Publications by authors named "B C Lafer"
Introduction: Impairments in social cognition in bipolar disorder (BD) have been extensively described in the last decade but few treatment strategies have been studied to address this issue. This study presents findings from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the efficacy of metacognitive training for bipolar disorder (MCT-BD) compared to Treatment as Usual (TAU) among individuals with BD in remission. The aim was to determine whether MCT-BD could improve social cognition and overall functioning in this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute and chronic response of supervised band-elastic resistance exercise in systemic cytokines levels of bipolar disorders and schizophrenia individuals: A pilot study.
Behav Brain Res
January 2025
Article Synopsis
- Previous research shows that exercise impacts immune responses, but there's little focus on its effects on cytokine levels in bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SCH).
- This study investigates both the immediate and long-term effects of a 10-week resistance exercise program on cytokine levels, symptoms, and muscular strength in individuals with BD and SCH.
- Results indicate that acute resistance exercise significantly increased IL-2 and IL-4 levels while decreasing IL-6, and chronic exercise led to sustained increases in IL-2 and IL-4, reduced disease symptoms, and improved muscular strength.
Background: Depression can be associated with increased mortality and morbidity, but no studies have investigated the specific causes of death based on autopsy reports. Autopsy studies can yield valuable and detailed information on pathological ailments or underreported conditions. This study aimed to compare autopsy-confirmed causes of death (CoD) between individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) and matched controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To compare the prevalence of physical morbidities between older aged patients with bipolar disorder (OABD) and non-psychiatric comparisons (NC), and to analyze sex differences in prevalence.
Methods: OABD was defined as bipolar disorder among adults aged ≥50 years. Outcomes analyzed were the prevalence of diseases affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, renal, musculoskeletal, and endocrine systems.