Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
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Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. · Jul 2014
Trauma, depression, and resilience of earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster survivors of Hirono, Fukushima, Japan.
A mega-earthquake and tsunami struck the northeastern coast of Japan, and many survivors were forced to evacuate to temporary housing due to rising radiation levels. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and poor general health among survivors, to test the predictive roles of resilience on mental and physical health, and to examine the predictive sociodemographic factors on resilience. ⋯ The results indicated that depression and PTSD are prevalent among the survivors of massive earthquakes, tsunamis, and accidents from nuclear power plants. However, the results also showed that some survivors managed to endure the traumatic events relatively well, and resilience was a significant protective factor in dealing with such events. Therefore, it is crucial to assist survivors in improving their resilience by providing job opportunities and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
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Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. · Jul 2014
Conflicts of interest in psychiatry: strategies to cultivate literacy in daily practice.
The relationship between psychiatry and pharmaceutical companies has come under scrutiny during the past decade. Concerns are growing that financial ties of psychiatrists to the pharmaceutical industry may unduly influence professional judgments involving the primary interests of patients. Such conflicts of interest threaten the public trust in psychiatry. ⋯ Nevertheless, concern is growing that stronger measures are needed. To avoid undue regulatory burdens, psychiatrists can play a vital role in designing responsible and reasonable conflict of interest policies that reduce the risks of bias and the loss of trust. Psychiatrists and the institutions that carry out research, education, clinical care, and practice guideline development must recognize public concerns about conflicts of interest and take effective measures soon to maintain public trust with a cultural change in the practice of psychiatry, from reactive treatment-seeking for mental illness to proactive advocacy for patients.
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Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. · May 2014
Association analysis of the catechol-O-methyltransferase /methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genes and cognition in late-onset depression.
Increasing evidence suggests that the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene might be associated with cognition in patients with mental disorders and healthy people. The metabolic pathways of COMT and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are closely interconnected. In this study, we aimed to examine whether the COMT-MTHFR genotype interacted with cognitive function in late-onset depression (LOD) patients and COMT Val/Val homozygous individuals who also carried the MTHFR T allele and had poor neuropsychological test performance. ⋯ The results suggest no major effect of COMT or MTHFR on cognitive function alone. However, an interaction of COMT Val158Met and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms may be associated with cognitive function. Further studies in a large sample are needed to replicate the genetic role in the LOD patients.
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Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. · May 2014
Controlled Clinical TrialAnterior cingulate cortex and cerebellar hemisphere neurometabolite changes in depression treatment: A 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.
We utilized single-voxel 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine biochemical abnormalities related to major depressive disorder (MDD) in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and cerebellar hemisphere before and after antidepressant treatment. ⋯ Our study suggests that metabolic abnormalities in the ACC and cerebellar hemisphere are implicated in MDD. Antidepressants may alter the local metabolic abnormalities in these areas.
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Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. · Apr 2014
Comparison of symptoms of delirium across various motoric subtypes.
The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between delirium motor subtypes and other symptoms of delirium. ⋯ Different motoric subtypes of delirium differ on non-cognitive symptoms.