Dec 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2578-8590.ipj-18-2524
Crespi FrancescoCorresponding author
Biology, GSK Verona, Italy
The pineal gland constitutes a major neuroendocrine organ in the brain. By mean of its neurohormone melatonin it transduces exogenous signals such as circadian and seasonal variations of light and temperature into proper hormonal changes which adjust and adapt internal endocrine functions. Alteration of circadian rhythms has been associated with affective disorders, psychosomatic diseases and cancer. It has been observed that light deprivation, which stimulates (the enzymes responsible for) melatonin production in the pineal, enhances the animal's ethanol preference. Similarly, administration of the pineal hormone to rats maintained under normal conditions of constant photoperiod also induced ethanol drinking. Our hypothesis is that in normal conditions melatonin might be acting as a cerebral "pacemaker", sensitive to endogenous as well as exogenous stimuli in the attempt to maintain an equilibrate circadian interaction between the cerebral activities of endogenous aminergic and opiates systems. Abnormal states (i.e. drug abuse) could result in altered pineal activity, then in rhythmically altered functions of cerebral opiates and/or monoamine neurotransmitters. This may led to the development of a “reward - urge for drug rhythm” resulting in craving, ending in addiction.
May 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-450X.jom-16-1039
V. Seeman MaryCorresponding author
Professor Emerita, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 260 Heath St. W., Suite 605, Toronto, Ontario, M5P 3L6, Canada.
Over the last three decades, an epidemic of obesity has markedly affected patients suffering from mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia are considered as major culprits. The aim of this review is to first consider risk factors, to then outline negative sequelae of obesity for this population, and finally to address timing and content of recommended clinical interventions. Medical databases were searched with the terms “”weight,” “obesity,” and “schizophrenia.” Selection of articles was guided by date of publication; recent papers are preferentially cited. The main findings were that, in addition to antipsychotic medications, socio-economics, lifestyle, immune factors, and circadian rhythms also contribute to obesity risk. A barrier to effective health promotion within psychiatry has been the concern that fears about gaining weight might stop individuals with schizophrenia from taking needed antipsychotic medication. Recommendations, therefore, are to keep the dose of antipsychotic medication as low as possible, avoid polypharmacy, encourage healthy eating and physical activity, address sleep problems and substance use, monitor weight, blood pressure, and metabolic parameters regularly, utilize motivational interviewing techniques and peer support, pay special attention to special needs such as those of women during pregnancy, and include bariatric surgery as a potential intervention. Conclusion: Besides careful attention to medication regimens, the literature supports the active encouragement and support of patient self-management strategies to both prevent and manage obesity in schizophrenia.
Jun 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4372.jesr-14-607
E. Geusz MichaelCorresponding author
Bowling Green State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green, OH 43403
Cancer is influenced by the ability of cells to maintain circadian rhythms in molecular and metabolic processes. Disturbance of the underlying circadian timing mechanism in circadian clock cells leads to a higher frequency and more rapid progression of cancer. Cancer stem cells with properties of embryonic and somatic stem cells have been implicated as tumor initiators in several types of cancers. Although tumors are reported to have disorganized circadian rhythms, evidence of in vitro circadian rhythms in cancer stem cells of gliomas was recently presented. The possibility and consequences of circadian clocks functioning in cancer stem cells within tumors is examined, and the possible benefits to these cells from circadian timing is discussed in relation to cancer treatments.