[Association of the 5HTTLPR/rs25531 Genetic Variant with Depression in a Cohort of Primary Care Patients].

Unlabelled: Serotonin plays a central role in mood regulation and the development of depressive disorders. The serotonin transporter, the primary regulator of serotonin levels, presents genetic variants that affect its functionality.

Aim: To study whether functional bi-allelic 5-HTTLPR or tri-allelic 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene are associated with the diagnosis of depression.

Interaction of Val66Met Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and 5-HTTLPR Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphisms with Lifetime Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Primary Care Patients.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This longitudinal study aimed to explore the connection between two specific genetic polymorphisms, Val66Met and 5-HTTLPR, and the lifetime prevalence of PTSD in patients from primary care settings. We also examined the role of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors to provide a more comprehensive view of PTSD risk.

Increased academic stress is associated with decreased plasma BDNF in Chilean college students.

Introduction: Academic stress (AS) is a prevalent challenge faced by university students, potentially affecting molecular indicators such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and global DNA methylation (G-DNA-M). These indicators could illuminate the physiological ramifications of academic stress.

Study Design And Methods: This research followed a quantitative, non-experimental, longitudinal panel design spanning two academic semesters, observing phenomena in their natural context.

Interaction of Val66Met BDNF and 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms with prevalence of post-earthquake 27-F PTSD in Chilean population.

Post-traumatic stress (PTSD) disorder is a mental health condition that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. The 27-F earthquake that struck Chile in 2010 was one such event that had a significant impact on the mental health of the population. A study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of PTSD and its associated factors among survivors of this earthquake.

Effect of sensorimotor rehabilitation based on an immersive virtual reality model on mental health.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to determine the immersive virtual reality-based sensorimotor rehabilitation (IVR-SRB) effect on mental health (global mental health, depression, anxiety and well-being) in older adults.

Methods: This study was experimental, with a sample of 111 older adults (control-experimental), considering an application of IVR-SRB in four different virtual settings with exteroceptive synchronization, proprioceptive and vestibular stimuli, for 6 weeks.

Outcome Variables: symptoms associated with depression and anxiety; positive mental health (psychological well-being).

Etifoxine is non-inferior than clonazepam for reduction of anxiety symptoms in the treatment of anxiety disorders: a randomized, double blind, non-inferiority trial.

Objective: To determine whether etifoxine, a non-benzodiazepine drug of the benzoxazine family, is non-inferior compared with clonazepam in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Method: A randomized controlled double blind trial with parallel groups was conducted. A total of 179 volunteer patients with a diagnosis of anxiety disorder (DSM-IV), between 18 and 64 years of age, participated in this study.

Gabapentin Inhibits Multiple Steps in the Amyloid Beta Toxicity Cascade.

Oligomeric β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) is one of the main neurotoxic agents of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Oligomers associate to neuronal membranes, forming "pore-like" structures that cause intracellular calcium and neurotransmitter dyshomeostasis, leading to synaptic failure and death. Through molecular screening targeting the C terminal region of Aβ, a region involved in the toxic properties of the peptide, we detected an FDA approved compound, gabapentin (GBP), with neuroprotective effects against Aβ toxicity.

Assessing the relationship between psychosocial stressors and psychiatric resilience among Chilean disaster survivors.

Background: According to the stress inoculation hypothesis, successfully navigating life stressors may improve one's ability to cope with subsequent stressors, thereby increasing psychiatric resilience.

Aims: Among individuals with no baseline history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or major depressive disorder (MDD), to determine whether a history of a stressful life event protected participants against the development of PTSD and/or MDD after a natural disaster.

Method: Analyses utilised data from a multiwave, prospective cohort study of adult Chilean primary care attendees (years 2003-2011; n = 1160).

[Psychological factors influencing weight regain after bariatric surgery].

Background Approximately 15 to 40% of bariatric patients regain a significant percentage of their weight lost after surgery. Among psychological variables, control and self-efficacy loci are associated with behaviors related to weight loss. Also, family support can be a risk or protection factor for the maintenance of weight loss.

Mental health in the Americas: an overview of the treatment gap.

Objective: To understand the mental health treatment gap in the Region of the Americas by examining the prevalence of mental health disorders, use of mental health services, and the global burden of disease.

Methods: Data from community-based surveys of mental disorders in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and the United States were utilized. The World Mental Health Survey published data were used to estimate the treatment gap.

[Psychometric characteristics of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)].

Background: Simple and brief questionnaires with adequate psychometric properties are useful for the early detection of depressive disorders.

Aim: To analyze the psychometric behavior of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in Chile.

Material And Methods: Data were collected from 1,738 adult patients, consulting in primary health care centers.

Effect of Cholesterol on Membrane Fluidity and Association of Aβ Oligomers and Subsequent Neuronal Damage: A Double-Edged Sword.

The beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been described to associate/aggregate on the cell surface disrupting the membrane through pore formation and breakage. However, molecular determinants involved for this interaction (e.g.

Association between Alzheimer's Disease and Oral and Gut Microbiota: Are Pore Forming Proteins the Missing Link?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition affecting millions of people worldwide. It is associated with cerebral amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition in the brain, synaptic disconnection, and subsequent progressive neuronal death. Although considerable progress has been made to elucidate the pathogenesis of AD, the specific causes of the disease remain highly unknown.

[Concepción inventory: Development of a screening instrument for depression in primary care in Chile].

Background: Screening instruments are required for the detection of depressive disorders by primary care practitioners.

Aim: To develop a screening instrument to detect depression, based on data gathered interviewing patients attending primary health care settings.

Material And Methods: The instrument was constructed with data about factors associated or triggering a depressive disorder obtained from 3,000 patients consulting for general morbidity.

Longitudinal course of disaster-related PTSD among a prospective sample of adult Chilean natural disaster survivors.

Background: With an increasing number of individuals surviving natural disasters, it is crucial to understand who is most at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objective of this study was to prospectively examine the role that pre-existing psychopathology plays in developing PTSD after a disaster.

Methods: This study uses data from a prospective 5-wave longitudinal cohort (years 2003-11) of Chilean adults from 10 health centres ( N  = 1708).

[Association between serotonin transporter and monoamine oxidase A gene polymorphisms and depression].

Background: Serotonin plays a central role regulating mood and on the development of depressive disorders.

Aim: To study whether 5HTTLPR functional polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene or the Monoamine oxidase A gene (uMAOA) were risk markers for depression.

Material And Methods: The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was applied to 1,062 consultants in primary health care centers aged between 18 and 75 years to establish the diagnosis of depression.

[Development of an algorithm to predict the incidence of major depression among primary care consultants].

Background: The reduction of major depression incidence is a public health challenge.

Aim: To develop an algorithm to estimate the risk of occurrence of major depression in patients attending primary health centers (PHC).

Material And Methods: Prospective cohort study of a random sample of 2832 patients attending PHC centers in Concepción, Chile, with evaluations at baseline, six and twelve months.

The Maristán stigma scale: a standardized international measure of the stigma of schizophrenia and other psychoses.

Background: People with schizophrenia face prejudice and discrimination from a number of sources including professionals and families. The degree of stigma perceived and experienced varies across cultures and communities. We aimed to develop a cross-cultural measure of the stigma perceived by people with schizophrenia.

Challenges for psychiatric recruitment and training in Chile.

This paper aims to describe the current challenges to recruitment of psychiatrists in Chile, and investigate factors related to interest in psychiatry from medical students of the Chilean Biobío Region. An online survey was completed by 39 medical students currently performing the internship. This survey included questions regarding socio-demographic aspects, probability of choosing a medical speciality, influencing factors on the choice of the medical speciality, and personal features.

Standardised measures of needs, stigma and informal care in schizophrenia using a bottom-up, cross-cultural approach.

Background There is a lack of instruments to measure the needs, stigma and informal care of people with schizophrenia that take account of sociocultural variation and patients' and formal and informal carers' opinions and experiences. Aims To develop questionnaires to measure stigma, needs and informal (non-professional) care for people with schizophrenia. Method We undertook the study in seven countries and in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Perceived discrimination is a potential contributing factor to substance use and mental health problems among primary care patients in Chile.

Objectives: Perceived discrimination is a prevalent problem that has been linked to negative health outcomes for victims. The goal of this research was to examine whether perceived discrimination within the past 6 months was related to 6-month prevalence of problem drinking, illicit drug use, major depressive disorder (MDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of primary care patients in Chile.

Methods: Structured diagnostic assessments were administered to assess for MDD and PTSD using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.

Epidemiology of ADHD in Chilean children and adolescents.

ADHD prevalence, associated factors, comorbidity and service use are reported for a sample of 1,558 children and adolescents, belonging to four provinces in Chile. The sample is weighted in each step for selection bias. Psychiatric disorders and impairment are assessed with computerized in-home DISC-IV interviews, and a questionnaire regarding socioeconomic and family variables and service use.