Sex differences in response to intranasal oxytocin as an adjunctive therapy for patients with severe mental illness.

Studies investigating the potential benefits of intranasal oxytocin (INOT) as an add-on treatment for patients with severe mental illness (SMI) have yielded inconsistent results, potentially due to sex differences in response to INOT. This study explored the differential effects of INOT among male and female patients with SMI. A secondary analysis was conducted on a previously studied group of patients who participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the impact of INOT as an add-on treatment for patients with SMI.

Socio-demographic predictors of the time interval between successive hospitalizations among patients with borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects 0.7 to 2.7% of the adult population and higher rates are reported in inpatient care.

Exploring Margaret Mahler's Theory: Applications in Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment within Psychiatric Wards.

This article delves into fundamental themes within Margaret Mahler's separation-individuation theory, placing particular emphasis on the rapprochement phase. It illustrates how these themes are crucial for comprehending and effectively managing inpatients grappling with borderline personality disorder. Mahler's conceptual framework offers valuable insights for caregivers and staff, equipping them to navigate the clinical and emotional complexities inherent in the treatment of this distinct patient population during their stay in psychiatric wards.

Inpatient's, therapist's and staff's expectations regarding treatment and their effects on placebo response in the psychiatric ward - results from an add-on oxytocin RCT.

Objectives: Patient's and therapist's expectations are considered an important factor influencing placebo response in experimental and therapeutic settings. Nevertheless, the placebo effects of common neurological facilitators that promote treatment efficacy have not been explored. In the present study we examined the estimations of patients, therapists, and staff members, regarding their treatment type and assessed their influence on the facilitating effects of oxytocin.

Socio-demographic Predictors of Hospitalization Duration Among Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex psychopathology associated with high service utilization rates. In turn, the hospitalization of BPD patients is a controversial challenge for mental health professionals. Prior literature has identified certain socio-demographic factors as linked to an increased risk of BPD.

TMS in combination with a pain directed intervention for the treatment of fibromyalgia - A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial.

Background: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a highly prevalent condition, that causes chronic pain and severe reduction in quality of life and productivity, as well as social isolation. Despite the significant morbidity and economic burden of FMS, current treatments are scarce.

Objective: To investigate whether stimulation of ACC -mPFC activity by dTMS enhances a pain-directed psychotherapeutic intervention.

Intranasal oxytocin as an adjunct treatment among patients with severe major depression with and without comorbid borderline personality disorder.

Introduction: Results of studies concerning a possible beneficial effect of Intranasal-Oxytocin (IN-OT) as an add-on treatment for patients with major depression (MDD) have been inconsistent. One possible explanation to account for the difference in the effect of IN-OT is comorbid borderline personality disorder (BPD). This randomized controlled study was aimed to explore the differential effect of IN-OT administration among depressive patients with or without comorbid borderline personality disorder.

The effect of Oxytocin administration on patient-therapist alliance congruence: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The effects of oxytocin (OT) administration on psychotherapeutic processes have thus far been elusive. This study explored the effect of OT administration on patient-therapist congruence of the working alliance.

Method: Inpatients with mental disorders (= 87) participating in a randomized controlled trial received OT (= 44) or placebo (= 43) intranasally twice a day, for four weeks.

A double-edged hormone: The moderating role of personality and attachment on oxytocin's treatment facilitation effect.

Background: Studies exploring the potential augmenting effect of oxytocin for patients with mental disorders have thus far reported mixed effects. However, oxytocin's effect may differ across patients with different interpersonal characteristics. This study aimed to examine the moderating role of attachment and personality traits on the effect of oxytocin administration on the therapeutic working alliance and symptomatic change, among hospitalized patients with severe mental illness.

Serum claudin-5 levels among patients with unipolar and bipolar depression in relation to the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels.

Accumulating evidence indicates that inflammation and neurovascular unit (NVU) dysfunction contribute to depression via disrupted blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Claudin-5, an endothelial tight-junction protein expressed in the NVU and contributing to BBB integrity, has been implicated in psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia. In an animal model of depressive-like behavior, the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was found to affect BBB permeability and claudin-5 expression of NVU endothelial cells.

Intranasal Oxytocin as Add-On Treatment for Inpatients with Severe Mental Illness: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: In recent years, several studies were conducted to explore the potential augmenting effect of oxytocin for the treatment of individuals with severe mental illness. Nonetheless, studies exploring its effects in routine inpatient settings using high-quality randomized controlled trials are scarce. The current study assessed the effect of oxytocin administration on treatment process and outcome among psychiatric inpatients, while employing a rigorous experimental methodology.

Buffering effect of in-patient psychiatric care on the link between fear of covid-19 and mental health consequences.

Background& Aimes: Psychiatric admissions during the covid-19 pandemic were limited, overlooking their possible benefit. This study focused on assessing the effect of the fear of covid on the mental health and well-being of inpatients as opposed to outpatients.

Methods: During the first lockdown, forty-four inpatients and day care patients (inpatient group) and 74 outpatients (outpatient group) were recruited after an informed consent procedure.

Case Report: Oxytocin and Its Association With Psychotherapy Process and Outcome.

The potential of Oxytocin (OT) as a facilitator of psychotherapy has been previously acknowledged, nonetheless, randomized controlled trials thus far have not yielded conclusive results. One approach suggested to clarify empirical inconsistencies is to refine the study hypotheses and data collection process by utilizing an in-depth idiographic exploration of the investigated phenomena. In this case illustration we provide an in-depth analysis comparing two patients hospitalized in a closed psychiatric ward with depression and undergoing psychotherapy twice a week.

Blood transcriptional response to treatment-resistant depression during electroconvulsive therapy.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are currently the first-line antidepressant drug treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). Treatment-resistant depression (TRD), defined as failure to achieve remission despite adequate treatment, affects ~30% of persons with MDD. The current recommended treatment for TRD is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), while ketamine is an experimentally suggested treatment.

Open-Label placebo for the treatment of unipolar depression: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The response to placebo is robust in studies of various antidepressant treatments. The strong placebo response, combined with the absence of side-effects, has prompted suggestions to use the ethically sound open-label placebo (OLP) as a treatment for depression. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of OLP as an adjunct to treatment as usual (TAU) in the setting of a randomized controlled trial for the treatment of unipolar depression.

Lack of association between unipolar or bipolar depression and serum aquaporin-4 autoantibodies.

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), an astrocyte water channel protein, is the target antigen of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibody in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOsd), a group of inflammatory, demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. Recently, a reduction in blood vessels coverage by AQP4-immunoreactive astrocytes was demonstrated in depressed patients, indicating a role for AQP4 in mood disorders. Moreover, a possible association between depression and serum AQP4-IgG was suggested in a case report of a treatment resistant depression (TRD) patient diagnosed with NMOsd with positive serum AQP4 autoantibodies.

Initial Evaluation of Pain Intensity Among Depressed Patients as a Possible Mediator Between Depression and Pain Complaints.

Pain complaints are frequently described by depressed patients, and are mostly attributed to abnormal pain perception and modulation. The present study aimed to assess whether a unique pain processing profile differentiates depressed patients from healthy controls. Participants were 25 patients suffering from a moderate-severe unipolar depressive episode and 25 age and sex-matched healthy controls.

Monitoring Attention in ADHD with an Easy-to-Use Electrophysiological Index.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) involves characteristic electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. We developed a single-channel EEG marker for attention: the Brain Engagement Index (BEI'). In this study, we evaluated the use of BEI' for distinguishing between ADHD patients and controls, and for monitoring the effect of pharmacological treatment on ADHD patients.

When Can We Predict the Outcome of an Electroconvulsive Therapy Course in Adolescents?: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: There is a dearth of up-to-date literature regarding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in adolescents, and the question of when to pronounce course failure has not been properly addressed. The current study aims to evaluate trajectories of clinical status throughout ECT courses in adolescent patients.

Methods: We retrieved detailed data of 36 patients who received ECT in our treatment center.

Cancer prevalence in Israeli men and women with schizophrenia.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare cancer prevalence rates among patients with schizophrenia to those of the non-schizophrenia population. The study population included members of Clalit Health Services aged 25 to 74 years and all data was taken from patients' electronic health records. Of the 2,060,314 members who were included in the study, 32,748 had a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

A Pilot Study of Possible Easy-to-Use Electrophysiological Index for Early Detection of Antidepressive Treatment Non-Response.

Introduction: The evaluation of response to pharmacological treatment in MDD requires 4-8 weeks. Therefore, the ability to predict response, and especially lack of response to treatment, as early as possible after treatment onset or change, is of prime significance. Many studies have demonstrated significant results regarding the ability to use EEG and ERP markers, including attention-associated markers such as P300, for early prediction of response to treatment.

Randomised sham-controlled study of high-frequency bilateral deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) to treat adult attention hyperactive disorder (ADHD): Negative results.

Objectives: Recent studies support the possible effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and possible efficacy of bilateral prefrontal deep rTMS for the treatment of adult ADHD.

Methods: Twenty-six adult ADHD patients were randomised blindly to sham or actual deep TMS (dTMS).