In vivo pharmacological evaluations of novel olanzapine analogues in rats: a potential new avenue for the treatment of schizophrenia

Olanzapine (Olz) is one of the most effective antipsychotic drugs commonly used for treating schizophrenia. Unfortunately, Olz administration is associated with severe weight gain and metabolic disturbances. Both patients and clinicians are highly interested in the development of new antipsychotics which are as effective as atypical antipsychotics but which have a lower propensity to induce metabolic side effects. In the present study, we examined two new derivatives of Olz; OlzEt (2-ethyl-4-(4′-methylpiperazin-1′-yl)-10Hbenzo[b]thieno[2,3-e][1,4]diazepine), and OlzHomo (2-ethyl-4-(4′-methyl-1′,4′-diazepan-1′-yl)-10H-benzo[b]thieno[2,3-e] [1,4]diazepine), for their tendency to induce weight gain in rats. Weight gain and metabolic changes were measured in female Sprague Dawley rats. Animals were treated orally with Olz, OlzEt, OlzHomo (3 or 6 mg/kg/day), or vehicle (n = 8), three times daily at eight-hour intervals for 5 weeks. Furthermore, a phencyclidine (PCP)-treated rat model was used to examine the prevention of PCP-induced hyperlocomotor activity relevant for schizophrenia therapy. Male Sprague Dawley rats were pre-treated with a single dose (3 mg/kg/day) of Olz, OlzEt, OlzHomo, or vehicle (n = 12), for 2 weeks. Locomotor activity was recorded following a subcutaneous injection with either saline or PCP (10 mg/kg). Olz was found to induce weight gain, hyperphagia, visceral fat accumulation, and metabolic changes associated with reduced histamatergic H1 receptor density in the hypothalamus of treated rats. In contrast, OlzEt and OlzHomo presented promising antipsychotic effects, which did not induce weight gain or fat deposition in the treated animals. Behavioural analysis showed OlzEt to attenuate PCP-induced hyperactivity to a level similar to that of Olz; however, OlzHomo showed a lower propensity to inhibit these stereotyped behaviours. Our data suggest that the therapeutic effectiveness of OlzHomo may be delivered at a higher dose than that of Olz and OlzEt. Overall, OlzEt and OlzHomo may offer a better pharmacological profile than Olz for treating patients with schizophrenia. Clinical trials are needed to test this hypothesis

Does cancer diagnosis cause suicide? How can risk perception and reduction be done?

Cancer is a disease that requires a long-term treatment, therefore, its psychological impact on patients is important for clinical oncology. Despite improvements in medicine over the years, cancer continues to be an illness that inspires panic and anxiety among people, involves ambiguity, and evokes a death fraught with pain and suffering. Various studies show increased risk of suicide in people diagnosed with cancer. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among inpatient and outpatient cancer patients is approximately 50%. Many studies have shown that unrelieved pain, major depression, loss of control, emotional distress, and loss of physical functioning are the leading factors that may cause suicidal thoughts in cancer patients. The physician should be alert to such patient characteristics, make a good risk assessment, and be able to take appropriate action especially on patients at a high risk for suicide. The patient who attempted suicide must be seen by a psychiatrist as soon as the medical intervention is completed. Because, this period is often referred to as the period when people are in need for help like they have never been before. Psychotherapeutic modalities should not be time consuming; they should take into account the general condition of the patients, and involve their family members and the treatment team as necessary. It is both the psychiatrists' and the patient's primary physician's responsibility to find out and resolve the psychiatric conditions associated with the suicide. Solution-focused interventions that comply with this approach will contribute greatly to improving the quality of life of patients

Mirtazapine-induced arthralgia and coagulopathy: A case report [6]

[No abstract available

The examination of the relationship between the blood oxytocin level and attachment styles among mothers of schizophrenia patients

Objective: Attachment is defined as the continuing and consistent emotional bond between child and caregiver. The inadequacies or the occasional failures in relation between mother and child will affect the attachment negatively. A number of studies have demonstrated that there is a relationship between insecure attachment and the symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Oxytocin hormone have positive effects in attachment, social interaction and child care. Studies regarding the level of blood oxytocin and its associations with the attachment styles of mothers of schizophrenia patients are very rare in the literature. The aim of our study is to clarify the attachment patterns believed to play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia and to compare the current relationship of oxytocin hormone with the parents of patients in comparison with the healthy control group. Methods: Thirty-four healthy mother of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 31 healthy mothers were included to the study. Participants completed the Close Relationships Inventory-II and blood oxytocin levels were measured. The t test was used to compare the groups and the Pearson correlation analysis was used for the correlation. Results: In the study, it was determined that mothers of schizophrenic patients had higher Close Relationships Inventory-II scores and lower blood oxytocin levels than healthy controls. In addition, there was an inverse correlation between blood oxytocin level and Close Relationships Inventory-II scores. Conclusion: In our study, insecure attachment patterns (anxious and avoidant) were observed in the mothers of schizophrenic patients and it was shown that there was a significant relationship between the style of attachment and oxytocin. Low blood of oxytocin levels were related with insecure attachment among the mothers of schizophrenic patients. Moreover, it can be considered that the mothers of the schizophrenic patients because of the bidirectional interaction affect the connection; it could develop unsafe attachment patterns

The Effect of Theory of Mind Capacities of Mothers of Patients With Schizophrenia on the Severity of the Diseases

Objective: Studies conducted with patients with schizophrenia and first-degree relatives show that, the pathology in theory of mind may be related to the risk of psychosis. The theory of mind capacities of the mothers may be effective in the prognosis of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of theory of mind capacities of patient mothers on the severity of the disease. Method: The study was conducted with 34 schizophrenic patients and their mothers, and 31 healthy mothers. Sociodemographic data was captures for all groups. In addition, PANSS was collected from patients and Reading Mind From Eyes Test was collected from the each patient mother. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the age and education levels of the groups. The mothers of patients with schizophrenia performed significantly worse in the Reading Mind From Eyes Test than the control group. There was an inverse correlation between theory of mind capacity and the medication dose, PANNS general condition and PANNS total score. Discussion: The significant difference between the groups suggests that the impairment in the function of the theory of mind can be regarded as an endo-phenotype for schizophrenia. The low theory of mind capacities of the mothers of schizophrenia patients can cause the mothers to misunderstand the feelings of their patient which could lead to increase in disease severity and drug

The effect of theory of mind capacities of mothers of patients with schizophrenia on the severity of the diseases

Objective: Studies conducted with patients with schizophrenia and first-degree relatives show that, the pathology in theory of mind may be related to the risk of psychosis. The theory of mind capacities of the mothers may be effective in the prognosis of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of theory of mind capacities of patient mothers on the severity of the disease. Method: The study was conducted with 34 schizophrenic patients and their mothers, and 31 healthy mothers. Sociodemographic data was captures for all groups. In addition, PANSS was collected from patients and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test was collected from the each patient mother. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the age and education levels of the groups. The mothers of patients with schizophrenia performed significantly worse in the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test than the control group. There was an inverse correlation between theory of mind capacity and the medication dose, PANSS general condition and PANSS total score. Discussion: The significant difference between the groups suggests that the impairment in the function of the theory of mind can be regarded as an endo-phenotype for schizophrenia. The low theory of mind capacities of the mothers of schizophrenia patients can cause the mothers to misunderstand the feelings of their patient which could lead to increase in disease severity and drugs use. © 2018 Turkish Association of Nervous and Mental Health