Identification of Schizophrenia Susceptibility Loci in the Urban Taiwanese Population.

Background and Objectives: Genomic studies have identified several SNP loci associated with schizophrenia in East Asian populations. Environmental factors, particularly urbanization, play a significant role in schizophrenia development. This study aimed to identify schizophrenia susceptibility loci and characterize their biological functions and molecular pathways in Taiwanese urban Han individuals. Materials and Methods: Participants with schizophrenia were recruited from the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative at Tri-Service General Hospital. Genotype-phenotype association analysis was performed, with significant variants annotated and analyzed for functional relevance. Results: A total of 137 schizophrenia patients and 26,129 controls were enrolled. Ten significant variants (p < 1 × 10-5) and 15 expressed genes were identified, including rs1010840 (SOWAHC and RGPD6), rs11083963 (TRPM4), rs11619878 (LINC00355 and LINC01052), rs117010638 (AGBL1 and MIR548AP), rs1170702 (LINC01680 and LINC01720), rs12028521 (KAZN and PRDM2), rs12859097 (DMD), rs1556812 (ATP11A), rs78144262 (LINC00977), and rs9997349 (ENPEP). These variants and associated genes are involved in immune response, blood pressure regulation, muscle function, and the cytoskeleton. Conclusions: Identified variants and associated genes suggest a potential genetic predisposition to schizophrenia in the Taiwanese urban Han population, highlighting the importance of potential comorbidities, considering population-specific genetic and environmental interactions.

Exploring Clinical Subgroups of Participants with Major Depressive Disorder that may Benefit from Adjunctive Minocycline Treatment.

Objective: : To explore illness-related factors in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) recipients of adjunctive minocycline (200 mg/day) treatment. The analysis included participants experiencing MDD from a 12-week, double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (RCT). Methods: : This is a sub-analysis of a RCT of all 71 participants who took part in the trial. The impact of illness chronicity (illness duration and number of depressive episodes), systemic illness (endocrine, cardiovascular and obesity), adverse effects and minocycline were evaluated as change from baseline to endpoint (12-week) using ANCOVA. Results: : There was a consistent but statistically non-significant trend on all outcomes in favour of the use of adjunctive minocycline for participants without systemic illness, less illness chronicity, and fewer adverse effects. Conclusion: : Understanding the relationship between MDD and illness chronicity, comorbid systemic illness, and adverse effects, can potentially better characterise those individuals who are more likely to respond to adjunctive anti-inflammatory medications.

Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) Guideline for CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2B6, SLC6A4, and HTR2A Genotypes and Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants.

Serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; i.e., citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (i.e., desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, levomilnacipran, milnacipran, and venlafaxine), and serotonin modulators with SSRI-like properties (i.e., vilazodone and vortioxetine) are primary pharmacologic treatments for major depressive and anxiety disorders. Genetic variation in CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2B6 influences the metabolism of many of these antidepressants, which may potentially affect dosing, efficacy, and tolerability. In addition, the pharmacodynamic genes SLC6A4 (serotonin transporter) and HTR2A (serotonin-2A receptor) have been examined in relation to efficacy and side effect profiles of these drugs. This guideline updates and expands the 2015 Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) guideline for CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genotypes and SSRI dosing and summarizes the impact of CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2B6, SLC6A4, and HTR2A genotypes on antidepressant dosing, efficacy, and tolerability. We provide recommendations for using CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2B6 genotype results to help inform prescribing these antidepressants and describe the existing data for SLC6A4 and HTR2A, which do not support their clinical use in antidepressant prescribing.

Adjunctive minocycline for major depressive disorder: A sub-study exploring peripheral immune-inflammatory markers and associated treatment response.

Background: Adjunctive minocycline shows promise in treating affective and psychotic disorders; however, the therapeutic mechanism remains unclear. Identifying relevant biomarkers may enhance the efficacy of novel adjunctive treatment candidates. We thus investigated the peripheral immune-inflammatory profile in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of minocycline in major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: This sub-study investigated serum samples from a RCT evaluating minocycline (200 mg/day, 12 weeks) in addition to treatment as usual for MDD (ACTRN12612000283875). Of the original sample (N = 71), serum assays were conducted in 47 participants (placebo n = 24; minocycline n = 23) targeting an array of 46 immune-inflammatory analytes including cytokines, chemokines, and acute-phase reactants. General estimating equations (GEE) were used to assess whether analyte concentration at baseline (effect modification) and change in analytes (change association) influenced change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score over time. The Benjamini-Hochberg approach was applied when adjusting for false discovery rates (FDR). Results: GEE models revealed several interaction effects. After adjusting for FDR several change association-models survived correction. However, no such models remained significant for effect modification. Three-way group × time × marker interactions were significant for complement C3 (B = -10.46, 95%CI [-16.832, -4.095], q = 0.019) and IL-1Ra (B = -9.008, 95%CI [-15.26, -2.751], q = 0.036). Two-way group × biomarker interactions were significant for ICAM-1/CD54 (B = -0.387, 95%CI [-0.513, -0.26], q < 0.001) and IL-8/CXCL8 (B = -4.586, 95%CI [-7.698, -1.475], q = 0.036) indicating that increases in the serum concentration of these analytes were associated with an improvement in MADRS scores in the minocycline group (compared with placebo). Conclusions: Change in complement C3, IL-1Ra, IL-8/CXCL8, and ICAM-1 may be associated with greater change in depressive scores following adjunctive minocycline treatment in MDD. Further investigations are needed to assess the utility of these biomarkers.

The management of depression: the evidence speaks for itself.

Comparing the recommendations of two recently published national clinical practice guidelines for depression, this editorial highlights the concordance of advice concerning the selection and sequencing of therapies. Lifestyle and psychological interventions feature prominently and there is broad agreement regarding medication choice and optimisation strategies. The guidelines are therefore a useful resource.

An Evidence-Based Perspective on The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Clinical Practice Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To rebut the claims made in an opinion piece by Anaf and colleagues regarding the recommendations for psychotherapy within the 2020 RANZCP Mood Disorders Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). CONCLUSIONS: The CPG attaches importance to psychological interventions and recommends their administration as first-line in the treatment of depression. The concerns raised by Anaf and colleagues have no basis and are readily dismissed by referring to the guidelines. Therefore, we strongly encourage clinicians to formulate their own views by reading the guidelines for themselves.

Exploring interleukin-6, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor following 12 weeks of adjunctive minocycline treatment for depression.

This study aimed to explore effects of adjunctive minocycline treatment on inflammatory and neurogenesis markers in major depressive disorder (MDD). Serum samples were collected from a randomised, placebo-controlled 12-week clinical trial of minocycline (200 mg/day, added to treatment as usual) for adults (n = 71) experiencing MDD to determine changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). General Estimate Equation modelling explored moderation effects of baseline markers and exploratory analyses investigated associations between markers and clinical outcomes. There was no difference between adjunctive minocycline or placebo groups at baseline or week 12 in the levels of IL-6 (week 12; placebo 2.06 ± 1.35 pg/ml; minocycline 1.77 ± 0.79 pg/ml; p = 0.317), LBP (week 12; placebo 3.74 ± 0.95 µg/ml; minocycline 3.93 ± 1.33 µg/ml; p = 0.525) or BDNF (week 12; placebo 24.28 ± 6.69 ng/ml; minocycline 26.56 ± 5.45 ng/ml; p = 0.161). Higher IL-6 levels at baseline were a predictor of greater clinical improvement. Exploratory analyses suggested that the change in IL-6 levels were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms (HAMA; p = 0.021) and quality of life (Q-LES-Q-SF; p = 0.023) scale scores. No other clinical outcomes were shown to have this mediation effect, nor did the other markers (LBP or BDNF) moderate clinical outcomes. There were no overall changes in IL-6, LBP or BDNF following adjunctive minocycline treatment. Exploratory analyses suggest a potential role of IL-6 on mediating anxiety symptoms with MDD. Future trials may consider enrichment of recruitment by identifying several markers or a panel of factors to better represent an inflammatory phenotype in MDD with larger sample size.

Profiling rTMS: A critical response.

This article is a detailed response to the criticisms levelled by the authors of an accompanying viewpoint, which claims that the positioning of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) clinical practice guidelines for the management mood disorders (MDcpg2020) is incorrect. We, the authors of the MDcpg2020, strongly refute these assertions and argue that first we have determined the positioning of rTMS using the same criteria as those applied to other treatments for depression. Second, in accordance with National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines, the processes by which we have developed the MDcpg2020 have been guided by best practice and have been overseen throughout by the RANZCP. Third, our objective and detailed examination of the relevant research has shown that the evidence needed to support the positioning of rTMS alongside standard therapies for depression is severely deficient. And therefore, as a consequence, we set out clearly both our logic and reasoning with respect to interpreting rTMS data and outline our evidence-informed position in which rTMS remains a potential alternative therapy that can be considered in certain clinical circumstances once both suitable psychological and pharmacological treatments have been trialled. We also discuss why, until further research is conducted, rTMS is perhaps best regarded as an experimental therapy and an investigational tool, and to assist in this regard, we propose a framework for consideration by those conducting rTMS studies in the future. Thus, based on current knowledge, we conclude that rTMS does not have a sufficient evidence base to warrant recognition as a standard therapy for depression alongside established treatments such as psychological interventions, pharmacotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. Furthermore, there is no clinical profile for depressed patients that might benefit from rTMS and therefore tolerability alone is not good enough reason to promote rTMS in the management of major depression.

The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To provide advice and guidance regarding the management of mood disorders, derived from scientific evidence and supplemented by expert clinical consensus to formulate s that maximise clinical utility. METHODS: Articles and information sourced from search engines including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were supplemented by literature known to the mood disorders committee (e.g. books, book chapters and government reports) and from published depression and bipolar disorder guidelines. Relevant information was appraised and discussed in detail by members of the mood disorders committee, with a view to formulating and developing consensus-based recommendations and clinical guidance. The guidelines were subjected to rigorous consultation and external review involving: expert and clinical advisors, key stakeholders, professional bodies and specialist groups with interest in mood disorders. RESULTS: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists mood disorders clinical practice guidelines 2020 (MDcpg2020) provide up-to-date guidance regarding the management of mood disorders that is informed by evidence and clinical experience. The guideline is intended for clinical use by psychiatrists, psychologists, primary care physicians and others with an interest in mental health care. CONCLUSION: The MDcpg2020 builds on the previous 2015 guidelines and maintains its joint focus on both depressive and bipolar disorders. It provides up-to-date recommendations and guidance within an evidence-based framework, supplemented by expert clinical consensus. MOOD DISORDERS COMMITTEE: Gin S Malhi (Chair), Erica Bell, Darryl Bassett, Philip Boyce, Richard Bryant, Philip Hazell, Malcolm Hopwood, Bill Lyndon, Roger Mulder, Richard Porter, Ajeet B Singh and Greg Murray.

Minocycline as adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder: Pooled data from two randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled clinical trials that have investigated minocycline as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder have proved promising. Data from two studies were pooled to evaluate more definitively whether the addition of minocycline to standard treatment for major depressive disorder leads to an improvement of depressive symptoms when compared with placebo. METHODS: Both studies were multi-site, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials of minocycline 200 mg/day added to treatment as usual during a 12-week period. The primary outcome measure was change in depressive symptoms (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale in Dean et al. and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale in Husain et al.). Secondary outcomes were change in depression severity (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale for Dean et al. and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire in Husain et al.), anxiety severity (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale in Dean et al. and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale in Husain et al.) and functional status, which were also evaluated as potential mediators on the primary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 112 participants were included in the pooled data (Dean et al., n = 71; Husain et al., n = 41). A significant change from baseline to week 12 was noted in depressive symptoms - differential change (Placebo vs Minocycline): 9.0, 95% confidence interval = [4.2, 13.9], Cohen's D (95% confidence interval): 0.71 [0.29, 1.14], p < 0.001 - anxiety severity - differential change (Placebo vs Minocycline): 0.38, confidence interval = [0.00, 0.75], Cohen's D (95% confidence interval): 0.41 [0.00, 0.82], p = 0.050) and functional status - differential change (Placebo vs Minocycline): 1.0, 95% confidence interval = [0.4, 1.5], Cohen's D (95% confidence interval): 0.76 [0.34, 1.19], p = 0.001). Duration of illness, current use of benzodiazepine and pain medication were identified as moderators, whereas functional status as a mediator/predictor. CONCLUSION: The improvement of depressive symptoms, anxiety severity and functional status is promising and suggests that minocycline has potential as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder. However, further studies are warranted to confirm therapeutic effects of minocycline in major depressive disorder. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: NCT02263872, registered October 2014, and ACTRN12612000283875, registered March 2012.

The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders: Major depression summary.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a succinct, clinically useful summary of the management of major depression, based on the 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders (MDcpg2020 ). METHODS: To develop the MDcpg2020 , the mood disorders committee conducted an extensive review of the available literature to develop evidence-based recommendations (EBR) based on National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines. In the MDcpg2020 , these recommendations sit alongside consensus-based recommendations (CBR) that were derived from extensive deliberations of the mood disorders committee, drawing on their expertise and clinical experience. This guideline summary is an abridged version that focuses on major depression. In collaboration with international experts in the field, it synthesises the key recommendations made in relation to the diagnosis and management of major depression. RESULTS: The depression summary provides a systematic approach to diagnosis, and a logical clinical framework for management. The latter begins with Actions, which include important strategies that should be implemented from the outset. These include lifestyle changes, psychoeducation and psychological interventions. The summary advocates the use of antidepressants in the management of depression as Choices and nominates seven medications that can be trialled as clinically indicated before moving to Alternatives for managing depression. Subsequent strategies regarding Medication include Increasing Dose, Augmenting and Switching (MIDAS). The summary also recommends the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and discusses how to approach non-response. CONCLUSIONS: The major depression summary provides up to date guidance regarding the management of major depressive disorder, as set out in the MDcpg2020 . The recommendations are informed by research evidence in conjunction with clinical expertise and experience. The summary is intended for use by psychiatrists, psychologists and primary care physicians, but will be of interest to all clinicians and carers involved in the management of patients with depressive disorders.

The 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders: Bipolar disorder summary.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a succinct, clinically useful summary of the management of bipolar disorder, based on the 2020 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for mood disorders (MDcpg2020 ). METHODS: To develop the MDcpg2020 , the mood disorders committee conducted an extensive review of the available literature to develop evidence-based recommendations (EBR) based on National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines. In the MDcpg2020 , these recommendations sit alongside consensus-based recommendations (CBR) that were derived from extensive deliberations of the mood disorders committee, drawing on their expertise and clinical experience. This guideline summary is an abridged version that focuses on bipolar disorder. In collaboration with international experts in the field, it synthesises the key recommendations made in relation to the diagnosis and management of bipolar disorder. RESULTS: The bipolar disorder summary provides a systematic approach to diagnosis, and a logical clinical framework for management. It addresses the acute phases of bipolar disorder (mania, depression and mixed states) and its longer-term management (maintenance and prophylaxis). For each phase it begins with Actions, which include important strategies that should be implemented from the outset wherever possible. These include for example, lifestyle changes, psychoeducation and psychological interventions. In each phase, the summary advocates the use of Choice medications for pharmacotherapy, which are then used in combinations along with additional Alternatives to manage acute symptoms or maintain mood stability and provide prophylaxis. The summary also recommends the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for each of the acute phases but not for maintenance therapy. Finally, it briefly considers bipolar disorder in children and its overlap in adults with borderline personality disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The bipolar disorder summary provides up to date guidance regarding the management of bipolar disorder, as set out in the MDcpg2020 . The recommendations are informed by evidence and clinical expertise and experience. The summary is intended for use by psychiatrists, psychologists and primary care physicians but will be of interest to anyone involved in the management of patients with bipolar disorder.

Cognitive side-effects of electroconvulsive therapy: what are they, how to monitor them and what to tell patients.

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is recommended in treatment guidelines as an efficacious therapy for treatment-resistant depression. However, it has been associated with loss of autobiographical memory and short-term reduction in new learning. AIMS: To provide clinically useful guidelines to aid clinicians in informing patients regarding the cognitive side-effects of ECT and in monitoring these during a course of ECT, using complex data. METHOD: A Committee of clinical and academic experts from Australia and New Zealand met to the discuss the key issues pertaining to ECT and cognitive side-effects. Evidence regarding cognitive side-effects was reviewed, as was the limited evidence regarding how to monitor them. Both issues were supplemented by the clinical experience of the authors. RESULTS: Meta-analyses suggest that new learning is impaired immediately following ECT but that group mean scores return at least to baseline by 14 days after ECT. Other cognitive functions are generally unaffected. However, the finding of a mean score that is not reduced from baseline cannot be taken to indicate that impairment, particularly of new learning, cannot occur in individuals, particularly those who are at greater risk. Therefore, monitoring is still important. Evidence suggests that ECT does cause deficits in autobiographical memory. The evidence for schedules of testing to monitor cognitive side-effects is currently limited. We therefore make practical recommendations based on clinical experience. CONCLUSIONS: Despite modern ECT techniques, cognitive side-effects remain an important issue, although their nature and degree remains to be clarified fully. In these circumstances it is useful for clinicians to have guidance regarding what to tell patients and how to monitor these side-effects clinically.

Personality disorder and functioning in major depressive disorder: a nested study within a randomized controlled trial

Objective: This study aimed to determine if personality disorder (PD) predicted functional outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Data (n=71) from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled 12-week trial assessing the efficacy of 200 mg/day adjunctive minocycline for MDD were examined. PD was measured using the Standardized Assessment of Personality Abbreviated Scale. Outcome measures included Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS), and Range of Impaired Functioning (RIFT). Analysis of covariance was used to examine the impact of PD (dichotomized factor [≥ 3] or continuous measure) on the outcome measures-treatment group correlation. Results: PD was identified in 69% of the sample. After adjusting for age, sex, and baseline scores for each of the outcome measures, there was no significant difference between participants with and without PD on week 12 scores for any of the outcome measures (all p > 0.14). Conclusion: In this secondary analysis of a primary efficacy study, PD was a common comorbidity among those with MDD, but was not a significant predictor of functional outcomes. This study adds to the limited literature on PD in randomized controlled trials for MDD. Clinical trial registration: ACTRN12612000283875.