Alcohol-Induced Activation of Chemokine System and Neuroinflammation Development.

Chemokines are immunoregulatory proteins with pleiotropic functions involved in neuromodulation, neurogenesis, and neurotransmission. The way chemokines affect the CNS plays an important role in modulating various conditions that could have negative impact on CNS functions, including development of alcohol use disorders. In this review, we analyzed the literature data available on the problem of chemokine participation in pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and remission of alcohol use disorders both in animal models and in the study of patients with alcoholism.

Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of Cytokine Genes with Depression, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.

Immune gene variants are known to be associated with the risk of psychiatric disorders, their clinical manifestations, and their response to therapy. This narrative review summarizes the current literature over the past decade on the association of polymorphic variants of cytokine genes with risk, severity, and response to treatment for severe mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. A search of literature in databases was carried out using keywords related to depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, inflammation, and cytokines.

Influence of eight ABCB1 polymorphisms on antidepressant response in a prospective cohort of treatment-free Russian patients with moderate or severe depression: An explorative psychopharmacological study with naturalistic design.

Background: Many antidepressants are substrates of P-glycoprotein, an efflux transporter in the blood-brain-barrier encoded by the ABCB1 gene. Genetic variations might influence the transport rate of antidepressants and hence their pharmacological effects. This study investigates the influence of eight polymorphisms in the ABCB1 gene on antidepressant treatment response.

Preliminary Pharmacogenetic Study to Explore Putative Dopaminergic Mechanisms of Antidepressant Action.

Background: There is sufficient evidence that interference of dopaminergic neurotransmission contributes to the therapeutic effects of antidepressants in unipolar and bipolar depression.

Methods: Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD 17) scores of 163 at least moderately ill patients with major depressive disorders were used to establish treatment response. HAMD 17 score status was measured before initiation, after two weeks, and after four weeks of treatment with various antidepressants.

Genetic polymorphisms of PIP5K2A and course of schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe highly heritable mental disorder. The clinical heterogeneity of schizophrenia is expressed in the difference in the leading symptoms and course of the disease. Identifying the genetic variants that affect clinical heterogeneity may ultimately reveal the genetic basis of the features of schizophrenia and suggest novel treatment targets.

Association Between BDNF Gene Variant Rs6265 and the Severity of Depression in Antidepressant Treatment-Free Depressed Patients.

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neuronal plasticity, and its dysregulation has been associated with the pathogenesis of mood and anxiety disorders. Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone which is also produced as a cytokine by immune cells and could be a neurotrophic factor regulating the functional activity of stress-related mechanisms.

Aim: To investigate the possible relationship between depressive state and BDNF and PRL genotypes or levels with special reference to severity of depression.

Limited Associations Between 5-HT Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Treatment Response in Antidepressant Treatment-Free Patients With Depression.

Major depressive disorder has become a prominent cause of disability, as lifetime prevalence has increased to ~15% in the Western world. Pharmacological effects of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) are mediated through 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (5-HTR) binding. Serotonin regulation of amygdala activity is attained through activation of three 5-HT2 family receptor subtypes, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C.

Investigating the potential role of BDNF and PRL genotypes on antidepressant response in depression patients: A prospective inception cohort study in treatment-free patients.

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with response to antidepressant drugs in mood and anxiety disorders. Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone with behavioural effects, acting as a neurotrophic factor within the brain and may be involved in antidepressant response.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between BDNF and PRL genotypes with antidepressant drug response.

An association of AKT1 gene polymorphism with antidepressant treatment response.

Objectives: Nowadays it is considered that protein kinase Akt1 could be involved in pathogenesis of affective disorders. We have examined whether AKT1 gene polymorphisms are associated with antidepressant treatment response.

Methods: The study included 106 Caucasian patients with depressive disorders from Siberia and 103 healthy control donors.