scholarly journals Differential MR/GR Activation in Mice Results in Emotional States Beneficial or Impairing for Cognition

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Brinks ◽  
Maaike H. van der Mark ◽  
E. Ron de Kloet ◽  
Melly S. Oitzl
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Mediated Effects ◽  
Additional Constant ◽  
Hole Board ◽  
The Brain

Corticosteroids regulate stress response and influence emotion, learning, and memory via two receptors in the brain, the high‐affinity mineralocorticoid (MR) and low‐affinity glucocorticoid receptor (GR). We test the hypothesis that MR- and GR-mediated effects interact in emotion and cognition when a novel situation is encountered that is relevant for a learning process. By adrenalectomy and additional constant corticosterone supplement we obtained four groups of male C57BL/6J mice with differential chronic MR and GR activations. Using a hole board task, we found that mice with continuous predominant MR and moderate GR activations were fast learners that displayed low anxiety and arousal together with high directed explorative behavior. Progressive corticosterone concentrations with predominant action via GR induced strong emotional arousal at the expense of cognitive performance. These findings underline the importance of a balanced MR/GR system for emotional and cognitive functioning that is critical for mental health.

scholarly journals Effects of a programme of vigorous physical activity during secondary school physical education on academic performance, fitness, cognition, mental health and the brain of adolescents (Fit to Study): study protocol for a cluster-randomised trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Wassenaar ◽  
Catherine Wheatley ◽  
Nicholas Beale ◽  
Piergiorgio Salvan ◽  
Andy Meaney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Academic Attainment ◽  
Cluster Randomised ◽  
The Brain

BackgroundEarly adolescence is a period of dynamic neurobiological change. Converging lines of research suggest that regular physical activity (PA) and improved aerobic fitness have the potential to stimulate positive brain changes, improve cognitive function and boost academic attainment in this age group, but high quality studies are needed to substantiate these findings. The primary aim of the Fit to Study trial is to investigate whether short infusions of vigorous PA (VPA) delivered during secondary school physical education (PE) can improve attainment in maths, as described in a protocol published by NatCen Social Research. The present protocol concerns the trial’s secondary outcome measures, which are variables thought to moderate or mediate the relationship between PA and attainment including the effect of the intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, cognitive performance, mental health, and brain structure and function. MethodThe Fit to Study project is a cluster-randomised controlled trial that includes Year-8 pupils (aged 12-13) from secondary state schools in South/Mid-England. Schools were randomised into an intervention condition in which PE teachers delivered an additional 10 minutes of VPA per PE lesson for one academic year, or a ‘PE as usual’ control condition. Intervention and control groups were stratified according to whether schools were single-sex or co-educational. Assessments take place at baseline (end of Year-7, aged 11-12), and after 12 months (Year-8). Secondary outcomes are cardiorespiratory fitness, objective PA during PE, cognitive performance and mental health. The study also includes exploratory measures of daytime sleepiness, attitudes towards daily PA and PE enjoyment. A subset of pupils from a subset of schools will also take part in a brain imaging sub-study, which is embedded in the trial. DiscussionThe Fit to Study trial could advance our understanding of the complex relationships between PA and aerobic fitness, the brain, cognitive performance, mental health and academic attainment during adolescence. Further, it will add to our understanding of whether school PE is an effective setting to increase VPA and fitness, which could inform future PA interventions and education policy.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT03286725. Retrospectively registered on 18th of September, 2017 Clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT03593863. Retrospectively registered on 19th of July, 2018Trial sponsor: University of Oxford. Protocol version: 1.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing and cognitive functioning of older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah De Pue ◽  
Céline Gillebert ◽  
Eva Dierckx ◽  
Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt ◽  
Rudi De Raedt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCOVID-19 took a heavy toll on older adults. In Belgium, by the end of August, 93% of deaths due to COVID-19 were aged 65 or older. Similar trends were observed in other countries. As a consequence, older adults were identified as a group at risk, and strict governmental restrictions were imposed on them. This has caused concerns about their mental health. Using an online survey, this study established the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults aged 65 years or older, and which factors moderate this impact. Participants reported a significant decrease in activity level, sleep quality and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression was strongly related to reported declines in activity level, sleep quality, wellbeing and cognitive functioning. Our study shows that the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the mental health of older adults. This implies that this group at risk requires attention of governments and healthcare.

scholarly journals Potential for imaging the high-affinity state of the 5-HT1B receptor: a comparison of three PET radioligands with differing intrinsic activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Lindberg ◽  
Ryosuke Arakawa ◽  
Tsuyoshi Nogami ◽  
Sangram Nag ◽  
Magnus Schou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pet Imaging ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Occipital Cortex ◽  
Intrinsic Activity ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Agonist Affinity States ◽  
Different Doses

Abstract Background Over the last decade, a few radioligands have been developed for PET imaging of brain 5-HT1B receptors. The 5-HT1B receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that exists in two different agonist affinity states. An agonist ligand is expected to be more sensitive towards competition from another agonist, such as endogenous 5-HT, than an antagonist ligand. It is of interest to know whether the intrinsic activity of a PET radioligand for the 5-HT1B receptor impacts on its ability to detect changes in endogenous synaptic 5-HT density. Three high-affinity 11C-labeled 5-HT1B PET radioligands with differing intrinsic activity were applied to PET measurements in cynomolgus monkey to evaluate their sensitivity to be displaced within the brain by endogenous 5-HT. For these experiments, fenfluramine was pre-administered at two different doses (1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg, i.v.) to induce synaptic 5-HT release. Results A dose-dependent response to fenfluramine was detected for all three radioligands. At the highest dose of fenfluramine (5.0 mg/kg, i.v.), reductions in specific binding in the occipital cortex increased with radioligand agonist efficacy, reaching 61% for [11C]3. The most antagonistic radioligand showed the lowest reduction in specific binding. Conclusions Three 5-HT1B PET radioligands were identified with differing intrinsic activity that could be used in imaging high- and low-affinity states of 5-HT1B receptors using PET. From this limited study, radioligand sensitivity to endogenous 5-HT appears to depend on agonist efficacy. More extensive studies are required to substantiate this suggestion.

scholarly journals The Association between Physical Activity and Selected Parameters of Psychological Status and Dementia in Older Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7549
Author(s):  
Angelika Cisek-Woźniak ◽  
Kinga Mruczyk ◽  
Rafał W. Wójciak
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Regular Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
The Impact

Physical activity has an unquestionable impact on broadly understood human health. One interesting issue related to this is the importance of movement on mental health and cognitive functioning. Research shows that regular physical activity improves the cognitive functioning of adults and people with mental disorders. Regular physical activity can be an important and powerful protective factor in cognitive impairment and dementia in the elderly, and exercise is an important non-pharmacological treatment for mild cognitive impairment or neurodegenerative diseases. This study aims to present the impact of physical activity on selected cognitive functions in physically active women over 60 years of age. The research was carried out in a group of 110 generally healthy women from the area of western Poland over 60 years of age, who were divided into four groups based on the intensity of their physical activity. A pedometer (sport watch) and a physical activity diary were used to measure physical activity. Body Mass Index was assessed. Selected cognitive functions were assessed using the MMSE test, motor and psychomotor skills were measured, and Luria’s auditory memory test and recall test, a clock drawing test, and a GDS test were performed. There were statistically significant relationships between the level of physical activity and the effectiveness of cognitive processes. These results show that about 5000 steps a day is enough to see a positive effect on the mental health and cognitive functioning of this group of the elderly population. The women had an average BMI of 28.1 ± 4.7. BMI, indicating an overweight condition (over 30 kg/m2), was observed in 31% of women. The results of this study lead the authors to conclude that physical activity positively influences cognitive function and can be recommended for all seniors who do not have other serious comorbidities that would prevent them from playing sports.

scholarly journals Child maltreatment, cognitive functions and the mediating role of mental health problems among maltreated children and adolescents in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert E. Ainamani ◽  
Godfrey Z. Rukundo ◽  
Timothy Nduhukire ◽  
Eunice Ndyareba ◽  
Tobias Hecker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems

Abstract Background Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda. Methods A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure—Pediatric Version (pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Results In total, 232 (100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in their lifetime including emotional, physical, and sexual violence as well as neglect. We found a negative association between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = − 0.487, p < 0.001) and working memory (β = − 0.242, p = 0.001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship. Conclusions Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment the affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.

scholarly journals The Raf-like kinase ILK1 and the high affinity K+ transporter HAK5 are required for Innate Immunity and Abiotic Stress Response

2016 ◽  
pp. pp.00035.2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Kalinda Brauer ◽  
Nagib Ahsan ◽  
Renee Dale ◽  
Naohiro Kato ◽  
Alison E Coluccio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Abiotic Stress ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Abiotic Stress Response ◽  
High Affinity

Diagnosis as a Detriment: A Cognitive Approach to Understanding the Depressive Experience

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Hy Einstein
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Cognitive Model ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Psychotropic Medications ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Cognitive Approach ◽  
The Brain

Depression is currently understood within a biomedical paradigm. This paradigm is an example of reductionism; people are clinically diagnosed and categorized based on behavior and affect, while they are then prescribed psychotropic medications based on an inconclusively correlated neurotransmitter imbalance in the brain. In this article, clinical diagnosis and labeling are explored with respect to their detrimental potential. A framework of embodied cognition is used to conceptualize a cognitive model of depressive experience. This theoretical model explores the potentially self-reinforcing cognitive mechanisms behind a depressive experience, with the goal of highlighting the possibility of diagnosis as a detrimental influence on these mechanisms. The aim of this article is to further a discussion about our current mental health care paradigm and provide an explanation as to how it could cause harm to some. Clinical applications of the model are also discussed pertaining to the potential of rendering formal dichotomist diagnoses irrelevant to the ultimate goal of helping people feel better.

The impact of SARS-Cov-2 on the Nervous system and Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Said Boulkrane ◽  
Victoria Ilina ◽  
Roman Melchakov ◽  
Mikhail Arisov ◽  
Julia Fedotova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Serious Disease ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Illness

: The World Health Organization declared the pandemic situation caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) in March 2020, but the detailed pathophysiological mechanisms of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are not yet completely understood. Therefore, to date, few therapeutic options are available for patients with mild-moderate or serious disease. In addition to systemic and respiratory symptoms, several reports have documented various neurological symptoms and impairments of mental health. The current review aims to provide the available evidence about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on mental health. The present data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 produces a wide range of impairments and disorders of the brain. However, a limited number of studies investigated the neuroinvasive potential of SARS-CoV-2. Although the main features and outcomes of COVID-19 are linked to severe acute respiratory illness. The possible damages on the brain should be considered, too.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document