Neurophysiological Systems Research Articles

P20-F Dynamics of MEP during corrective spinal surgery for idiophatic scoliosis

The loss of transcranial motor evoked potentials (TcMEP) during spinal surgery is a great problem, because surgical team is required to adequately interpret the real-time changes in observed neuromonitoring and take a decision about further treatment policy. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of IOM events, the consideration of corrective actions, and patient outcomes during the surgical correction of Idiopathic scoliosis (IS). For that a total 150 cases of IOM surgery IS were retrospective analyzed. Patients were aged 5–43 years and underwent surgery between 2013 and 2017. The neurophysiology system for the surgeon “NIM-Eclipse system” (Medtronic) was used. MEP were registered on m.abdominis rectus, m.abdominis obliquus, m.vastus lateralis, m.tibialis anterior. Sixty-four (42.6%) cases were conducted on 200–250 V Tc power, MEP amplitudes were close to baseline and tended to increase to the interventions end. The IOM events were observed in 56 (37,3%) cases, when amplitudes were decreased more than 50% from baseline, but after increasing Tc power to 450–630 V the potentials returned to baseline. In 30 (20%) cases were observed loss MEP – in 24(80%) the potentials returned after washing the wound with a warm solution and rising arterial pressue; in 5 (16.6%) cases – after surgical correction actions; and 1 (3%) irreversible MEP loss case resulted lower paraplegia. The loss of MEP is a consequence of corrective maneuvers on the spine. It can be explained by long-term changes in the functioning of the spinal cord under conditions of its chronic compression, which leads to interruption of corticospinal conduction.

Neuro-physiological correlates of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms in school-aged children.

This study was the first to examine the relationship between neurophysiological abnormalities and symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) in children. Thirty children aged 6-12years were recruited. Their heart rate variability (HRV) was measured under resting and warning signal conditions. At rest, the children's SCT symptoms were found to be positively associated with their HRV (indicated by the standard deviation of the Poincaré plot along the line of identity in normalized units, SD2 nu). SCT symptoms were also positively associated with a change in SD2 nu between the resting and warning signal conditions. When controlling for symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the children's SCT symptoms were significantly predicted by their resting SD2 nu and by changes in SD2 nu and the percentage of successive RR intervals that differ by more than 50 ms (pNN50) between the resting and warning signal conditions. These findings suggest that the readiness and regulation of the autonomic nervous system may contribute to symptoms of SCT. Specifically, disturbances in the internal neurophysiological system may explain the difficulties experienced by children when exposed to environmental stimulation. These initial data support the hypothesis that SCT results from deficiencies in arousal.

A novel EEG-complexity-based feature and its application on the epileptic seizure detection

The neurophysiology system is a complex network of nerves and cells, which carries messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body. Exploring complexity of the system can be contributed to understand diverse neurophysiological abnormalities, which may further result in different kinds of neurological disorders. In this paper, we present a novel analyzing framework to characterize the complexity of neurophysiological system, under which a specific weighted FPE-complexity-based feature (W-FPE-F) is extracted from EEG and then applied into the automated epileptic seizure detection. Combining with extreme learning machine (ELM) and support vector machine (SVM), performances of the proposed method are finally verified on two open EEG databases. Simulation results show that the proposed method does a good job in detecting the epileptic seizure, particularly, it is able to avoid the undesirable detection performance caused by individual divergence effectively.

On the Same Wavelength: Exploring Team Neurosynchrony in Undergraduate Dyads Solving a Cyberlearning Problem With Collaborative Scripts

ABSTRACTAs teammates adjust their cognition and behavior, synchronizations of information can be observed across verbal, postural, and neurophysiological systems. This study explored the synchrony of mutually interacting brains, or team neurosynchrony, during cyber‐enabled collaborative problem solving. Mixed‐sex dyads defined and solved an authentic problem using either a social script or an epistemic script. Alpha‐band phase‐locking value, or the absolute value of the sum of the phase differences of electrodes at a particular time and frequency across a number of epochs, was used as a measure of team neurosynchrony. Contrary to our hypotheses, analyses revealed greater alpha‐band phase‐locking values between the central and parietal electrodes of dyad members in the epistemic script condition. Mean alpha phase‐locking values were positively correlated with collaborative problem solving performance and negatively correlated with time spent on the problem solving process, suggesting that epistemic scripts were more effective scaffolds of collaborative problem solving compared to social scripts in this study.

Characteristic features of adolescents with different clinical forms of cerebral palsy

The purpose of the study is to explore the characterological features of adolescents with cerebral palsy with various non-psychotic mental disorders of residual organic origin. A psychodiagnostic examination of 73 adolescents with various clinical forms of cerebral palsy, who were diagnosed with nonpsychotic mental disorders of residual organic origin, was carried out: in 31 (42.5 %) – mild cognitive impairment, 42 (57.5 %) – organic emotionally labile disorder. The study used psycho-diagnostic technique “Pathocharacterological diagnostic questionnaire” of A.E. Lichko, that intended to determine the types of accentuations of character and variants of constitutional psychopathy, psychopathic development, and organic psychopathy in adolescence and youth (14-18 years). All adolescents underwent rehabilitation using Intensive Neurophysiological Rehabilitation System (INRS) in the Kozyavkin International Rehabilitation Clinic (Ukraine, Truskavets). The survey was conducted in the first three days of being adolescents in the rehabilitation center. The results of the study indicate that in 100 % of examined adolescents with cerebral palsy, various types of character accentuations were diagnosed. In adolescents with mild cognitive impairment, labile (29.0 %), epileptoid (24.2 %), sensitive (16.1 %), and astheno-neurotic (12.9 %) types are prevailed. In adolescents with organic emotionally labile disorder, the most commonly diagnosed types are epileptoid (22.1 %), sensitive (21.0 %), hysteroid (17.4 %), and labile (14.3 %) types. In the group of adolescents with mild cognitive impairment (F06.7), a labile type of character accentuation was diagnosed significantly more frequently (p < 0.05) in boys (36.9 % ± 10,0 %) than in girls (6.25 % ± 12,0 %). The study made it possible to establish the characterological features of personality development and emotional disorders in adolescents with cerebral palsy and to predict their importance in the formation of psychopathological disorders and the quality of socio-psychological adaptation of these groups of patients.

An Exploratory Study on the Central Nervous Correlates of Sexual Excitation and Sexual Inhibition

The Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES) measure sexual excitation and sexual inhibition proneness. We used SIS and SES scores of 62 heterosexual teleiophilic men (Mage 34.3, SD = 9.9) to predict brain activation levels during the presentation of male and female visual sexual stimuli in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. Statistical analyses revealed significant correlations. SES and SIS1 scores were positively associated with brain activation in various brain regions during the presentation of both male and female stimuli. SIS2 turned out to be a weaker predictor of brain activation, still revealing one significant correlation in the right lateral orbitofrontal cortex. Significant regions for SES and SIS1 were, among others, primary and supplementary motor areas, the caudate nucleus, the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, and prefrontal areas. Our study can be seen as an exploratory investigation of SIS and SES with means of functional brain imaging. The results provide a promising contribution to the assertion of neurophysiological systems of sexual inhibition and excitation proneness.

Associations of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Genetic Markers with Development of Arterial Hypertension in the Population of Mountain Shoriya

Aim . To study the combined effect of cardiovascular risk factors and genetic markers that encode the proteins of the main components of neurophysiological systems (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone, sympathetic-adrenal systems, endothelial dysfunction) on the development of arterial hypertension among the indigenous and non-indigenous population of Mountain Shoriya. Material and methods . We performed a clinical and epidemiological study of the compactly settled population in the remote areas of Mountain Shoriya. This region of middle mountains is situated in the south of Western Siberia. We examined 1409 subjects (901 subjects – the representatives of indigenous nationality [the Shors], 508 subjects – representatives of non-indigenous nationality [90% among them were the representatives of the European ethnicity]). Hypertension was diagnosed according to the National Guidelines of the Russian Society of Cardiology/the Russian Medical Society on Arterial Hypertension (2010). All patients underwent clinical, laboratory and instrumental investigation. Polymorphisms of genes ACE (I/D, rs 4340), А GT (c.803T>C, rs699), AGTR1 ( А 1166 С , rs5186), ADRB1 ( с .145A>G, Ser49Gly, rs1801252), ADRA2B (I/D, rs 28365031), MTHFR (c.677 С > Т , Ala222Val, rs1801133) and NOS3 (VNTR, 4b/4a) were tested using polymerase chain reaction. Results . Cardiovascular risk factors associated with hypertension in cohort of Shorians: hypercholesterolemia [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.54, low density lipoproteinemia (OR 1.48), violation of carbohydrate metabolism (OR 1.53), obesity (OR 2.25), including its abdominal type (OR 1.53), the family anamnesis of early cardiovascular diseases (OR 1.88)] and rs4340 polymorphisms of the ACE gene (OR 4.39), rs5186 of the AGTR1 gene (OR 10.02); in the cohort of the non-indigenous ethnos – hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.87), hypertriglyceridemia (OR 1.87), obesity (OR 2.75), abdominal obesity (OR 2.73), family anamnesis of early cardiovascular diseases (OR 2.48), the polymorphism rs5186 of the AGTR1 gene (OR 26.77). Genotype G/G ADRB1 gene was characterized by protective effect against hypertension in the Shorians. Conclusion . Evaluation of the complex influence of clinical and genetic factors on the development of hypertension in the population of Mountain Shoriya showed their comparable importance among the indigenous population and the predominance of non-genetic factors among the non-indigenous population.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity moderates within-person associations of daily capitalization with positive affect and relationship quality

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) has been conceptualized as a biomarker of a neurophysiological system supporting social behaviors. Capitalization, the interpersonal process of sharing positive experiences with close others, has been associated with improved intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning. The present study examined whether RSA moderated the within-person associations of daily capitalization with positive affect and relationship quality. Participants ( N = 149) completed an electrocardiogram recording during a resting baseline and a worry induction period, as well as a 14-day daily diary assessment of capitalization, positive affect, and relationship quality. Results indicated that RSA reactivity moderated the within-person effects of daily capitalization on positive affect and relationship quality. On days when they did not capitalize, individuals with higher RSA reactivity experienced lower positive affect and poorer relationship quality than their counterparts with lower RSA reactivity. In contrast, no significant differences were observed between participants with lower and higher RSA reactivity on days when they capitalized. These results provide further evidence that RSA reactivity shapes sensitivity to social context, including one’s responses to the lack of usual capitalization interactions.

Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Systems, and Emotional Regulation in Individuals With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.

Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory postulates two distinct neurophysiological systems that underlie thoughts, emotions, and behavior: the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and the Behavioral Approach System (BAS). Preliminary research suggests that both systems may play relevant roles in the adjustment of individuals with chronic pain. However, there is a lack of research on the extent to which emotional regulation (i.e., cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) mediates the associations between BIS and BAS activation and emotional responses in individuals with chronic pain. The aim of this study was to test a model of the associations between the BIS and BAS, cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, and positive and negative affect in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. In total, 516 participants were interviewed. Structural Equation Modeling was used to estimate the associations between variables. The empirical model showed a good fit to the data (χ2/df = 1.95; RMSEA = 0.04; GFI = 0.99; AGFI = 0.98; CFI = 0.99). The hypothesized model received partial support. The BIS was associated with cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression; cognitive reappraisal was associated with negative and positive affect; expressive suppression was positively associated with affect; and the BAS was not associated with the emotional regulation strategies assessed. However, the BIS and BAS were both directly associated with negative and positive affect. The results suggest that individuals with chronic pain with higher BIS activation appear to use greater expressive suppression. Cognitive reappraisal strongly mediated the BIS-negative affect association. The results also suggest that BAS activation may have a weak or inconsistent association with emotional regulation approaches in individuals with chronic pain. These data provide new and relevant information on the potential role of the BIS and BAS as predictors of psychological functioning in individuals with chronic pain. They suggest that the BIS-BAS model of chronic pain may need to be modified to take into account the potential negative effects of BAS activation. The findings suggest that treatments for emotional regulation could potentially reduce the negative impact of chronic pain via BIS.

EL JUEGO VOCAL EN LA EDUCACIÓN INFANTIL Y PRIMARIA

La música, consustancial al ser humano, es un elemento de interrelación y desarrollo que fomenta las capacidades para el progreso comunicativo en cualquier ámbito social. Valoramos la voz como un elemento básico de la expresión musical. En la aplicación didáctica del aula trataremos de guiar el proceso natural y evolutivo de la expresión sonora potenciando la maduración de los sistemas neurofisiológicos y usos vocales en la educación musical infantil y primaria a fin de retroalimentar la expresión creativa desde la voz. Se utilizarán propuestas creativas fundamentadas en determinados referentes artísticos cuyo carácter potenciará el desarrollo de la naturaleza sonora y musical en edad infantil.

F18. IS SCHIZOPHRENIA A MULTI-SYSTEM DISORDER? CONSIDERING NEUROLOGICAL, IMMUNE, CARDIOMETABOLIC, AND ENDOCRINE ALTERATIONS IN FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS

BackgroundPeople with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders show abnormalities in several organ systems in addition to the central nervous system (CNS). It is not yet known how the magnitude of disturbance in non-CNS systems compares with the magnitude of CNS disturbance in FEP. Here, we statistically compare effect sizes (ES) for non-CNS and CNS dysfunction in FEP, and consider whether schizophrenia is a multi-system disorder.MethodsPubmed was systematically searched from 1990 to May 2017 for meta-analyses examining non-CNS dysfunction in FEP, focusing on immune, cardiometabolic, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) systems. A parallel search was performed for meta-analyses examining representative CNS dysfunction in FEP, specifically neurophysiological, neurochemical and brain structural alterations. To statistically compare the magnitude of effect sizes (ES) between different CNS and non-CNS systems in FEP, data were extracted from case-control studies making up these meta-analyses, and meta-analyses repeated. For non-CNS parameters, random-effects meta-analyses were performed examining immune (cytokines, CRP, and lymphocytes), cardiometabolic (glucose/insulin and lipids), and HPA parameters (cortisol and prolactin). For CNS parameters, meta-analyses were performed examining brain structural, neurophysiological (Auditory P300 amplitude and latency, duration deviant mismatch negativity), and neurochemical parameters (N-acetylaspartic acid levels). Standardized mean differences between patient and control cohort parameters were used as the ES (Hedges adjusted g). As well as individual meta-analyses being run for each parameter as described, 6 separate sub-group meta-analyses were performed examining data for overall immune, cardiometabolic, HPA, brain structural, neurophysiological, and neurochemical systems. Sub-group summary effect size magnitudes were calculated by running a combined analysis of all studies assigned to a sub-group (e.g. to calculate the summary effect size magnitude for immune alterations, a single analysis was performed that combined IL-1b, sIL-2R, IL-6, TNFa, TGFb, CRP, and lymphocyte count data sets). Summary effect sizes for these 6 individual systems were statistically compared in a fixed effects model using a Wald-type test. This was also used to compare overall summary CNS and non-CNS effect sizes. Antipsychotic naïve sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsData were extracted for 165 studies comprising a total sample size of 13,440. The summary effect size for immune alterations (g=1.19; CI:0.82–1.56) was significantly greater than brain structural (g=0.40;P<.001) and neurochemical alterations (g=0.43;P<.001), and no different from neurophysiological alterations (g=0.80; P=0.05). The summary effect size for HPA alterations (g=0.68; CI:0.32–1.04) was not significantly different from brain structural (P=.14), neurophysiological (P=.54), and neurochemical (P=.22) alterations. The summary effect size for cardiometabolic alterations (g=0.23; CI:0.15–0.31) was significantly lower than neurochemical (P=.04), neurophysiological (P<.001) and brain structural alterations (P=.001). The overall summary effect sizes for non-CNS (g=0.58; CI:0.44–0.72) and CNS (g=0.50; CI:0.44–0.56) alterations were not significantly different (P=.28).DiscussionThese data indicate that there are robust alterations in non-CNS systems in psychosis, and that these are broadly similar in magnitude to a range of CNS alterations, indicating that psychosis involves multiple organ systems to a comparable degree from onset. We consider three models that could account for these findings and discuss implications for future research and treatment.

CHRONIC NEURO ‐ SPINAL DEGENERATIVE DISEASE AND EFFECTIVE INTEGRATIVE DYNAMIC SIGMA QUANTUM REGENERATION NEURAL CELLS SIGNALING STIMULATION THERAPIES ‐ Case Study

BackgroundComplex spinal conditions may be the result of multiple disorders and pathologies, that interact together to generate back pain, discomfort and depression. At Einstein Medical Institute USA, ‐ University of Science Art and Technology developing research in Integrative therapies by applications Mathematical Functions of Sigma Quanta Coherence E.M. Energy and Einstein Matrix Dose Protocol in diverse case study treatments.Materials and MethodsProgressive degenerative diseases affect nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. Patient had failed back syndrome of 16 years duration with chronic pain, eight spine surgeries, 100 spinal injections, nerve blocks, an implanting pump, a spinal simulator and countless prescribed medications. The multiple diagnostic matrix approach was performed. For major analysis of the electrical signals generated by the brain represent not only the brain function but also the status of the whole body was applied. The treatment protocol included detox, acupuncture, different frequency low laser therapies ‐ LLT, Sigma Quanta Coherence E.M.E and G.P. Einstein Matrix Dose Protocol for stimulation neural signaling in Brain and Spinal cord.ResultEEG has been found to be a very powerful tool in the field of neurology and clinical neurophysiology. The electrical signals generated by the brain represent not only the brain function but also the status of the whole body. The patient after several diagnostic EEG with Integrative therapies by applications Mathematical Functions of Sigma Quanta Coherence E.M. Energy and Einstein Matrix Doses Protocol in neuro therapeutic sessions was able to walk again with low pain. The general equation for stimulation neural signaling is Sigma Quantum E= h · ∑ fN. where h represents the Planck's constant, and ∑fN is sum all frequencies in stimulation the cell signaling in brain and in neural system of total body.ConclusionThe G.P. Einstein Mathematical Functions of Sigma Quanta Coherence E.M. Energy with Einstein Matrix Doses is safe, can be applied and designed for personal therapies by MD with extensive training in Quantum Physics, Electromagnetics Energy Systems and electro‐electronic bio‐currents in human neuro‐physiological system.Support or Funding InformationSupport from Institutional Resources of USAT Montserrat and the Einstein Medical Institute.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

DISFUNGSI TIROID, ANTIBODI PEROKSIDASE DAN HORMON PERANGSANGNYA

Hypothyroid in the pregnancy particularly in first trimester can influence the development of brain and neurophysiologic system infoetus. The diagnose approach of hypothyroid with laboratory evaluation which measure AntiTPO, TSH, and FT4 is the recommendedchoice. Full attention should be paid towards the treatment and management of hypothyroid in the pregnancy in order to avoid anybad complication.

Functionality versus dimensionality in psychological taxonomies, and a puzzle of emotional valence.

This paper applies evolutionary and functional constructivism approaches to the discussion of psychological taxonomies, as implemented in the neurochemical model Functional Ensemble of Temperament (FET). FET asserts that neurochemical systems developed in evolution to regulate functional-dynamical aspects of construction of actions: orientation, selection (integration), energetic maintenance, and management of automatic behavioural elements. As an example, the paper reviews the neurochemical mechanisms of interlocking between emotional dispositions and performance capacities. Research shows that there are no specific neurophysiological systems of positive or negative affect, and that emotional valence is rather an integrative product of many brain systems during estimations of needs and the capacities required to satisfy these needs. The interlocking between emotional valence and functional aspects of performance appears to be only partial since all monoamine and opioid receptor systems play important roles in non-emotional aspects of behaviour, in addition to emotionality. This suggests that the Positive/Negative Affect framework for DSM/ICD classifications of mental disorders oversimplifies the structure of non-emotionality symptoms of these disorders. Contingent dynamical relationships between neurochemical systems cannot be represented by linear statistical models searching for independent dimensions (such as factor analysis); nevertheless, these relationships should be reflected in psychological and psychiatric taxonomies.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Diverse perspectives on diversity: multi-disciplinary approaches to taxonomies of individual differences’.

Spatial Wavelet-Based Coherence and Coupling in EEG Signals With Eye Open and Closed During Resting State

Biological signals represent patterns of change in the rhythms of biological systems providing a complementary way to study the dynamics of these systems. The research reported in this paper is based on methodological approaches used to quantify the dynamical fluctuations of neurophysiological systems. We use time-frequency representation techniques including spatial coupling and spatial wavelet phase coherence to analyze the dynamics of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals in different frequency bands in the form of topographic maps. The distribution of power in different frequency bands is computed. The findings indicated that the power in delta frequency band is mainly distributed in prefrontal and occipital regions, whereas, power in theta band is distributed in fronto-occipital regions. The power in alpha band is distributed in posterior and extended to anterior, power in beta band in posterior and prefrontal regions and gamma band power is dominant in prefrontal and occipital regions. All the frequency bands are involved in different activities in one way or other, however alpha band power revealed dominant anterior-posterior activity where the eye-closed (EC) coherence is higher than eye open (EO) coherence. The phase-phase CFC on multichannel EEG signals with EC and EO during resting state is also computed to investigate which brain regions are affected by phase modulation of low frequency bands. Coupling in different frequency bands is estimated using dynamic Bayesian inference approach. This approach can detect the phase connectivity within a network of time varying coupled oscillator subject to the noise. The self, direct, and common coupling scheme showed strong coupling in delta–alpha to alpha ( $\delta,\alpha \to \alpha$ ) and theta–alpha to alpha ( $\theta,\alpha \to \alpha$ ) bands. However, moderate couplings are found in theta-gamma to gamma ( $\theta,\gamma \to \gamma$ ), alpha–gamma to gamma ( $\alpha,\gamma \to \gamma$ ), and delta–gamma to gamma $\delta,\gamma \to \gamma$ ) bands.

The soothing function of touch: affective touch reduces feelings of social exclusion

The mammalian need for social proximity, attachment and belonging may have an adaptive and evolutionary value in terms of survival and reproductive success. Consequently, ostracism may induce strong negative feelings of social exclusion. Recent studies suggest that slow, affective touch, which is mediated by a separate, specific C tactile neurophysiological system than faster, neutral touch, modulates the perception of physical pain. However, it remains unknown whether slow, affective touch, can also reduce feelings of social exclusion, a form of social pain. Here, we employed a social exclusion paradigm, namely the Cyberball task (N = 84), to examine whether the administration of slow, affective touch may reduce the negative feelings of ostracism induced by the social exclusion manipulations of the Cyberball task. As predicted, the provision of slow-affective, as compared to fast-neutral, touch led to a specific decrease in feelings of social exclusion, beyond general mood effects. These findings point to the soothing function of slow, affective touch, particularly in the context of social separation or rejection, and suggest a specific relation between affective touch and social bonding.

Macroscopic and microscopic spectral properties of brain networks during local and global synchronization.

We introduce a practical and computationally not demanding technique for inferring interactions at various microscopic levels between the units of a network from the measurements and the processing of macroscopic signals. Starting from a network model of Kuramoto phase oscillators, which evolve adaptively according to homophilic and homeostatic adaptive principles, we give evidence that the increase of synchronization within groups of nodes (and the corresponding formation of synchronous clusters) causes also the defragmentation of the wavelet energy spectrum of the macroscopic signal. Our methodology is then applied to getting a glance into the microscopic interactions occurring in a neurophysiological system, namely, in the thalamocortical neural network of an epileptic brain of a rat, where the group electrical activity is registered by means of multichannel EEG. We demonstrate that it is possible to infer the degree of interaction between the interconnected regions of the brain during different types of brain activities and to estimate the regions' participation in the generation of the different levels of consciousness.

An investigation of the coupling of temperament traits with anxiety

Temperament traits and anxiety have been linked to varying degrees of neurotransmitter imbalances in neurophysiological systems of regulating behaviour. The diversity of neurotransmitters implicated in anxiety symptoms raises questions as to whether the multiple neurotransmitter systems secondarily express dysfunction in a higher-level system, which modulates their activity. This study analyzed the predictions of the neurochemical functional ensemble of temperament (FET) model that proposes that a dysregulation of the opioid receptors acting on monoaminergic and GABA systems gives rise to the symptoms of GAD. The study investigated the coupling of sex, age and temperament traits with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) across three age groups (17–24, 25–45, 46–65 years). The records of patients aged 65–85 years old were also examined but showed significantly less presence of GAD in comparison to other age groups. Temperament was assessed using the activity specific 12-trait structure of temperament questionnaire. Consistent with the hypotheses of the FET, patients with GAD reported lower mean scores on the traits of social-verbal endurance, mental endurance, plasticity and sensation seeking and higher mean scores in the trait of impulsivity, than healthy individuals. GAD was associated with significantly lower self-confidence in women than in men. The results suggest that new versions of the DSM should consider an increase of impulsivity and a decrease in plasticity of behavior as criteria symptoms of anxiety. Moreover, the results suggest that the current criterion of fatigue should be specified as more related to social-verbal and mental aspects and less to physical aspects of endurance.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Measuring the Cognitions, Emotions, and Motivation Associated With Avoidance Behaviors in the Context of Pain: Preliminary Development of the Negative Responsivity to Pain Scales.

We recently proposed a Behavioral Inhibition System-Behavioral Activation System (BIS-BAS) model to help explain the effects of pain treatments. In this model, treatments are hypothesized to operate primarily through their effects on the domains within 2 distinct neurophysiological systems that underlie approach (BAS) and avoidance (BIS) behaviors. Measures of the model's domains are needed to evaluate and modify the model. An item pool of negative responses to pain (NRP; hypothesized to be BIS related) and positive responses (PR; hypothesized to be BAS related) were administered to 395 undergraduates, 325 of whom endorsed recurrent pain. The items were administered to 176 of these individuals again 1 week later. Analyses were conducted to develop and validate scales assessing NRP and PR domains. Three NRP scales (Despondent Response to Pain, Fear of Pain, and Avoidant Response to Pain) and 2 PR scales (Happy/Hopeful Responses and Approach Response) emerged. Consistent with the model, the scales formed 2 relatively independent overarching domains. The scales also demonstrated excellent internal consistency, and associations with criterion variables supported their validity. However, whereas the NRP scales evidenced adequate test-retest stability, the 2 PR scales were not adequately stable. The study yielded 3 brief scales assessing NRP, which may be used to further evaluate the BIS-BAS model and to advance research elucidating the mechanisms of psychosocial pain treatments. The findings also provide general support for the BIS-BAS model, while also suggesting that some minor modifications in the model are warranted.

An investigation of the coupling of temperament traits with major depression

A diversity of neurochemical hypotheses related to major depression (MD) suggests that further investigation is needed for uncovering the neurophysiological nature of MD. Since both temperament and mental illness have been linked to varying degrees of the same neurotransmitter imbalances in neurophysiological systems of behavioral regulation, the analysis of temperament traits as weak forms of neurochemical imbalances might give new insights into symptoms and nature of MD. This study analyzed the predictions of the opioid receptor hypothesis within the neurochemical model of functional ensemble of temperament proposing that a dysregulation of the opioid receptors acting on monoaminergic systems gives rise to the symptoms of major depression (MD). The study investigated the coupling of sex, age and temperament traits with MD across four age groups (17–24, 25–45, 46–65, 66–85) by reviewing the records of testing in 423 patients and volunteers with (210) and without (213) the MD. The records included testing with the personality assessment inventory, structure of temperament questionnaire, structured clinical interview and other diagnostic measures. In line with the hypothesis, patients with MD had significantly lower physical endurance, social-verbal endurance, mental endurance, plasticity, physical tempo, sensation seeking and self-confidence, and higher impulsivity and neuroticism than non-depressed individuals. Other sex- and age-related effects are reported. The results suggest that new versions of the DSM should consider an increase of impulsivity and a decrease in plasticity of behavior as criteria symptoms of MD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.