The role played by depression associated with somatic symptomatology in accounting for the gender difference in the prevalence of depression

PURPOSE

A variety of studies suggest the existence of a distinct phenotype of somatic depression, i.e., depression accompanied by significant somatic symptomatology. Previous research suggests that the gender difference in the prevalence of depression is primarily due to a difference in somatic depression. The aim of this study was to compare the gender difference in the prevalence of somatic depression and of depression not accompanied by significant somatic symptomatology (labelled "pure" depression) in two representative samples, the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R) and the Zurich Study.

METHOD

The gender difference in lifetime somatic depression was compared to that of pure depression based on analyses weighted back to the general population in two representative samples. The NCS-R analyses involved a narrow definition of somatic depression with items from the DSM criteria for depression--appetite, sleep, and fatigue. The analysis of the Zurich study added headaches, body image issues, and breathing difficulties to the criteria and comparison to atypical depression.

RESULTS

In both samples, the gender difference in depressive prevalence was due to a large difference in somatic depression with other phenotypes showing little or no gender difference. The gender differences were found to be due to the somatic symptoms rather than the number of symptoms and were much larger for somatic than for atypical depression.

CONCLUSION

The gender difference in the prevalence of depression results from the higher prevalence among women of a specific phenotype, somatic depression.

Resource allocation to brain research in Switzerland

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY

This study represents a first attempt at estimating Swiss resource allocation to brain research including both public and private spending.

METHODS

In order to estimate public spending (by governments and charities) a survey was conducted to evaluate the way brain research is funded across Europe and especially in Switzerland. Industry funding was measured using different approaches including a survey of pharmaceutical expenditures and the costs of developing new drugs.

RESULTS

Private spending is at a reasonable level because a highly developed Swiss pharmaceutical industry invests significantly in this branch of science. However, public spending is at a low level compared to other European countries, although Switzerland is the only European country where the total funding per capita exceeds that of US funding.

CONCLUSIONS

A detailed investigation of Swiss resource allocation to different branches of biomedical research is warranted. Brain research should be an important part of such a study. The United States and the European Union have selected brain research as one of their priority areas within health related research. The present figures indicate that this may also be justified in Switzerland.

Resource allocation to brain research in Switzerland

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY

This study represents a first attempt at estimating Swiss resource allocation to brain research including both public and private spending.

METHODS

In order to estimate public spending (by governments and charities) a survey was conducted to evaluate the way brain research is funded across Europe and especially in Switzerland. Industry funding was measured using different approaches including a survey of pharmaceutical expenditures and the costs of developing new drugs.

RESULTS

Private spending is at a reasonable level because a highly developed Swiss pharmaceutical industry invests significantly in this branch of science. However, public spending is at a low level compared to other European countries, although Switzerland is the only European country where the total funding per capita exceeds that of US funding.

CONCLUSIONS

A detailed investigation of Swiss resource allocation to different branches of biomedical research is warranted. Brain research should be an important part of such a study. The United States and the European Union have selected brain research as one of their priority areas within health related research. The present figures indicate that this may also be justified in Switzerland.

LOCUST MEDIAL NEUROSECRETORY CELLS IN VITRO: MORPHOLOGY, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE

The medial neurosecretory cells of the pars intercerebralis in the protocerebrum of larval and adult locusts (Locusta migratoria) were cultured in a chemically defined serum-free culture medium. The morphology of the cells was investigated by light microscopy and the electrophysiological properties were studied using the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration. The dissociated neurosecretory cells grew new processes under these conditions and were maintained in culture for up to 2 months. The percentage of cells showing outgrowth was significantly higher in third-instar larvae than in instars 4 and 5 and adults. A primary axonal stump promoted a unipolar cell morphology; in other cases, most neurosecretory cells became multipolar. The presence of glial cells in undissociated groups of neurosecretory cells improved outgrowth and the formation of neurite bundles. A considerable number of the recorded cells showed spiking activity in response to depolarization. The influences of temperature on spike frequency, duration and amplitude as well as on membrane potential and ionic currents were investigated. The results suggest that temperature may directly affect the function of neurosecretory cells.