Serum BDNF levels in suicide attempters related to psychosocial stressors: a comparative study with depression.

Although many studies have examined the neurobiological aspects of suicide, the molecular mechanisms and pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with suicide remain unclear. In this study, it is aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels among suicide attempters without a major psychiatric disorder, compared to major depressive disorder patients and healthy subjects. It was undertaken with the hypothesis that suicide per se lowers serum BDNF levels, since it is a source of stress. The study was carried out in Celal Bayar University Hospital, Manisa, Turkey. Ten suicide attempters, 24 patients with major depressive disorder and 26 subjects without any psychiatric diagnosis and any psychiatric treatment were included in the study. All subjects were asked to give their written consent. Blood samples were collected at the baseline. Serum BDNF was kept at -70 degrees C before testing, and assayed with an ELISA kit (Promega; Madison, Wisc., USA) after dilution with the block and sample solution provided with the kit. The data were subjected to the Kruskal-Wallis test for nonparametric analysis of variance. Mean serum BDNF levels were significantly lower in the suicide group (21.2 +/- 12.4 ng/ml) and the major depressive disorder group (21.2 +/- 11.3 ng/ml) than the control group (31.4 +/- 8.8 ng/ml; p = 0.004). These results suggest that BDNF may play an important role in the neurobiology of suicidal behavior. BDNF levels may be a biological marker for suicidal behavior. To investigate the role of BDNF in suicide, further studies with a wider sample size and a variety of psychiatric diagnoses accompanying suicide attempt are needed.

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in conversion disorder: Comparative study with depression.

The aim of the present study was to compare serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and conversion disorder (CD). Serum BDNF levels were measured in the following three groups: 15 CD patients without any comorbid diagnosis of psychiatric disorder, 24 patients with MDD, and 26 healthy subjects without any psychiatric diagnosis or psychiatric treatment. The serum BDNF level of the healthy control group (31.4 +/- 8.8 ng/mL) was statistically higher than the level of the MDD group (21.2 +/- 11.3 ng/mL) and the CD group (24.3 +/- 9.0 ng/mL; P = 0.008). This suggests that BDNF level may play a similar role in the pathophysiology of MDD and CD.

Prevalence of pseudoneurologic conversion disorder in an urban community in Manisa, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: There is not a wide agreement upon rate of conversion disorder within Turkish population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of conversion disorder with pseudoneurological symptoms or deficits and related risk factors in a city. METHOD: In total, 1,086 people, aged 15-65 years old, were selected from the city of Manisa, Turkey to take part in the study. We applied sociodemographic and health information questionnaires and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) Somatization Subscales to the samples. RESULTS: The likelihood that an individual might have conversion disorder with pseudoneurological symptoms or deficits was found to be 5.6% (n = 61). The prevalence of conversion disorder with pseudoneurological symptoms or deficits was significantly higher among women (p < 0.0001), 15-24 year old women (p = 0.011) and 25-34 year old women (p = 0.003), people who live as squatters (p = 0.03), those with a history of psychiatric disorder (p < 0.0001) and those having a mother with a psychiatric disorder (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This study has shown the conversion disorder with pseudoneurological symptoms or deficits is inadequately frequent in the population.

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor level in dysthymia: a comparative study with major depressive disorder.

In this present work, it is aimed to demonstrate BDNF serum concentrations in patients with dysthymia and to compare them with BDNF serum concentrations in patients with major depressive disorder and healthy subjects. The study was carried out in Celal Bayar University Hospital, Manisa, Turkey. Seventeen patients with dysthymia, 24 patients with major depressive disorder and 26 subjects without any psychiatric diagnosis and any psychiatric treatment were included in the study. The severity of depression was assessed with 17-item HAM-D. All subjects were asked to give their written consent. Blood samples were collected at baseline. Serum BDNF was kept at -70 degrees C before testing, and assayed with an ELISA Kit (Promega; Madison, WI, USA), after dilution with the Block and Sample solution provided with the kit. The data were subjected to the analysis of variance. The BDNF serum concentrations of the dysthymia group (mean=28.9+/-9.2 ng/ml) were significantly higher than that of the major depressive disorder group (21.2+/-11.3 ng/ml) (p=0.002), and it was not different from the level of the control group (31.4+/-8.8 ng/ml). BDNF serum concentrations and HAM-D score did not have any significant correlation in the dysthymia and major depression groups (r=-0.276, p=0.086). The low level of BDNF in patients with dysthymic disorder seems to point out that BDNF changes in mood disorders are state-dependent and vary according to the severity of depressive episodes.

Premedication during micturating cystourethrogram to achieve sedation and anxiolysis.

Micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) is an imaging technique indicated in the diagnosis and follow-up of many diseases. We investigated the reliability and the efficacy of midazolam and chloral hydrate in sedation and anxiolysis during micturating cystourethrogram. Fifty-three children of similar ages (39 girls, 14 boys, mean age of 5.8+/-3.5 years) were randomized to midazolam (n=17), chloral hydrate (n=18) and control groups (n=18). Oral midazolam 0.6 mg/kg or chloral hydrate 25 mg/kg or saline were administered to the study groups 15-30 min prior to the urinary catheterization. Brietkopf and Buttner, Frankl and Houpt scales and Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory and parent's impressions were used to assess the level of sedation and anxiety. The Brietkopf and Buttner classification of emotional status and Houpt behavior rating scale demonstrated a significantly better emotional status and sedation in the midazolam group when compared to controls (P=0.01 and P=0.018, respectively). The catheterization was described as a more unpleasant and distressing event by the parents of the control and the chloral hydrate groups when compared to the parents of the midazolam group (P<0.05). Bladder capacity and frequency of detection of residual urine were not statistically different between the three study groups (P>0.05). Vital signs did not change significantly in any child. Sedation with midazolam does not have adverse effects on the results of micturating cystourethrogram, while it reduces the discomfort in children undergoing this radiological technique.