Evaluation of the effectiveness of rehabilitation of people diagnosed with schizophrenia using clinical tools, psychological tests, QEEG, and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of cognitive and social functioning in two groups of schizophrenia patients using clinical tools, psychological tests, QEEG, and changes in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) activity in subjects' serum.

Methods: Randomly selected men diagnosed with schizophrenia were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups. Gr.

Disrupted iron metabolism in peritoneal fluid may induce oxidative stress in the peritoneal cavity of women with endometriosis.

Introduction: Data on the possible role of peritoneal fluid free radical-mediated oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of endometriosis still remains inconsistent. The aim of the study was to determine iron metabolism markers and their influence on oxidative stress arameters in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis.

Material And Methods: 110 women with endometriosis and 119 patients with benign ovarian cysts were included in the study.

Can brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) be an indicator of effective rehabilitation interventions in schizophrenia?

The increasing body of evidence implies that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most common neurotrophin in the nervous system, playing an important role as an effectiveness indicator for rehabilitation interventions in schizophrenia patients. Currently, with the modern laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods it is possible to diagnose deficits influencing the level of patient's functioning and use them as a basis for establishing individual re-adaptation programs for schizophrenia patients considering various forms of the therapy in different environments. Based on the PubMed and Scopus search tools a review of the available literature was performed and the paper presents current results of studies analyzing a relationship between selected rehabilitation interventions used in schizophrenia patients and changes in BDNF levels (a correlation between BDNF levels and physical activity and EEG Biofeedback therapy).

Differences in the dynamics of changes in the concentration of kynurenic acid in the blood serum of depressed patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy.

Background: Nowadays, depression is a serious clinical problem, as the prevalence of its various forms increases and there are growing numbers of patients with severe forms of depression and treatment-refractory depression. Depressed patients have been observed to have decreased levels of kynurenic acid (KYNA), which is the only endogenous antagonist of ionotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The aim of this study was to identify subgroups of patients differing in the dynamics of changes in KYNA concentration during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Prolonged therapy with antidepressants increases hippocampal level of kynurenic acid and expression of Kat1 and Kat2 genes.

Background: Accumulating data suggest an important role of disturbed kynurenine pathway and altered glutamatergic transmission in the pathogenesis of depression. In here, we focused on detailed analyses of kynurenic acid (KYNA) status in vivo following single and 14-day administration of selected tricyclic antidepressant drugs (TCAs) and serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in rats.

Methods: The effect of antidepressants on serum and brain KYNA levels, as well as on the activity of kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs I and II) and expression of Kat1 and Kat2 genes mRNA was studied in three brain regions.

Social functioning and the quality of life of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Introduction: Schizophrenia to a considerably great degree impairs the social functioning of the persons affected in the spheres of interpersonal and occupational contacts, as well as self-care. It brings about serious cognitive, perceptual, motor and emotional deficits, inevitably leading to the social withdrawal of patients. This phenomenon may assume various forms, from the limitations in interpersonal relations, through narrowing these relations to only some circumstances, to the total cessation of social contacts.

Vulvodynia and depression - a case study.

The analysis of the case of vulvodynia coexisting with depression. Remission in terms of pain and affective symptoms was achieved simultaneously after including gabapentin in the treatment at a dose of 900 mg/d. Depressive disorders may constitute a risk factor for vulvodynia and occur as a secondary condition to pain.

Limbic brain structures and burnout-A systematic review.

More profound understanding of the relationship between the burnout and the limbic system function can provide better insight into brain structures associated with the burnout syndrome. The objective of this review is to explore all evidence of limbic brain structures associated with the burnout syndrome. In total, 13 studies were selected.

Blood serum concentrations of kynurenic acid in patients diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorder, depression in bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder treated with electroconvulsive therapy.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare blood serum kynurenic acid (KYNA) concentrations measured before ECT and after 1, 6 and 12 electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) sessions in patients with diagnoses of recurrent depressive disorder (RDD), depression in bipolar disorder (DBD) and schizoaffective disorder (SAD).

Methods: The study group comprised of 50 patients with ICD-10 diagnoses of RDD, DBD and SAD. Blood serum KYNA concentrations were determined and clinical assessment was performed using the MADRS and the GAF scale.

Psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives among subjects with alcohol dependence (AD) presenting different patterns of coping with stress.

Background: The problem of coping with stress is an important one in the context of development and persistence of alcohol dependence. In the literature to date very little attention has been paid to coping patterns construed as a configuration of specific coping styles, particularly as regards the functioning of addicted individuals. The aim of the study was to verify whether individuals with alcohol dependence characterized by different coping patterns differ with respect to the severity of psychopathological symptoms, defense mechanisms and time perspectives.

Personality traits in alcohol-dependent individuals in the context of childhood abuse.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify groups of alcohol-dependent individuals differing in the severity of childhood physical, emotional and sexual abuse and to find the personality variables that discriminate between those groups.

Methods: The study included 90 individuals dependent on alcohol. The following questionnaires were used: the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), the Coping Inventory (COPE), the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), Cattell's IPAT Anxiety Scale, and the Early Trauma Inventory (ETI).

VORTIOXETINE - THE NEW ANTIDEPRESSANT AGENT WITH PROCOGNITIVE PROPERTIES.

Depression symptoms resulting from cognitive function impairment are emphasized by both DSM-5 and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder and depressive episodes. Nonetheless, the role of cognitive dysfunctions seem to remain underestimated in case of depressive disorders, thus they are rarely perceived as therapeutic target. Vortioxetine is a relatively new, multi-functional agent.

LEVOMILNACIPRAN--A SUCCESSOR OF MILNACIPRAN WITH A HIGHER NORADRENERGIC SELECTIVITY.

A new antidepressant, levomilnacipran, is the levorotatory enantiomer of milnacipran. The drug belongs to selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) and has the highest noradrenergic selectivity of all members of this group of antidepressants. Clinical trials have confirmed the effectiveness of levomilnacipran in the treatment of depression.

Compulsive buying in outline.

In spite of a hundred year long history of scientific research compulsive buying has been a hardly known phenomenon until today. Ambiguous scientific information makes it impossible to classify compulsive buying as a separate mental disorder. Recently many researchers have noticed phenomenological compatibility of compulsive buying with behavioural addictions.

Prevalence of self-injury performed by adolescents aged 16-19 years.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of self-injury among adolescents aged 16-19 years and to indicate demographic variable, selected environmental variables and risky behaviours coexisting with performing self-injuries by the respondents.

Methods: The research encompassed 5,685 individuals, aged 16-19 years. During the research the Questionnaire designed by the authors was used.

[Cardiac safety of electroconvulsive therapy in an elderly patient--a case report].

Since electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was introduced as treatment for psychiatric disorders in 1938, it has remained one of the most effective therapeutic methods. ECT is often used as a "treatment of last resort" when other methods fail, and a life-saving procedure in acute clinical states when a rapid therapeutic effect is needed. Mortality associated with ECT is lower, compared to the treatment with tricyclic antidepressants, and comparable to that observed in so-called minor surgery.

[The concept of alcohol craving].

The aim of the article was to assess how the perception of alcohol craving, which is one of the symptoms of alcohol dependence, evolved, as well as how it was reflected in the diagnostic classifications. The purpose of this article was also a discussion of the models of the origins of craving, explaining the etiology of this phenomenon and the tools for measuring this concept. The concept of craving, defined as a strong need or compulsion to drink alcohol, functioned for many years, not only in the clinical practice but also as a concept inherently associated with alcohol dependence.

[Neuroanatomical, genetic and neurochemical aspects of infantile autism].

Infantile autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in communication, reciprocal social interaction and restricted repetitive behaviors or interests. Although the cause of these disorders is not yet known, studies strongly suggest a genetic basis with a complex mode of inheritance. The etiopathogenetic processes of autism are extremely complex, which is reflected in the varying course and its symptomatology.

[The possibility or coercion treatment? Anorexia nervosa--legal regulations. A case report].

Anorexia nervosa is diagnosed on the basis of well-defined diagnostic criteria and requires treatment, as it is associated with the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses. In Poland, anorexia nervosa is not considered a mental illness, although the opinion of researchers and clinicians are divided. To reduce the death rate of AN correct and early diagnosis, appropriate treatment starting immediately and the appropriate regulations to allow people to take the AN treatment against their will are necessary.

Polymorphisms of the 5-HT2A receptor gene and clinical response to olanzapine in paranoid schizophrenia.

Background: 5-HT2A receptor is strongly implicated in the mode of action of atypical antipsychotic drugs. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the 5-HT2A receptor gene's polymorphisms (His452Tyr and T102C) have an influence on the response to olanzapine in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: We studied 99 Caucasian schizophrenia patients treated with olanzapine.

Olanzapine-induced weight gain is associated with the -759C/T and -697G/C polymorphisms of the HTR2C gene.

Weight gain, a serious problem associated with some antipsychotic drugs, notably olanzapine and clozapine, was suggested to be associated with -759C/T polymorphism of the 5-HT2C receptor gene. This study aimed to examine a potential association of two functional polymorphisms of the promoter region of this gene: -759C/T (rs3813929) and -697G/C (rs518147), with weight gain after 6 weeks of olanzapine monotherapy. It included 107 patients with schizophrenia; among them 36 are first-episode drug-naive patients.