National screening for anxiety and depression in Saudi Arabia 2022

BackgroundMental health disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), represent a significant public health concern in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to provide a recent mental health screening prevalence, including anxiety and depression screening in the general public and to explore the associated risk factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, employing a phone interview survey with 6,015 participants, using a quota sampling strategy to ensure equal representation of both sexes and administrative regions. The study assessed the prevalence of MDD and GAD risk and examined demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors associated with these mental health disorders.ResultsThe national prevalence of people at risk of MDD and GAD were found to be 12.7 and 12.4%, respectively. Low diagnosis and treatment rates were observed, with only 1.5 and 0.5% of participants currently diagnosed and treated for depression and anxiety, respectively. Risk factors for MDD and GAD included female sex, lower education and income levels, smoking, and waterpipe use. Protective factors included physical activity, participation in volunteering activities and the practice of daily hobbies in the last 30 days.ConclusionThe relatively high prevalence of MDD and GAD risk and low diagnosis and treatment rates in Saudi Arabia emphasize the need for increased mental health promotion, early detection, and treatment accessibility. The study highlights the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors and fostering protective factors through targeted interventions. Future research should focus on longitudinal associations, potential mediators and moderators, and the development of culturally appropriate and evidence-based interventions to enhance mental health outcomes in the region

Validation and psychometric testing of the Arabic version of the mental health literacy scale among the Saudi Arabian general population

Abstract Objective This study aimed to validate the Arabic Version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale (Arabic-MHLS) among the Saudi Arabian general population, assessing its internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and structural validity. Methods A total of 700 Arabic-speaking Saudi adults were randomly selected to complete the electronic questionnaire in May 2023, which generated 544 participants. Data were coded and stored in the ZdataCloud research data collection system database. Test-retest reliability was assessed using a subsample of 48 participants who completed the questionnaire twice, with a one-week interval. Structural validity was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Results The Arabic-MHLS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.87) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.89). EFA revealed a four-factor model closely resembling the model identified in the Slovenian validation of MHLS, with factor loadings ranging from 0.40 to 0.85. The four factors included knowledge of mental health disorders, knowledge of help-seeking, knowledge of self-help strategies, and knowledge of professional help also showed good internal consistency. Conclusion The Arabic-MHLS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing mental health literacy in the Saudi Arabian general population. However, further research is needed to refine the measurement tool and understand the complex relationships between mental health literacy and other mental health-related concepts. This will contribute to the development of targeted interventions and policies aimed at improving mental health literacy and promoting mental well-being in the Saudi Arabian population and beyond

Spectroscopic and Molecular Docking Analysis of π-Acceptor Complexes with the Drug Barbital

The drug barbital (Bar) has a strong sedative–hypnotic effect. The intermolecular charge transfer compounds associated with the chemical reactions between Bar and some π acceptors, such as 2,6-dibromoquinone-4-chloroimide (DBQ), tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), chloranil (CHL), and chloranilic acid (CLA), have been synthesized and isolated in solid state. The synthesized products have the molecular formulas (Bar–DBQ), (Bar–TCNQ), (Bar–CHL), and (Bar–CLA) with 1:1 stoichiometry based on Raman, IR, TG, 1H NMR, XRD, SEM, and UV-visible analysis techniques. Additionally, the comparative analysis of molecular docking between the donor reactant moiety, Bar, and its four CT complexes was conducted using two neurotransmitter receptors (dopamine and serotonin). The docking results obtained from AutoDockVina software were investigated by a molecular dynamics simulation technique with 100ns run. The molecular mechanisms behind receptor–ligand interactions were also looked into. The DFT computations were conducted using theory at the B3LYP/6-311G++ level. In addition, the HOMO LUMO electronic energy gap and the CT complex’s optimal geometry and molecule electrostatic potential were examined

Multispectral and Molecular Docking Studies Reveal Potential Effectiveness of Antidepressant Fluoxetine by Forming π-Acceptor Complexes

Poor mood, lack of pleasure, reduced focus, remorse, unpleasant thoughts, and sleep difficulties are all symptoms of depression. The only approved treatment for children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) is fluoxetine hydrochloride (FXN), a serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor antidepressant. MDD is the most common cause of disability worldwide. In the present research, picric acid (PA); dinitrobenzene; p-nitro benzoic acid; 2,6-dichloroquinone-4-chloroimide; 2,6-dibromoquinone-4-chloroimide; and 7,7′,8,8′-tetracyanoquinodimethane were used to make 1:1 FXN charge-transfer compounds in solid and liquid forms. The isolated complexes were then characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity, infrared, Raman, and 1H-NMR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. Additionally, a molecular docking investigation was conducted on the donor moiety using FXN alone and the resulting charge transfer complex [(FXN)(PA)] as an acceptor to examine the interactions against two protein receptors (serotonin or dopamine). Interestingly, the [(FXN)(PA)] complex binds to both serotonin and dopamine more effectively than the FXN drug alone. Furthermore, [(FXN)(PA)]–serotonin had a greater binding energy than [FXN]–serotonin. Theoretical data were also generated by density functional theory simulations, which aided the molecular geometry investigation and could be beneficial to researchers in the future

Increasing the Efficacy of Seproxetine as an Antidepressant Using Charge–Transfer Complexes

The charge transfer interactions between the seproxetine (SRX) donor and π-electron acceptors [picric acid (PA), dinitrobenzene (DNB), p-nitrobenzoic acid (p-NBA), 2,6-dichloroquinone-4-chloroimide (DCQ), 2,6-dibromoquinone-4-chloroimide (DBQ), and 7,7′,8,8′-tetracyanoquinodi methane (TCNQ)] were studied in a liquid medium, and the solid form was isolated and characterized. The spectrophotometric analysis confirmed that the charge–transfer interactions between the electrons of the donor and acceptors were 1:1 (SRX: π-acceptor). To study the comparative interactions between SRX and the other π-electron acceptors, molecular docking calculations were performed between SRX and the charge transfer (CT) complexes against three receptors (serotonin, dopamine, and TrkB kinase receptor). According to molecular docking, the CT complex [(SRX)(TCNQ)] binds with all three receptors more efficiently than SRX alone, and [(SRX)(TCNQ)]-dopamine (CTcD) has the highest binding energy value. The results of AutoDock Vina revealed that the molecular dynamics simulation of the 100 ns run revealed that both the SRX-dopamine and CTcD complexes had a stable conformation; however, the CTcD complex was more stable. The optimized structure of the CT complexes was obtained using density functional theory (B-3LYP/6-311G++) and was compared

Enhancement of Haloperidol Binding Affinity to Dopamine Receptor via Forming a Charge-Transfer Complex with Picric Acid and 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane for Improvement of the Antipsychotic Efficacy

Haloperidol (HPL) is a typical antipsychotic drug used to treat acute psychotic conditions, delirium, and schizophrenia. Solid charge transfer (CT) products of HPL with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and picric acid (PA) have not been reported till date. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate the donor–acceptor CT interactions between HPL (donor) and TCNQ and PA (π-acceptors) in liquid and solid states. The complete spectroscopic and analytical analyses deduced that the stoichiometry of these synthesized complexes was 1:1 molar ratio. Molecular docking calculations were performed for HPL as a donor and the resulting CT complexes with TCNQ and PA as acceptors with two protein receptors, serotonin and dopamine, to study the comparative interactions among them, as they are important neurotransmitters that play a large role in mental health. A molecular dynamics simulation was ran for 100 ns with the output from AutoDock Vina to refine docking results and better examine the molecular processes of receptor–ligand interactions. When compared to the reactant donor, the CT complex [(HPL)(TCNQ)] interacted with serotonin and dopamine more efficiently than HPL only. CT complex [(HPL)(TCNQ)] with dopamine (CTtD) showed the greatest binding energy value among all. Additionally, CTtD complex established more a stable interaction with dopamine than HPL–dopamine