Microglial Dysregulation in Psychiatric Disease.

Microglial dysregulation in psychiatric disease.

Clin Dev Immunol. 2013; 2013: 608654
Frick LR, Williams K, Pittenger C

Microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells, are phagocytes of the macrophage lineage that have a key role in responding to inflammation and immune challenge in the brain. More recently, they have been shown to have a number of important roles beyond immune surveillance and response, including synaptic pruning during development and the support of adult neurogenesis. Microglial abnormalities have been found in several neuropsychiatric conditions, though in most cases it remains unclear whether these are causative or are a reaction to some other underlying pathophysiology. Here we summarize postmortem, animal, neuroimaging, and other evidence for microglial pathology in major depression, schizophrenia, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette syndrome. We identify gaps in the existing literature and important areas for future research. If microglial pathology proves to be an important causative factor in these or other neuropsychiatric diseases, modulators of microglial function may represent a novel therapeutic strategy. HubMed – depression

Effects of negative T wave in electrocardiography on prognosis of post-myocardial infarction patients.

ARYA Atheroscler. 2013 Mar; 9(2): 128-33
Karbasi-Afshar R, Jonaidi-Jafari N, Saburi A, Motamedi MR

Negative T (NT) wave in electrocardiography (ECG) is one of the important factors in determining short- and long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we compared clinical and paraclinical findings in post-MI patients according to presence or absence of NT wave.A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with acute ST elevation MI who presented to Shahid Modares Hospital (Tehran, Iran) during 2009-10. After undergoing streptokinase therapy, demographic characteristics and ECG and exercise test findings of the subjects were compared based on the presence or absence of NT wave.Overall, 116 patients including 69 cases with NT wave (NT group) and 47 cases without NT wave (PT group) were enrolled (mean age: 53.7 ± 7.1 vs. 54.1 ± 6.8 years old). Mortality rate during the first five days was 13% in the NT group and 29% in the PT group (P < 0.05). Ejection fraction values of the NT group were significantly higher than the PT group (P = 0.005). However, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of the NT group was significantly less than the PT group (P = 0.005). Moreover, ST segment depression was significantly less frequent in the NT group compared to the PT group.Patients with ST elevation MI accompanying with NT wave in ECG versus have better prognosis and myocardial function than similar patients without NT wave. Therefore, invasive procedures should be recommended for patients without NT wave. HubMed – depression

Psychological factors and coronary heart disease.

ARYA Atheroscler. 2013 Jan; 9(1): 102-11
Khayyam-Nekouei Z, Neshatdoost H, Yousefy A, Sadeghi M, Manshaee G

Although psychological factors play an important role in coronary heart diseases (CHD), it seems there is a need for more researches in this respect. The present study aimed to review psychological factors, including depression, anxiety and stress related to etiology and prognosis of CHD.This was a review on medical and psychological literatures, particularly in the years 1995-2012.As protective factor or risk factor, psychological factors play an important role in CHD.Given the findings of this study, it seems necessary that we pay attention to psychological factors, as independent risk factors or protective factors for CHD. HubMed – depression