JNBS
Üsküdar Üniversitesi

ARTICLES

Original Article

Evaluation of the Coexistence of Attention‑Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Turkish Title : Evaluation of the Coexistence of Attention‑Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Zengin Eroğlu Meliha,Gözde Luş Melek
JNBS, 2022, 9(2), p:39-45

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_14_22

Aim: Attention‑deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and its etiology
of it has not been fully elucidated yet. We tried to evaluate the familial aspects of anxiety disorders and
ADHD in this study. Materials and Methods: Our study group comprised 128 parents aged between
24 and 60 years (114 mothers and 14 fathers) of 128 children with diagnosis of ADHD (n = 47), anxiety
disorders (n = 30), and ADHD + anxiety disorders (n = 51) who had been evaluated by the department
of child and adolescent psychiatry. Findings of anxiety disorders and ADHD were evaluated in
accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual‑V Criteria. Beck Anxiety Inventory, Wender Utah
Rating Scale (WURS), and Turgay’s Adult Attention‑Deficit Disorder (ADD)/ADHD Diagnosis and
Evaluation Scale were applied to parents. Results: Anxiety levels, WURS, and Turgay’s Adult ADD/
ADHD Diagnosis and Evaluation Scale points did not be differentiated between groups. 16.7% (n = 5)
of ADHD + anxiety, 6.4% of ADHD (n = 3), and 9.8% (n = 5) of anxiety group of parents were
high‑degree ADD/ADHD (+). Conclusion: Our study results show that there are some familial features
of ADHD and anxiety disorders. Considering the relationship between these two disorders during the
psychiatric care of children as well as their parents is deeply important for clinicians.

Aim: Attention‑deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and its etiology
of it has not been fully elucidated yet. We tried to evaluate the familial aspects of anxiety disorders and
ADHD in this study. Materials and Methods: Our study group comprised 128 parents aged between
24 and 60 years (114 mothers and 14 fathers) of 128 children with diagnosis of ADHD (n = 47), anxiety
disorders (n = 30), and ADHD + anxiety disorders (n = 51) who had been evaluated by the department
of child and adolescent psychiatry. Findings of anxiety disorders and ADHD were evaluated in
accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual‑V Criteria. Beck Anxiety Inventory, Wender Utah
Rating Scale (WURS), and Turgay’s Adult Attention‑Deficit Disorder (ADD)/ADHD Diagnosis and
Evaluation Scale were applied to parents. Results: Anxiety levels, WURS, and Turgay’s Adult ADD/
ADHD Diagnosis and Evaluation Scale points did not be differentiated between groups. 16.7% (n = 5)
of ADHD + anxiety, 6.4% of ADHD (n = 3), and 9.8% (n = 5) of anxiety group of parents were
high‑degree ADD/ADHD (+). Conclusion: Our study results show that there are some familial features
of ADHD and anxiety disorders. Considering the relationship between these two disorders during the
psychiatric care of children as well as their parents is deeply important for clinicians.


Original Article

Mental Health Status of Caregivers of Persons with Neurological Disability

Turkish Title : Mental Health Status of Caregivers of Persons with Neurological Disability

Pallerla Srikanth,Parthasarathy Nirmala Berigai
JNBS, 2022, 9(2), p:46-50

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_15_22

Introduction: Neurological conditions have a long‑term impact on the individual and their family
and also affect one’s general and mental health. Materials and Methods: This cross‑sectional
study aimed to assess the psychological morbidity among 50 primary caregivers of persons with
a neurological disability and was conducted using a self‑reporting questionnaire. Results: Most
of them were female (64.0%), and predominantly, the caregiver was mother (50.0%). Most of the
caregivers have reported felt nervous, tense, or worried during hospitalization (76.0%); felt unhappy
during caregiving (86.0%); and faced difficulty to enjoy daily activities (74.0%). In addition to that,
(98.0%) caregiver’s have reported that their day to day work suffered, (70.0%) were unable to play a
usual part in life. Conclusion: The study would highlight the need for screening the mental health of
the caregivers of persons with neurological disabilities.

Introduction: Neurological conditions have a long‑term impact on the individual and their family
and also affect one’s general and mental health. Materials and Methods: This cross‑sectional
study aimed to assess the psychological morbidity among 50 primary caregivers of persons with
a neurological disability and was conducted using a self‑reporting questionnaire. Results: Most
of them were female (64.0%), and predominantly, the caregiver was mother (50.0%). Most of the
caregivers have reported felt nervous, tense, or worried during hospitalization (76.0%); felt unhappy
during caregiving (86.0%); and faced difficulty to enjoy daily activities (74.0%). In addition to that,
(98.0%) caregiver’s have reported that their day to day work suffered, (70.0%) were unable to play a
usual part in life. Conclusion: The study would highlight the need for screening the mental health of
the caregivers of persons with neurological disabilities.


Original Article

The Effects of Flavonoids in Curcumin on Neurobehavioral Deficits in Insulin‑resistant Rats

Turkish Title : The Effects of Flavonoids in Curcumin on Neurobehavioral Deficits in Insulin‑resistant Rats

Abiodun Mohammed Abdullahi,Busayo Akinola Oluwole
JNBS, 2022, 9(2), p:51-57

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_17_22

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
In a Wistar rat model, we studied Alzheimer‑like symptoms using a high‑fat diet (HFD) and
streptozotocin (STZ) to replicate insulin resistance and the resulting neurobehavioral abnormalities.
Curcumin, a flavonoid in turmeric, was studied for its potential therapeutic effects. Aim: This
study sought to look at the exploratory, discriminatory, and spatial cognitive indices in rats.
Materials and Methods: Thirty‑six male Wistar rats were randomized into six groups and given
the following treatments: olive oil only for control; curcumin only for the curcumin group; HFD
and three doses STZ for the diabetic rats; HFD, three doses STZ, and concurrent treatment with
curcumin for the protective group; pretreatment with curcumin, then HFD and three doses STZ for
a preventive group; and HFD, three doses STZ, and curcumin for a therapeutic group. Subsequently,
line and center line crossing frequency assessed rats’ exploratory activities; rearing frequency data
assessed novel environment behavior. The novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test
assessed discrimination and spatial memory. Data were analyzed using one‑way analysis of variance
and Tukey’s post hoc test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Our findings
revealed that insulin resistance prolonged escape latency of untreated diabetic rats; contrariwise,
curcumin significantly reduced escape latency, increased difference score in novel object
recognition paradigm, and increased explorative activities. Conclusion: Oral curcumin improves
exploratory activity, discriminating memory, and spatial memory in male Wistar rats with AD‑like
neurobehavioral impairments. Patients with neurobehavioral abnormalities and comorbid insulin
resistance may benefit from the flavonoids in curcumin.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
In a Wistar rat model, we studied Alzheimer‑like symptoms using a high‑fat diet (HFD) and
streptozotocin (STZ) to replicate insulin resistance and the resulting neurobehavioral abnormalities.
Curcumin, a flavonoid in turmeric, was studied for its potential therapeutic effects. Aim: This
study sought to look at the exploratory, discriminatory, and spatial cognitive indices in rats.
Materials and Methods: Thirty‑six male Wistar rats were randomized into six groups and given
the following treatments: olive oil only for control; curcumin only for the curcumin group; HFD
and three doses STZ for the diabetic rats; HFD, three doses STZ, and concurrent treatment with
curcumin for the protective group; pretreatment with curcumin, then HFD and three doses STZ for
a preventive group; and HFD, three doses STZ, and curcumin for a therapeutic group. Subsequently,
line and center line crossing frequency assessed rats’ exploratory activities; rearing frequency data
assessed novel environment behavior. The novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test
assessed discrimination and spatial memory. Data were analyzed using one‑way analysis of variance
and Tukey’s post hoc test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Our findings
revealed that insulin resistance prolonged escape latency of untreated diabetic rats; contrariwise,
curcumin significantly reduced escape latency, increased difference score in novel object
recognition paradigm, and increased explorative activities. Conclusion: Oral curcumin improves
exploratory activity, discriminating memory, and spatial memory in male Wistar rats with AD‑like
neurobehavioral impairments. Patients with neurobehavioral abnormalities and comorbid insulin
resistance may benefit from the flavonoids in curcumin.


Original Article

Uskudar Life Meaning and Goals Scale Validity and Reliability Studies

Turkish Title : Uskudar Life Meaning and Goals Scale Validity and Reliability Studies

Nevzat Tarhan,Aylin Tutgun Ünal
JNBS, 2022, 9(2), p:58-67

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_17_22

Aim: One of the important factors that cause stress today is aimlessness. Determining the meaning
and purposes of life has an impact on both the mental and physical health of the individual. Two
types of values are mentioned as tool values and purpose values. Measuring the life goals to include
these values is seen as important for determining the life goal skills of individuals. Hence, it is aimed
to measure meaning and purpose and to measure perceptions about it. Materials and Methods: This
study aimed to carry out validity and reliability studies of the Uskudar Life Meaning and Goals
Scale (USLIFE). The sample consisted of 1026 people from Turkey. Factor analysis revealed that the
scale consists of seven factors. Results: The first factor “Abstract Meaning Skill” explains 14.59%
of the variance, the second factor “Skill to Delay of Gratification” 10.31% of the variance, the third
factor “Concrete Meaning Skill” 8.97% of the variance, the fourth factor “Internal Control Skill”
5.53% of the variance, the fifth factor “Medium‑ and Long‑Term Planning Skill” 4.60% of the
variance, the sixth factor “Belief in Death” 4.39% of the variance, and the seventh factor “Ego Ideal
Perception” explains 3.87% of the variance. The seven‑factor structure consisting of 28 items in
total explained 52.28%. In addition, seven factors confirmed the USLIFE in the confirmatory factor
analysis. Goodness‑of‑fit values were found to be acceptable. The Cronbach’s alpha value of the
scale was found to be 0.74. Conclusion: A valid and reliable scale, named “USLIFE,” has emerged.
This scale measures people’s life goals skills and is graded in the five‑point Likert type between
“completely agree” and “never agree.”

Aim: One of the important factors that cause stress today is aimlessness. Determining the meaning
and purposes of life has an impact on both the mental and physical health of the individual. Two
types of values are mentioned as tool values and purpose values. Measuring the life goals to include
these values is seen as important for determining the life goal skills of individuals. Hence, it is aimed
to measure meaning and purpose and to measure perceptions about it. Materials and Methods: This
study aimed to carry out validity and reliability studies of the Uskudar Life Meaning and Goals
Scale (USLIFE). The sample consisted of 1026 people from Turkey. Factor analysis revealed that the
scale consists of seven factors. Results: The first factor “Abstract Meaning Skill” explains 14.59%
of the variance, the second factor “Skill to Delay of Gratification” 10.31% of the variance, the third
factor “Concrete Meaning Skill” 8.97% of the variance, the fourth factor “Internal Control Skill”
5.53% of the variance, the fifth factor “Medium‑ and Long‑Term Planning Skill” 4.60% of the
variance, the sixth factor “Belief in Death” 4.39% of the variance, and the seventh factor “Ego Ideal
Perception” explains 3.87% of the variance. The seven‑factor structure consisting of 28 items in
total explained 52.28%. In addition, seven factors confirmed the USLIFE in the confirmatory factor
analysis. Goodness‑of‑fit values were found to be acceptable. The Cronbach’s alpha value of the
scale was found to be 0.74. Conclusion: A valid and reliable scale, named “USLIFE,” has emerged.
This scale measures people’s life goals skills and is graded in the five‑point Likert type between
“completely agree” and “never agree.”


Review Article

Evaluation of the Effects of Emotional and Violence‑Related Genes in Athletes

Turkish Title : Evaluation of the Effects of Emotional and Violence‑Related Genes in Athletes

Sabiha Bozaslan Buse,Hülya Yükseloğlu Emel
JNBS, 2022, 9(2), p:68-71

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_18_22

Investigation of the human genome involves the examination of many factors such as gene function,
structural features of the genome, chromatin arrangement, recombination rate, and mutation to
accurately understand its complex relationship with physiology and diseases. With the sequencing
of the human genome, there is an increasing number of studies investigating the influence of genes
during the development of behavior and personality traits. Studies show that complex behavior and
traits are regulated by multiple genes. In this sense, genes that affect the dopamine pathway are
studied in relation to the field of neuroscience. Studies on sports genetics include all of the studies
in this field, such as the identification of genes that affect athletic performance, the elucidation of the
mechanisms of action of these genes, and the determination of predispositions in terms of athletic
performance. Considering the factors that determine success in sports, it is of great importance to
create training and nutrition programs suitable for genetic structure not only in individual sports but
also in team sports. This study will be presented as a review of the associations in the literature about
catechol‑O‑methyltransferase, 5‑hydroxytryptamine transporter, and monoamine oxidase, known in
the literature as candidate genes that affect the personality and behavioral characteristics of athletes
and are especially related to aggression.

Investigation of the human genome involves the examination of many factors such as gene function,
structural features of the genome, chromatin arrangement, recombination rate, and mutation to
accurately understand its complex relationship with physiology and diseases. With the sequencing
of the human genome, there is an increasing number of studies investigating the influence of genes
during the development of behavior and personality traits. Studies show that complex behavior and
traits are regulated by multiple genes. In this sense, genes that affect the dopamine pathway are
studied in relation to the field of neuroscience. Studies on sports genetics include all of the studies
in this field, such as the identification of genes that affect athletic performance, the elucidation of the
mechanisms of action of these genes, and the determination of predispositions in terms of athletic
performance. Considering the factors that determine success in sports, it is of great importance to
create training and nutrition programs suitable for genetic structure not only in individual sports but
also in team sports. This study will be presented as a review of the associations in the literature about
catechol‑O‑methyltransferase, 5‑hydroxytryptamine transporter, and monoamine oxidase, known in
the literature as candidate genes that affect the personality and behavioral characteristics of athletes
and are especially related to aggression.


Case Report

Human Immunodeficiency Virus‑Associated Dementia: Two Case Reports

Turkish Title : Human Immunodeficiency Virus‑Associated Dementia: Two Case Reports

Eda Arslanoğlu Nefise,Gamze Bülbül Nazli,Güney Senol Mehmet,Fatih Özdag Mehmet
JNBS, 2022, 9(2), p:72-76

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_22_22

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a serious public health problem in our country
in the world and has serious effects on the central and peripheral nervous system. HIV‑associated
dementia (HAD), which may develop due to HIV infection, causes subcortical dementia that can
progress with marked slowdown in reaction time and psychomotor speed, impaired cognitive
flexibility, emotional lability, and apathy. Neurocognitive tests are the most appropriate tools for the
neurocognitive assessment and staging of the disease. In this context, the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive
Examinations Revised (ACE‑R) test may be preferred in the neurocognitive evaluation of patients
considered to have HAD, in terms of its repeatability and easy applicability, as it allows us to
evaluate many neurocognitive functions in detail.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a serious public health problem in our country
in the world and has serious effects on the central and peripheral nervous system. HIV‑associated
dementia (HAD), which may develop due to HIV infection, causes subcortical dementia that can
progress with marked slowdown in reaction time and psychomotor speed, impaired cognitive
flexibility, emotional lability, and apathy. Neurocognitive tests are the most appropriate tools for the
neurocognitive assessment and staging of the disease. In this context, the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive
Examinations Revised (ACE‑R) test may be preferred in the neurocognitive evaluation of patients
considered to have HAD, in terms of its repeatability and easy applicability, as it allows us to
evaluate many neurocognitive functions in detail.


Case Report

SARS‑CoV‑2 Infection‑Related Acute Parkinsonism and Encephalitis: Is There a Clinicoradiological Correlation?

Turkish Title : SARS‑CoV‑2 Infection‑Related Acute Parkinsonism and Encephalitis: Is There a Clinicoradiological Correlation?

Vikash Agarwal,Dolly Mushahary,Praveen Chander,K. Venkatraman,K. Lakshminarayanan,Sathish Kumar V.,Dinesh Nayak S.
JNBS, 2022, 9(2), p:77-81

DOI : 10.4103/jnbs.jnbs_45_21

COVID‑19 infection can cause neurological manifestations as early and late complications (chronic
COVID syndrome). These include headache, dizziness, confusion, acute cerebrovascular problems,
ataxia, and seizures. COVID‑19‑related encephalopathy, encephalitis, and parkinsonism have been
reported earlier; however, the possible links and pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear. In this
report, we report a series of patients (n = 5) presenting with acute severe neurological syndromes
such as parkinsonism, focal status epilepticus, or acute ataxia as a part of long‑hauler COVID‑19
infection. We categorized the clinico-radiological and electroencephalographic features in our cases to
understand the clinical patterns in SARS-CoV-2 related brain cortex involvement. This might help
in future for better clinical categorization for these COVID‑19‑related neurological manifestations.

COVID‑19 infection can cause neurological manifestations as early and late complications (chronic
COVID syndrome). These include headache, dizziness, confusion, acute cerebrovascular problems,
ataxia, and seizures. COVID‑19‑related encephalopathy, encephalitis, and parkinsonism have been
reported earlier; however, the possible links and pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear. In this
report, we report a series of patients (n = 5) presenting with acute severe neurological syndromes
such as parkinsonism, focal status epilepticus, or acute ataxia as a part of long‑hauler COVID‑19
infection. We categorized the clinico-radiological and electroencephalographic features in our cases to
understand the clinical patterns in SARS-CoV-2 related brain cortex involvement. This might help
in future for better clinical categorization for these COVID‑19‑related neurological manifestations.


ISSN (Print) 2149-1909
ISSN (Online) 2148-4325

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