Article
Clinical Neurology
Yiwen Liu, Jon Heron, Matthew Hickman, Stanley Zammit, Dieter Wolke
Summary: The study found that both pre- and postnatal stress sources such as maternal depression and family adversity were associated with offspring depression. However, childhood trauma directly impacted offspring depression and mediated all pathways. Specific traumas like physical, emotional abuse and peer bullying had stronger evidence for mediating pathways compared to other traumas.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Wensong Shen
Summary: Cumulative childhood adversity is significantly associated with mental health problems in both children and adults, but not in adolescence. Different domains of childhood adversity have varied impacts on mental health issues at different life stages. The relationship between cumulative childhood adversity and adult mental health problems is fully mediated by educational attainment, with no gender differences observed in the occurrence or impact of cumulative childhood adversity on mental health problems.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Sidney Zisook, Beata Planeta, Paul B. Hicks, Peijun Chen, Lori L. Davis, Gerardo Villarreal, Mamta Sapra, Gary R. Johnson, Somaia Mohamed
Summary: The study explores the association between specific types of childhood adversity and clinical features and treatment outcomes in adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). It shows that childhood adversities are linked to demographic characteristics, severity of depression and anxiety, treatment response, and long-term outcomes, emphasizing the importance of considering childhood maltreatment histories in treating individuals with MDD.
GENERAL HOSPITAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Emilia L. Mielke, Julian Koenig, Sabine C. Herpertz, Sylvia Steinmann, Corinne Neukel, Pelin Kilavuz, Patrice van der Venne, Katja Bertsch, Michael Kaess
Summary: Interpersonal dysfunction is a core symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD), and recent research suggests that low levels of oxytocin in plasma may be related to this disorder. This study examined plasma oxytocin levels in 131 female BPD patients, finding that they had reduced levels compared to non-BPD controls, and this was independent of age. Plasma oxytocin was also negatively associated with the number of BPD symptoms, and there was a mediating effect of adverse childhood experiences on the relationship between BPD symptoms and oxytocin levels.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Economics
Zhiming Cheng, Liwen Guo, Russell Smyth, Massimiliano Tani
Summary: This study fills the gap in the literature by providing causal evidence that early life experiences have a direct effect on subsequent energy poverty status. Using data from China Family Panel Studies, the study finds that being a child or adolescent in the Great Chinese Famine raises the likelihood of being in energy poverty in adulthood. Personal income is identified as a channel through which childhood experiences during the famine affect the proclivity to be in energy poverty later in life.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Danielle Roubinov, Dillon Browne, Kaja Z. LeWinn, Nadra Lisha, W. Alex Mason, Nicole R. Bush
Summary: This study aimed to explore the relationships between maternal early life trauma, maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum period, and children's internalizing symptoms. The results showed that maternal childhood trauma was associated with maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum period, which further predicted children's internalizing problems. Limitations include the reliance on self-reported assessments from mothers and the retrospective evaluation of childhood trauma.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Review
Psychiatry
Chuk-Ling Julian Lai, Yuying Fan, Hoi Yun Man, Yi Huang
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the association between childhood adversity (CA) and depression in Chinese populations using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). A literature retrieval was conducted from established databases between 2005 and 2020, resulting in 40 eligible studies with 145 effect sizes. Multi-level meta-analysis revealed a pooled effect size of r = 0.24, p < 0.001, CI = [0.20, 0.27] for the association between CA and depression. The results highlighted the importance of considering CA subtypes and sociocultural factors in future research on mental disorders in China.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yuko Hakamata, Shinya Mizukami, Shuhei Izawa, Yoshiya Moriguchi, Hiroaki Hori, Noboru Matsumoto, Takashi Hanakawa, Yusuke Inoue, Hirokuni Tagaya
Summary: The study suggests that childhood trauma may lead to a lack of visuoperceptual contextual details in autobiographical memory by altering basal cortisol secretion and brain connectivity. Increased connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and extrastriate cortex may contribute to the formation of overgeneral autobiographical memory.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Elizabeth Kwon, Sycarah Fisher, Hsien-Chang Lin, Steven M. Kogan
Summary: Racial discrimination is associated with depression among Black American men, but it does not uniformly increase the risk for depression. The stress sensitization theory suggests that racial discrimination can be particularly harmful for those who experienced childhood adversity. This study investigated the impact of different dimensions of adverse childhood experiences on the association between racial discrimination and depression. The findings show that the association between racial discrimination and depressive symptoms varied depending on the degree of childhood deprivation, highlighting the importance of considering unique developmental risk and protective factors for Black American men in clinical settings.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Elin Engdahl, Ali Alavian-Ghavanini, Yvonne Forsell, Catharina Lavebratt, Joelle Ruegg
Summary: The study shows that childhood adversity is associated with increased methylation levels of GRIN2B in adulthood, indicating sensitivity to early life stress and persistent methylation at this gene. However, no association was found between GRIN2B methylation and depression status.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Danielle E. Dalechek, Line Caes, Gwenne Mcintosh, Anna C. Whittaker
Summary: This study uses data from the UK Biobank to explore the relationships between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), anxiety, chronic pain, and inflammatory biomarkers. The findings suggest that ACEs may contribute to chronic pain through mechanisms involving inflammation and anxiety.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Jordan P. Davis, John Prindle, Shaddy Saba, Daniel S. Lee, Daniel Leightley, Denise D. Tran, Angeles Sedano, Reagan Fitzke, Carl A. Castro, Eric R. Pedersen
Summary: This study examines the relationship between traumatic experiences and mental health symptoms, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among U.S. veterans. The findings suggest that different types of adversity, such as early childhood adversity, combat-related trauma, and military sexual trauma, increase the likelihood of transitioning into higher risk stress profiles. The study also highlights the differential effects of early childhood and military-specific adversity on PTSD symptomology.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Zhichen Pu, Weiwei Zhang, Minhui Wang, Maodi Xu, Haitang Xie, Jun Zhao
Summary: Schisandrin B inhibits cell growth and metastasis of colon cancer by regulating the expression of SMURF2 and SIRT1 proteins, suggesting it as a potential novel therapeutic agent for colon cancer.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Xiaoling Xiang, Xiafei Wang
Summary: This study found that childhood adversities such as physical abuse, trouble with the police, receiving help due to financial difficulties, and parental substance abuse were associated with a higher risk of major depression in later life. Men may be more susceptible to the mental health detriments of childhood adversities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Yuan Cao, Huan Sun, Paulo Lizano, Gaoju Deng, Xiaoqin Zhou, Hongsheng Xie, Jingshi Mu, Xipeng Long, Hongqi Xiao, Shiyu Liu, Baolin Wu, Qiyong Gong, Changjian Qiu, Zhiyun Jia
Summary: This study investigated the neuroanatomical alterations in bipolar II depression (BDII-D) and their associations with inflammation, childhood adversity, and psychiatric symptoms. The results showed that BDII-D patients had smaller gray matter volumes and thinner cortices in specific brain regions, which were related to experiences of abuse, inflammation markers, and psychiatric symptoms.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Francesco Fornai, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
Summary: The catecholamine-containing brainstem nuclei LC and VTA are crucial for stress responses and may contribute to neurodegeneration, especially during chronic stress. Alterations in catecholamine systems can lead to cognitive decline and potentially increase the production of toxic dopamine and norepinephrine by-products, affecting proteostasis in various brain regions. The molecular events controlling neurotransmission, neuroplasticity, and proteostasis within LC and VTA impact different brain areas, with alterations in autophagy machinery within these nuclei potentially triggering early neurodegeneration.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Livia La Barbera, Francescangelo Vedele, Annalisa Nobili, Paraskevi Krashia, Elena Spoleti, Emanuele Claudio Latagliata, Debora Cutuli, Emma Cauzzi, Ramona Marino, Maria Teresa Viscomi, Laura Petrosini, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Marcello Melone, Flavio Keller, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Fiorenzo Conti, Marcello D'Amelio
Summary: Recent studies suggest that degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area could be one of the first events in Alzheimer's Disease. Using a mouse model, researchers found that treatment with Nilotinib could reduce phosphorylation of c-Abl, improve autophagy, lower A beta levels, and prevent degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the VTA. The drug also preserved dopamine outflow to the hippocampus and improved hippocampal-related cognitive functions.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gloria Lazzeri, Carla L. Busceti, Francesca Biagioni, Cinzia Fabrizi, Gabriele Morucci, Filippo S. Giorgi, Michela Ferrucci, Paola Lenzi, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Francesco Fornai
Summary: Norepinephrine (NE) offers protective effects against Meth-induced cell damage when directly applied to PC12 cells, primarily through activation of plasma membrane beta 2-adrenergic receptors (ARs) and restoration of autophagy disrupted by Meth administration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Mastroiacovo, Francesca Biagioni, Paola Lenzi, Larisa Ryskalin, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Alessandro Frati, Francesco Fornai
Summary: The heat shock protein (HSP) 70 plays a crucial role in neuronal survival in ischemic conditions, with high density found in cytosolic vacuoles and mitochondria in control conditions. However, a loss of such specific polarization is documented within the peri-infarct region, leading to depletion of HSP70 from these organelles. This may significantly impact the physiological functions of HSP70 in promoting neuronal survival.
Review
Psychiatry
Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Stefano Ruggieri, Francesco Fornai
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests the efficacy of lithium (Li+) in neuropsychiatry, indicating common dysfunctional molecular and morphological mechanisms among psychiatric and neurological disorders. The plasticity in distinct brain circuitries also overlaps in these disorders, highlighting the potential for a multi-drug strategy to target shared features.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Alfonso Troisi, Roberta Croce Nanni, Alessandro Giunta, Valeria Manfreda, Ester Del Duca, Silvia Criscuolo, Luca Bianchi, Maria Esposito
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of adult attachment style and alexithymia on cutaneous body image in patients with psoriasis, while controlling for the confounding effects of disease severity and depressive symptoms. The study found that, independent of disease severity and depressive symptoms, patients with an insecure-avoidant attachment style and higher levels of alexithymia reported greater cutaneous body dissatisfaction.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Biagioni, Federica Mastroiacovo, Paola Lenzi, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Carla L. Busceti, Larisa Ryskalin, Rosangela Ferese, Domenico Bucci, Alessandro Frati, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Francesco Fornai
Summary: The peri-infarct region, known as the ischemic penumbra, is a critical area surrounding the irreversible ischemic stroke region where neuronal metabolic conditions are impaired. Over-expression of HSP70 is the classic biochemical marker of the penumbra, but other proteins related to cell clearing pathways are also modified in this area. LC3 and P20S are two proteins that show significant overlapping redistribution within the penumbra, with a reduction in autophagoproteasomes reported as a relevant sub-cellular alteration in this region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Michela Ferrucci, Francesca Biagioni, Carla L. Busceti, Chiara Vidoni, Roberta Castino, Ciro Isidoro, Larisa Ryskalin, Alessandro Frati, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Francesco Fornai
Summary: The study investigates the role of autophagy in METH-induced toxicity of dopamine neurons, revealing that ongoing autophagy protects dopamine neurons and determines the refractoriness of cell bodies to METH-induced toxicity.
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tommaso B. Jannini, Andrea Sansone, Rodolfo Rossi, Giorgio Di Lorenzo, Massimiliano Toscano, Alberto Siracusano, Emmanuele A. Jannini
Summary: Antipsychotic medications can cause various side effects, including sexual dysfunction, which can negatively impact patients' health and treatment adherence. This article reviews pharmacologic approaches for managing sexual dysfunction in men who are administered with antipsychotics. The authors emphasize the importance of considering patients' sexual health, choosing appropriate medications, and monitoring sexual function.
EXPERT OPINION ON PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Erika Testa, Claudia Palazzo, Roberta Mastrantonio, Maria Teresa Viscomi
Summary: This review discusses the dynamic interaction between tumor cells and brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), providing evidence of how tumor cells utilize BMECs for the formation of new blood vessels. The interplay between tumor cells and BMECs involves multiple communication routes, including soluble factors, direct cell-cell contact, and extracellular vesicles. Furthermore, the review describes how this interaction modifies the structure, metabolism, and physiology of BMECs to promote tumor growth and invasiveness. Recent advances in high-throughput 3D models are briefly discussed for a better understanding of the complexity of BMECs-tumor cell interaction.
Article
Psychiatry
Mario Luciano, Gaia Sampogna, Mario Amore, Alessandro Bertolino, Liliana Dell'Osso, Alessandro Rossi, Alberto Siracusano, Pietro Calcagno, Claudia Carmassi, Giorgio Di Lorenzo, Matteo Di Vincenzo, Vincenzo Giallonardo, Antonio Rampino, Rodolfo Rossi, Andrea Fiorillo
Summary: The present study aimed to examine the effects of a lifestyle group intervention compared to a brief psychoeducational intervention on physical activity levels and dietary habits in patients with severe mental disorders. The findings showed that patients who received the intervention were more likely to increase their physical activity levels and improve their dietary habits, suggesting the potential for patients to improve their lifestyle behaviors.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Alfonso Troisi
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Alfonso Troisi, Roberta Croce Nanni, Simone De Sanctis, Giulia Dieguez, Valeria Carola
Summary: Despite being less studied, the behavioral immune system has a significant and positive association with COVID-19 vaccine uptake, as shown in a large online study conducted during the spring 2022 in Italy. Pathogen disgust sensitivity was found to be a predictor of vaccine uptake, with participants having the highest possible score on the PVD Germ Aversion scale being 12 times more likely to be vaccinated than those with the lowest score. The activation of the behavioral immune system can be used in public health messaging to drive vaccine uptake.
BRAIN, BEHAVIOR, & IMMUNITY - HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Rodolfo Rossi, Valentina Socci, Dalila Talevi, Cinzia Niolu, Francesca Pacitti, Antinisca Di Marco, Alessandro Rossi, Alberto Siracusano, Giorgio Di Lorenzo, Miranda Olff
Summary: This study examined trauma-related symptoms in a general population sample in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that GPS symptoms clustered best into Negative Affect symptoms, Core Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms, and Dissociative symptoms. The study indicated that high rates of core PTSD symptoms and negative affect symptoms were associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and should be routinely assessed in clinical practice.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY
(2021)