1.Construction of a nomogram prediction model for the risk of non-suicidal self-injury behaviors in adolescents with depressive disorder
Shanshan ZHANG ; Xiaoe LI ; Youxi JIANG ; Xin WANG ; Qi WANG ; Peishan HUANG ; Tianhui HUANG ; Qiangli DONG
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(4):309-317
BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has become a public health concern of wide interest. Adolescents with depressive disorder are at high risk of NSSI behaviors. Previous studies have mostly focused on analyzing factors associated with NSSI behaviors, while research on developing visual models that are intuitive, quantifiable, and suitable for rapid clinical assessment is relatively limited. ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for NSSI behaviors in adolescents with depressive disorder, and to construct a nomogram prediction model for the risk of NSSI behaviors occurrence, so as to provide a quantitative tool for clinical rapid assessment of the occurrence risk of NSSI behaviors in this population. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 448 adolescent patients diagnosed with depressive disorder who attended the Mental Health Department of The Second Hospital, Lanzhou University from February to December 2025 and met the diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder as specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) were enrolled. All participants were randomly divided into the modeling group (n=313) and the validation group (n=135) at a ratio of 7∶3. Assessments were performed using the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-short form (CTQ-SF), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Binary Logistic regression analysis was applied to screen independent predictors of NSSI behaviors in the modeling group, and a nomogram was constructed accordingly. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the discrimination, calibration and clinical utility of the model, respectively. ResultsBinary Logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age, female sex, higher SDS score, higher BIS-11 score, higher CTQ-SF score, and higher PSQI score were risk factors for NSSI behaviors in adolescent patients with depressive disorder (OR=0.816, 2.671, 1.131, 1.030, 1.064, 1.102, P<0.05 or 0.01). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test of the nomogram prediction model constructed based on these six indicators showed a good fit (χ²=15.144, P=0.056). Model validation showed that the AUC was 0.895 for the modeling group and 0.891 for the validation group. The calibration curves suggested that the mean absolute errors between the actual values and the predicted values were 0.043 and 0.023, respectively. Decision curve analysis indicated that the model provided a clear net clinical benefit when the risk threshold was greater than 0.11. ConclusionThe nomogram model based on six indicators (age, sex, depressive symptom severity, impulsivity, childhood trauma, and sleep quality) for predicting NSSI risk in adolescent patients with depressive disorder exhibits good discrimination, calibration, and clinical application value. [Funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (number, 82560281); Gansu Provincial Science and Technology Program (number, 25JRRA618); Gansu Provincial Health Industry Research Project (number, GSWSKY2025-13); The College Students' Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program of the Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University (number, 20250050060)]
2.Mechanisms by which the gut microbiota regulates depressive disorder via the tryptophan metabolic pathway.
Jing DU ; Jiao LI ; Pule LIU ; Yan ZHANG ; Qiangli DONG ; Ning YANG ; Xinru LIU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(7):1263-1270
The relationship between gut microbiota and depressive disorder has become a research focus in recent years. Within the microbiota-gut-brain axis, the gut microbiota influences the onset and progression of depressive disorder primarily through the tryptophan metabolic pathway. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid in humans, is subject to dual regulation by intestinal microorganisms, which modulate its metabolic balance via inflammatory stimulation and microbial metabolite production. In depression, excessive activation of the kynurenine branch of tryptophan metabolism leads to the accumulation of proinflammatory and neurotoxic metabolites, thereby exacerbating neuroinflammation in the brain. Intervention studies indicate that the antidepressant-like effects of probiotics and traditional Chinese medicine are associated with remodeling of the gut microbiota, restoration of tryptophan metabolic balance, and alleviation of neuroinflammation. Furthermore, targeted inhibition of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase can mitigate neuroinflammation by regulating microglial activity, thus improving depressive-like behaviors. In summary, the metabolite-inflammation axis represents a central node in the interaction regulation between tryptophan metabolism and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This provides a theoretical foundation for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting depression through modulation of gut microbiota-mediated tryptophan metabolism.
Tryptophan/metabolism*
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology*
;
Humans
;
Depressive Disorder/microbiology*
;
Probiotics/therapeutic use*
;
Brain/metabolism*
;
Kynurenine/metabolism*
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Metabolic Networks and Pathways
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Animals
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
3.Differences Between Adolescent Depression and Healthy Controls in Biomarkers Associated With Immune or Inflammatory Processes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Jiao LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Ning YANG ; Jing DU ; Pule LIU ; Wenchong DAI ; Qiangli DONG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(2):119-129
Objective:
Adolescent depression is a highly prevalent and disabling mental disorder with unclear pathophysiology and unfavorable treatment outcomes. Recent efforts have been focusing on searching for biomarkers as specific indicators of adolescent depression. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, specifically including studies with healthy control groups as an inclusion criterion. This approach helps to avoid confounding factors and provides more accurate results regarding the inflammatory and immune biomarkers associated with adolescent depression.
Methods:
Three electronic databases were searched for studies comparing the means and changes in the biomarkers between depressed adolescent patients and healthy controls published in English until February 2024. Two authors independently performed the screening, quality assessment, and data extraction of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted on outcomes reported by two or more studies using a random-effects model and presented Forrest plots and test statistics (I2) for heterogeneity analysis.
Results:
Nine studies were included in the review, including seven case-control studies and two cross-sectional studies. These studies included 24 target biomarkers, 13 of which were quantified in 2 or more studies. Compared to the healthy controls, the depressed adolescents had significantly higher values in ten indicators. Additionally, the depressed adolescents had lower procalcitonin levels than the healthy controls. The two groups showed no significant differences in the remaining 13 biomarkers.
Conclusion
Our findings offer fresh insights into the pathophysiology of inflammatory and immune aspects of adolescent depression and provide helpful guidance in developing targeted and effective intervention and prevention strategies to address adolescent depression.
4.Differences Between Adolescent Depression and Healthy Controls in Biomarkers Associated With Immune or Inflammatory Processes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Jiao LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Ning YANG ; Jing DU ; Pule LIU ; Wenchong DAI ; Qiangli DONG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(2):119-129
Objective:
Adolescent depression is a highly prevalent and disabling mental disorder with unclear pathophysiology and unfavorable treatment outcomes. Recent efforts have been focusing on searching for biomarkers as specific indicators of adolescent depression. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, specifically including studies with healthy control groups as an inclusion criterion. This approach helps to avoid confounding factors and provides more accurate results regarding the inflammatory and immune biomarkers associated with adolescent depression.
Methods:
Three electronic databases were searched for studies comparing the means and changes in the biomarkers between depressed adolescent patients and healthy controls published in English until February 2024. Two authors independently performed the screening, quality assessment, and data extraction of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted on outcomes reported by two or more studies using a random-effects model and presented Forrest plots and test statistics (I2) for heterogeneity analysis.
Results:
Nine studies were included in the review, including seven case-control studies and two cross-sectional studies. These studies included 24 target biomarkers, 13 of which were quantified in 2 or more studies. Compared to the healthy controls, the depressed adolescents had significantly higher values in ten indicators. Additionally, the depressed adolescents had lower procalcitonin levels than the healthy controls. The two groups showed no significant differences in the remaining 13 biomarkers.
Conclusion
Our findings offer fresh insights into the pathophysiology of inflammatory and immune aspects of adolescent depression and provide helpful guidance in developing targeted and effective intervention and prevention strategies to address adolescent depression.
5.Differences Between Adolescent Depression and Healthy Controls in Biomarkers Associated With Immune or Inflammatory Processes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Jiao LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Ning YANG ; Jing DU ; Pule LIU ; Wenchong DAI ; Qiangli DONG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(2):119-129
Objective:
Adolescent depression is a highly prevalent and disabling mental disorder with unclear pathophysiology and unfavorable treatment outcomes. Recent efforts have been focusing on searching for biomarkers as specific indicators of adolescent depression. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, specifically including studies with healthy control groups as an inclusion criterion. This approach helps to avoid confounding factors and provides more accurate results regarding the inflammatory and immune biomarkers associated with adolescent depression.
Methods:
Three electronic databases were searched for studies comparing the means and changes in the biomarkers between depressed adolescent patients and healthy controls published in English until February 2024. Two authors independently performed the screening, quality assessment, and data extraction of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted on outcomes reported by two or more studies using a random-effects model and presented Forrest plots and test statistics (I2) for heterogeneity analysis.
Results:
Nine studies were included in the review, including seven case-control studies and two cross-sectional studies. These studies included 24 target biomarkers, 13 of which were quantified in 2 or more studies. Compared to the healthy controls, the depressed adolescents had significantly higher values in ten indicators. Additionally, the depressed adolescents had lower procalcitonin levels than the healthy controls. The two groups showed no significant differences in the remaining 13 biomarkers.
Conclusion
Our findings offer fresh insights into the pathophysiology of inflammatory and immune aspects of adolescent depression and provide helpful guidance in developing targeted and effective intervention and prevention strategies to address adolescent depression.
6.Differences Between Adolescent Depression and Healthy Controls in Biomarkers Associated With Immune or Inflammatory Processes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Jiao LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Ning YANG ; Jing DU ; Pule LIU ; Wenchong DAI ; Qiangli DONG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(2):119-129
Objective:
Adolescent depression is a highly prevalent and disabling mental disorder with unclear pathophysiology and unfavorable treatment outcomes. Recent efforts have been focusing on searching for biomarkers as specific indicators of adolescent depression. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, specifically including studies with healthy control groups as an inclusion criterion. This approach helps to avoid confounding factors and provides more accurate results regarding the inflammatory and immune biomarkers associated with adolescent depression.
Methods:
Three electronic databases were searched for studies comparing the means and changes in the biomarkers between depressed adolescent patients and healthy controls published in English until February 2024. Two authors independently performed the screening, quality assessment, and data extraction of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted on outcomes reported by two or more studies using a random-effects model and presented Forrest plots and test statistics (I2) for heterogeneity analysis.
Results:
Nine studies were included in the review, including seven case-control studies and two cross-sectional studies. These studies included 24 target biomarkers, 13 of which were quantified in 2 or more studies. Compared to the healthy controls, the depressed adolescents had significantly higher values in ten indicators. Additionally, the depressed adolescents had lower procalcitonin levels than the healthy controls. The two groups showed no significant differences in the remaining 13 biomarkers.
Conclusion
Our findings offer fresh insights into the pathophysiology of inflammatory and immune aspects of adolescent depression and provide helpful guidance in developing targeted and effective intervention and prevention strategies to address adolescent depression.
7.Differences Between Adolescent Depression and Healthy Controls in Biomarkers Associated With Immune or Inflammatory Processes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Jiao LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Ning YANG ; Jing DU ; Pule LIU ; Wenchong DAI ; Qiangli DONG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(2):119-129
Objective:
Adolescent depression is a highly prevalent and disabling mental disorder with unclear pathophysiology and unfavorable treatment outcomes. Recent efforts have been focusing on searching for biomarkers as specific indicators of adolescent depression. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, specifically including studies with healthy control groups as an inclusion criterion. This approach helps to avoid confounding factors and provides more accurate results regarding the inflammatory and immune biomarkers associated with adolescent depression.
Methods:
Three electronic databases were searched for studies comparing the means and changes in the biomarkers between depressed adolescent patients and healthy controls published in English until February 2024. Two authors independently performed the screening, quality assessment, and data extraction of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted on outcomes reported by two or more studies using a random-effects model and presented Forrest plots and test statistics (I2) for heterogeneity analysis.
Results:
Nine studies were included in the review, including seven case-control studies and two cross-sectional studies. These studies included 24 target biomarkers, 13 of which were quantified in 2 or more studies. Compared to the healthy controls, the depressed adolescents had significantly higher values in ten indicators. Additionally, the depressed adolescents had lower procalcitonin levels than the healthy controls. The two groups showed no significant differences in the remaining 13 biomarkers.
Conclusion
Our findings offer fresh insights into the pathophysiology of inflammatory and immune aspects of adolescent depression and provide helpful guidance in developing targeted and effective intervention and prevention strategies to address adolescent depression.
8.Effect of Various Factors on Non-suicidal Self-injury in Adolescent Depression
Yi MIAO ; Junyi LI ; Peishan HUANG ; Ke WANG ; Xuelin ZHANG ; Qiangli DONG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(1):123-131
[Objective]To investigate the non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)behaviors in adolescents with depressive disorder,analyze related influencing factors,and provide theoretical basis and reference for the prevention and treatment of NSSI.[Methods]According to DSM-5 criteria,95 depressive adolescents were divided into two groups:one with NSSI(NSSI group)and one without NSSI(nNSSI group).All patients were assessed with Adolescent Non-suicidal Self-injury Assessment Questionnaire(ANSAQ),Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire(SCSQ),Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures Scale(ECR-RS),and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form(CTQ-SF).The inter-group differences were compared.The influencing factors of NSSI were analyzed by using binary logistic regression.[Results]Of the 95 depressive adolescents,59 cases of NSSI were identified,with a detection rate of 62.11%.NSSI group had higher scores than nNSSI group on SDS,SAS,negative coping style,paternal attachment anxiety,maternal attachment anxiety and avoidance,CTQ-SF total score,emotional neglect,physical neglect,emotional abuse,and sexual abuse(all P<0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that anxiety,negative coping style,maternal attachment avoidance and emotional abuse increased the risk of NSSI among adolescents with depressive disorders(all P<0.05).[Conclusions]Adolescents with depression have a high incidence of NSSI behaviors,which is related to anxiety,negative coping style,maternal attachment avoidance and emotional abuse.In addition to improving patients' depression and anxiety in clinical setting,attention should also be paid to patients' coping styles,parent-child relationship and childhood trauma to reduce the occurrence of NSSI behaviors.
9.Research progress on magnetic resonance imaging and neurobiological mechanisms of anhedonia in major depressive disorder
Peishan HUANG ; Ke WANG ; Xuelin ZHANG ; Yi MIAO ; Qiangli DONG
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(3):180-185
Major depressive disorder is a common mental disorder,one of the core symptoms of which is anhedonia,characterized by a reduced ability to respond to pleasurable stimuli.Brain images of patients with major depressive disorders with anhedonia show the following features:reduced volume or cortical thickness in brain regions such as the striatum and temporal lobe,changes in the microstructure of white matter tracts,abnormal neuronal activity in the frontal lobe,temporal lobe,and limbic system,and altered connectivity in the default mode network,reward network,and fronto-parietal network.Additionally,factors such as stress,gene expression,the glutamate system,and biological rhythms may also influence anhedonia.The neurobiological mechanisms of anhedonia are intricate,and are crucial for the diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of depressive disorders.
10.Research progress on magnetic resonance imaging and neurobiological mechanisms of anhedonia in major depressive disorder
Peishan HUANG ; Ke WANG ; Xuelin ZHANG ; Yi MIAO ; Qiangli DONG
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(3):180-185
Major depressive disorder is a common mental disorder,one of the core symptoms of which is anhedonia,characterized by a reduced ability to respond to pleasurable stimuli.Brain images of patients with major depressive disorders with anhedonia show the following features:reduced volume or cortical thickness in brain regions such as the striatum and temporal lobe,changes in the microstructure of white matter tracts,abnormal neuronal activity in the frontal lobe,temporal lobe,and limbic system,and altered connectivity in the default mode network,reward network,and fronto-parietal network.Additionally,factors such as stress,gene expression,the glutamate system,and biological rhythms may also influence anhedonia.The neurobiological mechanisms of anhedonia are intricate,and are crucial for the diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of depressive disorders.

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