Introduction Prior research has highlighted the psychosocial impact of infectious diseases on individuals and the community at large. However, little is known about the psychosocial implications of COVID-19. This study set out to determine the rate as well as correlates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among persons managed as in-patients for COVID-19 in Lagos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods We conducted an online survey between April to June ending 2020 using a consecutive sampling technique of persons positive for COVID-19 and who were managed as in-patients across five (5) treatment centers in Lagos, Nigeria. The survey collected information on demographic as well as clinical data including suicidality. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results There were one hundred and sixty participants in total. The mean age of respondents was 36.4 (±9.7) years with a higher proportion (56.9%) being males. With regards to diagnosis, 28.1% and 27.5% of the respondents were categorised as probable cases of depression and anxiety respectively, while 3.8% respondents reported suicidal ideation. Majority of the respondents (61.9%) reported the fear of infecting their loved ones. The variables that showed association with psychiatric morbidity were a past history of an emotional concern, employment status, guilt about infecting others and boredom. Conclusion This study revealed a high burden of psychological/psychiatric morbidity among persons treated for COVID-19, particularly persons who have had prior emotional concerns. The findings from this study reiterate the need to pay attention to the mental health of people during disease outbreaks and to incorporate psychosocial interventions as part of the management package.

No abstract

Atypical antipsychotics, despite their rapid dissociation from dopamine receptors and reduced tendency to induce oxidative stress, have been associated with difficult-to-manage movement disorders, including tardive dyskinesia (TD). The study set out to investigate the effects of cannabidiol (CBD), a potent antioxidant, on risperidone-induced behavioural and motor disturbances; namely vacuous chewing movements (VCM), and oxidative stress markers (e.g. superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric oxide (NO), and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl)). Oral risperidone (10 mg/kg) or oral CBD (5 mg/kg) were administered to six experimental groups. While risperidone alone was administered for 28 days, CBD concomitantly or in sequential order with risperidone, was administered for 28 days; and CBD alone was administered for 21 days. Behavioural, motor, and specific biochemical parameters, which included VCM, muscle tone, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and oxidative stress markers were assessed at different time points after the last dose of medication. Oral CBD (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced risperidone-induced elevated FBS when given after the administration of risperidone. Oral CBD also had effects on VCM when administered before risperidone and similarly, attenuated risperidone-induced increased muscle tone. It was also established that concomitant or sequential administration of CBD and risperidone did not have any adverse effects on cognition or locomotion. Both CBD and risperidone increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreased the activity of pro-oxidant enzymes. This study suggests CBD could mitigate metabolic dysregulation and extrapyramidal side effects associated with risperidone without producing cognitive impairments.

Objectives: We investigated the influence of oral cannabidiol (CBD) on vacuous chewing movements (VCM) and oxidative stress parameters induced by short- and long-term administration of haloperidol, in a rat model of tardive dyskinesia (TD). Methods: Haloperidol was administered either sub-chronically via the intraperitoneal (IP) route or chronically via the intramuscular (IM) route to six experimental groups, only or in combination with CBD. VCM and oxidative stress parameters were assessed at different time points after the last dose of medication. Results: Oral CBD (5mg/kg) attenuated the VCM produced by sub-chronic administration of haloperidol (5mg/kg) but had minimal effects on the VCM produced by chronic administration of haloperidol (50mg/kg). In both sub-chronic and chronic haloperidol groups, there were significant changes in brain antioxidant parameters compared with CBD only and the control groups. The sub-chronic haloperidol only group had lower GSH activity compared with sub-chronic haloperidol before CBD and the control groups; also, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activities were increased in the sub-chronic (IP) haloperidol only group compared with the CBD only and control groups. Nitric oxide (NO) activity was increased in sub-chronic haloperidol only group compared to the other groups, however, the chronic haloperidol group had increased MDA activity compared to the other groups. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that CBD ameliorated VCM in the sub-chronic haloperidol group before CBD, but marginally in the chronic haloperidol group before CBD. There was increased antioxidant activity in the sub-chronic group compared to the chronic group.