Roberto Collu

Emotional profile of female rats showing binge eating behavior

Abstract Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by uncontrolled consumption of a large amount of food in a brief period of time. A large body of evidence has shown that BED can be a chronic condition associated with elevated psychiatric comorbidity, including depression and anxiety, and compulsive behavior. In this study we used an animal model of BED in which binge eating behavior was induced in female rats by providing limited access to high fat diet (margarine) to investigate the emotional traits of bingeing animals before and after the binge-like consumption of margarine. Using the plus maze test to disclose a potential anxious phenotype, we found that bingeing rats are much more anxious before the access to margarine, and that this condition is significantly reduced after its consumption. Conversely, no difference was detected between bingeing rats in the marble burying test before and after access to margarine. Yet, the number of marbles buried by bingeing rats before margarine consumption was significantly higher than control groups thus suggesting a compulsive-like trait. In the forced swimming test, bingeing rats showed a decrease in depression-like behavior after the consumption of margarine. Altogether, our findings demonstrate the occurrence of an altered emotional state in female rats showing binge eating behavior.

Cannabinoid CB1/CB2 receptor agonists attenuate hyperactivity and body weight loss in a rat model of activity‐based anorexia

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric condition characterized by excessive body weight loss and disturbed perceptions of body shape and size, often associated with excessive physical activity. There is currently no effective drug‐related therapy of this disease and this leads to high relapse rate. Clinical data suggest that a promising therapy to treat and reduce reoccurrence of AN may be based on the use of drugs that target the endocannabinoid (EC) system, which appears dysregulated in AN patients.

Longitudinal assessment of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in Sardinian psychotic patients (LABSP): a protocol for a prospective observational study

Introduction Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity and neuronal function and survival. Serum and plasma BDNF levels are moderately, but consistently, decreased in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) compared with healthy controls. There is a lack of knowledge, however, on the temporal manifestation of this decline. Clinical, illness course and treatment factors might influence the variation of BDNF serum levels in patients with psychosis. In this context, we propose a longitudinal study of a cohort of SCZ and schizophrenic and schizoaffective disorder (SAD) Sardinian patients with the aim of disentangling the relationship between peripheral BDNF serum levels and changes of psychopathology, cognition and drug treatments. Methods and analysis Longitudinal assessment of BDNF in Sardinian psychotic patients (LABSP) is a 24-month observational prospective cohort study. Patients with SAD will be recruited at the Psychiatry Research Unit of the Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari and University of Cagliari Health Agency, Cagliari, Italy. We will collect BDNF serum levels as well as sociodemographic, psychopathological and neurocognitive measures. Structured, semistructured and self-rating assessment tools, such as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for psychopathological measures and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia for cognitive function, will be used. Ethics and dissemination This study protocol was approved by the University of Cagliari Health Agency Ethics Committee (NP2016/5491). The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of good clinical practice, in the Declaration of Helsinki in compliance with the regulations. Participation will be voluntary and written informed consent will be obtained for each participant upon entry into the study. We plan to disseminate the results of our study through conference presentations and publication in international peer-reviewed journals. Access to raw data will be available in anonymised form upon request to the corresponding author.