ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The current COVID-19 pandemic highlights the different difficulties that healthcare workers have to face in this context. In order to quantify some aspects of the current working situation, the Asociación de Psiquiatras Argentinos (APSA) designed a survey for Mental Healthcare workers. The goal was to: measure and know what are the working conditions of those working in Mental Health in Argentina, in this pandemic context. METHODS: Cross sectional descriptive study. Convenience sample. The survey was designed and sent in a digital format, thru APSA means of communication. The survey had 27 questions and one comments option. Questions explored sociodemographic variables, worked related aspects and discrimination suffered by participants. RESULTS: The survey, in its digital format, was answered by 710 participants. 32% of those in the public sector pointed out that people needed to bring their own personal protective equipment, compared to 56% in the private sector. For protocols in place, nearly 82% of public sector responses said there is a protocol for COVID-19 compatible symptoms in patients, compared to 58% in the private sector. And for new patients in an inpatient facility, responses showed that more than 50% had a protocol in the public sector, vs less than half in the private setting. CONCLUSIONS: This survey and the results allows to know and have evidence on which were the working conditions at the beginning of the pandemic. Having a plan considering what is known and what is available, allows a more appropriate approach, for both the workers and those who depend on them for care.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Argentina/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Personnel , Humans , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Introduction: The goal of this research is to learn the opinions and attitudes towards pregnancy interruption among Mental Health professionals in Argentina, taking into account the current Congress debate. In order to achieve the goal, the research team designed a questionnaire applied among mental health providers at the XXXIII Argentinian Psychiatry Congress, Asociación de Psiquiatras Argentinos (APSA). Results: 91.8% of the participants responded to be informed on current parliamentary discussion on voluntary pregnancy interruption (termination). 83.5% of Mental Health providers who answered the survey agree to decriminalize abortion. Conclusions: Given that the consequences of changing the current legislation would have an impact in Public Health, we believe that these results should be taken into account in the current debate.
ABSTRACT
Research in the Mental Health field is essential not only in the academic area, but also in the patient care setting. Knowing the attitudes, knowledge and practices in research among psychiatrists allow for the design of interventions to promote their participation. The aim of this study is to explore the current situation of research among psychiatrists in Argentina. A cross sectional 26-question survey was applied between May-August 2014, anonymous and voluntary among psychiatrists and psychiatrists in training in different centers. 378 psychiatrists participated from different centers in Argentina. Among the most relevant results, 97.2% considers it's important to include research in their training as psychiatrists, 46.4% has knowledge about database use and 68.8% has presented work in an academic setting. 88.5% believes research in Argentina is defcient.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Biomedical Research , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Psychiatry , Argentina , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Self ReportABSTRACT
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with substantial functional impairment in children and in adults. Many individuals with ADHD have clear neurocognitive deficits, including problems with visual attention, processing speed, and set shifting. ADHD is etiologically complex, and although genetic factors play a role in its development, much of the genetic contribution to ADHD remains unidentified. We conducted clinical and neuropsychological assessments of 294 individuals (269 with ADHD) from 163 families (48 multigenerational families created using genealogical reconstruction, 78 affected sib pair families, and 37 trios) from the Central Valley of Costa Rica (CVCR). We used principal components analysis (PCA) to group neurocognitive and behavioral variables using the subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and 15 neuropsychological measures, and created quantitative traits for heritability analyses. We identified seven cognitive and two behavioral domains. Individuals with ADHD were significantly more impaired than their unaffected siblings on most behavioral and cognitive domains. The verbal IQ domain had the highest heritability (92%), followed by auditory attention (87%), visual processing speed and problem solving (85%), and externalizing symptoms (81%). The quantitative traits identified here have high heritabilities, similar to the reported heritability of ADHD (70-90%), and may represent appropriate alternative phenotypes for genetic studies. The use of multigenerational families from a genetically isolated population may facilitate the identification of ADHD risk genes in the face of phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity.
Subject(s)
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/genetics , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/psychology , Behavior , Siblings , Adolescent , Adult , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/physiopathology , Child , Cognition , Costa Rica , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Humans , Inheritance Patterns/genetics , Male , Models, Genetic , Neuropsychological Tests , Pedigree , Phenotype , Principal Component Analysis , Young AdultABSTRACT
Research is a cornerstone in the training of medical doctors in any specialty, whereas it substantially contributes to good clinical practice. The aim of this study is to determine the importance of research among psychiatrists in training in Ciudad de Buenos Aires. A cross sectional descriptive study using a paper survey, which was voluntary and anonymous, was sent to psychiatrists in training in different training centers between October-November 2013. 76.6% considered research training deficient; 27.8% participated in a research project during their psychiatric training and only 21.5% presented their results at a scientific activity. 95.6% participants considered important to include research in their training. In summary, a small proportion of psychiatrists in training who participated in this study conducted research and we observed limited experience in the area, as opposed to the interest in being trained in this field.
ABSTRACT
Research is a cornerstone in the training of medical doctors in any specialty, whereas it substantially contributes to good clinical practice. The aim of this study is to determine the importance of research among psychiatrists in training in Ciudad de Buenos Aires. A cross sectional descriptive study using a paper survey, which was voluntary and anonymous, was sent to psychiatrists in training in different training centers between October-November 2013. 76.6% considered research training deficient; 27.8% participated in a research project during their psychiatric training and only 21.5% presented their results at a scientific activity. 95.6% participants considered important to include research in their training. In summary, a small proportion of psychiatrists in training who participated in this study conducted research and we observed limited experience in the area, as opposed to the interest in being trained in this field.
Subject(s)
Biomedical Research/education , Internship and Residency , Psychiatry/education , Argentina , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive drug that might induce neurotoxicity. Clinical trials have reported that modafinil, a wake-promoting agent used to treat sleep disorders, may have some efficacy for the treatment of psychostimulant addiction. In this study we tested possible neuroprotective effects of modafinil after toxic METH administration in mice. We evaluated the effect of modafinil (two injections of either 90 or 180 mg/kg) and METH binge (3 × 7 mg/kg i.p. injections, 3-h apart) coadministration on DA striatal content, TH immunoreactivity in striatal areas and spontaneous locomotor activity. We also investigated acute locomotor activity and stereotypy profile in mice treated with a single METH dose (2 and 7 mg/kg) pretreated with modafinil (90 and 180 mg/kg). We found that mice treated with a METH binge showed a marked decrease in DA and dopaminergic metabolites as well as lower levels of TH immunoreactivity in the dorsal striatum. Pretreatment with modafinil (both 90 and 180 mg/kg) attenuated these effects but did not prevent METH induced decrease in locomotion. We also found that groups that received the combination of both modafinil and single dose METH showed a decrease in total distance traveled in an open field compared with METH groups. We observed an increment in the time mice expended doing stereotypic movements (continuous sniffing) in the group that received the combination of both METH and modafinil (i.e., decreasing locomotion). Our results suggest a possible protective role of modafinil against METH acute striatal toxicity.
Subject(s)
Amphetamine-Related Disorders/drug therapy , Benzhydryl Compounds/pharmacology , Central Nervous System Stimulants/toxicity , Methamphetamine/toxicity , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Animals , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Interactions , Male , Mice , Modafinil , Motor Activity/drug effects , Stereotyped Behavior/drug effectsABSTRACT
This research project sought to estimate the prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to determine if the Swanson Nolan and Pelham Rating Scale IV (SNAP-IV) Spanish version is a useful screening tool in a population of Costa Rican school children. The SNAP-IV Spanish version was given to the parents and teachers of 425 children aged 5 to 13 (mean 8.8). All subjects were also assessed with the Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn and Pelham Scale (SKAMP), along with diagnostic confirmation by clinical interview. The sensitivity and specificity of the SNAP-IV was assessed as a predictor of DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis. The point prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in this sample was 5%. The prevalence of ADHD among girls was 7%, while that among boys was 4%. The optimal screen was the teacher-rated SNAP-IV at a 20% cutoff, which had a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 82%. Parent sensitivities were lower than teacher sensitivities. SNAP-IV teacher ratings with a cutoff isolating the top 20% of scores correctly categorized 87% of children.
Subject(s)
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity , Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/diagnosis , Costa Rica , Humans , Parents , PrevalenceABSTRACT
RATIONALE: Repetitive cocaine exposure has been shown to induce GABAergic thalamic alterations. Given the key role of T-type (Ca(V)3) calcium channels in thalamocortical physiology, the direct involvement of these calcium channels in cocaine-mediated effects needs to be further explored. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of T-type calcium channel blockers on acute and repetitive cocaine administration that mediates thalamocortical alterations in mice using three different T-type blockers: 2-octanol, nickel, and mibefradil. METHODS: During in vitro experiments, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were conducted in ventrobasal (VB) thalamic neurons from mice treated with acute repetitive cocaine administration (3 x 15 mg/kg, i.p., 1 h apart), under bath application of mibefradil (10 µM), 2-octanol (50 µM), or nickel (200 µM). After systemic administration of T-type calcium channel blockers, we evaluated locomotor activity and also recorded GABAergic neurotransmission onto VB neurons in vitro. RESULTS: Bath-applied mibefradil, 2-octanol, or nickel significantly reduced both GABAergic neurotransmission and T-type currents of VB neurons in cocaine-treated mice. In vivo i.p. pre-administration of either mibefradil (20 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) or 2-octanol (0.5 mg/kg and 0.07 mg/kg) significantly reduced GABAergic mini frequencies onto VB neurons. Moreover, both mibefradil and 2-octanol were able to decrease cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion. CONCLUSION: The results shown in this study strongly suggest that T-type calcium channels play a key role in cocaine-mediated GABAergic thalamocortical alterations, and further propose T-type channel blockers as potential targets for future pharmacological strategies aimed at treating cocaine's deleterious effects on physiology and behavior.
Subject(s)
Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology , Calcium Channels, T-Type/drug effects , Cocaine/toxicity , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/drug effects , Animals , Calcium Channel Blockers/administration & dosage , Calcium Channels, T-Type/metabolism , Cocaine/administration & dosage , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Locomotion/drug effects , Male , Mibefradil/administration & dosage , Mibefradil/pharmacology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Nickel/administration & dosage , Nickel/pharmacology , Octanols/administration & dosage , Octanols/pharmacology , Patch-Clamp Techniques , Thalamus/drug effects , Thalamus/metabolism , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolismABSTRACT
In this paper, the history of the chronic delusional syndrome known as delusional parasitosis or Ekbom syndrome is reviewed as well as its main clinical characteristics, evolution, nosographic position and therapeutic approaches. The findings in the published literature are compared with the clinical experience of the authors who have studied twelve cases. The possible connection with other mental diseases, specifically Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum, is evaluated.
Subject(s)
Delusions/psychology , Restless Legs Syndrome , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Delusions/diagnosis , Delusions/therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Parasitic Diseases , Restless Legs Syndrome/diagnosis , Restless Legs Syndrome/therapyABSTRACT
En el presente trabajo se da cuenta de la historia del síndrome delirante crónico conocido como "delirio de parasitosis o síndrome de Ekbom", sus principales características clínicas, evolutivas, la ubicación nosográfica y las estrategias terapéuticas utilizadas. Los hallazgos de la principal literatura publicada se comparan con la experiencia de los autores al haber estudiado doce pacientes portadores de esta sintomatología. Asimismo, se indaga acerca de la posible conexión con otros cuadros psicopatológicos, más específicamente con el espectro obsesivo-compulsivo.
In this paper, the history of the chronic delusional syndrome known as delusional parasitosis or Ekbom syndrome is reviewed as well as its main clinical characteristics, evolution, nosographic position and therapeutic approaches. The findings in the published literature are compared with the clinical experience of the authors who have studied twelve cases. The possible connection with other mental diseases, specifically Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum, is evaluated.