The body of evidence of late-life depression: the complex relationship between depressive symptoms, movement, dyspnea and cognition.

BACKGROUND: Physical symptoms play an important role in late-life depression and may contribute to residual symptomatology after antidepressant treatment. In this exploratory study, we examined the role of specific bodily dimensions including movement, respiratory functions, fear of falling, cognition, and physical weakness in older people with depression. METHODS: Clinically stable older patients with major depression within a Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison program for Primary Care underwent comprehensive assessment of depressive symptoms, instrumental movement analysis, dyspnea, weakness, activity limitations, cognitive function, and fear of falling. Network analysis was performed to explore the unique adjusted associations between clinical dimensions. RESULTS: Sadness was associated with worse turning and walking ability and movement transitions from walking to sitting, as well as with worse general cognitive abilities. Sadness was also connected with dyspnea, while neurovegetative depressive burden was connected with activity limitations. DISCUSSION: Limitations of motor and cognitive function, dyspnea, and weakness may contribute to the persistence of residual symptoms of late-life depression.

Anti-hypothalamus autoantibodies in anorexia nervosa: a possible new mechanism in neuro-physiological derangement?

PURPOSE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and complex mental disorder affecting mainly young adult women. AN patients are characterized by low body weight in combination with self-induced starvation, intense fear of gaining weight, and distortion of body image. AN is a multifactorial disease, linked by recent evidence to a dysregulation of the immune system. METHODS: In this pilot study, 22 blood serums from AN patients were tested for the presence of autoantibodies against primate hypothalamic periventricular neurons by immunofluorescence and by a home-made ELISA assay. Cellular fluorescence suggests the presence of autoantibodies which are able to recognize these neurons (both to body cell and fiber levels). By means of ELISA, these autoantibodies are quantitatively evaluated. In addition, orexigenic and anorexigenic molecules were measured by ELISA. As control, 18 blood serums from healthy age matched woman were analysed. RESULTS: All AN patients showed a reactivity against hypothalamic neurons both by immunofluorescence and ELISA. In addition, ghrelin, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), and agouti-related peptide (AGRP) were significantly higher than in control serums (p < 0.0001). In contrast, leptin was significantly lower in AN patients than controls (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Immunoreaction and ELISA assays on AN blood serum suggest the presence of autoantibodies AN related. However, it is not easy to determine the action of these antibodies in vivo: they could interact with specific ligands expressed by hypothalamic cells preventing their physiological role, however, it is also possible that they could induce an aspecific stimulation in the target cells leading to an increased secretion of anorexigenic molecules. Further studies are needed to fully understand the involvement of the immune system in AN pathogenesis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, descriptive study.

Opposite effects of dopamine and serotonin on resting-state networks: review and implications for psychiatric disorders.

Alterations in brain intrinsic activity-as organized in resting-state networks (RSNs) such as sensorimotor network (SMN), salience network (SN), and default-mode network (DMN)-and in neurotransmitters signaling-such as dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT)-have been independently detected in psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between such neurotransmitters and RSNs in healthy, by reviewing the relevant work on this topic and performing complementary analyses, in order to better understand their physiological link, as well as their alterations in psychiatric disorders. According to the reviewed data, neurotransmitters nuclei diffusively project to subcortical and cortical regions of RSNs. In particular, the dopaminergic substantia nigra (SNc)-related nigrostriatal pathway is structurally and functionally connected with core regions of the SMN, whereas the ventral tegmental area (VTA)-related mesocorticolimbic pathway with core regions of the SN. The serotonergic raphe nuclei (RNi) connections involve regions of the SMN and DMN. Coherently, changes in neurotransmitters activity impact the functional configuration and level of activity of RSNs, as measured by functional connectivity (FC) and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations/temporal variability of BOLD signal. Specifically, DA signaling is associated with increase in FC and activity in the SMN (hypothetically via the SNc-related nigrostriatal pathway) and SN (hypothetically via the VTA-related mesocorticolimbic pathway), as well as concurrent decrease in FC and activity in the DMN. By contrast, 5-HT signaling (via the RNi-related pathways) is associated with decrease in SMN activity along with increase in DMN activity. Complementally, our empirical data showed a positive correlation between SNc-related FC and SMN activity, whereas a negative correlation between RNi-related FC and SMN activity (along with tilting of networks balance toward the DMN). According to these data, we hypothesize that the activity of neurotransmitter-related neurons synchronize the low-frequency oscillations within different RSNs regions, thus affecting the baseline level of RSNs activity and their balancing. In our model, DA signaling favors the predominance of SMN-SN activity, whereas 5-HT signaling favors the predominance of DMN activity, manifesting in distinct behavioral patterns. In turn, alterations in neurotransmitters signaling (or its disconnection) may favor a correspondent functional reorganization of RSNs, manifesting in distinct psychopathological states. The here suggested model carries important implications for psychiatric disorders, providing novel and well testable hypotheses especially on bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

What is the role of meteorological variables on involuntary admission in psychiatric ward? An Italian cross-sectional study.

Weather affects physical and mental health through several modalities which are not fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of meteorological variables and other indexes in a large sample of hospitalized patients, focusing on subjects who were involuntarily admitted. We hypothesized a direct relation between the amount of involuntary admissions and mean sunshine hours. Furthermore, we supposed that specific meteorological factors may significantly influence hospitalizations of patients affected by severe psychiatric conditions. All subjects were consecutively recruited from the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit of San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano (Turin, Italy) from September 2013 to August 2015. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were carefully collected. Meteorological data were derived by the Italian Meteorology's Climate Data Service of Physics Department of the University of Turin (Latitude: 45°03'07,15″ Nord, Longitude: 007°40'53,30″ Est, Altitude: 254 m above the sea level) (http://www.meteo.dfg.unito.it/). Our data indicate significant differences regarding temperature (minimum, maximum, and medium), solar radiation, humidex and windchill index, and hours of sunshine in psychiatric patients who were involuntarily hospitalized. After logistic regression analyses, only maximum and medium temperature, and humidex index remained significantly associated with involuntary admission in an emergency psychiatric ward. The limitations of this study include the cross-sectional study design and the single hospital for patients' recruitment. Furthermore, results and seasonal patterns obtained by patients requiring hospitalization might significantly differ from those who were not hospitalized. Exploring in a more detailed manner those environmental factors associated with involuntary admissions could lead to early intervention and prevention strategies for such distressing hospitalizations.

Opposing patterns of neuronal variability in the sensorimotor network mediate cyclothymic and depressive temperaments.

Affective temperaments have been described since the early 20th century and may play a central role in psychiatric illnesses, such as bipolar disorder (BD). However, the neuronal basis of temperament is still unclear. We investigated the relationship of temperament with neuronal variability in the resting state signal-measured by fractional standard deviation (fSD) of Blood-Oxygen-Level Dependent signal-of the different large-scale networks, that is, sensorimotor network (SMN), along with default-mode, salience and central executive networks, in standard frequency band (SFB) and its sub-frequencies slow4 and slow5, in a large sample of healthy subject (HC, n = 109), as well as in the various temperamental subgroups (i.e., cyclothymic, hyperthymic, depressive, and irritable). A replication study on an independent dataset of 121 HC was then performed. SMN fSD positively correlated with cyclothymic z-score and was significantly increased in the cyclothymic temperament compared to the depressive temperament subgroups, in both SFB and slow4. We replicated our findings in the independent dataset. A relationship between cyclothymic temperament and neuronal variability, an index of intrinsic neuronal activity, in the SMN was found. Cyclothymic and depressive temperaments were associated with opposite changes in the SMN variability, resembling changes previously described in manic and depressive phases of BD. These findings shed a novel light on the neural basis of affective temperament and also carry important implications for the understanding of a potential dimensional continuum between affective temperaments and BD, on both psychological and neuronal levels.

Effectiveness of Cerebellar Circuitry Modulation in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review.

Structural and functional abnormalities of the cerebellum have been observed in schizophrenia since the first neuroimaging studies. More recently, the functions of the cerebellum have been extended beyond sensorimotor control to include participation in higher-level cognition and affective regulation. Consistently, the "cognitive dysmetria" theory posits that dysfunctions of cortical-subcortical-cerebellar circuitry may be crucial for the pathogenesis of different clinical features of schizophrenia. This conceptual framework offers a set of testable hypotheses, now that various tools to exert direct modulation of cerebellar activity are available. We conducted a systematic review of studies examining the effects of cerebellar modulation in schizophrenia. Two independent authors conducted a search within PubMed for articles published up to April 2019 and identified 10 studies (three randomized controlled trials, two open-label studies, two case reports, one preclinical study) describing the effects of cerebellar circuitry modulation in patients with schizophrenia or animal models. The majority of interventions were uncontrolled and used stimulation of the cerebellar vermis, using transcranial magnetic stimulation or transcranial direct-current stimulation. Most studies detected improvements after cerebellar modulation. Clinical changes mostly pertained the domains of negative symptoms, depressive symptoms and cognitive functions. In conclusion, few studies examined the effects of cerebellar modulation in schizophrenia but yielded promising results. This approach may hold therapeutic potential, pending further methodologically robust replication.

Contrasting variability patterns in the default mode and sensorimotor networks balance in bipolar depression and mania.

Depressive and manic phases in bipolar disorder show opposite constellations of affective, cognitive, and psychomotor symptoms. At a neural level, these may be related to topographical disbalance between large-scale networks, such as the default mode network (DMN) and sensorimotor network (SMN). We investigated topographical patterns of variability in the resting-state signal-measured by fractional SD (fSD) of the BOLD signal-of the DMN and SMN (and other networks) in two frequency bands (Slow5 and Slow4) with their ratio and clinical correlations in depressed (n = 20), manic (n = 20), euthymic (n = 20) patients, and healthy controls (n = 40). After controlling for global signal changes, the topographical balance between the DMN and SMN, specifically in the lowest frequency band, as calculated by the Slow5 fSD DMN/SMN ratio, was significantly increased in depression, whereas the same ratio was significantly decreased in mania. Additionally, Slow5 variability was increased in the DMN and decreased in the SMN in depressed patients, whereas the opposite topographical pattern was observed in mania. Finally, the Slow5 fSD DMN/SMN ratio correlated positively with clinical scores of depressive symptoms and negatively with those of mania. Results were replicated in a smaller independent bipolar disorder sample. We demonstrated topographical abnormalities in frequency-specific resting-state variability in the balance between DMN and SMN with opposing patterns in depression and mania. The Slow5 DMN/SMN ratio was tilted toward the DMN in depression but was shifted toward the SMN in mania. The Slow5 fSD DMN/SMN pattern could constitute a state-biomarker in diagnosis and therapy.

Functional connectivity and neuronal variability of resting state activity in bipolar disorder--reduction and decoupling in anterior cortical midline structures.

INTRODUCTION: The cortical midline structures seem to be involved in the modulation of different resting state networks, such as the default mode network (DMN) and salience network (SN). Alterations in these systems, in particular in the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (PACC), seem to play a central role in bipolar disorder (BD). However, the exact role of the PACC, and its functional connections to other midline regions (within and outside DMN) still remains unclear in BD. METHODS: We investigated functional connectivity (FC), standard deviation (SD, as a measure of neuronal variability) and their correlation in bipolar patients (n = 40) versus healthy controls (n = 40), in the PACC and in its connections in different frequency bands (standard: 0.01-0.10 Hz; Slow-5: 0.01-0.027 Hz; Slow-4: 0.027-0.073 Hz). Finally, we studied the correlations between FC alterations and clinical-neuropsychological parameters and we explored whether subgroups of patients in different phases of the illness present different patterns of FC abnormalities. RESULTS: We found in BD decreased FC (especially in Slow-5) from the PACC to other regions located predominantly in the posterior DMN (such as the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and inferior temporal gyrus) and in the SN (such as the supragenual anterior cingulate cortex and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex). Second, we found in BD a decoupling between PACC-based FC and variability in the various target regions (without alteration in variability itself). Finally, in our subgroups explorative analysis, we found a decrease in FC between the PACC and supragenual ACC (in depressive phase) and between the PACC and PCC (in manic phase). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that in BD the communication, that is, information transfer, between the different cortical midline regions within the cingulate gyrus does not seem to work properly. This may result in dysbalance between different resting state networks like the DMN and SN. A deficit in the anterior DMN-SN connectivity could lead to an abnormal shifting toward the DMN, while a deficit in the anterior DMN-posterior DMN connectivity could lead to an abnormal shifting toward the SN, resulting in excessive focusing on internal contents and reduced transition from idea to action or in excessive focusing on external contents and increased transition from idea to action, respectively, which could represent central dimensions of depression and mania. If confirmed, they could represent diagnostic markers in BD.

BDNF plasma levels variations in major depressed patients receiving duloxetine.

It has been frequently reported that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Objective of the study was to investigate BDNF levels variations in MDD patients during antidepressant treatment with duloxetine. 30 MDD patients and 32 healthy controls were assessed using Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) and monitored for BDNF plasma levels at baseline, week 6 and week 12 of duloxetine treatment (60 mg/day) and at baseline, respectively. According to early clinical response to duloxetine (defined at week 6 by reduction >50 % of baseline HAM-D score), MDD patients were distinguished in early responders (ER) and early non-responders (ENR), who reached clinical response at week 12. Laboratory analysis showed significant lower baseline BDNF levels among patients compared to controls. During duloxetine treatment, in ENR BDNF levels increased, reaching values not significantly different compared to controls, while in ER BDNF levels remained nearly unchanged. Lower baseline BDNF levels observed in patients possibly confirm an impairment of the NEI stress-adaptation system and neuroplasticity in depression, while BDNF increase and normalization observed only in ENR might suggest differential neurobiological backgrounds in ER vs. ENR within the depressive syndrome.

Psychological dimensions in alcohol use disorder: comparing active drinkers and abstinent patients.

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major public health concern due to its various physical, psychological, and social consequences. Despite regulatory differences, abstinence remains the primary treatment objective. Addressing the multifaceted nature of alcohol use disorder requires a comprehensive approach. Methods: 150 AUD patients (66%male) with a mean age of 54.10 ± 11.3 years were recruited for the study. Depression, impulsivity, alexithymia, and hopelessness were assessed to determine if there were significant differences in these dimensions between abstinent (N=72) and active drinkers (N=78). Results: The study found significant differences in the psychological dimensions scores, active drinkers exhibited higher levels of depression, impulsivity, alexithymia, and hopelessness compared to abstinent patients. Conclusion: Treatment outcomes for patients with AUD vary between regulatory agencies, but abstinence remains the safest and most preferred objective in managing AUD. Prioritizing abstinence-oriented interventions is crucial for achieving long term recovery and minimizing relapse risk. These results emphasize the intricate relationship between AUD and mental health issues, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions addressing both alcohol consumption and associated psychological distress. Promoting abstinence (or at least reducing alcohol consumption) not only preserves mental health but also prevents life-threatening consequences such as suicide.

T-cell immunophenotype correlations with cortical thickness and white matter microstructure in bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and immunological alterations, such as T-cell and cytokine changes, are implicated in bipolar disorder (BD), with some evidence linking them to brain structural changes (e.g., cortical thickness (CT), gray matter (GM) volume and white matter (WM) microstructure). However, the connection between specific peripheral cell types, such as T-cells, and neuroimaging in BD remains scarcely investigated. AIMS OF THE STUDY: This study aims to explore the link between T-cell immunophenotype and neuroradiological findings in BD. METHODS: Our study investigated 43 type I BD subjects (22 depressive, 21 manic) and 26 healthy controls (HC), analyzing T lymphocyte immunophenotype and employing neuroimaging to assess CT for GM and fractional anisotropy (FA) for WM. RESULTS: In lymphocyte populations, BD patients exhibited elevated CD4+ and CD4+ central memory (TCM) cells frequencies, but lower CD8+ effector memory (TEM) and terminal effector memory (TTEM) cells. Neuroimaging analysis revealed reduced CT in multiple brain regions in BD patients; and significant negative correlations between CD4 + TCM levels and CT of precuneus and fusiform gyrus. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis showed widespread alteration in WM microstructure in BD patients, with negative and positive correlations respectively between FA and radial diffusivity (RD) and CD4 + TCM. Additionally, positive and negative correlations were found respectively between FA and RD and the CD8 + TEM and CD8 + TTEM subsets. CONCLUSIONS: Our research revealed distinct T lymphocyte changes and brain structure alterations in BD, underscoring possible immune-brain interactions, warranting further study and therapeutic exploration.

The Role of Inflammation in the Pathophysiology of Depression and Suicidal Behavior: Implications for Treatment.

Depression and suicidal behavior are 2 complex psychiatric conditions of significant public health concerns due to their debilitating nature. The need to enhance contemporary treatments and preventative approaches for these illnesses not only calls for distillation of current views on their pathogenesis but also provides an impetus for further elucidation of their novel etiological determinants. In this regard, inflammation has recently been recognized as a potentially important contributor to the development of depression and suicidal behavior. This review highlights key evidence that supports the presence of dysregulated neurometabolic and immunologic signaling and abnormal interaction with microbial species as putative etiological hallmarks of inflammation in depression as well as their contribution to the development of suicidal behavior. Furthermore, therapeutic insights addressing candidate mechanisms of pathological inflammation in these disorders are proposed.

Dysfunction of Inflammatory Pathways and Their Relationship with Anti-Hypothalamic Autoantibodies in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Despite several attempts, the etiopathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN) is still unknown. However, the activation of the immune response in neuropsychiatric diseases, including AN, is increasingly evident. We aimed to explore immune response parameters in patients with AN and identify the link between the presence of specific autoantibodies for hypothalamic antigens and the inflammatory response. The relationship between inflammatory markers and the duration of the disease has been also investigated. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with AN were included, and none were under psychopharmacological treatment or suffering from autoimmune conditions. Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, and IL-21 were determined by ELISA kits. In addition, autoantibodies against hypothalamic antigens are quantitatively evaluated. RESULTS: IL-6, IL-1 ß, TNF-α, and TGF-ß are significantly increased in patients with AN. A positive correlation with body mass index and with the amount of autoantibody specific for hypothalamic antigens exists. Notably, a progressive reduction of cytokines correlates with the progression of AN. In addition, IL-21 is increased in the blood of patients with AN and negatively correlates with autoantibody concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the increased pro-inflammatory phenotype in patients affected by AN correlates with the concentration of autoantibody specific for hypothalamic antigens. Of interest, the pro-inflammatory state seems to be reduced with duration of AN. In addition, IL-21 could work as a stimulant of the immune response, thus possibly increasing the autoreactivity.

Overall goal of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Major Psychiatric Disorders and Suicidality: A Narrative Review.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that is based on the underlying assumption that mental disorders and psychological distress are maintained by cognitive factors, that is, that general beliefs about the world, the self, and the future contribute to the maintenance of emotional distress and behavioral problems. The overall goal of CBT is to replace dysfunctional constructs with more flexible and adaptive cognitions. The most relevant cognitive-behavioral techniques in clinical practice are: i. Cognitive Restructuring (also known as the ABCDE method) is indicated to support patients dealing with negative beliefs or thoughts. The different steps in the cognitive restructuring process are summarized by the letters in the ABCDE acronym that describe the different stages of this coaching model: Activating event or situation associated with the negative thoughts, Beliefs and belief structures held by the individual that explain how they perceive the world which can facilitate negative thoughts, Consequences or feelings related to the activating event, Disputation of beliefs to allow individuals to challenge their belief system, and Effective new approach or effort to deal with the problem by facilitating individuals to replace unhelpful beliefs with more helpful ones. ii. Problem-Solving (also known as SOLVE) to raise awareness for specific triggers, and evaluate and choose more effective options. Each letter of the SOLVE acronym identifies different steps of the problem-solving process: Select a problem, generate Options, rate the Likely outcome of each option, choose the Very best option, and Evaluate how well each option worked. For example, a suicide attempt is reconceptualized as a failure in problem-solving. This treatment approach attempts to provide patients with a better sense of control over future emerging problems. iii. Re-attribution is a technique that enables patients to replace negative self-statements (eg, "it is all my fault") with different statements where responsibility is attributed more appropriately. Furthermore, decatastrophizing may help subjects, especially adolescents decide whether they may be overestimating the catastrophic nature of the precipitating event, and by allowing them to scale the event severity they learn to evaluate situations along a continuum rather than seeing them in black and white. iv. Affect Regulation techniques are often used with suicidal adolescents to teach them how to recognize stimuli that provoke negative emotions and how to mitigate the resulting emotional arousal through self-talk and relaxation.

The Association between Blood SIRT1 and Ghrelin, Leptin, and Antibody Anti-Hypothalamus: A Comparison in Normal Weight and Anorexia Nervosa.

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a sensor of cell energy availability, regulating metabolic homeostasis as well as leptin and ghrelin, and it could be considered as a potential plasmatic marker. The aim of this study was to assess whether circulating SIRT1 varies consistently with leptin, ghrelin, body mass index (BMI), and IgG reactive to hypothalamic antigens in anorexia nervosa (AN). Fifty-four subjects were evaluated: 32 with AN and 22 normal-weight control subjects. Serum levels of SIRT1, leptin, ghrelin, and IgG reactive to hypothalamic antigens were evaluated by ELISA. Results showed that serum SIRT1 is increased in patients with AN, and the amount is decreased in relation to the duration of the illness. SIRT1 concentration approaches the values obtained for the control group, although the difference is still statistically significant. A negative correlation between serum SIRT1 values and leptin or BMI values has been found. On the contrary, a positive correlation between SIRT1 and ghrelin or IgG specific for hypothalamic antigens is reported. These findings suggest that a peripheral evaluation of SIRT1 could be a possible clinical/biochemical parameter related to AN. In addition, we can assume that SIRT1 is related to autoantibody production and may correlate with the intensity/severity of AN. Thus, reducing the production of autoantibodies specific for hypothalamic cells could be a sign of improvement of the clinical condition.

COVID-19 Impact on the Italian Community-based System of Mental Health Care: Reflections and Lessons Learned for the Future.

Despite the unprecedented wave of research and publications sparked by the recent pandemic, only few studies have investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the Italian community-based system of mental health care. We aimed to summarize the available evidence from the literature also considering what we have learned from our daily clinical practice. As hospital care was restricted by COVID-19, although reducing their opening hours and activities, Community Mental Health Centers promoted continuity of care for at-risk populations, supporting them to cope with loneliness and hopelessness during quarantine and self-isolation. Ensuring continuity of care also remotely, via teleconsultation, lowered the risk of psychopathological decompensation and consequent need of hospitalization for mental health patients, with satisfaction expressed both by patients and mental health workers. Considering what we have learned from the pandemic, the organization and the activity of the Italian community-based system of mental health care would need to be implemented through 1) the promotion of a "territorial epidemiology" that makes mental health needs visible in terms of health care workers involved, 2) the increase of mental health resources in line with the other European high-income countries, 3) the formalization of structured initiatives of primary care and mental health cooperation, 4) the creation of youth mental health services following a multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach and encouraging family participation, 5) the promotion of day centers, to build competence and self-identity within a more participatory life, and programs geared to employment as valid models of recovery-oriented rehabilitation.

"Surrounded, detached": the relationship between defensive peripersonal space and personality.

Introduction: Personality shapes the cognitive, affective, and behavioral interactions between individuals and the environment. Defensive peripersonal space (DPPS) is the projected interface between the body and the world with a protective function for the body. Previous studies suggest that DPPS displays inter-individual variability that is associated with psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety. However, DPPS may share a link with personality traits. Methods: Fifty-five healthy participants were assessed with the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5)-Adult to evaluate personality dimensions. Subjects underwent the Hand Blink Reflex (HBR) task that estimates the DPPS limits by assessing the modulation of blink intensity in response to the median nerve stimulation. Data of the HBR was analyzed with Bayesian multilevel models, while the relationship between DPPS and personality traits was explored using network analysis. Results: HBR was best modeled using a piecewise linear regression model, with two distinct slope parameters for electromyographic data. Network analyzes showed a positive correlation between the proximal slope and detachment personality trait, suggesting that individuals with higher scores in the detachment trait had an increased modulation of HBR, resulting in a larger extension of the DPPS. Discussion: Features of the detachment personality trait include avoidance of interpersonal experiences, restricted affectivity, and suspiciousness, which affect interpersonal functioning. We suggest that DPPS may represent a characteristic feature of maladaptive personality traits, thus constitute a biomarker or a target for rehabilitative interventions.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Correlates Associated with the Frequent Service Users in an Italian Psychiatric Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to identify the main sociodemographic and clinical correlates associated with frequent service users (FSUs) in an Italian psychiatric emergency department. METHODS: This study is an observational and prospective clinical investigation. All subjects (N = 549) consecutively admitted to the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit of the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino ((Genoa, Italy) were recruited over a period of 18 months. RESULTS: On average, FSUs were more likely to be single (75.0% vs. 64.0, p = 0.001), younger (38.79 years ± 14.68 vs. 45.94 years ± 16.94, p = 0.028), with an earlier onset (20.15 years ± 7.22 vs. 29.33 years ± 15.96, p < 0.001), and longer length of hospitalisation (13.65 days ± 12.40 vs. 9.89 ± 10.15, p = 0.006) compared to non-FSUs. While bipolar disorder was the most common primary diagnosis in both FSUs and non-FSUs, cluster B personality disorder was particularly elevated in FSUs (30.3% vs. 10.4%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, FSUs were more prone to substance use disorder (63.6% vs. 40.0%, p < 0.001), particularly cannabis (45.5% vs. 15.3%, p < 0.001), cocaine (33.3% vs. 10.4%, p < 0.001), and heroin (19.7% vs. 5.8%, p < 0.001), and were more likely to have non-suicidal self-injuries (21.2% vs. 6.8%, p < 0.001). FSUs were significantly more likely to be discharged against medical advice (18.2% vs. 5.6%, p < 0.001) or to have at least one escape attempt from the psychiatric ward (12.1% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Specific clinical and social profiles of patients who repeatedly utilised the services of a psychiatric emergency department have been identified. Our findings can be used to develop suitable structures to support and reintegrate FSUs into society and work life.

The Expression of Affective Temperaments in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Psychopathological Associations and Possible Neurobiological Mechanisms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and affective temperaments, considering the relevance of ionic balances in neural excitability, as a possible neurobiological basis for temperamental expression. A cross-sectional study involving 55 adult CF patients was conducted. Sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics, temperamental and personality dispositions and depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated through standardized semi-structured and structured interviews. The majority of the enrolled CF patients were receiving Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) therapy (72.7%), and most of them had hyperthymic temperament predominance (29.1%). Different TEMPS-A (Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire) dimensions were not associated with the type of CF phenotype-related mutation or with the use of CFTR-modulator therapy. However, a tendency towards irritability was noted in patients not undergoing CFTR modulator therapy (6.7 ± 4.72 vs. 4.7 ± 4.33; p = 0.13). In light of the limitations imposed by the cross-sectional nature of the study, a hyperthymic temperament was found to be protective against current or lifetime psychopathologic events, whereas the other temperaments were associated with positive psychopathological anamnesis. Based on the measurement of temperament profiles and the study of their associations with clinically relevant variables, we argue that subjecting CF patients to such a temperament assessment could prove beneficial in the transition towards integrated and personalized care.

Sensation seeking correlates with increased white matter integrity of structures associated with visuospatial processing in healthy adults.

Introduction: The ability to process sensory information is an essential adaptive function, and hyper- or hypo-sensitive maladaptive profiles of responses to environmental stimuli generate sensory processing disorders linked to cognitive, affective, and behavioral alterations. Consequently, assessing sensory processing profiles might help research the vulnerability and resilience to mental disorders. The research on neuroradiological correlates of the sensory processing profiles is mainly limited to the young-age population or neurodevelopmental disorders. So, this study aims to examine the structural MRI correlates of sensory profiles in a sample of typically developed adults. Methods: We investigated structural cortical thickness (CT) and white matter integrity, through Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), correlates of Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) questionnaire subscales in 57 typical developing subjects (34F; mean age: 32.7 ± 9.3). Results: We found significant results only for the sensation seeking (STS) subscale. Positive and negative correlations emerged with fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD) in anterior thalamic radiation, optic radiation, superior longitudinal fasciculus, corpus callosum, and the cingulum bundle. No correlation between sensation seeking and whole brain cortical thickness was found. Discussion: Overall, our results suggest a positive correlation between sensation seeking and higher white matter structural integrity in those tracts mainly involved in visuospatial processing but no correlation with gray matter structure. The enhanced structural integrity associated with sensation seeking may reflect a neurobiological substrate linked to active research of sensory stimuli and resilience to major psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.