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In recent years, growing attention has been directed toward the early diagnosis and intervention of bipolar disorder (BD), driven by the recognition that timely clinical action may significantly alter the trajectory of the illness. Early identification of individuals at risk, as well as intervention during prodromal or subthreshold phases, offers the potential to delay onset, reduce episode severity, improve long-term outcomes, and possibly prevent the full manifestation of the disorder. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current literature on the early stages of BD, including clinical high-risk states, neurobiological and cognitive markers, and psychosocial indicators. It also explores the latest research findings and their implications for clinical practice, highlighting the importance of integrated approaches that combine biomarker discovery, risk stratification models, and youth-focused mental health services. Finally, the review discusses the ethical and practical challenges of early intervention and underscores the need for further longitudinal studies and personalized preventive strategies.

Neuroimaging has emerged as an innovative and essential tool for understanding the intricate relationship between brain development, emotions, and behavior. Investigating the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this interaction during the critical phase of brain maturation is crucial for promoting individual psychological well-being and mitigating the profound impact of mood disorders during childhood. This narrative scoping review synthesizes current pediatric neuroimaging evidence, filling a gap in the literature by integrating structural, functional, and emerging modalities, to provide clear translational pathways for clinical and behavioral observations. The contribution of major neuroimaging techniques, including fMRI, PET, DTI, and sMRI, is analyzed, emphasizing their ability to detect structural and functional alterations associated with mood disorders, enabling early diagnosis and personalized therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, the potential of these technologies to monitor the effects of psychotherapy is explored, demonstrating how such interventions can modulate neural circuits and enhance emotional processing. Despite significant advancements and growing interest, challenges remain, including the complexity of data interpretation, technological limitations, and ethical considerations related to the use of these interventions in pediatric populations. This review synthesizes the most recent scientific evidence, underscoring the potential of neuroimaging to improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes, while outlining future research directions aimed at enhancing interventions for children and adolescents with mood disorders.

Background: The widespread use of social media among children and adolescents has raised increasing concern about its potential impact on mental health. Given the unique neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities during adolescence, understanding how digital platforms influence psychiatric outcomes is critical. Objectives: This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between social media exposure and key psychiatric symptoms in youth, including depression, anxiety, body image disturbances, suicidality, and emotional dysregulation. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive narrative review of the literature, drawing from longitudinal, cross-sectional, and neuroimaging studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Specific attention was given to moderators (e.g., age, gender, and personality traits) and mediators (e.g., sleep, emotion regulation, and family context) influencing the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes. Results: Evidence indicates that certain patterns of social media use, especially passive or compulsive engagement, are associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and suicidal ideation. Adolescent girls, younger users, and those with low self-esteem or poor emotional regulation are particularly vulnerable. Neuroimaging studies show that social media activates reward-related brain regions, which may reinforce problematic use. Family support and digital literacy appear to mitigate negative effects. Conclusions: Social media use is not uniformly harmful; its psychological impact depends on how, why, and by whom it is used. Multilevel prevention strategies, including media education, parental involvement, and responsible platform design, are essential to support healthy adolescent development in the digital age.

Emotion dysregulation and altered interoceptive processing are increasingly recognized as core processes in eating disorder (ED) psychopathology. Difficulties in identifying, tolerating, and regulating negative emotional states may interact with reduced trust in bodily signals and distorted interpretation of hunger and satiety cues, contributing to maladaptive eating behaviors. The aim of this PRISMA-guided qualitative systematic review was to synthesize original empirical evidence on the interaction between emotion dysregulation and interoceptive processing in EDs, with particular attention to how emotional distress may be misinterpreted as physical hunger or food-related urges. A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus identified 78 records; after removal of duplicates and screening procedures, 24 original empirical studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Across ED presentations, emotion dysregulation consistently emerged as a central transdiagnostic process associated with symptom severity, impulsivity, maladaptive eating behaviors, and related risk outcomes. Interoceptive alterations were widely reported, particularly involving reduced body trust and distorted interpretation of internal sensations rather than a uniform deficit in interoceptive sensitivity. The reviewed studies also showed that emotional states and cognitive expectations may shape the appraisal of hunger and satiety cues, contributing to the misinterpretation of emotional distress as physiological need across restrictive, binge-purge, and binge-eating presentations. The findings support a close interplay between emotion dysregulation and altered interoceptive processing in EDs and highlight the clinical relevance of interventions that integrate emotion regulation and interoceptive awareness to promote more adaptive eating behaviors.

Psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, are increasingly recognized as significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review systematically analyzes evidence from various databases to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of psychiatric illnesses on the incidence, management, and prognosis of CVD. Key findings suggest a bidirectional relationship between psychiatric disorders and CVD, indicating that mental health conditions can predispose individuals to CVD, while CVD can exacerbate or trigger psychiatric symptoms. The review explores the underlying mechanisms of these associations, including behavioral factors, stress responses, and medication side effects. It also examines the challenges in managing CVD patients with comorbid psychiatric conditions, emphasizing the importance for integrated care approaches. This review underscores the necessity of considering mental health as an integral component of cardiovascular care and calls for further research to develop tailored management strategies for these complex conditions, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights for future investigations and guides clinicians in optimizing care for patients with both psychiatric and cardiovascular conditions.

ObjectivesTo investigate caregivers and patients characteristics related to different dimensions of burden in Parkinson’s disease (PD).Methods55 pairs of PD patients and caregivers were recruited. The burden was evaluated with the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). Multivariate analysis was applied to evaluate the impact of caregivers’ and patients’ characteristics on the varying aspects of burden.ResultsADL score was the dominant predictor for the total score and all dimensions of CBI, except for the social burden, which is strongly predicted by the motor severity of PD. As one can easily imagine, the Total CBI decreases as the ADL score increases.DiscussionAn increased appreciation for characteristics of caregiver burden is a fundamental aspect of the patient’s global evaluation. Clinicians may need to directly probe for these factors in the caregiver as they may not be elicited routinely.

Background: The advent of digital technology has significantly altered ways of writing. While typing has become the dominant mode of written communication, handwriting remains a fundamental human skill, and its profound impact on cognitive processes continues to be a topic of intense scientific scrutiny. Methods: This paper investigates the neural mechanisms underlying handwriting and typing, exploring the distinct cognitive and neurological benefits associated with each. By synthesizing findings from neuroimaging studies, we explore how handwriting and typing differentially activate brain regions associated with motor control, sensory perception, and higher-order cognitive functions. Results: Handwriting activates a broader network of brain regions involved in motor, sensory, and cognitive processing. Typing engages fewer neural circuits, resulting in more passive cognitive engagement. Despite the advantages of typing in terms of speed and convenience, handwriting remains an important tool for learning and memory retention, particularly in educational contexts. Conclusions: This review contributes to the ongoing debate about the role of technology in education and cognitive development. By understanding the neural differences between handwriting and typing, we can gain insights into optimal learning strategies and potential cognitive advantages, in order to optimize educational, cognitive, and psychological methodologies.

Body image, a complex interplay of perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about one’s physical appearance, has been a subject of extensive research. It is a dynamic construct that evolves throughout a woman’s lifespan, influenced by a multitude of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. From adolescence, marked by the onset of puberty and societal pressures to conform to specific beauty standards, to adulthood and the physical changes associated with aging, women’s body image undergoes significant transformations. Aging is a universal process that affects all organs, including the female genitalia. The vaginal tract undergoes significant atrophy due to declining estrogen levels, particularly during and after menopause. Aesthetic gynecology offers a range of procedures to address both functional and aesthetic concerns related to aging genitalia. Aesthetic gynecology, a burgeoning field within women’s health, provides various procedures aimed at enhancing genital appearance and function. It also helps balance the hormonal and anatomical changes that every woman experiences over time. The goal is to strengthen each patient’s intimate well-being and self-esteem, enabling them to experience intimacy peacefully. While often driven by concerns about physical attractiveness and sexual satisfaction, the psychological implications of these procedures are complex and multifaceted. It is crucial to recognize the interplay between psychological factors and the decision to undergo these procedures. Collaboration between surgeons and mental health professionals can ensure that candidates are psychologically prepared and have realistic expectations. By adopting a patient-centered approach and conducting rigorous research, healthcare providers can ensure that aesthetic gynecology is used as a tool for empowerment rather than exploitation. This article explores the intricate relationship between psychological well-being and aesthetic gynecology, examining how these procedures can impact body image, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.

Mental illnesses can have a significant impact on individuals experiencing acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Mental illnesses are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk profile and early onset of cardiovascular disease. A critical aspect of this interplay is the effect of psychiatric conditions on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), a key parameter in evaluating cardiac function and predicting long-term outcomes in ACS patients. The present single-center, retrospective study investigated the associations between psychiatric conditions and cardiac function, with a focus on LVEF in ACS patients. The inclusion criteria were Italian nationality and 30 years or older. One hundred and sixty-four patients without (Mage = 68.8 ± 10.6, 62 females) and 161 patients with a psychiatric diagnosis (Mage = 68.4 ± 13.7, 63 females) were enrolled. The data collected included sociodemographic variables, psychiatric diagnoses, LVEF, ACS type (STEMI/NSTEMI), smoking status, previous interventions, and pharmacological treatments. Statistical analyses included chi-square, t-tests, ANOVAs, and ANCOVA to assess differences across groups. Findings revealed lower LVEF in patients with a psychiatric diagnosis compared to patients without a psychiatric diagnosis (p = 0.004, d = 0.36). Patients without a psychiatric diagnosis were associated with NSTEMI (p = 0.047, φ = 0.11), hypertension (p = 0.003, φ = −0.16), and dyslipidemia (p = 0.022, φ = −0.13). In contrast, patients with a psychiatric diagnosis were associated with STEMI (p = 0.047, φ = 0.11), neurological dysfunction (p = 0.014, φ = 0.14), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.010, φ = 0.14). Among psychiatric diagnoses, anxiety disorders were associated with lower LVEF compared to substance abuse disorders (p = 0.012, d = −0.81). The findings underscore the complex relationship between mental illness and cardiac function, emphasising the need to integrate psychiatric evaluations into cardiology care to optimise the management of both mental and cardiovascular health. This study has several limitations, including its design, which prevents causal conclusions, and the use of convenience sampling, which limits the generalizability of the findings.

Objective A high proportion of patients presenting to Emergency Departments (EDs) consists of vulnerable elderly people. Mental illnesses are frequently related to advancing age, with difficult to detect symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate psychiatric drug use by geriatric patients in an ED for whom a psychiatric consultation was needed, according to their psychopathology and severity of outcome. Methods During 2014 to 2023, 342 aged patients (35.96% men and 64.04% women; median age = 73 years, range 68–79 years) sought help at the ED of our hospital and required psychiatric consultation. Results Male sex, nonsuicidal self‐harm, and access through emergency medical services were predictors of >48‐h ED stay/hospital admission (the main severity outcome). Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and psychotic disorders were more socially disadvantaged and with significantly longer length of stay at the ED than the other groups. Additionally, BD patients had more psychiatric drug prescriptions at discharge than patients in the other diagnostic groups. Current nonsuicidal self‐harm emerged as a predictor of >48‐h ED stay/hospital admission. Conclusions Future studies should focus on investigating suicide risk in ED contexts, on correct diagnosing and on prescription appropriateness of medications in older adults with psychiatric disorders referring to the ED so to tailor‐cut treatment on individual patients' needs. Relevant to Clinical Practice This study highlights the significant impact of psychiatric conditions on healthcare utilization among elderly patients presenting to the ED. The findings emphasize the need for improved diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders, medication optimization, and tailored treatment approaches. Highlights What is the primary question addressed by this study? Investigation on psychotropic drugs prescriptions and treatment outcomes of geriatric patients in an Emergency Department (ED) for whom a psychiatric consultation was needed. What is the main finding of this study? Male sex and bipolar/psychotic diagnoses were associated with worse outcome. Nonsuicidal self‐harm predicted longer ED stay and hospitalization and bipolar disorder was associated with higher psychopharmacological prescription rates. What is the meaning of the finding? Older patients with psychiatric disorders who refer to the ED need a careful management and a tailored care specifically adapted to clinical and psychopathological characteristics.