Background: The addictive potential of areca nut (AN) and tobacco is well-documented, but their combined neurobiological effects in AN-containing tobacco products (ANTP) remain obscure. This study employed a three-stage in silico approach to investigate the potential targets and pathways associated with the addictive properties of AN alone and in ANTP.

Materials and Methods: Bioactive molecules were retrieved for AN and tobacco, followed by target prediction and pathway enrichment analysis. The identified biomolecules were categorized into AN and ANTP groups.

Results: A total of 195 bioactive molecules were identifid (38 to AN, 157 to tobacco). Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) details were retrieved. Predicted bioactivity (gene/protein interaction probability ≥80%) was analysed, revealing 13 shared targets between AN and tobacco, 12 exclusive to AN, and 33 exclusive to tobacco. AN and ANTP influenced 21 and 27 pathways (FDR ≤ 0.05), respectively, with distinct footprints. Notably, GABAergic and cholinergic synapses, nicotine addiction, calcium signaling, and morphine addiction pathways were differentially enriched between AN and ANTP. Discussion: This study highlights the distinct and synergistic neurobiological effects of AN and tobacco in ANTP. The identified differences in target genes and pathways underscore the need for tailored interventions and cessation strategies for users of AN and ANTP products. Further research is warranted to validate these findings, explore interplay between diverse addiction factors, and develop effective prevention and treatment programs.
(Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2024; 26(3): 133–143)

Keywords: Areca Nut, Tobacco, Chewing, Behavioural Addiction, Neurobiology

Objectives: The prevalence of clinical obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is around 1-2% in the population. Questionnaires, such as the OCI-R, are a useful tool in the diagnositc process. The purpose of this study was to develop the Hungarian version of the OCI-R, examine its validity and reliability, and its ability to differentiate between clinical and subclinical OCD.

Methods: Confirmatiory factor analysis was carried out on the subclinical sample (N = 4301). Reliability analysis was carried out on both samples, and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the two samples.

Results: The six-factor structure identical to the original was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. In the subclinical sample, all scales but Neutralizing had good reliability. Reliability analysis on the clinical sample (N = 26) showed good Cronbach’s alpha values for all scales except for Hoarding. There were significant differences between the two groups on three scales: Neutralizing, Washing, and Obsessing, with the clinical group scoring significantly higher on these scales. The average score for Checking, Hoarding, and Ordering was higher in the subclinical sample, although the difference was not significant.

Conclusion: The results highlight the advantages of symptom severity scales, such as the OCI-R, in the diagnostic process of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
(Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2024; 26(3): 144–152)

Keywords: obsessive-compulsive disorder, subclinical sample, symptom severity scales, OCI-R

Suicide is a serious public health concern. On average, 80% of suicide decedents had contact with primary care within one year of their suicide. This and other research underscore the importance of screening for suicide risk within primary care settings, and implementation of suicide risk screening is already underway in many practices. However, while primary care practices may be familiar with screening for other mental health concerns (e.g., depression), many feel uncomfortable or unprepared for suicide risk screening. To meet the increasing demand for evidence-based suicide-risk screening guidance, we provide a clinical pathway for adult primary care practices (to include family medicine, internal medicine, women’s health). The pathway was developed by experts with research, clinical expertise and experience in suicide risk screening and primary care. We also provide detailed guidance to aid primary care practices in their decisions about how to implement the clinical pathway.

Keywords: primary care, suicide, screening, pathway, adult, workflow

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease affecting 5-10% of women resulting in several psychological impacts. Regarding the high prevalence as well as extensive somatic symptoms, this has become a growing issue of psychological research in recent years. Thanks to its rising importance the negative effect on quality of life, mood, and anxiety symptoms has been proven. Thus we aimed to organize psychological interventions affecting the mentioned constructs and also examine their efficiency and scientific standards. Our inclusion criteria referred to studies based on randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. We selected seven types of interventions, such as psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based methods, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, physical activity, and complex programs. Regarding the quality of life, mood, and anxiety cognitive behavioural therapy and progressive muscle relaxation were the most effective methods, however, other interventions had promising results either. Besides, there is a growing demand for psychological and mind-body interventions, which should get a more important place in the primary care of endometriosis next to medical treatment. We find inevitable further high-quality examinations, and from the point of practice, we consider it crucial to implement current evidence-based methods in the psychological care of endometriosis.

Keywords: endometriosis, psychological interventions, quality of life, mood, anxiety, psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, physical activity, MY-ENDO