Nrf1 and Nrf2 Knockdown Effect in Anxiety-related Behavior and Mitochondrial Function

Introduction:  Nuclear factor, erythroid-derived 2, -like2 (Nrf2) and Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 1 (Nrf1) stand as two important regulators of antioxidant defense system. Materials and Methods: Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Nrf1 and Nrf2 (Nrf1&2) was injected in dorsal third ventricle of adult male albino Wistar rats. Anxiety-related behaviors and protein level of mitochondrial biogenesis, apoptotic marker factors and also electron transport chain (ETC), Citrate synthase (CS) and Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes activity in three brain regions: hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala were evaluated. Results: Nrf1&2-silenced rats induced anxiety-like behaviors compared to the control group. The level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1a) protein increased in those three regions. Although Nrf1&2-silencing decreased MDH activity in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, the activity of CS was increased in all three mentioned areas. However, Nrf1&2 silencing had no effect in complex I and II-III activity, but complex IV activity was increased, particularly in amygdala. Furthermore, Bax/Bcl2 ratio and cleavage of caspase-3 was increased in all mentioned areas of the brain in Nrf1&2-silenced group. Conclusion: In conclusion, the presented data evaluated the complexity of mitochondrial functions and Nrf1 and Nrf2 in rat’s brain and points to mitochondrial crucial role in oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and behavior. &nbsp

Tele-Mindfulness for Dementia's Family Caregivers: a Randomized Trial with a Usual Care Control Group

Caring for a family member with dementia is associated with chronic stress which can have negative effects on caregivers’ mental and physical health. Mindfulness-based interventions have been proposed to improve psychological outcomes in caregivers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of live online mindfulness (tele-MBCT) program for caregivers of people with dementia. 26 family caregivers were randomly assigned to a tele-MBCT intervention or control group. Intervention participants attended eight weekly live online training and practiced at home. All participants completed surveys at baseline, post-intervention and 4-week follow-up. Majority of participants completed the study. Intervention group reported high satisfaction with the intervention and the online delivery method. Pre-Post improvement in self-compassion and coping strategies in the intervention group were noted. Tele-MBCT is a feasible intervention and may improve psychological outcomes and adaptive coping in dementia’s family caregivers. A larger controlled trial is warranted.M.Sc

How Persuasion Knowledge Creates Differences in the Role of Self and Functional Congruity on Predicting Customers’ Attitude and Behavioral Intention

The present study aims to investigate the role of self-congruity and functional congruity in predicting customer attitudes and behavioral intentions in different branches of a chain store in the city of Tehran, Iran. Also, the study considers the moderating role of persuasion knowledge in the relationship between self-congruity and functional congruity with customers' attitude. The findings suggest that managers can develop certain strategies to improve customer attitudes and buying intentions

Neurofeedback Training Versus Perceptual-motor Exercises Interventions in Visual Attention for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood psychiatric disorders characterized by poor attention and subsequently lower learning abilities than normal children. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of neurofeedback and perceptual-motor exercises as two common nonpharmacological treatments for visual attention. Methods: A total of 40 combined medicated ADHD children (aged 5-12 years) were randomly allocated into two groups: neurofeedback training and perceptual-motor exercises. Visual attention and motor proficiency were assessed before and after the treatment by continuous performance test (CPT) and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test (BOT), respectively. Results: According to repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), both groups showed significant improvement in three attention-related areas of CPT, including reaction time, omission, and commission errors (P0.05). However, in the perceptual-motor exercises group, motor proficiency improved significantly (P<0.01). Conclusion: Neurofeedback training intervention, as well as perceptual-motor exercises, are effective in improving ADHD symptoms, and given the similar effect of both interventions and their lack of side effects, perceptual-motor exercises appear to be the more appropriate option for reducing symptoms of ADHD, because of its additional effect on motor proficiency, rich content of purposeful activities, and social interactions

sj-pdf-1-cpa-10.1177_07067437221147443 - Supplemental material for Neuropsychiatric Symptom Burden across Neurodegenerative Disorders and its Association with Function

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-cpa-10.1177_07067437221147443 for Neuropsychiatric Symptom Burden across Neurodegenerative Disorders and its Association with Function by Daniel Kapustin, Shadi Zarei, Wei Wang, Malcolm A. Binns, Paula M. McLaughlin, Agessandro Abrahao, Sandra E. Black, Michael Borrie, David Breen, Leanna Casaubon, Dar Dowlatshahi, Elizabeth Finger, Corinne E Fischer, Andrew Frank, Morris Freedman, David Grimes, Ayman Hassan, Mandar Jog, Donna Kwan, Anthony Lang, Brian Levine, Jennifer Mandzia, Connie Marras, Mario Masellis, Joseph B. Orange, Stephen Pasternak, Alicia Peltsch, Bruce G. Pollock, Tarek K. Rajji, Angela Roberts, Demetrios Sahlas, Gustavo Saposnik, Dallas Seitz, Christen Shoesmith, Alisia Southwell, Thomas D.L. Steeves, Kelly Sunderland, Richard H Swartz, Brian Tan, David F. Tang-Wai, Maria Carmela Tartaglia, Angela Troyer, John Turnbull, Lorne Zinman, and Sanjeev Kumar in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry</p

sj-docx-2-cpa-10.1177_07067437221147443 - Supplemental material for Neuropsychiatric Symptom Burden across Neurodegenerative Disorders and its Association with Function

Supplemental material, sj-docx-2-cpa-10.1177_07067437221147443 for Neuropsychiatric Symptom Burden across Neurodegenerative Disorders and its Association with Function by Daniel Kapustin, Shadi Zarei, Wei Wang, Malcolm A. Binns, Paula M. McLaughlin, Agessandro Abrahao, Sandra E. Black, Michael Borrie, David Breen, Leanna Casaubon, Dar Dowlatshahi, Elizabeth Finger, Corinne E Fischer, Andrew Frank, Morris Freedman, David Grimes, Ayman Hassan, Mandar Jog, Donna Kwan, Anthony Lang, Brian Levine, Jennifer Mandzia, Connie Marras, Mario Masellis, Joseph B. Orange, Stephen Pasternak, Alicia Peltsch, Bruce G. Pollock, Tarek K. Rajji, Angela Roberts, Demetrios Sahlas, Gustavo Saposnik, Dallas Seitz, Christen Shoesmith, Alisia Southwell, Thomas D.L. Steeves, Kelly Sunderland, Richard H Swartz, Brian Tan, David F. Tang-Wai, Maria Carmela Tartaglia, Angela Troyer, John Turnbull, Lorne Zinman, and Sanjeev Kumar in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry</p