Staring Down Death

Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Joiner ◽  
Melanie A. Hom ◽  
Megan L. Rogers ◽  
Carol Chu ◽  
Ian H. Stanley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Blink Rate ◽  
Specific Task ◽  
Careful Planning ◽  
Eye Blink ◽  
Eye Blinks ◽  
Potential Clinical Utility ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Background: Lowered eye blink rate may be a clinically useful indicator of acute, imminent, and severe suicide risk. Diminished eye blink rates are often seen among individuals engaged in heightened concentration on a specific task that requires careful planning and attention. Indeed, overcoming one’s biological instinct for survival through suicide necessitates premeditation and concentration; thus, a diminished eye blink rate may signal imminent suicidality. Aims: This article aims to spur research and clinical inquiry into the role of eye blinks as an indicator of acute suicide risk. Method: Literature relevant to the potential connection between eye blink rate and suicidality was reviewed and synthesized. Results: Anecdotal, cognitive, neurological, and conceptual support for the relationship between decreased blink rate and suicide risk is outlined. Conclusion: Given that eye blinks are a highly observable behavior, the potential clinical utility of using eye blink rate as a marker of suicide risk is immense. Research is warranted to explore the association between eye blink rate and acute suicide risk.

Dopamine supports idea originality: The role of spontaneous eye blink rate on divergent thinking

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Agnoli ◽  
Serena Mastria ◽  
Marco Zanon ◽  
GIOVANNI EMANUELE CORAZZA
Keyword(s):  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Idea Generation ◽  
Striatal Dopamine ◽  
Blink Rate ◽  
Dopamine Level ◽  
Eye Blink ◽  
Creative Behaviour ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
The Relationship

The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a crucial role in human creative behaviour. Specifically, striatal dopamine seems to be associated with specific dimensions of divergent thinking performance, especially with the categorical diversity (flexibility) of the ideas. In the experimental context, spontaneous Eye Blink Rate (sEBR) has been used as a proxy of striatal dopamine and it has been demonstrated an inverted U-shape relationship between sEBR and flexibility, such that a medium sEBR is able to predict higher flexibility levels. The present study aimed at carrying out further investigations about the relationship between sEBR and idea generation through divergent thinking, specifically focusing on the relationship between idea originality and dopamine level, since originality is a key element for creativity. We asked 80 participants, whose sEBR at rest was measured, to perform an Alternative Uses Task (AUT) measuring their divergent thinking performance. Results revealed that the relationship between sEBR and originality, as measured through subjective ratings of external raters, followed an inverted U-shape function with medium sEBR being associated with higher originality scores. Moreover, and most importantly, we demonstrated that sEBR predicted originality through the mediation of flexibility. Our results provide further insights on the possible role of dopamine on divergent thinking performance, demonstrating that an adequate dopamine level may facilitate the generation of original ideas through the exploration of diverse conceptual categories (higher flexibility).

scholarly journals Human TERT promoter mutations as a prognostic biomarker in glioma

2021 ◽  
Vol 147 (4) ◽  
pp. 1007-1017
Author(s):  
Branka Powter ◽  
Sarah A. Jeffreys ◽  
Heena Sareen ◽  
Adam Cooper ◽  
Daniel Brungs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphism ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Tert Promoter ◽  
Tert Promoter Mutations ◽  
Potential Clinical Utility ◽  
Promoter Mutations ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Potential Use

AbstractThe TERT promoter (pTERT) mutations, C228T and C250T, play a significant role in malignant transformation by telomerase activation, oncogenesis and immortalisation of cells. C228T and C250T are emerging as important biomarkers in many cancers including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), where the prevalence of these mutations is as high as 80%. Additionally, the rs2853669 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) may cooperate with these pTERT mutations in modulating progression and overall survival in GBM. Using liquid biopsies, pTERT mutations, C228T and C250T, and other clinically relevant biomarkers can be easily detected with high precision and sensitivity, facilitating longitudinal analysis throughout therapy and aid in cancer patient management.In this review, we explore the potential for pTERT mutation analysis, via liquid biopsy, for its potential use in personalised cancer therapy. We evaluate the relationship between pTERT mutations and other biomarkers as well as their potential clinical utility in early detection, prognostication, monitoring of cancer progress, with the main focus being on brain cancer.

scholarly journals Spontaneous Eye Blink Rate during the Working Memory Delay Period Predicts Task Performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Ortega ◽  
Chelsea Reichert Plaska ◽  
Bernard A Gomes ◽  
Timothy M Ellmore
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Delay Period ◽  
Blink Rate ◽  
Indirect Measure ◽  
Eye Blink ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Spontaneous eye blink rate (sEBR) has been found to be a non-invasive indirect measure of striatal dopamine activity. Dopamine (DA) neurons project to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) through the mesocortical dopamine pathway and their activity is implicated in a range of cognitive functions, including attention and working memory (WM). The goal of the present study was to understand how fluctuations in sEBR during different phases of a working memory task relate to task performance. Across two experiments, with recordings of sEBR inside and outside of a magnetic resonance imaging bore, we observed sEBR to be positively correlated with WM performance during the WM delay period. Additionally we investigated the non-linear relationship between sEBR and WM performance, and modeled a proposed Inverted-U-shape relationship between DA and WM performance. We also investigated blink duration, which is proposed to be related to sustained attention, and found blink duration to be significantly shorter during the encoding and probe periods of the task. Taken together, these results provide support towards sEBR as an important correlate of working memory task performance. The relationship of sEBR to DA activity and the influence of DA on the PFC during WM maintenance is discussed.

scholarly journals The Role of Demoralization and Hopelessness in Suicide Risk in Schizophrenia: A Review of the Literature

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Berardelli ◽  
Salvatore Sarubbi ◽  
Elena Rogante ◽  
Michael Hawkins ◽  
Gabriele Cocco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Mental Health Concern ◽  
Psychological Tools ◽  
Suicide Prevention Programs ◽  
The Relationship

Background and Objectives: Demoralization has been defined by hopelessness and helplessness attributable to a loss of purpose and meaning in life. Demoralization is a meaningful mental health concern, frequently associated with suicide risk in medical and psychiatric patients. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the recent empirical evidence on demoralization in patients with schizophrenia and to better understand the relationship between demoralization and suicide risk in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A comprehensive literature search using key words and subject headings was performed following PRISMA guidelines with several bibliographic databases, resulting in the identification of 27 studies. Results: The findings suggested that demoralization is prevalent in patients with schizophrenia and supported the hypothesis that the association between depression and suicide is moderated by hopelessness. In clinical practice, it is important to recognize symptoms of demoralization using appropriate psychological tools to better understand the suffering of patients with schizophrenia and to implement suicide prevention programs.

scholarly journals When and How Do Emotional Intelligence and Flourishing Protect against Suicide Risk in Adolescent Bullying Victims?

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lourdes Rey ◽  
Sergio Mérida-López ◽  
Nicolás Sánchez-Álvarez ◽  
Natalio Extremera
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Mediator Role ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Bullying Victims ◽  
The Relationship

This study contributes to current knowledge on the protective role of emotional intelligence and flourishing in cases of suicide risk (namely depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation) in a sample of adolescent victims of traditional bullying. The proposed model tested the mediator role of flourishing in the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and suicide risk together with the moderating effect of EI in the relationship between low flourishing and increased suicide risk. Considering an initial sample of 1847 adolescents (52.5% female), a subsample of 494 pure bullying victims (61.3% female) took part in this research. The main results showed EI to be linked to decreased suicide risk through levels of flourishing. Moreover, EI buffered the relationship between low flourishing and the associated suicide risk. Victimized adolescents with both low levels of EI and of flourishing reported higher levels of suicide risk than their counterparts with high EI levels. This suggests the protective role of EI of both predicting higher flourishing and reducing the likelihood of suicide risk among victimized adolescents with low levels of flourishing. Finally, the practical implications of these novel findings regarding the role of EI and flourishing in the prevention of suicide risk among victimized adolescents are discussed.

scholarly journals Family Support as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Loneliness and Suicide Risk in College Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward C. Chang ◽  
Olivia D. Chang ◽  
Tamás Martos ◽  
Viola Sallay ◽  
Jerin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Incremental Validity ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The Relationship

In this study, we examined loneliness and family support as predictors of suicide risk (viz., depressive symptoms and suicide ideation) in college students. The sample was comprised of 456 Hungarian college students. Results of conducting hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for sex and age, indicated that the inclusion of family support provided further incremental validity in predicting both depressive symptoms and suicide ideation, beyond the variance accounted for by loneliness. Moreover, consistent with the notion that family support might buffer the negative effects of loneliness on suicide risk, evidence for a significant Loneliness × Family Support interaction effect in predicting both indices of suicide risk was found. Thus, beyond the role of loneliness in predicting suicide risk in college students, the present findings are the first to show how family support both additively and interactively represents a positive psychological resource that should be considered in understanding suicide risk among students.

The Moderating Role of Social Support on the Relationship Between Impulsivity and Suicide Risk

Crisis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 273-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan M. Kleiman ◽  
John H. Riskind ◽  
Karen E. Schaefer ◽  
Hilary Weingarden
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Support ◽  
College Students ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

Background: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. There has been considerable research into risk factors for suicide, such as impulsivity, but considerably less research on protective factors. Aims: The present study examines the role that social support plays in the relationship between impulsivity and suicide risk. Methods: Participants were 169 undergraduates who completed self-report measures of impulsivity and social support. Suicide risk was assessed using an interview measure. Results: Social support moderates the relationship between impulsivity and suicide risk, such that those who are highly impulsive are less likely to be at risk for suicide if they also have high levels of social support. Conclusions: Social support can be a useful buffer to suicide risk for at-risk individuals who are highly impulsive.

Mechanisms of Action of Atypical Antipsychotics

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (S10) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Cañas
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Atypical Antipsychotics ◽  
Antipsychotic Drugs ◽  
Receptor Occupancy ◽  
Conventional Antipsychotics ◽  
Receptor Sites ◽  
Receptor Profile ◽  
Dopamine Hypothesis ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractAtypical antipsychotics—clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole—differ from conventional antipsychotics primarily by virtue of their actions at multiple central receptor sites. Each agent has its own unique receptor profile. The discovery of dopaminergic receptor-blocking capabilities of conventionblockingal antipsychotic drugs led to the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia. More recently, the role of serotonergic and other receptors in the pathophysiology and symptomology of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder has been identified, and the receptor actions of atypical antipsychotics have been linked to both antipsychotic efficacy and the propensity for extrapyramidal symptoms and other adverse effects. Receptor occupancy is directly related to antipsychotic dose, and the nature of the relationship between clinical utility and receptor occupancy is beginning to emerge. As our understanding of this relationship becomes more clear, the mechanism underlying clinical distinctions between agents will be understood.

scholarly journals Spontaneous but not voluntary eye blinks during spatial working memory are associated with successful performance

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Lee ◽  
Baaba K. Blankson ◽  
Peter Manza ◽  
Jonathan F. O’Rawe ◽  
Craig Evinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Blink Rate ◽  
Behavioral Experiments ◽  
Eye Blinks ◽  
Recognition Probe ◽  
Delayed Recognition ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractSpontaneous eye blink rate (SBR) has been associated with central dopamine (DA) levels, raising the intriguing possibility that SBR is related to cognitive functions dependent on DA, such as spatial working memory (WM). We tested this hypothesis in two behavioral experiments, examining the relationship between SBR, WM load and individual differences in spatial WM performance in 126 young adults. In Experiment 1, we examined the temporal profile of SBR during a spatial delayed recognition task requiring maintenance of 1, 2, 4, 6 or 7 dot locations. We observed a suppression in SBR during dot- and recognition probe-presentation, and a significant increase in SBR afterwards. High performers showed significantly lower SBR than low performers during the first 500 ms of the delay period. In Experiment 2, we used a similar spatial WM task as Experiment 1 to test whether an instructed voluntary blink during the early delay would directly dampen WM performance. While the temporal dynamics of SBR across task events were comparable to Experiment 1, WM performance was not significantly different between the voluntary blink and no blink conditions. Together, these results suggest that spontaneous but not voluntary eye blinking is closely linked to spatial WM, and that lower SBR during WM encoding and early phase of maintenance is associated with better WM task performance.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document