Functional Connectivity Analyses in Imaging Genetics: Considerations on Methods and Data Interpretation

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can be combined with genotype assessment to identify brain systems that mediate genetic vulnerability to mental disorders (“imaging genetics”). A data analysis approach that is widely applied is “functional connectivity”. In this approach, the temporal correlation between the fMRI signal from a pre-defined brain region (the so-called “seed point”) and other brain voxels is determined. In this technical note, we show how the choice of freely selectable data analysis parameters strongly influences the assessment of the genetic modulation of connectivity features. In our data analysis we exemplarily focus on three methodological parameters: (i) seed voxel selection, (ii) noise reduction algorithms, and (iii) use of additional second level covariates. Our results show that even small variations in the implementation of a functional connectivity analysis can have an impact on the connectivity pattern that is as strong as the potential modulation by genetic allele variants. Some effects of genetic variation can only be found for one specific implementation of the connectivity analysis. A reoccurring difficulty in the field of psychiatric genetics is the non-replication of initially promising findings, partly caused by the small effects of single genes. The replication of imaging genetic results is therefore crucial for the long-term assessment of genetic effects on neural connectivity parameters. For a meaningful comparison of imaging genetics studies however, it is therefore necessary to provide more details on specific methodological parameters (e.g., seed voxel distribution) and to give information how robust effects are across the choice of methodological parameters

Effect of the G72 (DAOA) putative risk haplotype on cognitive functions in healthy subjects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the last years, several susceptibility genes for psychiatric disorders have been identified, among others <it>G72 </it>(also named D-amino acid oxidase activator, DAOA). Typically, the high-risk variant of a vulnerability gene is associated with decreased cognitive functions already in healthy individuals. In a recent study however, a positive effect of the high-risk variant of <it>G72 </it>on verbal working memory was reported. In the present study, we therefore examined the relationship between <it>G72 </it>genotype status and a broad range of cognitive functions in 423 healthy individuals.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The <it>G72 </it>carrier status was assessed by the two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) M23 and M24. Subjects were divided into three risk groups (low, intermediate and high risk).</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>G72 </it>status influenced a number of cognitive functions, such as verbal working memory, attention, and, at a trend level, spatial working memory and executive functions. Interestingly, the high-risk allele carriers scored better than one or even both other groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data show that the putative high-risk haplotype (i.e. homozygote C/C-allele carriers in SNP M23 and homozygote T/T-allele carriers in SNP M24) is in healthy individuals not necessarily associated with worse performance in cognitive functions, but even with better performance in some domains. Further work is required to identify the mechanisms of <it>G72 </it>on brain functions.</p

Las relaciones entre los principios Maladaptive esquemas, atención plena, auto-compasión, y la angustia psicológica

A principios esquemas de mala adaptación (SGA) son creencias erróneas sobre el mismo y las relaciones de uno con los demás que se originan a partir de experiencias adversas en la infancia y que conducen a la angustia psicológica cuando se activa. la terapia de esquemas (ST) fue desarrollado para el tratamiento de los EMS y respuestas de afrontamiento desadaptativas a la activación de los SMA. intervenciones basados ​​en la conciencia se utilizan cada vez más en ST. El objetivo del presente estudio fue explorar las relaciones entre los sistemas EMS, la atención, la auto-compasión, y la angustia psicológica. El Cuestionario de Esquemas de Young (YSQ-S3), los Cinco faceta atención plena Cuestionario (FFMQ-SF), la auto-compasión Escala (SCS-SF), y el Inventario Breve de Síntomas (BSI) se les administró a 212 estudiantes de psicología de grado (edad media = 21.8 años, SD = 4,4). Los resultados mostraron asociaciones negativas entre los SMA y la atención y la auto-compasión. La atención plena y la auto-compasión mediadas, pero no lo hicieron moderada, las asociaciones entre los SMA y la angustia psicológica. Se concluye que bajo la atención y la baja auto-compasión son mecanismos mediante los cuales los SMA ejercen su efecto sobre la angustia psicológica. Estos resultados apoyan el uso de técnicas destinadas a mejorar la atención y la auto-compasión en el tratamiento de los SMA

Early maladaptive schemas and interpersonal problems: a circumplex analysis of the YSQ-SF

According to Schema Therapy, early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are closely tied to interpersonal problems. The current study investigated these relationships using a circumplex analysis approach. A sample of psychiatric outpatients (N= 106) completed the Young Schema Questionnaire -Short Form (YSQ-SF) and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems -Circumplex (IIP-C). Results showed strong relationships between EMSs and interpersonal problems. Findings from circumplex analyses suggest that EMSs are associated with a broad range of maladaptive interpersonal behaviors. However, none of the YSQ-SF scales were located in the domineering, intrusive, and overly nurturing octants of the circumplex

Early maladaptive schemas and mental disorders in adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are broad and pervasive themes regarding oneself and one’ relationships with others originating from adverse childhood experiences. Although the concept of EMSs was initially developed for the treatment of personality disorders, the associations of EMSs with a variety of other mental disorders have been investigated. The goal of the present study was to summarize and analyze the EMSs-disorder associations in studies in which patients with specific psychiatric diagnoses were compared to healthy controls. Of the 28 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 27 were included in a meta-analysis. Across diagnoses, all EMSs were elevated in the clinical groups. The largest effect sizes were observed for the social isolation, the negativity/pessimism, the defectiveness/shame and social undesirability schemas. Depression (n=8), borderline personality disorder (n=5), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (n=5) were the most frequently studied mental disorders. Heterogeneity between studies was high. Results suggest that mental disorders are not characterized by specific EMSs

Mindfulness training for chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study

Background Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition characterized by persistent and unexplained fatigue that may result in severe impairment of daily functioning. Currently, there is no curative treatment for CFS, and many patients experience the existing interventions as ineffective. Thus, there is a need for new approaches that target psychological maintenance factors and coping. Mindfulness is an approach to increasing awareness and acceptance of ongoing mental processes. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce stress and enhance quality of life in patients with chronic diseases, to increase the tolerance of unpleasant feelings and bodily dysfunction, as well as to facilitate use of appropriate coping skills. This pilot study examined the effect and acceptability of a mindfulness-based intervention for patients with CFS. Participants and procedure Ten patients with CFS (eight women, two men) participated in the study. The mindfulness training had a duration of eight weeks with 2-hour weekly meetings. The effect of the intervention was evaluated using a single case series design with a 3-month follow-up. Results All patients completed the intervention. Medium to large effect sizes were found for anxiety, fatigue, rumination, depression, and mindfulness. The participants’ feedback indicated increased quality of life and more adaptive coping. Conclusions It is concluded that mindfulness-based interventions have a potential to improve the condition of patients with CFS

Prolonged grief, post-traumatic stress, and functional impairment in parents and siblings 8 years after the 2011 Utøya terror attack

Background: Research on bereavement after terrorism is limited and primarily aiming on short-term consequences. Objective: To better understand the long-term health consequences of terrorism, we studied bereaved parents and siblings eight years after the Utøya terrorist attack in Norway. We examined the participants’ symptom levels of prolonged grief (PG) and post-traumatic stress (PTS), as well as their psychosocial functioning and employment status. Method: Bereaved parents (n = 88) and siblings (n = 34) aged 19 and above (mean age  = 49.7 years, SD = 13.8 years, 59.8% female) completed the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) to assess PG, PTS, and functional impairment, respectively. In addition, information about employment status was obtained. The proportion of participants scoring above recommended thresholds on the ICG, IES-R, and WSAS was calculated. Differences between parents and siblings and gender differences on these measures were examined. Results: In total, 62.3% of the participants had scores on the ICG indicating a risk for prolonged grief, while 45.9% scored over cutoff on the IES. There was a high overlap between symptoms of PG and PTS. Females had significantly higher scores on both the ICG and the IES compared to males. There were no differences between parents and siblings regarding PG and PTS symptoms. One out of three showed severe functional impairment on the WSAS. Approximately 30% of all the bereaved were outside the labour force, and one third of the parents had become unable to work after the terrorist attack. Conclusion: Many bereaved parents and siblings, following the Utøya terror attack, report long-lasting health consequences with symptoms of PG and PTS and functional impairment. The results suggest a need for follow up of bereaved after a terror attack and identify family members in need of health services

Dental anxiety and potentially traumatic events: a cross-sectional study based on the Tromsø Study—Tromsø 7

Objective The objectives of the study were to describe the prevalence of dental anxiety and the possible associations between dental anxiety and potentially traumatic events in an adult population. Method The study is based on cross-sectional questionnaire data from the 7th wave of the Tromsø Study, a study of the adult general population in the municipality of Tromsø carried out in 2015–2016. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale was used to measure dental anxiety across potentially traumatic events, oral health, dental attendance (avoidance) and current mental health symptoms (Hopkins Symptom Checklist). Individuals with high and low dental anxiety scores were compared to investigate differences in the distribution of potentially traumatic events, current mental health symptoms, avoidance, sex and oral health, and hierarchical multivariable regression was used to study the influence of traumatic events on dental anxiety. Results High dental anxiety was reported by 2.9% of the sample and was most prevalent among females and in the youngest age groups. Individuals with high dental anxiety reported more current mental health symptoms, and they were more likely to report poorer oral health and more irregular dental visits compared to individuals with no or lower dental anxiety scores. Concerning traumatic events, the reporting of painful or frightening dental treatment showed the biggest difference between those with high dental anxiety and low dental anxiety scores (a moderate effect). The hierarchical regression model indicated that reporting sexual abuse, traumatic medical treatment in hospital and childhood neglect significantly predicted dental anxiety in the step they were entered in, but only sexual abuse remained a significant individual contributor after controlling for current mental health symptoms. Conclusions The prevalence of high dental anxiety was lower than expected (2.9%), but dentally anxious individuals expressed a high burden of mental health symptoms, poor oral health and the avoidance of dental care. The regression analysis indicated that experiences with sexual abuse could affect dental anxiety levels in the absence of generalised symptoms of anxiety and depression

Patients' perception of user involvement in psychiatric outpatient treatment: Associations with patient characteristics and satisfaction

Background - The patient's right to be involved in treatment decisions is anchored in guidelines and legislation in many countries. Previous research suggests challenges in the implementation of user involvement across different areas of health care, including mental health. However, little is known about psychiatric outpatients’ experiences of being involved in their treatment. Objective - To investigate how psychiatric outpatients after treatment rate the degree to which they were included in the treatment and explore the associations between perceived user involvement, demographic characteristics of the sample and patient satisfaction. Design - Cross‐sectional. Setting and participants - The sample consisted of 188 psychiatric outpatients (67% female, mean age 42.2 years) who were discharged in the two years prior to data collection. Main variables studied - Perceived user involvement in psychiatric outpatient treatment and patient satisfaction as measured by the Psychiatric Out‐Patient Experiences Questionnaire. Results - About half of the participants rated the overall degree of involvement in their treatment as high or very high. The lowest percentage of participants reporting high or very high involvement was found for sufficient information to contribute to treatment decisions (36%). Female gender, higher education and, to a small degree, younger age were associated with more involvement. Perceived user involvement was strongly associated with treatment satisfaction. Discussion and conclusion - The findings suggest that user involvement in psychiatric outpatient treatment can be improved. Patient information that facilitates user involvement should be given more attention. Patient or Public Contribution - The hospital's user panel was involved in the development of items assessing user involvement