Interleukin-4 inhibits the hypothalamic appetite control by modulating the insulin-AKT and JAK-STAT signaling in leptin mutant mice.

Our previous research identified interleukin-4 (IL-4) as a key regulator of glucose/lipid metabolism, circulatory leptin levels, and insulin action, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for obesity and related complications. This study aimed to further elucidate the role of IL-4 in regulating hypothalamic appetite-controlling neuropeptides using leptin dysfunctional Leptin mice as the experimental model. IL-4 significantly reduces body weight, food intake, and serum glucose levels.

Abnormalities of Hippocampal Subfield and Amygdalar Nuclei Volumes and Clinical Correlates in Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia with Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior-A Pilot Study.

(1) Background: The hippocampus (HP) and amygdala are essential structures in obsessive-compulsive behavior (OCB); however, the specific role of the HP in patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and OCB remains unclear. (2) Objective: We investigated the alterations of hippocampal and amygdalar volumes in patients with bvFTD and OCB and assessed the correlations of clinical severity with hippocampal subfield and amygdalar nuclei volumes in bvFTD patients with OCB. (3) Materials and methods: Eight bvFTD patients with OCB were recruited and compared with eight age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs).

Exploring the Effectiveness of Group Cognitive Stimulation Training in People With Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic degenerative brain disease. Cognitive impairment, the core symptom of this disease, affects the mood and social functioning of patients severely. Nonpharmacological therapies that both improve cognitive function and are suitable for patients with schizophrenia remain underdeveloped.

Effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as adjunctive treatment for insomnia patients under hypnotics: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study.

Background: Pharmacotherapy of insomnia is prescribed often but may be complicated by drug dependence. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia is effective, but requires time to take effect. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is effective for depression but of uncertain benefit for insomnia.

Cytokine- and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Related Gene-Based Genome-Wide Association Study of Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression.

Background And Objective: Ketamine may work as an anti-inflammatory agent, and it increases the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with treatment-resistant depression. However, whether genes related to pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and VEGF may predict the treatment response to ketamine remains unknown.Therefore the aim of this study was to analyze whether specific genes related to inflammatory processes and VEGF were associated with treatment response to low-dose ketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Rechallenge with Amisulpride in a Patient with Schizophrenia following a Manic Episode during Previous Therapy.

Amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic. It is also effective in treating depression. The potential antidepressant effect raises the concern that amisulpride can induce mania.

Predictive roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism on antidepressant efficacy of different forms of prefrontal brain stimulation monotherapy: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study.

Background: Although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and prolonged intermittent theta-burst stimulation (piTBS) can induce changes in synaptic plasticity, the influence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genotypes on their antidepressant effects remain unknown. Hence, we investigated the BDNF polymorphism contribution to the antidepressant effect of different forms left-sided prefrontal stimulations in a randomized, sham-controlled study METHODS: Seventy-five patients with medication-resistant depression were randomly assigned into three monotherapy groups: piTBS, high-frequency(HF) rTMS, or sham. The acute treatment period was two weeks.

Low-dose ketamine infusion for treating subjective cognitive, somatic, and affective depression symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.

Backgrounds: Whether the antidepressant effects of low-dose ketamine infusion and the therapeutic impact of Val66Met brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphism vary across different depression symptom domains, namely affective, cognitive, and somatic, remains unclear.

Methods: We-reanalyzed the data of Adjunctive Ketamine Study of Taiwanese Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). A total of 71 patients with TRD were randomized to three infusion groups: 0.

Baseline Working Memory Predicted Response to Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression.

Introduction: Pretreatment neurocognitive function may predict the treatment response to low-dose ketamine infusion in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, the association between working memory function at baseline and the antidepressant efficacy of ketamine infusion remains unclear.

Methods: A total of 71 patients with TRD were randomized to one of three treatment groups: 0.

Effects of treatment refractoriness and brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism on antidepressant response to low-dose ketamine infusion.

Evidence suggests that levels of treatment refractoriness and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) rs6265 polymorphism are related to the antidepressant effects of conventional antidepressants and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. However, whether these factors are associated with the antidepressant effects of low-dose ketamine remains unclear. In total, 71 patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) were randomized to 0.

Interest-activity symptom severity predicts response to ketamine infusion in treatment-resistant depression.

Background: Interest and activity are part of the positive mood domain. Evidence suggests the symptom domain of interest-activity at baseline as a clinical predictor for treatment response to traditional antidepressants. However, whether this domain is related to the response to a single low-dose ketamine infusion remains unclear.

Treatment response to low-dose ketamine infusion for treatment-resistant depression: A gene-based genome-wide association study.

Backgrounds: Evidence suggested the crucial roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glutamate system functioning in the antidepressant mechanisms of low-dose ketamine infusion in treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Methods: 65 patients with TRD were genotyped for 684,616 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Twelve ketamine-related genes were selected for the gene-based genome-wide association study on the antidepressant effect of ketamine infusion and the resulting serum ketamine and norketamine levels.

Using classification and regression tree modelling to investigate treatment response to a single low-dose ketamine infusion: Post hoc pooled analyses of randomized placebo-controlled and open-label trials.

Background: Evidence suggests that clinical markers, such as comorbid anxiety, body weight, and others can assist in predicting response to low-dose ketamine infusion in treatment resistant depression patients. However, whether a composite of clinical markers may improve the predicted probability of response is uncertain.

Methods: The current study investigated the results of our previous randomized placebo-controlled and open-label trials in which 73 patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) received a single ketamine infusion of 0.

Mutational analysis in familial Alzheimer's disease of Han Chinese in Taiwan with a predominant mutation PSEN1 p.Met146Ile.

Mutations in PSEN1, PSEN2, or APP genes are known to be causative for autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD). While more than 400 mutations were reported worldwide, predominantly PSEN1, over 40 mutations have been reported in Han Chinese and were associated with earlier onset and more affected family members. Between 2002 and 2018, 77 patients in the neurological clinic of Taipei Veterans General Hospital with a history suggestive of ADAD were referred for mutational analysis.

Happiness During Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion Predicts Treatment Response: Reexploring the Adjunctive Ketamine Study of Taiwanese Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression.

Background: Studies have reported that ketamine potentially increases subjective happiness in healthy volunteers. However, whether ketamine-induced happiness can predict the treatment response of ketamine infusion among patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) remains unknown.

Methods: Between 2012 and 2015, 71 adult patients with TRD (based on DSM-IV-TR criteria) were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive a 40-minute ketamine (0.

Interleukin-4 Improves Metabolic Abnormalities in Leptin-Deficient and High-Fat Diet Mice.

Obesity is a metabolic disorder that results from complex interactions between genetic predisposition and dietary factors. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), besides its role in immunity, has metabolic effects on insulin efficacy. We studied the effects of IL-4 on metabolic abnormalities in a mice model of obesity involving leptin deficiency and leptin resistance.

Efficacy of low-dose ketamine infusion in anxious vs nonanxious depression: revisiting the Adjunctive Ketamine Study of Taiwanese Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression.

Background: The antidepressant effect of low-dose ketamine infusion on Taiwanese patients with anxious vs nonanxious treatment-resistant depression (ANX-TRD vs NANX-TRD) has remained unknown.

Methods: In total, 71 patients with TRD were randomized to three groups. Each group had participants who received saline infusions mixed with 0 (a normal saline infusion), 0.

Physical exercise prevents mice from L-Kynurenine-induced depression-like behavior.

Background: Depression is a wide-spread disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Recent studies in neuroinflammation suggested that increased plasma kynurenine (KYN) level was related to depressive symptoms, while animal studies indicated that KYN increase could be caused by environmental stressor. Recent study reported that exercise may prevent stress-induced depression by enhancing KYN metabolism in muscle.