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Slavin KV. Systems Neuroscience's 2022 Top Papers: An Editorial Summary. Brain Sci 2024; 14:315. [PMID: 38671967 PMCID: PMC11048697 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the seemingly endless-and sometimes overwhelming-flow of scientific information, there are always some articles that stand out from the crowd, either due to the depth of the covered topic, or due to their unique and unexpected findings [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin V. Slavin
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
- Neurology Service, Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Hospital, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Acevedo-Fontánez AI, Cvejkus RK, Zmuda JM, Kuipers AL, Barinas-Mitchell E, Sekikawa A, Wheeler V, Rosano C, Miljkovic I. Skeletal muscle adiposity is a novel risk factor for poor cognition in African Caribbean women. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2023; 31:2398-2406. [PMID: 37475604 PMCID: PMC10680092 DOI: 10.1002/oby.23816] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Skeletal muscle adiposity (myosteatosis) is recognized as a major risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases, and it increases with aging. The relationship of myosteatosis with cognitive impairment is unknown. METHODS The association of calf myosteatosis (measured by computed tomography-derived skeletal muscle density; higher values indicate less myosteatosis) with cognitive function was examined among 626 African Caribbean women who were aged 40 to 84 years, a population highly vulnerable to increased myosteatosis. Cognition was assessed by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), a test of information processing speed (higher scores indicate better performance). Linear regression was used to assess the association of muscle density with DSST. RESULTS Adjusting for age, education, muscle area, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular event history, lifestyle factors, lipid-lowering medication use, and menopausal status, a one-SD lower muscle density was associated with a 1.69-point lower DSST score (p = 0.002). BMI, diabetes, and hypertension interactions were not statistically significant, suggesting that the main association was not moderated by overall obesity or cardiometabolic diseases. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that greater myosteatosis is associated with slower information processing speed, an early indicator of cognitive impairment. Further studies are needed to establish this association in this and other populations using an expanded battery of cognitive tests with longitudinal follow-up and to identify the biological mechanisms underlying this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan K. Cvejkus
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pi ttsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph M. Zmuda
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pi ttsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Allison L Kuipers
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pi ttsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Akira Sekikawa
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pi ttsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Victor Wheeler
- Tobago Health Studies Office, Scarborough, Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago
| | - Caterina Rosano
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pi ttsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Iva Miljkovic
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pi ttsburgh, PA, USA
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Esmaili M, Farhud DD, Poushaneh K, Baghdassarians A, Ashayeri H. Executive Functions and Public Health: A Narrative Review. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 52:1589-1599. [PMID: 37744538 PMCID: PMC10512143 DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v52i8.13398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Executive functions (EFs) skills are necessary for regulating the thoughts, emotions, and actions which are associated with many aspects of daily functioning. Executive dysfunction (EDFs) is present in a wide range of mental disorders. New study indicates that EFs may predict health behavior and make it easier to engage in a variety of healthy activities. In this narrative review, EFs and public health are briefly discussed. In general, 133 articles met the inclusion criteria (published 2018-2023) which were reviewed. EFs affect the mental and physical health. Besides individual problems, people with mental problems have heavy costs to society. Mental health cannot be considered separately from general health. Consequently, preventive and therapeutic approaches to mental health should be considered not only at the level of the whole society, but also at the global level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Esmaili
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University Tehran, Iran
| | - Dariush D. Farhud
- School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Basic Sciences, Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kambiz Poushaneh
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University Tehran, Iran
| | - Anita Baghdassarians
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Ashayeri
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Ilardi CR, di Maio G, Villano I, Messina G, Monda V, Messina A, Porro C, Panaro MA, Gamboz N, Iavarone A, La Marra M. The assessment of executive functions to test the integrity of the nigrostriatal network: A pilot study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1121251. [PMID: 37063521 PMCID: PMC10090354 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1121251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. The latter mainly include affective, sleep, and cognitive deficits. Non-demented PD patients often demonstrate impairments in several executive domains following neuropsychological evaluation. The current pilot study aims at assessing the discriminatory power of the Frontal Assessment Battery-15 (FAB15) in differentiating (i) non-demented PD patients and healthy controls and (ii) PD patients with more and less pronounced motor symptoms.MethodsThirty-nine non-demented early-stage PD patients in the “on” dopamine state (26 females, mean age = 64.51 years, SD = 6.47, mean disease duration = 5.49 years, SD = 2.28) and 39 healthy participants (24 females, mean age = 62.60 years, SD = 5.51) were included in the study. All participants completed the FAB15. Motor symptoms of PD patients were quantified via the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale-Part III (UPDRS-Part III) and Hoehn and Yahr staging scale (H&Y).ResultsThe FAB15 score, adjusted according to normative data for sex, age, and education, proved to be sufficiently able to discriminate PD patients from healthy controls (AUC = 0.69 [95% CI 0.60–0.75], SE = 0.06, p = 0.04, optimal cutoff = 11.29). Conversely, the battery lacked sufficient discriminative capability to differentiate PD patients based on the severity of motor symptoms.ConclusionThe FAB15 may be a valid tool for distinguishing PD patients from healthy controls. However, it might be less sensitive in identifying clinical phenotypes characterized by visuospatial impairments resulting from posteroparietal and/or temporal dysfunctions. In line with previous evidence, the battery demonstrated to be not expendable in the clinical practice for monitoring the severity of PD-related motor symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Girolamo di Maio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Ines Villano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Ines Villano,
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Monda
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Porro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Panaro
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nadia Gamboz
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Suor Orsola Benincasa University, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Marco La Marra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
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Di Maio G, Villano I, Ilardi CR, Messina A, Monda V, Iodice AC, Porro C, Panaro MA, Chieffi S, Messina G, Monda M, La Marra M. Mechanisms of Transmission and Processing of Pain: A Narrative Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3064. [PMID: 36833753 PMCID: PMC9964506 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge about the mechanisms of transmission and the processing of nociceptive information, both in healthy and pathological states, has greatly expanded in recent years. This rapid progress is due to a multidisciplinary approach involving the simultaneous use of different branches of study, such as systems neurobiology, behavioral analysis, genetics, and cell and molecular techniques. This narrative review aims to clarify the mechanisms of transmission and the processing of pain while also taking into account the characteristics and properties of nociceptors and how the immune system influences pain perception. Moreover, several important aspects of this crucial theme of human life will be discussed. Nociceptor neurons and the immune system play a key role in pain and inflammation. The interactions between the immune system and nociceptors occur within peripheral sites of injury and the central nervous system. The modulation of nociceptor activity or chemical mediators may provide promising novel approaches to the treatment of pain and chronic inflammatory disease. The sensory nervous system is fundamental in the modulation of the host's protective response, and understanding its interactions is pivotal in the process of revealing new strategies for the treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girolamo Di Maio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ines Villano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Rosario Ilardi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonietta Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Monda
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Ashlei Clara Iodice
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Porro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Panaro
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Sergio Chieffi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy
| | - Marcellino Monda
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco La Marra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Scuotto C, Ilardi CR, Maggi G, Ilardi A, Gamboz N, Staiano M, Borrelli G, La Marra M, Perrella R. What makes us more susceptible to false memories in the era of COVID-19? A focus on vaccines and Green Pass. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2815. [PMID: 36448933 PMCID: PMC9847604 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was accompanied by an overabundance of fake news increasing the risk of developing false memories (FMs). Previous studies have shown that the relationship between fake news and FMs could be mediated by some individual variables, including attitudinal biases. We explored the role of these variables in true memories (TMs) and FMs formation, with special emphasis on vaccine- and Green Pass (GP)-related topics. METHOD We set up a large online survey exploring several constructs including media usage, attitude toward vaccines and GP, perceived (PK) and objective knowledge (OK) about COVID-19-related information, fear of the disease, depression and anxiety symptoms, coping mechanisms, and reasoning skills. Then, we asked participants whether they remembered certain news (true or fake), providing confidence ratings. RESULTS Data from 289 respondents (198 females) from the general population were analyzed. Participants with positive attitude reported a greater fear that their loved ones contracted the COVID-19, a more frequent use of traditional media, and a higher PK when compared with respondents with negative attitude. On the whole sample, participants reported higher confidence levels when required to judge their memory of true than fake news; however, participants with positive attitude reported a higher confidence for both true and fake news. The relationship between attitude and TM confidence was mediated by the PK, whereas the relationship between attitude and FM confidence was probably affected by OK. CONCLUSION Attitude can modulate individual behaviors in the context of health issues. The PK and OK may interact with attitude in the memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Scuotto
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Ciro Rosario Ilardi
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Maggi
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Alfonso Ilardi
- Inmates Ward, Department of Internal Medicine, Antonio Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Nadia Gamboz
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology, Suor Orsola Benincasa University, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Staiano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Borrelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Marco La Marra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Perrella
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
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La Marra M, Messina A, Ilardi CR, Verde G, Amato R, Esposito N, Troise S, Orlando A, Messina G, Monda V, Di Maio G, Villano I. The Neglected Factor in the Relationship between Executive Functioning and Obesity: The Role of Motor Control. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10091775. [PMID: 36141387 PMCID: PMC9498752 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10091775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The association between obesity and executive functions (EFs) is highly controversial. It has been suggested that waist circumference (WC), compared to body mass index (BMI), is a better indicator of fat mass and EFs in obesity. Moreover, according to the viewpoint that the brain’s functional architecture meets the need for interactive behavior, we hypothesize that the relationship between EFs and body weight might be mediated by the motor performance. Methods: General executive functioning (frontal assessment battery-15), additional cognitive subdomains (trail making test and digit span backward), and motor performance (finger tapping task) were assessed in a sample that included 330 volunteers (192 females, M age = 45.98 years, SD = 17.70, range = 18–86 years). Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that the FAB15 score and FTT negatively predicted WC but not BMI. A subsequent mediation analysis highlighted that the indirect effect of FAB15 on WC through finger tapping was statistically significant. Conclusions: Our results suggest that WC, as compared to BMI, is a more effective measure for studying the association between EFs and body weight. Still, we found that the motor domain partially mediates the dynamics of such a relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco La Marra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Rosario Ilardi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giuseppe Verde
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Amato
- Neurological Unit, CTO Hospital, AORN “Ospedali dei Colli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Nadia Esposito
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Troise
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Orlando
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Monda
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Girolamo Di Maio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ines Villano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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La Marra M, Messina A, Ilardi CR, Staiano M, Di Maio G, Messina G, Polito R, Valenzano A, Cibelli G, Monda V, Chieffi S, Iavarone A, Villano I. Factorial Model of Obese Adolescents: The Role of Body Image Concerns and Selective Depersonalization-A Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11501. [PMID: 36141782 PMCID: PMC9517425 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship binding body weight to psychological well-being is unclear. The present study aims at identifying the contribution, and specificity, of some dimensions (i.e., eating-related symptoms, body image disorders, eating habits, personality traits, and emotional difficulties) characterizing the psychological profile of obese adolescents (749 participants, 325 females; 58.3% normal-weight, 29.9% overweight, and 11.7% obese; mean age = 16.05, SD = 0.82). METHODS By introducing the scores obtained by standardized self-report tools into a generalized linear model, a factorial reduction design was used to detect the best fitting discriminant functions and the principal components explaining the higher proportion of the variance. RESULTS We found two discriminant functions correctly classifying 87.1% of normal-weight, 57.2% of overweight, and 68.2% of obese adolescents. Furthermore, two independent factors, explaining 69.68% of the total variance, emerged. CONCLUSIONS The first factor, "Body Image Concerns", included the drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and interpersonal distrust. The second factor, "Selective Depersonalization", included a trend toward depersonalization and dissatisfaction with the torso. The neurophysiological implications of our findings will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco La Marra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Rosario Ilardi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Staiano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Girolamo Di Maio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
| | - Rita Polito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
| | - Anna Valenzano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cibelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Monda
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Sergio Chieffi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Iavarone
- Neurological Unit, CTO Hospital, AORN “Ospedali dei Colli”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ines Villano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Functional Relationship between Inhibitory Control, Cognitive Flexibility, Psychomotor Speed and Obesity. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12081080. [PMID: 36009143 PMCID: PMC9405914 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12081080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, it has been proposed that executive functions may be particularly vulnerable to weight-related issues. However, evidence on the matter is mixed, especially when the effects of sociodemographic variables are weighted. Thus, the current study aimed at further examining the relationship between executive functions and obesity. To this aim, we compared treatment-seeking overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients with normal-weight control participants. We examined general executive functioning (Frontal Assessment Battery−15) and different executive subdomains (e.g., inhibitory control, verbal fluency, and psychomotor speed) in a clinical sample including 208 outpatients with different degrees of BMI (52 overweight, BMI 25−30, M age = 34.38; 76 obese, BMI 30−40, M age = 38.00; 80 morbidly obese, BMI > 40, M age = 36.20). Ninety-six normal-weight subjects served as controls. No difference on executive scores was detected when obese patients were compared with over- or normal-weight subjects. Morbidly obese patients reported lower performance on executive scores than obese, overweight, and normal-weight subjects. Between-group difference emerged also when relevant covariates were taken into account. Our results support the view that morbid obesity is associated with lower executive performance, also considering the critical role exerted by sociodemographic (i.e., sex, age, and education) variables. Our results support the view that executive functioning should be accounted into the management of the obese patient because of non-negligible clinical relevance in diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic terms.
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Villano I, La Marra M, Allocca S, Ilardi CR, Polito R, Porro C, Chieffi S, Messina G, Monda V, Di Maio G, Messina A. The Role of Nutraceutical Supplements, Monacolin K and Astaxanthin, and Diet in Blood Cholesterol Homeostasis in Patients with Myopathy. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081118. [PMID: 36009012 PMCID: PMC9405860 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies suggest that different combinations of nutraceutical supplements may improve the lipid profile, representing a viable alternative to statins. However, their effects on individuals with myopathy need to be investigated. The aim of our study was to explore the mid- and long-term physiological effects of monacolin k (5 mg) and astaxanthin (0.1 mg) supplements in association with a low-energy/fat diet in a group of subjects with mild myopathy. Eighty subjects (44 women) took part in this observational study. Participants were assigned to the experimental group (EG, n = 40, 24 women) treated with a low-energy/fat diet (1200-1500 Kcal/day and 15-20% lipids) in combination with monacolin k (5 mg) and astaxanthin (0.1 mg) supplementation, and to the control group (CG, n = 40, 20 women) treated only with a low-energy/fat diet (1200-1500 Kcal/day and 15-20% lipids). BMI and biochemical parameters (blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatine phosphokinase-CPK) were collected at baseline (T0), after 12 (T1) and 24 (T2) weeks. A mixed factorial ANOVA was performed to determine if there were significant main effects and/or interactions between time and treatment. Treatment (EG vs. CG) was entered as the between-subjects factor and time (T0 vs. T1 vs. T2) as the within-subject factor. We found a significant improvement in total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, PCR and CPK parameters in EG compared with CG. Our results highlight the efficacy and safety of combined use of monacolin k (5 mg) and astaxanthin (0.1 mg) in combination with a low-energy/fat diet in the treatment of dyslipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Villano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco La Marra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Salvatore Allocca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Rosario Ilardi
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Rita Polito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Chiara Porro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Sergio Chieffi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Monda
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Girolamo Di Maio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetic and Sport Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Villano I, La Marra M, Di Maio G, Monda V, Chieffi S, Guatteo E, Messina G, Moscatelli F, Monda M, Messina A. Physiological Role of Orexinergic System for Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148353. [PMID: 35886210 PMCID: PMC9323672 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Orexins, or hypocretins, are excitatory neuropeptides involved in the regulation of feeding behavior and the sleep and wakefulness states. Since their discovery, several lines of evidence have highlighted that orexin neurons regulate a great range of physiological functions, giving it the definition of a multitasking system. In the present review, we firstly describe the mechanisms underlining the orexin system and their interactions with the central nervous system (CNS). Then, the system’s involvement in goal-directed behaviors, sleep/wakefulness state regulation, feeding behavior and energy homeostasis, reward system, and aging and neurodegenerative diseases are described. Advanced evidence suggests that the orexin system is crucial for regulating many physiological functions and could represent a promising target for therapeutical approaches to obesity, drug addiction, and emotional stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Villano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.L.M.); (G.D.M.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marco La Marra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.L.M.); (G.D.M.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Girolamo Di Maio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.L.M.); (G.D.M.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Monda
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (E.G.)
| | - Sergio Chieffi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.L.M.); (G.D.M.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Ezia Guatteo
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.M.); (E.G.)
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy; (G.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Fiorenzo Moscatelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy; (G.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Marcellino Monda
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.L.M.); (G.D.M.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Antonietta Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.L.M.); (G.D.M.); (S.C.); (M.M.); (A.M.)
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12
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La Marra M, Ilardi CR, Villano I, Polito R, Sibillo MR, Franchetti M, Caggiano A, Strangio F, Messina G, Monda V, Di Maio G, Messina A. Higher general executive functions predicts lower body mass index by mitigating avoidance behaviors. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1048363. [PMID: 36440204 PMCID: PMC9681800 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1048363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study examines the relationship between obesity, executive functions, and body image in a nonclinical population from southern Italy. METHODS General executive functioning (Frontal Assessment Battery-15), and body image disturbances (Body Uneasiness Test) were assessed in a sample including 255 participants (138 females, M age = 43.51 years, SD = 17.94, range = 18-86 years; M body mass index (BMI) = 26.21, SD = 4.32, range = 18.03-38.79). FINDINGS Multiple Linear Regression Analysis indicated that age, years of education, FAB15 score, body image concerns, and avoidance predicted the variance of BMI. A subsequent mediation analysis highlighted that the indirect effect of FAB15 on BMI through avoidance was statistically significant. INTERPRETATION Our results suggest that more performing executive functioning predicts a decrease in BMI that is partially due to the mitigation of avoidance behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco La Marra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Rosario Ilardi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Ines Villano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Ines Villano,
| | - Rita Polito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Raffella Sibillo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Franchetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Caggiano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Strangio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Monda
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Naples, Italy
| | - Girolamo Di Maio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
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