Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum homocysteine levels and cognitive functions in individuals diagnosed with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD), especially in the presence of comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Material and methods: Forty-four male patients diagnosed with MUD according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and 45 healthy male individuals were included in the study. Serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels were measured. Results: Homocysteine levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the MUD group. A negative correlation was found between homocysteine levels and MoCA scores in the MUD group (r = -0.464, p = 0.002), and a positive correlation was found between duration of METH use and homocysteine levels (r = 0.424, p = 0.004). Homocysteine levels were significantly higher in MUD patients with comorbid ADHD (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of vitamin B12 and folate levels. Conclusions: High homocysteine levels in patients with MUD are associated with cognitive dysfunction. This association is more pronounced in individuals with comorbid ADHD. This increase, which is particularly evident in patients with comorbid ADHD, points to a distinct neurobiological phenotype requiring targeted treatment approaches. Homocysteine may be a potential biomarker and targetable therapeutic area in cognitive impairments related to MUD.
Contemporary cognitive neuroscience increasingly emphasizes the role of predictive mechanisms in psy chological regulation. The concept of the predostatic mind describes three fundamental modes of brain func tioning-alarm, seek, and balance-and highlights that mental health depends on the flexible switching between them. The theory of active inference provides the formal foundation for this process, conceptualizing the brain as a Bayesian system that minimizes surprise and entropy through the construction and updating of generative models. In this article, we propose an integration of these two approaches and demonstrate that together they form a coherent framework for un derstanding both psychological regulation and its dis orders (ADHD, depression, addictions). To illustrate these processes, we refer to birdwatching-the practice of observing birds-as a natural laboratory of active inference. We also point to therapeutic ornithology as a useful tool for improving mental health. Birdwatch ing, which engages vigilance, curiosity, and contempla tion, actively trains all three modes of the predostat ic mind while simultaneously providing an excellent demonstration of Bayesian inference in action. A par ticularly salient phenomenon here is "jizz", the rapid recognition of a bird species, which can be interpreted as an instance of Bayesian inference: combining prior expectations with incomplete sensory data. Birdwatch ing, understood as an exercise in transitioning between mental modes, may prove useful in the treatment of disorders where this flexibility is impaired-such as ADHD (dominated by alarm and seek), depression (loss of seek, overload of alarm), or addictions (compul sive seek without balancing balance).
Schizophrenia is a chronic and complex mental disorder with a still incompletely understood etiology, posing substantial challenges for both diagnosis and treatment. Despite intensive advances in the development of psychiatry, clear and objective methods for early detection, prediction of disease course, and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment have still not been developed. Therefore, there is an ongoing search for potential biomarkers that may allow more effective diagnosis and treatment of the disease and its tailoring to the individual patient, thereby improving the diagnostic and therapeutic process. The purpose of this article is to review the current state of knowledge on retinal changes in schizophrenia and their relationship to the course of this disorder. in the structure and function of the retina, as well as membrane lipid metabolism and neurotrophin activity, which may affect them, may be considered as promispsychosocial functioning of patients.
Introduction: Research on anosognosia faces methodological challenges that require careful consideration. Anosognosia, particularly its cognitive subtype related to self-awareness of cognitive deficits, is a critical and widely debated topic in the study of neurodegenerative disorders. Although the relationship between anosognosia and depression has been explored, the findings to date remain inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate the association between depression and cognitive anosognosia in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study involving 96 individuals with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers was conducted to explore the relationship between depression and cognitive anosognosia. The participants completed the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX-P), while their caregivers independently provided assessments of the participants' executive functions using the caregiver version of the DEX. Comparisons were made between self-reported and caregiver-reported executive function deficits to evaluate levels of cognitive anosognosia. Results and conclusions: The findings supported the hypothesis of a negative relationship between depression and cognitive anosognosia, suggesting that individuals with more severe depressive symptoms exhibit heightened self-awareness of cognitive deficits. These results are discussed within the framework of the cognitive theory of depression, providing insight into the complex interplay between mood and self-perception in Parkinson's disease. However, further research is needed.
Specific language impairment (SLI), also referred to developmental language disorder (DLD), affects approximately 7-10% of children worldwide. In Poland, approximately 300,000 children aged 4-14 are estimated to be affected. The aim of this case study was to evaluate the effectiveness of melodic intonation therapy (MIT) in a boy diagnosed with SLI/DLD. The case concerned a 16-year-old boy with SLI/DLD, who had not previously benefited from school-based speech therapy. A modified MIT programme was applied over 74 hours (3-5 sessions per week, 0.5-1 hour). Neuropsychological assessment was performed before and after intervention using the AFA Scale. Observable improvements in repetition, naming, conversation, picture description, and spontaneous speech were documented. Progress was confirmed both through structured assessment and clinical observation. Melodic intonation therapy appears to be a potentially valuable intervention for children with SLI/DLD. Controlled studies are warranted.
Introduction: The concept of cognitive reserve, developed since the 1980s, refers to individual differences in the brain's ability to cope with neurodegenerative damage or changes without overt clinical symptoms. The purpose of this article is to present work on the Polish translation of the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq), a tool for assessing cognitive reserves in adults. Material and methods: With the permission of the authors of the original questionnaire, the sheet was translated into Polish using the method of straight translation and retranslation, and then verified by a native speaker of English. The tool was used to interview a group of 15 people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with support from their relatives. Results: All overall scores ranged from medium to high. 2/3 of the scores from the Education section fell within the medium-high and high scores, while only one score from the Recreation section fell within the medium-high. Scores in the area of labor activity varied, with the study group including people in both physical and high-skilled jobs. Conclusions: The data from the interview may be important in supporting people with cognitive disabilities in maintaining their activity. For people without neurological disorders, the questionnaire questions may provide additional encouragement to undertake activities that promote the building of cognitive reserves. It can complement the clinical interview and promote the practice of personalised medicine.
Introduction and aim: In the post-COVID-19 era, mental resilience is crucial to cope with stress effectively. Thus, a psycho-educational game called STRESS-mission was created. It consists of 54 cards divided into sections relating to the body (Soma), the psyche (Psyche), and social interactions (Polis). The aim of the study was to compare the subjective stress and mood levels before and after the game in group of students and seniors. Additionally, a survey was conducted on its attractiveness and the desire to purchase the game. Material and methods: The study was conducted among 206 participants in two age groups: students (n = 102) and seniors (n = 104). In Study 1, the impact of the game on stress levels was measured using a tool (a game element) called the STRESSometer, while mood swings were measured by the Mood Barometer. Study 2 evaluated the game using a customized questionnaire with open-ended questions, among 114 participants to assess its attractiveness and the desire to purchase the game. Results: We found a decrease in subjective stress levels and an increase in reported mood levels in both groups after playing STRESSmission, with the effect on stress levels more pronounced in students, and no difference between groups in mood. Most participants rated the game as attractive and worth buying, with more significant results for students. Conclusions: We provided preliminary evidence that the STRESSmission game can be a tool for lowering subjective feelings of stress and improving mood in students and seniors.
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common diseases of the nervous system. Since spiritual well-being is effective in various dimensions of chronic diseases, and considering that coping with disease in multiple sclerosis patients has a decisive role in improving the quality of life of these patients, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the association between spiritual well-being and coping with disease in multiple sclerosis patients. Material and methods: The current research is a cross-sectional analytical study that was conducted with convenience sampling and participation of 201 multiple sclerosis patients of the members of the MS Society of Jahrom and Fasa cities in 2022. The data collection tool was the spiritual well-being questionnaire of Paloutzian and Ellison and the coping with disease questionnaire of Dehghani et al. The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed. SPSS 21 software, descriptive statistics, and Spearman's correlation were used to analyze the data. Results: The findings showed that the majority of patients had moderate spiritual well-being (49.3%). 48.8% of patients also had high spiritual well-being. Also, the coping of the majority of patients with the disease was high (60.2%). 31.3% of the patients also had moderate coping with their disease. Spearman's test revealed a significant positive correlation between spiritual well-being and coping with disease in multiple sclerosis patients (p = 0.001, Conclusions: The findings showed that with an increase in spiritual well-being, coping with disease also increases in multiple sclerosis patients.
Introduction: The Yazidi populations experienced trauma and underwent inhumane actions perpetrated by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) after the invasion of the Sinjar District. We aimed to examine the effects of six-month creative art therapy sessions on cognitive functions and social avoidance and distress in traumatized females. Material and methods: In this pre-and post-experimental investigation, 15 female individuals who were distressed during the invasion of ISIS in 2014 were included. The females who registered in a non-governmental organization (NGO) in the Khanke camp were invited to participate in this study. Female Yazidi Kurdish girls and women aged 16 years and older were invited to participate in a six-month creative art therapy program (painting and drawing). Cognitive functions and social avoidance of the participants were measured before the project's start and following its completion. Results: The median age of the girls was 23.5, between 17 and 33 years. The study showed that most of the girls had experienced emotional abuse (60.0%), physical neglect (93.33%), and sexual abuse (53.33%), and all girls had experienced emotional neglect (100%), and a small percentage were exposed to physical abuse (13.33%). The creative art-based intervention did not significantly change the score of mental state (from 95.4 to 94.67, p = 0.9348) and social avoidance and distress score (from 11.6 to 9.8, p = 0.0747) among traumatized girls. Conclusions: This study showed that a creative art-based intervention was not effective in alleviating the mental state, social avoidance, and distress among traumatized girls.
Introduction: Autism is characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication skills, as well as repetitive behaviors. Probiotics and prebiotics have been shown to positively impact gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and other symptoms such as seizures, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and immune system dysfunctions associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined the possible effects of probiotic consumption on individuals with ASD. Material and methods: Articles included in the study were searched comprehensively in electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. The search terms were defined as "autism," "probiotics," and combinations of these terms. Filters were applied to include studies published from the inception of the databases to the present. The following were excluded: book chapters, descriptive studies, conference proceedings, letters to the editor, literature reviews, narrative reviews, systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis, and nutritional adjunctive intervention studies. Results: The study found that probiotic applications containing different strains may improve behavior and communication and reduce gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with ASD. Conclusions: Probiotics appear to have significant and positive effects on children with ASD. The study examined 1,374 children, adolescents, and adults from 24 different groups. The study found that probiotic use had positive therapeutic effects on behavior, gastrointestinal and other symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social communication, behavior, and learning. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is a potential candidate gene in the etiology of ASD. NRG1 has been found to be dysregulated in ASD and may, in part, play a role in cognitive challenges observed in ASD patients. The paper summarizes the role of NRG1 in the context of ASD and its relation to ErbB receptors. The purpose of this paper is to highlight gaps in the existing literature, where future research can improve our understanding. Dysregulation of NRG1 has been observed in the blood of ASD patients and brain such as in the frontal and temporal cortex. This may explain anatomical differences such as changes in neuronal cell numbers in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex in the ASD brain and some behaviors commonly observed in ASD patients. Altered levels of ErbB receptors have been measured in ASD patients. Of particular interest is ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4 (ErbB4), which is the primary receptor for NRG1. NRG1 and ErbB receptors both regulate neurotransmitter release and receptor function. Therefore, disruptions in NRG1 signaling may lead to imbalances in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, a common feature observed in autism. This paper focuses on GABA signaling as NRG1 plays a major role in the development and function of GABAergic neurons. NRG1 signaling pathway could be targeted in future therapeutic interventions for not only ASD but also other neurodevelopmental disorders.
