Valentina Ciappolino

DHA Effects in Brain Development and Function.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a structural constituent of membranes specifically in the central nervous system. Its accumulation in the fetal brain takes place mainly during the last trimester of pregnancy and continues at very high rates up to the end of the second year of life. Since the endogenous formation of DHA seems to be relatively low, DHA intake may contribute to optimal conditions for brain development. We performed a narrative review on research on the associations between DHA levels and brain development and function throughout the lifespan. Data from cell and animal studies justify the indication of DHA in relation to brain function for neuronal cell growth and differentiation as well as in relation to neuronal signaling. Most data from human studies concern the contribution of DHA to optimal visual acuity development. Accumulating data indicate that DHA may have effects on the brain in infancy, and recent studies indicate that the effect of DHA may depend on gender and genotype of genes involved in the endogenous synthesis of DHA. While DHA levels may affect early development, potential effects are also increasingly recognized during childhood and adult life, suggesting a role of DHA in cognitive decline and in relation to major psychiatric disorders.

Effect of N-Desalkylquetiapine/Quetiapine Plasma Level Ratio on Anxiety and Depression in Bipolar Disoder: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between quetiapine and N-desalkylquetiapine plasma levels and clinical improvement, particularly, in regard to depressive and anxious symptoms and to hostility. METHODS This was a prospective observational study that involved 37 outpatients diagnosed as having bipolar disorder I or II. All the patients were observed during a clinical acute and postacute phase. Patients were prescribed 50-800 mg of quetiapine. Patients were evaluated at baseline, after 15 days and after 3 months using the Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale with particular reference to the dimensions of depression, anxiety, and hostility. The plasma concentrations of quetiapine and N-desalkylquetiapine were determined after 3 months using blood samples taken at steady state. RESULTS There was a significant relationship between the N-desalkylquetiapine/quetiapine ratio and the improvement in the depression dimension, and there was not a significant relationship between the N-desalkylquetiapine/quetiapine ratio and anxiety and hostility improvement. Quetiapine treatment was well tolerated, and there were no extrapyramidal, anticholinergic, or other side effects to note. There was no relationship between plasma quetiapine or N-desalkylquetiapine concentrations and side effects. CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirm the efficacy of quetiapine on depressive symptoms, and the available data support that quetiapines antidepressant activity is mediated by the active metabolite norquetiapine, and it exemplifies the case of an active metabolite that can make a drug like quetiapine originally introduced as an antipsychotic a useful antidepressant agent.

The impact of psychosis on brain anatomy in bipolar disorder: A structural MRI study

BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder (BD) is a major psychiatric illness characterized by heterogeneous symptoms including psychotic features. Up until now, neuroimaging studies investigating cerebral morphology in patients with BD have underestimated the potential impact of psychosis on brain anatomy in BD patients. In this regard, psychotic and non-psychotic BD may represent biologically different subtypes of the disorder, being possibly associated with specific cerebral features. METHODS In the present study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3T was used to identify the neuroanatomical correlates of psychosis in an International sample of BD patients. A large sample of structural MRI data from healthy subjects (HC) and BD patients was collected across two research centers. Voxel based morphometry was used to compare gray matter (GM) volume among psychotic and non-psychotic BD patients and HC. RESULTS We found specific structural alterations in the two patient groups, more extended in the psychotic sample. Psychotic patients showed GM volume deficits in left frontal cortex compared to HC, and in right temporo-parietal cortex compared to both HC and non-psychotic patients (p < 0.001, > 100 voxels). Psychotic patients also exhibited enhanced age-related GM volume deficits in a set of subcortical and cortical regions. LIMITATIONS The integration of multiple datasets may have affected the results. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results confirm the importance of classifying BD based on psychosis. The knowledge of the neuronal bases of psychotic symptomatology in BD can provide a more comprehensive picture of the determinants of BD, in the light of the continuum characteristic of major psychoses.

The role of omega-3 fatty acids in developmental psychopathology: A systematic review on early psychosis, autism, and ADHD

In this systematic review, we will consider and debate studies that have explored the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in three major, and somehow related, developmental psychiatric disorders: Autism, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity disorder and Psychosis. The impact of ω-3 PUFAs on clinical symptoms and, if possible, brain trajectory in children and adolescents suffering from these illnesses will be reviewed and discussed, considering the biological plausibility of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids, together with their potential perspectives in the field. Heterogeneity in study designs will be discussed in the light of differences in results and interpretation of studies carried out so far.

The use of zonisamide for the treatment of psychiatric disorders: A systematic review

Objective Traditional pharmacotherapy has undoubtedly improved the outcome of patients with psychiatric disorders, but partial efficacy or poor tolerability persists in a number of these subjects. Among different compounds, zonisamide has been used to address unmet needs of standard pharmacotherapy. The purpose of the present article is to provide a review about the use of zonisamide for the treatment of psychiatric conditions. Methods A research in the main database sources has been conducted to obtain an overview of the use of zonisamide in psychiatric disorders or associated conditions (obesity and smoking cessation). Results Most available data indicate the possible effectiveness of zonisamide for the treatment of acute phases of bipolar disorder, binge-eating disorder (BED), alcohol misuse, and obesity. A further assessment of the safety and tolerability of zonisamide is made necessary by the fact that, with the exception of BED, for all other disorders at least some data come from studies with combined pharmacological therapies. Conclusions Zonisamide may have some utility, especially as an adjunctive therapy, for the management of acute phases and weight gain in bipolar disorder and for prevention of alcohol misuse. Preliminary evidence indicates zonisamide as a candidate compound for the treatment of BED and obesity. However, open-label design and small sample sizes of most available studies prevent from drawing sound conclusions about the utility of this compound in psychiatry.

Factors Influencing Children's Eating Behaviours.

Relevant factors involved in the creation of some children’s food preferences and eating behaviours have been examined in order to highlight the topic and give paediatricians practical instruments to understand the background behind eating behaviour and to manage children’s nutrition for preventive purposes. Electronic databases were searched to locate and appraise relevant studies. We carried out a search to identify papers published in English on factors that influence children’s feeding behaviours. The family system that surrounds a child’s domestic life will have an active role in establishing and promoting behaviours that will persist throughout his or her life. Early-life experiences with various tastes and flavours have a role in promoting healthy eating in future life. The nature of a narrative review makes it difficult to integrate complex interactions when large sets of studies are involved. In the current analysis, parental food habits and feeding strategies are the most dominant determinants of a child’s eating behaviour and food choices. Parents should expose their offspring to a range of good food choices while acting as positive role models. Prevention programmes should be addressed to them, taking into account socioeconomic aspects and education.

Paliperidone Palmitate Depot in the Long-term Treatment of Psychotic Bipolar Disorder: A Case Series.

ObjectivesThe treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) cannot be limited to the remission of acute phases but includes the long-term treatment in order to prevent relapses, poor outcome, and chronicity. The purpose of this article is to present 3 cases of severe psychotic bipolar patients treated with monthly injection of paliperidone pamoate. MethodsThree poor-compliant severe psychotic BD patients were initiated to paliperidone palmitate (100–150 mg monthly), and they were followed up for 12 months. Young Mania Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were administered at baseline and during monthly follow-up visits. ResultsNone of patients presented recurrences or relapses during the 12-month follow-up period. The patients did not develop adverse effects or significant changes in metabolism. ConclusionsThese preliminary results indicate that paliperidone palmitate (100–150 mg monthly) may be a therapeutic option for long-term treatment of psychotic BD, particularly for poor-compliant severe patients. These results have to be confirmed in double-blind studies with bipolar patients not necessarily belonging to psychotic subtype.

Pseudodementia: A Case Report on the Connection Between Dementia and Bipolar Spectrum Disorders

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a major affective disorder marked by recurrent/cyclical episodes of mania/hypomania and depression, and it is considered one of the major causes of disability worldwide, having a detrimental effect on the cognitive, social, and occupational functioning of the individual. BD may have a late onset. The elderly can indeed present two different patterns of mixed affective-cognitive disturbances, with several overlapping features: depressive pseudodementia (symptoms of dementia in depression, reversible) and pseudodepressive dementia (symptoms of depression in dementia, irreversible). Interestingly, the similarities in several features between BD and dementia suggest a potential overlooked continuum between these disorders. Of note, this report describes the case of a 71-year-old male, presenting a quickly cognitive deficits onset and a change from his prior pattern of behavior. Up to date, there are no clear guidelines available to diagnose and treat late-onset bipolar illness presenting as pseudodementia; thus it is necessary to keep in mind the existence of this clinical presentation which requires a follow-up of symptoms over time.

N-3 Polyunsatured Fatty Acids in Menopausal Transition: A Systematic Review of Depressive and Cognitive Disorders with Accompanying Vasomotor Symptoms

Depression is one of the most important health problems worldwide. Women are 2.5 times more likely to experience major depression than men. Evidence suggests that some women might experience an increased risk for developing depression during “windows of vulnerability”, i.e., when exposed to intense hormone fluctuations, such as the menopause transition. Indeed, this period is associated with different symptoms, including vasomotor, depressive, and cognitive symptoms, which have all been shown to worsen as women approach menopause. Even though hormonal therapy represents the most effective treatment, side effects have been reported by several studies. Therefore, an increased number of women might prefer the use of alternative medicine for treating menopausal symptoms. N-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs) are included among these alternative treatments. We here provide a review of studies investigating the effects of n-3 LCPUFAs on hot flashes and depressive and cognitive disorders in menopausal women. The reported results are scattered and heterogeneous. In conclusion, a beneficial role of n-3 LCPUFAs in hot flashes, and depressive and cognitive symptoms related to menopausal transition is still far from conclusive.

Correction to: Cingulate abnormalities in bipolar disorder relate to gender and outcome: a region-based morphometry study

In the original publication of the article, the title was incorrect. The correct title should read as given below.