Association of pro-inflammatory cytokines with clinical features in euthymic patients with Bipolar-I-Disorder.

Background: A chronic low-grade inflammatory state appears to be a relevant mechanism in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. Pro-inflammatory cytokines may influence disease course and individual symptomatology; and biological markers correlating with illness features may be of utility in clinical decision making during euthymia.

Methods: 51 euthymic outpatients with Bipolar-I-Disorder (BD-I) and 93 healthy controls (HC) were investigated.

Val66Met polymorphism association with serum BDNF and inflammatory biomarkers in major depression.

Objectives: Current evidence supports participation of neurotrophic and inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Some studies reported an association between the Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene with MDD and peripheral BDNF levels. However, no previous studies have examined the association of this polymorphism with inflammation.

Illness severity and biomarkers in depression: Using a unidimensional rating scale to examine BDNF.

Background: Numerous studies have reported reduced peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in major depression (MD). However, most of these studies used multidimensional depression rating scales, and failed to identify a relationship between BDNF levels and depression severity. Unidimensional scales are a more valid measure of syndrome severity.

Childhood trauma and dimensions of depression: a specific association with the cognitive domain.

Objective: To investigate associations between a history of childhood trauma and dimensions of depression in a sample of clinically depressed patients.

Methods: A sample of 217 patients from a mood-disorder outpatient unit was investigated with the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the CORE Assessment of Psychomotor Change, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. A previous latent model identifying six depressive dimensions was used for analysis.

Depression Dimensions: Integrating Clinical Signs and Symptoms from the Perspectives of Clinicians and Patients.

Background: Several studies have recognized that depression is a multidimensional construct, although the scales that are currently available have been shown to be limited in terms of the ability to investigate the multidimensionality of depression. The objective of this study is to integrate information from instruments that measure depression from different perspectives-a self-report symptomatic scale, a clinician-rated scale, and a clinician-rated scale of depressive signs-in order to investigate the multiple dimensions underlying the depressive construct.

Methods: A sample of 399 patients from a mood disorders outpatient unit was investigated with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and the Core Assessment of Psychomotor Change (CORE).

Association between core-assigned melancholia and the melancholia subscale of the HAM-D.

Background: Clinical observation and research data suggest that major depression (MD) is a heterogeneous disorder, possibly representing a group of different clinical entities. The identification of more homogeneous subtypes of depression could enhance research and enable development of more specific treatments. A melancholic subtype of MD, defined by the presence of observable psychomotor disturbance (PMD), is proposed to be more homogeneous and associated with biological determinants.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Temperament & Personality Questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese.

Introduction: The Temperament & Personality Questionnaire (T&P) is a self-report instrument designed to evaluate personality styles overrepresented in patients with depression. This report briefly describes the translation and adaptation of the T&P into Brazilian Portuguese.

Methods: The procedures, which included 10 steps, followed guidelines for the adaptation of self-report instruments defined by the International Society For Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Task Force for Translation and Cultural Adaptation.

Biological differences between melancholic and nonmelancholic depression subtyped by the CORE measure.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare melancholic patients rated by the CORE measure of observable psychomotor disturbance with nonmelancholic and control subjects across a set of biomarkers.

Methods: Depressed patients were classified as melancholic or nonmelancholic by using the CORE measure. Both groups of patients, as well as control subjects, were compared for a set of clinical and laboratory measures.

Pharmacological treatment of bipolar depression: qualitative systematic review of double-blind randomized clinical trials.

Randomized clinical trial (RCT) is the best study design for treatment-related issues, yet these studies may present a number of biases and limitations. The objective of this study is to carry out a qualitative analysis of RCT methodology in the treatment of bipolar depression (BD). A systematic review covering the last 20 years was performed on PubMed selecting double-blind RCTs for BD.