scholarly journals Upregulation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Patients With Mental Illness Not Using Psychotropic Medication

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hedda Soloey-Nilsen ◽  
Kristin Nygaard-Odeh ◽  
Magnhild Gangsoey Kristiansen ◽  
Ole Lars Brekke ◽  
Tom Eirik Mollnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychotropic Medication ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Symptom Clusters ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Inflammatory Biomarker ◽  
Hs Crp ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Serum Bdnf

Abstract BackgroundThere is evidence that brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) plays a protective role in the brain. Peripheral levels of BDNF correlate with its concentration in the brain. Previous studies have revealed lower serum BDNF levels in patients with mental illnesses. In most studies serum BDNF correlates negatively with psychiatric disorders and disease severity. Most studies in this field are on psychiatric diagnosis and personality traits. The aim of our study is to explore associations between general psychiatric symptoms, independent of diagnostic groups, and serum BDNF as well as the inflammatory biomarker high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP). Comparison between the group regularly using psychotropic medication and those not using psychotropic medication is conducted. Methods The study is a cross sectional study with 132 participants from a general open inpatient psychiatric ward at the Nordland Hospital Trust, Bodø, Norway. Participants were assessed on serum levels of BDNF and hs-CRP. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed by a self-rating scale (Symptom check list, SCL-90- R). Multiple linear regression model was used for statistical analyses of associations between levels of BDNF, hs-CRP and symptoms. Results We found a positive association (p < 0.05), for most SCL-90 symptom clusters with BDNF in the psychotropic medication-free group. No associations were found in the group of patients using psychotropic medication, except one, the Paranoid Ideation cluster (p 0.022). No associations were found between hs-CRP and symptom clusters. Conclusion: We found no relation between symptom clusters and the inflammatory biomarker hs-CRP. Serum BDNF levels were positively associated with intensity of psychiatric symptoms in the group of patients not using psychotropic medication. In the group on psychotropic medication no associations for BDNF were seen. Our findings are in conflict with several previous studies reporting increased hs-CRP as well as decreased rather than increased BDNF in mental suffering.

scholarly journals Metabolic phenotyping reveals a potential link between elevated faecal amino acids, diet and symptom severity in individuals with severe mental illness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Jansma ◽  
Rogier van Essen ◽  
Bartholomeus C.M. Haarman ◽  
Anastasia Chrysovalantou Chatziioannou ◽  
Jenny Borkent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Potential Link ◽  
The Brain

The brain-gut axis is increasingly recognized as an important contributing factor in the onset and progression of severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder. This study investigates associations between levels of faecal metabolites identified using 1H-NMR, clinical parameters, and dietary components of forty-two individuals diagnosed in a transdiagnostic approach to have severe mental illness. Faecal levels of the amino acids; alanine, leucine, and valine showed a significant positive correlation with psychiatric symptom severity as well as with dairy intake. Overall, this study proposes a diet-induced link between the brain-gut axis and the severity of psychiatric symptoms, which could be valuable in the design of novel dietary or therapeutic interventions to improve psychiatric symptoms.

Crisis Occurrence and Resolution in Patients with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness

Crisis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 160-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul S. Links ◽  
Rahel Eynan ◽  
Jeffrey S. Ball ◽  
Aiala Barr ◽  
Sean Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Persistent Mental Illness ◽  
Crisis Events ◽  
Symptom Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale

Abstract. Assertive community treatment appears to have limited impact on the risk of suicide in persons with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). This exploratory prospective study attempts to understand this observation by studying the contribution of suicidality to the occurrence of crisis events in patients with SPMI. Specifically, an observer-rated measure of the need for hospitalization, the Crisis Triage Rating Scale, was completed at baseline, crisis occurrence, and resolution to determine how much the level of suicidality contributed to the deemed level of crisis. Second, observer-ratings of suicidal ideation, the Modified Scale for Suicide Ideation, and psychopathology and suicidality, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, were measured at baseline, crisis occurrence, and resolution. A self-report measure of distress, the Symptom Distress Scale, was completed at baseline, crisis occurrence, and resolution. Finally, the patients' crisis experiences were recorded qualitatively to compare with quantitative measures of suicidality. Almost 40% of the subjects experienced crisis events and more than a quarter of these events were judged to be severe enough to warrant the need for hospitalization. Our findings suggest that elevation of psychiatric symptoms is a major contributor to the crisis occurrences of individuals with SPMI; although the risk of suicide may have to be conceived as somewhat separate from crisis occurrence.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Use of Cerebellar Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) in a Sardinian Family Affected by Spinocerebellar Ataxia 38 (SCA 38)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Sanna ◽  
Paolo Follesa ◽  
Paolo Tacconi ◽  
Mariangela Serra ◽  
Maria Giuseppina Pisu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Therapeutic Use ◽  
Theta Burst Stimulation ◽  
Burst Stimulation ◽  
Motor Cortex Excitability ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Theta Burst ◽  
Serum Bdnf

AbstractSpinocerebellar ataxia 38 (SCA 38) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by conventional mutations in the ELOVL5 gene which encodes an enzyme involved in the synthesis of very long fatty acids, with a specific expression in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Three Italian families carrying the mutation, one of which is of Sardinian descent, have been identified and characterized. One session of cerebellar intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) was applied to 6 affected members of the Sardinian family to probe motor cortex excitability measured by motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). Afterwards, patients were exposed to ten sessions of cerebellar real and sham iTBS in a cross-over study and clinical symptoms were evaluated before and after treatment by Modified International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (MICARS). Moreover, serum BDNF levels were evaluated before and after real and sham cerebellar iTBS and the role of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in influencing iTBS effect was explored. Present data show that one session of cerebellar iTBS was able to increase MEPs in all tested patients, suggesting an enhancement of the cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway in SCA 38. MICARS scores were reduced after ten sessions of real cerebellar iTBS showing an improvement in clinical symptoms. Finally, although serum BDNF levels were not affected by cerebellar iTBS when considering all samples, segregating for genotype a difference was found between Val66Val and Val66Met carriers. These preliminary data suggest a potential therapeutic use of cerebellar iTBS in improving motor symptoms of SCA38.

scholarly journals Effect of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Strain Shirota on Improvement in Depressive Symptoms, and Its Association with Abundance of Actinobacteria in Gut Microbiota

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1026
Author(s):  
Machiko Otaka ◽  
Hiroko Kikuchi-Hayakawa ◽  
Jun Ogura ◽  
Hiroshi Ishikawa ◽  
Yukihito Yomogida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Intestinal Permeability ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Probiotic Strain ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
And Biological Markers

We previously reported lower counts of lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium in the gut microbiota of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), compared with healthy controls. This prompted us to investigate the possible efficacy of a probiotic strain, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota (LcS; basonym, Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota; daily intake of 8.0 × 1010 colony-forming units), in alleviating depressive symptoms. A single-arm trial was conducted on 18 eligible patients with MDD or bipolar disorder (BD) (14 females and 4 males; 15 MDD and 3 BD), assessing changes in psychiatric symptoms, the gut microbiota, and biological markers for intestinal permeability and inflammation, over a 12-week intervention period. Depression severity, evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, was significantly alleviated after LcS treatment. The intervention-associated reduction of depressive symptoms was associated with the gut microbiota, and more pronounced when Bifidobacterium and the Atopobium clusters of the Actinobacteria phylum were maintained at higher counts. No significant changes were observed in the intestinal permeability or inflammation markers. Although it was difficult to estimate the extent of the effect of LcS treatment alone, the results indicated that it was beneficial to alleviate depressive symptoms, partly through its association with abundance of Actinobacteria in the gut microbiota.

scholarly journals A Destruction Model of the Vascular and Lymphatic Systems in the Emergence of Psychiatric Symptoms

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Kohei Segawa ◽  
Yukari Blumenthal ◽  
Yuki Yamawaki ◽  
Gen Ohtsuki
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Lymphatic System ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Immune Surveillance ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Postmortem Brains ◽  
New Interpretation ◽  
The Brain

The lymphatic system is important for antigen presentation and immune surveillance. The lymphatic system in the brain was originally introduced by Giovanni Mascagni in 1787, while the rediscovery of it by Jonathan Kipnis and Kari Kustaa Alitalo now opens the door for a new interpretation of neurological diseases and therapeutic applications. The glymphatic system for the exchanges of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid (ISF) is associated with the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is involved in the maintenance of immune privilege and homeostasis in the brain. Recent notions from studies of postmortem brains and clinical studies of neurodegenerative diseases, infection, and cerebral hemorrhage, implied that the breakdown of those barrier systems and infiltration of activated immune cells disrupt the function of both neurons and glia in the parenchyma (e.g., modulation of neurophysiological properties and maturation of myelination), which causes the abnormality in the functional connectivity of the entire brain network. Due to the vulnerability, such dysfunction may occur in developing brains as well as in senile or neurodegenerative diseases and may raise the risk of emergence of psychosis symptoms. Here, we introduce this hypothesis with a series of studies and cellular mechanisms.

scholarly journals Anosognosia in People with Cognitive Impairment: Association with Cognitive Deficits and Behavioral Disturbances

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella De Carolis ◽  
Virginia Cipollini ◽  
Valentina Corigliano ◽  
Anna Comparelli ◽  
Micaela Sepe-Monti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Functional Anatomy ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Behavioral Disturbances ◽  
The Relationship

Aims: To investigate, in a group of subjects at an early stage of cognitive impairment, the relationship between anosognosia and both cognitive and behavioral symptoms by exploring the various domains of insight. Methods: One hundred and eight subjects affected by cognitive impairment were consecutively enrolled. The level of awareness was evaluated by means of the Clinical Insight Rating Scale (CIRS). Psychiatric symptoms were evaluated using the Italian version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), whereas memory (memory index, MI) and executive (executive index, EI) functions were explored using a battery of neuropsychological tests and qualified by means of a single composite cognitive index score for each function. Results: A significant positive correlation between the total NPI score and global anosognosia score was found. Furthermore, both the MI and EI scores were lower in subjects with anosognosia than in those without anosognosia (p < 0.001 and p < 0.007, respectively). When the single domains of the CIRS were considered, anosognosia of reason of visit correlated with the EI score (r = -0.327, p = 0.01) and night-time behavioral disturbances (r = 0.225; p = 0.021); anosognosia of cognitive deficit correlated with depression (r = -0.193; p = 0.049) and the MI score (r = -0.201; p = 0.040); anosognosia of functional deficit correlated with the MI score (r = -0.257; p = 0.008), delusions (r = 0.232; p = 0.015) and aberrant motor behavior (r = 0.289; p = 0.003); anosognosia of disease progression correlated with the MI score (r = -0.236; p = 0.015), agitation (r = 0.247; p = 0.011), aberrant motor behavior (r = 0.351; p = 0.001) and night-time behavioral disturbances (r = 0.216; p = 0.027). Conclusions: Our study suggests that, in the early stage of cognitive impairment, anosognosia is associated with both cognitive deficits and behavioral disorders according to the specific functional anatomy of the symptoms.

Genetic Counselling in Psychiatric Disorder with High Suicide Risk

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S101-S101
Author(s):  
D. Cozman ◽  
R. Moldovan ◽  
B. Nemes
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Genetic Counselling ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Past History ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Death Wishes ◽  
Suicidal Plans ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionA better understanding of the genomics of mental illnesses allowed genetic counselling to be provided to individuals with severe mental illness and their families.AimThe present study was aimed at assessing the efficacy of genetic counselling for severe mental illnesses with high suicide risk.MethodAssessment was performed before and after genetic counselling session. Measures used were evaluation of traumatic events in childhood, multidimensional scale for perception of social support (SMSSP), positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS-X), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Paykel questionnaire and Genetic Counselling Outcome Scale (GCOS). Paykel's questionnaire consists of five questions about suicidal thoughts and attempts, including: life-weariness, death wishes, suicidal ideation, suicidal plans and suicide attempts. Intervention and assessment lasted approximately one and a half hour. Data from 48 patients was analysed.ResultsMean age of participants was M = 38.4, SD = 9.7, and the group was batter represented by females (57%). The participants had various diagnoses, 22% had schizophrenia, 36% bipolar disorder and 42% recurrent depressive disorder. Forty percent of participants reported suicidal ideation and 22,5% had a past history of suicide attempt. Genetic counselling had a direct positive influence upon GCOS specific items and reduced the Paykel scores among participants presenting with suicidal ideation.ConclusionGenetic counselling offers information about the disorder, the role of genetics and the impact of environmental factors. Preliminary data suggest that providing genetic counselling decreases the suicidal ideation frequency.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Cocaine Dependence Produce Psychiatric Symptoms - a Case Report

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
M. Stankovic ◽  
S. Vucetic-Arsic ◽  
S. Alcaz ◽  
J. Cvejic
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Features ◽  
Male Patient ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Cocaine Dependence ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Personal Contact ◽  
Outpatient Unit ◽  
Special Hospital ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Brain

Aim:We want to present a polymorphic clinical features like: hallutinations, paranoid ideas, agitation and violence as a result of prolonged cocaine intranasal consumption.Methods:We exposed a 30-year old male patient with ICD-X diagnostic criteria for cocaine dependence (intranasal consumption) that treated in the outpatient unit of Special Hospital of Addicitons, Belgrade, Serbia from April to July 2008. We used the medical records, psychical examination, psychiatric interwievs, standard blood sampling and cocaine urine detections sample (positive).Results:Observations a specific and polymorphic clinical features with presence of psychotic symptoms after cocaine consumptions in our male patient, for the first time after 5 years of cocaine dependence: auditory hallucinations (two- voice speakers), paranoid persecution ideas and suspiciousness, agitation with appearance of vegetative symptomatology (palpitations, sweating, pupil dilatation), extremely violence behavior to other people, complete social reductions (“armed to the outside world”, refused any personal contact and isolated from friends and family, permanent outdoor checking). There was an intensive fear too and impaired judgment.Conclusions:Permanent cocaine consumption can result with produce a numerous of psychiatric symptoms and syndromes as our experience does. It is similar to the findings of other studies and papers reviewed. It is suppose that cocaine has numerous effects on important neurotransmitters in the brain, such as increase as well as the release of dopamine and it related with aggressiveness, hallucinations and other psychiatric symptoms.

Assessment of mature serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is not superior to total serum BDNF in prediction of antidepressant treatment outcome

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S410-S410 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Eckert ◽  
T. Mikoteit ◽  
J. Beck ◽  
U.M. Hemmeter ◽  
S. Brand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Treatment Response ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Functional Link ◽  
Neurotrophic Activity ◽  
Serum Bdnf

BackgroundSerum BDNF levels are decreased in major depressive disorder (MDD) and tend to normalize under antidepressant treatment, serving as a treatment outcome predictor. BDNF is initially synthetized as precursor protein proBDNF and is cleaved to mature BDNF (mBDNF) while only the latter exerts neurotrophic activity.AimThe aim was to explore if a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for mBDNF in serum would be superior to the unspecific assessment of total serum BDNF in predicting treatment response in MDD.MethodsTwenty-five patients with MDD underwent standardized treatment with duloxetine. Severity of depression was measured by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at baseline (BL), after one (W1), two (W2) and six weeks (W6) of treatment. Treatment response was defined as a HDRS ≥ 50% reduction of BL score at W6. mBDNF and total BDNF serum levels were determined at BL, W1 and W2.ResultsA high and stable correlation was found between mBDNF and total BDNF serum levels over all measurements. The predictive value of mBDNF BL levels and mBDNFΔW1 to response was similar to that of total BDNF BL and total BDNFΔW1. The assessment of serum mBDNF was not superior to total BDNF in prediction of treatment outcome.ConclusionsNot only baseline total BDNF but also mBDNF is predictive to treatment outcome. The later might represent the main player in this respect, which supports the idea of a functional link between neuroplasticity and MDD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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