Background-Serum levels of the astrocytic protein S100B have been reported to indicate disruption of the blood-brain barrier. In this study, we investigated the relationship between S100B levels and childhood trauma in a child psychiatric inpatient unit.Method-Levels of S100B were measured in a group of youth with mood disorders or psychosis with and without history of childhood trauma as well as in healthy controls. Study participants were 93 inpatient adolescents admitted with a diagnosis of psychosis (N = 67), or mood disorder (N = 26) and 22 healthy adolescents with no history of trauma or psychiatric illness. Childhood trauma was documented using the Life Events Checklist (LEC) and Adverse Child Experiences (ACE).Results-In a multivariate regression model, suicidality scores and trauma were the only two variables which were independently related to serum S100B levels. Patients with greater levels of childhood trauma had significantly higher S100B levels even after controlling for intensity of suicidal ideation. Patients with psychotic diagnoses and mood disorders did not significantly differ in their levels of S100B. Patients exposed to childhood trauma were significantly more likely to have elevated levels of S100B (p < .001) than patients without trauma, and patients with trauma had significantly higher S100B levels (p < .001) when compared to the control group. LEC (p 0.046), and BPRS-C suicidality scores (p = 0.001) significantly predicted S100B levels.Conclusions-Childhood trauma can potentially affect the integrity of the blood-brain barrier as indicated by associated increased S100B levels.
ObjectiveThis pilot study aims to explore the feasibility and proof of concept of triple chronotherapy (TCT) as a non-pharmacological, adjunctive intervention in the treatment of acute depression and suicidality in the adolescent population.MethodThirty-one adolescents with moderate to severe depression were included in the study. Each participant underwent a 4-day intervention (TCT) which consisted of one night of sleep deprivation followed by three days of sleep phase advancement and daily bright light therapy. Primary outcomes were feasibility and depression, as measured by Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17) scores. Secondary outcomes included severity of illness, anxiety, self-harm, insomnia, and suicidality.ResultsTwenty-nine (94%) adolescents completed the TCT protocol. Twenty-six (84%) of the 31 enrolled patients experienced a reduction in depressive symptoms of at least 50% from baseline; 24 (77%) achieved remission, defined as a HAMD-17 score less than 8. Secondary outcomes showed significant improvement following the 4-day TCT intervention; improvement was sustained through the 7–10 day and 1-month follow-up periods.ConclusionThis pilot study determined TCT to be a feasible, safe, accelerated, and promising adjunctive treatment for acute depression in the adolescent population. This study has been submitted for publication and is currently under review.
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