Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0011570 (depression)
 172,036 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The understanding of the effects of cannabinoids in human subjects has been obscured by a lack of knowledge about how the various active principles from marijuana act at the cellular level in the brain. For this reason the present study was undertaken to determine the effects of cannabinoids on the enzymes associated with the synaptic membranes. Electron micrographic analysis was performed to determine the purity of synaptic membrane preparations from rat brain, and subsequently such preparations were subjected to additions of ethanol, Tween-80, 80% glycerol, and either delta-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-hydroxy-delta-tetrahydrocannabinol, or cannabinol. Both sodium and potassium activated ATPase (Na, K-ATPase), and Mg-ATPase were measured as the micrometer orthophosphate (P) released per minute per microgram membrane protein and these specific activities of the enzymes expressed as absolute values and as the percentage depression brought about by the cannabinoids. The ATPase spcific activities are taken from the rate curve over a 30-min incubation time. Additionally, synaptic membrane acetylcholineesterase specific activity was measured by continuous rate enzyme assay. While as low as 10 M delta-tetrahydrocannabinol showed appreciable decrements in both the membrane-bound ATPases, the other cannabinoids did not show such a great depression in enzyme activity. The specific activity of acetylcholinesterase, which is weakly bound to the membrane, showed only slight or no changes in activity with the various cannabinoids. It was additionally shown that the cannabinoids, delta-tetrahydrocannabinol in particular, bound to the synaptic membranes almost irreversibly in the in vitro system, and that the vehicle for dissolving the cannabinoids, while used as background control values when calculating the percentage decrements in enzyme specific activity, did vary the effects on the ATPase enzymes in particular. These data are discussed in relation to psychotomimetic activity of the cannabinoids.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 1976
PMID:Effects of cannabinoids on synaptic membrane enzymes. I. In vitro studies on synaptic membranes isolated from rat brain. 14 40

Ethanol through its primary catabolite, acetaldehyde, competitively inhibits oxidation of aldehyde dehydrogenase substrates. As a consequence biogenic amines form increased quantities of alcohols rather than the corresponding acids. During this biotransformation, condensation reactions between deaminated and intact amines may occur which can yield tetrahydropapaverolines. These compounds are closely related to precursors of opioids which is cause to link ethanol abuse to morphine addiction. There is, however, no pharmacological or clinical evidence suggesting similarities between ethanol dependence or opiod addiction. Acetaldehyde plays an additional role in alkaloidal formation in vitro. Biogenic amines may react with acetaldehyde to form isoquinoline or carboline compounds. Some of these substances have significant pharmacological activity. Furthermore, they may enter neural stores and displace the natural neurotransmitter. Thus, they can act as false neurotransmitters. Some investigators believe that chronic ethanol ingestion leads to significant formation of such aberrant compounds which may then upset autonomic nervous system balance. This disturbance may explain the abnormal sympathetic activity seen in withdrawal. While these ideas about the etiology of alcohol abuse have a definite appeal, they are naturally based on in vitro preliminary work. Much study of the quantitative pharmacology of these compounds in animals is required before judgement can be made as to the merits of the proposed hypotheses. In the meantime, pharmacological studies on the ability of ethanol to depress respiration in the mouse has revealed that unlike opioids or barbituates, respiratory depression induced by ethanol requires the presence in brain of serotonin. This neurotransmitter also mediates the respiratory effects of several other alcohols but curiously, not chloral hydrate, yet this compound is purported to alter biogenic amine metabolism much like ethanol. Thus, the response to ethanol can be pharmacologically separated from other major narcotic classes such as opioids and barbiturates by respiratory depression effects. The specific requirement for serotonin mediation exhibited by ethanol and several other alcohols opens the door for a rational therapeutic approach to the treatment of alcohol abuse. At the same time, this finding tends to lessen the probability that alcoholism is in some way connected with the formation of addictive alkaloids.
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PMID:Interaction of biogenic amines with ethanol. 23 68

Morning and evening plasma cortisol levels were checked in 123 consecutively newly admitted psychiatric patients with a variety of diagnoses. Questions asked were whether there were differences among groups with more severe illness, type of depression, alcohol abuse, or particular symptoms. Morning cortisol elevation was found in 33% of patients and was not associated with any particular diagnostic category. Evening cortisol elevation occurred in 85% of the subjects. It was significantly higher in those with unipolar depression and organic brain syndrome, also in those patients who abused alcohol regardless of diagnosis. Evening cortisol elevation was twice as common in patients with diagnoses of more severe psychiatric illness than in those with minor disorders. Further study is suggested to see if these patterns of cortisol elevation are sustained beyond the stress-of-admission period.
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PMID:Plasma cortisol levels in depression and other psychiatric disorders: a study of newly admitted psychiatric patients. 48 67

Samples of heroin-addicted veterans in treatment at a VA drug clinic, ex-addict and nonaddict Vietnam veterans followed-up after return to the United States, and male suicide attempters who were not drug abusers completed a very short (five item) form of the Beck Depression Inventory developed for screening and research purposes. Results confirmed prior findings of high rates of depression among narcotic addicts in treatment. Two samples of patients assessed at intake to treatment did not differ significantly from the suicide patients in BDI-5 scores. Methadone maintenance patients and ex-addicts scored below those groups, but higher than nonaddicts. Relief of inner tensions or worries was chosen most frequently as the reason for continuing use of narcotics by patients in treatment, suggesting that self-medication for psychiatric problems may be common. The BDI-5 proved to be an efficient method for screening for depression in these samples, and thus might be useful in clinical or research settings when a very brief method is needed.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 1979
PMID:Depression in treated narcotic addicts, ex-addicts, nonaddicts, and suicide attempters: validation of a very Brief Depression Scale. 54 68

Differences between heroin and nonheroin users were determined at intake and discharge from an inpatient rehabilitation program. Background data as well as attitudes toward drug-related concepts, mood, and symptoms were gathered from 65 male veterans. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and covariance comparing heroin and nonheroin users at intake and discharge. There were no significant differences between these two groups on their prescores, indicating that heroin and nonheroin patients were quite similar at time of intake. However, at discharge significant differences were found in terms of Tense and Thoughtful from the Mood Scale and Somatization, Obsessive/Compulsiveness, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Depression, and Anxiety from the Symptom Checklist. The heroin subjects had consistently more positive rating than the nonheroin subjects following treatment.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 1978
PMID:Differential response of heroin and nonheroin abusers to inpatient treatment. 74 72

This paper examines the relationship between drug abuse and suicide. It attempts to assess the extent of suicidal thoughts or behaviors among a group of drug abusers. The research examines variables related to self-destructive or self-endangering behaviors, such as accidental overdoses, arrests for driving under the influence, and auto accidents in which the subject was the driver. These data were examined in relation to reports of suicidal thoughts and actual suicide attempts. The results indicate a suicide attempt rate at least 12 times greater than expected for the general population. The results also indicate significant correlations between suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts and nonsuicidal overdoses, and arrests for driving under the influece of drugs or alcohol and nonsuicidal overdoses. The implications of these results along with the role of depression as discussed.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 1978
PMID:Drug abuse and suicide. 75 87

Psychiatric evaluation as a part of the complete geriatric workup was done on 143 consecutive patients transferred to a Medical Geriatric Evaluation Unit. The patients' age ranged from 48 to 94 years. The findings were: free of psychiatric problems--19.1%; organic brain syndrome--58.8%; dysphoria-depression--36.8%; paranoid--3.7%; alcohol abuse--8.1%; marital maladjustment 18.3% (of marrieds). The Geropsychiatrist diagnoses, participates in psychiatric management, consults, and supervises psychiatric evaluation by other team members. He is an esential member of the Geriatric team since proper recognition and treatment of psychiatric problems is necessary to complete treatment and to make optimum disposition.
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PMID:Geriatric evaluation unit of a medical service: role of a geropsychiatrist. 75 90

Admission thyroid function tests were reviewed in 115 euthyroid patients with depression (66), depression and alcohol abuse (30), or alcohol abuse (19). Estimated free thyroxine (EFT) levels ranged from 0.7 to 2.7 ng/100 ml (normal, 1.0 to 2.1). Levels above 2.1 ng/100 ml were associated with agitation and values under 1.1 with alcohol abuse. Mean EFT levels differed significantly among six diagnostic subgroups and paralleled rank order for severity of depression (none, secondary, reactive, single uncategorized, recurrent, psychotic). Alcohol abuse negatively affected EFT: there was a significant decrease of mean EFT level from nonabusers to abusers and, further, to intoxicated abusers. A positive association between EFT level and severity of depression, and a negative one with alcohol use, were significant when other variables considered were controlled. These two factors accounted from 28.2% of variability in EFT levels, with a minimal additional contribution of medication effect.
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PMID:Thyroid function in depression and alcohol abuse: a retrospective study. 88 24

In a study of 106 predominantly young, lower-social-class men participating in a methadone maintenance program, the authors found that about one-third were moderately to severely depressed as assessed on standard rating scales of depression. The depressive symptoms were associated with a decrease in social functioning, increase in stress in the past 6 months, and a history of alcohol abuse. Because the combination of depression and drug addiction creates a high risk for suicide, depressive symptoms require early detection and treatment. The authors point to the need for more research on treatment approaches, particularly the use of psychotropic drugs.
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PMID:Clinical depression among narcotic addicts maintained on methadone in the community. 98 44

Six cases are described where death occurred in connection with chlormethiazole (Heminevrin) infusion. The close time relationship and indirect evidence strongly suggest that chlormethiazole had an important role in the fatal outcome of the patients, but definite proof of this way was not possible to obtain. Present or past alcohol abuse and respiratory, liver, cardiac or CNS diseases of different degrees seemed to be features in common for the patients possibly rendering them susceptible to the suggested detrimental effect of chlormethiazole therapy. Respiratory depression is supposed to be the primary pathogenetic mechanism of the death. Considering the relatively limited use of chlormethiazole in the department in which these cases were observed and the recommended dosage applied, the risk of serious complication during chlormethiazole infusions seems to be surprisingly high.
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PMID:Deaths in connection with chlormethiazole (heminevrin) therapy. 100 57


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