Achieving sustainability on the ground poses a challenge in decoding globally defined goals, such as sustainable development goals, and aligning them with local perspectives and realities. This decoding necessitates the understanding of the multifaceted dimensions of the sustainability challenges in a given context, including their underlying causes. In case studies from Brazilian drylands, we illustrate how an enhanced multiscale participatory method, combined with systems thinking tools, can shed light on systemic structures that currently entrench unsustainable development trajectories. This method offers insights into co-designing potential pathways toward sustainable futures and unlocking transformative capacities of the local population.

Translating United Nations global sustainable development goals (SDGs) into actions that address local realities and aspirations is an urgent challenge. It requires new thinking and approaches that foster the discussion about the main challenges to implementing the SDGs at multiple levels. This paper presents a novel multiscale participatory approach that combines the popular Three Horizons diagram with the formalism of causal loop diagrams in systems thinking. We present results from six multi-stakeholder dialogues held across drylands in Brazil with a focus on desired futures aligned with SDGs. Focusing on identifying the root causes and systemic structures of unsustainability, participants identified lock-ins, leverage points, and interventions for how these could be changed. The core lock-ins are the discontinuity of public policies, and the historical land and power concentration reinforced by the current expansion of large-scale agricultural, mining, and energy projects. The proposed interventions are structural and – if implemented – would contribute to achieving SDGs in an integrated manner. The unique approach developed in this study can provide leverage as it bridges the inclusivity of participatory visioning with the change potential of systems thinking tools to tackle root causes and unleash societal transformations.

We are not achieving SDGs. Understanding root causes of unsustainability is critical to move toward sustainable and just futures.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a high prevalence and causes a significative reduction in functionality and quality of life.

First and second line treatment is ineffective in a variable percentage of patients. In such cases transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be considered.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of TMS treatment on obsessive-compulsive, anxious and depressive symptomatology in patients with OCD.

A prospective observational study was conducted, including all patients diagnosed with OCD who underwent TMS in the Psychiatry department of Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João since March 2023.

Symptomatology was assessed using the Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) before and after treatment.

Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS-Statistics program. A significance level of 0.05 was considered.

As of October 31, 2023, nine individuals with OCD completed treatment with TMS, 33% male and with a median age of 40 years (range 33-57).

The median Y-BOCS score pre-TMS was 30 (range 20-33) and post-TMS 28 (range 16-34). The median difference was 2.5 (range -5-14) and was not statistically significant (p=0.128).

The median score on the HAM-A pre-TMS was 21 (range 9-41) and post-TMS 18 (range 11-24). The median difference was 0 points (range -4-21) and was not statistically significant (p=0.345).

The median HAM-D score pre-TMS was 26 (range 14-40) and post-TMS 19 (range 10-32). The median difference was 2.5 (range -3-20) and was not statistically significant (p=0.225).

Preliminary findings suggest that the impact of TMS on obsessive-compulsive, anxious, and depressive symptomatology in patients with OCD does not appear to be clinically or statistically significant.

Further results are necessary to confirm this trend.

None Declared

Epilepsy is one of the most common serious brain illness, with symptoms influenced by multiple risk factors and a strong genetic predisposition, rather than having a single expression and cause¹. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in epilepsy can encompass manifestations such as mood alterations, anxiety, sleep disturbances, psychosis, and behavioral disorders. While the motor and sensory manifestations of epileptic seizures are widely recognized, neuropsychiatric symptoms accompanying epilepsy are often underestimated. Therefore, it is essential to understand the most prevalent epidemiological profile of these patients to improve the diagnosis and management of these symptoms.

Our goal was to evaluate the neuropsychiatric behavior of epilepsy patients in Brazilian over the past 3 years through hospitalization data in order to outline an epidemiological and behavioral profile.

A cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospective, and quantitative study was conducted on hospitalizations of individuals simultaneously diagnosed with epilepsy, schizotypal and delusional disorders, and mood disorders in all five regions of Brazil (South, Southeast, Midwest, North, and Northeast) between February 2020 and December 2022. Data from January 2020 were not available. The data used were collected through the Department of Health Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS) in the “Hospital Information System of SUS” section, gathering information regarding the nature of care, age range, gender, and ethnicity of the patients.

The analysis covers the years 2020 to 2022, totaling 503,045 hospitalizations. In 2022, the highest number of cases occurred (≈ 37.55%), followed by 2021 (≈ 33.62%) and 2020 (≈ 28.81%). Urgent hospitalizations represented ≈ 90.85% of the total. The most affected age group was 30 to 39 years old (≈ 18.30%). Men were more affected than women (≈ 52.03% and ≈ 47.96%, respectively), and Caucasians accounted for ≈ 36.07% of the hospitalizations. The average length of stay was 19.1 days, and the mortality rate was 1.4%.

Thus, there is a gradual and annual increase in the number of hospitalizations during the observed period. While there is a minimal disparity between the affected genders, it is evident that the profile of male, caucasian, and adult patients is the most prevalent. Moreover, the predominantly urgent nature of hospitalizations points to an alarming scenario regarding this issue. From the analysis of the data obtained in the study, there is a clear need for interventions capable of reducing the prevalence of hospitalizations for neuropsychiatric symptoms in epilepsy patients in Brazil.

None Declared

Neuropsychiatric disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide, as seen in cases such as depression, anxiety, bipolar mood disorder and schizophrenia, which can be developed or exacerbated by the use of psychoactive substances. Most mental disorders have an early onset, often leading to early and/or permanent disability, increasing the need and cost of healthcare. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the identification of the epidemiological profile of these cases in the South of Brazil in order to enhance the diagnosis and reduce the costs associated with managing these disorders.

The present study aimed to analyze statistical data regarding hospitalizations related to mental disorders caused by the use of psychoactive substances and alcohol in the southern region of Brazil, highlighting the pathological scenario and identifying the most prevalent profiles of these disorders in this region.

A cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospective, and quantitative study was conducted on hospitalizations of individuals diagnosed with mental and behavioral disorders due to the use of psychoactive substances and alcohol in the states of the Southern region of Brazil (Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul) between February 2020 and December 2022. Data of January 2020 were not available. The data used were collected through the Department of Health Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS) in the “Hospital Information System of SUS” section, gathering information regarding the nature of the care, age range, gender, and ethnicity of the patients.

The study covers the years 2020 to 2022, indicating a total of 81,608 hospitalizations, with the year 2022 having the highest number of cases (≈ 37.13%), followed by 2021 (≈ 33.30%) and 2020 (≈ 29.55%). The states with the highest number of hospitalizations were Rio Grande do Sul (≈ 54.90%), Paraná (≈ 29.29%), and Santa Catarina (≈ 15.79%). Urgent hospitalizations accounted for ≈ 87.29% of the total. The most affected age group was 30 to 39 years old (≈ 25.61%). Men were more affected than women (≈ 81.70% and ≈ 18.28%, respectively). Caucasians accounted for ≈ 64.29% of the hospitalizations. The average length of stay was 20.8 days, and the mortality rate was 0.32%.

There is a clear increase in the number of hospitalizations related to mental disorders caused by the use of psychoactive substances in the period from 2020 to 2022 in the southern region of Brazil, with the highest number of cases in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The most affected population consisted of Caucasian men aged 30 to 39 years old. Furthermore, these results may be related to the increasing trend of psychoactive substance use among the Brazilian population and also the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a period of underreporting due to social isolation.

None Declared

In recent years, mental health has gained prominence in public health, prompting thorough investigations into psychiatric condition trends. This study conducts a comprehensive epidemiological analysis of hospitalizations for Schizophrenia, Schizotypal, and Delirium Disorders in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) over the past five years. By revealing these patterns, it enhances our understanding of regional mental health dynamics and offers insights for intervention strategies, resource planning, and improved mental healthcare. The ultimate goal is to advance more effective and accessible mental healthcare in RS and beyond.

This study aims to analyze the prevalence and epidemiological profile of hospitalizations due to psychiatric disorders to assist in the diagnosis and outcome of affected patients.

A cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospective, and quantitative study was conducted regarding hospitalizations for Schizophrenia, Schizotypal Disorders, and Delirium in the state of RS between January 2018 and November 2022. Data were collected from the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS) in the “Hospital Information System of SUS” section, focusing on the nature of care, age group, gender, and ethnicity of the patients. The information was aggregated over the five-year period based on the four mentioned descriptors and subsequently analyzed to establish a profile of hospitalizations during that period.

The analysis spans from 2018 to 2022, encompassing a total of 28,345 hospitalizations. In 2019, there was the highest number of cases (22.21%), followed by 2018 (21.08%). Urgent care admissions constituted 85.34% of the total. The age group most affected was 35 to 39 years (11.8%). Men were more affected than women (60.18%), and the majority of hospitalizations were among the Caucasian ethnicity (75.12%). The average length of stay was 23.7 days, and the mortality rate stood at 0.26%.

The increasing trend in hospitalizations, peaking in 2019, highlights the need for preventive measures. Urgent admissions (85.34%) underscore the demand for accessible mental health resources. Men in the 35 to 39 age group are disproportionately affected, suggesting specific risk factors. The predominance of Caucasian ethnicity emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive care. A longer average length of stay (23.7 days) underscores treatment complexity, while a low mortality rate (0.26%) signals effective medical care. In essence, these findings inform tailored mental health policies to enhance service quality and prioritize patient-centered approaches.

None Declared

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) can be observed in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Hallucinations are a core clinical symptom of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). In this study, we investigated NPS in healthy control and MCI groups who would later be diagnosed with DLB to determine which symptoms would present early.

Participants included those originally diagnosed as healthy controls (n=55), MCI with DLB etiology (n=215), and DLB (n=1059). The control and MCI groups progressed to DLB at later visits in the study. NPS data were collected using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) that was obtained from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center.

To determine which NPS presented early in the DLB course, we ran ANCOVAs to assess the role of original diagnosis on each NPS, using age as a covariate and applying Bonferroni correction. The control and MCI groups, who were later diagnosed with DLB, had greater severity of delusions, hallucinations, agitation, and apathy than the DLB group. The MCI group that would later be diagnosed with DLB had greater severity of anxiety and motor symptoms than the DLB group. The control group had greater irritability severity than the DLB group, and the controls had greater nighttime behavior severity than the MCI group, who had greater severity than the DLB group.

Overall, we found that NPS present early in those who will be diagnosed with DLB, even when they are diagnosed as healthy controls. These results suggest that examination of NPS is important even in healthy adults, and their presence may be the onset of the DLB process before an official diagnosis of the condition.

Delirium is characterised by an acute, fluctuating change in cognition, attention and awareness (Wilson et al. Nature Reviews 2020; 6). This presentation can make the diagnosis of delirium extremely challenging to clinicians (Gofton., Canadian Journal of neurological sciences. 2011; 38 673-680). It is commonly reported in hospitalised patients, particularly in those over the age of sixty five (NICE. Delirium: prevention, diagnosis and management. 2010).

Our aim is to identify which investigations and cognitive assessments are completed prior to a referral to the liaison psychiatry services in patients with symptoms of delirium.

Referrals (N = 6012) to the liaison psychiatry team at Croydon University Hospital made between April and September 2022 were screened. Search parameters used to identify referrals related to a potential diagnosis of delirium were selected by the authors. The terms used were confusion; delirium; agitation; aggression; cognitive decline or impairment; disorientation; challenging behaviour. Data was collected on the completion rates of investigations for delirium as advised by the NICE clinical knowledge summaries. Further data was gathered on neuroimaging (CT or MRI), cognitive assessment tools (MOCA/MMSE) and delirium screening tools (4AT/AMTS).

The study sample identified 114 referrals (61 males and 53 females), with 82% over 65 years at the time of referral. In 96% of referrals, U&E and CRP were performed. Sputum culture (1%), urine toxin screen (4%) and free T3/4 (8%) were the tests utilised the least. Neuroimaging was completed in 41% of referrals (see Graph 1 for a full breakdown of results).

A formal cognitive assessment or delirium screening tool was completed in 32% of referrals. The AMTS and 4AT tools were documented for 65% and 24% respectively. A total of 19 referrals explicitly stated the patient was suspected to have dementia. A delirium screening tool was documented in 47% of these cases however, a formal cognitive assessment was documented in only 5% of these patients.

Following psychiatric assessment 47% of referrals were confirmed as delirium.

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Our data highlights the low level completion of the NICE recommended delirium screen prior to referral to liaison psychiatry. The effective implementation of a delirium screen and cognitive assessment is paramount to reduce the number of inappropriate psychiatric referrals in hospital and helps to identify reversible organic causes of delirium. This in turn will ensure timely treatment of reversible causes of delirium and reduce the length of hospital admission.

None Declared

Research on life stress in bipolar disorder largely fails to account for the possibility of a dynamic relationship between psychosocial stress and episode initiation. The kindling hypothesis states that over the course of recurrent affective disorders, there is a weakening temporal relationship between major life stress and episode initiation that could reflect either a progressive sensitization or progressive autonomy to life stress.

To explore the concept of the Kindling model applied to bipolar disorder and to present a clinical case of a bipolar patient whose latter mood episodes were caused by adverse life events.

We performed a non-systematic literature review using the most relevant papers found on the database PubMed with the keywords “kindling effect”, “allostatic load”, “bipolar disorder” and “prevention”. Description of the clinical case report.

The phenomenon of kindling was first discovered by Goddard in 1967 who described it in epilepsy. Later, Post applied it to the bipolar disorder, arguing that the initial episodes of both unipolar and bipolar affective disorders are often precipitated by psychosocial stressors, but after multiple recurrences, not only do precipitated episodes continue to occur, but so do spontaneous ones as well. We present the case report of a 62 years old woman, divorced, diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder since she was 20 years old. She always have had poor adherence to her medication and follow-up with Psychiatry consultation, with a non-containing sociofamily environment that does not promote clinical stability. Over the time, her admissions on the Psychiatry ward were more frequent and precipitated by adverse life events, mainly caused by the deteriorated relationship with her children.

The kindling model clarifies aspects of the longitudinal course of episode development, recurrence, and progression to spontaneity, as well as further conceptual and theoretical rationales for intervention in order to prevent illness progression.

None Declared

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by impairments in social cognition and repetitive behaviors with onset in early infancy. Deficits in emotion recognition, social perception, and communication have been identified as core symptoms of ASD.

Comorbid disorders are frequent, namely psychiatric illness, epilepsy, sleep disruption, and hyperactivity.

Immune profile changes during early life may contribute to pathogenesis of ASD. Other risk factors include advanced parental age, fetal environment, fertility treatments, medications, and nutritional and toxic factors.

Several brain regions are involved in the pathophysiology of ASD but the cerebellum is the structure most consistently found altered. An increased risk of ASD is associated with cerebellar damage.

To highlight the importance of understanding the key processes of cerebellar development and how altered cerebellar function leads to social and cognitive impairments, and consequently ASD.

Non-systematic review of the literature using Pubmed database. Papers were selected according to their relevance.

From imaging studies, we can understand that cerebellum is not just about motor function. Different tasks like adding working memory, emotional and social processing, and language seem to be part of core functions of the cerebellar circuit.

Adults with lesions in the cerebellum can develop cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS), with core symptoms of impaired executive function, difficulties in spatial cognition, blunted affect, or inappropriate behavior. Some children who have tumor resection surgery for medulloblastomas also exhibit symptoms of CCAS, and some experience posterior fossa syndrome (PFS).

The linguistic, cognitive, and behavioral deficits in CCAS and PFS may contribute to explaining how cerebellar alterations are related to ASD, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by an earlier onset and broader spectrum of these symptoms.

The literature has suggested an important role for cerebellar dysfunction in etiology of ASD, under certain premises: (a) cerebellar expansion temporarily coincides with onset of ASD; (b) cerebellum is prone to lesions during this period; (3) cerebellar lesions contribute to dysfunctional social and language abilities.

Disturbances in cerebellar development lead to alterations in higher cognitive functions, due to changes in Purkinje cells. These dysfunctional neurons, once integrated into a brain circuit that controls complex tasks, lead to these functions becoming aberrant.

It is therefore fair to say that cerebellum is important for development of the so-called “cognitive and social brain” since it is itself part of this network. So, the cerebellum certainly plays a relevant role in pathophysiology of ASD.

None Declared

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is highly prevalent in prison populations, with an estimated prevalence of 51%-82% according to a 2018 review. TBI has been linked to higher rates of interpersonal violence, recidivism, suicide, higher drop-out rates in rehabilitation programmes, and lower age of first conviction. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of interpersonal violence, and previous TBI. Little is known about prevalence of TBI or ADHD amongst inpatients in secure psychiatric settings in the UK. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of TBI and ADHD in inpatients admitted to a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) and to low and medium secure units across three London mental health NHS trusts.

60 male participants were identified through prospective purposive sampling. Three questionnaires were administered: the Brain Injury screening Index (BISI); Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale v1.1 (ASRS); and the Brief-Barkley Adult ADHD Rating scale (B-BAARS). We also reviewed medical records of participants, age, psychiatric diagnoses, level of education, and convictions for violent and/or non-violent offences, number of admissions, and length of current admission. Ethical approval was granted by the local research ethics committee

67.8% of participants screened positive for a history of head injury, and 68.3% and 32.2% screened positive on the ASRS and B-BAARS respectively. 38.33% recorded greater than one head injury on the BISI. The most commonly recorded psychiatric diagnoses were schizophrenia (43.33%), schizoaffective disorder (23.33%), Bipolar Affective Disorder (11.67%), and Unspecified Non-Organic Psychosis (10.00%). Screening positive on ASRS was associated with screening positive for previous head injuries BISI (p = 0.01, ꭕ2). No other statistical associations were identified.

A relatively high proportion of participants screened positive for head injury and ADHD in this population. A history of head injury was associated with positive screening on the ASRS, which is consistent with previously reported associations between these conditions in other populations. A similar relationship was not seen with the B-BAARS however, and it is notable that fewer participants in the sample screened positive on the B-BAARS than using the ASRS. Few (n = 5) patients were able to provide detailed descriptions of head injuries using the BISI, suggesting that the BISI may not be suitable in this specific population as a screening tool.

Although a large number of studies have shown brain volumetric differences between men and women, only a few investigations to date have analyzed brain tissue volumes in representative samples of the general elderly population.

We investigated differences in gray matter (GM), white matter (WM) and intracranial volumes (ICVs) between sexes in individuals above 66 years old using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Using FreeSurfer version 5.3, we automatically obtained the ICVs, GM and WM volumes from MRI datasets of 84 men and 92 women. To correct for interindividual variations in ICV, GM and WM volumes were adjusted with a method using the residuals of a least-square-derived linear regression between raw volumes and ICVs. We then performed an ANCOVA comparing men and woman including age and years of schooling as confounding factors.

Women had a lower socioeconomic status overall and fewer years of schooling than men. The comparison of unadjusted brain volumes showed larger GM and WM volumes in men. After the ICV correction, the adjusted volumes of GM and WM were larger in women.

After the ICV correction and taking into account differences in socioeconomic status and years of schooling, our results confirm previous findings of proportionally larger GM in women, as well as larger WM volumes. These results in an elderly population indicate that brain volumetric differences between sexes persist throughout the aging process. Additional studies combining MRI and other biomarkers are warranted to identify the hormonal and molecular bases influencing such differences.

To estimate the cost of metastatic prostate cancer (mPC) treatment using the time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) method from the perspective of a philanthropic hospital in the Brazilian public health system (PHS) and to identify determinants of costs.

We used data from patients who received docetaxel chemotherapy in the Brazilian PHS from September 2012 to May 2017. Direct medical costs were estimated with the TDABC microcosting method, taking into account the multiple departments and services the patients interacted with during their oncological treatment.

The median overall survival of the forty-three patient sample was 1.8 years (95% CI 1.45–2.30), and the total cost of the sample was BRL 917.005 (USD 250,878). The median monthly cost per patient was BRL 20.201 (USD 5,526). The end-of-life cost per patient using the TDABC method was BRL 5.151 (USD 1,409). Patients who had received previous treatment at the center registered the lowest cost for hospitalizations and exams, suggesting an opportunity to better manage healthcare resources.

This is the first study on the economic burden of mPC in the Brazilian PHS using the TDABC costing evaluation method. Accurate cost information obtained with the TDABC can be helpful in guiding disease management to guarantee better use of ever-scarcer resources.