How reward and emotional stimuli induce different reactions across the menstrual cycle

Despite widespread belief that moods are affected by the menstrual cycle, researchers on emotion and reward have not paid much attention to the menstrual cycle until recently. However, recent research has revealed different reactions to emotional stimuli and to rewarding stimuli across the different phases of the menstrual cycle. The current paper reviews the emerging literature on how ovarian hormone fluctuation during the menstrual cycle modulates reactions to emotional stimuli and to reward. Behavioral and neuroimaging studies in humans suggest that estrogen and progesterone have opposing influences. That is, it appears that estrogen enhances reactions to reward, but progesterone counters the facilitative effects of estrogen and decreases reactions to rewards. In contrast, reactions to emotionally arousing stimuli (particularly negative stimuli) appear to be decreased by estrogen but enhanced by progesterone. Potential factors that can modulate the effects of the ovarian hormones (e.g., an inverse quadratic function of hormones’ effects; the structural changes of the hippocampus across the menstrual cycle) are also discussed

Réparation de Poésie no 12

This artist’s book features mail art projects (incorporating drawing, painting, collage, digital imagery and text) by 53 members of the Collectif réparation de poésie. The artworks and poems address a wide range of political, economic and social concerns, including: events surrounding the Summit of the Americas; the availability of drinking water throughout the world; and genetic engineering. Texts in French or English

Clinical disease activity is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Youths with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at risk for developing anxiety and depressive symptoms with a reported 20%-50% prevalence rate. Aims: This prospective study aimed to: (1) describe the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms in a large Dutch cohort of young IBD patients, and (2) identify demographic and clinical risk factors for anxiety and depression. Methods: IBD patients (n = 374; 10-25 years) were screened for anxiety, depression and quality of life using validated age-specific questionnaires. Patients with elevated scores for anxiety and/or depressive symptoms received a diagnostic interview assessing psychiatric disorders. Demographic and clinical characteristics were retrieved from medical charts. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for anxiety and/or depression. Results: Patients (mean age 18.9 years, 44.1% male, Crohn's disease 60.4%) had disease in remission (75.4%), or mild, moderate and severe clinical disease activity in, respectively, 19.8%, 2.7% and 2.1%. Mild anxiety/depressive symptoms were present in 35.2% and severe symptoms in 12.4% of patients. Elevated symptoms of either anxiety (28.3%), depression (2.9%) or both (15.8%) were found and did not differ between adolescents (10-17 years) and young adults (18-25 years). Active disease significantly predicted depressive symptoms (odds ratio (OR): 4.6 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4-8.8], P < 0.001). Female gender (OR: 1.7 [95% CI: 1.1-2.7]), active disease (OR: 1.9 [95% CI: 1.1-3.2]) and a shorter disease duration (OR: 1.3 [95% CI: 0.6-1.0) (all P < 0.025) significantly predicted anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Considering the high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, psychological screening is recommended in young IBD patients. Screening facilitates early recognition and psychological treatment. Female patients and patients with active disease are the most vulnerable