Noradrenergic and serotonergic drugs may have opposing effects on COVID-19 cytokine storm and associated psychological effects

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), has quickly reached pandemic proportions. Cytokine profiles observed in COVID-19 patients have revealed increased levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α and increased NF-κB pathway activity. Recent evidence has shown that the upregulation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway is associated with inflammation, resulting in a cytokine storm in ARDS (acute respire distress syndrome) and especially in COVID-19 patients. Several studies have shown that the WNT/β-catenin pathway interacts with PPARγ in an opposing interplay in numerous diseases. Furthermore, recent studies have highlighted the interesting role of PPARγ agonists as modulators of inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs through the targeting of the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV2 infection presents a decrease in the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) associated with the upregulation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway. SARS-Cov2 may invade human organs besides the lungs through the expression of ACE2. Evidence has highlighted the fact that PPARγ agonists can increase ACE2 expression, suggesting a possible role for PPARγ agonists in the treatment of COVID-19. This review therefore focuses on the opposing interplay between the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway and PPARγ in SARS-CoV2 infection and the potential beneficial role of PPARγ agonists in this context.

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Serotonin suppresses slow oscillations by activating somatostatin interneurons via the 5-HT2A receptor

10.1101/2020.05.26.113373 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Roberto De Filippo ◽

Benjamin R. Rost ◽

Alexander Stumpf ◽

Claire Cooper ◽

John J. Tukker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Slow Wave Sleep ◽

Cortical Network ◽

Psychological Effects ◽

Network Activity ◽

Slow Oscillations ◽

Physiological Processes ◽

Electrophysiological Recordings ◽

Serotonergic Drugs ◽

The Brain

AbstractSerotonin (5-HT) affects multiple physiological processes in the brain and is involved in a number of psychiatric disorders. 5-HT axons reach all cortical areas; however, the precise mechanism by which 5-HT modulates cortical network activity is not yet fully understood. We investigated the effects of 5-HT on slow oscillations (SO), a synchronized cortical network activity universally present across species. SO are observed during slow-wave sleep and anesthesia and are considered the default cortical activity pattern. Combining opto- and pharmacogenetic manipulations with electrophysiological recordings, we discovered that 5-HT inhibits SO within the entorhinal cortex (EC) by activating somatostatin-expressing (Som) interneurons via the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR). This receptor is involved in the etiology of different psychiatric disorders and mediates the psychological effects of many psychoactive serotonergic drugs, suggesting that 5-HT targeting of Som interneurons may play an important role in these processes.

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The Effect of Suicide-Related Internet Use on Users’ Mental Health

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000201 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 348-353 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Hajime Sueki

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Internet Use ◽

Panel Study ◽

Psychological Effects ◽

The Internet ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Suicide Methods ◽

Internet Users

Background: Previous studies have shown that suicide-related Internet use can have both negative and positive psychological effects. Aims: This study examined the effect of suicide-related Internet use on users’ suicidal ideation, depression/anxiety tendency, and loneliness. Method: A two-wave panel study of 850 Internet users was conducted via the Internet. Results: Suicide-related Internet use (e.g., browsing websites about suicide methods) had negative effects on suicidal ideation and depression/anxiety tendency. No forms of suicide-related Internet use, even those that would generally be considered positive, were found to decrease users’ suicidal ideation. In addition, our results suggest that the greater the suicidal ideation and feelings of depression and loneliness of Internet users, the more they used the Internet. Conclusion: Since suicide-related Internet use can adversely influence the mental health of young adults, it is necessary to take measures to reduce their exposure to such information.

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Affirmative Action and Leadership Attitudes in Brazilian Women Managers

Journal of Personnel Psychology ◽

10.1027/1866-5888/a000039 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 139-143 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Gazi Islam ◽

Sarah E. S. Zilenovsky

Keyword(s):

Affirmative Action ◽

Latin American ◽

Women Managers ◽

Psychological Effects ◽

Preferential Selection ◽

Justice Perceptions ◽

First Time ◽

The Relationship

This note examines the relationship between affirmative action (AA) program perceptions and women’s self-ascribed capacity and desire to become leaders. We propose that women who believe that their organization implements a program of preferential selection toward women will experience negative psychological effects leading to lowered self-expectations for leadership, but that this effect will be moderated by their justice perceptions of AA programs. We test this proposition empirically for the first time with a Latin American female sample. Among Brazilian women managers, desire but not self-ascribed capacity to lead was reduced when they believed an AA policy was in place. Both desire’s and capacity’s relationships with belief in an AA policy were moderated by justice perceptions.

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