Mehmet Akif Camkurt

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric disorder associated with structural and functional brain abnormalities, some of which have been found in unaffected relatives as well. In this study, we examined the potential role of decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) as a BD endophenotype, in adolescents at high risk for BD.Methods: We included 15 offspring of patients with BD, 16 pediatric BD patients, and 16 matched controls. Diffusion weighted scans were obtained on a 3T scanner using an echo-planar sequence. Scans were segmented using FreeSurfer.Results: Our results showed significantly decreased FA in six brain areas of offspring group; left superior temporal gyrus (LSTG; P < .0001), left transverse temporal gyrus (LTTG; P = .002), left banks of the superior temporal sulcus (LBSTS; P = .002), left anterior cingulum (LAC; P = .003), right temporal pole (RTP; P = .004) and left frontal pole (LFP; P = .017). On analysis, LSTG, LAC, and RTP demonstrated a potential to be an endophenotype when comparing all three groups. FA values in three regions, LBSTS, LTTG, and LFP were increased only in controls.Conclusion: Our findings point at decreased FA as a possible endophenotype for BD, as they were found in children of patients with BD. Most of these areas were previously found to have morphological and functional changes in adult and pediatric BD, and are thought to play important roles in affected domains of functioning. Prospective follow up studies should be performed to detect reliability of decreased FA as an endophenotype and effects of treatment on FA.

Objective: Although accumulating evidence supports the hypothesis that immune/inflammatory mechanisms are associated with the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD), data about the profile of chemokines (chemotactic cytokines) and chemokine receptors are still scarce. The current study was designed to evaluate the expression of chemokine receptors on lymphocytes of patients with BD in comparison with controls.Methods: Thirty-three patients with type I BD (N= 21 in euthymia;N= 6 in mania/hypomania;N= 6 in depression) and 22 age- and sex-matched controls were subjected to clinical evaluation and peripheral blood draw. The expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, CXCR4, and CXCR3 on CD4⁺and CD8⁺lymphocytes was assessed by flow cytometry.Results: Patients with BD had decreased percentage of CD4⁺CXCR3⁺(p= 0.024), CD4⁺CCR3⁺(p= 0.042), and CD4⁺CCR5⁺(0.013) lymphocytes in comparison with controls. The percentage of both CD4⁺and CD8⁺lymphocytes expressing the chemokine receptor CXCR4 was similar in patients with BD and controls. Likewise, the percentages of CD8⁺CXCR3⁺, CD8⁺CCR3⁺, and CD8⁺CCR5⁺lymphocytes were similar in patients with BD and controls.Conclusion: Our findings reinforce the hypothesis that immune pathways, especially involving CD4⁺lymphocytes, are involved in the physiopathology of BD.

Obesity and diabetes are both risk factors and consequences of psychiatric disorders. Glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as liraglutide are widely used in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. There are considerable amounts of preclinical studies showing the effects of liraglutide on promotion of neurogenesis, while preventing apoptosis and oxidation. Preliminary clinical evidence has suggested that liraglutide could decrease weight gain, improve cognition and prevent cognitive decline. Accordingly, liraglutide has been regarded as a potential candidate for the management of psychiatric disorders. Herein, we will discuss the association between obesity/diabetes and psychiatric disorders, and the emerging use of liraglutide in psychiatry.

Ebru Fındıklı, Mehmet Akif Camkurt, Filiz İzci, Mehmet Fatih Karaaslan, Hüseyin Avni Fındıklı, Perihan Sümer, Ergül Belge Kurutaş. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 2018;16:88-94. https://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2018.16.1.88

Mehmet Akif Camkurt, Serkan Güneş, Salih Coşkun, Ebru Fındıklı. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 2017;15:313-9. https://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2017.15.4.313

Venlafaxine is a serotonergic and noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor which is used for the treatment of depression. We report a case of galactorrhea in a patient with major depressive disorder after starting treatment with venlafaxine. In particular, we discuss the course of hyper and normoprolactinemic galactorrhea. We managed this side effect initially by dose reduction and further by switching to essitalopram. Physicians should be aware of endocrinologic side effects such as galactorrhea during the serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor treatment.

Mehmet Akif Camkurt, Ebru Fındıklı, Murat Bakacak, Fatma İnanç Tolun, Mehmet Fatih Karaaslan. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 2017;15:35-9. https://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2017.15.1.35

Mehmet G?ne?, Mehmet Akif Camkurt, Mahmut Bulut, S?leyman Demir, Aslıhan Okan ?bilo?lu, Mehmet Cemal Kaya, Abdullah Atlı, ?brahim Kaplan, and Aytekin Sir. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 2016;14:345-50. https://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2016.14.4.345