Electroconvulsive Seizure Normalizes Motor Deficits and Induces Autophagy Signaling in the MPTP-Induced Parkinson Disease Mouse Model

Objective@#Electroconvulsive seizure (ECS) is a potent treatment modality for various neuropsychiatric diseases, including Parkinson disease (PD). Recent animal studies showed that repeated ECS activates autophagy signaling, the impairment of which is known to be involved in PD. However, the effectiveness of ECS on PD and its therapeutic mechanisms have not yet been investigated in detail. @*Methods@#Systemic injection of a neurotoxin 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP), which destroys dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra compacta (SNc), in mice was utilized to induce an animal model of PD. Mice were treated with ECS 3 times per week for 2 weeks. Behavioral changes were measured with a rotarod test. Molecular changes related to autophagy signaling in midbrain including SNc, striatum, and prefrontal cortex were analyzed with immunohistochemistry and immunoblot analyses. @*Results@#Repeated ECS treatments normalized the motor deficits and the loss of dopamiergic neurons in SNc of the MPTP PD mouse model. In the mouse model, LC3-II, an autophagy marker, was increased in midbrain while decreased in prefrontal cortex, both of which were reversed by repeated ECS treatments. In the prefrontal cortex, ECS-induced LC3-II increase was accompanied with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-Unc-51-like kinase 1-Beclin1 pathway activation and inhibition of mamalian target of rapamycin signaling which promotes autophagy initiation. @*Conclusion@#The findings revealed the therapeutic effects of repeated ECS treatments on PD, which could be attributed to the neuroprotective effect of ECS mediated by AMPK-autophagy signaling.

Dietary Carotene Intake and Suicidal Ideation in Korean Females: Analysis of Data From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2012, 2013, and 2015)

Objective@#The suicide rate in Korea was the highest among countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2019. In a previous study, higher intake of vegetables and fruits was associated with a lower risk of suicidal ideation, and carotene-rich fruits and vegetables lowered the risk of depression. This study aimed to examine the direct relationship between carotene intake and suicidal ideation, adjusting for the effect on depression. @*Methods@#This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted in 2012, 2013, and 2015. Carotene intake was assessed through a food intake frequency survey with a 24-hour recall. Suicidal ideation and depression were assessed using the mental health section of the KNHANES. We applied logistic regression to assess the relationship between carotene intake and suicidal ideation, adjusting for potential confounders. @*Results@#A total of 5,480 females aged 19–64 years were included in this study. Carotene intake was significantly lower in the suicidal ideation group (3,034.5±1,756.4 μg/day) than in the nonsuicidal ideation group (3,225.4±1,795.1 μg/day) (p=0.015). We found a significant inverse association between carotene intake and the risk of suicidal ideation after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio=0.934, 95% confidence interval=0.873–0.999). @*Conclusion@#These results suggest that carotene intake may be inversely associated with the risk of suicidal ideation. Our findings may inform the development of new nutritional interventions to prevent increases in the risk of suicide worldwide.

Temperament and Character Associated With Resilience in Patients With Bipolar Disorder / 생물치료정신의학

Objectives@#The aim of this study was to investigate temperament and character associated with resilience in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). @*Methods@#A total of 55 outpatients diagnosed with BD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV), and 55 healthy controls matched by age and sex with the BD group were recruited.All participants completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed by controlling for age, length of education, age of onset, number of depressive episodes, and number of hospitalizations to determine factors related to resilience. In addition, multiple regression analysis was performed using the interaction term to investigate whether temperament and character associated with resilience differed between the two groups. @*Results@#Patients with BD showed higher harm avoidance (p<0.001) and lower self-directedness (p<0.001) among the TCI dimensions compared to the control group. In multiple regression analysis, harm avoidance (β=-0.274, p=0.025) and self-directedness (β=0.431, p=0.002) were associated with resilience in patients with BD, while harm avoidance (β=-0.411, p=0.008), persistence (β=0.244, p=0.031), and cooperativeness (β=0.264, p=0.037) were associated with resilience in the control group. Self-directedness had a different relationship with resilience between the two groups (β=0.212, p=0.001). @*Conclusions@#The findings suggest that BD patients’ particular temperament and character are associated with resilience.Furthermore, temperament and character related to resilience differed between the BD group and the control group.

Association Between Depressed Mood Changes and Physical Activity Among Adolescents Post COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives@#Following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, adolescents have experienced decreased physical activity and a decline in mental health. This study analyzed the association between changes in depressed mood after the COVID-19 pandemic and physical activity among adolescents. @*Methods@#The analysis was based on the results of the 17th Youth Health Behavior Online Survey conducted in 2021, which included 54848 middle and high school students in South Korea. Information on physical activity included low-intensity physical activity lasting >60 min/day, high-intensity physical activity, and strength training exercises. A logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between physical activity and changes in depression after the COVID-19 pandemic. @*Results@#After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and previous depression, adolescents who performed strength training exercises more than once per week had a 0.95-fold lower risk (odds ratio [OR]=0.948, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.905–0.994, p= 0.027) of increasing depression after the COVID-19 pandemic, while the risk of decreasing depression increased by 1.22-fold (OR=1.215, 95% CI=1.131–1.305, p60 min/day and high-intensity physical activity. @*Conclusion@#Strength-training exercises are significantly associated with the prevention of depression among adolescents following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Association Between Suicide and Diet / 정신신체의학

Objectives@#：Suicide is a global social problem. Social burden caused by suicide is gradually increasing. Various efforts have been made to prevent suicide. Lifestyle changes to western style, especially diet changes, have increased the risk for suicide. Therefore, in this study, we discussed diet as an adjuvant treatment for suicide. @*Methods@#：In this review, we summarized the biochemical mechanism of suicide, and diet as a risk factor for suicide and diet as a protective factor through a web search. @*Results@#：In this study, biochemical mechanisms for suicide were reviewed and diet as a risk factor and diet as a protective factor for suicide were investigated. It was confirmed that neurotoxic effects such as oxidative stress and inflammation in the neural system could increase the risk of suicide. Based on results of previous stud-ies on the relationship between suicide and diet, it was found that heavy use of alcohol, coffee, carbonated soft drink, and fast food were risk factors for suicide. Protective factors for suicide included antioxidants such as vitamin C, carotene, and anti-inflammatory agents such as omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood in large amounts. @*Conclusions@#：The only treatment for suicide is prevention. In this context, effectiveness, accessibility, and safety are important for preventing for suicide. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that are relatively safe and readily available to the public could be effective adjuvant treatments to decrease the risk of suicide. In addition, it is necessary to educate the public on reducing diets that could increase the risk of suicide