Typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs, though both effective, act on different neurotransmitter receptors and are dissimilar in some clinical effects and side effects. The typical antipsychotic drug haloperidol has been shown to cause a decrease in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays an important role in neuronal cell survival, differentiation, and neuronal connectivity. However, it is still unknown whether atypical antipsychotic drugs similarly regulate BDNF expression. We examined the effects of chronic (28 days) administration of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs on BDNF mRNA expression in the rat hippocampus using in situ hybridization. Quantitative analysis revealed that the typical antipsychotic drug haloperidol (1 mg/kg) down-regulated BDNF mRNA expression in both CA1 (P < 0.05) and dentate gyrus (P < 0.01) regions compared with vehicle control. In contrast, the atypical antipsychotic agents clozapine (10 mg/kg) and olanzapine (2.7 mg/kg) up-regulated BDNF mRNA expression in CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus regions of the rat hippocampus compared with their respective controls (P < 0.01). These findings demonstrate that the typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs differentially regulate BDNF mRNA expression in rat hippocampus.

Sertraline is an effective treatment for patients with generalized social phobia.

Objective:To determine the course of depression and the effects of treatment during pregnancy and into the postpartum period.Method: This is a longitudinal study of a community sample of 649 pregnant women who were assessed in early pregnancy (17.4 ± 4.9 weeks), late pregnancy (30.6 ± 2.7 weeks), and postpartum (4.2 ± 2.1 weeks) with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Women who scored 12 or more on the EPDS were encouraged to seek assessment and treatment. We used generalized estimating equation modelling to determine the predicted mean depression scores, taking age, ethnicity, history of depression, and previous and present treatment status into account. Results:The unadjusted prevalence of depression (EPDS ≥ 12) was 14.1% (n = 91) in early pregnancy, 10.4% (n = 62) in late pregnancy, and 8.1% (n = 48) postpartum. Twelve per cent of women were engaged in treatment. The predicted mean EPDS score decreased over the course of the pregnancy into the postpartum period, most significantly when women were engaged in counselling or taking psychotropic medication. Counselling was the more common method of treatment during pregnancy and medication in the postpartum period. Women who were depressed and untreated were more likely to be younger, more stressed, have less support, have a history of depression, and use alcohol. Conclusions:We confirm that depressive symptoms improve over the course of the pregnancy into the postpartum period, particularly for women who receive treatment. Our study is unique as it takes the history of depression, present and past treatment status, and the longitudinal nature of the data into account. W W WObjectif : Déterminer le cours de la dépression et les effets du traitement durant la grossesse et la période du postpartum. Méthode : Il s'agit d'une étude longitudinale d'un échantillon communautaire de 649 femmes enceintes qui ont été évaluées au début de la grossesse (17,4 ± 4,9 semaines), à la fin de la grossesse (30,6 ± 2,7 semaines), et au postpartum (4,2 ± 2,1 semaines) à l'aide de l'échelle de dépression postnatale d'Édimbourg (EPDS). Les femmes qui avaient un score de 12 ou plus à l'EPDS étaient incitées à obtenir une évaluation et un traitement. Nous avons utilisé la modélisation d'équations d'estimation généralisées pour déterminer les scores de dépression moyens prédits, en tenant compte de l'âge, de l'ethnicité, des antécédents de dépression, et de l'état des traitements précédents et actuels.Résultats : La prévalence non ajustée de la dépression (EPDS ≥ 12) était de 14,1 % (n = 91) en début de grossesse, 10,4 % (n = 62) en fin de grossesse, et 8,1 % (n = 48) au postpartum. Douze pour cent des femmes suivaient un traitement. Le score moyen prédit à l'EPDS a diminué au cours de la grossesse et dans la période du postpartum, de façon la plus significative lorsque les femmes étaient en consultation ou qu'elles prenaient des psychotropes. La consultation était la méthode la plus fréquente de traitement durant la grossesse et durant la période du postpartum, c'était la m...

Data from a large epidemiologic survey were examined to determine the relationship of religious practice (worship service attendance), spiritual and religious self-perception, and importance (salience) to depressive symptoms. Data were obtained from 70,884 respondents older than 15 years from the Canadian National Population Health Survey (Wave II, 1996-1997). Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of the religious/spiritual variables to depressive symptoms while controlling for demographic, social, and health variables. More frequent worship service attendees had significantly fewer depressive symptoms. In contrast, those who stated spiritual values or faith were important or perceived themselves to be spiritual/religious had higher levels of depressive symptoms, even after controlling for potential mediating and confounding factors. It is evident that spirituality/religion has an important effect on depressive symptoms, but this study underscores the complexity of this relationship. Longitudinal studies are needed to help elucidate mechanisms and the order and direction of effects.

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