Background/Objective: The heterogeneous clinical presentations of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) pose a significant challenge for sample characterization. Therefore the main goal of DSM-5 must be to identify subgroups of ASD, including comorbidity disorders and severity. The main goal of this study is to explore the psychiatric comorbidities and the severity of symptoms that could be relevant for the phenotype characterization in ASD and also to compare these results according to the different classification criteria between the DSM-IV-TR and the DSM-5. Method: A comparative study of severity and psychiatric comorbidities was carried out between a sample of participants that only met criteria for Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) according to the DSM-IV-TR and a sample of participants that also met ASD criteria according to DSM-5 classification. The recruitment of children was via educational (N = 123). The psychiatric symptoms, comorbid disorders and severity of symptoms were assessed through The Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form, clinical interview and The Inventory of Autism Spectrum Disorder, respectively. The psychiatric comorbidities considered were: anxiety, eating behavioural problems, self-aggressiveness, hetero-aggressiveness, self-harm, obsessive compulsive disorder and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Results: Statistically significant differences between both groups were found regarding obsessive compulsive disorder, eating behavioural problems and severity. Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that patients who meet the DSM-5 criteria have more severe symptoms, not only regarding the core autistic symptoms but also in relation with psychiatric comorbidities.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a pathology with increasing prevalence in the context of a more long-lived society and it is the first cause of dementia in western countries. It is important to investigate factors that can be protective and may influence its development, in order to act on them trying to reduce AD incidence and its progression. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effects of a higher adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and AD. A literature search in PubMed, The Cochrane Library Plus and Scopus was conducted, selecting articles that analyzed associations between MD adherence and AD biomarkers (Volumetry assessed by MRI and betamiloide and Tau deposits by PET); cognitive performance in patients at risk or presenting MCI and AD; and incidence or progression from MCI to AD. Out of the 589 studies screened, 22 studies met eligibility criteria for the systematic review and qualitative synthesis. Finally, 11 studies were included in the meta-analysis (12,458 participants). Higher adherence to MD was associated with a significantly lower risk of MCI (RR = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.85–0.97) and lower risk of AD (RR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.84–0.93). Our results enhance the importance of taking health-promoting lifestyle measures like following Mediterranean dietary patterns in order to reduce AD risk.

Background: In recent years, the possibility of intervening humans with animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been growing due to numerous physical, psychological, and social benefits provided to humanity, enabling them to maintain or improve their quality of life. There exist different animals through which this therapy can be performed. The purpose of this systematic review will focus on the effects of AAT in several neurological diseases. Methods: The search of clinical trials was carried out in the PubMed, Scielo, Embase and PEDro databases. The selection of articles was made according to the different inclusion and exclusion criteria, incorporating those that approached neurological diseases to be reviewed. Results: Twenty-five clinical trials were identified, seventeen of which were finally included in the review. The results indicate that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in different neurological diseases has many benefits in several areas, for example, in motor and physical ability as well as in mental and behavioural health. Conclusions: This systematic review provides occupational therapy practitioners with evidence on the use of activity based on animal-assisted therapy as a novel field of intervention that can complement other therapies and obtain benefits in different populations.

Sleep disturbances (SDs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) may significantly affect the behavioral, functional, and cognitive capacities of patients to the point of becoming a major determinant of caregiver burden. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 125 patients with probable AD to assess the association of SDs with neuropsychiatric symptoms, cognitive and functional status of patients, and severity and duration of dementia and to ascertain the role of antidementia drugs in the treatment of SD. SDs were assessed using the questionnaire on sleep disorders in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. The prevalence of SDs in this sample was 36%. SDs in patients with AD are significantly associated with depression (Wald's test, 3.983; p < 0.05), disinhibition (Wald's test, 5.522; p < 0.05), and aberrant motor behavior (Wald's test, 7.430; p < 0.01). The patients treated with memantine presented lower mean SDs scores (t = 2.76; p < 0.001). These results highlight the need for a standardized and validated approach to the assessment of SDs in AD.