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Farkas AH, Ward RT, Gilbert FE, Pouliot J, Chiasson P, McIlvanie S, Traiser C, Riels K, Mears R, Keil A. Auditory aversive generalization learning prompts threat-specific changes in alpha-band activity. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae099. [PMID: 38517176 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae099] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Pairing a neutral stimulus with aversive outcomes prompts neurophysiological and autonomic changes in response to the conditioned stimulus (CS+), compared to cues that signal safety (CS-). One of these changes-selective amplitude reduction of parietal alpha-band oscillations-has been reliably linked to processing of visual CS+. It is, however, unclear to what extent auditory conditioned cues prompt similar changes, how these changes evolve as learning progresses, and how alpha reduction in the auditory domain generalizes to similar stimuli. To address these questions, 55 participants listened to three sine wave tones, with either the highest or lowest pitch (CS+) being associated with a noxious white noise burst. A threat-specific (CS+) reduction in occipital-parietal alpha-band power was observed similar to changes expected for visual stimuli. No evidence for aversive generalization to the tone most similar to the CS+ was observed in terms of alpha-band power changes, aversiveness ratings, or pupil dilation. By-trial analyses found that selective alpha-band changes continued to increase as aversive conditioning continued, beyond when participants reported awareness of the contingencies. The results support a theoretical model in which selective alpha power represents a cross-modal index of continuous aversive learning, accompanied by sustained sensory discrimination of conditioned threat from safety cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew H Farkas
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Richard T Ward
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Faith E Gilbert
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Jourdan Pouliot
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Payton Chiasson
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Skylar McIlvanie
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Caitlin Traiser
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Kierstin Riels
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Ryan Mears
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Andreas Keil
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611
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Ward RT, Gilbert FE, Pouliot J, Chiasson P, McIlvanie S, Traiser C, Riels K, Mears R, Keil A. The Relationship Between Self-Reported Misophonia Symptoms and Auditory Aversive Generalization Leaning: A Preliminary Report. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:899476. [PMID: 35812229 PMCID: PMC9260228 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.899476] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Misophonia is characterized by excessive aversive reactions to specific "trigger" sounds. Although this disorder is increasingly recognized in the literature, its etiological mechanisms and maintaining factors are currently unclear. Several etiological models propose a role of Pavlovian conditioning, an associative learning process heavily researched in similar fear and anxiety-related disorders. In addition, generalization of learned associations has been noted as a potential causal or contributory factor. Building upon this framework, we hypothesized that Misophonia symptoms arise as a consequence of overgeneralized associative learning, in which aversive responses to a noxious event also occur in response to similar events. Alternatively, heightened discrimination between conditioned threat and safety cues may be present in participants high in Misophonia symptoms, as predicted by associative learning models of Misophonia. This preliminary report (n = 34) examines auditory generalization learning using self-reported behavioral (i.e., valence and arousal ratings) and EEG alpha power reduction. Participants listened to three sine tones differing in pitch, with one pitch (i.e., CS+) paired with an aversive loud white noise blast, prompting aversive Pavlovian generalization learning. We assessed the extent to which overgeneralization versus heightened discrimination learning is associated with self-reported Misophonia symptoms, by comparing aversive responses to the CS+ and other tones similar in pitch. Behaviorally, all participants learned the contingencies between CS+ and noxious noise, with individuals endorsing elevated Misophonia showing heightened aversive sensitivity to all stimuli, regardless of conditioning and independent of hyperacusis status. Across participants, parieto-occipital EEG alpha-band power reduction was most pronounced in response to the CS+ tone, and this difference was greater in those with self-reported Misophonia symptoms. The current preliminary findings do not support the notion that overgeneralization is a feature of self-reported emotional experience in Misophonia, but that heightened sensitivity and discrimination learning may be present at the neural level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard T. Ward
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Faith E. Gilbert
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jourdan Pouliot
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Payton Chiasson
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Skylar McIlvanie
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Caitlin Traiser
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Kierstin Riels
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ryan Mears
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Andreas Keil
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Mears R, Salway R, Sharp D, Shield JPH, Jago R. A longitudinal study investigating change in BMI z-score in primary school-aged children and the association of child BMI z-score with parent BMI. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1902. [PMID: 33302899 PMCID: PMC7731748 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-10001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This paper aims to explore change in BMI z-score through childhood and the association between parent BMI and child BMI z-score. This is important to understand for the development of effective obesity interventions. Methods Data from the longitudinal B-ProAct1v study (1837 participants) were analysed. A paired sample t-test examined changes in child BMI z-score between Year 1 and 4. Multivariable linear regression models examined the cross-sectional associations between child BMI z-score and parent BMI in Year 1 and 4. The influence of change in parental BMI between Year 1 and Year 4 on child BMI z-score in Year 4 was explored through regression analyses, adjusted for baseline BMI z-score. Results There was a strong association between child BMI z-score at Year 1 and 4. Child mean BMI z-score score increased from 0.198 to 0.330 (p = < 0.005) between these timepoints. For every unit increase in parent BMI, there was an increase in child BMI z-score of 0.047 in Year 1 (p = < 0.005) and of 0.059 in Year 4 (p = < 0.005). Parental BMI change was not significantly associated with Year 4 child BMI z-score. Conclusion The key indicator of higher child BMI at Year 4 is high BMI at Year 1. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of parental weight change on child BMI z-score and whether interventions targeted at overweight or obese parents, can improve their child’s BMI z-score.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Mears
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK. .,Centre for Exercise Nutrition and Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TZ, UK.
| | - R Salway
- Centre for Exercise Nutrition and Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TZ, UK
| | - D Sharp
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - J P H Shield
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Nutrition Theme, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS1 2NT, UK.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8DZ, UK
| | - R Jago
- Centre for Exercise Nutrition and Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TZ, UK
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Boutros NN, Mears R, Pflieger ME, Moxon KA, Ludowig E, Rosburg T. Sensory gating in the human hippocampal and rhinal regions: Regional differences. Hippocampus 2008; 18:310-6. [PMID: 18064708 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.20388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N N Boutros
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Jefferson, Detroit, Michigan 48207, USA.
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Taylor R, Reeves B, Mears R, Keast J, Binns S, Ewings P, Khan K. Development and validation of a questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based practice teaching. Med Educ 2001; 35:544-7. [PMID: 11380856 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2923.2001.00916.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based practice (EBP) teaching. METHODS The 152 questionnaires completed by health care professionals with a range of EBP experience were used in this study. Cronbach's alpha for the knowledge and attitude questions indicated a satisfactory level of internal consistency (i.e. >0.60). RESULTS The discriminative validity was evidenced by a statistically significant difference in the knowledge and attitude scores of 'novices' (i.e. little or no prior EBP education) compared with 'experts' (i.e. health care professionals and academics currently teaching EBP). Moderate to good (> or =0.4) sensitivity index scores were observed for both knowledge and attitude scores as the result of comparing individuals before and after an EBP intervention. CONCLUSIONS The results of this validation study indicate that the developed questionnaire is a satisfactory tool with which to evaluate the effectiveness of EBP teaching interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Taylor
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Mears R. Pet Food Certification Program survey. Can Vet J 2001; 42:254. [PMID: 17424619 PMCID: PMC1476537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to explore the factors that contribute to the process of decision making within general practice, over and above evidence-based information. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews on a purposeful sample of GPs, based in the South West of England. Each interview was tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. RESULTS Five broad categories emerged from the data: practitioner; patient; practitioner-patient relationship; verbal and non-verbal communication; evidence-based medicine; and external factors. CONCLUSION The nature of general practice is such that the process of making clinical decisions is complex. In an era when GPs are being overwhelmed by evidence-based information, consideration needs to be given to the implications that the nature of the decision-making process has upon the way 'evidence' is constructed and promoted within general practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Mears
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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Taylor R, Reeves B, Ewings P, Binns S, Keast J, Mears R. A systematic review of the effectiveness of critical appraisal skills training for clinicians. Med Educ 2000; 34:120-5. [PMID: 10652064 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2923.2000.00574.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to undertake a descriptive systematic review of the effectiveness of critical appraisal skills training for clinicians. Of the 10 controlled studies which examined this issue and were found to meet the eligibility criteria of this review, all used a study population of either medical students or doctors in training. The studies used a variety of different intervention 'dosages' and reported a range of outcomes. These included participants' knowledge of epidemiology/biostatistics, their attitudes towards medical literature, their ability to appraise medical literature, and medical literature reading behaviour. An overall improvement in assessed outcomes of 68% was reported after critical appraisal skills training, particularly in knowledge relating to epidemiology and biostatistics. This review appears to provide some evidence of the benefit of teaching critical appraisal skills to clinicians, in terms of both knowledge of methodological/statistical issues in clinical research and attitudes to medical literature. However, these findings should be considered with caution as the methodological quality of studies was generally poor, with only one study employing a randomized controlled design. There is a need for educators within the field of evidence-based health to consider the implications of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Taylor
- HSRU, Department of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
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Mears R, Levin M. Demographic characteristics of the population of Greater Soweto, 1993. Dev South Afr 1996; 13:625-646. [PMID: 12293364 DOI: 10.1080/03768359608439920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
"This research note provides information and findings on some aspects of urbanisation in Greater Soweto. It outlines the demographic characteristics of the population, namely the characteristics of households; household preferences for services; perceptions on accommodation; age and gender profiles; education levels; the origin of the inhabitants and mobility in and migration to Greater Soweto. Some findings are particularly important for future planning of services and low-income or subsidised housing."
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