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The Detachment and Compartmentalization Inventory (DCI) is a valid and reliable self-report instrument that assesses these two distinct forms of dissociative symptoms. However, there is limited research on the cross-cultural validation of the DCI. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an Italian translation of the DCI and examine its internal structure and psychometric properties (including internal consistency, convergent validity, and test-retest reliability) within an Italian-speaking community sample. The sample consisted of 1276 adults (887 females; mean age: 29.57 ± 10.96 years), who completed the DCI and other self-report measures evaluating dissociative experiences and childhood trauma. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the original two-factor model (χ2169 = 1312.80, RMSEA = 0.073, 95%CI 0.069–0.077; CFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.94; SRMR = 0.04). Additionally, the DCI exhibited good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity with another measure of dissociation. The study also confirmed the association between DCI scores and the severity of childhood trauma. Finally, a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that the DCI effectively distinguishes individuals who screened positively for dissociative disorders. Overall, these findings indicate that the Italian translation of the DCI possesses satisfactory psychometric properties, suggesting its utility as a screening tool for assessing detachment and compartmentalization experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Obsessive and compulsive symptoms (OCS) are cross-cutting psychopathological manifestations frequently detected in a variety of clinical and non-clinical samples. It has been suggested that impaired mentalization abilities and traumatic experiences during childhood may be relevant etiopathogenetic factors in the development of OCS. The purpose of the current study was to cross-sectionally assess these variables in a non-clinical sample, testing the mediational role of mentalization abilities in the association between childhood trauma (CT) and OCS. Method: 667 participants (488 females; mean age= 29.76 ± 11.87 years; age range: 18-80) answered a survey including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Mentalization Questionnaire and the Obsession-Compulsion subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory. Results: The mediation model was significant for the total effect (p< .001), showing that CT was positively associated with OCS (95% CI: .006; .019) and that this association was mediated by reduced levels of mentalization capacity (95% CI: .003; .009). Such results were significant controlling for potential sociodemographic and clinical confounding variables. Conclusions: The findings contribute to elucidate the complex relationships between CT, mentalization capacity, and OCS, supporting the possibility that mentalization impairments, arising from CT, may affect top-down control mechanisms thus contributing to the development of OCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite its high prevalence in all psychiatric disorders and its widely demonstrated clinical relevance as a marker of both clinical severity and poorer treatment response, a scientifically validated definition of dissociation remains controversial, and the understanding of its pathogenesis is still somewhat lacking. Furthermore, although most clinicians commonly refer to dissociation as a single unitary concept, the empirical evidence strongly supports the paucity of a one-dimensional approach to dissociation. Summary: Resonating with the clinical and neuroscientific data on this topic, this article aimed to provide a working hypothesis, suggesting that the wide variety of psychopathological phenomena that are currently improperly lumped into the category of dissociation are in fact produced by at least three different pathogenic processes involved in developmental trauma, namely, traumatic disintegration, detachment responses, and dissociation. Key Messages: This hypothesis should, therefore, be considered a starting point for a better understanding of the complex manifestations and processes that currently overly, attributed to dissociation per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of recurrent traumatic experiences during childhood may impede the integration of mentalization abilities and lead to psychopathology. Recently, the Failure to Mentalize Trauma Questionnaire (FMTQ), a comprehensive 29-item self-report scale aimed at identifying deficits in mentalization arising from childhood trauma, was developed. However, the length of the FMTQ may render it impractical for epidemiological studies involving multiple variables and measures. Furthermore, the initial testing revealed inadequate factor reliabilities for the two first-order factors. Therefore, this study aimed to shorten and create a unidimensional version (FMTQ-s) and investigate its psychometric properties, including internal consistency and convergent and concurrent validity, in a non-clinical Italian adult sample. The factor analysis supported a 13-item unidimensional version of the FMTQ with acceptable internal consistency (ordinal alpha = 0.88) and satisfactory convergent and concurrent validity. The FMTQ-s obtained scalar invariance between individuals with and without self-reported childhood traumas. Overall, the FMTQ-s appears to be a feasible and reliable tool for assessing deficits in mentalization resulting from childhood trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between childhood trauma (CT) and dissociation can contribute to psychiatric disturbances. We explored this phenomenon in relation to behavioral addictions (BAs) in a sample (n = 633) of young adults (age: 18–34 years). Self-report measures investigating CT, dissociation, and symptoms related to gambling disorder, internet gaming disorder, problematic social media use, exercise dependence and compulsive buying were used. Scales related to BAs were summarized into a single measure ("Total Behavioral Addiction Index" – TBAI) for inferential analyses. A model analyzing the direct and indirect effects of CT on TBAI through the mediation of pathological dissociation was performed, controlling for confounding factors. Measures on CT, dissociation, and TBAI were significantly associated with each other (all p <.001). The total effect of CT on TBAI was significant (B = 0.063; CI: 0.045; 0.081); pathological dissociation significantly mediated such association (B = 0.023; CI: 0.013; 0.036). Our findings support the possibility that the interaction between CT and dissociation contributes to increase disturbances related to BAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main objective of the present study was to use the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to identify cut-off points for a selfreport measure assessing parental style, i.e., the Measure of Parental Style (MOPS), that are able to discriminate individuals with disorganized internal working models (IWMs) of attachment with adequate accuracy, in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Establishing cut-off points for the MOPS could provide clinicians and researchers with a valuable tool to investigate the role of disorganized IWMs as a link between parental styles and mental health. Method: A sample of 90 university students (mean age = 21.21 ± 2.05, females = 66) was enrolled in the study. We used the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) to assess disorganized IWM and the MOPS to assess parental styles. Subsequently, we used ROC curve analysis to pursue the objective of the study. Results: The ROC curve analysis showed that the MOPS total score (i.e., the combination of maternal and paternal dimensions) was able to discriminate individuals with disorganized IWMs from individuals with organized IWMs (AUC= 0.77). Specifically, a score ≥ 25 (Youden index= 0.497) categorized individuals with a sensitivity of 0.69 (69% of participants with disorganized IWMs were correctly identified) and a specificity of 0.81 (19% of participants were incorrectly identified as having disorganized IWMs). Conclusions: Although the AAI has demonstrated high psychometric properties for assessing attachment representations in adulthood, its use is difficult when studies with large samples are to be conducted. As an alternative to the AAI, the MOPS can be used in studies with large populations, but no cut-off has yet been proposed. Here, we have identified cut-off points for the MOPS that are capable of detecting disorganized IWMs of attachment with adequate accuracy, and we suggest that this self-report is a useful brief instrument for detecting disorganized IWMs when time constraints prevent the use of the AAI (e.g., in studies with large samples or epidemiological studies). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies suggest that parental overcontrol could be considered a specific form of childhood trauma (CT). Although previous research has shown that CT alters the functional and structural architecture of large-scale networks in the brain, the neural basis associated with parental overcontrol has not been sufficiently explored. Therefore, the main aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between parental overcontrol and electroencephalography (EEG) triple network (TN) functional connectivity during the resting state (RS) condition in a non-clinical sample (N = 71; 39 females, mean age 23.94 ± 5.89 SD). EEG was recorded during 5 min of RS with eyes closed. All participants were asked to self-report maternal and paternal overcontrol, CT and general psychopathology. All EEG analyses were performed using the exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography software (eLORETA). Our results showed a significant positive correlation between maternal overcontrol and theta connectivity between the salience network and the central executive network. This connectivity pattern was independently associated with maternal overcontrol even when controlling for relevant confounding variables, including the severity of CT and the general level of psychopathology. This neurophysiological pattern may reflect a predisposition to detect and respond to potentially threatening stimuli in the environment, which is typically associated with excessive overcontrol. Our findings support the hypothesis that parental overcontrol should be considered a form of CT in all respects independent of the forms traditionally studied in the literature (i.e., emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and physical and emotional neglect). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of the study was to examine how brain network metrics change after retrieval of attachment memories in individuals with unresolved/disorganized (U/D) attachment-related state of mind and those with organized/resolved (O/R) state of mind. We focused on three main network metrics associated with integration and segregation: global (Eglob) efficiency for the first function, local (Eloc) efficiency and modularity for the second. We also examined assortativity and centrality metrics. Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were performed before and after the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) in a sample of 50 individuals previously assessed for parenting quality. Functional connectivity matrices were constructed by means of the exact Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (eLORETA) software and then imported into MATLAB to compute brain network metrics. Compared to individuals with O/R attachment-related state of mind, those with U/D show a significant decrease in beta Eglob after AAI. No statistically significant difference among groups emerged in Eloc and modularity metrics after AAI, neither in assortativity nor in betweenness centrality. These results may help to better understand the neurophysiological patterns underlying the disintegrative effects of retrieving traumatic attachment memories in individuals with disorganized state of mind in relation to attachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We investigated the association among triple network electroencephalographic (EEG) functional connectivity, dissociative symptoms, and childhood trauma (CT) in a sample of university students. Sampling and Methods: Seventy-six participants (30 males and 46 females; mean age 22.12 ± 2.35) completed self-report measures investigating dissociative symptoms, CT, and depressive symptoms. Participants also performed an eyes-closed resting-state EEG recording. EEG analyses were conducted through the exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA) software. Results: A 2-step cluster analysis revealed 2 groups: participants (N = 23) with high dissociative-traumatic dimension symptoms (DTD+) and participants (N = 53) with low DTD symptoms (DTD−). Compared to DTD− subjects, DTD+ participants showed decreased theta connectivity between the salience network (SN) and central executive network (CEN), specifically between the right anterior insula and the left posterior parietal cortex. No significant correlation was detected between EEG data and clinical variables. Conclusion: Our results raise the possibility of a dysfunctional connectivity pattern occurring between the SN and CEN in individuals with high DTD symptoms. Such connectivity pattern might reflect the neuropsychophysiological disintegration related to pathological dissociation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: High levels of perceived parental over-protection are hypothesized to be related to relational problems, psychological distress, and development of psychiatric symptoms. Here, the main aim was to extend previous findings investigating the unique contribution of parental over-protection in predicting affective vulnerability.Method: 296 students were recruited and tested individually. All participants were administered self-report measures assessing parental styles [i.e., The Measure of Parental Style (MOPS)], several clinical dimensions (i.e., depressive symptoms, trait anxiety and alexithymia), and a checklist assessing socio-demographic variables.Results: Affective vulnerability was investigated combining anxiety, depression and alexithymia through principal axis factoring which accounted for 70.90% of the variance of the data. All MOPS subscale were positively associated with all clinical dimensions (r > 0.13; p < 0.05) and with the Affective Vulnerability factor (r > 0.25; p < 0.001). Among different forms of dysfunctional parenting, only maternal (β = 0.19; p = 0.007) and paternal (β = 0.18; p = 0.010) over-protection were independently associated with Affective Vulnerability in the linear regression analysis, even when controlling for sex, age, and education.Conclusions: All forms of dysfunctional parenting investigated were associated with affective vulnerability. However, at a multivariate level, only maternal and paternal over-protection remained independently associated with affective vulnerability. This study contributes to our understanding of the role of parental over-protection as a risk factor for the development of affective vulnerability and on the potentially pathogenic role played by this parental style in the development of clinical and sub-clinical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health emergency requiring clinicians to be prepared to cope with the increase in the future incidence of trauma and stress-related psychopathological symptoms. The early detection of psychological distress and timely intervention are strongly recommended. Clinicians should also consider integrating new technologies such as virtual reality (VR) in the treatment of these trauma and stress-related psychopathological symptoms. Here we provide a brief overview of how VR can help to cope with the potential short-term and long-term mental health consequences related to this global emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autistic traits lie on a continuously distributed spectrum ranging from non-clinical to clinical conditions. Indeed, autistic traits have been observed in general population at sub-threshold levels. Here, the main aim was to investigate differences in resting state (RS) electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectrum in individuals with high vs. low autistic traits. Fifty undergraduates completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Empathy Quotient (EQ). For each participant five minutes of RS-EEG were recorded and analysed by means of the exact Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography software (eLORETA). A Two-Step Cluster Analysis revealed two groups: high autistic traits (AT+) and low autistic traits (AT−) group. Compared to AT−, AT+ individuals showed an increase of delta power in parietal/occipital and cortico-limbic areas. No alterations were observed in other frequency bands. Furthermore, both AQ and EQ total scores were positively correlated with delta EEG power after controlling for sex, age, and subclinical psychopathological traits. Results show that AT+ individuals exhibit an increase in slow RS EEG power in regions involved in self-referential processes, suggesting a reduction in these internally directed mental activities and adding new evidence on the existence of a continuum in the autistic spectrum which spreads from clinical to non-clinical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic Insomnia is a severe and disabling condition characterized by difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep, waking up too early, despite adequate opportunity and circumstances for sleep. Maladaptive thoughts and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep are considered crucial factors in developing and perpetuating this disorder. Aims: The aim of the study was to explore the usefulness, in patients with chronic insomnia, of a one-session psychoeducational intervention on sleep-related maladaptive thoughts and beliefs, and on sleep perception. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with chronic insomnia were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to receive psychoeducational intervention (PI+) or to act as controls (PI–). Patients wore an actigraph and compiled a sleep diary for 14 d. After the first 7 d, only PI+ patients received one session of psychoeducational intervention. Results: A significant reduction of sleep related preoccupations, a reduction of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, and an improvement of subjective perception of sleep were observed in the PI+ group, but not in the PI– group. No significant modification was observed for objective total sleep time. Conclusions: Our results suggest that one-session psychoeducational intervention is associated with a decrease of sleep-related maladaptive thoughts and beliefs, and with an improvement on subjective sleep perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) has been widely investigated in depressive disorders (DDs) with contradictory and not conclusive results. The main aim of the current study was to explore the association between a new neurophysiological index, the so-called frontal alpha connectivity asymmetry index (FACA-I), and depressive symptoms.Methods: One hundred and thirteen participants (45 men and 68 women, mean age: 22.83 ± 2.26 years) were enrolled. Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were performed during 5 min of resting state (RS). FACA-I was computed by subtracting connectivity at left frontal regions from right frontal regions and dividing by their sum. RS FAA were also computed and compared to the FACA-I in all analyses.Results: After controlling for the presence of potential confounding variables (i.e., sex, age and anxiety symptoms), only FACA-I scores between medial prefrontal cortex and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex were negatively associated with both somatic and cognitive/affective depressive symptoms and were lower in individuals with significant level of depressive symptoms.Limitations: We focused on a sample of university students with no formal diagnosis of depression and we did not assess FAA and FACA-I during cognitive and/or emotional tasks, which make our interpretation specific to the RS condition.Conclusions: Taken together our data suggest that alpha connectivity asymmetry between medial prefrontal cortex and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex may be a useful neurophysiological index in the assessment of depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although several researches investigated Default Mode Network (DMN) alterations in individuals with anxiety disorders, up to now no studies have investigated DMN functional connectivity in non-clinical individuals with high-trait-anxiety using quantitative electroencephalography (EEG). Here, the main aim was to extend previous findings investigating the association between trait anxiety and DMN EEG functional connectivity.Methods: Twenty-three individuals with high-trait-anxiety and twenty-four controls were enrolled. EEG was recorded during 5 min of resting state (RS). EEG analyses were conducted by means of the exact Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography software (eLORETA).Results: Compared to controls, individuals with high-trait-anxiety showed a decrease of theta connectivity between right medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and right posterior cingulate/retrosplenial cortex. A decrease of beta connectivity was also observed between right mPFC and right anterior cingulate cortex. Furthermore, DMN functional connectivity strength was negatively related with STAI-T total score (i.e., lower connectivity was associated with higher trait anxiety), even when controlling for potential confounding variables (i.e., sex, age, and general psychopathology).Limitations: Small sample size makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Furthermore, we did not assess state variation of anxiety, which make our interpretation specific to trait anxiety.Conclusions: Taken together, our results suggest that high-trait-anxiety individuals fail to synchronize DMN during RS, reflecting a possible top-down cognitive control deficit. These results may help in the understanding of the individual differences in functional brain networks associated with trait anxiety, a crucial aim in the prevention and in the early etiology understanding of clinical anxiety and related sequelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of the present study was to investigate the association between food addiction (FA) symptoms and body uneasiness in a nonclinical sample, while controlling for potential confounding variables. Participants (N = 395; 123 men) were administered self‐report measures assessing FA, binge eating severity, body uneasiness, depressive symptoms, emotion dysregulation and socio‐demographic variables. Body uneasiness was independently associated with FA symptoms (standardized beta coefficients ranging between 0.41 [p < 0.001] and 0.22 [p < 0.001]), even when controlling for the presence of other variables. This finding suggests that body uneasiness may be a crucial symptom in the development and/or maintenance of FA symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate EEG functional connectivity in the sensory-motor network, during wake and sleep, in patients with Huntington Disease (HD). Methods 23 patients with HD and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. EEG connectivity analysis was performed by means of exact Low Resolution Electric Tomography (eLORETA). Results In wake, HD patients showed an increase of delta lagged phase synchronization ( T = 3.60; p < 0.05) among Broadman’s Areas (BA) 6-8 bilaterally; right BA 6-8 and right BA 1-2-3; left BA 1-2-3 and left BA 4. In NREM, HD patients showed an increase of delta lagged phase synchronization ( T = 3.56; p < 0.05) among left BA 1-2-3 and right BA 6-8. In REM, HD patients showed an increase of lagged phase synchronization ( T = 3.60; p < 0.05) among the BA 6-8 bilaterally (delta band); left BA 1-2-3 and right BA 1-2-3 (theta); left BA 1-2-3 and right BA 4 (theta); left BA 1-2-3 and right BA 1-2-3 (alpha). Conclusions Our results may reflect an abnormal function of the motor areas or an effort to counterbalance the pathological motor output. Significance Our results may help to understand the pathophysiology of sleep-related movement disorders in Huntington’s Disease, and to define therapeutically strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to explore the usefulness of the alpha/theta (A/T) training in reducing Food Craving (FC) in a non-clinical sample. The modifications of electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectra associated with A/T training was also investigated. Fifty subjects were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to receive ten sessions of A/T training [neurofeedback group (NFG) = 25], or to act as controls [waiting list group (WLG) = 25]. All participants were administered the Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. In the post training assessment, compared to the WLG, the NFG showed a significant reduction of intentions and plans to consume food ( F 1; 49 = 4.90; p = .033; d = 0.626) and of craving as a physiological state ( F 1; 49 = 8.09; p = .007; d = 803). In NFG, changes in FC persisted after 4 months follow-up. Furthermore, A/T training was associated with significant a increase of resting EEG alpha power in several brain areas involved in FC (e.g., insula) and food cue reactivity (e.g., parahippocampal gyrus, inferior and superior temporal gyrus). Taken together, our results showed that ten sessions of A/T training are associated with a decrease of self-reported FC in a non-clinical sample. These findings suggest that this brain-directed intervention may be useful in the treatment of dysfunctional eating behaviors characterized by FC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to explore the role of pathological dissociation in mediating the association between childhood trauma (CT) and gambling severity. One hundred seventy-one (134 men and 37 women) gamblers recruited in gambling environments (i.e., two Italian casinos) have been enrolled in the study. Psychopathological assessments included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Dissociative Experiences Scale-Taxon (DES-T), the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the CAGE and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A mediational model, analyzing the direct and indirect effects of CTQ on SOGS through the mediating role of DES-T, showed that the relation between CTQ and SOGS was fully mediated by DES-T scores ( b = 0.07; se = 0.15; p < 0.001). This finding raises the possibility that CT explains gambling severity through the presence of pathological dissociative symptoms and dissociative pathogenetic processes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message Gambling severity is associated with both childhood trauma and pathological dissociation in casino gamblers., A mediational model shows that the effect of childhood trauma on gambling severity is entirely mediated by pathological dissociation., From a clinical point of view, our results highlight the importance of assessing, and possibly treating, dissociative symptoms in individuals with gambling disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers investigated the association among food addiction, difficulties in emotion regulation, and mentalization deficits in a sample of 322 Italian adults from the general population. All participants were administered the Italian versions of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (I-YFAS), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Mentalization Questionnaire, the Binge Eating Scale, and the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test. Of respondents, 7.1% reported high food-addiction symptoms (ie, 3 or more symptoms of food addiction on the I-YFAS). In bivariate analyses, high food-addiction symptoms were associated with more difficulties in emotion regulation and mentalization deficits. In the multivariate analysis, high food-addiction symptoms remained independently associated with mentalization deficits, but not with difficulties in emotion regulation. Our data suggest that mentalization may play an important role in food addiction by making it difficult for an individual to understand his or her own inner mental states as well as the mental states of others, especially when powerful emotions arise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood trauma (CT) is considered a major risk factor for several disorders as well as for the development of eating psychopathology and adult obesity. The main aims of the present study were to assess in overweight and obese women: (i) the independent association between CT and food addiction (FA), and (ii) CT in patients with both FA and clinical-level of binge eating (BE), versus patients who only engage in FA or BE. Participants were 301 overweight and obese women seeking low-energy-diet therapy. All of the patients were administered self-report measures investigating FA, BE, CT, anxiety and depressive symptoms. CT severity was moderately and positively associated with both FA ( r = 0.37; p < 0.001) and BE ( r = 0.36; p < 0.001) severity. The association between FA and CT remained significant after controlling for potential confounding variables. Furthermore, compared to patients without dysfunctional eating patterns, the co-occurrence of FA and BE was associated with more severe CT as well as with more severe psychopathology (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms) and higher BMI. Our results suggest that clinicians should carefully assess the presence of CT in individuals who report dysfunctional eating patterns in order to develop treatment approaches specifically for obese and overweight patients with a history of CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we evaluated the dimensionality and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Binge Eating Scale (BES) in a 669 (127 men and 542 women) obese and overweight patients seeking weight loss treatment. All participants were administered the Italian version of the BES. Fit statistics for the alternative SEM models demonstrated that both the one-factor and competing two-factor models had a comparable fit to the data. Thus, we selected the one-factor model as the most parsimonious. The BES had good internal consistency reliability (α = 0.89) with a moderate mean inter-item correlation ( rii = 0.34). Given that we were not able to clearly determine the best model among the competing two-factor models and a comparable fit of these models with the one-factor model, we have suggested that the one-factor model is the best fitting model describing the dimensionality of the BES. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the potential role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in enhancing the integration of traumatic memories by measuring EEG coherence, power spectra and autonomic variables before (pre-EMDR) and after (post-EMDR) EMDR sessions during the recall of patient's traumatic memory. Thirteen EMDR sessions of six patients with post-traumatic stress disorder were recorded. EEG analyses were conducted by means of the standardized Low Resolution Electric Tomography ( sLORETA) software. Power spectra, EEG coherence and heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between pre- and post-EMDR sessions. After EMDR, we observed a significant increase of alpha power in the left inferior temporal gyrus (T = 3·879; P = 0·041) and an increased EEG coherence in beta band between C3 and T5 electrodes (T = 6·358; P<0·001). Furthermore, a significant increase of HRV in the post-EMDR sessions was also observed (pre-EMDR: 6·38 ± 6·83; post-EMDR: 2·46 ± 2·95; U-Test= 45, P = 0·043). Finally, the values of lagged coherence were negatively associated with subjective units of disturbance ( r(24) = −0·44, P<0·05) and positively associated with parasympathetic activity ( r(24)=0·40, P<0·05). Our results suggest that EMDR leads to an integration of dissociated aspects of traumatic memories and, consequently, a decrease of hyperarousal symptoms [Correction made here after initial publication]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alterations in brain functional connectivity have been detected in patients with eating disorders, but have not been studied in binge eating disorder (BED). We have investigated electroencephalographic (EEG) functional connectivity in thirteen overweight and obese patients with BED and thirteen overweight and obese patients without BED during RS condition. EEG analyzes were conducted by means of the exact Low Resolution Electric Tomography software (eLORETA). Compared to patients without BED, patients with BED demonstrated an increase of lagged phase synchronization in the beta frequency band among the cortical areas explored by FC1-T3 (left superior frontal gyrus—left middle temporal gyrus), T5-O1 (left inferior temporal gyrus—left middle occipital gyrus), and C4-O1 (right postcentral gyrus—left middle occipital gyrus) electrodes ( T = 4.861, p < 0.05). EEG connectivity values were also significantly related to binge eating symptomatology after controlling for depressive symptoms. Our results may reflect the impairment of frontal control network and visual processing networks, which lead patients with BED to be more vulnerable to food cues and lack of control with regards to over eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food craving (FC) might play an important role in the course of eating disorders and obesity. The question of its measurement has particular importance in relation to the dramatic growth in obesity rates and its relevance for public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Food Cravings Questionnaire–Trait (FCQ–T) in overweight and obese patients who were attending weight loss programs, and its efficiency in discriminating patients with binge eating. Participants were 497 (411 women, 86 men) overweight and obese patients in treatment with low-energy diet therapy. We used structural equation modeling to compare 3 factor models tested in previous studies (a 6-factor model, an 8-factor model, and a 9-factor model), which indicated that the 9-factor model has a better fit over the competing models. The FCQ–T had good internal consistency (Cronbach'sαof.96 for the total score, and between.76 and.92 for subfactors), and was able to discriminate patients with clinical-level binge eating from those with probable and without binge eating with an efficiency of.74 (sensitivity =.64, specificity =.78). FCQ–T scores were sensitive to changes associated with treatment only for patients who started dietary restriction between the baseline and the follow-up assessment, but not for patients who were already observing dietary restrictions at the time of the baseline assessment. These results suggest that the FCQ–T could be a potentially useful measure for the screening of binge eating problems in overweight and obese patients while in treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of the present study was to explore the modifications of EEG power spectra and EEG connectivity of resting state (RS) condition in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Seventeen patients and seventeen healthy subjects matched for age and gender were enrolled. EEG was recorded during 5 min of RS. EEG analysis was conducted by means of the standardized Low Resolution Electric Tomography software (sLORETA). In power spectra analysis PTSD patients showed a widespread increase of theta activity (4.5–7.5 Hz) in parietal lobes (Brodmann Area, BA 7, 4, 5, 40) and in frontal lobes (BA 6). In the connectivity analysis PTSD patients also showed increase of alpha connectivity (8–12.5 Hz) between the cortical areas explored by Pz-P4 electrode. Our results could reflect the alteration of memory systems and emotional processing consistently altered in PTSD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives and Methods. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, whether cognitive vulnerabilities (CV), as measured by three well-known instruments (the Beck Hopelessness Scale, BHS; the Life Orientation Test-Revised, LOT-R; and the Attitudes Toward Self-Revised, ATS-R), independently discriminate between subjects with different severities of depression. Participants were 467 young adults (336 females and 131 males), recruited from the general population. The subjects were also administered the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Results. Four first-order (BHS Optimism/Low Standard; BHS Pessimism; Generalized Self-Criticism; and LOT Optimism) and two higher-order factors (Pessimism/Negative Attitudes Toward Self, Optimism) were extracted using Principal Axis Factoring analysis. Although all first-order and second-order factors were able to discriminate individuals with different depression severities, the Pessimism factor had the best performance in discriminating individuals with moderate to severe depression from those with lower depression severity. Conclusion. In the screening of young adults at risk of depression, clinicians have to pay particular attention to the expression of pessimism about the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The intravenous (IV) injection of tropicamide for non-clinical purposes is a new and widespread drug trend. The aim of this study is to provide the first literature review on the topic. Methods Relevant literature was identified through a search of MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Google Scholar, conference proceedings and select citations. Results Cases of tropicamide (IV) injection have been reported in Russia, Italy, Turkey and Kazakhstan. This phenomenon is mainly secondary to primary opioid (especially heroin) addiction. Several key factors can be associated with its rapid diffusion: (i) enhancement of the 'positive' effects of heroin; (ii) decrease and delay of heroin withdrawal symptoms; (iii) easy availability; (iv) low costs; (v) fast effects; and (vi) visibility of self-reported experiences on Internet. Acute tropicamide intoxications can lead to anticholinergic syndrome, hyperthermia, tremors and convulsions. Chronic tropicamide-related problems include cardiovascular toxicity, psychosis, renal or liver failures, severe weight loss and infections. Fatalities due to tropicamide IV injection have been reported in non evidence-based/peer-reviewed sources, such as drug fora, websites and media news. Conclusions Tropicamide IV injections represent a serious health risk. Specific prevention programmes should be implemented for the general population as well as for the high-risk population of polydrug abusers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient epileptic amnesia (TEA) is a rare epileptic condition, often confused with transient global amnesia (TGA). In a real-life scenario, differential diagnosis between these two conditions can be hard. In this study we use power spectral analysis empowered by exact Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (eLORETA) to evidence the differences between TEA and TGA. Fifteen patients affected by TEA (64.2 ± 5.2 y.o.; 11 female/4 male; 10 left and 5 right temporal epileptic focus) and 15 patients affected by TGA (65.8 ± 7.2 y.o.; 11 females/4 males) were retrospectively identified in our clinical records. All patients recorded EEGs after symptoms offset. EEGs were analyzed with eLORETA to evidence power spectral contrast between the two conditions. We used an inverse problem solution to localize the source of spectral differences. We found a significant increase in beta band power over the affected hemisphere of TEA patients. Significant results corresponded to the uncus and para-hippocampal gyrus, respectively Brodmann's Areas: 36, 35, 28, 34. We present original evidence of an increase in beta power in the affected hemisphere (AH) of TEA as compared to TGA. These differences involve key areas of the memory network located in the mesial temporal lobe. Spectral asymmetries could be used in the future to recognize cases of amnesia with a high risk of epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The neurophysiological correlates of religious coping to psychological stress have been investigated by means of qEEG. • Religious coping was positively associated with theta power in right frontal and temporal areas. • The results contribute to increase the knowledge on the neurophysiological concomitants of religious coping to stress. • Religious coping was positively associated with other adaptive coping strategies. Religious coping to psychological stress has been linked to positive outcomes on both physical and mental health, but no studies have explored its neurophysiological correlates. Ninety-six participants (43 men and 53 women, mean age: 22.30 ± 2.48 years) were enrolled in the present study; they underwent an evaluation of coping with the brief version of the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (brief-COPE) scale and performed an eyes-closed resting state electroencephalographic (EEG) recording. EEG analyses were conducted with the exact Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography software (eLORETA). Positive correlations between religious coping and EEG activity were observed in the theta frequency band in the right hemisphere, specifically in the superior temporal, inferior frontal, and middle temporal gyri. Religious coping scores were significantly positively associated with active coping and positive reframing coping strategies, with the latter not being significantly associated with EEG data. Taken together our results contribute to increase the knowledge on the neurophysiological concomitants of religious coping to stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing body of experimental data have suggested that aberrant functional interactions between large-scale networks may be the most plausible explanation of psychopathology across multiple mental disorders, including substance-related and addictive disorders. In the current research, we have investigated the association between problematic cannabis use (PCU) and triple-network electroencephalographic (EEG) functional connectivity. Twelve participants with PCU and 24 non-PCU participants were included in the study. EEG recordings were performed during resting state (RS). The exact Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography software (eLORETA) was used for all EEG analyses. Compared to non-PCU, PCU participants showed an increased delta connectivity between the salience network (SN) and central executive network (CEN), specifically, between the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and right posterior parietal cortex. The strength of delta connectivity between the SN and CEN was positively and significantly correlated with higher problematic patterns of cannabis use after controlling for age, sex, educational level, tobacco use, problematic alcohol use, and general psychopathology (rp = 0.40, p = 0.030). Taken together, our results show that individuals with PCU could be characterized by a specific dysfunctional interaction between the SN and CEN during RS, which might reflect the neurophysiological underpinnings of attentional and emotional processes of cannabis-related thoughts, memories, and craving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent neuroimaging studies have shown that alexithymia is characterized by functional alterations in different brain areas [e.g., posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)], during emotional/social tasks. However, only few data are available about alexithymic cortical networking features during resting state (RS). We have investigated the modifications of electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectra and EEG functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) in subjects with alexithymia. Eighteen subjects with alexithymia and eighteen subjects without alexithymia matched for age and gender were enrolled. EEG was recorded during 5 min of RS. EEG analyses were conducted by means of the exact Low Resolution Electric Tomography software (eLORETA). Compared to controls, alexithymic subjects showed a decrease of alpha power in the right PCC. In the connectivity analysis, compared to controls, alexithymic subjects showed a decrease of alpha connectivity between: (i) right anterior cingulate cortex and right PCC, (ii) right frontal lobe and right PCC, and (iii) right parietal lobe and right temporal lobe. Finally, mediation models showed that the association between alexithymia and EEG connectivity values was directed and was not mediated by psychopathology severity. Taken together, our results could reflect the neurophysiological substrate of some core features of alexithymia, such as the impairment in emotional awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysmorphic concern (DC) is a symptom affecting both clinical and non-clinical populations, with a severe impact on individuals' physical and psychological well-being. While Childhood Trauma (CT) has been identified as a risk factor for DC, there is a lack of research on a specific form of CT, that is, parental overcontrol. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the association between DC and parental overcontrol in a community sample of adults, controlling for other forms of CT and potential confounding variables. 714 adults (508 females; mean age: 30.29 ± 11.67 years; age range: 18–77) participated in an online survey including the Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), the Overcontrol subscale of the Measure Of Parental Style, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF). Parental overcontrol was independently associated with DC symptoms (β = 0.111; p =.005; CI = [0.119;0.666]), even after controlling for other forms of CT and sociodemographic and clinical confounding variables. The cross-sectional design of the study, the unbalanced sex ratio, the retrospective self-reported data about parental overcontrol and CT should be considered. This finding suggests that parental overcontrol may play a role in the development and maintenance of DC symptoms, remarking the urge to take more into account parental overcontrol in the assessment of CT. • We investigated the association between dysmorphic concern and parental overcontrol. • Other forms of childhood trauma and confounding variables were controlled for. • Parental overcontrol was independently associated with dysmorphic concern severity. • Parental overcontrol may play a role in the development/maintenance of dysmorphic concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many researchers suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic may have more negative effects on women than men. Accordingly, we hypothesized that women would experience greater COVID-19 related distress and more psychopathological symptoms than men during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy. Moreover, we expected emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, as protective and risk factors respectively) to interact with gender in shaping psychological health. We administered an online questionnaire to 1519 participants during the first national COVID-19 lockdown in Italy. As predicted, women reported greater COVID-19 related distress and more psychopathological symptoms than men. Furthermore, women who made greater use of reappraisal reported lower levels of distress and fewer psychopathological symptoms. Suppression was associated with more psychopathological symptoms, but there were no interaction effects with gender. Our findings have implications for policymakers wishing to sustain women's health during stressful situations such as the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented discusses the neuropsychiatric consequences of COVID-19 that appeared to be due to several factors, such as the direct effect of the infection, the body's responses against the infection, or the psychological squeal of social isolation, unemployment, and fear for health and well-being. It focuses psychological stress related to the pandemic, several biological mechanisms were thought to be responsible for post-COVID-19 neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Objective: Child maltreatment (CM) is a recognized public health problem, and epidemiologic data suggest that it is a widespread phenomenon, albeit with widely varying estimates. Indeed, CM as well as child abuse (CA) and neglect (CN) are complex phenomena that are difficult to study for several reasons, including terminological and definitional problems that pose a hurdle to estimating epidemiological rates. Therefore, the main aim of this umbrella review is to revise recent review data on the epidemiology of CM, CA, and CN. A second aim was to revise the definitions used. Method: A systematic search of three databases was performed in March 2022. Recent reviews (published in the last 5 years: 2017-March 2022) addressing the epidemiological rates of CM, CA, and/or CN were included. Results: Of the 314 documents retrieved by the selected search strategy, the eligibility assessment yielded a total of 29 eligible documents. Because of the great heterogeneity among them, a qualitative rather than a quantitative synthesis was performed. Conclusions: The data from this umbrella review show that the different age groups, methods, and instruments used in the literature to collect the data on the epidemiology of CM make it difficult to compare the results. Although definitions appear to be quite homogeneous, CM categorization varies widely across studies. Furthermore, this umbrella review shows that the CM reviews considered do not examine some particular forms of CM such as parental overprotection. The results are discussed in detail throughout the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People who make habitual use of an emotion regulation strategy such as cognitive reappraisal may be more sensitive to the emotion cues coming from a surrounding natural environment and, thus, get more benefits from virtual nature exposure such as enhanced subjective vitality. However, no previous study investigated the moderating role of cognitive reappraisal in the relationship between exposure to different types of natural environments (a national park, a lacustrine environment, and an arctic environment vs. an urban environment) and subjective vitality. We designed a between-subject design (four conditions, one per type of environment) with a sample of 187 university students (Mage = 21.17, SD = 2.55). Participants were exposed to four 360° panoramic photos of the environment for one minute each with a virtual reality head-mounted display. The results of a multicategorical moderation analysis attested that there were two significant interactions, respectively between lacustrine and arctic environments and cognitive reappraisal. More specifically, for participants with low levels of habitual use of cognitive reappraisal, the effects of virtual nature (vs. urban) exposure on subjective vitality were not significant, while for participants with high levels, the effects were significant and positive. Findings show how the potential of virtual nature may be boosted with training aimed at increasing the general use of cognitive reappraisal, supports enhancing the applications of virtual nature, and demonstrates the need to take individual differences into account when determining the benefits of these applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explored the ability of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) to catch detachment and compartmentalization symptoms. Participants and methods: The DES factor structure was evaluated in 768 psychiatric patients (546 women and 222 men) and in 2,403 subjects enrolled in nonpsychiatric settings (1,857 women and 546 men). All participants were administered the Italian version of DES. Twenty senior psychiatric experts in the treatment of dissociative symptoms independently assessed the DES items and categorized each of them as follows: "C" for compartmentalization, "D" for detachment, and "NC" for noncongruence with either C or D. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor structure of DES in both clinical and nonclinical samples and its invariance across the two groups. Moreover, factor analyses results overlapped with those from the expert classification procedure. Conclusion: Our results showed that DES can be used as a valid instrument for clinicians to assess the frequency of different types of dissociative experiences including detachment and compartmentalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstates analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) has gained increasing attention among researchers and clinicians as a valid tool for investigating temporal dynamics of large-scale brain networks with a millisecond time resolution. Although microstates analysis has been widely applied to elucidate the neurophysiological basis of various cognitive functions in both clinical and non-clinical samples, its application in relation to socio-affective processing has been relatively under-researched. Therefore, the main aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between EEG microstates and mentalizing (i.e., the ability to understand the mental states of others). Eighty-two participants (thirty-six men; mean age: 24.28 ± 7.35 years; mean years of education: 15.82 ± 1.77) underwent a resting-state EEG recording and performed the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). The parameters of the microstates were then calculated using Cartool v. 4.09 software. Our results showed that the occurrence of microstate map C was independently and positively associated with the RMET total score and contributed to the prediction of mentalizing performance, even when controlling for potential confounding variables (i.e., age, sex, education level, tobacco and alcohol use). Since microstate C is involved in self-related processes, our findings may reflect the link between self-awareness of one's own thoughts/feelings and the enhanced ability to recognize the mental states of others at the neurophysiological level. This finding extends the functions traditionally attributed to microstate C, i.e. mind-wandering, self-related thoughts, prosociality, and emotional and interoceptive processing, to include mentalizing ability. • We investigated the relationship between EEG microstates and mentalizing. • Mentalizing is associated with the occurrence of the microstate map C. • This was significant even when controlling for potential confounding variables. • This result could reflect the link between self and others' mentalizing abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity and overeating are among the most prevalent health concerns worldwide and individuals are increasingly using performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) as an easy and fast way to control their weight. Among these, herbal weight-loss products (HWLPs) often attract users due to their health claims, assumed safety, easy availability, affordable price, extensive marketing, and the perceived lack of need for professional oversight. Reports suggest that certain HWLPs may lead to onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disturbances. Here we review the available evidence on psychiatric adverse effects of HWLPs due to their intrinsic toxicity and potential for interaction with psychiatric medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess heart rate variability (HRV) in individuals with dissociative disorders (DD) before and after the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). Electrocardiograms were recorded before, during, and after the AAI in 13 individuals with DD and 13 healthy participants matched for age and gender. Significant change in HRV was observed only in the DD group. After the AAI, those with DD showed significant increases in the low frequency/high frequency ratio (pre-AAI = 1.91 ± 1.19; post-AAI = 4.03 ± 2.40; Wilcoxon test = –2.76, p =.005). Our results suggest that the retrieval of childhood attachment experiences in individuals with DD is associated with a change in HRV patterns that could reflect the emotion dysregulation of dissociative psychopathological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentalization is an important interpersonal ability, necessary for adaptive interpersonal relationships and emotion regulation. Deficits in mentalization have been associated with poor psychological outcomes and have been observed in patients with Borderline Personality Disorder. The Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ) has been developed as self-report measure of mentalization deficit. The aim of the study was to investigate the dimensionality of the MZQ in a nonclinical sample composed of Italian adults from the general population and to analyze its performance in categorizing individuals with higher risk of borderline symptoms. A non-clinical sample of 1,015 adults (709 women and 306 men) was administered the Italian versions of the MZQ, the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ), and a measure of borderline psychopathology. A revised single-factor solution fitted the data well and demonstrated metric invariance across gender. The internal consistency (Ordinal α = 0.87) and stability (r = 0.84) were satisfactory. The MZQ was moderately associated with the RFQ dimensions. The ROC curve analysis showed that the MZQ was able to discriminate satisfactorily people with higher risk for borderline symptomatology from those with lower risk. The MZQ may, therefore, be considered a reliable and valid measure of mentalization for categorizing people at higher risk for borderline pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although the study of the Triple Network (TN) model has gained attention in the exploration of stress-related processes, the neurophysiological mechanisms of TN in relation to perceived stress have been relatively understudied in nonclinical samples so far. The main objective of the present study was to investigate, in a sample of university students, the association of perceived stress with resting state electroencephalography (EEG) functional connectivity in the TN. Methods: Ninety university students (40 males and 50 females; mean age 22.30 ± 2.43 years; mean educational level 16.60 ± 1.62 years) were enrolled. EEG data were analyzed through the exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA). Results: Higher levels of perceived stress were associated with decreased delta EEG connectivity within the central executive network (CEN) and between the CEN and the salience network (SN). Higher levels of perceived stress were also associated with decreased theta EEG connectivity between the CEN and the SN. The associations between perceived stress and EEG connectivity data were significant even when relevant confounding factors (i.e., sex, age, educational level, and psychopathological symptoms) were controlled for. Discussion: Taken together, our results suggest that higher levels of perceived stress are associated with a dysfunctional synchronization within the CEN and between the SN and the CEN. This functional pattern might in part reflect the negative impact of high levels of perceived stress on cognitive functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of repeated lockdowns on mental health and social isolation is unknown. We conducted a longitudinal study of the influence of repeated mild lockdowns during two emergency declarations in Japan, in May 2020 and February 2021. The analyses included 7893 people who participated in all online surveys. During repeated mild lockdowns, mental and physical symptoms decreased overall, while loneliness increased and social networks decreased. Subgroup analyses revealed that depression and suicidal ideation did not decrease only in the younger age group (aged 18–29 years) and that younger and middle-aged people (aged 18–49 years), women, people with a history of treatment for mental illness, and people who were socially disadvantaged in terms of income had higher levels of mental and physical symptoms at all survey times. Additionally, comprehensive extraction of the interaction structure between depression, demographic attributes, and psychosocial variables indicated that loneliness and social networks were most closely associated with depression. These results indicate that repeated lockdowns have cumulative negative effects on social isolation and loneliness and that susceptible populations, such as young people and those with high levels of loneliness, require special consideration during repeated lockdown situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the worrying concomitants of problematic use of Internet (PUI) is aggression. Although the mechanisms underlying such link have not been completely clarified, it has been suggested that problematic use of social media and online videogames (i.e., two common forms of PUI among young adults) lead to increased sleep disturbances which, in turn, represent a relevant trigger for aggression. We have tested this hypothesis in a sample (N = 480) of young individuals (351 females and 129 males; mean age: 21.76 ± 1.92 years; range: 18–24). Self‐report measures investigating symptoms related to social media addiction (SMA), Internet gaming disorder (IGD), insomnia severity, and aggression were used. Mediational models analyzing the direct and indirect associations of SMA‐ and IGD‐related symptoms on aggression severity through insomnia‐related symptoms were performed controlling for confounding factors. The models showed that the total effects of SMA‐related symptoms (B = 0.018; p =.010) and of IGD‐related symptoms (B = 0.018; p =.041) on aggression severity were significant and that these associations were mediated by insomnia‐related symptoms (respectively, p <.001 and p =.003). Our findings support the potential mediating role of insomnia severity in the association of SMA‐ and IGD‐related disturbances with levels of aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Need for Cognitive Closure (NCC) is a construct referring to the desire for predictability, unambiguity and firm answers to issues. Neuroscientific literature about NCC processes has mainly focused on task-related brain activity. According to the Triple Network model (TN), the main aim of the current study was to investigate resting state (RS) electroencephalographic (EEG) intra-network dynamics associated with NCC. Fifty-two young adults (39 females) were enrolled and underwent EEG recordings during RS. Functional connectivity analysis was computed through exact Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (eLORETA) software. Our results showed that higher levels of NCC were associated with both i) decreased alpha EEG connectivity within the Central Executive Network (CEN), and ii) increased delta connectivity within the Default Mode Network (DMN). No significant correlations were observed between NCC and functional connectivity in the Salience Network (SN). Our data would seem to suggest that high levels of NCC are characterized by a specific communication pattern within the CEN and the DMN during RS. These neurophysiological patterns might reflect several typical NCC-related cognitive characteristics (e.g., lower flexibility and preference for habitual and rigid response schemas). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Delirium is an acute fluctuating disorder of attention and awareness. It is associated with autonomic dysfunction and increased mortality. The primary endpoint of our study was to measure autonomic activity in acute stroke patients, by means of heart rate variability analysis, in order to identify autonomic modifications that can predispose to delirium.Methods: Patients were consecutively enrolled from the stroke unit. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years and diagnosis of stroke with onset within the previous 72 h confirmed by neuroimaging. Exclusion criteria were atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and conditions requiring intensive care unit. Patients were evaluated by means of Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) and Confusion Assessment Method-Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) at baseline, after 72 h, or when symptoms suggesting delirium occurred. For each patient, ECG was recorded at baseline assessment and HRV analysis was conducted on five consecutive minutes of artifact-free ECG traces.Results: Fifty-six ECGs were available for analysis. During the study period, 11 patients developed delirium. Patients with and without delirium did not differ for sex, age, severity of stroke, and comorbidities. The delirium group had greater standard deviation of the heart rate (DLR - :9.16 ± 8.28; DLR + : 14.36 ± 5.55; p = 0.026) and lower power spectral density of the HF component (DLR - : 38.23 ± 19.23 n.u.; DLR + : 25.75 ± 8.77 n.u.; p = 0.031).Conclusions: Acute non-cardioembolic stroke patients with increased variability of heart rate and decreased vagal control are at risk for delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have shown how COrona VIrus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and the consequent isolation and quarantine measures could affect physical and mental well‐being. Therefore, the increased request for support and assistance represents a critical challenge for clinicians requiring a reorganization of care systems. In this regard, online counselling has been identified as a useful tool in providing psychological assistance and support. Thus, the main purpose of the current study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of a single online counselling session in reducing psychopathological symptoms (i.e., state anxiety and negative affect) and increasing individual well‐being and positive affect during the first Italian lockdown. Fifty‐three subjects were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive an online counselling session [Online Counselling Group (OCG) = 26] or to act as controls [Waiting List Group (WLG) = 27]. In the post‐assessment, compared to WLG, the OCG showed a significant decrease in negative affect (18.04 ± 6.30 vs. 30.26 ± 8.61; F1:47 = 29.45; p <.001; dppc2 =.92) and state anxiety (36.65 ± 8.35 vs. 48.04 ± 11.51; F1:47 = 17.86; p <.001; dppc2 =.49). Taking into account the cyclical nature of COVID‐19, with the possibility of new peaks and waves, it would be appropriate to consider the versatility and usefulness of online psychological counselling in the management of COVID‐19‐related distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear receptor that has been linked to the modulation of several physiological functions, including the sleep–wake cycle. The PPARα recognizes as endogenous ligands the lipids oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), which in turn, if systemically injected, they exert wake‐promoting effects. Moreover, the activation of PPARα by the administration of OEA or PEA increases the extracellular contents of neurotransmitters linked to the control of wakefulness; however, the role of PPARα activated by OEA or PEA on additional biochemicals related to waking regulation, such as acetylcholine (ACh) and 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), has not been fully studied. Here, we have investigated the effects of treatments of OEA or PEA on the contents of ACh and 5‐HT by using in vivo microdialysis techniques coupled to HPLC means. For this purpose, OEA or PEA were systemically injected (5, 10 or 30 mg/kg; i.p.), and the levels of ACh and 5‐HT were collected from the basal forebrain, a wake‐related brain area. These pharmacological treatments significantly increased the contents of ACh and 5‐HT as determined by HPLC procedures. Interestingly, PPARα antagonist MK‐886 (30 mg/kg; i.p.) injected before the treatments of OEA or PEA blocked these outcomes. Our data suggest that the activation of PPARα by OEA or PEA produces significant changes on ACh and 5‐HT levels measured from the basal forebrain and support the conclusion that PPARα is a suitable molecular element involved in the regulation of wake‐related neurotransmitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]