Biomedical subjects

Letizia Bossini

Publications and source records attributed to Letizia Bossini.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Activity of citalopram on adenosine and serotonin circulating levels in depressed patients.

Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used in the treatment of depression. Recent investigations have shown that it reduces in rat brain the release of excitatory amino neurotransmitters acid glutamate and aspartate by the involvement of the inhibitory neuromodulator adenosine. In this study, we described citalopram and serotonin levels in plasma and platelets, as well as plasma adenosine levels, in depressive patients during acute and chronic administration of citalopram. Twelve patients affected by Major Depression (DSM-IV) received a single oral dose of citalopram in the morning, 5 mg in the first 5 days, 10 mg from the 6th to the 10th day, and 20 mg from the 11th to the 40th day. Blood samples for citalopram, serotonin, and adenosine were collected at Time 0 and 4, 12 and 24 hours after drug administration on the first day of citalopram 5 mg, and on the first and the last day of citalopram 20 mg. Citalopram, serotonin, and adenosine concentrations in plasma increased after citalopram administration, and the highest levels were observed on the last day of treatment. Citalopram was detectable in platelets with concentrations showing a time variation similar to plasma values. Serotonin levels in platelets decreased after drug administration, reaching the lowest values on the last day of treatment.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2005

Panic-agoraphobic spectrum and light sensitivity in a general population sample in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify a possible correlation between panic symptoms and photosensitivity, not only in panic disorder (PD) but also in the panic-agoraphobic spectrum. METHOD: One hundred and sixty-nine healthy and drug-free subjects completed the Structured Clinical Interview for Panic-Agoraphobic Spectrum-Lifetime version (SCI-PAS-Lifetime) and the Photosensitivity Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ). RESULTS: The SCI-PAS-Lifetime total score was positively correlated with the total score of the PAQ photophobia subdimension (r = 0.44; P < 0.001); the SCI-PAS-Lifetime total score was not significantly correlated with the photophilia subdimension. As photophobia increased, we observed significant score increases in all SCI-PAS-Lifetime domains. Bivariate correlation showed higher coefficient correlation between the panic-like symptoms domain and photophobia (r = 0.44; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A high total score in the SCI-PAS-Lifetime, which denotes more typical features of the spectrum, is associated with a higher level of light sensitivity and intolerance toward bright stimuli. This finding reflects clinical evidence that widely documents photophobic behaviours in subjects with PD and the importance of light stimuli exposure during the onset and course of such a disorder. Bright stimulation seems to be relevant both in PD diagnosed according to current DSM criteria and in the entire panic-agoraphobic spectrum, from nuclear elements of the disorder through subclinical states to the normal condition.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Attachment and panic disorder.

A dysfunctional relationship between parents and children can influence cognitive and emotional development and contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders, particularly panic disorder (PD). With the aim of exploring childhood experiences of parenting in PD patients, we compared subjectively perceived climate and objective recall by administering the Parental Bonding Instrument and 10 adjunctive items to 22 out-patients and 22 matched controls. Our analysis showed that DSM-III-R-diagnosed PD patients reported their parents to be significantly less caring than did the control group, while there was no significant difference in objective recall of parenting experiences.

Adult↗