The tripeptide, glutathione (gamma-glutamylcysteinylglycine) is the primary endogenous free radical scavenger in the human body. When glutathione (GSH) levels are reduced there is an increased potential for cellular oxidative stress, characterised by an increase and accruement of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This could partly be caused by alterations in dopaminergic and glutamatergic activity that are implicated in these illnesses. Glutamate and dopamine are highly redox reactive molecules and produce ROS during normal neurotransmission. Alterations to these neurotransmitter pathways may therefore increase the oxidative burden in the brain. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction, as a source of oxidative stress, has been documented in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The combination of altered neurotransmission and this mitochondrial dysfunction leading to oxidative damage may ultimately contribute to illness symptoms. Animal models have been established to investigate the involvement of glutathione depletion in aspects of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to further characterise the role of oxidative stress in psychopathology. Stemming from preclinical evidence, clinical studies have recently shown antioxidant precursor treatment to be effective in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, providing a novel clinical angle to augment often suboptimal conventional treatments.
Depression, suicidal ideation and self-harm are common in adolescents; however, such difficulties often remain undetected. The aim of this study is to combine a school-based depression education program with a casedetection system in order to improve the recognition of depression; increase help-seeking; reduce stigma; and identify people at risk. The study employed a pre-test, posttest design with a wait-list control group. Participants were 343 14-to 16-year-old boys attending an Australian secondary school. The intervention comprised a one-off, 2-h workshop. Participants were assessed via questionnaire at three time points; the case-detection tool was embedded in the questionnaire. Participation led to an increased likelihood of seeking help; an increased likelihood of rating a relevant professional as helpful and improved attitudes. The screening led to the detection of 20 at-risk students. The program led to short-term improvements in mental health literacy and to the identification of several at-risk students.
ALONG the whole of the eastern coast of Australia a form of paralysis, accompanied by other symptoms, most common in the domesticated animals but occasionally reported in human beings, is well known; popular as well as professional opinion is unanimous in ascribing it to the bite of a tick, known as the" scrub tick." There is, however, more than one genus of tick and several species inhabiting the scrubs or thickly wooded parts of eastern Australia, and the name scrub tick is applied popularly to any of them and, as a rule, indifferently. Among the so-called scrub ticks are those which most stock men differentiate under the name of" bottle tick," on account.of the large size which the fully engorged female attains. The bottle tick appears to be either an Amblyomma or Hyalomma. In this con
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