Prevalence of brain fag syndrome and its correlation with stimulant use and socioeconomic/demographic characteristics among university undergraduate students in Nigeria

Background: Brain Fag Syndrome (BFS) is a culture-bound syndrome characterized by cognitive and somatic symptoms, commonly reported among African students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BFS among Nigerian university students and examine its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate students from a university in the northwest region of Nigeria. The study utilized a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, stimulant use, course of study, and academic performance. The presence of BFS was assessed using standardized diagnostic criteria. Results:The study included a total of 625 participants, in their young adulthood. The prevalence of BFS among Nigerian university students was found to be 62.7%. The majority of affected students were aged 20-30, male, and from the Hausa ethnic group. No significant association was found between stimulant use and BFS. However, there was a significant relationship between the course of study and the occurrence of BFS. Academic performance (CGPA) showed a weak negative association with BFS. Other socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, relationship status, birth position, type of home, and family income did not predict the occurrence of BFS. Conclusion: The high prevalence highlights the need for attention to mental health issues among this population. The results emphasize the importance of considering the course of study and academic performance when studying BFS. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop effective interventions for students affected by BFS.

Monoclonal Antibodies to Recombinant Fag e 3 Buckwheat Allergen and Development of a Two-site ELISA for Its Quantification

PURPOSE: Buckwheat is a major cause of anaphylaxis, and Fag e 3 is the key major allergen in buckwheat. However, an immunoassay system for the quantification of Fag e 3 has yet to be developed. METHODS: We developed a 2-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) produced against recombinant Fag e 3. We applied this ELISA to quantify native Fag e 3 in total buckwheat extract. RESULTS: Four clones of mAbs were produced, and all recognized vicilin allergens not only from buckwheat, but also from peanut and walnut. However, the ELISA using these antibodies was only able to quantify Fag e 3 in the total extract after addition of 1% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and heating, which facilitated dissociation of the allergen. The detection limit of the developed 2-site ELISA was 0.8 µg/mL. The measurement of Fag e 3 in the total extract of buckwheat showed that approximately 12% of protein in total buckwheat extract was Fag e 3. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed an ELISA system for the quantification of the group 3 buckwheat allergen, Fag e 3, specifically. This assay will be useful for standardization of buckwheat allergens and monitoring of buckwheat contamination in foods.

Efficacy of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Measuring the Foveal Avascular Zone Area in Patients with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) by measuring the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Thirty four eyes of 34 patients with BRVO were retrospectively reviewed. The area of the FAZ was calculated using fluorescein angiography (FAG) and OCTA. The FAZ area was divided into two groups according to the presence of macular edema, which was determined based on the central foveal thickness (300 µm), and then the measured areas were compared. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between FAG and the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) in OCTA with or without macular edema (r = 0.845, p = 0.001). However, there was not a significant correlation between FAG and the deep capillary plexus (DCP) in OCTA (r = 0.001, p = 0.996). In addition, the FAZ area measured by FAG and OCTA in the SCP showed a significant agreement between the two methods (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.916, p = 0.001). However, there was no significant relation found for the FAZ area between FAG and OCTA in the DCP (ICC = 0.001, p = 0.501). CONCLUSIONS: In the patients with BRVO, OCTA can be used to measure the FAZ areas in both the SCP and DCP, beyond measurement of the FAZ area at the two-dimensional cross section used during FAG. The FAZ area in the SCP via OCTA showed a statistically significant correlation with the FAZ area determined by FAG, but there was no such correlation in the DCP. That said, the FAZ area in the DCP was positively correlated with a decrease in visual acuity among the patients, which may be an indicator of visual prognosis.

Brain Fag Syndrome (BFS), Sleep, And Beliefs About Sleep Among Secondary School Students In Nigeria

Objective: Brain Fag, a culture bound syndrome which manifests especially among students in Africa was investigated in relation to sleep and beliefs about sleep in a sample of Nigerian secondary school students. Methods: A sample of 500 secondary school students were drawn from six secondary schools in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The Brain Fag Syndrome Scale, Beliefs and Attitude about sleep Questionnaire, and selected items of Pittsburgh Sleep Index were administered on the participants. Results: Students with Brain Fag Syndrome (BFS) slept an average of 5.8 hrs (S.D = 1.1) while those without BFS slept an average of 5.9 hrs (S.D = 1.1). One hundred and eighty two (37.3%) BFS students slept above 6 hrs a day compared with 32 (62.7%) of non BFS students (t = -2.667; df = 49; p = 0.657). Students with BFS (44.3%) slept early while 33.8% of students without BFS slept early (X2 = 7.324, df = 3, p = 0.007). Early insomnia was experienced by 57% of BFS cases while 55% of non BFS cases experienced early insomnia (X2 = 2.019; df = 1; p = 0.155). Conclusion: BFS students in Nigeria to adjust their sleep patterns and habits in order to forestall clinically significant psychological breakdown and impairment in cognitive functioning.

Development And Validation Of The Brain Fag Propensity Scale

Objective: Brain Fag Syndrome (BFS) is a psychiatric disorder associated with study among African students. Among secondary school students, it affects two to four out of every ten students. One of the consequences of this illness is early foreclosure of education in affected students. However, clinical experience suggests that many students have sub-threshold symptoms of brain fag and are at risk for developing brain fag syndrome. This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable psychometric instrument that measures brain fag syndrome propensity. Methods: External and internal expert panels as well as a patient focus group evaluated a large pool of potential item stems gathered from the psychological and psychiatric literature. Potential scale items were then administered to 250 students along with a set of validating questionnaires. Final item selection was based upon rigorous empirical criteria and the psychometric properties of the final scale were examined. Results: A final four dimensional 20-item scale, the Brain Fag Syndrome Propensity Scale, has a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.795, split half reliability of 0.813 for the part 1 (10 items) and 0.585 for the part 2 (10 items), and Spearman-Brown coefficient of 0.557. The intrinsic validity yielded a coefficient of 0.892. Conclusion: The current results indicate the BFPS has an excellent internal consistency as well as good content and concurrent validity and should have significant utility as a brief, valid measure of propensity to develop brain fag syndrome or sub-threshold cases of BFS.

Non-invasive Diagnosis of Melanocytoma and 1 Case Report

PURPOSE: To report one case of juxtapapillary choroidal melanocytoma diagnosed noninvasive methods. METHODS: A 27 year-old female patient was referred to our hospital due to her rapid growing peripapillary mass which had been detected by routine examinations for LASIK operation for the past 2 years. On fundus exam, a markedly pigmented brown-black colored mass located nasal to the margin of the optic nerve head was observed. Its margin was feathery and its surface showed pigmented granular appearance. On fluorescein angiography, the tumor was hypofluorescent and surrounded by bright stained rim, which seemed to be like `semicircular well-defined comet-tail'. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated that lesion had a high reflectance signal anteriorly and optical shadowing behind. The high signal was continuous with the retinal nerve fiber layer, which was consistent with growth patterns of melanocytoma. CONCLUSIONS: From the experience of a case of peripapillary melanocytoma, we suggest noninvasive diagnostic methods of melanocytoma such as optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography may be very useful in differentiating melanocytoma from choroidal melanocytic lesions. Periodic follow-up to use it clinically is also suggested.

Chroidal Circulation in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy using Indocyanine Green Angiography

Fluorescein angiography(FAG)has been used to identify retinal circulation, but it has limitations to detect any other ocular circulations. Recently new technology developed indocyanine green angiography(ICGA), which allows better enhanced imaging of the ocular structures, such as choroid and other subretinal structure as compared with FAG. The authors investigated the characteristic findings of ICGA in central serous chorioretinopathy, comparing with those of FAG finding. After performing ICGA and FAG in 74 patients(74 eyes)with acute forms of central serous chorioretinopathy, as follows, arterial filling, leaking pattern. ICGA study showed presumed choroidal hyperpermeability in the 42 eyes(56.7%), which are no leak on the FAG. ICGA study showed focal hyperfluorescence detected by FAG, corresponding to presumed choroidal hyperpermeability in 65 eyes(87.8%). Delayed choroidal filling areas were showed in ICGA(49 eyes, 66.2%). ICGA study showed presumed choroidal hyperpermeability in the 32 eyes(43.2%)corresponding leak noted on the FAG. Numbers of hyperfluorescent lesion was two in 40 eyes(54.1%)on the ICGA. Most of focal leaking areas were located in superonasal area. In central serous chorioretinopathy the authors suggest that choroid is the primary pathologic focus, the choroidal circulatory dysfunction and vascular hyperpermeability can be assumed to be a causative role in structural abnormality of the retinal pigment epithelium. In conclusion we think that the ICGA is effective method for diagnosis and treatment of the central serous chorioretinopathy.