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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that may develop after experiencing traumatic events. Preclinical studies use various methods to induce PTSD-like models such as fear-conditioning, single-prolonged stress (SPS), restraint stress, and social defeat. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a crucial neurotrophin in mood regulation. Evidence shows BDNF changes in different neuropsychiatric disorders particularly PTSD. This review examined BDNF alterations in preclinical rodent models of PTSD where we demonstrated a wide range of paradoxical changes in BDNF. We found that the fear-conditioning model produced the most inconsistent alterations in BDNF, and suggest that conclusions drawn from these changes be approached with caution. We suggest that BDNF maladaptive changes in social defeat and restraint stress models may be related to the duration of stress, while the SPS model appears to have more consistent results. Ultimately, we propose that evaluating BDNF alterations in the process of treating PTSD symptoms may not be a reliable factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Creatine, a naturally occurring compound plays a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism, particularly in tissues with high energy demands like muscles and the brain. Beyond its well-established role in physical performance enhancement, recent research has revealed its potential benefits for cognitive functions and mood regulation. This review paper aims to comprehensively analyze the existing literature on creatine supplementation's effects on cognitive functions and mood. State of Knowledge: Findings suggest that creatine supplementation enhances memory, attention, and executive functions, especially under conditions of stress or sleep deprivation. Moreover, it exhibits mood-stabilizing effects, potentially offering relief for symptoms of depression and fatigue. Creatine's ability to augment brain energy metabolism, alongside its neuroprotective properties, underlies its cognitive and mood-enhancing effects. While generally safe, caution is advised, particularly in populations with kidney diseases or those using medications affecting kidney function. Summary: Creatine emerges as a promising adjunct therapy for enhancing cognitive functions and promoting emotional well-being beyond its traditional role in physical performance. The review underscores the need for further research to elucidate the precise mechanisms of creatine's effects and explore its synergistic potential with other cognitive-enhancing supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is characterized by a loss of positive and pronounced negative memory bias, which persists after remission. While theoretical accounts of depressive realism, emotional inertia, and mood-congruency substantiate the compelling evidence of weak positive memory in depression, they cannot fully explain negative memory bias in depression. We used Ecologically Momentary Assessments (EMA) of memory bias to provide insight into the accuracy and depression status-dependency of recall of previous positive and negative mood states. Currently- (n = 46), remitted- (n = 90), and never-depressed individuals (n = 55) provided positive mood and negative mood ratings (7x/day for six days), while also recalling their recent (i.e., previous prompt; 3x/day) or distal (i.e., one day lag; 1x/day) mood states. Currently depressed individuals displayed most accuracy and hence least bias in recall of both positive and negative mood; with accuracy in currently and remitted depressed individuals being independent of their current mood state. Conversely, mood at the time of recall significantly related to memory accuracy among never-depressed individuals with more negative mood, resulting in a depressotypic memory bias. Results are consistent with depressive realism and mood-congruency accounts, as well as with evidence for loss of positive memory bias (but not for negative memory bias) in depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep and biological rhythms are integral to mood regulation across the lifespan, particularly in bipolar disorder (BD), where alterations in sleep phase, structure, and duration occur in all mood states. These disruptions are linked to poorer quality of life, heightened suicide risk, impaired cognitive function, and increased relapse rates. This review highlights the pathophysiology of sleep disturbances in BD and aims to consolidate understanding and clinical applications of these phenomena. It also summarizes the evolution of sleep and biological rhythms assessment methods, including ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and digital phenotyping. It underscores the importance of recognizing circadian rhythm involvement in mood regulation, suggesting potential therapeutic targets. Future research directions include elucidating circadian clock gene mechanisms, understanding environmental impacts on circadian rhythms, and investigating the bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbances and mood regulation in BD. Standardizing assessment methods and addressing privacy concerns related to EMA technology and digital phenotyping are essential for advancing research. Collaborative efforts are crucial for enhancing clinical applicability and understanding the broader implications of biological rhythms in BD diagnosis and treatment. Overall, recognizing the significance of sleep and biological rhythms in BD offers promise for improved outcomes through targeted interventions and a deeper understanding of the disorder's underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ketamine, often associated with its frequent illicit recreational use, is renowned as an approved alternative for treatment-resistant depression. This paper evaluates the mechanism of ketamine's role in treating depression, emphasising its positive safety profile and acute onset of action. Ketamine's mechanism of action involves antagonism of N-methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors, leading to increased glutamate production in brain regions associated with mood regulation. Moreover, ketamine counteracts the effects of chronic stress by promoting synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. However, the response to ketamine varies among individuals, prompting the need for further investigation into the factors influencing its efficacy, such as route of administration, dose and the rate at which it is delivered. Other variables such as past traumatic experiences and genetic predispositions may also play a significant role in determining an individual's response to ketamine therapy, raising the importance of tailored treatment approaches. Furthermore, there is growing interest in investigating the synergy of ketamine alongside other therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs), as a means to enhance treatment outcomes in modern psychiatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amygdala and raphe nuclei, which play crucial roles in mood regulation, are influenced by serotonergic neurotransmission. Alterations in this neurotransmission are associated with mood disorders. Therefore, using immunohistochemistry and quantitative methods this study was designed to evaluate potential alterations in the expression of serotoninergic markers in the amygdala and raphe nuclei of mice with oestrogen receptor β (ERβ) knock out which exhibit increased anxiety as evidenced by reduced locomotion and increased thigmotaxis. These alterations could either contribute to heightened anxiety or serve as a compensatory strategy for reducing it. The results show that in ERβ knock‐out mice, 5‐HT1B expression is significantly increased in the amygdala, while 5‐HTT expression is significantly decreased in both the amygdala and raphe nuclei. Furthermore, ERβ deficiency does not affect TPH2. In conclusion, serotonin signalling is altered in the amygdala and raphe nuclei of ERβ knock‐out females. It seems that an increase in 5‐HTT levels has been associated with reduced anxiety, whereas a decrease in 5‐HT1B receptors may encourage fear. However, further studies are required to determine the exact role of ERβ in anxiety‐related behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The ability to convey emotions and induce pleasure is one of the most important aspects of the way that music becomes meaningful to humans. Affective responses to music are specific to both cultural and personal preferences, but little is known about the individual variability in adolescence. The Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ) is a psychometric measure that identifies five factors associated with musical pleasure: Musical Seeking, Emotional Evocation, Mood Regulation, Social Reward, and Sensory‐Motor. With this study, we aimed to validate the BMRQ in Danish teens and to explore the differences in music reward experiences in relation to the amount of musical activity, between genders and over ages. Approximately 30,000 Danish adolescents participated in a mass experiment with a subset (N = 4641, 51.2% girls, age range = 13–19 years old) responding to (1) a Danish adaptation of the BMRQ and (2) the Concurrent Musical Activities (CCM) Questionnaire. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied, and a seven‐factor model of the BMRQ was found to fit the Danish adolescent population. The seven‐factor version of the Danish BMRQ was due to the split of the dimensions “Sensory‐Motor” and “Social Reward” into two further subfactors. The students with a higher amount of musical engagement scored higher across all dimensions. In particular, the higher the musical engagement, the higher scores were found for the facet of musical pleasure related to the sharing of musical activities, especially in the earliest stages of adolescence. Furthermore, we found that sensitivity to music generally tends to increase with age, and that girls reported overall to be more sensitive to music than boys in the dimension related to evocation of emotions. A slightly different model of the BMRQ has to be taken into account when testing the Danish adolescent population. In addition to utilizing the Danish version of the BMRQ on a large sample of adolescents, this study may provide insight into the relationship between changes in the level of musical reward depending on amount of musical engagement and how musical reward unfolds within and between genders and across age groups during this developmental stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Binge-watching has become increasingly popular in recent years. Although it can provide a form of entertainment and mood regulation, it has also been associated with adverse mental health issues. In this study, we explored the association between binge-watching behavior and mental health. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey conducted from May to November 2018, we surveyed 535 participants over 18 years old from Ain Shams University by using a combination of online and pen-and-paper methods. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and TV series watching patterns were collected, and participants completed the Binge-Watching Engagement and Symptoms Questionnaire (BWESQ), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18), and the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS). Results: Among the 535 participants surveyed, 333 were retained and divided into three groups (i.e., non-binge-watchers, trouble-free binge-watchers, and problematic binge-watchers) in accordance with previous binge-watching research. Significant between-group differences were found in terms of relationship status, commonly used devices (mobile, laptop, TV), and perceived dependency on TV series watching. Problematic binge-watchers showed significantly higher scores for all BWESQ and BSI-18 subscales. Conclusion: Trouble-free binge-watchers and problematic binge-watchers were more likely to be single than non-binge-watchers and demonstrated a marked preference for using mobile phones and laptops over traditional television. A significant positive relationship was found between problematic binge-watching and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Care and nursing training (CNT) refers to developing the ability to effectively respond to patient needs by investigating their requests and improving trainees' care skills in a caring environment. Although conventional CNT programs have been conducted based on videos, books, and role-playing, the best approach is to practice on a real human. However, it is challenging to recruit patients for continuous training, and the patients may experience fatigue or boredom with iterative testing. As an alternative approach, a patient robot that reproduces various human diseases and provides feedback to trainees has been introduced. This study presents a patient robot that can express feelings of pain, similarly to a real human, in joint care education. The two primary objectives of the proposed patient robot-based care training system are (a) to infer the pain felt by the patient robot and intuitively provide the trainee with the patient's pain state, and (b) to provide facial expression-based visual feedback of the patient robot for care training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact, especially on many older individuals. Outbreaks significantly affected accessibility and community engagement, making it challenging to maintain social connections with family, friends, and society. Social distancing measures and lockdown restrictions have been linked to challenges in physical and mental health, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that can alleviate the pandemic's impact and foster meaningful social connections, particularly for older adults experiencing age-related cognitive changes (ACC). In response, an online mindful movement approach (MMA) targeting loneliness and psychological wellbeing in older adults experiencing ACC (n = 16) was implemented. This paper presents a comparative analysis highlighting two case studies derived from the parent study, examining the impact of the online MMA for older adults experiencing ACC. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the two cases. The participants reported a decrease in loneliness along with notable improvements in self-awareness, mood, and social connectedness. Additionally, they experienced an enhancement in their mindfulness practice and discovered new ways to use movement to enhance their well-being. The findings suggested that online MMA offered an alternative platform that can provide physical and psychosocial health benefits to older adults experiencing ACC during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety disorder is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders, and affects many people's daily activities. Although the pathogenesis and treatments of anxiety disorder have been studied for several decades, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we provide evidence that olfactory stimuli with inhaled linalool or 2-phenylethanol decreased mouse anxiety-like behaviors and increased the activities of hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs). RNA-sequencing analysis identified retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, which is a critical pathway for mood regulation and neuron activation, is altered in the hippocampus of both linalool- and 2-phenylethanol-exposed mice. Further studies found that selective inhibition of endocannabinoid signaling by injecting rimonabant abolished the activation of DGCs and the anxiolytic effect induced by linalool or 2-phenylethanol. Together, these results uncovered a novel mechanism by which linalool or 2-phenylethanol decreases mouse anxiety-like behaviors and increases DG activity likely through activating hippocampal retrograde endocannabinoid signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimensional frameworks of psychopathology call for multivariate approaches to map co-occurring disorders to index what symptoms emerge when and for whom. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) offers a method for assessing and differentiating the dynamics of co-occurring symptoms with greater temporal granularity and naturalistic context. The present study used multivariate mixed effects location-scale modeling to characterize the time-varying dynamics of depressed mood and anxiety for women diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and major depression (MDD). Women completed five daily EMA surveys over 30 days (150 EMA surveys/woman, T ≈ 5250 total observations) and two clinical diagnostic and retrospective self-report measures administered approximately two months apart. There was evidence of same-symptom lagged effects (bs = 0.08–0.09), but not cross-symptom lagged effects (b s < 0.01) during EMA. Symptoms co-varied such that momentary spikes from one's typical level of anxiety were associated with increases in momentary depressed mood (b = 0.19) and greater variability of depressed mood (b = 0.06). Similarly, spikes from one's typical levels of depressed mood were associated with increases in momentary anxiety (b = 0.19). Furthermore, the presence and magnitude of effects demonstrated person-specific heterogeneity. Our findings are constrained to the dynamics of depressed and anxious mood among cisgender women with primary SAD and current or past MDD. Findings from this work help to characterize how daily experiences of co-occurring mood and anxiety fluctuate and offer insight to aid the development of momentary, person-specific interventions designed to regulate symptom fluctuations. • The nature of covariation in mood and anxiety varies from person to person. • Multivariate mixed effects location-scale modeling was used. • Momentary spikes in one symptom were associated with increases in the other. • The presence and magnitude of effects demonstrated person-specific heterogeneity. • Findings inform the design of momentary, person-specific interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural interfaces, emerging at the intersection of neurotechnology and urban planning, promise to transform how we interact with our surroundings and communicate. By recording and decoding neural signals, these interfaces facilitate direct connections between the brain and external devices, enabling seamless information exchange and shared experiences. Nevertheless, their development is challenged by complexities in materials science, electrochemistry, and algorithmic design. Electrophysiological crosstalk and the mismatch between electrode rigidity and tissue flexibility further complicate signal fidelity and biocompatibility. Recent closed‐loop brain‐computer interfaces, while promising for mood regulation and cognitive enhancement, are limited by decoding accuracy and the adaptability of user interfaces. This perspective outlines these challenges and discusses the progress in neural interfaces, contrasting non‐invasive and invasive approaches, and explores the dynamics between stimulation and direct interfacing. Emphasis is placed on applications beyond healthcare, highlighting the need for implantable interfaces with high‐resolution recording and stimulation capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some decision outcomes consist of sequences of single experiences. The aim is to propose a conceptualization of how such sequences are evaluated if affective evaluations of single experiences evoke transient emotional responses with lasting changes in current mood. The conceptualization implies three modes in which the sequences of single experiences are evaluated: (i) Aggregation of affective evaluations of the single experiences retrieved from memory; (ii) Aggregation of current moods associated with emotional responses to the single experiences retrieved or reconstructed from memory; and (iii) Updating of current mood. Simulations of parametrized models are used to compare the different evaluation modes to each other and to show to which extent the simulation results are consistent with some common findings in previous research. The previous research has primarily investigated different rules for aggregation of affective evaluations of single experiences. The simulation results motivate research comparing this mode to the other proposed modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self is the state of feeling and experiencing the existence of the subject called "me". The self is a fragmented self in the newborn. The first part is called the "exhibitionistic/grandiose self". When appropriately mirrored and supported by the caregiver, it provides vitality and self-esteem, in other words, a sense of existence. The second part, in which the object of the self is projected, is called the 'idealized parental image'. When the idealized parental image is properly developed in the relationship between the self and the self-object, it provides a balance in tension, the ability to wait/defer and impulse control. While the psychology of the self was initially associated with the concept of narcissism, it has subsequently been used to explain depression. Our findings suggest that selfpathology and mood disorders overlap electrophysiologically. This calls for further investigation of the structural etiology of mood disorder, in other words, whether psychopathology of the self is a predisposing trait for mood disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although hedonic principles of emotion regulation suggest that people wish to feel good, the current research demonstrates that sometimes feeling good just seems wrong. Specifically, the authors argue that, immediately after viewing moralized content such as human suffering, consumers believe that it is morally appropriate to sustain negative emotions (Study 1). Thus, after exposure to content related to human suffering (vs. other negative content), consumers view subsequent mood-sustaining consumption as morally appropriate and hedonic consumption as morally inappropriate (Study 2). Consequently, they avoid repairing their emotions through hedonic consumption because of their preference to engage in morally appropriate behavior (Studies 3 through 4b); this is particularly true for individuals who view themselves as more moral (Study 4b). These effects are mitigated when the hedonic consumption is morally relevant (Study 4a), rather than prototypically frivolous. This research offers clear prescriptions to marketers about when and when not to offer hedonic consumption as mood repair. By allowing people to pay respect to suffering victims, marketers can give consumers needed space to feel their compassionate emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Conclusion The use of antidepressants in bipolar disorder (BD) remains contentious, in part due to the risk of antidepressant‐induced mania (AIM). However, there is no information on the architecture of mood regulation in patients who have experienced AIM. We compared the architecture of mood regulation in euthymic patients with and without a history of AIM.Eighty‐four euthymic participants were included. Participants rated their mood, anxiety and energy levels daily using an electronic (e‐) visual analog scale, for a mean (SD) of 280.8(151.4) days. We analyzed their multivariate time series by computing each variable's auto‐correlation, inter‐variable cross‐correlation, and composite multiscale entropy of mood, anxiety, and energy. Then, we compared the data features of participants with a history of AIM and those without AIM, using analysis of covariance, controlling for age, sex, and current treatment.Based on 18,103 daily observations, participants with AIM showed significantly stronger day‐to‐day auto‐correlation and cross‐correlation for mood, anxiety, and energy than those without AIM. The highest cross‐correlation in participants with AIM was between mood and energy within the same day (median (IQR), 0.58 (0.27)). The strongest negative cross‐correlation in participants with AIM was between mood and anxiety series within the same day (median (IQR), −0.52 (0.34)).Patients with a history of AIM have a different underlying mood architecture compared to those without AIM. Their mood, anxiety and energy stay the same from day‐to‐day; and their anxiety is negatively correlated with their mood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of depression is a major societal health concern, and there is an ongoing need to develop tools that predict who will become depressed. Past research suggests that depression changes the language we use, but it is unclear whether language is predictive of worsening symptoms. Here, we test whether the sentiment of brief written linguistic responses predicts changes in depression. Across two studies (N = 467), participants provided responses to neutral open-ended questions, narrating aspects of their lives relevant to depression (e.g., mood, motivation, sleep). Participants also completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depressive symptoms and a risky decision-making task with periodic measurements of momentary happiness to quantify mood dynamics. The sentiment of written responses was evaluated by human raters (N = 470), Large Language Models (LLMs; ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0), and the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) tool. We found that language sentiment evaluated by human raters and LLMs, but not LIWC, predicted changes in depressive symptoms at a three-week follow-up. Using computational modeling, we found that language sentiment was associated with current mood, but language sentiment predicted symptom changes even after controlling for current mood. In summary, we demonstrate a scalable tool that combines brief written responses with sentiment analysis by AI tools that matches human performance in the prediction of future psychiatric symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveMethodResultConclusionLesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) youth experience known inequities in mental health outcomes, including depression and suicidality. The Promoting Wellbeing & Resilience (PWR) class is an interactive, developmentally tailored group that provides strength-based, practical skills to LGBTQ+ teenagers with depression. It is designed to be implemented by paraprofessionals to increase community-based access to care.Investigators developed and piloted an eight-session cognitive-behavioral class for LGBTQ+ youth (N = 21) ages 12 to 17 (M = 14.8 years, 81% Caucasian, 57% gender diverse, 100% non-heterosexual) with depression symptoms. The youth received training in mood regulation, communication skills, stress management, and goal setting in a small group format (5–8 youth per group). Outcomes were youth-reported depression (primary), anxiety, and trauma symptoms at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Paired sample (dependent) one-tailed t-tests were used to examine treatment effects. Focus groups were also conducted with participants to assess satisfaction and collect qualitative feedback regarding class content and format.The resilience class was associated with reductions in depression symptoms post-treatment (t(17) = 3.3, p = .002, d = 0.5) but not anxiety (t(17) = 1.8, p = .049, d = 0.3) or trauma symptoms (t(17) = 1.2, p = .118, d = 0.1). Completion rates for all group sessions were high (95%), and the majority (57%) of participants returned for an optional review session.Preliminary results suggest a manualized 8-week skills-based cognitive-behavioral group intervention designed to be delivered by paraprofessionals may be effective at reducing depression symptoms in actively depressed LGBTQ+ youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapidly growing field of cannabinoid research is gaining recognition for its impact in neuropsychopharmacology and mood regulation. However, prenyltransferase (NphB) (a key enzyme in cannabinoid precursor synthesis) still needs significant improvement in order to be usable in large-scale industrial applications due to low activity and limited product range. By rational design and high-throughput screening, NphB's catalytic efficiency and product diversity have been markedly enhanced, enabling direct production of a range of cannabinoids, without the need for traditional enzymatic conversions, thus broadening the production scope of cannabinoids, including cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), and cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA). Notably, the W3 mutant achieved a 10.6-fold increase in CBG yield and exhibited a 10.3- and 20.8-fold enhancement in catalytic efficiency for CBGA and CBGV production, respectively. The W4 mutant also displayed an 9.3-fold increase in CBGVA activity. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that strategic reconfiguration of the active site's hydrogen bonding network, disulfide bond formation, and enhanced hydrophobic interactions are pivotal for the improved synthetic efficiency of these NphB mutants. Our findings advance the understanding of enzyme optimization for cannabinoid synthesis and lay a foundation for the industrial-scale production of these valuable compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective s : This study aimed to investigate the neural underpinnings of emotional cognition subgroups in recently diagnosed patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and change over time over a 15‐month follow‐up period. Methods: Patients and healthy controls (HC) underwent emotional and nonemotional cognitive assessments and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at the baseline (BD n = 87; HC n = 65) and at 15‐month follow‐up (BD n = 44; HC n = 38). Neural activity during emotion reactivity and regulation in response to aversive pictures was assessed during fMRI. Patients were clustered into subgroups based on their emotional cognition and, with HC, were compared longitudinally on cognition and neural activity during emotion reactivity and regulation. Results: Patients were optimally clustered into two subgroups: Subgroup 1 (n = 40, 46%) was characterized by heightened emotional reactivity in negative social scenarios, which persisted over time, but were otherwise cognitively intact. This subgroup exhibited stable left amygdala hyper‐activity over time during emotion reactivity compared to subgroup 2. Subgroup 2 (n = 47, 54%) was characterized by global emotional cognitive impairments, including stable difficulties with emotion regulation over time. During emotion regulation across both time points, this group exhibited hypo‐activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Additionally, patients in subgroup 2 had poorer nonemotional cognition, had more psychiatric hospital admissions and history of psychotic episodes than those in subgroup 1. Conclusions: Broad impairments in emotional cognition in approximately half of BD patients and associated nonemotional cognitive deficits may originate from insufficient recruitment of prefrontal resources, contributing to poorer clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a highly prevalent and disabling psychiatric disorder. The hippocampus, which plays a central role in mood regulation and memory, has received considerable attention in depression research. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for severe pharmacotherapy‐resistant depression. Although the working mechanism of ECT remains unclear, recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have consistently reported increased hippocampal volumes following ECT. The clinical implications of these volumetric increases and the specific cellular and molecular significance are not yet fully understood. This narrative review brings together evidence from animal models and human studies to provide a detailed examination of hippocampal volumetric increases following ECT. In particular, our preclinical MRI research using a mouse model is consistent with human findings, demonstrating a marked increase in hippocampal volume following ECT. Notable changes were observed in the ventral hippocampal CA1 region, including dendritic growth and increased synaptic density at excitatory synapses. Interestingly, inhibition of neurogenesis did not affect the ECT‐related hippocampal volumetric increases detected on MRI. However, it remains unclear whether these histological and volumetric changes would be correlated with the clinical effect of ECT. Hence, future research on the relationships between cellular changes, ECT‐related brain volumetric changes, and antidepressant effect could benefit from a bidirectional translational approach that integrates human and animal models. Such translational research may provide important insights into the mechanisms and potential biomarkers associated with ECT‐induced hippocampal volumetric changes, thereby advancing our understanding of ECT for the treatment of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The Mental Health Inventory (MHI‐5) is frequently used as a screener for mood and anxiety disorders. However, few population‐based studies have validated it against a diagnostic instrument assessing disorders following current diagnostic criteria. Methods: Within the third Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS‐3), a representative population‐based study of adults (N = 6194; age: 18–75 years), the MHI‐5 was used to measure general mental ill‐health in the past month. Presence of mood (major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder) and anxiety disorders (panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, or generalized anxiety disorder) in the past month was assessed with a slightly modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0 per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders‐5. Results: The MHI‐5 was good to excellent at distinguishing people with and without a mood disorder, an anxiety disorder, and any mood or anxiety disorder. The cut‐off value associated with the highest sensitivity and highest specificity for mood disorder was ≤68, and ≤76 for an anxiety disorder or any mood or anxiety disorder. Conclusions: The MHI‐5 can identify individuals at high risk of a current mood or anxiety disorder in the general population when diagnostic interviews are too time consuming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ultraviolet-free (UV-free) blue light phototherapy has emerged as a promising option due to its reported efficacy and minimal adverse effects. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of full-body blue light irradiation in both adult and pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), assessing its impact on skin condition and mood regulation by investigating serum concentrations of serotonin and kynurenine pathway metabolites. Methods: 20 patients (age 9–45) with moderate and severe AD were included in the study. Treatment consisted of 10 irradiations with Full Body Blue device (453 nm). Serum concentrations of serotonin, quinolinic acid, kynurenic acid, tryptophan, and kynurenine were measured before and after irradiations. Results: After 10 sessions of full blue light therapy (453 nm) statistically significant improvements were observed in Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI 13.16 vs. 8.65; p = 0.00016), SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD 44.99 vs. 23.73; p < 0.00001), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS 6.53 vs. 3.95; p = 0.00251), 10-item pruritus severity scale (13.32 vs. 7.05; p < 0.00001). Moreover, statistically significant decrease in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was noted (14.37 vs. 7.42; p = 0.00351). Additionally, increase in the serum concentration of serotonin was observed after completing 10 irradiation sessions (median 139.77 mg/ml vs. 274.92 mg/ml; p < 0.00001). Conclusion: Blue light may be a promising and safe treatment in patients with AD. It might also positively influence mood. Further investigations are needed to confirm those findings. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT06516783. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the psychological effects of different design elements is important to interior designers and any individuals designing a space. No previous research has analyzed the interaction effects of color and lighting temperatures on mood, heart rate, and cognitive performance. The current study was conducted at Pepperdine University in a 2 x 2 randomized experiment. There were 78 participants aged 18-24 with a mean age of 18.85 (SD = 1.20), including 53 women, 24 men, and 1 who did not indicate their gender. The study evaluated self-reported mood (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), accuracy and reaction times (Stroop task), creative intelligence (Remote Associates Test), and heart rates (heart rate monitor). Participants completed these tasks in a room with either a warm (red) or cool (blue) background color and completed tasks once in warm lighting and once in cool lighting. We found that color and lighting temperatures had different effects on affect, creative intelligence, reaction times, and accuracy. Negative affect was lower in Warm Lighting x Cool Color and Cool Lighting x Warm Color conditions (p = .046). Accuracy was higher in the Cool Color condition (p = .01) and in the Cool Color x Warm Lighting condition (p = .047). Creative intelligence scores approached significance in being higher in cool than warm lighting (p = .05). No effects were found on heart rates (p = .62). These results can inform designers on how to use the design elements of color and lighting temperatures to promote certain desired psychological effects in a space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambulatory assessment (AA) studies are frequently used to study emotions, cognitions, and behavior in daily life. But does the measurement itself produce reactivity, that is, are the constructs that are measured influenced by participation? We investigated individual differences in intraindividual change in momentary emotional clarity and momentary pleasant-unpleasant mood over the course of an AA study. Specifically, we experimentally manipulated sampling frequency and hypothesized that the intraindividual change over time would be stronger when sampling frequency was high (vs. low). Moreover, we assumed that individual differences in dispositional mood regulation would moderate the direction of intraindividual change in momentary pleasant-unpleasant mood over time. Students (n = 313) were prompted either three or nine times a day for 1 week (data collection took place in 2019 and 2020). Multilevel growth curve models showed that momentary emotional clarity increased within participants over the course of the AA phase, but this increase did not differ between the two sampling frequency groups. Pleasant-unpleasant mood did not show a systematic trend over the course of the study, and mood regulation did not predict individual differences in mood change over time. Again, results were not moderated by the sampling frequency group. We discuss limitations of our study (e.g., WEIRD sample) and potential practical implications regarding sampling frequency in AA studies. Future studies should further systematically investigate the circumstances under which measurement reactivity is more likely to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Over the past three decades, oral controlled-release dosage forms have been developed due to their therapeutic advantages, such as ease of administration, patient compliance, and flexibility in formulation. However, this approach has faced physiological difficulties, such as the inability to contain and position the controlled drug delivery system within the desired region of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) due to variable gastric emptying and motility. Venlafaxine is an antidepressant and a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Its active metabolite, desvenlafaxine, works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are key neurotransmitters in mood regulation. Gastroretentive dosage forms can stay in the gastric region for several hours and significantly prolong the gastric residence time of drugs. Natural materials have been extensively used in drug delivery because they are readily available, cost-effective, eco-friendly, capable of many chemical modifications, potentially degradable, and compatible due to their natural origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cognitive‐behavioral model of generalized Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is the theoretical approach that has obtained the most evidence on the study of this problem, which includes four components: Online Social Preference, Mood Regulation, Deficient Self‐Regulation, and Negative Outcomes. This study aimed to identify PIU profiles using Latent Profile Analysis, and to analyze the differences in them attending to some of the principal PIU risk and protective factors. A total of 675 Spanish adolescents completed questionnaires assessing PIU, Internet usage, mental health problems, personality, psychological strengths, and family relationships. Four profiles were obtained: Nonproblematic use (68.30% of the sample), Slightly problematic use (17.90% of the sample), Problematic use (8.50% of the sample), and Severe problematic use (5.40% of the sample). Results showed differences between them, with the profile with more PIU having more risk factors and less protective factors. Results showed that many different personal and social variables included in the study play a role in PIU. Knowing the different PIU profiles can help in the design of more specific and precise procedures and instruments for risk assessment, as well as aiding in prevention and in the design of more individualized treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hypercholesterolemia is associated with increased inflammation and impaired serotonin neurotransmission, potentially contributing to depressive symptoms. However, the role of statins, particularly pitavastatin, in modulating serotonin transporter (SERT) function within this context remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate whether pitavastatin counteracts the neurobiological effects of hypercholesterolemia. Methods: Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR−/−) mice on a C57BL/6 background were assigned to three groups: a control group fed a standard chow diet, a group fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and a third group fed a high-fat diet supplemented with pitavastatin (HFD + Pita). We evaluated the effects of HFD with or without pitavastatin on lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, and SERT availability using small-animal positron emission tomography (PET) scans with the radioligand 4-[18F]-ADAM over a 20-week period. Results: Pitavastatin treatment in HFD-fed mice significantly reduced both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in HFD-fed mice compared to those on HFD alone. Elevated inflammatory markers such as IL-1α, MCP-1/CCL2, and TNF-α in HFD mice were notably decreased in the HFD + Pita group. PET scans showed reduced SERT availability in the brains of HFD mice; however, pitavastatin improved this in brain regions associated with mood regulation, suggesting enhanced serotonin neurotransmission. Additionally, the sucrose preference test showed a trend towards increased preference in the HFD + Pita group compared to the HFD group, indicating a potential reduction in depressive-like behavior. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that pitavastatin not only lowers cholesterol and reduces inflammation but also enhances SERT availability, suggesting a potential role in alleviating depressive symptoms associated with hypercholesterolemia. These results highlight the multifaceted benefits of pitavastatin, extending beyond its lipid-lowering effects to potentially improving mood regulation and neurotransmitter function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Affective disorders are frequently associated with disrupted circadian rhythms. The existence of rhythmic secretion of central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) pattern has been reported; however, the functional mechanism underlying the circadian control of 5-HTergic mood regulation remains largely unknown. Here, we investigate the role of the circadian nuclear receptor REV-ERBα in regulating tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2), the rate-limiting enzyme of 5-HT synthesis. We demonstrate that the REV-ERBα expressed in dorsal raphe (DR) 5-HTergic neurons functionally competes with PET-1—a nuclear activator crucial for 5-HTergic neuron development. In mice, genetic ablation of DR 5-HTergic REV-ERBα increases Tph2 expression, leading to elevated DR 5-HT levels and reduced depression-like behaviors at dusk. Further, pharmacological manipulation of the mice DR REV-ERBα activity increases DR 5-HT levels and affects despair-related behaviors. Our findings provide valuable insights into the molecular and cellular link between the circadian rhythm and the mood-controlling DR 5-HTergic systems. Circadian nuclear receptor, REV-ERBa regulates the rhythmic serotonin synthesis in the central nervous system, highlighting the molecular connections between circadian clock and mood regulation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) pose significant clinical challenges due to their complex and intertwined symptoms. This study examined the effectiveness of integrative biopsychosocial therapy in treating these conditions in a female participant, aiming to improve anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and overall psychological well-being. Using an experimental approach, an ABA single-subject reversal design was employed. The participant received tailored integrative biopsychosocial therapy and data were analyzed visually. Initially symptomatic of MDD and PTSD, the participant showed improvements in mood regulation, relational indicators, and cognitive functioning during the intervention. Quantitative data indicated substantial reductions in anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance, confirming the therapy's effectiveness. However, PTSD symptoms showed variability, indicating the need for ongoing support. The study highlights the safety and effectiveness of integrative biopsychosocial therapy in enhancing mood, relational stability, and cognitive function in individuals with comorbid depression and PTSD. Future research should address sample diversity, extend baseline periods, and tailor PTSD interventions to optimize outcomes and expand evidence-based practices. Limitations include the small sample size and the need for longer-term follow-up to assess sustained effects. The intricacy of treating trauma and the variability in PTSD symptoms require further investigation. This study informs clinicians and researchers about the effectiveness of integrative biopsychosocial therapy, emphasizing the importance of addressing biological and psychosocial factors in treatment planning for comorbid depression and PTSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of artificial light at night has emerged as an anthropogenic stressor in recent years. Various sources of light pollution have been shown to affect circadian physiology with serious consequences for metabolic pathways, possibly disrupting pineal melatonin production with multiple adverse health effects. The suppression of melatonin at night may also affect human mental health and contribute to the development or exacerbation of psychiatric disorders in vulnerable individuals. Due to the high burden of circadian disruption in affective disorders, it has been hypothesized that light pollution impacts mental health, mainly affecting mood regulation. Hence, the aim of this review was to critically summarize the evidence on the effects of light pollution on mood symptoms, with a particular focus on the role of circadian rhythms in mediating this relationship. We conducted a narrative review of the literature in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science datasets. After the screening process, eighteen papers were eligible for inclusion. The results clearly indicate a link between light pollution and the development of affective symptoms, with a central role of sleep disturbances in the emergence of mood alterations. Risk perception also represents a crucial topic, possibly modulating the development of affective symptoms in response to light pollution. The results of this review should encourage a multidisciplinary approach to the design of healthier environments, including lighting conditions among the key determinants of human mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic psychiatric condition characterized by large episodic changes in mood and energy. Recently, BD has been proposed to be conceptualized as chronic cyclical mood instability, as opposed to the traditional view of alternating discrete episodes with stable periods in-between. Recognizing this mood instability may improve care and call for high-frequency measures coupled with advanced statistical models. To uncover empirically derived mood states, a multilevel hidden Markov model (HMM) was applied to 4-month ecological momentary assessment data in 20 patients with BD, yielding ∼9,820 assessments in total. Ecological momentary assessment data comprised self-report questionnaires (5 × daily) measuring manic and depressive constructs. Manic and depressive symptoms were also assessed weekly using the Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale and the Quick Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report. Alignment between HMM-uncovered momentary mood states and weekly questionnaires was assessed with a multilevel linear model. HMM uncovered four mood states: neutral, elevated, mixed, and lowered, which aligned with weekly symptom scores. On average, patients remained <25 hr in one state. In almost half of the patients, mood instability was observed. Switching between mood states, three patterns were identified: patients switching predominantly between (a) neutral and lowered states, (b) neutral and elevated states, and (c) mixed, elevated, and lowered states. In all, elevated and lowered mood states were interspersed by mixed states. The results indicate that chronic mood instability is a key feature of BD, even in "relatively" euthymic periods. This should be considered in theoretical and clinical conceptualizations of the disorder. General Scientific Summary: The article investigates bipolar disorder with advanced statistical methods and adds evidence challenging the traditional view of alternating discrete mood episodes with stable periods in-between. Instead, it suggests that chronic mood instability may be a significant aspect of bipolar disorder and calls for high-frequency assessments using advanced statistical models to better understand and improve care for individuals with the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual compliance (i.e., consensually engaging in sex despite a lack of desire for it) is common in committed intimate relationships, but the consequences of compliance for the well-being of the individual and the relationship are poorly understood. We investigated the perceived consequences of sexual compliance and perceptions of factors contributing to negative/positive consequences by applying qualitative content analysis to free-text retrospective survey responses from 107 (mostly) Finnish adults. We identified five themes of personal consequences (emotions and mood, sexual experience, sexual desire, pressure and violations, and physical pain), four of relational consequences (relationship satisfaction, partner's response, relationship interaction, and value alignment), and nine of possible factors contributing to negative/positive consequences (communication, self-esteem, motives for sex, relationship factors, agency and self-knowledge, mental health and stress, psychological flexibility, societal norms, and past negative experiences). Perceived consequences varied widely across individuals, both in terms of whether any positive or negative consequences were experienced and whether compliance was perceived as improving or worsening specific domains of well-being. We discuss the themes identified in relation to previous theories of sexuality and intimate relationships and offer hypotheses that can be tested in future quantitative studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this review is to identify common mood concerns in ICD patients and suggest brief psychological screeners essential for early detection and monitoring in patient care. Areas covered: Reliable and valid psychological assessment tools are reviewed, including those specifically designed for ICD patient populations. Expert opinion: Psychological assessment, in combination with cardiologic standard of care, can help overcome many barriers associated with poor implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) management and related cardiovascular outcomes. Earlier identification and treatment of mood concerns in ICD patients has been shown to improve quality of life (QOL) and patient outcomes. At this time, however, logistical challenges and time restraints, in addition to knowledge of appropriate treatment plans or referral options, remain central barriers to providing integrated, patient-centered care. Ultimately, all cardiology clinics would benefit from a collaborative care team that includes a mental health consultant or in-house psychologists who can provide consultations or referral services. Additionally, all patients that come to the clinics should complete proactive screening measures as routine component of care to assess the presence of mood concerns to improve patient outcomes and aid in treatment planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides an introduction to the topic of affectivity and technology, specifically focusing on the concept of "situated affectivity" which explores the relationship between emotions and the environment. It discusses the manipulation of the environment for affective purposes, using examples such as smartphones and clothes. The document also explores the role of affective artifacts, such as photo albums or souvenirs, in regulating one's emotional life. The collection of articles in this document covers a wide range of topics, including the impact of social media on LGBTQ+ communities, the role of digital technology in fostering envy, and the ethical implications of certain technologies. Overall, the document offers a comprehensive examination of the intersection between affect and technology. [Extracted from the article]

Mania is associated with disturbed dopaminergic transmission in frontotemporal regions. D-amphetamine (AMPH) causes increased extracellular DA levels, considered an acknowledged mania model in rodents. Doxycycline (DOXY) is a second-generation tetracycline with promising neuroprotective properties. Here, we tested the hypothesis that DOXY alone or combined with Lithium (Li) could reverse AMPH-induced mania-like behavioral alterations in mice by the modulation of monoamine levels in brain areas related to mood regulation, as well as cytoprotective and antioxidant effects in hippocampal neurons. Male Swiss mice received AMPH or saline intraperitoneal (IP) injections for 14 days. Between days 8–14, mice receive further IP doses of DOXY, Li, or their combination. For in vitro studies, we exposed hippocampal neurons to DOXY in the presence or absence of AMPH. DOXY alone or combined with Li reversed AMPH-induced risk-taking behavior and hyperlocomotion. DOXY also reversed AMPH-induced hippocampal and striatal hyperdopaminergia. In AMPH-exposed hippocampal neurons, DOXY alone and combined with Li presented cytoprotective and antioxidant effects, while DOXY+Li also increased the expression of phospho-Ser133-CREB. Our results add novel evidence for DOXY's ability to reverse mania-like features while revealing that antidopaminergic activity in some brain areas, such as the hippocampus and striatum, as well as hippocampal cytoprotective effects may account for this drug's antimanic action. This study provides additional rationale for designing clinical trials investigating its potential as a mood stabilizer agent. Doxycycline combined with Lithium reversed mania-like features induced by D-amphetamine (AMPH), notably risk-taking and vigor-like behaviors and hyperdopaminergic state in mice brain. This combination protected hippocampal neurons in vitro from increased oxidative damage and cytotoxicity. An increase in dopamine transporter (DAT) expression and CREB phospho-activation are potential underlying mechanisms. Abbreviations: AMH: amphetamine; CREB: cAMP response element binding protein; DA: dopamine: DAT: dopamine transporter; NE: noradrenaline. Created with BioRender.com [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menopausal women may experience symptoms of depression, sometimes even progressing clinical depression requiring treatment to improve quality of life. While varying levels of estrogen in perimenopause may contribute to an increased biological vulnerability to mood disturbances, the effectiveness of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in the relief of depressive symptoms remains controversial. Menopausal depression has a complex, multifactorial etiology, that has limited the identification of optimal treatment strategies for the management of this psychiatric complaint. Nevertheless, clinical evidence increasingly supports the notion that estrogen exerts neuroprotective effects on brain structures related to mood regulation. Indeed, research using preclinical animal models continues to improve our understanding of menopause and the effectiveness of ERT and other substances at treating depression-like behaviors. However, questions regarding the efficacy of ERT in perimenopause have been raised. These questions may be answered by further investigation using specific animal models of reduced ovarian function. This review compares and discusses the advantages and pitfalls of different models emulating the menopausal stages and their relationship with the onset of depressive-like signs, as well as the efficacy and mechanisms of conventional and novel ERTs in treating depressivelike behavior. Ovariectomized young rats, middle-to-old aged intact rats, and females treated with reprotoxics have all been used as models of menopause, with stages ranging from surgical menopause to perimenopause. Additionally, this manuscript discusses the impact of organistic and therapeutic variables that may improve or reduce the antidepressant response of females to ERT. Findings from these models have revealed the complexity of the dynamic changes occurring in brain function during menopausal transition, reinforcing the idea that the best approach is timely intervention considering the opportunity window, in addition to the careful selection of treatment according to the presence or absence of reproductive tissue. Additionally, data from animal models has yielded evidence to support new promising estrogens that could be considered as ERTs with antidepressant properties and actions in endocrine situations in which traditional ERTs are not effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major depressive disorder (MDD) comprises subtypes with distinct symptom profiles. For example, patients with melancholic and atypical MDD differ in the direction of appetite and body weight changes as well as mood reactivity. Despite reported links to altered energy metabolism, the role of circulating neuropeptides from the gut in modulating such symptoms remains largely elusive. We collected data from 103 participants, including 52 patients with MDD and 51 healthy control participants (HCP). After an overnight fast, we measured plasma levels of (acyl and des-acyl) ghrelin and participants reported their current metabolic and mood states using visual analog scales (VAS). Furthermore, they completed symptom-related questionnaires (i.e., STAI-T). Patients with atypical versus melancholic MDD reported less negative affect (p = 0.025). Higher levels of acyl ghrelin (corrected for BMI) were associated with improved mood (p = 0.012), specifically in patients with MDD. These associations of ghrelin were not mood-item specific and exceeded correlations with trait markers of negative affectivity. In contrast to associations with mood state, higher levels of ghrelin were not associated with increased hunger per se or changes in appetite in patients with MDD. The study is limited by the cross-sectional design without an intervention. Our results reveal potentially mood-enhancing effects of ghrelin in fasting individuals that exceed associations with metabolic state ratings. These associations with circulating neuropeptides might help explain anti-depressive effects of fasting interventions and could complement conventional treatments in patients with melancholic MDD. [Display omitted] • Gut hormones have the potential to modulate mood and appetite disturbances. • Acyl ghrelin is associated with an elevated mood state, specifically in depression. • Acyl ghrelin is associated with a general mood factor rather than specific items. • Acyl ghrelin is more strongly associated with state (vs trait) negative affect. • Ghrelin might help explain anti-depressive effects of fasting interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Simple Summary: Plant essential oils are currently gaining increasing attention for their roles in mood regulation and neuroprotection. Dalbergia pinnata (Lour.) Prain (DP) is a traditional aromatic medicinal plant in China, primarily containing elemicin and methyl eugenol. Despite limited research, the potential neurological effects of aromatherapy are acknowledged, particularly in Alzheimer's Disease. The pathogenesis of AD involves amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition and Tau protein hyperphosphorylation, leading to neuronal dysfunction and inflammation. This study aims to document changes in brainwave power in male and female subjects following inhalation of DP essential oil (DPEO) and to investigate its impact on mood and brain function across genders. Additionally, the study examines the efficacy of DPEO in mitigating Aβ1–42-induced neurotoxicity using an in vitro Alzheimer's Disease neural cell model. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is projected by the WHO to affect over 100 million people by 2050. Clinically, AD patients undergoing long-term antipsychotic treatment often experience severe anxiety or depression in later stages. Furthermore, early-stage AD manifests with weakened α waves in the brain, progressing to diminished α and β waves in late-stage disease, reflecting changes in emotional states and disease progression. In this study, EEG signal analysis revealed that inhalation of Dalbergia pinnata (Lour.) Prain essential oil (DPEO) enhanced δ, θ, α and β wave powers in the frontal and parietal lobes, with a rising trend in the β/α ratio in the temporal lobe. These findings suggest an alleviation of anxiety and an enhancement of cognitive functions. Treatment of the AD SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma cells) cell model with DPEO resulted in decreased intracellular levels of Aβ, GSK-3β, P-Tau, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, OFR, and HFR, alongside reduced AchE and BchE activities and increased SOD activity. Network pharmacology analysis indicated a potential pharmacological mechanism involving the JAK-STAT pathway. Our study provides evidence supporting DPEO's role in modulating anxiety and slowing AD pathological progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated interrelationships of negative mood regulation expectancies (NMREs), stressors, and affective symptoms among Chinese international students in Japan. NMREs represent one's confidence that one can reduce the intensity of the unpleasant moods one experiences. Data were collected from 527 participants using self‐report measures of NMREs, university stress, acculturative stress, depression, and anxiety. Results showed that NMREs buffered the effects on distress of acculturative stress but not of university stress: stronger NMREs protected international students from the negative consequences of acculturative stress. This suggests that being more confident in their emotion regulation made Chinese international students less vulnerable to the negative affective consequences of acculturative stress but not university stress. This difference may be because, for international students, acculturative stress is less personally controllable than university stress. Consequently, when active coping attempts fail to ameliorate one's stress, simply believing that one can make oneself feel better—stronger NMREs—may mitigate the effects of an uncontrollable stressor on one's well‐being. One implication of this research is that raising the NMREs of international students may reduce their risk of distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on evaluating music as a mood regulator in Slovakia using the Music in Mood Regulation Scale (MMR). It investigates how effectively the MMR tool, originally developed in Finland, can be adapted to Slovak conditions. It aims to identify how music influences mood regulation in Slovak respondents, analyze differences in mood regulation strategies based on demographic factors such as age and gender.

Emotional granularity (EG) is an individual's ability to describe their emotional experiences in a nuanced and specific way. In this paper, we propose that researchers adopt latent Markov factor analysis (LMFA) to investigate within-person variability in qualitative EG (i.e., variability in distinct granularity patterns between specific emotions across time). LMFA clusters measurement occasions into latent states according to state-specific measurement models. We argue that state-specific measurement models of repeatedly assessed emotion items can provide information about qualitative EG at a given point in time. Applying LMFA to the area of EG for negative and positive emotions separately by using data from an experience sampling study with 11,662 measurement occasions across 139 participants, we found three latent EG states for the negative emotions and three for the positive emotions. Momentary stress significantly predicted transitions between the EG states for both the negative and positive emotions. We further identified two and three latent classes of individuals who differed in state trajectories for negative and positive emotions, respectively. Neuroticism and dispositional mood regulation predicted latent class membership for negative (but not for positive) emotions. We conclude that LMFA may enrich EG research by enabling more fine-grained insights into variability in qualitative EG patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated how the online health information behaviors of U.S. adults with illnesses unrelated to COVID-19 virus infection affected their coping with health problems and concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by the cybercoping model (Kim & Lee, 2014), the study examined associations between these patients' online information behaviors (information seeking and information forwarding) and coping outcomes (health problems and affective states). The study further explored the mediating roles of health coping processes (problem-and emotion-focused) in the associations between these information behaviors and coping outcomes. Survey data from 687 participants were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results highlighted the significance of information forwarding in enhancing both coping processes and outcomes, while information seeking enhanced problem-focused coping and health-problem coping outcomes alone. These associations were more pronounced among U.S. adults without chronic conditions than among those with chronic illnesses. These findings' implications, the study's limitations, and suggestions for future research were also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mood disorders affect over 300 million individuals worldwide, often characterized by their chronic and refractory nature, posing significant threats to patient life. There has been a notable increase in mood disorders among American adolescents and young adults, with a rising number of suicide attempts and fatalities, highlighting a growing association between mood disorders and suicidal outcomes. Dysregulation within the neuroimmune–endocrine system is now recognized as one of the fundamental biological mechanisms underlying mood and mood disorders. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a novel mediator of mood behavior, induces anxiety-like and depression-like phenotypes through its receptors LPA1 and LPA5, regulating synaptic neurotransmission and plasticity. Consequently, LPA has garnered substantial interest in the study of mood regulation. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of lysophosphatidic acid and its receptors, along with LPA receptor ligands, in mood regulation and to explore their potential therapeutic efficacy in treating mood disorders. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Web of Science databases, identifying 208 articles through keyword searches up to June 2024. After excluding duplicates, irrelevant publications, and those restricted by open access limitations, 21 scientific papers were included in this review. The findings indicate that LPA/LPA receptor modulation could be beneficial in treating mood disorders, suggesting that pharmacological agents or gintonin, an extract from ginseng, may serve as effective therapeutic strategies. This study opens new avenues for future research into how lysophosphatidic acid and its receptors, as well as lysophosphatidic acid receptor ligands, influence emotional behavior in animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]