Recognition of others' interoceptive states in those with and without eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: The ability to recognize one's own emotions is associated with one's ability to recognize others' emotions. Beyond the domain of emotion, however, the relationship between recognition of one's own internal states (interoception) and others' interoceptive states has not been investigated, either in the typical population or clinical groups with interoceptive difficulties (e.g. eating disorders; EDs). METHOD: This study investigated recognition of one's own and others' internal states in adults with and without eating disorders, using a high frequency visual noise paradigm. Participants completed self-report measures of interoception, alexithymia (difficulties recognising one's own emotional internal states) and ED symptomatology, and the Heartbeat Counting Task measure of cardiac interoceptive accuracy. RESULTS: Alexithymia was significantly negatively correlated with recognition of others' interoceptive states. EDs were not associated with difficulties recognising others' interoceptive states. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to recognise one's own emotional internal states is associated with the recognition of others' interoceptive states, which may contribute to social skills and the ability to care for others.

Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer Masquerading as a Pancreatic Mass: A Case Report.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is notorious for its aggressive behavior and propensity for metastasis. Although metastasis to the pancreas from SCLC is relatively rare, it warrants attention due to its overlapping symptomatology with primary pancreatic malignancies and other abdominal pathologies (such as those involving the liver or gallbladder). Despite recent advances, the mechanisms driving SCLC metastasis to the pancreas remain elusive, providing challenges in diagnosis and treatment. This case report details the presentation of a 59-year-old woman with SCLC metastasis to the pancreas, initially masquerading as primary pancreatic carcinoma, as highlighted by her presenting symptoms of jaundice, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Diagnostic workup, including imaging studies and tissue sampling, confirmed the unexpected presence of metastatic SCLC in the pancreas. The patient was ultimately transferred to a tertiary care facility for further workup. This case serves as a reminder to maintain a broad differential diagnosis, particularly in the face of such an unusual presentation. It also highlights the need for further research to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving SCLC metastasis to the pancreas, with the ultimate goal of improving diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes for patients with this aggressive disease.