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Thangavelu L, Abdelwahab SI, Farasani A, Ballal S, Bansal P, Nathiya D, Kaur K, Kumar MR, Sinha A, Alrasheed HA, Al-Subaie MF, Al Kaabi NA, bshabshe AA, Al Fares MA, Albayat H, Rabaan AA, Pant K, Zahiruddin QS, Rao AP, Khatib MN, Alfaifi HA, Mohan S, Sah S, Satapathy P. Risk of cognitive decline among patients with dengue virus infection: a systematic review. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 27:pyae053. [PMID: 39487786 PMCID: PMC11631092 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyae053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 11/01/2024] [Indexed: 11/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus and transmitted through Aedes mosquitoes, is a growing public health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Traditionally associated with febrile and hemorrhagic symptoms, recent research suggests a potential link between dengue and cognitive impairments. This systematic review assessed existing research to understand the association between dengue virus infection and cognitive impairments, including dementia, Alzheimer disease, memory loss, and confusion. This systematic review followed preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to January 18, 2024. Studies examining the prevalence and association of cognitive impairments in dengue patients were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using Nested Knowledge software and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Of the 1129 articles identified, 5 were included in the review, covering a total of 200 873 participants from Taiwan, Brazil, and France. Evidence from population-based cohort studies indicated short-term cognitive impairments, including confusion and memory loss, in some dengue patients. Additionally, long-term risks of dementia, including Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia, were observed, particularly among older adults. Although the findings suggest there might be an association between dengue infection and cognitive decline, the mechanisms underlying this link remain unclear. This systematic review suggests that dengue virus infection may affect cognitive function in both acute and long-term contexts. However, the current evidence is not strong enough to establish a conclusive link. Further research with larger sample sizes and longitudinal studies is essential to confirm the impact of dengue virus on cognitive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Thangavelu
- Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveeth University, Chennai 602105, India
| | | | - Abdullah Farasani
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suhas Ballal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka 560069, India
| | - Pooja Bansal
- Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303012, India
| | - Deepak Nathiya
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Institute of Pharmacy, NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303121, India
| | - Kiranjeet Kaur
- Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of College, Jhanjeri, Mohali - 140307, Punjab, India
| | - M Ravi Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Raghu Engineering College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531162, India
| | - Aashna Sinha
- School of Applied and Life Sciences, Division of Research and Innovation, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Hayam A Alrasheed
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha F Al-Subaie
- Research Center, Dr. Sulaiman Alhabib Medical Group, Riyadh 13328, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal A Al Kaabi
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Abu Dhabi, 51900, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ali Al bshabshe
- Adult Critical Care Department of Medicine, Division of Adult Critical Care, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62561, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona A Al Fares
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hawra Albayat
- Infectious Disease Department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh7790, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
- Research Center, Dr. Sulaiman Alhabib Medical Group, Riyadh 13328, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kumud Pant
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Clement Town, Dehradun 248002, India
- Department of Allied Sciences, Graphic Era Hill University, Clement Town, Dehradun 248002, India
| | - Quazi Syed Zahiruddin
- Global South Asia Infant Feeding Research Network (SAIFRN), Division of Evidence Synthesis, Global Consortium of Public Health and Research, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha 442107, India
| | - Arathi P Rao
- Department of Health Policy, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib
- Division of Evidence Synthesis, Global Consortium of Public Health and Research, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha 442107, India
| | - Hassan Ahmad Alfaifi
- Pharmaceutical Care Administration (Jeddah Second Health Cluster), Ministry of Health, Jeddah, 22233, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syam Mohan
- Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
- School of Health Sciences, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Sanjit Sah
- SR Sanjeevani Hospital, Kalyanpur, Siraha 56517, Nepal
- Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India
| | - Prakasini Satapathy
- University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab 140413, India
- Medical Laboratories Techniques Department, AL-Mustaqbal University, 51001 Hillah, Babil, Iraq
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Dyląg KA, Skowron KP, Kurnik-Łucka M, Drzewiecki Ł, Przybyszewska K, Król-Dykas M, Dumnicka P, Gawlik Z, Gawlik J, Sikora S, Gil K. Anorexia Nervosa in Polish Children and Adolescents in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic-An Observational Single Centre Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:4112. [PMID: 39683506 DOI: 10.3390/nu16234112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2024] [Revised: 11/22/2024] [Accepted: 11/23/2024] [Indexed: 12/18/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorder with a high mortality rate and significant prevalence in the paediatric population. Preliminary reports during the COVID-19 pandemic suggested an increased incidence of AN among children and adolescents. The objective of this study was to analyse new cases of AN before, during, and after the pandemic, with a particular focus on the physical manifestations of the disease. METHODS This single-centre, retrospective study included new AN cases from the hospital database of a regional paediatric hospital (a reference centre for AN) between 2013 and 2023. Data analysed included the duration of the disease, body mass index (BMI), weight loss, length of hospitalisation, laboratory markers (leukopenia, anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, hyperferritinaemia, hypophosphataemia, dyslipidaemia, and hypothyroxinaemia) and clinical features of malnutrition (such as amenorrhea bradycardia, pericardial effusion, and cortical/subcortical atrophy). RESULTS This study was conducted in a Polish regional hospital. We analysed 228 hospitalized female patients aged 10 to 18 years diagnosed with AN, focusing on clinical characteristics, biochemical markers, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic was shown to have a significant impact, with longer hospitalisations observed during and after the pandemic and a lower BMI on admission post-pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. In addition, nutritional treatment became more prevalent over time while biochemical markers such as anaemia, hypothyroidism, hypophosphataemia, and dyslipidaemia were statistically more common post-pandemic. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical course and hospitalisation patterns of paediatric patients with AN. These findings suggest that the pandemic may have exacerbated disease severity and altered treatment approaches, emphasizing the need for enhanced clinical management and follow-up strategies for AN in the paediatric population during such health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Anna Dyląg
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Krakow, Poland
- St. Louis Children Hospital, 31-503 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kamil Paweł Skowron
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kurnik-Łucka
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Krakow, Poland
| | | | | | - Magdalena Król-Dykas
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Krakow, Poland
| | - Paulina Dumnicka
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-034 Krakow, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Gawlik
- Hospital of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God, 31-061 Krakow, Poland
| | | | | | - Krzysztof Gil
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Krakow, Poland
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Silverman ME, Nag S, Kalishman A, Cox PH, Mitroff SR. Increases in symptoms associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024; 72:1466-1472. [PMID: 35658099 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2080507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students' mental health remains unknown. The current study explored self-reported Obsessive-Compulsive symptomatology among college student cohorts from pre-, peak-, and later-pandemic time points. PARTICIPANTS Undergraduate college students (N = 524) who volunteered for course credit. METHODS Self-report responses on the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS), which includes subscales for contamination, unacceptable thoughts, harm responsibility, and symmetry, were collected from November 29, 2016 through April 27, 2021 and assessed for differences between the pre-, peak-, and later-pandemic cohorts. RESULTS Peak-pandemic responders reported higher symptomatology for contamination and unacceptable thoughts compared to pre-pandemic responders (and for pre- vs. later-pandemic for contamination), with no significant effects for symmetry or harm responsibility. CONCLUSIONS Although the longer-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on students remains unknown, a greater shift in college mental health services from prevention to assessing and addressing more immediate challenges may be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samoni Nag
- The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Patrick H Cox
- The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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Rittmannsberger H, Barth M, Lamprecht B, Malik P, Yazdi-Zorn K. [Interaction of somatic findings and psychiatric symptoms in COVID-19. A scoping review]. NEUROPSYCHIATRIE : KLINIK, DIAGNOSTIK, THERAPIE UND REHABILITATION : ORGAN DER GESELLSCHAFT OSTERREICHISCHER NERVENARZTE UND PSYCHIATER 2024; 38:1-23. [PMID: 38055146 DOI: 10.1007/s40211-023-00487-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
An infection with SARS-CoV‑2 can affect the central nervous system, leading to neurological as well as psychiatric symptoms. In this respect, mechanisms of inflammation seem to be of much greater importance than the virus itself. This paper deals with the possible contributions of organic changes to psychiatric symptomatology and deals especially with delirium, cognitive symptoms, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder and psychosis. Processes of neuroinflammation with infection of capillary endothelial cells and activation of microglia and astrocytes releasing high amounts of cytokines seem to be of key importance in all kinds of disturbances. They can lead to damage in grey and white matter, impairment of cerebral metabolism and loss of connectivity. Such neuroimmunological processes have been described as a organic basis for many psychiatric disorders, as affective disorders, psychoses and dementia. As the activation of the glia cells can persist for a long time after the offending agent has been cleared, this can contribute to long term sequalae of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Rittmannsberger
- Abteilung Psychiatrie und psychotherapeutische Medizin, Pyhrn-Eisenwurzen Klinikum Steyr, Steyr, Österreich.
| | - Martin Barth
- Abteilung Psychiatrie und psychotherapeutische Medizin, Pyhrn-Eisenwurzen Klinikum Steyr, Steyr, Österreich
| | - Bernd Lamprecht
- Med Campus III, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin mit Schwerpunkt Pneumologie, Kepler Universitätsklinikum GmbH, Linz, Österreich
- Medizinische Fakultät, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Linz, Österreich
| | - Peter Malik
- Abteilung Psychiatrie und psychotherapeutische Medizin, Pyhrn-Eisenwurzen Klinikum Steyr, Steyr, Österreich
| | - Kurosch Yazdi-Zorn
- Neuromed Campus, Klinik für Psychiatrie mit Schwerpunkt Suchtmedizin, Kepler Universitätsklinikum GmbH, Linz, Österreich
- Medizinische Fakultät, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Linz, Österreich
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5
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Du M, Liu M, Wang Y, Qin C, Liu J. Global burden of sleep disturbances among older adults and the disparities by geographical regions and pandemic periods. SSM Popul Health 2024; 25:101588. [PMID: 38225953 PMCID: PMC10788304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among older adults. We aimed to evaluate sleep heath during COVID-19 pandemic and assess the differences among geographical regions and pandemic periods. We searched three databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) to find articles up to March 12, 2023. We included observational studies that reported the prevalence of sleep disturbances among adults aged 60 years or older in any setting. Two researchers independently reviewed the literature and retrieved the data. We used Der Simonian-Laird random effects meta-analyses to pool the data, followed by subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression. A total of 64 studies with 181,224 older adults during the pandemic were included. The prevalence of poor sleep quality, short sleep duration, long sleep duration, and insomnia symptoms were 47.12% (95% CI: 25.97%, 68.27%), 40.81% (95% CI: 18.49%, 63.12%), 31.61% (95% CI: 24.83%, 38.38%), and 21.15% (95% CI: 15.30%, 27.00%), respectively. The prevalence of sleep problems reported by self-constructed items was 26.97% (95% CI: 20.73%, 33.22%). When compared to America (64.13%), Europe (20.23%) and the Western Pacific (21.31%) showed a lower prevalence of sleep problems (all P < 0.0001). The prevalence of worsened sleep problems was 27.88% (95% CI: 11.94%, 43.82%). Compared to 2020 (15.14%), it increased to 47.42% in 2021 (P < 0.05). Eight studies on sleep disturbances among 672 older COVID-19 patients were included. The prevalence of sleep problems and insomnia symptoms among older COVID-19 patients were 41.58% (95% CI: 21.97%, 61.20%) and 41.56% (95% CI: 28.11%, 58.02%), respectively. A significant burden related to poor sleep has been observed among older adults worldwide over the past three years, with variations across different regions and time periods. It is important to make more efforts in prevention and intervention to identify the risk factors, treatment, and rehabilitation of sleep disturbances for healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Du
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, No.38, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, No.38, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, No.38, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Chenyuan Qin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, No.38, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Jue Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, No.38, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, No.5, Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100871, China
- Global Center for Infectious Disease and Policy Research & Global Health and Infectious Diseases Group, Peking University, No.38, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, No.38, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
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Burback L, Brémault-Phillips S, Nijdam MJ, McFarlane A, Vermetten E. Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A State-of-the-art Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:557-635. [PMID: 37132142 PMCID: PMC10845104 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230428091433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This narrative state-of-the-art review paper describes the progress in the understanding and treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Over the last four decades, the scientific landscape has matured, with many interdisciplinary contributions to understanding its diagnosis, etiology, and epidemiology. Advances in genetics, neurobiology, stress pathophysiology, and brain imaging have made it apparent that chronic PTSD is a systemic disorder with high allostatic load. The current state of PTSD treatment includes a wide variety of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches, of which many are evidence-based. However, the myriad challenges inherent in the disorder, such as individual and systemic barriers to good treatment outcome, comorbidity, emotional dysregulation, suicidality, dissociation, substance use, and trauma-related guilt and shame, often render treatment response suboptimal. These challenges are discussed as drivers for emerging novel treatment approaches, including early interventions in the Golden Hours, pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions, medication augmentation interventions, the use of psychedelics, as well as interventions targeting the brain and nervous system. All of this aims to improve symptom relief and clinical outcomes. Finally, a phase orientation to treatment is recognized as a tool to strategize treatment of the disorder, and position interventions in step with the progression of the pathophysiology. Revisions to guidelines and systems of care will be needed to incorporate innovative treatments as evidence emerges and they become mainstream. This generation is well-positioned to address the devastating and often chronic disabling impact of traumatic stress events through holistic, cutting-edge clinical efforts and interdisciplinary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Burback
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Mirjam J. Nijdam
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Center, Diemen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Eric Vermetten
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
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Pillai L, Srivastava S, Ajin A, Rana SS, Mathkor DM, Haque S, M Tambuwala M, Ahmad F. Etiology and incidence of postpartum depression among birthing women in the scenario of pandemics, geopolitical conflicts and natural disasters: a systematic review. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2023; 44:2278016. [PMID: 38050938 DOI: 10.1080/0167482x.2023.2278016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is classified under postpartum psychiatric disorders and initiates soon after birthing, eliciting neuropsychological and behavioral deficits in mothers and offspring. Globally, PPD is estimated to be associated with 130-190 per 1000 birthing. The severity and incidences of PPD have aggravated in the recent years due to the several unfavorable environmental and geopolitical circumstances. The purpose of this systematic review hence is to explore the contributions of recent circumstances on the pathogenesis and incidence of PPD. The search, selection and retrieval of the articles published during the last three years were systematically performed. The results from the primary studies indicate that unfavorable contemporary socio-geopolitical and environmental circumstances (e.g. Covid-19 pandemic, political conflicts/wars, and natural calamities; such as floods and earthquakes) detrimentally affect PPD etiology. A combination of socio-economic and psychological factors, including perceived lack of support and anxiousness about the future may contribute to drastic aggravation of PPD incidences. Finally, we outline some of the potential treatment regimens (e.g. inter-personal psycho- and art-based therapies) that may prove to be effective in amelioration of PPD-linked symptoms in birthing women, either alone or in complementation with traditional pharmacological interventions. We propose these psychological and art-based intervention strategies may beneficially counteract the negative influences of the unfortunate recent events across multiple cultures, societies and geographical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Pillai
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Shayna Srivastava
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Akhil Ajin
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Sandeep Singh Rana
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Darin Mansor Mathkor
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln, UK
| | - Faraz Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
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8
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Wu C, He CY, Yan JR, Zhang HL, Li L, Tian C, Chen N, Wang QY, Zhang YH, Lang HJ. Psychological capital and alienation among patients with COVID-19 infection: the mediating role of social support. Virol J 2023; 20:114. [PMID: 37280711 PMCID: PMC10242598 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02055-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 infection continues all over the world, causing serious physical and psychological impacts to patients. Patients with COVID-19 infection suffer from various negative emotional experiences such as anxiety, depression, mania, and alienation, which seriously affect their normal life and is detrimental to the prognosis. Our study is aimed to investigate the effect of psychological capital on alienation among patients with COVID-19 and the mediating role of social support in this relationship. METHODS The data were collected in China by the convenient sampling. A sample of 259 COVID-19 patients completed the psychological capital, social support and social alienation scale and the structural equation model was adopted to verify the research hypotheses. RESULTS Psychological capital was significantly and negatively related to the COVID-19 patients' social alienation (p < .01). And social support partially mediated the correlation between psychological capital and patients' social alienation (p < .01). CONCLUSION Psychological capital is critical to predicting COVID-19 patients' social alienation. Social support plays an intermediary role and explains how psychological capital alleviates the sense of social alienation among patients with COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wu
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chun-Yan He
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jia-Ran Yan
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hong-Li Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Anesthesia Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ci Tian
- Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, The 305Th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Nana Chen
- Troops of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Sichuan, 32280, China
| | - Qing-Yi Wang
- Department of Foreign Languages, School of Basic Medicine, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yu-Hai Zhang
- Department of Health Statistics, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Hong-Juan Lang
- Department of Nursing, Fourth Military Medical University, No.169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
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Pourmasumi S, Kounis NG, Naderi M, Hosseinisadat R, Khoradmehr A, Fagheirelahee N, Kouni SN, de Gregorio C, Dousdampanis P, Mplani V, Michalaki MA, Plotas P, Assimakopoulos S, Gogos C, Aidonidis G, Roditis P, Matsas N, Velissaris D, Calogiuri G, Hung MY, Koniari I. Effects of COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination on the Female Reproductive System: A Narrative Review. Balkan Med J 2023; 40:153-164. [PMID: 37114907 PMCID: PMC10175880 DOI: 10.4274/balkanmedj.galenos.2023.2023-3-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies and research papers have been published to elucidate and understand the mechanism of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its long-term effects on the human body. COVID-19 affects a number of organs, including the female reproductive system. However, less attention has been given to the effects of COVID-19 on the female reproductive system due to their low morbidity. The results of studies investigating the relationship between COVID-19 infection and ovarian function in women of reproductive age have shown the harmless involvement of COVID-19 infection. Several studies have reported the involvement of COVID-19 infection in oocyte quality, ovarian function, and dysfunctions in the uterine endometrium and the menstrual cycle. The findings of these studies indicate that COVID-19 infection negatively affects the follicular microenvironment and dysregulate ovarian function. Although the COVID-19 pandemic and female reproductive health have been studied in humans and animals, very few studies have examined how COVID-19 affects the female reproductive system. The objective of this review is to summarize the current literature and categorize the effects of COVID-19 on the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, and hormonal profiles. The effects on oocyte maturation, oxidative stress, which causes chromosomal instability and apoptosis in ovaries, in vitro fertilization cycle, high-quality embryos, premature ovarian insufficiency, ovarian vein thrombosis, hypercoagulable state, women’s menstrual cycle, the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis, and sex hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and the anti-Müllerian hormone, are discussed in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Pourmasumi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Ali-Ibn Abi-Talib Hospital, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Nicholas G. Kounis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Monavar Naderi
- Knowledge and Information Science, Vice Chancellor for Science and Technology, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Robabe Hosseinisadat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Arezoo Khoradmehr
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Niloofar Fagheirelahee
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | | | - Cesare de Gregorio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Medical School, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Virginia Mplani
- Intensive Care Unit, Patras University Hospital, Patras, Greece
| | - Marina A. Michalaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Fculty of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Stelios Assimakopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
| | - Christos Gogos
- COVID-19 Unit, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Pavlos Roditis
- Department of Cardiology, Mamatsio Kozanis General Hospital, Kozani, Greece
| | | | | | - Gianfranco Calogiuri
- Pneumonology Department, Civil Hospital “Ninetto Melli”, Pietro Vernoti, Brindisi, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Section of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Ming-Yow Hung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ioanna Koniari
- Departmentof Cardiology, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
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10
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Müller L, Di Benedetto S. Aged brain and neuroimmune responses to COVID-19: post-acute sequelae and modulatory effects of behavioral and nutritional interventions. Immun Ageing 2023; 20:17. [PMID: 37046272 PMCID: PMC10090758 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-023-00341-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Advanced age is one of the significant risk determinants for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related mortality and for long COVID complications. The contributing factors may include the age-related dynamical remodeling of the immune system, known as immunosenescence and chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. Both of these factors may induce an inflammatory milieu in the aged brain and drive the changes in the microenvironment of neurons and microglia, which are characterized by a general condition of chronic inflammation, so-called neuroinflammation. Emerging evidence reveals that the immune privilege in the aging brain may be compromised. Resident brain cells, such as astrocytes, neurons, oligodendrocytes and microglia, but also infiltrating immune cells, such as monocytes, T cells and macrophages participate in the complex intercellular networks and multiple reciprocal interactions. Especially changes in microglia playing a regulatory role in inflammation, contribute to disturbing of the brain homeostasis and to impairments of the neuroimmune responses. Neuroinflammation may trigger structural damage, diminish regeneration, induce neuronal cell death, modulate synaptic remodeling and in this manner negatively interfere with the brain functions.In this review article, we give insights into neuroimmune interactions in the aged brain and highlight the impact of COVID-19 on the functional systems already modulated by immunosenescence and neuroinflammation. We discuss the potential ways of these interactions with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and review proposed neuroimmune mechanisms and biological factors that may contribute to the development of persisting long COVID conditions. We summarize the potential mechanisms responsible for long COVID, including inflammation, autoimmunity, direct virus-mediated cytotoxicity, hypercoagulation, mitochondrial failure, dysbiosis, and the reactivation of other persisting viruses, such as the Cytomegalovirus (CMV). Finally, we discuss the effects of various interventional options that can decrease the propagation of biological, physiological, and psychosocial stressors that are responsible for neuroimmune activation and which may inhibit the triggering of unbalanced inflammatory responses. We highlight the modulatory effects of bioactive nutritional compounds along with the multimodal benefits of behavioral interventions and moderate exercise, which can be applied as postinfectious interventions in order to improve brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Müller
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Svetlana Di Benedetto
- Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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11
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Hernández-Parra H, Reyes-Hernández OD, Figueroa-González G, González-Del Carmen M, González-Torres M, Peña-Corona SI, Florán B, Cortés H, Leyva-Gómez G. Alteration of the blood-brain barrier by COVID-19 and its implication in the permeation of drugs into the brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1125109. [PMID: 36998270 PMCID: PMC10043238 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1125109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Diverse neurological symptoms have been reported in patients with SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19), including stroke, ataxia, meningitis, encephalitis, and cognitive impairment. These alterations can cause serious sequelae or death and are associated with the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the Central Nervous System (CNS). This mini-review discusses the main proposed mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and its involvement in the passage of drugs into the CNS. We performed a search in PubMed with the terms “COVID-19” or “SARS-CoV-2” and “blood-brain barrier injury” or “brain injury” from the year 2019 to 2022. We found proposed evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infects neurovascular cells and increases BBB permeability by increasing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 that degrades type IV collagen in the basement membrane and through activating RhoA, which induces restructuring of the cytoskeleton and alters the integrity of the barrier. The breakdown of the BBB triggers a severe inflammatory response, causing the cytokine storm (release of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, etc.) characteristic of the severe phase of COVID-19, which includes the recruitment of macrophages and lymphocytes and the activation of astrocytes and microglia. We conclude that the increased permeability of the BBB would allow the passage of drugs that would not reach the brain in a normal physiological state, thus enhancing certain drugs’ beneficial or adverse effects. We hope this article will encourage research on the impact of drugs on patients with COVID-19 and recovered patients with sequelae, focusing mainly on possible dose adjustments and changes in pharmacokinetic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Hernández-Parra
- Departamento de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Octavio Daniel Reyes-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular del Cáncer, UMIEZ, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Gabriela Figueroa-González
- Laboratorio de Farmacogenética, UMIEZ, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Maykel González-Torres
- Conacyt and Laboratorio de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación “Luís Guillermo Ibarra”, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Sheila I. Peña-Corona
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Florán
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Hernán Cortés
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genómica, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Hernán Cortés,
| | - Gerardo Leyva-Gómez
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Gerardo Leyva-Gómez,
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12
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Tobita M, Fanchiang SP, Saldivar A, Taylor S, Jordan B. Complex Hallucinations in Hospitalized Rehabilitation Patients With COVID-19. Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl 2022; 4:100234. [PMID: 36277732 PMCID: PMC9574548 DOI: 10.1016/j.arrct.2022.100234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To explore the characteristics of hallucinations in hospitalized rehabilitation patients with COVID-19. Design Retrospective review using medical records of patients with COVID-19 and admitted to the acute inpatient rehabilitation unit (ARU). Setting A public hospital in southern California, specializing in rehabilitation medicine. Participants: Patients with COVID-19 and hallucinations who were consecutively admitted from January 1st to April 30th, 2021. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Types and themes of hallucinations. Results Eight of the 37 patients (21.6%) admitted to the ARU with COVID-19 exhibited hallucinations. All were Hispanic and 7 of them were men; their average age was 56.5 (range: 38-71). Seven patients had COVID-19 pneumonia and 1 developed respiratory distress secondary to Guillain-Barre Syndrome. One patient had posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. The average length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) was 31.3 days (range: 8-48). Most of the hallucinations occurred during their ICU stay and 2 continued to their ARU stay. All recalled details of hallucinations with 7 exhibiting visual hallucinations, consistent with peduncular hallucinosis with or without auditory and/or tactile components. One patient experienced tactile hallucinations. The themes of hallucinations identified to reflect the contents of the hallucinations were patients' comfort-seeking, fearfulness, and seeing deceased family members. All patients had impaired cognition at the ARU admission but improved at discharge. Four patients had depressed mood/anxiety and 1 had depressed mood alone but without a history of psychiatric illness. ICU delirium was documented in 5 patients. The negative experience of hallucinations seemed to affect their participation of the ARU stay. Conclusions More than 20% of patients with COVID-19 who were transferred to attend inpatient rehabilitation exhibited hallucinations. It remains uncertain if these hallucinations were related to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation team should be aware to support patients with COVID-19 who experience hallucinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Tobita
- Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Department of Health Services, County of Los Angeles, Downey, CA,Rancho Research Institute, Downey, CA,Corresponding author Mari Tobita, MD, 7601 E Imperial Highway, Downey, CA 90242
| | - Shan-Pin Fanchiang
- Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Department of Health Services, County of Los Angeles, Downey, CA,Rancho Research Institute, Downey, CA,Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Aida Saldivar
- Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Department of Health Services, County of Los Angeles, Downey, CA
| | - Sarah Taylor
- Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Department of Health Services, County of Los Angeles, Downey, CA
| | - Barry Jordan
- Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Department of Health Services, County of Los Angeles, Downey, CA,Rancho Research Institute, Downey, CA,Department of Neurology, Keck Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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13
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Łuc M, Woźniak M, Rymaszewska J. Neuroinflammation in Dementia—Therapeutic Directions in a COVID-19 Pandemic Setting. Cells 2022; 11:cells11192959. [PMID: 36230921 PMCID: PMC9562181 DOI: 10.3390/cells11192959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although dementia is a heterogenous group of diseases, inflammation has been shown to play a central role in all of them and provides a common link in their pathology. This review aims to highlight the importance of immune response in the most common types of dementia. We describe molecular aspects of pro-inflammatory signaling and sources of inflammatory activation in the human organism, including a novel infectious agent, SARS-CoV-2. The role of glial cells in neuroinflammation, as well as potential therapeutic approaches, are then discussed. Peripheral immune response and increased cytokine production, including an early surge in TNF and IL-1β concentrations activate glia, leading to aggravation of neuroinflammation and dysfunction of neurons during COVID-19. Lifestyle factors, such as diet, have a large impact on future cognitive outcomes and should be included as a crucial intervention in dementia prevention. While the use of NSAIDs is not recommended due to inconclusive results on their efficacy and risk of side effects, the studies focused on the use of TNF antagonists as the more specific target in neuroinflammation are still very limited. It is still unknown, to what degree neuroinflammation resulting from COVID-19 may affect neurodegenerative process and cognitive functioning in the long term with ongoing reports of chronic post-COVID complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Łuc
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Marta Woźniak
- Department of Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Rymaszewska
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
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14
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Coenzyme Q10 + alpha lipoic acid for chronic COVID syndrome. Clin Exp Med 2022:10.1007/s10238-022-00871-8. [PMID: 35994177 PMCID: PMC9395797 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00871-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Chronic COVID syndrome is characterized by chronic fatigue, myalgia, depression and sleep disturbances, similar to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia syndrome. Implementations of mitochondrial nutrients (MNs) with diet are important for the clinical effects antioxidant. We examined if use of an association of coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid (Requpero®) could reduce chronic covid symptoms. The Requpero study is a prospective observational study in which 174 patients, who had developed chronic-covid syndrome, were divided in two groups: The first one (116 patients) received coenzyme Q10 + alpha lipoic acid, and the second one (58 patients) did not receive any treatment. Primary outcome was reduction in Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in treatment group compared with control group. complete FSS response was reached most frequently in treatment group than in control group. A FSS complete response was reached in 62 (53.5%) patients in treatment group and in two (3.5%) patients in control group. A reduction in FSS core < 20% from baseline at T1 (non-response) was observed in 11 patients in the treatment group (9.5%) and in 15 patients in the control group (25.9%) (p < 0.0001). To date, this is the first study that tests the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid in chronic Covid syndrome. Primary and secondary outcomes were met. These results have to be confirmed through a double blind placebo controlled trial of longer duration.
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15
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Brenner LA, Stearns-Yoder KA, Stamper CE, Hoisington AJ, Brostow DP, Hoffmire CA, Forster JE, Donovan ML, Ryan AT, Postolache TT, Lowry CA. Rationale, design, and methods: A randomized placebo-controlled trial of an immunomodulatory probiotic intervention for Veterans with PTSD. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2022; 28:100960. [PMID: 35812820 PMCID: PMC9260450 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background United States military Veterans from recent conflicts are experiencing symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many Veterans are resistant to conventional health and mental health interventions (e.g., medication, psychotherapy). Alternative treatment approaches are needed. An underlying feature of PTSD is exaggerated inflammation, both peripherally and in the central nervous system. This inflammation is thought to play an important role in the vulnerability to, aggravation of, and persistence of PTSD symptoms. Therefore, an innovative intervention strategy would be the use of immunoregulatory/anti-inflammatory probiotics to reduce inflammation. Here we describe the rationale, design, and methods of a randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG; ATCC 53103) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods This is a Phase IIa trial of LGG for United States military Veterans with PTSD, using a longitudinal, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled design. The primary outcome measure is plasma concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Conclusion Despite the fact that symptoms associated with PTSD can be disabling, individuals living with this trauma-related disorder have limited options in terms of evidence-based interventions. Recent research efforts aimed at highlighting the biological mechanisms of PTSD suggest that increased inflammation and altered autonomic nervous system activity may be treatment targets, and that immunoregulatory probiotics, such as LGG, have the potential to decrease trauma-induced inflammatory responses, as well as associated symptoms. This manuscript describes the best powered human subjects Phase IIa trial, to date, of a probiotic intervention for those living with PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A. Brenner
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States,Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education, Aurora, CO, United States,Corresponding author. VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States.
| | - Kelly A. Stearns-Yoder
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Christopher E. Stamper
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Andrew J. Hoisington
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education, Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Systems Engineering & Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, United States
| | - Diana P. Brostow
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Claire A. Hoffmire
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Jeri E. Forster
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Meghan L. Donovan
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Arthur T. Ryan
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Teodor T. Postolache
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education, Aurora, CO, United States,Mood and Anxiety Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States,VISN 5 MIRECC, Department of Veterans Affairs, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Christopher A. Lowry
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education, Aurora, CO, United States,Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States,Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States,Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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16
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Reis J, Buguet A, Román GC, Spencer PS. The COVID-19 pandemic, an environmental neurology perspective. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2022; 178:499-511. [PMID: 35568518 PMCID: PMC8938187 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2022.02.455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Neurologists have a particular interest in SARS-CoV-2 because the nervous system is a major participant in COVID-19, both in its acute phase and in its persistent post-COVID phase. The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection has revealed most of the challenges and risk factors that humanity will face in the future. We review from an environmental neurology perspective some characteristics that have underpinned the pandemic. We consider the agent, SARS-CoV-2, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 as influenced by environmental factors, its impact on the brain and some containment measures on brain health. Several questions remain, including the differential clinical impact of variants, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on sleep and wakefulness, and the neurological components of Long-COVID syndrome. We touch on the role of national leaders and public health policies that have underpinned management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased awareness, anticipation and preparedness are needed to address comparable future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Reis
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; Association RISE, 67205 Oberhausbergen, France.
| | - A Buguet
- General (r) French Army Health Services, Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS, Claude-Bernard Lyon-1 University, 69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - G C Román
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - P S Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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17
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Neurogenic Interventions for Fear Memory via Modulation of the Hippocampal Function and Neural Circuits. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073582. [PMID: 35408943 PMCID: PMC8998417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear memory helps animals and humans avoid harm from certain stimuli and coordinate adaptive behavior. However, excessive consolidation of fear memory, caused by the dysfunction of cellular mechanisms and neural circuits in the brain, is responsible for post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety-related disorders. Dysregulation of specific brain regions and neural circuits, particularly the hippocampus, amygdala, and medial prefrontal cortex, have been demonstrated in patients with these disorders. These regions are involved in learning, memory, consolidation, and extinction. These are also the brain regions where new neurons are generated and are crucial for memory formation and integration. Therefore, these three brain regions and neural circuits have contributed greatly to studies on neural plasticity and structural remodeling in patients with psychiatric disorders. In this review, we provide an understanding of fear memory and its underlying cellular mechanisms and describe how neural circuits are involved in fear memory. Additionally, we discuss therapeutic interventions for these disorders based on their proneurogenic efficacy and the neural circuits involved in fear memory.
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