Bipolar disorder and age-related functional impairment

OBJECTIVE: Although bipolar disorder is a major contributor to functional impairment worldwide, an independent impact of bipolar disorder and ageing on functioning has yet to be demonstrated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of bipolar disorder on age-related functional status using matched controls as a standard. METHOD: One-hundred patients with bipolar disorder and matched controls were evaluated for disability. Age-related effects controlled for confounders were cross-sectionally evaluated. RESULTS: Patients were significantly more impaired than controls. Regression showed effects for aging in both groups. The effect, size, however, was significantly stronger in patients. CONCLUSION: Bipolar disorder was an important effect modifier of the age impact on functioning. While a longitudinal design is needed to effectively demonstrate this different impact, this study further depicts bipolar disorder as a chronic and progressively impairing illness

Microglial Over-Activation by Social Defeat Stress Contributes to Anxiety- and Depressive-Like Behaviors

Hyper activation of the neuroimmune system is strongly related to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Psychosocial stress has been postulated to play an important role in triggering anxiety and major depression. In preclinical models, there is mounting evidence that social defeat stress activates microglial cells in the central nervous system. This type of stress could be one of the major factors in the development of these psychopathologies. Here, we reviewed the most recent literature on social defeat and the associated immunological reactions. We focused our attention on microglial cells and kept the effect of social defeat over microglia separate from the effect of this stressor on other immune cells and the influence of peripheral immune components in priming central immune reactions. Furthermore, we considered how social defeat stress affects microglial cells and the consequent development of anxiety- and depressive-like states in preclinical studies. We highlighted evidence for the negative impact of the over-activation of the neuroimmune system, especially by the overproduction of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytotoxins. Overproduction of these molecules may cause cellular damage and loss or decreased function of neuronal activity by excessively pruning synaptic connections that ultimately contribute to the development of anxiety- and depressive-like states

Serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and mental disorders in imprisoned women

Objective:Mental disorders and early trauma are highly prevalent in female inmates. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in learning, memory processes, and mood regulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum BDNF levels and mental disorders among imprisoned women as compared with age- and education-matched controls.Methods:A consecutively recruited sample of 18 female prisoners with mental disorders was assessed for sociodemographic, criminal, and clinical variables using standardized instruments, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus (MINI Plus), and serum BDNF levels.Results:High rates of childhood sexual abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were found in the group of forensic patients. Serum BDNF levels in the forensic group did not differ from those of healthy controls, and were significantly higher when compared with those of women with mental disorders hospitalized in a general hospital.Conclusion:Elevated serum BDNF levels were found in imprisoned women. The results of this study may suggest neurobiological mechanisms similar to those seen in previous clinical and preclinical studies showing the involvement of BDNF in the pathophysiology of PTSD

Differences in coping strategies in adult patients with bipolar disorder and their first-degree relatives in comparison to healthy controls

Abstract Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare patients with bipolar disorder (BD), their first-degree relatives and a group of healthy controls in terms of use of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies, exploring differences between specific types of strategies and their correlations with clinical variables. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study enrolling 36 euthymic patients with BD, 39 of their first-degree relatives and 44 controls. Coping strategies were assessed using the Brief COPE scale. Results: Significant differences were detected in the use of adaptive and maladaptive strategies by patients, their first-degree relatives and controls. Patients used adaptive strategies less often than the patients’ relatives (p<0.001) and controls (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference between first-degree relatives and controls (p=0.707). In contrast, patients (p<0.001) and their relatives (p=0.004) both exhibited higher scores for maladaptive coping than controls. There was no significant difference regarding the use of maladaptive strategies between patients and their relatives (p=0.517). Conclusions: First-degree relatives were at an intermediate level between patients with BD and controls regarding the use of coping skills. This finding supports the development of psychosocial interventions to encourage use of adaptive strategies rather than maladaptive strategies in this population