Frequency and perceived effectiveness of mental health providers' coping strategies during COVID-19.

There has been an emphasis on understanding the detrimental effects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on individuals' wellbeing. Healthcare workers, including mental health providers, may experience increased emotional and behavioral health concerns to a greater degree than the general public. The objective of the present study was to examine the frequency and the perceived effectiveness of various coping strategies implemented by mental health practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as differences across career stages (i.e., trainees versus licensed practitioners [LPs]). Survey data were collected from mental health practitioners (N = 888) assessing the strategies they used to manage COVID-19-associated anxiety/distress and the perceived effectiveness of these strategies. Bonferroni-adjusted chi-square tests and t-tests were conducted to assess differences by career stage. Overall, respondents used various coping strategies, most commonly behavioral strategies such as distraction/engaging in an enjoyable activity (88.63%), spending time with loved ones (77.82%), and exercise (72.64%). Over one-quarter reported using alcohol to cope (28.27%). Respondents generally perceived their coping strategies as somewhat to very effective; no strategies were generally perceived as ineffective. Compared to LPs, trainees were significantly more likely to manage COVID-19-related anxiety/distress using supervision (p < .001) and substances other than alcohol or tobacco (p < .001). There were no significant differences in how effective trainees and LPs perceived each strategy. U.S. mental health practitioners' use of predominantly behavioral coping strategies, which were generally perceived as effective, during the first months of COVID-19 offers implications for interventions as the pandemic progresses.

The relationship between the Neuro-Quality of Life Depression and Anxiety Measures and the Personality Assessment Inventory in persons with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the associations between the Neuro-Quality of Life (NQOL) Depression and Anxiety measures with an objective emotional inventory (Personality Assessment Inventory; PAI), and demonstrate the clinical utility of the NQOL as screening measures for depression and anxiety in persons with epilepsy (PWE). METHODS: PWE (N=72) were concurrently administered the NQOL Depression and Anxiety measures and the PAI. Pearson product moment correlations were used to determine the relationships between the NQOL measures and the respective PAI scales (i.e., depression, anxiety). One-way ANOVAs were conducted comparing NQOL scores between patients with elevated levels of depression and anxiety (T-score≥65 on the PAI) to profiles that were within normal limits. Using sensitivity and specificity analyses, optimal cut-scores on the NQOL measures were determined. RESULTS: Participants were primarily Caucasian (89%), female (60%), and ~35 years old. The NQOL Depression measure was significantly correlated with the PAI Depression total score (r=.747; p<0.001) and its subscales (p's<0.001). Similarly, the NQOL Anxiety measure was significantly correlated with the PAI Anxiety total score (r=.750; p<0.001) and its subscales (p's<0.001). Compared to profiles that were within normal limits, individuals with elevated depressive symptoms on the PAI had significantly higher NQOL Depression scores (F(1,71)=48.2, p<0.001, d=1.6). Similarly, those who endorsed elevated anxiety on the PAI had significantly higher NQOL Anxiety scores (F(1,71)=32.2, p<0.001, d=1.5). Cut-off scores of 19 on the NQOL Depression and 24 on the NQOL Anxiety measures adequately detected depression (sensitivity=0.67; specificity=0.93; PPV=0.91; NPV=0.74) and anxiety symptoms (sensitivity=0.77; specificity=0.82; PPV=0.81; NPV=0.78) in PWE. CONCLUSIONS: The NQOL Depression and Anxiety measures evidenced strong associations with the PAI Depression and Anxiety scales and may be effective in detecting depressive and anxiety symptoms in PWE using the provided cut-scores.

Electrocardiographic characteristics in individuals with cocaine use disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic cocaine use has been linked to several abnormalities in cardiac functioning. The objective of this study was to further characterize baseline heart rate and electrocardiograph (ECG) profiles of individuals with cocaine use disorder (CUD) by evaluating demographic and drug use variables that may impact cardiovascular profiles. METHODS: Participants with CUD (n = 335, primarily African-American males) provided demographic and drug use data and ECG profiles (eg, heart rate, PR Interval, QRS, and QTc) were obtained via 12-lead ECG. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent and ten percent of cocaine users met criteria for sinus bradycardia (heart rate ≤60) and severe bradycardia (heart rate ≤50), respectively. Females had significantly higher heart rate (p = .020, d = .30) and QTc (p < .001, d = .75) and significantly lower QRS (p = .002, d = .42) in comparison to males. Those who were cocaine positive had higher QTc (p = .025, d = .26) with a higher prevalence of bradycardia (chi-square = 3.91, p = .048) than those who were negative. Cocaine users who also used alcohol had significantly lower PR Interval (p = .003, d = .36), QRS (p = .014, d = .29), and QTc (p = .037, d = .25) than those who denied alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: These findings characterize the baseline heart rate and ECG profiles of individuals with CUD, confirm previous reports of cocaine-induced alterations in cardiovascular function, and demonstrate factors impacting cardiovascular profiles. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: While exploratory, these results suggest the presence of bradycardia may serve as a useful biomarker for initiating therapy for individuals with CUD and averting potential adverse cardiovascular events. Future prospective studies are needed to assess this possibility. (Am J Addict 2017;26:221-227).

Genetic variation of the dopamine transporter (DAT1) influences the acute subjective responses to cocaine in volunteers with cocaine use disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify gene variants of DAT1 (SLC6A3) that modulate subjective responses to acute cocaine exposure. METHODS: Non-treatment-seeking volunteers (n=66) with cocaine use disorders received a single bolus infusion of saline and cocaine (40 mg, intravenous) in a randomized order. Subjective effects were assessed with visual analog scales administered before (-15 min) and up to 20 min after infusion. Ratings of subjective effects were normalized to baseline, and saline infusion values were subtracted. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. DNA from the participants was genotyped for the DAT1 intron 8 (rs3836790) and 3'-untranslated region (rs28363170) variable number of tandem repeats. RESULTS: Participants were mostly male (∼80%) and African American (∼70%). No differences were found among drug use variables between groups for either polymorphism. Carriers of the 9-allele of the DAT1 3'-untranslated region (9,9 and 9,10) exhibited greater responses to cocaine for 'high', 'any drug effect', 'anxious', and 'stimulated' (all P-values<0.001) compared with individuals homozygous for the 10-allele. For the intron 8 polymorphism, individuals homozygous for the 6-allele exhibited greater responses for 'anxious' compared with carriers of the 5-allele (P<0.001). Individuals possessing the genotype pattern of 10,10 and at least one 5-allele reported lower responses to 'good effects', 'bad effects', 'depressed', and 'anxious' (all P-values<0.01). CONCLUSION: The data presented here show for the first time support for the hypothesis that genetic differences in DAT1 contribute to the variation in subjective responses to cocaine among participants with cocaine use disorders.

Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of the Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Huperzine A as a Treatment for Cocaine Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Cholinergic transmission is altered by drugs of abuse and contributes to psychostimulant reinforcement. In particular, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, like huperzine A, may be effective as treatments for cocaine use disorder. METHODS: The current report describes results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which participants (n=14-17/group) were randomized to huperzine A (0.4 or 0.8 mg) or placebo. Participants received randomized infusions of cocaine (0 and 40 mg, IV) on days 1 and 9. On day 10, participants received noncontingent, randomized infusions of cocaine (0 and 20mg, IV) before making 5 choices to receive additional infusions. RESULTS: Huperzine A was safe and well-tolerated and compared with placebo, treatment with huperzine A did not cause significant changes in any cocaine pharmacokinetic parameters (all P>.05). Time-course and peak effects analyses show that treatment with 0.4 mg of huperzine A significantly attenuated cocaine-induced increases of "Any Drug Effect," "High," "Stimulated," "Willing to Pay," and "Bad Effects" (all P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: The current study represents a significant contribution to the addiction field since it serves as the first published report on the safety and potential efficacy of huperzine A as a treatment for cocaine use disorder.

Withdrawal Symptoms and Nicotine Dependence Severity Predict Virtual Reality Craving in Cigarette-Deprived Smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be effective in eliciting responses to nicotine cues in cigarette smokers. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether cigarette-deprived smokers would exhibit increased craving and changes in heart rate when viewing cigarette related cues as compared to non-smoking cues in a VR environment, and the secondary aim was to assess the extent to which self-assessed measures of withdrawal and dependence correlated with VR craving. METHODS: Nicotine-dependent cigarette smokers were recruited for a 2 day study. On Day 1, participants smoked as usual and on Day 2 were deprived from smoking overnight. On both days, participants completed self-assessment questionnaires on withdrawal, craving, and nicotine-dependence. Participants completed a VR session during the cigarette deprivation condition only (Day 2). During this session, they were exposed to active smoking and placebo (non-smoking) cues. RESULTS: The data show that self-reported levels of "craving" (p < .01) and "thinking about cigarettes" (p < .0001) were significantly greater after exposure to the active cues versus non-smoking cues. Significant increases in heart rate were found for 3 of 4 active cues when compared to non-smoking cues (p < .05). Finally, significant positive correlations were found between self-reported craving prior to the VR session and craving induced by active VR cues (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In this report, active VR cues elicited craving during cigarette deprivation. This is the first study to demonstrate that self-reported craving, withdrawal symptoms, and nicotine dependence severity predict cue-induced craving in the VR setting.

Safety and efficacy of varenicline to reduce positive subjective effects produced by methamphetamine in methamphetamine-dependent volunteers.

Methamphetamine use is increasing in the US. Although there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for methamphetamine dependence, preclinical and clinical studies suggest that methamphetamine users may benefit from treatments that enhance cholinergic neurotransmission. Consequently, we determined the safety and the efficacy of varenicline treatment, a partial agonist at α4ß2 and a full agonist at α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, to reduce positive subjective effects produced by smoked methamphetamine. Additionally, the effects of treatment with varenicline on the cardiovascular and reinforcing effects of methamphetamine were determined. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects trial of varenicline vs. placebo in methamphetamine-dependent volunteers who were not seeking treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive one dose of varenicline (0, 1, or 2 mg) po BID, titrated up to the target dose over days 1-7, during each of three separate inpatient phases. Safety measures included the frequency, duration, severity, and relatedness of adverse events reported. Positive subjective effects included 'Any drug effect', 'High', 'Good effects', 'Stimulated', and 'Drug liking', which were rated by participants before and for 1 h after smoking methamphetamine (0, 10, and 30 mg). There were no serious adverse events and no differences in adverse events reported during the three phases. Varenicline (2 mg) significantly reduced ratings of 'Any drug effect' and 'Stimulated', as well as attenuated ratings of 'High', 'Drug liking', and 'Good effects', produced by methamphetamine (30 mg). The ability of varenicline to attenuate the positive subjective effects of methamphetamine in the laboratory suggests that varenicline should continue to be explored as a treatment for methamphetamine dependence.

Neurosurgical neuromodulation therapy for psychiatric disorders.

Psychiatric disorders are among the leading contributors to global disease burden and disability. A significant portion of patients with psychiatric disorders remain treatment-refractory to best available therapy. With insights from the neurocircuitry of psychiatric disorders and extensive experience of neuromodulation with deep brain stimulation (DBS) in movement disorders, DBS is increasingly being considered to modulate the neural network in psychiatric disorders. Currently, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the only U.S. FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) approved DBS indication for psychiatric disorders. Medically refractory depression, addiction, and other psychiatric disorders are being explored for DBS neuromodulation. Studies evaluating DBS for psychiatric disorders are promising but lack larger, controlled studies. This paper presents a brief review and the current state of DBS and other neurosurgical neuromodulation therapies for OCD and other psychiatric disorders. We also present a brief review of MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS), a novel form of neurosurgical neuromodulation, which can target deep subcortical structures similar to DBS, but in a noninvasive fashion. Early experiences of neurosurgical neuromodulation therapies, including MRgFUS neuromodulation are encouraging in psychiatric disorders; however, they remain investigational. Currently, DBS and VNS are the only FDA approved neurosurgical neuromodulation options in properly selected cases of OCD and depression, respectively.

Safety and feasibility clinical trial of nucleus accumbens deep brain stimulation for treatment-refractory opioid use disorder.

OBJECTIVE: There were more than 107,000 drug overdose deaths in the US in 2021, the most ever recorded. Despite advances in behavioral and pharmacological treatments, over 50% of those receiving treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) experience drug use recurrence (relapse). Given the prevalence of OUD and other substance use disorders (SUDs), the high rate of drug use recurrence, and the number of drug overdose deaths, novel treatment strategies are desperately needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the nucleus accumbens (NAc)/ventral capsule (VC) and potential impact on outcomes in individuals with treatment-refractory OUD. METHODS: A prospective, open-label, single-arm study was conducted among participants with longstanding treatment-refractory OUD (along with other co-occurring SUDs) who underwent DBS in the NAc/VC. The primary study endpoint was safety; secondary/exploratory outcomes included opioid and other substance use, substance craving, and emotional symptoms throughout follow-up and 18FDG-PET neuroimaging. RESULTS: Four male participants were enrolled and all tolerated DBS surgery well with no serious adverse events (AEs) and no device- or stimulation-related AEs. Two participants sustained complete substance abstinence for > 1150 and > 520 days, respectively, with significant post-DBS reductions in substance craving, anxiety, and depression. One participant experienced post-DBS drug use recurrences with reduced frequency and severity. The DBS system was explanted in one participant due to noncompliance with treatment requirements and the study protocol. 18FDG-PET neuroimaging revealed increased glucose metabolism in the frontal regions for the participants with sustained abstinence only. CONCLUSIONS: DBS of the NAc/VC was safe, feasible, and can potentially reduce substance use, craving, and emotional symptoms in those with treatment-refractory OUD. A randomized, sham-controlled trial in a larger cohort of patients is being initiated.

Fostering telecompetence: A descriptive evaluation of clinical psychology predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship implementation of telehealth education.

PURPOSE: Telehealth education within clinical psychology predoctoral internships and postdoctoral fellowships has become a frequent recommendation designed to prepare future providers with evidence-informed telehealth skills that can be applied to rural populations. Unfortunately, the availability of telehealth training among internships and fellowships, as well as areas for growth, remains unclear. Thus, the current study evaluated graduate clinical psychology internship and fellowship integration of telehealth training components before and after the onset of COVID-19. METHODS: Individuals representing 74 internships and 29 fellowships completed author-created REDCap-hosted demographic and telehealth training surveys. FINDINGS: Before COVID-19, 2 internships and 4 fellowships reported implementing telehealth education, with a majority of materials for both types of programs being optional educational targets and generally encompassing 0-15 hours of student education. After the onset of COVID-19, 72 internships and 27 fellowships indicated implementing telehealth education, with a majority indicating materials as mandatory and encompassing between 0 and 50+ hours. Despite increases, 73.6% of internship programs and 62.1% of fellowship programs noted a desire for their students to receive additional telehealth education in the future. Integrated educational foci are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated positive trends in the development of telehealth education among internships and fellowships. Nevertheless, some programs can likely benefit from additional integration of telehealth components, as well as more formal programming built around field-supported competencies and models. While work is required to further clarify field offerings, the current study provided a preliminary evaluation of internship and fellowship telehealth educational offerings.

Noninvasive Neuromodulation in Parkinson's Disease: Insights from Animal Models.

The mainstay treatments for Parkinson's Disease (PD) have been limited to pharmacotherapy and deep brain stimulation. While these interventions are helpful, a new wave of research is investigating noninvasive neuromodulation methods as potential treatments. Some promising avenues have included transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and focused ultrasound (FUS). While these methods are being tested in PD patients, investigations in animal models of PD have sought to elucidate their therapeutic mechanisms. In this rapid review, we assess the available animal literature on these noninvasive techniques and discuss the possible mechanisms mediating their therapeutic effects based on these findings.

A pilot study investigating cognitive impairment associated with opioid overdose.

BACKGROUND: In 2021, while overdose (OD) deaths were at the highest in recorded history, it is estimated that >80% of ODs do not result in a fatality. While several case studies have indicated that opioid-related ODs can result in cognitive impairment, the possible association has not yet been systematically investigated. METHODS: 78 participants with a history of OUD who reported experiencing an OD in the past year (n=35) or denied a lifetime history of OD (n=43) completed this study. Participants completed cognitive assessments including the Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF) and the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB). Comparisons were made between those who experienced an opioid-related OD in the past year versus those who denied a lifetime OD history while controlling for factors including age, premorbid functioning, and number of prior ODs. RESULTS: When comparing those who experienced an opioid-related OD within the past year to those without a history of OD, uncorrected standard scores were generally comparable; however, differences emerged in the multivariable model. Specifically, compared to those without a history of OD, those who experienced a past year OD evidenced significantly lower total cognition composite scores (coef. = -7.112; P=0.004), lower crystalized cognition composite scores (coef. = -4.194; P=0.009), and lower fluid cognition composite scores (coef. = -7.879; P=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Findings revealed that opioid-related ODs may be associated with, or contribute to, reduced cognition. Extent of the impairment appears contingent upon individuals' premorbid intellectual functioning and the cumulative number of past ODs. While statistically significant, clinical significance may be limited given that performance differences (∼4 - 8 points) were not particularly robust. More rigorous investigation is warranted, and future studies must also account for the many other variables possibly contributing to cognitive impairment.

Identifying biomarkers of drug use recurrence using wearable device technologies and phone applications.

BACKGROUND: Identifying predictors of drug use recurrence (DUR) is critical to combat the addiction epidemic. Wearable devices and phone-based applications for obtaining self-reported assessments in the patient's natural environment (e.g., ecological momentary assessment; EMA) have been used in various healthcare settings. However, the utility of combining these technologies to predict DUR in substance use disorder (SUD) has not yet been explored. This study investigates the combined use of wearable technologies and EMA as a potential mechanism for identifying physiological/behavioral biomarkers of DUR. METHODS: Participants, recruited from an SUD treatment program, were provided with a commercially available wearable device that continuously monitors biometric signals (e.g., heart rate/variability [HR/HRV], sleep characteristics). They were also prompted daily to complete an EMA via phone-based application (EMA-APP) that included questionnaires regarding mood, pain, and craving. RESULTS: Seventy-seven participants are included in this pilot study (34 participants experienced a DUR during enrollment). Wearable technologies revealed that physiological markers were significantly elevated in the week prior to DUR relative to periods of sustained abstinence (p<0.001). Results from the EMA-APP revealed that those who experienced a DUR reported greater difficulty concentrating, exposure to triggers associated with substance use, and increased isolation the day prior to DUR (p<0.001). Compliance with study procedures during the DUR week was lower than any other period of measurement (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that data acquired via wearable technologies and the EMA-APP may serve as a method of predicting near-term DUR, thereby potentially prompting intervention before drug use occurs.

Low-intensity focused ultrasound targeting the nucleus accumbens as a potential treatment for substance use disorder: safety and feasibility clinical trial.

Introduction: While current treatments for substance use disorder (SUD) are beneficial, success rates remain low and treatment outcomes are complicated by co-occurring SUDs, many of which are without available medication treatments. Research involving neuromodulation for SUD has recently gained momentum. This study evaluated two doses (60 and 90 W) of Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU), targeting the bilateral nucleus accumbens (NAc), in individuals with SUD. Methods: Four participants (three male), who were receiving comprehensive outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder at the time of enrollment and who also had a history of excessive non-opioid substance use, completed this pilot study. After confirming eligibility, these participants received 10 min sham LIFU followed by 20 min active LIFU (10 min to left then right NAc). Outcomes were the safety, tolerability, and feasibility during the LIFU procedure and throughout the 90-day follow-up. Outcomes also included the impact of LIFU on cue-induced substance craving, assessed via Visual Analog Scale (VAS), both acutely (pre-, during and post-procedure) and during the 90-day follow-up. Daily craving ratings (without cues) were also obtained for one-week prior to and one-week following LIFU. Results: Both LIFU doses were safe and well-tolerated based on reported adverse events and MRI scans revealed no structural changes (0 min, 24 h, and 1-week post-procedure). For the two participants receiving "enhanced" (90 W) LIFU, VAS craving ratings revealed active LIFU attenuated craving for participants' primary substances of choice relative to sham sonication. For these participants, reductions were also noted in daily VAS craving ratings (0 = no craving; 10 = most craving ever) across the week following LIFU relative to pre-LIFU; Participant #3 pre- vs. post-LIFU: opioids (3.6 ± 0.6 vs. 1.9 ± 0.4), heroin (4.2 ± 0.8 vs. 1.9 ± 0.4), methamphetamine (3.2 ± 0.4 vs. 0.0 ± 0.0), cocaine (2.4 ± 0.6 vs. 0.0 ± 0.0), benzodiazepines (2.8 ± 0.5 vs. 0.0 ± 0.0), alcohol (6.0 ± 0.7 vs. 2.7 ± 0.8), and nicotine (5.6 ± 1.5 vs. 3.1 ± 0.7); Participant #4: alcohol (3.5 ± 1.3 vs. 0.0 ± 0.0) and nicotine (5.0 ± 1.8 vs. 1.2 ± 0.8) (all p's < 0.05). Furthermore, relative to screening, longitudinal reductions in cue-induced craving for several substances persisted during the 90-day post-LIFU follow-up evaluation for all participants. Discussion: In conclusion, LIFU targeting the NAc was safe and acutely reduced substance craving during the LIFU procedure, and potentially had longer-term impact on craving reductions. While early observations are promising, NAc LIFU requires further investigation in a controlled trial to assess the impact on substance craving and ultimately substance use and relapse.

Acute modafinil exposure reduces daytime sleepiness in abstinent methamphetamine-dependent volunteers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute, oral modafinil (200 mg) exposure on daytime sleepiness in methamphetamine (Meth)-dependent individuals. Eighteen Meth-dependent subjects were enrolled in a 7-d inpatient study and were administered placebo or modafinil on day 6 and the counter-condition on day 7 (randomized) of the protocol. Subjects completed several subjective daily assessments (such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Beck Depression Inventory and visual analogue scale) throughout the protocol as well as objective assessments on days 5-7, when the Multiple Sleep Latency Test was performed. The results of the current study suggest that short-term abstinence from Meth is associated with increased daytime sleepiness and that a single dose of 200 mg modafinil reduces daytime somnolence in this population. In addition, a positive correlation was found between subjective reporting of the likelihood of taking a nap and craving and desire for Meth, as well as the likelihood of using Meth and whether Meth would make the participant feel better. The results of this study should be considered when investigating candidate medications for Meth-dependence, especially in those individuals who attribute their Meth use to overcoming deficits resulting from sleep abnormalities.

Deep brain stimulation for psychiatric disorders and behavioral/cognitive-related indications: Review of the literature and implications for treatment.

While pharmacological and/or behavioral treatments are effective in managing symptoms for many patients with psychiatric diagnoses and disorders with behavioral/cognitive manifestations, a subset of individuals are treatment-refractory, unable to achieve appreciable benefit or symptom relief from traditional methods. In recent years, neuromodulation has gained momentum as an adjunctive treatment for improving outcomes in patients who are treatment-refractory. One form of neuromodulation, deep brain stimulation (DBS), has been investigated for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders and behavioral/cognitive symptoms. The following article provides a review of DBS investigations for several psychiatric and behavioral-related disorders, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, Alzheimer's disease, anorexia, obesity, schizophrenia, and posttraumatic stress disorder. PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, and Web of Science were used to identify published articles, and Clinicaltrials.gov was used to identify currently ongoing or planned studies. Findings revealed the potential utility of DBS in improving outcomes for various psychiatric and behavioral/cognitive-related disorders. While promising, there are several limitations present in the available literature, and further well-designed clinical trials are necessary before conclusive decisions regarding the utility of DBS for the treatment of these psychiatric/behavioral/cognitive-related disorders can be made. Regardless, the studies included in this review demonstrate positive preliminary findings for the potential benefit of DBS for treatment of a variety of psychiatric disorders, and further research is warranted to better determine the potential utility of DBS for those who are treatment-refractory and unable to achieve symptom relief with standard care.

Educating for the Future: a Preliminary Investigation of Doctoral-Level Clinical Psychology Training Program's Implementation of Telehealth Education.

Literature has reinforced the importance of telehealth-focused education to foster provider competence and optimal patient care. As clinical psychology evolves to meet field needs, many have suggested graduate school as an optimal time to offer comprehensive telehealth education. Despite the rapid expansion of telehealth post-COVID-19, the extent of telehealth-specific doctoral-level programming, as well as the foci of available trainings, has remained unclear. To address this gap and inform future work, the current study evaluated doctoral-level clinical psychology training programs throughout the USA. Fourteen doctoral-level training programs completed author-created REDCap-hosted demographic and telehealth training surveys. Pre-COVID-19, three of fourteen programs reported implementing some form of telehealth-focused education, with a majority of the information being viewed as optional targets for instructors. Contrastingly, thirteen programs indicated implementing telehealth-focused education post-COVID-19, with a majority of the information being indicated as mandatory educational targets. Despite increases in educational activities, a large number of programs endorsed a desire for additional telehealth-focused education for students as they transition into future roles. Educational foci, methods of training, and instructor preparation are discussed. While participation was limited, the current study demonstrated positive trends in the development of telehealth-focused education. Nevertheless, there remains an ongoing need for both specialized coursework and a wider range of educational topics. Ultimately, the current study is believed to have provided a preliminary evaluation of the types and foci of telehealth-focused education among doctoral-level clinical psychology training programs.

Neurocognitive impairments and brain abnormalities resulting from opioid-related overdoses: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Non-fatal opioid-related overdoses have increased significantly over the past two decades and there have been increasing reports of brain injuries and/or neurocognitive impairments following overdose events. Limited preclinical research suggests that opioid overdoses may cause brain injury; however, little is known about such injuries in humans. The purpose this systematic review is to summarize existing studies on neurocognitive impairments and/or brain abnormalities associated with an opioid-related overdose in humans. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE and PsyINFO were searched, without year restrictions, and identified 3099 articles. An additional 24 articles were identified by reviewing references. Articles were included if they were published in English, reported study findings in humans, included individuals 18 years of age or older, and reported an objective measure of neurocognitive impairments and/or brain abnormalities resulting from an opioid-related overdose. Six domains of bias (selection, performance, attrition, detection (two dimensions) and reporting were evaluated and themes were summarized. RESULTS: Seventy-nine journal articles, published between 1973-2020, were included in the review. More than half of the articles were case reports (n = 44) and there were 11 cohort studies, 18 case series, and 6 case-control studies. All of the studies were categorized as at-risk of bias, few controlled for confounding factors, and methodological differences made direct comparisons difficult. Less than half of the studies reported toxicology results confirming an opioid-related overdose; 64.6 % reported brain MRI results and 27.8 % reported results of neuropsychological testing. Only two studies had within subject comparative data to document changes in the brain possibly associated with an overdose. Despite these limitations, existing publications suggest that brain injuries and neurocognitive impairments are associated with opioid overdose. Additional research is needed to establish the incidence of overdose-related brain injuries and the potential impact on functioning, as well as engagement in treatment of substance use disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory depression is a defining characteristic of opioid overdose and prolonged cerebral hypoxia may cause brain injuries and/or neurocognitive impairments. The onset, characteristics, and duration of such injuries is variable and additional research is needed to understand their clinical implications.

Neuropsychologists' practice adjustments: The impact of COVID-19.

Objective: The field of neuropsychology's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by a rapid change in clinical practice secondary to physical distancing policies and orders. The current study aimed to further characterize the change in neuropsychologists' professional practice, specifically related to teleneuropsychology (TNP) service provision, and also provide novel data regarding the impact of the pandemic on providers' emotional health. Method: This study surveyed 142 neuropsychologists between 3/30/2020 and 4/10/2020, who worked within a variety of settings (e.g., academic medical centers, general hospitals, Veterans Affairs medical centers, rehabilitation hospitals) across all four U.S. geographic regions. Mixed-model analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were conducted to assess for differences in neuropsychological practice (i.e., total number of patients and proportion of TNP seen per week) across time points (i.e., late February and early April) by practice setting and region. Descriptive statistics were conducted to describe respondents' perceptions of TNP, emotional responses to the pandemic, and perceptions of institutional/employers'/practices' responses. Results: Nearly all respondents (∼98%) reported making practice alterations, with ∼73% providing at least some TNP. Neuropsychologists across all settings and regions reported performing a higher proportion of TNP evaluations by April 2020. On average, respondents reported a medium amount of distress/anxiety related to COVID-19, which had a "somewhat small impact" on their ability to practice overall. Conclusions: The current study further elucidated neuropsychologists' provision of TNP services and offered initial data related to their emotional response to the pandemic. Future research is needed to examine the viability and sustainability of TNP practice.

High prevalence of co-occurring substance use in individuals with opioid use disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Funding to address the current opioid epidemic has focused on treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD); however, rates of other substance use disorders (SUDs) remain high and non-opioid related overdoses account for nearly 30% of overdoses. This study assesses the prevalence of co-occurring substance use in West Virginia (WV) to inform treatment strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of, and demographic and clinical characteristics (including age, gender, hepatitis C virus (HCV) status) associated with, co-occurring substance use among patients with OUD in WV. METHODS: This retrospective study utilized the West Virginia Clinical and Translation Science Institute Integrated Data Repository, comprised of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) data from West Virginia University Medicine. Deidentified data were extracted from inpatient psychiatric admissions and emergency department (ED) healthcare encounters between 2009 and 2018. Eligible patients were those with OUD who had a positive urine toxicology screen for opioids at the time of their initial encounter with the healthcare system. Extracted data included results of comprehensive urine toxicology testing during the study timeframe. RESULTS: 3,127 patients met the inclusion criteria of whom 72.8% had co-occurring substance use. Of those who were positive for opioids and at least one additional substance, benzodiazepines were the most common co-occurring substances (57.4% of patients yielded a positive urine toxicology screen for both substances), followed by cannabis (53.1%), cocaine (24.5%) and amphetamine (21.6%). Individuals who used co-occurring substances were younger than those who were positive for opioids alone (P < 0.001). There was a higher prevalence of individuals who used co-occurring substances that were HCV positive in comparison to those who used opioids alone (P < 0.001). There were limited gender differences noted between individuals who used co-occurring substances and those who used opioids alone. Among ED admissions who were positive for opioids, 264 were diagnosed with substance toxicity/overdose, 78.4% of whom had co-occurring substance use (benzodiazepines: 65.2%; cannabis: 44.4%; cocaine: 28.5%; amphetamine: 15.5%). Across the 10-year timespan, the greatest increase for the entire sample was in the rate of co-occurring amphetamine and opioid use (from 12.6% in 2014 to 47.8% in 2018). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the current substance use epidemic extends well beyond opioids, suggesting that comprehensive SUD prevention and treatment strategies are needed, especially for those substances which do not yet have any evidence-based and/or medication treatments available.