bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The autonomic activity of nightmare sufferers during sleep and emotion-evoking picture viewing
Authors: Tomacsek V. , Blaskovich B. , Reichardt R. , Simor P. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionIn nightmare disorder, dysfunctional emotion regulation goes along with poor subjective sleep quality, which is characterised by pathophysiological features such as abnormal arousal processes and sympathetic influences. Dysfunctional parasympathetic regulation, especially before and during REM phases, is assumed to alter heart rate (HR) and its variability (HRV) of frequent nightmare recallers.ObjectivesWe hypothesised that cardiac variability is attenuated in participants experiencing frequent nightmares as opposed to healthy control subjects during less deep sleep stages and an emotion-evoking picture-rating
task.MethodsBased on the second-nights’ polysomnographic recordings of 24 nightmare disordered (NM) and 30 control (CTL) subjects, we examined HRV during pre-REM, REM, post-REM and slow wave sleep periods, separately. Additionally, ECG recordings of wakeful periods such as resting state before sleep onset and an emotional picture-rating task were also analysed.ResultsAccording to our results, a significant difference was found in the HR of the NM and CTL groups in the nocturnal segments but not during resting wakefulness before sleep onset, suggesting autonomic dysregulation, specifically during sleep in nightmare disorder. However, despite the accelerated HR of NM subjects at night, they did not exhibit lower HRV. Regarding the emotional task, we also found a contrast between the NM and CTL subjects’ HR and HRV, which might indicate altered processes of emotion regulation in nightmare disorder, but the two groups’ subjective picture ratings did not differ.ConclusionsIn summary, our study suggests that there might be some trait-like autonomic changes during sleep, but also state-like autonomic responses to emotion-evoking pictures in nightmare disorder.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
The role of sleep quality in psychotic-like experiences
Authors: Simor P. , Polner B. , Báthori N. , Peigneux P. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionImpaired sleep quality is among the most common complaints in psychopathological conditions including psychotic states. The clinical relevance of sleep disruption is, however, notoriously overlooked and considered as a secondary symptom that automatically ameliorates if the mental problem is adequately treated. Nevertheless, research findings indicate that sleep quality has a causal role in the occurrence and maintenance of psychotic states, and instead of being merely the “nocturnal impact” of an underlying mental disorder, shows bidirectional associations with mental health complaints.ObjectivesAlthough the majority of studies examined the links between sleep and psychosis by cross-sectional assessments, sleep quality and psychotic-like experiences both fluctuate from night to night and day to day, respectively, even in non-clinical populations. The prospective assessment of these variables hence allows for the analyses of the temporal (and intraindividual) associations between sleep and psychosis. In our studies, we examined the temporal, bidirectional associations between sleep quality and psychotic-like states.MethodsAcross three experience sampling studies with participants from the general population ( N = 73 / 166 / 60), we assessed sleep quality and daytime psychotic-like phenomena every day for at least two weeks. Using mixed-effects models, we examined if sleep quality predicted psychotic-like experiences the following day, and also if psychotic-like experiences predicted sleep quality the following night.ResultsOur findings consistently highlight the dominant direction of prediction from sleep to daytime psychotic-like experiences, whereas the inverse direction is not supported by enough evidence.ConclusionsIndividuals at risk for psychosis could benefit from sleep-specific interventions that could be integrated into treatment protocols.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Clinical predictors of kynurenine pathway aberrations in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors: Skorobogatov K. , Leboyer M. , Foiselle M. , Morrens M. , De Picker L. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionSchizophrenia and bipolar disorder are severe mental illnesses that are known to have a considerable overlap in underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. More specifically, disturbances in the kynurenine pathway have been hypothesized as processes bridging altered immune responses and clinical manifestations of these illnesses.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the abnormalities in serum kynurenine metabolites in schizophrenic and bipolar patients and the impact of clinical factors.MethodsFour patient groups were included in the current study: 1) Acute bipolar inpatients (n=205); 2) stable bipolar outpatients (n=116); 3) acute schizophrenia inpatients (n=111) and 4) stable schizophrenia outpatients (n=75); and one healthy control group (n=185). Clinical symptoms were established using symptom severity scales. The quantitative determination of serum kynurenine metabolites was performed using LC-MS/MS. General linear model and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to perform the statistical analysis with JMP Pro 15.ResultsIn line with previous research, the results indicate that serum kynurenine metabolites are disturbed in schizophrenic and bipolar patients compared to healthy controls. Whereas no differences were observed between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, illness state and duration of illness clearly impacted kynurenine metabolite levels. Acutely ill patients had significantly lower levels compared to stable patients, which seemed to be driven by psychotic symptoms.ConclusionsTo conclude, the results confirm the involvement of the kynurenine pathway in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder by lowered peripheral kynurenine metabolite level. In addition, an important role of acute psychotic symptoms and longer illness duration on these metabolite aberrances is demonstrated.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Factors related to Gaming addiction in adults
Authors: Neily C. , Maalej M. , Gassara I. , Feki R. , Smaoui N. , Zouari L. , Zouari A. , Ben Thabet J. , Omri S. , Charfi N. , Maalej M. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionWith the advancement of technology over the last years, gaming is no longer reserved to adolescents. It has become a growing phenomenon within young adults which should,’t be overlooked as it is accompanied with the risk of addiction.ObjectivesTo study the factors involved in video games addiction behaviors in adultsMethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on social networks. We solicited adults between 18–40 years. We used the gaming addiction scale (GAS) in its validated Arabic short version.ResultsA hundred and nine participants were included. The mean age was 29.6 ±10.3 with a sex ratio of 1.5.The mean age of the beginning of regular gaming was 16.3± 8.64. we found that40.4% of our participants preferred the mode Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG) while others played casual single player games. A play time of over 20 hours per week was reported by 11.9%of participants. According to the GAS, 25.7%were addicted gamers. Our participants spent an average of 7.94±6.71 hours before they play their first game of the day. We found that the score of Gas was significantly correlated to the male gender of the participants (p<0.000), a higher number of weekly gaming hours (p<0.000),a lower number of hours before gaming (P<0.000) and the mode of games (p<0.000).ConclusionsOur study showed that contextual factors play an important role in understanding gaming addiction in young adults as a holistic phenomenon,embedding the problematic behavior within the context of the individual the game and gaming practices.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
EEG Features in Adolescent Patients with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Authors: Iznak A. , Iznak E. , Damyanovich E. , Krylova E. , Kuleshov A. , Kaleda V. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionPersonality disorders (PD) in adolescence are widespread. It creates problems of social adaptation of patients and represents significant risk factors for auto-aggressive behavior, including suicidal one. The neurobiological basis and EEG markers of PD in adolescence have not been adequately studied.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to reveal the EEG features and their correlations with clinical parameters in male adolescents with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), possibly mediating some aspects of their clinical traits.Methods28 BPD patients (301.83, by DSM-5) and 24 NPD patients (301.81, by DSM-5), as well as 24 healthy controls (HC) aged 16-25 years were enrolled in the study. HDRS-21 and HAM-A scales were used for quantitative assessment of patient’s conditions. Pre-treatment resting EEG was recorded, and EEG spectral analysis was carried out in 8 narrow frequency sub-bands. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis of EEG and clinical data were performed.ResultsEEG spectral parameters in BPD group did not differ significantly from those of HC. NPD group shows the EEG signs of more activated brain cortex than in both BPD and norm groups caused by decreased functional state of the anterior cortical regions. The structure of correlations between EEG parameters and clinical scores also differed between BPD and NPD groups.ConclusionsThe data obtained suggests that these features of the brain activity may contribute to the disturbance of emotion regulation and of behavior control in adolescent patients with BPD and NPD, more pronounced in NPD group.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Borderline Personality Disorder And Childhood Trauma: Witch Relationship?
Authors: Turki M. , Gargouri N. , Abdellatif M. , Ellouze S. , Abidi O. , Halouani N. , Aloulou J. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a pervasive pattern of impulsiveness, emotional dysregulation, and difficult interpersonal relationships. Several studies showed that its onset depends on the combination of biological and psychosocial factors, particularly between biological vulnerabilities and traumatic experiences during childhood.ObjectivesWe aimed to explore the mediators of the effects of childhood trauma in BPD vulnerability.MethodsWe conducted a literature review using “PubMed” database and keywords “borderline personality disorder”, “childhood trauma”, “hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis”, “stress”, adverse childhood experiences”.ResultsSeveral studies showed that a diagnosis of BPD is associated with child abuse and neglect more than any other personality disorders, with a range between 30 and 90% in BPD patients. All types of abuse and neglect happen to be significantly associated with BPD features. Besides, the exposure to multiple types of maltreatment through multiple development periods increased the severity of BPD. Several studies highlighted the role of alterations in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, in neurotransmission, in the endogenous opioid system and in neuroplasticity in the childhood trauma-associated vulnerability to develop BPD. Besides, morphological changes in several BPD brain areas and in particular in those involved in stress response have also been incriminated.ConclusionsOur findings regarding the role of childhood trauma in the development of BPD would help identify and develop early intervention services for a vulnerable population. The critical role of psychotherapy in treating individuals with early life stress may partially explain why the prevailing empirically validated treatments for BPD are psychotherapeutic.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychopathology and Treatment of People with EDs
Authors: Monteleone A.M. 
Published: September 2022

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic a mental health deterioration has been detected in the general population and especially in people affected by pre-existing psychiatric conditions, and mental health care has moved towards online treatment. Literature studies have been reviewed to gather evidence regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people affected by eating disorders (EDs) exploring changes in ED-specific and general psychopathology; mechanisms of vulnerability and resilience; change in treatment delivery service; patients’ perception of online treatment and potential barriers and/or advantages of this method and its effectiveness. A wide variability characterized the response of people with EDs to the COVID-19 pandemic. A trend toward worsening of ED specific psychopathology with respect to the pre-pandemic period was observed as well as a deterioration in general psychiatric symptoms. Feelings of uncertainty and social isolation were the most common vulnerability mechanisms. Resilience factors such as heightened self-care and reduced social pressure also occurred. The treatment has largely switched to online delivering strategies which, despite considered the best alternative to the face-to-face approach, were suffering from some concerns about their quality. The exacerbation of specific and general psychopathology supports the hypothesis of an emotional and post-traumatic nature of EDs and outlines the importance of internalizing symptoms. In front of the great variability observed across ED patients during the pandemic, the identification of risk and resilience variables as well as of subjective factors affecting the perception of online treatment may inform clinicians and promote more targeted and individualized approaches.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Mentalizing and emotion dysregulation in emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot short-term longitudinal study
Authors: Charpentier Mora S. , Bastianoni C. , Tironi M. , Bizzi F. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic represents an epidemiological and psychological crisis (APA, 2020). In this context, although emerging adults are less likely to get COVID-19, they might have suffered from the national lockdowns over the last year, as they are indeed involved in a crucial development period wherein interpersonal relationships undertake a fundamental function in their psychological well-being. To this end, mentalizing abilities and emotion dysregulation may play a crucial role as possible salutogenic or pathogenic factors on the onset of psychiatric symptoms during the three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.Objectives1) To examine the relationship between emotion dysregulation assessed at the end of the first wave of COVID-19, mentalizing assessed during the second wave, and psychiatric symptoms levels assessed during the third wave. 2) To examine the moderation role of mentalizing within the relation between emotion dysregulation and psychiatric symptoms.MethodsParticipants were 83 non-clinical emerging adults (Mage=22.18, SD=4.36; 57.8% females). Measures applied were Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) to examine emotion dysregulation, Reflective Functioning Questionnaire to examine mentalizing (RFQ_uncertainty; RFQ_certainty) and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90) to examine psychiatric symptoms (Global Severity Index, GSI).ResultsDERS_total score (r=.31, p=.03) and both RFQ_uncertainty (r=.41, p<.01) and RFQ_certainty (r=-.33, p=.02) are associated with GSI. Secondly, a significant moderation role by RFQ_u emerged within the relation between DERS_total score and GSI (∆R2=.067, β=.001, SE=.00, CI[.000, .002]).ConclusionsThese results suggest that mentalizing and emotion dysregulation may play a pivotal role in the onset of psychiatric symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical implications are discussed.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Patients in Opioid Substitution Treatment
Authors: Rosenleitner J. , Fuchs-Leitner I. , Gerstgrasser N. , Yazdi K. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionThe many negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic especially on vulnerable groups like patients suffering from drug addiction have been anticipated by experts early on. While drug consumption patterns of patients in opioid substitution treatment (OST, N=24) seemed hardly influenced at the early stage of the pandemic in Austria, the impact on the mental health of this population remained unclear.ObjectivesThe main goal was to investigate long-term consequences of the pandemic in terms of PTSD and clinical symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress among patients in OST between December 2020 and February 2021.MethodsIn a cross-sectional survey study (N=123) an adapted version of the impact of event scale (IES-R) was applied to evaluate PTSD symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical symptoms were assessed by the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21), and respective changes due to the pandemic were documented. Sociodemographic and COVID-19 related factors, as well as data on drug consumption patterns were collected.ResultsA binary logistic regression analysis confirmed the negative long-term consequences of psychological and economic COVID-19 related factors on a higher risk for PTSD due to the pandemic. The high-risk PTSD group also demonstrated higher levels and a deterioration of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms since the pandemic.ConclusionsAmong our sample of patients in OST, 27% were at risk of PTSD due to the pandemic, and 30 to 50% reported concerning levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Health care facilities might use these findings as a valuable source of information, when special attention is needed.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Positive responses to stress in the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic (in Russian sample)
Authors: Karacheva E. , Magomed-Eminov M. , Savina O. , Kvasova O. , Magomed-Eminova O. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionThe aim of the study was to adapt the Coping Self-efficacy Scale for research Russian population in the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic for researching positive personal resources to overcome peritraumatic COVID-19 distress. To solve this task we also used Impact of Event Scale (Horowitz) and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (Tadeshi & Calhoun) - both adapted by M. Magomed-Eminov. These two methods allow us to assess the connection coping self-efficacy with both the traumatic experience and the experience of post-traumatic growth. And to use the results to prevent mental health.Objectives342 participants (students and masters; 18,2% male, 81,8% female; age: 20-30 years).MethodsRussian version of Coping self-efficacy scale developed in Psychological Helping and resocialization Department Lomonosov Moscow State University; Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory – PTGI (Tadeshi & Calhoun), Impact of Event Scale (Horowitz), - both adapted by M. Magomed-Eminov.ResultsRussian version of Coping self-efficacy scale has high reliability-consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.916). Detected significant correlation between coping self-efficacy and post-traumatic growth (rS = 0,261, p < 0,01) and significant negative correlation between coping self-efficacy and intensity of the impact of stressful events (IES) (rS = - 0,140, p < 0,05).ConclusionsThe obtained results confirmed the high psychometric effectiveness of the Self-efficacy Coping Scale. The connections indicate the existence of positive ways of coping to distress. The results obtained suggest that further research on the positive consequences will expand the repertoire of tools predicted the ability of a modern person to cope with adversity and use experience for deeper involvement of human resources.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
A novel approach to monitoring lithium blood levels and renal function in patients receiving lithium during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gannon L. , Reynolds J. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionLithium is commonly administered to patients in an outpatient department (OPD) setting. Regular monitoring of lithium levels and renal function in accordance with published guidelines is required. In our unit, this is usually performed at OPD review. During the COVID-19 pandemic, reviews were either postponed or done remotely.Objectives1. To devise a system to ensure that patients receiving lithium had appropriate blood test monitoring in the absence of traditional OPD appointments. 2. To assess the efficacy of this intervention by recording blood test dates and comparing with pre-COVID compliance.MethodsAll outpatients receiving lithium, identified from the hospital database, received (1) a letter summarising the monitoring guidelines and (2) prospectively dated blood request forms. Patients at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 were advised to attend their primary care setting. Others were encouraged to attend primary care or our phlebotomy department. Compliance was measured by accessing the hospital’s laboratory enquiry computer based system and compared with pre-COVID-19 figures. Information was anonymised, as per General Data Protection Regulations.Results57 patients receiving lithium were identified. Prior to the first Irish lockdown in March 2020, 16 (28%) were overdue testing. Three months into the pandemic, 15 patients (26%) were overdue testing.ConclusionsIn the absence of routine outpatient appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic, the provision of written guidelines and completed blood request forms for patients receiving lithium was effective in ensuring monitoring of lithium levels and renal function. This system can be utilised as an alternative/adjunct to OPD review benefitting patients and health service delivery.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Identification of candidate genes of intellectual disability by single-gene deletions/amplifications mapping using chromosomal microarray analysis
Authors: Kashevarova A. , Lopatkina M. , Belyaeva E. , Fedotov D. , Drozdov G. , Nazarenko L. , Lebedev I. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionDisease-causing deletions/amplifications may include a single gene, several exons or single/part of exon, contributing to detection of novel pathogenic genes. The localization of single-gene deletion/amplification within the gene can affect its clinical manifestation.ObjectivesImprovement of diagnosis of intellectual disability.MethodsaCGH with 60K Agilent microarrays, qPCR.ResultsAmong 1099 patients with intellectual disability potentially pathogenic single-gene deletions/amplifications were detected in 51 individuals (5%). qPCR was used to verify aberrations in 21 patients (41%). Ten mutations were of maternal origin, four - paternal, two - de novo, another two were confirmed without analysis of parents, and three could not be confirmed. Single-gene aberrations involving the AGBL4 (exon 2), ASMT (exon 9), CYP2C18 (whole gene), DDX10 (promoter, exons 1-13), GYPA (whole gene), LIG4 (exon 1), LSAMP (intron 1), PSD3 (promoter, exons 1-11), SNTB1 (intron 1), SPOCK3 (exons 6-12), STAG2 (exons 7-34), SYT10 (promoter, exons 1-2), TCAF2 (exon 8), TMPRSS15 (promoter, exons 1-12), and ZDHHC7 (promoter, exons 1-4) genes were described by us for the first time. Deletion or amplification of several exons within a gene can affect transcription as point mutation does, while the copy number change of a whole gene can lead to an abnormal amount of the protein.ConclusionsFifteen novel genes potentially responsible for mental health were identified. In most of them aberrations were partial deletions/duplications. Most of abnormalities were inherited from healthy parents indicating the possible presence of a point mutation on the second allele or some modifying factors. This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, grant 21-65-00017.DisclosureNo significant relationships.