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Depression and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders with intriguing epidemiological overlaps. Their interrelation has recently garnered widespread attention. Empirical evidence indicates that depressive disorders significantly contribute to AD risk, and approximately a quarter of AD patients have comorbid major depressive disorder, which underscores the bidirectional link between AD and depression. A growing body of evidence substantiates pervasive sex differences in both AD and depression: both conditions exhibit a higher incidence among women than among men. However, the available literature on this topic is somewhat fragmented, with no comprehensive review that delineates sex disparities in the depression–AD correlation. In this review, we bridge these gaps by summarizing recent progress in understanding sex-based differences in mechanisms, genetics, and therapeutic prospects for depression and AD. Additionally, we outline key challenges in the field, holding potential for improving treatment precision and efficacy tailored to male and female patients’ distinct needs.

Deep brain stimulation is a therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) that has previously been used for mainly mild to moderate cases. This study provides the first evidence of early alterations in performance induced by stimulation targeted at the fornix in severe AD patients. The performance of the five cases enrolled in this study was scored with specialized assessments including the Mini-Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating, both before and at an early stage after deep brain stimulation. The burden of caregivers was also evaluated using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. As a whole, the cognitive performance of patients remained stable or improved to varying degrees, and caregiver burden was decreased. Individually, an improved mental state or social performance was observed in three patients, and one of these three patients showed remarkable improvement in long-term memory. The conditions of another patient deteriorated because of inappropriate antipsychotic medications that were administered by his caregivers. Taken together, deep brain stimulation was capable of improving some cognitive aspects in patients with severe AD, and of ameliorating their emotional and social performance, at least at an early stage. However, long-term effects induced by deep brain stimulation in patients with severe AD need to be further validated. More research should focus on clarifying the mechanism of deep brain stimulation. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03115814) on April 14, 2017.

Objective To study the efficacy and possible mechanism of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in bilateral anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN) for drug-resistant epilepsy. Methods Three cases with drug-resistant epilepsy underwent DBS in bilateral ATN. Preoperative and postoperative assessment included the frequency of seizures, seizure types, kinds and dosage of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), and imaging and EEG examination. Results Case 1 was followed up for 28 months, with only one seizure attack occurred due to missing doses. Video EEG (VEEG) during the follow-up period showed that a single unilateral spike-slow wave discharge was found by accident in one year after DBS. As for Case 2, intermittent time was significantly prolonged during the follow-up of 24 months. VEEG during the follow-up period showed interictal right frontal-central-parietal slow wave. Case 3 was followed up for 3 months, and VEEG examination during the follow-up period revealed decrease of diffuse spike-slow wave, while bilateral occipital spike-slow wave could be seen in interictal phase. Without any change of type and dose in taking AEDs after DBS, seizure frequency was reduced by 100% in Case 1, 25% in Case 2, and almost 55% in Case 3. Conclusions DBS therapy is an effective treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. It could significantly reduce the frequency of attacks, or even completely control the attack, and improve the patients' quality of life. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2015.09.007

Objective To evaluate the accuracy and safety of deep brain electrode implantation assisted by robotized stereotactic assistant (ROSA) system. Methods A total of 6 epileptic patients who had difficulty in positioning of epileptogenic focus underwent deep brain electrode implantation assisted by ROSA system. Record the maximum and minimum distance of electrode deviation according to postoperative CT and MRI and calculate the average distance, so as to evaluate the accuracy of operation. Record intraoperative electrode related bleeding events, postoperative electrode related bleeding or ischemic events and complications during the follow-up period, so as to evaluate the safety of operation. Results A total of 37 electrodes were successfully implanted in all 6 cases, with a success rate of 100%. Implanted electrodes were mainly located in medial temporal lobe, hippocampus and insular lobe (5 cases) and parieto-lobe (one case). The maximum deviation distance was 8.79 mm, and minimum was 1.14 mm, with an average of (3.65 ± 1.82) mm. Neither intraoperative electrode related bleeding event nor postoperative electrode related bleeding or ischemic event was found. No patient suffered from severe complications, such as intracranial infection, electrode disjunction, undesirable healing of scalp and wound infection, during the follow-up period from 3 to 5 months (mean 3.67 months). Conclusions Deep brain electrode implantation assisted by ROSA system is safe and accurate. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2015.09.006

Objective To study the long⁃term effects of extracranial⁃intracranial (EC⁃IC) bypass and aneurysms trapping in patients with complex cerebral aneurysms. Methods Seventeen patients with complex aneurysms, who underwent EC ⁃ IC bypass and aneurysms trapping from 2008 to 2009, were followed up. Clinical records were reviewed, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was recorded at admission, discharging, and follow⁃up point, and activities of daily living (ADL) scale (Barthel Index) at admission and follow⁃up point. Results Seventeen patients (11 males and 6 females) were followed up. At admission mRS scores were 1.06 ± 0.87, Barthel index 91.10 ± 10.30. Superficial temporal artery ⁃ middle cerebral artery (STA⁃MCA) was performed in 8 cases, extracarotid artery⁃great saphenous vein⁃middle cerebral artery (ECA⁃GSV⁃MCA) in 5 cases, extracarotid artery⁃radial artery⁃middle cerebral artery (ECA⁃RA⁃MCA) in 3 cases, occipital artery⁃posterior inferior cerebellar artery (OA⁃PICA) in 1 case. Patients were followed up for 19-39 months (mean 28.67 months). At follow⁃up point, 2 patients (11.76%) died, operation⁃related mortality was 5.88% (1/17), operation ⁃ related morbidity 5.88% (1/17), mRS scores 1.07 ± 1.16, Barthel index 96.40 ± 10.30. Conclusion Patients with complex aneurysms who were impossible to be treated with surgical clipping or endovascular intervention could be cured with extracranial⁃intracranial bypass and aneurysms trapping, and good follow⁃up results were acquired. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2012.01.008