Neural Correlates of Failed Inhibitory Control as an Early Marker of Disordered Eating in Adolescents

BackgroundBinge eating and other forms of disordered eating behavior (DEB) are associated with failed inhibitory control. This study investigated the neural correlates of failed inhibitory control as a potential biomarker for DEB.MethodsThe study used prospective longitudinal data from the European IMAGEN study adolescent cohort. Participants completed baseline assessments (questionnaires and a brain scan [functional magnetic resonance imaging]) at 14 years of age and a follow-up assessment (questionnaires) at 16 years of age. Self-reported binge eating and/or purging were used to indicate presence of DEB. Neural correlates of failed inhibition were assessed using the stop signal task. Participants were categorized as healthy control subjects (reported no DEB at both time points), maintainers (reported DEB at both time points), recoverers (reported DEB at baseline only), and developers (reported DEB at follow-up only). Forty-three individuals per group with complete scanning data were matched on gender, age, puberty, and intelligence (N = 172).ResultsAt baseline, despite similar task performance, incorrectly responding to stop signals (failed inhibitory control) was associated with greater recruitment of the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex in the developers compared with healthy control subjects and recoverers.ConclusionsGreater recruitment of the medial prefrontal and anterior cingulate regions during failed inhibition accords with abnormal evaluation of errors contributing to DEB development. As this precedes symptom onset and is evident despite normal task performance, neural responses during failed inhibition may be a useful biomarker of vulnerability for DEB. This study highlights the potential value of prospective neuroimaging studies for identifying markers of illness before the emergence of behavior changes.     

A cut above the rest: Trimming as a painless depilatory

Shaving and other modes of epilation can cause undue anxiety, pain, or skin irritation in children. Here, we present hair trimming as a safe, painless, and cost‐effective alternative for patients with unwanted hair which may be performed indefinitely or until the child is old enough to direct management. In select cases, removing unwanted hair using this technique may facilitate dermatologic surveillance.     

An update on epidemiology,diagnosis & management of NMO-SD in the tertiary neurology department of Marrakech (Morocco)

IntroductionNeuromyelitis optica (NMO) and NMO spectrum disorders (NMO-SD) are inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. There are few epidemiological studies devoted to NMO, especially in Africa and the Middle East, but individual cases and series have been reported from many countries across the African continent.ObjectivesTo describe the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of NMO patients followed at the Mohammed VI University Hospital of Marrakech.Patients and methodsThis was a hospital-based retrospective study of 52 patients with NMO diagnosed and followed at the Neurology department of the University Hospital of Marrakech from 2004 to July 2019. The 2006 diagnostic criteria of NMOSD were used for patients admitted before 2015 for inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and the 2015 diagnostic criteria of NMO-SD for all patients thereafter. Collected data were analysed using SPSS software.ResultsThe study concerned 52 patients, 18 males and 34 females. Median age at disease onset was 32.5 years (range 7–55). Mean time between symptom onset and diagnosis of NMO was nine months 18 days (range 7 days to 4 years). In most patients, manifestations included visual acuity, tetraparesis, and sensorial disorders. Refractory vomiting and hiccup were noted in the first attack in 19% of patients. Two patients had hypersomnia and polyphagia, and one had been treated for depression ten months before the development of severe tetraplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging did not show any brain lesions in 29% of patients. Cervical myelitis extending to more than three vertebrae was found in 60% of patients. AQP4-antibody assay was performed only in 57.7% of patients, and was positive in 38.4%; anti-MOG was positive in four anti-AQP4 seronegative patients. Management strategies for NMO-SD included methylprednisolone pulses (70% of patients), plasmapheresis (25%), and rituximab (since 2017) for 46%. Outcome was favourable in 40% of patients and has remained stable in 50% of them.ConclusionAnti-NMO assays, made available during the last five years with the help of The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation, have led to a clear jump in the number of cases diagnosed. Major advances in the field of epidemiology, imaging, and pathophysiology of NMO-SD have led to improved patient care and outcome.     

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Biological Rhythms Interview of assessment in neuropsychiatry-self report for delayed sleep-wake phase disorder

ObjectiveThe Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN) might be applicable for assessing delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD). We aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the BRIAN self-report (J-BRIAN-SR) in DSWPD patients and determine a cutoff score to identify the presence of the disorder.MethodsWe enrolled 60 newly diagnosed DSWPD outpatients and 64 age-matched healthy controls. We used Cronbach's alpha for internal reliability to evaluate J-BRIAN-SR. We confirmed the reliability of the A test and re-test using Pearson's correlation coefficient in the controls. We used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the factor structure of J-BRIAN-SR and referenced the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) to check concurrent validity. We analyzed the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) to determine the J-BRIAN-SR cutoff point for the presence of DSWPD.ResultsThe 18-component scores of the J-BRIAN-SR had an overall reliability coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) of 0.82. We confirmed a high test-retest reliability using an intraclass correlation coefficient (r = 0.84). The correlation between J-BRIAN-SR and MEQ was 0.38 (p = 0.003). The J-BRIAN-SR that we extracted by exploratory factor analysis consisted of three factors. A score of 40 points provided a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 75.6% for the positivity of DSWPD.ConclusionsThe results of the present study revealed that J-BRIAN-SR is a valid and reliable instrument for screening and evaluating the severity of DSWPD. Our findings will be useful to physicians and patients in Japan and those in clinical settings.