Objective: Population neuroscience is an emerging field that combines epidemiology and neuroscience to study how genes and the environment shape typical and atypical brain functioning. The objective of this study was to review key studies on population neuroscience from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and to identify potential gaps vis-à-vis studies conducted in high-income countries. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to search for longitudinal cohort studies investigating the development of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in LMICs. We performed an electronic search in the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from inception to July 5th, 2019. Results: We found six cohorts from four countries that met our search criteria: three cohorts from Brazil, one from China, one from South Africa, and one from Mauritius. Relevant examples of findings from these studies are reported. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the impact of the valuable science output these cohort designs promote, allowing LMICs to have a share in frontline global psychiatry research. National and international funding agencies should invest in LMIC population neuroscience in order to promote replication and generalization of research from high-income countries.

Objective: Our study aimed to verify whether cyberbullying victimization among adolescents occurs concomitantly with other forms of violence exposure (at home, at school and in the community). Methods: A collaborative longitudinal study by Norwegian and Brazilian researchers was conducted in Itaboraí, a low-income city in southeast Brazil. At baseline, trained interviewers applied a semi-structured questionnaire to a population-based sample of 669 in-school adolescents (11-15 years old). The investigated types of violence exposure included cyberbullying, traditional bullying, severe physical punishment by parents and community violence (victimization and eye-witnessed violent events outside the home and school). Results: In the previous six months, 1.9% of the adolescents had been victims of cyberbullying, and 21.9% had been victims of physical aggression, verbal harassment and/or social manipulation by peers. However, only 5.5% of the adolescents considered themselves bullying victims. In the previous 12 months, 12.4% of adolescents had suffered severe physical punishment, 14.0% had been victims of community violence, and 20.9% eye-witnessed community violence. Multivariable regression analysis showed that victimization by multiple types of traditional bullying and self-perceived bullying victimization were correlates of cyberbullying victimization, while suffering violence at home and in the community were not. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of an association between cyberbullying, traditional bullying and self-perceived bullying among low-income Brazilian adolescents.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of early childhood maltreatment and associations with later sexual behavior among adult substance users. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 substance dependents who sought outpatient care in São Paulo, Brazil. Childhood trauma prevalence was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), drug of choice (DOC), and sexual behavior were also investigated. Results: The sample was composed predominantly of single adult males (76.1%), with alcohol as the DOC (73.9%). Experiences of emotional neglect (88.1%), emotional abuse (80.6%), physical neglect (78.4%), physical abuse (64.2%), and sexual abuse (31.3%) were prevalent. Women were more likely to have been sexually abused (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.15-7.61) and physically abused (OR 3.7, 95%CI 1.31-10.6) in childhood. Those who were sexually abused in adulthood were more likely to have suffered physical abuse in childhood (OR 6.9, 95%CI 1.45-11.8). The odds of having been sexually abused in childhood were higher among subjects who reported to have exchanged sexual favors for drugs (OR 5.7, 95%CI 1.35-9.64) and to have been sexually abused in adulthood (OR 6.1, 95%CI 5.2-12.36). Conclusion: Physical and sexual abuse in childhood are highly prevalent in substance-dependent adults, and are associated with sexual revictimization and high-risk sexual behavior in adulthood.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a training program on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) identification offered to Brazilian health professionals. Methods: Twenty-two primary care providers participated in five 3-hour weekly training sessions. Results: The trained providers significantly improved their ASD knowledge after training in comparison with pre-training (mean score, 6.73 vs. 9.18, p < 0.01). Clinical practice also changed: 4 months after the training program, the providers had referred six times as many suspected cases of ASD to a specialized mental health service in comparison with the previous 4 months. Conclusion: This pilot training model seems a promising, feasible, and inexpensive way to improve early identification of ASD in the primary care system.

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: Investigar a pertinência dos critérios subjetivos adotados por um serviço de interconsulta psiquiátrica e psicológica e sua adequação na avaliação dos registros e resultados objetivos obtidos. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas com todos os supervisores do serviço estudado de um hospital universitário, e revisados os registros de caso coletados rotineiramente no serviço. Foi realizada avaliação formal por meio de análise de conteúdo para cada categoria. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostram distorção entre o foco adotado pelo serviço (relação médico-paciente) e a demanda dos consultantes. Esse foco direciona para maior predomínio de intervenções direcionadas aos médicos consultantes do que aos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação da pertinência dos critérios adotados pelo serviço pode servir ao propósito de promover análise da qualidade do serviço prestado, principalmente em casos em que não se possuem ainda critérios objetivos que possam atestar sua adequação.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relevance of subjective criteria adopted by a psychiatry and psychology consultation-liaison service, and their suitability in the evaluation of case registries and objective results. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted and all supervisors of the university hospital service were interviewed. Routinely collected case registries were also reviewed. Standardized assessment with content analysis for each category was carried out. RESULTS: The results showed distortions in the adopted service focus (doctor-patient relationship) and consultant requests. This focus is more on consulting physician-oriented interventions than on patients. DISCUSSION: Evaluation of the relevance of service criteria could help promoting quality assessment of the services provided, mainly when objective criteria have not yet been established to assure their suitability.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a pertinência dos critérios subjetivos adotados por um serviço de interconsulta psiquiátrica e psicológica e sua adequação na avaliação dos registros e resultados objetivos obtidos. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas com todos os supervisores do serviço estudado de um hospital universitário, e revisados os registros de caso coletados rotineiramente no serviço. Foi realizada avaliação formal por meio de análise de conteúdo para cada categoria. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostram distorção entre o foco adotado pelo serviço (relação médico-paciente) e a demanda dos consultantes. Esse foco direciona para maior predomínio de intervenções direcionadas aos médicos consultantes do que aos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação da pertinência dos critérios adotados pelo serviço pode servir ao propósito de promover análise da qualidade do serviço prestado, principalmente em casos em que não se possuem ainda critérios objetivos que possam atestar sua adequação.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relevance of subjective criteria adopted by a psychiatry and psychology consultation-liaison service, and their suitability in the evaluation of case registries and objective results. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted and all supervisors of the university hospital service were interviewed. Routinely collected case registries were also reviewed. Standardized assessment with content analysis for each category was carried out. RESULTS: The results showed distortions in the adopted service focus (doctor-patient relationship) and consultant requests. This focus is more on consulting physician-oriented interventions than on patients. DISCUSSION: Evaluation of the relevance of service criteria could help promoting quality assessment of the services provided, mainly when objective criteria have not yet been established to assure their suitability.

OBJETIVO: Discutir aspectos metodológicos da estratégia de identificação de casos psiquiátricos, em duas etapas, em estudos epidemiológicos. MÉTODOS: Analisa-se a metodologia utilizada no Estudo Multicêntrico de Morbidade Psiquiátrica do Adulto realizado em três cidades brasileiras, entre 1990-1991. Na primeira etapa do citado estudo, uma amostra aleatória (6.740 indivíduos) da população foi selecionada e submetida a um rastreamento com o Questionário de Morbidade Psiquiátrica do Adulto -- QMPA. Na segunda etapa, uma subamostra (775 indivíduos) foi selecionada e submetida ao Inventário de Sintomas do DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), aplicado por psiquiatras e psicólogos treinados, para confirmação-diagnóstica. RESULTADOS: São descritos os procedimentos empregados para a estimativa das prevalências, mostrando que o fraco desempenho da escala de rastreamento não compromete o método. CONCLUSÃO: A vantagem da metodologia é a de corrigir as distorções apresentadas pelos instrumentos atuais de identificação de casos psiquiátricos.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss methodological aspects of the two stages in the identification of psychiatric cases in epidemiological studies. METHODS: Analyze the methodology used in the Multicentric Psychiatric Morbidity Study, which was conducted in three Brazilian cities (São Paulo, Brasília and Porto Alegre). In the first stage of that study, a random sample (6,740 individuals) of the population was drawn and all the participants were screened with the Questionnaire of Psychiatric Morbidity of the Adult (QMPA). In the second stage, a sample (775 individuals) of this population was drawn and these individuals were submitted to the Inventory of Symptoms of DSM-III, carried out by psychiatrists and trained psychologists. RESULTS: The study procedure for estimating the prevalence is described in details, showing that though the screening scales are a weak tool, they don't interfere with the methodology. CONCLUSION: The advantage of this methodology is to correct any distortions caused by the current tools used in the identification of psychiatric cases.

OBJETIVO: Discutir aspectos metodológicos da estratégia de identificação de casos psiquiátricos, em duas etapas, em estudos epidemiológicos. MÉTODOS: Analisa-se a metodologia utilizada no Estudo Multicêntrico de Morbidade Psiquiátrica do Adulto realizado em três cidades brasileiras, entre 1990-1991. Na primeira etapa do citado estudo, uma amostra aleatória (6.740 indivíduos) da população foi selecionada e submetida a um rastreamento com o Questionário de Morbidade Psiquiátrica do Adulto -- QMPA. Na segunda etapa, uma subamostra (775 indivíduos) foi selecionada e submetida ao Inventário de Sintomas do DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), aplicado por psiquiatras e psicólogos treinados, para confirmação-diagnóstica. RESULTADOS: São descritos os procedimentos empregados para a estimativa das prevalências, mostrando que o fraco desempenho da escala de rastreamento não compromete o método. CONCLUSÃO: A vantagem da metodologia é a de corrigir as distorções apresentadas pelos instrumentos atuais de identificação de casos psiquiátricos.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss methodological aspects of the two stages in the identification of psychiatric cases in epidemiological studies. METHODS: Analyze the methodology used in the Multicentric Psychiatric Morbidity Study, which was conducted in three Brazilian cities (São Paulo, Brasília and Porto Alegre). In the first stage of that study, a random sample (6,740 individuals) of the population was drawn and all the participants were screened with the Questionnaire of Psychiatric Morbidity of the Adult (QMPA). In the second stage, a sample (775 individuals) of this population was drawn and these individuals were submitted to the Inventory of Symptoms of DSM-III, carried out by psychiatrists and trained psychologists. RESULTS: The study procedure for estimating the prevalence is described in details, showing that though the screening scales are a weak tool, they don't interfere with the methodology. CONCLUSION: The advantage of this methodology is to correct any distortions caused by the current tools used in the identification of psychiatric cases.