Prevalence and risk factors of depression among patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease

BACKGROUND Psychological distress,especially depression,associated with perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease(PFCD)is widespread and refractory.However,there is a surprising paucity of studies to date that have sought to identify the prevalence and risk factors of depression associated with PFCD.AIM To estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and investigate the depression-related risk factors in patients with PFCD.METHODS The study was conducted in the form of survey and clinical data collection via questionnaire and specialized medical staff.Depressive symptoms,life quality,and fatigue severity of patients with PFCD were assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9,Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient Quality of Life Questionnaire(IBDQ),and Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD)Fatigue Patient Self-assessment Scale.The basic demographic information,overall disease features,perianal clinical information,and laboratory inflammation indicators were also gathered.Multivariate regression analysis was ultimately used to ascertain the risk factors of depression associated with PFCD.RESULTS A total of 123 patients with PFCD were involved,and 56.91%were suffering from depression.According to multivariate logistic regression analysis,Perianal Disease Activity Index(PDAI)score[odds ratio(OR)=0.69,95%confidence interval(CI):0.50 to 0.95],IBDQ score(OR=0.93,95%CI:0.88 to 0.97),modified Van Assche index(OR=1.24,95%CI:1.01 to 1.53),and IBD Fatigue score(OR=1.72,95%CI:1.23 to 2.42)were independent risk factors of depression-related prevalence among patients with PFCD(P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the increasing perianal modified Van Assche index(βvalue=0.166,95%CI:0.02 to 0.31)and decreasing IBDQ score(βvalue=-0.116,95%CI:-0.14 to-0.09)were independently associated with the severity of depression(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Depressive symptoms in PFCD patients have significantly high prevalence.PDAI score,modified Van Assche index,quality of life,and fatigue severity were the main independent risk factors.

Do tau-synaptic long-term depression interactions in the hippocampus play a pivotal role in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease?

Cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease correlates with the extent of tau pathology,in particular tau hyperphosphorylation that initially appears in the transentorhinal and related regions of the brain including the hippocampus.Recent evidence indicates that tau hyperphosphorylation caused by either amyloid-βor long-term depression,a form of synaptic weakening involved in learning and memory,share similar mechanisms.Studies from our group and others demonstrate that long-term depression-inducing low-frequency stimulation triggers tau phosphorylation at different residues in the hippocampus under different experimental conditions including aging.Conversely,certain forms of long-term depression at hippocampal glutamatergic synapses require endogenous tau,in particular,phosphorylation at residue Ser396.Elucidating the exact mechanisms of interaction between tau and long-term depression may help our understanding of the physiological and pathological functions of tau/tau(hyper)phosphorylation.We first summarize experimental evidence regarding tau-long-term depression interactions,followed by a discussion of possible mechanisms by which this interplay may influence the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.Finally,we conclude with some thoughts and perspectives on future research about these interactions.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Anxiety and Depression in Expectant Mothers at Parakou in 2018

Background: Anxiety and depressive disorders can disturb the development of pregnancies. The goal was to study the prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression in expectant mothers followed in public maternity wards of Parakou in 2018. Population and methods: It was a cross- sectional study which consisted in an exhaustive census and a consecutive recruitment of 835 expectant mothers from June 14th to September 14th, 2018. Data collection was realized through interview between the investigator and the respondent basing on a questionnaire in which were integrated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-3 (EPDS-3), EPDS and modular Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (IHLCS-2015) to assess respectively anxiety, depression and expectant mothers’ socio-economic level. Results: The prevalences of anxiety and depression were respectively 44.91% and 35.33%. Many factors were associated with anxiety and depression. Low socio-economic level increased 6.7 times the risk of developing anxiety (OR = 6.70;IC95% [2.83 - 13.00];p = 0.000) and 8.64 times the risk for the onset of depression (OR = 8.64;IC95% [3.09 - 17.18];p = 0.000). Celibacy increased 2.67 times the risk of developing anxiety (OR = 2.67;IC95% [1.19 - 5.98];p = 0.000) and 2.18 times the one of depression (OR = 2.18;IC95% [1.07 - 4.40];p = 0.000). Low economic level and celibacy were the main psychosocial determinants of anxiety and depression in expectant mothers. Conclusion: The implementation of multidisciplinary action program centred on improving purchasing power would reduce the risk of anxiety and depression in expectant mothers.

Maternal Depression and Mother-to-Infant Bonding: The Association of Delivery Mode, General Health and Stress Markers

Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine associations among maternal stress level, general health, mother to infant bonding, maternal depression level, and mode of delivery. Methods: Mothers who delivered a single baby at term were recruited with a total 435 mothers participating in the study. Outcome measures: Data were collected 6 months after delivery using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as well as socio-demographic and medical information at 6 months. Additionally, salivary cortisol and chromogranin levels were determined. Results: The proportion of breast-feeding mothers in the vaginal delivery group (51.4%) was significantly higher than that of the cesarean section group (24%). GHQ-28 scores were significantly related to EPDS scores and MIBS scores (P Conclusion: Maternal general health is associated with maternal psychological health. These results suggest that the support of maternal health is important to maintain maternal psychological status and bonding to infants. Because EPDS scores were significantly worse in the planned cesarean section group (4.2 ± 3.3), careful management is needed of mothers who deliver by planned cesarean section.

Depression in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and the Associated Features

The study was aimed to examine the prevalence of depression in patients with Parkinson’s disease （PD） and identify its features. A total of 131 out-patients, diagnosed as having idiopathic PD in accordance with the United Kingdom Parkinson’s Disease Society Brain Bank criteria, were interviewed with questionnaire and evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination （MMSE）, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale （UPDRS）, Hohen ＆Yahr staging （H＆Y staging） and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression （HRSD）. Patients were divided into three groups in terms of HRSD score： depression group, sub-threshold depression group and non-depression group. The clinical variables and symptom profiles were obtained and compared among the three groups. The results showed that 27 patients （20.6%） fell into the depression group, 71 （54.2%） into the sub-threshold depression group, and 33 （25.2%） into the non-depression group. There were no differences in age, gender or tremor score among the groups （P〉0.05）. Significant differences were found in duration of PD, UPDRS score, rigidity score and H＆Y stage between the sub-threshold depression group （or the depression group） and the non-depression group （P〈0.05）. Moreover, the clinical variables in the subthreshold depression group had the trend of increasing with the severity of PD and their values were similar to those in the depression group. Anhedonia, feeling of incapability, sleep disturbance, gastrointestinal symptoms and depressive moods were most common in the depression group. And these symptoms also were more common in the other two groups. It is concluded that depression and sub-threshold depression are common in PD and share similar clinical features. Furthermore, subthreshold depression might be the prodrome of depression and may develop into depression as the condition progresses.

Three-dimensional stereotactic surface projection in the statistical analysis of single photon emission computed tomography data for distinguishing between Alzheimer's disease and depression

AIM To evaluate usefulness of single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT) with three-dimensional stereotactic surface projection(3D-SSP) in distinguishing between Alzheimer's disease(AD) and depression.METHODS We studied 43 patients who presented with both depressive symptoms and memory disturbance. Each subject was evaluated using the following:(1) the Minimal Mental State Examination;(2) the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression;(3) Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale(CGI-S); and(4) SPECT imaging with 3D-SSP.RESULTS The MMSE scores correlated significantly with the maximum Z-scores of AD-associated regions. CGI-S scores correlated significantly with the maximum Z-scores of depression-associated regions. Factor analysis identified three significant factors. Of these, Factor 1 could be interpreted as favouring a tendency for AD, Factor 2 as favouring a tendency for pseudo-dementia, and Factor 3 as favouring a depressive tendency.CONCLUSION We investigated whether these patients could be categorized as types: Type A(true AD), Type B(pseudodementia), Type C(occult AD), and Type D(true depression). The factor scores in factor analysis supported the validity of this classification. Our results suggest that SPECT with 3D-SSP is highly useful for distinguishing between depression and depressed mood in the early stage of AD.

基于Swanson关怀理论的护理干预在早产儿母亲中的应用

目的:探讨以Swanson关怀理论为框架的护理干预在早产儿母亲中的应用效果。方法:采取便利抽样法选取2022年1月-5月入住百色市某三级甲等医院新生儿重症监护室(NICU)治愈出院的40例早产儿母亲作为对照组,选取2022年6月-10月入住百色市某三级甲等医院NICU治愈出院的40例早产儿母亲作为试验组。对照组实施NICU常规护理,试验组在对照组干预的基础上实施基于Swanson关怀理论的护理干预,比较两组早产儿母亲干预前后疾病不确定感、希望水平、育儿胜任感得分情况。结果:干预后试验组早产儿母亲疾病不确定感得分明显低于对照组(P<0.001),希望水平得分明显高于对照组(P<0.001);出院时及出院1个月后试验组早产儿母亲育儿胜任感得分明显高于对照组(P<0.001)。结论:基于Swanson关怀理论的护理干预可有效降低早产儿母亲疾病不确定感水平,提高其希望水平,增强其育儿胜任感,有利于早产儿顺利从医院过渡至家庭。

Prevalence, clinical features and treatment of depression in Parkinson's disease: An update

Parkinson's disease(PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases which typically affects individuals over 65 years. Although the symptomatology is predominantly motor, neuropsychiatric manifestations, e.g., depression, apathy, anxiety, and cognitive impairment occur in the course of the illness and can have a great impact on the quality of life in these patients. Parkinson's disease is commonly comorbid with depression with prevalence rates of depression, generally higher than those reported in general population. Depression in PD is frequently underestimated andconsequently undertreated, which have significant effects on the quality of life in these patients. The neurobiology of depression in PD is complex and involves alterations in dopaminergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic and possibly other neurotransmitter systems which are affected in the course of the disease. The tricyclic antidepressants and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the two classes of antidepressant drugs used for depressive symptoms in PD. Several published studies suggested that both classes are of comparable efficacy. Other serotonergic antidepressants, e.g., nefazodone and trazodone have also been of benefit. Meanwhile, there are limited data available on other drugs but these suggest a benefit from the serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors such as mirtazapine, venlafaxine, atomoxetine and duloxetine. Some of the drugs used in symptomatic treatment of PD, e.g., the irreversible selective inhibitors of the enzyme monoamine oxidase-B, rasagiline and selegiline as well as the dopamine receptor agonist pramipexole are likely to have direct antidepressant activity independent of their motor improving action. This would make these drugs an attractive option in depressed subjects with PD. The aim of this review is to provide an updated data on the prevalence, clinical features of depression in subjects with PD. The effects of antiparkinsonian and antidepressant drugs on depressive symptoms in these patients are also discussed.

Depressive mood, bonding failure, and abusive parenting among mothers with three-month-old babies in a Japanese community

Objective: To investigate the relationships between depressive mood, bonding failure, and abusive parenting. Method: We distributed questionnaires to 1198 mothers attending a three-month postnatal health check-up in rural areas in Japan. The questionnaires assessed these three variables along with demographics. We evaluated the causal relationships by comparing different structural equation models to the data. Results: Although all the models fit the data well, the best Akaike Information Criterion was obtained from a model where both depressive mood and bonding failure predict abusive parenting, but depressive mood and bonding failure do not predict each other directly. The determinant coefficient of child abuse in the final model was 0.13. Discussion: We found depressive mood and bonding failure during postpartum period impacted negatively on mother’s parenting behaviour. Because only 13% of the variance of abusive parenting was explainable by this model, further study should be needed to identify other risk factors of child abuse. Similarly, midwives and public health nurse in community should pay attention to not only depression but also bonding failure to prevent child abuse.

Evaluation of Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers of Patients Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: Many studies have been underlined as care giving for people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is highly stressful and has significant negative consequences, such as anxiety and depression. Objective: The specific aim of our study is to establish whether a difference exists in the prevalence of depression of family caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients and healthy subjects not caregiver. Methods: Study group (n = 60) consists of caregivers of patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease, whereas control group (n = 120) consists of healthy individuals who are not care giving (from at least 5 years). All the subjects were subdivided on the basis of the following independent variables: sex, age, marital status and educational level. The subjects of study and control groups studied have filled in the following tests: IPAT CDQ e IPAT ASQ Tests by Cattell which describe depression and anxiety. Such tests have been validated on the adult and elderly Italian population. Statistical analysis: Student t test has been applied for the comparison between experimental and control groups. Results: The caregivers show higher levels of anxiety (medium to high, P < 0.001) and depression in comparison to the group of control (medium to high, P < 0.001). This result indicates the caregiver shows serious depression. Conclusions: The high levels of depression and anxiety suggest the following considerations: interventions of social and psychological support are fundamental not only to maintain the patient in the family nucleus but also to maintain the caregiver’s psychological health.

Homeostatic Conductance and Parasympathetic Basis Alteration: Two Alternative Approaches to Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Depression

Derived through the dual focus of psychology and neuroscience, disciplines such as Affective Neuroscience and Neuropsychoanalysis may offer new directions of approach to many pathologies, which demonstrate psychical and somatic etiology. Insights gained from these two trustworthy yet still peripheral scientific disciplines, are deserving of consideration and exploration. It is the purpose of this paper to offer up several such possible new avenues of exploration, as they relate to depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The basic therapeutic focus in deriving these proposed new clinical approaches is twofold: 1) Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and 2) Mnemic alteration via neuropeptide assisted therapy producing positive relative adjustment in the balance of basic sympathetic (dopaminergic) and parasympathetic affective circuitry independent of drugs or surgery. New conductance level and target strategies designed to prevent homeostatic degeneration are advanced under the concept of homeostatic conductance. New electrical stimulation targets are suggested, which restore basic rhythmic balance between pathologically affected and unaffected brain areas. In this way, we offer up new directions for research, strategies for noninvasive and nontoxic potential therapies and new targets/ approaches to DBS therapy.

Impact of postnatal maternal depressive symptoms and infant’s sex on mother-infant interaction among Bangladeshi women

Aim: To investigate the impact of postnatal depressive symptoms and infant sex on perceived and observed mother-infant interaction among rural Bangladeshi women. Methods: Fifty women with depressive symptoms and their infants at 2 - 3 months were compared with 50 women without depressed symptoms and their infants, matched on geographic areas, parity and infant sex. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale assessed depressive symptoms, the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire assessed the mother’s perception of bonding with the infant and mother-infant interactions were videotaped and analyzed with the Global Rating Scale. Results: Mothers with depressive symptoms were poorer, were less educated and rated lower infant bonding than mothers without depressive symptoms (p = 0.03), yet objective observation revealed no difference between the two groups regarding maternal interactive behavior (p = 0.57). However, infants, particularly boys (p = 0.002), of mothers with depressive symptoms fretted more in mother-infant interaction than infants of mothers without depressive symptoms (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Although mothers with depressive symptoms did not show less sensitivity in interactive behavior at 2 - 3 months than those without depressive symptoms, our results indicate that infants, particularly boys, of mothers with depressive symptoms may be negatively influenced by depressive symptoms.

抑郁倾向Wilson病患者的注意偏向特征及与反刍思维的关系研究

目的 探究抑郁倾向Wilson病(WD)患者的注意偏向特征及与反刍思维的关系。方法 招募2022年1月至2023年1月安徽中医药大学神经病学研究所附属医院收治的WD患者51例,根据贝克抑郁量表(BDI)评分将其分为抑郁组(≥5分,30例)和非抑郁组(≤4分,21例)。比较两组反刍思维量表(RRS)评分及情绪Stroop范式试验结果,并分析观察指标间的关联性。结果 抑郁组在RRS的症状反刍、反省深思、强迫思考维度得分及总分均高于非抑郁组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。抑郁组对负性词的反应时间显著慢于非抑郁组(P<0.05);两组对中性词及正性词的反应时间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。WD患者对负性词反应时间与BDI评分、RRS总分、RRS的症状反刍维度得分呈正相关(P<0.05),对正性词和中性词反应时间与BDI评分、RRS总分及RRS各维度得分的相关性不显著(P>0.05)。多因素线性回归分析结果显示,BDI评分、RRS总分、RRS的症状反刍维度得分是WD患者对负性词反应时间的影响因素(P<0.05)。结论 抑郁倾向WD患者会过多关注负性情绪信息,反刍思维可能是导致抑郁倾向WD患者负性情绪注意偏向的原因之一。

Depression in Climacteric Women:Most Meaningful Symptoms

Background: With population aging occurring worldwide, promoting climacteric women’s health has become the object of important studies. Purpose: Observing the prevalence of depression in climacteric women and their self-evaluation of the depression factors is the main goal of this study. Design: This cross-sectional research is enquiry descriptive. Methods: The sample was composed of 48 climacteric women (between 45 and 65 years old) non-selected volunteers, served by the Centers for Psycho and Social Attention (CAPS) of Specialized Mental Medicine, in Sorocaba, via the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire. Results: Checking the mean and frequency distribution, the climacteric women presented a prevalence of 37.5% of moderate depression (BDIindex = 24.39 ± 3.13), and 47.92% of severe depression (BDIindex = 38.13 ± 6.78). Concerning the symptoms, Spearman rank order correlation was found as the highest concerns, hierarchically: indecision (r = 0.72, p Conclusions: The prevalence of depression in these CAPS climacteric women was considered very high (86% ranking from moderate to severe) caused mostly by indecision, anhedonia, guilt, crying and self-esteem, followed by inutility, self-criticism and loss of concentration.

NP-12 The Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor Roflumilast Reverses Cognition Deficits and Depression-Like Effects via cAMP Signaling-Mediated Neuroprotection in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice

Phosphodiesterase-4(PDE4)has been demonstrated to be a promising target for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Roflumilast(Rof),a potent PDE4 inhibitor,has been approved for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in humans.Recent studies have shown that Rof improves cognition at doses that do not cause an emetic response,the major side-effect of PDE4 inhibitors.However,the effect of Rof on cognition associated with AD remains largely unknown.Here we examined the effects of Rof on behavioral dysfunction and the related mechanisms in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice,a widely used model for AD.Mice at 10 months of age were first tested in novel object recognition for memory.The recognition index in APP/PS1 mice was decreased compared to WT mice,which was reversed by Rof at 5 and 10 mg·kg-1.This was then verified in the Morris water-maze test.The escape latency during acquisition training was significantly longer and the entries into the target quadrant during the probe trial were much less compared to WT controls,these were also reversed by Rof.In the tail-suspension and forced-swimming tests,which measure depression-like behavior,APP/PS1 mice showed prolonged immobility time,which was reversed by Rof.In addition,the staining of HE and Nissl showed that Rof reduced the loss of neurons and neurocyte apoptosis in APP/PS1 mice.It also reversed the decreased ratio of Bcl-2/BAX and inhibited the increased expression of PDE4D in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice.Finally,Rof reversed the decreased levels of cAMP and expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB)and brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in APP/PS1 mice.Overall,these results suggest that Rof not only improves learning and memory,but attenuates depression-like behavior in AD mice,likely via PDE4D/cAMP/CREB/BDNF signaling-mediated neuroprotection.Therefore,Rof can be a therapeutic agent for AD,in particular the comorbidity of memory deficits and depression.

The Role of Abnormalities Related to the One Carbon Cycle in Depression and Schizophrenia

This paper reviews our present knowledge of the role of the one-carbon cycle in mood disorder and schizophrenia with particular attention to S-adenosyl methionine (SAM). After an historical introduction the clinical data is first reviewed of the anti-depressant action of SAM, in particular a survey of double blind placebo-controlled trials. Then follows an account of the biochemical parameters of the action of SAM, in particular the role of folic acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (vitamin B9), polyamines, homocysteine, together with epigenetic studies. In schizophrenia the effect of oral l-methionine on worsening the symptoms of some chronic schizophrenics has been known since 1961. Recent epigenetic research covered has addressed the mechanism of this reaction. This includes the role of SAM in modulating DNA methyltransferase-1 mRNA activity, cytosine 5-methylation, spine numbers and the expression of mRNAs encoding for reelin and GAD67 in GABAergic neurons in the frontal cortex in schizophrenia. There is also evidence that marker D8S542 located within the methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSRA) gene may be involved in schizophrenia as well as 677C > T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. The possible roles of homocysteine and methionine S-adenosyl transferase kinetics are also discussed.

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.

Biomarkers and Depressive Symptoms in Older Women with and without Cognitive Impairment

A number of biological markers have been implicated in late life depression with inconsistent results. The present study examined the relationship between several serum based biomarkers and symptoms of depression in a sample of elderly women with AD or cognitively intact. Methods 171 females (58 with AD and 113 cognitively intact) were recruited from the Longitudinal Research Cohort of the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Consortium (TARC). Stepwise regressions were conducted with GDS total and subscales and a panel of biomarkers (CRP, IL-10, IL-1α, TNF-α, ICAM-1, BDNF, and MIF). ApoE4 status was coded (carrier or non-carrier), and the results were analyzed by cognitive status (AD or controls). Results: None of the biomarkers significantly predicted total GDS score for AD cases, controls or sample as a whole. For the Controls, ICAM significantly predicted Dysphoria and level of Apathy. Among AD patients, MIF, ICAM, and CRP, were significantly associated with Apathy. MIF and ICAM were inversely associated with reported Apathy. CRP was positively associated with Apathy. CRP was also positively related to level of perceived Cognitive Impairment. Conclusions: The present study was one of the first to examine biomarkers related to depression symptoms in elderly women with AD and normal controls. For Controls ICAM alone predicted level of apathy. In the AD group, MIF, CRP, and ICAM were significantly associated with apathy. More research examining the relationship between biomarkers and depression is needed in older patients with and without cognitive impairment across genders.

Depressive Symptom Endorsement among Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is widely used to assess depressive symptoms in clinical and research settings. This study utilized a 4 factor solution for the 30-item GDS to explore differences in the presentation of depressive symptoms in various types of cognitive impairment. Method: Retrospective chart review was conducted on 254 consecutive cases of community dwelling elderly newly diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD) n = 122, mild Vascular Dementia (VaD) n = 71 or Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) n = 32 and Non-Amnestic MCI (nMCI) n = 29. Results: Analysis revealed no significant differences (p 05). No statistically significant differences were found between VaD and nMCI or between the MCI groups. Conclusions: Support is provided for the use of GDS subscales in a wide range of cognitively impaired elderly. This study suggests in mild dementia the number and type of depressive symptoms vary significantly between AD and VaD. There are indications that aMCI patients are similar in their symptom endorsement to AD and nMCI are similar to VaD which is consistent with some of the notions regarding likely trajectories of the respective MCI groups.

Mothers’ Knowledge of Health Caring for Premature Infants after Discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

Background: Preterm labor is one of the most public health problems related to neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Poor knowledge among mothers about the care requirements of a preterm neonate is immediate cause for post-discharge medical problems in premature and neonates readmission to NICU. Hence, this study aims to evaluate mothers’ knowledge of caring for premature infants post-discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the Gaza strip. Methods: A Quantitative-based cross-sectional designs study was used to survey 120 mothers of preterm neonates at the time of preterm neonates discharge by face-to-face interview at Al-Shifa medical complex and Nasser hospital between February and June 2018. Results: The results showed that only about 58.4% of mothers of premature babies had good knowledge about health care needed for premature infants after discharge from NICU. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference between the level of knowledge and mother’s sociodemographic characteristics (P-values > 0.05). Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge of premature infants care was not at the optimal level, which might put the newborns at risk. Therefore, the study emphasizes the necessity of thoughtful exchange of health information between team members and mothers and establishing pre- and post-discharge plans with mothers to start their healthy transition of preterm neonate to home and to ameliorate family concerns.