Self-destructive behavior in depression is most often a pathological way of emotional self-regulation, but it may increase suicidal risk. In this regard, the identification of risk factors for self-destructive behavior is of practical importance.

The aim was to study hostility as risk factor self-destructive behavior in depression.

The study included 155 women from 16 to 25 years old (mean age 19,77) hospitalized with depression in a clinic of FSBSI MHRC. The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), the Symptom Checklist-90-reserved (SCL-90-R), the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale—Revised (PACS–R), the Body Investment Scale (BIS), anamnestic data about self-destructive behavior, a question to assess the level of autoaggression («Sometimes I deliberately injure myself » was measured on a Likert scale from 0 to 5) were used. ANOVA and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used. To analyze the features associated with the level of hostility, the sample was divided into subgroups “with low hostility” (78 people, mean age 19.91) and “with high hostility” (77 people, mean age 19.6), according to the median value of the “Hostility” parameter of BPAQ - 23.

Correlation analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between the level of “Hostility” and the frequency of “deliberately injure” (r=0.19, p<0.05). Comparison of subgroups according to the parameters of SCL-90-R showed a higher level of psychopathologic symptomatology in the group with high hostility: SOM (1.11±0.80 in the “low hostility” group vs. 1.50±0.85 in the “high hostility” group at p=0.001), OC (1.60±0.87 vs. 2, 16±0.77 at p=0.000), INT (1.32±0.84 vs. 2.16±0.90 at p=0.000), DEP (1.73±0.98 vs. 2.27±0.87 at p=0.000), ANX (1.27±0.92 vs. 1.90±1.01 at p=0.000), HOS (0, 89±0.87 vs. 1.41±0.89 at p=0.000), PHOB (0.81±0.86 vs. 1.42±0.89 at p=0.000), PAR (0.74±0.65 vs. 1.43±0.84 at p=0.000), PSY (0.87±0.65 vs. 1, 26±0.78 at p=0.000), GSI (1.22±0.66 compared to 1.77±0.71 at p=0.000), PDSI (2.12±0.60 compared to 2.39±0.56 at p=.002), PSI (48.66±17.14 compared to 64.20±16.16 at p=0.000). BIS scores on the “body Investment subscale” (3.18±1.18 compared to 2.55±1.12 at p=0.001) on the total scale (3.38±0.58 compared to 3.15±0.54 at p=0.008) The PACS-R scale data demonstrate differences in the physical comparison parameter (2.02±1.37 versus 2.66±1.23 at p=0.002).

A higher level of hostility in depression in women with self-destructive behavior is associated with both a worse mental status and a stronger rejection of one’s body, manifested in a decreased concern for it and an increased need to compare oneself with others. This allows us to consider hostility as one of the markers of high risk of self-harming behavior in depression.

None Declared

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted primary healthcare services, affecting mental health support and antidepressant prescriptions in England. This study examines shifts in GP referrals and antidepressant prescribing patterns during different phases of lockdown.

This research aims to (1) analyze changes in the rates of antidepressant prescriptions across lockdown periods, and (2) investigate how GP referrals to mental health services, including social prescribing, evolved, with a focus on disparities among ethnic groups.

Using a retrospective design, we analyzed electronic health record data from GP practices in North England, covering March 2018 to June 2023. We employed a two-level negative binomial-logit hurdle model for antidepressant prescriptions and a multinomial logit regression model for referral types.

Antidepressant initiation decreased during lockdowns, while ongoing prescriptions showed minor increases. GP referrals to social prescribing rose significantly, especially among ethnic minorities who also had fewer medical treatments. Lockdown phases influenced referral patterns, with reductions in secondary care referrals and growth in community-based support.

The study highlights a shift towards social prescribing amid the mental health strains of the pandemic, suggesting its role in a social model of health. Ethnic disparities in mental health care access emphasize the need for culturally inclusive, non-clinical mental health support.

None Declared

Treatment resistance affects 20-60% of patients, leading to substantial personal and economic impact. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is effective, with theta burst stimulation (TBS) providing similar benefits more efficiently.

To assess high-dose TBS effectiveness and to explore how demographic and clinical factors influence treatment outcomes.

Accelerated high-dose (30 sessions) cTBS and iTBS was administered targeting the right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) respectively (3600 pulses per session), with MRI-guided neuronavigation. Pre- and post-treatment HAM-D and HAM-A scores were analyzed with mixed-effects models. Response and remission rates were further examined using generalized linear models (GLM). All analyses were conducted using the R Studio.

The study included a total of 101 participants, of whom 89 had data available for HAM-D (56 [38.8–65] years; 69.7% females), and 82 had data available for HAM-A (56 [39–65] years; 70.7% females). 29.2% achieved HAM-D remission, 22% achieved HAM-A remission, with response rates of 46.1% for depression and 50% for anxiety.

Mixed-effects models showed a highly significant reduction in both HAM-D and HAM-A scores after TMS treatment (HAM-D: β = -12, p = 2.2e−15; HAM-A: β = -14.484, p = 1.1×10−14) (Fig. 1). For HAM-D, family history was associated with reduced treatment effectiveness (β = 5.302, p = 0.011). Sex also influenced HAM-D scores, with males showing a greater response than females (p = 0.018), although this trend was only marginally significant for HAM-A (p = 0.073).

Fig. 1. Pre- and post-treatment scores on the HAM-D and HAM-A showing significant reductions following rTMS.

The GLM analysis for HAM-D and HAM-A remission did not reveal statistically significant overall results. However, specific predictors were significantly associated with treatment response. A family history of mental health conditions was linked to a lower likelihood of response, based on HAM-D (OR = 0.058, p = 0.016) and HAM-A (OR = 0.074, p = 0.049). Age was a significant predictor for response on both HAM-D (OR = 1.1, p = 0.048) and HAM-A (OR = 1.115, p = 0.032) (Fig. 2). Additionally, regarding employment status individuals identified as “Housekeeper” or “Retired” had reduced likelihood of positive response (p < 0.05).

Figure 2. Influence of age on HAMA and HAM-D response outcomes in patients undergoing TMS treatment.

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High-dose accelerated bilateral TBS using the Sevilla Protocol significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms in treatment-resistant patients, with notable response and remission rates. Family history, age, and certain employment statuses significantly influenced treatment response, suggesting that TBS may benefit from tailored approaches. Larger, balanced samples are needed to confirm these findings and improve prediction models.

None Declared

Insomnia symptoms are commonly reported by people with depression, and their effective treatment is associated with reduced affective symptoms and improved patient outcomes. However, to date, estimates of the rates of co-morbid insomnia in individuals with depression are mainly based on sub-analyses of epidemiological studies of general populations, often relying on self-reported or historical depression diagnoses. To our knowledge there has been no systematic review of studies evaluating the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in people with an established diagnosis of depression.

To summarise and synthesize the available evidence of studies reporting on the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in adults with depression using a systematic review.

Comprehensive searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and TRIP using search terms related to depression and insomnia with no language restrictions, were performed. The titles and abstracts were screened independently by two reviewers and the full texts of studies identified were assessed against predefined criteria, namely: 1) primary studies of 2) adults (18 years and over) with depression, 3) reporting prevalence of insomnia symptoms. The review protocol was registered with Prospero.

4,477 unique references were identified, of which 80 full texts were reviewed after title and abstract screening. Thirteen studies, with a combined total of 10,394 participants and published between 2001 and 2023, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Seven studies were from the US, and one each from China, Turkey, S. Korea, Belgium, and the Netherlands, while one included participants from both Malaysia and Australia. The mean prevalence rate of clinically significant insomnia symptoms in adults with a diagnosis of depression was 79%. The systematic review has a number of limitations including a small number of eligible studies covering a wide range of geographic populations with varying thresholds for reporting insomnia, and that establishing the prevalence of insomnia symptoms was not the primary aim of most of the studies. Further meta-analysis in this research was not carried out due to high heterogeneity between studies.

To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of studies reporting on the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in adults with depression. The main finding is that at least three in four adults with depression have clinically meaningful insomnia symptoms; such high prevalence rates are consistent with previously reported figures. Therefore, given the positive clinical outcomes from treatment, services for adults with depression should routinely offer targeted interventions in identifying and managing co-incident insomnia symptoms. Future research should aim to refine the estimates of co-occurrence of insomnia and depression in different clinical populations.

None Declared

During the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection in Russia, the number of patients with diagnosed depressive and anxiety disorders increased. Studies have shown a sharp increase in the number of respondents who recorded stress as a non-specific reaction to a sudden change in environmental conditions. Quality of life, encompassing physical, psychological, and social well-being, often correlates with individuals’ emotional and mental states.

The study aimed to examine the associations between quality of life and emotional states — specifically, depression, anxiety, and stress — in humanities students and people living with HIV.

Data were collected from January to July 2021 through a Google form. The sample comprised 35 humanities students from Russian universities and 59 HIV-positive patients. The WHOQOL-BREF assessed quality of life, while the DASS-21 measured levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Both questionnaires have been adapted for Russian respondents.

We found that in the student group, depression was related to physical and psychological well-being (rs = -0.491, p < 0.01), self-image (rs = -0.552, p < 0.05) and microsocial support (rs = -0.550, p < 0.05), and anxiety with physical and psychological well-being (rs = -0.356, p < 0.05) and microsocial support (rs = -0.353, p < 0.05). In the patient group, physical and psychological well-being was associated with depression (rs = -0.309, p < 0.05) and anxiety (rs = -0.269, p < 0.05); self-perception was associated with depression (rs = -0.490, p < 0.01), anxiety (rs = -0.311, p < 0.05) and stress (rs = -0.361, p < 0.05); microsocial support — with depression (rs = -0.381, p < 0.01), anxiety (rs = -0.260, p < 0.05) and stress (rs = -0.322, p < 0.05); social well-being — with depression (rs = -0.360, p < 0.01), anxiety (rs = -0.426, p < 0.01) and stress (rs = -0.334, p < 0.05).

The study revealed distinct patterns in the relationship between life quality and emotional states across groups during the COVID-19 second wave in the Russian Federation. Among students, life quality, especially physical and psychological well-being, was associated with depression and anxiety but was notably independent of stress. Social well-being (including material security, health environment, leisure, and access to medical care) remained stable and unlinked to their emotional state. Among people living with HIV, almost all life quality domains correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress. This group displayed heightened vulnerability to emotional distress, affecting their self-perception, social interactions, and sense of security, thus underscoring the pandemic’s amplified impact on this group’s mental health.

None Declared

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a clinically validated treatment, included in international guidelines for managing treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The conventional daily administration of rTMS protocols over several weeks can pose challenges for patients, such as work interruptions and commuting difficulties. To enhance the antidepressant effects and minimize the duration of treatment, increasing the frequency of daily rTMS sessions has been proposed as a potentially more effective approach.

This study aims to compare the efficacy and tolerability of standard versus accelerated rTMS protocols as supplementary treatments for patients with TRD

24 patients diagnosed with major depressive episodes (either unipolar or bipolar) and classified as partial responders or non-responders to adequate pharmacological treatment were randomized into two groups. One group received standard rTMS (one session daily, five days a week, over four weeks; n=9), while the other underwent accelerated rTMS (two sessions daily, five days a week, over two weeks; n=15). Both groups were treated on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with high-frequency stimulation (10 Hz) at 120% of the motor threshold, delivering 3000 pulses per session. Primary outcome measures included scores from the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) at baseline (T0), post-treatment (T1), and during follow-ups at one month (T2) and three months (T3). Tolerability was assessed based on reported adverse effects. Paired Samples t-Test was employed for continuous variable comparisons, while t-Test was used to analyze differences between groups.

Analysis of the overall sample revealed a significant reduction in HAM-D, MADRS, and CGI-S scores from T0 to T1 (p<0.001). These improvements were maintained at the one-month and three-month follow-ups (T1 vs T2: p=0.726, p=1.00, p=0.803; T2 vs T3: p=0.105, p=0.594, p=0.653). No significant differences were observed in response and remission rates between the two protocols (T1: p=0.722; T2: p=0.727; T3: p=0.979). The only reported side effect was mild, transient headaches during stimulation, with a minimal dropout rate (0.25%).

These preliminary findings align with previous literature, suggesting similar efficacy and tolerability between accelerated and standard rTMS protocols. Future studies with larger, controlled, and blinded designs are warranted to validate these results and explore treatment parameters for accelerated rTMS.

None Declared

Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed for the management of common mental health disorders. Although a direct relationship between benzodiazepines and suicide risk reduction has not been described, they can be an adequate choice to palliate anxiety and insomnia in patients with suicidal ideation. This is of special interest considering that both anxiety and insomnia are risk factors for suicidal behaviours themselves (May and Klonsky. Clin Psychol: Science and Practice. 2016; 23 5–20)(Park et al. J Psychiatr Res. 2020; 131 1-8). Nonetheless, paradoxically, there is a rising concern regarding an increase in suicide risk associated to benzodiazepine use, as some recent evidence seems to suggest (Dodds. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2017; 2;19)(McCall et al. Am J Psychiatry 2017; 1;174 18-25). Clarifying this potential association can help guide clinical decision-making to promote suicide prevention.

To review the currently available evidence regarding the relationship between the use of benzodiazepines for common mental disorders and subsequent suicide, suicidal behaviours and self-injurious behaviours.

A systematic review of the literature was conducted using a combination of search terms related to “suicide” and “benzodiazepine” to assess publications from inception to February 2024 in 3 different databases (Scopus, PsychInfo, MEDLINE). Eligibility criteria included experimental, observational studies and previous systematic reviews while excluding conference proceedings, case reports/series, editorials, opinion papers and letters. Studies involving individuals with severe psychiatric disorders, dementia or personality disorder were also excluded. Risk of bias was assessed in RCTs with the RoB 2 tool while EPHPP Assessment Tool 2010 was applied for other study types.

A total of 2090 titles and abstracts were screened; 19 papers were reviewed for inclusion and 8 were included in this review for data extraction. Most of the included publications consisted of observational studies. Results tended to indicate a higher risk of suicide, suicidal behaviour and/or self-injurious behaviours in relation to benzodiazepine use although data was contradictory and affected by confounding.

Evidence seems to suggest a positive relationship between benzodiazepines and suicide, suicidal behaviour and/or self-injurious behaviours although, due to the predominant observational study designs and the presence of unadjusted confounding, these results must be extrapolated with care and no causality can be inferred. An interesting approach for future research to palliate such limitations could be Target Trial Emulation (Hernán and Robins. Am J Epidemiol 2016; 15;183(8) 758-64), which has already been adopted to guide decision-making in absence of randomized trials in many fields of medicine.

M. Oliveró: None Declared, M. Martínez García: None Declared, V. Pérez Grant / Research support from: Has received honoraria or grants from AB-Biotics, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, CIBERSAM, FIS- ISCiii, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Servier and Medtronic., Consultant of: Has been a consultant to AB-Biotics, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, CIBERSAM, FIS- ISCiii, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Servier and Medtronic., M. T. Campillo: None Declared, G. Martínez-Alés Grant / Research support from: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention grant ECR-1-101-23, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation grant NARSAD 31312 and National Institutes of Mental Health grant 1R25MH129256-01A1, L. Cano: None Declared, D. Guinart Grant / Research support from: CM21/00033, Consultant of: Has been a consultant and/or advisor or has received honoraria from: Angelini, Otsuka, Lundbeck and Teva., P. Mortier Grant / Research support from: This work was supported by grant CP21/00078 from the ISCIII-FSE Miguel Servet

About 31 million people worldwide suffer from substance use disorders (SUDs), causing significant health and economic burdens.

SUDs are linked to reduced dopamine activity in the mesolimbic region of the brain, as well as dysfunction in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), which are responsible for decision-making and self-control. Additionally, the ventral prefrontal cortex (PFC), including the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC), play a role in emotional processing and limbic arousal.

A promising approach to treating SUDs involves non-invasive neuromodulation techniques (NIBS), specifically repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).

To better understand the role of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques in substance use disorders.

A search was conducted in various databases, including PubMed.

Many studies using rTMS to treat SUDs have targeted the DLPFC. When the left DLPFC is stimulated, the effects are generally positive, and the treatment produces clinically significant results for tobacco, stimulant, and opioid use disorders.

It has been found that the medial PFC (mPFC) could be a potential target for therapy, especially when using deep TMS, as demonstrated by studies involving alcohol and cocaine. Both the DLPFC and mPFC are promising targets for rTMS.

Regarding tDCS, it seems that right anodal DLPFC stimulation is the most effective method across all types of substances.

Much remains unknown regarding the mechanisms by which rTMS or tDCS induce therapeutic effects in SUDs. Further research is necessary to determine the clinical safety and efficacy of these treatments.

None Declared

The role of emotional regulation (ER) has emerged as a key mechanism associated with psychosis with important implications for its onset and maintenance. However, knowledge about ER in psychosis has been predominantly quantitative, often neglecting patients’ own perceptions of the difficulties they experience when dealing with their emotions.

To address this gap, we have undertaken a qualitative study to investigate ER in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder using semi-structured interviews. Given the qualitative nature of the study, we have no specific hypotheses. Instead, we aim to explore the stages of emotional regulation and the factors that influence ER in people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, aligning our investigation with existing theoretical models.

Patient recruitment and data collection are in progress. Thematic analyses will be carried out.

Results will be presented during the European Congress of Psychiatry.

We expect that this study will provide a deeper understanding of ER from the individuals’ perspectives and enrich ER literature and theoretical models related to clinical populations. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the development of quantitative studies to test new hypotheses and design individual-tailored psychological interventions aimed at improving ER in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

None Declared

Chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension, are rapidly increasing worldwide. These conditions can have significant negative impacts on patients’ daily lives.

Our aim was to investigate the correlation between personality traits and medication adherence as part of self-care among individuals living with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

We conducted a thorough and comprehensive literature search for published articles in PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed from inception to September 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. The included studies were primary quantitative research conducted in English and focused on adults aged 18 and above, diagnosed with hypertension or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

We identified a total of 41 studies that met our inclusion criteria, analyzing the relationship between personality traits and medication adherence. Specifically, 23 studies indicated that traits such as agreeableness were associated with improved medication adherence in individuals with type 2 diabetes, while traits such as extraversion and neuroticism were linked to reduced adherence. With regard to hypertension, 18 studies showed neuroticism was associated with decreased medication adherence, while extraversion was associated with increased medication adherence.

Personality traits play a crucial role in self-care, with one of its key aspects being adherence to medication in chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

None Declared

Delusions are one of the core symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). Traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches are less effective for delusions, require significant resources, and specialized staff training. Symptom-specific therapy approaches, which target factors involved in the development and maintenance of psychotic symptoms, provide a valid alternative. Digital technologies, such as ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and ecological momentary intervention (EMI), are gaining attention in mental health, providing enhanced assessment and intervention opportunities. The present single-arm trial aimed to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a smartphone-based blended EMA/I psychological therapy approach - DICE - focusing on improving coping strategies for delusions in SSD. In total, N = 10 participants received four face-to-face therapy sessions alongside German university-level treatment-as-usual over an intervention period of four to six weeks. Feasibility was assessed by completion rates of the EMA/I questionnaires, use of the application between sessions and recruitment rates. Acceptability was assessed by a satisfaction questionnaire, open feedback, and analysis of adverse effects. Clinical outcomes included self-rated and rater-based intensity and distress of delusions and comorbid symptoms at pre- and post-intervention. Findings supported the feasibility and acceptability of the DICE intervention, with high retention (10/13 participants; 77%) and completion rates for the EMA- (59%) and EMI-questionnaires (72%), as well as a high protocol adherence (90-97%), exceeding all predefined benchmarks. Open feedback indicated good satisfaction, with all participants using the application between sessions, reflecting a high engagement level. Clinical outcomes displayed relevant changes in ameliorating the intensity of delusions when being measured by the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales as well as by the Green Paranoid Thought Scale, and self-rated improvements in distress and depressive symptoms. Changes in the intensity and distress of delusions might be explained by improved coping behaviour. Further research with control conditions is needed to validate findings and analyze the efficacy as well as mechanisms of actions of the DICE intervention in a fully powered trial.

None Declared

Mental health disorders, including anxiety and major depressive disorder, are highly prevalent among college students, often leading to significant impairments in academic functioning and psychosocial well-being. Loneliness, characterized as subjective distress arising from a perceived deficit in social connectivity, is frequently associated with the exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms. In contrast, psychological resilience, defined as the capacity to adaptively manage stress and adversity, is increasingly recognized as a key protective factor against the development of psychopathology.

Despite understanding the roles of loneliness and resilience, their combined effects on mental health, specifically anxiety and depression, have not been fully explored in a large-scale, diverse population of college students in the United States. This study seeks to address this gap.

Using data from the 2023-2024 Healthy Mind Study (N=104,729), we employed logistic regression to assess the predictors of anxiety and depression, focusing on two key predictors: loneliness and resilience. Our models also controlled for other relevant factors, such as campus climate, financial stress, and sociodemographic control variables, including sex, race/ethnicity, and traditional student status. Analysis was conducted with a sample delimited to undergraduate students (n=22,927).

Feeling lonely was positively related to moderate-to-severe depression (β = 2, p < 0.001) and moderate-to-severe anxiety (β = 1.45, p < 0.001). Resilience was a protective factor and was negatively associated with self-reported moderate-to-severe depression (β = -1.54, p < 0.001) and moderate-to-severe anxiety (β = -1.54, p < 0.001). The effect of loneliness and resilience on depression and anxiety remains consistent with the baseline models after controlling for campus climate, financial stress, and sociodemographic variables. High levels of financial stress and perceived poor campus climate were positively related to moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety. Finally, female, non-White, and non-traditional-aged students were less likely to exhibit moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety.

The findings highlight the importance of loneliness and resilience in shaping mental health outcomes among undergraduate college students. Loneliness was negatively associated with the evaluated mental health burdens, while resilience emerged as a protective factor against these outcomes. Our findings underscore the importance of considering loneliness, resilience, financial stress, and campus climate as variables of interest when designing mental health interventions to improve academic performance and overall well-being among undergraduate college students.

None Declared

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a highly prevalent and complex class of psychiatric illnesses that lead to increased rates of mortality and morbidity, societal costs, low quality of life, and difficulties in all important areas of personal functioning. Although SUDs are constantly explored from a therapeutic perspective, there are very few validated treatments available for these disorders.

To review the evidence supporting new targets for the psychopharmacological management of patients diagnosed with SUDs.

A literature review was conducted in three electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, and Clarivate/Web of Science) and the US National Library of Medicine database for clinical trials (www.clinicaltrials.gov) to find clinical and preclinical sources published between January 2000 and September 2024. The keywords used were „substance use disorders”, „drug dependence”, „drug addiction”, „new treatments”, „drugs in pipeline”, and „pharmacological treatment”. There was no restriction regarding the age of participants, and only sources published in English were selected.

Based on 12 sources identified for detailed analysis, the main directions of research in the field of new treatments for SUDs are modulators of glutamatergic and GABA-ergic systems, neurokinin-1 receptors, alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, G-protein signaling-biased μ-opioid receptor agonists, serotonin modulators, cannabinoid agonists or partial agonists, N-acetylcysteine, and monoclonal antibodies. These agents are explored for cocaine, opioids, nicotine, psychostimulants, and cannabis use disorder. Examples of investigational products from these emergent classes are SR-170189 (a biased mu-opioid receptor agonist without evidence of tolerance in preclinical studies), dexmedetomidine (BXCL501, an alpha-2 preferring agonist explored for opioid withdrawal), guanfacine (another alpha-2 agonist explored in cannabis use disorder-CUD), lorcaserin (a selective 5HT2C receptor agonist also explored for CUD), oxytocin (explored for alcohol use disorder- AUD and as add-on to methadone for comorbid opioid and cocaine use disorder), N-acetylcysteine (investigated for AUD and nicotine use disorder), NT-814 (neurokinin-1 and -3 receptor antagonist, investigated for opioid use disorder), memantine (a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist explored in patients with AUD), baclofen (a GABA-B receptor agonist explored for AUD, opioid withdrawal, and psychostimulants use disorder) and various biological therapies for NUD and cocaine use disorder.

There are hopes related to an extensive number of investigational products that undergo different stages of clinical research for a large variety of SUDs, targeting multiple neurotransmitters and hormonal pathways, and even biological therapies that could block the action of the drugs of abuse before reaching their targets.

None Declared

There is an increasing demand for alternative evaluation tools capable of providing objective assessments or highlighting differences. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and heart rate variability (HRV) are frequently employed as biomarkers for assessing emotional status.

This study hypothesizes that emotional expressions, particularly unpleasant emotions and their variations in adolescents, are associated with changes in heart rate variability and frontal lobe activity.

A total of 55 adolescents participated in this study. Following the completion of clinical scales, assessments of both HRV and fNIRS in a resting state were conducted for all participants for 200 seconds. After a 10-second rest, HRV and fNIRS assessments were performed during a positive emotional perception test for 192 seconds. Following a 30-second rest, the same procedures were repeated during a negative emotional perception test.

The correction rate of unpleasant emotional perception negatively correlated with HRV measures (unpleasant-HF, unpleasant-SDNN) and positively with pleasant-RMSSD. Additionally, it positively correlated with the ΔaccHBO2 within the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Conversely, the correction rate of pleasant emotional perception negatively correlated with increases in ΔaccHBO2 within the left DLPFC. Both unpleasant-SDNN and unpleasant-HF negatively correlated with ΔaccHBO2 within the left DLPFC.

The perception of negative emotions in adolescents is associated with individual levels of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, the perception of negative emotions significantly correlates with changes in HRV and activity within the left DLPFC. There is also evidence suggesting a link between changes in HRV and brain activity in response to the perception of negative emotions.

None Declared

In recent years, developments in Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) have opened new possibilities for continuous education that were recently only science fiction. However, genAI introduces several ethical considerations and ethical issues continue to appear. These include privacy, ownership, accuracy, bias, psychological impact, and environmental impact. In this workshop we will consider where these ethical issues might specifically intersect with the development and implementation of genAI in training professional conversational skills in the context of professional mental health support. Understanding these ethical issues is important for ensuring positive and sustainable impact on society and individual health. As a part of this workshop, we consider theoretical issues, but we will also look at methods to ensure the development of ethical and trustworthy genAI systems, including transparency and human-in-the-loop methods, along with quality and risk management systems. Moreover, when considering worker health, it is will be important that future work empowers workers to continue to develop in their field, without introducing additional harms such as accessibility problems or exposure to harmful imagery or interactions.

None Declared

Disorders due to addictive behaviors have been included in the eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Such conditions include gambling disorder and gaming disorder, and each has online specifiers given the relevance of the internet to each of these conditions in modern societies. This presentation will consider problematic usage of the internet with respect to formally specified disorders (gambling, gaming) as well as other online behaviors (e.g., use of social media) for which problematic engagement may be considered as an “other specified disorder due to addictive behaviors” in the ICD-11. European and global initiatives (e.g., the Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Problematic Usage of the Internet and the development of screening and diagnostic instruments involving World Health Organization workgroups) will be discussed. Clinical, developmental and public health implications will be presented to provide an up-to-date understanding of rapid changes in this area.

None Declared

Total laryngectomy, as a major surgical intervention, leads to significant changes both physically and psychologically. The observed alterations include communication difficulties, adjustments to new breathing methods, and often a lengthy and complex rehabilitation process. These changes can deeply impact social interactions, autonomy, and the emotional well-being of the individuals affected.

To assess quality of life in patients who have undergone total laryngectomy, and to investigate the factors associated with its impairment.

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical aim conducted over a period of 6 months, from December 2021 to June 2022, involving patients followed for laryngeal cancer who had undergone total laryngectomy at the Otorhinolaryngology department of Tahar Sfar Mahdia Hospital. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 in its validated Arabic version. Referring to Lean’s threshold value, it is accepted that a mean score < 66.7 indicates an impairment in quality of life.

A total of 40 patients participated in the study. The mean age was 62±9 years, and the population was 100% male. Quality of life assessment revealed that 87% of patients had scores below 66.7, attesting to impaired quality of life. A study of the mean scores per dimension on the SF36 revealed the following rates of impairment, in descending order: 100% for physical pain (D3), 97% for psychological health (D8), 95% for life and relationships with others (D6), 87% for vitality (D5) and limitations due to psychological state (D7), 72% for perceived health (D4), 55% for physical activity (D1) and 22% for limitations due to physical state (D2). In univariate analysis, rural origin (p=0.015), low socio-economic level (p=0.023), the existence of discomfort with eating (p=0.002), the existence of pain (p=0.008) and long hospital stay (p=0.056) were associated with impaired quality of life in our study population.

It is crucial to recognize and address these challenges holistically. Multidisciplinary approaches, including voice rehabilitation, psychological support, and social assistance, play an essential role in improving the quality of life for total laryngectomy patients.

None Declared

Potters Bar Clinic, CAMHS LSU, Elysium Healthcare, collaborates with external physical exercise therapy provider Psychesoma. Psychesoma operates within two CAMHS Low Secure wards. Psychesoma works with patients who have mental health problems, ASD, and learning disabilities. Psychesoma offer person-centred group and individual sessions aiming to improve young peoples’ mood state, wellbeing, and health through Physical exercise therapy.

We study the influence of physical exercise intervention in positive well-being, psychological distress, and fatigue measures in young people receiving mental health treatment under section 3 of the MHA in a LSU environment.

The Subjective Exercise Experience Scale (SEES; McAuley & Courneya, 1994) is a measure of global psychological responses to exercise stimuli and is a standardised measures used in previous similar research. The SEES assesses three general categories of subjective responses to exercise stimuli: positive well-being, psychological distress, and fatigue. Each sub-scale includes 4 emotion statements, with 12 statements in total. Young people are required to rate the degree to which they feel each emotion in the present moment on a Likert-type scale (1; ‘Not at all’ – 7; ‘Very much so’).

This measure is completed pre- and post- Psychesoma sessions. The data was collected by Psychesoma trainers between December 2022 and November 2023. The measure was completed 63 times in total by 11 young people. On the positive wellbeing sub-scale, the cohort had a mean pre-session score of 11.63, and a mean post-session score of 17.23, representing a 5.31 point increase in positive wellbeing. On the psychological distress sub-scale, the cohort had a mean pre-session score of 9.18 and a mean post-session score of 7.06, representing a 2.21 point decrease in psychological distress. On the fatigue sub-scale, the cohort had a mean pre-session score of 14.73 and a mean post-session score of 10.69, representing a 3.68 point decrease in fatigue

Data indicated that young people experience an increase in positive wellbeing and a decrease in psychological distress and fatigue immediately following Psychesoma sessions. Further research in place to explore the long term duration of these effects.

None Declared

Medical-assistance in dying, either by euthanasia or assisted suicide (EAS), for mental disorders as the main reason is a complex and controversial practice. owing to the inevitable tension between the seriousness of the mental disorder and the requirement that the patient can make a well-reasoned decision. Systematic investigations of the characteristics of the patients (disorders, previous treatment, comorbidities) and the procedures of granting EAS for mental disorders have been limited.

To describe the characteristics of patients receiving EAS for psychiatric conditions in the Netherlands between 2021 and 2023.

We reviewed psychiatric EAS case summaries made available publicly online by the Dutch regional euthanasia review committees between 2021 and 2023. All summaries were translated with ChatGPT and those with mental disorders as the main reason were selected. We extracted information about the patients’ clinical and social characteristics, type of treatments previously administered, how physicians handled patients’ requests and the euthanasia review committees’ assessments of the physicians’ actions.

Thirty-six cases were identified. Of these, 86% (n = 31) were women. Regarding age, 30.5% (n = 11) were 70 years or older, 36% (n = 13) were 50 to 70 years old, 16.6% (n = 6) were 30 to 50 years old and 16.6% (n = 6) were less than 30 years old. Most had chronic conditions, with histories of attempted suicides (39%; n=14) and psychiatric hospitalizations (69%; n=25). One third (n = 12) of patients were described as socially isolated. Depressive disorders were the primary psychiatric diagnosis in 27.7% (n = 10) of cases. Other conditions included personality disorders (19.4%; n=7), particularly borderline (11%; n=4), somatoform disorders (17%; n=6) and posttraumatic stress disorder (11%; n=4). Comorbidities with medical conditions or physical symptoms were present in 27.7% (n = 10) of cases. Most frequent treatments previously administered were medications and psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral (19.4%; n=7) therapy and EMDR (14%; n=5). Fifty percent (n = 18) of patients received EAS from Euthanasia Expertise Center physicians, 17% (n=6) from their general practitioner. In 11% (n = 4) of the cases there was disagreement among consultants.

Individuals who received EAS for psychiatric reasons in the Netherlands between 2021 and 2023 were mostly women, with complex and chronic psychiatric conditions, often with medical comorbidities. Despite the fact that EAS requires agreement from two independent physicians, there were instances where it was performed without it.

None Declared

Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) face an elevated risk of early mortality from various physical illnesses, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it remains uncertain whether depressive or manic symptoms contribute more significantly to CVD outcomes.

This study aimed to assess the association between manic and depressive symptoms and long-term CVD risk factors.

A retrospective study was conducted on patients hospitalized in the female unit of psychiatric department “B” in Sfax, Tunisia, between January and June 2023. Sociodemographic, clinical, and CVD risk factor data were collected from medical records to calculate Framingham Scores. The relationships between mood symptoms (depressive and manic) and Framingham scores, as well as individual CVD risk factors (lipids, blood pressure, BMI, smoking, and fasting glucose), were analyzed.

The study included 50 female patients with a mean age of 45 years (SD = 9.9). Of the patients, 18% were diagnosed with MDD, while 82% were diagnosed with BD; 64% were admitted for manic symptoms, and 36% for depressive symptoms. Clinical obesity was observed in 64% of patients, with 60% diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, 34% with hypertension, and 26% with type 2 diabetes. Notably, 12% of patients had a Framingham score of ≥ 10%, indicating a moderate to high 10-year risk of CVD. Bivariate analysis revealed that patients with manic symptoms had a significantly higher CVD risk than those with depressive symptoms (p=0.034). Manic symptoms were also significantly associated with elevated BMI (p=0.034), fasting glucose (p=0.039), and blood pressure (p<0.001).

This study demonstrates a strong association between manic symptoms and long-term CVD risk in patients with mood disorders, particularly with elevated blood pressure, glucose levels, and BMI. These findings underscore the importance of specific monitoring and intervention programs for CVD risk factors in patients with mood disorders, especially those with BD.

None Declared