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Moser B, Milligan MA, Dao MC. The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Clinical Applications in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. Rev Invest Clin 2022; 74:302-313. [PMID: 36546895 DOI: 10.24875/ric.22000197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Recent investigations highlight the importance of the gut microbiota and bacteria-derived metabolites as key components in obesity and metabolic health. The microbiota-gut-brain axis presents promising targets for future obesity treatments and prevention. However, the current state of evidence and existing clinical applications of the microbiota-gut-brain axis have yet to be summarized in a thorough review. Therefore, we sought to examine current evidence on the effect of lifestyle, dietary, pharmacological, and surgical interventions on the microbiota-gut-brain axis. In addition, this review highlights potential next steps in research toward characterizing the role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in metabolic health, along with possible interventions to address obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandy Moser
- Dao Research Lab, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Megan A Milligan
- Dao Research Lab, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Maria C Dao
- Dao Research Lab, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States
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Fitzgerald HE, Parsons EM, Indriolo T, Taghian NR, Gold AK, Hoyt DL, Milligan MA, Zvolensky MJ, Otto MW. Worrying But Not Acting: The Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty in Explaining the Discrepancy in COVID-19-Related Responses. Cognit Ther Res 2022; 46:1150-1156. [PMID: 35975190 PMCID: PMC9372948 DOI: 10.1007/s10608-022-10321-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Research indicates that Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) is associated with COVID-19 emotional responses, but not necessarily with engaging in COVID-19 preventative behaviors. The current study was designed to further evaluate this discrepancy. Participants (N = 454) completed self-report forms about COVID-19 emotional responses (i.e., fear, worry, sensitivity to symptoms) and COVID-19 behavioral interference/responses (i.e., interference in daily activities, interference due to worry, and engagement in preventative behaviors). IU was positively associated with COVID-19-related emotional responses as well as two of the COVID-19-related behavioral interference/responses (i.e., interference in daily activities and interference due to worry), but negatively predicted engagement in COVID-19 preventative behaviors. Exploratory analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of IU on lower engagement in preventative behaviors through lower belief in the effectiveness of such behaviors. Thus, we further document the role of IU in statistically predicting higher distress but lower levels of adaptive health behaviors. Furthermore, we provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that these relationships may be explained by associations between IU and lower belief in the efficacy of health behaviors. Because some current analyses indicate small effect sizes, future studies should investigate IU alongside other potentially important markers. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10608-022-10321-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley E. Fitzgerald
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor, 02215 Boston, MA United States
| | - E. Marie Parsons
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor, 02215 Boston, MA United States
| | - Teresa Indriolo
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor, 02215 Boston, MA United States
- Present Address: Liver Center, Gastrointestinal Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St.,, 02114 Boston, MA USA
| | - Nadine R. Taghian
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor, 02215 Boston, MA United States
| | - Alexandra K. Gold
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor, 02215 Boston, MA United States
| | - Danielle L. Hoyt
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor, 02215 Boston, MA United States
- Present Address: Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 53 Avenue E, 08854 Piscataway, NJ United States
| | - Megan A. Milligan
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor, 02215 Boston, MA United States
- Present Address: Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems, University of New Hampshire, 129 Main St., 03824 Durham, New Hampshire United States
| | - Michael J. Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX USA
| | - Michael W. Otto
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor, 02215 Boston, MA United States
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Hiserodt M, Fitzgerald HE, Garcia J, Hoyt DL, Milligan MA, Otto MW. Investigation of the predictive influence of personal and gubernatorial politics on COVID-19 related behaviors and beliefs. Curr Psychol 2022:1-11. [PMID: 35431523 PMCID: PMC8989254 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03059-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Given the varied emotional and behavioral responses to the COVID-19 pandemic across the United States, further attention to the personal and societal influences on such responses is necessary. We investigated the predictive influence of personal political affiliation and the congruity of personal and governor political affiliation on COVID-19 emotional and behavioral responses, with specific attention to the influence of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) on emotional response. These factors were assessed in two studies of adults in the United States (N = 480, N = 272). We utilized a series of hierarchical linear and logistic regressions to assess predictors of 4 outcomes: (1) trust in governor's response to the pandemic, (2) COVID-19 related worry, and the (3) usage and (4) perceived efficacy of protective health behaviors (e.g., wearing a mask). Across these studies, we found that IU predicted increased COVID-19 related worry. Further, age and personal political affiliation, but not concordance with governor affiliation, predicted COVID-19 behavioral responses. These findings are discussed in relation to the potential importance of linking health messaging to personal characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Hiserodt
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Hayley E. Fitzgerald
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Jennifer Garcia
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Danielle L. Hoyt
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 53 Avenue E, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Megan A. Milligan
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Michael W. Otto
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215 USA
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Hoyt DL, Hiserodt M, Gold AK, Milligan MA, Otto MW. Is Ignorance Bliss? Examining the Effect of News Media Exposure on Anxiety and Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Nerv Ment Dis 2022; 210:91-97. [PMID: 34524229 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT There has been a widespread increase in affective disorders after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the current study, we investigated the effects of exposure to and perceived accuracy of news media and demographic characteristics on anxiety and depressive symptoms. We conducted an online survey of US adults (N = 480) using hierarchical linear regression models to understand the predictive roles of duration and frequency of news media exposure, as well as the perceived accuracy of COVID-19 portrayal by the news media, on anxiety and depression. Increased exposure duration predicted greater anxiety, and decreased frequency of exposure and perceived overreaction in the news media coverage of COVID-19 were linked to greater anxiety and depression. Perceived accuracy moderated the relationship of exposure frequency to both affective outcomes. Accordingly, our data support the importance of adequate levels of accurate and trusted information to help mitigate the overall mental health burden of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L Hoyt
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Michele Hiserodt
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alexandra K Gold
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Megan A Milligan
- Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire
| | - Michael W Otto
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
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Abstract
Given recent declines in US vaccination rates and the emergence of COVID-19 vaccines, identifying sociodemographic influencers of vaccine willingness holds importance for developing effective public health campaigns aimed at enhancing nationwide COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. The present study utilized a hierarchical binary logistic regression model to assess demographic variables (age, gender, race/ethnicity, pre-existing medical conditions), political party membership, religious affiliation, level of religiosity, and fear of COVID-19 as predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance ('Yes', would receive a vaccine or 'No', would not receive a vaccine) in a national sample of US adults (N = 249). Participants were recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and completed several online questionnaires pertaining to mental health, health behaviors, and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Democratic party membership and decreased level of religiosity predicted acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine. This investigation supports political party membership and religiosity as influencers of COVID-19 vaccine willingness and suggests that these variables could represent potential targets for public health interventions aimed at increasing vaccine adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Milligan
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Danielle L Hoyt
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra K Gold
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michele Hiserodt
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael W Otto
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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