Effects of mirtazapine on the sleep wake rhythm of geriatric patients with major depression: an exploratory study with actigraphy.

INTRODUCTION: Major depression and insomnia are among the most frequent neuropsychiatric syndromes in the geriatric population. Although most SSRI antidepressants affect sleep continuity, mirtazapine has been found to improve sleep continuity in patients with depression. The aim of the present study was to assess by actigraphic recordings changes in sleep patterns of geriatric patients with major depression before and during treatment with mirtazapine (30 mg). METHODS: Patients aged 60 years or more with major depressive disorder were recruited at the outpatient service of a specialized mental health centre. Severity of depression was rated with the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale and subjective perception of sleep was assessed with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Actigraphic parameters were registered 4 days before the onset of mirtazapine treatment (patients were drug free in this period of time) and recorded at day 60 of treatment with mirtazapine. RESULTS: A significant decrease was observed in the sleep fragmentation index. While a significant improvement was observed in the subjective assessment of quality after treatment with mirtazapine, actigraphic measures of sleep parameters did not show changes in line with mirtazapine treatment. DISCUSSION: Mirtazapine produces minimal changes on actigraphic measures in the sleep of elderly outpatients. Sleep produced by mirtazapine indicates a more pronounced effect in ≥ 80-year-old patients. This differential response should be considered during treatment of this clinical population.

Environmental enrichment for captive stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides).

BACKGROUND: The behavior of animals is modified by captivity. Environmental enrichment (EE) is a program designed to enhance the welfare of confined animals by providing them with a more stimulating background. This is carried out by the implementation of a series of activities that encourages them to present behaviors typical of their species, as well as keeps them active. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the influence of the EE in the behavioral variables in a colony of 24 stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides). Our hypothesis is that the application of this program will reduce aggression, stereotypes and coprophilia behaviors and, at the same time, will increase exploration and solitary play. METHODS: The behavioral frequency previous to EE was compared with that during EE implementation. RESULTS: Our results showed that aggression, coprophilia stereotypic behaviors and social play were significantly reduced during EE, whereas exploration was significantly enhanced. The response of the individuals according to gender was similar for both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental enrichment programs are indispensable for captive animals' wellbeing as they reduce aggression and stress while providing animals both physical and cognitive entertainment.

[Behavior disorders and psychopathology in non-human primates? A proposal]. / Trastorno de la conducta y psicopatología en primates no-humanos? Una propuesta.

When speaking about primates we must distinguish between non-human primates and human primates, as the latter are part of the primate order. Due to their phylogenetic closeness to humans, non-human primates have been of special interest for such disciplines as neurophysiology, biology, genetics and behavior. Research has included a wide range of species and themes, from socioecology to neuroethology, cognition and phenomena such as empathy and theory of mind. In this article, we aim to demonstrate the occurrence of psychopathology, mental disorders and psychopathy in non-human primates and to propose the alternative use of the concept of condition, which refers to how the individual interacts and adapts to the environment. We discuss the fact that human behavioral disorders can also be found in non-human primates. From the perspective of evolutionary psychiatry and developmental psychology, behavior, psychopathology and psychopathy in general are conditions derived from the interaction of biological, psychological and sociological variables, and that reflect strategies with which individuals and groups of individuals contend with the environmental demands in order to survive.

¿Trastorno de la conducta y psicopatología en primates no-humanos? Una propuesta / Behavior disorders and Psychopathology in non-human primates? A proposal

Cuando hablamos de primates debemos hacer la distinción entre primates humanos y primates no-humanos, ya que los seres humanos pertenecemos al orden primate. Por su cercanía filogenética con el humano los primates, han sido de especial interés en el estudio de la neurofisiología, la biología, la genética y la conducta. Las investigaciones se han extendido a diversas especies y abarcan temas desde la socioecología hasta la neuroetología, pasando por la cognición y los fenómenos de la empatía y la teoría de la mente. En este artículo pretendemos demostrar en primates no-humanos, el trastorno mental, la psicopatología y psicopatía y proponer el concepto alterno de condición, que se refiere a cómo el individuo interactúa y se adapta con el mundo circundante. Discutimos el artículo en términos de que los trastornos en la conducta en primates no-humanos encuentran sus correlatos en primates humanos. Desde la perspectiva de la psiquiatría evolutiva y la psicología del desarrollo, la conducta, la psicopatología y la psicopatía en general, son condiciones que derivan de la interacción de variables de orden biológico, psicológico y social, y que reflejan estrategias con las cuales los individuos y los grupos de individuos contienden con las demandas del medio para sobrevivir (AU)

When speaking about primates we must distinguish between non-human primates and human primates, as the latter are part of the primate order. Due to their phylogenetic closeness to humans, non-human primates have been of special interest for such disciplines as neurophysiology, biology, genetics and behavior. Research has included a wide range of species and themes, from socioecology to neuroethology, cognition and phenomena such as empathy and theory of mind. In this article, we aim to demonstrate the occurrence of psychopathology, mental disorders and psychopathy in non-human primates and to propose the alternative use of the concept of condition, which refers to how the individual interacts and adapts to the environment. We discuss the fact that human behavioral disorders can also be found in non-human primates. From the perspective of evolutionary psychiatry and developmental psychology, behavior, psychopathology and psychopathy in general are conditions derived from the interaction of biological, psychological and sociological variables, and that reflect strategies with which individuals and groups of individuals contend with the environmental demands in order to survive(AU)

Sleep characterization of a one-month-old freely moving stumptail macaque (Macaca arctoides): a pilot study.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) activity during both human and adult primates' sleep has been proven to be similar and consequently, it could be assessed under similar parameters. However, there is no information regarding this EEG activity in the early stages of development in non-human primates. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe EEG sleep patterns in a 1-month-old Macaca arctoides with a non-invasive and free-movement method. Sleep stages were initially scored using the criteria of quiet sleep and active sleep. This procedure allowed us to observe graphoelements to distinguish sleep phases as described in adult macaques. Afterwards, the final score was recorded following the Slow Wave Sleep and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep criteria. The present results suggest that sleep features of this monkey are similar to those of a 2-month-old human neonate.

Sleep evaluation scales and questionaries: a review.

INTRODUCTION: Whenever a new scale is created or translated from another language, it must be validated, establishing its reliability for the new population where it will be used. Sleep quality concept is a construct that can be evaluated using self-report scales. Resulting elements vary depending on the individuals surveyed. This type of evaluation is mainly subjective and includes quantitative aspects such as sleep duration, number of awakenings, latency time, and qualitative aspects such as rest sensation, mood and oneiric content (Valencia, 2000). In the present study we made a critical review of the sleep scales designed for child, adolescent and adult populations that have been validated and the difficulties they might present. METHODOLOGY: Between September 2005 and May 2006 a bibliographical search was made within Pubmed, Ovid and the data base of the periodical and book library of the Ramon de la Fuente Muñiz National Institute of Psychiatry, using and combining the following key words: sleep, sleep questionnaire, sleep scale, sleep inventory, adolescent, adolescent sleep scale. The most relevant papers to our study were selected. The search was limited to Spanish and English articles, although there was no year or geographical origin limit. Articles that did not include clinimetrical data where excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our bibliographical search and our discussion, we suggested the design and validation of a Spanish scale to evaluate adolescent population which avoids a time interval between awakening and the answering of the instrument in order to decrease recall bias.

Escalas y cuestionarios para evaluar el sueño: una revisión / Sleep evaluation scales and questionaries: a review

Introducción. Cuando se elabora una escala o se traduce de otro idioma se debe validar y establecer la confiabilidad del instrumento para poblaciones donde se desea utilizar. El concepto de calidad del sueño es un constructo que puede ser evaluado mediante escalas de autoinforme. Los elementos resultantes varían según los individuos encuestados. Este tipo de evaluación es fundamentalmente subjetiva e incluye aspectos cuantitativos como la duración del sueño, el número de despertares, el tiempo de latencia y aspectos cualitativos como la sensación de descanso, el estado de ánimo o el contenido onírico. En el presente trabajo se hace una revisión crítica de las escalas de sueño diseñadas para población infantil, adolescentes y adultos que han sido validadas y las dificultades que pueden presentar. Metodología. Entre septiembre de 2005 y mayo de 2006 se realizó una búsqueda en pubmed, ovid y base de datos de la bibliohemeroteca del Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz utilizando y combinando las palabras clave: sleep, sleep questionnaire, sleep scale, sleep inventory, adolescent, adolescent sleep scale. De los artículos obtenidos se seleccionaron los más relevantes para el tema de interés. No se limitó la búsqueda por fecha de publicación, sólo se incluyeron artículos en inglés y en español; se incluyeron artículos que proporcionaban datos clinimétricos; sin embargo, esta circunstancia ha sido señalada en la presente revisión. Tampoco se excluyeron publicaciones por su origen geográfico. Conclusiones. Con base en la revisión y en la discusión sugerimos el diseño y validación de una escala en español para evaluar población adolescente y que además evite el intervalo de tiempo entre el despertar y el momento en que se contesta el instrumento con la finalidad de disminuir el sesgo de recuerdo (AU)

Introduction. Whenever a new scale is created or translated from another language, it must be validated, establishing its reliability for the new population where it will be used. Sleep quality concept is a construct that can be evaluated using self-report scales. Resulting elements vary depending on the individuals surveyed. This type of evaluation is mainly subjective and includes quantitative aspects such as sleep duration, number of awakenings, latency time, and qualitative aspects such as rest sensation, mood and oneiric content (Valencia, 2000). In the present study we made a critical review of the sleep scales designed for child, adolescent and adult populations that have been validated and the difficulties they might present. Methodology. Between September 2005 and May 2006 a bibliographical search was made within pubmed, ovid and the data base of the periodical and book library of the Ramon de la Fuente Muñiz National Institute of Psychiatry, using and combining the following keywords: sleep, sleep questionnaire, sleep scale, sleep inventory, adolescent, adolescent sleep scale. The most relevant papers to our study were selected. The search was limited to Spanish and English articles, although there was no year or geographical origin limit. Articles that did not include clinimetrical data where excluded. Conclusions. Based on our bibliographical search and our discussion, we suggested the design and validation of a Spanish scale to evaluate adolescent population which avoids a time interval between awakening and the answering of the instrument in order to decrease recall bias (AU)