ObjectiveLittle is known about the relevance of lesion in neural circuits reported to be associated with major depressive disorder. We investigated the association between lesion stroke size in the limbic-cortical-striatal-pallidal-thalamic (LCSPT) circuit and incidence of major depressive episode (MDE).MethodsWe enrolled 68 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke and no history of major depressive disorder. Neurological and psychiatric examinations were performed at three time-points. We diagnosed major depressive episode, following DSM-IV criteria. Lesion location and volume were determined with magnetic resonance imaging, using a semi-automated method based on the Brodmann Cytoarchitectonic Atlas.ResultsTwenty-one patients (31%) experienced major depressive episode. Larger lesions in the left cortical regions of the LCSPT circuit (3,760 vs. 660 mm3; P = 0.004) were associated with higher incidence of MDE. Secondary analyses revealed that major depressive episode was associated with larger lesions in areas of the medial prefrontal cortex including the ventral (BA24) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (BA32) and subgenual cortex (BA25); and also the subiculum (BA28/36) and amygdala (BA34).ConclusionsOur findings indicate that depression due to stroke is aetiologically related to the disruption of the left LCSPT circuit and support the relevance of the medial prefrontal cortex dysfunction in the pafhophysiology of depression.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for delirium in the elderly during the post-operative period of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).Methods: A total of 220 inpatients submitted to CABG were evaluated prior to and after surgery. In order to investigate the possible risk factors, data were collected from pre-intra- and post-operative periods.Instruments: The patients were assessed using the Mini-mental State Examination and to the Geriatric Depression Scale. The diagnosis of delirium was determined according to DSM-IV criteria.Results: Delirium was detected in 74 (33.6%) patients. Increasing age, blood urea level, cardio-thoracic index, hypertension, smoking habits, blood replacement during bypass, atrial fibrillation (AF), pneumonia and blood balance in the post-operative period were the risk factors for delirium selected by the logistic regression analysis. No specific factor associated with the CABG (perfusion pressure, number of grafts) was correlated with an increased risk for delirium post-operatively. The length of stay was twice as long in the delirious group (p<0,001).Conclusions: Delirium in the elderly after CABG is a multifactorial disorder. Nine factors taken together can identify patients at great risk for delirium. No specific factor associated with bypass procedure could be identified as a risk factor for delirium. The control of the risk factors should bring a decrease in delirium morbidity and mortality.

These preliminary findings indicate that posterior cortical areas of the brain may be particularly vulnerable to brain perfusion reductions associated with HF and suggest that functional deficits in these regions might be relevant to the pathophysiology of the cognitive impairments presented by HF patients.

Depression affects over 300 million individuals worldwide and is responsible for most of the 800,000 annual suicides. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for treatment of depression, founded on scientific evidence, are essential to improve patient care. However, economic and sociocultural factors may influence CPG elaboration, potentially leading to divergences in their recommendations. Consequently, we analyzed pharmacological recommendations for the treatment of depression from the most relevant CPGs. We included four CPGs with scores � 80% for Domain 3 (rigor of development) on the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation and two other commonly used CPGs. The recommendations, their strengths, and the level of evidence were extracted from each CPG by two independent researchers and grouped as follows: (1) general recommendations for the pharmacological treatment for depression (suicide risk, acute treatment, continuation and maintenance phases, and treatment discontinuation); (2) treatment of non-responsive or partially responsive patients; and (3) treatment for subtypes of depression (chronic, psychotic, catatonic, melancholic, seasonal, somatic, mixed, and atypical). Only 50% of CPGs included recommendations for the risk of suicide associated with pharmacotherapy. All CPGs included serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as first-line treatment; however, one CPG also included agomelatine, milnacipran, and mianserin as first-line alternatives. Recommendations for depression subtypes (catatonic, atypical, melancholic) were included in three CPGs. The strength of recommendation and level of evidence clearly differed among CPGs, especially regarding treatment augmentation strategies. We conclude that, although CPGs converged in some recommendations (e.g., SSRIs as first-line treatment), they diverged in cardinal topics including the absence of recommendations regarding the risk of suicide associated with pharmacotherapy. Consequently, the recommendations listed in a specific CPG should be followed with caution.

ResumoA depressão é o transtorno psiquiátrico mais comum em pacientes com câncer, com prevalências variando de 22% a 29%. Essa variabilidade está associada a sítios do tumor, estágio clínico, dor, funcionamento físico limitado, além da existência de suporte social. A depressão associa-se a um pior prognóstico e aumento da mortalidade pelo câncer. Síndromes depressivas podem ser uma consequência das terapias antineoplásicas, como ocorre em 21% a 58% dos pacientes recebendo interferon-alfa. Sentimentos de tristeza e desespero podem inibir a procura de cuidado pelos pacientes, dificultando o reconhecimento da depressão. O tratamento com antidepressivos é efetivo e melhora a adesão aos tratamentos do câncer, reduzindo efeitos adversos como náusea, dor e fadiga. Em pacientes com câncer, tratamento prévio com antidepressivos pode minimizar sintomas depressivos induzidos por interferon-alfa. O tratamento com antidepressivos parece ser uma estratégia efetiva para prevenir o desenvolvimento da depressão induzida por interferon-alfa. Intervenções psicossociais, como técnicas de relaxamento, terapia individual e em grupo, também podem ser utilizadas na redução dos sintomas depressivos e de estresse em pacientes com câncer. Bottino SMB, et al. / Rev Psiq Clín. 2009;36(3):109-15Palavras-chave: Depressão, câncer, diagnóstico, tratamento. AbstractDepression is the most common psychiatric disorder in patients with cancer, with prevalence rates ranging from 22% to 29%. This variability is associated to cancer sites, clinical stages, pain, limited physical functioning, beyond the existence of social support. Depression is associated to poorer prognosis and higher cancer mortality. Depressive syndromes can be a consequence of the antineoplasic therapies, as occurs in 21% to 58% of the patients treated with alfa-interferon. Sadness and desperation can inhibit the search for care by the patients, and difficult depression recognition. Antidepressant treatment is effective, and improve the adherence to cancer treatments, reducing side effects as nausea, pain and fatigue. In cancer patients, pretreatment with antidepressants seems to minimize depressive symptoms induced by interferon-alfa. Psychosocial interventions as relaxing techniques, group and individual psychotherapies can also be applied to reduce depressive and stress symptoms in patients with cancer.Bottino SMB, et al. / Rev Psiq Clín. 2009;36(3):109-15