Depression, Genes, Cytokines, Chronic Fatigue, Physical Illnesses and Quality of Life
HemodialysisHepatitis CDepression is one of the most common psychiatric diseases, with prevalence estimates ranging from 5% to 20%. Depression is now recognized as a brain disease; it can be managed and treated effectively with a wide range of options, but its biological basis is still far from clear. Studies of monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs suggest polygenic inheritance, with an overall heritability estimate between 40% and 70 %. Gene-environment interaction has been recognized for a long time in the pathophysiology of depression, and its best biological substratum at present is represented by the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene. It would be interesting to study association between the novel allelic variants or at least the triallelic 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and depression. Depression is common in patients with end-stage renal disease and to occur in about 20% to 30% of hemodialysis patients. Interferon-induced depression is estimated up to 50% among patients with hepatitis C. Several sets of observations support the supposition that cytokines, and proinflammatory cytokines in particular, are involved in depressive disorders. Depression sufferers have been reported to have elevated blood levels of interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α).
Neuroimaging Epigenetics of Prospective Postpartum Depression Biomarkers
Post Partum DepressionBipolar DisorderThrough a recent cross species translational experiment, researchers have identified a set of epigenetic marks capable of predicting postpartum depression with greater than 85% accuracy. The researchers are looking to identify a group of women from both the general population and those with a history of mood disorders who are at risk for postpartum depression and obtain brain imaging data at a postpartum time period prior to the onset of depressive symptoms and compare it with those obtained during depressive episodes. The researchers will also evaluate the efficacy of postpartum depression biomarker prediction.
An Evaluation of the Psychological Impact of Early Phase Clinical Trials in Cancer Patients.
CancerDepression3 moreThis is an exploratory prospective observational cohort study to establish the levels of psychological distress in early phase clinical trial patients and evaluate the psychological impact of early phase clinical trials on cancer patients. Participants will be requested to complete self-reported questionnaires, measuring levels of anxiety, depression and hope, at different time points along the clinical trials pathway.
Psychosocial Intervention in Assisted Reproduction Treatments
Infertility PrimaryPsychosocial Stressor1 moreThe aim of the study was to evaluate and compare different strategies of psychosocial intervention for patients undergoing IVF treatment in a private fertility clinic. Recruited patients were assigned to one of three groups: group intervention, couple intervention or no intervention (control group). Three main variables were assessed: depression, anxiety and life quality.
RECHARGE: A Brief Psychological Intervention to Build Resilience in Healthcare Workers During COVID-19...
StressBurnout3 moreThe healthcare industry is inherently demanding, stressful, and, at times, emotionally draining. On a typical day, many workers must make rapid and critical decisions, manage numerous demands, team conflicts, and challenging situations with patients and their families. For some health care workers (HCW), the current pandemic - COVID-19 - has also exacerbated these challenges. Providing psychological support is key in alleviating stress among HCWs, yet the situation does not require therapy because HCWs do not principally suffer from a mental disorder. RECHARGE was specifically developed for HCWs and is an abbreviated online version of Problem Management Plus, an evidence-based intervention that helps to cope with stress in times of crisis. As a brief psychological intervention for adults affected by adversity emerging from stress exposure, RECHARGE teaches people three well-documented strategies to manage acute stress (a: managing stress, b: managing worry, c: meaningful activity). It includes psychoeducation, arousal reduction techniques, managing worries and problem-solving skills, behavioral activation, and enhancement of meaningful activities, which are all based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of RECHARGE to reduce stress in HCWs and enhance their work performance. Participants in this randomized controlled trial (RCT) study are randomly assigned to either RECHARGE or the active control group. To this end, stress including symptoms of burnout, worries, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and work performance will be measured at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 2 and 6 month follow up.
Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Migrants in Chile
AnxietyDepression4 moreThe mental health of a representative sample of immigrants residing in Santiago, Chile (STRING cohort) was assessed nine months prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (T0). Evidence suggests that social isolation affects mental health by increasing symptoms of anxiety and depression. One of the main components of the current COVID-19 pandemic is the social isolation imposed on the population. This study seeks to explore the short (T1) and long-term (T2) effects of the pandemic on the psychological wellbeing of the cohort. Specific aims are to Describe the variations in the levels of mental health problems (i.e. symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, sleep difficulties) and wellbeing of immigrants during the first (T1) and second follow-up (T2) Calculate the short (T1) and long-term (T2) effects of social isolation on the levels of mental health problems of the immigrant population, and Identify risk / protective factors associated with a short (T1) and long-term (T2) increase in mental health problems
The Relationship Between Oxytocin Level and Postpartum Depression
Oxytocin DeficiencyPostpartum Depression1 moreThere are studies in the literature that associate oxytocin level with postpartum depression. This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between oxytocin levels measured during pregnancy and postpartum depression symptoms.
CSF/Serum Biomarkers in Predicting PND/Persistent Pain After Cesarean
Perinatal DepressionChronic PainThe aim is to investigate if inflammatory biomarkers in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are associated with the development of perinatal depression and/or persistent pain after cesarean delivery. This study will obtain CSF and blood samples in 70 parturients. All parturients will be assessed for perinatal depression and persistent pain, and the presence/absence of these outcomes will be correlated to changes in the inflammatory biomarkers within the samples collected. If present, consistent changes in biomarkers correlating with perinatal depression or persistent pain may be utilised as a predictive tool and facilitate early treatment for these conditions.
Responses to Information on Treatments for Depression
Depressive SymptomsThe purpose of this study is to determine the impact of different messages about depression treatments.
Action Tendencies and Prognosis in Major Depressive Disorder
Major Depressive DisorderPredicting the prognosis and treatment responses in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) is currently based on trial and error, because some treatments work for some individuals, but not others. Novel predictors of prognosis and treatment response in MDD can add value to the development of targeted treatments and the stratified approaches to improve long-term outcomes of individuals with MDD. This study uses a novel virtual-reality-based measure of blame-related action tendencies and combines this with established predictors of treatment response and prognosis in individuals with MDD.