Disentangling the relationship between sensory processing, alexithymia and broad autism spectrum: A study in parents' of children with autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing disorders.

BACKGROUND: Autistic features and sensory processing difficulties and their phenotypic co-expression with alexithymia share a transdiagnostic vulnerability. In this work, we explored whether the current concept of broad autism phenotype rather translates altered sensory processing (non-specific to autism), meaning that the characteristics of altered sensory processing should be overexpressed among individuals with heightened vulnerability to sensory processing atypicalities (parents of children with sensorial processing disorder, or SPD parents) and individuals with heightened vulnerability to autistic traits (parents of children with autism spectrum disorders, or ASD parents). In addition, the association between altered sensory processing and alexithymia was inspected. METHOD: The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, Autism Spectrum Quotient, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale were completed by 31 parents of children with ASD, 32 parents of children with SPD, and 52 parents of typically developed (TD) children. RESULTS: Extreme sensory patterns were overexpressed both in parents of children with SPD and parents of children with ASD when compared to parents of TD children. In addition, extreme sensory patterns were significantly associated with alexithymia scores. Specifically, sensory avoidance, low registration, and sensory sensitivity were positively correlated with alexithymia. No significant differences were found regarding the proportion of autistic traits and alexithymia between ASD and SPD groups of parents. CONCLUSIONS: These results challenge the specificity of broad autism phenotype and suggest a neurodevelopmental atypicity with roots in altered sensory and emotional processing.

Morpho-anatomical variations of Parmotrema pilosum (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) in fragmented forests of central Argentina: relationship between forest cover and distance to crops.

Forest vegetation is key for buffering microclimatic factors and regulating atmospheric deposition. Epiphytic lichens are sensitive to these factors and can indicate the overall health status of the ecosystem. Specifically, the analysis of morpho-anatomical variations allows us to understand the degree of tolerance or sensitivity of these organisms exposed to agricultural crops and how vegetation might buffer this response. We analyzed variations in vegetative and reproductive characters and injuries in thalli of Parmotrema pilosum as a response to distance to crops and forest cover. The study was conducted in forest patches of the Espinal in central Argentina, an ecosystem threatened by agricultural activity. We selected 10 sites with different forest cover areas and two collection points differing in distance to crops: sites adjacent to (0 m) and far from (150 m) crops. We collected five thalli from each collection point and analyzed variations in morpho-anatomical characters at macro- and microscopic levels. We found a lower number of algae and a higher proportion of simple cilia in individuals at points adjacent to crops. At points with low forest cover, a thinner upper cortex was observed, whereas at points with greater forest cover, an increase of necrosis and greater presence of apothecia were detected. Bleaching was the most frequent injury at sites adjacent to crops, decreasing with increasing forest cover. Conservation and reforestation of Espinal forest patches would promote the propagation of lichens affected by agricultural practices.

[Psychosis Associated with Herbal Products: Iatrogenic Delusional Disorder]. / Psicose Associada a Produtos de Ervanária: Perturbação Delirante Orgânica de Carácter Iatrogénico.

Metabolic, toxic or structural brain changes may present as psychotic symptoms. Organic delusional disorders are characterized by the presence of delusional ideas with evidence of brain dysfunction. Iatrogenesis may be a cause of this dysfunction. We present a case of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including delusional disorder, secondary to the use of herbal products. The patient's perception regarding the safety of natural products might result in an omission to report their use during clinical history taking, and thus its use should be actively questioned.

Sintomas psicóticos podem constituir a forma de apresentação de alterações estruturais, metabólicas ou tóxicas. As perturbações delirantes orgânicas são caraterizadas pela presença de ideias delirantes com evidência de disfunção cerebral. A iatrogenia pode ser uma causa desta disfunção. Apresentamos um caso de sintomas neuropsiquiátricos, incluindo perturbação delirante, secundária ao uso de produtos de ervanária. A noção de inocuidade associada a estes produtos origina que o consumo dos mesmos não seja referido espontaneamente pelo doente na recolha da história clínica, pelo que a sua utilização deve ser ativamente questionada.