Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Anna Mosiolek, Aleksandra Pieta, Slawomir Jakima, Natalia Zborowska, Jadwiga Mosiolek, Agata Szulc
Summary: Major depressive disorder is a prevalent mental illness worldwide, with more than 30% of patients not achieving remission through conventional therapy. Inflammation and disturbed neurogenesis are implicated in the pathophysiology of depression, with potential involvement of neurotrophic factors in patient recovery. The influence of antidepressants on inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophins remains inconsistent, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin and noradrenaline inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants showing possible anti-inflammatory properties. Further research is needed to determine the role of inflammatory markers in predicting treatment response in MDD.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Leutner Michael, Matzhold Caspar, Kautzky Alexander, Kaleta Michaela, Thurner Stefan, Klimek Peter, Kautzky-Willer Alexandra
Summary: This study found that there was a higher proportion of MDD among patients treated with statins compared to non-treated patients, with a dose-dependent relationship between statins and the diagnosis of MDD. Low-dose statin treatment was associated with a lower risk of MDD, while high-dose statin treatment was associated with a higher risk of MDD.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin Portal, Flora Vasile, Jonathan Zapata, Camille Lejards, Abd El Kader Ait Tayeb, Romain Colle, Celine Verstuyft, Emmanuelle Corruble, Nathalie Rouach, Bruno P. Guiard
Summary: Studies suggest that astrocytic connexins (Cx) play an important role in regulating high brain functions and may be involved in psychiatric disorders and the therapeutic activity of antidepressant drugs. This study found that Cx inactivation affects the efficacy of antidepressant drugs in a mouse model of depression, and the combination of VENLA and CBX increases the risk of relapse.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aneta Bednarova, Viera Habalova, Ivan Tkac
Summary: This study investigated the association between BDNF polymorphisms and depression and schizophrenia. The results showed that BDNF rs962369 was significantly associated with an increased risk of single-episode major depression disorder (MDD) and recurrent MDD, but not with schizophrenia. The frequency of the minor allele C of BDNF rs962369 varied across different subgroups, with the highest frequency in patients with recurrent MDD and the lowest in schizophrenia patients.
Article
Psychiatry
Jeffrey R. Strawn, Jeffrey A. Mills, Vikram Suresh, Taryn Mayes, Melanie T. Gentry, Madhukar Trivedi, Paul E. Croarkin
Summary: Understanding how age affects antidepressant response is important for treatment selection. This study analyzed participant-level data from NIH-sponsored trials to identify the impact of age on antidepressant response.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Marcelo T. Berlim, Stephane Richard-Devantoy, Nicole Rodrigues dos Santos, Gustavo Turecki
Summary: The study found that the psychopathological network structure of major depressive disorder changed after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment, showing increased interconnectedness. Throughout the treatment process, the core symptoms of major depressive disorder include depressed mood, fatigue, and cognitive/psychomotor disturbance.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Gernot Fugger, Lucie Bartova, Chiara Fabbri, Giuseppe Fanelli, Raffaella Zanardi, Markus Dold, Alexander Kautzky, Dan Rujescu, Daniel Souery, Julien Mendlewicz, Joseph Zohar, Stuart Montgomery, Alessandro Serretti, Siegfried Kasper
Summary: A study found that European patients who were prescribed NaSSAs as first-line antidepressant treatment had characteristics such as older age, male gender, unemployment, additional melancholic and catatonic features, inpatient treatment, lower dosages of antidepressants but higher rates of augmentation with low-potency antipsychotics, and greater reductions of depressive symptoms during their current major depressive episodes.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bartlomiej Pochwat, Anna Julia Krupa, Marcin Siwek, Bernadeta Szewczyk
Summary: This review summarizes the latest findings on the antidepressant mechanism of ketamine and other compounds. Studies have shown that ketamine and psychedelics induce lasting effects on the dendritic spine architecture and density in brain regions involved in mood regulation, leading to fast and long-lasting antidepressant-like effects. Other compounds, such as serotonergic modulators and metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands, show potential in achieving rapid antidepressant effects through different mechanisms.
EXPERT OPINION ON INVESTIGATIONAL DRUGS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peijun Tian, Renying Zou, Luyao Wang, Ying Chen, Xin Qian, Jianxin Zhao, Hao Zhang, Long Qian, Qun Wang, Gang Wang, Wei Chen
Summary: This study investigated the potential psychotropic effects of a combined three-strain probiotic intervention for human MDD patients. The results showed that multi-probiotics significantly reduced depression symptoms and improved gastrointestinal functions, with serotonergic system modification as the key mechanism.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jessica R. Gilbert, Jessica L. Gerner, Courtney R. Burton, Allison C. Nugent, Carlos A. Zarate, Elizabeth D. Ballard
Summary: This study investigated the magnetoencephalographic (MEG) correlates of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempt history in patients with treatment-resistant major depression (TRD), both at baseline and after subanesthetic-dose ketamine infusion. The findings showed that ketamine significantly reduced SI and depression in the sample. Following ketamine infusion, attempters showed improved accuracy on the task, while non-attempters showed reduced accuracy. SI was positively associated with gamma power in frontal and parietal cortices. In an extended amygdalahippocampal region, attempters differed significantly in their emotional reactivity to angry versus happy faces as indexed by theta power differences, regardless of drug. Ketamine also reduced the association between alpha power and SI for angry compared to happy faces in a fronto-insular/anterior cingulate region important for regulating sensory attentiveness.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Pavarud Puangsri, Vinn Jinanarong, Putrada Ninla-aesong
Summary: This study examined the changes in complete blood count parameters and inflammatory ratios during selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment for depression. The results showed that SSRI treatment increased red blood cell count and related parameters, and decreased monocyte-related parameters and inflammatory ratios. Additionally, a higher baseline platelet count may be a predictor of non-response to antidepressant treatment.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Psychology, Clinical
Yuri E. Rybak, Ka S. P. Lai, Rajamannar Ramasubbu, Daniel M. Blumberger, Peter Chan, Nicholas Delva, Peter Giacobbe, Caroline Gosselin, Sidney H. Kennedy, Hani Iskandar, Shane McInerney, Paula Ravitz, Verinder Sharma, Ari Zaretsky, Amer M. Burhan
Summary: The study aimed to reach a consensus on the concept, definition, staging model, and assessment of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Experts recommended the use of staging models and clinical scales for evaluating depression, and identified risk factors and comorbidities as potential predictors for treatment resistance.
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Andrew M. Fukuda, Jee Won Diane Kang, Asi Polly Gobin, Eric Tirrell, Fatih Kokdere, Linda L. Carpenter
Summary: The study found that TMS treatment significantly improved anhedonia in depressed patients and that the severity of anhedonia was significantly correlated with other depressive symptoms. However, baseline severity of anhedonia was not a significant predictor of clinical outcome.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Eric J. Lenze, Benoit H. Mulsant, Steven P. Roose, Helen Lavretsky, Charles F. Reynolds, Daniel M. Blumberger, Patrick J. Brown, Pilar Cristancho, Alastair J. Flint, Marie A. Gebara, Torie R. Gettinger, Emily Lenard, J. Philip Miller, Ginger E. Nicol, Hanadi A. Oughli, Vy T. Pham, Bruce L. Rollman, Lei Yang, Jordan F. Karp
Summary: In this study, a two-step open-label trial was conducted to investigate the effects of augmenting or switching antidepressants in older adults with treatment-resistant depression. The results showed that augmenting existing antidepressants with aripiprazole significantly improved well-being compared to switching to bupropion. Furthermore, augmentation with lithium or a switch to nortriptyline showed similar effects in patients who did not benefit from augmentation or a switch to bupropion. These findings highlight the potential benefits of aripiprazole augmentation in the treatment of treatment-resistant depression in older adults.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
E. J. Lenze, B. H. Mulsant, S. P. Roose, H. Lavretsky, C. F. Reynolds, D. M. Blumberger, P. J. Brown, P. Cristancho, A. J. Flint, M. A. Gebara, T. R. Gettinger, E. Lenard, J. P. Miller, G. E. Nicol, H. A. Oughli, V. T. Pham, B. L. Rollman, L. Yang, J. F. Karp
Summary: This study investigated the benefits and risks of augmenting or switching antidepressants in older adults with treatment-resistant depression. The study found that augmenting existing antidepressants with aripiprazole significantly improved psychological well-being compared to switching to bupropion. Among patients in whom augmentation or a switch to bupropion failed, the effects on psychological well-being and remission were similar with lithium augmentation or a switch to nortriptyline.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Alexander Kautzky, Hans-Juergen Moller, Markus Dold, Lucie Bartova, Florian Seemuller, Gerd Laux, Michael Riedel, Wolfgang Gaebel, Siegfried Kasper
Summary: Predictors for treatment outcomes in major depressive disorder are still lacking, a study on acutely depressed patients identified the importance of treatment- and symptom-specific algorithms in increasing accuracies in predicting treatment success. Machine learning plays a decisive role in antidepressant treatment management.
ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marco Calabro, Chiara Fabbri, Siegfried Kasper, Joseph Zohar, Daniel Souery, Stuart Montgomery, Diego Albani, Gianluigi Forloni, Panagiotis Ferentinos, Dan Rujescu, Julien Mendlewicz, Roberto Colombo, Diana De Ronchi, Alessandro Serretti, Concetta Crisafulli
Summary: This study summarized the significance of pre-clinical and clinical studies investigating specific RDoC paradigms relevant to depressive phenotypes and antidepressant effects. The RDoC framework may facilitate a more specific use of antidepressants and the development of new compounds targeting specific depressive symptoms.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lucie Bartova, Markus Dold, Hans-Peter Volz, Erich Seifritz, Hans-Juergen Moeller, Siegfried Kasper
Summary: Silexan, derived from Lavandula angustifolia, has been proven to have anxiolytic efficacy in subthreshold and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as positive effects on anxiety-related sleep disturbances. This meta-analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials shows that Silexan also has a beneficial effect on co-occurring depressive symptoms in patients with subthreshold anxiety and anxiety disorders, suggesting potential therapeutic implications for depressive disorders.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Siegfried Kasper
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Marcelo B. Generoso, Ivan Taiar, Quirino Cordeiro, Pedro Shiozawa, Siegfried Kasper
Summary: Early treatment of psychotic illness is important for better outcomes, and cariprazine, a promising antipsychotic drug, may be beneficial in treating psychosis regardless of the diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Arkadiusz Komorowski, Matej Murgas, Ramon Vidal, Aditya Singh, Gregor Gryglewski, Siegfried Kasper, Jens Wiltfang, Rupert Lanzenberger, Roberto Goya-Maldonado
Summary: The exploration of the spatial relationship between gene expression profiles and task-evoked response patterns known to be altered in neuropsychiatric disorders can guide the development of more targeted therapies. The identification of stable relationships between spatial gene expression profiles and fMRI data may reshape the prospects for imaging transcriptomics studies.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Miquel Roca, Annalisa Bonelli, Agnese Cattaneo, Alessandro Comandini, Giorgio Di Dato, Franca Heiman, Valeria Pegoraro, Siegfried Kasper, Hans-Peter Volz, Diego Palao
Summary: This study explores the impact of pharmacological approaches in treating MDD patients and identifies factors associated with longer sick leave duration. Combination/switch/add-on treatments are associated with a higher risk of longer sick leave periods, while timely and careful selection of antidepressant treatment approach may help reduce sick leave.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Hans-Peter Volz, Johanna Stirnweiss, Siegfried Kasper, Hans-Juergen Moeller, Erich Seifritz
Summary: This paper reviews the research on subthreshold depression (SD) based on a scoping review. The results show that the operationalisation criteria used are highly heterogeneous, leading to inconsistent epidemiological data. The impact of SD on quality of life and related parameters is similar to that of major depression, and therapeutic approaches can be helpful in both preventing and treating SD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Psychiatry
Merita Hrustanovic, Siegfried Kasper
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Psychiatry
Siegfried Kasper
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2022)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Lucie Bartova, Markus Dold, Gernot Fugger, Ana Weidenauer, Dan Rujescu, Siegfried Kasper
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Siegfried Kasper, Anne Eckert, Hans-Juergen Moeller, Hans-Peter Volz, Erich Seifritz
Summary: This article reviews the therapeutic potential of Silexan for psychiatric symptoms in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Silexan has shown therapeutic efficacy for various psychiatric symptoms such as generalized anxiety disorder, subsyndromal anxiety disorders, comorbid depressive and somatic symptoms, sleep disturbances, and mixed anxiety and depression. Preliminary findings indicate that Silexan holds promise as a treatment for psychiatric manifestations in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Peter Stohrmann, Godber Mathis Godbersen, Murray Bruce Reed, Jakob Unterholzner, Manfred Klobl, Pia Baldinger-Melich, Thomas Vanicek, Andreas Hahn, Rupert Lanzenberger, Siegfried Kasper, Georg S. Kranz
Summary: This longitudinal study investigated the effect of bilateral sequential theta-burst stimulation (TBS) on functional connectivity (FC) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Results showed that both active and sham stimulation groups exhibited reductions in depression scores, with no significant difference between the two groups. Baseline FC between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the subgenual cingulate cortex (sgACC) was correlated with changes in depression severity. TBS significantly reduced FC between the left stimulation target and bilateral anterior insula, highlighting the effect on the salience network.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Psychiatry
Siegfried Kasper
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Evangelia E. Antoniou, Martijn Rooseboom, Neslihan A. Kocabas, Colin M. North, Maurice P. Zeegers
Summary: This study explored the possibility of using human peripheral blood cells as a substitute for bone marrow cells in evaluating the genotoxic effects of stressors. The analysis of relevant publications found that there were very small differences in the frequencies of micronuclei between exposed and non-exposed individuals, regardless of whether peripheral blood or bone marrow cells were measured. Therefore, no definite conclusion can be made regarding the relative sensitivities of bone marrow and peripheral blood cells based on these publications.
MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS
(2023)
