Search

Background: Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is a novel, noninvasive, device-based intervention, which has been tested as a possible treatment for various neurological and psychiatric conditions. Recently, it has been investigated as an innovative treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). There have been several animal and clinical studies that evaluated the underlying mechanism and the efficacy of its antidepressant effects, but results have been conflicting. Objective: Thus, we conducted the first meta-analysis on effects of tPBM on depressive symptoms. Materials and methods: Thirty original articles on tPBM were retrieved, eight of them met criteria for inclusion to a random effects meta-analysis. Results: tPBM appeared effective in decreasing depressive symptom severity regardless of diagnosis (Hedges’ g = 1.415, p < 0.001, k = 8), but a significant heterogeneity has been found. The meta-analysis of single-arm studies (baseline to endpoint changes) limited to participants with MDD has supported the significant effect of tPBM in reducing the depression severity, without a significant heterogeneity (Hedges’ g = 1.142, 95% confidence interval = 0.780–1.504, z = 6.19, p < 0.001, k = 5). However, the metaanalysis of the few double-blind, sham-controlled studies in MDD has not supported the statistically significant superiority of tPBM over sham (Hedges’ g = 0.499, p = 0.211, k = 3), although a sample size bias is likely present. Conclusions: Overall, this meta-analysis provides weak support for the promising role of tPBM in the treatment of depressive symptoms. Dose finding studies to determine optimal tPBM parameters followed by larger, randomized, sham-controlled studies will be needed to fully demonstrate the antidepressant efficacy of tPBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have demonstrated elevated levels of the S100B protein (located in glial cells) in major depressive disorder (MDD) as compared to healthy controls. However, studies reporting correlation between S100B levels and depression severity have been conflicting. We investigated, through systematic review and meta-analysis, whether the correlation between S100B levels and depression severity is significant in patients with MDD. Pearson correlation coefficients reported in the individual studies were converted to Fisher's Z scores, then pooled using the random effects model. Meta-regression was used to test modifiers of the effect size. Sixteen studies including 658 patients with MDD met eligibility criteria. No publication bias was observed. There was a significant and positive correlation between serum S100B level and depression severity (r = 0.204, z = 2.297, p = 0.022). A meta-regression determined that onset age of MDD and percentage of female participants are significant modifiers of this correlation. A moderate, but non-significant heterogeneity was observed in serum studies (44%). As many studies have reported significantly increased levels of S100B in MDD compared to controls, this meta-analysis supports the assumption that the increase in S100B correlates with the severity of MDD. Additional studies investigating the precise biological connection between S100B and MDD are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sodium lactate (NaL) infusion and carbon dioxide (CO2) inhalation are proven to provoke acute panic attacks (PAs) in patients with panic disorder (PD). A systematic literature search and meta-analysis were performed to compare the effect sizes of these methods. Methods Odds ratios were calculated for each of the original studies and were pooled using the random-effects model. Results Either NaL or CO2 provocations significantly increased the rates of PAs in individuals with PD compared to those in healthy controls. However, the effect size of NaL infusion (OR =25.13, 95% CI =15.48–40.80) was significantly greater than that of CO2 inhalation (OR =10.58, 95%CI =7.88–14.21). Conclusion The evidence for the efficacy of the two panic provocation tests is very strong. Yet, the results support the superiority of NaL infusion over CO2 inhalation challenge as a panic provocation test. Thus, lactate seems a much stronger stimulus than CO2 for the brain suffocation detector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and comorbidities of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by evaluating a large-scale nation-wide sample of children. Method: The inclusion criterion was being enrolled as a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th-grade student. A semi-structured diagnostic interview (K-SADS-PL), DSM-IV-Based Screening Scale for Disruptive Behavior Disorders, and assessment of impairment (by both parents and teachers) were applied to 5,842 participants. Results: The prevalence of ADHD was 19.5% without impairment and 12.4% with impairment. Both ADHD with and without impairment groups had similar psychiatric comorbidity rates except for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) diagnoses. Impairment in the ADHD group resulted in significantly higher ODD and CD diagnoses. Conclusion: Even when impairment is not described, other psychiatric disorders accompany the diagnosis of ADHD and may cause impairment in the future. Impairment in the diagnosis of ADHD significantly increases the likelihood of ODD and CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this open-labeled, 12 weeks follow-up study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of agomelatine with sertraline Methods: The outpatients of adult psychiatry clinic who have a new onset of depression and diagnosed as 'major depressive episode' by clinician according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition and prescribed agomelatine (25 mg/day) or sertraline (50 mg/day) were included in the study. Results: The decline of mean Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores of agomelatine group was significantly higher than the sertraline group at the end of 2nd week; however, the difference was not significant at the end of 3 months. Mean Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale (CGI--I) scores of agomelatine group was lower than sertraline group at first week. Mean CGI-Severity scale and CGI-I scores were favour to sertraline group at the end of the study. Remission rates were 46.7% for sertraline group and 33.3% for agomelatine group while response rates were 76.7% for both groups. Any patient from agomelatine group dropped-out due to adverse effects. The amount of side effects was also less with agomelatine. Conclusion: Agomelatine has a rapid onset efficacy on depressive symptoms and this can be beneficial for some critical cases. Considering MADRS scores, agomelatine seems to have similar efficacy with sertraline but we also point the need for long term studies since CGI scores were favour to sertraline group at the end of the study. Agomelatine has a favourable tolerability profile both in terms of discontinuation and the amount of side effects compared to sertraline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the use of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in neuropsychiatric disorders has increased in recent publications. Although there are positive reports on the use of NAC in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD), such data have not yet been validated. This article aims to review the research, case series and case reports that have been published about the use of NAC in OCRD. Research papers and case reports on the use of NAC in OCRD published within the last five years have been reviewed using the search engines of "Pubmed" and "Medline Central" databases. The search was performed by matching the terms "obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD)", "trichotillomania (TTM)", "nail biting", "skin picking", "hoarding disorder", and "body dysmorphic disorder" with "N-acetylcysteine". The search identified 4 papers on TTM, 3 papers on nail biting behavior, 1 paper on OCD and 1 paper on skin-picking behavior. Three of these papers were doubleblind, placebo-controlled studies and four were case reports/series. The results of 2 papers out of the 7 that we reviewed showed that there was no difference between NAC and placebo, while 5 papers reported that the response to the NAC therapy was positive. We did not find any papers on the use of NAC in either hoarding disorder or body dysmorphic disorder. NAC is thought to be a promising psychopharmacologic agent in OCD, which is defined under OCRD due to its common etiology, similar clinical features and similar response to treatment, as well as in TTM, skin picking and nail biting. The effectiveness of glutamatergic modulators on repetitive behaviors or OCD has increased interest in NAC. Although there are a few studies in the area, many research projects are being planned, with some already in progress (www.clinicaltrials.gov), a fact that emphasizes the importance of NAC in OCRD treatment. NAC has been used in a broad spectrum of conditions such as paracetamol intoxication, doxorubicin cardiotoxicity, ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury of the myocardium, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchitis, chemotherapy intoxication and heavy metal intoxication. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of studies exploring the use of NAC in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, bipolar disorder and OCRD. In this review, we have seen that the results of studies assessing the efficacy of NAC in psychiatric disorders are promising; however, there is a need for further studies to evaluate its mechanism of action, appropriate dose range and duration of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, it has been aimed to investigate the prevalence of Pathologic Internet Use (PIA) and its relationship with social phobia and depression among medical students. Methods: The sample of the study consists of 437 students attending medical faculty in the academic year 2013-2014. Participants were assessed with socio-demographic form, Young Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Liebowitz Social Phobia Scale (LSPS). Acquired data was analyzed by using chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way ANOVA test, Kruskal Wallis test and Spearman's correlation analysis. Results: None of all the participants was found to be a pathologic internet user; however, the risky internet use (RIU) ratio was found to be 5%. There was no significant difference between genders in terms of RIU. Internet usage time per day, Beck Depression Inventory scores and Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale scores were significantly higher in the RIU group compared to the non-RIU. It has been found that students use the internet most commonly for following social media, listening to music/watching videos and chatting. Males use internet for online gaming more than females while females chat and prepare homework more. No significant correlation was found between YIAS scores and smoking, alcohol use or accommodation situation. Conclusion: Problematic internet use is a common problem among college students. In our study PIA and risky internet use rates were found lower among students of a medical faculty. Risky internet use is related to symptoms of depression and social phobia. Variables related to internet addiction and comorbid psychiatric disorders must be identified in order to define, prevent and treat problematic internet use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed at studying validity and reliability of the Turkish form of the Baron Depression Screener for Athletes (BDSA), which is the only depression screening tool designed specifically for use with athletes. Method: In total, 100 athletes, 76males and 24 females, participated in the study. Calculation of Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation coefficiency have been performed to assess the reliability of the Turkish form of BDSA. Explanatory factor analysis and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) have been used to assess validity of the scale. Results: Item-total score correlations for ten items BDSA vary between 0.12 and 0.53; the median value was 0.31. For overall BDSA, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be α=0.65. Factor analysis was conducted to determine the factor structure of the 10 items of BDSA using direct oblimin principal component analysis with varimax rotation. The factor solution yielded 3 factors with Eigenvalues >1, which explained 50.57% of the variance.. Conclusion: Results showed that the Turkish form of the Baron Depression Screener for Athletes is a valid and reliable instrument to assess depression among athletes speaking the Turkish language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]