Objective: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of anxiety. We carried out meta-analyses to evaluate the relationship between the BDNF Val66Met (valine, methionine) polymorphism and anxiety disorders (AD) or anxiety-related personality traits (ARPT). Methods: Medline, Embase and PsycINFO were searched up to December 2007. We investigated 3 outcomes related to BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms: (1) clinically diagnosed cases of AD; (2) ARPT in subjects without psychiatric diagnoses, assessed either by the Neuroticism scale of NEO-Personality Inventory forms (NEO-PI, NEO-PI-R, NEO-FFI), or by (3) the Harm Avoidance (HA) scale of Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) or its extended version Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Results: Seven case-control studies were selected for AD, including 1,092 cases and 8,394 controls, while 5 cross-sectional studies for Neuroticism (n = 1,633) and 4 for HA (n = 607). Both Met/Met and Val/Met individuals, as compared to Val/Val, showed a statistically significant lower Neuroticism score [SMD = –0.24 (95% CI: –0.44, –0.04), and –0.11 (95% CI: –0.22, –0.01), respectively]. No significant association was found between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and AD [OR = 1.13 (95% CI: 0.85–1.52) for Met/Met versus Val/Val] or HA [SMD = 0.11 (95% CI: –0.19, 0.42) for Met/Met vs. Val/Val]. Conclusions: The low number of studies on this topic and their limited sample size, along with the inner limits in the definition of anxiety phenotypes, suggest caution in the interpretation of these results. Larger additional studies possibly investigating the interaction with other genes and environmental exposures are required to confirm these results.

Anhedonia is a condition in which the capacity of experiencing pleasure is totally or partially lost, frequently occurring in mood disorders, as a negative symptom in schizophrenia, and in substance use disorders. In order to test a set of instruments for anhedonia in a population of detoxified opiate, alcohol and multiple substance-dependent subjects, 70 individuals were recruited from three different clinical settings. The following scales were applied: Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholia Scale (BRMS), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), specific withdrawal scales, and visual analogue scales (VAS) for hedonic capability and substance craving. The scales measuring anhedonia either directly (SHAPS, VAS for hedonic capability) or in some key items (SANS, BRMS) were significantly correlated with each other. The period of time since detoxification was inversely correlated with anhedonia and withdrawal symptomatology. Craving was positively correlated with anhedonia. Out of the total sample, only 18.5% could be defined as psychometrically anhedonic. The same correlations were found in this subsample. The composite instrument employed for assessing anhedonia and hedonic capability was found to be sensitive enough to detect such a dimension in the population considered, with the single scales significantly interrelated. In conclusion, we found interrelations between hedonic capability, craving and protracted withdrawal, particularly in opiate-dependent subjects. The strongest association occurred between hedonic capability and craving.

About half of the teachers in this study scored above the threshold for depression and ~1 in 10 for anxiety on self-rating questionnaires. Poor mental health in teachers is significantly associated with high job demand and low social support. These results should be confirmed in larger, more representative samples.

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symptoms (d w = .66 (.46-.85); p <.001) than ones who were not directly exposed. Similarly, the direct involvement significantly affected the severity of PTSD symptoms (d w = .30 (.21-.39); p <.001). Conclusion: Health care professionals in general and most of all frontline workers showed an association with a likely risk of developing psychiatric disorders following outbreaks and for at least three years later. Mental health interventions for professionals exposed to COVID-19 need to be immediately implemented. Further studies are warranted to investigate long-term consequences carefully, and to look for mediating and buffering factors as well. The role of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists in delivering adequate interventions is critically important.