[Recommendations for the diagnostic and therapy of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)].

The «Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)» were developed in parallel with the Swiss National Dementia Strategy 2014-2019 under the auspices of the Swiss Society for Geriatric Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (SGAP) and mark the beginning of a series of recommendations for geriatric psychiatric disorders. They depict the evidence-based state of knowledge about diagnostics and therapy, based on the clinical experience of the experts, and are designed for interprofessional and interdisciplinary use. The non-pharmacological intervention options and pharmacotherapy are discussed in detail.

[Physical Activity and Mental Health in the Elderly].

Physical Activity and Mental Health in the Elderly The aging process is closely linked to physiological changes. These physiological changes may lead to an increased vulnerability for developing somatic and mental disorders. Reduced physical activity/sedentary behaviour can enhance this process.

[Violence and Abuse in Competitive Sports].

Violence and Abuse in Competitive Sports Violence and abuse in competitive sports, such as physical and emotional abuse, physical and emotional neglect and sexual abuse, affect children, adolescents and adults alike and lead to severe physical, psychological and social consequences. In current medical and educational care concepts of athletes, there is a lack of consistent integration of sports/psychiatric, clinical psychological and psychotherapeutic, developmental pediatric and developmental psychological expertise. Problem areas arise from fine lines between harassment, non-physical and physical violence.

Violence and Abuse in Competitive Sports.

Violence and abuse in competitive sports, such as physical and emotional abuse, physical and emotional neglect and sexual abuse, affect children, adolescents and adults alike and lead to severe physical, psychological and social consequences. In current medical and educational care concepts of athletes, there is a lack of consistent integration of sports/psychiatric, clinical psychological and psychotherapeutic, developmental pediatric and developmental psychological expertise. Problem areas arise from fine lines between harassment, non-physical and physical violence.

Impact of plant extracts tested in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment on cell survival and energy metabolism in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Plant extracts such as Hypericum perforatum and Pycnogenol have been tested as alternatives to the classical ADHD drugs. It has been possible to describe neuroprotective effects of such plant extracts. A reduction of ADHD symptoms could be shown in clinical studies after the application of Pycnogenol, which is a pine bark extract.

Sleep deprivation in depression.

Sleep deprivation (SD) is a powerful antidepressant treatment that shows antidepressant responses within hours in 40-60% of depressed patients. In more than 80% of responders to SD, a relapse into depression occurred after the recovery night. In addition, it serves as an excellent tool to examine the neurobiological disturbance of depression and may profoundly contribute to the development of new specific and more rapidly acting antidepressants.

Impact of psychostimulants and atomoxetine on the expression of 8-hydroxyguanine glycosylase 1 in human cells.

Oxidative DNA damage as one sign of reactive oxygen species induced oxidative stress is an important factor in the pathogenesis of various psychiatric disorders. Altered levels of DNA base damage products as well as the expression of the main repair enzyme 8-hydroxyguanine glycosylase 1 have been described. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of drugs (amphetamine, methylphenidate and atomoxetine) used in the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder on the expression of this enzyme via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and human monocytic U-937 cells at concentrations of 50, 500 and 5,000 ng/ml.

[Treatment of insomnia].

The prevalence of insomnia is high in the population of western industrial countries (up to 35 %). Sleep disturbance may consequently lead to an impairment of cognitive functions, mood disturbance and metabolic alterations. Therefore, the confirmation of insomnia and its diagnostic characterization is of great importance.

Impact of haloperidol and quetiapine on the expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Antipsychotics are known to alter antioxidant activities in vivo. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line the impact of a typical (haloperidol) and an atypical (quetiapine) antipsychotic on the expression of genes encoding the key enzymes of the antioxidant metabolism (Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase; Mn superoxide dismutase; glutathione peroxidase; catalase) and enzymes of the glutathione metabolism (gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase, glutathione-S-transferase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, glutathione reductase). The cells were incubated for 24h with 0.

Effects of antidepressants on mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes in human monocytic U-937 cells.

Alterations of antioxidant enzyme activities have been described in a number of psychiatric disorders including major depression. Subsequently, the present study examined the effects of different types of antidepressants (desipramine, imipramine, maprotiline and mirtazapine) in different concentrations (10(-5), 10(-6) and 10(-7) M) on the mRNA levels of various enzymes of the antioxidant system, including both intracellular superoxide dismutase isoforms, glutathione peroxidase and catalase as well as several enzymes of the glutathione metabolism in monocytic U-937 cells after short- and long-term treatment (2.5 and 24 h) via RT-PCR.