Emotional imagination of negative situations: Functional neuroimaging in anorexia and bulimia

AimThe present study aims to extend the knowledge of the neural correlates of emotion processing in first episode subjects affected by anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN). We applied an emotional distress paradigm targeting negative emotions thought to be relevant for interpersonal difficulties and therapeutic resistance mechanisms.MethodsThe current study applied to 44 female participants with newly diagnosed AN or BN and 20 matched controls a neuroimaging paradigm eliciting affective responses. The measurements also included an extensive assessment comprising clinical scales, neuropsychological tests, measures of emotion processing and empathy.ResultsAN and BN did not differ from controls in terms of emotional response, emotion matching, self-reported empathy and cognitive performance. However, eating disorder and psychopathological clinical scores, as well as alexithymia levels, were increased in AN and BN. On a neural level, no significant group differences emerged, even when focusing on a region of interest selected a priori: the amygdala. Some interesting findings put in relation the hippocampal activity with the level of Body Dissatisfaction of the participants, the relative importance of the key nodes for the common network in the decoding of different emotions (BN = right amygdala, AN = anterior cingulate area), and the qualitative profile of the deactivations.ConclusionsOur data do not support the hypothesis that participants with AN or BN display reduced emotional responsiveness. However, peculiar characteristics in emotion processing could be associated to the three different groups. Therefore, relational difficulties in eating disorders, as well as therapeutic resistance, could be not secondary to a simple difficulty in feeling and identifying basic negative emotions in AN and BN participants

Investigating Preferences for Environment Friendly Production Practices. Taste segments for organic and integrated crop management potatoes in Italian households

This paper reports some preliminary results on a mixed logit random utility analysis of conjoint data from consumers\u2019 preferences for agricultural products. The data were collected via a telematic sample representative of Italian households. The survey instrument was implemented via a computer supported system. A multivariate normal full correlation structure is imposed in the mixed logit estimation and the implications of such a taste structure are examined

Naturalistic follow-up of subjects affected with anorexia nervosa 8 years after multimodal treatment: Personality and psychopathology changes and predictors of outcome

AbstractBackground:Eating disorders (EDs) are serious mental illnesses of growing clinical and social impact. Despite their severity, there is still no satisfactory evidence-based treatment. Follow-up investigations are the most reliable studies to enlighten long-term outcome predictors and modifiers.Methods:In total, 59 subjects affected with anorexia nervosa were assessed 8 years after their admission into an outpatient multimodal treatment program for eating disorders. The follow-up changes in diagnostic criteria were compared with Chi-square test. Improved and not-improved subjects were compared. Clinical, personality and psychopathology features between T0 and T1 were compared witht-test for repeated measures. Correlation between T0 features and changes at T1 in personality and psychopathology features were assessed.Results:The rate of complete remission was 42%, an overall rate of 67.8% improved, a rate of 18.6% worsened. Concerning personality, a significant decrease of harm avoidance and increase in self-directedness were evidenced. Interoceptive awareness, drive for thinness, bulimia were significantly reduced at follow-up. Many T0 personality facets were related to personality and psychopathology improvement at follow-up.Conclusion:Multimodal treatment encompassing psychiatric, nutritional and psychological approaches is at the moment the most reliable approach for the treatment of moderate to severe anorexia nervosa with a discrete rate of improvement. Some personality and psychopathology characteristics may represent specific factors which favor resistance and impair improvement. Future approaches should consider the personalization of therapeutic approach according to these features.</jats:sec

Consumer Behaviour between Convenience and Environmental Sustainability:the Case of ‘Canestrato di Moliterno’ Cheese

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential relationship between shelf life and environmental sustainability from a micro-economic perspective. In particular, we aimed at: (i) estimating the value that consumers attribute to shelf life and environmental sustainability through the use of a Choice Model (e.g. Conditional Logit) and (ii) identifying the efficient trade-off between shelf life and environmental sustainability. We applied our analysis to the case of the ‘Canestrato di Moliterno’ cheese. Our choice experiment was carried out through a survey submitted to 757 consumers across Southern Italy. Results provided indications on how much consumers are willing to pay for a longer shelf life compared to environmental sustainability of a product and on the trade-off value between these two attributes. Estimated results suggest that the presence of an environmental and PGI certification as product attributes is highly perceived by consumers. A high willingness to pay (WTP) would translate for a high premium price for both of these attributes. Although the WTP for an extended shelf life is lower than that of an environmental and PGI certification, its positive value shows that consumers would prefer traditional products with a longer ‘expiration date’. Under a firm’s perspective, the obtained results can encourage food companies oriented to invest in this product innovation. Finally, given the coexistence of a premium price for environmental sustainability and IGP certification, there exists the possibility to develop synergies between environmental and food product quality policies