Factors associated with hopelessness in epileptic patients

AIM: To investigate factors related to hopelessness in a sample of epileptic patients, including measures of depression and quality of life(QOL). METHODS: Sixty-nine participants were administered the following psychometric instruments: Beck Depression Inventory-Ⅱ, Beck Hopelessness Scale(BHS), and QOLin Epilepsy(QOLIE)-89. Patients were dichotomized into two categories: those affected by epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures vs those having epilepsy with partial seizures. RESULTS: The groups differed on the QOLIE Role Limitation/Emotional dimension. Patients with generalized seizures reported more limitations in common social/role activities related to emotional problems than patients with other types of epilepsy(89.57 ± 25.49 vs 72.86 ± 36.38; t 63 =-2.16; P < 0.05). All of the respondents reported moderate to severe depression, and 21.7% of patients with generalized seizures and 28.6% of patients with other diagnoses had BHS total scores ≥ 9 indicating a higher suicidal risk. The study did not control for years of the illness. CONCLUSION: Patients with generalized seizures reported more limitations in common social/role activities related to emotional problems compared to patients with other types of seizures. Patients at increased suicide risk as evaluated by the BHS were older than those who had a lower suicidal risk. Future studies are required to further investigate the impact of hopelessness on the outcome of epileptic patients.

Cortical Astrocyte-neuronal Metabolic Coupling Emerges as a Critical Modulator of Stress-induced Hopelessness

Stress is a major risk factor for the development of mental illness,such as major depression disorder (MDD)[1].Despite decades of progress,including findings that stressinduced depression corresponds with numerous morphological and functional neuronal changes within brain structures associated with cognition and mood,such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)[1-3],a thorough understanding of how stress induces the core symptoms of depression,such as hopelessness,is still lacking.In an exciting new paper in mice,Yin et al.show that astrocyteneuronal metabolic coupling in the mPFC is critically involved in the stress-induced passive coping response in mice [4].

Periodontal-orthodontic interdisciplinary management of a“periodontally hopeless”maxillary central incisor with severe mobility:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Treating periodontally hopeless teeth with advanced bone resorption and severe tooth mobility is a great challenge for both orthodontists and periodontists.Biofilm-induced periodontal inflammation and occlusal trauma-related inflammation may synergistically aggravate tooth mobility.This case report illustrates that even periodontally hopeless teeth can be saved and have long-term stability with comprehensive periodontal treatment to control periodontal inflammation and promote periodontal bone regeneration and intricate orthodontic mechanical control to correct cross bite and occlusal trauma.CASE SUMMARY A 27-year-old female patient whose chief complaint was severe tooth mobility and discomfort of the maxillary incisor was diagnosed with severe aggressive periodontitis by clinical and radiographic examinations.To reduce tooth mobility and establish stable occlusion,we combined orthodontic treatment with periodontal therapy to preserve the tooth.Orthodontic treatment was performed after basic periodontal therapy and periodontal surgery.The loosened upper right central incisor was successfully retained,and the periodontal tissue remained stable during follow-up.CONCLUSION Teeth with severe mobility and bone loss can be saved through interdisciplinary treatment when periodontal inflammation is strictly controlled.