The Gene Polymorphism of VMAT2 Is Associated with Risk of Schizophrenia in Male Han Chinese

Objective@#To investigate the association between gene polymorphism of vesicular monoamine transporter type 2(VMAT2) and schizophrenia in Han Chinese population. @*Methods@#430 patients with schizophrenia and 470 age-sex matched controls were recruited from four mental health centers. All patients were diagnosed by two psychiatrists based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID). The ligase detection reactions (LDR) method was used to assess the polymorphism of the two SNPs (rs363371 and rs363324) of VMAT2. @*Results@#No associations of two SNPs with schizophrenia was found. When we stratified males and females for the analysis, we found that that in the recessive model of rs363371, there was an obvious significant association between rs363371 and schizophrenia in males (OR=0.564, 95% CI=0.357–0.892, p=0.014) but not females. For the association between rs363324 and schizophrenia, no association was found in either males or females. No association was found when stratifying early-onset schizophrenia and late-onset schizophrenia. @*Conclusion@#Our findings indicate that both rs363371 and rs363324 were not associated with schizophrenia, while it seemed that the AA genotype of rs363371 plays a protective effect in male Chinese in developing schizophrenia.

Efficacy of fluvoxamine combined with extended-release methylphenidate on treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To observe the clinical efficacy of dopamine modulator methylphenidate (MPH) of extended-release formulations (MPH-ER) augmentation of ongoing fluvoxamine treatment in refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and its effects on patient's anxiety and sleep quality.
 Methods: A pilot randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind trial was conducted at an outpatient, single-center academic setting. Participants included 44 adults with serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment-refractory OCD and they received a stable fluvoxamine pharmacotherapy with Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores higher than 20. The 44 patients were randomly assigned into a study group and a control group, with 22 patiencs in each group. Fluvoxamine and MPH-ER were given to the study group, while fluvoxamine and placebo were given to the control group, with 8 weeks of the treatment course. Y-BOCS, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to assess the efficacy, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the sleep quality, and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) was used to evaluate the side effects. Data were analyzed in the intention-to-treat sample.
 Results: The improvement in the Y-BOCS total score, Y-BOCS obsession subscale score and HAMA score were more prominent in the study group than those in the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in PSQI score and TESS score between the two groups. MPH-ER was well tolerated.
 Conclusion: Fluvoxamine combined with MPH-ER is effective in the treatment of refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder. It can improve anxiety and has no adverse effect on sleep quality.

Expression of smad2/3 protein and the effects of flunarizine on its expression in brain tissue following transient cerebral ischemic reperfusion in gerbils / 中国医师杂志

Objective To study the expression of smad2/3 protein and the effects of flunarizine on the its expression in braln tissue following transient cerebral ischemie reperfusion in gerbils. Methods A cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model in gerbils was established by clamping both common carotids. Thirty-five gerbils were randomly divided into three groups, sham operation group, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group and flunarizine treatment group. The expression of smad2/3 protein in brain tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry technique. Results Experimental results revealed that smad2/3 protein was expressed in neuroeyte in 35 gerbil brain. Compared with sham operation group, the expression of smad2/3 protein in neurecytes of cerebral isehemia-reperfusion group was evidently increased at the lst day, 3rd day and 7th day (P <0. 01). Compared with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group, the expression of smad2/3 protein in neurecytes of gerbils in flunarizine treatment group was evidently decreased at these time point (P < 0.05). Condusions Smad2/3 protein was expressed in nettrcvytes of gerbils. Expression of smad2/3 protein in neuroeytes of gerbils was evidently increased following cerebral ischemic reperfusion, and its expression in flunarizine treatment group was evidently decreased.

The study of childhood trauma experience and family environment with obsession / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective This study aimed to explore the relationship between the traumatic experience in childhood and onset of obsession in adulthood,and the character of family environment of obsession patients.Methods Using Y-BOCS and CAT and FES-CV to evaluate 41 cases with OCD and 36 normal subjects respectively.Baaed on these scales,an edited interview schema for a semi-structured interview was choosed with both groups for 50 minutes respectively.Results ①Tbe whole score and scores of two subscales on punishment,negative-environment in CAT were all obviously higher in patients with obsession [(50.16± 21.03),(12.03±4.24),(19.77±9.74),for punishment:P<0.05,for others:P<0.01],and there were a significant difference in the two groups[(35.35±14.78),(9.92±2.51),(12.54±8.14)].The negative environment was chosen in regress equation,and could explain 14.67% of outcome of obsession. ②The scores of 4 ubacaies like cohesion,expressiveness,intellectual-cultural orientation,active-recreational orientation [(5.13±2.28),(4.10±2.12),(2.71±1.87),(2.52±2.34)] ,were all obviously lower than the normal control in FES-CV.While the subscore of conflict (5.03±2.21) was higher than the normal control(3.50±2.40),and all these differences were significant.When two factors of active-recreational orientation and cohesion in FES-CV were put into regression equation( R2 =0.2078 ,R2 =0.2784),they contribute 27.84% and the disease,and the active-recreational orientation factor can explain 20.78%.③The result of interview found significant difference between obsession groupand control group in parental personality,own personality,childhood experience,and family environment.Condusion The traumatic experience in childhood and unhealthy family environment do have association with onset and development of obsession,also they have a close relationship with the development of personality after adulthood.