Limbic platform capitalism: understanding the contemporary marketing of health-demoting products on social media

The purposive design, production and marketing of legal but health-demoting products that stimulate habitual consumption and pleasure for maximum profit has been called 'limbic capitalism'. In this article, drawing on alcohol and tobacco as key examples, we extend this framework into the digital realm. We argue that 'limbic platform capitalism' is a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations. Accessed routinely through everyday digital devices, social media platforms aggressively intensify limbic capitalism because they also work through embodied limbic processes. These platforms are designed to generate, analyse and apply vast amounts of personalised data in an effort to tune flows of online content to capture users' time and attention, and influence their affects, moods, emotions and desires in order to increase profits. Social media are central to young people's socialising, identities, leisure practices and engagement in civic life. Young people actively appropriate social media for their own ends but are simultaneously recruited as consumers who are specifically targeted by producers of limbic products and services. Social media platforms have seen large increases in users and traffic through the COVID-19 pandemic and limbic capitalism has worked to intensify marketing that is context, time and place specific, driving online purchases and deliveries of limbic products. This has public health implications that require immediate attention as existing regulatory frameworks are woefully inadequate in this era of data-driven, algorithmic marketing.

FDG-PET Brain Imaging in the Evaluation and Follow-up of COVID-19

Aim/Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by the respiratory infection of SARS-CoV-2 virus and is characterized by a multisystemic inflammation, presenting with a wide spectrum of symptoms. 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is a promising imaging method in the evaluation of acute-phase and late changes in the central nervous system. Material(s) and Method(s): A single-centre, prospective clinical study (COMPOSIT study) was initiated where FDG-PET/CT was performed in adult COVID-19 patients during acute, infective state and 3 months later. Brain FDG-PET images were evaluated with a software utilizing a built-in, age-matched normal database and the degree of the differences (Z-scores) were investigated at the two imaging timepoints. Result(s): We present the data of 36 patients (14 women, 22 men), with a mean age of 52 years (42-75 years). In the acute, infective state, the majority of the patients presented with diffuse, significant cortical hypometabolism whereas at 3 months followup, the involved regions showed a marked and often complete metabolic normalization. The most common regions with residual hypometabolism at 3 monts were the medial prefrontal and medial temporal regions and the anterior cingulate. Also, these regions showed the proportionally lowest rates of normalization. Hypometabolism was the least frequent in the cerebellum at the acute, infective state and its FDG-uptake showed a nomalization in all but one case. Conclusion(s): Residual hypometabolism is common in the areas encompassing the orbitofrontal cortex and the limbic system while the cerebellar cortex was relatively spared. However, our study is limited by the corticosteroid-effect in the scans performed at the acute, infective state and furthermore, the fact that no metabolic data is available of the patients before SARS-CoV-2 infection.

FDG-PET Brain Imaging in the Evaluation and Follow-up of COVID-19

Aim/Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by the respiratory infection of SARS-CoV-2 virus and is characterized by a multisystemic inflammation, presenting with a wide spectrum of symptoms. 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is a promising imaging method in the evaluation of acute-phase and late changes in the central nervous system. Material(s) and Method(s): A single-centre, prospective clinical study (COMPOSIT study) was initiated where FDG-PET/CT was performed in adult COVID-19 patients during acute, infective state and 3 months later. Brain FDG-PET images were evaluated with a software utilizing a built-in, age-matched normal database and the degree of the differences (Z-scores) were investigated at the two imaging timepoints. Result(s): We present the data of 36 patients (14 women, 22 men), with a mean age of 52 years (42-75 years). In the acute, infective state, the majority of the patients presented with diffuse, significant cortical hypometabolism whereas at 3 months followup, the involved regions showed a marked and often complete metabolic normalization. The most common regions with residual hypometabolism at 3 monts were the medial prefrontal and medial temporal regions and the anterior cingulate. Also, these regions showed the proportionally lowest rates of normalization. Hypometabolism was the least frequent in the cerebellum at the acute, infective state and its FDG-uptake showed a nomalization in all but one case. Conclusion(s): Residual hypometabolism is common in the areas encompassing the orbitofrontal cortex and the limbic system while the cerebellar cortex was relatively spared. However, our study is limited by the corticosteroid-effect in the scans performed at the acute, infective state and furthermore, the fact that no metabolic data is available of the patients before SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The Contribution of Physiotherapy to Emotional and Physical Well-Being in Times of Pandemics

It is known that the entire body is interconnected with the mind, and that the entire system, however small, is of great importance for the maintenance of life. The pandemic situation put all individuals to the test, and challenged all the body's systems to commit even more to a single goal: to maintain physical and emotional well-being working together. The limbic system is the neuronal circuit that links emotional responses to motivational impulses, known as the emotions system, the integration of its components generates in the Central Nervous System a network of different emotions. Social distancing can generate changes in behavior and emotions in isolated individuals, which encompasses mental and physical health, triggering feelings shown after the end of the pandemic. The aim of the study is to describe the contribution of Physiotherapy to emotional and physical well-being in times of a pandemic. Consultations of works published in electronic journals indexed in the Google Scholar database, SCIELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Virtual Health Library (VHL), Ciencia e Saude Coletiva, Rsd Journal, Revista Interfaces and books from the Library's collection were used. Julio Bordignon from the Faculty of Education and Environment-Faema. Literature Review was used as a method. Physiotherapy works in the execution of exercises that will benefit the individual, with regard to the importance of the motor response for the act of generating healthy emotions. With regard to emotions, given the current scenario of experienced uncertainties, such as the benefit of a health built based on respect for the emotions felt.

Where emotions are born: how emotional intelligence is formed

Emotions play one of the most integral roles in human experience, but it is still considered difficult to explain scientifically. From an evolutionary perspective, emotions greatly contribute to the ability to survive. If until recently we were talking about an epidemic of affective disorders and that they occupy a leading position in the structure of brain diseases, now the situation is aggravated by a dramatic increase in the number of affective disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we discuss the anatomical and biochemical basis of emotion formation and how it relates to cognition and emotional intelligence. © KOMLEVA YU. K.

Mental Health from Medical School to Medical Practice: Finding a Path Forward

Medical students, residents, and practicing physicians experience high burnout, depression, and suicide rates, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated stress for many.1-6 While laudable, current well-being efforts appear insufficient to meet the challenges that so many are facing. This essay explores approaches that individuals and organizations can take to promote mental health and well-being from medical school to practice. Copyright 2021 by the Missouri State Medical Association.

A case of limbic encephalitis associated with severely COVID-19 infection.

INTRODUCTION: SARS Cov-2 infection is a pandemic that continues to ravage the world. The list of its complications continues to grow every day. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a young patient admitted to intensive care for limbic encephalitis associated with severely COVID-19 infection. DISCUSSION: With the COVID-19 outbreak being a global pandemic, various neurological manifestations have been reported. On the other hand, diverse cases of limbic encephalitis related to COVID-19 have been recently described, they are related either to hyper inflammation syndrome with massive release of inflammatory cytokines or to secondary autoimmune response. CONCLUSION: Seriously ill COVID-19 patients are at a higher risk of limbic encephalitis. It is therefore important to monitor Neurological Events in COVID-19 patients. This makes it possible to start the appropriate treatments quickly and avoid complications.

Olfactory impairment in autoimmune encephalitis: another piece of the puzzle.

BACKGROUND: Despite being long neglected, olfaction has recently become a focus of intense research in neuroscience, as smell impairment has been consistently documented in both neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. Considering the close anatomo-functional correlations between the limbic system and the central olfactory structures, we investigated olfaction in a population of patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE). METHODS: Nineteen adult subjects (14 males, median age 64 years) diagnosed with definite (14/19) or possible (5/19) AE and followed for ≥ 6 months were enrolled. The Brief Smell Identification Test (B-SIT), a 12-item, forced-choice, scratch-and-sniff measure, was used to assess the patients' olfactory function in comparison with a group of sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HC). According to the B-SIT score, subjects were classified as anosmic (< 6), hyposmic (6-8) and normal (≥ 9). Electro-clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging findings were reviewed. RESULTS: Smell impairment was revealed in 15/19 patients (9 hyposmic, 6 anosmic), compared with 5/19 HC (p = 0.0029). Age, gender and smoking habits did not affect the participants' performance at B-SIT. Olfactory dysfunction appeared more common among patients with definite AE (p = 0.0374), regardless of autoantibody status. Subjects with higher modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at AE onset more likely presented hyposmia/anosmia (p = 0.033), and so did those with bilateral ictal/interictal EEG abnormalities (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: We found olfaction to be impaired in a significantly large proportion of AE cases. Smell deficits appeared more common in subjects with severe AE (as indicated by both definite diagnosis and higher mRS score), and might represent an additional feature of immune-mediated encephalitis.

Takotsubo Syndrome: Optimizing Care with a Multidisciplinary Approach.

Symptoms of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) include acute and transient regional systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle, as well as a variety of wall-motion abnormalities. The clinical features of TTS, including initial symptoms, cardiac biomarkers, and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, are similar to those of acute coronary syndrome, with the exception that TTS patients typically have no obstructive coronary artery disease. TTS primarily affects elderly women, and emotional or physical stress is a common cause of the disease. Exaggerated sympathetic stimulation associated with dysfunction of the limbic system has also been reported to be related to TTS occurrence. Cancer also induces emotional and physical stress. Therefore, optimization of TTS care should involve cardiac, neurological, psychiatric, and oncological approaches. The first step in optimizing TTS care is to diagnose it by cardiac means. Multimodality imaging, including ECG, echocardiogram, angiography, ventriculography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, is indispensable for diagnosis, therapy management, and the evaluation of prognosis in the acute and chronic phases of TTS. The current cardiac approach during the acute phase is primarily supportive, with the goal of preventing life-threatening complications. As central nervous system diseases frequently trigger TTS, a neurological approach is also required. Appropriate psychiatric medication may reduce the risk of TTS recurrence, as not only psychiatric disorders themselves but also psychiatric medications can be the trigger for TTS. Several conditions are associated with TTS, including the novel coronavirus disease 2019. We present current knowledge of TTS in this review and describe how to optimize TTS care through a multidisciplinary approach.

18F-FDG brain PET hypometabolism in post-SARS-CoV-2 infection: substrate for persistent/delayed disorders?

PURPOSE: Several brain complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported. It has been moreover speculated that this neurotropism could potentially cause a delayed outbreak of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases of neuroinflammatory origin. A propagation mechanism has been proposed across the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone, from the nose to the olfactory epithelium, and possibly afterward to other limbic structures, and deeper parts of the brain including the brainstem. METHODS: Review of clinical examination, and whole-brain voxel-based analysis of 18F-FDG PET metabolism in comparison with healthy subjects (p voxel < 0.001, p-cluster < 0.05, uncorrected), of two patients with confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 explored at the post-viral stage of the disease. RESULTS: Hypometabolism of the olfactory/rectus gyrus was found on the two patients, especially one with 4-week prolonged anosmia. Additional hypometabolisms were found within amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampus, cingulate cortex, pre-/post-central gyrus, thalamus/hypothalamus, cerebellum, pons, and medulla in the other patient who complained of delayed onset of a painful syndrome. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings reinforce the hypotheses of SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism through the olfactory bulb and the possible extension of this impairment to other brain structures. 18F-FDG PET hypometabolism could constitute a cerebral quantitative biomarker of this involvement. Post-viral cohort studies are required to specify the exact relationship between such hypometabolisms and the possible persistent disorders, especially involving cognitive or emotion disturbances, residual respiratory symptoms, or painful complaints.