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Chen-Jee Hong

Publications and source records attributed to Chen-Jee Hong.

72 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Expression of cAMP response element-binding protein in major depression before and after antidepressant treatment.

Antidepressants usually take weeks to exert significant therapeutic effects. This lag phase is suggested to be due to neural plasticity, which may be mediated by the coupling of receptors to their respective intracellular signal transduction pathways. Phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), a downstream target of the cAMP signaling pathway, has been reported to be a molecular state marker for the response to antidepressant treatment in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In order to explore the role of CREB expression in MDD, we used quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to quantify CREB messenger RNA of the peripheral lymphocytes obtained from 21 MDD patients, before and after antidepressant treatment, and 21 normal controls. The results revealed no significant difference of CREB expression between untreated MDD patients and normal controls. However, after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment, CREB expression was significantly decreased in MDD patients (p = 0.025). The CREB change is not associated with the types of antidepressants and therapeutic response.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Association study of a brain-derived neurotrophic-factor genetic polymorphism and mood disorders, age of onset and suicidal behavior.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin growth factor family, has been implicated in both mood disorders and suicidal behavior. This study has examined the association between the BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism and mood disorders, age of onset and suicidal behavior in a Chinese sample population. The genotype and allele frequencies for the BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism did not differ comparing depression groups (total, bipolar disorder or major depression) and control subjects. Furthermore, it was not demonstrated that this BDNF polymorphism was associated with age of onset or suicidal history in our mood disorder patients. Based on these results, it seems reasonable to suggest that this polymorphism is unlikely to play a major role in the genetic susceptibility to mood disorders. Given the fact that the positive association between BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism and bipolar disorder has only been demonstrated for a Caucasian population but not for a Japanese analog or our Chinese sample, it appears likely that this association is ethnicity dependent.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

A double-blind, randomized, group-comparative study of the tolerability and efficacy of 6 weeks' treatment with mirtazapine or fluoxetine in depressed Chinese patients.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of mirtazapine and fluoxetine treatment in a sample population consisting of Chinese patients suffering moderate-to-severe depression. METHOD: 133 patients with a diagnosis of major depressive episode (DSM-IV) and scoring 15 or more on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) were randomly assigned to receive 6 weeks of treatment with either mirtazapine (15-45 mg/day) or fluoxetine (20-40 mg/day). Efficacy was assessed using the HAM-D and Clinical Global Impressions scale, with analyses performed on the intent-to-treat sample using the last-observation-carried-forward method. Safety analysis was based on the all-subjects-treated group. RESULTS: Mean daily doses were 34.1 mg for mirtazapine (N = 66) and 30.7 mg for fluoxetine (N = 66). Thirty patients in the mirtazapine group and 22 in the fluoxetine group dropped out. Both drugs proved equally effective for reduction of the overall symptoms of depression throughout the treatment period. At day 42, the mean reductions in HAM-D total score (compared with baseline) were 11.8 and 10.6 for the mirtazapine and fluoxetine groups, respectively; however, the changes were not statistically significant. Both treatments were well tolerated, with more nausea and influenza-like symptoms observed for the fluoxetine group, and greater weight increase and somnolence for the mirtazapine analog. CONCLUSION: Both mirtazapine and fluoxetine were indistinguishable in effectiveness for treatment of depressive symptoms, and both were well tolerated by our population of depressed Chinese patients. In line with analogous Western reports, the safety of mirtazapine and fluoxetine was comparable for our depressed Chinese patients; however, slightly different side effect profiles were noted for the 2 drugs in our study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Norepinephrine transporter and alpha(2c) adrenoceptor allelic variants and personality factors.

It has been suggested that reward dependence, as measured by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), is related to central noradrenergic activity, a proposition supported by two studies of urinary norepinephrine metabolite. In the current investigation, 190 normal young Han Chinese were examined, with genetic polymorphisms determined for the norepinephrine transporter (1287G/A) and the alpha(2c)-adrenoceptor (Del322-325) to test the association with TPQ personality traits. No significant association was demonstrated for these two polymorphisms and any of the TPQ personality-factor scores, including reward dependence and its subscales. Our negative findings suggest that the investigated polymorphisms of the norepinephrine transporter and the alpha(2c) adrenoceptor do not play a major role in the reward-dependence personality trait as assessed by TPQ.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

No association for D2 and D4 dopamine receptor polymorphisms and methamphetamine abuse in Chinese males.

The D2 and D4 dopamine receptors (DRD2 and DRD4) play major roles in the central effects of psychostimulants and in the reward system. Previous studies, although not all, have demonstrated associations between the DRD2 TaqI and the DRD4 exon III variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms and substance dependence. For this study, we have investigated the associations between these two polymorphisms and methamphetamine (MAP) dependence, as manifested in a Chinese-male sample population. No significant difference was demonstrated for genotype or allele frequency when comparing MAP-dependent and control cases for the DRD2 TaqI and the DRD4 gene exon III VNTR polymorphisms, suggesting that these two polymorphisms do not play major roles in MAP dependence for our sample of Chinese males.

Amphetamine-Related Disorders↗
PubMed2002

Serotonin transporter genetic polymorphisms and harm avoidance in the Chinese.

The association for the harm avoidance (HA) dimension, as assessed by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), and the serotonin-transporter genetic polymorphisms has been investigated with controversial results. The aim of the present study was to replicate this investigation and to establish the association for a Chinese population. Two polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter (5HTT-LPR, serotonin transporter-linked polymorphism region; 5HTT-VNTR, variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in intron 2 of the serotonin transporter gene) were determined for 192 healthy Han Chinese who had completed the TPQ. No significant differences were demonstrated for TPQ HA scores, including the sub-scales, for subjects with different 5HTT-LPR genotypes. A significantly higher HA2 sub-score was demonstrated for subjects carrying the 10-12 5HTT-VNTR genotype, however, compared with those from the 12-12 genotype group, for the male population (P = 0.007). Our findings suggest that the 5HTT genetic polymorphism may be associated with HA scores; however, the effect is influenced by ethnicity and gender.

Asian People↗
PubMed2002

Genetic variant of the histamine-1 receptor (glu349asp) and body weight change during clozapine treatment.

Clozapine treatment frequently causes body weight gain that may impair health and may affect patient compliance. While the histamine-1 (H1) receptor may play a major role in the mechanism of the clozapine-induced body weight change, we tested the relationship between the genetic variant (Glu349Asp) of the H1 receptor and the clozapine-induced body weight change. Eighty-eight schizophrenic patients treated with clozapine were included in this study. Analysis of body weight change after 4 months of clozapine treatment showed no relationship with the H1 genotype. Further exploration of the other H1 genotypes and the antipsychotic-induced body weight change may help in the understanding of the mechanisms of antipsychotic-induced body weight gain and in the choice of patient's antipsychotic regimens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Study of the association between Alzheimer's disease and angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism using DNA from lymphocytes.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) may play a role in cognition and memory. A recent study found that a 287-bp insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene is associated with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, this finding has not been replicated by all studies. These discrepancies may be due to the difference in ethnic background. Therefore, we investigated the possibility of such an association in 173 AD patients and 286 normal controls from a Chinese population. We found that there is an increased frequency of the ACE I allele in AD patients and the odds ratio for bearers of the I allele was 2.88. Our findings further support previous reports of an association between ACE polymorphism and AD. The implication of the ACE I/D polymorphism in the pathogenesis of AD warrants further exploration.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Association analysis for the genetic variants of the NMDA receptor subunit 2b and Alzheimer's disease.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The NMDA receptor is composed of several subunits, of which the receptor 2b subunit (NR2b) is of particular significance for AD. Abundant in the hippocampus of normal subjects, reductions in NR2b have been demonstrated in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of AD patients. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the allelic variant (C2664T) of the NR2b confers susceptibility to AD using a sample population of 132 AD patients and 114 normal controls. The distribution of the NR2b genotypes (p = 0.600) and alleles (p = 0.652) did not differ significantly between AD patients and controls, however, suggesting that it is unlikely that the NR2b C2664T polymorphism plays a substantial role in conferring susceptibility to AD. We propose that other genetic variations of the NMDA subunits, relating either to AD or to the therapeutic response for NMDA partial agonists, may need further investigation.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Dopamine D2 receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit genetic variants and intelligence.

The dopaminergic and glutamate systems have been implicated in cognitive function. We tested the associations between the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit (GRIN2B) gene variants and intelligence quotient (IQ). Subjects with the DRD2 A1/A1 genotype had a significantly higher mean performance IQ than A2/A2 carriers, while no significant differences in IQ scores were determined for the three GRIN2B genotype groups. These results suggest that genetic variants of the DRD2 gene may play a role in cognitive function. Considering the major role played by the dopaminergic system in general cognitive function, genetic variants of the dopamine receptors and those involved in metabolism and modulation of reuptake should be tested to improve gene-based prediction of general cognitive function.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Association for serotonin transporter gene variable number tandem repeat polymorphism and schizophrenic disorders.

In contrast with two previous western reports, a recent study on a Chinese population found an association for allele 12 of the variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) in the second intron of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene and schizophrenic disorders. We have replicated this finding for a Chinese population in Taiwan (114 schizophrenic patients and 127 controls), demonstrating a modest but significant statistical association for the 5-HTT-VNTR allele 12 and schizophrenic patients (one-sided p = 0.043). This positive finding further supports the proposition that the 5-HTT-VNTR allele 12 is a risk factor for schizophrenic disorders in Chinese populations, although the effect is weak.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Association analysis for serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism and auditory evoked potentials for major depression.

The serotonergic system has been implicated in the production of the N1 and P2 components of auditory evoked potentials (AEPs). Moreover, studies have indicated the influence of heritability in the genesis of these AEP components. The serotonin transporter is the major site of serotonin reuptake into the presynaptic neuron, and it has been determined that variants in the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) may affect gene transcription activity. The present study tested the hypothesis that the 5-HTTLPR genetic polymorphism is associated with the N1 and P2 components of AEPs in a sample of 127 Chinese patients (mean age: 41.6 years; male/female ratio: 58/69) diagnosed with major depression. Analysis of the results revealed a significantly shorter P2 latency for patients bearing the s/s genotype in comparison with l allele carriers, especially for the female patients (p = 0.004). The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism accounted for 3.4% of the variance in P2 latency. Our findings suggest a relationship between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and AEP P2 latency, and further studies of other genetic polymorphisms in the serotonergic system may help to predict this latency.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Association study for Parkinson's disease and a dopamine transporter gene polymorphism (1215A/G).

The dopamine transporter (DAT) may play a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) because dopamine-specific neurotoxins are taken into dopaminergic nerve terminals via the DAT. A recent study has demonstrated that a DAT polymorphism in exon 9 (1215A/G) is associated with susceptibility to PD. This finding was not replicated by another study, however. Therefore, the significance of this association was tested using a Chinese sample population consisting of 102 PD patients and 174 controls, together with the association for onset age. Comparing the two groups, neither the genotypic (p = 0.272) nor allelic frequencies (p = 0.209) were statistically different. Further, the mean onset age was not significantly different for PD patients comparing the DAT genotypes (p = 0.925). Our findings confirm those of the previous negative report and, taken together, suggest that the DAT polymorphism (1215A/G) does not play a major role in the susceptibility to PD. Other DAT genetic variants, and the association of these variants with PD symptomatology or treatment response, may merit further investigation.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed2002

Association analysis of two dopamine D2 receptor gene polymorphisms and p300 event-related potential in depressive patients.

Previous Western studies have demonstrated an association between the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) TaqI A polymorphism and components of P300 event-related potential. This finding was not replicated in our previous study of a sample of normal young Chinese females, however. In the current study of 105 patients diagnosed with major depression, we have further explored the association between the P300 components, and, the DRD2 TaqI A polymorphism and another functional DRD2 -141Cins/Del polymorphism. The results demonstrate that neither polymorphism is associated with P300 amplitude or latency, even after gender analysis. We suggest that these two DRD2 polymorphisms have no major effects on P300 components for the Chinese population. The association between the DRD2 polymorphism and P300 components may depend on ethnicity, the psychiatric state of the subjects, or the investigative paradigms used.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Lack of association between the apolipoprotein E genotype and depression in Alzheimer's disease.

The epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein (apo E) is one of the risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). We evaluated the association between apo E genotypes and depression in patients with AD. A psychiatrist interviewed all patients and their caregivers for depression using a Chinese version of the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised, and for the severity of depression using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Twenty-five of the 149 patients with AD were diagnosed with depressive disorders. The numbers of patients in each apo E genotype were 10 in epsilon2/3, 2 in epsilon2/4, 74 in epsilon3/3, 46 in epsilon3/4, and 17 in epsilon4/4. We did not find an association between depression and the presence or absence of the epsilon4 or epsilon2 allele. The HDRS scores were not different in patients with AD with the epsilon4 or epsilon2 allele or in those patients without them. Our study did not find an association between depression and the apo E epsilon4 or epsilon2 allele in AD.

Age of Onset↗