Ryanodine receptors are involved in the improvement of depression-like behaviors through electroconvulsive shock in stressed mice.

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective for treating depression. However, the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of ECT remain unknown. Depressed patients exhibit abnormal Ca kinetics.

Association between previous high-dose antipsychotic therapy and brexpiprazole discontinuation after the initiation of brexpiprazole in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with brexpiprazole discontinuation after initiating brexpiprazole in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. All patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who were started on brexpiprazole in our institution between May 2018 and April 2019 were retrospectively screened. The continuation rate of brexpiprazole during a follow-up period of 16 weeks was examined.

Expression of aggrecan components in perineuronal nets in the mouse cerebral cortex.

Specific regions of the cerebral cortex are highly plastic in an organism's lifetime. It is thought that perineuronal nets (PNNs) regulate plasticity, but labeling for Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA), which is widely used to detect PNNs, is observed throughout the cortex. The aggrecan molecule-a PNN component-may regulate plasticity, and may also be involved in determining region-specific vulnerability to stress.

Hyaluronic acid is present on specific perineuronal nets in the mouse cerebral cortex.

In the central nervous system (CNS), extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules comprise more than 20% of the volume and are involved in neuronal plasticity, synaptic transmission, and differentiation. Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are ECM molecules that highly accumulate around the soma of neurons. The components of the ECM in the CNS include proteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans.

Juvenile stress induces behavioral change and affects perineuronal net formation in juvenile mice.

Background: Many neuropsychiatric disorders develop in early life. Although the mechanisms involved have not been elucidated, it is possible that functional abnormalities of parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PV neurons) are present. Several previous studies have shown that juvenile stress is implicated in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Empathic behavior according to the state of others in mice.

Introduction: Empathic behavior is essential for social activities in social animals. Therefore, lack of empathy is a feature of several neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms of empathy and which animals possess it remain unclear.

Two-year effectiveness of risperidone and aripiprazole in the maintenance treatment of patients with recent-onset or chronic schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders: a retrospective multicenter study.

This study aimed to assess the comparative effectiveness of risperidone (RIS) versus aripiprazole (ARP) in patients with recent-onset or chronic schizophrenia during maintenance treatment and to examine the interaction between illness duration and the effectiveness of the treatment. All adult patients with schizophrenia and related disorders discharged from four psychiatric hospitals between 2006 and 2012 were screened and the 2-year continuation rates of monotherapy using RIS or ARP after discharge were examined retrospectively. The treatment continuation of the two drugs in patients with recent-onset (illness duration <5 years) or chronic schizophrenia (illness duration ≥5 years) and the moderator effect of illness duration on the effectiveness of the treatment were analyzed.

Age-dependent and region-specific alteration of parvalbumin neurons and perineuronal nets in the mouse cerebral cortex.

Cognitive function declines with age. Such function depends on γ-oscillation in the frontal cortex. Pyramidal neurons, and the parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV neurons) that control them, are important for the generation of γ-oscillation.

Postnatal development of GABAergic interneurons and perineuronal nets in mouse temporal cortex subregions.

In human neuropsychiatric disorders, there are functional and anatomical abnormalities of GABAergic interneurons in each temporal cortex subregion. Furthermore, accumulation of amyloid-β is observed in the temporal cortex in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Each subregion of the temporal cortex has an important role in coordinating the input and output of the hippocampus.

Optimal Dosing of Risperidone and Olanzapine in the Maintenance Treatment for Patients With Schizophrenia and Related Psychotic Disorders: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the optimal tolerability dose ranges of risperidone (RIS) and olanzapine (OLZ) administered during schizophrenia maintenance phase.

Methods: Two-year continuation rates of prescription at discharge were examined using a retrospective cohort study method. Adult patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, receiving antipsychotic monotherapy with RIS or OLZ at discharge, were included.

Efficacy of second-generation antipsychotics in patients at ultra-high risk and those with first-episode or multi-episode schizophrenia.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the speed of response, doses, and safety of treatment with second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in patients at ultra-high risk (UHR) compared to those with schizophrenia.

Methods: A 12-week open-label, prospective study of SGAs was performed in UHR patients and those with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) and multi-episode schizophrenia (MES). The subjects were 14-30 years old and were recruited at Zikei Hospital, Okayama, Japan from December 1, 2006 to December 1, 2011.

Characteristics and outcomes of school refusal in Hiroshima, Japan: proposals for network therapy.

The authors conducted a study on children undergoing treatment at major school refusal treatment centers in Hiroshima Prefecture. On the whole, school refusal in the prefecture was found to peak between 13 and 14 years of age. By age group, the main reason for school refusal in elementary school group was parent-child relationship with separation anxiety.

Clonazepam augmentation of antidepressants: does it distinguish unipolar from bipolar depression?

Background: The authors compared the effect of clonazepam supplement treatment on unipolar depression and bipolar depression.

Methods: A total of 38 protracted depression patients with unipolar depression (n = 19) or bipolar depression (n = 19) were treated with 3.0 mg clonazepam for 4 weeks.

[The Japanese version of RBANS (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status)].

In Japan, neuropsychological assessment of dementing illnesses has been done mainly using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a revised version of Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R). However, because of a lack of appropriately designed test domains, early detection of senile dementia and/or cognitive impairment is hardly possible, even if using these batteries. This paper is to introduce a Japanese Version of RBANS (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status) which was originally developed by Randolph and revised by us.

Effects of tricyclic antidepressants on protein kinase C activity in rabbit and human platelets in vivo.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) on protein kinase C (PKC) in vivo.

Methods: PKC activity in rabbit and human platelets in vivo was measured after administration of TCA and in controls.

Results: Administration of TCA increased PKC activity in rabbit and human platelets in vivo.