Article
Biology
Rixing Lin, Aron Kos, Juan Pablo Lopez, Julien Dine, Laura M. Fiori, Jennie Yang, Yair Ben-Efraim, Zahia Aouabed, Pascal Ibrahim, Haruka Mitsuhashi, Tak Pan Wong, El Cherif Ibrahim, Catherine Belzung, Pierre Blier, Faranak Farzan, Benicio N. Frey, Raymond W. Lam, Roumen Milev, Daniel J. Muller, Sagar V. Parikh, Claudio Soares, Rudolf Uher, Corina Nagy, Naguib Mechawar, Jane A. Foster, Sidney H. Kennedy, Alon Chen, Gustavo Turecki
Summary: The serendipitous discovery of pharmacotherapies for major depressive disorder has led to the exploration of the mono-aminergic system for symptom alleviation. However, slow and inconsistent clinical responses have prompted researchers to investigate the glutamatergic system as a target for rapid acting antidepressants.
Article
Psychiatry
Ifat Israel-Elgali, Hope Pan, Keren Oved, Nir Pillar, Gilad Levy, Boaz Barak, Ana Carneiro, David Gurwitz, Noam Shomron
Summary: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disorder that is commonly treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, the mechanism of how SSRIs lead to remission from MDD is still under debate. This study suggests that deficits in myelination and white matter abnormalities may play a role in the delayed remission following SSRI treatment. The researchers found evidence of changes in miRNA expression and related genes, indicating a potential involvement of miRNAs in myelination processes in response to chronic stress and SSRI treatment.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Helena Kyunghee Kim, Suman Banik, Muhammad Ishrat Husain, Victor Tang, Robert Levitan, Zafiris J. J. Daskalakis, Stefan Kloiber
Summary: Structured care pathways (SCPs) show promise in improving outcomes for patients with mood disorders. This systematic review found that SCPs may be equally or more effective than treatment as usual for depressive disorders and bipolar disorder (BD). Further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and assess factors influencing their feasibility and success.
Article
Biology
Salah-Aldin Hassanzadeh, Saeid Abbasi-Maleki, Zahra Mousavi
Summary: In this study, the anti-depressant activity of trans-anethole (ANE) and its possible mechanism were investigated. The results demonstrated that ANE exhibited anti-depressive effects and its action may be attributed to the monoaminergic system.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Yue Du, Jinxue Wei, Zijian Zhang, Xiao Yang, Min Wang, Yu Wang, Xiongwei Qi, Liansheng Zhao, Yang Tian, Wanjun Guo, Qiang Wang, Wei Deng, Minli Li, Dongtao Lin, Tao Li, Xiaohong Ma
Summary: Metabolomics revealed different metabolic pathway dysfunctions in MDD patients, with 17 metabolic pathways enriched and 23 metabolites hit in these pathways. Glycine and serine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism were enriched in MDD patients without anxiety. L-glutamic acid was positively correlated with depression severity in MDD patients without anxiety symptoms.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura K. M. Han, Richard Dinga, Tim Hahn, Christopher R. K. Ching, Lisa T. Eyler, Lyubomir Aftanas, Moji Aghajani, Andre Aleman, Bernhard T. Baune, Klaus Berger, Ivan Brak, Geraldo Busatto Filho, Angela Carballedo, Colm G. Connolly, Baptiste Couvy-Duchesne, Kathryn R. Cullen, Udo Dannlowski, Christopher G. Davey, Danai Dima, Fabio L. S. Duran, Verena Enneking, Elena Filimonova, Stefan Frenzel, Thomas Frodl, Cynthia H. Y. Fu, Beata R. Godlewska, Ian H. Gotlib, Hans J. Grabe, Nynke A. Groenewold, Dominik Grotegerd, Oliver Gruber, Geoffrey B. Hall, Ben J. Harrison, Sean N. Hatton, Marco Hermesdorf, Ian B. Hickie, Tiffany C. Ho, Norbert Hosten, Andreas Jansen, Claas Kaehler, Tilo Kircher, Bonnie Klimes-Dougan, Bernd Kraemer, Axel Krug, Jim Lagopoulos, Ramona Leenings, Frank P. MacMaster, Glenda MacQueen, Andrew McIntosh, Quinn McLellan, Katie L. McMahon, Sarah E. Medland, Bryon A. Mueller, Benson Mwangi, Evgeny Osipov, Maria J. Portella, Elena Pozzi, Liesbeth Reneman, Jonathan Repple, Pedro G. P. Rosa, Matthew D. Sacchet, Philipp G. Saemann, Knut Schnell, Anouk Schrantee, Egle Simulionyte, Jair C. Soares, Jens Sommer, Dan J. Stein, Olaf Steinstraeter, Lachlan T. Strike, Sophia I. Thomopoulos, Marie-Jose van Tol, Ilya M. Veer, Robert R. J. M. Vermeiren, Henrik Walter, Nic J. A. van der Wee, Steven J. A. van der Werff, Heather Whalley, Nils R. Winter, Katharina Wittfeld, Margaret J. Wright, Mon-Ju Wu, Henry Voelzke, Tony T. Yang, Vasileios Zannias, Greig I. de Zubicaray, Giovana B. Zunta-Soares, Christoph Abe, Martin Alda, Ole A. Andreassen, Erlend Boen, Caterina M. Bonnin, Erick J. Canales-Rodriguez, Dara Cannon, Xavier Caseras, Tiffany M. Chaim-Avancini, Torbjorn Elvsashagen, Pauline Favre, Sonya F. Foley, Janice M. Fullerton, Jose M. Goikolea, Bartholomeus C. M. Haarman, Tomas Hajek, Chantal Henry, Josselin Houenou, Fleur M. Howells, Martin Ingvar, Rayus Kuplicki, Beny Lafer, Mikael Landen, Rodrigo Machado-Vieira, Ulrik F. Malt, Colm McDonald, Philip B. Mitchell, Leila Nabulsi, Maria Concepcion Garcia Otaduy, Bronwyn J. Overs, Mircea Polosan, Edith Pomarol-Clotet, Joaquim Radua, Maria M. Rive, Gloria Roberts, Henricus G. Ruhe, Raymond Salvador, Salvador Sarro, Theodore D. Satterthwaite, Jonathan Savitz, Aart H. Schene, Peter R. Schofield, Mauricio H. Serpa, Kang Sim, Marcio Gerhardt Soeiro-de-Souza, Ashley N. Sutherland, Henk S. Temmingh, Garrett M. Timmons, Anne Uhlmann, Eduard Vieta, Daniel H. Wolf, Marcus V. Zanetti, Neda Jahanshad, Paul M. Thompson, Dick J. Veltman, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, Andre F. Marquand, James H. Cole, Lianne Schmaal
Summary: Major depressive disorder is associated with increased risk of brain atrophy, aging-related diseases, and mortality. This study found that MDD patients showed a higher brain-predicted age difference compared to controls, but this difference did not seem to be driven by specific clinical characteristics. Subtle patterns of age-related structural brain abnormalities in MDD were observed, highlighting the need for further longitudinal studies to assess the clinical value of these findings.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seok-Won Jeoung, Hyun-Sun Park, Zae Young Ryoo, Dong-Hyung Cho, Hyun-Shik Lee, Hong-Yeoul Ryu
Summary: SUMOylation plays a significant role in maintaining neuronal function in the development of major depressive disorder (MDD).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sitong Chen, Xiaoya Liu, Zhenni Huang, Fangyue Su, Wenquan Zhang, Jie Li, Shuang Liu, Dong Ming
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the disruption of spatiotemporal dynamics underlying gamma-ASSR in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Dynamic directed brain networks were constructed based on graph theory. The results showed patterns of hypofunction in the parietal-to-frontal regions associated with gamma oscillations, providing novel insights into the neuropathological mechanism underlying gamma oscillations in MDD.
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Masoomeh Dadkhah, Mohsen Jafarzadehgharehziaaddin, Soheila Molaei, Morteza Akbari, Negin Gholizadeh, Farzaneh Fathi
Summary: Depressive disorders, characterized by loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities and a depressed mood, are highly heterogeneous psychiatric diseases. Diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) remain challenging due to significant clinical presentation heterogeneity and lack of applicable biomarkers. Identification of relevant biomarkers would enhance disease classification and personalized treatment strategies. In this review, we discuss the current state of these biomarkers and diagnostic techniques specifically targeting these analytes using state-of-the-art biosensor technology.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Dandan Zhang, Yao Ji, Xiongjin Chen, RunSen Chen, Yaxue Wei, Qian Peng, Juda Lin, Jingwen Yin, Hezhan Li, Lili Cui, Zhixiong Lin, Yujie Cai
Summary: This study found a disorder of circRNAs in the blood of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), with certain circRNAs identified as potential diagnostic markers for MDD. Bioinformatics analysis also revealed that specific circRNAs may affect the neuroplasticity of MDD through the ceRNA mechanism.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alessandro Miola, Leonardo Tondo, Marco Pinna, Martina Contu, Ross J. Baldessarini
Summary: The study compared patients diagnosed with DSM-5 type II bipolar disorder (BD2) and major depressive disorder (MDD). The results showed significant differences between BD2 and MDD patients in terms of symptoms, morbidity, and treatment, which can contribute to better differentiation and treatment planning for the two disorders.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Reza Rahimian, Claudia Belliveau, Rebecca Chen, Naguib Mechawar
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the development of major depressive disorder (MDD). Microglia, as the immune cells in the brain, can recognize pathogens or damaged cells and activate cytotoxic responses, exacerbating damage to brain cells. Chronic priming of microglia in MDD may contribute to depressive symptoms and impairments in neuroplasticity. Modifying microglia phenotype by regulating inflammatory pathways could be a potential therapeutic approach for controlling neuroinflammation in MDD.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabriel R. Fries, Valeria A. Saldana, Johannes Finnstein, Theo Rein
Summary: This review aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the neurobiology of major depressive disorder by considering multiple signaling pathways and systems. By examining the links between each pathway or molecular system and synaptic neurotransmission, a deeper understanding of the disorder can be achieved.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Tiffany C. Ho, Boris Gutman, Elena Pozzi, Hans J. Grabe, Norbert Hosten, Katharina Wittfeld, Henry Voelzke, Bernhard Baune, Udo Dannlowski, Katharina Foerster, Dominik Grotegerd, Ronny Redlich, Andreas Jansen, Tilo Kircher, Axel Krug, Susanne Meinert, Igor Nenadic, Nils Opel, Richard Dinga, Dick J. Veltman, Knut Schnell, Ilya Veer, Henrik Walter, Ian H. Gotlib, Matthew D. Sacchet, Andre Aleman, Nynke A. Groenewold, Dan J. Stein, Meng Li, Martin Walter, Christopher R. K. Ching, Neda Jahanshad, Anjanibhargavi Ragothaman, Dmitry Isaev, Artemis Zavaliangos-Petropulu, Paul M. Thompson, Philipp G. Saemann, Lianne Schmaal
Summary: This study investigated the differences in subcortical shape between patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls. The results showed that both adolescent-onset MDD and recurrent MDD patients had lower thickness and surface area in certain subcortical regions compared to healthy controls.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Joseigla Pinto de Oliveira, Karen Jansen, Taiane de Azevedo Cardoso, Thaise Campos Mondin, Luciano Dias de Mattos Souza, Ricardo Azevedo da Silva, Fernanda Pedrotti Moreira
Summary: The study aimed to assess the role of childhood trauma in differentiating MDD and BD, as well as to describe the conversion rate from MDD to BD and its predictors. Findings indicated that predictors of conversion to BD included lower education, substance abuse, younger age of onset, and family history, while childhood trauma was not a significant risk factor for conversion.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Helle Nystrup Lund, Inge Nygaard Pedersen, Agnieszka M. Heymann-Szlachcinska, Maryla Tuszewska, Gustav Bizik, Jens Ivar Larsen, Antonio Drago, Eszter Kulhay, Anelia Larsen, Helle Ostermark Sorensen, Bettina Gronbech, Lars Rye Bertelsen, Jan Brink Valentin, Jan Mainz, Soren Paaske Johnsen
Summary: This study examined the efficacy of music intervention in depression-related insomnia. The results showed that music intervention can significantly improve sleep quality and well-being. However, the effects of music intervention decreased after the intervention was terminated.
NORDIC JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Kristina Mozuraityte, Agne Stanyte, Naomi A. Fineberg, Alessandro Serretti, Julija Gecaite-Stonciene, Julius Burkauskas
Summary: This study conducted a scoping review of published literature to examine the relationship between mental fatigue and various psychiatric disorders. The findings suggest that mental fatigue is studied in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Cognitive factors such as unhelpful beliefs about sleep and symptom-focussed rumination, as well as personality risk factors, were found to be relevant in predicting mental fatigue symptoms. Further investigation is needed to explore mental fatigue in adult psychiatric samples.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Fabio Panariello, Siegfried Kasper, Joseph Zohar, Daniel Souery, Stuart Montgomery, Panagiotis Ferentinos, Dan Rujescu, Julien Mendlewicz, Diana De Ronchi, Alessandro Serretti, Chiara Fabbri
Summary: This study aimed to identify factors associated with side effects of psychotropic drugs in a real-world setting enriched with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) patients. Results showed that the severity of depressive symptoms was associated with total, psychic, and neurological side effects, while autonomic side effects were higher in patients with somatic comorbidities and lower in patients receiving trazodone. Multivariate analyses revealed that depressive symptom severity was associated with psychic and total side effects, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with neurological side effects, and somatic comorbidities remained associated with autonomic side effects. Trazodone was associated with lower side effects and with augmentation treatments. Augmentation therapies showed opposite effects depending on response status, i.e. increased or decreased the risk of side effects in responders and non-responders/resistant patients, respectively.
WORLD JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Laura Mandelli, Yuri Milaneschi, Sarah Hiles, Alessandro Serretti, Brenda W. Penninx
Summary: An unhealthy lifestyle plays a crucial role in the development and progression of chronic disorders, and it may also affect biological systems involved in stress response. Using data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, researchers calculated a global index of unhealthy lifestyle based on five self-reported habits. They found that the index was associated with hyperactivity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased inflammation, indicating that unhealthy habits increase biological stress. The use of drugs also impacted the autonomic nervous system activity.
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alessandro Serretti
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alessandro Serretti
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Vincenzo Oliva, Giuseppe Fanelli, Siegfried Kasper, Joseph Zohar, Daniel Souery, Stuart Montgomery, Diego Albani, Gianluigi Forloni, Panagiotis Ferentinos, Dan Rujescu, Julien Mendlewicz, Diana De Ronchi, Chiara Fabbri, Alessandro Serretti
Summary: This study found that different clinical subtypes of major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly melancholic features and typical neurovegetative symptoms, may be associated with distinct underlying genetics. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic heterogeneity of MDD.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Raffaella Zanardi, Matteo Carminati, Francesco Attanasio, Chiara Fabbri, Alessandro Serretti
Summary: Nonpharmacological treatments for depression show effectiveness and tolerability in certain patients with diverse response. Genetic variables associated with treatment efficacy need to be examined to assist treatment selection. Most studies using candidate gene approach yielded poorly replicated findings due to small sample sizes, while a few methylome-wide and genome-wide association studies (GWASs) provided interesting results with the use of polygenic risk scores in small samples of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Further GWAS with larger sample sizes, such as the gen-ECT-ic consortium, can enhance our understanding of the genetic factors underlying treatment response in nonpharmacological therapies for depression.
PSYCHIATRIC GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Enrico Cocchi, Valeria Bellisario, Francesco Cresi, Claudio Plazzotta, Claudio Cassardo, Consolata Siniscalco, Licia Peruzzi, Roberto Bono
Summary: The study analyzed data from 2015 to 2017 and found a significant association between increased levels of chemical pollutants (PM2.5 and O-3) and biological pollutants (aeroallergens) in the week before delivery and the risk of preterm birth. This suggests that air pollution may induce preterm birth by triggering acute inflammation in pregnant women.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Paolo Olgiati, Alessandro Serretti
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alessandro Serretti
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jaime Millan-Santiago, Rosalba Vitagliano, Fortunata Mondella, Roberto Mandrioli, Roccaldo Sardella, Rafael Lucena, Tomaz Vovk, Soledad Cardenas, Federico Boaron, Alessandro Serretti, Carmine Petio, Michele Protti, Laura Mercolini
Summary: In this study, a bioanalytical method using volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) was developed and validated for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of psychiatric patients under cariprazine treatment. The VAMS-UHPLC-MS methodology showed satisfactory results and was proven to be a useful alternative to cariprazine plasma analysis in clinical practice.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Alessandro Serretti
Summary: Anhedonia is a core symptom of depression and other psychiatric disorders, referring to a lack of pleasure or reward. It is not only a psychological distress but also encompasses a range of reward processing deficits. Anhedonia is a relevant risk factor for suicidal behaviors and may operate independently of the severity of depressive episodes. It has also been associated with inflammation, which can have a reciprocal detrimental effect on depression. The neurophysiological bases of anhedonia mainly involve changes in striatal and prefrontal areas, with dopamine playing a key role as the neurotransmitter involved. Anhedonia is believed to have a significant genetic component and polygenic risk scores may be a tool for predicting an individual's risk for developing anhedonia. Traditional antidepressants have shown limited benefit in treating anhedonia, also considering their potential to worsen anhedonia in some individuals. Other treatments such as agomelatine, vortioxetine, ketamine, and transcranial magnetic stimulation may be more effective. Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy and behavioral activation, is widely supported as beneficial for anhedonia. In conclusion, evidence suggests that anhedonia is partially independent from depression and requires careful evaluation and targeted treatment.
CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Psychiatry
M. Calabro, C. Crisafulli, A. Drago
EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Psychiatry
H. N. Lund, I. N. Pedersen, A. Heymann-Szlachcinska, M. Tuszewska, G. Bizik, J. I. Larsen, A. Drago, E. Kulhay, A. Larsen, H. O. Sorensen, B. Gronbech, L. R. Bertelsen, J. B. Valentin, J. Mainz, S. P. Johnsen, N. Hannibal, R. MacDonald
EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)