Internet and Psychiatry

Pompili M, Innamorati M, Rihmer Z, Gonda X, Serafini G, Akiskal H, Amore M, Niolu C, Sher L, Tatarelli R, Perugi G, Girardi P.
J Affect Disord. 2011 Dec 16. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract.
BACKGROUND: Suicidal behavior is one of the most alarming signs not only in psychiatry, and current major depressive episode is the most frequent medical condition among suicide victims and attempters. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the individual pattern of affective temperaments, non-typical symptoms of depression as measured with the Gotland Scale for Male Depression (GSMD), hopelessness and suicidal behavior in major mood disorder patients.
METHODS: Participants were 346 adult inpatients (151 men and 195 women) with major mood disorders consecutively admitted to the Department of Psychiatry of the Sant'Andrea University Hospital in Rome, Italy. All the patients were administered the TEMPS-A, the GSMD, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).

Gibon J, Deloulme JC, Chevallier T, Ladevèze E, Abrous DN, Bouron A.
Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2012 Jan 9:1-10. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract
Hyperforin is one of the main bioactive compounds that underlie the antidepressant actions of the medicinal plant Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort). However, the effects of a chronic hyperforin treatment on brain cells remains to be fully addressed. The following study was undertaken to further advance our understanding of the biological effects of this plant extract on neurons. Special attention was given to its impact on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) receptor TrkB and on adult hippocampal neurogenesis since they appear central to the mechanisms of action of antidepressants.

Birkenhäger TK, Geldermans S, Van den Broek WW, van Beveren N, Fekkes D.
J Psychiatr Res. 2012 Jan 11. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since there are few data on the possible association between BDNF levels and characteristics of major depression, the present study assesses brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in three drug-free patient samples, and explores whether episode duration, and severity correlate with serum BDNF levels.

Kalmár S.
Private practice, Kecskemét, Hungary
Neuropsychopharmacol Hung. 2009 Dec;11(4):227-34.

Introduction: Disturbances of perception play a considerable role in depressed patients' symptoms. These symptoms are mostly secondary in the daily practice, however, the disturbances of perception of a mild degree lead to cognitive distortions, and they make the recognition of the depression significantly more difficult. Purpose: To review several systems of diagnostic criteria, five developed in Europe, ten in the area of the United Kingdom, five in the United States and five other diagnostic systems with respect to the kind of significance they ascribe to the disturbances of perception in the presence of the depression.

Demitrack MA, Thase ME.
Neuronetics, Inc.
Psychopharmacol Bull. 2009;42(2):5-38.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a novel treatment for patients with major depressive disorder. Although clearly safer and better tolerated than many other pharmacotherapeutic options or electroconvulsive therapy, questions have persisted about thbe magnitude of the efficacy of TMS in patients with pharmacoresistant depression, and the clinical significance of these outcomes. Previous studies have explored whether specific patient characteristics are associated with a greater likelihood of clinical benefit.

Corsentino EA, Collins N, Sachs-Ericsson N, Blazer DG.
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2009 Dec;64(12):1283-9.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that regular attendance at religious functions is associated with less cognitive decline (CD). However, little research has investigated factors that may moderate the religious attendance-CD relationship. The present study examined the effects of gender and depressive symptoms on the relationship between religious attendance and CD.