| 1. |
- Costache, Madalina Elena, et al.
(författare)
-
Higher- and lower-order personality traits and cluster subtypes in social anxiety disorder
- 2020
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. - 1932-6203. ; 15:4
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD) can come in different forms, presenting problems for diagnostic classification. Here, we examined personality traits in a large sample of patients (N = 265) diagnosed with SAD in comparison to healthy controls (N = 164) by use of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP). In addition, we identified subtypes of SAD based on cluster analysis of the NEO-PI-R Big Five personality dimensions. Significant group differences in personality traits between patients and controls were noted on all Big Five dimensions except agreeableness. Group differences were further noted on most lower-order facets of NEO-PI-R, and nearly all KSP variables. A logistic regression analysis showed, however, that only neuroticism and extraversion remained significant independent predictors of patient/control group when controlling for the effects of the other Big Five dimensions. Also, only neuroticism and extraversion yielded large effect sizes when SAD patients were compared to Swedish normative data for the NEO-PI-R. A two-step cluster analysis resulted in three separate clusters labelled Prototypical (33%), Introvert-Conscientious (29%), and Instable-Open (38%) SAD. Individuals in the Prototypical cluster deviated most on the Big Five dimensions and they were at the most severe end in profile analyses of social anxiety, self-rated fear during public speaking, trait anxiety, and anxiety-related KSP variables. While additional studies are needed to determine if personality subtypes in SAD differ in etiological and treatment-related factors, the present results demonstrate considerable personality heterogeneity in socially anxious individuals, further underscoring that SAD is a multidimensional disorder.
|
|
| 2. |
- Dahlman, Sofie, et al.
(författare)
-
Cognitive abilities of street children : Low-SES Bolivian boys with and without experience of living in the street
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Child Neuropsychology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0929-7049 .- 1744-4136. ; 19:5, s. 540-556
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: This study compared results on cognitive tests measuring nonverbal visualization and reasoning, executive functions, and creativity between 36 boys with experience of living in the street and 31 housed yet socioeconomically equivalent boys, in Bolivia. Results: The street children scored significantly higher on the creativity measure, which is discussed in relation to contextual relevance. No significant differences were found on the other cognitive tests. Time elapsed after living in the street and drug use were strongly associated with cognition, while age was not. Both groups scored below average compared to Western norms. The results are discussed in terms of the cultural relevance of the tests and the impact of socioeconomic status, stress, and stimulation on cognition.
|
|
| 3. |
- Engman, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
-
Age, sex and NK1 receptors in the human brain : A positron emission tomography study with [C-11]GR205171
- 2012
-
Ingår i: European Neuropsychopharmacology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0924-977X .- 1873-7862. ; 22:8, s. 562-568
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The substance P/neurokinin 1 (SP/NK1) system has been implicated in the processing of negative affect. Its role seems complex and findings from animal studies have not been easily translated to humans. Brain imaging studies on NK1 receptor distribution in humans have revealed an abundance of receptors in cortical, striatal and subcortical areas, including the amygdala. A reduction in NK1 receptors with increasing age has been reported in frontal, temporal, and parietal cortices, as well as in hippocampal areas. Also, a previous study suggests sex differences in cortical and subcortical areas, with women displaying fewer NK1 receptors. The present PET study explored NK1 receptor availability in men (n = 9) and women (n = 9) matched for age varying between 20 and 50 years using the highly specific NK1 receptor antagonist [11C]GR205171 and a reference tissue model with cerebellum as the reference region. Age by sex interactions in the amygdala and the temporal cortex reflected a lower NK1 receptor availability with increasing age in men, but not in women. A general age-related decline in NK1 receptor availability was evident in the frontal, temporal, and occipital cortices, as well as in the brainstem, caudate nucleus, and thalamus. Women had lower NK1 receptor availability in the thalamus. The observed pattern of NK1 receptor distribution in the brain might have functional significance for brain-related disorders showing age- and sex-related differences in prevalence.
|
|
| 4. |
- Engman, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
-
Neural Correlates of Anxiety States in Patients with Social Anxiety Disorder
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Biological Psychiatry. - 0006-3223 .- 1873-2402. ; 69, s. 70S-70S
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: In social anxiety disorder (SAD), the fear of being negatively evaluated by others can restrict individual everyday life, due to the anxiety caused by social interactions. How this anxiety is processed in the brain is only partly understood. We aimed to examine the correlations between subjective anxiety states and brain activity in a large sample of SAD patients, during an anxiety-provoking task.Methods: Data were merged from three randomized clinical PET-trials investigating regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during a public speaking task pre- and post treatment (SSRI n = 35, placebo n = 37). All participants met diagnostical criteria for SAD. rCBF was assessed with [15O]-labeled water and state anxiety was measured using the Spielberger state anxiety scale (STAI-S). These measures where then correlated using a covariate of interest approach in Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM2).Results: rCBF and STAI-S scores correlated positively in the left parahippocampal gyrus and amygdala, as well as in the right premotor cortex (area 6). Negative correlations were observed in the left superior frontal gyrus, thalamus, and the right parahippocampal gyrus. Negative correlations were also found bilaterally in the cerebellum.Conclusions: The correlations between clinical anxiety states and brain activity were noted in areas previously demonstrated to be involved in emotional regulation and motor preparedness.
|
|
| 5. |
- Evers, Arne, et al.
(författare)
-
Testing Practices and Attitudes Toward Tests and Testing : An International Survey
- 2017
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Testing. - : ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 1530-5058 .- 1532-7574. ; 17:2, s. 158-190
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- On behalf of the International Test Commission and the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations a world-wide survey on the opinions of professional psychologists on testing practices was carried out. The main objective of this study was to collect data for a better understanding of the state of psychological testing worldwide. These data could guide the actions and measures taken by ITC, EFPA, and other stakeholders. A questionnaire was administered to 20,467 professional psychologists from 29 countries. Five scales were constructed relating to: concern over incorrect test use, regulations on tests and testing, internet and computerized testing, appreciation of tests, and knowledge and training relating to test use. Equivalence across countries was evaluated using the alignment method, four scales demonstrated acceptable levels of invariance. Multilevel analysis was used to determine how scores were related to age, gender, and specialization, as well as how scores varied between countries. Although the results show a high appreciation of tests in general, the appreciation of internet and computerized testing is much lower. These scales show low variability over countries, whereas differences between countries on the other reported scales are much greater. This implies the need for some overarching improvements as well as country-specific actions.
|
|
| 6. |
- Evers, Arne, et al.
(författare)
-
Testing Practices in the 21st Century Developments and European Psychologists' Opinions
- 2012
-
Ingår i: European Psychologist. - : Hogrefe Publishing Group. - 1016-9040 .- 1878-531X. ; 17:4, s. 300-319
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The main goal of the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA) Standing Committee on Tests and Testing (SCTT) is the improvement of testing practices in European countries. In order to reach this goal, the SCTT carries out various actions and projects, some of which are described in this paper. To better inform its work, it decided to survey the opinions of professional psychologists on testing practices. A questionnaire of 33 items was administered to a sample of 12,606 professional psychologists from 17 European countries. The questionnaire was based on, but not identical to, one used in 2000. The new data show that the positive attitude of the respondents toward the use of tests that was obtained in 2000 has increased in most countries, with a high percentage of the surveyed psychologists using tests regularly. Five main dimensions explained 43% of the total item variance. The dimensions involve items relating to: Concern over incorrect test use, regulations on tests and testing, Internet testing, appreciation of tests, and knowledge and training relating to tests and test use. Important differences between countries were found on these five dimensions. Differences were found according to gender for four of the five dimensions and in relation to field of specialization for all five dimensions. The most commonly used tests are the classic psychometric tests of intelligence and personality: WISC, WAIS, MMPI, RAVEN, 16PF, NEO-PI-R, BDI, SCL-90. Finally, some future perspectives are discussed.
|
|
| 7. |
- Faria, Vanda, et al.
(författare)
-
Amygdala Subregions Tied to SSRI and Placebo Response in Patients with Social Anxiety Disorder
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Neuropsychopharmacology. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 0893-133X .- 1740-634X. ; 37:10, s. 2222-2232
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The amygdala is a key structure in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders, and a putative target for anxiolytic treatments, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and placebo seem to induce anxiolytic effects by attenuating amygdala responsiveness. However, conflicting amygdala findings have also been reported. Moreover, the neural profile of responders and nonresponders is insufficiently characterized and it remains unknown whether SSRIs and placebo engage common or distinct amygdala subregions or different modulatory cortical areas. We examined similarities and differences in the neural response to SSRIs and placebo in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Positron emission tomography (PET) with oxygen-15-labeled water was used to assess regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 72 patients with SAD during an anxiogenic public speaking task, before and after 6-8 weeks of treatment under double-blind conditions. Response rate was determined by the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale. Conjunction analysis revealed a common rCBF-attenuation from pre- to post-treatment in responders to SSRIs and placebo in the left basomedial/basolateral and right ventrolateral amygdala. This rCBF pattern con-elated with behavioral measures of reduced anxiety and differentiated responders from nonresponders. However, nonanxiolytic treatment effects were also observed in the amygdala. All subgroups, including nonresponders, showed deactivation of the left lateral part of the amygdala. No rCBF differences were found between SSRI responders and placebo responders. This study provides new insights into the brain dynamics underlying anxiety relief by demonstrating common amygdala targets for pharmacologically and psychologically induced anxiety reduction, and by showing that the amygdala is functionally heterogeneous in anxiolysis.
|
|
| 8. |
- Faria, Vanda, et al.
(författare)
-
Differences in Amygdala Responsivity Between Responders and Nonresponders to SSRIs in Patients with Social Anxiety Disorder
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Biol. Psychiatry 69, 70S-71S.
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly accepted as the first line pharmacological therapy for anxiety disorders and depression. However, there is a high percentage of patients that fail to achieve satisfactory response with SSRI treatments. The neural mechanisms underlying effective and ineffective outcome with SSRIs are not well characterized. The amygdala has dense serotonergic innervation, and studies have suggested the amygdala to be a crucial brain target for SSRI treatment. This study aimed at investigating differences in amygdala responsivity between responders and nonresponders to SSRI treatments in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD).Methods: Stress-related regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured in SAD patients (n=35) with 15O-water positron emission tomography (PET) during public speaking before and after 6-8 weeks of treatment with citalopram or paroxetine. Response rate was determined by the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale.Results: Within-group comparisons revealed reduced rCBF response bilaterally in the amygdala in responders (n=20) as well as in nonresponders (n=15). Between-group contrasts revealed a greater amygdala attenuation in responders (>nonresponders) in the left basolateral/basomedial (x-16, y-6, z-14, Z=1.66, Puncorr=0.024) and right ventrolateral subregions (x26, y-4, z-26, Z=2.12, Puncorr=0.009). However, greater rCBF attenuation in nonresponders (> responders) was observed in the left lateral amygdala (x-28, y-6, z-14, Z=2.38, Puncorr=0.005).Conclusions: Lowered amygdala responsivity does not seem to be exclusively related to clinical improvement in anxiety patients. In accordance with animal literature, our data suggest that amygdala subregions are functionally heterogeneous with regards to anxiolysis.
|
|
| 9. |
- Fernandez, Manuel, et al.
(författare)
-
Brain function in a patient with torture related post-traumatic stress disorder before and after fluoxetine treatment : a positron emission tomography provocation study
- 2001
-
Ingår i: Neuroscience Letters. - 0304-3940 .- 1872-7972. ; 297:2, s. 101-104
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report positron emission tomographic measurements of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in a male patient with war and torture related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during symptom provocation. The subject was exposed to war related sounds before and after treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI; Fluoxetine; Fontex((R))). Therapy reduced PTSD symptoms, provoked anxiety and heart rate. Before treatment trauma reminders resulted in decreased rCBF in the insula, prefrontal, and inferior frontal cortices. Increased activity was evident in the cerebellum, precuneus and supplementary motor cortex. This was normalized after SSRI administration. Prefrontal and cingulate rCBF correlated with heart rate. Hence, the anxiolytic effect of SSRI for PTSD could be mediated by prefrontal and paralimbic cortices. Data suggest that SSRI treatment normalize provocation induced rCBF alterations in areas involved in memory, emotion, attention and motor-control.
|
|
| 10. |
- Frans, Örjan, et al.
(författare)
-
Distance to Threat and Risk of Acute and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Bank Robbery : A longitudinal study
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Psychiatry Research. - : Elsevier. - 0165-1781 .- 1872-7123. ; 267, s. 461-466
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Environmental factors surrounding trauma influencing PTSD risk are understudied.Proximal distances to threatening individuals could increase PTSD risk directly or indirectly by increasing ASD risk.Proximity to robber, ASD and PTSD was assessed in bank employees following robbery.We found that proximity to robber increase PTSD risk indirectly by increasing ASD risk.We speculate that proximity to threat may increase stress and arousal making trauma memories intrusive.
|
|
