The rapid advancement of information technology has positioned digital healthcare as a critical component in diagnosing and treating major depressive disorder (MDD). By integrating artificial intelligence, mobile devices, and wearable technology, digital healthcare for MDD is progressing toward a multi-modal approach, leading to the development of novel digital identification and intervention techniques, gradually establishing a framework for depression recognition and management based on digital phenotyping. Such innovations offer promising opportunities to overcome the limitations of traditional healthcare. This article reviews the current landscape of digital healthcare applications in MDD, critically evaluates their clinical advantages and constraints, and discusses future directions, aiming to provide insights and stimulate further reflection among mental health professionals.

The rapid advancement of information technology has positioned digital healthcare as a critical component in diagnosing and treating major depressive disorder (MDD). By integrating artificial intelligence, mobile devices, and wearable technology, digital healthcare for MDD is progressing toward a multi-modal approach, leading to the development of novel digital identification and intervention techniques, gradually establishing a framework for depression recognition and management based on digital phenotyping. Such innovations offer promising opportunities to overcome the limitations of traditional healthcare. This article reviews the current landscape of digital healthcare applications in MDD, critically evaluates their clinical advantages and constraints, and discusses future directions, aiming to provide insights and stimulate further reflection among mental health professionals.

To evaluate the efficacy,safety and acceptability of different drugs in the treatment of mixed states in bipolar disorder using the Cochrane systematic review method. The results showed that for the treatment of bipolar depression with mixed features,there is evidence to support the efficacy of lurasidone and quetiapine. Lurasidone has low metabolic and sedative side effects,and can be used in children and adolescents with bipolar depression with mixed features. Quetiapine has balanced anti-depressant and anti-manic effects,with low risk of phase transition. There is evidence to support the efficacy of olanzapine in the treatment of bipolar manic with mixed features. However,it is necessary to balance the efficacy and side effects of olanzapine,and pay attention to the risk of phase transition. For mixed episode in Bipolar disorder,aripiprazole had most research evidence. Aripiprazole has fewer side effects on metabolism and prolactin,and can be used in children with bipolar disorder. Valproate and lithium are recommended by experts for the treatment of mixed state in bipolar disorder. The inconsistency between current studies is still significant,and high-quality randomized controlled trials are urgently needed to provide more comprehensive evidence-based support for the treatment of mixed states in bipolar disorder.

Objective·To systematically review the effectiveness of actigraphy on the evaluation of circadian rhythm characteristics in patients with depression.Methods·A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,PsycINFO,CNKI,WanFang Data,and Chinese biomedical literature database(CBM),from the inception of each database to May 5th,2023.Case control studies that used actigraphy to evaluate circadian rhythms in patients with depression and compared them with healthy controls were collected.Literature was screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,and the quality of the included literature was evaluated by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.The meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.4 software.Results·A total of 9 articles were included,including 390 patients with depression and 288 healthy controls.The meta-analysis showed that the MESOR(midline statistic of rhythm)(SMD=-0.29,95%CI-0.51 ?-0.07,P=0.009)of the circadian cosine function in patients with depression was lower than that in healthy controls;sleep onset(MD=33.06,95%CI 14.90 ? 51.23,P=0.000)and sleep offset(MD=53.80,95%CI 22.38 ? 85.23,P=0.000)were later in patients with depression than those in healthy controls;no statistical difference was found in the activity level of the most active 10 hours(SMD=-0.26,95%CI-0.52 ? 0.01,P=0.060)between patients with depression and healthy controls,although there was a trend for lower activity in patients with depression;no statistical difference was found in the acrophase(MD=25.33,95%CI-12.41 ? 63.06,P=0.190)of the circadian cosine function between patients with depression and healthy controls;no clear statistical significance of the difference was found in the amplitude(SMD=-0.14,95%CI-0.42 ? 0.14,P=0.340)and the activity level of the least active 5 hours(SMD=0.31,95%CI-0.10 ? 0.71,P=0.140)between patients with depression and healthy controls.Conclusion·Actigraphy can reflect circadian rhythm disruption in patients with depression to some extent,but the limited number of included studies and inconsistencies in the study populations and methodologies have affected the quality and results of the analyses.More high-quality clinical trials are needed to provide evidence.

Adolescent depression has a high prevalence, atypical symptoms, and poor prognosis. Cytokines, as related to the inflammation hypothesis, which is one of the potential pathogenesis of depressive disorder and thus crucial in adolescent patients who are in the early stage of the disease, have received widespread attention. Based on the current research status, this commentary briefly discusses the research on cytokines related to adolescent depression to elucidate the value of cytokines in the clinical practice of adolescent depression.

Objective:This study aimed to explore whether there are abnormalities in the kynurenine pathway in patients with depression and suicidal ideation, and their dynamic relationship with clinical symptoms.Methods:According to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, a total of 68 patients with depression were prospectively enrolled, including 28 males and 40 females, aged( M ( Q1, Q3)) 22.0 (17.3, 47.8) years, who were the inpatients in the Division of Mood Disorders of Shanghai Mental Health Center from July 2019 to July 2022. The depressed patients were divided into groups with ( n=41) or without suicidal ideation ( n=27) based on whether they chose "weak" or "moderate to strong" suicidal ideation in questions 4 and 5 of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI). And 72 gender-matched healthy controls were also enrolled, including 29 males and 43 females, aged 25.5 (24.0, 36.8) years. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 (HAMD 24), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), and BSI were used to evaluate the depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidal ideation of depressed patients. All the participants received fasting venous blood collection to measure the levels of kynurenine metabolites in plasma. Among them, depressed patients with suicidal ideation were followed up, and the assessment s of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidal ideation, as well as kynurenine metabolites measurements, were repeated at the end of the 2nd and 4th weeks. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was used to measure the levels of kynurenine metabolites in plasma. The hematological indicators were log-transformed, Z-score standardized, and false discovery rate correction was used for multiple comparisons of different metabolites. The relationship between baseline kynurenine metabolites and scale scores was analyzed. The relationship between kynurenine metabolites and scale scores during the follow-up process was analyzed by a linear mixed-effects model. Results:The peripheral picolinic acid (0.39±0.87 vs -0.23±1.09, t=3.89), 3-hydroxykynurenine/kynurenine (3-HK/KYN) (0.38±0.85 vs -0.09±1.01, t=2.98) and 3-HK (0.31±0.81 vs 0.14±1.04, t=2.78) of patients with depression were lower than those of healthy controls (both P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between patients with depression with or without suicidal ideation in kynurenine metabolites. In patients with depression and suicidal ideation, baseline HAMD 24 and HAMA scores were positively correlated with plasma 3-HK (HAMD 24: r=0.38; HAMA: r=0.39) and 3-HK/KYN (HAMD 24: r=0.34; HAMA: r=0.37) levels (all P<0.05). After adjusting for age and gender factors, a linear mixed-effects model was established for the follow-up scale scores, and kynurenine metabolite levels of this group of patients, and the results showed that the positive effect of HAMA score on 3-HK/KYN during follow-up was statistically significant ( B=0.04, t=2.46, P<0.05). Conclusion:There are abnormalities in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism in patients with depression. 3-HK and 3-HK/KYN are related to the severity of depression and anxiety in patients with depression and suicidal ideation, among which 3-HK/KYN, representing the activity of kynurenine-3-monooxygenase, is dynamically associated with anxiety level.

Objectives:To investigate the current willingness of depressive outpatients and their doctors in China to engage in shared decision-making (SDM), and to analyze the factors influencing this willingness.Methods:A questionnaire survey was conducted among doctors and patients with depression in 12 tertiary psychiatric hospitals and general hospitals by scanning two-dimensional code and filling in the questionnaire on the mobile terminal. The questionnaire covered patient demographics, emotional state scores, initial diagnosis and treatment, treatment expectations and concerns, symptom improvement needs, medication safety requirements, and diagnosis details (completed by the attending physician). Doctors provided basic information, current depression diagnosis and treatment status, and concerns regarding medications. Logistic regression analysis (univariate and multivariate) was used to identify factors influencing patients′ and doctors′ willingness to engage in SDM.Results:A total of 622 valid patient questionnaires and 45 valid physician questionnaires were collected. Both patients and doctors had a strong willingness to make shared decisions (80.39% (500/622) vs. 60.00% (27/45)). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that residential location (town versus rural areas: OR (95% CI)=1.895 (1.087-3.305)), acceptable monthly medical expenses (≥1 000-<2 000 CNY vs.<300 CNY: OR (95% CI)=0.194 (0.088-0.427);≥2 000 CNY vs.<300 CNY: OR (95% CI)=0.267 (0.094-0.754)), acceptance of online treatment and consultation (accept versus not accept: OR (95% CI)=3.196 (2.024-5.046)), and knowing about psychotherapy (yes versus no: OR (95% CI)=1.711 (1.003-2.921)) were the factors influencing the willingness of shared decision-making in patients (all P<0.05). For the doctors, the time spent on initial consultation was the factor influencing the willingness to engage in SDM ( OR (95% CI)=1.090 (1.004-1.184), P=0.040). Conclusions:Both depression patients and doctors in tertiary outpatient clinics in China show a strong willingness to engage in SDM, providing a solid foundation for clinical application. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the influence of residential location, acceptable monthly medical expenses, acceptance of online treatment and consultation, and knowledge of psychotherapy should be considered for patients, while the time spent on initial consultations should be considered for doctors.

To evaluate the efficacy,safety and acceptability of different drugs in the treatment of mixed states in bipolar disorder using the Cochrane systematic review method. The results showed that for the treatment of bipolar depression with mixed features,there is evidence to support the efficacy of lurasidone and quetiapine. Lurasidone has low metabolic and sedative side effects,and can be used in children and adolescents with bipolar depression with mixed features. Quetiapine has balanced anti-depressant and anti-manic effects,with low risk of phase transition. There is evidence to support the efficacy of olanzapine in the treatment of bipolar manic with mixed features. However,it is necessary to balance the efficacy and side effects of olanzapine,and pay attention to the risk of phase transition. For mixed episode in Bipolar disorder,aripiprazole had most research evidence. Aripiprazole has fewer side effects on metabolism and prolactin,and can be used in children with bipolar disorder. Valproate and lithium are recommended by experts for the treatment of mixed state in bipolar disorder. The inconsistency between current studies is still significant,and high-quality randomized controlled trials are urgently needed to provide more comprehensive evidence-based support for the treatment of mixed states in bipolar disorder.

Adolescent depression has a high prevalence, atypical symptoms, and poor prognosis. Cytokines, as related to the inflammation hypothesis, which is one of the potential pathogenesis of depressive disorder and thus crucial in adolescent patients who are in the early stage of the disease, have received widespread attention. Based on the current research status, this commentary briefly discusses the research on cytokines related to adolescent depression to elucidate the value of cytokines in the clinical practice of adolescent depression.

Objective:This study aimed to explore whether there are abnormalities in the kynurenine pathway in patients with depression and suicidal ideation, and their dynamic relationship with clinical symptoms.Methods:According to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, a total of 68 patients with depression were prospectively enrolled, including 28 males and 40 females, aged( M ( Q1, Q3)) 22.0 (17.3, 47.8) years, who were the inpatients in the Division of Mood Disorders of Shanghai Mental Health Center from July 2019 to July 2022. The depressed patients were divided into groups with ( n=41) or without suicidal ideation ( n=27) based on whether they chose "weak" or "moderate to strong" suicidal ideation in questions 4 and 5 of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI). And 72 gender-matched healthy controls were also enrolled, including 29 males and 43 females, aged 25.5 (24.0, 36.8) years. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 (HAMD 24), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), and BSI were used to evaluate the depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidal ideation of depressed patients. All the participants received fasting venous blood collection to measure the levels of kynurenine metabolites in plasma. Among them, depressed patients with suicidal ideation were followed up, and the assessment s of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidal ideation, as well as kynurenine metabolites measurements, were repeated at the end of the 2nd and 4th weeks. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was used to measure the levels of kynurenine metabolites in plasma. The hematological indicators were log-transformed, Z-score standardized, and false discovery rate correction was used for multiple comparisons of different metabolites. The relationship between baseline kynurenine metabolites and scale scores was analyzed. The relationship between kynurenine metabolites and scale scores during the follow-up process was analyzed by a linear mixed-effects model. Results:The peripheral picolinic acid (0.39±0.87 vs -0.23±1.09, t=3.89), 3-hydroxykynurenine/kynurenine (3-HK/KYN) (0.38±0.85 vs -0.09±1.01, t=2.98) and 3-HK (0.31±0.81 vs 0.14±1.04, t=2.78) of patients with depression were lower than those of healthy controls (both P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between patients with depression with or without suicidal ideation in kynurenine metabolites. In patients with depression and suicidal ideation, baseline HAMD 24 and HAMA scores were positively correlated with plasma 3-HK (HAMD 24: r=0.38; HAMA: r=0.39) and 3-HK/KYN (HAMD 24: r=0.34; HAMA: r=0.37) levels (all P<0.05). After adjusting for age and gender factors, a linear mixed-effects model was established for the follow-up scale scores, and kynurenine metabolite levels of this group of patients, and the results showed that the positive effect of HAMA score on 3-HK/KYN during follow-up was statistically significant ( B=0.04, t=2.46, P<0.05). Conclusion:There are abnormalities in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism in patients with depression. 3-HK and 3-HK/KYN are related to the severity of depression and anxiety in patients with depression and suicidal ideation, among which 3-HK/KYN, representing the activity of kynurenine-3-monooxygenase, is dynamically associated with anxiety level.