Decreased Nesfatin-1 Level in Overweight Depressed Patients.

BACKGROUND: Nesfatin-1 (NF-1) is a parameter that has been shown to have an important potential in the modulation of the emotional state such as depression. The study focused to investigate the relationship between the plasma NF-1 level and depression. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients who have a major depressive disorder (MDD) and 71 healthy individuals participated in the study. Plasma NF-1 was analyzed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and compared according to the groups. RESULTS: The mean NF-1 was lower in the patients with MDD than being in the healthy (p:0.019). Plasma NF-1 level was statistically significantly lower in the overweight MDD than in the non-overweight MDD (p:0.024). We observed a negative correlation between plasma NF-1 level and age (r:-0.178, p:0.033), BMI (r:-0.212, p:0.011), HAM-D scores (r:-0.185, p:0.026). However, there was no correlation for smoking status in both groups (r:0.095, p:0.259). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the relationship between plasma NF-1 level and MDD as well as overweight. Therefore, NF-1 might be related to certain nervous system pathologies as well as adipose tissue in the body.

The relationship between levels of solution-focused thinking and internalized stigma and social functionality in mental disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of the level of solution-focused thinking on internalized stigma and social functionality in mental illnesses. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with 497 patients with various mental disorders. FINDINGS: A negative and strong correlation was found between the Solution-Focused Inventory and Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale scores of the participants (r = -0.682, p = 0.001). A positive and weak correlation was found between the participants' Solution-Focused Inventory and Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale scores (r = 0.396, p = 0.001). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It was determined that, as the solution-focused thinking levels of individuals with mental disorders increase, their level of internalized stigma decreases, and their social functionality increases.

BDNF gene expression association with suicide and psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents: (Relationship between BDNF gene expression and suicide).

OBJECTIVE: In the current study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between BDNF gene expression and childhood suicide attempt, childhood traumatic experiences, and problem-solving skills in children and adolescents. METHODS: The suicide group consisted of 100 children and adolescents aged 11-18 years who were referred to our outpatient department due to suicide attempt. For further comparisons, 100 children and adolescents who have no any psychiatric diagnosis were referred to our same outpatient department were selected. A sociodemographic data form, the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children- Present and Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL), the Suicide Intent Scale (SIS), Problem Solving Inventory (PSI), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) were used for both groups. Total RNA was isolated from whole blood samples and BDNF gene expression levels were measured using quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). RESULTS: The total and subscale scores of the PSI and CTQ were found to be significantly higher in the suicide group than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of BDNF gene expression levels. However, gene expression of BDNF was found significantly increased in patients who have any psychiatric disorder compared with the others. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that BDNF gene expression could be more associated with psychiatric disorders rather than suicide attempt in children and adolescents.

Elevated Monocyte to High-density Lipoprotein Ratios as an Inflammation Markers for Schizophrenia Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Monocyte to high density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) is a new instrument for giving notice inflammation, which plays a main role in schizophrenia. Thus, in this study, our goal was to investigate the possible association between MHR and schizophrenia. METHODS: The participants of this study consisted of 75 schizophrenia patients and 74 healthy individuals (control group). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to collect data from the patient group. Complete blood count parameters and lipid profile were analyzed in all study participants. RESULTS: The patients with schizophrenia had higher MHR values (15.04 ± 3.31 in schizophrenia patients and 12.62 ± 2.99 in controls; p = 0.001). Monocyte counts and MHR of the schizophrenia patients were significantly higher than the control group. There was a significant and positive correlation between age, body mass index, severity of disease and MHR. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study was the first to demonstrate inflammatory markers such as MHR levels in schizophrenia patients. Both monocyte counts and MHR values in schizophrenia patients were higher than the control group. MHR might be an available and useful inflammatory marker to evaluate inflammation in schizophrenia patients.

Higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and related factors in patients with first-episode psychosis and schizophrenia: a cross-sectional study in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia patients (SPP) have an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and are twice more likely to experience diabetes mellitus and obesity than the general population. AIMS: The main purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of MetS and its components in first-episode psychosis patients (FEPP) and SPP. METHODS: This study consisted a total of 38 untreated FEPP, 40 SPP and 41 randomly selected healthy volunteers admitted to the psychiatric outpatient clinic. The diagnosis of MetS was made based on Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), ATP III-A and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS was 26.3, 28.9 and 31.5% according to ATP III, ATP III-A and IDF criteria in the FEPP, respectively. The prevalence of MetS was 37.5, 40 and 42.5% according to ATP III, ATP III-A and IDF criteria in the SPP, respectively. The prevalence of MetS was 9.7, 9.7 and 12.2% according to ATP III, ATP III-A and IDF criteria in the control group, respectively. The prevalence of MetS was higher in female patients than male patients based on all three diagnostic criteria. The MetS patients had a higher mean of age, a longer duration of disease, and treatment compared to patients without MetS. CONCLUSION: The current study found that FEPP and SPP had an increased prevalence of MetS. Especially, clinicians should pay attention to MetS in SPP due to the presence of risk factors, such as advanced age, being female, and long duration of disease and treatment.

Plasma Apelin, Visfatin and Resistin Levels in Patients with First Episode Psychosis and Chronic Schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between plasma concentrations of apelin, visfatin and resistin levels of first episode psychosis patients and chronic schizophrenia patients. METHODS: A total number of 29 untreated patients with first episode psychosis, 30 chronic schizophrenia and 29 randomly selected weight- and body mass index-matched healthy volunteers were included. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression Scale were applied to the patient groups. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to measure plasma apelin, visfatin and resistin levels. RESULTS: There was no difference in age, marital status, occupation, and BMI between the groups. Plasma apelin levels were significantly higher in first episode psychosis group than chronic schizophrenia and control group. There was no statistically significant difference in plasma visfatin levels between the groups: first episode psychosis group, chronic schizophrenia and control group. Plasma resistin levels were higher in both first episode psychosis group and chronic schizophrenia group than the control group. There was no statistically significant correlation between plasma apelin and resistin levels and total PANSS scores in the group of patients. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study is the first which investigates the plasma apelin, visfatin and resistin levels in patients with first episode psychosis and chronic schizophrenia. Based on the results of this study, apelin and resistin may be related with some central nervous system pathologies, including the severity of a psychiatric disorder.

Increased mean platelet volume in patients with panic disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between platelet activation and psychiatric disorders has been shown in previous work. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a measure of platelet size and a good indicator of platelet activity, which increases in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It is known that anxiety is a considerable factor in the etiology of mortality in CVDs. The aim of the present study was to investigate any probable difference in the MPV of patients with panic disorder (PD). METHODS: Sixty-one drug-free patients, aged 18-65 years and diagnosed with PD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, were included in the study, along with 63 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and MPV measured for each subject. RESULTS: The MPV was found to be higher in the PD group compared to the control group (P=0.004). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of platelet count or BMI. CONCLUSION: Alterations in platelet activity may be a reflection of abnormal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1A receptor function in the central nervous system of subjects with a diagnosis of PD. These findings may elucidate the relationship between CVDs and PD. The findings of the present study suggest that MPV is increased in PD patients.

Paliperidone: As a Possible Cause of Pericardial Effusion.

Paliperidone which is the active metabolite of risperidon is one of the novel antipsychotics. Controlled clinical studies proved its effectiveness on decreasing the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Some studies and case reports, reported its cardiovascular and cardiometabolic side effects. Cardiac tamponade, that may be mortal, wasn't reported as a side effect with paliperidone usage before. We present a 40 years old female with catatonic schizophrenia for eighteen years, whom was on 6 mg/day paliperidon for 3 years and presented with pericardial tamponade. We suggest that paliperdione may have cardiovascular and cardiometabolic side effects also in therapeutic doses.