Psychological and Environmental Correlates of HPA Axis Functioning in Parentally Bereaved Children: Preliminary Findings

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/97514/1/jts21788.pd

Out of the Mouths of Babes: Links Between Linguistic Structure of Loss Narratives and Psychosocial Functioning in Parentally Bereaved Children

This study examined links between the language bereaved children use to describe the death of their caregiver and children’s psychological/behavioral functioning and coping strategies. Participants included 44 children (54.5% male) aged 7 to 12 (M = 9.05) years who were bereaved by the death of a caregiver. Children were assessed via self‐ and caregiver‐report measures and an in‐person interview regarding the loss of their caregiver. Children’s loss narratives gathered through in‐person interviews were transcribed and subjected to textual analysis. Linguistic categories included pronouns and verb tense. Drawing from linguistic and self‐distancing theories, we hypothesized that children’s use of language reflecting self‐distancing (third‐person pronouns and past tense) or social connectedness (first‐person plural pronouns) would be negatively associated with psychological/behavioral distress and avoidant coping. Similarly, we expected that children’s use of self‐focused language (first‐person singular pronouns and present tense) would be positively associated with psychological/behavioral distress and avoidant coping. As hypothesized, preliminary findings suggest that children who employed more self‐distancing language and used more social connectedness words reported less avoidant coping, rs = .40–.42. Also as hypothesized, children who employed more self‐focused language had higher levels of self‐reported posttraumatic stress symptoms, r = .54, and avoidant coping, r = .54, and higher parent‐reported psychological/behavioral distress, r = .43. Implications for theory‐building, risk screening, and directions for future research with bereaved youth are discussed.ResumenSpanish Abstracts by the Asociación Chilena de Estrés Traumático (ACET)Fuera de la boca de los bebes: vínculos entre la estructura lingüística de las narrativas de pérdida y el funcionamiento psicosocial en los niños con duelo parentalNARRATIVAS DE PÉRDIDA Y FUNCIONAMIENTO EN NIÑOSEste estudio examinó los vínculos entre el lenguaje usado por los niños en duelo para describir la muerte de su cuidador y el funcionamiento psicológico / conductual y las estrategias de afrontamiento de los niños. Los participantes incluyeron 44 niños (54,5% hombres) de 7 a 12 años (M = 9,05) en duelo por la muerte de un cuidador. Los niños fueron evaluados a través de medidas de autoreporte y reporte del cuidador y una entrevista en persona con respecto a la pérdida de su cuidador. Las narrativas de pérdida de los niños recopiladas a través de entrevistas en persona fueron transcritas y se sometieron a un análisis textual. Las categorías lingüísticas incluyen pronombres y tiempo verbal. Partiendo de teorías lingüísticas y de autodistanciamiento, hipotetizamos que el uso de lenguaje por parte de los niños que refleje autodistanciamiento (pronombres en tercera persona y tiempo pasado) o conectividad social (pronombres en primera persona en plural) estaría negativamente asociado con angustia psicológica o conductual y el afrontamiento evitativo. De manera similar, esperábamos que el uso de lenguaje enfocado en sí mismo (pronombres en primera persona singular y tiempo presente) se asociara positivamente con la angustia psicológica / conductual y el afrontamiento evitativo. Como se hipotetizó, los hallazgos preliminares sugieren que los niños que emplearon más lenguaje autodistanciado y un mayor uso de palabras de conectividad social reportaron menos afrontamiento evitativo, rs = .40‐.42. También según la hipótesis, los niños que empleaban más lenguaje enfocado en sí mismos tenían niveles más altos de síntomas de estrés postraumático autoreportados, r = .54, afrontamiento evitativo, r = .54 y mayor angustia psicológica / conductual informada por los padres, r = . 43. Se discuten las implicaciones para el desarrollo de la teoría, el tamizaje de riesgos y direcciones para futuras investigaciones con jóvenes en duelo.抽象Traditional and Simplified Chinese Abstracts by AsianSTSSOut of the Mouths of Babes: Links between Linguistic Structure of Loss Narratives and Psychosocial Functioning in Parentally‐Bereaved ChildrenTraditional Chinese標題: 喪失監護人的兒童其喪親敘述的語言結構與心理社會運作的關連撮要: 本研究檢視喪親兒童用以描述監護人去世的語言、兒童的心理/行為運作及應對策略。樣本為44名經歷了監護人去世的兒童(54.5%男性), 年齡介乎7 至 12歲 (M = 9.05)。自評報告和監護人報告用以測量兒童的狀況, 並有親身面談評估監護人過身的經歷。我們從親身面談取得兒童對喪親的敘述記錄, 並進行文本分析, 檢視的語言學範疇包括代名詞和動詞時態。我們基於語言學和自我疏遠理論, 假設兒童反映自我疏遠(第三人稱代名詞及過去式)或社交連繫(第一人稱複數代名詞)的語言, 會跟心理/行為悲痛及迴避式的應對方法有負向關連;而反映專注於自我的語言(第一人稱單數代名詞及現在式), 會跟心理/行為悲痛及迴避式的應對方法有正向關連。初步結果反映, 一如假設, 用較多自我疏遠和社交連繫語言的兒童, 有較低水平的迴避式應對(rs = .40–.42);而用較多專注於自我語言的兒童, 有較高水平的自評創傷後壓力症狀(r = .54)、迴避式應對(r = .54), 及根據家長評核有較高水平的心理/行為悲痛(r = .43)。我們亦討論到是次有關喪親青少年的發現, 對建立理論和風險篩查的幫助, 及日後的研究方向。Simplified Chinese标题: 丧失监护人的儿童其丧亲叙述的语言结构与心理社会运作的关连撮要: 本研究检视丧亲儿童用以描述监护人去世的语言、儿童的心理/行为运作及应对策略。样本为44名经历了监护人去世的儿童(54.5%男性), 年龄介乎7 至 12岁 (M = 9.05)。自评报告和监护人报告用以测量儿童的状况, 并有亲身面谈评估监护人过身的经历。我们从亲身面谈取得儿童对丧亲的叙述记录, 并进行文本分析, 检视的语言学范畴包括代名词和动词时态。我们基于语言学和自我疏远理论, 假设儿童反映自我疏远(第三人称代名词及过去式)或社交连系(第一人称复数代名词)的语言, 会跟心理/行为悲痛及回避式的应对方法有负向关连;而反映专注于自我的语言(第一人称单数代名词及现在式), 会跟心理/行为悲痛及回避式的应对方法有正向关连。初步结果反映, 一如假设, 用较多自我疏远和社交连系语言的儿童, 有较低水平的回避式应对(rs = .40–.42);而用较多专注于自我语言的儿童, 有较高水平的自评创伤后压力症状(r = .54)、回避式应对(r = .54), 及根据家长评核有较高水平的心理/行为悲痛(r = .43)。我们亦讨论到是次有关丧亲青少年的发现, 对建立理论和风险筛查的帮助, 及日后的研究方向。Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144623/1/jts22293.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144623/2/jts22293_am.pd

PET Imaging of Microglia Using PBR28suv Determines Therapeutic Efficacy of Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells Therapy in Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in activated microglia. Activated microglia can be measured in vivo by using positron emission topography (PET) ligand peripheral benzodiazepine receptor standardized uptake values (PBR28suv). Cell based therapies have utilized autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) to attenuate activated microglia after TBI. This study aims to utilize in vivo PBR28suv to assess the efficacy of BMMNCs therapy after TBI. Seventy-two hours after CCI injury, BMMNCs were harvested from the tibia and injected via tail-vein at 74 h after injury at a concentration of 2 million cells per kilogram of body weight. There were three groups of rats: Sham, CCI-alone and CCI-BMMNCs (AUTO). One hundred twenty days after injury, rodents were imaged with PBR28 and their cognitive behavior assessed utilizing the Morris Water Maze. Subsequent ex vivo analysis included brain volume and immunohistochemistry. BMMNCs therapy attenuated PBR28suv in comparison to CCI alone and it improved spatial learning as measured by the Morris Water Maze. Ex vivo analysis demonstrated preservation of brain volume, a decrease in amoeboid-shaped microglia in the dentate gyrus and an increase in the ratio of ramified to amoeboid microglia in the thalamus. PBR28suv is a viable option to measure efficacy of BMMNCs therapy after TBI

Fats and Factors: Lipid Profiles Associate with Personality Factors and Suicidal History in Bipolar Subjects

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have shown efficacy in the treatment of bipolar disorder, however their specific role in treating the illness is unclear. Serum PUFA and dietary intakes of PUFA associate with suicidal behavior in epidemiological studies. The objective of this study was to assess serum n-3 and n-6 PUFA levels in bipolar subjects and determine possible associations with suicidal risk, including suicidal history and relevant personality factors that have been associated with suicidality. We studied 27 bipolar subjects using the NEO-PI to assess the big five personality factors, structured interviews to verify diagnosis and assess suicidal history, and lipomics to quantify n-3 and n-6 PUFA in serum. We found positive associations between personality factors and ratios of n-3 PUFA, suggesting that conversion of short chain to long chain n-3s and the activity of enzymes in this pathway may associate with measures of personality. Thus, ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and the activity of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) involved in the conversion of ALA to DHA were positively associated with openness factor scores. Ratios of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to ALA and ratios of EPA to DHA were positively associated with agreeableness factor scores. Finally, serum concentrations of the n-6, arachidonic acid (AA), were significantly lower in subjects with a history of suicide attempt compared to non-attempters. The data suggest that specific lipid profiles, which are controlled by an interaction between diet and genetics, correlate with suicidal history and personality factors related to suicidal risk. This study provides preliminary data for future studies to determine whether manipulation of PUFA profiles (through diet or supplementation) can affect personality measures and disease outcome in bipolar subjects and supports the need for further investigations into individualized specific modulations of lipid profiles to add adjunctive value to treatment paradigms

A genetic network model of cellular responses to lithium treatment and cocaine abuse in bipolar disorder

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lithium is an effective treatment for Bipolar Disorder (BD) and significantly reduces suicide risk, though the molecular basis of lithium's effectiveness is not well understood. We seek to improve our understanding of this effectiveness by posing hypotheses based on new experimental data as well as published data, testing these hypotheses in silico, and posing new hypotheses for validation in future studies. We initially hypothesized a gene-by-environment interaction where lithium, acting as an environmental influence, impacts signal transduction pathways leading to differential expression of genes important in the etiology of BD mania.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using microarray and rt-QPCR assays, we identified candidate genes that are differentially expressed with lithium treatment. We used a systems biology approach to identify interactions among these candidate genes and develop a network of genes that interact with the differentially expressed candidates. Notably, we also identified cocaine as having a potential influence on the network, consistent with the observed high rate of comorbidity for BD and cocaine abuse. The resulting network represents a novel hypothesis on how multiple genetic influences on bipolar disorder are impacted by both lithium treatment and cocaine use. Testing this network for association with BD and related phenotypes, we find that it is significantly over-represented for genes that participate in signal transduction, consistent with our hypothesized-gene-by environment interaction. In addition, it models related pharmacogenomic, psychiatric, and chemical dependence phenotypes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We offer a network model of gene-by-environment interaction associated with lithium's effectiveness in treating BD mania, as well as the observed high rate of comorbidity of BD and cocaine abuse. We identified drug targets within this network that represent immediate candidates for therapeutic drug testing. Posing novel hypotheses for validation in future work, we prioritized SNPs near genes in the network based on functional annotation. We also developed a "concept signature" for the genes in the network and identified additional candidate genes that may influence the system because they are significantly associated with the signature.</p

Feasibility of a meditation intervention for stroke survivors and informal caregivers: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Depressive symptoms are a significant psychological complication of stroke, impacting both survivors and informal caregivers of survivors. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine optimal non-pharmacological strategies to prevent or ameliorate depressive symptoms in stroke survivors and their informal caregivers. Methods A prospective, randomized, parallel-group, single-center, feasibility study. Participants were assigned to a 4-week meditation intervention or expressive writing control group. The intervention comprised four facilitator-led group meditation sessions, one session per week and building upon prior session(s). Descriptive statistics were used to examine the proportion of eligible individuals who enrolled, retention and adherence rates, and the proportion of questionnaires completed. Data were collected at baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention period, and 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention period. Secondary analysis tested for changes in symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression [CES-D]), anxiety [State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAI)], and pain (Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form) in the intervention group via paired t tests. Linear mixed models were used to compare longitudinal changes in the measures between the groups. Intervention and trial design acceptability were preliminary explored. Results Seventy-one (77%) individuals enrolled and 26 (37%) completed the study (baseline and 8-week post-intervention visits completed). Forty-two (66%) participants completed baseline and immediate post-intervention visits. Mean questionnaire completion rate was 95%. The median meditation group session attendance rate for the intervention group was 75.0%, and the mean attendance rate was 55%. Non-significant reductions in CES-D scores were found. Paired t tests for stroke survivors indicated a significant reduction from baseline through week 8 in BPI-sf severity scores (p = 0.0270). Repeated measures analysis with linear mixed models for informal caregivers indicated a significant reduction in in STAI-Trait scores (F [3,16.2] = 3.28, p = 0.0479) and paired t test showed a significant reduction from baseline to week 4 in STAI-Trait scores (mean = − 9.1250, 95% CI [− 16.8060 to 1.4440], p = 0.0262). No between-group differences were found. Conclusions Future trials will require strategies to optimize retention and adherence before definitive efficacy testing of the meditation intervention. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03239132. Registration date: 03/08/201