scholarly journals Food Addiction and Cognitive Functioning: What Happens in Adolescents?

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3633
Author(s):  
Christopher Rodrigue ◽  
Sylvain Iceta ◽  
Catherine Bégin
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Food Addiction ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Stop Signal Task ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neuropsychological Tasks ◽  
High Level

This study aimed to examine cognitive factors associated to food addiction (FA) symptoms in a non-clinical sample of adolescents. A group of 25 adolescents (12–18 years; Mean age = 15.2 years) with a high level of FA symptoms (two and more) were compared to a control group without FA symptoms (n = 25), matched on sex and age, on four Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) neuropsychological tasks (MT: Multitasking Test; OTS: One Touch Stockings of Cambridge; SST: Stop Signal Task; RVP: Rapid Visual Information Processing). They were also compared on self-reported questionnaires assessing binge eating, depressive and anxiety symptoms, impulsivity levels, as well as executive functioning difficulties. Group comparisons did not show significant differences on neuropsychological tasks’ performances. However, effect sizes’ estimates showed small to medium effect sizes on three scores: adolescents with a high level of FA symptoms showed a higher probability of an error following an incorrect answer (OTS), a higher probability of false alarm, and a poorer target sensitivity (RVP). When referring to self-reported measurements, they reported significantly more executive functioning difficulties, more binge eating, depressive symptoms and higher impulsivity levels. Overall, results suggested that cognitive difficulties related to FA symptoms seem to manifest themselves more clearly when assessing daily activities with a self-reported questionnaire, which in turn are strongly related to overeating behaviors and psychological symptoms. Future longitudinal research is needed to examine the evolution of those variables, their relationships, and contribution in obesity onset. More precisely, the present findings highlighted the importance of affective difficulties related to this condition, as well as the need to take them into account in its assessment.

scholarly journals Executive Functioning in Obesity, Food Addiction, and Binge-Eating Disorder

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Blume ◽  
Ricarda Schmidt ◽  
Anja Hilbert
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Binge Eating Disorder ◽  
Food Addiction ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
Neuropsychological Tasks

This study aimed to investigate food addiction (FA) and binge-eating disorder (BED) in their association to executive dysfunctions in adults with obesity. Data on response inhibition, attention, decision-making, and impulsivity were derived from four groups of adults with obesity: obesity and FA (n = 23), obesity and BED (n = 19), obesity and FA plus BED (FA/BED, n = 23), and a body mass index-, age-, and sex-stratified control group of otherwise healthy individuals with obesity (n = 23, OB), using established computerized neuropsychological tasks. Overall, there were few group differences in neuropsychological profiles. Individuals of the FA group did not differ from the OB group regarding executive functioning. Individuals with BED presented with significantly higher variability in their reaction times and a deficient processing of feedback for performance improvement compared to individuals of the OB group. Strikingly, individuals with FA/BED did not present neuropsychological impairments, but higher levels of depression than all other groups. The results indicated the presence of a BED-specific neuropsychological profile in the obesity spectrum. The additional trait FA was not related to altered executive functioning compared to the OB or BED groups. Future research is needed to discriminate FA and BED further using food-specific tasks.

scholarly journals Executive functioning in adult ADHD: a meta-analytic review

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1097-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. MARIJE BOONSTRA ◽  
JAAP OOSTERLAAN ◽  
JOSEPH A. SERGEANT ◽  
JAN K. BUITELAAR
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
Color Naming ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Adhd Group ◽  
Analytic Review

Background. Several theoretical explanations of ADHD in children have focused on executive functioning as the main explanatory neuropsychological domain for the disorder. In order to establish if these theoretical accounts are supported by research data for adults with ADHD, we compared neuropsychological executive functioning and non-executive functioning between adults with ADHD and normal controls in a meta-analytic design.Method. We compared 13 studies that (1) included at least one executive functioning measure, (2) compared the performance of an adult ADHD group with that of an adult normal control group, (3) provided sufficient information for calculation of effect sizes, and (4) used DSM-III-R or DSM-IV criteria to diagnose ADHD.Results. We found medium effect sizes both in executive functioning areas [verbal fluency (d=0·62), inhibition (d=0·64 and d=0·89), and set shifting (d=0·65)] and in non-executive functioning domains [consistency of response (d=0·57), word reading (d=0·60) and color naming (d=0·62)].Conclusions. Neuropsychological difficulties in adult ADHD may not be confined to executive functioning. The field is in urgent need of better-designed executive functioning tests, methodological improvements, and direct comparisons with multiple clinical groups to answer questions of specificity.

scholarly journals A Short Mindfulness Retreat for Students to Reduce Stress and Promote Self-Compassion: Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial Exploring Both an Indoor and a Natural Outdoor Retreat Setting

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 910
Author(s):  
Dorthe Djernis ◽  
Mia S. O’Toole ◽  
Lone O. Fjorback ◽  
Helle Svenningsen ◽  
Mimi Y. Mehlsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Here, we developed and examined a new way of disseminating mindfulness in nature to people without meditation experience, based on the finding that mindfulness conducted in natural settings may have added benefits. We evaluated a 5-day residential programme aiming to reduce stress and improve mental health outcomes. We compared an indoor and an outdoor version of the programme to a control group in a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). Sixty Danish university students experiencing moderate to high levels of stress were randomised into a residential mindfulness programme indoors (n = 20), in nature (n = 22), or a control group (n = 18). Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale and the Self-Compassion Scale (primary outcomes) along with additional secondary outcome measures at the start and end of the program and 3 months after. Stress was decreased with small to medium effect sizes post-intervention, although not statistically significant. Self-compassion increased post-intervention, but effect sizes were small and not significant. At follow-up, changes in stress were not significant, however self-compassion increased for both interventions with medium-sized effects. For the intervention groups, medium- to large-sized positive effects on trait mindfulness after a behavioural task were found post-intervention, and small- to medium-sized effects in self-reported mindfulness were seen at follow-up. Connectedness to Nature was the only outcome measure with an incremental effect in nature, exceeding the control with a medium-sized effect at follow-up. All participants in the nature arm completed the intervention, and so did 97% of the participants in all three arms. Overall, the results encourage the conduct of a larger-scale RCT, but only after adjusting some elements of the programme to better fit and take advantage of the potential benefits of the natural environment.

Is Computerized Cognitive Testing Useful in Children and Adolescents with Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury?

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 304-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vickie Plourde ◽  
Brian L. Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Severe Tbi

AbstractObjectives: Children and adolescents with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) present with short and long-term neuropsychological deficits following their injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of a brief computerized test battery for evaluating cognitive functioning sub-acutely following a TBI. Methods: Participants (n=33) sustained a moderate-to-severe TBI, were between 8 and 18 years old, and were assessed using CNS Vital Signs (CNSVS) within 6 months post-injury (median=0.6 month). Participants with TBI were matched to 33 healthy controls based on age, sex, and handedness to compare their cognitive functioning on the CNSVS battery. Results: Children and adolescents with moderate-to-severe TBI had significantly lower scores and large effect sizes on Reaction Time, Complex Attention, and Cognitive Flexibility domains, as well as medium effect sizes on two Visual Memory test scores and one Psychomotor Speed test score. A significantly higher percentage of participants with TBI had cognitive impairment on Reaction Time domain score compared to the control group. Finally, CNSVS domain scores correctly categorized 76% of participants as either group with TBI or control group. Conclusions: CNSVS may be a useful tool for screening cognitive abilities in children and adolescents who are early in their recovery from a moderate-to-severe TBI, particularly when a rapid screening evaluation can help guide management, interventions, and track recovery. (JINS, 2017, 23, 304–313)

scholarly journals Differences in Self-Reported Eating Behavior Between Night Eating Syndrome Subtypes

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1028-1028
Author(s):  
Brenda Echeverri ◽  
Andrea Kozak ◽  
Daniel Gildner ◽  
Scott Pickett
Keyword(s):  
Binge Eating ◽  
Food Addiction ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Normal Body Mass Index ◽  
Night Eating Syndrome ◽  
Night Eating ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control

Abstract Objectives To examine differences in binge eating (BE), food addiction (FA), and night eating syndrome (NES) symptoms between potential NES subtypes, namely eating hyperphagia (EH) and nocturnal ingestions (NI) as proposed by Allison et al. (2010). NES remains an overlooked and poorly understood condition in clinical settings, thus additional research is warranted. It was hypothesized that the EH subtype would present more severe symptoms of BE, FA, and NES symptoms than the NI subtype and control group. Methods Data were collected from adult, U.S. Mturk workers. The Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), Binge Eating Scale, and Yale Food Addiction Scale were used. Three groups were created using NEQ items. The EH group consisted of individuals who reported consuming >25% of daily calories after dinner with/without NI. Those who only reported NI (no EH) formed the NI group. Individuals who reported neither EH nor NI formed the control group. Results Total sample consisted of 163 (48.8%) women and 171 (51.2%) men. The mean age was 36.5 (SD = 11.8). Almost half of the sample (45.5%) reported a normal body mass index (kg/m2), 30.5% were overweight and 24.0% were obese. The majority of the sample (76.0%) were white or Caucasian and 9.6% were Hispanic/Latinx. A series of analyses of variance and post-hoc comparisons were conducted to examine group differences. All groups differed significantly in terms of BE symptoms, F(2,331) = 32.01, P < .001, with the EH group (n = 97) reporting more BE symptoms than the NI (n = 69; P < .05) and control (n = 168; P < .05) groups. Similarly, all groups differed concerning FA symptoms, F(2,329) = 57.11, P < .001; after applying a Games-Howell correction, results indicated that the EH group reported more FA symptoms than the other groups. The difference in NEQ global scores between the EH and NI groups was marginally significant (P = .074), but still in the anticipated direction. Conclusions Individuals in the EH and NI groups had worse eating pathology than the control group, and individuals who fit within the EH subtype reported more severe symptoms of BE, FA, and global NES scores than those who only reported NI. Results from the current study support the existence of two NES subtypes and are relevant to NES assessment and treatment. Funding Sources The authors received no specific funding for this work.

scholarly journals Correlates of interpersonal emotion regulation problems in Loss of Control eating (LOC) in youth: study protocol of the combined online and App based questionnaire, laboratory and randomized controlled online intervention i-BEAT trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Munsch ◽  
Felicitas Forrer ◽  
Adrian Naas ◽  
Verena Mueller ◽  
Marius Rubo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Rejection Sensitivity ◽  
Stop Signal Task ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Loss Of Control ◽  
Loss Of Control Eating ◽  
Interpersonal Emotion Regulation

Abstract Background Binge Eating Disorder (BED) represents a common eating disorder associated with marked health impairments. A subclinical variant, loss of control eating (LOC) is prevalent in youth. LOC is associated with similar mental distress as full-blown BED, increases the risk to develop a BED and promotes continuous weight gain. The etiology of LOC is not yet fully understood and specialized treatment for youth is scarce. Methods The i-BEAT study includes a cross-sectional and longitudinal online questionnaire study (N = 600), an App based daily-life approach and a laboratory virtual reality study in N = 60 youths (14–24 years) with and without LOC as well as a controlled randomized online treatment trial to investigate the feasibility, acceptance and efficacy of a CBT and an interpersonal emotion regulation module for youth (N = 120). The primary outcomes include self-reported as well as measured (heart rate variability, gaze behavior, reaction times in stop signal task) associations between emotion regulation problems (such as dealing with RS), psychological impairment and binge eating in a healthy control group and youth with LOC. Secondary outcomes encompass general eating disorder pathology, social anxiety, body mass index, hyperscanning behavior and therapists’ rating of patients’ condition pre and post treatment. Epigenetic correlates of RS are assessed in healthy controls and youth with LOC and explored before and after treatment. Discussion The expected findings will specify the role of interpersonal emotion regulation problems such as coping with the experience of social exclusion and rejection sensitivity (RS) in LOC and clarify, whether including a training to cope with RS adds to the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT). Trial registration: German Clinical Trial Register: DRKS00023706. Registered 27 November 2020, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00023706

scholarly journals Comparing Effectiveness of HRV-Biofeedback and Mindfulness for Workplace Stress Reduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-322
Author(s):  
Amelie Edith Brinkmann ◽  
Sophia Antonia Press ◽  
Eduard Helmert ◽  
Martin Hautzinger ◽  
Inna Khazan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Workplace Stress ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Psychophysiological disorders due to work-related stress continue to be highly costly for health systems and approaches for cost-effective and easily accessible interventions are much needed. Both heart rate variability-biofeedback (HRV-Bfb) and mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have been empirically shown to reduce stress. This study compares these two interventions in the work context to a wait-list-control-group (WLC). In this three-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT), 69 healthy adults employed in the same organization were randomized to participate in HRV-Bfb, MBI or the WLC. Participants were assessed for psychophysiological parameters of stress (stress perception, coping, HRV parameters and cortisol) and stress related symptoms (depressive symptoms, psychological wellbeing, mindfulness and self-compassion). Participants trained using either HRV-Bfb or MBI for 6 weeks on a daily basis. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after the intervention and at follow-up 12 weeks later. Results did not show any statistically significant differences between HRV-Bfb and MBI groups, and neither of the intervention groups (IGs) differed from the WLC. Findings suggest an overall reduction in stress for all groups, including the WLC, with mostly small to medium effect sizes. However, it is important to note that participants with higher baseline stress levels might benefit more from mindfulness and biofeedback-based stress reduction interventions. The results have to be interpreted with caution due to the relatively small sample size. MBI might have a slightly stronger effect on stress reduction in comparison to HRV-Bfb, as suggested by the effect sizes. This study highlights issues and challenges of the implementation of such interventions in corporate health management.

scholarly journals Design and Validation of Augmented Reality Stimuli for the Treatment of Cleaning Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoilo Emilio García-Batista ◽  
Kiero Guerra-Peña ◽  
Ivan Alsina-Jurnet ◽  
Antonio Cano-Vindel ◽  
Luisa Marilia Cantisano-Guzmán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Plastic Bag

Fear to contamination is an easy-to-provoke, intense, hard-to-control, and extraordinarily persistent fear. A worsening of preexisting psychiatric disorders was observed during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak, and several studies suggest that those with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) may be more affected than any other group of people. In the face of worsening OCD symptoms, there is a need for mental health professionals to provide the support needed not only to treat patients who still report symptoms, but also to improve relapse prevention. In this line, it is recommended to improve alternative strategies such as online consultations and digital psychiatry. The aim of this study is to develop augmented reality (AR) stimuli that are clinically relevant for patients with cleaning OCD and assess their efficiency to obtain emotionally significant responses. Four AR stimuli were developed: a plastic bag full of garbage, a piece of bread with mold, a dirty sports shoe, and a piece of rotten meat. All stimuli were shown to a clinical group (17 patients with cleaning OCD) and a control group (11 patients without OCD). Relevant results were the design of the AR stimuli. These stimuli were validated with the statistical difference in perceived anxiety in the meat stimuli between the clinical and control groups. Nevertheless, when looking at effect sizes, all stimuli present effect sizes from small (plastic bag) to large (meat), with both shoe and bread between small and medium effect sizes. These results are a valuable support for the clinical use of these AR stimuli in the treatment of cleaning OCD.

A meta-analysis of neuropsychological, social cognitive, and olfactory functioning in the behavioral and language variants of frontotemporal dementia

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (16) ◽  
pp. 2669-2680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidyulata Kamath ◽  
Grace-Anna S. Chaney ◽  
Jonathan DeRight ◽  
Chiadi U. Onyike
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Effect ◽  
Social Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Meta Analyses

AbstractBackgroundThough meta-analyses of neuropsychological and social cognitive deficits in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) have been conducted, no study has comprehensively characterized and compared the neuropsychological, social cognitive, and olfactory profiles in the behavioral and language variants of FTD.MethodsOur search yielded 470 publications meeting inclusion criteria representing 11 782 FTD patients and 19 451 controls. For each domain, we calculated Hedges’ g effect sizes, which represent the mean difference between the patient and control group divided by the pooled standard deviation. The heterogeneity of these effects was assessed with Cochran's Q-statistic using a random-effects model. Meta-regressions were employed to analyze the influence of demographic and disease characteristics.ResultsThough semantic variant primary progressive aphasia patients showed the greatest impairment across all task types, the three groups showed similar cognitive effect sizes once contributions from the language subdomain were excluded from analysis. Contrary to expectation, the magnitude of deficits in executive functioning, social cognition and olfaction were comparable between the three subgroups. Among indices, a metric of executive errors distinguished the behavioral variant of FTD from the language phenotypes.ConclusionsThese data indicate that social cognitive and traditional executive functioning measures may not capture differences between FTD syndromes. These results have important implications for the interpretation of neuropsychological assessments, particularly when applied to the differential diagnosis of FTD. It is hoped that these findings will guide clinical and research assessments and spur new studies focused on improving the measurement of FTD syndromes.

ANTICYTOKINE ACTIVITY OF THE PROTOZOA BLASTOCYSTIS SPP

2020 ◽  
pp. 44-48
Author(s):  
Bugero N.V. ◽  
Ilyina N.A. ◽  
Aleksandrova S.M.
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ulcer Disease ◽  
Cytokine Balance ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Blastocystis Spp ◽  
High Level ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms ◽  
High Degree

In addition to the classical pathogens, which are well understood and well identified, new pathogens with the potential to spread epidemiologically are being identified. Some of these little-known organisms are the simplest Blastocystis spp. blastocystostosis. The clinical significance of Blastocystis spp. and its pathogenicity are still under discussion. This parasite belongs to a group of single-celled eukaryotic organisms living in the colon of the human intestine. Blastocystis spp. is known to be found both in people with reduced immune status and in individuals without any clinical manifestation. It has been established that a sufficiently high degree of invasiveness is observed in persons with gastrointestinal tract diseases, dermatosis, allergic reactions, in patients with carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus, etc. Possessing persistence factors, protozoa blastocysts contribute to the inactivation of host defensive mechanisms, providing a stable anthogonistic effect. In recent years, many works have been devoted to the characteristics of the persistent properties of Blastocystis spr., however, individual properties of blastocysts, in particular, anticytokine activity (ACA), have not yet been studied. In this regard, the work studied the anticytokine activity of microorganisms isolated from healthy subjects and patients with gastrointestinal tract diseases. A high prevalence of the studied characteristic in the subjects was shown. The expression of anticytokine activity in the obtained isolates of blastocysts was the highest in the group of persons with gastric ulcer disease, which decreased in the order of duodenal ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, chronic gastritis, etc. The data obtained in this work on the high level of ACA expression in blastocyst isolates obtained from individuals with gastrointestinal diseases as compared with the control group enables to conclude that their exometabolites may influence the local cytokine balance [1], which supports the inflammatory process.

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