Neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in depressive disorder Correlation between ~1H-MRS and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Previous studies using magnetic resonance imaging（MRI）and functional MRI to study depression have primarily focused on proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy（1H-MRS）appearance in various areas of the brain and volume measurements in the limbic system.However,results have not been consistent.To the best of our knowledge,very little is known about the relationship between 1H-MRS appearance and depression inventory.In the present study,the relationship between 1H-MRS appearance in depressive patients and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 scale was analyzed.MRI and 1H-MRS exhibited widened sulci and cisterns,as well as an absence of abnormal signals in depressive patients.In addition,N-acetyl aspartate/total creatine ratios in bilateral hippocampi and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were significantly less in depressive patients than in control subjects（P 〈 0.01）.In contrast,choline-containing compounds/total creatine ratios in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were significantly greater in depressive patients than in control subjects（P 〈 0.01）.These ratios significantly and positively correlated with patient total depression scores as assessed using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 scale（r=0.934 7,0.878 7,P 〈 0.01）.These results suggested that 1H-MRS could be used to reveal a reduced number of neurons in the hippocampus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,as well as altered membrane phospholipid metabolism in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,in patients with depressive disorder.Abnormal mechanisms partially reflected severity of depressive disorder.

Impact of adolescent complex regional pain syndrome on the psychopathology of young men ahead of military service: A retrospective cohort analysis of Korean conscription data

Background: The relationship between physical and psychopathological features in complex regional pain syndrome(CRPS) has been a subject of constant interest, but no data are available in adolescents. Therefore, we aimed to identify the factors associated with psychopathology in adolescents with CRPS ahead of military service.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all conscription examinees who had completed a Military Personality Inventory(MPI) during a period between February 2013 and December 2016. A total of 63 persons with a history of CRPS(19-years of age for all) were enrolled. Basic demographic and pain-related data were analyzed to examine their association with MPI results. The mean FGR score as well as the 8 subdomain scores were compared between those with pain duration at <15 months(n=30) vs. ≥15 months(n=33). Binary MPI results(normal-abnormal) were also compared between the two groups.Results: In multivariate analysis, abnormal MPI was associated with pain duration, with an odds ratio(OR) at 1.05 for every 1-month increase [95% confidence interval(CI) 1.02–1.08;P=0.002]. Subjects with pain duration at ≥15 months have lower faking good response score(P<0.001 vs. those with pain duration at <15 months), and higher abnormal MPI result rate, faking bad response, inconsistency, anxiety, depression, somatization, paranoid, personality disorder cluster A, and personality disorder cluster B scores(P<0.05). Pain duration was significantly associated with the MPI variables.Conclusions: Pain duration is associated with psychopathology in adolescents with CRPS. Psychopathologic features increased as the disease duration increased. A comprehensive understanding of time-dependent psychopathological factors could support the planning of multimodal approaches for managing adolescent CRPS.

Psychological predictors of bipolarity in panic disorder

BACKGROUND Panic disorders frequently occur with affective disorders,particularly bipolar disorder.Patients with panic disorder and bipolar disorder are more likely to present with severe symptoms,such as high rates of suicidal behavior,poor symptomatic and functional recovery,and poor drug responses.AIM To investigate the psychological characteristics of panic disorder patients related to bipolarity.METHODS A total of 254 patients(136 men and 118 women,mean age=33.48±3.2 years)who were diagnosed with panic disorder were included in the study.Panic disorder with bipolarity(BP+)was defined as a score of≥7 on the Korean version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire(K-MDQ),and a score lower than 7 was considered as a panic disorder without bipolarity(BP-).Self-report questionnaires were analyzed to examine their association with bipolarity.Psychological tests used in the study were the Mood Disorder Questionnaire(MDQ),Panic Disorder Severity Scale,Beck Depression Inventory,State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI),Temperament and Character Inventory(TCI),and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory(MMPI).Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the correlation between bipolarity of panic disorder patients and various psychological test results indicative of psychological characteristics.RESULTS Patients with a K-MDQ score of 7 or more were considered to have a history of manic or hypomanic episodes(BP+group,n=128),while patients with K-MDQ scores below 7 were defined as those without bipolarity(BP-group,n=126).The BP+group were more likely to be unmarried(single 56.2%vs 44.4%,P=0.008)and younger(30.78±0.59 vs 37.11±3.21,P<0.001).Additionally,the BP+group had significantly higher scores on psychological assessment scales,such as the hypochondriasis,psychopathic deviate,masculinity-femininity,psychasthenia,schizophrenia,and hypomania(Ma)in MMPI,and novelty seeking,harm avoidance and self-transcendence in TCI,and STAI(state and trait)compared to the BP-group.In logistic regression analysis,depression in MMPI,selfdirectedness in TCI,and age were negatively associated with MDQ score,meanwhile,Ma in MMPI and STAI(trait)were positively associated with MDQ score.CONCLUSION The result of this study suggests that almost 50%of patients with panic disorder are likely to have hypomanic or manic symptoms,and certain psychological factors are associated bipolarity in panic disorder.

The Dark Reflection of Sadism within the Brilliance of the Narcissistic Persona

This double blind randomized clinical trial with 84 participants, revealed that mental patients diagnosed with narcissism, and narcissistic celebrities mirror each other’s paranoid, obsessive and histrionic symptomatology, grandiosity, manipulative charm, and inner emptiness. Elite narcissists manifested insidious sadism in the absence of depressive affect, while the narcissistic patients were differentiated by their depressive and masochistic symptomatology. Elite narcissists demonstrated advanced empathic skills, contradicting past literature. However, their empathic advantage appeared void of compassion, merely employed as a self-serving tactic to exploit, intimidate and subordinate. Both experimental narcissistic groups evidenced more prevalent psychopathology, yet, higher achievement, efficacy and ambition than their reciprocal control groups, confirming the narcissists’ finesse in concealing psychopathology under the brilliance of their pseudosuperiority. The main danger is the affinity between masochism and sadism, bonding low and high functioning narcissistic counterparts to endlessly feed from each-others’ pathology, forming dysfunctional interpersonal relationships, cults or disintegrating societies. This sadomasochistic dependency also reflects several countries’ authoritarian trends, where narcissistic constituents’ unyielding loyalty elevates idolized leaders to power, preluding the establishment of toxic tyrannical governments.

Endometriosis and Its Relationship with Depression

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence that the physical and psychic pain resulting from endometriosis is responsible for depression, and that one disease would complicate the other. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to detect depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with endometriosis, comparing them with those without the disease, and to evaluate if there is a relationship between the presence of current depressive symptoms and in childhood/adolescence. METHODS: Were done Beck’s Depression Inventory for adults and an adaptation of the infant, both self-applied. RESULTS: Of the women with endometriosis, 66% had symptoms of depression in the Beck’s Inventory, while in the control group, 58% had some degree of depression, but Fisher’s exact test showed that it was not possible to identify the relationship between endometriosis and depression (p = 0.423). CONCLUSION: The entity endometriosis has no relation to present or past depressive symptoms. When depressed, women with endometriosis tend to have mild symptoms for reasons not yet known, requiring further research on the subject.