Editorial: Cognitive Dysfunctions in Psychiatric Disorders: Brain-Immune Interaction Mechanisms and Integrative Therapeutic Approaches

Apart from their established role in embryonic development Nerve Growth Factors (NGFs) have diverse functions in the nervous system. Their role in integration of physiological functioning of the nervous system is now attracting attention. In the present analysis, we propose a novel paradigm about a novel role of NGFs: NGFs play imperative role in maintaining psychological integrity of an individual as a biological system. This function may be mediated through HPA-axis- operated homeostatic mechanisms; stress induced disruption of which may lead to psychiatric disorders. Current literature suggests existence of constitutive homeostatic regulatory mechanisms for NGFs disruption which may lead to pertinent and imperative behavioural effects. NGFs are known to play crucial role in endocrine regulation. This is especially true with the prototype ‘NGF’ and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). These moieties have been observed to play important function in maintaining neuro-endocrine homeostasis thereby having a profound impact on the psychological health of an individual. Role of NGFs and HPA-axis activation (in separate studies) in developing psychiatric disorders - especially those born of stress - have been reported. Literature suggests their unique interplay for producing a common effect which might be implicated in stress induced genesis of psychiatric disorders. This aspect, therefore, needs to be elucidated further as a disease etiogenesis model. This model may yield important insights into the biology of psychiatric disorders and may open ways for new therapeutic approaches.

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Incisionless MR-guided focused ultrasound: technical considerations and current therapeutic approaches in psychiatric disorders

Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics ◽

10.1080/14737175.2020.1779590 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (7) ◽

pp. 687-696

Author(s):

Thomas Kinfe ◽

Andreas Stadlbauer ◽

Klemens Winder ◽

Rene Hurlemann ◽

Michael Buchfelder

Keyword(s):

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Focused Ultrasound ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Technical Considerations

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Cyclooxygenase pathways.

Acta Biochimica Polonica ◽

10.18388/abp.2014_1825 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Jan Korbecki ◽

Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka ◽

Izabela Gutowska ◽

Dariusz Chlubek

Keyword(s):

Arachidonic Acid ◽

Inflammatory Response ◽

Tumor Progression ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Interaction Mechanisms ◽

Inflammatory Agent ◽

Arachidonic Acid Metabolites ◽

Acid Metabolites ◽

Synthesis Activity

This review compiles the current knowledge on the effects of prostanoids - arachidonic acid metabolites - on their own synthesis, activity and degradation. Interaction mechanisms between the receptors for the relevant compounds are presented, in particular with regard to the cooperation between a thromboxane A₂ and prostaglandin I₂ receptors. The questions of desensitization and internalization of receptors are discussed. The stages of the inflammatory response and tumor progression are analyzed against the background of the disruption of the synthesis of prostanoids. Special attention is given to the significance of 15-deoxy-Δ(12,14)-prostaglandin J₂ in the regulation of the synthesis of prostanoids and its role as an anti-inflammatory agent. Ultimately, therapeutic approaches as used in various treatments are discussed in the light of the available knowledge.

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Neuroprogression in Psychiatry

10.1093/med/9780198787143.001.0001 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Redox Balance ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Cognitive Changes ◽

Process Understanding ◽

Cognitive Sequelae ◽

Brain Changes ◽

Late Stages ◽

The Brain ◽

Cellular Resilience

Psychiatric disorders are characterized by an overlapping set of pathophysiological pathways that include monoamines but also neurotrophins, apoptotic and mitochondrial pathways, epigenetics, and dysregulation of immunity and redox balance, counterbalanced by cellular resilience and defence pathways and the effects of treatment. These conspire in a subset of individuals to cause changes in brain function and, over time, the activity of these pathways in chronic psychiatric disorders can lead to cognitive sequelae and changes in brain structure. This can lead to differences between early and late stages of illness. These biological underpinnings could explain why late-stage patients are more prone to treatment refractoriness, progressive brain changes, and consequent cognitive and functioning impairment. This process is understood under the construct of neuroprogression, which refers to the pathological rewiring of the brain underlying the clinical and cognitive changes that underpin the staged progression of the illness, caused by activities of the aforementioned biological pathways. It is important to note that the brain can adapt to the challenges of the environment and respond to medications to ameliorate this process. Understanding the process of neuroprogression provides a window into the core biology of the disorder and opens the door to therapeutic approaches addressing these pathways. This book is an account of the state of the art in the field of neuroprogression in different psychiatric disorders.

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Neurobiology of psychiatric disorders

Mental Disorders in Primary Care ◽

10.1093/med/9780198746638.003.0005 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Vladimir Maletic ◽

Bernadette DeMuri

Keyword(s):

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Autonomic Changes ◽

Brain Changes ◽

Major Factors ◽

Structural Brain

Recent decades have witnessed a burgeoning multidisciplinary research into the neurobiological underpinning of major psychiatric disorders. Despite recent discoveries, our psychiatric taxonomy, and hence diagnosis, continues to be based on phenomenology. We have summarized some of the major advancements in our understanding of the role that genetics, functional and structural brain changes, alterations in neurotransmission and neuroplasticity, and cytopathology may play in etiopathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, particularly focusing on major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders. Furthermore, recent research has unequivocally implicated peripheral immune, endocrine, and autonomic changes in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, not only as correlates but also as major factors involved in shaping the clinical expression of these conditions. Better understanding of the pathophysiology underlying psychiatric disorders may assist us in developing markers to help identify subtypes of these highly biologically and phenotypically heterogeneous conditions. Additionally, greater knowledge of etiological mechanisms may help us adopt more effective therapeutic approaches.

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Physical exercise ameliorates psychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunctions by hippocampal mitochondrial function and neuroplasticity in post-traumatic stress disorder

Experimental Neurology ◽

10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113043 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 322 ◽

pp. 113043 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jin-Hee Seo ◽

Hye-Sang Park ◽

Sang-Seo Park ◽

Chang-Ju Kim ◽

Dong-Hyun Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Exercise ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Mitochondrial Function ◽

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Cognitive Dysfunctions ◽

Post Traumatic

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Evaluating a Low-Cost Technology to Enable People with Intellectual Disability or Psychiatric Disorders to Initiate and Perform Functional Daily Activities

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18189659 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 9659

Author(s):

Emanuela Resta ◽

Lucia Brunone ◽

Fiora D’Amico ◽

Lorenzo Desideri

Keyword(s):

Intellectual Disability ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Low Cost ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Multiple Baseline ◽

Baseline Design ◽

Cognitive Dysfunctions ◽

Cost System ◽

Audio Files ◽

Levels Of Functioning

People with intellectual disability or psychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunctions may need assistive technology to maintain and improve their levels of functioning and independence. This study assessed a smartphone-based system to remind the user to initiate functional daily activities (e.g., setting a table for lunch) and perform them without the support of a caregiver. The system was evaluated through a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across two groups of participants. During the intervention sessions, the participants were provided with a system involving a Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphone fitted with the Easy Alarm YouTube application and audio files. The alarm served to remind the participant to carry out a planned activity. Following the reminder, the smartphone presented each of the step instructions preset for the activity. The data showed a statistically significant increase in the number of activities initiated independently from baseline to intervention for all participants. All participants also showed a significant increase in the number of activity steps correctly performed when supported by the smartphone. These results suggest that a low-cost system (i.e., smartphone) can be used to improve independence of people with intellectual disability or psychiatric disorders with cognitive dysfunctions.

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