Polymorphisms of the serotonin receptors genes in patients with bruxism: a systematic review

Abstract This study aimed to investigate if SNP rs6313, SNP rs2770304, SNP rs4941573, and SNP rs1923884 of the 5-HT2A receptor gene and SNP rs6295 of the 5-HT1A receptor gene are associated with bruxism etiology. Methodology This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018094561). A search was conducted for articles published in or before May 2021. To qualify for eligibility in this review, the studies had to be case-controls, cohort or cross-sectional. The inclusion criteria were the articles with a group of patients with bruxism and a control group in which the presence of these SNPs was evaluated. The exclusion criteria were the investigations of other polymorphisms, the studies that did not consider a control group for comparison, case reports, and reviews. The NOS and JBI were used to evaluate the methodological quality of studies. Results We conducted this study with databases, such as Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, and ProQuest. We considered four studies eligible. A total of 672 participants were included,187 with sleep bruxism, 105 with awake bruxism, 89 with sleep and awake bruxism, and 291 controls. One study found a strong association between the SNPs rs6313, rs2770304 and rs4941573 of the 5-HT2A receptor gene and sleep bruxism. In one study, we considered the C allele of the SNP rs2770304 a risk factor for sleep bruxism. We found no significant results of other SNPs in sleep bruxers compared to controls. We found no positive association concerning the SNPs and groups of awake bruxism and sleep and awake bruxism. Conclusion The different results regarding the SNPs in sleep bruxers could be explained by the genetic distinction between Chilean, Mexican, Japanese, and Polish population. More clinical trials and prospective studies must be conducted with larger sample size and in different ethnicities to confirm the results of this review.

Aripiprazole-induced Hepatitis: A Case Report

Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic that acts as a partial agonist of dopamine type 2 receptors as well as 5-HT1A receptors. It is used in the treatment of schizophrenia and in type 1 bipolar disorder for mania. Because aripiprazole is well tolerated with few side effects it is used off-label in other psychotic disorders. The prevalence of abnormal liver function tests with antipsychotic use is 32%, with clinically significant effects in 4% of cases. No cases of aripiprazole-induced liver injury have been published. We report a 28-year-old female who presented with non-affective first-episode psychosis and who was treated with aripiprazole. Initially she was medicated with 10 mg per day, with an increase to 20 mg per day on the 12th day of hospitalization. Nine days after she became icteric, with nausea and had a vomiting episode. Laboratory analysis revealed a very high level of alanine aminotransferase, and minor to moderately high levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and bilirubin. Aripiprazole was tapered and paliperidone was started with the improvement of clinical and laboratory findings.

Effects of 5HT1A Activation on Gating Profile Following 5HT Depletion in Rats Lacking Social Attachment Since Weanling

OBJECTIVE: Central 5-HT1A receptor is involved in the modulation of sensorimotor gating function. However, its precise role is not clearly defined in developmentally social deprived (isolation rearing, IR) rats featured with impaired sensorimotor gating ability. We therefore aimed to examine the effects of 5HT1A activation on acoustic startle response (ASR) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) in IR rats in a condition of compromised presynaptic 5-HT functions. METHODS: Social control (SOC) and IR rats received an intracerebraoventricular (ICV) injection of 5-HT depletor, 5,7-DHT. Seven days later rats entered a protocol of 8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1A agonist, in which locomotor activity, ASR and PPI and their tissue levels of 5-HT were measured. RESULTS: Our results found that both IR and 5,7-DHT decreased the tissue concentration of 5-HT. IR-induced hyperactivity and gating impairment were unaffected by 5-HT depletion. 8-OH-DPAT strengthened the ASR in IR but not SOC rats and the drug-reduced PPI could be adjusted by 5,7-DHT pretreatment. 8-OH-DPAT at 100 μg/kg enhanced PPI in 5-HT-depleted SOC rats. However for IR rats, 8-OH-DPAT strengthened PPI in sham rats but downgraded it in depletion condition. CONCLUSION: The integrity of central 5-HT system is important to 5-HT1A-modulated sensorimotor gating in isolation-reared rats.

Effects of 5HT1A Activation on Depression Profile Following 5-HT Depletion in Rats Lacking Social Attachment Since Weanling

OBJECTIVE: Post weanling isolation-reared (IR) rats are featured with depressive phenotype, yet its mechanism is not clearly defined particularly in terms of the involvement of central 5-HT1A receptors. The present study aims to examine the effects of 5HT1A activation on forced swim test (FST) in IR rats following 5-HT depletion. METHODS: Social control (SOC) and IR rats received an intracerebraoventricular (ICV) injection of 5-HT depletion agent, 5,7-DHT. 14 days after the surgery, rats were assessed their performance in FST with or without the challenge with a 5-HT1A agonist, 8-OH-DPAT. Rats were then sacrificed for analyzing their 5-HT tissue levels and the expressions of their 5-HA1A receptors in prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HPX), and amygdala (AMY). RESULTS: 5,7-DHT decreased the tissue concentration of 5-HT in both IR and SOC rats. IR rats were more immobile and less sensitive to the lesion-induced immobility, however this effect was reversed by acute challenge of 8-OH-DPAT. 5,7-DHT lesion increased the expression of PFC 5-HT1A receptors. CONCLUSION: The integrity of central 5-HT system is developmentally crucial for the 5-HT1A-relevant depression profile in rats of social isolation.

Association of Serotonin 1A Receptor Polymorphism with Variation in Health-Related Quality of Life in Korean Hemodialysis Patients

OBJECTIVE: Hemodialysis patients may have psychological distress and reduced quality of life (QoL) related to chronic physical health problems. Genetic polymorphisms associated with reduced QoL in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and variation in health-related QoL in Korean hemodialysis patients. METHODS: The 36-item Short-Form Health Survey and the Korean Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to assess health-related QoL and psychological distress, respectively. Twenty hundred and five clinically stable patients from 6 hemodialysis centers have participated with informed consents. Sociodemographic factors, clinical factors, and genotypes of serotonin 1A receptor, brain-derived neurotrophic factors, and glucocorticoid receptor were assessed. Independent t-tests, correlation analyses, multiple regression analyses were performed for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The serotonin 1A receptor CC genotype group showed significantly higher physical and mental QoL levels than those with the GG/GC genotypes. In the final linear regression analysis, serotonin 1A receptor CC genotype was significantly associated with positive physical and mental QoL levels. CONCLUSION: ConclusionaaSerotonin 1A receptor polymorphism, as well as age and depression, were significantly associated with mental and physical QoL in hemodialysis patients. Functional activity in the serotonin receptor system may have a modulating effect on health-related QoL in hemodialysis patients.

Genetic Polymorphism of 1019C/G (rs6295) Promoter of Serotonin 1A Receptor and Catechol-O-Methyltransferase in Panic Disorder

OBJECTIVE: Family and twin studies have suggested genetic liability for panic disorder (PD) and therefore we sought to determine the role of noradrenergic and serotonergic candidate genes for susceptibility for PD in a Japanese population. METHODS: In this age- and gender-matched case-control study involving 119 PD patients and 119 healthy controls, we examined the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR), −1019C/G (rs6295) promoter polymorphism of the serotonin receptor 1A (5-HT1A), and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphism (rs4680) and their association with PD. RESULTS: No significant differences were evident in the allele frequencies or genotype distributions of the COMT (rs4680), 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms or the −1019C/G (rs6295) promoter polymorphism of 5-HT1A between PD patients and controls. Although there were no significant associations of these polymorphisms with in subgroups of PD patients differentiated by gender or in subgroup comorbid with agoraphobia (AP), significant difference was observed in genotype distributions of the −1019C/G (rs6295) promoter polymorphism of 5-HT1A between PD patients without AP and controls (p=0.047). CONCLUSION: In this association study, the 1019C/G (rs6295) promoter polymorphism of the 5-HT1A receptor G/G genotype was associated with PD without AP in a Japanese population.

Vilazodone for the Treatment of Depression: An Update / 전남의대학술지

Vilazodone is a novel antidepressant having a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor and 5-HT(1A) receptor partial agonist profile, so it has been regarded as a serotonin partial agonist-reuptake inhibitor (SPARI). We aimed to provide Vilazodone's clinical implications mainly by reviewing published clinical trials. Vilazodone has been speculated to have three potential benefits including faster onset of action, greater efficacy, and better tolerability owning to its SPARI properties. However, no studies conducted so far have directly proven the above speculations. Five initial phase II trials failed to distinguish vilazodone from placebo in the treatment of MDD, but 4 randomized clinical trials (RCT), 3 post-hoc or pooled analysis, 1 long-term open label study, and a meta-analysis showed vilazodone's superior efficacy over placebo. The studies also showed vilazodone is generally safe and tolerable. However, diarrhea, nausea, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and insomnia warrant close attention in clinical practice because they have been constantly noted throughout the clinical studies. 2 RCTs recently documented the efficacy and safety of vilazodone in patients with generalized anxiety disorder, which could be a start of broadening vilazodone's usage or FDA approval in diverse anxiety disorders.

Postnatal Treadmill Exercise Alleviates Prenatal Stress-Induced Anxiety in Offspring Rats by Enhancing Cell Proliferation Through 5-Hydroxytryptamine 1A Receptor Activation / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: Stress during pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of anxiety-related disorders in offspring later in life. The effects of treadmill exercise on anxiety-like behaviors and hippocampal cell proliferation were investigated using rats exposed to prenatal stress. METHODS: Exposure of pregnant rats to a hunting dog in an enclosed room was used to induce stress. Anxiety-like behaviors of offspring were evaluated using the elevated plus maze test. Immunohistochemistry for the detection of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and doublecortin (DCX) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptors (5-HT(1A)) in the dorsal raphe was conducted. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) levels in the hippocampus were evaluated by western blot analysis. RESULTS: Offspring of maternal rats exposed to stress during pregnancy showed anxiety-like behaviors. Offspring also showed reduced expression of BDNF, TrkB, and DCX in the dentate gyrus, decreased cell proliferation in the hippocampus, and reduced 5-HT(1A) expression in the dorsal raphe. Postnatal treadmill exercise by offspring, but not maternal exercise during pregnancy, enhanced cell proliferation and expression of these proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Postnatal treadmill exercise ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors in offspring of stressed pregnant rats, and the alleviating effect of exercise on these behaviors is hypothesized to result from enhancement of cell proliferation through 5-HT(1A) activation in offspring rats.

Vilazodone for the Treatment of Depression: An Update / 전남의대학술지

Vilazodone is a novel antidepressant having a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor and 5-HT(1A) receptor partial agonist profile, so it has been regarded as a serotonin partial agonist-reuptake inhibitor (SPARI). We aimed to provide Vilazodone's clinical implications mainly by reviewing published clinical trials. Vilazodone has been speculated to have three potential benefits including faster onset of action, greater efficacy, and better tolerability owning to its SPARI properties. However, no studies conducted so far have directly proven the above speculations. Five initial phase II trials failed to distinguish vilazodone from placebo in the treatment of MDD, but 4 randomized clinical trials (RCT), 3 post-hoc or pooled analysis, 1 long-term open label study, and a meta-analysis showed vilazodone's superior efficacy over placebo. The studies also showed vilazodone is generally safe and tolerable. However, diarrhea, nausea, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and insomnia warrant close attention in clinical practice because they have been constantly noted throughout the clinical studies. 2 RCTs recently documented the efficacy and safety of vilazodone in patients with generalized anxiety disorder, which could be a start of broadening vilazodone's usage or FDA approval in diverse anxiety disorders.

Attenuation of methylphenidate-induced sensitization by co-administration of buspirone

Methylphenidate, which inhibit dopamine transporter is effective in the treatment of ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder], but long term use of this drug is often associated with addiction and dependence. Locomotor sensitization development to psychostimulants like methylphenidate is an important contributor to drug abuse induced by psychostimulants. Different studies have shown that long term administration of drugs of abuse increases the effectiveness of 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT][-1A] somatodendritic receptors. Repeated buspirone administration reduces the effectiveness of 5-HT[1A] somatodendritic receptors. This study was designed to determine that buspirone coadministration may reduce methylphenidate-induced sensitization. The motor activity was compared by using familiar and novel environments after long-term administration of methylphenidate, buspirone and their co-administration. Long term oral administration of methylphenidate at a dose of 2.0mg/kg/day enhanced motor activity in home cage i.e activity of familiar environment monitored at alternate day. Locomotor enhancing effects of methylphenidate were augmented on 13[th] day of drug administration suggesting sensitization induced by the drug. The sensitization effects were significant in home cage monitored on alternate day and also in an open field monitored weekly. Buspirone co-administration at a dose of 10mg/kg/day prevented methylphenidate-induced sensitization. It is suggested that the sensitization development to methylphenidate may oppose by buspirone co-administration due to the reduction in the sensitivity of 5-HT[1A] somatodendritic receptors. These findings may help extend future therapeutics in ADHD

Stress-Induced Depression Is Alleviated by Aerobic Exercise Through Up-Regulation of 5-Hydroxytryptamine 1A Receptors in Rats / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: Stress is associated with depression, which induces many psychiatric disorders. Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT), acts as a biochemical messenger and regulator in the brain. It also mediates several important physiological functions. Depression is closely associated with an overactive bladder. In the present study, we investigated the effect of treadmill exercise on stress-induced depression while focusing on the expression of 5-HT 1A (5-H(1A)) receptors in the dorsal raphe. METHODS: Stress was induced by applying a 0.2-mA electric foot shock to rats. Each set of electric foot shocks comprised a 6-second shock duration that was repeated 10 times with a 30-second interval. Three sets of electric foot shocks were applied each day for 7 days. For the confirmation of depressive state, a forced swimming test was performed. To visualize the expression of 5-HT and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), immunohistochemistry for 5-HT and TPH in the dorsal raphe was performed. Expression of 5-H(1A) receptors was determined by western blot analysis. RESULTS: A depressive state was induced by stress, and treadmill exercise alleviated the depression symptoms in the stress-induced rats. Expressions of 5-HT, TPH, and HT 1A in the dorsal raphe were reduced by the induction of stress. Treadmill exercise increased 5-HT, TPH, and HT 1A expressions in the stress-induced rats. CONCLUSIONS: Treadmill exercise enhanced 5-HT synthesis through the up-regulation of 5-HT(1A) receptors, and improved the stress-induced depression. In the present study, treadmill exercise improved depression symptoms by enhancing 5-HT(1A) receptor expression. The present results suggest that treadmill exercise might be helpful for the alleviation of overactive bladder and improve sexual function.

Effect of 5-HT1A receptors in the hippocampal DG on active avoidance learning in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of serotonin (5-HTIA) receptors in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) on active avoidance learning in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 36 SD rats were randomly divided into control group, antagonist group and agonist group(n = 12). Active avoidance learning ability of rats was assessed by the shuttle box. The extracellular concentrations of 5-HT in the DG during active avoidance conditioned reflex were measured by microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. Then the antagonist (WAY-100635) or agonist (8-OH-DPAT) of the 5-HT1A receptors were microinjected into the DG region, and the active avoidance learning was measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) During the active avoidance learning, the concentration of 5-HT in the hippocampal DG was significantly increased in the extinction but not establishment in the conditioned reflex, which reached 164.90% ± 26.07% (P <0.05) of basal level. (2) The microinjection of WAY-100635 (an antagonist of 5-HT1A receptor) into the DG did not significantly affect the active avoidance learning. (3) The microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT(an agonist of 5-HT1A receptor) into the DG significantly facilitated the establishment process and inhibited the extinction process during active avoidance conditioned reflex.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The data suggest that activation of 5-HT1A receptors in hipocampal DG may facilitate active avoidance learning and memory in rats.</p>

Vilazodone for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Focusing on Its Clinical Studies and Mechanism of Action

We tried to review and update clinical and preclinical studies evaluating vilazodone's role as an antidepressant for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In terms of its mechanism of actions, we sought to elaborate them mainly through preclinical animal studies. A data search was conducted in November 1, 2013, using the key terms "vilazodone" or "Viibryd," in PubMed and Medline databases. All published and unpublished studies are included and citations from publications were also reviewed for additional references. Five unpublished, phase-II and two pivotal published phase-III clinical trials with nearly identical design (8-week, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled) investigated efficacy of vilazodone, were found for the treatment of patients with MDD. Two post-hoc studies and one long-term open study were also included. Data were thoroughly reviewed to incorporate the pharmacology, action mechanism, efficacy and safety for the vilazodone in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Vilazodone is an antidepressant with novel mechanism of action because its chemical structure is unrelated to conventional antidepressant, and it has a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor and 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist profile. Vilazodone is an effective and safe treatment option with its novel action mechanisms for patients with depression. Its putative benefits compared with other antidepressants must be thoroughly studied in adequately-powered and well-designed future clinical trials.

Nonresponders to Daily Paroxetine and Another SSRI in Men With Lifelong Premature Ejaculation: A Pharmacokinetic Dose-Escalation Study for a Rare Phenomenon

PURPOSE: Nonresponse to any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment is rare. In this study, we aimed to investigate ejaculation delay nonresponse to paroxetine treatment in men with lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) who were also known to be nonresponders to other SSRIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five males with lifelong PE who were known nonresponders to paroxetine and other serotonergic antidepressants and eight males with lifelong PE who were specifically recruited were included. Blood sampling occurred 1 month and 1 day before the start of treatment and at the end of three consecutive series of 4 weeks of daily treatment with 10-, 20-, and 30-mg paroxetine, respectively. Blood samples for measurement of leptin and paroxetine were taken at 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11:30 AM, respectively. At 9:00 AM, one tablet of 10-, 20-, or 30-mg paroxetine was taken during the first, second, and third month, respectively. Intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) was measured with a stopwatch. The main outcome measures were the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT, serum leptin and paroxetine concentrations, body mass index (BMI), 5-HT1A receptor C-1019G polymorphism, and CYP2D6 mutations. RESULTS: Between the 7 paroxetine responders and 6 nonresponders, the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT was significantly different after daily 10-mg (p=0.003), 20-mg (p=0.002), and 30-mg paroxetine (p=0.026) and ranged from 2.0 to 8.8 and from 1.1 to 1.7, respectively. BMI at baseline and at the end of the study was not significantly different between responders and nonresponders. Serum leptin levels at baseline were similar in responders and nonresponders and did not change during treatment. The serum paroxetine concentration increased with increasing dosage and was not significantly different between responders and nonresponders. There was no association between the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT and serum paroxetine levels during the three treatment periods nor between leptin levels during the treatment periods and serum paroxetine levels. For the 5-HT1A receptor C-1019G variation, all responders had the CC genotype and all nonresponders had the GC genotype, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Complete absence of paroxetine-induced ejaculation delay is presumably related to pharmacodynamic factors and perhaps to 5-HT1A receptor gene polymorphism.

Nonresponders to Daily Paroxetine and Another SSRI in Men With Lifelong Premature Ejaculation: A Pharmacokinetic Dose-Escalation Study for a Rare Phenomenon

PURPOSE: Nonresponse to any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment is rare. In this study, we aimed to investigate ejaculation delay nonresponse to paroxetine treatment in men with lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) who were also known to be nonresponders to other SSRIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five males with lifelong PE who were known nonresponders to paroxetine and other serotonergic antidepressants and eight males with lifelong PE who were specifically recruited were included. Blood sampling occurred 1 month and 1 day before the start of treatment and at the end of three consecutive series of 4 weeks of daily treatment with 10-, 20-, and 30-mg paroxetine, respectively. Blood samples for measurement of leptin and paroxetine were taken at 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11:30 AM, respectively. At 9:00 AM, one tablet of 10-, 20-, or 30-mg paroxetine was taken during the first, second, and third month, respectively. Intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) was measured with a stopwatch. The main outcome measures were the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT, serum leptin and paroxetine concentrations, body mass index (BMI), 5-HT1A receptor C-1019G polymorphism, and CYP2D6 mutations. RESULTS: Between the 7 paroxetine responders and 6 nonresponders, the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT was significantly different after daily 10-mg (p=0.003), 20-mg (p=0.002), and 30-mg paroxetine (p=0.026) and ranged from 2.0 to 8.8 and from 1.1 to 1.7, respectively. BMI at baseline and at the end of the study was not significantly different between responders and nonresponders. Serum leptin levels at baseline were similar in responders and nonresponders and did not change during treatment. The serum paroxetine concentration increased with increasing dosage and was not significantly different between responders and nonresponders. There was no association between the fold increase in the geometric mean IELT and serum paroxetine levels during the three treatment periods nor between leptin levels during the treatment periods and serum paroxetine levels. For the 5-HT1A receptor C-1019G variation, all responders had the CC genotype and all nonresponders had the GC genotype, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Complete absence of paroxetine-induced ejaculation delay is presumably related to pharmacodynamic factors and perhaps to 5-HT1A receptor gene polymorphism.

Long-term Efficacy and Tolerability of Perospirone for Young Help-seeking People at Clinical High Risk: a Preliminary Open Trial

OBJECTIVE: Interest in the "at-risk mental state" (ARMS) for psychosis has increased because early intervention is expected to delay or prevent the onset of schizophrenia. However, the optimum intervention strategy remains controversial, especially with regard to antipsychotics. Although administration of antipsychotic medications is often associated with adverse effects and raises ethical considerations, recent studies have shown that some novel antipsychotics are safer and more tolerable for young people than conventional antipsychotics. We investigated whether administration of perospirone, a combined serotonin (5-HT)/dopamine antagonist and 5-HT1A receptor agonist, could alleviate prodromal symptoms and be well tolerated by clinical high risk patients. METHODS: The participants were outpatients seeking help. The Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms was performed in patients identified as being at clinical high risk. The Scale of Prodromal Symptoms (SOPS) was also completed and changes of subjective experience were assessed with the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptics, short version. The incidence of akathisia was recorded by using the Barnes Akathisia Scale. Subjects were monitored for 26 weeks after starting medication. RESULTS: SOPS scores improved significantly after 26 weeks of perospirone therapy, while BAS scores did not show deterioration. No serious adverse events occurred during the study. CONCLUSION: This trial suggests that perospirone therapy provides a clinical benefit for clinical high risk subjects without causing serious adverse events. Although further placebo-controlled studies are needed for confirmation, perospirone might be one of optimum treatments for individuals at imminent risk of psychosis.

No Effect of Serotoninergic Gene Variants on Response to Interpersonal Counseling and Antidepressants in Major Depression

OBJECTIVE: Gene variants within the serotonin pathway have been associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) treatment outcomes, however a possible different modulation on pharmacological or psychological treatments has never been investigated. METHODS: One hundred sixty MDD patients were partially randomized to either inter-personal counseling (IPC) or antidepressants. The primary outcome was remission at week 8. Five serotonergic polymorphisms were investigated (COMT rs4680, HTR1A rs6295, HTR2A rs2224721, HTR2A rs7997012 and SLC6A4 rs421417). RESULTS: IPC (n=43) and antidepressant (n=117) treated patients did not show any difference in remission rates at week 8 (corrected for baseline severity, age and center). None of the studied gene variants impacted on response and remission rates at week 8 neither in the IPC nor in the antidepressant group. An analysis of the whole sample showed a trend of association between rs7997012 AA genotype and a better treatment outcome. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that IPC is an effective psychological intervention comparable to antidepressants in mild-moderate MDD. Polymorphisms related to the serotonin system did not exert a major effect on clinical outcomes in none of the treatment groups.

Design, synthesis and bioactivity of aryl piperazine benzob1,4oxazine derivatives / 药学学报

Compounds with serotonin reuptake inhibition/5-HT(1A) dual activity were used to build 3D pharmacophore model as a training molecules by Discover Studio. Based on the model, 8 novel aryl piperazine benzo[b][1,4] oxazine derivatives were designed and synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR and HR-MS. Biological evaluation illustrated that compounds VI(1) and VI(7) showed potent functional activities at both 5-HT transporter and 5-HT(1A) receptor, which can be used as lead compounds to guide future research of design and synthesis of potent novel compounds.

Effects of jingqianshu granule on expression of 5-HT(1A)R of PMS model rats with liver-qi stagnation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To research the effect of the Jingqianshu granule (JQS) on the expression of serotonin receptor-1A (5-HT(1A)R) in hippocampus and hypothalamus of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) model rats with Liver-qi depression.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The PMS model rats with Liver-qi depression were induced by bandaging the limbs. The model rats were treated with JQS, and evaluated by open-field test. The expression of 5-HT(1A)R in hippocampus and hypothalamus was analysed by the method of RT-PCR and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After the JQS were administered, the open field scores, the expression of 5-HT(1A)R mRNA and protein in hippocampus and hypothalamus of rats increased significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The JQS granule can up-regulate the expression of 5-HT(1A)R in hippocampus and hypothalamus, which maybe one of the mechanism to treat PMS with liver-qi depression.</p>

Tardive Dyskinesia: Treatment with Aripiprazole

Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by choreiform movements, or rhythmic abnormal involuntary movements of the face, mouth, tongue, trunk, and limbs. It is frequently associated with the use of neuroleptic medications. The choreiform movements are irreversible in some patients, even after the drug is withdrawn. Although no reliable treatment for tardive dyskinesia exists, atypical antipsychotics are associated with a significantly lower incidence of tardive dyskinesia than typical antipsychotics. Moreover, recent reports suggest that atypical antipsychotics may have a beneficial effect on tardive dyskinesia remission. Until recently, evidence for the effectiveness of aripiprazole on tardive dyskinesia has been mixed. Aripiprazole has a unique mechanism of action and has various effects in tardive dyskinesia. The drug acts as a partial D2 receptor agonist that can stabilize D2 up-regulation, and as a partial 5-HT1A receptor agonist and a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, and can increase the release of dopamine in the striatum.