Pub Date : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101014
J. Douglas Bremner , Matthew T. Wittbrodt , Nil Z. Gurel , Jonathon A. Nye , Md Mobashir H. Shandhi , Asim H. Gazi , Amit J. Shah , Victoria Amorim , Bradley D. Pearce , Viola Vaccarino , Omer T. Inan
Objective
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent condition, and current treatments have limitations. Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is a new approach that potentially has promise for PTSD. Understanding the neurobiology of treatment response is important for developing new treatments. The purpose of this study was to assess neural correlations of long-term transcutaneous cervical VNS (tcVNS) in patients with PTSD.
Methods
Patients with PTSD underwent randomization to active tcVNS (N = 6) or sham stimulation (N = 5) twice daily for three months. High-Resolution Positron Emission Tomography scanning with radiolabeled water was used to measure brain blood flow measurements before and after treatment during exposure to personalized traumatic scripts paired with active or sham stimulation.
Results
Three months of active tcVNS resulted in activation in response to traumatic scripts in the sham stimulation group not seen in the tcVNS group in brain areas mediating the fear response, including posterior cingulate, thalamus, temporal and parietal cortex, and parahippocampal gyrus, with an increase in medial prefrontal cortex with tcVNS, in patients with PTSD.
Conclusion
TcVNS affects brain areas mediating fear and emotion which may underlie a therapeutic effect for PTSD.
{"title":"A pilot study of brain correlates of long-term treatment with transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation in posttraumatic stress disorder","authors":"J. Douglas Bremner , Matthew T. Wittbrodt , Nil Z. Gurel , Jonathon A. Nye , Md Mobashir H. Shandhi , Asim H. Gazi , Amit J. Shah , Victoria Amorim , Bradley D. Pearce , Viola Vaccarino , Omer T. Inan","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent condition, and current treatments have limitations. Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is a new approach that potentially has promise for PTSD. Understanding the neurobiology of treatment response is important for developing new treatments. The purpose of this study was to assess neural correlations of long-term transcutaneous cervical VNS (tcVNS) in patients with PTSD.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patients with PTSD underwent randomization to active tcVNS (<em>N</em> = 6) or sham stimulation (<em>N</em> = 5) twice daily for three months. High-Resolution Positron Emission Tomography scanning with radiolabeled water was used to measure brain blood flow measurements before and after treatment during exposure to personalized traumatic scripts paired with active or sham stimulation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Three months of active tcVNS resulted in activation in response to traumatic scripts in the sham stimulation group not seen in the tcVNS group in brain areas mediating the fear response, including posterior cingulate, thalamus, temporal and parietal cortex, and parahippocampal gyrus, with an increase in medial prefrontal cortex with tcVNS, in patients with PTSD.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>TcVNS affects brain areas mediating fear and emotion which may underlie a therapeutic effect for PTSD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 101014"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101012
Darío Moreno-Agostino , Giorgio Di Gessa
Objectives
To understand how population mental health levels and inequalities in these are in the post-lockdown world compared to before the pandemic in adults aged 50 and older.
Methods
We used data from three Waves (2016–2017, n = 7191; 2018–2019, n = 7286; and 2021–2023, n = 6249) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Using linear and modified Poisson regression models, we investigated whether prevalence of high depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and loneliness, and quality-of-life levels changed across time points overall and by gender, living situation, and wealth quintiles. Models were adjusted for age group, gender, education, and long-standing illnesses.
Results
No significant differences were found between 2016–2017 and 2018–2019. However, compared to 2018–2019, prevalence of high depressive symptoms (RR2021–2023 = 1.23[95 %CI 1.12;1.34], p < 0.001), loneliness (RR2021–2023 = 1.32[1.22;1.42], p < 0.001) and quality-of-life levels (B2021–2023 = -1.84 [-2.21;-1.48], p < 0.001) were worse by 2021–2023. Pre-existing inequalities by gender, living arrangements, and wealth were not significantly different after the pandemic, except for depression, where gaps were significantly smaller by gender (RR2021–2023*women = 0.72[0.59;0.89], p = 0.002) and, to a smaller extent, living situation (RR2021–2023*not_alone=1.22[1.02;1.47], p = 0.026).
Conclusion
Population mental health levels in the population aged 50 and older seem to have declined after the pandemic, and inequalities within the population persist.
目的了解封锁后与大流行前相比,50岁及以上成年人的心理健康水平和不平等情况。方法采用英国老龄化纵向研究的三期(2016-2017年,n = 7191; 2018-2019年,n = 7286; 2021-2023年,n = 6249)数据。使用线性和修正泊松回归模型,我们调查了高抑郁症状、焦虑和孤独的患病率以及生活质量水平是否在整体时间点、性别、生活状况和财富五分位数之间发生变化。模型根据年龄组、性别、教育程度和长期疾病进行了调整。结果2016-2017年与2018-2019年无显著差异。然而,与2018-2019年相比,2021-2023年高抑郁症状(RR2021-2023 = 1.23[95% CI 1.12;1.34], p < 0.001)、孤独感(RR2021-2023 = 1.32[1.22;1.42], p < 0.001)和生活质量水平(B2021-2023 = -1.84 [-2.21;-1.48], p < 0.001)的患病率更差。大流行之后,性别、生活安排和财富方面存在的不平等现象没有显著差异,但抑郁症方面的性别差距明显较小(RR2021-2023 *women = 0.72[0.59;0.89], p = 0.002),生活状况方面的差距较小(RR2021-2023 *not_alone=1.22[1.02;1.47], p = 0.026)。结论大流行后,50岁及以上人群的心理健康水平似乎有所下降,人群内部的不平等现象仍然存在。
{"title":"Mental health in adults aged 50+ since the COVID-19 pandemic: Are we (all) back to ‘normal’? evidence from England","authors":"Darío Moreno-Agostino , Giorgio Di Gessa","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To understand how population mental health levels and inequalities in these are in the post-lockdown world compared to before the pandemic in adults aged 50 and older.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We used data from three Waves (2016–2017, <em>n</em> = 7191; 2018–2019, <em>n</em> = 7286; and 2021–2023, <em>n</em> = 6249) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Using linear and modified Poisson regression models, we investigated whether prevalence of high depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and loneliness, and quality-of-life levels changed across time points overall and by gender, living situation, and wealth quintiles. Models were adjusted for age group, gender, education, and long-standing illnesses.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No significant differences were found between 2016–2017 and 2018–2019. However, compared to 2018–2019, prevalence of high depressive symptoms (RR<sub>2021–2023</sub> = 1.23[95 %CI 1.12;1.34], <em>p</em> < 0.001), loneliness (RR<sub>2021–2023</sub> = 1.32[1.22;1.42], <em>p</em> < 0.001) and quality-of-life levels (B<sub>2021–2023</sub> = -1.84 [-2.21;-1.48], <em>p</em> < 0.001) were worse by 2021–2023. Pre-existing inequalities by gender, living arrangements, and wealth were not significantly different after the pandemic, except for depression, where gaps were significantly smaller by gender (RR<sub>2021–2023*women</sub> = 0.72[0.59;0.89], <em>p</em> = 0.002) and, to a smaller extent, living situation (RR<sub>2021–2023*not_alone</sub>=1.22[1.02;1.47], <em>p</em> = 0.026).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Population mental health levels in the population aged 50 and older seem to have declined after the pandemic, and inequalities within the population persist.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 101012"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101008
John Read , Sue Cunliffe , Sarah Hancock , Christopher Harrop , Lucy Johnstone , Lisa Morrison
Background
When assessing the efficacy and safety of any medical procedure the experiences of patients need to be considered. This paper adds to the growing body of studies asking recipients of electroconvulsive therapy about their treatment experiences.
Methods
Open questions about the positive and negative effects of ECT, in an online international survey, were responded to by 776 ECT recipients, from 41 countries.
Results
About half (48.8 %) spontaneously reported one or more positive effects and almost all (96.9 %) spontaneously reported one or more negative effects. About half (51.2 %) reported only negative effects, 45.6 % reported a mixture of positive and negative effects and 3.2 % reported only positive outcomes. Content analysis found that the most reported positive effects were: ‘Improved Mood’ (23.2 %), ‘Reduced Suicidality’ (12.6 %) and ‘Reduced Psychosis’ (3.1 %). The most reported negative effects were: ‘Memory Loss’ (81.6 %), ‘Cognitive Decline’ (29.0 %), ‘Headache’ (11.1 %), ‘Abused/Violated/Traumatised’ (7.9 %), ‘Fear/Anxiety’ (6.8 %), ‘Impaired Relationships’ (5.4 %), ‘Brain Damage’ (5.0 %), ‘Can’t Work’ (4.9 %) and ‘Pain’ (4.9 %).
Limitations
This convenience sample may have been biased towards those with negative or positive attitudes about ECT. Some of the negative and positive effects attributed to ECT may have been the result of other factors (such as illness and age, or placebo, respectively).
Conclusions
These results, in conjunction with previous studies, suggest the need for new, more robust, independent research into safety and efficacy. The safety component of such studies should probably include adverse effects beyond memory loss and cognitive decline.
{"title":"The self-reported positive and negative effects of electroconvulsive therapy: an international survey","authors":"John Read , Sue Cunliffe , Sarah Hancock , Christopher Harrop , Lucy Johnstone , Lisa Morrison","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>When assessing the efficacy and safety of any medical procedure the experiences of patients need to be considered. This paper adds to the growing body of studies asking recipients of electroconvulsive therapy about their treatment experiences.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Open questions about the positive and negative effects of ECT, in an online international survey, were responded to by 776 ECT recipients, from 41 countries.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>About half (48.8 %) spontaneously reported one or more positive effects and almost all (96.9 %) spontaneously reported one or more negative effects. About half (51.2 %) reported only negative effects, 45.6 % reported a mixture of positive and negative effects and 3.2 % reported only positive outcomes. Content analysis found that the most reported positive effects were: ‘Improved Mood’ (23.2 %), ‘Reduced Suicidality’ (12.6 %) and ‘Reduced Psychosis’ (3.1 %). The most reported negative effects were: ‘Memory Loss’ (81.6 %), ‘Cognitive Decline’ (29.0 %), ‘Headache’ (11.1 %), ‘Abused/Violated/Traumatised’ (7.9 %), ‘Fear/Anxiety’ (6.8 %), ‘Impaired Relationships’ (5.4 %), ‘Brain Damage’ (5.0 %), ‘Can’t Work’ (4.9 %) and ‘Pain’ (4.9 %).</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>This convenience sample may have been biased towards those with negative or positive attitudes about ECT. Some of the negative and positive effects attributed to ECT may have been the result of other factors (such as illness and age, or placebo, respectively).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These results, in conjunction with previous studies, suggest the need for new, more robust, independent research into safety and efficacy. The safety component of such studies should probably include adverse effects beyond memory loss and cognitive decline.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 101008"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146080643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101002
Marcel Schulze , Diana Immel , Helena Rosen , Behrem Aslan , Silke Lux , Alexandra Philipsen
Introduction
Executive function (EF) impairments are well-documented in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Beyond these cognitive deficits, individuals with ADHD often report atypical sensory processing, but the extent to which sensory processing patterns interact with ADHD symptoms to shape EF performance remains poorly understood.
Methods
Forty adults diagnosed with ADHD and 39 healthy controls completed a battery of EF tasks (Stop-Signal, Digit Span, PASAT, Stroop, Corsi, Cued Switching). ADHD symptoms were assessed with the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS), and sensory processing with the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP). General linear models were estimated for each EF outcome, including group status, ADHD symptom dimensions, sensory processing domains, and their interactions. Correction for multiple comparisons was applied within interaction families (Holm).
Results
The ADHD group showed robust alterations in working memory and inhibitiory control compared with controls. Interaction analyses suggested that sensory processing styles can affect EF performance in opposite ways across groups: in ADHD, certain combinations of symptoms and sensory patterns were associated with worsened working memory and inhibition outcomes, whereas in controls, similar patterns tended to coincide with enhanced performance. However, these interactions did not remain significant after correction for multiple testing.
Conclusion
The findings confirm robust EF alterations in ADHD and point to a potential, but as yet inconclusive, role of sensory processing in modulating EF. This highlights the importance of considering sensory–cognitive interactions in ADHD, while underlining the need for replication in larger, well-powered samples.
{"title":"Examining the triad of sensory processing, ADHD symptoms, and executive functioning in adults with ADHD: Evidence from a multi-measure assessment","authors":"Marcel Schulze , Diana Immel , Helena Rosen , Behrem Aslan , Silke Lux , Alexandra Philipsen","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Executive function (EF) impairments are well-documented in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Beyond these cognitive deficits, individuals with ADHD often report atypical sensory processing, but the extent to which sensory processing patterns interact with ADHD symptoms to shape EF performance remains poorly understood.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Forty adults diagnosed with ADHD and 39 healthy controls completed a battery of EF tasks (Stop-Signal, Digit Span, PASAT, Stroop, Corsi, Cued Switching). ADHD symptoms were assessed with the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS), and sensory processing with the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP). General linear models were estimated for each EF outcome, including group status, ADHD symptom dimensions, sensory processing domains, and their interactions. Correction for multiple comparisons was applied within interaction families (Holm).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The ADHD group showed robust alterations in working memory and inhibitiory control compared with controls. Interaction analyses suggested that sensory processing styles can affect EF performance in opposite ways across groups: in ADHD, certain combinations of symptoms and sensory patterns were associated with worsened working memory and inhibition outcomes, whereas in controls, similar patterns tended to coincide with enhanced performance. However, these interactions did not remain significant after correction for multiple testing.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings confirm robust EF alterations in ADHD and point to a potential, but as yet inconclusive, role of sensory processing in modulating EF. This highlights the importance of considering sensory–cognitive interactions in ADHD, while underlining the need for replication in larger, well-powered samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101002"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}