Simultaneous monitoring of activity and heart rate variability in depressed patients: A pilot study using a wearable monitor for 3 consecutive days.

Introduction: Reduced activity and sleep-wake rhythm disturbances are essential features of depressive episodes. In addition, alterations in heart rate variability (HRV) have been implicated in depression. By using a wearable sensor that monitors 3-dimensional acceleration and HRV simultaneously, we examined the activity and HRV indices in depressive episode of mood disorders.

and Counts in the Gut Microbiota of Patients With Bipolar Disorder and Healthy Controls.

Although the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder remains elusive, growing evidence suggests the beneficial effects of and in the gut microbiota on stress response and depressive symptoms. In the present study, we examined and counts for association with bipolar disorder and serum cortisol levels. Bacterial counts in fecal samples were examined in 39 patients with bipolar disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edn.

Plasma amino acid profile in major depressive disorder: Analyses in two independent case-control sample sets.

Some amino acids act as neurotransmitters themselves, or are precursors of neurotransmitters. Previous studies reported inconsistent results regarding their changes in blood in major depressive disorder (MDD), which prompted us to examine plasma levels of amino acids and related molecules in two independent case-control sample sets. In total, 511 subjects were recruited.

A personality-based latent class typology of outpatients with major depressive disorder: association with symptomatology, prescription pattern and social function.

Background: While major depressive disorder (MDD) is considered to be a heterogeneous disorder, the nature of the heterogeneity remains unclear. Studies have attempted to classify patients with MDD using latent variable techniques, yet the empirical approaches to symptom-based subtyping of MDD have not provided conclusive evidence. Here we aimed to identify homogeneous classes of MDD based on personality traits, using a latent profile analysis.

Possible association of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the gut microbiota of patients with major depressive disorder.

Background: Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the gut have been suggested to have a beneficial effect on stress response and depressive disorder. We examined whether these bacterial counts are reduced in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) than in healthy controls.

Method: Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus counts in fecal samples were estimated in 43 patients and 57 controls using bacterial rRNA-targeted reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction

Results: The patients had significantly lower Bifidobacterium counts (P=0.

24-h activity rhythm and sleep in depressed outpatients.

Disturbances in sleep and circadian rest-activity rhythms are key features of depression. Actigraphy, a non-invasive method for monitoring motor activity, can be used to objectively assess circadian rest-activity rhythms and sleep patterns. While recent studies have measured sleep and daytime activity of depressed patients using wrist-worn actigraphy, the actigraphic 24-h rest-activity rhythm in depression has not been well documented.

Plasma L-tryptophan concentration in major depressive disorder: new data and meta-analysis.

Objective: Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is the precursor to serotonin and is metabolized mainly by the kynurenine pathway. Both serotonin and kynurenine have been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, plasma tryptophan concentration in patients with MDD has not unequivocally been reported to be decreased, which prompted us to perform a meta-analysis on previous studies and our own data.

Cognitive effects of the ANK3 risk variants in patients with bipolar disorder and healthy individuals.

Background: Genetic variants within the ankyrin 3 gene (ANK3) have been identified as a risk factor for bipolar disorder. ANK3 influences action potential generation by clustering sodium gated channels and plays an integral role in neurotransmission. Thus, this gene may influence cognition, a process compromised in bipolar disorder.

Psychological coping in depressed outpatients: association with cortisol response to the combined dexamethasone/CRH test.

Background: Depression is associated with dysfunctional coping styles and dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. Studies have shown that maladaptive coping strategies relate to abnormal HPA axis function; however, such a relationship has been under-studied in patients with depression. We aimed to examine whether dysfunctional coping styles in depression would be associated with abnormal cortisol reactivity.

Validation of computer-administered clinical rating scale: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale assessment with Interactive Voice Response technology--Japanese version.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) program to rate the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score in Japanese depressive patients.

Methods: Depression severity was assessed in 60 patients by a clinician and psychologists using HAM-D. Scoring by the IVR program was conducted on the same and the following days.

Difference in Temperament and Character Inventory scores between depressed patients with bipolar II and unipolar major depressive disorders.

Background: Although some core personality variables are known to be characteristic of unipolar or bipolar depression, few studies have compared the personality profile between these two disorders.

Methods: Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was employed to assess the personality of 36 depressed patients with bipolar II disorder (BPII), 90 patients with unipolar major depressive disorder (UP), and 306 healthy controls. The TCI was administered during the depressive episode in BPII and UP patients so that the results can be applied in a clinical setting.