Marital Status as a Moderator:Exploring the Relationship between Social Engagement and Depressive Symptoms in China’s Older Adult Population

Objective This study aims to explore the complex relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms among older adults in China,focusing particularly on the moderating role of marital status.Methods This study used data from the latest Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS).The analysis used the latent class analysis to delineate personality clusters and hierarchical linear regression,supplemented by the PROCESS macro,to investigate the effects of social engagement and marital status on depressive symptoms.Results The analysis encompassed 7,789 respondents(mean age:82.53[s=11.20]years),with 54%female.The personality analysis categorized participants into four clusters,with the majority(77.60%)classified as Confident Idealists,who exhibited the lowest levels of depressive symptoms.Hierarchical linear regression analysis yielded several significant findings:Higher levels of social engagement were significantly associated with fewer depressive symptoms(t=-7.932,P<0.001,B=-0.463).Marital status was a significant factor;married individuals reported fewer depressive symptoms compared to their unmarried counterparts(t=-6.368,P<0.001,B=-0.750).There was a significant moderating effect of marital status on the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms(t=-2.092,P=0.037,B=-0.217).Conclusion This study demonstrates that,among Chinese older adults,both social engagement and marital status significantly influence depressive symptoms.Higher social engagement,particularly in other activities like doing household chores,gardening,reading newspapers or books,and playing cards or Mahjong,is associated with fewer depressive symptoms,especially among married individuals.

Network analysis of the relationships between depressive symptoms and social participation activities among Chinese older adults and its implications for nursing

Objective:Network analysis was used to explore the complex inter-relationships between social participation activities and depressive symptoms among the Chinese older population,and the differences in network structures among different genders,age groups,and urban-rural residency would be compared.Methods:Based on the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS),12,043 people aged 65 to 105 were included.The 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression(CESD)Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms and 10 types of social participation activities were collected,including housework,tai-chi,square dancing,visiting and interacting with friends,garden work,reading newspapers or books,raising domestic animals,playing cards or mahjong,watching TV or listening to radio,and organized social activities.R 4.2.1 software was used to estimate the network model and calculate strength and bridge strength.Results:21.60%(2,601/12,043)of the participants had depressive symptoms.The total social participation score was negatively associated with depressive symptoms after adjusting for sociodemographic factors.The network of social participation and depressive symptoms showed that“D9(Inability to get going)”and“S9(Watching TV and/or listening to the radio)”had the highest strength within depressive symptoms and social participation communities,respectively,and“S1(Housework)”,“S9(Watching TV and/or listening to the radio)”,and“D5(Hopelessness)”were the most prominent bridging nodes between the two communities.Most edges linking the two communities were negative.“S5(Graden work)-D5(Hopelessness)”and“S6(Reading newspapers/books)-D4(Everything was an effort)”were the top 2 strongest negative edges.Older females had significantly denser network structures than older males.Compared to older people aged 65e80,the age group 81e105 showed higher network global strength.Conclusions:This study provides novel insights into the complex relationships between social participation and depressive symptoms.Except for doing housework,other social participation activities were found to be protective for depression levels.Different nursing strategies should be taken to prevent and alleviate depressive symptoms for different genders and older people of different ages.

Impact of comorbid subthreshold depressive symptoms on cancerrelated fatigue and complications in adults with leukemia

BACKGROUND Patients not only experience symptoms caused by cancer but also suffer from the accompanying psychological pain.Therefore,these patients do not have high quality of life.According to the World Health Organization,the incidence of leukemia in China in 2020 was 5.1/100000,the mortality rate was 3.3/100000,and the prevalence rate was 16.7/100000.Therefore,it is important to examine the influence of comorbid subthreshold depressive symptoms on leukemia patients.AIM To determine the impact of comorbid subthreshold depressive symptoms on cancer-related fatigue and complications in leukemia patients,thereby providing a basis for early diagnosis and treatment in clinical practice.METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted among leukemia patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Xi'an,Shaanxi Province,China,from August 2022 to December 2023.Patients with a score>16 on the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders(CCMD-3)and a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of 8-17 were classified as the subthreshold depressive group(n=95),while 100 leukemia patients admitted during the same period were classified as the control group.Data were collected using Epidata 3.1 software,and comparisons were made between the two groups regarding general clinical data,the Piper Fatigue Scale(PFS),the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),the Numeric Rating Scale for pain assessment,laboratory indicators,and the occurrence of complications.RESULTS In this survey,120 leukemia patients with depression were preliminarily screened,95 patients with subthreshold depression were ultimately selected as the subthreshold depression group,and 100 leukemia patients admitted during the same period were enrolled as the normal group.Comparison of basic clinical data between the two groups revealed no significant differences in age,sex,body mass index,cognitive function,or comorbidity with other chronic diseases.However,there were statistically significant differences in the use of radiotherapy and regular exercise between the two groups(P<0.05).Comparisons of scales and laboratory indicators revealed no significant differences in albumin or PSQI scores between the two groups,but there were statistically significant differences in pain scores,PSQI scores,PFS scores,hemoglobin levels,and C-reactive protein levels(P<0.05).Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated that cancer-related fatigue was correlated with age,hemoglobin levels,C-reactive protein levels,pain,and regular exercise among leukemia patients with subthreshold depression.Multivariate regression analysis revealed that advanced age,combined radiotherapy,pain,and low hemoglobin levels were risk factors for cancer-related fatigue in leukemia patients with comorbid subthreshold depression,while regular exercise was a protective factor against cancer-related fatigue.Follow-up comparisons revealed a significantly lower overall incidence of complications in the control group(4%)than in the depressive group(24.21%;P<0.001).CONCLUSION Leukemia patients with comorbid subthreshold depressive symptoms experience more severe cancer-related fatigue and a higher incidence of complications.These findings may be related to advanced age,combined radiotherapy,pain,and low hemoglobin levels,while regular exercise may effectively alleviate symptoms.

Dysfunctional attitudes,social support,negative life events,and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents:A moderated mediation model

BACKGROUND Depression is a prevalent psychological issue in adolescents that is significantly related to negative life events(NLEs)and dysfunctional attitudes.High levels of social support can significantly buffer NLEs’effect on depression.Currently,there is limited research on how social support moderates the relationship between NLEs,dysfunctional attitudes,and depression in adolescents in China.It is imperative to investigate this moderating effect to mitigate dysfunctional attitudes in adolescent undergoing depressive mood,ultimately enhancing their overall mental health.AIM To investigate the relationship and underlying mechanisms between specific dysfunctional attitudes,social support,and depression among Chinese adolescents.METHODS This is a cross-sectional study which selected five middle schools in Shandong Province for investigation in March 2022.Participants included 795 adolescents(49.87%male,mage=15.15,SD=1.84,age range=11-18 years old).All participants completed the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale,Adolescent Life Event Scale,Beck Depression Inventory,and Social Support Rating Scale.A moderated mediation model was conducted to examine the relationship between specific dysfunctional attitudes,social support,and depression.RESULTS Results indicated that NLEs affected depression through the mediating role of specific dysfunctional attitudes(autonomy attitudesβ=0.21;perfectionismβ=0.25).Moreover,social support was found to moderate the mediating effect between NLEs,specific dysfunctional attitudes,and depressive symptoms(autonomy attitudes b2=-0.08;perfectionism b2=-0.09).CONCLUSION Dysfunctional attitudes mediated and social support moderated the relationship between NLEs and depression.Social support can buffer depression symptoms among adolescents with autonomy attitudes and perfectionism.

Relationship between serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels and cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND Acute ischemic stroke(AIS)is a significant global health issue with increasing incidence owing to aging populations and rising cardiovascular risk factors.In addition to physical impairments,AIS frequently leads to neuropsychiatric co-mplications,such as cognitive impairment,anxiety,and depressive symptoms,which adversely affect patients’quality of life and rehabilitation.Neutrophil ge-latinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL)has emerged as a potential biomarker for various conditions,including AIS.This study investigated the association bet-ween serum NGAL levels at admission and neuropsychiatric complications in patients with AIS.neuropsychiatric complications in patients with AIS.METHODS Between January 2022 and December 2023,150 patients with AIS were enrolled.Serum NGAL levels were measured at admission using an enzyme-linked immu-nosorbent assay.Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination,while anxiety and depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at discharge.The relationship between serum NGAL levels and cognitive impairment,anxiety,and depressive symptoms was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression,adjusted for potential con-founders of age,sex,body mass index,smoking status,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,dyslipidemia,previous stroke,and stroke severity.RESULTS The mean age of the participants was 65.4±10.2 years,and 58%were males.Prevalence rates of cognitive impairment,anxiety,and depressive symptoms at discharge were 34.7%,28.0%,and 32.0%,respectively.Serum NGAL levels were significantly higher in patients with cognitive impairment(median:5.6 ng/mL vs 3.2 ng/mL,P<0.001),anxiety(median:5.1 ng/mL vs 3.5 ng/mL,P=0.002),and depressive symptoms(median:5.4 ng/mL vs 3.3 ng/mL,P<0.001),compared to those without these conditions.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher serum NGAL levels at admission were independently associated with cognitive impairment[odds ratio(OR)=1.42,95%confidence interval(CI):1.18-1.71,P<0.001],anxiety(OR=1.28,95%CI:1.09-1.51,P=0.003),and depressive symptoms(OR=1.39,95%CI:1.16-1.67,P<0.001)after adjusting for potential confounders.CONCLUSION Elevated serum NGAL levels were independently associated with cognitive impairment,anxiety,and depressive symptoms in patients with AIS;and may function as potential biomarkers for patients at risk.

The Effects of Childhood Trauma on College Students’Depressive Symptoms:The Mediation Role of Subjective Well-Being and the Moderation Role of Resilience

Background:The enduring and detrimental impact of childhood trauma on later health and well-being is now well established.However,research on the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms,along with the potential risk and protective factors,is insufficient in the context of Chinese college student population.Methods:Data on childhood trauma,depressive symptoms,resilience,and subjective well-being were collected through surveys conducted with 367 Chinese university students.The data collected in this study were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and PROCESS 3.5.Results:The results revealed that subjective well-being mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms among college students,with direct and indirect effects accounting for 59.46%and 40.54%of the total effect,respectively.The pathway process between subjective well-being and depressive symptoms was moderated by resilience,whereby an increase in resilience levels corresponded to a gradual escalation in the predictive power of subjective well-being on depressive symptoms.Conclusion:The study indicates that childhood trauma significantly and positively predicts depressive symptoms among college students,and it can also directly predict depressive symptoms through the mediating effect of subjective well-being.Elevating levels of psychological resilience and subjective well-being among college students can mitigate depression and promote psychological well-being.From the perspective of positive psychology,the present study provides a new perspective for the prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms among college students.

Relationship between physical activity and specific working memory indicators of depressive symptoms in university students

BACKGROUND The detection rate of depression among university students has been increasing in recent years,becoming one of the main psychological diseases that endangers their physical and mental health.According to statistics,self-harm and suicide,for which there is no effective intervention,are the second leading causes of death.AIM To explore the relationship between different elements and levels of physical activity and college students’depression-symptom-specific working memory indicators.METHODS Of 143 college students were analyzed using the Beck Depression Self-Rating Scale,the Physical Activity Rating Scale,and the Working Memory Task.RESULTS There was a significant difference between college students with depressive symptoms and healthy college students in completing verbal and spatial working memory(SWM)tasks correctly(all P<0.01).Physical Activity Scale-3 scores were significantly and positively correlated with the correct rate of the verbal working memory task(r=0.166)and the correct rate of the SWM task(r=0.210)(all P<0.05).There were significant differences in the correct rates of verbal and SWM tasks according to different exercise intensities(all P<0.05)and different exercise durations(all P<0.05),and no significant differences in the correct rates of verbal and SWM tasks by exercise frequency(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION An increase in physical exercise among college students,particularly medium-and high-intensity exercise and exercise of 30 min or more,can improve the correct rate of completing working memory tasks.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms and risk of cardiovascular disease,cancer and mortality:a prospective cohort study

Background Depressive symptoms are established risk factors for various health outcomes.However,previous studies assessed depressive symptoms at a single time point,neglecting individual variations over time.Aims To identify depressive symptoms trajectories through repeated measures and examine their associations with cardiovascular disease(CVD),cancer and mortality.Methods This study included 20634 UK Biobank participants free of CVD and cancer at baseline with two or more assessments of depressive symptoms during 2006-2016.Group-based trajectory modelling identified depressive symptoms trajectories.Incident CVD,cancer and mortality were followed up until 2021 through linked registries.Results Six depressive symptoms trajectories were identified:no symptoms(n=6407),mild-stable(n=11539),moderate-stable(n=2183),severe-decreasing(n=206),moderate-increasing(n=177)and severe-stable(n=122).During a median follow-up of 5.5 years,1471 CVD cases,1275 cancer cases and 503 deaths were documented.Compared with the no symptoms trajectory,the mildstable,moderate-stable and severe-stable trajectories exhibited higher CVD risk,with hazard ratios(HRs)(95%CIs)of 1.19(1.06 to 1.34),1.32(1.08 to 1.34)and 2.99(1.85 to 4.84),respectively.Moderate-increasing and severe-stable trajectories were associated with higher mortality risks,with HRs(95%CIs)of 2.27(1.04 to 4.93)and 3.26(1.55 to 6.88),respectively.However,the severedecreasing trajectory was not associated with higher risks of adverse outcomes.We did not find significant associations between any trajectory and cancer.Conclusions Trajectories related to stable and increasing depressive symptoms,but not the trajectory associated with severe depressive symptoms at the initial assessment but decreasing at the follow-up,were associated with higher risks of CVD and mortality.Alleviating severe depressive symptoms at the initial onset may mitigate CVD and mortality risks.

Dissecting the association between gut microbiota,body mass index and specific depressive symptoms:a mediation Mendelian randomisation study

Background Observational studies highlight the association between gut microbiota(GM)composition and depression;however,evidence for the causal relationship between GM and specific depressive symptoms remains lacking.Aims We aimed to evaluate the causal relationship between GM and specific depressive symptoms as well as the mediating role of body mass index(BMI).Methods We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomisation(MR)analysis using genetic variants associated with GM and specific depressive symptoms from genome-wide association studies.The mediating role of BMI was subsequently explored using mediation analysis via two-step MR.Results MR evidence suggested the Bifidobacterium genus(β=0.03;95%CI-0.05 to-0.02;p<0.001 andβ=0.03;95%CI-0.05 to-0.02;p<0.001)and Actinobacteria phylum(β=-0.04;95%CI-0.06 to-0.02;p<0.001 andβ=-0.03;95%CI-0.05 to-0.03;p=0.001)had protective effects on both anhedonia and depressed mood.The Actinobacteria phylum also had protective effects on appetite changes(β=-0.04;95%CI-0.06 to-0.01;p=0.005),while the FamilyⅪhad an antiprotective effect(β=0.03;95%CI 0.01 to 0.04;p<0.001).The Bifidobacteriaceae family(β=-0.01;95%CI-0.02 to-0.01;p=0.001)and Actinobacteria phylum(β=-0.02;95%CI-0.03 to-0.01;p=0.001)showed protective effects against suicidality.The two-step MR analysis revealed that BMl also acted as a mediating moderator between the Actinobacteria phylum and appetite changes(mediated proportion,34.42%)and that BMI partially mediated the effect of the Bifidobacterium genus(14.14%and 8.05%)and Actinobacteria phylum(13.10%and 8.31%)on both anhedonia and depressed mood.Conclusions These findings suggest a potential therapeutic effect of Actinobacteria and Bifidobacterium on both depression and obesity.Further studies are required to translate these findings into clinical practice.

Systemic low-grade inflammation associated with specific depressive symptoms:insights from network analyses of five independent NHANES samples

To the editor:Major depressive disorder(MDD)is a heterogeneous disorder with varying symptom presentations and underlying biological mechanisms.1 The mainstream neurobiological hypotheses of depression involve monoamine neurotransmitters,hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis,immune-inflammation and the glutamate system.

Brain region-specific roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in social stress-induced depressive-like behavior

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a key factor in stress adaptation and avoidance of a social stress behavioral response.Recent studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in stressed mice is brain region–specific,particularly involving the corticolimbic system,including the ventral tegmental area,nucleus accumbens,prefrontal cortex,amygdala,and hippocampus.Determining how brain-derived neurotrophic factor participates in stress processing in different brain regions will deepen our understanding of social stress psychopathology.In this review,we discuss the expression and regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in stress-sensitive brain regions closely related to the pathophysiology of depression.We focused on associated molecular pathways and neural circuits,with special attention to the brain-derived neurotrophic factor–tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling pathway and the ventral tegmental area–nucleus accumbens dopamine circuit.We determined that stress-induced alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are likely related to the nature,severity,and duration of stress,especially in the above-mentioned brain regions of the corticolimbic system.Therefore,BDNF might be a biological indicator regulating stress-related processes in various brain regions.

Alzheimer's disease with depressive symptoms: Clinical effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease(AD),characterized by the ongoing deterioration of neural function,often presents alongside depressive features and greatly affects the quality of life of individuals living with the condition.Although several treatment methods exist,their efficacy is limited.In recent years,repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)utilizing the theta burst stimulation(TBS)mode,specifically the intermittent TBS(iTBS),has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential in the management of neuropsychiatric disorders.AIM To examine the therapeutic efficacy of iTBS mode of rTMS for treating depressive symptoms in patients with AD.METHODS This retrospective study enrolled 105 individuals diagnosed with AD with depressive symptoms at Huzhou Third Municipal Hospital,affiliated with Huzhou University,between January 2020 and December 2023.Participants received standard pharmacological interventions and were categorized into control(n=53)and observation(n=52)groups based on treatment protocols.The observation group received iTBS mode of rTMS,while the control group received pseudo-stimulation.A comparative analysis evaluated psychological well-being,adverse events,and therapeutic at initiation of hospitalization(T0)and 15 days post-treatment(T1).RESULTS At T1,both groups exhibited a marked reduction in self-rating depression scale and Hamilton depression scale scores compared to T0.Furthermore,the observa-tion group showed a more pronounced decrease than the control group.By T1,the Mini-mental state examination scores for both groups had increased markedly from their initial T0 assessments.Importantly,the increase was particularly more substantial in the observation group than in the control group.Fourteen patients in the control group had ineffective treatment effects,while five patients in the observation group experienced the same.Additionally,the observation group experienced a substantially reduced incidence of ineffective treatment as compared to the control group(both P<0.05);there were no recorded serious adverse events in either group.CONCLUSION The iTBS model of rTMS effectively treated AD with depression,improving depressive symptoms and cognitive function in patients without serious adverse reactions,warranting clinical consideration.

Peripheral mitochondrial DNA as a neuroinflammatory biomarker for major depressive disorder

In the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder, chronic stress-related neuroinflammation hinders favorable prognosis and antidepressant response. Mitochondrial DNA may be an inflammatory trigger, after its release from stress-induced dysfunctional central nervous system mitochondria into peripheral circulation. This evidence supports the potential use of peripheral mitochondrial DNA as a neuroinflammatory biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder. Herein, we critically review the neuroinflammation theory in major depressive disorder, providing compelling evidence that mitochondrial DNA release acts as a critical biological substrate, and that it constitutes the neuroinflammatory disease pathway. After its release, mitochondrial DNA can be carried in the exosomes and transported to extracellular spaces in the central nervous system and peripheral circulation. Detectable exosomes render encaged mitochondrial DNA relatively stable. This mitochondrial DNA in peripheral circulation can thus be directly detected in clinical practice. These characteristics illustrate the potential for mitochondrial DNA to serve as an innovative clinical biomarker and molecular treatment target for major depressive disorder. This review also highlights the future potential value of clinical applications combining mitochondrial DNA with a panel of other biomarkers, to improve diagnostic precision in major depressive disorder.

Role of the globus pallidus in motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease

The globus pallidus plays a pivotal role in the basal ganglia circuit. Parkinson's disease is characterized by degeneration of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra, which leads to dopamine deficiency in the brain that subsequently manifests as various motor and non-motor symptoms. This review aims to summarize the involvement of the globus pallidus in both motor and non-motor manifestations of Parkinson's disease. The firing activities of parvalbumin neurons in the medial globus pallidus, including both the firing rate and pattern, exhibit strong correlations with the bradykinesia and rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease. Increased beta oscillations, which are highly correlated with bradykinesia and rigidity, are regulated by the lateral globus pallidus. Furthermore,bradykinesia and rigidity are strongly linked to the loss of dopaminergic projections within the cortical-basal ganglia-thalamocortical loop. Resting tremors are attributed to the transmission of pathological signals from the basal ganglia through the motor cortex to the cerebellum-ventral intermediate nucleus circuit. The cortico–striato–pallidal loop is responsible for mediating pallidi-associated sleep disorders. Medication and deep brain stimulation are the primary therapeutic strategies addressing the globus pallidus in Parkinson's disease. Medication is the primary treatment for motor symptoms in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, while deep brain stimulation has been clinically proven to be effective in alleviating symptoms in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease,particularly for the movement disorders caused by levodopa. Deep brain stimulation targeting the globus pallidus internus can improve motor function in patients with tremordominant and non-tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease, while deep brain stimulation targeting the globus pallidus externus can alter the temporal pattern of neural activity throughout the basal ganglia–thalamus network. Therefore, the composition of the globus pallidus neurons, the neurotransmitters that act on them, their electrical activity,and the neural circuits they form can guide the search for new multi-target drugs to treat Parkinson's disease in clinical practice. Examining the potential intra-nuclear and neural circuit mechanisms of deep brain stimulation associated with the globus pallidus can facilitate the management of both motor and non-motor symptoms while minimizing the side effects caused by deep brain stimulation.

Depressive symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases

Depressive symptoms are very common in chronic conditions. This is true so for neurodegenerative diseases. A number of patients with cognitive decline and dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and related conditions like Parkinson's disease, Lewy body disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal degeneration amongst other entities, experience depressive symptoms in greater or lesser grade at some point during the course of the illness. Depressive symptoms have aparticular significance in neurological disorders, specially in neurodegenerative diseases, because brain, mind, behavior and mood relationship. A number of patients may develop depressive symptoms in early stages of the neurologic disease, occurring without clear presence of cognitive decline with only mild cognitive deterioration. Classically, depression constitutes a reliable diagnostic challenge in this setting. However, actually we can recognize and evaluate depressive, cognitive or motor symptoms of neurodegenerative disease in order to establish their clinical significance and to plan some therapeutic strategies. Depressive symptoms can appear also lately, when the neurodegenerative disease is fully developed. The presence of depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms have a negative impact on the quality-of-life of patients and caregivers. Besides, patients with depressive symptoms also tend to further decrease function and reduce cognitive abilities and also uses to present more affected clinical status, compared with patients without depression. Depressive symptoms are treatable. Early detection of depressive symptoms is very important in patients with neurodegenerative disorders, in order to initiate the most adequate treatment. We review in this paper the main neurodegenerative diseases, focusing in depressive symptoms of each other entities and current recommendations of management and treatment.

Association between AKT1 gene polymorphisms and depressive symptoms in the Chinese Han population with major depressive disorder

For this study, 461 Chinese Han patients with depressive disorder were recruited. The AKT1 genotype and allele distribution were determined by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. UNPHASED software was used to analyze associations between the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, total score, four factors and the AKT1 rs2494746 and rs3001371 polymorphisms. The results indicate that there is a significant association between suicidal ideation and anxiety symptoms in depressed patients and the rs2494746 polymorphism. The other AKT1 polymorphism, rs3001371, was significantly associated with work and activities. Patients with the rs3001371-A allele had a significantly more severe illness compared to patients with the rs3001371-G allele. Thus, AKT1 polymorphisms appear to be associated with depression severity, anxiety symptoms, work and activities, and suicide attempts in patients with depressive disorder.

Cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease

AIM:To investigate cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).METHODS:A neuropsychological test battery,including subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence ScaleRevised and Ⅲ,Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised,California Verbal Learning Test(CVLT),Stroop Color-Word Test,and Trail Making Test,which assessed verbal and visual short-and long-term memory,processing speed,logical reasoning,verbal intelligence,attention,and executive functioning,was administered to 13-to 19-year-old patients with IBD(n = 34;active disease n = 20).Depressive symptoms were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory.The findings were compared with peers with non-acute juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA;n = 23).Patients with coexisting psychiatric disorders were excluded.RESULTS:The IBD group,especially patients in the acute phase,made more perseverative errors in the CVLT test that assessed verbal memory than the JIA group(6.0 ± 4.3 vs 3.3 ± 2.9,P < 0.01),but no other differences between the IBD and JIA groups were observed in the neuropsychological tests.The difference was close to statistical significance,even when glucocorticoid medication was controlled for(P < 0.052).The IBD group had more depressive symptoms than the JIA group(7.9 ± 7.6 vs 4.0 ± 4.0,P < 0.05).Approximately one third of the IBD group had at least mild depressive symptoms,and those with acute illness had the highest scores.However,depressive symptoms were not related to the difference in the verbal memory test(perseverative errors in the CVLT) between the IBD and JIA groups.CONCLUSION:Adolescents with acute IBD may have mild verbal memory problems but no major cognitive deficits compared to peers with JIA.

The norepinephrine transporter gene is associated with the retardation symptoms of major depressive disorder in the Han Chinese population

The norepinephrine transporter plays an important role in the pathophysiology and pharmacological treatment of major depressive disorder. Consequently, the norepinephrine transporter gene is an attractive candidate in major depressive disorder research. In the present study, we evaluated the depression symptoms of subjects with major depressive disorder, who were all from the North of China and of Hart Chinese origin, using the Hamilton Depression Scale. We examined the relationship between two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the norepinephrine transporter, rs2242446 and rs5569, and the retardation symptoms of major depressive disorder using quantitative trait testing with the UNPHASED program, rs5569 was associated with depressed mood, and the GG genotype may be a risk factor for this; rs2242446 was associated with work and interest, and the TT genotype may be a risk factor for loss of interest. Our findings suggest that rs2242446 and rs5569 in the norepinephrine transporter gene are associated with the retardation symptoms of depression in the Hart Chinese population.

Depressive symptoms and their associated factors in heart failure patients

Objectives:Depressive symptoms are common in heart failure(HF)patients and they may exacerbate the progression of HF.Thus,identifying associations with depressive symptoms is essential to develop effective interventions to alleviate patients’depressive symptoms.Therefore,this study aimed to explore the factors related to HF patients’depressive symptoms.Methods:Potential hospitalized patients were recruited from a university-affiliated hospital by convenience sampling.This study included 321 HF patients who had completed information about depressive symptoms,functional capacity,social support,dispositional optimism,self-care confidence,and health literacy.Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample.Independent group t-tests and one-way analysis of variance were used to assess the difference in depressive symptoms score in demographic and clinical characteristics,while Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the associations among continuous variables.Results:The scores for functional capacity,social support,dispositional optimism,self-care confidence,and health literacy were negatively associated with the score for depressive symptoms.The interaction effect between the functional capacity and the dispositional optimism on depressive symptoms was significant.Conclusions:Interventions targeted improving the above-mentioned factors may be beneficial to reduce depressive symptoms in HF patients.

Increased plasma leptin as a novel predictor for psychopathological depressive symptoms in chronic schizophrenia

Background Depressive symptoms are often seen in schizophrenia. The overlap in presentation makes it difficult to distinguish depressive symptoms from the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The adipokine leptin was found to be altered in both depression and schizophrenia. There are few studies focusing on the prediction of leptin in diagnosis and evaluation of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia.ObjectiveAims To assess the plasma leptin level in patients with schizophrenia and its relationships with depressive symptoms.Methods Cross-sectional studies were applied to(1) compare the levels of plasma leptin between schizophrenia(n=74) and healthy controls(n=50); and(2)investigate the relationship between plasma leptin levels and depressive subscores.Results(1) Plasma leptin levels were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia than in healthy controls.(2) Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association between leptin levels and the depressed factor scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS).(3) Stepwise multiple regression analyses identified leptin as an influencing factor for depressed factor score on PANSS.Conclusion Leptin may serve as a predictor for the depressive symptoms of chronic schizophrenia.