Journal of affective disorders
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Convergent studies have highlighted the dysfunction of default mode network (DMN) in major depressive disorder (MDD). The altered connectivity in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was especially found to be of interest in the resting state functional connectivity analysis. Recently, more attention has turned to the internal functional connectivity within the DMN. However, the internal connection patterns within the DMN remain unclear at the initial onset of MDD. ⋯ Each region within DMN may have a specific, individual functional role. The reason to identify the pathological mechanism of MDD may not lie in the abnormal DMN functional connectivity, but rather in the abnormal functional connectivity within DMN.
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Accelerated aging has been proposed as a mechanism explaining the increased prevalence of comorbid general medical illnesses in bipolar disorder. ⋯ Natural causes of death is the most prevalent reason for lost life years already from adolescence and increases substantially during early and mid-adulthood, in this way supporting the hypothesis of accelerated aging. Early intervention in bipolar disorder should not only focus on improving outcome of the bipolar disorder but also on decreasing the risk of comorbid general medical illnesses.
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Depression may be increasing, particularly since the economic recession. Introduction of quality outcomes framework (QOF) performance indicators may have altered GP recording of depression. ⋯ Rates of recorded depression in English general practices were falling prior to the economic recession but increased again subsequently, among men, associated with increased unemployment. GPs responded to the QOF by switching from diagnostic to symptom codes, removing most depressed patients from the denominator for measuring GP performance in assessing depression.
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The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1A receptors are considered a potential target for the treatment of mental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Several studies have indicated that 5-HT1A receptor agonists increase hippocampal neurogenesis, which is implicated in the action mechanism of antidepressants. However, these agents have not been applied to humans due to intolerable side effects. We recently showed that chronic administration of tandospirone, a clinically available 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist, increased hippocampal neurogenesis dose-dependently. The present study was done to determine if chronic tandospirone treatment has antidepressant potential from the standpoint of hippocampal neurogenesis and behavior. ⋯ Our findings suggest that tandospirone has antidepressant potential through an inhibiting effect on stress-induced changes in hippocampal neurogenesis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Positive imagery cognitive bias modification (CBM) and internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT): a randomized controlled trial.
Accruing evidence suggests that positive imagery-based cognitive bias modification (CBM) could have potential as a standalone targeted intervention for depressive symptoms or as an adjunct to existing treatments. We sought to establish the benefit of this form of CBM when delivered prior to Internet cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) for depression ⋯ Results provide preliminary support for the successful integration of imagery-based CBM into an existing Internet-based treatment for depression.