Branched-chain amino acids as adjunctive-alternative treatment in patients with autism: a pilot study.

The branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) is a group of essential amino acids that are involved in maintaining the energy balance of a human being as well as the homoeostasis of GABAergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. Disruption of these systems has been associated with the pathophysiology of autism while low levels of these amino acids have been discovered in patients with autism. A pilot open-label, prospective, follow-up study of the use of BCAA in children with autistic behaviour was carried out.

Effectiveness of a Robot-Assisted Psychological Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Difficulties with social interaction characterise children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and have a negative impact in their everyday life. Integrating a social-humanoid robot within the standard clinical treatment has been proven promising. The main aim of this randomised controlled study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a robot-assisted psychosocial intervention and the secondary aim was to investigate potential differences between a robot-assisted intervention group and a control group receiving intervention by humans only.

Children's anxiety and parenting self-efficacy during the COVID-19-related home confinement.

Background: The COVID-19 crisis influenced the lives of families and preschoolers, worldwide. School closures and restriction measures introduced distance learning for preschoolers and remote working for parents. Social distancing narrowed opportunities to meet with peers and enjoy leisure activities.

A Pediatric Patient With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Comorbid Compulsive Behaviors Treated With Robot-Assisted Relaxation: A Case Report.

The nature of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) presents significant challenges, especially with regard to comorbidities and drug treatments. Parents and caregivers are often hesitant towards psychotropic medications, mainly due to the fear of side effects. Problems arise when comorbid symptomatology reaches extreme levels, leading to functional decline in the patients.

Uncertainty, Stress, and Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece.

The COVID-19 outbreak imposed stress worldwide, as daily routine changed almost overnight, with no time to prepare. A pandemic like this may trigger a chain reaction starting out as surprise, continuing to uncertainty and ending up either in adaptation or in symptoms of fear, anxiety, and/or depression. Resilience on the other hand could lessen anxiety and prove to be a prophylactic coping mechanism against distress.

Behavioral Data Analysis of Robot-Assisted Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Interventions Based on Lattice Computing Techniques.

Recent years have witnessed the proliferation of social robots in various domains including special education. However, specialized tools to assess their effect on human behavior, as well as to holistically design social robot applications, are often missing. In response, this work presents novel tools for analysis of human behavior data regarding robot-assisted special education.

A COVID-19 Patient Presenting With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

The cardiovascular system is influenced in the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is not uncommon in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. This is a report of an atypical presentation of a 78-year-old patient who was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. The patient, in the acute setting, was diagnosed with rapidly deteriorating cardiac failure associated with PAF, respiratory distress, and deteriorating vitals, and was eventually intubated.

A systematic review of questionnaires assessing the psychological impact of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a number of complications in everyday life, greatly affecting public health. Estimating its impact on mental health constitutes a priority issue. The current study aims to summarize the scales that have been specifically developed for this reason and are not adaptations of already existing scales.

A review on the COVID-19-related psychological impact on older adults: vulnerable or not?

Background: COVID-19 is a novel event of the twenty-first century. Therefore, contemporary research is required to determine the current pandemic's psychological impact on older populations. Soon after the COVID-19 outbreak, several narrative reviews and guidelines were released to support older adult's psychological wellbeing.

Young adults' coping strategies against loneliness during the COVID-19-related quarantine in Greece.

COVID-19 and the related quarantine disrupted young adults' academic and professional life, daily routine and socio-emotional well-being. This cross-sectional study focused on the emotional and behavioural responses of a young adult population during the COVID-19-related quarantine in April 2020, in Greece. The study was conducted through an online survey.

The mediating role of fear of COVID-19 in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and depression.

Objectives: Living during the COVID-19 pandemic is characterized by the emergence of great uncertainty surrounding multiple aspects of daily life. This study explored the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and depression, as well as the potential mediation effect of COVID-19-related fear.

Design And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey from 10 April until 13 April 2020, three weeks after a national lockdown had been imposed in Greece.

Intolerance of Uncertainty and Loneliness in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic imposed a psychological burden on people worldwide, including fear and anxiety. Older adults are considered more vulnerable during public health emergency crises. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the psychological response of older adults during the acute phase of the pandemic in Greece.

Psychological and Behavioral Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece.

Objective: Fear of COVID-19 was associated with more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms. This study aimed to explore COVID-19-related fear, depressive and anxiety symptoms, social responsibility, and behavioral responses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 10 to April 13, 2020.

COVID-19: PTSD symptoms in Greek health care professionals.

The objective of this study was to assess the emergence of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in Greek health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey from April 10 until April 13, 2020. The survey included sociodemographic questions and the following psychometric tools: the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-8 questionnaire, the Brief Patient Health Questionnaire Depression scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale, and 3 questions about negative perceptions of COVID-19.

Psychometric Properties of the Greek Version of FCV-19S.

As COVID-19 delivered a devastating blow around Europe, unprecedented mental health issues have arisen. This study outlines the Greek translation and validation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) in the general population. A sample of 3029 Greek-speaking individuals completed the FCV-19S, as part of a large online survey reporting on the aftermath of the coronavirus on the psychological health of Greeks.

Insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Greek population.

Insomnia is a major health issue associated with great psychological burden. Research of insomnia during a pandemic crisis is limited. The aim of the present study was to explore sleep difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Greek population.

Resilience in Patients With Recent Diagnosis of a Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder.

This study focused on resilience in patients who recently received a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). Psychopathological symptoms, depressive symptoms, and hopelessness were considered as sources of stress in the context of psychosis. Forty-eight SSD patients (mean period between diagnosis and recruitment, 20.

Systemic immune aberrations in Alzheimer's disease patients.

The role of chronic inflammation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been implied in a plethora of studies. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the immune alterations and the immunological markers in patients suffering from AD. IL-1alpha, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha cytokine and helper/inducer (CD4), suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8) T lymphocyte levels were investigated in patients with various degrees of cognitive impairment (mild-moderate and severe stage), as well as in age-matched non demented controls.