White matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden is greater, has a frontal-temporal distribution, and is associated with proxies of exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) in former American football players. These findings suggest that in the context of RHI, WMH might have unique etiologies that extend beyond those of vascular risk factors and normal aging processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlates of WMH in former elite American football players. We examined markers of amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration, inflammation, axonal injury, and vascular health and their relationships to WMH. A group of age-matched asymptomatic men without a history of RHI was included to determine the specificity of the relationships observed in the former football players.

240 male participants aged 45-74 (60 unexposed asymptomatic men, 60 male former college football players, 120 male former professional football players) underwent semi-structured clinical interviews, magnetic resonance imaging (structural T1, T2 FLAIR, and diffusion tensor imaging), and lumbar puncture to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers as part of the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. Total WMH lesion volumes (TLV) were estimated using the Lesion Prediction Algorithm from the Lesion Segmentation Toolbox. Structural equation modeling, using Full-Information Maximum Likelihood (FIML) to account for missing values, examined the associations between log-TLV and the following variables: total cortical thickness, whole-brain average fractional anisotropy (FA), CSF amyloid ß42, CSF p-tau181, CSF sTREM2 (a marker of microglial activation), CSF neurofilament light (NfL), and the modified Framingham stroke risk profile (rFSRP). Covariates included age, race, education, APOE z4 carrier status, and evaluation site. Bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals assessed statistical significance. Models were performed separately for football players (college and professional players pooled; n=180) and the unexposed men (n=60). Due to differences in sample size, estimates were compared and were considered different if the percent change in the estimates exceeded 10%.

In the former football players (mean age=57.2, 34% Black, 29% APOE e4 carrier), reduced cortical thickness (B=-0.25, 95% CI [0.45, -0.08]), lower average FA (B=-0.27, 95% CI [-0.41, -.12]), higher p-tau181 (B=0.17, 95% CI [0.02, 0.43]), and higher rFSRP score (B=0.27, 95% CI [0.08, 0.42]) were associated with greater log-TLV. Compared to the unexposed men, substantial differences in estimates were observed for rFSRP (Bcontrol=0.02, Bfootball=0.27, 994% difference), average FA (Bcontrol=-0.03, Bfootball=-0.27, 802% difference), and p-tau181 (Bcontrol=-0.31, Bfootball=0.17, -155% difference). In the former football players, rFSRP showed a stronger positive association and average FA showed a stronger negative association with WMH compared to unexposed men. The effect of WMH on cortical thickness was similar between the two groups (Bcontrol=-0.27, Bfootball=-0.25, 7% difference).

These results suggest that the risk factor and biological correlates of WMH differ between former American football players and asymptomatic individuals unexposed to RHI. In addition to vascular risk factors, white matter integrity on DTI showed a stronger relationship with WMH burden in the former football players. FLAIR WMH serves as a promising measure to further investigate the late multifactorial pathologies of RHI.

Depression and overweight are each associated with abnormal immune system activation. We sought to disentangle the extent to which depressive symptoms and overweight status contributed to increased inflammation and abnormal cortisol levels.

Participants were recruited through the Wellcome Trust NIMA Consortium. The sample of 216 participants consisted of 69 overweight patients with depression; 35 overweight controls; 55 normal-weight patients with depression and 57 normal-weight controls. Peripheral inflammation was measured as high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) in serum. Salivary cortisol was collected at multiple points throughout the day to measure cortisol awakening response and diurnal cortisol levels.

Overweight patients with depression had significantly higher hsCRP compared with overweight controls (p = 0.042), normal-weight depressed patients (p < 0.001) and normal-weight controls (p < 0.001), after controlling for age and gender. Multivariable logistic regression showed that comorbid depression and overweight significantly increased the risk of clinically elevated hsCRP levels ⩾3 mg/L (OR 2.44, 1.28–3.94). In a separate multivariable logistic regression model, overweight status contributed most to the risk of having hsCRP levels ⩾3 mg/L (OR 1.52, 0.7–2.41), while depression also contributed a significant risk (OR 1.09, 0.27–2). There were no significant differences between groups in cortisol awakening response and diurnal cortisol levels.

Comorbid depression and overweight status are associated with increased hsCRP, and the coexistence of these conditions amplified the risk of clinically elevated hsCRP levels. Overweight status contributed most to the risk of clinically elevated hsCRP levels, but depression also contributed to a significant risk. We observed no differences in cortisol levels between groups.

Literature underlines that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was the most common measure to assess pregnancy and postpartum depression worldwide and suggests that the rate of false positive cases is high. Furthermore, the EPDS measures, but not distinguish between depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to value the ability of the Mood Spectrum Self Report Last Month (MOOD SR LM) to detect the rate of false positive obtained with EPDS

We recruited 81 pregnant women at the third month of pregnancy. 32 women were affected by Major Depression (MD) assessed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Axis I Diagnosis and 49 women had EPDS score ≥ 13 but didn’t reach the diagnosis of MD by SCID I(False posivite group). Women were administered with the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R), MOOD SR-LM, Work and Social Adjustment Scale(WSAS) at the third month of pregnancy.

The two groups wasn't different concerning the average scores using PDPI and EPDS. The WSAS average scores were higher in the depressed women group than in the false positive group. Tree factors of MOOD SR LR (“Depressive Mood”, “Psychomotor Retardation and “Drug/Illness related Depression”) had higher average scores in the depressed women group than in the false positive group.

To our results, MOOD SR LM seem to be able to decrease the false positive cases. Further studies concerning this use of MOOD SR LM are necessary.

Perinatal depression is a particolar challenge to clinicians, and its prevalence estimates are difficult to compare across studies. Furthermore,there are no studies that systematically assessed the incidence of perinatal depression. The aim of this study is to estimate prevalence, incidence, recurrence and new onset of DSM IV minor and major depression (mMD) in an unselected population of pregnant women.

1066 pregnant women were recruited at third month of pregnancy (T0), and minor/major depression (mMD) was assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV disorders (SCID I). The SCID I was administered at baseline evaluation (T0), the Edimburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered at third, 6th (T1), 8th (T2) month of pregnancy, and the SCID I Mood module was administered to confirme an eventual DSM-IV minor or major depression diagnosis when the EPDS score was≥13.

The pregnancy period prevalence of mMD was 12,4%.The point prevalence of mMD decreased from 8,6% at the 3rd month of pregnancy to 1,7% at the 8th month of pregnancy.The cumulative incidence of mMD was 2,2%. The weighted incidence of new onsets during pregnancy was 1,6%. The weighted percentage of recurrences during pregnancy was 3,7%.

The decline in the point prevalence during the second and third trimester of pregnancy found in our study may be attributed to psychological counselling and/or pharmacological treatment.Further studies about new onsets of depression during pregnancy are highly important in order to improve clinical prediction of risk in any individual woman.

Depression during pregnancy is associated to physical symptoms that can impair the functioning of women; furthermore some of the depression somatic symptoms (i.e., sleep disturbance, fatigue, weight change and appetite) are also features of pregnancy. The overlap of symptomatology can interfere with the identification and the diagnosis of the mood episode. Aim of this study is to compare the the depressive phenomenology and the presence of Axis I comorbidity between pregnant and non pregnant depressed women.

We diagnosed Major Depression (MD) using the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I Diagnosis DSM IV (SCID I) in 32 pregnant women at third month of pregnancy and 87 non pregnant women and we compared the depressive phenomenology in the two groups. Then we administered the Mood Spectrum Self Repost Last Month (MOOD SR-LM) in the two group in order to study the mood spectrum symptomatology.

Pregnant depressed women have higher psychomotor retardation, higher levels of concentration and lower agitation than non pregnant depressed women.

The severity of depression symptoms was similar in the two depressed groups.

Our results agree with current litterature about the presence of psychomotor retardation in depressed pregnant women.

The higher level of concentration in pregnant women could be explained by the high comorbidity with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). In the pregnant depressed women the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Panic Disorder (PD) comorbidity are more rappresentated.

This study presents the first results of a project on alexythymia and emotional connections in a sample of 8 patients with EDs. The project aims to evaluate changes in emotional expressions through the language used, by means of the Italian measure of the referential process. Changes in the alexithymic condition will be examined through the outcome and qualitative analysis of the psychotherapeutic process.

25 verbatim transcribed psychotherapeutic sessions were analyzed and correlated with TAS20, EDI-2, PBI, BUT, SWAP200, and between these and the narrative indices of the IDAAP.

The relation between TAS20 and PBI supports a link between alexythymia and parenting styles: neglect and overprotection seem to contribute to difficulties in forming emotional connections. The positive correlation found between the TAS20 and some EDI2 subscales indicates a tendency to express misunderstood stimuli by means of the body. A positive correlation between MHIWRAD2 and TAS20 may suggest strong phases of emotional activation due to emotional dysregulation. The analysis of the significant correlations between the PBI and the RA measures indicate that parenting styles are related to language. A positive correlation between the IWRAD indices and maternal overprotectiveness was found: maternal overprotectiveness may be associated to strong emotional activation which is in turn characterized by emotional dysregulation. The associations between the narrative indices and the high functioning measure of the SWAP200 suggest that the reflexive components is related to high functioning; emotional dysregulation, as expressed by the variability in RA peaks, seems to be connected to low functioning.

Pro-inflammatory states of the large bowel have a multifactorial aetiology, including metabolism, atherogenesis, and psychological determinants. Inflammation plays a role in depressive and anxiety disorders, is tightly associated with early pro-atherogenetic alterations and metabolic dysregulation, and is also a key factor for the development of colorectal cancer.

To investigate the association between pro-atherogenetic factors, metabolic status, psychological assessment and presence of colorectal adenomas.

Case-control study, approved by the local Ethic Committee. Patients aged 40 or more and undergoing colonoscopy for positive faecal blood test and/or abdominal symptoms, with a negative history for neoplasia or inflammatory bowel diseases, were enrolled. For each patient the following data were collected: waist and hip circumferences, BMI, arterial pressure, fasten serum glycemia, current medications. Beside colonoscopy, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was assessed by means of echographic evaluation. Psychometric assessment included HADS, TCI, IMSA, SF-36. Statistics performed with SigmaPlot v.12 Platform.

Preliminary results are available for 18 patients (male/female 8/10) Mean age 62.6 ± 8.4. Ten patients had at least one adenoma, 8 patients had no lesions. The following differences were noticeable: HADS-depression (mean ± SD) adenoma vs. no-adenoma: 4.9 ± 3.2 vs. 1.7 ± 1.8 (P < .01); IMT median value adenoma vs. no-adenoma: 793 vs. 638 micrometers (P = .04); Body weight (mean ± SD) adenoma vs. no-adenoma: 66.4 ± 8.7 kg vs. 80.9 ± 15.3 kg (P = .03); waist circumference (mean ± SD) adenoma vs. no-adenoma: 105.2 ± 13.4 cm vs. 89.5 ± 4.7 cm (P < .01).

Preliminary data from PNEI-MO Research Group support the relation between systemic inflammation, psychological status and development of precancerous colorectal cancer lesions. Depression seems associated with the presence of colorectal adenomas.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Growing evidence has been collected over the complex, intertwined pathophysiological connection among subclinical cardiovascular (CV) disease, i.e. atherosclerosis, systemic low pro-inflammatory states and psychiatric disorders/symptomatology (anxiety, depression), with controversial results.

Aim of this study was to investigate the possible link between subclinical CV risk factors (atherosclerosis), depressive symptoms, and inflammation.

Cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria: outpatients aged ≥40 years, attending colonoscopy after positive faecal occult blood test, negative medical history for cancer. Collected data: blood pressure, glycaemia, lipid profile, waist circumference, BMI, PCR (C reactive protein), LPS (bacterial lipopolysaccharide), ultrasound carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT). Psychometric tests: HADS, TCI, IMSA, SF36. Statistical analysis performed with STATA13.

The 54 patients enrolled were equally distributed by gender. CV risk factors were common in the study population, with 33 patients (61.11%) with hypertension, 14 (25.93%) with hyperglycaemia, 20 (37.4%) with hypertriglyceridemia, 19 (35.19%) with low HDL and 64.81% with overweight. High levels of PCR were found in 24 subjects (44.44%). Right c-IMT was increased in 26.41% of the sample, and 11.32% had an atheromatous plaque. Left c-IMT was increased in 24.53% of patients, with a plaque in 7.55% of them. Clinically relevant depressive symptoms were found in the 18.87% of the sample and were statistically significantly associated with PCR (OR = 28.63; P = 0.01).

Evidence contributing to the so-called “inflammation theory” of depression and supporting the association between mood and CV disorders was here collected, supporting the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of such conditions, assuming a clinically-translated PNEI (psycho-neuro-endocrino-immunological) perspective.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Inflammatory state of the large bowel is a key factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). It has multifactorial aetiology, including psychological determinants. Physical activity may have a protective function against CRC via anti-inflammatory properties; on the contrary, personality traits correlate with an unhealthy and dangerous lifestyle.

To measure the association between personality traits, lifestyle and colonoscopy outcome.

Cross sectional study. Patients undergoing colonoscopy aged 40 or more, with a negative history for cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, were enrolled. Data collected: colonoscopy outcome, smoke, alcohol, physical activity, presence/absence of Metabolic Syndrome, personality traits assessed by the Temperament & Character Inventory (TCI).

In a sample of 53 subjects (females = 24, 45.3%), the mean age was 60.66 ± 9.08. At least one adenoma was found to 23 patients (43.3%). Twenty patients were smokers (37.74%), 36 (67.92%) drank alcohol at least weekly; approximately 60% reported regular physical activity. At the multivariate regression, the outcome was associated to: TCI Self Transcendence domain (ST) (OR = 1.36, P = 0.04) and physical activity (OR = 0.14, P = 0.03).

People with ST's characteristic personality traits and sedentary life style are more likely to have precancerous colorectal lesions. This confirms the protective role of physical activity, and suggests to further explore the role of personality in cancerogenesis.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.