1.Effect of saikosaponin A on depressive-like behaviors and hippocampal CREB protein expression in olfactory bulbectomized mice
Maoyun YUAN ; Jingmei SONG ; Hangfang LOU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):2-8
Objective:To investigate the effect of saikosaponin A on depressive-like behaviors and hippocampal cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding(CREB) protein expression in olfactory bulbectomized mice.Methods:Totally thirty male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice, six weeks old, were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=10 in each group): the control group, the olfactory bulbectomy group, and the saikosaponin A group.Olfactory bulbectomy was performed to damage the olfactory bulbs in the mice of bulbectomy group and saikosaponin A group, while the mice of control group only had a cranial drill hole at the same coordinates without damaging the olfactory bulbs. Mice in saikosaponin A group were administered saikosaponin A solution (dose: 5 mg/kg) via gavage, while mice in the control and olfactory bulbectomy groups were given the same volume of 0.9% NaCl solution once a day for 21 days. The depressive-related behavioral changes of mice in each group were evaluated by open field test, tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and weight measurement. The expression of CREB in the hippocampus of mice were detected by Western blot. Graphpad prism 5 software was used for data analysis.The data comparison among the multiple groups was conducted by one-way ANOVA and further pairwise comparisons were conducted by Tukey test. Results:(1) The results of weight measurement showed that there was no significant difference in body weight among the three groups( F=0.468, P=0.631) on the day of the olfactory bulbectomy surgery, but there was a statistically significant difference in body weight among the three groups ( F=37.340, P<0.001) on the 28th day after the olfactory bulbectomy.The body weight of mice in the olfactory bulbectomy group was lower than that of the control group ((24.09±1.01) g, (27.22±0.58)g)( P<0.05). The body weight of mice in the saikosaponin A group((26.23±0.83)g) was higher than that of the olfactory bulbectomy group( P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in body weight differences among the three groups of mice ( F=48.180, P<0.001). The body weight difference of mice in the olfactory bulbectomy group was lower than that of the control group ((2.34±0.96) g, (5.57±0.72) g) ( P<0.05). The body weight difference of mice in the saikosaponin A group was higher than that of the olfactory bulbectomy group ((4.74±0.56) g, (2.34±0.96) g) ( P<0.05).(2) The results of the open field test showed that there were statistically significant differences in the central area residence time and total activity distance in mice among the three groups ( F=27.03, 10.98, both P<0.001). The central area residence time ((13.87±4.59) s) and total activity distance ((35.67±4.88) m) of mice in the olfactory bulbectomy group were both less than those of the control group ((27.44±2.76) s, (59.02±16.21) m) (both P<0.05).The central area residence time ((21.77±4.78) s) and total activity distance ((52.33±10.41) m) of mice in the saikosaponin A group were both higher than those of the olfactory bulbectomy group(both P<0.05).(3) The results of tail suspension test showed that there was a statistically significant difference in immobility time among the three groups ( F=74.57, P<0.001). The immobility time of mice in the olfactory bulbectomy group was longer than that of the control group ((148.20±8.84)s, (97.89±8.64)s) ( P<0.05). The immobility time of mice in the saikosaponin A group((135.70±11.09)s) was less than that of the olfactory bulbectomy group( P<0.05). (4) The results of forced swimming test showed that there was a significant difference in immobility time among the three groups ( F=51.73, P<0.001). The immobility time of mice in the olfactory bulbectomy group was longer than that of the control group ((61.39±5.20) s, (40.80±4.30) s) ( P<0.05).The immobility time of mice in the saikosaponin A group((53.52±4.13)s) was less than that of the olfactory bulbectomy group( P<0.05). (5) The results of Western blot showed that there was a significant difference in hippocampal CREB protein expression among the three groups ( F=13.32, P<0.001).Compared with the control group, hippocampal CREB protein expression of mice in the olfactory bulbectomy group was significantly down-regulated(0.51±0.15, 1.45±0.61) ( P<0.05).Compared with the olfactory bulbectomy group, hippocampal CREB protein expression in the saikosaponin A group(0.97±0.09) was up-regulated( P<0.05). Conclusion:Saikosaponin A can significantly alleviate the depressive-like behaviors in olfactory bulbectomized mice, and its mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of CREB protein expression in the hippocampus.
2.The improvement effect of transcranial ultrasound stimulation combined with low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation on cognitive and motor function in patients with stroke
Huan ZHAO ; Qiyong YIN ; Hemu CHEN ; Wen BAO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):36-42
Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of transcranial ultrasound stimulation combined with low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the treatment of cognitive and motor function deficits in stroke patients.Methods:Ninety patients with cerebral hemorrhage in the rehabilitation department from July 2023 to July 2024 were selected and divided into control group( n=44)and observation group( n=46)randomly.The control group received conventional rehabilitation methods and low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation rehabilitation treatment, while the observation group received transcranial ultrasound treatment in addition.Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment (SFMA), modified Barthel index (MBI) and Brunnstrom movement therapy phase were used to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive and motor rehabilitation treatment for all stroke patients.The data were analyzed by paired t-test, independent sample t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test using SPSS 26.0 software. Results:After treatment, the scores of MMSE (observation group: 26.12±2.24, control group: 23.08±1.56), SFMA(observation group: 24.83±9.02, control group: 17.24±9.51), and MBI(observation group: 68.00±7.03, control group: 49.66±7.98) of both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment(MMSE(observation group: 21.32±2.11, control group: 21.56±1.96), SFMA(observation group: 10.43±8.05, control group: 10.56±7.63), MBI (observation group: 32.34±7.65, control group: 32.00±9.73)), and the differences were all statistically significant ( t=-18.13--2.31, all P<0.05).The scores of MMSE, SFMA, and MBI in observation group were all higher than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences( t=-4.45, -4.51, -5.59, all P<0.05). After treatment, the observation group had more patients with Brunstrom stage Ⅳ or above in the affected upper limb ( Z=-6.236, P=0.045) and lower limb ( Z=-6.589, P=0.036) compared to the control group. There were more patients in both two groups with grade Ⅳ or above in the affected lower limb than in the affected upper limb ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The combination of transcranial ultrasound stimulation therapy and low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy can significantly improve cognitive and motor dysfunction in stroke patients. It can be used for the rehabilitation treatment of cognitive and motor dysfunction in stroke patients.
3.The developmental trajectory and influencing factors of kinesiophobia among post-percutaneous coronary intervention patients
Ruinan XIA ; Rui WANG ; Junfeng ZHANG ; Xiaofang ZOU ; Runfeng ZOU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):43-50
Objective:To explore the developmental trajectory and influencing factors of kinesiophobia in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) .Methods:By convenient sampling, totally 217 patients undergoing PCI who enrolled from two tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province from March 2022 to July 2023. The demographic data of the patients was collected , and kinesiophobia was measured using the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia heart(TSK-SV-Heart) at one day pre-discharge, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 4 months post-discharge. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0 and Mplus 8.7 softwares. Growth mixture modelling, chi-square test, and polynomial Logistic regression were used for data processing and analysis.Results:Three different kinesiophobia trajectory classes were identified in patients within 4 months after PCI: sustained high level of kinesiophobia group (C1 group, 22.6%(49/217)), moderate level of kinesiophobia with a rapid decrease group (C2 group, 47.4%(103/217)), and rapid decrease of kinesiophobia followed an increase group (C3 group, 30.0%(65/217)). Polynomial Logistic regression results showed that, females ( B=1.136, OR=3.113, 95% CI=1.155-8.389) , patients with NYHA Ⅱ/Killip class Ⅱ or above ( B=1.135, OR=3.112, 95% CI=1.380-7.017) were more likely to develop into the C1 compared with the C2 group. Compared with the C3 group, patients with NYHA Ⅱ/Killip class Ⅱ or above ( B=3.322, OR=27.712, 95% CI=5.251-146.244), and patients with coronary heart disease(CHD) more than two years ( B=3.855, OR=47.250, 95% CI=2.146-1 040.535)were more likely to develop into the C1 group. Compared with the C3 group, patients with NYHA Ⅱ/Killip class Ⅱ or above ( B=-2.187, OR=0.112, 95% CI=0.022-0.565), patients with three or more comorbidities ( B=-2.711, OR=0.066, 95% CI=0.008-0.528), and patients with CHD more than two years ( B=-2.376, OR=0.093, 95% CI=0.011-0.783) were more likely to develop into the C2 group. Conclusion:Kinesiophobia level in patients undergoing PCI presents a curvilinear decrease within 4 months after PCI.Different kinesiophobia trajectory classes can be observed. Sex, NYHA/Killip class, course of CHD, and comorbidity affect the development trajectory of different subgroups.
4.Effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with social cognition and interaction training on intrinsic motivation and social cognition in patients with schizophrenia
Xianyong ZU ; Huifang LIU ; Peng FU ; Liangju LI ; Zhuanling HE ; Huahui LIN ; Xiangyan LI ; Qianhui CHEN ; Guoyun HE ; Liyi LI ; Zhengyu WU ; Yi DONG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):51-59
Objective:To explore the effect of social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on intrinsic motivation and social cognition in patients with schizophrenia.Methods:Forty-two stable schizophrenia patients were randomly divided into the SCIT + TMS group( n=22) and the SCIT group( n=20). All the subjects received 20 sessions of SCIT treatment, and the SCIT+ TMS group simultaneously received 15 sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC). All the subjects were assessed by intrinsic motivation inventory for schizophrenia research(IMI-SR), Chinese version of the ambiguous intentions hostility questionnaire(AIHQ-C), theory of mind-picture sequencing task(ToM-PST), mentalization scale (MentS), Chinese version of interpersonal reactivity index (IRI-C) and positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) before and after intervention. SPSS 26.0 software was used for data analysis.Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intra-group comparison before and after treatment, while Mann-Whitney U test and covariance analysis were used for inter-group comparison.Spearman correlation analysis and Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between the intrinsic motivation and social cognition. Results:There were no significant differences on IMI-SR scores before and after treatment between the two groups(all P>0.05). In the SCIT+ TMS group, the total score of hostility bias (HB), HB scores in ambiguous scenes, HB scores in intentional scenes, and aggressive bias (AB) scores in ambiguous scenes of AIHQ-C scale after treatment were lower than those befor treatment( Z=-2.044--3.112, all P<0.05), while the total score of ToM-PST(18.50(16.00, 21.00) vs 15.50(11.75, 18.00), Z=-2.598, P=0.009) and IRI-C imagination score (12.18±3.79, 14.41±4.73, t=-2.694, P=0.014) were higher than those before treatment.In the SCIT group, the total score of ToM-PST after treatment was higher than that before treatment(21.00(20.00, 22.00) vs 17.00(14.50, 20.75), Z=-2.518, P=0.012).There was no significant statistical difference in MentS scores between after treatment and before treatment ( P>0.05). The difference in AIHQ-C intentional scenario AB score before and after treatment was higher in the SCIT+ TMS group than in the SCIT group ( Z=-1.996, P=0.046), while there was no statistically significant difference in the difference before and after treatment in social cognitive scores between the two groups (all P>0.05).In the combined two samples, Spearman correlation analysis showed that the total score of IMI-SR before treatment was positively correlated with the primary belief score of ToM-PST understanding, reciprocity score, MentS total score, other person mentalization score, motivation mentalization score, IRI-C total score, viewpoint taking score, and empathy concern score after treatment( r=0.341-0.509, all P<0.05), while negatively correlated with AIHQ-C total score and factor scores ( r=-0.434--0.645, P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that the total score of IMI-SR had negative impact on AIHQ-C total HB score( B=-0.047, OR=0.954, 95% CI=0.917-0.993).The value score had a positive impact on the total score of MentS ( B=0.143, OR=1.154, 95% CI=1.043-1.277), other person mentalization score( B=0.166, OR=1.181, 95% CI=1.058-1.318), motivation mentalization score( B=0.111, OR=1.117, 95% CI=1.021-1.223), IRI-C total score ( B=0.138, OR=1.148, 95% CI=1.038-1.270), and viewpoint taking score( B=0.194, OR=1.214, 95% CI=1.076-1.369). Interest score had a positive impact on IRI-C empathy concern score ( B=0.098, OR=1.103, 95% CI=0.998-1.218) and ToM-PST understanding primary belief score( B=0.130, OR=1.138, 95% CI=1.010-1.283) and reciprocity score( B=0.189, OR=1.208, 95% CI=1.057-1.380). Conclusion:The research results did not confirm the effect of TMS over the DLPFC on enhancing intrinsic motivation, as well as the synergistic effect of SCIT treatment on social cognition. But the correlation results indicates that improving schizophrenia patients' intrinsic motivation level in cognitive training is meaningful for promoting social cognition.
5.A cohort study on the impact of stressful life events on social activity participation among middle-aged and elderly adults
Yujing ZHANG ; Shanshan LI ; Yuming ZHANG ; Xuchao REN ; Siyi ZUO ; Ziqi ZHANG ; Linyuan CHENG ; Zijie ZHAI ; Pan XU ; Dong LI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):60-65
Objective:To analyze the impact of stressful life events on the social activity participation of middle-aged and elderly adults in China, providing a scientific basis for improving their quality of life.Methods:This study was conducted in January 2024.Data were derived from the China health and retirement longitudinal study (CHARLS) conducted from 2011 to 2020. SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Ordered Logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the association between stressful life events experienced over the past decade and the level of social activity participation, with stratified analysis by age, gender, and place of residence.Results:A total of 10 838 middle-aged and elderly adults were included in this study. The proportions of individuals with no social activity participation, low social activity participation, and high social activity participation were 52.07%(5 643/10 838), 24.21%(2 624/10 838), and 23.72%(2 571/10 838), respectively. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and health-related behaviors, individuals who experienced stressful life events were 15.2% less likely to participate in social activities compared to those who did not ( RR=0.848, 95% CI=0.786-0.915).Stratified analysis revealed that the decrease in the likelihood of social activity participation following stressful life events was significantly greater in urban residents than that in rural residents ( Pinteraction=0.004). Conclusion:Experiencing stressful life events over the past decade may reduce the level of social activity participation among middle-aged and elderly adults. It is recommended to strengthen psychological counseling for this population and encourage active social engagement.
6.The chain mediating effect of self-esteem and emotional resilience between cyberbullying and depression in college student
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):66-70
Objective:To explore the chain mediating effect of self-esteem and emotional resilience on the relationship between cyberbullying and depression of college students.Methods:From March to October 2023, a total of 346 college students were measured using Chinese version of Delaware bullying victimization scale-student, self esteem scale, adolescents' emotional resilience questionnaire, and patient health questionnaire-9, adopting a longitudinal tracking design with a total of 2 sessions and a 6-month interval between each session. SPSS 25.0 software was used for common method bias, descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis and mediating effect test.Results:(1) The results showed that cyberbullying T1 (4.54±1.60) was significantly and negatively correlated with self-esteem T2 (27.85±4.43) ( r=-0.152, P<0.01), while not significantly correlated with emotional resilience T2 (40.50±9.55) ( r=-0.093, P>0.05).Self-esteem T2 was significantly and positively correlated with emotional resilience T2( r=0.583, P<0.01), while negatively correlated with depression T2 ( r=-0.425, P<0.01). Emotional resilience T2 was significantly and negatively correlated with depression T2 ( r=-0.479, P<0.01).(2) Self-esteem and emotional resilience fully mediated the relationship between cyberbullying and depression. The mediating effect was consisted of two pathways including mediating effect of self-esteem and the chain mediating effect of self-esteem and emotional resilience, with effect value of 0.024 and 0.021 respectively. Conclusion:Cyberbullying can indirectly affect depression through the mediation of self-esteem and chain mediating effect of self-esteem and emotional resilience.
7.Reliability and validity analysis of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder self-report scale-revised among children aged 8-14
Pei ZHANG ; Lingrong XIAO ; Xian TIAN ; Gang ZHAO ; Hongmei WU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):71-77
Objective:To test the reliability and validity of the ADHD self-report scale-revised (ASRS-R) among Chinese children aged 8-14 and provide preliminary evidence for the use of ASRS-R as a tool for identifying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in Chinese children aged 8-14 years.Methods:In October 2023, elementary school students aged 8-14 from five elementary school in Shenzhen were selected for the survey through convenience sampling. The subjects were tested using ASRS-R and strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Among them, exploratory factor analysis and item analysis were conducted on sample 1 ( n=1 558), confirmatory factor analysis, calibration correlation validity and reliability analysis were conducted on sample 2 ( n=1 648), and retest reliability analysis was conducted on sample 3 ( n=300).The data was subjected to item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, calibration correlation validity and reliability analysis by SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 23.0 softwares. Results:Exploratory factor analysis showed that the KMO value was 0.947, the cumulative variance contribution was 41.061%, and the loadings for the entries ranged from 0.454 to 0.697.The confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit of the two-factor model ( χ2/ df=3.355, CFI=0.959, TLI=0.952, RMSEA=0.038, SRMR=0.029, AGFI=0.962, NFI=0.943, IFI=0.952), and was applicable to primary school students of different grades and genders. The internal consistency coefficients of the total scale, the dimensions of inattention and hyperactive/impulsivity were 0.876, 0.815, 0.769, respectively and the retest reliability of total scale was 0.984. Item analysis showed that the correlation coefficients between the score of each item and the total score of the scale ranged from 0.503 to 0.663(all P<0.01). Conclusion:The ASRS-R has good reliability and validity and is suitable for the identification of ADHD behavior in Chinese children aged 8-14.
8.Application of behavioral psychological interventions in obsessive-compulsive disorder
Yumei LIU ; Jun YAN ; Qianqian LI ; Jinmin LIAO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):83-88
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent episodes of intrusive thinking and/or behavior, persistent and variable symptoms, and chronic recurrence. It is clearly recommended in the OCD treatment guidelines that psychotherapy can effectively improve clinical symptoms and play an important role in maintaining long-term efficacy. However, previous research and clinical practice paid little attention to the application of psychological interventions in OCD.Currently, there is insufficient understanding of psychotherapy for OCD, especially the proven first-line exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), cognitive-behavioral therapy, and Morita therapy.Due to limited resources, they have not received effective intervention. Therefore, this article reviews the relevant research on psychological therapy intervention for OCD in recent years, summarizes the intervention effects of different psychological therapy methods on OCD and further elaborates on possible therapeutic mechanisms.Based on this, combined with the existing research, this article clarifies the effect of various behavioral psychological interventions and their combined treatment, and explores group and online forms of psychological intervention in order to increase the accessibility of psychotherapy for OCD patients.
9.Application of electroencephalogram for depression and anxiety identification
Shu JING ; Zhenwei DAI ; Xiaoyou SU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(1):89-94
Depression and anxiety are the two most common mental disorders, which have severe negative impacts on individuals and society. Early and accurate identification of these disorders is crucial for symptom control and positive prognosis. Traditional identification approaches such as scale screening and interviews rely on patients' self-reporting and the comprehensive judgment of psychiatrists. These methods inherently have limitations such as subjectivity and dependence on the availability and convenience of medical resources. Therefore, seeking objective means to assist in the identification of depression and anxiety disorders has become a research focus in recent years. Electroencephalogram (EEG), which describes changes in potential difference on the scalp surface, offers advantages such as objectivity, quantification and high temporal resolution. EEG has become one of the potential objective indicators for identifying depression and anxiety disorders.Machine learning algorithms are key technologies for extracting EEG signal features and improving identification accuracy. The combination of EEG collection and machine learning algorithms is expected to become a new method for identifying depression and anxiety disorders. In addition, portable EEG collection provides the possibility for rapid identification of mental disorders and large-scale screening activities. This article reviews the application of EEG for depression and anxiety disorders identification, providing a reference for scholars in related fields, with the aim of promoting the development of mental disorder identification towards objectivity and visualization in China.
10.Gut microbiota and anorexia nervosa
Mei'ou WANG ; Jing MA ; Lan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(3):272-276
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental disorder with a high mortality rate. At present, the etiology and pathogenesis of AN is still unclear. A number of studies have shown that there is a relationship between AN and gut microbiota. This study reviews the latest findings in the study of gut microbiota in patients with AN. Existing studies have found that compared with healthy people, patients with AN have changed in the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota, but different research results are not consistent on the species of the changed microbiota. After treatment, the gut microbiota showed an increasing trend in the abundance and diversity of beneficial bacteria, but did not return to the normal state. At present, the potential mechanisms of gut microbiota in AN are mainly focused on neurological, immune, endocrine and other aspects. Future research directions on the relationship between gut microbiota and AN are also proposed.

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