Behavioral Disorders Research Articles

Effects of Boron on Learning and Behavioral Disorders in Rat Autism Model Induced by Intracerebroventricular Propionic Acid.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which learning, communication, and social interaction are impaired. Research has sought to minimize the neural impairments associated with autism spectrum disorder and improve the quality of life. Recent studies suggest that boron may benefit nerve cells, with effects varying depending on the dosage. This study explored the impact of boron, administered as boric acid, on behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological parameters in a rat model of autism induced by propionic acid (PPA). Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, autism model, and boron-treated groups. Behavioral tests were conducted pre- and post-PPA induction, with brain tissue analyzed post-euthanasia. Proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6)) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were assessed in the hippocampus. Histopathological evaluations were conducted on the hippocampus and cerebellum. Autism model rats displayed impaired learning, elevated BDNF and cytokine levels, microglial and astrocytic activation, and decreased Purkinje cell count. The boron-treated groups showed improvements, particularly with the 4mg/kg dose. This dose enhanced learning and social interaction, reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels, prevented microglial and astrocytic activation, and increased Purkinje cell count. Boron treatment exhibited neuroprotective potential, ameliorating autism spectrum disorder deficits by modulating cytokines, BDNF, microglia, and astrocytes, with low doses yielding pronounced effects.

Cognitive Impact of β-Amyloid Load in the Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder-Lewy Body Disease Continuum.

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is linked to the diffuse-malignant subtype and higher cognitive burden in Lewy body disease (LBD). This study explores brain β-amyloid deposition and its association with cognitive decline across the RBD-LBD continuum. Patients with isolated RBD (iRBD), Parkinson's disease with probable RBD (PDRBD), and dementia with Lewy bodies with probable RBD (DLBRBD) underwent 18F-florbetaben positron emission tomography, 3T magnetic resonance imaging scans, and comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. Subjects were categorized as cognitively normal (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or dementia. Global and regional standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) were estimated in predefined cognitive volumes of interest (VOI) derived from voxel-wise comparison analysis among the cognitive groups, namely the prefrontal, parietal, precentral cortices, lingual gyrus, and supplementary motor area. Generalized linear models assessed the relationship between 18F-florbetaben SUVRs and neuropsychological testing, adjusting for age and sex. Subgroup analysis focused on the polysomnography-confirmed iRBD-continuum subset (n = 41) encompassing phenoconverters and nonconverters in our prospective iRBD cohort. Eighty-six subjects were classified as follows: 14 NC, 54 MCI, and 18 dementia. The proportion of positive β-amyloid scans increased with advanced cognitive stages (P = 0.038). β-Amyloid signals in cognitive VOIs were elevated in subgroups showing impairment in Trail-Making Test B (TMT-B). A linear association between TMT-B z score and global cortical β-amyloid levels was observed in the iRBD-continuum subset (P = 0.013). Cortical β-amyloid accumulates with declines in executive function within the RBD-LBD continuum. TMT-B performance may be a useful marker associating with β-amyloid load, particularly in the iRBD population. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

All-cause mortality and factors associated with it in Finnish patients with type 1 diabetes

AimsTo assess the effect of comorbidities, risk classification for chronic kidney disease (CKD) according to albuminuria and eGFR, HbA1c and LDL-cholesterol levels on all-cause mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1). MethodsThe study included all 45,801 DM1 patients from the Finnish Diabetes Registry during 2018–2022. Mortality of patients with DM1 was compared with mortality in non-diabetic population in Finland by estimating standardized mortality rates (SMRs). Poisson regression model was used to estimate the effect of risk factors on the SMR. ResultsA total of 2469 patients died during follow-up. SMR for the total cohort was 1.84 (95 % CI 1.77–1.92) peaking at the age of 30–49 years. The coverage of HbA1c values was 98 %, that of LDL-cholesterol 94 %, and U-ACR and eGFR 80 %. In a multivariate analysis, assessing the effect on mortality, the rate ratio for end-stage renal disease was 2.66, cardiovascular diseases 1.92, mental and behavioural disorders 1.64, foot complications 1.51, high or very high risk for CKD 3.64, LDL-cholesterol ≥2.6 mmol/l 1.33, and HbA1c ≥8 % (64 mmol/mol) 1.27. ConclusionsThere's substantial excess mortality due to DM1 in Finland. Interventions should focus on addressing both renal and cardiovascular risk factors but also pay more attention to mental health.

Safe Use of Screen Time Among Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Study of the Efficacy of Yoga.

For students between the ages of 11 and 18, the estimated daily exposure to electronic media is around 1.5 hours, suggesting a growing trend in the amount of time spent in front of a screen. Increasing screen time use is related to sleep, mental health, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders, unhealthy diets, depressive symptoms, poor quality of life, and substance-behavioral addictions. The current study is a parallel-group, simple randomized controlledtrial (RCT). A total of 100 participants were randomized into a yoga group (YG) (n=50) and an attentional control group (CG) (n=50) by using an online randomizer. The YG received yoga practice, whereas the partially active CG received an educational program on digital hygiene. Students were assessed for screen time use, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV), general well-being, depressive symptoms, and generalized anxiety following 12 weeks of intervention. The yoga group showed a significant decrease in the scores of SAS-SV, generalized anxiety, depressive symptoms, and screen time use after the intervention (p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.01, and p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant decrease in screen time use for all modes of total weekdays, weeknights, and weekends. Additionally, in the yoga group, the majority of the sub-factors of screen time use showed statistically significant changes; time spent on television showed a constant decrease in all modes such as weekdays, weeknights, and weekends. The result of the current study suggests that yoga practice hasa positive influence on screen usage behavior and associated health-related complications. More studies are required to understand if yoga practice can help mitigate the pleasure-seeking behavior that drives the excessive usage of screens.

The Effect of Single-and Dual-Task Exercises on Functional Balance of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelop-mental disorder. According to the DSM-V, this condition has a variety of symptoms including impaired social relationships, and behavioral disorders. Various studies have shown that these children also have balance problems that are rarely investigated in this population. The purpose was to investigate the effect of single- and dual-task exercises on the functional balance of these children. Methods: The study design was a clinical trial research. The participants were 40 children with ASD (9 to 14 years) who were randomly divided into two groups. The single-task exercise group only performed balance exercises, while the dual-task exercises group performed both balance exercises and cognitive tasks at the same time. The sessions consisted of 45-minute sessions (3 times a week for 4 weeks). The functional balance tests were performed before and after the intervention. Results: There were no significant differences between two groups in the Timed Up and Go test, 10-meter walk test and Mini-BESTest endpoint of the study, but there was a significant difference in Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (p=0.01, effect size=0.82). Dual-task exercises could not cause significant improvements in the functional balance of the participants compared to the single-task group. Conclusion: It seems that evidence that dual-task exercises cause significant improvements of functional balance of the participants compared to the single-task group is inconclusive.

Impact of mental disorders on the all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease outcomes in adults with new-onset type 1 diabetes: A nationwide cohort study

AimsThis population-based study aimed to investigate the impact of mental disorders on the risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in adults with new-onset type 1 diabetes. Materials and methodsWe included 17,429 patients with new-onset type 1 diabetes without CVD from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Mental disorders include depression, bipolar, persistent affective and other affective disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, personality and behavioral disorders, and substance abuse. Individuals with or without mental disorders were matched 1:1 by age, sex, and year of the index date. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and composite CVD events. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 7.99 years, all-cause mortality (composite CVD outcomes) occurred in 1,562 patients (1,993 patients with CVD outcomes) with mental disorders and 1,211 patients (1,611 patients with CVD outcomes) without mental disorders. The adjusted HR for all-cause mortality and composite CVD outcomes in patients with mental disorders was 1.35 and 1.32, respectively, compared to those without mental disorders. The aHR for the all-cause mortality and composite CVD events was 1.27 and 1.28 in the subgroup with one mental disorder and 1.57 and 1.43 in the subgroup with multiple mental disorders, compared to those without mental disorders. ConclusionsMental disorders are associated with an elevated risk of all-cause mortality and CVD in adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Early detection and greater attention to premature death and CVD development are required in patients with new-onset type 1 diabetes and mental disorders.

Evaluating Agreement Between Medical Record Diagnoses and Independent Evaluator Diagnoses in a Community-Based Effectiveness Study

ABSTRACT Background Youth anxiety disorders are prevalent but undertreated. Poor diagnostic agreement between clinicians and researchers may contribute to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. However, few studies of diagnostic agreement focus specifically on anxiety disorders. Objective The current study evaluates diagnostic agreement between community clinicians and independent evaluators (IE) associated with a research study. Method IEs administered the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5, Child Version, Child and Parent Forms to youth participating in a randomized controlled trial. Diagnostic agreement was assessed using Cohen’s kappas. Youth (N = 103) were about 14.3 years old (SD = 1.6), largely cis-gender female (66%, n = 68), heterosexual (57.3%, n = 59), Hispanic/Latinx (53.4%, n = 55), and White (53.4%, n = 55). Results IEs assigned significantly more diagnoses than community clinicians (t(99)=-12.738, d = 1.66, p < .001). Individual diagnoses were collapsed into diagnostic clusters: anxiety, depression, trauma and stressor, obsessive-compulsive, and behavioral disorders. There was no agreement for anxiety, trauma and stressor, obsessive-compulsive clusters (ks < 0.20). The depression cluster showed minimal agreement (k = 0.28, p < .001), and behavioral disorders showed weak agreement (k = 0.49, p < .001). There was no agreement for four individual anxiety disorder diagnoses (ks < 0.20) except for panic disorder, which had minimal agreement (k = .32, p < .001). Four additional anxiety disorder diagnoses could not be analyzed due to no diagnoses in one or both settings. Discussion This study shows diagnostic agreement is poor between clinicians and researchers, especially for anxiety disorders. Findings suggest that semi-structured interviews can detect diagnoses that are being missed by clinicians. Future work should seek to identify and address barriers to implementation of evidenced-based assessments in community settings.

NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD): THE CURRENT STATE OF THE ART

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is described by resistant deficits in social interaction and language, such as limited and repetitive habits and interests, so that it is characterized as a complex behavioral disorder that begins in early childhood and extends throughout life. The aim of our study was to explore the current literature on non-pharmacological treatments and their consequent effectiveness in ASD. Based on this, a narrative review of the literature was carried out in order to understand the impact of each non-drug treatment in reducing the core symptoms associated with the disorder. We therefore highlight the importance of non-pharmacological interventions as adjuvant strategies in the treatment of individuals with this neurodevelopmental condition.

L'enuresi notturna: in quadramento e gestione

Enuresis is the involuntary discharge of urine during sleep. It is a fairly common problem in paediatric age: approximately 1 child out of 5 is affected at 5 years of age, with a potential significant impact on their quality of life and family. Pathogenesis is multifactorial, resulting in a combination of genetic factors, delayed maturation of the central nervous system, night-time anti-diuretic hormone deficiency and, in case, coexisting conditions such as sleep and behavioural disorders. Adequate diagnosis and management can speed up resolution, which usually occurs spontaneously, and identify those cases underlying an organic cause. Diagnosis is clinical. Instrumental investigation (such as ultrasound or urodynamic tests) is reserved to selected cases. Treatment mainly involves behavioural approach alongside, in those in which this approach fails, nocturnal alarm and/or pharmacological therapy. Assessment of associated comorbidities is crucial (ex. constipation, sleep and behavioural disorders).

Differences in the Rates of Diagnoses of Mental and Behavioral Disorders Due to Psychoactive Substance Use by Sex and Age during Pre-Pandemic and COVID-19 Pandemic Periods in Kazakhstan.

The COVID-19 pandemic had profound impacts worldwide on individuals with mental and behavioral disorders, including disorders due to psychoactive substance use. We investigated how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the trends in these disorders in the Republic of Kazakhstan. We researched and compared ICD-10 data on mental and behavioral disorders due to substance use in Kazakhstan that were diagnosed in 2018-2019 (pre-pandemic) versus 2020-2021 (the pandemic period). The data for the pandemic period were significantly different from those of the pre-pandemic in that (i) 'other stimulant-related disorders (F15)' and 'other psychoactive substance-related disorders (F19)' were increased in the younger age groups, (ii) the risk of 'opioid-related disorders (F11)' was decreased in the 30-year-old group in both males and females, and (iii) the risk of 'alcohol-related disorders (F10)' was increased in the 30-year-old group and decreased in the 20- and 50-year-old groups. In only the males, (iv) the risk of 'other psychoactive substance-related disorders (F19)' was increased in almost all of the age groups, and (v) the risk of 'cannabis-related disorders (F12)' was increased in the ≥50-year-olds. The pre-pandemic and pandemic periods thus involved changes due to COVID-19 in both males and females that were especially notable in males. These results indicate that further measures designed to prevent mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substances are necessary at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, and personnel in medicine/nursing, the government, private organizations, and the public need to collaborate to devise such measures.

Combined Effect of Oro-Motor Stimulation and Aroma Therapy for Successful Feeding in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Case Report

In Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children feeding problems can be categorized as behavioural feeding disorders including food refusal, choking, gagging, expulsion and sensory-based feeding problems such as textural aversions. The oral stimulation increases oral motor organization improve muscle contractility as a result increases oral intake. Sensory characteristics of food such as taste, texture and aroma have effects on food acceptance. We present a case of 3.3 year old male with ASD having feeding issues such as refusal to consume food and would spit when tried to feed him forcefully and accepting only liquids in small quantities as compared to earlier since 55 days. The outcome measure used was Sensory Profile (Dunn, 1999) and Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PediEAT). Combined oral motor stimulation and aroma therapy was provided to the child for developing successful feeding skill. Conclusion: From the above pilot study it may be concluded that combination of oro-motor stimulation and aroma therapy is an effective intervention in decreasing oral sensory issues and thus improving feeding skills in children with ASD.

Sleep disturbances in probable multiple system atrophy

BackgroundMultiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal alpha-synucleinopathy characterized by variable combinations of parkinsonism, autonomic and cerebellar dysfunction. Sleep in MSA is highly compromised due to various sleep disturbances. Disrupted sleep-wake cycles in MSA contribute to poor health-related quality of life and are negative prognostic factors. ObjectivesWe aimed to study the various sleep disturbances; the effect of parkinsonian and cerebellar phenotypes on sleep; and the correlation of sleep parameters with disease severity in an Asian-Indian cohort of probable MSA patients. MethodsWe recruited 60 probable MSA patients (MSA-P = 19; MSA-C = 41). Disease severity was assessed using UPDRS-III, UMSARS-I and UMSARS-II. Detailed history and relevant sleep questionnaires were applied to evaluate the sleep disturbances. ResultsSleep disturbances were universally observed in probable MSA patients in this cohort. These include REM behavior disorder (RBD)-95 %; poor sleep quality-80 %; secondary insomnia and intermittent awakenings-100 %; excessive daytime sleepiness-26 %; risk for obstructive sleep apnea-51.7 % and snoring-85 %. MSA patients reported 38.2 ± 22.9 percentage improvement in sleep with the medications. There was no significant difference between probable MSA-P and MSA-C patients in any of the sleep parameters. Sleep quality was poor in patients with pre-motor RBD than post-motor RBD (p < 0.01). Poor sleep quality had a moderate positive correlation with RBD duration. Disease severity positively correlated with RBD duration and poor sleep quality. ConclusionsSleep disturbances, the negative prognostic factors, were universally observed in this Asian Indian MSA cohort. This study provides supporting evidence that RBD might play a possible role in MSA disease severity, progression, and sleep quality.

Embryo-restricted responses to maternal IL-17A promote neurodevelopmental disorders in mouse offspring.

Prenatal imprinting to interleukin 17A (IL-17A) triggers behavioral disorders in offspring. However, reported models of maternal immune activation utilizing immunostimulants, lack specificity to elucidate the anatomical compartments of IL-17A's action and the distinct behavioral disturbances it causes. By combining transgenic IL-17A overexpression with maternal deficiency in its receptor, we established a novel model of prenatal imprinting to maternal IL-17A (acronym: PRIMA-17 model). This model allowed us to study prenatal imprinting established exclusively through embryo-restricted IL-17A responses. We demonstrated a transfer of transgenic IL-17A across the placental barrier, which triggered the development of selected behavioral deficits in mouse offspring. More specifically, embryonic responses to IL-17A resulted in communicative impairment in early-life measured by reduced numbers of nest retrieval calls. In adulthood, IL-17A-imprinted offspring displayed an increase in anxiety-like behavior. We advocate our PRIMA-17 model as a useful tool to study neurological deficits in mice.

The 9 bp Deletion between the Mitochondrial COII and Lysine tRNA Genes in a Caucasian Population with Cognitive Disorders: An Observational Study.

The loss of one of the two copies of the 9 bp tandem repeat sequence (CCCCCTCTA) located in the small non-coding region between the cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and the lysine tRNA genes in human mtDNA has been reported to be polymorphic in Asian, Oceanian and Sub-Saharan African populations, but it has rarely been observed in Europe. In this study, we will evaluate the possible association between the MIC9D polymorphism and cognitive disorders. A genetic analysis of unrelated Sicilian patients with cognitive deficits was performed to identify the 9 bp deletion MIC9D polymorphism. The MIC9D polymorphism was found in six patients, whereas this variant was absent in control individuals without cognitive deficits. The patients with the MIC9D polymorphism exhibited more complex clinical presentations; in particular, all had neuromuscular disorders and five also presented with behavioral disorders. The present study suggests a potential association between the MIC9D polymorphism and cognitive impairment with concurrent neuromuscular and behavioral involvement.

Economic and societal burden of myasthenia gravis in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden: A population-based registry study.

Health care resource utilization (HCRU) and the economic burden of myasthenia gravis (MG) are significant, but existing studies rarely include comprehensive nationwide data. We examined HCRU and direct and indirect costs associated with MG overall and by disease severity in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Data were collected retrospectively from nationwide health and social care registries. All individuals ≥18 years of age with ≥2 International Classification of Diseases diagnoses of MG between 2000 and 2020 were included. HCRU, direct (inpatient and outpatient contacts, medication) and indirect costs (early retirement, sick leave, death), and associated factors were calculated. The full study cohort comprised 8622 people with MG (pwMG). Mean annual numbers of all-cause secondary health care contacts for pwMG were 3.4 (SD = 8.3), 7.0 (SD = 12.3), and 2.9 (SD = 3.9), with mean annual total costs of €12,185, €9036, and €5997 per person in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, respectively. Inpatient periods, involving 77%-89% of study participants in the three countries, contributed most to direct costs, whereas the majority of indirect costs resulted from early retirement in Denmark and Finland, and sick leave periods in Sweden. Mean annual total costs were highest with very severe MG (€19,570-€33,495 per person across the three countries). Female sex and comorbidities, such as mental and behavioral disorders and severe infections, were also associated with higher total costs. This population-based study shows a high level of HCRU and a significant direct and indirect economic burden of MG across three Nordic countries, especially for severe forms of MG.

Exploring the Probiotic Potential of Bacteroides spp. Within One Health Paradigm.

Probiotics are pivotal in maintaining or restoring the balance of human intestinal microbiota, a crucial factor in mitigating diseases and preserving the host's health. Exploration into Bacteroides spp. reveals substantial promise in their development as next-generation probiotics due to their profound interaction with host immune cells and capability to regulate the microbiome's metabolism by significantly impacting metabolite production. These beneficial bacteria exhibit potential in ameliorating various health issues such as intestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, behavioral disorders, and even cancer. Though it's important to note that a high percentage of them are as well opportunistic pathogens, posing risks under certain conditions. Studies highlight their role in modifying immune responses and improving health conditions by regulating lymphocytes, controlling metabolism, and preventing inflammation and cancer. The safety and efficacy of Bacteroides strains are currently under scrutiny by the European Commission for authorization in food processing, marking a significant step towards their commercialization. The recent advancements in bacterial isolation and sequencing methodologies, coupled with the integration of Metagenome-Assembled Genomes (MAGs) binning from metagenomics data, continue to unveil the potential of Bacteroides spp., aiding in the broader understanding and application of these novel probiotics in health and disease management.

Morphological and Metabolic Features of Brain Aging in Rodents, Ruminants, Carnivores, and Non-Human Primates

Brain aging in mammals is characterized by morphological and functional changes in neural cells. Macroscopically, this process, leading to progressive cerebral volume loss and functional decline, includes memory and motor neuron deficits, as well as behavioral disorders. Morphologically, brain aging is associated with aged neurons and astrocytes, appearing enlarged and flattened, and expressing enhanced pH-dependent β-galactosidase activity. Multiple mechanisms are considered hallmarks of cellular senescence in vitro, including cell cycle arrest, increased lysosomal activity, telomere shortening, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. The most common markers for senescence identification were identified in (i) proteins implicated in cell cycle arrest, such as p16, p21, and p53, (ii) increased lysosomal mass, and (iii) increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) expression. Finally, dysfunctional autophagy, a process occurring during aging, contributes to altering brain homeostasis. The brains of mammals can be studied at cellular and subcellular levels to elucidate the mechanisms on the basis of age-related and degenerative disorders. The aim of this review is to summarize and update the most recent knowledge about brain aging through a comparative approach, where similarities and differences in some mammalian species are considered.

Development and Acceptability of Provider Training to Increase Treatment Engagement of Parents in Their Children's Behavioral Health Care Need.

BACKGROUND: Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct disorders (DIC) affect 5 million children in the United States and often require comprehensive and long-term behavioral health care for which sustained parental involvement is essential. Our research team is developing an intervention to improve parental engagement in the behavioral health care of their children with DIC. The intervention, which will be a modification of an evidence-based shared decision-making intervention called DECIDE, will include a parent component and a provider component. AIM: To determine the acceptability of the provider component of the modified DECIDE intervention. METHODS: The provider intervention is an asynchronous self-paced online training program made up of five modules: introduction, shared decision-making, perspective-taking, attributional errors, and being a responsive provider. The training was piloted with 41 providers in two public child and adolescent treatment programs. Following completion of the training, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the providers to assess the acceptability of the training. The interviews were analyzed with conventional content analysis. RESULTS: The provider training was well received by providers, and many had made practice changes based on what they had learned. Several offered recommendations for improvement, most notably the need to tailor the training based on provider role, discipline, and level of expertise. CONCLUSIONS: The feedback given by providers will be used to refine future iterations of the provider training component of the modified DECIDE intervention. Psychiatric nurses and other clinicians may draw from strategies incorporated in the training program to improve parent engagement in the treatment of children with DIC.

T2 MRI visible Perivascular Spaces in Parkinson`s Disease: clinical significance and association with polysomnography measured sleep.

Poor sleep quality might contribute to the risk and progression of neurodegenerative disorders via deficient cerebral waste clearance functions during sleep. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we explore the link between enlarged perivascular spaces (PVS), a putative marker of sleep-dependent glymphatic clearance, with sleep quality and motor symptoms in Parkinson`s disease (PD) patients. T2-weighted MRI images of 20 patients and 17 healthy control subjects were estimated visually for PVS in the basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale (CSO). The patient group additionally underwent a single-night polysomnography. Readouts included polsyomnographic sleep features and slow-wave activity (SWA), a quantitative EEG marker of sleep depth. Associations between PVS counts, PD symptoms (MDS-UPDRS scores) and sleep parameters were evaluated using correlation and regression analyses. Intra- and inter-rater reproducibility was assessed with weighted Cohen`s kappa coefficient. BG and CSO PVS counts in both patients and controls did not differ significantly between groups. In patients, PVS in both brain regions were negatively associated with SWA (1-2Hz) (BG: r(15)=-0.58, padj=0.015 and CSO: r(15)=-0.6, padj=0.015). Basal ganglia PVS counts were positively associated with motor symptoms of daily living (IRR=1.05, CI [1.01, 1.09], p=0.007, padj=0.026) and antidepressant use (IRR=1.37, CI [1.05, 1.80], p=0.021, padj=0.043) after controlling for age. Centrum Semiovale PVS counts in patients were positively associated with a diagnosis of REM sleep behaviour disorder (IRR=1.39, CI [1.06 , 1.84]), p=0.018, padj=0.11). These results add evidence that sleep deterioration may play a role in impairing glymphatic clearance via altered perivascular function, potentially contributing to disease severity in PD patients.

Factors influencing and controlling vandalism by tourists and local indigenous communities at the Fandoghlou forest natural site

The presence of tourists may lead to environmental damage and vandalism, which can affect local community and tourist relationships, leading to dissatisfaction. The persistence of vandalism in natural environments can lead to detrimental effects; hence, identifying its triggering and inhibitory factors is crucial. The Fandoqhlou Forest region, as a tourist destination in Ardabil Province, has been subjected to various types of damage. The aim of this study is to assess the factors influencing and controlling damage resulting from tourism activities in the Fandoqhlou region. The study population included tourists and the local community who visited the forest area during the spring and summer months of 2023. Additionally, qualitative data analysis was conducted via Atlas Ti software. On the basis of the interview results, 479 initial codes were identified, from which 62 basic themes, 15 organizing themes, and 2 global themes were derived. The research findings identified the factors influencing the occurrence and control of vandalism in the study area. According to the results, environmental disregard, alongside tourists’ low cultural and educational awareness, was identified as a significant factor influencing vandalism. To mitigate this behavioral disorder, the important role of social media in disseminating relevant information and creating a platform for nature conservation in tourism activities and visits to natural sites can be emphasized. Management implications-Management programs should focus on enhancing environmental education and cultural awareness among both tourists and local communities need to mitigate vandalism and destructive behaviors at the natural forests and leverages social media to promote nature conservation.-Strengthening collaboration and foster between local communities, government agencies, and private sectors, need to be established to increase surveillance, enforce penalties and supporting environmental guardians are essential for effective monitoring and deterrence of destructive behaviors.-Implementing stricter law enforcement, along with establishing facilities and community empowerment programs, can strengthen forest protection, reduce vandalism, and promote a sustainable relationship between tourism and local communities.