Emerging evidence from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) support the association of polymorphisms in the alpha 1C subunit of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel gene (CACNA1C) with bipolar disorder. These studies extend a rich prior literature implicating dysfunction of L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover, calcium channel blockers reduce Ca(2+) flux by binding to the α1 subunit of the LTCC and are used extensively for treating hypertension, preventing angina, cardiac arrhythmias and stroke. Calcium channel blockers have also been studied clinically in psychiatric conditions such as mood disorders and substance abuse/dependence, yielding conflicting results. In this review, we begin with a summary of LTCC pharmacology. For each category of disorder, this article then provides a review of animal and human data. In particular, we extensively focus on animal models of depression and clinical trials in mood disorders and substance abuse/dependence. Through examining rationale and study design of published clinical trials, we provide some of the possible reasons why we still do not have definitive evidence of efficacy of calcium-channel antagonists for mood disorders. Refinement of genetic results and target phenotypes, enrollment of adequate sample sizes in clinical trials and progress in physiologic and pharmacologic studies to synthesize tissue and isoform specific calcium channel antagonists, are all future challenges of research in this promising field. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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A Journal Devoted to Applied Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces and Interfaces AUTHOR INFORMATION PACKApplied Surface Science covers topics contributing to a better understanding of surfaces, interfaces, nanostructures and their applications. The journal is concerned with scientific research on the atomic and molecular level of material properties determined with specific surface analytical techniques and/or computational methods, as well as the processing of such structures.This journal accommodates the following topics: Surface science of catalysis, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis; Deposition and growth; 2D assembly; Surface and interface modification by directed energy deposition (lasers, ion or electron beams) or other techniques such as plasmas; Surface engineering and functionalization; Functional surfaces and coatings; Electrochemistry at surfaces and corrosion protection strategies; Surface science applied to energy conversion and storage; Surface nanotechnology and devices; Semiconductors -surface and interface; Biointerfaces. Note to authorsIn order to be considered for publication, your paper must be a research study on the atomic and molecular level of material properties determined with specific surface approaches, either by experimental techniques or computational methods. If not, your submission will not be considered for publication and will not be sent out for peer-review.

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BackgroundAlthough manic episodes in older adults are not rare, little published data exist on late-life manic episodes. Resistance to treatment and concomitant neurological lesions are frequent correlates of elderly mania. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hospitalizations due to mania in patients older than 64 years through a period of 5 years in an Italian public psychiatric ward. Moreover, we aimed at describing clinical presentation of elderly manic episodes.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted in order to describe clinical presentation of 20 elderly patients hospitalized for manic episode; moreover, we compared age at onset, the presence of family history for mood disorders, psychosis and irritability between the elderly group and a matched group of 20 younger manic inpatients.ResultsSeven percent of the whole inpatient elderly people suffered from mania. Half of those patients had a mood disorder age at onset after 50 years and 5 patients were at their first manic episode. Geriatric- and adulthood mania showed similar clinical presentation but younger people had more frequently a mood disorders family history.ConclusionHalf of our older manic inpatients consisted of "classic" bipolar patients with an extension of clinical manifestations into later life; the other half of our sample was heterogeneous, even though it was not possible to identify clearly which patients may have had vascular lesions related to the onset of mania.