Maladaptive Behaviors Research Articles

A Preliminary Investigation of a Conceptual Model Describing the Associations Between Childhood Maltreatment and Alcohol Use Problems

Background/Objectives: Childhood maltreatment has been linked to numerous adverse outcomes in adulthood, including problem substance use. However, not all individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment develop substance use problems, indicating the role of other factors in influencing this outcome. Past work suggests that adverse early life experiences, including childhood maltreatment, lead to neurobiological changes in frontolimbic functions that, in turn, result in altered stress and reward responses, heightened impulsivity, affect dysregulation, and, ultimately, increased risk for maladaptive behaviors such as substance use. The aim of this preliminary investigation using cross-sectional data was to test associations between these factors in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and alcohol use problems in a sample of emerging adults. Methods: Emerging adults (18–30 years old) who identified as regular drinkers (i.e., drinking at least 2–4 times in the past month) were recruited from a crowd-sourcing platform (Prolific) as well as community samples. Participants completed online standardized questionnaires assessing reward sensitivity and responsiveness, impulsivity, emotion regulation, and alcohol consequences. Results: Path analyses demonstrated good fit for the data (SRMR = 0.057, RMSEA = 0.096, 90% CI [0.055, 0.142], CFI = 0.957). Childhood maltreatment was associated with reward responsiveness (β = −0.026, Z = −4.222, p < 0.001) and emotion dysregulation (β = 0.669, Z = 9.633, p < 0.001), which in turn was associated with urgency and, subsequently, alcohol consequences (β = 0.758, Z = 7.870, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Although these findings are preliminary, the current study is one of the first to test a comprehensive model addressing the relationship between childhood maltreatment and alcohol use problems. The findings have the potential to inform treatment strategies that target motivation and goal-directed action for reducing and managing consequences associated with childhood maltreatment. Future research should test the model using longitudinal data to address the limitations of a cross-sectional study and assess temporal associations between constructs.

Pavlovian impatience: The anticipation of immediate rewards increases approach behaviour.

People often exhibit intertemporal impatience by choosing immediate small over delayed larger rewards, which has been implicated across maladaptive behaviours and mental health symptoms. In this preregistered study, we tested the role of an intertemporal Pavlovian bias as possible psychological mechanism driving the temptation posed by immediate rewards. Concretely, we hypothesized that the anticipation of immediate rewards (compared with preference-matched delayed rewards) enhances goal-directed approach behaviour but interferes with goal-directed inhibition. Such a mechanism could contribute to the difficulty to inhibit ourselves in the face of immediate rewards (e.g., a drug), at the cost of long-term (e.g., health) goals. A sample of 184 participants completed a newly developed reinforcement learning go/no-go task with four trial types: Go to win immediate reward; Go to win delayed reward; No-go to win immediate reward; and No-go to win delayed reward trials. Go responding was increased in trials in which an immediate reward was available compared with trials in which a preference-matched delayed reward was available. Computational models showed that on average, this behavioural pattern was best captured by a cue-response bias reflecting a stronger elicitation of go responses upon presentation of an immediate (versus delayed) reward cue. The results of this study support the role of an intertemporal Pavlovian bias as a psychological mechanism contributing to impatient intertemporal choice.

Digital Device Usage and Childhood Cognitive Development: Exploring Effects on Cognitive Abilities

The increasing ubiquity of digital devices in childhood had outpaced the understanding of their effects on cognitive development, creating a significant research gap regarding their long-term impact. Objective: The present narrative overview explored the complex relationship between digital device usage and cognitive development in childhood. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science, to critically assess cognitive domains such as attention, memory, executive functions, problem-solving skills, and social cognition. Incorporating over 157 peer-reviewed studies published between 2001 and 2024, we used strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure scientific rigor. Results: The review integrated empirical findings with established theoretical frameworks, particularly from cognitive development and media psychology, to highlight both the advantages and risks of early, frequent exposure to technology. The potential for digital devices to enhance cognitive skills, such as multitasking and information processing, was weighed against risks such as cognitive overload, diminished attention spans, and impaired social skills. We also examined psychological and behavioral outcomes, including identity formation, emotional regulation, and maladaptive behaviors associated with excessive screen time. Additionally, we identified strategies to mitigate negative effects, emphasizing structured digital engagement and parental involvement to support healthy cognitive and psychological growth. Our findings provided actionable recommendations for parents, educators, and policymakers, promoting optimal digital practices that enhanced cognitive development while safeguarding against potential harms. Conclusions: The review offered essential insights for stakeholders in child development, education, and policy-making, highlighting the need for balanced integration of digital tools in childhood learning environments.

Linear infrastructure and associated wildlife accidents create an ecological trap for an apex predator and scavenger

Animals may fall into an ‘ecological trap’ when they select seemingly attractive habitats at the expense of their fitness. This maladaptive behavior is often the result of rapid, human-induced changes in their natal environment, such as the construction of energy and transportation infrastructure. We tested the ecological trap hypothesis regarding human-created linear infrastructure on a widely distributed apex predator and scavenger—the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), whose range spans the entire Northern Hemisphere. Roads and railways offer novel and attractive feeding opportunities through traffic-induced mortality of other species, while powerline areas provide perching or nesting sites and scavenging opportunities from electrocuted or collision-killed birds. These conditions may have negative demographic consequences for eagles if these apparent opportunities turn into traps. Using step selection functions, we analyzed habitat selection of 74 GPS-tracked Golden Eagles (37 adults and 37 immatures) during eleven years in Fennoscandia. To assess habitat attractiveness, we used wildlife traffic accident statistics for dominant wild species, and to evaluate demographic consequences, we used mortality data from the GPS-tagged eagles. Our analysis revealed that eagles selected linear features such as roads, railways and powerlines at both the population and individual levels. Both adult and immature eagles consistently selected these features, and the strength of selection for linear features increased with age in immature eagles. The linear features however had 5.5 times higher mortality risk for eagles than other selected habitats indicating the presence of an ecological trap. We discuss the implications of these findings for the conservation and population ecology of apex predators and scavengers, as well as their potential demographic consequences. To mitigate this issue, we urgently recommend the removal of carcasses from roads and tracks to prevent ecological traps for raptors and scavenger species worldwide. Additionally, we advocate for the development of methods and strategies to reduce wildlife traffic accidents.

28 Vaccination experiences for children with special needs - An examination of the impact of behaviours on vaccine uptake

Abstract Background While vaccines have been one of the most effective medical interventions to reduce the morbidity and mortality of many communicable illnesses, many factors have led to suboptimal immunization rates amongst paediatric patients. One of which that has not been explored widely in research literature is the impact of maladaptive behaviours on annual immunization rates. Behaviours such as aggression, agitation and flight are common amongst children with a neurodevelopmental diagnosis such as autism spectrum disorder, global developmental delay, and intellectual delay. When children are young, physical restraints by parents are often the method used to aid in the administration of the vaccine. However, as they age physical restraints is often regarded as inappropriate. Objectives The purpose of this study is to determine the extent in which disruptive behaviours (aggression, agitation and flight) affect annual vaccination rates for children with a neurodevelopmental diagnosis above the age of 6 years where physical restraining for vaccinations is no longer deemed appropriate or safe. Design/Methods Families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disorder (ID), and/or Global Developmental Delay (GDD) aged 6-17 years, seen through outpatient clinics at the Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre of McMaster Children’s hospital in Hamilton between November 2022 – April 2023 were invited to participate in this cross sectional survey. The study aimed to capture both quantitative data on vaccine uptake and qualitative data on how vaccination experiences could be improved for children with neurodiversity. Results A total of 109 participants completed the survey. Among them, forty-three (39%) participants had a diagnosis of ASD and sixty-six (51.2%) had a diagnosis of global developmental delay or intellectual disability. Forty-six (45.6%) and 82 (76%) did not receive the Covid-19 and the influenza vaccination respectively. Of the children that did not receive the CoVid-19 vaccine, fourteen (30%) of the families had brought their child to be vaccinated, but the health care team could not administer the vaccine due to their child’s behaviours and twenty-one (37%) of the families anticipated that the vaccination would be a difficult experience because of their child’s behaviours and did not bring their child to get vaccinated. Of the children that did not receive the influenza vaccine, fifteen (18%) families had brought their child to be vaccinated, but the health care team could not administer the vaccine due to the child’s behaviours and 42 (50%) families anticipated that the vaccination would be a difficult experience because of their child’s behaviours and did not bring their child to get vaccinated. The main themes that emerged from the studies on ways to improve the vaccination experience for families include administering the vaccine in a low sensory environment, decreasing wait time, and ensuring clinic staff have experience in caring for children with special needs. Conclusion Children with special needs are a vulnerable population warranting concerted effort to ensure equitable access to immunizations. Interventions such as clinics specifically designed for children with neurodiversity should be implemented with the hope to further improve immunization rates within this population.

Psilocybin reduces heroin seeking behavior and modulates inflammatory gene expression in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex of male rats.

Preclinical and human studies indicate psilocybin may reduce perseverant maladaptive behaviors, including nicotine and alcohol seeking. Such studies in the opioid field are lacking, though opioids are involved in >50% of overdose deaths. Psilocybin is an agonist at the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR), a well-documented target for modulation of drug seeking, and evidence suggests 5-HT2AR agonists may dampen motivation for opioids. We sought to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin in mediating cessation of opioid use and maintenance of long-lasting abstinence from opioid seeking behavior in a rat model of heroin self-administration (SA). Psilocybin or 5-HT2AR antagonists ketanserin and volinanserin were administered systemically to rats prior to SA of 0.075 mg/kg/infusion of heroin, or relapse following forced abstinence. Psilocybin did not alter heroin taking, but a single exposure to 3.0 mg/kg psilocybin 4-24 h prior to a relapse test blunted cue-induced heroin seeking. Conversely, 5-HT2AR antagonists exacerbated heroin relapse. To begin to elucidate mechanisms of psilocybin, drug-naïve rats received psilocybin and/or ketanserin, and tissue was collected from the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a region critical for drug seeking and responsive to psilocybin, 24 h later for RNA-sequencing. 3.0 mg/kg psilocybin regulated ~2-fold more genes in the PFC than 1.0 mg/kg, including genes involved in the cytoskeleton and cytokine signaling. Ketanserin blocked >90% of psilocybin-regulated genes, including the IL-17a cytokine receptor, Il17ra. Psychedelic compounds have reported anti-inflammatory properties, and therefore we performed a gene expression array to measure chemokine/cytokine molecules in the PFC of animals that displayed psilocybin-mediated inhibition of heroin seeking. Psilocybin regulated 4 genes, including Il17a, and a subset of genes correlated with relapse behavior. Selective inhibition of PFC IL-17a was sufficient to reduce heroin relapse. We conclude that psilocybin reduces heroin relapse and highlight IL-17a signaling as a potential downstream pathway of psilocybin that also reduces heroin seeking.

Addiction to analgesics in patients with chronic migraine and medication-overuse headache

Patients with medication-overuse headache (MOH) and chronic migraine (CM) have varying degrees of addiction to painkillers (PK), which complicates treatment and leads to relapses. Development of addiction to PK is associated with various clinical and psychological characteristics and disorders in patients with MOH.Objective: to investigate the relationship between PK addiction and individual clinical and psychological characteristics in patients with CM and MOH.Material and methods. The study included 156 patients with CM and MOH (61 men and 95 women, mean age 34.1±8.9 years). Clinical and psychological characteristics were assessed in all patients using a clinical interview, tests and headache diaries. The relationship between PK addiction (according to the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire – LDQ) and clinical and psychological characteristics (duration of migraine and CM, frequency and intensity of headaches, duration of MOH, frequency of PK use, number of PK doses, personal and situational anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, beliefs about the body and health, coping strategies for stressful situations, daily activities during headache, insomnia) was investigated using regression analysis.Results. All patients had misconceptions and wrong behavior regarding PK. The majority (59%) of patients had moderate degree of PK addiction according to the LDQ. Twenty six percent of patients had other forms of addictive behavior (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, overeating, excessive use of sleeping pills), and 52.6% of patients had relatives with addictive behavior. There was a statistically significantly positive correlation (R≥0.45; p<0.05) between PK addiction and smoking, alcohol consumption, use of sleeping pills, body mass index (BMI), frequency of PK use, attitudes towards pain, body and health (pain catastrophizing, hopelessness about pain, intolerance of body sensations, overestimation of symptom severity, catastrophizing in the interpretation of body symptoms), depression, personal anxiety and avoidance (maladaptive coping behavior). Adequate treatment of CM and MOH was provided in only 7.7% of patients.Conclusion: A positive association was found between PK addiction and smoking, alcohol consumption, use of sleeping pills, BMI, frequency of PK usage, attitudes towards pain, body and health, depression, personal anxiety and avoidance behavior.

Sub-Optimal Compliance to Long-Term Inhalation Strategies and Poorer Health Care Outcomes Associated with Extended Tattoos in Adolescents with Mild-to-Moderate Bronchial Asthma.

Patients' compliance to inhalation therapy is usually sub-optimal in young asthmatics. Adolescents poorly compliant to regular anti-asthma treatments and those with tattoos (and the associated attitude) can share some personality traits and maladaptive behaviors. This relationship has not been investigated. To assess if "extended" tattoos can predict long-term compliance to regular therapy of adolescents with mild-to-moderate asthma. A 12-month retrospective observational investigation was conducted on non-smoker asthmatic adolescents of both genders. Patients assuming <70% of prescribed vilanterol/fluticasone furoate o.d. were defined as "non-compliant". Tattoo surfaces were defined as "mild" or "extended" if they were < or ≥400 cm2, respectively. The relationship between tattoos and compliance on the evolution of resources consumption at 6 and 12 months was assessed by generalized estimating equation (GEE) models at the first and second semester of the treatment period. It was found that 13.2% of compliant adolescents had mild tattoos, while 47.2% of non-compliant adolescents had mild-to-extended tattoos (odds ratio (OR) 6.91, 95% CI 2.49 to 19.17, p < 0.001). The mean annual adherence to treatment was 57.8% ± 10.1 SD expected doses in non-compliant subjects with "mild tattoos" (54.8 cm2 ± 36.9 SD), but 38.6% ± 11.4 SD expected doses in those with "extended tattoos" (568.4 cm2 ± 111.6 SD, p < 0.001). Total cost proved to be a linear trend from the lowest values of compliant patients with no/mild tattoos (EUR 65.22 at 6 months and EUR 33.63 at 12 months) to the highest values of non-compliant adolescents with extended tattoos (EUR 330.75 at 6 months and EUR 297.34 at 12 months). Tattoo extension might be used as a reliable predictor of poor compliance and higher health care costs in adolescents with mild-to-moderate asthma. Patients characterized by poor compliance to a long-term therapeutic strategy and tattooing attitude likely share some aspects of their personality profile.

Adventure Therapy to Mitigate the Harmful Effects of ACEs with Lower-SES Adolescents

ABSTRACT Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have gained prominence in recent literature for their effects on the well-being of children. Children with ACEs often exhibit maladaptive behaviors, such as anxiety, depression, maladaptive relationships, drug usage, and school issues. Adventure therapy (AT) improves youth’s ability to form relationships, develop self-confidence, improve decision-making, and utilize effective coping strategies. This paper explores the use of AT as a primary, secondary, and tertiary intervention strategy to offset and/or prevent deleterious effects experienced by adolescents with ACEs and provides a case example to conceptualize the use of AT as an intervention for adolescents with ACEs. Considerations, limitations, and resources for conducting AT with lower-SES youths are discussed.

Evaluation of the death anxiety beliefs and behaviors scale in Iranian adolescents

Numerous tools assess death anxiety, but many have questionable psychometric properties. The Death Anxiety Beliefs and Behaviors Scale (DABBS) addresses these shortcomings, assessing death-related maladaptive affect, beliefs, and behaviors that could be foundational to fears associated with death. We translated the DABBS into Persian and examined its psychometric properties among Iranian adolescents (n = 598, M age = 14.80, range = 12-18 years old). Confirmatory factor analyses supported the intended three-factor structure that comprises death-related affect, beliefs, and behaviors. Furthermore, the DABBS demonstrated good internal consistency, as well as expected associations with other measures of death anxiety and psychopathology measures, except that the Behaviors subscale unexpectedly did not relate to theoretically relevant constructs. Our findings indicate that the DABBS affect and belief subscales have strong psychometric properties among Iranian adolescents. However, further research is needed to elucidate whether the overall DABBS score demonstrates improved validity when used with other populations.

Cardiometabolic Morbidity (Obesity and Hypertension) in PTSD: A Preliminary Investigation of the Validity of Two Structures of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or specific PTSD symptoms may evoke maladaptive behaviors (e.g., compulsive buying, disordered eating, and an unhealthy lifestyle), resulting in adverse cardiometabolic events (e.g., hypertension and obesity), which may implicate the treatment of this complex condition. The diagnostic criteria for PTSD have lately expanded beyond the three common symptoms (intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal). Including additional symptoms such as emotional numbing, sleep disturbance, and irritability strengthens the representation of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), suggesting that models with four, five, or six dimensions better capture its structure compared to the original three-dimensional model. Methods: Using a convenience sample of 58 Russian dental healthcare workers (HCWs: mean age = 44.1 ± 12.2 years, 82.8% females), this instrumental study examined the convergent, concurrent, and criterion validity of two IES-R structures: IES-R3 and IES-R6. Results: Exploratory factor analysis uncovered five factors, which explained 76.0% of the variance in the IES-R. Subscales of the IES-R3 and the IES-R6 expressed good internal consistency (coefficient alpha range = 0.69-0.88), high convergent validity (item total correlations r range = 0.39-0.81, and correlations with the IES-R's total score r range = 0.62-0.92), excellent concurrent validity through strong correlations with the PTSD Symptom Scale-Self Report (PSS-SR: r range = 0.42-0.69), while their criterion validity was indicated by moderate-to-low correlations with high body mass index (BMI: r range = 0.12-0.39) and the diagnosis of hypertension (r range = 0.12-0.30). In the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, all IES-R models were perfectly associated with the PSS-SR (all areas under the curve (AUCs) > 0.9, p values < 0.001). The IES-R, both hyperarousal subscales, and the IES-R3 intrusion subscale were significantly associated with high BMI. Both avoidance subscales and the IES-R3 intrusion subscale, not the IES-R, were significantly associated with hypertension. In the two-step cluster analysis, five sets of all trauma variables (IES-R3/IES-R6, PSS-SR) classified the participants into two clusters according to their BMI (normal weight/low BMI vs. overweight/obese). Meanwhile, only the IES-R, PSS-SR, and IES-R3 dimensions successfully classified participants as having either normal blood pressure or hypertension. Participants in the overweight/obese and hypertensive clusters displayed considerably higher levels of most trauma symptoms. Input variables with the highest predictor importance in the cluster analysis were those variables expressing significant associations in correlations and ROC analyses. However, neither IES-R3 nor IES-R6 contributed to BMI or hypertension either directly or indirectly in the path analysis. Meanwhile, age significantly predicted both health conditions and current smoking. Irritability and numbing were the only IES-R dimensions that significantly contributed to current smoking. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the need for assessing the way through which various PTSD symptoms may implicate cardiometabolic dysfunctions and their risk factors (e.g., smoking and the intake of unhealthy foods) as well as the application of targeted dietary and exercise interventions to lower physical morbidity in PTSD patients. However, the internal and external validity of our tests may be questionable due to the low power of our sample size. Replicating the study in larger samples, which comprise different physical and mental conditions from heterogenous cultural contexts, is pivotal to validate the results (e.g., in specific groups, such as those with confirmed traumatic exposure and comorbid mood dysfunction).

Are We Truly Different in Personal Values and Compulsive Buying Proclivity? Cross‐Cultural Contrasts Between the United States and East‐Central Europe

ABSTRACTThe current study explores the intersection of personal values theory, consumer culture, and compulsive buying behavior theories. By examining the importance of different values types, we aim to understand the extent to which specific values influence individuals' tendency to either embrace or resist maladaptive behaviors like compulsive buying. This study postulated that one's values can both contribute to the development of compulsive buying tendencies and act as a protective factor. Importantly, we explored this values‐compulsive relationship within the contrasting consumer cultures of the United States characterized by individualism, and Poland, which predominantly exhibits collectivistic trends. In this work, we utilized two distinct samples/studies of American (n = 367) and Polish (n = 370) consumers and employed two key measurement tools: the Portrait Values Questionnaire and the Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale. The research findings revealed that values such as self‐direction, stimulation, hedonism, power, and achievement tend to promote compulsive buying tendencies irrespective of the cultural context. However, the prevalence of compulsive buying is more pronounced among American consumers compared to their Polish counterparts. Furthermore, the impact of hedonism and achievement on compulsive buying was twice as large in the United States as it was in Poland. On the other hand, values such as tradition, security, conformity, benevolence, and universalism appeared to help individuals in preventing or mitigating compulsive buying behavior. This study underscores the critical role of personal values, cultural variations, and their impact on compulsive buying tendencies among consumers. It highlights the presence of specific personal values that can either inhibit or facilitate the development of compulsive buying behaviors.

Who has the greatest influence on adolescent gaming disorder: parents, teachers, or peers? An interpersonal relationships network model of gaming disorder.

Gaming disorder (GD) in adolescents is associated with impaired interpersonal relationships, including those with parents, teachers and peers. However, the interpersonal relationships most strongly associated with GD-related maladaptive behaviors are not well established. This study aimed to investigate the associations between these three types of relationships and the manifestation of GD in adolescents. In this cross-sectional study, 1920 Chinese adolescents participated in a survey that assessed interpersonal relationships (parent-child, teacher-student, and peer relationships) and demographic variables (e.g., gender, grade, duration of gaming), and 1414 participants were ultimately included. A network analysis approach was utilized to evaluate the key network metrics of edge weight and node centrality. The findings revealed that peer fear and inferiority (r = 0.12) and teacher-student conflict were most strongly correlated with GD, followed by parent-child conflict (r = 0.09). Peer fear and inferiority exhibited the highest strength centrality (0.84), followed by teacher-student conflict (0.83) and parent-child conflict (0.35). Moreover, the duration of gaming was significantly and positively correlated with GD (r = 0.19). The present study underscores the significant role of conflict and rejection within interpersonal relationships, particularly among peers, in the manifestation of GD-related behaviors in Chinese adolescents.

7141 Disruption of Transient Receptor Potential Channel 5 Causes Obesity and Maladaptive Behavior

Abstract Disclosure: Y. Li: None. T. Cacciottolo: None. I.S. Farooqi: None. Y. Xu: None. The global surge in obesity over recent decades poses formidable challenges to public health and economic well-being. Transient Receptor Potential Channel 5 (TRPC5) emerges as a pivotal membrane-spanning cation channel implicated in energy homeostasis, pain modulation, and fear responses. Here, we identified microdeletions on chromosome Xq23 disrupting TRPC5 in boys with food-seeking, obesity, anxiety and autism. Significantly, these microdeletions were inherited from mothers grappling with a constellation of health issues, including obesity and anxiety, suggesting a potential intergenerational aspect to TRPC5-related conditions. We examined approximately 450,000 individuals with exome sequence data from the UK Biobank and found that the TRPC5 gene is the most strongly associated X-linked gene for human body mass index. Moreover, we identified 7 rare TRPC5 variants in patients with severe obesity underscores the potential role of TRPC5 in shaping the obesity phenotype. Functional experiments with HEK293 cells demonstrated that these variants led to a loss of Trpc5 function. Knock-in male mice harboring a human loss-of-function (LOF) TRPC5 variant developed obesity, anxiety, reduced social exploratory behavior and increased aggression; female mice homozygous for the same variant showed similar deficits with reduced severity. We found approximately 91% proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) neurons in arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) express Trpc5 in wild-type male mice. Utilizing the TRPC5 agonist benzothiadiazide derivative (BTD), we found that BTD (i.p., 10 mg/kg) reduced food intake and increased c-Fos expression in Pomc neurons in wild-type mice compared to the vehicle injection group. Importantly, the activation of Trpc5 using BTD did not induce toxicity or aversive effects. Importantly, chemogenetic inactivation using designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) of hM4Di-expressing Pomc neurons with clozapine N-oxide (CNO; i.p., 1 mg/kg) effectively blocked BTD-induced anorexia and c-Fos expression in Pomc neurons. Furthermore, we found that BTD-induced anorexia and c-Fos expression in Pomc neurons were blocked in mice with a LOF TRPC5 variant. This suggesting that the effects of BTD on food intake are mediated through Trpc5 in Pomc neurons. In conclusion, our study provides compelling evidence for the involvement of TRPC5 in the intricate regulation of human appetite, body weight, and maladaptive behaviors. Our findings suggest that melanocortin receptor agonists might be effective in treating severe obesity in individuals carrying TRPC5 variants. We suggest that TRPC5 should be included in diagnostic gene panels for severe childhood-onset obesity. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Assessment of Adaptive Functioning and the Impact ofSeizures in KBG Syndrome.

This study aimed to examine the adaptive functioning status and the impact of epileptic seizures on neurocognitive outcomes in KBG syndrome, a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by pathogenic variants in ANKRD11. A single clinician interviewed individuals and families with genetically confirmed cases of KBG syndrome. Trained professionals also conducted assessments using the Vineland-3 Adaptive Behavior Scales. The assessment covered the domains of communication, daily living skills, socialization, and maladaptive behaviors, and then compared individuals with and without epilepsy. Further comparisons were made with data from interviews and participants' medical records. Thirty-nine individuals (22 males, 17 females) with KBG syndrome, confirmed through genetic analysis, were interviewed via videoconferencing, followed by Vineland-3 assessment by trained raters. Individuals with KBG syndrome came from 36 unique families spanning 11 countries. While the KBG cohort displayed lower overall adaptive behavior composite scores compared with the average population, several members displayed standard scores at or higher than average, as well as higher scores compared with those with the neurodevelopmental disorder Ogden syndrome. Within the KBG cohort, males consistently scored lower than females across all domains, but none of these categories reached statistical significance. While the group with epilepsy exhibited overall lower scores than the nonseizure group in every category, statistical significance was only reached in the written communication subdomain. Our research provides insights that can aid in epilepsy screening and inform assessment strategies for neurocognitive functioning in those with this condition. The cohort performed overall higher than expected, with outliers existing in both directions. Although our results suggest that seizures might influence the trajectory of KBG syndrome, the approaching but overall absence of statistical significance between study groups underscores the need for a more extensive cohort to discern subtle variations in functioning.

Gender bias of antisocial and borderline personality disorders among psychiatrists.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) challenge mental health professionals with similar maladaptive behaviors. However, these two disorders differ regarding available evidence-based treatments. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has been criticized as being gender-biased diagnostic construct. The present study aimed to determine the gender bias of ASPD and BPD among Turkish psychiatrists. Three case vignettes were randomly presented as male or female to the psychiatrists online. The first case was a patient with schizophrenia case to confirm the participant's ability to diagnose. The second case was a patient with ASPD, and the third one was a patient with BPD. Two hundred fifty participants diagnosed the first case correctly (n = 250). The results with statistical significance demonstrated that a female case with ASPD was 5.1 times more likely to get misdiagnosed than a male case with ASPD (p˂0.0001). Categorical classification of personality disorders in DSM leads to gender bias in in the diagnosis of ASPD and BPD. The present study shows that female cases with ASPD are misdiagnosed as BPD which may result in treatment attempts without evidence.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, maladaptive coping behaviours and protective factors in undergraduate students: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: The purpose is to examine the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), protective factors, and select maladaptive coping behaviors in postsecondary students. Participants: Undergraduate students attending Dalhousie University. Methods: An online anonymous survey was conducted. Zero order one-tailed correlations were computed to measure relationships between ACEs, levels of maladaptive coping behaviors and protective factors. A structural equation mediation model examined direct and indirect pathways between measures. Results: 42.5% of respondents (n = 327) reported ≥3ACEs. Higher ACEs were associated with higher expression of maladaptive coping behaviors. Respondents with high ACEs and low levels of protective factors reported lower levels of hope and forgiveness and higher levels of stress and rumination. Conclusion: Higher levels of protective factors were associated with lower levels of maladaptive coping behaviors in students with high ACEs.

Emptiness and negative affect changes related to binge eating and borderline personality traits.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by unstable self-image, conflictual interpersonal relationships, emotional dysregulation, and marked impulsivity. One form of impulsivity commonly seen in BPD is binge eating; however, little is known about this maladaptive behavior in the context of BPD. In the eating disorder (ED) literature, multiple theories suggest binge eating occurs as a result of heightened levels of negative affect. Given that BPD and EDs share emotional dysregulation and impulsivity as maintaining mechanisms of each respective disorder, these theories of binge eating may provide a model for binge eating in BPD. Existing literature suggests feelings of emotional emptiness may precede binge episodes in those with EDs. The current study sought to explore feelings of emptiness as antecedents to binge eating behaviors in those with BPD traits. Using ecological momentary assessment, binge episodes, affect, and feelings of emptiness were tracked throughout the day for 14 days in undergraduate students with BPD traits (n = 55). The current study found momentary feelings of emptiness at the time of the binge eating episode significantly predicted increased odds of a binge episode occurring. Additionally, momentary feelings of emptiness, as well as other negative affects, increase following a binge episode. Results suggest treatment of binge eating within BPD should include elements of acceptance of negative affects including emptiness, such as in dialectical behavior therapy distress tolerance skills training. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Medial prefrontal cortex acetylcholine signaling mediates the ability to learn an active avoidance response following learned helplessness training.

Increased brain levels of acetylcholine (ACh) have been observed in patients with depression, and increasing ACh levels pharmacologically can precipitate stress-related behaviors in humans and animals. Conversely, optimal ACh levels are required for cognition and memory. We hypothesize that excessive ACh signaling results in strengthening of negative encoding in which memory formation is aberrantly strengthened for stressful events. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is critical for both top-down control of stress-related circuits, and for encoding of sensory experiences. We therefore evaluated the role of ACh signaling in the mPFC in a learned helplessness task in which mice were exposed to repeated inescapable stressors followed by an active avoidance task. Using fiber photometry with a genetically-encoded ACh sensor, we found that ACh levels in the mPFC during exposure to inescapable stressors were positively correlated with later escape deficits in an active avoidance test in males, but not females. Consistent with these measurements, we found that both pharmacologically- and chemogenetically-induced increases in mPFC ACh levels resulted in escape deficits in both male and female mice, whereas chemogenetic inhibition of ACh neurons projecting to the mPFC improved escape performance in males, but impaired escape performance in females. These results highlight the adaptive role of ACh release in stress response, but also support the idea that sustained elevation of ACh contributes to maladaptive behaviors. Furthermore, mPFC ACh signaling may contribute to stress-based learning differentially in males and females.

Traumatised youth harbour feelings of revenge: investigating the association between PTSD symptomatology, vengeance, and willingness to forgive among the Congolese adolescent refugees in Uganda

ABSTRACT Background: Prolonged conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have caused widespread psychological trauma among civilians leading to maladaptive coping strategies across generations. Despite this occurrence, empirical studies on the prevalence of trauma and its impact on attitudes towards revenge and forgiveness, particularly among the youth, are scarce. This study aims to clarify the relationship between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and the desires for forgiveness and revenge among Congolese adolescents residing in Uganda. Methods: We analysed data from 269 adolescent refugees from the DRC living in the Nakivale refugee settlement in Southwestern Uganda. The assessment included exposure to war-related traumatic events and the MINI-KID for DSM-V PTSD symptom severity. The Heartland Forgiveness and Vengeance Scales measured willingness to forgive and feelings of vengeance. Results: Exposure to war-related traumatic events was notably high in our sample, with severe deprivation of food (260 [97%]), exposure to armed combat (249 [93%]), witnessing bombing, burning, or destruction of houses (245 [91%]), disappearance of family members (239 [89%]), and seeing dead bodies (236 [88%]). PTSD symptom severity was negatively associated with willingness to forgive (b = −0.48; 95% CI −0.71–−0.25; p < .001) and positively associated with vengeance (b = 0.18; 95% CI 0.04–0.32; p = .011). Conclusion: PTSD symptom severity reduces the willingness to forgive and increases the desire for vengeance among adolescent refugees. Mental health clinicians and policymakers should consider addressing maladaptive coping behaviours related to feelings of revenge and unwillingness to forgive in their support strategies for refugees.