Childhood neurodevelopmental disorders and violent criminality : a sibling control study

Introduction: The longitudinal relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and violent criminality has been extensively documented, while long-term effects of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), tic disorders (TDs), and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) on criminality have been scarcely studied.Methods: Using population-based registers of all child and adolescent mental health services in Stockholm, we identified 3,391 children, born 1984–1994, with neurodevelopmental disorders, and compared their risk for subsequent violent criminality with matched controls. Results: Individuals with ADHD or TDs were at elevated risk of committing violent crimes, no such association could be seen for ASDs or OCD. Conclusions: ADHD and TDs are risk factors for subsequent violent criminality, while ASDs and OCD are not associated with violent criminality.VetenskapsrådetFASAccepte

Predictive properties of the A-TAC inventory when screening for childhood-onset neurodevelopmental problems in a population-based sample

Background: Identifying children with childhood-onset neurodevelopmental problems (NDPs, defined here as autism spectrum disorders [ASDs], attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [AD/HD], tic disorders [TDs], learning disorders [LDs] and development coordination disorder), using easily administered screening instruments, is a prerequisite for epidemiological research. Such instruments are also clinically useful to prioritize children for comprehensive assessments, to screen risk groups, and to follow controls. Autism-Tics, ADHD, and other Co-morbidities inventory (A-TAC) was developed to meet these requirements; here the A-TAC's prospective and psychometric properties are examined, when used in a population-based, epidemiological setting. Methods: Since 2004, parents of all Swedish twins have been asked to take part in an ongoing, nation-wide twin study (The Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden). The study includes the A-TAC, carried out as a telephone interview with parents of twins aged 9 or 12. In the present study, screen-positive twins from three birth year cohorts (1993-1995) were invited to a comprehensive clinical follow-up (blinded for previous screening results) together with their co-twins and randomly selected, healthy controls at age 15 (Total N = 452). Results: Sensitivity and specificity of A-TAC scores for predicting later clinical diagnoses were good to excellent overall, with values of the area under the receiver operating characteristics curves ranging from 0.77 (AD/HD) to 0.91 (ASDs). Among children who were screen-positive for an ASD, 48% received a clinical diagnosis of ASDs. For AD/HD, the corresponding figure was also 48%, for LDs 16%, and for TDs 60%. Between 4% and 35% of screen-positive children did not receive any diagnosis at the clinical follow-up three years later. Among screen-negative controls, prevalence of ASDs, AD/HD, LDs, and TDs was 0%, 7%, 4%, and 2%, respectively. Conclusions: The A-TAC appeared to be a valid instrument to assess NDPs in this population-based, longitudinal study. It has good-to-excellent psychometric properties, with an excellent ability to distinguish NDPs (mainly ASDs) from non-NDPs at least three years after the screening evaluations, although specific diagnoses did not correspond closely to actual clinical diagnoses

Antisocial behavior and polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene : findings in two independent samples

Importance: The quantitative genetic contribution to antisocial behavior is well established, but few, if any, genetic variants are established as risk factors. Emerging evidence suggests that the neuropeptide oxytocin may modulate interpersonal aggression. Objective: To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene are associated with the expression of antisocial behavior. Design, setting, and participants: A discovery sample, including both sexes, was drawn from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study of Sweden (CATSS; n=2,372), and a sample from the Twin Study of Child and Adolescent Development (TCHAD; n=1,232) was used for replication. The participants were assessed for antisocial behavior, measured as continuous traits. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene, selected on previous associations with social and antisocial behavior, were then genotyped in the participants of CATSS. Significant polymorphisms were subsequently genotyped in TCHAD for replication. Main outcomes and measures: Participants completed self-assessment questionnaires – Life History of Aggression (available only in CATSS), and Self-Reported Delinquency (available in both samples) – designed to capture antisocial behavior. Results: In the discovery sample, the rs7632287 AA genotype was associated with higher frequency of antisocial behavior in boys, and this was then replicated in the second sample. In particular, overt aggression (directly targeting another individual) was strongly associated with this genotype in boys (p=6.2x10-7 in the discovery sample). Meta-analysis of the results for antisocial behavior from both samples yielded p=2.5x10-5. Furthermore, an association between rs4564970 and Life History of Aggression (p=0.00013) survived correction in the discovery sample, but there was no association with the Self-Reported Delinquency in the replication sample. Conclusions and relevance: We conclude that the rs7632287 and rs4564970 polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene may independently influence antisocial behavior in adolescent boys. Further replication of our results will be crucial to understanding how aberrant social behavior arises, and supports the oxytocin receptor as one potential target in the treatment of aggressive antisocial behavior.Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research Council for Working Life and Social ResearchThe Society of Swedish Literature in FinlandSöderström-Königska FoundationAccepte

Histochemical, biochemical & electrophysiological studies on dorsal root ganglion cultures : Focusing on galanin, neuropeptide Y & glutamate

Galanin (Gal) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are two peptides, which are strongly up- regulated in a population of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons after peripheral nerve injury (axotomy). Both peptides may be involved in the control of pain sensation, especially after nerve injury (neuropathic pain). The main transmitter in DRG neurons is, however, the excitatory amino acid glutamate (Glu), while neuropeptides may have multiple roles including modulation and trophic influences. The aim of this thesis work was to characterize dispersed DRG neurons in culture, a putative model of axotomy, by (1) monitoring Gal and NPY and their transcripts, (2) investigating the effects of neurotrophic factors on peptide expression, Glu release and calcium levels and, finally, (3) studying the effect of exogenously applied Gal on cultured DRG neurons with electrophysiological methodology. We have shown that expression of Gal, NPY and their transcripts is similar in long-term cultures as in DRGs in vivo after axotomy. The remarkable increase of Gal level in cultures could be counteracted mainly by leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). LIF was also shown to be involved in the local regulation of regeneration. The high NPY levels in DRG cultures could not be counteracted with any of several trophic factors. Instead, acidic FGF and bFGF further increased NPY expression. Moreover, the nonapeptide bradykinin induced a marked increase of Glu release, which was attenuated by NGF and BDNF and, in fact, completely counteracted by bFGF Finally, in electrophysiological studies Gal significantly increased the excitability and the peak Ca2+ currents of small size DRG neurons in acutely dissociated cultures. The latter effect is reduced both in preaxotomized and long term-cultured neurons

Yoga as Complementary Care for Young People Placed in Juvenile Institutions : A Study Plan

Recent studies have established yoga practice as a mainstream complementary clinical tool within correctional environments. It is shown that regular yoga practice is coupled with improved impulse control, sustained attention, attenuated antisocial and self-harm behaviors, reduced stress, and psychological distress. No academic research until now has provided evidence of mental health benefits of yoga for institutionalized young people. In Sweden, each year more than thousand adolescents receive compulsory care at juvenile institutions run by the Swedish National Board of Institutional Care. These young people are characterized by substance abuse, aggressive and antisocial behaviors, high frequency of self-harm, and the experience of abuse. Most of them manifest attention problems, depression, anxiety, and impulsivity. They have a dramatically increased risk for recidivistic criminal behavior, continuous medical, and social care and untimely death. The present study plan aims at evaluating, with previously validated psychological measures, in a quasi-experimental design, the effects of yoga practice for institutionalized adolescents. Adolescents’ experiences of participating in yoga practice will also be assessed by semi-structured individual interviews. Ethical approval was given by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. It is hypothesized that yoga practice (in combination with the standard treatment within institutional care) will reduce institutionalized adolescents’ aggression, antisocial behavior, anxiety, depression, and negative affect, and increase their cognitive flexibility (in the form of increased impulse control)

Evaluation of an Integrated Intensive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treatment Within Addiction Care

The study aimed to evaluate an integrated intensive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group treatment for people with substance-related syndrome in outpatient care and to identify eventual gender differences. The study population consisted of 35 outpatients (18 male, 17 female) at a clinic in Western Sweden. The patients completed a four-month period of intensive group therapy and participated in the data collection at admission and discharge. The data were collected using the following inventories: Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale,Hopelessness Scale, and Trait Hope Scale. Results showed decreases in anxiety, depression and experience of hopelessness, and increases in self-esteem and hope. In females, the most dramatic improvement was measured for the anxiety and depression attributes, while in males the strongest effect was measured for hope and self-esteem. This study provides clinical evidence of the positive effects of integrated intensive CBT in outpatient care of people with substance-related syndrome.Funders:MeSHe Clinical https://meshe.se/meshe-clinical/</p

Lösningen heter riktat statsbidrag, men vad är problemet?

Bakgrund och problem: Riktade statsbidrag är ett statligt styrmedel som finns för att regeringen med öronmärka pengar ska kunna påverka områden av nationellt intresse. Flertalet aktörer har från nationell nivå presenterat problematiska aspekter av de riktade statsbidragen på lokal nivå. En studie om hur processen för riktade statsbidrag ser ut med utgångspunkt från lokal nivå finns inte. Ämnet är därför angeläget att studera. Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att beskriva och förklara processen för riktade statsbidrag på kommunal nivå med hjälp av garbage can-modellen. För att uppfylla vårt syfte har vi valt att avgränsa oss till att beskriva och förklara processen för det riktade statsbidraget för mindre barngrupper i förskolan i Göteborgs stad. Frågeställning: Hur ser kommuners process för riktade statsbidrag ut ur ett GCM-perspektiv? Metod: Studien har en kvalitativ metod med abduktiv ansats. Fem semistrukturerade intervjuer med sex respondenter från olika nivåer i Göteborgs stads förskoleverksamhet har genomförts. Det empiriska materialet har analyserats med garbage can-modellen som teoretisk referensram. För att underlätta uppsatsens flöde är stora delar av analysen i direkt anslutning till empirin. Resultat och slutsatser: Tre problemområden identifierade på kommunal nivå kan utläsas ur kommunens beskrivna bidragsprocess. Det riktade statsbidraget leder till att vissa problem uppvärderas framför andra, att rektorerna upplever svårigheter att planera långsiktigt på grund av ovisshet om de fortsatt kommer beviljas bidrag och att det till följd av bidraget uppkommer nya problem. Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Studier om hur identifierade problemområden till följd av statsbidraget kan undvikas eller åtgärdas är välkommet. En liknande studie kan genomföras där en annan kommun eller teoretisk referensram väljs. Om några år kan även en studie om bidragets effekter genomföras

The association between pain and psychiatric conditions in adolescents : The impact of gender and ADHD diagnosis

Background and objectives: The relationship between pain and psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents has been understudied. This study aimed to investigate the influence of gender on the association between pain and psychiatric diagnoses, as well as the specific relationship between pain and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in a sample of adolescents from the general population. Additionally, the study explored whether pain frequency or intensity in individuals with ADHD was influenced by coexisting psychiatric disorders and ADHD medications. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1608 conveniently sampled Swedish upper secondary school students aged 15–19 years. Data were collected at the end of 2020 using the electronic "Mental and Somatic Health without borders" survey. Results: A significant positive association (p &lt; 0.001) was observed between pain frequency, intensity, and the presence of any psychiatric diagnosis. Female adolescents reported more frequent and intensive pain in the groups with or without any psychiatric diagnosis and in those with ADHD, however the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis had a comparatively lesser impact on pain frequency in females when compared to males. In adolescents with ADHD, pain frequency, but not intensity, showed a significant further increase. Moreover, the presence of coexisting depression and/or anxiety further heightened the association between pain frequency and ADHD. Notably, common ADHD medications did not have a significant impact on pain experiences. Headache emerged as the most prevalent type of pain across all groups of adolescents. Back pain specifically appeared as the next most common type of pain among adolescents with ADHD. Conclusion: The findings suggest a positive association between pain and the presence of psychiatric diagnoses, including ADHD, in adolescents. Gender modified this association. Back pain arised specifically coupled to ADHD. Common ADHD medications did not show a significant impact on pain experiences in this study. These results highlight the importance of a holistic approach to child and adolescent care. © 2023 The Author(s)CC BY</p