Brain, behavior, and immunity
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Brain Behav. Immun. · Jul 2020
Impact on mental health and perceptions of psychological care among medical and nursing staff in Wuhan during the 2019 novel coronavirus disease outbreak: A cross-sectional study.
The severe 2019 outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which was first reported in Wuhan, would be expected to impact the mental health of local medical and nursing staff and thus lead them to seek help. However, those outcomes have yet to be established using epidemiological data. To explore the mental health status of medical and nursing staff and the efficacy, or lack thereof, of critically connecting psychological needs to receiving psychological care, we conducted a quantitative study. ⋯ Trends in levels of psychological distress and factors such as exposure to infected people and psychological assistance were identified. Although staff accessed limited mental healthcare services, distressed staff nonetheless saw these services as important resources to alleviate acute mental health disturbances and improve their physical health perceptions. These findings emphasize the importance of being prepared to support frontline workers through mental health interventions at times of widespread crisis.
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Brain Behav. Immun. · Jul 2020
A role for glia maturation factor dependent activation of mast cells and microglia in MPTP induced dopamine loss and behavioural deficits in mice.
The molecular mechanism mediating degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) is not yet fully understood. Previously, we have shown the contribution of glia maturation factor (GMF), a proinflammatory protein in dopaminergic neurodegeneration mediated by activation of mast cells (MCs). In this study, methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced nigrostriatal neurodegeneration and astro-glial activations were determined by western blot and immunofluorescence techniques in wild type (WT) mice, MC-deficient (MC-KO) mice and GMF-deficient (GMF-KO) mice, with or without MC reconstitution before MPTP administration. ⋯ Similarly, tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine transporters and vesicular monoamine transporters 2 proteins expression were significantly reduced in the SN of MPTP treated WT mice. The motor behavior as analyzed by rotarod and hang test was significantly reduced in WT mice as compared with both the MC-KO and GMF-KO mice. We conclude that GMF-dependent MC activation enhances the detrimental effect of astro-glial activation-mediated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the midbrain, and its inhibition may slowdown the progression of PD.
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Brain Behav. Immun. · Jul 2020
Mental health consequences during the initial stage of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in Spain.
The pandemic caused by Covid-19 has been an unprecedented social and health emergency worldwide. This is the first study in the scientific literature reporting the psychological impact of the Covid-19 outbreak in a sample of the Spanish population. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey of 3480 people. ⋯ Predictive models revealed that the greatest protector for symptomatology was spiritual well-being, while loneliness was the strongest predictor of depression, anxiety and PTSD. The impact on our mental health caused by the pandemic and the measures adopted during the first weeks to deal with it are evident. In addition, it is possible to identify the need of greater psychological support in general and in certain particularly vulnerable groups.
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Brain Behav. Immun. · Jul 2020
ReviewNervous system involvement after infection with COVID-19 and other coronaviruses.
Viral infections have detrimental impacts on neurological functions, and even to cause severe neurological damage. Very recently, coronaviruses (CoV), especially severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV 2 (SARS-CoV-2), exhibit neurotropic properties and may also cause neurological diseases. ⋯ The pathobiology of these neuroinvasive viruses is still incompletely known, and it is therefore important to explore the impact of CoV infections on the nervous system. Here, we review the research into neurological complications in CoV infections and the possible mechanisms of damage to the nervous system.
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Brain Behav. Immun. · Jul 2020
A longitudinal study on the mental health of general population during the COVID-19 epidemic in China.
In addition to being a public physical health emergency, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected global mental health, as evidenced by panic-buying worldwide as cases soared. Little is known about changes in levels of psychological impact, stress, anxiety and depression during this pandemic. This longitudinal study surveyed the general population twice - during the initial outbreak, and the epidemic's peak four weeks later, surveying demographics, symptoms, knowledge, concerns, and precautionary measures against COVID-19. ⋯ During the initial evaluation, moderate-to-severe stress, anxiety and depression were noted in 8.1%, 28.8% and 16.5%, respectively and there were no significant longitudinal changes in stress, anxiety and depression levels (p > 0.05). Protective factors included high level of confidence in doctors, perceived survival likelihood and low risk of contracting COVID-19, satisfaction with health information, personal precautionary measures. As countries around the world brace for an escalation in cases, Governments should focus on effective methods of disseminating unbiased COVID-19 knowledge, teaching correct containment methods, ensuring availability of essential services/commodities, and providing sufficient financial support.