Neurobiologie et pharmacothérapie du trouble obsessionnel-compulsif.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2008), 63

Plasma oxytocin levels and anxiety in patients with major depression

in Psychoneuroendocrinology (2007), 32(4), 407-410

Cerebrospinal fluid and plasmatic levels of oxytocin (OT) have been found to change in mood disorders. In post-mortem studies, the numbers of OT-expressing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus have been ... [more ▼]

Cerebrospinal fluid and plasmatic levels of oxytocin (OT) have been found to change in mood disorders. In post-mortem studies, the numbers of OT-expressing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus have been reported to be increased. Moreover, OT is considered as an endogenous antistress hormone. It has also revealed antidepressive effects. OT may contribute to the dysregulation of the HPA system in major depression. The aim of the study was to assess a possible relationship between anxiety and plasma oxytocin (OT) Levels in depressive patients. Severity of depression was estimated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and anxiety by using the Spielberger State-Anxiety Inventory. Results showed a significant negative correlation between oxytocin and the scored symptoms depression (r = -0.58, p = 0.003) and anxiety (r = -0.61, p = 0.005). (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Troubles bipolaires: de la psychopathologie au traitement

Learning material (2007)

Syndrome de discontinuation associé aux antidépresseurs.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2007), 62

Therapeutic utilisations of vasopressin and oxytocin in mood disorders.

in Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery (2007), 1

Plasma oxytocin and anxiety in depressed patients

in European Neuropsychopharmacology (2005, October), 15(Suppl. 3), 430

Neurophysins response to apomorphine and clonidine in major depression

in European Neuropsychopharmacology (2005, March), 15(Suppl. 1), 77-78

Therapeutic application of right prefrontal low repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on depressed patients

in European Neuropsychopharmacology (2004, October), 14(Suppl. 3), 226

Mismatch negativity is not correlated with neuroendocrine indicators of catecholaminergic activity in healthy subjects.

in Human Psychopharmacology (2003), 18(3), 201-5

The identification of the brain structures and neurotransmitters responsible for the generation and/or modulation of the mismatch negativity (MMN) may contribute to a clearer understanding of its ... [more ▼]

The identification of the brain structures and neurotransmitters responsible for the generation and/or modulation of the mismatch negativity (MMN) may contribute to a clearer understanding of its functional significance, and may have clinical implications. In this context, some findings suggest that the scalp-recorded MMN reflects activity from multiple neuronal ensembles within or in the immediate vicinity of the primary auditory cortex and with possible contribution from the frontal cortex. However, few data are available concerning the influence of neurotransmitter systems on the MMN. In this study, the relationship between both noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems and the MMN were investigated in 34 healthy volunteers. Noradrenergic and dopaminergic activities were assessed with the apomorphine and clonidine challenge tests. The results showed no significant relationship between either growth hormone (GH) responses to apomorphine or clonidine and the MMN amplitude or latency. Therefore, this study does not demonstrate the implication of dopaminergic and noradrenergic activities as assessed by GH response to apomorphine and clonidine for the generation and/or the modulation of the MMN. However, given the complexity of the central neurotransmitter systems, these results cannot be considered as definitive evidence against a relationship between dopaminergic and noradrenergic activity and the MMN. [less ▲]

5-HT1A dysfunction in borderline personality disorder.

in Psychological Medicine (2002), 32(5), 935-41

BACKGROUND: A number of challenge studies have reported abnormalities of serotonergic function in borderline personality disorder (BPD). There are, however, problems with the pharmacological probes used ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: A number of challenge studies have reported abnormalities of serotonergic function in borderline personality disorder (BPD). There are, however, problems with the pharmacological probes used in these studies since fenfluramine and m-CPP are not only serotonergic agents but also induce release of catecholamines, particularly dopamine. Therefore, we tested whether subjects with BPD showed a blunted prolactin (PRL) response to flesinoxan, a highly potent and selective 5-HT1A agonist. METHODS: Flesinoxan challenge test was carried out in 20 BPD in-patients and 20 healthy controls matched for gender but not for age. Since 16 BPD in-patients exhibited major depressive co-morbidity, a group of 20 depressed in-patients matched for gender but not for age was also included. RESULTS: BPD in-patients exhibited blunted PRL responses as compared to controls, whereas depressed in-patients did not differ from controls. Moreover, PRL responses were lower among BPD in-patients than among depressed in-patients. Among the BPD in-patients, PRL responses to flesinoxan were lower in patients with past history of suicide attempts (N = 8) than in those with a negative history. CONCLUSIONS: The results show major involvement of serotonergic function in BPD and are consistent with previous studies linking lower serotonergic activity with impulsivity. More particularly, our data suggest that BPD is characterized by lower 5-HT1A receptor sensitivity. Moreover, the data support the involvement of 5-HT1A activity in suicidal behaviour. However, this conclusion is limited because other hormonal responses such as ACTH and cortisol were not assessed, and because BPD was assessed by a self-report questionnaire and not a structured clinical interview. [less ▲]