White matter integrity in polydrug users in relation to attachment and personality: a controlled diffusion tensor imaging study.

The relationship between substance use disorders (SUD) and brain deficits has been studied extensively. However, there is still a lack of research focusing on the structural neural connectivity in long-term polydrug use disorder (PUD). Since a deficiency in white matter integrity has been reported as being related to various parameters of increased psychopathology, it might be considered an aggravating factor in the treatment of SUD. In this study we compared two groups of PUD inpatients (abstinent: n = 18, in maintenance treatment: n = 15) to healthy controls (n = 16) with respect to neural connectivity in white matter, and their relation to behavioral parameters of personality factors/organization and attachment styles. Diffusion Tensor Imaging was used to investigate white matter structure. Compared with healthy controls, the PUD patients showed reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity (RD) mainly in the superior fasciculus longitudinalis and the superior corona radiata. These findings suggest diminished neural connectivity as a result of myelin pathology in PUD patients. In line with our assumptions, we observed FA in the biggest cluster as negatively correlated with anxious attachment (r = 0.36, p < 0.05), personality dysfunctioning (r = -0.41; p < 0.01) as well positively correlated with personality factors Openness (r = 0.34; p < 0.05) and Agreeableness (r = 0.28; p < 0.05). Correspondingly these findings were inversely mirrored by RD. Further research employing enhanced samples and addressing longitudinally neuronal plastic effects of SUD treatment in relation to changes in personality and attachment is recommended.

Soul darkness? Dimensions of religious/ spiritual well-being among mood-disordered inpatients compared to healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: Religiosity and spirituality have been found to be substantially associated with a variety of mental health and illness parameters. However, relevant empirical evidence is sparse, and more research is needed in order to further understand what role religiosity/spirituality plays in the development, progression and healing process of a psychiatric disease. Thus, the purpose of this study was to find out more information about the religious/spiritual needs of anxious/depressive inpatients. SAMPLING AND METHODS: A total sample of 200 well-characterized anxious/depressive inpatients was investigated. Results were compared to those from an adjusted group of healthy individuals (n = 200). A newly developed Multidimensional Inventory for Religious/Spiritual Well-Being was applied to both groups, together with established psychiatric measures (e.g. Beck Depression Inventory). RESULTS: Of the dimensions measured, Hope and Forgiveness turned out to be the strongest negative correlates of anxious/depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Moreover, a lower degree of Hope (p < 0.001) and Experiences of Sense and Meaning (p < 0.01) was found in the patient group compared to healthy controls. In accordance with the literature, religiosity was confirmed to be a substantial suicidal buffer (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results account for a more comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, emphasizing in particular the role that religiosity/spirituality plays in overall well-being. Furthermore, religious/spiritual well-being might be considered an important resource to explore, in particular for affective mentally disordered patients.