Publications by authors named "Giacomo D'Andrea"

Article Synopsis
  • Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) affects about 30% of people with Major Depressive Disorder, and a new nasal spray called Esketamine (ESK-NS) has been approved to help treat it when combined with certain medications.
  • Researchers wanted to see if combining Vortioxetine, another antidepressant, with ESK-NS was just as good or better than the usual treatment.
  • The results showed that the Vortioxetine and ESK-NS combo worked well to reduce depression and had fewer side effects, suggesting it could be a better option, but more research is needed to be sure.
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The coordinated action of transcriptional and post-transcriptional machineries shapes gene expression programs at steady state and determines their concerted response to perturbations. We have developed Nanodynamo, an experimental and computational workflow for quantifying the kinetic rates of nuclear and cytoplasmic steps of the RNA life cycle. Nanodynamo is based on mathematical modelling following sequencing of native RNA from cellular fractions and polysomes.

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Article Synopsis
  • Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) is a significant health issue that's hard to tackle due to its complex nature and varied symptoms, prompting the need for better treatment strategies.
  • The SelecTool Project is introduced as a computational tool that combines clinical data, EEG, and blood biomarkers using machine learning to personalize TRD treatments, specifically focusing on esketamine nasal spray and accelerated repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
  • The project involves two main phases: first, a study with 100 TRD subjects to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, and then training the tool to assist in managing an additional 20 subjects, ultimately aiming to improve TRD treatment outcomes through advanced data analysis.
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Ribosomopathies are defined as inherited diseases in which ribosomal factors are mutated. In general, they present multiorgan symptoms. In spite of the fact that in cellular models, ribosomal insufficiency leads to a reduced rate of oncogenic transformation, patients affected by ribosomopathies present a paradoxical increase in cancer incidence.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how anxiety impacts depressive symptoms in individuals suffering from post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) who are treated with vortioxetine, an antidepressant.
  • A post-hoc analysis of clinical trial data from 147 participants shows that higher anxiety scores correlate with increased depressive symptoms, indicating a significant relationship between the two.
  • Results suggest that improving anxiety symptoms through treatment can enhance the effectiveness of antidepressants in reducing depressive symptoms, thereby improving the overall quality of life for patients with PCC.
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Objective: Post-COVID-19 Condition (PCC) is a prevalent, persistent and debilitating phenomenon occurring three or more months after resolution of acute COVID-19 infection. Fatigue and depressive symptoms are commonly reported in PCC. We aimed to further characterize PCC by assessing the relationship between fatigue and depressive symptom severity in adults with PCC.

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The role of dopamine in the pathophysiology of gambling disorder (GD) remains incompletely understood, with disparate research findings concerning presynaptic and postsynaptic structures and dopaminergic synthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate potential correlations between striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) lateralization and asymmetry index, as assessed by I-FP-CIT SPECT, and temperamental traits, as measured by Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), in GD subjects. Significant associations were found between DAT binding asymmetries in the caudate and putamen and the temperamental dimensions of harm avoidance and novelty seeking.

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The article presents a systematic literature review on the use and the psychiatric implications of over-the-counter drugs (OTC), prescription-only-medications (POM), and new psychoactive substances (NPS) within custodial settings. The searches wer carried out on 2 November 2022 on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in line with PRISMA guidelines. A total of 538 records were identified, of which 37 met the inclusion criteria.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the effects of lurasidone, an atypical antipsychotic, on individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder and coexisting alcohol/substance use disorders (AUD/SUD).
  • Results showed significant reductions in psychological symptoms, cravings for substances, and aggressiveness, as well as improvements in overall quality of life after one month of treatment.
  • Lurasidone demonstrated good tolerability, with only a small percentage of participants discontinuing due to side effects, highlighting its potential for effective treatment in dual diagnosis cases.
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Introduction: Dopaminergic transmission impairment has been identified as one of the main neurobiological correlates of both depression and clinical symptoms commonly associated with its spectrum such as anhedonia and psychomotor retardation.

Objectives: We examined the relationship between dopaminergic deficit in the striatum, as measured by I-FP-CIT SPECT imaging, and specific psychopathological dimensions in patients with major depressive disorder.

Methods: To our knowledge this is the first study with a sample of >120 subjects.

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Background: Individuals who have recovered from the acute stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be at risk of developing post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), characterised by a spectrum of persisting, non-specific, and functionally impairing symptoms across multiple organ systems. Obesity has been implicated as a risk factor for PCC, mediated by chronic systemic inflammation. The foregoing has also been separately reported to mediate cognitive dysfunction in PCC.

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Background: Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) is a common and debilitating condition with significant reports of fatigue and psychosocial impairment globally. The extent to which cognitive symptoms and fatigue contribute to reduced quality of life in affected individuals remains clear.

Methods: This is a post-hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that evaluated the effect of vortioxetine on cognitive function in adults with PCC.

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Introduction: To date, there are no therapeutics that have gained regulatory approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), a debilitating condition characterized by cognitive impairment and mood symptoms. Additionally, persistent inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and risks associated with an elevated body mass index (BMI) have been observed. Herein, we aimed to assess the efficacy of vortioxetine in improving depressive symptoms among individuals with PCC,  as modulated by inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and BMI.

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Introduction: Cognitive dysfunction or deficits are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The current study systematically reviews and meta-analyzes multiple domains of cognitive impairment in patients with MDD.

Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from inception through May 17, 2023, with no language limits.

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Background: Inadequate outcomes with monoamine-based treatments in depressive disorders are common and provide the impetus for mechanistically-novel treatments. Esketamine is a proven treatment recently approved for adults with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) while psilocybin is an investigational treatment. Translation of the clinical meaningfulness for these foregoing agents in adults with TRD is required.

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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor, proBDNF, are known to significantly contribute to brain homeostasis, neuroplasticity, and neuronal remodeling. Although these neurotrophins are thought to have opposing roles, both play a critical part in shaping long-lasting behavioral changes following substance use. In this context, our study sought to explore the implications of these neurotrophins in the pathophysiology of cocaine use disorder (CUD).

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Article Synopsis
  • * Zuranolone (SAGE217) is a promising new oral antidepressant that acts quickly, providing effects in just two weeks, and is currently being tested for use in PPD and MDD patients.
  • * Clinical trials show that zuranolone is effective and generally well tolerated, with ongoing studies further examining its safety and efficacy in treating these disorders.
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Introduction: Intravenous ketamine (KET-IV) and intranasal esketamine (ESK-NS) are effective in the acute treatment of Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). Studies comparing KET-IV and ESK-NS concerning their action, safety, and tolerability are currently lacking.

Materials And Methods: We combined patients' data from two unipolar TRD cohorts that received KET-IV (n = 171) at the Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence in Toronto, Canada, or ESK-NS (n = 140) at several TRD clinics in Italy.

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Introduction: The post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is characterized by persistent, distressing symptoms following an acute COVID-19 infection. These symptoms encompass various domains, including hedonic tone, which is critical for overall well-being. Furthermore, obesity is both a risk factor for COVID-19 and PCC and associated with impaired hedonic tone.

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Introduction: The challenges posed by treatment-resistant schizophrenia and depressive symptoms have led to ongoing difficulties despite the availability of antipsychotics and antidepressants. This review addresses the potential of amisulpride analogs, particularly SEP-4199, in addressing these challenges through enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects.

Areas Covered: This review focuses on the pharmacological profile of amisulpride analogs, exemplified by LB-102 and its derivative SEP-4199.

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