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Psychiatry International Mar 2022Neuroticism and premenstrual conditions share pleiotropic loci and are strongly associated. It is presently not known which DSM-5 symptoms of premenstrual...
Neuroticism and premenstrual conditions share pleiotropic loci and are strongly associated. It is presently not known which DSM-5 symptoms of premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual mood disorder are associated with neuroticism. We enrolled 45 study participants to provide prospective daily ratings of affective ("depression", "anxiety, "anger", "mood swings") and psychological ("low interest", "feeling overwhelmed", and "difficulty concentrating") symptoms across two-three menstrual cycles (128 total cycles). Generalized additive modeling (gam function in R) was implemented to model the relationships between neuroticism and the premenstrual increase in symptomatology. Significance level was adjusted using the False Discovery Rate method and models were adjusted for current age and age of menarche. Results of the association analysis revealed that "low interest" ( ≤ 0.05) and "difficulty concentrating" ( ≤ 0.001) were significantly associated with neuroticism. None of the remaining symptoms reached statistical significance. The late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle is characterized by complex symptomatology, reflecting a physiological milieu of numerous biological processes. By identifying co-expression between neuroticism and specific premenstrual symptomatology, the present study improves our understanding of the premenstrual conditions and provides a platform for individualized treatment developments.
PubMed: 36381676
DOI: 10.3390/psychiatryint3010005 -
Neuropsychopharmacology : Official... Oct 2022Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a pervasive and devastating mental illness with high comorbidity rates with other mental disorders. Understanding the genetic architecture...
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a pervasive and devastating mental illness with high comorbidity rates with other mental disorders. Understanding the genetic architecture of this comorbidity could be improved by focusing on intermediate traits that show positive genetic correlation with the disorders. Thus, we aimed to characterize the shared vs. unique polygenicity of AUD, alcohol consumption (AC) and mood instability (MOOD) -beyond genetic correlation, and boost discovery for jointly-associated loci. Summary statistics for MOOD (a binary measure of the tendency to report frequent mood swings), AC (number of standard drinks over a typical consumption week) and AUD GWASs (Ns > 200,000) were analyzed to characterize the cross-phenotype associations between MOOD and AC, MOOD and AUD and AC and AUD. To do so, we used a newly established pipeline that combines (i) the bivariate causal mixture model (MiXeR) to quantify polygenic overlap and (ii) the conjunctional false discovery rate (conjFDR) to discover specific jointly associated genomic loci, which were mapped to genes and biological functions. MOOD was highly polygenic (10.4k single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs, SD = 2k) compared to AC (4.9k SNPs, SD = 0.6k) and AUD (4.3k SNPs, SD = 2k). The polygenic overlap of MOOD and AC was twice that of MOOD and AUD (98% vs. 49%), with opposite genetic correlation (-0.2 vs. 0.23), as confirmed in independent samples. MOOD&AUD associated SNPs were significantly enriched for brain genes, conversely to MOOD&AC. Among 38 jointly associated loci, fifteen were novel for MOOD, AC and AUD. MOOD, AC and AUD were also strongly associated at the phenotypic level. Overall, using multilevel polygenic quantification, joint loci discovery and functional annotation methods, we evidenced that the polygenic overlap between MOOD and AC/AUD implicated partly shared biological underpinnings, yet, clearly distinct functional patterns between MOOD&AC and MOOD&AUD, suggesting new mechanisms for the comorbidity of AUD with mood disorders.
Topics: Alcoholism; Genome-Wide Association Study; Humans; Multifactorial Inheritance; Phenotype; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
PubMed: 35953530
DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01401-6 -
Boletin Medico Del Hospital Infantil de... 2021Due to the pandemic, children are undergoing many changes in their daily lives.
BACKGROUND
Due to the pandemic, children are undergoing many changes in their daily lives.
METHODS
We analyzed how parents perceive the effects of the contingency on their children through an online survey shared by digital media for 7 days.
RESULTS
We obtained 4000 responses. The most frequent difficulty of the children was online homeschooling (30.4%), followed by sleeping disorders (20.3%). The use of screens increased 30-80% in over 65% of children. Tantrum was detected in 34% and mood swings in 30% of children. The majority of parents (77.8%) considered that distance education does not guarantee children's education and that the level of learning acquired through online classes is not the same as that of face-to-face education (83.5%). In contrast, 70.6% of parents considered that it is not yet time to reopen schools, 78.8% believed that there is sufficient evidence to keep them closed, and 45% indicated that it is better not to return to campus this year. Regarding activities to improve mental health during the contingency, 51.3% have created home games, and 23.6% perform physical activity. However, 74.4% do not have the peace of mind to restart daily life. Among the positive aspects of the contingency, adaptability (35%) and family union (33.5%) were reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Health professionals in contact with children must be prepared for the problems that this contingency is generating and sensitize parents to observe their children and seek professional help on any alarm data on the emotional or behavioral state of the child.
Topics: Adolescent; COVID-19; Child; Child, Preschool; Education, Distance; Humans; Internet; Mental Health; Parents; Schools; Screen Time; Sleep Wake Disorders; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34167146
DOI: 10.24875/BMHIM.20000140 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Jan 2022Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental disorder, characterized by prominent mood swings and emotion regulation (ER) deficits. The uncinate fasciculus (UF), a white... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental disorder, characterized by prominent mood swings and emotion regulation (ER) deficits. The uncinate fasciculus (UF), a white matter tract connecting the amygdala and the ventral prefrontal cortex, has been implicated in ER. Aberrancies in UF microstructure may be an endophenotype associated with increased risk for BD. However, studies in individuals with BD and their first-degree relatives (REL) have yielded inconsistent findings. This meta-analysis takes a region-of-interest approach to consolidate the available evidence and elucidate the role of the UF in the risk-architecture of BD.
METHODS
Using web-based search engines, we identified diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies focusing on the left and right UF and conducted meta-analyses comparing fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD) between BD or REL and healthy control participants (HC).
RESULTS
We included 32 studies (n=1186, n=289, n=2315). Compared to HC, individuals with BD showed lower FA in the right (WMD=-0.31, p<0.0001) and left UF (WMD=-0.21, p = 0.010), and higher RD in the right UF (WMD=0.32, p = 0.009). We found no significant differences between REL and HC. In the right but not left UF, REL showed higher FA than BD (p = 0.043).
CONCLUSION
Our findings support aberrant UF microstructure, potentially related to alterations in myelination, as a mechanism, but not as an endophenotype of BD. However, given the limited power in the REL subsample, the latter finding must be considered preliminary. Studies examining the role of the UF in individuals at familial risk for BD are warranted.
Topics: Anisotropy; Bipolar Disorder; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Humans; Nerve Net; Uncinate Fasciculus; White Matter
PubMed: 34699854
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.045 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2023Infertility and obstetric complications have become global health issues in the past few years. Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive even... (Review)
Review
Infertility and obstetric complications have become global health issues in the past few years. Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive even after twelve months or more of regular and unprotected intercourse. According to WHO data published in the year 2020, 186 million people have infertility globally. Factors leading to infertility are variable in both males and females. But some common factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and stress. Various synthetic drugs and treatment options are available that are effective in treating infertility, but their prolonged usage produces various unwanted adverse effects like hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, and weight gain. In extreme cases, these may also lead to the development of anxiety and depression. Herbal remedies have gained a lot of popularity over the years, and people's inclination toward them has increased all over the world. The prime reason is that these show significant therapeutic efficacy and have fewer side effects. The therapeutic efficacy of plants can be attributed to the presence of diverse phytochemical classes of constituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, and volatile oils. These secondary metabolites, or phytomolecules, can be used to develop herbal formulations. The review highlights the applications and mechanisms of action of various phytochemicals for treating infertility. Also, it focuses on the various future prospects associated with it.
Topics: Male; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Infertility; Phytochemicals; Alkaloids
PubMed: 37215366
DOI: 10.1155/2023/1327562 -
Clinical Psychopharmacology and... May 2022Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings and has a chronic course. However, the mechanism by which mood episodes with completely opposite... (Review)
Review
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings and has a chronic course. However, the mechanism by which mood episodes with completely opposite characteristics appear repeatedly, or a mixture of symptoms appears, in patients with bipolar disorder remains unknown. Therefore, mood stabilizers are indicated only for single mood episodes, such as manic episodes and depressive episodes, and no true mood-stabilizing drugs effective for treating both manic and depressive episodes currently exist. Therefore, in this review, therapeutic targets that facilitate the development of mood stabilizers were examined by reviewing the current understanding of the neuromolecular etiology of bipolar disorder.
PubMed: 35466094
DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2022.20.2.228 -
Currents in Pharmacy Teaching & Learning Jun 2021The coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic has changed university routines affecting student mental health. The aims of this study were to survey aspects related to mental...
INTRODUCTION
The coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic has changed university routines affecting student mental health. The aims of this study were to survey aspects related to mental health of pharmaceutical course students considering previous and current contexts.
METHODS
The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and Brunel Mood Scale were used. DASS-21 was completed pre- and post-pandemic. The validity and reliability of the data were verified. The prevalence (95% CI) of mental health symptoms was estimated. The relationship between the time spent watching/reading the news and mean scales scores was evaluated (Pearson's correlation coefficient).
RESULTS
The prevalence of depression symptoms in students pre-pandemic was 66.7% (95% CI = 65.3-68.1) and during the pandemic was 81% (95% CI = 79.8-82.2). More than 70% (95% CI = 69.8-72.6) of participants had some psychological impact as a result of the pandemic (mild: 16.7% [95% CI = 15.6-17.8]; moderate: 9.1% [95% CI = 8.2-10]; severe: 45.4% [95% CI = 43.9-46.9]). High values of tension, depressed mood, mental confusion, and anger were observed. There was a significant correlation between the time spent following the news of the pandemic and symptoms of anxiety (r = 0.356; P < .001), stress (r = 0.248; P = .014), hyperarousal (r = 0.322; P ≤ 0.001), and intrusion (r = 0.21; P = .039).
CONCLUSIONS
Students are highly vulnerable to depressive symptoms and mood swings due to the pandemic. These findings deserve consideration mainly from mental health professionals, but also from managers and educators.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Affect; Anger; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Brazil; COVID-19; Confusion; Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Emotions; Female; Humans; Information Seeking Behavior; Male; Mental Health; Pandemics; Prevalence; Severity of Illness Index; Stress, Psychological; Students, Pharmacy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Young Adult
PubMed: 33867058
DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2021.01.034 -
Cells Oct 2022Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant inherited progressive neurodegenerative disorder. It is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the Huntingtin gene that... (Review)
Review
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant inherited progressive neurodegenerative disorder. It is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the Huntingtin gene that is translated to an expanded polyglutamine (PolyQ) repeat in huntingtin protein. HD is characterized by mood swings, involuntary movement, and cognitive decline in the late disease stage. HD patients often die 15-20 years after disease onset. Currently, there is no cure for HD. Due to the striking neuronal loss in HD, most studies focused on the investigation of the predominantly neuronal degeneration in specific brain regions. However, the pathology of the white matter area in the brains of HD patients was also reported by clinical imaging studies, which showed white matter abnormalities even before the clinical onset of HD. Since oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around the axons in the brain, white matter lesions are likely attributed to alterations in myelin and oligodendrocyte-associated changes in HD. In this review, we summarized the evidence for white matter, myelin, and oligodendrocytes alterations that were previously observed in HD patients and animal models. We also discussed potential mechanisms for white matter changes and possible treatment to prevent glial dysfunction in HD.
Topics: Animals; Huntington Disease; White Matter; Huntingtin Protein; Brain; Myelin Sheath
PubMed: 36359783
DOI: 10.3390/cells11213381 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024Mood swings, or mood variability, are associated with negative mental health outcomes. Since adolescence is a time when mood disorder onset peaks, mood variability...
Mood swings, or mood variability, are associated with negative mental health outcomes. Since adolescence is a time when mood disorder onset peaks, mood variability during this time is of significant interest. Understanding biological factors that might be associated with mood variability, such as sleep and structural brain development, could elucidate the mechanisms underlying mood and anxiety disorders. Data from the longitudinal Leiden self-concept study (N = 191) over 5 yearly timepoints was used to study the association between sleep, brain structure, and mood variability in healthy adolescents aged 11-21 at baseline in this pre-registered study. Sleep was measured both objectively, using actigraphy, as well as subjectively, using a daily diary self-report. Negative mood variability was defined as day-to-day negative mood swings over a period of 5 days after an MRI scan. It was found that negative mood variability peaked in mid-adolescence in females while it linearly increased in males, and average negative mood showed a similar pattern. Sleep duration (subjective and objective) generally decreased throughout adolescence, with a larger decrease in males. Mood variability was not associated with sleep, but average negative mood was associated with lower self-reported energy. In addition, higher thickness in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) compared to same-age peers, suggesting a delayed thinning process, was associated with higher negative mood variability in early and mid-adolescence. Together, this study provides an insight into the development of mood variability and its association with brain structure.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Male; Humans; Adolescent Development; Mood Disorders; Sleep; Brain; Actigraphy
PubMed: 38609481
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59227-9 -
Neuropsychopharmacologia Hungarica : a... Sep 2021Bipolar affective disorder is a chronic illness that usually causes significant psychosocial deficits and functional impairment and is also associated with excess... (Review)
Review
Bipolar affective disorder is a chronic illness that usually causes significant psychosocial deficits and functional impairment and is also associated with excess mortality. It is underlied by an endogenous pathology with pharmacotherapy as primary treatment. However, in many cases, medication treatment alone is associated with limited adherence, low remission rates, increased potential for relapse and residual symptoms, which is why bipolarity-specific psychotherapeutic interventions are increasingly gaining ground as an integral part of the management of the disease. An increasing amount of research and evidence suggest that complementary psychotherapeutic interventions improve patients' long-term functioning, and argue for the involvement of psychologists and other helping professionals in the long-term care of patients with bipolar disorder. In this article we overview the major therapeutic methods specifically targeted at this group of patients, including individual and group psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural therapy, family therapy, Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), Integrated Care Management, Think Effectively About Mood Swings (TEAMS), Imagery Based Emotion Regulation (IBER), and other individual and group techniques and psychotherapeutic interventions, also mentioning efficacy studies and effects experienced by patients.
Topics: Bipolar Disorder; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Family Therapy; Humans; Psychotherapy; Psychotropic Drugs
PubMed: 34751022
DOI: No ID Found