Tag: pubmed

Cereb Cortex. 2026 Mar 3;36(3):bhag024. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhag024.

ABSTRACT

Understanding how differences in brain structure relate to differences in cognition across the lifespan is essential for addressing age-related cognitive decline. Since age is strongly associated with both brain structure and cognition, predictive models often risk simply capturing age effects. To mitigate this risk, deconfounding is typically applied to remove the effects of age. Here, beyond treating age as a confound, we treat it as a moderator by estimating brain-cognition associations separately across age groups. This captures age-stratified changes in how brain structure and cognitive performance are statistically connected. For this view to hold, variations in brain structure linked to differences in cognitive performance in older subjects (eg related to disease) would differ from those in younger subjects. Using structural brain imaging data from the UK Biobank we found an asymmetry in generalisability: models trained on younger subjects successfully predicted cognition in older subjects, but models trained on older subjects failed to generalize to younger individuals. These findings reveal a trade-off between model specificity and generalisability, suggesting the optimal approach-whether age-specific or pooled-depends on the research or clinical goal for the target population.

PMID:41812241 | DOI:10.1093/cercor/bhag024

Genetics. 2026 Mar 11:iyag068. doi: 10.1093/genetics/iyag068. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pool-seq (pooled sequencing) combines DNA from multiple individuals prior to sequencing, enabling population-level allele frequency estimation without individual genotyping. When employed in a case-control Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) framework, pool-seq faces a fundamental power limitation: Errors on allele frequency estimates are inversely proportional to sequence coverage and are large at modest coverage levels. Although this power limitation is appreciated, modestly sized pool-seq GWAS lacking unambiguous hits are often interpreted as showing a polygenic genetic architecture. We illustrate that this inference is unwarranted using empirical data from a Drosophila zinc resistance mapping study. Despite achieving >700× sequencing coverage in case and control pools, a directly ascertained SNP-based GWAS failed to reveal clear evidence for major-effect loci. A unique feature of the dataset is that an advanced intercross multiparent population, with known founders, was employed as the GWAS population. We leverage this unique population structure, in a manner that would not be possible in an outbred panel, to carry out two additional GWASs using imputed haplotype- or SNP-frequency estimates, which in contrast uncover localized regions of major effect. The key difference between approaches lies in statistical power: directly ascertained SNP counts have errors inversely proportional to sequencing coverage, whereas known founder imputation-based approaches can be considerably more accurate. In outbred populations where imputation cannot be used to obtain more accurate allele frequency estimates, substantially higher coverage than currently envisioned may be required to reliably detect modest allele frequency shifts. This work highlights that insufficiently powered GWAS studies can mask simple genetic architectures and create the illusion of polygenicity through statistical noise alone.

PMID:41812229 | DOI:10.1093/genetics/iyag068

J Med Entomol. 2026 Mar 9;63(2):tjag017. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjag017.

ABSTRACT

Malaria remains a significant public health burden in Cameroon, with high prevalence in the North Region. The success of control strategies depends on community understanding and practices. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards malaria and mosquitoes in the region. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2021 using structured questionnaires with 500 households across 50 randomly selected villages. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Malaria awareness was universal (100%), nearly all respondents (99.6%) correctly identified mosquito bites as the primary transmission route. However, a significant misconception persisted, with 42.4% also attributing transmission to cold weather. Mosquito net use was nearly universal (99.6%; 96.2% used one the previous night), yet 90.4% reported misusing nets for other purposes (tying animals: 35.8%; fishing: 7.4%). Thus, there was a contradiction between the high rate of ITN ownership and their widespread misuse. Self-medication was the most common first response to symptoms (43.2%), primarily due to the perceived high cost of hospital care (39.6%) and perceived staff carelessness (14.3%). Only 19.0% sought treatment within 24 h of symptom onset. Use of complementary vector control methods was low, and 17 plant species were documented for malaria treatment. While general knowledge is high, critical gaps and detrimental practices persist. The findings reveal a stark divergence between high net ownership and widespread misuse, coupled with suboptimal treatment-seeking behavior. This underscores the urgent need for targeted health education to correct misconceptions, promote proper net use, and encourage timely treatment to enhance malaria control efficacy in the region.

PMID:41812226 | DOI:10.1093/jme/tjag017

JMIR Form Res. 2026 Mar 11;10:e86070. doi: 10.2196/86070.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Approximately 45% of individuals taking methadone or buprenorphine have chronic pain. These medications are commonly prescribed for chronic pain or opioid use disorder (OUD). To optimize pain management as well as reduce opioid-related symptoms (eg, craving) and risks (misuse and overdose), there is a critical need for a brief, effective, and accessible pain skills intervention for this population.

OBJECTIVE: This single-arm study aimed to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of online Empowered Relief (ER), a 1-session pain relief skills class, for individuals with chronic pain taking methadone or buprenorphine for chronic pain or OUD.

METHODS: A priori feasibility criteria were defined as at least 75% of enrolled participants attending the ER class and the mean satisfaction rating of at least 8 on a 0-10 scale. Participants were recruited nationally across the United States. Out of the 69 enrolled participants, 55 attended the ER class. Self-report measures were collected at baseline, immediately post class, and at follow-up points of 2 weeks and months 1-3. Additionally, qualitative interviews were conducted in a small sample (n=14) to obtain in-depth participant feedback. Among the class attendees, 51 participants (27/51, 52.9% female; mean age 48.6, SD 12.2, range 28-71 years) completed at least one follow-up survey, and treatment outcomes were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, with missing data imputed using linear regression. This analytic sample consisted of 24 participants taking methadone and 27 participants taking buprenorphine; 43.1% (22/51) endorsed at least≥2 OUD symptoms within the past 12 months, meeting the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [Fifth Edition]) diagnostic criteria for current OUD.

RESULTS: Feasibility was achieved with 79.7% (55/74) attendance and mean 8.6 (SD 2) ratings of treatment appraisal and satisfaction. Qualitative feedback demonstrated high acceptability of the class content and delivery, with suggestions for refinements. Repeated-measures ANOVAs and FDR-corrected post hoc tests revealed significant reductions at 1 month post-ER class (primary endpoint) in pain intensity (Cohen d=0.71), pain bothersomeness (Cohen d=0.54), and pain interference (Cohen d=0.61). At 3 months post-ER class, efficacy was maintained for pain intensity, pain bothersomeness, and pain interference (Cohen d=0.28, 0.44, and 0.48, respectively). No significant time effects were observed for pain catastrophizing, sleep disturbance, physical function, fatigue, depression, anxiety, social isolation, and opioid craving.

CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to test ER in patients taking methadone or buprenorphine for pain or OUD. Findings showed feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary evidence of treatment efficacy. Participant feedback will inform future study designs. These findings support a randomized trial to fully evaluate the efficacy and scalability of ER in this population.

PMID:41812186 | DOI:10.2196/86070

JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Mar 11;15:e81948. doi: 10.2196/81948.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Caregivers to a person diagnosed with a glioblastoma often face significant responsibilities, balancing the demands of care with the complexities of the disease and treatment trajectory, while also coping with concerns and uncertainty of the future. Caregivers report unmet needs of information and support throughout the patient’s disease and treatment trajectory, and they may benefit from targeted supportive care interventions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop, test, and evaluate the feasibility of a supportive group intervention among caregivers to patients diagnosed with a glioblastoma.

METHODS: The study consists of 3 phases with ongoing patient and public involvement (PPI). In the first phase, a systematic review will be carried out exploring the outcome of supportive group interventions for caregivers to patients diagnosed with a primary brain tumor. In the second phase, the design and development of the intervention will be conducted in cooperation with a panel of caregivers using PPI process. The third phase will include the feasibility and evaluation of the intervention. The study will be guided by the British Medical Research Council’s framework for developing complex interventions. The feasibility of the intervention will be tested in reference to relevant parameters. Quantitative data in terms of questionnaires will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative evaluation interviews will be analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS: A national panel of caregivers (N=10) has been established, and the final design of the intervention is currently developed through an ongoing PPI process. A total of 3 hospitals in Denmark have committed to participating in the recruitment for the feasibility study. Recruitment began in April 2025, and the SUGRI (Supportive Group Intervention for caregivers to patients diagnosed with a glioblastoma) intervention will undergo a feasibility assessment in a multicenter study starting in August 2025, with the final evaluation planned for April 2026.

CONCLUSIONS: This study is expected to provide necessary insights to guide caregiver initiatives, ultimately improving support for caregivers within the neuro-oncology field. A supportive group intervention offered to the caregivers has the potential to address specific caregiver needs and strengthen their supportive network. Providing caregivers with support may enhance their perceived support, strengthen family functioning, and provide them with strategies to manage caregiving challenges, ultimately benefiting both caregivers and patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06869577; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06869577.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/81948.

PMID:41812182 | DOI:10.2196/81948

Sante Ment Que. 2025 Fall-Winter;50(2):217-234.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic psychiatric condition and one of the most common psychiatric disorders. This study aims to analyze the prescribing habits of Moroccan psychiatrists for OCD, identify deviations from international recommendations, and explore potential differences in prescribing practices based on medical status (resident or psychiatrist), practice sector (public or private), and type of establishment (university hospital or other). Methodology This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted among psychiatrists and psychiatry residents in Morocco. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to explore their treatment habits for OCD. Data were collected from various healthcare facilities, both public and private, between January 16 and July 24, 2024. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software to assess the conformity of prescribing practices with international recommendations. Results The study included 116 participants. The majority of participants recommended a pharmacological treatment as the first-line therapy, primarily SSRIs (92.2%), while only 4.3% recommended CBT alone. After the failure of an initial SSRI, 35.3% recommended trying another SSRI, while others suggested adding an antipsychotic or trying clomipramine (37.9% and 14.7%, respectively). The analyses showed that practitioners trained in CBT were more likely to recommend it, and significant differences were observed between residents and specialists regarding the use of clomipramine after therapeutic failure. Conclusion This study highlights marked trends in OCD treatment practices in our context, revealing both concordances and discrepancies with international recommendations. The dissemination and adoption of best prescribing practices, as well as regular monitoring of therapeutic regimens, are crucial to improving the management of patients with OCD and ensuring a more guideline-conformant approach.

PMID:41812175

Sante Ment Que. 2025 Fall-Winter;50(2):143-167.

ABSTRACT

Objectives Disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity worldwide. Individuals exposed to them are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia or depression. A stepped care approach, in which the first levels offer interventions that are less costly in terms of specialized resources, could help in meeting the mental health needs of disaster-affected populations. A randomized controlled trial involving evacuees of the 2016 Fort McMurray (Alberta, Canada) wildfires with symptoms of PTSD, depression and insomnia demonstrated the efficacy of the RESILIENT self-treatment in reducing these symptoms. However, its impact among people with a probable diagnosis of PTSD has not been examined. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of RESILIENT in reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression and insomnia in people with probable PTSD following a disaster. Method A secondary analysis was performed on a subsample of 38 participants from a randomized controlled trial of evacuees from the Fort McMurray wildfires. To be eligible, participants had to have probable PTSD. Sixteen people meeting the criteria were assigned to the treatment condition and 22 to the wait-list control condition. Participants had access to the RESILIENT treatment platform, a guided online self-treatment consisting of 12 therapeutic sessions offering evidence-based cognitive-behavioral strategies for PTSD, depression and insomnia. Participants completed validated self-report questionnaires measuring the severity of their symptoms of PTSD (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9) pre- and post-treatment. Results Mixed-model analyses were performed. Intent-to-treat analyses failed to reach statistical significance for interaction effects (condition x time). However, subsequent analyses excluding those assigned to the treatment condition who did not access the treatment revealed clinically and statistically significant improvements for those who completed at least 1 treatment session compared with those assigned to the control condition. Conclusion These results support the efficacy of the RESILIENT platform in reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression and insomnia in people with probable PTSD following evacuation due to wildfires. These results demonstrate the relevance of the stepped care approach, offering primarily self-managed interventions for disaster-exposed populations.

PMID:41812171

Nutr Rev. 2026 Mar 11:nuag026. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuag026. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Dementia is a group of neurological disorders affecting millions worldwide, placing substantial strain on healthcare systems. Although diet has been identified as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive health in aging, there is limited research on how dietary patterns affect cognitive outcomes in ethnic Chinese populations. Chinese populations, primarily in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Singapore, have distinct genetic profiles and diverse dietary traditions. These genetic and cultural dietary factors may interact in specific ways to influence cognitive health.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis critically evaluated the evidence on the dietary factors and cognitive health in the ethnic Chinese population.

DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CNKI were conducted according to the PRISMA criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted data using a standardized data extraction template. Information collected included study characteristics, participant demographics, dietary exposures or patterns, cognitive outcomes, and key findings. Study quality was assessed using the National Institutes of Health criteria for observational studies. Extracted data, including reported odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% CIs, were summarized and used for subsequent analyses.

DATA ANALYSIS: Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models to pool ORs with corresponding 95% CIs. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using τ2 and I2 statistics, with I2 values >50% indicating substantial heterogeneity. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.

CONCLUSION: Evidence from observational studies suggests that dietary patterns rich in vegetables, fruits, fish, and plant-based foods are associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline in ethnic Chinese adults, potentially influenced by unique genetic variations, traditional dietary practices, and cultural factors. Adherence to the Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diets, as well as higher consumption of mushrooms and tea, was linked to better cognitive health, whereas diets high in red meat and low in fish and legumes were associated with increased risk. Meta-analysis showed a protective association for plant-based diets (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.69-0.87).

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO NO. CRD42024575522.

PMID:41812151 | DOI:10.1093/nutrit/nuag026

JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2026 Mar 11;12:e73002. doi: 10.2196/73002.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute stress disorder (ASD) among people ever infected with COVID-19 is prevalent and may lead to posttraumatic stress disorder. Soon after China relaxed their COVID-19 control measures in November 2022 or December 2022, the infection rate surged rapidly, creating huge uncertainty and stressful situations. Little is known about situations regarding ASD at the ending phase of the pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the potential of personal cognitive or emotional factors and environmental factors of ASD.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 5545 people ever infected with COVID-19 aged 18-60 years from December 27, 2022, to January 9, 2023, living in 7 cities of China. The 5-item Chinese version of the Primary Care PTSD Screen was used to assess ASD. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors of ASD.

RESULTS: The prevalence of ASD was 21.2% (1174/5545). Adjusted for the background variables, significant personal risk factors (COVID-19 infection severity, cognitions including perceived high reinfection risk and perceived weak acquired natural immunity, and emotions including worry about the long-term physical harms and panic about infection of older or younger family members), and significant environmental risk factors (difficulties in getting information and medical supplies, having unvaccinated older or younger family members, and having significant others with severe COVID-19 symptoms) were identified.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ASD among people ever infected with COVID-19 was noticeable. It is warranted to identify those at high risk of developing ASD and provide them with care and early interventions to prevent deterioration. Such programs may consider targeting the modifiable risk factors found in this study.

PMID:41812140 | DOI:10.2196/73002

Nutr Rev. 2026 Mar 11:nuag004. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuag004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Childhood obesity is a major global health concern, with various strategies aimed at prevention. Early childhood represents a critical window for intervention; however, the effectiveness of strategies during this period remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions implemented during the first 3 years of life in preventing childhood overweight and obesity, through a systematic review of reviews.

DATA SOURCES: A systematic review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Reviews targeting children up to 3 years of age in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries were included.

DATA EXTRACTION: The primary outcomes were the incidence of overweight and obesity, assessed at least 1 year postintervention. Secondary outcomes included body mass index z-score, weight-gain velocity, and body composition. The quality of the reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 tool.

DATA ANALYSIS: Thirty-nine systematic reviews were included in the qualitative synthesis, from which only 45 randomized controlled trials were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Evidence suggests that multicomponent interventions incorporating physical activity or responsive feeding show modest positive effects, although the quality of evidence is generally low. Reducing protein intake from infant formula during the first 2 years of life showed moderate evidence in reducing obesity risk up to 6 years of age. Breastfeeding, sleep, and weaning interventions had limited or inconclusive effects.

CONCLUSION: While reducing protein intake from infant formula during the first 2 years of life showed moderate evidence of benefit, there is limited and low-quality evidence supporting early-life interventions to prevent childhood obesity. Multicomponent interventions, particularly those incorporating physical activity or promoting responsive feeding, appear modestly beneficial. Further high-quality research, particularly randomized clinical trials with longer follow-up, is needed to confirm these findings and optimize obesity-prevention strategies.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022338940.

PMID:41812134 | DOI:10.1093/nutrit/nuag004