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Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Vitos Klinikum Gießen-Marburg, Vitos Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie Gießen; Fachbereich Medizin, Philipps-Universität Marburg.

Background: In memory clinics, biomarker-based diagnostic tools for early detection and differential diagnosis of dementia are increasingly important, even if their acceptance by patients is relatively low.

Objective: The aim of study was to examine whether sociodemographic and clinical features of memory clinic patients are associated with acceptance of lumbar puncture (LP). Of particular interest was the patients' self-perception of memory decline (subjective memory impairment, SMI) accompanied by related concerns that might affect decision to consent to LP. Read More

Drug Alcohol Depend 2018 Dec 4;195:13-15. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, United States; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States.

Objectives: To characterize the socio-demographic characteristics, medical conditions, and psychiatric comorbidities of users of marijuana for medical and non-medical purposes.

Methods: Data were from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III, a US nationally representative in-person interview of 36,309 adults age ≥18 years in 2012-2013.

Results: In relation to non-medical only users (n = 3339), combined (n = 362) and medical only (n = 82) users had higher prevalence of every medical condition examined. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2018 Dec 14;90:154-161. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Division of Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Furness College, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK. Electronic address:

Background: Research suggests that people with epilepsy (PWE) are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than the general population. Given the adversity associated with the condition, resilience may also be important. However, to date, resilience has been largely overlooked in the epilepsy literature. Read More

Neurobiol Aging 2018 Nov 23;75:117-125. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Psychology Department, Providence College, Providence, RI, USA.

Longitudinal human studies suggest that as we age, sociality provides protective benefits against cognitive decline. However, little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. Rodent studies, which are ideal for studying cognition, fail to examine the independent effects of social housing while controlling for physical enrichment in all groups. Read More

Contemp Clin Trials 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Psychology, Institute for Mental Health Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.

Extant evidence suggests that exercise can reduce anxiety related vulnerability factors, such as anxiety sensitivity (AS), or fear of bodily sensations related to anxiety, that negatively impact smoking cessation outcomes. Building upon emerging evidence supporting the efficacy of exercise as an aid for smoking cessation in adults with high AS, we are conducting a trial to examine the efficacy and feasibility of this clinical application when implemented in a community setting. Partnering with the YMCA, this study aims to enroll 150 adults in a standard smoking cessation protocol (i. Read More

Biol Psychol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.

Response to psychological stress can vary based on the extent to which the context is perceived as stressful, especially under different social conditions. The purpose of this preliminary study was to compare physiological stress (cortisol) and regulation (respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA) of 10-12 year old children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 31) or typical development (TD, n = 25) when exposed to two social stress protocols. The extent to which perceived emotion (affect recognition) and anxiety (state and trait) mediate the stress response was also explored. Read More

Neuropharmacology 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Neuroscience Institute, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States. Electronic address:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to promote fear learning as well as avoidant behavioral responses to chronic social defeat stress, but, conversely, this peptide can also have antidepressant effects and can reduce depressant-like symptoms such as social avoidance. The purpose of this study was to use a variety of approaches to determine whether BDNF acting on tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) promotes or prevents avoidant phenotypes in hamsters and mice that have experienced acute social defeat stress. We utilized systemic and brain region-dependent manipulation of BDNF signaling before or immediately following social defeat stress in Syrian hamsters, TrkB knock-in mice, and C57Bl/6J mice and measured the subsequent behavioral response to a novel opponent. Read More

PLoS One 2018 17;13(12):e0208716. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Faculty of Health, University of Applied Sciences Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Background: Anxiety disorders are one of the most diagnosed mental health disorders. Common treatment consists of cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy. In clinical practice, also art therapy is additionally provided to patients with anxiety (disorders), among others because treatment as usual is not sufficiently effective for a large group of patients. Read More

PLoS One 2018 17;13(12):e0207856. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

University of Turku, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Turku Brain and Mind Center, FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku, Finland.

Maternal prenatal symptoms of depression and anxiety have been suggested to impose differential effects on later offspring development, depending on their characteristics, such as timing, intensity and persistence. Paternal symptoms have been less investigated. While knowledge on these trajectory characteristics is essential for improved comprehension of prenatal stress, prospective studies including both expecting parents have been scarce. Read More

PLoS One 2018 17;13(12):e0209291. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.

It is well established that repeated social defeat stress can induce negative long-term consequences such as increased anxiety-like behavior and enhances the reinforcing effect of psychostimulants in rodents. In the current study, we evaluated how the immune system may play a role in these long-term effects of stress. A total of 148 OF1 mice were divided into different experimental groups according to stress condition (exploration or social defeat) and pre-treatment (saline, 5 or 10 mg/kg of the anti-inflammatory indomethacin) before each social defeat or exploration episode. Read More

Curr Opin Psychiatry 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Purpose Of Review: Since the last review of Williams syndrome in Current Opinion (2001) there have been many advances in knowledge about the cognitive, social and psychological impairments that characterize the disorder. The present review focuses on current research in these areas.

Recent Findings: Williams syndrome is associated with a wide range of cognitive, linguistic, social and other difficulties. Read More

J Addict Med 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX (AHR, JB, DJP, MJV); Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA (JDB); College of Nursing, Washington State University, Washington, DC (MFO); Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, New York, NY (JWD); Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MJZ); and HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX (MJZ).

Objectives: Opioid misuse constitutes a significant public health problem and is associated with a host of negative outcomes. Despite efforts to curb this increasing epidemic, opioids remain the most widely prescribed class of medications. Prescription opioids are often used to treat chronic pain despite the risks associated with use, and chronic pain remains an important factor in understanding this epidemic. Read More

Ann Plast Surg 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Background: Surveys have reported that as high as 80% of plastic surgery patients utilize integrative medicine approaches including natural products (NPs) and mind-body practices (MBPs). Little is known regarding the evidence of benefit of these integrative therapies specifically in a plastic surgery patient population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies in MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE (inception through December 2016) evaluating integrative medicine among plastic surgery patients. Read More

Alcohol Res 2018 ;39(1):77-86

Susanne Hiller-Sturmhöfel, Ph.D., is a science writer and editor affiliated with CSR Inc., Arlington, Virginia. Linda Patia Spear, Ph.D., is a distinguished professor, Department of Psychology, State University of New York, and the director of the Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York.

Adolescence typically is a time of experimentation, including alcohol use and, particularly, binge drinking. Because the brain is still developing during adolescence, such exposure could have long-lasting effects. Animal models and adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure (AIE) paradigms have been used to help elucidate the consequences of adolescent binge drinking. Read More

Behav Sleep Med 2018 Dec 17:1-9. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

a Department of Psychology , State University of New York Binghamton , Binghamton , NY.

Objective/background: Numerous psychiatric conditions characterized by repetitive negative thinking (RNT) are also frequently associated with disruptions in the duration and timing of sleep. The emerging literature supports that these types of sleep disruptions may be associated with negative psychological consequences such as depressed mood, anxiety, and poor emotion regulation, all of which have features of RNT. There is a paucity of research on the association between RNT and disruptions in sleep duration and timing in adolescents. Read More

J Behav Addict 2018 Dec 17:1-14. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

1 Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen , Giessen, Germany.

Background And Aims: Numerous studies have provided evidence for orthorexia nervosa (ON), an eating pattern characterized by an almost manic obsession for and fixation on healthy eating, to be of epidemiological relevance. However, there is scientific debate on whether it is merely a behavioral or lifestyle phenomenon as compared to a mental disorder. Aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore whether ON is of epidemiological and clinical relevance, and whether ON can be distinguished from other mental health disorders and healthy lifestyle features. Read More

Health Psychol 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

San Francisco VA Medical Center.

Objective: Anxiety and depression predict poor physical health longitudinally, but are neglected in primary care settings compared to other risk factors such as obesity and smoking. Further, anxiety has been less commonly studied than depression, and whether anxiety has unique predictive effects for physical health is unknown. We compared anxiety and depression to obesity and smoking as predictors of physical health indices and examined unique predictive effects of anxiety and depression. Read More

Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Community Evaluation and Research Collaborative, Michigan State University.

Objectives: Racial discrimination is associated with numerous negative health outcomes, including increased risk for depression and anxiety symptoms and substance use. Positive affect toward of one's ethnic or racial group (i.e. Read More

Emotion 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

School of Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University.

Cognitive reappraisal reduces anxiety, but we know little about how socioeconomic status (SES) moderates this association. Drawing from developmental, affective, and health psychological frameworks, the present 2 studies investigated SES as a moderator of reappraisal and anxiety using performance-based (Study 1) and self-report (Study 1 and 2) measures of reappraisal; analyzing nonclinical (Study 1) and clinical (Study 2) symptoms of anxiety; and utilizing a small, laboratory-based study (Study 1) and a large-scale 9-year longitudinal study (Study 2). Across studies, findings showed that reappraisal predicted lower anxiety at low levels of SES but did not or less so at high levels of SES. Read More

FP Essent 2018 Dec;475:11-17

University of Michigan Medical School Department of Pediatrics - Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, 1522 Simpson Road, East Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5718.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral condition that affects more than 9% of US children and adolescents and often is seen in family medicine settings. A comprehensive evaluation for ADHD gathers information across time and settings; considers common comorbid or alternative conditions, such as learning disabilities and disorders of mood or anxiety, vision, hearing, and sleep; and includes a thorough physical examination. The need for additional evaluation is determined by the history and physical examination results. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 Dec 17;12:CD012203. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland (MRI-UQ), Level 3 Aubigny Place, Mater Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 4101.

Background: Stillbirth affects at least 2.6 million families worldwide every year and has enduring consequences for parents and health services. Parents entering a subsequent pregnancy following stillbirth face a risk of stillbirth recurrence, alongside increased risks of other adverse pregnancy outcomes and psychosocial challenges. Read More

J Interpers Violence 2018 Dec 17:886260518818434. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

3 University of Missouri-St. Louis, USA.

Prior research has identified both rumination and negative affect (NA) as dimensional constructs related to the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While both dimensions demonstrate significant positive relationships with symptoms of PTSD, the relationship between the two within the context of the disorder has yet to be explored. Consistent with prior research in the social anxiety literature, the present study seeks to examine a model of mediation by which rumination accounts for the significant relationship between NA and PTSD symptoms. Read More

J Interpers Violence 2018 Dec 17:886260518816329. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

2 Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, USA.

There is a rich research literature linking interpersonal violence to mental health disorders among undergraduate students. However, scholars know less about the prevalence and consequences of victimization among students enrolled in postbaccalaureate programs. Graduate and law students are uniquely vulnerable in their dependence on programs for financial support and career advancement, and they are more isolated than undergraduates. Read More

Data Brief 2018 Dec 13;21:2323-2329. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.

The data presented here are related to our research article entitled "miR-132/212 is induced by stress and its dysregulation triggers anxiety-related behavior" (Aten et al., 2018). In this article, we utilize immunofluorescent techniques to examine the protein-level expression of two microRNA-132/212 target genes, and , in miR-132 transgenic and miR-132/212 conditional knockout (cKO) mouse lines. Read More

Cureus 2018 Oct 9;10(10):e3429. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Pediatrics, Nemours Alfred I. Dupont Children's Hospital, Wilmington, USA.

Nasogastric (NG) intubation is a common yet one of the most uncomfortable minor procedures done in children and adults alike. A variety of analgesics, such as ketamine, lidocaine, and nitrous oxide, have been shown to reduce pain in various minor pediatric procedures. This retrospective study explores how often various pain management practices are used, either alone or in combination. Read More

BMJ Open Respir Res 2018 26;5(1):e000310. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Academic Respiratory Unit, Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

Introduction: Widespread white matter damage and cognitive impairment have been demonstrated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it remains unclear if brain atrophy is a global phenomenon or if specific subregions are differentially affected. The aims of this study are, first, to test a simple, validated visual analogue grading technique. Read More

Eur J Psychol 2018 Nov 30;14(4):792-805. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

Individual, social and situational factors might play an important role on the experience of anxiety during musical performances. The present research focused on the relationship between self-representations, including musical self, and performance anxiety among a sample of Italian professional and amateur musicians (N = 100; age, M = 23.40, 50% females). Read More

Int J Ment Health Syst 2018 11;12:76. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

3Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.

Background: Psychotherapy and mental health services in Nairobi's public hospitals are increasing. Rather than prematurely imposing psychotherapy protocols developed in Western countries to Kenya, we argue that first studying psychological interventions as they are practiced may generate understanding of which psychological problems are common, what interventions therapists use, and what seems to be effective in reducing psychiatric problems in a lower and middle income country like Kenya.

Method: We present preliminary findings from a process-outcome study involving 345 patients from two public institutions, Kenyatta National and Mathare National Hospitals. Read More

Front Genet 2018 29;9:567. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, United States.

Binge drinking is a widespread problem linked to increased risk for alcohol-related complications, including development of alcohol use disorders. In the last decade, binge drinking has increased significantly, specifically in women. Clinically, sexually dimorphic effects of alcohol are well-characterized, however, the underlying mechanisms for these dimorphisms in the physiological and behavioral effects of alcohol are poorly understood. Read More

Front Psychol 2018 29;9:2400. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.

Although generalized muscle pain, tiredness, anxiety, and depression are commonly present among chronic widespread pain (CWP) patients, the molecular mechanisms behind CWP are not fully elucidated. Moreover, the lack of biomarkers often makes diagnosis and treatment problematic. In this study, we investigated the correlation between pain intensity, psychological distress, and plasma proteins among CWP patients and controls (CON). Read More

Front Psychol 2018 29;9:2395. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Faculty of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.

This study integrated personal factors into the job demands-resources (JD-R) model to examine school- and individual-level predictors of teacher well-being. Survey data were gathered from 1,656 teachers from 54 schools. The results of hierarchical linear modeling indicated that the school-level emotional job demands of teaching and suppression at the individual level were positively related to teachers' anxiety and depression whereas school-level trust in colleagues and individual-level reappraisal were positively associated with enthusiasm and contentment. Read More

Front Psychol 2018 29;9:2360. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Basic Psychology, Clinic and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain.

Traditionally, evidence-based treatments for depression have focused on negative symptoms. Different authors describe the need to include positive affect as a major target of treatment. Positive psychology aims to fill this gap. Read More

Front Behav Neurosci 2018 29;12:295. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Almería, Almería, Spain.

Drug addiction is a chronic disorder comprising components of both impulsivity and compulsivity in the so called "addiction cycle" which develops over time from early non-dependent, repetitive, binge-consumption to later post-dependent compulsive consumption. Thus, frequent binge-like intake is a typical pattern of excessive drug intake characteristic of the pre-dependent phase of the addiction cycle, which represent an important risk factor to develop addiction in vulnerable individuals. In this framework, it is of paramount interest to further understand the earliest stage of the addiction cycle so novel approaches would emerge aimed to control repetitive episodes of binge-consumption in non-dependent subjects, protecting vulnerable individuals from transition to dependence. Read More

Front Behav Neurosci 2018 29;12:290. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Developmental Neuropsychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by impaired social interactions, stereotypical repetitive behavior and restricted interests. Although the global incidence of ASD has increased over time, the etiology of ASD is poorly understood, and there is no effective pharmacological intervention for treating ASD. Recent studies have suggested that metformin has the potential to treat ASD. Read More

J Pain Res 2018 30;11:3071-3077. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia,

Background: Heightened fear and anxiety related to pain may result in emotional and behavioral avoidance responses causing disability, distress, and depression. Fear and anxiety associated with pain can potentially change the course of the pain experience. It is plausible that fear and anxiety related to pain affect the duration and frequency of pain experienced by the patient. Read More

J Child Fam Stud 2018 17;27(9):2943-2953. Epub 2018 Jun 17.

Department of Human Development & Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, MD.

Considerable evidence has accumulated supporting transactional influences between early childhood behavioral inhibition (BI), parent-child and child-peer relationships, and the development of anxiety disorders in adolescence and adulthood. Drawing from this literature, the was designed to treat children high in BI by intervening at the level of both parents and peers. In this pilot study, we sought to determine whether benefits of participating in the extended to children's classrooms in the form of increased positive social interactions with peers. Read More

Child Youth Care Forum 2018 Oct 13;47(5):633-644. Epub 2018 Jun 13.

University of California, Los Angeles Department of Psychiatry, Los Angeles, CA.

Background: Pharmacotherapy is considered an evidenced-based treatment for anxious youth. There is a need to better understand the relation between medication adherence and child outcomes.

Objective: This study prospectively examined:1) baseline predictors of adherence and 2) the relation between medication adherence and clinical outcomes in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. Read More

Crim Justice Behav 2018 Jul 15;45(7):969-983. Epub 2018 May 15.

Treatment readiness is a key predictor of drug treatment completion, rearrest, and recidivism during community reentry; however, limited data exists among homeless, female ex-offenders (HFOs). The purpose of this study was to present baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of 130 HFOs who had been released from jail or prison. Over half (60. Read More

J Epidemiol 2018 Dec 15. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine.

Background: Little is known about the association between the anxiety toward the effects of radiation on reproduction caused by the Fukushima nuclear accident and the birth rate of people in Fukushima. Therefore, we examined changes and associated factors of future pregnancy intention among mothers in Fukushima Prefecture.

Methods: Using data from three postal surveys among women who registered their pregnancies in the prefecture (N = 6,751 in 2012, N = 6,871 in 2013, and N = 6,725 in 2014), we analyzed the factors associated with women's intention of future pregnancy using multivariable logistic regression models. Read More

Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Introduction: This study investigates longitudinal changes in self-reported physical activity, measured by Physical Activity Scale of the Elderly (PASE), in early Parkinson's disease (PD) and matched healthy control (HC) participants in the Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative (PPMI) and evaluates associations between physical activity and PD progression.

Methods: PPMI is a prospective, longitudinal study evaluating markers of progression in PD participants who are unmedicated at enrollment. PASE, a self-reported measure of physical activity, was administered to early PD (N = 380) and HC (N = 174). Read More

Aust Crit Care 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Nursing, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Human Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK. Electronic address:

Objective: The objective of this study was to review English and Chinese randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the effects of family-centred care (FCC) interventions on preterm infants' and parental outcomes in the neonatal intensive care units and to conduct a meta-analysis.

Review Method Used: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, BNI, and AMED and the Chinese databases CNKI and Wanfang Data were searched in April 2017 and updated in August 2018. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Jan 13;116:25-29. Epub 2018 Oct 13.

Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (Deemed to be University), Chennai, India. Electronic address:

Psychiatr Serv 2018 Dec 17:appips201800321. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Center for Clinical Management Research, Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor.

Objective:: Goals were to determine the prevalence of benzodiazepine use (as prescribed and misuse), characterize misuse, and examine variation by age.

Methods:: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of 2015 and 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data limited to adults ≥18 (N=86,186) and data from those respondents reporting benzodiazepine use (N=10,290). Measurements included past-year prescription benzodiazepine use and misuse ("any way a doctor did not direct"), substance use disorders, mental illness, and demographic characteristics. Read More

Eur J Neurosci 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA.

The gut microbiota has recently gained attention as a possible modulator of brain activity. A number of reports suggest that the microbiota may be associated with neuropsychiatric conditions such as major depressive disorder, autism, and anxiety. The gut microbiota is thought to influence the brain via vagus nerve signaling, among other possible mechanisms. Read More

Nurs Forum 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan.

Introduction: Psychological distress (in the form of depression, anxiety, and stress) among college students is prevalent and increasing. In most instances, college students with mental health issues are not seeking treatment. Although not a new phenomenon, little progress has been made toward promoting students' use of mental health services in Jordan. Read More

Metab Brain Dis 2018 Dec 15. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Department of Pharmacy, Institute of toxicology and pharmacology, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College, Ningbo, 315000, China.

Fucoxanthin (FX), a natural carotenoid abundant in edible brown seaweeds, has been shown the great anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects in vivo and in vitro. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of FX on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced behavioral defects in mice. In depressive behavior tests, the increased immobility time of forced swimming test and tail suspension test by LPS treatment in mice, which were significantly reversed by FX treatment (200 mg/kg, i. Read More

J Relig Health 2018 Dec 15. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Department of Psychiatry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

We examined relationships between religiosity and Saudi cancer patients' beliefs about the spread of cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy through close physical contact. Surveyed were 64 patients seen in university oncology clinics. Assessed were beliefs about the spread of cancer and its treatments, along with religious, demographic, social, psychological, and cancer-related characteristics. Read More

Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2018 Dec 6;283:77-82. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. MC 8849, Dallas, TX, USA. Electronic address:

Amygdala is an affective processing center that regulates and assigns valence to different emotions and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. This population-based study employed a community sample of 1747 adults to examine relationships between amygdala volume and depressive symptom severity. Neuroimaging data from participants in the Dallas Heart Study were used. Read More

Psychiatry Res 2018 Dec 8;271:604-613. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Brockton, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Treatment non-response and adverse reactions are common in patients receiving antidepressants. Personalizing psychiatric treatment based on pharmacogenetic testing has been proposed to help clinicians guide antidepressant selection and dosing. This systematic literature review assesses the two most robustly studied drug-metabolizing enzymes, CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, and examines whether obtaining CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 testing can be used to predict antidepressant response or adverse drug reactions in order to improve clinical outcomes. Read More

Psychiatry Res 2018 Dec 6;271:581-589. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Univ. Montpellier, EPSYLON EA 4556, F34000, Montpellier, France; CHU Montpellier, Epsylon Laboratory, University Department of Adult Psychiatry, Rue du Pr. Henri Serre, 34000, Montpellier, EA 4556, France.

This study examined the relationship between abusive supervision and non-clinical paranoia and explored which cognitive mechanisms are mediating this association (i.e. rumination, cognitive avoidance and negative affect). Read More