[Early attachement relationships and epigenetic customization]. / La regolazione epigenetica della relazione primaria.

Recently, new findings in epigenetic science switched the focus from the observation of physiological intragenomic dynamics to the idea of an environmental co-construction of phenotypic expression. In psichodynamic field, objectual relations and attachement theoreticians emphasized the interpersonal dimension of individual development, focusing the attention on the relational matrix of self organization. The construction of stable affective-behavioral traits throughout different parenting styles has actually found a coincidence in ethological studies, which have explored the epigenetic processes underlying the relationship between caregiving and HPA stress responsiveness. An adequate parenting style seems to support affective regulation throughout psychobiological hidden moderators, which would tend to rebalance the physiological systems homeostasis; an unconfident attachment style would promote, on the other hand, the allostatic load rise. Sites of longlife epigenetic susceptibility have also been identified in humans; although associated with risk of maladaptive developing in adverse environmental conditions, they seem to confer protection under favorable conditions. This persisting possibility of reorganization of stable traits throughout lifetime, which seems to be activated by a relevant environmental input, grant to significant relationships, and to therapeutical one as well, an implicit reconditioning potential which could result into the configuration of new stable affective-behavioral styles.

[Perinatal depression and affective bonds: experience in close relationship during pregnancy]. / Depressione perinatale e relazioni affettive: l'experience in close relationship in gravidanza.

AIM: This study aims to investigate the influence of the "romantic attachment" style, stressful life events, social factors on the risk of developing a depression during pregnancy and on the severity of depressive symptoms. METHODS: The study started with a screening on a sample of 453 women, during their third trimester of pregnancy, to which has been administered a survey data form, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Experience in Close Relationship (ECR). Based on the results at EPDS, a clinical group of pre-natal depression (D=89) was selected and compared with a control group (C=89), in regards to psychopathological and social variables, exposure to stressful life events and attachment patterns. Analysis of correlation were performed to evaluate the influence of these factors on depressive symptoms severity. RESULTS: In D group, 52.8% of subjects reported previous psychiatric disorders and 49.4% a familiarity; 29.2% of these women complains of conflicts with their family of origin and 32.6% with partner. The ECR showed a prevalence of "fearful-avoidant" attachment style in clinical group (29.2% vs 1.1%, p=0.000); besides, ECR dimensions ("Avoidance", "Anxiety"), correlate with the severity of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Positive family history for psychiatric disorders and an insecure romantic attachment might influence the development and the severity of perinatal depression.

Perinatal Depression and Patterns of Attachment: A Critical Risk Factor?

Background. This study aims to verify if the presence and severity of perinatal depression are related to any particular pattern of attachment. Methods. The study started with a screening of a sample of 453 women in their third trimester of pregnancy, who were administered a survey data form, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Experience in Close Relationship (ECR). A clinical group of subjects with perinatal depression (PND, 89 subjects) was selected and compared with a control group (C), regarding psychopathological variables and attachment patterns. Results. The ECR showed a prevalence of "Fearful-Avoidant" attachment style in PND group (29.2% versus 1.1%, p < 0.001); additionally, the EPDS average score increases with the increasing of ECR dimensions (Avoidance and Anxiety). Conclusion. The severity of depression increases proportionally to attachment disorganization; therefore, we consider attachment as both an important risk factor as well as a focus for early psychotherapeutic intervention.

[Coffee consumption in depressive disorders: it's not one size fits all]. / Consumo di caffè nei disturbi depressivi: una dose giusta, non per tutti.

Caffeine is considered the world's most popular psychoactive substance. Its actions on the central nervous system, mainly mediated by antagonism of adenosine receptors and subsequent modulation of dopaminergic activity, would be particularly sought by depressed patients, as an attempt of self-medication. However, published data suggested that coffee consumption may worsen psychopathological conditions in mood disorders. Thus, we reviewed available evidence in the literature that investigated the effects of coffee consumption on clinical development of underlying psychopathology. Literature research was done by typing on Medline/PubMed and PsychINFO the key words "coffee AND major depression", "coffee AND dysthymia". The research was limited to English language publications and to studies conducted exclusively on humans. Although literature data are conflicting, extensive follow-up studies indicate a significant caffeine effect on risk reduction of developing clinical depression symptoms. Clinical worsening was observed mainly in cases of postpartum depression and comorbid panic disorder. Taking in account the study limitations, we observed a biphasic profile in caffeine psychostimulant effect: low to moderate doses may correlate with a reduction in depressive risk in healthy subjects and an improvement of many clinical symptoms (attention, arousal, psychomotor performance) in depressed patients, whereas the assumption of high doses may result in thymic dysregulation, favor mixed affective states and worsen circadian profiles and anxiety symptoms.

[Parental care and post partum depression: a case report]. / Cure parentali e depressione post partum: un caso clinico.

The post partum depression (PPD) is a severe risk factor for the emotional and cognitive development of offspring. The Authors describe the relationship between mother with PPD and her two-year old child. The mother repeats patterns of parental care experienced during her own childhood.