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Suneson K, Söderberg Veibäck G, Lindahl J, Tjernberg J, Ståhl D, Ventorp S, Ängeby F, Lundblad K, Wolkowitz OM, Lindqvist D. Omega-3 fatty acids for inflamed depression - A match/mismatch study. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:192-201. [PMID: 38432599 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research on the pathophysiology of depression, the development of new therapeutic interventions has been slow, and no biomarkers of treatment response have been clinically implemented. Several lines of evidence suggest that the clinical and biological heterogeneity among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) has hampered progress in this field. MDD with low-grade inflammation - "inflamed depression" - is a subtype of depression that may be associated with a superior antidepressant treatment response to anti-inflammatory compounds. Omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has anti-inflammatory properties, and preliminary data suggest that it may be particularly efficacious in inflamed depression. In this study we tested the hypothesis that add-on EPA has greater antidepressant efficacy in MDD patients with high baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) compared to MDD patients with low hs-CRP. All subjects received 2.2 g EPA, 400 mg docosahexaenoic acid and 800 mg of other fatty acids daily for 8 weeks, added to stable ongoing antidepressant treatment. The primary outcome was change in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). Patients and raters were blind to baseline hs-CRP status. In an intention-to-treat analysis including all subjects with at least one post baseline visit (n = 101), ahs-CRPcut-off of ≥1 mg/L, but not ≥3 mg/L, was associated with a greater improvement in HAMD-17 total score. In addition to a general antidepressant effect among patients with hs-CRP ≥ 1 mg/L, adjuvant EPA treatment improved symptoms putatively related to inflamed depression such as fatigue and sleep difficulties. This adds to the mounting evidence that delineation of MDD subgroups based on inflammation may be clinically relevant to predict treatment response to anti-inflammatory interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Suneson
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University; Department of Adult Psychiatry, Office for Psychiatry, Habilitation and Technical Aids, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Gustav Söderberg Veibäck
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University; Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jesper Lindahl
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University; Department of Adult Psychiatry, Office for Psychiatry, Habilitation and Technical Aids, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johanna Tjernberg
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University; Psychiatry Research Skåne, Office for Psychiatry, Habilitation and Technical Aids, Lund, Sweden
| | - Darya Ståhl
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University
| | - Simon Ventorp
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University
| | - Filip Ängeby
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University; Department of Adult Psychiatry, Office for Psychiatry, Habilitation and Technical Aids, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Lundblad
- Department of Adult Psychiatry, Office for Psychiatry, Habilitation and Technical Aids, Lund, Sweden; Office for Psychiatry, Norra Stockholm Psykiatri, Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Owen M Wolkowitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Lindqvist
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University; Psychiatry Research Skåne, Office for Psychiatry, Habilitation and Technical Aids, Lund, Sweden.
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Lindahl J, Asp M, Ståhl D, Tjernberg J, Eklund M, Björkstrand J, van Westen D, Jensen J, Månsson K, Tornberg Å, Svensson M, Deierborg T, Ventorp F, Lindqvist D. Add-on pramipexole for anhedonic depression: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial and open-label follow-up in Lund, Sweden. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e076900. [PMID: 38035737 PMCID: PMC10689415 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many depressed patients do not achieve remission with available treatments. Anhedonia is a common residual symptom associated with treatment resistance as well as low function and quality of life. There are currently no specific and effective treatments for anhedonia. Some trials have shown that dopamine agonist pramipexole is efficacious for treating depression, but more data is needed before it could become ready for clinical prime time. Given its mechanism of action, pramipexole might be a useful treatment for a depression subtype characterised by significant anhedonia and lack of motivation-symptoms associated with dopaminergic hypofunction. We recently showed, in an open-label pilot study, that add-on pramipexole is a feasible treatment for depression with significant anhedonia, and that pramipexole increases reward-related activity in the ventral striatum. We will now confirm or refute these preliminary results in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and an open-label follow-up study. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Eighty patients with major depression (bipolar or unipolar) or dysthymia and significant anhedonia according to the Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) are randomised to either add-on pramipexole or placebo for 9 weeks. Change in anhedonia symptoms per the SHAPS is the primary outcome, and secondary outcomes include change in core depressive symptoms, apathy, sleep problems, life quality, anxiety and side effects. Accelerometers are used to assess treatment-associated changes in physical activity and sleep patterns. Blood and brain biomarkers are investigated as treatment predictors and to establish target engagement. After the RCT phase, patients continue with open-label treatment in a 6-month follow-up study aiming to assess long-term efficacy and tolerability of pramipexole. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has been approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority and the Swedish Medical Products Agency. The study is externally monitored according to Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Results will be disseminated via conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05355337 and NCT05825235.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Lindahl
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatric Clinic Lund, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marie Asp
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatric Clinic Lund, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Darya Ståhl
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johanna Tjernberg
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatry Research Skåne, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Moa Eklund
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatric Clinic Lund, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Danielle van Westen
- Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Image and Function, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jimmy Jensen
- Department of Psychology, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Kristoffer Månsson
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Tornberg
- Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Martina Svensson
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tomas Deierborg
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Filip Ventorp
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatric Clinic Lund, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Lindqvist
- Unit for Biological and Precision Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatry Research Skåne, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
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Håkansson A, Tjernberg J, Hansson H. Effects and Limitations of a Unique, Nationwide, Self-Exclusion Service for Gambling Disorder and Its Self-Perceived Effects and Harms in Gamblers: Protocol for a Qualitative Interview Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e47528. [PMID: 37962917 PMCID: PMC10685284 DOI: 10.2196/47528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling is a common but underdeveloped harm reduction tool in the management of gambling problems or gambling disorders. Large-scale, multi-operator, and operator-independent self-exclusion services are needed. A recent nationwide multi-operator self-exclusion service in Sweden (Spelpaus), involving both land- and web-based gambling sites, is promising, but recent data have revealed limitations to this system and possibilities to breach one's self-exclusion through overseas web-based gambling. More knowledge is needed about the benefits and challenges of such an extensive self-exclusion service, and its effects as perceived by gamblers. OBJECTIVE This study protocol describes the rationale and design of a qualitative interview study addressing the effects and limitations perceived by individuals with gambling problems and their concerned significant others. The study aims to provide an in-depth experience of this novel self-exclusion service and to inform stakeholders and policymakers in order to further improve harm reduction tools against gambling problems. METHODS Individuals with gambling problems will be recruited primarily through social media and also from a treatment unit, if needed, for a qualitative interview study. Recorded interview material will be analyzed through content analysis, and recruitment will continue until saturation in the material is reached. This study will provide in-depth information about a harm reduction tool that is promising and commonly used, but which has proven to be breached by a significant number of users, potentially limiting its efficiency. The aim is to interview a sufficient number of gamblers until saturation has been obtained in the interview material. Saturation will be considered through a continuous analysis, comparing recently collected data to previously collected data. RESULTS Results will be reported as the themes and subthemes identified after the thorough analysis and coding of the transcribed text material and will be accompanied by citations representing relevant themes and subthemes. Results are planned to be provided before the end of 2023. CONCLUSIONS This study will likely provide new insights into user perspectives on a multi-operator self-exclusion service that involves both web- and land-based gambling operators, and which according to previous literature attracts many gamblers but also appears to have limitations and challenges in the target group of individuals with gambling problems. Policy and legislation implications, as well as clinical implications for treatment providers, will be discussed. Results and conclusions will be disseminated to policy makers in Sweden and internationally, as well as to peer organizations, treatment providers, and the research community. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05693155; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05693155. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/47528.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Håkansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Malmö Addiction Center, Gambling Disorder Unit, Region Skåne, Competence Center Addiction, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Johanna Tjernberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
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Suneson K, Ängeby F, Lindahl J, Söderberg G, Tjernberg J, Lindqvist D. Efficacy of eicosapentaenoic acid in inflammatory depression: study protocol for a match-mismatch trial. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:801. [PMID: 36536364 PMCID: PMC9761617 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04430-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most antidepressant treatment studies have included patients strictly based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders definition of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Given the heterogeneity of MDD, this approach may have obscured inter-patient differences and hampered the development of novel and targeted treatment strategies. An alternative strategy is to use biomarkers to delineate endophenotypes of depression and test if these can be targeted via mechanism-based interventions. Several lines of evidence suggest that "inflammatory depression" is a clinically meaningful subtype of depression. Preliminary data indicate that omega-3 fatty acids, with their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, may be efficacious in this subtype of depression, and this study aims to test this hypothesis. METHOD We conduct a match-mismatch-trial to test if add-on omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduces depressive symptoms in patients with MDD and systemic low-grade inflammation. MDD patients on a stable antidepressant treatment are stratified at baseline on high sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels to a high-inflammation group (hs-CRP ≥ 3 mg/L) or a low-inflammation group (hs-CRP < 3 mg/L). Both groups receive add-on EPA (2 g per day) for 8 weeks with three study visits, all including blood draws. Patients and raters are blind to inflammation status. Primary outcome measure is change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score between baseline and week 8. We hypothesize that the inflammation group has a superior antidepressant response to EPA compared to the non-inflammation group. Secondary outcomes include a composite score of "inflammatory depressive symptoms", quality of life, anxiety, anhedonia, sleep disturbances, fatigue, cognitive performance and change in biomarkers relating to inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolomics and cellular aging. DISCUSSION In this study we will, for the first time using a match-mismatch trial design, test if omega-3 is an efficacious treatment for inflammatory depression. If our study is successful, it could add to the field of precision psychiatry. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered May 8, 2017 on clinicaltrials.gov under the reference number NCT03143075.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Suneson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 85, Lund, Sweden. .,Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatric Clinic Helsingborg, Region Skåne, 252 23, Helsingborg, Sweden.
| | - Filip Ängeby
- grid.426217.40000 0004 0624 3273Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatric Clinic Lund, Region Skåne, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jesper Lindahl
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden ,grid.426217.40000 0004 0624 3273Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatric Clinic Lund, Region Skåne, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Gustav Söderberg
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden ,grid.411843.b0000 0004 0623 9987Department of Gastroenterology, Skåne University Hospital, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Johanna Tjernberg
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden ,grid.426217.40000 0004 0624 3273Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatric Clinic Lund, Region Skåne, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Lindqvist
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 221 85 Lund, Sweden ,grid.426217.40000 0004 0624 3273Office for Psychiatry and Habilitation, Psychiatry Research Skåne, Region Skåne, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
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Tjernberg J, Bökberg C. Older persons' thoughts about death and dying and their experiences of care in end-of-life: a qualitative study. BMC Nurs 2020; 19:123. [PMID: 33327960 PMCID: PMC7739469 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-020-00514-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Few studies have focused on how older persons living in nursing homes perceive their last period of life. Furthermore, previous research on older persons’ perceptions of death and dying is limited. Hence, there is an urgent need to explore their experiences during their final period in life. Aim To explore thoughts about death and dying and experiences of care in end-of-life among older persons living in nursing homes. Methods This study employed a qualitative approach including individual interviews with 36 older persons living in Swedish nursing homes. Questions related to quality of life; physical health; thoughts about death, dying, and the future; and experiences related to the living condition and environment were asked. The interview transcripts were analysed through content analysis. The study was approved by the Regional Ethics Review Board (reference number: 2015/4). Results The analysis resulted in the identification of three main thematic categories: The unavoidable and unknown end of life, Thoughts on control and Living your last period of life at a nursing home. The older persons did not fear death itself but had some worries about dying. Spending the last stage of life at a nursing home contributed to different thoughts and feelings among the older persons. With a few exceptions, older persons characterized life at the nursing home as boring and felt they were surrounded by people who did not belong there. Conclusions This study indicates a need for older persons to talk about death, dying and end-life issues. Furthermore, this study highlighted that the co-residence of cognitively healthy persons and persons with dementia in the same ward adversely affected cognitively healthy persons. This situation resulted in there being not enough time to both handle the care needs of persons with dementia and have the conversations that cognitively healthy persons desired, such as conversations about thoughts about existence, that could have improved their quality of life. Trial registration NCT02708498 Date of registration 16 February 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Tjernberg
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, P.O. Box 157, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christina Bökberg
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, P.O. Box 157, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden.
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Sandberg G, Söder O, Tjernberg J. Studies on thymocyte subpopulations in guinea pigs. VII. Characterization of cell populations responsive to guinea pig interleukin 1 and interleukin 2. Immunobiology 1985; 170:448-59. [PMID: 3879237 DOI: 10.1016/s0171-2985(85)80068-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The properties of thymocytes responding by proliferation to a mitogenic lectin (PHA), interleukin 1 (IL 1), or interleukin 2 (IL 2) were studied and compared to the properties of cells known to respond to a separate thymocyte growth factor (TGP), which has so far only been studied in guinea pigs. Thymocytes from guinea pigs were separated into subpopulations by density gradient centrifugation with Percoll and by rosette formation with rabbit erythrocytes. PHA-responsive cells were recovered exclusively in a non-rosetting, low-density population designated Ia, RFC-, constituting approximately 4 per cent of all thymocytes. Thus, according to the prevailing view of lymphocyte mitogenesis, IL 1-producing, IL 2-producing as well as IL 2-responding cells are all present in this population. The mitogen-responsive cells could be further stimulated by addition of IL 1 or IL 2, indicating that the magnitude of the mitogenic response was regulated by the production of these factors and was not restricted by the number of IL 2-responding cells. IL 1, to some extent, also enhanced the mitogen response in a non-rosetting, intermediate density population designated Ib, RFC-. None of the factors could affect the lack of mitogen responsiveness in the high-density population II, constituting approximately 85% of the total population and probably including most small cortical thymocytes. We conclude that IL 2-responding thymocytes are present above all in the quantitatively small population Ia, RFC- (shown to contain also the mature, mitogen-responding cells) and to a smaller extent in Ib, RFC- (where a deficit in IL 1-producing cells may explain the poor mitogen responsiveness), but not in the major, high-density population II. From our data, it is also evident that the mitogen, IL 1- and IL 2-reactive cells can be separated from a population of intensely proliferating thymic precursor cells which are stimulated to grow by TGP. Therefore, the growth of these immature cells does not seem to be regulated by IL 1 or IL 2 in the guinea pig.
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