The Effects of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Stimulation of Nucleus Accumbens on Neuronal Gene Expression and Brain Tissue in High Alcohol-Preferring Rats.

We investigated the effect of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) on gene expression related to alcohol dependence and histological effects on brain tissue. We also aimed at determining the miRNA-mRNA relationship and their pathways in alcohol dependence-induced expression changes after focused ultrasound therapy. We designed a case-control study for 100 days of observation to investigate differences in gene expression in the short-term stimulation group (STS) and long-term stimulation group (LTS) compared with the control sham group (SG). The study was performed in our Experimental Research Laboratory. 24 male high alcohol-preferring rats 63 to 79 days old, weighing 270 to 300 g, were included in the experiment. LTS received 50-day LIFU and STS received 10-day LIFU and 40-day sham stimulation, while the SG received 50-day sham stimulation. In miRNA expression analysis, it was found that LIFU caused gene expression differences in NAc. Significant differences were found between the groups for gene expression. Compared to the SG, the expression of 454 genes in the NAc region was changed in the STS while the expression of 382 genes was changed in the LTS. In the LTS, the expression of 32 genes was changed in total compared to STS. Our data suggest that LIFU targeted on NAc may assist in the treatment of alcohol dependence, especially in the long term possibly through altering gene expression. Our immunohistochemical studies verified that LIFU does not cause any tissue damage. These findings may lead to new studies in investigating the efficacy of LIFU for the treatment of alcohol dependence and also for other psychiatric disorders.

Predictors of long-term anxiety and depression in discharged COVID-19 patients: A follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Patients who were hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) faced an extremely stressful experience that challenged their mental health and the long-term effects are not definitely known yet. AIM: To identify both the course of mental symptoms (anxiety and depressive symptoms) and the related risk factors of recovered patients at the 20-22 mo follow-up. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-two patients were enrolled. The patients were evaluated with a telepsychiatry interview and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sociodemographic and clinical features were analyzed by regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean HADS-Anxiety (HADS-A) score was 9.08 ± 4.90, and the mean HADS-Depression (HADS-D) score was 8.55 ± 4.39. The mean HADS-A (P = 0.484) and HADS-D (P = 0.011) scores were increased compared to scores during hospitalization. Being over 50 years old, having lower financial status, and being vaccinated were associated with symptoms of depression (adjusted R 2 = 0.168) while being over 50 years old, female sex, being vaccinated, and dyspnea were associated with higher anxiety (adjusted R 2 = 0.245). CONCLUSION: To prevent the deterioration of mental health, psychiatrists should play an active role in identifying emerging mental problems as soon as possible, more vulnerable groups should be characterized, and psychological support should be sustained after discharge.

A Treatment-Response Comparison Study of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Between Standard Treatment of SSRI and Standard Treatment of SSRI Plus Non-dominant Hand-Writing Task in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder.

Background: Researches have recently shifted from functional/structural imaging studies to functional connectivity (FC) studies in major depressive disorder (MDD). We aimed to compare treatment response of two treatment groups before and after treatment, in terms of both with psychiatric evaluation scales and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) changes in order to objectively demonstrate the possible contribution of the non-dominant hand-writing exercise (NHE) effect on depression treatment. Methods: A total of 26 patients who were right-handed women with similar sociodemographic characteristics were enrolled. Their pre-treatment resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and neuropsychiatric tests were recorded, and then, patients were divided into two groups randomly. A standard treatment (ST) (fix sertraline 50 mg/day) was given to both groups. One randomly selected group was given the NHE in addition to the ST. After 8 weeks of treatment, all patients were reevaluated with rs-fMRI and neuropsychiatric tests. Pre- and post-treatment FC changes within the groups and post-treatment connectivity changes between groups were evaluated. Results: Post-treatment neuropsychiatric tests were significantly different in both groups. Post-treatment, two brain regions' connectivity changed in the ST group, whereas 10 brain regions' connectivity changed significantly in the ST + NHE group. When treatment groups were compared with each other after the treatment, the FC of 13 regions changed in the ST + NHE group compared to the ST group (p-unc/p-PFD <0.05). The density of connectivity changes in the frontal and limbic regions, especially connectivities shown to change in depression treatment, in the ST + NHE group indicates a positive contribution to depression treatment, which is also supported by neuropsychiatric scale changes. Conclusion: NHE, which we developed with inspiration from the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) method, showed significantly more connecitivity changes related with MDD treatment. Beyond offering a new additional treatment method, our study will also contribute to the current literature with our efforts to evaluate all brain regions and networks that may be related to MDD and its treatment together, without being limited to a few regions. Trial Registration: The rs-fMRI and treatment registers were recorded in the BizMed system, which is the patient registration system of Bezmialem Vakif University Medicine Faculty, under the BAP support project approval code and the registration number 3.2018/8.

Eating disorders in patients with irritable bowel syndrome / Trastornos de la alimentación en pacientes con síndrome de colon irritable

INTRODUCTION: Eating disorders (ED) constitute an important group of conditions that commonly occur in adolescents. Gastrointestinal complaints are frequently reported in ED patients. Few studies assessed the association of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with ED. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence of ED in a group of IBS patients and compare it with a healthy control group and assess the relationship of IBS sub-types, it's duration and severity with ED. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 IBS patients diagnosed according to the Rome-IV criteria and a control group consisting of 100 healthy adults, between 18 and 65 years old, were enrolled in this study. Sub-type, duration and severity of IBS were determined. All participants were requested to fill questionnaires to screen for ED. RESULTS: 200 subjects participated in the study. 118(59%) were female and 92(41%) were male. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) score was significantly higher in the IBS group (Odds ratio: 5.3 CI 95%:4.3-9.3; p < 0.001). The number of subjects with EAT score >30 was significantly higher in the IBS group (p < 0.001). EAT scores were significantly higher in female IBS patients and in younger patients (p = 0.013 and p = 0.043; respectively). No significant association between the IBS sub-type and EAT score was found (p > 0.05). However, IBS severity and duration positively correlated with EAT scores. DISCUSSION: ED should be considered in the management of IBS patients. Since many psychological factors can exacerbate IBS symptoms a multidisciplinary approach consisting of medical and behavioral therapeutic modalities should be employed for a better management of these patients

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los trastornos de la alimentación (TA) constituyen un grupo importante de afecciones que suelen aparecer en adolescentes. Los pacientes con TA refieren con frecuencia molestias abdominales. La asociación del síndrome de colon irritable (SCI) con los TA se ha evaluado en un número reducido de estudios. El objetivo del estudio actual es determinar la prevalencia de los TA en un grupo de pacientes con SCI y compararla con un grupo de control sano para evaluar la relación de los subtipos de SCI, así como su duración e intensidad con los TA. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: En este estudio se incluyeron 100 pacientes con SCI diagnosticados según los criterios Rome-IV y un grupo de control compuesto por 100 adultos sanos de entre 18 y 65 años. Se determinaron el subtipo, la duración y la intensidad del SCI. Se pidió a todos los pacientes que cumplimentaran cuestionarios de detección de TA. RESULTADOS: En el estudio participaron 200 sujetos. Ciento dieciocho (59%) eran mujeres y 92 (41%) eran varones. La puntuación en las pruebas de actitudes alimentarias (Eating Attitudes Test [EAT]) fue significativamente superior en el grupo de SCI (cociente de probabilidades: 5,3; IC del 95%: 4,3-9,3; p < 0,001). El número de sujetos con puntuación de EAT>30 fue significativamente superior en el grupo de SCI (p < 0,001). Las puntuaciones de EAT fueron significativamente superiores en pacientes mujeres con SCI y en pacientes más jóvenes (p = 0,013 y p = 0,043, respectivamente). No se halló una asociación significativa entre el subtipo de SCI y la puntuación de EAT (p > 0,05). Sin embargo, la intensidad y la duración del SCI presentaron una correlación positiva con las puntuaciones de EAT. DISCUSIÓN: El TA debe tenerse en cuenta en el tratamiento de los pacientes con SCI. Puesto que muchos factores psicológicos pueden exacerbar los síntomas del SCI, deberá emplearse un enfoque multidisciplinar compuesto por modalidades terapéuticas médicas y conductuales para un mejor tratamiento de estos pacientes

Eating disorders in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Eating disorders (ED) constitute an important group of conditions that commonly occur in adolescents. Gastrointestinal complaints are frequently reported in ED patients. Few studies assessed the association of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with ED. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence of ED in a group of IBS patients and compare it with a healthy control group and assess the relationship of IBS sub-types, it's duration and severity with ED. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 IBS patients diagnosed according to the Rome-IV criteria and a control group consisting of 100 healthy adults, between 18 and 65 years old, were enrolled in this study. Sub-type, duration and severity of IBS were determined. All participants were requested to fill questionnaires to screen for ED. RESULTS: 200 subjects participated in the study. 118(59%) were female and 92(41%) were male. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) score was significantly higher in the IBS group (Odds ratio: 5.3 CI 95%:4.3-9.3; p<0.001). The number of subjects with EAT score >30 was significantly higher in the IBS group (p<0.001). EAT scores were significantly higher in female IBS patients and in younger patients (p=0.013 and p=0.043; respectively). No significant association between the IBS sub-type and EAT score was found (p>0.05). However, IBS severity and duration positively correlated with EAT scores. DISCUSSION: ED should be considered in the management of IBS patients. Since many psychological factors can exacerbate IBS symptoms a multidisciplinary approach consisting of medical and behavioral therapeutic modalities should be employed for a better management of these patients.

[The Validity and Reliability of the Trypophobia Questionnaire Turkish Form]. / ripofobi Anketi’nin Türkçe Formu’nun Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalismasi.

OBJECTIVE: It was aimed in this study to translate the 19-item Trypophobia Questionnaire (TQ) to Turkish and determine its psychometric reliability and validity. METHOD: The study included 154 volunteers consisting of the students and employees of Bezmialem Vakif University, and their family members. The Sociodemographic Questionnaire prepared by the researchers, the Turkish version of the Structured Clinical Interview for axis-1 disorders (SCID-I) of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM- IV-TR), the Turkish versions of the Disgust Sensitivity Scale-Revised Form (DS-R-TR) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A-TR) were used. RESULTS: Turkish Trypophobia Questionnaire (TQ-TR) discriminated between healthy and phobic individuals. Factor analysis on the TQ-TR resulted in a single factor structure as in the original study. The TQTR showed a high level of internal consistency with a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.955. CONCLUSION: TQ-TR is a valid and reliable psychometric tool to assess trypophobia in the Turkish population.