A Cell Epigenotype Specific Model for the Correction of Brain Cellular Heterogeneity Bias and Its Application to Age, Brain Region and Major Depression.

A cell epigenotype specific model for the correction of brain cellular heterogeneity bias and its application to age, brain region and major depression.

Epigenetics. 2013 Feb 20; 8(3):
Guintivano J, Aryee M, Kaminsky Z

Brain cellular heterogeneity may bias cell type specific DNA methylation patterns, influencing findings in psychiatric epigenetic studies. We performed fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) of neuronal nuclei and Illumina HM450 DNA methylation profiling in post mortem frontal cortex of 29 major depression and 29 matched controls. We identify genomic features and ontologies enriched for cell type specific epigenetic variation. Using the top cell epigenotype specific (CETS) marks, we generated a publically available R package, “CETS,” capable of quantifying neuronal proportions and generating in silico neuronal profiles from DNA methylation data. We demonstrate a significant overlap in major depression DNA methylation associations between FACS separated and CETS model generated neuronal profiles relative to bulk profiles. CETS derived neuronal proportions correlated significantly with age in the frontal cortex and cerebellum and accounted for epigenetic variation between brain regions. CETS based control of cellular heterogeneity will enable more robust hypothesis testing in the brain. HubMed – depression

Have Primary Mental Health Teams lived up to their expectations?

Australas Psychiatry. 2013 Feb 20;
Rodrigo A, Foo L, Majoor J

OBJECTIVE: Primary Mental Health Teams (PMHTs) were established in Victoria in 2002 to integrate psychiatric services into primary care. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients referred to Eastern Health PMHT, the effectiveness of management plans and referrer satisfaction. METHOD: Retrospective case note review of referrals (116) made to the PMHT from January to August 2010 and analysis of returned satisfaction surveys (105) from referrers between January 2006 and August 2010. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 40 years with 55% being female. The commonest primary diagnosis was depression (41%). The majority of patients (59%) had multiple psychiatric diagnoses. The response time for telephonic consultation was 1.4 days and 13.2 days for an initial patient consultation. Psychotherapy was the most frequently recommended treatment (85%). Average treatment period was 6.8 weeks and the majority of patients (93%) were discharged back to the primary referrer. Referrers were satisfied with PMHT services and average improvement of patients on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales was 2.3. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that PMHTs have embedded psychiatric services within primary care settings, with high levels of referrer satisfaction and patient improvement. HubMed – depression

Improving maternal perinatal mental health: integrated care for all women versus screening for depression.

Australas Psychiatry. 2013 Feb 20;
Laios L, Rio I, Judd F

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to highlight the debate about universal routine screening and psychosocial assessment in the perinatal period, and suggest an alternative/additional approach to improving maternal perinatal mental illness. CONCLUSIONS: Universal routine screening and psychosocial assessment in the perinatal period has been introduced in Australia despite a lack of evidence that this affects perinatal maternal morbidity. Furthermore, this approach is not designed to detect maternal illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, although it is these women and their infants who have the highest rates of morbidity and mortality. We propose that any approach to improving maternal perinatal mental health should be tailored to particular situations and populations, with mental health care (inclusive of all mental illness, not just depression) integrated into, and thus a routine aspect of, maternity care provided to all women throughout the perinatal period. HubMed – depression

Zapped!: A shocking way out of depression
But today, the “Homeland” version is much closer to reality. I can attest to that personally, as I was treated with ECT in 2010 for depression. Treated successfully. In an America still reeling from the abominable mass killings in Newtown, Aurora and … Read more on El Paso Inc.

Being bullied may lead to higher chance of adult psychological problems
A new study shows that bullied kids are at an increased risk of having anxiety disorders, depression and suicidal thoughts as adults. "We were surprised at how profoundly bullying affects a person's long-term functioning," lead author William E … Read more on CBS News