Sleep oscillations provide a key substrate to facilitate memory processing, the underlying mechanism of which may involve the overnight homeostatic regulation of plasticity at a synaptic and whole-network level. However, there remains a lack of human data demonstrating if and how sleep enhances memory consolidation and associated neural homeostasis. We combined intracranial recordings and scalp electroencephalography (EEG) in humans to reveal a new role for rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in promoting the homeostatic recalibration of optimal excitation/inhibition-balance. Moreover, the extent of this REM-sleep homeostatic recalibration predicted the success of overnight memory consolidation, expressly the modulation of hippocampal— neocortical excitability favoring remembering rather than forgetting. The findings describe a novel, fundamental role of human REM sleep in maintaining neural homeostasis, thereby enhancing long-term memory.

The concept nociplastic pain has been developed for patients in whom clinical and psychophysical findings suggest a predominant central sensitization type of pain that is not fully explained as nociceptive or neuropathic. Here we tested, how well the recently published grading system differentiates between chronic primary pain or chronic secondary pain conditions. We recruited patients with Fibromyalgia (FMS, 41), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS, 11), Osteoarthritis (OA, 21) or Peripheral Nerve Injury (PNI, 8). We used clinical history, pain drawings, Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) and questionnaires to classify patients' pains as possibly or probably nociplastic in nature. All FMS and CRPS patients exhibited widespread or regional pain that was not explainable by nociceptive nor neuropathic mechanisms. Widespread pain in 12 OA patients was fully explained as nociceptive and regional pain in 4 PNI patients as neuropathic in all but one in each group. QST provided evidence for hypersensitivity in 9/11 CRPS patients but only 27/41 FMS patients (possible nociplastic pain). 82% of the CRPS patients but only 54% of FMS patients reported a history of hypersensitivity and mental comorbidities (probable nociplastic pain). We suggest that clinical examination of hypersensitivity should be done in more than one region and that adding a high tender point count as evidence for hypersensitivity phenomena may be useful. Further we suggest to switch the sequence of steps so that self-reported hypersensitivity and comorbidities come before clinical examination of hypersensitivity; Since the nociplastic pain concept calls for brainstem and cortical plasticity we discuss in detail potential measurement strategies.

ZusammenfassungZiel war die Erfassung subjektiver Einstellungen von Medizinstudierenden gegenüber alkoholbezogenen Störungen (AS) im direkten Vergleich mit anderen psychischen und somatischen Erkrankungen. Die mithilfe eines Onlinefragebogens befragten Studierenden (n = 1875) bewerteten AS gegenüber anderen Erkrankungen als weniger schwerwiegend (p < 0,001), wünschten sich mehr soziale Distanz zu Betroffenen (p < 0,001), machten sie stärker für die Erkrankung verantwortlich (p < 0,001) und wählten AS am häufigsten als Erkrankung mit Einsparpotenzial in der Versorgung. Auch angehende Psychiater wiesen selektiv bei AS, nicht aber bei psychischen Störungen per se einen starken Wunsch nach sozialer Distanz und eine erhöhte Bereitschaft zur strukturellen Diskriminierung auf. Dies könnte sich im späteren Berufsleben ungünstig auf die Arzt-Patienten-Beziehung auswirken, sodass eine vertiefte Auseinandersetzung mit subjektiven Einstellungen bereits im Studium von hoher Relevanz erscheint.

Abstract. Objective: Increased impulsiveness is a risk factor for health-endangering behavior patterns. Little is known about whether increased impulsiveness is associated with Internet Use Disorder (IUD) and whether individuals with various main activities on the internet differ in their levels of impulsiveness. Methods: In total, we screened 8,230 vocational students for problematic internet use with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). Participants scoring at least 21 points in the CIUS took part in an in-depth diagnostic interview. IUD was assessed according to the criteria of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) as suggested in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Impulsiveness was assessed with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-15). We analyzed the data using binary logistic regression models and nonparametric tests. Results: Participants with IUD ( n = 144) showed increased impulsiveness ( p = .005) compared to those without IUD ( n = 774). Participants with different main activities on the internet did not differ in their levels of impulsiveness. Conclusions: Results indicate that impulsiveness is associated with IUD, independent of the main internet activity. This highlights the necessity to consider patients’ impulsiveness in prevention and therapeutic approaches. Because of the cross-sectional study design, further research with longitudinal study designs is needed.

ImportanceChildren and adolescents spend considerable time on the internet, which makes them a highly vulnerable group for the development of problematic usage patterns. A variety of screening methods have already been developed and validated for social network use disorder (SNUD); however, a systematic review of SNUD in younger age groups has not been performed.ObjectiveTo review published reports on screening tools assessing SNUD in children and adolescents with a maximum mean age of 18.9 years.Evidence ReviewTo identify instruments for the assessment of SNUD, a systematic literature search was conducted in the databases PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, PsycArticles, and Scopus. The final search took place on May 2, 2022. Psychometric properties of available tools were examined and evaluated to derive recommendations for suitable instruments for individuals up to 18 years of age.FindingsA total of 5746 publications were identified, of which 2155 were excluded as duplicates. Of the remaining 3591 nonredundant publications, 3411 studies were assessed as not relevant after title and abstract screening. A full-text analysis of 180 remaining studies classified as potentially eligible resulted in a final inclusion of 29 studies revealing validation evidence for a total of 19 tools. The study quality was mostly moderate. With regard to validation frequency, 3 tools exhibited the largest evidence base: Social Media Disorder Scale (SMDS), the short version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale–Short Form (BSMAS-SF). Among these, 1 study tested a parental version (SMDS-P) for its psychometric properties. Taking all criteria into account, the strongest recommendation was made for the SMDS and BSMAS-SF.Conclusions and RelevanceResults suggest that the SMDS-SF and BSMAS-SF were appropriate screening measures for SNUD. Advantages of the SMDS are the availability of a short version and the possibility of an external parental rating.

Background Despite the constant publication of new screening instruments for Internet use disorders (IUD), little is known about their content validity. This study aimed to identify potential mismatches between the items' intention and young adults' interpretation of these items when answering three screening instruments that are commonly used in research and clinical settings: The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS), the 10 Item-Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10), and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS). Methods In total, 30 vocational students (50% female, age = 21.3; SD = 2.1) took part in individual think-aloud interviews. All participants were asked to report their thoughts while completing the CIUS. In addition, participants who reported online games (OG) as their main Internet activity (n = 11) answered the IGDT-10. Participants who reported social networks (SN) as their main Internet activity (n = 18) answered the BSMAS. One participant used OG and SN equally and completed both screening instruments. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and content-analysed. Results Overall, four potential sources for errors were identified: (1) High scorings were often not congruent with the underlying diagnostic criteria. In particular, such discrepancies were found in items aimed to assess dysfunctional emotional regulation strategies and cognitive involvement. (2) Some participants were uncertain which time frame or Internet activity should be considered in their answers. (3) Long and complex items led to the building of mean values or the choice of the middle answer category. (4) Some wordings were perceived to be outdated and difficult to understand. Discussion These findings might help to provide recommendations on how to improve screening instruments for IUD. Most important, items should more clearly distinguish between Internet use as a “normal” leisure activity and Internet use that leads to functional impairments in daily life.

Ecological succession explored at the secondary and postsecondary level is often limited to terrestrial ecosystems. The emphasis is traditionally placed on how deforestation leads to ecological succession. However, aquatic ecological succession is just as important and allows for many connections to be made with other ecological concepts. Succession initiated by beavers (Castor canadensis) in particular links both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems over time. We present a guide to an inquiry-based lesson for AP Environmental Science and undergraduate ecology courses that explores the effects of aquatic and terrestrial ecological succession initiated by deforestation and beavers. Specifically, the focus is ecological succession and its effects in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In this lesson, students (1) engage with a preassessment and broad overview of ecological succession, (2) explore authentic research data representing secondary succession in beaver ponds, (3) explain data using detective activities, (4) elaborate with a mystery pond, and (5) evaluate their new understanding by comparing a pre- and postassessment. This lesson plan meets the objectives for AP Environmental Science Biology courses as well as the core concepts and competencies for undergraduate biology education from the Vision and Change report by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2011.

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) have an increased risk for Internet use disorders (IUD) compared to older individuals that may lead to functional impairments in daily life. To date, evidence-based brief interventions are lacking. This study aimed to test the efficacy of a low-threshold counseling approach based on Motivational Interviewing (MI) in a vocational school setting. Methods: Of 8.230 vocational students (age M520.56, SD54.68; 51.85% female) being proactively screened for IUD, 937 with positive screenings took part in telephone-based diagnostic interviews. IUD were assessed in line with the criteria of the Internet Gaming Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). Readiness to change, self-efficacy, and impairments in daily life were additionally assessed with standardized screening instruments. Participants fulfilling at least two IUD criteria were randomized to the intervention group (n5240, up to three MI-based counseling sessions via telephone) or the control group (n5257, information brochure on responsible Internet use). Follow-up interviews were conducted after five and ten months. The primary outcome was the reduction of IUD criteria. Secondary outcomes were improvements of readiness/ self-efficacy to change and the reduction of daily impairments. Data were analyzed with Intention-to-Treat (ITT) and complier average causal effect (CACE) analyses. Results: Overall, 153 (63.75%) individuals assigned to the intervention group participated at least in one counseling session (5compliers). Both groups reduced the number of IUD criteria over time. In ITT analyses, however, we did not find intervention effects for primary and secondary outcomes. Bayes statistics were inconclusive. Based on low participation rates in the intervention group, explorative CACE analyses were conducted to compare compliers in the intervention group to potential compliers in the control group. Again, we did not find intervention effects apart from improvements in self-efficacy after five months. Discussion: Telephonebased counseling seems not appropriate to address AYA at risk for IUD. Low participation rates in the intervention group caused underpowered analyses. Besides, dealing with the own Internet use during intensive assessments and receiving an information brochure led to behavioral changes also in the control group. Since the efficacy of brief interventions under the condition of higher participation rates cannot be fully ruled out, further research is required by taking the implications of this study into account.