Влияние различных гормонов на симптомы шизофрении

The relationship between androgens and mental state seems particularly complicated. Animal evidence suggests that testosterone may be propsychotic, given that administration of testosterone significantly enhanced NMDA antagonist-induced disruptions in prepulse inhibition in OVX rats. There is also limited evidence that high-dose androgenic steroids can induce psychiatric symptoms in humans; however, most of the research to date into androgens and mental state has focused on the testosterone precursors dehydroepiandrosterone and DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S). DHEA(S) is neuroprotective in the rodent brain, and differences in DHEA(S) blood levels between psychotic patients and healthy controls are widely reported; however, the direction of these differences is far from consistent. Results from clinical studies trialling DHEA(S) as an augmentation strategy have been similarly contradictory, with some studies finding a modest treatment effect and others reporting no superiority over placebo. Further research is needed. Pregnenolone and its metabolites pregnenolone sulfate and allopregnanolone seem more promising. In addition to also possessing neuromodulatory and neuroprotective properties, these neurosteroids exert positive effects in rodent models of cognition and psychosis.Serum levels of pregnenolone have been found to be lower in patients with schizophrenia than in healthy controls, and antipsychotic medications can significantly increase pregnenolone levels in the brain. A review of three small pilot studies investigating pregnenolone as an adjunctive intervention for patients with schizophrenia reports that pregnenolone was able to improve psychotic and cognitive symptoms, paving the way for future research into this compound. Recently, oxytocin has also emerged as possibly having an influence on mental state after one study found that higher peripheral oxytocin levels were associated with decreased symptom severity in women with chronic schizophrenia, and another study demonstrated efficacy of intranasal oxytocin as an adjunctive therapy in a randomized, cross-over sample of 15 schizophrenia patients.

 Hormones and Schizophrenia

Празозин как средство от ночных кошмаров

Mayo Clinic investigators have completed a systematic literature review of prazosin in the treatment of nightmares. Researchers investigated 12 prazosin studies, four of which were randomized controlled trials.
“The studies showed the drug was well-tolerated and can take effect rapidly, within days to weeks, and some patients reported a return of nightmares when the course of prazosin was stopped,” said Simon Kung, M.D., principal investigator of the study.

 Blood Pressure Drug Relieves PTSD Nightmares

Психодерматология

Psychodermatology is a relatively new discipline in psychosomatic medicine. It is the interaction between mind and skin. The two disciplines are interconnected at the embryonal level through ectoderm. There is a complex interplay between skin and the neuroendocrine and immune systems. Skin responds to both endogenous and exogenous stimuli; it senses and integrates environmental cues and transmits intrinsic conditions to the outside world.

 Psychodermatology: When the Mind and Skin Interact

Механизм действия ТГК на когнитивные функции

The star-shaped astrocytes have long been considered nothing more than support cells that protect neurons. “Our study provides compelling evidence that astrocytes control neurons and memory,” says Zhang. “The supporting actor has become the leading actor.”
The psychoactive ingredient of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Using microelectrodes implanted into the brains of anaesthetized rats, the researchers found that the compound weakens the connections, or synapses, between neurons in the hippocampus, a structure that is crucial for memory formation.

How marijuana makes you forget

Исследование влияния диет без глютена или казеина на симптоматику расстройств аутистического спектра

For those children with GI and allergy symptoms, a gluten-free, casein-free diet was more effective in improving ASD behaviors, physiological symptoms and social behaviors compared to children without these symptoms.
Specifically, when a gluten-free, casein-free diet was strictly followed, parents witnessed an improvement in GI symptoms in their children as well as improvements in social behaviors, such as language production, eye contact, engagement, attention span, requesting behavior and social responsiveness.
Autism may be more than a neurological disease, says Laura Cousino Klein, associate professor of bio-behavioral health and human development and family studies—it may involve the GI tract and the immune system.
“There are strong connections between the immune system and the brain, which are mediated through multiple physiological symptoms,” Klein said. “A majority of the pain receptors in the body are located in the gut, so by adhering to a gluten-free, casein-free diet, you’re reducing inflammation and discomfort that may alter brain processing, making the body more receptive to ASD therapies.”
Furthermore, when all gluten and casein was removed from the diet, parents reported that a greater number of ASD behaviors, physiological symptoms and social behaviors improved in their children compared to those whose parents did not eliminate all gluten and casein. Also, parents who implemented the diet for six months or less reported that the diet was less effective in reducing ASD behaviors.
Some of the parents had eliminated only gluten or only casein from the diet, but survey results suggested that parents who completely eliminated both gluten and casein reported the most benefit.

Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet Shows Promise for Autism Symptoms

Исследования миноциклина при шизофрении

A cheap antibiotic normally prescribed to teenagers for acne is to be tested as a treatment to alleviate the symptoms of psychosis in patients with schizophrenia, in a trial that could advance scientific understanding of the causes of mental illness.
The National Institute for Health Research is funding a £1.9m trial of minocycline, which will begin recruiting patients in the UK next month. The research follows case reports from Japan in which the drug was prescribed to patients with schizophrenia who had infections and led to dramatic improvements in their psychotic symptoms.
The chance observation caused researchers to test the drug in patients with schizophrenia around the world. Trials in Israel, Pakistan and Brazil have shown significant improvement in patients treated with the drug.
Scientists believe that schizophrenia and other mental illnesses including depression and Alzheimer's disease may result from inflammatory processes in the brain. Minocycline has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects which they believe could account for the positive findings.

Scientists shocked to find antibiotics alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia

Глюкокортикостероиды и риск суицида

Glucocorticoid medications given in primary care settings are associated with suicidal behaviors and severe neuropsychiatric disorders, new research suggests.

In a large, population-based study of adult patients in the United Kingdom (UK), those receiving glucocorticoids were almost 7 times more likely to commit or attempt suicide, more than 5 times more likely to develop delirium, more than 4 times more likely to develop mania, and almost twice as likely to develop depression than those with the same underlying conditions who did not receive the medications.

In addition, patients younger than 30 years were at particular risk for suicide attempts, women were more at risk for depression, and men were at especially increased risk for mania and delirium/confusion/disorientation. Higher dosages of the medications were also linked to an overall greater risk for adverse outcomes.

 Glucocorticoids Linked to Suicide, Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Новое исследование связи гиповитаминоза D с симптомами депрессии

February 13, 2012 — A large cross-sectional study of adults suggests a link between low vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms, particularly in individuals with a history of depression.
Because the relationship between low vitamin D levels and depression was stronger in those with a prior history of depression, "it may be more of a marker for relapse than for new-onset," senior investigator E. Sherwood Brown, MD, PhD, head of the psychoneuroendocrine research program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, toldMedscape Medical News.

More Evidence Links Low Vitamin D to Depression 

Наркотерапия изофлюраном

Treatment-refractory depressed patients who objected to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were given a series of anesthesias with isoflurane (Forane®), a modern and established inhalation anesthetic. According to our hypothesis to be tested, the brief period of electrocerebral silence (ES), which can be observed shortly after the grand mal seizure in ECT, may be in itself a crucial biological determinant for the therapeutic effects of ECT. Isoflurane is the only drug known to effect an ES in the EEG in nontoxic concentrations, which does not result in adverse effects on any body organ including the brain; no seizure activity can be observed. Eleven depressed patients received a total of 36 anesthesias with isoflurane (ES narcotherapy). Rapid antidepressant effects were observed in 9 patients (p < 0.0001). Effects were reproducible and lasted up to several weeks. No adverse effects of anesthesia were noticed.

Rapid Psychotherapeutic Effects of Anesthesia with Isoflurane (ES Narcotherapy) in Treatment-Refractory Depressed Patients

Исход шизофрении и потребление сахара

The most consistent finding is that a greater consumption of refined sugar is associated with a worse outcome of schizophrenia and a greater prevalence of depression.

International variations in the outcome of schizophrenia and the prevalence of depression in relation to national dietary practices: an ecological analysis

Генетические маркеры метаболических осложнений при приёме антипсихотиков второго поколения

Using DNA analysis, the researchers found that 8% of all study participants had the MTHFR C677T gene variant. Those with the variant who also used SGAs were significantly more likely to have metabolic syndrome than the children receiving SGAs but without the variant (OR, 5.75; P < .05).
The children with the gene variant also had higher diastolic blood pressure (P = .005) and higher fasting plasma glucose (P < .05).
"This is the first report of an underlying biological factor predisposing children to complications associated with SGA medication use. However, we need to do more research before this can be translated into clinical practice," said Dr. Panagiotopoulos.
She noted that because it is known that the MTHFR gene is involved in metabolizing the B-vitamin folate, the investigators are currently taking a more detailed dietary history from these children and conducting a study to answer "what's going on?" with the population's nutritional intake.

New Predictors May Determine Metabolic Risk in Kids on Atypicals

Исследование вторичной негативной симптоматики при приёме антипсихотиков

OBJECTIVE: Despite the clinical observation that antipsychotics can produce negative symptoms, no previous controlled study, to our knowledge, has evaluated this action in healthy subjects. The present study assessed observer-rated and self-rated negative symptoms produced by conventional and second-generation antipsychotics in healthy volunteers. METHOD: The authors used a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of single doses of haloperidol (5 mg) and risperidone (2.5 mg) in normal subjects. Thirty-two subjects were administered haloperidol, risperidone, and placebo in a random order. Motor variables and observer-rated negative symptoms were assessed after 3–4 hours and subjective negative symptoms and drowsiness after 24 hours. RESULTS: Neither of the active drugs caused significant motor extrapyramidal symptoms after administration. Haloperidol caused significantly more negative signs and symptoms than placebo on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and two self-rated negative symptom scales: the Subjective Deficit Syndrome Scale total score and an analog scale that evaluates subjective negative symptoms. Risperidone caused significantly more negative signs and symptoms than placebo on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the SANS, the Subjective Deficit Syndrome Scale total score, and the analog scale for subjective negative symptoms. After control for drowsiness, risperidone but not haloperidol produced more negative symptoms than placebo on the BPRS and the SANS. Significance was lost for the subjective negative symptoms with both drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Single doses of both haloperidol and risperidone produce negative symptoms in normal individuals. Drowsiness may be an important confounding factor in the assessment of negative symptoms in antipsychotic trials.

Negative Signs and Symptoms Secondary to Antipsychotics: A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial of a Single Dose of Placebo, Haloperidol, and Risperidone in Healthy Volunteers

Психостимуляторы для пожилых больных

Psychostimulants are recognized for their role in managing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), but also have found a treatment niche in conditions such as apathy, fatigue, and depression.

Psychostimulants for older adult

Исследование ГАМКергической теории депрессии

This study of 85 people is the largest such research effort on GABA and major depressive disorder to date.
It compared four groups: 25 individuals with treatment-resistant depression, 16 with major depression who were unmedicated, 19 individuals with major depression who were successfully treated with medication and had normal mood, and a control group of 25 healthy individuals.
In all groups, a thumb twitch response to transcranial magnetic (brain) stimulation (TMS) was used to measure how GABA acts physiologically in the brain. GABA receptors were found to be dysfunctional in the three groups with major depressive disorder when compared to healthy subjects.
In people who were the least responsive (treatment-resistant) to medications, the physiological effect of GABA in the brain was at its lowest.

New Drug Strategy for Depression?

Литий как препарат выбора для долгосрочной терапии БАР

Lithium is linked to thyroid and parathyroid abnormalities, weight gain, and an increased risk for reduced urinary concentrating ability, but the jury is still out on whether it causes birth defects, new research suggests.
The systematic review and meta-analysis of 385 randomized, controlled trials and observational studies also found scant evidence that lithium produced a clinically significant reduction in renal function in most patients and that the risk of end-stage renal failure among users of the drug is low.
"Lithium is the most effective long-term therapy for bipolar disorder, protecting against both depression and mania and reducing the risk of suicide and short-term mortality," Professor John R. Geddes, MD, University of Oxford and Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom, and colleagues write.
"Because lithium has always been an unpatented, cheap drug, it is not commercially promoted and the potential for adverse effects has been a substantial deterrent to use," they write.
There have been concerns about lithium’s effect on renal function and its purported teratogenicity. Despite these concerns, there has not been an "adequate synthesis of the evidence for adverse effects," the authors note.

Lithium's Safety Examined