Neuro endocrinology letters最新文献

Objectives: Neuroendocrine coupling across adolescent transition conditions a stage of heightened variability in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stress reactivity, likely impacting the adaptive physiological response to psychological stressors during adolescence. This study aimed to assess the salivary cortisol, DHEA, and cortisol/DHEA ratio variation in response to acute academic stress and its association with academic performance.

Methods: A longitudinal observational study with a combined event- and time-based protocol was conducted. Twenty-two middle-to-late adolescents (mean age 17.6 ± 0.3 years) performed a 60-minute written examination in which saliva samples for cortisol and DHEA determination were collected at four points: before the examination and after its completion, and at the same time points on a control day. Academic performance was assessed based on the examination score determined by the number of marks awarded for each correct response.

Results: Salivary cortisol (p = 0.012) and cortisol/DHEA ratio (p = 0.004) were significantly higher at pre-examination. When compared to students with low academic performance, high-achieving students exhibited higher cortisol levels (p = 0.026) and a higher cortisol/DHEA ratio (p = 0.017) at post-examination. Bivariate analysis showed a moderate positive correlation between academic performance and the post-examination cortisol/DHEA ratio (rs(20) = 0.44, p = 0.039), which significantly predicted academic performance (F(1,20) = 4.63, β = 0.09, CI 95% [0.003, 0.171], p = 0.044).

Conclusion: In middle-to-late adolescents, the salivary cortisol/DHEA ratio response to acute academic stress is positively associated with academic performance. The findings of this study provide evidence of the neuroendocrine response to a cognitive demanding stressor as an adaptive mechanism likely mediated by the effect of an acute cortisol surge in cognition enhancement.

Background: Ethics is an inherent part of psychotherapy that protects the interests and rights of all parties engaged in the therapeutic relationship. This article focuses on ethical issues and dilemmas that may arise when using schema therapy.

Method: We created a narrative review by searching the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus with the keywords "psychotherapy", "schema therapy", "therapeutic relationship", "ethics", "ethical questions", and "ethical dilemmas". In addition, we focused on the clinical experience of therapists, training instructors, and supervisors.

Results: Ethical psychotherapy requires adherence to ethical codes and standards. Among the most important ethical principles are confidentiality, informed consent, boundaries of the therapeutic relationship, and dual relationships. Understanding transference, countertransference, and one's modes and schemas is essential to ethical reflection in schema therapy. The article presents examples of ethical dilemmas in schema therapy and suggests possible solutions. At the same time, we point out the need for further research in this field.

Conclusion: Similarly to other psychotherapeutic approaches, one of the schema therapist's core competencies is following the profession's ethical principles and productively finding solutions to the occasional ethical dilemmas. Ethics is a prominent part of all psychotherapeutic sessions. Still, it becomes even more central when working with challenging issues such as personality disorders that schema therapy routinely treats. More research on the topic is needed.

Aim: The paper describes the characteristics of relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (R-OCD), including the types of obsessions and compulsions, the common triggers and the impact on psychological well-being and relationship functioning. It also offers basic cognitive-behavioural strategies to help patients change their attitudes towards obsessive thoughts and reduce compulsive behaviours.

Methods: This article is a narrative review of the literature and case studies on R-OCD. To search for relevant sources, we used PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases with the keywords "relationship obsessive compulsive disorder", "R-OCD", "relationship OCD" and "partner-focused OCD". We included only studies published in English from January 1990 to June 2023. The paper provides examples of how basic cognitive-behavioural strategies help individuals with R-OCD.

Results: People with R-OCD experience intrusive thoughts about whether they have the right feelings for their partner, whether their partner loves them, whether the relationship is suitable or whether their partner has flaws. These thoughts trigger the urge to perform various rituals to alleviate anxiety, such as repeated checking, reassurance or comparison. However, this behaviour leads to disruption of the relationship and long-term maintenance of the anxiety. Examples of basic cognitive-behavioural strategies can be applied in clinical practice to help individuals change their attitudes towards relational obsessive thoughts and reduce compulsive behaviours.

Objectives: Patients are the most common source of violence against EMS personnel. This study aims at elucidating specific clinical features in patients with mental alteration and aggressive behaviour increasing risk of violence.

Material and methods: This consecutive cross-sectional retrospective study analysed consecutive patients treated for prespecified list of primary diagnoses by one EMS provider in the Czech Republic between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2023. The effect of individual features of medical history and present symptoms on the occurrence of violence, need for the Police assistance and use of restraints was evaluated, using linear regression model.

Results: 410 patients were evaluated. Verbal and brachial violence was present in 21.5 and 12.9 %, respectively. Police assistance was needed in 48.3 %, restraints were used in 4.6 %. The most significant predictor for violence, need for Police or restraints was agitation (OR 7.02, CI 4.14 - 11.90; OR 2.60, CI 1.60 - 4.24, OR 11.02, CI 3.49 - 34.80 respectively). Other predictors of violence included history of acute psychotic attacks and psychotic disorders, or outpatient psychiatry care. Among other predictors for Police assistance was presence of delusions, paranoia and history of outpatient psychiatry care.

Conclusion: Prehospital care for patients with mental status alteration and aggressive behaviour is complex. Some clinical features seem to increase the risk of violence. Future research in the evaluation of agitated and violent patients is warranted to find strategies of risk mitigation for EMS personnel.

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between salivary melatonin levels and interoceptive awareness in humans.

Methods: We recruited 75 participants aged 18-55 years and measured their salivary melatonin concentrations using an enzyme immunoassay and their interoceptive awareness using the scores of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) scale.

Results: Melatonin levels negatively correlated with total interoceptive awareness scores. On the subscales, melatonin levels were negatively correlated with noticing, attention regulation, emotional awareness, self-regulation, body listening, and trust, and were positively correlated with not-distracting; however, there was no correlation with not-worrying.

Conclusion: Individuals with high melatonin levels are unlikely to be aware of their bodily sensations and emotional states or to regulate attention and emotions; however, they appear to have a calm mind.

Objective: Methylmercuric chloride (MMC) has neurotoxicity, while hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has shown inhibitory properties against nerve damage induced by various factors. The study aimed to investigate the impact of H2S on MMC-induced learning and memory impairment in mice and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: A mouse model of learning and memory impairment was established by MMC gavage, and sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) was used as an H2S donor for intervention. Cell viability and live/dead cell ratio in HT22 neuronal cells were assessed by CCK-8 assay and Calcein/PI staining, respectively. The Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of mice. Western blotting was utilized to determine protein expressions of BDNF and TrkB. The effects of H2S on MMC-induced learning and memory impairment were investigated based on the BDNF/TrkB pathways.

Results: (1) MMC treatment decreased cell viability and reduced the ratio of live cells in HT22 cells, while H2S reversed these changes. (2) MMC prolonged escape latency, decreased platform crossing frequency, and reduced quadrant distance percentage of the platform in the Morris water maze test, while H2S reversed the above changes. (3)MMC downregulated BDNF and TrkB expression levels, while H2S suppressed these changes induced by MMC. (4)Treatment with 7, 8-DHF (a TrkB agonist) significantly attenuated MMC-induced prolonged escape latency and reduced platform crossing frequency.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that H2S ameliorated learning memory deficits in mice by reversing the inhibitory effects of MMC on BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway.

Introduction: Clinically, ruptured lenticulostriate artery (LSA) aneurysm associated with moyamoya disease (MMD) is rare but represents a potential hemorrhagic risk. Its optimal management remains unknown.

Case description: A 66-year-old woman developed a left basal ganglia hemorrhage with intraventricular extension secondary to an MMD-associated distal LSA aneurysm that was subsequently treated with endovascular embolization. In this report, we review all previous cases of ruptured LSA aneurysms related to MMD.

Conclusion: LSA aneurysm rupture should be considered in the setting of hemorrhagic MMD, especially in combination with basal ganglia hematoma. Proximal and distal LSA aneurysms appear to have different types of hemorrhage. This case highlights that management of such aneurysms should be individualized based on the balance of benefits and risks.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) plays a crucial role in regulating the human endocrine system. Synthesized primarily in the hypothalamus, GnRH manages the balance of reproductive hormones. This review highlights GnRH's various functions, particularly its impact on fertility, sexual development, and overall reproductive health through the regulation of gonadal development and function. Beyond its direct role in reproductive processes, GnRH also influences neuroprotection, cognition, and mood regulation, as shown by its activity in different regions of the nervous system. Research into GnRH and its analogs has revealed promising therapeutic potential for treating neurological disorders, indicating its broader impact beyond reproduction. Understanding GnRH's diverse roles not only emphasizes its importance in reproductive physiology but also highlights its involvement in neurological functions. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms behind GnRH's actions opens new avenues for research and therapeutic interventions, promising advancements in both reproductive medicine and neurological health.

Objective: The article presents the results of a research study on a patient after an ischemic cerebral stroke, as presented in a case study. The aim of the research was to determine the impact of combined therapy, utilizing long-term and intensive special pedagogical care, occupational therapy and psychology, on the development of the patient's motor and communication abilities. The contribution deals with the possibilities of development and support for individuals in childhood after experiencing the illness, with the potential correction of identified deficits from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Case report: The case study highlights a patient at the age of 7.2 years, following an ischemic cerebral stroke during the post-hospitalization period. Based on the analysis of medical documentation, we have developed a therapy proposal that reflects the individual needs of the patient from the perspective of special pedagogy, occupational therapy and psychology, taking into account the patients of school age.

Conclusion: The results of the research study indicate that when working with a patient after an ischemic cerebral stroke, regular collaboration of a multidisciplinary team, along with effective integration of the various components of comprehensive rehabilitation, is necessary. Furthermore, this case study serves as a poignant example of the efficacy of such integrated therapy approaches in addressing the complex needs of pediatric stroke survivors. It not only highlights the potential for substantial functional recovery but also emphasizes the essential role of ongoing collaboration among diverse healthcare professionals.

The purpose of supervision is to ensure that clients' needs are met and to monitor the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and the therapeutic relationship. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) supervision is the systematic cooperation of the supervisee with the supervisor, which aims at increasing the therapists' competencies when working with specific clients. The advantage of supervision is the possibility to shape and develop the therapist's practical skills through specific techniques. This paper aims to review currently available CBT supervision strategies that boost the development of therapists' skills and provide possible examples. Various techniques are discussed, including behavioural, cognitive, imagery and psychodrama methods that facilitate supervisors in enhancing therapists' skills. In addition, complementary approaches are discussed, such as role-playing, modelling, chaining, or imitation to present at a particular moment of the therapy, increase the insight into the client's perspective or the treatment itself, and search for an alternative approach to improve the therapeutic outcomes for the client. Overall, the article describes the supervisor's need to have a flexible variety of skills and know which learning methods might be most effective for boosting the supervisee's skill level and needs with a particular client.