NEOS: An odour-induced affect scale for use in the cosmetic industry.

This work proposes an odour-induced affect scale for use in the cosmetic industry that relies on the approach that produced the UniGEOS, a universal odour-related emotional scale from the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences. The Natura Emotion and Odor Scale (NEOS) was built on experiments conducted with a larger set of participants (491) and a set of 35 scents that combine seven commercial perfumes from Natura & Co cosmetic company with 28 odours from different olfactory classes important for the cosmetic industry. The results showed the stability of 60 Emotion-Related terms in Brazilian Portuguese split into five emotion-related dimensions: Romance, Attention, Energy, Well-being and Negative feelings. The association of the scents evoking these five dimensions has direct implications in the design of new products.

Ce travail propose une échelle d'affect induite par des odeurs passible d'être utilisée dans l'industrie cosmétique. Cette échelle s'appuie sur l'approche qui a produit l'UniGEOS, une échelle affective universelle liée aux odeurs du Swiss Center for Affective Sciences. L'échelle Natura Emotion and Odor Scale (NEOS) a été construite sur la base d'expériences menées avec un plus grand nombre de participants (491) et un ensemble de 35 arômes combinant sept parfums commerciaux de la compagnie Natura & Co avec 28 odeurs de différentes classes olfactives importantes pour l'industrie cosmétique. Les résultats ont montré la stabilité de 60 termes liés aux émotions en portugais brésilien, répartis en cinq dimensions liées aux émotions : Romance, Attention, Énergie, Bien-être et Sentiments négatifs. L'association des arômes évoquant ces cinq dimensions a des implications directes dans la conception de nouveaux produits.

Olfactory interference on the emotional processing speed of visual stimuli: The influence of facial expressions intensities.

Research on olfactory stimulation indicates that it can influence human cognition and behavior, as in the perception of facial expressions. Odors can facilitate or impair the identification of facial expressions, and apparently its hedonic valence plays an important role. However, it was also demonstrated that the presentation of happiness and disgust faces can influence the emotional appraisal of odorants, indicating a bilateral influence in this phenomenon. Hence, it's possible that odor influences on emotional categorization vary depending on the intensity of expressions. To investigate this hypothesis, we performed an emotion recognition task using facial expressions of five emotional categories (happiness, fear, disgust, anger and sadness) with ten different intensities. Thirty-five participants completed four blocks of the task, each with a different olfactory condition, and we found that odorants' effects varied according to the facial expressions intensity. Odorants enhanced the Reaction Time (RT) differences between threshold and high-intensity expressions for disgust and fear faces. Also, analysis of the RT means for high-intensity facial expressions revealed that the well-known advantage in recognition of happiness facial expressions, compared to other emotions, was enhanced in the positive olfactory stimulation and decreased in the negative condition. We conclude that olfactory influences on emotional processing of facial expressions vary along intensities of the latter, and the discrepancies of past research in this field may be a result of a bilateral effect in which the odorants influence the identification of emotional faces just as the facial expressions influence the emotional reaction to the odor.

Mindfulness-Based Versus Story Reading Intervention in Public Elementary Schools: Effects on Executive Functions and Emotional Health.

INTRODUCTION: In this study we compared the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) with a story reading intervention (SI) on the executive functions and psychological profile of children in two different public schools in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: In this controlled clinical trial, 207 children aged 8 to 9 years old responded to the Five-Digit Test (FDT), stress levels, depression, anxiety, positive and negative affect, at baseline (T0) and 8 weeks later (T1). From T0 to T1, school 1 participated in MBI classes and school 2 in IS classes. RESULTS: In school 1 (MBI), children improved their scores on all tests except reading (errors) and counting (errors) compared with school 2. No differences were observed between groups in terms of emotional health. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to implement MBI or SI in Brazilian public schools. Students in the MBI group presented broader effects in executive functions, while students in the SI group showed a trend toward reduced negative affect and depression symptoms.

The Integration of Meditation and Positive Psychology Practices to Relieve Stress in Women Workers (Flourish): Effects in Two Pilot Studies.

Meditation and positive psychology have been reported as promising approaches to deal with stress. This exploratory pilot study aims to evaluate the efficacy of meditation and positive psychology-based intervention on stress. Two experiments are reported; in the first one, 29 healthcare professionals were included (intervention = 14; control = 15), and the second one included 57 women managers (intervention = 27; control = 30). All participants were evaluated before and after eight weeks for levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and psychiatric symptoms. In Experiment 1, intervention group participants showed a reduction in stress levels and anxiety symptoms, and in Experiment 2, participants in the intervention group showed a decrease in stress, psychiatric symptoms, and sleep quality, when compared to the control group. A multi-component intervention based on positive psychology and meditation practices was effective at reducing stress as well as improving related stress parameters such as anxiety, psychiatric symptoms, and sleep quality.

A New Mental Health Mobile App for Well-Being and Stress Reduction in Working Women: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Although the availability and use of mobile mental health apps has grown exponentially in recent years, little data are available regarding their efficacy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an app developed to promote stress management and well-being among working women compared with a control app. METHODS: Female employees at a private hospital were invited to participate in the study via mailing lists and intranet ads. A total of 653 individuals self-enrolled through the website. Eligible participants were randomized between control (n=240) and intervention (n=250) groups. The well-being mobile app provides an 8-week program with 4 classes per week (including a brief theoretical portion and a 15-min guided practice). The active control app also provided 4 assessments per week that encouraged participants to self-observe how they were feeling for 20 min. We also used the app to conduct Web-based questionnaires (10-item Perceived Stress Scale and 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index) and ask specific questions to assess subjective levels of stress and well-being at baseline (t1), midintervention (t4=4 weeks after t1) and postintervention (t8=8 weeks after t1). Both apps were fully automated without any human involvement. Outcomes from the control and intervention conditions at the 3 time points were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Among the randomized participants (n=490), 185 participants were excluded at the 4-week follow-up and another 79 at the 8-week follow-up because of noncompliance with the experimental protocol. Participants who did not complete t4 and t8 assessments were equally distributed between groups (t4: control group=34.6% [83/240] and intervention group=40.8% [102/250]; P=.16; t8: control group=29.9% [47/157] and intervention group=21.6% [32/148]; P=.10). Both groups showed a significant increase in general well-being as a function of time (F2,426=5.27; P=.006), but only the intervention group presented a significant increase in work-related well-being (F2,426=8.92; P<.001), as well as a significant reduction in work-related and overall stress (F2,426=5.50; P=.004 and F2,426=8.59; P<.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The well-being mobile app was effective in reducing employee stress and improving well-being. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02637414; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02637414.

The University of São Paulo Twin Panel: Current Status and Prospects for Brazilian Twin Studies in Behavioral Research.

The University of São Paulo Twin Panel (Painel USP de Gêmeos), based at the Institute of Psychology of the University of São Paulo, started formally in 2017. Our registry is new, but in only two years of formal existence, it comprises a volunteer sample of 4826 registered individuals (98% twins and 2% higher-order multiples), recruited at the University of São Paulo and by social media campaigns. Our main aim is to conduct and promote research with twins on psychological processes and behavior. The University of São Paulo is the largest higher education and research institution in South America, and the Painel USP de Gêmeos has great potential for fostering research on twin-related issues from a psychological perspective in Brazil and South America.

Optimism, Pessimism, and Migraine: A Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Optimism and pessimism are related to several mental health and brain disorders, are significant predictors of physical and psychological health outcomes, and implicated as psychosocial determinants of the pain experience. Despite this promising evidence, limited information is available on optimism and pessimism in headache disorders. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of optimism and pessimism in meeting criteria for migraine and related disability in a population-based sample. METHODS: This is an observational, cross-sectional study. The sample population was selected through a stratified, multi-stage area probability sample of households, as used by the last Brazilian Census. A validated questionnaire eliciting data on demographics, headache features, migraine-related disability, depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), optimism, and pessimism (life orientation test - revised) was administered to people with migraine and headache-free control participants from the general population in São Paulo, Brazil via trained interviewers. Six hundred individuals were contacted. The odds for having migraine/no headache diagnosis were calculated by binary logistic regression, and ordinal regression was performed to check associations between migraine-related disability and optimism. RESULTS: A total of 302 individuals (mean ± SD age: 39.7 ± 12.7; BMI: 26.5 ± 5.9) met inclusion criteria and were included, 140 controls (with no history of headache disorders) and 162 people meeting criteria for migraine (29 with chronic migraine, that is, 15 or more headache days/month). People with migraine were less optimistic and more pessimistic than controls, and endorsed higher levels of anxious and depressive symptoms. Pessimism (OR 95% CI = 1.16 [1.05-1.28], P = .005) and anxiety (OR 95% CI = 1.19 [1.10-1.29], P < .001) were predictors of meeting criteria for migraine, while optimism (ß 95% CI = -0.915 [-1.643, -0.188], P = .01) was inversely associated with migraine-related disability. CONCLUSIONS: Optimism and pessimism are associated with migraine and migraine-related disability. These concepts should be further explored in people with migraine with regard to their potential influences on clinical research outcomes and treatments.

The effects of perceived chronic stress on the fMRI correlates of attentional control in women managers.

The aims of the current study were to examine differences in brain responses to cognitive control in stressed and non-stressed women managers. Stress complaints are highly prevalent among active workers and play an important role in women managers mental health and cognitive functioning. Psychosocial stress has been associated with differential executive functions in this population, but little is known about the neural correlates underlying such differences. We examined brain responses of a particular group of workers that has been proposed to have a different response to stress as a function of their status (i.e., managers). Stressed (n = 19) and non-stressed women managers (n = 21) were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during the performance of a cognitively demanding task. We used the Stroop color-word task to compare neural activation associated with the suppression of a predominant response tendency (i.e., word reading) and the initiation of an appropriate behavior alternative (i.e., naming word color). Despite similar behavioral performances, stressed managers exhibited increased activation in the occipital cortex during response inhibition. No regions were more activated in the non-stressed relative to the stressed group. This finding of greater activation has been interpreted as compensatory brain response to maintain performance in front of cognitive challenge.

Quality of life is related to the functional connectivity of the default mode network at rest.

Quality of life is an important issue concerning people all over the world and affecting patients in the mental health field. When considering the potential neural links between quality of life and the brain, a brain network that comes into mind is the default mode network (DMN). Its architecture and function has been investigated in relation to various research fields including social and emotional cognition, meditation and neuropsychiatric disorders as well as happiness. In this cross-sectional study we investigated the relationship between various quality of life domains (physiological, psychological, social and environmental) and the functional connectivity of the default mode network at rest in a sample of 42 healthy working female managers. The results indicate that there is a significant association between the social quality of life domain and the functional connectivity of the default mode network. Post-hoc analysis revealed that high social quality of life scores were associated with right-left lateral parietal hypoconnectivity. By adopting a wide ranging perspective, our study approaches to fundamental research about quality of life but so far only applied on a female subgroup. As far as we know, it is the first to analyze the neuronal correlates of quality of life in the brain and therefore sets an initial step in its investigation.

Self-compassion is associated with less stress and depression and greater attention and brain response to affective stimuli in women managers.

BACKGROUND: Women have been assuming more responsibilities and higher positions in major companies, which exposes them to high levels of stress. Higher perceived work stress is related to higher emotional reactivity. Difficulties with emotional regulation can lead to anxiety and mood disorders, which are more prevalent in women than men. Indeed, women leaders are more likely to experience emotional fatigue than men due to excessive empathy. Our aim was to evaluate the associations between self-compassion (SC) scores to depression symptoms, perceived stress and mindfulness, as well as with brain responses to high-arousal unpleasant and pleasant pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), as measured through functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in women managers. METHODS: Forty-six participants were selected for the study. All participants filled the Self Compassion Scale (SCS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Mindful Awareness Attention Scale (MAAS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). After that they were scanned during an fMRI affective response paradigm. Correlation analysis were performed among these variables. RESULTS: Our data suggest that women with higher SC scores respond to affective stimuli with higher activation of the precuneus (a brain region related to self-referential processing), lower levels of stress and depression and show greater attention in everyday activities. CONCLUSION: SC may be an important characteristic for women leaders because of its association with higher sensitivity to emotional stimuli and mindfulness. These skills may allow them to be more aware of others while being less susceptible for stress and depression symptoms.

Mechanisms Behind Religiosity and Spirituality's Effect on Mental Health, Quality of Life and Well-Being.

This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the role of meaning, peace, faith and religiosity on mental health, quality of life (QOL) and well-being in 782 adults. We found associations between (a) meaning and peace with less depression and more QOL, (b) peace with less stress and (c) faith and religiousness with more psychological QOL. Meaning and peace were more strongly associated with health outcomes, and those with high levels of intrinsic religiosity but low levels of meaning/peace have worse outcomes than those with low religiousness and high meaning/peace. However, religious participants found great meaning and peace than nonreligious participants.

Personal Growth Initiative Scale - II: Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Brazilian Version / Escala de Iniciativa ao Crescimento Pessoal - II: Adaptação e Propriedades Psicométricas da Versão Brasileira / Escala de Iniciativa de Crecimiento Personal - II: Adaptación y Propiedades Psicométricas de la Versión Brasileña

Abstract The skills to change beliefs and behaviors in order to adapt to new contexts is identified as Personal Growth Initiative. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Version of the Personal Growth Initiative Scale II (PGIS-II). A nationwide sample of 2,149 subjects (64.8% women, M = 37.91, SD = 10.78) was assessed. Exploratory factor analysis supported the first-order four-factor structure of the scale (readiness for change, planfulness, using resources, and intentional behavior). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) supported the first-order four-factor structure as being the most reliable to the data. Personal Growth Initiative (PGI) dimensions were positively related to optimism, presence of meaning in life, and life satisfaction. PGIS-II presented adequate psychometric properties, suggesting its usefulness in evaluating personal growth initiative.

Resumo As habilidades de modificar crenças e comportamentos a fim de se adaptar a novos contextos são identificadas como Iniciativa ao Crescimento Pessoal. Este estudo objetivou avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira da Escala de Iniciativa ao Crescimento Pessoal - II (ICP-II). Foi avaliada uma amostra nacional de 2.149 participantes (64,8% mulheres, M = 37,91, DP = 10,78). A análise fatorial exploratória apoiou a estrutura de quatro fatores de primeira ordem da escala (preparação para mudança, planejamento, comportamento intencional e uso de recursos). A análise fatorial confirmatória (AFC) evidenciou que a estrutura de quatro fatores de primeira ordem seria uma estrutura fidedigna aos dados. As dimensões da Iniciativa ao Crescimento Pessoal (ICP) estiveram positivamente associadas ao otimismo, presença de sentido de vida e satisfação com a vida. A ICP-II apresentou propriedades psicométricas adequadas, indicando sua utilidade para avaliar a iniciativa ao crescimento pessoal.

Resumen Las habilidades para cambiar creencias y comportamientos para adaptarse a nuevos contextos se identifican como Iniciativa de Crecimiento Personal. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión brasileña de la Escala de Iniciativa de Crecimiento Personal - II (ICP-II). Fue valorada una muestra nacional compuesta por 2149 participantes (64,8% mujeres, M = 37,91, DE = 10,78). El análisis factorial exploratorio sostuvo la estructura de cuatro factores de primer orden de la escala (preparación para el cambio, planeamiento, conducta intencional y uso de recursos). Por su parte, el análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) evidenció que la estructura de cuatro factores de primer orden sería confiable respecto a los datos. Las dimensiones de la Iniciativa de Crecimiento Personal (ICP) estuvieron positivamente asociadas al optimismo, la presencia del sentido de la vida y la satisfacción con esta. La ICP-II presentó propiedades psicométricas adecuadas, indicando su utilidad para evaluar la iniciativa de crecimiento personal.

Psychological Capital Questionnaire - short version (PCQ-12): evidence of validity of the Brazilian version / Questionário de Capital Psicológico - versão reduzida (QCP-12): evidências de validade da versão brasileira / Cuestionário de Capital Psicológico - versión reducida (CCP-12): evidencias de validez de la versión brasileña

This study aimed to show evidence of validity for the Brazilian short version (12 items) of the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-12). Three independent samples participated in the study, totaling 1771 subjects (64.3% women, 32.9% men and 2.9% undeclared), aged 18-79 years (M = 38.59, SD = 12.98). Confirmatory factor analyses showed acceptable adjustment indices for the four-factor structure (self-efficacy, hope, resilience and optimism) and for a second-order structure with a general factor of psychological capital explaining the four primary factors. Multi-group confirmatory factor analyses found configural, metric and scalar invariance of the measure for the different samples as well as for men and women. Finally, convergent validity analyses found a positive and moderate correlation of PCQ-12 with satisfaction with life and subjective happiness, as well as a negative and moderate correlation with perceived stress and depression. (AU)

Esse estudo tem por objetivo apresentar evidências de validade para a versão brasileira reduzida (12 itens) do Questionário de Capital Psicológico (QCP-12). Participaram do estudo três amostras independentes, totalizando 1771 sujeitos (64,3% mulheres, 32,9% homens, e 2,9% não declarados), com idades entre 18 a 79 anos (M = 38,59; DP = 12,98). Análises fatoriais confirmatórias apresentaram índices de ajuste aceitáveis para a estrutura de quatro fatores (autoeficácia, esperança, resiliência e otimismo) correlacionados e para uma estrutura de segunda ordem, com um fator geral de capital psicológico explicando os quatro fatores de primeira ordem. Análises fatoriais confirmatórias multigrupo encontraram invariância configural, métrica e escalar da medida para as diferentes amostras bem como para homens e mulheres. Por fim, análises de validade convergente encontraram correlação positiva e moderada do QCP-12 com a satisfação com a vida e a felicidade subjetiva, e negativa e moderada com o estresse percebido e a depressão. (AU)

Este estudio tiene como objetivo presentar evidencias de validez de la versión brasileña reducida (12 ítems) del Cuestionario de Capital Psicológico (CCP-12). El estudio incluyó tres muestras independientes, con un total de 1771 individuos (64,3% mujeres, 32,9% hombres y 2,9% no declarados), con edades entre 18 a 79 años (M = 38,59, SD = 12,98). El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró índices de ajuste aceptable para estructura de cuatro factores correlacionados (autoeficacia, esperanza, resiliencia y optimismo) y para una estructura de segundo orden con un factor general de capital psicológico que explica los cuatro factores de primer orden. Análisis factorial confirmatorio multigrupo encontró invariancia configural, métrica y escalar de la medida para las diferentes muestras, tanto para hombres como mujeres. Por fin, análisis de validez convergente encontraron correlación positiva y moderada de CCP-12 de satisfacción con la vida y felicidad subjetiva, y correlación negativa y moderada con el estrés percibido y la depresión. (AU)

Anxiety and depression symptoms and migraine: a symptom-based approach research.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and mood disorders have been shown to be the most relevant psychiatric comorbidities associated with migraine, influencing its clinical course, treatment response, and clinical outcomes. Limited information is available on how specific anxiety and depression symptoms are related to migraine. Symptoms-based approach, a current trend in mental health research, may improve our understanding in migraine comorbidity. The purpose of this study was to analyze how anxiety and depression aspects are related to migraine through a symptom-based approach. METHODS: We studied 782 patients from the general population who completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing demographics, headache features, anxiety and depression symptoms. A binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the association between all four ratings in GAD-7 (anxiety) and PHQ-9 (depression) scales subitems as covariates, and migraine vs no headache as the outcome. RESULTS: The leading Odd Ratios (OR) observed in individuals with migraine relative to those without migraine were anxiety related, "Not being able to stop or control worrying" on a daily basis [OR (CI 95%)] 49.2 (13.6-178.2), "trouble relaxing" 25.7 (7.1-92.6), "Feeling nervous, anxious or on edge" on a daily basis 25.4 (6.9-93.8), and "worrying too much about different things" 24.4 (7.7-77.6). Although the hallmark symptoms of depression are emotional (hopelessness and sadness), the highest scores found were physical: apetite, fatigue, and poor sleep. Irritability had a significant increase in migraine risk [OR 3.8 (1.9-7.8) if experienced some days, 7.5 (2.7-20.7) more than half the days, and 22.0 (5.7-84.9) when experienced nearly every day]. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety was more robustly associated with increase in migraine risk than depression. Lack of ability to properly control worrying and to relax are the most prominent issues in migraine psychiatric comorbidity. Physical symptoms in depression are more linked to migraine than emotional symptoms. A symptom-based approach helps clarifying migraine comorbidity and should be replicated in other studies.

Systematic review about personal growth initiative / Revisión sistemática sobre iniciativa de crecimiento personal

The present study aimed to realize a systematic review of publications about personal growth initiative. A literature review was realized in Bireme, Index Psi, LILACS, PePSIC, Pubmed - Publisher’s Medline, Wiley Online Library, PsycINFO, OneFile, SciVerse ScienceDirect, ERIC, Emerald Journals, PsycARTICLES - American Psychological Association, Directory of Open Access Journals - DOAJ, SAGE Journals, SpringerLink, PLoS, IngentaConnect, IEEE Journals & Magazines and SciELO databases. The literature review was performed from December of 2014 to January of 2015, without stipulating date limits for the publication of the articles. It was found 53 studies, excluded seven, and analyzed 46 researches. The studies aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of personal growth initiative scale and personal growth initiative scale II. The relations of personal initiative growth and others constructs were also evaluated. Furthermore the studies investigated the impact of interventions to promote personal growth initiative. Results of these studies showed that personal growth initiative was positively related to levels of well-being, selfesteem and others positive dimensions, and negatively to anxiety, depression and others negative factors

El presente estudio busca realizar una revisión sistemática de publicaciones acerca de la iniciativa de crecimiento personal. Se realizó una revisión de literatura en las bases de datos Bireme, Index Psi, LILACS, PePSIC, Pubmed - Publisher’s Medline, Wiley Online Library, PsycINFO, OneFile, SciVerse ScienceDirect, ERIC, Emerald Journals, PsycARTICLES - American Psychological Association, Directory of Open Access Journals - DOAJ, SAGE Journals, SpringerLink, PLoS, IngentaConnect, IEEE Journals & Magazines y SciELO. La revisión de la literatura se realizó a partir de diciembre de 2014 a enero de 2015, sin estipular límites de fecha para la publicación de los artículos. De los 53 estudios hallados, se excluyeron 7 y se analizaron 46. Los estudios se enfocaron en investigar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala iniciativa de crecimiento personal y de iniciativa de crecimiento personal escala II. Las relaciones de crecimiento personal iniciativa y otros constructos también fueron evaluados. Además, los estudios investigaron el impacto de las intervenciones para promover la iniciativa de crecimiento personal. Los resultados de estos estudios mostraron que iniciativa de crecimiento personal se relaciona positivamente con los niveles de bienestar, la autoestima y otras dimensiones positivas, y negativamente con la ansiedad, depresión y otros factores negativos

Modulation of cerebral haemodynamic response to olfactory stimuli by emotional valence detected by functional magnetic resonance imaging / Modulação da resposta hemodinâmica cerebral pela valência emocional de estímulos olfativos detectada pela por ressonância magnética funcional

ABSTRACT. Olfactory perception, although restricted to just a few contexts in everyday life, is key in medicine. Several dementia conditions have been associated with early loss of olfactory discrimination. Despite the fact that several brain areas have been associated with olfaction in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the mechanisms by which emotional valence is conveyed to the brain are not fully understood. Methods. In this study, we compared cerebral activations by olfactory stimuli using different emotional valence stimuli on event-related fMRI. We used three standard olfactory odorants with different valence (positive, neutral and negative). Forty-three healthy subjects (22 males) were scanned on a 3.0T MR system. Olfactory stimulation was attained through a delivery system synchronized with image acquisition and subjects´ breathing instructions. fMRI data analysis was performed by the FSL package (Oxford University) including head movement correction, GLM modeling of the neurovascular (BOLD) response and group activation maps produced at p<0.05 and corrected for multiple comparison. Results. Increased cerebral responses within the anterior cingulate, amygdaloid nuclei, as well as the dorsolateral prefrontal, occipital and orbitofrontal cortices were observed in positive and negative valence conditions, while response to neutral valence arousal was less intense and not observed in the amygdaloid complex. The most significant statistical response aroused from the stimuli clusters was observed in the negative condition. Conclusion. The results of the present study support the hypothesis that neutral stimuli may be more sensitive to early losses in pathological conditions, particularly dementia.

RESUMO. Apesar de praticamente restrita a alguns contextos na rotina diária, a percepção de estímulos olfativos é bastante relevante em medicina. Várias condições patológicas, e em particular as demências, estão associadas à perda precoce da capacidade de discriminação e percepção olfativa. Apesar de estudos de ressonância magnética funcional (RMf), terem identificado várias áreas cerebrais relacionadas à percepção olfativa, ainda não sabemos quais destas são moduladas pela valência emocional do estímulo olfativo. Neste estudo investigamos o padrão de resposta cerebral à odorantes com diferentes valências emocionais em indivíduos saudáveis estudados por RMf relacionada à eventos. Métodos. Comparamos a resposta cerebral em um desenho de RMf relacionado à eventos e com uso de três estímulos olfatórios padronizados e com diferentes valências emocionais (positiva, neutra e negativa). Quarenta e três indivíduos normais (22 homens) foram estudados por RMf relacionada à eventos em aparelho de 3T. A estimulação olfativa foi realizada por meio de sistema sincronizado à aquisição das imagens e às instruções dadas aos sujeitos. A análise dos dados foi feita por meio do software FSL (Universidade de Oxford) e incluiu correções de movimento, modelagem de sinal com técnica GLM e mapas de grupo com nível de significância < 0,5. Resultados. As respostas cerebrais no cíngulo anterior, bem como no córtex dorsolateral pré-frontal, occipital e órbitofrontal foram observadas nas condições de valência positiva e negativa, porém a resposta ao estímulo neutro foi menos intensa e não foi observada em complexos amigdaloides. A resposta estatística mais significante foi observada no cluster de estímulos com valência negativa. Conclusão. Estes dados representam evidências para a hipótese de que possivelmente a perda da percepção discriminativa de estímulos com valência emocional neutra pode ser mais sensível em relação às manifestações iniciais de condições patológicas, inclusive demências.

Modulation of cerebral haemodynamic response to olfactory stimuli by emotional valence detected by functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Olfactory perception, although restricted to just a few contexts in everyday life, is key in medicine. Several dementia conditions have been associated with early loss of olfactory discrimination. Despite the fact that several brain areas have been associated with olfaction in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the mechanisms by which emotional valence is conveyed to the brain are not fully understood. METHODS: In this study, we compared cerebral activations by olfactory stimuli using different emotional valence stimuli on event-related fMRI. We used three standard olfactory odorants with different valence (positive, neutral and negative). Forty-three healthy subjects (22 males) were scanned on a 3.0T MR system. Olfactory stimulation was attained through a delivery system synchronized with image acquisition and subjects´ breathing instructions. fMRI data analysis was performed by the FSL package (Oxford University) including head movement correction, GLM modeling of the neurovascular (BOLD) response and group activation maps produced at p<0.05and corrected for multiple comparison. RESULTS: Increased cerebral responses within the anterior cingulate, amygdaloid nuclei, as well as the dorsolateral prefrontal, occipital and orbitofrontal cortices were observed in positive and negative valence conditions, while response to neutral valence arousal was less intense and not observed in the amygdaloid complex. The most significant statistical response aroused from the stimuli clusters was observed in the negative condition. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study support the hypothesis that neutral stimuli may be more sensitive to early losses in pathological conditions, particularly dementia.

Apesar de praticamente restrita a alguns contextos na rotina diária, a percepção de estímulos olfativos é bastante relevante em medicina. Várias condições patológicas, e em particular as demências, estão associadas à perda precoce da capacidade de discriminação e percepção olfativa. Apesar de estudos de ressonância magnética funcional (RMf), terem identificado várias áreas cerebrais relacionadas à percepção olfativa, ainda não sabemos quais destas são moduladas pela valência emocional do estímulo olfativo. Neste estudo investigamos o padrão de resposta cerebral à odorantes com diferentes valências emocionais em indivíduos saudáveis estudados por RMf relacionada à eventos. MÉTODOS: Comparamos a resposta cerebral em um desenho de RMf relacionado à eventos e com uso de três estímulos olfatórios padronizados e com diferentes valências emocionais (positiva, neutra e negativa). Quarenta e três indivíduos normais (22 homens) foram estudados por RMf relacionada à eventos em aparelho de 3T. A estimulação olfativa foi realizada por meio de sistema sincronizado à aquisição das imagens e às instruções dadas aos sujeitos. A análise dos dados foi feita por meio do software FSL (Universidade de Oxford) e incluiu correções de movimento, modelagem de sinal com técnica GLM e mapas de grupo com nível de significância < 0,5. RESULTADOS: As respostas cerebrais no cíngulo anterior, bem como no córtex dorsolateral pré-frontal, occipital e órbitofrontal foram observadas nas condições de valência positiva e negativa, porém a resposta ao estímulo neutro foi menos intensa e não foi observada em complexos amigdaloides. A resposta estatística mais significante foi observada no cluster de estímulos com valência negativa. CONCLUSÃO: Estes dados representam evidências para a hipótese de que possivelmente a perda da percepção discriminativa de estímulos com valência emocional neutra pode ser mais sensível em relação às manifestações iniciais de condições patológicas, inclusive demências.

Combinação do toque e atividades lúdicas aumenta o bem-estar e fortalece o vínculo entre avós e netos / Combination of touch and playful activities enhances well-being and strengthens the bond between grandparents and grandchildren

A pesquisa científica objetivou verificar se a combinação da massagem e atividades lúdicas (gestual) entre avós e netos promove o aumento do bem-estar e o fortalecimento do vínculo, do diálogo e da relação entre eles. A pesquisa foi dividida em duas etapas e apoiada por consultores de diversas áreas do conhecimento (antroposofia, psicanálise, psicologia positiva, linguística e estatística). Através da análise dos resultados, foi comprovado que o gestual é um mobilizador para o aumento do bem-estar subjetivo dos netos e, para os avós, favoreceu o resgate da infância e um despertar para missão de vida. Proporcionou a ampliação de consciência relacionada ao vínculo entre os mesmos, já que os participantes passaram a expressar mais sentimentos alocêntricos do que autocêntricos, isto é, voltados mais para os outros do que para si mesmos. Esse é o primeiro estudo científico a mostrar que a combinação da massagem e atividades lúdicas tem potencial para reduzir a distância geracional entre avós e netos.

Mutation analysis of CACNA1A and ATP1A2 genes in Brazilian FHM families.

Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a rare autosomal dominant form of migraine with aura. This disease has been associated with missense mutations in the CACNA1A and ATP1A2 genes. The aim of this study was to identify whether CACNA1A and ATP1A2 are or not related to Brazilian FHM. Here we screened four Brazilian FHM families (total of 26 individuals--13 affected and 13 asymptomatic or normal) for mutations in both genes. We found an amino acid change in a member of family FHM-D (Arg2206Gly). However since this alteration is not present in all affected individuals and is present in one asymptomatic individual it should be considered a polymorphism. Further studies with additional families will be necessary to reveal the importance of both CACNA1A and ATP1A2 genes on the pathogeneses of FHM in Brazil and to test the third gene (SCN1A) in these FHM families.

Mutation analysis of CACNA1A and ATP1A2 genes in Brazilian FHM families / Análise de mutações dos genes CACNA1A e ATP1A2 em famílias brasileiras afetadas por enxaqueca hemiplégica familial

Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a rare autosomal dominant form of migraine with aura. This disease has been associated with missense mutations in the CACNA1A and ATP1A2 genes. The aim of this study was to identify whether CACNA1A and ATP1A2 are or not related to Brazilian FHM. Here we screened four Brazilian FHM families (total of 26 individuals - 13 affected and 13 asymptomatic or normal) for mutations in both genes. We found an amino acid change in a member of family FHM-D (Arg2206Gly). However since this alteration is not present in all affected individuals and is present in one asymptomatic individual it should be considered a polymorphism. Further studies with additional families will be necessary to reveal the importance of both CACNA1A and ATP1A2 genes on the pathogeneses of FHM in Brazil and to test the third gene (SCN1A) in these FHM families.

A enxaqueca hemiplégica familial (EHF) é uma forma rara de enxaqueca com aura e apresenta herança autossômica dominante. Esta doença está associada com mutações do tipo missense nos genes CACNA1A e ATP1A2. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar se os genes CACNA1A e ATP1A2 estão ou não relacionados com a enxaqueca hemiplégica familial em famílias brasileiras. Os genes citados acima foram analisados em quatro famílias brasileiras (total de 26 indivíduos - 13 afetados e 13 assintomáticos ou normais) e uma troca de aminoácido em um membro da família FHM-D (Arg2206Gly) foi observada. Porém, esta alteração não foi identificada em todos os indivíduos afetados e está presente em um indivíduo assintomático, devendo, portanto, ser considerada um polimorfismo. Estudos adicionais nas famílias já estudadas e em outras famílias brasileiras afetadas por enxaqueca hemiplégica familial serão necessários para esclarecer a importância dos genes CACNA1A e ATP1A2 na patogênese da EHF no Brasil, bem como para testar o terceiro gene (SCN1A) relacionado à EHF.