Improving the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: A Novel Approach by Modulating 5-HT(1A) Receptors.

Improving the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: A Novel Approach by Modulating 5-HT(1A) Receptors.

Filed under: Depression Treatment

Aging Dis. 2013 Feb; 4(1): 1-13
Shimizu S, Ohno Y

Parkinson’s disease, the most common neurological disorder in the elderly, is characterized by progressive extrapyramidal motor dysfunction including resting tremors, muscle rigidity, hypolocomotion (bradykinesia and akinesia) and postural instability. Various non-motor features are also seen such as cognitive impairments (deficits in learning and memory) and mood disorders (depression and anxiety). While the 5-HT(1A) receptor has long been implicated in the pathogenesis and treatment of anxiety and depression, recent research has revealed new therapeutic roles for 5-HT(1A) receptors in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. These include the modulation of parkinsonian motor symptoms, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-induced dyskinesia, cognitive impairments and emesis. Thus, 5-HT(1A) agonists improve the various motor disorders associated with dopaminergic deficits, dyskinesia induced by chronic L-DOPA treatment, mood disturbances (anxiety and depression) and dopamine agonist-induced emesis. In addition, partial 5-HT(1A) agonists are expected to improve cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s patients. These findings encourage research into new 5-HT(1A) receptor ligands, which will improve efficacy and/or ameliorate adverse reactions in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
HubMed – depression

Adolescent self-cutting elsewhere than on the arms reveals more serious psychiatric symptoms.

Filed under: Depression Treatment

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013 Feb 20;
Laukkanen E, Rissanen ML, Tolmunen T, Kylmä J, Hintikka J

Self-cutting as a form of self-harm is a common and multifaceted phenomenon among adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the location of self-cutting (arms or other areas of the body) could help to assess the severity of the underlying psychiatric problems. A sample of adolescents who reported self-cutting (n = 440) was drawn from a large sample of community adolescents (n = 4,019). The majority of self-cutting adolescents, 296 (67.2 %), reported cutting only the upper arms, while 144 (32.8 %) also cut other parts of the body. The data included a structured self-rating questionnaire, questions about self-cutting, the Youth Self-Report (YSR) for adolescents aged 11-18 years, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Adolescent Dissociative Experience Scale (A-DES). The results indicate that self-cutting on other parts of body than the arms was associated with female gender, a wide range of emotional and dissociative symptoms and suicidal ideation. In logistic regression analysis, the most pronounced association between self-cutting on other places than the arms was found with YSR subscales withdrawn/depressed, social problems and thought problems, and dissociation (A-DES). We conclude that self-cutting adolescents, mostly girls, with wounds elsewhere than on the arms present with the most serious psychiatric symptoms. It is important to perform a careful physical examination when an adolescent has unexplained wounds or scars on the arms or on other parts of the body. These adolescents also need a caring and conscientious psychiatric examination and possible psychiatric treatment.
HubMed – depression

Response to psychotherapy in borderline personality disorder and methylation status of the BDNF gene.

Filed under: Depression Treatment

Transl Psychiatry. 2013; 3: e207
Perroud N, Salzmann A, Prada P, Nicastro R, Hoeppli ME, Furrer S, Ardu S, Krejci I, Karege F, Malafosse A

Downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression with corresponding increased methylation at specific promoters has been associated with stressful experiences in early life and may explain later adulthood psychopathology. We measured the percentage of methylation at BDNF CpG exons I and IV as well as plasma BDNF protein levels in 115 subjects with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and 52 controls. BPD subjects then underwent a 4-week course of intensive dialectical behavior therapy (I-DBT). BDNF methylation status and protein levels were re-assessed at the end of treatment. BPD subjects had significantly higher methylation status in both CpG regions than controls. In addition, the higher the number of childhood trauma, the higher was the methylation status. In BPD subjects, BDNF methylation significantly increased after I-DBT. Nonresponders accounted for the majority of this increase, whereas responders showed a decrease in methylation status over time. Accordingly, the changes in methylation status over time were significantly associated with changes in depression scores, hopelessness scores and impulsivity. No association was found between protein levels and BDNF methylation status. We here found a relationship between child maltreatment and higher DNA methylation of BDNF. These results moreover support the idea that these epigenetic marks may be changed through psychotherapeutic approaches and that these changes underline changes in cognitive functions.
HubMed – depression

7. Affair, Extramarital Infidelity and Psychology. A talk by Brisbane Psychologist s – Nikita (Nik) Kotlarov | Mind Zone Psychology (ME) www.mindzone.com.au Lyn Thomson | Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) Australia www.eft-aust.com This is a monthly video-blog about basic steps we can take to develop the skills to overcome adversity toward purposeful living. Licenced psychologist s in Brisbane, Lyn Thomson and Nikita (Nik) Kotlarov speak about helping those who are interested in creating a rich, meaningful life. This video addresses a very important part of our life – relationship with our loved one. Specifically, we are looking at the more difficult times when this relationship is threatened.

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