While the somatic effects of obesity are increasingly well understood, growing evidence indicates that there is a cognitive effect such as a decline in episodic memory. Studies in animals revealed an association between obesity, memory impairment and neurotransmitters such as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. In the present study we aimed to assess the relation of body mass index (BMI) as indicator of overwight/obesity...

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and severe psychiatric disease, which does not only lead to variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms, but unfortunately in a relatively large proportion of cases also to suicide. The pathogenesis of MDD still requires definition. We have previously shown that ceramide is increased in the blood plasma of patients with MDD. In mouse models of MDD, which are induced by treatment with cortic...

Due to the SARS CoV-2-virus (COVID-19), anxiety, distress, and insecurity occur more frequently. In particular, infected individuals, their relatives, and medical staff face an increased risk of high psychological distress as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Thus, structured psychosocial emergency concepts are needed. The University hospital of Essen has taken up this challenge by creating the PEC concept to reduce psychosoci...