Using clustering algorithms to examine the association between working memory training trajectories and therapeutic outcomes among psychiatric and healthy populations

Working memory (WM) training has gained interest due to its potential to enhance cognitive functioning and reduce symptoms of mental disorders. Nevertheless, inconsistent results suggest that individual differences may have an impact on training efficacy. This study examined whether individual differences in training performance can predict therapeutic outcomes of WM training, measured as changes in anxiety and depression symptoms in sub-clinical and healthy populations. The study also investigated the association between cognitive abilities at baseline and different training improvement trajectories. Ninety-six participants (50 females, mean age = 27.67, SD = 8.84) were trained using the same WM training task (duration ranged between 7 to 15 sessions). An algorithm was then used to cluster them based on their learning trajectories. We found three main WM training trajectories, which in turn were related to changes in anxiety symptoms following the training. Additionally, executive function abilities at baseline predicted training trajectories. These findings highlight the potential for using clustering algorithms to reveal the benefits of cognitive training to alleviate maladaptive psychological symptoms

Differential Genetic Susceptibility to Child Risk at Birth in Predicting Observed Maternal Behavior

This study examined parenting as a function of child medical risks at birth and parental genotype (dopamine D4 receptor; DRD4). Our hypothesis was that the relation between child risks and later maternal sensitivity would depend on the presence/absence of a genetic variant in the mothers, thus revealing a gene by environment interaction (GXE). Risk at birth was defined by combining risk indices of children's gestational age at birth, birth weight, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. The DRD4-III 7-repeat allele was chosen as a relevant genotype as it was recently shown to moderate the effect of environmental stress on parental sensitivity. Mothers of 104 twin pairs provided DNA samples and were observed with their children in a laboratory play session when the children were 3.5 years old. Results indicate that higher levels of risk at birth were associated with less sensitive parenting only among mothers carrying the 7-repeat allele, but not among mothers carrying shorter alleles. Moreover, mothers who are carriers of the 7-repeat allele and whose children scored low on the risk index were observed to have the highest levels of sensitivity. These findings provide evidence for the interactive effects of genes and environment (in this study, children born at higher risk) on parenting, and are consistent with a genetic differential susceptibility model of parenting by demonstrating that some parents are inherently more susceptible to environmental influences, both good and bad, than are others

Physiological Correlates of Volunteering

We review research on physiological correlates of volunteering, a neglected but promising research field. Some of these correlates seem to be causal factors influencing volunteering. Volunteers tend to have better physical health, both self-reported and expert-assessed, better mental health, and perform better on cognitive tasks. Research thus far has rarely examined neurological, neurochemical, hormonal, and genetic correlates of volunteering to any significant extent, especially controlling for other factors as potential confounds. Evolutionary theory and behavioral genetic research suggest the importance of such physiological factors in humans. Basically, many aspects of social relationships and social activities have effects on health (e.g., Newman and Roberts 2013; Uchino 2004), as the widely used biopsychosocial (BPS) model suggests (Institute of Medicine 2001). Studies of formal volunteering (FV), charitable giving, and altruistic behavior suggest that physiological characteristics are related to volunteering, including specific genes (such as oxytocin receptor [OXTR] genes, Arginine vasopressin receptor [AVPR] genes, dopamine D4 receptor [DRD4] genes, and 5-HTTLPR). We recommend that future research on physiological factors be extended to non-Western populations, focusing specifically on volunteering, and differentiating between different forms and types of volunteering and civic participation

Optic Disc Edema and Retinal Abnormality Secondary to Dasatinib Treatment in a CML Patient

Dasatinib (Sprysel) is a new second generation oral Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, approved for first line treatment of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). According to phase 1 and 2 studies published to date ophthalmological secondary effects of dasatinib, are practically non-existent or trivial. Resent literature case report suggest the possibility of secondary optic neuropathy caused by the drug

Central retinal artery occlusion as a presenting symptom in Eales’ disease: a case report

Abstract Background Eales’ disease is an idiopathic peripheral retinal vasculopathy characterized by retinal phlebitis, ischemia, retinal neovascularization, and recurrent vitreous hemorrhages. But CRAO is an unusual presentation. Case presentation A 27-year-old healthy female nurse of Indian descent presented with sudden vision loss in her right eye upon awakening. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), combined with mild central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), was diagnosed. During the second of three consecutive sessions of hyperbaric oxygen treatments, her vision rapidly improved. One week later, she developed peripheral phlebitis in the same eye. Infectious, inflammatory, and hematologic etiologies were excluded. The systemic evaluation was normal except for a positive Mantoux tuberculin skin test. Following systemic steroidal treatment, she experienced gradual improvement of her vasculitis. Two weeks later, mild retinal phlebitis appeared in her left eye. Eales’ disease was diagnosed after the exclusion of other diseases. Conclusion This is an unusual Eales’ disease case, which presented as combined CRAO with mild CRVO. The association of CRAO and Eales’ disease is reported here for the first time, to our best knowledge

Ocular Surface Temperature: Characterization in a Large Cohort of Healthy Human Eyes and Correlations to Systemic Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Purpose: To characterize ocular surface temperature (OST) in healthy eyes and its association with systemic risk factors of cardiovascular and ischemic heart disease. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included consenting subjects who were examined at the Institute for Medical Screening in Sheba Medical Center. A Therm-App™ thermal imaging camera (Opgal LTD, Israel) was used for OST acquisition, and the mean OST of the medial canthal, lateral canthal, and central cornea regions were measured. Room and body temperatures were also recorded. Past medical and ocular history as well as data from various clinical examinations performed at the same visit were obtained. Results: Thermographic images were obtained from 186 subjects, 150 of which were included in the final analysis. OST was significantly higher in the medial canthal, central cornea, and lateral canthal regions in people with a history of ischemic heart disease (p = 0.02, p = 0.02, and p = 0.03, respectively). There were no significant OST differences (ANOVA test) associated with the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or active smoking status. Conclusions: OST correlated positively with the presence of ischemic heart disease. This correlation, its pathophysiological base, and its clinical application warrants further investigation