Good progress is being made in the search for ECT-related acute and medium-term cognitive side-effects by using the tests sensitive to detect memory dysfunction with parallel forms of the tasks (to counter practice effects on repeat testing). Our results on learning and memory in relation to ECT during treatment of depression did not bring forth any prolonged and significant bi-temporal ECT-related memory deficit.

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Introduction/Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that can reduce the quality of life. Personality traits and coping strategies are a significant factor in interpersonal variance regarding quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine relations between personality traits and coping strategies in patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) type MS, and to examine relations of personality traits, coping strategies and quality of life in patients with RR type MS. Methodology: Observational cross-sectional study included 66 patients (34 female and 32 male) with clinically definitive MS, based on the McDonald criteria. The following clinical scales were used to examine personality traits, coping strategies and quality of life: Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R), Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI) and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQOL-54). Results: The average age of the patients was 41.6 ± 7.1 years. Pearson correlation coefficient shows that with regards to coping strategies, the only positive relation exists with neuroticism (r=.502). The correlation is negative between neuroticism, passive coping strategies and quality of life with physical (r=-.284, p<0.05) and mental health (r=-.289, r=-0.358, p<0.05), meaning that the patients with a higher level of neuroticism, and who rely on passive coping strategies, have a worse quality of life. Conclusion: This research shows the importance of personality traits and coping strategy assessments in patients with RR type MS. Participation in cognitive-behavioral therapy, with an accent on active coping strategies, can improve the quality of life in patients with MS.

The possibility for war veterans to obtain the right to disability and financial compensation due to a diagnosis of PTSD might interfere with the proper diagnostic assessment and thus the treatment outcome. During the procedures for the obtention of these rights, exaggeration or simulation of symptoms are common. The quality of the diagnostic assessment of PTSD can be improved by applying evidence based standardized procedures.