Institute Of Psychiatry Research Articles

Predictive Value of Inflammatory Biomarkers in Assessing Major Depression in Adults

Background: There are studies that have investigated the association of pro-inflammatory cytokines with depressive disorders, but they often present certain limitations. In this study, two substantial groups of patients were analyzed: 92 patients with major depressive disorder and 76 without depressive disorders. The strict inclusion and exclusion criteria for the analyzed groups significantly increased the value of the obtained results. The research question of this study was whether levels of inflammation, measured by the inflammatory markers IL-6, IL-1α, and TNF-α, could predict the severity of depressive symptoms. This could provide additional evidence supporting the hypothesis that inflammation plays a notable role in the pathogenesis of depression. The data analysis supports the hypothesis that the biological mechanisms of inflammation contribute to the clinical manifestations of depression. Elevated levels of inflammatory markers, especially interleukins (IL-6, IL-1α) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF α), have been identified in patients with major depressive disorder compared to the findings in healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1α, and TNF-α) were measured in a sample of 92 patients hospitalized at the Socola Institute of Psychiatry in Iasi, Romania, and compared to a control group with no depression or inflammatory conditions (n = 76). Severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using HAM-D scores. Results: The study results indicated that values of plasma inflammatory markers were significantly higher in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to the control group (IL-1α: 1.16 ± 0.44 pg/mL vs. 0.89 ± 0.25 pg/mL, p = 0.0004; IL-6: 9.21 ± 4.82 pg/mL vs. 7.16 ± 4.32 pg/mL, p = 0.0149; and TNF-α: 2.02 ± 0.96 pg/mL vs. 1.67 ± 0.8 pg/mL, p = 0.0286). The differences remained significant after applying logarithmic transformation, which was necessary to adjust for outlier values. An analysis of demographic characteristics showed that the frequency of women (67.4% vs. 36.84%, p < 0.001), cohabiting individuals (28.26% vs. 10.53%, p = 0.0001), and alcohol consumers (67.39% vs. 47.37%, p = 0.0087) was significantly higher in patients with MDD. The level of education was significantly lower in patients with MDD (median (IQR): 12 (2.5) years vs. 14 (8) years, p = 0.0016). The evaluation of confounding variables, including patients’ gender, marital status, education level, and alcohol consumption, was performed using multiple linear regression models. The results indicated that these demographic variables did not significantly influence the correlation between the HAM-D score and the values of IL-6, IL-1α, and TNF-α. A significant correlation between the HAM-D score and the logarithmic values of inflammatory markers was observed for log IL-1α in men (r = 0.355, p = 0.0014), log IL-6 in women (r = 0.0313, p = 0.0027), and log TNF-α in women (r = 0.3922, p = 0.0001). The results of the multiple linear regression and predictive analysis indicated that IL-1α (AUC = 0.677, p = 0.0004), IL-6 (AUC = 0.724, p < 0.001), and TNF-α (AUC = 0.861, p < 0.001) demonstrate high accuracy in discriminating patients with MDD. Conclusions: The results highlighted that IL-6 (AUC = 0.724; 95% CI: 0.648–0.801) and TNF-α (AUC = 0.861; 95% CI: 0.797–0.925) are significant predictors for major depressive disorder. The study highlights the potential of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α) as diagnostic markers. These findings support the hypothesis that inflammation may play an important role in the development or exacerbation of depressive symptoms.

Psychiatric symptom profiles of inpatient refugees in Egypt: insights from a single center study

BackgroundThe global surge in refugee populations has sparked considerable apprehension regarding their mental health. This study explores the symptom profile and associated factors among refugee patients admitted to Okasha Institute of Psychiatry, Ain Shams University, hospitals between 2018 and 2021.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted utilizing the medical records of refugee patients admitted to Okasha Institute of Psychiatry between 2018 and 2021. Data collection encompassed socio-demographic characteristics, diagnoses, reported stressors, and specific symptom profiles.ResultsThe study involved 36 refugee patients, averaging 26.7 years, predominantly female (61.1%), and predominantly of Sudanese origin (45.9%). Prevalent diagnoses included bipolar disorder (36.8%), schizophrenia (26.3%), and major depressive disorder (13.2%). A diverse array of stressors emerged, with immigration-related issues ranking highest (21.2%). Other noteworthy stressors comprised marital conflicts (15.2%) and house-related difficulties (15.2%).ConclusionThis study highlighted the prevalence of severe mental illnesses, varied stressors, and distinct symptom profiles in refugees with psychiatric admissions and underscored the imperative for culturally sensitive and trauma-informed mental health services. Further research is imperative to devise effective interventions and enhance the mental health outcomes of refugee populations.

Celso Arango: The future of psychiatry inevitably depends on primary prevention

Dr. Celso Arango stands as a preeminent authority in psychiatry, wielding considerable influence through his multifaceted roles. As Director of the Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón and Professor of Psychiatry at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, he spearheads Spain's advancements in mental health research and treatment. Dr. Arango's expertise resonates globally, reflected in his visiting professorships at renowned institutions, including the University of California, San Francisco, the University of Maryland, and King's College London. His commitment to international collaboration, evidenced by partnerships with over 100 institutions worldwide, significantly propels the global psychiatric community forward. Dr. Arango's exceptional contributions have garnered prestigious accolades, notably his election as the youngest member of the Royal National Academy of Medicine in Spain and his recent induction into the National Academy of Medicine in the United States. At the core of his research efforts lies a dedicated focus on early-onset psychosis and neurodevelopmental disorders in young individuals, work that not only advances scientific understanding but also offers tangible hope for improved treatment outcomes. Dr. Arango's unique blend of clinical expertise, research acumen, and academic leadership positions him at the vanguard of innovation in mental health care, potentially revolutionizing our approach to understanding and treating psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. In this exclusive Genomic Press Interview, Dr. Arango shares insights on his life and career, offering our readers a glimpse into the mind of one of psychiatry's most influential figures.

Perceived parenting styles and bonding among adolescents with mental illness: Okasha Institute of Psychiatry experience

BackgroundWorldwide, at least 10% of adolescents have a documented mental illness, which is a leading source of morbidity, mortality, and functional impairment. Among individuals aged between 10 and 24 years, psychiatric disorders account for 45% of all years lived with disability. Parenting discipline styles are fundamental in shaping adolescents’ emotional integrity, cognitive capabilities, and behavioral patterns.To compare parenting styles and parental bonding dimensions in adolescents with different psychiatric disorders versus a group of healthy adolescents matched for age and sex.Patients and methodsA case–control study conducted at Okasha Institute of Psychiatry, Ain Shams University Hospitals, involved 50 participants of adolescents diagnosed with variable psychiatric disorders and 50 matched healthy controls.ResultsAuthoritarian parenting style was evident in mentally ill adolescents, while authoritative parenting style was prevalent in healthy controls. In terms of parental bonding, mentally ill adolescents experienced a low level of care and a high level of overprotection from both parents.ConclusionThe results of the study demonstrated that parenting styles may serve as predictors and predisposing factors for psychiatric disorders in adolescents. Adolescents with psychiatric disorders perceived both parents as more authoritarian, less authoritative. They also received a low level of care and a high level of overprotection from both parents.

Euripedes C. Miguel: Risk factors for obsessive-compulsive and other mental health disorders and their treatment and public policy implications

Euripedes Constantino Miguel is a full, tenured Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Yale University School of Medicine. He graduated from FMUSP and completed his Psychiatry Residency and PhD at the Institute of Psychiatry at the University of São Paulo. After a postdoctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Professor Miguel returned to Brazil in 1994 to pioneer the Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders Program. He leads the National Institute for Developmental Psychiatry www.inpd.org.br, focusing on early identification and intervention of mental health disorders. Since 2023, he has led the National Center for Science and Innovation in Mental Health (CISM) www.cism.org.br, enhancing mental health education and research through innovative solutions and public-private partnerships. This Genomic Press Interview features Professor Miguel's candid reflections on his professional achievements and life's journey.

Online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treatment-resistant depression: a parallel-arm randomized controlled feasibility trial.

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) presents a significant challenge, affecting approximately 30% of individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder and leading to poor treatment responses. Innovations in digital mental health, especially online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (eMBCT), offer promising avenues for enhancing access to effective mental health care for individuals with TRD in a clinical setting. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of eMBCT in an individual clinical context to decrease depressive symptoms for TRD. Conducted at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this parallel-arm, randomized controlled feasibility trial involved outpatients diagnosed with TRD, aged 18 and above. Of the 39 outpatients invited, 28 were randomized into two groups: an intervention group receiving the eMBCT program (n = 15) and a control group (n = 13). The intervention, consisting of an 8-week course, was delivered via live video sessions. Following the assessment period, participants in the control group were offered the eMBCT intervention. Assessments using standardized questionnaires were conducted at the start and end of the study. Within the eMBCT group, improvements were observed in depression symptoms (Z = -3.423; p = 0.001; effect size r = 0.78), anxiety symptoms (Z = -3.361; p = 0.001; effect size r = 0.77), with no significant changes in the control group. Comparatively, the eMBCT group showed significant reductions in depression symptoms and improvements in clinical global impressions over the control group (BDI2: U = 30.5; p = 0.015; effect size r = 0.47, CGI1: U = 21.0; p = 0.004; effect size r = 0.56). eMBCT in an individual format combined with medication, appears to be a feasible treatment for TRD, decreasing symptoms of depression. In a future trial the control group may have a manualized intervention. The Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry: (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-6zndpbv) and RBR-6zndpbv.

IMPACT OF CREATING MENTAL HEALTH HELPLINE AT A TERTIARY CARE PSYCHIATRIC SET-UP IN PAKISTAN DURING THE COVID -19 PANDEMIC

Objectives The objectives of this study were to analyze the calls received at a 24-hour helpline service set up at the Institute of Psychiatry during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic for the demographics of the service users, the reasons for calling the helpline phone, and the guidance provided. Design Descriptive retrospective clinical audit Place and Duration of Study The Institute of Psychiatry, from June 2020 and February 2021 Patients and Methods The entries made detailing the call records by psychiatry residents managing the helpline were analyzed. Data was extracted regarding age, area of residence, and reasons for calling by the service users of the helpline, as well as the advice given by the resident on call. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, and findings were evaluated in terms of age, geographical distribution, reasons for seeking assistance, and the type of guidance provided thereof. Results Of the 102 calls analyzed, most of the callers were between 30 to 39 years of age (33.3%), and hailed from Rawalpindi (78.4%), followed by Kashmir (5.9%), Chakwal (4.9%) and Murree (3.9%). The most frequently stated reasons for calling were to ask about availability of out-patient services (36.3%), to have medication revised (23.5%), and to enquire about the side effects of medication (11.8%). Other reasons included recurrence of symptoms or lack of improvement in patients already taking treatment (15.7%) and to seek help regarding new psychiatric symptoms (12.7%). The responses given to the callers were invitation to come to the hospital (44.1%), provision of relevant information about the particular questions asked (for example, relating to hospital timings) (36.3%), adjustment of medications (11.8%), and prescribing medication with advice of physical follow-up (7.8%). Conclusion Despite psychiatric out-patient department being temporarily closed down during the initial waves of the COVID 19 pandemic, efforts were made to continue service provision through innovative means, like the 24-hour helpline service. There is a need to further incorporate the use of technology in the delivery of psychiatric services.

Mental health and quality of life of individuals with epilepsy during the war in Ukraine.

To investigate the repercussions of the war in Ukraine on people with epilepsy (PWE), focusing on access to health care, seizure control, quality of life (QoL), psychological distress, anxiety, and depression; and to identify the key factors influencing these measures. Consecutive PWE, ≥18 years of age, presenting to one of seven health centers across Ukraine were invited to complete a self-administered survey in 2023. The survey gathered information on clinical and demographic aspects, geographic displacement, and access to care and medications. It also contained five valid questionnaires exploring psychological distress (Kessler-10), QoL with the EuroQOL-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L), depression with the Neurological Disorders in Epilepsy scale(NDDIE), anxiety with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scalae-Anxiety (HADS-A), and epilepsy severity with the Global Assessment of the Severity of Epilepsy scale (GASE). Multivariate linear regression models assessed the relationship between measures of mental health and QoL and their potential predictors. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry and Narcology of NAMS of Ukraine, Ukraine. Among 305 participants (mean age 38 years), 40% were female and 44% had to change residence because of the war. Seizures worsened during the war in 52% of those with active epilepsy and 42% of those with well-controlled epilepsy. Difficulties accessing health care and anti-seizure medications occurred in 25% and 34% of PWE, respectively, and was worse among those who were displaced. According to the mental health instruments, 46% suffered psychological distress, 62% experienced anxiety, 50% were depressed, and 59% rated their epilepsy as somewhat severe or worse. Statistically significant predictors of psychological distress, anxiety, and depression included female gender, more severe epilepsy, increased seizures during the war, and requiring mental health support. The war significantly disrupted access to health care and availability of medication in PWE, who suffer from significant anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. We identify high-risk factors that can guide resource allocation for prevention and treatment.

Personality disorders among a sample of Egyptian patients with major depressive disorder and their association with suicide

BackgroundDepression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder that can arise at any age and is often present as a co-occurring illness in different illnesses. There is a high comorbidity rate between major depressive disorder and personality disorders (PDs). The current study aimed to investigate the significant impact of personality disorders on depression severity, functional impairment, and suicidal tendencies in individuals with depression.MethodsThe researchers conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 120 patients, with an age range from 18 to 56 years of both genders, recruited from Okasha’s Institute of Psychiatry in Cairo, Egypt. Their major depressive disorder diagnosis was verified through the use of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Participants underwent evaluations using the SCID-II to evaluate personality disorders, the Hamilton Depression-Rating Scale (HAM-D) to assess the severity of depression, the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to investigate suicidal ideation, and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) to determine functional level.ResultsBorderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder were the predominant personality disorders in the sample, with prevalence rates of 55.8% and 40.8%, respectively. Sixty-six percent of the participants reported experiencing suicidal thoughts at some point in their lifetime, whereas only 17.5% had actually attempted suicide. Borderline personality disorder showed a strong correlation with more severe depression (P value 0.043), a decline in functioning (P value 0.001), the existence of suicidal thoughts (P value 0.001), and a past of suicide attempts (P value 0.038).ConclusionsPersonality disorders are highly prevalent in patients with depression, borderline PD, and narcissistic PD were the most common PDs. Borderline PD showed a significant effect on depression severity. PDs, mainly borderline, avoidant, depressive, and narcissistic PDs contribute to more impairment of functioning of the MDD patients. There is a significant effect of the presence of co-morbid personality disorder on suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts, mainly depressive and borderline PDs.

The Role of Psychological Variables on Medication Adherence in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of psychological variables in medication adherence in OCD. Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was carried out at Tehran Institute of Psychiatry in Tehran. The statistical population of the present study includes all OCD patients referred to the Tehran Institute of Psychiatry. The participants were selected by available sampling method. The patients completed the demographic questionnaire, Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Scale-Second Edition (Y-BOCS-II), Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI), Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), Drug Attitude Questionnaire (DAI-10), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Special Support (MSPSS), Coping strategies scale of Lazarus and Folkman (WOCQ), and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) was used to analyze the data. Results: The variable of education status (r=0.18) had a positive relationship and the variable of hospitalization history (r=-0.26) had a negative relationship with medication adherence. Medication adherence is only negatively associated with obsessive thoughts (r=- 0.18, r=-0.20). Duration of drug use (r=0.27), attitude to treatment (r=0.25) and social support (r=0.54) had a positive relationship with medication adherence. Among the various dimensions of temperament and character, four dimensions of harm avoidance (r=-0.29), reward dependence (r=-0.44), persistence (r=-0.20) and self-transcendence (r=0.32) had a significant correlation with medication adherence. Variables of social support, reward dependence, persistence, harm avoidance and education status had the highest regression effect on medication adherence. Conclusion: Medication adherence is one of the behaviors that predicts successful treatment and reduces the negative side effects and severity of the OCD.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a digital guided self-management intervention to support transition from intensive care to community care in anorexia nervosa (TRIANGLE): pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation

There is uncertainty regarding how best to support patients with anorexia nervosa following inpatient or day care treatment. This study evaluated the impact of augmenting intensive treatment with a digital, guided, self-management intervention (ECHOMANTRA) for patients with anorexia nervosa and their carers. In this pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation, patients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa, aged 16+ and attending one of the 31 inpatient or day-patient services in the UK were randomised with one of their carers to receive ECHOMANTRA plus treatment as usual (TAU), or TAU alone. ECHOMANTRA was hosted on a digital platform and included a workbook, recovery-oriented video-clips and online facilitated groups (patients only, carers only, joint patient-carer). Participants were randomised on a 1:1 ratio using a minimisation algorithm to stratify by site (N=31) and severity (defined by BMI <15 and≥15kg/m2 at baseline). The primary outcome was patient depression, anxiety, and stress at 12months. Primary and secondary outcomes were compared between trial arms on an intention-to-treat basis (ITT). This trial is registered with the ISRSTN registry, ISRCTN14644379. Between July 01, 2017 and July 20, 2020, 371 patient-carer dyads were enrolled and randomly assigned to ECHOMANTRA+TAU (N=185) or TAU alone (N=186). There were no significant differences between trial arms with regards to the primary outcome (completed by N=143 patients in the TAU group, Mean=61.7, SD=29.4 and N=109 patients in the ECHOMANTRA+TAU group, Mean=58.3, SD=26.9; estimated mean difference 0.48 points; 95% CI-5.36 to 6.33; p=0.87). Differences on secondary outcomes were small and non-significant (standardised effect size estimates ≤0.25). Five patients died (2 from suicide and 3 from physical complications) over the course of the trial, and this was unrelated to their participation in the study. ECHOMANTRA added to TAU was not superior to TAU alone in reducing patient depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. This may be explained by limited engagement with the intervention materials and changes in usual care practices since the beginning of the trial. National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), under its Health Technology Assessment Programme (HTA) Programme (Grant Reference Number 14/68/09). NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, and King's College London. NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London) at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Paola Dazzan: What can we do to understand psychosis?

Professor Paola Dazzan is a prominent researcher who currently holds the positions of Professor of Neurobiology of Psychosis and Vice Dean for International Affairs at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK. She practices as a Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Originally from Italy, Professor Dazzan began her academic journey by attending Medical School and becoming a practicing physician. Following her graduation, she continued with her training as a psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She completed her PhD at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience King's College London, and has worked there ever since. She is internationally known for her work using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, stress and inflammatory markers, and reproductive hormones, to understand the onset and outcome of psychoses and of other severe psychiatric disorders. Her contributions have been widely recognized in the international psychiatric community and she is recognized as a leading researcher in the field. We are delighted that Professor Paola Dazzan has kindly agreed to participate in the Genomic Press Interview. We hope that our readers will discover many intriguing facts about her personality, work, and innovative research.

Sixty years of recurrence prevention in mood disorders.

This year, we observe sixty's anniversary of the article by a British psychiatrist, Geoffrey Hartigan, demonstrating, for the first time, the possibility of preventing of the recurrence of mood disorders by using lithium salts. Herein, a history of prevention of recurrences of mood disorders both worldwide and in Poland will be presented concerning both lithium and other mood-stabilizing drugs. The merit for verifying the prophylactic lithium effect in the 1960-1970s should be given to Danish researchers, Mogens Schou and Poul Baastrup. In Poland, the first paper on prophylactic lithium appeared already in 1971. In the 1970s, French researchers showed prophylactic activity of valproic acid amide, and Japanese researchers - carbamazepine. In the 1980th, studies on valproic acid amide were performed in the 2nd Psychiatric Clinic of the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology led by Prof. Pużyński. Since the mid-1990s, 2nd generation of mood-stabilizing drugs has been introduced, including some atypical antipsychotics (clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole, risperidone) and anticonvulsant drug, lamotrigine, showing prophylactic activity in bipolar mood disorder. The studies on lithium resulted in the identification of factors connected with its prophylactic efficacy as well as the antisuicidal, antiviral, and neuroprotective effects of this drug. From a sixty-year perspective following Hartigan's article, it seems that his pioneering concept on the possibility of pharmacological influence on the course of mood disorders was fully confirmed. Current Polish recommendations on pharmacological prophylaxis of mood disorders were presented in the books "Standardy leczenia niektórych zaburzeń psychicznych" and "Psychofarmakologia kliniczna", both published in 2022.

Alessandra Borsini: What neuroinflammation has to do with depression and how nutrition can play a beneficial role

Alessandra Borsini is a Lecturer in Psychoneuroimmunology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London. Her research interest focuses on the role of inflammation and stress on brain neurogenic alterations, particularly in the context of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, and on the ability of psychotropic, anti-inflammatory, and nutrition-based treatments to prevent such alterations. She has been a member of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Immunopsychiatry Consortium, the AMBROSIAC ERA-NET/MRC Consortium, and the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Immuno-Neuropsychiatry Network Core Group. She has received various awards, including the Psychoneuroimmunology Award from the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society (PNIRs) and the Preclinical Psychopharmacology Award from the British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP). As of April 2024, Dr Borsini has published over 50 papers, with a current H-index of 25, and has been the recipient of both national and international research grants from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Wellcome Trust, MRC, European Commission and Rosetrees Trust. She is part of the Editorial Board of several journals, including Brain, Behavior, and, Immunity, Frontiers in Neuroscience, and Frontiers in Psychiatry. She is also the programme leader for the new MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface launching this September 2024 at the IoPPN. Dr Borsini is passionate about public engagement. To discuss her research or topics broadly related to mental health, she has made multiple media appearances in newspapers, including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, and The Independent, and radio and TV programmes, such as BBC Radio 4 Today, BBC Radio 4 All in the Mind, and BBC One Health: Truth or Scare. Dr Borsini graciously answered the Genomic Press Interview, providing our readers with reflections on her personal and professional journey.

Carmine Maria Pariante: Understanding why and how stress makes us ill

Carmine M. Pariante is Professor of Biological Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, and Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. He investigates the role of stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of mental disorders and in the response to psychotropic drugs, both in clinical and experimental settings. His work focuses on depression and fatigue, with a particular interest in the perinatal period and individuals with medical disorders. More recently, he has developed an interest in the effects of the arts, social prescribing, and nutritional interventions on mental health. Since 2018, Professor Pariante has been a Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher, and, as of April 2024, he has published &gt;520 publications, with close to 40,000 citations and an H-Index of 103 in Scopus and 137 in Google Scholar. He is also the appointed Editor in Chief of the journal Brain Behaviour and Immunity and the Past President of the International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology. Professor Pariante is also passionate about public engagement and has made many media appearances in newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV on topics broadly related to mental health, writing pieces for the Daily Mail, The Guardian, and the New Humanist. He can be followed on X and Instagram on @Pariantelab and the digital publication he edits, www.inspirethemind.org. It is gratifying to see Professor Pariante share insights into his professional and personal voyage during the Genomic Press interview.

Kim Q. Do: Antioxidants specifically targeted at mitochondria: A novel therapeutic approach to schizophrenia

Kim Q. Do was appointed senior lecturer at the University of Lausanne (CH) in 2000. Over the years, she became an associate professor of translational psychiatry in 2011 and attained the position of full professor in 2017. In 1999, she established the Unit for Research in Schizophrenia at the Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience within the Department of Psychiatry at Lausanne University Hospital. She served as the head of this unit from 1999 until 2022. Additionally, she was the Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience director from 2013 to 2019. She holds visiting professor positions at Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA, the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology &amp; Neuroscience at King's College London, UK, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). Professor Do graciously consented to participate in the Genomic Press interview, offering insights into her unique personal and professional journeys.

The structure of clinical and psychopathological consequences of coronavirus disease COVID-19 in people with a history of mental disorders

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health indicates the need to define psychopathological manifestations to highlight diagnostic criteria. The purpose of the study is to determine the structural features of clinical and psychopathological manifestations of mental disorders after the coronavirus disease COVID-19 in people with a history of mental disorders. In the Department of Border Psychiatry of the State Institution “Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry and Narcology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine", 95 patients with a history of mental disorders who had suffered the coronavirus disease COVID-19 were examined. The group examined included patients with recurrent depressive disorders (F32), with mental disorders of organic origin (F06.3, F06.4) and with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (F41.1, F42.3), F48.0). It was determined that the clinical manifestations of mental disorders in the examined patients are characterized by a predominance of affective symptoms in combination with pronounced specific cognitive, ideational, and somato-vegetative disorders, as well as disorders of the effector-volitional sphere. The results of a psychodiagnostics study (on the MADRS, HARS, GAD-7 and CGI-S scales) showed that the structure of clinical manifestations in these patients was characterized by a predominance of affective disorders of the anxiety-depressive spectrum of varying severity, which had certain differences among nosological groups. Determining the clinical and psychopathological features of the structure of mental disorders after suffering from COVID-19 is important not only for their diagnosis, but also for early and adequate therapy, taking into account the identified features that can act as targets for therapeutic intervention. Key words: clinical-psychopathological consequences, mental disorders, coronavirus disease COVID-19

Assessment of serum interleukin 6 in a sample of Egyptian patients with schizophrenia

BackgroundInflammation has been demonstrated to play a pathophysiological function in schizophrenia. Raised interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels have been the most consistently linked to schizophrenia. It was hypothesized that IL-6 contributed to the development of both adverse and beneficial symptoms.The aim of the study was to estimate the level of serum IL-6 in patients with schizophrenia and its relation to positive in addition to negative symptoms.Patient and methodsThis case–control descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 patients, divided into two groups: 20 individuals in Group A (patients group) were treatment-naive for their first episode of schizophrenia, and 20 volunteers in Group B (control group) were matched for gender and age to the patient group. Both groups were evaluated for their serum interleukin-6 levels using the ELISA method. Patients and controls were recruited from the Okasha Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, and Ain Shams University Hospitals.ResultsCases with schizophrenia who were experiencing their first episode and had not yet begun any form of therapy had a considerably higher mean serum IL-6 level compared to the healthy control group.ConclusionThe level of serum interleukin 6 in first-episode treatment-naïve individuals with schizophrenia is higher than that of healthy controls, revealing a probable underlying immunological pathology. However, serum interleukin-6 levels were not significantly correlated with positive, negative, or general psychopathology symptoms.

Bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed literature on perinatal depression in Mexico

Background. Perinatal depression (PND) is a clinical disease developed in any stage during the pregnancy and postpartum period with serious health and economic implications. Objective. The aim of this work was to analyze via bibliometrics indicators Mexico’s production on PND to provide a view of the academic landscape and a comprehensive reference for subsequent research in the country. Method. The Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases were used to perform a search for peer reviewed papers related to PND in México. The search was made following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The extracted data were processed with VOS Viewer to examine link strength and clusters associations of diverse bibliometrics variables. Results. A total of 132 records were retrieved and we included 70 studies in the bibliometric analysis after application of the exclusion criteria. The authors with more papers were Navarrete L., and Asunción Lara M. The institutions with more papers were the National Institute of Perinatology, Ramón de la Fuente National Institute of Psychiatry, and National Institute of Public Health of Mexico. A diminution of the research considered in PND is observed in the last two years. Four keyword clusters were identified related to PND: symptoms, prevalence, pregnancy. Discussion and conclusion. The scarce literature concerning PND in Mexico compared with other countries could be due the limited collaboration between the health institutes. An urgent need to increase research on PND in Mexico is evident to be applicable in the management of resources in the healthcare system.

The effect of drug holidays on sexual dysfunction in men treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) other than fluoxetine: an 8-week open-label randomized clinical trial

IntroductionSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used for the treatment of various mental disorders. Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common side effects of SSRIs, and often leads to poor adherence and treatment discontinuation. While several strategies have been employed to manage SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, drug holidays has not been extensively studied for this purpose. This clinical trial aims to assess the effect of drug holidays on sexual dysfunction in married men under treatment with SSRIs other than fluoxetine (as its long half-life makes drug holidays ineffective).MethodsThis 8-week double-center, randomized, open-label, controlled trial was conducted in the outpatient clinics of Iran Psychiatric Hospital and Tehran Institute of Psychiatry, from January 2022 to March 2023. We included married men aged between18 and 50 years who had experienced sexual dysfunction during treatment with SSRIs, other than fluoxetine. The Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ) and the 28-Question General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used for the assessment of sexual function and mental health status. The drug holidays group was instructed not to take their medications on the weekends. The control group was asked to continue their regular medication regimen without any changes. Both groups were assessed at baseline, and weeks 4 and 8.ResultsSixty-three patients were included and randomly assigned to the drug holidays group (N = 32) or the control group (N = 31). Fifty patients (25 in each group) completed the trial. Drug holidays significantly improved erection, ejaculation, satisfaction, and the overall sexual health of the participants (P < 0.001). No significant change was observed in their mental health status. No major side effects were recorded.ConclusionsDrug holidays significantly improved the MSHQ scores in ‘erection’, ‘ejaculation’, ‘satisfaction’ and ‘total’ in married men with sexual dysfunction induced by SSRIs, other than fluoxetine, without causing any significant changes in their mental health status. Further research is needed to reach a certain conclusion.Trial registrationThe trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials on 2021.10.25 (www.irct.ir; IRCT ID: IRCT20170123032145N6) before the trial.