Neuroplasticity-related mechanisms underlying the antidepressant-like effects of traditional herbal medicines
Traditional herbal medicine can offer efficacious and safe alternative pharmacotherapies for depression. The ability of an herbal medicine to produce neuroadaptive processes, that enhance neuroplasticity and cellular resilience in response to chronic stress, may point to its antidepressant potential. We suggest that among many investigated herbal medicines, those that can enhance neuroplasticity may have stronger therapeutic potential. The current article presents a summary of traditional herbal medicines, which are thought to exert antidepressant-like effects in chronic stress models via neuroplasticity enhancement. (Sour...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - August 11, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Yafit Hirshler, Ravid Doron Tags: REVIEW Source Type: research
Serotonin transporter gene promoter methylation in peripheral cells in healthy adults: Neural correlates and tissue specificity
Early adversity can influence gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation. Peripheral tissues are essential in psychiatric epigenetics, as methylation generally cannot be assessed in the living human brain. Several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies show associations of peripheral serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) methylation with function and/or structure of frontal-limbic circuits and brain's resting-state. Commonly used samples are derived from blood, saliva or buccal cells. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 31, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Elmira Ismaylova, Jessica Di Sante, Moshe Szyf, Zsofia Nemoda, Wei-Jo Yu, Florence B. Pomares, Gustavo Turecki, Gabriella Gobbi, Frank Vitaro, Richard E. Tremblay, Linda Booij Source Type: research
Effect of tobacco smoking on frontal cortical thickness development: A longitudinal study in a mixed cohort of ADHD-affected and -unaffected youth
Smoking rates are particularly high during adolescence and young adulthood, when the brain is still undergoing significant developmental changes. Cross-sectional studies have revealed altered brain structure in smokers, such as thinner frontal cortical areas. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the risk of becoming nicotine-dependent, and has also been associated with abnormalities in frontal gray matter structure. The present study examines the relationships between smoking, cortical thickness and ADHD symptoms in a longitudinal design that compares adolescent and young adult smokers (n=44; 35 ADHD-a...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 29, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Sophie E.A. Akkermans, Daan van Rooij, Nanda Rommelse, Catharina A. Hartman, Pieter J. Hoekstra, Barbara Franke, Maarten Mennes, Jan K. Buitelaar Source Type: research
International trends in antipsychotic use: A study in 16 countries, 2005 –2014
The objective of this study was to assess international trends in antipsychotic use, using a standardised methodology. A repeated cross-sectional design was applied to data extracts from the years 2005 to 2014 from 16 countries worldwide. During the study period, the overall prevalence of antipsychotic use increased in 10 of the 16 studied countries. In 2014, the overall prevalence of antipsychotic use was highest in Taiwan (78.2/1000 persons), and lowest in Colombia (3.2/1000). In children and adolescents (0 –19 years), antipsychotic use ranged from 0.5/1000 (Lithuania) to 30.8/1000 (Taiwan). (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 28, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Óskar Hálfdánarson, Helga Zoëga, Lise Aagaard, Miquel Bernardo, Lena Brandt, Anna Coma Fusté, Kari Furu, Kristina Garuoliené, Falk Hoffmann, Krista F. Huybrechts, Luuk J. Kalverdijk, Koji Kawakami, Helle Kieler, Takuya Kinoshita, Melisa Litchfield, Source Type: research
NMDA receptor modulation by dextromethorphan and acute stress selectively alters electroencephalographic indicators of partial report processing
Proceeding from a biophysical network model, the present study hypothesized that glutamatergic neurotransmission across the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) plays a key role in visual perception and its modulation by acute stress. To investigate these hypotheses, behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) indicators of partial report task processing were assessed in twenty-four healthy young men who randomly received a non-competitive NMDAR antagonist (0.8 mg/kg dextromethorphan, DXM) or a placebo, and concurrently accomplished a stress-induction (MAST) or control protocol in three consecutive sessions. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 21, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Lisa J. Weckesser, S ören Enge, Philipp Riedel, Clemens Kirschbaum, Robert Miller Source Type: research
Editorial Board
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Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research
ECNP Calendar of Events
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Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research
Contents
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Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 19, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research
Pattern of gene expression in different stages of schizophrenia: Down-regulation of NPTX2 gene revealed by a meta-analysis of microarray datasets
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder with a genetic susceptibility. Alterations in neurochemical signaling, as well as changes in brain structure and function, manifest during the course of SCZ and are likely causative of the symptoms shown by affected individuals. However, little is known about the timing of these changes, particularly in the pre-morbid and prodromal phases of SCZ. Here, we performed a gene-based and pathway-based meta-analysis of 5 microarray datasets from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived neurons and post-mortem brain tissue from SCZ and healthy controls (HC), with th...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 18, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Mirko Manchia, Ignazio S. Piras, Matthew J. Huentelman, Federica Pinna, Clement C. Zai, James L. Kennedy, Bernardo Carpiniello Source Type: research
Effectiveness of long-term vortioxetine treatment of patients with major depressive disorder
To investigate the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of vortioxetine in patients treated at therapeutic doses (5 –20mg/day) for both acute and maintenance treatment, patient-level data were pooled from 5 long-term (52-week), open-label extension studies of major depressive disorder. The mean (±standard deviation) MADRS total score improved from 17.1±10.2 at the start of maintenance therapy to 7.6±8.2 (obs erved cases [OC]) or 10.3±9.9 (last observation carried forward [LOCF]) at week 52. The mean HAM-A total scores improved from 11.3±6.9 to 6.0±6.0 (OC) or 7.5±6.7 (LOCF) and the mean CGI-S score improved fro...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 8, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Eduard Vieta, Henrik Loft, Ioana Florea Source Type: research
Lurasidone in combination with lithium or valproate for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder
Lurasidone (DS-RAn) has demonstrated efficacy in the acute treatment of bipolar depression, both as monotherapy, and as combination therapy with lithium or valproate. To evaluate the recurrence prevention efficacy of lurasidone for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder, patients received up to 20 weeks of open-label lurasidone (20 –80mg/d) combined with lithium or valproate during an initial stabilization phase. A total of 496 patients met stabilization criteria and were randomized to 28 weeks of double-blind treatment with lurasidone (20–80mg/d) or placebo, in combination with lithium or valproate. (Source: ...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 6, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Joseph R. Calabrese, Andrei Pikalov, Caroline Streicher, Josephine Cucchiaro, Yongcai Mao, Antony Loebel Source Type: research
The effect of the muscarinic M1 receptor antagonist biperiden on cognition in medication free subjects with psychosis
The acetylcholine muscarinic M1 receptor has been implicated in both psychosis and cognition. Post-mortem research has shown reduced muscarinic M1 receptor density in 25% of chronic patients with schizophrenia. It is unknown whether reduced M1 receptor density is related to cognitive symptoms of psychosis. We investigated the role of the M1 receptor in separate cognitive domains in subjects with a psychotic disorder using a muscarinic M1 antagonist as an acute pharmacological challenge. 33 young subjects with a psychotic disorder and 30 gender, age and IQ matched healthy controls were enrolled. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 6, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Claudia Vingerhoets, Geor Bakker, Jelske van Dijk, Oswald J.N. Bloemen, Ya Wang, Raymond C.K. Chan, Jan Booij, Therese A.M.J. van Amelsvoort Source Type: research
Noradrenergic modulation of neural erotic stimulus perception
We recently investigated neuromodulatory effects of the noradrenergic agent reboxetine and the dopamine receptor affine amisulpride in healthy subjects on dynamic erotic stimulus processing. Whereas amisulpride left sexual functions and neural activations unimpaired, we observed detrimental activations under reboxetine within the caudate nucleus corresponding to motivational components of sexual behavior. However, broadly impaired subjective sexual functioning under reboxetine suggested effects on further neural components. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 3, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Heiko Graf, Maike Wiegers, Coraline Danielle Metzger, Martin Walter, Georg Gr ön, Birgit Abler Source Type: research
Associations of multiple trauma types and MAOA with severe aggressive behavior and MAOA effects on training outcome
Previous research showed that the disposition to react with disproportionate aggression in adults is influenced by an interaction between a variant in the X-chromosomal monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) and early traumatic events. Such studies have often focused on a single type of trauma, whereas we know that experiencing multiple trauma types is associated with more detrimental consequences. The differential susceptibility hypothesis suggests that individuals who are most susceptible to adversity, are also most likely to benefit from supportive experiences in childhood. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 1, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Danique Smeijers, Erik Bulten, Barbara Franke, Jan Buitelaar, Robbert-Jan Verkes Source Type: research
