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The mediating effect of self compassion in the relationship between job stress and burnout levels among employees
(SAGE Publications Inc., 2026-02-13) Günay, Ezgi; Ünver, Buket; Yılmaz, Simay
Objective: This study investigates the role of self-compassion as a mediator in the relationship between job stress and burnout among employees. While job stress is widely recognized as a critical factor leading to burnout, it has been suggested that self-compassion may be associated with a reduction in these negative effects. Method: Participants were 429 actively employed adults living in Turkey (50.6% female). The data were gathered using an online administration of standardized psychological scales, that is, Job Stressor Appraisal Scale, Copenhagen Burnout Scale, and Self-Compassion Scale. Four dimensions of work stress “Role and Workload, Role Inadequacy, Organizational Rules & Practices, and Subordinate Relations” are taken into consideration in the volumetric model. Path analysis with bootstrapping (5,000 resamples) was implemented using Mplus statistical software, with gender, economic condition, and way of working during COVID-19 as covariates. Findings: The model fit was acceptable in path analysis. Role and workload and role inadequacy had a significant direct impact on burnout. Self-compassion had a significant mediating impact on the relationship between role and workload and burnout and the relationship between role inadequacy and burnout. Conversely, for organizational rules and practices and subordinate relations, both direct and mediating effects were non-significant. The model accounted for 21% and 52% for variance in self-compassion and burnout, respectively. Conclusion: This study emphasises the mediating role of self-compassion in the effect of job stressors on burnout. These findings suggest that interventions promoting self-compassion in the workplace may be effective in reducing employee burnout.
Witnessing the end, supporting the living: A qualitative study of palliative caregiving in end-of-life patients in Türkiye
(Cambridge University Press, 2026-02-11) Sert Yurdakul, Selin; Erbay Erşen, Merve; Özel, Dilara
Objectives. Palliative care seeks to enhance the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses and their families by addressing physical, emotional, and psychological needs. This phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of 8 caregivers in palliative care settings in Türkiye, focusing on the challenges they face, the coping mechanisms they employ, and their reflections on the caregiving role. Special emphasis is given to both psychological and somatic signs of stress, along with the possible advantages of body-oriented resilience techniques. Methods. Using a phenomenological qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 caregivers providing care to relatives in a hospital-based palliative care unit. Data were collected between February and April 2023 and analyzed through conventional content analysis. Results. Four central themes emerged from inductive coding: harmony in healing, navigating difficulties, resilience in palliative care, and reflections on the finite. The findings reveal a dual reality: palliative caregivers derive meaning and satisfaction from compassionate connections, high-quality clinical care, and peer support, yet they also endure significant burdens, including emotional strain, physical exhaustion, disrupted daily routines, and shifting relational dynamics. Anticipatory grief and chronic stress responses were prevalent, frequently manifesting in both psychological and somatic forms (e.g., sleep disturbances, muscle tension, and autonomic arousal). Despite these challenges, palliative caregivers employed spiritual beliefs, peer interactions, and self-care routines as resilience strategies. Significance of results. The mind–body challenges identified in the study emphasize the need for interventions that focus on self-regulation and resilience, including body-oriented approaches that strengthen internal resources, regulate stress responses, and encourage adaptability. Incorporating such approaches into group-based settings may improve mutual support and enhance both individual and relational well-being. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive, caregiver-centered support systems to reduce burden and improve the overall quality of palliative care.
Validation and normative data study for the Turkish version of the movie for the assessment of social cognition (MASC-TR)
(Oxford University Press, 2026-02-05) Şandor, Serra; Hıdıroğlu-Ongun, Ceren; Tanfer, Mehmet Can; Gürkaş, Sena; Bora, Emre; Yıldırım, Elif
Objective This study aimed to adapt the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) into Turkish (MASC-TR), examine its psychometric properties, and establish normative data. Additionally, the study investigated the discriminative validity of the MASC-TR in differentiating individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from healthy controls. Methods The sample comprised 228 healthy adults and 29 individuals with ASD aged 18–45 years. Participants completed the MASC-TR along with established measures of theory of mind (ToM)—the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) and the Faux Pas Recognition Test (FPRT)—as well as non-social cognitive tasks assessing attention, working memory, and executive functions. Reliability analyses included internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Construct validity was assessed via convergent and discriminant correlations. Group comparisons and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to evaluate discriminative validity, while multifactorial analysis of variance and regression analyses examined demographic effects. Results The MASC-TR demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (α=0.75) and excellent test–retest reliability (ICC=0.98). Significant positive correlations with RMET and FPRT supported convergent validity. Education level emerged as the only significant demographic predictor of MASC-TR performance. The MASC-TR successfully differentiated individuals with ASD from controls (t=−3.87, p<.001), with an optimal cutoff of 23.5 yielding 97% sensitivity and 52% specificity (area under the curve=0.72). Conclusions The findings indicate that the MASC-TR is a valid and reliable measure of social cognition in Turkish adults. The availability of culturally adapted normative data enhances its clinical and research utility for assessing ToM functioning across populations.
Hierarchical secure key assignment scheme
(Public Library of Science, 2026-02-18) Çeliktaş, Barış; Çelikbilek, İbrahim; Güzey, Süeda; Özdemir, Enver
This work presents a novel hierarchical key assignment mechanism for access control, designed to be computationally lightweight and optimized for digital environments with structured access policies. By leveraging orthogonal projection and distributing a basis to each group, it enables flexible and efficient left-to-right and top-down access structures. The scheme ensures that parent groups can derive the secret keys of their child groups while preventing unauthorized reverse access. It is resilient against collusion attacks and privilege escalation, offering robust key recovery and indistinguishability properties. Moreover, it guarantees strong key indistinguishability under adversarial models and facilitates a secure rekeying process without reliance on a trusted third party. To demonstrate practical efficiency, we provide a full analytical complexity evaluation showing that key derivation requires at most ∂(n2i ) operations, where ni is the dimension of the assigned subspace. For typical deployment parameters used in the experiments, the total key material per user remains compact (≈ 3,072 bits), significantly smaller than well-known post-quantum schemes such as Dilithium-5 (38,912 bits). The storage requirement scales linearly with the number of groups (ck+1 bases for c groups with at most k members), ensuring that even large hierarchies remain lightweight. Our evaluation further shows that selective rekeying affects only the descendants of the modified group, resulting in communication overhead of ∂(m′λ) bits, where m′ is the number of affected users and λ is the key length. These results collectively highlight the scheme’s scalability, low storage footprint, and suitability for large access hierarchies.
Formal thought disorder and familial risk in first-episode psychosis: A study of cortical thickness and neuroimaging-transcriptomic association analysis
(Elsevier Ireland Ltd, 2026-01-16) Çabuk, Tuğçe; Zhang, Yuanchao; Palaniyappan, Lena; Şahin Çevik, Didenur; Avcı, Hanife; Çakmak, Işık Batuhan; Yılmaz Kafalı, Helin; Şenol, Bedirhan; Karlı Oğuz, Kader; Toulopoulou, Timothea
Formal thought disorder (FTD), a prominent feature of schizophrenia, encompasses disruptions in thought, language, and communication. This study examines cortical thickness (CT) alterations in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients (N = 24), their siblings (SIB) (N = 21), and healthy controls (CON) (N = 21) to explore potential neural correlates of FTD. Using structural MRI, we analyzed whole-brain CT and its relationship with positive and negative FTD measured by Thought and Language Index. Out-of-sample spatial correlations of gene expression with regional CT were also performed using a transcriptomic dataset. FEP had significant CT reductions in right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) compared with SIB and CON and in superior frontal gyrus (SFG) compared to CON; but SIB did not differ from CON. GLM analyses demonstrated that negative FTD exerted a significant main effect on CT in the MFG and SFG. By contrast, positive FTD showed no significant associations with CT. Neuroimaging-transcriptomic association analysis identified key biological pathways linked to cortical morphology. These findings emphasize the specific association between negative FTD and CT alterations in frontal brain regions, confirming prior reports. Future research should examine larger cohorts and investigate additional FTD subtypes to further elucidate neural correlates and potential familial risks of schizophrenia.
Theta and Beta1 frequency band values predict dyslexia classification
(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2025-12-29) Eroğlu, Günet; Harb, Mhd Raja Abou
Dyslexia, impacting children's reading skills, prompts families to seek cost-effective neurofeedback therapy solutions. Utilising machine learning, we identified predictive factors for dyslexia classification. Employing advanced techniques, we gathered 14-channel Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) data from 200 participants, achieving 99.6% dyslexic classification accuracy through cross-validation. During validation, 48% of dyslexic children's sessions were consistently classified as normal, with a 95% confidence interval of 47.31 to 48.68. Focusing on individuals consistently diagnosed with dyslexia during therapy, we found that dyslexic individuals exhibited higher theta values and lower beta1 values compared to typically developing children. This study pioneers machine learning in predicting dyslexia classification factors, offering valuable insights for families considering neurofeedback therapy investment.
Efficacy, all-cause discontinuation, and safety of serotonergic psychedelics and MDMA to treat mental disorders: a living systematic review with meta-analysis
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-12) Højlund, Mikkel; Yılmaz Kafalı, Helin; Kırmızı, Begüm; Fusar-Poli, Paolo; Correll, Christoph U.; Cortese, Samuele; Sabé, Michel; Fiedorowicz, Jess; Saraf, Gayatri; Zein, Josephine; Berk, Michael; Husain, Muhammad I.; Rosenblat, Joshua D.; Rubaiyat, Ruby; Corace, Kim; Wong, Stanley; Hatcher, Simon; Kaluzienski, Mark; Yatham, Lakshmi N.; Cipriani, Andrea; Gosling, Corentin J.; Carhart-Harris, Robin; Tanuseputro, Peter; Myran, Daniel T.; Fabiano, Nicholas; Moher, David; Mayo, Leah M.; Nicholls, Stuart G.; White, Tracy; Prisco, Michele De; Radua, Joaquim; Vieta, Eduard; Ladha, Karim S.; Katz, Jay; Veroniki, Areti A.; Solmi, Marco
Serotonergic psychedelics and 3,4-methylendioxtmethamphetamine (MDMA) are promising treatments for mental disorders with a continuously evolving evidence base. We searched Pubmed/Scopus/clinical trial registries up to 08july2025 for double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing MDMA or serotonergic psychedelics in patients with mental disorders. Primary outcomes were change in disease-specific symptoms and all-cause discontinuation. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and relative risk (RR) were estimated using random-effects meta-analysis. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed with Cochrane’s RoB-tool version 2 and certainty of evidence with GRADE. The review is maintained as living systematic review ( https://ebipsyche-database.org/ ). We included 30 RCTs (1480 participants; female=45.8 %; with psychological support=83.3 %; high RoB=83.3 %). In post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), MDMA reduced PTSD symptoms compared to any control ( k = 11; SMD=-0.85 [-1.09; -0.60]; I2=0 %; GRADE=low). In major depressive disorder (MDD), psilocybin/ayahuasca/LSD reduced depressive symptoms ( k = 8; SMD=-0.62 [-0.97; -0.28]; I2=55 %; GRADE=very low). In anxiety disorders, both MDMA and serotonergic psychedelics reduced anxiety symptoms (SMDMDMA=-1.18 [-2.04; -0.32]; I2=0 %; k = 2; GRADE=low and SMDserotonergic=-0.88 [-1.70; -0.06]; I2=54 %; k = 5; GRADE=very low). In alcohol use disorder, neither psilocybin nor LSD reduced abstinence rates ( k = 6; RR=1.42 [0.89; 2.26]; I2=7 %; GRADE=very low). In attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), LSD did not reduce ADHD symptoms ( k = 1; SMD=0.22 [-0.32; 0.76]; GRADE=very low). Moderate certainty in evidence was only found for MDMA on PTSD symptoms when compared to placebo. MDMA/serotonergic psychedelics were not associated with higher risk of all-cause discontinuation (RRMDMA=0.74 [0.32; 1.72]; RRserotonergic=0.81 [0.56; 1.15]). Overall, MDMA/serotonergic psychedelics are promising for the treatment of PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorders with moderate to large effect sizes. Pragmatic trials, long-term, head-to-head trials exploring the role of psychological support, aiming to identify predictors of response, and accounting for expectancy and functional unblinding are needed. Studies addressing these limitations will likely be required for regulatory approval of psychedelic drugs.
Differential associations between mentalizing dimensions and psychopathy subtypes: the moderating role of borderline personality traits
(Frontiers Media SA, 2025-10-15) Ünver, Buket
Introduction Psychopathy comprises primary and secondary subtypes with distinct affective-interpersonal profiles. Mentalizing, i.e., the capacity to understand one's own and others' mental states, may help explain this heterogeneity. This study tested how three mentalizing dimensions (Self-Related, Other-Related, and Motivation to Mentalize) relate to psychopathy subtypes and whether borderline personality traits (BPTs) moderate these associations.Methods Adults from a community sample (N = 953) completed validated measures of psychopathy, mentalizing, and BPTs. BPTs were modeled as a continuous variable. Multivariable linear regressions predicted primary and secondary psychopathy from the three mentalizing facets while adjusting for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and psychiatric diagnosis. Moderation was examined via interaction terms between each mentalizing facet and BPTs; significant interactions were probed at -1/0/+1 SD of BPT scores.Results Higher Motivation to Mentalize and greater Self-Related Mentalizing were uniquely associated with lower primary psychopathy; Other-Related Mentalizing was not a unique predictor. For secondary psychopathy, Self-Related Mentalizing and, to a lesser extent, Motivation to Mentalize were inversely associated; Other-Related Mentalizing was not significant. BPTs significantly moderated only the association between Motivation to Mentalize and primary psychopathy (stronger inverse association at higher BPTs); no moderation effects emerged for secondary psychopathy.Conclusion Findings indicate that motivation and self-related aspects of mentalizing are protective correlates of psychopathic traits, with moderation by BPTs limited to primary psychopathy. Targeting motivation to consider mental states and strengthening self-reflective capacity may enhance psychological intervention strategies, particularly for individuals high in primary psychopathy with elevated borderline features.
“Can we use a biomarker detection algorithm to measure the effectiveness of 14-channel neurofeedback in dyslexia?”
(Routledge, 2025-10-01) Eroğlu, Günet; Harb, Raja Abou
Dyslexia, one of children’s most common neurological diversities, primarily manifests as a reduced reading ability. Genetic factors contribute to dyslexia, with contemporary theories attributing it to a delay in left hemispheric lateralization that reduces effective reading and writing skills. To assist dyslexic children, smartphone application, Auto Train Brain, has been developed to enhance reading comprehension and speed. Previously, the efficacy of the mobile application’s training program was assessed using psychometric tests; however, our study employed a biomarker detection software to evaluate the neurofeedback’s impact. Machine learning (ML) techniques have recently gained traction in differentiating between dyslexia and typically developing children (TDC). The dataset of this study consists of 100 sessions of 2-minute resting-state eyes-open 14-channel Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG) data from 100 children with dyslexia and 100 TDC. Therefore, the dyslexia biomarker detection software assessed the efficacy of the 14-channel neurofeedback administered via Auto Train Brain. Results showed significant improvement in electrophysiological normalization, increasing from 30% in the first 20 sessions to 61% by the end of the training. A two-proportion Z-test confirmed this improvement was statistically significant (Z = −3.96, p = 0.00007), particularly between the 1–20 and 1–60 session intervals (Z = −2.66, p = 0.0079).
Electroencephalography signatures associated with developmental dyslexia identified using principal component analysis
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-08-27) Eroğlu, Günet; Harb, Mhd Raja Abou
Background/Objectives: Developmental dyslexia is characterised by neuropsychological processing deficits and marked hemispheric functional asymmetries. To uncover latent neurophysiological features linked to reading impairment, we applied dimensionality reduction and clustering techniques to high-density electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. We further examined the functional relevance of these features to reading performance under standardised test conditions. Methods: EEG data were collected from 200 children (100 with dyslexia and 100 age- and IQ-matched typically developing controls). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to high-dimensional EEG spectral power datasets to extract latent neurophysiological components. Twelve principal components, collectively accounting for 84.2% of the variance, were retained. K-means clustering was performed on the PCA-derived components to classify participants. Group differences in spectral power were evaluated, and correlations between principal component scores and reading fluency, measured by the TILLS Reading Fluency Subtest, were computed. Results: K-means clustering trained on PCA-derived features achieved a classification accuracy of 89.5% (silhouette coefficient = 0.67). Dyslexic participants exhibited significantly higher right parietal–occipital alpha (P8) power compared to controls (mean = 3.77 ± 0.61 vs. 2.74 ± 0.56; p < 0.001). Within the dyslexic group, PC1 scores were strongly negatively correlated with reading fluency (r = −0.61, p < 0.001), underscoring the functional relevance of EEG-derived components to behavioural reading performance. Conclusions: PCA-derived EEG patterns can distinguish between dyslexic and typically developing children with high accuracy, revealing spectral power differences consistent with atypical hemispheric specialisation. These results suggest that EEG-derived neurophysiological features hold promise for early dyslexia screening. However, before EEG can be firmly established as a reliable molecular biomarker, further multimodal research integrating EEG with immunological, neurochemical, and genetic measures is warranted.
Therapist's assessment of their patient's session-level emotional processes: validation of the in-session patient affective reactions questionnaire–clinician form
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025-08-06) Stefana, Alberto; Ünver, Buket; Vieta, Eduard; Fusar-Poli, Paolo; Youngstrom, Eric Arden
Background: The current study aimed to evaluate a therapist version of the in‐Session Patient Affective Reactions Questionnaire(SPARQ). The SPARQ was developed to assess a pattern of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors experienced by a patient towardtheir therapist during a session. The SPARQ has existed only as a patient self‐report measure and has demonstrated promise as apsychotherapy process measure. This study intended to validate a complementary clinician‐report version of the questionnaire:the SPARQ‐C.Methods: A sample of licensed mental health clinicians (N = 151) completed the SPARQ‐C along with other measures. Dataanalysis involved exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). Reliability and convergent and criterion‐related validityof the SPARQ‐C were also evaluated.Results: The SPARQ‐C preserved the two‐factor structure: positive affect (k = 4, ω total = 0.84) and negative affect (k = 4, ωtotal = 0.70), which correlated r = 0.26. CFA using the a priori model two‐factor model based on the patient‐report versionprovided the following fit indices: χ2[19] = 26.01, CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.05 (90% CI [0.00, 0.09]), and SRMR = 0.05.The SPARQ‐C scales demonstrated convergent and criterion‐related validity with measures of other elements of the therapeuticrelationship, session outcome, and demographic‐clinical variables.Discussion: The SPARQ‐C is a reliable measure suitable for both clinical and research purposes. It allows for a nuancedassessment of patients' session‐level affective responses towards their therapist from the clinician's perspective.
A novel approach to non-invasive intracranial pressure wave monitoring: a pilot healthy brain study
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-06-28) Karaliunas, Andrius; Bartusis, Laimonas; Krakauskaite, Solventa; Chaleckas, Edvinas; Deimantavicius, Mantas; Hamarat, Yasin; Petkus, Vytautas; Stulge, Toma; Ratkunas, Vytenis; Çelikkaya, Güven; Januleviciene, Ingrida; Ragauskas, Arminas
Intracranial pressure (ICP) pulse wave morphology, including the ratios of the three characteristic peaks (P1, P2, and P3), offers valuable insights into intracranial dynamics and brain compliance. Traditional invasive methods for ICP pulse wave monitoring pose significant risks, highlighting the need for non-invasive alternatives. This pilot study investigates a novel non-invasive method for monitoring ICP pulse waves through closed eyelids, using a specially designed, liquid-filled, fully passive sensor system named ‘Archimedes 02’. To our knowledge, this is the first technological approach that enables the non-invasive monitoring of ICP pulse waveforms via closed eyelids. This study involved 10 healthy volunteers, aged 26–39 years, who underwent resting-state non-invasive ICP pulse wave monitoring sessions using the ‘Archimedes 02’ device while in the supine position. The recorded signals were processed to extract pulse waves and evaluate their morphological characteristics. The results indicated successful detection of pressure pulse waves, showing the expected three peaks (P1, P2, and P3) in all subjects. The calculated P2/P1 ratios were 0.762 (SD = ±0.229) for the left eye and 0.808 (SD = ±0.310) for the right eye, suggesting normal intracranial compliance across the cohort, despite variations observed in some individuals. Physiological tests—the Valsalva maneuver and the Queckenstedt test, both performed in the supine position—induced statistically significant increases in the P2/P1 and P3/P1 ratios, supporting the notion that non-invasively recorded pressure pulse waves, measured through closed eyelids, reflect intracranial volume and pressure dynamics. Additionally, a transient hypoemic/hyperemic response test performed in the upright position induced signal changes in pressure recordings from the ‘Archimedes 02’ sensor that were consistent with intact cerebral blood flow autoregulation, aligning with established physiological principles. These findings indicate that ICP pulse waves and their dynamic changes can be monitored non-invasively through closed eyelids, offering a potential method for brain monitoring in patients for whom invasive procedures are not feasible.
The comparison of functional connectivity in Parkinson’s Disease patients with and without Parkin gene mutations
(Turkish Neuropsychiatric Society, 2025-06-19) Çebi, Merve; Ay, Ulaş; Kıçik, Ani; Erdoğdu, Emel; Tepgeç, Fatih; Uyguner, Zehra Oya; Tüfekçioğlu, Zeynep; Samancı, Bedia; Bilgiç, Başar; Emre, Murat; Demiralp, Tamer; Hanağası, Haşmet Ayhan
Introduction: Mapping the functional connectivity of brain regions became appealing in recent research in neurology. Accordingly, a growing body of evidence shows resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) changes in neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s Disease (PD). As characterised by extensive and progressive dopaminergic loss in the substantia nigra, PD emerges with serious motor and non-motor dysfunctions. In the literature, the minority of PD cases have been associated with certain genetic mutations. The aim of this study was to investigate the rsFC in a group of PD patients having Parkin gene mutation. Method: Twelve PD patients with Parkin mutation (PP-PD), 12 PD patients without Parkin mutation (PN-PD) and 12 healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. All participants underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging as well as a neuropsychological assessment and clinical examination. Results: Results indicated that PP-PD had longer disease duration, a higher rate of dyskinesia and lower scores on complex visual perception tests. The resting state networks showed that all PD (consisting of PP-PD and PN-PD) and PP-PD groups had increased functional connectivity in the frontoparietal network as compared to the HC. In addition, the PP-PD group displayed decreased functional connectivity in the dorsal attention network compared to the PN-PD. Conclusion: In conclusion, our data suggests that PD with Parkin gene mutation might be emerging with distinct resting state functional connectivity changes in the brain.
Associations between cerebral perfusion pressure, hemodynamic parameters, and cognitive test values in normal-tension glaucoma patients, Alzheimer’s disease patients, and healthy controls
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-05-24) Stoskuviene, Akvile; Chaleckas, Edvinas; Grusauskiene, Evelina; Bartusis, Laimonas; Çelikkaya, Güven; Januleviciene, Ingrida; Vaitkus, Antanas; Ragauskas, Arminas; Hamarat, Yasin
Background/Objectives: Glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are neurodegenerative conditions with vascular underpinnings. This study aimed to explore the relationship between blood pressure parameters such as mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP), and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and cognitive performance in patients with AD, normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), and healthy controls. We hypothesized that NTG patients, like those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), may experience subtle cognitive changes related to vascular dysregulation. Methods: Ninety-eight participants (35 NTG, 17 AD, 46 controls) were assessed for CPP, MAP, OPP, and cognitive performance. Statistical analyses compared groups and examined correlations. Results: AD patients showed lower CPP and MAP (p < 0.001), indicating systemic vascular dysfunction, while NTG patients had higher ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) (p = 0.008), suggesting compensatory mechanisms. CPP correlated with visuospatial abilities in AD (r = 0.492, p = 0.045). MAP correlated with the Clock drawing test (CDT) scores in the NTG group (r = 0.378, p = 0.025). PP negatively correlated with cognition in AD (r = −0.527, p = 0.016 for CDT scores) and controls (r = −0.440, p = 0.002 for verbal fluency and r = −0.348, p = 0.019 for total ACE scores). Conclusions: The study highlights distinct hemodynamic profiles: systemic dysfunction in AD and localized dysregulation in NTG. These findings emphasize the role of vascular dysregulation in neurodegeneration, with implications for personalized treatment approaches targeting vascular health in neurodegenerative conditions.
Investigation of symptom-specific functional connectivity patterns in Parkinson’s disease
(Springer-Verlag Italia S.R.L., 2025-06-14) Kıçik, Ani; Bayram, Ali; Erdoğdu, Emel; Kurt, Elif; Sarıdede, Dilek Betül; Cengiz, Sevim; Bilgiç, Başar; Hanağası, Haşmet; Öztürk Işık, Esin; Gürvit, Hakan; Tüzün, Erdem; Demiralp, Tamer
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease, characterized by pronounced heterogeneity in symptoms. This study investigates the functional connectivity (FC) patterns associated with distinct symptom clusters, aiming to elucidate the heterogeneity in PD and uncover the neural mechanisms underlying its motor and cognitive symptoms. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data from 55 non-demented PD patients and 24 healthy controls (HC) were used to perform seed-to-seed FC analyses. A clustering algorithm was applied to the cognitive and motor scores of all PD patients to generate relatively homogeneous symptomatic subgroups. PD patients exhibited a general decrease in FC within a network comprising the sensorimotor network (SMN) and the visual network (VN) regions. Symptom-based clustering revealed three relatively homogeneous subgroups, exhibiting a gradient pattern: patients with greater motor deficits showed significant disconnection within the SMN, whereas patients with greater visuospatial deficits exhibited reduced FC in an extended subnetwork, with pronounced disconnections between the VN and SMN areas. Our study demonstrated a notable disconnection between the SMN and VN, indicating impaired visual-motor integration in PD. Stronger disconnection within the SMN was associated with greater motor dysfunction, and stronger visual-sensorimotor disconnections were associated with greater visuospatial deficits. These findings suggest that at least two separate routes of functional disconnection may be responsible for the inhomogeneous symptom distribution in PD.
Intelligent health monitoring in 6G networks: machine learning-enhanced VLC-based medical body sensor networks
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-05-23) Antaki, Bilal; Dalloul, Ahmed Hany; Miramirkhani, Farshad
Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven wireless communication are driving the adoption of Sixth Generation (6G) technologies in crucial environments such as hospitals. Visible Light Communication (VLC) leverages existing lighting infrastructure to deliver high data rates while mitigating electromagnetic interference (EMI); however, patient movement induces fluctuating signal strength and dynamic channel conditions. In this paper, we present a novel integration of site-specific ray tracing and machine learning (ML) for VLC-enabled Medical Body Sensor Networks (MBSNs) channel modeling in distinct hospital settings. First, we introduce a Q-learning-based adaptive modulation scheme that meets target symbol error rates (SERs) in real time without prior environmental information. Second, we develop a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)-based estimator for path loss and Root Mean Square (RMS) delay spread under dynamic hospital conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first study combining ray-traced channel impulse response modeling (CIR) with ML techniques in hospital scenarios. The simulation results demonstrate that the Q-learning method consistently achieves SERs with a spectral efficiency (SE) lower than optimal near the threshold. Furthermore, LSTM estimation shows that D1 has the highest Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for path loss (1.6797 dB) and RMS delay spread (1.0567 ns) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward, whereas D3 exhibits the highest RMSE for path loss (1.0652 dB) and RMS delay spread (0.7657 ns) in the Family-Type Patient Rooms (FTPRs) scenario, demonstrating high estimation accuracy under realistic conditions.
Cognitive reserve and aging: impacts on theory of mind and executive functions
(Routledge, 2025-03) Şandor, Serra; Hıdıroğlu Ongun, Ceren; Yıldırım, Elif
Aim: This study examines the effects of cognitive reserve (CR) on Executive Functions (EF) and Theory of Mind (ToM). While CR is suggested to mitigate age-related cognitive decline, its relationship with social cognition remains limited and inconsistent in the literature. It was hypothesized that the effect of CR on ToM might be indirect, mediated by EF and working memory. Methods: 225 cognitively healthy participants were included. CR was measured with the Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire, EF with verbal fluency and the Stroop Test, and WM using digit span tasks. Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the relationships among CR, EF, WM, and SC, controlling for age and gender. Results: CR was significantly associated with both RMET and FPRT performances. Mediation analysis revealed the direct effects of CR on RMET performance, while the effects on FPRT performance were mediated by executive functions. WM had a partial mediating effect on EF and ToM, but did not directly influence FPRT. Education was most strongly associated with RMET performance, while leisure activities were linked to FPRT performance. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CR indirectly supports ToM by enhancing EF and highlight the importance of interventions aimed at strengthening executive control to support social cognition in aging.
Exploring the impact of Flash technique on test anxiety among adolescents
(SAGE Publications Ltd, 2025-07) Çitil Akyol, Canan; İnci İzmir, Sevim Berrin
This study aims to investigate the specific effects of Flash Technique (FT) on adolescents with test anxiety. This follow-up study consists of 38 adolescents, 14–17 years of age (M = 15.39, SD = 1.13). Pre-post assessments were conducted using the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI), Scale of Attitudes Negatively Affecting the Performance I/Test (POET), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at baseline, at the end of the 4thand 12thweeks of therapy. The FT was applied for 12 weeks, with one weekly session as an intervention. As a result of the therapy process, the baseline means of total BAI scores decreased from 25.26 to 2.18; the baseline means of TAI decreased from 149.79 to 39.13, and the baseline mean of POET decreased from 298.47 to 73.84 at the end of the 12th week of therapy. Also, the baseline means of SUD scores decreased from 9.42 to zero at the end of the 12th week of treatment. All the adolescents showed complete improvement after the 12th week of the FT. The study findings showed that the test anxiety symptoms significantly decreased with the treatment of the FT. FT can be an effective intervention for test anxiety in adolescents.
Treatment and long-term outcome of mental disorders: The grim picture from a quasi-epidemiological investigation in 54,826 subjects from 40 countries
(Elsevier Ireland Ltd, 2025-06) Fountoulakis, Konstantinos N.; Karakatsoulis, Gregory; Abraham, Seri; Adorjan, Kristina; Uddin Ahmed, Helal; Alarcòn, Renato Daniel; Arai, Kiyomi; Auwal, Sani Salihu; Berk, Michael; Levaj, Sarah; Yılmaz Kafalı, Helin
Introduction: This study registered rates of specific treatment options for mental disorders as well as their long-term outcome. Material and methods: The history of mental disorders was used as a proxy for diagnosis. The data came from the COMET-G study (40 countries; 54,826 subjects, 64.73 % females, 35.45±13.51 years old). The analysis included descriptive statistics, Risk Ratios, t-tests, and ANCOVA's. Results: 24.14 % reported a history of any mental disorder (depression >12 %, non-affective psychosis and Bipolar disorder 1 % each, >20 % self-injury, >10 % had attempted suicide, 7.17 % illegal substance abuse). Most patients were not under any kind of treatment (59.44 %) and most were not receiving treatment as recommended (e.g. 90 % of Bipolar and 2/3 of psychotic patients). No treatment at all and psychotherapy as monotherapy were consistently related to poorer outcomes. In anxiety or depression, only antidepressant monotherapy and benzodiazepines, in Bipolar disorder only antipsychotic monotherapy in males and antidepressant monotherapy in females and in non-affective psychosis antipsychotics and psychotherapy in females only, were related to good outcomes. No treatment modality was related to a good outcome in those with a history of self-harm, suicidal attempts, or illegal substance use. Only depression and treatment with antidepressants were related to metabolic syndrome. Discussion: In the community, the overwhelming majority of mental patients do not receive appropriate treatment or, even worse, no treatment at all. The outcome is unfavourable for the majority and only a few selective treatment options seem to make a difference.
Decision making, emotion recognition and childhood traumatic experiences in murder convicts ımprisoned with aggravated life sentence: a prison study
(Turkish Neuropsychiatric Society, 2025-03) Çıkrıkçılı, Uğur; Yıldırım, Elif; Buker, Seda; Ger, Can; Erözden, Ozan; Gürvit, Hakan; Saydam, Bilgin
Introduction: Decision-making and emotion recognition are two fundamental themes in social cognition. Disorders in these areas can lead to interpersonal, psychosocial, and legal problems for the individual and society. The likelihood of consequent aggression and crime makes them foci of forensic psychiatry over time. In this study, two developmental disorders that have a clear relationship with crime, that are antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and psychopathy are investigated for their relationship with these social cognitive deficits.Methods: The present study involved 23 male prison inmates who were diagnosed with both antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy, as well as 23 control participants who were matched for age, gender, and level of education. Following the psychiatric interview, Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), the Iowa Gambling Test (IGT), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Defense Styles Questionnaire (DSQ), Childhood Psychic Trauma Scale (CTQ), Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) were administered to all participants. Results: The results of the study showed that ASPD group performed statistically worse than healthy controls in TAS, CTQ, all items of DSQ, PCL-R Factor 1 and 2, and all the IGT scores (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant difference between in the RMET test performancesConclusion: These results suggest that ASPD and psychopathy lead to impaired decision-making behaviors due to the inability to recognize one’s own emotions and impulsivity, and that these characteristics play a critical role in the criminal behavior of individuals. In addition, contrary to expectations, the results of affective theory of mind assessed with the RMET showed similar characteristics in homicide convicts and healthy controls. These data indicate the need for further research in the field of forensic psychiatry.

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