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Mind-Brain Dynamics in the Pathophysiology of Psychiatric Disorders
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2022
Pages:
48-62
Received:
11 March 2022
Accepted:
28 March 2022
Published:
9 April 2022
Abstract: Short of a comprehensive understanding of psychiatric disorders, two parallel but phenomenologically different schools of thinking continue to guide treatment: the psychological school and the biological school. Yet both of these schools of thinking have major shortcomings. The psychological school does not explain how psychopathology is related to neuropathology, and the biological school does not explain how neuropathology is related to psychopathology. However, a new hypothesis contends that the mind and the brain influence each other. “Mind” in this sense does not refer to a psychic manifestation of complex neurological activity but rather an independent entity that has the ability to think, emote, and access memory either in connection with neurological activity or independent of it. An important consequence of this is that mental stress could hyperactivate the brain, and hyperactivity in the brain could cause mental stress, thus creating a vicious cycle of mutual overstimulation between the mind and the brain. According to the multi-circuit neuronal hyperexcitability (MCNH) hypothesis of psychiatric disorders, psychiatric symptoms develop when normal thoughts and emotions become abnormally amplified, prolonged, or distorted by pathological hyperactivity in the related circuits in the brain. Although this pathological hyperactivity can sometimes be initiated by the brain alone, it is almost always initiated by a superimposition of mental and emotional stress upon an underlying hyperexcitability of the neurological system. This article will discuss how the interactions between the mind and the brain influence: 1) the development of psychiatric symptoms; 2) the nature of the psychiatric symptoms; and 3) the severity of the psychiatric symptoms. It will also discuss the possible means by which the cognitive-emotional system interacts with the neurological system and speculate about where, based on brain architecture and detailed clinical observations, that interaction occurs. Acquiring a better understanding of mind-brain dynamics could help solve the mystery of mental illness and allow clinicians to treat mental and neuropsychiatric disorders with greater precision and with greater success.
Abstract: Short of a comprehensive understanding of psychiatric disorders, two parallel but phenomenologically different schools of thinking continue to guide treatment: the psychological school and the biological school. Yet both of these schools of thinking have major shortcomings. The psychological school does not explain how psychopathology is related to...
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Exploring the Secretome’s Biomarker and Analgesic Potential
Megan Rose Hershfield,
Misty Marie Strain,
Roger Chavez,
Michaela Rae Priess,
Alberto Mares,
Aarti Gautam,
George Dimitrov,
Ruoting Yang,
Alex Valdez Trevino,
Col Kenney Wells,
Col Thomas Stark,
Rasha Hammamieh,
John Leo Clifford,
Natasha Marie Sosanya
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2022
Pages:
63-76
Received:
1 April 2022
Accepted:
20 April 2022
Published:
10 May 2022
Abstract: Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of nerve injury and/or pain as well as improved pain therapeutics are needed, both on the battlefield to treat injured Service Members and in the civilian sector. Our previous research indicates that there are several differentially expressed (DE) extracellular vesicle-derived microRNAs (EV-miRNAs) isolated from rat plasma following spinal nerve ligation (SNL). As such, EV-miRNAs hold promise as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The secretome contains biological mediators, including EVs, which are released into the extracellular space. In this study we focus on evaluating EV-non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), examine effects of SNL on key protein expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), and test the secretome’s analgesic properties. To accomplish these goals, anesthetized male Sprague Dawley rats underwent SNL and nociceptive behavior measurements, plasma collection followed by EV RNA isolation, small RNA sequencing, and analysis. Expression of several key proteins in the PFC was determined by Wes/Jess analysis. The secretome bath was applied directly to the ligated nerve and the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was measured. We identified differences in several classes of ncRNAs such as piRNAs, snoRNAs, and snRNAs post-SNL. Levels of phosphorylated forms of P70S6K and ERK1 were increased in the dorsal PFC at 15 days post-SNL. Bath application of the secretome directly to the ligated nerve resulted in recovery of the reduced PWT (increased mechanical sensitivity) that is induced by SNL. Here, we have identified specific EV-ncRNAs that could contribute to the formation of pain. Furthermore, we have evaluated a novel product for analgesic efficacy that could function to exploit the underlying mechanisms that contribute to pain development, thus reducing acute pain. This is key in treating Service Members on the battlefield in order to prevent pain chronification.
Abstract: Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of nerve injury and/or pain as well as improved pain therapeutics are needed, both on the battlefield to treat injured Service Members and in the civilian sector. Our previous research indicates that there are several differentially expressed (DE) extracellular vesicle-derived microRNAs (EV-miRNAs) isolated from...
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Case Report: Neuro Radiological Screening of First Episode Psychosis Patient Followed up for 3 Years
Mohammed Allam,
Khaled Hamolila,
Yahya Tikriti
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2022
Pages:
77-81
Received:
7 April 2022
Accepted:
9 May 2022
Published:
26 May 2022
Abstract: This is a case report of a 21 years old female patient with first episode psychosis fulfilling the DSM 5 criteria for paranoid schizophrenia with an interesting neuro-radiological finding found during the routine neuro-radiological screening of the first episode psychosis. The finding is of a large right lateral intraventricular thin walled cyst and signs of obstruction of the foramen of Monro. The objective of this paper is to present and review the different correlates of this case in light of the theories of etiology of the included disorders. Etiology of schizophrenia has different theories including the infectious theory with relevance to viral infections such as Herpes Simples Virus and Cytomegalovirus also non-viral infections such as Toxoplasmosis. Additional findings have also suggested that increased susceptibility to multiple pathogens in schizophrenic patients, rather than a specific agent, may play a role in the development of schizophrenia. The role of these infectious agents in the etiology of schizophrenia is proposed to be disrupting the neurodevelopment of the brain during critical phases of development in genetically predisposed individuals. On the other hand, the foramen of Monro becomes clinically significant when it is obstructed causing non communicating obstruction. Stenosis of the foramen of Monro has been attributed to infectious origins particularly the TORCH infections causing inflammation and scarring in the region (Toxoplasmosis, Other agents, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simples). Etiologies of obstruction of the foramen of Monro also includes congenital atresia, vascular malformations, and neoplastic processes. There are different interesting views with regards to the significance of the neuro-radiological findings in the MRI of this case. Some of these views have bases related to clinical experience of directly managing similar cases with a documented outcome related to a specific intervention whether pharmacological or neurosurgical. Other views believe particular findings are incidental with no causal relationships with supporting references as below. In the same context we discussed the overlap between the two disorders in one theoretically possible etiology pertinent to the neurodevelopment theories of both disorders which is the infectious one.
Abstract: This is a case report of a 21 years old female patient with first episode psychosis fulfilling the DSM 5 criteria for paranoid schizophrenia with an interesting neuro-radiological finding found during the routine neuro-radiological screening of the first episode psychosis. The finding is of a large right lateral intraventricular thin walled cyst an...
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Use of Care and Care Arrangements for Pupils and Students Who Use Drugs in the Addiction Center in Grand-Bassam (Côte d'Ivoire)
Francois Djo Bi Djo,
Asseman Médard Koua,
Eméric Désiré Konandri,
Akmé Sylvie Akpa,
Damaukan Dimitri-Kevin Koffi,
Yessonguilana Jean-Marie Yéo-Ténéna
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2022
Pages:
82-85
Received:
8 March 2022
Accepted:
6 April 2022
Published:
16 June 2022
Abstract: The use of drug use by pupils and students is a global public health problem. This consumption has a considerable impact on the physical and psychological health as well as on the academic performance of pupils and students. Objective: To understand the modalities of care for pupils and students who use drugs received at the Addiction Center of Grand-Bassam. Material and method: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study with a descriptive purpose, carried out over a period of 03 months and which covered 52 files. Results: Patients had an age between 15 and 25 years (69.20%) with a male predominance (83%) and having a first-time early use (36.5%). 61.5% had an interruption of schooling. The demand for care was mainly therapeutic injunctions (84.5%). The consequences of this drug use were the deterioration of the physical and mental health of the users, making it difficult to continue their schooling. The main psychiatric pathologies encountered were transient acute delusional psychoses (36.5%) and schizophrenia (26.9%). The most widely used drug was cannabis (69.2%). 94% of the respondents had benefited from hospitalization against 6% followed by the ambulance. All patients admitted to the centre had received withdrawal, antipsychotic treatment and psychotherapy. 85.7% of patients had a length of hospitalization of more than 30 days. Conclusion: This would achieve quality care for pupils and students who use drugs by encouraging the use of free care among this population, but also by increasing the number of adapted specialized structures that will use teams of specialized therapists.
Abstract: The use of drug use by pupils and students is a global public health problem. This consumption has a considerable impact on the physical and psychological health as well as on the academic performance of pupils and students. Objective: To understand the modalities of care for pupils and students who use drugs received at the Addiction Center of Gra...
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