Inter-ictal assay of peripheral circulating inflammatory mediators in migraine patients under adjunctive cervical non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS): A proof-of-concept study

Objective

To assay peripheral inter-ictal cytokine serum levels and possible relations with non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) responsiveness in migraineurs.

Evaluation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in the management of tinnitus. An observational study

ObjectivesTinnitus can induce disabling psychological suffering, requiring an integrative multimodal approach, combining neuromodulation and psychotherapeutic methods. We sought to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and acceptability of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in tinnitus.Materials and methodsThis was a single-center prospective non-comparative study. Inclusion criteria comprised: adult patient, with chronic tinnitus, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score > 17, causing psychological distress motivating active treatment after ineffective “classic” treatment (combining advice, sound therapy and first-line drug treatment), and agreement to EMDR therapy. Therapeutic efficacy was defined by a decrease in THI or Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Treatment acceptability was defined by the rate of included patients who completed therapy.ResultsThirty-eight patients were included. There was a significant reduction of 53.5% in THI score in 78.9% of patients (P < 0.0001; 64.8 ± 20.8 before versus 31.8 ± 24.7 after treatment), and of 51% in VAS score in 76.3% of patients (P < 0.0001; 7.24 ± 2.12 before versus 3.58 ± 2.03 after treatment). The treatment acceptability was 86.8%.ConclusionEMDR appeared to be an effective alternative that was acceptable to the majority of patients, after failure of “classic” first-line treatment, improving quality of life in tinnitus patients and thus relieving disability.     

逍遥丸对皮质酮诱导小鼠抑郁样行为的干预机制※

目的:观察逍遥丸对皮质酮诱导小鼠抑郁样行为的干预作用,并探讨其分子机制。方法:将50只ICR雄性小鼠,随机分为5组:正常组、皮质酮模型组、阳性对照氟西汀组(20 mg/kg)、低剂量逍遥丸(200 mg/kg)组、高剂量逍遥丸组(600 mg/kg),通过皮下注射皮质酮诱导小鼠抑郁模型。持续35天后,采用糖水偏好实验和强迫游泳实验评价动物抑郁样行为;采用ELISA方法测小鼠血清中皮质酮含量及小鼠海马组织中脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)的含量。结果:皮质酮可以降低糖水偏好值、增加小鼠强迫游泳的不动时间,而逍遥丸可以显著提高糖水偏好值、减少小鼠不动时间;长期注射皮质酮可增加血清皮质酮水平,降低海马组织中BDNF含量,而逍遥丸可以降低小鼠血清中皮质酮的含量并且能够提高海马组织中BDNF含量。结论:逍遥丸可以有效降低小鼠血清中皮质酮的含量并增加小鼠海马中BDNF含量,改善神经营养系统,产生抗抑郁样作用。     

Association between oophorectomy and depression in patients with comorbidities: A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan

ObjectiveThis study investigated the long-term rates of depression after oophorectomy for benign gynecological conditions with or without comorbidities.Materials and methodsThis retrospective cohort study examined data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) involving 8199 women aged ≥20 years who underwent unilateral or bilateral oophorectomy for benign gynecological conditions (cases) between 2000 and 2013 (index date). A second cohort consisted of 32,796 women who did not undergo oophorectomy (controls) who were matched 4:1 to cases by age and index year. The follow-up time was more than 10 years. For all participants, the analysis accounted for comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, and anxiety. Crude hazard ratios, adjusted hazard ratios, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated according to multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusting for age, comorbidity, and the combination of oophorectomy with one comorbidity.ResultsOur results show that unilateral or bilateral oophorectomy, whether performed by laparotomy or laparoscopy, increases the overall risk of depression (aHR: 1.36, 95%CI: 1.19–1.55). Compared with controls, women aged <50 years had a significantly higher incidence of depression. Having diabetes (aHR: 1.66, 95%CI: 1.09–2.51), hypertension (aHR:1.56, 95%CI:1.14–2.14), hyperlipidemia (aHR: 1.46, 95%CI: 1.04–2.05), stroke (aHR: 1.91, 95%CI: 1.01–3.60), COPD (aHR: 2.06, 95%CI: 1.3–3.26), chronic liver cirrhosis (aHR: 1.99, 95%CI:1.52–2.61), or anxiety (aHR: 5.01, 95%CI: 3.74–6.70) increased higher risk of depression compared with not having these comorbidities after oophorectomy. The likelihood of depression was highest within the first 6 years following oophorectomy (3–5years:aHR:1.26, 95%CI:1.00–1.58).ConclusionsOopherectomy increases the overall risk of depression. We offer useful information for surgical decision-making and preoperative assessments of women undergoing oophorectomy. It is concluded that a synergistic effect exists between oophorectomy and the comorbidities. Post-surgery, physicians should carefully evaluate the risk of depression developing amongst women with comorbidities. A postoperative follow-up time of at least 6 years is recommended, as this period was associated with a significantly higher rate of depression during our over 10-year follow-up.     

Brain impedance variation of directional leads implanted in subthalamic nuclei of Parkinsonian patients

ObjectiveConventional deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems with ring-shaped leads generate spherical electrical fields. In contrast, novel directional leads use segmented electrodes. Aim of this study was to quantify the impedance variations over time in subjects with the directional Cartesia-Boston® system.MethodsImpedance records, programming settings, and clinical data of 11 consecutive Parkinsonian patients implanted with DBS directional leads in two Italian centers (Udine and Vicenza) were retrospectively evaluated. Data were collected before starting stimulation (in the operating room and at days 5 and 40) and after switching stimulation on at the successive follow-up visits (1, 6 and 12 months).ResultsDirectional leads have significantly higher impedance than ring leads. Stimulated contacts had always lower impedance compared to non-stimulated contacts. Before DBS-on, all contacts had higher impedance in the operating room, with an initial decrease five days post-surgery and a subsequent increase at day 40, more evident for directional contacts. The impedance of directional leads increased post-implantation at 1 and 6 months with a plateau at 12 months.ConclusionsThere was a significant difference between the directional and ring leads at baseline (before activation of DBS) and during follow-up (chronic DBS).SignificanceOur study reveals new information about the impedance of segmented electrodes that is useful for patient management during the initial test period, as well as during long-term DBS follow-up.     

Effect of lacosamide on ethanol induced conditioned place preference and withdrawal associated behavior in mice: Possible contribution of hippocampal CRMP-2

BackgroundExcessive consumption of ethanol is known to activate the mTORC1 pathway and to enhance the Collapsin Response Mediator Protein-2 (CRMP-2) levels in the limbic region of brain. The latter helps in forming microtubule assembly that is linked to drug taking or addiction-like behavior in rodents. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of lacosamide, an antiepileptic drug and a known CRMP-2 inhibitor, which binds to CRMP-2 and inhibits the formation of microtubule assembly, on ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice.MethodsThe behavior of mice following ethanol addiction and withdrawal was assessed by performing different behavioral paradigms. Mice underwent ethanol-induced CPP training with alternate dose of ethanol (2 g/kg, po) and saline (10 ml/kg, po). The effect of lacosamide on the expression of ethanol-induced CPP and on ethanol withdrawal associated anxiety and depression-like behavior was evaluated. The effect of drug on locomotor activity was also assessed and hippocampal CRMP-2 levels were measured.ResultsEthanol-induced CPP was associated with enhanced CRMP-2 levels in the hippocampus. Lacosamide significantly reduced the expression of ethanol-induced CPP and alleviated the levels of hippocampal CRMP-2 but aggravated withdrawal-associated anxiety and depression in mice.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated the beneficial effect of lacosamide in attenuation of expression of ethanol induced conditioned place preference via reduction of hippocampal CRMP-2 level. These findings suggest that lacosamide may be investigated further for ethanol addiction but not for managing withdrawal.     

Mise à jour des croyances et congruence à l'humeur dans le trouble dépressif

Depressive disorder is characterized by a polymorphic symptomatology associating emotional, cognitive and behavioral disturbances. One of the most specific symptoms is negative beliefs, called congruent to mood. Despite the importance of these beliefs in the development, the maintenance, and the recurrence of depressive episodes, little is known about the processes underlying the generation of depressive beliefs. In this paper, we detail the link between belief updating mechanisms and the genesis of depressive beliefs. We show how depression alters information processing, generating cognitive immunization when processing positive information, affective updating bias related to the valence of belief and prediction error, and difficultie to disengage from negative information. We suggest that disruption of belief-updating mechanisms forms the basis of belief-mood congruence in depression.     

抑郁症康复技能训练程式在基层医院推广应用的价值研究

背景　抑郁症的康复技能训练是一种很好的辅助治疗方法，本课题通过引进成熟的抑郁症康复技术，使基层医务人员熟练掌握，为辖区内广大抑郁症患者开展康复训练，以期提高抑郁症患者的疗效，降低自杀风险。目的　探讨抑郁症康复技能训练程式在基层医院推广应用的价值。方法　选取门头沟区龙泉医院2018年1-9月门诊就诊的65例抑郁症患者为研究对象。入选患者全部接受康复训练，分别于训练前和训练结束3个月后采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表（HAMD）、社会功能缺陷筛选量表（SDSS）、服药依从性、自杀风险评估量表（nurses' global assessment of suicide risk，NGASR）和自杀风险问卷对患者进行评估。结果　共61例患者完成研究，与训练前比较，训练结束3个月后患者HAMD、SDSS评分明显降低，服药依从性除自行停药外均明显提高，自杀风险明显降低，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论　抑郁症康复训练程式能有效提高患者服药依从性，改善抑郁症状，减少自杀观念，在基层医院有推广价值。