Kaleab Tesfaye Tegegne, Abiyu Ayalew Assefa*, Gashaw Mehiret Wubet, Andualem Zenebe, Eleni Tesfaye Tegegne and Mekibib Kassa Tessema
Background: In Ethiopia, mental illness in particular depression is the leading non-communicable disorder in terms of burden. The purpose of this review is to provide latest available comparison of depression among married and divorced people in Ethiopia. Methods: This is systemic review and meta-analysis by study design. The studies were searched in Google Scholar, Medline and Web of science database and PRISMA guidelines protocol was used to write the systematic review.
Results: Twenty studies were found to be eligible and included in the meta-analysis. The combined effect size of all studies revealeda statistically significant association between marital status and depression (OR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.37 - 0.86).
Conclusions: We found that divorced people were more likely to have depression than married people. Thus, more attention should be paid to strengthen activities which discourage divorce at community level and integrating mental health counseling into health extension programme is advisable.
Madhura Perera*, Jacquline Tham and Ferdous Azam
DOI: 10.37421/2572-0791.2023.9.74
This paper explores into the empirical literature related to the factors affecting clinical depression and on the impact of clinical depression on academic performance among undergraduates. Hereby a series of past empirical studies in the fields of depression and academic performance have been examined and their findings have been summarized. There is a dearth of empirical literature pertaining to these fields currently and more studies are required to strengthen the existing body of knowledge. This paper mainly aims to summarize the widely spread empirical literature on these two domains into a single summary to facilitate future researchers undertaking research in exploring factors affecting clinical depression and its effects on academic achievement among undergraduates. The prevailing literature summarized here highlights that physical exercises, excessive internet use, recent life changing crisis, domestic violence, substance abuse, family and personal history of depression, study year, academic demands, living conditions, parental expectations, financial difficulties and unemployment can lead towards clinical depression and it can adversely affect towards the academic performance among undergraduates.
Zara Nipol
A "cytokine storm" refers to an overwhelming and dysregulated immune
response in which the body produces excessive amounts of cytokines-signaling
molecules that regulate immune function. This condition is characterized by
a hyperactive immune response, leading to widespread inflammation and,
in severe cases, tissue damage and organ failure. Cytokine storms are seen
in a range of medical conditions, including autoimmune diseases, infections
(notably viral infections like COVID-19), and even certain cancers. While
cytokines are essential in fighting infections and maintaining immune function,
their excessive production can result in catastrophic consequences for the
body.
Berner Joseph
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the immune system
mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to chronic inflammation
and tissue damage. Diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Systemic
Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and psoriasis are
examples of autoimmune conditions that significantly impair patients' quality
of life. Traditionally, the management of autoimmune diseases has focused
on non-specific immunosuppressive therapies, such as corticosteroids and
methotrexate, aimed at dampening the overactive immune response. However,
these treatments often come with substantial side effects and do not address
the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in a targeted manner.
Foley Raffolo
Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and
bipolar disorder, are some of the most prevalent and debilitating conditions
globally. Despite extensive research, the underlying causes of these disorders
remain complex and multifactorial, involving a combination of genetic
predispositions and environmental influences. One crucial aspect of mental
health disorders is the dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems, which are
responsible for communication between brain cells and the regulation of mood,
cognition, and behavior. Imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as serotonin,
dopamine, glutamate, and norepinephrine, have been implicated in the
pathophysiology of various psychiatric conditions.
Bout Courtetr
Dopamine and serotonin are two of the most well-known neurotransmitters
in the brain, and they play critical roles in regulating mood, behavior, and
cognition. Both are involved in the modulation of emotional responses, reward
processing, and motor control, yet they function in distinct pathways and
have different mechanisms of action. Imbalances in these neurotransmitters
are implicated in a wide range of psychiatric disorders, including depression,
anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The delicate balance between
dopamine and serotonin systems is essential for maintaining emotional
stability, motivation, and proper cognitive functioning.
Korliana Strna
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder
that leads to severe cognitive decline, memory impairment, and changes in
behavior and personality. It is the most common cause of dementia, affecting
millions of individuals worldwide, with an increasing prevalence as the global
population ages. The pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease is multifactorial,
involving the accumulation of amyloid plaques, tau tangles, inflammation, and
synaptic dysfunction. One of the most critical factors in the cognitive decline
observed in AD is the dysfunction of neurotransmitter systems, particularly
the cholinergic system, which involves Acetylcholine (ACh) as its primary
neurotransmitter.
Gawlin Ruthwik
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative
disorder that primarily affects movement control. It is the second most common
neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease, with a significant
impact on the quality of life of affected individuals. PD is characterized by the
degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, a region of the
brain that plays a crucial role in motor control. As dopamine-producing neurons
are lost, there is a corresponding imbalance in the neurotransmitter systems of
the brain, leading to a wide range of motor and non-motor symptoms, including
tremors, bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability, and cognitive decline.
Beneto Revert
Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's Disease (AD),
Parkinson's Disease (PD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis (ALS), are progressive conditions characterized by the degeneration
of neurons, leading to cognitive, motor, and functional impairments. While
the precise causes of these diseases remain unclear, increasing evidence
suggests that neuroinflammation—driven by the activation of inflammatory
cytokines—plays a critical role in the progression of neurodegenerative
diseases. Cytokines, which are small signaling proteins produced by immune
cells, have long been known to regulate immune responses and inflammation.
However, in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, the activation of these
cytokines within the Central Nervous System (CNS) can exacerbate neuronal
damage, contributing to disease progression. This article aims to explore the
molecular pathways of inflammatory cytokines in neurodegenerative disorders,
examining their roles in disease pathogenesis, and highlighting potential
therapeutic strategies to target these pathways in the management of these
debilitating diseases.
Slaney Matteo
Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric conditions, affect millions of individuals
worldwide, contributing to a significant burden on healthcare systems
and society. The brain, as the organ controlling emotions, behavior, and
cognition, relies heavily on a delicate balance of neurotransmitters—chemical
messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells. Neurotransmitters,
such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
(GABA) and glutamate, are crucial in regulating mood, cognition and behavior.
Imbalances or dysfunctions in these neurotransmitter systems have long
been implicated in the development and progression of various psychological
disorders. This article explores the relationship between neurotransmitter
imbalance and mental health, examining how alterations in brain chemistry
contribute to the onset and progression of psychological disorders. It also
highlights current research, therapeutic strategies, and future directions for
understanding the complex interplay between brain chemistry and mental
health.
Clinical Depression received 89 citations as per Google Scholar report