Article
Psychiatry
M. M. Caudle, N. Dugas, D. M. Stout, T. M. Ball, J. Bomyea
Summary: This study found that working memory training can reduce anxiety symptoms, improve neural activity, and enhance performance in working memory tasks among individuals with social anxiety disorder. These findings suggest that adding working memory training to exposure therapy may improve treatment outcomes.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Corinne N. N. Carlton, Ligia Antezana, John A. A. Richey
Summary: This study aimed to determine the association between reward neurocircuitry connectivity and positive affect in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD). It was found that weaker connectivity between the left and right orbital frontal cortex was observed in the SAD group compared to controls. Additionally, individuals with SAD demonstrated more variability in reward connectivity strength.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jana Lieberz, Simone G. Shamay-Tsoory, Nira Saporta, Alisa Kanterman, Jessica Gorni, Timo Esser, Ekaterina Kuskova, Johannes Schultz, Rene Hurlemann, Dirk Scheele
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the behavioral and neural correlates of social avoidance in loneliness, revealing that lonely individuals show a distinct pattern of behavioral and neural responsiveness to social decision-making and social feedback compared to social anxiety.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fanny Weber-Goericke, Markus Muehlhan
Summary: This study used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) to compare functional connectivity patterns between high worriers and low worriers. The results did not reveal any differences in resting-state functional connectivity related to pathological worry. The authors discuss whether these null findings are due to spontaneous fluctuations in momentary worry and the presence of multiple fluctuating brain states that cancel each other out.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giovanni Leone, Charlotte Postel, Alison Mary, Florence Fraisse, Thomas Vallee, Fausto Viader, Vincent de La Sayette, Denis Peschanski, Jaques Dayan, Francis Eustache, Pierre Gagnepain
Summary: This study combines computational modeling and brain connectivity analyses to investigate the influence of predictions of future threat on memory recall, specifically in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings reveal that individuals with PTSD have exaggerated predictive control and reduced reactive control, leading to maladaptive avoidance behaviors. The imbalance in prediction and control mechanisms is linked to the severity of avoidance symptoms in PTSD patients. These findings highlight a potential pathological mechanism occurring in individuals with PTSD, providing insights into the relationship between the brain's predictive and control mechanisms.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
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
Psychiatry
Nathan T. M. Huneke, Hannah Rowlatt, Joshua Hyde, Alexander McEwan, Louise Maryan, David S. Baldwin, Matthew Garner
Summary: Social anxiety disorder is a common and disabling condition that requires new treatments. Experimental medicine models provide a cost-effective and timely approach to explore novel therapies. With the emergence of COVID-19, the development of remote experimental medicine models is necessary. The InterneT-based Stress test for Social Anxiety Disorder (ITSSAD) is an innovative online tool that can be conducted by a single investigator, reducing costs and maximizing internal reliability. This procedure induces significant anxiety and reduces positive affect in individuals with symptoms of social anxiety disorder.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Hun Kim, Byung-Hoon Kim, Min-Kyeong Kim, Hyojung Eom, Jae-Jin Kim
Summary: This study examines the alteration of resting-state functional connectivity in social anxiety disorder (SAD) patients related to virtual reality-based self-training (VRS). The results show significant improvement in social anxiety and self-esteem in the experimental group which received the VRS. The analysis of resting-state fMRI reveals changes in local and global network properties in the experimental group.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Natalia Velez, Alicia M. Chen, Taylor Burke, Fiery A. Cushman, Samuel J. Gershman
Summary: Teaching allows humans to pass on culturally specific knowledge and skills, but little is known about the neural computations behind teachers' decision-making process. In this study, participants played the role of teachers while undergoing fMRI scans, selecting examples to teach learners how to answer abstract multiple-choice questions. The findings suggest that participants' example selections were guided by a model that maximizes learners' belief in the correct answer. Furthermore, brain regions involved in processing social information were found to track learners' confidence in the correct answer. These results provide insights into the computational and neural mechanisms underlying our remarkable teaching abilities.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yuwei Wu, Lin Tang, Xiaolong Shi, Zhiqing Zhou, Yuanli Li, Chunlei Shan
Summary: This study explores the effects of tDCS on clinical symptoms and cerebral function in patients with comorbid GAD and depression. The results show that tDCS can alleviate symptoms, improve sleep quality, and social behavior. fNIRS is a safe, simple, and efficient method for assessing brain activity.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Wicher A. Bokma, Paul Zhutovsky, Erik J. Giltay, Robert A. Schoevers, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, Anton L. J. M. van Balkom, Neeltje M. Batelaan, Guido A. van Wingen
Summary: This study aimed to predict recovery from anxiety disorders within 2 years using a machine learning approach. The results showed moderate performance in predicting recovery from anxiety disorders, with anxiety features being the most indicative for improvement.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Valerie La Buissonniere-Ariza, Kate Fitzgerald, Avner Meoded, Laurel L. Williams, Gary Liu, Wayne K. Goodman, Eric A. Storch
Summary: The systematic review of functional MRI studies in youths with negative valence disorders suggests that variations in neural functioning may impact response to CBT. However, the overall weak to moderate quality and limited number of studies, as well as the heterogeneity in study designs and results, considerably restrict the conclusions that can be drawn from this literature.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Ofir Shany, Netta Dunsky, Gadi Gilam, Ayam Greental, Eva Gilboa-Schechtman, Talma Hendler
Summary: This study investigates the brain activity related to threat and reward processing in the self-evaluation of power in social anxiety. The results suggest that self-evaluation of high power in social anxiety is associated with increased activity in the ventral striatum and ventromedial prefrontal cortex.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Hanjoo Kim, Elizabeth R. Duval
Summary: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) have a high comorbidity rate, which worsens distress and impairment. Comorbid depression is more prevalent in women with SAD compared to men with SAD, but previous studies mainly focused on global depression scores and did not address specific individual depression symptoms. This study examines gender differences in the relationship between social interaction anxiety and individual depressive symptoms, finding that social interaction anxiety positively predicts total and individual depression scores. The study also highlights that men with social interaction anxiety may experience more distress related to self/identity. These findings emphasize the importance of tailored assessment and intervention for socially anxious individuals to target individual dimensions of symptom presentations.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yu Jin, Shicun Xu, Chang Chen, Amanda Wilson, Desheng Gao, Yan Ji, Xi Sun, Yuanyuan Wang
Summary: The prevalence of social anxiety disorder (SAD), appearance anxiety, and eating disorders (ED) is increasing among young people. This study used network analysis to explore the associations and potential mechanisms between SAD, appearance anxiety, and ED. The results showed that appearance anxiety was associated with both ED and SAD symptoms, and ED may have an indirect relationship with SAD through affecting appearance anxiety.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Michal Taler, Ramona Aronovich, Shay Henry Hornfeld, Shira Dar, Efrat Sasson, Abraham Weizman, Eldar Hochman
Summary: Lithium administration in a rat model of depressive-like behavior attenuates stress-induced disruption of hippocampal BBB/NVU, suggesting a protective effect relevant to the mechanism of action of lithium in depression.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Michael Poyurovsky, Leonid Braverman, Abraham Weizman
Summary: In this study, 16 patients hospitalized for acute bipolar depression with comorbid OCD were treated with quetiapine monotherapy. The results showed significant improvement in symptoms, with reductions in depressive, manic, and OCD symptoms. Quetiapine treatment was well tolerated, with sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and constipation being the most commonly reported side effects. However, further controlled studies are needed to determine the long-term therapeutic effect of quetiapine monotherapy in patients with bipolar disorder/OCD comorbidity and the potential need for augmentation with anti-OCD agents.
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Eugene Merzon, Iris Manor, Ann Rotem, Tzipporah Schneider, Shlomo Vinker, Avivit Golan Cohen, Ari Lauden, Abraham Weizman, Ilan Green
Summary: Untreated ADHD appears to be a risk factor for Covid-19 infection, while drug treatment can mitigate this effect.
JOURNAL OF ATTENTION DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Eugene Merzon, Margaret D. Weiss, Samuele Cortese, Ann Rotem, Tzipporah Schneider, Stephanie G. Craig, Shlomo Vinker, Avivit Golan Cohen, Ilan Green, Shai Ashkenazi, Abraham Weizman, Iris Manor
Summary: Age, male sex, and BMI were significant risk factors for increased COVID-19 severity, while ADHD was associated with more severe symptoms and referral to hospitalization in COVID-19 infection.
JOURNAL OF ATTENTION DISORDERS
(2022)
Review
Psychology, Clinical
Noa Vardi, Gil Zalsman, Nir Madjar, Abraham Weizman, Gal Shoval
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant implications on the mental health of mothers and their infants, with maternal stress reactions impacting infant development. Recommendations for enhancing perinatal mental health are discussed based on current research, with suggestions for future studies.
CLINICAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Danielle Hen-Shoval, Aron Weller, Abraham Weizman, Gal Shoval
Summary: Depression and anxiety disorders are common and growing mental health concerns in adolescents, with antidepressant medication use increasing accordingly. Cannabis use may affect the efficacy of antidepressants, particularly among adolescents, highlighting the need for further research in this area.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michal Taler, Irit Gil-Ad, Iris Brener, Shay Henry Hornfeld, Abraham Weizman
Summary: This study compared the effects of sertraline and citalopram on breast cancer in mice and found that sertraline can inhibit cell proliferation but promotes tumor growth in vivo. Chronic mild stress does not affect tumor growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eugene Merzon, Margaret Weiss, Beth Krone, Shira Cohen, Gili Ilani, Shlomo Vinker, Avivit Cohen-Golan, Ilan Green, Ariel Israel, Tzipporah Schneider, Shai Ashkenazi, Abraham Weizman, Iris Manor
Summary: This study examines the factors associated with diagnosis of long COVID syndrome in children. The findings show that children with long COVID syndrome are more likely to have severe symptoms, require hospitalization, and have recurrent acute infections. They are also more likely to have ADHD, chronic urticaria, and allergic rhinitis. The study suggests that clinicians should be vigilant for the possibility of long COVID syndrome in children with pre-existing ADHD. Further research on morbidity related to long COVID syndrome in children is needed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sheelu Monga, Basem Fares, Rami Yashaev, Dov Melamed, Meygal Kahana, Fuad Fares, Abraham Weizman, Moshe Gavish
Summary: Macrophages are important immune cells responsible for creating an inflammatory immune response. This study found that a natural-based formulation (NBF) can inhibit the inflammatory response of macrophages and attenuate the release of inflammatory markers. NBF may be a potential candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Article
Neurosciences
Yael Yuhas, Shai Ashkenazi, Eva Berent, Abraham Weizman
Summary: Schizophrenia is a chronic neurodevelopmental psychotic disorder that involves the immune system and neuroinflammation. Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, has been found to have immunomodulatory effects in an astroglial model of neuroinflammation. This study suggests that clozapine can inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators and increase COX2 expression, potentially benefiting patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia and neuroinflammatory markers.
Article
Pediatrics
Gherta Brill, Iris Manor, Roberta Bril Paroz, Shai Ashkenazi, Shira Cohen, Avivit Golan-Cohen, Ilan Green, Ariel Israel, Shlomo Vinker, Abraham Weizman, Eugene Merzon
Summary: This study evaluated the association between growth hormone treatment and the risk of COVID-19 infection in children. The results show that children receiving growth hormone treatment have a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 positivity, suggesting that growth hormone may act as a protective factor possibly due to its immunomodulatory activity.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Orit Uziel, Hadar Dickstein, Einat Beery, Yael Lewis, Ron Loewenthal, Eran Uziel, Zipi Shochat, Abraham Weizman, Daniel Stein
Summary: The length of telomeres in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients is shorter and does not recover after inpatient treatment. Patients with the restricting type of AN have longer telomeres compared to those with the binge/purge type. Age is the only factor associated with telomere shortening.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Eugene Merzon, Eli Magen, Shai Ashkenazi, Abraham Weizman, Iris Manor, Beth Krone, Ilan Green, Avivit Golan-Cohen, Shlomo Vinker, Stephen V. Faraone, Ariel Israel
Summary: This study found an association between G6PD deficiency and an increased risk of ADHD diagnosis. Individuals with G6PD deficiency were more likely to seek care from adult neurologists and psychiatrists. Moreover, they had a higher usage of stimulant medications.
Article
Education, Special
Hagit Nagar Shimoni, Yael Leitner, Roni Yoran-Hegesh, Ya'arit Bokek-Cohen, Shahar Gindi, Abraham Weizman
Summary: Clinical observations suggest that girls suspected to have ASD may have better performance in social and emotional tasks than boys, leading to under-diagnosis of girls with ASD. The study found that girls diagnosed with ASD performed better than boys in the Person index of the Social Attribution Task (SAT), indicating that girls with ASD may not have better social understanding than boys, except when prompted to name human traits.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISABILITY DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Maya Schwartz-Lifshitz, David H. Ben-Dor, Yael Bustan, Gil Zalsman, Doron Gothelf, Abraham Weizman, Ran Barzilay
Summary: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical and demographic characteristics of adolescents admitted to an acute psychiatric inpatient unit. The findings showed that adolescents with deliberate self-harm (DSH) were more likely to be female, currently experiencing depressive exacerbation, have concurrent suicidal ideation, and a history of alcohol use. There were no significant clinical differences between adolescents admitted following a suicide attempt and those engaging in non-suicidal self-injury.
ARCHIVES OF SUICIDE RESEARCH
(2022)
