scholarly journals N-Acetylcysteine for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: A Review of Current Evidence

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Liang Ooi ◽  
Ruth Green ◽  
Sok Cheon Pak
Keyword(s):  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Adjunctive Therapy ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions

N-acetylcysteine, a sulphur-containing amino acid for the treatment of paracetamol overdose and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a widely available off-the-shelf oral antioxidant supplement in many countries. With the potential to modulate several neurological pathways, including glutamate dysregulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation that can be beneficial to the brain functions, N-acetylcysteine is being explored as an adjunctive therapy for many psychiatric conditions. This narrative review synthesises and presents the current evidence from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and latest clinical trials on N-acetylcysteine for addiction and substance abuse, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and mood disorders. Good evidence exists to support the use of N-acetylcysteine as an adjunct treatment to reduce the total and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. N-acetylcysteine also appears to be effective in reducing craving in substance use disorders, especially for the treatment of cocaine and cannabis use among young people, in addition to preventing relapse in already abstinent individuals. Effects of N-acetylcysteine on obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, as well as on mood disorders, remain unclear with mixed reviews, even though promising evidence does exist. Larger and better-designed studies are required to further investigate the clinical effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in these areas. Oral N-acetylcysteine is safe and well tolerated without any considerable adverse effects. Current evidence supports its use as an adjunctive therapy clinically for psychiatric conditions, administered concomitantly with existing medications, with a recommended dosage between 2000 and 2400 mg/day.

EMDR as therapy for conditions other than PTSD: a systematic review.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Scelles ◽  
LUIS CARLO BULNES
Keyword(s):  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Adult Personality ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
Research Criteria ◽  
Positive Effect

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment for post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD). The technique is known to stimulate the capacity to reprocess maladaptive memoriesthat are thought to be central to this pathology. Here we investigate if EMDR therapy can be used in otherconditions than PTSD. We conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Wesearched for published empirical findings on EMDR, excluding those centred on trauma and PTSD,published up to 2020. The results were classified by psychiatric categories.   Ninety articles met our research criteria. A positive effect was reported in addictions, somatoformdisorders, sexual dysfunction, eating disorder, disorders of adult personality, mood disorders, reaction tosevere stress, anxiety disorders, performance anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), pain,neurodegenerative disorders, paedopsychiatry and sleep. The evidence was more consistent in pain, OCD,mood disorders, and reaction to severe stress.EMDR’s efficiency across numerous pathological situations, highlighted the central role of affectivememory in several psychiatric and non-psychiatric conditions. Furthermore, EMDR seems to besuccessful in usually uncooperative (e.g. Dementia) or unproductive cases (e.g. aphasia). Moreover, insome severe medical situations were psychologic distress was an obstacle, EMDR allowed thecontinuation of treatment-as-usual. Our review suggests that it is a safe and economical therapeuticoption, and its effect in non-pathological situations opens new avenues for translational research. Overallmore methodologically rigorous studies are needed.

A family study of obsessive compulsive, eating and mood disorders

1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Pasquale ◽  
G Sciuto ◽  
S Cocchi ◽  
P Ronchi ◽  
L Bellodi
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Family Study ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Familial Risk ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Eating ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
Morbidity Risks

SummaryWe calculated Morbidity Risks (MR%) for the major psychiatric conditions in the families of three groups of patients, affected by Eating Disorders (ED; n = 41), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD; n = 70) and Mood Disorders (MD; n = 39). Our aim was to verify the hypothesis of a common familial pattern of aggregation. Familial risk of developing OCD was significantly increased in the families of OCD probands. Homotypic cases were also augmented in ED and MD families with respect to the rates of the general population, although without statistical significance in the crosswise comparisons. These results confirm the existence of a genetic susceptibility to the development of OCD.

scholarly journals Interoception and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura B. Bragdon ◽  
Goi Khia Eng ◽  
Amanda Belanger ◽  
Katherine A. Collins ◽  
Emily R. Stern
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Symptom Dimensions ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Bodily Sensations ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
New Treatment

Disrupted interoceptive processes are present in a range of psychiatric conditions, and there is a small but growing body of research on the role of interoception in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this review, we outline dimensions of interoception and review current literature on the processing of internal bodily sensations within OCD. Investigations in OCD utilizing objective measures of interoception are limited and results mixed, however, the subjective experience of internal bodily sensations appears to be atypical and relate to specific patterns of symptom dimensions. Further, neuroimaging investigations suggest that interoception is related to core features of OCD, particularly sensory phenomena and disgust. Interoception is discussed in the context of treatment by presenting an overview of existing interventions and suggesting how modifications aimed at better targeting interoceptive processes could serve to optimize outcomes. Interoception represents a promising direction for multi-method research in OCD, which we expect, will prove useful for improving current interventions and identifying new treatment targets.

scholarly journals Psychotic Disorders

Psychology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah J. Walder ◽  
Marta Statucka ◽  
Maureen Daly ◽  
Beril Yaffe
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Functional Neuroimaging ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Psychotic Features

The term “psychotic disorders” refers to a broad conceptualization of conditions including primary psychoses, such as schizophrenia and psychotic mood disorders, other disorders that are sometimes marked by psychotic features (e.g., borderline personality disorder, body dysmorphic disorder), and secondary psychotic disorders due to medical conditions or substances (e.g., alcohol withdrawal delirium). As addressed in Ketter, et al. 2004 (“Psychotic Bipolar Disorders: Dimensionally Similar to or Categorically Different from Schizophrenia?,” cited in the Debate of Dimensional versus Categorical), controversy regarding relationships among mood disorders (particularly bipolar and depressive disorders with psychotic features) and schizophrenia is ongoing. The authors argue that while the respective dimensional (e.g., psychotic bipolar disorder as intermediate between non-psychotic bipolar and schizophrenia spectrum disorders) versus categorical debate persists, a mixed dimensional/categorical approach may best help elucidate pathophysiology and treatment options. Schizophrenia, specifically, is a severe and persistent form of mental illness often marked by positive symptoms (such as excesses and distortions in thoughts and sensory/perceptual experiences such as hallucinations and delusions), negative symptoms (behavioral deficits such as avolition, asociality, anhedonia, blunted affect, and alogia), disorganized symptoms (such as disorganized speech and behavior), movement symptoms (or grossly abnormal psychomotor behavior such as catatonia), and impairments in cognition (such as memory and frontal/executive functions that include, for example, planning ability and initiation). Kring, et al. 2014 (Abnormal Psychology, cited under the Schizophrenia Spectrum) provides an excellent introductory-level overview of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. The etiological (or causal) basis of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders remains not wholly determined. Prevailing theories, however, ascribe to a diathesis-stress model, whereby biological factors (e.g., predispositions such as genetic liability) are believed to interact with adverse environmental factors (e.g., obstetric complications; adverse, stressful life events) over the course of development toward the manifestation of illness. This article offers a historical perspective of psychotic disorders, a review of etiological/theoretical models, a description of illness epidemiology and issues pertaining to sex differences and comorbidity, an outline of diagnostic considerations, a description of the schizophrenia spectrum, an examination of available assessment tools, the role of cognition/social cognition, a review of current evidence of neurobiological disruptions in psychosis (e.g., genetics, structural and functional neuroimaging, hormones, neurotransmitters, other aspects of maldevelopment in the central nervous system), other laboratory markers (e.g., perceptual and attentional abnormalities, smooth-pursuit eye movement dysfunction), environmental factors (such as stress, toxins, and familial-expressed emotion), the importance of gene-environment interactions in psychotic disorders, and, finally, current directions pertaining to prevention and treatment (pharmacological and psychosocial). While various psychotic-related disorders are addressed, this article focuses on the schizophrenia spectrum.

Diet and Neurocognition in Mood Disorders - An Overview of the Overlooked

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (20) ◽  
pp. 2353-2362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicent Balanzá-Martínez ◽  
Flavio M. Shansis ◽  
Amparo Tatay-Manteiga ◽  
Pilar López-García
Keyword(s):  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Clinical Staging ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽  
Neurocognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
Lifestyle Choices ◽  
Cognitive Benefits

Bipolar disorder and major depression are associated with significant disability, morbidity, and reduced life expectancy. People with mood disorders have shown higher ratios of unhealthy lifestyle choices, including poor diet quality and suboptimal nutrition. Diet and nutrition impact on brain /mental health, but cognitive outcomes have been less researched in psychiatric disorders. Neurocognitive dysfunction is a major driver of social dysfunction and a therapeutic target in mood disorders, although effective cognitive-enhancers are currently lacking. This narrative review aimed to assess the potential cognitive benefits of dietary and nutritional interventions in subjects diagnosed with mood disorders. Eight clinical trials with nutrients were identified, whereas none involved dietary interventions. Efficacy to improve select cognitive deficits has been reported, but results are either preliminary or inconsistent. Methodological recommendations for future cognition trials in the field are advanced. Current evidence and future views are discussed from the perspectives of precision medicine, clinical staging, nutritional psychiatry, and the brain-gut-microbiota axis.

Sex Differences in Anxiety Disorders

2019 ◽  
pp. 404-432
Author(s):  
Teresa A. Piggott ◽  
Alexandra N. Duran ◽  
Isha Jalnapurkar ◽  
Tyler Kimm ◽  
Stephanie Linscheid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
Psychosocial Influences ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
The Impact

Women are more likely than men to meet lifetime criteria for an anxiety disorder. Moreover, anxiety is a risk factor for the development of other psychiatric conditions, including major depression. Numerous studies have identified evidence of sex differences in anxiety disorders, and there is considerable research concerning factors that may contribute to vulnerability for anxiety in females. In addition to psychosocial influences, biological components such as the female reproductive hormone cycle have also been implicated. Although psychotropic medication is more likely to be prescribed to women, there is little controlled data available concerning sex differences in the efficacy and/or tolerability of pharmacotherapy in anxiety disorders. This chapter provides an overview of the impact of gender in the epidemiology, phenomenology, course, and treatment response in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder (PD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

scholarly journals An Emerging Syndemic of Smoking and Cardiopulmonary Diseases in People Living with HIV in Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3111
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Peprah ◽  
Mari Armstrong-Hough ◽  
Stephanie H. Cook ◽  
Barbara Mukasa ◽  
Jacquelyn Y. Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Evidence ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Disease ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Living With Hiv

Background: African countries have the highest number of people living with HIV (PWH). The continent is home to 12% of the global population, but accounts for 71% of PWH globally. Antiretroviral therapy has played an important role in the reduction of the morbidity and mortality rates for HIV, which necessitates increased surveillance of the threats from pernicious risks to which PWH who live longer remain exposed. This includes cardiopulmonary comorbidities, which pose significant public health and economic challenges. A significant contributor to the cardiopulmonary comorbidities is tobacco smoking. Indeed, globally, PWH have a 2–4-fold higher utilization of tobacco compared to the general population, leading to endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis that result in cardiopulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease. In the context of PWH, we discuss (1) the current trends in cigarette smoking and (2) the lack of geographically relevant data on the cardiopulmonary conditions associated with smoking; we then review (3) the current evidence on chronic inflammation induced by smoking and the potential pathways for cardiopulmonary disease and (4) the multifactorial nature of the syndemic of smoking, HIV, and cardiopulmonary diseases. This commentary calls for a major, multi-setting cohort study using a syndemics framework to assess cardiopulmonary disease outcomes among PWH who smoke. Conclusion: We call for a parallel program of implementation research to promote the adoption of evidence-based interventions, which could improve health outcomes for PWH with cardiopulmonary diseases and address the health inequities experienced by PWH in African countries.

scholarly journals Current Evidence and Future Perspectives on the Effective Practice of Patient-Centered Laboratory Medicine

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike J Hallworth ◽  
Paul L Epner ◽  
Christoph Ebert ◽  
Corinne R Fantz ◽  
Sherry A Faye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Laboratory Medicine ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Current Utilization ◽  
Measures Of Effectiveness ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Primary Measure

AbstractBACKGROUNDSystematic evidence of the contribution made by laboratory medicine to patient outcomes and the overall process of healthcare is difficult to find. An understanding of the value of laboratory medicine, how it can be determined, and the various factors that influence it is vital to ensuring that the service is provided and used optimally.CONTENTThis review summarizes existing evidence supporting the impact of laboratory medicine in healthcare and indicates the gaps in our understanding. It also identifies deficiencies in current utilization, suggests potential solutions, and offers a vision of a future in which laboratory medicine is used optimally to support patient care.SUMMARYTo maximize the value of laboratory medicine, work is required in 5 areas: (a) improved utilization of existing and new tests; (b) definition of new roles for laboratory professionals that are focused on optimizing patient outcomes by adding value at all points of the diagnostic brain-to-brain cycle; (c) development of standardized protocols for prospective patient-centered studies of biomarker clinical effectiveness or extraanalytical process effectiveness; (d) benchmarking of existing and new tests in specified situations with commonly accepted measures of effectiveness; (e) agreed definition and validation of effectiveness measures and use of checklists for articles submitted for publication. Progress in these areas is essential if we are to demonstrate and enhance the value of laboratory medicine and prevent valuable information being lost in meaningless data. This requires effective collaboration with clinicians, and a determination to accept patient outcome and patient experience as the primary measure of laboratory effectiveness.

scholarly journals Mood disorders and violence: a new focus

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Oakley ◽  
Fiona Hynes ◽  
Tom Clark
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Psychiatric Disorder ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Public Concern ◽  
Violent Behaviour ◽  
People With Mental Illness

SummaryViolent behaviour in people with a psychiatric disorder causes great public concern and leads to stigma for people with mental illness. There is good evidence for a correlation between schizophrenia and increased rates of violence but any association between mood disorders and violence has been comparatively overlooked. It appears that there may be more evidence relating mood disorders and violence than many clinicians realise. This article highlights the difficulties in assessing this, summarises what is known and discusses what this means for clinical practice.

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