Specific correlation between childhood trauma and social cognition in Chinese Han first-episode, drug-naïve major depressive disorder

Factors associated with suicidal ideation in drug-naïve patients with major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Inflammation and immune activation may be involved in the pathological processes of depression, but its role in suicidal ideation (SI) in major depressive disorder (MDD) remains to be elucidated. The present study aims to examine the differences of inflammatory markers between MDD patients with and without SI, and to construct a predictive panel using multi index to distinguish SI in MDD patients.

METHODS

A total of 151 first-episode drug-naïve MDD patients were recruited for this study. SI was identified using the Chinese Version of Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI-CV). Based on the results of this scale, the subjects were divided into two groups: MDD with SI (n = 91) and MDD without SI (n = 60). Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17) was used to assess depression symptoms. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) have been measured.

RESULTS

Age (OR = 0.87, 95%CI 0.81-0.93, p < 0.001), HAMD retardation factor score (OR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.18-1.88, p < 0.001), and plasma IL-6 concentration (OR = 1.03, 95%CI 1.00-1.06, p = 0.041) were statistically significant on SI in MDD patients, we constructed a good predictive panel to distinguish SI in patients with MDD by combining age, marital status, HAMD retardation factor score, and plasma IL-6 concentration (AUC = 0.812, p < 0.001).

LIMITATIONS

The study was cross-sectional, making it impossible to determine directionality or causality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with younger age, single status, serious retardation symptom, and higher plasma IL-6 concentrations are more susceptible to experiencing SI in MDD.

The sex-specific relationship of ghrelin and cognition in Chinese han first-episode drug-naive major depressive disorder

In major depressive disorder (MDD), alterations in ghrelin levels and cognitive impairment coexist, yet their association has remained largely elusive. This study aimed to investigate the association between ghrelin levels and cognition in both MDD patients and healthy controls (HCs) while also exploring sex-specific differences in this correlation. A total of 155 Chinese Han subjects, including 90 first-episode drug-naive MDD patients and 65 HCs, were enrolled. Ghrelin levels were measured using ELISA kits, and neurocognitive assessments were conducted using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). MDD patients exhibited significantly higher ghrelin levels and lower cognitive scores of RBANS compared to HCs. However, there was no significant correlation between ghrelin levels and cognitive function in both MDD patients and HCs. Exploratory analyses revealed sex-specific associations between ghrelin and cognitive function, particularly in MDD patients. Females with MDD showed distinct patterns of association between ghrelin levels and cognitive domains such as attention and language, which were not observed in healthy controls or male MDD patients. The relationship between ghrelin and cognition only existed in MDD patients, not in the HCs, and there was a sex-specific difference in this association. Further research on the mechanism of ghrelin in the cognitive function of MDD should focus on sex differences.

Exploring specific associations of childhood maltreatment with social cognition in drug-naive first-episode major depressive disorder: a sex-centric approach

Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been linked to social cognition deficits in major depressive disorder (MDD), but little is known about sex-specific effects. This study aimed to investigate the sex-specific associations of CM with social cognition in first-episode drug-naive patients with MDD. A total of 117 first-episode drug-naive patients with MDD and 134 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited and assessed for demographic and clinical characteristics. All participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Interpersonal Reactivity Index-C (IRI), and Facial Emotion Recognition Test. Partial correlation analysis was used to explore the sex-specific association of CM with social cognition. Our findings revealed significant differences in the associations of CM with social cognition between males and females in MDD patients. In comparison to HCs, the associations of CM with social cognition displayed distinct and even contrasting sex-specific patterns in MDD patients. Specifically, male MDD patients exhibited unique imbalanced associations between emotional neglect and alexithymia, while both female and male MDD patients shared imbalanced associations of childhood abuse with empathy. These results emphasize the importance of considering the sex-specific associations of CM with social cognition in MDD and highlight the need for personalized interventions and treatments based on sex for MDD patients with a history of CM.

Transcriptional patterns of amygdala functional connectivity in first-episode, drug-naïve major depressive disorder

Previous research has established associations between amygdala functional connectivity abnormalities and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, inconsistencies persist due to limited sample sizes and poorly elucidated transcriptional patterns. In this study, we aimed to address these gaps by analyzing a multicenter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dataset consisting of 210 first-episode, drug-naïve MDD patients and 363 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Using Pearson correlation analysis, we established individualized amygdala functional connectivity patterns based on the Automated Anatomical Labeling (AAL) atlas. Subsequently, machine learning techniques were employed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of amygdala functional connectivity for identifying MDD at the individual level. Additionally, we investigated the spatial correlation between MDD-related amygdala functional connectivity alterations and gene expression through Pearson correlation analysis. Our findings revealed reduced functional connectivity between the amygdala and specific brain regions, such as frontal, orbital, and temporal regions, in MDD patients compared to HC. Importantly, amygdala functional connectivity exhibited robust discriminatory capability for characterizing MDD at the individual level. Furthermore, we observed spatial correlations between MDD-related amygdala functional connectivity alterations and genes enriched for metal ion transport and modulation of chemical synaptic transmission. These results underscore the significance of amygdala functional connectivity alterations in MDD and suggest potential neurobiological mechanisms and markers for these alterations.

Exploring the correlation between childhood trauma experiences, inflammation, and brain activity in first-episode, drug-naive major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Childhood trauma experiences and inflammation are pivotal factors in the onset and perpetuation of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, research on brain mechanisms linking childhood trauma experiences and inflammation to depression remains insufficient and inconclusive.

METHODS

Resting-state fMRI scans were performed on fifty-six first-episode, drug-naive MDD patients and sixty healthy controls (HCs). A whole-brain functional network was constructed by thresholding 246 brain regions, and connectivity and network properties were calculated. Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in MDD patients, and childhood trauma experiences were evaluated through the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).

RESULTS

Negative correlations were observed between CTQ total (r = -0.28, p = 0.047), emotional neglect (r = -0.286, p = 0.042) scores, as well as plasma IL-6 levels (r = -0.294, p = 0.036), with mean decreased functional connectivity (FC) in MDD patients. Additionally, physical abuse exhibited a positive correlation with the nodal clustering coefficient of the left thalamus in patients (r = 0.306, p = 0.029). Exploratory analysis indicated negative correlations between CTQ total and emotional neglect scores and mean decreased FC in MDD patients with lower plasma IL-6 levels (n = 28), while these correlations were nonsignificant in MDD patients with higher plasma IL-6 levels (n = 28).

CONCLUSIONS

This finding enhances our understanding of the correlation between childhood trauma experiences, inflammation, and brain activity in MDD, suggesting potential variations in their underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Alexithymia as a mediator between adverse childhood events and the development of psychopathology: a meta-analysis

Introduction

Victims of child abuse have an elevated risk of developing mental health issues later in life. Several variables have been suggested as mediators of this correlation, but little is known about the possible influence of alexithymia. Alexithymia is a sub-clinical personality trait that manifests as difficulties recognizing and verbalizing emotions.

Methods

In this study, two separate meta-analyses were conducted using questionnaire data, and Pearson correlations for overall effects were estimated.

Results

The correlation between child abuse and alexithymia showed to be significant (r = .26), as did the correlation between alexithymia and general psychopathology (r = .44). Further analyses revealed no indication for possible publication bias. When investigating differences between various subtypes of child maltreatment, each subtype significantly correlated with alexithymia. Emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect had stronger correlations than physical and sexual abuse.

Discussion

These results suggest that alexithymia plays a mediating role, at least in part, in the relationship between experiences of child abuse and general psychopathology in adulthood. Therefore, alexithymia may be relevant to further research and deserves attention in the prevention of and therapy for mental health issues in victims of child abuse.

Association between peripheral plasma cytokine levels and suicidal ideation in first-episode, drug-naïve major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory processes could potentially impact both mood and suicide risk, however, the relationship between cytokines and suicidal ideation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between plasma levels of cytokines and suicidal ideation in population with major depressive disorders (MDD).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the peripheral plasma levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in 88 Chinese Han first-episode drug-naïve MDD patients. Suicidal ideation in the past week were identified using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation-Chinese Version (BSI-CV). The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale-14 (HAMA-14) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to assess depression, anxiety and childhood trauma. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between cytokines and suicidal ideation. Interaction and stratified analyses were conducted according to age, sex, marital status, education, smoking status, BMI and physical activity.

RESULTS

Among the 88 participants, 42 individuals (47.7%) reported suicidal ideation within the past week. In the fully adjusted model, a statistically significant trend was observed in the association between IL-2 level and suicidal ideation (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.00-1.97). The stratified analysis showed a statistically significant association between IL-6 level and suicidal ideation among younger people (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36) and a significant positive association between IL-8 (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.03-2.44) and IL-10 (OR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.27-4.96) levels and suicide ideation among higher educated populations.

LIMITATIONS

The cross-sectional design, residual confounding effects and small sample size CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate a significant positive association between plasma IL-2 level and suicidal ideation in MDD patients. IL-2 has the potential to be a biomarker of suicidal ideation in patients with depression.