Cognitive impairment of medicated patients with remitted depression and low anticholinergic activity.

Background: A recent meta-analysis has found that patients who have achieved remission of major depressive disorder (MDD) show cognitive dysfunction. Moreover, anticholinergic activity levels are associated with cognitive dysfunction, although the extent of these effects is unclear. Therefore, we measured serum anticholinergic activity (SAA) in blood samples of patients with remitted MDD and examined its relationship with cognitive function.

Clinical course and serum amyloid β levels in elderly patients with major depressive disorder.

Background: Depression is known to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Changes in amyloid β protein (Aβ) metabolism have been speculated as a factor contributing to the transition from depression to AD. The aim of this study is to reveal the time course and state-dependency of Aβ metabolism.

Serum levels and mutual correlations of amyloid β in patients with depression.

Aim: Epidemiological studies have shown that depression is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the biological mechanism underlying the link between depression and AD is unclear, altered amyloid β (Aβ) metabolism in patients with depression has been suggested as a potential mechanism. Results from previous studies of Aβ metabolism in patients with depression have been inconsistent, and Aβ polymerization, which is a crucial process in AD pathology, has not previously been assessed.

Serum levels of TDP-43 in late-life patients with depressive episode.

Background: Recent reports have suggested a relationship between affective disorder including depression and bipolar disorder (BP) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). TAR DNA binding protein (TDP) -43 is a protein found in the brain and peripheral fluid of patients with FTD. To examine a possible association between affective disorders and FTD, serum levels of TDP-43 were evaluated in late-life patients with major depressive episode (MDE).

Increased Serum Levels of α-Synuclein in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder.

Objective: Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that depression is a risk factor for dementia. In particular, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) has been noted to be highly relevant to depression. It has been suggested that α-synuclein (α-syn), a major component of Lewy bodies, is related to the onset and progression of DLB.

Glucocorticoid may influence amyloid β metabolism in patients with depression.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that depression may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the biological mechanisms of the transition from depression to AD are still not clear. Changes of amyloid β protein (Aβ) metabolism and increased glucocorticoid (GC) levels have been found in both depression and AD. Moreover, several studies in animal models have demonstrated that GC administration changes Aβ metabolism.

Renal concerns relative to the use of lithium in geriatric bipolar disorder patients.

Background: Lithium is a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder in geriatric patients; however, it has long been associated with potentially significant renal consequences, including chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: We reviewed the available evidence to characterize the effects of lithium on renal function, provide a consensus on periodic monitoring, and propose criteria for transitioning an older patient with bipolar disorder and renal issues to an alternate medication.

Results: Although the evidence on lithium use, duration, and dosage on progression of CKD and end-stage renal disease in geriatric patients is mixed, there is solid evidence that patients receiving lithium generally have a reduced glomerular filtration rate compared with controls.

Residual memory impairment in remitted depression may be a predictive factor for recurrence.

Objective: Memory impairment in remitted depression is reported to be related to the number of previous depressive episodes. A recent report hypothesized that each depressive episode increases the risk of memory impairment during remission, which further increases the risk of recurrence. We investigated whether the risk for recurrence increased as a function of memory impairment at remission.

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and personality traits in patients with major depression.

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors. Previous studies have demonstrated lower serum BDNF levels in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and reported an association between BDNF levels and depression-related personality traits in healthy subjects. The aim of the present study was to explore for a possible association between peripheral BDNF levels and personality traits in patients with MDD.

Altered serum glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end product (AGE) and soluble AGE receptor levels indicate carbonyl stress in patients with schizophrenia.

Recent cross-sectional and longitudinal studies indicate that measurements of peripheral blood carbonyl stress markers such as the advanced glycation end product (AGE) pentosidine and the reactive carbonyl-detoxifying B6 vitamin pyridoxal could be used as therapeutic biological markers in subpopulations of schizophrenia patients. Glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs (Glycer-AGE) have strong neurotoxicity, and soluble receptors for AGEs (sRAGE) may ameliorate the effects of AGEs. In the present study, we measured Glycer-AGEs and sRAGE levels to determine their potential as diagnostic, therapeutic, or clinical biological markers in patients with schizophrenia.

Temperament and character as predictors of recurrence in remitted patients with major depression: a 4-year prospective follow-up study.

The aim of the present study was to examine whether the specific personality traits, Harm-Avoidance (HA) and Self-Directedness (SD) as measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), were predictive for subsequent depressive episodes in remitted patients with major depressive disorders (MDDs) over a 4-year follow-up. A total of 109 inpatients with MDD participated in this study. The subjects completed the TCI when they were assessed to be in remission.

Psychomotor agitation in major depressive disorder is a predictive factor of mood-switching.

Background: The relationship between psychomotor agitation in unipolar depression and mood-switching from depression to manic, hypomanic and mixed states has been controversial. We investigated the future risk of initial mood-switching as a function of psychomotor agitation in unipolar depression.

Methods: We identified 189 participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Comparative study of cognitive impairment between medicated and medication-free patients with remitted major depression: class-specific influence by tricyclic antidepressants and newer antidepressants.

Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are known to present with cognitive deficits; however, the presence of these deficits in the remitted state have been inconsistent. One of the most important factors potentially contributing to inconsistencies between studies may be the influence of medications. To explore the influence of antidepressants on cognitive performance in remitted MDD, we evaluated memory and executive functions using Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised and Stroop Color and Word Test, and compared performance among 50 medicated (29 treated with tricyclic antidepressants [TCA], 21 treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors) and 19 medication-free MDD patients and 31 controls.

Gender differences in serum testosterone and cortisol in patients with major depressive disorder compared with controls.

Objective: Testosterone may have a role distinct from cortisol in the pathophysiology of depression. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis affects the functions of sex steroid hormones through interaction with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The objective of this study was to investigate differences in serum levels of testosterone and cortisol in male and female patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Significance of measurements of peripheral carbonyl stress markers in a cross-sectional and longitudinal study in patients with acute-stage schizophrenia.

Altered peripheral carbonyl stress markers, high levels of serum pentosidine, which accumulates following carbonyl stress, and low levels of pyridoxal (vitamin B6), which detoxifies reactive carbonyl compounds, have been reported in a cross-sectional study of chronic schizophrenia. However, changes in the levels of these compounds in patients with schizophrenia have not been investigated in a longitudinal study. To clarify whether these markers may be biological markers that reflect the clinical course of the disease, the serum levels of these compounds were investigated in a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study.

Time course for memory dysfunction in early-life and late-life major depression: a longitudinal study from the Juntendo University Mood Disorder Project.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with depression also have memory dysfunctions during depressive episodes. These dysfunctions partially remain immediately after remission from a depressive state; however, it is unclear whether these residual memory dysfunctions may disappear through long-term remission from depression. The present study compared patients during early-life (age<60) and late-life (age ≥ 60) depression while in their remitted stage with healthy controls to elucidate the impact of a long-term course on memory.

No correlation between plasma NMDA-related glutamatergic amino acid levels and cognitive function in medicated patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: Disrupted glutamatergic neurotransmission and cognitive functions are key components in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Changes in levels of serum/plasma glutamatergic amino acids, such as glutamate, glycine, and L- and D-serine may be possible clinical markers. Following our recent findings that peripheral blood levels of endogenous glycine, alanine, and especially D-serine may reflect the degree/change in symptoms in schizophrenia, here we investigated whether these plasma amino acid levels may also reflect the status of cognitive functions in schizophrenia.

Heterogeneity of elderly depression: increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and Aβ protein metabolism.

Epidemiological studies have proposed that depression may increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), even in patients with early-onset depression. Although metabolism of amyloid β protein (Aβ) in elderly depression received attention in terms of their correlation, there is a serious heterogeneity in elderly depression in terms of age at onset of depression. Moreover, it is unknown whether early-onset major depressive disorder (MDD) has a long-term effect on the involvement of Aβ metabolism and later development of AD.

Serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (S) levels in medicated patients with major depressive disorder compared with controls.

Background: There is accumulating evidence regarding gender differences in clinical symptoms or response to antidepressants in patients with depression. However, less attention has been given to sex differences in the underlying biological mechanisms of depression. The adrenal androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate derivative (DHEA-S), play a critical role in controlling affect, mood, and anxiety.

Residual memory dysfunction in recurrent major depressive disorder--a longitudinal study from Juntendo University Mood Disorder Project.

Background: Depression may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Large cohort studies have shown that recurrent depression is associated with a risk of developing dementia. Other studies have documented smaller hippocampal volume in patients with recurrent depression.

Duration of last depressive episode may influence serum BDNF levels in remitted patients with major depression.

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may have an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. Previous studies indicate that serum BDNF levels were lower in patients with depression and increased after treatment with antidepressants. However, results of studies on serum BDNF levels in remitted patients with depression have been inconsistent.

No genetic association between SLC7A10 and Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Disrupted glutamatergic neurotransmission may be a pathophysiological feature in the brains from patients with schizophrenia, and glutamatergic amino acids including D-serine have been found to be involved in pathophysiology. Endogenous and exogenous D-serine have shown potential as biological markers for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and especially as a therapeutic strategy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). This is the first study investigating whether SLC7A10, a d-serine transporter gene, is associated with schizophrenia in Japanese patients.