Intervención forense y psicológica en un atleta de élite con psicopatología sobrevenida / Forensic and Psychological intervention in an elite with associate psychopathology / Intervenção forense e psicológica em atleta de elite com psicopatologia subrevenida

Se presenta un estudio de caso de un deportista de elite que desarrolló una psicopatología sobrevenida, que interfería en su carrera atlética. Tras ganar dos medallas en una competición internacional, entró en un estado de ansiedad, depresión, nerviosismo y apatía y dejó de entrenar durante cinco meses. Durante este tiempo no atendió al sistema ADAMS, y fue citado por el Control Antidopaje de la WADA para que se defendiera. Fue diagnosticado de un Trastorno Depresivo Mayor Recidivante (269.3x, DSM-IV-TR, 2002) con un GAP entre 45 y 50, y un Síndrome de Burnout. La intervención duró cinco meses con una sesión semanal basada en Psicoterapia Psicodinámica Breve, Enseñanza de estrategias adaptativas de afrontamiento y Apoyo social. Tras oír las alegaciones del psicólogo, por consenso, le permitieron volver a competir

This paper presents a case study in which an elite athlete developed a sports-associated psychopathology, interfering with his athletic career. After receiving medals in a top competition, the subject entered into an unusual state of anxiety, depression, nervousness, and apathy and he completely stopped his training for five months. During this time, he neglected ADAMS system controls, and was quoted by WADA to make legal arguments in his defense. He was diagnosed, with Relapsing Serious Depressive Disorder (269.3x, DSM-IV-TR, 2002) and a GAF between 45 and 50, and a Burnout Syndrome. An intervention was implemented over a five month period in the form of weekly sessions. It was based on Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP); Teaching effective use of well-adapted coping strategies and Social support. After hearing Sport Psychologist allegations by consensus, allowing him to compete

Apresenta-se um estudo de caso de um atleta de elite que desenvolveu uma psicopatologia que interferia com a sua carreira desportiva. Depois de ganhar duas medalhas numa competição internacional, entrou num estado de ansiedade, depressão e apatia, interrompendo os treinos durante cinco meses. Ao longo desse tempo não compareceu ao sistema ADAMS e foi convocado pelo Controle Anti-Doping da WADA para alegações de defesa. Foi-lhe diagnosticado um transtorno depressivo recorrente major (269,3x, DSM-IV-TR, 2002) com um GAP entre 45 e 50 e um Síndrome de Burnout. A intervenção durou cinco meses com uma sessão semanal baseada na psicoterapia psicodinâmica breve, ensino de estratégias de coping e suporte social. Na sequência das alegações do psicólogo, por consenso, foi-lhe permitido que voltasse a competir

Spanish validation of the HIV dementia scale in women.

HIV infection is increasing in minority groups, particularly in African American and Hispanic women. Although the incidence of HIV dementia has decreased since the advent of highly active antiretroviral treatment, prevalence of neurocognitive complications has increased as patients are now living longer. This study's purpose was to determine the psychometric properties of the Spanish-language HIV Dementia Scale (HDS) in a group of HIV-infected women. We recruited 96 women: 60 HIV-seropositive and 36 HIV-seronegative. Modification of the HDS into a Spanish-language version consisted of translating the instructions, substituting four words in Spanish (gato, media, azul, piña), increasing 1 second in the psychomotor speed because the Spanish alphabet has more letters than the English alphabet, and not offering clues for memory recall. Cognitive impairment (CI) was defined according to the modified American Academy of Neurology HIV-dementia criteria including an asymptomatic CI group. Statistical analysis consisted of analysis of variance to determine group differences and receiver operator characteristics (ROC) to determine the optimal cutoff point for the screening of CI. HDS-Spanish total score and subscores for psychomotor speed and memory recall showed significant differences between HIV-seronegative and women with HIV-dementia (p < 0.001) and between HIV-seropositive women with normal cognition and those with HIV-dementia (p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff point of 13 or less had performance characteristics of 87% sensitivity and 46% specificity for HIV-associated CI (50.0% positive predictive value, 85.0% negative predictive value). The HDS-Spanish translation offers a useful screening tool with value for the identification of Hispanic women at risk of developing HIV-associated symptomatic neurocognitive disturbances.

Validación de una escala para adolescentes (EBHAD): un estudio piloto en Puerto Rico / Validation of a scale for adolescents (EBHAD): a pilot study in Puerto Rico

This investigation presents the development and validation process of a scale whose principal purpose is to identify those areas in which one is required to achieve improved functioning and adequate emotional health resulting in improved sports performance with adolescent athletes. The "Hechavarria Wellness Scale for Adolescent Athletes" (HWSAA) was developed. The concept of wellness was measured utilizing the following 4 sub-scales measuring; depressive symptomatology, trait anxiety, self-esteem and social relations. A pilot study was undertaken with a universe of 149 adolescent athletes from both sexes with an average of 15.6 years old and residing within the different municipalities of Puerto Rico. The alpha coefficient reliability of the HWSAA and its' subscales fluctuated between 0.71 and 0.82. The results suggest that the HWSAA and its' subscales possess a psychometrically adequate internal consistency. This means that the instrument is valid and reliable for the sample utilized. We suggest further research with the HWSAA

[Type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia: acceptance of prenatal diagnosis in descendents at risk]. / Ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2: aceptación del diagnóstico prenatal en descendientes en riesgo.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia is a hereditary degenerative disorder of the nervous system. Advances in molecular genetics have made it possible to carry out presymptomatic and prenatal studies. A programme to define the strategies and principles for doing this has been devised. OBJECTIVE: To find the level of acceptance of prenatal diagnosis in couples at risk, and to determine the effect of different variables on this acceptance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a descriptive type study of a series of cases. The study group included 226 persons. Forty of these were couples of descendents and the remainder were asymptomatic descendents. We applied a questionnaire, after prior information as to the aims of the study and obtaining the consent of the participants. RESULTS: Regarding acceptance of prenatal diagnosis by couples of descendents, we found that most (77.5%) accepted this and only 2.5% did not. Prenatal diagnosis was accepted by 67.74% of the descendents themselves. CONCLUSIONS: In general there was a high level of acceptance. 159 of the 226 questioned claimed that they would like to have more children and 98.7% of these accepted the test, whilst only 0.01% refused it. The main reasons given were the hope of having healthy children and that the disease would not occur in future generations.

[Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 in Cuba. A study of the electrophysiological phenotype and its correlation with clinical and molecular variables]. / Ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 en cuba. Estudio del fenotipo electrofisiológico y su correlación con variables clínicas y moleculares.

INTRODUCTION: The spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 has a prevalence of 43 per 100,000 inhabitants in Holguín province, which is the highest one reported worldwide. It is due to an intergenerational CAG repeat expansion contained in the first exon of disease causing gene, and it is characterized by a high variability in its clinical and electrophysiological presentation, even intrafamiliarly. OBJECTIVE: Factors identification, which explains this variability, could lead to the findings of therapeutical ways that may retard the disease onset. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have done this research in order to contribute to this phenotypic variability knowledge of the different structures and functions of the nervous system. RESULTS: By means of molecular and electrophysiological studies we have found two groups well differentiated in a 52-patient sample. The first one was characterized by CAG repeat expansions above 41 units and by the total blockade of the afferent conduction that is, basic electrophysiological alteration with axonal damage predominance. The second one was characterized by CAG repeat expansions lower or equal to 41 units and showed a high variability in it s electrophysiological behavior with myelinic damage predominance. We realized of the existence of statistical significance correlations between the electrophysiological, clinical and molecular variables considered. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that for by CAG repeat expansions lower or equal to 41 units should be affecting other genetics and/or environmental factors that explain the variability found in this group which are not significant for clinical and electrophysiological presentation in individuals with CAG repeat expansions above 41 units.