Chronic Emotional Disorders Research Articles

Muscarinic receptor regulation of chronic pain-induced atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), one of the most common arrhythmias, is associated with chronic emotional disorder. Chronic pain represents a psychological instability condition related to cardiovascular diseases, but the mechanistic linkage connecting chronic pain to AF occurrence remains unknown. Wild-type C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into sham and chronic pain groups. Autonomic nerve remodeling was reflected by the increased atrial parasympathetic tension and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2 expression. AF susceptibility was assessed through transesophageal burst stimulation in combination with electrocardiogram recording and investigating AERP in Langendorff perfused hearts. Our results demonstrated the elevated protein expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2 in the atria of mice subjected to chronic pain stress. Moreover, chronic pain induced the increase of atrial PR interval, and atrial effective refractory periods as compared to the sham group, underlying the enhanced susceptibility of AF. Thus, autonomic cholinergic nerve may mediate mice AF in the setting of chronic pain.

Peculiarities of psychological assistance in overcoming the consequences COVID-19

The urgency of the study is due to the appearing of an emergency caused by an extremely dangerous outbreak of the COVID -19 pandemic. Every emergency, especially one which threatens health, is characterized by increased anxiety and depression among the population, causes chronic emotional disorders and requires providing psychological and psychosocial assistance to the individual. In this regard, this article aims to disclose and summarize theoretical and empirical research that will help identify the factors that shape the appropriate resource strategies for the development of resilience in overcoming the consequences of COVID - 19. At the same time, this study revealed the role of resilience as a potential protective factor for mental health during an outbreak of the COVID - 19 pandemic. The leading method of research is theoretical and methodological analysis, comprehension, comparison, classification and generalization of the main provisions of bibliographic sources that are relevant to the problem and purpose of the study. The article presents the factors influencing resilience in the individualovercoming the consequences of COVID - 19 taking into account the world experience. The main approaches to providing psychological assistance to a person in difficult life circumstances caused by a pandemic are identified.

Convolutional Neural Network Visualization for Identification of Risk Genes in Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a type of chronic emotional disorder with a complex genetic structure. However, its genetic molecular mechanism is still unclear, which makes it insufficient to be diagnosed and treated. In this paper, we proposed a model for predicting BD based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) screening by genome-wide association study (GWAS), which was constructed by a convolutional neural network (CNN) that predicted the probability of the disease. According to the difference of GWAS threshold, two sets of data were named: group P001 and group P005. And different convolutional neural networks are set for the two sets of data. The training accuracy of the model trained with group P001 data is 96%, and the test accuracy is 91%. The training accuracy of the model trained with group P005 data is 94.5%, and the test accuracy is 92%. At the same time, we used gradient weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) to interpret the prediction model, indirectly to identify high-risk SNPs of BD. In the end, we compared these high-risk SNPs with human gene annotation information. The model prediction results of the group P001 yielded 137 risk genes, of which 22 were reported to be associated with the occurrence of BD. The model prediction results of the group P005 yielded 407 risk genes, of which 51 were reported to be associated with the occurrence of BD.

Effectiveness of Therapeutic Attachment Camps for Improving Behavior in Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder

Background:Early childhood attachment disruption manifests in disruptive, oppositional behavior and reduced ability for trusting intimate relationships. Chronic emotional disorder negatively affects the entire family system, making treatment difficult.Objective:The goal of the study was to assess a family therapeutic treatment program for children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) conducted through an intensive, one-week camp.Methods:Therapeutic camps included training for caregivers, support for siblings, behavioral interventions for children with RAD, and family therapy exercises. Camps were conducted across North America. Standardized behavioral health rating scales were used to evaluate outcomes.Results:Therapeutic Attachment Camp effectively reduced disruptive behaviors within a one week period and improved family mental health scores. Pretest to post-test scores on the Randolph Attachment Disorder Questionnaire showed significant change in a clinically positive direction. Behaviors specifically associated with attachment and conscience development improved, such as showing remorse or guilt, self-control, telling the truth and accepting parental direction. Child anxiety was observed to be less based on self-rating on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Parent anxiety was significantly reduced based on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Statistical effects were moderate to large.Conclusion:Results suggested that a treatment program addressing the needs of the entire family and combining attachment exercises with psychoeducation and structured parenting practice can be effective within a short time frame. Findings have implications for community and family mental health, and for developing culturally relevant treatments that integrate disciplines.

Association study of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding 1 gene and major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder is a common chronic emotional disorder, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein 1 (CREB1) is hypothesized to play a role in its pathogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between major depressive disorder and relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CREB1 gene. A total of 1,038 subjects of Han Chinese descent were recruited, including 456 patients with major depressive disorder (case group) and 582 healthy volunteers (control group). The frequency distributions of the genotypes and alleles were estimated in the case and control groups, and analyzed for any correlation with major depressive disorder. Three relevant SNP sites in CREB1 were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and statistical analyses were performed to estimate their use as risk factors for major depressive disorder. The analyses revealed that rs2254137 and rs16839883 in CREB1 showed polymorphisms in the sample population, and the genotype and allele frequencies of rs16839883 differed significantly when comparing the patients and healthy controls (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were detected in the two SNP sites between the male and female patients (P>0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were detected in rs2254137 genotype and allele distribution when comparing the male and female patients with their corresponding control groups (P>0.05). However, statistically significant differences were observed in the genotype and allele frequencies of rs16839883 when the male and female patients were compared with their respective controls (P<0.05). Therefore, the results demonstrated that there is a close correlation between the rs16839883 polymorphism in CREB1 and major depressive disorder, which suggests that this SNP site should be further studied as a potential biomarker for major depressive disorder.

A Pilot Examination of Outcomes From an Adolescent Residential Treatment Facility Health and Wellness Intervention on Body Mass Index

Specific Aims and Methodological Design: Using a pre–posttest design, the objective of this exploratory pilot study is to test the outcomes of a comprehensive wellness group intervention in reducing obesity measured by body mass index (BMI) for adolescents living in a residential treatment facility (RTF). The second major objective of this study is to test possible interactions of demographic and diagnostic characteristics on the outcome BMI percentage. The first hypothesis is that the wellness group intervention will significantly improve participants’ BMI from unhealthy to healthy ranges. To analyze the first hypothesis, the overweight and obese BMI ranges will be combined to create the unhealthy category. Secondly, it is hypothesized that the intervention will significantly improve individuals’ BMI ranges from obese to overweight, and from overweight to healthy weight when comparing pre- to posttests. Lastly, it is hypothesized that post-BMI percentage will be predicted by pre-BMI categories (obese, overweight, and healthy). Sample: The participants were sampled from an existing RTF and consisted of 28 adolescents, both male with serious and chronic emotional disorders. Demographic information was unavailable for two of the 28 participants in this study. Data Collection and Measures: Participants’ BMI (N = 28) was measured at pre- and post-testing by the staff members at the RTF as well as demographic and diagnostic data including gender, ethnicity, age, and mental and physical health diagnosis (N = 26). Data Analysis and Results: Demographic and diagnostic data was analyzed using descriptive frequencies. Data on pre–post BMI measures was analyzed using McNemar chi-square analyses. All of the hypotheses were supported. Results indicate that participants significantly improved their BMI scores from pre- to posttesting—specifically the number of youth in unhealthy ranges significantly improved to healthy ranges; and, the number of youth who moved from obese to overweight, and overweight to healthy improved. Lastly, results indicate that pre-BMI categories were significantly predictive of post-BMI percentage. Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study have implications for practice, policy, and research in all areas of child and adolescent wellness, including social work, psychology, health, medical, and education, to name a few. Results indicate that providing a comprehensive health and wellness intervention that integrates all aspects of well-being, is perhaps a worthwhile intervention to improving the health of youth in residential treatment facilities. Limitations include a small sample size and limited methodological rigor due to design (pre–posttest single group design with no control). An additional limitation is the lack of data on psychotropic medication use for the sample. While the current research is a pilot exploratory study, it provides valuable information for future research with larger sample sizes and the use of control groups.

The initiation and development of a group for relatives of patients with chronic emotional disorders

This paper describes the initiation and development of an educational discussion group for relatives of patients with chronic emotional problems and the process by which it became transformed into a group combining a self-help, modified therapy model with a primary focus on the members' interaction with their patientrelatives. The group offered the opportunity to ventilate pent up emotions in a supportive, reality-oriented context and provided information and education about the nature of emotional disorders. Generally this helped family members to effect positive changes in their interactions with their patient-relatives; to accept with greater understanding their relatives' illness; and to better evaluate the quality of treatment their relatives were receiving. The group chose this model over an educational model or traditional psychotherapy model or multifamily model, all of which were phases of this process. The positive results are supported by recent reports in the literature of similar groups.