Correlations of Four Genetic Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlations of four genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: A total of 300 patients with sporadic PTSD and 150 healthy subjects (the control group) were selected according to the diagnostic criteria of PTSD (DSM-IV), and the genotypes of the BDNF SNPs G-712A, C270T, rs6265, and rs7103411 were detected by polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing to determine intergroup differences in the genotypes and allele frequencies; the p values were corrected with the permutation test. RESULTS: The genotypes and allele frequencies of the SNPs G-712A, rs6265, and rs7103411 of BDNF showed no significant intergroup differences (p>0.05). However, the genotype and allele frequencies of C270T showed significant differences between the PTSD group and the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The SNP C270T of BDNF may be associated with PTSD. Individuals carrying the polymorphic T allele of C270T may be more likely to suffer from PTSD.

Post-traumatic stress disorder after typhoon disaster and its correlation with platelet 5-HT concentrations

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate residents' psychological stress factors and research the correlation between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and platelet 5-HT concentrations so as to provide scientific bases for diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and psychological intervention for people in the disaster area.@*METHODS@#A questionnaire survey of 5500 residents who have accepted psychological help was conducted by the emphatic investigation method. While high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the platelet serotonin concentration of 100 PTSD patients and 100 healthy people.@*RESULTS@#(1) Of the 5114 cases, 3167 (61.93%) showed positive results in screening for psychological stress symptoms, and 399 (7.8%) were tested having apparent PTSD symptoms. Male and female prevalence showed no significant difference (χ(2) = -0.380, P = 0.704). The differences of prevalence between different age groups were statistically significant (χ(2) = 381.89, P = 0.000). (2) The differences in the level of platelet 5-HT between PTSD patients and normal control group were statistically significant.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The typhoon of Hainan Province caused relatively large psychological problems to the disaster victims. Compared with normal control group, the platelet 5-HT levels of PTSD patients in the disaster areas are lower. It may be related to incidents exposure levels, cultural background, religious ideas, social concerns and psychological rescue of the residents who live in the disaster areas of Hainan.

Post-traumatic stress disorder after typhoon disaster and its correlation with platelet 5-HT concentrations

Objective To investigate residents' psychological stress factors and research the correlation between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and platelet 5-HT concentrations so as to provide scientific bases for diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and psychological intervention for people in the disaster area. Methods A questionnaire survey of 5 500 residents who have accepted psychological help was conducted by the emphatic investigation method. While high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the platelet serotonin concentration of 100 PTSD patients and 100 healthy people. Results (1) Of the 5 114 cases, 3 167 (61.93%) showed positive results in screening for psychological stress symptoms, and 399 (7.8%) were tested having apparent PTSD symptoms. Male and female prevalence showed no significant difference (χ

Clinical effects of comprehensive therapy of early psychological intervention and rehabilitation training on neurological rehabilitation of patients with acute stroke

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical effects of comprehensive therapy of psychological intervention and rehabilitation training on the mental health of the patients with acute stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 patients with acute stroke were randomly divided into trial group and control group. Both groups were given the corresponding drug therapy, medical basic nursing and convention nursing. Besides, psychological intervention and comprehensive rehabilitation training were added to the trial group. SCL-90, Europ stroke scales (ESS) score were assessed with each patient on day 3 for the first time and on day 21 for the second time; Barthel index was assessed on the day 90.@*RESULTS@#After psychological intervention, SCL-90 declined significantly in the trial group comparing with the control group, there were significant differences in the somatization, obsession, depression, anxiety, fear, ESS score, Barthel index and other psychological factors between the trial group and control group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Comprehensive therapy of early psychological intervention and rehabilitation training can significantly improve the mental health, limb movement function, stress ability and activity of daily living on the patients with acute stroke.

Study of the hippocampus and the anterior cingulate gyrus by proton MR spectroscopy in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the characteristics of metabolic changes in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder through 1H-MRS in neuroanatomical circuit comparing with age-matches controls.@*METHODS@#Fifty patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and 50 gender-and age-matched normal controls were involved. The neurochemical abnormalities including the levels of choline (Cho)/creatine(Cr) and N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/Cr were measured respectively in hippocampus and the anterior cingulate gyrus with three-dimension 1H-proton spectroscopy(3D 1H-MRS).@*RESULTS@#The values of NAA/Cr ratios in hippocampus and the anterior cingulate gyrus were significant lower in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder(1.71±0.32, left 1.58±0.29, right 1.55±0.31) than that in controls(2.24±0.41, left 1.98±0.27, right 2.02±0.36)(P<0.05), but the values of Cho/Cr in hippocampus(left 1.64±0.23, right 1.66±0.34) were no significant with that of controls (left 1.48±0.29, right 1.54±0.38). Values of Cho/Cr in cingulate gyrus were significant higher in post-traumatic stress disorder patients (1.88±0.44) than that in controls (1.37.±0.32) (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results indicate some special neurochemical and histological structure changes in post-traumatic stress disorder patients, which might occurre earlier in anterior cingulate gyrusthe than in hippocampus.

Study on serum cytokine levels in posttraumatic stress disorder patients

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α levels in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients.@*METHODS@#We utilized ELISA technology to examine cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α in serum from 50 well-characterized individuals with a primary DSM-IV PTSD diagnosis, and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. We conservatively employed a Mann-Whitney U testing.@*RESULTS@#Individuals with primary PTSD had significantly elevated peripheral cytokine levels for all 6 different cytokines compared to age- and gender-matched healthy controls (all P<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#These findings suggest that a generalized inflammatory state may be present in individuals with PTSD.

Clinical effects of psychological intervention and drug therapy against peptic ulcer

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical effects of psychological interventions and drug therapy against peptic ulcer.@*METHODS@#96 patients with peptic ulcer were divided into control group with Tagamet 800 mg per evening p.o. and trial group with psychological intervention on the basis of drug treatment.@*RESULTS@#There were significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05), the trial group showed that the anxiety and depression cases declined obviously and effective rate of ulcer therapy was much higher than control group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In sum, psychological intervention combined with drug therapy provides an effective method for ulcer treatment.