Sestrin2 levels in patients with anxiety and depression myocardial infarction was up-regulated and suppressed inflammation and ferroptosis by LKB1-mediated AMPK activation

Although great progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in recent years, its morbidity and mortality are still relatively high. In this study, we explain that the function of Sestrin2 gene in Anxiety and Depression Myocardial infarction and its possible mechanism. 26 patients with Anxiety and Depression Myocardial infarction (ADMI) and 26 normal volunteers were collected from our hospital. All mice anaesthetized using 50 mg/kg of pentobarbital sodium and the left anterior descending arteries (LAD) were ligated to induce myocardial infarction. H9c2 cells were stimulated with 5% oxygen (O2) and 5% carbon dioxide (CO2) and 90% N2 for 24 h. The serum expression of Sestrin2 in patients with ADMI was up-regulated. Sestrin2 gene up-regulation reduced collagen I/II and KEAP1 mRNA expressions, and increased GPX4 and Nrf2 mRNA expressions in vitro model of AMI. Down-regulation of Sestrin2 increased collagen I/II and KEAP1 mRNA expressions, and decreased GPX4 and Nrf2 mRNA expressions in vitro model of AMI. These data confirmed that Sestrin2 reduced inflammation and ferroptosis in model of ADMI by LKB1-mediated AMPK activation. This infers that Sestrin2 is potential target to be used in the treatment of premature AMI.

Wistar-Kyoto rats and chronically stressed Wistar rats present similar depression- and anxiety-like behaviors but different corticosterone and endocannabinoid system modulation

The interplay of social, psychological, and biological stresses can trigger mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder (MDD), adjustment disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The endocannabinoid system (ECS), comprising endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors, is the critical pathway that mediates responses to stress stimuli. This study aimed to investigate the ECS's impact on responding to chronic social instability stress (SIS). Wistar (WIS) rats and an endogenously depressed rat model, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), were used to evaluate depression- and anxiety-like behavioral responses, cognitive function, hormone levels, and ECS function. The animals in the stress group (WIS-STS and WKY-STS) were exposed to TMT (predator odor) for 10 mins (two exposures in total: one in light cycle and one in dark cycle) and daily roommate changes (30 days in total), while the control group (CTL) rats were exposed to a sham odor stimulus (distilled water) and did not undergo roommate changes. The results in the open field test suggest that WKY rats had significantly lower locomotor activity than WIS rats. In contrast, WKY rats and chronically stressed WIS rats presented similar depression- and anxiety-like behaviors and impaired cognitive function in the elevated plus maze, forced swimming test, and novel objective recognition test. However, chronic SIS did not exacerbate these behavioral changes in WKY rats. ELISA and Western blot analysis indicated that chronic SIS did not induce further upregulation of endocannabinoids and CB1R downregulation in WKY rats compared to WIS rats. In addition, the Luminex assay revealed that WKY rats showed a higher resilience on the HPA-axis modulation towards chronic SIS, distinguished by the hyperactivity of the HPA-axis modulation in WIS rats. Overall, the study revealed that the chronic SIS animal model (stressed WIS rats) and an animal model of endogenous depression (WKY rats) can generate similar behavioral changes in anxious behavior, behavioral despair, and cognitive impairment. Both animal models present hyperactivity of the ACTH modulation and ECS activity, while WKY rats are more resilient on CORT modulation towards chronic SIS.

Pharmacological modulation of Kv3 voltage-gated potassium channels regulates fear discrimination and expression in a response-dependent manner

Various psychiatric diseases are characterized by aberrant cognition and emotional regulation. This includes inappropriately attributing affective salience to innocuous cues, which can be investigated using translationally relevant preclinical models of fear discrimination. Activity in the underpinning corticolimbic circuitry is governed by parvalbumin-expressing GABAergic interneurons, which also regulate fear discrimination. Kv3 voltage-gated potassium channels are highly expressed in these neurons and are important for controlling their activity, suggesting that pharmacological Kv3 modulation may regulate fear discrimination. We determined the effect of the positive Kv3 modulator AUT00206 given systemically to female rats undergoing limited or extended auditory fear discrimination training, which we have previously shown results in more discrimination or generalization, respectively, based on freezing at retrieval. We also characterized darting and other active fear-related responses. We found that limited training resulted in more discrimination based on freezing, which was unaffected by AUT00206. In contrast, extended training resulted in more generalization based on freezing and the emergence of discrimination based on darting during training and, to a lesser extent, at retrieval. Importantly, AUT00206 given before extended training had dissociable effects on fear discrimination and expression at retrieval depending on the response examined. While AUT00206 mitigated generalization without affecting expression based on freezing, it reduced expression without affecting discrimination based on darting, although darting levels were low overall. These results indicate that pharmacological Kv3 modulation regulates fear discrimination and expression in a response-dependent manner. They also raise the possibility that targeting Kv3 channels may ameliorate perturbed cognition and emotional regulation in psychiatric disease.

COVID-19, the COVID-19 response, and racial injustice: Associations with depressive and anxiety symptoms among US adults from April 2020 to March 2021

Background

People in the United States have faced numerous large and intersecting threats to their mental health since the onset of the coronavirus disease pandemic. This study aimed to understand the unique relationships between these co-occurring threats - including the police killings of unarmed Black people and the fight for racial justice - and how they affect mental health symptoms among various demographic groups.

Methods

Data on population mental health, state-level COVID-19 incidence rates, cases of police-involved killings, and occurrences of racial justice protests were analyzed. The primary outcome was depression or anxiety symptoms. Regression models were used to estimate prospective associations between individual-, household-, and state-level exposures to hypothesized mental health threats and subsequent depression or anxiety symptoms.

Results

Data from 2,085,041 individual participants were included. Most were women (51.2%), and most were white, non-Hispanic (61.2%), with almost half (47.7%) reporting some loss of household income since March 13, 2020. Neither the killing of unarmed Black people by police, nor the above-average occurrence of Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests, were observed to be associated with anxiety or depressive symptoms in the overall population, though the BLM protests were associated with reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms among younger participants. State-level COVID-19 incidence risk was more strongly associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among women, Black people, older people, and higher income people, compared to men, white people, younger people, and lower income people.

Conclusion

Our findings are relevant for anticipating and addressing the mental health consequences of social injustice and protest movements in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, as well as future pandemics. Promoting population mental health requires addressing underlying social and structural inequities and prioritizing the pursuit of social justice and health equity as a primary mental health intervention.

Enhanced social motivation in briefly isolated male rats

Loneliness and anxiety are associated with psychiatric disorders in humans. Although brief social isolation in adult rats and mice has been proposed as a rodent model of loneliness, its socioemotional characteristics are not well known. In this study, we evaluated the social and emotional behaviors of adult male rats subjected to brief social isolation. Isolated rats frequently showed sniffing behavior toward empty cylinders where conspecifics had previously existed, as well as conspecifics themselves. Furthermore, social motivation correlated with anxiety levels, as indicated by the elevated plus-maze test performance in isolated but not in non-isolated rats. These results suggest that high social motivation is associated with anxiety in briefly isolated rats.

Quality of life of critical care nurses and impact on anxiety, depression, stress, burnout and sleep quality: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate how anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, and sleep quality impact on Quality of life of critical care nurses.

BACKGROUND

Several studies reported that critical care nurses are exposed to a high risk of anxiety, depression, burnout, stress, and sleep quality, but we do not know the impact of critical care nurses.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

We have included all critical care nurses working in the intensive care unit for at least six months. Data were collected from December 1, 2021, to March 18, 2022. We evaluated the critical care nurses using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), Maslach Burnout Inventory scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Nurse Quality of Life. The primary endpoint is Quality of Life. Associations were tested using multivariate modelling.

RESULTS

A total of 140 critical care nurses were included. Multivariate regression showed the relation between emotional QoL and emotional exhaustion and DASS total score [OR = 0.14; 95% CI (0.03-0.73); p = 0.019 and OR = 3.64; 95% CI (1.07-12.32); p = 0.038, respectively]. Personal accomplishment and DASS total score have a direct relationship on quality of work-life [OR = 0.21; 95% CI (0.05-0.82); p = 0.024 and OR = 4.18; 95% CI (1.01-17.33); p = 0.049, respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

The physical quality of life is not optimal in critical care nurses, while burnout and the DASS score directly impact the emotional and work-life quality of life.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Our research has highlighted the importance of detecting the quality of life of critical care nurses. The nurses should take proper care of their health by adopting the right health behaviours to create correct work conditions and increase the quality of care for critically ill patients.

Investigating psychological and motivational predictors of problematic smartphone use among Smartphone-based Social Networking Service (SNS) users

Given that the active use of certain smartphone applications is associate with problematic smartphone use, it has been proposed that certain smartphone applications are more addictive than others, such as Social Networking Services (SNS). Still, studies that consider smartphone users' main usage application which are known to influence the users' problematic smartphone use, such as SNS, remain to be explored. Thus, the current study aims to investigate the psychological and motivational predictors of problematic smartphone use in a sample of smartphone-based SNS users whose main device usage is SNS. A series of mean comparison tests and binary logistic regression were performed in this study. Of the 433 smartphone-based SNS users, 218 were male (50.3%) and 215 were female (49.7%). Age of 433 participants ranged from 20 to 40, and mean age was 30.75 (SD = 7.84). 73 participants (16.9%) were sorted into the high-risk problematic smartphone use group and 360 participants (83.1%) were categorized as the normal user group. The finding from binary regression analysis showed that reward responsiveness from the Behavioral Activation System (BAS), a lack of self-control, and anxiety significantly increased the odds of problematic smartphone use of the smartphone-based SNS users. Reward responsiveness was found to be the most powerful predictor. Our findings broaden the existing literature and provide implications to reduce addictive smartphone use relating to smartphone-based SNS usage.

The effect of nature-based music intervention on adaptation and anxiety levels in patients with COVID-19 placed in the prone position: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of listening to nature-based music on anxiety, physiological parameters, and adjustment to the prone position in conscious and hypoxemic COVID-19 patients.

DESIGN

A single-blinded randomized control trial design.

SETTING

The study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a state hospital in Turkey. Sixty-four patients were randomized into an intervention group and a control group.

METHODS

A nature-based music intervention was applied in addition to routine care to the intervention group in the prone position, while the control group received routine care in the same position. The study outcomes included state-trait anxiety, physiological parameters, and prone time within 24 h. Measurements were performed in the supine position (Time: T0), in the 30th minute in the prone position (T1), and in the 30th minute of the supine position given following the prone position (T2). Data analysis included independent samples t-test in independent groups and repeated measures ANOVA in dependent groups.

RESULTS

State anxiety fell statistically significantly in the intervention group compared to that of the control group (39.1 ± 6.6 vs. 43.4 ± 7.9, p = 0.025). At T2, the heart rate of the intervention group did not increase, but it increased significantly in the control group compared to T0 and T1 values (87.8 ± 9.8 vs. 91.1 ± 10.8; p = 0.000). The oxygen saturation of the intervention group increased significantly compared to that of the control group (94.5 ± 2.3 vs. 93.4 ± 1.9, p = 0.035). The prone position time of the intervention group was significantly greater than that of the control group (11.5 ± 1.5 vs. 10.8 ± 1.1, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that nature-based music intervention applied to conscious and hypoxemic COVID-19 patients in the prone position improved anxiety and oxygen saturation and increased the prone position time.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Listening to nature-based music in prone position may reduce anxiety in conscious patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure, it may increase adjustment to the prone position, and it may improve oxygenation and heart rate.

Effects of physical exercise, LEGO, and Minecraft activities on anxiety in underserved children with autism: Study design and methodological strategies

Anxiety is a common comorbidity for individuals with ASD, and there is some preliminary data about the efficacy of physical exercise to alleviate anxiety. However, we are not aware of any studies that have compared the effects of a physical exercise program on anxiety in underserved children with ASD using a randomized controlled research design. This paper describes a method to evaluate and compare the efficacy of an 8-week physical exercise intervention with a sedentary play intervention to alleviate anxiety in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) from underserved backgrounds. We assessed anxiety and its physical symptoms using the parent-rated Child Behavior Checklist DSM-5 anxiety (CBCL DSM-5) subscale, the child-rated Screen for Childhood Anxiety Related Emotional Disorder (SCARED), the parent-rated Child's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and salivary cortisol. We also utilized the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) to assess physical activity level and identify compounds. Unique components of this study include: •Implementation of novel physical exercise and sedentary play interventions that have been designed for children with ASD.•Recruitment of predominantly underserved and non-English speaking families.

The relationship of intent to be COVID-19 vaccinated with depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain and smoking among Chinese patients with a pacemaker

Background

This study examined the intent to be COVID-19 vaccinated and its correlates among patients with a pacemaker.

Methods

This observational study was carried out between July 1, 2021, and May 17, 2022 in Beijing, China. Patients with a pacemaker were consecutively invited by a research physician to participate in the study. Intent to be COVID-19 vaccinated, depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain and smoking were measured with standard scales or questions.

Results

Of the 206 participating patients, 72.82% (N = 150; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 66.74%-78.89%) expressed an intention to be COVID-19 vaccinated. Intent to be COVID-19 vaccinated was not significantly associated with severity of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that patients believing that COVID-19 vaccines provided protection and smokers were more likely to express an intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines. In contrast, older patients and those with higher level of physical pain were less likely to express an intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Conclusions

Specific vaccination promotion strategies should be implemented targeting this vulnerable segment of the population.

Impact of the trait anxiety during pregnancy on birth weight: an observational cohort study

To explore the effects of antenatal anxiety on fetal growth an observational cohort study was performed, including a cohort of 204 women with singleton pregnancies during the strict lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Psychosocial factors, maternal demographics, obstetric outcomes, social support (Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, MOS-SSS), and symptoms of anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAIs and STAIt) and depression (Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, EPDS) were studied as potential predictors of low birth weight. Main outcome measures were birth weight, head circumference and length. Results showed a negative correlation between STAIt score (trait anxiety) and birth weight percentile (r = -0.228, p = .047). In the univariate linear regression analysis, a lower maternal weight and BMI before pregnancy, parity, increased STAIt score and preterm birth below 37 weeks of gestation (p = .008, p = .015, p = .028, p = .047 and p = .022, respectively) were identified as predictive risk factors for low birth weight, whereas in the multivariate lineal regression analysis only a lower maternal weight before pregnancy and an increased STAIt score were independent predictors for low birth weight (p = .020, p = .049, respectively). To conclude, anxiety during pregnancy impacts birth weight, and specifically the trait anxiety, is a predictor for low birth weight.

Prospective associations between psychosomatic complaints in adolescence and depression and anxiety symptoms in young adulthood: A Swedish national cohort study

Background

Psychosomatic complaints are reported by high shares of adolescents in Sweden and elsewhere. Yet, little is known about to the extent to which the frequency, number, and persistence of such complaints in adolescence are associated with subsequent mental health problems. The aim of this study was to examine how the frequency, number, and persistence of psychosomatic complaints in middle and late adolescence are associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in young adulthood.

Methods

A Swedish national cohort study of adolescents who were surveyed in 2017 (t1; age 15-16), in 2019 (t2; age 17-18) and in 2022 (t3; age 20-21 years) was used. Psychosomatic complaints were measured by questions on stomach ache, headache and difficulties falling asleep at t1 and t2. Depression and anxiety symptoms were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) at t3. Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses stratified by gender were based on data from t1, t2 and t3 (n = 2779).

Results

The frequency, number, and persistence of psychosomatic complaints during adolescence were associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in young adulthood. Both earlier (at t1 only) and more recent (at t2 only) complaints were linked to subsequent depression and anxiety symptoms, while persistent (at both t1 and t2) psychosomatic complaints showed stronger associations in girls.

Conclusions

Psychosomatic complaints in adolescence were associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in young adulthood. This was true for the frequency, number, and persistence of psychosomatic complaints. Among girls, those who reported persistent psychosomatic complaints from middle to late adolescence had the highest likelihood of reporting subsequent depression and anxiety symptoms. Taken together, the results indicate that psychosomatic complaints during adolescence can translate into later depression and anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, repeated measurements of psychosomatic complaints can be used to identify the most vulnerable group.

The relationship between pain, anxiety and depression in patients with post-intensive care syndrome

PURPOSE

Survivors of critical illness frequently experience long-term symptoms including physical symptoms such as pain and emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression. These symptoms frequently co-exist, however, at present there is limited understanding of these relationships. The aim of this study was to quantify the relationship between pain, anxiety and depression across the recovery trajectory.

METHODS

This study is a secondary analysis of data from a multi-centre, prospective, cohort study which followed-up patients recovering from critical illness. Data was available at multiple time points and for 3 distinct cohorts. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the relationship between outcome measures of pain, anxiety and depression.

RESULTS

Data from 414 patients was analysed. Pain was significantly associated with both anxiety and depression in all cohorts and at all time points sampled. Path coefficients for the covariances between pain and depression ranged between 0.39 and 0.72 (p < 0.01). Path coefficients for the covariances between pain and anxiety ranged between 0.39 and 0.65 (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Pain, anxiety and depression are highly correlated in survivors of critical illness. Pharmacological treatments for pain management may be ineffective alone and further research is required to assess interventions targeting these symptoms in combination.

Acupuncture in management of acute dental pain - A systematic review and meta-analysis

Acute dental pain is a common issue leading to dental consultation. Besides causal therapy, patients are treated with acupuncture, but efficacy in acute dental pain is still not clarified. We aimed to evaluate results of recent research to estimate the efficacy of acupuncture compared to pain-relieving approaches in treatment of acute dental pain. A systematic review of controlled trials being published between database inception and 2020 were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture (alone or as complementary therapy) compared to local anesthesia or conventional analgesic medications in acute dental pain (intraoperatively and postoperatively) and to clarify whether acupuncture reduces the use of postoperative analgesic medications. Of 1672 publications, 23 publications met the inclusion criteria. From these, 11 randomized controlled trials (n = 668) reported on the efficacy of acupuncture on postoperative acute dental pain. Patients, who received acupuncture, showed lower pain scores postoperatively compared to sham acupuncture (Relative Risk -0.77, 95% Confidence interval -1.52 to -0.03). Overall, the results suggest a potential role of acupuncture in improving acute dental pain intraoperatively and postoperatively as well as improving the efficacy of local anesthesia, but the results are limited due to methodological shortcomings emphasizing the necessity for future high-quality research.

A text messaging intervention to support the mental health of young adults: User engagement and feedback from a field trial of an intervention prototype

Background

Young adults have high rates of mental health conditions, but most do not want or cannot access treatment. By leveraging a medium that young adults routinely use, text messaging programs have potential to keep young adults engaged with content supporting self-management of mental health issues and can be delivered inexpensively at scale. We designed an intervention that imparts strategies for self-managing mental health symptoms through interactive text messaging dialogues and engages users through novelty and variety in strategies (from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and positive psychology) and styles of interaction (e.g., prompts, peer stories, writing tasks).

Methods

The aim of this mixed-methods study was to pilot 1- and 2-week versions of an interactive text messaging intervention among young adults (ages 18-25), and to obtain feedback to guide intervention refinements. Young adults were recruited via a mental health advocacy website and snowball sampling at a North American University. We used Wizard-of-Oz methods in which study staff sent messages based on a detailed script. Transcripts of interviews were subject to qualitative analysis to identify aspects of the program that need improvements, and to gather participant perspectives on possible solutions.

Results

Forty-eight individuals ages 18-25 participated in the study (mean age: 22.0). 85 % responded to the program at least once. Among those who ever responded, they replied to messages on 85 % of days, and with engagement sustained over the study period. Participants endorsed the convenience of text messaging, the types of interactive dialogues, and the variety of content. They also identified needed improvements to message volume, scheduling, and content.

Conclusions

Young adults showed high levels of engagement and satisfaction with a texting program supporting mental health self-management. The program may be improved through refining personalization, timing, and message volume, and extending content to support use over a longer timeframe. If shown to be effective in randomized trials, this program has potential to help address a substantial treatment gap in young adults' mental health.

The effect of preoperative anxiety and ovarian stimulation on gastric antrum size: a prospective observational study

Pulmonary aspiration is a potentially lethal perioperative complication related to gastric size and contents. Several perioperative factors are believed to increase gastric size, while others are less studied. This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative anxiety and hormone-induced ovarian stimulation on gastric size examined by gastric ultrasound. We recruited 49 female patients undergoing hormone-induced ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization at Rabin Medical Centre, Petah Tikva, Israel. Preoperatively, women ranked their anxiety level using a verbal numeric anxiety score (VNS). In addition, we recorded the extent of ovarian stimulation and measured the antral cross-sectional area (CSA) using gastric ultrasound. There was no substantial correlation between preoperative VNS anxiety and antral CSA (p = .697). Moreover, the number of follicles, blood estradiol, and progesterone levels did not correlate with antral CSA (p = .590, p = .104, and p = .511, respectively). In conclusion, neither preoperative anxiety nor extensive ovarian stimulation affects gastric size in fasting healthy patients. However, further studies are warranted in this area to define these findings better. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT04833530.

Integrated Multidisciplinary Management of Alcohol-associated Liver Disease

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is one of the most common liver diseases and indications for liver transplantation (LT). Alcohol use disorder (AUD), a frequent accompaniment in ALD patients, may also be associated with psychiatric comorbidities such as depression and anxiety. Identification of ALD at an earlier stage, and treatment of AUD may help prevent progression to advanced stage of ALD such as cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis. Screening for alcohol use and AUD treatment in ALD patients is often not performed due to several barriers at the level of patients, clinicians, and administrative levels. This review details the integrated multidisciplinary care model especially on the specific role of the hepatologist, psychiatrist, addiction counselor, and social worker in providing complete management for the dual pathology of liver disease and of AUD. Laboratory assessment, pharmacological and behavioral therapies, and recommended assessments for follow-up care by the respective specialists is outlined. We provide perspective along with the literature support, with the goal of providing team based comprehensive care of patients with ALD.

Mindfulness-enhanced internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression: Outcomes in routine care

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials support the efficacy of mindfulness-enhanced, internet-based cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT) in reducing anxiety and depression symptom severity. However, it is unclear how effective these interventions are when delivered in routine clinical care settings. This study investigated the utilisation and treatment outcomes of an online mindfulness-enhanced CBT program in the general Australian community.

METHODS

Over a one-year study period, 2187 adults commenced the online mindfulness-enhanced CBT program. The program consisted of six sequential lessons to be completed within 90 days. Participants (mean age= 39 ± 14 years, 68 % female) completed measures of symptom severity for anxiety, depression, and psychological distress at pre-, mid- and post-treatment. Treatment effects were assessed via intention-to-treat linear mixed models with Hedges' g effect size calculations.

RESULTS

From pre- to post-treatment, the mindfulness-enhanced CBT program was associated with medium and large effect sized reductions in generalised anxiety symptom severity (g = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.74-0.86), depression symptom severity (g = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.68-0.80), and psychological distress (g = 0.97, 95%CI: 0.90-1.03). Program adherence was modest with approximately 30 % of participants completing all six lessons of the program.

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by its lack of a comparator condition, longer-term follow-up, and assessment of the reasons for participant non-adherence. The relative acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness versus CBT components was not examined.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the effectiveness of mindfulness-enhanced iCBT for symptoms of anxiety and depression when delivered in a routine care setting under the supervision of community health care practitioners.

Acute administration of the NMDA receptor antagonists ketamine and MK-801 reveals dysregulation of glutamatergic signalling and sensorimotor gating in the Sapap3 knockout mouse model of compulsive-like behaviour

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by excessive intrusive thoughts that may cause an individual to engage in compulsive behaviours. Frontline pharmacological treatments (i.e., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)) leave approximately 40% of patients refractory to treatment. To investigate the possibility of novel pharmacological therapies for OCD, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying its pathology, we used the Sapap3 knockout (KO) mouse model of OCD, which exhibits increased anxiety and compulsive grooming behaviours. Firstly, we investigated whether administration of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist ketamine (30 mg/kg), would reduce anxiety and grooming behaviour in Sapap3 KO mice. Anxiety-like behaviour was measured via time spent in the light component of the light-dark box test. Grooming behaviour was recorded and scored in freely moving mice. In line with previous works conducted in older animals (i.e. typically between 6 and 9 months of age), we confirmed here that Sapap3 KO mice exhibit an anxious, compulsive grooming, hypolocomotive and reduced body weight phenotype even at a younger age (i.e., 2-3 months of age). However, we found that acute administration of ketamine did not cause a reduction in anxiety or grooming behaviour. We then investigated in vivo glutamatergic function via the administration of a different NMDAR antagonist, MK-801 (0.25 mg/kg), prior to locomotion and prepulse inhibition assays. We found evidence of altered functional NMDAR activity, as well as sexually dimorphic prepulse inhibition, a measure of sensorimotor gating, in Sapap3 KO mice. These results are suggestive of in vivo glutamatergic dysfunction and their functional consequences, enabling future research to further investigate novel treatments for OCD.