Effect of increase in amplitude of occipital alpha & theta brain waves on global functioning level of patients with GAD

Introduction: The basic objective of this study is to investigate the effects of alpha and theta brain waves amplitude increase in occipital area on reducing the severity of symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and to increase the global functioning level in patients with GAD. Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test with two groups. For this purpose, 28 patients who had been referred to Sohrawardi psychiatric and clinical psychology center in Zanjan were studied based on the interview with the psychiatrist, clinical psychologist and using clinical diagnostic criteria for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders text revision - the DSM-IV-TR Fourth Edition diagnosis of GAD, 14 subjects were studied in neurofeedback treatment group and 14 subjects in the waiting list group. Patients in both groups were evaluated at pre-test and post-test with General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Global Assessment Functioning Scale (GAFs). The treatment group received fifteen 30-minute alpha training sessions and fifteen 30-minute theta brain training sessions in occipital area by neurofeedback training (treatment group). This evaluation was performed according to the treatment protocol to increase the alpha and theta waves. And no intervention was done in the waiting list group. But due to ethical issues after the completion of the study all the subjects in the waiting list group were treated. Results: The results showed that increase of alpha and theta brain waves amplitude in occipital area in people with GAD can increase the global functioning level and can reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder in a treatment group, but no such change was observed in the waiting list group. Discussion: Increase of alpha and theta brain waves amplitude in occipital area can be useful in the treatment of people with GAD

Anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory impacts of berberine on activation of autoreactive T cells in autoimmune inflammation

Autoreactive inflammatory CD4+ T cells, such as T helper (Th)1 and Th17 subtypes, have been found to associate with the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. On the other hand, CD4+ Foxp3+ T regulatory (Treg) cells are crucial for the immune tolerance and have a critical role in the suppression of the excessive immune and inflammatory response promoted by these Th cells. In contrast, dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages are immune cells that through their inflammatory functions promote autoreactive T-cell responses in autoimmune conditions. In recent years, there has been increasing attention to exploring effective immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory agents from the herbal collection of traditional medicine. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, is one of the main active ingredients extracted from medicinal herbs and has been shown to exert various biological and pharmacological effects that are suggested to be mainly attributed to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Several lines of experimental study have recently investigated the therapeutic potential of berberine for treating autoimmune conditions in animal models of human autoimmune diseases. Here, we aimed to seek mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of berberine on autoreactive inflammatory responses in autoimmune conditions. Reported data reveal that berberine can directly suppress functions and differentiation of pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells, and indirectly decrease Th cell-mediated inflammation through modulating or suppressing other cells assisting autoreactive inflammation, such as Tregs, DCs and macrophages. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Lt

Regional research priorities in brain and nervous system disorders

The characteristics of neurological, psychiatric, developmental and substance-use disorders in low-and middle-income countries are unique and the burden that they have will be different from country to country. Many of the differences are explained by the wide variation in population demographics and size, poverty, conflict, culture, land area and quality, and genetics. Neurological, psychiatric, developmental and substance-use disorders that result from, or are worsened by, a lack of adequate nutrition and infectious disease still afflict much of sub-Saharan Africa, although disorders related to increasing longevity, such as stroke, are on the rise. In the Middle East and North Africa, major depressive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder are a primary concern because of the conflict-ridden environment. Consanguinity is a serious concern that leads to the high prevalence of recessive disorders in the Middle East and North Africa and possibly other regions. The burden of these disorders in Latin American and Asian countries largely surrounds stroke and vascular disease, dementia and lifestyle factors that are influenced by genetics. Although much knowledge has been gained over the past 10 years, the epidemiology of the conditions in low-and middle-income countries still needs more research. Prevention and treatments could be better informed with more longitudinal studies of risk factors. Challenges and opportunities for ameliorating nervous-system disorders can benefit from both local and regional research collaborations. The lack of resources and infrastructure for health-care and related research, both in terms of personnel and equipment, along with the stigma associated with the physical or behavioural manifestations of some disorders have hampered progress in understanding the disease burden and improving brain health. Individual countries, and regions within countries, have specific needs in terms of research priorities.Fil: Ravindranath, Vijayalakshmi. Indian Institute of Science; IndiaFil: Dang, Hoang Minh. Vietnam National University; VietnamFil: Goya, Rodolfo Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata ; ArgentinaFil: Mansour, Hader. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos. Mansoura University; EgiptoFil: Nimgaonkar, Vishwajit L.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Russell, Vivienne Ann. University of Cape Town; SudáfricaFil: Xin, Yu. Peking University; Chin

Comparison of the effectiveness of drug combination with metacognitive therapy and drug therapy alone in reducing the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder

Background and Objective: The Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an acute psychological reaction to severe traumatic events. Non-pharmacological treatments are considered as the first line treatment for PTSD and should be basically complementary to the treatment plans for patients with PTSD. However, some patients do not respond adequately to non-pharmacological treatments. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency and effectiveness of drug combination with meta-cognitive and drug therapy alone in reducing the severity and symptoms of PTSD. Materials and Methods: The samples of this study were the people who referred to the Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Zanjan, Iran. The type of clinical trial was single case and multiple baseline type. Six male subjects were selected by available sampling method and were then randomly assigned to two groups. The subjects in the pre-treatment stage (baseline) and during the fourth, eighth and post-treatment sessions, as well as follow-up (1 month and 2 months) and after the treatment and follow up (1 month and 2 months), completed the questionnaires of Clinical Executive Scale for post-traumatic stress disorder (CAAI), Beck anxiety (BAI), negative meta-cognitive (MCQ-30), SUDS and Function Psychology (GAFS). Results: The results showed that both methods (combination of drug therapy with meta-cognitive therapy) were effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and this effect was higher in the first method (combination of drug therapy with meta-cognitive therapy). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that both methods (Combination of drug therapy with meta-cognitive therapy) were effective in reducing symptoms and anxiety symptoms in patients with PTSD than drug therapy alone. Also, combination therapy reduces the amount of discomfort and improves overall performance of the patients. © 2018, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. All rights reserved

Curcumin as a potential modulator of M1 and M2 macrophages: new insights in atherosclerosis therapy

Accumulation of macrophages within the artery wall is an eminent feature of atherosclerotic plaques. Macrophages are influenced by various plaque microenvironmental stimuli, such as oxidized lipids, cytokines, and senescent erythrocytes, and thereby polarize into two main phenotypes called proinflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. In the hemorrhagic zones of atheroma, upon exposure to iron, sequestration of iron by M1 macrophages results in an uncontrolled proinflammatory phenotype impairing wound healing, while M2 macrophages phagocytose both apoptotic cells and senescent erythrocytes. M1 macrophages are prominent phenotype in the unstable plaques, in which plaque shoulder contains macrophages mainly present markers of M1 phenotype, whereas the fibrous cap encompassing the necrotic lipid core content macrophages expressed markers of both M1 and M2 subtypes. The abovementioned findings suggest macrophage modulation as a potent approach for atherosclerosis therapy. Curcumin is a polyphenol dietary derived from turmeric with numerous pharmacological activities. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that curcumin exerted lipid-lowering effects, and also can modulate function of different macrophage subsets in various macrophage-involved diseases. The current review aimed to present role of macrophage subtypes in atherosclerosis development and progression, and to understand effect of curcumin on macrophage polarization and foam cell formation in the atherosclerosis lesions. Overall, we would address important targets for macrophage modulation in atherosclerotic plaques. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Comparison of the effectiveness of drug combination with metacognitive therapy and drug therapy alone in reducing the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder

Background and Objective: The Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an acute psychological reaction to severe traumatic events. Non-pharmacological treatments are considered as the first line treatment for PTSD and should be basically complementary to the treatment plans for patients with PTSD. However, some patients do not respond adequately to non-pharmacological treatments. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency and effectiveness of drug combination with meta-cognitive and drug therapy alone in reducing the severity and symptoms of PTSD. Materials and Methods: The samples of this study were the people who referred to the Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Zanjan, Iran. The type of clinical trial was single case and multiple baseline type. Six male subjects were selected by available sampling method and were then randomly assigned to two groups. The subjects in the pre-treatment stage (baseline) and during the fourth, eighth and post-treatment sessions, as well as follow-up (1 month and 2 months) and after the treatment and follow up (1 month and 2 months), completed the questionnaires of Clinical Executive Scale for post-traumatic stress disorder (CAAI), Beck anxiety (BAI), negative meta-cognitive (MCQ-30), SUDS and Function Psychology (GAFS). Results: The results showed that both methods (combination of drug therapy with meta-cognitive therapy) were effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and this effect was higher in the first method (combination of drug therapy with meta-cognitive therapy). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that both methods (Combination of drug therapy with meta-cognitive therapy) were effective in reducing symptoms and anxiety symptoms in patients with PTSD than drug therapy alone. Also, combination therapy reduces the amount of discomfort and improves overall performance of the patients. © 2018, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. All rights reserved