Author: network

Helicobacter Pylori and Psychiatric Disorders: Comorbidity and Therapeutic Perspectives

This 2023 observational study, conducted over three consecutive years in a psychiatric clinic, followed adults receiving outpatient psychiatric care for different psychiatric disorders.

Of those patients, 291 had depression that did not respond to treatment, persistent iron deficiency, or digestive complaints, and were tested for the presence of Helicobacter pylori. After confirming the infection and treating it, most patients also received iron and vitamins B9 and B12 when needed.

The results were striking: 74% of H. pylori–positive patients who continued psychiatric follow-up reported improvement after treatment. They experienced reductions in symptoms such as apathy, loss of pleasure, anxiety, sadness, cognitive problems, derealization, and sleep disturbances.

Although these benefits may be linked to several biological mechanisms, including reduced brain inflammation and changes in how tryptophan is metabolized, as well as the removal of toxins produced by the bacteria the researchers suggest that screening and treating H. pylori infection may meaningfully support psychiatric care in selected patients.

Learn more about this study here: https://www.scientificliterature.org/Anxiety/Anxiety-23-136.pdf

Reference

Kassir Adel and Kassir Sarah. Helicobacter Pylori and Psychiatric Disorders: Comorbidity and Therapeutic Perspectives. Anxiety And Depression Journal. 2023; 4(1):136
Disaster Resilience, Health Emergency & Crisis Management
Proposal: Fostering Health and Community Resilience

Proposed Implementation: 2024 – 2026

Call: HORIZON-CL3-2023-DRS-01- Disaster-Resilient Society 2023

Proposed Budget: 3 881 825,00€

Keywords: Disaster resilience and crisis management, Health, emergency, communication

Objective: The project aims to enhance societal resilience and support vulnerable groups, particularly during crises. The goals include developing a user-friendly application for efficient communication with vulnerable populations, organizing community resilience training, providing personalized education for disabled groups, fostering local support networks, promoting app awareness, celebrating community strengths, and implementing a rewards system.

These objectives align with the work program theme of increasing society’s resilience and addressing vulnerable groups’ needs during crises. Measurable and verifiable, these goals focus on inclusivity, community building, and effective communication.

Partners:
- Istanbul Universitesi – Cerrahpasa
- Health Citizens – European Institute
- Tech2market Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzial
- Nuromedia Gmbh
- UC Limburg
- Institoyto Koinonikis Kainotomias Kai Synoxis
- Aristotelio Panepistimio Thessalonikis
- Nyugat-Pannon Terulet-Es Gazdasagfejlesztesi Sz
- Razvojna Agencija Sotla
Neuromodulating agents in functional dyspepsia: a comprehensive review

Functional dyspepsia is a frequent chronic condition characterized by upper abdominal discomfort without an identifiable organic cause. Usual first-line treatments include proton pump inhibitors or Helicobacter pylori eradication, but many patients continue to have persistent symptoms. Because of this, neuromodulating agents are frequently used in clinical practice, although current European, American and Canadian guidelines primarily mention tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

This review analyzed randomized controlled trials in adults meeting Rome criteria or with normal endoscopy findings. Out of 386 studies screened, 14 met inclusion criteria.

The findings indicate that TCAs, such as amitriptyline and imipramine, show the strongest evidence of benefit for symptom relief in functional dyspepsia. Other agents, including tetracyclic antidepressants, levosulpiride, and anxiolytics, may be helpful, but current data are insufficient to draw firm conclusions. By contrast, SSRIs and SNRIs do not appear effective for this condition.

Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.51821/86.1.10998

Reference

Bosman, L., Wauters, L., & Vanuytsel, T. (2023). Neuromodulating agents in functional dyspepsia: a comprehensive review. Acta gastro-enterologica Belgica, 86(1), 49–57
Improving Health in Alzheimer’s Patients
Proposal: Adapted Physical Activity and Awareness Training to Improve Health in Alzheimer’s Patients and Their Entourage

Proposed Implementation: 2024 to 2026

Call: EU4H-2023-PJ – EU4H Action Grants 2023

Proposed Budget: 596 289,60€

Keywords: Alzheimer, Physical Activity Practices, Physical Activity, Health, Inequality

Objective: Dementia is one of the most significant public health concerns in the European Union with around 10 million people living with this condition. The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to double in the next 30 years with the increase in the aging population. As a consequence, a part of the population will risk becoming dependent on carers and specific socio-medical services.

As a result, this will increase health costs for the EU. The project’s overall objective is to contribute to prevent dependency, thus reducing the expenditure of the European healthcare system on Alzheimer disease and other neurological cognitive impairments by providing to patients who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer and/or dementia with adapted physical activity practices to help slow down the progress of the disease and manage their symptoms.

To achieve these objectives, actions will focus on people who have been diagnosed with dementia at a pre-symptomatic early stage and with MCI-minor cognitive impairment. First, this will be achieved through a person-centered physical activity programme with the support of functional ability training and guidelines for a healthier lifestyle. It will support 500 patients by means of 50 person-centered physical activity sessions over the course of one year across 3 European countries.

Second, the project aims to raise awareness on physical activity as a tool to manage neurological diseases and as a tool to prevent the progression of cognitive impairment symptoms (such as memory loss, problems communicating etc.) and to create an integrated care model for dementia patients with a 3-staged approach 1st test, 2nd evaluate and 3rd implement. The project will provide a sustainable model by constant evaluation process and sharing the results across the European member states.

Third, an online “Train the Trainer” programme will provide a foundation for further upskilling of health care practitioners, physical activity trainers and caregivers.

Partners:
- Fundacion Siel Bleu España
- Health Citizens – European Institute
- Siel Bleu Ireland
- Sport Initiative et Loisir Bleu Association
- Alzheimer Catalunya Fundació
Association of mental health conditions and functional gastrointestinal disorders among Vietnamese new-entry medical students

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), sometimes called disorders of gut–brain interaction, do not affect only older people, they are also common in young adults. A study among 400 first-year medical students in Vietnam investigated how these gut disorders relate to mental health.

About 10% of students had an FGID such as functional dyspepsia or irritable bowel syndrome, and 3% had overlapping conditions including acid reflux. Depression and anxiety were also frequent, with around 10% showing signs of major depressive disorder and 7% showing generalized anxiety disorder. Helicobacter pylori infection was detected in 45% of participants.

The key finding was that depression was strongly associated with gut disorders. Students with major depressive disorder were much more likely to have FGIDs and overlapping gastrointestinal problems than students without depression.

Interestingly, in this study, this risk was also greater in women.

These results support the strong link between mental health and digestive symptoms in young adults, highlighting the importance of screening and early support for both areas in student populations.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289123

Reference

Tran, T. T. T., Luu, M. N., Tran, L. L., Nguyen, D., Quach, D. T., & Hiyama, T. (2023). Association of mental health conditions and functional gastrointestinal disorders among Vietnamese new-entry medical students. PloS one, 18(7), e0289123.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of performance of wearable artificial intelligence in detecting and predicting depression

The systematic review and meta-analysis found that wearable AI systems demonstrate promising performance in detecting and predicting depression. However, substantial variability exists among algorithms and devices, thereby indicating that performance can vary significantly.

What this means is that disparities across different algorithms and devices were identified, suggesting that certain demographic groups may be underrepresented or inadequately served by current wearable AI systems. This variability underscores the need for further research to enhance the generalizability and fairness of these technologies in clinical practice.

Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746 -023-00828-5

Reference

Abd-Alrazaq, A., AlSaad, R., Shuweihdi, F. et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of performance of wearable artificial intelligence in detecting and predicting depression. npj Digit. Med. 6, 84 (2023).
Helicobacter Pylori Associated Depression among Patients Presenting with Epigastric Pain

Helicobacter pylori infection is an extremely prevalent infection that has been connected not only to a number of illnesses such as stomach cancer and peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori has also been linked to depression but the mechanisms behind this connection are still poorly understood.

A research study by Mohamed and colleagues aimed to better explore this relation by assessing the presence and severity of depression in 150 patients with or without H. pylori infection.

When comparing both groups, the authors found that H. pylori infection was significantly associated with depression and, more interestingly, with its severity. These findings point to the importance of assessing the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms or dyspepsia in patients with depression.

Learn more about this study here: https://healthcitizens.org/wp-content/uploads/Mohamed-and-Elrassas_Helicobacter-Pylori-.pdf

Reference

Dina M. Mohamed and Hanan Elrassas, “Helicobacter Pylori Associated Depression among Patients Presenting with Epigastric Pain”, The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine (January 2023) Vol. 90 (2), Page 2315-2320
Depression among people with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection: A community based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

A 2022 community-based study in southwest Ethiopia explored potential links between Helicobacter pylori infection, dyspepsia, and depression in residents aged 13 years and older.

Among the 871 participants – most of whom were married, had no formal education, and lived in rural areas – around 11% showed signs of probable depression. The prevalence was slightly higher (13%) among those experiencing at least one symptom of dyspepsia. Interestingly, in this study, H. pylori infection alone was not linked to higher depression rates, nor were age or gender.

The findings suggest digestive symptoms may increase the risk of depression, highlighting the importance of addressing both mental and gut health when managing gastrointestinal symptoms.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275424

Reference

Soboka, M., Gudina, E. K., Gashaw, M., Amare, H., Berhane, M., Desalegn, H., Tewolde, D., Jebena, M. G., Ali, S., Wieser, A., Froeschl, G., & Tesfaye, M. (2022). Depression among people with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection: A community based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia. PloS one, 17(10), e0275424.
Digital health tools for the passive monitoring of depression: a systematic review of methods

This systematic review examines studies linking passive data from smartphones and wearables to depression, identifying key methodological flaws and threats to reproducibility. It highlights biases such as representation, measurement, and evaluation bias, stemming from small, homogenous samples and inconsistent feature construction.

Although gender and race are not explicitly discussed, the lack of diversity in study populations suggests potential demographic bias. The review calls for improved reporting standards and broader sample inclusion to enhance generalizability and clinical relevance. These improvements are essential for ensuring that digital mental health tools are equitable and reliable across diverse populations.

Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00548-8

Reference

De Angel, V., Lewis, S., White, K., Oetzmann, C., Leightley, D., Oprea, E., Lavelle, G., Matcham, F., Pace, A., Mohr, D. C., Dobson, R., & Hotopf, M. (2022). Digital health tools for the passive monitoring of depression: a systematic review of methods. NPJ digital medicine, 5(1), 3.
Rapamycin Attenuates Anxiety and Depressive Behavior Induced by Helicobacter pylori in Association with Reduced Circulating Levels of Ghrelin

In this experimental study, researchers investigated how H. pylori infection influences depression-like behavior and certain biological markers in mice, focusing especially on the hormone ghrelin.

Mice infected with the bacteria showed more anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in standard laboratory tests compared with healthy mice. They moved less, showed more signs of stress, and had lower preference for sweet solutions, a common indicator of loss of pleasure.
Biologically, H. pylori infection led to reduced circulating ghrelin levels and activation of the mTOR signaling pathway in the stomach. It was also associated with increased markers of brain inflammation and cell injury in the hippocampus, a brain region important for mood regulation. When mice were treated with rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, ghrelin levels increased and brain-inflammation markers were reduced.

Overall, the study suggests that H. pylori infection may contribute to anxiety- and depression-like behaviors by lowering ghrelin levels and increasing neuroinflammation, highlighting a potential biological link between gut infection and mental health.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2847672

Reference

Tian, Jiageng, Wang, Zeyu, Ren, Yadi, Jiang, Yong, Zhao, Ying, Li, Man, Zhang, Zhiguang, Rapamycin Attenuates Anxiety and Depressive Behavior Induced by Helicobacter pylori in Association with Reduced Circulating Levels of Ghrelin, Neural Plasticity, 2022, 2847672, 8 pages, 2022.