TRR379 is a collaborative research effort covering a broad range of research areas and topics. The aim is to identify multidimensionally defined biosignatures of aggression in mental disorders. These will then be used to develop customized, biomarker-driven prevention and intervention measures.
Andreas gave a public talk for the Polytechnical Foundation of Frankfurt am Main, where he explored the numerous ways AI is transforming the field of medicine. His talk touched on topics as varied as predictive psychiatry and the latest advancements in medical technology. However, while AI has many promising applications, it also raises ethical questions that must be carefully considered. Overall, Andreas’s talk was challanging the ways that technology is changing our understanding of medicine and psychiatry. Talk is in German.
The EU funded Project launched October 26th in Paris. The Moleclar Genetics Laboratory of CAPPP at the Franfkurt University is joining forces with 26 other world-leading research groups to inmprove our understanding the risk and resilience factors for mental well-being.
We are thrilled to announce our new collaboration with Neurolentech GmbH to generate patient-specific cellular models for neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our common aim is to investigate disease mechanisms at the cellular, functional and molecular levels with the goal to generate tools and data to foster therapeutic drug development.
TRR379 is a collaborative research effort covering a broad range of research areas and topics. The aim is to identify multidimensionally defined biosignatures of aggression in mental disorders. These will then be used to develop customized, biomarker-driven prevention and intervention measures.
Andreas gave a public talk for the Polytechnical Foundation of Frankfurt am Main, where he explored the numerous ways AI is transforming the field of medicine. His talk touched on topics as varied as predictive psychiatry and the latest advancements in medical technology. However, while AI has many promising applications, it also raises ethical questions that must be carefully considered. Overall, Andreas’s talk was challanging the ways that technology is changing our understanding of medicine and psychiatry. Talk is in German.
The EU funded Project launched October 26th in Paris. The Moleclar Genetics Laboratory of CAPPP at the Franfkurt University is joining forces with 26 other world-leading research groups to inmprove our understanding the risk and resilience factors for mental well-being.
We are thrilled to announce our new collaboration with Neurolentech GmbH to generate patient-specific cellular models for neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our common aim is to investigate disease mechanisms at the cellular, functional and molecular levels with the goal to generate tools and data to foster therapeutic drug development.
Stephanie Binder, Haribaskar Ramachandran, Denise Haslinger, Barbara Hildebrandt, Jochen Dobner, Thomas Haarmann-Stemmann, Andreas Chiocchetti, Andrea Rossi; Stem Cell, Research, Volume 77, 2024, 103395, ISSN 1873-5061, Read more…
Heterozygous beta-actin (ACTB) indel and nonsense mutations are linked to developmental disorders. We generated two CRISPR/Cas9 human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, WTSIi018-B-19 and WTSIi018-B-20, with heterozygous and homozygous indel mutations in ACTB exon 4. Both lines exhibited normal cell morphology, expression of pluripotency markers, and the ability to differentiate into the three primary germ layers. While heterozygous ACTB mutant iPSCs maintained genome integrity, homozygous mutants showed a loss of heterozygosity in chromosome three. These models are powerful tools for studying the onset, progression, and genetic compensation in ACTB-related diseases.
Mutations in a gene called beta-actin (ACTB) can cause developmental disorders. We used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to create two types of human stem cell lines with mutations in ACTB. These stem cells, named WTSIi018-B-19 and WTSIi018-B-20, had one and two copies of the mutated gene, respectively. Both types of cells looked normal, could turn into any cell type in the body, and showed signs of being fully functional stem cells. However, while cells with one mutated gene were stable, those with two mutated genes lost some genetic material on chromosome three. These stem cell models help us understand how ACTB mutations affect development and how the body might try to compensate for these genetic changes.
Silber Ann-Sophie , Platte Simeon , Kumar Afsheen , Arora Sukhdeep , Kadioglu Dennis , Schmidt Marvin , Storf Holger , Chiocchetti Andreas G. , Freitag Christine M.; Frontiers in Public Health
2023 (11), Read more…
This study analyzed data from 2,849 patients admitted to a German University Hospital’s Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry between January 2016 and February 2022 to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorder (ED) admissions. We compared admissions before (01/2016–02/2020) and during the pandemic (03/2020–02/2022). The proportion of ED admissions rose from 10.5% to 16.7%, primarily due to Anorexia Nervosa (AN). While there was no significant change in comorbidity, age, or sex ratio for ED patients, hospital stays were shorter. Non-ED admissions showed increased mental disorder comorbidities. School closures were not linked to the rise in ED cases. The findings highlight the increased need for inpatient care during crises and the importance of enhancing mental health services for youth.
This study looked at data from 2,849 young patients admitted to a German hospital for mental health between January 2016 and February 2022. We wanted to see how the COVID-19 pandemic affected admissions for eating disorders, such as anorexia. We compared the number of cases before the pandemic and during it. We found that the rate of eating disorder admissions increased from 10.5% to 16.7%, with a significant rise in anorexia. Although the average length of hospital stays shortened for all patients, the mix of other mental health issues did not change much.
Surprisingly, school closures did not seem to be linked to the increase in eating disorder cases. These results suggest that more young people needed serious mental health care during the pandemic, pointing to the need for better mental health services in times of crisis.
, , , , , , et al. The phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of epilepsy and intellectual disability in adults: Implications for genetic testing. Epilepsia Open. 2023; 8: 497–508, Read more…
This study investigated 52 adults with epilepsy and intellectual disability (ID) who had no known genetic or acquired causes. Using exome sequencing, we identified likely pathogenic variants in 31% of patients. The median age was 27 years, with early onset of seizures and ID. We found three main patient groups: those with early seizures and developmental delay, those with early developmental delay and later seizures, and those with variable seizure onset and late cognitive deficits. Smaller gene panels missed some variants found in specific groups. Our results suggest that larger gene panels or exome sequencing provide better diagnostic yield for this diverse cohort.
This study looked at 52 adults with both epilepsy and intellectual disability (ID) that had no known cause. Using advanced genetic tests, we discovered that 31% had harmful genetic changes. Most patients were about 27 years old, with both seizures and ID starting early in life. We identified three main groups: those with early seizures and delays in development, those with early development delays but later seizures, and those with various seizure patterns and later cognitive problems. Smaller genetic tests often missed important findings, so larger or more comprehensive tests are much better for diagnosing these conditions accurately. This shows the importance of thorough testing in understanding and treating these disorders.
Postal Adress:
AG Chiocchetti
Translational Child Psychiatry
University Hospital Frankfurt
Building 25A, 5th floor
Theodor-Stern-Kai 7
60596 Frankfurt am Main