Autoantibodies against myelin sheath and S100β are associated with cognitive dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with cognitive impairment and peripheral production of autoantibodies. Autoantibodies against central nervous system (CNS) proteins and S100 calcium-binding β (S100β) were found increased in diseases characterized by cognitive impairment like Alzheimer disease and Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (NPSLE). The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma levels of autoantibodies against myelin basic protein (anti-MBP), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG) and S100β, and their relationships with cognitive performance in RA patients.

Crack-cocaine dependence and aging: effects on working memory.

Objective: To compare the working memory (WM) performance of young adult crack-cocaine dependent users, healthy older adults, and a control group of healthy young adults.

Methods: A total of 77 female participants took part in this study: 26 young adult crack-cocaine dependent users (CRK), 19 healthy older adults (HO), and 32 healthy younger adults (HC). All participants completed the N-back verbal task.

Toll-like receptor expression and function in type I bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) has been associated with immune imbalance and low-grade inflammation. The underlying mechanisms remain largely obscure but may involve changes in cell signaling. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are widely expressed by immune cells.

Early stages of bipolar disorder: characterization and strategies for early intervention.

Objective: To characterize the early stages of bipolar disorder (BD), defined as the clinical prodrome/subsyndromal stage and first-episode phase, and strategies for their respective treatment.

Methods: A selective literature search of the PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and ISI databases from inception until March 2014 was performed. Included in this review were articles that a) characterized prodromal and first-episode stages of BD or b) detailed efficacy and safety/tolerability of interventions in patients considered prodromal for BD or those with only one episode of mania/hypomania.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines and soluble receptors in response to acute psychosocial stress: differential reactivity in bipolar disorder.

Mounting evidence suggests a chronic pro-inflammatory state in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD). Stress exposure is known to exacerbate several inflammatory conditions as well as psychiatric disorders. Here, we analyzed plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their soluble receptors to realistic acute psychosocial stress challenge in BD.

Dual-memory processes in crack cocaine dependents: The effects of childhood neglect on recall.

Exposure to adversities during sensitive periods of neurodevelopment is associated with the subsequent development of substance dependence and exerts harmful, long-lasting effects upon memory functioning. In this study, we investigated the relationship between childhood neglect (CN) and memory using a dual-process model that quantifies recollective and non-recollective retrieval processes in crack cocaine dependents. Eighty-four female crack cocaine-dependent inpatients who did (N = 32) or did not (N = 52) report a history of CN received multiple opportunities to study and recall a short list composed of familiar and concrete words and then received a delayed-recall test.

Childhood maltreatment and inflammatory markers: a systematic review.

Objective: Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been associated with several diseases in adult life, including diabetes, obesity and mental disorders. Inflammatory conditions have been postulated as possible mediators of this relationship. The aim was to conduct a systematic review regarding the association between CM and inflammatory markers in adulthood.