Annals of Neurosciences

Understanding the complex interplay between emotional intelligence and behaviour patterns among adolescents holds a pivotal role in shaping their developmental trajectories and overall well-being. Adolescence, marked by rapid physical, emotional and cognitive changes, is a critical phase where emotional skills and behavioural tendencies are particularly malleable.

The study investigates the interplay between emotional intelligence and behaviour patterns among adolescents in Gujarat and Maharashtra, India. The research objectives encompassed assessing emotional intelligence levels, exploring gender differences and examining the relationship between emotional intelligence and behaviour patterns.

The research design employed ex post facto methodology, collecting data from 740 adolescents across CBSE schools. Validated measures for emotional intelligence and criminal propensity were utilized.

The results revealed the impact of gender, regions and their interaction on different dimensions of emotional intelligence and criminal propensity. While some dimensions were significantly influenced by these factors, others remained unaffected. The correlation analysis underscored intricate relationships between emotional intelligence dimensions and criminal propensity.

The study contributes valuable insights into the dynamics of Emotional Intelligence and Behaviour Patterns among adolescents, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support systems. These findings hold implications for educators, parents and policymakers in fostering Emotional Intelligence development and curbing potential Behavioural concerns among adolescents.

Many military service members are victims of repetitive blast traumatic brain injuries (rbTBI) and endure diverse altered psychological and behavioural conditions during their lifetime. Some of these conditions include anxiety, post-traumatic stress and pain. Thus, this study attempts to fill the knowledge gap on enduring behavioural and neuroinflammatory marker alterations 1 month after rbTBI.

Although previous rbTBI animal studies have shown behavioural and histopathological changes either a few days (acute) or many months (chronic) after trauma, knowledge related to post-traumatic changes during the intermediate timeframe, i.e. a month after rbTBI is less clear or unavailable.

Sprague–Dawley rats (male; n = 12) were assigned to either rbTBI or sham conditions. Animals assigned to the rbTBI group were subjected to 1 blast exposure per day for three consecutive days, while animals in the sham group were exposed to identical experimental conditions sans blast exposure. All animals were tested for anxiety at baseline. 30 days post-injury, animals were tested again for anxiety and paw thermal sensitivity, followed by brain harvest for immunohistochemical analyses.

Animals exposed to rbTBI showed signs of anxiety-like behaviour on parameters of elevated plus-maze and behavioural signs of pain indicated by reduced thermal withdrawal latency of the forepaw. Histologically, brain sections from animals exposed to rbTBI showed a significantly increased number of microglial/macrophage and astrocytic counts in the medial prefrontal cortex.

Data from this initial preclinical study support the prevalence of putative anxiety-like behaviour, enhancement in forepaw thermal sensitivity and increase in the number of glial cells even 1 month after rbTBI. These findings have potential implications in the treatment evaluation of blast-exposed military and civilian populations and emphasise the need for devising protective measures for people susceptible to single or repeated exposures. A greater further understanding of rbTBI-related chronic concurrent behavioural and neuropathological sequela is warranted.

The fascinating ability of brain to integrate information from multiple sensory inputs has intrigued many researchers. Audio–visual (AV) interaction is a form of multisensory integration which we encounter to form meaningful representations of the environment around us. There is limited literature related to the underlying neural mechanisms.

Quantitative EEG (QEEG), a tool with high temporal resolution can be used to understand cortical sources of AV interactions.

EEG data was recorded using 128 channels from 30 healthy subjects using audio, visual and AV stimuli in ‘object detection task’. Electrical source imaging was performed using s-LORETA across seven frequency bands (lower alpha 1, lower alpha 2, upper alpha, beta, delta, gamma, theta) during AV versus unimodal conditions across 66 gyri.

The cortical sources were activated in the theta, beta, and gamma bands in cross modal versus unimodal conditions, which we propose, reflect neural communication for AV interaction network. The cortical sources constituted areas involved with visual processing, auditory processing, established multisensory (frontotemporal cortex, parietal cortex, middle temporal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus) and potential multisensory areas (paracentral, postcentral and subcallosal).

Together, these results offer an integrative view of cortical areas in frequency oscillations during AV interactions.

The problem of treatment of patients in coma and persistent disturbances of consciousness is difficult and often neglected.

The study validated the effectiveness of functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography and isotopic brain perfusion in differentiating vegetative state from minimal conscious state.

The study was performed in a group of 61 patients with persistent disturbances of consciousness. All patients underwent CRS-R differentiation of consciousness and functional magnetic resonance imaging, EEG, and SPECT/CT studies according to a uniform diagnostic protocol.

Analysis has shown that functional magnetic resonance imaging is an effective tool for detecting of consciousness. Analysis of the EEG showed that the occurrence of primary alpha rhythm in patients with impaired consciousness coincides with the state of minimal conscious and may indicate a favourable prognosis. Sector analysis of isotopic cerebral perfusion allowed to put forward the thesis that the key role in the maintenance of consciousness plays a medial part of the left parietal lobe.

On the basis of these results, diagnostic protocol was developed for patients with disturbances of consciousness.

The retina is affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD).

We aimed to assess the anatomical and vascular deterioration of the retina in PD.

Sixty-six patients with PD and 66 healthy volunteers were evaluated in this study. Choriocapillaris vessel density (CCVD), superficial vascular density (SVD), deep vascular densities (DVD), central macular thickness (CMT), retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglionic cell layer (GCL), and choroidal thickness (CT) were assessed.

RNFL, GCL, CMT, and CT were thinner than in HC, and also the differences between the groups were statistically significant (P < .05). SVD and DVD were not statistically different between the groups (P > .05). There was a decrease in vascular density in all quadrants of the choriocapillary layer. The decrease in vascular density was statistically significant in the nasal, inferior and central quadrants (P < .05).

These results supported vascular thinning in the choroidal layer. Also showed that vascular and neural layers were affected together. It could help clinicians in the follow-up of Parkinson’s patients.

Excessive internet use is a growing concern globally, and internet addiction negatively impacts academic performance. Limited research has been conducted on this topic among undergraduate medical students in Bangladesh.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction and its impact on academic performance among medical students in Bangladesh, with a focus on the role of yoga in reducing Internet addiction as a proposed intervention.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among third-year medical students in four colleges in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Simple random sampling techniques were used to select participants, and data were collected using pretested questionnaires and a checklist for office records through face-to-face interviews. SPSS version 25 was used for data processing and analysis.

Out of 312 students, 84% were addicted to the internet, and only 16% were normal. In total, 64.4% had good results in the first professional examination, while 35.6% had poor results. In total, 85.9% had good attendance, while 14.1% had poor attendance. The association between internet addiction level and first professional examination results and class attendance was highly significant.

This study highlights the high prevalence and negative impacts of internet addiction among medical students in Bangladesh. The study suggests that promoting awareness about healthy technology use, establishing a better balance between internet usage and academic study, and encouraging the practice of yoga can help alleviate this problem. Further research and interventions are needed to tackle this emerging public health issue. Encouraging students to use the internet for academic purposes and providing education and resources can help promote healthy technology use. Healthcare professionals should also be aware of the risks and encourage seeking help if needed.

Autonomic neuropathy assessment is needed for the diagnosis and prognostication of different clinical disorders. Heart rate variability (HRV) and autonomic reactivity assessment by Ewing’s battery of tests form the cornerstones of laboratory assessment of cardiac autonomic neuropathy evaluation.

While these tests are routinely used, there are conflicting reports regarding the visit-to-visit repeatability of these tests. Therefore, we assessed autonomic measures derived using aforementioned tests on multiple visits in healthy subjects.

We enrolled 31 healthy subjects and performed autonomic function evaluation on five visits by assessment of HRV and autonomic reactivity on day 1 forenoon and afternoon, next day, one week later and one month later. Repeatability assessment was evaluated using Intraclass correlation coefficients. Values were defined as moderate, good and excellent based on previously reported criteria.

Thirty-one subjects completed all five visits (17 males, 14 females; mean age = 29 ± 5.44 years). While time-domain measures demonstrated good to excellent repeatability, frequency-domain measures were only moderately repeatable. Autonomic reactivity indices also displayed good to excellent repeatability with the exception of blood pressure response to orthostatic challenge which was moderately repeatable.

We recommend that sole reliance on frequency domain metrics for HRV assessment should be avoided. HRV indices and autonomic reactivity measures may continue to be used for cardiac autonomic neuropathy assessment.

Kapalbhati is a dynamic yogic breathing technique characterised by rapid, forceful exhalations followed by passive inhalations. Traditionally celebrated for detoxification, enhanced pulmonary function and improved mental clarity, its underlying neurophysiological mechanisms remain largely speculative.

This systematic review synthesises evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on Kapalbhati’s effects on respiratory and cognitive outcomes, and proposes a hypothetical integrative model to advance our understanding of this ancient practice. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect and the Cochrane Library using keywords such as “Kapalbhati,” “skull shining breath” and related synonyms. Only English-language RCTs published between 2014 and 2024 were included. Four RCTs meeting these criteria were critically appraised and their findings synthesised. The reviewed studies consistently indicate that Kapalbhati improves pulmonary function, possibly by mechanically stimulating pulmonary stretch receptors, and enhances cognitive performance by reducing anxiety and boosting attention. These outcomes suggest that the rapid breathing of Kapalbhati may modulate neural circuits in the nucleus tractus solitarius, thereby triggering the release of neuropeptides like oxytocin and norepinephrine, which are essential for emotional regulation and cognitive enhancement.

Integrating traditional yogic insights with contemporary neurophysiological theories, our proposed model offers a fresh perspective on Kapalbhati’s multifaceted benefits. This review not only highlights promising empirical findings but also lays the groundwork for future research aimed at validating these mechanisms and potentially transforming Kapalbhati into an evidence-based therapeutic strategy.

Over the past two decades, the intersection of yoga and psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) has received significant attention as a promising field for promoting mental and immune well-being. This bibliometric analysis explores global research trends, prolific authors, influential journals and collaboration patterns from 2003 to 2023. The study underscores the need to integrate traditional knowledge with modern science, positioning yoga as a validated tool in mainstream healthcare for disease prevention and management.

This study aims to explore global contributions, impact trends in yoga and PNI research, prolific authors, journals and spotlight leading countries, emerging opportunities, influential research hubs and collaboration gaps. Additionally, to conduct thematic analysis aimed at integrating yoga into mainstream healthcare as a scientifically validated tool for promoting mental and immune well-being within the context of PNI.

Articles published between 2003 and 2023 were retrieved from Scopus and analysed using Biblioshiny version 4.0.0 (via R-Studio) and VOSviewer.

A total of 2,173 publications were included. The average number of citations per document was 50.24. Although India is the birthplace of yoga, it still ranks fifth in terms of citations, behind the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. It was observed that around 30%–50% of India’s publications (n = 239) involve international collaboration. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and National Institute of Health dominate the funding landscape, whereas Indian funding agencies (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, Indian Council of Medical Research and Department of Science and Technology) play a relatively minor role in the global context.

This analysis provides an updated perspective for understanding the field’s hotspot, which facilitates future research to uncover the mechanisms underlying the effects of yoga on the psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine systems in disease prevention and management. Integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific practices, with a focus on high-impact publishing, will help position India as a leader in this research domain.

Head injury (HI) causes a wide range of psychological symptoms, such as cognitive deficits and mood changes, leading to significant disability. Although a few studies have explored the prevalence of HI in India. However, none of the meta-analytical studies reported the estimation of the prevalence of HI in India based on cross-sectional community surveys.

A systematic review search was conducted on journal hosting sites, namely EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, Ovid, PubMed, and Web of Science, complying with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Cross-sectional Indian studies reporting the prevalence of HI in India were included in the present study. The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias Tool for Prevalence Studies. The meta-analysis was conducted using ‘meta’ and ‘dmetar’ packages through R software (4.4.0). A total of 17 studies surveyed 85,720 people, of whom 921 suffered from HI. The results showed an HI prevalence of 25.7 per thousand people in India. Subgroup analysis revealed a higher prevalence of HI among females (91.1 per 1,000) in comparison to males (85.1 per 1,000). Additionally, subgroup analysis of domicile revealed a higher HI prevalence among those from urban areas (29.5 per 1,000) than among those from rural areas (22.4 per 1,000).

This study highlights the substantial burden of HI in India and the associated disparities in gender and domicile. The findings will be helpful to health professionals and policymakers in making informed decisions regarding the preventive aspects of HI in India.

Students with disabilities often encounter multiple barriers in accessing and succeeding in higher education. These challenges include physical inaccessibility, lack of academic support and social exclusion.

This systematic research attempts to identify important hurdles to higher education for students with disabilities, as well as examine the lack of accessibility and assistance. It also looks at publishing patterns, emphasising key publications, authors, nations and organisations in the subject.

The data was collected from Scopus and the Web of Science database and was analysed through a bibliometric approach with R software. The results indicated that students with disabilities in higher education encounter numerous challenges, which this study categorised into 14 major themes.

This article offers recommendations for creating an inclusive educational environment in which students with disabilities are treated fairly and given equal access to learning opportunities.

Emotional dysregulation is a multidimensional construct, understood as frequent and intense experience of emotions combined with a lack of ability to cope with their occurrence. Adolescence represents a crucial developmental period where emotional dysregulation is being increasingly addressed as an emerging mental health issue, with implications on overall well-being, as well as a potential cause of psychopathology. Mindfulness is the awareness that surfaces through purposefully paying attention to the present moment and nonjudgmentally, exploring the layers of moment-to-moment experiences; Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) emphasise increasing the awareness of the thoughts, feelings, and actions through therapeutic application of Mindfulness techniques. The application of MBIs is conducive to reducing emotional regulation difficulties and has further led to the enhancement of self-regulation of emotions and behaviour.

This study aims to understand the role of MBIs on emotional dysregulation among adolescents.

The methodology comprised of a systematic review of literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The analysis of the literature highlighted that MBIs effectively reduce emotional dysregulation and improve emotional regulation. The findings suggest that MBIs have been found to reduce adolescents’ emotional dysregulation and improve emotional regulation, coping skills, as well as neurological functioning, leading to positive outcomes as well as an enhancement of self-regulation of emotions.