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Campana S, Cecchetti L, Venturi M, Buemi F, Foti C, Cerasa A, Vicario CM, Carboncini MC, Tomaiuolo F. Evolution of Severe Closed Head Injury: Assessing Ventricular Volume and Behavioral Measures at 30 and 90 Days Post-Injury. J Clin Med 2024; 13:874. [PMID: 38337568 PMCID: PMC10856794 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Assessing functional outcomes in Severe Closed Head Injury (SCHI) is complex due to brain parenchymal changes. This study examines the Ventricles to Intracranial Volume Ratio (VBR) as a metric for these changes and its correlation with behavioral scales. Methods: Thirty-one SCHI patients were included. VBR was derived from CT scans at 3, 30, and 90 days post-injury and compared with Levels of Cognitive Functioning (LCF), Disability Rating Scale (DRS), and Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index (ERBI) assessments at 30 and 90 days. Results: Ten patients were excluded post-decompressive craniectomy or ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Findings indicated a VBR decrease at 3 days, suggesting acute phase compression, followed by an increase from 30 to 90 days, indicative of post-acute brain atrophy. VBR correlated positively with the Marshall score in the initial 72 h, positioning it as an early indicator of subsequent brain atrophy. Nevertheless, in contrast to the Marshall score, VBR had stronger associations with DRS and ERBI at 90 days. Conclusions: VBR, alongside behavioral assessments, presents a robust framework for evaluating SCHI progression. It supports early functional outcome correlations informing therapeutic approaches. VBR's reliability underscores its utility in neurorehabilitation for ongoing SCHI assessment and aiding clinical decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Campana
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, Auxilium Vitae Volterra, Via Borgo San Lazzero 5, 56048 Volterra, Italy;
| | - Luca Cecchetti
- Social and Affective Neuroscience (SANe) Group, MoMiLab, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, 55100 Lucca, Italy
| | - Martina Venturi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Francesco Buemi
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Papardo, 98158 Messina, Italy;
| | - Cristina Foti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Antonio Cerasa
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy, 98164 Messina, Italy;
- S. Anna Institute, 88900 Crotone, Italy
- Pharmacotechnology Documentation and Transfer Unit, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health Science and Nutrition, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Maria Chiara Carboncini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Francesco Tomaiuolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
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Vicario CM, Mucciardi M, Perconti P, Lucifora C, Nitsche MA, Avenanti A. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance: a comparative analysis of face-to face and online assessment. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1299136. [PMID: 38264417 PMCID: PMC10803507 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1299136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Survey studies yield mixed results on the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance, with limited direct evidence available. Methodology Using the academic platform from the Italian university system, a large-scale archival study involving 30,731 students and 829 examiners encompassing a total of 246,416 exams (oral tests only) to scrutinize the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the likelihood of passing exams was conducted. Examination data were collected both in face-to-face and online formats during the pandemic. In the pre-pandemic period, only face-to-face data were accessible. Results In face-to-face examination, we observed a lower probability of passing exams during the pandemic as opposed to pre-pandemic periods. Notably, during the pandemic we found an increased chance of passing exams conducted through online platforms compared to face-to-face assessments. Discussion and conclusions These findings provide the first direct evidence of an adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic performance. Furthermore, the results align with prior survey studies underscoring that using telematics platforms to evaluate students' performance increases the probability of exam success. This research significantly contributes to ongoing efforts aimed to comprehend how lockdowns and the widespread use of online platforms impact academic assessment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Massimo Mucciardi
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Pietro Perconti
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Chiara Lucifora
- Department of Philosophy and Communication, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michael A. Nitsche
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
- Bielefeld University, University Hospital OWL, Protestant Hospital of Bethel Foundation, University Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Dipartimento di Psicologia “Renzo Canestrari”, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center (CINPSI Neurocog), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
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Martino G, Viola A, Vicario CM, Bellone F, Silvestro O, Squadrito G, Schwarz P, Lo Coco G, Fries W, Catalano A. Psychological impairment in inflammatory bowel diseases: the key role of coping and defense mechanisms. Res Psychother 2023; 26:731. [PMID: 38224215 PMCID: PMC10849073 DOI: 10.4081/ripppo.2023.731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
A comprehensive investigation of psychological features in chronic patients is very important for tailoring effective treatments. In this study we tested anxiety, depression, health related quality of life (HR-QoL), alexithymia, coping styles, and defense mechanisms, in eighty-four patients with Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Participants reported low to moderate HRQoL and anxiety, apart from alexithymia. Women experienced lower QoL and higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Coping and defense strategies were related to distress symptoms and QoL. Positive attitude and principalization, showed negative associations with depression, anxiety and alexithymia and were also found to be associated with mental health. CD patients used significantly more turning against objects (p=0.02) and projections (p=0.01) and UC patients used more reversal (p=0.04). Elderly women showed higher anxiety symptoms and lower perceived QoL. Multiple regression analysis revealed anxiety and depression were independently associated with QoL. Significant differences emerged in defense styles among CD and UC. CD participants used more maladaptive coping and defense styles which were related to mental distress, depression and anxiety, together with higher level of alexithymia. Findings suggest that psychological aspects play a key role in mental health in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases. A multi-integrated clinical strategy including psychotherapeutic interventions should be considered in treating CD and UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina.
| | - Anna Viola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina.
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Science, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina.
| | | | - Orlando Silvestro
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro.
| | - Giovanni Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina.
| | - Peter Schwarz
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen.
| | - Gianluca Lo Coco
- Psychological, Pedagogical, Exercise and Training Sciences, University of Palermo.
| | - Walter Fries
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina.
| | - Antonino Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina.
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Rizzo G, Martino D, Avanzino L, Avenanti A, Vicario CM. Social cognition in hyperkinetic movement disorders: a systematic review. Soc Neurosci 2023; 18:331-354. [PMID: 37580305 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2023.2248687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Numerous lines of research indicate that our social brain involves a network of cortical and subcortical brain regions that are responsible for sensing and controlling body movements. However, it remains unclear whether movement disorders have a systematic impact on social cognition. To address this question, we conducted a systematic review examining the influence of hyperkinetic movement disorders (including Huntington disease, Tourette syndrome, dystonia, and essential tremor) on social cognition. Following the PRISMA guidelines and registering the protocol in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022327459), we analyzed 50 published studies focusing on theory of mind (ToM), social perception, and empathy. The results from these studies provide evidence of impairments in ToM and social perception in all hyperkinetic movement disorders, particularly during the recognition of negative emotions. Additionally, individuals with Huntington's Disease and Tourette syndrome exhibit empathy disorders. These findings support the functional role of subcortical structures (such as the basal ganglia and cerebellum), which are primarily responsible for movement disorders, in deficits related to social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Rizzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e degli studi culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Davide Martino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Laura Avanzino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari", Campus di Cesena, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e degli studi culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
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Capodici A, Pennisi A, Rizzo G, Falzone A, Vicario CM. Interoceptive and Affective Alterations in Body Integrity Dysphoria: An Online Self-Reporting Study. Psychopathology 2023; 57:102-110. [PMID: 37820588 DOI: 10.1159/000532076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Body integrity dysphoria (BID) is a rare condition in which individuals experience a long-lasting desire to achieve a specific physical disability. In this study, we tested the hypothesis of interoceptive and affective abnormalities in BID, in line with the evidence of structural and functional alteration of the interoceptive-affective neural system in these individuals. METHOD Our study involved 68 participants with BID (mean age: 35.6, SD: 16.4). Among these participants, 47 expressed a desire for amputation, 14 desired paralysis, 3 sought sensory deprivation, and 3 desired a combination of these forms. For comparisons, we recruited a control group of 79 participants (mean age: 35.2, SD: 15.8). We administered assessment measures to investigate alexithymia level (TAS-20), disgust sensitivity (DS-R), interoceptive awareness (MAIA-2), and (affective and cognitive) empathy (QCAE). We also administered the Short Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE) to identify psychiatric comorbidities. Subgroups with low O-LIFE scores (BID = 31; controls = 43) and subgroups with high O-LIFE scores (BID = 37; controls = 36) were derived through a median-split procedure. RESULTS Within the BID low O-LIFE group, we found reduced interoceptive sensibility, reduced disgust sensitivity, and increased difficulty in identifying feelings, which refers to a dimension of the alexithymia trait. Within the BID high O-LIFE group, we observed a reduced disgust sensitivity and interoceptive sensibility, accompanied by a diminished score in cognitive empathy. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that BID can be associated with altered interoceptive and affective processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Capodici
- Department of Cognitive Science, Psychological, Pedagogical and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Pennisi
- Department of Cognitive Science, Psychological, Pedagogical and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gaetano Rizzo
- Department of Cognitive Science, Psychological, Pedagogical and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandra Falzone
- Department of Cognitive Science, Psychological, Pedagogical and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Science, Psychological, Pedagogical and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Vicario CM, Maugeri N, Lucifora C, Prato A, Mucciardi M, Martino D, Rizzo R. Evidence for a dissociation between moral reasoning and moral decision-making in Tourette syndrome. J Neuropsychol 2023. [PMID: 37789746 DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite the growing interest on how Tourette syndrome (TS) affects social cognition skills, this field remains to date relatively under-explored. Here, we aim to advance knowledge on the topic by studying moral decision-making and moral reasoning in a group of adolescents with TS and a group of healthy controls. Overall, we found higher endorsement (i.e. a greater 'yes' response rate) for utilitarian solutions of incidental and instrumental moral dilemmas in TS compared to controls. By contrast, we reported an overall higher tendency of TS individuals to apply principles described in the moral foundation questionnaire to establish whether something is morally right or wrong. Our results document intact moral reasoning in TS and suggest that a deficit in suppressing inappropriate behaviours and/or altered sense of agency might be responsible for their higher utilitarian moral decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Maugeri
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Adriana Prato
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Massimo Mucciardi
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Davide Martino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Renata Rizzo
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Silvestro O, Ricciardi L, Catalano A, Vicario CM, Tomaiuolo F, Pioggia G, Squadrito G, Schwarz P, Gangemi S, Martino G. Alexithymia and asthma: a systematic review. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1221648. [PMID: 37609491 PMCID: PMC10441120 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1221648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence from scientific research elucidates the important role of alexithymia in chronic immune diseases. This Review aims to explore the presence of alexithymia in patients affected by asthma and clarify its associations with other involved psychological and physical factors. In January 2023, according to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search using PubMed and Scopus was conducted. Twenty-six studies were eligible based on inclusion criteria. Alexithymia was significantly present in asthma patients, with most studies reporting a higher prevalence (from 9 to 62.8%) than in control groups (approximately 10%). The coexistence of asthma and alexithymia was associated with a worse quality of life, psychiatric comorbidity, poor symptom control, and difficulty in recognizing exacerbations of the disease. These results suggest that alexithymia can negatively impact the management of asthma. For this reason, we recommend an accuracy assessment in clinical settings and the implementation of psychological interventions to promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of asthmatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orlando Silvestro
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luisa Ricciardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Tomaiuolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pioggia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Peter Schwarz
- Department of Endocrinology, Research Centre for Ageing and Osteoporosis, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Martino G, Bellone F, Vicario CM, Gaudio A, Corica F, Squadrito G, Lund-Jacobsen T, Schwarz P, Lo Coco G, Morabito N, Catalano A. Interrelations between clinical-psychological features and bone mineral density changes in post-menopausal women undergoing anti-osteoporotic treatment: a two-year follow-up. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1151199. [PMID: 37229451 PMCID: PMC10203700 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1151199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Psychological features have been bidirectionally associated with osteoporosis, but it is still unclear whether patient's anxiety fluctuations during the anti-osteoporotic treatment can have an impact on bone mineral density (BMD) variation. The aim of this study was to investigate the interrelations between psychological distress features, such as anxiety, depression, health-related QoL (HRQoL) and bone health in women receiving anti-osteoporotic treatment. Methods 192 post-menopausal osteoporotic women were treated with alendronate or risedronate according to the standard procedure. The levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived HRQoL, along with BMD, were assessed at baseline and at a 2-year follow-up. Results At the end of the study, the patients showed a statistically significant increase of both psychic and somatic anxiety (p<0.0001) and exhibited a worsening of depressive symptoms (p<0.0001), whereas HRQoL showed no change. BMD improved and no incident fractures occurred. BMD variation (ΔBMD) at lumbar spine was significantly associated with anxiety levels (r=0.23, p=0.021). Multiple regression analysis showed that both patients' worsening anxiety levels (β = -0.1283, SE=0.06142, p=0.04) and their treatment adherence (β=0.09, SE=0.02, p=0.0006) were independently associated with ΔBMD. Discussion The findings of the current follow-up study suggest that BMD in post-menopausal women undergoing anti-osteoporotic treatment was predicted by treatment adherence and anxiety change over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Bellone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Agostino Gaudio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Corica
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Trine Lund-Jacobsen
- Department of Endocrinology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, The Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Schwarz
- Department of Endocrinology, Centre for Cancer and Organ Diseases, The Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gianluca Lo Coco
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement- University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nunziata Morabito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Vicario CM, Scavone V, Lucifora C, Falzone A, Pioggia G, Gangemi S, Craparo G, Martino G. Evidence of abnormal scalar timing property in alexithymia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0278881. [PMID: 36689490 PMCID: PMC9870170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence suggests that incidental modulation of affective states affects the ability to keep track of time. Alexithymia represents an ideal condition to further address the emotion-time processing link, as it refers to a trait characterized by a deficit of affective processing. 31 healthy participants completed an online version of the TAS-20 scale, which measures alexithymia, and a time reproduction task of visual stimuli related to positive (i.e., happiness) and negative (i.e., anger) facial expressions. Results documented a positive correlation between TAS-20 score and the variability in reproducing sub-second durations of the anger expression stimuli We also found an overestimation of sub-second durations of non-affective expressions in borderline/alexithymic participants. Finally, in line with the literature, we confirmed the overall tendency to overestimate the duration of anger expression stimuli. These findings, which can be interpreted in terms of abnormal scalar timing property in alexithymia, expand previous investigations linking this personality trait with abnormal processing of negative emotions. The evidence that alexithymia predicts the reproduction variability of sub-second durations of negative affective stimuli corroborates previous neuroimaging studies documenting cerebellar deficits in these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e degli studi culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Vito Scavone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e degli studi culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Falzone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e degli studi culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pioggia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Messina, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Craparo
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, Cittadella Universitaria, Enna, Italy
| | - Gabriella Martino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
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Culicetto L, Ferraioli F, Lucifora C, Falzone A, Martino G, Craparo G, Avenanti A, Vicario CM. Disgust as a transdiagnostic index of mental illness: A narrative review of clinical populations. Bull Menninger Clin 2023; 87:53-91. [PMID: 37871195 DOI: 10.1521/bumc.2023.87.suppa.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Disgust is a basic emotion of rejection, providing an ancestral defensive mechanism against illness. Based on research that documents altered experiences of disgust across several psychopathological conditions, we conducted a narrative review to address the hypothesis that altered disgust may serve as a transdiagnostic index of mental illness. Our synthesis of the literature from past decades suggests that, compared to healthy populations, patients with mental disorders exhibit abnormal processing of disgust in at least one of the analyzed dimensions. We also outline evidence of alterations in brain areas relevant to disgust processing, such as the insula and the interconnected limbic network. Overall, we provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that altered disgust processing may serve as a transdiagnostic index of mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Culicetto
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Lucifora
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Technology, ISTC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Craparo
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, UKE-Kore University of Enna, Cittadella Universitaria, Enna, Italy
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neurosciences Research Center, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile, and the Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari," Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Cesena Campus, Cesena, Italy
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Craparo G, La Rosa VL, Commodari E, Marino G, Vezzoli M, Faraci P, Vicario CM, Cinà GS, Colombi M, Arcoleo G, Severino M, Costanzo G, Gori A, Mangiapane E. What Is the Role of Psychological Factors in Long COVID Syndrome? Latent Class Analysis in a Sample of Patients Recovered from COVID-19. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 20:ijerph20010494. [PMID: 36612816 PMCID: PMC9819212 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to identify clusters of long COVID-19 symptoms using latent class analysis and investigate the psychological factors involved in the onset of this syndrome. Method: Five hundred and six subjects recovering from COVID-19 completed a series of standardized questionnaires to evaluate the personality traits, alexithymia, and post-traumatic stress. Results: Five classes were identified: Brain fog (31.82%), No symptoms (20.95%), Sensory disorders (18.77%), Breath impairment (17.59%), and Multiple disorders (10.87%). Women reported post-COVID-19 respiratory symptoms and multiple disorders to a greater extent than men. Hospitalized subjects were more likely to report persistent symptoms after COVID-19 than asymptomatic or home-treated subjects. Antagonism, hyperarousal, and difficulty identifying emotions significantly predicted post COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusions: These findings open new questions for research on long COVID-19 and how states of emotional dysregulation can alter the physiological processes of the body and contribute to the onset of organic pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Craparo
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
| | | | - Elena Commodari
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Graziella Marino
- IRCCS—Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata (CROB), 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy
| | - Michela Vezzoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Palmira Faraci
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Serena Cinà
- Department of Psychology, U.O.C., Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale Trapani, 91100 Trapani, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Giulia Costanzo
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy
| | - Alessio Gori
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
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Capodici A, Rizzo G, Vicario CM, Pennisi A. Deepening the desire for disability: A commentary on Saetta et al. (2022). Cortex 2022; 157:327-333. [PMID: 35786511 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Capodici
- Department of Cognitive Science, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Italy.
| | - Gaetano Rizzo
- Department of Cognitive Science, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Science, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Pennisi
- Department of Cognitive Science, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Italy
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Murdaca G, Paladin F, Casciaro M, Vicario CM, Gangemi S, Martino G. Neuro-Inflammaging and Psychopathological Distress. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092133. [PMID: 36140234 PMCID: PMC9495653 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammaging is a low degree of chronic and systemic tissue inflammation associated with aging, and is intimately linked to pro-inflammatory mediators. These substances are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases and related psychopathological symptoms. When inflammation and aging affect the brain, we use the term neuro-inflammaging. In this review, we focused on the neuro-inflammatory process typical of advanced ages and the related psychopathological symptoms, with particular attention to understanding the immune-pathogenetic mechanisms involved and the potential use of immunomodulatory drugs in the control of clinical psychological signs. Inflammation and CNS were demonstrated being intimately linked in the neuro-inflammatory loop. IL-1, IL-6, TNF-a, COX and PGE are only partially responsible. BBB permeability and the consequent oxidative stress resulting from tissue damage make the rest. Some authors elaborated the “theory of cytokine-induced depression”. Inflammation has a crucial role in the onset symptoms of psychopathological diseases as it is capable of altering the metabolism of biogenic monoamines involved in their pathogenesis. In recent years, NSAIDs as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of relevant psychopathological disorders associated with chronic inflammatory conditions demonstrated their efficacy. Additionally, novel molecules have been studied, such as adalimumab, infliximab, and etanercept showing antidepressant and anxiolytic promising results. However, we are only at the beginning of a new era characterized by the use of biological drugs for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and this paper aims to stimulate future studies in such a direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Murdaca
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Francesca Paladin
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Casciaro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Science and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | | | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
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Formica S, Rizzo G, Martino G, Lucifora C, Craparo G, Vicario CM. Relationship Between Sensitivity to Disgust and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Study on Healthy Individuals. Clin Neuropsychiatry 2022; 19:230-235. [PMID: 36101643 PMCID: PMC9442884 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20220405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a psychosomatic gastrointestinal disorder involving the dysfunctional activation of specific brain regions crucial for interoception and disgust processing. Yet, no study has ever investigated the link between this socio-affective/visceral experience and IBS. METHOD The present study investigated whether disgust sensitivity and disgust propensity, which can be socially relevant, relate with IBS symptoms in a nonclinical population.105 healthy participants were asked to complete the Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale-Revised (DPSS-R), the Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life Measure (IBS-QOL), and the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Measure (CU-Q2OL), as control condition. RESULTS Results showed higher disgust sensitivity scores in individuals with high IBS-QOL score, compared to individuals with low IBS-QOL score. The correlation analysis corroborates this result by showing a positive relationship between disgust sensitivity and respective IBS-QOL scores. CONCLUSIONS This research provides new insights into understanding the etiopathogenesis of IBS, suggesting the relevance of a socially relevant personality trait such as disgust sensitivity as a potential trigger and / or predisposition factor for this chronic inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Formica
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gaetano Rizzo
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Chiara Lucifora
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Craparo
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, Enna, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Corresponding author Carmelo M Vicario Department of Cognitive, Psychological, Pedagogical and Cultural Studies University of Messina, via concezione 6-8, 98121, Messina, Italy. Tel: 090 6765145 E-mail:
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Caputo A, Vicario CM, Cazzato V, Martino G. Editorial: Psychological Factors as Determinants of Medical Conditions, Volume II. Front Psychol 2022; 13:865235. [PMID: 35386893 PMCID: PMC8977586 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.865235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Caputo
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Valentina Cazzato
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Lucifora C, Martino G, Curcuruto A, Salehinejad MA, Vicario CM. How Self-Control Predicts Moral Decision Making: An Exploratory Study on Healthy Participants. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18073840. [PMID: 33917567 PMCID: PMC8038791 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Research on moral reasoning calls into question self-control, which encompasses impulsivity, compulsivity, and inhibitory control. However, a thorough investigation exploring how these three dimensions can affect moral reasoning in response to different scenarios is unavailable. We addressed this topic by testing the predictive role of these three dimensions of self-control on appraisals for ethical violations related with different types of scenarios. Overall, our results suggest that all three dimensions of self-control are involved in moral reasoning, depending on the type of appraisal and provided moral scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Lucifora
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (C.L.); (A.C.)
| | - Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Anna Curcuruto
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (C.L.); (A.C.)
| | - Mohammad Ali Salehinejad
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, 44139 Dortmund, Germany;
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (C.L.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence:
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17
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Martino G, Caputo A, Schwarz P, Bellone F, Fries W, Quattropani MC, Vicario CM. Alexithymia and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1763. [PMID: 32973596 PMCID: PMC7466427 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Given the role of alexithymia—as the inability to identify, differentiate, and express emotions—in chronic and immune-mediated illness, this systematic review analyzed the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), mainly represented by Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed throughout this systematic review of the literature published between 2015 and 2020 in indexed sources from PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Search terms for eligible studies were: “Inflammatory bowel disease” AND “Alexithymia” [Titles, Abstract, Keywords]. Inclusion criteria were: articles written and published in English from 2015 and up to April 2020, reporting relevant and empirical data on alexithymia and IBD. Results: The initial search identified 34 indexed scientific publications. After screening, we found that five publications met the established scientific inclusion criteria. Overall, the mean value of alexithymia ranged from 39 to 53.2 [Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) score], thus mostly falling in non-clinical range for alexithymia (≤51). Comparisons of alexithymia between patients with UC and CD highlighted that patients with CD showed externally oriented thinking and difficulties identifying feelings to a greater extent. Regarding comparisons with other samples or pathologies, patients with IBD were more alexithymic than healthy controls and less alexithymic than patients with major depressive disorder, but no difference was found when compared with patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Then, regarding correlations with other variables, alexithymia was positively associated with anxiety and depression, as well as with psychopathological symptoms and somatic complaints. Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that patients with IBD cannot be generally considered alexithymic at a clinically relevant extent. However, their greater alexithymic levels and its associations with psychological variables and somatic distress may suggest a reactivity hypothesis, in which living with IBD may progressively lead to impaired emotion recognition over time. Specifically, the relationship between IBD and IBS should be further explored, paying deeper attention to the clinical psychological functioning of CD, as IBD requires more emotional challenges to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Caputo
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Peter Schwarz
- Department of Medical Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Federica Bellone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Walter Fries
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M C Quattropani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - C M Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Vicario CM, Nitsche MA, Salehinejad MA, Avanzino L, Martino G. Time Processing, Interoception, and Insula Activation: A Mini-Review on Clinical Disorders. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1893. [PMID: 32973605 PMCID: PMC7461974 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Time processing is a multifaceted skill crucial for managing different aspects of life. In the current work, we explored the relationship between interoception and time processing by examining research on clinical models. We investigated whether time processing deficits are associated with dysfunction of the interoceptive system and/or insular cortex activity, which is crucial in decoding internal body signaling. Furthermore, we explored whether insular activation predicts the subjective experience of time (i.e., the subjective duration of a target stimulus to be timed). Overall, our work suggests that alteration of the interoceptive system could be a common psychophysiological hallmark of mental disorders affected by time processing deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e Degli Studi Culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Mohammad A Salehinejad
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Laura Avanzino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Centro Polifunzionale di Scienze Motorie, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Vicario CM, Salehinejad MA, Mosayebi-Samani M, Maezawa H, Avenanti A, Nitsche MA. Transcranial direct current stimulation over the tongue motor cortex reduces appetite in healthy humans. Brain Stimul 2020; 13:1121-1123. [PMID: 32413555 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C M Vicario
- Department of Scienze Cognitive, Psycologiche, Pedagogiche e Degli Studi Culturali, University of Messina, 98121, Messina, ME, Italy.
| | - M A Salehinejad
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Ardeystr. 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - M Mosayebi-Samani
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Ardeystr. 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - H Maezawa
- Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - A Avenanti
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, Cesena, Italy; Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Universidad Católica Del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - M A Nitsche
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Ardeystr. 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
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Martino G, Catalano A, Agostino RM, Bellone F, Morabito N, Lasco CG, Vicario CM, Schwarz P, Feldt-Rasmussen U. Quality of life and psychological functioning in postmenopausal women undergoing aromatase inhibitor treatment for early breast cancer. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230681. [PMID: 32214378 PMCID: PMC7098625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) dramatically increased breast cancer (BC) survival, leading to enhanced attention to their long-term consequences on psychological functioning. Conflicting data has been examined regarding the association between AIs administration and the clinical psychological features in BC survivors (BCSs). PURPOSE As psychological symptoms often occur in such chronic diseases, our study aimed at exploring anxious and depressive symptoms and the perceived quality of life (QoL) in BCSs assessed for osteoporosis. METHODS The total sample consisted of a clinical sample of 51 outpatient postmenopausal women, diagnosed with BC, and a control group composed of 51 healthy postmenopausal women. All recruited participants were evaluated through the clinical gold standard interview and completed the following self-rating scales: the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory II edition, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, which were administered at baseline and after 6 months in BCSs in AIs treatment, compared with controls. Moreover, all participants were assessed for vitamin D status, bone mineral density (BMD) and subclinical vertebral fractures. Data regarding age, age at menopause, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits and alcohol consumption was collected. RESULTS BCSs (n = 51) showed higher anxious and depressive symptoms, and lower perceived QoL vs. controls (n = 51) (p<0.05 for all). After 6 months of treatment with AIs, BCSs showed significant reduction of anxious and depressive symptoms and a significantly higher perceived QoL for both physical and mental components, vs. controls. CONCLUSIONS The improvement of clinical psychological features and perceived QoL was associated with AIs treatment in women being treated with, for early breast cancer. Further studies are needed to obtain a deeper comprehension of the correlation between clinical psychological and physical features in BCSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Antonino Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rita Maria Agostino
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Grand Metropolitan Hospital Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, Reggio-Calabria, Italy
| | - Federica Bellone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Nunziata Morabito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmen Giulia Lasco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Peter Schwarz
- Department of Medical Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen
- Department of Medical Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Martino G, Langher V, Cazzato V, Vicario CM. Editorial: Psychological Factors as Determinants of Medical Conditions. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2502. [PMID: 31781002 PMCID: PMC6857525 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Viviana Langher
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Cazzato
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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22
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Maezawa H, Vicario CM, Kuo MF, Hirata M, Mima T, Nitsche MA. Effects of bilateral anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the tongue primary motor cortex on cortical excitability of the tongue and tongue motor functions. Brain Stimul 2019; 13:270-272. [PMID: 31628077 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Maezawa
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Ardeystr. 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany; Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8586, Japan; Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Ardeystr. 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany; Department of Scienze Cognitive, Psycologiche, Pedagogiche e Degli Studi Culturali, University of Messina, 98121, Messina, ME, Italy
| | - Min-Fang Kuo
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Ardeystr. 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Masayuki Hirata
- Department of Neurological Diagnosis and Restoration, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Mima
- Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8577, Japan
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Ardeystr. 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Medical Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bürkle de La Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
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Martino G, Catalano A, Bellone F, Russo GT, Vicario CM, Lasco A, Quattropani MC, Morabito N. As Time Goes by: Anxiety Negatively Affects the Perceived Quality of Life in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes of Long Duration. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1779. [PMID: 31428028 PMCID: PMC6689992 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Age-related medical conditions are increasing worldwide. Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a chronic disease, which affects a large amount of general population, accounting for over 90% of diabetes mellitus (DM) cases. PURPOSE As psychopathological symptoms frequently occur in medical conditions, our study aimed at exploring whether psychological factors and metabolic control may affect health related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS Forty five patients with T2DM were consecutively recruited and assessed with a psychodiagnostic battery: Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Beck Depression Inventory II edition (BDI-II) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), including indexes Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS, MCS). Moreover, time since DM diagnosis and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values were detected. RESULTS Participants (mean age 65.3 ± 5.9 years) had a mean time since diagnosis of 11.6 ± 6.7 years, and showed a good metabolic control as highlighted by mean HbA1c values 7.1 ± 0.9%. Median HAM-A score [25(20.7-30.6)], represented high prevalence of anxious symptoms. A moderate expression of depressive symptoms was observed [BDI-II score: 13(8.3-21.4)]. A multiple regression analysis, after correcting for age, BMI, HbA1c value and BDI-II score, showed the perceived quality of life relative to PCS was significantly related to both disease duration (β = -0.55, p = 0.03, SE = 0.25) and HAM-A scores (β = -0.52, p = 0.04, SE = 0.24). Moreover, both HAM-A (β = -0.67, p = 0.01, SE = 0.26) and BDI-II (β = -0.48, p = 0.02, SE = 0.20) scores were independently predictive of MCS. Metabolic control, instead, was not a significant predictor. CONCLUSION Our study suggests a predictive role of both anxiety levels and time since diagnosis in perceived HRQoL in T2DM patients. PCS was associated with anxiety and time since diagnosis and MCS was associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms but not with diabetes duration or metabolic control. These data could be useful to plan T2DM training programs focused on psychological health concerns, possibly leading to a healthy self-management and a better perceived HRQoL, even assisting patients in reducing the negative effect due to the chronicization of T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Bellone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Lasco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Nunziata Morabito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Vicario CM, Salehinejad MA, Felmingham K, Martino G, Nitsche MA. A systematic review on the therapeutic effectiveness of non-invasive brain stimulation for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 96:219-231. [PMID: 30543906 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The interest in the use of non-invasive brain stimulation for enhancing neural functions and reducing symptoms in anxiety disorders is growing. Based on the DSM-V classification for anxiety disorders, we examined all available research using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the treatment of specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder. A systematic literature search conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases provided 26 results: 12 sham-controlled studies and 15 not sham-controlled studies. With regard to the latter sub-group of studies, 9 were case reports, and 6 open label studies. Overall, our work provides preliminary evidence that both, excitatory stimulation of the left prefrontal cortex and inhibitory stimulation of the right prefrontal cortex can reduce symptom severity in anxiety disorders. The current results are discussed in the light of a model for the treatment for anxiety disorders via non-invasive brain stimulation, which is based on up-/downregulation mechanisms and might serve as guide for future systematic investigations in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Vicario
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e degli studi culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy; Dept. Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany; School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
| | - Mohammad Ali Salehinejad
- Dept. Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany; International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - K Felmingham
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - G Martino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e degli studi culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M A Nitsche
- Dept. Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany; Dept. Neurology, University Medical Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany
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Cazzato V, Makris S, Flavell JC, Vicario CM. Group membership and racial bias modulate the temporal estimation of in-group/out-group body movements. Exp Brain Res 2018; 236:2427-2437. [PMID: 29916088 PMCID: PMC6061490 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-018-5313-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Social group categorization has been mainly studied in relation to ownership manipulations involving highly-salient multisensory cues. Here, we propose a novel paradigm that can implicitly activate the embodiment process in the presence of group affiliation information, whilst participants complete a task irrelevant to social categorization. Ethnically White participants watched videos of White- and Black-skinned models writing a proverb. The writing was interrupted 7, 4 or 1 s before completion. Participants were tasked with estimating the residual duration following interruption. A video showing only hand kinematic traces acted as a control condition. Residual duration estimates for out-group and control videos were significantly lower than those for in-group videos only for the longest duration. Moreover, stronger implicit racial bias was negatively correlated to estimates of residual duration for out-group videos. The underestimation bias for the out-group condition might be mediated by implicit embodiment, affective and attentional processes, and finalized to a rapid out-group categorization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cazzato
- Division of Psychology, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK. .,School of Natural Science and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.
| | - S Makris
- Department of Psychology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Liverpool, UK
| | - J C Flavell
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e degli studi culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy. .,Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany. .,University Medical Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany. .,Scienze Cognitive della Formazione e degli Studi Culturali, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Wolfson Centre for Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
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Komeilipoor N, Vicario CM, Daffertshofer A, Cesari P. Talking hands: tongue motor excitability during observation of hand gestures associated with words. Front Hum Neurosci 2014; 8:767. [PMID: 25324761 PMCID: PMC4179693 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Perception of speech and gestures engage common brain areas. Neural regions involved in speech perception overlap with those involved in speech production in an articulator-specific manner. Yet, it is unclear whether motor cortex also has a role in processing communicative actions like gesture and sign language. We asked whether the mere observation of hand gestures, paired and not paired with words, may result in changes in the excitability of the hand and tongue areas of motor cortex. Using single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), we measured the motor excitability in tongue and hand areas of left primary motor cortex, while participants viewed video sequences of bimanual hand movements associated or not-associated with nouns. We found higher motor excitability in the tongue area during the presentation of meaningful gestures (noun-associated) as opposed to meaningless ones, while the excitability of hand motor area was not differentially affected by gesture observation. Our results let us argue that the observation of gestures associated with a word results in activation of articulatory motor network accompanying speech production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naeem Komeilipoor
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona Verona, Italy ; MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Paola Cesari
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona Verona, Italy
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Avenanti A, Vicario CM, Borgomaneri S. Social dimensions of pain. Comment on "Facing the experience of pain: a neuropsychological perspective" by Fabbro and Crescentini. Phys Life Rev 2014; 11:558-61. [PMID: 24948518 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Avenanti
- Dipartimento di Psicologia and Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, Cesena, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Wolfson Centre for Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Borgomaneri
- Dipartimento di Psicologia and Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, Cesena, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Abstract Brain mapping for analogical information seems based on extraction of similarity on various levels, including perceptual similarity, abstract conceptual dimensions, and goals. Given the utility of analogical inferences on quantities that would extract covariance of time, space, and numbers, we discuss here the processing of time, space, and quantity as an example of the process of extraction of analogical information. This view is supported by evidence documenting common activation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in the processing of all of these magnitudes.
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Vicario CM, Candidi M, Aglioti SM. Cortico-spinal embodiment of newly acquired, action-related semantic associations. Brain Stimul 2013; 6:952-8. [PMID: 23856556 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2013.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Revised: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/31/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Behavioral and neurophysiological studies indicate that the semantic derivation of the motor skills of a given model (e.g., famous tennis or soccer athlete) modulates the reactivity of arm and leg cortico-spinal representations of an onlooker who performs a categorization task. Information on the possible plastic nature of the sensorimotor mapping of action-related knowledge is still lacking. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS Here we explored the time course of any cortico-spinal excitability modulation induced by the creation of arbitrary associations between a personal name and tennis- or soccer-related motor skills. METHODS We recorded the amplitude of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) from arm and leg muscles during a categorization task concerning names that were learned in association with either soccer players, tennis players or control, non-motor, identities (actors). We stimulated the cortico-spinal system and recorded the MEPs at three different time points (0-24-72 h) after the association learning. RESULTS Coherently with previous literature we found a relative dissociation of leg muscles MEPs during reading of soccer-associated personal names with respect to tennis ones. Importantly this modulation was measured only 72 h after having learned the association. This effect was not found in the arm muscle. CONCLUSION The results suggest that for the process of embodying semantic associations in the motor system to take place, the strength of the association itself needs to rise above some level of consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy; IRCCS, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia.
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Vicario CM, Martino D, Koch G. Temporal accuracy and variability in the left and right posterior parietal cortex. Neuroscience 2013; 245:121-8. [PMID: 23628777 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Revised: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Several brain-imaging and lesion studies have suggested a role for the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in computing interval-timing tasks. PPC also seems to have a key role in modulating visuospatial mechanisms, which are known to affect temporal performance. By applying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left and right PPC, we aimed to modulate timing ability performance in healthy humans performing a cognitively controlled timing task. In two separate experiments we compared time-processing abilities of two groups of healthy adults submitted to anodal, cathodal or sham tDCS over right or left PPC, by employing a supra-second time reproduction task. Cathodal stimulation over the right PPC affected temporal accuracy by leading participants to overestimate time intervals. Moreover, when applied to the left PPC, it reduced variability in reproducing temporal intervals. No effect was reported for anodal stimulation. These results expand current knowledge on the role of the parietal cortex on temporal processing. We provide evidence that the parietal cortex of both hemispheres is involved in temporal processing by acting on distinct components of timing performance such as accuracy and variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Vicario
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; ISAS, Cognitive Neuroscience Sector, Trieste, Italy.
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Abstract
Recent imaging studies have associated Developmental dyscalculia (DD) to structural and functional alterations corresponding Parietal and the Prefrontal cortex (PFC). Since these areas were shown also to be involved in timing abilities, we hypothesized that time processing is abnormal in DD. We compared time processing abilities between 10 children with pure DD (8 years old) and 11 age-matched healthy children. Results show that the DD group underestimated duration of a sub-second scale when asked to perform a time comparison task. The timing abnormality observed in our DD participants is consistent with evidence of a shared fronto-parietal neural network for representing time and quantity.
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Abstract
According to the evidence of direct relationships among space, numbers, and finger representations, a random movement generation (RMG) task was employed in order to investigate whether numerical exposure can influence the finger selection of healthy humans. To this purpose a group of participants were asked to generate random finger movements during the exposure to several numerical cues. Although participants were explicitly asked to move finger as random as possible, results showed that left-hand fingers were moved more frequently than right-hand fingers when low numerical cues (from 1 to 3) were presented, and, vice versa, right-hand fingers were moved more frequently than left-hand fingers when high numerical cues (ranged from 7 to 9) were presented. The current result suggests that spontaneous actions can be affected by abstract information, providing an evidence that numerical concepts can influence low-level, non-goal-directed behaviours.
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Abstract
Spatial attention is a key factor in the exploration and processing of the surrounding environment, and plays a role in linking magnitudes such as space, time, and numbers. The present work evaluates whether shifting the coordinates of spatial attention through rotational head movements may affect the ability to estimate the duration of different time intervals. A computer-based implicit timing task was employed, in which participants were asked to concentrate and report verbally on colour changes of sequential stimuli displayed on a computer screen; subsequently, they were required to reproduce the temporal duration (ranging between 5 and 80 sec.) of the perceived stimuli using the computer keyboard. There was statistically significant overestimation of the 80-sec. intervals exclusively on the rightward rotation head posture, whereas head posture did not affect timing performances on shorter intervals. These findings support the hypothesis that the coordinates of spatial attention influence the ability to process time, consistent with the existence of common cortical metrics of space and time in healthy humans.
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Abstract
Previous studies exploring specific brain functions of left- and right-handed subjects have shown variances in spatial and motor abilities that might be explained according to consistent structural and functional differences. Given the role of both spatial and motor information in the processing of temporal intervals, we designed a study aimed at investigating timing abilities in left-handed subjects. To this purpose both left- and right-handed subjects were asked to perform a time reproduction of sub-second vs. supra-second time intervals with their left and right hand. Our results show that during processing of the supra-second intervals left-handed participants sub-estimated the duration of the intervals, independently of the hand used to perform the task, while no differences were reported for the sub-second intervals. These results are discussed on the basis of recent findings on supra-second motor timing, as well as emerging evidence that suggests a linear representation of time with a left-to-right displacement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonia Bonní
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Koch
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy
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Abstract
Temporal experience can be modulated by several environmental factors. There is increasing evidence that numerical quantity may also influence temporal processes. Here, it is shown that merely looking at numbers causes a bias in a time-bisection task that depends on its magnitude. In the first experiment, a group of healthy subjects was submitted to a time-bisection task in which numerical cues were blocked (blocked design). In the second experiment, a new group of participants performed a time-bisection task in which the previous numbers were all randomly arranged in the same block (intermingled design). Results show that temporal performance is biased when numbers of different magnitude are arranged in an intermingled design. These findings argue for a functional interaction between time and numbers, depending on the implicit extrapolation of the size difference between the displayed numbers rather than on the numerical size itself.
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Candidi M, Vicario CM, Abreu AM, Aglioti SM. Competing mechanisms for mapping action-related categorical knowledge and observed actions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 20:2832-41. [PMID: 20237242 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhq033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Responses to pictures of famous tennis and soccer athletes are slower when the responding effector is a hand or foot, respectively, indicating that visual recognition of individuals characterized by skilled motor behavior interferes with the motor reactivity of nonproficient observers. By contrast, directly viewing actions induces motor facilitation, suggesting that actions are mapped in the observers' motor system. Here, we used single-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to determine 1) whether observing and recognizing the identity of famous tennis and soccer athletes selectively reduce the corticospinal excitability of arm and leg representations (categorization), 2) whether any athlete-related inhibition effect contrasts the facilitation associated with direct action observation (categorization + action), and 3) whether the classic action observation-related facilitation effect is found when viewing "in action" nonathlete models (action). In 3 experiments, we found that amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) recorded from leg and arm muscles gradually shifted from reduction to facilitation, moving from the categorization to the action observation tasks. Thus, semantic derivation of motor skills is reflected in limb-specific reduction of MEP amplitude, indicating that even abstract action knowledge is embodied in the motor system and that mapping others' actions on the basis of categorization or of their direct observation relies on competing functional mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Candidi
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Via dei Marsi 78, Rome, Italy.
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Vicario CM, Martino D, Spata F, Defazio G, Giacchè R, Martino V, Rappo G, Pepi AM, Silvestri PR, Cardona F. Time processing in children with Tourette's syndrome. Brain Cogn 2010; 73:28-34. [PMID: 20189281 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2010.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2009] [Revised: 01/26/2010] [Accepted: 01/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tourette syndrome (TS) is characterized by dysfunctional connectivity between prefrontal cortex and sub-cortical structures, and altered meso-cortical and/or meso-striatal dopamine release. Since time processing is also regulated by fronto-striatal circuits and modulated by dopaminergic transmission, we hypothesized that time processing is abnormal in TS. METHODS We compared time processing abilities between nine children with TS-only (i.e. without major psychiatric comorbidities) and 10 age-matched healthy children, employing a time reproduction task in which subjects actively reproduce different temporal intervals, and a time comparison task in which subjects judge whether a test interval is longer or shorter than a reference interval. IQ, sustained and divided attention, and working memory were assessed in both groups using the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised, and the Digit Span sub-test of the WISC-R. RESULTS Children with TS-only reproduced in an overestimated fashion over-second, but not sub-second, time intervals. The precision of over-second intervals reproduction correlated with tic severity, in that the lower the tic severity, the closer the reproduction of over-second time intervals to their real duration. Time reproduction performance did not significantly correlate with IQ, attention and working memory measures in both groups. No differences between groups were documented in the time comparison task. CONCLUSIONS The improvement of time processing in children with TS-only seems specific for the over-second range of intervals, consistent with an enhancement in the 'cognitively controlled' timing system, which mainly processes longer duration intervals, and depends upon dysfunctional connectivity between the basal ganglia and the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex. The absence of between-group differences on time comparison, moreover, suggests that TS patients manifest a selective improvement of 'motor' timing abilities, rather than of perceptual time abilities. Our data also support an enhancement of cognitive control processes in TS children, probably facilitated by effortful tic suppression.
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Abstract
In tasks requiring a comparison of the duration of a reference and a test visual cue, the spatial position of test cue is likely to be implicitly coded, providing a form of a congruency effect or introducing a response bias according to the environmental scale or its vectorial reference. The precise mechanism generating these perceptual shifts in subjective duration is not understood, although several studies suggest that spatial attentional factors may play a critical role. Here we use a duration comparison task within and across sensory modalities to examine if temporal performance is also modulated when people are exposed to spatial distractors involving different sensory modalities. Different groups of healthy participants performed duration comparison tasks in separate sessions: a time comparison task of visual stimuli during exposure to spatially presented auditory distractors; and a time comparison task of auditory stimuli during exposure to spatially presented visual distractors. We found the duration of visual stimuli biased depending on the spatial position of auditory distractors. Observers underestimated the duration of stimuli presented in the left spatial field, while there was an overestimation trend in estimating the duration of stimuli presented in the right spatial field. In contrast, timing of auditory stimuli was unaffected by exposure to visual distractors. These results support the existence of multisensory interactions between space and time showing that, in cross-modal paradigms, the presence of auditory distractors can modify visuo-temporal perception but not vice versa. This asymmetry is discussed in terms of sensory perceptual differences between the two systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Universita di Roma La Sapienza, via dei Marsi 78, I 00100 Rome, Italy.
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Oliveri M, Bonnì S, Turriziani P, Koch G, Lo Gerfo E, Torriero S, Vicario CM, Petrosini L, Caltagirone C. Motor and linguistic linking of space and time in the cerebellum. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7933. [PMID: 19936216 PMCID: PMC2776278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2009] [Accepted: 10/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent literature documented the presence of spatial-temporal interactions in the human brain. The aim of the present study was to verify whether representation of past and future is also mapped onto spatial representations and whether the cerebellum may be a neural substrate for linking space and time in the linguistic domain. We asked whether processing of the tense of a verb is influenced by the space where response takes place and by the semantics of the verb. Principal Findings Responses to past tense were facilitated in the left space while responses to future tense were facilitated in the right space. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the right cerebellum selectively slowed down responses to future tense of action verbs; rTMS of both cerebellar hemispheres decreased accuracy of responses to past tense in the left space and to future tense in the right space for non-verbs, and to future tense in the right space for state verbs. Conclusions The results suggest that representation of past and future is mapped onto spatial formats and that motor action could represent the link between spatial and temporal dimensions. Right cerebellar, left motor brain networks could be part of the prospective brain, whose primary function is to use past experiences to anticipate future events. Both cerebellar hemispheres could play a role in establishing the grammatical rules for verb conjugation.
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Vicario CM, Pecoraro P, Turriziani P, Koch G, Caltagirone C, Oliveri M. Relativistic compression and expansion of experiential time in the left and right space. PLoS One 2008; 3:e1716. [PMID: 18320037 PMCID: PMC2248621 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2007] [Accepted: 02/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Time, space and numbers are closely linked in the physical world. However, the relativistic-like effects on time perception of spatial and magnitude factors remain poorly investigated. Here we wanted to investigate whether duration judgments of digit visual stimuli are biased depending on the side of space where the stimuli are presented and on the magnitude of the stimulus itself. Different groups of healthy subjects performed duration judgment tasks on various types of visual stimuli. In the first two experiments visual stimuli were constituted by digit pairs (1 and 9), presented in the centre of the screen or in the right and left space. In a third experiment visual stimuli were constituted by black circles. The duration of the reference stimulus was fixed at 300 ms. Subjects had to indicate the relative duration of the test stimulus compared with the reference one. The main results showed that, regardless of digit magnitude, duration of stimuli presented in the left hemispace is underestimated and that of stimuli presented in the right hemispace is overestimated. On the other hand, in midline position, duration judgments are affected by the numerical magnitude of the presented stimulus, with time underestimation of stimuli of low magnitude and time overestimation of stimuli of high magnitude. These results argue for the presence of strict interactions between space, time and magnitude representation on the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giacomo Koch
- Fondazione “Santa Lucia” Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Roma, Italy
| | - Carlo Caltagirone
- Fondazione “Santa Lucia” Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Roma, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Oliveri
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Fondazione “Santa Lucia” Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Roma, Italy
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Vicario CM. Selective bias in temporal bisection task by number exposition. Nat Prec 2008. [DOI: 10.1038/npre.2007.1479.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2007] [Accepted: 01/04/2008] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
AbstractTemporal experience can be modulated by a number of environmental factors such as quantity. Here I show that merely looking at numbers causes a bias in imaginative (but not perceptual) time bisection task that depends on the number’s magnitude. This suggests that automatic shifts of spatial attention to the left and right side, as a result of exposure to numbers, modulates temporal as well as spatial behaviour (2,3,4). This finding suggests that the representation of time and space produce certain patterns in neural maps that are decoded by means of the similar neural mechanisms.
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Vicario CM, Vicario CM. Selective bias in temporal bisection task by number exposition. Nature Precedings 2008. [DOI: 10.1038/npre.2007.1479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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Vicario CM, Caltagirone C, Oliveri M. Optokinetic stimulation affects temporal estimation in healthy humans. Brain Cogn 2007; 64:68-73. [PMID: 17397979 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2006.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2006] [Revised: 12/03/2006] [Accepted: 12/07/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The representation of time and space are closely linked in the cognitive system. Optokinetic stimulation modulates spatial attention in healthy subjects and patients with spatial neglect. In order to evaluate whether optokinetic stimulation could influence time perception, a group of healthy subjects performed "time-comparison" tasks of sub- and supra-second intervals before and after leftward or rightward optokinetic stimulation. Subjective time perception was biased by the direction of optokinetic stimulation. Rightward optokinetic stimulation induced an overestimation of time perception compared with baseline and leftward optokinetic stimulation. These results indicate a directional bias in time perception induced by manipulation of spatial attention and could argue for a mental linear representation of time intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 15, 90100 Palermo, Italy
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