27 research outputs found
Morning and afternoon serum cortisol level in patients with post-myocardial infarction depression
Background: Post-myocardial depression is a highly prevalent condition which worsens the course and prognosis of coronary artery disease. One possible pathogenetic factor is dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in cortisol profile disturbances. Methods: Thirty seven patients hospitalized due to a first myocardial infarction (MI) were enrolled in this study. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to rate the severity of their depressive symptoms. Morning and afternoon serum cortisol samples were taken on the fifth day of the MI. Results: Depression, defined as BDI ≥ 10, was present in 34.4% of the patients. A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean morning and the evening plasma concentrations in patients with depression compared to the no-depression group: F (1.29) = 5.0405, p = 0.0328. Conclusions: Patients with depressive symptoms directly after MI have a flattened diurnal serum cortisol profile. This is particularly expressed in patients with longer lasting symptoms
CLOZAPINE: PROMISING TREATMENT FOR SUICIDALITY IN BIPOLAR DISORDER
Bipolar disorder is associated with the highest risk of completed suicide of all mental disorders. The suicide mortality of people
with bipolar disorder is approximately 25 times higher than the general population. No approved pharmacological strategies for
suicidality in bipolar disorder have been introduced so far. There is evidence for anti-suicidal effect of clozapine in schizophrenia.
Clozapine with its unique pharmacology, anti-aggressive and anti-impulsive properties is potentially an effective strategy for
suicidality in bipolar disorder
The Trends and Prospects of Winemaking in Poland
Viticulture and winery origins in Poland date to the tenth century, but their tradition has been reborn in the last ten years, resulting in a development of small vineyards producing excellent wines not only for the local market. Due to the cold climate, usually short summers with moderate and low temperatures, the grapes are characterized by lower sugar content and higher acidity compared to those grown in the south of Europe. According to the European Union regulations, Poland was classified as the coldest wine-growing region (A) and officially acknowledged as a wine-producing country. The grapevine cultivars adopted to the harsh climatic conditions give the Polish grape wines some unique sensory features. The most popular varieties of grapes for the production of red wine are Regent, Rondo, Pinot Noir, Maréchal Foch, Cabernet Cortis, Tryumf Alzacji, Cascade and Dornfelder. For white wine production, Solaris, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Pinot Gris, Johanniter, Jutrzenka, Hibernal, Aurora, Bianka, Traminer, Jutrzenka and Siberia are mostly used in Poland. This chapter presents Polish grape winery with its specificity and prospects for the future. The traditional products of Polish fermentation industry, fruit wines and meads, are also mentioned
Gut Microbiota in Depression: A Focus on Ketamine
According to the WHO, major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and it is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. The pathophysiology of this common and chronic disease is still not completely understood. The gut microbiome is an increasingly recognized environmental factor that can have a role in depression, acting through the gut–microbiota–brain axis. The available treatment for depression is still insufficient since 30% of patients are treatment-resistant. There is an unquestionable need for novel strategies. Ketamine is an effective antidepressant in treatment-resistant patients. It is suggested that the antidepressant effect of ketamine may be partially mediated by the modification of gut microbiota. In this study, we presented a review of data on gut microbiota in depression with special attention to the effect of ketamine on the microbiome in animal models of depression. Earlier reports are preliminary and are still insufficient to draw firm conclusion, but further studies in this field might help to understand the role of the gut–brain axis in the treatment of depression and might be the ground for developing new effective treatment strategies
INFULENCE OF SEX HORMONES AND INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES ON COGNITION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA
Background: In the literature we can find evidence that sex hormones are involved the alterations of cognition in schizophrenic
patients. Another factor, which may have an impact on cognitive domains in this clinical group inflammatory processes.
The objective of this review was to explore studies, in which the role of both immunological factors and sex hormones on
cognitive functions in schizophrenia are analyzed.
Methods: The search of papers covering this topic in PubMed and Google Scholar was performed.
Results: Endocrine factors like: testosteron, estrogen, as well as immunomodulatory are observed to play a role in cognitive
functioning in schizophrenia.
Conclusions: More studies are necessary to confirm these possible co-relations
EFFICACY OF KETAMINE IN BIPOLAR DEPRESSION: FOCUS ON ANHEDONIA
Bipolar depression (BD) is among the most severe psychiatric disorders. A significant number of patients do not achieve an
entirely symptom-free state and experience residual sub-syndromal depression. Most of the treatment options approved for bipolar
depression give no rapid symptom improvement. Ketamine is an anaesthetic medication that acts as an antagonist of the NMDA
receptor and has antidepressant potential. Due to its unique way of action, ketamine seems to be crucial for the treatment of
anhedonia. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the efficacy of ketamine infusions in bipolar depression with a focus on
anhedonia Literature suggests that intravenous ketamine 0.5 mg/kg over 40min weekly could be useful in the treatment of bipolar
depression with prominent anhedonia, but there is still a small number of studies that examine the efficacy of ketamine infusions in
BD. In conclusion, ketamine should be considered as a valuable treatment option for patients with BD and anhedonia
MAGNESIUM AND KETAMINE IN THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION
Depression affects over 121 million people annually worldwide. Relatively low remission rates among depressive patients
enforce the search for new therapeutic solutions and an urgent need to develop faster-acting antidepressants with a different
mechanism of action occurs. The pathomechanism of depression postulated by the monoamine hypothesis is limited. The results of
abnormalities in glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) systems in the brains of people with mood disorders allowed to develop
new theories regarding pathophysiology of these disorders. Glutamatergic transmission is influenced by magnesium and ketamine
through glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonistic effects.
Magnesium and ketamine have a common mechanism of action in the treatment of depression: an increase in GluN2B (NMDAR
subunit) expression is related to the administration of both of the agents, as well as inhibition of phosphorylation of eEF2 (eukaryotic
elongation factor 2) in cell culture and increase of the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus. Combination of ketamine and
magnesium in a normal magnesium level presents a superadditive effect in depression treatment. Analysed substances affect the
GABAergic system and have anti-inflammatory effects, which is correlated with their antidepressant effect.
The synergistic interaction between the pharmacodynamic activity of magnesium and ketamine may be of particular importance
for patients with mood disorders. Further research is needed to determine the relationship between magnesium levels and ketamine
treatment response mainly in the attempt to establish if the magnesium supplementation can change ketamine treatment response
time or present superadditive effect