Alcoholism, Alzheimer's Disease, Major Depression, Schizophrenia
Conditions
Brief summary
It is hypothesized, that local retinoic acid (RA) homeostasis is functionally involved in the pathophysiology of depression. In a cross-sectional (and partly longitudinal) analysis, serum RA status will be assessed in healthy controls and subjects with Major Depression, Alzheimer's disease, alcoholism and in subjects with schizophrenia.
Detailed description
Retinoids comprise of a group of small-molecule derivatives of Vitamin A with retinoic acid (RA) representing the biologically most active endogenous form. RA has multiple functions central nervous system (CNS). It is hypothesized, that local RA homeostasis is functionally involved in the pathophysiology of numerous neuropsychiatric diseases.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
MDD-Group Inclusion Criteria: * depressive episode in the context of unipolar major depression * at least 18 points or more on the BDI and HAMD-17
Exclusion criteria
* additional or comorbid axis-I or axis-II disorder * current history of any neurological or other serious medical condition * any psychopharmacological treatment or substance use within the last two weeks or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) of the respective substance * any oral or topical application of retinoid-containing preparations within the last 3 months AD-Group Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosed AD
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Serum retinoic acid (RA) levels [nM] | Week 0 | Serum retinoic acid levels \[nM\] as determined by HPLC according to previously published protocols |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| For MDD group: MADRS | Week 1, 3, 6 | Questionnaire to assess symptom severity in MDD |
| For MDD group: BDI II | Week 1, 3, 6 | Self-rating to assess of symptom severity in MDD |
| For MDD and schizophrenia Group: Change of serum retinoic acid (RA) levels [nM] | Week 1, 3, 6 | Serum retinoic acid levels \[nM\] as determined by HPLC according to previously published protocols |
| For schizophrenia group: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for Schizophrenia | Week 1, 3, 6 | Measurement of symptom severity of patients with schizophrenia |
| For schizophrenia group: Change of metabolic parametres For schizophrenia group:Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) | Week 1, 3, 6 | Assessmant of weight, blood pressure, levels of Glucose, HbA1c, cholesterols and dietry |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Primary ContactJulian Hellmann-Regen, MD
Backup ContactVera Clemens, MD
Outcome results
None listed