Sultan Basmacı Kandemir

Evaluation of several micro RNA (miRNA) levels in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent childhood disorders, although disorders etiology and pathogenesis remains unknown, several theories about ADHD development have been proposed and many researchers believe that it is caused by both genetic and environmental factors. In this study we evaluated miR18a-5p, miR22-3p, miR24-3p, miR106b-5p, miR107, miR125b-5p and miR155a-5p levels in child and adolescent ADHD patients. The research sample consisted a group of 52 ADHD patients, and 52 healthy volunteer controls. There was no significant difference in age and sex between the two groups (p>0.05). miRNA 18a-5p, 22-3p, 24-3p, 106b-5p and 107 levels were statistically significantly decreased in ADHD patients(p<0.05). miRNA 155a-5p levels were increased in patients group (p<0.05). The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value of miR107 was estimated for the cutoff point of 0.4480. PPV was 70% and NPV was 86.5% for the taken cut off point. There could be a close relationship between levels of circulating miRNAs and ADHD. If we could understand how the signaling pathways arranged by miRNAs, impact on CNS development, function and pathology this can improve our knowledge about ADHD etiology and treatment.

Evaluation of Oxidative Metabolism in Child and Adolescent Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective Oxidative metabolism is impaired in several medical conditions including psychiatric disorders, and this imbalance may be involved in the etiology of these diseases. The present study evaluated oxidative balance in pediatric and adolescent patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods The study included 48 children and adolescents (34 male, 14 female) with ADHD who had no neurological, systemic, or comorbid psychiatric disorders, with the exception of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and 24 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (17 male and seven female). Results TAS was significantly lower, and TOS and OSI were significantly higher in patients with ADHD than in healthy controls. Total antioxidant levels were lower in patients with comorbid ODD than in those with no comorbidity. No difference was found in TOS or OSI among the ADHD subtypes; however, TAS was higher in the attention-deficient subtype. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that oxidative balance is impaired and oxidative stress is increased in children and adolescents with ADHD. This results are consistent with those of previous studies.

Increased oxidative stress in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate oxidative stress in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), paraxonase-1 (PON-1) and arylesterase (ARE) activity were measured in 76 children (44 boys, 32 girls) diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM-IV and 78 healthy children (46 boys, 32 girls). Results: Age and sex were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). TOS and the oxidative stress index (OSI) were higher in the patient group than the control group (P < 0.001). PON-1 (P = 0.002), ARE (P = 0.010) activity and TAS (P < 0.001) were lower in the patient group than the control group. Discussion: We found decreased PON-1, ARE activity and TAS, and increased TOS and OSI in children with ADHD. Our study showed that there is significantly increased oxidative stress in children with ADHD.

Investigation of dysregulation of several micrornas in peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients

Objective The prevalence of schizophrenia is 1%, and it is a debilitating disorder that often results in a shortened lifespan. Peripheral blood samples are good candidates to investigate because they can be easily drawn, and they are widely studied in psychiatric disorders. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA transcripts. They regulate the expression of genes by binding to the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs and pointing them to degrade. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression of miR-9-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-106-5p, miR-106b-5p, miR-107, miR-125a-3p, and miR-125b-3p in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Methods We collected blood samples from 16 patients with schizophrenia and 16 healthy controls. MicroRNAs were measured with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results Schizophrenia patients showed statistically significant upregulation of five microRNAs: miR9-5p (p=0.002), miR29a-3p (p<0.001), miR106b-5p (p=0.002), miR125a-3p (p<0.001), and miR125b-3p (p=0.018). Conclusion Our results increased the value of the miR106 and miR29 families as potentially and consistently dysregulated in psychiatric disorders. Our results should be considered preliminary, and they need confirmation in future studies with larger sample sizes.

Assessment of psychiatric morbidity and quality of life in children and adolescents with cutaneous leishmaniasis and their parents

Introduction Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a common parasitic infectious disease caused by different species of the leishmania genus. The skin lesions are usually found on exposed areas, especially the face, arms and legs. Although the disease does not cause significant morbidity, the lesions can be troublesome and unsightly. The disease have negative impacts in areas such as patients’ psychological well-being, social life and daily activities in adults. Aim To determine the frequency of psychiatric morbidity in children and adolescents who have cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and to determine the effect of CL on their levels of depression and anxiety and on their quality of life (QoL). Material and methods Fifty-four patients with CL (29 males and 25 females), who were 7 to 18 years of age, were assessed with the Child Depression Inventory (CDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventories for Children (STAIC). The patients and their mothers were assessed with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Parent and Child Versions (PedQL-P and C, respectively). This questionnaires were filled in by the control group consisting of 40 healthy children and adolescents (20 males and 20 females) and their parents from the local community matched for age, gender, and education level of the parents. Results Both the patient group and the control group had high scores on the depression measurement scale (t = 5.36, p < 0.05). These measurements also show significant differences between children and adolescents, who were defined as 12 years of age and under as well as older than 12 years, respectively (12 years of age and under (t = 3.14, p = 0.04); over 12 years (t = 5.37, p < 0.001)). However, there was no significant difference between the anxiety scores of the general patient group and the control group when classified according to age. The anxiety sensitivity index scores did not differ in either group from those of the control group. The patients’ and the mothers’ QoL scores for all of the scales, including all subscale scores, were significantly different from those of the control group (both 12 years of age and under as well as older than 12 years). Conclusions The results have shown that the frequency of depressive symptoms is much higher in patients who have CL than in healthy controls. In addition, the QoL of children and adolescents with CL and of their mothers was found to be much lower than that of the control group. Therefore, the follow-up for patients with CL who are referred to dermatology clinics should include a psychiatric evaluation. If necessary, they should be referred for psychiatric support.

Microribonucleic acid dysregulations in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Aim Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions. Although disorder etiology and pathogenesis remains unknown, several theories about OCD development have been proposed, and many researchers believe that it is caused by both genetic and environmental factors. In the current study, our aim was to investigate miRNA levels in OCD. Methods In the current study, we evaluated miR18a-5p, miR22-3p, miR24-3p, miR106b-5p, miR107, miR125b-5p, and miR155a-5p levels in child and adolescent OCD patients. The research sample consisted of a group of 23 OCD patients and 40 healthy volunteer controls. Results There was no significant difference in age and sex between the two groups (P>0.05). The levels of miR22-3p, miR24-3p, miR106b-5p, miR125b-5p, and miR155a-5p were significantly increased in the OCD subjects (P≤0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in miR18a-5p or miR107 levels between groups (P≥0.05). Conclusion There could be a close relationship between levels of circulating miRNAs and OCD. If we could understand how the signaling pathways arranged by miRNAs impact on central nervous system development, function, and pathology, this understanding could improve our knowledge about OCD etiology and treatment.

Tracking down the footprints of bad paternal relationships in dissociative disorders: A diffusion tensor imaging study

ABSTRACT Preclinical studies indicate that stress early in life can cause long-term alterations in brain development. Studies have shown alterations in the brain functions of patients after experiencing trauma. Our aim is to examine whether the integrity of white matter tracts might be affected in dissociative disorder (DD) patients. A total of 15 DD patients and 15 healthy controls were studied, with the groups matched by age and gender. Diffusion-weighted echoplanar brain images were obtained using a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Regions of interest were manually placed on directional maps based on principal anisotropy. Apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy (FA) values of white matter were measured bilaterally in the anterior corona radiata (ACR) and by diffusion tensor imaging in the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum. Significantly lower FA values were observed in the right ACR of DD patients versus healthy individuals. We also found an association between bad paternal relationships and lower FA in the genu of the corpus callosum in female patients. Alterations in the right ACR suggest that diffusion anisotropy measurement can be used as a quantitative biomarker for DD. Paternal relationships may also affect the brain’s microstructure in women with DD.

Increased S100B Levels in Cannabis Use Disorder

Background: It has been determined that cannabis has adverse effects on brain tissue, and that increased S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) blood levels are markers of neuronal damage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the S100B levels in cannabis use disorder. Method: Thirty-two patients with cannabis use disorder and 31 matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Appropriate blood samples were taken from the enrolled subjects, and the serum S100B protein levels were measured with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for the quantification of the protein. Findings: We found significantly increased S100B protein levels in patients with cannabis use disorder. The mean serum concentration of S100B was 0.081 ± 0.018 μg/l in patients with cannabis use disorder, and 0.069 ± 0.018 μg/l in the control group (p = 0.008). Interpretation: Our data suggest that elevated S100B protein levels might indicate neuronal damage in the brains of people with cannabis use disorder.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of CRAFFT Substance Abuse Screening Test among adolescents

Aim This study aimed to validate the CRAFFT diagnostic test, against the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition, Axis 1-based diagnostic inventory in a Turkish population of adolescents. Method The 124 adolescents who were 15–18 years old were enrolled to this study. CRAFFT was self-administered. Interviews took approximately 30 minutes, including the DSM-IV diagnostic interview for alcohol/drug dependence. Results The mean age of subjects was 16.653 years (minimum: 15 years, maximum: 18 years). A score of 2 or higher in part B was found to be optimal for detecting youths with substance dependence problems (sensitivity: 0.82; specificity: 0.88) and it was sufficiently discriminative. Conclusion The CRAFFT is a valid and reliable instrument for identifying Turkish-speaking youths at risk for substance use disorders.

Evaluation of oxidant, antioxidant, and S100B levels in patients with conversion disorder

Introduction Various psychodynamic, neurobiological, genetic, and sociocultural factors are believed to be involved in the etiology of conversion disorder (CD). Oxidative metabolism has been shown to deteriorate in association with many health problems and psychiatric disorders. We evaluated oxidative metabolism and S100B levels in the context of this multifactorial disease. Methods Thirty-seven patients with CD (25 females and 12 males) and 42 healthy volunteers (21 females and 21 males), all matched for age and sex, were included in this study. The total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, oxidative stress index, and S100B levels were compared between the two groups. Results The total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, and S100B levels were significantly higher in patients with CD than in the control group, whereas the total antioxidant status was significantly lower. Conclusion CD is associated with deterioration of oxidative metabolism and increased neuronal damage.