{"paper_id":"34e8957d-c14c-463e-975b-e038518f020d","body_text":"S1. Perinatal Mental Health and Its Consequences for Mothers and \nOffspring\nLecture 1. Perinatal Anxiety And Stress, Psychoneuroimmunological \nFactors, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Risk of Psychopathological Symptoms in a Sample \nof Spanish Pregnant Women\nGloria Sánchez-Torices 1 , Jesús Joaquín Hijona 2 , \nMaría Isabel Peralta-Ramirez 3 , Teresa Sánchez-Gutiérrez 4\n1 Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), \n26006 Logroño, Spain\n2 Obstetric and Gynecological Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén, \n23007 Jaén, Spain\n3 Psychology School, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n4 Department of Psychology, University of Cordoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain\nIntroduction : Perceived perinatal anxiety (PPA) and stress have shown \nto affect maternal health. However, the psychoneuroimmunological risk factors \nassociated with possible psychopathological symptoms in pregnant women are not \nconclusive yet. The objtevies were; 1) to analyze if PPA, stress levels and \npsychoneuroimmunological factors [hair cortisol levels (HCL) and \ninterleukin-6 levels (IL-6)] increase the likelihood for psychopathological \nsymptoms in pregnant women; 2) to compare the levels of PPA, stress, \npsychopathological symptomatology and psychoneuroimmunological factors \nin pregnant women regarding their IMC levels.  Methodology : A \ntotal of N = 70 women in their third trimester of pregnancy (29-41 weeks) were \nrecruited at the Hospital of Jaen (Spain). We collected sociodemographical and \nclinical variables through clinical records; levels of perinatal anxiety and \nstress with the PASS and NuPDQ, and biological samples (HCL and IL-6). U-Mann \nWhitney, linear and binary regressions were used. We included age, number of \nmiscarriages and first time pregnancy as covariates.  Results : Higher PPA \nand stress were associated with higher scores on psychopathological symptoms, \nafter controlling for the covariables: total score (PASS: B = 1.0, t = 7.7, \n p  \n <  0.001; NuPDQ: B = 1.2, t = 3.1,  p  = 0.003; R 2  = \n0.7), hostility (PASS: B = 0.07, t = 3.5,  p  \n <  0.001; R 2  = 0.3), \nsomatization (PASS: B = 0.07; t = 2.3,  p  = 0.022; NuPDQ: B = 0.2; t = \n2.3,  p  = 0.023, R 2  = 0.4); depression (PASS: B = 0.2; t = 5.5, \n p  \n <  0.001; NuPDQ: B = 0.2; t = 2.6,  p  = 0.017, R 2  = \n0.5); obsessive-compulsive (PASS: B = 0.2; t = 5.7,  p  \n <  0.001; R 2  \n= 0.5); anxiety (PASS: B = 0.1; t = 5.7,  p  \n <  0.001; NuPDQ: B = 0.2; t \n= 32.3,  p  = 0.001, R 2  = 0.5); sensitivity (PASS: B = 0.2; t = 6.1,  p  \n= 0.022; R 2  = 0.5); phobic anxiety (NuPDQ: B = 0.1; t = 2.3,  p  = \n0.025, R 2  = 0.2), paranoid ideation (PASS: B = 0.1; t = 5.2,  p  \n <  \n0.001; R 2  = 0.4) and psychoticism (PASS: B = 0.06; t = 5.4,  p  \n <  \n0.001; NuPDQ: B = 0.2; t = 2.6,  p  = 0.017, R 2  = 0.4). Moreover, HCL \nwas significantly associated with depressive symptoms (B = –2.2; t = –3.4, \n p  = 0.001; R 2  = 0.4) and IL-6 was significantly associated with \nparanoid ideation (B = –1.2; t = –2.1,  p  = 0.043; R 2  = 0.4). \nComparisons on perinatal anxiety and stress, psychopathological symptoms and \npsychoneuroimmunological factors by levels of IMC showed no significant \ndifferences, neither in the total score nor in the psychopathological subscales. \nHowever, we observed that the group with higher IMC presented significantly more \nlevels of IL-6 (U = 349.0;  p  = 0.021) and count of B lymphocytes (U = \n351.5;  p  = 0.048).  Conclusions : Women with PPA or stress \nduring their third trimester of pregnancy are at a greater risk of developing \npsychopathological symptoms than those who do not report this condition.\nLecture 2. Pregnancy and Emotions: How Maternal Depression Shapes \nChildren’s Temperament and Behavior\nJ De Echarri-Lorente 1,2 , M.A Baos-González 1,2 , M.I. Peralta \nRamirez 1,2\n1 Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, \nFaculty of Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n2 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, \n18071 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : Prenatal period has significant influences on fetal and \nchild developmental variables. One such variable is temperament, defined as \nstable individual differences in behavior and emotional reactions that emerge in \nthe early years of life. Previous research has shown that higher levels of \nmaternal stress during pregnancy and other mental health problems predict \nchildren with temperaments characterized by high negative emotionality and low \nself-regulation. Also, children characterized as high temperamental emotionality \nare more vulnerable to develop psychopathology in highly vulnerable environments. \nThe aim of this lecture is to examine the relationship between maternal \ndepression during pregnancy, the presence of emotional temperament in children \naged 2 to 5 years, and its association with psychopathological problems. \n Methodology : The sample consisted of 99 mother–child dyads at age 2, 68 \nat age 3, 42 at age 4, and 33 at age 5, all from the Gestastress-Childstress \ncohort. Maternal depression during pregnancy was assessed using the Symptom \nChecklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), child temperament with the EAS scale, and child \npsychopathology with the CBCL.  Results : Findings indicated that maternal \ndepression predicted a temperament characterized by high emotionality in children \naged 2 to 5. In turn, this type of temperament showed a strong association with \nboth internalizing and externalizing problems across all ages. \n Conclusions : These results highlight that maternal mental health \nproblems during pregnancy influence children’s emotional regulation, representing \na significant risk factor for the development of psychopathological problems in \nearly childhood. Developing programs to protect from stress, depression and \nanxiety during pregnancy is crucial.\nLecture 3. Sex-Specific Pathways Linking Maternal Mental Health and \nEarly Psychopathology To Stress Reactivity\nM.A Baos-González 1,2 , J De Echarri-Lorente 1,2 , M.I. Peralta \nRamirez 1,2\n1 Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, \nFaculty of Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n2 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, \n18071 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : Atypical stress reactivity in early life has been linked \nto long-term socioemotional and health outcomes. This study examined whether \nmaternal perinatal mental health and child psychopathology at age two predicted \nstress reactivity at ages four to five, also exploring sex differences. \n Methodology : Forty-two mother–infant dyads participated. During \npregnancy, mothers completed psychological questionnaires and provided hair \nsamples in each trimester. Mental health was assessed with the Pregnancy Distress \nQuestionnaire (PDQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), hair cortisol concentration \n(HCC, log-transformed), and anxiety, phobic anxiety, and depression subscales of \nthe Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R). Mean pregnancy values were calculated. At \nage two, 31 mothers completed the CBCL. At ages four to five, stress reactivity \nwas assessed with the Stress Reactivity Task for Preschoolers, calculating \narea-under-the-curve indices (AUCg, AUCi) for salivary cortisol and \nalpha-amylase. Pearson correlations and linear regressions tested associations, \nconsidering sex differences.  Results : Maternal perinatal mental health \nvariables were not significantly correlated with stress reactivity overall at age \nfour, but distinct associations emerged when boys and girls were analysed \nseparately. Child psychopathology at age two showed significant links: Somatic \nComplaints were negatively correlated with cortisol AUCg (r = –0.440,  p  \n= 0.015), Oppositional Defiant Problems were positively correlated with cortisol \nAUCi (r = 0.367,  p  = 0.046), and Aggressive Behaviour and ADHD Problems \nwere positively correlated with alpha-amylase AUCg (r = 0.417,  p  = \n0.020; r = 0.389,  p  = 0.030). Regression models confirmed these effects \n(Somatic Complaints: R 2  = 0.194,  β  = –0.440,  p  = 0.015; \nOppositional Defiant Problems: R 2  = 0.135,  β  = 0.367,  p  = \n0.046; Aggressive Behaviour–ADHD: R 2  = 0.203,  p  = 0.041). Several \nof these associations differed between boys and girls.  Conclusions : Preschoolers’ stress reactivity was related to maternal perinatal stress only \nwhen analyzed by sex, while early psychopathology at age two predicted stress \nreactivity at age four to five with distinct patterns for boys and girls.\nS2. Nutrition and the Mind-Gut Connection: Emerging Insights in \nPsychoneuroimmunology\nLecture 1. Fasting and the Gut-Brain Axis: A Holistic Pathway to Healthy \nLongevity\nRobin Mesnage 1,2\n1 Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic, 88662 Überlingen, Germany\n2 Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Life Course Sciences, \nFaculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, SE1 9NH London, UK\nIntroduction : Fasting is increasingly applied as a dietary \nintervention, with protocols differing in duration and composition. Buchinger \ntherapeutic fasting, a modified regimen providing ~250 kcal/day, \nhas been practiced in clinical settings for nearly a century. Clinical studies at \nthe Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinics have explored its physiological and psychological \neffects.  Methodology : The standardized program involves 4–21 days of \nmodified fasting (~250 kcal/day from vegetable broths, fruit \njuices, and honey), followed by controlled food reintroduction. Participants are \nmedically supervised, with regular monitoring of vital signs, anthropometry, and \nlaboratory markers. All studies received ethical approval, and participants \nprovided informed consent.  Results : Buchinger fasting induces \ncoordinated adaptations along the microbiota–gut–brain axis. In the intestine, \nnutrient-dependent bacteria decline, while taxa metabolizing host-derived \nsubstrates expand, resembling metabolic reprogramming during hibernation. These \nshifts occur without barrier disruption and coincide with enhanced mucosal \nimmunity, including increased secretory immunoglobulin A. Upon food \nreintroduction, microbial diversity and short-chain fatty acid production are \nrestored, supporting homeostasis. Neuroimaging demonstrates preserved brain \nstructure during prolonged fasting. At the molecular level, Buchinger fasting \nreduces oxidative stress, strengthens antioxidant defenses, and activates \nautophagy, promoting protein clearance, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. \nThese processes translate into improved emotional well-being, modulation of \nautonomic activity, and greater cognitive resilience. Psychologically, fasting \nintroduces a psychosomatic dimension, as food withdrawal—a strong emotional \nstimulus—encourages introspection and can facilitate psychotherapeutic \ninterventions.\nConclusion : Overall, Buchinger therapeutic fasting emerges as a safe, \nmultifaceted intervention modulating the microbiota–gut–brain axis, with \npotential to support chronic disease prevention and healthy aging.\nLecture 2. Diet, Microbiota, and Mood: Mapping Associations in a \nMulti-Omics Framework\nStefanie Malan-Müller 1,2,3,4 , Leire Virto Ruiz 5,6, , Iñaki \nZorrilla 2,7 , Javier de Diego-Adeliño 2,8,9,10 , Marta Cano 2,8 , \nMaria Paz García-Portilla 2,11 , Ana González-Pinto 2,7 , Juan C. \nLeza 1,2,3,4\n1 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University \nComplutense Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain\n2 Biomedical Research Network Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Institute \nof Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain\n3 Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute (Imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain\n4 Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN-UCM), \n28040 Madrid, Spain\n5 ETEP (Etiology and Therapy of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases) \nResearch Group, University Complutense Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain\n6 Department of Dental Clinical Specialties, Faculty of Dentistry, \nUniversity Complutense Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain\n7 BIOARABA, Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario de Alava, \nUPV/EHU, 01009 Vitoria, Spain\n8 Sant Pau Mental Health Research Group, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR \nSant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain\n9 Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08025 Barcelona, Spain\n10 Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain\n11 Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Oviedo, Servicio de \nPsiquiatría, Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado \nde Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain\nIntroduction : Diet and the gut microbiome are increasingly recognized \nas modulators of mental health through pathways involving inflammation, metabolic \nactivity, and microbial metabolites. This study aimed to characterize gut \nmicrobiota, metabolite, and immune profiles associated with mental health \noutcomes and dietary patterns in a Spanish population cohort. \n Methodology : We examined fecal microbiomes of individuals reporting \nmental health symptoms (n = 218) and mentally healthy controls (n = 66) using 16S \nrRNA sequencing. Plasma metabolites (n = 86), including SCFAs, indoles, amino \nacids, choline oxidation, kynurenine pathway intermediates, and B-vitamer forms, \nwere quantified using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS. Inflammatory and endothelial markers \n(CD31, HSP60, IL-1B, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, NECTIN2, TNFA) were measured using a \nmultiplex Luminex assay. Mental health symptoms were assessed with validated \nquestionnaires. Dietary intake was captured via an Indicator food list \n(qualitative dietary patterns) and the STEPS survey for fruit and vegetable \nconsumption.  Results : A diagnosis of depression was associated with \nhigher relative abundance of  Coprococcus catus , while trauma-related \nvariables, including PTSD symptoms and childhood trauma scores, were linked to \nhigher levels of  Desulfovibrio piger . Overall quality of life was \npositively associated with  Gemmiger qucibialis , \n Bifidobacterium , and  Ruminococcus callidus , and inversely \nassociated with  Anaerotruncus colihominis . Immune profiling revealed \nelevated plasma IL-1B, IL-6, and LPS, alongside reduced CD31, in individuals \nreporting mental health symptoms. Direct associations between dietary intake and \nmental health outcomes were limited, although higher consumption of whole grains \nand nuts/seeds/legumes correlated with better quality of life. Notably, these \nplant-rich dietary patterns were also associated with enrichment of \nSCFA-producing taxa, favorable metabolite profiles (including indole-3-propionic \nacid and B-vitamin forms), and improved markers of one-carbon metabolism, \nsuggesting potential modulation of inflammatory processes and gut–brain \npathways.  Conclusions : Our findings indicate that dietary patterns may \ninfluence mental health indirectly by shaping gut microbiota and metabolite \nprofiles relevant to immune and inflammatory processes. These results support the \npotential of plant-rich diets in promoting gut-brain health, though causality \ncannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional design.\nLecture 3. Ultra-Processed Foods, Mental and Brain Health: A \nTranslational View\nAdam Alvarez-Monell 1 , Sílvia Fernández-Barrès 2 , Carles \nBiarnés 3 , Anna Motger-Albertí 4 , Verónica \nPalomera-Ávalos 1,5 , Gerard Blasco 3 , Josep Puig 3 , José \nManuel Fernández-Real 4,6,7,8 , Montserrat Solanas 5,9 , Rosa M \nEscorihuela 1,5 , Oren Contreras-Rodríguez 1,5,10,11\n1 Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma \nde Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain\n2 Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, 08023 Barcelona, Spain\n3 Medical Imaging Research Group-IDI, Girona Biomedical Research Institute \n(IdIBGi), 17190 Girona, Spain\n4 Department of Nutrition, Eumetabolism, and Health, Girona Biomedical \nResearch Institute (IdibGi), Josep Trueta University Hospital, 17190 Girona, \nSpain\n5 Neuroscience Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 \nBarcelona, Spain\n6 Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Girona, \n17003 Girona, Spain\n7 CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), 28029 \nMadrid, Spain\n8 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain\n9 Department of Cell Biology, physiology and Immunology, Universitat \nAutònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain\n10 CIBER de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain\n11 Unitat Mixta de Neurociència Traslacional I3PT-Autonomous, \nUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain\nIntroduction : Ultra-processed foods and drinks (UPFs) result from \nintensive industrial processing and are characterized by low nutrient and high \nenergy density. Their consumption has been associated with deteriorated mental \nhealth and increase inflammation. We aim to investigate associations between UPF \nintake, brain features, depressive symptoms and inflammatory markers. \n Methodology : 150 healthy adult subjects completed dietary assessments \n(food frequency questionnaire), depressive symptom screening (PHQ-9), laboratory \ntests, and brain MRI scans. Appropriate statistics explored relationships between \nUPF intake, depressive symptoms, brain features (gray matter brain volumes and \nperfusion) and inflammatory markers (e.g., total leukocytes, lymphocytes, \nmonocytes), considering obesity status. In parallel, 49 Long-Evans rats were fed \neither standard chow (STD) or a novel UPF diet from prenatal or postweaning \nperiods and underwent resting-state MRI at postnatal days 60-67.  Results : In humans, higher UPF intake was positively associated with depressive symptoms \nand elevated inflammatory markers. Greater UPF consumption was linked to reduced \nvolume but increased perfusion in the anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala, \nwith some effects moderated by obesity. Total leukocytes and lymphocyte counts \nsignificantly mediated the relationship between UPF intake, depressive symptoms, \nand perfusion in the anterior cingulate cortex. In the animal model, rats exposed \nto the UPF diet showed increased functional connectivity in brain regions \nanalogous to the anterior cingulate cortex.  Conclusion : UPF intake is \nassociated with structural and functional brain changes in regions relevant to \nmood regulation, both in humans and in animal models. Inflammatory markers play a \nkey mediating role, highlighting potential biological pathways linking diet to \nmental health.\nS3. Psychoneuroimmunological Implications of Intimate Partner Violence \nAgainst Women\nLecture 1. Relationship Between Trauma and Immunological Functioning: \nIntimate Partner Violence Survivors\nAndrea Benítez Quintana 1 , Noelia Pérez Cámara 1 , Julia \nHernández Cano 1 , Eva María Rodríguez Félix 1 , Carmen \nFernández Fillol 1 , Miguel Pérez García 1\n1 University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain\nThe association between psychological trauma and the \nimmune system has been well documented. In acute threat situations, activation of \nthe sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) \naxis facilitates the release of catecholamines and cortisol, thereby \ncomplementarily modulating immune responses. This interplay is adaptive in the \nshort term. When stress becomes chronic, these systems gradually lose their \nregulatory efficacy, leading to receptor desensitization in the immune system and \nthe emergence of chronic inflammation at central and peripheral levels. This \naltered physiological state increases the organism’s vulnerability to a wide \nrange of disorders. Accordingly, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is \nstrongly associated with immune alterations. In this sense, meta-analyses report \nincreased IL-6, TNF- α , and IFN- γ  and reduced IL-10, consistent \nwith a pro-inflammatory immune profile. For example, in different trauma-exposed \npopulations early-life adversity leaves long-lasting biological traces, \npredicting higher CRP, IL-6, and TNF- α  in adulthood. In refugees and war \nsurvivors, several studies link accumulated trauma with systemic inflammation. On \nthe other hand, Intimate Partner Violence Against Women (IPVAW) is a unique form \nof trauma, marked by repeated and intentional harm within an emotional bond. \nSurvivors often develop not only classical PTSD but also complex PTSD, reflecting \nits chronic nature. Evidence indicates that Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is \nassociated with neural disruptions and immune alterations, including dysregulated \ncortisol, altered glucocorticoid sensitivity, impaired lymphocyte function, \nreduced salivary IgA, and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines. These changes \nweaken antiviral defenses and increase vulnerability to disease. Overall, trauma \nleaves a lasting immunological imprint with clinical consequences.\nLecture 2. Relationship Between Immunological Indexes and Clinical \nConditions in Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence\nMaría Pérez González 1 , Julia Arnal de la Peña 1 , \nMaría Dolores Sánchez Rodríguez 1 , Luz Stella Algarra \nLópez 1 , Raquel González Pérez 1 , Carla Camacho \nGonzález 1 , Juan Verdejo Román 1\n1 University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : Systemic inflammation constitutes a broad and intricate \nphysiological response triggered by the organism when exposed to harmful \nstressors such as traumas or chronic conditions and it has also been reported in \nwomen survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women (IPVAW). \n Methodology : A total of 63 women participated in the study: 36 were \nsurvivors of IPVAW and 27 non-IPVAW victims. All participants attended a \npsychopathological assessment session where they completed the GAD-7 \nquestionnaire to assess anxiety, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to assess perceived \nstress and the severity of the IPVAW questionnaire. Moreover, a blood collection \nsession was also carried out to evaluate biological indicators such as the \nneutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), \nmonocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), \nthe systemic inflammation response index (SIRI). The SII is a composite index \nthat integrates platelets, neutrophils, and lymphocytes to provide a \ncomprehensive measure of systemic inflammation, reflecting the balance between \npro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune components. Similar to SII, SIRI is \nan integrated inflammatory biomarker that combines monocytes, neutrophils, and \nlymphocytes.  Results : Women survivors of IPVAW showed higher \npunctuations in anxiety ( p  \n <  0.001) and perceived stress ( p \n <  0.001). No significant differences were found when examining immunological \nindexes in the IPVAW group compared to the control group. Furthermore, partial \ncorrelations controlling for age were conducted in the IPVAW group, where all \nimmunological indexes (NLR, PLR, MLR, SIRI and SII) showed a negative \nrelationship with anxiety ( p  \n <  0.01), perceived stress ( p  \n <  \n0.05), and the severity of violence experienced more than one year ago \n( p  \n <  0.05).  Conclusions : These results are contrary to the \nreviewed literature in other clinical populations, suggesting that future \nresearch should continue exploring immunological indexes and their relationship \nto clinical variables in women survivors of IPVAW.\nLecture 3. Psychoneuroendocrinoimmunological Diseases in Women Survivors \nof Intimate Partner Violence\nInmaculada Garrido León 1 , Maripaz García-Navas Menchero 1 , \nAna Isabel de Luis Ruiz 1 , María Soledad Martínez \nFernández 1 , Julia Daugherty 1 , Inmaculada Teva García 1 , \nNatalia Hidalgo Ruzzante 1\n1 University of Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : Psychoneuroendocrinoimmunological (PNEI) diseases are \nmedical conditions explained through the interaction of psychological and \nneuropsychological processes, the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Rather \nthan a fixed list of disorders, PNEI provides a framework for understanding \nchronic and complex conditions arising from these interactions. These diseases \nare highly prevalent among women who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence \nAgainst Women (IPVAW). Studies report high rates of fibromyalgia, chronic pain, \nand autoimmune diseases in survivors, affecting 70–95% of them. Survivors also \nface higher risks of cervical cancer (1.47 to 4.28 times greater), cardiovascular \ndiseases such as hypertension or stroke (33% higher risk), and diabetes \n(11–46% increased probability). This study analyzed the prevalence of \nPNEI-related diseases in survivors of IPVAW compared to a control group. \n Methodology : The sample included 165 survivors and 82 controls, both \ncompleting an online health questionnaire.  Results : Chi-square analyses \nrevealed significant differences between survivors and controls in \ngastrointestinal problems: X 2 (1,238)  = 6.833,  p  = 0.009; \nautoimmune diseases: X 2 (1,247)  = 10.563,  p  = 0.001; \nfibromyalgia: X 2 (1,238)  = 11.477,  p  = 0.865. \n Conclusions : Overall, findings align with previous literature, \nhighlighting a specific profile of health problems among survivors of IPVAW. This \ncontributes to advancing research on the long-term medical consequences of such \nviolence and on psychoneuroendocrinoimmunological diseases.\n\nO1. Novel Translational Strategies to Elucidate Neuroimmune Mechanisms \nin Psychiatric Disorders\nAlbert Giralt 1,2,3,4\n1 Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Institut de \nNeurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain\n2 Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), \n08036 Barcelona, Spain\n3 Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades \nNeurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain\n4 Production and Validation Centre of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty \nof Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain\nIntroduction : Psychiatric disorders are complex and multifactorial, \narising from both genetic and environmental factors. These conditions present a \nwide range of symptoms that can be challenging to model and assess in animal \nstudies. In the case of schizophrenia and major depression, recent research has \nhighlighted potential mechanisms that may play crucial roles in its \npathophysiology, specifically the miscommunication between the immune system and \nneuronal circuits.  Methodology : In our laboratory, we transferred human \nmaterial such as the secretome of circulating immune cells (or PBMCs) to \n in vivo  and  in vitro  models to mimic and study the \nmiscommunication between the central nervous and immune systems in the context of \nschizophrenia and major depression. After confirming the safety of this \nmethodology and validating several potential underlying molecular mechanisms, we \nbelieve that the insights gained from these innovative models will significantly \nadvance our understanding of this altered communication between the two systems \nin the context of both, schizophrenia and major depression.\nO2. Understanding the Pathomechanism of Endometriosis Through \nPsychoneuroimmunology\nOrsolya Bustya 1\n1 Distrito Sanitario Granada-Metropolitano, 18013 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : Endometriosis is a gynecological disease with chronic \npelvic inflammation, which is becoming more and more common nowadays. The \netiology of endometriosis may be genetic, hormonal, immunological, nutritional, \npsychosocial, but these individually provide only partial answers to the \nunderstanding of the pathogenesis. Psychoneuroimmunology helps us to understand \nhow emotions, through the limbic and hypothalamo-pituitary systems, affect the \nendocrine glands and the immune system, and thus the development and progression \nof endometriosis, taking into account the role of environment and personality \ntraits in its development. The role of women in society has changed significantly \nover the last half century, both in terms of career development and childbearing, \nwhich has increased their exposure to stressors and the effects of estrogen. \nPsychosocial stress leads to elevated cortisol levels through the \nhypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and, if sustained, leads to \nimmunosuppression, reduced T-killer lymphocyte activity and increased \nangiogenesis, which contributes to the development of endometriosis and the \ngrowth of these lesions.  Methodology : This prospective study included \n150 women with endometriosis (mean age 35.61) and 72 women without the disease \n(mean age 35.13), who served as the control group. The study was carried out in \nthe County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Târgu Mureș (Romania). Participants \nwere asked to complete a composite questionnaire that included the Perceived \nStress Scale, an Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire and a scale measuring \nloneliness and social isolation (UCLA Loneliness Scale), in order to assess the \nextent of personal and work related stress in their lives.  Results : The \nresults revealed a statistically significant difference, with women with \nendometriosis reporting higher levels of stress ( p  \n <  0.0001) and \nloneliness ( p  = 0.0009) compared to the control group. \n Conclusion : Endometriosis, in terms of its origin, is a multifactorial \ndisease in which the consideration of psychosocial factors may be of great help \nin the diagnosis, prevention and selection of appropriate treatment.\nO3. Yoga-Induced HPA-Axis Modulation and Vagal Enhancement: Implications \nfor Stress and Emotional Well-Being\nOrsolya Bustya 1\n1 Distrito Sanitario Granada-Metropolitano, 18013 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : In modern society, elevated chronic stress underlies many \nillnesses. Prolonged stress results in allostatic load — the ‘wear and tear’ on \nthe body from sustained physiological adaptation to stressors. This process \nreflects dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and can lead to \ncumulative biological consequences involving changes in the nervous, endocrine, \nand immune systems. Mind-body interventions like yoga can decrease sympathetic \ntone and increase parasympathetic tone, directly stimulating the vagus nerve and \nthus returning to homeostasis. Yoga’s main ways to increase parasympathetic tone \nis through releasing muscle tension, breathing techniques and mindfulness \npractices. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a biomarker of ANS functioning and is \nable to assess psychological stress and emotional regulation. Increased vagal \nactivity - reflected in higher HRV - can inhibit excessive \nhypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, thereby reducing cortisol \nsecretion and the physiological effects of stress. Conversely, reduced HRV is \nlinked to prolonged HPA axis activation and higher cortisol levels. \n Methodology : Thirteen healthy female participants (mean age: 30 years) \nwere enrolled in a 10-week Hatha Yoga intervention, practicing for one hour 3 \ntimes per week. The assessments were conducted at baseline and after completion \nof the program. Physiological measures included resting heart rate, heart rate \nresponse to deep inhalation, and blood pressure. Psychological assessment of \nemotional balance was assessed using a standardized psychological test. \n Results : The parameters of the yoga participants showed a significant \nimprovement in emotional balance ( p  = 0.047) and enhanced autonomic \nregulation, reflected by increased HRV ( p  = 0.005). Also, reductions in \nresting heart rate and blood pressure suggested decreased sympathetic dominance \nand improved cardiovascular function. These physiological changes imply a \ndownregulation of HPA axis activity.  Conclusion : The results highlight \nyoga’s efficacy as an intervention that enhances vagal tone, modulates HPA axis \nactivity, and promotes emotional and physiological resilience to chronic stress.\nO4. The Uterus-Brain Axis and Premenstrual Disorders\nJuana Lafaja Mazuecos 1 , Noelia Serrano Gadea 2 , Elena López \nMagoñil 2\n1 NG Clinicas, Integrative Gynecology and Sexology Unit, Doctoral program at \nthe Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernández University, 03202 Elche, \nSpain\n2 Pain Neuropharmacology and Functional Diversity (NED), Alicante Institute \nfor Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Research Support Laboratory, \nHospital General Universitario Alicante Dr. Balmis, 03010 Alicante, Spain\nIntroduction : Pioneering clinical observations from the 1970s by Dr. \nJorge Lolas and Dr. Rodrigo Forés in Chile first suggested a \nrelationship between inflammatory processes in the uterine cervix and \nprofound alterations in mood, cognition, sexual response, and numerous \nphysical symptoms in women during the luteal phase of the menstrual \ncycle. Today, we still lack a detailed description of the enigmatic \nuterus-brain axis. While severe cyclical symptoms, experienced by a \nsignificant percentage of women, have long been described as \npremenstrual disorders and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), their \nunderlying causes remain poorly understood. A historical gender bias in the study of female genital diseases has limited progress, often focusing \nexclusively on reproductive aspects and neglecting other areas of \nwomen’s health such as mental health and pain. Furthermore, the \nexistence of a specific endometrial microbiota was only recently \nrecognized, challenging the previous assumption of a ‘sterile’ cavity. We \ncan use the established gut-brain axis as a framework for describing a \nsimilar axis connecting the uterus to the brain.  Hypothesis : Our DISFEM research group at Miguel Hernández University of Elche aims to \ndelve deeper into this matter. We hypothesize that a specific phenotype of severe \npremenstrual disorder and PMDD exists, linked to immunoinflammatory and even \nautoimmune mechanisms of the reproductive system. The recently described \nuterus-chemokine-brain axis provides an integrated explanatory model. This model \nsuggests that local uterine inflammation, via the endometrial production of \nchemokines, is a cause of menstruation-associated symptoms The increased release \nof chemokines from the uterus is proposed to create an environment of heightened \npain sensitivity and neuroinflammation, which is responsible for the psychiatric \nand cognitive symptoms reported by women, especially during the ovulatory and \nluteal phases.  Conclusion : We propose a paradigm shift in \nour understanding of uterine function. Beyond its reproductive role, the uterus \ndirectly impacts the central nervous system. Its inflammation can lead to severe, \ncyclical systemic symptoms. This new perspective frames the reproductive system \nas an independent entity with unique characteristics that demand a differential \napproach, while recognizing its interconnectedness with the gut-brain axis and \nother body systems.\nO5. Maternal Separation During Infancy Confers Resilience And \nNeuroimmune Protection To Adult Stress in Females: A Possible Role Of Hippocampal \nNeurogenesis, Microglia Status And Inflammatory Profile\nJose Munoz-Martin 1,2 , Patricia Chaves-Peña 1 , María Inmaculada \nInfantes-López 1,2 , Emma Zambrana-Infantes 3 , Andrea \nNieto-Quero 3 , Víctor Martín-Aguiar 3 , Alejandro \nZea-Doña 1 , Virginia Carayol-Gordillo 1 , Cristina Ramírez 3 , \nMargarita Pérez-Martín 1,2 , Carmen Pedraza 2,3\n1 Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, \nUniversidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain\n2 Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en \nNanomedicina IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, 29010 Málaga, Spain\n3 Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del \nComportamiento, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain\nIntroduction : Maternal separation is an early-life adversity that can \ncause long-term brain and behavioral changes, increasing vulnerability to \nstress-related disorders later in life. This study aimed to investigate \nsex-specific responses to adult stress in mice exposed to early adversity. \n Methodology : Female and male C57BL/6J mice underwent 3-hour daily \nmaternal separation (MS) for 21 consecutive days. At day 60, they underwent a \nsingle 2-hour restriction stress (RS) and 24-hours later, they were evaluated in \ntheir behavior, hippocampal neurogenesis, microglia and inflammatory status. The \nexperimental groups included Control, RS, MS, and MS+RS.  Results : Behaviorally, MS+RS females exhibited a reduction in maladaptive stresscoping \nbehaviors: increased motivation to build a nest, reduced hyperactivity in Open \nField Test and increased swimming in the Forced Swimming Test compared to Control \nor MS females. In a cellular basis, MS+RS females presented increased number of \nramified late-stages DCX+ cells in the ventral hippocampus suggesting enhanced \nmaturation of newborn granular neurons. This change in ventral hippocampal \nneurogenesis might have a role in resilience and antidepressant like behaviors as \nevidenced by the behavioral results. Furthermore, microglia morphology of MS+RS \nfemales in the ventral hippocampus showed a decreased cell body size and \nincreased circularity with a sparsely distribution (increased separation between \neach pair of cells). The cytokine profile of MS+RS and MS females gravitated \ntoward an anti-inflammatory status with increased levels of hippocampal IL-4, \nhighly linked to microglial neuroprotection and neuronal survival, and decreased \nlevels of IL-1 β  (pro-inflammatory), suggesting a possible neuroimmune \nmechanism for a long-term protection of female hippocampi. On the contrary, MS+RS \nmales did not display a clear stress-reactive pattern in either behavior or \ncellular changes, with only RS males showing anxious behavior in Open Field Test. \n Conclusions : This female-specific results provide insights into the \nneurobiological basis of susceptibility or resilience to disorders such as \nanxiety and depression.\nO6. The Role of APOAI in Translational Studies Addressing Alcohol Abuse, \nInflammation and Cognitive Impairment\nLaura Orio 1,2,3 , Berta Escudero 1,2,3 , Leticia \nLópez-Valencia 1,2,3\n1 Department of Psychobiology, Complutesnse University of Madrid, 28040 \nMadrid, Spain\n2 Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Universitario 12 de \nOctubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain\n3 Riapad: Research Network in Primary Care in Addictions, Spain\nIntroduction : Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is translocated from \nthe gut to the blood after alcohol abuse and activates the immune system with \nconsequences in neuroinflammation and cognition. Apolipoproteins are compounds \naltered by alcohol with high affinity to LPS which may be involved in its \ntransport and/or elimination and recently linked to cognition. Aim: We explore \nalterations in several apolipoproteins in rat and mice models of alcohol abuse \nand in humans with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and studied associations with \ninflammation and cognitive decline.  Methodology : Intragastric \nadministrations of alcohol in binges were used for rats, mice were exposed to a \nmixed two-bottle choice-CIE vapor exposure paradigm and human AUD patients were \nrecruited according to DSM-5 diagnosis. Apolipoproteins and inflammatory markers \nwere measured by ELISA, Multiplex assays or immunohistochemistry, \napolipoprotein-LPS aggregates and immune TLR4 receptors were measured by western \nblot and co-immunoprocipitation. Cognitive deterioration and memory impairments \nwere assessed by TEDCA test and Wechler Memory Scale-IV in humans and OLT/NOR \ntest in animals.  Results : Several apolipoproteins were altered in \nrat/mice models of alcohol abuse/dependence and in AUD patients, being plasma \nAPOAI consistently upregulated in animals and humans. APOAI form aggregates with \nparts of LPS in the rat female brain after alcohol exposure. Plasma APOAI \ncorrelated with inflammation and general cognitive impairment in AUD patients \nand, specifically, with poor memory in mice and humans.  Conclusion : The \nupregulation of plasma APOAI after alcohol abuse and dependence in animals and \nhumans and the use of APOAI mimetic peptides will be discussed in the context of \nalcohol-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment.\nO7. Impact of Cocaine and Ethanol Co-Use on Blood–Brain Barrier \nIntegrity: Insights From  In Vivo  and  In Vitro  Approaches\nLucía Garrido-Matilla 1 , Carlos Vera-Fernández 1 , Eliane \nSwely Sanches 2,3,4,5 , Daniela Simões 2,3,4,5 , Alba Arranz  1 , \nAlberto Marcos 1 , Emilio Ambrosio 1,† , Ana Paula \nSilva 2,3,4,5,†\n1 Psychobiology Department, School of Psychology, National University for \nDistance Learning (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain\n2 Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of \nMedicine, University Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal\n3 Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of \nMedicine, University Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal\n4 Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University \nCoimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal\n5 Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal\n† These authors contributed equally.\nIntroduction : Drug addiction is a major public health problem, with the \npolysubstance use of cocaine and ethanol representing one of the most prevalent \npatterns. It is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive \ndrug-seeking behaviour and neurobiological adaptations, including \nneuroinflammation, which is known to strongly affect the blood–brain barrier \n(BBB). However, the effects of combined cocaine and ethanol exposure on the BBB \nremain unclear. In this context, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17A is of \nparticular interest, as it has been linked to BBB disruption. Moreover, our group \nhas reported elevated IL-17A levels in rats reinstating cocaine-seeking \nbehaviour, suggesting a potential role in both barrier integrity and relapse \nvulnerability.  Methodology : In this study, we investigated the impact of \ncombined cocaine and ethanol administration on the BBB and explored the potential \ninvolvement of IL-17A signalling. We employed a dual approach: (1) A rat model of \ncocaine plus ethanol-seeking behaviour, analysing gene expression of tight and \nadherens junction proteins in addiction-related brain regions, as well as immune \nmarkers in the spleen. (2) An  in vitro  human BBB model composed of brain \nendothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), assessing barrier integrity upon exposure to \ncocaine and ethanol, and examining junction proteins and IL-17A receptors. \n Results : In animal studies, analysis of the hippocampus and striatum \nrevealed a sex-dependent reduction in claudin-5 and VE-cadherin levels following \ncocaine plus ethanol self-administration and withdrawal. Increased expression of \nIL-17 receptors, particularly IL-17 receptor C, was also observed.  In \nvitro , both co-exposure and single-substance exposure reduced transendothelial \nelectrical resistance, indicating compromised BBB integrity. BBB disruption was \nassociated with decreased claudin-5 levels and a positive trend in IL-17 receptor \nC expression. Gene expression analysis from the spleen is ongoing. \n Conclusions : These preliminary results suggest that cocaine and ethanol \nco-exposure induces a sex-dimorphic pattern of BBB disruption, likely through \nalterations in intercellular junctions and IL-17A signalling.\nO8. Early Detection of Peripheral Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers that \nReflects The Neuroimmune Status of the Hippocampus\nIsabel Moreno-Madrid 1,2 , D.D. Molina-Sánchez 1 , Amelia \nDíaz-Casares 1,2 , P. Viñas-Morales 1 , J.C. \nArrabal-Gómez 1,3,4 , E. Díaz-Sánchez 1,3 , M.A. \nBarbancho-Fernández 1,2 , J.A. Sánchez-Pérez 1,2,5 , E. \nBlanco-Reina 1,2 , R. Beltrán-Casanueva 6,7 , J.V. \nBayolo-Guanche 1,6 , M. Tome-Garcia 1,2,8 , L. Carazo-Barrios 1,9 , J.A. \nReyes-Bueno 1,4 , C. Pérez-Enriquez 1 , J. Romero-Imbroda 1,4,10 , \nK. Fuxe 7 , D.O. Borroto-Escuela 2,6 , N. García-Casares 1,2 , P. \nSerrano-Castro 1,2,3,4 , M. Narváez-Peláez 1,2,3\n1 ImbrainLab-Cátedra Imbrain, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de \nMálaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain\n2 Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Universidad De \nMálaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain\n3 Vithas Málaga, Grupo Hospitalario Vithas, 29010 Málaga, Spain\n4 Unit of Neurology, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 \nMálaga, Spain\n5 Unit of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, \nUniversidad De Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain\n6 Receptomics & Braindisorders Lab, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad De \nMálaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain\n7 Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, \nSweden\n8 Unit of Endocrinology, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, \n29000 Málaga, Spain\n9 Unit of Neurology , Hospital Universitario de Jaén, 23007 Jaén, Spain\n10 Quirón Salud Málaga, Grupo Hospitalario Quirón, 29004 Málaga, \nSpain\nIntroduction : The neuroimmunological changes associated with \nAlzheimer’s disease (AD) begin to appear long before symptoms manifest. In \nprevious research on its treatment, we found improvements in spatial memory \nassociated with an increase in the formation of NPY1R heteroreceptor complexes \nwith GALR2 and/or TrkB and an improvement in neurogenesis and plasticity in the \ndentate gyrus of the hippocampus in physiological models. Based on this, the \npresent research sought to address the early detection of AD through the \nobservation in hippocampal cell samples and white blood cells of NPY1R-GALR2 and \nNPY1R-TrkB complexes as possible early biomarkers of the disease, using the \n in-situ  PLA technique.  Methodology : An AcellsiRNA model for NPY1R \ninoculated intracerebroventricularly was developed in rats to render this \nreceptor inactive, imitating this alteration in AD. Spatial memory was assessed \nafter eight days using the object-inplace test, neurogenesis was analysed using \nthe doublecortin (DCX) marker in the dentate gyrus of the dorsal hippocampus, and \n in situ  PLA tests were performed in the samples.  Results : The results \nshow a decrease in brain tissue and white blood cells in the formation of \nheteroreceptor complexes with NPY1R, but no alteration was observed in the number \nof DCX-labelled cells or in spatial memory. These results are compared with a \nbilateral olfactory bulbectomy model, which reproduces an AD model in rats. In \nthis model there is an alteration in neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the \nhippocampus associated with a decrease in the formation of NPY1R heteroreceptor \ncomplexes and a decrease in spatial memory.  Conclusions : We suggest that \nit is possible to detect changes in NPY1R-GALR2 and NPY1R-TrkB complexes in blood \ncells before the onset of symptoms, making this a potential early biomarker of \nthe disease. Further investigation is required to confirm this statements.\nO9. Allostatic Load And Risk of Developing Cancer in the EPIC-Granada \nCohort\nDafina Petrova 1,2,3,4 , José María Gálvez-Navas 1,2,3 , \nDaniel Redondo-Sánchez 1,2,3 , Blanca Madrid Pérez-Esparza 1,2 , \nLaura León 1 , Encarnación González-Flores 1,4 , María del \nSeñor López-Vélez 1,4 , Alicia Rubio Pilares 1,5 , \nMaría-José Sánchez 1,2,3\n1 Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, \nSpain\n2 Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, 18010 Granada, España\n3 CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, \nSpain\n4 Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 \nGranada, Spain\n5 Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : Chronic stress has long been suspected to increase the \nrisk of cancer. Basic and preclinical research has identified multiple molecular \nand systemic mechanisms through which chronic stress can influence cancer \nprogression. However, epidemiological evidence from prospective cohort studies \nusing questionnaire-based measures of chronic stress remains inconclusive. The \nconcept of allostatic load, which captures the cumulative biological burden of \nchronic stress, provides an alternative approach to assessing stress exposure in \nrelation to cancer.  Methodology : We conducted a case-control study \nembedded in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition \n(EPIC)-Granada cohort recruited 1992-1996. Participants (n = 7879) completed \nmultiple lifestyle questionnaires, underwent physical examination, and donated \nblood samples. The 964 incident cancer cases that occurred until 2018 were \nmatched to 964 controls on age, sex, fasting status, and time since blood draw. \nAn allostatic load index was calculated using a distributional algorithm from 12 \nneuroendocrine, cardiometabolic, and immune biomarkers determined in serum \nsamples and supplemented with diagnostic and medication information. \n Results : On average, 15 years had elapsed between the blood draw and the \ncancer diagnosis of cases. Cases had a significantly higher pre-diagnostic \nallostatic load than controls (Mean (standard deviation):7.6 (3.2) vs. 6.9 (3.0), \nrespectively). In multiple conditional logistic regression, higher allostatic \nload was associated with higher overall cancer risk, with OR = 1.07 (95% CI \n1.04–1.11). By tumor type, allostatic load was associated with higher risk \nspecifically for breast (OR = 1.13, 1.04–1.23), colorectal (OR = 1.13, \n1.02–1.25), and female reproductive system (OR = 1.21, 1.06–1.39) cancer. The \nallostatic load biomarkers showing significant differences ( p  \n <  0.05) \nbetween cases and control included cortisol, DHEA-S, IGF-1, HOMA-IR, albumin, and \ntotal cholesterol.  Conclusions : Higher pre-diagnostic allostatic load \nwas associated with higher cancer risk. Allostatic load can help bridge the gap \nbetween basic and epidemiological research on stress and cancer, contributing \ntowards personalized prevention strategies.\nO10. Neuroimmunomodulation, the Importance of Combined Therapies to \nStimulate Resoleomics and Modulate Neuroimmunometabolic Programming\nPaola Amaya 1 , Ana Rivas 1\n1 Medicina privada, Bogotá, Colombia\nIntroduction : Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) has demonstrated the \ninteraction between the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems, highlighting \ntheir role in regulating physical and mental health. Within this framework, \nneuroimmunomodulation emerges as a key approach in the treatment of chronic \ndiseases by integrating autonomic, inflammatory, and metabolic responses, which \nare fundamental for the organism’s adaptation.  Methodology : A literature \nreview was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2009–2024), \nprioritizing studies on neuroimmunomodulation, the autonomic nervous system \n(ANS), vagus nerve, resolvomics, microbiota, and multimodal therapies. \n Results : The ANS acts as a master regulator of neuroimmunometabolic \nhomeostasis. Mild autonomic dysfunction precedes multiple chronic diseases, and \nits assessment through heart rate variability (HRV) is a relevant clinical \nbiomarker. The vagus nerve, with its nucleus of the solitary tract—the main \nafferent center receiving visceral information—and its efferent nuclei, the \ndorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and the nucleus ambiguus, is a fundamental \ncenter of vegetative control. It has great potential to modulate inflammation \nthrough cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathways. The gut microbiota represents a \ncentral axis in immune and metabolic programming. Multimodal therapies show \nefficacy in restoring autonomic flexibility, stimulating inflammatory resolution, \nand enhancing the organism’s ability to maintain homeostasis. \n Conclusions : A multimodal therapeutic approach actively stimulates \nendogenous mechanisms of inflammatory resolution and may contribute to the \nrestoration of a balanced immune profile. Strategies may be simple, such as \noptimizing sleep patterns, circadian exposure to sunlight, daily physical \nactivity, or breathing exercises. They may also be more complex, including gut \nmicrobiota interventions, optimization of hepatic detoxification processes, \nspecific nutritional support, or psycho-emotional interventions such as \nmindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, emotional regulation techniques, and \nadvanced processes of neurostimulation or immunomodulation.\nO11. Loneliness, Immune Cells and Psychosocial Intervention: Indirect \nEffects of Emotional Loneliness On Monocytes in Older Adults\nJuan Ignacio Grec 1 , Leyre Castillejo Sanz 1 , María Roman \nMoren 1 , Raúl Ballesta Barrera 1 , Sara García Herranz 1 , \nMaría del Carmen Díaz Mardomingo 1 , Carmen Donaire Saz 1 , \nCynthia Diaz-Silveira 2 , Adrián Galiana Rodríguez 3 , Shishir \nBaliyan 1 , César Venero Núñez 1\n1 Department of Psychobiology, National University of Distance Education \n(UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain\n2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan \nCarlos, 28922 Madrid, Spain\n3 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences and Education, \nUniversidad a Distancia de Madrid (UDIMA), 28400 Madrid, Spain\nIntroduction : Loneliness has been linked to dysregulation of the immune \nsystem in aging, including alterations in inflammatory processes and immune cell \nactivity in aging. Psychosocial interventions are a promising approach to \nalleviate loneliness and potentially modulate its psychobiological consequences. \n Methodology : We investigated the effects of a 20-session psychosocial \nintervention program designed to reduce loneliness in a sample of 50 \ncommunity-dwelling older adults. The program included modules on social skills, \nself-esteem and personal control, intergenerational exchange, life-story sharing, \nand mindfulness practices. Pre–post intervention assessments included social and \nfamily loneliness (Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults-SESLA) and \nimmune markers such as monocytes, lymphocytes, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and \nC-reactive protein. Regression-based mediation analyses (PROCESS) were conducted, \nadjusting for age, sex, education level and depressive symptoms as measured by \nthe Geriatric Depression Scale- GDS.  Results : Results showed that \nparticipation in the intervention program significantly reduced social \nloneliness. Moreover, mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect \nof the intervention on the change in monocyte levels through reductions in family \nloneliness. Specifically, participants in the intervention group showed greater \ndecreases in family loneliness ( β  = –0.579,  p  = 0.041), which \nin turn predicted reductions in monocytes ( β  = 0.327,  p  = \n0.023). The indirect pathway was statistically significant ( β  = –0.1899, \n95% CI [–0.4518, –0.0014]). The direct effect of the intervention on monocytes \nwas not significant ( β  = 0.435,  p  = 0.22), highlighting the \nmediating role of family loneliness in explaining the observed biological \nchanges.  Conclusions : These findings provide novel evidence that \npsychosocial interventions not only alleviate perceived loneliness but may also \ninfluence immune function in older adults. By identifying family loneliness as a \nkey mediator, the study suggests a specific pathway linking psychosocial \nwell-being to inflammatory regulation. Further research is warranted to examine \nto examine long-term effects and to expand biomarker profiling.\nO12. Environmental Causes of Disease in the Anthropocene, a Paramount \nPNEI View\nMauro Bologna 1\n1 Department of life, Health and Environmental Sciences, General Pathology, \nUniversity of L’Aquila Medical School, 67100 L’AQUILA, Italy\nWe (the humans) live in a terrestrial environment, from which we receive air, \nfood, water and all the resources for our needs. Each individual engages a daily \nand intimate relationship with the environment, where we must consider that we \nare not owners but guests, in a reciprocal interaction with all other forms of \nlife. One World (in the sense that we all live on the same planet) and One Health \n(in the sense that all live beings on the planet share many health and disease \ninteractions) are therefore the basic phylosophical, biomedical and practical \nparadigms of ecology on Earth: the common house for all live beings, including \nus, on such planet (the only one available for the known ecosystems so far). We \nreceived terrestrial resources from our ancestors (and the ecological \ncohabitants), through our parents, and we leave what remains to our children and \ndescendants who should hopefully be able to live on Earth in future times with \nthe same chances and quality of life that was offered to us. The environment \nhowever accumulates the consequences of all the preceding insults caused by us \nand by our human predecessors, who started centuries and centuries ago to \nextract, construct, modify, pollute every part of the planet, which now carries \nall the human modifications evident in the present times (Anthropocene). Since \nthe industrial revolution (a little more than two centuries ago) humans \npotentiated enormously their capacity to modify the environment, often for \nimproving human life, but almost always by destroying ecosystems and \ndepauperating the natural resources in all aspects. The PNEI paradigm that \ninspires us, a group of physicians and health professionals of the XXIst century, \nand also human beings able to recognize and appreciate the mind-body \nrelationships within each individual, may be very useful to interpret the complex \ninterplay network equilibria existing in ecological systems between different \nforms of life and regulating health and disease in every living organism. And \nsuch a network-based PNEI paradigm should be the best basic knowledge to \nappreciate and correct the environmental causes of disease, before it is too \nlate. As for climate on Earth in the XXIst century, many observations show us \nthat it may be already too late to make changes to revert to sustainable \nequilibria. We shall discuss here some peculiar aspects of these complex but \nfundamental issues regulating ecosystems and human Heath, with the PNEI paradigm \nwell in perspective.\n\nP1. Oxytocin Reactivity by Basal Levels in Intimate Partner Violence \nOffenders: Links to Socioemotional Regulation\nAndrea Antonio Gheorghe 1 , Javier Comes-Fayos 2 , Raquel Marquino \nFernández 1 , Marisol Lila-Murillo 3 , Ángel \nRomero-Martínez 1 , Luis Moya-Albiol 1\n1 Department of Psychobiology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain\n2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, 46002 \nValencia, Spain\n3 Department of Social Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, \nSpain\nIntroduction : Emerging evidence suggests oxytocinergic dysregulation in \nintimate partner violence (IPV) offenders and links altered oxytocin (OXT) \nfunction with risk factors for violent behavior. Because OXT effects are \ncontext-dependent and shaped by the salience of social signals, reactivity to \nsocial stimuli provides a dynamic index of system functioning. Traumatic brain \ninjury (TBI) may further impact these pathways. To examine whether basal OXT \nclusters differ in oxytocin reactivity (ROXT) to an empathic audiovisual \ninduction task and to assess the impact of TBI.  Methodology : IPV \noffenders (n = 32) were classified into High OXT (n = 9) and Low OXT (n = 23) \nclusters based on log-transformed basal OXT. ROXT was computed as area under the \ncurve with respect to increase (AUCi) during an empathic audiovisual induction \ntask involving viewing people suffering violence. TBI potential presence was \ncoded (Yes = 8, No = 24). A between-subjects univariate ANOVA tested Cluster and \nTBI effects on ROXT.  Results : The overall model was significant \n(F (2,29)  = 11.271,  p  \n <  0.001), explaining 43.7% of the variance \nin ROXT (R 2  = 0.437, adj. R 2  = 0.399). A main effect of Cluster \nemerged: Low OXT showed lower reactivity than High OXT (F (1,29)  = 21.925, \n p  \n <  0.001,  η 2 p  = 0.431). TBI was not significant \n(F (1,29)  = 0.357,  p  = 0.555).  Conclusions : A low basal OXT \ncluster is associated with attenuated ROXT, delineating a hyporeactive phenotype \n(low baseline + small increase) independent of TBI. This pattern may reflect \nreduced affiliative activation and stress buffering in response to social cues, \nwith consequences for socioemotional regulation during couple conflict. \nInterventions that enhance the salience of safe social signals through targeted \ntraining and context design may constitute an important protective factor to \noptimize social cognition in offenders, both with and without TBI.\nP2. Sex, Menstrual Cycle, and Hormonal Contraceptives Effects on \nEndogenous and Exogenous Attention\nBernal Antonio 1,2 , Aragonés Lara 2 , Paolieri Daniela 2,3\n1 Department of Psychobiology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n2 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYCI), 18071 Granada, Spain\n3 Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 \nGranada, Spain\nIntroduction : Attention can be oriented to spatial locations in two \ndistinct ways: endogenously (driven by our goals, intentions, or task demands) or \nexogenously (in response to salient or potentially relevant stimuli). Both forms \nof attention engage a bilateral fronto-parietal network, with a high density of \nreceptors for gonadal hormones. Therefore, the present study investigates sex \ndifferences, as well as the effects of the menstrual cycle and hormonal \ncontraceptive use, on these attentional processes.  Methodology : The \nstudy involved 21 men, 64 women with a natural menstrual cycle (21 participated \nduring the early follicular phase, 22 during the ovulatory phase, and 21 during \nthe mid-luteal phase), and 23 women using hormonal contraceptives, who performed \nthe task during the active hormonal phase. After collecting saliva samples to \nassess gonadal hormone levels, participants completed both an endogenous and \nexogenous attention orienting task, each containing valid, invalid, and neutral \ntrials. Inverse efficiency (accuracy/response time) was used as the performance \nmeasure.  Results : Testosterone levels were higher in the male group, \nestradiol levels were elevated in the ovulatory group, and progesterone levels \nwere higher in the luteal group. The ovulatory group demonstrated significantly \ngreater inverse efficiency during invalid trials of the exogenous condition \ncompared to men, the luteal group, and hormonal contraceptive users. No other \nsignificant differences were observed across the groups.  Conclusions : \nThese results suggest that women in the ovulatory phase experience greater \ndifficulties in comparison with the other groups in disengaging attention and \ninhibiting irrelevant information.\nP3. Hair Cortisol Concentration in Male Perpetrators of Intimate Partner \nViolence Against Women and its Relationship With Sociodemographic and \nSentence-Related Variables\nMaría Ángeles García-León 1 , Natalia \nBueso-Izquierdo 2,3 , María Isabel Peralta-Ramírez 3,4 , Raquel \nGonzález-Pérez 5 , Miguel Pérez-García 3,4\n1 Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, \nUniversidad de Sevilla, 41018 Seville, Spain\n2 Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of \nGranada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n3 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, \n18071 Granada, Spain\n4 Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, \nUniversity of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n5 Department of Pharmacology, CIBERehd, School of Pharmacy, University of \nGranada, 18071 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : To understand the violent behavior of perpetrators of \nintimate partner violence against women (IPVAW), the profile of convicted men is \ncurrently being studied from a multiglobal perspective, including the biological \ndimension. A literature review shows that the biological markers of IPV \nperpetration play a significant role in the etiology of this specific type of \nviolence. Neuropsychology, neuroimaging and psychophysiology studies have been \nconducted to understand these men’s violent acts, yet few have addressed the role \nof hormones in the violent behavior of this population. Among all the hormones \ninvolved in violent behavior, cortisol and testosterone have been found to be the \nmost significant.  Methodology : A total of 627 male volunteers convicted \nof IPVAW participated in the study and completed a semi-structured interview \ncovering sociodemographic information, conviction-related variables, health and \nlife habits, and childhood experiences. Hair samples were collected and hair \ncortisol concentrations were analyzed.  Results : Compared to a Spanish \nreference population IPVAW perpetrators were predominantly in the highest and \nlowest percentiles of HCC distribution. While most sociodemographic and life \nhabit variables were unrelated to HCC, non-Spanish nationality and childhood \nphysical abuse were associated with higher cortisol levels. Additionally, \nsignificant associations were found between HCC and crime-related factors, such \nas conviction length, type of charge, and unfair charge perceptions. \nSpecifically, shorter and intermediate conviction lengths, multiple partner \ncharges, and acknowledgment of physical abuse charges were linked to increased \nHCC.  Conclusions : These findings highlight the importance of integrating \npsychological and biological factors to understand IPVAW perpetration.\nP4. Association Between Vitamin D and Cognitive Performance in Spanish \nAdults\nMario Tomé-Fernández 1 , Marcelo Saval-Calvo 2 , Miriam \nSánchez-Sansegundo 1,3 , Ana Zaragoza-Martí 3,4 , Jorge \nAzorín-Lopez 2\n1 Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Health Science, University of \nAlicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain\n2 Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Alicante, San \nVicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain\n3 Alicante Health and Biomedical Research Institute, ISABIAL Foundation. \n03010 Alicante, Spain\n4 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, University of Alicante, \n03690 Alicante, Spain\nIntroduction : Several studies have documented associations between \nspecific micronutrient levels and cognitive performance. An adequate intake of \nvitamins influences neurotransmitter synthesis, neuronal activity, and the \nstructural integrity of cell membranes. The aim of this study was to examine \ndifferences in vitamin intake among four groups classified based on cognitive \nperformance.  Methodology : A cross-sectional study was carried out with a \nsample of 230 Spanish adults participating in the Tech4Diet-Person project. \nDietary intake was assessed using a semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire \n(FFQ), while cognitive performance was evaluated w computerized \nneuropsychological battery. Participants were categorized into four groups based \non their cognitive performance (very low, low, average, and high), and a one-way \nANOVA was conducted to examine differences in micronutrient intake. \n Results : The sample included 230 Spanish adults (M = 45.73, SD = 10.1), \n61.6% women. The results revealed statistically significant differences in \nvitamin D intake (F = 4.623,  p  = 0.004). Specifically, the very low \nperformance group consumed significantly less vitamin D than the high-performance \ngroup (8.50  ±  13.33 mg vs. 30.12  ±  27.47 mg,  p  = 0.028, d = \n0.95).  Conclusions : The results reveal a significant association between \nlow vitamin D intake and impaired cognitive performance. Systematic reviews have \nshown that vitamin D supplementation can lead to improvements in cognitive \ndomains such as memory, attention, and executive function. Moreover, \nobservational and longitudinal studies have found that serum levels below the \nthreshold are associated with global cognitive decline. However, this \nrelationship is not consistent across all cognitive functions or age groups, and \ncausality has yet to be fully established.\nP5. Vitamin Intake as a Predictor of Prefrontal Dysfunction: A Machine \nLearning Approach\nMario Tomé-Fernández 1 , Bernabé Sánchez-Sos 2 , Miriam \nSánchez-Sansegundo 1,3 , José Antonio Hurtado-Sánchez 3,4 , \nAndrés Fuster-Guilló 2\n1 Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Health Science, University of \nAlicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain\n2 Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Alicante, San \nVicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain\n3 Alicante Health and Biomedical Research Institute, ISABIAL Foundation, \n03010 Alicante, Spain\n4 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, University of Alicante, \n03690 Alicante, Spain\nIntroduction : Vitamin intake is closely related to prefrontal cortex \nfunctioning, a brain region essential for higher-order cognitive and behavioral \nprocesses. The objective was to analyse the relationship between vitamins and \nprefrontal dysfunction by comparing three feature selection models. \n Methodology : A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of \n223 Spanish adults participating in the Tech4Diet-Person project. Dietary intake \nwas assessed using a semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and \nprefrontal dysfunction was assessed using the Short Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory \n(PSI-20). The Python programming language was used with the Machine Learning \nlibrary: Scitik-Learn and the Random Forest Regressor. The feature selection \nmethods used for comparison were: Recursive Feature Elimination, Drop-Column \nImportance and Permutation Feature Importance.  Results : The sample \nconsisted of 223 Spanish adults (M = 45.64, SD = 10.10), of whom 38.05% were men \nand 61.95% were women. The model that explained the greatest proportion of \nvariance was the Drop-Column Importance model (MAE = 8.06, MSE = 108.66, R 2  \n= 0.23, MAPE = 0.72, RMSE = 10.42, adjusted R 2  = 0.20). The predictors of \nthe total PSI score were the following vitamins: vitamin C, niacin, thiamine, \nfolate, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and vitamin E.  Conclusions : This study \nprovides evidence that specific vitamins are significant predictors of prefrontal \ndysfunction in adults. The Drop-Column Importance model demonstrated the \nstrongest explanatory power, underscoring the relevance of nutritional factors in \ncognitive health. These findings highlight the importance of adequate vitamin \nintake as a potential protective factor against prefrontal symptoms, reinforcing \nthe role of nutrition in brain function and suggesting avenues for preventive \nstrategies in public health.\nP6. Effects of Sleep Duration on Perceived Stress and Cardiac Autonomic \nRecovery Under Cognitive-Social Stress\nCarolina Sarrate-Costa 1 , Luis Moya-Albiol 1 , Ángel Romero \nMartínez 1\n1 Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of \nValencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain\nIntroduction : Current literature shows that shorter sleep duration \n( < 7 h/night in adults) is linked to increased allostatic load, whereas \nsufficient sleep helps maintain the autonomic balance. However, evidence is \nlimited on how chronic sleep insufficiency affects autonomic activity, especially \nduring post-stress recovery, under cognitive and social demands. This study \nquantifies the effects of habitual sleep duration on perceived stress and cardiac \nautonomic activity (heart rate, HR) at baseline, during a cognitive-social \nstressor, and in the recovery period.  Methodology : 63 healthy adults \n(20–78 years, M = 38.60, SD = 13.86) reported their average nightly sleep. \nParticipants completed neuropsychological tasks in front of two evaluators while \nHR was continuously recorded through a physiological ambulatory instrument \n(VU-AMS). Perceived stress was rated on a numeric scale after the stressor. \n Results : Results showed that sleep duration was associated with lower \nperceived stress (B = –0.461, SE = 0.226,  p  = 0.046). Perceived stress, \nin turn, was positively related to HR at baseline (B = 1.369, SE = 0.676, \n p  = 0.047), during the task (B = 1.472, SE = 0.699,  p  = 0.039), \nand during recovery (B = 1.383, SE = 0.632,  p  = 0.032). Importantly, \nthere was no statistically significant association between sleep duration and HR \nat any of the recorded periods. Taken together, these results partially align \nwith allostatic-load models and extend them by indicating a patter consistent \nwith an indirect link between sleep and autonomic activity via increased \nperceived stress.\nConclusions : This study states that higher perceived stress increases \nand keeps allostatic load elevated for longer, a profile linked to higher \ncardiovascular risk, immune and endocrine dysregulation, and poorer task \nperformance and decision-making. In this way, is has been empathized the \nimportance of combining sleep-health promotion and stress-management strategies \nto optimize autonomic adaptation in everyday cognitive-social demands. Future \nstudies should test this indirect pathway longitudinally and manipulate sleep \nexperimentally to determine causal effects on stress and cardiac recovery.\nP7. Does Spiritual Well-being Improve Metabolic Control in Type II \nDiabetes?\nM.D. Fernández-Pascual 1 , A. Reig-Ferrer 1 , A.Mª. \nSantos-Ruiz 1 , C. Gisbert-Sellés 2 , C. Sánchez-Botella 2 , \nJ.L. Talavera-Biosca 2\n1 Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of \nAlicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain\n2 Primary Care Center San Vicente del Raspeig I, 03690 Alicante, Spain\nIntroduction : Psychological alterations frequently coexist with type II \ndiabetes mellitus (T2DM), potentially impairing functionality, reducing quality \nof life, and complicating metabolic regulation. The present study aimed to \nexamine the associations between metabolic control, spiritual well-being, and \nperceived health in patients with uncontrolled T2DM.  Methodology : A \ndescriptive, cross-sectional, correlational design was applied, including 105 \nadults diagnosed with uncontrolled T2DM (HbA1c  > 7%). The sample consisted of \n60 men (M = 64.02, SD = 10.53) and 45 women (M = 68.1, SD = 9.47). Clinical and \nlaboratory data were obtained from electronic health records. Spiritual \nwell-being was assessed with the Spanish version of the Meaning in Life Scale \n(MiLS-Sp), and perceived health was evaluated using the General Health \nQuestionnaire (GHQ-12). All scores were standardized to a 0–10 scale. \n Results : Results indicated moderate mean scores for Peace (M = 6.6), \nwhereas Purpose (M = 4.9), Lack of Meaning (M = 3.4), and Benefits of \nSpirituality (M = 3.5) were lower. The overall MiLS-Sp score was 4.7. HbA1c was \nnegatively associated with Purpose (r = –0.23,  p  \n <  0.05) and the \ntotal MiLS-Sp score (r = –0.23,  p  \n <  0.05). Perceived health \ncorrelated negatively with Purpose (r = –0.40,  p  \n <  0.01), Peace (r = \n–0.50,  p  \n <  0.01), and the total MiLS-Sp score (r = –0.50,  p \n <  0.01), and positively with Lack of Meaning (r = 0.32,  p  \n <  0.01). \nThe mean GHQ-12 score was 3.03 (SD = 2.85).  Conclusions : These findings \nsuggest that higher levels of meaning in life are associated with better \nmetabolic control and self-rated health in patients with uncontrolled T2DM. \nNevertheless, the cross-sectional design and sample size impose limitations, \npreventing causal inferences. Longitudinal research is required to clarify the \npotential protective role of spiritual well-being in diabetes management.\nP8. Neuroendocrine Sex-Related Differences After Acute Social Defeat \nStress in Pubertal CD-1 Mice\nNerea Perez-Arriazu 1 , Alina Diez-Solinska 1 , Oscar Vegas 1,2 , \nGarikoitz Azkona 1\n1 Department of Basic Psychological Processes and their Development, \nUniversity of The Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain\n2 Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain\nIntroduction : Even though women are primarily affected by social \nstress-related psychiatric disorders, the majority of preclinical research has \nbeen done on male mice because there aren’t many trustworthy female social stress \nanimal models. Owing to the different social dynamics between the sexes, models \nthat have been proposed for one sex have proved ineffective for the other. A \ndefeat stress protocol, based on the application of adult male urine, was \nemployed in our investigation. The present study aimed to validate the defeat \nstress protocol in pubertal mice under an acute paradigm and investigate \npotential neuroendocrine and immune response sex discrepancies following the \ndefeat stress protocol.  Methodology : The social defeat protocol was \napplied to male and female adolescents in three sessions over one day. \n Results : The behavioural and corticosterone results indicated that the \nmodel worked as intended in the laboratory. The endocrine results showed that \nprogesterone and testosterone levels were lower in stressed females than in \nnon-stressed ones, but no differences were observed between male groups. No \ndifferences in hypothalamic IL-6 and TNF- α  were observed. \n Conclusions : Overall, the results of this study highlight the necessity \nof doing preclinical research with equal consideration for both sexes.\nP9. Hormonal Ratios in Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators: \nAssociations With Emotional Decoding And Alexithymia\nRaquel Marquino Fernández 1 , Javier Comes-Fayos 2 , Antonio \nGheorghe 1 , Marisol Lila 3 , Ángel Romero-Martínez 1 , Luis \nMoya-Albiol 1\n1 Department of Psychobiology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain\n2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, 46002 \nValencia, Spain\n3 Department of Social Psychology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, \nSpain\nIntroduction : Socio-affective deficits, such as poor emotional decoding \nand high alexithymia, are significant risk factors in intimate partner violence \nperpetrators (IPVp). Evidence links these deficits to altered hormone levels \ninvolved in empathy (oxytocin, OXT), dominance (testosterone, T), and stress \nresponse (cortisol, C). Further research is needed to clarify hormone \ninteractions and their impact on socio-affective functions. This study examined \ndifferences between IPVp and a control group (CG) in emotional decoding, \nalexithymia, and affective response during an empathy-induction task, and \nexplored associations with hormonal ratios OXT/T, OXT/C, and T/C. \n Methodology : Groups (IPVp, n = 12, CG, n = 12) completed the Reading the \nMind in the Eyes Test (RMET), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the \nProfile of Mood States (POMS). An empathy-induction task involved videos of \npeople experiencing violence. Saliva samples were collected at baseline, \nanticipatory, and post-task. Hormonal reactivity (AUCi) and total levels (AUCg) \nwere calculated. Group comparisons used independent-samples t-tests, and \nassociations between socio-affective measures and hormonal ratios were assessed \nvia Pearson correlation.  Results : IPVp scored lower on the RMET \n[t (22)  = –2.86,  p  = 0.009] and higher on the TAS-20 [t (22)  = \n2.18,  p  = 0.040], with no group differences on the POMS. RMET scores \ncorrelated negatively with T/C AUCg [r (22)  = –0.46,  p  = 0.024] and \npositively with OXT/T AUCi [r (22)  = 0.56,  p  = 0.004]. TAS scores \ncorrelated negatively with OXT/T AUCg [r (22)  = –0.46,  p  = 0.023], \nand POMS scores correlated negatively with OXT/C AUCi [ ρ (24)  = \n–0.42,  p  = 0.041].  Conclusions : Socio-affective impairments in \nIPVp appear to be linked to differential hormonal ratios, which may affect \nfunctions relevant to social cognition. This profile may hinder processing and \nresponding to social cues during interpersonal conflict, sustaining violent \nbehavior. Interventions enhancing sensitivity to safe social cues and \nsocioemotional regulation may reduce recidivism in IPVp.\nP10. Cognitive Alteration and Gut Microbiome Shifts in Post-Covid-19 \nCondition\nMar Ariza 1,2 , Marc Llirós Dupré 3,4 , Neus Cano 2,5 , \nBarbara Segura 2,6,7 , Javier Bejar 8 , Cristian Barrué 8 , C. \nUlises Cortés 8 , C Junqué 5,6,7 , M Garolera 2,5,9\n1 Unitat de Psicologia Mèdica, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de \nBarcelona (UB), 08036 Barcelona, Spain\n2 Grup de Recerca en Cervell, Cognició i Conducta, Consorci Sanitari de \nTerrassa (CST), 08221 Terrassa, Spain\n3 Bioinformatics and Bioimaging (BI-SQUARED) research group, Biosciences \ndepartment, Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, Universitat de Vic – \nUniversitat Central de Catalunya, 08500 Vic, Catalunya, Spain\n4 Bioinformatics and Bioimaging (BI-SQUARED) research group, Institut de \nRecerca i Innovació en Ciències de la Vida i de la Salut a la Catalunya \nCentral (IRIS-CC), Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya, 08500 \nVic, Catalunya, Spain\n5 Departament de Psicologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la \nSalut, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), 08195 Sant Cugat del \nVallès, Barcelona, Spain\n6 Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, \nSpain\n7 Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), \n08036 Barcelona, Spain\n8 Department of Computer Science, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya \n(UPC) - BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain\n9 Neuropsychology Unit, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa- Hospital Universitari \n(CST), 08221 Terrassa, Spain\nIntroduction : Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 Condition (PCC) is \ncharacterized by persistent symptoms including fatigue, cognitive impairment, \nrespiratory and cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal disturbances, \ndepression and anxiety, and alterations in smell and taste. Nearly 12.5% of \nthose infected with SARS-CoV-2 will develop PCC, and many present cognitive \ndysfunctions linked to the infection. The aim of this study was to explore the \nrelationship between cognitive dysfunction and gut microbiome composition in a \nsubset of PCC subjects.  Methodology : We included 159 PCC patients (mild \nand severe) and 33 healthy controls (HC) from the DIANA project \n(ClinicalTrials.gov  NCT05307549 ). All participants underwent 16S rRNA gene \nsequencing (Ion-Torrent PGM platform) and a comprehensive neuropsychological \nassessment covering all major cognitive domains. From this battery, a global \ncognitive impairment index was calculated (scores  ≥ 1.5 SD below normative \nvalues, ratio of impaired tests/total tests) and dichotomized into altered vs. \nnon-altered cognition. Microbiome differences were first analysed across clinical \ngroups (HC, mild, severe) and then by cognitive status using Kruskal–Wallis \ntests followed by pairwise Wilcoxon comparisons.  Results : The 20 most \nabundant ASVs ( ≈ 40% of all recovered ASVs) were assigned to \nBacteroidetes (19.0%), Prevotella_9 (4.6%), Faecalibacterium (2.8%), \nDialister, Alistipes, Parabacteroides, Prevotellaceae, UCG-002, Agathobacter, and \nEscherichia-Shigellam genera. Significant differences between PCC subgroups and \nHC were found for three genera. Prevotella_9 differed between mild and severe \npatients ( p  = 0.003), Faecalibacterium between mild and HC ( p  = \n0.014), and UCG-002 both between mild and HC ( p  = 0.0098) and between \nmild and severe ( p  = 0.032). No global differences in richness or \ndiversity were observed between PCC and HC. However, stratification by cognitive \nstatus revealed compositional shifts, with significant differences in Bacteroides \n( p  = 0.017), Prevotella_9 ( p  = 0.010), and Parabacteroides \n( p  = 0.015).  Conclusions : This study provides novel evidence \nlinking cognitive impairment and gut microbiome alterations in PCC. These \nfindings highlight the need for further research to clarify causal pathways and \nassess potential therapeutic implications.\nP11. Maternal Separation Induces Sex-Specific Changes in Brain Oxidative \nMetabolism, Monoamine Activity, and Cytokine Expression\nCarolina González-Mateos 1,2 , Andrea Fernández-Blanco 1,2 , \nHéctor González-Pardo 1,2,3 , Eneritz Gómez-Lázaro 4 , \nNélida M. Conejo 1,2,3\n1 Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Faculty of \nPsychology, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain\n2 Institute of Neuroscience of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), \nUniversity of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain\n3 Institute of Health of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, \nSpain\n4 Department of Basic Psychological Processes and their Development, Basque \nCountry University, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain\nIntroduction : Early-life stress (ELS) encompasses experiences of \nneglect and maltreatment that critically shape brain development and increase \nvulnerability to mental and physical disorders in adulthood. Adverse early \nexperiences have been associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, \nsubstance use, and cognitive impairment, as well as systemic conditions such as \nobesity, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. Animal models allow for \nthe controlled study of these mechanisms, and maternal separation (MS) is a \nwell-established paradigm for simulating psychosocial ELS.  Methodology : \nWe investigated the long-term, sex-specific effects of prolonged MS (4h/day, \npostnatal days 1-21) on brain mitochondrial function, monoamine levels, and \nneuroinflammation in adult Wistar rats males and females. Mitochondrial oxidative \nmetabolism was quantified using cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) histochemistry, while \nmonoaminergic activity and cytokine expression were assessed by HPLC and RT-qPCR, \nrespectively.  Results : Our results revealed a marked reduction in CCO \nactivity in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens shell of MS \nfemales compared with controls, whereas males showed less pronounced metabolic \nchanges. In addition, sex-dependent differences were observed across both rearing \nconditions, affecting not only CCO activity, but also brain monoamine levels and \nturnover across brain regions. These findings indicate that MS affected \nneurotransmitter turnover differently in males and females. Furthermore, \nneuroinflammatory responses were sexually dimorphic: MS males exhibited elevated \nIL-6 and TNF- α  expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, \nwhereas MS females showed increased Il-6 levels selectively in the striatum. \n Conclusions : These findings highlight the complex, region- and \nsex-dependent neurobiological consequences of ELS, underscoring the importance of \nincluding both sexes in preclinical models to improve translational relevance for \npsychiatric and neurodevelopmental research.\nP12. Preliminary Design of a Psychometric Scale for Stress in Oncology \nPatients: Comparison With GAD-7 .\nM. J. Montes Lozano 1 , R. A. Montoyo Antón 1 , S. Ortiz Montes 2 , \nB. López Mármol 3\n1 Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain\n2 University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain\n3 Hospital Universitario Santa Lucía, 30202 Cartagena, Spain\nIntroduction : Stress is highly prevalent among oncology patients and \nmay evolve into generalized anxiety and depression if it is not identified early. \nHowever, nursing practice still lacks a brief, specific psychometric tool to \nscreen stress in this population. We designed a pilot stress questionnaire and \nexamined its reliability and its relationship with the validated GAD-7 as a \nreference anxiety measure.  Methodology : Cross-sectional pilot study in n \n= 54 oncology patients. Instruments: (i) a pilot stress questionnaire \nhypothesized to include three domains—overload, somatic symptoms, and coping \ndifficulties—and (ii) GAD-7 for generalized anxiety. Analyses (JASP) comprised \ninternal consistency (Cronbach’s  α , McDonald’s  ω ), exploratory \nfactor analysis, linear regression of stress factors on GAD-7, and paired-samples \nt-tests.  Results : Internal consistency was good for the overall pilot \nscale ( α  = 0.865,  ω  = 0.868). By factor: F1 Overload  α  \n= 0.865, F2 Somatic  α  = 0.772, F3 Coping  α  = 0.615. In linear \nregression, stress factors did not significantly predict GAD-7 (R 2  = 0.039, \n p  = 0.575). A paired  t -test showed significant differences \nbetween F3 (Coping) and GAD-7 (t (53)  = –30.32,  p  \n <  0.001). \nInterpretation: the pilot stress questionnaire captures dimensions that are \ndistinct from generalized anxiety, suggesting complementary information for \noncology care.  Conclusions : The pilot scale shows promising reliability \nand constructs signals different from GAD-7, supporting continued development and \nvalidation. A brief, nursing-oriented stress tool may aid early detection and \ntimely psychosocial support in oncology settings. Next steps include confirmatory \nfactor analysis, test–retest reliability, convergent/discriminant validity, and \ncut-off calibration against clinical endpoints.\nP13. Sex-Specific Microglial Responses to Juvenile and Adult Stress: \nImplications for Depression Vulnerability\nPatricia Chaves-Peña 1 , Jose Munoz-Martin 2,3 , María \nInmaculada Infantes-López 2,3 , Víctor Martin-Aguiar 1 , Andrea \nNieto-Quero 2,3 , Margarita Pérez-Martín 2,3 , Carmen \nPedraza 1,3\n1 Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del \nComportamiento, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, España\n2 Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, \nUniversidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, España\n3 Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en \nNanomedicina-IBIMA, plataforma Bionand, 29010 Málaga, España\nIntroduction : Stress during sensitive developmental periods promotes \nlong-lasting microglial sensitization, increasing vulnerability to subsequent \nstressors in adulthood and precipitating depressive-like symptoms. Additionally, \nit is known that depression is more common in females (5.1%) than in males \n(3.6%). Consequently, we investigated potential sexual differences in the \neffects of stress on microglial morphology and their associated inflammatory \nprofile. This study aimed to explore sexual differences in microglial \nsensitization induced by juvenile stress and its consequences following adult \nstress exposure.  Methodology : Male and female C57BL/6J mice were \nsubjected to two stress protocols, the first in the juvenile period and the \nsecond in adulthood. Microglial morphology was assessed through morphometric \nanalyses, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression profiles were \nquantified.  Results : Our findings indicate that juvenile stress \nsensitizes microglia in both sexes, with adult stress later unmasking \nsex-specific phenotypes. In males, juvenile and adult stress independently \nreduced the aspect ratio, indicative of a rounder soma and a more activated \nmicroglial phenotype. In females, adult stress increased soma area and disrupted \ncellular regularity. Similarly, a differential expression of the cytokines \nprofile was observed between sexes. In males, adult stress elicited \npro-inflammatory response with increased IFN- γ  expression, whereas in \nfemales, cumulative stress promoted upregulation of VEGFa, consistent with \nremodeling and growth factor signaling rather than classical inflammation. In \nsummary, juvenile stress establishes a state of microglial sensitization that \npredisposes to sex-specific responses when a second challenge occurs in \nadulthood. Males preferentially exhibit pro-inflammatory activation, while \nfemales show changes related to cellular remodeling. These dimorphic microglial \ntrajectories may underlie the differential vulnerability to depression observed \nbetween sexes.  Conclusions : Microglial sensitization during early life \nemerges as a critical mechanism shaping long-term neuroimmune responses to \nstress, providing insight into the sex-specific basis of mood disorders.\nP14. Physical Exercise and Perinatal Stress: Psychological vs. \nBiological Outcomes\nMiguel Ángel Baos-González 1,2 , Javier De Echarri-Lorente 1,2 , \nRocío RodríguezValdés 1,2 , Borja Romero-González 3 , \nRaquel González-Pérez 4 , María Isabel \nPeralta-Ramírez 1,2\n1 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, \n18071 Granada, Spain\n2 Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, \nFaculty of Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n3 Faculty of Education of Soria, University of Valladolid, 42004 Soria, \nSpain\n4 Department of Pharmacology, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en \nRed de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), School of Pharmacy, \nInstituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, University of Granada, \n18012 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : Pregnant women often experience elevated anxiety and \nstress, reflected in hair cortisol concentrations (HCC). These symptoms impair \nquality of life and are linked to postpartum depression, pregnancy complications, \nand offspring development. Physical exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety \nduring pregnancy, but its effects on stress are less clear. Research on perceived \nstress has largely focused on yoga interventions, while findings on HCC, a \nbiomarker of chronic stress, remain inconsistent. Some studies report no \nassociations, others reductions in HCC with frequent exercise, and others \nincreases with high-intensity training. This study examined associations between \nphysical activity, anxiety, perceived stress, and HCC during pregnancy. \n Methodology : A total of 574 pregnant women (M = 33.22 years, SD = 5.16) \nparticipated. They reported exercise engagement and weekly hours. Stress was \nassessed with the Perceived Stress Scale, anxiety with the SCL-90 subscale, and \nHCC from 3-cm hair strands. Assessments were conducted across all trimesters, \nusing mean values. Spearman correlations and independent samples t-tests were \napplied, with log-transformed HCC.  Results : Women engaging in physical \nexercise reported lower perceived stress (t = 4.119,  p  \n <  0.001, M = \n24.33 vs. 26.18) and lower anxiety (t = 2.326,  p  = 0.020, M = 61.01 vs. \n65.73 percentiles) compared to non-exercisers. No differences were observed in \nHCC (t = –0.143,  p  = 0.886, M = 5.18 vs. 5.17). Greater weekly exercise \nhours were correlated with lower perceived stress (r = –0.164,  p  \n <  \n0.001) and anxiety (r = –0.097,  p  = 0.025), but not with HCC (r = \n–0.030,  p  = 0.469).  Conclusions : Physical exercise during pregnancy is associated with \nlower perceived stress and anxiety, suggesting a protective role for maternal \nphysical and mental health. No associations with HCC were found, indicating that \ninconsistencies in prior research may reflect differences in exercise type, \nintensity, or methodology.\nP15. Pre-pregnancy BMI as a Risk Factor: Associations With Maternal Hair \nCortisol and Child Psychopathology at Age Two\nJavier De Echarri Lorente 1,2 , Miguel Ángel Baos González 1,2 , \nRocío Valdés Rodríguez 1,2 , Carolina \nMariño-Narváez 3 , Raquel González Pérez 4 , María \nIsabel Peralta Ramírez 1,2\n1 Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, \nUniversity of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n2 Mind, Brain and Behaviour Research Centre, University of Granada, 18071 \nGranada, Spain\n3 Faculty of Education Sciences and Humanities, International University of \nLa Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain\n4 Department of Pharmacology, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en \nRed de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), School of Pharmacy, \nInstituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. Granada, University of Granada, \n18012 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : Pre-pregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI) has been \nestablished as a key variable in pregnancy outcomes. Elevated BMI increases the \nrisk of adverse maternal health conditions, including gestational diabetes, \nmiscarriage, hypertension, and a higher likelihood of cesarean delivery. These \nrisks also extend to newborns, who face greater complications during delivery and \nan increased risk of macrosomia. The present study aimed to examine the \ninteraction between maternal BMI and biomarkers such as hair cortisol during \npregnancy, as well as psychological variables including depression and perceived \nstress, and their association with child psychopathology at age two. \n Methodology : The sample comprised 100 pregnant women from the \nGestastress-Childstress cohort, with longitudinal follow-up of their children at \ntwo years of age. Maternal body weight adequacy was evaluated by calculating \npre-pregnancy BMI, maternal psychopathology during pregnancy was assessed using \nthe Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), and chronic stress was measured throught \nhair cortisol concentrations. Child psychopathology was evaluated using the Child \nBehavior Checklist (CBCL).  Results : Results indicated that higher \npre-pregnancy BMI was associated with elevated hair cortisol concentrations (r = \n0.089,  p  = 0.019), as well as higher internalizing (r = 0.217, \n p  = 0.032) and externalizing problems (r = 0.279,  p  = 0.005) in \nchildren at two years of age.  Conclusions : These findings are consistent \nwith previous research, highlighting elevated pre-pregnancy BMI as a risk factor \nnot only for heightened physiological stress responses during pregnancy but also \nas a predisposing condition that, in interaction with other variables, \ncontributes to the emergence of early psychopathological symptoms in children.\nP16. Progressive Inhibition of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis by \nTemozolomide and Its Consolidation After a Rest Period .\nAlejandro Zea-Doña 1 , Patricia Chaves-Peña 1 , Víctor \nMartín-Aguiar 2 , Estela del Mar Sosa-Osorio 1 , Margarita \nPérez-Martín 1,3 , Carmen Pedraza 2,3\n1 Department of Cell Biology, Genetics and Physiology, University of Malaga, \n29071 Malaga, Andalucia, Spain\n2 Department of Psychobiology and Methodologies of Behavioral Sciences, \nUniversity of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Andalucia, Spain\n3 Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA) Plataforma BIONAND, 29010 \nMalaga, Spain\nIntroduction : Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is increasingly recognized \nas a critical modulator of brain plasticity, emotional regulation, and \nneuroimmune interactions. Disruption of this process has been associated with \nstress-related psychopathology, in which microglial activation and inflammatory \nimbalance play central roles. Pharmacological inhibition of neurogenesis with \nagents such as temozolomide (TMZ) offers a valuable model to investigate how \nreduced neuronal turnover influences microglial reactivity and the \nneuroinflammatory milieu. However, the temporal dynamics and persistence of \nTMZ-induced inhibition remain poorly defined. In this study, we evaluated the \neffects of TMZ on hippocampal cell proliferation and survival using sequential \nadministration of thymidine analogs (CldU, IdU) and the proliferation marker \nKi-67.  Methodology : Mice were assigned to three experimental groups: \nvehicle, TMZ, and TMZ followed by a 10-day drug-free recovery period. TMZ was \nadministered intraperitoneally over three weeks in cycles of 3 consecutive days \nof injections followed by 4 days of rest per week. CldU was injected on day 4 of \nthe second week, and IdU on day 4 of the third week. Animals from the vehicle and \nTMZ groups were perfused at the beginning of week 4, while the TMZ + rest group \nwas perfused at the start of week 5.  Results : Results indicate that TMZ \ndoes not significantly reduce Ki-67 expression immediately after the three-week \ntreatment. However, a marked decrease in cell proliferation emerges after the \nrecovery period, as evidenced by reduced Ki-67 and IdU labeling. Survival \nanalysis also suggests groupdependent differences, pending further validation. \nThese findings suggest that TMZ-induced inhibition of neurogenesis develops \nprogressively and becomes consolidated after treatment cessation. This model \nprovides a robust framework to study how impaired neurogenesis shapes microglial \nphenotypes and inflammatory signaling. Ongoing analyses include microglial \ncharacterization via Iba-1 immunohistochemistry (density and morphology), and \nquantification of cytokines (IL-1 β , IL-6, TNF- α , IL-10, IGF-1, \nBDNF) using RT-qPCR and Luminex assays.  Conclusions : Integration of \nthese molecular findings with behavioral data will help elucidate the role of \nneurogenesis–microglia interactions in stress-related vulnerability.\nP17. Analysis of the Association Between Natural Killer And \nImmunoglobulin A Levels and Anger: Conclusions of a Meta-Analytic Approach\nÁngel Romero Martínez 1 , Carolina Sarrate-Costa 1 , Luis \nMoya-Albiol 1\n1 Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of \nValencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain\nIntroduction : The relationship between various immune system \nindicators, such as lymphocytes and antibodies, and psychological states such as \nanger has sparked significant debate in the scientific community. Conflicting \nevidence exists regarding the direction of the association between specific \nimmune parameters and state anger. However, no meta-analysis has yet examined all \navailable scientific literature to determine the direction of the relationship \nbetween natural killer (NK) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels and anger in \nhumans.  Methodology : This study conducted a meta-analysis in accordance \nwith the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses \n(PRISMA) guidelines. After initially identifying 315 sources through three \ndatabases—PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge—we ultimately included 12 \npublications.  Results : Based on the studies included, NK levels were not \nsignificantly associated with anger in men and women (the correlation coefficient \nwas 0.08, ranging from –0.59 to 0.68 in approximately 202 participants), and IgA \nlevels in maternal milk were also not significantly associated with anger in \nwomen (the correlation coefficient was 0.07, ranging from –0.33 to 0.46 in \napproximately 280 participants). However, salivary IgA levels were significantly \nand positively related to anger levels in both men and women (the correlation \ncoefficient was 0.14, ranging from 0.06 to 0.23 in approximately 282 \nparticipants).  Conclusions : We found some support for a positive \nassociation between salivary IgA levels and anger. Future studies should address \nthe limitations of current research to clarify how anger may influence immune \nfunctioning.\nP18. Extraversion Reduces Cortisol in Patients With Fibromyalgia by \nDecreasing Perceived Impact of the Disease\nDolores Santiago 1 , Ana M. Contreras-Merino 1 , Pablo de la Coba 1 , \nCarmen Gálvez-Sánchez 1 , Casandra I. Montoro 1 , Gustavo A. Reyes \ndel Paso 1\n1 University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain\nIntroduction : Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition \ncharacterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and insomnia, often \naccompanied by anxiety and depression. Personality traits have been proposed as \npotential aggravators or attenuators of clinical symptoms in FM. Specifically, \nextraversion has been consistently associated with better psychological outcomes, \nincluding lower perceived stress, reduced anxiety and depression, enhanced coping \nstrategies, and improved quality of life. FM has been linked to \nhypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation. Some studies report lower \nbaseline cortisol levels in FM patients, particularly in urine, saliva, and \nmorning awakening responses, as well as a blunted cortisol reaction to acute \nstressors. These findings suggest that both psychological and physiological \nmechanisms may interact to influence the overall impact of the disease. The aim \nof this study was to examine the influence of extraversion on cortisol levels in \npatients with FM and to explore how this relationship contributes to the \nperceived impact of the disease.  Methodology : Hair cortisol \nconcentrations, fibromyalgia impact, and extraversion were assessed in 48 \npatients with FM and 31 healthy controls.  Results : Cortisol levels were \npositively associated with scores in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), \nindicating that greater disease impact corresponded to higher cortisol \nconcentrations. Extraversion was negatively associated with both FIQ scores and \ncortisol levels. Mediation analyses further revealed that FIQ scores acted as a \nmoderating variable in the relationship between extraversion and cortisol, \nsuggesting that extroversion reduced the impact of FM and the lower disease \nburden decreses cortisol secretion.  Conclusions : Extraversion appears to \nact as a protective factor in FM. This finding highlights the potential of \ninterventions targeting personality-related coping strategies, such as promoting \nsocial engagement, fostering positive affect, and developing adaptive stress \nmanagement skills, to reduce psychological stress, modulate cortisol levels, and \nultimately alleviate the perceived impact and burden of the disease. Enhancing \nthese protective traits may represent a promising complementary approach in FM \nmanagement.\nP19. Bariatrics Surgery and the Mind-Body Connection: A Protocol for the \nLongitudinal Assessment of the Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Psychological \nWellbeing\nLorena Andreu-Lucena 1 , Marco-Alacid, Cristian 2 , Abad-González, \nÁngel Luis 3,4 , Pérez-Climent, Nieves 2 , Amrani, Rahma 3,4 , \nCastillo-García, María Trinidad 3,4 , Sánchez-Pacheco \nTardón, Myriam 3,4 , Santos-Ruiz, Ana 1,4\n1 University of Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain\n2 Virgen de los Lirios Hospital, 03804 Alcoy, Alicante, Spain\n3 Dr. Balmis General University Hospital, 03010 Alicante, Spain\n4 Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010 \nAlicante, Spain\nIntroduction : Obesity is a growing public health concern worldwide, \naffecting 58% of the adult European population. In cases of morbid obesity, \nbariatric surgery is considered an effective intervention to achieve significant \nand sustained weight loss, as well as improvements in quality of life and \npsychological well-being. However, these changes have not been extensively \ninvestigated in the long term, as psychological well-being has been shown to \ndecline after two years. This research protocol aims to analyse the effects of \nbariatric surgery on the mental health of patients with morbid obesity, as well \nas on hair cortisol concentrations, through a three-year longitudinal follow-up. \nOne year after bariatric surgery, patients will experience a significant \nimprovement in the psychological variables under study. Moreover, low pre-surgery \nhair cortisol concentrations will predict successful postoperative weight loss. \nHowever, deterioration in psychological variables is expected at two- and \nthree-year follow-up, accompanied by partial weight regain.  Methodology : Observational, prospective study with a threeyear follow-up of morbidly obese \npatients undergoing bariatric surgery. The study will be conducted in two \nhospitals in Alicante, and patients scheduled to undergo either gastric bypass or \nsleeve gastrectomy will be selected. Eligible participants will be adults with a \nbody mass index (BMI)  ≥ 40 who have not previously undergone bariatric \nsurgery. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, binge eating disorder, \nimpulsivity, emotional eating, dietary behaviour, and hair cortisol \nconcentrations will be assessed at five time points: three months pre-surgery \n(T0), one-month post-surgery (T1), and at one-year (T2), two-years (T3), and \nthree-years (T4) post-surgery. The results may reveal the short-term \npsychological benefits of bariatric surgery, along with the expected medium- to \nlong-term deterioration. In addition, the psychological variables mediating \nbariatric surgery outcomes during follow-up would be identified. This would allow \nfor the detection of dimensions requiring additional attention in the \npreoperative and postoperative management of these patients.\nP20. Adolescent Stress Induces A Depressive-Like Phenotype Accompanied \nBy Metabolic And Neuroimmune Disruptions\nIrene Ferreres Álvarez 1 , Sílvia Castany-Quintana 1 , Elida \nAlechaga Silva 2 , Óscar Pozo Mendoza 2 , Arnau Busquets Garcia 1\n1 Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Cell-type mechanisms in normal and \npathological behaviour, PRBB Building, 08003 Barcelona, Spain\n2 Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Applied metabolomics, PRBB Building, \n08003 Barcelona, Spain\nIntroduction : The understanding of stress-related psychiatric disorders \nis needed to explain the alarming high rise of these disorders in adolescence. \nIndeed, adolescent individuals are more sensitive to certain stressors, \nemphasizing the importance of adolescence as a vulnerable period for the onset of \nstress-related psychiatric disorders. Chronic stress has been linked with \nneuroinflammation, which is thought to be partly mediated by specific alterations \nin glial cells. Nevertheless, the mechanisms behind this disruption remain \nunclear, since glial cells have long been disregarded. In this sense, we \nhypothesized that disruptions in the kynurenine pathway in glial cells, which \nmetabolizes the essential amino acid tryptophan and is upregulated by \ninflammatory signals, could explain the impact of adolescent chronic stress on \nbehaviour.  Methodology : To mimic both the psychological and biological \ncomponents of stress during adolescence, we used a double hit model consisting of \na chronic stress protocol (Postnatal day (PD)30 - PD58) in male and female mice, \nwhich combines social isolation with the oral administration of corticosterone. \nFollowing this protocol, a subset of behavioural tasks were performed to assess \nanxiety-like behaviour (Elevated Plus Maze), sociability (V-SOC task and direct \nsocial interaction in an Open field) and depressive-like behaviour (Sucrose \nSplash Test and Forced Swimming Test).  Results : Chronic stressed mice \npresented behavioural alterations such as depressive-like behaviour and \nanhedonia. Moreover, after the behavioural evaluation, we extracted different \nbrain regions to analyse potential changes related to neuroinflammation and the \nkynurenine pathway.  Conclusions : Altogether, this study provides novel \nbehavioural and neuroimmune insights linking adolescent stress with specific \nbehavioural alterations. It remains to be investigated the downstream effect of \nthis metabolic disruption and the potential use of therapies that tackle this \npathway.\nP21. Allostatic Load and Socioeconomic Inequalities in Depressive \nSymptoms Among Cancer Survivors\nAlicia Rubio Pilares 1,2 , Dafina Petrova 2,3,4 , Blanca Madrid \nPérez-Esparza 1,2 , María-José Sánchez 2,3,4 , Rocío \nGarcía-Retamero 1\n1 Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada,Spain\n2 Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, 18012 Granada, \nSpain\n3 Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, 18011 Granada, Spain\n4 CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, \nSpain\nIntroduction : Cancer survivors, particularly those with lower \nsocioeconomic status (SES), are at increased risk of depression. Chronic stress \nmay contribute to this vulnerability through cumulative physiological \ndysregulation, measurable with the allostatic load index. We investigated whether \nallostatic load mediates or moderates the association between SES and depressive \nsymptoms among cancer survivors.  Methodology : We analyzed data from 691 \nadults with history of cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) who \nparticipated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–2020. \nAllostatic load was derived from 10 biomarkers (blood pressure, pulse, \nglycohemoglobin, creatinine clearance, HDL, total cholesterol, albumin, white \nblood cell count, and C-reactive protein) combined with medication use. SES was \nassessed using education and income-to-poverty ratio. Depressive symptoms were \nmeasured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Multiple regression models, \nadjusted for sex, age, marital status, and cancer type, tested whether allostatic \nload mediated or moderated SES–depression associations.  Results : Higher \nallostatic load was significantly associated with more depressive symptoms (B = \n0.19,  p  \n <  0.001) and with lower income (B = 0.43,  p  \n <  \n0.001) and lower education (B = 0.43,  p  \n <  0.001). Survivors with lower \nincome reported more depressive symptoms, and this association was partially \nmediated by higher allostatic load (mediated effect = 0.07, 95% CI 0.03–0.10). \nNo mediation was observed for education. The effect of allostatic load on \ndepressive symptoms was consistent across income groups, indicating no \nmoderation.  Conclusions : Among cancer survivors, allostatic load may be \na pathway linking socio-economic disadvantage to depressive symptoms. These \nfindings highlight the potential relevance of biological stress markers for \nsurvivorship care and addressing socioeconomic inequalities in mental health in \nthis vulnerable population.\nP22. Sex-Specific Microglial and Microbiota Responses to Chronic Social \nStress\nE.M. Sosa Osorio 1 , I Infantes López 1 , E Zambrana-Infantes 1 , J \nMuñoz-Martín 1,2 , P Chaves-Peña 1 , A Nieto-Quero 1 , M \nDomínguez-Maqueda 1 , I Cerezo-Ortega 1 , M.A. Moriñigo 1 , M \nPérez-Martín 1,2 , C Pedraza-Benítez 1,2\n1 Departamento de Psicobiología y Ciencias del Comportamiento, \nUniversidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain\n2 Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en \nNanomedicina (IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND), 29010 Málaga, Spain\nIntroduction : Mood disorders pose a serious health threat in society, \naffecting 1 in 8 people globally. While chronic stress is considered a major risk \nfactor in the development of mental illnesses, the neurobiological mechanisms \nunderlying sex-specific vulnerability are not yet fully understood. Here, we \nexamined the impact of Social Defeat Stress (SDS) on microglial morphology and \ngut microbiota in male and female mice.  Methodology : Microglial soma and \nbranching were quantified by morphometry, and clustering analyses were applied to \nramification patterns. The microbial composition was evaluated using  α - \nand  β -diversity, as well as relative abundance. Mediation models explored \npotential links among SDS, microbiota, and microglia.  Results : In males, \nSDS induced hyper-ramified, denser microglia and significant shifts in microbial \n β - diversity and composition across taxonomic levels. In females, \nmicroglia acquired an amoeboid profile, but microbiota remained stable across \ngroups. Mediation analyses suggested that in males, SDS-driven microbial changes \nwere associated with microglial remodelling, whereas in females’ microglial \nalterations occurred more directly, with weaker microbiota involvement. \n Conclusions : These findings highlight the importance of sex in shaping \nneuroimmune and microbial responses to stress. Such insights may help explain sex \ndifferences in stress-related disorders and guide interventions targeting \nmicrobiota-brain interactions.\nP23. Behavioral Weight Loss Programs Reduce Stress and Improve Quality \nof Life\nFrancisco Javier Pérez-Comino 1 , Lucía Solier-López 1 , \nAndrea Bernat-Villena 1 , Raquel González-González 1 , Luz Stella \nAlgarra-López 1 , Alfonso Caracuel 1 , Raquel Vilar-López 1\n1 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, \n18071 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : Excess weight (EW) has tripled in recent years. An \nelevated Body Mass Index (BMI) is a risk factor for multimorbidity, and chronic \ndiseases. Moreover, EW is associated with higher stress and overall reduced \nquality of life. Our previous work has shown a 6-week behavioral weight loss \nprogram based on Motivational Interview, individualized diet and physical \nexercise to be effective in improving anthropometric measures (such as BMI and \nwaist-to-height ratio). Based on these findings, the aim of the present study was \nto determine whether the program was associated with improvements in stress and \nquality of life, and to explore the association between stress and quality of \nlife in people with EW.  Methodology : The sample included 148 individuals \nwith EW (85.1% women), mean age 44 years (SD = 6.78), mean education 15 years \n(SD = 5.34), and mean BMI 31.61 (SD = 4.01). Stress and quality of life were \nassessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups using \nthe Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the SF-36 Health Survey.  Results : \nRepeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant effect of time on stress (F = \n5.08,  p  = 0.007) and quality of life (F = 6.79,  p  = 0.010). A \nlinear regression showed that stress reduction significantly predicted an \nincrease in overall quality of life (B = –1.54, SE = 0.24, t = –6.54, \n p  = 0.001), physical (F = 4.09,  p  = 0.046, R 2  = 0.036), \nand mental health-related quality of life (F = 75.54,  p  = 0.001, R 2  \n= 0.407).  Conclusions : Participation in the weight loss program led to \nreductions in stress and improvements in quality of life (both physical and \nespecially mental-health related) in individuals with EW. Furthermore, stress \nchanges predicted quality of life improvements.\nP24. Impact of Stress During the Juvenile Period in the Development of \nAdult Depression and Anxiety: Neuroinflammatory Findings\nVíctor Martín-Aguiar 1 , Alejandro Zea-Dona 1 , Jose \nMunoz-Martin 1,2 , Patricia Chaves-Peña 1 , Margarita \nPérez-Martín 1,2 , Carmen Pedraza 1,2\n1 University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Andalucia, Spain\n2 Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA) Plataforma BIONAND, 29010 \nMalaga, Spain\nIntroduction : Juvenile stress represents a critical risk factor for \nadult depression, as it disrupts brain maturation and \nhypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. Early adversity increases \nvulnerability to depressive symptoms, worsens treatment outcomes, and contributes \nto clinical heterogeneity. Identifying neuroimmune-related biomarkers that \npredict vulnerability or resistance is therefore a major research priority. \nCandidate biomarkers include inflammatory alterations, HPA axis dysregulation, \nand epigenetic modifications. Their expression is further modulated by sex, type, \nand duration of stress, highlighting the importance of tailored and preventive \ninterventions.  Methodology : We have conducted a systematic review on the \ntopic, selecting peer-review articles on animal models that included juvenile \nstress, a depression test in adulthood, and biomarkers related to the process \nthat were written in English and Spanish. This review followed PRISMA and \nCochrane guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO.  Results : Of the 52 \narticles included, and among all biomarkers found, this contribution will focus \non those 8 articles including related to neuroinflammation and the immune system. \nChronic and acute stress paradigms consistently induced anxiety and \ndepressive-like behaviors, with sex-specific different patterns, with males often \nshowing more anxiety and females displaying altered exploratory and risk-taking \nbehaviors. Neuroinflammatory changes were robust across studies, with increased \nmicroglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1B, IL-6, TNF-a) in \nhippocampus, PFC, and NAc, with one study even reporting an affected microbiota \nwith an inflammatory profile. Pharmacological interventions such as propranolol \nor minocycline effectively reduced anxiety/depressive phenotypes and suppressed \nneuroinflammation.  Conclusions : The objective of this review is to \ncontribute to developing evidence-based and potentially individualized approaches \nto prevention and intervention in those at higher risk.\nP25. Neuroimmune Profile and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Fibromyalgia \nSyndrome: A Review of Recent Evidence\nBelén Moreno 1 , Gustavo A. Reyes del Paso 1 , Carmen María \nGalvez-Sánchez 2\n1 University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain\n2 University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain\nIntroduction : Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disorder \ncharacterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, persistent fatigue, and sleep \ndisturbances, frequently cooccurring with symptoms of anxiety and depression. \nEmerging evidence suggests that FMS involves complex neuroimmune interactions, \nwith inflammation—particularly cytokines and chemokines—playing a key role. \nNeuroinflammation contributes to central sensitization and thus chronic pain, \npotentially driven by glial–immune cell interactions and modulated by gut \nmicrobiota. Additionally, dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal \n(HPA) axis and stress response pathways has been linked to altered immune \nactivity and pain hypersensitivity. This review summarizes recent advances in the \nimmunopathogenic understanding of FMS, focusing on innate and adaptive immune \ninvolvement.  Methodology : A narrative review was conducted to provide an \nintegrative overview of the topic. The SALSA framework (Search, Appraisal, \nSynthesis, and Analysis) guided the systematic search process. Inclusion criteria \nfocused on English-language studies from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science \ninvolving adult populations diagnosed with FMS based on American College of \nRheumatology (ACR) criteria. Reference lists were also screened to identify \nrelevant literature. Keywords included “fibromyalgia syndrome”, “immune \nsystem”, “neuroinflammation”, “proinflammatory cytokines”, and \n“leukocytes”. A total of 37 articles were selected after quality assessment. \n Results : Studies reveal immune dysregulation in FMS, with elevated \nproinflammatory cytokines—mainly IL-6, IL-8, and TNF- α — that are \nassociated with pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and depression. These \ncytokines drive neuroinflammation and central sensitization and are released by \nimmune cells such as neutrophils and monocytes. IL-8 is a promising biomarker, \nuniquely elevated in FMS compared to other rheumatic diseases. While \nproinflammatory cytokines exacerbate symptoms, anti-inflammatory cytokines like \nIL-10 may help counterbalance inflammation.  Conclusions : Research shows \nneuroimmune alterations in fibromyalgia, with specific cytokine patterns specific \nfrom other diseases. Inflammatory markers like cytokines correlate with symptom \nseverity. While FM’s autoimmune status is unclear, a neuroimmune basis is likely. \nFurther studies are needed to improve diagnosis and treatment.\nP26. Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: Psychosocial Variables and Diurnal \nCortisol Secretion\nDaniel Gonzalez-Templado 1 , Leire Romarate 1 , Idoia Mendiburu 2,3 , \nNaiara Andrés 2,3 , Maialen Arruti 2,3 , Hirune Crespillo 2 , Ander \nIriarte-Sarria 4,5 , Oscar Vegas 1 , Nora del Puerto 1 , Maider \nMuñoz-Culla 1,2\n1 Department of Basic Psychological Processes and Their Development, \nUniversity of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, \nSpain\n2 Neuroimmunology Group, Neuroscience Area, Biogipuzkoa Health Research \nInstitute, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain\n3 Donostia University Hospital, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain\n4 Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), \n48940 Leioa, Spain\n5 Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, 48940 Leioa, Spain\nIntroduction : Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and disabling \nsymptoms in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), yet its pathophysiology remains unclear. \nBoth psychosocial factors (distress, anxiety, depression) and \nhypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity have been proposed as \ncontributors. This pilot study examined the relationship between psychosocial \nvariables, diurnal cortisol secretion, sex, and disability in patients with \nrelapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).  Methodology : A cross-sectional study was \nconducted with 52 RRMS patients (39 women, 13 men). Participants completed \nquestionnaires assessing fatigue (MFIS), distress (IES-R), anxiety and depression \n(HADS), and disability (EDSS). Salivary cortisol was collected at four time \npoints across one day to evaluate diurnal secretion and cortisol awakening \nresponse (CAR). Mann–Whitney U test and repeated measures ANOVA were conducted \nin the full sample and stratified by sex.  Results : Patients with fatigue \n(n = 26) reported higher distress ( p  \n <  0.001), anxiety ( p  = \n0.006), depression ( p  \n <  0.001), and disability ( p  = 0.049). \nNo differences in cortisol secretion were observed between fatigue groups. \nHowever, two distinct CAR patterns emerged: positive (n = 37) and negative (n = \n15). Participants with a negative CAR exhibited higher distress ( p  = \n0.043), particularly on the intrusion-hyperactivity subscale ( p  = \n0.023). Stratified analyses revealed that women with a negative CAR (n = 10) also \nreported higher anxiety and depression scores ( p  \n <  0.05) than women \nwith a positive CAR (n = 29). A statistical trend was observed in these women, \nwho reported higher total fatigue, and higher scores on the cognitive and \npsychosocial fatigue subscales ( p  \n <  0.1).  Conclusions : Fatigue in MS is associated with psychosocial distress, anxiety and depressive \nsymptomatology, and disability, while diurnal cortisol secretion shows no direct \ndifferences between fatigue groups. Altered CAR patterns, especially in women, \nappear to be linked to higher distress, anxiety, and depression, suggesting \nsex-specific pathways in HPA axis dysregulation. These findings underscore the \nimportance of integrating psychosocial and biological perspectives in \nunderstanding MS-related fatigue and highlight the need for larger confirmatory \nstudies, which are currently underway.\nP27. Impact of Breastfeeding on Infant Neurodevelopment: Cognition, \nLanguage, and Motor Skills at 6 Months\nRocío Rodríguez Valdés 1 , Miguel Ángel Baos \nGonzález 1 , Javier de Echarri Lorente 1 , Carolina Mariño \nNarváez 2 , Borja Romero González 4 , María Isabel Peralta \nRamírez 1,2\n1 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, \n18071 Granada, Spain\n2 Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Faculty \nof Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n3 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Humanities, \nInternational University of La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain\n4 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Valladolid, \n42004 Soria, Spain\nIntroduction : Infant neurodevelopment is influenced by multiple \nbiological and environmental factors, among which breastfeeding plays a central \nrole. Several studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding and its duration \nare beneficial for neural development, improving brain architecture, white matter \nmaturation, and cognitive performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the \nrelationship between type of breastfeeding and cognitive, language, and motor \ndevelopment in infants at six months of age, assessed with the Bayley battery. \n Methodology : The sample consisted of 132 infants aged six months. \nParticipants were divided into two groups: exclusive breastfeeding and \nmixed/artificial feeding. Three periods of breastfeeding exposure were \nconsidered: 0–6 weeks (n = 101 exclusive, n = 31 mixed/artificial), 6 weeks–3 \nmonths (n = 97 exclusive, n = 35 mixed/artificial), and 3–6 months (n = \n88 exclusive, n = 44 mixed/artificial). Neurodevelopment was assessed \nwith the Bayley battery, which provides scaled scores in cognition, \nreceptive and expressive communication, fine motor skills, and gross \nmotor skills.  t -tests were conducted, with homogeneity of \nvariances tested using Levene’s test.  Results : Significant \ndifferences were consistently found in the cognitive domain across all three \nperiods, with the exclusively breastfed infants presenting higher scores \n(0–6 weeks: F = 7.23,  p  = 0.008, 6 weeks–3 months: F = 8.74, \n p  = 0.004, 3–6 months: F = 9.72,  p  = 0.002). Regarding \nlanguage, significant differences were observed in expressive \ncommunication from six weeks onwards (6 weeks–3 months: F = 5.02, \n p  = 0.027, 3–6 months: F = 4.26,  p  = 0.041), while receptive \ncommunication differences appeared only in the 3–6-month period (F = \n7.55,  p  = 0.007). In contrast, fine and gross motor skills did \nnot show significant differences in any of the periods evaluated. \n Conclusions : Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with better cognitive \nperformance from the earliest weeks of life, as well as with advantages \nin language development from six weeks up to six months. These findings \nsuggest that breastfeeding, beyond its nutritional contribution, constitutes \na protective factor that enhances early brain development, with relevant \nimplications for infant health promotion and neurodevelopmental \nprevention strategies.\nP28. The Role of the Immune System in Human Aggressive Behavior: A \nSystematic Review\nNora del Puerto-Golzarri 1 , Maider Muñoz-Culla 1 , Alina \nDíez-Solinska 2\n1 Department of Basic Psychological Processes and their Development, \nUniversity of the Basque Country (EHU), 20018 San Sebastian, Spain\n2 Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre (UPNA), 31006 Pamplona, \nSpain\nIntroduction : Aggressive behavior is a multifaceted phenomenon \ninfluenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Increasing evidence \nhighlights the immune system as a potential modulator of aggression, in line with \npsychoneuroimmunology research demonstrating bidirectional communication between \nthe nervous and immune systems. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the \navailable evidence on the relationship between immune markers and aggressive \nbehavior in humans.  Methodology : Following PRISMA guidelines, a \nsystematic search was conducted in PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science in \nFebruary 2025. A total of 656 records were identified. After applying inclusion \nand exclusion criteria, 25 studies were included.  Results : The studies \nreviewed varied widely in design, sample type (clinical and non-clinical \npopulations, males and females, children to older adults), assessment tools for \naggression, and immune markers evaluated (pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, \nimmune cells, immunoglobulins, and enzymes). A considerable proportion of studies \nreported positive associations between aggression and pro-inflammatory markers \nsuch as IL-6, TNF- α , CRP, IFN- γ , and their ratios, as well as \nincreased numbers of lymphocytes or higher immunoglobulin levels. Conversely, \nsome studies identified negative associations (e.g., lower IL-6, IL-8, \nIL-1 α  in individuals with aggressive trajectories) or no significant \nrelationship. Findings also suggested potential differences between clinical and \nnon-clinical populations, and between normative versus pathological aggression. \n Conclusions : Evidence points toward a potential link between immune \nactivation and aggressive behavior, particularly through pro-inflammatory \npathways. However, inconsistent results underscore the complexity of this \nrelationship, likely influenced by methodological heterogeneity, psychiatric \ncomorbidity, and neuroendocrine factors such as cortisol and testosterone. \nFurther longitudinal and mechanistic research is warranted to clarify causality \nand to explore the potential of immune markers as predictors or intervention \ntargets in aggressive behavior.\nP29. Asssociation Between the BDNF Val66Met  Polymorphism, Daily \nCortisol Release and Personality Traits in Older Adults\nLeyre Castillejo Sanz 1 , Juan Ignacio Grec 1 , María Román \nMoreno 1 , Raúl Ballesta Barrera 1 , Sara García \nHerránz 1 , Cynthia Díaz-Silveira 2 , María del Carmen \nDíaz Mardomingo 1 , Adrián Galiana Rodríguez 3 , Shishir \nBaliyan 1 , César Venero Núñez 1\n1 Department of Psychobiology, National University of Distance Education \n(UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain\n2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan \nCarlos, 28922 Madrid, Spain\n3 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences and Education, \nUniversidad a Distancia de Madrid (UDIMA), 28400 Madrid, Spain\nIntroduction : The  Val66Met  polymorphism of the BDNF gene has \nbeen associated with alterations in cortisol release and certain personality \ntraits. However, evidence regarding its possible association with circadian \ncortisol rhythm and personality traits is scarce, and no studies to date have \nspecifically focused on older adults. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) \naxis, and cortisol in particular, may serve as a psychobiological mechanism \nlinking genetic predispositions to behavior.  Methodology : We conducted \nan exploratory study to examine the relationship between the  Val66Met  polymorphism, daily cortisol release, and specific personality traits in women \nover 60 years old. The sample comprised 106 women (69 non carriers of the Met \npolymorphism and 37 Met carriers) and 30 men (17 non carriers of the Met \npolymorphism and 13 Met carriers). Salivary cortisol was measured at six time \npoints across the day using and electronic monitoring device to ensure accurate \nrecording of saliva collection, awakening time, and bedtime. Total cortisol \noutput was calculated using the area under the curve (AUCtotal), and personality \ntraits were assessed with the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI). Univariate \ngeneral linear models were used, controlling for age, educational level, and \ndepressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS).  Results : Results showed that women carrying the Met allele exhibited \nlower total daily cortisol release, as well as lower scores in agreeableness and \nconscientiousness. On the other hand, we did not find significant changes in men. \nMediation analyses tested whether cortisol mediated the association between \ngenotype and personality traits, but no significant indirect effects were \nobserved.  Conclusions : These findings suggest that the  Val66Met  \npolymorphism may be linked to both neuroendocrine function and personality in \nolder women, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Further research is \nwarranted to elucidate the role of cortisol regulation as a potential pathway \nlinking genetic variation and behavioral phenotypes in aging.\nP30. Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Coping With \nStress in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis\nEva Montero-López 1 , Ana Santos-Ruiz 2,3 , Raquel \nGonzález-Pérez 4 , Norberto Ortego-Centeno 5,6 , María Isabel \nPeralta-Ramírez 7,8\n1 Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 \nGranada, Spain\n2 Department of Health Psychology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, \nSpain\n3 Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010 \nAlicante, Spain\n4 Department of Pharmacology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n5 Department of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n6 Biosanitary Research Institute, IBS, 18012 Granada, Spain\n7 Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, \n18071 Granada, Spain\n8 Department of Psychological Assessment and Treatment, University of \nGranada, 18071 Granada, Spain\nIntroduction : Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease \nthat produces significant psychosocial impairment, making rehabilitation in this \narea essential. Its degenerative nature affects patients’ personal, occupational, \nand social lives, frequently leading to depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, \nsexual dysfunction, and alterations in self-perception and body image due to the \nphysical changes associated with the disease. Research on the role of \npsychological stress in autoimmune disorders has consistently demonstrated a \nclose relationship between behavioral responses to stress and underlying \nneurophysiological and biochemical processes. In addition, psychological stress \nis recognized as an influential factor in both the onset and progression of \nsystemic autoimmune diseases, with wide-ranging physical, emotional, and \nenvironmental consequences. Considering this evidence, the management of \nautoimmune conditions such as SSc should include psychological factors that may \ninfluence the course of the disease. One promising approach involves training \npatients in stress-management strategies through psychological interventions such \nas cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT enables patients to address \nmaladaptive thoughts and behaviors while developing effective coping mechanisms \nto reduce stress.  Methodology : We conducted a study comparing pre- and \npost-intervention levels of hair cortisol, stress vulnerability, and bodily pain \nbetween two groups of patients with SSc: an intervention group receiving CBT and \na control group without therapy.  Results : Results indicated that \npatients in the CBT group showed significant reductions in hair cortisol levels, \nperceived stress vulnerability, and bodily pain compared to controls. \n Conclusions : These findings highlight the positive impact of CBT on both \nphysiological and psychological indicators of stress in systemic sclerosis, \nreinforcing the importance of incorporating psychological interventions into \ncomprehensive treatment programs for these patients.\nP31. Exploring the Use of Laughter for Early Neuro/Psychiatric Diagnosis \nand Evaluation\nI. Retuerta 1,2 , M. Terriza 3 , J. Navarro 1,2,3 , E. \nGarcía 2,4 , P.C. Marijuán 1,2 , F. Panetsos 3 , N. \nAlfageme 3 , G. Kontaxakis 5 , R. San-Segundo 6\n1 Bioinformation and Systems Biology Group, Aragon Institute of Health \nScience (IACS), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain\n2 Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain\n3 Neurocomputing & Neuro-Robotics Research Group, Complutense University of \nMadrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain\n4 Department of Ophthalmology Research Group (GIMSO), Miguel Servet \nHospital, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain\n5 Biomedical Image Technologies Group, Information Processing and \nTelecomunications Center, Politecnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain\n6 Speech Tecnology Group, Information Processing and Telecomunications \nCenter, 28040 Madrid, Spain\nIntroduction : In the medical field, laughter has been studied for its \nbeneficial effects on health and as a therapeutic method to prevent and treat \nmajor medical diseases. However, very few works, if any, have explored the \npredictive potential of laughter and its potential use as a diagnostic tool. \n Methodology : One the one hand we registered laughs of depressed patients \n(n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 20), the processing was made in Matlab, \ngeneral and discriminant analysis distinguished patients, controls, gender, and \nthe association between laughter and HDRS test. On the other hand, we tested its \nefficacy in Parkinson’s disease (PD) evaluating different cepstral coefficients \nto identify laugh characteristics of healthy and ill subjects combined with \nmachine learning classification models.  Results : Depressed patients and \nhealthy controls differed significantly on the type of laughter, with 88% \nefficacy. In the same way, the decision support system reached 83% accuracy rate \nwith an AUC value of 0.86 for PD-healthy laughs classification.  Conclusions : Laughter may be applied as a diagnostic tool in the onset \nand evolution of depression and, potentially, of neurodegenerative pathologies \nlike PD. The sound structures of laughter reveal the underlying emotional and \nmood states in interpersonal relationships and also carries a significant neural \nand motor information.\nP32. Randomised Controlled Trial to Assess the Influence of a Fermented \nDairy Product With Probiotics on Stress and Sleep Quality in Moderately Stressed \nAdults\nIsabel López-Chicheri 1 , Marina Iniesta-Sepúlveda 1 , Harry T. \nA. Moore 1 , Ana I. LópezNavas 1 , Antonio Ríos-Zambudio 2 , \nBernadette Klotz 3 , Mary Luz Cano-Sepúlveda 3 , Mª \nIsabel Vasallo-Morillas 1\n1 UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Murcia, Spain\n2 Unidad de Trasplantes, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la \nArrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain\n3 Alpina Productos Alimenticios S.A., Bogotá, Colombia\nIntroduction : In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the \nstudy of the gut-brain axis and the potential positive effects of probiotic \nintake on variables such as stress and sleep quality. The aim of the present \nstudy was to evaluate the efficacy of consuming a fermented dairy beverage \ncontaining Lactobacillus brevis DHe1_24_DWN on stress levels and sleep quality \nin moderately stressed healthy adults.  Methodology : A total of 109 \nadults who reported being moderately stressed (according to the PSS-14 scale) and \nnot adhering to the Mediterranean diet (as measured by the PREDIMED scale) \nparticipated in the study. Participants (64% women) were aged between 18 and 58 \nyears (M = 28.28, SD = 11.47) and were randomly assigned to one of two study \ngroups. Over a period of 8 to 9 weeks, they consumed either the probiotic product \nor a placebo beverage with no probiotic content. Sleep quality was assessed \nthrough nocturnal accelerometry over three nights following each visit, and via \nthe Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Perceived stress levels were measured \nusing a visual analogue scale (VAS).  Results : For participants who \nconsumed the functional product, a significant reduction in stress was observed \nbetween visit 1 and visit 2 ( p  \n <  0.05), as well as between visit 1 and \nvisit 3 ( p  \n <  0.05). Differences in stress between treatment groups \napproached significance from visit 1 to visit 2 ( p  = 0.07). Regarding \nsleep quality, although improvements were observed in several parameters, none \nwere statistically significant between groups. In the experimental group, sleep \nlatency showed the greatest decrease, nearing significance between visit 1 and \nvisit 2 ( p  = 0.08).  Conclusions : The moderate stress levels and \ngood baseline sleep quality of participants may have limited the detection of \nsignificant group differences. These findings suggest potential benefits that \nwarrant confirmation in larger and longer-term studies.\nP33. The Positive Impact of Fetal Programming on Neurodevelopment After \nthe COVID-19 Pandemic\nLara Pérez Peregrín 1 , Miguel Ángel \nBaos-Gonlález 1,2 , Javier De Echarri-Lorente 1,2 , Raquel \nGonzález-Pérez 3 , María Isabel Peralta-Ramírez 1,2\n1 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, \n18071 Granada, Spain\n2 Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, \nFaculty of Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\n3 Department of Pharmacology, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en \nRed de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), School of Pharmacy, \nInstituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, University of Granada, \nGranada, Spain\nIntroduction : The stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is known to \nhave had consequences both on the psychopathology and stress levels of pregnant \nwomen and on the neurodevelopment of their offspring. Few studies have \ninvestigated the long-term consequences of the pandemic in this population. \nTherefore, the aim of this research was to determine whether there are \ndifferences in psychopathology and stress among pregnant women before and after \nthe pandemic, as well as in the subsequent neurodevelopment of their offspring. \n Methodology : Two groups were included: a pre-pandemic group, with 163 \nmother–child dyads, and a post-pandemic group, with 109 mother–child dyads. \n Results : The results showed statistically significant differences \nbetween the two groups in the Perceived Stress Scale, hair cortisol concentration \nduring pregnancy, and the Anxiety and Depression dimensions of the Symptom \nChecklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) in mothers. Regarding infant neurodevelopment, \nsignificant differences were found in the scaled score of the Fine Motor \nsubscale, in the total and scaled scores of the Gross Motor subscale, in the \nscaled score of Motor Skills, and in the total score of the Expressive \nCommunication subscale.  Conclusions : Increased stress and \npsychopathology were observed among pregnant women after the pandemic, however, \ntheir offspring showed higher neurodevelopment scores post-pandemic.\nP34. Impact of Maternal COVID-19 Diagnosis and Anxiety on Early Child \nNeurodevelopment\nH. Bermejo-Pérez 1,2 , A. Mesquita 3 , R. Costa 4  S. \nDominguez-Salas 1,5 , S. Conejo-Cerón 6 , D. Gomez-Baya 7 , H.A. \nAndrade-Ruiz 2 , E. Motrico 1,5\n1 Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), 41013 Seville, Spain\n2 Foundation for Health Research Management in Seville (FISEVI), 41013 \nSeville, Spain\n3 ProChild CoLAB against Poverty and Social Exclusion, Campus de Couros, \n4804-533 Guimarães, Portugal\n4 Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, \nPortugal\n5 Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of \nSeville, 41004 Seville, Spain\n6 Institute of Biomedical Research of Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Malaga, Spain\n7 Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, University \nof Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain\nIntroduction : Viral infection during pregnancy has been suggested to \nhave an impact on offspring neurodevelopment, a process which may be mediated by \nthe activation of immune response. Nevertheless, the association between maternal \nCOVID-19 diagnosis and child neurodevelopment is still poorly understood. This \ncross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate the association between \nmaternal COVID-19 diagnosis during pregnancy and/or postpartum, and child \nneurodevelopment between 18 and 35 months of age.  Methodology : In this \nstudy, data from 419 Spanish mother–child dyads who gave birth during the \nCOVID-19 pandemic were included. Variables assessed comprised sociodemographic \ncharacteristics, maternal COVID-19 diagnosis during pregnancy and/or postpartum, \nanxiety (measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, GAD-7) and \nchild neurodevelopment (measured with the Caregiver Reported Early Development \nInstruments, CREDI).  Results : The mean maternal age was 36.66 years (SD = \n4.17), and the mean child age was 27.37 months (SD = 3.79). The prevalence of \nCOVID-19 diagnosis was 10.98%. Generalized linear models (GLMs) with Gamma \ndistribution were fitted to the data, including the five domains of CREDI (motor, \ncognitive, language, socio-emocional and overall) as outcome variables. For each \ndomain, a model was adjusted for the following covariates: maternal COVID-19 \ndiagnosis during pregnancy and/or postpartum, GAD-7 and age of the offspring. No \nsignificant associations were found between maternal COVID-19 diagnosis and \nchild’s neurodevelopmental outcomes. By contrast, maternal anxiety was \nsignificantly associated with child’s cognitive and socio-emotional developmental \ndomains.  Conclusions : These findings suggest that maternal COVID-19 \ndiagnosis may not directly affect early neurodevelopment after adjusting for \nrelevant covariates. However, maternal anxiety may be associated with early \nneurodevelopmental outcomes, underscoring the potential role of modifiable risk \nfactors, such as maternal mental health, in shaping early neurodevelopment.\n\nD1. Microbiota And Depression: A Silent Connection?\nRocío Rodríguez Valdés 1 , Arian Izadi 2,3 , María \nIsabel Peralta Ramírez 3,4\n1 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada. \n18071 Granada, Spain\n2 Oral Surgery and Implantology, Faculty of Dentistry, \nUniversity of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain\n3 Polisalud Clinics – Cristo de la Salud Polyclinic, 18220 Granada, Spain\n4 Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Faculty \nof Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain\nThe audiovisual content will address depression from an innovative perspective, \nintegrating recent advances on the role of the gut microbiota in regulating \nneurogenesis and inflammatory processes. This resource aims to rigorously and \ncomprehensibly explain how the interactions between the central nervous system, \nthe immune system, and the intestinal microbial ecosystem shape new pathways to \nunderstand the pathophysiology of this disorder. First, depression will be \nintroduced as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting \nmillions of people and projected to become the primary global cause of disease \nburden by 2030. Its multifactorial nature will be highlighted, involving genetic, \nenvironmental, and biological factors. Next, the neurogenic hypothesis will be \nexplained, which argues that a decrease in the formation of new neurons in the \nhippocampus is linked to depressive symptomatology and to the effectiveness of \nantidepressant treatments. Subsequently, the immune hypothesis will be presented, \nframing depression as an inflammatory disorder. Evidence will be shown on how \nincreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 β , IL-6, and \nTNF- α  correlate with core depressive symptoms, while also interfering \nwith adult neurogenesis. In this context, microglia, the resident immune cells of \nthe brain, play a central role given their dual function in modulating \ninflammatory responses and participating in neuroplasticity processes. The \ngut–brain axis (GB axis) will be the core of the audiovisual resource, showing \nhow gut microbiota regulates brain function through immune, endocrine, and neural \npathways. Evidence on intestinal dysbiosis and its impact on systemic \ninflammation and hippocampal neurogenesis will be reviewed, highlighting studies \nlinking altered microbiota to greater vulnerability to depression. Finally, focus \nwill be given to microbiota-mediated modulation of microglia, a key mechanism \nconnecting peripheral inflammatory states with structural and functional brain \nchanges.","source_license":"CC-BY-4.0","license_restricted":false}