E-Jin Park

Preliminary study of Internet addiction and cognitive function in adolescents based on IQ tests

The potential relationship between Internet addiction and certain cognitive function problems has been suggested by several studies. However, few or no studies have examined the differences in cognitive functioning between persons addicted to the Internet and persons not addicted using a standard neuropsychological test. This study screened 253 middle school students and 389 high school students for Internet addiction and compared 59 Internet-addicted students with 43 non-addicted students using an IQ test. The Internet-addicted group had comprehension sub-item scores that were significantly lower than those of the non-addicted group. As the comprehension item reflects ethical judgement and reality testing, there may be a relationship between Internet addiction and weak social intelligence. Earlier onset of Internet addiction and longer addiction duration were associated with lower participant performance in areas related to attention. As this study is a cross-sectional study, it is not clear whether the persons who display weak cognitive functioning are susceptible to Internet addiction or if Internet addiction causes cognitive problems. However, as brain development remains active during adolescence, the possibility that Internet addiction adversely affects the cognitive functioning of adolescents cannot be ruled out.

Natural Killer T cells in patients with major depressive disorder

CD56 (Natural Killer T) cells showed a significant negative correlation with depressive symptom scale scores in acute and unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder. Decreased CD56 cells may reflect the severity of depressive symptoms but not the severity of anxiety symptoms in major depression.

Natural killer cell activity in patients with major depressive disorder treated with escitalopram.

BACKGROUND An association between depression and altered immunity has been suggested by many studies, although the findings are not fully consistent. The present investigation examined the effects of escitalopram on cellular immunity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS Fifty-one patients with MDD were evaluated with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. The patients were grouped into responders (n=32) and non-responders (n=19). Adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, CD4, CD8, CD19, and natural killer cells were measured at baseline and after a 4 week treatment with escitalopram. Plasma hormones and immune parameters were compared between groups. RESULTS Responders showed increased activity, but not number, of natural killer cells after a 4 week treatment with escitalopram. There were no differences in plasma hormones and other immune parameters between groups, even though cortisol was decreased and CD19 was increased across both groups compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that natural killer cells play an important role in improving the symptoms of depressive patients responding to selective serotonin inhibitors. To deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of depression, interactions between serotonin and the immune system should be further explored.

Severe urinary retention requiring urinary catheterization associated with combined treatment of depression with duloxetine and quetiapine.

PhD, Michele Fornaro, MD, PhD, Nicola Serroni, MD, Stefano Marini, MD, Francesco Saverio Moschetta, MD, Giovanni Martinotti, MD, PhD and Massimo Di Giannantonio, MD NHS, Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric Service of Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital “G. Mazzini”, Teramo, Department of Neurosciences and Imaging, University “G. D’Annunzio”, Chieti, Villa S. Giuseppe Hospital, Hermanas Hospitalarias, Ascoli Piceno and Department of Formative Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy E-mail: dodebera@aliceposta.it Received 12 January 2013; accepted 30 January 2013.

Menopause and Cognitive Function: Hospitalized Female Patients with Depression

Objectives: Although forgetfulness is a common complaint among depressed menopausal women, there remains debate on the relationship between memory impairment and menopause. The aim of this study was to examine whether menopause is related to cognitive decline among women with depressive disorders. We hypothesized that postmenopausal depressed woman would show generally poorer performance than premenopausal depressed women on various cognitive function tests Methods: Using a retrospective chart review, we identified a total of 87 female patients (45 premenopausal patients and 42 postmenopausal patients) who were hospitalized with depressive disorders from 2000 to 2016. Demographic and clinical variables and cognitive test results were compared between the two groups. Results: Years of education was greater in the premenopausal group as compared to the postmenopausal group, whereas clinical characteristics (illness duration, recurrence, and symptom severity) and mean IQ were similar between the two groups. The postmenopausal group had longer reaction times for Bender-Gestalt test recall and Trail-Making Test A and B. After controlling for age and education, there was a significant difference in Bender-Gestalt test recall (p=0.029). Conclusion: The postmenopausal state may be related to decline of visuo-spatial memory function, in particular, among depressed female patients. Other areas of cognitive function including complex attention, verbal memory, auditory memory, working memory might be interpreted with consideration to age and education level.