The effects of odors of lavender and peppermint on the human AEP (Auditory Evoked Potential) and EEG

The effects of odors (Lavender and Peppermint) on AEP (Auditory Evoked Potential) were studied with 15 healthy male subjects aged 22~39 y. o. (mean : 29.1 ± 4.8 y. o.). EEGs containing AEPs evoked by click stimuli once every 5 seconds were derived from the two derivations (3 ch : Cz→A1 +2, 6 ch : Cz→T5) , and recorded into magnetic tape. Reproducing the tape, AEPs with 1024 msec of analysis time were obtained by averaging 100 responses, and EEGs were subjected to the frequency analysis. In the experimental session, EEGs containing AEPs were recorded before, during and 15 and 30 minutes after the inhalation of odors of Lavender and Peppermint. Consecutive changes of group mean AEP were studied. Indivisual AEPs were subjected to the component analysis, and to the statistical assessment together with EEG. The following results were obtained. 1. Subjective assessment for the intensity and pleasantness of odors was not only so much different between Lavender and Peppermint, but close similar among the subjects. 2. During and after the inhalation of Lavender, latencies of the middle latency AEP including P2 latency, and latencies of long latency components (P6~) significantly or not significantly increased. Peak-to-peak amplitudes including P2-N2 of the middle latecy AEP significantly or not significantly decreased. During and after the inhalation of the odor of Peppermint, latencies of the middle latency AEP including P2 latency decreased but not significant, and peak-to-peak amplitudes including P2-N2 significantly or not significantly increased. Amplitudes of long latency component (P6~) did not change significantly. In conclusion, sedative effect of Lavender and a kind of stimulating effect of Peppermint on the middle latecy component were confirmed by AEP. 3. From the changes of P2, which derived from the brainstem reticular formation, it was said that Lavender inhibited, and Peppermint activated the reticular formation. Increased latencies of the long latency component of AEP during and after Lavender indicated the secondary inhibition of cortex succeeding to inhibition of the brainstem reticular formation. 4. Although the mechanism of olfactory system is not clarified, the odors of Lavender and Peppermint were might be differentiated in olfactory systems below neocortical olfactory area, and act on the reticular formation respectively inhibitorily or excitedly through the medial forebrain bundle. 5. It has been generally said that olfactory stimuli activate the CNS through the brainstem reticular formation, but inhibitory effect of Lavender similar to that of minor traquilizer, besides activating effect of Peppermint was verified for the first time by AEP

Self-reported aural symptoms, headache and temporomandibular disorders in Japanese young adults

Background: To investigate the associations of aural symptoms, headache and depression with the presence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms in a young adult population in Japan. Methods: A personal interview survey was conducted on first-year university students (n = 1,930) regarding symptoms of TMD, aural problems, headache, shoulder pain and depression. Logistic regression was applied to assess the associations of these problems with the presence of TMD symptoms after controlling for age and gender. Results: Among the 1,930 students, 543 students exhibited TMD symptoms and were classified into 7 groups: clicking only (Group I, n = 319), pain in the TMJ only (Group II, n = 21), difficulty in mouth opening only (Group III, n = 18), clicking and pain (Group IV, n = 29), clicking and difficulty in mouth opening (Group V, n = 48), difficulty in mouth opening and pain (Group VI, n = 11), and combination of three symptoms (Group VII, n = 97). The control group (n = 1,387) were subjects without any TMD symptoms. After adjusting for age and gender, a strong association was observed between TMD symptoms (Group II and IV) and tinnitus (OR = 12.1 and 13.2, respectively). TMD symptoms (Group I, II and III) were also associated with vertigo and headache. Otalgia and depression were significantly associated with the presence of clicking only. Conclusions: TMD symptoms were significantly correlated to aural symptoms and headache. A functional evaluation of the stomatognathic system should be considered in subjects with unexplained aural symptoms and headache

Effects of self-efficacy on oral health behaviours and gingival health in university students aged 18- or 19-years-old

Aim Although self-efficacy is known to affect various health-related practises, few studies have clearly examined how self-efficacy correlates with oral health behaviors or the oral health condition. We examined the relationship between gingivitis, oral health behaviors and self-efficacy in university students. Material & Methods A total of 2,111 students (1,197 males, 914 females) aged 18 and 19 years were examined. The degree of gingivitis was expressed as the percentage of bleeding on probing (%BOP). Additional information was collected via a questionnaire regarding oral health behaviors (daily frequency of tooth-brushing, use of dental floss and regular check-up). Self-efficacy was assessed using the Self-Efficacy Scale for Self-care (SESS). Path analysis was used to test pathways from self-efficacy to oral health behaviors and %BOP. Results In the final structural model, self-efficacies were related to each other, and they affected oral health behaviors. Good oral health behaviors reduced dental plaque and calculus, and lower levels of dental plaque and calculus resulted in lower %BOP. Conclusion Higher self-efficacy correlated with better oral health behaviours and gingival health in university students. Improving self-efficacy may be beneficial for maintaining good gingival health in university students. To prevent gingivitis, the approach of enhancing self-efficacy in university students would be useful

CNVs in Three Psychiatric Disorders

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the similarities and differences in the roles of genic and regulatory copy number variations (CNVs) in bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SCZ), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Based on high-resolution CNV data from 8708 Japanese samples, we performed to our knowledge the largest cross-disorder analysis of genic and regulatory CNVs in BD, SCZ, and ASD. RESULTS: In genic CNVs, we found an increased burden of smaller (500 kb) exonic CNVs in SCZ/ASD. Pathogenic CNVs linked to neurodevelopmental disorders were significantly associated with the risk for each disorder, but BD and SCZ/ASD differed in terms of the effect size (smaller in BD) and subtype distribution of CNVs linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. We identified 3 synaptic genes (DLG2, PCDH15, and ASTN2) as risk factors for BD. Whereas gene set analysis showed that BD-associated pathways were restricted to chromatin biology, SCZ and ASD involved more extensive and similar pathways. Nevertheless, a correlation analysis of gene set results indicated weak but significant pathway similarities between BD and SCZ or ASD (r = 0.25–0.31). In SCZ and ASD, but not BD, CNVs were significantly enriched in enhancers and promoters in brain tissue. CONCLUSIONS: BD and SCZ/ASD differ in terms of CNV burden, characteristics of CNVs linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, and regulatory CNVs. On the other hand, they have shared molecular mechanisms, including chromatin biology. The BD risk genes identified here could provide insight into the pathogenesis of BD