Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Affect Disord 2019 Feb 6;249:121-126. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Background: The majority of the studies in this area focus on the psychological impact of having diabetic children or adolescents on parents, while a limited number of studies have investigated the effect of diabetes on the mental health status of family members in the general population. Thus, the aim of the current study is to explore the possible association between mental health disorders (depression, anxiety and panic) and diabetes status of family members among a national sample of adults in the United States.

Methods: Our analysis included 1,787 and 25,574 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 and 2005-2016, respectively. Read More

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Objective: Children who are fearful and anxious are at heightened risk for developing depression in adolescence. Treating anxiety disorders in pre/early adolescence may be one mechanism through which depressive symptoms later in adolescence can be prevented. We hypothesized that anxious youth who responded positively to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety would show reduced onset of depressive symptoms 2 years later compared to treatment non-responders, and that this effect would be specific to youth treated with CBT compared to an active supportive comparison treatment. Read More

Atten Defic Hyperact Disord 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Psychiatry, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey.

In the present study, our primary aim was to compare the generalized social anxiety (GSAD) patients with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in terms of avoidant personality disorder (AVPD), and some clinical variables. We also investigated the relationship of AVPD and depression with ADHD and GSAD. We hypothesized that ADHD may be associated with AVPD in patients with GSAD. Read More

J Neurosci Rural Pract 2019 Jan-Mar;10(1):65-70

Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Introduction: Psychiatric morbidity has an increased prevalence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients overall psychosocial status plays an important role in the development of depression which, when major, is said to occur in 19%-42% of cases of COPD. We aimed to study patterns of psychosocial issues in patients with COPD. Read More

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (CEG, KS, SAB), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (SAB), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA.

Objective: The study's aim was to demonstrate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 4-week video-delivered relaxation program called Breathing, Relaxation, and Education for Anxiety Treatment in the Home Environment (BREATHE) for reducing anxiety and increasing activity engagement in older adults with anxiety disorders.

Methods: This was an 8-week pilot randomized controlled trial performed as outpatient and self-directed learning at home among 40 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older who met criteria for an anxiety disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, or anxiety disorder unspecified). The study looked at the BREATHE intervention compared with a wait list control condition. Read More

Sleep Med 2018 Dec 14;55:40-47. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address:

Study Objectives: While anxiety rates are alarmingly high in short sleeping insomniacs, the relationship between insomnia and anxiety symptoms has not been extensively studied, especially in comparison to the relationship between insomnia and depressive symptoms. Using residency training as a naturalistic stress exposure, we prospectively assessed the role of sleep disturbance and duration on anxiety-risk in response to stress.

Methods: Web-based survey data from 1336 first-year training physicians (interns) prior to and then quarterly across medical internship. Read More

BJPsych Open 2019 Jan;5(1):e13

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

Background: A third of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) experience treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Relatively few pharmacological agents have established efficacy for TRD. Therefore, the evaluation of novel treatments for TRD is a pressing priority. Read More

Health Psychol 2019 Mar;38(3):187-195

Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology.

Objective: An increasing number of hematologic cancer patients outlive 10 years past diagnosis. Nevertheless, few studies investigated psychological strain in this patient group beyond 5 years after diagnosis. We conducted a registry-based investigation of risk for depression and anxiety among long-term hematologic cancer survivors up to 26 years after diagnosis compared to the general population. Read More

Psychooncology 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg.

Objective: Death acceptance may indicate positive adaptation in cancer patients. Little is known about what characterizes patients with different levels of death acceptance or its impact on psychological distress. We aimed to broaden the understanding of death acceptance by exploring associated demographic, medical and psychological characteristics. Read More

Minerva Pediatr 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Faculty of Educational Science, Suor Orsola Benicasa University, Naples, Italy.

Background: Eating disorders display several psychiatric comorbidities. The aim of this study was to describe these comorbidities in a group of adolescent patients with Anorexia Nervosa or ED- NOS (Eating Disorder not otherwise specified); in detail, we have evaluated the comorbidity both with a clinical interview (categorical comorbidities) and with a self-report interview (dimensional comorbidities) in order to compare the two profiles.

Methods: The study was carried out at the child and adolescent psychiatry division (eating disorder service for developmental age) of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (ex Second University of Naples). Read More

Cogn Behav Ther 2019 Feb 14:1-21. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

a Department of Psychology , University of Texas at Austin , Austin , TX , USA.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to provide updated pooled effect sizes of evidence-based psychotherapies and medications for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and to investigate potential moderators of outcomes. Seventy-nine randomized controlled trials (RCT) including 11,002 participants with a diagnosis of GAD were included in a meta-analysis that tested the efficacy of psychotherapies or medications for GAD. Psychotherapy showed a medium to large effect size (g = 0. Read More

J Clin Psychol 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, California, United States.

Objective: A validated, brief measure of anger is needed in clinical settings to screen for problematic anger. This study examined the validity of the seven-item Dimensions of Anger Reactions-Revised (DAR-R), including a version for the Spanish population.

Method: Multiple psychometric instruments administered to 541 (76. Read More

J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Elmira College, Elmira, USA.

Behavioral health issues like anxiety and depression negatively impact numerous aspects of primary care, including medical regimen adherence, communication, physical well-being, and engagement in beneficial health behaviors. This study aimed to examine internal and family medicine residents': (1) patterns of addressing mental health concerns (e.g. Read More

J Clin Psychiatry 2019 Jan 29;80(1). Epub 2019 Jan 29.

University of Cincinnati, Department of Psychiatry, Box 670559, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0559.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of pharmacotherapy in pediatric anxiety disorders using network meta-analysis.

Data Sources: PubMed, Cochrane Database, Web of Science, PsycNET, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for double-blind, controlled pharmacotherapy trials in youth with anxiety disorders from 1966 to September 2017. Read More

Front Psychol 2019 28;10:55. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a very prevalent disorder in primary care (PC). Most patients with GAD never seek treatment, and those who do seek treatment often drop out before completing treatment. Although it is an understudied treatment, Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) indicate preliminary efficacy for the treatment of GAD symptoms, but many patients with GAD present other associated symptoms (e. Read More

Sleep Med 2018 Dec 15;55:22-25. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Sleep Disorders Center, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Jacksonville, Fl, USA.

Background/objectives: Evidence of an association between sleep disorders and extracranial atherosclerosis is limited and has not been studied in remote rural settings, where living conditions and cardiovascular risk factors are different than in urban centers. We assessed the relationship between the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and sleep quality in stroke-free individuals aged ≥40 years living in rural Ecuador.

Methods: Applying a population-based study design, participants underwent face-to-face interviews using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality, and sonographic examinations for measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Read More

J Psychopathol Behav Assess 2018 Dec 10;40(4):636-644. Epub 2018 May 10.

Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA.

Worry behaviors (i.e., overt acts to avoid or cope with worry-induced distress) have been recognized as being important in the psychopathology and treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Read More

J Psychiatr Res 2019 Jan 31;111:134-139. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

MacAnxiety Research Centre, McMaster University, L02-1057 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 1B7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada; Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada. Electronic address:

Cannabis is commonly used recreationally for its euphoric and relaxing effects, while its medical use is permitted in several jurisdictions. With only low-quality evidence suggesting anxiolytic effects of cannabis and strong public sentiment surrounding such purported effects, the purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of cannabis for medicinal purposes (CMP) use for anxiety symptoms. An online survey was disseminated to CMP users registered with a Canadian licensed producer. Read More

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.

Over the last few decades, advances in human and animal-based techniques have greatly enhanced our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders. Many of these studies have indicated connectivity between and alterations within basal ganglia structures to be particularly pertinent to the development of symptoms associated with several of these disorders. Here we summarize the connectivity, molecular composition, and function of sites within basal ganglia neurocircuits. Read More

Prev Med Rep 2019 Mar 25;13:281-288. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, United States of America.

Screen-based sedentary behaviors and emotional disorders are associated with one another in youth. Yet, the direction of the association is unclear, as is whether specific types of screen-based sedentary behaviors and emotional disorder symptoms are more closely linked. This study estimated the bi-directional associations between two types of screen-based sedentary behaviors and four types of self-reported emotional disorder symptoms, and tested whether physical activity buffered these associations in a Los Angeles high school student cohort ( = 2525, baseline age = 14. Read More

Eur J Psychotraumatol 2019 29;10(1):1562841. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

The Foundation Trust, Melrose, MA, USA.

: Developmental trauma disorder (DTD) has been proposed to describe the biopsychosocial sequelae of exposure to interpersonal victimization in childhood that extend beyond the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). : To characterize the psychopathology comorbid with DTD and to determine whether this comorbidity is distinct from, and extends beyond, comorbidities of PTSD. : DTD was assessed by structured interview, and probable Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) psychiatric disorders were identified with screening modules on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Present/Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL), in a multi-site sample of 236 children (7-18 years old; 50% female) referred by paediatric or mental health providers. Read More

J Oral Facial Pain Headache 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of nonstrenuous aerobic exercise on chronic masticatory myalgia (CMM) patients and healthy controls (HC) by means of mechanical temporal summation (TS) and response to mechanical stimulation (RMS) performed on the dominant forearm.

Methods: A total of 30 patients diagnosed with CMM and 30 pain-free HCs were first evaluated for maximum number of steps (MNS) on a stepper machine for 1 minute. Additionally, they completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), and Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFL) questionnaires. Read More

J Clin Med 2019 Feb 1;8(2). Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Broniewskiego 26, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland.

Rationale: There is a worldwide prevalence of generalized anxiety and major depressive disorders (MDD). Gut⁻brain axis dysfunction, antibacterial activity, and modulatory effects of antidepressants toward intestinal bacteria have been shown both in vitro and in vivo.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of hospital stay, including escitalopram administration, on gut microbiota in patients with depressive episodes. Read More

Asian J Psychiatr 2019 Jan 24;40:30-38. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. Electronic address:

Objective: Penetration of mobile technology is rapidly rising. Excessive use leads to Technology addiction, which often start early in adolescence. The purpose of the present study was to assess Technology addiction and its correlates among school students in rural India. Read More

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Division of Rhinology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA.

Background: Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a debilitating condition associated with inferior turbinate tissue loss. Surgical augmentation of the inferior meatus has been proposed to treat ENS, although efficacy data with validated, disease-specific questionnaires is limited. Instead we evaluated submucosal injection of a transient, resorbable filler into the inferior meatus to favorably alter nasal aerodynamics in ENS patients. Read More

J Am Vet Med Assoc 2019 Feb;254(4):520-529

OBJECTIVE To compare symptoms of compromised behavioral health (BH symptoms) and factors protecting against those symptoms (protective factors) in military veterinary and nonveterinary health-care personnel deployed to Afghanistan. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE 237 deployed military health-care personnel (21 veterinary and 216 nonveterinary). Read More

J Consult Clin Psychol 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University.

Objective: To extend the sparse literature on moderators, we used time-varying effect modeling (TVEM; Tan, Shiyko, Li, Li, & Dierker, 2012) to examine how depressive symptoms and duration of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) moderated effects of 3 treatments for GAD (applied relaxation [AR], cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT], and nondirective therapy [ND]) over time using intensive repeated measures.

Method: In a secondary analysis of Borkovec and Costello (1993), 66 GAD clients were randomly assigned to AR (n = 23), CBT (n = 23), or ND (n = 20). Clients received 12 therapy sessions over 6 weeks, and after 2 weeks of posttreatment assessment, had 2 additional weekly fading sessions. Read More

Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.

Fear and anxiety are conceptualized as responses to acute or potential threat, respectively. Adult twin studies found substantial interplay between genetic and environmental factors influencing fear disorders (phobias) and anxiety disorders. Research in children, however, has largely examined these factors independently. Read More

PLoS One 2019 1;14(2):e0211455. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Pulmonology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania.

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a relentlessly progressive lung disease with a fatal prognosis to whose rapid evolution multiple comorbidities may contribute, one of the most common being obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). There are several potential factors and conditions for the emergence of a cognitive deficit in relation to IPF or associated morbidities.

Objectives: The goals of this study were to assess cognition in patients with IPF in stable phase and to identify clinical cognition modifiers. Read More

Auton Neurosci 2019 Mar 4;217:41-48. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Neuroimaging Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy. Electronic address:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with both autonomic dysfunction, notably decreased vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV), and neurostructural abnormalities. Regional differences in brain morphometry correlate with vmHRV in healthy individuals. Here, we tested the hypothesis that specific focal abnormalities in cortical structure in GAD underpin decreased vmHRV. Read More

JAAPA 2019 Feb;32(2):17-21

At the time this article was written, Marinela Panganiban, Michelle Yeow, and Kaitlyn Zugibe were students in the PA program at Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Ms. Panganiban now practices general surgery at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Ms. Yeow practices medicine at New York Presbyterian Queens, and Ms. Zugibe practices neurosurgery at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx. Sheryl L. Geisler is an adjunct faculty member in the PA program at Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), characterized by excessive worry or apprehension, can lead to significant distress or impairment in patients' social or occupational function but commonly is overlooked by primary care providers. GAD and other anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health disorders affecting children. Without treatment, children with GAD are at higher risk for academic underperformance, substance abuse, other mental health disorders, and poor outcomes in adulthood. Read More

Twin Res Hum Genet 2019 Jan 30:1-8. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics,Virginia Commonwealth University,Richmond, VA,USA.

This study uses novel approaches to examine genetic and environmental influences shared between childhood behavioral inhibition (BI) and symptoms of preadolescent anxiety disorders. Three hundred and fifty-two twin pairs aged 9-13 and their mothers completed questionnaires about BI and anxiety symptoms. Biometrical twin modeling, including a direction-of-causation design, investigated genetic and environmental risk factors shared between BI and social, generalized, panic and separation anxiety. Read More

Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2019 Jan 30:1-4. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

1Division of Epidemiology,Department of Public Health Sciences,University of Miami Miller School of Medicine,Miami,Florida.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Hurricane Maria on internalizing and posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD) among Puerto Ricans who moved to Florida after the storm versus those who stayed on the island.

Methods: In March through April 2018 (6 months after Hurricane Maria), an online survey was used to assess the effects of the storm on mental health. A sample of 213 displaced Puerto Ricans living in urban and rural/suburban areas in Florida, as well as urban and rural areas of Puerto Rico, participated in the study. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2019 Jan 30;13(1):27. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-112 81, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are severe autoimmune inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system associated with the presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against the water channel protein aquaporin-4. During exacerbation, specific aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G may be produced intrathecally. We measured extracellular aquaporin-4 microparticles in the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient who later developed the typical symptoms and signs of a neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Read More

J Midwifery Womens Health 2019 Jan;64(1):68-77

Introduction: Attention monitoring and acceptance underlie the effects of mindfulness meditation. This study tested the feasibility and acceptability of an online mindfulness intervention for pregnant women as an approach to reduce depressive and anxious symptoms.

Method: We developed an 8-week mindfulness intervention program that trained participants to monitor their internal and external experiences in an accepting way. Read More

J Med Internet Res 2019 Jan 29;21(1):e12530. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Cyberpsychology Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Background: Anxiety conditions are debilitating and prevalent throughout the world. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an effective, acceptance-based behavioral therapy for anxiety. However, there are treatment barriers (eg, financial, geographical, and attitudinal), which prevent people from accessing it. Read More

Depress Anxiety 2019 Jan 29. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Background: Prior investigations have found negative associations between military unit cohesion and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, most relied on cross-sectional data and few examined relationships of unit cohesion to other mental disorders. This study evaluates prospective associations of perceived unit cohesion with a range of mental health outcomes following combat deployment.

Methods: U. Read More

Int J Yoga 2019 Jan-Apr;12(1):78-83

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effects of instruction in yogic breathing techniques () in patients with treatment-resistant generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in UK secondary mental health services settings.

Materials And Methods: Participants were adult primary or secondary care patients with a primary diagnosis of GAD (with or without comorbidity) and persistent anxiety symptoms of at least moderate intensity, despite prior treatment with two or more medications of proven efficacy. Patients participated in group-delivered yogic breathing training and practice for 12 weeks. Read More

J Low Genit Tract Dis 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based group cognitive behavior therapy (M-gCBT) versus education support group therapy for the pain and distress associated with provoked localized vulvodynia.

Materials And Methods: Participants were randomized to M-gCBT or education support group therapy. Mindfulness-based group cognitive behavior participants attended 8 weekly sessions. Read More

Dev Psychopathol 2019 Jan 28:1-8. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Institute for Social Science Research,University of Queensland,Brisbane,Australia.

Maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy may contribute to offspring neurobehavioral disorders. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between maternal thyroid function during pregnancy and offspring depression and anxiety. Data were taken from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Read More

Early Interv Psychiatry 2019 Jan 27. Epub 2019 Jan 27.

Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.

Aim: The First Episode Mood and Anxiety Disorder Program (FEMAP) provides treatment to emerging adults with mood and anxiety disorders in an accessible, youth-friendly environment. We sought to investigate FEMAP's impact on the costs of care.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of one-year health service costs using linked administrative datasets to compare emerging adults treated at FEMAP (FEMAP users) to propensity-score matched controls (non-users). Read More

Front Psychiatry 2018 10;9:755. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

The high rate of comorbidity between insomnia and anxiety disorders have been confirmed by previous studies. However, the underlying neurobiological correlates of the relationship between insomnia and anxiety disorders are largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of insomnia on cortical excitability in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) by examining the recovery functions of median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in patients with GAD without insomnia and patients with GAD comorbid with insomnia. Read More

Front Hum Neurosci 2018 11;12:539. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about everyday life. Prior neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that GAD is associated with disruptions in specific brain regions; however, little is known about the global functional connectivity maps in adolescents with GAD. Here, first-episode, medication-naive, adolescent GAD patients ( = 36) and healthy controls ( = 28) (HCs) underwent resting-state functional MRI (R-fMRI) and completed a package of questionnaires to assess clinical symptoms. Read More

J Psychopharmacol 2019 Jan 24:269881118822146. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

1 Department of Psychological Medicine University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Background:: Generalized anxiety disorder is a common psychiatric condition that is associated with decreased quality of life and significant disability. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety drugs used widely in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. This study examines the influence of several variables on benzodiazepine efficacy in generalized anxiety disorder. Read More

Menopause 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Objectives: Given the neurocognitive hyperarousal observed in patients with insomnia disorder and associations of nocturnal hot flashes with cardiovascular disease risk, we examined whether women with hot flash-associated insomnia disorder demonstrate exaggerated cardiovascular responsivity to acute stressors, and also a profile of psychological hyperarousal.

Methods: Peri and postmenopausal women with and without hot flash-associated insomnia disorder underwent assessments of cardiovascular autonomic responsivity to acute stress paradigms and psychological hyperarousal. Hemodynamic responses (heart rate, blood pressure) to nociceptive, social-evaluative, and cognitive stress paradigms were measured in the morning. Read More

Front Psychol 2018 8;9:2692. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States.

In this study we sought to compare eating disorder attitudes and behaviors, and proneness to an eating disorder ("ED proneness"), between gay men, lesbian women, and transgender and non-conforming (TGNC) adults. A further aim was to identify and compare risk and protective factors, and examine a mediational model based on the interpersonal theory of eating disorders (IPT-ED), whereby the association between interpersonal factors and ED proneness would be mediated by psychological constructs pertaining to the self and negative affect. Data was obtained from a larger national study of health risk and protective factors among sexual minority and gender diverse populations. Read More

Ann Fam Med 2019 Jan;17(1):23-30

Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Purpose: The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for depression in the general adult population. Although screening questionnaires for depression and anxiety exist in primary care settings, electronic health tools such as computerized adaptive tests based on item response theory can advance screening practices. This study evaluated the validity of the Computerized Adaptive Test for Mental Health (CAT-MH) for screening for major depressive disorder (MDD) and assessing MDD and anxiety severity among adult primary care patients. Read More

J Affect Disord 2019 Mar 15;247:125-133. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Background: Cannabis use, anxiety, and depression are common among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) and some report using cannabis to manage mental health symptoms.

Methods: Sexually-active gbMSM aged ≥16 years were recruited into a longitudinal cohort through respondent-driven sampling and completed study visits every six months. Data on demographics, drug use, and anxiety and depression symptoms were collected via a self-administered computer-based survey. Read More

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019 7;15:199-204. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Purpose: The study evaluated the prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorders in late-life depression (LLD) and identified their associated factors.

Patients And Methods: This study involved 190 elderly Thais with depressive disorders diagnosed according to the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Anxiety disorders were also diagnosed by the MINI. Read More