No influence of DTNBP1 polymorphisms on the response to aripiprazole.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate possible influences of a panel of markers in the dysbindin gene DTNBP1 (rs3213207, rs1011313, rs2005976, rs760761 and rs2619522) on the clinical outcome and side effects associated to the treatment with aripiprazole in schizophrenic patients.

Methods: Efficacy was assessed at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 using the Clinical Global Impression Severity and Improvement Scales, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Schedule for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms. Side effects were evaluated by the Simpson-Angus, Barnes Akathisia and Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scales.

Further evidence supporting the association between 5HTR2C gene and bipolar disorder.

Three 5HTR2C polymorphisms were investigated in bipolar (BD) spectrum disorders. The functional rs6318 G (Cys) allele was more frequent in BD patients than in controls (P=0.0036).

Predictors of early worsening after switch to aripiprazole: a randomized, controlled, open-label study.

Background: Despite the increasing evidence relating to strategies for switching between different antipsychotics, little evidence is available about predictors of improvement or worsening while switching. In a previous study, we compared different options for switching to aripiprazole and found that patients with schizophrenia switched to aripiprazole with immediate discontinuation of the previous antipsychotic showed an increase in symptom severity after 1 week.

Objective: To identify predictors of worsening in the first 4 weeks after the switch to aripiprazole in partial non-responders to previous treatments.

Further evidence supporting the influence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on the outcome of bipolar depression: independent effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and harm avoidance.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a candidate gene for response to antidepressant treatment. However, response to pharmacological treatments is moderated by both genetic and other factors within individuals. For example, there is evidence of an influence of the temperamental trait of harm avoidance on the outcome of depressive disorders.

MDR1 gene polymorphisms and response to acute risperidone treatment.

Polymorphic multidrug resistant protein 1 (MDR1) transports drugs against a concentration gradient across the blood-brain barrier and reduces their accumulation in the brain. MDR1 may therefore influence antipsychotic brain availability contributing to inter-individual differences in treatment response and adverse effects, regardless of plasma concentrations. In the present study we investigated the influence of two common MDR1 polymorphisms on the improvement of psychopathological symptoms and occurrence of extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) in Slovenian schizophrenia patients acutely treated with risperidone.

Correlation of a set of gene variants, life events and personality features on adult ADHD severity.

Increasing evidence suggests that symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could persist into adult life in a substantial proportion of cases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of (1) adverse events, (2) personality traits and (3) genetic variants chosen on the basis of previous findings and (4) their possible interactions on adult ADHD severity. One hundred and ten individuals diagnosed with adult ADHD were evaluated for occurrence of adverse events in childhood and adulthood, and personality traits by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).

No influence of FAT polymorphisms in response to aripiprazole.

The aim of this study was to investigate possible influences of a set of markers in the FAT gene (rs2306987, rs2306990, rs2637777 and rs2304865) on efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenic patients. Efficacy was assessed at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 using the Clinical Global Impression Severity and Improvement scale (CGI-S; CGI-I), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Schedule for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms scale. Side effects were evaluated by means of the Simpson-Angus Scale for Extrapyramidal Symptoms, the Barnes Akathisia Scale and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale.

TAAR 6 and HSP-70 variations associated with bipolar disorder.

We report on the impact of a set of variations located in the HSP-70 (heat shock protein 70) and TAAR6 (trace amine associated receptors 6 gene) in a sample of bipolar patients. Holding a diagnosis of BPD was the first outcome measure. Response to pharmacotreatment in bipolar patients was the secondary outcome measure.

Thyroid hormones affect recovery from depression during antidepressant treatment.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether thyroid hormonal changes during menopause may affect the development and the course of major depressive disorder.

Methods: Thirty-nine female patients (n = 17 in pre-menopause; n = 22 in post-menopause) with major depressive disorder based on Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition) criteria and who were euthyroid and not on hormonal replacement therapy, participated in a prospective, 6-week, open-label naturalistic study. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 item, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impression scale and the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire were administered at baseline, week 1, week 3, and week 6.

Schizophrenia: genetics, prevention and rehabilitation.

Objective: Genetic factors are largely implicated in predisposing to schizophrenia. Environmental factors contribute to the onset of the disorder in individuals at increased genetic risk. Cognitive deficits have emerged as endophenotypes and potential therapeutic targets for schizophrenia because of their association with functional outcome.

Immediate versus gradual suspension of previous treatments during switch to aripiprazole: results of a randomized, open label study.

The aim of the present work was to investigate possible differences in terms of efficacy and tolerability between different switching options to aripiprazole. 77 subjects were randomly assigned to (1) administration of aripiprazole (10 mg) with simultaneous discontinuation of current antipsychotic; (2) administration of aripiprazole (10 mg) and tapering off current antipsychotic over 4 weeks with half dose after the first 2 weeks; (3) administration of aripiprazole (10 mg) and tapering off current antipsychotic over 6 weeks with half dose after the first 2 weeks. Efficacy assessments included CGI-S, CGI-I, BPRS and SANS.

The impact of heat shock protein 70 gene variations on clinical presentation and outcome in schizophrenic inpatients.

We previously investigated a group of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of a set of genes coding for heat shock proteins (HSPA1A, HSPA1B and HSPA1L) and found a significant association between one HSPA1B variation and schizophrenia (SZ). We now report an association between a set of variations (rs2227956, rs2075799, rs1043618, rs562047 and rs539689) within the same genes and a larger sample of schizophrenic inpatients. A single variation, rs539689 (HSPA1B), was found to be marginally associated with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive scores at discharge, and haplotype analysis revealed a significant association between improvement in PANSS scores with both A-C-G-G and A-C-G-G haplotypes.

TPH2 gene variants and anxiety during alcohol detoxification outcome.

Clinical outcome of alcoholism may be partly under genetic control. The serotonergic system is involved in alcohol intake, and it has been widely investigated in alcohol dependence. Recently, attention has been focused on the neuronal tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene (TPH2).

Influence of TAAR6 polymorphisms on response to aripiprazole.

Background: There is some evidence suggesting a role of TAAR6 in schizophrenia. The aim of the present study is to investigate possible influences of a panel of markers in TAAR6 (rs8192625, rs4305745, rs4305746, rs6903874, rs6937506) on clinical outcomes and side effects in a sample of Korean schizophrenic aripiprazole treated patients.

Methods: Efficacy was assessed at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 using CGI-S, CGI-I, BPRS and SANS.

Harm avoidance moderates the influence of serotonin transporter gene variants on treatment outcome in bipolar patients.

Response to pharmacological treatments is moderated by both genetic and environmental factors. The contribution of such factors is relatively small and complex interactions are likely to be involved. Serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) is a major candidate gene associated to response to antidepressant treatment.

Dysbindin gene (DTNBP1) and schizophrenia in Korean population.

Dysbindin gene (DTNBP1) has been consistently reported to be associated with schizophrenia. However data from East Asian population has been sparse and inconsistent till today. This study tried to replicate the genetic association of DTNBP1 with schizophrenia in a large Korean sample, as well as analyzing the association of DTNBP1 with clinical variables.

Dysbindin gene (DTNBP1) in major depression: association with clinical response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Background: Dysbindin gene (dystrobrevin-binding-protein 1, DTNBP1) variants have been associated with several psychiatric conditions including mood disorders and antidepressant efficacy. We investigated dysbindin gene (DTNBP1) variants in major depression and clinical response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Methods: In this study we investigated the role of DTNBP1 gene (rs3213207, rs2005976, rs760761 and rs2619522) in 313 major depressive outpatients and 149 healthy individuals.

Clinical features, response to treatment and functional outcome of bipolar disorder patients with and without co-occurring substance use disorder: 1-year follow-up.

Introduction: Bipolar disorder patients (BP) with comorbid Substance Use Disorder (SUD) may present clinical features that could compromise adherence and response to pharmacological treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine clinical and psychopathological features of BP with and without comorbid SUD in a real-world setting.

Methods: The sample was composed by 131 affective patients.

Interaction between SERTPR and stressful life events on response to antidepressant treatment.

A polymorphism within the serotonin transporter gene (SERTPR) has been repeatedly associated to mood disorders and response to SSRIs treatment. Recent evidence suggested that influence of genetic effect of SERTPR might be modulated by stress, particularly as regard the development of anxious-depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, there is no information about the role of stressors as potential modulator of SERTPR effects on depressive outcome during pharmacological treatment.

The socio-economical burden of schizophrenia: a simulation of cost-offset of early intervention program in Italy.

Schizophrenia is associated with a high familiar, social and economic burden. During the recent years early and specific intervention for first psychotic episodes has been suggested to improve the long term outcome of the disease. Despite the promising results obtained so far, early intervention is still scarcely applied.

Do estradiol levels influence on the cognitive function during antidepressant treatments in post-menopausal women with major depressive disorder? A comparison with pre-menopausal women.

Objectives: A hypo-estrogenic status, as that occurring with menopause, has been proposed to negatively affect cognitive function in post-menopause women. Nevertheless, little is known about the improvement of cognitive functions during antidepressant treatment in post-menopausal women with major depressive disorder (MDD) and its relation with hormonal changes. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of menopausal status including the level of sex hormones on cognitive function during antidepressant treatment.

Psychometric characteristic of the Italian version of the Temperament and Character Inventory--revised, personality, psychopathology, and attachment styles.

In this article, we described the psychometric characteristics of the revised version of the Cloninger's personality Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-R), Italian translation. Two independent samples, which were composed of 355 and 385 nonclinical mother-language Italian subjects, respectively, completed the TCI-R. A further sample of psychiatric outpatients was compared with community samples.

TAAR6 variation effect on clinic presentation and outcome in a sample of schizophrenic in-patients: an open label study.

We recently reported an association between TAAR6 (trace amine associated receptor 6 gene) variations and schizophrenia (SZ). We now report an association of a set of TAAR6 variations and clinical presentation and outcome in a sample of 240 SZ Korean patients. Patients were selected by a Structured Clinical Interview, DSM-IV Axis I disorders - Clinical Version (SCID-CV).

Acute antipyschotic efficacy and side effects in schizophrenia: association with serotonin transporter promoter genotypes.

Background: The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) plays an important role in serotonergic neurotransmission. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the 44 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the promoter region of 5-HTT gene (5-HTTLPR) on symptomatology of psychosis and clinical response to antipsychotic drugs.

Methods: In total 56 patients acutely treated with haloperidol or risperidone either for the first episode of schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorders, or for the relapse of these psychotic disorders after tapering their maintenance treatment, were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR L and S alleles and for the new A/G functional variant within the L alelle (La/g).