Changes in brain metabolites measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy in antidepressant responders with comorbid major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder [Promjene razina moždanih metabolita mjerenih magnetskom rezonantnom spektroskopijom u ispitanika s komorbiditetom depresije i posttraumatskog stresnog poremećaja koji su odgovorili na antidepresivno liječenje]

In a present pilot study, performed on 11 subjects, we studied proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) changes in early to intermediate (3-6 weeks) responders to antidepressant treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). All subjects had diagnosis of major recurrent depression comorbid to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Magnetic spectroscopy was done in the region of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on a 3T MRI-unit. Participants were selected out of the larger sample due to an early response to antidepressant treatment within 3–6 weeks, measured with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We measured levels of neuronal marker N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), choline (CHO) and creatine (Cr). There was no difference in NAA/Cr ratios between the first and the second spectroscopic scans (p=0.751). However, CHO/Cr ratios showed increasing trend with mean value at the first scan of 1.09 (SD=0.22) while mean value at second scan was 1.25 (SD=0.24), displaying statically significant difference (p=0.015). In conclusion, significant increase in choline to creatine ratio from the first to the second spectroscopic scan during the antidepressant treatment, compared to almost identical values of NAA to creatine ratio, suggests increased turnover of cell membranes as a mechanism of the early response to the antidepressant drug therapy

Changes in Brain Metabolites Measured with Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Antidepressant Responders with Comorbid Major Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

In a present pilot study, performed on 11 subjects, we studied proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) changes in early to intermediate (3-6 weeks) responders to antidepressant treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). All subjects had diagnosis of major recurrent depression comorbid to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Magnetic spectroscopy was done in the region of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on a 3T MRI-unit. Participants were selected out of the larger sample due to an early response to antidepressant treatment within 3–6 weeks, measured with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We measured levels of neuronal marker N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), choline (CHO) and creatine (Cr). There was no difference in NAA/Cr ratios between the first and the second spectroscopic scans (p=0.751). However, CHO/Cr ratios showed increasing trend with mean value at the first scan of 1.09 (SD=0.22) while mean value at second scan was 1.25 (SD=0.24), displaying statically significant difference (p=0.015). In conclusion, significant increase in choline to creatine ratio from the first to the second spectroscopic scan during the antidepressant treatment, compared to almost identical values of NAA to creatine ratio, suggests increased turnover of cell membranes as a mechanism of the early response to the antidepressant drug therapy

IMPROVEMENT OF NON-INSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT AND CARE FOR WOMEN WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Cilj: Prikazati tijek i rezultate projekta unaprjeđenja kompetencija, vezano uz duševno zdravlje, zdravstvenih djelatnika - primarno patronažnih sestara i liječnika obiteljske medicine. Očekivani doprinos unaprijeđenih kompetencija bio bi povećani broj rodilja s poslijeporođajnom depresijom koje traže liječničku pomoć te unaprijeđena dostupnost intenzivnog ambulantnog tretmana (poslijeporođajne depresije) na razini primarne zdravstvene zaštite. Metode: Patronažne medicinske sestre u sklopu usluga obveznog zdravstvenog osiguranja posjećuju sve rodilje u prvom mjesecu poslije poroda pa ovaj oblik pristupa korisnicama koje možda imaju smetnje duševnog zdravlja ima minimalne troškove i lako je održiv. U sklopu projekta provedena je dodatna edukacija i supervizija patronažnih sestara. Praćen je broj pacijentica, specifi čnost odabrane metode povećanja upućivanja, te ishod liječenja (CGI-I) i zadovoljstvo korisnica koje su se na pregled javile po preporuci patronažnih sestara. Statistička značajnost određivana je primjenomThe aim is to present implementation and results of the project intended to increase primary health care worker (family doctors and visiting nurses) competencies related to mental health. The expected outcome of the project was twofold, i.e. an increased number of referrals of women suffering from postpartum depression to medical care facilities and better accessibility of appropriate services (user-friendly provision of intensive treatment in primary care setting). Obligatory health insurance in Croatia covers services of visiting nurses for women during the fi rst month after childbirth. We considered this to be a comprehensive, low cost and sustainable way of approaching omen who might have mood disorders. Subjects and Methods: Visiting nurses were additionally trained and supervised during the project. The number of referred patients, specifi city of the referral method, clinical global improvement and client satisfaction were recorded. Statistical significance was determined wit

Comparison of Hippocampal Volumes in Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective and Bipolar Disorder

The reduction of hippocampal volume was frequently reported in schizophrenia, but not in bipolar disorder. This volume reduction is associated with clinical features of schizophrenia, in particular with working and verbal memory impairments. Schizoaffective disorder, as a specific disorder sharing clinical features of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is rarely analyzed as a separate disorder in neurobiological studies. The aim of this study was to compare hippocampal volumes in separate groups of patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorder. Hippocampal volumes were estimated using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging in 60 subjects, 15 subjects in each patient and one healthy volunteer (control) group. There were no significant differences in hippocampal volume between bipolar disorder and control group. Hippocampal volume was statistically significantly reduced in the group of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, compared to either bipolar disorder or control group, thus supporting the hypothesis that hippocampal volume reduction could be considered as a possible neurobiological basis for clinical aspects of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder associated with working and verbal memory impairment

Reproductive cycle of a non-native oyster, Crassostrea gigas, in the Adriatic Sea

The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was introduced for the aquaculture purposes in many different parts of the world. However, the species has never been officially introduced for commercial farming in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. Interestingly, in the 1970s, the Pacific oyster has been reported in the natural habitats of the Lim Bay, in northern Adriatic Sea. Although the species was recorded there, there is a lack of knowledge about its biology and ecology in this region, including a reproductive cycle. Information on the reproductive biology of non-indigenous species in new areas is crucial for prediction of their future survival and possible spread in invaded habitats. In this study, we provide the first data on the reproductive biology of the Pacific oyster in the Adriatic Sea, the northernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea. Quantitative and qualitative methods of gonad tissue analysis were conducted, and effects of environmental conditions on the gametogenesis were evaluated during two reproductive cycles. Our study confirmed that environmental conditions in the Lim Bay were favourable for the reproduction of the species. The Pacific oyster reproduced once per year and had a prolonged spawning period. Water temperature was the main factor affecting gonad development and oocyte size, while chlorophyll a concentration had an impact on the oocyte development in terms of their size.

Temporal lobe volume in disorders with psychotic features

Since early neuropathological findings, temporal lobe has been related to the pathophysiology of some disorders with psychotic features. The aim of this study was to compare temporal lobe volumes and asymmetry differences in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorders, disorders that cover the whole psychotic spectrum. Temporal lobe volumes were estimated using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging in 60 subjects, 15 subjects in each patient and one healthy volunteer (control) group. There are no statistically significant differences in temporal lobe volumes among patient and control groups. Comparison of left and right temporal lobes shows that left temporal lobes are smaller than right temporal lobes, however this difference reaches statistical significance only in groups of patients with schizoaffective and bipolar disorders. Overall temporal lobe volume may be less informative in respect to neuropathology of disorders with psychotic features than volumes of specific temporal lobe structures, in particular medial temporal lobe structures

Comparison of hippocampal volumes in schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorder [Usporedba volumena hipokampusa u shizofreniji, shizoafektivnom i bipolarnom poremećaju]

The reduction of hippocampal volume was frequently reported in schizophrenia, but not in bipolar disorder. This volume reduction is associated with clinical features of schizophrenia, in particular with working and verbal memory impairments. Schizoaffective disorder, as a specific disorder sharing clinical features of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is rarely analyzed as a separate disorder in neurobiological studies. The aim of this study was to compare hippocampal volumes in separate groups of patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorder. Hippocampal volumes were estimated using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging in 60 subjects, 15 subjects in each patient and one healthy volunteer (control) group. There were no significant differences in hippocampal volume between bipolar disorder and control group. Hippocampal volume was statistically significantly reduced in the group of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, compared to either bipolar disorder or control group, thus supporting the hypothesis that hippocampal volume reduction could be considered as a possible neurobiological basis for clinical aspects of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder associated with working and verbal memory impairment

Platelet serotonin and monoamine oxidase in Alzheimer's disease with psychotic features

Post mortem brain studies indicate that alterations in serotonergic and catecholaminergic systems might be associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the study was to determine serotonin (5-HT) levels and monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) activity in platelets of psychotic and non-psychotic patients with AD, established according to the NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV-TR criteria. Cognitive impairment and psychotic features were evaluated using Mini Mental Status Examination and Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Platelet 5-HT concentration and MAO-B activity were determined spectrofluorimetrically in 116 (51 male, 65 female) healthy subjects and 70 psychotic (10 male, 60 female) and 151 non-psychotic (32 male, 119 female) patients. Psychotic and non-psychotic female and psychotic male patients had significantly lower platelet 5-HT concentration than corresponding sex matched control subjects. Platelet MAO-B activity was significantly increased in both male and female non-psychotic patients compared to the sex matched controls. Non-psychotic female patients had significantly higher platelet MAO-B activity than psychotic female patients. Our data suggest that platelet MAO-B activity, but not platelet 5-HT concentration, could differentiate between psychotic and non-psychotic subtypes of AD