The endogenic neurosteroid system and its role in the pathogenesis and therapy of mental disorders

The article describes the process of neurosteroidogenesis and the effect of neurosteroids on listed receptorsin accordance with already available scientific data. In addition, this paper describes the specific role of various neurosteroids in the development of mental illnesses, including anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophreni

Cognitive impairment in anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are an important biomedical problem due to the high prevalence and significant negative impact on the quality of life and the course of concomitant somatic and neurological diseases. Cognitive impairment (CI) is one of the most intensively studied aspects of pathological anxiety. Impairments in attention, executive functions, memory, cognitive deficit, as well as abnormal cognitions and metacognitions are identified in anxiety disorders. Moreover, the treatment of the latter with the most frequently used drugs (antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, tranquilizers) does not lead to a significant improvement in cognitive functions, and often contributes to their worsening. In this connection, in addition to psychotherapy, cognitive function-improving agents play a large role in treating anxiety diseases associated with cognitive dysfunction. Ginkgo Biloba extract (EGb 761, Tanakan®) that positively affects cognitive functions, especially in the domains of memory, concentration and attention deserves special attention

Effects of sertraline on cognitive function in patients with unipolar depressive disorders

Cognitive disfunction in depressive disorders have become a relevant aim of research in recent years. At the same time, the question of the influence of psychopharmacological drugs on the cognitive functioning of patients with depression also retains its significance. The article presents the results of a prospective study of the effect of sertraline on cognitive functions in patients with nonpsychotic unipolar depressive disorders. The study included 36 patients who received sertraline monotherapy for at least 12 weeks. The dynamics of depressive symptoms was assessed by the MADRS and HAM-D scales. The study of cognitive functions included memory testing (memory for faces), attention (Landolt rings), reaction time (sensorimotor reaction), psychomotor (tapping test) and executive functions (Stroop test, stress test, reaction to a moving object) with the help of the computer psychodiagnostic complex «Multipsychometer-05». The cognitive profile of the studied patients was characterized mainly by deficit of executive and psychomotor functions. The index of psychomotor activity significantly correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms. The use of sertraline contributed significantly to the reduction of depressive symptoms, as well as to the improvement of almost all the studied parameters of the cognitive profile, including memory, attention, reaction rate, psychomotor and performance functions