Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and psychopathology scores in drug-naïve first-episode psychosis.

Introduction: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the regulation of many neuronal processes, including neurogenesis. Therefore, it is thought to be closely associated with many psychopathologies with a neurodevelopmental basis, for example, schizophrenia.

Methods: The patients admitted to the Psychiatry Department of the Faculty of Medicine with a diagnosis of non-affective drug-naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) were included in the study.

Plasma prolidase levels are high in schizophrenia but not in first-episode psychosis.

An increasing number of studies have focussed on the neurobiology of schizophrenia (SCH), contributing to a better understanding of this disorder. Prolidase is a metalloprotease found in various tissues, which has been associated with the concentrations of proline, a neurotransmitter, in the brain. There is evidence to suggest that elevated proline levels play a role in SCH.

Serum Levels of High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein in Drug-naÏve First-episode Psychosis and Acute Exacerbation of Schizophrenia.

Objective: Findings about inflammatory processes in schizophrenia are increasing day by day. Inflammatory processes in schizophrenia are associated with both its etiology and clinical symptoms. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is also one of these inflammatory processes.

Changes in Pre- and Post-Electroconvulsive Therapy Serum Myostatin Levels in Patients with Treatment Resistant Depression.

Objective: Myostatin is a growth factor which is investigated regarding musculoskeletal system. Albeit its effect on muscle mass is known, it is considered likely having other unknown effects as well, particularly on central nervous system. With this study, it is aimed to find out that what type of effect electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) does on myostatin in patients with treatment resistant depression.

Low-dose Clozapine-induced Seizure: A Case Report.

Seizures are believed to be a dose-dependent side effect of clozapine. In this case report, we describe a patient who had tonic-clonic seizures after using a low dose clozapine who did not have any seizure risk. The 29-year-old male patient had been followed-up with a diagnosis of schizophrenia for about 5 years.

Letter to Editor. Depression and cytokines - a different perspective.

no summary.

Seropositivity of neurotropic infectious agents in first-episode schizophrenia patients and the relationship with positive and negative symptoms.

Background: According to the neurodevelopmental model, schizophrenia is a disorder that occurs as a result of different etiologic factors during brain development, including viral infections. However, it is unclear whether these infections are related to the disease or whether they affect the symptom pattern. We investigated the presence of four herpes viruses (EBV, CMV, HSV-1 and HSV-2) in first-episode schizophrenia patients and compared seropositive with seronegative patients and healthy volunteers to reveal the etiological role of viral agents on schizophrenia symptoms.

Possible relationship between amino acids, aggression and psychopathy.

Objective: Aggressive behaviour is associated with reduced serotonin metabolism in the brain, but there is not enough knowledge on potential changes of the serotonin precursor levels among violent offenders. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationships among the tendency of psychopathy, anger and the basic amino acids.

Methods: Fifty-two young adult male patients with antisocial personality disorder (APD) and 30 healthy men included the study.

Intolerance of Uncertainty and Coping Mechanisms in Nonclinical Young Subjects.

Introduction: We aimed to explore the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and coping mechanisms in a nonclinical sample with the same age and educational level.

Methods: The Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE) scale was used to evaluate the coping mechanisms. The IU scale was used to evaluate IU situations.

Assessment of dissociation among combat-exposed soldiers with and without posttraumatic stress disorder.

Background: Dissociation is a disruption of and/or discontinuity in the normal, subjective integration of one or more aspects of psychological functioning, including memory, identity, consciousness, perception, and motor control. A limited number of studies investigated combat-related dissociation.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between dissociative symptoms and combat-related trauma.

The ratios of 2nd to 4th digit may be a predictor of schizophrenia in male patients.

The production of androgens (mostly testosterone) during the early fetal stage is essential for the differentiation of the male brain. Some authors have suggested a relationship between androgen exposure during the prenatal period and schizophrenia. These two separate relationships suggest that digit length ratios are associated with schizophrenia in males.

Cortical Excitability and Agressive Behavior in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Introduction: Hyperarousal and alertness play an important role in the clinical presentation of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Strenuous effort has been made to shed light on the mechanisms that cause these symptoms of patients. Based on the claim that there is a relationship between some subtypes of hyperarousal symptoms and aggression in patients with PTSD, we aimed to examine the relationship between electrophysiological measurements that was measured through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and aggression scale scores of PTSD patients in this study.

Psychiatric Symptoms and Quality of Life in Military Personnel Deployed Abroad.

Background: Military personnel deployed abroad could be exposed to more risk factors that adversely affect quality of life. In this study, we examined psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in Turkish Armed Forces deployed to Afghanistan.

Method: A total of 289 Turkish military personnel working in Afghanistan enrolled in this study.

A rare symptom in posttraumatic stress disorder: Spontaneous ejaculation.

Patient: Male, 25 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: Insomnia • nightmares • spontaneous ejaculation

Medication: Paroxentine Clinical Procedure: - Specialty: Psychiatry.

Objective: Unusual clinical course.

Background: Sexual dysfunction is reported to occur more frequently in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients than in the general population.

Is transcranial magnetic stimulation effective in treatment-resistant combat related posttraumatic stress disorder?

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with co-occurring major depression.

Methods: We examined data on 20 male combat related PTSD patients admitted to the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinic of Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey between January 2011 and December 2012 that received rTMS in addition to medical therapy. We obtained the data by examining the case files and hospital computer records.