Page 70 - ITPS-7-2

INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Youth brain health check and dysregulation

categories and classifications, such as the Research Domain SUD and the need for treatment. The tools to prevent the
Criteria project, WHO International Statistical Classification progression of SUD are available and must be implemented
of Diseases-11, or DSM-5, can help overcome global mental urgently because deaths attributed to SUD have continued to
health challenges, our concern is that anomalous brain increase unabated. Therefore, a reexamination of approaches
activity is not being adequately considered within the context to brain health and addiction and novel perspectives needs
of “systems biology,” neglecting educational, economic, and to be implemented by the medical community.
behavioral consequences that require appropriate and effective The clinical evidence accumulated during the past three
interventions. The best approach to achieving positive clinical decades underscores the necessity for establishing a BHC
outcomes is to initiate novel strategic alternative modalities focused on precision neuropsychiatric testing, including
targeting the etiology rather than just the symptoms. 107,108 episodic memory and processing speed (MemTrax), 122-124

9. Positive thinking in adolescence general memory (CNSVS), 125-130 attention (T.O.V.A), 131-137
neuropsychiatric (MCMI-III), 138-140 and neurological
Positive emotions and cognition have been widely recognized for imaging (qEEG/P300/EP), 131,137,141-154 for patients at risk
their beneficial effects on overall mental health and well-being, of or presenting with problematic drug misuse. Since
particularly when people focus on positive thought processes. In addiction is related to learning mechanisms, refocusing on
positive psychology, the goal is typically to engender character learning and memory may change the perspective on the
traits such as optimism and hope, which reduce anxiety and beneficial use of these brain mechanisms. For example, the
109
depression while fostering strong social interactions. There are online program MemTrax (www.memtrax.com) can help
many interventions aimed at developing and adjusting emotional individuals monitor their memory as frequently as needed
and social skills in school, such as social and emotional learning and observe how it is being impacted by substance abuse.
programs or positive youth development interventions. Such feedback can lead to behavioral improvements and
110
111
However, research concerning positive thinking in adolescents serve as a valuable tool for those providing therapeutic
has been relatively limited. Data indicate that negative interventions, such as BHCo.
112
emotions, such as anxiety or depression, are associated with
the dysregulation of the amygdala – PFC circuitry. Positive One of the basic neurochemical mechanisms in the
113
emotional words are associated with increased activation in the brain, the midbrain dopamine system, participates in pacing
ventral medial PFC. Other studies have uncovered important critical cognition functions, including reward and the
114
155-158
connections between positive emotions and brain processes facilitation of addictive behaviors. A study conducted by
155
relevant to prosocial behaviors. For example, a study of the Rouhani and Niv, through fitting reinforcement learning
positive emotion of professional pride revealed a relationship to models to behavior, demonstrated that both signed (cue
empathy, reward, and emotion regulation, as well as the theory- predicting the reward) and unsigned (unexpected, surprising
of-mind network. 115 reward) prediction errors (RPEs) contribute to learning by
modulating the learning rate. They further characterized the
From a neurotransmitter perspective, positive emotions effects of these RPE signals on memory, demonstrating that
are associated with increases in dopamine function within both signed and unsigned RPEs augment memory, aligning
the reward network. 116-119 Altered activity in serotonin with midbrain dopamine and locus-coeruleus modulation
modulates negative emotional responses. Oxytocin, of hippocampal plasticity. Further research by this group
120
which supports affiliative behaviors, may also play a role in supports the complex nature of reward and learning involving
responses to positive versus negative emotional processes. dopaminergic mechanisms. Finally, Katzman and Hartley’s
121
156
Thus, fostering positive emotions and implementing work indicates that both children and adults tend to remember
interventions that support them lead to substantial changes past events more when the value of choice is beneficial
in the brain, involving various areas associated with reward, compared to non-beneficial. These proposed BHC/BHCo
157
positive self-image, prosocial behaviors, and empathy. can be used as a standardized approach for school-aged
Working toward instilling positive emotions in adolescents children, akin to fitness programs. Our suggestion introduces
is likely to yield short- and long-term benefits regarding a set of objective brain assessments parallel to those used in
their overall mental health and well-being. cardiology for diagnosing and following the clinical course
10. Conclusion of cardiac diseases. The coaching approach, including close
evaluation and management guidance (including GARS
Importantly, initial engagement in rehabilitation and testing and subsequent KB220z variant matching), could
detoxification bears similarities to experiencing a first stroke easily be adapted for implementation throughout the US and
or heart attack in that the brain has already been impacted global educational systems. We understand that this initiative
by pathological events that led to the manifestations of would require a substantial and bold approach to the care of

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2024) 10 doi: 10.36922/itps.1472