Methamphetamine, one of the most frequently used illicit drugs worldwide, can induce psychosis in a large fraction of abusers and it is becoming a major problem for the health care institutions. There is some evidence that genetic and epigenetic factors may play roles in methamphetamine psychosis. In this study, we examined methamphetamine‐induced epigenetic and expression changes of several key genes involved in psychosis. RNA and DNA extracted from the saliva samples of patients with methamphetamine dependency with and without psychosis as well as control subjects (each group 25) were analyzed for expression and promoter DNA methylation status of DRD1, DRD2, DRD3, DRD4, MB‐COMT, GAD1, and AKT1 using qRT‐PCR and q‐MSP, respectively. We found statistically significant DNA hypomethylation of the promoter regions of DRD3 (P = 0.032), DRD4 (P = 0.05), MB‐COMT (P = 0.009), and AKT1 (P = 0.0008) associated with increased expression of the corresponding genes in patients with methamphetamine psychosis (P = 0.022, P = 0.034, P = 0.035, P = 0.038, respectively), and to a lesser degree in some of the candidate genes in non‐psychotic patients versus the control subjects. In general, methamphetamine dependency is associated with reduced DNA methylation and corresponding increase in expression of several key genes involved in the pathogenesis of psychotic disorders. While these epigenetic changes can be useful diagnostic biomarkers for psychosis in methamphetamine abusers, it is also consistent with the use of methyl rich diet for prevention or suppression of psychosis in these patients. However, this needs to be confirmed in future studies.

Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Objective: Bipolar disorder is strongly associated with suicidal ideations, attempts and commissions. Although several studies have been conducted on suicide risk factors in patients with bipolar disorder worldwide, a comprehensive study has not been reported from Iran.

Background: Considering the prevalence of coronavirus and its effect on mental health and increasing perceived stress, the aim of this study was to investigate the perceived stress and mental health of health defenders in military and civilian hospitals involved in treating patients with COVID 19. Methods: The present study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The available sampling method was done by sending online questionnaires of demographic characteristics, Goldberg general health and perceived stress (PSS). 323 health advocates were involved with virus patients. Through descriptive statistics, independent mean test, univariate analysis of variance and chi-square test were analyzed using SPSS 25 version. Results: the frequency of symptoms of mental disorder in military hospital staff (61.1%) and civilian hospital staff (50.7%) which indicates a significant difference between the two groups of employees (P <0.05); But there is no significant difference between the two groups in perceived stress.Conclusion: Considering the stressful period of COVID 19 pandemic, to reduce and prevent the psychological effects of this pandemic such as burnout, mental health problems, symptoms of persistent stress, providing psychological resilience interventions for treatment staff on the front lines of the crisis is one of the highest priorities during this epidemic.

Objective: A rare phenomenon of Shared Psychosis Disorder occurring in the context of Bipolar I Disorder, in identical twins is reported.