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Lee S, Cheong Y, Ryu Y, Kosaka H, Jung M. Vasotocin receptor gene genotypes moderate the relationship between cortical thickness and sensory processing. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:356. [PMID: 37990008 PMCID: PMC10663457 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02657-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory processing is the process by which the central nervous system gathers, interprets, and regulates sensory stimuli in response to environmental cues. However, our understanding of the genetic factors and neuroanatomical correlations that influence sensory processing is limited. The vasotocin system modulates sensory input responsiveness, making it a potential candidate for further investigation. Additionally, human neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that the ability to modulate sensory stimuli is related to neuroanatomical features such as cortical thickness. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between functional polymorphisms in vasotocin receptor (VTR) genes, sensory profiles, and neuroanatomical correlations. We used structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) questionnaire in 98 healthy adult participants to assess sensory processing and identified seven single nucleotide polymorphisms. We found that A-allele carriers of rs1042615 in VTR had higher scores for "sensory sensitivity" and "sensation avoiding". Moreover, higher scores for three AASP subscales were associated with decreased cortical thickness in various regions, including the right precentral, paracentral, and fusiform gyri, as well as bilateral inferior temporal gyri. This study sheds light on the potential role of genetic variations in the VTR in modulating sensory processing and correlation with cortical thickness which has future implications for better understanding sensory abnormalities in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonkyoung Lee
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongjeon Cheong
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeseul Ryu
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hirotaka Kosaka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Japan.
| | - Minyoung Jung
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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Jiang C, Jiang W, Chen G, Xu W, Sun T, You L, Chen S, Yin Y, Liu X, Hou Z, Qing Z, Xie C, Zhang Z, Turner JA, Yuan Y. Childhood trauma and social support affect symptom profiles through cortical thickness abnormalities in major depressive disorder: A structural equation modeling analysis. Asian J Psychiatr 2023; 88:103744. [PMID: 37619416 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood trauma, low social support, and alexithymia are recognized as risk factors for major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the mechanisms of risk factors, symptoms, and corresponding structural brain abnormalities in MDD are not fully understood. Structural equation modeling (SEM) has advantages in studying multivariate interrelationships. We aim to illustrate their relationships using SEM. METHODS 313 MDD patients (213 female; mean age 42.49 years) underwent magnetic resonance imaging and completed assessments. We integrated childhood trauma, alexithymia, social support, anhedonia, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and cortical thickness into a multivariate SEM. RESULTS We first established the risk factors-clinical phenotype SEM with an adequate fit. Cortical thickness results show a negative correlation of childhood trauma with the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) (p = 0.012), and social support was negatively correlated with the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) (p < 0.001). The final good fit SEM (χ2 = 32.92, df = 21, χ2/df = 1.57, CFI = 0.962, GFI = 0.978, RMSEA = 0.043) suggested two pathways, with left PCC thickness mediating the relationship between social support and suicidal ideation, and left MTG thickness mediating between childhood trauma and anhedonia/anxiety. CONCLUSION Our findings provide evidence for the impact of risk factor variables on the brain structure and clinical phenotype of MDD patients. Insufficient social support and childhood trauma might lead to corresponding cortical abnormalities in PCC and MTG, affecting the patient's mood and suicidal ideation. Future interventions should aim at these nodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenguang Jiang
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhao Jiang
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University; Department of Medical Psychology, Huai'an No.3 People's Hospital, Huaian, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University; Department of Clinical Psychology, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, China
| | - Taipeng Sun
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University; Department of Medical Psychology, Huai'an No.3 People's Hospital, Huaian, China
| | - Linlin You
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Suzhen Chen
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingying Yin
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyun Liu
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenghua Hou
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhao Qing
- Shing-Tung Yau Center; School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunming Xie
- Department of Neurology, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- Department of Neurology, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jessica A Turner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, OH, United States.
| | - Yonggui Yuan
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
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Wang L, Zhou X, Song X, Gan X, Zhang R, Liu X, Xu T, Jiao G, Ferraro S, Bore MC, Yu F, Zhao W, Montag C, Becker B. Fear of missing out (FOMO) associates with reduced cortical thickness in core regions of the posterior default mode network and higher levels of problematic smartphone and social media use. Addict Behav 2023; 143:107709. [PMID: 37004381 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Fear of missing out (FOMO) promotes the desire or urge to stay continuously connected with a social reference group and updated on their activities, which may result in escalating and potentially addictive smartphone and social media use. The present study aimed to determine whether the neurobiological basis of FOMO encompasses core regions of the reward circuitry or social brain, and associations with levels of problematic smartphone or social media use. METHODS We capitalized on a dimensional neuroimaging approach to examine cortical thickness and subcortical volume associations in a sample of healthy young individuals (n = 167). Meta-analytic network and behavioral decoding analyses were employed to further characterize the identified regions. RESULTS Higher levels of FOMO associated with lower cortical thickness in the right precuneus. In contrast, no associations between FOMO and variations in striatal morphology were observed. Meta-analytic decoding revealed that the identified precuneus region exhibited a strong functional interaction with the default mode network (DMN) engaged in social cognitive and self-referential domains. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Together the present findings suggest that individual variations in FOMO are associated with the brain structural architecture of the right precuneus, a core hub within a large-scale functional network resembling the DMN and involved in social and self-referential processes. FOMO may promote escalating social media and smartphone use via social and self-referential processes rather than reward-related processes per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Wang
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinqi Zhou
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinwei Song
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xianyang Gan
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiqin Liu
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Xu
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Guojuan Jiao
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Stefania Ferraro
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Mercy Chepngetich Bore
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangwen Yu
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihua Zhao
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Christian Montag
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Benjamin Becker
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, and, MOE Key Laboratory of NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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Van der Auwera S, Ameling S, Nauck M, Völzke H, Völker U, Grabe HJ. Plasma circulating micro-RNAs associated with alexithymia reflect a high overlap on neuropsychiatric outcomes. J Affect Disord 2022; 305:206-212. [PMID: 35283179 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia ("no word for feelings") is a personality feature that is common in patients with psychiatric disorders. However, little is known about biological causes and mechanism behind. Research so far focusses on genetic risk variants primary associated with depression, but analyses on epigenetic mechanisms are still missing. METHODS In a sample of n = 813 subjects from the "Study of Health in Pomerania" we analyzed the association between alexithymia and plasma circulating micro RNAs (miRNA). Significant miRNAs were compared to associations regarding depression and pathway analyses were performed. RESULTS Two miRNAs were significantly associated with at least one of the alexithymia scores (hsa-miR-324-3p, hsa-miR-33a-5p) and three miRNAs additionally revealed a strong association pattern to alexithymia (hsa-miR-106b-5p, hsa-miR-484, hsa-miR-25-3p). None of these miRNAs was significantly associated with depressive symptoms in our sample. Literature research showed that all of the miRNAs have been found in association with several neuropsychiatric phenotypes. LIMITATIONS Main limitations are the lack of a replication sample as well as the limited number of miRNAs analyzed. CONCLUSIONS This is the first analysis investigating the association between miRNAs and alexithymia. Results indicate that miRNAs are not specific for one psychiatric disorder but may influence biological mechanisms that are involved in various psychiatric conditions which might be relevant for future treatment options and improve the biological understanding of psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Van der Auwera
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany; German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Sabine Ameling
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Nauck
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Henry Völzke
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.; Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Uwe Völker
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Hans J Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany; German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Weak Hand Grip Strength Is Associated with Alexithymia in Outpatients in a Mexican Population. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12050576. [PMID: 35624963 PMCID: PMC9138985 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hand grip strength has been considered as a possible marker for metabolic and psychiatric disease. To date, however, no research has focused on the association between alexithymia and hand grip strength. The objective of the present study was to investigate the correct association between hand grip strength and alexithymia. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Comalcalco, Tabasco, México. A total of 246 individuals were included. Hand grip strength was evaluated in the dominant hand using a Takei® portable digital dynamometer. Alexithymia was measured using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Two linear regression models adjusted by confounders were used to determine the association between alexithymia and hand grip strength. The rate for positive alexithymia was 39.0% (n = 94). Individuals with alexithymia showed a weaker hand grip strength than the comparison group (t = 2.4, 244 df, p = 0.01). Individuals with alexithymia had significantly reduced levels of hand grip strength (β = −0.39 ± 0.14; p = 0.006); after additional adjustment for clinical variables, decreased hand grip strength remained (β = 8.00 ± 1.86; p ≤ 0.001). Our results suggest that a decrease in hand grip strength could be associated with alexithymia. This measurement could be useful as a predictive marker for the identification of alexithymia in Mexican individuals who attend outpatient clinics.
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Hosten N, Bülow R, Völzke H, Domin M, Schmidt CO, Teumer A, Ittermann T, Nauck M, Felix S, Dörr M, Markus MRP, Völker U, Daboul A, Schwahn C, Holtfreter B, Mundt T, Krey KF, Kindler S, Mksoud M, Samietz S, Biffar R, Hoffmann W, Kocher T, Chenot JF, Stahl A, Tost F, Friedrich N, Zylla S, Hannemann A, Lotze M, Kühn JP, Hegenscheid K, Rosenberg C, Wassilew G, Frenzel S, Wittfeld K, Grabe HJ, Kromrey ML. SHIP-MR and Radiology: 12 Years of Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Single Center. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 10:33. [PMID: 35052197 PMCID: PMC8775435 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP), a population-based study from a rural state in northeastern Germany with a relatively poor life expectancy, supplemented its comprehensive examination program in 2008 with whole-body MR imaging at 1.5 T (SHIP-MR). We reviewed more than 100 publications that used the SHIP-MR data and analyzed which sequences already produced fruitful scientific outputs and which manuscripts have been referenced frequently. Upon reviewing the publications about imaging sequences, those that used T1-weighted structured imaging of the brain and a gradient-echo sequence for R2* mapping obtained the highest scientific output; regarding specific body parts examined, most scientific publications focused on MR sequences involving the brain and the (upper) abdomen. We conclude that population-based MR imaging in cohort studies should define more precise goals when allocating imaging time. In addition, quality control measures might include recording the number and impact of published work, preferably on a bi-annual basis and starting 2 years after initiation of the study. Structured teaching courses may enhance the desired output in areas that appear underrepresented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Hosten
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (N.H.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (K.H.); (C.R.)
| | - Robin Bülow
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (N.H.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (K.H.); (C.R.)
| | - Henry Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (H.V.); (C.O.S.); (A.T.); (T.I.); (W.H.); (J.-F.C.)
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
| | - Martin Domin
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (N.H.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (K.H.); (C.R.)
| | - Carsten Oliver Schmidt
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (H.V.); (C.O.S.); (A.T.); (T.I.); (W.H.); (J.-F.C.)
| | - Alexander Teumer
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (H.V.); (C.O.S.); (A.T.); (T.I.); (W.H.); (J.-F.C.)
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
| | - Till Ittermann
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (H.V.); (C.O.S.); (A.T.); (T.I.); (W.H.); (J.-F.C.)
| | - Matthias Nauck
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stephan Felix
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marcus Dörr
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marcello Ricardo Paulista Markus
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Uwe Völker
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
- Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Amro Daboul
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Gerodontology and Biomaterials, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (A.D.); (C.S.); (T.M.); (S.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Christian Schwahn
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Gerodontology and Biomaterials, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (A.D.); (C.S.); (T.M.); (S.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Birte Holtfreter
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Periodontology, Endodontology, and Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (B.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Torsten Mundt
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Gerodontology and Biomaterials, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (A.D.); (C.S.); (T.M.); (S.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Karl-Friedrich Krey
- Department of Orthodontics, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany;
| | - Stefan Kindler
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Plastic Surgery, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (S.K.); (M.M.)
| | - Maria Mksoud
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Plastic Surgery, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (S.K.); (M.M.)
| | - Stefanie Samietz
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Gerodontology and Biomaterials, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (A.D.); (C.S.); (T.M.); (S.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Reiner Biffar
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Gerodontology and Biomaterials, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (A.D.); (C.S.); (T.M.); (S.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Wolfgang Hoffmann
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (H.V.); (C.O.S.); (A.T.); (T.I.); (W.H.); (J.-F.C.)
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Partner Site Rostock/Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas Kocher
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Periodontology, Endodontology, and Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (B.H.); (T.K.)
| | - Jean-Francois Chenot
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (H.V.); (C.O.S.); (A.T.); (T.I.); (W.H.); (J.-F.C.)
| | - Andreas Stahl
- Clinic of Ophthalmology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (A.S.); (F.T.)
| | - Frank Tost
- Clinic of Ophthalmology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (A.S.); (F.T.)
| | - Nele Friedrich
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stephanie Zylla
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anke Hannemann
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, 10785 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.); (S.F.); (M.D.); (M.R.P.M.); (U.V.); (N.F.); (S.Z.); (A.H.)
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Lotze
- Functional Imaging Unit, Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany;
| | - Jens-Peter Kühn
- Institute and Policlinic of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical University, Carl-Gustav Carus, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Katrin Hegenscheid
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (N.H.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (K.H.); (C.R.)
| | - Christian Rosenberg
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (N.H.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (K.H.); (C.R.)
| | - Georgi Wassilew
- Clinic of Orthopedics, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany;
| | - Stefan Frenzel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (S.F.); (K.W.); (H.J.G.)
| | - Katharina Wittfeld
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (S.F.); (K.W.); (H.J.G.)
- German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock/Greifswald, Site Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Hans J. Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (S.F.); (K.W.); (H.J.G.)
- German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock/Greifswald, Site Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marie-Luise Kromrey
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (N.H.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (K.H.); (C.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Rady A, Alamrawy RG, Ramadan I, El Raouf MA. Prevalence of Alexithymia in Patients with Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms: A Cross-sectional Study in Egypt. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 2021; 17:136-145. [PMID: 34880925 PMCID: PMC8595980 DOI: 10.2174/1745017902117010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a high incidence of alexithymia in people who report medically unexplained symptoms. There have been limited studies on the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) in various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with MUPS and examine their socio-demographic data. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 196 patients with MUPS were recruited from tertiary care internal medicine and neuropsychiatry clinics during the first quarter of 2019. Patients completed a structured interview; socio-demographic and medical history data were collected. Somatic symptom severity was assessed using the Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15). Alexithymia was assessed using the Arabic version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. RESULTS General fatigue was the most common complaint observed, followed by headache and dyspepsia. In addition, 73.5% of patients had a high Patient Health Questionnaire score, 17.9% had somatic symptoms of medium severity, while 8% and 0.5% had low and marginal somatic symptoms, respectively. Alexithymia was presented in 49.5%, 22.9% had no alexithymia, and 27.6% had borderline/intermediate alexithymia.A weak positive correlation (r<0.4) was found between somatic symptom severity and alexithymic psychopathology (r=0.277;p<0.05). Only the 'difficulty identifying feelings' dimension of alexithymic psychopathology was positively correlated with the severity of somatic symptoms (r=0.271;p<0.05). CONCLUSION Alexithymia is associated with the development of MUPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Rady
- Department of Psychiatry, Alexandria University, School of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Roa Gamal Alamrawy
- Mamoura Psychiatric Hospital, Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ismail Ramadan
- Department of Neurology, Alexandria University School of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mervat Abd El Raouf
- Department of Neurology, Alexandria University School of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
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Fresán A, González-Castro TB, Pool-García S, Tovilla-Zárate CA, Castellanos-Narvaéz E, Cruz JPSDL, Juárez-Rojop IE, López-Narváez ML, Lopez AM. Evaluation of alexithymia in individuals with chronic pain in a Mexican population: Alexithymia in a Mexican population. Int J Psychiatry Med 2021; 56:177-188. [PMID: 33327844 DOI: 10.1177/0091217420982086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alexithymia is the difficulty in identifying and describing feelings. Several studies have suggested that chronic pain can be linked to alexithymia. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of alexithymia in a sample of Mexican individuals who attended public health services, to assess if alexithymia is higher in medically ill individuals with pain than in those without pain, and to determine which alexithymia dimensions are more affected by the presence of pain. METHODS Demographic and clinical features were evaluated in 250 Mexican outpatients of the General Hospital of Comalcalco, Tabasco. Pain was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain Assessment (VAS-P) and alexithymia was evaluated using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). RESULTS 38.8% of the sample was identified with probable/definite alexithymia and up to 61.2% of individuals were currently experiencing pain. Individuals with pain exhibited higher scores in the TAS-20 dimensions: difficulty describing feelings (p = 0.02), difficulty identifying feelings (p < 0.001) and higher total TAS-20 score (p < 0.001). Also, Probable/definite alexithymia was more frequently reported in individuals with pain (49% vs. 21.6%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that a large proportion of individuals who attend public health services in a Mexican population present pain. We also identified that pain could be associated with alexithymia, in particular with a difficulty in describing and identifying feelings. An early identification and treatment of alexithymia could help in reducing the clinical burden of chronic pain in Mexican outpatients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Fresán
- Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñíz, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Thelma Beatriz González-Castro
- División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Jalpa de Méndez, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Jalpa de Méndez, Tabasco, México
| | - Sherezada Pool-García
- Hospital General de Comalcalco "Dr. Desiderio G Rosado Carbajal", Secretaría de Salud, Comalcalco, Tabasco, México
| | - Carlos Alfonso Tovilla-Zárate
- División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Tabasco, México
| | - Eduardo Castellanos-Narvaéz
- División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Tabasco, México
| | - Juan Pablo Sánchez de la Cruz
- División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Tabasco, México
| | - Isela Esther Juárez-Rojop
- División Académica de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
| | - María Lilia López-Narváez
- Hospital General de Yajalón "Dr. José Manuel Velasco Silez", Secretaría de Salud, Yajalón, Chiapas, México
| | - Alejandro Molina Lopez
- Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñíz, Ciudad de México, México
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Koposov R, Stickley A, Ruchkin V. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Incarcerated Adolescents: Prevalence, Personality, and Psychiatric Comorbidity. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:652004. [PMID: 34093271 PMCID: PMC8170036 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.652004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Incarcerated adolescents represent a risk group for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), but research on this population has been limited and no studies have been conducted in Russia. To address this deficit, this study examined NSSI and the factors associated with it among youth in a juvenile correctional facility in Russia. Methods: NSSI and psychopathology were assessed using a psychiatric interview and self-report questionnaire in 368 incarcerated male adolescents aged 14-19 years (mean age 16.4 years, S.D. 0.9) from Northern Russia. Results: 18.2% (N = 67) of the study participants had a history of NSSI and also had higher rates of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, community violence exposure and scored higher on most of the Youth Self-Report problem scales. In addition, 31.3% of the NSSI group reported previous suicidal ideation and had thought about a specific suicide method compared to 12.0% in the No-NSSI group. Adolescents with NSSI also differed significantly from the No-NSSI group on self-directedness (lower) and self-transcendence (higher) personality traits. Conclusion: NSSI is common in incarcerated adolescents in Russia and is associated with extensive psychiatric comorbidity, suicidal ideation and specific personality traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Koposov
- Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Epidemiology and Modern Technologies of Vaccination, Institute of Professional Education, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrew Stickley
- Department of Preventive Intervention for Psychiatric Disorders, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.,Stockholm Center for Health and Social Change (SCOHOST), Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Vladislav Ruchkin
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.,Säter Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Säter, Sweden
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