Mood Disorders A Fresh Look at Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder Ricardo J. Fernandez, MD, ABPN, DFAPA Assoc. Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Univ.Med.Dent. Of NJ- RWJ Med School Medical Director, Princeton Family Care Associates Offices in Princeton and Somerset, NJ Philadelphia, PA 609/419-0123 [email protected]www.pfcaonline.com Princeton Family Family Care Care ASSOCIATES
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Mood DisordersA Fresh Look at Bipolar Disorder and
Major Depressive Disorder
Ricardo J. Fernandez, MD, ABPN, DFAPAAssoc. Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Univ.Med.Dent. Of NJ- RWJ Med School
Medical Director, Princeton Family Care Associates
Offices in Princeton and Somerset, NJPhiladelphia, PA
Lifetime Risk of Mood Disorders in General Population
• Major Depressive Disorder– Women - 20%
– Men - 11%
• Bipolar Disorder Type I– Both sexes – 1-1.5%
Genetics of Mood Disorders
• Major Depressive Disorder– 2-3 fold increased risk in first
degree relatives– The younger the onset the
higher the risk for family members
– Children of MDD parents• 2-3 fold increased risk• Earlier onset
– Fraternal twins• 40-50% risk
– Identical twins• 70% risk
– BP family history• Increases risk of
depression• If parent BP, 25% risk
of MDD in child– Genetic polymorphism
• Bipolar Disorder– Familial– Incidence higher in
maternal relatives– The closer the relationship
the higher the risk– Identical twin
• 66-96% risk– One BP Parent
• 30% risk– Two BP Parents
• 60% risk– MDD Family history
• Does not increase risk for BP
– Genetic polymorphism
Genetic Polymorphism
• A functional polymorphism is a genetic variant that appears in at least 1% of a population and alters the biological functioning of the individual
• Some types of polymorphisms in Mood Disorders– Serotonin transporter
– Serotonin 2A receptor
– MTHF reductase
– Catachol -o- methyl tranferase (COMT)
– Tyrosine hydroxylase
– Cytochrome P450 metabolism of medications
Serotonin Transporter (5-HTTLPR)Polymorphism
• Three type of genetic variations– 2 long alleles (legs)
– 2 short alleles
– 1 short 1 long allele
• Short alleles predict risk for depression in the presence of repeated stressful life events
Avshalom Caspi, et al. Avshalom Caspi, et al. Science 301, 386 (2003);
Avshalom Caspi, et al. Avshalom Caspi, et al. Science 301, 386 (2003);
Mood Disorders are Very Serious Disorders
• Higher rates of mortality from other medical conditions• Increased substance abuse risk
– MDD- alcohol, nicotine, marijuana– BP I-wide variety of substances abused– BP II- high rates of alcohol abuse
• Lifetime suicide attempt risk (.02% in general population)– Major Depressive Disorder – 12%– Bipolar Disorder Type I – 17%– Bipolar Disorder Type II – 24%– 90% of completed suicides can be traced back to a
Mood Disorder • Very important to be under treatment and to be treated to
REMISSION not response and then adequately maintained on medication
• If the illness is more than mild in severity, strongly consider being under psychiatric/psychological care versus primary care
• Substance P theory• Neuroendocrine theories• Ion channel theories
• Importance of achieving remission versus response• Use of clinical scales to determine remission• Use of maintenance dosages to prevent recurrences• Effectiveness of dual reuptake inhibitors• Effectiveness of combinations of antidepressants• Normalization of thyroid function• Augmentation of antidepressant treatment
– Lithium– Atypicals– Thyroid supplements– Folate metabolites and B Vitamins
• More effective ECT with less side effects• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) therapy • More effective clinical applications of polymorphisms
Advancements in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
Advancements in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorders • Use of Mood Disorder questionnaire to
differentiate MDD from BP• Recognition of Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
– Especially Bipolar Disorder Type II• Recognition that treatment will require multiple medications
– Lithium / Lamotrigine• Mood stabilizers with less side effects• New medicines to treat Bipolar depression
– Atypicals– Lamotrigine– Dopamine agonists
• A greater understanding in the role of thyroid function in mood stability
• A greater understanding of glutamate and GABA in Bipolar Disorder
• Benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids• More effective clinical applications of polymorphisms
Risk factors for Mood Disorders
• Major Depressive Disorder– Family history– Early childhood trauma– Major life stressors– Female
• In reproductive phase of life
– Age: 20 to 40 y/o– Urban life style– Divorced or separated– Unemployed– Alcohol abuse– Nicotine dependence– Previous episode
• Bipolar Disorder– Family history– Major life stressors– History of cyclothymia– Age: 15-30 y/o– Rapid cycling, BP II,
mixed states and cyclothymia greater in women
– Substance abuse– Lack of sleep can
precipitate episodes– Previous episode
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