Search Results (73)

Research into the potential health consequences of trauma indicates that traumatic experiences can disrupt normal biological processes and increase the risk of neuroinflammation and the development of clinical symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this study, we examined the relationship between neuroinflammation and three specific biomarkers—matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, the inflammasome NLRP3, and the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA—in connection with PTSD symptoms assessed using the PTSD Symptom Scale–Interview for DSM-5 (PSSI-5). The symptoms were categorized into the following domains: re-experiencing, avoidance, alterations in cognition and mood, increased arousal and reactivity, distress and functional impairment, symptom onset and duration, and the total symptom score. Our findings confirmed the pro-inflammatory roles of MMP-2, MMP-9, and the inflammasome NLRP3, as well as the anti-inflammatory, calming effect of GABA. We identified strong correlations between biomarkers, particularly between MMP-2 and MMP-9, MMP-2 and NLRP3, and MMP-2 and GABA, highlighting a closely interconnected inflammatory response. Among the PSSI-5 domains, re-experiencing, increased arousal and reactivity, and distress and functional impairment showed the strongest associations with the total symptom score. Recent research focusing on these cellular mechanisms has provided valuable insights into the role of neuroinflammation in PTSD. These findings enhance our understanding of how inflammation contributes to the disorder’s development and progression. Full article

Background/Objectives: The presence of autoimmune thyroiditis was found to be associated with an increased prevalence of sexual dysfunction. Women’s sexual health was not investigated in postpartum disorders of the thyroid gland. The aim of this study was to assess female sexual functioning and depressive symptoms in postpartum thyroiditis. Methods: This study compared four groups of non-lactating women who gave birth within 12 months before the beginning of the study: women with postpartum thyroiditis and overt hypothyroidism (group A), women with postpartum thyroiditis and subclinical hypothyroidism (group B), euthyroid females with postpartum thyroiditis (group C) and healthy euthyroid females without thyroid disease (group D). All patients completed questionnaires assessing female sexual function (FSFI), and the presence and severity of depressive symptoms (BDI-II). Moreover, we assessed thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies, as well as serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroid hormones, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), estradiol and prolactin. Results: The mean total FSFI score was lower in women with overt hypothyroidism (22.74 ± 4.12) than in the remaining groups of women, lower in groups B (25.71 ± 3.84) and C (29.67 ± 4.00) than in group D (32.15 ± 2.98), as well as lower in group B than in group C. Compared to healthy controls, both groups of women with postpartum thyroiditis and thyroid hypofunction had lower scores for all domains, while euthyroid patients with postpartum thyroiditis had lower scores for sexual desire, sexual arousal and lubrication. The total BDI-II score was highest in group A (15.6 ± 3.2) and lowest in group D (7.8 ± 3.2). Serum testosterone and DHEAS levels were lower while serum prolactin levels were higher in women with postpartum thyroiditis than in healthy subjects. The lowest testosterone levels (1.02 ± 0.35 nmol/L) and estradiol levels (190 ± 80 pmol/L) and the highest prolactin concentration (39.9 ± 13.9 ng/mL) were found in group A. Conclusions: The obtained results show that postpartum thyroiditis is complicated by multidimensional impairment of female sexual functioning, which is accompanied by mood deterioration. Severity of sexual dysfunction and depressive symptoms in this clinical entity depends on the degree of thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism. It seems that assessment of sexual functioning and mood should be recommended to all women with postpartum thyroiditis. Full article

The widespread adoption of background music in workplaces contrasts with the inconsistent empirical evidence regarding its cognitive effects, particularly concerning how music types influence the sequential pathway from flow states to work engagement and task performance. While prior research identifies flow and engagement as potential mediators, theoretical conflicts persist regarding their temporal dynamics and susceptibility to auditory habituation. This study tested three hypotheses: (1) music type indirectly affects performance through flow–engagement mediation, (2) high-arousal music impairs while structured compositions (e.g., Mozart’s K448) enhance this pathway, and (3) repeated exposure diminishes music’s efficacy. A two-phase longitudinal experiment with 428 Chinese undergraduates employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze data from randomized groups (control, high-arousal, low-arousal, and Mozart K448), completing Backward Digit Span tasks under controlled auditory conditions. The results confirmed Mozart K448’s superior immediate mediation effect (β = 0.118, 95% CI [0.072, 0.181]) compared to high-arousal music’s detrimental impact (β = −0.112, 95% CI [−0.182, −0.056]), with flow fully mediating engagement’s influence on performance. A longitudinal analysis revealed a 53% attenuation in Mozart’s flow-enhancing effect after a 30-day familiarization (B = 0.150 vs. baseline 0.321), though residual benefits persisted. These findings reconcile the cognitive tuning and arousal–mood hypotheses by proposing a hybrid model where music initially operates through a novelty-driven dopamine release before transitioning to schema-based cognitive priming. Practically, the results advocate tiered auditory strategies: deploying structured music during skill acquisition phases while rotating selections to counter habituation. The study highlights the cultural specificity in auditory processing, challenging universal prescriptions and underscoring the need for localized music policies. By integrating flow theory with neurocognitive habituation models, this research advances evidence-based guidelines for optimizing workplace auditory environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Emotional and cognitive impairments are prevalent in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), significantly affecting their quality of life and recovery potential. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive method to enhance neurorehabilitation outcomes by modulating neural activity. Methods: This prospective, open-label, multicenter interventional study included 100 participants (50 AIS, 50 TBI) who underwent 10 sessions of tDCS. Emotional states, depression levels, and memory and learning outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist (UMACL), Depression Measurement Questionnaire (DMQ), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), and Brain Damage Diagnostic Test (BDDT). Results: Significant improvements in emotional states were observed post-tDCS. Hedonic tone increased (AIS: 2.5 to 5 stens; TBI: 1.5 to 4 stens), while tension arousal decreased (AIS: 8 to 6 stens; TBI: 8 to 6 stens; all p < 0.001). Depression levels dropped significantly, with the overall depression index decreasing from 131 to 100 points in AIS and from 126 to 104 points in TBI (both p < 0.001). Memory and learning scores improved significantly, evidenced by increased correct responses and reduced errors in BVRT and BDDT tests (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: tDCS effectively improved emotional states, reduced depression levels, and enhanced cognitive functions in AIS and TBI patients. These findings support the integration of tDCS into neurorehabilitation protocols, with further research needed to explore long-term benefits and individualized treatment strategies. Full article

(1) Background: Phasic events in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are a core feature of isolated REM behavior disorder (iRBD), which is often associated with emotion dysregulation. This study explores the relationship between sleep and the overnight habituation of emotional reactivity in healthy controls (HCs) and iRBD patients, focusing on the role of REM phasic events and a specific non-REM waveform, namely sleep spindles. (2) Methods: Participants underwent polysomnography and completed arousal rating tasks and mood scales before and after sleep. In total, eight HCs (4 M, mean age 60.62 ± 6.8) and eight iRBD patients (7 M, mean age 68.25 ± 5.12) were included in the analyses. (3) Results: In HCs, longer REM sleep duration correlated positively with overnight habituation. In the whole sample, overnight habituation negatively correlated with REM sleep latency and wake-after-sleep onset, and positively with N2 sleep. Higher overnight habituation was associated with fewer REM arousals and awakenings in the whole sample, and with greater N2 sleep spindle density in HCs. (4) Conclusions: Our preliminary results suggest that REM sleep and spindles in N2 play critical roles in emotional processing. The study confirms the relationship between emotion dysregulation and REM phasic events, enhancing our understanding of how sleep impacts emotional reactivity and also in the prodromal phase of neurodegenerative disease. Full article

Background and Objectives: Brain fog, characterized by cognitive difficulties such as memory impairment, lack of focus, and mental fatigue, is a common symptom reported during recovery from COVID-19, particularly in long COVID cases. This study explores potential triggers such as sleep quality, mood, and gastrointestinal health and examines the link between adherence to the MIND diet and brain fog severity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 July and 15 December 2022. The questionnaire assessed brain fog symptoms, dietary habits, sleep quality, mood, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Linear regression analysis examined the relationships between brain fog symptoms, demographic factors, sleep quality, MIND diet adherence, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Results: Brain Fog Scale (BFS) scores were significantly higher in individuals who had COVID-19 (p < 0.05) and even higher in those with reinfection. Women had higher BFS and Brain Fog Severity Score (BFSS), MIND Diet, The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Brief Mood Introspection Scale (BMIS) Pleasant-Unpleasant scores (p < 0.05). BFS and BFSS were positively correlated with GSRS (p < 0.05), while no correlation was found with MIND diet adherence. A negative correlation was observed between BFS and Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) (p < 0.05), but this was not significant in regression (p = 0.367). GSRS, Pleasant–Unpleasant Dimension, and Arousal–Calm Dimension were significant predictors of BFS (R = 0.599, R² = 0.358, p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study identifies being female as a risk factor for brain fog symptoms, with women reporting higher BFS and BFSS scores. While sleep quality showed a negative correlation with brain fog symptoms, this relationship was not significant in the regression model, suggesting that other factors, such as mood and gastrointestinal symptoms, may play a more dominant role. However, adherence to the MIND diet showed no significant relationship with brain fog symptoms. These findings suggest that addressing mood and gastrointestinal health may be key to managing brain fog in long COVID. Full article

Background: Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (P-PTSD) symptoms develop after experiencing childbirth as traumatic. Several individual and environmental factors influence the childbirth experience. However, in Italy, this phenomenon remains unexplored due to the lack of screening tools. This project aims to validate the Italian version of the Perinatal PTSD Questionnaire (PPQ-II) and to identify maternal, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum risk and protective factors associated with P-PTSD. Methods: A total of 702 women (6–24 months postpartum) participated in an online cross-sectional study. They completed the PPQ-II, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10), and a questionnaire to assess sociodemographic and perinatal factors. Factor structure was estimated with an exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency of the scale, convergent and divergent analyses were computed. Associations between perinatal factors and P-PTSD were also investigated. Results: The EFA revealed a two-factor structure: “Arousal and Mood alteration” and “Avoidance and Intrusion”. CFA supported the factor structure, showing a good fit of the data. The validity was confirmed by a significant association between the PPQ-II and the DASS-21 and a lower correlation with the BFI-10. Significant associations were found between P-PTSD symptoms and factors across the maternal, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods. Conclusions: The Italian PPQ-II is a valid screening tool to include in maternity care protocols for the early identification of P-PTSD. This study also contributes to identifying perinatal factors for symptom detection and the promotion of maternal well-being. Full article

Background/Objectives: Serotonin and the serotonin transporter (SERT) may have a multifaceted, but not fully understood, role in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its impact on mental health in this group of patients. This study aimed to investigate changes in serotonin and the serotonin transporter (SERT) and their association with depressive and insomnia symptoms. Methods: This study included 76 participants (OSA group: n = 36, control group (CG): n = 40) who underwent polysomnography, while venous blood samples (evening and morning) were analyzed for serotonin and the SERT using ELISA. SERT mRNA expression in peripheral leukocytes was measured via quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Participants were evaluated for depression, insomnia, and quality of life (QoL). Results: This study found no significant differences in SERT mRNA or serotonin between the OSA group and CG. In the CG, individuals without mood disorders had higher baseline SERT levels and evening/morning SERT ratios than those with depression. Among the OSA participants, those with good QoL had elevated serotonin levels in the evening (p = 0.028) and morning (p = 0.043) compared to those with poor QoL. Baseline SERT protein levels were higher in the CG than in the OSA group for insomnia, while SERT mRNA expression was higher in the OSA group. Linear regression models showed 13.3% and 13.1% for non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and AHI variability, respectively, which was accounted for by the morning SERT level, while 30.8% of the arousal index variability was explained by the morning serotonin level. Conclusions: Serotonergic signaling may influence quality of life, depression, and insomnia in OSA, as well as the severity of the disease itself. Stratifying patients by clinical and laboratory phenotypes could enable more personalized treatment. Full article

Objectives: This study explores depression changes and influencing factors in middle-aged and older individuals, focusing on different cognitive function states. Methods: This cohort study uses panel data from seven waves of the nationally representative Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (1996–2015) with 2344 participants aged 50 or above. Data analysis was conducted from 25 January 2023 to 4 May 2023. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyzed three trajectories: maintained mood, progressive depression, and consistent depression. Protective factors for progressive depression included self-health perception, exercise, family satisfaction, and financial well being, while risk factors were chronic diseases, pain, substance use, and daily activity limitations. Cognitive function emerged as a significant protective factor, while pain exhibited the highest risk. In the cognitive dysfunction group, only social participation showed notable differences. Conclusion: Progressive and consistent depression in middle-aged and older people have aroused concern. In addition to necessary protection and risk factors, special attention should be paid to the risks posed by the level of pain. Addressing pain as a crucial risk factor is essential, particularly for middle-aged and older people with cognitive impairment and depression, necessitating targeted support. Full article

Introduction: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent disorder and a highly debilitating condition. Although current theories focused on depressed mood and intrusion as critical dimensions, the mechanism through which depression increases the risk of PTSD remains unclear. Research usually concentrates on the hyperactive negative valence system (NVS) (e.g., increased fear and threat responses), but some evidence suggests a significant role for the hypoactive positive valence system (PVS) (e.g., less neural activation towards rewards). Method: The main aim of the present research was to investigate whether probable PTSD leads to a different evaluation of the implicit processing in a refugee’s sample. Ratings of arousal, dominance, and valence from 60 International Affective Picture System (IAPS) pictures (positive, neutral, and negative) were collected from 42 individuals with probable PTSD, and a group of 26 trauma-exposed individuals (M_age = 28.49 years, SD = ±7.78). Results: ANOVA results revealed a main group effect (η2p = 0.379) on arousal, dominance, valence dimensions, and pictures’ categories (η2p = 0.620), confirming evidence according to which PTSD origins a state of maladaptive hyperarousal and troubles the regulation of emotions, and not supporting the view that such difficulties arise only with negative stimuli. Participants with probable PTSD deemed negative stimuli as more threatening than they really are, reacting to unpleasant images with greater negative emotionality (i.e., enhanced arousal and lower valence ratings) compared with individuals without PTSD. Moreover, they rated positive stimuli as less pleasant. Furthermore, arousal ratings were negatively correlated with valence (r = −0.709, p < 0.01) indicating that pictures with high arousal (negative) were associated with lower valence. Discussion: Our findings supported evidence according to which PTSD caused a constant state of hyperarousal and difficulties in regulating emotions facing environmental stimuli. Positive stimuli are considered less pleasant, and this inhibits from completely benefiting from them. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence for a differential and potentially complementary involvement of NVS and PVS in PTSD development. Intervention for PTSD may, thus, target both negative and positive valence processing. Full article

Background: Preoperative emotional distress has been linked to adverse health outcomes, diminished quality of life, increased symptom burden after surgery, and poorer postoperative outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of perioperative emotional distress on the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Methods: We conducted a follow-up study of a previously conducted observational study of colorectal surgery patients who underwent surgery at the University Medical Centre Freiburg, Germany, between April 2018 and February 2020. Initially, all the patients completed a multidimensional mood questionnaire (MDMQ) preoperatively and on postoperative days 3, 6, and 9. From June to November 2021, these patients were contacted again to capture the results of MDMQ at least one year after surgery and to assess the rate of late complications, quality of life, dietary changes, and overall health. Results: Of the original 80 patients, 51 took part in the follow-up study (55% female, on average 59 years old), on average 30 months after the operation. The average mood results of the surgical patients returned to those of the normal population. Most patients (80%) did not feel that their quality of life was affected by the surgery. Satisfaction with the surgical outcome averaged 8.5 out of 10, while current health was rated at 6.8 out of 10. Emotional distress levels varied over time, with mood and arousal improving significantly postoperatively. Late complications were reported by 28% of the patients, but there were no significant differences in the MDMQ scores, health status, or satisfaction between those with and without complications. Conclusions: The results indicate that there is no association between the emotional strain measured by the MDMQ and the occurrence of late postoperative complications. Full article

Background: Sleep disturbances are a prevalent phenomenon in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The present study employs polysomnography (PSG) to quantify sleep efficiency and architecture in PwMS, aiming to elucidate the relationships between PSG parameters and factors including gender, disability level, brain lesion location, and subjective measures of insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), fatigue, pain, and mood disorders. Methods: The study cohort comprised 51 adult PwMS, of whom 31 underwent overnight PSG. The demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, gender, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), were collated. The Athens Insomnia Scale, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were employed for the assessment of insomnia, EDS, fatigue, pain, and mood disorders. The brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated. Results: A reduced sleep efficiency was observed among 30 PwMS (aged 38.9 ± 12.9), with a mean of 80 ± 12%, especially in those with brainstem demyelinating lesions. In those PwMS aberrant sleep onset latency (SOL) and wake after sleep onset were also noted (p < 0.05). The prevalence of sleep fragmentation, as measured by the total arousal index, was greater in male PwMS than in female (p < 0.05). Higher disability according to the EDSS correlated with longer SOL (ρ = 0.48, p < 0.05), and reduced N2 sleep stage correlated with cognitive fatigue according to MFIS (ρ = −0.46, p < 0.05). Age, disease duration, insomnia, EDS, physical fatigue, and mood disorders did not impact PSG parameters. Conclusions: The study demonstrated the disruption of sleep architecture in PwMS, and highlighted the importance of a comprehensive PSG assessment of sleep disturbances in this population. Full article

This paper proposes a model-based method for real-time automatic mood estimation in video sequences. The approach is customized by learning the person’s specific facial parameters, which are transformed into facial Action Units (AUs). A model mapping for mood representation is used to describe moods in terms of the PAD space: Pleasure, Arousal, and Dominance. From the intersection of these dimensions, eight octants represent fundamental mood categories. In the experimental evaluation, a stimulus video randomly selected from a set prepared to elicit different moods was played to participants, while the participant’s facial expressions were recorded. From the experiment, Dominance is the dimension least impacted by facial expression, and this dimension could be eliminated from mood categorization. Then, four categories corresponding to the quadrants of the Pleasure–Arousal (PA) plane, “Exalted”, “Calm”, “Anxious” and “Bored”, were defined, with two more categories for the “Positive” and “Negative” signs of the Pleasure (P) dimension. Results showed a 73% of coincidence in the PA categorization and a 94% in the P dimension, demonstrating that facial expressions can be used to estimate moods, within these defined categories, and provide cues for assessing users’ subjective states in real-world applications. Full article

Amidst rapid societal changes and increasing urbanization, human connectivity with nature has declined, exacerbating public health concerns. This study assesses the efficacy of Shinrin-yoku, or ‘forest bathing’, in Wuyishan National Park as a simple and effective method to counteract the adverse health effects of contemporary lifestyles. Employing repeated-measures analysis of variance, forty-one participants were observed over three days across eight distinct forest settings. Techniques included eye-tracking for visual attention and soundscape perception assessments via questionnaires. Physiological responses were gauged through heart rate variability and skin conductance, while psychological evaluations utilized the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Findings revealed that (1) natural soundscapes—especially birdsong, flowing water, wind, and bamboo raft sounds—and visual elements, such as distant mountains, streams, trees, Danxia landforms, tea gardens, and bamboo views, play pivotal roles in regulating heart rate variability, reducing arousal, and enhancing stress adaptation. Additionally, cultural landscapes, such as classical music and ancient structures, bolster parasympathetic activity. (2) Natural and cultural auditory stimuli, including flowing water and classical music, coupled with visual features, such as Danxia landforms, streams, distant mountains, lawns, and guide signs, effectively induce positive mood states, regulate mood disturbances, and enhance psychological well-being across diverse forest settings. These findings underscore the significant health benefits of immersive natural experiences and advocate for integrating forest-based wellness programs into public health strategies, offering compelling evidence for enriching life quality through nature engagement. Full article

To date, although several studies have investigated the circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), only a few authors have addressed their evaluation in adults. Furthermore, an important limitation of these studies lies in the fact that circulating BDNF is stored in platelets and released into the circulation when needed. To the best of our knowledge, a very limited number of studies have related peripheral BDNF values to platelet counts, and yet no study has evaluated intra-platelet BDNF levels in adults with ASD. In this framework, the aim of the present work is to pave the way in this field and evaluate platelet BNDF levels in adult ASD patients, as well as their correlation with autistic symptoms and related psychopathological dimensions. We recruited 22 ASD and 22 healthy controls, evaluated with the Adult autism subthreshold spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), the Social Anxiety Spectrum—self report (SHY-SR), the Trauma and loss spectrum—self report (TALS-SR), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and the Mood Spectrum—self report for suicidality. Intra-platelet BDNF levels were also assessed. The results highlighted lower BDNF levels in the ASD group; moreover, AdAS Spectrum and WSAS total score as well as AdAS Spectrum Restricted interest and rumination, WSAS Private leisure activities, TALS-SR Arousal, and SHY-SR Childhood domains were significant negative predictors of platelet BDNF levels. Full article