The neuroendocrinology of stress and the pathophysiology and therapy of depression and anxiety

Clinical and preclinical studies have gathered substantial evidence that stress response alterations play a major role in the development of major depression, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The stress response, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) system and its modulation by corticotropin-releasing hormones (CRH),corticosteroids,and their receptors, and the roles of natriuretic peptides and neuroactive steroids are described. We review the role of the HPA system in major depression, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder and its possible relevance for treatment. Impaired glucocorticoid receptor function in major depression is associated with an excessive release of neurohormones such as CRH, to which a number of signs and symptoms characteristic of depression can be ascribed. In panic disorder, a role of central CRH in panic attacks has been suggested. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is causally involved in sodium lactate-induced panic attacks. Furthermore, preclinical and clinical data on its anxiolytic activity suggest that nonpeptidergic ANP receptor ligands may be potentially useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by a peripheral hyporesponsive HPA system and elevated CRH concentrations in the CSF. This dissociation is probably related to an increased risk of this disorder. We further review recent data that describe an important role of GABA(A)-receptor modulatory,3 alpha-reduced neuroactive steroids in major depression, anxiety, and its treatment. Antidepressants are effective in both depression and anxiety disorders and have major effects on the HPA system,especially on glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. Normalization of HPA system abnormalities is a strong predictor of the clinical course, at least in major depression and panic disorder. Currently,CRH-R1 or glucocorticoid receptor antagonists and ANP receptor agonists are being studied and may provide future treatment options more closely related to the pathophysiology of these disorders.     

Polymorphisms of DRD4 and DRD3 and risk of avoidant and obsessive personality traits and disorders

We investigated whether polymorphisms of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) and polymorphisms of the dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) were associated with personality disorder symptomatology rather than with personality traits such as novelty seeking. DNA was obtained from 145 depressed patients in a clinical trial. These patients were assessed for the presence of personality disorder symptoms and disorders. The 2-repeat allele of the DRD4 exon III polymorphism was associated with increased rates of avoidant and obsessive personality disorder symptomatology. The T,T genotype of the DRD4 -521 C>T polymorphism was also associated with increased rates of avoidant and obsessive personality disorder symptomatology. The Gly9,Gly9 genotype of the DRD3 Ser9Gly polymorphism was associated with increased rates of obsessive personality disorder symptomatology. None of these three polymorphisms were associated with novelty seeking or other temperament traits on the Temperament and Character Inventory. Our results suggest that genetic polymorphisms of DRD4 and DRD3 may well be associated with personality traits, and that conflicting findings to date may arise from the problem of phenotype definition.     

沙盘游戏疗法在地中海贫血患儿心理干预中的应用

本文目的是对沙盘游戏疗法在地中海贫血患儿心理干预中的应用进行综述,以期为地中海贫血患儿的心理康复提供参考。地中海贫血是以珠蛋白生成障碍为主要特征的遗传性疾病,由于长期输血治疗,患儿存在较多的心理和行为问题。沙盘游戏疗法作为一种有效、实用的儿童心理治疗方法,对提高地中海贫血患儿的康复效果、改善生存质量有重要的临床意义。     

癫痫共病抑郁的机制及临床诊疗

本文目的是探讨癫痫共病抑郁的可能机制及临床诊疗。癫痫是一种常见的、慢性的、致残性的神经疾病,癫痫患者生活质量下降,存在明显的负性情绪,常伴发各种精神疾病。癫痫与抑郁具有共同的神经生物学基础,可能存在共同的发病机制。本文从癫痫共病抑郁的发病机制、临床诊断及治疗方面予以总结归纳。     

Efficacy and Effectiveness of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy

Decades of intervention research have produced a rich body of evidence on the effects of psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies with children and adolescents. Here we summarize and critique that evidence. We review findings bearing on the efficacy of psychosocial treatments and medications under controlled experimental conditions. We also report evidence, where available, on the effectiveness of both classes of treatment with clinically referred youth treated in real-world clinical contexts. In general, the large body of evidence on efficacy contrasts sharply with the small base of evidence on effectiveness. Addressing this gap through an enriched research agenda could contribute importantly to linking scientific inquiry and clinical practice—to the benefit of both ventures. This is one element of a multifaceted agenda for future research and for synthesis of research, which will require the interplay of multiple disciplines related to child and adolescent mental health.     

Seclusion and restraint and prediction of violence

The authors studied the use of seclusion and restraint on an inpatient unit in a state psychiatric hospital. Of 69 randomly selected inpatients, 51% experienced seclusion or restraint at least once. More psychotic than nonpsychotic patients required seclusion or restraint. However, neither psychosis/nonpsychosis nor voluntary/involuntary admission status predicted the likelihood of violent threats or actions. Patients experiencing seclusion and restraint showed a nonsignificant trend toward longer mean length of stay in the hospital. The frequency of patient behavior leading to seclusion or restraint appeared to be directly related to the stimulation caused by the presence of many staff members and other patients.     

Comparison of trigeminal and spinal modulation of pain and nociception

Modulation of pain and nociception by noxious counterstimulation, also called "diffuse noxious inhibitory controls" or DNIC-like effect, is often used in studies of pain disorders. It can be elicited in the trigeminal and spinal innervation areas, but no study has previously compared effects in both innervation areas. Therefore, we performed a study comparing DNIC-like effects on the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) and the nociceptive blink reflex as well as the respective pain sensations. In 50 healthy volunteers, the blink reflex elicited with a concentric electrode and the NFR were recorded before and after immersion of the contralateral hand in cold water. Responses were recorded as the subjective pain sensation and the reflex size. The cold water immersion of the contralateral hand elicited a reduction of both subjective pain sensation and reflex amplitude following the stimulation of both reflexes. However, there were no strong correlations between the individual reductions of both subjective pain sensation and reflex amplitude for both reflexes, and neither when results of the two reflexes were compared with each other. The dissociation between DNIC-like effects on pain and on nociception, which had been found previously already for the NFR, implies that both effects need to be studied separately.     

Modulators and inhibitors of gamma- and beta-secretases

Most gene mutations associated with Alzheimer's disease point to the metabolism of amyloid precursor protein as a potential cause. The beta- and gamma-secretases are two executioners of amyloid precursor protein processing resulting in amyloid-beta. Significant progress has been made in the selective inhibition of both proteases, regardless of structural information for gamma-secretase. Several peptidic and nonpeptidic leads were identified for both targets.     

Cultural Identity and Experiences of Prejudice and Discrimination of Afghan and Iranian Immigrant Youth

In culturally diverse and immigrant receiving societies, immigrant youth can be subject to prejudice and discrimination. Such experiences can impact on immigrant youth’s cultural identity and influence their psychosocial outcomes. This paper presents findings of a study that examined cultural identity and experiences of prejudice and discrimination among Afghan (N = 9) and Iranian (N = 17) immigrant youth in Canada. The study had a prospective, comparative, longitudinal qualitative design. Data was gathered through focus groups, interviews, journals and field logs. Four main themes emerged on participants’ experiences of prejudice and discrimination: (a) societal factors influencing prejudice; (b) personal experiences of discrimination; (c) fear of disclosure and silenced cultural identity; and (d) resiliency and strength of cultural identity. Drawing from Rosenberg’s (Conceiving the self, Basic Books, New York, 1979) self-concept framework and Romero and Roberts (J. Adolesc., 21:641–656, 1998) distinction between prejudice and discrimination, results indicated that youth’s extant and presenting cultural identity were affected. Inclusive policies and practices are needed to promote youth integration in multicultural and immigrant receiving settings.

Signs and Symptoms of DEPRESSION and Principles of Nursing Intervention

Depression is a universal experience, which affects approximately 15 percent of the population at any one time. Depression can be conceptualized as occurring on a continuum from first-level transitory to middle-level to severe-level depression. It involves an alteration in mood characterized by feelings of sadness and loss of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, the client's usual activities and pastimes. Alterations in thought, motor activity, somatic sensations, and social relationships are also associated with depression. Severe depression can also be associated with delusional thought patterns. Finally, depression can vary in length of duration; it can be transitory and short-lived or ongoing and chronic. Assessment of individual, family, and community factors is important in identifying the factors relevant to planning individualized care for the depressed client and his/her family. Nursing diagnosis includes problems of low self-esteem, feelings of despondency, suicidal thoughts/impulses, and vegetative signs of depression. Nursing interventions are guided by certain principles, and are best evaluated when expected client behaviors have been projected. In conclusion, the overwhelming majority of those who experience depression recover and achieve a higher level of wellness than before the depression; that is, if they use the opportunity to develop a more realistic view of self, others, and their world relationships.     

精神分裂症异质性及其与5—HT,NE相互作用研究

应用高压液相色谱（ＨＰＬＣ）对４２例阳性精神分裂症、２５例阴性精神分裂症和１０例健康正常对照组脑脊液中（ＣＳＦ）５—羟色胺（５—ＨＴ）、５—羟吲哚乙酸（５—ＨＩＡＡ）、去甲肾上腺素（ＮＥ）、３—甲基—４—羟基苯乙二醇（ＭＨＰＧ）进行测试。并以５—ＨＴ／ＮＥ、５—ＨＩＡＡ／ＭＨＰＧ为其相互作用指标，结果发现，阳性精神分裂症ＮＥ、ＭＨＰＧ、５—ＨＩＡＡ／ＭＨＰＧ显著低于正常对照组，而且ＮＥ、５—ＨＩＡＡ显著低于阴性精神分裂症，但是５—ＨＴ／ＮＥ则显著高于阴性精神分裂症。作者就此结果进行了讨论。     

Co-occurrence and symptomatology of fatigue and depression

ObjectiveFatigue and depression are highly comorbid phenotypes with partially overlapping symptoms. The main aims of the present study are to: (i) identify the risk of current fatigue and depression; (ii) determine if the depression symptoms experienced by individuals who are fatigued (N = 766) and non-fatigued (N = 1849) are different; and (iii) identify if the fatigue symptoms experienced by depressed (N = 275) and non-depressed (N = 2340) individuals are different, in a community-based sample of Australian twins aged over 50 years.MethodsFatigue and depression symptom profiles and classifications were generated using the Schedule of Fatigue and Anergia (SOFA); the General Health Questionnaire; and the Delusions-Symptoms-States Inventory, States of Anxiety and Depression questionnaires. The association between co-occurring fatigue and depression was assessed using prevalence ratios. Differences in the preponderance of fatigue and depression symptoms were assessed using logistic regression modeling.ResultsIndividuals with either fatigue or depression have an approximately two-fold increased risk for comorbid presentation of both traits, compared to the general population. Logistic regression analysis indicated that fatigued individuals were significantly more likely to report all of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) depression symptoms assessed in the study. Similarly, depressed individuals were significantly more likely to report all SOFA fatigue symptoms.ConclusionsFatigue and depression are highly correlated traits within the community. Depression symptomatology and prevalence are significantly increased in fatigued individuals. Fatigue and especially the symptoms of insomnia and poor concentration are strong predictors of depression. Notably, the association between fatigue and depression is independent of their overlapping symptomatology. Therefore, presentation with fatigue, and in particular the symptoms of insomnia and poor concentration, should be considered as warning signs of depression in older adults.     

发作性睡病与异态睡眠的诊治

本文目的是探讨发作性睡病与异态睡眠的诊断与治疗.发作性睡病被漏诊和误诊的几率较高,危害较大,共患异态睡眠比例高.文章从发作性睡病临床特征、REM睡眠的作用、发作性睡病与异态睡眠(睡眠瘫痪、睡眠幻觉、快眼动睡眠期行为障碍)共病特征及治疗这四个方面进行了讨论.