Article
Psychiatry
Tomoko Kishimoto, Xu Wen, Mingzhu Li, Ru-Yuan Zhang, Nisha Yao, Yunzhen Huang, Mingyi Qian
Summary: The study revealed both early vigilance and later avoidance towards angry faces in individuals with comorbid SAD and depression, and vigilance towards angry and disgusted faces in individuals with only SAD. This research provides direct evidence for the vigilance-avoidance theory of comorbid SAD and depression, contributing to the understanding of attentional bias in anxiety-depression comorbidity.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
T. Pattyn, L. Schmaal, F. Van den Eede, L. Cassiers, B. W. Penninx, B. C. G. Sabbe, D. J. Veltman
Summary: This study found that panic disorder patients had lower brain activity in response to angry faces, driven mainly by the autonomic subtype. While no significant differences were found in other brain regions, the use of a subtype approach can help advance our neurobiological understanding of panic disorder.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Kuehne, Tino Zaehle, Janek S. Lobmaier
Summary: The study found that smiling manipulation can improve memory performance for happy faces, especially for highly ambiguous facial expressions. In addition to an overall negative bias specifically for happy faces, smiling manipulation also induced a positivity bias when memorizing emotional facial information.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Seoyoung Yoon, Yong-Ku Kim
Summary: Anxiety and mood disorders are common and challenging to treat, and oxytocin is believed to have therapeutic effects. However, the results of studies on the relationship between oxytocin and these disorders are inconsistent, possibly due to factors such as participant characteristics and research methodology.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Experimental
Tian Yuan, Haoyue Ji, Li Wang, Yi Jiang
Summary: This study investigated the modulation effect of emotional content on attentional orienting triggered by social cues. The findings showed that happy biological motion significantly enhanced attentional orienting effect, while sad biological motion did not. Furthermore, this modulation effect was also observed in social attention induced by gaze. The results highlight the important role of emotional information in modulating the processing of social signals.
Article
Psychiatry
Li He, Dongtao Wei, Fan Yang, Jie Zhang, Wei Cheng, Jianfeng Feng, Wenjing Yang, Kaixiang Zhuang, Qunlin Chen, Zhiting Ren, Yu Li, Xiaoqin Wang, Yu Mao, Zhiyi Chen, Mei Liao, Huiru Cui, Chunbo Li, Qinghua He, Xu Lei, Tingyong Feng, Hong Chen, Peng Xie, Edmund T. Rolls, Linyan Su, Lingjiang Li, Jiang Qiu
Summary: The study shows that the prepandemic functional connectome can predict pandemic-induced anxiety and was validated in external samples. However, it demonstrated poor performance in predicting daily anxiety. The connectome-based neuromarkers of pandemic-related anxiety were able to distinguish between individuals with generalized anxiety disorder and healthy controls.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mariana Rae, Mariana Lemos Duarte, Ivone Gomes, Rosana Camarini, Lakshmi A. Devi
Summary: OT and AVP exhibit opposite roles in modulating stress, anxiety, and social behaviors, potentially due to their high sequence homology with their receptors. The crosstalk between these peptides and receptors in vivo remains unclear, but understanding this interaction is essential for elucidating the roles of OT and AVP, as well as for therapeutic targets in treating human disorders.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Christopher Hunt, Ryan Fleig, Brandon Almy, Shmuel Lissek
Summary: Lab-based fear-conditioning studies have shown that exaggerated threat reactivity to benign stimuli is a marker of clinical anxiety, but little is known about the strength of false alarms as long-term predictors of anxiety problems. This study tested whether heightened false alarms of conditioned threat in college students predicted symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) in the following semester. The results suggest that conditioning-related increases in anxiety to safe stimuli resembling the danger cue predict GAD, while non-specific elevations in anxiety to a broad set of safe stimuli and increased threat expectancy toward cues least resembling the danger cue predict SAD.
JOURNAL OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sonja Elsaid, Dafna S. Rubin-Kahana, Stefan Kloiber, Sidney H. Kennedy, Sofia Chavez, Bernard Le Foll
Summary: This systematic review examines the molecular pathogenesis of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) by evaluating data from proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic (H-1 MRS) studies. The study finds regional abnormalities in the fear neurocircuitry of patients with SAD, suggesting impairments in neuronal and glial cell function. Further cross-sectional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Amit Lazarov, Dana Basel, Sarah Dolan, Daniel G. Dillon, Diego A. Pizzagalli, Franklin R. Schneier
Summary: This study aimed to replicate a previous eye-tracking study on gaze patterns in socially anxious and nonanxious participants looking at social threatening and neutral faces. Results showed that socially anxious patients spent significantly longer on threat faces, replicating prior findings. The attentional bias measure had high internal consistency and acceptable two-week test-retest reliability.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Peter M. McEvoy, Amy Black, Emily Piesse, Laura Strachan, Patrick J. F. Clarke
Summary: The Bivalent Fear of Evaluation (BFOE) Model proposes that fears of negative and positive evaluation are crucial factors contributing to and maintaining social anxiety disorder. This study aimed to examine the cognitive and emotional effects of positive and negative feedback in individuals with social anxiety. High socially anxious participants exhibited higher levels of state anxiety and repetitive negative thinking compared to low socially anxious participants. State fear of negative evaluation, but not state fear of positive evaluation, was found to predict both outcomes. Implications for theory and clinical practice are discussed.
JOURNAL OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hojun Lee, JongKwan Choi, Dooyoung Jung, Ji-Won Hur, Chul-Hyun Cho
Summary: This study aimed to find the neural correlates of VR therapy for social anxiety disorder (SAD) by evaluating treatment effectiveness using portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Patients with SAD received 6 sessions of VR treatment, and their brain activities were measured with fNIRS while watching videos of their self-introductions in VR. The study findings suggest that activities of the frontopolar prefrontal cortex (FPPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were associated with symptom reduction after VR treatment for SAD, providing insight into the mechanisms underlying VR therapy for this disorder.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Yaning Li, Zhongqing Jiang, Yisheng Yang, Haizhou Leng, Fuhua Pei, Qi Wu
Summary: This study examined the effects of different intensities of Chinese happy expressions on social perceptions of faces. The results showed that high-intensity happy expressions enhanced perceptions of sociability and warmth while reducing perceptions of dominance, aggressiveness, intelligence, and competence compared to low-intensity happy expressions. Additionally, there was no significant difference in perceptions of trustworthiness, attractiveness, responsibility, confidence, and tenacity between the two intensity levels.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marisol J. Voncken, Corine Dijk, Felix Stohr, Isabella J. M. Niesten, Koen Schruers, Kim P. C. Kuypers
Summary: Research has shown that patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) exhibit social performance deficits, but administration of oxytocin can improve their performance in certain social situations, although this improvement is not perceived by the patients themselves.
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Agnes Lamers, Max Toepper, Silvia Carvalho Fernando, Nicole Schlosser, Eva Lenz, Friedrich Woermann, Martin Driessen, Thomas Beblo
Summary: The study found that patients with BPD showed excessive activation in the caudate when processing happy faces. However, there was no significant correlation with emotion acceptance.
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Anjan Bhattarai, Gary F. Egan, Paul Talman, Phyllis Chua, Zhaolin Chen
Summary: This review provides an overview of MRI techniques used to investigate iron dysregulation in ALS, highlighting their potential uses and limitations in disease diagnosis and prognosis. It recommends further longitudinal studies to validate the efficacy of these techniques and concludes that quantitative iron assessment using QSM in MRI holds great potential as a sensitive diagnostic and prognostic marker in ALS. Furthermore, combining multimodal neuroimaging markers with iron imaging may offer improved sensitivity in ALS diagnosis and prognosis, contributing significantly to clinical care and treatment trials.
JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(2022)
Review
Rehabilitation
Den-Ching A. Lee, Thusharika Dissanayaka, Elissa Burton, Claudia Meyer, Susan W. Hunter, Plaiwan Suttanon, Christina L. Ekegren, Julie C. Stout, Helen Dawes, Keith D. Hill
Summary: The study found inconsistent effects of gait aid prescription on gait velocity and balance in older people, with no clear benefits in reducing gait variability reported. Currently, there is no research investigating the effects of gait aid prescription on falls and balance performance.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
E. M. Westrupp, C. Bennett, T. Berkowitz, G. J. Youssef, J. W. Toumbourou, R. Tucker, F. J. Andrews, S. Evans, S. J. Teague, G. C. Karantzas, G. M. Melvin, C. Olsson, J. A. Macdonald, C. J. Greenwood, A. Mikocka-Walus, D. Hutchinson, M. Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M. A. Stokes, L. Olive, A. G. Wood, J. A. McGillivray, E. Sciberras
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of the population, including parents and children. During the pandemic period, parents reported higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as increased irritability and alcohol consumption. Younger parent age, financial deprivation, pre-existing physical and mental health conditions, COVID-19 stressors, and housing dissatisfaction were associated with poorer parent and child functioning and strained family relationships.
EUROPEAN CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Sudha Raghunath, Emma K. Guymer, Yifat Glikmann-Johnston, Vera Golder, Rangi Kandane Rathnayake, Eric F. Morand, Julie C. Stout, Alberta Hoi
Summary: Cognitive symptoms are common in SLE patients, but they are not directly associated with objective cognitive dysfunction. Depression, anxiety, and fibromyalgia are more consistently related to patient-reported cognitive symptoms. These factors have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. Understanding the discrepancy between patient-reported cognitive symptoms and cognitive test performance is crucial for improving care in this area of unmet need.
Article
Neurosciences
Nicole E. Neef, Mike Angstadt, Simone P. C. Koenraads, Soo-Eun Chang
Summary: This study found reduced connectivity of the left inferior frontal cortex pars opercularis (IFCop) in children who stutter, particularly in executive, rostral-motor, and caudal-motor corticostriatal projections. In contrast, the right IFCop showed divergent connectivity patterns in stuttering boys. These findings shed light on core deficits in stuttering and challenge existing theories about right hemisphere differences.
Article
Psychiatry
Stefanie Russman Block, Luke J. Norman, Xiaoxi Zhang, Kristin A. Mannella, Huan Yang, Mike Angstadt, James L. Abelson, Joseph A. Himle, Stephan F. Taylor, Kate D. Fitzgerald
Summary: This study found that cortical-subcortical hyperconnectivity related to affective-behavioral integration and cortical network hypoconnectivity related to cognitive control are present in OCD patients. The objective was to examine whether these connectivity patterns predict treatment response. The results showed that ERP produced greater decreases in symptom scores compared to SMT. Decreased connectivity between vmPFC and subcortical regions, especially in unmedicated participants, was associated with ERP.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Katharine Huynh, Leila Nategh, Sharna Jamadar, Julie Stout, Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis, Amit Lampit
Summary: This systematic review examines the effects of cognitive and exercise interventions on cognition, psycho-social function, functional independence, and neuroimaging outcomes in Huntington's disease (HD). The findings suggest that cognitive training has a larger effect on cognition, while physical exercise has a negligible effect. Combined interventions have larger effects on psycho-social function, but effects on functional independence and neuroimaging outcomes are inconclusive.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Cathy Gluyas, Lisa Mottram, Rosanne Gibb, Julie Stout
Summary: People who are aware that they are gene-positive for Huntington's disease (HD) may face various challenges in different aspects of life before the disease onset. This study trialled an intervention strategy involving psychoeducation forums specifically designed for individuals with pre-symptomatic HD. The results showed high levels of satisfaction among participants, who greatly valued the opportunity to meet others and share their concerns and strategies for addressing them. The model of intervention recommended in this study may be valuable for implementation in other HD services or community groups.
JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Emilyn Soon, Vanessa Siffredi, Peter J. Anderson, Vicki A. Anderson, Alissandra McIlroy, Richard J. Leventer, Amanda G. Wood, Megan M. Spencer-Smith
Summary: This study examined the differences in interference control and response inhibition between children with AgCC and typically developing children. It also explored the impact of different anatomical features of AgCC on these abilities. The results showed that children with AgCC had poorer performance in inhibitory control measures compared to TD children, and those with a complex AgCC had worse response inhibition performance than those with isolated AgCC. The study also found that the volume and microstructure of the anterior and posterior commissures may compensate for the absence of the corpus callosum, contributing to better inhibitory control outcomes.
JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Den-Ching A. Lee, Elissa Burton, Claudia Meyer, Terry P. P. Haines, Susan Hunter, Helen Dawes, Plaiwan Suttanon, Stephanie Fullarton, Fiona Connelly, Julie C. C. Stout, Keith D. D. Hill
Summary: This study investigated the potential impact of a six-week gait aid training program for elderly people with dementia on their gait outcomes, perception of use, and falls associated with gait aid use. The program consisted of four 30-minute physiotherapy home visits and was supplemented by caregiver supervision. Overall, 87.5% of participants achieved safe gait aid use, with improvements in walking speed, step length, and cadence observed at the end of the program. However, these improvements were not sustained at the 6-week post-program follow-up. Physiotherapists were more likely to perceive improved safety with gait aid use after subsequent training visits. Larger studies are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of gait aid training for individuals with dementia.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Sudha Raghunath, Yifat Glikmann-Johnston, Vera Golder, Rangi Kandane-Rathnayake, Eric F. Morand, Julie C. Stout, Alberta Hoi
Summary: Cognitive dysfunction in SLE is associated with organ damage, but not disease activity, and is negatively associated with serological activity and high IFN signature. Clinicians often fail to recognize cognitive dysfunction in SLE patients.
LUPUS SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Rebecca Bromley, Philip Bullen, Ellen Campbell, John Craig, Amy Ingham, Beth Irwin, Cerain Jackson, Teresa Kelly, James Morrow, Sarah Rushton, Marta M. Garcia-Finana, David Hughes, Janine Winterbottom, Amanda M. Wood, Laura Yates, Jill Clayton-Smith, NaME Study Grp
Summary: This study examined the effects of monotherapy with lamotrigine or levetiracetam during pregnancy. The results showed no negative impact on infant cognitive, language, and motor development for babies exposed to these medications in utero. However, longer-term follow-up is needed to rule out any potential long-lasting effects on child development.
Article
Neurosciences
M. Bluett-Duncan, D. Astill, R. Charbak, J. Clayton-Smith, S. Cole, P. A. Cook, J. Cozens, K. Keely, J. Morris, R. Mukherjee, E. Murphy, P. Turnpenny, J. Williams, A. G. Wood, L. M. Yates, R. L. Bromley
Summary: This study aimed to describe the neurodevelopmental phenotype of older children and adults with a diagnosis of Fetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder (FVSD). Individuals with FVSD showed significantly higher levels of cognitive impairment, required formal educational support, and had poorer academic competence compared to those not exposed to Valproate. Psychosocial problems, internalizing problems, and attention problems were also elevated in individuals with FVSD. Neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autistic spectrum disorders and sensory problems, were central to the FVSD phenotype. There was no evidence of a dose-dependent effect. Individuals with FVSD required a significant number of health and child development services.
NEUROTOXICOLOGY AND TERATOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Alexander Weigard, Mike Angstadt, Aman Taxali, Zvi Shapiro, Mary Heitzeg, Chandra Sripada
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
D. Griffiths-King, C. Billaud, A. Wood, E. Wassmer, S. Wright, E. Foley
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL
(2022)