Acupuncture for reducing the south to reinforce the north on executive function and sleep structure in patients with chronic insomnia disorder of heart-kidney disharmony. / æ³»å—è¡¥åŒ—æ³•é’ˆåˆºå¯¹å¿ƒè‚¾ä¸äº¤åž‹æ ¢æ€§å¤±çœ éšœç¢æ‚£è€ æ‰§è¡ŒåŠŸèƒ½åŠç¡çœ ç»“æž„çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the efficacy of acupuncture for reducing the south to reinforce the north on executive function, sleep structure and sleep quality in patients with chronic insomnia disorder of heart-kidney disharmony. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with chronic insomnia disorder of heart-kidney disharmony were randomized into an acupuncture group (50 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a western medication group (50 cases, 2 cases dropped out). Acupuncture for reducing the south to reinforce the north was applied at Baihui (GV 20) and bilateral Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6), Xinshu (BL 15), Shenshu (BL 23) in the acupuncture group, once a day, 5 days a week. Lorazepam tablet was given orally in the western medication group, 0.5-1 mg a time, once a day. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The Stroop color-word test (SCWT) indexes (the time consuming and the correct number of card A, B, C and the Stroop interference effect [SIE]), sleep structure indexes (total sleep time [TST], sleep latency [SL], wake after sleep onset [WASO], sleep efficiency [SE], non-rapid eye movement period 1 [N1], non-rapid eye movement period 2 [N2], non-rapid eye movement period 3 [N3], rapid eye movement period [REM]) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the time consuming of card B and C, the time consuming and the correct number of SIE, SL, WASO, N1, N2, as well as the sub-item scores and total score of PSQI were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the correct number of card A, B and C, TST, SE, N3 and REM were increased (P<0.01) compared with those before treatment in the acupuncture group; the time consuming of card C and SIE, the correct number of card A and SIE, TST, SE, REM were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), SL, WASO, N1, as well as the sub-item scores of sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, daytime function and total score of PSQI were decreased (P<0.01) compared with those before treatment in the western medication group. After treatment, in the acupuncture group, the time consuming of card C, the time consuming and the correct number of SIE, N1, N2, as well as the sub-item scores of sleep quality, sleep dysfunction, daytime function and total score of PSQI were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.01), the correct number of card B and C, N3, REM were higher than those in the western medication group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture for reducing the south to reinforce the north can improve the executive function of patients with chronic insomnia disorder of heart-kidney disharmony, adjust the sleep structure, and improve the night sleep quality and daytime body function.

Combined repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and medication treatment for depression is associated with serum amyloid a level: Evidence from naturalistic clinical practice.

Objective: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has a positive effect on patients with depressive disorder, while the underpinning molecular mechanism is unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of rTMS on serum levels of serum amyloid A (SAA) and testosterone in a real-world setting. Materials and methods: In total, ninety-seven patients with depressive disorder were treated with medicine and rTMS (the rTMS group) while 122 patients were treated using the medicine only (the control group). Plasma levels of SAA (n = 52) and testosterone (n = 37) were measured before and after 2 weeks of treatment, and the treatment effect was evaluated by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). Results: The treatment effect revealed by the percentage of decrease in HAMD in the second week was significantly greater in the rTMS group compared with the control group. No significant difference was found in SAA or testosterone levels between the two groups. However, the percentage of changes in SAA (r = -0.492, p = 0.017) in the second week was significantly correlated with the percentage of decrease in HAMD score in the rTMS group, but not in the control group. Conclusion: Patients with depression benefit more from combined rTMS and medication treatment in this naturalistic study. Changes in SAA level, but not testosterone level, were related to depressive remission after 2 weeks' combined treatment.

Time-Dependent Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Decline During Methamphetamine Withdrawal.

Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely abused illegal psychostimulant, which is confirmed to be neurotoxic and of great damage to human. Studies on the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in human METH addicts are limited and inconsistent. The purposes of this study are to compare the serum BDNF levels between METH addicts and healthy controls during early withdrawal, and explore the changes of serum BDNF levels during the first month after METH withdrawal.179 METH addicts and 90 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited in this study. We measured serum BDNF levels at baseline (both METH addicts and healthy controls) and at 1 month after abstinence of METH (METH addicts only).Serum BDNF levels of METH addicts at baseline were significantly higher than controls (1460.28  ±  490.69 vs 1241.27  ±  335.52  pg/mL; F = 14.51, P < 0.001). The serum BDNF levels of 40 METH addicts were re-examined after 1 month of METH abstinence, which were significantly lower than that at baseline (1363.70  ±  580.59 vs 1621.41  ±â€Š 591.07  pg/mL; t = 2.26, P = .03), but showed no differences to the controls (1363.70  ±â€Š 580.59 vs 1241.27  ±  335.52  pg/mL; F = 2.29, P = 0.13).Our study demonstrated that serum BDNF levels were higher in METH addicts than controls during early withdrawal, and were time dependent decreased during the first month of abstinence. These findings may provide further evidence that increased serum BDNF levels may be associated with the pathophysiology of METH addiction and withdrawal and may be a protective response against the subsequent METH-induced neurotoxicity. Besides, these findings may also promote the development of medicine in the treatment of METH addiction and withdrawal.

The Effects of BDNF Val66Met Gene Polymorphism on Serum BDNF and Cognitive Function in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients and Normal Controls: A Case-Control Study.

Studies suggest that a functional polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF Val66Met) may contribute to methamphetamine dependence. We hypothesized that this polymorphism had a role in cognitive deficits in methamphetamine-dependent patients and in the relationship of serum BDNF with cognitive impairments. We conducted a case-control study by assessing 194 methamphetamine-dependent patients and 378 healthy volunteers without history of drug use on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the presence of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and serum BDNF levels. We showed no significant differences in genotype and allele distributions between the methamphetamine-dependent patients and controls. Some aspects of cognitive function significantly differed in the 2 groups. The serum BDNF levels in methamphetamine-dependent patients were significantly higher than those of the healthy controls. In the patients, partial correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between serum BDNF and the delayed memory index score. The RBANS scores showed statistically significant BDNF level × genotype interaction. Further regression analyses showed a significant positive association between BDNF levels and the RBANS total score, immediate memory or attention index among Val homozygote patients, whereas a significant negative association of BDNF levels with the RBANS total score, visuospatial/constructional, or language index was found among Met/Val heterozygous patients. We demonstrated significant impairment on some aspects of cognitive function and increased BDNF levels in methamphetamine-dependent patients as well as genotypic differences in the relationships between BDNF levels and RBANS scores on the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism only in these patients.

The analysis of BDNF gene polymorphism haplotypes and impulsivity in methamphetamine abusers.

An increasing number of evidence showed that genetic factors might contribute to drug abuse vulnerability. Data from genetic scans in humans suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophic factor family, may be associated with substance abuse or dependence. To test the hypothesis that the BDNF gene polymorphism is involved in methamphetamine abuse, we compared three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs16917204, rs16917234, and rs2030324) of the BDNF gene in 200 methamphetamine abusers and 219 healthy individuals. We also considered the association of these polymorphisms with impulsivity in methamphetamine abusers using Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11(BIS-11) Chinese version. Individual SNP analysis showed no significant differences in genotype and allele distributions between the methamphetamine abusers and controls. Haplotype analysis of rs16917204-rs16917234-rs2030324 revealed that a major C-C-T haplotype was significantly associated a lower odds of methamphetamine abuse, even after Bonferroni correction. Within the methamphetamine-abuse group, subjects carrying the T allele of rs2030324 genotype had significantly higher motor impulsivity scores of BIS compared to those with the C/C genotype. Our findings suggest that the BDNF gene polymorphism may contribute to the impulsivity in methamphetamine abusers.

An association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and impulsivity in methamphetamine abusers.

Recent studies showed an association between a functional polymorphism of BDNF gene (Val66Met) and the susceptibility to methamphetamine addiction. We hypothesized that this polymorphism was associated with methamphetamine abuse and impulsivity in methamphetamine-abuse patients. The polymorphism was genotyped in 200 methamphetamine-abuse patients and 219 healthy controls. The association of the Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene and impulsivity in 138 methamphetamine abusers were assessed using Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11(BIS-11) Chinese version. The relationship between the polymorphism and age of onset of methamphetamine abuse was also examined. Our results showed no significant differences in genotype and allele distributions between the methamphetamine abusers and controls. Within the methamphetamine-abuse group, subjects carried the Met allele had significantly higher attentional impulsivity scores of BIS compared to those with the Val/Val genotype. The Met allele was also associated with earlier age onset of methamphetamine use. Our findings suggest that the BDNF Val66Met gene polymorphism may influence attentional impulsivity in methamphetamine abusers. Moreover, the BDNF Val66Met gene polymorphism may contribute to onset age of methamphetamine use.

Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms during early methamphetamine withdrawal in Han Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Depression, a common comorbidity of drug abuse, is often a core component of withdrawal symptoms; however, risk factors associated with depressive symptoms during the acute stage of withdrawal among methamphetamine (METH) users are not well understood. This study investigated the correlations between several potential risk factors and depressive symptoms during acute METH withdrawal in a Han Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 243 eligible Chinese METH users were recruited from Wenzhou Sanyang Detoxification Institute in Zhejiang province from November 2012 to June 2013. A set of self-administrative questionnaires were used to collect information about socio-demographics, drug use history and depression. Thirteen-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-13) was used to measure depressive symptoms. RESULTS: METH users had a mean BDI-13 score of 12.39; 157 subjects (64.6%) reported depressive symptoms during METH withdrawal, of which 74 subjects (30.5%) reported moderate depressive symptoms and 83 subjects (34.1%) reported severe depressive symptoms. Higher frequency of drug use and history of METH-use relapse were associated with depressive symptoms (adjusted OR=2.8; 95% CI=1.56-5.04) and (adjusted OR=3.4; 95% CI=1.36-8.49), respectively. Moderate alcohol drinking was associated with less risk for depressive symptoms during acute withdrawal (adjusted OR=0.54; 95% CI=0.31-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms are common during early METH withdrawal. In addition, several risk factors including frequency of METH use and history of relapse were positively associated with depressive symptoms during that period while moderate alcohol drinking was negatively associated with depressive symptoms.

Increased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels during opiate withdrawal.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of opiate addiction. Both increased and decreased serum BDNF levels have been reported in heroin addicts. Moreover, the role of BDNF in heroin-dependent patients during withdrawal has not been studied. This study aimed to explore the differences in serum BDNF levels of heroin addicts and healthy controls, and investigate the changes of serum BDNF levels in heroin addicts at baseline and at one month after heroin cessation. Seventy-two heroin-dependent patients and ninety age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. We measured serum BDNF levels at baseline (both heroin addicts and healthy controls) and one month after heroin cessation (heroin addicts only). A total of 37 (51.4%) heroin addicts completed the one-month study. We found that baseline serum BDNF levels were significantly higher in heroin addicts compared to controls (F=36.5, p=0.001). There was no difference in serum BDNF levels among heroin addicts at baseline and one month after heroin cessation (F=1.101, p=0.301). These results indicate that BDNF may play a critical role in the course of opiate addiction and withdrawal.