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[ 123 I]- β -CIT SPECT Imaging Shows Reduced Thalamus–Hypothalamus Serotonin Transporter Availability in 24 Drug-Free Obsessive-Compulsive Checkers

Numerous findings indicate alterations in brain serotonin systems in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We investigated the in vivo availability of thalamus–hypothalamus serotonin transporters (SERT) in patients with DSM-IV OCD who displayed prominent behavioral checking compulsions (OC-checkers). Four hours after injection of [123I]-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)tropane ([123I]-β-CIT), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans were performed in 24 medication-free non-depressed OC-checkers and 24 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. For quantification of brain serotonin transporter availability, a ratio of specific to non-displaceable [123I]-β-CIT brain binding was used (V″3=(thalamus and hypothalamus−cerebellum)/cerebellum). Drug-free non-depressed OC-checkers showed an 18% reduced brain serotonin transporter availability in the thalamus and hypothalamus, as compared with healthy control subjects (1.38±0.19 vs 1.69±0.21; p<0.001). There was a strong negative correlation between severity of OC symptomatology (Y-BOCS scores) and SERT availability (r=−0.80; p<0.001). Moreover, we found a significant positive correlation between illness duration and serotonin transporter availability (r=0.43; p<0.05). This first report of significantly reduced [123I]-β-CIT binding in the thalamus–hypothalamus region in OC-checkers suggests reduced brain serotonin transporter availability, which is more pronounced with increased severity of OC symptomatology and short duration of illness. The results provide direct evidence for an involvement of the serotonergic system in the pathophysiology of OCD.

Anxiety and hostility in the manifest dreams of schizophrenic patients.

Aside from delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders, affective disturbances belong to the most prominent symptoms of the schizophrenic process. However, nearly no empirical work has been done on the systematic investigation of the dream affects of patients with schizophrenia. We compared 96 dreams of 19 patients with schizophrenia and an equal number of dreams of 19 healthy controls collected over an 8-week period by means of the Gottschalk-Gleser Analysis Scales. Additionally, central psychopathological syndromes were measured by means of the AMDP-scales each day a patient reported a dream. Although cluster analyses showed general similarities in the organization of dream affects in the two groups, we found differences between patient and control groups in the frequency and intensity of anxious and hostile affects. As in delusions of persecution, patients experience themselves in their dreams more frequently as victims of hostility from outside, which corresponds well with a significantly higher intensity of threat anxieties (death, mutilation). On the other hand, value anxieties (guilt and separation) are found less frequently in the dreams of patients with schizophrenia pointing, together with a less differentiated organization of the dream affects, to the typical affective flattening of residual syndromes.

Diencephalic Serotonin Transporter Availability Predicts Both Transporter Occupancy and Treatment Response to Sertraline in Obsessive-Compulsive Checkers

BACKGROUND To our knowledge, no studies have investigated the predictive value of central serotonin transporter (SERT) availability for treatment response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study used brain imaging to examine the relationship between pretreatment SERT availability and transporter occupancy as well as treatment response by sertraline in patients displaying prominent behavioral checking compulsions (OC checkers). METHODS Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to measure thalamic-hypothalamic SERT availability with [(123)I]-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)-tropane in 28 nondepressed OC checkers at baseline and after 14 weeks of treatment with sertraline (175 mg daily). SERT availability was correlated with OC severity and treatment response as assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Associations between individual transporter occupancies and clinical parameters were investigated. RESULTS 1) Correlation analyses between thalamic-hypothalamic SERT availability and OC severity showed significant negative associations at baseline and after treatment with sertraline. 2) Pretreatment SERT availability correlated significantly with both transporter occupancy and treatment response; in addition, a positive association was found between transporter occupancy and treatment response directly. 3) Using multivariate statistical models, the data demonstrated that higher pretreatment SERT availability significantly predicted higher occupancy rates as well as better treatment response 14 weeks later. CONCLUSIONS Higher pretreatment thalamic-hypothalamic SERT availability may predict both higher occupancy rates and better treatment response to sertraline. The data suggest a strong connection between transporter occupancy and treatment response.

Effects of root colonization by symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the yield of pharmacologically active compounds in Angelica archangelica L.

The major effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization on plant growth, monoterpenoids and coumarins were determined in two genotypes of angelica (Angelica archangelica L., Apiaceae). Genetically uniform experimental plants were used, which was achieved by in vitro propagation of two genotypes (individual plants). The effects of Glomus mosseae (Funneliformis mosseae, BEG 12), Glomus intraradices (Rhizophagus intraradices, BB-E) and the AMF mixture Symbivit® were tested against a negative (without AMF and without additional phosphorus) and a positive (KH2PO4 without AMF) control in five plants per treatment. All in all 50 plants were investigated. Fifteen monoterpenoid and seven coumarin compounds were quantitatively determined in the rhizome and coarse root fractions by means of GC/MS using an internal standard. The sum of the monoterpenoids and coumarins was calculated. Concentrations of compounds rather slightly decreased upon inoculation with AMF when compared to the control. In contrast, biomass increased showing the highest amounts for plants treated with G. mosseae. These results finally caused a marked increase in yield for G. mosseae treated plants compared to the control. Phosphorus treatment led to the lowest yield with significant results for coumarins and in particular for osthole compared to G. mosseae treatment. This is also evidence of an independent effect from an increased phosphorus uptake due to root colonization by AMF. In summary, the results showed a marked increase in yield of all investigated compounds through treatment with G. mosseae compared to the control group, even if the level of significance was just barely missed presumably on account of the small sample size.

Unemployment, suicide- and homicide-rates in the EU countries

BACKGROUND While the link between the unemployment and the national suicide rates is confirmed by various studies, there are few investigations on the impact of unemployment on homicide rates. In particular, it is not known whether suicide and homicide are associated with the same socio-economic factors. METHODS Using linear regression method, the influence of unemployment rates, per capita incomes and annual alcohol consumption on suicide and homicide rates was examined in the 27 EU states. RESULTS We found a positive correlation between suicide and homicide rates. Unemployment among men is a strong predictor not only for suicide- but also for homicide rates. Suicide rates in men are also affected by the annual alcohol consumption. The suicide rates in women, however, correlate neither with socio-economic variables nor with alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS Unemployment seems to have a stronger impact on the male than on the female identity. Since the former is still highly dependent on predetermined social roles.ZusammenfassungGrundlagenWährend der Zusammenhang zwischen den Arbeitslosenquoten und den nationalen Suizidraten durch verschiedene Studien belegt ist, gibt es nur wenige Untersuchungen über die Beziehung zwischen Arbeitslosigkeit und Homizidraten. Im Besonderen ist nicht bekannt, ob Selbst- und Fremdtötung durch dieselben sozioökonomischen Faktoren bedingt sind.MethodikMittels statistischer Regressionsverfahren wurde der Einfluss der Arbeitslosenquote, des Prokopfeinkommens und des jährlichen Alkoholkonsums auf die Suizid- und Homizidraten der 27 EU-Staaten untersucht.ErgebnisseEs fand sich eine positive Korrelation zwischen Suizid- und Homizidraten. Bei Männern ist Arbeitslosigkeit ein starker Prädiktor nicht nur für Selbst- sondern auch für Fremdtötung Die Suizidraten der Männer werden auch durch die jährliche Menge an konsumiertem Alkohol beeinflusst. Die Suizidraten der Frauen korrelieren hingegen weder mit den sozioökonomischen Variablen noch mit dem Alkoholkonsum.SchlussfolgerungenArbeitslosigkeit scheint eine stärkere Erschütterung der männlichen als der weiblichen Identitätsentwürfe zu bewirken, da erstere offenbar noch immer in hohem Maße von vorgegebenen sozialen Rollen abhängig ist, in diesem Fall von der Fähigkeit, durch Arbeit sich selbst und eine Familie zu ernähren.SummaryBackgroundWhile the link between the unemployment and the national suicide rates is confirmed by various studies, there are few investigations on the impact of unemployment on homicide rates. In particular, it is not known whether suicide and homicide are associated with the same socio-economic factors.MethodsUsing linear regression method, the influence of unemployment rates, per capita incomes and annual alcohol consumption on suicide and homicide rates was examined in the 27 EU states.ResultsWe found a positive correlation between suicide and homicide rates. Unemployment among men is a strong predictor not only for suicide- but also for homicide rates. Suicide rates in men are also affected by the annual alcohol consumption. The suicide rates in women, however, correlate neither with socio-economic variables nor with alcohol consumption.ConclusionsUnemployment seems to have a stronger impact on the male than on the female identity. Since the former is still highly dependent on predetermined social roles.