Padrões de respostas defensivas de congelamento associados a diferentes transtornos de ansiedade

Bien que les troubles anxieux soient propres aux humains, il est possible d'établir un parallèle entre ces troubles et les réponses défensives que les animaux présentent lorsqu'ils sont confrontés à des situations dangereuses. Dans cet article, une série d'arguments est présentée indiquant que différents patterns d'immobilisation défensive sont associés avec des troubles anxieux spécifiques. En particulier, il y a un excellent isomorphisme entre la réponse d'immobilisation aux stimuli contextuels aversives et le trouble d'anxiété généralisée. De plus, le comportement d'immobilisation déclenché directement par la stimulation de la substance grise périaqueducale dorsale (dPAG) est un excellent modèle animal d'attaque de panique. D'autre part, la réponse d'immobilisation observée après interruption de la stimulation électrique du dPAG semble associée avec le trouble panique. Finalement, l'hypothèse est proposée que l'immobilisation déclenchée par les stimuli contextuels précédemment associés avec la stimulation électrique du dPAG pourrait être mise en parallèle avec le trouble panique avec agoraphobie.Although anxiety disorders are exclusive to humans, it is possible to find correlation between these disorders and defensive responses that animals present when facing dangerous situations. The present article presents a series of evidence that indicate that different freezing defensive patterns might be associated with specific anxiety disorders. Particularly, there is an excellent isomorphism between freeing response to contextual stimuli associated with electrical shocks and generalized anxiety disorder. Much evidence also shows that freezing response triggered directly through the electrical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (dPAG) is an excellent animal model of panic attack. Moreover, freezing response observed after the interruption of the electrical stimulation of the dPAG which triggers an escape response seems to be associated with panic disorder. Finally, it is hypothesized that freezing to contextual stimuli previously associated with intense electrical stimulation of the dPAG might be related to panic disorder with agoraphobia.Embora os transtornos de ansiedade sejam tipicamente humanos, eles apresentam correlações com determinadas reações de defesa de animais em situações de perigo. Este trabalho apresenta algumas relações entre determinados padrões da resposta defensiva de congelamento e diferentes formas de transtornos de ansiedade. Em particular, destaca-se o isomorfismo entre a resposta de congelamento a estímulos contextuais associados a um estímulo aversivo e o transtorno de ansiedade generalizado. Evidências indicam também que a resposta de congelamento induzida pela estimulação elétrica da matéria cinzenta periaqueductal dorsal (MCPD) constitui um excelente modelo animal de ataque de pânico. A resposta de congelamento que surge imediatamente após estimulação da MCPD, capaz de produzir uma resposta de fuga, parece estar associada ao transtorno de pânico. Finalmente, é possível que a resposta de congelamento a estímulos previamente associados à estimulação elétrica da MCPD seja um modelo animal para o transtorno de pânico com agorafobia

Episodic memory training in elderly: A systematic review

Introduction:Episodic memory is a cognitive process that allows the recall of experiences, learning, and the pursuit of future goals. During the aging process, episodic memory declines negatively, impacting social and psychological aspects in the elderly. Such intervention strategies as cognitive training are non-pharmacological ways of reducing these losses.ObjectiveWe systematically reviewed studies of the cognitive training of episodic memory in healthy elderly individuals and elderly individuals with clinical conditions.MethodWe systematically searched the PubMed, PsycNET, Web of Science, and SciELO databases using the descriptors “Episodic Memory” AND “Training” AND “Elderly” OR “Aging” OR “Dementia” in English and translated into Portuguese.ResultsOf the 572 articles that were identified by the search, 23 were included in the final analysis. The main variables that comprised the intervention protocols (i.e., characteristics of the sample, type of control group, mode of episodic memory training, and duration of training) were investigated, as well as the outcome variables, efficacy, and risk of bias. The main results indicated effectiveness with regard to different forms of the cognitive training of episodic memory.ConclusionEpisodic memory training among the elderly can mitigate the negative effects of cognitive decline in dementia and healthy subjects promoting impacts at social, psychological, and economic levels. Although it is a widely studied topic, further empirical studies on the utility of episodic memory training in healthy elderly individuals and elderly individuals with clinical conditions are still needed

Behavioral profile and dorsal hippocampal cells in carioca high-conditioned freezing rats

Contextual fear conditioning selection is an important behavioral paradigm for studying the role of genetic variables and their interaction with the surrounding environment in the etiology and development of anxiety disorders. Recently, a new line of animals selectively bred for high levels of freezing in response to contextual cues previously associated with footshock was developed from a Wistar population. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the emotional and cognitive aspects of this new line of animals, which has been named Carioca High-Freezing (CHF). For the characterization of anxious behavior, CHF and control animals were tested in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the social interaction test. CHF animals were significantly more anxious than control rats in terms of both the number of entries into EPM open arms and the percentage of time spent in these arms. The time spent in social interaction behavior was also significantly decreased. No statistical differences were found in locomotor activity, as measured by both the number of entries into the closed arms of the EPM and the number of crossings into the social interaction test arena. No differences between CHF and control groups were found in the depression forced swimming test, suggesting that the anxiety trait selected in the CHF line interacted with other emotional systems such as depression. Cognitive aspects of the CHF rats were evaluated in the object recognition task. Results from this test indicated no difference between the two groups. The present study also performed histological analysis of the dorsal hippocampus from CHF and control animals. Results revealed an absence of qualitative and quantitative differences between these two groups of animals in cells located in the dentate gyrus, CA1, and CA3 areas. Therefore, future studies are required to further investigate the possible neural mechanisms involved in the origin and development of the anxious phenotype observed in this model

Concentrações plasmáticas de corticosterone em ratos Carioca Alto- e Carioca Bajo-Congelamento condicionado após uma tarefa de medo condicionado

Our group in the Psychology Department at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) developed a rat genetic model of extreme freezing in response to contextual cues in an experimental chamber previously associated with footshock. One of the lines, Carioca High Freezing (CHF), exhibits an enhanced conditioned freezing response, whereas the other line, Carioca Low Freezing (CLF), shows the opposite response. The present study investigated corticosterone concentration between these two lines of animals and a random (RND) line of rats both under basal conditions and test condition after an emotional challenge using a contextual fear conditioning protocol. Comparisons between basal and test plasma corticosterone concentrations suggested differential basal and fear-induced differences between the two lines. The differences between basal conditions is an important and relevant aspect to be considered in behavioral experiments using or assessing stress and could help to understand variability in naïve populations.Casi toda la investigación farmacológica en estrés y desórdenes de ansiedad es realizada generalmente en poblaciones de animales que se supone son comparables. En el laboratorio de Neurociencia Comportamental de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Río de Janeiro (Brasil), dos nuevas líneas de ratas Wistar fueron aisladas por la selección fenotípica de la respuesta emocional en el protocolo de condicionamiento de la respuesta de miedo. Una de las líneas, denominada Carioca High Freezing (CHF) muestra una respuesta aumentada de congelamiento en el test, mientras que la otra –Carioca Low Freezing (CLF)– muestra la respuesta opuesta. Aquí presentamos datos orientados a evaluar las condiciones basales y la vulnerabilidad al estrés entre las dos líneas. Los niveles de corticosterona fueron comparados entre las dos líneas tanto en condiciones basales como después de un desafío emocional utilizando el protocolo de miedo condicionado. La comparación entre las concentraciones plasmáticas de corticosterona basal y luego del retest sugiere diferencias basales y diferencias inducidas por el miedo entre las dos líneas. Las diferencias en las condiciones basales es un aspecto importante y relevante que debe ser considerado en experimentos comportamentales que usen o evalúen el estrés y podría ayudar a comprender la variabilidad encontrada en las poblaciones.Nosso grupo no Departamento de Psicologia da Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro desenvolveu um modelo genético com ratos que apresentam respostas extremas de congelamento a estímulos contextuais de uma caixa experimental previamente associados a choques elétricos. Uma das linhagens, Carioca High Freezing (CHF) apresenta uma resposta aumentada de congelamento condicionado. A outra linhagem, Carioca Low Freezing (CLF) apresenta a resposta de congelamento condicionada em direção oposta. O presente trabalho comparou os níveis de corticosterona entre as duas linhagens assim como uma terceira linhagem com cruzamento aleatório (RND) tanto em condições basais assim como em um teste onde os animais foram expostos á situação de condicionamento contextual de medo. A comparação entre as concentrações plasmáticas de corticosterona basal e depois do teste sugere diferenças basais assim como diferenças induzidas pelo medo condicionado entre as duas linhagens. As diferenças nas condições basais é um aspecto importante e relevante que deve ser levado em consideração em experimentos que avaliem o estresse e pode ajudar na compreensão da variabilidade nas populações

Validation and reliability of the Brazilian version of Compulsive Buying Scale

INTRODUÇÃO: A Escala de Compras Compulsivas (CBS) é um instrumento breve e de fácil aplicação, que visa avaliar as principais dimensões do transtorno das compras compulsivas, centrando-se no controle dos impulsos. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo tem como objetivo validar e aferir a fidedignidade da versão brasileira da Escala de Compras Compulsivas (CBS). MÉTODOS: Para validade de construto, foi realizada análise fatorial com extração dos componentes principais e rotação Varimax. A correlação entre a escala CBS e as medidas de depressão e ansiedade, assim como do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, foi avaliada por meio do coeficiente de Pearson, para estudo da validade convergente e divergente. A consistência interna foi aferida por meio do coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. RESULTADO: A CBS apresentou bons parâmetros psicométricos, sendo considerada válida e fidedigna em sua versão brasileira. No que concerne às correlações, a CBS apresenta uma correlação inversamente proporcional com outras escalas diagnósticas para o transtorno das compras compulsivas, indicando, portanto, ser um excelente instrumento de aferição dessa desordem. A CBS apresentou alto coeficiente alfa de Cronbach (0,86), demonstrando boa confiabilidade. CONCLUSÃO: Embora seja uma escala curta, com poucos itens, a versão brasileira da escala de compras compulsivas apresenta boas propriedades psicométricas, apresentando-se como um importante instrumento para avaliação desse construto.BACKGROUND: The Compulsive Buying Scale is a short and easy-to-apply instrument, which comprises the main dimensions of the compulsive buying disorder, focusing on impulse control. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to validate and assess the reliability of the Brazilian version of the Compulsive Buying Scale. METHODS: To assess construct validity, a factor analysis with principal components extraction and Varimax rotation was conducted. The correlations between the CBS and measures for depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder were assessed with the Pearson coefficient, evaluating convergent and divergent validity. The internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULT: The psychometric parameters of the Brazilian version of the CBS were satisfactory and the instrument was considered valid and reliable. The CBS showed an inversely correlation with other diagnostic scales for the compulsive buying disorder. Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.86) was high, demonstrating a satisfactory reliability of the Portuguese CBS. DISCUSSION: Although the Brazilian version of the Compulsive Buying Scale is a short version with just a few items, the scale has excellent psychometric properties, presenting itself as an important tool to detect and evaluate compulsive buying disorder

Measuring social norms and attitudes about age-disparate transactional sex: Psychometric testing of the NAATSS

Background: Transactional sex between girls under 18 years-old and adult men at least ten years older, known as age-disparate transactional sex (ADTS), is an established risk factor for HIV, STI and early pregnancy among girls and women. Social norms or beliefs about what others expect from you and what others do can sustain behaviours such as ADTS even when individuals may be personally against them. In order to evaluate interventions to change social norms, validated instruments for measuring change in personal beliefs and social norms regarding ADTS are needed. Methods: Items for the Norms and Attitudes on Age-Disparate Transactional Sex Scale (NAATSS) were generated based on qualitative interviews and expert panel review. The reliability and validity of the NAATSS was tested in a representative sample (N = 431) from Brazilian favelas. Factor analysis assessed construct validity, Cronbach's alpha assessed reliability, and t-tests and analysis of variances tested hypothesized differences between gender, age, and previous experience with ADTS in both the social norms and personal beliefs domains. Findings: Factor analysis revealed three factors in each domain. The factors were labelled “Attributions to Girls’ Behaviour” which has 5 items, “Men's Motivations” with 5 items, and “Girls’ Readiness to have Sex” with 3 items. The subscales evidenced acceptable reliability with Cronbach's alphas ranging from 0.72 to 0.83 for the social norms subscales and 0.59 to 0.82 for the personal beliefs subscales. Interpretation: The items were developed based on qualitative research and expert rankings and the resulting Norms and Attitudes on ADTS Scale exhibits strong psychometric properties. Each of the three subscales within the two domains illustrate good factor structure, acceptable internal consistency reliability, and are supported by the significance of the hypothesized group differences. Funding: This work was supported by the OAK Foundation [grant number OCAY-16-188]

Hippocampal biomarkers of fear memory in an animal model of generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is highly prevalent and incapacitating. Here we used the Carioca High-Conditioned Freezing (CHF) rats, a previously validated animal model for GAD, to identify biomarkers and structural changes in the hippocampus that could be part of the underlying mechanisms of their high-anxiety profile. Spatial and fear memory was assessed in the Morris water maze and passive avoidance test. Serum corticosterone levels, immunofluorescence for glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in the dentate gyrus (DG), and western blotting for hippocampal brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were performed. Immunohistochemistry for markers of cell proliferation (bromodeoxiuridine/Ki-67), neuroblasts (doublecortin), and cell survival were undertaken in the DG, along with spine staining (Golgi) and dendritic arborization tracing. Hippocampal GABA release was assessed by neurochemical assay. Fear memory was higher among CHF rats whilst spatial learning was preserved. Serum corticosterone levels were increased, with decreased GR expression. No differences were observed in hippocampal cell proliferation/survival, but the number of newborn neurons was decreased, along with their number and length of tertiary dendrites. Increased expression of proBDNF and dendritic spines was observed; lower ratio of GABA release in the hippocampus was also verified. These findings suggest that generalized anxiety/fear could be associated with different hippocampal biomarkers, such as increased spine density, possibly as a compensatory mechanism for the decreased hippocampal number of neuroblasts and dendritic arborization triggered by high corticosterone. Disruption of GABAergic signaling and BDNF impairment are also proposed as part of the hippocampal mechanisms possibly underlying the anxious phenotype of this model

The first hourthe difficulties and challenges for psychologists in treating and understanding patients with suicidal-related behavior

Investiga se o estimulo condicionado (cs) da esquiva provoca uma resposta de analgesia e se essa resposta, na fase inicial do treino, e diferente da resposta apos treino prolongado. Quarenta e oito ratos sao divididos em 6 grupos formando duas triades. Os grupos esq 5 e esq 30 sao submetidos a um procedimento de esquiva numa caixa de mowrer, em que o cs e um som. Os grupos acop 5 e acop 30 sao acoplados aos 2 anteriores, mas sem controle sobre os estimulos. Os grupos som 5 e som 30 so recebem a apresentacao do cs, mas nao do estimulo incondicionado (us). O criterio para o termino da fase de esquiva e a emissao de 5 ou 30 respostas de esquiva consecutivas pelos animais dos grupos esq 5 e esq 30, respectivamente. A intervalos de 24, 48 e 72 horas apos o criterio de esquiva ser atingido, cada animal e submetido a uma serie de testes de retirada da cauda (\"tail-flick\"), a fim de investigar se o cs e capaz de disparar uma resposta de analgesia condicionada. Os resultados mostram que o cs e capaz de disparar uma resposta de analgesia em todos os grupos, com excecao do grupo esq 30, no entanto, com o passar do treino, esta resposta tende a desaparecerSuicide is a complex situation for which there is not only one reason. It is due to a complex interaction of social, psychological, environmental, biological and cultural factors, as mentioned in the Suicide Prevention Manual for Health Workers from the World Health Organization. It is hard to say why some people do choose suicide while others in same conditions would not. However, the majority of cases can be avoided as said in this document. It requires attention to people\'s behavior, always providing them with contact information, such as, telephone numbers, showing interest and being supportive and respectful. Our main task as professionals and human beings is prevention. The objective of this study is to verify the difficulties and needs of psychologists in treating and following up patients with suicidal ideas or suicide thoughts. Five psychologists were interviewed about their experience in treating patients with suicidal behavior. From the responses groups of themes were considered, analyzed and explained: 1) a reflection about the psychologists studies, in order to identify the problems in their professional graduation, based on the comprehension about what is suicide and how to act as a psychologist~ 2) an identification of obstacles in the professional performance and ways of overcoming them, considering a multi-professional teamwork; 3) a discussion about personal care that the professional that deals with suicidal behavior persons should have. For each interview the main topics were listed. Ali the interviews were grouped and eight main themes arose: 1) what is suicide and suicide attempt; 2) suicide as a taboo issue; 3) family; 4) working in an institution, 5) multi-professional working team; 6) working in a private office; 7) the psychologist; 8) the studies about suicide. We can observe the main importance of discussing the issue during the professional graduation and the continued education after it, having supervision on the cases in treatment and personal therapy, in order to understand those issues brought by the patient. It is important to emphasize that this study does not discuss caring strategies, but it is a contribution on the discussion of actual strategies an a reflection for future one