The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) came into consideration in recent years as a promising, non-invasive form of neuromodulation for individuals suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI represents a transitional stage between normal cognitive aging and more severe cognitive decline, which appears in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Numerous studies have shown that tDCS can have several useful effects in patients with MCI. It is believed to enhance cognitive functions, including memory and attention, potentially slowing down the progression of neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. tDCS is believed to work by modulating neuronal activity and promoting synaptic plasticity in the brain regions associated with cognition. Moreover, tDCS is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, making it an attractive option for long-term therapeutic use in MCI. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal stimulation parameters and long-term effects of tDCS in this population, as well as its potential to serve as a complementary therapy alongside other interventions for MCI. In this review, we included 16 randomized clinical trials containing patients with MCI who were treated with tDCS. We aim to provide important evidence for the cognitive enhancement using tDCS in patients with MCI, summarizing the effects and conclusions found in several clinical trials, and discuss its main mechanisms.

The Quest for Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment-Focusing on Alzheimer's Disease Personalised Diets.

Dementia represents a clinical syndrome characterised by progressive decline in memory, language, visuospatial and executive function, personality, and behaviour, causing loss of abilities to perform instrumental or essential activities of daily living. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease (AD), which accounts for up to 80% of all dementia cases. Despite that extensive studies regarding the etiology and risk factors have been performed in recent decades, and how the current knowledge about AD pathophysiology significantly improved with the recent advances in science and technology, little is still known about its treatment options. In this controverted context, a nutritional approach could be a promising way to formulate improved AD management strategies and to further analyse possible treatment strategy options based on personalised diets, as Nutritional Psychiatry is currently gaining relevance in neuropsychiatric disease treatment. Based on the current knowledge of AD pathophysiology, as well as based on the repeatedly documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of different functional foods, we aimed to find, describe, and correlate several dietary compounds that could be useful in formulating a nutritional approach in AD management. We performed a screening for relevant studies on the main scientific databases using keywords such as "Alzheimer's disease", "dementia", "treatment", "medication", "treatment alternatives", "vitamin E", "nutrition", "selenium", "Ginkgo biloba", "antioxidants", "medicinal plants", and "traditional medicine" in combinations. Results: nutrients could be a key component in the physiologic and anatomic development of the brain. Several nutrients have been studied in the pursuit of the mechanism triggered by the pathology of AD: vitamin D, fatty acids, selenium, as well as neuroprotective plant extracts (i.e., Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, Curcuma longa), suggesting that the nutritional patterns could modulate the cognitive status and provide neuroprotection. The multifactorial origin of AD development and progression could suggest that nutrition could greatly contribute to the complex pathological picture. The identification of adequate nutritional interventions and the not yet fully understood nutrient activity in AD could be the next steps in finding several innovative treatment options for neurodegenerative disorders.

Oxytocin: Narrative Expert Review of Current Perspectives on the Relationship with Other Neurotransmitters and the Impact on the Main Psychiatric Disorders.

Is a cyclic neuropeptide produced primarily in the hypothalamus and plays an important neuromodulatory role for other neurotransmitter systems, with an impact on behavior, response to danger, stress, and complex social interactions, such as pair bonding and child care. This narrative expert review examines the literature on oxytocin as a brain hormone. We focused on oxytocin structure, distribution, genetics, and the oxytocin receptor system, as well as the relationship of oxytocin with other neurotransmitters and the resulting impacts on the main psychiatric disorders. Oxytocin levels have been correlated over time with mental illness, with numerous studies focusing on oxytocin and the pathophysiology of the main psychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, personality disorders, mood, and eating disorders. We highlight the role oxytocin plays in improving symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and social behavior, as the literature suggests. Risk factors and causes for psychiatric disorders range from genetic to environmental and social factors. Oxytocin could impact the latter, being linked with other neurotransmitter systems that are responsible for integrating different situations during the development phases of individuals. Also, these systems have an important role in how the body responds to stressors or bonding with others, helping with the creation of social support groups that could speed up recovery in many situations. Oxytocin has the potential to become a key therapeutic agent for future treatment and prevention strategies concerning the main psychiatric disorders.

The effect of minocycline on symptoms in schizophrenia: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies have hypothesized that immunological abnormalities might contribute to schizophrenia, and basic science studies, as well as several clinical trials suggest that minocycline could be efficacious in ameliorating both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In this study we examined the effect of minocycline on schizophrenia in a large randomized controlled trial. METHODS: We performed a 16-week, multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 200 subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder randomized to receive either minocycline (200 mg/day, n = 100), or placebo (n = 100) as an add-on to anti-psychotic treatment. The primary outcome measure was the PANSS total score. RESULTS: Mixed models for repeated measures showed no significant difference between minocycline and placebo for total PANSS (p = 0.862), PANSS subscales, CGI or BACS. CONCLUSIONS: Minocycline did not improve symptoms or cognition in schizophrenia.