bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antisocial personality disorder: what else can be done?
Authors: Falcao V. , Pinto C. , Heitor M.J. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionAntisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is an under-researched mental disorder, and these patients are often excluded from mental healthcare and thus from studies. The consequences of antisocial behavior result in great burden for the patients, victims, family members and for society, and it is associated with criminality, substance use and relationship difficulties.ObjectivesThe aim of this abstract is to review the current possibilities of treatment, and its efficacy.MethodsWe present a revision of the state of the art on treatment of ASPD, drawing from PubMed and using the keywords “Antisocial personality disorder” and “treatment”, in a time period ranging from 2011 to 2021, inclusive.ResultsThere is little evidence of effective treatments for patients with ASPD and no intervention has been established as the treatment of choice for this disorder. Recent studies, found benefits from Mentalization-based treatment (MBT), that specifically targets the ability to recognise and understand the mental states of oneself and others, an ability compromised in these patients. Specifically, reduction of anger, hostility, paranoia, and frequency of self-harm and suicide attempts, as well as the improvement of negative mood, general psychiatric symptoms, interpersonal problems, and social adjustment were found.ConclusionsASPD is a condition that incurs substantial societal and individual costs. Although proper treatment is yet being discussed, MBT is a psychotherapeutic treatment that has shown some promising preliminary results. Thus, we believe that guidelines on the treatment of ASPD and possibilities for more systematical research, with prevention programs, is urgently needed.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Antisocial personality disorder in women: a cross-sectional study about 20 cases
Authors: Karoui M. , Khanfir S. , Amri G. , Kammoun R. , Nefzi H. , Ellouz F. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionAntisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is characterized by a long term pattern of disregard for, or violation of the rights of others that occurs in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. This disorder remains unknown in women.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe socio-demographic, clinical, psychometric and therapeutic characteristics of women with ASPD hospitalized in psychiatric ward.MethodsA cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted in G psychiatry department, in Razi hospital. It included 20 women with ASPD and hospitalized in psychiatric ward. Socio-demographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics were assessed. A psychometric evaluation was carried out by the application of six scales: BIS 11, HCR 20, VRAG, PCL-R, ENFP and PID5-BF.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 34 ± 9 years. Patients with a personal history of suicide attempt accounted for 45% of the study population. Patients with a criminal history accounted for 67.5% of the study population. A substance-related disorder was found in 85% of the patients. Adjustment Disorder was retained in 42.5% of the patients and Psychotic Disorder was diagnosed in 32.5% of the population. The average score at VRAG was 6.18 ± 5.8. The mean score at PCL R was 24 ± 4.2. High impulsivity scores were found.ConclusionsASPD represents a major concern for clinicians in psychiatric wards. A better knowledge of the characteristics of this trouble in women could improve their quality of care.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
The concept of Evil in Psychiatry: Philosophy, neurobiology and clinical implications
Authors: Maia A. , Nascimento S. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionAlthough difficult to define, the concept of evil is widely used and implicitly influences psychiatric judgements and diagnosis. Most definitions of evil rely on classical philosophical concepts, but it remains controversial if evil is a concept by itself or rather a dysfunction on the ability to experience goodness. Also, it is unclear if there is a neurobiological basis for evil or if it is entirely dependent on socio-cultural beliefs.ObjectivesIn this work, we intend to systematize evidence on the philosophical definitions and neurobiological correlates of evil, and reflect on its implications in clinical psychiatry.MethodsLiterature review.ResultsThe concept of evil has been a theme of debate since the ancient Greek, where Plato argued that evil was a result of ignorance and Aristoteles saw morality as a guide for education and politics. Nietzsche claimed that evil was a dangerous concept that was created by the church, while Hannah Arendt underlined the banality of evil by highlighting “thoughtlessness” that frequently justify evil acts. From a neurobiological perspective, studies assessing individuals with neuro-psychiatric conditions associated with evil-related behavioral abnormalities have been suggesting a potential role of frontal and limbic structures, as well as of the serotonergic system. However, several of these studies assessed presumed correlates of evil, such as antisocial personality disorder or impulsive-aggressive behavior.ConclusionsDespite the polemic frontier between neurosciences and morality, a conceptual insight over the definition of evil is vital to guide comprehensiveness and clinical approach when dealing with deviant evil-like behaviors.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation and post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Moura N. , Fraga A. , Facucho-Oliveira J. , Azevedo F. , Laginhas C. , Esteves-Sousa D. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by symptoms from four clusters after exposure to a traumatic event: re-experiencing symptoms including flashbacks and nightmares, hyperarousal, avoidance of internal and external stimuli related to trauma, and negative alterations in mood and cognition. As a noninvasive intervention that uses induction of electromagnetic fields to modulate cortical circuitry, TMS has a substantial body of literature demonstrating safety, tolerability, and efficacy in depression and potentially PTSD.ObjectivesOur aim is to perform a non-systematic review of the literature regarding TMS and PTSDMethodsA semi-structured review was conducted on Pubmed concerning TMS and PTSDResultsThe majority of studies utilize repetitive TMS targeted to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) at low frequency (1 Hz) or high frequency (10 or 20 Hz), however others have used alternative frequencies, targeted other regions, or trialed different stimulation protocols utilizing newer TMS modalities such as theta-burst TMS (TBS). It is encouraging that were positive outcomes have been shown, and often sustained for up to -3 months, nevertheless there is a paucity of long-term studies directly comparing available approaches.ConclusionsTMS appears safe and effective for PTSD, although important steps are needed to operationalize optimal approaches for patients.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
The role of Effortful Control and Executive Attention in Mood Disorders
Authors: Ossola P. 
Published: September 2022

In the first part of the talk I will show that using a computational approach, namely the Drift Diffusion Model, the efficiency of executive attention (EA) is associated with effortful control, the self-regulatory aspect of temperament in a sample of n=427 healthy subjects. Then I will demonstrate how, applying the same model, EA measured through the same conflict resolution task predicts longitudinally a sooner relapse in a sample of n=64 subjects with bipolar and depressive disorders. Lastly I will discuss how EA is associated with obsessive compulsive symptoms in the same clinical population and how they interact in predicting the course of illness. Altogether these results suggest that there is an association between self-reported effortful control and EA and that treatments targeting executive functions could be crucial in preventing relapses in subjects with mood disorders experiencing obsessive compulsive-symptoms.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Clinical effects of Cariprazine and their relationship with polymorphisms of dopamine and serotonin receptors: preliminary results from a prospective study on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors: De Pieri M. , Dyrmishi E. , Bolla E. , Preve M. , Colombo R.A. , Traber R. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionCariprazine (CAR) is a D2, D3, 5HT1A receptor partial agonist and a 5HT2A, 5HT2B antagonist, used to treat Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder. Interindividual variability in therapeutic and side effects of antipsychotics is difficult to predict, due to non-genetic and genetic factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the main source of genetic variability, the ones in dopamine and serotonin receptors to which CAR binds are indeed likely to determine response to treatment.ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to define a relationship between CAR clinical efficacy and SNPs in dopamine and serotonin receptors genes of patients affected by schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.MethodsWe recruited 16 patients starting a monotherapy with CAR, evaluated at baseline and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks through BPRS rating scale. We selected a panel of SNPs in DR2, DR3, 5HT1A and 5HT2A receptors, with a frequency higher that 10% in Caucasians and functionally characterized. Cut-off for response to treatment was a 50% reduction of BPRS score. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA followed by the test for linear trend between columns.ResultsAll subjects achieved response after 8 weeks of treatment, but 6 patients after 4 weeks. Early responders have a genetic profile associated with increased dopamine and serotonin receptor expression and/or binding affinity for their specific ligands. The association don’t reach statistical significance, probably due to low number of patients.ConclusionsPreliminary results suggest that an array of dopamine and serotonin receptors SNPs could predict time to respond to CAR in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.DisclosureThe study is founded by Recordati AG, that commercialize the drug under study (Cariprazine) in Switzerland. Funding covers the costs for genetic analysis and other procedures of the study, no financial compensation is planned for investigators/authors.
The role of Effortful Control in Pychopathology Amongst Older Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Brancart X. , Dierckx E. , Rossi G. , De Raedt R. 
Published: September 2022

Background and aim: Based upon a person-centred approach, there is a growing interest in neurobiological transdiagnostic factors, such as reactive temperament (Behavioral Inhibition (BIS) and Behavioral Activation Systems (BAS)) and regulatory processes (Effortful Control (EC)). Three temperament-based personality types (Resilient, Undercontrolled and Overcontrolled type (RUO)) have been replicated in adolescents and younger adults with several clinical problems; with the resilient type (highest scores on EC) consistently showing less psychological symptoms. However, these RUO types have not been studied yet in older adults with mental disorders. Therefore, the current study investigates (1) whether these RUO types can be replicated based on the aforementioned reactive and regulative temperamental factors in older inpatients and (2) whether a higher EC is related to the presence of less psychopathology. Methods: The EC, BIS/BAS, SCL-90-R and ADP-IV questionnaires were administered to 96 older patients (<= 60 years) admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Results: Cluster analysis resulted in a solution of three atypical types: a Resilient type (low BIS, mean BAS, high EC), a Dysregulated type (high BIS, high BAS, low EC) and an “Apathic” type (mean BIS, low BAS, mean EC). Comparison of means revealed that the Resilient type has the highest scores on EC and shows less clinical symptoms and maladaptive personality traits. Discussion: Of the 3 RUO types, only the Resilient type was fully replicated in older psychiatric patients. Strengthening EC might be useful as an additional therapy in order to reduce clinical symptoms, possibly leading to a better treatment outcome.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Correlation between psychotic risk and depressive “cognitive” symptoms in adolescence
Authors: Maffucci A. , Cesario S. , Mammarella V. , Colafrancesco G. , Ferrara M. , Raballo A. , Monducci E. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionPrevention of disorders has become a central element of psychiatric research and clinic. Currently, Ultra High Risk (UHR) criteria are internationally recognized for psychiatric risk assessment. Self Disorders (SD) aroused particular interest because they were found to be specific to schizophrenic spectrum disorders and a marker of vulnerability for psychotic onset.ObjectivesTo evaluate the correlation between psychotic risk and depressive symptoms in at-risk adolescent population.MethodsWe collected data from 80 patients, aged 14-18, with sufficient skills in the Italian language and an IQ ≥70, excluding patients with disorders related to direct effects of a general medical condition or substance. Psychodiagnostic evaluation included K-SADS-PL, SIPS/SOPS, EASE (for the assessment of SDs) and the CDSS (for the assessment of Depression).Results35 subjects have UHR criteria, while 45 do not have a psychotic risk syndrome or psychotic features. Between the two groups there is a significant difference in the total SCORE of EASE, in domains 1, 2 and 5. In addition, a positive correlation between SDs and depressive symptoms emerged, in particular with pathological guilt and with reference ideas of guilt.ConclusionsThe results confirm the validity of SDs for early detection of psychosis. Depressive features appear to be associated with the presence of abnormalities of experience. This results suggest a close care and monitoring of depressive symptoms in adolescence, because they can mask disorders of different nature, particularly pathological guilt and guilty ideas of reference that are depressive “cognitive” symptoms more correlate with psychotic risk.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Interrelations of love of life with psychosocial factors in university students
Authors: Nikolaev E. , Petunova S. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionLove of life as a positive evaluation of one‘s own life plays an important role in developing a person’s positive outlook on their own wellbeing.ObjectivesOur goal is to define the nature of interrelations between manifestations of love of life and some psychosocial factors of health in university students.MethodsUsing the English version of the Love of Life Scale (Ahmed M. Abdel-Khalek) and the Sociocultural Health Questionnaire (E. Nikolaev), we carried out an online survey of 136 university students of both genders. A correlation analysis helped to define the interrelations.ResultsWe established that a high level of the overall rate of Love of Life, on the one hand, corresponds to high self-evaluation of a person’s health (r=.31, p<.05) and happiness (r=.47, p<.05). On the other hand, it correlates with a high level of anti-suicidal barrier (r=.20, p<.05) and low frequency of headaches (r=-.18, p<.05). Students’ desire for a long life, which would enable to achieve everything they have been dreaming of, correlates with low weight (r=-.18, p<.05). A low level of stress is connected with a greater feeling of love in life (r=-.22, p<.05) and its perception as something beautiful and fascinating (r=-.29, p<.05). Better understanding of life correlates with lower frequency of smoking (r=-.19, p<.05).ConclusionsA psychological construct of Love of life, due to its negative correlations with the health risk factors has a great positive potential for a personality development and their health. It can serve as a target for a psychological impact in interventions.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Inventory of Sources of Stress During Medical Education - Further Validation
Authors: Carneiro M. , Macedo A. , Loureiro E. , Dias M. , Carvalho F. , Telles Correia D. , Novais F. , Barreto Carvalho C. , Cabacos C. , Pereira D. , Vitória P. , Araújo A. , Pereira A.T. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionThe Inventory of Academic Sources of Stress in Medical Education (IASSME) evaluates the presence and intensity of the main sources of academic stress for Portuguese Medicine students in five dimensions: Course demands/CD, Human demands/HD, Lifestyle/LS, Academic competition/AC, and Academic adjustment/AA.ObjectivesTo further validate the ISSME using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and to analyze the psychometric properties of a new version including additional sources of stress.MethodsParticipants were 666 Portuguese medicine (82.6%) and dentistry (17.4%) students (81.8% girls); they answered an online survey including the ISSME and other validated questionnaires: Maslach Burnout Inventory – Students Survey (MBI-SS) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS).ResultsConfirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the second order model composed of five factors (the original structure by Loureiro et al. 2008), but excluding item 11 (loading=.371), presented good fit indexes (χ2/df=3.274; RMSEA=.0581, p<.001; CFI=.917; TLI=.904, GFI=.919). The Cronbach’s alfas were α=.897 for the total and from α=.669 (F2-HD) to α=.859 (F1-CD) for the dimensions. The expanded version, including two additional items related to lack of interest in medicine/dentistry (F6, α=.543) and two additional COVID-19 stress-related-items (F7, α=.744) also showed acceptable fit indexes (χ2/df=3.513; RMSEA=.061, p<.001; CFI=.88.; TLI=.866, GFI=.892). This new version’s α was of .896. Pearson correlations between ISSME and the other measures were significant (p<.01) and high: >.55 with DASS and >.50 with MBI-SS. Girls presented significantly higher ISSME scores. F6 score was significantly higher in dentistry students.ConclusionsThis further validation study underlines that IASSME presents good validity (construct and convergent) and reliability.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Feasibility of fNIRS in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder
Authors: Johnson C. , Klingels K. , Verbecque E. , Meyns P. , Hallemans A. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionBalance deficits are heterogeneous among children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Balance performance depends on different balance domains, each associated with specific underlying neurological systems. In DCD, any of these domains can be affected, but the control mechanisms are poorly understood. The mirror neuron system (MNS) seems to play a key-role in DCD-related deficits. To understand the role of MNS as a control mechanism underlying the balance deficits, simultaneous registration of cortical MNS activity while performing balance tasks is imperative. Therefore, a protocol for combining real-time registration of cortical MNS activity during functional balance tasks in children with DCD, CP and TD is introduced. Methods: Children with DCD, CP and TD (n=108) aged 5-10yr perform preselected tasks of the Kids-BESTest, representing specific balance domains (mixed design): leaning with eyes closed (stability limits/verticality), single-leg-stance, alternate stair touching (anticipatory balance), in-place response, compensatory stepping backward (reactive balance) and walking over obstacles (gait stability). Simultaneously, functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) monitors cortical activity involving the MNS: premotor, inferior and superior parietal cortex and supplementary motor area. An 8-8-optode bundle, making 22 channels, targets this region of interest. Outcome measures are: (de)oxygenated hemoglobin concentration changes per task per channel. Results: In this ongoing research, the protocol was already feasible in 19 children (7.52±1.19). Conclusion: Simultaneous registration of cortical MNS activity (fNIRS) and Kids-BESTest scores will help increase the understanding of the control mechanisms underlying the heterogeneous balance problems in DCD. Consequently, first steps are made to confirm whether DCD shows deviant or delayed development.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
The Effectiveness of Motivational counseling in improving Psychological vitality of Teachers in Dhofar Region Schools - Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Abdelrasheed N. , Khalaf M. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionPsychological vitality has a significant relationship with self-realization, mental health, positive emotions and self-motivation, life satisfaction, and optimism. Additionally, it reduces the possibility of exposure to anxiety, depression and stress. In the same line, work pressures drive teachers to suffer from some negative emotions such as anger and lack of motivation, which in turn influence their vitality, social relations with colleagues.ObjectivesThe present study designed a motivational counseling-based program to improve psychological vitality among teachers in Dhofar region schoolsMethodsParticipants were 60 teachers obtained the lowest degrees on the psychological vitality questionnaire. They were divided randomly into two groups: experimental and control. Qusai-experimental method with two groups design was adopted. The given program consists of 18 counseling sessions at the rate of 3 sessions per week ranging from 60 to 75 minutes.Resultsindicated that statistically significant differences at 0.01 level were found between mean scores of both groups groups on the posttest of psychological vitality favoring the experimental group. Also, statistically significant differences at 0.01 level were detected between the pre-test and post-test (experimental group) mean scores favoring the post-test. Taken together those findings confirm the effectiveness of the counseling program in improving psychological vitality Posttest and follow up test did not significantly differ which prove the continuity of program effectiveness.ConclusionsTo conclude, motivational counseling plays an important role in enhancing psychological vitality of teachers. Further research might use the program in alleviating other psychological disorders.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Comparing the role of neuronal versus non-neuronal cells in the pathophysiology of delirium: a systematic review
Authors: Mcadam H. 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionDelirium is a condition which impacts nearly half of older adults during hospital admission. It presents with a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Despite this, specialised knowledge and ownership of the condition remain unclear.ObjectivesTo compare evidence surrounding the roles of neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the overall pathophysiology of delirium and consider the impact this could have in practice.MethodsUsing PRISMA systematic review guidelines, five medical research databases were screened for papers discussing the role of neuronal and/or non-neuronal cells in the pathophysiology of delirium between 2011 and 2021.ResultsFifteen papers which met the inclusion criteria were then categorised into discussing neuronal (n=2), non-neuronal (n=4) or both (n=9) types of cells’ roles in the pathophysiology of delirium. Delirium was often caused by a homeostatic imbalance secondary to acute illness leading to deterioration of neural synapses and therefore signal transmission. However, it was also argued that activated non-neuronal cells, particularly microglia and astrocytes, played a significant role through disruption of the blood brain barrier. This was likely to play a role in the more severe clinical presentations of delirium.ConclusionsThe pathophysiology of delirium is multifactorial with neuronal and non-neuronal cells implicated in neurological disruption. There is no clear agreement on how these mechanisms vary according to aetiology and, ultimately, the severity of delirium. Further research will help refine these theories, which will support the pharmacological and clinical management of the condition.DisclosureNo significant relationships.