Investigating thyroid function and iodine status in adolescents with and without paediatric major depressive disorder.

Depression has been associated with subclinical hypothyroidism and altered hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis functioning. Adequate iodine nutrition is essential for healthy thyroid functioning. We therefore determined associations of iodine and thyroid status with paediatric major depressive disorder (pMDD) among Swiss adolescents and explored whether associations are sex-specific and mediated by stress.

Inverse association between slow-wave sleep and low-grade inflammation in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between both self-reported and objective sleep variables and low-grade inflammation in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) of moderate to severe symptom severity.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined twenty-nine children and adolescents diagnosed with MDD and twenty-nine healthy controls (HC). Following a one-week actigraphy assessment, comprehensive sleep evaluations were conducted, including a one-night sleep EEG measurement and self-reported sleep data.

Iron status in Swiss adolescents with paediatric major depressive disorder and healthy controls: a matched case-control study.

Purpose: Depression is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation and impaired intestinal function, both of which may reduce dietary iron absorption. Low iron status has been associated with depression in adults and adolescents. In Swiss adolescents, we determined the associations between paediatric major depressive disorder (pMDD), inflammation, intestinal permeability and iron status.

Associations of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status and intake with paediatric major depressive disorder in Swiss adolescents: A case-control study.

Background: Observational studies suggest a link between n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake, n-3 PUFA status, and depression in adults, but studies in adolescents are scarce. This study aimed to determine associations of n-3 PUFA status and intake with paediatric major depressive disorder (pMDD) in Swiss adolescents.

Methods: We conducted a matched case-control study in 95 adolescents diagnosed with pMDD and 95 healthy controls aged 13 to <18 years.

Executive functions and borderline personality features in adolescents with major depressive disorder.

Background: Executive functions (EF) consolidate during adolescence and are impaired in various emerging psychiatric disorders, such as pediatric Major Depressive Disorder (pMDD) and Borderline Personality Disorder. Previous studies point to a marked heterogeneity of deficits in EF in pMDD. We examined the hypothesis that deficits in EF in adolescents with pMDD might be related to comorbid Borderline Personality features (BPF).

How Are Discrepant Parent-Child Reports Integrated? A Case of Depressed Adolescents.

Severity ratings of psychopathology in minors are often based on a composite score of the parent's and child's reports. However, parent's and child's reports often differ substantially, resulting in the integration method affecting the final scores. Nevertheless, effects of integration algorithms are seldom assessed and poorly understood.

Verbal Memory Performance in Depressed Children and Adolescents: Associations with EPA but Not DHA and Depression Severity.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been described as positively associated with cognitive functioning. Current meta-analyses have identified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as potentially more effective than docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). An especially vulnerable subgroup that might benefit from these beneficial effects are depressed youths.

When parents and children disagree: Informant discrepancies in reports of depressive symptoms in clinical interviews.

Background: Parents and their children often disagree on the existence and severity of psychopathological symptoms, especially in major depressive disorder (MDD). Discrepant estimations pose a problem for the validity of diagnoses and illness severity with major implications for treatment evaluation.

Methods: 118 adolescents aged 13-18 years and their parents were interviewed and their reports were compared regarding the presence of a MDD diagnosis.

Omega-3 and its domain-specific effects on cognitive test performance in youths: A meta-analysis.

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for brain development. The aim of this meta-analysis was to broaden current knowledge of the effects of omega-3 supplementation on cognitive test performance in youths. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting selection criteria were identified through two independent literature searches on PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO (last search June 2019).