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Objective: To review the current literature on psychosocial and psychological interventions to prevent and treat depression and anxiety in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review of literature evaluating psychosocial and psychological interventions for depression and anxiety in patients with AMD. Primary searches of PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, Global Health, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Science Direct were conducted to include all articles published up to April 21, 2018.Results: Of a total of 398 citations retrieved, the authors selected 12 eligible studies published between 2002 and 2016. The authors found nine randomized controlled trials (RCT), and three non-randomized intervention (NRI) studies. RCT studies suggested that interventions using group self-management techniques and individual behavioral activation plus low vision rehabilitation can be effective to treat and prevent depression in patients with AMD, and one study suggested that a stepped-care intervention using cognitive-behavioral techniques can be effective to manage anxiety and depression over time. NRI studies highlighted a positive effect of self-help and emotion-focused interventions to reduce depression.Conclusion: Clinical practice with patients with AMD can rely on some tailored cognitive-behavioral therapeutic protocols to improve patients' mental health, but further clinical trials will generate the necessary evidence-based knowledge to improve those therapeutic techniques and offer additional tailored interventions for patients with AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burnout negatively affects around 40 % of medical and dentistry students, a group with high levels of perfectionism, repetitive negative thinking (RNT) and low self-compassion. So far, literature has highlighted the beneficial effects of mindfulness and self-compassion-based interventions on reducing psychological distress; nevertheless, the relationship between perfectionism, self-compassion, RNT and burnout has not yet been studied in this population with a prospective study design. The aim of this prospective study was to analyse the role of perfectionism, self-compassion and RNT on burnout levels in medical and dentistry students after approximately one year and a half. 202 medical and dentistry students answered in T0 and T1 (after 18 months) to a self-report questionnaire that included measures to assess perfectionism, RNT, self-compassion, and burnout. Perfectionism, RNT and self-compassion correlated significantly with each other, and all correlated with Burnout. In mediation analyses, total perfectionism at T0 predicted burnout at T1, both directly and indirectly, through the mediating effect of self-compassion and RNT at T0. This study reinforces recent findings that self-compassion is a mediator of the relationship between perfectionism and burnout and adds that RNT also plays an important role in this predictive pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Described as a contextual behavioural approach, Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT) aims at helping people develop compassionate relationships both with others and with the self. CFT has been used to promote recovery in psychosis with promising results. The development process of the Compassionate Approach to Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder (COMPASS) builds upon the available research on contextual behavioural approaches for psychosis. Its main framework is the affect regulation system's model and the compassion-focused therapy rationale as it was adapted for psychosis. Other theoretical and empirical influences are presented and innovations regarding CFT protocols for psychosis are highlighted. COMPASS is already being studied and details on the pilot study are provided. With further study and continuing improvement COMPASS has the potential to help foster recovery in psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies proposed that maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation (CER) is associated with negative dimensions of perfectionism and mediates the relationship between this trait and negative affect dimensions. In the present longitudinal study, our aim was to examine whether and which perfectionism cognitions and CER strategies would mediate the relationship between perfectionism traits and psychological distress, controlling for perceived stress, social support and outcome measure at one year before. At T0 and after approximately one year (T1), 258 college students (79.8% female) filled in the Portuguese validated versions of self-report questionnaires to evaluate perfectionism trait dimensions (perfectionistic concerns and perfectionistic strivings), perfectionism cognitions, CER dimensions, perceived stress, social support and psychological distress (depression, hostility-anxiety, and amiability-vigor). We found that higher perfectionistic concerns at T0 contribute significantly, after one year, to maladaptive perfectionism cognitions, which in turn are associated with higher levels of catastrophizing and rumination, and altogether will ultimately contribute to greater anxiety/hostility (total indirect effect: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.07) and depression (total indirect effect: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.13). In this cognitive setting, perfectionist individuals may benefit from psychological interventions to reduce their tendency to use maladaptive CER strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: It has been proposed that schizophrenia results from an environmental insult in genetically predisposed individuals. Environmental factors capable of modulating transcriptional activity and their carriers could link the genetic and environmental components of schizophrenia. Among these is transthyretin (TTR), a major carrier of thyroid hormones and retinol-binding protein (RBP). Retinoids and thyroid hormones regulate the expression of several genes, both during development and in the adult brain. Decreased TTR levels have been reported in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with depression and Alzheimer’s disease, and the absence of TTR influences behavior in mice. DNA variants capable of altering TTR ability to carry its ligands, either due to reduced transcription of the gene or to structural modifications of the protein, may influence development of the central nervous system and behavior. In the present study we searched for variants in the regulatory and coding regions of the TTR gene, and measured circulating levels of TTR and RBP. We found a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), ss46566417, 18 bp upstream of exon 4. Neither this SNP nor the previously described rs1800458 were found associated with schizophrenia. In addition, serum TTR and RBP levels did not differ between mentally healthy and schizophrenic individuals. In conclusion, our data does not support an involvement of the TTR gene in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During pregnancy, obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms and disorder are underdiagnosed and undertreated. The Prenatal Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (PreOCS; Lord, Rieder, Hall, Soares, & Steiner, 2011) is the only self-report questionnaire that evaluates the severity and interference of specific pregnancy-related obsessions and compulsions. We aimed to analyze the validity and reliability of the PreOCS Portuguese version and to describe the prevalence, content, severity, interference, and onset of OC symptoms in pregnancy. Three hundred fifty-five pregnant women completed the PreOCS and other self-report instruments to evaluate perinatal anxiety and depression. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that a second-order model presented an acceptable fit. Cronbach's alphas were ≥.75 for the Severity and the Interference subscales and both were moderately correlated with depression and anxiety measures. Nearly 10% of the women presented OC symptoms with relevant severity. Co-occurrence of obsessions and compulsions (44.4%) was associated with significantly higher PreOCS scores. Obsessions about contamination, harm to the baby, others' judgment and baby's health presented the highest prevalence and increased the odds of having at least one compulsion. Searching for information, asking for reassurance, checking, and cleaning were the most reported compulsions. The Portuguese version of PreOCS has good psychometric properties, presenting itself as a valid and reliable instrument. • The Portuguese version of the PreOCS has good psychometric properties. • 70% of the Portuguese women experienced maternity-related obsessive thoughts. • 40% of the pregnant portuguese woman performed compulsive behaviours. • 10% of women reported distressing pregnancy-related OC symptoms. • Co-occurrence of obsessions and compulsions was associated with greater severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The neurogranin (NRGN) gene produces a postsynaptic brain-specific protein that regulates calmodulin-Ca2+ availability in neurons. Acting downstream of the NMDA receptor and upstream of calcineurin and other proteins implicated in schizophrenia, NRGN is a good candidate for association studies in schizophrenia. NRGN expression is regulated during development and is modulated by thyroid hormones and retinoids, molecules essential for the proper development of the central nervous system. Given the genetic complexity of schizophrenia and the potential genetic heterogeneity in different populations, we studied a possible association of NRGN with schizophrenia in 73 Azorean proband-parent triads and in two independent case-control samples from the Portuguese-mainland (244 schizophrenic and 210 controls) and Brazil (69 schizophrenic and 85 mentally healthy individuals). Genotype distribution showed association of the rs7113041 SNP with schizophrenia in males of Portuguese origin, which was confirmed by the analysis of the proband-parent triads. This evidence, implicating NRGN in schizophrenia, introduces another player into the glutamatergic hypothesis of schizophrenia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction Perfectionism constitutes a risk factor for the development of eating disorders. In overweight women, knowledge about the nature of this association is scarce. Objectives To investigate the relationship between perfectionism, eating behaviors and affect in overweight women. Methods The Portuguese versions of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire/EDEQ, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Questionnaire and the Profile of Mood States were administered to an outpatient sample of 276 women (mean age = 43.85 ± 11.89 years; mean BMI = 32.82 ± 5.43 kg/m 2 ). Results Correlations between Socially Prescribed Perfectionism/SPP, EDEQ total (T) and its dimensional scores (Weight and Shape Concern and Dissatisfaction/WSCD, Eating Concern/EC, Dietary Restraint/DR) were significant (r > .30; p > .001). Self-Oriented Perfectionism/SOP was significantly correlated with EDEQ-T, WSCD and DR (r = .20). Participants with high (> M + SD) vs. low (< M-SD) SOP and SPP had significantly higher means in EDEQ-T, WSCD, EC and DR (p < .001). Linear regression showed that SPP was predictor of EDEQ-T and EC (p < .001). Conclusions SPP and SOP are related to disordered eating in overweight women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate if disordered eating behaviors predicted the development of sleep disturbances. A total of 870 students participated at baseline, 592 one year later (T1) and 305 two years later (T2). The Eating Attitudes Test-40 was used to assess global disordered eating behaviors, dietary concerns (DC), bulimic behaviors (BB) and social pressure to eat (SPE). Sleep disturbances were assessed by two items related to difficulties initiating sleep (DIS) and maintaining sleep (DMS). A sleep disturbance index (SDI) was calculated by summing DIS and DMS scores. Results revealed that global disordered eating behaviors at baseline predicted DIS, DMS and SDI at T1 and T2. Students with increased BB and SPE scores at baseline were more likely to experience sleep onset and sleep maintenance difficulties in the long term. These results suggest that assessment and correction of eating behaviors might prevent sleep disturbances. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the present work was to investigate if insomnia in late pregnancy is a risk factor for postpartum depressive symptomatology/postpartum depression (PPD). 581 women in their last trimester of pregnancy answered questions/questionnaires about lifetime history of insomnia, current sleep perception, current mood and depressive symptomatology. They were interviewed with the Portuguese version of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. After delivery 382 (65.7%) mothers participated again in the study. Insomnia in pregnancy was not a risk factor for PPD (DSM-IV or ICD-10) but was a significant predictor of postpartum depressive symptomatology. Negative Affect (NA) was a significant predictor of postpartum depressive symptomatology. Women with higher NA were 4.6 (CI95%=1.69–12.74) and 5.3 times (CI95%=2.26–12.58) more likely of experiencing PPD (DSM-IV/ICD-10, respectively) than women with lower NA. Lifetime Depression was a significant predictor of postpartum depressive symptomatology and ICD-10/PPD (OR=2.6; CI95%=1.16–4.38). Positive Affect (PA) showed to be a protective factor for postpartum depressive symptomatology and DSM-IV/PPD (OR=1.5; CI95%=1.20–2.33). Controlling NA, PA and Lifetime Depression, insomnia lost its predictive role, suggesting these variables might work as mediators. Associations between insomnia, NA, PA and Lifetime Depression should be assessed in pregnancy. This might help to preventively target NA, enhance PA and reduce the likelihood of experiencing postpartum depressive symptomatology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Psychological reactions to pandemics and their constraints depend heavily on personality. Although perfectionism is consistently associated to depression, anxiety and stress, its role in the pandemics' psychological impact has not been yet empirically studied. Our aim was to analyze the role of perfectionism in psychological distress during the pandemic of COVID-19, testing whether it is mediated by fear of COVID-19 and repetitive negative thinking/RNT. Participants (N = 413 adults; 269.2% women) were recruited from September until December 2020, via social networks. They completed self-report validated questionnaires to evaluate perfectionism dimensions (self-critical, rigid and narcissistic perfectionism), fear of COVID-19, RNT and psychological distress (sum of anxiety, depression and stress symptoms). As women had significantly higher levels of self-critical perfectionism, RNT, fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress, gender was controlled in mediation analysis. The three perfectionism dimensions correlated with RNT, fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress. The effect of self-critical perfectionism on psychological distress was partially mediated by fear of COVID-19 and RNT whereas the effect of rigid and narcissistic perfectionism was fully mediated. Perfectionism influences emotional and cognitive responses to the COVID-19 and therefore should be considered both in the prevention and psychological consequences of the pandemic. • Perfectionism predicts fear of COVID-19. • Perfectionism predicts repetitive negative thinking and psychological distress during the pandemic. • Fear of COVID-19 and repetitive negative thinking predict psychological distress during the pandemic. • Fear of COVID-19 and repetitive negative thinking mediate the relationship between perfectionism and psychological distress. • Perfectionism contributes to the psychological impact of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia is a highly heritable condition, as demonstrated in family, twin and adoption studies. Candidate genes from the dopaminergic system have long been hypothesized to be involved in the etiology of this disorder. In the present study, we investigated the genetic association between polymorphisms in the D2 and D3 dopamine receptor (DRD2, DRD3) genes and schizophrenia. We examined 90 trios from Portugal, and negative results were obtained from association studies with both Haplotype Relative Risk (HRR) and Transmission Disequilibrium Test (TDT), as well as TRANSMIT. Therefore, we conclude that neither the DRD2 nor the DRD3 gene polymorphisms investigated are associated with schizophrenia in our sample. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]