Bernardo Nardi

An improved in silico selection of phenotype affecting polymorphisms in SLC6A4, HTR1A and HTR2A genes

Among the experimentally assessed DNA variations in serotonin related genes, some influence physiological expression of personality and mental disorders, others alter the responses to pharmacological and/or psychotherapeutic treatments. Because of the huge number of polymorphisms lying in genes and of the great length of time necessary to perform association studies, a selection of the variations being studied is a necessary and crucial step.

How much do we know about the coupling of G-proteins to serotonin receptors?

Serotonin receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) involved in a variety of psychiatric disorders. G-proteins, heterotrimeric complexes that couple to multiple receptors, are activated when their receptor is bound by the appropriate ligand. Activation triggers a cascade of further signalling events that ultimately result in cell function changes. Each of the several known G-protein types can activate multiple pathways. Interestingly, since several G-proteins can couple to the same serotonin receptor type, receptor activation can result in induction of different pathways. To reach a better understanding of the role, interactions and expression of G-proteins a literature search was performed in order to list all the known heterotrimeric combinations and serotonin receptor complexes. Public databases were analysed to collect transcript and protein expression data relating to G-proteins in neural tissues. Only a very small number of heterotrimeric combinations and G-protein-receptor complexes out of the possible thousands suggested by expression data analysis have been examined experimentally. In addition this has mostly been obtained using insect, hamster, rat and, to a lesser extent, human cell lines. Besides highlighting which interactions have not been explored, our findings suggest additional possible interactions that should be examined based on our expression data analysis.

Bioinformatic analyses to select phenotype affecting polymorphisms in HTR2C gene

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in serotonin related genes influence mental disorders, responses to pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments. In planning association studies, researchers that want to investigate new SNPs have to select some among a large number of candidates. Our aim is to guide researchers in the selection of the most likely phenotype affecting polymorphisms. Here, we studied serotonin receptor 2C (HTR2C) SNPs because, till now, only relatively few of about 2000 are investigated.

Is the cognitive-behavioral therapy an effective intervention to prevent the postnatal depression? A critical review.

Objective: The aim of this article is to review and discuss the efficacy of the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in the prevention of postnatal depression (PD) in pregnant women at risk. Method: PubMed, Medline, PsychInfo, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched from February 1991 to February 2011. Method: Eight Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) on the prevention of PD with the CBT were selected and their data were analyzed. The literature analyzed recommends that depression in pregnancy requires an efficient management to provide mothers symptoms relief as well as to prevent the PD. While several studies demonstrated the efficacy of the CBT in the treatment of PD, the efficacy of the CBT in preventing PD in pregnant women at risk has been investigated only by a few studies, presenting a number of methodological flaws. Conclusions: Better designed RCT are needed to support the efficacy of such psycho-therapeutic preventive strategy in women at risk for PD.

Searching for a relationship between the serotonin receptor 2A gene variations and the development of Inward and Outward Personal Meaning Organizations.

Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Section of Legal Medicine and Department of Biochemistry, Biology and Genetics, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy Correspondence to Chiara Turchi, PhD, Department of Neuroscience, Section of Legal Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy Tel: + 39 71 596 5044; fax: + 39 71 596 4723; e-mail: c.turchi@univpm.it

HTR2A gene polymorphisms and Inward and Outward Personal Meaning Organisations.

Nardi B, Piva F, Turchi C, Giulietti M, Castellucci G, Arimatea E, Rocchetti D, Rocchetti G, Principato G, Tagliabracci A, Bellantuono C. HTR2A gene polymorphisms and Inward and Outward Personal Meaning Organisations. Objective: Caregiver behaviours and emotional expressions may induce development of two basic categories of constructing identity and of regulating cognitive and emotional processes: an Inward or an Outward Personal Meaning Organisation (PMO). Inwards read environmental signals through their internal activations. Their emotions are more distinct, and reciprocity is more based on physical distance (protection, loneliness). Outwards read internal activations through the environment. Their emotions are more blurred, and reciprocity is more based on a semantic sight of relations (approval, rules). It has recently been shown that PMO development may also have physiological and genetic bases. In a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, Inward and Outward subjects showed different amygdala activation patterns and an association with the SLC6A4 serotonin transporter gene 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. Methods: In this work, 149 healthy subjects were examined with respect to Inward and Outward PMOs. We explored the association with 10 serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected by bioinformatics methods. Results: An intronic SNP (rs55948462) was found to be significantly associated with an Inward and an Outward PMOs development. However, after statistical adjustments, these results did not remain significant. Conclusion: We did not find associations between considered SNPs and Inward/Outward PMOs. However, the role of HTR2A polymorphisms was not considered in this study and that of the other serotonin-related genes should be valued.

NEETs versus EETs: an observational study in Italy on the framework of the HEALTH25 European project

An observational study of young Italian NEETs (not in education, employment or training) and their EET peers (in education, employment or training) was conducted in the framework of a European Union (EU) project. Main characteristics and behaviours were compared to gain insights into the NEET condition in Italy. The sample included 111 NEETs (males = 73) and 117 EETs (males = 106) aged 16 to 23 years, belonging to comparable socio-demographic backgrounds. A self-report questionnaire was prepared to gain general information and investigate psychological well-being and behaviours. Most of the sample reported good relationships with parents. Education level and addictive behaviours were significantly different between NEETs and EETs while psychological well-being was not significantly different in relation to thoughts of suicide, unpleasant thoughts, weakness in the morning and nervousness. The heterogeneity of NEETs and the role of socio-cultural background in their psychophysical discomfort were highlighted. However, differently from reported in the literature, NEET adolescents sampled in this study, particularly those without social or family problems, did not show higher percentages of health or psychological problems when compared to their peer EETs. Furthermore, NEETs did not focus on the problem of their status, which also reflects a vague idea of the future.

Coherencia sistémica e identitaria en mujeres con vaginismo primario

El vaginismo es una disfuncion sexual femenina que genera gran impacto en la relacion de pareja. En el presente articulo se busca describir, desde la psicologia cognitiva post-racionalista, aquellas caracteristicas identitarias y de personalidad observadas en 50 mujeres diagnosticadas con vaginismo primario sin antecedentes de alteraciones fisicas o ginecologicas y con una historia de vida sin traumas ni abusos sexuales. De acuerdo a lo observado, se trata de mujeres con una positiva vision de si mismas, que se orientan hacia la consecucion del control entre dos necesidades tipicamente contrapuestas, la de ser protegidas y la de sentirse libres e independientes. Por ello tienden a centrarse en la regulacion de la distancia entre acercamiento y alejamiento respecto de los demas, sobrecontrolando sus emociones. Asi, el vaginismo constituiria una forma en la cual se limita la intromision y la constriccion por parte del otro, a la vez que se evita la dependencia del mismo, y se ejerce control sobre el compromiso emocional mediante la no entrega completa de si misma durante la relacion sexual.

Eficacia de la terapia cognitivo conductual en la prevención de la depresión posparto

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de la terapia cognitivo conductual (TCC) en la prevencion de la depresion posparto (DPP) en mujeres embarazadas consideradas en riesgo de padecerla. Metodo: Revision bibliografica en PubMed, Medline, PsychInfo, Embase y de la Cochrane Library de publicaciones efectuadas entre enero de 1991 y junio de 2012 respecto de investigaciones sobre la eficacia de la TCC en la prevencion de la DPP. Resultados: De la literatura analizada se concluye que la depresion en el embarazo requiere de un manejo eficiente tanto para tratar los sintomas de la depresion preparto (DAP), como de prevenir la DPP. Mientras diversos estudios han demostrado la eficacia de la TCC en el tratamiento de la DPP, solo pocos estudios controlados se han centrado sobre su eficacia en la prevencion de la DPP. La eficacia en la prevencion de la DPP en mujeres en riesgo durante el embarazo ha sido apoyada solo por pocos estudios, los cuales presentan algunas limitaciones metodologicas. Conclusion: Resultan necesarios estudios clinicos para confirmar la eficacia de tal estrategia de prevencion psicoterapeutica en las mujeres en riesgo de DPP.

Effectiveness of group CBT in treating adolescents with depression symptoms: a critical review.

Abstract Depression is among the most common psychological disorders of adolescents. Its management is based on pharmacological treatment, psychological therapy, or a combination thereof. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most extensively tested intervention for adolescent depression. A PubMed search was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCT) of the efficacy of CBT in treating adolescents with depressive symptoms published in 2005–2015. Keywords were “cognitive behavioral therapy”, “group therapy”, “depression” and “adolescent”. Of the 23 papers that were retrieved, only six met all inclusion criteria. Three of them reported a significant reduction in depressive symptom severity after either individual or group (G)-CBT compared with the control group, even with a small number of CBT sessions (six rather than 10–12), with a medium or medium-to-large effect size. One study reported improved self-awareness and a significantly greater increase in perceived friend social support compared with bibliotherapy and check with brochure. Two studies reported clinical symptom reduction without significant differences compared with the control group (activity contrast). This review highlighted primarily that very few RCT have applied CBT in adolescents; moreover, it confirmed the effectiveness of G-CBT, especially as psychotherapy, although it was not always superior to other interventions (e.g. other activities in prevention programs). Comparison showed that G-CBT and group interpersonal psychotherapy were both effective in reducing depressive symptoms. Successful G-CBT outcomes were related to the presence of peers, who were an important source of feedback and support to observe, learn, and practice new skills to manage depressive symptoms and improve social-relational skills.