Resumo Trata-se de um estudo brasileiro, transversal, mediado pela Internet com o objetivo de descrever como diferenças temperamentais associam-se ao uso de oito práticas de medicina alternativa e complementar (MAC): ioga, meditação, reiki, acupuntura, massagem, tai chi chuan, homeopatia e floral. A amostra foi composta por 22.415 indivíduos, sendo 69,5% mulheres, com idade média de 28,8 anos (DP = 9,1). As práticas mais utilizadas foram massagem e ioga e as variáveis sexo, idade, renda e diagnóstico psicopatológico ao longo da vida associaram-se a todas as práticas, exceto com tai chi chuan. Análise inferencial se baseou em modelo de regressão logística e os resultados foram calculados com base na razão de chances com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Observou-se que manifestações adaptativas de traços e de tipos psicológicos, associaram-se a maiores chances de praticar MAC. Resultados sugerem que perfis com maior regulação emocional tendem a utilizar mais frequentemente MAC e, possivelmente, obter benefícios.

Abstract The present study is a cross-sectional web-based survey conducted in Brazil aiming to describe how individual differences in temperament traits and types could predict the use of the following eight categories of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): yoga, meditation, reiki, acupuncture, massage, tai chi chuan, homeopathy, and flower remedies. The sample consisted of 22,415 individuals, 69.5% of whom were women, with a mean age of 28.8 years (SD= 9.1). The most commonly used practices were massage and yoga and the variables sex, age, income, and psychopathological diagnosis throughout life were associated with all practices, except tai chi chuan. The inferential analysis relied on logistic regressions and results were calculated based on the odd ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Adaptive manifestations of psychological traits and types were associated with greater use of complementary and alternative medicine practices. Results suggested that profiles with greater emotional regulation tend to use CAM more frequently and possibly obtain benefits.

Resumen Se trata de un estudio brasileño, transversal, mediado por Internet, con el objetivo de describir cómo las diferencias temperamentales se asocian con el uso de ocho prácticas de medicina alternativa y complementaria (MAC): yoga, meditación, reiki, acupuntura, masaje, tai chi chuan, homeopatía y floral. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 22.415 individuos, de los cuales 69,5 % eran mujeres, con una edad media de 28,8 años (DS= 9,1). Las prácticas más utilizadas fueron el masaje y el yoga, y las variables sexo, edad, renta y diagnóstico psicopatológico a lo largo de la vida se asociaron a todas las prácticas, excepto al tai chi chuan. El análisis inferencial se basó en un modelo de regresión logística y los resultados se calcularon con base en la odds ratio con un intervalo de confianza del 95 %. Se observó que las manifestaciones adaptativas de rasgos y tipos psicológicos se asociaron con mayores posibilidades de practicar MAC. Los resultados sugieren que los perfiles con mayor regulación emocional tienden a usar MAC con mayor frecuencia y, posiblemente, obtienen beneficios.

Abstract Background The Emotional and Affective Composite Temperament (AFECT) model describes originally six traits of volition, anger, inhibition (fear and caution subordinate factors), control, sensitivity, and coping. However, fear and caution have shown opposite relatioships with criteria-variables, indicating factor independence. Objective The current investigation aimed to advance in the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the emotional trait section of the Emotional and Affective Composite Temperament Scale (AFECTS) by examining the suitability of a 7-factor structure and the reliability of each scale using data from a population-based sample. Methods AFECTS was administered via face-to-face assessments in a single-session, population-based cross-sectional survey. Samples was composed of teenagers and adults (14 to 35 years). The latent structure and reliability were analyzed via structural equation modeling: confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the a priori correlated 7-factor model (with fear and caution designed as single-factors) and trait-scores reliability was assessed by the estimation of information curves. Results Findings attested the suitability of the 7-factor model presumed to underline the item set of the traits section of AFECTS and information curve interpretation showed adequate levels of reliability for all trait-scores. Discussion The 7-factor model showed robust indicators of construct validity for the AFECTS.

Objective: The current study aimed to examine the latent structure of a web-based, Brazilian Portuguese version of the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF). Method: The sample consisted of 15,557 adult participants – 4,702 men and 10,855 women – with age ranging from 18 to 60 years. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the a priori conceptual 15-factor model presumed to underlie the YSQ-SF item set. Results: Most items displayed high levels of reliability (factor loadings greater than 0.7) and low liability to random measurement error (residual variances below 0.02), indicating that the a priori YSQ-SF factor structure is adequate. Discussion: These findings offer empirical evidence supporting YSQ-SF construct validity and, consequently, its application in adults.

Objective: To evaluate the serum leptin levels in cannabis smokers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional population-based study of participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic data and the use of psychoactive substances. Leptin levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Results: Of the 911 participants, 6.7% were identified as cannabis smokers and had significantly lower leptin levels (p = 0.008). When stratified by gender, there was a significant decrease in leptin levels among male smokers (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Cannabis smoking was linked to leptin levels in men, suggesting that the response to biological signals may be different between men and women.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of alcohol abuse and/or dependence in a population-based sample of young adults and assess the prevalence of comorbid mood disorders, anxiety, and suicide risk in this population. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study enrolled 1,953 young adults aged 18-35 years. The CAGE questionnaire was used to screen for alcohol abuse and/or dependence, with CAGE scores ≥ 2 considered positive. Psychiatric disorders were investigated through the structured Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Results: Alcohol abuse and/or dependence was identified in 187 (9.60%) individuals (5.10% among women and 15.20% among men). Alcohol abuse and/or dependence were more prevalent among men than women, as well as among those who used tobacco, illicit drugs or presented with anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and suicide risk. Conclusion: These findings suggest that alcohol abuse and/or dependence are consistently associated with a higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities, could be considered important predictors of other psychiatric disorders, and deserve greater public heath attention, pointing to the need for alcohol abuse prevention programs.

Objective: To determine the frequency of weight control behaviors (WCBs) and their correlation with body mass index (BMI) and weight-based self-evaluation. Methods: Data were collected by the Brazilian Internet Study on Temperament and Psychopathology (BRAINSTEP) from 27,501 volunteers (30.4% men, mean age 28.9±8.7 years). Results: The most prevalent WCBs for men and women were exhaustive physical exercise and prolonged fasting, respectively. Frequent exhaustive physical exercise was the only behavior more often adopted by men. BMI was positively associated with WCBs, which were very frequent in obese subjects. About 15% of normal-weight women reported using diuretics and laxatives, and 12.2% reported vomiting as a WCB at least occasionally. Among subjects who regarded body weight highly in their self-evaluation, there was a strong positive association with all WCBs, at similar degrees, in both genders. Compared to those who never base their intrinsic personal value on body weight, those who frequently base intrinsic value on body weight were at 25-30 times higher risk of inducing vomiting. Conclusion: The prevalence of participants adopting WCBs was high, especially in women and obese subjects. Weight-based self-evaluation was more strongly associated with WCBs than BMI.

Objectives: To evaluate how personality traits are associated with occasional use, abuse, and dependence of alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and hallucinogens in a large availability sample of adults via online questionnaires. Methods: The sample consisted of 8,646 individuals (24.7% men and 75.3% women) who completed an anonymous web survey. Involvement with drugs and temperament/character traits were assessed through the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and the Temperament and Character Inventory - Revised (TCI-R), respectively. Interactions among variables were analyzed using MANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment. Results: Novelty seeking was the trait most associated with increased involvement with alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine. There was a significant association between harm avoidance and benzodiazepine use. Persistence was lower in cannabis-, benzodiazepine-, and cocaine-dependent subjects, as well as in hallucinogen abusers. Self-directedness was reduced in dependents of all drug classes. No strong relationships were found between other temperament or character dimensions and the severity of drug use. Conclusions: Novelty seeking was associated with increased involvement with all drugs studied in this sample, although to a lesser extent with benzodiazepines and hallucinogens. The temperament and character profile for benzodiazepine use was different from that of other drugs due to the relationship with higher harm avoidance and self-transcendence and lower self-directedness.

Background: Dimensional models of psychopathology demonstrate that two correlated factors of fear and distress account for the covariation among depressive and anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, these models tend to exclude variables relevant to psychopathology, such as temperament traits. This study examined the joint structure of DSM-IV-based major depression and anxiety disorders along with trait negative affect in a representative sample of adult individuals residing in the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: The sample consisted of 3,728 individuals who were administered sections D (phobic, anxiety and panic disorders) and E (depressive disorders) of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) 2.1 and a validated version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Data were analyzed using correlational and structural equation modeling. Results: Lifetime prevalence ranged from 2.4% for panic disorder to 23.2% for major depression. Most target variables were moderately correlated. A two-factor model specifying correlated fear and distress factors was retained and confirmed for models including only diagnostic variables and diagnostic variables along with trait negative affect. Conclusions: This study provides support for characterization of internalizing psychopathology and trait negative affect in terms of correlated dimensions of distress and fear. These results have potential implications for psychiatric taxonomy and for understanding the relationship between temperament and psychopathology.

Objective: Positive and negative affect are the two psychobiological-dispositional dimensions reflecting proneness to positive and negative activation that influence the extent to which individuals experience life events as joyful or as distressful. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) is a structured questionnaire that provides independent indexes of positive and negative affect. This study aimed to validate a Brazilian interview-version of the PANAS by means of factor and internal consistency analysis. Methods: A representative community sample of 3,728 individuals residing in the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, voluntarily completed the PANAS. Exploratory structural equation model analysis was based on maximum likelihood estimation and reliability was calculated via Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: Our results provide support for the hypothesis that the PANAS reliably measures two distinct dimensions of positive and negative affect. Conclusion: The structure and reliability of the Brazilian version of the PANAS are consistent with those of its original version. Taken together, these results attest the validity of the Brazilian adaptation of the instrument.

OBJETIVO: A adenosina pode ter um papel importante na fisiopatologia da esquizofrenia, uma vez que modula a liberação de vários neurotransmissores, tais como glutamato, dopamina, serotonina e acetilcolina, diminui a atividade neuronal por hiperpolarização pós-sináptica e inibe a atividade dopaminérgica. A adenosina desaminase participa do metabolismo das purinas pela conversão de adenosina em inosina. O mais frequente polimorfismo funcional da adenosina desaminase (22G →A) (ADA1*2) exibe uma diminuição de 20-30% da atividade funcional em indivíduos com genótipo G/A quando comparados com indivíduos com o genótipo G/G. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o polimorfismo 22G→A (ADA1*2) em pacientes esquizofrênicos e em controles saudáveis. MÉTODO: Os genótipos da ADA 22G →A foram identificados através de uma estratégia de PCR alelo-específica em 152 pacientes esquizofrênicos e 111 controles saudáveis. RESULTADOS: Foi observada uma diminuição significativa na frequência do genótipo G/A em pacientes esquizofrênicos (7 - 4,6%) em relação ao grupo controle (13 - 11,7%, p = 0,032, OR = 2,6). CONCLUSÃO: Estes resultados sugerem que o genótipo G/A associado com baixa atividade de adenosina desaminase, e potencialmente com níveis aumentados de adenosina, é menos frequente entre pacientes esquizofrênicos.

OBJECTIVE: Adenosine may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, since it modulates the release of several neurotransmitters such as glutamate, dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine, decreases neuronal activity by pos-synaptic hyperpolarization and inhibits dopaminergic activity. Adenosine deaminase participates in purine metabolism by converting adenosine into inosine. The most frequent functional polymorphism of adenosine deaminase (22G→A) (ADA1*2) exhibits 20-30% lower enzymatic activity in individuals with the G/A genotype than individuals with the G/G genotype. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ADA polymorphism 22G→A (ADA1*2) in schizophrenic patients and healthy controls. METHOD: The genotypes of the ADA 22G→A were identified with allele-specific PCR strategy in 152 schizophrenic patients and 111 healthy individuals. RESULTS: A significant decrease in the frequency of the G/A genotype was seen in schizophrenic patients (7/152 - 4.6%) relative to controls (13/111 - 11.7%, p = 0.032, OR = 2.6). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the G/A genotype associated with low adenosine deaminase activity and, supposingly, with higher adenosine levels is less frequent among schizophrenic patients.

Objetivos: Estudar o envolvimento do hipocampo na gênese do potencial evocado P50 e da supressão do mesmo em pacientes com epilepsia submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. Metodologia: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com grupo controle de comparação Excluíram-se indivíduos com outra patologia neurológica ou psiquiátrica, hipoacusia auditiva, história familiar de transtornos psicóticos, uso de antipsicóticos atípicos ou de drogas ilícitas no último mês. Os indivíduos foram separados em dois grupos: grupo 1 (n = 34) - amígdala-hipocampectomia; grupo 2 (n = 40) - controles. Foi realizado, em todos os participantes, o potencial evocado auditivo de média latência P50. Consideraram-se variáveis de comparação: as amplitudes individuais dos potenciais evocados pelo primeiro (S1) e segundo (S2) estímulos e o parâmetro de supressão do P50 (razão S2/S1). Para comparar as médias entre os grupos, foi utilizado o teste t de Student e, para comparação da freqüência de supressão, foi utilizado o teste do qui-quadrado. Resultados: A média da razão S2/S1 foi de 0,74 ± 0,44 no grupo 1 e de 0,42 ± 0,24 no grupo 2 (p < 0,001). A comparação das amplitudes médias das ondas entre os grupos mostrou uma diferença apenas na amplitude de S2, menor no grupo 2 (p < 0,001). Conclusões: Nessa pesquisa, observou-se que provavelmente o hipocampo não seja o gerador das ondas P50 nos potenciais auditivos, embora possivelmente esteja envolvido na sua supressão.

Objectives: To study the involvement of the hippocampus in the P50 evoked potential generation and of its suppression in epileptic patients with left or right unilateral hippocampal excision. Methods: A transverse study with control group for comparison was done. Exclusion criteria were another neurological or psychiatric disease, deafness, family history of psichosis, use of any atypical antipsychotic medication or use of drugs of abuse in the last month. The population was divided in two groups: group 1 (n = 34) - hippocampal excision; group 2 (n = 40) - normal controls. All participants were submitted to P50 recordings. Critical variables for the analysis included conditioning (S1) and test (S2) P50 amplitude and S2/S1 ratio. T-test was used to compare the mean values between the groups and chis-quare test was done to compare S2/S1 suppression frequency. Results: The mean S2/S1 ratio was 0.74 ± 0.44 in the group 1 and 0.42 ± 0.24 in the group 4 (p < 0.001). After comparing amplitude mean values, it has been found that S2 amplitude was significantly smaller in the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study suggests that the hippocampus is not the generator of the waves in the P50 mid-latency auditory evoked potentials. This structure, however, is most likely involved in the generation of the suppression of the S2 testing wave in the double click paradigm.