Category Archives: Uncategorized

Summary: Sigma-1 receptors subdue systemic inflammation, which can be lethal, as in the case of septic shock. Mice lacking the endoplasmic reticulum sigma-1 receptor had exacerbated responses to LPS (lipopolysaccharides) or fecal slurry. The antidepressant fluvoxamine can bind sigma-1 and … Continue reading →

Abstract: “Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed antidepressants. They regulate serotonergic neurotransmission, but it remains unclear how altered serotonergic neurotransmission may contribute to the SSRI resistance observed in approximately 30% of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. Patient stratification based on pharmacological responsiveness and the … Continue reading →

Summary: “UNICEF estimates that there are approximately 8 million children worldwide who live in institutions. Institutional rearing often involves severe psychosocial neglect associated with suboptimal brain and behavioral development. This study uses data from the only existing longitudinal RCT of … Continue reading →

Abstract “Internet technology offers psychiatrists new opportunities for remote interaction with patients. It also raises issues regarding therapeutic effectiveness, safety, technical problems and possibilities for overcoming them, and matters related to specific mental health problems such as autism. The case … Continue reading →

Abstract:  “The authors sought to describe the emergent course of bipolar disorder in offspring of affected parents subgrouped by parental response to lithium prophylaxis. Parent bipolar disorder was confirmed by the best-estimate procedure and lithium response by research protocol. High-risk … Continue reading →

Many studies have investigated impairments in cognitive domains in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Yet, to date, a comprehensive overview on the patterns of cognitive functioning is lacking. The present report summarizes the literature on nonsocial and social cognitive functioning … Continue reading →

Limits to human neurogenesis – really? Lucassen PJ, Toni N, Kempermann G, Frisen J, Gage FH, Swaab DF: Limits to human neurogenesis – really? Molecular Psychiatry [Epub ahead of print, January 7, 2019; doi: 10.1038/s41380-018-0337-5.]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30617274

Abstract: “Genetic discoveries about human brain development and neuropsychiatric syndromes have changed the landscape of psychiatric research. The genotyping of hundreds of thousands of individuals has identified many hundreds of genomic regions that are associated with psychiatric diagnoses, and progress … Continue reading →

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in a number of brain disorders. Traditionally, mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been thought to be exclusively maternally inherited in humans. In this report, Luo and colleagues identified three unrelated multigeneration families with a … Continue reading →

Administration of the antidepressant fluoxetine to zebrafish, a common laboratory model, reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol as well as exploratory behavior, effects that persisted across generations, according to a study by Vera-Chang and colleagues. They state that this … Continue reading →