Probiotic treatment improves post-traumatic stress disorder outcomes in mice.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder resulting from traumatic events which are characterized primarily by anxiety and depressive disorder. In this study, we determine the role of gut bacteria in PTSD. PTSD-like symptoms were produced by single prolonged stress (SPS). SPS animals showed increased levels of anxiety as measured by the elevated plus maze test, while depressive behaviour was confirmed using sucrose preference, force swim, and tail suspension tests. Gut dysbiosis was confirmed in PTSD animals by next-generation sequencing of 16 s RNA of faecal samples, while these animals also showed increased intestinal permeability and altered intestinal ultrastructure. Probiotic treatment increases beneficial microbiota, improves intestinal health and reduces PTSD-associated anxiety and depression. We also found a decrease in cortical BDNF levels in PTSD animals, which was reversed after probiotic administration. Here, we establish the link between gut dysbiosis and PTSD and show that probiotic treatment may improve the outcome of PTSD like symptoms in mice.

Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E alleviate heat stress-induced mood disturbances in male mice: Modulation of inflammatory pathways and the HPA axis.

Heat stress, as an environmental stressor, can lead to temperature dysregulation and neuroinflammation, causing depression and anxiety by disrupting brain physiology and functional connectivity. This study looked at how co-enzyme Q10 (Q10) and vitamin E (Vit E), alone and together, affected heat stress-caused anxiety and depression symptoms and inflammation in male mice. Five groups were utilized in the study: control, heat stress (NS), Q10, Vit E, and the combination group (Q10+Vit E). The mice were subjected for 15 min/day to a temperature of 43°C for 14 consecutive days, followed by daily treatments for two weeks with either normal saline, Q10 (500 mg/kg), Vit E (250 mg/kg), or their combination. The forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were employed to evaluate despair behavior, whereas the elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test (OFT) were used to assess anxious behaviors. Subsequently, the animals were sacrificed, and serum corticosterone levels, protein expression of inflammasome-related proteins, and hsp70 gene expression were evaluated in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The study revealed that treatment with Vit E and Q10, alone or together, provided anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in the heat-stress-subjected animals. Also, giving Vit E and Q10 alone or together greatly lowered serum corticosterone levels. In the PFC, they also lowered the levels of hsp70 mRNA and NF-κB, caspase 1, NLRP3, and IL-1ß proteins. It is speculated that treatment with Q10 and Vit E can attenuate heat stress-associated anxious and depressive responses by inhibiting the inflammatory pathways and modulating the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis.

A novel analysis of interoceptive underpinnings of anxious psychopathology in COVID-19 survivors.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 affects brain, body, and their interchange. We investigated interoceptive mechanisms in COVID-19 survivors focusing on their potential link with psychopathology and inflammatory biomarkers. METHODS: We assessed interoceptive accuracy (IAc) and time-perceiving (TA) skills of 57 COVID-19 survivors one month after hospital discharge through, respectively, a heartbeats perception task and a time duration task. Each participant was assessed about his interoceptive awareness (IAw) through Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness questionnaire (MAIA) and then, screened for post-traumatic (Impact of Events Scale - IES-R), anxious (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI-Y1) and depressive (Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale - ZSDS; Beck Depression Inventory - BDI-13) symptoms. Biomarkers of inflammation (platelet count, PC; mean platelet volume, MPV and systemic immune-inflammation index, SII) were obtained in a subsample of 40 survivors by a blood sampling conducted at admission and discharge time from the hospital. Correlational, GLM, GLMZ, and mediation analyses were performed. RESULTS: IAc did not correlate with TA confirming the reliability of interoceptive measure. IAc positively predicts MAIA's Trusting subscale and negatively predicts anxious psychopathology which fully mediates the effect of IAc on Trusting.PC at hospital admission predicts anxiety at one month after recovery. Again, a higher decrease of SII during hospitalization predicts higher IAc skill and lower anxiety state at one month. The link between SII change and anxiety is fully mediated by IAc. CONCLUSIONS: Our results unveil a potential key role of interoception and brain-body interchange in the exacerbation and maintenance of anxiety psychopathology in COVID-19 survivors.

Hindbrain networks: Exploring the hidden anxiety circuits in rodents.

Anxiety disorders are multifaceted conditions that engage numerous brain regions and circuits. While the hindbrain is pivotal in fundamental biological functions, its role in modulating emotions has been underappreciated. This review will uncover critical targets and circuits within the hindbrain that are essential for both anxiety and anxiolytic effects, expanding on research obtained through behavioral tests. The bidirectional neural pathways between the hindbrain and other brain regions, with a spotlight on vagal afferent signaling, provide a crucial framework for unraveling the neural mechanisms underlying anxiety. Exploring neural circuits within the hindbrain can help to unravel the neurobiological mechanisms of anxiety and elucidate differences in the expression of these circuits between genders, thereby providing valuable insights for the development of future anxiolytic drugs.

Stress, Anxiety and Coping in Adults With Down Syndrome: An Exploratory Co-Research Study.

BACKGROUND: At least half of children and adults with Down syndrome have a major mental health concern during their life but few studies ask people with Down syndrome directly about their experience. We used a co-research model to explore anxiety, stress, and coping in adults with Down syndrome. METHODS: Our group of researchers and adults with Down syndrome conducted an online survey on mental health for adults with Down syndrome. We analysed quantitative data and thematically grouped coping mechanisms. RESULTS: Sixty adults with Down syndrome completed the survey, mean age was 30 years, and 55% of respondents had some employment. Approximately 80% of respondents reported experiencing stress and 75% reported experiencing anxiety. Employed respondents were more likely to use social coping mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Soliciting responses from adults with Down syndrome about their mental health can provide valuable insights. Mental health is a concern for people with Down syndrome that should be addressed.

Intermittent theta burst stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has no additional effect on the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for acrophobia. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders. Treatment guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy as standard treatment. Although cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective therapeutic approach, not all patients benefit sufficiently from it. In recent years, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, have been investigated as promising adjuncts in the treatment of affective disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a combination of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) and virtual reality exposure therapy leads to a significantly greater reduction in acrophobia than virtual reality exposure with sham stimulation. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, 43 participants with acrophobia received verum or sham iTBS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex prior to two sessions of virtual reality exposure therapy. Stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with iTBS was motivated by an experimental study showing a positive effect on extinction memory retention. Acrophobic symptoms were assessed using questionnaires and two behavioral approach tasks one week before, after treatment and six months after the second diagnostic session. The results showed that two sessions of virtual reality exposure therapy led to a significant reduction in acrophobic symptoms, with an overall remission rate of 79 %. However, there was no additional effect of iTBS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the therapeutic effects. Further research is needed to determine how exactly a combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation and exposure therapy should be designed to enhance efficacy.

Efetividade de um filme na ansiedade e medo de crianças em idade escolar submetidas a cirurgia / Effectiveness of an educational video in reducing anxiety and fear in school-aged children undergoing surgery / Eficacia de una película sobre la ansiedad y el miedo en escolares sometidos a cirugía

Resumo Enquadramento: A hospitalização e a cirurgia são consideradas pela criança como eventos ameaçadores e com repercussões no seu comportamento, nomeadamente ansiedade e medo. Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade de um filme preparatório para procedimentos a realizar antes de uma cirurgia de ambulatório visando a redução da ansiedade e medo. Metodologia: Estudo randomizado, controlado, envolvendo 60 crianças (6-14 anos), submetidas a cirurgia de ambulatório. O grupo de intervenção visualizou um filme no período pré-operatório e o grupo de controlo recebeu os cuidados habituais. A efetividade do filme foi medida através da escala de ansiedade Children's Anxiety Meter-State e o medo pela escala Children's Fear Scale. Resultados: Não se observaram diferenças significativas (p > 0,05) entre o grupo de intervenção que visualizou o filme e o grupo de controlo que seguiu os cuidados pré-operatórios habituais. Conclusão: Importa avaliar de forma precisa se os custos envolvidos nesta intervenção compensam os benefícios. Sugere-se mais investigação nesta área, ajustando outros programas que se revelem mais efetivos neste contexto.

Abstract Background: Children often perceive hospitalization and surgery as threatening events that can lead to feelings of anxiety and fear. These feelings may affect their behaviors. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational video in reducing anxiety and fear before outpatient surgery. Methodology: A randomized controlled study was conducted with 60 children (6 - 14 years old) undergoing outpatient surgery. The intervention group watched an educational video during the preoperative period, while the control group received standard preoperative care. The effectiveness of the video was measured using the Children's Anxiety Meter-State scale, and fear was measured using the Children's Fear Scale. Results: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between the intervention group that watched the video and the control group that received standard preoperative care. Conclusion: An accurate assessment of whether the costs of this intervention outweigh the benefits is essential. Further research is recommended, particularly in adapting other programs that have proven more effective in this context.

Resumen Marco contextual: La hospitalización y la intervención quirúrgica son percibidas por el niño como acontecimientos amenazantes que repercuten en su comportamiento, concretamente en la ansiedad y el miedo. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de una película preparatoria para los procedimientos que deben realizarse antes de la cirugía ambulatoria con el fin de reducir la ansiedad y el miedo. Metodología: Estudio aleatorizado y controlado en el que participaron 60 niños (de 6 a 14 años) sometidos a cirugía ambulatoria. El grupo de intervención vio una película en el periodo preoperatorio y el grupo de control recibió los cuidados habituales. La eficacia de la película se midió con la escala Children's Anxiety Meter-State y el miedo con la Children's Fear Scale. Resultados: No hubo diferencias significativas (p > 0,05) entre el grupo de intervención que vio la película y el grupo de control que siguió los cuidados preoperatorios habituales. Conclusión: Es importante evaluar con precisión si los costes de esta intervención compensan los beneficios. Se sugiere seguir investigando en este ámbito, ajustando otros programas que resulten más eficaces en este contexto.

Measuring Hypochondria with Short Health Anxiety Inventory: Psychometric Properties in Colombian University Students / Medición de la hipocondría con el Short Health Anxiety Inventory: propiedades psicométricas en estudiantes universitarios colombianos

Abstract Introduction: The Short Health Anxiety Inventory is a commonly used tool for assessing health anxiety, but its psychometric properties and internal structure have not been examined in a Latin American Spanish-speaking population. This study aimed to establish the psychometric properties among Colombian university students. Method: The goodness of fit of four latent structure models of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory was tested using confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 1004 Colombian university students. Results: The results show that the original model's structure does not fit well (CFI = .808; RMSEA = .074), and the reliability was .796 and .703 for the original two variables. Conclusions: The findings do not support the utilization of the Colombian version of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory by researchers and clinicians among Colombian university students.

Resumen Introducción: El Short Health Anxiety Inventory es una herramienta común para evaluar la ansiedad relacionada con la salud, pero sus propiedades psicométricas y estructura interna no han sido evaluadas en una población latinoamericana de habla hispana. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo establecer las propiedades psicométricas en estudiantes universitarios colombianos. Método: Se evaluó la bondad de ajuste de cuatro modelos de estructura latente del Short Health Anxiety Inventory, mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio, en una muestra de 1004 estudiantes universitarios colombianos. Resultados: La estructura no se ajusta al modelo original (CFI = .808; RMSEA = .074) y la confiabilidad fue de .796 y .703 para las dos variables originales. Conclusiones: Los resultados no respaldan el uso de la versión colombiana del Short Health Anxiety Inventory entre estudiantes universitarios colombianos, tanto para investigadores como para clínicos.

Efeitos do treinamento físico supervisionado na ansiedade, estresse e depressão após a Covid-19 / Effects of supervised physical training on anxiety, stress and depression after Covid-19 / Efectos del entrenamiento físico supervisado en la ansiedad, el estrés y la depresión después de la Covid-19

Objetivo: avaliar ansiedade, estresse e depressão antes e após o treinamento físico em acometidos pela Covid-19. Método: estudo quase-experimental realizado em Goiânia com pacientes que tiveram Covid-19 moderada a grave, após internação. Investigou-se ansiedade, estresse e depressão por meio da DASS-21. Os participantes realizaram dezoito sessões de treinamento físico, três vezes/semana composto por exercícios aeróbios, resistidos e de flexibilidade. Utilizou-se teste Shapiro Wilk para distribuição e os testes t pareado e Wilcoxon com nível de significância de p<0,05 para comparações. Resultado: participaram dezessete indivíduos com 55,59(±5,20) anos, predominantemente mulheres (64,7%), média de dezessete dias internados, maioria obesos (52,9%) com alguma doença prévia à Covid-19 (76,5%). Houve redução da ansiedade (mediana de 9,0 para 2,0 [p=0,001]), estresse de 10,0 para 2,0 (p=0,001) e depressão de 6,0 para 2,0 (p<0,001) após treinamento físico. Conclusão: o treinamento físico foi eficaz para melhora da ansiedade, estresse e depressão após dezoito sessões.

Objective: to assess anxiety, stress and depression before and after physical training in people affected by Covid-19. Method: a quasi-experimental study carried out in Goiania with patients who had moderate to severe Covid-19 after hospitalization. Anxiety, stress and depression were investigated using the DASS-21. The participants underwent eighteen physical training sessions, three times a week, consisting of aerobic, resistance and flexibility exercises. The Shapiro Wilk test was used for distribution and the paired t-test and Wilcoxon test with a significance level of p<0.05 were used for comparisons. Results: seventeen individuals took part, aged 55.59 (±5.20) years, predominantly women (64.7%), an average of seventeen days in hospital, the majority obese (52.9%) with some illness prior to Covid-19 (76.5%). There was a reduction in anxiety (median from 9.0 to 2.0 [p=0.001]), stress from 10.0 to 2.0 (p=0.001) and depression from 6.0 to 2.0 (p<0.001) after physical training. Conclusion: physical training was effective in improving anxiety, stress and depression after eighteen sessions.

Objetivo: evaluar la ansiedad, el estrés y la depresión antes y después del entrenamiento físico en afectados por la Covid-19. Método: estudio cuasi-experimental realizado en Goiânia con pacientes que tuvieron Covid-19 moderada a grave, tras hospitalización. Se investigó la ansiedad, el estrés y la depresión mediante el DASS-21. Los participantes realizaron dieciocho sesiones de entrenamiento físico, tres veces por semana compuesto por ejercicios aeróbicos, de resistencia y de flexibilidad. Se utilizó la prueba Shapiro Wilk para distribución y las pruebas t pareada y Wilcoxon con nivel de significancia de p<0,05 para comparaciones. Resultado: participaron diecisiete individuos con 55,59 (±5,20) años, predominantemente mujeres (64,7%), media de diecisiete días hospitalizados, mayoría obesos (52,9%) con alguna enfermedad previa a la Covid-19 (76,5%). Hubo reducción de la ansiedad (mediana de 9,0 a 2,0 [p=0,001]), estrés de 10,0 a 2,0 (p=0,001) y depresión de 6,0 a 2,0 (p<0,001) tras el entrenamiento físico. Conclusión: el entrenamiento físico fue eficaz para mejorar la ansiedad, el estrés y la depresión después de dieciocho sesiones.

Efecto de la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva sobre los estilos de alimentación de la población chilena / Effect of anxious and depressive symptomatology on eating styles in the chilean population

Resumen Antecedentes: existe una estrecha relación entre salud mental y estilos de alimentación. Indicadores de salud mental como sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva han reportado efectos directos sobre estilos de alimentación que promueven la malnutrición por exceso como la alimentación emocional o restrictiva. Se analizó el efecto de la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva sobre los estilos de alimentación en mujeres y hombres del norte y centro de Chile. Método: participaron 910 adultos residentes en el norte y centro de Chile; se aplicó el Cuestionario Holandés de Conducta Alimentaria (DEBQ), así como el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck (BAI) y el Inventario de Depresión de Beck-II (BDI-II). El análisis del modelo global de la relación entre variables se realizó mediante modelos de ecuaciones estructurales. Resultados: el modelo global presentó adecuados indicadores de bondad de ajuste; la sintomatología ansiosa tuvo un efecto directo y significativo sobre la alimentación emocional, alimentación externa y alimentación restrictiva. Por su parte, la sintomatología depresiva no presentó efectos significativos sobre ningún estilo de alimentación. Conclusiones: a medida que aumentan los niveles de ansiedad, aumentan los niveles de todos los estilos de alimentación. La depresión podría interactuar mediando la relación por el contexto emocional que genera la sintomatología depresiva.

Abstract Introduction: There is a close relationship between mental health and eating styles. Mental health indicators such as anxious and depressive symptomatology have reported direct effects on eating styles that promote excess malnutrition such as emotional or restrictive eating. The aim was to analyze the effect of anxious and depressive symptomatology on eating styles in women and men from northern and central Chile. Method: Nine hundred and ten adults living in northern and central Chile participated in the study. The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were administered. The analysis of the global model of the relationship between variables was carried out using structural equation modeling. Results: The structural model presented adequate goodness-of-fit indicators, anxious symptomatology had a direct and significant effect on emotional eating, external eating and restrictive eating. On the other hand, depressive symptomatology, did not present significant effects on any eating style. Conclusions: As anxiety levels increase, levels of all eating styles increase. Depression, could interact mediating the relationship by the emotional context that generates the depressive symptomatology.

Maternal separation and early social enrichment increase anxietyrelated behaviours of adolescent rats in the elevated plus maze / La separación materna y el enriquecimiento social temprano aumentan los comportamientos relacionados con ansiedad de ratas adolescentes en el laberinto en cruz elevado

Abstract Introduction: Adverse or favourable rearing conditions early in life affect emotional response during adolescence. To study the effect of early rearing on emotional response, animal models such as maternal separation (MS) and social enrichment (SE) by community nesting have been useful. However, the comparison of the effect of MS and SE on anxiety-related behaviours in adolescent rats is unknown. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of MS and SE on the emotional response of adolescent rats exposed to the elevated plus-maze test (EPM). Method: Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly distributed into three groups according to the rearing condition. In the MS group, pups were separated daily from their dams for 180 minutes, from postnatal day (P) 2 to 14. In the SE group, two females that gave birth synchronously were housed in a cage with a litter of eight pups. Females from control standard housing (SH) were individually housed and kept with their offspring until weaning (P23). On P32, anxiety-related measures were evaluated using an EPM. Results: MS and SE increase anxiety-related behaviours and locomotion in rats exposed to the EPM. SE had sex-dependent effects on anxiety-related measures, increasing vertical activity in females and horizontal activity in males. MS but not SE increased body weight gain in female rats. Conclusion: Adverse or favourable rearing conditions early in life may result in an increased anxiety phenotype in the EPM during adolescence. It is likely that the favourable effect of SE depends on the number of dams per communal nest.

Resumen Introducción: Las condiciones de crianza adversas o favorables en etapas tempranas de la vida afectan la respuesta emocional durante la adolescencia. Para estudiar el efecto de la crianza temprana sobre la respuesta emocional, han sido útiles modelos animales como la separación materna (SM) y el enriquecimiento social (ES) mediante anidamiento comunitario. Sin embargo, se desconoce la comparación del efecto de la SM y el ES sobre las conductas relacionadas con la ansiedad en ratas adolescentes. Objetivo: Este estudio pretende evaluar los efectos de la SM y el ES sobre la respuesta emocional de ratas adolescentes expuestas al test del laberinto en cruz elevado (EPM). Método: Las ratas Wistar preñadas se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en tres grupos según la condición de crianza. En el grupo SM, las crías fueron separadas diariamente de sus madres durante 180 minutos, desde el día postnatal (P) 2 hasta el 14. En el grupo ES, dos hembras que parieron de forma sincronizada se alojaron en una caja con una camada de ocho crías. Las hembras del alojamiento estándar de control (SH) se alojaron individualmente y se mantuvieron con sus crías hasta el destete (P23). En P32, se evaluaron las medidas relacionadas con la ansiedad mediante un EPM. Resultados: La SM y el ES aumentan las conductas relacionadas con la ansiedad y la locomoción en las ratas expuestas al EPM. El ES tuvo efectos dependientes del sexo en las medidas relacionadas con ansiedad, aumentando la actividad vertical en las hembras y la actividad horizontal en los machos. La SM, pero no el ES, incrementó la ganancia de peso corporal en las ratas hembra. Conclusiones: Condiciones de crianza adversas o favorables en etapas tempranas de la vida pueden dar lugar a un fenotipo de ansiedad aumentado en el EPM durante la adolescencia. Es probable que el efecto favorable del ES dependa del número de hembras por nido comunitario.

Augmentation of cognitive-behavioural therapy for obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: While cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders (ADs) has been proven to be effective and is commonly recommended, a considerable proportion of patients remain symptomatic, do not respond to treatment or discontinue it. Thus, augmentation strategies aimed at enhancing CBT outcomes are essential to reduce the burden of OCD and ADs on patients and society. Various augmentation strategies for CBT in OCD and ADs have been investigated, yet it remains unclear if they show robust beneficial effects beyond first-line CBT. With this systematic review and meta-analysis, we will provide an overview and critically assess the efficacy of non-pharmacological augmentation strategies in addition to first-line CBT treatment for symptom reduction, response rates and dropout rates in individuals with OCD or ADs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will screen PubMed, Embase, PsycArticles, PsycInfo, CINAHL, PSYNDEX and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials without restrictions on publication dates or languages. Additionally, forward, and backward searches of included studies and systematic reviews will be conducted. Two reviewers will independently screen the studies, extract data and assess the methodological quality of the studies. We will exclusively include randomised controlled trials. The primary outcomes will be symptom severity and response rates. Dropout rates will serve as a secondary outcome. Moreover, we will provide a narrative review of the results. We will use subgroup and meta-regression analyses to identify potential moderators and sources of between-study heterogeneity. We will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system to assess the overall quality of evidence. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024561027.

Correlation of intratumoral mast cell quantity with psychosocial distress in patients with pancreatic cancer: the PancStress study.

Mast cells are commonly found in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet their role in the disease remains uncertain. Although mast cells have been associated with depression in several diseases, their connection to PDAC in this context remains unclear. This study explored the correlation between mast cells and psychosocial stress in patients with PDAC. Prior to surgery, 40 patients with PDAC (n = 29 primary resected, n = 11 neoadjuvant treated) completed four questionnaires assessing stress and quality of life. Immunostaining was performed on the resected tumor tissue. Spearman analysis was employed to correlate mast cells with distress and neuropeptides serotonin and beta-endorphin serum and tissue levels. Patients with PDAC exhibited elevated levels of distress and worry. Lower number of mast cells within the tumor correlated with greater psychological burden. Among primary resected patients, mast cell count moderately correlated with joy and inversely with worries. Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, strong inverse correlation was observed between anxiety, depression, and mast cell quantity. No correlation was found between mast cells and serotonin or beta-endorphin levels. In summary, mast cell presence inversely correlates with psychosocial stress, suggesting a link between immune cells and psychological well-being in pancreatic cancer. Targeting mast cells might offer therapeutic avenues for addressing cancer-induced depression and anxiety.

Effectiveness of 8-week TReatment with vortioxetine on depressive symptoms in major depressive disorder patients with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder in UAE (TRUE).

BACKGROUND: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability and results in excessive utilization of healthcare resources worldwide. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region shows a high prevalence of depressive disorders. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and MDD have the highest rate of comorbidity of all mood and anxiety disorders, ranging from 40 to 98% in drug studies. Comorbid GAD results in more significant impairment in MDD and increases the severity of symptoms. Although several clinical trials supported the safety and effectiveness of vortioxetine, no data regarding these aspects has been revealed in the MENA region. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of vortioxetine in patients with comorbid GAD in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). METHOD: In a multicenter observational study, 118 patients with confirmed anxiety and depressive disorders were evaluated over four visits (baseline visit, two weeks, four weeks, and eight weeks) using MADRS and HAM-A scales to assess depression and anxiety severity, respectively by calculating mean change and the percent using Kendall's W test. RESULTS: A significant mean difference in MADRS score was observed, with a gradual decrease of mean MADRS total scores over the assessment weeks (p < 0.001) as well as in HAM-A scores, from severe to moderate-severe anxiety through the four visits (p < 0.001). Furthermore, only one case was reported as a serious side effect. Nausea and insomnia were the most predominant side effects reported among the studied population. CONCLUSION: Vortioxetine was found effective and safe among patients with MDD and comorbid GAD.

A randomized controlled trial on the impact of a specialized training program on anxiety and perceived pain in infertile women undergoing hysterosalpingography.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a minimally invasive procedure that can be painful. This study aimed to examine the impact of a tailored training program on anxiety and perceived pain intensity in infertile women undergoing HSG. This research was a clinical trial involving 86 infertile women who were candidates for HSG and conducted at the radiology department of the Royan Infertility Center in Tehran, Iran, between November 22, 2021, to March 11, 2023.The participants were divided into two groups:43 women in the intervention group and 43 women in the control group. The randomization of the samples was carried out using a random number table. The women in the intervention group received two face-to-face group training sessions. Data were collected using valid questionnaires. Additionally, the heart rate and blood pressure of the participants were recorded. Data analysis showed the training intervention was significantly associated with reducing anxiety levels, perceived pain, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate in women undergoing HSG (p < 0.05). These findings support the use of structured training interventions to improve the overall experience and outcomes for patients undergoing HSG.Trial Registration Number: IRCT20150905023897N4.

Psilocybin Reduces Grooming in the SAPAP3 Knockout Mouse Model of Compulsive Behaviour.

Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic compound which shows promise for treating compulsive behaviours. This is particularly pertinent as compulsive disorders require research into new pharmacological treatment options as the current frontline treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, require chronic administration, have significant side effects, and leave almost half of the clinical population refractory to treatment. In this study, we investigated psilocybin administration in male and female SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mice, a well-validated mouse model of obsessive compulsive and related disorders. We assessed the effects of acute psilocybin (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) administration on head twitch and locomotor behaviour as well as anxiety- and compulsive-like behaviours at multiple time-points (1-, 3- and 8-days post-injection). While psilocybin did not have any effect on anxiety-like behaviours, we revealed that acute psilocybin administration led to enduring reductions in compulsive behaviour in male SAPAP3 KO mice and reduced grooming behaviour in female wild-type (WT) and SAPAP3 KO mice. We also found that psilocybin increased locomotion in WT littermates but not in SAPAP3 KO mice, suggesting in vivo serotonergic dysfunctions in KO animals. On the other hand, the typical head-twitch response following acute psilocybin (confirming its hallucinogenic-like effect at this dose) was observed in both genotypes. Our novel findings suggest that acute psilocybin may have potential to reduce compulsive-like behaviours (up to 1 week after a single injection). Our study can inform future research directions as well as supporting the utility of psilocybin as a novel treatment option for compulsive disorders.

Effectiveness of Emotional-Focused Coping on Heart-Focused Anxiety in Patients Prior to Cardiac Catheterization.

BACKGROUND: Heart-focused anxiety involves a concentration on and a fear of cardiacrelated feelings and their anticipated negative outcomes (such as a life-threatening arrhythmia or abrupt cardiac death). It results in continuing concerns about heart function, avoiding activities that are thought to cause cardiac symptoms, and frequent behavior of requesting assistance in medical settings. This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of Emotional-Focused Coping on Heart-Focused Anxiety in Patients Prior to Cardiac Catheterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study using (pretest and posttest design with a control group). A purposive sampling technique was used to gather the study information from 120 patients prior to cardiac catheterization by using the beck anxiety inventory scale. The study is conducted in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf Government, Al-Najaf Center for Cardiac Surgery and Trans-Catheter Therapy. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference is found in participant's anxiety level prior to cardiac catheterization between the first measure before applying the coping techniques and the second measure after the application of coping strategies (Mean difference =13.500, P <0.0005). CONCLUSION: The emotional focused coping strategies are proving as easy interventions to apply and effective in terms of reducing the level of heart-focused anxiety prior to cardiac catheterization.

Cognitive, affective and sociological predictors of school performance in mathematics.

Mathematics is a key school subject for some of the most lucrative and economically important careers. Low mathematics performance in school is associated with low psychometric intelligence, family socioeconomic status (SES), specific mathematical abilities, and high mathematics anxiety. We used a sample of Hungarian schoolchildren (N = 102, mean age = 12.3 years) to directly compare the predictive power of general intelligence, specific mathematical abilities measured by the Pedagogical Examination of Dyscalculia (DPV), mathematics anxiety, and socioeconomic status for mathematics grades. Mathematics grades correlated with IQ, specific mathematic ability, mathematics anxiety, and a composite measure of family SES. The WISC-IV showcased a manifest correlation of 0.62 and a latent correlation of 0.78 with the DPV and high manifest (r=-0.53) and latent (r=-0.59) correlations with mathematics anxiety. IQ alone accounted for 52% of the variance in mathematics grades. IQ, specific mathematical ability, family SES and mathematics anxiety jointly accounted for 56% of the variance in grades, with a non-significant contribution of specific mathematical ability and family SES over IQ and a marginal contribution of mathematics anxiety. Our results show that psychometric intelligence is the most important predictor of mathematics grades, while family SES and specific mathematical abilities are only associated with grades to the extent they reflect psychometric intelligence. The results, however, confirmed a small role of mathematics anxiety over intelligence in predicting grades.

Sex differences in ß-N-Methylamino-L-alanine effects on zebrafish behavioral response.

The ß-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a neurotoxin produced by cyanobacteria and diatoms and related by triggered neurodegeneration. The exposure to neurotoxins has also been reported by causing emotional and neuroendocrine effects and these effects may be sex-specific. However, the effects of BMAA on emotions and pain, as well as neuroendocrine modulations remain poorly understood. Here, we evaluate potential sex differences in zebrafish behavioral responses to BMAA acute exposure on their anxiety and pain phenotypical behavioral repertoire and their neuroendocrine (cortisol) effects. Overall, sex differences in behavioral responses of adult zebrafish to BMAA exposure were demonstrated, as female fish reacted to it more strongly than males by altering their behavioral phenotype in both the novel tank and writhing -like behavior tests. In addition, sex differences were demonstrated in relation to time response, as male increased the writhing-like behavioral responses immediately after injection of BMAA, while female only 24-h after injection, reinforcing the painful stimulus caused by BMAA. However, the exposure to BMAA elevated the whole-body cortisol levels in both male and female zebrafish. Collectively, these findings emphasize the growing importance of studying sex differences in zebrafish, including the evaluation of neurotoxins effects on emotions and pain in this aquatic experimental model.

The multifaceted effects of migraine on Syrian society: insights from a multicenter cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is the most common primary headache. It's alone responsible for 1.3% of disability in the world. Migraine both worsen quality of life of individuals and place a significant burden on the society. Despite this, there exists a knowledge gap regarding its repercussions on the Syrian population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 679 migraine-diagnosed patients from all over Syria through electronic questionnaires disseminated on official social media platforms. Depending on demographic characteristics, physical and mental debility assessed using the Chalder scale, the Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item (GAD_2) scale. RESULTS: Our study included 679 participants (mean age: 29.49 years; BMI: 24.55). The sample was predominantly female (74.7%) and mostly single (52%). Females reported higher fatigue (mean = 21.48) than males (mean = 19.22; p < .001). However, Males had better Migraine-Specific Quality of Life (MSQ) scores (mean = 49.90) compared to females (mean = 42.27; p < .001). Females scored higher on anxiety (GAD-2: mean = 2.99 vs. mean = 2.35; p < .001). Moreover, urban residents had higher scores on the Role Preventive (RF-P) subscale of the MSQ than rural residents (mean = 49.93 vs. mean = 44.82; p = .014). Higher fatigue and anxiety levels were associated with lower quality of life scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study aimed to elucidate the multifaceted impact of migraines on daily life, considering diverse demographic variables to enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and disease management strategies.