Category: FEATURED
Blocking Pro-inflammatory Tumor Necrosis Factor with Remicade for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Increased concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers predict antidepressant nonresponse, and inflammatory cytokines can sabotage and circumvent the mechanisms of action of conventional antidepressants. A drug that targets inflammation may assist in the treatment of depression in individuals with high levels of inflammation. Results of a proof-of-concept study by him, Charles Raison, M.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona, and colleagues showed that a biologic medication was able to reduce depressive symptoms in some subjects who had suffered from major depression for an average of 15 years.
Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone improves Cognition in Older Adults and Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), growth hormone, and insulinlike growth factor 1 have potent effects on brain function, their levels decrease with advancing age, and they likely play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. Previously, we reported favorable cognitive effects of short-term GHRH administration in healthy older adults and provided preliminary evidence to suggest a similar benefit in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The intent-to-treat analysis indicated a favorable effect of GHRH on cognition which was comparable in adults with MCI and healthy older adults. Subsequent analyses indicated a positive GHRH effect on executive function and a trend showing a similar treatment-related benefit in verbal memory. Treatment with GHRH increased insulinlike growth factor 1 levels by 117%, which remained within the physiological range, and reduced percent body fat by 7.4%. Treatment with GHRH increased fasting insulin levels within the normal range by 35% in adults with MCI but not in healthy adults. Adverse events were mild and were reported by 68% of GHRH-treated adults and 36% of those who received placebo.
Thioridazine Inhibits Peroxisomal β-oxidation, Leading to Increased Very Long Chain Fatty Acids and Beta-Amyloid Peptide and an Increased Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ), which is generated from sequential cleavages of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β-secretase (BACE1) and γ-secretase. Increased very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) levels in AD brains imply that peroxisomal β-oxidation dysfunction may be associated with AD pathogenesis. Thioridazine is a selective peroxisomal β-oxidation inhibitor. Thioridazine caused VLCFA accumulation and increases in Aβ(40) content, APP immunoreactivity and APP(751+770) mRNA expressions in the rat cerebral cortex. Impaired peroxisomal function may play an important role in the progression of AD pathology.
Testosterone is anti-inflammatory
The effect of testosterone replacement on endogenous inflammatory cytokines and lipid profiles in hypogonadal men J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jul;89(7):3313-8 Malkin CJ, Pugh PJ, Jones RD, Kapoor D, Channer KS, Jones TH. Abstract Testosterone has immune-modulating properties, and current in vitro evidence suggests that testosterone may suppress the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, [...]
A comparison of psychiatry and internal medicine
A comparison of psychiatry and internal medicine: a bibliometric study Acad Psychiatry. 2012 Mar 1;36(2):129-32 Stone K, Whitham EA, Ghaemi SN Abstract OBJECTIVE: Psychiatric education needs to expose students to a broad range of topics. One resource for psychiatric education, both during initial training and in later continuing medical education, is the scientific literature, as [...]
This is what thought looks like – and it isn’t random
Astrocytes are seen signaling through gap junctions using calcium waves in this video from garlandscien.
Celebrex is a Potent Antidepressant
Effect of celecoxib add-on treatment on symptoms and serum IL-6 concentrations in patients with major depressive disorder: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study J Affect Disord. 2012 Apr 18; Authors: Abbasi SH, Hosseini F, Modabbernia A, Ashrafi M, Akhondzadeh S Abstract BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that the mechanism of the antidepressant effect of celecoxib is linked [...]
Residual Memory Dysfunction In Major Depressive Disorder Means Incomplete Treatment
Residual memory dysfunction in recurrent major depressive disorder-A longitudinal study from Juntendo University Mood Disorder Project J Affect Disord. 2012 Jul 23; Authors: Maeshima H, Baba H, Nakano Y, Satomura E, Namekawa Y, Takebayashi N, Suzuki T, Mimura M, Arai H Abstract BACKGROUND: Depression may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Large cohort studies [...]
Bereavement Induces Systemic Inflammation
When grief makes you sick: Bereavement induced systemic inflammation is a question of genotype Authors: Schultze-Florey CR, Martínez-Maza O, Magpantay L, Breen EC, Irwin MR, Gündel H, O’Connor MFBrain Behav Immun. 2012 Jun 23; Abstract Although bereavement is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the surviving spouse, some widow(er)s remain healthy. Genetic variability in expression [...]
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