IntroductionVisual electrophysiology, including electroretinograms (ERG) and visual evoked potentials (VEP), provides a real-time functional assessment of retinal and post-retinal pathways, complementing structural imaging. Subtypes such as transient, periodic, multifocal, and code-modulated signals probe distinct physiological mechanisms and reveal pathological signatures ranging from photoreceptor dysfunction to cortical pathway impairment. However, interpretation is often challenged by low signal amplitude, noise, and inter-individual variability. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) enable automated, objective and reproducible analysis, and may improve sensitivity, and scalability in clinical and research environments. We undertook a literature review to identify the potential of automated analysis of brief visual electrophysiology signals to support medical interpretation in ophthalmology.Materials and methodsA review of the 2020–2025 literature was undertaken.ResultsAI has been increasingly applied to ERG and VEP signals. These signals encode complex pathophysiological processes. Their features vary widely as they are transient (triggered by a single stimulus), periodic (repeated over time), multifocal (capturing signals from multiple visual field locations), or dependent on specific timing or coding schemes. These properties influence the choice of the most appropriate AI method for analysis. Classical ML methods remain useful for interpretable, feature-based classification of relatively scarce medical data, such as transient/aperiodic VEP and ERG. By modeling latent dynamics, AI can identify subtle or early dysfunction and harmonize interpretation across centers.ConclusionAI supports reproducible, clinician-independent pipelines for electrophysiology, well-suited to high-volume clinics and large-scale screening. The convergence of standardized acquisition protocols with advanced AI analysis has the potential to deliver more personalized, timely, and objective assessments of visual system integrity in neuro-ophthalmic practice.
Clinical application of 1H MRS in the human brain at 7T
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) enables non-invasive biochemical sampling of tissues, potentially aiding diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of various pathologies, while providing novel imaging biomarkers. Ultra-high-field (UHF) imaging at 7 tesla (7T) benefits from improved spectral dispersion due to an increase in chemical shift differences between metabolites, and a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), making 1H MRS at 7T a particularly promising diagnostic tool for identifying and separating metabolites not clearly resolved at lower field strengths. However, 1H MRS at UHF presents technical challenges related to the short RF wavelength at 7T, resulting in B1 transmit field inhomogeneity, and the increased magnetic susceptibility gradients leading to B0 field inhomogeneity. Appropriate MRS methods are required to address these issues. In this article, we describe the technical aspects and challenges of 1H MRS at 7T, based on the experience in our centre, where single voxel 1H MRS has featured prominently in clinical 7T research applications for several years. We present data from six patients with glial tumours, including three who were post-operative, in whom post-surgical metalware affects the specific absorption rate (SAR), along with two patients with neuroinflammatory conditions and two with neurodegenerative diseases. The potential clinical use of 1H MRS for these pathologies and its possible integration as a promising biomarker into advanced imaging pathways are discussed.
Acceptance of mental illness and attitude towards pharmacotherapy among patients hospitalized in forensic psychiatry departments
Aim of the studyThe aim of the study was to assess the level of acceptance of the disease and attitudes towards pharmacological treatment in patients hospitalized in forensic psychiatry departments and to analyze the relationship between these variables and the length of hospitalization.Materials and methodsThe study included 121 patients hospitalized in forensic psychiatry wards. The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI) were used. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric tests, with a significance level of p < 0.05.ResultsThe mean AIS score was 28 points, indicating moderate to good disease acceptance. A positive attitude toward pharmacological treatment was demonstrated by 74% of respondents. There was no significant correlation between disease acceptance and attitudes toward treatment (p = 0.70), nor was there any effect of hospitalization length on attitudes toward pharmacotherapy (p = 0.317).ConclusionsPatients of forensic psychiatry wards demonstrate a medium or high level of acceptance of the disease and a mostly positive attitude towards pharmacotherapy; the lack of significant correlations between these variables and the independence from the length of hospitalization indicate the need for individualized therapy.
Machiavellianism, level of personality functioning, and maladaptive personality traits: mediation analyses in a clinical sample
IntroductionMachiavellianism was repeatedly found to be associated with personality dysfunction. The Alternative Model for Personality Disorders offers a dimensional approach to personality disorders including level of personality functioning and maladaptive personality traits. The aim of this study was to test mediation models wherein level of personality functioning was suggested to mediate the relationship between maladaptive personality traits and Machiavellian views and tactics.MethodUsing self-report measures, 341 mental health patients (Mage = 34.78 years; SDage = 10.99) of an inpatient psychotherapy ward participated in the study with various mental disorders. 200 patients identified as females, 94 as males, 1 as non-binary, 46 participants didn’t report their gender. Participation was anonymous and voluntary. All patients gave their informed consent.ResultsCorrelational analyses revealed that impairment in level of personality functioning and all maladaptive personality trait domains were positively associated with Machiavellian views and tactics (except for the nonsignificant association between Negative Affectivity and Machiavellian Tactics). According to results of mediational analyses, maladaptive personality traits of Detachment, Psychoticism, and Negative Affectivity were associated with Machiavellian views via indirect pathways through level of personality functioning, whereas Negative Affectivity and Antagonism were directly associated with Machiavellian tactics.DiscussionCorrelational results were in line with existing literature. Correlational results and mediation analyses supported the distinct characteristics of Machiavellian views and tactics. The results of this study could be conclusive both for clinical practice and a better understanding of the concept of Machiavellianism.
A phenomenological study on psychological resilience among medical vocational college freshmen
BackgroundMedical vocational college freshmen face severe challenges to their psychological resilience from various stressful events upon their enrollment. This qualitative study aimed to explore the authentic experiences and intrinsic characteristics of psychological resilience among medical vocational college freshmen.MethodsThe study employed a descriptive phenomenological design. A purposive sample of 24 medical vocational college freshmen was recruited as participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data between January 2025 and February 2025. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the Colaizzi descriptive analysis method.ResultsData analysis identified nine subthemes falling into three macrothemes: (a) Challenges: The Erosion of Psychological Resilience, describing how freshmen’s psychological resilience is eroded when they face difficulties in adapting to college life; (b) Support: The Recovery of Psychological Resilience, focusing on how freshmen regain resilience through internal and external support; (c) Cognition: The Maintenance of Psychological Resilience, explaining the factors that promote the sustained development of freshmen’s psychological resilience.ConclusionFreshmen face pressures in academics, interpersonal relationships, and self-management. Family and peer support, together with personal growth, contribute to resilience recovery. Educators should employ cognitive restructuring, experiential learning, and other strategies to help maintain their psychological resilience.
Harsh discipline mediates the association between parenting stress and internalizing problems in children and adolescents: survey-based and online intervention evidence
BackgroundParenting stress evokes harsh discipline and induces internalizing problems in children and adolescents. To test this hypothesis, this study examined the potential mediating role of harsh discipline in the association between parenting stress and internalizing problems in children and adolescents while considering the moderating effect of emotion regulation.MethodsTwo studies were conducted: Study 1 was a cross-sectional survey using questionnaires (N = 971), and Study 2 implemented a three-week online parental intervention training program combining courses and psychological diary recording (N = 123).ResultsBoth studies consistently demonstrated that harsh discipline mediated the link between parenting stress and internalizing problems in children and adolescents. Furthermore, acceptance and cognitive reappraisal reduced the effect of parenting stress on harsh discipline, whereas distraction and rumination enhanced it. Expressive suppression had no significant moderating effect. The intervention enhanced parents’ emotion regulation (increased acceptance), reduced parenting stress and alleviated internalizing problems in children and adolescents, with preliminary evidence of reduced harsh discipline.ConclusionThese findings clarify the psychological mechanisms through which parenting stress influences child adaptiveness and underscore the value of interventions focused on emotion regulation in mitigating parenting stress, harsh discipline and enhancing child mental health.
Momentary predictors of dissociation in functional neurological disorder: an ecological momentary assessment-based pilot study
IntroductionEvidence suggests that dissociation may play a role in the manifestation of functional neurological disorder (FND). Dissociative experiences are frequently reported in FND, yet their dynamic associations with affective and physiological states remain underexplored. This pilot study aimed to examine dissociative symptoms in daily life in FND, to identify predictors of dissociation using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) combined with wearable heart-rate monitoring.MethodsSeventeen individuals with FND (functional seizures/motor symptoms) and seventeen age- and gender-matched healthy controls completed EMA via pseudorandom smartphone prompts eight times daily for one week. This was a secondary analysis of data from a pilot case-control intensive longitudinal observation study. Dissociation (depersonalisation, derealisation, amnesia), negative affect, and subjective arousal were assessed using items modified from validated scales, while heart-rate was continuously recorded via Fitbit devices. Multilevel modelling was conducted to examine between-group differences, and momentary associations between predictors (negative affect, subjective arousal, heart-rate) and dissociative symptoms within the FND group. Time-lagged analyses explored temporal relationships between the predictors and dissociative symptoms.ResultsThe FND group reported significantly higher dissociative symptoms across the week compared to controls; amnesia (F(1,34)=13.09, p <.001), depersonalisation (F(1, 34)=7.35, p = .010), and derealisation (F(1, 34)=8.31, p = .007), these differences withstood correction for anxiety, but not for depression. Negative affect (p-values=<0.001, β=0.094-0.111), subjective arousal (p-values=<0.001, β=0.102-0.124), and higher heart-rate (p-values = 0.01-0.006, β= 0.078-0.091) were each significant concurrent predictors of all three dissociative symptom types. In combined models, negative affect and subjective arousal remained robust predictors across all symptom domains, whereas heart-rate lost significance. Time-lagged analyses did not yield significant associations.ConclusionIndividuals with FND self-reported elevated dissociative symptoms in daily life compared to healthy controls; however, these significant differences did not remain when controlling for depression. Dissociation was consistently associated with subjective arousal and negative affect, but not heart-rate, underscoring the importance of subjective emotional states over physiological influences on self-reported dissociative symptom variability. The absence of temporal effects highlights the transient nature of dissociation in FND. These findings support the possibility of conceptualising FND through a dissociative lens and emphasise the need for larger longitudinal studies to clarify underlying mechanisms.
Tracing the rise of biomedical foundation models
Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03135-y
A survey of biological foundation models reveals current trends and provides an outlook for future developments in this rapidly evolving field
A data-driven risk stratification framework for clinical obesity
Nature Medicine, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04370-1
To inform precision management of obesity, this study developed and externally validated a parsimonious model (OBSCORE) that accurately predicts the risk of 18 obesity-related complications. This was achieved by integrating thousands of clinical, molecular and other health-related characteristics assessed in 200,000 individuals with overweight or obesity within a machine-learning framework.
Uncovering risk factors in the exposome for early-onset colorectal cancer
Nature Medicine, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04369-8
The alarming rise in the incidence of colorectal cancer among younger individuals is probably due to environmental factors; epigenetic signatures of exposures may help uncover drivers of this trend, but questions remain.