The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology / official scientific journal of the Collegium Internationale Neuropsychopharmacologicum (CINP), 2004
ABSTRACT Seasonal affective disorder (SAD; autumn-winter depression) is a form of recurrent depre... more ABSTRACT Seasonal affective disorder (SAD; autumn-winter depression) is a form of recurrent depressive or bipolar disorder, that affects up to 4% of the general population (Kasper et al., 1989). Bright-light therapy (BLT) has been proven to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients suffering from autumn-winter depression. This report presents the case of a patient experiencing menstrual disturbances during light therapy.
Most females with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) exhibit atypical vegetative symptoms such as ... more Most females with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) exhibit atypical vegetative symptoms such as overeating, and weight gain when depressed. The serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT(2C)) plays a key role in control of appetite and satiety. A 5-HT(2C) Cys 23 Ser substitution, coded for by a single nucleotide polymorphism (Cys 23 Ser) within the 5-HT(2C) gene, has been shown to influence 5-HT(2C) function. We hypothesized that Cys 23 Ser influences weight regulation in females with SAD. Two independent samples from Austria (162 females with SAD, 119 controls), and Canada (90 females with SAD, 42 controls) were genotyped for Cys 23 Ser. Influence on weight regulation was analyzed within patients with atypical features. In Austrians, genotype distribution differed between patients and controls (p=0.044) and Cys 23 Ser was associated with weight (p=0.039), body mass index (BMI; p=0.038), and seasonal appetite change (p=0.031). All values were highest in Cys/Cys, intermediate in Cys/Ser, and lowest in Ser/Ser carriers. In Canadian patients, Cys 23 Ser was associated with minimum lifetime BMI (p=0.046), with lowest values in Ser/Ser carriers. Our data provide evidence that Cys 23 Ser mediates severity of weight regulation disturbances in females with SAD, and the gene-dose effect-like differences suggest a direct functional role of Cys 23 Ser in the behavioral regulation of body weight.
Both seasonal affective disorder/winter type (SAD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are... more Both seasonal affective disorder/winter type (SAD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are cyclical disorders characterized by so-called atypical depressive symptoms. In the present study we compared the point prevalence rates of PMDD between a sample of premenopausal female patients suffering from SAD and healthy female controls. Forty-six female patients with SAD and 46 healthy controls were included in our study. All subjects underwent a semistructured clinical interview according to DSM IV criteria and completed the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire. PMDD was diagnosed in a self-rating interview for PMDD according to DSM IV criteria. To verify the diagnosis of PMDD, all patients were followed up in stable summer remission using daily self-rating scales for two full menstrual cycles. Patients with SAD fulfilled significantly more often the diagnostic criteria for PMDD than female healthy controls (46% vs. 2%, respectively; chi-square: P<0.001). These results provide preliminary evidence for a high point prevalence rate of PMDD in premenopausal females with SAD. It would be worthwhile to investigate whether an additional diagnosis of PMDD has an impact on the clinical outcome and the response to bright light therapy in female patients with SAD.
The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology / official scientific journal of the Collegium Internationale Neuropsychopharmacologicum (CINP), 2004
ABSTRACT Seasonal affective disorder (SAD; autumn-winter depression) is a form of recurrent depre... more ABSTRACT Seasonal affective disorder (SAD; autumn-winter depression) is a form of recurrent depressive or bipolar disorder, that affects up to 4% of the general population (Kasper et al., 1989). Bright-light therapy (BLT) has been proven to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients suffering from autumn-winter depression. This report presents the case of a patient experiencing menstrual disturbances during light therapy.
Most females with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) exhibit atypical vegetative symptoms such as ... more Most females with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) exhibit atypical vegetative symptoms such as overeating, and weight gain when depressed. The serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT(2C)) plays a key role in control of appetite and satiety. A 5-HT(2C) Cys 23 Ser substitution, coded for by a single nucleotide polymorphism (Cys 23 Ser) within the 5-HT(2C) gene, has been shown to influence 5-HT(2C) function. We hypothesized that Cys 23 Ser influences weight regulation in females with SAD. Two independent samples from Austria (162 females with SAD, 119 controls), and Canada (90 females with SAD, 42 controls) were genotyped for Cys 23 Ser. Influence on weight regulation was analyzed within patients with atypical features. In Austrians, genotype distribution differed between patients and controls (p=0.044) and Cys 23 Ser was associated with weight (p=0.039), body mass index (BMI; p=0.038), and seasonal appetite change (p=0.031). All values were highest in Cys/Cys, intermediate in Cys/Ser, and lowest in Ser/Ser carriers. In Canadian patients, Cys 23 Ser was associated with minimum lifetime BMI (p=0.046), with lowest values in Ser/Ser carriers. Our data provide evidence that Cys 23 Ser mediates severity of weight regulation disturbances in females with SAD, and the gene-dose effect-like differences suggest a direct functional role of Cys 23 Ser in the behavioral regulation of body weight.
Both seasonal affective disorder/winter type (SAD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are... more Both seasonal affective disorder/winter type (SAD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are cyclical disorders characterized by so-called atypical depressive symptoms. In the present study we compared the point prevalence rates of PMDD between a sample of premenopausal female patients suffering from SAD and healthy female controls. Forty-six female patients with SAD and 46 healthy controls were included in our study. All subjects underwent a semistructured clinical interview according to DSM IV criteria and completed the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire. PMDD was diagnosed in a self-rating interview for PMDD according to DSM IV criteria. To verify the diagnosis of PMDD, all patients were followed up in stable summer remission using daily self-rating scales for two full menstrual cycles. Patients with SAD fulfilled significantly more often the diagnostic criteria for PMDD than female healthy controls (46% vs. 2%, respectively; chi-square: P<0.001). These results provide preliminary evidence for a high point prevalence rate of PMDD in premenopausal females with SAD. It would be worthwhile to investigate whether an additional diagnosis of PMDD has an impact on the clinical outcome and the response to bright light therapy in female patients with SAD.
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