Abstract Objectives Evidence suggests that ketamine’s influence on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be involved in its mechanism of rapid antidepressant action. We aimed to evaluate the differential impact of ketamine and esketamine on serum BDNF levels and its association with response patterns in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Methods Participants (n = 53) are from a randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing the efficacy of single-dose ketamine (0.5mg/kg, n = 27) and esketamine (0.25mg/kg, n = 26) in TRD. Depression severity was assessed before and 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days after the intervention, using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Blood samples were collected before infusion, 24 hours, and 7 days afterwards. Results There were no significant changes in BDNF levels at post-infusion evaluation points, and no difference in BDNF levels comparing ketamine and esketamine. Both drugs exhibited similar therapeutic effect. There was no association between BDNF levels and response to treatment or severity of depressive symptoms. Conclusion There was no significant treatment impact on BDNF serum levels – neither with ketamine nor esketamine – despite therapeutic response. These results suggest that ketamine or esketamine intervention for TRD has no impact on BDNF levels measured at 24 hours and 7 days after the infusion. This clinical trial is registered on the Japan Primary Registries Network: UMIN000032355.

Abstract Objectives To describe the theoretical procedures employed in the process of cross-cultural adaptation (CCA) for Brazil of the Child Mania Rating Scale - Parent Version (CMRS-P). Methods Seven steps were carried out: (1) translations and synthesis; (2) Committee of Judges-I; (3) grammatical review; (4) Committee of Judges-II; (5) semantic analysis (pre-test); (6) back-translation; and (7) discussion with the authors of the original instrument. Participants were two professional translators, 14 experts, a grammar proofreader, and 21 parents/guardians, representatives of the target population. The results were analyzed in terms of the percentage of agreement between evaluators and the content validity coefficient (CVC) and by analysis of comments and suggestions. Results Grammatical and cultural adjustments were made, in addition to substitution and/or inclusion of words and examples. Adequacy agreement indexes exceeding 86% were achieved and the CVC result for the total scale was excellent (0.95). The pre-test indicated good acceptance and understanding by participants. Conclusion The proposed version proved to be promising for use in the Brazilian context, although further psychometric studies are still needed to prove the scale’s validity and reliability.

Objectives: Past suicide attempt (SA) is one of the most important risk factors for suicide death. An ideation-to-action framework posits that impulsivity, potentially traumatic events, and mental disorders also play a role in increasing suicide risk. This study aimed to assess the association between trait impulsivity, lifetime exposure to trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with SA in a sample of Brazilian college students. Methods: A total of 2,137 participants filled self-reported questionnaires consisting of a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, Trauma History Questionnaire, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Civilian version, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Results: Our findings suggest that trait impulsivity may be interpreted as exerting a distal effect on SA, even in the presence of other variables – such as trauma history, psychological neglect, and PTSD – which also increase the odds of SA. High and medium levels of impulsivity, history of trauma, and PTSD increased the likelihood of SA. Conclusions: Intervention strategies to prevent SA may target trait impulsivity and exposure to traumatic experiences.

Objective: Clinical and biological correlates of resilience in major depressive disorder are scarce. We aimed to investigate the effect of the Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene on resilience scores in major depressive disorder patients and evaluate the polymorphism’s moderation effect on resilience scores in response to cognitive therapy. Method: A total of 106 major depressive disorder patients were enrolled in this clinical randomized study. The Resilience Scale and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression were applied at baseline, post-treatment, and at six months of follow-up. Blood samples were obtained at baseline for molecular analysis. Results: The baseline resilience scores were higher in patients with the Met allele (114.6±17.6) than in those with the Val/Val genotype (104.04±21.05; p = 0.037). Cognitive therapy treatment increased resilience scores (p ≤ 0.001) and decreased depressive symptoms (p ≤ 0.001). In the mixed-effect model, the Val/Val genotype represented a decrease in resilience scores (t218 = -1.98; p = 0.048), and the Val66Met polymorphism interacted with sex to predict an increase in total resilience scores during cognitive treatment (t218 = 2.69; p = 0.008). Conclusion: Our results indicate that cognitive therapy intervention could improve resilience in follow-up, considering that gender and genetic susceptibility are predicted by the Val66Met polymorphism.

Abstract Introduction Childhood trauma has been suggested to be involved in susceptibility to bipolar disorder (BP). However, it remains unclear whether the occurrence of childhood trauma is differently distributed in subthreshold bipolar disorder (SBP). Objective To assess childhood trauma in young adults with SBP, as compared to young adults with BP and population controls (PC). Method This was a cross-sectional, population-based study. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to define the groups with BP (subjects with a lifetime or current manic episode or lifetime or current hypomania with a history of a depressive episode), SBP (subjects with a history of hypomanic episode without lifetime or current depressive episode), and subjects without mood disorders (PC). Childhood trauma was assessed using de Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). We investigated differences regarding childhood trauma across the three groups (BP, SBP and PC). Result Except for sexual abuse, all subtypes of childhood trauma remained associated with the BP group as compared to PC. Additionally, when we compared SBP and BP, significant differences were found only for emotional abuse. No significant differences were found in relation to childhood trauma between the SBP and PC groups after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusion These findings suggest that investigating childhood trauma, with a particular focus on emotional abuse, could be considered a preventive measure and potentially improve the prognosis.

Objective: To identify the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and psychiatric disorders in young adults in southern Brazil. Methods: This population based cross-sectional study involved a total of 1,023 young adults between the ages of 21 and 32 years. Current episodes of psychiatric disorders were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview – Plus version. MetS was evaluated using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). Results: Of the 1,023 participants, 24.3% were identified with MetS, 13.5% were diagnosed with anxiety disorders, 7.5% with current depression, 3.9% with bipolar disorders and 10.1% were at risk of suicide. MetS was associated with ethnicity (p = 0.022), excess weight (p < 0.001), current anxiety disorders (p < 0.001), current mood disorders (bipolar disorder in mood episode and current depression) (p < 0.001), and suicide risk (p < 0.001). Conclusions: MetS was associated with psychiatric disorders. Awareness of factors associated with MetS can help identify high-risk individuals and stimulate disease prevention and control programs, as well as lifestyle changes.

Resumo Introdução: No Brasil, não existem instrumentos válidos para medir a disfunção cognitiva subjetiva no transtorno bipolar. O presente estudo analisou as propriedades psicométricas da Escala de Disfunções Cognitivas no Transtorno Bipolar (COBRA) em uma amostra brasileira de pacientes bipolares. Adicionalmente, investigamos a relação entre a COBRA, medidas cognitivas objetivas e curso da doença. Métodos: A amostra total (n=150) incluiu 85 pacientes com transtorno bipolar e 65 controles saudáveis. As propriedades psicométricas da COBRA (consistência interna, validade concorrente, validade discriminativa, análise fatorial, curva ROC e fidedignidade) foram analisadas. Resultados: A COBRA apresentou estrutura de um fator com alta consistência interna (alfa de Cronbach=0,890). A validade concorrente ficou demonstrada pela forte correlação com o domínio cognitivo da FAST (r=0,811, p<0,001). Pacientes bipolares tiveram mais queixas cognitivas [média=14,69; desvio padrão (DP)=10,03] que os controles (média=6,78; DP=5,49; p<0,001), sugerindo a validade discriminativa do instrumento. Não houve correlação significativa entre a COBRA e medidas cognitivas objetivas. Além disso, escores mais altos na COBRA estiveram associados com sintomas residuais depressivos (r=0,448; p<0,001) e maníacos (r=0,376; p<0,001), número de episódios depressivos (r=0,306; p=0,011), número de episódios totais (r=0.256; p=0.038) e tentativas de suicídio (r=0,356; p=0,003). Conclusão: A COBRA é um instrumento válido para avaliar queixas cognitivas, e o uso combinado das medidas cognitivas subjetivas-objetivas possibilita a correta identificação das disfunções cognitivas no transtorno bipolar.

Abstract Introduction: In Brazil, there is no valid instrument to measure subjective cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder. The present study analyzed the psychometric properties of the Cognitive Complaints in Bipolar Disorder Rating Assessment (COBRA) in Brazilian bipolar patients. We further investigated the relationship between the COBRA, objective cognitive measures, and illness course variables. Methods: The total sample (N=150) included 85 bipolar disorder patients and 65 healthy controls. The psychometric properties of the COBRA (e.g., internal consistency, concurrent validity, discriminative validity, factor analyses, ROC curve, and feasibility) were analyzed. Results: The COBRA showed a one-factor structure with very high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.890). Concurrent validity was indicated by a strong correlation with the cognitive domain of the FAST (r=0.811, p<0.001). Bipolar patients experienced greater cognitive complaints (mean=14.69; standard deviation [SD]=10.03) than healthy controls (mean=6.78; SD=5.49; p<0.001), suggesting discriminative validity of the instrument. No significant correlations were found between the COBRA and objective cognitive measures. Furthermore, higher COBRA scores were associated with residual depressive (r=0.448; p<0.001) and manic (r=0.376; p<0.001) symptoms, number of depressive episodes (r=0.306; p=0.011), number of total episodes (r=0.256; p=0.038), and suicide attempts (r=0.356; p=0.003). Conclusion: The COBRA is a valid instrument to assess cognitive complaints, and the combined use of subjective-objective cognitive measures enables the correct identification of cognitive dysfunctions in bipolar disorder.