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Chen SJ, Cho RL, Yeh SHH, Tsai MC, Chuang YP, Lien CF, Chiu CH, Yeh YW, Lin CS, Ma KH. Pitavastatin attenuates hypercholesterolemia-induced decline in serotonin transporter availability. Lipids Health Dis 2024; 23:250. [PMID: 39154177 PMCID: PMC11330603 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02236-4] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hypercholesterolemia is associated with increased inflammation and impaired serotonin neurotransmission, potentially contributing to depressive symptoms. However, the role of statins, particularly pitavastatin, in modulating serotonin transporter (SERT) function within this context remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate whether pitavastatin counteracts the neurobiological effects of hypercholesterolemia. METHODS Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR-/-) mice on a C57BL/6 background were assigned to three groups: a control group fed a standard chow diet, a group fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and a third group fed a high-fat diet supplemented with pitavastatin (HFD + Pita). We evaluated the effects of HFD with or without pitavastatin on lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, and SERT availability using small-animal positron emission tomography (PET) scans with the radioligand 4-[18F]-ADAM over a 20-week period. RESULTS Pitavastatin treatment in HFD-fed mice significantly reduced both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in HFD-fed mice compared to those on HFD alone. Elevated inflammatory markers such as IL-1α, MCP-1/CCL2, and TNF-α in HFD mice were notably decreased in the HFD + Pita group. PET scans showed reduced SERT availability in the brains of HFD mice; however, pitavastatin improved this in brain regions associated with mood regulation, suggesting enhanced serotonin neurotransmission. Additionally, the sucrose preference test showed a trend towards increased preference in the HFD + Pita group compared to the HFD group, indicating a potential reduction in depressive-like behavior. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that pitavastatin not only lowers cholesterol and reduces inflammation but also enhances SERT availability, suggesting a potential role in alleviating depressive symptoms associated with hypercholesterolemia. These results highlight the multifaceted benefits of pitavastatin, extending beyond its lipid-lowering effects to potentially improving mood regulation and neurotransmitter function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sy-Jou Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 114, Taiwan.
| | - Rou-Ling Cho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 114, Taiwan
| | - Skye Hsin-Hsien Yeh
- School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chaio Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Min-Chien Tsai
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Graduate Institute of Physiology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Chuang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Feng Lien
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 114, Taiwan
| | - Chuang-Hsin Chiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wei Yeh
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Sheng Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 114, Taiwan.
| | - Kuo-Hsing Ma
- Department of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 114, Taiwan.
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Dean B, Scarr E. Common changes in rat cortical gene expression after valproate or lithium treatment particularly affect pre- and post-synaptic pathways that regulate four neurotransmitters systems. World J Biol Psychiatry 2024; 25:54-64. [PMID: 37722808 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2023.2258972] [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: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We have postulated that common changes in gene expression after treatment with different therapeutic classes of psychotropic drugs contribute to their common therapeutic mechanisms of action. METHODS To test this hypothesis, we measured levels of cortical coding and non-coding RNA using GeneChip® Rat Exon 1.0 ST Array after treatment with vehicle (chow only), chow containing 1.8 g lithium carbonate/kg (n = 10) or chow containing 12 g sodium valproate/kg (n = 10) for 28 days. Differences in levels of RNA were identified using JMP Genomics 13 and the Panther Gene Ontology Classification System was used to identify potential consequences of RNA. RESULTS Compared to vehicle treatment, levels of cortical RNA for 543 and 583 coding and non-coding RNAs were different after treatment with valproate and lithium, respectively. Moreover, levels of 323 coding and non-coding RNAs were altered in a highly correlated way by treatment with valproate and lithium, changes that would impact on cholinergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission as well as on voltage gated ion channels. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that treating with mood stabilisers cause many common changes in levels of RNA which will impact on CNS function, particularly affecting post-synaptic muscarinic receptor functioning and the release of multiple neurotransmitters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Dean
- The Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Scarr
- The Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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De Giorgi R, De Crescenzo F, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ, Cipriani A. Real-world outcomes of concomitant antidepressant and statin use in primary care patients with depression: a population-based cohort study. BMC Med 2023; 21:424. [PMID: 37936200 PMCID: PMC10631198 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03138-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antidepressants are licensed for use in depressive disorders, but non-response and poor adherence to treatment affect a considerable number of patients. Pre-clinical and clinical evidence suggest that statins can augment the effects of antidepressants. However, the acceptability and tolerability of combining statins with antidepressants are unclear, and their add-on efficacy has only been shown in small, short-term clinical trials. Observational data can provide complementary information about treatment effects on larger samples over longer follow-ups. In this study, we therefore assessed the real-world acceptability, tolerability, and efficacy of concomitant antidepressant and statin treatment in depression. METHODS We conducted a population-based cohort study investigating QResearch primary care research database, which comprises the anonymised electronic healthcare records of 35 + million patients over 1574 English general practices. Patients aged 18-100 years, registered between January 1998 and August 2020, diagnosed with a new episode of depression, and commencing an antidepressant were included. Using a between-subject design, we identified two study groups: antidepressant + statin versus antidepressant-only prescriptions. Outcomes of interest included the following: antidepressant treatment discontinuations due to any cause (acceptability) and due to any adverse event (tolerability) and effects on depressive symptoms (efficacy) measured as response, remission, and change in depression score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. All outcomes were assessed at 2, 6, and 12 months using multivariable regression analyses, adjusted for relevant confounders, to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) or mean differences (aMDs) with 99% confidence intervals (99% CIs). RESULTS Compared to antidepressant-only (N 626,335), antidepressant + statin (N 46,482) was associated with higher antidepressant treatment acceptability (aOR2months 0.88, 99% CI 0.85 to 0.91; aOR6months 0.81, 99% CI 0.79 to 0.84; aOR12months 0.78, 99% CI 0.75 to 0.81) and tolerability (aOR2months 0.92, 99% CI 0.87 to 0.98; aOR6months 0.94, 99% CI 0.89 to 0.99, though not long term aOR12 months 1.02, 99% CI 0.97 to 1.06). Efficacy did not differ between groups (range aOR2-12 months 1.00 and 1.02 for response and remission, range aOR2-12 months - 0.01 and - 0.02 for change in depression score). CONCLUSIONS On real-world data, there is a positive correlation between antidepressant treatment adherence and statin use, partly explained by fewer dropouts due to adverse events. The main limitation of our study is its observational design, which restricts the potential to make causal inferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Giorgi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK.
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK.
| | - Franco De Crescenzo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Philip J Cowen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Catherine J Harmer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
- Oxford Precision Psychaitry Lab, Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Zhang L, Yin J, Sun H, Yang J, Liu Y. Association between atherogenic coefficient and depression in US adults: a cross-sectional study with data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2018. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e074001. [PMID: 37899167 PMCID: PMC10619029 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The pathogenesis of depression is related to immune inflammatory response. Atherogenic coefficient (AC) is an important indicator of lipid abnormalities, which can lead to immune inflammatory responses. However, no study has investigated the relationship between AC and depression in adult Americans. Therefore, we investigated this relationship. DESIGN This study used a cross-sectional design. SETTING The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018) data were used for this study. PARTICIPANTS A total of 32 502 participants aged 20 years or older who had complete information for AC and depression were included in this study. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Depressive symptoms were assessed using the nine-item version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), with a cut-off point of 9/10 indicating likely depression cases. Weighted logistic regression analyses and the smooth curve fittings were performed to explore the association between AC and depression. RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounders, a single unit increase in AC was associated with a 3% increase in the prevalence of depression (HR=1.03, 95% CI=1.00 to 1.06, p=0.039). The relationship between AC and depression was more obvious in females. CONCLUSIONS The AC is positively associated with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- The First Clinical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jiahui Yin
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Haiyang Sun
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiguo Yang
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong, China
| | - Yuanxiang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
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McIntyre RS, Alsuwaidan M, Baune BT, Berk M, Demyttenaere K, Goldberg JF, Gorwood P, Ho R, Kasper S, Kennedy SH, Ly-Uson J, Mansur RB, McAllister-Williams RH, Murrough JW, Nemeroff CB, Nierenberg AA, Rosenblat JD, Sanacora G, Schatzberg AF, Shelton R, Stahl SM, Trivedi MH, Vieta E, Vinberg M, Williams N, Young AH, Maj M. Treatment-resistant depression: definition, prevalence, detection, management, and investigational interventions. World Psychiatry 2023; 22:394-412. [PMID: 37713549 PMCID: PMC10503923 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is common and associated with multiple serious public health implications. A consensus definition of TRD with demonstrated predictive utility in terms of clinical decision-making and health outcomes does not currently exist. Instead, a plethora of definitions have been proposed, which vary significantly in their conceptual framework. The absence of a consensus definition hampers precise estimates of the prevalence of TRD, and also belies efforts to identify risk factors, prevention opportunities, and effective interventions. In addition, it results in heterogeneity in clinical practice decision-making, adversely affecting quality of care. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have adopted the most used definition of TRD (i.e., inadequate response to a minimum of two antidepressants despite adequacy of the treatment trial and adherence to treatment). It is currently estimated that at least 30% of persons with depression meet this definition. A significant percentage of persons with TRD are actually pseudo-resistant (e.g., due to inadequacy of treatment trials or non-adherence to treatment). Although multiple sociodemographic, clinical, treatment and contextual factors are known to negatively moderate response in persons with depression, very few factors are regarded as predictive of non-response across multiple modalities of treatment. Intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine (co-administered with an antidepressant) are established as efficacious in the management of TRD. Some second-generation antipsychotics (e.g., aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, cariprazine, quetiapine XR) are proven effective as adjunctive treatments to antidepressants in partial responders, but only the olanzapine-fluoxetine combination has been studied in FDA-defined TRD. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is established as effective and FDA-approved for individuals with TRD, with accelerated theta-burst TMS also recently showing efficacy. Electroconvulsive therapy is regarded as an effective acute and maintenance intervention in TRD, with preliminary evidence suggesting non-inferiority to acute intravenous ketamine. Evidence for extending antidepressant trial, medication switching and combining antidepressants is mixed. Manual-based psychotherapies are not established as efficacious on their own in TRD, but offer significant symptomatic relief when added to conventional antidepressants. Digital therapeutics are under study and represent a potential future clinical vista in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger S McIntyre
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohammad Alsuwaidan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bernhard T Baune
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Deakin University IMPACT Institute, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Koen Demyttenaere
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joseph F Goldberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Philip Gorwood
- Department of Psychiatry, Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Roger Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siegfried Kasper
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and Center of Brain Research, Molecular Neuroscience Branch, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sidney H Kennedy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Josefina Ly-Uson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, University of The Philippines College of Medicine, Manila, The Philippines
| | - Rodrigo B Mansur
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - R Hamish McAllister-Williams
- Northern Center for Mood Disorders, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - James W Murrough
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Andrew A Nierenberg
- Dauten Family Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua D Rosenblat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gerard Sanacora
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alan F Schatzberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Richard Shelton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Stephen M Stahl
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Madhukar H Trivedi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maj Vinberg
- Mental Health Centre, Northern Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital - Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nolan Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Allan H Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mario Maj
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Berk M, Köhler-Forsberg O, Turner M, Penninx BWJH, Wrobel A, Firth J, Loughman A, Reavley NJ, McGrath JJ, Momen NC, Plana-Ripoll O, O'Neil A, Siskind D, Williams LJ, Carvalho AF, Schmaal L, Walker AJ, Dean O, Walder K, Berk L, Dodd S, Yung AR, Marx W. Comorbidity between major depressive disorder and physical diseases: a comprehensive review of epidemiology, mechanisms and management. World Psychiatry 2023; 22:366-387. [PMID: 37713568 PMCID: PMC10503929 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Populations with common physical diseases - such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders - experience substantially higher rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) than the general population. On the other hand, people living with MDD have a greater risk for many physical diseases. This high level of comorbidity is associated with worse outcomes, reduced adherence to treatment, increased mortality, and greater health care utilization and costs. Comorbidity can also result in a range of clinical challenges, such as a more complicated therapeutic alliance, issues pertaining to adaptive health behaviors, drug-drug interactions and adverse events induced by medications used for physical and mental disorders. Potential explanations for the high prevalence of the above comorbidity involve shared genetic and biological pathways. These latter include inflammation, the gut microbiome, mitochondrial function and energy metabolism, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, and brain structure and function. Furthermore, MDD and physical diseases have in common several antecedents related to social factors (e.g., socioeconomic status), lifestyle variables (e.g., physical activity, diet, sleep), and stressful live events (e.g., childhood trauma). Pharmacotherapies and psychotherapies are effective treatments for comorbid MDD, and the introduction of lifestyle interventions as well as collaborative care models and digital technologies provide promising strategies for improving management. This paper aims to provide a detailed overview of the epidemiology of the comorbidity of MDD and specific physical diseases, including prevalence and bidirectional risk; of shared biological pathways potentially implicated in the pathogenesis of MDD and common physical diseases; of socio-environmental factors that serve as both shared risk and protective factors; and of management of MDD and physical diseases, including prevention and treatment. We conclude with future directions and emerging research related to optimal care of people with comorbid MDD and physical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Berk
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Ole Köhler-Forsberg
- Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital - Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Megan Turner
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Wrobel
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Joseph Firth
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Amy Loughman
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicola J Reavley
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John J McGrath
- National Centre for Register-Based Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Park Centre for Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Natalie C Momen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Oleguer Plana-Ripoll
- National Centre for Register-Based Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Adrienne O'Neil
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Dan Siskind
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Park Centre for Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lana J Williams
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Andre F Carvalho
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Lianne Schmaal
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam J Walker
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Olivia Dean
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Ken Walder
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Lesley Berk
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Seetal Dodd
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Alison R Yung
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Marx
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
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De Giorgi R, Rizzo Pesci N, Rosso G, Maina G, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ. The pharmacological bases for repurposing statins in depression: a review of mechanistic studies. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:253. [PMID: 37438361 PMCID: PMC10338465 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02533-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Statins are commonly prescribed medications widely investigated for their potential actions on the brain and mental health. Pre-clinical and clinical evidence suggests that statins may play a role in the treatment of depressive disorders, but only the latter has been systematically assessed. Thus, the physiopathological mechanisms underlying statins' putative antidepressant or depressogenic effects have not been established. This review aims to gather available evidence from mechanistic studies to strengthen the pharmacological basis for repurposing statins in depression. We used a broad, well-validated search strategy over three major databases (Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO) to retrieve any mechanistic study investigating statins' effects on depression. The systematic search yielded 8068 records, which were narrowed down to 77 relevant papers. The selected studies (some dealing with more than one bodily system) described several neuropsychopharmacological (44 studies), endocrine-metabolic (17 studies), cardiovascular (6 studies) and immunological (15 studies) mechanisms potentially contributing to the effects of statins on mood. Numerous articles highlighted the beneficial effect of statins on depression, particularly through positive actions on serotonergic neurotransmission, neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, hypothalamic-pituitary axis regulation and modulation of inflammation. The role of other mechanisms, especially the association between statins, lipid metabolism and worsening of depressive symptoms, appears more controversial. Overall, most mechanistic evidence supports an antidepressant activity for statins, likely mediated by a variety of intertwined processes involving several bodily systems. Further research in this area can benefit from measuring relevant biomarkers to inform the selection of patients most likely to respond to statins' antidepressant effects while also improving our understanding of the physiopathological basis of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Giorgi
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
| | - Nicola Rizzo Pesci
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rosso
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maina
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Philip J Cowen
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine J Harmer
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
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Waters S, De Giorgi R, Quinton AMG, Gillespie AL, Murphy SE, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ. An online experimental medicine trial on the effect of 28-day simvastatin administration on emotional processing, reward learning, working memory and salivary cortisol in healthy volunteers at risk for depression: OxSTEP protocol. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e110. [PMID: 37313755 PMCID: PMC10304861 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests inflammation may be a key mechanism by which psychosocial stress, including loneliness, predisposes to depression. Observational and clinical studies have suggested simvastatin, with its anti-inflammatory properties, may have a potential use in the treatment of depression. Previous experimental medicine trials investigating 7-day use of statins showed conflicting results, with simvastatin displaying a more positive effect on emotional processing compared with atorvastatin. It is possible that statins require longer administration in predisposed individuals before showing the expected positive effects on emotional processing. AIMS Here, we aim to test the neuropsychological effects of 28-day simvastatin administration versus placebo, in healthy volunteers at risk for depression owing to loneliness. METHOD This is a remote experimental medicine study. One hundred participants across the UK will be recruited and randomised to either 28-day 20 mg simvastatin or placebo in a double-blind fashion. Before and after administration, participants will complete an online testing session involving tasks of emotional processing and reward learning, processes related to vulnerability to depression. Working memory will also be assessed and waking salivary cortisol samples will be collected. The primary outcome will be accuracy in identifying emotions in a facial expression recognition task, comparing the two groups across time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shona Waters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Riccardo De Giorgi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK; and Warneford Hospital, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | | | | | | | - Philip J. Cowen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK; and Warneford Hospital, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Irfan H, Muthiah K, Pallipamu N, Taheri S, Thiagaraj SS, Shukla TS, Giva S, Penumetcha SS. The Anti-Depressant Effects of Statins in Patients With Major Depression Post-Myocardial Infarction: An Updated Review 2022. Cureus 2022; 14:e32323. [PMID: 36628002 PMCID: PMC9825119 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins are the most commonly prescribed lipid-lowering agents in patients with cardiovascular disease, and more than half of the patients with cardiovascular disease have associated depressive symptoms, particularly post-myocardial infarction, which is a major trigger for depression. In our research, we tried to understand the anti-depressant effects of statins, the mechanisms, risks and benefits, and potential drug-drug interactions with anti-depressant medications. We reviewed all the relevant information from inception up to September 2022 regarding the anti-depressant effects of statins. The database used was PubMed, and the keywords were statins, major depression, post-myocardial infarction, and hydroxy methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. We have screened each of the articles carefully, including both human and animal studies, and found a positive correlation between reduction in depressive symptoms with statin therapy as adjunctive treatment with conventional anti-depressants. In conclusion, statins as a monotherapy are not an effective treatment for depression post-myocardial infarction but are good add-on options along with standard therapy such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Statins are safe and have no serious drug-drug interactions with anti-depressants. We would like to encourage large-scale observational studies and further post-marketing surveillance to improve our knowledge regarding the effectiveness of statins in the treatment of depression.
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Khan KI, Al Shouli R, Allakky A, Ferguson AA, Khan AI, Abuzainah B, Mohammed L. Statins and Antidepressants: A Comprehensive Review and Clinical Outlook of the Risks and Benefits of Co-prescription (2022). Cureus 2022; 14:e32331. [PMID: 36632257 PMCID: PMC9827898 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antidepressants are the most prescribed medications in the United States, and the most frequently prescribed antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) followed by serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs), and norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRI). On the other hand, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, are the most prescribed lipid-lowering medications, and because the majority of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) have depressive symptoms, it is essential to understand the possible drug-drug interactions these two classes of medications can have, their potential synergistic mechanisms, and possible risks. In our research, we tried to understand the facts and uncover any missing links regarding the potential risks and benefits of statins and antidepressant co-prescription in the current clinical scenario. We reviewed all the relevant information from inception up to October 2022 regarding the antidepressant and statin polypharmacy. The databases we used were PubMed and PubMed Central, and the 11 keywords were "statins," "SSRI," "SNRI," "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors," "serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors," "antidepressants," "HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors," "tricyclic antidepressants," "monoamine oxidase inhibitors," "serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors," and "norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors." We carefully screened each of the relevant articles, including animal and human studies. In our study, we concluded that co-prescription of statins and SSRIs/SNRIs was generally safe and should be encouraged due to the potential synergistic nature of their effects in patients with CVD and major depression, and caution is advised with all other classes of antidepressants. We would like to encourage the undertaking of large-scale observational studies and proactive postmarketing surveillance to improve our knowledge regarding this topic considering the immense clinical importance it holds by directly and indirectly affecting half the population worldwide.
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11
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De Giorgi R, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ. Statins in depression: a repurposed medical treatment can provide novel insights in mental health. Int Rev Psychiatry 2022; 34:699-714. [PMID: 36786109 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2113369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Depression has a large burden, but the development of new drugs for its treatment has proved difficult. Progresses in neuroscience have highlighted several physiopathological pathways, notably inflammatory and metabolic ones, likely involved in the genesis of depressive symptoms. A novel strategy proposes to repurpose established medical treatments of known safety and to investigate their potential antidepressant activity. Among numerous candidates, growing evidence suggests that statins may have a positive role in the treatment of depressive disorders, although some have raised concerns about possible depressogenic effects of these widely prescribed medications. This narrative review summarises relevant findings from translational studies implicating many interconnected neurobiological and neuropsychological, cardiovascular, endocrine-metabolic, and immunological mechanisms by which statins could influence mood. Also, the most recent clinical investigations on the effects of statins in depression are presented. Overall, the use of statins for the treatment of depressive symptoms cannot be recommended based on the available literature, though this might change as several larger, methodologically robust studies are being conducted. Nevertheless, statins can already be acknowledged as a driver of innovation in mental health, as they provide a novel perspective to the physical health of people with depression and for the development of more precise antidepressant treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Giorgi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip J Cowen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine J Harmer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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12
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De Giorgi R, Waters S, Pesci NR, Rosso G, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ. The effects of statin monotherapy on depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2022; 311:336-343. [PMID: 35618167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.05.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Statins have been proposed as a strategy for treating depression, but their benefit in the absence of concurrent antidepressant treatment is unclear. This meta-analysis investigated the antidepressant effects of statin monotherapy in the general population. METHODS We conducted a literature search of randomised controlled trials using any statin monotherapy versus any control condition for depressive symptoms. Our primary efficacy outcome was the mean value on any standardised scale for depression at study endpoint. We also measured efficacy at three further timepoints (<6 months, 6-12 months, >12 months), as well as acceptability, tolerability, and safety. Respectively, continuous and dichotomous outcomes were computed using standardised mean difference (SMD) or relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effect model. RESULTS Pooled analyses did not show that statin monotherapy improves depressive symptoms at endpoint (N = 2712 SMD = -0.18; 95% CI = -0.41 to 0.04), nor at any other specific timepoint. No difference between statins and control was identified for any of the other outcome measures. DISCUSSION These results differ from those of previous meta-analyses and, compounded by more recently available evidence, suggest that statins may not have intrinsic antidepressant properties, but may be useful for the management of depression in add-on to antidepressants. LIMITATIONS Data from heterogeneous populations and using different statins were pooled, though several sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to account for that. PROSPERO registration: CRD42022306653. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=306653.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Giorgi
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 7JX, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
| | - Shona Waters
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Rizzo Pesci
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rosso
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Philip J Cowen
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 7JX, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine J Harmer
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
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13
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De Giorgi R, Quinton AMG, Waters S, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ. An experimental medicine study of the effects of simvastatin on emotional processing, reward learning, verbal memory, and inflammation in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:2635-2645. [PMID: 35511258 PMCID: PMC9069418 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06156-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Clinical studies suggest that the highly lipophilic, anti-inflammatory molecule, simvastatin, might be an ideal candidate for drug repurposing in the treatment of depression. The neuropsychological effects of simvastatin are not known, but their ascertainment would have significant translational value about simvastatin's influence on mood and cognition. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the effects of simvastatin on a battery of psychological tests and inflammatory markers in healthy volunteers. METHODS Fifty-three healthy subjects were randomly assigned to 7 days of either simvastatin (N = 27) or sucrose-based placebo (N = 26) given in a double-blind fashion. Then, participants were administered questionnaires measuring subjective rates of mood and anxiety, and a battery of tasks assessing emotional processing, reward learning, and verbal memory. Blood samples for C-reactive protein were also collected. RESULTS Compared to placebo, participants on simvastatin showed a higher number of positively valenced intrusions in the emotional recall task (F1,51 = 4.99, p = 0.03), but also an increase in anxiety scores (F1,51 = 5.37, p = 0.02). An exploratory analysis of the females' subgroup (N = 27) showed lower number of misclassifications as sad facial expression in the simvastatin arm (F1,25 = 6.60, p = 0.02). No further statistically significant changes could be observed on any of the other outcomes measured. CONCLUSIONS We found limited evidence that 7-day simvastatin use in healthy volunteer induces a positive emotional bias while also being associated with an increase in anxiety, potentially reflecting the early effects of antidepressants in clinical practice. Such effect might be more evident in female subjects. Different drug dosages, treatment lengths, and sample selection need consideration in further experimental medicine and clinical studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04652089.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Giorgi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, Oxfordshire, UK.
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, Oxfordshire, UK.
| | - Alice M G Quinton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Shona Waters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Philip J Cowen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, Oxfordshire, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Catherine J Harmer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, Oxfordshire, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, Oxfordshire, UK
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Postolache TT, Medoff DR, Brown CH, Fang LJ, Upadhyaya SK, Lowry CA, Miller M, Kreyenbuhl JA. Lipophilic vs. hydrophilic statins and psychiatric hospitalizations and emergency room visits in US Veterans with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Pteridines 2021; 32:48-69. [PMID: 34887622 PMCID: PMC8654264 DOI: 10.1515/pteridines-2020-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective – Psychiatric hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits are costly, stigmatizing, and often ineffective. Given the immune and kynurenine activation in bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia, as well as the immune-modulatory effects of statins, we aimed to compare the relative risk (RRs) of psychiatric hospitalizations and ED visits between individuals prescribed lipophilic vs. hydrophilic statins vs. no statins. We hypothesized (a) reduced rates of hospitalization and ER utilization with statins versus no statins and (b) differences in outcomes between statins, as lipophilia increases the capability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier with potentially beneficial neuroimmune, antioxidant, neuroprotective, neurotrophic, and endothelial stabilizing effects, and, in contrast, potentially detrimental decreases in brain cholesterol concentrations leading to serotoninergic dysfunction, changes in membrane lipid composition, thus affecting ion channels and receptors. Methods – We used VA service utilization data from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2015. The RRs for psychiatric hospitalization and ED visits, were estimated using robust Poisson regression analyses. The number of individuals analyzed was 683,129. Results – Individuals with schizophrenia and BD who received prescriptions for either lipophilic or hydrophilic statins had a lower RR of psychiatric hospitalization or ED visits relative to nonstatin controls. Hydrophilic statins were significantly associated with lower RRs of psychiatric hospitalization but not of ED visits, compared to lipophilic statins. Conclusion – The reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations in statin users (vs. nonusers) should be interpreted cautiously, as it carries a high risk of confounding by indication. While the lower RR of psychiatric hospitalizations in hydrophilic statins relative to the lipophilic statins is relatively bias free, the finding bears replication in a specifically designed study. If replicated, important clinical implications for personalizing statin treatment in patients with mental illness, investigating add-on statins for improved therapeutic control, and mechanistic exploration for identifying new treatment targets are natural next steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodor T Postolache
- VISN 5 Capitol Health Care Network Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America; Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America; Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Denver, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Deborah R Medoff
- VISN 5 Capitol Health Care Network Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatric Services Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Clayton H Brown
- VISN 5 Capitol Health Care Network Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Li Juan Fang
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatric Services Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Sanjaya K Upadhyaya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Denver, CO 80045, United States of America; Department of Integrative Physiology, Center for Neuroscience, Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, United States of America; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Michael Miller
- Department of Medicine, VAMC Baltimore and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States of America
| | - Julie A Kreyenbuhl
- VISN 5 Capitol Health Care Network Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatric Services Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
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