Combination of dextromethorphan and memantine in treating bipolar spectrum disorder: a 12-week double-blind randomized clinical trial.

Background: The aim of this study is to determine whether adding combination of agents with anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic effects is more efficacious than mood stabilizer alone in improving clinical symptoms, plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cytokine levels, and metabolic profiles in patients with bipolar spectrum disorder.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, controlled 12-week clinical trial, patients with moderate mood symptoms (HDRS ≥ 18 or YMRS ≥ 14) were recruited. The patients were randomly assigned to a group while still undergoing regular valproate (VPA) treatments: VPA + dextromethorphan (DM) (30 mg/day) + memantine (MM) (5 mg/day) (DM30 + MM5) (n = 66), VPA + DM (30 mg/day) (DM30) (n = 69), VPA + MM (5 mg/day) (MM5) (n = 66), or VPA + Placebo (Placebo) (n = 69).

Add-On Memantine Treatment for Bipolar II Disorder Comorbid with Alcohol Dependence: A 12-Week Follow-Up Study.

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD), especially BD-II, is frequently comorbid with alcohol dependence. Because BD-II and alcohol dependence are neurodegenerative disorders, agents with anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic effects might provide effective therapy. We investigated whether add-on memantine to regular valproic acid treatment ameliorated clinical symptoms, reduced alcohol use, and cytokine levels, and increased plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in BD-II patients with comorbid alcohol dependence.

The COMT Val158Met Polymorphism Is Associated With Response to Add-on Dextromethorphan Treatment in Bipolar Disorder.

Purpose/background: We previously conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled, 12-week study evaluating the effect of add-on dextromethorphan (DM), a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, on patients with bipolar disorder (BD) treated using valproate (VPA), which showed negative clinical differences. The genetic variation between each individual may be responsible for interindividual differences. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been a candidate gene for BD.

The DRD3 Ser9Gly Polymorphism Predicted Metabolic Change in Drug-Naive Patients With Bipolar II Disorder.

Patients with bipolar II disorder (BDII) have a higher prevalence rate of metabolic disturbance. Whether BDII itself, in addition to its current standard treatment, is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome warrants additional study. The dopamine receptor D3 (DRD3) gene, one of the candidate genes for BDII, is also involved in the dopaminergic system.

Therapeutic effects of add-on low-dose dextromethorphan plus valproic acid in bipolar disorder.

Unlabelled: Changes in inflammatory cytokines and dysfunction of the neurotrophic system are thought to be involved in the pathology of bipolar disorder (BP). We investigated whether inflammatory and neurotrophic factors were changed in BP. We also investigated whether treating BP with valproic acid (VPA) plus low-dose (30 or 60 mg/day) dextromethorphan (DM) is more effective than treating it with VPA only, and whether DM affects plasma cytokines and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels.

Association of novelty seeking scores and striatal dopamine D₂/D₃ receptor availability of healthy volunteers: single photon emission computed tomography with ¹²³i-iodobenzamide.

It has been speculated that novelty seeking (NS) behavior is related to the dopaminergic system. Fifty-two subjects completed the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire and underwent single photon emission computed tomography with (123)I-iodobenzamide. A marginally positive correlation was noted between NS and striatal dopamine D(2)/D(3) receptor availability (r = 0.

A 64-week, multicenter, open-label study of aripiprazole effectiveness in the management of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in a general psychiatric outpatient setting.

Objective: To evaluate the overall long-term effectiveness of aripiprazole in patients with schizophrenia in a general psychiatric practice setting in Taiwan.

Methods: This was a prospective, open-label, multicenter, post-market surveillance study in Taiwanese patients with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder requiring a switch in antipsychotic medication because current medication was not well tolerated and/or clinical symptoms were not well controlled. Eligible patients were titrated to aripiprazole (5-30 mg/day) over a 12-week switching phase, during which their previous medication was discontinued.

The association between the harm avoidance subscale of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire and serotonin transporter availability in the brainstem of male volunteers.

The relationship between harm avoidance scores of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire and serotonin transporter availability, as approximated using single photon emission computed tomography with [(123)I] ADAM, was examined. Our results showed a significant negative correlation between the harm avoidance total score, as well as the asthenia subscore, and serotonin transporter availability, particularly in males.

Age, gender, depression, and sexual dysfunction in Taiwan.

Introduction: The effects of age and gender on sexual function have attracted much attention in recent years, though few studies have focused on this issue in Asian populations.

Aims: The Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ) was used to: (i) assess the differences in sexual functioning between unmedicated outpatients with depressive disorders and healthy volunteers; and (ii) investigate the influences of gender and age on sexual functioning in both groups.

Main Outcome Measures: The CSFQ was used to assess sexual dysfunction.

The risk factors of Internet addiction--a survey of university freshmen.

This study was designed to explore the risk factors of Internet addiction in 1360 freshmen of the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan in 2003. The test battery included a self-administrated structured questionnaire, the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale-Revision (CIAS-R), the 12-item Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ-12), the Measurement of Support Functions (MSF), and the neuroticism subscale of the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI). Of the total study population, there were 680 college freshmen (17.

Association between serotonin transporter availability and overall rating scores of quality of life in healthy volunteers.

Depression and impaired quality of life (QOL) are frequently observed in patients suffering from a variety of diseases. In addition, it has been reported that an enhanced degradation of the serotonin precursor tryptophan may contribute to QOL deterioration in some diseases. However, it is unclear whether the correlation between the QOL scores and the central serotonergic tone is only mediated by the severity of either the depression symptoms or the physical illness itself.

The relationships between daily life events and the availabilities of serotonin transporters and dopamine transporters in healthy volunteers--a dual-isotope SPECT study.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between the daily life events and the availabilities of serotonin transporters (SERT) and dopamine transporters (DAT) in healthy volunteers. Thirty-seven volunteers, 19 males and 18 females, were recruited. The SERT availability was approximated using SPECT and [123I] ADAM while the DAT availability was approximated using SPECT and [99mTc] TRODAT-1.

The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Modified Overt Aggression Scale.

Objective. Instruments to assess aggressive behaviors in the psychiatric ward are crucial for monitoring risky behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS).

Screening for bipolar disorder in medicated patients treated for unipolar depression in a psychiatric outpatient clinic using the Mood Disorder Questionnaire.

Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the rate of the misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in outpatients who had been treated for unipolar depression with antidepressants in Taiwan and to verify the validity of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) in this population. Method.

Effects of amisulpride on the cognitive function of patients with schizophrenia who switched from risperidone.

Objectives. The aims of this 13-week study were to examine the efficacy and safety of amisulpride, and effects on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia after they switched from risperidone. Methods.

Sexual dysfunction and physicians' perception in medicated patients with major depression in Taiwan.

Although prevalent during antidepressant treatment, sexual dysfunction (SD) is frequently ignored by both physicians and patients in Asia. In spite of impact of SD on medicated patients with major depression, sexual issues and illness remain a forbidden topic for most Asian people. The aims of this study were to: (1) estimate the prevalence of SD among stable outpatients taking different antidepressants in Taiwan; (2) investigate the factors related to SD; (3) compare physician-perceived with patient-reported prevalence rates of antidepressant-associated SD; and (4) study the differences of SD among antidepressant subgroups.

Association between serotonin transporter availability and hostility scores in healthy volunteers - a single photon emission computed tomography study with [(123)I] ADAM.

The present study examined the relationship between serotonin transporter (SERT) availability and hostility scores in healthy volunteers. SERT availability was measured by using SPECT with [(123)I] ADAM in 10 healthy participants. Hostility was measured with the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale.

The relationship among insight, cognitive function of patients with schizophrenia and their relatives' perception.

Medically, insight is a multidimensional concept. Results of previous studies are inconclusive regarding the relationship between insight and global and cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship among insight, patients' global function, cognitive function of patients with schizophrenia and their key caregivers' perception about this disorder.

Two case studies of hypothermia induced by an increased dosage of zotepine in a combination therapy.

The purpose of the present paper was to remind physicians that hypothermia is a possible side-effect of combining zotepine, valproate,and benzodiazepine. Two cases of hypothermia occurred after combining the use of zotepine, valproate, and benzodiazepine. The valproate was under therapeutic blood level when zotepine dosage was raised to 200 mg/day, and hypothermia occurred.