Jacobsen Syndrome (JS), or 11q Deletion Syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 100,000 births, with a female-to-male ratio of 2:1 (Grossfeld et al. Am J Med Genet A. 2004; 129A(1):51-61). It is caused by a deletion on chromosome 11’s long arm, leading to diverse clinical features, affecting mainly the immune and cardiac systems (Dalm et al. J Clin Immunol. 2015; 35(8):761-8). Core neuropsychiatric symptoms include intellectual disability, psychomotor delays and distinctive physical traits. Recent reports highlighted attention deficits and autism-like characteristics (Akshoomoff et al. Genet Med. 2015; 17(2):143-8). Although previous studies identified varied cognitive profiles in JS, most focused on medical features, and a detailed psychiatric and cognitive characterisation is lacking.

This study aims to describe and analyse the psychiatric and cognitive profiles of individuals with JS as well as its associations, within a Spanish sample.

Twenty-nine participants aged 2 to 45 years were recruited from the Spanish association “11q España”. Psychiatric data were collected through interviews with parents and cross-referenced with medical reports, and behavioural symptoms were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Cognitive functioning was evaluated using Wechsler scales and the Merrill-Palmer-Revised scale.

The cohort’s average age was 12 years, with a female majority (68.9%). Psychiatric or neurodevelopmental comorbidities were present in over half (51.72%), with ADHD being the most common. According to the CBCL, 54.4% had internalising problems, and 54.5% had externalising problems. The average Intellectual Quotient (IQ) was 50.18, and the mean Developmental Quotient 36. When grouped by disability, 17.3% had borderline functioning, 17.3% mild, 21.7% moderate, 26% severe, and 17.3% profound ID. Higher IQ was associated with increased depression diagnoses and anxious/depressed symptoms.

This study provides a detailed neurocognitive profile of individuals with JS, confirming its heterogeneous presentation. Psychiatric comorbidities, especially ADHD, were common, and cognitive functioning ranged from borderline to profound ID, with no cases of normal cognition. Notably, participants with higher cognitive abilities were more prone to depression, highlighting the need for targeted mental health support tailored to individuals with JS.

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Suicidality is one of the leading causes of death in young adults. Most of the suicidal patients suffer from background depression. Developments in the last few years in brain simulation technology as dTMS enables a more intensive care in accelerated protocols that have already been approved in the treatment of the depression field. However, most major studies in the field excluded the participation of patient with active suicidality.

This study focuses on efficacy of dTMS in patients with active suicidality.

This double-blind randomized study offers an accelerated protocol dTMS treatment in the span of 10 treatment days, while the patient is maintained in full hospitalization and secure conditions. The study examined the efficacy of the dTMS accelerated protocol (which includes 3 treatments a day for the course of 10 treatment days) on suicidality indicators. This treatment was given in addition (add-on) to standard ward treatments in three arms (1:1:1) sham, active H1 coil and active H7 coil.

38 patients were enrolled in the study. 30 patients successfully completed 10 treatment days. 8 patients did not complete treatment due to withdraw of informed consent before starting treatment (N = 4), panic attack (N = 2), discharge from the ward (N = 1) and suicide attempt (N = 1). Patients received active treatment (both H1 and H7) showed superior response (defined as >50% improvement in depression scale) compared to placebo arm (PA) (p = 0.03). Additionally, clinically close to significance improvement in suicidality intensity scales was found after 5 and 10 days of treatment in active treatment compared to placebo (p = 0.09). However, no significant difference was found regarding suicidality type scores. No major differences in depression and suicidality were found comparing H1 and H7 coils. The main side effects were headaches and dizziness, motoric tremor during the treatments, vomiting and general exhaustion. One patient (placebo group) completed suicide a month following the end of the study.

Active suicidality is a major challenge in treating severe mental disorders, and death by suicide is still a leading cause of death among patients. However, most clinical studies in mental health still exclude patients with active suicidality, hence treatment options are limited. In this study, we found deep TMS accelerated protocol (both H1 and H7 coils) to be both safe and effective in decreasing suicidality intensity and depression symptoms among inpatients with severe mental disorders accompanied by suicidality. Further studies are needed to differentiate H1 and H7 coils effectiveness in different depression sub-types and common psychiatric comorbidities.

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Nature based interventions are becoming more popular in mental health prevention and treatment. Blue therapies are rarely known because of limited access and high costs. The poster presents the results of research on the level of the hardiness and resilience of high sea cruises participants. The study involved 123 people, including 65 girls and 58 boys, and 55 young adults, including 15 women and 39 men.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of blue intervention on the level of the hardiness and resilience of high sea cruises participants.

Pre-posttest study with questionnaires issued on the first and last day of each cruise. Dispositional Resilience Scale (Bartone et. al., 1989) was used to measure mental hardiness, commitment, openness to challenges and a sense of control of participants. EEA Resilience Scale (Maltby et. al., 2015) was used to measure ecological and engineering resilience and adaptive capacity of partifcipants.

The results show a statistically significant increase in hardiness level. There was also a significant increase in commitment, openness to challenges and a sense of control of participants, which are measured by subscales of the DRS. Significant increase of ecological resilience and adaptive capacity has been noted.

Hardiness and resilience are key protective factors for mental health. Blue interventions can be effetcive ways of mental wellbeing improvement.

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Coercive methods in psychiatry have been a matter of intense public debate for many years. Involuntary hospitalization (IH) for purpose of treatment is a major intervention with the purpose of providing care for individuals, who, during psychotic episodes, are not immanently dangerous to self or others but unable to take care of themselves and at risk of significant deterioration. The intervention is, however, not yet fully examined from patients’ perspectives.

To examine views and experiences of patients with schizophrenia, involuntary hospitalized in a psychotic state for purpose of treatment.

Nine patients were interviewed at discharge with a semi-structured instrument on the following: If IH can be justified in general and in the context of their own admission, how IH can be prevented, and finally, how they would react if confronted with a person in a similar condition as their own as described in their chart at the time of IH. The patients were reinterviewed after the interviewer had read their chart to obtain their reactions on others’ descriptions of their condition.

None of the patients considered their involuntary hospitalization necessary in its entirety or as an act of caregiving, and they believed that community support could have prevented it. Some described improvement in their condition attributed not to the hospitalization itself but to positive interactions with staff and other patients. They did not view their condition as psychotic but rather as angry, stressed, or even entirely well. They stressed that psychiatric patients should be able to refuse treatment in the same way as patients with somatic illnesses can.

We discussed the patients’ experiences and negative view of IH, how their opinions can be related to the concept of psychosis and insight, possibilities of increased community support, and ethical issues concerning caregiving when the person being cared for does not feel a need. A better understanding of the role of psychopathology and patients’ subjective experiences may provide a foundation for a patient-doctor dialogue on joint interventions in the future. More options for community support and acute outpatient interventions could be a possible way to reduce IH of patients, who are not dangerous to self or others.

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Prior studies have shown contradicting results regarding adrenal gland volume (AGV) in depressed patients, with some reporting significant enlargement and others not.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare CT image segmentations of the adrenal glands in patients with depression to a control group with stringent exclusion criteria to minimize confounding factors.

We included patients diagnosed with depression (ICD-10: F32/33) who underwent abdominal CT imaging between 2012 and 2022 and did not have any other psychiatric disorders. Diagnoses that could potentially influence AGV were excluded. The resulting 31 depressed patients were compared to a matching control group of 31 patients without depression. The AGV was manually segmented in thin-sliced reconstructions (≤1 mm).

Total AGV in the depressed group was 6.78 (5.19-7.56) cm3 compared to 6.90 (5.54-10.05) cm3 in the control group. There was no significant difference in AGV between the two groups after adjusting for age, height, and weight. A positive correlation was observed between AGV and height (r=0.41, p<0.001) and weight (r=0.52, p<0.001). Males showed significantly larger AGV than females (p≤0.001), and left AGV was significantly larger than right AGV (p<0.001). Patients within the depressed group who underwent imaging after a suicide attempt showed larger total AGV compared to the control group, though not statistically significant.

AGV is not increased in the well-selected cohort of depressed patients in this study, which contrasts with some previous reports in literature. Further multi-centric studies are required to identify potentially influencing factors such as attempted suicide.

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Panhypopituitarism is a rare and life-threatening endocrine condition characterized by the loss of pituitary hormone function. Literature mentions the very rare occurrence of iatrogenic panhypopituitarism caused by neurosurgical operations, radiotherapy, and pharmacotherapy – long-term use of corticosteroids can suppress the HPA axis, leading to secondary cortisol insufficiency, which, in very rare cases, progresses to global panhypopituitarism. Psychological symptoms are often present but are unfortunately rarely recognized.

A case of a patient with psychological symptoms due to panhypopituitarism is presented.

A case report is presented with a literature review.

A 37-year-old patient, has experienced fatigue, tremors, loss of sexual desire, blood pressure and glucose fluctuations, and impaired temperature and pain sensation. Endocrinological testing revealed insufficiency of all pituitary hormones. Multiple MRI scans of the brain showed a normal appearance of the pituitary gland. It was discovered that he had a severe car accident with a head injury 10 years ago. Since then, he has been taking high doses of corticosteroids on his initiative due to severe spinal pain. It is believed that the condition developed iatrogenically due to corticosteroid medication. His psychological condition significantly worsened after one of the adrenal crises. He describes an experience of “encountering death” during one of the adrenal crises. Furthermore, he describes that after this adrenal crisis, his corticosteroid dosage was significantly increased, resulting in feelings of excessive energy, worse anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. Because of this, he began self-reducing the corticosteroid dose, leading to a “vicious cycle” where he fears another crisis. In complex patients like this one, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive treatment plan and ensure good collaboration with somatic physicians. This patient presents with depressive and anxiety symptoms within the context of an adjustment disorder. Additionally, corticosteroid therapy contributes to emotional instability, and the patient also exhibits symptoms of PTSD due to a near-death experience. Also, the patient’s complex psychodynamic profile presents significant challenges to treatment. The therapeutic goals for this patient are: mood stabilization and anxiety reduction, sleep regulation, and breaking the “vicious cycle”. CBT is the treatment of choice for addressing the patient’s anxiety, fear of adrenal crisis, and self-reduction of corticosteroid doses. The patient’s complex psychodynamics and high cognitive functioning make him an excellent candidate for long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy.

The psychiatrist plays a crucial role in treating such complex patients, and close collaboration with somatic physicians, along with an adequate and thorough therapeutic treatment plan, is necessary.

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Observation of the potential benefits of human-animal interaction is evident. Pet therapy is used to treat anxiety as it significantly reduces self-reported anxiety in many age groups. Most studies of pet therapy involve dogs, but cats and horses have also been studied. Pet therapy is becoming increasingly popular and is used in a variety of diverse ways, from promoting communication in older adults to improving the wellbeing of those with serious mental illness. Studies have also found mental health inpatients with mood and psychotic disorders to display significant reductions in anxiety on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

This study aims to measure the effect of pet therapy (especially therapy with pets such as dogs or cats) in individuals with anxiety disorders. It is aimed to examine how pet therapy affects anxiety levels, whether it reduces anxiety symptoms and its contribution to overall quality of life.

The study will be conducted between November 2024 and January 2025 in 3 databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct) using the keywords “anxiety disorders”, “anxiety”, “pet therapy”. These databases were preferred because they contain a significant amount of evidence-based literature in biomedical sciences and psychology. Studies conducted between 2015 and 2024, whose full texts were accessed and written in Turkish and English were included in the study.

There are 20 national and international research articles on the subject and the literature review is ongoing. When the literature review is completed, all study results will be presented together.

This study provides an overview of the positive effects of pet therapy in reducing anxiety symptoms and improving quality of life in individuals with anxiety disorders. In the studies reviewed, it was found that therapy with pets, especially dogs and cats, led to significant reductions in anxiety levels and improved individuals’ overall mental health. Many of the participants felt calmer, less stressed and had higher levels of satisfaction with the therapy. The findings suggest that pet therapy not only reduces anxiety levels, but also increases social communication, reduces feelings of loneliness and improves functioning in daily life. Pet therapies can be considered as a complementary method for anxiety reduction.

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The emergence of social media platforms like X has created a unique space for mental health discussions. This study aims to analyze the language and themes used in social media discussions to appreciate sentiments about PMS and PMDD by looking at a sample of the most popular tweets on platform X.

We hypothesize that this content can provide insight into public perceptions and guide educational campaigns.

An advanced Twitter/X search for “PMS” and “PMDD” was conducted, filtering for English content. The top 100 tweets for each search term were explored through two different sentiment analysis tools which include Dr. Daniel Soper’s Sentiment Analyzer Tool and Text2Data Application Programming Interface (API) Natural Language Processing (NLP) Analysis. Tweets were also analyzed using a word cloud generator to identify the most frequently used terms. Connecting words were eliminated from the final output.

Negative sentiment was more prevalent than positive among the tweets for PMDD, with an overall sentiment analysis of an average of -24.3 per the Daniel Soper Sentiment Analyzer tool, suggesting a negative and serious tone. The most frequently appearing terms in these tweets were “month” (mentioned 17 times), “bad” (16), “love” (15), “feel” (14), “MAFS” (14), “support (14). Per Text2Data’s API NLP analysis, the top 150 words had a negative sentiment of -0.59 with a magnitude of 1.69. Negative sentiment was more prevalent than positive among the tweets for PMS, with an overall sentiment analysis of an average of -15.2 per the Daniel Soper Sentiment Analyzer tool, suggesting a somewhat negative and serious tone. The most frequently appearing terms in these tweets were “new” (11), “price” (10), “oxford” (9), “feel” (14), “people” (9), “want” (9). Per Text2Data’s API NLP analysis, the top 150 words had neutral sentiment of +0.15 with a magnitude of 1.59.

This study emphasizes a less negative sentiment associated with PMS compared to PMDD. It also highlights how more emotionally charged terms were used among tweets discussing PMDD compared to PMS. This may reflect public perception of the two conditions. Additionally, social media can be a way to gauge public interest and perception of medical topics.

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Suicidal behavior is a public health problem in which the entire society must commit to implementing all available strategies to prevent it (Tighe et al., 2018), as more than 800,000 people die worldwide each year (Pedrola-Pons et al., 2024).

The objective is to determine the efficacy of ACT in reducing suicidal behaviors through a systematic review.

A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 methodology, searching the Cochrane, EMBASE, PubMed, PubPsych, and MEDLINE databases for scientific literature published between 2013 and March 31, 2024, using the keywords: “suicidal behavior” and “acceptance and commitment therapy” in Spanish and English. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7 studies were finally included in the systematic review.

After conducting the search, 7 studies were included, among which were 1 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, a systematic review and meta-analysis, two randomized clinical trials, a systematic review of 5 studies, a program analysis, and an effectiveness study. The review showed a significant reduction in suicidal behavior in patients who received ACT (Calati et al., 2024).

A relationship was observed between increased psychological flexibility and decreased suicidal ideation (Macri et al., 2024). The efficacy of ACT was comparable or superior to other interventions in some of the studies included in the review (Kumpula et al., 2019).

ACT shows promising results in reducing suicidal behaviors. However, more studies with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm its efficacy.

More studies with larger sample sizes and longer participant follow-up are needed to establish the long-term efficacy of ACT in reducing suicidal behavior.

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Various studies have shown that individuals with mental health disorders are significantly more likely to smoke compared to the general population. Additionally, they tend to exhibit more severe tobacco dependence. For these populations, smoking is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite the significance of this issue and its impact on health, quality of life, and financial well- being, smoking cessation interventions are rarely implemented in mental health services.

The STEN project (alleviate Stigma, Train, Enhance smoking cessation interventions, rely on a specialized Network), funded by the Tobacco Prevention Fund in Switzerland, aims to promote smoking cessation among individuals with mental health disorders. The project seeks to strengthen the competencies of mental health professionals, encourage the utilization of available resources, and shift healthcare professionals’ beliefs about smoking in individuals with mental disorders.

The first phase of the STEN project focuses on identifying the needs and perceptions of mental health professionals regarding smoking cessation. This phase involves a qualitative opinion survey exploring the perceived barriers and needs related to treating tobacco dependence in people with mental health disorders. The survey was conducted through focus groups held between December 2023 and April 2024, involving about 80 professionals from various linguistic regions of Switzerland, representing different professional bodies and both private and public addiction and psychiatry services. Data collection was facilitated and standardized using a structured response document.

The analysis of the focus group discussions revealed:

Barriers: The main barriers to implementing tobacco dependence treatment among mental health professionals included a lack of knowledge, the misconception that addressing tobacco use is not part of their mission, and false beliefs about patients’ willingness to quit.

Needs: There is a strong interest among mental health professionals in digital training, accompanied by opportunities for practice-sharing.

This phase will culminate in the development of a training and digital support concept tailored to the needs and perceptions of mental health professionals in Switzerland.

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Clozapine is the reference treatment for resistant schizophrenia. Its pharmacokinetic characteristics (metabolism by cytochromes CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4, among others) as well as its pharmacodynamic properties are the source of numerous high-risk drug interactions. According to the French marketing authorization, clozapine is contraindicated with bone marrow depressants, and associations with benzodiazepines, omeprazole, fluvoxamine, and lithium require specific precautions.

Collaboration between a national multi-professional network operating in various public or private mental health hospitals (the PIC network) and a regional psychiatric research federation (FERREPSY Occitanie) enabled the implementation of a study describing the prevalence of high-risk drug associations in a large panel of French psychiatric hospitals

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2023 across 30 centers that are members of the PIC network and/or FERREPSY.

The medical records of 795 patients were analyzed by hospital pharmacists from the participating centers. Several high-risk associations with clozapine were identified. In 1.5% of cases, clozapine was associated with carbamazepine, in 1.1% of cases with omeprazole, and in 3% of cases with fluvoxamine. More frequently, associations with lithium salts were found in 15.6% of patients and with benzodiazepines in 68.3% of patients.

This study provided an overview of high-risk co-prescriptions with clozapine in French psychiatric institutions. It highlights a high prevalence of certain high-risk associations, which underscore the discrepancy between clinical practices and health agency recommendations.

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As of January 1, 2020, the new Dutch Mental Health Compulsory Care Act (WVGGZ) came into effect, replacing the Special Admissions to Psychiatric Hospitals Act (Wet BOPZ).

One of the expectations of the WVGGZ was that earlier (medication-based) involuntary intervention in outpatient settings would lead to fewer or shorter hospital admissions. The most important change was the outpatient use of involuntary medication, which was not allowed before the law.

Data from the Argus rating scale (Noorthoorn et al, 2016) and its successor, the compulsory care registration were combined with background data on admissions and wards. For this study, patients with a court order (RM) in 2016 and 2017 and a cumpulsory care authorization (ZM) in 2022 and 2023 were selected.

In 2016 and 2017, 549 patients received an RM, and 958 RM’s were issued. In 2022 and 2023, there were 405 patients, and 546 ZM’s were implemented. The total number of admission days for these patients before the law was 78,183 compared to 76,099 after the law. The average length of stay increased from 81 days per patient to 140 days per patient (t=-8.93, p<0.001). Seclusion decreased from 45,893 hours to 2,985 hours (t=4.93, p<0.001). Intramuscular (IM) medication was administered 137 times before the law and 369 times in clinical settings after the law (2022-2023) (chi-square= 325.10, p<0.001). IM medication was administered 777 times in outpatient settings.

Contrary to expectations, the legislative change did not result in shorter admissions for patients with a ZM. The data indicate significant differences in involuntary treatment for patients before and after the legal change. The presentation will explore possible factors influencing these figures.

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In the rapidly evolving landscape of contemporary education, high school teachers are increasingly confronting significant professional stress that critically undermines their mental health and overall well-being. This pervasive issue not only affects teachers but also has broader implications for the effectiveness and sustainability of educational systems.

This study aims to elucidate the complex dynamics of occupational stress, psychosocial workplace factors, and burnout among high school teachers in Tetouan, Morocco.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 258 high school teachers. The study utilized the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess burnout levels, the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) to evaluate psychosocial factors, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) to measure perceived stress levels.

The MBI indicated that 43% of teachers experienced high emotional exhaustion, 46% reported low depersonalization, and 47% indicated low levels of personal accomplishment. On the JCQ, 55% of teachers faced high psychological demands, 57% had limited decision latitude, and 44% received insufficient social support at their workplace. There was a significant correlation between MBI emotional exhaustion and JCQ psychological demand scores (r = 0.381, p < 0.01), indicating a complex interplay between burnout dimensions and psychosocial factors in the workplace. Furthermore, the PSS-10 results exhibited a median stress score of 27, indicating a significant variability in stress perceptions among the participants.

This study underscores the critical need to address burnout, psychosocial workplace factors, and perceived stress among high school teachers. The prevalent emotional exhaustion, substantial psychological demands, and varied perceived stress levels revealed by this study necessitate integrated strategies that address these complex interactions to foster a more supportive and healthy professional environment. Further research should focus on operationalizing these insights into concrete, actionable policies that enhance educational professionals’ well-being and productivity.

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Xp11.22 duplication syndrome, a rare genetic condition first identified in 2009, has fewer than 100 documented cases in the literature. To date, little is known about the genotype-phenotype relationship in this rare genetic syndrome and there is a paucity of data specifically regarding catatonia in this condition.

The primary aim of this case report is to provide a comprehensive description of the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and management strategies employed in a case of catatonia occurring in the context of Xp11.22 duplication syndrome and ASD.

Methods of this case report include assessment of the patient via thorough psychiatric and medical evaluation, as well as additional information obtained through chart review and collateral sources.

Our patient, a 15-year-old Caucasian male, was diagnosed with Xp11.22 duplication syndrome at age 3 due to speech and motor delays. At 14, he experienced sudden behavioral and motor changes, including withdrawal, repetitive speech, slowed gait, and repetitive motor behaviors like “rewind” actions. Over 3 months, symptoms included emotional lability, self-injurious behaviors, and significant disruption to daily functioning. Outpatient management with olanzapine and quetiapine worsened agitation. Referred to a specialist, he was started on lorazepam up to 12 mg daily for suspected catatonia. ECT was considered, but further workup ruled out seizure disorder and autoimmune encephalitis. Pediatric neurology found no alternative etiology and recommended ECT. On admission, BFCRS score was 14, showing catatonic symptoms like automatic obedience, mutism, and immobility. Lorazepam was reduced to 2 mg three times daily, and amantadine 100 mg twice daily was continued. An acute ECT course of 12 bilateral treatments over four weeks reduced catatonic symptoms, improving mutism, motor speed, and daily activities. During a 56-day hospitalization, he received 7 maintenance treatments. Upon discharge, BFCRS decreased to 7, and he continued lorazepam and amantadine.

This case report underscores the complexity of managing catatonia in patients with Xp11.22 duplication syndrome and ASD, highlighting the potential need for multimodal treatment approaches. The significant improvement observed with the addition of ECT to the treatment regimen emphasizes the importance of considering this option in cases of refractory catatonia, even in patients with complex genetic and neurodevelopmental backgrounds. This case raises important questions about the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of catatonia in the context of Xp11.22 duplication syndrome and ASD.

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In schizophrenia, cognitive symptoms emerge in the early period and are among the core symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of electroconvulsive therapy on the cognitive functions of schizophrenia patients.

In schizophrenia, cognitive symptoms emerge in the early period and are among the core symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of electroconvulsive therapy on the cognitive functions of schizophrenia patients.

In this study, 25 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 criteria and treated with only pharmacotherapy (FT), 25 patients treated with pharmacotherapy plus electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) those who are inpatients in the psychiatry clinics of Istanbul Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital 28 healthy controls were included. Patients were evaluated clinically with tests during the acute exacerbation period and 3 months later.

During the acute exacerbation period, schizophrenia patients were identified to present poor cognitive performance compared to healthy controls. After three months of treatment, significant clinical improvement was observed in both patient groups. MoCA total scores increased for both groups after treatment. After treatment, TMT-A and TMT-B performance improved in the pharmacotherapy group and TMT-A performance improved in the pharmacotherapy + ECT group. With treatment, there was a significant positive change in the number of categories completed in the WCST in the pharmacotherapy group. In the Stroop Test, the pharmacotherapy group showed significant positive changes in the duration values of all cards and in the interference effect, while the pharmacotherapy + ECT group showed significant changes in the duration values of Stroop 1, 2, 4 and 5 and in the interference effect. In the pharmacotherapy + ECT group, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the change in PANNS negative subscale scores and the duration of TMT-B and the number of completed categories, perseverative responses and perseverative errors in WCST.

It was observed that treatment modalities are not superior to each other on cognitive functioning in the long term. The improvement in cognitive areas with treatment may be due to a decrease in symptom severity and increased patient compliance with treatment. In this field, prospective, multicenter studies with larger sample sizes, including different drug groups and different ECT modalities are needed.

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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a very common cause of dementia and a common cause of death in elderly humans. No effective long-term treatment has been found so far. Recently developed treatments with antibodies have shown severe side effects of edema or intracerebral hemorrhage in a larger number of cases.

Neuronavigated transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) as a new non-invasive therapy method could represent a current alternative to standard treatments. In contrast to ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) TPS uses shock waves with a mechanical transduction. These shock waves allow an application to superficial brain structures as well as into areas deep in the brain without the induction of any unwanted thermal side effects. The stimulation of the target areas can be MRI-navigated with nearly a similar precision as in stereotactical procedures.

85 out-patients with Alzheimer’s disease with light to moderate symptoms received TPS-treatments with 6.000 pulses each session bilaterally in 6 sessions over 2 weeks into the frontal, parietal and temporal cortex (0.2 mJ/mm2 4 Hz - Neurolith by Storz Medical). The treatment was repeated with a single booster session every 6 weeks. Pulses were inividually neuronavigated by current MRI-images. Executive functions were tested using the Stroop-Test (colour-word-interference-test). Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease normaly present only poor results in the Stroop-Test. We tested with a pre – post design (t0 pre stimulation : t1 after 6 sessions, two weeks later as well as t2 6 months later). The mood of the patients was measured using the BDI on t0, t1 and t2.

TPS-stimulation showed strong ameliorating effects on performance in the Stroop-Test. The mean-score of the Stroop-test was diminished significantly (pre vs. post ; p < 0.05 – paired T-test) in a comparison of t0 to t1. This effect was preserved during an interval of 6 months (t2). Single patients showed extraordinary improvements by shortening completer times in the Stroop-Test by half.

Depressive symptoms of the patients were also diminished by the treatment. The BDI score decreased from 20.1 ( t0 ) to 9.7 ( t1), and 9,1 (t2) respectively.

No significant side-effects occured during all the sessions in any of the patients.

The results of this trial show that cognitive impairments of executive functions and depressive symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease may be ameliorated using TPS as a noninvasive neuronavigated brain stimulation method. No severe side-effects were observed. In the meantime beneficial effects of shockwaves with low intensitiy have also been shown in the fields of dermatology, orthopedics and cardial surgery.

Different mechanisms of action of TPS are still under investigation.

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Contemporary global crises, including Climate Change/CC, has increased the interest in Future Anxiety/FA. As an emotional response to the anticipation of threats in the distant rather than proximal future, FA is broader than worry, which generally focuses on particular issues and fluctuates depending on specific circumstances.

To analyze the psychometric properties of the Portuguese versions of Dark Future Scale (DFS; Zaleski et al. 2019), composed of 5 items to evaluate FA; and Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS; Stewart 2021), a 10-items measure of proximal worry about CC; to explore whether they evaluate distinct or overlapping constructs.

590 adults (64.6% women; mean age=34.40±16.18) answered DFS, CCWS (preliminary), Climate Change Distress and Impairment Scale/CC-DIS and Pro-Environmental Behaviours Scale/PEBS. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA; with a subsample of n=290) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA; n=300) were performed. DFS and CCWS structures tested with CFA were based on previous EFA results, including a model combining items from both scales.

DFS: CFA evidenced the good fit of the unidimensional model, χ2/df=3.314, CFI=.995, TLI=.990, GFI=.989, RMSEA=.060, p<.001; alfa=.91.

the unidimensional model (similar to the one found in the original version) (χ2/df=2.076; CFI=.982; TLI=.970; GFI=.965; RMSEA=.0590; p<.001; a=.90) and the two-factors model, with F1 composed of 6 items related to CC concerns and F2 of 4 items related to perceived interference (χ2/df=2.561; CFI=.973; TLI=.956; GFI=.956; RMSEA=.0611; p<.001; aF1=.75, aF2= .89) presented good fit.

the 2-factor model, with each scale being one factor (χ2/df=2.312; CFI=.962; TLI=.951; GFI=.928; RMSEA=.065; p<.001) and the 3-factor model, where CCWS divides into 2 factors (χ2/df=2.248; CFI=.964; TLI=.954; GFI=.926; RMSEA=.063; p<.001) resulted in good fit. FA correlated with CCWSTotal/F1/ F2 (r>.25). Correlations with CCDIS were r=.36 for FA and r<.55 for CCWSTotal/F1/F2; only CCWS total and dimensional scores correlated with PEB (r>.45) (all p<.001). When predicting CCDIS, FA adds 4% (R change, p<.001) to the variance explained by CCWS dimensions (R2=49.7%). Only CCWSConcerns (b=.345) but not CCWSInterference predicted PEB.

DFS and CCWS Portuguese versions have adequate validity and reliability. Their moderate correlation and the validity of the measurement models tested suggest that they evaluate distinct constructs. FA seems more maladaptive than CCW: although it increments CC-DIS prediction, it does not correlate with PEBS. The same applies to CCWSInterference, which emphasizes that the CCWS two-factor structure may be useful to delimit CCW’s normal/pathological nature. We intend to use these scales in an ongoing research project on psychological factors associated with CC mitigation and adaptation.

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Sleep health is s an essential aspect of a healthy lifestyle, and sleep problems are prevalent among individuals with mental disorders. However, this relationship appears complex to explore with classic observational studies, due to bidirectional effects and residual confounding. Additionally, the different measures of sleep quality and the diversity of mental disorders make comprehensive assessment challenging.

In the current study, we aimed at investigating the causal relationship between six sleep factors, derived from twelve indicators, and thirteen mental disorders. Specifically, we examined the impact on Alzheimer disease, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anorexia nervosa, anxiety disorder, autism spectrum disorder, alcohol use disorder, bipolar disorder (BD), cannabis use disorder (CUD), major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide attempt, and schizophrenia (SZ).

Using Genomic Structural Equation Modeling, we estimated genome-wide associations for six sleep factors in the UK Biobank. Next, we examined bidirectional causal relationships with mental disorders in the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, using Two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR). Results are presented as inverse-variance weighted betas (B) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), representing log-odds for sleep-to-mental disorder causality (forward MR) and linear regression coefficients for mental disorder-to-sleep causality (backward MR).

Our investigation confirmed previous evidence of a six-factor model of sleep, comprising alertness (AF), circadian preference (CPF), efficiency, duration (DF), regularity, and insomnia (IF). MR analyses showed bidirectional causal relationship between IF and ADHD (B:0.747[95%CI:0.392;1.10] and B:0.029[95%CI:0.020;0.040] for forward and backward, respectively). Unidirectional causal effects were found for BD on AF (B:-0.113[95%CI:-0.153;-0.072]), SZ on AF (B:-0.057[95%CI:-0.077;-0.037]), BD on CPF (B:-0.066[95%CI:-0.104;-0.027]), CPF on ADHD (B:-0.074[95%CI:-0.113;-0.035]), BD on DF (B:0.038[95%CI:0.026;0.050]), SZ on DF (B:0.022[95%CI:0.016;0.029]), IF on CUD (B:0.764[95%CI:0.130;1.40]), and IF on SZ (B:-0.504[95%CI:-0.802;-0.206]).

This study provide evidence that mental disorders negatively affect sleep quality rather than vice versa. These findings highlight the need to improve detection of sleep problems in mental health care settings and support efforts to identify intervention targets to improve sleep health among individuals with mental disorders.

None Declared

The Porto Municipal Health Plan for 2022-2024 prioritized initiatives targeting addictions within the community. Built in the collaboration between the Public Health Unit, the Faculty of Psychology (FPCEUP), and the Drug Addiction Intervention and Reduction Division (DICAD), Porto aimed to comprehensively address addiction-related challenges. This includes developing monitoring tools, identifying areas lacking intervention, and promoting innovative social programs.

To define and implement a plan from prevention to treatment of addictive behaviors and addiction within the Porto Municipal Health Plan.

After defining priorities within this scope, tasks were defined together with the different institutions of the Municipality, including disseminating information on tobacco and alcohol legislation and improving community literacy on health-conscious environments. Additionally, integrated projects focus on evaluating existing interventions, identifying best practices, and fostering collaboration among entities to address addiction effectively were listed as main steps.

By aligning with strategic objectives outlined in the Porto Municipal Health Plan, such as building citizen and professionals’ capacity, improving prevention strategies, and facilitating access to resources, Porto is addressing addictive behaviors comprehensively. Initiatives include capacity building, implementing intervention strategies, and promoting harm reduction approaches in recreational settings.

Porto’s efforts to combat addiction highlight its commitment to public health. Through targeted communication, integrated projects, and resource optimization, Porto aims to mitigate the impact of addictive behaviors and promote a healthier community, aligning with the Municipal Health Plan.

None Declared

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked genetic enzymopathy that impacts 4.9% of the population, with greater prevalence among Mediterranean, East Asian, and African populations. G6PD deficiency results in levels of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and glutathione (GSH) that are insufficient for maintaining the balance of oxidation-reduction in the body. This results in elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress on proteins and lipids, damage to DNA, and potential activation of chemokine and cytokine pathways by astrocytes and microglia. We propose that these direct and indirect effects of G6PD deficiency are associated with development of ADHD.

This study investigated the association between G6PD deficiency and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The study involved 7,473 G6PD-deficient patients and 29,892 matched case-controls (selected at a 1:4 ratio) from a cohort of 1,031,354 within the Leumit Health Services database. Clinical characteristics were analyzed using Fisher’s Exact Tests for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables.

The average age of patients was 29.2 ± 22.3 years, with 68.7% being male. The mean follow-up duration was 14.3 ± 6.2 years. Individuals with G6PD deficiency showed a significant 16% higher risk of being diagnosed with ADHD (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.16 [95% CI, 1.08-1.25], p < 0.001) on follow up. Furthermore, G6PD deficiency was associated with a 30% greater likelihood of seeking care from adult neurologists (OR = 1.30 [95% CI, 1.22-1.38], p < 0.001) and a 12% higher probability of consulting adult psychiatrists (OR = 1.12 [95% CI, 1.01-1.24], p = 0.048). The use of stimulant medications among G6PD deficient individuals was 17% higher for methylphenidate class drugs (OR = 1.17 [95% CI, 1.08, 1.27], p < 0.001), and use of amphetamines elevated by 16% (OR = 1.16 [95% CI, 1.03, 1.37], p = 0.047).

This study establishes a significant association between G6PD deficiency and an increased risk of ADHD diagnoses. These findings suggest potential opportunities for the development of culturally sensitive interventions.

None Declared