scholarly journals Fear stress in computer games caused brain waves, oxytocin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor changes among woman

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-98
Author(s):  
Hamed Aliyari ◽  
◽  
Hedayat Sahraei ◽  
Sahar Golabi ◽  
Masoomeh Kazemi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Stress and fear caused by computer games have been shown to have various effects on the cognitive system. This work was aimed to investigate the effects of short-time horror computer games on cognitive indicators. Methods: A total of twenty female subjects were recruited and divided into experimental and control groups. All required tests were performed before and after the intervention (playing or watching horror game) on the control and experimental groups. The saliva samples were collected before and after the intervention to measure levels of cortisol and alpha-amylase. Also, blood was taken before and during the game from each subject to evaluate plasma levels of oxytocin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The Brain waveforms were acquired by Emotive brain signal recording device before and after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using R and MATLAB software. Results: The cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were shown to significantly increase after the horror game playing. Also, the levels of oxytocin were significantly higher after the experimentation. The levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor were displayed to reduce after the experimentation. The results of the brainwave analysis revealed that the average stress index was significantly higher, while the average attention index was lower after playing the game. No significant difference in the study variables was observed in the control group. Conclusion: Horror computer games may have adverse effects on the activity of the stress system in the central nervous system. Fear-induced stress was shown to relatively undermine some cognitive elements.

Author(s):  
Hamed Aliyari ◽  
◽  
Hedayat Sahraei ◽  
Sahar Golabi ◽  
Masoomeh Kazemi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Today, evaluation and determination of the impact of computer games as an interactive media, play a significant role in cognitive and behavioral health of the individuals in the society. Computer games have been shown to have either positive or negative effects on cognitive indices among players. They also directly influence the lifestyle and quality of life of children, adolescents, and young adults. The present study was aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of the Brain Teaser game on players. Methods: Among forty-five male volunteers, a total of forty subjects with an average age of twenty years were recruited, and divided into two groups, the experimental group and control group. All required tests were conducted before and after the experimentation (playing the game) on the experimental group. Also, the tests were performed on control group, in which participants were not allowed to play the game. All assigned subjects completed a questionnaire, comprised of demographic characteristics and specific information regarding the game (e.g. game style and hours spent on playing the game). The saliva samples were collected to measure levels of Cortisol and Alpha Amylase. The salivary Alpha Amylase (sAA) and Cortisol levels were analyzed using a specific ELISA kit. Also, cognitive tests were performed using PASAT software before and after the game to assess perceptual-cognitive abilities of the players. The Brain waveforms were acquired by a 14-channel Emotiv brain signal recording device before and after the experimentation. Data analysis was conducted using R and MATLAB software. Results: PASAT test suggested that mental health and sustained attention were significantly improved, after the experimentation. In addition, the sAA and salivary Cortisol levels were significantly higher prior to the experimentation. The results of the brainwave analysis revealed that stress index and attention were significantly higher before the experimentation. Conclusion: Findings of the present study suggest that Brain Teaser games positively influence the central nervous system, and activate stress path, leading to changes in brain signals and subsequently improved cognitive elements, such as attention among players.


Author(s):  
SRIRAM BS ◽  
RAVICHANDRA V

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the antidepressant activity of quercetin in monosodium glutamate (MSG) model of depressed male mice. Methods: MSG was administered (500 mg/kg) to different groups of albino male mice daily for 21 days to induce depression. The interventions (Quercetin and imipramine) were started on day 9th and continued till 21st day. On 23rd day, mice are sacrificed, hippocampus and amygdala supernatant are subjected for analysis. p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in interleukin (IL)-6 levels in animals treated with quercetin and imipramine compared to control group (p<0.001). There was also a statistically significant increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in quercetin with MSG groups (p<0.05) and imipramine with MSG groups (p<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in IL-6 and BDNF levels between the groups of animals treated with quercetin (100 mg/kg) and imipramine (10 mg/kg) alone. Conclusion: Quercetin appeared to have an antidepressant activity. More extensive research is required to substantiate and elucidate the role of quercetin in behavioral disorders such as depression.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 31668
Author(s):  
Elham Eftekhari ◽  
Masoud Etemadifar

AIMS: To determine the effect of Mat Pilates on serum levels of interleukin-10 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in women with multiple sclerosis.METHODS: Thirty women with multiple sclerosis with mild to moderate disability were recruited and randomly divided into equal Pilates training and Control groups. Patients in the training group accomplished a Pilates program three times a week for eight weeks. The Control group maintained their routine lifestyle. The serum level of interleukin-10 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were measured before and after the protocol. The differences between groups were assessed by using analysis of covariance test to compare post-tests by considering covariate pre-tests (assuming a p-value <0.05 as significant).RESULTS: There were no significant changes in interleukin-10 (13.09±5.36 ng/ml in the Pilates training group compared to 13.21±4.76 ng/ml in the Control group, p= 0.81), whereas an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor was observed after eight-week Pilates training (11550.14±2619.60 ng/ml in the Pilates training group compared to 9664.35±3161.66 ng/ml in the Control group, p= 0.03).CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the intensity and duration of this protocol was not related to significant changes in interleukin-10, but was followed by an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor in these patients. Based on this finding, physical activity according to the individual’s ability is recommended for patients with multiple sclerosis, in parallel with drug therapy.


Folia Medica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvetta A. Koeva ◽  
Stefan T. Sivkov ◽  
Valentin H. Akabaliev ◽  
Roumiana Y. Ivanova ◽  
Tania I. Deneva ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Neurotrophins have an important role in regulating the development and maintenance of the peripheral and central nervous systems’ function. Thus, the neurotrophin hypothesis of schizophrenia has postulated that the changes in the brain of schizophrenic patients are the result of disturbances of developing processes involving these molecules. AIM: We analyse in the present study the changes in the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in schizophrenic patients as possible epiphenomena of underlying alterations of the neurotrophic factor in central nervous system, reflecting its role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one schizophrenic patients satisfying the DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis of schizophrenia were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 28 age-matched mentally healthy subjects. Serum BDNF levels were determined in patients and normal controls using ELISA (Chemicon International, USA & Canada). The data were analyzed statistically with Student’s t- test in SPSS 9.0. RESULTS: The serum BDNF levels were lower in the schizophrenic patients than in the control subjects, reaching statistically significant difference (t = 2.72, p = 0.009). Female patients had lower serum BDNF levels than the male patients but the difference fell short of statistical significance (t = 0.1, p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: The BDNF reduction in serum indicates a potential deficit in neurotrophic factor release in patients with schizophrenia and support the concept that BDNF might be associated with schizophrenia


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maiko A. Schneider ◽  
Tahiana Andreazza ◽  
Anna Martha V. Fontanari ◽  
Angelo B. Costa ◽  
Dhiordan C. da Silva ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Transsexualism (ICD-10) is a condition characterized by a strong and persistent dissociation with one's assigned gender. Sex reassignment surgery (SRS) and hormone therapy provide a means of allowing transsexual individuals to feel more congruent with their gender and have played a major role in treatment over the past 70 years. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) appears to play a key role in recovery from acute surgical trauma and environmentally mediated vulnerability to psychopathology. We hypothesize that BDNF may be a biomarker of alleviation of gender incongruence suffering. Objectives: To measure preoperative and postoperative serum BDNF levels in transsexual individuals as a biomarker of alleviation of stress related to gender incongruence after SRS. Methods: Thirty-two male-to-female transsexual people who underwent both surgery and hormonal treatment were selected from our initial sample. BDNF serum levels were assessed before and after SRS with sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The time elapsed between the pre-SRS and post-SRS blood collections was also measured. Results: No significant difference was found in pre-SRS or post-SRS BDNF levels or with relation to the time elapsed after SRS when BDNF levels were measured. Conclusion: Alleviation of the suffering related to gender incongruence after SRS cannot be assessed by BDNF alone. Surgical solutions may not provide a quick fix for psychological distress associated with transsexualism and SRS may serve as one step toward, rather than as the conclusion of, construction of a person's gender identity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (B) ◽  
pp. 699-704
Author(s):  
I Made Oka Adnyana ◽  
Ni Putu Ayu Putri Mahadewi ◽  
A.A.A. Putri Laksmidewi

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown the effects of music toward improved cognitive function due to changes in molecular production and signaling through increased messenger secretion, including hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factor proteins. Most of the studies used Western classical music as an intervention. AIM: We would like to investigate whether traditional Balinese flute musical composition entitled can improve cognitive function as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels, on par with the Western classical composition. METHODS: This was a prospective intervention trial involving 40 participants recruited from Primary Health Clinic 2 in West Denpasar, Bali, and divided into two groups. Participants were asked to listen to either “Morning Happiness” by Mr. Agus Teja Sentosa, S. Sn (treatment), or Vivaldi’s composition of “Spring” (control group) for 20 min each day for 21 days. Cognitive evaluation was performed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)-INA and blood sample was withdrawn during the 1st day for BDNF and IL-6 levels measurement. All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 20. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between initial and endpoint MoCA-INA test results among treatment and control group (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between control and treatment (p = 1.00). BDNF levels differed significantly between initial and endpoint BDNF levels among control group (p < 0.001), but did not differ significantly between control and treatment groups (p = 0.534). There was no significant difference between initial and endpoint IL-6 levels between the control group, but there was a close to statistical difference between of initial and endpoint IL-6 levels among the treatment group (p = 0.052). There was a significant difference in the memory domain between the control and treatment groups (p = 0.01) as measured using MoCA-INA questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Balinese traditional flute composition was proven to be non-inferior when compared with Western classical composition as it improved mainly memory domain accompanied by increasing BDNF and decreased IL-6 levels.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ádám László Nagy ◽  
Zsolt Tóth ◽  
Tamás Tarjányi ◽  
Nándor Tamás Práger ◽  
Zoltán Lajos Baráth

Abstract Background In this research the biomechanical properties of a bone model was examined. Porcine ribs are used as experimental model. The objective of this research was to investigate and compare the biomechanical properties of the bone model before and after implant placement. Methods The bone samples were divided in three groups, Group 1 where ALL-ON-FOUR protocol was used during pre-drilling and placing the implants, Group 2 where ALL-ON-FOUR protocol was used during pre-drilling, and implants were not placed, and Group 3 consisting of intact bones served as a control group. Static and dynamic loading was applied for examining the model samples. Kruskal–Wallis statistical test and as a post-hoc test Mann–Whitney U test was performed to analyze experimental results. Results According to the results of the static loading, there was no significant difference between the implanted and original ribs, however, the toughness values of the bones decreased largely on account of predrilling the bones. The analysis of dynamic fatigue measurements by Kruskal–Wallis test showed significant differences between the intact and predrilled bones. Conclusion The pre-drilled bone was much weaker in both static and dynamic tests than the natural or implanted specimens. According to the results of the dynamic tests and after a certain loading cycle the implanted samples behaved the same way as the control samples, which suggests that implantation have stabilized the skeletal bone structure.


1981 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 935-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Salar ◽  
Salvatore Mingrino ◽  
Marco Trabucchi ◽  
Angelo Bosio ◽  
Carlo Semenza

✓ The β-endorphin content in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was evaluated in 10 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia during medical treatment (with or without carbamazepine) and after selective thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion. These values were compared with those obtained in a control group of seven patients without pain problems. No statistically significant difference was found between patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia and those without pain. Furthermore, neither pharmacological treatment nor surgery changed CSF endorphin values. It is concluded that there is no pathogenetic relationship between trigeminal neuralgia and endorphins.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myeong-Sook Ju ◽  
Sahng Lee ◽  
Ikyul Bae ◽  
Myung-Haeng Hur ◽  
Kayeon Seong ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of aroma massage applied to middle-aged women with hypertension. The research study had a nonequivalent control group, nonsynchronized design to investigate the effect on home blood pressure (BP), ambulatory BP, and sleep. The hypertensive patients were allocated into the aroma massage group (n=28), the placebo group (n=28), and the no-treatment control group (n=27). To evaluate the effects of aroma massage, the experimental group received a massage with essential oils prescribed by an aromatherapist once a week and body cream once a day. The placebo group received a massage using artificial fragrance oil once a week and body cream once a day. BP, pulse rate, sleep conditions, and 24-hour ambulatory BP were monitored before and after the experiment. There was a significant difference in home systolic blood pressure (SBP) (F=6.71,P=0.002) between groups after intervention. There was also a significant difference in SBP (F=13.34,P=0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (F=8.46,P=0.005) in the laboratory between aroma massage and placebo groups. In sleep quality, there was a significant difference between groups (F=6.75,P=0.002). In conclusion, aroma massage may help improve patient quality of life and maintain health as a nursing intervention in daily life.


2016 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Maria Inês A. Wilasco ◽  
Carolina Uribe-Cruz ◽  
Daniele Santetti ◽  
Bianca Pfaffenseller ◽  
Cristina T.L. Dornelles ◽  
...  

Background: The nutritional status in patients with cirrhosis is not so easy to assess properly. Considering the relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and energy homeostasis, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of BDNF in children and adolescents with cirrhosis due to biliary atresia (BA) and correlate it with their nutritional status. Methods: Fifty-three children and adolescents with cirrhosis due to BA and 33 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometric parameters, and serum BDNF was measured by ELISA. Spearman coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between variables. Results: In the cirrhosis group, 28.8% were undernourished and in the control group, 100% were well-nourished. BDNF median values for the control and cirrhosis group were 28.5 and 9.0 pg/ml respectively. BDNF and platelets were positively associated with both Standard Deviation Score (SDS) for height-for-age ratio and SDS for triceps skinfold thickness-for-age ratio. Conclusions: Considering these associations, BDNF may be an indirect biomarker of nutritional status in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease. Further studies must be conducted to clarify the role of BDNF in this population.


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