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Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2022This protocol aims to characterize patients with dual disorders (DD; comorbid major depression and schizophrenia) compared with patients with only a diagnosis of...
This protocol aims to characterize patients with dual disorders (DD; comorbid major depression and schizophrenia) compared with patients with only a diagnosis of substance use disorder (SUD) and those with only a diagnosis of severe mental illness (SMI; major depression and schizophrenia), evaluating clinical and personality characteristics, circadian rhythmic functioning, genetic polymorphism and neuropsychological performance in order to obtain a clinical endophenotype of differential vulnerability for these diagnostic entities. Patients will be divided into three groups: DD (45 men with comorbid schizophrenia, 45 men and 30 women with major depression), SUD ( = 90, with a minimum of 30 women) and SMI males (45 with schizophrenia, 45 with major depression). All patients will be under treatment, with at least three months of SUD abstinence and/or with SMI in remission or with stabilized symptoms. Outpatients of both sexes with insufficient restoration of circadian rhythmicity with SUD ( = 30) and dual depression ( = 30) will be asked to participate in a second two-month study, being alternately assigned to the condition of the chronobiological adjuvant approach to the treatment of regular hour habits and exposure to light or to the usual treatment (control). The effect of the intervention and patient compliance will be monitored with a Kronowise KW6 ambulatory device during the first two weeks of treatment and again at weeks 4 and 8 weeks. After completing the evaluation, follow-up of the clinical evolution will be carried out at 3, 6 and 12 months. This project will allow us to analyze the functional impact of DD comorbidity and to develop the first study of chronobiological therapy in the treatment of SUD and dual depression, with results transferable to the clinical setting with cost-effective recommendations for a personalized approach.
PubMed: 35407454
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11071846 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2023
PubMed: 37408973
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1221338 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews May 2022Scholars have established subcategories of aggressive behavior in order to better understand this construct. Specifically, a classification based on motivational... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Scholars have established subcategories of aggressive behavior in order to better understand this construct. Specifically, a classification based on motivational underpinnings makes it possible to differentiate between reactive and proactive aggression. Whereas reactive aggression is characterized by emotional lability, which means it is prone to impulsive reactions after provocation, proactive aggression is driven by low emotionality and high levels of instrumentality to obtain benefits. Some authors have conceived these two types as having a dichotomous nature, but others argue against this conceptualization, considering a complementary model more suitable. Hence, neuroscientific research might help to clarify discussions about their nature because biological markers do not present the same biases as psychological instruments.
AIM
The main objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of studies that assess underlying biological markers (e.g., genes, brain, psychophysiological, and hormonal) of reactive and proactive aggression.
METHODS
To carry out this review, we followed PRISMA quality criteria for reviews, using five digital databases complemented by hand-searching.
RESULTS
The reading of 3993 abstracts led to the final inclusion of 157 papers that met all the inclusion criteria. The studies included allow us to conclude that heritability accounted for approximately 45% of the explained variance in both types of aggression, with 60% shared by both, especially, for overt and physical expression forms, and 10% specific to each type. Regarding allelic risk factors, whereas low functioning variants affecting serotonin transport and monoaminoxidase increased the risk of reactive aggression, high functioning variants were associated with proactive aggression. Furthermore, brain analysis revealed an overlap between the two types of aggression and alterations in the volume of the amygdala and temporal cortex. Moreover, high activation of the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) facilitated proneness to both types of aggression equally. Whereas stimulation of the right ventrolateral (VLPFC) and dorsolateral (DLPFC) reduced proneness to aggression, inhibition of the left DLPFC increased it. Finally, psychophysiological and hormonal correlates in general did not clearly differentiate between the two types because they were equally related to each type (e.g., low basal cortisol and vagal variability in response to acute stress) CONCLUSIONS: This study reinforces the complementary model of both types of aggression instead of a dichotomous model. Additionally, this review also offers background about several treatments (i.e., pharmacological, non-invasive brain techniques…) to reduce aggression proneness.
Topics: Aggression; Brain; Humans; Impulsive Behavior
PubMed: 35331815
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104626 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2023In clinical mental health practice, the presence of Dual Disorders (DDs), defined as the comorbidity of at least one Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and another mental...
In clinical mental health practice, the presence of Dual Disorders (DDs), defined as the comorbidity of at least one Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and another mental disorder in the same person [...].
PubMed: 37176755
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093315 -
Journal of Psychiatric Research Mar 2023Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a multifactorial, serious and heterogeneous mental disorder that can lead to chronic recurrent symptoms, treatment resistance and... (Review)
Review
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a multifactorial, serious and heterogeneous mental disorder that can lead to chronic recurrent symptoms, treatment resistance and suicidal behavior. MDD often involves immune dysregulation with high peripheral levels of inflammatory cytokines that might have an influence on the clinical course and treatment response. Moreover, patients with MDD show brain volume changes as well as white matter (WM) alterations that are already existing in the early stage of illness. Mounting evidence suggests that both neuroimaging markers, such as WM integrity and blood markers, such as inflammatory cytokines might serve as predictors of treatment response in MDD. However, the relationship between peripheral inflammation, WM structure and antidepressant response is not yet clearly understood. The aim of the present review is to elucidate the association between inflammation and WM integrity and its impact on the pathophysiology and progression of MDD as well as the role of possible novel biomarkers of treatment response to improve MDD prevention and treatment strategies.
Topics: Humans; Depressive Disorder, Major; White Matter; Cytokines; Antidepressive Agents; Inflammation
PubMed: 36657311
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.12.009 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2021The term "dual disorder" (DD) refers to the coexistence or concurrence of at least one substance use disorder (SUD) and another mental disorder in the same person, as...
The term "dual disorder" (DD) refers to the coexistence or concurrence of at least one substance use disorder (SUD) and another mental disorder in the same person, as the World Health Organization established in its lexicon of alcohol and drug terms [...].
PubMed: 33810072
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10061307 -
Scientific Reports May 2023The ability to make inferences based on statistical information has so far been tested only in animals having large brains in relation to their body size, like primates...
The ability to make inferences based on statistical information has so far been tested only in animals having large brains in relation to their body size, like primates and parrots. Here we tested if giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis), despite having a smaller relative brain size, can rely on relative frequencies to predict sampling outcomes. We presented them with two transparent containers filled with different quantities of highly-liked food and less-preferred food. The experimenter covertly drew one piece of food from each container, and let the giraffe choose between the two options. In the first task, we varied the quantity and relative frequency of highly-liked and less-preferred food pieces. In the second task, we inserted a physical barrier in both containers, so giraffes only had to take into account the upper part of the container when predicting the outcome. In both tasks giraffes successfully selected the container more likely to provide the highly-liked food, integrating physical information to correctly predict sampling information. By ruling out alternative explanations based on simpler quantity heuristics and learning processes, we showed that giraffes can make decisions based on statistical inferences.
Topics: Animals; Giraffes; Food; Learning
PubMed: 37142606
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32615-3 -
Journal of Psychiatric Research Aug 2022Psychological interventions are commonly used to treat mild-to-moderate depression, but their efficacy in young adults has not been exhaustively addressed. This... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Psychological interventions are commonly used to treat mild-to-moderate depression, but their efficacy in young adults has not been exhaustively addressed. This meta-analysis aims to establish it in comparison to no treatment, wait-list, usual treatment, passive interventions, and other bona-fide treatments.
METHODS
The search was conducted in Scopus, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.gov, the ISRCTN Registry, Cochrane CENTRAL, Clarivate BIOSIS Previews and the METAPSY database, retrieving studies from the start of records to April 2020. Eligibility criteria included samples of 16-30 years experiencing mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms and participating in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, or pre-post studies measuring depressive symptomatology and featuring psychological treatments.
RESULTS
Up to 45 studies met criteria, consisting of 3,947 participants, assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies and their results meta-analyzed assuming random effects. Psychological interventions proved to be efficacious in RCTs compared to no treatment (g = -0.68; 95% CI = -0.87, -0.48) and wait-list (g = -1.04; 95% CI = -1.25, -0.82), while depressive symptoms also improved in pre-post studies (g = -0.99; 95% CI = -1.32, -0.66). However, intervention efficacy was similar to usual care, passive, and bona-fide comparators. The heterogeneity found, a likely reporting bias and the low quality of most studies must be considered when interpreting these results.
CONCLUSIONS
Psychological treatments are efficacious to reduce depressive symptoms in young adults, but comparable to other interventions in the mild-to-moderate range. Moderators like depression severity or therapist involvement significantly influenced their efficacy, with results encouraging clinicians to adopt flexible and personalized approaches.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Depression; Humans; Psychosocial Intervention; Psychotherapy; Waiting Lists; Young Adult
PubMed: 35793580
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.06.034 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Oct 2023Research has revealed that homosexual and bisexual people are at higher risk of mental health problems than heterosexual people. However, most studies have focused on...
Research has revealed that homosexual and bisexual people are at higher risk of mental health problems than heterosexual people. However, most studies have focused on differences in disorders and have not examined the intersection of gender and sexual orientation. The main aim of this study is to investigate the relevance of sexual orientation in women's and men's mental symptoms, life satisfaction, and self-esteem. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 309 women and men who were homosexual or bisexual and 309 women and men who were heterosexual, aged between 17 and 54. All participants were assessed by four self-reports measuring mental symptoms, life satisfaction, self-esteem, masculine/instrumental and feminine/expressive traits, and traditional gender role attitudes. Results showed an interaction between sexual orientation and gender, with lesbian or bisexual women scoring higher in severe depression symptoms and lower in life satisfaction than heterosexual women. Homosexual and bisexual people scored higher than heterosexuals in somatic symptoms, social dysfunction, and in self-esteem. Women scored higher than men in somatic, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms and in feminine/expressive traits, whereas men scored higher than women in traditional gender role attitudes. We conclude that sexual orientation and gender are relevant to the mental health and well-being of people.
PubMed: 37835010
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196366 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2022Jaron Lanier proposed the name "Virtual Reality" to refer to interactive simulations produced through the use of computer technology, although the idea was formulated in...
Jaron Lanier proposed the name "Virtual Reality" to refer to interactive simulations produced through the use of computer technology, although the idea was formulated in the sixties by a pioneer of computer graphics, Ivan Sutherland [...].
PubMed: 36143005
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11185358