Role du stress psychosocial dans les maladies complexes.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2012), 67(5-6), 234-42

Complex diseases are chronic diseases where the interrelations between genetic predisposition and environmental factors play an essential role in the arisen and the maintenance of the pathology. Upon ... [more ▼]

Complex diseases are chronic diseases where the interrelations between genetic predisposition and environmental factors play an essential role in the arisen and the maintenance of the pathology. Upon psychological stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system are activated resulting in release of glucocorticoids and catecholamines. Chronic stress may induce complex diseases where alterations of nervous, endocrine and immune systems are involved. Thus, chronic stress is more likely to induce a range of effects, depending on the capacity of the subject to cope with stress. CRH ("Corticotropin Releasing Hormone") is a key factor in the stress-immunity relationship. In this article, we propose an overview of the interrelations between central nervous, endocrine and immune systems and implications for health and diseases. The objective for the clinician is to propose therapeutic strategies targeting changes in human behaviour to cope with a potentially stressful environment. [less ▲]

Les antidépresseurs du futur : rôle du système glutamatergique.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2011), 66(4), 195-198

Intranasal oxytocine as an adjunct to escitalopram in major depression.

in Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences (The) (2011), 23(2), 5

Ocytocine et dépression. Perspective psychoneuroendocrinienne.

in Encéphale (L') (2011), 37

Duloxetine in major depressed patients resistant to SSRI and/or venlafaxine

in Psychiatria Danubina (2010)

Impact d'un faible niveaux de testostérone sur l'humeur et les fonctions cognitives

Conference (2010)

Psychoneuroimmunologie

Learning material (2009)

The TaqI A DRD2 polymorphism in type II alcohol dependence: a marker of age at onset or of a familial disease?

in Alcohol (2009), 43(4), 271-5

Cloninger's type II is a severe, early-onset, male-limited, and genetically influenced, impulsive form of alcoholism. Significant association has been reported between the A1 allele of the D2 dopamine ... [more ▼]

Cloninger's type II is a severe, early-onset, male-limited, and genetically influenced, impulsive form of alcoholism. Significant association has been reported between the A1 allele of the D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) gene, substance misuse and personality traits of impulsivity and novelty seeking. We assessed the association between the TaqI A DRD2 gene polymorphism with Cloninger's typology and family history of alcohol abuse, which is thought to be more frequent in type II alcoholics. Fifty-one male alcohol-dependent patients were discriminated between type I and type II according to age at onset of alcohol-related problems and interviewed about family history of alcoholism. The associations between DRD2 (A1 or A2 alleles), family history, and typology were assessed by Pearson's chi-square test. Although typology was not associated with the studied polymorphism, a higher rate of general family history of alcohol abuse was still observed in type II patients (chi(2)(1)=4.53; P=.033). Furthermore, the A1 allele of the DRD2 was significantly associated with paternal history of alcoholism (chi(2)(1)=4.66; P=.031) and male, first-degree, collateral history of alcoholism (chi(2)(1)=4.40; P=.036). Age at onset of alcohol-related problems as main discriminator between type I and type II alcohol dependence does not seem to be associated by the TaqI A DRD2 polymorphism. However, the A1 allele of the DRD2 may be a marker of male familial alcoholism, which has been associated with type II alcohol dependence. [less ▲]

Vasopressin-neurophysin and DST in major depression : Relationship with suicidal behavior.

in Journal of Psychiatric Research (2008), 42

The purpose of the present study was to assess if AVP-neurophysin is associated with hypercortisolemia and suicidal behaviour in depressed patients. The study included 28 patients subgrouped into suicide ... [more ▼]

The purpose of the present study was to assess if AVP-neurophysin is associated with hypercortisolemia and suicidal behaviour in depressed patients. The study included 28 patients subgrouped into suicide attempters (n=13) and nonattempters (n=15). We assessed basal AVP-neurophysins concentrations and post-dexamethasone (DST) cortisol levels. Concentrations of AVP-neurophysins did not differ between DST suppressors and nonsuppressors: 0.29+/-0.13ng/ml vs 0.36+/-0.21ng/ml, (F=1.1, df=1, 27, p=0.30). Suicide attempters did not differ from nonattempters for AVP-neurophysins levels. Our results fail to support a role of AVP in the early cortisol escape. [less ▲]

Les antidépresseurs dans la dépression bipolaire: attention aux risques.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2008), 63