Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health最新文献

{"title":"Assessing cardiovascular risks in Internet-addicted adults: A case-control analysis","authors":"Ramin Khameneh Bagheri ,&nbsp;Alireza Ebrahimi ,&nbsp;Vahid Reza Askari ,&nbsp;Mohsen Moohebati ,&nbsp;Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan ,&nbsp;Mohammad Mansouripour ,&nbsp;Mona Kabiri ,&nbsp;Vafa Baradaran Rahimi","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>We aimed to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors in adults addicted to the Internet and compare them to controls.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The present case-control study was conducted on 780 individuals randomly selected from the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorders Study (MASHAD study). Addiction to the Internet was determined by the self-administered Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Participants with IAT scores &gt;30 and lower than 30 were recruited to the Internet-addicted and control group, respectively. Demographic risk factors and laboratory findings were collected.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We evaluated 780 participants, 191 with Internet addiction and 589 in the control group. The median age was 53 (9.0), and 61.2 % of participants were female. The Internet-addicted group was remarkably younger than the control group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). We found remarkable differences in job status (<em>P</em> = 0.002) and history of hypertension (<em>P</em> = 0.029) between the two groups. Furthermore, moderate Internet addiction individuals were younger (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and had significantly higher cholesterol levels than the mild group (<em>P</em> = 0.045). Internet addiction scores correlated remarkably with age (<em>r</em>= -0.025, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), history of hypertension (<em>r</em> = 0.086, <em>P</em> = 0.016), history of cardiovascular diseases (<em>r</em> = 0.079, <em>P</em> = 0.026), and job status (<em>r</em>= -0.135, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). In addition, linear regression supported that Internet addiction score is markedly associated with age (<em>B</em>= -0.35, 95 % CI: -0.46, -0.24; standard error= 0.055, and <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Internet addiction may be considered a potentially dangerous factor for health, especially in younger adults. Therefore, focusing on educational planning about the negative effects of excessive Internet use, as well as monitoring and controlling its use, seems necessary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100179"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144722651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New psychoactive substances (NPS) identified in Canada: Results of the online NPS survey (2020–2023)","authors":"Sophie Rymill ,&nbsp;Lexy Candler ,&nbsp;Pavitra Ramachandran,&nbsp;Chantal Bacev-Giles ,&nbsp;Raymond-Jonas Ngendabanka,&nbsp;Stephane Racine,&nbsp;Nancy He,&nbsp;Michelle Ross,&nbsp;Susantha Mohottalage","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose and scope</h3><div>New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a broad class of compounds that are typically designed to mimic illicit substances and circumvent legislative controls. It is often difficult to predict their toxicity and other health effects due to a lack of research and data. In this study, NPS are defined as substances that are not controlled under the <em>Controlled Drugs and Substances Act</em> (<em>CDSA</em>) or otherwise regulated in Canada. Health Canada conducted the Online NPS Survey between March 2020 and March 2023 as a first step to identifying NPS used in Canada. The survey additionally aimed to characterize NPS use patterns in Canada and identify trends in the chemistry and pharmacology of reported substances. The online, self-administered questionnaire was regularly promoted on substance use discussion forums, harm reduction network sites, and social media. The questionnaire asked participants for information pertaining to an episode of NPS use in the past 12 months.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Two hundred sixty-two (262) episodes of NPS use were reported, from which 38 unique NPS were identified. Twenty-four (24) were hallucinogens (63.2 %); six were sedatives (15.8 %); three were opioids (7.9 %); three were stimulants (7.9 %); one was a dissociative (2.6 %); and one was an antidepressant (2.6 %). The most common NPS chemical classes were tryptamines (34.2 %), lysergamides (18.4 %), and phenethylamines (7.9 %) all of which belong to the hallucinogen pharmacological class. The prevalence of hallucinogens reported in the survey may be largely due to the definition of NPS used in the study, which was restricted to substances that are not regulated in Canada.</div><div>The three most commonly reported NPS were 1-propionyl lysergic acid diethylamide (1P-LSD), 4-acetoxy-dimethyltryptamine (4-AcO-DMT), and 4‑hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyl tryptamine (4-HO-MET). Polysubstance use was reported in 131 (50.0 %) episodes of NPS use. Cannabis was reported as the most concurrently used substance (102 cases, 77.9 %) with NPS, followed by tobacco and alcohol in 34 (26.0 %) and 29 (22.1 %) cases, respectively. Of the responses that reported a source for the NPS in question, the majority claimed to have purchased the NPS from an online store. Unwanted health effects were reported in over 50 % of cases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Structural trends amongst reported NPS were analysed, with a focus on hallucinogens of the tryptamine, lysergamide, and phenethylamine chemical classes. The survey provides valuable insight into NPS use and trends in Canada. More research is required to address specific concerns such as polysubstance use and health outcomes. More than half of reported episodes indicated unwanted health effects, indicating a need for further clinical research in NPS toxicology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144704519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of opium poisoning compared to other opioids in a poisoning referral center: Registry based study","authors":"Rokhsareh Meamar ,&nbsp;Sami Ebrahimi ,&nbsp;Arman Otroshi ,&nbsp;Awat Feizi ,&nbsp;Nastaran Eizadi-Mood","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100177","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100177","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study aimed to compare the clinicoepidemiological characteristics of opium poisoning with other types of opioids and analyze factors associated with opium poisoning.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This cross sectional study was conducted on patients with opioid poisoning from may 5, 2023 until may 5, 2024. Patients were divided into two groups: those with opium poisoning and those with other types of opioid poisoning. Data related to epidemiological, toxicological and clinical examinations as well as outcomes were collected.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This study included a total of 762 patients with opioid poisoning over a one-year period, of whom 126 had ingested opium. Patients with opium poisoning were older, married, less educated and had a higher prevalence of underlying diseases compared to patients with other types of opioid poisoning. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of their level of consciousness (P &lt; 0.001). Confusion, stupor and coma were more prevalent among those with opium poisoning. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of intubation and outcome in both groups (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression in opium poisoning revealed that for every one-year increase in age, the odds of opium poisoning increased by up to 5 % (OR = 1.05, 95 %CI (1.03–1.07); <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) compared to other opioid poisoning. In total 10 patients died, with 2 of them ingesting opium.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings could be helpful for risk assessment, management of opium poisoning and prevention strategies for the high-risk group.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100177"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144685534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Child-therapist acoustic synchrony and response trajectories in autism intervention: an AI-based automated analysis using dynamic systems theory and affective computing","authors":"Giulio Bertamini ,&nbsp;Silvia Perzolli ,&nbsp;Arianna Bentenuto ,&nbsp;Cesare Furlanello ,&nbsp;Mohamed Chetouani ,&nbsp;David Cohen ,&nbsp;Paola Venuti","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100176","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Child-clinician interpersonal dynamics are central to psychotherapy and are increasingly acknowledged as key elements in autism intervention. However, quantitatively studying fine-grained aspects such as the child-clinician synchrony patterns poses challenges, limiting translational research. Moreover, synchrony is rarely investigated with a long-term perspective. This study employed an AI-based, fully automated computational pipeline to analyze child-clinician interpersonal acoustic synchrony through the lens of complex dynamic systems and affective computing.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We followed 25 autistic preschoolers over one year of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI). Three 60-minute intervention sessions, at the beginning, after three months, and after one year, were analyzed second-by-second, totaling 75 videos. After AI-based automatic speech segmentation, acoustic synchrony was assessed using Cross-Recurrence Quantification Analysis to derive interaction metrics over the entire therapy sessions employing affective prosodic features. Robust Bayesian correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between affective acoustic synchrony and developmental learning rates at different time points.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No significant associations were found at baseline, while correlations emerged after three months and became more pronounced at one year. Early in therapy, interactions with a stronger internal structure, particularly in loudness, spectral dynamics, and voice quality, were linked to higher developmental gains. After one year, the relationship between synchrony and response shifted toward metrics reflecting transition dynamics and stability. Associations with fine-grained spectral features particularly characterized this phase.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Specific and different synchrony aspects were associated with therapy response trajectories both in the initial and latter phases of therapy. Acoustic features involved in intervention response are known to participate in the emotional content of speech, highlighting the contribution of affective aspects to therapy.</div><div>These findings provide valuable insights into the role of interpersonal synchrony in autism intervention and underscore the potential of computational methods in monitoring treatment progress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100176"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144510888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transforming anti-doping education with web-based interactive programs and applications: A scoping review","authors":"K.P. Bingham ,&nbsp;L. Lazuras ,&nbsp;V. Barkoukis ,&nbsp;A.-M. Elbe ,&nbsp;L. Moustakas ,&nbsp;N. Ntoumanis","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100175","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100175","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Doping has become a global social, moral and institutional challenge that has serious consequences for athletes and the integrity of sports. Since educational tools are deemed not to be sufficiently effective in minimizing doping, the benefits of digital and web-based (desktop and/or mobile) interventions are being explored.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The present study undertakes a scoping review of research on web-based anti-doping interventions to provide an overview of peer-reviewed studies that have examined their effectiveness in raising awareness of doping among athletes and exercisers.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Online databases were used to identify nine papers that examine a web-based anti-doping intervention. The review maps out the key PICO (population, intervention, comparator, outcome) characteristics of each web-based program and their effectiveness in reducing the risk for engaging in doping use.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The scoping review reveals that only seven web-based anti-doping interventions have been tested worldwide and that four appear to have been successful. Three studies present a different view of web-based anti-doping interventions and indicate they may be partially effective.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The review suggests that newly emerging web-based anti-doping interventions have shown some success in improving knowledge and awareness of doping, reducing favourable attitudes towards doping, and reducing doping susceptibility. The review paves the way for future projects and encourages researchers to utilise cutting-edge technologies to ensure interventions are innovative, impactful and contemporaneous.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100175"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144185692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"LSTM and CNN hybrid model for enhanced fingerprint recognition","authors":"Nahla Abdulnabee Sameer ,&nbsp;Bashar M. Nema","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The paper introduces an advanced hybrid model combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks to enhance fingerprint detection and matching within large datasets. The CNN component is employed for feature extraction and learning from image data, while the LSTM component is utilized for sequence prediction in temporal series, yielding optimal results compared to existing methods based on specific criteria. This hybrid approach achieves a fingerprint recognition accuracy of 99.85 %. The proposed method effectively reduces errors in recognition and false rejection rates in fingerprint recognition systems, thereby improving overall usability and security. The integration of CNN and LSTM in fingerprint recognition signifies a substantial advancement in biometric authentication technology, with potential applications in law enforcement, border security, and access control systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100174"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143829563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Steroid and illicit drug abuse in the health and fitness community: A systematic review of evidence","authors":"Abdullah Al Hamid,&nbsp;Latifah Alomani,&nbsp;Alhanoof Aljuresan,&nbsp;Wasan Alahmad,&nbsp;Zainab Alluwaim","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aims</h3><div>Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) have become a significant concern within the health and fitness community, particularly among athletes seeking enhanced performance. This systematic review investigates the prevalence, motivation, physiological and psychological effects, and risks of AAS use while identifying gaps in knowledge surrounding these substances.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted for studies published between 2014 and 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on research exploring athletes’ experiences with AAS, specifically side effects and usage patterns. Data extraction followed a standardized template, and study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>From 13,387 identified records, 56 studies met the inclusion criteria. AAS use was prevalent across various regions and demographics, with rates ranging from 6.4 % to 29.3 % globally among gym participants, depending on the population and setting. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence was notably high at 29.3 %, reflecting unique regional factors. Motivations for AAS use consistently included enhancing physical performance, improving body image, and achieving a competitive edge. Awareness of AAS-related risks was alarmingly low across all regions, with only 38.1 % of users recognizing health concerns such as hypertension and hair loss. Misuse was universally associated with severe physical and physiological complications, including cardiovascular issues, and psychological disorders like depression and aggression.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>AAS misuse is a complex issue driven by performance goals and societal pressures. Targeted educational interventions are urgently needed to enhance awareness of the associated risks and legal implications. Future research should prioritize strategies to mitigate misuse and foster healthier practices within fitness communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100172"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143739710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of substance use on oral health: Analyzing the DMFT index among addiction treatment patients in Bojnurd City","authors":"Fatemeh Farazi ,&nbsp;Faezeh Kaviyani ,&nbsp;Hassan Saadati ,&nbsp;Ruhollah Shakeri ,&nbsp;Hamid Tavakoli Ghouchani","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100173","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Substance use presents significant health challenges for users, including oral and dental disorders. This study aimed to investigate the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and its associated factors in individuals affected by substance use.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This cross-sectional study included 223 voluntary participants who attended addiction treatment clinics in Bojnurd City. Following completion of the demographic questionnaire, the participants underwent oral examinations under adequate illumination on a standard chair, and their DMFT index was recorded.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The mean age of the study participants was 50.21 years. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between age and the DMFT index (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Place of residence had a notable association with DMFT, with urban residents exhibiting lower DMFT scores than others (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Employed participants had lower DMFT scores than homemakers and unemployed participants (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Participants with lower educational levels had higher DMFT index scores (<em>P</em> = 0.001). The type of substance used showed a significant relationship with DMFT (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), and the duration of substance use demonstrated a direct and significant correlation with DMFT (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The results of this study indicate a high DMFT index among individuals who used substances, with missing teeth comprising the majority of the DMFT index.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100173"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143806937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deep learning in oncology: Transforming cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment","authors":"Tiago Cunha Reis","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100171","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100171","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Deep learning (DL) has emerged as a transformative force in oncology, offering unprecedented capabilities in cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognosis. The integration of DL models with vast and complex datasets, including genomic, transcriptomic, and imaging data, has paved the way for more precise and personalized cancer care. In particular, DL's application in drug efficacy and toxicity prediction is gaining traction, addressing the critical challenge of high drug failure rates in clinical development. By leveraging large datasets and sophisticated algorithms, DL models can predict drug responses and optimize treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Additionally, DL-driven automation in medical imaging processing and report generation is revolutionizing radiology, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and consistency. This review explores the current advancements in DL applications across various aspects of oncology, emphasizing the potential of AI-driven tools to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and personalization of cancer care. Despite the significant progress, challenges such as model validation, ethical considerations, and the need for transparent AI systems remain. Addressing these challenges will be crucial in realizing the full potential of DL in transforming oncology practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100171"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143437525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Introducing CounseLLMe: A dataset of simulated mental health dialogues for comparing LLMs like Haiku, LLaMAntino and ChatGPT against humans","authors":"Edoardo Sebastiano De Duro,&nbsp;Riccardo Improta,&nbsp;Massimo Stella","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We introduce CounseLLMe as a multilingual, multi-model dataset of 400 simulated mental health counselling dialogues between two state-of-the-art Large Language Models (LLMs). These conversations - of 20 quips each - were generated either in English (using OpenAI’s GPT 3.5 and Claude-3’s Haiku) or Italian (with Claude-3’s Haiku and LLaMAntino) and with prompts tuned with the help of a professional in psychotherapy. We investigate the resulting conversations through comparison against human mental health conversations on the same topic of depression. To compare linguistic features, knowledge structure and emotional content between LLMs and humans, we employed textual forma mentis networks, i.e. cognitive networks where nodes represent concepts and links indicate syntactic or semantic relationships between concepts in the dialogues’ quips. We find that the emotional structure of LLM-LLM English conversations matches the one of humans in terms of patient-therapist trust exchanges, i.e. 1 in 5 LLM-LLM quips contain trust along 10 conversational turns versus the <span><math><mrow><mn>24</mn><mo>%</mo></mrow></math></span> rate found in humans. ChatGPT and Haiku’s simulated English patients can also reproduce human feelings of conflict and pessimism. However, human patients display non-negligible levels of anger/frustration that is missing in LLMs. Italian LLMs’ conversations are worse in reproducing human patterns. All LLM-LLM conversations reproduced human syntactic patterns of increased absolutist pronoun usage in patients and second-person, trust-inducing, pronoun usage in therapists. Our results indicate that LLMs can realistically reproduce several aspects of human patient-therapist conversations and we thusly release CounseLLMe as a public dataset for novel data-informed opportunities in mental health and machine psychology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100170"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143534497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}