All Shades of Anxiety: A Review of Therapeutic and Psychotropic Considerations for Child and Adolescent Youth of Color.

The literature on anxiety in Black, Indigenous, and other persons of color youth is a developing area. This article highlights distinct areas for the clinician to consider in working with these populations. We highlight prevalence and incidence, race-related stress, social media, substance use, spirituality, the impact of social determinants of health (including COVID-19 and the Syndemic), as well as treatment considerations. Our aim is to contribute to the readers' developing cultural humility.

Impact of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor on depression and anxiety in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with worsening of depression and anxiety symptoms. Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (Trikafta®), a cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) modulator approved in 2019, significantly improves lung function, decreases pulmonary exacerbations, and improves quality of life. Studies are needed to evaluate the effects of Trikafta on symptoms of anxiety and depression. RESEARCH QUESTION: Do adults with CF report a change in depression and anxiety symptoms after Trikafta initiation? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients with CF (n = 127) receiving care from January 2015 through February 2022. Data collected included demographics, annual PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores, FEV1 percent predicted at each visit, BMI, consistency and timeline of Trikafta use, mental health diagnoses, counseling/psychotherapy use, psychiatric medication use, prescriber of psychiatric medications, number of psychiatric emergency department visits and psychiatric hospital admissions, and sleep disturbances. RESULTS: Of the 127 patients screened for eligibility, 100 patients were included. Data collected yielded 563 PHQ-9, 563 GAD-7, and 560 ppFEV1 data points. No significant changes in average PHQ-9 or GAD-7 scores were found after Trikafta initiation or due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, 22% of patients initiated or had a change in psychiatric medications, and patients with changes in psychiatric medications had significantly higher PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores than patients not prescribed psychiatric medications. Trikafta use improved lung function by an average of 5.23% (p = 8.56e-08). Around a quarter (23%) of all patients reported sleep issues after initiating Trikafta. INTERPRETATION: No significant changes in average PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were found after Trikafta initiation. A quarter of patients required a change in psychiatric medications, and significant differences in depression and anxiety scores were found between patients with a change in psychiatric medications and those not prescribed medication. Twenty-three percent of patients reported a prevalence of sleep issues after Trikafta initiation.

The anxiolytic and circadian regulatory effect of agarwood water extract and its effects on the next generation; zebrafish modelling.

Anxiety is one of the most common psychiatric symptoms worldwide. Studies show that there is an increase of >25 % in the prevalence of anxiety with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic process. Due to the various side effects of drugs used in the treatment of anxiety, interest in natural therapeutic alternatives has increased. Agarwood is a plant used as a natural therapeutic due to its sedative effect as well as many effects such as antioxidant and antibacterial. Although there are many studies with agarwood, comprehensive behavioral studies, including the next generation, are limited. In present study, zebrafish fed with diets containing 10-100 ppm water extract of Agarwood (AWE) for 3 and 8 weeks were exposed to predator stress using Oscar fish in order to test the potential anxiolytic effect of AWE. At the end of the period, zebrafish exposed to predator stress were subjected to anxiety and circadian tests. Histopathological evaluation and immunofluorescent analyzes of BDNF and 5HT4-R proteins were performed in the brains of zebrafish. The effects on the next generation were examined by taking offspring from zebrafish. According to the results, it was observed that AWE had a healing effect on anxiety-like behaviors and on the disrupted circadian rhythm triggered by the predatory stress it applied, especially in the 8 weeks 100 ppm group. Interestingly, it was also found to be effective in offspring of zebrafish fed diets with AWE.

Intranasal Carbetocin Reduces Hyperphagia, Anxiousness, and Distress in Prader-Willi Syndrome: CARE-PWS Phase 3 Trial.

CONTEXT: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by endocrine and neuropsychiatric problems including hyperphagia, anxiousness, and distress. Intranasal carbetocin, an oxytocin analog, was investigated as a selective oxytocin replacement therapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and efficacy of intranasal carbetocin in PWS. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial with long-term follow-up. SETTING: Twenty-four ambulatory clinics at academic medical centers. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 130 participants with PWS aged 7 to 18 years. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to 9.6 mg/dose carbetocin, 3.2 mg/dose carbetocin, or placebo 3 times daily during an 8-week placebo-controlled period (PCP). During a subsequent 56-week long-term follow-up period, placebo participants were randomly assigned to 9.6 mg or 3.2 mg carbetocin, with carbetocin participants continuing at their previous dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary endpoints assessed change in hyperphagia (Hyperphagia Questionnaire for Clinical Trials [HQ-CT]) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale [CY-BOCS]) during the PCP for 9.6 mg vs placebo, and the first secondary endpoints assessed these same outcomes for 3.2 mg vs placebo. Additional secondary endpoints included assessments of anxiousness and distress behaviors (PWS Anxiousness and Distress Behaviors Questionnaire [PADQ]) and clinical global impression of change (CGI-C). RESULTS: Because of onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment was stopped prematurely. The primary endpoints showed numeric improvements in both HQ-CT and CY-BOCS which were not statistically significant; however, the 3.2-mg arm showed nominally significant improvements in HQ-CT, PADQ, and CGI-C scores vs placebo. Improvements were sustained in the long-term follow-up period. The most common adverse event during the PCP was mild to moderate flushing. CONCLUSIONS: Carbetocin was well tolerated, and the 3.2-mg dose was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in hyperphagia and anxiousness and distress behaviors in participants with PWS. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03649477.

Trends in incident diagnoses and drug prescriptions for anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: an 18-month follow-up study based on the UK Biobank.

Serious concerns have been raised about the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on population psychological well-being. However, limited data exist on the long-term effects of the pandemic on incident psychiatric morbidities among individuals with varying exposure to the pandemic. Leveraging prospective data from the community-based UK Biobank cohort, we included 308,400 participants free of diagnosis of anxiety or depression, as well as 213,757 participants free of anxiolytics or antidepressants prescriptions, to explore the trends in incident diagnoses and drug prescriptions for anxiety and depression from 16 March 2020 to 31 August 2021, compared to the pre-pandemic period (i.e., 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019) and across populations with different exposure statuses (i.e., not tested for COVID-19, tested negative and tested positive). The age- and sex-standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated by month which indicated an increase in incident diagnoses of anxiety or depression among individuals who were tested for COVID-19 (tested negative: SIR 3.05 [95% confidence interval 2.88-3.22]; tested positive: 2.03 [1.76-2.34]), especially during the first six months of the pandemic (i.e., March-September 2020). Similar increases were also observed for incident prescriptions of anxiolytics or antidepressants (tested negative: 1.56 [1.47-1.67]; tested positive: 1.41 [1.22-1.62]). In contrast, individuals not tested for COVID-19 had consistently lower incidence rates of both diagnoses of anxiety or depression (0.70 [0.67-0.72]) and prescriptions of respective psychotropic medications (0.70 [0.68-0.72]) during the pandemic period. These data suggest a distinct rise in health care needs for anxiety and depression among individuals tested for COVID-19, regardless of the test result, in contrast to a reduction in health care consumption for these disorders among individuals not tested for and, presumably, not directly exposed to the disease.

Low-dose naltrexone reduced anxiety in persons with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have been considered at high risk for vaccination and/or acquisition of COVID-19 related to their reduced immune systems and daily regimen of immune suppressing therapy. Substantiated and unsubstantiated reports on these unknown circumstances increased anxiety and depression. Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is a potentially effective off-label therapy shown to be effective at controlling fatigue for several autoimmune disorders including MS. This study utilized a small population of PwMS from central Pennsylvania in order to determine whether LDN therapy altered their perceived anxiety or depression during the early months of COVID-19. Utilizing mailed surveys, self-reported anxiety and depression scores were found to be significantly lower for PwMS who were prescribed LDN either alone or as an adjuvant to a standard disease modifying therapy (DMT) in comparison to those on oral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The data suggest that the non-toxic, inexpensive biotherapeutic may be beneficial in lessening anxiety.

Interpersonal therapy versus antidepressant medication for treatment of postpartum depression and anxiety among women with HIV in Zambia: a randomized feasibility trial.

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent and debilitating disease that may affect medication adherence and thus maternal health and vertical transmission among women with HIV. We assessed the feasibility of a trial of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) versus antidepressant medication (ADM) to treat PPD and/or anxiety among postpartum women with HIV in Lusaka, Zambia. METHODS: Between 29 October 2019 and 8 September 2020, we pre-screened women 6-8 weeks after delivery with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and diagnosed PPD or anxiety with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Consenting participants were randomized 1:1 to up to 11 sessions of IPT or daily self-administered sertraline and followed for 24 weeks. We assessed EPDS score, Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) and medication side effects at each visit and measured maternal HIV viral load at baseline and final study visit. Retention, visit adherence, change in EPDS, CGI-S and log viral load were compared between groups with t-tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests; we report mean differences, relative risks and 95% confidence intervals. A participant satisfaction survey assessed trial acceptability. RESULTS: 78/80 (98%) participants were retained at the final study visit. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, visit adherence was greater among women allocated to ADM (9.9 visits, SD 2.2) versus IPT (8.9 visits, SD 2.4; p = 0.06). EPDS scores decreased from baseline to final visit overall, though mean change was greater in the IPT group (-13.8 points, SD 4.7) compared to the ADM group (-11.4 points, SD 5.5; p = 0.04). Both groups showed similar changes in mean log viral load from baseline to final study visit (mean difference -0.43, 95% CI -0.32, 1.18; p = 0.48). In the IPT group, viral load decreased significantly from baseline (0.9 log copies/ml, SD 1.7) to final visit (0.2 log copies/ml, SD 0.9; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrates that a trial of two forms of PPD treatment is feasible and acceptable among women with HIV in Zambia. IPT and ADM both improved measures of depression severity; however, a full-scale trial is required to determine whether treatment of PPD and anxiety improves maternal-infant HIV outcomes.

Biologicals decrease psychological distress, anxiety and depression in severe asthma, despite Covid-19 pandemic.

Patients with respiratory diseases suffer more from problems of severe psychiatric comorbidity than the general population. Asthma might cause psychiatric disorders and affect patients' quality of life negatively. Previous studies reported that mental disorders prevail in asthmatic patients, causing anxiety, depression, and suicidal risk. The aim of this study is to evaluate in real life the prevalence of psychological comorbidities in asthmatics with severe asthma treated by biologicals (Benralizumab, Mepolizumab, Omalizumab). This study starts with the hypothesis that psychological distress, anxiety, depression and suicidal risk in severe asthma patients decreases if treated by biologicals. This study involves a sample of 90 patients (32 males, 58 females and aged 53.92 ± 15.92) suffering from severe asthma and treated with the biological drugs of Benralizumab, Mepolizumab, Omalizumab during Covid-19 pandemic. At the beginning of the treatment (T0) and after 16 weeks (T1), there have been reported results from both clinical disease control, assessed using the ACT, and psychological disorders, assessed with the PSS, HADS and C-SSRS. In the sample of these patients treated with biologicals for severe asthma, the study reported a significant change in all observed parameters, including asthma control (ACT), stress (PSS), anxiety (HADS-A) and depressive symptoms (HADS-D, despite Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, there was a significant improvement in disease management, perceived stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms after a 16 week treatment for severe asthma, independent from the type of biologic drugs used during the pandemic.

[Correction of psychoemotional disorders and short-term prognosis in patients with COVID-19]. / Korrektsiya psikhoemotsional'nykh narushenii i kratkosrochnyi prognoz u patsientov s COVID-19.

This review discusses the importance of the main psychosocial risk factors in the development of chronic non-communicable diseases. The current data on the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are presented. The article summarizes information about the relationship between the development of psychoemotional disorders and CVD, discusses the prospects for the management of such patients in the framework of interdisciplinary cooperation. The main pathogenetic mechanisms of the development of complications, including damage to the central nervous system during infection with a new coronavirus infection, are considered. The significance of the choice of pathogenetic therapy for patients with comorbid somatic and mental diseases in the conditions of a pandemic of a new coronavirus infection is assessed. The results of multicenter placebo-controlled studies on the use of fluvoxamine in patients with a new coronavirus infection of varying severity are discussed.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Use of Antidepressant and Antianxiety Pharmaceuticals as Well as Sick Leave in Poland.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major upheaval to the lives of people and placed a strain on societal mental health. The aim of this research is to estimate the impact of the pandemic on the mental condition of the Polish population measured through the consumption of relevant medication and medical leave of absence from the workplace. METHODS: We analyzed national-level data on the consumption of pharmaceuticals used in clinical practice in Poland in the treatment of depression and anxiety alongside medical absence in the workplace using the Interrupted Time Series model to estimate the significance of the pandemic. RESULTS: We found no significant change regarding the consumption of pharmaceuticals with the development of the pandemic. Conversely, medical leaves of absence for psychiatric reasons increased significantly with the onset of COVID-19. The influence was strongest in the diagnosis of anxiety or reaction to severe stress and weakest in recurrent depression. CONCLUSION: The pandemic had a significant influence on the ability to work for psychiatric patients in Poland but did not change pharmaceutical use. Physicians should consider the mental health of patients impacted by the anti-epidemic measures. Further study is needed to fully understand the long-term impact of the pandemic on mental health in Poland.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety and depression in primary care: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Population-based surveys indicate that many people experienced increased psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to determine if there was a corresponding increase in patients receiving services for anxiety and depression from their family physicians. METHODS: Electronic medical records from the University of Toronto Practice Based-Research Network (UTOPIAN; N = 322,920 patients) were used to calculate incidence rates for anxiety/depression related visits and antidepressant prescriptions before the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2018-February 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (March-December 2020). Data from the pre-pandemic period were used to predict expected rates during the pandemic period which was compared to the observed rate. RESULTS: The number of patients presenting with anxiety/depression symptoms in primary care varied across age groups, sex, and time since pandemic onset. Among the youngest patients (ages 10-18 years), there were fewer patients than pre-pandemic visiting for new episodes of anxiety/depression and being prescribed antidepressants in April 2020, but by the end of 2020 this trend had reversed such that incidence rates for anxiety/depression related visits were higher than pre-pandemic levels. Among older adults, incidence rates of anxiety/depression related visits increased in April 2020 with the onset of the pandemic, and remained higher than expected throughout 2020. LIMITATIONS: A convenience sample of 362 family physicians in Ontario was used. CONCLUSION: Demand for mental health services from family physicians varied by patient age and sex and changed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2020, more patients were seeking treatment for anxiety/depression related concerns.

Association of SARS-CoV-2 Infection With Psychological Distress, Psychotropic Prescribing, Fatigue, and Sleep Problems Among UK Primary Care Patients.

Importance: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 is associated with fatigue and sleep problems long after the acute phase of COVID-19. In addition, there are concerns of SARS-CoV-2 infection causing psychiatric illness; however, evidence of a direct effect is inconclusive. Objective: To assess risk of risk of incident or repeat psychiatric illness, fatigue, or sleep problems following SARS-CoV-2 infection and to analyze changes according to demographic subgroups. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study assembled matched cohorts using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum, a UK primary care registry of 11 923 499 individuals aged 16 years or older. Patients were followed-up for up to 10 months, from February 1 to December 9, 2020. Individuals with less than 2 years of historical data or less than 1 week follow-up were excluded. Individuals with positive results on a SARS-CoV-2 test without prior mental illness or with anxiety or depression, psychosis, fatigue, or sleep problems were matched with up to 4 controls based on sex, general practice, and year of birth. Controls were individuals who had negative SARS-CoV-2 test results. Data were analyzed from January to July 2021. Exposure: SARS-CoV-2 infection, determined via polymerase chain reaction testing. Main Outcomes and Measures: Cox proportional hazard models estimated the association between a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result and subsequent psychiatric morbidity (depression, anxiety, psychosis, or self-harm), sleep problems, fatigue, or psychotropic prescribing. Models adjusted for comorbidities, ethnicity, smoking, and body mass index. Results: Of 11 923 105 eligible individuals (6 011 020 [50.4%] women and 5 912 085 [49.6%] men; median [IQR] age, 44 [30-61] years), 232 780 individuals (2.0%) had positive result on a SARS-CoV-2 test. After applying selection criteria, 86 922 individuals were in the matched cohort without prior mental illness, 19 020 individuals had prior anxiety or depression, 1036 individuals had psychosis, 4152 individuals had fatigue, and 4539 individuals had sleep problems. After adjusting for observed confounders, there was an association between positive SARS-CoV-2 test results and psychiatric morbidity (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.83; 95% CI, 1.66-2.02), fatigue (aHR, 5.98; 95% CI, 5.33-6.71), and sleep problems (aHR, 3.16; 95% CI, 2.64-3.78). However, there was a similar risk of incident psychiatric morbidity for those with a negative SARS-CoV-2 test results (aHR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.65-1.77) and a larger increase associated with influenza (aHR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.55-5.75). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of individuals registered at an English primary care practice during the pandemic, there was consistent evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with increased risk of fatigue and sleep problems. However, the results from the negative control analysis suggest that unobserved confounding may be responsible for at least some of the positive association between COVID-19 and psychiatric morbidity.

Antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities of Rosmarinus officinalis extract in rodent models: Involvement of oxytocinergic system.

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin (OXT), a neuropeptide involved in mammal reproductive and prosocial behaviors, has been reported to interact with various stressor-provoked neurobiological changes, including neuroendocrine, neurotransmitter, and inflammatory processes. In view of disturbances in psychosocial relationships due to social isolation and physical distancing measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, being one of the triggering factors for the recent rise in depression and anxiety, OXT is a potential candidate for a new antidepressant. METHODS: In this present study, we have aimed to investigate the effects of oral administration of Rosmarinus officinalis extract (RE), extracted from distillation residue of rosemary essential oil, on central OXT level in the context of other stress biomarkers and neurotransmitter levels in mice models. Tail suspension test (TST) and elevated plus maze test (EPMT) following LPS injection were employed to assess depressive- and anxiety-like behavior in mice, respectively. FINDINGS: Pretreatment with RE for seven days significantly improved behavior in TST and EPMT. Whole-genome microarray analysis reveals that RE significantly reversed TST stress-induced alterations in gene expressions related to oxytocinergic and neurotransmitter pathways and inflammatory processes. In both models, RE significantly increased central Oxt and Oxtr expressions, as well as OXT protein levels. RE also significantly attenuated stress-induced changes in serum corticosterone, brain and serum BDNF levels, and brain neurotransmitters levels in both models. INTERPRETATION: Altogether, our study is the first to report antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities of RE through modulating oxytocinergic system in mice brain and thus highlights the prospects of RE in the treatment of depressive disorders of psychosocial nature.

Safety and efficacy of aviandr in patients with generalized anxiety disorder: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding, pilot study.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with an imbalance in the functioning of the stimulating neurotransmitter systems in human's brain. We studied the safety and therapeutic efficacy of aviandr, the new noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant, for GAD patients in the phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter, pilot trial at 17 clinical sites of the Russian Federation. 129 eligible patients were 18 years and older and met the criteria for GAD diagnosis. The patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive oral aviandr at daily dose of 40 mg (cohort 1, n = 41) or 60 mg (cohort 2, n = 43) or placebo (cohort 3, n = 43) for 8 weeks. The patients were assessed by the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI-S), Visual Analogue Scale and vital signs. At week 8, the decreases of the HAM-A score were achieved in 53∙7%, 47∙7% and 16∙3% in cohorts 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Changes of HAM-A, HAM-D, CGI-S, and CGI-I scores in aviandr-treated patients were superior to placebo (p < 0∙001). The psychic components of anxiety decreased on the first day, throughout the 8 weeks of treatment and on a follow-up week after aviandr discontinuation. Aviandr (40 mg daily dose) reduced drowsiness compared to baseline, was safe, well-tolerated and did not cause serious or severe adverse events or signs of withdrawal syndrome within one week after treatment completion. Aviandr at both 40 and 60 mg daily doses demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in GAD patients over placebo.

[Astenic disorders within the framework of post-covid syndrome]. / Astenicheskie rasstroistva v ramkakh postkovidnogo sindroma.

The direct neurotropic and neurotoxic effect of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the central nervous system, as well as the stressful effect of various factors of the COVID-19 pandemic, contribute to the development of the so-called post-COVID syndrome. The clinical picture of the syndrome includes asthenic, anxiety-asthenic, and depressive manifestations. When prescribing psychopharmacotherapy to patients who have undergone COVID-19, it is recommended to assess the potential benefits and risks in the aspect of using drugs not only with therapeutic antiasthenic and anxiolytic properties, but with minimally expressed undesirable effects and adverse drug interactions.

Mental health and illness of medical students and newly graduated doctors during the pandemic of SARS-Cov-2/COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-Cov-2 virus pandemic causes serious emotional consequences. It has occurred widespread medical courses suspension, and graduations were anticipated. Field hospitals, set up to treat patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, were the main workplaces of newly graduated doctors. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of SARS-Cov-2/COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of medical interns and newly graduated doctors. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study performed using a digital platform. Links to forms were sent in two moments: moment 1 (M1), at the beginning of the pandemic, in the first half of April/2020 and moment 2 (M2), after six months of pandemic, in the second half of September/2020. All students from the medical internship and all doctors graduated since 2018 from the three medical schools in Sergipe-NE-Brazil were invited. RESULTS: 335 forms were answered in April and 148 in September. In M1 88.9% considered themselves exposed to excess of information about COVID-19, which was associated with anxiety symptoms (p = 0.04). Long family physical distance was also associated with these symptoms, as increased appetite (p = 0.01), feeling shortness of breath (p = 0.003) and sweating (p = 0.007). Fear of acquire COVID-19 was reported as intense by almost half of participants, and of transmitting by 85.7% in M1. In M2 41.2% reported the death of friends or relatives. Psychiatric illness was described by 38.5% and psychotropic drugs use by 30.1% in M1, especially those who lived alone (p = 0.03) and the single ones (p = 0.01). Alcohol intake was reported by 54.3%, and among doctors graduated in 2020 it increased from 50% in M1 to 85% in M2 (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The pandemic had a negative impact on the mental health of medical students and newly graduated doctors. Exposure to excessive COVID-19 information and family physical distance were associated to anxiety symptoms. Among doctors graduated in 2020, alcohol intake increased during pandemic evolution.

Moderation of the transgenerational transference of antenatal stress-induced anxiety.

Maternal stress has debilitating implications for both mother and child, including increased risk for anxiety. The current COVID-19 pandemic escalates these phenomena, thus, urging the need to further explore and validate feasible therapeutic options. Unlike the protracted nature of clinical studies, animal models could offer swift evidence. Prominent candidates for treatment are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to the mother, that putatively accommodate maternal functioning, and, thereby, also protect the child. However, SSRIs might have deleterious effects. It is important to assess whether SSRIs and other pharmacotherapies can moderate the transference of anxiety by soothing maternal anxiety and to examine the extent of offspring's exposure to the drugs via lactation. To our knowledge, the possibility that antenatal stress exacerbates lactation-driven exposure to SSRIs has not been tested yet. Thirty ICR-outbred female mice were exposed to stress during gestation and subsequently administered with either the SSRI, escitalopram, or the novel herbal candidate, shan-zha, during lactation. Upon weaning, both dams' and pups' anxiety-like behavior and serum escitalopram levels were assessed. The major findings of the current study show that both agents moderated the antenatal stress-induced transgenerational transference of anxiety by ameliorating dams' anxiety. Interestingly though, pups' exposure to escitalopram via lactation was exacerbated by antenatal stress. The latter finding provides a significant insight into the mechanism of lactation-driven exposure to xenobiotics and calls for a further consideration vis-à-vis the administration of other drugs during breastfeeding.