The Role of Genetics in the Prevention of Psychiatric Disorders

1999 ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.N. Papadimitriou ◽  
D.G. Dikeos
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders

Endocannabinoid system in the neurodevelopment of GABAergic interneurons: implications for neurological and psychiatric disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-geng Song ◽  
Xin Kang ◽  
Fang Yang ◽  
Wan-qing Du ◽  
Jia-jia Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Inhibitory Neurons ◽  
Gabaergic Interneurons ◽  
Neural Stem Progenitor Cells ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Interneuron Development

Abstract In mature mammalian brains, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and the functioning of neural networks. Besides, the ECS also contributes to the neurodevelopment of the central nervous system. Due to the increase in the medical and recreational use of cannabis, it is inevitable and essential to elaborate the roles of the ECS on neurodevelopment. GABAergic interneurons represent a group of inhibitory neurons that are vital in controlling neural network activity. However, the role of the ECS in the neurodevelopment of GABAergic interneurons remains to be fully elucidated. In this review, we provide a brief introduction of the ECS and interneuron diversity. We focus on the process of interneuron development and the role of ECS in the modulation of interneuron development, from the expansion of the neural stem/progenitor cells to the migration, specification and maturation of interneurons. We further discuss the potential implications of the ECS and interneurons in the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

The Role of Psychiatric Disorders in Predicting Drug Dependence Treatment Outcomes

2003 ◽  
Vol 160 (5) ◽  
pp. 890-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilson M. Compton III ◽  
Linda B. Cottler ◽  
Jacqueline L. Jacobs ◽  
Arbi Ben-Abdallah ◽  
Edward L. Spitznagel
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Drug Dependence ◽  
Drug Dependence Treatment

The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the pathophysiology of adolescent suicidal behavior

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo Sher
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Adolescent Suicide ◽  
Developmental Change ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Compulsive Disorder

Abstract Adolescent suicide research has mostly focused on demographic risk factors. Such studies focus on who is at risk, but do not explain why certain adolescents are at risk for suicide. Studies of the neurobiology of adolescent suicide could clarify why some youths are more suicidal than others and help to find biological markers of suicidal behavior in teenagers. Over the past decade the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior has attracted significant attention of scientists. BDNF is involved in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric disorders associated with suicidal behavior including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. BDNF dysregulation could be associated with increased suicidality independently of psychiatric diagnoses. BDNF plays an important role in the regulation and growth of neurons during childhood and adolescence. Prominent among the brain regions undergoing developmental change during adolescence are stressor-sensitive areas. The serotonin dysfunction found in adolescent and adult suicidal behavior could be related to the low level of BDNF, which impedes the normal development of serotonin neurons during brain development. BDNF dysfunction could play a more significant role in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior in adolescents than in adults. Treatment-induced enhancement in the BDNF function could reduce suicidal behavior secondary to the improvement in psychiatric pathology or independently of improvement in psychiatric disorders. It is interesting to hypothesize that BDNF could be a biological marker of suicidal behavior in adolescents or in certain adolescent populations.

The Role of Serotonin in the Development of Psychiatric Disorders: Studies on Drug Dependence and Anxiety-like Behaviour Following the Genetic Reduction of the Serotonin Transporter

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alana Oakly
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Drug Dependence ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Enhanced Sensitivity

<p>Rationale: Given the high prevalence and large burden of psychiatric disorders it is imperative to determine the underling etiology in order for better understanding and treatment. The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) has been associated with mental disorders in humans both pharmacologically and genetically. Individuals with the short-allele of a prominent polymorphism within the 5-HT transporter (SERT) show increased incidence of mood disorders and drug dependence. However, whether or not dysregulation in the 5-HT system causes, or is just associated with, psychiatric disorders is impossible to determine from human studies alone. Consequently, it is imperative to employ an animal model of down-regulated SERT function. To better understand the role of 5-HT in drug dependence, the rat’s behavioural response to the psychostimulant (±) 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a preferentially serotonergically mediated drug, was assessed. Finally, the ability to rescue the anxiety-like phenotype in the SERT-/- rat by altering extracellular 5-HT during early development was also evaluated.  Objective: The primary objective of the current thesis was to determine whether dysregulation of 5-HT is directly linked to the occurrence of psychiatric disorders, particularly drug dependence and anxiety.  Methods: A model of down-regulated SERT function, the SERT knock-out (SERT-/-) rat, was used for all experiments in order to determine a causal relationship between 5-HT dysregulation and psychiatric disorders. In Chapter 2, the response of the SERT-/- rats to various tasks usually disrupted by MDMA was assessed. In Chapter 3, the sensitivity of the SERT-/- rats to the reinforcing effects of MDMA was determined using the self-administration paradigm. Finally, in Chapter 4, whether the anxiety-like behaviour of the SERT-/- rat could be rescued through normalising excessive extracellular 5-HT neonatally was assessed. An attempt was also made to determine a mechanism by which 5-HT dysregulation could alter behaviour. To this end, gene expression previously found to be up- or down-regulated in the SERT-/- rat was assessed in the neonatally treated rats.  Results: The results of Chapter 2 indicated the SERT is necessary for MDMA’s disruption of startle habituation but not its psychomotor effects. Moreover, for those rats that could discriminate low dose MDMA from saline, genetic removal of the SERT resulted in the inability to discriminate MDMA from amphetamine, implying that, in these rats, MDMA was now subjectively indistinguishable from amphetamine. Indeed, this alteration also resulted in enhanced sensitivity to the reinforcing properties of MDMA, giving MDMA the qualities of a traditional psychostimulant in SERT-/- rats (Chapter 3). Finally, lowering the excessive 5-HT during neonatal development in SERT-/- rats led to a rescue of mild, but not high, anxiety-like behaviour in males. However, mRNA levels of long 3’NTR BDNF and 5-HT1a, genes associated with neurodevelopment, remained unchanged across genotypes and treatment groups (Chapter 4).  Conclusions: Genetic removal of the 5-HT transporter results in an altered behavioural response to MDMA, in particular an increased sensitivity to its reinforcing properties. However, while the genetic removal of the SERT results in enhanced extracellular 5-HT, the pathological phenotypes present in this rat are likely due to this increase occurring in early development, not its continued presence in adulthood. Overall, these findings contribute to the growing body of literature indicating that enhanced brain 5-HT during early development can lead to pathological behaviour in adulthood.</p>

Update on hypnotherapy for psychiatrists

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Natalie A. Chan ◽  
Zhisong Zhang ◽  
Guoxing Yin ◽  
Zhimeng Li ◽  
Roger C. Ho
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Outcome Studies ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Evidence Based Therapy

SUMMARY Although hypnosis has played a part in psychotherapy for a long time, it is not yet seen as an evidence-based therapy and is absent from many practice guidelines when it comes to the treatment of psychiatric disorders. At present, the applications and methods of hypnotherapy are poorly understood and other methods of psychotherapy tend to be favoured. This review article aims to introduce the role of hypnotherapy and its application for certain common psychiatric presentations, as well as examine its efficacy by summarising recent evidence from high-quality outcome studies and meta-analyses.

Interest as the Missing Motivator in Self-Regulation

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Sansone ◽  
Dustin B. Thoman
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Goal Pursuit ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Goal Striving ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
And Performance

Abstract. Typically, models of self-regulation include motivation in terms of goals. Motivation is proposed to fluctuate according to how much individuals value goals and expect to attain them. Missing from these models is the motivation that arises from the process of goal-pursuit. We suggest that an important aspect of self-regulation is monitoring and regulating our motivation, not just our progress toward goals. Although we can regulate motivation by enhancing the value or expectancy of attaining the outcome, we suggest that regulating the interest experience can be just as, if not more, powerful. We first present our model, which integrates self-regulation of interest within the goal-striving process. We then briefly review existing evidence, distinguishing between two broad classes of potential interest-enhancing strategies: intrapersonal and interpersonal. For each class of strategies we note what is known about developmental and individual differences in whether and how these kinds of strategies are used. We also discuss implications, including the potential trade-offs between regulating interest and performance, and how recognizing the role of the interest experience may shed new light on earlier research in domains such as close relationships, psychiatric disorders, and females' choice to drop out of math and science.

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