Association between Vitamin D and Cognitive Deficiency in Alcohol Dependence.

There are still not enough findings to elucidate how exactly alcohol use impairs cognitive abilities. Some studies have shown that there is a link between alcohol intake and vitamin D levels, but these findings are inconsistent so further research is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels and cognitive impairment in alcohol-dependent individuals. A case-control study was carried out including a total of N = 132 respondents with a medical history of alcoholism, and healthy volunteers. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) screening tools were used for cognitive status assessment and serum vitamin D levels analysis (blood samples of respondents). Significant difference (p = 0.022), was found in vitamin D levels in the alcohol-dependent group with cognitive deficiency 13.7 ± 9.4 (ng/mL), alcohol-dependent group without cognitive deficiency 19.5 ± 11.2 (ng/mL) and healthy controls 19.9 ± 11.1 (ng/mL), respectively. Furthermore, vitamin D levels were significantly different across all groups based on MoCa (p = 0.016) and ACE-R (p = 0.004) scores. All three groups exhibited vitamin D deficiency. A significant correlation was found between vitamin D deficiency and cognitive impairment, but it yielded no significant difference in alcohol-dependent individuals.

The Risk Model of Developing Schizophrenia Based on Temperament and Character.

INTRODUCTION: Cloninger's psychological model of temperament and character confirms that the personality development is influenced by biological and psychological processes. The aim of this study is to examine personality dimensions and to determine which variable separates the healthy from the ill in the best way and could be a possible psychological marker for the presence of the illness. METHODS: This research included 152 subjects, 76 patients with schizophrenia and 76 healthy controls, selected on the basis of medical interviews, random population sampling model from a wider social community using the independent T-Tests. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), which compared personality traits of the patients with schizophrenia and the healthy control group, was used. Dependence of variables in these categories was assessed using the Chi-square and Fisher's tests, and the impact of variables on schizophrenia was tested using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression. The same method was used for making the mathematical model. RESULTS: Unlike the control group, patients with schizophrenia exhibited higher Harm avoidance (HA) and Self - transcendence (ST) scores as well as lower Self - directedness (SD) and Cooperativeness (C) scores. Multivariate binary logistic regression showed that Responsibility, Purposefulness, Resourcefulness, Cooperativeness and Compassion dimensions were significantly more present in the patients with schizophrenia. The new variable Model (area=0.896, p<0.0005) is composed of five TCI parameters. It proved to be a reliable marker for separation the healthy from the ill ones (area=0.896, p<0.0005). It has a good sensitivity (80%) and specificity (84%). CONCLUSIONS: Research has emphasized variables in the temperament and character inventory, which are the best markers for distinguishing between the healthy and the ill, thus making the mathematical model.

The Effect of Combination Antiviral Therapy in the Treatment of Hepatitis C on the Occurrence of Depressive Disorder in Patients Treated for Hepatitis C in the Republic of Srpska.

BACKGROUND: The current standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of pegylated interferon alpha in combination with ribavirin. Interferon therapy has many psychiatric side effects, with depressive symptomatology being most prominent. The aim of the study was to establish the frequency and severity of depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C during two months of the aforementioned therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The overall sample consisted of 46 subjects, divided into three subgroups, aged 18 to 65. The study population consisted of subjects treated for chronic hepatitis C (n = 15), subjects infected but not treated for chronic hepatitis C (n = 15), and healthy controls (n = 16). The assessment and level of depression were based on the Structural clinical interview (SCID), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. The assessments were conducted before interferon therapy (on the day 0), after 4 and 8 weeks of therapy. RESULTS: Regarding its frequency, MADRS scoring showed that the number of depressed subjects receiving therapy increased after 8 weeks (46.7%). There was statistical significance between the subgroups after 4 and 8 weeks. Likewise, the ZUNG scale showed that the number of depressed subjects receiving therapy increased after 8 weeks (73.3%). There was statistical significance between the subgroups on the day 0, after 4 and 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Depression was significantly more frequent in chronic hepatitis C subjects treated with interferon alpha in combination with ribavirin than in subjects in the group without therapy. Mild depression was most prevalent.

Comparison of tolerance of venlafaxine, paroxetine and amitriptyline in depression therapy.

INTRODUCTION: There are no controlled studies dedicated to research of side effects of antidepressants. It is a well known fact that antidepressants reciprocally differ according to their type, intensity and frequency of appearance of certain side effects. For example, cardiovascular and anticholinergic effects are essential feature of the tricyclics whereas gastrointestinal and sexual side effects are registered during the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Interruptions of therapy or irregular use of drugs because of the appearance of side effects are not rare. Serious side effects of drugs are the fourth cause of death in the USA. AIM: The aim of this study is the evaluation of appearance of side effects comparing three different groups of antidepressants: venlafaxine, amitriptyline and paroxetine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 90 in-patients as well as outpatients of both sexes aged 18-65 who were treated for major depressive disorder at Psychiatric Clinic in Banjaluka. 30 patients were treated with amitriptyline 75-250 mg, 30 patients were treated with paroxetine 20-40 mg and 30 patients were treated with venlafaxine 75-300 mg. The selection of patients was done on the basis of diagnosis of major depressive disorder. RESULTS: Most patients did not have serious side effects. The study confirmed high efficiency of the mentioned drugs as well as the fact that paroxetine causes a bit more side effects in comparison with two other antidepressants.