rs12411980 single-nucleotide polymorphism related to PRTFDC1 expression is significantly associated with phantom tooth pain.

Phantom tooth pain (PTP) is one type of non-odontogenic neuropathic toothache, which rarely occurs after appropriate pulpectomy or tooth extraction. The cause of PTP is unknown. We investigated pain-related genetic factors that are associated with PTP. Four pain-associated genes, including G protein-coupled receptor 158 (GPR158) and phosphoribosyl transferase domain containing 1 (PRTFDC1), are adjacent to each other on the human genome. Some of these four genes or their genomic region may be related to PTP. We statistically analyzed associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genomic region and PTP in patients with PTP (PTP group), other orofacial pain (OFP group), and healthy control subjects. We then performed a database search of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). For the seven SNPs that were significantly associated with PTP even after Bonferroni correction, we focused on the rs12411980 tag SNP (p = 9.42 × 10-4). Statistical analyses of the PTP group and healthy subject groups (group labels: NOC and TD) revealed that the rate of the GG genotype of the rs12411980 SNP was significantly higher in the PTP group than in the healthy subject groups (PTP group vs. NOC group: p = 2.92 × 10-4, PTP group vs. TD group: p = 5.46 × 10-4; percentage of GG: 30% in PTP group, 12% in NOC group, 11% in TD group). These results suggest that the GG genotype of the rs12411980 SNP is more susceptible to PTP. The rs2765697 SNP that is in strong linkage disequilibrium with the rs12411980 SNP is an eQTL that is associated with higher PRTFDC1 expression in the minor allele homozygotes in the healthy subject groups of the rs2765697 SNP. Thus, PRTFDC1 expression similarly increases in the minor allele homozygotes (GG genotype) in the healthy subject groups of the rs12411980 SNP, which would lead to greater susceptibility to PTP.

The Prevalence of Binge Drinking and Alcohol-Related Consequences and their Relationship among Japanese College Students.

Binge drinking is a common and risky behavior among college students. In Japan, however, research on the prevalence of binge drinking and alcohol-related consequences, and the relationship between them, is currently scant. The aim of this study is to examine the status of binge drinking and alcohol-related problems, and the relationship between them, among Japanese college students. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of college students who participated in a health seminar or lecture including alcohol-related contents from December 2018 to January 2019. Drinking patterns and alcohol-related consequences were assessed using the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (B-YAACQ) and demographic data. A total of 382 students participated in the seminar, of whom 280 agreed to cooperate in this study and 249 had drinking experience. A total of 88 men (67.7%) and 42 women (32.2%) were classified as binge drinkers. Binge drinkers more significantly experienced various consequences, such as hangover, feeling remorse and embarrassing behavior and some of them were suspected of physical dependence. Furthermore, logistic analysis revealed that among men, the B-YAACQ scores of binge drinkers were 2.01-fold higher those of non-binge drinkers. The findings of this study indicated that binge drinking may cause not only physical consequences but also mental and social problems, especially among men. It is important to tell college students these risks properly not to engage in binge drinking.

The Use of All-You-Can-Drink System, Nomihodai, Is Associated with the Increased Alcohol Consumption among College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan.

Excessive drinking by college students is a major public health problem in Japan. However, data on heavy episodic drinking (HED) and nomihodai, a several-hour all-you-can-drink system, are scarce. We surveyed the drinking behavior of undergraduate and graduate students at 35 colleges, and examined the association between HED and use of nomihodai. The study used a cross-sectional design conducted by a self-administered questionnaire. From December 2016 to March 2017, we sampled undergraduate and graduate students aged 20 or older at 35 colleges in the Kanto area, including Tokyo. The following items were measured: 1) frequency of drinking; 2) frequency of binge drinking in the past year; 3) nomihodai use; 4) the number of drinks consumed when using or not using nomihodai; and 5) sex and age for demographic data. Paired t-test was used to compare means between use and non-use state of nomihodai. The Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the significance of the distribution difference between the two types of states. A total of 511 subjects completed the questionnaire, including 274 men and 237 women. The amount of drinking was increased 1.8-fold (85.9 ± 49.7 g vs. 48.2 ± 29.5 g) among men and 1.7-fold (63.7 ± 39.3 g vs. 36.5 ± 26.7 g) among women during nomihodai use, comapred with non-use states. Among them, 109 (39.8%) men and 71 (30.3%) women reported HED only at nomihodai states. These data suggest that the use of nomihodai system may lead to excessive drinking among college students.

Reasons for Drinking among College Students in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Binge drinking by college students is a problematic behavior. However, data on binge drinking and the reasons for drinking by college students in Japan are scarce. We explored the reasons for drinking among college students. The study used a cross-sectional design and a self-administered questionnaire. From December 2016 to March 2017, we sampled undergraduate and graduate students aged 20 or older at 35 colleges in the Kanto region of Japan. The questionnaire addressed 1) frequency of drinking alcohol, 2) amount of drinking per day, 3) frequency of binge drinking in the past year, and 4) reasons for drinking (with 12 possible responses). The t-test was used to compare the means between binge drinkers and non-binge drinkers. Logistic regression analysis was conducted on binge drinking and the reasons for drinking. The participants included 303 men and 260 women. Significant differences between men and women included the presence of binge drinking (men: 74.9%; women: 59.6%). Among male students, the statistically significant reasons given for binge drinking were "to feel happy or be in a good mood" and "to relieve stress," whereas among female students, the reasons were "to feel happy or be in a good mood," "to facilitate interpersonal relationships," "to forget something bad," and "to relieve stress." The reasons for drinking associated with binge drinking were identified. It is important to incorporate these results into preventive education about binge drinking aimed at college students in Japan.

Cumulative risk effect of household dysfunction for child maltreatment after intensive intervention of the child protection system in Japan: a longitudinal analysis.

BACKGROUND: Building an effective casework system for child maltreatment is a global issue. We estimated the effect of household dysfunction (i.e., interparental violence, caregiver mental health problems, and caregiver substance abuse) on child maltreatment to understand how to advance the current framework of child welfare. METHODS: The sample comprised 759 children (1- to 17-year-old; mean age was 10.6; 404 boys and 355 girls) placed in temporary custody units (one of the strongest intervention of the Japanese child protection system). Caseworkers from 180 units across 43 prefectures completed questionnaires on children and their family and were asked whether a child maltreatment report had been made after cancelation of custody in a 15-month follow-up period. The relations of household dysfunction and maltreatment reports were assessed using the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: About half (48.4%) of the children had been placed in the unit because of maltreatment, and 88.3% had a history of victimization. Seventy-six cases had maltreatment reports after cancelation. We entered household dysfunction variables individually into the model, and each had a significant relationship with maltreatment reports (hazard ratios for interparental violence, caregiver mental health problem, and substance abuse were 1.69, 1.69, and 2.19, respectively) after covariate adjustment. When treating these three variables as cumulative risk score model of household dysfunction, the hazard ratio increased with increasing number of score (1.96 for score two; 2.35 for score three; score 0 as reference). CONCLUSIONS: Greater household dysfunction score is a risk of maltreatment after intensive intervention. It is imperative to construct systems facilitating cooperation between child and adult service sectors and to deliver seamless services to children and families. Our findings provide child protect services with risk-stratified interventions for children at victimization risk and promote adult-focused services to be proactive in prevention or intervention for adults with perpetration risk.

Evaluation of the relationship between internet addiction and interpersonal relationships in university studentsin Japan.

With the popularization of the internet, internet addiction among the youth has received a lot of attention in recent years. While.the internet is an effective tool for: communication, the youth, who find real-life communication difficult, reportedly overuse,this aspect of the internet However, this is more of an impression based on clinical cases, with few factual findings. Therefore, the aim of this research was to study the reality of internet addiction -among university students and to examine the multilateral relationship between internet addiction and interpersonal relationships. We conducted a questibnnaire stirvey among 221 uriiversity students, analyzing the level of internet addiction, relevant interpersonal relationships, personal "charcteristics, and other factors associated with internet use. We found that the number of students who were dependent on the internet was 10 (4.7%) and the number of students with a tendency toward dependency was 98 (45.6%). In interpersonal relationships, internet addiction was significantly correlated with parental overprotection, a sense of contentment from the present parent-child rela- tionship, relationships with friends, number of friends, and availability of free time. In personal characteristics, internet addiction was significantly correlated with social skills and feelings of self-esteem. In other factors, internet addiction was significantly correlated with typing on a message board, video browsing, online gaming, use of a personal computer, desire to escape, distraction, pleasure, and connecting with others. Furthermore, we conducted a multiple regression analysis to consider the effects of these three aspects associated with internet addiction. The results suggest that internet addictionl is promoted by parental overprotection, low self-esteem, having few friends, and passive internet service usage. Thus, education is required to promote careful use of the internet to prevent internet addiction from escalating. Further, it is important to understand and support interpersonal relationships to prevent internet addiction from making life worse.

A study of factors contributing to the aggravation of gambling disorder.

While many Japanese nationals are considered to have problems with pachinko and pachisuro (Japanese slot machines), the factors contributing to the process by which gambling disorder-is aggravated remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish baseline data for measures to prevent the further escalation of this gambling disorder; To elucidate the contributing factors, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to pathological gamblers. The survey items were composed of the following basic attributes; scores on the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS); gambling motivation; matters arising, after gambling behavior; remedies for excessive gambling; the Kessler 6 (K6); the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye opener) questionnaire; and the 8-item Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale at Kwansei Gakuin IV (FACESKGIV-8). The results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis using SOGS scores as the dependent variable indicated that the variables determined to contribute to the aggravation of gambling addiction were age, sex, past employment experience in the service sector, obtaining money as a motivation for gambling, and seeing limits as a remedy for excessive gambling. Because gamblers tend to fixate on money and experience increasing difficulty devoting attention to other matters as gambling problems grow more serious, the results of this study suggest the need to provide environments that will enable affected individuals to reflect on their own style of gambling at the stage at which their gambling behavior begins to exceed the scope of their own revenue.

[Effectiveness of brief intervention for substance use disorder in Japan--a pilot study].

BACKGROUND: Relatively few hospitals can treat substance use disorder in Japan and the options for treatment are limited. Previous studies in the West have shown the effectiveness of brief intervention for substance use disorder. However, such treatment has not been sufficiently implemented in Japan. For this study, we developed brief intervention tools for substance use disorder, and conducted a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of treatment. METHODS: Participants in this study were recruited from those admitted for substance use disorder in the addiction treatment unit of Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital, and the recruitment period was from October 2013 through March 2014. The brief intervention consisted of one 30-min individual session. Four self-rating scales measuring motivation, relapse risk and self-efficacy were administered pre- and post-intervention: SOCRATES-8D, Stimulants Relapse Risk Scale, Drug Abuse Self-efficacy Scale and Visual Analogue Scale. RESULTS: Forty patients participated in this study. Subscale Scores at post-intervention that improved significantly compared to those at pre-intervention were Recognition (SOCRATES-8D); Total score and Anxiety and intention to use drug (Stimulants Relapse Risk Scale); Generalized self-efficacy (Drug Abuse Self-efficacy Scale); and Knowledge about drug abuse (Visual Analogue Scale). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that brief interventions may offer effective treatment for substance use disorder. A randomized controlled trial that contains an evaluation of abstinence rate in the follow-up period is needed to ascertain the efficacy of brief intervention for substance use disorder in Japan.

Association between KCNJ6 (GIRK2) gene polymorphism rs2835859 and post-operative analgesia, pain sensitivity, and nicotine dependence.

G-protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels are expressed in many tissues and activated by several Gi/o protein-coupled receptors, such as opioid and dopamine receptors, and thus are known to be involved in the modulation of opioid-induced analgesia, pain, and reward. We focused on a GIRK-channel subunit that plays a pivotal role in the brain, GIRK2, and investigated the contribution of genetic variations of the GIRK2 (KCNJ6) gene to individual differences in the sensitivity to opioid analgesia. In our initial linkage disequilibrium analysis, a total of 27 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected within and around the regions of the KCNJ6 gene. Among them, the rs2835859 SNP, for which associations with analgesia and pain have not been previously reported, was selected in the exploratory study as a potent candidate SNP associated with opioid analgesic sensitivity. The results were corroborated in further confirmatory study. Interestingly, this SNP was also found to be associated with sensitivity to both cold and mechanical pain, susceptibility to nicotine dependence, and successful smoking cessation. The results indicate that this SNP could serve as a marker that predicts sensitivity to analgesic and pain and susceptibility to nicotine dependence.

[Study on job support programs for drug addicts in japan: results of a nationwide survey on drug addiction rehabilitation centers (DARC)].

In Japan, many drug addiction rehabilitation centers (DARC) provide various types of recovery programs for drug addiction. The purpose of this study was to clarify the attitudes of DARC staff and users regarding job support programs. A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted in 2009. The staff of 46 facilities and 606 users returned questionnaires. The results indicated that many (92.1%) users had work experience before entering the recovery programs provided by DARC and about half (49.3%) of the users reported being motivated to work. Although many DARC have established various job support programs, the users faced various levels of anxieties to get employed and 60.4% of the users expected to learn more detailed and concrete methods for finding a job. Through the DARC programs, the users gradually realize the significance of basic daily living skills such as maintaining their rhythm of life or neat and presentable appearance. And the more they get recovered the more they understand the significance of "self-care" and "interpersonal relationship skills". These findings indicate that job support programs for drug addicts should also focus on these recovery processes. More extensive job supports dealing with more practical issues and covering a wide variety of anxieties would be imperative.

Meta-Analysis of Internet Gaming Disorder Prevalence: Assessing the Impacts of DSM-5 and ICD-11 Diagnostic Criteria.

With the inclusion of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) in both the DSM-5 and ICD-11, understanding the prevalence and diagnostic discrepancies is crucial for developing appropriate interventions. This study presents a meta-analysis of the prevalence of IGD based on two diagnostic criteria. We systematically searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases. A total of 22 studies were included in the final analysis. The analysis incorporated studies employing the DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria and focused on the impact of various factors, including study location, sample characteristics, sample size, and quality score, on the reported prevalence rates using a random-effects model. The pooled prevalence of IGD is 6.7% (95% CI: 5.7-7.7%). The subgroup analysis indicated significant differences in the prevalence rates of IGD (DSM-5 criteria) and GD (ICD-11 criteria) (Q b = 38.46, p < 0.01). There were also significant differences in IGD prevalence rates between different scales (Q b = 54.23, p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that different diagnostic criteria and different assessment scales have a significant impact on the prevalence of IGD. This underscores the importance of adopting standardized methodologies to guide public health interventions. However, given the limited research based on ICD-11 diagnostic criteria, further investigation is necessary to determine the variations in prevalence rates of IGD under different diagnostic standards.

Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of alcohol relapse risk scale (C-ARRS) in patients with alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is recognized as a chronic relapsing disorder. Alcohol Relapse Risk Scale (ARRS), a multidimensionally self-rating scale, was developed initially by the Japanese to assess the risk of alcohol reuse. The study aimed to validate the reliability and factor structure of the Chinese version of the ARRS (C-ARRS) for patients with AUD. A total of 218 patients diagnosed with AUD according to DSM-5 were recruited for self-administering C-ARRS. We assessed the internal consistency of C-ARRS using Cronbach's α coefficients and examined the factor structure through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Additionally, we investigated the concurrent validity by correlating C-ARRS with the Visual Analog Scale of Alcohol Craving (VAS), Penn Alcohol Craving Score (PACS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores. CFA demonstrated inadequate data fit for the original 32-item C-ARRS, prompting the development of a revised 27-item version consisting of 6 subscales with satisfactory model fit estimates. The 27-item C-ARRS exhibited favorable internal consistency, with Cronbach's α ranging from 0.611 to 0.798, along with adequate factor loadings. The 27-item C-ARRS scores displayed significant correlations with the scores of VAS, PACS, BDI and BAI (p < .001). Our results indicated favorable reliability and factor structure of the 27-item C-ARRS. The significant correlation between the 27-item C-ARRS and clinical measures (such as depression, anxiety, and craving) demonstrates satisfactory concurrent validity. These observations collectively support the feasibility of using 27-item C-ARRS to assess the risk of alcohol relapse in patients with AUD.

Psychometric validation of the Chinese Version of the stimulant relapse risk scale (SRRS) in patients with methamphetamine use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating the risk of relapse is a pivotal step in the treatment of patients with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). The 30-item Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS) was originally developed in Japan to meet the demand. This study examined the reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Chinese version of the SRRS for patients with MUD. METHODS: 247 patients with MUD self-rated the Chinese version of the SRRS. Cronbach's alpha coefficients and inter-item correlation analysis were used to assess the internal consistency reliability. Construct validity was determined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and concurrent validity was examined using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for drug craving and the severity of dependence scale (SDS). We followed the participants for 1 year and assessed the predictive validity based on the correlation of the scores of the Chinese version of the SRRS with the relapse rate within 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: CFA revealed satisfactory model fit estimates for the 22-item Chinese version of the SRRS that consisted of four subscales. The four-factored 22-item Chinese version of the SRRS had adequate internal consistency with Cronbach's alphas ranging from 0.76 to 0.92. The 22-item Chinese version of the SRRS scores were significantly correlated with the VAS and SDS scores as well as the relapse rate within 3, 6, and 12 months, indicating good concurrent and predictive validity of this scale. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed a cutoff score of 40 could discriminate between participants with (SDS score ≥ 4) and without (SDS score < 4) methamphetamine dependence (area under the curve = 0.71, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The 22-item Chinese version of the SRRS that consists of four subscales is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the relapse risk in patients with MUD.

[Research on the actual conditions of alcohol dependence, the harmful use of alcohol and the optimal treatment in gastroenterological inpatients].

PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to examine the status, Stages of Change and motivation, alcohol dependence, and harmful use of alcohol in gastroenterological inpatients. METHODS: We interviewed 141 gastroenterological inpatients and analyzed their medical charts. The interviews used the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), CAGE questionnaire and questions pertaining to drinking behavior, diagnosis, self-awareness of drinking/alcohol dependency, physician instructions regarding abstinence, and Stages of Change. The proportion of patients who screened positive was calculated based on the AUDIT, CAGE and International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 alcohol dependence/harmful use criteria. Alcohol dependence was defined as a score >or= 15 on the AUDIT, and harmful use as 8-14 on the AUDIT or meeting ICD-10 criteria for harmful use. Patients with alcohol dependence or harmful use comprised the hazardous drinking group. Common disorders in this group and in patients in a non-drinking group were compared by Fisher exact test. Stages of Change were also determined in the hazardous drinking group and factors regarding motivation and Stages of Change were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 141 patients, 18 (12.8%) scored >or= 15 on the AUDIT, 19 (13.5%) scored L 2 on the CAGE, and 48 (34%) scored >or= 8 on the AUDIT. Among those who met the ICD-10 criteria, 16.3% had alcohol dependence and 17.7% exhibited harmful use of alcohol. Significantly, common disorders in the hazardous drinking group included liver disease, colonic diverticulitis, gout/hyperuricemia, and pancreatitis. Of the alcohol-dependent patients, 52% were in the Preparation stage. After the Contemplation stage, instructions to abstain from alcohol were the most significant motivational factor. CONCLUSIONS: Many gastroenterological inpatients exhibited alcohol dependence and about half of these patients were able to prepare for behavioral changes related to drinking. Therefore, the gastroenterological ward may help in secondary prevention of alcohol dependence and harmful use.

[A change of patients with methamphetamine-related disorders admitted to Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital--the comparison between the second and third epidemics of methamphetamine abuse in Japan].

OBJECTIVES: Methamphetamine (MAP) is one of the most commonly abused drugs in Japan. Japan has experienced three major epidemics of MAP abuse. The characteristics of abusers have changed between the second and third epidemics; however, few epidemical studies have investigated these changes. The purpose of this study is to describe the differences in the characteristics of MAP abusers between the second and third epidemics. METHODS: We surveyed the medical records of patients admitted to Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital for MAP-related disorders between 1989 and 1993 (n=60; second epidemic group) and between 2004 and 2008 (n=119; third epidemic group). We compared patients' backgrounds and issues related to MAP abuse between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared to the second epidemic group, more abusers in the third epidemic group were similar to the general population of young people in terms of education level and criminal activity; were on welfare; had dependence syndrome; smoked MAP; and co-abused legal drugs. In contrast, abusers who exhibited antisocial tendencies and injected MAP were more likely to be in the second epidemic group. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed changes in the characteristics of MAP abusers between two of the three epidemics of MAP abuse in Japan. These findings suggested that the change of environments from the second epidemics of MAP abuse to the third one influenced the characteristics of MAP-related disorders. So, it is necessary to provide accurate and updated knowledge about MAP for the drug prevention to young people, and the treatment of dependence syndrome will become more important in the future.

Influence of GIRK channel inhibition on relapse risk in Japanese alcohol-dependent inpatients.

We examined the influence of G-protein-activated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channel inhibition on relapse risk in Japanese alcohol-dependent inpatients. The participants included 11 patients who received GIRK inhibition treatment and 39 patients who did not receive GIRK inhibition treatment. The participants answered a questionnaire, including the Alcohol Relapse Risk Scale (ARRS) and a questionnaire about their experiences of stressful events 2 weeks after hospitalization (time 1) and completed follow-up questionnaires 45-60 days after the first rating (time 2). A significant interaction was found between group and time on positive expectancy for alcohol scores on the ARRS (F = 5.93, p = 0.02). The scores at time 2 were lower than that at time 1 in the GIRK inhibition treatment group (p = 0.004) but not in the non-GIRK inhibition treatment group. The results of the present study suggest that GIRK inhibition treatment may improve the positive expectancy for alcohol, a component of relapse risk. The present study suggests that the effects of GIRK inhibition treatment should be investigated further in future studies.

[The association between beta-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphisms and personality traits].

The relationship between the polymorphisms (SNPs) of the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) gene and personality assessed by TCI (Temperament and Character Inventory), was studied among 192 healthy Japanese subjects (121 male subjects and 71 female subjects). In this study, the statistical analyses were performed overall and separately for each sex. As a result, it was shown that there were significant relationships between SD (self-directedness) and 49Ser/Gly (rs1801252) in ADRB1, P (persistence) and 389Arg/Gly (rs1801253) in ADRB1, and ST (self-transcendence) and 27Gln/Glu (rs1042714) in ADRB2 overall. Among the male subjects, there were further significant relationships between ST and 49Ser/Gly in ADRB1, NS (novelty-seeking), HA (harm avoidance) and P and 389Arg/Gly in ADRB1, and P and 64Arg/Trp(rsrs4994) in ADRB3. Among the female subjects, there were also significant relationships between SD and 49Ser/Gly in ADRB1, and C (cooperativeness) and 389Arg/Gly in ADRB1. Thus it was shown that there were correlations between beta-AR gene polymorphisms and several subscales of TCI.

Impact of Short-Term Intensive-Type Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention on Internet Addiction among Chinese College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The object of this study is to examine the effects of a short-term intensive-type Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) intervention to prevent internet addiction among Chinese college students. We conducted a randomized controlled trial applying a group counseling intervention program based on CBT. Data included 21 participants in the intervention group and 22 participants in the control group. The results showed that the intervention program reduced college students' internet addiction symptoms and procrastination and improved their sense of coherence. Regarding the sustained effect, internet addiction symptoms decreased and perceived social support from significant others improved in college students. However, the intervention program did not significantly reduce their average daily internet use time and psychological stress. Overall, this study developed a short-term intensive-type intervention program based on CBT theory, which is complementary for Chinese college students with internet addiction.

Ifenprodil for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder: An exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

AIM: No effective pharmacological interventions have been developed for patients with methamphetamine use disorder. Ifenprodil is a blocker of G protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium channels, which play a key role in the mechanism of action of addictive substances. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, exploratory, dose-ranging, placebo-controlled trial to examine the clinical efficacy of ifenprodil for the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder. METHODS: Participants were assigned to three groups: placebo, 60 mg/d ifenprodil, or 120 mg/d ifenprodil. The drug administration period was 84 days. The primary outcome was the use or nonuse of methamphetamine during the drug administration period in the placebo group vs 120 mg/d ifenprodil group. We also assessed drug use status, relapse risk based on the Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS), drug craving, and methamphetamine in urine as secondary outcomes. We further evaluated drug use status and SRRS subscale scores in patients who were not taking addiction medications during the study. RESULTS: Ifenprodil did not affect the primary or secondary outcomes. However, the additional analyses showed that the number of days of methamphetamine use during the follow-up period and scores on the emotionality problems subscale of the SRRS improved in the 120 mg/d ifenprodil group. The safety of ifenprodil was confirmed in patients with methamphetamine use disorder. CONCLUSION: The present findings did not confirm the efficacy of ifenprodil for methamphetamine use disorder treatment based on the primary or secondary outcomes, but we found evidence of its safety and efficacy in reducing emotionality problems. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (no. UMIN000030849) and Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (no. jRCTs031180080). The main registration site is jRCT (https://jrct.niph.go.jp/).

The Correlation between Enjoying Fictional Narratives and Empathy in Japanese Hikikomori.

Background: Hikikomori is a Japanese social withdrawal phenomenon which, in recent years, is spreading in western developed countries as well. Spending a lot of time secluded indoors, watching and playing with fictional narratives may be relatively common for Hikikomori people and may represent a protective factor for their psychological well-being.   Method: We evaluated the role of enjoying fictional narratives on empathy, relaxation, depression, and anxiety in people with Hikikomori experience, in relation to their daily consumption of fictional narratives and their emotional transportation toward fictional narratives. Hikikomori from one psychiatric clinic and three different support facilities were enrolled in this study. Multidimensional empathy scale, CES-D, STAI questionnaire, and relaxation inventory self-report scale were used as outcome measures.        Results: We found a significant correlation between empathy and emotional transportation toward fictional narratives and between relaxation during watching and reading fictional narratives and consumption frequency of fictional narratives.  We failed, however, to find any significant correlation with depression and anxiety.   Conclusions: These findings suggest a possible correlation between fiction and empathy/relaxation response; however, any causal relationship is not proven, consequently we deem that further investigations with a larger sample size are required for a better understanding.