Kristof Schwartz

57793788600

Publications - 4

Postural Responses in Trauma-Experienced Individuals

Publication Name: Biomedicines

Publication Date: 2024-12-01

Volume: 12

Issue: 12

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Background: Balance and proprioception are essential elements in postural control and injury prevention. Proprioception, the body’s sense of position and movement, is closely tied to balance, which depends on input from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. This article explores the link between trauma experiences and proprioceptive dysfunction, emphasizing how heightened muscle tone, dissociation, and altered sensory processing contribute to balance issues and the risk of injury. Method: The study included 48 participants, aged 18–25. Participants completed the Emotional Regulation Scale, Dissociative Experiences Scale II, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, after which they had to stand on a BTrackS Balance Plate while being exposed to images that are designed to evoke emotions from the OASIS image set. The balance plate software calculated outcomes of the participants’ postural sway (total sway, sway area, root mean square (RMS) to the mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) way, and excursion to ML and AP ways). Results: Dissociative experience shows significant correlation with RMS ML when viewing positive pictures (rτ = 0.207, p = 0.045) and when viewing negative pictures again; scores with RMS ML (rτ = 0.204, p = 0.049) but also with RMS AP (rτ = 0.209, p = 0.042) and with Excursion ML (rτ = 0.200, p = 0.049) were significant. Experiences of physical abuse affected certain indicators of postural sway when viewing positive images compared to participants with no such experience (sway area: U = 374.50, p = 0.027; RMS AP: U = 383.50, p = 0.016; Excursion ML: U = 397.00, p = 0.007). Similarly, physical neglect affected postural sway during viewing of negative images (sway area: U = 366.50, p = 0.003; RMS AP: U = 371.00, p = 0.004; Excursion ML: U = 347.00, p = 0.034; and Excursion AP: U = 353.00, p = 0.010). Conclusions: The study highlights that dissociation disrupts balance in trauma survivors, especially under emotional stress which highlights the potential for motor-based treatments.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12122766

Role of the Transcription Factor CREB in Ethanol-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in PC12 Cells

Publication Name: Biology

Publication Date: 2025-09-01

Volume: 14

Issue: 9

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Ethanol is a known neurotoxic agent that induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis in nerve cells. The transcription factor CREB is crucial for cell survival under stress; however, its involvement in ethanol-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress remains poorly understood. We examined the effects of ethanol on wild-type PC12 cells and CREB-overexpressing PC12-CREB cells. Cell viability was evaluated by ATP assays, apoptosis was detected by Hoechst staining, and key proteins involved in ER stress and apoptotic signaling were analyzed by Western blot analysis. Ethanol treatment decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis in wild-type PC12 cells in a time-dependent manner. In contrast, PC12-CREB cells-maintained viability and showed significantly lower apoptotic cell numbers. Ethanol activated markers of ER stress (BiP, CHOP, ATF6) and pro-apoptotic pathways (phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK) in wild-type cells. In CREB-overexpressing cells, CHOP induction and JNK activation were decreased, while the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 was increased. CREB overexpression protects against ethanol-induced ER stress and apoptosis. This protective effect is mediated through modulation of unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling and regulation of pro-and anti-apoptotic gene expression. These findings underscore a potential role for CREB in attenuating ethanol-induced neurotoxicity.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/biology14091277

Érzelemfelismerés mozgáselemzéssel: az emberi és a gépi feldolgozás összehasonlítása

Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap

Publication Date: 2025-11-16

Volume: 166

Issue: 46

Page Range: 1803-1809

Description:

Introduction: The relationship between human emotions and their bodily expressions has been receiving increasing attention in psychology and cognitive sciences. Emotions are not only expressed through verbal and facial cues but also through posture, gestures, and movement patterns. Motion analysis is one of the possible methods for identifying emotions; however, there is currently no clear consensus on which method is the most suitable for this purpose. Objective: The aim of this study is to systematically review motion analysis methods used for emotion recognition and to compare human-based and artificial intelligence-based approaches. Method: This study follows a systematic literature review using the PRISMA protocol. The initial search identified 7699 scientific articles from various databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 relevant studies were selected for detailed analysis. The research examines different motion analysis techniques, their applicability, and their accuracy. Results: A total of 9 different motion analysis methods were identified in the literature, of which 4 utilized artificial intelligence for emotion recognition. These methods differ in terms of data processing techniques, applied technologies, and accuracy in detecting emotions. Discussion: Motion analysis is a promising tool for studying emotions; however, no universally applicable technique currently exists. Artificial intelligence plays an increasing role in emotion recognition, yet challenges remain in algorithm development and handling individual differences in emotional expression. Conclusion: Currently, there is no single, universally accepted motion analysis technique for emotion identification. Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool, but it has limitations when used alone. The most reliable approach appears to be the application of multidisciplinary methods, which combine human observation, classical motion analysis, and machine learning techniques. Orv Hetil. 2025; 166(46): 1803–1809.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1556/650.2025.33365

Feedback systems as interferers in perfectionism: a systematic literature review

Publication Name: Frontiers in Psychiatry

Publication Date: 2026-01-01

Volume: 16

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Background: Perfectionism is a multidimensional construct characterized by the striving for exceptionally high standards and critical self-evaluation. It can manifest in both adaptive and maladaptive forms. Feedback systems exert a considerable cognitive influence on individuals as the emotional and behavioral responses to feedback are often shaped by its valence—positive or negative. This study aimed to examine the relationship between feedback systems and perfectionism, including its various dimensions, and to assess how specific interventions influence perfectionistic traits. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines across six academic databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and ERIC. The initial search yielded 441 articles. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 24 studies were selected for detailed analysis. Results: A clear association emerged between feedback valence and perfectionism. Four major outcome domains were identified as dependent variables: emotional response, behavior, task performance, and physiological (biomarker) indicators. Among adaptive perfectionists, positive feedback was linked to improved behavioral outcomes, whereas negative feedback elicited negative emotional and performance-related consequences. In contrast, maladaptive perfectionists showed a heightened vulnerability to negative feedback, displaying impaired emotional regulation, decreased performance, and elevated stress-related physiological markers. Conclusion: Feedback directed at individuals with perfectionistic traits elicits distinct psychological and physiological responses. While positive feedback can foster beneficial outcomes in adaptive perfectionists, negative feedback—especially in maladaptive perfectionists—can have substantial adverse effects, highlighting the importance of developing individualized feedback strategies as part of the clinical and therapeutic interventions for individuals with perfectionistic vulnerability. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420251015998.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1732312