Trait Anxiety Research Articles

Lower thresholds and stronger adaptation to pain in musicians reflect occupational-specific adaptations to contact heat stimulation.

Extensive audio-motor training and psychological stress can cause professional musicians acute overstrain-injury and chronic pain, resulting in damaged careers and diminished quality of life. It has also been previously shown that musicians might perceive pain differently than non-musicians. Therefore, the aim of our study was to quantify differences between musicians and non-musicians regarding their subjective responses to painful contact heat stimuli and assess how emotional traits might influence these responses. Upon completing the StateTrait-Anxiety-Depression Inventory, 15 healthy musicians and 15 healthy non-musicians from German universities received 15 noxious contact heat stimuli at the dorsal side of each hand and foot. After each stimulation, participants were asked to provide a pain rating from 0 to 10. Musicians not only reported significantly higher pain ratings after the first stimulation but also showed a significantly higher degree of habituation compared to non-musicians. Additionally, musicians showed a significantly less pronounced difference regarding the pain rating of the hands compared to the feet than non-musicians. Trait anxiety and trait depression scores had no effect on the pain rating or the habituation. The more pronounced habituation of musicians might hint at a neuroplastic nociceptive alteration in musicians. The lack of significance between the psychological traits and their effect on the pain ratings is surprising but could be a result of both participant groups having stressful careers. The findings of this report justify musicians' repetitive sensorimotor training as an important model for plasticity and contribute to a better understanding of pain perception in musicians.

Impact of Cognitive and Psychological Functions in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To compare the cognitive functions and trait anxiety in patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) to those of matched healthy controls (HCs). In addition, the study aims to investigate the correlations among cognitive functions, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in this clinical population. The sample included RRMS patients (n = 21) and an equal number of age-, education-, and sex-matched HCs. Participants were assessed on the Indian version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV, auditory and visual learning and memory, and visual-spatial construction and memory. RRMS patients were also assessed for levels of anxiety, depression, and their QOL. Comparative analyses between RRMS patients and HCs were carried out for neuropsychological assessments. Correlations among cognitive functions, anxiety, depression, and QOL in RRMS patients were examined. RRMS patients showed significant deficits across various cognitive domains, including processing speed and verbal learning, compared to HCs (P < 0.05). In addition, they reported higher levels of trait anxiety compared to HCs (P < 0.01), along with moderate state anxiety and mild depression. A significant correlation among anxiety, depression, and QOL was observed in RRMS patients. This study highlights significant cognitive impairments and psychological distress experienced by RRMS individuals, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive care addressing both cognitive impairments and psychological distress to enhance QOL.

Relationship between Experiential Avoidance and Emotional Disturbances in Coping with Disease in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that presents with both motor and non-motor symptoms, with anxiety and depression being prominent and potentially exacerbated by negative thoughts. Therefore, the experiential avoidance (EA) exhibited by patients post diagnosis is particularly relevant. This study aimed to measure the degree of EA in patients with MS and determine its relationship with emotional disturbances. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a sample of 64 patients diagnosed with MS. In October 2018, these patients underwent evaluations of functional and cognitive variables, such as anxiety, depression, and avoidant behaviors towards the disease, using the Expanded Disability Status Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, Self-Compassion Scale Short Form, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-15, prefrontal symptoms inventory, Beck Depression Inventory II, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory to assess coping mechanisms in handling the disease. Higher levels of state anxiety (β = 0.79; p < 0.001), trait anxiety (β = 0.82; p < 0.001), and depression (β = 0.62; p < 0.001) were observed in patients with MS as their EA and psychological inflexibility increased. Participants with high self-compassion/self-acceptance tended to have fewer negative thoughts and exhibited better coping with the disease, which may, in turn, affect patterns of psychological rigidity or inflexibility. Dimensions such as kindness and humility could act as positive factors in coping with the disease, whereas self-judgment and isolation are negative elements often associated with avoidant behaviors that hinder effective coping with the illness.

Right knee ACL, PCL and MCL reconstruction with sports-related anxiety

Introduction: JM, a 20-year-old male professional ice hockey player, presented with a 2-week history of lack of range of motion, weakness, and pain in his right knee, after a 2-year post-medical collateral ligament repair of the right knee and 3 year-post anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament reconstruction of the right knee. Case Description: In the course of history taken, it was revealed that 5 months prior to admission the patient had been informed by a psychiatrist that he had sport-related anxiety. With an unremarkable psychiatric history prior to age 18, the competitive nature of his sports career in addition to financial pressure may have contributed to his sports-related anxiety. His examination findings were consistent with a diagnosis of complete tears of the right anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament along with grade III medial collateral ligament injury. Discussion: The biopsychosocial model was used to explicate JM's case. JM's current injuries prompted reconstruction of the anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, and medial collateral ligaments. Psychologically, JM's sports-related anxiety is not a rare phenomenon as recent studies have discovered an increased risk of sports-related anxiety amongst young professional athletes. Sports-related anxiety, along with competitive trait anxiety, may be factors that contribute to sports injury occurrence. Other psychological stressors can add to sports-related or competitive trait anxiety, further increasing the risk of sports injury reoccurrence. Summary: JM was admitted for a right knee open medial collateral ligament repair with internal bracing, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and platelet rich plasma injection. As part of a holistic patient-centered treatment plan, a referral to psychiatry was made to address JM's sports-related anxiety with the goal of decreasing future risk of sports injury. Patient's Consent Obtained: Yes

Para-athletes are exposed to bullying as much as non-disabled athletes

ABSTRACT Objectives Exposure to bullying and high levels of anxiety are important determinants of the quality and duration of athletes’ experiences of success. The aim of this study was to determine which behaviors are most commonly perceived as bullying by para athletes and whether the exposure to bullying or levels of trait anxiety differ between para athletes and non-disabled athletes. Methods It is a cross-sectional study. Two groups consisting of professional para athletes (n = 104) and non-disabled athletes (n = 129) between the ages of 18–45 affiliated to the national athletics federation were included in the study. The questionnaire included information about demographics and the two scales, the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) and the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2). Results Withholding information that could affect performance and spreading rumors (item 1,5) were the most frequently reported bullying behaviors. No statistically significant difference was found between para athletes and non-disabled athletes or between male and female genders in terms of total or any subdimension NAQ-R scores (p > 0.05). SAS-2 total and SAS-2-worry subdimension scores were significantly lower in the para athletes (p = 0.018 and p = 0.020). Total and all SAS-2 subdimension scores were significantly higher in female athletes (p < 0.05). Conclusion The knowledge about bullying exposure in para-athletes is quite limited. The para-athlete group has fewer opportunities than the non-disabled group in terms of financial opportunities, physical conditions, media coverage and many other aspects. However, in our study, they reported bullying exposure at a similar rate with the non-disabled group. Although there is a similar level of exposure, it is clear that the results will not be similar in the two groups due to the different psychological bases. According to the results of this study, it is thought that stakeholders who have responsibility for the para-athlete group should be further educated.

The effect of auriculotherapy on anxiety in older adult candidates for coronary angiography: A randomized controlled trial

AbstractIntroductionCoronary angiography is an effective but anxiety‐provoking procedure in the diagnosis and treatment of many cardiovascular diseases. Anxiety could complicate cardiovascular conditions of older adults and be detrimental to treatment procedures. The current study aimed to examine the effect of auriculotherapy on the anxiety of older adult candidates for coronary angiography.MethodThe study was a randomized controlled trial with a pretest–posttest design. The sample consisted of 94 male and female older adults that were randomly assigned to three groups: the auriculotherapy group with magnetized pellets, the auriculotherapy group with nonmagnetized pellets, and the control group. The collected data were analyzed using analysis of covariance.ResultsThe results showed that auriculotherapy either with magnetized or nonmagnetized pellets would lead to a statistically significant reduction in state and trait anxiety of coronary angiography candidates.ConclusionAuriculotherapy could be considered an adjunct or stand‐alone nonpharmacological method for lowering anxiety before coronary angiography in older adults.

Neural correlates of trait anxiety in sensory processing and distractor filtering.

Evidence suggests that trait anxiety relates to cognitive processing and behavior. However, the relationships between trait anxiety and sensory processing, goal-directed performance and sensorimotor function are unclear, particularly in a multimodal context. This study used electroencephalography to evaluate whether trait anxiety influenced visual and tactile event-related potentials (ERPs), as well as behavioral distractor cost, in a bimodal sensorimotor task. Twenty-nine healthy young adults completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Participants were directed to focus on either tactile or visual stimuli while disregarding the other modality, responding to target stimulus amplitude with a proportional grip. Previous research suggests that somatosensory N70 and visual P2 ERPs serve as markers of attentional relevance, with attention also impacting the visual P3 ERP. It was hypothesized that trait anxiety would modulate the ERPs susceptible to attentional modulation (tactile N70, visual P2 and P3) and not affect behavioral performance. Trait anxiety showed a large, significant interaction with attention for visual P3 latency in response to unimodal visual stimuli, with a positive relationship between P3 latencies and trait anxiety when attending toward the stimulus and negative when attending away. A large, positive main effect of trait anxiety on visual N1 amplitude for bimodal stimuli was also detected. As predicted, trait anxiety related to ERPs but not behavioral distractor cost. These findings suggest that trait anxiety modulates visual but not somatosensory processing correlates based on attention. The absence of overt behavioral performance effects suggests compensatory mechanisms may offset underlying differences in sensory processing.

Supplementation with whey peptide rich in β-lactolin improves trait anxiety and subjective stress in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Mental disorders have become one of the most burdensome health concerns. We have previously demonstrated that whey-derived β-lactolin (glycine-thereonine-tryptophan-tyrosine tetrapeptide) activates dopaminergic systems and improves psychiatric function in rodents. However, the effects of β-lactolin on human mood states have not been investigated. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with β-lactolin-rich whey peptide on human mood states. Sixty healthy adults (aged 45-64 years) with relatively low psychological health were randomly allocated to receive either whey peptide (containing β-lactolin 1.6mg/day) or placebo for 6 weeks. Mood states (primary outcomes) were evaluated using self-reporting questionnaires. Health-related quality of life (QOL), salivary stress marker and lipid mediator levels were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Compared with placebo, supplementation with β-lactolin improved changes in trait anxiety (p = 0.046), as assessed using the state-trait anxiety inventory, and in subjective stress (p = 0.043), as assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale. In the assessment of QOL, changes in the vitality subscale and mental health summary score of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey were improved in the β-lactolin group. The levels of salivary immunoglobulin A were significantly higher in the β-lactolin group. In a subgroup analysis by median age (54.5 years), subjective stress and salivary prostaglandin levels were significantly decreased by β-lactolin supplementation in the 45-54 -year-old subgroup. In conclusion, supplementation with β-lactolin improves trait anxiety, subjective stress, and psychological QOL, which may be associated with immunologic responses detected via salivary analysis.

Profiles of cardiometabolic risk and acculturation indicators among South Asians in the US: latent class analysis of the MASALA study.

South Asians (SA) represent the fastest growing US immigrant group, and previous studies have indicated that they face disproportionately high burden of cardiometabolic disease. Cardiometabolic disease manifests as a syndemic or synergistic epidemic encompassing multiple disease clusters influenced by biological, social, and psychological factors stemming from the acculturative process. This process may exacerbate morbidity within immigrant subgroups. Our aim was to identify cardiometabolic risk profiles among SA using indicators of acculturation. We conducted a latent class analysis on data from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America study (N=771). A composite cardiometabolic disease outcome was constructed using prevalent hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and body mass index. Acculturation indicators included years living in the US, English language proficiency, dietary behaviors, preservation of cultural traditions, social and neighborhood support, maintenance of social relationships (i.e., friendships), and experiences of discrimination, along with proxies of acculturative stress (i.e., depressive symptomology, trait anxiety and anger). Social and environmental determinants of health, health behaviors, religiosity and spirituality served as covariates to further assess latent class membership. Four cardiometabolic risk profiles emerged: (1) lowest risk [73.8% of sample] characterized by high integration into both SA and US cultures; (2) the modest risk [13.4% of sample], exhibiting elevated levels of mental health distress and experiences of discrimination, and distancing themselves from both cultures; and the (3) moderate risk [8.9% of sample] and (4) highest risk [3.9% of sample], demonstrating greater assimilation into US culture. Compared to the lowest risk profile: the modest risk profile was associated with low-income and conflicting attitudes about religion/spirituality, while the moderate risk profile was characterized by lower income and educational attainment with positive behaviors and attitudes toward religion/spirituality. Findings expand our understanding of immigrant cardiometabolic health as a syndemic issue wherein multiple co-occurring and interacting processes synergize to produce negative outcomes in already at-risk subpopulations. Furthermore, acculturation emerges as a crucial factor in understanding health disparities among immigrant and refugee groups in the US.

Effective prevention of early resignation of newly graduated nurses: a transactional analysis

BackgroundNew employees often exhibit stress reactions to changes in their environment and some of these may result in resignations. Employees in medical institutions are no exceptions. Considering the shortage of nurses in Japan, countermeasures are needed against the resignation of newly graduated nurses. Many studies have indicated that multifaced factors affect the resignation of newly graduated nurses. Even though individual characteristics are important factors in this regard, training and support for newly graduated nurses do not focus on the nurses’ characteristics. The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics influencing the early resignation of newly graduated nurses and suggest ways to support them and prevent their early resignation based on their characteristics.MethodsWith the approval of the Ethics Committee, various characteristics of 353 newly graduated nurses (personality, interpersonal relationships, trait anxiety, nurse orientation, desire to be a nurse, and self-proclaimed academic ability) were assessed using a transactional analysis, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and self-reporting numerical rating scales. The characteristics of those who resigned within 1 year (case group) and those who did not (control group) were compared using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.ResultsOur sample of 353 participants included 32 nurses from the case group and 304 nurses from the control group. Most participants showed similar personality traits. However, the control group had a significantly lower percentage with negative self, strong trait anxiety, negative self and strong trait anxiety, and low orientation compared to the case group. Our logistic regression analysis showed that strong trait anxiety and low nurse orientation are significantly related with the early resignation of nurses.ConclusionsThe early resignation of newly graduated nurses may be prevented by understanding their characteristics at the time of gaining employment and implementing early intervention programs, such as education programs to reduce anxiety, and helping those with strong trait anxiety and low nurse orientation to find meaning in work.

Positive Effects of Two Interventions to Reduce Stress in Students of Different Courses of Study

Abstract: Background: Students report high levels of stress. Aim: Investigation of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral and meditation interventions to reduce stress in students of psychology and dentistry. Method: In longitudinal control group comparisons, 262 students were divided into five groups: cognitive-behavioral training (IGcogPsy: n = 59 psychology; IGcogDent: n = 41 dentistry), mindfulness-based meditation (IGmedPsy: n = 63 psychology), measurement controls (CGPsy: n = 57 psychology; CGDent: n = 42 dentistry). 126 psychology students (IGcogPsy: n = 43; IGmedPsy: n = 47; CGPsy: n = 36) took follow-up tests 6 months after training. Results: ANCOVAs with repeated measurement factor (interactions group/time t1 to t2; co-variates: terms studied, gender, the stress in addition to studies) and contrasts over pairwise differences (alpha-error accumulation correction applied) showed stronger improvements for all IGs compared to CGs in coping strategies, self-efficacy, and learning strategies. IGcogPsy also improved more in test anxiety, and IGcogDent in test anxiety, trait and state anxiety. IGcogPsy and IGmedPsy reduced stress symptoms. At follow-up (simultaneous ANCOVAs t1, t2, t3; contrasts), more favorable development in test anxiety and some learning strategies resulted in both IGcogPsy and IGmedPsy compared to CGPsy. Limitations: Controls received feedback on concentration development but no alternative intervention. Confounding by self-selection cannot be ruled out. Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral intervention had comprehensive impacts on all areas under investigation for both psychology and dental students; meditation was effective primarily in areas not directly related to action. Both interventions evoked some long-term effects.

Gender differences in autonomic and psychological stress responses among educators: a heart rate variability and psychological assessment study.

This study explores the gender differences in psychological stress perception and autonomic modulation among teachers. Utilizing heart rate variability (HRV) as a measure of autonomic function and a suite of validated psychological tests, the study examines the discrepancies in stress, anxiety, burnout, and personality traits between male and female educators. Results indicate that despite higher reported levels of stress and anxiety, women demonstrate a higher HRV, suggesting a stronger parasympathetic response. These findings highlight the complex interplay between psychological stressors and physiological responses, emphasizing the need for gender-specific interventions in stress management within the educational sector. Implications for enhancing educators' well-being and performance through tailored strategies are discussed.

Distortion of overlapping memories relates to arousal and anxiety.

Everyday experiences often overlap, challenging our ability to maintain distinct episodic memories. One way to resolve such interference is by exaggerating subtle differences between remembered events, a phenomenon known as memory repulsion. Here, we tested whether repulsion is influenced by emotional arousal, when resolving memory interference is perhaps most needed. We adapted an existing paradigm in which participants repeatedly studied object-face associations. Participants studied two different-colored versions of each object: a to-be-tested "target" and its not-to-be-tested "competitor" pair mate. The level of interference between target and competitor pair mates was manipulated by making the object colors either highly similar or less similar, depending on the participant group. To manipulate arousal, the competitor object-face associations were preceded by either a neutral tone or an aversive and arousing burst of white noise. Memory distortion for the color of the target objects was tested after each study round to examine whether memory distortions emerge after learning. We found that participants with greater sound-induced pupil dilations, an index of physiological arousal, showed greater memory attraction of target colors towards highly similar competitor colors. Greater memory attraction was also correlated with greater memory interference in the last round of learning. Additionally, individuals who self-reported higher trait anxiety showed greater memory attraction when one of the overlapping memories was associated with something aversive. Our findings suggest that memories of similar neutral and arousing events may blur together after repeated exposures, especially in individuals who show higher arousal responses and symptoms of anxiety.

Altered Functional Coupling of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis and Amygdala in Spider Phobic Fear.

Background: Individuals with spider phobic (SP) fear show hypervigilance and amygdala hyperactivity toward fear-associated stimuli, which may promote the development of other anxiety disorders. The amygdala is a key region within the fear network, which is connected to the anxiety system, where the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) plays a crucial role. However, the BNST's involvement in phobic fear is unknown. Therefore, this study investigated the association of phobic fear and anxiety on these regions' functional connectivity (FC) in SP compared to healthy controls (HC). Methods: 7T-functional MRI resting-state FC of 30 individuals with SP and 45 HC was assessed to detect network differences between these groups. The association of phobic fear severity, trait anxiety, and social anxiety on FC was explored using linear regressions combined with seed-to-voxel analyses with amygdala and BNST as primary seeds, corrected for age and sex. Results: In SP, phobic fear was associated with reduced FC between the left amygdala and the right supramarginal gyrus. In contrast, anxiety severity was related to increased FC between the right BNST and the left inferior frontal gyrus. Moreover, social anxiety was related to decreased FC between bilateral BNST and left precuneus. Conclusions: These findings show changes in FC in SP, connecting fear with altered activity in the BNST and amygdala. The results suggest that persistent anxiety in phobic fear is associated with abnormal brain function in these regions, potentially explaining susceptibility to anxiety disorders and processes involved in phobic fear, such as threat perception, avoidance, and salience. Impact statement This is the first study to report altered FC mechanisms of BNST and amygdala in individuals with SP using 7T ultra-high field resting-state data. So far, only distinct characterization of brain regions, especially of BNST and amygdala, involved in those disorders exists. Our results contribute to closing this knowledge gap by providing the first evidence that deviant BNST and amygdala function in SP might elucidate the susceptibility to other anxiety disorders.

6523 Kisspeptin Administration Does Not Induce Anxiety in Humans

Abstract Disclosure: E.G. Mills: None. L. Thurston: None. L. Yang: None. S. Suladze: None. T. Hunjan: None. M. Phylactou: None. B. Patel: None. S.A. Clarke: None. A.J. Shah: None. C. Izzi-Engbeaya: None. J. Tsoutsouki: None. P. Bech: None. N. Ertl: None. L. Demetriou: None. M.B. Wall: None. D. Goldmeier: None. A. Abbara: None. A.N. Comninos: None. W.S. Dhillo: None. Background: The neuropeptide kisspeptin is a critical endogenous activator of the reproductive system. Due to its key role in regulating reproductive and behavioural processes, there has been escalating interest in targeting kisspeptin-pathways to treat reproductive and psychosexual disorders. However, conflicting evidence from pre-clinical animal models proposes that kisspeptin can have an anxiolytic, anxiogenic or have no effects on anxiety. Given the rapid development of kisspeptin-based therapeutics, it is important to clarify kisspeptin’s effects on anxiety in humans. Herein, we report the largest study examining the effects of kisspeptin on psychometric measures of anxiety and circulating cortisol levels in humans. Methods: Ninety-three eugonadal participants (n=29 healthy men, n=32 men with low sexual desire, n=32 women with low sexual desire) completed a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Participants attended twice: once for intravenous infusion of kisspeptin-54 (1nmol/kg/h) over 75mins and for a rate-matched placebo. Blood sampling took place at 15-minute intervals from -30 to 75mins to measure circulating kisspeptin, LH, testosterone and cortisol [in men] and oestradiol [in women]. The validated ‘State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Y2-Trait’ was completed prior to the infusions to exclude abnormal anxiety traits, with all scores within normal limits. Participants also completed the ‘STAI Y1-State’ before and prior to the end of the infusions to assess for any dynamic effects of the infusions on anxiety. Results: Ninety-three participants (mean age ±SD 30.9±8.7yrs, BMI 24.0±3.7kg/m2) completed the study. Intravenous kisspeptin significantly increased serum LH to similar levels previously described using this administration protocol, confirming that the dose was biologically active (P&amp;lt;0.001). Importantly, state anxiety was unaltered by kisspeptin, compared to placebo (mean difference in ‘STAI Y1-State’ scores during the infusions: kisspeptin -0.03±8.11, placebo 0.77±8.08, P=0.43). Moreover, kisspeptin had no effect on circulating cortisol compared to placebo during the 75minute study period (P=0.92). As expected, kisspeptin had no significant effects on downstream sex-steroid levels during the 75minute study period, thereby excluding these as confounders. Discussion: This is the largest study demonstrating that a biologically active dose of kisspeptin to healthy volunteers and patients with psychosexual disorders does not affect psychometric measures of anxiety and associated circulating cortisol levels. Given that animal studies have yielded conflicting results, this provides important clinical data and reassurance that kisspeptin administration in humans does not induce anxiety and so informs the rapid development of kisspeptin-based therapeutics for reproductive and psychosexual disorders. Presentation: 6/3/2024

A network analysis of affective and motivational individual differences and error monitoring in a non-clinical sample.

Error monitoring, which plays a crucial role in shaping adaptive behavior, is influenced by a complex interplay of affective and motivational factors. Understanding these associations often proves challenging due to the intricate nature of these variables. With the aim of addressing previous inconsistencies and methodological gaps, in this study, we utilized network analysis to investigate the relationship between affective and motivational individual differences and error monitoring. We employed six Gaussian Graphical Models on a non-clinical population ($N$ = 236) to examine the conditional dependence between the amplitude of response-related potentials (error-related negativity; correct-related negativity) and 29 self-report measures related to anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior, and motivation while adjusting for covariates: age, handedness, and latency of error-related negativity and correct-related negativity. We then validated our results on an independent sample of 107 participants. Our findings revealed unique associations between error-related negativity amplitudes and specific traits. Notably, more pronounced error-related negativity amplitudes were associated with increased rumination and obsessing, and decreased reward sensitivity. Importantly, in our non-clinical sample, error-related negativity was not directly associated with trait anxiety. These results underscore the nuanced effects of affective and motivational traits on error processing in healthy population.

Trait Anxiety, State Anxiety, Symptoms of Insomnia, and Their Influences on Daytime Functioning in Adolescent Girls

Trait Anxiety, State Anxiety, Symptoms of Insomnia, and Their Influences on Daytime Functioning in Adolescent Girls

Involvement of the serotonergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex in the trait and state anxiety of adult male Wistar rats.

Despite significant advancements to understand of the neural circuitry involved in anxiety, the neurobiology of trait anxiety remains unclear. The rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) and various pathways have been implicated in its regulation, making it a key to trait anxiety. The present study aimed to investigate the role of these neurotransmitter systems in the rACC in trait anxiety. Since trait anxiety is known to modulate state anxiety, we further investigated this relationship. Specifically, in Experiment I, we used animals with high trait anxiety; in Experiment II, we used animals with low trait anxiety; and in Experiment III, we used animals with medium trait anxiety. Before each behavioral assessment, drugs that either increased or decreased serotonergic (Fluoxetine or WAY-100635), GABAergic (Muscimol or Bicuculline), and glutamatergic (NMDA or Ketamine) neurotransmission in the rACC were administered, along with their respective controls. Additionally, in Experiment IV, all animals from the previous experiments were subjected to the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Hole board (HB) test and evaluated without taking into account their trait anxiety levels. The results of the present study showed that, in Exp I, the modulation of the serotonergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems in the rACC decreased trait anxiety in highly anxious rats, while by submitting the animals to HB, the administration of fluoxetine increased state anxiety. In Exp II, the modulation of all systems increased trait anxiety in rats with low trait anxiety, whereas, in HB, state anxiety levels were increased with the administration of NMDA. In Exp III, only the modulation of the glutamatergic system, with NMDA, increased both trait and state anxiety levels. However, none of the evaluated neurotransmitter systems altered the state anxiety modeled in the EPM. Overall, the results of the present study provide new insights into the role of the neurotransmitter systems in the rACC in the regulation of trait anxiety and state anxiety.

Transient bradycardia during local anaesthesia to the oral cavity under intravenous sedation and its associate factors: a prospective observational study

BackgroundLocal anaesthesia in dental procedures is generally safe, although the occurrence of transient bradycardia (TB) has occasionally been reported. TB is often associated with two reflexes, the trigeminal cardiac reflex (TCR) and the vasovagal reflex (VVR) and is characterised by a rapid decrease in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). The prevalence of TCR is considered low, and its predictors have not been thoroughly investigated, although an association with the gag reflex has been suggested in recent years.MethodsThis prospective study assessed TB occurrence during local anaesthesia and its potential associated factors. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to categorise discomforts during dental treatment, and various anxiety scales were used to measure patients’ anxiety levels. We investigated HR variability during local anaesthesia administration under sedation and the association between the incidence of TB and gag reflex. Subsequently, logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with TB occurrence.ResultsThe prospective analysis included 188 patients of 234 initial patients. The analysis revealed a high TB incidence rate of 41% during local anaesthesia administration under sedation. No severe hypotensive events occurred, indicating a relatively benign nature of TB during local anaesthesia. TB occurrence was significantly higher in the group of patients with the gag reflex. Further analysis revealed that both gag reflex and trait anxiety were significantly associated with TB occurrence, whereas dental phobia did not directly correlate with TB.ConclusionThis study highlights the prominent occurrence of TB during local anaesthesia in dental treatment, which is primarily attributed to TCR activation. The identification of gag reflex and trait anxiety as independent factors associated with TB development may pave the way for TB prevention measures. Further research is required to clarify the mechanisms of TCR and perform safer dental procedures under sedation. Future studies should also aim to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying TB during local anaesthesia through direct measurements of neural activity. A better understanding of TB in dentistry is crucial for improving patient safety and optimising dental practice protocols.

Half-century trend in morbidity, mortality, lethality from acute myocardial infarction in persons aged 25–64 years and the influence on the risk of developing acute myocardial infarction of psychosocial factors in conditions in Russia / Siberia from the perspective of the WHO international programs Register of Acute Myocardial Infarction, MONICA

Purpose of the study: To establish over half a century (1977–2022) trends in morbidity, mortality, mortality from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in people aged 25–64 years and the influence of psychosocial factors (PSF) on the risk of developing AMI in Russia/Siberia with positions of the international programs of the World Health Organization (WHO) Register of Acute Myocardial Infarction (RAMI), MONICA.Material and methods. The study under the “RАMI” program began on 01/01/1977 in Oktyabrsky, and on 01/01/1981 – in the Leninsky and Kirovsky districts of Novosibirsk among people aged 25–64. In these same areas, since 1983, Institute of internal and preventive medicine, as a WHO center, has been implementing the MONICA program. Differences in AMI case-finding programs have not been identified. Both programs continue to operate to this day. All cases of acute MI for the entire study period were coded as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). For prehospital deaths, the variable “died outpatients from AMI (DOPAMI)” was introduced. Random representative samples of people aged 25–64 years (n = 4800) were examined in the Oktyabrsky district at standard epidemiological screenings (1984, 1988, 1994), where trait anxiety (A) was studied using the Spielberger test (the presence of levels of population stress); Social support was determined using the Berkman – Syme test. To determine the risk of developing AMI depending on HR for 20 years, all new cases of AMI were recorded in the studied sample of three screenings that did not have CVD at the time of examination. Statistical analysis was performed using the free software computing environment R (v.3.6.3).Results. The incidence of AMI per 1000 residents of people aged 25–64 years in Russia/Siberia, according to international AMI programs, MONICA, is one of the highest in the world and is relatively stable throughout the entire half-century observation period, with the exception of some years of growth due to socio-economic instability in society, and is twice as high as Rosstat data. Mortality per 100,000 inhabitants from AMI resembles the dynamics of incidence, with the exception of 1977–1978 – a decrease. For the first time, in our study, a significant decrease in mortality and mortality of patients with AMI in 1978 compared to 1977 was obtained due to a decrease in inpatient mortality and mortality as a result of work under the WHO AMI program. For the first time, in our study, the cause of death in excess of the population in Russia was determined in the period 1988, 1993–1994, 1998 – these are acute cardiovascular diseases, not alcohol consumption. Prehospital mortality and mortality prevail throughout all years of observation and are 2–3 times higher than in-hospital mortality and are based on sudden death. Mortality, like morbidity, for RАMI is 2 times higher than according to official statistics. For the first time, our study showed that the increase in morbidity and mortality from AMI in Russia is associated with psychosocial factors.Conclusions. It has been established that the morbidity, mortality and mortality rates of the population from AMI in Russia/Siberia are one of the highest in the world and are relatively stable throughout the entire half-century observation period, with the exception of some years of growth due to socioeconomic instability in society. Prehospital mortality and mortality prevail throughout all years of observation and are 2–3 times higher than hospital mortality. Indicators of morbidity, mortality and lethality of the population from AMI, when increasing, are the main markers of increasing social stress in the population.