Christian Osiek

Partial normalization of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in remitted patients after a major depressive episode.

We had previously reported decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in depressed patients. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that antidepressant treatment would normalize serum BDNF levels, at least in a subgroup of patients. Major depressed patients (15 females and 11 males) diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria and healthy controls (13 females and 13 males) participated in this study. Serum BDNF was assayed with the ELISA method for depressed and remitted patients and the severity of depression was evaluated with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. An analysis of variance showed that treatment had an effect [F(1, 24) = 4.46, p = 0.045] on the normalization of serum BDNF levels. We also found a correlation between the severity of depression (r = 0.51, p = 0.008), the pretreatment BDNF levels (r = 0.62, p = 0.001) and the difference in serum BDNF levels after antidepressant treatment. These results suggest that antidepressant treatment has a positive effect on serum BDNF levels and support the hypothesis of neurotrophic factor involvement in affective disorders.

Prevalence estimates of pathological gambling in Switzerland

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of pathological gambling in the Swiss adult population before the introduction of new forms of gambling, and the link between pathological gambling and alcohol abuse.

Prevalence of pathological gambling in Switzerland after the opening of casinos and the introduction of new preventive legislation

Objective: This survey aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pathological gambling (PG) in the Swiss population in 2005 and the link between PG and alcohol abuse. This replication study made it possible to compare the prevalence rates of PG measured before and after the introduction of casinos and new preventive legislation.

Quality of Web-based Information on Pathological Gambling

The present study aims to evaluate the quality of web-based information on gambling and to investigate potential content quality indicators. The following key words: gambling, pathological gambling, excessive gambling, gambling problem and gambling addiction were entered into two popular search engines: Google and Yahoo. Websites were assessed with a standardized proforma designed to rate sites on the basis of “accountability”, “presentation”, “interactivity”, “readability” and “content quality”. “Health on the Net” (HON) quality label, and DISCERN scale scores aiding people without content expertise to assess quality of written health publication were used to verify their efficiency as quality indicators. Of the 200 links identified, 75 websites were included. The results of the study indicate low scores on each of the measures. A composite global score appeared as a good content quality indicator. While gambling-related education websites for patients are common, their global quality is poor. There is a need for useful evidence-based information about gambling on the web. As the phenomenon has greatly increased, it could be relevant for Internet sites to improve their content by using global score as a quality indicator.

Self-rated residual symptoms do not predict 1-year recurrence of depression ☆

BACKGROUND Residual depressive symptoms are generally documented as a risk factor for recurrence. In the absence of a specific instrument for the assessment of residual symptoms, a new 25-item Depression Residual Symptom Scale (DRSS) was elaborated and tested for recurrence prediction over a 1-year follow-up. SAMPLING AND METHODS Fifty-nine patients in remission after a major depressive episode (MDE) were recruited in two centres. They were assessed with the DRSS and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at inclusion and followed for 1 year according to a seminaturalistic design. The DRSS included specific depressive symptoms and subjective symptoms of vulnerability, lack of return to usual self and premorbid level of functioning. RESULTS Severity of residual symptoms was not significantly associated with increased risk of recurrence. However, DRSS score was significantly higher among patients with three or more episodes than one to two episodes. Number of previous episodes and treatment interruption were not identified as significant predictors of recurrence. CONCLUSION The proposed instrument is not predictive of depressive recurrence, but is sensitive to increased perception of vulnerability associated with consecutive episodes. Limitations include small sample size, seminaturalistic design (no standardisation of treatment) and content of the instrument.

Mania Resulting from Continuous Positive Airways Pressure in a Depressed Man with Sleep Apnea Syndrome

The authors report the case of a 50-year-old man, with no previous history of bipolar illness, hospitalized with a very severe depression and who was resistant to a 7-weeks treatment of venlafaxine and trazodone (the respective daily doses were 300 and 50 mg which were stable during the last 4 weeks). A diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome led to the use of the continuous positive airways pressure technique (CPAP). A few days after starting CPAP, he presented a mood switch, first hypomanic, then mixed. The authors discuss the contribution of the sleep apnea syndrome to the appearance and the maintenance of the depressive disorder.