Previous research has demonstrated changes in neural oscillations associated with varying levels of roughness during active-touch exploration of surfaces. In the present study, we aimed to investigate changes in neural oscillatory activity and softness perception during touch exploration of skin. Two experiments were conducted. Study 1 evaluated active touch of artificial skin samples mounted to a purpose-built touch sensor, whereas Study 2 investigated active stroking of one's own forearm. In both experiments, the substrates were treated with commercially available bar soaps to deliver either a soft or draggy skin feel. Oscillatory brain activity was measured using a 129-channel electroencephalography system. In 31 participants, changes in oscillatory band power were evaluated in relevant frequency bands during touch exploration periods. For the artificial skin study, the soft condition led to lower alpha-band power over bilateral somatosensory cortices, which has previously been proposed as a marker of reduced roughness, compared to the draggy condition. Similar results were obtained during the self-touch paradigm, which additionally led to reduced theta-band changes over the frontal and central-parietal electrodes indicating modulation of activity involved in affective (pleasant) touch. Using a novel and highly controlled experimental approach using a novel artificial skin paradigm and active exploration during self-touch of participants own skin, we were able to demonstrate for the first time the neural correlates associated with softness perception of skin and their impact on brain activity associated with affective touch, thereby advancing our understanding of brain oscillatory activity during active-touch exploration of skin. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Newly graduated doctors provide after-hours care early in clinical practice. Although on-call work is widely acknowledged as formative, its educational potential-and the ways organisational and supervisory conditions shape learning-remain underexplored. This study examined how new graduates experience learning during on-call work, how supervisors contribute and how its organisation relates to learning in early practice. We conducted a constructivist qualitative study in a large Dutch teaching hospital. Using purposive sampling, we recruited eight new graduates and eight supervisors from medical and surgical specialties. Semi-structured interviews explored learning during on-call work and the role of supervision and organisational context. Data were analysed iteratively, using Biesta's domains of educational purpose as a conceptual lens. Participants described on-call work as a context in which learning extends beyond clinical competence to include participation in professional practice and the development of independent judgement. These were closely tied to the assumption of responsibility under conditions of uncertainty. New graduates described learning to articulate plans, negotiate decisions and position themselves more actively within clinical interactions. Supervisors supported this development by calibrating autonomy, providing accessible guidance and offering feedback that helped them assess their functioning. Organisational conditions, such as team configuration and timing, influenced how responsibility was experienced and what learning opportunities became available. This study shows how early on-call work functions as a learning context in which qualification, socialisation and subjectification develop simultaneously and in interaction. Under conditions of responsibility, uncertainty and indirect supervision, new graduates are required not only to act but also to position themselves and exercise judgement in practice. By shaping supervisory and relational conditions-such as the calibration of autonomy, availability of support and the presence of trust-the organisation of on-call work acts as a pedagogical condition that influences how learning unfolds.
Emotional deception - the intentional misrepresentation of emotions - is pervasive in negotiations and everyday interactions. In this article, we review and extend theory and research on emotional deception in negotiations. We argue that emotional deception is a distinct form of deception with important economic, relational, and psychological consequences for both deceivers and their targets. Specifically, we define emotional deception, examine how it is perceived , and review its antecedents and consequences. We conclude by identifying promising directions for future research on emotional deception.
Prior research shows that narcissists respond to failure by aggressing outward and defensively blaming others, but less is known about their responses to success. In four studies with American adults and Canadian undergraduates (total N = 3,463), participants recalled a real-life success or failure and reported their feelings of pride in response (Studies 1, 2, and 4) or experienced success in a controlled, laboratory experiment and reported pride in the success after receiving either positive or negative social feedback (Study 3). Across studies, two key findings emerged. First, narcissists reported greater pride following failure than those low in narcissism, and this difference was stronger than in a neutral control condition, consistent with prior research on narcissistic defensiveness. Second, in response to success, narcissists' feelings of pride were contingent on their peers' respect and admiration, such that they felt less pride than nonnarcissistic individuals following successes that did not make them feel prestigious in the eyes of their peers. This pattern of emotional responding was unique to narcissism and did not emerge for self-esteem. Results from this multimethod investigation suggest that narcissists show a distinctive pattern of pride in response to success and failure. They respond defensively to failure, reporting greater pride than nonnarcissists, and this pattern cannot be attributed to baseline, trait-level differences. In contrast, following success, narcissists' emotions are contingent upon perceiving respect and admiration from their peers, consistent with recent theoretical perspectives on narcissism that position status striving as narcissists' fundamental motive. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is common during pregnancy but referral rates to physical therapy and the influence of MSK pain management on satisfaction with prenatal care are unknown. The objective was to obtain patient reports of pain during pregnancy, its impact on biopsychosocial wellbeing, health care management of pain (including referral to physical therapy), and the influence of pain management on satisfaction with prenatal care. The study design was an internet survey. An e-survey was distributed internationally via social media, word-of-mouth, and flyers. Six hundred seventy-one female respondents from 6 continents who had given birth <25 months before survey completion participated in the study. No interventions or exposures were included in this study. Presence and description of pain, influence of pain on daily life, pain management, birth experiences, and patient satisfaction were reported. Descriptive statistics were used to report frequencies. Comparisons between care provider types were made using non-parametric statistics (Fisher Exact Test, 2-tailed; or Fisher-Freedman-Halton Exact Test, 2-tailed). MSK pain was reported by 90% of participants, with more than 50% reporting pain in multiple body regions. Those who saw an Obstetrician-gynecologist were more likely to report pain, though both provider groups had high pain rates (92.7% vs 85%). Thermal therapy was the most common pain management recommendation (33.7%); physical therapy was recommended to only 29.4% of individuals with pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain. Pain caused negative feelings/emotions in 77.2% of respondents and difficulty with performance of physical activity, household, and childcare tasks in approximately 50% of respondents. Care providers' response to pain influenced patient satisfaction in 49% of respondents. Pregnancy MSK pain influences physical functioning, psychosocial wellbeing, and satisfaction with prenatal care. Patients report poor pain management by perinatal care providers, highlighting needs for better education, more pain management options, and multidisciplinary care. Physical therapists need to develop working relationships with prenatal care providers to improve care during pregnancy.
Interpersonal difficulties are a core challenge experienced by people who have borderline personality disorder (BPD). Relationships where one person has BPD are often rated lower in satisfaction than others due to their tumultuous and unstable nature. Interpersonal difficulties not only cause distress but may also catalyse crises for people with BPD. The ability to sustain emotionally positive attachments is fundamental for recovery in BPD. The aim of this study was to understand how couples, where one partner has BPD, experience their intimate relationships and make sense of their success. Through semi-structured interviews, we explored the role of attachment in the context of these romantic relationships and identified constructive behaviours that contribute to their longevity and satisfaction. In-depth interviews were conducted individually with six couples engaged in long-term (>1 year) relationships. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used, and two key themes were identified - a) navigating the impacts of the disorder and b) safe base and secure attachment. Our findings suggest that reorientation of interpersonal transactions, where the partner without BPD serves as a stable base, enables open communication. As a result, people with BPD feel secure, promoting emotion regulation, remission from symptoms, and an ability to sustain a long-term, satisfying relationship.
Return migration, whether voluntary or forced, can disrupt individuals' lives as they navigate life in a country that may feel unfamiliar. This disruption often extends to healthcare, including reproductive care. The migration experience, combined with differences between healthcare systems-in terms of availability, accessibility, and affordability-may create barriers to contraceptive access. This study utilizes data from the 2014, 2018, and 2023 National Survey of Demographic Dynamics (ENADID) surveys to analyze contraceptive use and access among female Mexican returnees. Findings indicate that returnees are more likely to use contraception than nonmigrants, particularly short-acting hormonal methods (SACs), while being less likely to rely on permanent methods. These patterns suggest that both migrant selectivity and adaptation shape contraceptive behavior. However, important differences emerge by time since return. Women who recently returned are less likely to use SACs and long-acting contraceptives and are more likely to obtain contraception from private clinics and pharmacies, compared to those with longer residence in Mexico. At the same time, there is little evidence that these patterns reflect shifts in fertility preferences. Instead, findings point more strongly to disruption and barriers to public healthcare following return. Overall, results highlight the need for reproductive healthcare interventions that better support return migrants during reintegration.
Age-verification policies for online pornography aim to protect minors, yet their implications for legal-age young adults remain underexamined. This mixed-methods study examined UK young adults aged 18-25 who reported pornography use in the past year (N = 623, Mage = 21.40, SD = 2.31; 67.3% female). Participants completed measures of pornography use contexts, content preferences, and sexual shame, and answered open-ended questions about the UK age-verification requirements. Descriptive quantitative findings characterized participants' use contexts, preferences, and sexual shame. Qualitative accounts described varied psychological experiences, including shame, anxiety, confidence, calm, and minimal emotional impact. Participants often interpreted age verification as making pornography access feel less anonymous and more identity-linked, raising concerns about surveillance, moral stigma, and data vulnerability. Reported access practices included platform avoidance, alternative online spaces, reduced use, and VPN-based circumvention. The findings highlight the need to consider privacy, stigma, trust, accountability, and access displacement when evaluating age-verification requirements for legal-age users.
In this reflective report study, we examined communication challenges for autistic adults by examining the influences of emotional state and environmental context across neurotype conversation partners. Using the Neurotype Communication and Assistive Technology Survey (NCATS), we surveyed 165 autistic adults (18-35 years old) and analyzed 154 responses to capture both quantitative ratings and qualitative descriptions of past contextual conversations. The majority of the participants noted that environmental factors, such as crowdedness, noise levels, and familiarity, at least somewhat impacted their communication. Autistic adults reported that noisy or unpredictable settings were associated with word loss, scripting, and social withdrawal, while quiet and familiar spaces facilitated openness and authentic self-expression. In addition, participants stated that conversations with allistic (non-autistic) partners required more conscious effort, social masking, and cognitive load than conversations with autistic partners, consistent with the Double Empathy Problem. Finally, survey responses revealed that negative emotions such as stress, frustration, and anxiety may worsen communication difficulties regardless of the conversation partner's neurotype, whereas positive emotions such as happiness and calmness were found to improve fluency, confidence, and intersubjectivity. These results indicate that partner neurotype, emotional states, and other environmental factors can affect communication challenges for autistic adults.Lay AbstractIn this study, autistic adults reflected on their conversational experiences and described what helped communication go well and what made it more difficult. We asked 165 autistic adults (18-35 years old) to complete a survey about how they communicate in different situations based on people and places and received 154 responses. We focused on how communication changed whether the other person is autistic or allistic (non-autistic). Within that, we focused on two main factors: the type of environment they were in (e.g., home, work, school) and how their emotions (feeling happy, sad, angry) affected their communication. The majority of autistic adults said that the place they were in at least somewhat affected their communication. Autistic adults said that loud or unpredictable places often made communication harder, leading to things like losing words, repeating scripts, or pulling back from the conversation. Quiet and familiar spaces, on the contrary, made it easier to share thoughts openly. Talking with allistic people usually took more effort and sometimes led to masking, or hiding one's natural way of communicating. This fits with the Double Empathy Problem, which says that communication struggles often come from mismatched understandings between autistic and allistic people. Emotions were also important. Stress, anxiety, or frustration made conversations harder, while happiness and calmness made conversing easier and improved confidence. Overall, our findings suggest that reducing sensory stress, supporting emotional well-being, and encouraging mutual understanding can make conversations better for both autistic and allistic people.
About half of all patients seeking abortion report having a history of prior abortions and are at high risk for repeat abortion. Data about postabortion contraception in China are limited. This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of women undergoing induced abortion regarding postoperative oral short-acting contraceptives. This cross-sectional study enrolled women at Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, from December 2023 to February 2024. The minimal calculated sample size was 385 participants. A self-administered questionnaire was developed to collect demographic information and assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding postabortion oral short-acting contraceptives. Scores >70% of the possible maximum score of each dimension were considered as good knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practice. Among 420 women with questionnaires passing quality control, mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 5.60 ± 2.96/12 (46.67%), 31.27 ± 4.54/45 (69.49%), and 21.70 ± 2.94/25 (86.80%). Lower education (junior high school or below) was associated with lower odds of sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes. Higher knowledge scores were associated with higher odds of positive attitude. Higher knowledge and attitude scores and parity >1 were independently associated with higher odds of adequate practice, while age 36-39 was associated with lower odds. In Beijing, women after induced abortions had poor knowledge and attitudes scores, but a proactive intended practice toward short-acting contraception. Specific knowledge items were identified as requiring improvement. Educational interventions should particularly target women with a lower socioeconomic status to reduce repeated induced abortions. This study explored what women in Beijing know, feel, and actually do about using short‑acting birth control pills after an induced abortion. Researchers surveyed 420 women aged 18 years or older who were admitted for abortion at a single hospital between December 2023 and February 2024, asking about their background, knowledge, attitudes, and contraceptive practices before the procedure. Overall, women correctly answered fewer than half of the knowledge questions, revealing substantial gaps and misconceptions about the safety, long‑term use, and impact of oral short‑acting contraceptives on future fertility and fetal malformations. Attitudes toward using these pills postabortion were only moderately positive, indicating lingering doubts and concerns, whereas reported behavior was more favorable: most women stated they would follow medical advice and take the pills after abortion, and generally described proactive contraceptive habits. Higher education and income are consistently related to better knowledge, more positive attitudes, and better reported practice, while lower socioeconomic status is associated with poorer KAP. Statistical analyses showed that higher knowledge scores were linked to more positive attitudes and better practices, and more positive attitudes were also associated with better practices, suggesting that improving accurate contraceptive knowledge may indirectly enhance both attitudes and real‑world use. Given the rapid return of fertility after abortion and the risk of repeat unintended pregnancies, these findings underscore the need for targeted, understandable counseling on short‑acting contraception, especially for women with lower education and income.
To examine the relationship among moral distress, burnout, and organizational climate, and to identify how these factors influence physician associates' (PAs') intent to leave their position. A total of 327 PAs completed a survey containing measures of organizational climate, moral distress, and burnout. Linear and logistic regressions were calculated to examine the relationship among moral distress, burnout, organizational climate, and intent to leave. Burnout related to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization had a positive, statistically significant association with a PA's level of moral distress. Organizational climate, feelings of moral distress, and emotional exhaustion played a role in a PA's decision to leave a position. Understanding the interaction between moral distress and intent to leave can help improve PA well-being and reduce turnover. Future interventions aimed at addressing moral distress should target PAs who indicate they are experiencing emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a lack of agency in their current workplace.
Although the implications of parental smartphone use for parenting have been discussed among researchers and practitioners, prior studies have mostly focused on the between-person associations of problematic smartphone use with negative parenting behaviors. Therefore, using 5 days of daily diary data, the present study examined whether day-to-day fluctuation in maternal problematic smartphone use was associated with day-to-day fluctuation in maternal hostility as well as warmth toward children, on the same day and on the following day. Data were collected from mothers of 74 fourth graders (mean age = 9.20 years; age range = 8-10 years; 69% were girls) studying in five elementary schools in Hong Kong, China. On each of five consecutive days, mothers filled in an online questionnaire in the evening on their own smartphone use and their parenting behaviors during the day. Random intercept multilevel linear models within the Bayesian framework revealed that on days when mothers used smartphones more problematically (compared to their cross-day averages), they showed more hostility and less warmth toward their children (compared to their cross-day averages) on the same day, even controlling for fluctuation in parenting on the previous day. However, no evidence of lagged-day associations was found. Theoretically, findings pointed to the potential role of parents' problematic smartphone use in understanding daily variation in both negative and positive parenting behaviors. Practically, findings underscored the possible utility of using community education and intervention programs to help parents monitor their smartphone use and foster positive parenting.
This study aimed to describe the phenomenon of losing human life by suicide, based on the lived experiences of suicide survivors and professionals. Phenomenological participatory action research was conducted, comprising 50 group sessions with 51 participants including suicide survivors, registered nurses, response police officers, and general practitioners. The essence of losing human life through suicide is characterized by profound emotional vulnerability when confronted with an existential tragedy. This means a powerlessness and an abrupt shift in existence, awakening the instinct to escape and the responsibility to act. Being the messenger of death is a heavy burden, and a sense of abandonment arises when survivors are left alone. Simply being together as human beings awakens a sense of vulnerability and a strong impulse to uphold human dignity. These findings underscore that everyone involved is vulnerable to existential challenges following suicide and provide insight into the fragility of humanity. Professionals need awareness of their own vulnerability and moral courage to encounter survivors as fellow human beings. Support for survivors should acknowledge that grief and existential suffering do not follow fixed timelines. The methodological combination of phenomenology and participatory action research proved fruitful, generating rich insights and offering a promising approach for future studies.
Anxiety and depression are important mental health problems worldwide, and their comorbid state, anxiety-depression comorbidity (ADC) , has greater symptom severity. With the increasing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases, residents' physical and mental health problems have shown an overlapping trend. The mediating role of mental health literacy (MHL) between physical health and psychological outcomes warrants further investigation. Based on the national survey initiative, this study conducted a large-scale stratified multistage population survey across all districts and counties of Chongqing, southwest China, and included 36,874 permanent residents. Mental health literacy (MHL) was assessed using the National Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (NMHLQ). Depression and anxiety were screened using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize epidemiological features. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted across the three psychological outcome groups of anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity to explore the effects of self-rated health (SRH) and chronic disease on multiple psychological outcomes and the effects after variable adjustment, and subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to test robustness. The Bootstrap resampling method was used to test the mediating effect, and the standardized path coefficients and effect proportions of each mediation model were calculated. The positive screening rates for anxiety, depression, and ADC in the surveyed area were 2.72% (1004/36874), 4.53% (1672/36874), and 2.11% (777/36,874), respectively. The odds of anxiety, depression, and comorbidity among residents with fair or poor SRH were 2.76 (95% CI 2.40-3.17), 3.31 (95% CI 2.97-3.69), and 2.98 (95% CI 2.55-3.49), respectively. The corresponding odds among residents with chronic disease were 1.40 (95% CI 1.21-1.62), 1.51 (95% CI 1.35-1.70), and 1.41 (95% CI 1.19-1.65), respectively. MHL was negatively associated with the three psychological outcomes. After adjustment for relevant covariates, stratified analysis, and sensitivity analysis, the above associations remained robust. Multivariable logistic regression and multi-group mediation effect analysis showed that MHL had an independent protective role and played a 7-8% partial mediating role in the effects of SRH and chronic disease on mental health outcomes. Poor SRH and chronic disease were associated with anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity among residents, and MHL had an independent protective and partial mediating role in these associations. These findings suggest that residents' MHL should be improved, and integrated interventions combining chronic disease management with psychological screening should be strengthened.
Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling neuropsychiatric disorder traditionally defined by psychotic and cognitive symptoms. Increasing evidence suggests that neuroinflammatory mechanisms contribute to its pathophysiology and may also underlie common but underrecognized somatic manifestations. These include altered pain perception, characterized by both diminished sensitivity and chronic pain, with important implications for functional outcomes and rehabilitation. This narrative review examines clinical, preclinical, and translational studies addressing the role of neuroinflammation in schizophrenia, with a specific focus on microglial and astrocytic activation, cytokine signaling, oxidative stress pathways, and their interactions with central pain processing circuits. The review was informed by targeted searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering articles published from database inception to January 2026, with emphasis on studies relevant to pain modulation, symptom expression, and neurobiological heterogeneity in schizophrenia. Neuroinflammation represents a biologically plausible link between core schizophrenia pathology and altered pain perception. Recognition of pain as an integrated component of disease biology, rather than a secondary complaint, may improve clinical assessment and treatment planning. Investigating and targeting neuroinflammatory pathways holds promise for personalized interventions that address neuropsychiatric symptoms and pain, potentially enhancing rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life. Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that is usually known for symptoms such as changes in thinking, perception, emotions, and memory. However, people with schizophrenia may also experience physical problems that receive less attention, including unusual pain responses. Some may seem less sensitive to pain, while others may live with ongoing pain that affects daily functioning and recovery.This review explores whether inflammation in the brain and body may help explain this pattern. Inflammation is part of the body’s defense system, but when it becomes persistent or unbalanced, it may affect how the brain works. Studies suggest that in schizophrenia, inflammatory changes may influence brain cells, chemical signals, stress pathways, and the systems involved in sensing and responding to pain. We reviewed findings from human and animal research on schizophrenia, inflammation, and pain-related processes. The evidence suggests that inflammation may be one of the biological mechanisms linking schizophrenia with altered pain experience. Understanding pain as part of the illness, rather than as a separate or secondary problem, may help clinicians provide better care. It may also support more personalized treatment and rehabilitation strategies. In the future, treatments that target inflammatory pathways may improve both mental health symptoms and pain-related outcomes, leading to better quality of life for people living with schizophrenia.
Vierordt's law is a well-established phenomenon in time perception research, describing systematic biases where long durations tend to be underestimated while short durations tend to be overestimated. The present study investigated whether these central tendency biases extend to temporal memory and examined how emotional context influences such estimation biases. Through three experiments employing pictorial and textual stimuli, we assessed the accuracy of temporal distance and position memories. Consistent with Vierordt's law, we found robust regression-toward-the-mean biases across all experiments: items near the beginning of a sequence were remembered as having occurred later than they did, while items near the end were remembered as having occurred earlier; short inter-item distances were overestimated and long distances underestimated. Trial-level linear mixed-effects models using participants' subjective valence ratings as a continuous predictor revealed that emotional valence did not reliably modulate the central tendency bias in Experiments 1a (images, blocked design) or 1b (words, blocked design). In Experiment 2, which employed a mixed-list design and collected trial-level confidence ratings, confidence robustly attenuated the central tendency bias across both temporal memory measures, whereas emotional valence did not produce a robust modulation of this bias. Overall, the central tendency bias in temporal memory proved highly replicable across stimulus types and designs, whereas emotional modulation was minimal. Our findings extend the scope of Vierordt's law to quasi-retrospective temporal memory and highlight the role of memory confidence in shaping temporal reconstruction.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FM) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by a complex pathophysiology that lacks definitive biochemical markers. This study aims to evaluate the serum levels of Isthmin-1 (ISM1) and Irisin in patients with FM and to investigate their relationship with clinical parameters such as pain severity and depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study included 21 female patients diagnosed with FM according to the ACR 2016 criteria and 21 age- and BMI-matched healthy female controls. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and psychological status was evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Serum ISM1 and Irisin levels were measured using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Statistical analyses were performed using non-parametric tests, and correlations were evaluated via Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The FM and control groups were well-matched regarding age [46 (33-59) vs. 47 (35-59) years; p = 0.489] and BMI [27.0 (20.8-34.7) vs. 26.4 (21.3-33.8) kg/m²; p = 0.670]. As expected, VAS [7 (6-8) vs. 1 (0-3); p < 0.001] and BDI [34 (26-40) vs. 5 (0-9); p < 0.001] scores were significantly higher in the FM group. Serum ISM1 levels were significantly lower in the FM group compared to the control group [3152.40 (2693.54-3511.76) pg/mL vs. 4083.29 (2659.13-5962.67) pg/mL, respectively; p < 0.001], whereas no significant difference was observed in serum Irisin levels between the groups [423.34 (285.73-554.24) ng/mL vs. 396.95 (274.53-612.71) ng/mL, respectively; p = 0.580]. Correlation analysis within the FM group showed strong negative correlations between serum ISM1 levels and BDI scores (rho = -0.721, p = 0.001), as well as between ISM1 and VAS scores (rho = -0.710, p = 0.001). Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between serum ISM1 and Irisin levels strictly within the patient cohort (rho = -0.458, p = 0.037). Our findings demonstrate for the first time that serum ISM1 levels are markedly reduced in patients with FM and are strongly associated with both pain and depression. While Irisin levels remained stable, the significant decrease in ISM1 suggests that it may serve as a potential objective biomarker for the diagnosis and clinical monitoring of FM.
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) contains projection-defined neuronal populations that route information to multiple downstream targets. However, their role in reward learning remains unclear. Here, we identified and functionally characterized a subpopulation of mPFC neurons collateralizing to the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and the contralateral anterior insular cortex (aIC). Fiber photometry and single-cell calcium imaging revealed that mPFCDMS+aIC neurons responded robustly to reward stimuli and exhibited learning-enhanced, unconditioned stimulus (US)-evoked activity during reward conditioning, whereas conditioned stimulus (CS) responses remained stable. This enhancement reflected an increased response magnitude and a greater proportion of US-responsive neurons. Importantly, optogenetic inhibition of these neurons during the US period, but not during the CS period, impaired the acquisition of conditioned anticipatory licking. Taken together, our findings identify a finely projection-defined mPFC neuronal subpopulation that preferentially contributes to reinforcement-related updating during reward learning.
Sleep is an essential biological process regulating emotions and involving interactions between limbic and cortical systems. The amygdala, hippocampus, insula, and anterior cingulate cortex function as a bottom-up network for emotional processing, whereas prefrontal regions control the top-down aspect. Neurophysiological, neurochemical, and network modifications affect these circuits during sleep stages i.e. rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) phases. Sleep deprivation throws this balance out of synchrony, making emotional responsiveness increasingly pronounced and regulation more compromised, and can lead to, or aggravate, mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This chapter integrates fundamental neuroscience, system modelling, neuroimaging, and clinical insights into account of limbic and cortical brain circuitry in the context of sleep-induced emotional regulation.