@article{audette_part-based_2025,

title = {Part-based processing, but not holistic processing, predicts individual differences in face recognition abilities},

author = {P. -L. Audette and L. Côté and C. Blais and J. Duncan and F. Gingras and D. Fiset},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85213575434&doi=10.1016%2fj.cognition.2024.106057&partnerID=40&md5=135d2ba1bdf18648b57db0d3a93d0628},

doi = {10.1016/j.cognition.2024.106057},

issn = {00100277 (ISSN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Cognition},

volume = {256},

abstract = {This study aimed to assess the roles of part-based and holistic processing for face processing ability (FPA). A psychophysical paradigm in which the efficiency at recognizing isolated or combined facial parts was used (N = 64), and holistic processing was defined as the perceptual integration from multiple parts. FPA and object processing ability were measured using a battery of tasks. A multiple linear regression including three predictors, namely perceptual integration, part-based efficiency, and object processing, explained 40 % of the variance in FPA. Most importantly, our results reveal a strong predictive relationship between part-based efficiency and FPA, a small predictive relationship between object processing ability and FPA, and no predictive relationship between perceptual integration and FPA. This result was obtained despite considerable variance in perceptual integration skills–with some participants exhibiting a highly efficient integration. These results indicate that part-based processing plays a pivotal role in FPA, whereas holistic processing does not. © 2024 The Authors},

note = {Publisher: Elsevier B.V.},

keywords = {Adolescent, adult, article, face perception, face recognition, Facial Recognition, female, human, human experiment, Humans, Individual differences, Individuality, Integration efficiency, male, multiple linear regression analysis, physiology, psychology, Psychophysics, recognition, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{blais_conducting_2025,

title = {Conducting online visual psychophysics experiments: A replication assessment of two face processing studies},

author = {C. Blais and D. Fiset and L. Côté and V. Ledrou-Paquet and I. Charbonneau},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105004807446&doi=10.1016%2fj.visres.2025.108617&partnerID=40&md5=771b056e57c4d7a34ff7c56ce39a4bd2},

doi = {10.1016/j.visres.2025.108617},

issn = {00426989 (ISSN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Vision Research},

volume = {233},

abstract = {In vision sciences, researchers rigorously control the testing environment and the physical properties of stimuli, making it challenging to conduct visual perception experiments online. However, online research offers key advantages, including access to larger and more diverse participant samples, helping to address the problem of underpowered studies and to enhance the generalizability of results. In face recognition research, increasing diversity is essential, especially considering evidence that cultural and geographical factors influence basic visual face processing. The present study tested a new online platform, Pack & Go from VPixx Technologies, that supports experiments written in MATLAB and Python. Two face recognition experiments based on a data-driven psychophysical method involving real-time stimulus manipulation and relying on functions from the Psychtoolbox were tested. In Experiment 1, the visual information used for face recognition was compared across four conditions that gradually reduced experimental control over the testing environment and stimulus properties. In Experiment 2, the association between face recognition abilities and information utilization was measured online and compared to lab-based results. In both experiments, results obtained in the lab and online were highly similar, demonstrating the potential of online research for vision science. © 2025 The Author(s)},

note = {Publisher: Elsevier Ltd},

keywords = {adult, article, cultural factor, experiment, Facial Recognition, female, geography, human, human experiment, Humans, information processing, laboratory, male, normal human, online system, Photic Stimulation, photostimulation, physiology, procedures, psychology, Psychophysics, recognition, stimulus response, vision, visual stimulation, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{charbonneau_facial_2025,

title = {Facial expression categorization predominantly relies on mid-spatial frequencies},

author = {I. Charbonneau and J. Duncan and C. Blais and J. Guérette and M. -P. Plouffe-Demers and F. Smith and D. Fiset},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105003427898&doi=10.1016%2fj.visres.2025.108611&partnerID=40&md5=19b14eb2487f220c3e41cbce28fa5287},

doi = {10.1016/j.visres.2025.108611},

issn = {00426989 (ISSN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Vision Research},

volume = {231},

abstract = {Facial expressions are crucial in human communication. Recent decades have seen growing interest in understanding the role of spatial frequencies (SFs) in emotion perception in others. While some studies have suggested a preferential treatment of low versus high SFs, the optimal SFs for recognizing basic facial expressions remain elusive. This study, conducted on Western participants, addresses this gap using two complementary methods: a data-driven method (Exp. 1) without arbitrary SF cut-offs, and a more naturalistic method (Exp. 2) simulating variations in viewing distance. Results generally showed a preponderant role of low over high SFs, but particularly stress that facial expression categorization mostly relies on mid-range SF content (i.e. ∼6–13 cycles per face), often overlooked in previous studies. Optimal performance was observed at short to medium viewing distances (1.2–2.4 m), declining sharply with increased distance, precisely when mid-range SFs were no longer available. Additionally, our data suggest variations in SF tuning profiles across basic facial expressions and nuanced contributions from low and mid SFs in facial expression processing. Most importantly, it suggests that any method that removes mid-SF content has the downfall of offering an incomplete account of SFs diagnosticity for facial expression recognition. © 2025 The Authors},

note = {Publisher: Elsevier Ltd},

keywords = {adult, article, Bubbles, Classification, controlled study, emotion, Emotions, Facial Expression, facial expressions, Facial Recognition, female, human, Humans, male, physiology, Psychophysics, simulation, Spatial frequencies, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{bourbeau_role_2025,

title = {The Role of Body Image Perception on a Continuum from Dysfunctional to Healthy Eating Attitudes and Behaviors Among People Seeking Treatment},

author = {F. Bourbeau and S. Bouchard and G. Corno and J. Monthuy-Blanc},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85216120423&doi=10.3390%2fjcm14020597&partnerID=40&md5=3f66a6c18a99204bfb48e9e6ad8bfe7f},

doi = {10.3390/jcm14020597},

issn = {20770383 (ISSN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},

volume = {14},

number = {2},

abstract = {Background: Body image disturbance has been associated with various health conditions and has the potential to trigger the development of unhealthy behaviors, including dysfunctional attitudes and eating behaviors, which may evolve into eating disorders. This study explores the relationship between body image variables—such as global self-worth, physical self-worth, and physical attractiveness—and the continuum of eating attitudes and behaviors. Methods: A canonical correlation analysis was performed to assess the multivariate relationship between attitudinal and perceptual variables and the continuum of eating behaviors, with a total of 113 cases analyzed. Results: The findings indicate that intuitive eating and a positive body image (including global self-worth and physical attractiveness) are most strongly associated with the functional end of the continuum, while disordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction are linked to the dysfunctional end. Conclusions: These results suggest that interventions targeting the emotional and attitudinal dimensions of body dissatisfaction, whether delivered in vivo or via virtual reality (e.g., weight exposure), may facilitate a shift toward healthier, more functional eating behaviors along the continuum. © 2025 by the authors.},

note = {Publisher: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

keywords = {Adolescent, adult, aged, article, Attitude, behavior, body dissatisfaction, body dysmorphic disorder, body image, body image perception, body mass, correlation analysis, eating and attitudes and behaviors, eating disorder, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, eating disorder inventory, eating habit, feeding behavior, female, healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, help seeking behavior, human, intuitive eating, major clinical study, male, Middle Aged, perception, physical attractiveness, psychological rating scale, retrospective study, Self Concept, self esteem, very elderly, virtual reality, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{larochelle_intolerance_2025,

title = {Intolerance of Uncertainty and Emotion Dysregulation as Predictors of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Severity in a Clinical Population},

author = {S. Larochelle and M. J. Dugas and F. Langlois and P. Gosselin and G. Belleville and S. Bouchard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-86000587548&doi=10.3390%2fjcm14051502&partnerID=40&md5=ea6c43194a821d0a0623385714231936},

doi = {10.3390/jcm14051502},

issn = {20770383 (ISSN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},

volume = {14},

number = {5},

abstract = {Background/objectives: Several factors have been shown to play a role in the development and maintenance of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), including intolerance of uncertainty and emotion dysregulation. Although the individual contribution of both of these factors is well documented, their combined effect has yet to be studied in a clinical population with GAD. The aim of the present study was to examine the relative contribution of intolerance of uncertainty and emotion dysregulation to the prediction of worry and GAD severity in adults with GAD. Methods: The sample consisted of 108 participants diagnosed with GAD. The participants completed measures of worry, GAD severity, depressive symptoms, intolerance of uncertainty, and emotion dysregulation. Results: Multiple regression indicated that both intolerance of uncertainty and emotion dysregulation significantly contributed to both worry and GAD severity, over and above the contribution of depressive symptoms. Of note, the model explained 36% of the variance in GAD severity scores. Conclusions: The present results provide preliminary evidence of complementarity among dominant models of GAD, and point to the potential role of integrative conceptualizations and treatment strategies for GAD. © 2025 by the authors.},

note = {Publisher: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

keywords = {adult, aged, article, Beck Depression Inventory, clinical population, comorbidity, controlled study, Depression, difficulties in emotion regulation scale, disease severity, emotion, emotion dysregulation, emotion regulation, employment status, female, generalized anxiety disorder, human, intolerance of uncertainty, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, major clinical study, male, patient worry, penn state worry questionnaire, prediction, predictive model, psychotherapy, Severity of Illness Index, sociodemographics, theoretical model},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{sheehy_development_2024,

title = {Development and Initial Testing of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Virtual Reality Companion for People Living with Dementia in Long-Term Care},

author = {L. Sheehy and S. Bouchard and A. Kakkar and R. El Hakim and J. Lhoest and A. Frank},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85205071099&doi=10.3390%2fjcm13185574&partnerID=40&md5=844732ff858a0d5feb0a95a54093ad4d},

doi = {10.3390/jcm13185574},

issn = {20770383 (ISSN)},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},

volume = {13},

number = {18},

abstract = {Background/Objectives: Feelings of loneliness are common in people living with dementia (PLWD) in long-term care (LTC). The goals of this study were to describe the development of a novel virtual companion for PLWD living in LTC and assess its feasibility and acceptability. Methods: The computer-generated virtual companion, presented using a head-mounted virtual reality display, was developed in two stages. In Stage 1, the virtual companion asked questions designed to encourage conversation and reminiscence. In Stage 2, more powerful artificial intelligence tools allowed the virtual companion to engage users in nuanced discussions on any topic. PLWD in LTC tested the application at each stage to assess feasibility and acceptability. Results: Ten PLWD living in LTC participated in Stage 1 (4 men and 6 women; average 82 years old) and Stage 2 (2 men and 8 women; average 87 years old). Session lengths ranged from 0:00 to 5:30 min in Stage 1 and 0:00 to 53:50 min in Stage 2. Speech recognition issues and a limited repertoire of questions limited acceptance in Stage 1. Enhanced conversational ability in Stage 2 led to intimate and meaningful conversations with many participants. Many users found the head-mounted display heavy. There were no complaints of simulator sickness. The virtual companion was best suited to PLWD who could engage in reciprocal conversation. After Stage 2, response latency was identified as an opportunity for improvement in future versions. Conclusions: Virtual reality and artificial intelligence can be used to create a virtual companion that is acceptable and enjoyable to some PLWD living in LTC. Ongoing innovations in hardware and software will allow future iterations to provide more natural conversational interaction and an enhanced social experience. © 2024 by the authors.},

note = {Publisher: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},

keywords = {aged, article, Artificial intelligence, cognitive decline, cognitive impairment, compassion, conversation, dementia, Elderly, female, human, large language models, long term care, long-term care, major clinical study, male, program acceptability, program feasibility, reaction time, reminiscence, speech discrimination, very elderly, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{berube_parental_2024,

title = {Parental depression moderates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and the recognition of children expressions of emotions},

author = {A. Bérubé and R. Pétrin and C. Blais},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85196266525&doi=10.3389%2ffpsyt.2024.1374872&partnerID=40&md5=ce03a1c39e709fc0f2c773d4f82f3a10},

doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1374872},

issn = {16640640 (ISSN)},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},

volume = {15},

abstract = {Background: Sensitivity plays a crucial role in parenting as it involves the ability to perceive and respond appropriately to children’s signals. Childhood maltreatment and depression can negatively impact adults’ ability to recognize emotions, but it is unclear which of these factors has a greater impact or how they interact. This knowledge is central to developing efficient, targeted interventions. This paper examines the interaction between parents’ depressive symptoms and childhood maltreatment and its influence on their ability to recognize the five basic emotions (happiness, anger, sadness, fear, and disgust) in children’s faces. Method: The sample consisted of 52 parents. Depressive symptoms were measured by the depression subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), and maltreatment history was assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Children’s emotional stimuli were morphed images created using The Child Affective Facial Expression (CAFE) database. Results: Our findings indicate that depressive symptoms moderate the relationship between parents’ history of childhood maltreatment and emotion recognition skills. Parents with higher depressive symptoms had lower emotion recognition accuracy when they had not experienced maltreatment. When childhood maltreatment was severe, emotion recognition skills were more consistent across all levels of depression. The relationship between depression and emotion recognition was primarily linked to recognizing sadness in children’s faces. Conclusion: These findings highlight how different experiences can affect parental abilities in emotion recognition and emphasize the need for interventions tailored to individual profiles to improve their effectiveness. Copyright © 2024 Bérubé, Pétrin and Blais.},

note = {Publisher: Frontiers Media SA},

keywords = {adult, anger, article, Beck Depression Inventory, Child, Child Abuse, child parent relation, childhood maltreatment, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Depression, disease severity, disgust, educational status, emotion, Emotion Recognition, Facial Expression, female, happiness, human, income, major clinical study, male, parent-child relationship, parental sensitivity, preschool child, questionnaire, recognition, sadness},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{bogie_using_2024,

title = {Using virtual reality to improve verbal episodic memory in schizophrenia: A proof-of-concept trial},

author = {B. J. M. Bogie and C. Noël and F. Gu and S. Nadeau and C. Shvetz and H. Khan and M. -C. Rivard and S. Bouchard and M. Lepage and S. Guimond},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85186986986&doi=10.1016%2fj.scog.2024.100305&partnerID=40&md5=a15c598b45b8f44a40b25fe5fd078a06},

doi = {10.1016/j.scog.2024.100305},

issn = {22150013 (ISSN)},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Schizophrenia Research: Cognition},

volume = {36},

abstract = {Background: Schizophrenia is associated with impairments in verbal episodic memory. Strategy for Semantic Association Memory (SESAME) training represents a promising cognitive remediation program to improve verbal episodic memory. Virtual reality (VR) may be a novel tool to increase the ecological validity and transfer of learned skills of traditional cognitive remediation programs. The present proof-of-concept study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a VR-based cognitive remediation module inspired by SESAME principles to improve the use of verbal episodic memory strategies in schizophrenia. Methods: Thirty individuals with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder completed this study. Participants were randomized to either a VR-based verbal episodic memory training condition inspired by SESAME principles (intervention group) or an active control condition (control group). In the training condition, a coach taught semantic encoding strategies (active rehearsal and semantic clustering) to help participants remember restaurant orders in VR. In the active control condition, participants completed visuospatial puzzles in VR. Attrition rate, participant experience ratings, and cybersickness questionnaires were used to assess feasibility and acceptability. Trial 1 of the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised was administered pre- and post-intervention to assess preliminary efficacy. Results: Feasibility was demonstrated by a low attrition rate (5.88 %), and acceptability was demonstrated by limited cybersickness and high levels of enjoyment. Although the increase in the number of semantic clusters used following the module did not reach conventional levels of statistical significance in the intervention group, it demonstrated a notable trend with a medium effect size (t = 1.48},

note = {Publisher: Elsevier Inc.},

keywords = {adult, article, clinical article, clinical assessment, Cognitive remediation therapy, cybersickness, disease severity, dizziness, Ecological treatment, Episodic memory, exclusion VR criteria questionnaire, feasibility study, female, Hopkins verbal learning test, human, male, mini international neuropsychiatric interview, nausea, outcome assessment, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Proof of concept, questionnaire, randomized controlled trial, schizophrenia, scoring system, Semantic encoding, Semantics, task performance, training, Verbal memory, virtual reality, vr experience questionnaire},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{corno_development_2024,

title = {Development of a visual-perceptual method to assess body image: A cross-cultural validation in Canadian and Spanish women},

author = {G. Corno and A. Paquette and D. Burychka and M. Miragall and M. -C. Rivard and R. M. Baños and S. Bouchard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85189089793&doi=10.1002%2ferv.3086&partnerID=40&md5=99c221e60e3d5caad167cec6fd25dddd},

doi = {10.1002/erv.3086},

issn = {10724133 (ISSN)},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {European Eating Disorders Review},

abstract = {The objectives of this study were (a) to explore the preliminary cross-cultural validity of a visual-perceptual method to assess body image; (b) to examine potential differences and similarities in body image phenomena between women from two Western countries (i.e., Canada and Spain). 201 self-identified women participated in this cross-sectional study. Ideal, normal, and self-perceived body sizes were assessed using a visual-perceptual method, whereas body dissatisfaction was measured using both a visual-perceptual method and a questionnaire. Visual-perceptual body dissatisfaction was significantly correlated with questionnaire body dissatisfaction, suggesting a preliminary convergent validity between the two assessment methods. Women in both countries were dissatisfied with their bodies. Compared to their self-perceived body, all women chose a significantly thinner visual representation of their “normal” and ideal body. These results may suggest a shift towards the “thin” body as not only ideal, but also normative. This study provides the first evidence for the cross-cultural validity of a visual-perceptual body image assessment tool. The results of the current study confirm the presence of “normative discontent”, and suggest more cross-country similarities than differences among women from these two Western societies. © 2024 Eating Disorders Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.},

note = {Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd},

keywords = {Adolescent, adult, analytic method, article, assessment, body dissatisfaction, body image, body image dissatisfaction, Body Size, Canada, Canadian, controlled study, convergent validity, correlation analysis, cross validation, cross-country, Cross-Cultural Comparison, Cross-Sectional Studies, cross-sectional study, cultural anthropology, cultural factor, exploratory research, female, human, Humans, ideal body size, intermethod comparison, Middle Aged, normal body size, psychology, questionnaire, reproducibility, Reproducibility of Results, Self Concept, Spain, Spaniard, Surveys and Questionnaires, thin ideal, underweight, vision, Visual Perception, visual-perceptual method, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{doney_chronic_2024,

title = {Chronic Stress Exposure Alters the Gut Barrier: Sex-Specific Effects on Microbiota and Jejunum Tight Junctions},

author = {E. Doney and L. Dion-Albert and F. Coulombe-Rozon and N. Osborne and R. Bernatchez and S. E. J. Paton and F. N. Kaufmann and R. O. Agomma and J. L. Solano and R. Gaumond and K. A. Dudek and J. K. Szyszkowicz and F. Aardema and L. A. Bentaleb and J. Beauchamp and H. Bendahmane and E. Benoit and L. Bergeron and A. Bertone and N. Bertrand and F. -A. Berube and P. Blanchet and J. Boissonneault and C. J. Bolduc and J. -P. Bonin and F. Borgeat and R. Boyer and C. Breault and J. -J. Breton and C. Briand and J. Brodeur and K. Brule and L. Brunet and S. Carriere and C. Chartrand and R. Chenard-Soucy and T. Chevrette and E. Cloutier and R. Cloutier and H. Cormier and G. Cote and J. Cyr and P. David and L. De Benedictis and M. -C. Delisle and P. Deschenes and C. D. Desjardins and G. Desmarais and J. -L. Dubreucq and M. Dumont and A. Dumais and G. Ethier and C. Feltrin and A. Felx and H. Findlay and L. Fortier and D. Fortin and L. Fortin and N. Francois and V. Gagne and M. -P. Gagnon and M. -C. Gignac-Hens and C. -E. Giguere and R. Godbout and C. Grou and S. Guay and F. Guillem and N. Hachimi-Idrissi and C. Herry and S. Hodgins and S. Homayoun and B. Jemel and C. Joyal and E. Kouassi and R. Labelle and D. Lafortune and M. Lahaie and S. Lahlafi and P. Lalonde and P. Landry and V. Lapaige and G. Larocque and C. Larue and M. Lavoie and J. -J. Leclerc and T. Lecomte and C. Lecours and L. Leduc and M. -F. Lelan and A. Lemieux and A. Lesage and A. Letarte and J. Lepage and A. Levesque and O. Lipp and D. Luck and S. Lupien and F. -A. Lusignan and R. Lusignan and A. J. Luyet and A. Lynhiavu and J. -P. Melun and C. Morin and L. Nicole and F. Noel and L. Normandeau and K. O'Connor and C. Ouellette and V. Parent and M. -H. Parizeau and J. -F. Pelletier and J. Pelletier and M. Pelletier and P. Plusquellec and D. Poirier and S. Potvin and G. Prevost and M. -J. Prevost and P. Racicot and M. -F. Racine-Gagne and P. Renaud and N. Ricard and S. Rivet and M. Rolland and M. Sasseville and G. Safadi and S. Smith and N. Smolla and E. Stip and J. Teitelbaum and A. Thibault and L. Thibault and S. Thibault and F. Thomas and C. Todorov and V. Tourjman and C. Tranulis and S. Trudeau and G. Trudel and N. Vacri and L. Valiquette and C. Vanier and K. Villeneuve and M. Villeneuve and P. Vincent and M. Wolfe and L. Xiong and A. Zizzi and M. Lebel and A. Doyen and A. Durand and F. Lavoie-Cardinal and M. -C. Audet and C. Menard and Cecile Lepage on behalf of Signature Consortium},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85162172419&doi=10.1016%2fj.bpsgos.2023.04.007&partnerID=40&md5=aae4250eee5bd708599126cf76c3f5d7},

doi = {10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.04.007},

issn = {26671743 (ISSN)},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science},

volume = {4},

number = {1},

pages = {213–228},

abstract = {Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Of individuals with MDD, 30% to 50% are unresponsive to common antidepressants, highlighting untapped causal biological mechanisms. Dysfunction in the microbiota-gut-brain axis has been implicated in MDD pathogenesis. Exposure to chronic stress disrupts blood-brain barrier integrity; still, little is known about intestinal barrier function in these conditions, particularly for the small intestine, where absorption of most foods and drugs takes place. Methods: We investigated how chronic social or variable stress, two mouse models of depression, impact the jejunum intestinal barrier in males and females. Mice were subjected to stress paradigms followed by analysis of gene expression profiles of intestinal barrier–related targets, fecal microbial composition, and blood-based markers. Results: Altered microbial populations and changes in gene expression of jejunum tight junctions were observed depending on the type and duration of stress, with sex-specific effects. We used machine learning to characterize in detail morphological tight junction properties, identifying a cluster of ruffled junctions in stressed animals. Junctional ruffling is associated with inflammation, so we evaluated whether lipopolysaccharide injection recapitulates stress-induced changes in the jejunum and observed profound sex differences. Finally, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, a marker of gut barrier leakiness, was associated with stress vulnerability in mice, and translational value was confirmed on blood samples from women with MDD. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that chronic stress disrupts intestinal barrier homeostasis in conjunction with the manifestation of depressive-like behaviors in a sex-specific manner in mice and, possibly, in human depression. © 2023 The Authors},

note = {Publisher: Elsevier Inc.},

keywords = {animal experiment, animal model, animal tissue, article, chronic social defeat, chronic stress, chronic variable stress, claudin 3, Claudins, controlled study, corticosterone, corticosterone blood level, Cytokines, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, female, human, immunohistochemistry, intestine flora, jejunum, lipopolysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide binding protein, Machine learning, major depression, male, mouse, nonhuman, pathogenesis, protein expression, real time polymerase chain reaction, sex difference, sex differences, social stress, tight junction, Variable stress},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}