ABSTRACT
Objective: To ascertain whether genetic variations in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR 44-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism) influence an increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents exposed to high levels of violence. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from a group of children who were working on the streets and from their siblings who did not work on the streets. DNA was extracted from the saliva samples and analyzed for 5-HTTLPR polymorphism genotypes. Results: One hundred and seventy-seven children between the ages of 7 and 14 years were analyzed (114 child workers and 63 siblings). Data on socioeconomic conditions, mental symptoms, and presence and severity of maltreatment and urban violence were collected using a sociodemographic inventory and clinical instruments. There was no positive correlation between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and presence of mental symptoms in our sample, although the children were exposed to high levels of abuse, neglect, and urban violence. Conclusions: Despite previous studies that associated adult psychiatric disorders with the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and a history of childhood maltreatment, no such association was found in this sample of children at risk. .
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Anxiety Disorders/genetics , Child Abuse/psychology , Depressive Disorder/genetics , Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics , Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Brazil , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Genetic Association Studies , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Life Change Events , Polymorphism, Genetic , Surveys and Questionnaires , Risk Factors , Saliva , Socioeconomic Factors , Urban PopulationABSTRACT
Depression is a term that has been used to describe a variety of ailments, ranging from minor to incapacitating. Clinically significant depression, termed as major depression, is a serious condition characterized not only by depressed mood but also by a cluster of somatic, cognitive, and motivational symptoms. Significant research efforts are aimed to understand the neurobiological as well as psychiatric disorders, and the evaluation of treatment of these disorders is still based solely on the assessment of symptoms. In order to identify the biological markers for depression, we have focused on gathering information on different factors responsible for depression including stress, genetic variations, neurotransmitters, and cytokines and chemokines previously suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. The present review illustrates the potential of biomarker profiling for psychiatric disorders, when conducted in large collections. The review highlighted the biomarker signatures for depression, warranting further investigation.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers/genetics , Chemokines , Cytokines , Depression/genetics , Depressive Disorder/genetics , Genetic Markers/genetics , Genetic Variation/genetics , Humans , Neurotransmitter Agents , Signs and Symptoms , Stress, Psychological/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Literature review of the controlled studies in the last 18 years in emotion recognition deficits in bipolar disorder. METHOD: A bibliographical research of controlled studies with samples larger than 10 participants from 1990 to June 2008 was completed in Medline, Lilacs, PubMed and ISI. Thirty-two papers were evaluated. RESULTS: Euthymic bipolar disorder presented impairment in recognizing disgust and fear. Manic BD showed difficult to recognize fearful and sad faces. Pediatric bipolar disorder patients and children at risk presented impairment in their capacity to recognize emotions in adults and children faces. Bipolar disorder patients were more accurate in recognizing facial emotions than schizophrenic patients. DISCUSSION: Bipolar disorder patients present impaired recognition of disgust, fear and sadness that can be partially attributed to mood-state. In mania, they have difficult to recognize fear and disgust. Bipolar disorder patients were more accurate in recognizing emotions than depressive and schizophrenic patients. Bipolar disorder children present a tendency to misjudge extreme facial expressions as being moderate or mild in intensity. CONCLUSION: Affective and cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder vary according to the mood states. Follow-up studies re-testing bipolar disorder patients after recovery are needed in order to investigate if these abnormalities reflect a state or trait marker and can be considered an endophenotype. Future studies should aim at standardizing task and designs.
OBJETIVO: Revisão da literatura de estudos controlados publicados nos últimos 18 anos sobre déficits no reconhecimento de emoções no transtorno bipolar. MÉTODO: Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica no Medline, Lilacs, PubMed e ISI, selecionando-se o período de 1990 a junho de 2008. Foram incluídos apenas estudos controlados, que tivessem uma das amostras com mais de 10 participantes, totalizando 32 artigos. RESULTADOS: Bipolares eutímicos apresentaram prejuízo no reconhecimento de nojo e medo. Em mania, mostraram dificuldade para reconhecer medo e tristeza. Transtorno bipolar pediátrico e crianças de risco apresentam dificuldade para reconhecer emoções nos rostos de adultos e de crianças. Bipolares foram mais precisos para reconhecer emoções do que os pacientes esquizofrênicos. DISCUSSÃO: Pacientes com transtorno bipolar apresentam prejuízo no reconhecimento de nojo, medo e tristeza, os quais podem ser apenas em parte atribuídos ao estado de humor. No episódio maníaco, eles têm dificuldade para reconhecer medo e nojo. Entretanto, eles são mais precisos no reconhecimento de emoções do que pacientes deprimidos e esquizofrênicos. Crianças com transtorno bipolar apresentam tendência a julgar expressões faciais extremas como sendo de intensidade leve ou moderada. CONCLUSÃO: Déficits afetivos e cognitivos em bipolares sofrem variações dependendo do estado de humor. Estudos de seguimento, reavaliando pacientes após a remissão dos sintomas, são necessários para investigar se estas anormalidades refletem um estado ou traço da doença e se podem ser consideradas endofenótipos. Estudos futuros devem padronizar tarefas e metodologia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Bipolar Disorder/psychology , Emotions , Facial Expression , Recognition, Psychology , Bipolar Disorder/genetics , Bipolar Disorder/physiopathology , Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic , Depressive Disorder/genetics , Depressive Disorder/physiopathology , Evidence-Based Medicine , Fear , Phenotype , Schizophrenia/genetics , Schizophrenia/physiopathologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the relationship between the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene and mental disorder by comparing the two TH gene SNP points (extron 3 and intron 9) of patients with mental disorders and normal human.@*METHODS@#DNA extracted from specimens of patients and normal subjects were quantified by using Real-time PCR.@*RESULTS@#(1) G334A distribution was: G=0.133, A=0.867 in patients with schizophrenia, G=0.116, A=0.884 in patients with depression, and G=0.214, A=0.786 in normal group. (2) C5162G distribution was: C=0.962, G=0.038 in patients with schizophrenia, C=0.959, G=0.041 in patients with depression, and C=0.961, G=0.039 in normal group.@*CONCLUSION@#There are statistically significant differences in G334A locus between normal people and patients with mental disorders, but no statistically significant differences in C5162G locus.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Depressive Disorder/genetics , Forensic Genetics , Mental Disorders/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Schizophrenia/genetics , Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/geneticsABSTRACT
This paper describes the relation between genes at the molecular level and the brain at the organ level, and biological, social and environmental factors. The malleability of the brain and the effect of external factors and experience on influencing gene expression and brain structure and function are discussed
Subject(s)
Humans , Biological Psychiatry , Brain Chemistry/genetics , Depressive Disorder/genetics , Gene Expression/genetics , Mental Disorders/genetics , Mother-Child Relations , Neurobiology , Risk Factors , Social EnvironmentABSTRACT
El síndrome depresivo es una de las patologías psiquiátricas mas frecuentes. El pediatra puede muchas veces realizar su diagnóstico e incluso las primeras intervenciones terapéuticas, para derivar posteriormente al psiquiatra. Las investigaciones en fisiopatología en los últimos años han aportado nuevos conocimientos, importantes de considerar para el diagnóstico y tratamiento
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Child, Preschool , Depressive Disorder/physiopathology , Depressive Disorder/therapy , Circadian Rhythm/physiology , Depressive Disorder/genetics , Endocrine Glands/physiology , Hypothalamus/physiology , Imipramine/therapeutic use , Neurotransmitter Agents/physiology , Limbic System/physiologyABSTRACT
Fatores genéticos, neurobiológicos e ambientais participam da gênese das depressões. Esta breve revisão visa enfatizar os estudos sobre os aspectos genéticos, neuroquímicos e neuroanatômicos na etiologia e fisiopatologia das depressões e suas implicações no desenvolvimento de novos tratamentos. Procura-se enfatizar as limitações encontradas até o momento na tentativa de estabelecimento de uma etiopatogenia comum às depressões, principalmente em função da dificuldade no diagnóstico e da heterogeneidade na fenomenologia do episódio agudo e no curso longitudinal. Perspectivas para futuras pesquisas também são apresentadas
Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder/etiology , Depressive Disorder/genetics , Depressive Disorder/therapy , Depression/etiology , Depression/genetics , Depression/therapyABSTRACT
En este trabajo se reportan los resultados de un estudio paralelo al proyecto de eficacia y seguridad de la fluvoxamina v.s. imipramina en el tratamiento de la depresión mayor. El estudio fue doble ciego, controlado y multicéntrico, y se analizaron variables clínicas, genotipos moleculares y depresión en la predicción de la respuesta antidepresiva. La muestra final quedó conformada por 40 sujetos, 14 (35 por ciento) hombres y 26 (65 por ciento) mujeres, con el diagnóstico de depresión mayor unipolar de acuerdo al DSMIV. Nuestros resultados indican que; el número de episodios previos e intentos suicidas correlacionaron con la severidad. Los pacientes deprimidos tuvieron una diferencia significativa en la escala de PE del ITC contra los controles. También, la escala del ITC-DR predijo la respuesta farmacológica. La presencia de efectos secundarios correlacionaron con un aumento en el puntaje de las escalas del ITC que están en relación directa con la presencia de trastornos de personalidad. Desde el punto de vista genético, ninguno de los genotipos moleculares estudiados predijo la respuesta farmacológica
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Personality/drug effects , Suicide, Attempted , Treatment Outcome , Fluvoxamine/therapeutic use , Depressive Disorder/genetics , Depressive Disorder/drug therapy , Imipramine/therapeutic use , Antidepressive Agents/administration & dosage , Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
A distribuiçäo predominantemente familiar de alguns distúrbios psiquiátricos é bastante conhecida e neste fato estäo envolvidos, possivelmente, fatores genéticos e ambientais. Entretanto, pouco se sabe sobre os genes envolvidos onde estäo, que substâncias codificam e de que forma se expressam. O presente trabalho se propöe a revisar os principais estudos dos Transtornos Afetivos, desde as primeiras pesquisas realizadas com família até os recentes estudos de ligaçäo, avaliar as contribuiçöes destes achados para a prática clínica e vice-versa e as perspectivas futuras nesta área
Subject(s)
Humans , Mood Disorders/genetics , X Chromosome , Bipolar Disorder/genetics , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 , Depressive Disorder/genetics , Environment , Genetic Linkage , Diseases in Twins/genetics , Genetic MarkersSubject(s)
Adult , Depressive Disorder/genetics , Dermatoglyphics , Female , Humans , Male , Medical History Taking , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Se revisan los avances en el diagnóstico clínico de la depresión en los últimos años, poniendo énfasis en los progresos obtenidos en el conocimiento de la depresión como síntoma, síndrome y desorden psiquiátrico. Se resumen datos epidemilógicos, y se revisan los instrumentos y criterios diagnósticos en uso actualmente. Se recomienda utilizarlos en la búsqueda sistemática de la depresión, al enfrentar a un niño con ánimo triste