Browsing by Author "Rocha, Nuno Barbosa"
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- An overview of the clinical uses, pharmacology, and safety of modafinilPublication . Murillo-Rodríguez, Eric; Veras, André Barciela; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Budde, Henning; Machado, Sérgio; Rocha, NunoModafinil (MOD) is a wakefulness-inducing compound prescribed for treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness as a consequence of sleep disturbances such as shift work sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or narcolepsy. While providing effective results in patients with sleepiness, MOD also produces positive outcomes in the management of fatigue associated with different conditions including depression, cancer, or tiredness in military personnel. Although there is clear evidence of the stimulant effects of MOD, current data also show that administration of this drug apparently induces positive neurobiological effects, such as improvement in memory. However, serious concerns have been raised since some reports have suggested MOD dependence. Taken together, these findings highlight the need to characterize the changes induced by MOD which have been observed in several neurobiological functions. Moreover, further work should follow up on the likely long-term effects of this drug if used for treatment of drowsiness and tiredness. Here, we review and summarize recent findings of the medical uses of MOD in the management of sleepiness and fatigue associated with depression or cancer as well as exhaustion in military personnel. We also discuss the available literature related with the cognitive enhancing properties of this stimulant, as well as what is known and unknown about MOD addiction.
- Cardiac interoceptive processing across psychopathy dimensions: evidence from the heartbeat tapping task and the attentional modulation of heartbeat-evoked potentialsPublication . Campos, Carlos; Sá, Catarina; Mazer, Prune; Pasion, Rita; Garcez, Helena; Paiva, Tiago O.; Braga, Patrícia Vilela; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Barbosa, Fernando; Rocha, Nuno; Campos, CarlosPsychopathy is a multidimensional personality structure encompassing interpersonal, affective, and behavioral traits. Interoception (ability to perceive and subjectively experience inner bodily states) may be a putative mechanism underlying the etiological pathways of psychopathy. Individual differences in interoceptive processing across psychopathy dimensions may interfere with the ability to perceive somatic sensations that signal the emotional valence of everyday events. To examine the association between psychopathy dimensions (triarchic phenotypes - boldness, meanness, and disinhibition; classical 4-facets - interpersonal, affective, impulsive, antisocial) and cardiac interoceptive processing, namely objectively measured cardiac interoceptive attention and accuracy. Fifty community-dwelling participants (25 women) were recruited and completed: (a) self-report measures indexing psychopathy, trait-based interoceptive attention and accuracy, and alexithymia; (b) modified Heartbeat Tapping Task to index cardiac interoceptive accuracy, where subjects were required to tap after each heartbeat under rest and breath hold conditions (the latter enhanced the magnitude of cardiac signals); (c) modified Heartbeat Attention Task for producing an attentional modulation of heartbeat-evoked potentials (HEP) - neuronal markers of cardiac interoceptive processing - where subjects were required to allocate their attention on their heart vs. an exteroceptive stimulus (objective measure of interoceptive attention). Cardiac interoception was only significantly related to boldness traits. Boldness was positively associated with cardiac interoceptive accuracy after the breath hold manipulation (non-significant after controlling for heart rate), despite no significant effects being observed at rest. Boldness was also negatively correlated with the attentional modulation of HEP due to atypical neuronal responses when allocating attentional resources to the heart. The current findings implicate cardiac interoception in the boldness phenotype, as this psychopathy dimension was associated with enhanced interoceptive-specific perceptual sensitivity and atypical neuronal responses to cardiac afferent inputs when attending to heart-related sensations. Future studies should examine how other interoceptive modalities (e.g., respiratory, gastric) are implicated in psychopathy.
- Dissociating cognitive and affective empathy across psychopathy dimensions: the role of interoception and alexithymiaPublication . Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Barbosa, FernandoThis study examined the associations between psychopathy dimensions (triarchic phenotypes and classical factors), empathy domains (cognitive and affective), and interoception (interoceptive attention and accuracy) while accounting for the putative role of alexithymia. A community sample (n = 515) completed an online survey encompassing: Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (boldness, meanness, disinhibition); Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (primary and secondary psychopathy); Body Perception Questionnaire (interoceptive attention); Interoceptive Accuracy Scale; Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Hierarchical linear regression models were implemented for hypothesis-driven analyses examining the associations between psychopathy, empathy, and interoception while controlling for sex, age, and alexithymia. Exploratory path models were employed to investigate alexithymia and/or cognitive empathy as mediators between interoception and psychopathy. Our results largely confirmed the postulated empathy profiles across psychopathy dimensions, as meanness and primary psychopathy displayed a broad empathy impairment, while disinhibition and secondary psychopathy were only associated with diminished cognitive empathy. Importantly, boldness displayed a unique pattern (enhanced cognitive empathy and reduced affective empathy), further reinforcing its importance within the constellation of psychopathy traits. Contrary to our hypotheses, self-perceived interoceptive attention and accuracy were not associated with either psychopathy dimension after controlling for alexithymia. However, interoceptive accuracy and alexithymia were associated with cognitive empathy, while alexithymia was also positively related to all psychopathy dimensions (as expected), despite the unexpected strong and negative association with boldness. Exploratory analyses suggested significant indirect effects (mediation) between interoceptive accuracy and psychopathy via alexithymia and/or cognitive empathy. These mediating effects must be interpreted with caution and future studies should be designed to formally test this model.
- Does attention to cardiac sensations modulate heartbeat-evoked potentials even after controlling for cognitive demands?Publication . Braga, Patrícia Vilela; Vieira, Beatriz; Carina, Fernandes; Barbosa, Fernando; Santos, Fernando Ferreira; Pereira, Mariana R.; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Mazer, Prune; Pasion, Rita; Schütz-Bosbach, Simone; Paiva, Tiago Oliveira; Campos, Carlos; Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno; Mazer, PruneHeartbeat-evoked potentials (HEP) have been shown to be modulated by attentional focus (cardiac vs. exteroceptive attention), suggesting that HEP are a neural correlate of interoceptive prediction errors. However, this effect has not been consistently replicated, and differences in cognitive effort when contrasting interoceptive vs. exteroceptive attention may be a confounding factor. We devised a modified Heartbeat Attention Task to examine whether cardiac attention can modulate HEP amplitude even when cognitive demands are matched across interoceptive and exteroceptive conditions. In exteroceptive blocks, subjects were required to count subtle bursts of volume increase embedded within a continuous white noise. The bursts’ volume was individually tailored for each participant (near absolute threshold) and were presented in a rhythmic pattern replicating a typical heart rate. In interoceptive blocks, participants were asked to count their heartbeats, whilst the white noise was still presented, ensuring that the neural effects were driven by the attention shift rather than sensory changes. The task was first completed by 50 participants (25F; 28.44y) during a 9-electrode EEG recording: frontal, central and parietal sites. No significant differences were found regarding counted heartbeats (M=122.00) vs white noise bursts (M=118.86) as well as on perceived attentional efforts (heart M=65.00 vs bursts M=67.00), indicating similar task demands across conditions. No significant differences between conditions were found on HEP amplitude across all electrodes (p > .137 for all), suggesting no attentional modulation of HEP amplitude after accounting for cognitive demands. Due to the reduced number of electrodes, a follow-up sample of 26 participants (13F; 21.73y) completed the task using a new EEG geodesic 64-channel sensor net. This dataset is currently under processing and will allow for a more comprehensive data-driven analytic approach (cluster-based permutation test) to ensure whether the attentional modulation of HEP amplitude is indeed absent when accounting for cognitive demands.
- Estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua: fundamentos teóricos, guião prático & aplicação na doença mental e neurológicaPublication . Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Sá, CristianaEste manual de apoio à aprendizagem foi elaborado com o objetivo de dar suporte às unidades curriculares relacionadas com temas avançados de reabilitação dos ciclos de estudos de Licenciatura e Mestrado em Terapia Ocupacional da Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, podendo ser igualmente utilizado noutros ciclos de estudos nas áreas de Terapia e Reabilitação e de Fisiologia Clínica. Consiste num guia compreensivo sobre a utilização da estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua como ferramenta de intervenção para a prestação de cuidados de saúde e reabilitação na doença mental e neurológica, abrangendo os seus fundamentos básicos, procedimentos de aplicação prática e segurança, parametrização de protocolos (incluindo a utilização de modelos computacionais) e evidência atualizada sobre a sua eficácia.
- Interventions based on biofeedback systems to improve workers’ psychological well-being, mental health and safety: a systematic literature reviewPublication . Ferreira, Simão; Rodrigues, Matilde A.; Mateus, Catarina; Rodrigues, Pedro Pereira; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Ferreira, Simão; Rodrigues, Matilde; Mateus, Catarina; Rocha, NunoIn modern, high-speed work settings, the significance of mental health disorders is increasingly acknowledged as a pressing health issue, with potential adverse consequences for organizations, including reduced productivity and increased absenteeism. Over the past few years, various mental health management solutions, such as biofeedback applications, have surfaced as promising avenues to improve employees' mental well-being. To gain deeper insights into the suitability and effectiveness of employing biofeedback-based mental health interventions in real-world workplace settings, given that most research has predominantly been conducted within controlled laboratory conditions. A systematic review was conducted to identify studies that used biofeedback interventions in workplace settings. The review focused on traditional biofeedback, mindfulness, app-directed interventions, immersive scenarios, and in-depth physiological data presentation. The review identified nine studies employing biofeedback interventions in the workplace. Breathing techniques showed great promise in decreasing stress and physiological parameters, especially when coupled with visual and/or auditory cues. Future research should focus on developing and implementing interventions to improve well-being and mental health in the workplace, with the goal of creating safer and healthier work environments and contributing to the sustainability of organizations.
- Neurophysiological markers of cardiac interoceptive processing in expectant parents: a study with heartbeat-evoked potentialsPublication . Braga, Patrícia Vilela; Marshall, Amanda; Lamela, Diogo; Jongenelen, Inês; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Costa, Raquel; Pasion, Rita; Schütz-Bosbach, Simone; Pinto, Tiago Miguel; Feldman, Ruth; Campos, Carlos; Campos, Carlos; Rocha, NunoPregnancy and parenthood are associated with functional and morphological brain changes. Specifically, the parental caregiving network encompasses key structures implicated in interoception, that is, the ability to perceive and subjectively experience inner bodily states. Interoceptive processing may be critical for successful caregiving, allowing parents to integrate perceived changes in their own bodily states with information stemming from their child. Thus, it is feasible to hypothesize that pregnancy-related neurophysiological changes can modify interoception in expectant parents. Objective: To compare neural markers of cortical interoceptive processing (heartbeat-evoked potentials; HEP) between first-time expectant parents (mothers and fathers) and matched non-parents. First-time expectant heterosexual couples at 26-34 weeks gestational age (n = 70) and matched non-parents (n = 140, 70 female) will complete a multilevel interoception assessment protocol. Neural markers of interoception will be indexed by HEP, that is, neurophysiological responses to cardiac afferent inputs which are obtained through electroencephalography recordings (EEG) time-locked to electrocardiography events (ECG). HEP will be recorded while participants complete the Baby Face Repetition Suppression Paradigm in which sad or neutral infant facial expressions are either repeated or alternated in a 500 ms interstimulus interval. This manipulation induces an emotion-specific repetition modulation on HEP amplitude (differential effects for sad vs. neutral facial expressions). A condition with adult facial expressions will be employed to examine domain-general vs. infant-specific effects. Expectant parents will display increased allocation of neural resources to interoceptive inputs (larger repetition-induced HEP modulation) in contrast to non-parents, particularly when considering infant facial expressions. Effect sizes will be larger when contrasting sad vs. neutral infant facial expressions. Findings from this pioneering study will provide further understanding of the parental brain and the role of interoception during pregnancy, contributing to the comprehension of complex processes involved in caregiving and the development of the parent-infant bond.
- Neurophysiological markers of cardiac interoceptive processing in first-time expectant mothersPublication . Braga, Patrícia Vilela; Marshall, Amanda; Lamela, Diogo; Jongenelen, Inês; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Costa, Raquel; Pasion, Rita; Schütz-Bosbach, Simone; Pinto, Tiago Miguel; Feldman, Ruth; Campos, Carlos; Campos, Carlos; Rocha, NunoPregnancy is a complex biological phenomenon where two distinct pathways may produce changes in interoception (ability to perceive and subjectively experience inner bodily states). First, pregnancy modifies the parental caregiving brain network, which includes key regions for interoceptive processing, particularly the insula. Second, pregnancy also changes the strength, frequency, and/or nature of interoceptive signals across different modalities (e.g., cardiac, respiratory, gastric). This study investigates pregnancy-related changes in neural markers of cortical interoceptive processing, specifically heartbeat-evoked potentials (HEP), by comparing first-time expectant mothers with non-pregnant, age-matched females. Data were collected from first-time expectant mothers (n = 13; Mage = 32.15 years) and matched controls (n = 8; mean age = 30.88 years) at 28–32 weeks of gestation. EEG recordings, time-locked to R-peaks (ECG), were obtained while participants completed the Infant Face Repetition Suppression Task. This paradigm was designed to induce an emotion (sad vs. neutral) and age-specific (infant vs. adult) modulation of HEP amplitude. A cluster mass permutation test was employed to identify the electrodes and time-windows where HEP amplitude was effectively modulated (right frontal-central; 308 - 600 ms). Repetition-suppression effects on HEP amplitude were observed for adult stimuli (p = .049, d = 0.499), while no modulation was observed in the infant condition (p = .471, d = 0.174). Pregnant participants displayed significantly lower HEP amplitude in adult trials in comparison to non-pregnant controls (p = .046, g = 0.997). Despite significant differences only emerging in the adult trials, pregnant women displayed lower HEP amplitude across all conditions. These findings suggest that pregnancy modifies cardiac interoceptive processing, leading to an overall decrease in HEP amplitude. Contrary to our hypothesis, expectant mothers did not exhibit infant- or emotion-specific changes in neural markers of cardiac interoception.
- The relationship between childhood abuse and adult attachment styles: the mediator role of sensory over-responsivityPublication . Silva, Alexandra; Ferreira, Simão; Pinto, Élia Silva; Rocha, Susana Aguiar; Rocha, Nuno BarbosaChild abuse portrays health and well-being issues that can last for several years, including altering interpersonal behavior. Evidence has shown that these early negative experiences may cause changes in sensory modulation. This study aimed to understand if sensory over-responsivity (SOR) plays an important role in mediating the association between childhood abuse (emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, physical neglect) and attachment-related anxiety or avoidance in adult romantic relationships. An online survey was conducted to examine these associations in a Portuguese community sample (N = 500) aged 18–62 years. The presented mediation models shown a higher mediation percentage for attachment-related anxiety rather than avoidance. All variables predicted the mediator, except sexual abuse which did not predict the overall model when the mediator was included. Our results have implications for individual treatment approaches regarding child abuse victims and can certainly influence intervention strategies.
- The role of interoceptive processing in prenatal depression and anxietyPublication . Praça, Maiara Silva; Braga, Patrícia Vilela; Marshall, Amanda; Lamela, Diogo; Jongenelen, Inês; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Costa, Raquel; Schütz-Bosbach, Simone; Pinto, Tiago Miguel; Feldman, Ruth; Campos, Carlos; Rocha, NunoPregnancy is a complex biological phenomenon that can modify several interoception domains (ability to perceive and subjectively experience inner bodily states). These changes in interoceptive processing may also play a role in the emergence of prenatal psychopathology, namely anxiety and depression. To examine the association between interoceptive processing and psychopathology (depression and anxiety) in first-time pregnant women (3rd trimester). 17 first-time expectant mothers (mean age = 32.71 years) completed data collection at 28-32 gestational age. Interoception was evaluated using self-report measures (Interoceptive Accuracy and Attention Scales), a performance-based interoceptive accuracy task (Heartbeat Tapping Task; participants are required to tap a key whenever they feel a heartbeat), and neural markers of infant-specific interoceptive processing (heartbeat-evoked potentials - HEP - during the Infant Face Repetition-Suppression Task). A cluster mass permutation test was employed to identify the electrodes and time-windows where HEP amplitude was effectively modulated (right frontal-central; 308 - 600 ms). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to evaluate depressive symptoms, while the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) measured current anxiety levels. Significant positive correlations were found between interoceptive attention and anxiety (r =.645; p = .017), as well as between interoceptive attention and depression (r = .749; p = .003). Interoceptive accuracy was neither correlated with anxiety nor depression. A large (albeit non-significant) negative correlation (r = -.301, p = .368) was found between depressive scores and HEP emotional modulation in the infant condition, suggesting that infant-specific emotional modulation of HEP may be reduced in prenatal depression. These preliminary findings suggest that interoceptive processing is associated with prenatal psychopathology across several levels. Self-perceived beliefs about interoceptive attention were positively associated with both anxiety and depression. Furthermore, infant-specific neural markers of interoceptive processing may also play an important role in prenatal depressive symptomatology.