Dubravka Švob Štrac | Ruder Boskovic Institute (original) (raw)

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Papers by Dubravka Švob Štrac

Genes

Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene variants are involved in different neuropsychiatric dis... more Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene variants are involved in different neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments, associated with altered dopamine function. This study investigated the genotypic and haplotypic association of COMT rs4680 and rs4618 polymorphisms with the severity of cognitive and other clinical symptoms in 544 male and 385 female subjects with schizophrenia. COMT rs4818 G carriers were more frequent in male patients with mild abstract thinking difficulties, compared to CC homozygotes or C allele carriers. Male carriers of COMT rs4680 A allele had worse abstract thinking (N5) scores than GG carriers, whereas AA homozygotes were more frequent in male subjects with lower scores on the intensity of the somatic concern (G1) item, compared to G carriers. Male carriers of COMT rs4818–rs4680 GA haplotype had the highest scores on the G1 item (somatic concern), whereas GG haplotype carriers had the lowest scores on G2 (anxiety) and G6 (depression) items. COMT...

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2021

Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics

GABA And Glutamate - New Developments In Neurotransmission Research, 2018

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry

Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry

: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant steroid hormone in primates, which is predom... more : Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant steroid hormone in primates, which is predominantly synthesized in the adrenal cortex. A characteristic curve of growth and decline of its synthesis during life was observed, together with the corresponding formation of its sulphate ester (DHEAS). High levels of plasma circulating DHEA are suggested as a marker of human longevity, and various pathophysiological conditions lead to a decreased DHEA level, including adrenal insufficiency, severe systemic diseases, acute stress, and anorexia. More recent studies have established the importance of DHEA in the central nervous system (CNS). A specific intranuclear receptor for DHEA has not yet been identified; however, highly specific membrane receptors have been detected in endothelial cells, the heart, kidney, liver, and the brain. Research shows that DHEA and DHEAS, as well as their metabolites, have a wide range of effects on numerous organs and organ systems, which places them in the group of potential pharmacological agents useful in various clinical entities. Their action as neurosteroids is especially interesting due to potential neuroprotective, pro-cognitive, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects. Evidence from clinical studies supports the use of DHEA in hypoadrenal individuals and in treating depression and associated cognitive disorders. However, there is also an increasing trend of recreational DHEA misuse in healthy people, as it is classified as a dietary supplement in some countries. This article aims to provide a critical review regarding the biological and pharmacological effects of DHEA, its mechanism of action, and potential therapeutic use, especially in CNS disorders.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Mar 16, 2023

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2023

Biomedicines, Dec 13, 2022

Biomedicines, Dec 2, 2022

Free Radical Biology and Medicine

8th Croatian Congress of Neuroscience Book of Abstracts, 2021

Klinička primjena antipsihotika, 2015