Transcranial direct current stimulation as an additional treatment to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in adults with major depressive disorder in Germany (DepressionDC): a triple-blind, randomised, sham-controlled, multicentre trial.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been proposed as a feasible treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). However, meta-analytic evidence is heterogenous and data from multicentre trials are scarce. We aimed to assess the efficacy of tDCS versus sham stimulation as an additional treatment to a stable dose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in adults with MDD.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Depression during Pregnancy: Results from an Open-Label Pilot Study.

Introduction: Depression is the most common morbidity during pregnancy. Available first-line therapy options are limited and depressive disorders in pregnant women are often untreated, leading to negative effects on maternal and fetal health.

Objectives: The aim of this open-label pilot study is to extend evidence on the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment of antenatal depression and to point out options for the use of tDCS in this population.

[Increased Clozapine Levels During Infection: more Frequent than Assumed?].

Systemic infections are known to alter the metabolism of various drugs via inhibition of the cytochrome P450 family. Here, we report the cases of two patients with schizophrenic psychosis and highly elevated clozapine levels during pulmonary systemic infection, however without experiencing side effects. After antibiotic treatment and temporary reduction of clozapine dosage blood levels of clozapine normalized within a few days.

C-C chemokine receptor type 2 mediates glomerular injury and interstitial fibrosis in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Background: Glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis are hallmarks of chronic kidney injury leading to end-stage renal disease. Inflammatory mechanisms contribute to glomerular and interstitial scarring, including chemokine-mediated recruitment of leucocytes. In particular, accumulation of C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2)-expressing macrophages promotes renal injury and fibrotic remodelling in diseases like glomerulonephritis and diabetic nephropathy.

[Evaluation of therapy outcome on a psychiatric admission ward. Background, methods and first results of a project on quality management].

Background: Quality management is an important management tool in modern health care systems. This applies also to the mental health care system, where in the past decade many concepts have been developed on how to implement quality management appropriately and successfully. However, for the German speaking countries there are only very few studies on the evaluation of therapy outcome in psychiatric inpatient populations available, furthermore they deal primarily with diagnostic subgroups.