Journal of affective disorders
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The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) has been widely used as a self-report measure of affect in community and clinical contexts. However, evaluations of the psychometric properties of PANAS scores have been limited in diverse ethnic groups. Several short forms of the PANAS have also been proposed, but very little is known about the psychometric properties of these versions. ⋯ The factor structure was replicated, suggesting no immediate concerns regarding the valid interpretation of PANAS scores. The results support the reliability and validity of the PANAS and its short forms for use among African Americans.
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Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with altered neural activity in the default mode network (DMN). In the present study, we used a fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) approach to directly investigate the features of spontaneous brain activity of the DMN in patients with the first-episode, drug-naive MDD at rest. ⋯ Our results first suggested that there was a dissociation pattern of resting-state fALFF in the DMN in patient with MDD, which highlighted the importance of the DMN in the pathogenesis of MDD.
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The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is dysfunctional in a subgroup of mood disorders. ⋯ Feedback inhibition of ACTH secretion by cortisol is compromised in MDD, and this is independent of an age effect on the HPA axis function.