The gradual aging of the global population is increasing the prevalence of geriatric depression, a severe mental disorder that imposes a significant burden on individuals and society. Conventional treatments such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, given their considerable side effects and slow onset of action, are challenging to implement in the older population. This highlights the need for new, safer, and more effective approaches for treating depression. In recent years, non-invasive neurostimulation techniques have shown significant advantages in treating depression, offering new options for addressing late-life depression. This review summarizes the research progress in the use of non-invasive neurostimulation methods such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), bright light therapy (BLT), transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), music therapy, and transcranial ultrasonography for treating depression. Evidence indicates that ECT is crucial in rapidly combating depression. rTMS and tDCS not only alleviate depressive symptoms but also improve cognitive function. Given their low-risk profile, BLT and tVNS may have specific therapeutic effects on alleviating chronic depression. Although music therapy and transcranial ultrasonography show potential value in treating depression, further evidence is needed from mechanistic and clinical studies for appropriate evaluation. This review comprehensively evaluates the characteristics of various non-invasive neurostimulation techniques in treating late-life depression and suggests that future research should involve large-sample, multicenter collaborative clinical studies to provide scientific guidance for using neurostimulation techniques in treating late-life depression.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex, chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, often attributed to central sensitization. FMS also involves other problems such as tiredness, poor sleep, mental/emotional difficulties, and a lower quality of life (QoL). The exact causes of FMS are still unclear, but there is growing evidence that some FMS patients have a history of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect in childhood or adulthood. Abuse may act as a link between trauma and chronic pain over time, suggesting that FMS may be a physical expression of delayed trauma-related stress. FMS patients are hard to treat because most treatments do not work well for them. However, psychological treatments, especially hypnotherapy, have been shown to help change how fibromyalgia pain is perceived. There is increasing evidence that hypnotherapy alone or with standard medical treatment can help FMS patients in the long term, but not in the short term. Hypnosis can target specific symptoms such as pain, tiredness, sleep issues, anxiety, and depression, or it can focus on resolving emotional conflicts and traumas related to FMS. Regular practice at home, including self-hypnosis, and occasional follow-up sessions may help maintain the benefits of hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is a valuable adjunct therapy with an excellent safety profile for managing chronic pain and other symptoms in difficult fibromyalgia patients.

The gut-brain axis represents a dynamic, bidirectional communication system linking the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through neural, hormonal, and immune pathways. A growing body of research highlights the role of gut microbiota in modulating neuroinflammatory responses, neurotransmitter production, and vagal nerve signaling. However, while numerous reviews have addressed gut microbiota’s impact on health and disease, few have systematically compared findings across different study models or emphasized recent advances in therapeutic interventions. Hence, this review consolidates present research on the interplay between gut microbiota, psychological conditions (stress, anxiety, and depression), and GI disorders (irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease). This review explores the latest methodologies, including genomic approaches and metabolomics, to understand microbial signatures in health and disease. Furthermore, it examines therapeutic interventions, including probiotics, pre-biotics, dietary modifications, and fecal microbiota transplantation, and their efficacy across different studies. The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in health and disease through complex interactions between gut microbiota, psychological conditions, and GI disorders. By consolidating recent research and advancements in therapeutic interventions, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on emerging methodologies and potential treatments. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms may pave the way for more effective, personalized therapeutic strategies.

As global demographics shift toward an aging population, the urgency for innovative diagnostic tools to address Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases (ADR) has never been greater. Current methods often miss the opportunity to capture the nuanced interplay between cognitive decline and emotional health, leaving critical diagnostic gaps. This paper introduces an integrated approach combining advanced retinal imaging through eye-tracking, reaction-retention testing, and the short recovery-stress scale (SRSS) to provide a holistic evaluation and monitoring system of ADR progression. Retinal imaging through eye-tracking captures neurodegenerative biomarkers such as saccadic movements and fixation patterns and offers real-time insights into cognitive processing. Reaction-retention tests directly measure short-term memory and processing speed while the SRSS evaluates emotional states influencing cognitive health and physical capabilities. These modalities deliver a comprehensive cognitive-emotional profile, enabling earlier detection and personalized interventions. By synthesizing data across physiological and psychological domains, this approach addresses the multifaceted nature of ADR, providing clinicians with actionable insights into disease management. These integrative tools also hold promise for scalable applications in routine clinical and home settings, paving the way for enhanced monitoring, tailored therapies, and improved patient outcomes. The proposed framework represents a potential paradigm shift in ADR diagnostics, offering potential extensions to other neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injuries.

Observational studies have suggested a high prevalence of depression among patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, the effects of depression on CP and the causal relationship between the two conditions remain unclear. We performed two-sample and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses, as well as a two-step MR analysis, to investigate their causal associations. Data on depression and CP were obtained from summary statistics of non-overlapping samples in a genome-wide association study. Two-sample and multivariable MR analyses were conducted to explore the association between depression and CP. A subsequent two-step MR analysis explored the causal pathways between the two conditions and the role of mediators in this process. Genetically, predicted depression (per 1 standard deviation) showed a positive association with CP (odds ratio [OR]: 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03 - 1.86; P = 0.03). The causal relationship was confirmed after adjusting for smoking, drinking, type 2 diabetes, body mass index, and triglycerides. We found that triglycerides (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.04; P = 0.004), type 2 diabetes (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.06; P = 0.030), and smoking initiation (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.13; P = 0.046) may mediate the causal relationship between depression and CP, with the mediating effect accounting for 6.14%, 7.84%, and 17.06% of the total effect, respectively. Our study provides evidence for an independent causal effect of depression on CP, offering new insights into the correlation between depression and inflammation. Further research is necessary to clarify the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this causal association.

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the impact on life in people with dissociative seizures (DS) and drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). A qualitative approach was employed using the McGill Illness Narrative Interview, which was conducted and analyzed following thematic analysis principles. Ten women diagnosed with DS or DRE participated, all from underserved sectors in Argentina. Three major themes emerged from the interviews: (1) role of emotions (emotional experiences related to the disease, both preceding the seizure and as a consequence of them). Both groups reported unpleasant emotions as a consequence of seizures, such as fear, shame, and sadness. Emotional states, including stress and anxiety, were also described as seizure triggers in both conditions. (2) Impact on social interaction (the way in which the disease impacted on social relationships). Participants with DS experienced interpersonal conflicts, mistreatment, and disbelief more frequently than those with DRE, who reported a higher perception of overprotection and hesitancy to disclose their condition. Both groups acknowledged the importance of social support from family and friends. (3) Impact on daily life activities (the way in which people discontinued activities due to the disease or continued despite it). Seizures disrupted autonomy, work, and recreational activities, though some participants continued working despite limitations. These findings provide insight into the challenges of living with DS and DRE. A deeper understanding of these experiences can inform targeted interventions to improve the quality of life for these patient populations, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is an innate personality trait that affects approximately 30% of the population. It is characterized by more intense, complex, and rapid cognitive processing of stimuli, along with heightened emotional reactivity. This study examines the influence of SPS on self-esteem and affective dependence in adolescents and emerging adults, a critical developmental period marked by significant physical, psychological, emotional, and social changes. Adolescence is a sensitive developmental period, and self-esteem is strongly correlated with SPS during this period, with low self-esteem acting as a trigger for affective dependence. Hence, we aim to explore the relationship between these three variables. Our hypotheses were tested on 100 adolescents and young adults aged 15 - 20 years who completed an online questionnaire assessing SPS, self-esteem, and affective dependence. The results confirmed the influence of gender on sensitivity and self-esteem (p<0.01) and the impact of romantic relationship experience on affective dependence scores (p<0.05). The variables were significantly correlated (p<0.001). Sensitivity and self-esteem influenced affective dependence (p<0.001), and self-esteem played a mediating role between sensitivity and affective dependence. Our findings support the hypothesis that higher SPS is a vulnerability factor in the development of affective dependence. However, this study has some limitations, such as a small sample size, which limits generalizability. Therefore, further studies on a larger cohort can be conducted to validate these findings.

Herein, we report the successful management of a 63-year-old woman with comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The patient exhibited a 3-year history of generalized pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and depression. Initially diagnosed with MDD, persistent symptoms led to an additional diagnosis of FMS. The treatment involved a multidisciplinary approach involving pharmacological interventions (venlafaxine, pregabalin, and lorazepam) and non-pharmacological strategies (psychotherapy and electroacupuncture). Significant improvement was observed in depressive and pain symptoms. By day 15, the patient exhibited marked improvement in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 (40 - 14), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (27 - 11), and Visual Analog Scale pain scores (8 - 0). The 3-month follow-up revealed sustained improvement, and the patient resumed normal daily activities. This case emphasizes the importance of thorough evaluation, consideration of comorbid conditions, and the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex cases of comorbid MDD and FMS. Furthermore, personalized treatment strategies are required to achieve optimal long-term outcomes.

Mental health disorders are prevalent in cardiovascular disease patients, yet often remain under-recognized. Psychogenic fever (PF), a psychosomatic condition triggered by stress, may present as a fever of unknown origin, complicating the diagnostic process. This case report describes a 58-year-old male diagnosed with PF, a stress-induced psychosomatic disorder associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. The patient presented with a 1-year history of recurrent low-grade fever and palpitations, which remained unexplained despite comprehensive laboratory and imaging evaluations. Psychometric assessments revealed chronic stress, mild depression, and moderate anxiety, suggesting psychological stress as the potential cause of PF. ANS evaluation indicated mild impairment in heart rate variability. The patient’s significant improvement with anti-anxiety and antidepressant treatment confirmed the diagnosis of ANS dysfunction and PF. This case highlights the importance of incorporating psychometric and physio-psychological assessments into the diagnostic workup for unexplained fever, advocating for the consideration of mental health disorders after ruling out organic causes.