Dysfunctional hippocampal-prefrontal network underlies a multidimensional neuropsychiatric phenotype following early-life seizure.

Brain disturbances during development can have a lasting impact on neural function and behavior. Seizures during this critical period are linked to significant long-term consequences such as neurodevelopmental disorders, cognitive impairments, and psychiatric symptoms, resulting in a complex spectrum of multimorbidity. The hippocampus-prefrontal cortex (HPC-PFC) circuit emerges as a potential common link between such disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying these outcomes and how they relate to specific behavioral alterations are unclear. We hypothesized that specific dysfunctions of hippocampal-cortical communication due to early-life seizure would be associated with distinct behavioral alterations observed in adulthood. Here, we performed a multilevel study to investigate behavioral, electrophysiological, histopathological, and neurochemical long-term consequences of early-life Status epilepticus in male rats. We show that adult animals submitted to early-life seizure (ELS) present working memory impairments and sensorimotor disturbances, such as hyperlocomotion, poor sensorimotor gating, and sensitivity to psychostimulants despite not exhibiting neuronal loss. Surprisingly, cognitive deficits were linked to an aberrant increase in the HPC-PFC long-term potentiation (LTP) in a U-shaped manner, while sensorimotor alterations were associated with heightened neuroinflammation, as verified by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, and altered dopamine neurotransmission. Furthermore, ELS rats displayed impaired HPC-PFC theta-gamma coordination and an abnormal brain state during active behavior resembling rapid eye movement (REM) sleep oscillatory dynamics. Our results point to impaired HPC-PFC functional connectivity as a possible pathophysiological mechanism by which ELS can cause cognitive deficits and psychiatric-like manifestations even without neuronal loss, bearing translational implications for understanding the spectrum of multidimensional developmental disorders linked to early-life seizures.

The impact of COVID-19 on palliative care social work: An online survey by a European Association of Palliative Care Task Force.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the delivery of health and social care services globally. However, little is known about how palliative care social work services were impacted. AIM: The aim of this study was to capture and analyse data from palliative care social workers who provided professional support in a range of settings across 21 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey-based design was used for this empirical study and this paper primarily focuses on the quantitative responses. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Participants, palliative care social workers, were drawn internationally via members of the EAPC Social Work Task Force and the World Hospice Palliative Care Social Work network. RESULTS: We received 362 survey responses from 21 countries. Most (79%) respondents worked with adults in in-patient units or hospitals. The number of referrals during COVID-19 increased more in non-European countries, compared to European countries. The full range of social work services could no longer be delivered, existing services changed and 65.3% of participants reported higher levels of pressure during the pandemic, which was linked to higher levels of staff absence and additional duties. For many respondents (40.8%), this included facilitating online communication between patients and their families. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 resulted in adaptations to service delivery, increased pressure on staff and moral distress, like other health and social care professions. All members of the palliative team need support and supervision to ensure effective interdisciplinary working and team cohesion.

Investigating the DSM-5 and the ICD-11 PTSD symptoms using network analysis across two distinct samples.

OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has long been debated with a recent focus on the consequences of having two different diagnostic descriptions of PTSD (i.e., the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition [DSM-5] and the International Classification of Diseases-11th Edition [ICD-11]). Research has modeled PTSD as a network of interacting symptoms according to both diagnostic systems, but the relations between the two systems remain unclear regarding which symptoms are more central or interconnected. To answer this question, the present study is the first study to investigate the combined network structure of PTSD symptoms according to both systems using validated measurements (i.e., the International Trauma Questionnaire [ITQ] and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist 5 [PCL-5] across two distinct trauma samples [a community sample, N = 2,367], and a military sample, N = 657). METHOD: We estimated two Gaussian Graphical Models of the combined ICD-11 and DSM-5 PTSD symptoms across the two samples. RESULTS: Five of the six most central symptoms were the same across both samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results underline that a combination of five symptoms representing both diagnostic systems may hold central positions and potentially be important for treatment. However, the implications depend on if the different diagnostic descriptions can be reconciled in an indexical rather than constitutive perspective. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring complex-PTSD comorbidity in trauma-exposed Northern Ireland veterans.

Background: Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) describes the results of complex, prolonged, and/or inescapable trauma, and is typified by avoidance, re-experiencing, sense of threat, affect dysregulation, negative self-concept, and interpersonal disturbances. Additionally, CPTSD is highly comorbid with other common psychopathologies. Objectives: A study was conducted in a trauma-exposed UK Armed Forces Veteran population resident in Northern Ireland (N = 638, NI) to determine the prevalence of CPTSD and comorbid associations. Methods: Data from the Northern Ireland Veterans Health and Wellbeing Study (NIVHWS), including self-report data describing traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidality, were used in a latent class analysis to identify distinct profiles of symptomology in the sample, and in a multinomial logistic regression to identify comorbidities associated with class membership. Results: Three distinct classes emerged: a low endorsement 'baseline' class (36%), a 'Moderate Symptomatic' class (27%), and a high endorsement 'Probable CPTSD' class (37%). Both the Moderate Symptomatic and CPTSD classes were predicted by cumulative trauma exposure. Depression was highly comorbid (OR = 23.06 in CPTSD), as was anxiety (OR = 22.05 in CPTSD) and suicidal ideation (OR = 4.32 in CPTSD), with suicidal attempt associated with the CPTSD class (OR = 2.51). Conclusions: Cases of probable CPTSD were more prevalent than cases of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) without Difficulties in Self-Organisation (DSO) symptoms in a UK Armed Forces veteran sample, were associated with repeated/cumulative trauma, and were highly comorbid across a range of psychopathologies. Findings validate previous literature on CPTSD and indicate considerable distress and thus need for support in UK Armed Forces veterans resident in NI.

Antecedentes:El trastorno de estrés postraumático complejo (TEPT-C) describe los resultados de un trauma complejo, prolongado y/o inevitable; y se caracteriza por la presencia de evitación, re-experimentación, sensación de amenaza, desregulación afectiva, un autoconcepto negativo y alteraciones en las relaciones interpersonales. Adicionalmente, el TEPT-C es altamente comórbido con otras psicopatologías frecuentes.Objetivos: Se realizó un estudio en una población de veteranos de las Fuerzas Armadas del Reino Unido expuestos a trauma residentes en Irlanda del Norte (N=638, NI) para determinar la prevalencia del TEPT-C y las asociaciones comórbidas.Métodos: Los datos del Estudio de Salud y Bienestar en Veteranos de Irlanda del Norte (NIVHWS, por sus siglas en inglés), incluidos datos de auto-reportes describiendo la presencia de estrés traumático, depresión, ansiedad y suicidalidad, fueron utilizados en un análisis de clases latentes para identificar distintos perfiles de sintomatología en la muestra y en una regresión logística multinomial para identificar las comorbilidades asociadas con la pertenencia a cada clase.Resultados: Surgieron tres clases distintas: una clase de "línea base" de bajo respaldo (36%), una clase de "sintomático moderado" (27%) y una clase de "TEPT-C probable" de alto respaldo (37%). La exposición acumulativa a trauma predijo tanto las clases de sintomático moderado como la del TEPT-C probable. La depresión fue altamente comórbida (OR=23.06 en TEPT-C), así como la ansiedad (OR=22.05 en TEPT-C) y la ideación suicida (OR=4.32 en TEPT-C), con intento de suicidio asociado a la clase de TEPT-C (OR=2.51).Conclusiones: Los casos de TEPT-C probable fueron más prevalentes que los casos de trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) sin síntomas de alteraciones en la autoorganización (AAO) en una muestra de veteranos de las Fuerzas Armadas del Reino Unido. Asimismo, los casos de TEPT-C probable se asociaron a la exposición a trauma repetido/acumulativo y fueron altamente comórbidos con una variedad de psicopatologías. Los hallazgos validan la literatura previa concerniente al TEPT-C e indican una angustia considerable y, por lo tanto, demuestran la necesidad de soporte en los veteranos de las Fuerzas Armadas del Reino Unido residentes en Irlanda del Norte.

Childhood adversities in UK treatment-seeking military veterans.

INTRODUCTION: The long-term consequences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult physical and mental health are well documented in the literature. The current study sought to examine this relationship in a sample of UK treatment-seeking military veterans. METHODS: The data were collected through a cross-sectional self-report survey from military veterans who have sought help for mental health difficulties from a veteran-specific UK-based charity. The response rate was 67.2% (n=403) and the effective sample for this study consisted of 386 male veterans. Participants' history of ACEs and current mental/physical health difficulties were assessed. A latent class analysis was conducted to categorise participants into subgroups based on their ACEs and the relationship of these to the mental and physical health outcomes was examined. RESULTS: Five classes of veterans with different combinations of ACEs were identified. A total of 97% reported at least one ACE. There were minimal differences between the classes on mental and physical health outcomes, but the total number of ACEs was related to aggression, common mental health problems and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CONCLUSIONS: No combination of ACEs was specifically predictive of adverse mental/physical health difficulties in our sample. Instead, those with a higher number of ACEs may be more prone to developing problems with aggression, common mental health problems and PTSD. Assessing the history of childhood adversities in military veterans is therefore important when veterans are seeking help for mental health difficulties, as some of these may be related to childhood adversities and may need to be addressed in treatment.

Disentangling the Symptom-Level Nuances in Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Problematic Alcohol Use in Northern Irish Military Veterans: A Network Analysis.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use are highly prevalent among military veteran populations. Several theories have been proposed to account for the comorbidity between PTSD and problematic alcohol use, but research examining the symptom-level associations between the two is limited. The current study used network analysis to examine the associations between PTSD and problematic alcohol use. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of veterans of the United Kingdom Armed Forces living in Northern Ireland. The sample comprised 511 (91.2% male) veterans with a history of trauma exposure and current alcohol use. A network consisting of PTSD symptoms from the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and items from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was constructed, and the bridge centrality of all items was estimated to identify items with the highest number of associations and the strongest associations between the two constructs. The PTSD symptom "reckless behavior" (2.43) had the highest bridge centrality values and thus the strongest connections and most connections to the alcohol use items. For the alcohol use items, "not being able to stop drinking" (2.31) and "number of drinks" (1.24) demonstrated the strongest bridge connections to the PTSD items. These results highlight the role of specific PTSD symptoms involved in the interaction between PTSD and problematic alcohol use.

The Role of Coping in the Wellbeing and Work-Related Quality of Life of UK Health and Social Care Workers during COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic in early 2020. Due to the rapid spread of the virus and limited availability of effective treatments, health and social care systems worldwide quickly became overwhelmed. Such stressful circumstances are likely to have negative impacts on health and social care workers' wellbeing. The current study examined the relationship between coping strategies and wellbeing and quality of working life in nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers who worked in health and social care in the UK during its first wave of COVID-19. Data were collected using an anonymous online survey (N = 3425), and regression analyses were used to examine the associations of coping strategies and demographic characteristics with staff wellbeing and quality of working life. The results showed that positive coping strategies, particularly active coping and help-seeking, were associated with higher wellbeing and better quality of working life. Negative coping strategies, such as avoidance, were risk factors for low wellbeing and worse quality of working life. The results point to the importance of organizational and management support during stressful times, which could include psycho-education and training about active coping and might take the form of workshops designed to equip staff with better coping skills.

Factor structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire in UK Armed Forces veterans residing in Northern Ireland.

Background: Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) was recently included in the revised International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2018). C-PTSD is a new trauma related disorder which may develop after prolonged and multiple exposures to trauma. It is a sister disorder of PTSD and is further characterized by symptomatology of disorganized self-organization (DSO). To qualify for the diagnosis, individuals must first meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, then report DSO symptoms and functional impairment. A body of work is emerging which has focused on the underlying dimensionality of C-PTSD across both adult and more recently adolescent populations from differing index trauma groups and from across several nations and cultures. However, few studies have been conducted in populations exposed to combat trauma despite the obvious prolonged and multiple nature of their trauma histories. Objective: To contribute to emerging evidence of the factor structure of ICD-11 C-PTSD in a novel population. Methods: This is the first factor analytic study to explore C-PTSD in a sample of UK Armed Forces veterans residing in Northern Ireland (N = 732). C-PTSD was measured via the ITQ and we utilized CFA to assess the fit of 7 competing models. Results: Based on established CFA fit indices, a correlated, first order, 6-factor model of C-PTSD, representing 3 PTSD and 3 DSO symptom groupings, was deemed to provide superior fit to the data compared to 6 alternative C-PTSD models. The superiority of the model was further supported by statistical comparisons of competing C-PTSD models. All factor loadings (0.866-0.998) and inter-factor correlations (.746-.975) of the optimally fitting model were statistically significant and high. Conclusion: These results provide support for the construct validity of ICD-11 C-PTSD in a unique sample of Armed Forces veterans residing in Northern Ireland.

Antecedentes: El Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático Complejo (TEPT-C) fue recientemente incluido en la revisión de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE-11) por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS, 2018). EL TEPT-C es un nuevo trastorno relacionado con el trauma que puede desarrollarse posterior a exposición prolongada y múltiple a traumas. Es un trastorno hermano del TEPT, y se caracteriza además por su sintomatología de desorden en la auto-organización (DSO por sus siglas en inglés). Para calificar para este diagnóstico, los individuos deben cumplir primero con criterios para TEPT, y luego reportar síntomas de DSO y deterioro funcional. Un cúmulo de trabajo está emergiendo, y se ha concentrado en la dimensionalidad subyacente del TEPT-C en poblaciones de adultos y más recientemente en adolescentes, diferenciándolas de grupos de trauma índice y en numerosas naciones y culturas. Sin embargo, se han realizado pocos estudios en poblaciones expuestas a trauma de combate pese a la naturaleza obviamente prolongada y múltiple de sus historias de trauma.Objetivo: Contribuir a la evidencia emergente de la estructura factorial del TEPT-C de la CIE-11 en una población nueva.Métodos: Este es el primer estudio analítico factorial en explorar el TEPT-C en una muestra de Veteranos de las Fuerzas Armadas del Reino Unido que residen en Irlanda del Norte (N=732). El TEPT-C fue medido mediante el ITQ (Cuestionario Internacional de Trauma por sus siglas en inglés) y se utilizó análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA por sus siglas en inglés) para evaluar el ajuste de 7 modelos en competencia.Resultados: Basado en lo establecido por los índices de ajustes, un modelo de 6 factores correlacionado y de primer orden representando 3 agrupaciones de síntomas de TEPT y 3 agrupaciones de síntomas de DSO, fue encontrado que probó un ajuste superior a los datos comparado con los 6 modelos alternativos de TEP-C. La superioridad del modelo fue respaldada además por comparación estadística de los modelos en competencia de TEPT-C. Todas las cargas factoriales (0.866-0.998) y correlaciones inter-factoriales (.746-.975) del modelo con ajuste óptimo fueron estadísticamente significativas y altas.Conclusión: Estos resultados aportan sustento a la validez del constructo TEPT-C del CIE-11 en una muestra única de veteranos de las Fuerzas Armadas que residen en Irlanda del Norte.

A Cross-Sectional Examination of the Mental Wellbeing, Coping and Quality of Working Life in Health and Social Care Workers in the UK at Two Time Points of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve around the world, it is important to examine its effect on societies and individuals, including health and social care (HSC) professionals. The aim of this study was to compare cross-sectional data collected from HSC staff in the UK at two time points during the COVID-19 pandemic: Phase 1 (May-July 2020) and Phase 2 (November 2020-January 2021). The HSC staff surveyed consisted of nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers from across the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland). Multiple regressions were used to examine the effects of different coping strategies and demographic and work-related variables on participants' wellbeing and quality of working life to see how and if the predictors changed over time. An additional multiple regression was used to directly examine the effects of time (Phase 1 vs. Phase 2) on the outcome variables. Findings suggested that both wellbeing and quality of working life deteriorated from Phase 1 to Phase 2. The results have the potential to inform interventions for HSC staff during future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, other infectious outbreaks or even other circumstances putting long-term pressures on HSC systems.

The Mediating Role of Distress Tolerance in the Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment and Mental Health Outcomes Among University Students.

A wealth of empirical literature has documented that the experience of childhood maltreatment is related to an increased risk for the development of psychopathologies in adulthood. Empirical studies examining the factors that could possibly explain this relationship, however, remain sparse. The emerging literature on distress tolerance (DT) suggests that it could possibly act as an explanatory or mediating factor within this relationship. The current study, therefore, examined the mediating role of DT in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and psychopathology (posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use) in adulthood in a university student population sample (N = 642). Results showed that childhood maltreatment was positively associated with caseness for all mental health outcomes under investigation. It was also found that individuals with higher levels of DT were less likely to experience adverse mental health outcomes. The results of the mediation analysis indicated that the exposure to childhood maltreatment remained associated with elevated risk for being in the symptomatic group across mental health outcomes, and that DT significantly mediated this relationship. These results provide insight into the relationship between childhood maltreatment and mental ill-health later in life, highlighting the importance of considering DT as a potential risk and resilience factor in this relationship.

Assessing the Mediating Role of Social Support in Childhood Maltreatment and Psychopathology Among College Students in Northern Ireland.

The detrimental impact of early trauma, particularly childhood maltreatment, on mental health is well documented. Although it is understood that social support can act as a protective factor toward mental health for children who experience such adversity, few studies have addressed the experience of childhood maltreatment and the important function of social support in adulthood. The current study aimed to assess the mediating role of social support in the relationship between childhood experiences of maltreatment and mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and problematic alcohol use in a sample of university students (N = 640) from Northern Ireland. Results of binary logistic regression analyses indicated that those reporting experiences of childhood maltreatment were at increased odds of mental health outcomes of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, but not alcohol use. Those reporting greater social support were significantly less likely to report on these mental health outcomes. In addition, the indirect paths from childhood maltreatment through social support to PTSD, depression, and anxiety were all significant, suggesting that social support, particularly family support, is a significant mediator of these relationships. Such findings have important implications for the social care response to children experiencing maltreatment and future support for such children as they transition to adolescence and adulthood.

A network analysis of posttraumatic stress disorder and dissociation in trauma-exposed adolescents.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociation have long been recognized to co-occur, leading the DSM-5 to introduce a dissociative subtype of PTSD into its nomenclature. Most research to date on the dissociative subtype has focused on adults. The current study aimed to extend this research to an adolescent sample and to examine symptom-level associations between PTSD and dissociation using network analysis. The analysis was conducted with 448 trauma-exposed detained US adolescents (24.55% female; mean age 15.98 ± 1.25 years). A network consisting of 20 DSM-5 PTSD symptoms was constructed, followed by a network consisting of 20 PTSD symptoms and five dissociative items. Expected influence bridge centrality was estimated to examine items with the most/strongest cross-construct connections (i.e. between PTSD and dissociation). The PTSD symptoms concentration problems, amnesia and recurrent memories and the dissociative items depersonalization, derealisation and can't remember things that happened had the highest bridge centrality values. These symptom-level associations extend our understanding of the PTSD-dissociation relationship by pointing to specific symptoms of PTSD and dissociation that may drive the co-morbidity between the two constructs. These findings may inform future intervention efforts.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Reckless Behaviors: A Network Analysis Approach.

Existing literature indicates a theoretical and empirical relation between engagement in reckless behaviors and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thus, the DSM-5 revision of the PTSD nosology added a new "reckless or self-destructive behavior" (RSDB) symptom (Criterion E2). The current study applied a network analytic approach to examine the item-level relations among a range of reckless behaviors and PTSD symptom clusters. Participants were recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (N = 417), and network analysis was conducted with 20 variables: six PTSD symptom clusters, corresponding to the hybrid model of PTSD (Armour et al., 2015) and excluding the externalizing behavior cluster (Community 1), and 14 items related to reckless behavior (Community 2). The results showed that the network associations were strongest within each construct (i.e., within PTSD and within reckless behaviors), although several bridge connections (i.e., between PTSD clusters and reckless behaviors) were identified. Most reckless behavior items had direct associations with one or more PTSD symptom clusters. The present findings support the existence of close relations between a variety of reckless behaviors and PTSD symptom clusters beyond their relations with DSM Criterion E2. The results provide testable hypotheses about the associations between specific reckless behaviors and PTSD symptom clusters, which may inform future research.

Making the transition: How finding a good job is a risky business for military Veterans in Northern Ireland.

Veterans transitioning from the military to civilian life may encounter difficulties in different domains of functioning. Most research in this area comes from the US and Israel, with Veterans in Northern Ireland (NI) in the United Kingdom, remaining an understudied population. This qualitative study aimed to examine the nature of transition experiences of NI Veterans by analyzing responses (N = 252) to an open-ended question related to the transition process, in a self-report survey. Thematic analysis highlighted both positive and negative experiences across high-level themes. These were related to (1a) how good the military life had been, (1b) the transition had been easy for some Veterans, and (1c) the skills gained in the military have been valuable; (2) it was hard to adjust to civilian life/still adjusting; (3) negative employment experiences; (4) lack of trust; (5) transitioning is hard in NI; and (6) inadequate support, post-service. The findings highlight that NI Veterans share some of the same challenges as other Veterans; however, the challenges in NI are compounded by ongoing security concerns and political tensions, which means living under the radar is a reality for many, making finding meaningful work and community integration difficult. The findings indicate that preparation for civilian life and the acculturation process needs to start many months before discharge. Perhaps more crucially, regiments should work closely with and support civilian employers to equip them to recognize and value the skills ex-Services Veterans can offer, and find a good fit for their skills within their organizations.

A network analysis of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder and functional impairment in UK treatment-seeking veterans.

Network analysis is a relatively new methodology for studying psychological disorders. It focuses on the associations between individual symptoms which are hypothesized to mutually interact with each other. The current study represents the first network analysis conducted with treatment-seeking military veterans in UK. The study aimed to examine the network structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and four domains of functional impairment by identifying the most central (i.e., important) symptoms of PTSD and by identifying those symptoms of PTSD that are related to functional impairment. Participants were 331 military veterans with probable PTSD. In the first step, a network of PTSD symptoms based on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 was estimated. In the second step, functional impairment items were added to the network. The most central symptoms of PTSD were recurrent thoughts, nightmares, negative emotional state, detachment and exaggerated startle response. Functional impairment was related to a number of different PTSD symptoms. Impairments in close relationships were associated primarily with the negative alterations in cognitions and mood symptoms and impairments in home management were associated primarily with the reexperiencing symptoms. The results are discussed in relation to previous PTSD network studies and include implications for clinical practice.

Examination of the latent structure of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in Slovakia.

The latent structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been widely discussed, with the majority of studies in this area being conducted in the US. The current study aimed to extend this area of research by comparing seven existing PTSD factor models in a sample of 754 trauma-exposed university students from Slovakia, where similar research has not been conducted yet. The sample was predominantly female (83.69%), with a mean age of 22.68 years. The comparison of competing models revealed that the Anhedonia model, consisting of six inter-correlated factors of reexperiencing, avoidance, negative affect, anhedonia, dysphoric arousal and anxious arousal, provided the best fit. Several factors of the Anhedonia model also showed differential relationships with the external variables of anxiety and depression. The study contributes to the limited literature on the latent structure of PTSD in Eastern Europe.

Typologies of adverse childhood experiences and their relationship to incarceration in U.S. military veterans.

Numerous studies have reported that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with negative psychosocial outcomes in adulthood, but no study has examined the different typologies of ACEs and the relationship of these with adult incarceration in military veterans. The current study used latent class analysis to examine the existence of different childhood maltreatment and household dysfunction typologies in a sample of U.S. military veterans identified through the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III ((NESARC-III)). A total of 60.73% of veterans reported one or more ACEs. Four latent classes were identified and were named Low adversities, Moderate maltreatment with high household substance use, Severe maltreatment with moderate household dysfunction and Severe multi-type adversities. Relative to the Low adversities class, the three maltreatment/dysfunction classes had significantly elevated odds ratios (1.72-2.29) for adult incarceration, when controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and alcohol and drug use. The results point to the importance of examining childhood risk factors for incarceration and suggest that a certain sub-group of military personnel who are about to transition into the civilian life may need additional support to adjust and live successful lives.

Assessing the structure and meaningfulness of the dissociative subtype of PTSD.

PURPOSE: Studies conducted in the USA, Canada and Denmark have supported the existence of the dissociative PTSD subtype, characterized primarily by symptoms of depersonalization and derealization. The current study aimed to examine the dissociative PTSD subtype in an Eastern European, predominantly female (83.16%) sample, using an extended set of dissociative symptoms. METHODS: A latent profile analysis was applied to the PTSD and dissociation data from 689 trauma-exposed university students from Slovakia. RESULTS: Four latent profiles of varying PTSD and dissociation symptomatology were uncovered. They were named non-symptomatic, moderate PTSD, high PTSD and dissociative PTSD. The dissociative PTSD profile showed elevations on depersonalization and derealization, but also the alternative dissociative indicators of gaps in awareness and memory, sensory misperceptions and cognitive and behavioural re-experiencing. The core PTSD symptoms of 'memory impairment' and 'reckless or self-destructive behaviour' were also significantly elevated in the dissociative PTSD profile. Moreover, anxiety and anger predicted membership in the dissociative PTSD profile. CONCLUSION: The results provide support for the proposal that the dissociative PTSD subtype can be characterized by a variety of dissociative symptoms.

Cannabinoids and Vanilloids in Schizophrenia: Neurophysiological Evidence and Directions for Basic Research.

Much of our knowledge of the endocannabinoid system in schizophrenia comes from behavioral measures in rodents, like prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle and open-field locomotion, which are commonly used along with neurochemical approaches or drug challenge designs. Such methods continue to map fundamental mechanisms of sensorimotor gating, hyperlocomotion, social interaction, and underlying monoaminergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic disturbances. These strategies will require, however, a greater use of neurophysiological tools to better inform clinical research. In this sense, electrophysiology and viral vector-based circuit dissection, like optogenetics, can further elucidate how exogenous cannabinoids worsen (e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) or ameliorate (e.g., cannabidiol, CBD) schizophrenia symptoms, like hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive deficits. Also, recent studies point to a complex endocannabinoid-endovanilloid interplay, including the influence of anandamide (endogenous CB1 and TRPV1 agonist) on cognitive variables, such as aversive memory extinction. In fact, growing interest has been devoted to TRPV1 receptors as promising therapeutic targets. Here, these issues are reviewed with an emphasis on the neurophysiological evidence. First, we contextualize imaging and electrographic findings in humans. Then, we present a comprehensive review on rodent electrophysiology. Finally, we discuss how basic research will benefit from further combining psychopharmacological and neurophysiological tools.