Validation of the Norma Latina Neuropsychological Assessment Battery in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease in Mexico.

To our knowledge, this is the first study reported in the literature that has validated the Norma Latina Battery in a population of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Mexico. The objective of the study was to determine the discriminant validity of the Norma Latina Battery in a group of Mexican individuals with AD and a group of heathy controls (HC). The Norma Latina Battery was administered to 234 Mexican participants (117 HC and 117 individuals with AD). Results show that: (1) the Norma Latina Battery has high discriminative capacity between groups in all domains; (2) participants with AD presented worse scores in each of the cognitive domains compared to the HC and a greater number of low scores in each of the established thresholds or cut-off points; and finally, (3) the Norma Latina Battery had optimal sensitivity and specificity, especially when a set was observed ≥5 scores below the 10th percentile or ≥4 scores below the 5th percentile. In conclusion, it is recommended that both clinicians and researchers use this battery in the evaluation of Mexican people with AD to better understand the prognosis of the disease and its subsequent treatment.

Psychosocial impact on health-related and non-health related university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of an electronic survey.

INTRODUCTION: The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused feelings of anxiety, confusion, and panic among the world population. Due to these psychological changes resulting from the stress produced by the disease, we sought to investigate the psychological impact of the pandemic on the university student community. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1,283 students were surveyed, of which 1,149 students were selected. The majority of the subjects were female, and the overall average age was of 20 years. They were provided with an 82-question online questionnaire divided into four sections; looking for the prevalence of significant symptomatology of major depression and generalised anxiety using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales; and factors that potentially affect the mental health of our university population. RESULTS: We found a high prevalence of significant depression (47.08%) and anxiety (27.06%) symptomatology, considering a score of 10 or more as cut-off point. There was no significant difference in depression and anxiety symptomatology between the health-care students and non-health-care students. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, together with what is observed in the literature, allow us to conclude that the college student population has a high risk of mental illness, and these should be taken into consideration for the search of effective strategies for detection and control of mental health illnesses. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic is a red flag that shows the need to upgrade mental health programmes in universities and to validate virtual instruments.

Psychosocial impact on health-related and non-health related university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of an electronic survey / Impacto psicosocial en estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud y otros durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Resultados de una encuesta electrónica

ABSTRACT Introduction: The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused feelings of anxiety, confusion, and panic among the world population. Due to these psychological changes resulting from the stress produced by the disease, we sought to investigate the psychological impact of the pandemic on the university student community. Material and methods: 1,283 students were surveyed, of which 1,149 students were selected. The majority of the subjects were female, and the overall average age was of 20 years. They were provided with an 82-question online questionnaire divided into four sections; looking for the prevalence of significant symptomatology of major depression and generalised anxiety using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales; and factors that potentially affect the mental health of our university population. Results: We found a high prevalence of significant depression (47.08%) and anxiety (27.06%) symptomatology, considering a score of 10 or more as cut-off point. There was no significant difference in depression and anxiety symptomatology between the health-care students and non-health-care students. Conclusions: Our results, together with what is observed in the literature, allow us to conclude that the college student population has a high risk of mental illness, and these should be taken into consideration for the search of effective strategies for detection and control of mental health illnesses. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic is a red flag that shows the need to upgrade mental health programmes in universities and to validate virtual instruments.

RESUMEN Introducción y objetivos: La actual pandemia de SARS-CoV-2ha causado sentimientos de ansiedad, confusión y pánico entre la población mundial. Debido a estos cambios psi cológicos derivados del estrés que produce la enfermedad, se buscó investigar el impacto psicológico de la pandemia en la comunidad estudiantil universitaria. Material y métodos: Se encuestó a 1.283 estudiantes, de los que se seleccionó a 1.149. La mayoría eran mujeres y la media de edad fue 20 anos. Se les proporcionó un cuestionario en línea de 82 preguntas divididas en 4 secciones para indagar la prevalencia de síntomas signi ficativos de depresión mayor y ansiedad generalizada utilizando las escalas PHQ-9 y GAD-7, además factores que pueden afectar a la salud mental de nuestra población universitaria. Resultados: Se halló una alta prevalencia de síntomas significativos de depresión (47,08%) y ansiedad (27,06%), considerando como umbral un total de 10 o más puntos. No hubo difer encias significativas entre los estudiantes relacionados con la salud y los no relacionados con la salud. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados, en conjunto con lo observado en la literatura, muestran que la comunidad universitaria es una población en riesgo de enfermedades mentales, por lo que el Gobierno debería considerar la creación de estrategias efectivas para la detección de problemas de salud mental; sin duda alguna, la actual pandemia de COVID-19 es un foco rojo sobre las necesidad de mejores programas de salud mental en universidades y validación de instrumentos virtuales.

Animal Welfare Attitudes: Effects of Gender and Diet in University Samples from 22 Countries.

Animal Welfare Attitudes (AWA) are defined as human attitudes towards the welfare of animals in different dimensions and settings. Demographic factors, such as age and gender are associated with AWA. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences among university students in a large convenience sample from twenty-two nations in AWA. A total of 7914 people participated in the study (5155 women, 2711 men, 48 diverse). Participants completed a questionnaire that collected demographic data, typical diet and responses to the Composite Respect for Animals Scale Short version (CRAS-S). In addition, we used a measure of gender empowerment from the Human Development Report. The largest variance in AWA was explained by diet, followed by country and gender. In terms of diet, 6385 participants reported to be omnivores, 296 as pescatarian, 637 ate a vegetarian diet and 434 were vegans (n = 162 without answer). Diet was related with CRAS-S scores; people with a vegan diet scored higher in AWA than omnivores. Women scored significantly higher on AWA than men. Furthermore, gender differences in AWA increased as gender inequality decreased.

Covid-19, impacto psicosocial en estudiantes de medicina.

No disponible.

Psychosocial impact on health-related and non-health related university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of an electronic survey.

Introduction: The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused feelings of anxiety, confusion, and panic among the world population. Due to these psychological changes resulting from the stress produced by the disease, we sought to investigate the psychological impact of the pandemic on the university student community. Material and methods: 1,283 students were surveyed, of which 1,149 students were selected. The majority of the subjects were female, and the overall average age was of 20 years. They were provided with an 82-question online questionnaire divided into four sections; looking for the prevalence of significant symptomatology of major depression and generalised anxiety using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales; and factors that potentially affect the mental health of our university population. Results: We found a high prevalence of significant depression (47.08%) and anxiety (27.06%) symptomatology, considering a score of 10 or more as cut-off point. There was no significant difference in depression and anxiety symptomatology between the health-care students and non-health-care students. Conclusions: Our results, together with what is observed in the literature, allow us to conclude that the college student population has a high risk of mental illness, and these should be taken into consideration for the search of effective strategies for detection and control of mental health illnesses. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic is a red flag that shows the need to upgrade mental health programmes in universities and to validate virtual instruments.

Introducción y objetivos: La actual pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 ha causado sentimientos de ansiedad, confusión y pánico entre la población mundial. Debido a estos cambios psicológicos derivados del estrés que produce la enfermedad, se buscó investigar el impacto psicológico de la pandemia en la comunidad estudiantil universitaria. Material y métodos: Se encuestó a 1.283 estudiantes, de los que se seleccionó a 1.149. La mayoría eran mujeres y la media de edad fue 20 años. Se les proporcionó un cuestionario en línea de 82 preguntas divididas en 4 secciones para indagar la prevalencia de síntomas significativos de depresión mayor y ansiedad generalizada utilizando las escalas PHQ-9 y GAD-7, además factores que pueden afectar a la salud mental de nuestra población universitaria. Resultados: Se halló una alta prevalencia de síntomas significativos de depresión (47,08%) y ansiedad (27,06%), considerando como umbral un total de 10 o más puntos. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los estudiantes relacionados con la salud y los no relacionados con la salud. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados, en conjunto con lo observado en la literatura, muestran que la comunidad universitaria es una población en riesgo de enfermedades mentales, por lo que el Gobierno debería considerar la creación de estrategias efectivas para la detección de problemas de salud mental; sin duda alguna, la actual pandemia de COVID-19 es un foco rojo sobre las necesidad de mejores programas de salud mental en universidades y validación de instrumentos virtuales.

Chemokine profile in Alzheimer's disease: Results from a Mexican population.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the main cause of dementia worldwide. Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are related to different stages of AD and may be related to the progression of the disease. A Case-control study of AD patients healthy, age and sex-matched controls was carried out at the University Hospital "Dr. José E. Gonzalez", UANL. Cytokines and chemokines were measured from blood samples taken from the cubital vein after 8 h of fast. We included 78 subjects from which 29 had AD and 49 were healthy controls. CTACK (p = 0.003), MIG (p = 0.043) and SDF-1α (p = 0.001) were increased in subjects with AD, whereas no change was observed in other cytokines and chemokines. CTACK, MIG and SDF-1α are present in the Central Nervous System and are related to inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Longitudinal studies evaluating the change of these chemokines in AD are needed to understand their role in AD progression and possibly lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

V Coloquio Internacional de Psicología del Deporte Público REDDECA. Evaluación neuropsicológica de conmoción cerebral: estudio de caso de un jugador de fútbol americano / V International Colloquium on Public Sport Psychology REDDECA. Neuropsychology evaluation of concussion: case study of a football player / V Colóquio Internacional sobre Psicologia do Desporte Público REDDECA. Avaliação neuropsicológica da concussão: estudo de caso de um jogador de futebol

La conmoción cerebral (CC) es la principal causa de lesión en deportistas de contacto siendo el fútbol americano (FA) uno de los más populares. La CC puede producir una amplia gama de síntomas físicos, cognitivos yemocionales. El objetivo fue evaluar el funcionamiento cognitivo de un jugador de FA categoría mayor, de 23 años de edad y 15 años de escolaridad, antes y después de haber presentado una CC. El jugador respondió los siguientes instrumentos: Test de MoCA, Dígitos y Cubos en regresión, Detección Visual, Fluidez Verbal Semántica, test de Stroop, Torre de Hanoi, Cartas de Wisconsin. Se estableció su perfil cognitivo basal en pretemporada y se reevaluó durante la temporada una semana posterior a una CC. El perfil basal mostró resultados dentro de los rangos esperados. En la fase aguda de la CC, el jugador disminuyó su rendimiento en tareas de velocidad de procesamiento, atención sostenida, inhibición y planeación

Concussion (CC) is the main cause of injury in contact athletes being American football (AF) one of the most popular. CC can produce a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms. The objective was to evaluatethe cognitive functioning of a senior AF player, 23 years of age and 15 years of schooling, before and after having presented a CC. The following evaluation instruments were administered to the player: MoCA test, Digits and Cubes in regression, Visual Detection, Semantic Verbal Fluency, Stroop test, Tower of Hanoi and WisconsinCard. His baseline cognitive profile was established in pre-season and was reassessed during the season a week after a CC. In the pre-season evaluation the player presented a cognitive profile within the expected ranges for their age and schooling. In the acute phase of CC, the player decreased his performance in processing speed tasks, sustained attention, inhibition and planning

A concussão(CC) é a principal causa de lesão em atletas de contato, sendo o futebol americano (FA) um dos mais populares. O CC pode produzir uma ampla gama de sintomas físicos, cognitivos e emocionais. O objetivo foi avaliar o funcionamento cognitivo de um jogador sênior de FA, 23 anos e 15 anos de escolaridade, antes e depois de apresentar um CC. Os seguintes instrumentos de avaliação foram administrados ao jogador: Teste MoCA, dígitos e cubos em regressão, detecção visual, fluência verbal semântica, teste Stroop, torre de Hanói e Wisconsin. Seu perfil cognitivo de base foi estabelecido na pré-temporada e reavaliado durante a temporada uma semana após um CC. Na avaliação pré-temporada, o jogador apresentou um perfil cognitivo dentro dos limites esperados para idade eescolaridade. Na fase aguda do CC, o jogador diminuiu seu desempenho nas tarefas de velocidade de processamento, atenção sustentada, inibição e planejamento

Dynamics of Executive Functions, Basic Psychological Needs, Impulsivity, and Depressive Symptoms in American Football Players.

Executive functions play an important role in sports since the ability to plan, organize, and regulate behavior to reach an objective or goal depends on these functions. Some of the components of executive functions, such as inhibition of impulsive behavior and cognitive flexibility, are necessary for contact sports (e.g., American football) to carry out successful plays on the sports field. Executive functions have been studied in the sporting environment, but their relationship with the athletes' basic psychological needs (BPN), such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness, remains unexplored. Due to the importance of motivational processes over cognitive functions and in the generated adaptive results in athletes, this relationship should be taken into account. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze and compare executive functioning and psychological need thwarting overimpulsivity and psychological distress, before and after the season (4 months) in 28 undergraduate football players. Neuropsychological and psychological tests were applied. The results showed that there was an improvement in inhibition and planning at the end of the season. There was also an increase in attention and motor impulsiveness, and a decrease in need thwarting at the end of the season. A positive association between executive function, impulsiveness, psychological needs, and affective symptoms were also found. Our findings reveal the dynamics of sport-related psychological variables throughout the sport season in American football players, the association of these for the achievement of sport success, and the importance of encouraging proper management of emotions.

Situación actual de la práctica profesional de la neuropsicología en México / Current state of professional Neuropsychological practice in Mexico

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer las características de la práctica neuropsicológica en México, incluyendo la formación profesional, la situación laboral actual, el proceso de evaluación y diagnóstico, rehabilitación, docencia e investigación. Participaron 171 profesionales en México, quienes respondieron una encuesta electrónica entre el 1 de julio del 2013 y el 1 de enero del 2014. El 76% indicó haber obtenido su entrenamiento en neuropsicología durante el postgrado y, aunque indicaron estar muy satisfechos con su labor, su satisfacción con el salario fue menor. La mayoría trabajan con personas con problemas de aprendizaje (78%) y trastornos de atención e hiperactividad (74%). El 91% se dedica a evaluación y diagnóstico, 61% a rehabilitación, 67% a docencia y 60% a investigación. Los problemas más comunes fueron la falta de datos normativos (63%) y el alto coste de los test (58%). Las barreras más observadas en el desarrollo de la neuropsicología fueron la falta de colaboración entre los profesionales y la falta de programas de formación clínica. Durante las últimas décadas se han logrado importantes avances a nivel profesional en el campo de la neuropsicología en México. Sin embargo, aún quedan aspectos por mejorar como el establecimiento de criterios para la regulación de la práctica neuropsicológica en el país.

The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the profession of neuropsychology in Mexico, including the background, professional training, current work situation, evaluation and diagnosis procedures, rehabilitation, teaching, and research. 171 professionals from Mexico completed an online survey between July 1, 2013 and January 1 of 2014. 76% indicated having obtained their training in neuropsychology in a postgraduate program, also to be very satisfied with their jobs, but less satisfied with their salary. The majority works with individuals with learning difficulties (78%) and attention and hyperactivity disorder (74%). 91% works in evaluation and diagnosis, 61% in rehabilitation, 67% in teaching, and 60% in research. Some of the most common problems with the instruments were the lack of normative data (63%) and their high cost (58%). The most common barriers for the development of neuropsychology in Mexico were the lack of collaboration between professionals and the lack of clinical training programs. Even though there have been important progresses in the field of professional neuropsychological practice during the last past decades in Mexico, there are still some aspects to improve, like the establishment of standards for the regulation in the country.

El rol del estrés del manejador de perros de terapia en la terapia asistida con animales / The role of stress of therapy dog handlers in animal-assisted therapy

Se investigó la relación entre estrés percibido del guía de perros de terapia y el desempeño del binomio en un taller de terapia asistida con perros para mejorar el manejo de emociones en adolescentes. Los objetivos fueron: analizar la relación entre el estrés percibido del guía y (a) la evaluación de los participantes sobre el manejo del perro; (b) la evaluación de los participantes sobre el desempeño del perro; (c) el estrés identificado en su perro. Se evaluó mediante autoinforme el estrés percibido de 9 guías de perros de terapia y el manejo y desempeño de los binomios fue evaluado por los participantes en el taller. Los resultados mostraron una relación negativa y significativa entre el estrés del guía y el estrés que ellos identificaron en su perro; y sugieren que altos niveles de estrés durante las sesiones de terapia asistida con animales están asociados a un peor desempeño de los binomios, lo cual es incluso identificado por los participantes (AU)

We investigated the relationship between dog handlers’ perceived stress and therapy dog ​​team performance in a dog assisted therapy program to improve emotional management in adolescents. The objectives were to analyze the relationship between dog handlers’ perceived stress and (a) patients’ evaluation of the handlers’ management, (b) patients’ evaluation of the dogs’ performance, and (c) stress identified in therapy dogs by their handlers. Nine handlers reported perceived stress in themselves and their dogs, and participants assessed the management and performance of the team. Results showed a significant negative correlation between handlers’ stress and the stress they identified in their dogs, which suggests that stress during the animal-assisted therapy sessions was negatively associated with the therapy team performance, and this was also identified by participants (AU)

Terapia asistida por perros en el tratamiento del manejo de las emociones en adolescentes / Dog-assisted therapy to treat emotional management in teenagers

Los cambios emocionales en la adolescencia se relacionan con la dificultad para percibir, comprender y regular las emociones, lo que impacta negativamente sobre su autoestima y el manejo de las emociones. La terapia asistida por perros puede aumentar la autoestima de los adolescentes y ayudarlos a mejorar en el manejo de las emociones. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los efectos de la terapia asistida por perros sobre la autoestima y los componentes de las emociones en un grupo de adolescentes con problemas emocionales. Los resultados mostraron cambios significativos en la atención emocional de los adolescentes, es decir, en su capacidad para percibir mejor sus emociones.

The emotional changes in adolescence are related to the difficulty to perceive, understand and regulate emotions, which negatively impacts on self-esteem and the management of emotions. Dog-assisted therapy can help improve self-esteem and help in the management of emotions. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of dog-assisted therapy on self-esteem and components of emotions in a group of adolescents with emotional problems. The results showed significant changes in the attentional emotion component of emotions, which means, in the ability to perceive their emotions.