We aimed to examine the whole-brain white matter connectivity and local topology of reward system nodes in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and unaffected siblings, relative to healthy comparison individuals. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired from 18 patients with AUD, 15 unaffected siblings of AUD patients and 15 healthy controls. Structural networks were examined using network-based statistic and connectomic analysis. Connectomic analysis showed a significant ordered difference in normalized rich club organization (AUD < Siblings < Controls). We also found rank ordered differences (Control > Sibling > AUD) for both nodal clustering coefficient and nodal local efficiency in reward system nodes, particularly left caudate, right putamen and left hippocampus. Network-based statistic analyses showed that AUD group had significantly weaker connectivity than controls in the right hemisphere, mostly in the edges connecting putamen and hippocampus with other brain regions. Our results suggest that reward system network abnormalities, especially in subcortical structures, and impairments in rich-club organization might be related to the familial predisposition for AUD.

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Purpose Perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC) is a neural convergence site for social stress-related risk factors for mental health, including ethnic minority status. Current social status, a strong predictor of mental and somatic health, has been related to gray matter volume in this region, but the effects of social mobility over the lifespan are unknown and may differ in minorities. Recent studies suggest a diminished health return of upward social mobility for ethnic minority individuals, potentially due to sustained stress-associated experiences and subsequent activation of the neural stress response system. Methods To address this issue, we studied an ethnic minority sample with strong upward social mobility. In a cross-sectional design, we examined 64 young adult native German and 76 ethnic minority individuals with comparable sociodemographic attributes using whole-brain structural magnetic resonance imaging. Results Results showed a significant group-dependent interaction between perceived upward social mobility and pACC gray matter volume, with a significant negative association in the ethnic minority individuals. Post-hoc analysis showed a significant mediation of the relationship between perceived upward social mobility and pACC volume by perceived chronic stress, a variable that was significantly correlated with perceived discrimination in our ethnic minority group. Conclusion Our findings extend prior work by pointing to a biological signature of the “allostatic costs” of socioeconomic attainment in socially disadvantaged upwardly mobile individuals in a key neural node implicated in the regulation of stress and negative affect.

IntroductionPrevious studies reported high burnout rates and indicated significant factors associated with burnout syndrome among psychiatric trainees, such as hard working conditions, lack of supervision and not opting for psychiatry as a first career choice.ObjectivesA substantial amount of variance was reported in psychiatry training across countries. However, there is not sufficient national data regarding the rates and risk factors of burnout syndrome among psychiatric trainees in Turkey.AimsTo determine the burnout syndrome rates and the risk factors associated with burnout syndrome among psychiatric trainees.MethodsA questionnaire of occupational, educational and personal factors and Maslach burnout inventory (MBI) were answered by 180 of 450 psychiatric trainees in Turkey. The data was collected from 167 (56% females) trainees who completed the survey material. Converting the scores of three subscales by using MBI manual, a dichotomous variable (severe/non-severe burnout) was obtained for each participant and the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models.ResultsMean age was 28.85 ± 2.99-year-old and mean duration of residency was 2.61 ± 1.31 years. Severe burnout was found in 38.3% of the trainees. Logistic regression confirmed that older age (P = 0.02) and pressure from superiors (P = 0.04) are predictive factors associated with severe burnout. The high number of patient visits (P = 0.001), violation of employee personal rights (P = 0.04) and pressure from superiors (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with the “wish working in another institution”.ConclusionsPressure from superiors and older age can be described as risk factors associated with burnout syndrome among psychiatric trainees in Turkey.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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