Hippocampal metabolites in asthma and their implications for cognitive function.

Emerging research indicates that individuals with asthma have an increased risk of cognitive impairment, yet the associations of asthma with neural correlates of memory remain relatively unknown. The hippocampus is the predominant neural structure involved in memory, and alterations in the hippocampal metabolic profile are observed in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. We therefore hypothesized that individuals with asthma may have altered hippocampal metabolites compared to healthy controls.

Towards an assessment of perceived COPD exacerbation triggers: Initial development and validation of a questionnaire.

Background And Objective: Prevention of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is important to decrease overall declines in functioning and improve quality of life. The present study sought to develop a psychometrically valid measure of perceived triggers of exacerbations in COPD patients, the COPD Exacerbation Trigger Inventory (CETI).

Methods: Participants (n = 192) were recruited through local clinics and online to complete surveys of the CETI, demographic information, disease-specific information and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT).

Airway reactivity in response to repeated emotional film clip presentation in asthma.

Emotional stimuli elicit airway constriction in individuals with asthma and in healthy individuals, but little is known about effects of repeated stimulation. We therefore explored the effect of repeated emotion induction on respiratory resistance (R) using unpleasant, high-arousal surgery films and investigated effects of respiration and emotional reactivity. Twenty-six participants (13 with asthma) watched a series of 12 short, 45-s surgery films followed by 2-min recovery periods.

The desire to belong: Social identification as a predictor of treatment outcome in social anxiety disorder.

Objective: Perception of personal identity cannot be separated from the perception of the social context and one's social identity. Full involvement in group psychotherapy may require not only the awareness of personal impairment, but also social identification. The aim of the current study was to examine the association between social identification and symptom improvement in group-based psychotherapy.

Controlling asthma by training of Capnometry-Assisted Hypoventilation (CATCH) vs slow breathing: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Hyperventilation has been associated with adverse effects on lung function, symptoms, and well-being in asthma. We examined whether raising end-tidal CO2 levels (ie, Pco2) compared with slow breathing is associated with improvements in asthma control, including peak flow variability.

Methods: One hundred twenty patients with asthma were randomly assigned to capnometry-assisted respiratory training (CART) for raising Pco2 or slow breathing and awareness training (SLOW) for slowing respiratory rate.

Discrepancies between lung function and asthma control: asthma perception and association with demographics and anxiety.

Understanding asthma symptom perception is necessary for reducing unnecessary costs both for asthma sufferers and society and will contribute to improving asthma management. The primary aim of this study was to develop and test a standardized method for classification of asthma perceiver categories into under-, normal, and overperceiver groups based on the comparison between self-report and lung function components of asthma control. Additionally, the degree to which demographic variables and anxiety contributed to the classification of patients into perceiver groups was examined.