To describe suspected acute acrylamide toxicosis in dogs following ingestion of consumer polyacrylamide-based hydrogel migraine caps, eye masks, and wraps, and to quantify acrylamide monomer concentrations in associated products.

Both autism and the broader autism phenotype represent stable mental features over time that often lead to typical psychosocial problem patterns such as bullying, interpersonal conflicts at work and at home, or social withdrawal. These patterns may in turn cause specific temporary medical conditions such as states of tension, agitation, mutism, depression, or psychosis. When presenting to psychiatry or psychotherapy patients generally do not complain about autism, but rather about depression, interpersonal conflicts, and psychosocial difficulties. They may also complain about maladaptive behaviors such as social withdrawal, gaming etc. They often have difficulty understanding themselves, generating a clear sense of self and identity, and understanding other people's behaviors. The SPC model presented here is a heuristic tool to provide clarity on this complex interplay of different ontological entities. The model analyses life phenomena and developments according to their degree of situational freedom and modifiability. Mental structures are considered to be fateful, fundamental physical phenomena, similar to body height, IQ, and ametropia. Problems and problematic behaviors are not core phenomena of the autistic structure, despite developing in typical psychosocial dynamics and patterns in the biographies of autistic individuals. Examples include bullying, social withdrawal, and dysfunctional communication patterns. Unlike autistic structures, these should not be accepted, but changed. Conditions are understood as specific psychobiological and physical states. Affected persons are not free to intentionally alter such conditions. Unlike bodily structures, they have a beginning and an end, and are transient by nature. Examples include states of tension, depressive episodes and psychotic states. Such conditions should be treated with all available medical and psychotherapeutic means, or endured until they naturally pass. In individual situations, people are not free with respect to their own structure and biological conditions. They cannot manipulate these phenomena voluntarily. They can only compensate or cope. Problems and problem behaviors, however, can and should be solved. These phenomena fall within the realms of freedom and responsibility. Such a comprehensive understanding of one's own body, mental structure, and psychodynamic mechanisms, as well as the typically evolving interpersonal dynamics, is of utmost importance for the development of a valid and functional self, particularly in autism.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is most often recognized as a fall-winter subtype characterized by hypersomnia, hyperphagia, and anergia. Less commonly, patients experience a reverse presentation with spring-summer onset marked by irritability, insomnia, appetite loss, and psychomotor agitation. Pathophysiologic contributors to reverse SAD include circadian misalignment, neuroendocrine dysregulation, environmental stressors, and genetic susceptibility. Management requires a multimodal approach incorporating psychoeducation, psychotherapy (notably cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT]-SAD), pharmacotherapy tailored to symptom profile, vitamin D assessment, sleep hygiene, and lifestyle adjustments. Recognition of summer-onset depression is critical in primary care, as underdiagnosis may delay effective intervention. Rising global temperatures and prolonged light exposure underscore the importance of clinician awareness and proactive screening for reverse SAD to optimize patient outcomes. In this article, a fictional, illustrative case report describes a 35-year-old woman with a 3-year pattern of summer depression meeting DSM-5-TR criteria for major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, summer onset. In this case, treatment with desvenlafaxine, sleep/environmental modification, and CBT leads to significant improvement.

Background/Objectives: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common and represent major drivers of caregiver burden and healthcare utilization. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is used as a non-pharmacological intervention in dementia care, yet quantitative evidence of its efficacy remains inconsistent. We systematically evaluated the effects of AAT on cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes in individuals with dementia. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched seven electronic databases from inception through 27 September 2025 for studies evaluating AAT in dementia. Randomized and non-randomized controlled studies were included in quantitative synthesis. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 and ROBINS-I tools. Random-effects meta-analyses used standardized mean differences (SMDs), with sensitivity, influence, subgroup, and publication bias analyses conducted where appropriate. Results: Fifty-nine studies met inclusion criteria, including 24 controlled studies with 1881 participants. AAT was associated with reduced overall BPSD severity, although this effect was sensitive to study quality and was not retained after excluding high-risk studies. AAT significantly improved depressive symptoms (SMD, -0.79, 95%CI, -1.33 to -0.26) and cognitive performance (SMD, 1.17; 95%CI, 0.31 to 1.79), with substantial heterogeneity; both effects persisted after excluding studies at high or serious risk of bias. No significant effects were observed for agitation, quality of life, or activities of daily living. Benefits were observed primarily in live animal interventions; robotic subgroups comprised a few studies and were underpowered to detect an effect. Conclusions: AAT may confer meaningful benefits for mood and cognitive engagement in dementia, particularly with live animals, but confidence is limited by methodological heterogeneity and the predominance of studies at moderate to serious risk of bias.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant indigenous to Southeast Asia, typically consumed by tea or powder, with physiologic effects similar to opioids, as well as stimulants. There is an increasing prevalence of kratom use, raising concern for possible dependence, addiction, and toxicity. Given the increasing popularity and the potential harm this substance could cause, it is essential to understand how it works, its physiologic side effects, and any possible treatment options for symptoms related to a toxic overdose. This activity reviews the etiology, presentation, evaluation, and management/prevention of kratom toxicity and also reviews the role of the interprofessional team with management.