COMT rs4680 and DRD2 rs6275 variants and their association with YMRS scores in children with early-onset bipolar disorder

Background and objectives: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a clinical status with at least one manic, hypomanic or mixed attacks. Genetic factors take part significantly in early-onset BD (EOBD). Dopamine receptors (DRD) act in neurological mechanisms like motivation, learning, memory, and, control of neuroendocrine signaling. DRD2 receptor has been reported to influence the stability of DRD2 transcript. Catechol-O-Methyl transferase (COMT) inactivates catecholamines and Val158Met variation on COMT has effects on COMT activity. This study aims to explore DRD2 and COMT variants in the clinical development of EOBD.MethodsIn this case-control study, 102 EOBD patients and 168 healthy control subjects were used. DRD2 rs6275 and COMT Val158Met variations were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) was utilized to determine the EOBD severity.ResultsFor DRD2 rs6275 and COMT Val158Met polymorphisms, no significant relationship was observed in the genotype and allele frequencies between patient and control groups. Nevertheless, TT genotype carriers of DRD2 rs6275 polymorphism demonstrated significantly increased YMRS scores when compared with CC and CT genotype carriers (p = 0.039). Nevertheless, no significant difference was observed between COMT Val158Met genotypes and YMRS scores.ConclusionsWe suggest that the DRD2 rs6275 TT variant can be associated with symptom severity in children with EOBD and can have a clinical significance in EOBD pathogenesis. However, these results need to be confirmed with larger samples of patient and control groups. (AU)

Prevalence, comorbidities and mediators of childhood anxiety disorders in urban Turkey: a national representative epidemiological study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety disorders, its correlation with sociodemographic characteristics, its comorbidities with other psychiatric disorders and its predictors in school-aged children. METHODS: This study is part of a representative, multi-centered national study that is planned by the Turkish Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health to evaluate the prevalence of psychopathology among elementary school students in Turkey between the years 2014-2015. Children are screened via Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children Present and Lifetime Version. Impairment is assessed by a 3-point Likert type scale independently by the parent and the teacher. The final sample included 5842 children with the mean age of 8.7 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of any anxiety disorder without considering impairment is 16.7% and considering impairment is 5.2% in children according to our study. We found significant differences for comorbid Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Disruptive Behavior Disorder, Mood Disorders, Tic Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Enuresis Nocturna, Encopresis, and Intellectual Disability. Having a history of paternal physical disorder, living in the regions of Marmara, Mediterranean and Black Sea were found to be the main predictors of having childhood anxiety disorders according to the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Better understanding of childhood anxiety disorders, comorbid conditions and predictors will result in earlier diagnosis and more appropriate treatment.

Prevalence and some psychosocial characteristics of social anxiety disorder in an urban population of Turkish children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: To define the prevalence and some of the psychosocial characteristics of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in an urban population of Turkish children and adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a two-stage cross-sectional urban-based study conducted in Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. The initial sample included 1,482 students between the 4th and 8th grades. The first stage involved screening using the Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised (SASC-R) and the Capa Social Phobia Scale for Children and Adolescents (CSPSCA). According to the test results, 324 children were interviewed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) in the second stage. RESULTS: The SAD prevalence rate was 3.9%. According to the multiple regression analysis, low paternal education and trait anxiety were associated with SASC-R scores, whereas female gender and trait anxiety were associated with CSPSCA scores. According to logistic regression analysis, the anxiety subscale of the self-concept scale and trait anxiety were associated with SAD. CONCLUSION: SAD is a relatively common disorder that is associated with lower self-concept in children and adolescents. Low paternal education, trait anxiety, and low self-concept may be the intervention targets for SAD prevention and treatment.

Report of a case of steroid-induced psychosis and inappropriate sexual behaviour in an adolescent.

We present the case of an acute steroid-induced psychosis in a 17-year-old boy who presented with inappropriate sexual behaviour. Quetiapine treatment was initiated at an initial dosage of 300 mg/day. The dosage was increased to 900 mg/day on the fourth day of the treatment. The patient's symptoms began to improve in the second week and were resolved by the fourth week of quetiapine treatment. Steroid use may result in a psychosis, including inappropriate sexual behaviour. Clinicians should be very cautious while administering these drugs and should consider and monitor side effects carefully.