Marcin Jabłoński

Family-based and case-control study of DRD2, DAT, 5HTT, COMT genes polymorphisms in alcohol dependence

The paper focuses on such candidate gene polymorphisms that alter alcoholism-related intermediate phenotypes including: dopaminergic system polymorphic variants (DRD2 -141C Ins/Del in promoter region, exon 8 and DRD2 TaqI A and DAT 40bp VNTR genes polymorphisms) that cause predisposition to severe alcoholism (haplotype Ins/G/A2); COMT Val158Met gene polymorphism related to differences in executive cognitive function and 5-HTT gene promoter polymorphism, which alters stress response and affects anxiety and dysphoria. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) was used in the study. One hundred Polish families with alcohol dependence were recruited. The control subjects for the case-control study were 196 ethnically and gender matched healthy individuals. It was found that DRD2 TaqIA and DAT gene polymorphisms contained statistically significant differences in allele transmission. In the homogenous subgroups of patients with early onset and with withdrawal complications a statistically significant preferential A2 allele transmission was found in DRD2 TaqIA gene polymorphism. The alleles and genotypes distribution of the investigated polymorphisms did not differ significantly between the alcoholics and the controls in the case-control study. The results confirmed the fact that the candidate genes (DRD2 and DAT) are partially responsible for the development of alcohol dependence. The results are also in agreement with the hypothesis that there are various subtypes of alcohol dependence, which differ depending on their genetic background. Meanwhile, the currently available pharmacological therapies for alcoholism treatment are effective in some alcoholics but not for all of them. Some progress has been made in elucidating pharmacogenomic responses to drugs, particularly in the context of Clonninger and Lesch typology classification system for alcoholics.

Mobilization of Peripheral Blood Stem Cells and Changes in the Concentration of Plasma Factors Influencing their Movement in Patients with Panic Disorder

In this paper we examined whether stem cells and factors responsible for their movement may serve as new biological markers of anxiety disorders. The study was carried out on a group of 30 patients diagnosed with panic disorder (examined before and after treatment), compared to 30 healthy individuals forming the control group. We examined the number of circulating HSCs (hematopoetic stem cells) (Lin−/CD45 +/CD34 +) and HSCs (Lin−/CD45 +/AC133 +), the number of circulating VSELs (very small embryonic-like stem cells) (Lin−/CD45−/CD34 +) and VSELs (Lin−/CD45−/AC133 +), as well as the concentration of complement components: C3a, C5a and C5b-9, SDF-1 (stromal derived factor) and S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate). Significantly lower levels of HSCs (Lin−/CD45 +/AC133 +) have been demonstrated in the patient group compared to the control group both before and after treatment. The level of VSELs (Lin−/CD45−/CD133 +) was significantly lower in the patient group before treatment as compared to the patient group after treatment.The levels of factors responsible for stem cell movement were significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group before and after treatment. It was concluded that the study of stem cells and factors associated with their movement can be useful in the diagnostics of panic disorder, as well as differentiating between psychotic and anxiety disorders.

Adult stem cells in psychiatric disorders – New discoveries in peripheral blood

The new area of research in psychiatric disorders is concerned with abnormal regeneration processes. The role of brain neurogenesis has been studied for decades. New discoveries, concerned with the pluripotency of VSEL cells and the role of factors involved in stem cell trafficking in peripheral blood create hope that it will be possible to develop a better understanding of the processes of neuroregeneration/neurodegeneration. There is an ongoing research investigating concentrations of: sphingosine -1-phosphate, SDF-1, elements of complement cascade, and stem cells in peripheral blood, including their possible connection to psychiatric disorders. Collected data, suggesting an abnormal course of regeneration processes in psychiatric disorders, raises hope of finding new potential markers of psychosis and anxiety disorders.

Decreased use of active coping styles contributes to elevated allostatic load index in first-episode psychosis

Accumulating evidence indicates that stress plays an important role in the development of psychotic disorders. Recent studies have revealed that patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) present systemic biological dysregulations related to stress-exposure in terms of elevated allostatic load (AL) index. However, the mechanisms underlying this observation remain unknown. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate the AL index with respect to stress coping strategies in 36 FEP patients and 31 matched controls. We found significantly higher AL index in FEP patients compared to controls after co-varying for potential confounding factors. Patients with FEP were less likely to use active and task-focused coping. Lower odds of using these coping styles, planning as well as positive reinterpretation and growth were related to higher AL index in FEP patients, but not in controls. Depressive symptoms were associated with lower likelihood of using task-focused coping as well as positive reinterpretation and growth. Additionally, depressive symptoms were related to higher AL index. Finally, depressive symptoms mediated the effects of task-focused coping as well as positive reinterpretation and growth on the AL index. Our results confirm systemic biological dysregulation indexed as AL in FEP patients. Lower odds of using active coping styles might contribute to higher AL index via the mediating effect of depressive symptoms in patients with FEP. Longitudinal studies are required to establish causal inferences between coping styles, depressive symptoms and the AL index in early psychosis.

The role of OPRM1 polymorphism in the etiology of alcoholism

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have investigated the association between the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism (rs1799971) and alcohol dependence, but the results have been inconsistent. The endogenous opioid system has been implicated in the development of alcohol dependence for its prominent role in the central rewarding mechanism. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the A118G polymorphism of the OPRM1 gene in the pathogenesis of alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS). MATERIAL AND METHODS The OPRM1 (rs1799971) polymorphism was investigated in an association study of a group of ADS patients (n = 177) and in subgroups (delirium tremens and/or seizures, age at onset <26 years, dissocial alcoholics, positive familial history of alcoholism, delirium tremens, and seizures). The control group consisted of healthy volunteers, with matched gender and age, and with psychiatric disorders excluded (n = 162). RESULTS Our research shows that there are differences in the genotypes and alleles of the OPRM1 polymorphism in the case-control study. Furthermore, we observed associations in our homogeneous subgroups - in the group of patients with ADS and accompanying delirium tremens and/or seizures at the genotype level, as well as in the subgroup of patients under 26 years of age with an early onset of dependence. CONCLUSIONS It is strongly possible that the G allele described in numerous studies can be associated with a response to treatment, but not typology, or the very predisposition toward alcoholism. It is necessary to carry out further research which would embrace a larger group of patients; it should be divided into other homogeneous subgroups, including, e.g., naltrexone pharmacotherapy.

Case control study of ANKK1 Taq 1A polymorphism in patients with alcohol dependence classified according to Lesch's typology.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the association between the Taq 1A polymorphism of the ANKK1 gene in homogeneous subgroups of patients with alcohol dependence syndrome divided according to Leschs typology. MATERIAL/METHODS DNA was provided from alcohol-dependent (AD) patients (n = 373) and healthy control subjects (n = 168), all of Polish descent. The history of alcoholism was obtained using the Polish version of the SSAGA (Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism). Samples were genotyped using the PCR method. RESULTS We found no association between alcohol dependence and ANKK1 Taq 1A polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS Leschs typology is a clinical consequence of the disease, and its phenotypic description is too complex for simple genetic analysis.

The questions about the differences of psychotherapy and supervision in psycho-oncology

Psychotherapy as a treatment method for patients with mental disorders have a long tradition. But the possibilities and areas of application of psychotherapy in somatic diseases is still debated. In the present article the authors takes an attempt to describe the dissimilarities that appear at different levels of the therapeutic relation during the treatment process of oncological patients compared to the standard process of psychotherapy. The discussed issues includes the comparison of the occupational status of psychotherapist and psychooncologist and an attempt to finding the answer for the question: whether there are differences between the client of psychotherapist and a customer of psycho-oncologist? If they exist, how do they affect the nature of the therapeutic relationship in psycho-oncology. Another problem that have been discussed below is the issue of supervision in the psycho-oncology, and the designation of the circle of its beneficiaries and its scope. The aim of this paper is also an invitation for other authors for a broader discussion about psychotherapy and supervision in psycho-oncology. Słowa kluczowe: psychoterapia w psychoonkologii, superwizja w psychoonkologii, szkolenie w psychoonkologii.