ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent across most major psychiatric disorders. Alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neuroimmune mechanisms, and circadian rhythm disturbances partially explain this connection. The gut microbiome is also suspected to play a role in sleep regulation, and recent studies suggest that certain probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiome transplantation can improve sleep quality. METHODS: We aimed to assess the relationship between gut-microbiota composition, psychiatric disorders, and sleep quality in this cross-sectional, cross-disorder study. We recruited 103 participants, 63 patients with psychiatric disorders (major depressive disorder [n = 31], bipolar disorder [n = 13], psychotic disorder [n = 19]) along with 40 healthy controls. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The fecal microbiome was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and groups were compared based on alpha and beta diversity metrics, as well as differentially abundant species and genera. RESULTS: A transdiagnostic decrease in alpha diversity and differences in beta diversity indices were observed in psychiatric patients, compared to controls. Correlation analysis of diversity metrics and PSQI score showed no significance in the patient and control groups. However, three species, Ellagibacter isourolithinifaciens, Senegalimassilia faecalis, and uncultured Blautia sp., and two genera, Senegalimassilia and uncultured Muribaculaceae genus, were differentially abundant in psychiatric patients with good sleep quality (PSQI >8), compared to poor-sleep quality patients (PSQI ≤8). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study raises important questions about the interconnection of the gut microbiome and sleep disturbances.
Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder, Major , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Mental Disorders , Sleep Wake Disorders , Humans , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System , Pituitary-Adrenal System , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , SleepABSTRACT
The connection between cognitive function and the "Big Five" personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) in the general population is well known; however, studies researching bipolar disorder (BD) are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the Big Five as predictors of executive function, verbal memory, attention, and processing speed in euthymic individuals with BD (cross-sectional: n = 129, including time point t1; longitudinal: n = 35, including t1 and t2). Participants completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, the Color and Word Interference Test, the Trail Making Test, the d2 Test of Attention Revised, and the California Verbal Learning Test. The results showed a significant negative correlation between executive function and neuroticism at t1. Changes in cognitive function between t1 and t2 did not correlate with and could not be predicted by the Big Five at t1. Additionally, worse executive function at t2 was predicted by higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness at t1, and high neuroticism was a predictor of worse verbal memory at t2. The Big Five might not strongly impact cognitive function over short periods; however, they are significant predictors of cognitive function. Future studies should include a higher number of participants and more time in between points of measurement.
ABSTRACT
Introduction Mitochondriopathies are pathologies of cell organelles, which are essential for the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is responsible for cellular energy stock. When mitochondrial mutations occur, symptoms arise frequently in those organs that rely on a continuous energy supply, such as the nervous system. Although psychiatric illness is increasingly prevalent in patients with mitochondrial disease, less attention has been paid to its psychiatric presentations. Case Report We describe a case of a 21-year-old woman who presented in our outpatient department with panic attacks and depression. The patient experienced major side effects after low-dose sertraline therapy. Conclusion Mitochondriopathies belong to the class of rare illnesses in psychiatry; nevertheless, they require adaptations of psychopharmacological therapy. Psychotropic drugs are potential respiratory chain inhibitors and could lead to distinct side effects.
