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Prescott J, Spinelli S. Arousal and the modulation of sensory experience: evidence from food-related emotions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230255. [PMID: 39005029 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Across sensory systems, several stimulus collative characteristics, including intensity, novelty, complexity and perceived dangerousness, are known to elicit high levels of physiological and psychological arousal. It has become apparent that food rejections by both children and adults are frequently linked to such arousal-inducing characteristics. This paper examines how arousal and arousability are important elements in responding to stimuli generally, but specifically to foods, ultimately influencing food preferences and choices. It is clear that responses to sensory properties are subject not just to variations in perceptual sensitivity due to genetics or experience-as in the case of widely rejected qualities such as bitterness or pungency-but also to the arousal potential of those stimuli. Moreover, this is linked to various enduring aspects of personality, suggesting that the impact of arousal on food choices is merely one aspect of a more general sensory sensitivity. The impact of diet on various health outcomes underlines the importance of understanding the relationship of arousal to food choices. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience'.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Prescott
- Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy
| | - Sara Spinelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy
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Jiang F, Zhang J, Yi Y, Tan A, Qin X, Wang P, Zhong X, Xiao J, Li J, Zhou B. Subjective and objective cognitive functioning in untreated late-life depression: An exploration centered on comorbid generalized anxiety disorder. Compr Psychiatry 2024; 133:152490. [PMID: 38772325 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late-Life Depression (LLD) is a prevalent mental health disorder that is often accompanied by cognitive impairments. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of coexisting Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) on both subjective and objective cognitive abilities in untreated LLD individuals. METHODS A total of 77 participants aged 60 years and above were recruited for this study, comprising 31 individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (LLD group), 46 with MDD and coexisting Generalized Anxiety Disorder (LLDA group), and 54 healthy controls (HC). Prior to the study, all patients had abstained from psychotropic medication for a minimum of two weeks. Comprehensive neuropsychological assessments were administered to all participants. RESULTS The LLDA group exhibited substantial disparities in memory, attention, processing speed,executive function,overall cognitive functioning, and subjective cognitive functioning when compared to the HC group. The LLD group displayed deficits in memory, SCWT-W in attention, SCWT-C in processing speed,overall cognitive functioning, and subjective cognitive functioning in comparison to the healthy controls. Although the LLD group achieved lower average scores in executive function, TMTA in processing speed, and DSST in attention than the HC group, no significant distinctions were identified between these groups in these domains. Linear regression analysis unveiled that anxiety symptoms had a significant impact on subjective cognitive deficits among MDD patients, but exhibited a milder influence on objective cognitive performance. After adjusting for the severity of depression, anxiety symptoms were found to affect TMTA in processing speed and subjective cognitive functioning in LLD patients. CONCLUSION Late-Life Depression (LLD) exhibits pervasive cognitive impairments, particularly in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder, presenting a crucial target for future therapeutic interventions. Among elderly individuals with depression, anxiety symptoms significantly impact subjective cognitive functioning, suggesting its potential utility in distinguishing between depression-associated cognitive decline and pre-dementia conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fugui Jiang
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Medical College of Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Yang Yi
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Arui Tan
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Xiaohong Qin
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Peijia Wang
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Xuemei Zhong
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China.
| | - Jieying Li
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China.
| | - Bo Zhou
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China.
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Baset A, Huang F. Shedding light on subiculum's role in human brain disorders. Brain Res Bull 2024; 214:110993. [PMID: 38825254 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Subiculum is a pivotal output component of the hippocampal formation, a structure often overlooked in neuroscientific research. Here, this review aims to explore the role of the subiculum in various brain disorders, shedding light on its significance within the functional-neuroanatomical perspective on neurological diseases. The subiculum's involvement in multiple brain disorders was thoroughly examined. In Alzheimer's disease, subiculum alterations precede cognitive decline, while in epilepsy, the subiculum plays a critical role in seizure initiation. Stress involves the subiculum's impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. Moreover, the subiculum exhibits structural and functional changes in anxiety, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease, contributing to cognitive deficits. Bipolar disorder is linked to subiculum structural abnormalities, while autism spectrum disorder reveals an alteration of inward deformation in the subiculum. Lastly, frontotemporal dementia shows volumetric differences in the subiculum, emphasizing its contribution to the disorder's complexity. Taken together, this review consolidates existing knowledge on the subiculum's role in brain disorders, and may facilitate future research, diagnostic strategies, and therapeutic interventions for various neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Baset
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Fengwen Huang
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
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Wooten T, Sansevere KS, Siqueira S, McWilliams T, Peach S, Hussey EK, Brunyé T, Ward N. Evaluating the efficacy of cranial electrotherapy stimulation in mitigating anxiety-induced cognitive deficits. Int J Psychophysiol 2024; 202:112388. [PMID: 38944283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) that has demonstrated potential to modulate neural activity in a manner that may be conducive to improved cognitive performance. While other forms of NIBS, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), have received attention in the field as potential acute cognitive enhancers, CES remains relatively unexplored. The current study aimed to assess the efficacy of CES in improving acute cognitive performance under normal experimental conditions, as well as during sessions of induced situational anxiety (threat of shock or ToS). To study this question, participants completed a cognitive battery assessing processing speed and distinct aspects of executive functioning (working memory, inhibition, and task switching) in two separate sessions in which they received active and sham CES. Participants were randomly assigned to between subject groups of either situational anxiety (ToS) or control condition (no ToS). We predicted that active CES would improve performance on assessments of executive functioning (working memory, inhibition, and task switching) relative to sham CES under ToS. We did not find any significant effects of ToS, CES, or an interaction between ToS and CES for any measures of executive functioning or processing speed. These findings suggest that a single dose of CES does not enhance executive functioning or processing speed under normal conditions or during ToS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wooten
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States.
| | - Kayla S Sansevere
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
| | - Sara Siqueira
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
| | - Thomas McWilliams
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
| | - Sidney Peach
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
| | | | - Tad Brunyé
- Center for Applied Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States; U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, Natick, MA, United States
| | - Nathan Ward
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
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Saeed HE, Ibrahim RR, Kamel S, El-Nahass ES, Khalifa AG. Behavioral, biochemical, histopathological evaluation and gene expression of brain injury induced by nanoceria injected intranasal or intraperitoneal in mice. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2024; 13:tfae095. [PMID: 38966091 PMCID: PMC11221883 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Nanotechnology has shown a remarkable progress nevertheless, there is a growing concern about probable neurotoxic and neurodegenerative effects due to NPs exposure. Various toxicological and epidemiological studies reported that the brain is a main target for ultrafine particles. Brain inflammation is considered as a possible mechanism that can participate to neurotoxic and neurodegenerative effects. Whether nanoparticles (NPs) may produce neurotoxicity and promote neurodegenerative is largely unstudied. The present study was done to investigate whether intranasal and intra-peritoneal exposure to cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs, nanoceria (NC)) could cause neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative changes in the brain tissue through conducting some behavioral tests, biochemical evaluation, histopathological examinations of brain hippocampus and gene expressions. Method Fifteen mice were separated into 3 equal groups. In group (I) "control group", mice were received distilled water orally and kept as a control group. Mice in the group (II) "NC I/P group" were injected i.p with cerium oxide nanoparticles at a dose of 40 mg/kg b.wt, twice weekly for 3 weeks. In group (III) "NC I/N group" mice were received nanoceria intranasally (40 mg/kg b.wt), twice weekly for 3 weeks. Results Exposure to nanceria resulted in oxidative damage in brain tissue, a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and acetylcholinestrase (AchE) levels, significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, upregulation in the apoptosis-related genes (c-Jun: c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), c-Fos: Fos protooncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit, c-Myc: c-myelocytomatosis oncogene product or MYC protooncogene, bHLH transcription factor), locomotor and cognitive impairment in mice but the effect was more obvious when nanoceria adminstred intraperitoneally. Conculsion Nanoceria cause oxidative damage in brain tissue of mice when adminstred nanoceria intraperitoneally more than those received nanoceria intranasal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan E Saeed
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt
| | - Rasha Ragab Ibrahim
- Department of Animal and Poultry Management and Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa Kamel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, 12211, Egypt
| | - El-Shaymaa El-Nahass
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt
| | - Ahlam G Khalifa
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt
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Silva F, Garrido MI, Soares SC. The effect of anxiety and its interplay with social cues when perceiving aggressive behaviours. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2024:17470218241258209. [PMID: 38785293 DOI: 10.1177/17470218241258209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Contextual cues and emotional states carry expectations and biases that are used to attribute meaning to what we see. In addition, emotional states, such as anxiety, shape our visual systems, increasing overall, and particularly threat-related, sensitivity. It remains unclear, however, how anxiety interacts with additional cues when categorising sensory input. This is especially important in social scenarios where ambiguous gestures are commonplace, thus requiring the integration of cues for a proper interpretation. To this end, we decided to assess how states of anxiety might bias the perception of potentially aggressive social interactions, and how external cues are incorporated in this process. Participants (N = 71) were tasked with signalling the presence of aggression in ambiguous social interactions. Simultaneously, an observer (facial expression) reacted (by showing an emotional expression) to this interaction. Importantly, participants performed this task under safety and threat of shock conditions. Decision measures and eye-tracking data were collected. Our results showed that threat of shock did not affect sensitivity nor criterion when detecting aggressive interactions. The same pattern was observed for response times. Drift diffusion modelling analysis, however, suggested quicker evidence accumulation when under threat. Finally, dwell times over the observer were higher when under threat, indicating a possible association between anxiety states and a bias towards potentially threat-related indicators. Future probing into this topic remains a necessity to better explain the current findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Silva
- William James Center for Research, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marta I Garrido
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Vic, Australia
- Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Sandra C Soares
- William James Center for Research, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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Mashinchi GM, Hall S, Cotter KA. Memory self-efficacy and working memory. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION. SECTION B, AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2024; 31:742-761. [PMID: 37722843 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2023.2259023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Dementia affects multiple aspects of cognitive functioning, including working memory and executive functioning. Memory self-efficacy (MSE) has previously been related to episodic memory performance and to executive functioning, but little research has examined the relations between MSE and working memory. United States older adults (N = 197) were recruited via MTurk to complete an MSE questionnaire before completing a digit span working memory task. Hierarchical regression results revealed that the model accounted for a significant amount of variance in working memory performance after statistically controlling for several covariates, F(11, 179) = 4.94, p < .001, adjusted R2 = .19. MSE explained a large and unique portion of variance (B = 1.02, SE = 0.17, p < .001). Based on our findings, one's beliefs about their memory are positively associated with their working memory performance. These novel findings provide support for neuropsychologists to consider using MSE measures and utilizing MSE interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stuart Hall
- Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Kelly A Cotter
- Department: Psychology, California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA, USA
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Dalechek DE, Caes L, McIntosh G, Whittaker AC. Anxiety, history of childhood adversity, and experiencing chronic pain in adulthood: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Eur J Pain 2024; 28:867-885. [PMID: 38189218 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2232] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When considering factors that may impact chronic pain experiences in adulthood, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and anxiety should be considered. The literature on the associations between these 3 variables remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To summarize the existing literature on the relationship between ACEs and anxiety on chronic pain experience in adults, and examine the association between ACEs and anxiety. METHODS A systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analysis was used to examine adults (≥18) with a reported history of ACEs, self-reported and/or diagnosed anxiety, and chronic pain. The SLR included quality appraisal according to the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. RESULTS The narrative summary indicated a significant association between ACEs, anxiety, and chronic pain experiences in adults. Of 52 selected studies, 79% reported a moderate-strong association. For ACE prevalence, the majority reported experiencing sexual abuse (50% [SD 16.01]), followed by physical abuse (46% [SD 20.7]). Other ACEs included emotional abuse (33% [SD 17.17]), emotional neglect (25% [SD 21.02]), and physical neglect (23% [SD 22.44]). Meta-analyses showed moderate associations between anxiety and chronic pain (r = 0.30; 95% CI = [0.14, 0.45], p < 0.01) and between ACEs and anxiety (r = 0.26; 95% CI = [0.15, 0.36], p < 0.01), and that participants who experienced ACEs are around twice as likely to present chronic pain during adulthood (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = [1.53, 2.60], p < 0.01). CONCLUSION The results of the SLR and meta-analysis indicated that ACEs and anxiety influence chronic pain experience in adults. Given the relationship between ACEs and anxiety, there would be value in exploring this as a potential mediator in future studies. SIGNIFICANCE There was an unmet need to summarize the existing literature on the relationship between ACEs and anxiety on chronic pain experience in adults and the association between ACEs and anxiety. The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that both ACEs and anxiety influenced chronic pain experience in adults and helped to inform the diverse literature on these potential relationships to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle E Dalechek
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Line Caes
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Gwenne McIntosh
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Anna C Whittaker
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
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Northrop D, Decker V, Woody A. Responding to In-hospital Cardiac Arrests During Times of System-wide Strain: A Code Refresher Training. J Contin Educ Nurs 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38916524 DOI: 10.3928/00220124-20240617-03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pandemic conditions of system-wide strain are associated with increased rates of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). During normal times, medical-surgical nurses may forget cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills as soon as 3 months after training, leaving them unprepared and anxious about managing cardiac arrests. During pandemic surges, heightened anxiety can also impact concentration and confidence. METHOD Clinicians offered a 45-minute mock code training refresher for medical-surgical nurses to improve confidence performing CPR while adhering to pandemic-related safety procedures. In this pre-post clinical education project, nurses' confidence was measured with the Nursing Anxiety and Self-Confidence with Clinical Decision Making© Scale. RESULTS Although the results were not statistically significant, participants verbally reported increased confidence to initiate resuscitation, collaborate with team members, and use personal protective equipment during the posttraining debrief. CONCLUSION A high percentage of RNs do not have adequate confidence and/or competence in performing CPR, particularly during times of system-wide strain, and this brief, inexpensive refresher training warrants further study. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 202x;5x(x):xx-xx.].
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Casalvera A, Goodwin M, Lynch KG, Teferi M, Patel M, Grillon C, Ernst M, Balderston NL. Threat of shock increases distractor susceptibility during the short-term maintenance of visual information. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2024; 19:nsae036. [PMID: 38809714 PMCID: PMC11173208 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Elevated arousal in anxiety is thought to affect attention control. To test this, we designed a visual short-term memory (VSTM) task to examine distractor suppression during periods of threat and no-threat. We hypothesized that threat would impair performance when subjects had to filter out large numbers of distractors. The VSTM task required subjects to attend to one array of squares while ignoring a separate array. The number of target and distractor squares varied systematically, with high (four squares) and low (two squares) target and distractor conditions. This study comprised two separate experiments. Experiment 1 used startle responses and white noise as to directly measure threat-induced anxiety. Experiment 2 used BOLD to measure brain responses. For Experiment 1, subjects showed significantly larger startle responses during threat compared to safe period, supporting the validity of the threat manipulation. For Experiment 2, we found that accuracy was affected by threat, such that the distractor load negatively impacted accuracy only in the threat condition. We also found threat-related differences in parietal cortex activity. Overall, these findings suggest that threat affects distractor susceptibility, impairing filtering of distracting information. This effect is possibly mediated by hyperarousal of parietal cortex during threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Casalvera
- Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Madeline Goodwin
- Section on the Neurobiology of Fear and Anxiety, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kevin G Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marta Teferi
- Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Milan Patel
- Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christian Grillon
- Section on the Neurobiology of Fear and Anxiety, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Monique Ernst
- Section on the Neurobiology of Fear and Anxiety, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas L Balderston
- Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Montgomery NM, Wartman CC, Pate AN, Barber K, Jenkins AB. Evaluating Perceptions of Test Anxiety Among Student Pharmacists and Faculty Members: A Pilot Study. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION 2024; 88:100737. [PMID: 38866369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpe.2024.100737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine student perceptions versus actual level of test anxiety, as measured by the Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale-2 (CTAS-2), and student and faculty perceptions of test anxiety with regard to prevalence, impact, ease of treatment, and importance in pharmacy education. METHODS Two independent Qualtrics questionnaires were distributed via email to all students and faculty in the professional pharmacy program (years 1-4) at the University of Mississippi. The first questionnaire evaluated pharmacy students' perceptions of test anxiety and self-awareness of personal test anxiety. The second questionnaire evaluated faculty members' perceptions of student test anxiety. The questionnaires had 50 and 21 questions, respectively, and were developed from validated, reliable questionnaires used in Cognitive Test Anxiety (CTA) research. RESULTS Questionnaires were completed by 123 students and 19 faculty. Overall, 46 % of students had a self-perception of "high test anxiety", with 28 % having a CTAS-2 score that correlated to severe test anxiety. A majority of faculty respondents (84 %) believed severe test anxiety affects 30 % or less of pharmacy students and may be associated with poor academic performance. CONCLUSION Student pharmacists' self-perception of test anxiety and perception of difficulty mitigating test anxiety may be overestimated. Overall, faculty accurately estimated the degree of test anxiety, felt confident in being able to help students, and believed it should receive attention from both faculty and the university.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam N Pate
- University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Oxford, MS, USA; American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, USA
| | - Katie Barber
- University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Oxford, MS, USA
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Le Cunff AL, Glover C, Martis BL, Giampietro V, Dommett E. Methodological adjustments for experimental studies including neurodiverse participants: A checklist for before, during, and after laboratory visits. MethodsX 2024; 12:102658. [PMID: 38510933 PMCID: PMC10950872 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we developed an experimental checklist for laboratory experiments including neurodiverse participants, particularly those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and dyslexia. The checklist suggests additions to the basic requirements for ethical laboratory-based studies with human participants. The suggestions emphasize physical comfort, the agency of participants concerning environmental adjustments, clarity of communication, and a focus on participants' overall well-being. Those methodological guidelines aim to help researchers in facilitating inclusive and accessible laboratory environments for neurodiverse participants in order to: •Enhance research validity by minimizing the influence of factors that affect responses in neuroscience experiments.•Facilitate research recruitment by encouraging continued participation in future studies and increasing word-of-mouth.•Improve research dissemination by fostering a more positive perception of the research process amongst neurodiverse individuals and encouraging community involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Laure Le Cunff
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom
| | - Caitlin Glover
- School of Engineering and Informatics, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9RH, United Kingdom
| | - Brandon-Lee Martis
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent Giampietro
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Dommett
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom
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13
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Silva F, Ribeiro S, Silva S, Garrido MI, Soares SC. Exploring the use of visual predictions in social scenarios while under anticipatory threat. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10913. [PMID: 38740937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61682-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the less recognized effects of anxiety lies in perception alterations caused by how one weighs both sensory evidence and contextual cues. Here, we investigated how anxiety affects our ability to use social cues to anticipate the others' actions. We adapted a paradigm to assess expectations in social scenarios, whereby participants were asked to identify the presence of agents therein, while supported by contextual cues from another agent. Participants (N = 66) underwent this task under safe and threat-of-shock conditions. We extracted both criterion and sensitivity measures as well as gaze data. Our analysis showed that whilst the type of action had the expected effect, threat-of-shock had no effect over criterion and sensitivity. Although showing similar dwell times, gaze exploration of the contextual cue was associated with shorter fixation durations whilst participants were under threat. Our findings suggest that anxiety does not appear to influence the use of expectations in social scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Silva
- William James Center for Research, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Ribeiro
- Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Samuel Silva
- IEETA, DETI, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marta I Garrido
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sandra C Soares
- William James Center for Research, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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14
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Kim AJ, Nguyen K, Mather M. Eye movements reveal age differences in how arousal modulates saliency priority but not attention processing speed. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.06.592619. [PMID: 38766110 PMCID: PMC11100628 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.06.592619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The arousal-biased competition theory posits that inducing arousal increases attentional priority of salient stimuli while reducing priority of non-pertinent stimuli. However, unlike in young adults, older adults rarely exhibit shifts in priority under increased arousal, and prior studies have proposed different neural mechanisms to explain how arousal differentially modulates selective attention in older adults. Therefore, we investigated how the threat of unpredictable shock differentially modulates attentional control mechanisms in young and older adults by observing eye movements. Participants completed two oculomotor search tasks in which the salient distractor was typically captured by attention (singleton search) or proactively suppressed (feature search). We found that arousal did not modulate attentional priority for any stimulus among older adults nor affect the speed of attention processing in either age group. Furthermore, we observed that arousal modulated pupil sizes and found a correlation between evoked pupil responses and oculomotor function. Our findings suggest age differences in how the locus coeruleus-noradrenaline system interacts with neural networks of attention and oculomotor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Jeesu Kim
- University of Southern California, School of Gerontology
| | | | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, School of Gerontology
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15
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Albright DL, McDaniel J, Suntai Z, Horan H, Hirsch B. Is Subjective Cognitive Decline Associated with Behavioral Health Outcomes Among Mothers? Matern Child Health J 2024; 28:820-827. [PMID: 37906401 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03801-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies suggests that pregnancy can alter the maternal neurological function of the brain (i.e., result in cognitive decline) in a way that remains prevalent well into middle and older adulthood. However, little research has explored these changes and how they might affect behavioral health outcomes, such as substance use and depression. METHODS We merged data from the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys, with a final analytic sample of 1330 female participants (649 participants were mothers). Chi-square tests or t-tests were used to examine differences in demographic and health characteristics of the sample by subjective cognitive decline (SCD) status. To test the study hypotheses, three generalized linear mixed models were estimated with a logit link. RESULTS SCD was not associated with alcohol misuse among mothers (aOR = 0.27, p = 0.23). Mothers with SCD were more likely to smoke (aOR = 3.33, p = 0.01) and experience mental distress (aOR = 6.59, p < 0.001) than those without SCD. CONCLUSION Interventions aimed at supporting mothers should consider how existing mental health and tobacco cessation programs can be adapted to better serve this population and should aim to identify those that may have early signs of early signs of neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justin McDaniel
- Public Health and Recreation Professions, Southern Illinois University, 1263 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | | | - Holly Horan
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Brandon Hirsch
- Public Health and Recreation Professions, Southern Illinois University, 1263 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
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16
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Silva F, Garrido MI, Soares SC. Improved Perception of Aggression Under (un)Related Threat of Shock. Cogn Sci 2024; 48:e13451. [PMID: 38742266 DOI: 10.1111/cogs.13451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety shifts visual attention and perceptual mechanisms, preparing oneself to detect potentially threatening information more rapidly. Despite being demonstrated for threat-related social stimuli, such as fearful expressions, it remains unexplored if these effects encompass other social cues of danger, such as aggressive gestures/actions. To this end, we recruited a total of 65 participants and asked them to identify, as quickly and accurately as possible, potentially aggressive actions depicted by an agent. By introducing and manipulating the occurrence of electric shocks, we induced safe and threatening conditions. In addition, the association between electric shocks and aggression was also manipulated. Our result showed that participants have improved sensitivity, with no changes to criterion, when detecting aggressive gestures during threat compared to safe conditions. Furthermore, drift diffusion model analysis showed that under threat participants exhibited faster evidence accumulation toward the correct perceptual decision. Lastly, the relationship between threat source and aggression appeared to not impact any of the effects described above. Overall, our results indicate that the benefits gained from states of anxiety, such as increased sensitivity toward threat and greater evidence accumulation, are transposable to social stimuli capable of signaling danger other than facial expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Silva
- William James Center for Research, University of Aveiro
| | - Marta I Garrido
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne
- Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne
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17
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Marino CE, Rjabtsenkov P, Sharp C, Ali Z, Pineda E, Bavdekar S, Garg T, Jordan K, Halvorsen M, Aponte C, Blue J, Zhu X, Jimenez BS. Using Virtual Reality to Study Spatial Mapping and Threat Learning. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3891586. [PMID: 38645017 PMCID: PMC11030523 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3891586/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Using spatial mapping processes to learn about threat and safety in an environment is crucial for survival. Research using conditioning paradigms has explored the effects of state (transient arousal) and trait anxiety (anxiety as an aspect of personality) on threat learning and acquisition. However, results are mixed, and little is known regarding why some individuals do not learn to discriminate between threat and safety during contextual conditioning. We used a virtual reality (VR) contextual threat conditioning paradigm to elucidate the effects of state and trait anxiety on contextual threat learning. 70 healthy participants (46 female) navigated and "picked" flowers in a VR environment. Flowers picked in the dangerous zone (half of the environment) were paired with an electric shock (or "bee sting") to the hand; flowers picked in the safe zone were never paired with a shock. Participants also collected and returned neutral objects as a measure of spatial memory. Galvanic skin response (GSR) was measured throughout the task and anxiety was assessed via the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Participants were categorized as learners if they correctly identified the two zones after the task. Non-learners, compared to learners, performed significantly worse during the spatial memory task and demonstrated significantly higher state anxiety scores and GSR levels throughout the task. Learners showed higher skin conductance response (SCR) in the dangerous zone compared to the safe zone while non-learners showed no SCR differences between zones. These results indicate that state anxiety may impair spatial mapping, disrupting contextual threat learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Marino
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Pavel Rjabtsenkov
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Caitlin Sharp
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Zonia Ali
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Evelyn Pineda
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Shreya Bavdekar
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Tanya Garg
- Department of Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Kendal Jordan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Mary Halvorsen
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Carlos Aponte
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Julie Blue
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Xi Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Benjamin-Suarez Jimenez
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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18
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Stanković M, Allenmark F, Shi Z. High task demand in dual-target paradigm redirects experimentally increased anxiety to uphold goal-directed attention. Perception 2024; 53:263-275. [PMID: 38517398 PMCID: PMC10960321 DOI: 10.1177/03010066241232593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Previous research has shown that state anxiety facilitates stimulus-driven attentional capture and impairs goal-directed attentional control by increasing sensitivity to salient distractors or threat cues or narrowing spatial attention. However, recent findings in this area have been mixed, and less is known about how state-dependent anxiety may affect attentional performance. Here, we employed a novel dual-target search paradigm to investigate this relationship. This paradigm allowed us to investigate attentional control and how focus narrows under different anxiety states. Participants watched a short movie-either anxiety-inducing or neutral-before engaging in the dual-target visual search task. We found that they performed faster and more accurately in trials without the salient distractor compared to those with distractors, and they performed better in tasks presented on the center than the periphery. However, despite a significant increase in self-reported anxiety in the anxiety-inducing session, participants' performance in terms of speed and accuracy remain comparable across both anxious and neutral sessions. This resilience is likely due to compensatory mechanisms that offset anxiety, a result of the high demands and working memory load inherent in the dual-target task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloš Stanković
- University of Regensburg, Germany; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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19
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Huneke NTM, Cross C, Fagan HA, Molteni L, Phillips N, Garner M, Baldwin DS. Placebo Effects Are Small on Average in the 7.5% CO2 Inhalational Model of Generalized Anxiety. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 27:pyae019. [PMID: 38577951 PMCID: PMC11059817 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyae019] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and socio-economically costly. Novel pharmacological treatments for these disorders are needed because many patients do not respond to current agents or experience unwanted side effects. However, a barrier to treatment development is the variable and large placebo response rate seen in trials of novel anxiolytics. Despite this, the mechanisms that drive placebo responses in anxiety disorders have been little investigated, possibly due to low availability of convenient experimental paradigms. We aimed to develop and test a novel protocol for inducing placebo anxiolysis in the 7.5% CO2 inhalational model of generalized anxiety in healthy volunteers. METHODS Following a baseline 20-minute CO2 challenge, 32 healthy volunteers were administered a placebo intranasal spray labelled as either the anxiolytic "lorazepam" or "saline." Following this, participants surreptitiously underwent a 20-minute inhalation of normal air. Post-conditioning, a second dose of the placebo was administered, after which participants completed another CO2 challenge. RESULTS Participants administered sham "lorazepam" reported significant positive expectations of reduced anxiety (P = .001), but there was no group-level placebo effect on anxiety following CO2 challenge post-conditioning (Ps > .350). Surprisingly, we found many participants exhibited unexpected worsening of anxiety, despite positive expectations. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to our hypothesis, our novel paradigm did not induce a placebo response, on average. It is possible that effects of 7.5% CO2 inhalation on prefrontal cortex function or behavior in line with a Bayesian predictive coding framework attenuated the effect of expectations on subsequent placebo response. Future studies are needed to explore these possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan T M Huneke
- Southern Health National Health Service Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK
- University Department of Psychiatry, Academic Centre, College Keep, Southampton, UK
| | - Cosmina Cross
- Southern Health National Health Service Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Harry A Fagan
- Southern Health National Health Service Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK
- University Department of Psychiatry, Academic Centre, College Keep, Southampton, UK
| | - Laura Molteni
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK
- University Department of Psychiatry, Academic Centre, College Keep, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Matthew Garner
- Center for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
- University Department of Psychiatry, Academic Centre, College Keep, Southampton, UK
| | - David S Baldwin
- University Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Southern Health National Health Service Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK
- University Department of Psychiatry, Academic Centre, College Keep, Southampton, UK
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20
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Zhang B, Li X, Deng H, Tan P, He W, Huang S, Wang L, Xu H, Cao L, Nie G. The relationship of personality, alexithymia, anxiety symptoms, and odor awareness: a mediation analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:185. [PMID: 38448836 PMCID: PMC10916267 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05653-y] [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: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Personality, emotions, and olfaction exhibit partial anatomical overlap in the limbic system structure, establishing potential mechanisms between personality, affective disorders, and olfactory-related aspects. Thus, this study aims to investigate the associations among the Big Five personality traits, alexithymia, anxiety symptoms, and odor awareness. METHODS A total of 863 college participants were recruited for this study. All participants completed the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory-15, the Odor Awareness Scale (OAS), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener-7. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the hypothesized mediated model. RESULTS The findings revealed the majority of significant intercorrelations among the dimensions of the Big Five personality traits, alexithymia, anxiety symptoms, and OAS (|r| = 0.072-0.567, p < 0.05). Alexithymia and anxiety symptoms exhibited a serial mediation effect between neuroticism and OAS (95%CI[0.001, 0.014]), conscientiousness and OAS (95%CI[-0.008, -0.001]), and extraversion and OAS (95%CI[-0.006, -0.001]). Anxiety symptoms mediated the relationship between agreeableness and OAS (95%CI[-0.023, -0.001]) and between openness and OAS (95%CI [0.004, 0.024]). CONCLUSION The mediating roles of alexithymia and anxiety symptoms between the Big Five personality traits and odor awareness support the idea of a certain level of association among personality, emotions, and olfaction, with the underlying role of the limbic system structure. This enhances our understanding of personality, emotions, and olfaction and provides insights for future intervention measures for affective disorders and olfactory dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binfeng Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiuxia Li
- Department of Psychology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Hongzhen Deng
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peixuan Tan
- Department of Psychology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Wanyong He
- Department of Psychology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Shuling Huang
- Department of Psychology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Psychology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Psychology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Psychology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Guanghui Nie
- Department of Psychology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Shuangyong Road 22, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
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21
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Faris M, Macky MM, Badran AH, Saif M, Yasser M, Ibrahim E, Hussein A. The Prevalence of Anxiety Among University Students in the United Arab Emirates Following the COVID-19 Lockdown. Cureus 2024; 16:e56259. [PMID: 38623102 PMCID: PMC11017236 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic, with its consequential lifestyle changes, is anticipated to contribute to increased anxiety levels, particularly among university students who already contend with significant academic stress. We aim to assess the prevalence of anxiety among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the COVID-19 lockdown period. METHODS We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among students enrolled in UAE universities. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to gather demographic data, assess anxiety levels using the generalized anxiety disorder-7 scale, explore potential factors associated with heightened anxiety, investigate the impact of increased anxiety on academic performance, and identify coping mechanisms employed post-lockdown. RESULTS Of the 369 participating students, anxiety levels were minimal in 87 (23.6%), mild in 163 (44.2%), and moderate to severe in 119 (32.2%) subjects. Moreover, increased anxiety levels were significantly correlated with poor/fair sleep quality (p=0.002). Importantly, students with moderate to severe anxiety levels exhibited poorer performance in exams and assignments (p=0.001) and encountered difficulties in maintaining focus on studies (p<0.001). The predominant coping mechanisms employed by students included self-distraction, prayer, and maintaining a positive attitude. CONCLUSION The majority of students in our study experienced mild to severe levels of anxiety following the COVID-19 lockdown period. We hope that our findings will prompt university and government officials to implement effective screening and preventive strategies to adequately support university students in future public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan Faris
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, ARE
| | - May M Macky
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, ARE
| | | | - Mariam Saif
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, ARE
| | - Mohga Yasser
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, ARE
| | - Eithar Ibrahim
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, ARE
| | - Amal Hussein
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, ARE
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22
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Azzi V, Karam JM, D'Andrea W, Malaeb D, El Khatib S, Sakr F, Dabbous M, Hallit S, Soufia M. Are the presence of asthma and the COVID-19 infection associated with behavioral changes in Lebanese adolescents? Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2024; 52:68-79. [PMID: 38459893 DOI: 10.15586/aei.v52i2.1054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little evidence is available about psychological stressors in Lebanese asthmatic adolescents, where health-risk behaviors are a serious threat to public health. In addition, the COVID-19 epidemic has had a substantial influence on adolescents' mental health globally, especially in Lebanon, where the ongoing economic and political challenges have largely impacted their psychological well-being. This study aimed to explore the association of asthma and the COVID-19 infection with behaviors among Lebanese adolescents. METHODS Data were collected in July 2023, using the snowball sampling technique. Inclusion criteria for participation in the study included being of a resident and citizen of Lebanon and aged 12-18 years. Behavioral problems were assessed using the Youth Self-Report (YSR) scale, which yields nine subscales (anxious/depressed, withdrawn/depressed, somatic complaints, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, rule-breaking behavior, aggressive behavior, and other problems) and a total score. RESULTS Asthma was significantly associated with somatic complaints (Beta [β] = 2.98), attention problems (β = 0.01), and other behavioral problems (β = 0.68). Having contracted the COVID-19 infection, compared to healthy asymptomatic state (β = 1.55), was significantly associated with more anxious behaviors. In the case of stratifying the analysis in terms of gender, the results showed that the presence of asthma was significantly associated with more social behaviors (β = 3.31), thought problems (β = 2.91), attention problems (β = 0.02), other behavioral problems (β = 1.71), and total behavioral problems (β = 5.71) in males. In case stratifying the analysis as to school type, the presence of asthma was significantly associated with more somatic complaints (β = 2.77) in participants from private schools whereas it was significantly associated with more total behavioral problems (total YSR scores) (β = 5.05) in participants from public schools. CONCLUSION It is confirmed that asthma and psychiatric disorders are interconnected, so it would be of great importance to include screening through a psychological intervention in treating asthmatic adolescents by means of (1) recognizing factors affecting patients' mental health, and (2) regulating uncontrolled behaviors that can exacerbate symptoms in order to avoid the future morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Azzi
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon
| | | | - Wendy D'Andrea
- The New School for Social Research, New York, NY, USA
- Trauma Research Foundation, Brooklyn, MA, USA
| | - Diana Malaeb
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sami El Khatib
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, Bekaa, Lebanon
- Center for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics (CAMB), Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), Hawally, Kuwait
| | - Fouad Sakr
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
- École Doctorale Sciences de la Vie et de la Santé, Université Paris-Est Créteil, Paris, France
| | - Mariam Dabbous
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan;
| | - Michel Soufia
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon
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23
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Nordin NS, Taib H. A Dive into Delivery of Oral Hygiene Advice Based on the Personalized Oral Hygiene Advice Model. Cureus 2024; 16:e56606. [PMID: 38646217 PMCID: PMC11031625 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral health's impact on overall well-being highlights the importance of preventive measures through effective oral hygiene practices. Currently, there is growing recognition of the need for customized oral hygiene advice depending on the patient's unique needs and circumstances. This narrative review addresses the gap in understanding the significance of personalized guidance through the proposal of the Personalized Oral Hygiene Advice Model (POHAM) as a comprehensive guide for oral health professionals. This model was developed to adapt to evolving patient demographics and diverse challenges, promoting a patient-centric and effective oral health approach. The POHAM comprises a flow chart of strategies from establishing a good rapport with patients, conducting comprehensive assessment through history-taking, psychosocial and technology proficiency evaluation, tailored education modules, and customized oral care product recommendations until the reassessment. These strategies aim to enhance patient engagement and adherence, as well as act as a guide for oral health professionals to use in the clinical setting before and during the course of oral treatment. Nevertheless, continued research, education, and technological advancements are needed to realize the full potential of personalized oral hygiene strategies, ensuring a transformative and sustainable oral healthcare landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nusaibah S Nordin
- Unit of Periodontics, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, MYS
| | - Haslina Taib
- Unit of Periodontics, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, MYS
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24
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Liu X, Jiao G, Zhou F, Kendrick KM, Yao D, Gong Q, Xiang S, Jia T, Zhang XY, Zhang J, Feng J, Becker B. A neural signature for the subjective experience of threat anticipation under uncertainty. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1544. [PMID: 38378947 PMCID: PMC10879105 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45433-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Uncertainty about potential future threats and the associated anxious anticipation represents a key feature of anxiety. However, the neural systems that underlie the subjective experience of threat anticipation under uncertainty remain unclear. Combining an uncertainty-variation threat anticipation paradigm that allows precise modulation of the level of momentary anxious arousal during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with multivariate predictive modeling, we train a brain model that accurately predicts subjective anxious arousal intensity during anticipation and test it across 9 samples (total n = 572, both gender). Using publicly available datasets, we demonstrate that the whole-brain signature specifically predicts anxious anticipation and is not sensitive in predicting pain, general anticipation or unspecific emotional and autonomic arousal. The signature is also functionally and spatially distinguishable from representations of subjective fear or negative affect. We develop a sensitive, generalizable, and specific neuroimaging marker for the subjective experience of uncertain threat anticipation that can facilitate model development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiqin Liu
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guojuan Jiao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Chongqing, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dezhong Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Shitong Xiang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianye Jia
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- The Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), ISTBI, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Xiao-Yong Zhang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfeng Feng
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Conte G, Costanza C, Novelli M, Scarselli V, Arigliani E, Valente F, Baglioni V, Terrinoni A, Chiarotti F, Cardona F. Comorbidities and Disease Duration in Tourette Syndrome: Impact on Cognition and Quality of Life of Children. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:226. [PMID: 38397337 PMCID: PMC10887127 DOI: 10.3390/children11020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive functions represent foundational factors for mental health and quality of life (QoL). In Tourette syndrome (TS), psychiatric comorbidities are common and have been inconsistently reported to affect the cognition and QoL of patients, while the role of tic disorder duration has not been yet explored. METHODS To examine how comorbidities and TS duration may influence cognition and QoL, N = 80 children with TS (6-16 years) were evaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV). Standardized questionnaires were used to assess the presence and severity of TS main comorbidities and QoL. Data were interpreted using linear correlations, regression, and mediation analysis. RESULTS Depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms accounted for poorer cognitive performance. Anxiety oppositely predicted better cognitive performance, while no significant role for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) was observed. Disease duration was associated with lower total IQ, verbal reasoning, and working memory abilities. Depression, anxiety, and TS duration also deeply influenced QoL measures. CONCLUSIONS TS common comorbidities have a differential impact on the cognitive abilities of children and adolescents, which translates into a complex influence on their perceived QoL. A longer clinical history of tics was related to worse cognitive outcomes, which prompts further consideration of disease duration in both clinical and research settings involving children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Conte
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.N.); (V.S.); (E.A.); (F.V.); (V.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Carola Costanza
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Maria Novelli
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.N.); (V.S.); (E.A.); (F.V.); (V.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Veronica Scarselli
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.N.); (V.S.); (E.A.); (F.V.); (V.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Elena Arigliani
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.N.); (V.S.); (E.A.); (F.V.); (V.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Francesca Valente
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.N.); (V.S.); (E.A.); (F.V.); (V.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Valentina Baglioni
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.N.); (V.S.); (E.A.); (F.V.); (V.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Arianna Terrinoni
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.N.); (V.S.); (E.A.); (F.V.); (V.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Flavia Chiarotti
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Cardona
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.N.); (V.S.); (E.A.); (F.V.); (V.B.); (A.T.)
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Scarff S, Gullo HL, Nalder EJ, Fleming J. Further investigations into performance variance on the Multiple Errands Test. Aust Occup Ther J 2024; 71:102-112. [PMID: 37953706 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Multiple Errands Test (MET) is a complex, performance-based assessment that is useful for characterising the impact of impairments of executive function on everyday activities. However, performance variance amongst those without neurological pathology, and the impact of non-cognitive factors on this, requires further investigation. METHODS This was a cross-sectional analytic study, conducted with a convenience sample of 40 neurologically intact community-dwelling Australian adults. Participants completed a hospital or shopping centre version of the MET, where their Performance Efficiency, Task Completions and Rule Breaks were recorded. Non-cognitive factors of interest were demographic (age, sex and education), psychological (measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and self-ratings of test anxiety) and assessment-related (assessment site, self-reported site familiarity and observed strategy use). MET performance was analysed using descriptive statistics. A series of standard multiple and binary logistic regression analyses examined the relationships between MET performance and non-cognitive factors. RESULTS Most participants (n = 35, 87.5%) completed at least 10 of the 12 prescribed tasks and broke an average of four rules (SD = 2.36). They achieved an average performance efficiency rating of 0.75/1 (SD = 0.15), suggesting variability in the extent to which participants made non-essential location stops and/or failed to complete tasks whilst at an essential location. The assessment site and participant site familiarity had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) impact on Performance Efficiency and Task Completion scores, and psychological factors had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) relationship with Rule Breaks. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that the impact of factors other than cognition should be considered when interpreting MET performance. The assessment site and participant site familiarity may contribute to significant variability in Performance Efficiency scores. Clinicians should also be aware of the potential impact of these assessment-related factors on Task Completions and psychological distress on Rule Breaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Scarff
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service, Herston, Australia
| | - Hannah L Gullo
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Australia
| | - Emily J Nalder
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jennifer Fleming
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
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Wigham EE, Yusta N, Sweet SM, Francesca L, Dadios N, Nova RJ. How do veterinary students perceive and prepare for compulsory slaughterhouse visits? Vet Rec 2024; 194:e3712. [PMID: 38111037 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3712] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Veterinary students in the UK must visit a slaughterhouse as part of their studies. There is currently limited evidence exploring how students perceive these visits or which activities have been implemented to support learning during a visit that may be emotionally challenging. METHODS Veterinary students at the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Glasgow were invited to complete an online survey and participate in follow-up focus groups. RESULTS Participants appreciated the important role that veterinarians play in the slaughterhouse. Most (69%) agreed that in-person visits are important and would choose to visit, with around half (49%) thinking it should be optional. Previous slaughterhouse experience improved students' views towards compulsory in-person visits. Teaching events covering the slaughter process, videos and discussion sessions were perceived as useful preparatory activities. Anxiety was the most common emotion associated with visits. LIMITATIONS The response rate was low, at 15.6%, and a small number of students participated in focus groups. Data on diets and gender were not collected. CONCLUSION Slaughterhouse visits are valued by students, although they can cause negative emotions. Managing expectations and increasing awareness of visitation requirements during the application process and subsequent studies may improve the educational and emotional experience of visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor E Wigham
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Noelia Yusta
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sydney M Sweet
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lauren Francesca
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Rodrigo J Nova
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Smith LJ, Wilkinson D, Bodani M, Surenthiran SS. Cognition in vestibular disorders: state of the field, challenges, and priorities for the future. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1159174. [PMID: 38304077 PMCID: PMC10830645 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1159174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Vestibular disorders are prevalent and debilitating conditions of the inner ear and brain which affect balance, coordination, and the integration of multisensory inputs. A growing body of research has linked vestibular disorders to cognitive problems, most notably attention, visuospatial perception, spatial memory, and executive function. However, the mechanistic bases of these cognitive sequelae remain poorly defined, and there is a gap between our theoretical understanding of vestibular cognitive dysfunction, and how best to identify and manage this within clinical practice. This article takes stock of these shortcomings and provides recommendations and priorities for healthcare professionals who assess and treat vestibular disorders, and for researchers developing cognitive models and rehabilitation interventions. We highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration for developing and evaluating clinically relevant theoretical models of vestibular cognition, to advance research and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Smith
- Centre for Preventative Neurology, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - David Wilkinson
- School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Mayur Bodani
- School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Kent, United Kingdom
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Morgan E, Dyar C, Rose K. Dissecting sexual minority subgroup differences in the association between depression, anxiety, and cognitive difficulties. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295821. [PMID: 38170685 PMCID: PMC10763951 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295821] [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: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A growing body of research has demonstrated extensive mental health disparities affecting sexual minority populations, yet little research has assessed how these disparities may affect cognitive functioning among subgroups of sexual minorities. METHODS Data come from the 2021 National Health Information Survey (NHIS). Survey-weighted linear regression analyses were used to assess self-reported measures of cognition, stratified by subgroups sexual identity. In particular, we focused on the association between symptoms of depression or anxiety and each of the measures of cognition, adjusting for demographic covariates. RESULTS Among 31,994 NHIS participants in the 2021 survey, 5,658 (17.7%) reported at least some difficulty in remembering or concentrating. Basic demographic differences existed when assessing any cognitive difficulty, particularly for bisexual participants (aOR = 2.73; 95% CI: 2.07, 3.60) and participants identifying as a different identity (aOR = 4.22; 95% CI: 2.72, 6.56). Depression was significantly associated with cognitive difficulty with the largest relationship observed among gay/lesbian participants (aOR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.29, 1.49). The association between anxiety and cognitive difficulty was smallest among bisexuals (aOR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.18) and relatively consistent across other subgroups: heterosexuals (aOR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.24), gay/lesbians (aOR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.36), and those with a different identity (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.35). CONCLUSION There is a clear set of health disparities between sexual minority subgroups and heterosexuals across all cognitive difficulties. Future research should focus on developing a better understanding of differences in cognition based on sexual minority status while also working to ascertain how disparities vary among sexual minorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Morgan
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
- College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Christina Dyar
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Karen Rose
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
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Sigurvinsdottir R, Skúladóttir H, Antonsdóttir HF, Cardenas P, Georgsdóttir MT, Írisardóttir Þórisdóttir M, Jónsdóttir EK, Konop M, Valdimarsdóttir HB, Vilhjálmsson HH, Ásgeirsdóttir BB. A Virtual Reality Courtroom for Survivors of Sexual Violence: A Mixed-Method Pilot Study on Application Possibilities. Violence Against Women 2024; 30:249-274. [PMID: 37801610 DOI: 10.1177/10778012231205589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
This mixed-method pilot study examined the application possibilities of a virtual courtroom to support survivors of sexual violence who may experience courtroom-associated distress. Female sexual violence survivors (n = 13) who had testified in court following victimization entered an interactive virtual courtroom replica. Their reactions were measured quantitatively and qualitatively. The virtual courtroom evoked both subjective and physiological stress. Participants perceived the virtual reality environment as similar to the real-life courtroom. Most reported negative experiences from interacting with the criminal justice system. The virtual courtroom is a possible future strategy to support survivors when reporting violence to the justice system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paola Cardenas
- Department of Psychology, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | | | - Magdalena Konop
- Department of Psychotherapy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
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Srinivasan V, Abathsagayam K, Suganthirababu P, Alagesan J, Vishnuram S, Vasanthi RK. Anxiety's correlation with sleepiness and memory among security officers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Work 2023:WOR230144. [PMID: 38143408 DOI: 10.3233/wor-230144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the working population especially among older adults, anxiety problems have grown dramatically. This element has a significant impact on employee absenteeism and problems with physical and mental health. It was widely known that security personnel had several physical and mental difficulties during their various work hours. It is important to investigate the effects of anxiety on them. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to provide insights into the prevalence of anxiety disorders and explore the correlations between anxiety symptoms, sleep, and memory during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS To conduct a cross-sectional study, 42 older adult participants between the ages of sixty to seventy years were chosen and the procedure was explained.Data were gathered by giving instructions on how to complete the self-reported Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment -7 (GAD-7), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the revised Everyday Memory Questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 36 out of 42 participants (85.71%) experienced moderate to severe anxiety. Anxiety and sleep had a correlation of 0.8, while anxiety and memory had a correlation of 0.87 with a positive EMQ-R relationship. Moreover, there was a statistically significant association between sleep and memory, with a positive correlation of 0.73. CONCLUSION The study concludes that, there is a substantial prevalence of anxiety accompanied by notable insomnia and memory problems in elderly security officers. Our findings indicate a clear relationship between sleep disturbances, memory issues, and most prevalent anxiety symptoms. These results emphasize the importance of incorporating mental health assessments and addressing an effective treatment for anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Srinivasan
- Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
| | - Kumaresan Abathsagayam
- Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
| | - Prathap Suganthirababu
- Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
| | - Jagatheesan Alagesan
- Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
| | - Surya Vishnuram
- Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
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Mora Álvarez MG, Hölzel BK, Bremer B, Wilhelm M, Hell E, Tavacioglu EE, Koch K, Torske A. Effects of web-based mindfulness training on psychological outcomes, attention, and neuroplasticity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22635. [PMID: 38114554 PMCID: PMC10730881 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48706-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation training (MMT) reliably reduces stress and anxiety while also improving attention. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between MMT, stress and anxiety reduction, and its impact upon improvements in attention on the behavioral and neuronal levels. As a second aim, we sought to explore any relationship between MMT, attention, and modified states of mind such as flow. 118 healthy, meditation-naïve, participants were either assigned to a 31-day, web-based, MMT or an active control, health training (HT). Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing the attention network test (ANT) to assess functional and behavioural attentional changes, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess microstructural neuronal changes and completed relevant questionnaires to explore changes in psychological outcomes. Results confirmed a reduction in perceived stress and anxiety levels in the MMT group and significant improvements in the overall reaction time during the ANT, albeit no specific effects on the attentional components were observed. No statistically significant changes were found in the HT group. Interestingly, a significant group-by-time interaction was seen in flow experience. Functional data exhibited an increased activity in the superior frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex, and right hippocampus during the alerting condition of the ANT after the MMT; decreased stress and trait anxiety were significantly correlated with the activation in the right hippocampus, and increased flow was also significantly correlated with all the aforementioned areas. DTI data showed increased fractional anisotropy values in the right uncinate fasciculus indicating white matter microarchitecture improvement between the right hippocampus and frontal areas of the brain. This study, therefore, demonstrates the effectiveness of web-based MMT on overall well-being and attentional performance, while also providing insight into the relationship between psychological outcomes, attention, and neuroplastic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Guadalupe Mora Álvarez
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center (TUM-NIC), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Britta Karen Hölzel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center (TUM-NIC), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Benno Bremer
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Wilhelm
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elena Hell
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ebru Ecem Tavacioglu
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center (TUM-NIC), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Koch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center (TUM-NIC), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Alyssa Torske
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center (TUM-NIC), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
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González-Martín AM, Aibar-Almazán A, Rivas-Campo Y, Castellote-Caballero Y, Carcelén-Fraile MDC. Mindfulness to improve the mental health of university students. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1284632. [PMID: 38111480 PMCID: PMC10726040 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1284632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives This systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the effects of a mindfulness program on mental health in university students. Methods A systematic review was conducted using the databases Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL. The selected studies had to incorporate a mindfulness intervention in university students. The methodological quality of the collected articles was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Results We initially identified 321 studies, of which 21 were included in this review. The interventions focused on mindfulness with durations ranging from 8 weeks to 3 months. The results demonstrated significant effects of a mindfulness intervention on mental health in university students. Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis found that mindfulness is effective for improving the mental health of college students. Systematic Review Registration identifier: CRD42023441453.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana María González-Martín
- Department of Education and Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Atlántico Medio, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Higher Education Center for Teaching and Educational Research, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Aibar-Almazán
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
| | - Yulieth Rivas-Campo
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of San Buenaventura-Cali, Santiago de Cali, Colombia
| | | | - María del Carmen Carcelén-Fraile
- Department of Education and Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Atlántico Medio, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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Wendt J, Kuhn M, Hamm AO, Lonsdorf TB. Recent advances in studying brain-behavior interactions using functional imaging: The primary startle response pathway and its affective modulation in humans. Psychophysiology 2023; 60:e14364. [PMID: 37402156 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
The startle response is a cross-species defensive reflex that is considered a key tool for cross-species translational emotion research. While the neural pathway mediating (affective) startle modulation has been extensively studied in rodents, human work on brain-behavior interactions has lagged in the past due to technical challenges, which have only recently been overcome through non-invasive simultaneous EMG-fMRI assessments. We illustrate key paradigms and methodological tools for startle response assessment in rodents and humans and review evidence for primary and modulatory neural circuits underlying startle responses and their affective modulation in humans. Based on this, we suggest a refined and integrative model for primary and modulatory startle response pathways in humans concluding that there is strong evidence from human work on the neurobiological pathway underlying the primary startle response while evidence for the modulatory pathway is still sparse. In addition, we provide methodological considerations to guide future work and provide an outlook on new and exciting perspectives enabled through technical and theoretical advances outlined in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Wendt
- Department of Biological Psychology and Affective Science, University of Potsdam, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Manuel Kuhn
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alfons O Hamm
- Department of Physiological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Tina B Lonsdorf
- Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Bielefeld, Germany
- Institute for Psychology, Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
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Roxburgh AD, White DJ, Grillon C, Cornwell BR. A neural oscillatory signature of sustained anxiety. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 23:1534-1544. [PMID: 37880568 PMCID: PMC10684633 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-023-01132-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety is a sustained response to uncertain threats; yet few studies have explored sustained neurobiological activities underlying anxious states, particularly spontaneous neural oscillations. To address this gap, we reanalysed magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data recorded during induced anxiety to identify differences in sustained oscillatory activity between high- and low-anxiety states. METHODS We combined data from three previous MEG studies in which healthy adults (total N = 51) were exposed to alternating periods of threat of unpredictable shock and safety while performing a range of cognitive tasks (passive oddball, mixed-saccade or stop-signal tasks). Spontaneous, band-limited, oscillatory activity was extracted from middle and late intervals of the threat and safe periods, and regional power distributions were reconstructed with adaptive beamforming. Conjunction analyses were used to identify regions showing overlapping spectral power differences between threat and safe periods across the three task paradigms. RESULTS MEG source analyses revealed a robust and widespread reduction in beta (14-30 Hz) power during threat periods in bilateral sensorimotor cortices extending into right prefrontal regions. Alpha (8-13 Hz) power reductions during threat were more circumscribed, with notable peaks in left intraparietal sulcus and thalamus. CONCLUSIONS Threat-induced anxiety is underpinned by a sustained reduction in spontaneous beta- and alpha-band activity in sensorimotor and parietal cortical regions. This general oscillatory pattern likely reflects a state of heightened action readiness and vigilance to cope with uncertain threats. Our findings provide a critical reference for which to identify abnormalities in cortical oscillatory activities in clinically anxious patients as well as evaluating the efficacy of anxiolytic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel D Roxburgh
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- Turning Point, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - David J White
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | | | - Brian R Cornwell
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
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McCall C, Schofield G, Halgarth D, Blyth G, Laycock A, Palombo DJ. The underwood project: A virtual environment for eliciting ambiguous threat. Behav Res Methods 2023; 55:4002-4017. [PMID: 36289179 PMCID: PMC10700233 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-022-02002-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Threatening environments can be unpredictable in many different ways. The nature of threats, their timing, and their locations in a scene can all be uncertain, even when one is acutely aware of being at risk. Prior research demonstrates that both temporal unpredictability and spatial uncertainty of threats elicit a distinctly anxious psychological response. In the paradigm presented here, we further explore other facets of ambiguous threat via an environment in which there are no concrete threats, predictable or otherwise, but which nevertheless elicits a building sense of danger. By incorporating both psychological research and principles of emotional game design, we constructed this world and then tested its effects in three studies. In line with our goals, participants experienced the environment as creepy and unpredictable. Their subjective and physiological response to the world rose and fell in line with the presentation of ambiguously threatening ambient cues. Exploratory analyses further suggest that this ambiguously threatening experience influenced memory for the virtual world and its underlying narrative. Together the data demonstrate that naturalistic virtual worlds can effectively elicit a multifaceted experience of ambiguous threat with subjective and cognitive consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cade McCall
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Guy Schofield
- School of Arts and Creative Technologies, University of York, York, UK
| | - Darel Halgarth
- Department of Computer Science, University of York, York, UK
| | - Georgina Blyth
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Aaron Laycock
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Daniela J Palombo
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Huang J, Wu H, Sun X, Qi S. The impact of threat of shock-induced anxiety on alerting, orienting, and executive function in women: an ERP study. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 23:1513-1533. [PMID: 37853300 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-023-01133-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The present study used a combination of the Threat-of-Shock paradigm and the Attention Network Test (ANT) to investigate how induced anxiety affects alerting, orienting, and executive control and whether individual differences in threat sensitivity moderate these effects. Forty-two female subjects completed the ANT task in alternation under shock-threat and no-shock ("safe") conditions while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. The results showed that anxiety induced by the threat of shock had a significant impact on alerting and executive control functions at the neural level. Specifically, alerting-related N1 and stimulus-preceding negativity (SPN) differences between double cue and no cue conditions were greater in the threat versus safe state, suggesting that the induced anxiety promoted the early perception of cues and preparation for the target. Moreover, executive control-related P3 and sustained potential (SP) differences between incongruent and congruent trials were greater in the threat versus safe state, indicating that the induced anxiety might improve the attentional allocation efficiency and stimulate subjects to recruit more cognitive resources to resolve conflicts. However, orienting-related ERPs were not affected by the threat of shock, but the threat of shock promoted the processing efficiency of spatial-cue at the behavioral level. Analysis of individual differences revealed that trait anxiety moderated the attentional allocation efficiency when performing executive control related tasks in the threat versus safe state. Our findings demonstrate the adaptive significance of the threat of shock-induced anxiety in that being in an anxious state can enhance individuals' alerting, orienting, and executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Huimin Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Xinyan Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China
| | - Senqing Qi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China.
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Casalvera A, Goodwin M, Lynch K, Teferi M, Patel M, Grillon C, Ernst M, Balderston NL. Threat of shock increases distractor susceptibility during the short-term maintenance of visual information. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.11.22.23298914. [PMID: 38045307 PMCID: PMC10690351 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.22.23298914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Work on anxiety related attention control deficits suggests that elevated arousal impacts the ability to filter out distractors. To test this, we designed a task to look at distractor suppression during periods of threat. We administered trials of a visual short-term memory (VSTM) task, during periods of unpredictable threat, and hypothesized that threat would impair performance during trials where subjects were required to filter out large numbers of distractors. METHOD Experiment 1 involved fifteen healthy participants who completed one study visit. They performed four runs of a VSTM task comprising 32 trials each. Participants were presented with an arrow indicating left or right, followed by an array of squares. They were instructed to remember the target side and disregard the distractors on the off-target side. A subsequent target square was shown, and participants indicated whether it matched one of the previously presented target squares. The trial conditions included 50% matches and 50% mismatches, with an equal distribution of left and right targets. The number of target and distractor squares varied systematically, with high (4 squares) and low (2 squares) target and distractor conditions. Trials alternated between periods of safety and threat, with startle responses recorded using electromyography (EMG) following white noise presentations. Experiment 2 involved twenty-seven healthy participants who completed the same VSTM task inside an MRI scanner during a single study visit. The procedure mirrored that of Experiment 1, except for the absence of white noise presentations. RESULTS For Experiment 1, subjects showed significantly larger startle responses during threat compared to safe period, supporting the validity of the threat manipulation. However, results suggested that the white noise probes interfered with performance. For Experiment 2, we found that both accuracy was affected by threat, such that distractor load negatively impacted accuracy only in the threat condition. CONCLUSION Overall, these findings suggest that threat affects distractor susceptibility during the short-term maintenance of visual information. The presence of threat makes it more difficult to filter out distracting information. We believe that this is related to hyperarousal of parietal cortex, which has been observed during unpredictable threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Casalvera
- Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Madeline Goodwin
- Section on the Neurobiology of Fear and Anxiety, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kevin Lynch
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marta Teferi
- Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Milan Patel
- Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christian Grillon
- Section on the Neurobiology of Fear and Anxiety, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Monique Ernst
- Section on the Neurobiology of Fear and Anxiety, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas L Balderston
- Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Rodriguez VJ, Kozlova S, LaBarrie DL, Liu Q. Parental anxiety and pediatric vaccine refusal in a US national sample of parents. Vaccine 2023; 41:7072-7075. [PMID: 37833125 PMCID: PMC10841520 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Understanding vaccine hesitancy among parents is of emerging interest and of rising importance for promoting vaccine uptake to prevent pediatric illness. Here, we examine associations between pediatric vaccine refusal and parental symptoms of anxiety. METHODS Our cross-sectional survey assessed pediatric vaccine refusal in 1699 parents in a US national sample. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale, and symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7). RESULTS The prevalence of pediatric vaccine refusal was 15.5 %. Parent symptoms of anxiety were related to vaccine refusal (OR = 1.07 [1.03, 1.10]). Mild (1.88 [1.39, 2.54], p <.001) and clinically significant (2.14 [1.39, 3.31], p <.001) symptoms of anxiety were also related to pediatric vaccine refusal. Parental anxiety was also associated with perceived risks of vaccines and reduced confidence. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight the need to consider parental anxiety in the development of public health interventions that address substandard pediatric vaccine uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta J Rodriguez
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States.
| | - Sofia Kozlova
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States
| | | | - Qimin Liu
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, United States
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Yamamori Y, Robinson OJ, Roiser JP. Approach-avoidance reinforcement learning as a translational and computational model of anxiety-related avoidance. eLife 2023; 12:RP87720. [PMID: 37963085 PMCID: PMC10645421 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Although avoidance is a prevalent feature of anxiety-related psychopathology, differences in the measurement of avoidance between humans and non-human animals hinder our progress in its theoretical understanding and treatment. To address this, we developed a novel translational measure of anxiety-related avoidance in the form of an approach-avoidance reinforcement learning task, by adapting a paradigm from the non-human animal literature to study the same cognitive processes in human participants. We used computational modelling to probe the putative cognitive mechanisms underlying approach-avoidance behaviour in this task and investigated how they relate to subjective task-induced anxiety. In a large online study (n = 372), participants who experienced greater task-induced anxiety avoided choices associated with punishment, even when this resulted in lower overall reward. Computational modelling revealed that this effect was explained by greater individual sensitivities to punishment relative to rewards. We replicated these findings in an independent sample (n = 627) and we also found fair-to-excellent reliability of measures of task performance in a sub-sample retested 1 week later (n = 57). Our findings demonstrate the potential of approach-avoidance reinforcement learning tasks as translational and computational models of anxiety-related avoidance. Future studies should assess the predictive validity of this approach in clinical samples and experimental manipulations of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeya Yamamori
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Oliver J Robinson
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jonathan P Roiser
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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Sánchez-Alcalá M, Aibar-Almazán A, Afanador-Restrepo DF, Carcelén-Fraile MDC, Achalandabaso-Ochoa A, Castellote-Caballero Y, Hita-Contreras F. The Impact of Rhythmic Physical Activity on Mental Health and Quality of Life in Older Adults with and without Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7084. [PMID: 38002696 PMCID: PMC10672098 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12227084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Nowadays, it is essential to implement new non-pharmacological strategies, such as rhythmic physical activity, to improve mental health and quality of life in both individuals experiencing normal brain aging and those with cognitive impairment. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the effects of rhythmic physical activity interventions on mental health and quality of life in older adults, with or without mild cognitive impairment; (2) Methods: We conducted a systematic review with a meta-analysis, searching the Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Plus databases using specific keywords. We selected studies that included rhythmic physical activity as the primary intervention for patients aged 65 and above, with or without cognitive impairment. We assessed the methodological quality of the articles using the PEDro scale; (3) Results: Out of 961 identified studies, we included 11 in this review, all of which employed rhythmic physical activity as an intervention. The selected studies consistently measured depression, anxiety, and quality of life; (4) Conclusions: This review demonstrates that rhythmic physical activity can effectively improve depression, anxiety, and quality of life in older adults, whether or not they have mild cognitive impairment. However, it is worth noting that while we have identified beneficial outcomes, the evidence supporting the use of rhythmic physical activity in enhancing depression, anxiety, and quality of life in older adults with or without mild cognitive impairment remains somewhat limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelina Sánchez-Alcalá
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain (A.A.-O.); (Y.C.-C.)
| | - Agustín Aibar-Almazán
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain (A.A.-O.); (Y.C.-C.)
| | | | - María del Carmen Carcelén-Fraile
- Department of Education and Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Atlántico Medio, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain (A.A.-O.); (Y.C.-C.)
| | - Yolanda Castellote-Caballero
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain (A.A.-O.); (Y.C.-C.)
| | - Fidel Hita-Contreras
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain (A.A.-O.); (Y.C.-C.)
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Patel M, Teferi M, Casalvera A, Lynch K, Nitchie F, Makhoul W, Oathes DJ, Sheline Y, Balderston NL. Interleaved TMS/fMRI shows that threat decreases dlPFC-mediated top-down regulation of emotion processing. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.11.11.23298414. [PMID: 37986856 PMCID: PMC10659468 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.11.23298414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Background The right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) has been indicated to be a key region in the cognitive regulation of emotion by many previous neuromodulation and neuroimaging studies. However, there is little direct causal evidence supporting this top-down regulation hypothesis. Furthermore, it is unclear whether contextual threat impacts this top-down regulation. By combining TMS/fMRI, this study aimed to uncover the impact of unpredictable threat on TMS-evoked BOLD response in dlPFC-regulated emotional networks. Based on the previous findings linking the dlPFC to the downregulation of emotional network activity, we hypothesized TMS pulses would deactivate activity in anxiety expression regions, and that threat would reduce this top-down regulation. Methods 44 healthy controls (no current or history of psychiatric disorders) were recruited to take part in a broader study. Subjects completed the neutral, predictable, and unpredictable (NPU) threat task while receiving TMS pulses to either the right dlPFC or a control region. dlPFC targeting was based on data from a separate targeting session, where subjects completed the Sternberg working memory (WM) task inside the MRI scanner. Results When compared to safe conditions, subjects reported significantly higher levels of anxiety under threat conditions. Additionally, TMS-evoked responses in the left insula (LI), right sensory/motor cortex (RSM), and a region encompassing the bilateral SMA regions (BSMA) differed significantly between safe and threat conditions. There was a significant TMS-evoked deactivation in safe periods that was significantly attenuated in threat periods across all 3 regions. Conclusions These findings suggest that threat decreases dlPFC-regulated emotional processing by attenuating the top-down control of emotion, like the left insula. Critically, these findings provide support for the use of right dlPFC stimulation as a potential intervention in anxiety disorders.
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Azargoonjahromi A. The role of epigenetics in anxiety disorders. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:9625-9636. [PMID: 37804465 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08787-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders (ADs) are extremely common psychiatric conditions that frequently co-occur with other physical and mental disorders. The pathophysiology of ADs is multifaceted and involves intricate connections among biological elements, environmental stimuli, and psychological mechanisms. Recent discoveries have highlighted the significance of epigenetics in bridging the gap between multiple risk factors that contribute to ADs and expanding our understanding of the pathomechanisms underlying ADs. Epigenetics is the study of how changes in the environment and behavior can have an impact on gene function. Indeed, researchers have found that epigenetic mechanisms can affect how genes are activated or inactivated, as well as whether they are expressed. Such mechanisms may also affect how ADs form and are protected. That is, the bulk of pharmacological trials evaluating epigenetic treatments for the treatment of ADs have used histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), yielding promising outcomes in both preclinical and clinical studies. This review will provide an outline of how epigenetic pathways can be used to treat ADs or lessen their risk. It will also present the findings from preclinical and clinical trials that are currently available on the use of epigenetic drugs to treat ADs.
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44
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Dal Bò E, Natali L, Gentili C, Cecchetto C. Low odor awareness predicts reduced olfactory abilities in women with depressive symptoms, but not with anxiety symptoms. J Affect Disord 2023; 338:171-179. [PMID: 37290528 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Olfactory disorders and affective symptoms are tightly related. However, the factors underlying this association are not yet understood. One candidate factor is "odor awareness": the degree of attention individuals pays to the odors. However, the association between odor awareness and olfactory abilities in individuals with affective symptoms has not been clarified yet. METHOD The present study examined whether odor awareness may moderate (a) the relation between olfactory dysfunctions and depressive and anxiety symptoms; (b) the relation between the perceptual ratings of the odors and depressive and anxiety symptoms in a sample of healthy women (n = 214). Self-report measures of depression and anxiety were collected, whereas the Sniffin' Stick test was employed to measure olfactory abilities. RESULTS Linear regression analysis revealed that individuals with higher depressive symptoms presented lower olfactory abilities and that odor awareness was a significant moderator of the association between depressive symptoms and olfactory abilities. Anxiety symptoms were not related to any of the olfactory abilities considered, and this relationship did not change according to odor awareness. The familiarity rating of the odor was significantly predicted by odor awareness. These results were confirmed by Bayesian statistics. LIMITATIONS The sample was composed only of women. CONCLUSIONS In a healthy population of women, only the presence of depressive symptoms is related to reduced olfactory performance. Odor awareness may be implicated in the development and maintenance of olfactory dysfunction; hence it could be used as a useful target for specific treatments in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Dal Bò
- Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padua, Via Orus 2/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padua, Italy.
| | - Ludovica Natali
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padua, Italy; Centro di Ateneo Servizi Clinici Universitari Psicologici (SCUP), Via Belzoni, 84, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Claudio Gentili
- Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padua, Via Orus 2/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padua, Italy; Centro di Ateneo Servizi Clinici Universitari Psicologici (SCUP), Via Belzoni, 84, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Cinzia Cecchetto
- Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padua, Via Orus 2/B, 35131 Padua, Italy
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McIntyre RS, Alsuwaidan M, Baune BT, Berk M, Demyttenaere K, Goldberg JF, Gorwood P, Ho R, Kasper S, Kennedy SH, Ly-Uson J, Mansur RB, McAllister-Williams RH, Murrough JW, Nemeroff CB, Nierenberg AA, Rosenblat JD, Sanacora G, Schatzberg AF, Shelton R, Stahl SM, Trivedi MH, Vieta E, Vinberg M, Williams N, Young AH, Maj M. Treatment-resistant depression: definition, prevalence, detection, management, and investigational interventions. World Psychiatry 2023; 22:394-412. [PMID: 37713549 PMCID: PMC10503923 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is common and associated with multiple serious public health implications. A consensus definition of TRD with demonstrated predictive utility in terms of clinical decision-making and health outcomes does not currently exist. Instead, a plethora of definitions have been proposed, which vary significantly in their conceptual framework. The absence of a consensus definition hampers precise estimates of the prevalence of TRD, and also belies efforts to identify risk factors, prevention opportunities, and effective interventions. In addition, it results in heterogeneity in clinical practice decision-making, adversely affecting quality of care. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have adopted the most used definition of TRD (i.e., inadequate response to a minimum of two antidepressants despite adequacy of the treatment trial and adherence to treatment). It is currently estimated that at least 30% of persons with depression meet this definition. A significant percentage of persons with TRD are actually pseudo-resistant (e.g., due to inadequacy of treatment trials or non-adherence to treatment). Although multiple sociodemographic, clinical, treatment and contextual factors are known to negatively moderate response in persons with depression, very few factors are regarded as predictive of non-response across multiple modalities of treatment. Intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine (co-administered with an antidepressant) are established as efficacious in the management of TRD. Some second-generation antipsychotics (e.g., aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, cariprazine, quetiapine XR) are proven effective as adjunctive treatments to antidepressants in partial responders, but only the olanzapine-fluoxetine combination has been studied in FDA-defined TRD. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is established as effective and FDA-approved for individuals with TRD, with accelerated theta-burst TMS also recently showing efficacy. Electroconvulsive therapy is regarded as an effective acute and maintenance intervention in TRD, with preliminary evidence suggesting non-inferiority to acute intravenous ketamine. Evidence for extending antidepressant trial, medication switching and combining antidepressants is mixed. Manual-based psychotherapies are not established as efficacious on their own in TRD, but offer significant symptomatic relief when added to conventional antidepressants. Digital therapeutics are under study and represent a potential future clinical vista in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger S McIntyre
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohammad Alsuwaidan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bernhard T Baune
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Deakin University IMPACT Institute, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Koen Demyttenaere
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joseph F Goldberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Philip Gorwood
- Department of Psychiatry, Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Roger Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siegfried Kasper
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and Center of Brain Research, Molecular Neuroscience Branch, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sidney H Kennedy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Josefina Ly-Uson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, University of The Philippines College of Medicine, Manila, The Philippines
| | - Rodrigo B Mansur
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - R Hamish McAllister-Williams
- Northern Center for Mood Disorders, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - James W Murrough
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Andrew A Nierenberg
- Dauten Family Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua D Rosenblat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gerard Sanacora
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alan F Schatzberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Richard Shelton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Stephen M Stahl
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Madhukar H Trivedi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maj Vinberg
- Mental Health Centre, Northern Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital - Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nolan Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Allan H Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mario Maj
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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46
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Grob AM, Ehlers D, Schwabe L. Strong but Fragmented Memory of a Stressful Episode. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0178-23.2023. [PMID: 37640540 PMCID: PMC10484358 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0178-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
While it is commonly assumed that stressful events are vividly remembered, it remains largely unknown whether all aspects of memory for a stressful episode are enhanced. In this preregistered study, we tested whether stress enhances later remembering of individual elements of a stressful episode at the cost of impaired processing of the association between these elements. Therefore, male and female participants (N = 122) underwent a stressful (or control) episode during which they encoded a series of stimuli. To investigate stress effects on the memory for individual events and the links between these, we used temporal sequence effects in recognition memory tested 24 h after encoding. Specifically, we tested whether stress would affect the memory enhancement for a target item if this is preceded by another item that also preceded the target during encoding (recognition priming). Our results showed that participants recalled single events encoded under stress better than those encoded under nonstressful conditions, but were less able to leverage the temporal sequence of events encoded under stress to cue memory at delayed recall, reflected in reduced memory for items preceded by the item that preceded them also during encoding. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy further revealed that encoding under stress was accompanied by opposite changes in inferotemporal and dorsolateral prefrontal areas. Together, our data suggest that acute stress induces a mode of memory formation that results in strong but less integrated memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Grob
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg 20146, Germany
| | - Denise Ehlers
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg 20146, Germany
| | - Lars Schwabe
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg 20146, Germany
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Kairys AE, Valentine TR, Whibley D, Kratz AL. Mind the Mood: Momentary Depression and Anxiety Moderate the Correspondence Between Subjective and Objective Cognitive Functioning in Fibromyalgia. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2023; 75:1967-1975. [PMID: 36601904 PMCID: PMC10319918 DOI: 10.1002/acr.25086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Subjective cognitive dysfunction (SCD) affects 55-75% of individuals with fibromyalgia (FM), but those reporting cognitive difficulties often lack corresponding objective deficits. Symptoms of depression and anxiety are prevalent in FM and may account for part of this discrepancy. This study was undertaken to investigate whether momentary (within-day, across 7 days) changes in mood moderate the relationship between within-the-moment SCD and mental processing speed performance. METHODS A total of 50 individuals with FM (mean age 44.8 years, mean education 15.7 years, 88% female, 86% White) completed momentary assessments of subjective cognitive functioning, depressive and anxious symptoms, and a test of processing speed. Assessments were completed 5 times per day for 8 consecutive days on a study-specific smartphone application. RESULTS Momentary ratings of SCD were positively associated with mean reaction time (P < 0.001) and variability of processing speed (P = 0.02). Depressive symptoms moderated the relationship between SCD and processing speed, with lower correspondence when depressive symptoms were higher (P = 0.03). A similar moderating effect was demonstrated for both depression (P = 0.02) and anxiety (P = 0.03) on the association between SCD and variability in processing speed performance. CONCLUSION Individuals with FM may have more accurate self-perception of momentary changes in mental processing speed during periods of less pronounced mood symptoms based on their corresponding objective processing speed performance. However, during moments of heightened depression and anxiety, we found increasingly less correspondence between SCD and objective performance, suggesting that psychological symptoms may play an important role in self-perception of cognitive dysfunction in FM as it relates to mental processing speed.
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Abend R. Understanding anxiety symptoms as aberrant defensive responding along the threat imminence continuum. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105305. [PMID: 37414377 PMCID: PMC10528507 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Threat-anticipatory defensive responses have evolved to promote survival in a dynamic world. While inherently adaptive, aberrant expression of defensive responses to potential threat could manifest as pathological anxiety, which is prevalent, impairing, and associated with adverse outcomes. Extensive translational neuroscience research indicates that normative defensive responses are organized by threat imminence, such that distinct response patterns are observed in each phase of threat encounter and orchestrated by partially conserved neural circuitry. Anxiety symptoms, such as excessive and pervasive worry, physiological arousal, and avoidance behavior, may reflect aberrant expression of otherwise normative defensive responses, and therefore follow the same imminence-based organization. Here, empirical evidence linking aberrant expression of specific, imminence-dependent defensive responding to distinct anxiety symptoms is reviewed, and plausible contributing neural circuitry is highlighted. Drawing from translational and clinical research, the proposed framework informs our understanding of pathological anxiety by grounding anxiety symptoms in conserved psychobiological mechanisms. Potential implications for research and treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rany Abend
- School of Psychology, Reichman University, P.O. Box 167, Herzliya 4610101, Israel; Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Gkintoni E, Ortiz PS. Neuropsychology of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Clinical Setting: A Systematic Evaluation. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2446. [PMID: 37685479 PMCID: PMC10486954 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11172446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This research paper provides a systematic review of the neuropsychology of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), examining relevant articles' methodologies and subject matter and highlighting key findings. It suggests potential cognitive deficits in GAD patients, such as subtle attention, executive function, and working memory deficiencies. It also discusses neural correlates of GAD, particularly the hyperactivity in the amygdala and insula, and the additional impact of comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders. The paper uses the PRISMA methodology and draws data from the PsycINFO, Scopus, PubMed, and Elsevier databases. Although the reviewed research has contributed to understanding GAD's cognitive and neural mechanisms, further research is required. Additionally, the paper mentions the clinical neuropsychology of GAD, including strategies and treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and medication. Lastly, the review identifies the limitations of the existing research and recommends future directions to enhance the understanding of GAD's underlying cognitive and neural mechanisms. The neural underpinnings of GAD encompass heightened activity within the amygdala and insula, which are brain regions implicated in processing adverse emotional reactions. Co-occurring psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), can also impact neuropsychological functioning. Additional investigation is warranted to better understand the intricate interplay between GAD, cognitive performance, and underlying neural processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Gkintoni
- Department of Psychology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Cushing CA, Peng Y, Anderson Z, Young KS, Bookheimer SY, Zinbarg RE, Nusslock R, Craske MG. Broadening the scope: Multiple functional connectivity networks underlying threat and safety signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.16.553609. [PMID: 37645883 PMCID: PMC10462158 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.16.553609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Threat learning and extinction processes are thought to be foundational to anxiety and fear-related disorders. However, the study of these processes in the human brain has largely focused on a priori regions of interest, owing partly to the ease of translating between these regions in human and non-human animals. Moving beyond analyzing focal regions of interest to whole-brain dynamics during threat learning is essential for understanding the neuropathology of fear-related disorders in humans. Methods 223 participants completed a 2-day Pavlovian threat conditioning paradigm while undergoing fMRI. Participants completed threat acquisition and extinction. Extinction recall was assessed 48 hours later. Using a data-driven group independent component analysis (ICA), we examined large-scale functional connectivity networks during each phase of threat conditioning. Connectivity networks were tested to see how they responded to conditional stimuli during early and late phases of threat acquisition and extinction and during early trials of extinction recall. Results A network overlapping with the default mode network involving hippocampus, vmPFC, and posterior cingulate was implicated in threat acquisition and extinction. Another network overlapping with the salience network involving dACC, mPFC, and inferior frontal gyrus was implicated in threat acquisition and extinction recall. Other networks overlapping with parts of the salience, somatomotor, visual, and fronto-parietal networks were involved in the acquisition or extinction of learned threat responses. Conclusions These findings help confirm previous investigations of specific brain regions in a model-free fashion and introduce new findings of spatially independent networks during threat and safety learning. Rather than being a single process in a core network of regions, threat learning involves multiple brain networks operating in parallel coordinating different functions at different timescales. Understanding the nature and interplay of these dynamics will be critical for comprehensive understanding of the multiple processes that may be at play in the neuropathology of anxiety and fear-related disorders.
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