How well do patients with a first episode of schizophrenia respond to antipsychotics: A systematic review and meta-analysis
It is often stated that first-episode patients tend to respond better to antipsychotics than chronic patients, but the exact numbers and moderators of response in this population are unclear. We, therefore, present the first systematic review on response rates of first episode patients with schizophrenia in randomized trials. We searched multiple databases for randomized-controlled trials of antipsychotics in acutely ill patients with a first episode of schizophrenia (last search: November 17, 2016). (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 29, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Yikang Zhu, Chunbo Li, Maximilian Huhn, Philipp Rothe, Marc Krause, Irene Bighelli, Johannes Schneider-Thoma, Stefan Leucht Tags: REVIEW Source Type: research
A study on the bioequivalence of lithium and valproate salivary and blood levels in the treatment of bipolar disorder
Lithium (Li) and valproate (VPA) are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder (BD), with narrow therapeutic window requiring periodic control of serum levels. This prevents intoxication, lack of efficacy due to low serum concentrations, and allows monitoring adherence. We aimed at evaluating the bioequivalence of salivary and blood levels of LI or VPA in a sample of adult BD patients. Secondarily, lithium bioequivalence was evaluated across different patients ’ lifespans. BD patients treated with either Li or VPA underwent contemporary standard serum and salivary measurements. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 29, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: A. Murru, M. Torra, A. Callari, I. Pacchiarotti, S. Romero, B. Gonzalez de la Presa, C. Varo, J.M. Goikolea, V. P érez-Sola, E. Vieta, F. Colom Source Type: research
Comparative evaluation of vortioxetine as a switch therapy in patients with major depressive disorder
Switching antidepressant therapy is a recommended strategy for depressed patients who neither respond to nor tolerate an initial pharmacotherapy course. This paper reviews the efficacy and tolerability of switching to vortioxetine. All three published studies of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) switched from SSRI/SNRI therapy to vortioxetine due to lack of efficacy or tolerability were selected. Vortioxetine was evaluated versus agomelatine directly (REVIVE) and versus sertraline, venlafaxine, bupropion, and citalopram in an indirect treatment comparison (ITC) from switch studies retrieved in a literature revi...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 27, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Michael E. Thase, Natalya Danchenko, Melanie Brignone, Ioana Florea, Francoise Diamand, Paula L. Jacobsen, Eduard Vieta Source Type: research
DSM-5 cannabis use disorder, substance use and DSM-5 specific substance-use disorders: Evaluating comorbidity in a population-based sample
This study therefore aimed to provide insight into the degree of these co-occurring relationships across several specific newer and older generation illicit and prescription drugs. 36,309 adults aged 18+ from wave 3 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III) were assessed. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 27, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Amie C. Hayley, Con Stough, Luke A. Downey Source Type: research
Association between high sensitivity CRP and suicidal ideation in the Korean general population
Inflammation has been linked with a potential critical role in suicide. The purpose of this study is to examine the relation of CRP with suicidal behavior in the Korean population. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 4693 Korean adults aged 20 –81 years who participated in the 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. High sensitivity CRP levels were measured by immunoturbidimetric method. Suicidal ideation and suicide attempt were assessed by using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed in 2017. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 27, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Ryoung Jin Park, Yang Hyun Kim Source Type: research
The effects of enhancing endocannabinoid signaling and blocking corticotrophin releasing factor receptor in the amygdala and hippocampus on the consolidation of a stressful event
Current clinical and pre-clinical data suggest that both cannabinoid agents and blockage of CRF through corticotrophin releasing factor receptor type 1 (CRFr1) may offer therapeutic benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here we aim to determine whether they are more effective when combined when microinjected into the basolateral amygdala (BLA) or CA1 area of the hippocampus after exposure to a stressful event in the shock/reminders rat model for PTSD.Injection of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor URB597 after the shock into either the BLA or CA1 facilitated extinction, and attenuated startle res...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 26, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Nurit Aisenberg, Lidia Serova, Esther L. Sabban, Irit Akirav Source Type: research
Tranylcypromine in mind (Part I): Review of pharmacology
It has been over 50 years since a review has focused exclusively on the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor tranylcypromine (TCP). A new review has therefore been conducted for TCP in two parts which are written to be read preferably in close conjunction: Part I – pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, toxicology; and Part II – clinical studies with meta-analysis of controlled studies in depression, practice of TCP treatment, place in therapy. Pharmacological data of this review part I characterize TCP as an irreversible and nonselective MAO-A/B inhibitor at low therapeutic doses of 20mg/day with suppleme...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 26, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Sven Ulrich, Roland Ricken, Mazda Adli Tags: Review Source Type: research
A Polygenic Risk Score of glutamatergic SNPs associated with schizophrenia predicts attentional behavior and related brain activity in healthy humans
Multiple genetic variations impact on risk for schizophrenia. Recent analyses by the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC2) identified 128 SNPs genome-wide associated with the disorder. Furthermore, attention and working memory deficits are core features of schizophrenia, are heritable and have been associated with variation in glutamatergic neurotransmission. Based on this evidence, in a sample of healthy volunteers, we used SNPs associated with schizophrenia in PGC2 to construct a Polygenic-Risk-Score (PRS) reflecting the cumulative risk for schizophrenia, along with a Polygenic-Risk-Score including only SNPs related to ...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 24, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Antonio Rampino, Paolo Taurisano, Giuseppe Fanelli, Mariateresa Attrotto, Silvia Torretta, Linda Antonella Antonucci, Grazia Miccolis, Giulio Pergola, Gianluca Ursini, Giancarlo Maddalena, Raffaella Romano, Rita Masellis, Pasquale Di Carlo, Patrizia Pigna Source Type: research
Epigenetic induction of melatonin MT1 receptors by valproate: Neurotherapeutic implications
We have reported that the anticonvulsant/mood stabilizer and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor valproate (VPA) induces expression of melatonin receptors both in vitro and in vivo, but the mechanisms involved were not known. Here we show that pharmacological inhibition of CREB, PKC, PI3K, or GSK3 β signaling pathways, which are known targets for VPA, do not prevent its upregulation of melatonin MT1 receptors in rat C6 glioma cells. M344, an HDAC inhibitor unrelated to VPA, mimics the effects of VPA on MT1 expression, whereas valpromide, a VPA derivative lacking HDAC inhibitory activity, doe s not. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Sarra G. Bahna, Lennard P. Niles Tags: SHORT COMMUNICATION Source Type: research
Differential roles of the infralimbic and prelimbic areas of the prefrontal cortex in reconsolidation of a traumatic memory
Studies about reconsolidation of conditioned fear memories have shown that pharmacological manipulation at memory reactivation can attenuate or enhance the subsequent expression of the conditioned fear response.Here we examined the effects of a single injection of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (Rap) into the infralimbic (IL) and prelimbic (PL) areas [which compose the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (PFC)] on reconsolidation and extinction of a traumatic fear memory.We found opposite effects of Rap infused into the PL and IL on reconsolidation and extinction: intra-PL Rap and systemic Rap impaired reconsolidation and facilit...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Natali Levin, Milly Kritman, Mouna Maroun, Irit Akirav Source Type: research
Escitalopram plasma levels and antidepressant response
Major Depression Disorder (MDD) has a highly variable treatment response due to the large inter-individual variation in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drug treatments. In detail the correlation between plasma level and efficacy has been much debated. Among first-line drugs for MDD, one of the most used is escitalopram. In the present study we investigated the association between serum concentration of escitalopram (SCE) and antidepressant response (AR). 70 MDD patients treated with escitalopram monotherapy were recruited and followed for three months. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Vincenzo Florio, Stefano Porcelli, Alois Saria, Alessandro Serretti, Andreas Conca Tags: SHORT COMMUNICATION Source Type: research
Central administration of ghrelin induces conditioned avoidance in rodents
Feelings of hunger carry a negative-valence (emotion) signal that appears to be conveyed through agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. The circulating hunger hormone, ghrelin, activates these neurons although it remains unclear whether it also carries a negative-valence signal. Given that ghrelin also activates pathways in the midbrain that are important for reward, it remains possible that ghrelin could act as a positive reinforcer and hence, carry a positive-valence signal. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 21, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Erik Sch éle, Christopher Cook, Marie Le May, Tina Bake, Simon M. Luckman, Suzanne L. Dickson Source Type: research
Association of mitochondrial DNA in peripheral blood with depression, anxiety and stress- and adjustment disorders in primary health care patients
The objectives here were to examine possible differences in mtDNA copy number between healthy controls and patients with depression, anxiety or stress- and adjustment disorders; the association between mtDNA copy number and disease severity at baseline; and the association between mtDNA copy number and response after an 8-week treatment (mindfulness, cognitive based therapy). A total of 179 patients in primary health care (age 20 –64 years) with depression, anxiety and stress- and adjustment disorders, and 320 healthy controls (aged 19–70 years) were included in the study. (Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology)
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 21, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Xiao Wang, Kristina Sundquist, Hamideh Rastkhani, Karolina Palm ér, Ashfaque A. Memon, Jan Sundquist Source Type: research
National funding for mental health research in Finland, France, Spain and the United Kingdom
As part of the Roamer project, we aimed at revealing the share of health research budgets dedicated to mental health, as well as on the amounts allocated to such research for four European countries. Finland, France, Spain and the United Kingdom national public and non-profit funding allocated to mental health research in 2011 were investigated using, when possible, bottom-up approaches. Specifics of the data collection varied from country to country. The total amount of public and private not for profit mental health research funding for Finland, France, Spain and the UK was €10·2, €84·8, €16·8, and €127·6 mil...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 21, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Jean-Baptiste Hazo, Coralie Gandr é, Marion Leboyer, Carla Obradors-Tarragó, Stefano Belli, David McDaid, A-La Park, Maria Victoria Maliandi, Kristian Wahlbeck, Til Wykes, Jim van Os, Josep Maria Haro, Karine Chevreul, ROAMER consortium Source Type: research
Polygenic risk score and heritability estimates reveals a genetic relationship between ASD and OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are both highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorders that conceivably share genetic risk factors. However, the underlying genetic determinants remain largely unknown. In this work, the authors describe a combined genome-wide association study (GWAS) of ASD and OCD. The OCD dataset includes 2998 individuals in nuclear families. The ASD dataset includes 6898 individuals in case-parents trios. GWAS summary statistics were examined for potential enrichment of functional variants associated with gene expression levels in brain regions. (Source: European Ne...
Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - June 20, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: W. Guo, J.F. Samuels, Y. Wang, H. Cao, M. Ritter, P.S. Nestadt, J. Krasnow, B.D. Greenberg, A.J. Fyer, J.T. McCracken, D.A. Geller, D.L. Murphy, J.A. Knowles, M.A. Grados, M.A. Riddle, S.A. Rasmussen, N.C. McLaughlin, E.L. Nurmi, K.D. Askland, B.A. Cullen Source Type: research
