Higher immune-related gene expression in major depression is independent of CRP levels: results from the BIODEP study.

Compelling evidence demonstrates that some individuals suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit increased levels of inflammation. Most studies focus on inflammation-related proteins, such as serum or plasma C-reactive protein (CRP). However, the immune-related modifications associated with MDD may be not entirely captured by CRP alone.

Thyroidectomy in dogs with thyroid tumors: Survival analysis in 144 cases (1994-2018).

Background: Few studies have assessed predictors of outcome in dogs with thyroid tumors undergoing thyroidectomy.

Objective: To estimate the survival and identify prognostic factors in dogs with thyroid tumors treated by thyroidectomy.

Animals: A total of 144 client-owned dogs with thyroid neoplasia that underwent thyroidectomy.

Translational potential of synaptic alterations in Alzheimer's disease patients and amyloid precursor protein knock-in mice.

Synaptic dysfunction is an early event in Alzheimer's disease. Post-mortem studies suggest that alterations in synaptic proteins are associated with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. We measured the concentration of three synaptic proteins, zinc transporter protein 3, dynamin1 and AMPA glutamate receptor 3 in cerebrospinal fluid of subjects with mild cognitive impairment ( = 18) and Alzheimer's disease ( = 18) and compared the levels to cognitively and neurologically healthy controls ( = 18) by using ELISA assay.

Sex differences in a double-blind randomized clinical trial with minocycline in treatment-resistant depressed patients: CRP and IL-6 as sex-specific predictors of treatment response.

Background: Inflammation is a well-known risk factor for depression. Specifically, patients who do not respond to antidepressant treatment show higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers compared with responders. Thus, several studies have investigated the efficacy of anti-inflammatory add-on treatment in this population.

Using quantitative MRI to study brain responses to immune challenge with interferon-α.

Inflammatory processes in the Central Nervous System (CNS) have been proposed to mediate the association between peripheral inflammation and the development of psychiatric disorders, but we currently lack sensitive measures of CNS inflammation for human studies . Here we used quantitative MRI (qMRI) to explore the central response to a peripheral immune challenge in healthy humans, and we assessed whether changes in quantitative relaxometry MRI parameters were associated with changes in peripheral inflammation. Quantitative relaxation times (T1 & T2) and Proton Density (PD) were measured in n ​= ​6 healthy males (mean age ​= ​30.

The influence of comorbid depression and overweight status on peripheral inflammation and cortisol levels.

Background: Depression and overweight are each associated with abnormal immune system activation. We sought to disentangle the extent to which depressive symptoms and overweight status contributed to increased inflammation and abnormal cortisol levels.

Methods: Participants were recruited through the Wellcome Trust NIMA Consortium.

Peripheral immune markers and antipsychotic non-response in psychosis.

Background: Peripheral immune markers have previously been linked to a poor response to antipsychotic medication and more severe negative symptoms at the onset of psychosis. The present study investigated the association of blood cytokines and complement markers with the presence of antipsychotic non-response and symptom severity in patients with psychosis.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 94 patients with schizophrenia and other psychoses, of whom 47 were defined as antipsychotic responders and 47 as antipsychotic non-responders.

Augmentation therapy with minocycline in treatment-resistant depression patients with low-grade peripheral inflammation: results from a double-blind randomised clinical trial.

This study aimed to investigate the role of baseline levels of peripheral inflammation when testing the efficacy of antidepressant augmentation with minocycline in patients with treatment-resistant depression. We conducted a 4-week, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial of minocycline (200 mg/day) added to antidepressant treatment in 39 patients selected for elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP ≥ 1 mg/L), n = 18 randomised to minocycline (M) and n = 21 to placebo (P). The main outcome was the change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17) score from baseline to week 4, expressed both as mean and as full or partial response, in the overall sample and after further stratification for baseline CRP≥3 mg/L.

Gastrointestinal ultrasonographic findings in cats with Feline panleukopenia: a case series.

Background: Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is very resistant and highly contagious and infects domestic cats and other felids. FPV is particularly widespread among sheltered cats, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality, causing severe gastroenteritis characterized by anorexia, lethargy, fever, dehydration, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and vomiting. There is currently no data on the ultrasonographic features of cats affected with FPV.

Correction: Whole-blood expression of inflammasome- and glucocorticoid-related mRNAs correctly separates treatment-resistant depressed patients from drug-free and responsive patients in the BIODEP study.

We have corrected this Article post-publication, because Dr. Cattaneo's affiliation details were originally incorrect (she was affiliated with three institutions but is in fact only linked to one: Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia). These changes reflect in both the PDF and HTML versions of this Article.

Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid Concentration of ZnT3 Is Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Cognitive deficits arising in the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) are directly linked to synaptic loss. Postmortem studies suggest that zinc transporter protein 3 (ZnT3), AMPA glutamate receptor 3 (GluA3), and Dynamin1 are associated with cognitive decline in AD and Lewy body dementia patients.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ZnT3, GluA3, and Dynamin 1 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with dementia due to AD, DLB, and PDD compared to cognitively normal subjective cognitive decline (SCD) patients in a retrospective study.

Whole-blood expression of inflammasome- and glucocorticoid-related mRNAs correctly separates treatment-resistant depressed patients from drug-free and responsive patients in the BIODEP study.

The mRNA expression signatures associated with the 'pro-inflammatory' phenotype of depression, and the differential signatures associated with depression subtypes and the effects of antidepressants, are still unknown. We examined 130 depressed patients (58 treatment-resistant, 36 antidepressant-responsive and 36 currently untreated) and 40 healthy controls from the BIODEP study, and used whole-blood mRNA qPCR to measure the expression of 16 candidate mRNAs, some never measured before: interleukin (IL)-1-beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, macrophage inhibiting factor (MIF), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), SGK1, FKBP5, the purinergic receptor P2RX7, CCL2, CXCL12, c-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), acquaporin-4 (AQP4), ISG15, STAT1 and USP-18. All genes but AQP4, ISG15 and USP-18 were differentially regulated.

Treatment with Class A CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides in Cats with Naturally Occurring Feline Parvovirus Infection: A Prospective Study.

Feline parvovirus (FPV) causes severe gastroenteritis and leukopenia in cats; the outcome is poor. Information regarding specific treatments is lacking. Class A CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-A) are short single-stranded DNAs, stimulating type I interferon production.

Childhood trauma, HPA axis activity and antidepressant response in patients with depression.

Childhood trauma is among the most potent contributing risk factors for depression and is associated with poor treatment response. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis abnormalities have been linked to both childhood trauma and depression, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the link between childhood trauma, HPA axis activity and antidepressant response in patients with depression.

Baseline cortisol and the efficacy of antiglucocorticoid treatment in mood disorders: A meta-analysis.

Introduction: Hyperactivity of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and high cortisol levels have been widely reported in patients with mood disorders but previous clinical trials investigating the efficacy of antiglucocorticoid treatment in this population have reported inconsistent findings. The inconsistencies among these studies may be because not all patients with mood disorders have increased HPA axis activity and therefore might not benefit from antiglucocorticoid treatment. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether baseline cortisol levels influence the efficacy of antiglucocorticoid drugs in patients with mood disorders.

Markers of central inflammation in major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining cerebrospinal fluid, positron emission tomography and post-mortem brain tissue.

Background: Increased peripheral inflammation has been consistently reported in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, only few studies have explored markers of central (brain) inflammation in patients with MDD. The aim of this study is to systematically review in vivo and post-mortem markers of central inflammation, including studies examining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), positron emission tomography, and post-mortem brain tissues in subjects suffering with MDD compared with controls.

CAIDE Dementia Risk Score and biomarkers of neurodegeneration in memory clinic patients without dementia.

The aim of this study was to explore cross-sectional associations between Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia Study (CAIDE) Dementia Risk Score and dementia-related cerebrospinal fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers in 724 patients without dementia from the Memory Clinic at Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden. We additionally evaluated the score's capacity to predict dementia. Two risk score versions were calculated: one including age, gender, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension; and one additionally including apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carrier status.

Medial temporal lobe atrophy and depressive symptoms in elderly patients with and without Alzheimer disease.

Objective: To determine whether depressive symptoms are associated with medial temporal lobe atrophy in older people with and without Alzheimer disease (AD).

Method: A total of 368 memory clinic patients with AD, mild cognitive impairment, and subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) were included. Depressive symptoms were defined as a score of 8 or higher on Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia or use of antidepressant medications.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Alzheimer Markers in Depressed Elderly Subjects with and without Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid Alzheimer's disease (AD) markers and depression in elderly people.

Method: We included subjects with AD as well as persons with subjective cognitive impairment and normal cognition. Depression was assessed with the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, and a cut-off score of >6 was used to define depression.

Depression in dementia: epidemiology, mechanisms, and treatment.

Purpose Of Review: Depression in people with dementia has important implications, such as reduced quality of life of patients and carers, and is associated with increased costs and reduced cognition. Here, we review recent studies of the epidemiology, course, mechanisms and treatment of depression in people with dementia.

Recent Findings: Depression is both a risk factor and a prodrome of Alzheimer's disease.