International Neuropsychiatric Disease Journal

Permanent URI for this collection

https://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/151214

ISSN: 2321–7235

Frequency: Quarterly

Language: English

Open Access Peer-reviewed journal

Web site: https://www.sciencedomain.org/journal-home.php?id=29

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 183

Suicide and other causes of death in the psychiatric patients of a mental health service over a 5-year period.
(2013-01) Lorenzo, Rosaria Di; Fiorini, Fiorenza; Simoni, Elena; Mimmi, Stefano; Rigatelli, Marco
Aims: 1) To compare mortality rate and causes of death between psychiatric patients of a Mental Health Department (MHD) and local population of Modena. 2) To appraise the impact of selected demographic and clinical variables on suicide. Study Design: Retrospective analysis. Place and Duration of Study: MHD of Modena between March 2009 and September 2009. Methodology: Our psychiatric sample was composed by all psychiatric patients followed by the MHD of Modena, who died from 1-1-2004 to 31-12-2008 (n=168). We compared the standardized mortality rate and causes of death of our sample to those of the local population (n=250,000), who died during the same period of time, according to data provided by the registry of the Clinical Epidemiology Service of Modena. From computerized registration system and medical records of MHD and death certificates, we collected: demographic data, psychiatric diagnosis, death causes, time elapsed from the first consultation in MHD to death, time elapsed from the last discharge from psychiatric ward or from the last consultation in MHD to death. Our sample of psychiatric patients was further divided into two groups: the first one was composed of those who committed suicide (n=25) and the second one those that died from other causes (n=143), and all variables of each group were statistically compared to highlight the demographic and clinical features of the two groups. Results: Neoplastic and cardiovascular diseases were the two most frequent causes of death in both psychiatric and local populations and suicide represented the third leading cause of death in the psychiatric sample. Psychiatric patients who committed suicide were statistically significantly younger in comparison to others and killed themselves after 12 days (median) from the last psychiatric consultation or hospital discharge. Conclusion: Our patients presented the same high vulnerability to organic disorders and their fatal consequences as local population with higher risk of suicide which remains a fatal outcome of psychiatric diseases.
Prenatal exposure to maternal anxiety is associated with less developed smooth pursuit eye movements in six-month-old infants: An initial study.
(2013-01) Pellegrino, Laurel; Ross, Randal G; Hunter, Sharon K
Aims: There are an increasing number of reports suggesting an association between maternal anxiety experienced during pregnancy and adverse outcomes of the offspring. However, exploration of the biological changes in the brain that mediate that relationship has been hampered by the lack of appropriate biomarkers. This report represents an initial step exploring whether a potential infant biomarker, smooth pursuit eye movements, may be associated with prenatal exposure to maternal anxiety. Study Design: Blinded cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine. Data collected from July 2011 to May 2012. Methodology: Forty-three infants including 34 whose prenatal maternal anxiety status were identified (12 with a known maternal prenatal anxiety diagnosis and 22 without) had eye movements recorded during a smooth pursuit eye movement task at four and/or six months of age. Results: At 6 months of age, infants with prenatal exposure to maternal anxiety, compared to infants without such exposure, spent a higher percentage of time utilizing smooth pursuit (t=2.7, df=24, P=.013), had longer duration of smooth pursuit uninterrupted by saccades (t=2.5, df=24, P=.019), and had decreased frequency of forward saccades (t=3.8, df=24, P=.001). No differences between groups were identified at 4 months of age. Conclusion: Smooth pursuit abnormalities may, at six months of age, be a potential biomarker for prenatal maternal anxiety exposure.
Preschoolers of mothers with affective and anxiety disorders show impairments in cognitive inhibition during a chimeric animal stroop.
(2013-01) Calvin, Elizabeth A; Hunter, Sharon K; Ross, Randal G
Aims: To determine whether maternal affective and anxiety disorders are associated with cognitive inhibitory deficits in four-year-old children utilizing a chimeric animal stroop task, a childhood adaptation of the traditional stroop task. Study Design: Blinded Cross-Sectional Study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, data collected from June 2009 to October 2010. Methodology: Four-year-olds of mothers with (n=29) and without (n=31) a history of affective or anxiety disorders completed a chimeric animal version of the stroop task. Incongruent, neutral, and congruent stimuli were presented over three trial blocks. Mean reaction time and response accuracy were the primary dependent measures. Results: The increase in the number of incorrect responses to incongruent versus congruent or neutral stimuli was larger for offspring of a mother with a history of an affective or anxiety disorder than without (t=2.4, P=.02); there was no significant main effect of maternal psychiatric illness (F(1, 58)=0.9, P=.34) or a stimulus type by maternal illness (F(1 , 58)=1.1, P=.30) interaction on reaction time. Conclusion: The association between maternal affective and anxiety disorders and cognitive inhibitory deficit is already identifiable by four years of age.
Theory of mind development is impaired in 4-year-old children with prenatal exposure to maternal tobacco smoking.
(2013-01) Reidy, Rosemary E; Ross, Randal G; Hunter, Sharon K
Aims: Theory of Mind (ToM) is an important component of social cognition. Deficits in ToM are found in various neurodevelopmental disorders and social and environmental factors have been found to influence ToM development. Little previous research has focused on effects of exposure to toxins; this report examines the impact of tobacco. Place of Study: Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, between April 2006 – August 2012. Methodology: 101 children, 18 with prenatal exposure to tobacco, underwent ToM testing at 40 (n=89) and 48 (n=77) months of age. Test questions received dichotomous pass/fail scores and percentage of correct responses was utilized as the primary dependent variable. Results: At 40 months of age children were rarely able to correctly answer false belief questions and there were no significant differences according to prenatal tobacco exposure. At 48 months of age, there was a significant effect of prenatal tobacco exposure with non-exposed 48-month-olds correctly answering 45±40.6% of content false belief questions correctly, compared to 13.9±25.3% for 48-month-olds with prenatal tobacco exposure (F=4.79, df= 1,73, p=.032). Conclusion: ToM abilities are rapidly developing between 40 and 48 months of age. Prenatal exposure to tobacco is associated with impairment at 48 but not 40 months of age. This finding supports consideration of nicotinic mechanisms as contributors to early development of social cognition.
Ambient sulphur dioxide and emergency department visits for migraine and depression.
(2013-01) Szyszkowicz, Mieczyslaw; Colman, Ian; Wickham, Maeve; Rowe, Brian H
Aims: Depression and migraine are linked especially among women. Little previous research has focused on the potential association between ambient sulphur dioxide (SO2) exposure and emergency department (ED) visits for migraine, headache, depression, and anxiety. Study Design: Case-crossover design, in which case and control is the same person, was used as study design for daily recorded diagnosed ED visits. Ambient sulphur dioxide was considered as an exposure. Place and Duration of Study: ED data from five hospitals in Edmonton, Canada. The data were considered for the period: April 1, 1992 – March 31, 2002 (10 years). Methodology: ED visits from Edmonton for the four health conditions were analyzed separately using case-crossover methodology. A conditional logistic regression was applied to implement a time-stratified case-crossover technique. The models were constructed for a single (one) air pollutant. Weather factors (temperature and humidity) were adjusted using natural splines. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for an increase in an interquartile range of SO2 (IQR = 2.3 ppb). Results: For females, statistically significant positive associations were observed between SO2 exposure and ED visits for migraine and depression (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03; OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07, respectively). A positive association was observed for female ED visits for headache and anxiety. For males, ED visits for migraine were associated with ambient sulphur dioxide exposure (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.08, for patients of age 20 to 60 years). Conclusion: A known link between migraine and depression has its mapping in responses to ambient air pollution. These results provide additional evidence to indicate that ED visits for depressive disorder and migraine may be associated with exposure to ambient sulphur dioxide.
Mental health issues in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls and their association with disease related factors.
(2013-01) Poulios, A; Christopoulos, A L; Kitsos, D K; Voumvourakis, K I
Purpose: To investigate the mental health problems of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and the relationship between mental health, MS variables and disability status. Methods: The sample consisted of 80 participants, 40 MS patients and 40 Healthy Controls matched for gender, age and socioeconomic status. There were 30 (75%) women and 10 (25%) men, 27 (67.5%) Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients, 8 (20%), Secondary Progressive (SP) patients and 5 (12.5%) Primary Progressive (PP) patients in the MS group, 26 (65%) of those were on systemic treatment. The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was used to screen for mental health issues. Disability status was assessed with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Mean comparisons were performed using Student’s t test while effect sizes were estimated by Cohen’s d coefficient. Percentage ratio differences were tested using chi-square tests, corrected by Fischer’s exact test for 1 df. Correlations were investigated using Pearson’s r coefficient. Results: MS patients exhibited significantly more mental health problems than the healthy controls. The effect size of the presence of positive MS diagnosis ranged from large to very large with respect to overall psychological distress as well as with respect to the following different dimensions of psychological distress: somatic symptoms, anxiety - insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression. There were significantly more MS patients who could be diagnosed with mental health disorders (non psychotic disorders of axis I, DSM-IV-TR). Finally, no aspects of mental health impairment were significantly correlated with disease variables or disability status. Conclusions: Mental health problems in MS patients are evident and frequent. As they are independent of illness duration, medication or disability, special care should be taken in treating mental health problems in MS patients.
Effect of different antipsychotics on cytokine production after immunologically stimulated PBMC culture.
(2013-01) Al-Amin, Mamun
Aims: To investigate the effect of different antipsychotics on cytokine production in immunologically challenged Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) culture. Study Design: In vitro cell culture study to determine cytokine (IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ) level. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Dhaka between January 2013 and April 2013. Methodology: Blood sample was collected from 22 healthy volunteers. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells were separated and culture was prepared. The culture was stimulated with either LPS (lipopolysaccharide) or poly(I:C) (polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid). Stimulated PBMC culture was treated with typical antipsychotic (Haloperidol) and atypical antipsychotics (Clozapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone). Pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ) and antiinflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) cytokine levels were determined from the stimulated PBMC culture and stimulated plus antipsychotic treated PBMC culture. Results: Typical antipsychotic; Haloperidol and atypical antipsychotics; Clozapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone significantly (P = .05) enhance IL-10 production but not IL-4 in the LPS and poly(I:C) stimulated PBMC culture. IL-10 production was robust in LPS stimulated PBMC culture than the poly(I:C) stimulated culture. Typical and atypical both antipsychotics significantly (P = .05) reduce increased IFN-γ level in the LPS and poly(I:C) stimulated PBMC culture. Conclusion: Typical and atypical antipsychotics were successfully alters immune function by the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine (IFN-γ) levels and elevation of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10).
Immunohistochemical investigation of p53, bax and NSE; the link between energy metabolism and cell cycle dysregulation in degenerating cells of the cerebellar cortex.
(2013-01) Ogundele, O M; Madukwe, J; Anosike, V I; Akinrinade, I D; Olajide, O J
Background: The cerebellum, also called the little brain is an organ concerned with regulation of movement and other associated motor functions. It is believed to be phylogenetically one of the oldest parts of the brain. It accounts for one tenth of the brain volume and contains approximately 50% of the total brain neuron. Damage to the cerebellum is major factor involved in the progression of movement disorders. Aim: To investigate possibility of selective neuronal vulnerability in neurotoxicity and the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases especially those involving movement disorders originating from the cerebellum. Method: F1 Generation adult Wistar rats were treated with 20 and 10 mg/Kg BW of potassium cyanide (KCN), the cerebellar cortex was harvested and processed for immunohistochemistry of cell cycle markers (anti-p53 and anti-Bax) and the neuronal glycolytic pathway marker; Neuron Specific Enolase (anti-NSE). Antigen retrieval method was used specifically as peroxidase anti peroxidase reaction (PAP). The reaction was developed using a polymer 3’3’Diaminobenzidine tetrachloride (DAB), intensified in Methenamine Silver and counterstained in Hematoxylin. Results: Cyanide toxicity induced apoptosis in the cerebellum via a pathway involving Bax in mitochondria dysregulation (mitochondria apoptotic signaling) and a cytoplasmic pathway involving p53 (a nucleolase). The NSE expression level also indicates associated metabolic dysregulation with alteration in expression of cell cycle proteins. Conclusion: Cyanide toxicity induced cell death in the cerebellar cortex by metabolic alteration (NSE) and ROS formation. The expression of Bax and p53 showed that apoptosis was triggered via a mitochondria/Bax dependent, p53 related apoptotic pathway.
Sylvian fissure lipoma associated with middle cerebral artery aneurysm – Report of a rare case highlighting imaging pitfalls.
(2013-01) Schembri, Nicola; Kanodia, Avinash Kumar; Nicholas, Richard Stephen; Fowler, Kenneth; Main, Gavin
Aim: We describe a 60 year old lady who had a Sylvian fissure lipoma associated with an underlying middle cerebral artery saccular aneurysm which is a rare association and describe its imaging features. Presentation of Case: Due to its rarity and MRI appearances simulating blood products, this case offered an initial diagnostic dilemma to the reporting radiologists, when an incidental lesion like lipoma adjoining an aneurysm was initially misinterpreted as blood products. Discussion and Conclusion: This case highlights potential pitfalls in imaging interpretation even with a newer neuroimaging technique to accurately identify the nature of the lesion that can lead to misdiagnosis with the potential of inappropriate clinical management, at least in some cases.
Association of corpus callosum agenesis with mental retardation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
(2013-07) Verma, Rohit; Mina, Shaily; Sahni, Mohit; Kumar, Pankaj
Aims: Anomalies of the corpus callosum have been associated with varied brain and somatic malformations. It has been associated with diverse genetic causes with identifiable syndromes. We aim to report a case of corpus callosal agenesis (CCA) associated with mental retardation and hyperactivity. Presentation of case: We report case of a 7 year old boy having CCA, abnormal facial morphological features, mental retardation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), devoid of any chromosomal rearrangements or somatic malformations known to be associated with corpus callosal changes. Discussion: Symptoms in CCA are often related to concurrent migrational disorders, not to the callosal anomaly itself. Although multiple genetic etiologies have been associated, no single gene has been proved to be implied in all cases of CCA. Conclusion: This case highlights importance of recognizing mental retardation and ADHD as a presentation of isolated CCA which may occur without any known chromosomal malformation.
The development of cannabidiol as a psychiatric therapeutic: a review of its antipsychotic efficacy and possible underlying pharmacodynamic mechanisms.
(2013-07) Jalali, Shahin A M; Johnson, William E
Cannabidiol (CBD), a once-considered inert cannabis constituent, is one of two primary constituents of cannabis, alongside delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC/THC). In the last 30 years, CBD has become implicated with a range of pharmaceutical mechanisms of great therapeutic interest and utility. This review details the literature speculating CBD’s attenuation of psychotic symptoms, particularly in light of a marked elevation in mean THC concentrations, and a concomitant decline in CBD concentrations in the prevalent U.K street market cannabis derivatives since c. 2000. CBD is purported to exhibit pharmacology akin to established atypical antipsychotics, whilst THC has been implicated with the precipitation of psychosis, and the induction of associated symptoms. The aim of the review was to clarify the conjecture surrounding CBD’s antipsychotic efficacy, before going on to detail prominent theories about its associated pharmacodynamics. Were CBD’s antipsychotic efficacy established, then there is potential for major latent anthropological repercussions to manifest, such as significant elevations in psychosis manifestations in the U.K. The review found a largely affirmative body of evidence asserting CBD’s antipsychotic efficacy. CBD exhibited capacity to attenuate natural and artificially induced psychoses in both animal and human cohorts, the latter of which included individuals considered resistant to conventional treatment. CBD also shows promising potential for use as an antipsychotic drug for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with psychosis, owing to its low rate of extra-pyramidal side-effect induction. A range of potential pharmacological mechanisms behind CBD’s neuroleptic pharmacology are outlined, with particular emphasis on its prevention of the hydrolysis and reuptake of the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide. However, given the nebular aetiological basis for psychoses, explicit conclusions on how CBD attenuates psychotic symptoms remains to be determined.
Roles of PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathway in the pathogenesis of parkinson’s disease and the neuropsychiatric symptoms.
(2014-01) Kitagishi, Yasuko; Wada, Yoko; Matsuda, Satoru
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantianigra caused by severe neuro-degeneration, which is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease.Parkinson's disease has a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity including depression. The neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in Parkinson's disease and may precede onset of motor symptoms. Increasing interest is often addressed to the selective targeting of some of metabotropic glutamate receptors that inhibit the transmitter release at synapses in the basal ganglia. The metabotropic glutamate receptors may be coupled to the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), AKT, and PTEN pathways, whichplay a central role in cell survival. A better understanding of the molecular connections in the PI3K pathways could uncover new targets for drug development in Parkinson's disease.
Sub-acute posterior reversible encephalopathy associated with extrapyramidal signs induced by primary hyperparathyroidism: a case report and a revision of literature.
(2014-01) Giani, L; Lovati, C; Bana, C; Cova, I; Angeli, F De; Mariotti, C; D’Alessandro; Mariani, C
Aims: We present the case of a subacute psycho-motor deterioration in the context of a hypercalcemic state due to primary hyperparathyroidism inducing a posterior reversible encephalopathy. Presentation of Case: a 78 year-old man, affected by parkinsonism, developed a subacute psycho-motor deterioration in the course of a month and presented to our attention with generalized seizures. Biochemical analysis revealed hypercalcemia due to primary hyperparathyroidism. After the surgical removal of a hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland, we assisted to a dramatic improvement. Alongside with characteristic MRI findings, the picture was compatible with a posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Discussion: To date, this is the third reported case of PRES caused by primary hyperparathyroidism. Our case appears peculiar because of the subacute onset of the syndrome, and of the accompanying progressive worsening of a pre-existing extrapyramidal syndrome. Also, the specific setting of radiologic findings and hormonal anomalies points to a prominent role of endothelial dysfunction in the still debated pathogenesis of PRES. Conclusion: Our case presents a rare combination of hyperparathyroidism, PRES and parkinsonism. We propose that the Blood-Brain barrier plays a central role in this setting.
Novel GLRB gene mutation in a Saudi baby with hyperekplexia.
(2014-01) Rizk, Tamer Mohamed; Mahmoud, Adel Ahmed Hassan
Aim: We aim to describe a case of hyperekplexia in a Saudi neonate due to Novel mutation in GLRB. Case Presentation: One month old Saudi neonate with hypertonicity, repetitive episodes of jitteriness and exaggerated startle reflex. Discussion: Hyperekplexia (OMIM:149400, 138492 & 604159) is considered a rare, autosomal dominant neurological disorder that presents early in life with hypertonicity, exaggerated startle response and life threatening neonatal apnea. It has been caused by mutation in the alpha-1subunit (GLRA1) on chromosome 5q32, Beta subunit (GLRB) gene on chromosome 4q31 of the inhibitory glycine receptor and GLYT2 gene (SLC6A5) on chromosome 11p15 which encodes a presynaptic glycine transporter. Conclusion: Raising awareness of the presence of this treatable disease may prevent unnecessary exposure to anti-epileptic medications, prevent life threatening apneas and improve long term outcome.
Spontaneous enlargement then regression of a colloid cyst of the III ventricle.
(2014-01) Duncan, Gillian; Kanodia, Avinash Kumar; Jamel, Sam El
Aim: We describe a case of a 22 year old pregnant female patient who was found to have a small colloid cyst that increased spontaneously, followed by spontaneous significant reduction in size. Presentation of Case: The patient’s colloid cyst was picked up incidentally in late pregnancy at 39 weeks. It showed spontaneous increase in size accompanied by deterioration of symptoms at 31 months post diagnosis and then showed significant spontaneous reduction in size at 38 months post diagnosis. Discussion and Conclusion: Spontaneous reduction of a colloid cyst of third ventricle is a very rarely described phenomenon. To our knowledge this is one of only 3 cases of spontaneous regression of an III ventricular colloid cyst. It may be reasonable to follow up cases, where there is a documented history of increase.
Comparison between the first and sixth year medical students in the arabian gulf university of bahrain regarding anxiety and depression.
(2014-03) Ali, Hasfa M; Attar, Duaa M; Al-Abdulwahid, Fatma; Juma, Fatema A; Al-Mezail, Hussah I; Al-Jalahma, Jawaher A; Al-Shaikh, Raneem R; Hussain, Samar S; Al-Mail, Sara A A; Al-Omari, Wafa A T; Kamal, Amer
A cross sectional study involving all year 1 and 6 medical student of Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain in the year 2011-2012 was performed by self reporting anxiety and depression using HADS forms. The results showed that 33.96 % of year 1 and 55.07% of year 6 students showed anxiety, while student of year 1 and 6 showed 18.87% and 31.88% depression state respectively. Statistically the anxiety and depression were significantly higher in year 6 compared to year 1 students (Analysis of Variance ANOVA, p< 0.05). Neither of these mental states were significantly different in males and females students. The averaged score of male medical student was 9.64±0.4 for anxiety and 8.01±0.4 for depression compared to 9.88±0.5 and 8.13±0.5 which were scored in females for anxiety and depression respectively (ANOVA p˃0.05). It is concluded that the stress associated with studying medicine is continuous and accumulative during the years of the study and that medical students confrontation with extra stressors related to their studies in addition to the normal daily stressors of life making them more vulnerable to anxiety and depression states.
Gender differences in young adults with social phobia.
(2014-03) Andromahi, Naumovska; Dimitar, Bonevski
Aim: To examine the gender differences in young adults with clinical manifestation of social phobia. Study Design: analytical, cross-sectional cohort study Place and Duration of Study: Psychiatric Hospital- Skopje, Centre for Mental Health- Centre, between January 2012 and June 2013 Method: The severity of social phobia was measured with the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). The questionnaire was administered to 65 patients (age range 18 to 25, 53% female), diagnosed according to DSM-IV with social phobia, without co-morbidity of other mental disorders. Results: Statistically significant differences between the examined groups (male and female) were found. These findings confirm that female young patients with social phobia are showing more severe fear and avoidant behaviour in speaking to anyone in authority, giving speeches, talking to people they don’t know, activities in which they are the centre of attention, while male young patients with social phobia are showing more severe fear and avoidant behaviour if they are criticized, with statistical significance p<0.01. Conclusion: Female young adults with social phobia are showing more severe fear and avoidant behaviour if they assume that other people are looking and monitoring them, while male young adults are showing more severe fear and avoidant behaviour if they are criticized.
Possible effect of COMTVal158Met polymorphism on the association between childhood maltreatment and externalizing behavior: A preliminary study.
(2014-03) Bianchi, Valentina; Galluzzi, Rita; Massagli, Angelo; Giorda, Roberto; Molteni, Massimo; Nobile, Maria
Aims: Over the course of the past decades, studies on child maltreatment have increasingly adopted multiple levels of analysis (particularly by the inclusion of genetics factors) on the basis of the variability in children’s responses to stressful life events. This is a preliminary study on the effects of child maltreatment in a sample of adolescents according to this perspective. Study Design: Case-control study. Methodology: We investigated the moderating effect of COMT Val158Met polymorphism onthe association of child maltreatment with a range of externalizing behavior - assessed by the Child Behavior Check List/6-18 scale - in a sample composed of 52 maltreated children and adolescents and 90 healthy controls aged 10-18. Maltreatment was recorded on the basis of the presence/absence of physical contact. Results: COMT Val158Met polymorphism interacts with physical contact abuse to influence externalizing behavior (p=.04), with both genetic (p=.03) and environmental risk factor (p=.003) having a significant main effect. Similar results were found considering the rule-breaking component of externalizing behavior, and the main effect of maltreatment was highly significant in all analyses performed. Conclusion: This preliminary study supports the hypothesis that the variability in children's responses to maltreatment might be partially explained by individual genetic differences. Considering the presence of physical contact as a risk factor we could explain inconsistence of findings in literature on GxE in maltreatment.
Normative minor childhood stress and risk of later adult psychopathology in Saudi Arabia.
(2014-03) Hyland, Michael E; Alkhalaf, Ahmed M; Whalley, Ben
Chronic minor childhood stress in the form of corporal punishment predicts adult psychopathology in the United States but has not been demonstrated in a country where corporal punishment is normative. We tested whether adult psychopathology was predicted by recalled frequency of childhood corporal punishment and recalled controllability of punishment in Saudi Arabia. Two hundred and fifty nine Saudi men with substance addictions (who for cultural reasons were at risk for depression) completed a survey measuring: demographic variables, frequency of beating and controllability of punishment as a child, depression and borderline personality disorder symptoms (BPD). Beating frequency and punishment control were uncorrelated and unrelated to patients’ or parents’ education. 92 men (36%) had major depression (PHQ-9 ≥15). Compared to those never beaten, those experiencing infrequent beating (once or twice a year) were significantly more likely to have major depression and higher BPD symptoms, after controlling for demographic variables. Those experiencing frequent beating (monthly or more frequent) were more likely to have major depression and higher BDP symptoms compared to those never beaten, but only when perceived control was low. Perceived punishment control was not significantly related to outcome for those who never had or had infrequent corporal punishment. These results provide evidence in a culture where corporal punishment is normative that corporal punishment, even when infrequent, predisposes to adult psychopathology and that uncontrollability increases the pathogenic effect of frequent corporal punishment. These results support the hypothesis that frequent minor stressors in childhood act as kindling factor for later depression.
The involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and somatotrophic axes in the development and treatment of schizophrenia.
(2014-03) Gleich, T; Deijen, J B; Drent, M L
In the present review, organizational and activational hormonal effects are proposed to be dysfunctional in schizophrenia and psychosis. Specifically, organizational effects are held responsible for the long-lasting anatomical and functional changes in brain development associated with the disease. Later in life, activational effects may be superimposed and may interact with the earlier induced biological vulnerabilities, eventually triggering the first psychotic episode in schizophrenia. In parallel, it is known that schizophrenia follows a different course in male and female patients and that the first psychotic episode frequently occurs shortly before or during puberty. The different course of schizophrenia in male and female patients seems to be related to digressions in hormonal secretion between the genders. Further the excessive change of hormonal secretion during puberty suggests a relationship between hormonal secretion and the development of schizophrenia, possibly mediated by epigenetic regulation of neuroendocrine systems. We discuss the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG), the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) and the Somatotropic axes and further present evidence for positive treatment effects in schizophrenia by hormonal agents. We conclude that organizational as well as activational effects of hormones may attribute to the development of schizophrenia. Research on hormonal factors in schizophrenia might therefore enhance the general understanding of the disease in regard to its neurobiology and treatment options.

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