Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Genome-Wide Association Analysis Of Major Depressive Disorder And Its Related Phenotypes., Nagesh Ramarao Aragam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a complex and chronic disease that ranks fourth as cause of disability worldwide. Thirteen to 14 million adults in the U.S. are believed to have MDD and an estimated 75% attempt suicide making MDD a major public health problem. Recently several genome-wide association (GWA) studies of MDD have been reported; however, few GWA studies focus on the analysis for MDD related phenotypes such as neuroticism and age at onset of MDD. The purpose of this study is to determine risk factors for MDD, identify genome-wide genetic variants affecting neuroticism and age at onset as quantitative …

Horticulture Group Therapy With Mentally Ill Older Adults, Kristen J. Hill

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

With a greatly increasing number of older adults due to advances in medical care, aU baby boomers in the United States will be 65 or older by 2029. As the number of older adults grows, so does the number of those with severe mental illness. Treatments are needed to address older adults with severe mental illness that include the negative side effects of medications. Due to the nature of severe mental illness, lower levels of required cognitive processing allows for those admitted to inpatient psychiatric settings to participate, including those with dementia. Horticulture therapy has proven useful to address severe …

Dysfunctional Attitudes And Low Self-Esteem Mediate The Effect Of Attachment Anxiety Priming On Depression, Cassandra C. Devito

Honors Theses

Previous studies regarding the relationship between attachment anxiety and depression and the mediating roles of dysfunctional attitudes and self-esteem have been correlational in nature. The current study used an experimental design to look at these relationships. Attachment style was determined using a shortened version of the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, and then either secure attachment, anxious attachment, or a control of grocery shopping was primed by instructing participants to write about one of the three scenarios. Dysfunctional attitudes were assessed, followed by state self-esteem and then state depression. Multiple regression analyses revealed that trait attachment anxiety and the anxiety …

The Neuropsychological Effects Of Combined Physical And Mental Exercise In Schizophrenia, Maggie M. Manning

Honors Theses

People suffering from severe mental disorders encounter many debilitating side effects. Those diagnosed with schizophrenia face a large number of challenges each day. Not only must they endure symptoms, like hallucinations and delusions, commonly associated with the illness, but their higher-level cognitive functioning is further impaired in numerous ways. People with schizophrenia, suffering from thought disorder, battle with a pattern of disorganized thinking in which seemingly simple tasks, i.e attention and memory, are difficult. Negative symptoms include the inability to establish social relationships, and hinder their everyday experiences, including work. Their extremely sedentary lifestyle also negatively impacts engagement in other …

The Hormonal Correlates Of Stress And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms In Female Veterans, Meghan Pierce

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

With the increase of female veterans serving in the military, a better understanding of posttraumatic stress disorder is needed to provide comprehensive treatment. This study examines salivary cortisol in female veterans with PTSD, female veterans without PTSD, civilian females with PTSD and healthy controls. The Posttraumatic Stress and Beck Depression Inventory-II were used to assess posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms. Saliva samples were collected at bedtime and awakening, as well as in response to the Trier Social Stress Test. Significant results were not found for diurnal cortisol levels [ F (3, 11)= .979, p < .05] or stress cortisol levels (F (3,12) = 1.140, p >.05). …

Does High Intensity Treadmill Therapy In Infants With Down Syndrome Contribute To Attaining Motor Milestones At An Earlier Age?, Rebekah E. Bennett

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not high intensity treadmill therapy is effective in helping children with Down syndrome attain motor milestones at an earlier age.

Does Fish Oil Supplementation (Omega-3 Pufa) Cause Mood Improvement In Adults With Depression, Lauren Cabana

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not “Does fish oil supplementation (omega-3 PUFA) cause mood improvement in adults with depression?”

Does Beta Amyloid Immunization Reduce Amyloid Plaques And Preserve Cognitive Function In Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease?, Andrea Sasin

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to examine the efficacy of beta amyloid immunization in reducing amyloid plaques and preserving cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

What Is The Safety And Efficacy Of Tarenflurbil (R-Flurbiprofen) In Mild To Moderate Alzheimer’S Disease?, Lauren Viscount

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine what is the safety and efficacy of Tarenflurbil (R-flubiprofen) in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease.

Public Opinions Of Schizophrenia, Amy Guiomard

Honors Theses

Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, behavior, and communication that last longer than 6 months (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). The symptoms of schizophrenia are often so severe that the individual is unable to function normally in society. The resulting erratic behavior, combined with misinformation about the disorder in general, leads to the negative stigma now associated with the disorder. The research presented here evaluates public stigmatization towards schizophrenics; it also explores the similarities between behavior due to racial stereotyping and behavior based on stigmatization of schizophrenics.

Effective Professional Development For Teachers Of Students With Autism, Erin Marie Torruella

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The number of students with autism is on the rise. The main treatment for children with autism is their education. It is essential that teachers are prepared to work with students with autism. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a teacher training workshop held by Area Education Agency 267. Fifty-one participants of the workshop training responded to a survey regarding their implementation of strategies learned, their understanding of the content and strategies learned, the change in their planning and delivery of instruction, and the impact on their students' achievement.

The study found that the training …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Positive Psychological Functioning And Depression, John Forbes

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

With unipolar depression one of the most disabling illnesses in the world, it is important to appropriately conceptualise this disorder in order to inform research, diagnosis, and treatment. While many psychological theories of depression include constructs of polarity, most research and diagnostic criteria have focused on a single dimension that concentrates on the presence of negative symptomatology. This is reflective of an illness model of mental health that predominantly considers the presence of negative symptoms in terms of mood, cognitions, behaviours, and overall functioning. Nevertheless, there is strong research evidence indicating that positive and negative aspects of psychological functioning are …