Papers by stefano ferracuti
Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1999
Rorschachiana: Journal of The International Society for The Rorschach, 1997
Neuroscience Letters, 1997
The corneal reflex, a bilateral eye-blink, can be elicited in humans either by mechanical or elec... more The corneal reflex, a bilateral eye-blink, can be elicited in humans either by mechanical or electrical corneal stimulation. Both in comatose patients and in normal subjects injected with the opiate fentanyl, the electrically-evoked corneal reflex was more suppressed than the mechanically-evoked reflex. We propose that the mechanical input yields a reflex more resistant to depression of the corticoreticular drive and to narcotic analgesia, because it exploits temporal summation at central synapses, whereas the electrical input exploits spatial summation.
Psychopharmacology, 2001
Rationale: Pain is a complex phenomenon with a strong affective-emotional component in addition t... more Rationale: Pain is a complex phenomenon with a strong affective-emotional component in addition to a sensory-discriminative one. This causes the activation of multiple brain areas, which process different aspects of pain simultaneously. Objectives: We investigated the effects of diazepam (DZ) on a well-known pattern of brain regions activated by cold, tonic pain stimuli. Methods: Quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) was assessed by single photon emission tomography (SPET) and the Xe-133 inhalatory method, at rest and during tonic pain activation in eight normal, right-handed, male volunteers. The cold pressor test (CPT) was performed by immersion of the left hand in cold water twice, first during CPT alone, and again 30 min after intravenous administration of diazepam (CPT+DZ). Results: During CPT we observed a significant CBF increase in the right thalamus, primary sensory-motor cortex (S1/M1), frontal and temporal regions, and in the left temporal region and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). During CPT+DZ, the average CBF was significantly lower than during the CPT state (–11%, P<0.05). After normalisation, during CPT+DZ we again observed a significant CBF increase in the right thalamus, S1/M1 and frontal regions, and in the left ACC, though not in the temporal regions. DZ administration first causes a global reduction in CBF, then modifies the pattern of brain activation. Conclusions: During CPT, activation of the temporal regions has been interpreted as part of the affective-emotional component of pain response. DZ seems to affect the "pain-related" pattern of activation by abolishing the CBF increase in the temporal regions, without, however, modifying the pain perception or determining a sedating effect.
Experientia, 1992
Piroxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with a potent analgesic effect. In order to es... more Piroxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with a potent analgesic effect. In order to establish whether the analgesic action of Piroxicam has a central component, we studied the effect of the drug on the nociceptive orbicularis oculi reflexes evoked by electrical stimulation of the cornea and supraorbital nerve in healthy subjects. Piroxicam significantly suppressed the corneal reflex and R3 component of the blink reflex by 28% (p<0.05) and 50% (p<0.01), respectively. This effect was not reversed by the i.v. injection of naloxone. Beta-endorphin levels did not change. Piroxicam administration induces distinct inhibitory changes in nociceptive reflexes, which suggests that the analgesic action of the drug has a central component. The ineffectiveness of naloxone, and the lack of beta-endorphin changes, indicate that this central action is independent of the opioid system; other pain regulatory systems are probably involved.
Brain Research, 1991
The corneal reflex and the three components of the blink reflex (R1, R2, and R3) were recorded el... more The corneal reflex and the three components of the blink reflex (R1, R2, and R3) were recorded electromyographically in volunteers. The area of these responses was measured before and after administration of the narcotic-analgesic fentanyl (1.5 mg i.m.) and its antagonist naloxone, and after administration of the benzodiazepine diazeparn (10 mg i.v.) and its antagonist flumazenil. Saline was given as a control placebo. The corneal reflex was 71% reduced by fentanyl, 43% by diazepam. R1 was 35% reduced and R2 was 60% reduced by diazepam. R3 was abolished by both drugs. Whereas the fentanyl-induced changes were completely reversed by naloxone, the diazepam-induced changes were only partly reversed by flumazenil. The corneal reflex appears to be a 'nociceptive' reflex under all points of view. Recording of the orbicularis oculi reflexes in man may be valuable in the evaluation of central-acting neurotropic drugs.
Pain, 1990
AIM OF INVESTIGATION: Although psychophysiological processes have been repeatedly implicated in t... more AIM OF INVESTIGATION: Although psychophysiological processes have been repeatedly implicated in the maintenance of chronic pain syndromes, there are few conclusive research results. The purpose of this study was the investigation of psychophysiological characteristics of patients suffering from either chronic back pain (CBP) or temporomandibular pain and dysfunction (TMPDS). Adequate methodology was one of the major objectives in this study.
RORSCHACH FINDINGS FOR PATIENTS WITH PSEUDOSEIZURES
Psychological Reports, 1999
This study used the Rorschach test to investigate the possible differences between a carefully se... more This study used the Rorschach test to investigate the possible differences between a carefully selected group of 16 patients with pseudoseizures, defined as spontaneous behavior resembling partial complex epilepsy and with or without tonic clonic generalization, and a group of 12 epileptic patients with partial complex seizures. Analysis of the structural data of protocols does not support a significant difference in the Rorschach findings between the two groups.
Prädiktion des Suizidrisikos bei bipolar und unipolar depressiven Patienten
Nervenarzt, 2011
The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of personality and affective temperament traits i... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of personality and affective temperament traits in the prediction of suicide risk in mood disorders. The participants were 147 psychiatric inpatients with bipolar disorders I and II and major depressive disorder. Patients undertook the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego self-rating questionnaire, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Sixty-four subjects were diagnosed with increased suicidal risk based on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Logistic regression analysis resulted in two models predictive of MINI-based suicidal risk: irritable temperament and the MMPI-2 scale. Multiple regression analysis further indicated that higher hyperthymic values are protective against hopelessness, while MINI-based suicidal intent is a predictor of hopelessness. Personality and affective temperament traits may have a role in the prediction of suicide.
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2011
Background: Patients with white matter hyperintensities (WMH) may be at higher risk for affective... more Background: Patients with white matter hyperintensities (WMH) may be at higher risk for affective disorders and suicide. Affective temperaments may play a significant role in mood disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the eventual association between WMH, affective temperaments and suicidal behaviour in major affective disorder. Methods: A total of 318 patients with major affective disorders were consecutively admitted as psychiatric inpatient. A total of 247 were included and given, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assessed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS 17 ), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS-A). Results: A total of 48% of patients had periventricular WMH (PWMH) and 39% of them had deep WMH (DWMH). Patients with higher dysthymia and lower hyperthymia (H-DCIA group) were more likely to have higher BHS scores (BHS ≥ 9 = 77% vs. 52%; p N 0.001), more WMH (46% vs. 29%; χ 2 n = 3 =9.90; p b 0.05), higher MINI suicidal risk (54% vs. 42%; p b 0.05), and more recent suicide attempts (24% vs. 14%; p b 0.05), than patients with higher hyperthymia and lower dysthymia (H-H group).
Rorschachiana: Journal of The International Society for The Rorschach, 2005
Prädiktion des Suizidrisikos bei bipolar und unipolar depressiven Patienten
Nervenarzt, 2009
Ziel Die Studie will den Einfluss des Temperaments und der Persönlichkeit auf das Suizidrisiko be... more Ziel Die Studie will den Einfluss des Temperaments und der Persönlichkeit auf das Suizidrisiko bei Patienten mit affektiven Störungen erfassen. Methode Die Stichprobe bestand aus 147 stationären psychiatrischen Patienten mit der Diagnose einer bipolaren Störung 1, 2 oder einer unipolaren Depression. Die Patienten wurden mit Hilfe des Selbstbeurteilungsfragebogens Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS-A), des Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) und der Beck Hopelessness Scale untersucht. Ergebnisse Vierundsechzig Personen wurden mittels des Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interviews (MINI) einem hohen Suizidrisiko zugeordnet. Eine logistische Regressionsanalyse ergab zwei Prädiktoren für das mittels MINI erfasste Suizidrisiko: Das reizbare Temperament und die Schizophrenie-Skala des MMPI-2. Des Weiteren erbrachte eine multiple Regressionsanalyse, dass ein höherer Wert beim hyperthymen Temperament vor Hoffnungslosigkeit schützt, während die mittels MINI erfasste Suizidtendenz einen Prädiktor für Hoffnungslosigkeit darstellt. Schlussfolgerung Persönlichkeitsmerkmale und Charakteristika des affektiven Temperaments beeinflussen aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach das Suizidrisiko. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of personality and affective temperament traits in the prediction of suicide risk in mood disorders. Methods The participants were 147 psychiatric inpatients with bipolar disorders I and II and major depressive disorder. Patients undertook the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego self-rating questionnaire, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Results Sixty-four subjects were diagnosed with increased suicidal risk based on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Logistic regression analysis resulted in two models predictive of MINI-based suicidal risk: irritable temperament and the MMPI-2 scale. Multiple regression analysis further indicated that higher hyperthymic values are protective against hopelessness, while MINI-based suicidal intent is a predictor of hopelessness. Conclusions Personality and affective temperament traits may have a role in the prediction of suicide.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2010
Suicide is an escalating public health problem, and alcohol use has consistently been implicated ... more Suicide is an escalating public health problem, and alcohol use has consistently been implicated in the precipitation of suicidal behavior. Alcohol abuse may lead to suicidality through disinhibition, impulsiveness and impaired judgment, but it may also be used as a means to ease the distress associated with committing an act of suicide. We reviewed evidence of the relationship between alcohol use and suicide through a search of MedLine and PsychInfo electronic databases. Multiple genetically-related intermediate phenotypes might influence the relationship between alcohol and suicide. Psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, mood disorders and anxiety disorders, as well as
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2012
Functional neuroimaging studies show that hypnosis affects attention by modulating anterior cingu... more Functional neuroimaging studies show that hypnosis affects attention by modulating anterior cingulate cortex activation and uncoupling conflict monitoring and cognitive control function. Considering functional changes in the activation of the occipital and temporal cortices, precuneus, and other extrastriate visual areas, which account for hypnosis-induced altered reality perception, the role of mental imagery areas appears to be central under hypnosis. This is further stressed by the fact that motor commands are processed differently in the normal conscious state, deviating toward the precuneus and extrastriate visual areas. Functional neuroimaging also shows that posthypnotic suggestions alter cognitive processes. Further research should investigate the effects of hypnosis on other executive functions and personality measures.Studien über funktionelle Neurobildgebung zeigen, daß Hypnose die Aufmerksamkeit durch Modulation der Aktivierung des vorderen cingulären Cortex beeinflußt wie auch die Loslösung der Konfliktüberwachung und der kognitiven Kontrollfunktion. Bedenkt man funktionelle Änderungen in der Aktivierung der occipitalen und temporalen Korteces, Precuneus und anderen extrastriatalen visuellen Areale, die für die Hypnose-induzierten veränderten Realitätswahrnehmung grundlegend sind, scheint die Rolle derjenigen Areale, die für mentale Bilder zuständig sind, unter Hypnose von zentraler Bedeutung zu sein. Dies wird weiterhin durch die Tatsache unterstützt, daß motorische Befehle im normalen Bewußtseinszustand anders verarbeitet werden und sich in Richtung der precunären und extrastriatalen visuellen Areale verschieben. Die funktionelle Neurobildgebung zeigt außerdem, daß posthypnotische Suggestionen kognitive Prozesse verändern. Weiterführende Forschungen sollten die Effekte von Hypnose auch andere ausführende Funktionen und Persönlichkeitsmerkmale untersuchen.Stephanie Reigel, MDDes études sur la neuroimagerie fonctionnelle montrent que l'hypnose influence l'attention en modulant l'activation du cortex cingulaire antérieur et en découplant la fonction de monitorage de conflit et celle de contrôle cognitif. Étant donné les changements fonctionnels survenant dans l'activation des cortex occipital et temporal, le précunéus et d'autres aires visuelles extrastriées, lesquelles expliquent l'altération de la perception de la réalité induite par l'hypnose, le rôle des aires relatives à l'imagerie mentale semble être central lorsqu'un sujet est en état d'hypnose. Cela est par ailleurs démontré par le fait que les commandes motrices sont traitées distinctement durant un état conscient normal; elles dévient en effet vers le précunéus et les aires visuelles extrastriées. La neuroimagerie fonctionnelle montre également que les suggestions post-hypnotiques influencent les processus cognitifs. D'autres recherches devraient permettre d'étudier les effets de l'hypnose sur différentes fonctions exécutives et mesures de la personnalité.Johanne Reynault C. Tr. (STIBC) Estudios de neuroimagen funcional muestran que la hipnosis afecta la atención modulando la activación de la corteza anterior cingular y al desacoplar las funciones de monitoreo de conflictos y control cognitivo. Considerando los cambios funciones en la activación de las cortezas occipital y temporal, precúneo, y otras áreas visuales extraestriadas, que explican la percepción alterada de la realidad hipnóticamente inducida, el papel de las áreas de imágenes mentales parece ser central bajo hipnosis. Esto se enfatiza todavía más por el hecho de que las órdenes motoras se procesan de forma distinta en el estado normal de conciencia, desviándose hace el precúneo y las áreas visuales extraestriadas. La neuroimagen funcional también muestra que las sugerencias poshipnóticas alteran los procesos cognitivos. Investigaciones futuras deberían investigar los efectos de la hipnosis en otras funciones ejecutivas y mediciones de personalidad.Omar Sánchez-Armáss Cappello, PhD Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Child Abuse & Neglect, 2011
Objective: The reliability of child witness testimony in sexual abuse cases is often controversia... more Objective: The reliability of child witness testimony in sexual abuse cases is often controversial, and few tools are available. Criteria-Based Content Analysis (CBCA) is a widely used instrument for evaluating psychological credibility in cases of suspected child sexual abuse. Only few studies have evaluated CBCA scores in children suspected of being sexually abused. We designed this study to investigate the reliability of CBCA in discriminating allegations of child sexual abuse during court hearings, by comparing CBCA results with the court's final, unappealable sentence. We then investigated whether CBCA scores correlated with age, and whether some criteria were better than others in distinguishing cases of confirmed and unconfirmed abuse. Methods: From a pool of 487 child sexual abuse cases, confirmed and unconfirmed cases were selected using various criteria including child IQ ≥ 70, agreement between the final trial outcome and the opinion of 3 experts, presence of at least 1 independent validating informative component in cases of confirmed abuse, and absence of suggestive questions during the child's testimonies. This screening yielded a study sample of 60 confirmed and 49 unconfirmed cases. The 14 item version of CBCA was applied to child witness testimony by 2 expert raters. Results: Of the 14 criteria tested, 12 achieved satisfactory inter-rater agreement (Maxwell's Random Error). Analyses of covariance, with case group (confirmed vs. unconfirmed) and gender as independent variables and age as a covariate, showed no main effect of gender. Analyses of the interaction showed that the simple effects of abuse were significant in both sex. Nine CBCA criteria were satisfied more often among confirmed than unconfirmed cases; seven criteria increased with age. Conclusion: CBCA scores distinguish between confirmed and unconfirmed cases. The criteria that distinguish best between the 2 groups are Quantity of Details, Interactions, and Subjective Experience. CBCA scores correlate positively with age, and independently from abuse; all the criteria test except 2 (Unusual Details and Misunderstood Details) increase with age. The agreement rate could be increased by merging criteria Unusual and Superfluous details that achieve a low inter-rater agreement when investigated separately. Practice implication: Given its ability to distinguish between confirmed and unconfirmed cases of suspected child abuse, the CBCA could be a useful tool for expert opinion. Because our strict selection criteria make it difficult to generalize our results, further studies should investigate whether the CBCA is equally useful in the cases we excluded from our study (for example mental retardation).
Predicting risk of suicide in bipolar and unipolar depression: Correlation between temperament and personality
Nervenarzt, 2009
Ziel Die Studie will den Einfluss des Temperaments und der Persönlichkeit auf das Suizidrisiko be... more Ziel Die Studie will den Einfluss des Temperaments und der Persönlichkeit auf das Suizidrisiko bei Patienten mit affektiven Störungen erfassen. Methode Die Stichprobe bestand aus 147 stationären psychiatrischen Patienten mit der Diagnose einer bipolaren Störung 1, 2 oder einer unipolaren Depression. Die Patienten wurden mit Hilfe des Selbstbeurteilungsfragebogens Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS-A), des Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) und der Beck Hopelessness Scale untersucht. Ergebnisse Vierundsechzig Personen wurden mittels des Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interviews (MINI) einem hohen Suizidrisiko zugeordnet. Eine logistische Regressionsanalyse ergab zwei Prädiktoren für das mittels MINI erfasste Suizidrisiko: Das reizbare Temperament und die Schizophrenie-Skala des MMPI-2. Des Weiteren erbrachte eine multiple Regressionsanalyse, dass ein höherer Wert beim hyperthymen Temperament vor Hoffnungslosigkeit schützt, während die mittels MINI erfasste Suizidtendenz einen Prädiktor für Hoffnungslosigkeit darstellt. Schlussfolgerung Persönlichkeitsmerkmale und Charakteristika des affektiven Temperaments beeinflussen aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach das Suizidrisiko. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of personality and affective temperament traits in the prediction of suicide risk in mood disorders. Methods The participants were 147 psychiatric inpatients with bipolar disorders I and II and major depressive disorder. Patients undertook the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego self-rating questionnaire, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Results Sixty-four subjects were diagnosed with increased suicidal risk based on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Logistic regression analysis resulted in two models predictive of MINI-based suicidal risk: irritable temperament and the MMPI-2 scale. Multiple regression analysis further indicated that higher hyperthymic values are protective against hopelessness, while MINI-based suicidal intent is a predictor of hopelessness. Conclusions Personality and affective temperament traits may have a role in the prediction of suicide.
Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2010
Abstract: In Italy, the “silent-consent” principle of donor’s willingness regulates organ donati... more Abstract: In Italy, the “silent-consent” principle of donor’s willingness regulates organ donation for postmortem transplantation, but civil incompetence excludes it. We investigated decisional capacity for organ donation for transplantation of 30 controls and 30 nonincompetent patients with schizophrenia as related to clinical symptoms, cognition, and functioning. Assessments were carried out through the Competence for Donation Assessment Scale (CDAS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, Life Skills Profile (LSP), Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Rey RI, Rey RD, and Visual Search. Patients and controls differed on the CDAS Understanding and Choice Expression areas. Patients showed significant inverse bivariate correlations between CDAS Understanding and scores on total BPRS, LSP self-care scale, and RCPM cognitive test. Our results show that decisional capacity for participating in research does not predict decisional capacity for postmortem organ donation in patients with schizophrenic or schizoaffective psychosis; hence, before judging consent for donation, patients must be provided with enhanced information to better understand this delicate issue.
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Papers by stefano ferracuti