Hippocampal subfields in remitted schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence of volume changes in hippocampal subdivisions in schizophrenia remains inconsistent, and few studies have investigated the relationship between regional hippocampal volumes and symptom remission. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 31 patients with schizophrenia and 31 healthy controls (HCs). Symptomatic remission in schizophrenia was determined according to Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group criteria. The volumes of hippocampal longitudinal subregions and transverse subfields were measured using manual and automatic techniques, respectively. Between-group regional hippocampal volume differences were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance followed by univariate analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Compared with the HCs, the patients with schizophrenia had smaller bilateral heads and tails along the longitudinal axis; they also had reduced volumes of the bilateral CA1, CA3, CA4, GC-ML-DG, molecular layer, tail, left subiculum, left HATA, and right parasubiculum along the transverse axis in the hippocampus (all corrected p < 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the HCs and patients with remitted schizophrenia, the patients with non-remitted schizophrenia had smaller bilateral hippocampal tail subfields (corrected p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that the pathophysiology and symptomatic remission of schizophrenia are related to changes in the volumes of hippocampal subdivisions. These volume changes might be clinically relevant as biomarkers for schizophrenia identification and treatment.

Bidirectional association between eating disorder and temporomandibular joint disorder: A retrospective longitudinal nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background/purpose: An increasing body of evidence indicates correlations between the symptoms of temporomandibular disorder and those of eating disorder (ED). However, further investigation is required to elucidate the temporal and causal relationships between the aforementioned disorders. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) was analyzed both as the cause and consequence of ED. We collected the data (from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2011) of patients with antecedent TMJD (N = 15,059) or ED (N = 1219) and their respective controls (1:10), matched by age, sex, income level, residential location, and comorbidities. This study included patients who had received a new diagnosis of an ED or a TMJD between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2013. Cox regression models were used to assess the risk of ED or TMJD development in patients with antecedent TMJD or ED. Results: TMJD patients had an approximately 3.70-fold (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.93-7.10) risk of ED development. Similarly, patients with ED had an approximately 4.78-fold (95 % CI: 2.52-9.09) risk of TMJD development. Subgroup analyses based on ED subtypes indicated antecedent TMJD and bulimia nervosa as the predictors of increased bulimia nervosa and TMJD risks (hazard ratios: 6.41 [95 % CI: 2.91 to 14.11] and 5.84 [95 % CI: 2.75 to 12.41]), respectively. Conclusion: Previous TMJD and ED are associated with increased risks of subsequent ED and TMJD; these findings suggest the presence of a bidirectional temporal association between TMJD and ED.

Dysfunction of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Despite mounting evidence demonstrates circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) quantitative changes in depression, no study has investigated cEPC functions in major depressive disorder (MDD). We investigated the role of cEPC adhesive and apoptotic functions in MDD. METHODS: We recruited 68 patients with MDD and 56 healthy controls (HCs). The depression symptoms, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, subjective cognitive dysfunction, quality of life, and functional disability were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale (DSSS), Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), respectively. Working memory and executive function were assessed using a 2-back task and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Inflammatory marker (soluble interleukin-6 receptor, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-1), cEPC adhesive, and apoptotic levels were measured using in vitro assays. RESULTS: The MDD patients showed significantly lower cEPC adhesive levels than the HCs, and this difference in adhesive function remained statistically significant even after adjusting for inflammatory marker levels. The cEPC adhesion levels were in inverse correlations with commission and omission errors in 2-back task, the percent perseverative response and percent perseverative errors in WCST, and the DSSS and SDS scores, but in positive correlations with SF-12 physical and mental component scores. cEPC apoptotic levels did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that cEPC adhesive function is diminished in MDD and impacts various aspects of cognitive and psychosocial functions associated with the disorder.

Impact of type D personality and depressive symptoms on premature ejaculation in young adult males.

Background: Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common male sexual dysfunctions with prominent psychological consequences. Type D personality (TDP) is also associated with multiple psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety. However, the correlation between PE and TDP remains unknown. Aim: The study sought to investigate the relationships between depressive symptoms, TDP, and PE. Methods: Adult males in Taiwan who were 20 to 40 years of age and who had sexual intercourse in the past 6 months were recruited to complete online questionnaires composed of general demographics, the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), Type D Scale-14, and Depression and Somatic Symptom Scale (DSSS). Chi-square test and independent Student's t test were used to compare the parameters between the TDP and non-TDP groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate factors related to PE. Outcomes: Outcomes were the prevalence of PE and TDP in young Taiwanese men, the associations between depressive symptoms and PE and TDP, and the predictive factors of PE. Results: In total, 2558 men with a mean age of 31.3 ± 5.3 years were included in the present study. Among them, 315 (12.3%) and 767 (30.1%) participants were classified as having PE and moderate-to-severe erectile dysfunction (ED), respectively. In total, 1249 (48.8%) participants met the criteria for TDP. The PEDT, IIEF-5, and DSSS, including the total scores and depression and somatic subscales, were significantly higher in men with TDP (all P < .001). PE prevalence was significantly greater in men with TDP than in those without TDP (16.2% vs 8.6%; P < .001). Most parameters, including age, moderate-to-severe ED, the Type D Scale-14 subscales, and the DSSS somatic and depressive subscales, were significantly associated with PE in the univariate analysis. Only the depressive subscale of the DSSS and moderate-to-severe ED (IIEF-5 ≤16) were the independent predictors of PE in the multivariate analysis. Clinical Implications: The results suggest that it is important to consider the psychological effects of PE in young men, and the study has provided a biopsychosocial aspect to manage patients with PE. Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study to evaluate the association between PE, TDP, and depression in a large population of young adult males. However, the cross-sectional design may have limited the investigation of causality, and selection bias may be present. Conclusion: Men with TDP tended to have higher PEDT scores and a prevalence of PE and ED. Moderate-to-severe ED and depressive symptoms are the independent predictive factors of PE.

Bidirectional Associations of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders with Major Depressive and Anxiety Disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Mounting evidence indicates the associations of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) with depression and anxiety symptoms. However, the temporal and casual relationships between TMD and depression and between TMD and anxiety must be further clarified. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort analysis that employed data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database and comprised the following sub analyses: temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) as the cause of subsequent major depressive disorder (MDD) or anxiety disorders (AnxDs) and TMJD as the consequence of MDD or AnxDs. Patients with antecedent TMJD (N = 12,152 for the MDD study and 11,023 for the AnxD study), MDD (N = 28,743), or AnxDs (N = 21,071) and their respective control cohorts were identified between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2011. The control cohorts (1:10) were matched by age, sex, income, residential location, and comorbidities. Individuals with subsequent new-onset TMJD, MDD, or AnxDs were identified from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2013. The risk of the outcome disorders of the individuals with antecedent TMJD, MDD, or AnxD were estimated using Cox regression models. RESULTS: Patients with TMJD had an approximately 3-fold higher risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.28-4.84) of subsequent MDD development and a 7-fold higher risk (HR: 7.26, 95% CI: 5.90-8.94) of AnxD development than those without TMJD. Antecedent MDD and AnxDs were predictive of 5.80-fold (95% CI: 4.81-6.98) and 8.29-fold (95% CI: 6.67-10.30), respectively, increases in the risk of subsequent TMJD development. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that precedent TMJD and MDD/AnxDs are associated with elevated risks of subsequent MDD/AnxDs and TMJD developments and indicate temporal associations of TMJD with MDD and AnxDs are bidirectional.

Effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as adjunctive treatment for insomnia patients under hypnotics: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacotherapy of insomnia is prescribed often but may be complicated by drug dependence. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia is effective, but requires time to take effect. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is effective for depression but of uncertain benefit for insomnia. We studied low-frequency rTMS of the left dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) as an adjunctive therapy of insomnia. METHODS: We recruited 60 patients with insomnia, of whom 49 completed the study. We applied 1 Hz rTMS to the DMPFC in the experimental group (n = 36) and sham coil for the placebo group (n = 13). Outcome measures included objective polysomnography (PSG) and subjective Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). All participants were requested to continue prescribed pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: After 10 sessions of low-frequency DMPFC-rTMS, the experimental group demonstrated a reduction of duration of wake after sleep onset (WASO) from 75.4 (±53.3) to 51.2 (±75.1) min ( p = 0.011). Sleep efficiency (SE) increased from 74.6% (±15.6) to 80.8% (±13.8) ( p = 0.004). The sham group experienced improved SE from 79.4% (±30.7) to 88.9% (±5.6) ( p = 0.039). After controlling for baseline PSG parameters and hypnotic dosage, the sham group exhibited better effects of sleep onset latency and SE than the rTMS group but no difference on PSQI. CONCLUSION: Although the effects of rTMS and sham coil on insomnia were similar (which implied significant placebo effect), low-frequency DMPFC-rTMS might offer a safe, non-invasive, and useful adjunctive therapy of insomnia by reducing WASO. The DMPFC may represent a new target for future rTMS insomnia studies.

Amygdala substructure volumes and serotonin transporter in first-episode, drug- naïve major depressive disorder: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Amygdala and serotonergic system abnormalities have been documented in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, most studies have been conducted on recurrent MDD, and only a few have assessed their interaction. This study aimed to concurrently examine both the amygdala and serotonergic systems and their clinical relevance in first-episode, drug-naïve MDD. METHODS: This study included 27 patients with first-episode, drug-naïve MDD and 27 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs). The amygdala substructure volumes were performed with Freesurfer from a 1.5 T magnetic resonance image. Serotonin transporter (SERT) availability was detected by single-photon emission computed tomography with 123I-ADAM. The Benjamini-Hochberg method was applied to adjust for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the amygdala substructure volume and SERT availability between the two groups, respectively. Within MDD patients, the right medial, cortical nucleus, and centromedial volumes were positively associated with caudate SERT availability, respectively. Moreover, the right lateral nucleus volume in the amygdala was positively correlated with depression severity. However, these significances did not survive correction for multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant abnormalities in the amygdala substructure volumes and SERT availability in patients with first-episode, drug-naïve MDD. We did not observe an association between amygdala substructure volume and serotonergic dysregulation and their correlations with depression severity in patients with MDD. A larger sample size is warranted to elucidate the actual correlation.

Dementia risk in middle-aged patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder: a cohort study of 84,824 subjects.

All severe mental disorders, namely schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, are associated with dementia. However, a head-to-head comparison study of severe mental disorders and dementia risk is lacking. This study was a retrospective analysis from Taiwan National Health Insurance Database. In the current study, we included 14,137, 14,138, and 14,137 patients aged 45-69 years diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, respectively, between 2001 and 2009 and 42,412 matched controls. Four groups were age-matched based by age of identification. Any dementia, including Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia, was diagnosed from the identification date to the end of 2011. Alzheimer disease was more likely in patients with bipolar disorder (hazard ratio [HR]: 10.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.93-15.52) and major depression (HR: 8.92, 95% CI: 5.93-13.41) than in those with schizophrenia (HR: 4.50, 95% CI: 2.84-7.13) and in controls. The likelihood of developing vascular dementia during the follow-up period was greater in patients with schizophrenia (HR: 4.55, 95% CI: 3.14-6.59) and bipolar disorder (HR: 4.45, 95% CI: 3.13-6.31) than in those with major depression (HR: 3.18, 95% CI: 2.21-4.58) and in controls. However, the overlapped CIs indicated the non-significant between-category differences. There was an increased risk of Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia in all groups compared with controls. For Alzheimer disease risk was greater bipolar and depression compared with schizophrenia while for vascular dementia risk was greater for bipolar and schizophrenia compared with depression. Our findings may encourage clinicians to closely monitor the trajectory of cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.

Circulating endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction in patients with bipolar disorder.

Dysfunction in circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) plays a crucial role in cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). Patients with bipolar disorder (BPD) are at increased risk of developing CVDs. This study examined the associations of the functional properties of cEPCs with BPD and its clinical and cognitive characteristics. We recruited 69 patients with BPD and 41 healthy controls (HCs). The levels of manic, depressive, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, subjective cognitive dysfunction, quality of life, and functional disability of the BPD group were evaluated using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Clinical Global Impression for BPD (CGI-BP), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale, Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression, 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and Sheehan Disability Scale, respectively. Cognitive function was assessed using 2-back and Go/No-Go tasks. Through in vitro assays, the adhesion to fibronectin and the percentage of apoptosis of cEPCs were examined. Under correction for multiple comparisons, the adhesive function of cEPCs in BPD was significantly lower than that in the HCs (corrected P [Pcorr] = 0.027). The reduced adhesive function of cEPCs correlated significantly with increased scores in the YMRS (Pcorr = 0.0002) and the CGI-BP (Pcorr = 0.0009). A lower percentage of apoptotic cEPC cells was associated with greater commission errors in the 2-back (Pcorr = 0.028) and Go/No-Go tasks (Pcorr = 0.029). The cEPCs of the BPD group exhibited attenuated adhesive function. The altered adhesive and apoptotic functions of cEPCs are associated with manic symptom severity and response inhibition deficits in patients with BPD.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Risk of Parkinson Disease: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: Several small-scale studies have suggested a biological link between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Parkinson disease (PD). However, the temporal association of OCD and subsequent PD remained unclear. METHODS: Here, we used Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database and included the data of 28,722 patients with OCD ( International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code: 300.3) and 287,220 matched controls between 2001 and 2009. They were followed until the end of 2011 to identify diagnosis of new-onset PD ( International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code: 332.0). The frequency of psychiatric outpatient visits for OCD per year (<5, 5-10, and >10) was identified as a proxy of OCD severity. RESULTS: Using the stratified Cox regression model, the hazard ratio of developing PD among patients with OCD was 2.70 (95% confidence interval = 1.74-4.18) compared with matched controls. Among patients with OCD, those with >10 psychiatric outpatient visits per year for OCD (hazard ratio = 3.18, 95% confidence interval = 2.06-4.93) were more likely to develop PD during the follow-up period compared with those with <5 psychiatric outpatient visits per years for OCD. CONCLUSIONS: OCD was found to be an independent risk factor for PD. The mechanisms underlying the temporal association between OCD and subsequent PD require further investigation.

Type D Personality Independently Predicts Erectile Dysfunction in Taiwanese Young Men.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that erectile dysfunction has a well-established bidirectional relationship with depression and have indicated an independent association of type D personality (TDP) with depression. Nevertheless, the relationship of erectile dysfunction with TDP has not been sufficiently examined. AIM: To examine the associations among depression symptoms, TDP, and erectile dysfunction. METHODS: The cross-sectional study recruited 1740 sexually active Taiwanese men (age: 20-40 years) with erectile dysfunction. Participants completed an online questionnaire collecting general demographic information and containing the International Index of Erectile Function-5, Type D Scale-14, and Depression and Somatic Symptom Scale. Pearson's chi squared or Student's t'test was conducted for comparisons between participants with vs without TDP. We conducted multivariate and univariate logistic regression analysis to investigate the predictors of moderate/severe erectile dysfunction. OUTCOMES: The prevalence of TDP and moderate/severe erectile dysfunction, the associations between TDP and the severities of depression symptoms and erectile dysfunction, and independent risk factors for moderate/severe erectile dysfunction. RESULTS: A total of 360 (15.9%) and 941 (54.08%) men had moderate/severe erectile dysfunction and TDP, respectively. Men with TDP reported significantly higher total and subscale scores in the International Index of Erectile Function-5 and the Depression and Somatic Symptom Scale; this group also exhibited higher prevalence of moderate or severe erectile dysfunction. According to the univariate analysis, all variables significantly predicted moderate or severe erectile dysfunction except for age and body mass index. A multivariate analysis revealed TDP status and depression symptoms to be independent predictors of moderate or severe erectile dysfunction. With regard to subscales of the Type D Scale-14, we discovered that social inhibition had a greater influence on moderate or severe erectile dysfunction than had negative affectivity. A mediation analysis indicated that the relationship between TDP and erectile dysfunction was mediated by depressive symptoms. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Research has suggested that compared with the general population, individuals with TDP are less willing to seek medical consultation, have lower medication adherence, and have heightened risk of depression; urologists should strive to identify patients with TDP. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This study is the first to investigate the association of TDP with erectile dysfunction in a large population of young men by using validated instruments. Conclusions on causality cannot be drawn due to the study's cross-sectional nature. CONCLUSION: This research revealed relationships among TDP, depression symptoms, and erectile dysfunction in Taiwanese young men. Fan Y-H, Liou Y-J, Cheng W-M. Type D Personality Independently Predicts Erectile Dysfunction in Taiwanese Young Men. J Sex Med 2022;19:1397-1403.

Levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells inversely correlate with manic and positive symptom severity in patients with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with bipolar disorder (BPD) are at high risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) that are attributed to endothelial dysfunction. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) are proposed as indicators of endothelial dysfunction. This study examined the relationship of cEPC numbers with BPD diagnosis and its clinical symptoms in patients with BPD. METHODS: We recruited 48 patients with BPD and 50 healthy controls (HCs). All the patients had scores of <13 on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). In addition to the YMRS and Clinical Global Impression for BPD (CGI-BP), bipolar patients were assessed using relevant measurements for their depression, anxiety, general psychopathology, cognitive dysfunction and deficit, somatic symptoms, quality of life, and level of disability. cEPC counts were measured using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The numbers of immature and mature cEPCs in the bipolar patients did not significantly differ from those in the HCs. After correction for multiple comparisons and controlling for body mass index and smokers, the number of immature cEPCs was observed to be inversely correlated with CGI-BP (corrected p [pcorr ] = .00018) and positive scores in the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS-P; pcorr  = .0049). The number of mature cEPCs was inversely correlated with YMRS (pcorr  = .014), CGI-BP (pcorr  = .00022), and PANSS-P (pcorr  = .0049) scores. In multivariate stepwise analysis, numbers of both types of cEPCs were associated with CGI-BP. CONCLUSIONS: cEPC levels, an indicator of endothelial dysfunction and risk of CVDs, may be associated manic and positive symptom severities in patients with BPD.

Type D Personality Is an Independent Predictor of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Young Men.

This cross-sectional study, which included men aged 20-40 years, aimed to determine the relationships among type D personality, depressive symptoms and lower urinary tract symptoms in young men. An internet-based questionnaire was administered, and General demographics, International Prostate Symptom Scores, Type D Scale-14 scores, and Depression and Somatic Symptom Scale scores were analyzed. A total of 3,127 men were included; of these, 762 (24.4%) reported moderate/severe lower urinary tract symptoms, and 1,565 (50.05%) met the criteria for type D personality. Men with type D personality had significantly higher body mass index and total and sub-scores for the International Prostate Symptom Score and Depression and Somatic Symptom Scale. Furthermore, the type D personality group had a higher prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms, particularly voiding symptoms. Univariate analysis revealed that all parameters, except for body mass index, were significant predictors of moderate/severe lower urinary tract symptoms. Multivariate analysis showed that age >30 years, type D personality, and depressive and somatic Depression and Somatic Symptom Scale sub-scores were independent predictors of moderate/severe lower urinary tract symptoms. Regarding Type D Scale-14 subscales, social inhibition, rather than negative affectivity, impacted moderate/severe lower urinary tract symptoms. Mediation analysis revealed that depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between type D personality and lower urinary tract symptoms. This study established correlations between type D personality, depressive symptoms, and lower urinary tract symptoms. As previous studies suggested that patients with type D personality are less likely to consult and adhere to treatment, and are at higher risk for depression, urologists should therefore actively recognize patients with TDP.

Bidirectional Association Between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Among Probands and Unaffected Siblings: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE: Studies have reported a biological link between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and systemic autoimmune disease (SAID). However, whether the unaffected siblings of patients with OCD or SAID are more likely to develop subsequent SAID or OCD later in life remains unclear. METHODS: We examined the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database data of 17,135 patients with SAID, 30,672 unaffected siblings, and 467,211 non-SAID reference subjects born before 2000 for subsequent OCD during 1996-2011 and those of 25,364 patients with OCD, 42,546 unaffected siblings, and 654,207 non-OCD reference subjects to identify subsequent SAID during 1996-2011. RESULTS: Patients with SAID (odds ratio = 1.74, 95% confidence interval = 1.31-2.31) and unaffected siblings (1.25, 0.92-1.70) were more likely to develop OCD later in life than the non-SAID reference group. Moreover, patients with OCD (odds ratio = 1.53, 95% confidence interval = 1.15-2.05) and unaffected siblings (1.51, 1.21-1.87) were more likely to develop any form of SAID during the follow-up than the non-OCD reference group. CONCLUSIONS: The bidirectional association of OCD and SAID between probands and siblings may indicate a familial coaggregation of these two conditions. Additional studies elucidating the genetic and environmental mechanisms underlying this coaggregation are warranted.

Associations between increased circulating endothelial progenitor cell levels and anxiety/depressive severity, cognitive deficit and function disability among patients with major depressive disorder.

The association of major depressive disorder (MDD) with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) through endothelial dysfunction is bidirectional. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs), essential for endothelial repair and function, are associated with risks of various CVDs. Here, the relationship of cEPC counts with MDD and the related clinical presentations were investigated in 50 patients with MDD and 46 healthy controls. In patients with MDD, a battery of clinical domains was analysed: depressed mood with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), anxiety with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), cognitive dysfunction and deficit with Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression (PDQ-D), somatic symptoms with Depressive and Somatic Symptom Scale (DSSS), quality of life with 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and functional disability with Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Immature and mature cEPC counts were measured through flow cytometry. Increased mature and immature cEPC counts were significantly associated with higher anxiety after controlling the confounding effect of systolic blood pressure, and potentially associated with more severe depressive symptoms, worse cognitive performance and increased cognitive deficit, higher social disability, and worse mental health outcomes. Thus, cEPCs might have pleiotropic effects on MDD-associated symptoms and psychosocial outcomes.

Sub-regional hippocampal volumes in first-episode drug-naïve major depression disorder.

Hippocampal volume reduction was reported to underlie depressive symptomatology, however, the evidence to date remains inconsistent. For the complex intrinsic organization of hippocampus, the hippocampal volumes can be further divided into subfields or axial parts. The current study aimed to explore the alterations of hippocampal sub-regional volumes in first episode drug-naïve major depressive disorder (MDD) by two segmentation methods. Thirty-five first-episode drug-naïve MDD and 35 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Volumes of three sub-regions of hippocampus along the longitudinal axis (head, body and tail) were analyzed manually and eight transverse subfields were automatically determined using FreeSurfer. An asymmetric index (AI) of volumes was defined as (∣Left - Right∣/∣Left + Right∣) * 100. There were significant reductions in the volumes of bilateral hippocampal head in MDD compared to HC. The volumes of eight subfields were not different between groups. MDD patients had higher AI values in the subfield of cornu ammonis 4/dentate gyrus than HC. The change in hippocampal sub-regional volumes might be an imaging biomarker in the first-episode, drug-naïve patients with MDD. Current findings may contribute to developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for major depression.

The predictive factors of nocturia in young Asian adult males: an online survey.

The present study investigated the association between severity of depressive mood and nocturia in young Asian adult men. Participants were 3127 adult male Facebook users aged 20-40 years who could read and write traditional Chinese. Participants completed online questionnaires on demographic characteristics, frequency of waking to urinate during the night (International Prostate Symptoms Score [IPSS]), and frequency of depressive symptoms (Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire [TDQ]). Those who awoke to pass urine during the main sleep period were considered to have nocturia. Student's t test and Pearson's chi square test were used to compare participants with and without nocturia. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate predictive factors for nocturia. One thousand four hundred thirty (45.7%) participants had nocturia, and 21.9% were suspected to have depression. Age over 30 years, body mass index over 25 kg/m2, and higher IPSS score (except times of nocturnal voiding) were factors predictive of nocturia. Higher TDQ somatic subscores, rather than affective/cognitive subscores, were also predictive of nocturia. Associations were found between normal-high TDQ scores and nocturia. Young men with nocturia at risk of developing depression should be identified with a culturally relevant questionnaire. Early referral for psychiatric assessment and intervention may be warranted.

A study of tryptophan, kynurenine and serotonin transporter in first-episode drug-naïve major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with the disharmonic functioning of the serotonin system. The serotonin system is mainly modulated by the serotonin transporter (SERT) which regulates serotonin uptake and the metabolism of its precursor, tryptophan and following kynurenine pathway. Currently, there is a lack of research examining both markers concurrently in MDD. This study evaluated the alterations and inter-relationships of both markers in first-episode drug-naïve MDD patients. Thirty-three MDD patients and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited. The SERT availability were comparable between two groups in the midbrain, thalamus, caudate, and putamen. The kynurenine/tryptophan ratio which indicates tryptophan metabolism was lower in MDD than HC with no group difference in the tryptophan or kynurenine concentration. A negative correlation between the midbrain SERT availability and kynurenine concentration in HC was found. For the subgroup of HC with high kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, the SERT availability was positively associated with the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio and negatively correlated with tryptophan or kynurenine concentration. This study demonstrated the altered tryptophan metabolism and the relationship between tryptophan metabolism and the SERT availability in first-episode drug-naïve MDD patients, which gave a new insight towards the future investigation of the pathophysiology of MDD.

Group Music Intervention Using Percussion Instruments to Reduce Anxiety Among Elderly Male Veterans with Alzheimer Disease.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess the impact of a group music intervention on anxiety and depression of elderly male veterans with dementia. MATERIAL AND METHODS In total, 50 elderly men with Alzheimer disease were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group attended a 60-minute group music session that used percussion instruments with familiar music in the morning once a week for 12 weeks, whereas those in the control group received a rest and reading session at the same intervals and under the same conditions. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale were used to assess anxiety and depression at baseline, week 6, and week 12. The Primary Measures of Music Audiation (PMMA) was used to assess musical aptitude at the baseline. RESULTS A significant reduction in the anxiety level following the 12-week music sessions was observed in the intervention group (P<.001), but there was no significant change in the control group. However, the change in depressive symptoms between the 2 groups was nonsignificant. In the intervention group, when stratifying patients based on music aptitude determined through PMMA assessment, patients with high PMMA scores had significantly reduced anxiety symptoms over time compared with those with low scores. CONCLUSIONS For elderly male veterans with dementia, participating in a group music intervention reduced anxiety symptoms. In patients with high musical aptitude, the treatment effects on anxiety reduction were satisfactory. Measures of music aptitude may provide valuable information regarding patients' response to music intervention.