G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor stimulation ameliorates iron- and ovariectomy-induced memory impairments through the cAMP/PKA/CREB signalling pathway.

Iron accumulation in the brain has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders, and imaging studies in humans indicate that iron content in brain regions correlates with poor performance in cognitive tasks. In rats, iron overload impairs memory retention in a variety of memory tasks. Although the effects of iron on cognition in rodents are extensively reported, no previous study has been conducted in female rats. The incidence of certain dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease, is higher in women after menopause compared to aged-matched men. The role of oestrogen depletion in memory deficits in menopausal women is still a matter of debate. The present study aimed to characterise the effects of iron overload on memory in female rats by investigating the effects of ovariectomy (OVX, an experimental model of oestrogen depletion) in rats submitted to iron overload, as well as examining the effects of G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER) agonism on memory impairments induced by iron and OVX. Female rats received iron (30 mg kg-1 , orally) or vehicle at postnatal days 12-14 and were submitted to OVX in adulthood. Results showed that either iron or OVX impaired memory for object placement and inhibitory avoidance. The selective GPER agonist G1, administered immediately after training, reversed both iron- and OVX-induced memory impairments. G1 effects were abolished by protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition, suggesting the involvement of the cAMP/PKA/CREB signalling pathway. The search for novel oestrogen agonists with positive effects on cognition may be promising for the development of treatments for memory disorders.

Satisfaction with care in a Brazilian psychiatric inpatient unit: differences in perceptions among patients according to type of health insurance.

INTRODUCTION: User satisfaction assessment in mental health services is an important indicator of treatment quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate treatment satisfaction in a sample of inpatients with mental disorders and the associations between levels of satisfaction and clinical/sociodemographic variables. METHODS: This exploratory study investigated 227 psychiatric inpatients who answered the Patient Satisfaction with Mental Health Services Scale (SATIS-BR) and the Perception of Change Scale (EMP). SATIS scores were analyzed according to associations with clinical and sociodemographic data. Pearson correlations were used to correlate SATIS scores with other variables. RESULTS: We found a high degree of satisfaction with care at the psychiatric inpatient unit assessed. In general, patients rated maximum satisfaction for most items. The highest satisfaction scores were associated with patients receiving treatment through the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and with less education. SATIS showed a moderate positive correlation with EMP. The worst evaluated dimension was physical facilities and comfort of the ward. CONCLUSION: Patients treated via SUS may be more satisfied than patients with private health insurance when treated in the same facility. The evaluation of treatment satisfaction can be used to reorganize services at psychiatric inpatient units.

Satisfaction with care in a Brazilian psychiatric inpatient unit: differences in perceptions among patients according to type of health insurance / Satisfação com o cuidado em uma unidade de internação psiquiátrica brasileira: diferenças nas percepções dos pacientes segundo tipo de plano de saúde

Abstract Introduction User satisfaction assessment in mental health services is an important indicator of treatment quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate treatment satisfaction in a sample of inpatients with mental disorders and the associations between levels of satisfaction and clinical/sociodemographic variables. Methods This exploratory study investigated 227 psychiatric inpatients who answered the Patient Satisfaction with Mental Health Services Scale (SATIS-BR) and the Perception of Change Scale (EMP). SATIS scores were analyzed according to associations with clinical and sociodemographic data. Pearson correlations were used to correlate SATIS scores with other variables. Results We found a high degree of satisfaction with care at the psychiatric inpatient unit assessed. In general, patients rated maximum satisfaction for most items. The highest satisfaction scores were associated with patients receiving treatment through the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and with less education. SATIS showed a moderate positive correlation with EMP. The worst evaluated dimension was physical facilities and comfort of the ward. Conclusion Patients treated via SUS may be more satisfied than patients with private health insurance when treated in the same facility. The evaluation of treatment satisfaction can be used to reorganize services at psychiatric inpatient units.

Resumo Introdução A avaliação da satisfação do usuário nos serviços de saúde mental é um importante indicador da qualidade do tratamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a satisfação com o tratamento em uma amostra de pacientes internados com transtornos mentais e as associações entre os níveis de satisfação e variáveis clínicas/sociodemográficas. Métodos Este estudo exploratório investigou 227 pacientes psiquiátricos internados que responderam a Escala de Satisfação do Paciente com os Serviços de Saúde Mental (SATIS-BR) e a Escala de Percepção da Mudança (EMP). Os escores SATIS-BR foram analisados segundo associações com dados clínicos e sociodemográficos. Correlações de Pearson foram usadas para correlacionar escores SATIS com outras variáveis. Resultados Encontramos alto grau de satisfação com o atendimento na unidade de internação psiquiátrica avaliada. Em geral, os pacientes atribuíram satisfação máxima para a maioria dos itens. Os maiores escores de satisfação foram associados a pacientes em tratamento pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e com menor escolaridade. A SATIS mostrou uma correlação positiva moderada com EMP. A pior dimensão avaliada foi associada às instalações físicas e conforto da enfermaria. Conclusão Pacientes com cobertura pelo SUS podem estar mais satisfeitos do que pacientes com planos privados de saúde quando tratados na mesma unidade. A avaliação da satisfação com o tratamento pode ser usada para reorganizar serviços em unidades de internação psiquiátrica.

Evaluation of DSM-5 and ICD-11 personality traits using the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) in a Brazilian sample of psychiatric inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test if the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) is an adequate instrument to evaluate psychiatric inpatients' pathological personality traits. METHODS: Inpatients (n = 130; mean age: 38.5 years; 62.3% female; 63.9% single) answered the PID-5 after clinical improvement of their psychiatric symptoms. The mean scores of the DSM-5 personality domains, facets and profiles, and ICD-11 domain traits were compared with the mean scores of a Brazilian normative sample (n = 656). We investigated the diagnostic performance of the scales to identify individuals with and without psychopathology. RESULTS: The final sample included mainly diagnoses of mood disorders. Except for Antagonism and Disinhibition, all DSM-5 personality domains and most facets as well as almost all DSM-5 personality disorder profiles (except Narcissist) and ICD-11 trait domains (except Detachment and Dissociality) of the inpatients presented high differences compared with the normative sample. In general, the PID-5 scales presented a high negative predictive value and a low positive predictive value to identify individuals with severe psychopathology. DISCUSSION: This study found high scores of pathological personality traits in a sample of Brazilian psychiatric inpatients. The PID-5 may be a promising instrument to measure pathological personality traits among psychiatric inpatients. Methodological and sample size limitations may have influenced the results. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Antiapoptotic effects of cannabidiol in an experimental model of cognitive decline induced by brain iron overload.

Iron accumulation in the brain has been recognized as a common feature of both normal aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Cognitive dysfunction has been associated to iron excess in brain regions in humans. We have previously described that iron overload leads to severe memory deficits, including spatial, recognition, and emotional memory impairments in adult rats. In the present study we investigated the effects of neonatal iron overload on proteins involved in apoptotic pathways, such as Caspase 8, Caspase 9, Caspase 3, Cytochrome c, APAF1, and PARP in the hippocampus of adult rats, in an attempt to establish a causative role of iron excess on cell death in the nervous system, leading to memory dysfunction. Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-psychotropic component of Cannabis sativa, was examined as a potential drug to reverse iron-induced effects on the parameters analyzed. Male rats received vehicle or iron carbonyl (30 mg/kg) from the 12th to the 14th postnatal days and were treated with vehicle or CBD (10 mg/kg) for 14 days in adulthood. Iron increased Caspase 9, Cytochrome c, APAF1, Caspase 3 and cleaved PARP, without affecting cleaved Caspase 8 levels. CBD reversed iron-induced effects, recovering apoptotic proteins Caspase 9, APAF1, Caspase 3 and cleaved PARP to the levels found in controls. These results suggest that iron can trigger cell death pathways by inducing intrinsic apoptotic proteins. The reversal of iron-induced effects by CBD indicates that it has neuroprotective potential through its anti-apoptotic action.

Iron chelator deferiprone rescues memory deficits, hippocampal BDNF levels and antioxidant defenses in an experimental model of memory impairment.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in neural development and physiology, as well as in pathological states. Post-mortem studies demonstrate that BDNF is reduced in the brains of patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases. Iron accumulation has also been associated to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In rats, iron overload induces persistent memory deficits, increases oxidative stress and apoptotic markers, and decreases the expression of the synaptic marker, synaptophysin. Deferiprone (DFP) is an oral iron chelator used for the treatment of systemic iron overload disorders, and has recently been tested for Parkinson's disease. Here, we investigated the effects of iron overload on BDNF levels and on mRNA expression of genes encoding TrkB, p75NTR, catalase (CAT) and NQO1. We also aimed at investigating the effects of DFP on iron-induced impairments. Rats received iron or vehicle at postnatal days 12-14 and when adults, received chronic DFP or water (vehicle). Recognition memory was tested 19 days after the beginning of chelation therapy. BDNF measurements and expression analyses in the hippocampus were performed 24 h after the last day of DFP treatment. DFP restored memory and increased hippocampal BDNF levels, ameliorating iron-induced effects. Iron overload in the neonatal period reduced, while treatment with DFP was able to rescue, the expression of antioxidant enzymes CAT and NQO1.

Por onde anda a histeria? / Where is the hysteria?

O termo histeria foi suprimido das classificações diagnósticas vigentes. Este artigo cita e descreve os diagnósticos que estão agora abrigados no guarda-chuva da histeria, além de discutir algumas implicações sobre essa mudança.

The term hysteria was suppressed from the current diagnostic classifications. This article cites and describes the diagnoses that are now housed under the umbrella of hysteria, in addition to discussing some implications on this change.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ) into Brazilian Portuguese.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction is common in patients with psychotic illness. This article describes the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ) into Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation followed the guidelines for adapting self-report instruments proposed by the Task Force of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Briefly, ISPOR steps include: preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back-translation, back-translation review, harmonization, cognitive debriefing, review of cognitive debriefing and finalization, before proofreading and final version. The original authors authorized the translation and participated in the study. RESULTS: There was good agreement between translations and between the back-translation and the original English version of the SFQ. The final version was prepared with certificated evaluators in the original language and in Portuguese. Few changes were necessary to the new version in Portuguese. CONCLUSION: The translated and adapted Brazilian Portuguese version of the SFQ is reliable and semantically equivalent to the original version. Studies on psychotropic-related sexual dysfunction may now test the validity of the instrument and can investigate sexual dysfunction in Portuguese-speaking patients.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ) into Brazilian Portuguese / Tradução e adaptação transcultural do Questionário de Função Sexual (SFQ) para o português do Brasil

Abstract Introduction Sexual dysfunction is common in patients with psychotic illness. This article describes the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ) into Brazilian Portuguese. Methods The translation and cross-cultural adaptation followed the guidelines for adapting self-report instruments proposed by the Task Force of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Briefly, ISPOR steps include: preparation, forward translation, reconciliation, back-translation, back-translation review, harmonization, cognitive debriefing, review of cognitive debriefing and finalization, before proofreading and final version. The original authors authorized the translation and participated in the study. Results There was good agreement between translations and between the back-translation and the original English version of the SFQ. The final version was prepared with certificated evaluators in the original language and in Portuguese. Few changes were necessary to the new version in Portuguese. Conclusion The translated and adapted Brazilian Portuguese version of the SFQ is reliable and semantically equivalent to the original version. Studies on psychotropic-related sexual dysfunction may now test the validity of the instrument and can investigate sexual dysfunction in Portuguese-speaking patients.

Resumo Introdução A disfunção sexual é comum em pacientes com doença psicótica. Este artigo descreve a tradução e adaptação transcultural do Questionário de Função Sexual (SFQ) para o português do Brasil. Métodos A tradução e a adaptação transcultural seguiram as diretrizes para a adaptação de instrumentos de autorrelato propostas pela Força-Tarefa da Sociedade Internacional de Pesquisa Farmacológica e de Resultados (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, ISPOR). As etapas da ISPOR incluem: preparação, primeiras traduções, reconciliação, retrotradução, revisão da retrotradução, harmonização, interrogatório cognitivo, revisão do interrogatório cognitivo e finalização, antes da revisão e versão final. Os autores originais autorizaram a tradução e participaram do estudo. Resultados Houve boa concordância entre as traduções e entre a retrotradução e a versão original em inglês do SFQ. A versão final foi preparada com avaliadores certificados na língua original e em português. Poucas mudanças foram necessárias para a nova versão em português. Conclusão A versão brasileira traduzida e adaptada do SFQ é confiável e semanticamente equivalente à versão original. Estudos sobre disfunção sexual relacionada a psicotrópicos podem agora testar a validade do instrumento e investigar a disfunção sexual em pacientes brasileiros.

Is there a correlation between physicians' clinical impressions and patients' perceptions of change? Use of the Perceived Change Scale with inpatients with mental disorders / Existe correlação entre a mudança percebida pelo médico e a mudança percebida pelo paciente? Uso da Escala de Mudança Percebida em pacientes com transtornos mentais internados

Abstract Introduction: Assessment of the results of treatment for mental disorders becomes more complete when the patient's perspective is incorporated. Here, we aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and application of the Perceived Change Scale - Patient version (PCS-P) in a sample of inpatients with mental disorders. Methods: One hundred and ninety-one psychiatric inpatients answered the PCS-P and the Patients' Satisfaction with Mental Health Services Scale (SATIS) and were evaluated in terms of clinical and sociodemographic data. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed and internal consistency was calculated. The clinical impressions of the patient, family, and physician were correlated with the patient's perception of change. Results: The EFA indicated a psychometrically suitable four-factor solution. The PCS-P exhibited a coherent relationship with SATIS and had a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.856. No correlations were found between the physician's clinical global impression of improvement and the patient's perception of change, although a moderate positive correlation was found between the patients' clinical global impression of improvement and the change perceived by the patient. Conclusions: The PCS-P exhibited adequate psychometric proprieties in a sample of inpatients with mental disorders. The patient's perception of change is an important dimension for evaluation of outcomes in the treatment of mental disorders and differs from the physician's clinical impression of improvement. Evaluation of positive and negative perceptions of the various dimensions of the patient's life enables more precise consideration of the patient's priorities and interests.

Resumo Introdução: A avaliação dos resultados do tratamento para transtornos mentais torna-se mais completa quando a perspectiva do paciente é incluída. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as propriedades psicométricas e a aplicação da Escala de Mudança Percebida - Versão do Paciente (EMP-P) em uma amostra de pacientes internados com transtornos mentais. Métodos: Um total de 191 pacientes psiquiátricos internados responderam a EMP-P e a Escala de Avaliação da Satisfação dos Usuários com os Serviços de Saúde Mental (SATIS), além de serem avaliados quanto a dados clínicos e sociodemográficos. Foi realizada análise fatorial exploratória (AFE) e calculada a consistência interna. As impressões clínicas do paciente, da família e do médico foram correlacionadas com a mudança percebida pelo paciente. Resultados: A AFE indicou uma solução de quatro fatores psicometricamente adequada. A EMP-P apresentou uma relação coerente com a SATIS e um alfa de Cronbach de 0,856. Não foi encontrada correlação entre impressão clínica global de melhora pelo médico e mudança percebida pelo paciente, embora uma correlação positiva moderada tenha sido observada entre impressão clínica global de melhora pelo paciente e mudança percebida pelo paciente. Conclusão: A EMP-P exibiu propriedades psicométricas adequadas em uma amostra de pacientes com transtornos mentais internados. A percepção de mudança pelo paciente é uma importante dimensão para a avaliação de resultados no tratamento de transtornos mentais e difere da impressão clínica de melhora do médico. A avaliação das percepções positivas e negativas das diversas dimensões da vida dos pacientes permite uma análise mais precisa de suas prioridades e interesses.

Is there a correlation between physicians' clinical impressions and patients' perceptions of change? Use of the Perceived Change Scale with inpatients with mental disorders.

INTRODUCTION:: Assessment of the results of treatment for mental disorders becomes more complete when the patient's perspective is incorporated. Here, we aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and application of the Perceived Change Scale - Patient version (PCS-P) in a sample of inpatients with mental disorders. METHODS:: One hundred and ninety-one psychiatric inpatients answered the PCS-P and the Patients' Satisfaction with Mental Health Services Scale (SATIS) and were evaluated in terms of clinical and sociodemographic data. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed and internal consistency was calculated. The clinical impressions of the patient, family, and physician were correlated with the patient's perception of change. RESULTS:: The EFA indicated a psychometrically suitable four-factor solution. The PCS-P exhibited a coherent relationship with SATIS and had a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.856. No correlations were found between the physician's clinical global impression of improvement and the patient's perception of change, although a moderate positive correlation was found between the patients' clinical global impression of improvement and the change perceived by the patient. CONCLUSIONS:: The PCS-P exhibited adequate psychometric proprieties in a sample of inpatients with mental disorders. The patient's perception of change is an important dimension for evaluation of outcomes in the treatment of mental disorders and differs from the physician's clinical impression of improvement. Evaluation of positive and negative perceptions of the various dimensions of the patient's life enables more precise consideration of the patient's priorities and interests.