The effect of maternal concerns about childbirth and postpartum period on obsessive and compulsive behaviors related to baby care / Efecto de las preocupaciones maternas sobre el parto y el puerperio en las conductas obsesivas y compulsivas relacionadas con el cuidado del bebé

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum anxiety after childbirth is a common condition among pregnant women due to reasons such as the uncertainty of experiencing pregnancy and childbirth for the first time, or previous negative experiences. Fear of childbirth can affect the mother's baby care process. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted analytically with a single-subject design to determine the effects of maternal concerns about childbirth and the postpartum period on obsessive and compulsive behaviors related to baby care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 260 mothers. Data were collected using a descriptive information form, and the scales 'Fear of Childbirth and Postpartum Period', and 'Obsessive and Compulsive Behaviors of Mothers in the Postpartum Period Related to Baby Care'. The data were analyzed using the SPSS™ software to calculate percentages, mean values, t tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and simple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant and positive correlation was found between participant scores of the 'Fear of Childbirth and Postpartum Period' and the 'Obsessive and Compulsive Behaviors of Mothers in the Postpartum Period Related to Baby Care' scales (p < 0.01). The regression model showed that 18.0% of the total variance in the obsessive and compulsive behaviors of mothers in the postpartum was explained by the fear of childbirth and the postpartum period (corrected R2 = 0.180). CONCLUSIONS: Fear of childbirth and the postpartum period were moderate. However, as the fear of women regarding childbirth and the postpartum period increased, their postpartum obsessive and compulsive behaviors about baby care also increased.

Introducción: La ansiedad del parto y el posparto es una condición común entre las mujeres embarazadas por la incertidumbre de vivir el embarazo y el parto por primera vez o por previas experiencias negativas. El miedo al parto puede afectar el proceso del cuidado del bebé de la madre. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de las preocupaciones maternas sobre el parto y el puerperio y su efecto sobre las conductas obsesivas y compulsivas relacionadas con el cuidado del bebé. Materiales y métodos: El estudio se realizó con 260 madres. Los datos fueron recolectados en el formulario de información descriptiva y se usaron la "Escala de miedo al parto y al período posparto" y la de "Comportamientos obsesivos y compulsivos de las madres en el período posparto relacionados con el cuidado del bebé". Los datos fueron evaluados mediante el software SPSS™ mediante el cálculo de porcentajes, promedio, prueba t, ANOVA, correlación de Pearson y análisis de regresión múltiple. Resultados: Se encontró una correlación positiva y estadísticamente significativa entre la "Escala de miedo al parto y del período posparto" y la de "Comportamientos obsesivos y compulsivos de las madres en el período posparto relacionadas con el cuidado del bebé" (p < 0.01). En el modelo creado por análisis de regresión se observó que el 18,0% del cambio en la escala de comportamientos obsesivos-compulsivos estaba explicado por el miedo al parto y al puerperio (R2 corregido = 0,180). Conclusiones: En el estudio se determinó que el miedo al parto y al puerperio era moderado. Sin embargo, a medida que aumentaba el puntaje de miedo al parto y al período posparto, también aumentaban los comportamientos obsesivos y compulsivos de las madres en el puerperio relacionados con el cuidado del bebé.

Correlation between compulsive behaviors and plastic changes in the dendritic spines of the prefrontal cortex and dorsolateral striatum of male rats.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental affliction characterized by compulsive behaviors often manifested in intrusive thoughts and repetitive actions. The quinpirole model has been used with rats to replicate compulsive behaviors and study the neurophysiological processes associated with this pathology. Several changes in the dendritic spines of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS) have been related to the occurrence of compulsive behaviors. Dendritic spines regulate excitatory synaptic contacts, and their morphology is associated with various brain pathologies. The present study was designed to correlate the occurrence of compulsive behaviors (generated by administering the drug quinpirole) with the morphology of the different types of dendritic spines in the mPFC and DLS. A total of 18 male rats were used. Half were assigned to the experimental group, the other half to the control group. The former received injections of quinpirole, while the latter rats were injected with physiological saline solution, for 10 days in both cases. After the experimental treatment, the quinpirole rats exhibited all the parameters indicative of compulsive behavior and a significant correlation with the density of stubby and wide neckless spines in both the mPFC and DLS. Dendritic spines from both mPFC and DLS neurons showed plastic changes correlatively with the expression of compulsive behavior induced by quinpirole. Further studies are suggested to evaluate the involvement of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the neurobiology of OCD.

Evaluating YOLO architectures for detecting road killed endangered Brazilian animals.

Wildlife roadkill is a recurring, dangerous problem that affects both humans and animals and has received increasing attention from environmentalists worldwide. Addressing this problem is difficult due to the high investments required in road infrastructure to effectively reduce wildlife vehicle collisions. Despite recent applications of machine learning techniques in low-cost and economically viable detection systems, e.g., for alerting drivers about the presence of animals and collecting statistics on endangered animal species, the success and wide adoption of these systems depend heavily on the availability of data for system training. The lack of training data negatively impacts the feature extraction of machine learning models, which is crucial for successful animal detection and classification. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of several state-of-the-art object detection models on limited data for model training. The selected models are based on the YOLO architecture, which is well-suited for and commonly used in real-time object detection. These include the YoloV4, Scaled-YoloV4, YoloV5, YoloR, YoloX, and YoloV7 models. We focus on Brazilian endangered animal species and use the BRA-Dataset for model training. We also assess the effectiveness of data augmentation and transfer learning techniques in our evaluation. The models are compared using summary metrics such as precision, recall, mAP, and FPS and are qualitatively analyzed considering classic computer vision problems. The results show that the architecture with the best results against false negatives is Scaled-YoloV4, while the best FPS detection score is the nano version of YoloV5.

Prevalence and psychopathology features of mental rituals in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A descriptive exploratory study of 1001 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Mental rituals (MR) are compulsions with no overt behavioural or motoric signs. It is presently unclear whether MR found in obsessive-compulsive disorder are associated with a distinctive clinical profile. OBJECTIVES: The main objectives of this paper were to assess the prevalence and psychopathological correlates of mental rituals in a large sample of OCD patients. METHODS: This exploratory case-control study compared 519 patients with versus 447 without MR in terms of sociodemographics, presence and severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, psychiatric comorbidities, sensory phenomena, suicidality, and insight. RESULTS: Current MR were found in 51.8%, while lifetime MR were found in 55.4% of the sample. The multiple logistic regression model determined that the most relevant clinical factors independently associated with current MR in OCD patients were the absence of any sensory phenomena and the presence of lifetime suicide ideation. CONCLUSION: Due to its relation to OCD clinical aspects, MR are a frequent feature among OCD patients. It also seems to be associated with a range of features that are probably relevant for treatment, especially sensory phenomena and suicidality.

Percepções de pacientes sobre a Terapia Cognitivo Comportamental em Grupo para a obesidade / Patients' perceptions on group cognitive behavioral therapy for obesity

Resumo. Objetivo. Analisar os feedback de indivíduos com diagnóstico de obesidade que realizaram 8 sessões de Terapia Cognitivo Comportamental em Grupo (TCCG). Método. Participaram 13 pacientes com diagnóstico prévio de obesidade. O instrumento foi uma entrevista conduzida no último encontro da TCCG e, posteriormente, foi realizada a análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados. Foram organizadas quatro categorias: benefícios da participação da intervenção, emagrecimento e autoestima, melhora na qualidade da alimentação, melhora na saúde física e qualidade de vida. Além do emagrecimento, houve uma melhora na qualidade da alimentação, perda de peso, bem-estar e autoestima e, consequentemente, na qualidade de vida. Além de sua aplicação no tratamento da obesidade, a TCCG pode ser uma abordagem promissora no tratamento de outros transtornos.

Abstract. Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze the feedback of individuals with obesity diagnosis after 8 Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (GCBT) sessions. Method. 13 patients with previous obesity diagnosis participated. The instrument was an interview conducted at the last meeting of the GCBT; subsequently, a Bardin's content analysis was carried out. Results. The obtained data was organized into four categories: benefits of participation in the intervention; weight loss and self-esteem; improvement in nutrition quality; and improvement in physical health and life quality. Beyond weight loss, there was an improvement in the quality of nutrition, weight loss, well-being, self-esteem, and, consequently, in the quality of life. Aside from its application in obesity treatment, GCBT can be a promising approach in the treatment of other disorders.

Treatment effects and adherence of sexually compulsive men in a randomized controlled trial of psychotherapy and medication.

Background: Little attention has been given to efficacious treatment and adherence to treatment of compulsive sexual behavior (CSB). Aims: Randomized controlled trial investigated short-term psychodynamic group therapy followed by relapse prevention group (STPGP-RPGT) and pharmacological treatment (PT) for CSB men on sexual compulsivity and adherence. Method: 135 men, 38 (SD = 9) years old on average, were randomly assigned to 1) STPGP-RPGT; 2) PT; 3) Both. Participants completed measures at baseline, 25th, and 34th week. 57 (42.2%) participants dropped out between baseline and 25th week, and 68 (50.4%) between baseline and 34th week. 94 (69.6%) did not adhere (80% pills taken or attended 75% therapy sessions). Results: A significant interaction effect was found between time and group (F (4, 128) = 2.62, P = 0.038, ES = 0.08), showing who received PT improved less in sexual compulsivity than those who received STPGP-RPGT (t = 2.41; P = 0.038; ES = 0.60) and PT + STPGP-RPGT (t = 3.15; P = 0.007, ES = 0.74). Adherent participants improved more in sexual compulsivity than non-adherent at the 25th week (t = 2.82; P = 0.006, ES = 0.65) and 34th week (t = 2.26; P = 0.027, ES = 0.55), but there was no interaction effect, F (2, 130) = 2.88; P = 0.06; ES = 0.04). The most reported behavior (masturbation) showed greater risk of non-adherence (72.6%). Discussion and conclusions: Adherent participants improved better than non-adherent. Participants who received psychotherapy improved better than those who received PT. Methodological limitations preclude conclusions on efficacy.

Symptoms of depression (not anxiety) mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors in men.

OBJECTIVE: Childhood sexual abuse is associated with compulsive sexual behavior, depression, and anxiety in men. Furthermore, both depression and anxiety have been linked to compulsive sexual behaviors. However, whether anxiety and depression mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors has yet to be tested. We investigated whether symptoms of depression and anxiety mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors in 222 men seeking treatment for such behaviors. METHODS: Participants completed the Sexual Compulsivity Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. A cross-sectional parallel mediation analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in our sample was 57%. Significant correlations were found between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors, depression, and anxiety. The results of the mediation analyses suggested that depression (B = 0.07, standard error [SE] = 0.03, 95%CI 0.02 to 0.15), but not anxiety (B = 0.02, SE = 0.02, 95%CI -0.2 to 0.07), mediated the link between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors. The pattern of our results remained the same when controlling for other types of childhood trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Depression, not anxiety, appears to mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and compulsive sexual behaviors in men. Future research that tests our mediation analyses using a prospective longitudinal study would be highly informative.

Uma leitura metapsicológica sobre a compulsão à repetição e suas potencialidades terapêuticas / Las potencialidades terapéuticas inscritas en la compulsion a la repetición y algunas justificaciones metapsicologicas / A metapsychological analisis about the compulsion towards repetition and its therapeutic potentialities

RESUMO Fenômenos associados à compulsão à repetição apresentam-se na clínica psicanalítica como reveladores de uma dor da qual o paciente nada sabe dizer, mas que se impõe como um destino implacável. Partilhando da opinião de alguns psicanalistas sobre as potencialidades terapêuticas inscritas na compulsão à repetição e cientes das dificuldades que envolvem a sua justificação teórica, este artigo busca aclarar a trama conceitual da metapsicologia que pode vir a embasar tal compreensão. Desse modo, partindo de uma pesquisa conceitual, objetivamos explicitar os fenômenos metapsicológicos que estão inscritos na repetição, propiciando uma releitura de aspectos importantes da obra freudiana. Assim, o artigo desenvolve a ideia de que as energias disruptivas presentes na compulsão à repetição, ao serem submetidas ao trabalho de ligação realizado pelo 'Eu', um processo secundário por excelência, articulado às noções de fusão e desfusão pulsionais, presentes em textos da etapa madura das reflexões de Freud, permite lançar alguma luz sobre processos obscuros subjacentes aos fenômenos em tela.

RESUMEN Fenómenos asociados a la compulsión a la repetición se presentan en la clínica psicoanalítica como reveladores de un dolor del cual el paciente nada sabe decir, pero que se impone como un destino implacable. Compartiendo la opinión de algunos psicoanalistas en las potencialidades terapéuticas inscritas en la repetición y conscientes de las dificultades que envuelven su justificación teórica, este artículo busca explicitar la trama conceptual metapsicológica que puede venir a embasar su comprensión. Así, empiezando desde una búsqueda conceptual, tenemos como objetivo demuenstrar a los fenómenos metapsicológicos que se encuentran inscritos en la repetición, proporcionando una reinterpretación de importantes aspectos de la obra de Freud. Por lo tanto, este articulo desarrolla la idea de energías disruptivas encuentradas en la compulsión hacia la repetición cuando se las envían al trabajo de ligación realizado por el 'Yo', un procedimiento secundario por excelencia, enlazados a la comprensión de fusión y desfusion pulsionales, que están presentes en textos de la etapa madura de las relfexiones de Freud, permitiendo tirar alguna luz sobre procesos oscuros subyacentes a los fenómenos en discusión.

ABSTRACT Phenomena associated with repetition compulsion appear in the psychoanalytic clinic revealing a pain the patient knows nothing about, but which imposes as a relentless fate. Sharing the opinion of some psychoanalysts about therapeutic potentialities inscribed in the compulsion repetition and aware of the difficulties involved in their theoretical justification, this article sought to explain the conceptual framework necessary to understand the process underlying such phenomena. Thus, starting from a conceptual research, we aimed to explain the metapsychological phenomena inscribed in repetition, providing a new understanding of important aspects of the Freudian work. Therefore, the article develops the idea that disruptive energies present in repetition compulsion when subjected to connection carried out by the 'Self', a secondary process par excellence, articulated to the notions of drive fusion and defusion, available in texts from the mature stage of Freud's reflections, allows to shed light on obscure processes underlying the phenomena in question.

Grupo multifamiliar em transtornos alimentares durante a primeira onda da pandemia de covid-19: transição para a modalidade online / Multifamily group on eating disorders during the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic: transitioning to the online modality / Grupo multifamiliar de trastornos alimentarios durante la primera ola de la pandemia de la covid-19: transición a la modalidad en línea

As restrições impostas pela pandemia de covid-19 levaram os serviços de saúde a reorganizarem seu funcionamento, ajustando-se à modalidade remota. A transição repentina e sem o devido preparo técnico impôs desafios adicionais para usuários e profissionais. Para aprimorar as estratégias assistenciais, torna-se imprescindível dar voz aos usuários dos serviços, para que narrem suas experiências e possam manifestar suas facilidades e dificuldades com essa passagem. Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar como os principais cuidadores familiares de pessoas com transtornos alimentares vivenciaram a transição do grupo de apoio para o formato remoto e identificar vantagens e desvantagens percebidas nesse modelo. Estudo clínico-qualitativo, exploratório, realizado em um serviço de atendimento especializado de um hospital terciário. O cenário investigado foi o grupo de apoio psicológico aberto a familiares que, desde o início da pandemia de covid-19, passou a ser oferecido na modalidade online. Participaram do estudo cinco mães e três pais presentes em 13 sessões grupais consecutivas. Entrevistas individuais foram aplicadas com a Técnica do Incidente Crítico logo após o término de cada encontro grupal, totalizando 26 entrevistas audiogravadas, transcritas e submetidas à análise temática. A transição para o online foi vivenciada pelos participantes como um recurso válido para permitir que o grupo funcionasse em tempos de grave crise sanitária. Como vantagens, foram mencionadas: a continuidade do cuidado, maior acessibilidade e facilidade em relação à logística da participação. Como limitações do formato online, foram destacadas: nem todos os familiares contam com conexão de internet de qualidade e possível dificuldade para manusear a tecnologia digital. Apesar dos desafios impostos pela súbita mudança para a modalidade online, na perspectiva dos usuários do serviço os esforços de adaptação foram bem-sucedidos, possibilitando a continuidade do cuidado à saúde mental.(AU)

The constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic led health services to reorganize their operation, adjusting to the online modality. The sudden and unprepared technical transition has imposed additional challenges for both users and professionals. To improve care strategies, it is essential to give voice to services users, so that they can narrate their experiences and express their facilities and difficulties with this transition. This study aims to investigate how main family caregivers of people with eating disorders experienced the transition of the support group to the remote modality and to identify perceived advantages and disadvantages in this model. This is a clinical-qualitative, exploratory study carried out in a specialized care service of a tertiary hospital. The investigated setting was the psychological support group open to family members, which since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has been offered online. Five mothers and three fathers who attended 13 consecutive group sessions participated in the study. Individual interviews were carried out with the Critical Incident Technique shortly after the end of each group meeting with all members, totaling 26 audio-recorded interviews. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. Transition was experienced as a valid resource to maintain the group active in times of a severe health crisis. As advantages of the remote modality were mentioned: continuity of care, greater accessibility, and ease in relation to the logistics of participation. As limitations of the online format were highlighted: not everyone has a good-quality connection to the internet, and difficulty in handling the digital technology. Despite the challenges imposed by the sudden shift to the online modality, from the service users' perspective the adaptation efforts were successful, enabling continuity of mental health care.(AU)

Las limitaciones que impuso la pandemia de la COVID-19 llevaron a los servicios sanitarios a reorganizar su funcionamiento adaptándose a la modalidad remota. El súbito cambio y sin la preparación técnica adecuada implicó retos adicionales a los usuarios y profesionales. Para mejorar las estrategias de atención es fundamental dar voz a los usuarios de los servicios, para que puedan narrar sus experiencias y expresar sus facilidades y dificultades con esta transición. Este estudio pretende investigar cómo han vivido los cuidadores de personas con trastornos alimentarios la transición del grupo de apoyo presencial al formato remoto e identificar las ventajas y desventajas percibidas en este modelo. Se trata de un estudio clínicocualitativo, exploratorio. El escenario investigado fue el grupo de apoyo psicológico abierto a los familiares en la modalidad en línea. Cinco madres y tres padres participaron en 13 sesiones de grupo consecutivas. Se realizaron entrevistas individuales con la técnica de incidentes críticos inmediatamente después de cada reunión del grupo, con un total de 26 entrevistas grabadas en audio, transcritas y sometidas a análisis temático. La transición a la red fue experimentada como un recurso válido para permitir que el grupo funcione en tiempos de crisis sanitaria grave. Las ventajas de la modalidad remota fueron conexión segura en tiempos de confinamiento físico, continuidad, mayor accesibilidad y facilidad en relación con la logística de la participación. Las limitaciones del formato en línea fueron la falta de una conexión de calidad a Internet y la posible dificultad de manejo de la tecnología digital. A pesar de las dificultades impuestas por el cambio repentino a la modalidad en línea, desde la perspectiva de los usuarios del servicio los esfuerzos de adaptación fueron un éxito, lo que permitió seguir con la atención de salud mental.(AU)

Cannabidiol ameliorates the anxiogenic and compulsive-like behaviors induced by chronic consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet in male mice.

The excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods and the development of obesity has been associated with several comorbidities, including psychiatric disorders. Excess fat tissue promotes a low-intensity inflammatory state, mainly in the white tissue, which is essential in developing metabolic alterations and influences brain homeostasis. In this scenario, Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound from Cannabis sativa, has presented anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory effects in murine models. This study verified whether CBD treatment would ameliorate the compulsive-like and anxiety-like behaviors observed after mice's chronic consumption of a high-refined carbohydrate (HC) diet. BALB/c male mice received a control or HC diet for 12 weeks followed by vehicle and CBD (30 mg/Kg, i.p.) administration, and their behavior was evaluated in the Marble Burying test (MB) and Novel Suppressing Feeding test (NSF). The sub-chronic, but not acute, treatment with CBD attenuated the compulsive-like and anxiogenic-like behavior induced by the HC diet. Our data reinforced the harmful effects of the HC diet's chronic consumption on compulsive and anxious behaviors and the potential of CBD as a drug treatment for psychiatric disorders associated with obesity.

A longitudinal evaluation of free will related cognitions in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often feel compelled to perform (compulsive) behaviors, thus raising questions regarding their free will beliefs and experiences. In the present study, we investigated if free will related cognitions (free will beliefs or experiences) differed between OCD patients and healthy subjects and whether these cognitions predicted symptom changes after a one-year follow up. METHODS: Sixty OCD outpatients were assessed for their beliefs in and experiences of free will at baseline and after one year of treatment. A subsample of 18 OCD patients had their beliefs compared to 18 age and gender matched healthy controls. A regression analysis was performed to investigate whether free will cognitions at baseline were able to predict long-term OCD severity scores. RESULTS: Patients with OCD and healthy controls do not seem to differ in terms of their beliefs in free will (U = 156.0; p = 0.864). Nonetheless, we found significant negative correlation between (i) duration of illness and strength of belief in determinism (ρ = -0.317; p = 0.016), (ii) age and perception of having alternative possibilities (ρ = -0.275; p = 0.038), and (iii) symptoms' severity and perception of having alternative possibilities (ρ = -0.415; p = 0.001). On the other hand, the experience of being an owner of ones' actions was positive correlated with the severity of symptoms (ρ = 0.538; p < 0.001) and were able to predict the severity of OCD symptoms at the follow up assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Older individuals or those with a greater severity of symptoms seem to have a perception of decreased free will. In addition, patients with a longer duration of illness tend to have a lower strength of belief in determinism. Finally, the experience of being the owner of the compulsions, along with the baseline severity of symptoms, can be a predictor of a worse outcome in the OCD sample.

Neurocircuit models of obsessive-compulsive disorder: limitations and future directions for research.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric condition classically characterized by obsessions (recurrent, intrusive and unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (excessive, repetitive and ritualistic behaviors or mental acts). OCD is heterogeneous in its clinical presentation and not all patients respond to first-line treatments. Several neurocircuit models of OCD have been proposed with the aim of providing a better understanding of the neural and cognitive mechanisms involved in the disorder. These models use advances in neuroscience and findings from neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies to suggest links between clinical profiles that reflect the symptoms and experiences of patients and dysfunctions in specific neurocircuits. Several models propose that treatments for OCD could be improved if directed to specific neurocircuit dysfunctions, thereby restoring efficient neurocognitive function and ameliorating the symptomatology of each associated clinical profile. Yet, there are several important limitations to neurocircuit models of OCD. The purpose of the current review is to highlight some of these limitations, including issues related to the complexity of brain and cognitive function, the clinical presentation and course of OCD, etiological factors, and treatment methods proposed by the models. We also provide suggestions for future research to advance neurocircuit models of OCD and facilitate translation to clinical application.

Food-grade titanium dioxide decreases hematocrit and hemoglobin and increases compulsive-like behavior in male mice.

Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) is widely used as a food additive, and it is known that after oral consumption, E171 is translocated into the bloodstream reaching the highest titanium level at 6 h. E171 is accumulated in some organs triggering toxicity, but the effects on the blood parameters after oral consumption have been less studied. Recently, evidence shows that oral exposure to E171 induces behavioral signs of anxiety and depression. The relation between blood alterations and psychiatric disorders has been previously demonstrated. However, the oral exposure to E171 effects on alterations in blood parameters and effects linked to alterations in animal behavior has not been explored. In this short communication, we aimed to investigate the effects of E171 on specific blood parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, number of erythrocytes, and leukocytes) and anxiety and compulsive-like behavior in males and females orally exposed to ~5 mg/kg for 4 weeks. The results showed that E171 decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin in male but not in female mice while leukocyte and erythrocyte count remained unaltered. Oral consumption of E171 decreased the levels of anxiety-like behavior in females but not in male mice, while compulsive-like behavior was increased in both male and female mice.

The prevalence of impulsive compulsive behaviors in patients treated with apomorphine infusion: a retrospective analysis / Prevalência de comportamentos impulsivo-compulsivos em pacientes tratados com infusão de apomorfina: análise retrospectiva

ABSTRACT Background: Impulsive compulsive behaviors (ICBs) can affect a significant number of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Objective: We have studied brain samples from a brain bank of PD patients who received apomorphine via continuous infusion in life to assess the prevalence and outcome of ICBs. Methods: A search on the Queen Square Brain Bank (QSBB) database for cases donated from 2005 to 2016 with a pathological diagnosis of idiopathic PD was conducted. Notes of all donors who used apomorphine via continuous infusion for at least three months were reviewed. Clinical and demographic data were collected, as well as detailed information on treatment, prevalence and outcomes of ICBs. Results: 193 PD cases, 124 males and 69 females, with an average age at disease onset of 60.2 years and average disease duration of 17.2 years were reviewed. Dementia occurred in nearly half of the sample, depression in one quarter, and dyskinesias in a little over 40%. The prevalence of ICBs was 14.5%. Twenty-four individuals used apomorphine infusion for more than three months. Patients on apomorphine had younger age at disease onset, longer disease duration, and higher prevalence of dyskinesias. The prevalence of de novo ICB cases among patients on apomorphine was 8.3%. Apomorphine infusion was used for an average of 63.1 months on an average maximum dose of 79.5 mg per day. Ten patients remained on apomorphine until death. Conclusions: Apomorphine can be used as an alternative treatment for patients with previous ICBs as it has low risk of triggering recurrence of ICBs.

RESUMO Antecedentes: Comportamentos impulsivo-compulsivos (CICs) podem acometer uma parcela significativa de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson (DP). Objetivo: Nós estudamos amostras de tecido cerebral de uma população de pacientes com DP de um banco de cérebros que receberam apomorfina por infusão contínua em vida, com a finalidade de avaliar a prevalência e o desfecho dos CICs. Métodos: Uma pesquisa no banco de dados do Banco de Cérebros de Queen Square foi conduzida à procura de doações recebidas entre 2005 e 2016 com diagnóstico anatomopatológico de DP idiopática. Os prontuários de todos os doadores que usaram apomorfina por infusão contínua por um período mínimo de três meses foram revisados. Dados clínicos e demográficos foram coletados, assim como informações detalhadas sobre o tratamento, prevalência e desfecho dos CICs. Resultados: 193 casos de DP, 124 do sexo masculino e 69 do sexo feminino, com idade média de início da doença de 60,2 anos e tempo médio de duração da doença de 17,2 anos, foram revisados. Aproximadamente metade dos casos apresentaram demência, um quarto depressão, e um pouco mais de 40% discinesias. A prevalência de CICs foi 14,5%. Vinte e quatro indivíduos usaram infusão de apomorfina por mais de três meses. Os pacientes que usaram apomorfina apresentaram DP mais cedo, maior duração da doença, e uma maior prevalência de discinesias. A prevalência de novos casos de CICs entre pacientes usando apomorfina foi de 8,3%. Infusão de apomorfina foi usada em média por 63,1 meses a um dose máxima média de 79,5 mg por dia. Dez pacientes permaneceram usando apomorfina até o óbito. Conclusões: Apomorfina pode ser usada como opção de tratamento alternativo para pacientes que apresentarem CICs no passado considerando seu baixo risco de causar recorrência de CICs.

The prevalence of impulsive compulsive behaviors in patients treated with apomorphine infusion: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Impulsive compulsive behaviors (ICBs) can affect a significant number of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. OBJECTIVE: We have studied brain samples from a brain bank of PD patients who received apomorphine via continuous infusion in life to assess the prevalence and outcome of ICBs. METHODS: A search on the Queen Square Brain Bank (QSBB) database for cases donated from 2005 to 2016 with a pathological diagnosis of idiopathic PD was conducted. Notes of all donors who used apomorphine via continuous infusion for at least three months were reviewed. Clinical and demographic data were collected, as well as detailed information on treatment, prevalence and outcomes of ICBs. RESULTS: 193 PD cases, 124 males and 69 females, with an average age at disease onset of 60.2 years and average disease duration of 17.2 years were reviewed. Dementia occurred in nearly half of the sample, depression in one quarter, and dyskinesias in a little over 40%. The prevalence of ICBs was 14.5%. Twenty-four individuals used apomorphine infusion for more than three months. Patients on apomorphine had younger age at disease onset, longer disease duration, and higher prevalence of dyskinesias. The prevalence of de novo ICB cases among patients on apomorphine was 8.3%. Apomorphine infusion was used for an average of 63.1 months on an average maximum dose of 79.5 mg per day. Ten patients remained on apomorphine until death. CONCLUSIONS: Apomorphine can be used as an alternative treatment for patients with previous ICBs as it has low risk of triggering recurrence of ICBs.

Link between obsessive-compulsive disorder and polymorphisms in HDAC genes.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, epigenetic mechanisms related to histone modifications including histone deacetylation (HDAC) have been emphasized in psychiatric diseases. Few studies have investigated the relationship of HDAC gene variations to psychiatric diseases, but these gene variations have never been studied in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The present case-control study aimed to compare symptomatology with HDAC gene variations in patients with OCD. METHODS: Illumina next-generation sequencing of six HDAC genes (HDAC2,3,4,9,10,11) was performed on DNA samples isolated from 200 Turkish subjects recruited from routine clinical practice. Twenty-seven single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in six HDAC genes were scanned with the LightSNiP method. RESULTS: New variants, all previously unreported in the literature, were identified in the HDAC4, HDAC10, and HDAC11 genes. When control and OCD patient groups were compared, a statistically significant difference was found in HDAC2 rs13212283, HDAC4 rs1063639, and HDAC10 rs1555048 in terms of genotype distribution (p < 0.05). In addition, in the OCD group, a statistically significant relationship was found between some obsessions/compulsions and HDAC2, HDAC3, and HDAC4 polymorphisms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4, and HDAC10 genes may play a role in the pathogenesis of OCD.

Mental health of Brazilian university students during the Covid-19 / Saúde mental dos estudantes universitários brasileiros durante a pandemia de Covid-19 / Salud mental de estudiantes universitarios brasileños durante la pandemia Covid-19

This study aimed to investigate the effects of positive and negative affects, anxiety, and obsessive and compulsive thoughts and behaviors on Brazilian university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Participated in this study 492 students, aged 18 years or over, from all regions of the country. The survey was conducted between April and May 2020, using self-report instruments applied in the online format. The results indicated that 37% (N=182) of the students had a high level of anxiety and 46.1% (N=227) moderate levels for obsessive and compulsive thoughts and behaviors. In addition, it was found that positive affects were negatively correlated with anxiety, as well as with obsessive and compulsive thoughts and behaviors, while negative affects were positively correlated with independent variables. It is concluded that the mental health of university students must be monitored during pandemics.

Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar os efeitos dos afetos positivos e negativos, da ansiedade e dos pensamentos e comportamentos obsessivos e compulsivos nos estudantes universitários brasileiros durante a pandemia da Covid-19. Participaram deste estudo 492 estudantes de todas as regiões do país e com idades a partir de 18 anos. A pesquisa foi realizada entre os meses de abril e maio de 2020, por meio de instrumentos de autorrelatos aplicados no formato on-line. Os resultados indicaram que 37% (N = 182) dos estudantes apresentaram alto nível de ansiedade e 46,1% (N = 227) níveis moderados para os pensamentos e comportamentos obsessivos e compulsivos. Além disso, verificou-se que os afetos positivos se relacionaram negativamente à ansiedade, assim como se relacionaram negativamente aos pensamentos e comportamentos obsessivos e compulsivos, enquanto os afetos negativos se relacionaram positivamente às variáveis independentes. Conclui-se que a saúde mental dos estudantes universitários deve ser monitorada durante pandemias.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los efectos de los afectos positivos y negativos, la ansiedad y los pensamientos y comportamientos obsesivos y compulsivos en estudiantes universitarios brasileños durante la pandemia de Covid-19. En este estudio participaron 492 estudiantes de todas las regiones del país y mayores de 18 años. La encuesta se realizó entre los meses de abril y mayo de 2020, utilizando instrumentos se autoinforme aplicados en formato online. Los resultados indicaron que el 37% (N = 182) de los estudiantes tenían niveles altos de ansiedad y el 46,1% (N = 227) niveles moderados de pensamientos y comportamientos obsesivos y compulsivos. Además, se encontró que los afectos positivos se correlacionaron negativamente con la ansiedad, así como el pensamiento y el comportamiento obsesivo y compulsivo se correlacionaron negativamente, mientras que los afectos negativos se correlacionaron positivamente con variables independientes. Se concluye que la salud mental de los estudiantes universitarios debe ser monitoreada durante las pandemias.

Adaptação da Escala de Uso Compulsivo da Internet (CIUS) para o Brasil / Adaptation of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) to Brazil

O presente estudo objetivou adaptar a Escala de Uso Compulsivo da Internet (CIUS) para o Brasil verificando seus parâmetros de validade e precisão. Para isso contou-se com uma amostra de 201 usuários de internet encontrados em redes sociais, sendo a maioria do Piauí (84%), do sexo feminino (55, 7 %) e com idades variando entre 13 e 45 anos (M = 22,50; DP = 4,55). A princípio foi verificado o poder discriminativo dos itens, onde todos e apresentaram satisfatórios. Posteriormente para verificar a validade do instrumento, utilizou-se de uma Análise dos Componentes Principais, que apontou uma estrutura unidimensional; e uma análise de Regressão Bivariada que confirmou sua validade preditiva. Por fim verificou-se a precisão através do coeficiente alfa de Cronbach, obtendo-se um alfa α = 0,91. Conclui-se com esses resultados, que a CIUS possui bons parâmetros psicométricos, podendo assim, ser usada em estudos futuros para identificar usuários compulsivos de internet.(AU)

This study aimed to adapt Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) to Brazil, verifying their validity and accuracy. To this end, the sample consisted of 201 internet users found on social networks, most of Piauí (84%), female (55.7%) and aged between 13 and 45 years (M = 22.50, SD = 4.55). Firstly, was verified the discriminative power of items, where everyone showed satisfactory. Subsequently to check the validity of the instrument, we used a Principal Component Analysis, which indicated a unidimensional structure, and a Bivariate Regression analysis confirmed that its predictive validity. Finally, it was found consistency by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, α = 0.91. The findings show that the CIUS has good psychometric parameters and can therefore be used in future studies to identify compulsive internet users.(AU)

Lost in translation: no effect of repeated optogenetic cortico-striatal stimulation on compulsivity in rats.

The orbitofrontal cortex-ventromedial striatum (OFC-VMS) circuitry is widely believed to drive compulsive behavior. Hyperactivating this pathway in inbred mice produces excessive and persistent self-grooming, which has been considered a model for human compulsivity. We aimed to replicate these findings in outbred rats, where there are few reliable compulsivity models. Male Long-Evans rats implanted with optical fibers into VMS and with opsins delivered into OFC received optical stimulation at parameters that produce OFC-VMS plasticity and compulsive grooming in mice. We then evaluated rats for compulsive self-grooming at six timepoints: before, during, immediately after, and 1 h after each stimulation, 1 and 2 weeks after the ending of a 6-day stimulation protocol. To further test for effects of OFC-VMS hyperstimulation, we ran animals in three standard compulsivity assays: marble burying, nestlet shredding, and operant attentional set-shifting. OFC-VMS stimulation did not increase self-grooming or induce significant changes in nestlet shredding, marble burying, or set-shifting in rats. Follow-on evoked potential studies verified that the stimulation protocol altered OFC-VMS synaptic weighting. In sum, although we induced physiological changes in the OFC-VMS circuitry, we could not reproduce in a strongly powered study in rats a model of compulsive behavior previously reported in mice. This suggests possible limitations to translation of mouse findings to species higher on the phylogenetic chain.

Decision-making inflexibility in a reversal learning task is associated with severity of problem gambling symptoms but not with a diagnosis of substance use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Decisions made by individuals with disordered gambling are markedly inflexible. However, whether anomalies in learning from feedback are gambling-specific, or extend beyond gambling contexts, remains an open question. More generally, addictive disorders-including gambling disorder-have been proposed to be facilitated by individual differences in feedback-driven decision-making inflexibility, which has been studied in the lab with the Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task (PRLT). In this task, participants are first asked to learn which of two choice options is more advantageous, on the basis of trial-by-trial feedback, but, once preferences are established, reward contingencies are reversed, so that the advantageous option becomes disadvantageous and vice versa. Inflexibility is revealed by a less effective reacquisition of preferences after reversal, which can be distinguished from more generalized learning deficits. METHODS: In the present study, we compared PRLT performance across two groups of 25 treatment-seeking patients diagnosed with an addictive disorder and who reported gambling problems, and 25 matched controls [18 Males/7 Females in both groups, Mage(SDage) = 25.24 (8.42) and 24.96 (7.90), for patients and controls, respectively]. Beyond testing for differences in the shape of PRLT learning curves across groups, the specific effect of problematic gambling symptoms' severity was also assessed independently of group assignment. In order to surpass previous methodological problems, full acquisition and reacquisition curves were fitted using generalized mixed-effect models. RESULTS: Results showed that (1) controls did not significantly differ from patients in global PRLT performance nor showed specific signs of decision-making inflexibility; and (2) regardless of whether group affiliation was controlled for or not, gambling severity was specifically associated with more inefficient learning in phases with reversed contingencies. CONCLUSION: Decision-making inflexibility, as revealed by difficulty to reacquire decisional preferences based on feedback after contingency reversals, seems to be associated with gambling problems, but not necessarily with a substance-use disorder diagnosis. This result aligns with gambling disorder models in which domain-general compulsivity is linked to vulnerability to develop gambling-specific problems with exposure to gambling opportunities.