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Investigating the mood-creativity relationship in everyday life is important for innovation promotion in organizational management. This study explores the relationship between mood states and everyday creativity using two different measurement methods. Both the experience sampling method (ESM) and the day reconstruction method (DRM) were simultaneously applied to conduct a 15-day follow-up study of the relationship between 10 typical positive and negative moods and creativity in daily situations. In total, 31 corporate employees participated in the study. Participants reported their mood states and creativity at three time points per day by using ESM; they also recalled and reported their mood states and creativity for at least three major events per day at the end of each day by using DRM. In total, we collected 935 valid measurements from ESM and 1260 valid measurements from DRM. The results revealed that highly active, positive moods including happiness, concentration, feeling active and interested had significant positive correlations with creativity, while the low-activity, negative mood states of feeling tired and sleepy were associated with low creativity. Both DRM-based and ESM-based results were largely consistent in measuring individual's mood states and everyday creativity. To our knowledge, this is the first study to conduct DRM for mood-creativity relationship. The high consistency between the two daily research methods provides further empirical evidence toward a comprehensive understanding of mood and creativity. As DRM imposes a lessened respondent load on the participants as compared to ESM, our results suggest DRM as a promising tool for further mood-creativity research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in the number of patients with mental disorders with depressive symptoms has become a significant problem. To prevent people developing those disorders and help with the effective recovery, it is important to quantitatively and objectively monitor an individual's mental state. Previous studies have shown the relationship between negative or depressive mood state and human prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation during verbal and spatial working memory tasks based on a near-infrared spectroscopy imaging technique. In this study, we aimed to explore a biomarker of the mental state of people in remission of mental disorders with depressive symptoms using this technique. We obtained the PFC activation of return-to-work (RTW) trainees in remission of those disorders, compared that of healthy controls, and obtained subjective questionnaire scores with the Profile of Mood States. We compared the PFC activation with the questionnaire scores by receiver operating characteristic analysis using a logistic-regression model. The results showed that the PFC activation indicates a healthy state compared to that of the RTW trainees evaluated by area-under-curve analysis. This study demonstrates that our PFC measurement technique will be useful as a quantitative and objective assessment of mental state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interest in and knowledge of the gut microbiome has increased exponentially in the past decade. This once overlooked component of the gastrointestinal tract is now implicated in multiple aspects of human health, including mental (e.g. depression, anxiety, stress), metabolic (e.g. diabetes/obesity), neurological (e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Autism Spectrum Disorder), gastrointestinal (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's), and immunological (e.g. inflammation, cancer) wellness, among others. Previous research has demonstrated the "strain specificity" of probiotic therapy (e.g. Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 for serotonin/depression; Bifidobacterium longum R0175 for GABA/anxiety; Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 for cortisol/stress). Similarly, probiotic bacteria demonstrate different growth trajectories based on availability of preferred fiber substrates (e.g. prebiotics) and phytonutrients such as flavonoids/polyphenols (e.g. phytobiotics). Thus, our objective was two-fold: to determine the change in microbiome ecology/balance and to evaluate the psychological mood state following a coordinated pro-/pre-/phyto-biotic supplementation regimen. Methods: Thirty-two healthy subjects screened for "moderate" levels of psychological stress were randomly assigned to 1-month of Supplement (Amare Fundamentals, N=21) or matching Placebo (N=11). Microbiome balance was assessed in fecal samples using a PCR-based analysis (BiomeTracker) that has previously compared favorably to 16S sequencing for abundance quantification for major phyla/families of bacteria. Psychological mood state parameters were assessed using the validated Profile of Mood States survey (POMS) to generate scores for Global Mood State, and six sub-scales (Depression, Tension, Fatigue, Anger, Confusion, and Vigor). Results: Following supplementation, there was a significant increase in populations of "good" bacteria in the Supplement group (+28% Lactobacillus; +30% Bifidobacterium) and overall composite score (+17%) versus Placebo (p<0.05). Psychological indices were significantly improved in the Supplement group for both positive (+25% Global Mood; +44% Vigor) and negative (-64% Fatigue; -55% Depression; -54% Anger; -45% Tension; -43% Confusion) mood state parameters versus Placebo (p<0.05). Conclusion: The World Health Organization has identified mental wellness issues as the leading contributor to global health burden - highlighting the urgency to develop lifestyle interventions to effectively manage depression, anxiety, and stress. These results demonstrate the close relationship between microbiome balance and psychological parameters - and the utility of targeted supplementation to positively influence the gut-brain-axis for improved mental wellness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTBackground:The current research sought to characterize current mood state profiles in healthy young versus older adults using 100-point visual analogue mood scales (VAMS), provide within-sample and new sample replication of age-group differences, assess sex differences, and compare with commonly used standardized symptom measures.Methods: In two studies, six word-only VAMS (happy, sad, calm, tense, energetic, and sleepy) were administered in a laboratory setting. In Study 1, 22 young and 29 older males completed the VAMS six times (twice per day at weekly intervals). In Study 2, 60 young (30 males) and 60 older (30 males) adults completed on one occasion the VAMS, Beck Depression Inventory-II, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.Results: VAMS scores showed that older adults had a tendency to indicate feeling happier, less sad, calmer, less tense, more energetic, and less sleepy than young adults. This pattern occurred across assessment points and irrespective of sex, except for the tense VAMS, which showed higher scores in females than males in young but not older adults. The standardized measures showed significant age-group differences for Trait Anxiety only (lower in older than young adults).Conclusions: These findings establish current mood state differences in young versus older adults. The absence of age-group differences in past studies may relate to the limited precision of the scales (only 7 points, in contrast to the 100-point scales used here). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the universality and cultural specificity of emotion processing in children from three different ethnic groups (Han, Jingpo, and Dai), we administered three questionnaires, including the emotional contagion scale, emotion regulation scale, and the Chinese mood adjective check list, to 1,362 ethnic Han, Dai, and Jingpo participants (M age = 13.78 years). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the universality and cultural specificity in the relations among emotional contagion, emotion regulation, and mood state. The results revealed that emotion regulation mediated the relation between emotional contagion and mood state: positive emotional contagion increased positive mood state and decreased negative mood state by the mediated role of reappraisal, negative emotional contagion decreased positive contagion and increased negative mood state by the inconsistent mediated role of reappraisal; negative contagion increased negative mood state by the mediated role of suppression. We found both universality and cultural specificity in the relations among emotional contagion, emotion regulation, and mood state. Regarding cultural specificity, among Dai and Jingpo participants, negative contagion positively predicted reappraisal, while for Han participants, it did not; Jingpo participants demonstrated a weaker negative relation between reappraisal and negative mood state, and a stronger positive relation between negative contagion and suppression; and Dai participants were the only ethnic group that showed a negative connection between negative contagion and positive mood state. Regarding emotion universality, the three ethnic groups all showed positive relations between negative contagion and negative mood, and between suppression and negative mood; additionally, positive contagion positively predicted positive mood state, mediated by reappraisal. Thus, some emotion processes are universal and others more specific. In this paper, we discuss universal emotion processes and ethnic cultural differences in these emotion processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nowadays, exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field has been interested in many studies due to possible effects on human physical-mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to assess arc welders’ exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic field and to determine its relationship with the secretion of paratormone (PTH) hormone and mood states. Material and Method: The present study has been conducted among 35 healthy production workers (as exposed group) and 35 healthy administrative personnel (as unexposed group). After checking the work activities of participants according to the guide recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), ELF magnetic fields were measured using an ELF measurement device in the regions including trunk, head, and neck. The plasma levels of PTH hormone of both groups were evaluated by the Electrochemiluminescence method. Stress-Arousal Checklist (SACL) was used to assess the mode states of subjects in both groups. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16. Result: There was a significant difference between the exposed and unexposed groups with respect to the exposure level to ELF magnetic fields (P-value

Background and objectives: It has been suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic impaired people’s moods and general levels of physical activity, but the way in which each country is coping with the situation may result in different outcomes. The aim of the present study was to compare the mental health and physical activity levels between residents of Brazil and Switzerland during the social distancing period associated with COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire aiming to assess personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders data was answered by 114 participants (57 from each country) of both sexes. Results: Swiss participants presented a higher frequency of people (47.4%) not abiding by social distancing measures compared to Brazilian participants (1.8%; p < 0.001, effect size = 0.56). There were no significant differences between the participants from the two countries regarding physical activity levels (p = 0.09). The Swiss presented a higher frequency (78.9%) of people without symptoms of depression compared to Brazilians (31.6%; p < 0.001, effect size = 0.48). The Swiss also presented a higher frequency (77.2%) of people without symptoms of anxiety compared to Brazilians (35.1%; p < 0.001, effect size = 0.43). There was a significant association between the restriction level and depression symptoms (p = 0.01, effect size = 0.25) but not with anxiety symptoms (p = 0.21, effect size = 0.16). Conclusions: According to the preliminary results, Brazilians presented a much higher frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms, which can be explained by characteristics other than the restriction level.

Background The independent effects of hypohydration and hyperthermia on cognition and mood is unclear since the two stresses often confound each other. Further, it is unknown if obese individuals have the same impairments during hyperthermia and hypohydration that is often observed in non-obese individuals. Methods The current study was designed to assess the independent and combined effects of mild hypohydration and hyperthermia on cognition, mood, and mental task load in obese and non-obese females. Twenty-one healthy females participated in two passive heating trials, wherein they were either euhydrated or hypohydrated prior to and throughout passive heating. Cognition (ImPACT), mental task load (NASA-TLX), and mood (Brunel Mood Scale; BRUMS) were measured before and after a 1.0 °C increase in core temperature (TC). Results After a 1.0 °C TC elevation, hypohydration resulted in greater (p 0.05). Hyperthermia, regardless of hydration status, impaired (∼5 A.U) measures of memory-based cognition (verbal and visual memory), and increased mental task load, while worsening mood (p 0.05). Conclusion These data indicate that hyperthermia independently impairs memory-based aspects of cognitive performance, mental task load, and leads to a negative mood state. Mild hypohydration did not exacerbate the effects of hyperthermia. However, obese individuals had increased mental task load during hyperthermia.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between uncertainty in illness, mood state and coping style in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the hospital, in order to identify nursing measures. Methods: Chinese versions of the Mishel Uncertainty In Illness Scale (MUIS), Brief Profile Of Mood States (BPOMS) and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ) were used to assess uncertainty in illness, mood state and coping style, respectively, in 126 patients with TMD. Results: The total score of uncertainty in illness of the patients was 91.33 ± 16.38, which was at middle level. The total score of mood state was 37.93 ± 17.0. The order of coping style rated from high to low was confrontation (18.81 ± 3.65), avoidance (15.44 ± 4.26) and acceptance (10.41 ± 5.04). Acceptance was positively correlated with uncertainty in illness (r = 0.463, p

Background: There is increasing interest in the bidirectional relationship existing between the gut and brain and the effects of both oligofructose and 2'fucosyllactose to alter microbial composition and mood state. Yet, much remains unknown about the ability of oligofructose and 2'fucosyllactose to improve mood state via targeted manipulation of the gut microbiota., Objectives: We aimed to compare the effects of oligofructose and 2'fucosyllactose alone and in combination against maltodextrin (comparator) on microbial composition and mood state in a working population., Methods: We conducted a 5-wk, 4-arm, parallel, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 92 healthy adults with mild-to-moderate levels of anxiety and depression. Subjects were randomized to oligofructose 8 g/d (plus 2 g/d maltodextrin); maltodextrin 10 g/d; oligofructose 8 g/d plus 2'fucosyllactose (2 g/d) or 2'fucosyllactose 2 g/d (plus 8 g/d maltodextrin). Changes in microbial load (fluorescence in situ hybridization-flow cytometry) and composition (16S ribosomal RNA sequencing) were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included gastrointestinal sensations, bowel habits, and mood state parameters., Results: There were significant increases in several bacterial taxa including Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in both the oligofructose and oligofructose/2'fucosyllactose interventions (all P ≤ 0.05). Changes in bacterial taxa were highly heterogenous upon 2'fuscoyllactose supplementation. Significant improvements in Beck Depression Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory Y1 and Y2, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scores and cortisol awakening response were detected across oligofructose, 2'fucosyllactose, and oligofructose/2'fucosyllactose combination interventions (all P ≤ 0.05). Both sole oligofructose and oligofructose/2'fuscosyllactose combination interventions outperformed both sole 2'fucosyllactose and maltodextrin in improvements in several mood state parameters (all P ≤ 0.05)., Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that oligofructose and combination of oligofructose/2'fucosyllactose can beneficially alter microbial composition along with improving mood state parameters. Future work is needed to understand key microbial differences separating individual responses to 2'fucosyllactose supplementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05212545., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the present study was investigate if there is an association between second-to-fourth digit length (2D:4D) ratio and personality factors capable of serving as predictors of individual choice towards high-risk activities in a group of experts skydivers; Furthermore, their skills in regulating anxiety and emotions were assessed. The 2D:4D ratio of the right hand of 41 expert skydivers was measured and each of them completed four questionnaires: Big Five Questionnaire-2 (BFQ-2), Profile of Mood States (POMS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y) and Risk-Taking Inventory. Lower 2D:4D ratios did not appear associated with a greater propensity for taking risks but rather with a lower aptitude to assume precautions in unsafe conditions. In fact, the only sub-dimensions of personality, analyzed by the BFQ-2, correlated with the 2D:4D ratio were conscientiousness and agreeableness. Furthermore, prior to launch, the skydiver's level of stress, measured by the POMS, or state anxiety, measured by the STAI-Y, was not significantly correlated with 2D:4D ratio; whereas there was significant positive correlation between 2D:4D values and trait anxiety. Data analysis further revealed that social desirability correlated negatively with state anxiety and total mood disturbance index, and positively with emotion control. The present results suggest that lower 2D:4D ratio may represent a significant predictor of less attentive precautionary behavior when risk-taking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical exercise has positive effects on sportsman physical and psychological health, which is known by all, in order to subtler explore, it makes analysis of physical exercises behaviors efficiency on individual mood improvement, the paper takes university students as research objects and carries on exercises behaviors-based mood state features analysis, in the hope of providing publicity materials for promoting national fitness process. In the paper, firstly, targeted exercises behaviors, individual mood state and connections between the two, it makes analysis, gives three basic hypotheses of researches in the paper, which provides orientations for proceeding with researches. Then, introduce research objects, research methods and research tools, focus on analyzing research tools and research methods, provide questionnaire forms and scale forms, as well as descriptive statistics, non-parameter testing and single factor variance analysis application range and implementation methods. Finally, make empirical analysis of exercises behaviors and mood states differences test analysis in different genders, different grades and different disciplines, on this basis, it explores eight dimensions' mood states differences in sample average value of university students that often take physical exercises and rarely take physical exercises. Finally, it gets mood state of university students that often take physical exercises are superior to that of students rarely take physical exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study aims to identify and analyze stress levels, mood state, as well as the perception of stress and recovery of 32 athletes of both genders, swimmers. In order to quantitatively evaluate the variables the following instruments were used: the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (REST-Q) which describes the mental, emotional and physical well-being of the athletes, the Brunel Mood State Scale (BRUMS) which allows a rapid measurement of mood in populations composed by adults and adolescents and Foster Perception Subjective Effort (PSE) which aims to identify in a quick and simple way of how the practitioners of a certain activity comprises the effort accomplished during the proposed task. The results showed that in the first moments the athletes were in a high mood, which indicates an excellent performance for competitions, later it is possible to notice a reduction in the values of vigor and increase in the other variables, leading the athletes to an imbalance in the standard of the state of mood. Values obtained on the stress and recovery scale changed during the season, with stress indexes increased, while recovery values reduced, indicating susceptibility to injuries and overtire. In this way, the conclusion is that athletes have become more likely to have harmful and overtraining frames over time, thus it is necessary to monitor athlete workloads and perceptions. To better understanding, the states of mood it is necessary to know the athlete deeply and the context which he is present in. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to explore the relationship between personality characteristics and mood in the selection of media content. Using meta-analysis, this study analyzed past studies regarding media content selection in television program. The results of this research showed that the preference of a given media content would depend on the viewer's mood, personality characteristics and the interaction between personality characteristics and mood states. The secondary data of television programs supported the association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Iberoamericana de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte is the property of Revista Iberoamericana de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Emotional eating, the tendency to regulate negative mood through unhealthy food intake, has been widely recognized as one source of today's obesity epidemic. However, empirical evidence suggests that this phenomenon is not universal but subject to psychological, situational, and biological determining factors. To date, little is known about the relative importance of these determinants of emotional eating behavior, as no research has investigated these factors simultaneously. This study aims to close this gap and reports the results of a laboratory experiment with 179 participants from a university environment (mean age = 23.15 years, ranging from 17 to 63 years; 56.98% male), in which real food choice was observed after manipulating participants' mood states (either negative or positive) while simultaneously assessing potential determinants of emotional eating. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the biological determinants (e.g., weight status) tend to loose in relative importance while psychological (i.e., restrained eating) and situational (i.e., stress) factors tend to be more relevant in explaining food choice in response to a negative affective state. These results have important implications for both research and public health practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Police officers are subjected to high work-related stress. This scenario of irregular and insalubrious working conditions may be related to an increase in psychiatric disorders and overweight. In particular, low levels of physical activity and high work stress levels may predispose police officers to obesity, poor lifestyles, and, consequently, major risk of psychological disorders. Thus, our aim was to profile the anxiety/depression symptoms and habitual physical activity (HPA) levels of Brazilian elite police officers classified by body mass index (BMI). Patients and methods: Eighty-seven male police officers classified as normal-weight (NG, BMI =18.5–24.9 kg/m2, n=34) and excess-weight (EG, BMI ≥25 kg/m2, n=53) completed (before work routine time) the questionnaires: Baecke (HPA levels), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (anxiety), and Beck Depression Inventory (depression). Results: There was a slight trend (despite did not reach statistical significance) of the EG group (which have a significantly [P=0.0369] higher mean [8.8±7.6] of military service time [in years] when compared to NG group [5.8±6.0]) presenting higher values of anxiety-trait (+5.0%) and depression (+16.0%) and lower levels of leisure time HPA (–3.7%) than NG group. Conclusion: Although our hypothesis was not ratified, our findings have clinical relevance because we profiled the anxiety and depression symptoms and HPA levels of elite police officers. Moreover, it is possible to suppose that the military service time (years) is a relevant factor, that it needs to be studied in depth, and that it may impact the predisposition for mood disorders and low levels of physical activity of police officers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine ingestion and partial sleep deprivation on mood and cognitive and physical performances. In randomised order, 12 healthy male physical education students completed four test sessions at 18:00 h after placebo or 5 mg/kg of caffeine ingestion during a baseline night (RN) (bed time: from 22:00 to 07:00 h), or during a night of partial (four hrs) sleep deprivation (PSD). During each test session, participants performed a reaction time test, a vigilance test, the 10 s Wingate cycling test during (measuring peak power (PP) and anaerobic capacity), and the 5 m multiple shuttle test (measuring peak distance (PD), total distance (TD), and fatigue index (FI)). Compared to RN, simple reaction time, vigilance, PP, PD, TD, and FI were altered by PSD the following day after placebo ingestion with increased reaction time and FI and reduced PP, PD, TD, and vigilance (p < 0.001). Moreover, during PSD condition, PP, PD, and TD were significantly higher after caffeine ingestion in comparison with placebo ingestion (p < 0.05). However, both simple reaction times and vigilance were significantly lower after caffeine ingestion in comparison with placebo during PSD (p < 0.05). Caffeine is an effective strategy to maintain physical and cognitive performances the day after PSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the following paper was the attempt to: 1) assess the influence of 12-day anaerobic threshold (AT) training on finswimmers' endurance and speed, 2) assess the relationship between mood and 12- day AT training. The authors focused on individual differences in psychophysiological indices connected with a training camp, with inclusion of results of the whole group of athletes. Material and methods: The study was conducted on the national team: 7 athletes (17-28 years) and was performed before and after 12 days of a training camp. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) and AT training were used in the study. Two measurements of mood and lactate tests were performed before and after 12 days of the training camp. Results: Individual maximal speed (t(6) = -5.303; p=.002; d =- 2.00) and fatigue (measured by the POMS questionnaire) (t(6) = -3.163; p = .019; d =-1.20) increased due to participation in the training camp in the whole group of athletes. Individual analysis revealed discrepancies in mood alternations. Conclusions: Only 12 days' training camp based on AT training resulted in increased maximal speed in every finswimmer, which may by substantial information in planning a training program. Additionally, mood analysis is a useful indicator and its application supports the training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The independent effects of hypohydration and hyperthermia on cogni-tion and mood is unclear since the two stresses often confound each other. Further, it is unknown if obese individuals have the same impairments during hyperthermia and hypohydration that is often observed in non-obese individuals. Methods. The current study was designed to assess the independent and combined effects of mild hypohydration and hyperthermia on cognition, mood, and mental task load in obese and non-obese females. Twenty-one healthy females participated in two passive heating trials, wherein they were either euhydrated or hypohydrated prior to and throughout passive heating. Cognition (ImPACT), mental task load (NASA-TLX), and mood (Brunel Mood Scale; BRUMS) were measured before and after a 1.0 °C increase in core temperature (TC). Results. After a 1.0 °C TC elevation, hypohydration resulted in greater (p < 0:05) body mass loss (-1.14 ± 0.48 vs -0.58 ± 0.48 kg; hypohydrated and euhydrated, respectively) and elevation in serum osmolality (292 ± 4 vs 282 ± 3 mOsm; p<0:05) versus euhydration. Hypohydration, independent of hyperthermia, did not affect mental task load or mood (p > 0:05). Hyperthermia, regardless of hydration status, impaired (~5 A.U) measures of memory-based cognition (verbal and visual memory), and increased mental task load, while worsening mood (p<0:05). Interestingly, obese individuals had increased mental task load while hyperthermic compared to the non-obese individuals (p<0:05) even while euhydrated. Hypohydration did not exacerbate any heat-related effects on cognition between obese and non-obese females (p>0:05). Conclusion. These data indicate that hyperthermia independently impairs memory-based aspects of cognitive performance, mental task load, and leads to a negative mood state. Mild hypohydration did not exacerbate the effects of hyperthermia. However, obese individuals had increased mental task load during hyperthermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bipolar disorder is characterized by recurring episodes of depression and mania. Defining differences in brain function during these states is an important goal of bipolar disorder research. However, few imaging studies have directly compared brain activity between bipolar mood states. Herein, we compare functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses during a flashing checkerboard stimulus between bipolar participants across mood states (euthymia, depression, and mania) in order to identify functional differences between these states. 40 participants with bipolar I disorder and 33 healthy controls underwent fMRI during the presentation of the stimulus. A total of 23 euthymic-state, 16 manic-state, 15 depressed-state, and 32 healthy control imaging sessions were analyzed in order to compare functional activation during the stimulus between mood states and with healthy controls. A reduced response was identified in the visual cortex in both the depressed and manic groups compared to euthymic and healthy participants. Functional differences between bipolar mood states were also observed in the cerebellum, thalamus, striatum, and hippocampus. Functional differences between mood states occurred in several brain regions involved in visual and other sensory processing. These differences suggest that altered visual processing may be a feature of mood states in bipolar disorder. The key limitations of this study are modest mood-state group size and the limited temporal resolution of fMRI which prevents the segregation of primary visual activity from regulatory feedback mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]