Plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, learning capacity and cognition in patients with first episode psychosis

Background: Cognitive impairments are seen in first psychotic episode (FEP) patients. The neurobiological underpinnings that might underlie these changes remain unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate whether Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels are associated with cognitive impairment in FEP patients compared with healthy controls. Methods: 45 FEP patients and 45 healthy controls matched by age, gender and educational level were selected from the Basque Country area of Spain. Plasma BDNF levels were assessed in healthy controls and in patients. A battery of cognitive tests was applied to both groups, with the patients being assessed at 6 months after the acute episode and only in those with a clinical response to treatment. Results: Plasma BDNF levels were altered in patients compared with the control group. In FEP patients, we observed a positive association between BDNF levels at six months and five cognitive domains (learning ability,immediate and delayed memory, abstract thinking and processing speed) which persisted after controlling for medications prescribed, drug use, intelligence quotient (IQ) and negative symptoms. In the healthy control group, BDNF levels were not associated with cognitive test scores. Conclusion: Our results suggest that BDNF is associated with the cognitive impairment seen after a FEP. Further investigations of the role of this neurotrophin in the symptoms associated with psychosis onset are warranted.

Giza-erlazioen psikologia: adimen emozionala eta gizarte harremanak

[eus] Egungo gizartean, konpetentzia emozional maila baxuak “analfabetismo emozionala” jarri du agerian (Goleman, 1996). Arrazoi honengatik, adimen emozionala jorratu beharra dago, bai familia eta baita hezkuntza arloan ere. Hau guztiagatik, ikerketa honen xede nagusia, 7-11 urte tarteko umeen trebetasun sozialak kooperazioaren bitartez sustatzea da; izan ere, garai horretan, gizabanakoaren bizitza soziala goreneko intentsitatera heltzen da. Honetarako, Bilboko Pagasarribide ikastetxean (Lehen Hezkuntzako 5.maila) jorratzeko unitate didaktikoa aurkezten da. Beraz, bertako bi jardueratan lortutako emaitzak kontuan hartuz, baieztatu ahal da, honi esker, ikasleen trebetasun sozialak garatu direla eta emozionalki adimentsuagoak izatea lortuko dutela unitate didaktiko hau bere osotasunean jorratu ondoren.

Inflammatory Markers and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Obese Children: The NANOS Study

Introduction. Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) are common coexisting conditions associated with a chronic low-grade inflammatory state underlying some of the cognitive, metabolic, and cardiovascular morbidities. Aim. To examine the levels of inflammatory markers in obese community-dwelling children with OSA, as compared to no-OSA, and their association with clinical and polysomnographic (PSG) variables. Methods. In this cross-sectional, prospective multicenter study, healthy obese Spanish children (ages 4-15 years) were randomly selected and underwent nocturnal PSG followed by a morning fasting blood draw. Plasma samples were assayed for multiple inflammatory markers. Results. 204 children were enrolled in the study; 75 had OSA, defined by an obstructive respiratory disturbance index (RDI) of 3 events/hour total sleep time (TST). BMI, gender, and age were similar in OSA and no-OSA children. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were significantly higher in OSA children, with interleukin-6 concentrations being higher in moderate-severe OSA (i.e., AHI > 5/hrTST; P < 0.01), while MCP-1 levels were associated with more prolonged nocturnal hypercapnia (P < 0.001). Conclusion. IL-6, MCP-1, and PAI-1 are altered in the context of OSA among community-based obese children further reinforcing the proinflammatory effects of sleep disorders such as OSA. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01322763.