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- Blanken, M. A. J. T., et al.
(author)
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Sex-specifics of ECT outcome
- 2023
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In: Journal of Affective Disorders. - : ELSEVIER. - 0165-0327 .- 1573-2517. ; 326, s. 243-248
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for patients with severe major depressive disorder (MDD). Given the known sex differences in MDD, improved knowledge may provide more sex-specific recommendations in clinical guidelines and improve outcome. In the present study we examine sex differences in ECT outcome and its predictors. Methods: Clinical data from 20 independent sites participating in the Global ECT-MRI Research Collaboration (GEMRIC) were obtained for analysis, totaling 500 patients with MDD (58.6 % women) with a mean age of 54.8 years. Severity of depression before and after ECT was assessed with validated depression scales. Remission was defined as a HAM-D score of 7 points or below after ECT. Variables associated with remission were selected based on literature (i.e. depression severity at baseline, age, duration of index episode, and presence of psychotic symptoms). Results: Remission rates of ECT were independent of sex, 48.0 % in women and 45.7 % in men (X2(1) = 0.2, p = 0.70). In the logistic regression analyses, a shorter index duration was identified as a sex-specific predictor for ECT outcome in women (X2(1) = 7.05, p = 0.01). The corresponding predictive margins did show overlapping confidence intervals for men and women. Conclusion: The evidence provided by our study suggests that ECT as a biological treatment for MDD is equally effective in women and men. A shorter duration of index episode was an additional sex-specific predictor for remission in women. Future research should establish whether the confidence intervals for the corresponding predictive margins are overlapping, as we find, or not.
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2. |
- Madsen, T M, et al.
(author)
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Increased neurogenesis in a model of electroconvulsive therapy
- 2000
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In: Biological Psychiatry. - 0006-3223. ; 47:12, s. 1043-1049
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a widely used and efficient treatment modality in psychiatry, although the basis for its therapeutic effect is still unknown. Past research has shown seizure activity to be a regulator of neurogenesis in the adult brain. This study examines the effect of a single and multiple electroconvulsive seizures on neurogenesis in the rat dentate gyrus. METHODS: Rats were given either a single or a series of 10 electroconvulsive seizures. At different times after the seizures, a marker of proliferating cells, Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), was administered to the animals. Subsequently, newborn cells positive for BrdU were counted in the dentate gyrus. Double staining with a neuron-specific marker indicated that the newborn cells displayed a neuronal phenotype. RESULTS: A single electroconvulsive seizure significantly increased the number of new born cells in the dentate gyrus. These cells survived for at least 3 months. A series of seizures further increased neurogenesis, indicating a dose-dependent mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that generation of new neurons in the hippocampus may be an important neurobiologic element underlying the clinical effects of electroconvulsive seizures.
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3. |
- Lund, P. D., et al.
(author)
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Pathway analysis of a zero-emission transition in the Nordic-Baltic region
- 2019
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In: Energies. - : MDPI AG. - 1996-1073. ; 12:17
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A zero-emission pathway for the Nordic and Baltic region in Europe is described based on the comprehensive policy and scenario analyses, accompanied by energy system modelling. The analyses show that a least-cost strategy would massively employ renewable energy, particularly in the power sector. Through strong coupling across energy sectors and countries, electricity would play a central role in the decarbonization of the main energy sectors. In particular power-to-heat conversion, where heat storage appears important in addition to existing hydropower. Technical and regulatory barriers in front of increased sector coupling and flexibility were identified, and policy measures are proposed to overcome these. In addition to a high carbon price, dynamic tariffs and taxation of electricity would be important to allow market signals for flexibility to reach end-users. A stronger power transmission connection from the Nordics to the mainland-Europe and the United Kingdom would be beneficial for the emission reductions and renewable energy use. The transition pathway analysis points out socio-technical issues such as social acceptance of large-scale new infrastructures (e.g., wind, cables). The energy system optimizations indicate that most of the investments needed for the zero-emission pathway until 2050 would take place already by 2030.
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4. |
- Woldbye, D P D, et al.
(author)
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Neuropeptide Y inhibits in vitro epileptiform activity in the entorhinal cortex of mice.
- 2002
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In: Neuroscience Letters. - 0304-3940. ; 333:2, s. 127-130
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Previous studies show that neuropeptide Y (NPY) inhibits in vitro seizures in rodent hippocampus. Here, we explored the effect of NPY application on epileptiform discharges induced by perfusion with magnesium-free solution in slices of entorhinal cortex from two different mouse strains. NPY significantly reduced the duration of epileptiform discharges with a peak effect of 36–50%. This is the first study showing anti-epileptiform effect of NPY in the entorhinal cortex and also the first evidence that NPY inhibits seizures in a cortical region in mice. The entorhinal cortex has a central role in transferring information between the hippocampus and the rest of the brain. Therefore our data further strengthen the concept of NPY and its receptors as widespread regulators of epileptiform activity and as a potential future target for antiepileptic therapy.
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