Clustering care pathways of people with alcohol dependence using a data linkage of routine data in Bremen, Germany.

BACKGROUND: Although many individuals with alcohol dependence (AD) are recognized in the German healthcare system, only a few utilize addiction-specific treatment services. Those who enter treatment are not well characterized regarding their prospective pathways through the highly fragmented German healthcare system. This paper aims to (1) identify typical care pathways of patients with AD and their adherence to treatment guidelines and (2) explore the characteristics of these patients using routine data from different healthcare sectors. METHODS: We linked routinely collected register data of individuals with a documented alcohol-related diagnosis in the federal state of Bremen, Germany, in 2016/2017 and their addiction-specific health care: two statutory health insurance funds (outpatient pharmacotherapy for relapse prevention and inpatient episodes due to AD with and without qualified withdrawal treatment (QWT)), the German Pension Insurance (rehabilitation treatment) and a group of communal hospitals (outpatient addiction care). Individual care pathways of five different daily states of utilized addiction-specific treatment following an index inpatient admission due to AD were analyzed using state sequence analysis and cluster analysis. The follow-up time was 307 days (10 months). Individuals of the clustered pathways were compared concerning current treatment recommendations (1: QWT followed by postacute treatment; 2: time between QWT and rehabilitation). Patients' characteristics not considered during the cluster analysis (sex, age, nationality, comorbidity, and outpatient addiction care) were then compared using a multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: The analysis of 518 individual sequences resulted in the identification of four pathway clusters differing in their utilization of acute and postacute treatment. Most did not utilize subsequent addiction-specific treatment after their index inpatient episode (n = 276) or had several inpatient episodes or QWT without postacute treatment (n = 205). Two small clusters contained pathways either starting rehabilitation (n = 26) or pharmacotherapy after the index episode (n = 11). Overall, only 9.3% utilized postacute treatment as recommended. CONCLUSIONS: A concern besides the generally low utilization of addiction-specific treatment is the implementation of postacute treatments for individuals after QWT.

Metabolic network alterations as a supportive biomarker in dementia with Lewy bodies with preserved dopamine transmission.

PURPOSE: Metabolic network analysis of FDG-PET utilizes an index of inter-regional correlation of resting state glucose metabolism and has been proven to provide complementary information regarding the disease process in parkinsonian syndromes. The goals of this study were (i) to evaluate pattern similarities of glucose metabolism and network connectivity in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) subjects with subthreshold dopaminergic loss compared to advanced disease stages and to (ii) investigate metabolic network alterations of FDG-PET for discrimination of patients with early DLB from other neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy) at individual patient level via principal component analysis (PCA). METHODS: FDG-PETs of subjects with probable or possible DLB (n = 22) without significant dopamine deficiency (z-score < 2 in putamen binding loss on DaT-SPECT compared to healthy controls (HC)) were scaled by global-mean, prior to volume-of-interest-based analyses of relative glucose metabolism. Single region metabolic changes and network connectivity changes were compared against HC (n = 23) and against DLB subjects with significant dopamine deficiency (n = 86). PCA was applied to test discrimination of patients with DLB from disease controls (n = 101) at individual patient level. RESULTS: Similar patterns of hypo- (parietal- and occipital cortex) and hypermetabolism (basal ganglia, limbic system, motor cortices) were observed in DLB patients with and without significant dopamine deficiency when compared to HC. Metabolic connectivity alterations correlated between DLB patients with and without significant dopamine deficiency (R2 = 0.597, p < 0.01). A PCA trained by DLB patients with dopamine deficiency and HC discriminated DLB patients without significant dopaminergic loss from other neurodegenerative parkinsonian disorders at individual patient level (area-under-the-curve (AUC): 0.912). CONCLUSION: Disease-specific patterns of altered glucose metabolism and altered metabolic networks are present in DLB subjects without significant dopaminergic loss. Metabolic network alterations in FDG-PET can act as a supporting biomarker in the subgroup of DLB patients without significant dopaminergic loss at symptoms onset.

What Chemsex does to the brain - neural correlates (ERP) regarding decision making, impulsivity and hypersexuality.

Chemsex describes the use of specific substances (methamphetamine, GHB/GBL, mephedrone, ketamine) which initiate or enhance sexual experiences and is mainly prevalent among men who have sex with men. Many Chemsex users experience somatic complications (for example sexually transmitted diseases) and sometimes adverse sociological, psychological, and neurological symptoms, such as depression, impulse control disorders or hypersexuality. Changes in impulsivity and deficits in executive functions have demonstrated to be associated with addiction and impulse control disorders as well as frontal brain dysfunction and behavioral control deficits. This study aims to explore the effects of neurophysiological correlates of inhibition and decision making in Chemsex users with an EEG paradigm using event-related potentials (N2, P3). 15 Chemsex users and 14 matched control subjects, all of them men who have sex with man, participated in an auditory Go/NoGo/Voluntary Selection EEG paradigm. In addition, clinical data (e.g. regarding depression), demographic information as well as measures of well-being and sexual behavior were collected. The results demonstrated that clinical symptoms, hypersexuality, and sexual risk behavior were more pronounced in Chemsex users compared to non-users. P3 amplitudes did not differ significantly between groups. However, the Chemsex users showed decreased electrophysiological N2 responses in fronto-central brain regions during decision-making, indicating compromised executive function and inhibitory control. The observed impairments may lead to increased risk behavior regarding drug abuse and hypersexuality. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms can contribute to targeted interventions in order to mitigate the negative consequences of engaging in Chemsex and improve general well-being.

Short-term effectiveness of the national German quitline for smoking cessation: results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to examine the short-term effectiveness of the national German quitline for smoking cessation. METHODS: A parallel-group, two-arm, superiority, randomized controlled trial with data collection at baseline and post-intervention (three months from baseline) was conducted. Individuals were randomized to either the intervention group, receiving up to six telephone counselling calls, or the control group, receiving an active control intervention (self-help brochure). The primary outcome was the seven-day point prevalence abstinence at post-assessment. Secondary outcomes included changes in smoking-related cognitions and coping strategies from pre- to post-assessment, the perceived effectiveness of intervention components, and the satisfaction with the intervention. RESULTS: A total of n = 905 adult daily smokers were assigned to either the intervention group (n = 477) or the control group (n = 428). Intention-to-treat analyses demonstrated that individuals allocated to the telephone counselling condition were more likely to achieve seven-day point prevalence abstinence at post-assessment compared to those allocated to the self-help brochure condition (41.1% vs. 23.1%; OR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.7, 3.1]). Participants who received the allocated intervention in both study groups displayed significant improvements in smoking-related cognitions and coping strategies with the intervention group showing greater enhancements than the control group. This pattern was also found regarding the perceived effectiveness of intervention components and the satisfaction with the intervention. CONCLUSION: The present study provides first empirical evidence on the short-term effectiveness of the national German quitline for smoking cessation, highlighting its potential as an effective public health intervention to reduce the burden of disease associated with smoking. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00025343). Date of registration: 2021/06/07.

Long-Term Effectiveness of a Quitline for Smoking Cessation: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking remains a significant global public health issue, leading to numerous preventable deaths and disabilities annually. Telephone counselling is a recommended intervention for smoking cessation, offering accessible support to a wide range of people who smoke. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the German quitline for smoking cessation. METHODS: A parallel-group, two-arm, superiority, randomized controlled trial was conducted between October 2021 and November 2023. People who smoked daily and were willing to quit received either up to six telephone counselling calls (intervention group) or a self-help brochure (control group). Seven-day point prevalence abstinence from cigarettes and tobacco at 12 months and prolonged cigarette and tobacco abstinence from 3 to 12 months after the start of the intervention were assessed. Further, the use of additional cessation aids was assessed. RESULTS: A total of n = 905 participants were randomized (intention-to-treat sample). The intervention group (n = 477) exhibited higher rates of prolonged cigarette abstinence (31.7% vs. 17.8%) and prolonged tobacco abstinence (30.8% vs. 15.2%) compared to the control group (n = 428) at 12-month follow-up with corresponding odds ratios of 2.2 (95% CI [1.6, 3.0]) and 2.5 (95% CI [1.8, 3.5]). Seven-day point-prevalence cigarette abstinence was not statistically significant (OR = 1.3, 95% CI [1.0, 1.7]). E-cigarettes were the most commonly used additional cessation aid (46.0%), followed by electronic media (31.0%) and nicotine replacement therapy (26.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Telephone counselling provided by the national German quitline for smoking cessation demonstrates effectiveness in promoting long-term abstinence from cigarettes and tobacco. Increased awareness and use of the quitline could promote cessation rates in Germany. Given the rising popularity of novel nicotine consumer products, counselling protocols should incorporate information on their risks and potential as cessation tools.

Implications of Switching from Conventional to Electronic Cigarettes on Quality of Life and Smoking Behaviour: Results from the EQualLife Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarettes and "vaping" have become popular since their appearance in Europe and the USA in approximately 2006. They are often perceived as having fewer health risks than conventional cigarettes, which makes them of interest as a support tool in smoking cessation. However, its efficacy regarding cessation or reduction of smoking under real-life conditions remains controversial. Our objective was to clarify this question in an observational study of smoking habits after initiating vaping without targeted intervention, as compared to a validated cessation programme. METHODS: From October 2015 to April 2018, 80 subjects (60 in the e-cigarette group and 20 in the supervised smoking cessation group) were included in two trial visits, one at the start of the trial and the second after 3 months, plus 4 questionnaire surveys: at the start of the trial and after a 1, 2, and 3 month period. The questionnaire included a nicotine use inventory, a modified Fagerström test for nicotine dependence, and the WHO-QOL-BREF survey. RESULTS: E-cigarettes were effective, leading to a significant (p < 0.03) reduction (p < 0.03) in tobacco consumption and nicotine dependence, with an abstinence rate of 43% after 3 months. Compared to participants in the smoking cessation programme, their use was not associated with an improvement in quality of life during the quitting attempt, and there were no significant differences in clinical symptoms between groups. The reduction in nicotine dependence was more pronounced (p < 0.012) for the smoking cessation programme, with higher abstinence rates (p = 0.011 after 12 weeks) and lower (p < 0.003) remaining tobacco consumption compared to electronic cigarettes. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: The use of electronic cigarettes reduced nicotine dependence and tobacco consumption, but a supervised smoking cessation programme was superior in terms of achieved cessation in both regards. Electronic cigarettes did not improve the quality of life. Since e-cigarettes could be associated with long-term health risks, their usefulness in smoking cessation remains questionable, and a professionally guided and validated smoking cessation programme still appears to be superior and preferable, in terms of achieved cessation. Although this trial is limited regarding the number of participants and follow-up time, it highlights the need for additional, large clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation in comparison to a professionally guided smoking cessation programme.

The influence of marathon running on resting-state EEG activity: a longitudinal observational study.

Physical activity (PA) has positive effects on various health aspects and neuronal functions, including neuronal plasticity. Exceeding a certain exercise frequency and duration has been associated with negative effects. Our study investigated the effects of excessive PA with a marathon run (MA) and regular PA (training and recovery phases) on electrocortical activity, as measured by electroencephalography (EEG). Thirty healthy marathon runners (26 male, 45 ± 9 yrs) were enrolled in the study. Four resting-state 32 channel EEG recordings were conducted: 12-8 weeks before MA (T-1), 14-4 days prior to MA (T0), 1-6 days after (T2), and 13-15 weeks after MA (T3). Power spectrum analyses were conducted using standardized Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) and included the following frequency bands: delta (1.5-6 Hz), theta (6.5-8.0 Hz), alpha1 (8.5-10 Hz), alpha2 (10.5-12.0 Hz), beta1 (12.5-18.0 Hz), beta2 (18.5-21.0 Hz), beta3 (21.5-30.0 Hz), and total power (1.5-30 Hz). Statistical nonparametric mapping showed reduced power both in the alpha-2 (log-F ratio = - 0.705, threshold log-F ratio = ± 0.685, p < 0.05) and in the delta frequency band (log-F ratio = -0.699, threshold log-F ratio = ± 0.685, p < 0.05) in frontal cortical areas after MA (T2 vs. T0). These effects diminished at long-term follow-up (T3). The results can be interpreted as correlates for subacute neuroplasticity induced by strenuous and prolonged PA. Although previous studies reported an increase in alpha frequency during and directly postexercise, the adverse observation a few days after exercise cessation suggests counterregulatory mechanisms, whose complex origin can be suspected in subcortical circuits, changes in neurotransmitter systems and modulation of affectivity.

Cannabinoids and the heart-a psychiatrist's perspective.

The partial legalization of cannabis in Germany in 2024 will affect both medical and recreational use of cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, influences heart rate and blood pressure through the endocannabinoid system. Acute and chronic use can pose cardiovascular risks. There is evidence of a link between cannabis use and cardiovascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarction, although studies show conflicting results. The non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) could have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Smoking cannabis poses additional cardiovascular risks similar to tobacco. Given these risks, cardiologists should routinely ask their patients about possible cannabis use and inform them about the potential cardiovascular dangers. The article also highlights the psychiatric risks of cannabis use, including dependence and psychosis, and emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between cardiologists and psychiatrists to effectively manage cannabis-related health problems.

[Video-Assisted Psychotherapy For Refugees: A Pilot Study]. / Videogestützte Psychotherapie für Geflüchtete: Eine Pilotstudie.

OBJECTIVE: Global conflicts and humanitarian crises led to an increase in forced migration to Germany in recent years. To improve the mental health care system for refugees and asylum seekers in Germany perspectively, we aim to examine the feasibility of implementing the culturally sensitive group psychotherapy Empowerment for refugees with affective disorders in a video-assisted setting. METHODS: Empowerment is a culturally sensitive, interpreter-assisted intervention for the treatment of depressive and stress-related symptoms in refugees. Four male refugees from Afghanistan participated in a pilot study. The intervention included 16 modules delivered via video over a 12-week period. RESULTS: The internet connection was frequently unstable and led to organizational challenges. The therapy was feasible in terms of linguistic and interactional aspects. DISCUSSION: The stability of the internet connection represents the major criterion for a successful implementation of the therapy. Implications for future studies are discussed. CONCLUSION: Regarding the potential opportunities to improve the mental health care provision to refugees and asylum seekers in the future, the video-assisted therapy concept could be investigated in a randomized controlled trial.

[Inpatient Treatment of Mentally Ill Prisoners in General Psychiatric Departments and Hospitals]. / Status der stationären Behandlung psychisch erkrankter Strafgefangener in allgemeinpsychiatrischen Abteilungen und Kliniken.

BACKGROUND: Inpatient psychiatric treatment of prisoners is organized differently in Germany, depending on the structural conditions of the federal state and prison. There are very few findings on the different possibilities of treatment and the view of the hospitals on this issue. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to gain an up-to-date picture of inpatient treatment of prisoners in general psychiatric departments and hospitals and the challenges these institutions face. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous online survey of the frequency, extent, and challenges of inpatient treatment of prisoners. Approximately 460 chief physicians of German general psychiatric departments and hospitals were invited to participate in this survey. In addition to descriptive statistics, we calculated group differences by type of hospital and by subjective responsibility for inpatient care of prisoners. RESULTS: A total of 74 chief physicians surveyed participated; 51.4% of the surveyed hospitals provided psychiatric inpatient treatment to prisoners in 2020. Group differences between the different types of hospitals were found only for the presence of anticipated anxiety among regular inpatients. Various differences were found between responsible and non-responsible hospitals, especially with regard to organizational aspects. DISCUSSION: For the treatment of mentally ill prisoners, various organizational challenges as well as fears of hospital staff and fellow patients were mentioned by the participants. The type of hospital appears to play a subordinate role here, whereas the responsibility of the hospital for the inpatient treatment of mentally ill prisoners might be more decisive for anticipated concerns and barriers.

Microglial Activation and Connectivity in Alzheimer Disease and Aging.

OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid ß (Aß) plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles, but increasing evidence suggests that neuroinflammation also plays a key role, driven by the activation of microglia. Aß and tau pathology appear to spread along pathways of highly connected brain regions, but it remains elusive whether microglial activation follows a similar distribution pattern. Here, we assess whether connectivity is associated with microglia activation patterns. METHODS: We included 32 Aß-positive early AD subjects (18 women, 14 men) and 18 Aß-negative age-matched healthy controls (10 women, 8 men) from the prospective ActiGliA (Activity of Cerebral Networks, Amyloid and Microglia in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease) study. All participants underwent microglial activation positron emission tomography (PET) with the third-generation mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) ligand [18 F]GE-180 and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure resting-state functional and structural connectivity. RESULTS: We found that inter-regional covariance in TSPO-PET and standardized uptake value ratio was preferentially distributed along functionally highly connected brain regions, with MRI structural connectivity showing a weaker association with microglial activation. AD patients showed increased TSPO-PET tracer uptake bilaterally in the anterior medial temporal lobe compared to controls, and higher TSPO-PET uptake was associated with cognitive impairment and dementia severity in a disease stage-dependent manner. INTERPRETATION: Microglial activation distributes preferentially along highly connected brain regions, similar to tau pathology. These findings support the important role of microglia in neurodegeneration, and we speculate that pathology spreads throughout the brain along vulnerable connectivity pathways. ANN NEUROL 2022;92:768-781.

Optical coherence tomography reveals retinal thinning in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) are presumed to be associated with retinal thinning. However, evidence is lacking as to whether these retinal alterations reflect a disease-specific process or are rather a consequence of comorbid diseases or concomitant microvascular impairment. METHODS: The study included 126 eyes of 65 patients with SSDs and 143 eyes of 72 healthy controls. We examined macula and optic disc measures by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A). Additive mixed models were used to assess the impact of SSDs on retinal thickness and perfusion and to explore the association of retinal and clinical disease-related parameters by controlling for several ocular and systemic covariates (age, sex, spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, smoking status, and OCT signal strength). RESULTS: OCT revealed significantly lower parafoveal macular, macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), and macular retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and thinner mean and superior peripapillary RNFL in SSDs. In contrast, the applied OCT-A investigations, which included macular and peripapillary perfusion density, macular vessel density, and size of the foveal avascular zone, did not reveal any significant between-group differences. Finally, a longer duration of illness and higher chlorpromazine equivalent doses were associated with lower parafoveal macular and macular RNFL thickness. CONCLUSIONS: This study strengthens the evidence for disease-related retinal thinning in SSDs.

[First Aid Training for Drug Overdose in Opioid Addicts and Provision of Take-Home Naloxone on Release from Prison: Feasibility Study from the Bavarian Model Project]. / Drogennotfallschulung Opioidabhängiger in Haft und Versorgung mit Take-Home Naloxon bei Haftentlassung: Machbarkeitsstudie aus dem bayerischen Modellprojekt.

INTRODUCTION: Between 22 and 30% of prisoners in Germany are reported to be intravenous drug users. There is a 12-fold increase in mortality, mostly as a result of opioid overdose in the first weeks after release from prison. We evaluated the feasibility of first aid training for drug overdose, including take-home naloxone in incarcerated opioid addicts. METHODOLOGY: Within the Bavarian Take-Home Naloxone Model Project (BayTHN), a subsample of imprisoned opioid addicts was recruited in 5 Bavarian correctional facilities. Manualized first aid training for drug overdose, including take-home naloxone was provided. All surveys were conducted with standardized questionnaires or semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Sixty-two long-term opioid addicts were included (age: 36 years (22-53 years); 53.2% women; age at first opioid use: 19.2 years (10-31 years). On average, 3.9 (1-10) opioid addicts participated per training session. At the time of training, the opioid addicts had been in prison on average for 42 (1-228) weeks and expected their release from prison in about 10 (1-64) weeks. 68% of participants reported having experienced a drug overdose by themselves. 84% had already experienced at least one drug emergency with another person, 36% more than once. Nearly one-third had not offered helped in the last emergency they had experienced, mostly out of fear of doing something wrong. Only 50% of participants had called emergency services. 25% tried to help, however, by not very effective means. 75% often consumed in the presence of other persons, such as partners and/or friends. The incarcerated opioid addicts were well motivated to participate and showed a significant increase in knowledge and skills for effective first aid in an opioid overdose situation. CONCLUSION: The feasibility study carried out among imprisoned opioid addicts shows that manualized first aid training in handling opioid overdose, including take-home naloxone can be successfully implemented. A best-practice model for reducing initial caveats, organization, and prescribing take-home naloxone at release from prison was established. The high rate of drug overdoses and drug use in the presence of others (potential first responders) proves that the target group for successful use of first aid training along with take-home naloxone could be reached. However, a broad roll-out is needed to achieve a relevant reduction in mortality in opioid addicts after release from prison.

[COVID-19 vaccination for people with severe mental diseases : Results of the COVID Ψ outpatient survey and recommendations for psychiatry]. / COVID-19-Impfung für Menschen mit schweren psychischen Erkrankungen : Ergebnisse des COVID-Ψ-Ambulant-Surveys und Empfehlungen für die Psychiatrie.

BACKGROUND: Severe mental illnesses are risk factors for SARS-CoV-2-related morbidity and mortality. Vaccination is an effective protection; therefore, high vaccination rates should be a major priority for people with mental illnesses. OBJECTIVES: (1) Identification of at-risk groups for non-vaccination and structures and interventions needed for widespread vaccination among people with mental illnesses from the perspective of outpatient psychiatrists and neurologists, (2) discussion of the results in the context of the international literature and (3) recommendations derived from them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative content analysis of COVID-19 vaccination-related questions from the COVID Ψ online survey of n = 85 psychiatrists and neurologists in Germany. RESULTS: In the survey, people with schizophrenia, severe lack of drive, low socioeconomic status and homelessness were seen as risk groups for non-vaccination. Increased and targeted information, education, addressing and motivation and easily accessible vaccination offers by general practitioners, psychiatrists, and neurologists as well as complementary institutions were considered as important interventions. DISCUSSION: COVID-19 vaccinations as well as information, motivation and access support should be systematically offered by as many institutions of the psychiatric, psychotherapeutic and complementary care systems in Germany as possible.

Functional and clinical outcomes of FMRI-based neurofeedback training in patients with alcohol dependence: a pilot study.

Identifying treatment options for patients with alcohol dependence is challenging. This study investigates the application of real-time functional MRI (rtfMRI) neurofeedback (NF) to foster resistance towards craving-related neural activation in alcohol dependence. We report a double-blind, placebo-controlled rtfMRI study with three NF sessions using alcohol-associated cues as an add-on therapy to the standard treatment. Fifty-two patients (45 male; 7 female) diagnosed with alcohol dependence were recruited in Munich, Germany. RtfMRI data were acquired in three sessions and clinical abstinence was evaluated 3 months after the last NF session. Before the NF training, BOLD responses and clinical data did not differ between groups, apart from anger and impulsiveness. During NF training, BOLD responses of the active group were decreased in medial frontal areas/caudate nucleus, and increased, e.g. in the cuneus/precuneus and occipital cortex. Within the active group, the down-regulation of neuronal responses was more pronounced in patients who remained abstinent for at least 3 months after the intervention compared to patients with a relapse. As BOLD responses were comparable between groups before the NF training, functional variations during NF cannot be attributed to preexisting distinctions. We could not demonstrate that rtfMRI as an add-on treatment in patients with alcohol dependence leads to clinically superior abstinence for the active NF group after 3 months. However, the study provides evidence for a targeted modulation of addiction-associated brain responses in alcohol dependence using rtfMRI.

Effectiveness of the national German quitline for smoking cessation: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the decline in cigarette smoking prevalence during nearly the past two decades, tobacco use is still widespread in the German adult population, accounting for 125,000 deaths each year and causing tremendous social costs. To accelerate the reduction in tobacco smoking prevalence, evidence-based smoking cessation methods are pivotal to a national tobacco control strategy. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the national German Smokers Quitline offering cessation support to smokers. METHODS: A total sample of 910 daily smokers, who are motivated to quit, will be recruited via an online access panel and randomly assigned to either the intervention (telephone counselling) or control condition. In the intervention group, participants will receive up to six proactive phone calls during an intervention period of approximately six weeks. The provided treatment will combine the principles of motivational interviewing and those of the cognitive behavioural approach to treating substance use. Participants in the control condition will receive a self-help brochure to support smoking cessation. Data collection will take place at baseline as well as three (post assessment) and twelve months (follow-up assessment) after baseline assessment. Primary outcome measures will include the seven-day point prevalence abstinence at 3-month and 12-month assessments as well as prolonged abstinence (abstinence over the 12 month period). Secondary outcome measures will include a change in smoking-related cognitions and coping strategies among all participants. Among non-abstainers, treatment success indicators such as a reduction in number of cigarettes smoked per day and changes in the number and duration of quit attempts after intervention start will be assessed. It is expected that after both three and twelve months, smoking cessation rates will be higher in the telephone counselling condition compared to the control condition. DISCUSSION: The results will provide insights into the effectiveness of proactive telephone counselling by the national German Smokers Quitline. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol for this study is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00025343, Date of registration: 2021/06/07, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/setLocale_EN.do.

Effects of binaural and monaural beat stimulation on attention and EEG.

Nowadays a popular technique to improve mood and cognition is auditory beat stimulation (ABS), which is thought to induce a frequency-following response of brainwaves. The main types of ABS are monaural beats (MB) and binaural beats (BB). BB involves the presentation of a specific frequency to one ear and another frequency to the other ear which may induce neural entrainment. A difference between the frequencies of 40 Hz is assumed to improve cognition. The present study examined the effect of 40 Hz binaural beats (BB) and monaural beats (MB) on attention and electroencephalography (EEG). A total of 25 first-year psychology students (11 males, 14 females) performed a Flanker task while EEG was recorded during the 5 min-presentation of pink noise (PN), MB and BB. With respect to attention, as measured by the Flanker task, the number of false responses in the BB condition was smaller than that in the PN condition while the number of false responses in the MB condition was larger as compared to the PN condition. As there was no association of BB with a consistent increase in absolute 40 or 45 Hz power compared to PN or MB, EEG recordings could not confirm the hypothesized neural entrainment in the brain. Overall, the current findings show that listening to 40 Hz BB improves attention but do not show the occurrence of neural entrainment. Future research is recommended to include a larger sample, to use a broader cognitive test battery and to present auditory beats with a longer duration.

A cross-sectional survey of internet use among university students.

The last 2 decades have seen an increase in the number of reports of excessive internet use. Therefore, this study aimed to examine internet use among university students to gain more insight into the novel phenomenon of addictive internet use (AIU). Data were collected by the means of an online questionnaire sent to 4391 students. Approximately 10% of the 4391 students could be included in the statistical analysis. Of those 483 students, almost all (99.2%) used the internet, and a quarter (24.8%) showed AIU. The students used the internet mostly for information searches, random browsing, social networking, and online shopping; however, AIU was seen most often in the areas of social networking, random browsing, information searches, gaming, and pornography. One in four of the respondents showed addictive behavior in at least one area of internet use. Students with AIU in the area of random browsing were significantly less far advanced in their studies than those without AIU, and well-being was significantly poorer across AIU groups than in those who did not show AIU. The study confirms the importance of AIU, as reflected in the high prevalence of AIU among the students and the significantly lower level of well-being in those with AIU. Undifferentiated consideration of AIU does not do justice to its various facets, and future research should consider all areas of internet use, with the aim to increase understanding of the underlying mechanisms of AIU and develop more differentiated treatment approaches.

Classical blood biomarkers identify patients with higher risk for relapse 6 months after alcohol withdrawal treatment.

This naturalistic study among patients with alcohol dependence examined whether routine blood biomarkers could help to identify patients with high risk for relapse after withdrawal treatment. In a longitudinal study with 6-month follow-up among 133 patients with alcohol dependence who received inpatient alcohol withdrawal treatment, we investigated the usefulness of routine blood biomarkers and clinical and sociodemographic factors for potential outcome prediction and risk stratification. Baseline routine blood biomarkers (gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT], alanine aminotransferase [ALT/GPT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST/GOT], mean cell volume of erythrocytes [MCV]), and clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were recorded at admission. Standardized 6 months' follow-up assessed outcome variables continuous abstinence, days of continuous abstinence, daily alcohol consumption and current abstinence. The combined threshold criterion of an AST:ALT ratio > 1.00 and MCV > 90.0 fl helped to identify high-risk patients. They had lower abstinence rates (P = 0.001), higher rates of daily alcohol consumption (P < 0.001) and shorter periods of continuous abstinence (P = 0.027) compared with low-risk patients who did not meet the threshold criterion. Regression analysis confirmed our hypothesis that the combination criterion is an individual baseline variable that significantly predicted parts of the respective outcome variances. Routinely assessed indirect alcohol biomarkers help to identify patients with high risk for relapse after alcohol withdrawal treatment. Clinical decision algorithms to identify patients with high risk for relapse after alcohol withdrawal treatment could include classical blood biomarkers in addition to clinical and sociodemographic items.

[Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for people with schizophrenia, dementia and substance use disorders]. / Folgen der COVID-19-Pandemie für Menschen mit Schizophrenie, Demenz und Abhängigkeitserkrankungen.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses unexpected challenges to social and healthcare systems worldwide. The direct and indirect medical consequences of infection with the novel coronavirus bring healthcare systems to their limits of their capabilities in many places. The neurotropic effects of COVID-19 can result not only in neurological but also in acute and long-term psychological sequelae. In the psychiatric context, the psychological and psychosocial consequences of contact restrictions and lockdowns as well as the effects of daily reports in the media on people with mental disorders must also be taken into consideration. In this article the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for people with mental illnesses, especially those with schizophrenia, dementia, and addictive diseases are discussed.