RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Higher prenatal testosterone exposure regulates brain development and affects learning and intelligence directly. The digit ratio (2D:4D) is regarded as an indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure. This study aims to investigate the 2D:4D ratios and intelligence levels in individuals with specific learning disorders (SLD) and compare the ratios with healthy subjects. METHODS: The study included a total of 117 patients diagnosed with SLD and 67 healthy controls. We measured the 2D:4D ratios and administered the Wechsler-Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised to assess intelligence quotient (IQ) scores in the SLD group. Sociodemographic data was obtained for both patients and healthy subjects and compared in both groups, as well as 2D:4D ratios. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, both-hand 2D:4D ratios were found to be lower in the SLD group. In addition, male and female participants with SLD showed lower 2D:4D ratios in both hands than controls. The total scores on the WISC-R were found to decrease as the right-hand 2D:4D ratios and the age increased in the SLD group. CONCLUSION: Our findings add to the literature examining the influence of prenatal testosterone exposure on learning and intelligence in the SLD sample. Further research in this domain may yield valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical implications for the management of SLDs examining additional variables that could potentially impact alongside the impact of sex hormones on brain development.
RESUMEN
Inflammation and oxidative stress are both considered to be factors in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. LOX-1 (lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1) and ox-LDL (oxidized low-density lipoprotein) have been reported to be active in neuroinflammation pathways in which they are involved in oxidative stress and inflammation. However, its relationship with schizophrenia is unclear. This study aimed to assess the potential connection between serum ox-LDL and LOX-1 levels in schizophrenia patients, their unaffected first-degree relatives, and healthy controls. The study comprised 63 schizophrenia patients, 57 first-degree relatives, and 63 healthy controls who were age, gender, and BMI-matched. Serum ox-LDL and LOX-1 levels were measured. PANSS was used to assess the severity of the disease. Levels of both ox-LDL and LOX-1 were markedly elevated in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia when compared to both their relatives and a control group. While ox-LDL levels were significantly higher in relatives of patients compared to controls, there was no significant difference between relatives of patients and control groups for LOX-1 levels. Significant correlations were observed between PANNS general and total and ox-LDL levels and PANNS negative and LOX-1 levels. The relationship between ox-LDL and LOX-1 and schizophrenia is quite limited in the literature and is a new field of study. Future studies are needed to evaluate their role in etiopathogenesis.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: There are limited studies in the literature on the relationship between intestinal and blood-brain barrier permeability and the etiology of schizophrenia. We hypothesized that the difference in serum ZO-1 levels in patients with schizophrenia may affect the severity of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of changes in serum ZO-1 concentrations in the etiopathogenesis of patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A total of 46 patients, 34 with schizophrenia, 12 with a first psychotic attack, and 37 healthy controls, were included in the study. Symptom severity was determined by applying the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale. Serum ZO-1 levels were measured from venous blood samples. RESULTS: Serum ZO-1 levels were higher in patients with psychotic disorder compared to healthy controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the first psychotic attack group and the schizophrenia patients. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum ZO-1 levels and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale positive symptom score. CONCLUSIONS: These findings regarding ZO-1 levels suggest that dysregulation of the blood-brain barrier in psychotic disorder may play a role in the etiology of the disorder.
Asunto(s)
Biomarcadores , Trastornos Psicóticos , Proteína de la Zonula Occludens-1 , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Trastornos Psicóticos/sangre , Trastornos Psicóticos/diagnóstico , Biomarcadores/sangre , Proteína de la Zonula Occludens-1/sangre , Esquizofrenia/sangre , Esquizofrenia/diagnóstico , Adulto Joven , Persona de Mediana Edad , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Barrera HematoencefálicaRESUMEN
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among sleep quality, impulsivity, anxiety, and depression in individuals with emotional eating behavior. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. The study included 92 individuals (age 31.29 ± 9.17; female, 67.4% [ n = 62]; male, 32.6% [ n = 30]) with symptoms of emotional eating but no previous psychiatric diagnosis or treatment. Participants were administered a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders interview form, a sociodemographic data form, the Emotional Eating Scale, the Beck Depression Scale, the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, the Beck Anxiety Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale. Emotional eating is positively correlated with anxiety ( r = 0.377, p = 0.001), depression ( r = 0.375, p = 0.001), impulsivity ( r = 0.250, p = 0.016), and poor sleep quality ( r = 0.478, p = 0.001). Obese individuals (defined as having a body mass index of 30 or higher) showed higher emotional eating ( z = -2.552, p = 0.016) and poorer sleep quality ( z = -2.089, p = 0.044) than nonobese individuals, and women showed higher emotional eating ( t = 2116, p = 0.037) and poorer sleep quality ( z = -2537, p = 0.010) than men. Poor sleep quality was associated with emotional eating. In this relationship, poor sleep quality influenced emotional eating through all mediators, including anxiety and depression ( B = 3.491; standardized effect, 0.485; p = 0.001). Poor sleep quality directly influenced emotional eating ( B = 2.806; standardized effect, 0.390; p = 0.001). The findings of the study suggest that emotional eating is associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and sleep problems, especially in women. It suggests that the interrelationships of psychological factors associated with emotional eating should be investigated.
Asunto(s)
Ansiedad , Depresión , Emociones , Conducta Alimentaria , Conducta Impulsiva , Calidad del Sueño , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Conducta Impulsiva/fisiología , Adulto , Depresión/psicología , Depresión/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Ansiedad/psicología , Emociones/fisiología , Conducta Alimentaria/psicología , Adulto Joven , Persona de Mediana Edad , Obesidad/psicologíaRESUMEN
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which most often occurs after the use of antipsychotics, is a rare but life-threatening condition. In this article, a 56-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder (BPD) who developed NMS after a COVID-19 infection will be presented. The patient had been brought to the emergency room with high fever, fatigue, and slowness of movements that had been going on for two days. The examination revealed tachycardia, tachypnea, lethargy and rigidity. Upon further investigation the COVID-19 test came out positive and the serum levels of creatine kinase were considerably high. He was admitted to the psychiatric ward with diagnoses of COVID-19 infection and NMS. COVID-19 infection might have been a risk factor for NMS in this patient. Especially in patients who are taking antipsychotic drugs, if COVID-19 is present, the risk of NMS should be taken into consideration. Keyword: COVID-19, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Risperidone, Antipsikotik, Enfeksiyon.
Asunto(s)
Antipsicóticos , COVID-19 , Síndrome Neuroléptico Maligno , Masculino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Síndrome Neuroléptico Maligno/diagnóstico , Síndrome Neuroléptico Maligno/etiología , COVID-19/complicaciones , Antipsicóticos/efectos adversos , Risperidona/efectos adversosRESUMEN
AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of pandemic-related fear, depression, stress and anxiety in pregnant women in different trimesters after the pandemic and to examine their relationship with psychological resilience. Methods: A total of 250 women were included in the study, including 125 pregnant women and 125 healthy controls. The participants were divided into three groups according to their trimester of pregnancy. The Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), the Epidemic Disease Anxiety Scale (EDAS) and the Short Psychological Resilience Scale (SPRS) were used to measure depression, anxiety, stress and psychological resilience. Results: Pregnant women had significantly higher DASS-21 total scores [19 (4-42) ] than healthy controls [11 (1-42) ], P = 0.001. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 23.2%, 44% and 20% respectively in pregnant women compared to 12.8%, 31.2% and 9.6% in healthy controls. DASS-21 total scores were highest in the 1st (21.2 ± 5.8) and 3rd (22.8 ± 8.9) trimesters and lowest in the 2nd (16.1 ± 6.9) trimesters. The DASS-21 total score was positively correlated with the EDAS total score and the pandemic perception subscale. SPRS total score was negatively correlated with anxiety, stress and DASS-21 total score. Conclusion: Pregnant women experienced higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and pandemic anxiety than non-pregnant women in the post-pandemic period. Psychological resilience was negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress in pregnant women. These findings indicate that the pandemic negatively affects the mental health of pregnant women and the importance of providing psychological support services to protect their mental health.
Asunto(s)
Mujeres Embarazadas , Resiliencia Psicológica , Femenino , Humanos , Embarazo , Mujeres Embarazadas/psicología , Pandemias , Turquía/epidemiología , Depresión/epidemiología , Depresión/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , MiedoRESUMEN
Substance use disorder is an important mental health problem with increasing frequency. This study aims to investigate the 2D:4D ratio, Dr-I values (right-left differences), alexithymia, aggression, impulsivity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in male patients with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), and healthy controls. The study included a total of 57 male patients diagnosed with OUD, 42 male patients diagnosed with MUD, and 72 healthy male controls. The study indicated that the OUD and MUD patients were significantly different from the healthy controls in terms of the 2D:4D ratio, alexithymia, impulsivity, aggression, and ADHD. Compared to healthy controls, 2D:4D ratios, and Dr-I values were lower in OUD and MUD patients. OUD and MUD patients had higher scores of alexithymia, impulsivity, aggression, and ADHD compared to healthy controls. There were statistically significant negative correlations between the right-hand 2D:4D ratios and the ADHD, impulsivity, alexithymia and aggression scores and a significant negative correlation between Dr-I scores and the impulsivity scores of MUD and OUD patients. These findings contribute to the existing literature examining the complex relationship between prenatal testosterone exposure, substance use disorders and related psychological traits.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad , Metanfetamina , Trastornos Relacionados con Opioides , Embarazo , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/epidemiología , Síntomas Afectivos/epidemiología , Analgésicos Opioides , Agresión , Conducta Impulsiva , Trastornos Relacionados con Opioides/complicaciones , Trastornos Relacionados con Opioides/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Background This study aims to examine adult separation anxiety in pregnant women and its relationship with dysfunctional attitudes from the perspective of cognitive theory. Methods The sociodemographic data, Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27), and Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale-Revised (DAS-R) questionnaire were utilised to examine the correlation between sociodemographic factors and the ASA and dysfunctional attitudes in women attending antenatal obstetric clinics. Results The study included 190 pregnant women. Of these, 45.8% (n=87) had significant adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) symptoms. There was no significant difference between the ASAD (+) and ASAD (-) groups in terms of sociodemographic characteristics (p>0.05). However, a significant association was found between ASAD and the gestational period (p=0.02). DAS-R scores were higher in patients with ASAD symptoms (p<0.001). Positive correlations were observed between DAS-R and perfectionism or achievement and between DAS-R and the need for approval or dependency (p=0.001). DAS-R and gestational week showed potential as predictors of ASAD positivity (Area under the ROC curve (AUC)=0.725 vs. 0.632, respectively). Conclusion Pregnancy can be a sensitive period for the development of separation anxiety in adults. The development and treatment of separation anxiety in adults may benefit from cognitive-behavioural interventions that address dysfunctional attitudes during pregnancy.
RESUMEN
The purpose of this research was to determine the differences in empathy, alexithymia features, and theory of mind between healthy controls and patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Thirty-five patients with BPD and 35 healthy controls were included in the study. To measure the clinical variables, the Empathy Quotient (EQ), Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11 (BIS-11), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were applied. We found that the BPD group had significantly worse total RMET and neutral RMET scores than the control group. There were no differences in the EQ scores between the BPD and control groups. The patients with BPD were more alexithymic than the controls, and alexithymia and depression scores predicted BPD status. Patients with BPD who have difficulty identifying their own emotions tend to display deficits in perceptions of facial emotions, which, in turn, may lead to misperceptions of social signals and thus contribute to excessive emotional intensity and tension in social situations. The study results reveal that alexithymia and depression are important variables in predicting BPD traits.