Several studies have shown that basic emotions are responsible for a significant enhancement of early visual processes and increased activation in visual processing brain regions. It may be possible that the cognitive uncertainty and repeated behavioral checking evident in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is due to the existence of abnormalities in basic survival circuits, particularly those associated with the visual processing of the physical characteristics of emotional-laden stimuli. The objective of the present study was to test if patients with OCD show evidence of altered basic survival circuits, particularly those associated with the visual processing of the physical characteristics of emotional stimuli. Fifteen patients with OCD and 12 healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging acquisition while being exposed to emotional pictures, with different levels of arousal, intended to trigger the defensive and appetitive basic survival circuits. Overall, the present results seem to indicate dissociation in the activity of the defense and appetitive survival systems in OCD. Results suggest that the clinical group reacts to basic threat with a strong activation of the defensive system mobilizing widespread brain networks (i.e., frontal, temporal, occipital-parietal, and subcortical nucleus) and blocking the activation of the appetitive system when facing positive emotional triggers from the initial stages of visual processing (i.e., superior occipital gyrus).

The aim of the present study is to explore obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)-related abnormalities in white matter connectivity in OCD for a core region associated with inhibitory control [i.e. inferior frontal gyrus (IFG)]. Fifteen patients with OCD (11 men) and 15 healthy controls (nine men) underwent diffusion tensor imaging scanning to study four diffusivity indexes of white matter integrity [fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity (RD)]. The results showed that persons with OCD manifested significantly lower fractional anisotropy levels in the bilateral IFG as well as its parcellations in the pars opercularis, pars triangularis, and pars orbitalis. Significantly higher levels of MD, RD were evident for the OCD group in the IFG as a whole as well as in the bilateral subregions of the pars triangularis and pars opercularis (for MD and RD), the right side of the pars orbitalis (for RD), and the left side of the pars triangularis and right side pars opercularis (for axial diffusivity). Overall, the results suggest significant alterations in structural connectivity, probably associated with myelination and axonal abnormalities in the IFG of OCD patients.

No abstract

Loneliness refers to the perception of mismatch between the perceived and desired quantity and quality of meaningful relationships. Currently, the golden standard measure to assess loneliness is the University of Los Angeles Loneliness scale version 3 (UCLA v3). The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties and the factor structure of UCLA v3 for the European Portuguese population. A sample of 282 participants was surveyed in Portugal. Analyses showed internal consistency was optimal for the Portuguese population: Cronbach’s α = .91 and McDonald’s ω = .91. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a single global factor for loneliness and optimal fitness. Multi-group CFA indicates invariance across sex. Floor and ceiling effects were largely absent. Loneliness correlated with well-established mental health indicators such as psychological stress, depressive and anxiety symptomatology or psychological inflexibility. The findings support UCLA v3 as a reliable and valid measure of loneliness in the Portuguese population.

This is a guide to Portuguese usage for students who have already acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their knowledge. It covers both the Brazilian and the European varieties of the language, and differentiates clearly between them. It gives detailed explanations of grammatical structures and semantic fields and, unlike conventional grammars, it gives special attention to those areas of vocabulary and grammar which cause most difficulty to English-speakers. It also contains a special chapter for students who are familiar with Spanish, highlighting key similarities and differences between the two languages. Careful consideration is given throughout to questions of style, register, and politeness which are essential to achieving an appropriate level of formality or informality in writing and speech. Clear, readable and easy to consult via its two indexes, this is an essential reference for learners seeking access to the finer nuances of the Portuguese language.