Associations between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and seven mental disorders: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Background

The association between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and various mental disorders is still controversial. This study used the Mendelian randomization (MR) method to clarify the correlation between BPPV and seven mental disorders (bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, suicidality, neuroticism, and mood swings) to aid in the exploration of BPPV complications and prevention and early treatment of mental disorders.

Methods

The datasets for BPPV and seven mental disorders were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Two-sample MR was used to analyze the correlation between exposure (BPPV) and various outcomes (bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, suicidality, neuroticism, and mood swings). A reverse MR study was also performed. The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method, the MR-Egger method, the simple mode method, the weighted mode method, and the weighted median method were selected.

Results

The MR analysis and the reverse MR analysis results did not reveal significant associations between BPPV and bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, suicidal tendencies, neuroticism, and mood swings. Interestingly, neuroticism (IVW: OR = 1.142, 95% CI: 1.059-1.231, P = 0.001; P-MR-PRESSO adjustment = 0.0002) and mood swings (IVW: OR = 3.119, 95% CI: 1.652-5.884, P = 0.0004) may have a significant association with BPPV. After MR-PRESSO adjustment, there was no horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity, and a significant association between neuroticism, mood swings, and BPPV has still been suggested.

Conclusion

We conducted MR analysis on genetic data from European populations and discovered a causal relationship between BPPV and the seven mental disorders. Our research findings suggest that BPPV may not have a significant causal relationship with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, or suicidal tendencies. However, neuroticism and mood swings may be risk factors for BPPV.

The Effect of Traditional Opposition Games on University Students' Mood States: The Score and Group Type as Key Aspects

Playing traditional games has a direct impact on the mood states of the players, and this is the reason why physical education is an ideal setting for teaching how to recognize them and be aware about how they can swing. The objective of the study was to determine if participating in traditional opposition games causes changes to the participants' mood states. A total of 102 students participated. Each participant recorded the intensity of the mood state experienced at the beginning and at the end of the sessions, using the validated Profile of Mood States (POMS) instrument. The pedagogical experience was planned as 4 sessions with 6 and 5 opposition games each: (a) with competition in mixed groups, equally and unequally mixed; (b) without competition in mixed groups, equally and unequally mixed; (c) with competition in same-gender groups; and (d) without competition in same-gender groups. When comparing the different mood states according to session (with or without competition), the mood states of the depression, fatigue, and vigor dimensions were significantly different (p < 0.05), with higher scores in the sessions with competition for the mood states of vigor (M_competition = 7.27 and M_{no_competition} = 3.10) and fatigue (M_competition = 4.08 and M_{no_competition} = 1.80). Also, when comparing the mood states depending on session grouping and group type, the results showed differences in the scores obtained for the dimensions fatigue and anger, and general mood state (p < 0.05). These differences were found at the start of the session and at the end, with the dimension fatigue being the only one with differences in both situations when comparing the same-gender, equally-mixed, and unequally-mixed groups for the two types of traditional opposition games compared. In addition, after an analysis of the mood states depending on gender was performed, the results and therefore the significant differences found, were very similar to those obtained according to group type. Lastly, it was concluded that the type of group (equal, mixed & same gender), and gender were decisive, causing variations in the mood states of the students. This provides valuable information for teaching professionals about the structuring and organization of PE sessions, aiming to promoting positive motor experiences.

The effect of gestational age on women's preference for quality goods

Background

It is a well-established fact that hormonal changes significantly influence the consumer behaviors and their purchase intentions. However, attention to the conspicuous buying due to the mood swings, as a result of hormonal changes, during the pregnancy have been largely ignored in the literature.

Aims

The current research aims to examine the prospective association of conspicuous purchase intentions with hormonal changes and mood swings during the pregnancy.

Methods

An experimental procedure was used to assess the data collected from pregnant women (n = 116) and the hypotheses were analyzed using recall probability and recall position measures.

Results

The hormonal changes during the pregnancy were analyzed in three stages known as pregnancy trimesters suggested by the relevant literature (Trimester-1 = 39, Trimister-2 = 36 and Trimester-3 = 41). The respondents were exposed to visual attention of specifically designed images with a unique combination of the status and functional products. The ROC values for Trimester 2 is higher in all 4 graphs (0.923, 0.960, 0.892, and 0.923) respectively than Trimester 1 and 3.

Conclusion

Findings revealed that the women purchase preferences shift as pregnancy move from one trimester to another. Women pay more attention to status products during the 2^nd trimester as compared to 1^st and 3^rd trimesters of pregnancy.

The development of a theoretically derived measure exploring extreme appraisals of sleep in bipolar disorder: a Delphi study with professionals

BACKGROUND

Sleep and mood are known to be linked and this is particularly evident in people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD). It has been proposed that psychological interventions improving sleep can be a pathway for improving mood. In order for a psychological sleep intervention to be appropriate, the common cognitive processes maintaining the range of sleep disturbances need to be investigated.

AIM

This study aimed to explore and identify expert consensus on positive and negative sleep appraisals in the context of low and high mood states, using the Integrative Cognitive Model as a theoretical guide.

METHOD

A Delphi approach was utilized to allow clinical and research professionals, with experience in the field of BD, to be anonymously consulted about their views on sleep appraisals. These experts were invited to participate in up to three rounds of producing and rating statements that represented positive and negative sleep appraisals.

RESULTS

A total of 38 statements were developed and rated, resulting in a final list of 19 statements that were rated as 'essential' or 'important' by >80% of the participants. These statements represent the full range of extreme sleep appraisals this study had set out to explore, confirming the importance of better understanding and identifying positive and negative sleep cognitions in the context of high and low mood.

CONCLUSION

The statements reviewed in this study will be used to inform the development of a sleep cognition measure that may be useful in cognitive therapy addressing sleep disturbances experienced along the bipolar spectrum.

A guide to behavioural experiments in bipolar disorder

Behavioural experiments are an important component of cognitive-behavioural therapy. However, there exists little up-to-date guidance on how to conduct these in people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This paper provides recommendations on how to conduct behavioural experiments in this population. The aim is to upskill and empower clinicians to conduct behavioural experiments. The paper combines the expertise of senior clinicians working in the United Kingdom. The article starts by providing general advice on conducting behavioural experiments in people with bipolar disorder. It then offers specific examples of behavioural experiments targeting cognitions around the uncontrollability and danger of affective states, and related behavioural strategies, which have been implicated in the maintenance of bipolar mood swings. The article finishes by providing examples of behavioural experiments for non-mood related difficulties that commonly occur with bipolar experiences including perfectionistic thinking, need for approval, and intrusive memories. Behavioural experiments offer a useful therapeutic technique for instigating cognitive and behavioural change in bipolar disorder. Conducted sensitively and collaboratively, in line with people's recovery-focused goals, behavioural experiments can be used to overcome mood- and non-mood related difficulties.

Creativity in persons at-risk for bipolar disorder-A pilot study

AIM

The association between bipolar disorder and creativity may be related to symptoms of the disorder itself or personality traits present before the onset. To further explore the relationship between creativity and clinical risk for bipolar disorder, creativity among individuals with a history of depressive disorder and varying risk for future (hypo-)manic episodes was assessed and compared.

METHODS

Thirty-eight participants completed the diagnostic process, including Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) Diagnosis, Hamilton Depression Scale and Young Mania Rating Scale. The early detection tools Bipolar Prodrome Symptom Interview and Scale-Prospective (BPSS-P), Early Phase Inventory for Bipolar Disorders (EPIbipolar) and bipolar-at-risk-(BAR) criteria were used to assign participants into different at-risk groups. Assessment of creativity included Barron-Welsh Art Scale (BWAS) and Creative Achievement Questionnaire (CAQ). Scores were compared between low- and high-risk groups for the development of bipolar disorder.

RESULTS

Participants meeting BAR criteria scored significantly higher on the BWAS than the non-BAR group (P = 0.03). EPIbipolar groups did not differ significantly in creativity scores. Participants with mood swings, especially when associated with increased activity and euphoric features, had significantly higher BWAS scores compared to individuals without mood swings (P = 0.04). Sleep disturbances, substance abuse, anxiety, ADHD and behavioural disturbances in childhood or adolescence had no effect on creativity level or achievement scores. Generalisability was reduced by small sample size and inclusion of depressive participants only considered at-risk for bipolar disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence of increased creativity, but not of higher creative achievements, in persons at-risk of bipolar disorder. Mood swings are strongly associated with creativity.

Among a sample of Iranian premenopausal and menopausal women differences in mood, sleep and health quality are small

BACKGROUND

Anecdotal evidence suggests that mood, sleep, and health quality change in women from premenopausal to menopausal period; however, data supporting these assumptions from non-Western countries are scarce. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess premenopausal and menopausal Iranian women with regard to mood, sleep, and general health.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty Iranian women took part in the study. Sixty were in a premenopausal state (mean age (M): = 46.9 years) and 60 in a menopausal state (M = 53.8 years). They completed a series of self-rating questionnaires related to sleep, mood, and health quality.

RESULTS

Compared to premenopausal women, menopausal women reported more difficulties such as falling asleep, and less general physical activities and vitality. No statistically significant differences were found for sleep quality, sleep schedules, difficulties in social life, general mood state, or general physical and mental health. Menopausal women reported to be more irritable, and to have more energy.

CONCLUSIONS

Data suggest that among a sample of Iranian premenopausal and menopausal women, differences in mood, sleep, and general health are small. Data, therefore, do not support "beliefs" and hearsay that mood, sleep, and general health do decrease from premenopausal to menopausal state.

17q24.2 microdeletions: a new syndromal entity with intellectual disability, truncal obesity, mood swings and hallucinations

Although microdeletions of the long arm of chromosome 17 are being reported with increasing frequency, deletions of chromosome band 17q24.2 are rare. Here we report four patients with a microdeletion encompassing chromosome band 17q24.2 with a smallest region of overlap of 713 kb containing five Refseq genes and one miRNA. The patients share the phenotypic characteristics, such as intellectual disability (4/4), speech delay (4/4), truncal obesity (4/4), seizures (2/4), hearing loss (3/4) and a particular facial gestalt. Hallucinations and mood swings were also noted in two patients. The PRKCA gene is a very interesting candidate gene for many of the observed phenotypic features, as this gene plays an important role in many cellular processes. Deletion of this gene might explain the observed truncal obesity and could also account for the hallucinations and mood swings seen in two patients, whereas deletion of a CACNG gene cluster might be responsible for the seizures observed in two patients. In one of the patients, the PRKAR1A gene responsible for Carney Complex and the KCNJ2 gene causal for Andersen syndrome are deleted. This is the first report of a patient with a whole gene deletion of the KCNJ2 gene.