Serkan Güneş

Comparison of plasma MicroRNA levels in drug naive, first episode depressed patients and healthy controls

Major depression is the most common psychiatric disorder. The diagnosis of depression depends on a patients subjective complaints, and the nature of the heterogeneous disorder. Thus, there is no known biomarker for depression to date. Previous research has indicated that microRNAs are dysregulated in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We aimed to investigate microRNA dysregulation in plasma samples of patients with major depression. Venous blood samples of 50 depressed patients and 41 healthy controls were collected and the quantification of microRNAs was established using qRT-PCR. We found miR-320a significantly downregulated and miR-451a significantly upregulated in depressed patients. We also found miR-17-5p and miR-223-3p upregulated, but not as significantly as miR-451a. Merging our results with previous published data shows that the blood miR-320 family may be a potential microRNA family dysregulated in major depression. Research should be performed on miR-320-related pathways and their relationship to depression. Additionally, miR-451a could serve as a candidate biomarker for depression based on the acting mechanism of ketamine. Studies targeting miR-451a levels before and after treatment could be helpful.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Associated with Valproate in an Adolescent

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening idiosyncratic reaction that usually occurs after the administration of antipsychotic drugs. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and antiepileptic drugs are also suggested to be associated with NMS. It is believed to result from a dopaminergic blockade in the central nervous system. NMS is manifested by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic dysfunction, altered mental status, leukocytosis, and elevated serum creatinine phosphokinase. Valproate is commonly used in the treatment of many psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Valproate can precipitate NMS, especially when used with antipsychotic drugs concurrently. A 17-year-old male patient, who presented with fever, muscular rigidity, confusion, sweating, and tachycardia was admitted to the emergency room. He had been taking only valproate for the last two months for bipolar disorder. His laboratory analyses revealed raised serum hepatic enzymes, creatinine phosphokinase, and myoglobin levels. Considering fever, rigidity, autonomic dysfunction, cognitive alteration, and high creatinine phosphokinase levels, the patient was diagnosed with NMS. In this paper, we aim to discuss the association between valproate and NMS.

Risperidone Induced Pisa Syndrome in a Male Adolescent.

Pisa syndrome, a rare dystonic reaction resulting from prolonged exposure to antipsychotic medications, is characterized by persistent dystonia of trunk muscles and abnormal posture. It is called Pisa syndrome, because the abnormal posture resembles the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Different from other types of dystonic reactions, Pisa syndrome is more prevalent in females and in older patients with organic brain changes. A 15-year-old male patient with mental retardation was admitted to pediatric neurology clinic for the complaint of abnormal posturing. He had been taking only risperidone for the last four years. Over the last month, the patient gradually developed tonic flexion of trunk and head toward left and was diagnosed with Pisa syndrome. In this paper, we aimed to discuss the association between risperidone use and Pisa syndrome in light of the available literature.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Epilepsy and Primary ADHD: Differences in Symptom Dimensions and Quality of Life

Purpose: We aimed to (1) compare quality of life (QOL) among children with epilepsy, epilepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and primary ADHD and (2) compare ADHD symptom dimensions and subtypes between children with epilepsy-ADHD and primary ADHD. Methods: A total of 140 children; 53 with epilepsy, 35 with epilepsy-ADHD, and 52 with primary ADHD were included. KINDL-R (quality of life measure), Turgay DSM-IV Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-S), and Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) were completed. Neurology clinic charts were reviewed for epilepsy-related variables. Results: Children with epilepsy-ADHD had the lowest (poorest) KINDL-R total scores. Epilepsy-ADHD group had more inattentiveness symptoms, whereas primary ADHD group had more hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. The frequencies of ADHD combined and inattentiveness subtypes were 60% and 40% in children with epilepsy-ADHD and 80.7% and 19.3% in children with primary ADHD, respectively (P = .034). Conclusion: ADHD in epilepsy is associated with a significantly poor quality of life and predominantly inattentiveness symptoms.

Sleep and quality of life in children with traumatic brain injury and ADHD: A comparison with primary ADHD

Objective Attention problems are common in children who sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The differential features of TBI-related Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and primary ADHD are largely unknown. This study aimed to compare sleep problems and quality of life between children with TBI and ADHD and children with primary ADHD. Methods Twenty children with TBI (mean age = 12.7 ± 3.1 years) who had clinically significant ADHD symptoms according to the structured diagnostic interview and rating scales and a control group with primary ADHD (n = 20) were included. Parents completed Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Kinder Lebensqualitätsfragebogen: Children’s Quality of Life Questionnaire-revised (KINDL-R). Neurology clinic charts were reviewed for TBI-related variables. Results When compared to children with primary ADHD, the Total Score and Sleep Onset Delay, Daytime Sleepiness, Parasomnias, and Sleep Disordered Breathing subscores of CSHQ were found to be higher in children with TBI and ADHD. The Total Score and Emotional Well-Being and Self-Esteem subscores of the KINDL-R were found to be low (poorer) in children with TBI and ADHD. The Total Score and certain subscores of KINDL-R were found to be lower in TBI patients with a CSHQ > 56 (corresponds to significant sleep problems) when compared to those with a CSHQ < 56. CSHQ Total Score was negatively correlated with age. Conclusion Children with TBI and ADHD symptoms were found to have a poorer sleep quality and quality of life than children with primary ADHD. ADHD in TBI may be considered as a highly impairing condition which must be early diagnosed and treated.

Sleep problems in pediatric epilepsy and ADHD: The impact of comorbidity

AIMS Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a frequent comorbidity in pediatric epilepsy. Although sleep problems are commonly reported in both children with primary ADHD and epilepsy, those with epilepsy-ADHD comorbidity have not been well studied. This study aimed to compare sleep problems among three groups of children: 1) children with epilepsy, 2) children with epilepsy and ADHD (epilepsy-ADHD), and 3) children with primary ADHD. METHODS 53 children with epilepsy, 35 children with epilepsy-ADHD, and 52 children with primary ADHD completed the Childrens Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Neurology clinic charts were reviewed for the epilepsy-related variables. ADHD subtypes were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV. RESULTS Children with epilepsy-ADHD had the highest CSHQ total scores, while children with primary ADHD had higher scores than those with epilepsy. Besides the total score, epilepsy-ADHD group differed from the primary ADHD and epilepsy groups with higher CSHQ subscores on sleep onset delay and sleep anxiety. The frequency of moderate-severe sleep problems (CSHQ>56) was 62.9% in children with epilepsy-ADHD, while it was 40.4% and 26.4% in children with primary ADHD and epilepsy, respectively. CSHQ total scores were not different between ADHD subtypes in both children with epilepsy-ADHD and those with primary ADHD. None of the epilepsy-related variables were found to be associated with CSHQ scores. DISCUSSION Epilepsy-ADHD is associated with a significantly poor sleep quality which is beyond that of primary ADHD and epilepsy.

Serotonin Syndrome after Clomipramine Overdose in a Child

Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a potentially life-threatening condition associated with increased serotonergic activity in central nervous system and may occur during the use of serotonergic drugs. Although increasing frequency of serotonergic drug use in children, pediatricians, emergency medicine and pediatric intensive care specialists have not enough knowledge and experience about SS that is a potentially life-threatening condition. A 12-year-old girl patient was admitted to our emergency room with the history of involuntary contractions on her extremities and alteration of consciousness. Her physical examination showed agitation, hyperthermia, dilated pupils, tremor, increased deep tendon reflexes, positive spontaneous clonus, agitation, flushed skin and diaphoresis, excessive perspiration, and continuous horizontal ocular movements. The patient diagnosed as SS by clinical history, physical and laboratory findings. In this paper, we will discuss SS occurred in a 12-year-old girl after concurrent clomipramine and risperidone use.

Risperidone Related Raynaud’s Phenomenon: An Adolescent Case

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a recurrent vasospastic condition with reducing in peripheral blood flow due to cold, or emotional stress. White, blue and red discolorations occur during the attacks. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, psychostimulants, and aripiprazole are reported to be related with Raynaud’s phenomenon. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug with dopaminergic and serotonergic effects. In children and adolescents, risperidone is used for bipolar disorder, tic disorders, conduct disorder, schizophrenia, symptoms of irritability and self-mutilation. Here we report a case of Raynaud’s phenomenon associated with risperidone in a 12-year-old boy. Raynaud’s phenomenon occurred two weeks after starting risperidone and disappeared after stopping risperidone.

Coexistence of 9p Deletion Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Deletion or duplication of the short arm of chromosome 9 may lead to a variety of clinical conditions including craniofacial and limb abnormalities, skeletal malformations, mental retardation, and autism spectrum disorder. Here, we present a case report of 5-year-old boy with 9p deletion syndrome and autism spectrum disorder.

Peripheral Signatures of Psychiatric Disorders: MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 22 nucleotide long RNA transcripts, their synthesis starts in nucleus and continues in cytoplasm. As being critical for post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression they have been investigated in psychiatric disorders. There are numerous studies performed in peripheral tissues for psychiatric disorders. Here in this article, we aimed to review some common miRNAs denoted significant in at least two studies and their relevance to psychiatric research. We focused on miR-320, miR-106, miR-34, miR-223, miR-107, and miR-134.