Neuroepigenetics underscores the significance of the methylome in both normal and pathological brain function, influencing neurobiological processes and psychiatric well-being. This study systematically examines methylome-wide association studies (MWAS) across various psychiatric disorders that utilize array-based and sequencing approaches on blood or brain tissue samples. The findings provide valuable insights into the early stages of neuropathogenesis in psychiatric disorders, revealing altered epigenetic mechanisms. The methylome emerges as a pivotal factor in the development and treatment of psychiatric conditions, potentially offering avenues for identifying therapeutic targets and informing treatment strategies.
Background and Aim:The Current HIV/AIDS pandemic is accompanied by undeniable stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Most studies on HIV-related stigma have been among adults, and they report that it is a major hindrance to various HIV treatment goals among PLWHA. However, there is scanty literature on HIV-related stigma among adolescents. This study aimed to determine the burden of HIV stigma and associated factors among HIV-infected adolescents in Uganda. Methods:We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among 370 HIV-infected adolescents aged 10-17 years attending HIV clinics in Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) health facilities. HIV stigma was assessed using the 11-item Stigma in AIDS Family Inventory (SAFI) tool, depression and suicidal ideation were assessed using the Child Depression Inventory (CDI) tool, while HA ART adherence and social support determined using the missed-dose method and the 12-item Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) tools respectively. Data was analysed using STATA 16. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the factors associated with HIV stigma. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Overall, 370 adolescents, with a mean age of 15.5 years (Standard deviation, SD = 2.88) and a female preponderance (216, 58.4%) participated in this study. The prevalence of high-level HIV stigma was 33.5% (Mean score = 9.53, SD = 6.33). Orphan status (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.15 - 2.37, P = 0.007), Depression (AOR = 1.10, 95%CI = 1.06 - 1.15, P < 0.0001), being with suicidal ideation (AOR = 2.48, 95%CI = 1.06-5.81, P = 0.036), perceived low social support (AOR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.91 - 0.97, P = < 0.0001), Poor HAART adherence (AOR = 2.12, 95%CI = 1.23 = 3.63, P = 0.007), and undisclosed HIV status (AOR = 0.06, 95%CI = 0.01 - 0.42, P = 0.004) were independently associated with high HIV stigma. Conclusion:The prevalence of HIV stigma among adolescents living with HIV/AIDS is substantial. HIV-infected adolescents should be provided with psychosocial counseling, social support, and routine close mental health monitoring to combat psychological stigma which can lead to full-blown psychiatric disorders. This may be better achieved by integrating mental health services into HIV care.
The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of spatial multiomics analysis, including its definition, processes, applications, significance and relevant research in psychiatric disorders. To achieve this, a literature search was conducted, focusing on three major spatial omics techniques and their application to three common psychiatric disorders: Alzheimer's disease (AD), schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders. Spatial genomics analysis has revealed specific genes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders in certain brain regions. Spatial transcriptomics analysis has identified genes related to AD in areas such as the hippocampus, olfactory bulb, and middle temporal gyrus. It has also provided insight into the response to AD in mouse models. Spatial proteogenomics has identified autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-risk genes in specific cell types, while schizophrenia risk loci have been linked to transcriptional signatures in the human hippocampus. In summary, spatial multiomics analysis offers a powerful approach to understand AD pathology and other psychiatric diseases, integrating multiple data modalities to identify risk genes for these disorders. It is valuable for studying psychiatric disorders with high or low cellular heterogeneity and provides new insights into the brain nucleome to predict disease progression and aid diagnosis and treatment.
Polygenic risk score (PRS) is a powerful tool for studying the genetic architecture of complex diseases, including psychiatric disorders. This review highlights the use of PRS in psychiatric genetics, including its application in identifying high-risk individuals, estimating heritability, assessing shared etiology between phenotypes, and personalizing treatment plans. It also explains the methodology for calculating PRS, the challenges associated with their use in clinical settings, and future research directions. The main limitation of PRS is that the current models only account for a small fraction of the heritability of psychiatric disorders. Despite this limitation, PRS represents a valuable tool that has already yielded important insights into the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders.
Background:Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a stroke, with a higher risk of death and negative outcomes. However, limited research has explored how PSD incidence relates to brain locations in Chinese patients. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the link between PSD occurrence and brain lesion location, as well as the type of stroke experienced by the patient.Methods:We conducted a systematic search in databases to gather post-stroke depression literature published between January 1, 2015 and May 31, 2021. Following this, we performed a meta-analysis using RevMan to analyze the incidence of PSD associated with different brain regions and types of stroke separately.Results:We analyzed seven studies, with a total of 1604 participants. Our findings indicated that the incidence of PSD was higher when the stroke occurred in the left hemisphere compared to the right hemisphere (RevMan: Z = 8.93, P <0.001, OR = 2.69, 95% CI: 2.16-3.34, fixed model); PSD was more common when the stroke affected the cerebral cortex rather than the subcerebral cortex (RevMan: Z = 3.96, P <0.001, OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.42-2.81) and when it affected the anterior cortex compared to the posterior cortex (RevMan: Z = 3.85, P <0.001, OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.37-2.62). However, we did not find a significant difference in the occurrence of PSD between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes (RevMan: Z = 0.62, P = 0.53, OR = 0.02, 95% CI: -0.05-0.09).Conclusions:Our findings revealed a higher likelihood of PSD in the left hemisphere, specifically in the cerebral cortex and anterior region.
This comprehensive review introduces the features of m6A modification and its role in neuropsychiatric disorders. The research findings suggest that m6A modifications and their regulators play a critical role in the occurrence and development of major psychiatric disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease, affecting synaptic protein synthesis, subtype classification, immune infiltration, pathogenesis, and inflammatory infiltration. These findings highlight m6A regulators as potential new diagnostic and therapeutic targets, with m6A methyltransferase METTL3 being the best-characterized regulator in these diseases. The review concludes that m6A modification is a promising target for the prevention and treatment of major psychiatric disorders.
It is with a saddened heart that we are dedicating this article to the loving memory of our dear departed friend and associate B. William Downs. Bill was well known in the nutritional space worldwide for his major contributions to the health and welfare of millions around the globe. The founder of Victory Nutrition International (VNI) in conjunction with Kim Downs, as well as so many contributions to scientific literature, to those that knew him personally will forever be touched. Bill was a highly spirited human with a never ending love for caring and helping so many individuals. To know Bill is to walk in the face of a music lover playing drums, trained as a martial artist, and riding through the winds of a Beamer driven by an iconic man driven to victory. Our hearts may be saddened but Bills spirit to those that know him will be forever. In this article we discuss and review some potential futuristic concepts and technological advancements in terms of geneospirituality engineering to help prevent relapse and or even protect against an unwanted predisposition to RDS behaviors. Futuristic development may contribute to an attenuation of both DNA antecedents as well as epigenetic reward system insults leading to unwanted substance and non-substance addictive behaviors.
