Publications by authors named "Cristian Zeni"

 Insomnia is highly prevalent among individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, the biological mechanisms shared between both conditions is still elusive. We aimed to investigate whether insomnia's genomic component is able to predict ADHD in childhood and adolescence.

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SERPINA6 and SERPINA1 were recently identified as the main genes associated with plasma cortisol concentration in humans. Although dysregulation in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis has been observed in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unclear. Evaluation of the SERPINA6/SERPINA1 gene cluster in ADHD may provide relevant information to uncover them.

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Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric disorder associated with structural and functional brain abnormalities, some of which have been found in unaffected relatives as well. In this study, we examined the potential role of decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) as a BD endophenotype, in adolescents at high risk for BD.

Methods: We included 15 offspring of patients with BD, 16 pediatric BD patients, and 16 matched controls.

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To slow the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus causing 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many state authorities enforced extreme social distancing measures, such as closing schools, implementing online instruction, canceling major events, and limiting social contact outside families. Such measures have promoted safety but also have severely disrupted the lives of children of all ages. Many youths have missed seminal milestones; have struggled with the challenges of virtual schooling; and have isolated at home with their families, which has eroded opportunities for peer social support, relaxation, and enjoyment.

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Background: There has been growing scientific evidence in recent years that bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with alterations in the kynurenine (KYN) pathway. However, many of these studies have been limited by their focus on adults. Thus, this preliminary study investigated differences in the peripheral levels of KYN metabolites in children and adolescents with BD, unaffected offspring of parents with BD, and healthy controls (HCs).

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Objective: Previous studies have indicated a convergent and bidirectional relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and bipolar disorder (BD). As most of these studies focused mainly on adults diagnosed with BD, our study aims to investigate and characterize metabolic disturbances in child-adolescents diagnosed with BD.

Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical records of psychiatric hospitalizations with admitting diagnosis of BD in child-adolescents (age < 18 years).

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Objective: To evaluate the interrelationships between childhood maltreatment, life satisfaction (LS), and depressive symptoms, and to investigate LS as a mediating factor in the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms.

Methods: The sample consisted of 342 adolescents, aged 11 to 17 years (mean = 13.3, SD = 1.

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Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (PBD) is a highly heritable condition responsible for 18% of all pediatric mental health hospitalizations. Despite the heritability of this disorder, few studies have assessed potential differences in the clinical manifestation of PBD among patients with a clear parental history of BD. Additionally, while recent studies suggest that attentional deficits are a potential endophenotypic marker of PBD, it is unclear whether heritability is a relevant contributor to these symptoms.

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This study aims to assess the effect of childhood trauma on the outcomes of brief cognitive therapies for major depressive disorder. This is a follow-up clinical study nested in a randomized clinical trial of cognitive therapies. Sixty-one patients were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and six-month follow-up.

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Circadian and sleep disorders, short sleep duration, and evening chronotype are often present in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). , considered the master gene in the circadian rhythm, has been explored by few studies. Understanding the relationship between ADHD and may provide additional information to understand the correlation between ADHD and sleep problems.

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Sodium valproate (VPA) has well-established neuroprotective effects and is recommended as treatment in bipolar disorder patients. The neural effects of VPA in pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) have yet to be established. This preliminary study explored the effects of VPA on brain structure in PBD.

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Introduction Biological rhythm is associated with the level of alertness, cognitive performance and mood of the individuals. Its regularity is essential to preserve good health and quality of life. Objective To present the steps for the construction of the scale entitled Biological Rhythm Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry - Kids (BRIAN-K), designed to measure biological rhythm disruptions in Brazilian children and adolescents.

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The hippocampus has been implicated in various mood disorders, with global volume deficits consistently found in patient populations. The hippocampus, however, consists of anatomically distinct subfields, and examination of specific subfield differences may elucidate the possible molecular mechanisms behind psychiatric pathologies. Indeed, adult studies have reported smaller hippocampal subfield volumes in regions within the cornu ammonis (CA1 and CA4), dentate gyrus (DG), and hippocampal tails in both patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Bipolar Disorder (BD) compared to healthy controls.

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Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex condition that interferes with development and/or functioning. Our objective is to investigate the potential association between ADHD and inflammation.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of human studies measuring inflammatory markers in ADHD.

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Objectives: Over the past two decades, there has been tremendous growth in research regarding bipolar disorder (BD) among children and adolescents (ie, pediatric BD [PBD]). The primary purpose of this article is to distill the extant literature, dispel myths or exaggerated assertions in the field, and disseminate clinically relevant findings.

Methods: An international group of experts completed a selective review of the literature, emphasizing areas of consensus, identifying limitations and gaps in the literature, and highlighting future directions to mitigate these gaps.

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An association between primary headaches and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has long been suggested. Moreover, headache is regarded as a common side effect of stimulants, the most effective treatment for ADHD. So far, no systematic review has evaluated the potential association between ADHD and headache.

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Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a chronic and disabling movement disorder with a complex pathophysiological basis. A significant percentage of patients does not receive correct diagnosis, resulting in delayed or inaccurate treatment and poor outcome. Therefore, there is a critical need for prompt recognition, implementation of efficacious treatment regimens and long-term follow up of patients with TD.

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Objective: To assess the global functioning and clinical outcomes of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, children and adolescents with bipolar disorder and substance use disorder (SUD) comorbidity and healthy controls.

Methods: This study had a cross-sectional design. Participants were children and adolescents aged between 6 and 17 years, and data were collected between 2003 and 2015.

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School start time influences sleep parameters. Differences between circadian sleep parameters on weekends and weekdays have been associated with obesity, sleep, and psychiatric disorders. Moreover, circadian rhythm dysregulation affects the secretion of some hormones, such as melatonin and cortisol.

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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. Recent studies suggest a role for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on ADHD hyperactive/impulsive symptoms due to behavioral disinhibition resulting from inappropriate modulation of both glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling. The glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD1) gene encodes a key enzyme of GABA biosynthesis.

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Objective: To assess clinical outcomes associated with the presence of a lifetime history of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder in subjects with bipolar disorder.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of 284 subjects with bipolar disorder (DSM-IV) assessed the association between lifetime comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (DSM-IV) and clinical characteristics. Participants were included from January 2006 to June 2009.

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Several investigations documented that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is better conceptualized as a dimensional disorder. At the same time, the disorder seems to have different neurobiological underpinnings and phenotypic presentation in children compared to adults. Neurodevelopmental genes could explain, at least partly these differences.

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Previous studies have reported abnormalities of white-matter diffusivity in pediatric bipolar disorder. However, it has not been established whether these abnormalities are able to distinguish individual subjects with pediatric bipolar disorder from healthy controls with a high specificity and sensitivity. Diffusion-weighted imaging scans were acquired from 16 youths diagnosed with DSM-IV bipolar disorder and 16 demographically matched healthy controls.

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