The Latest Articles on Emotion and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Our staff editors continue to share exciting, interesting, and thought-provoking reading material in the recommended articles series.
This week, we would like to share several latest articles on Emotion and Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Title: The joint impact of symptom deterioration and social factors on wellbeing for people with Parkinson's during the covid-19 pandemic in the UK
Authors: Fiona J.R. Eccles, Ian Garner, Craig D. Murray, Cathal Doyle, Jane Simpson
Type: Research Article
Abstract:
The covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions have had significant consequences for those living with chronic conditions such as Parkinson's. The restrictions in access to healthcare as well as reductions in social care, family support and community activities have led to decreases in physical and mental wellbeing. However, not everyone has been equally affected and the predictors of distress are currently being investigated worldwide. Here we use data from a UK survey conducted by the charity Parkinson's UK during Summer 2021 to look at physical and social predictors of wellbeing of people with Parkinson's. Specifically, we aimed to look at the combined effects of worsening physical symptoms, social isolation and loneliness on psychological wellbeing when controlling for age, gender and disease duration. The data from 612 participants were analysed using multiple regression analyses and showed that worsened physical symptoms, loneliness and social isolation each independently predicted wellbeing thus showing the impact of both physical symptoms and social factors. Improved access to healthcare and physical activity is needed to help improve physical health. However, addressing the social needs of people with Parkinson's is also important, and not only during a pandemic. Additional interventions may be needed to reduce social isolation and loneliness as there may be added barriers for people with Parkinson's which need to be considered.
Access this article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2023.120768
Title: Case report: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease presenting with anxiety symptoms in a COVID-19 post-infection patient
Authors: Christl S. K. Yong, Ethan Jian-Hui Maniam, Cheryl W. L. Chang, Jonathan Yexian Lai, Cyrus Su Hui Ho
Type: Case Report
Abstract:
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare, rapidly progressive, and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. We describe a man whose initial manifestations of CJD occurred shortly after contracting Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). He first developed anxiety and short-term memory loss a few weeks after a mild COVID-19 infection. He subsequently developed parkinsonism, eventually progressed to akinetic mutism, and passed away 5 months after symptom onset. This case highlights a potential temporal relationship between COVID-19 infection and the onset of neurodegenerative symptoms. Microglia and astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) and 'S1' spike proteins on SARS-CoV-2 are potential mediators in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
Access this article: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1239576
Title: Prospective analyses of alertness, sleep, and fitness to drive one year after de novo multiple sclerosis diagnosis
Authors: Julia Ottersbach, Thomas C Wetter, Nicole König, Anna Fierlbeck, Robert Weissert, Roland FJ Popp
Type: Research Article
Abstract:
Background
The prevalence and functional burden of the chronic demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS) are well documented; however, little is known about the initial clinical course of cognitive, alertness, sleep, and psychological symptoms.
Objectives
This exploratory, prospective, longitudinal study multidimensionally investigated the development and progression of alertness, sleep, fitness to drive, and psychological symptoms in the first year after de novo MS diagnosis.
Methods
Twenty-five people with MS (pwMS) were assessed cognitively, psychologically, and using polysomnography soon after diagnosis and one year later, with outcomes compared to matched healthy controls.
Results
In the early stage of the disease, psychological symptoms of pwMS were comparable with those of controls, and patient conditions did not deteriorate within the first disease year. A small percentage of pwMS experienced increased levels of anxiety and depression after diagnosis. Alertness, sustained attention, and fitness to drive were comparable between both groups, and fatigue levels remained low over the course of the year.
Conclusions
This study highlights patient experiences within the initial clinical course of MS in a small group of patients. Further research is needed to understand the progression of symptoms and impairments in MS over a longer period and in different stages of the disease.
Access this article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2023.104930
Title: A systematic review and evaluation of post-stroke depression clinical practice guidelines
Authors: James Graham Cross BS, Brandon R. May MD, Peter Q.M. Mai MD, Elizabeth Anderson MD, Connor Welsh DO, Shaeker Chandran BS, Kevin T. Chorath MD, Shelby Herr BS, Daniel Gonzalez MD
Type: Research Article
Abstract:
Objectives
Post-stroke depression is a depressive mood disorder that follows a cerebrovascular accident and is a burden on stroke patients. Its management is included in clinical practice guidelines focused on stroke, and the recommended treatment is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in conjunction with psychotherapy. Clinical practice guidelines are recommendations used to standardize best medical practice, but there is no current evaluation of guidelines containing post stroke depression recommendations. Thus, the objective is to appraise the selected guidelines manner of development and quality.
Materials and Methods
A systematic literature review across three databases and a manual google search was performed to collect guidelines that included recommendations on the management of post-stroke depression. 1236 guidelines were screened, and 27 were considered for inclusion. Considered guidelines were manually reviewed by the authors, and ultimately, 7 met inclusion criteria. The appraisal of guidelines for research and evaluation was used to evaluate these guidelines' recommendations around post-stroke depression.
Results
Three guidelines met the threshold considered "High", with all of them having five or more quality domains eclipse the cutoff score of 70%. Across all guidelines, the highest scoring domains were "Scope and Purpose", "Clarity of Presentation", and "Editorial Independence" with scores of 76.98%, 73.81%, and 91.36% respectively. The lowest scoring domains were "Applicability", "Rigor of Development", and "Stakeholder Involvement" with respective scores of 58.73%, 54.02%, and 43.90%.
Conclusions
The domains "Applicability", "Rigor of Development," and "Stakeholder Involvement" were the lowest scoring domains. These specific domains represent areas in which future guidelines could be more developed.
Access this article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2023.107292
Title: Bidirectional association between major depressive disorder and dementia: Two population-based cohort studies in Taiwan
Authors: Chih-Ching Liu, Chih-Yuan Lin, Chien-Hui Liu, Kun-Chia Chang, Sheng-Kai Wang, Jiun-Yi Wang
Type: Research Article
Abstract:
Background
Major depressive disorder (MDD) and dementia are both major contributors to the global burden of disease. However, information on the bidirectional association between MDD and dementia is still lacking. Therefore, this study assessed the bidirectional associations between MDD and dementia.
Methods
We conducted two population-based retrospective cohort studies in Taiwan. We identified 80,742 patients diagnosed with MDD in 2009–2010 and matched them with patients without MDD by sex, age, and year of diagnosis to assess the relative risk of dementia. We also identified 80,108 patients diagnosed with dementia in 2009–2010 and matched them with patients without dementia by sex, age, and year of diagnosis to assess the relative risk of MDD. All patients were followed until they received a diagnosis of new onset MDD or new onset dementia, their death, or the end of 2019. Cause-specific hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs).
Results
The incidence density (ID) of dementia was higher in patients with MDD than in patients without MDD (7.63 vs. 2.99 per 1000 person-years), with an aHR of 2.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.55–2.88). The ID of MDD was higher in patients with dementia than in patients without dementia (12.77 vs. 4.69 per 1000 person-years), with an aHR of 2.47 (95% CI: 2.35–2.59).
Conclusions
This population-based study found a bidirectional association between MDD and dementia. Our findings suggest the need to identify dementia in patients with MDD and vice versa.
Access this article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152411
