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Juvenile delinquency is related to several biological factors, yet very few vulnerability biomarkers have been identified. Previous data suggest that the enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) influences several personality traits linked to the propensity to engage in delinquent behavior. Building on this evidence, we assessed whether conduct disorder (CD), juvenile delinquency adjudications, or detention in a correctional facility were associated with either platelet MAO-B activity or the MAOB rs1799836 polymorphism. The study enrolled 289 medication-free male youths, including 182 individuals detained in a correctional facility (with or without a diagnosis of CD). Of the remaining 107 participants, 26 subjects had a diagnosis of CD, and 81 were mentally healthy controls. Platelet MAO-B activity was determined by spectrophotofluorometry, while MAOB rs1799836 was genotyped using qPCR. Platelet MAO-B activity, corrected for age and smoking, was significantly higher in juvenile detainees (p < 0.001), irrespective of CD diagnosis. MAOB rs1799836 was not associated with platelet MAO-B activity or with detention in a correctional facility, CD diagnosis, or delinquent behavior. These data suggest that detention in a juvenile correctional facility increases platelet MAO-B activity in male adolescents. Future studies are needed to determine the mechanisms and functional significance of MAO-B peripheral elevation in juvenile male detainees.

2Rationale Atypical antipsychotics are frequently prescribed for psychotic and mood disorders in youth, and for symptoms of depression, aggression, irritability and suicidal tendencies, which are associated with subsequent development of borderline personality disorders (BPD).Objectives This study evaluated the effects of 24-weeks of add-on treatment with quetiapine to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in young people with pronounced symptoms of depression, aggression, irritability and suicidal tendencies.Methods In an open-label 24-weeks trial, 22 SSRI-treatment resistant patients (age range 9-18 years) with developing BPD were treated with quetiapine (75-600 mg/day) in combination with SSRIs. Symptoms of depression, aggression, irritability and suicidal tendencies were rated with the Overt Aggression Scale Modified (OAS-M), Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (KADS-6) and Children Global Assessment Scale (C-GAS) before and after 4-24 weeks of treatment.Results Quetiapine induced significant (p<0.001) improvement after 4-24 weeks, with a modest but significant increase in the C-GAS total scores (i.e. children's general clinical status), and a significant reduction of the total scores in OAS-M, KADS-6 and OAS-M subscales for aggression, irritability and suicidality. There were no discontinuations for adverse effects Conclusions These preliminary results suggest that quetiapine addition to SSRIs treatment significantly reduced symptoms of depression, aggression, irritability and suicidal tendencies in young people with developing BPD.

The goal of this study was to investigate whether spiritual life influences the subjective feeling of health in individuals and whether this influence was significant. Methods: We used the SF-36 questionnaire to investigate the opinions of a religious prayer group on their personal health in comparison with participants who were not members. The questionnaire was completed by 51 members of the prayer group and as many participants in the control group. Results: The analysis showed that the prayer group had higher ratings in all scales on subjective health perception in comparison with the control group and the general population in Croatia. There were statistically significant differences in the prayer group in comparison with the control group on the scales for general health, vitality, emotional limitations, mental health, and mental component summary. In comparison with the Croatian population, the prayer group had statistically significant differences in all scores except social functioning. Conclusion: The study indicates that the quality of religious life is an important factor in a person’s perception of their own mental and physical health.