Effect of stress on spatial working memory and EEG signal dynamics in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in young single girls.

AIM: Women undergo behavioral changes during the menstrual cycle. This study aimed to investigate the effect of estradiol (Es) on stress and effect of stress on spatial working memory (WM) and also to investigate electroencephalogram (EEG) signal's dynamics in the early and late follicular (EF and LF) and luteal (LU) phases of unmarried girls' menstrual cycle. METHODS: Stress was induced by presentation of a short (3 min) movie clip. Simultaneous with a memory test and stress induction, EEG, serum Es levels, and galvanic skin response (GSR) were assessed. RESULTS: Serum Es concentrations were decreased in LF, LU, and EF phases. The mean GSR score decreased after stress induction in all three phases, but it increased in the LF and LU phases versus the EF phase. Spatial WM diminished after stress induction in all three phases, but it increased in the LF phase versus the two phases before and after stress induction. Average power spectrum density in all frequency bands increased after stress induction in the frontal and prefrontal channels in the spatial WM test. CONCLUSION: The results showed that stress led to spatial WM dysfunction; however, Es improved spatial WM performance in the LF phase versus the other two phases.

The comparison of sluggish cognitive tempo, processing speed, and executive functions in female children with specific learning disabilities and typically developing female children: A pilot study.

This study investigated the association of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT), processing speed, and executive function (EF) in children with specific learning disabilities (SLD), and the typically developing children (TD) (60 female students aged between 8 and 10). Child and Adolescent Behavior Inventory-Parent Version (CABI), the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale-Children and Adolescents (BDEFS-CA), and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (the Processing Speed Index (PSI) were used to assess SCT, processing speed, and EF. The results showed that SCT problems were higher in children with SLD (p < 0.001). In addition, results showed that children with SLD had poorer performance on processing speed (p < 0.001) compared to the TD group. Executive dysfunctioning in self-management to time, self-organization, problem-solving, self-restraint, self-motivation, and self-regulation of emotions were poorer in children with SLD than TD group (p < 0.05). This study provides initial evidence that SCT symptoms are poor in female children with SLD, and associated with executive dysfunction and poor processing speed.

Augmenting the unified protocol with transcranial direct current stimulation: Effects on emotion regulation and executive dysfunction.

The aim of the current study was to compare the unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders (UP) with and without transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the treatment of emotion regulation and executive control dysfunction in individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD). A total of 43 individuals with GAD and co-morbid MDD were randomly assigned to three groups including UP with tDCS (UP+tDCS; n = 15), UP alone (UP; n = 13) or wait-list control (n = 15). Difficulties in emotion regulation, reappraisal, suppression, inhibition and working memory were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. Treatment with both UP+tDCS and UP alone resulted in significant improvements in difficulties in emotion regulation, cognitive reappraisal, and working memory, and significant reductions in suppression and inhibition relative to wait-list controls at post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. Relative to UP alone, UP+tDCS showed significantly greater improvements in difficulties in emotion regulation, cognitive reappraisal, inhibition, and working memory at post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. These results suggest combination of UP treatment with tDCS may be an efficacious intervention to improve emotion regulation and executive function in GAD with co-morbid MDD. Trial registration reference is IRCT20140929019334N1 (see https://irct.ir/trial/27988).

Combined Emotional Socialization Training and Family Accommodation Modification: Impact on Emotional Regulation and Anxiety Symptoms in Anxious Children.

Past studies show that emotional socialization and family accommodation are involved in children's anxiety, but research has yet to investigate whether targeting emotional socialization training (EST), family accommodation modification (FAM), or EST and FAM in tandem can reduce anxiety in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of EST and FAM on improving emotion regulation (ER) and reducing anxiety symptoms in anxious children. The sample consisted of 80 children with an anxiety disorder (Mage = 6.7, SD = 0.1) and their mothers. Mothers were randomly assigned to an EST (n = 17), FAM (n = 16), Combined (n = 17), or a waitlist control (WLC) (n = 16) groups. Mothers completed The Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC) and Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) at pre-test, post-test, and at 6-month of follow-up. The results showed that the EST, FAM, and Combined groups were more effective than WLC in improving ER and reducing anxiety severity at post-test and follow-up. Among the intervention groups, children in the combined group showed greater reductions in the severity of anxiety symptoms and emotion dysregulation than the other two groups. Assisting parents to use strategies that encourage healthy emotion regulation and decrease family accommodation might help reduce the severity of children's anxiety symptoms.

Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - adult version (BRIEF-A) in Iranian University students: Factor structure and relationship to depressive symptom severity.

Major depressive disorder is the most common psychiatric illness in Iran, and depression is common among university students in the country. The presence of depression is frequently associated with problems in executive functioning. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) is a questionnaire measure designed to assess executive functioning in everyday life in clinical and non-clinical populations. Currently, there is limited empirical validation of the measure for use in Iran. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a Persian-language BRIEF-A in a sample of Iranian university students (n = 300). The factor structure of the BRIEF-A was examined via a confirmatory factor analysis. We also evaluated whether BRIEF-A scores differed among university students varying in severity of depressive symptoms (Minimal, Mild, Moderate, Severe) as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory - II. Results indicated that a two-factor model structure best fit the data for the BRIEF-A. Acceptable internal consistency was also observed. Furthermore, poorer subjective executive functioning was endorsed by the three depressive subgroups relative to the Minimal symptoms group. Together, these findings support a two-factor model for the Persian translation of the BRIEF-A, and indicate that more severe depressive symptoms in Iranian university students is associated with worse subjective executive functioning.

Augmenting the unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders with transcranial direct current stimulation in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder and comorbid depression: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to compare the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) with and without transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in individuals suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and comorbid depression. METHODS: A total of 43 individuals diagnosed with GAD and comorbid depression enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (IRCT20140929019334N1). Participants were randomly assigned to three groups including UP with tDCS (UP+tDCS; n = 15), UP alone (UP; n = 13) or wait-list control (n = 15). GAD and depression symptoms, worry severity, anxiety sensitivity, and intolerance of uncertainty were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Treatment with both UP+tDCS and UP alone resulted in significant lower ratings across all measures relative to wait-list controls at post-treatment and 3-month follow-up (all p-values <0.001). UP+tDCS showed significantly greater reductions in anxiety (p = 0.001 post-treatment; p = 0.003 follow-up), worry (p = 0.001 post-treatment; p = 0.002 follow-up), and anxiety sensitivity (p = 0.003 post-treatment; p = 0.002 follow-up) relative to UP alone. LIMITATIONS: The present study had some limitations. First, the sample size was low. Another limitation was the use of a short-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest augmenting UP treatment with tDCS may be an efficacious strategy to improve treatment outcomes in GAD with comorbid depression. Trial registration reference is IRCT20140929019334N1 (see https://irct.ir/trial/27988).

Neuroticism and Frontal EEG Asymmetry Correlated With Dynamic Facial Emotional Processing in Adolescents.

The aim of this research was to investigate the link between resting frontal EEG asymmetry, neuroticism and the valence of emotional face processing in adolescents. Fifty right-handed adolescents (50% male; mean age = 14.20, SD = 1.97) were selected from schools in Mashhad. In order to investigate variables, we used BFQ-C, ADFES-BIV, and EEG. All data were analyzed using SPSS 22. The results showed that neuroticism correlates with the valences of fear, disgust, sadness, and surprise, but not with happiness, anger, and neutral faces. Furthermore, it was found that N was significantly positively correlated with mid-frontal asymmetry (F3-F4), and the lateral-frontal (F7-F8), whereas no correlation was found between N and frontal pole (Fp1-Fp2). We found significant negative correlations between the valence of fear, Fp1-Fp2, F3-F4, and F7-F8. The interaction findings revealed that neuroticism∗mid-frontal asymmetry can significantly affect the valence of fear. Therefore, neuroticism and mid-frontal EEG asymmetry may serve as a risk indicator for psychopathology.

Environmental Enrichment Attenuates Morphine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference and Locomotor Sensitization in Maternally Separated Rat Pups.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effect of the environmental enrichment during adolescence on morphine-induced Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) and locomotor sensitization in maternally separated male and female rat pups. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were allowed to mate with female virgin Wistar rats. Pups were separated from them 3 hours per day during 2-14 days postnatal. All pups were weaned at 21 Postnatal Day (PND) and reared in standard environment or enriched environment from 21 to 50 PND with litter-mates of the same sex. The CPP and behavioral sensitization to morphine were assessed by an unbiased place conditioning paradigm and open filed method. RESULTS: The results showed that the maternal separation enhanced morphine-induced CPP in both sexes, locomotor sensitization in male pups and tolerance to morphine-induced motor activity in female pups during adolescence. While, male and female pups reared in an EE exhibited a decrease in morphine-induced CPP, locomotor sensitization and tolerance induced by maternal separation compared to their control pups. CONCLUSION: Access to enriched environment during adolescence may have a protective effect against morphine-induced reward, locomotor sensitization and tolerance in adolescent male and female rats following maternal separation.

The Role of Existential Aspects in Predicting Mental Health and Burnout.

Objective: Burnout and poor mental health are among the most important issues in workplace, which may lead to serious consequences for organizations. The present study aimed at finding possible prediction of the variables based on existential aspects of responsibility, freedom, self- transcendence, and self-distance. Method: A total of 385 junior high school and high school teachers, who worked in Tehran schools (Dist.17), participated in this cross-sectional study. They were given Maslach Burnout Inventory, General Health Questionnaire, and Existence Scale to assess burnout, mental health problems, and existence aspects. The participants were selected through one-stage cluster sampling. Data were analyzed using a stepwise multiple variable regression method. Results: Responsibility, freedom, self- transcendence, and self-distance predicted nearly 38% of the variance of mental health; moreover, responsibility, freedom, and self- transcendence predicted nearly 28% of the variance of burnout altogether. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that the existential aspects of responsibility, freedom, self-transcendence, and self-distance could be important in predicting burnout and mental health problems among teachers. However, further studies are required to investigate this possibility.

Attitudes of Iranian Psychiatrists to Psychosomatic Medicine: A Qualitative Content Analysis.

Objective: Psychosomatic attitudes may be rooted and grounded in the particular culture of the scientific community in each country. We conducted a qualitative research to understand the exclusive psychosomatic attitudes and psychosomatic medicine status of Iranian Psychiatrists. Method : This research was conducted using a qualitative content analysis based on Graneheim and Lundmanand method. All psychiatrists of Avicenna hospital, which is a teaching hospital of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, were the target population of this study. Among them, 9 psychiatrists were selected by a non-random purposeful sampling method, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Results: Results indicated that most psychiatrists do not have a proper understanding of the term "psychosomatic medicine", but they acknowledged the importance of an integrative approach in medicine. Biopsychosocial model, as a unified and integrated concept, can encompass all emerged categories and refers to the overall pattern in psychiatrists' attitude. Conclusion: Despite acknowledging the importance of a comprehensive approach to medicine and profound theoretical knowledge of psychiatrists, the practical application of biological, psychological, and social dimensions has not been considered equally. Thus, the scientific practical stand of this comprehensive approach requires more serious consideration by the medical community.

Maternal swimming exercise during pregnancy attenuates anxiety/depressive-like behaviors and voluntary morphine consumption in the pubertal male and female rat offspring born from morphine dependent mothers.

This study was designed to examine whether maternal swimming exercise during pregnancy would attenuate prenatally morphine-induced anxiety, depression and voluntary consumption of morphine in the pubertal male and female rat offspring. Pregnant rats during the development of morphine dependence were allowed to swim (30-45min/d, 3days per a week) on gestational days 11-18. Then, the pubertal male and female rat offspring were tested for the elevated plus-maze (EPM), sucrose preference test (SPT) and voluntary morphine consumption using a two-bottle choice (TBC) paradigm. The results showed that male and female rat offspring born of the swimmer morphine-dependent mothers exhibited an increase in EPM open arm time and entries, higher levels of sucrose preference than their sedentary control mothers. Voluntary consumption of morphine was less in the male and female rat offspring born of the swimmer morphine-dependent mothers as compared with their sedentary control mothers during three periods of the intake of drug. Thus, swimming exercise in pregnant morphine dependent mothers decreased anxiety, depressive-like behavior and also the voluntary morphine consumption in the pubertal male and female offspring, which may prevent prenatally morphine-induced behavioral sensitization in offspring.

Environmental Enrichment Prevents Methamphetamine-Induced Spatial Memory Deficits and Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior in Rats.

Objective: This study was designed to examine the effect of environmental enrichment during methamphetamine (METH) dependency and withdrawal on methamphetamine-induced spatial learning and memory deficits and obsessive-compulsive behavior. Method: Adult male Wistar rats (200 ± 10 g) chronically received bi-daily doses of METH (2 mg/kg, sc, with 12 hours intervals) for 14 days. Rats reared in standard (SE) or enriched environment (EE) during the development of dependence on METH and withdrawal. Then, they were tested for spatial learning and memory (the water maze), and obsessive-compulsive behavior as grooming behavior in METH-withdrawn rats. Results: The results revealed that the Sal/EE and METH/EE rats reared in EE spent more time in the target zone on the water maze and displayed significantly increased proximity to the platform compared to their control groups. METH withdrawn rats reared in EE displayed less grooming behavior than METH/SE group. Conclusion: Our findings revealed EE ameliorates METH-induced spatial memory deficits and obsessive-compulsive behavior in rats.

Effects of swimming exercise on morphine-induced reward and behavioral sensitization in maternally-separated rat pups in the conditioned place preference procedure.

This study was designed to examine the effects of swimming exercise during adolescence on morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and behavioral sensitization in maternally separated male and female rat pups. Male Wistar rats were allowed to mate with female virgin Wistar rats. Pups were separated from the dam daily for 180min during postnatal days 2-14. All pups were weaned on day 21.The exercising pups were allowed to swim (60min/d, five days per a week, for 30days) during adolescence. Then, rat pups were tested for behavioral sensitization and the CPP induced by morphine. Maternal separation produced a significant increase in morphine-induced CPP in both sexes, behavioral sensitization in male pups and tolerance to morphine-induced motor activity in female pups. Swimmer pups separated from the dam exhibited a decrease in morphine-induced CPP in both sexes and behavioral sensitization in male pups than those of their control pups. The present results have shown that swimming exercise during adolescence may exert a protective effect against morphine-induced reward and behavioral sensitization in adult male and female rats following maternal separation.

Swimming exercise attenuates psychological dependence and voluntary methamphetamine consumption in methamphetamine withdrawn rats.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of swimming exercise during spontaneous methamphetamine (METH) withdrawal on the anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and voluntary METH consumption in METH-dependent rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were repeatedly administered with bi-daily doses of METH (2 mg/kg, subcutaneous) over a period of 14 days. Exercised rats were submitted to swimming sessions (45 min/day, five days per week, for 14 days) during spontaneous METH-withdrawal. Then, all animals were tested for the assessment of anxiety by using the elevated plus-maze (EPM), the grooming behaviors (OCD), and depression using forced swimming test (FST) and voluntary METH consumption using a two-bottle choice (TBC) paradigm for the assessment of craving. RESULTS: The results showed that the swimmer METH-withdrawn rats exhibited an increase in EPM open arm time and entries and a reduction of immobility and grooming behaviors compared with the sedentary METH groups. Also, voluntary METH consumption was less in the swimmer METH-withdrawn rats than the sedentary METH groups throughout 5-8 days. CONCLUSION: This study showed that regular swimming exercise reduced voluntary METH consumption in animal models of craving by reducing anxiety, OCD, and depression in the METH-withdrawn rats. Thus, physical training may be ameliorating some of the withdrawal behavioral consequences of METH.

Effect of environmental enrichment on physical and psychological dependence signs and voluntary morphine consumption in morphine-dependent and morphine-withdrawn rats.

This study was designed to examine the effect of environmental enrichment during morphine dependency and withdrawal on the severity of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs, anxiety, and depressive-like behaviors and voluntary morphine consumption in morphine-dependent rats. The rats were injected with bi-daily doses (10 mg/kg, 12 h intervals) of morphine for 14 days following rearing in a standard environment (SE) or enriched environment (EE) during the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal. Then, rats were tested for withdrawal signs after naloxone injection, anxiety (the elevated plus maze) and depression-related behavior (sucrose preference test), and voluntary consumption of morphine using a two-bottle choice paradigm, in morphine-dependent and morphine-withdrawn rats. The results showed that EE decreased naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs, but not anxiety or sucrose preference during dependence on morphine. The EE-withdrawn rats showed an increase in the elevated plus maze open arm time and entries and higher levels of sucrose preference than SE rats. Voluntary consumption of morphine was lower in the EE-withdrawn rats than in the SE groups in the second period of drug intake. Thus, exposure to EE reduced the severity of morphine dependence and voluntary consumption of morphine, alongside reductions in anxiety and depression-related behavior in morphine-withdrawn rats.

Effects of environmental enrichment during induction of methamphetamine dependence on the behavioral withdrawal symptoms in rats.

This study was designed to examine the effect of environmental enrichment during METH administration on the behavioral withdrawal symptoms after drug abstinence in rats. Rats reared in standard (SE) or enriched environment (EE) during induction of METH dependence with bi-daily injections of METH (2mg/kg, at 12-h. intervals) for 14 days. Then, rats were evaluated for behavioral withdrawal symptoms, and also for anxiety (elevated plus maze-EPM) and depression (Forced swim test-FST) over a ten day period of abstinence. The results showed that stereotypic behaviors score and the number of rearing were significantly lower in METH/EE rats compared to the SE group during 1-4 days. Also, The METH/EE group exhibited more weight gain during 6-10 days of abstinence. The METH/EE rats exhibited lower levels of immobility after METH abstinence than control group in the FST. EE had no effect on anxiety-like behavior. This study showed that exposure to EE diminished the severity of withdrawal symptoms and depressive-like behavior during spontaneous withdrawal from METH.

The spatial learning and memory performance in methamphetamine-sensitized and withdrawn rats.

OBJECTIVES: There is controversial evidence about the effect of methamphetamine (METH) on spatial memory. We tested the time- dependent effects of METH on spatial short-term (working) and long-term (reference) memory in METH -sensitized and withdrawn rats in the Morris water maze. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were sensitized to METH (2 mg/kg, daily/5 days, SC). Rats were trained in water maze (4 trials/day/for 5 days). Probe test was performed 24 hr after training. Two days after probe test, working memory training (2 trials/day/for 5 days) was conducted. Acquisition-retention interval was 75 min. The treatment was continued per day 30 and 120 min before the test. Two groups of METH -sensitized rats were trained in reference memory after a longer period of withdrawal (30 days). RESULTS: Sensitized rats exhibited significantly longer escape latencies on the training, spent significantly less time in the target zone (all, P<0.05), and their working memory impaired 30 min after injection. While, METH has no effect on the spatial learning process 120 min after injection, and rats spent significantly less time in the target zone (P<0.05), as well it has no effect on working memory. Also, impairment of reference memory persisted after prolonged abstinence. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that METH impaired spatial learning and memory 30 min after injection, but spared spatial learning, either acquisition or retention of spatial working, but partially impaired retention of spatial reference memory following 120 min after injection in sensitized rats, which persisted even after prolonged abstinence.

Anxiety Assessment in Methamphetamine - Sensitized and Withdrawn Rats: Immediate and Delayed Effects.

OBJECTIVE: The anxiety profile in the stimulant-sensitized animals is not clear. Thus, this study was conducted to elucidate the effects of acute and chronic administration of methamphetamine (METH) on the anxiety profile. The aim of this study was to examine whether METH-sensitized rats would show an increase in the expression of anxiogenic-like behaviors and to determine whether a low dose of METH elicits behavioral sensitization. METHODS: Rats were repeatedly given METH (2 mg/kg, s.c., once a day for 14 days), and the immediate and delayed effects of METH on the anxiety profile was compared considering 30 minutes (min) and 120 min after injections in METH-sensitized, withdrawn and intact rats using the elevated plus-maze (EPM), also, to re-challenge with a low dose of METH (0.5 mg/kg) in withdrawn groups. RESULTS: RESULTS have shown that METH-sensitized rats exhibited an increase in the open arm time and entries 120 min after injection compared to the control group. We found a reduction in the time spent in open arms for the immediate effects of METH (30 min after injection) in METH-sensitized rats as compared to the control group. In withdrawn rats, METH/METH groups exhibited an increase in the open arm time and entries than METH/Sal and Sal/METH groups. CONCLUSION: It was found that unlike delayed effects, an immediate effect of METH exhibited anxiogenic-like behaviors in METH-sensitized rats using the EPM. Also, results indicated that a low dose of METH is a potent stimulus for reinstatement of methamphetamine behavioral sensitization in a long withdrawn period.

Effect of the environmental enrichment on the severity of psychological dependence and voluntary methamphetamine consumption in methamphetamine withdrawn rats.

Previously results have been shown that chronic methamphetamine causes dependence, withdrawal syndrome and drug craving. Also, environmental enrichment (EE) has been shown protective effects in several animal models of addiction. This study evaluated effect of the EE on the anxiety-depression profile and voluntary METH consumption in METH-dependent rats after abstinence. The rats were chronically treated with bi-daily doses (2 mg/kg, at 12 h intervals) of METH over a period of 14 days. METH dependent rats reared in standard environment (SE) or EE during spontaneous METH withdrawal which lasted 30 days. Then, the rats were tested for anxiety (the elevated plus maze-EPM) and depression (forced swim test-FST) and also voluntary consumption of METH using a two-bottle choice paradigm (TBC). The results showed that the EE rats exhibited an increase in EPM open arm time and entries (P < 0.05), lower levels of immobility (P < 0.001) as compared with the SE groups. Preference ratio of METH was less in the METH/EE rats than the SE group during 2 periods of the intake of drug (P < 0.05). Environmental enrichment seems to be one of the strategies in reduction of behavioral deficits and the risk of relapse induced by METH withdrawal.