Rapeseed oil fortified with micronutrients improves cognitive alterations associated with metabolic syndrome

No evidence for clinical efficacy of adjunctive celecoxib with vortioxetine in the treatment of depression: A 6-week double-blind placebo controlled randomized trial

Given the role of low-grade inflammation in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD), anti-inflammatory strategies may improve treatment outcomes in some patients. However, it is controversial whether they can be used as adjunctive treatments and whether pre-treatment levels of inflammation can predict treatment outcomes. This study was conducted to measure the efficacy of anti-inflammatory augmentation of antidepressant treatment in MDD patients; and to investigate whether treatment response was dependent on baseline inflammation levels. This parallel-group randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the University of Adelaide (Australia). Participants with MDD were randomised to receive vortioxetine with celecoxib or vortioxetine with placebo for six weeks, and baseline blood high sensitivity C reactive protein levels were measured. Primary outcome was change in depressive symptoms (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale) and secondary outcomes included change in cognition (THINC-integrated tool - Codebreaker task) and functioning (Functioning Assessment Short Test) over 6 weeks. There was no evidence of superior efficacy of celecoxib augmentation over placebo on depressive symptom severity, response and remission rates, cognition and psychosocial functioning. There was also no evidence that pre-treatment inflammation levels modified the effect of celecoxib augmentation versus placebo. This observed lack of efficacy of celecoxib add-on does not support the use of celecoxib augmentation of antidepressants in the treatment of MDD in a cohort that mostly comprises treatment-resistant individuals. Additionally, C-reactive protein may not be suitable to predict treatment selection and response in MDD. The study was registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617000527369 (www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12617000527369p).

Saffron Extract-Induced Improvement of Depressive-Like Behavior in Mice Is Associated with Modulation of Monoaminergic Neurotransmission

Depressive disorders represent a major public health concern and display a continuously rising prevalence. Importantly, a large proportion of patients develops aversive side effects and/or does not respond properly to conventional antidepressants. These issues highlight the need to identify further therapeutic strategies, including nutritional approaches using natural plant extracts with known beneficial impacts on health. In that context, growing evidence suggests that saffron could be a particularly promising candidate. This preclinical study aimed therefore to test its antidepressant-like properties in mice and to decipher the underlying mechanisms by focusing on monoaminergic neurotransmission, due to its strong implication in mood disorders. For this purpose, the behavioral and neurobiochemical impact of a saffron extract, Safr’Inside™ (6.5 mg/kg per os) was measured in naïve mice. Saffron extract reduced depressive-like behavior in the forced swim test. This behavioral improvement was associated with neurobiological modifications, particularly changes in serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, suggesting that Safr’Inside™ may share common targets with conventional pharmacological antidepressants. This study provides useful information on the therapeutic relevance of nutritional interventions with saffron extracts to improve management of mood disorders.

Meta-analysis of cognitive and behavioral tests in leptin- and leptin receptor-deficient mice

Leptin is a hormone produced by adipocytes that regulates food intake and metabolism. Leptin-related gene-deficient mice, such as db/db and ob/ob mice, are widely used to study diabetes and its related diseases. However, broad effects of leptin appear to cause variability in behavioral test results. We performed a meta-analysis of major behavioral tests in db/db and ob/ob mice. These mice exhibited significant impairments in the Morris water maze, forced swim, novel object recognition, Y-maze, tail suspension, and light-dark box tests, whereas the elevated plus maze and open field tests did not reveal significant changes. We also performed correlation and regression analyses between the animals' performances and the experimental protocols and conditions. The memory-related tests were characterized by the correlations of their results with animal age, while the performances in the elevated plus-maze and forced swim tests were affected by the width of the devices used. In conclusion, db/db and ob/ob mice mainly exhibit memory deficits and depression-like behavior, although experimenters should be aware of animal age and device size in conducting experiments.

Influence of the Mediterranean and Ketogenic Diets on Cognitive Status and Decline: A Narrative Review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of senile dementia, accounting for up to 70% of dementia cases. AD is a slowly progressive disease, which causes global mental deterioration by affecting various cognitive areas. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that lifestyle habits and nutritional patterns could delay the natural course of the neurodegeneration process. There is no single dietary pattern unequivocally proven to prevent AD. Nevertheless, epidemiological data suggest that by adopting several dietary habits, especially if accompanied with a healthy lifestyle, the negative consequences of AD could potentially be delayed. Alongside with others, two specific eating patterns have been well investigated concerning their potential beneficial effect on cognitive status: the Mediterranean diet (MedDi) and the Ketogenic Diet (KD). Despite the different underlying mechanisms, both of them have demonstrated a fairly profitable role in reducing or delaying cognitive impairment. The aim of the present narrative review is to overview the existing research on the efficacy of MedDi and KD against AD-related cognitive decline, focusing on the proposed protective mechanisms of action. Although the current knowledge on this complex topic does not allow us, at this point, to make exhaustive conclusions, this information could be of help in order to better characterize the possible role of MedDi and KD as nonpharmacological therapies in the treatment of AD and, more generically, of neurodegenerative disorders.