bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the effects of emotional context and psychosocial stress on response inhibition
Authors: Álmos P.Z. , Csifcsák G. , Andó B. , Gergelyfi M. , Sándor T. , Bacskai A. , Kurgyis E. , Janka Z.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Response inhibition (RI) is a basic component of human behaviour responsible for suppressing actions or thoughts which are inappropriate in a certain context. This cognitive function is well-studied in laboratory conditions, but there is limited data how it is influenced by emotional context and psychosocial stress.

Objectives

The effect of emotional factors on RI can be investigated with an emotional go/nogo task, while psychosocial stress can be induced with the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Electroencephalography (EEG) is an excellent method for studying the neural correlates of RI: the two major event-related potentials (ERPs) implicated in the process are the frontal N2 and P3 components.

Aims

In this respect, our aim was to investigate how psychosocial stress and emotional context modulate these ERPs.

Methods

Seven healthy adult volunteers performed emotional go/no go tasks while brain responses were recorded by EEG. The task was carried out on two different occasions: at baseline condition and after moderate psychosocial stress induced by the TSST.

Results

We successfully replicated the robust go vs. nogo effect on the frontal N2 and P3 amplitudes. However, ERPs were not affected by positive or negative emotional context in the baseline condition. In contrast, after TSST a significantly enhanced valence effect was observed on the go-related N2 amplitude and a greater go vs. nogo N2 latency difference was detected.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the importance of the stress-regulating system on emotionally modulated RI and render this paradigm a promising tool for investigating RI in anxiety and mood disorders.
Cognitive impairments in patients with bipolar disorder during different phases of illness
Authors: Buoli M. , Caletti E. , Paoli R.A. , Serati M. , Altamura A.C.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Several studies have reported that Bipolar Disorder (BD) is characterized by neuropsychological deficits both during affective episodes and euthymic phases; in particular, bipolar patients (BPs) show psychomotor slowing and impairment of memory during Major Depressive Episodes and frontal-executive deficits in Hypomania.

Aims

The aim of the present study is to compare possible differences in cognitive performances of BPs during euthymia or during an affective episode.

Methods

22 BPs with an affective episode (depressive = 7, mixed = 7, manic = 8) and 5 euthymic patients underwent neuropsychological tests, after assessing the diagnosis by SCID-I. The cognitive abilities tested by raters included attention, verbal abilities, memory, abstract reasoning, executive functioning and semantic knowledge. One-way ANOVAs were performed on mean total scores of neuropsychological tests comparing euthymics versus BPs in the different phases of illness.

Results

The 20% of euthymic patients showed attentive, verbal and memory deficits; the 40% showed perceptual and executive functioning deficits. Depressed (p = 0.03) and manic (p = 0.01) patients showed worse scores at Trail Making Test A (TMT-A) than euthymics. Manic patients presented the most severe deficits in memory as showed by the scores of Corsi's test (F = 4.96, p = 0.01), Recall of Prose (F = 4.06, p = 0.02) and California Verbal Learning Test (F = 3.67, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Euthymic patients showed deficits in several cognitive domains. Manic patients had more severe deficits in attention and memory in comparison with depressed, mixed and euthymic patients. Controlled studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these data.
Counterfactual thinking in schizophrenia patients
Authors: Caño A. , Contreras F. , Menchón J.M.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Counterfactual thoughts (CFT) are mental representations of alternatives to past events, actions or states. For example, “If only I had studied, I would have passed the exam”).

CFT in healthy subjects is associated with learning, behavioral regulation and planning.

Damage to the prefrontal brain regions has been related to decreased generation and use of CFT. Due to the fact that frontal deficits are documented in patients with schizophrenia, it is expected that these patients could also present impairments in CFT.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to examine the role of the generation of CFT in schizophrenia patients.

Methods

Forty subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and 40 healthy control participants were recruited. The two groups were matched in age, education, and handedness.

To investigate the generation of CTF we used an adaptation of the task made by Wells, Taylor & Turtle (1987). In this task, we presented to the subjects one history with 4 different scenarios. After the presentation of the history, we asked to the subjects that list alternatives to solve the problem presented in the history.

Results

The schizophrenic patients generated less responses of CTF that controls. The patients obtained a mean of responses of 1.48 (1 SD). The mean for the controls was 2.08 (.971 SD). The control subjects generated significantly more counterfactual responses than schizophrenic patients ([t (78) = −2.670, p = .269]).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that patients with schizophrenia have impoverished the generation of CFT compared to normal control participants.
Neuropsychological assessment in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Curral R. , Maia D.
Published: May 2011

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases and disabling in young adults, who often have cognitive dysfunction.

The authors of this paper proposes to assess neuropsychological functions most affected in a group of MS patients and compares them with a group of healthy people.

This study consists of two groups: the group of patients with definite diagnosis of MS (n = 31) and the control group (n = 15). Data collection is done through a questionnaire sociodemographic and clinical data and a battery of neuropsychological assessment (Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery). Data analysis is performed using the program SigmaStat.

The results show that the group of MS patients compared with the control group presented a significantly lower performance at various scales, and also indicate that in this patient group, there is no relationship between cognitive functioning and duration of disease (as noted in several studies).

This work also indicates a strong diagnostic validity of the Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery, in the differentiation between normal individuals and patients in the neurological point of view (including patients with MS).
Different patterns of cognitive functioning and their connection with clinical symptom severity in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Domján N. , Drótos G. , Szendi I. , Janka Z.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Cognitive deficits are core features of schizophrenia and they are also observed in bipolar disorder with psychotic episodes. Clinical symptom severity and cognitive performance might be related and they both affect everyday functioning.

Objectives

To examine the patterns of cognition and clinical symptoms in patients with psychosis spectrum disorders.

Aims

To learn how clinical symptom severity affect the cognitive performance in the two patient groups.

Methods

Twenty-five bipolar and 40 schizophrenic patients were enrolled in the study. The following measures were used to assess the cognitive performance: Digit Span Task, Corsi Blocks Task, Tower of Hanoi Task, Visual Patterns Test, Letter and Category Fluency Tasks, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was also administered. The two groups were compared with Mann-Whitney test; the connections between clinical scales and cognitive measures were investigated through partial correlation.

Results

The bipolar patients showed better performance on the majority of the cognitive tasks. The schizophrenic group had higher scores on all subscales of the PANSS (p < 0.016). In the bipolar group only the Negative scale of the PANSS was correlated with the backwards task of the Corsi Blocks (p = 0.022 r = −0.584). The cognitive performance of the schizophrenic patients was more related to the clinical symptoms.

Conclusions

Our results are in accordance with the notion that clinical symptoms are correlated to cognitive performance. Improving working memory processes might ease the coping with everyday difficulties caused by the symptoms, so this should be considered during the treatment of these patients.
Internet and computer game addiction - a review of current neuroscientific research
Authors: Duven E. , Müller K.W. , Wölfling K.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

A significant part computer game players and internet users show clinical features of abuse and addiction (loss of control, withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, continuation of game play even with increasing negative consequence in social and academic life). Similar mechanisms are suggested to underlie the pathogenesis and maintenance of internet and computer game addiction and substance-related addictions.

Objectives

Neuroscientific research on internet and computer game addiction is sparse, yet emerging. To review previous studies is the objective of the present project.

Aims

We aim to identify common findings regarding the neurophysiological processes underlying internet and computer game addiction. This could be helpful for establishing a sound model for these emerging disorders.

Methods

Neuroscientific studies on internet and computer game addiction were systematically searched in “Pubmed”, “Google scholar” and “PsychInfo”. Titles were examined first to screen potential articles, followed by abstracts, and then manuscripts were downloaded. The reference sections of downloaded manuscripts were examined for additional references not located in the searches.

Results

Neuroscientific research on internet and computer game addiction is mainly located in the Asian area, probably due to a higher regional prevalence. Methodologies range from ERP, resting state EEG, resting state fMRI, VBM to PET, investigating very different concepts of addiction, including impulsivity, craving, reward processing and cue-reactivity.

Conclusions

Addicted internet and computer game users are overall suggested to have altered brain mechanisms similar to individuals with substance addictions. However, a sound model on the neurophysiologic alterations has not been established yet.
The neuropsychological function of the 12 cranials nerves
Authors: Frohlich S. , Franco C.A.
Published: May 2011

The cranial nerves can be an important key for research in Neuropsychology. Our hypothesis is that they can be organized in three groups and then, related to specifics attitudes.

The Cochlear Nerve (VII pair), the Optic Nerve (II pair) and the olfactory nerve (I pair) have special translators that process the sensorial information from the environment to the brain, to form a clue. They are the first cranial nerve group: the cognitive nerves that incite the nervous system in an endogenous way. The second cranial nerve group stimulates muscles: the spinal nerve (XI pair) that regulates the posture, the trigeminal nerve (V pair) that is connected to mastication muscles and the hypoglossal nerve (XII pair) that supplies motor fibers for all the tongue muscles. They are behavioral nerves and act in an exogenous way.

The third cranial nerve group regulates the emotions and is connected to the SNA: the Vagus nerve (X pair), the Facial nerve (VII pair) and the Glossofaringeal nerve (IX pair).

The cranial nerves that enervate the eyes muscles are responsible for the regulation of the visual focus and the attention. We related them to the three groups above described. The Trochlear nerve (IV pair) incite a cognitive attitude and act in an endogenous way; the Abducent nerve (VI pair) produces the plain environmental attention through the saccades and following eyes movement and produces behavioral attitudes and the Oculomotor Nerve (III pair) act in autonomic way, regulating the inner feelings and emotions.
A prospective investigation of postconcussional symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Hou R.
Published: May 2011

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the contributions of cognitive, emotional and behavioural factors to the development of Post Concussional Syndrome (PCS) after mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), particularly the role of attentional bias (AB).

Methods

80 MTBI patients completed baseline questionnaire assessments and 39 completed computer tasks. 42 patients completed the follow-up assessments. A series of self-report measures were used to assess cognitive, behavioural and emotional responses, and the visual probe task was adopt to measure reaction time (RT) and assess attentional bias (AB). The main outcomes were measured by the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ).

Results

PCS symptoms at 3 months were positively correlated with measures of stress response (r = 0.397, p = 0.011), particularly stress avoidance (r = 0.497, p = 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.33, p = 0.035), illness perception (r = 0.528, p = 0.000), and all or nothing behaviour (r = 0.422, p = 0.006). There were also significant correlations between PCS symptoms and Mean RT (r = 0.507, p = 0.012) and total AB (r = −0.425, p = 0.039). The positive correlations between PCS and RT indicates that PCS symptoms may be associated with slow information processing, whereas the negative correlation between AB and PCS symptoms may reflect that PCS symptoms are associated with threat avoidance.

Conclusions

There were significant correlations between PCS symptoms and a number of cognitive, emotional and behavioral factors, which is consistent with the proposed cognitive behavioral model. The significant findings from RT/AB reflect that PCS symptoms may be associated with slow information processing and trauma-related threat avoidance. This study provides a cognitive behavioural approach to a better understanding of PCS.
Validation of the Hayling Sentence Completion Test - German version & Stroop-Test
Authors: Jantscher S. , Willinger U. , Schmoeger M. , Mueller C. , Auff E.
Published: May 2011

The Hayling Sentence Competion Test (HSCT) consists of two sections and measures response initiation and inhibitory control. In the first section subjects are instructed to produce a single word to complete a sentence and in the response inhibition condition subjects are instructed to produce a contextually unconnected word. Several studies evidence that these abilities, which are associated with frontal lobe dysfunction and dysexecutive symptoms in evereyday life (Burgess & Shallice, 1996b), are impaired in psychiatric patients particularly in patients with schizophenia and major depression (Gohier et al., 2009; Chan et al., 2010; Joshua et al., 2009). The present study aims to examine the adapted German version of the HSCT by Willinger and Diendorfer (2009) upon a non-clinical sample and its relationship to Stroop-Test. The sample was composed of 74 adults (36 women and 38 men) ranging in age from 19 to 66. Reliability analyses of the HSCT yielded a Cronbachs's alpha of 0.45 (response initiation), and 0.92 (response inhibition). Correlation analyses between Stroop Cards 1 and 2 and HSCT initiation condition showed a medium effect (r = 0.378; p = 0.001), further correlation analyses indicated no assocation between Stroop Card 3 and HSCT inhibition condition (r = 0.070; p = 0.560). The high reliability regarding response inhibition seems to be promising. Further investigations considering executive functions such as word fluency are necessary.
The influence of deviant behavior on inhibitory gating measures in schizophrenic patients
Authors: Kirenskaya A.V. , Storozheva Z.I. , Bolshakova N.B. , Novototsky-Vlasov V.J. , Tkachenko A.A.
Published: May 2011

Schizophrenia patients exhibit inhibitory gating deficit in the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle response (ASR) and in the P50 auditory evoked potential suppression.

Deviant sexual behavior (DSB) often complicates early clinical identifying of schizophrenic disorder. In this study we assessed the inhibitory gating measures in schizophrenic patients with DSB.

Participants (males) were 12 schizophrenic patients with DSB, 14 schizophrenic controls (SC) and 26 healthy controls (HC). DSB was mainly related to disorders of sexual preference. P50 suppression was measured during two runs of 50 click pairs with 500-msec interval. PPI was measured using a series of prepulse-pulse pairs with lead intervals (LI) 60 ms and 120 ms.

SC group showed reduced PPI compared to HC. PPI deficit was the most prominent at 60 ms LI, and was right-sided only at 120-ms LI. DSB group demonstrated left-sided reduced PPI at 60 ms LI and left eye ASR latency reduction at 120 ms LI. SC exhibited the highest (0,87), and HC the lowest (0,39) S2/S1 ratio in P50 paradigm; the intermediate value (0,67) was found in DSB patients. In both patient groups S2/S1 ratio significantly (p < 0,001) differed from that in HC. No significant differences were revealed in P50 and PPI measures between patient groups that may be related to high variability in SC group.

Left-side PPI deficit in DSB patients is possibly related to right hemisphere disturbances that are inherent to patients with sexual disorders. P50 and PPI measures may be useful to identify schizophrenic disorder in patients with DSB.
Relationship between prefrontal cortex blood flow and mayer wave during the performance of the original version trail making test
Authors: Kubo M.
Published: May 2011

Objectives

We measured mayer wave in the prefrontal cortex during the performance of original version TMT by multichannel NIRS using sensitive for detecting changes of oxyHb.

Methods

Sixteen healthy student volunteers performed four different screens of TMT-A, and then two different screens of TMT-B.

Results

Mayer wave changed while in the prefrontal cortex during the performance of TMT-A and TMT-B. The changes were prominent during the TMT performed. Mayer wave changed in the rear prefrontal cortex during TMT.

Additional measurements and to present a detailed database.

Conclusion

Meyer wave reflects brain activity. You should consider in more detail.
The relationship between neuropsychological, emotional and family functioning within a group of patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Maia D. , Curral R. , Silveira C. , Guerra M. , Barbosa F.
Published: May 2011

MS is a heterogeneous entity that varies in its etiology, classification, clinical course and sequelae, and is included as part of the chronic diseases that cause limitations in many areas. This study aims to assess neuropsychological functions, anxiety and depression in patients with MS, and realize that these variables can be influenced by family functioning.

This study consists of a group of 25 individuals were women with diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (ages 25 to 58 years). Data collection was done through: a demographic questionnaire and clinical, a neuropsychological assessment battery (LNNB), a range of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and a questionnaire of family functioning (FACES-III). The results suggest that the group of patients evaluated present neuropsychological deficits in several areas, as well as depression and anxiety. They also suggest that there is a higher prevalence of neuropsychological deficits associated with a higher incidence of depressive symptoms and family dissatisfaction. Taken together, these results reveal an involvement of emotional and family functioning on neuropsychological functioning. As such, these factors should be considered in the implementation of intervention programs, both in terms of individual psychotherapy, or the level of family psychotherapy as well as in neuropsychological and psychosocial rehabilitation programs and these patients.
Oxidative stress, inflammation and cognitive impairment in first psychotic patients
Authors: Martínez-Cengotitabengoa M. , Leza J.C. , Alberich S. , Barbeito S. , González-Oliveros R. , Zorrilla I. , de la Rosa I. , Celaya L. , Gubbini S. , González-Pinto A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Both oxidative stress and the inflammatory chemokine MCP-1 have been linked to the pathophysiology of certain mental illnesses such as psychosis. There are previous studies in rats and dogs suggesting that oxidative stress can cause cognitive impairment.

Objectives

To correlate oxidative stress and the chemokine MCP-1 levels with cognitive impairment in first episode psychosis.

Methods

28 patients with first episode psychosis and 28 healthy controls matched by sex and age were included in the study, who were given a battery of neurocognitive tests and we determined their blood levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), nitric oxide, total antioxidant status (TAS), glutathione, activity of enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (cGPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the inflammatory chemokine MCP-1.

Results

Healthy controls had better TAS than patients and increased activity of enzymes cGPx and CAT.

We found a statistically significant negative relationship between levels of MCP-1 and working memory, attention and verbal memory. At higher levels of chemokines, worse cognitive functioning in these areas.

Verbal memory was also negatively related, in a meaningful way, with nitric oxide levels in blood.

Likewise, we found that higher levels of glutathione correlated with better scores on the 3 tests performed of verbal fluency.

Conclusions

In patients with a PEP, levels of certain markers of oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with poorer cognitive functioning.
Smoking and neurocognition in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors: Merino T. , Balanzà V. , Selva G. , Salazar J. , Correa P. , Fuentes I. , Tabarés R.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Several studies have suggested that nicotine could have beneficial effects on cognitive functioning.

Objective

To explore the association between smoking and cognitive functioning in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Methods

Observational study. We analyzed data from 184 participants in 3 groups (61 healthy controls, 47 euthymic patients with bipolar-I disorder, 76 patients with clinically stable schizophrenia) assessed by a neuropsychological battery. Statistical analysis was performed comparing subgroups of smokers and non-smokers data. Both groups were demographic and clinically comparable.

Results

Smoking rate was higher in participants with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia (X 2 = 26.8, p = 0.001). Bipolar Group: neuropsychological performance was similar in smokers (n = 28) and non-smokers (n = 19) except perseverative errors of the Wisconsin test, in which smokers performed significantly worse (t = −2.1, p = 0,03). Schizophrenia group: smokers (n = 46) performed significantly better than non-smokers (n = 30) in the verbal fluency test (t = −2.46, p = 0.046), finger tapping right (t = −2.19; p = 0.03) and immediate (t = −2.84, p = 0.006) and delayed recall (t = −2.59, p = 0.01) of Rey figure test.

Conclusions

This is the first study comparing these clinical groups. The global cognitive function in euthymic state was similar in both groups despite of smoking status. However, smoking could be associated with a worse executive function in bipolar disorder. In patients with schizophrenia smoking was associated with better performance in visual memory, verbal fluency and motor speed, but not attention.
Executive function performance as neurocognitive differentiating marker between schizophrenia and psychotic depression
Authors: Rady A. , Elsheshai A. , Elkholy O. , Abou el Wafa H.
Published: May 2011

Background and aim

Schizophrenia and psychotic depression are two psychiatric disorders sharing in common the presence of psychotic features, delusion, hallucinations or both and severe impairment in occupational functions. Added to that the diagnostic dilemma to differentiate between severe psychomotor retardation, which is not uncommon in psychotic depression, and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Our work aims at utilizing Wisconsin Card Sorting Test WCST performance as a differentiating diagnostic tool helping in differentiating between both diagnosis.

Subjects and methods

Patients are recruited randomly from the outpatient service of Alexandria University Hospitals, three groups are included;

Group I patients with psychotic depression,

Group II schizophrenic patients and

Group III control group.

Patients recruited in both group I and II score 4 or higher on the Clinical Global Impression for Severity CGI-S scale, all participants were subjected to Brief Psychiatric Rating scale and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test WCST 128 card computerized version.

Results

The study showed severe impairment in executive functions in all parameters assessed by the WCST including number of administered trials, percentage of errors and perseverative errors as well as failure to maintain categories. Such cognitive dysfunction was significantly more severe in schizophrenia than both other groups. Both schizophrenic and psychotically depressed groups showed poorer performance compared to healthy control.

Conclusion

Performance on WCST may be of great help as a differentiating diagnostic tool to distinguish between schizophrenia and psychotic depression.
Normative data for Russian population and standardization of the scale “Brief assessment of cognition in schizophrenia”
Authors: Sarkisyan G. , Gurovich I. , Keefe R.S.E.
Published: May 2011

Cognitive impairments in schizophrenia play an important role in the social and functional outcome in patients with this disorder. The ways of assessing cognitive functions are particularly important. Similar approaches among researchers may help compare data from different centers.

The aim of the study was to provide normative data for the Russian population for the internationally validated tool - the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia. The BACS was developed especially for the assessment of cognition in patients with schizophrenia. It has a brief administration and scoring time, portability, repeatability and availability of alternate forms. The BACS has been already validated in English, French, Japanese, Italian, German, Hindi and Spanish. The English version of the BACS was translated into Russian. The Russian version was back-translated into English by a mother tongue speaker and it was approved by the author (R.Keefe).

204 healthy subjects from the general population were included in the study. The sample was comparable to the population distribution on the variables of sex and educational level as determined by all-Russia census of 2002. The raw cognitive data collected in the study were then converted into standard values (in the form of z- and T-values) which allow estimation of standard scores and a composite index adjusted for age and sex.

The normative data obtained on this scale will allow the BACS to be used effectively in national clinical practice and research and will provide an opportunity to evaluate cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy people.
Rehabilitation aspects in neurocognitive treatment
Authors: Spikina A.A.
Published: May 2011

Neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia patients is a major health and social problem of modern psychiatry nowadays.

Objective

To study the influence of neurocognitive training on higher cortical functions in schizophrenia patients and to evaluate their effectiveness in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Material and methods

We formed groups of patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia undergoing treatment in the departments of rehabilitation and day hospital. All patients received adequate pharmacotherapy with atypical neuroleptics. Patients of the main group additionally participated in the training of cognitive deficits. Patients included in the comparison group received only pharmacotherapy.

Methods

Clinical (advanced clinical psychopathological interview), paraclinical (psychological study of neurocognitive deficits in a battery of standard tests, the study of social functioning of patients - the scale of PSP).

Study design

Initial evaluation of patients was carried out at the first call, prior to the neurocognitive training. Follow-up study was conducted one month after completion of training programs and the final examination, after a year. In the comparison group surveys were conducted with the similar frequency.

Results

After training the cognitive processes in schizophrenia patients were obtained by increasing the tempo of the performance, improving concentration, improving the adequacy of long-term thinking and memory have been identified trend towards an increase in operational short-term memory.

Conclusion

The neurocognitive training showed itself as an effective method of correcting neurocognitive deficits. Inclusion of these trainings in the rehabilitation program helps to reduce the term of the patients stay in hospital and rapid integration into society.
Effects of cholinergic system of dorsal hippocampus of rats in the MK801-induced anxiolytic-like behavior
Authors: Zarrindast M.R. , Nasehi M. , Heidari N. , Torkaman Boutorabi A.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Some investigations showed that the glutamate receptors have critical role for cognition such as learning and anxiety in the brain.

Objectives

The possible involvement of cholinergic system of dorsal hippocampus in the anxiolytic-like response induced by NMDA receptor antagonist, MK801 has been investigated in the present study.

Methods

The male wistar rats were used and the elevated plus maze apparatus has been used to test parameters (%OAT, %OAE, locomotor activity, grooming, rereading and defection) of anxiety-like behaviors.

Results

The data indicated that intra-CA1 administration of MK801 (2 μg/rat) increased %OAT and %OAE but did not other exploratory behaviors, indicating an anxiolytic-like response. Moreover, intra-hippocampal injection of cholinergic receptor antagonists, mecamylamine (2 μg/rat) and scopolamine (4 μg/rat) by itselves, 5 min before testing increased %OAT and %OAE, but did not alter locomotor activity and other exploratory behaviors, suggesting anxiolytic-like behavior. On the other hand, intra-CA1 co-administration of ineffective doses of scopolamine (3 μg/rat), but not mecamylamine (1 μg/rat) with ineffective dose of MK801 (1 μg/rat) increased %OAT and %OAE.

Conclusion

The data may indicate that the possible involvement of cholinergic system of CA1 on anxiolytic-like response induced by MK801.
The effect of cognitive flexibility on skill rehabilition training of schizophrenics in community
Authors: Weidong J. , Guoquan Z. , Hua T. , Peirong H. , Yunqing G. , Hao C. , Donghua W. , Guoyuan C.
Published: May 2011

Objective

To study the effect of cognitive flexibility on skill rehabilition training of schizophrenics in community.

Methods

150 schizophrenic outpatients in their rehabilitation stage were randomly divided into skills training group (100 cases) and control group (50 cases with five drop of). The training lasted for 24 weeks and the patients were followed up for 12 weeks. The assessing instruments included PANSS (positive and negative symptom scale), MRSS (morning. side rehabilitation stage scale) and cognitive flexibility (WCST, Stroop test and Trail making).

Results

133 subjects completed the trial. The scores of PANSS, the negative subscale, the General Psychopathology subscale in both groups decreased signifieantly after treatment (P < 0.05∼P < 0.01). The scores of MRSS, Dependency subscale, Inactivity subscale, effects of Current Symptoms and Deviant Behavior Subscale in the skills training group decreased significantly after treatment (P< 0.05∼P < 0.01); the reductions of PANSS, MRSS between two groups were not significant different; Relapse rate was lower in the skills training group than that in the control group, without a statistical significant. Within skills training group, the numbers of continuous error (WCST) and correct error in effective group was better than those in ineffective group.

Conclusion

Community reintegration skill is of benefit to rehabilitation of schizophrenics in decreasing symptoms, improving social function and decreasing defect. The cognitive flexibility and the effect of skill training rehabilitation in chronic schizophrenia patients has certain relations.
Hemodynamic activation in infant's prefrontal and occipital cortices when viewing maternal facial expressions: A near-infrared spectroscopic study
Authors: Yamamoto H. , Yoshikawa T. , Ito H. , Nomura K. , Yasunaga K. , Kaneko H.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Considering that infants are brought up by their mothers, we believe that they learn emotional interaction and facial expressions from their mothers. However, brain activation in infants while they view maternal facial expressions has rarely been studied.

Objectives

This preliminary study aimed at investigating the peculiarity of infants’ perception of maternal facial expressions by measuring hemodynamic activations in an infant's brain.

Methods

Participant was one healthy 6-month-old infant. Facial expression images of 2 persons (participant's mother, an unknown woman [stranger]) were used as test stimuli and 2 vegetable images were used as control. In each trial, initially, neutral face of the persons or vegetable was presented to the child, followed by her expressional face or another vegetable. While trials, we recorded the hemodynamic responses of his prefrontal and occipital cortices using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Results

The oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentration was calculated. In the prefrontal cortex, the levels showed a greater increase when viewing the mother's expressions than the stranger's expression or control. In contrast, no difference was found in the occipital cortex.

Fig. 1

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that infants are peculiarly sensitive to their mothers’ expressions. Thus, mother-infant interaction may appear important in the development of interpersonal recognition.
Effects of dopaminergic drugs in the dorsal hippocampus of rats in the MK801-induced anxiolytic-like behavior
Authors: Zarrindast M.R. , Nasehi M. , Pournaghshband M.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Excitatory transmission through glutamate receptors constitutes the main mode of synaptic signaling in the brain regions that are critical for cognition such as learning and anxiety.

Objectives

The possible involvement of dorsal hippocampal (intra-CA1) dopaminergic receptor mechanism on the anxiolytic-like response induced by NMDA receptor antagonist, MK801 has been investigated in the present study.

Methods

The male wistar rats were used and the elevated plus maze apparatus has been used to test parameters (%OAT, %OAE, locomotor activity, grooming, rereading and defection) of anxiety-like behaviors in the present study.

Results

The data indicated that intra-CA1 administration of MK801 (2 μg/rat, intra-CA1) increased %OAT and %OAE but not other exploratory behaviors, indicating an anxiolytic-like response. Moreover, intra-CA1injection SCH23390 (0.25, 0.5 and 1 μg/rat) and sulpiride (0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 μg/rat) by itselves, 5 min before testing have no effect on exploratory behaviors. On the other hand, co-administration of ineffective dose of SCH23390 (0.5 μg/rat) with ineffective dose of MK801 (1 g/rat) increased %OAT but not other exploratory behaviors, suggestion anxiolytic-like behaviors. Furthermore, intra-CA1 administration of different doses of sulpiride (0.12, 0.5 and 0.75 μg/rat) 5 min before injection of effective dose of MK801 (2 μg/rat) decreased %OAT and %OAE but did not other exploratory behaviors induced by MK801.

Conclusion

The results may indicate modulatory effect dopaminergic system of CA1 in the anxiolytic-like response induced by MK801.
Do psychiatric journals reflect universal representation?
Authors: Helal M.N. , Ahmed U. , Vostanis P.
Published: May 2011

Aims

Our aim was to describe the contribution of ‘Low and middle-income’ (LAMI) countries to six leading general psychiatric journals; Archives of General Psychiatry, American Journal of Psychiatry, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, British Journal of Psychiatry, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica and Psychological Medicine.

Methods

We surveyed the journals from January 2005 to December 2009. We searched all research articles, reviews and identified potential candidate articles, defined as an article containing original data collected from one or more low or middle-income countries, as defined by the World Bank criteria. We also compared our findings with the similar reviews of the periods 2002–2004 and 1996–1998

Results

Our search identified a total of 3791 research articles; less than 7% (n = 259) were from low and middle-income countries. The three European journals published more articles from LAMI countries than the three American journals. Compared with the findings of a similar review of the period 1996–1998 and 2002–2004, there has been little change. The British Journal of Psychiatry and Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica provided the major contribution from the LAMI countries of 8.7% and 9.6% respectively.

Conclusion

It is interesting that almost all journals describe themselves as International; however, our findings clearly suggest that there is a nine-to-one rule with most of the articles coming from richer countries. We suggest that there is a need to break the barriers, so that there should be no more under-representation of research from LAMI countries; which will lead towards the development of a truly international psychiatry.
Pictorial mentality: From imagination to reality in orphan house
Authors: Damali Amiri M. , Akbari F.
Published: May 2011

Children depict their surrounding in the pictures they draw. They consider the focus on the integrity, happiness, and the peace among the members of the family along with the water, sun and a beautiful house. On the other hand, the orphans living in the orphanhouse focus on new clothes, family and private rooms. In a study performed in 2005, some orphans, 40 individuals at the range age of 10 to 13, were asked to draw what they imagine about their current life on the paper. 60% of them depicted mothers and fathers in wedding clothes near a beautiful house and a car, 30% drew a private room full of toys and 10% had drawings about new and expensive clothes. The favorite colors for most of them were yellow and/or pink in the background. Five years later in 2010, they were asked to draw the pictures about their desires and future plans. They drew themselves in the same role with the similar situations they conceived the previous five years. Most of them depicted themselves in big house with two chidren playing joyfully with their toys. Their jobs were somehow related to high income ones with ties and expensive clothes. The colors were more various relying more on brown and blue, which was related to their social interaction with other children in schools. The change in attitudes and beliefs cue to group interaction with other children and social education led them to modify some traces in their drawings. This paper tries to understand the orphans’ fundamental conception of life over time through their paintings.
The main factors that influences on university student's attitudes about religious believes
Authors: Allahyarahmadi R.
Published: May 2011

Aim

The study investigated the role of social and economic factors on religion beliefs in university students.

Method

Participants were 150 students from Babol Payame Noor University that were randomly selected and Religious Beliefs Inventory (RBI) administered on them. The data were analyzed with correlation coefficient formula.

Results

Findings showed significant relationship between student and their father's level of income and literacy, culture, gender, resident place, social category, mass media with religion believes.
Ethnic variation in emotion regulation: do cultural differences end where psychopathology begins?
Authors: Arens E.A. , Balkir N. , Barnow S.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Emotion regulation (ER) via cognitive reappraisal (CR) has been shown to be superior to the use of expressive suppression (ES) in terms of several aspects of mental well-being. However, a cultural perspective suggests that the consequences of ES may be moderated by cultural values (Western/individualistic vs. Eastern/collectivistic values).

Objective

To test this hypothesis that ES may be associated with better outcomes in collectivistic cultures (e.g. Turkey) than in individualistic cultures (e.g. Germany) not only in healthy individuals but also in patients with mental disorders.

Aim

This study aims to gather knowledge to what extent associations of ER strategies and mental health are universal or rather culturally specific.

Methods

We investigated healthy (n = 30) and depressed (n = 30) German women and healthy (n = 30) and depressed (n = 30) Turkish immigrants living in Germany. Groups were compared in terms of frequency of ER strategies (CR and ES) and their consequences for different aspects of mental well-being.

Results

Healthy Turkish immigrants exhibited a greater ER flexibility (frequent use of ES plus frequent use of CR) what was associated with more positive outcomes of ES in Turkish than in German women. None of these differences were found between patient samples, both of which showed a greater use of ES than CR.

Conclusions

Results suggest that cultural moderation of ES consequences are associated with a greater ER flexibility in healthy Turkish individuals. Depressed Turkish patients may not profit from ES due to their more rigid use of ES.
Basic psychological needs, culture and well-being: A comparison of turkish immigrant and German women in Germany
Authors: Balkir N. , Arens E.A. , Barnow S.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Self-determination theory posits that autonomy and relatedness are innate and universal psychological needs and that when satisfied well-being is enhanced. Contrarily, some cross-cultural perspectives suggest that the degree of autonomy and relatedness satisfaction necessary for well-being within a particular society is mediated by cultural orientations.

Objective

Given the existing debates on cultural universality of basic needs, we examined the influence of culture on the relationship between basic needs and well-being within healthy and depressed subjects.

Aim

Our aim was to unravel the relationship between culture, basic needs and well-being.

Methods

By sampling German (depressed n = 27, healthy n = 26) and Turkish immigrant (depressed n = 29, healthy n = 28) women in Germany, data were gathered by structured clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires in both languages.

Results

Autonomy and relatedness satisfaction were found lower in depressed groups compared with healthy controls in both cultures. No difference was found in the level of need satisfaction when we compared German vs. Turkish controls and German vs. Turkish patients. In German controls, well-being was positively associated with autonomy satisfaction but not with relatedness satisfaction. Conversely, in Turkish controls, well-being was positively associated with relatedness satisfaction but not with autonomy satisfaction. Within depressed groups satisfaction of both needs yielded positive impact on well-being regardless of culture.

Conclusions

The relation between basic needs satisfaction and well-being was largely determined by cultural background in healthy subjects. However, this cultural variation disappeared within depressed patients, which could be accounted by mean level differences in need satisfaction between healthy and depressed subjects.
Diagnosis versus recovery
Authors: Barnes P.
Published: May 2011

The Recovery and Wellness Movement is the framework within which we ask the chronically mentally ill to understand how they might best manage their lives.

The epistemological and cultural primacy of a patient′s psychiatric diagnosis minimizes effective involvement in the Recovery Movement.

The aim of this presentation is to present both the implications to the patient in being trapped in any diagnostic labyrinth and how she/he can“escape” into a DIFFERENT awareness of the meaning of her/his diagnosis while still actively pursueing meaningful Recovery goals.

Various cognitive behavior techniques will be discussed to highlight both how patients should understand the real albeit limited value of their diagnoses as well as understand the necessary self-evaluation and attitudinal changes that will allow them to understand how best to participate in the Recovery Movement. The desired result: Both patients and mental health professionals will learn to minimize any heuristic value in even the term-“Patient.”
Culture bound syndromes- a cross-sectional study from India
Authors: Bhatia M.S. , Jhanjee A. , Kumar P.
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Sociocultural factors profoundly influence and determine every aspect of psychiatric disorder. The term culture bound syndrome refers to psychopathological entities that are not mere variants of well recognized psychiatric disorder, have a geographically defined prevalence, and are largely determined, at least in their symptoms by the beliefs and assumptions prevalent in the native culture. Dhat syndrome, possession syndrome, Koro, Ascetic syndrome, Gilhari syndrome are some of the frequently reported culture bound syndromes from Indian subcontinent.

Objectives

To assess the prevalence rates and psychiatric co morbidities in patients affected by Dhat syndrome, possession syndrome, Koro, Ascetic syndrome, Gilhari syndrome.

Methods

50 subjects of either sex affected by at least one of the following culture bound syndromes - Dhat syndrome, possession syndrome, Koro, Ascetic syndrome, Gilhari syndrome were recruited on consecutive basis from the patients attending psychiatry outpatients department of a tertiary care hospital in Delhi, India. The selected subjects were assessed for respective prevalence rates and co morbidity profile in patients affected with above listed culture bound syndromes.

Results

Of 50 cases of culture bound syndromes seen in psychiatry OPD, Dhat syndrome was most common (80%), followed by Possession syndrome (14%), Ascetic syndrome (2%), Gilhari syndrome (2%), Koro (2%). Depression was the most common associated psychiatric disorder.

Conclusions

Culture bound syndromes exhibit significant psychiatric co morbidity, this study calls for careful evaluation of these patients psychologically to detect and treat the associated psychiatric co morbidity appropriately.