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Neurobiology of Disease Jun 2023Epilepsy is a comorbidity associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), often starting many years earlier than memory decline. Investigating this association in the early...
Epilepsy is a comorbidity associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), often starting many years earlier than memory decline. Investigating this association in the early pre-symptomatic stages of AD can unveil new mechanisms of the pathology as well as guide the use of antiepileptic drugs to prevent or delay hyperexcitability-related pathological effects of AD. We investigated the impact of repeated seizures on hippocampal memory and amyloid-β (Aβ) load in pre-symptomatic Tg2576 mice, a transgenic model of AD. Seizure induction caused memory deficits and an increase in oligomeric Aβ and fibrillary species selectively in pre-symptomatic transgenic mice, and not in their wildtype littermates. Electrophysiological patch-clamp recordings in ex vivo CA1 pyramidal neurons and immunoblots were carried out to investigate the neuronal alterations associated with the behavioral outcomes of Tg2576 mice. CA1 pyramidal neurons exhibited increased intrinsic excitability and lower hyperpolarization-activated I current. CA1 also displayed lower expression of the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated HCN1 subunit, a protein already identified as downregulated in the AD human proteome. The antiepileptic drug lamotrigine restored electrophysiological alterations and prevented both memory deficits and the increase in extracellular Aβ induced by seizures. Thus our study provides evidence of pre-symptomatic hippocampal neuronal alterations leading to hyperexcitability and associated with both higher susceptibility to seizures and to AD-specific seizure-induced memory impairment. Our findings also provide a basis for the use of the antiepileptic drug lamotrigine as a way to counteract acceleration of AD induced by seizures in the early phases of the pathology.
Topics: Mice; Humans; Animals; Alzheimer Disease; Anticonvulsants; Lamotrigine; Hippocampus; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Seizures; Mice, Transgenic; Disease Models, Animal; Memory Disorders
PubMed: 37001613
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106106 -
Pain Reports 2021The COVID-19 outbreak has been a great challenge in the management of chronic pain patients. We have conducted a rapid scoping review to assess the impact of the... (Review)
Review
The COVID-19 outbreak has been a great challenge in the management of chronic pain patients. We have conducted a rapid scoping review to assess the impact of the pandemic (and the associated public health measures) on the health status and management practices of chronic pain patients in Spain. To this end, we performed a bibliographic search in LitCOVID and PubMed, and reviewed official websites and documents, and expert reports. The review showed that (1) the studies consistently indicate that the pandemic has had a very negative impact on the physical and psychological health of chronic pain patients; (2) there are scarce data on how the pandemic affected pain unit consultations and a lack of protocols to organize health care in the face of future waves of contagion, with little implementation of telehealth. We make proposals to improve management of chronic pain patients in pandemic situations, which should pivot around 3 axes: (1) a coordinated response of all the relevant stakeholders to define a future roadmap and research priorities, (2) a biopsychosocial approach in pain management, and (3) development and implementation of novel telemedicine solutions.
PubMed: 33615089
DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000899 -
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 2022Chronic stress is a ubiquitous problem shouldered by many people worldwide. Although the stressors are myriad (eg, loneliness, finances, health, discrimination), the... (Review)
Review
Chronic stress is a ubiquitous problem shouldered by many people worldwide. Although the stressors are myriad (eg, loneliness, finances, health, discrimination), the corporal response to them either causes or exacerbates mental and physical illness, including depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease. Identifying efficient ways to help people buffer their response and promote resilience and wellness is critical to improving overall health. Positive interpersonal connection is a proven way to promote resilience and happiness. It is associated with decreased mortality and markers of better health. Kindness and caring are prosocial behaviors that build positive interpersonal connections and can uplift both the giver and receiver. Simply seeing kindness and caring activates the neuropsychology of kindness, elevating the viewer and promoting generosity, interpersonal connection, and inclusion. That augmenting positive emotions, enhancing interpersonal connection, and inducing prosocial behavior change are possible through seeing kindness opens the opportunity to bolster resilience in higher stress settings like health care. In a recent study, watching kindness media in a health care setting rapidly increased self-reported feelings of happiness, calm, gratitude, and being inspired. Viewers were significantly more generous. Providing staff and patients with a nonjudgmental lift to enhance caring interactions through kindnesses media can be an important, low-cost adjunct to improving the healthcare environment.
PubMed: 35185431
DOI: 10.1177/1559827620988268 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2022
PubMed: 36636666
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1118451 -
International Journal of Geriatric... Jun 2022A systemized approach to subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) in elderly people is needed owing to the high prevalence of such complaints and their impact on the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
A systemized approach to subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) in elderly people is needed owing to the high prevalence of such complaints and their impact on the psychosocial well-being of those affected. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review of the characteristics and effectiveness of intervention programmes that use a neuropsychological approach to target SCCs in cognitively unimpaired older people and that are tested in randomized controlled trials.
METHODS
The search included a time-unlimited query of Scopus, PsycInfo and Medline, yielding 215 articles, of which only 7 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria.
RESULTS
The number of intervention programmes was very limited (11 interventions), but diverse, with cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring all used to address SCCs.
CONCLUSIONS
Interventions including only cognitive stimulation were not effective in reducing SCCs, but interventions including cognitive stimulation and psychoeducation, physical exercise, and group sessions and discussions reinforced by the therapist were effective.
Topics: Aged; Cognition; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Exercise; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 35607814
DOI: 10.1002/gps.5728 -
Addictive Behaviors Reports Dec 2022Inpatient treatment for Substance Use Disorder (SUD), such as Therapeutic Communities and Residential Treatment has been used to test the effect of Mindfulness-Based... (Review)
Review
Inpatient treatment for Substance Use Disorder (SUD), such as Therapeutic Communities and Residential Treatment has been used to test the effect of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI) over different outcomes. Although there is evidence of the effectiveness of MBIs, little is known about the particularities that the place may have in the outcomes. The main objective of this Systematic Review was to evaluate the effectiveness of MBIs for SUDs performed in the inpatient context. PubMed, Web of Science and PsycInfo were used for the search. Quantitative and qualitative studies with no control, usual treatment or other active comparator intervention for SUDs inpatient treatment from 1980 to 2020 were included. From 21 selected studies, 18 were quantitative and 3 qualitative; 12 studies were RCT. Most samples were comprised with women. Based on characteristics of outcomes, we were able to divide them into: Substance Use and Associated Outcomes, Stress, Impulsivity e Evaluation of the MBI protocol. Results suggest that stress assessment is a determining factor for treatment success in these settings. Regarding substance use, although several outcomes have been assessed, the most remarkable results were craving reduction and improvement in treatment adherence. There is evidence that MBIs in inpatient settings benefited those who participated in the experimental groups on some outcomes, such as stress and substance use. Little is mentioned about the impact of the environment over the outcomes and short follow-ups were a relevant limitation of most of the studies. Future assessments must increase follow-up time and evaluate the relationship between the context and the MBI.
PubMed: 36425879
DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100467 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2019Monoamines are involved in regulating the endogenous pain system and indeed, peripheral and central monoaminergic dysfunction has been demonstrated in certain types of... (Review)
Review
Monoamines are involved in regulating the endogenous pain system and indeed, peripheral and central monoaminergic dysfunction has been demonstrated in certain types of pain, particularly in neuropathic pain. Accordingly, drugs that modulate the monaminergic system and that were originally designed to treat depression are now considered to be first line treatments for certain types of neuropathic pain (e.g., serotonin and noradrenaline (and also dopamine) reuptake inhibitors). The analgesia induced by these drugs seems to be mediated by inhibiting the reuptake of these monoamines, thereby reinforcing the descending inhibitory pain pathways. Hence, it is of particular interest to study the monoaminergic mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. Other analgesic drugs may also be used in combination with monoamines to facilitate descending pain inhibition (e.g., gabapentinoids and opioids) and such combinations are often also used to alleviate certain types of chronic pain. By contrast, while NSAIDs are thought to influence the monoaminergic system, they just produce consistent analgesia in inflammatory pain. Thus, in this review we will provide preclinical and clinical evidence of the role of monoamines in the modulation of chronic pain, reviewing how this system is implicated in the analgesic mechanism of action of antidepressants, gabapentinoids, atypical opioids, NSAIDs and histaminergic drugs.
PubMed: 31942167
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01268 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2020Personality has been related to health and mortality risk, which has created interest in the biological pathways that could explain this relationship. Although a...
Personality has been related to health and mortality risk, which has created interest in the biological pathways that could explain this relationship. Although a dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been associated with health outcomes and aging, few studies have explored the association between personality and HPA axis functioning in older adults. In addition, it has been suggested that sex could moderate the relationship between personality and HPA axis functioning. Thus, our aim was to analyze the relationship between the big five personality traits and the diurnal cortisol pattern in older adults, as well as sex differences in this relationship. To do so, 79 older people (40 men and 39 women) from 59 to 81 years old ( = 69.19, SD = 4.60) completed the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory (FFI) to measure neuroticism, conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, and agreeableness. Saliva samples were provided on three consecutive days (awakening; 15, 30, and 45 min post-awakening; and bedtime) in order to analyze the diurnal cortisol pattern and, specifically, two cortisol indexes: the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and the diurnal cortisol slope (DCS). Results showed that neuroticism and conscientiousness moderated the diurnal cortisol pattern. Thus, individuals with higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness scores showed higher bedtime cortisol levels, suggesting a less healthy diurnal cortisol pattern. Regarding the cortisol indexes, higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness were related to greater CAR and DCS. Sex moderated the association between extraversion and the DCS. Specifically, higher extraversion was related to a lower DCS only in women. Openness and agreeableness were not related to the diurnal cortisol pattern. In conclusion, our results show that in older adults, neuroticism is a vulnerability factor for HPA axis dysregulation, with possible adverse effects on health. By contrast, conscientiousness, and extraversion only in women, appear to be protective factors of HPA axis functioning, with potential beneficial effects on health.
PubMed: 32581913
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00983 -
Health Psychology : Official Journal of... Aug 2020Psychological trauma is an important public health problem, but previous measurement tools have primarily focused on childhood traumatic events while trauma exposure in...
OBJECTIVE
Psychological trauma is an important public health problem, but previous measurement tools have primarily focused on childhood traumatic events while trauma exposure in adulthood (>18 years of age) has received less attention. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of an instrument for assessment of psychological trauma in adulthood, the Adulthood Trauma Inventory (ATI).
METHOD
Participants (n = 893) completed the ATI, a 33-item questionnaire modeled after the Early Trauma Inventory-Self Report (ETI-SR), assessing traumatic events occurring after 18 years of age. Participants also completed instruments to assess depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and early trauma (ETI-SR). Internal consistency and item response theory metrics were examined.
RESULTS
ATI total score (number of items endorsed) yielded the greatest internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .77) and was significantly (p < .0001) correlated with indices of PTSD (ρ = 0.40), depression (ρ = 0.31), and early trauma (ρ = 0.56). Area under the curve and accuracy values ranged from 0.65 and 70% (depression) to 0.75 and 95% (current PTSD).
CONCLUSIONS
The ATI is a valid measure of adult psychological trauma that may be useful for both clinical assessment and research involving the long-term effects on the individual and psychobiology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 32297773
DOI: 10.1037/hea0000856 -
Neuropharmacology Mar 2022Although the pharmacological and behavioural interactions between cocaine and alcohol are well established, less is known about how polyconsumption of these drugs...
Although the pharmacological and behavioural interactions between cocaine and alcohol are well established, less is known about how polyconsumption of these drugs affects the neurotransmitter systems involved in their psychoactive effects and in particular, in the process of addiction. Here, rats of both sexes at two stages of development were studied under a chronic regime of intravenous cocaine and/or alcohol administration. Brain samples from the medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus and amygdala were extracted to analyse the mRNA expression of genes encoding subunits of the GABA, NMDA and AMPA receptors, as well as the expression of the CB1 receptor, and that of enzymes related to the biosynthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids. Moreover, two synaptic scaffold proteins related to GABA and NMDA receptors, gephyrin and PSD-95, were quantified in Western blots. Significant interactions between cocaine and alcohol were common, affecting the GABAergic and endocannabinoid systems in the medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala of young adults, whereas such interactions were evident in the glutamatergic and endocannabinoid systems in adults, as well as a more pronounced sex effect. Significant interactions between these drugs affecting the scaffold proteins were evident in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens of young adults, and in the nucleus accumbens and amygdala of adults, but not in the hippocampus. These results highlight the importance of considering the interactions between cocaine and alcohol on neurotransmitter systems in the context of polyconsumption, specifically when treating problems of abuse of these two substances.
Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Central Nervous System Depressants; Cerebrum; Cocaine; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; Drug Interactions; Ethanol; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Male; Rats; Receptors, AMPA; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Receptors, GABA; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 34965406
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108937