Exploring the Autistic Brain: A Systematic Review of Diffusion Tensor Imaging Studies on Neural Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been extensively studied through neuroimaging, primarily focusing on grey matter and more in children than in adults. Studies in children and adolescents fail to capture changes that may dampen with age, thus leaving only changes specific to ASD. While grey matter has been the primary focus, white matter (WM) may be more specific in identifying the particular biological signature of the neurodiversity of ASD.

Psychological impact of minimally invasive approaches in the management of pelvic fractures with lumbosacral plexus injury.

Pelvic fractures are rare but severe injuries that severely affect patients' quality of life. Treatment of these fractures often involves invasive approaches with high risk of injuries to nervous structures, particularly lumbosacral plexus. The introduction of minimally invasive surgical approaches, such as the lateral rectus approach, not only contributes to preserving lumbar plexus integrity in operated patients but also positively impacts their psychological well-being.

Unmasking the cycle: Premenstrual and menstrual exacerbation of psychiatric disorders and impact on female mental health.

Premenstrual and menstrual exacerbation of psychiatric disorders is a significant area of concern in female mental health. Many females experience a worsening of psychiatric symptoms in the premenstrual and menstrual phases of their menstrual cycle, including heightened anxiety, depression, irritability, and mood swings. These exacerbations are most commonly associated with premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder that are characterized by severe emotional and physical symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.

The causal relationship between insanity and offense in post-Raso Italian case law.

This article explores the development and application of Italian case law since 2005 regarding the criminal responsibility of individuals with mental disorders, focusing on the landmark decision by the Joint Chambers of the Court of Cassation in the Raso case. This ruling transformed the interpretation of mental illness in the context of criminal responsibility. The article examines the impact of this shift, identifying diagnostic ambiguities and the challenges of applying the new standards, as well as the significant increase in insanity-related acquittals and the growing use of noncustodial preventive measures.

Gut Microbiota in Women with Eating Disorders: A New Frontier in Pathophysiology and Treatment.

Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of the gut microbiota in the development and progression of eating disorders (EDs), particularly in women, who are more frequently affected by these conditions. Women with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder exhibit distinct alterations in gut microbiota composition compared to healthy controls. These alterations, collectively termed dysbiosis, involve reduced microbial diversity and shifts in key bacterial populations responsible for regulating metabolism, inflammation, and gut-brain signaling.

Dopamine Partial Agonists in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Systematic Review.

: Dopamine partial agonists are drugs initially developed to treat schizophrenia, seeking a double effect of increased dopaminergic transmission in the prefrontal cortex and decrease in the accumbens/striatum. Of these drugs, aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, and cariprazine are currently marketed and used in schizophrenia spectrum and mood disorders. It is debated whether patients with psychiatric disorders becoming pregnant should discontinue or continue their antipsychotic treatment despite some risks for the fetus, i.

Neural Pathways of Visual Face Recognition Immediately After Birth.

The present study aimed to investigate the electrophysiological correlates of face-identity recognition in newborn infants immediately after birth. Electroencephalographic acquisition was continuously recorded in 23 newborn infants (3 < age < 24 h of life) during the following visual task: presentation of a woman's face for 60 s ("known face"); random presentation of 50 known faces, 50 novel women's faces, and 50 chessboards (for 2 s each). The final sample included in ERP analyses was composed of 11 newborn infants (male/female: 6/5; age: 5 h 16' ± 3 h 51').

Writing the Future: Artificial Intelligence, Handwriting, and Early Biomarkers for Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis and Monitoring.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impairs motor function, including the fine motor control required for handwriting. Traditional diagnostic methods often lack sensitivity and objectivity in the early stages, limiting opportunities for timely intervention. There is a growing need for non-invasive, accessible tools capable of capturing subtle motor changes that precede overt clinical symptoms.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome in Adolescents: A Narrative Review.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by a pattern of cyclic vomiting and abdominal pain despite an absence of an organic cause, occurring in regular cannabis users. This syndrome was first described in 2004. Initially considered rare, with the increased use and legalization of cannabis, a growing incidence of diagnoses has been observed.

Resilience and childhood trauma in mood disorders: Psychopathological implications and treatment response.

Background And Aim: Childhood trauma is a key risk factor for mood disorders and is associated with greater clinical severity, while resilience may act as a protective factor. This study investigates how childhood trauma and resilience interact to shape psychopathology and treatment response in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD).

Methods: The study included 669 participants: 569 patients (380 MDD, 189 BD) and 100 healthy controls (HC).

Psychopharmacological Therapy Positively Modulates Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review.

Depression, anxiety, and perceived stress are common comorbidities in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may negatively influence the disease course. Likewise, severe IBD may contribute to the development or worsening of psychiatric symptoms. Despite the established relevance of the gut-brain axis and frequent use of psychotropic medications in IBD patients, limited evidence exists regarding the effects of psychiatric treatments on gastrointestinal disease activity.

Neuroimaging and Emotional Development in the Pediatric Population: Understanding the Link Between the Brain, Emotions, and Behavior.

Neuroimaging has emerged as an innovative and essential tool for understanding the intricate relationship between brain development, emotions, and behavior. Investigating the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this interaction during the critical phase of brain maturation is crucial for promoting individual psychological well-being and mitigating the profound impact of mood disorders during childhood. This narrative scoping review synthesizes current pediatric neuroimaging evidence, filling a gap in the literature by integrating structural, functional, and emerging modalities, to provide clear translational pathways for clinical and behavioral observations.

Targeting the Roots of Psychosis: The Role of Aberrant Salience.

Aberrant salience, defined as the inappropriate attribution of significance to neutral stimuli, is increasingly recognized as a critical mechanism in the onset of psychotic disorders. In young individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis, abnormal salience processing may serve as a precursor to full-blown psychotic symptoms, contributing to distorted perceptions and the onset of psychotic ideation. This review examines current literature on aberrant salience among UHR youth, exploring its neurobiological, psychological, and behavioral dimensions.

Psychotropic Drugs for Older Adults With Psychiatric Disorders Presenting to the Emergency Department: Prescription Patterns and Treatment Outcomes.

Objective: A high proportion of patients presenting to Emergency Departments (EDs) consists of vulnerable elderly people. Mental illnesses are frequently related to advancing age, with difficult to detect symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate psychiatric drug use by geriatric patients in an ED for whom a psychiatric consultation was needed, according to their psychopathology and severity of outcome.

Territories of mourning: Addressing submerged problems of grief through multidisciplinary care.

Mourning and grief are natural responses to loss and can be especially complex and prolonged in the context of end-of-life care. Caregivers play a crucial role in supporting individuals through this difficult journey, often balancing their own grief with the need to provide care. This paper explores the experiences of mourning and grief in hospice settings, with a focus on the emotional challenges faced by both patients and caregivers during the grieving process.

Affective temperament modulates the relationship between physical and psychiatric symptoms during long-COVID: results from the Gemelli against COVID-19 post-acute care service.

Background: Affective temperaments represent the substrate of personality that can influence the expression of chronic infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and its sequelae. However, research conducted so far on this topic focused on narrow aspects of psychopathology.

Aim: To investigate the effect of affective temperaments on the relationship between physical and psychiatric symptoms in patients with long-COVID.

Gut Microbiota: A New Challenge in Mood Disorder Research.

The gut microbiome has emerged as a novel and intriguing focus in mood disorder research. Emerging evidence demonstrates the significant role of the gut microbiome in influencing mental health, suggesting a bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. This review examines the latest findings on the gut-microbiota-brain axis and elucidates how alterations in gut microbiota composition can influence this axis, leading to changes in brain function and behavior.

Pharmacological Interventions for Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review of Randomised Control Trials.

While positive symptoms of schizophrenia are often satisfactorily controlled, negative symptoms are difficult to treat, persisting despite treatment. Different strategies have been devised to deal with this problem. We aimed to review drug treatment for negative symptoms of schizophrenia in controlled trials of marketed drugs.

The Neuroscience Behind Writing: Handwriting vs. Typing-Who Wins the Battle?

Background: The advent of digital technology has significantly altered ways of writing. While typing has become the dominant mode of written communication, handwriting remains a fundamental human skill, and its profound impact on cognitive processes continues to be a topic of intense scientific scrutiny.

Methods: This paper investigates the neural mechanisms underlying handwriting and typing, exploring the distinct cognitive and neurological benefits associated with each.

Mental Illness Strikes at the Heart: Impact of Psychiatric Diseases on Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Mental illnesses can have a significant impact on individuals experiencing acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Mental illnesses are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk profile and early onset of cardiovascular disease. A critical aspect of this interplay is the effect of psychiatric conditions on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), a key parameter in evaluating cardiac function and predicting long-term outcomes in ACS patients.

Why Do They Do It? The Psychology Behind Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a complex and often debilitating condition that can emerge from early behavioral disturbances in childhood and adolescence. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of ASPD in pediatric and adolescent populations, examining key diagnostic challenges, developmental trajectories, and emerging treatment approaches. Recent research underscores the critical role of the early identification of conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) as precursors to ASPD.

Psycho-gastroenterological profile of an Italian population of children with disorders of gut-brain interaction: A case-control study.

Background: Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are common, but knowledge about their physiopathology is still poor, nor valid tools have been used to evaluate them in childhood.

Aim: To develop a psycho-gastroenterological questionnaire (PGQ) to assess the psycho-gastroenterological profile and social characteristics of a pediatric population with and without DGBI.

Methods: One hundred and nineteen Italian children (age 11-18) were included: 28 outpatient patients with DGBI (Rome IV criteria) and 91 healthy controls.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Hallmark of Psychological Distress in Women?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Women are disproportionately affected by IBS due to a complex interplay between genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors, along with a crucial role of the gut-brain axis in modulating both bowel function and pain perception. Evidence suggests a strong association between psychological distress and IBS symptoms.

Psychological Sequelae of Dog Bites in Children: A Review.

Background/objectives: Although rare in the Western world, dog bites may be lethal or lead to physically severe outcomes. However, little attention is given to their psychological consequences. We aimed to review their psychological consequences in children 1-14 years of age, focusing on the prevalence and nature of psychological disorders, evaluating the impact on future mental health of children and their families, and assessing the effectiveness of preventive interventions and measures.