Neuro-cognitive Ramifications of Fasting and Feeding in Obese and Non-obese Cases

Preliminary studies have claimed that short term fasting would negatively affect school performance and cognition. In contrast some other studies have reported not important decline in cognition and executive function as a result of fasting. Also limited attention was generally devoted to dietetic regimens, nutritional status and body weight. Yet neuroscience and neuro-cognitive aspects of acute hunger on the electroencephalogram and differences between obese and non-obese cases is not well understood. Hence, we decided to design and perform a case study in a more controlled situation similar to reality. Therefore, we performed several examinations including subjective tests (for eating status) and objective tests (cognitive tests such as Stroop effect and Sternberg search and electroencephalogram measures such as steady-state visual evoked potential and auditory steady-state responses) for an obese and a non-obese academic case before and after a simple breakfast. The results showed that the breakfast effects on the neuro-cognitive functions depend on either obesity status, nutritional status of the case or the type of cognitive task (visual or auditory). This paper would open a new insight to answer some important questions about the neuro-cognitive implications of fasting and feeding in obese and non-obese human cases.

Impact of addiction to internet on a number of psychiatric symptoms in students of Isfahan Universities, Iran, 2010

This study aimed to investigate the impact of internet addiction on some psychiatric symptoms among university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 students selected via quota sampling from universities in Isfahan, Iran. Participants completed demographic questionnaire, Young Diagnostic Questionnaire, Internet Addiction Test and Symptom Checklist 90 Revision [SCL 90 R]. Finally, the means of psychiatric symptoms of internet addicted and non addicted subjects were compared. Also, t test and multivariate analysis of covariance were used through SPSS16 software for data analysis. The mean +/- standard deviation [SD] of psychiatric symptoms such as somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, aggression [hostility], phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism in the addicted group were 11.27 +/- 6.66, 14.05 +/- 7.91, 10.5 +/- 6.20, 15.61 +/- 8.88, 10.77 +/- 5.52, 6.77 +/- 4.88, 6.05 +/- 4.47, 7.61 +/- 4.28, and 9.66 +/- 6.87, respectively, and in the non addicted group were 6.99 +/- 6.42, 7.49 +/- 5.23, 5.46 +/- 4.95, 9.27 +/- 7.92, 6.35 +/- 6.69, 3.57 +/- 3.35, 2.41 +/- 2.79, 5.47 +/- 4.1, and 5.29 +/- 4.95, respectively. There were significant differences between the means of psychiatric symptoms in all SCL 90 R subscales and Global Severity Index, Positive Symptom Distress Index, Positive Symptom Total in the addicted and non addicted individuals [P<0.05]. Also, internet addiction [with controlling sex variable] seemed to affect psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatrists and psychologists involved in the field of mental health need to be well informed about mental problems due to internet addiction, such as anxiety, depression, aggression, and job and educational dissatisfaction

Behavioral addiction versus substance addiction: correspondence of psychiatric and psychological views

Behavioral science experts believe that all entities capable of stimulating a person can be addictive; and whenever a habit changes into an obligation, it can be considered as an addiction. Researchers also believe that there are a number of similarities as well as some differences between drug addiction and behavioral addiction diagnostic symptoms. The purpose of this study is to consider different approaches in this field. This is a descriptive research using content analysis method. First, differences and similarities of various perspectives on addiction and addiction behavior in different substances were obtained, thereafter, the data was coded and categorized, subjects were discussed and major issues were extracted. Behavioral addiction such as internet addiction is similar to drug addiction except that in the former, the individual is not addicted to a substance but the behavior or the feeling brought about by the relevant action. In addition, the physical signs of drug addiction, are absent in behavioral addiction. Others have stated that behaviorally addicted individuals have certain symptoms and will undergo the same consequences brought about by addiction to alcohol and drugs as well as other obsessive behaviors. Similar to substance abuse prevention, programs aimed at addicted individuals and specialized training can educate adolescents about the warning signs of online addiction, in order to assist the early detection of this disorder. For prevention of behavioral addiction [such as internet addiction] authorities, cultural institutions and parents should monitor the use of internet and teach to the adolescent and children, the useful and appropriate methods of internet use