Objective To investigate effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on changes of the behavior and the monoamine neurotransmitters in prefrontal cortex (PFC), striatum (ST), amygdala (AM) and hippocampus (HIP) in rat model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), and to explore the possible mechanisms related to the NAC. Methods Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawle (SD) rats were divided into CUS group, fluoxetine group (FLX), NAC group and control group (n=8 for each group). Rats in CUS group, NAC group and FLX group were all fed alone and received CUS for 6 weeks to establish CUS model. Rats in NAC group and FLX group were given NAC and FLX by daily intragastric administration respectively during the last 3 weeks, while rats in CUS group and control group were given the same volume of solvent. Behavioral assessment including weight measurement, sucrose water consumption test, and opened field test were used for evaluation before and after CUS, and before and after intervention. The concentrations of the monoamine neurotransmitters (NE, DA, 5-HT) in PFC, ST, AM and HIP were measured with Coul array HPLC. Results (1) There were more increases in weight gain, sucrose consumption, and distance of horizontal moving and number of up-right, while the number of feces was less, after intervention in control group, NAC group and FLX group than those of CUS group (P<0.05). (2) Neurotransmitters including NE, DA and 5-HT were significantly decreased in PFC, ST, AM and HIP in CUS group compared with that of control group (P<0.05). The monoamine neurotransmitter (NE, DA and 5-HT) were significantly increased in the brain region (PFC, ST, AM and HIP) in NAC group and FLX group than those of CUS group (P < 0.05). Conclusion NAC and fluoxetine can effectively improve the depressive behavior of the CUS rats, increase the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters including NE, DA and 5-HT in PFC, AM, ST and HIP brain regions.

Objective: Studies on duration of untreated psychosis are common in patients with schizophrenia, but few studies have investigated the relationship between duration of untreated illness (DUI) and suicide, especially in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Therefore, we intended to investigate the relationship between DUI and suicide and clinical correlates in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 1,555 Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia were enrolled in this study. DUI was measured in years, reflecting the prolonged untreated periods observed in this population. Clinical correlates were assessed, including symptoms, cognitive functioning, and body mass index. Suicidal ideation and attempts were also examined. Statistical analyses, including multivariate models, were employed to investigate the associations between DUI and clinical correlates while controlling for potential confounders. Results: The study revealed a significant proportion (23.3%) of patients with chronic schizophrenia in China received their first treatment after a 4-year delay, with the longest untreated duration reaching 39 years. Patients with longer DUI exhibited more severe negative symptoms, lower immediate memory scores, a higher likelihood of being overweight, and surprisingly, a reduced likelihood of suicidal ideation and attempts. Each additional year of untreated illness was associated with a 3% decrease in the risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Conclusion The findings underscore the prevalence of extended untreated periods in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia and highlight the impact of DUI on negative symptoms, cognitive function, and body weight. Intriguingly, a longer DUI was associated with a lower risk of suicidal ideation and attempts.

Objective: The aging demographic landscape worldwide portends a heightened prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders. Foremost among these is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the foremost cause of dementia in older adults. The shortage of efficacious therapies and early diagnostic indicators underscores the imperative to identify non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and disease monitoring. Recently, blood metabolites have emerged as promising candidates for AD biomarkers. Methods: Leveraging nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on plasma specimens, we conducted a cross-sectional study encompassing 35 AD patients and 35 age-matched healthy controls. Cognitive function was evaluated using the mini-mental state examination in all participants, followed by peripheral blood sample collection. We utilized univariate and multivariate analyses to perform targeted lipidomic profiling via NMR spectroscopy. Results: Our study revealed significant differences in the expression profiles of low-density lipoprotein-associated subfractions in females and high-density lipoprotein-associated subfractions in males between AD patients and healthy controls (all p<0.05). However, there was no significant metabolite overlap between males and females. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the combination of lipid metabolites had good diagnostic values (all area under the curve>0.70; p<0.05). Conclusion Our findings suggest that the blood plasma samples using NMR hold promise in distinguishing between AD patients and healthy controls, with significant clinical implications for advancing AD diagnostic methodologies.

Objective: The aging demographic landscape worldwide portends a heightened prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders. Foremost among these is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the foremost cause of dementia in older adults. The shortage of efficacious therapies and early diagnostic indicators underscores the imperative to identify non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and disease monitoring. Recently, blood metabolites have emerged as promising candidates for AD biomarkers. Methods: Leveraging nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on plasma specimens, we conducted a cross-sectional study encompassing 35 AD patients and 35 age-matched healthy controls. Cognitive function was evaluated using the mini-mental state examination in all participants, followed by peripheral blood sample collection. We utilized univariate and multivariate analyses to perform targeted lipidomic profiling via NMR spectroscopy. Results: Our study revealed significant differences in the expression profiles of low-density lipoprotein-associated subfractions in females and high-density lipoprotein-associated subfractions in males between AD patients and healthy controls (all p<0.05). However, there was no significant metabolite overlap between males and females. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the combination of lipid metabolites had good diagnostic values (all area under the curve>0.70; p<0.05). Conclusion Our findings suggest that the blood plasma samples using NMR hold promise in distinguishing between AD patients and healthy controls, with significant clinical implications for advancing AD diagnostic methodologies.

Objective: The aging demographic landscape worldwide portends a heightened prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders. Foremost among these is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the foremost cause of dementia in older adults. The shortage of efficacious therapies and early diagnostic indicators underscores the imperative to identify non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and disease monitoring. Recently, blood metabolites have emerged as promising candidates for AD biomarkers. Methods: Leveraging nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on plasma specimens, we conducted a cross-sectional study encompassing 35 AD patients and 35 age-matched healthy controls. Cognitive function was evaluated using the mini-mental state examination in all participants, followed by peripheral blood sample collection. We utilized univariate and multivariate analyses to perform targeted lipidomic profiling via NMR spectroscopy. Results: Our study revealed significant differences in the expression profiles of low-density lipoprotein-associated subfractions in females and high-density lipoprotein-associated subfractions in males between AD patients and healthy controls (all p<0.05). However, there was no significant metabolite overlap between males and females. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the combination of lipid metabolites had good diagnostic values (all area under the curve>0.70; p<0.05). Conclusion Our findings suggest that the blood plasma samples using NMR hold promise in distinguishing between AD patients and healthy controls, with significant clinical implications for advancing AD diagnostic methodologies.

Objective: The aging demographic landscape worldwide portends a heightened prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders. Foremost among these is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the foremost cause of dementia in older adults. The shortage of efficacious therapies and early diagnostic indicators underscores the imperative to identify non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and disease monitoring. Recently, blood metabolites have emerged as promising candidates for AD biomarkers. Methods: Leveraging nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on plasma specimens, we conducted a cross-sectional study encompassing 35 AD patients and 35 age-matched healthy controls. Cognitive function was evaluated using the mini-mental state examination in all participants, followed by peripheral blood sample collection. We utilized univariate and multivariate analyses to perform targeted lipidomic profiling via NMR spectroscopy. Results: Our study revealed significant differences in the expression profiles of low-density lipoprotein-associated subfractions in females and high-density lipoprotein-associated subfractions in males between AD patients and healthy controls (all p<0.05). However, there was no significant metabolite overlap between males and females. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the combination of lipid metabolites had good diagnostic values (all area under the curve>0.70; p<0.05). Conclusion Our findings suggest that the blood plasma samples using NMR hold promise in distinguishing between AD patients and healthy controls, with significant clinical implications for advancing AD diagnostic methodologies.

Objective: The aging demographic landscape worldwide portends a heightened prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders. Foremost among these is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the foremost cause of dementia in older adults. The shortage of efficacious therapies and early diagnostic indicators underscores the imperative to identify non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and disease monitoring. Recently, blood metabolites have emerged as promising candidates for AD biomarkers. Methods: Leveraging nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on plasma specimens, we conducted a cross-sectional study encompassing 35 AD patients and 35 age-matched healthy controls. Cognitive function was evaluated using the mini-mental state examination in all participants, followed by peripheral blood sample collection. We utilized univariate and multivariate analyses to perform targeted lipidomic profiling via NMR spectroscopy. Results: Our study revealed significant differences in the expression profiles of low-density lipoprotein-associated subfractions in females and high-density lipoprotein-associated subfractions in males between AD patients and healthy controls (all p<0.05). However, there was no significant metabolite overlap between males and females. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the combination of lipid metabolites had good diagnostic values (all area under the curve>0.70; p<0.05). Conclusion Our findings suggest that the blood plasma samples using NMR hold promise in distinguishing between AD patients and healthy controls, with significant clinical implications for advancing AD diagnostic methodologies.