders

Major depressive disorders (MDD) are common and disabling, and are linked to functional impairment and increased mortality. While current treatments for MDD are moderately effective, ultimately up to one-third of patients do not achieve full remission. Interestingly, while affective symptoms of depression resolve with the resolution of a depressive episode, cognitive or neuropsychological impairment persists, and has been identified as one of the most prominent predictors of ongoing disability, reduced quality of life, and illness recurrence. Yet available treatments in MDD do not typically address neuropsychological dysfunction. Cognitive training, however, despite a small and heterogeneous evidence base, represents a promising and novel therapeutic intervention for neuropsychological impairment in MDD, which may yield neuropsychological, affective, and functional benefits.

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 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.

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