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Introduction: Patients with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or mood disorders, as depression, often showed dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system, resulting in increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and heightened activity of the immune system that may cause alterations in the structure and function of brain regions through direct neurotoxic effects, oxidative stress, changes in levels of neurotransmitters and decreasing some neurotrophins. Among the most studied pro-inflammatory cytokines in this field there are Intereleukine-6 (IL-6) and Interleukine-1β (IL-1β); however, scant and conflicting data are currently available in the literature about their use as potential biomarkers, and even less on possible comparisons in PTSD and depression. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate circulating levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in patients with PTSD and to compare them with those of subjects with depression and healthy controls. Methods: A sample of 45 subjects, including 15 subjects diagnosed with PTSD (PTSD group), 15 with depression (DEP group), and 15 healthy controls (HC group) were recruited at the Psychiatric Clinic of the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa. HC group included subjects recruited on a voluntary basis. The psychiatric diagnosis was assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5-Clinician Version (SCID-5-CV), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Trauma and Loss Spectrum-Self Report lifetime version (TALS-SR). A peripheral venous blood sample was collected to perform the biochemical assays. The analyses of IL-6 and IL-1β were performed with a dedicated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs) achieved at the Laboratory of Biochemistry of the Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa. Results: No statistically significant gender or age differences emerged in the three groups. There were no statistically significant differences in IL-1β levels among the three groups. Conversely, the PTSD group showed higher levels of IL-6 compared to the DEP and to the HC ones, with a statistically significant difference in the post-hoc analysis among the PTSD and DEP groups with respect to the HC one (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest the key role of a chronic low-grade inflammatory state in PTSD and in depression, probably related to a dysregulation in HPA axis and cortisol release, with an increase in proinflammatory cytokines including IL-6 that seemed to be more pronounced in PTSD. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recent data showed a high risk for Problematic Use of the Internet (PUI) in patients with mood disorders, especially Bipolar Disorder (BD). Despite traumatic exposure and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have been shown to be associated with alcohol and substance use disorder, as well as behavioral addictions such as gambling disorder among patients with BD, little is known about the possible correlations with PUI. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between PUI and lifetime trauma exposure, besides Post-Traumatic Stress Spectrum symptoms, in a sample of inpatients with BD consecutively hospitalized at the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Pisa. Methods: 113 inpatients with BD completed the Adult Autism Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), that includes item 66 to assess putative PUI, and the Trauma and Loss Spectrum Self-Report (TALS-SR), to explore lifetime Post-Traumatic Stress Spectrum symptoms. Results: 21.2% of the sample reported a putative PUI with significantly higher TALS-SR total scores with respect to patients with BD without PUI. The former also reported significantly high scores in some of the TALS-SR domains: Potentially Traumatic Events, Re-experiencing, Maladaptive Coping and Arousal. Furthermore, a positive association emerged between Potentially Traumatic Events and Arousal TALS-SR domains scores and putative PUI. Conclusions: This study reveals a significant association between PUI and lifetime trauma exposure as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Spectrum symptoms in patients with BD, suggesting the need for accurate evaluation of these subjects and possible targeted treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Emerging evidence suggests how individuals with Gambling Disorder (GD) may show an increased risk for suicide and suicidal ideation compared with the general population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to first explore the relationship between GD and suicidality in a sample of patients attending a specific program for GD in the Center for pathological addictions (SerD). Methods: A sample of 36 patients with GD attending the SerD in Lucca (Italy) completed the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to assess suicidal ideation and behavior. Results:Most of the patientsweremales (33, 89,2%), with a mean age (±SD) of 50,6 ± years. A 40.5% of the total sample met at least one C-SSRS item of suicidal ideation at admission and 13.5% of suicidal behavior. Those who had at least one C-SSRS suicidal ideation item had an intensity of ideation mean score of 11.5 / 25 points. Conclusions: This study corroborates the need for careful investigation and specific prevention of suicidal ideation and attempts in patients with a behavioural addiction, such as GD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]