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

Use of Modafinil in Psychiatric Disorders

Modafinil, is a psychostimulant drug with neurochemical and behavourial effects, distinct from those of amphetamine. It is used to treat patients with narcolepsy and other excessive sleepiness. Modafinil has dopaminergic, noradrenergic, histaminergic, glutamergic, serotonergic and GABAergic interactions. It is also shown that modafinil has neuroprotective effects via antioxidative mechanisms. Besides modafinil shows initial promise for a variety of off-label indications in psychiatry, including bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia . The aim of this article is to review the literature on clinical use of modafinil in psychiatric disorders. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2016; 8(1): 42-51

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