Core Reports is an open-access scholarly platform for scientific preprints and author services. Core Reports was founded by the Mongolian Neuroscience Society and Mongolian Coro-Heart Society for Health and Education, not-for-profit research and educational societies, and is not linked to any publishers or journals. Core Reports aims to disseminate innovative research and theoretical concepts on the mind, brain, and their broader implications. Core Reports provides a platform for researchers to share, comment, and receive comments on their work prior to journal publication. You can submit original research articles, letters, case reports, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, literature reviews, research protocols, newsletters, theses, and hypothetical notes. However, work not premised on modern biology or medicine, textbook excerpts, or individual components of research articles, such as figures, tables, and datasets, are not posted.
Public Licensing via Creative Commons All observations and associated materials published or posted on the Core Reports preprint platform are made publicly available under the terms of a Creative Commons license selected by the author during the submission process. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0): This is our default and most permissive license. It allows others to: Share: Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. Adapt: Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. Condition: You must give appropriate credit to the original creator(s), provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. Other Selectable Licenses (e.g., CC BY-NC: non-commercial use only; CC BY-ND: no derivatives permitted): If chosen, these licenses include additional restrictions. The specific terms of your chosen license, as detailed on the Creative Commons website, will govern how others can reuse your work and may impact its broader dissemination, as more restrictive licenses can limit reuse. Irrevocability: The Creative Commons license selected for a version of your preprint is irrevocable once applied.
Epidemiological Survey of Mental and Behavioral Disorders in Mongolia, 2013
Identifying the prevalence of common mental and behavioral disorders is essential for the scientific planning of medical and community-based mental health services. Although national prevalence studies were conducted in Mongolia in 1995 and 2013, their results remain unpublished internationally, which provides the rationale for this paper. A population- and household-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in two stages from September 1 to November 1, 2013. Ethical approval was granted by the Medical Ethics Review Committee of the Ministry of Health (Resolution No. 1, September 27, 2011). Data from participants aged 18–64 were analyzed using descriptive and advanced statistics via SPSS 24.0. The study sampled 11,746 individuals (49.1% male, 50.8% female; mean age: 39.58±12.5 years) across 6 districts of Ulaanbaatar and 53 soums of 11 provinces. The prevalence of common mental disorders was: anxiety disorder 18.4% (n=2,163), inorganic sleep disorder 17.5% (n=2,059), chronic fatigue 16.2% (n=1,098), medically unexplained physical symptoms 11.9% (n=1,403), alcohol dependence 6.4% (n=753), and depressive disorder 6.2% (n=734). Per 1,000 population, the prevalence rates were 184.1 for anxiety, 175.3 for sleep disorders, 162.4 for chronic fatigue, 119.4 for unexplained physical symptoms, 64.1 for alcohol dependence, and 62.5 for depression. The 2013 survey established the baseline prevalence of key mental disorders in Mongolia, highlighting high rates of anxiety and sleep disorders. Given that 13 years have passed since this assessment, there is an urgent need to conduct a follow-up study to update the epidemiological data and trends of common mental disorders.
depression, anxiety, fear, chronic fatigue, insomnia, alcohol
Copyright (c) 2026 Gantsetseg Tumur-Ochir (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Brain Overwork Syndrome: A Cross-Organ Clinical Model of Psychosocial Stressor–Driven Multi-Symptom Presentations (Psychological and Physical)
This review describes the origins, symptoms, and mechanisms of psychosocial stressors and compares these with symptoms induced by physical stressors. Diverse stressors can elicit symptoms that signal threats to homeostasis. Although physical and psychosocial pathways may differ in their afferent inputs, they can converge on shared efferent outputs. Recent advances suggest that identifying symptom origins helps link symptoms to relevant effector systems and guides treatment selection. Emerging bidirectional neuroimmune mechanisms, key moderators, and technological innovations further refine this framework, highlighting the need for personalized interventions to reduce disease chronicity. It is emphasized that identical symptoms may require different treatments depending on whether the triggering input is physical or psychosocial. Recognizing symptom origins is therefore essential to prevent diagnostic delay and avoid missed opportunities for timely care.
stress; psychological stress; mental distress; depression; anxiety; neuroimmune crosstalk; mind and body interaction
Copyright (c) 2026 Tetsuya Hiramoto, Battuvshin Lkhagvasuren (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The effect of gender role conflict on aggression: the mediating role of traditional gender roles
Adolescence is a critical stage in which gender expectations become deeply internalized and influence behavioral and emotional expression. Traditional social norms may conflict with one’s sense of self-expression, potentially increasing the risk of aggressive behavior. Boys are more likely to exhibit physical aggression, while girls tend to suppress anger. These differences arise not only from biological factors but also from social–psychological expectations and gender role conflict. This study aimed to examine how gender role conflict affects adolescents’ aggressive behavior and whether traditional masculinity and femininity mediate this relationship. A total of 398 adolescents aged 12–18 years (199 boys and 199 girls) participated in the study. The Gender Role Conflict Scale, the Traditional Masculinity–Femininity Scale, and the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire were used for data collection. Results indicated that male students scored higher in both physical aggression and gender role conflict. Physical aggression increased with higher masculinity and decreased with higher femininity. Gender role conflict did not directly influence aggression but showed an indirect effect through masculinity traits. Overall, the findings reveal that the inconsistency between traditional gender expectations and self-expression influences adolescent aggression through traditional gender roles. Reducing rigid gender expectations and fostering more flexible gender attitudes may support healthier emotional expression and help prevent aggressive behaviors among adolescents.
gender role conflict, femininity, masculinity, aggression, mediation
Copyright (c) 2026 Sendenkhand Nemekhbayar, Buyankhishig Gankhuyag (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Radiographic Determination of the Mandibular Foramen Location
The mandibular foramen is an opening located on the medial surface of the mandible through which the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle enters the mandibular canal. Accurate identification of the mandibular foramen has important diagnostic and therapeutic implications. The position of the mandibular foramen varies among individuals and is influenced by several factors, including age, sex, and anatomical characteristics of the mandible. This retrospective study included 91 panoramic radiographs obtained between 2023 and 2025 at the Central Dental Hospital, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, using an HDX WILL panoramic device (DENTRI, Seoul, Korea). The images were selected according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Linear measurements were performed using ImageJ software with millimeter precision from the center of the mandibular foramen to anatomical landmarks of the mandibular ramus, including the anterior border, posterior border, mandibular notch, and inferior border of the mandible. This study was conducted with ethical approval (No. 2023/3-08), and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.0. The center of the mandibular foramen was located at a mean distance of 18.25 ± 2.89 mm from the posterior border of the mandibular ramus, 23.93 ± 3.36 mm from the anterior border of the mandibular ramus, 24.55 ± 3.63 mm from the deepest point of the mandibular notch, and 40.75 ± 4.55 mm from the inferior border of the mandible. When the relationship between the location of the mandibular foramen and gender was evaluated, the distance from the center of the mandibular foramen to the inferior border of the mandible was 2.34 ± 0.93 mm greater in males than in females, significantly. No significant differences were observed between age groups. The mandibular foramen is located in the posterior-superior region of the middle third of the mandibular ramus among Mongolian adults.
Mandibular nerve; Anesthesia; Orthopantomography
Copyright (c) 2026 Nominzaya Munkhtur, Marte Umyerbai, Altjin Erdenedelger, Oyuntugs Rashsuren, Delgertsetseg Jargaltsogt (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Effects of Drinking Water Calcium, Magnesium, and Fluoride Concentrations on Dental Caries Mongolian children under 5 years old
Dental caries remains a major public health challenge among children in Mongolia. The chemical composition of drinking water plays a crucial role in caries prevention. Fluoride influences the balance of enamel mineralization by forming fluorapatite on acid-exposed enamel surfaces, thereby reducing enamel solubility. Moreover, fluoride inhibits the acidogenic metabolism of cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans within the dental biofilm. Therefore, understanding the relationship between drinking water, mineral content, and dental caries is essential for developing effective preventive strategies. Objective: To determine the prevalence and mean score of dental caries among children under 5 years old, covering 21 provinces of Mongolia, and to evaluate the effects of selected drinking water minerals (calcium, magnesium, and fluoride) on dental caries. This study utilized oral examination data from 118,153 children under 5 years old residing in 321 soums from all 21 provinces and the capital city (Ulaanbaatar) of Mongolia. Dental caries was assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) caries diagnostic criteria. The associations between drinking water mineral concentrations and dental caries were analyzed using linear regression models. The prevalence and mean score of dental caries ranged 63.5%-66.2% and 3.0-3.1 among 5-year-old children, respectively. Boys had a slightly higher score (3.17 ± 3.52) than girls (2.92 ± 3.40). Regression analysis revealed that fluoride (β = −0.449, p < 0.001) and magnesium (β = −0.031, p < 0.001) concentrations in drinking water were significantly associated with lower levels of dental caries, indicating a protective effect on dental caries. Fluoride and magnesium in drinking water appear to be important protective factors of dental caries, whereas calcium did not demonstrate a consistent association. These findings highlight the potential importance of drinking water mineral composition in the prevention of childhood dental caries in Mongolia.
Copyright (c) 2026 Batbold Gan-Ochir, Enkh-Orchlon Batbayar, Khongorzul Tsogtsaikhan, Ganbaatar Yunden, Batzorig Bayartsogt, Oyunsuren Enebish, Delgertsetseg Jargaltsogt (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Psychosocial Stressors and Their Clinical Consequences
Copyright (c) 2025 Battuvshin Lkhagvasuren, Tetsuya Hiramoto (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Psychometric properties of the Mongolian version of the Chalder Fatigue Scale
Fatigue, a prevalent condition impacting biological, psychological, and cognitive functions, affects 30–50% of the general population, with heightened prevalence (52–70%) post-COVID-19. The Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS) is a widely used tool to assess physical and mental fatigue, but its psychometric properties in healthy Mongolian adults are underexplored. This study aimed to culturally adapt and validate the Mongolian version of the CFS, evaluating its reliability and validity per COSMIN guidelines. A cross-sectional and longitudinal study was conducted with 941 healthy Mongolian adults (500 for validation, 441 for test-retest). The CFS was adapted following Beaton et al.’s (2000) guidelines: translation, synthesis, back-translation, expert review, and pilot testing (n = 21, CVI = 1.0). Participants completed the CFS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Brain Overwork Scale (BOS), WHOQOL-BREF, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Reliability was assessed via Cronbach’s α and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) over a 14-day interval. Validity was evaluated through exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Pearson’s correlations for criterion and convergent validity. The Mongolian CFS demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.877–0.920) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.745). EFA confirmed a two-factor structure (physical and mental fatigue), explaining 57.25–64% of variance (KMO = 0.901–0.938, p < 0.001). CFA supported this structure (RMSEA = 0.08, CFI = 0.967, TLI = 0.951). Significant correlations with HADS (r = 0.330–0.500), BOS (r = 0.291–0.409), PSQI (r = 0.303–0.417), and negative correlations with WHOQOL-BREF (r = -0.313 to -0.505) confirmed criterion validity. Convergent validity was strong (r = 0.678–0.866). The Mongolian CFS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing fatigue in healthy adults, suitable for research and clinical applications in Mongolia.
Fatigue, Reliability, Validity, Cross-cultural Translation
Copyright (c) 2025 Uuriintuya Batmend, Uyanga Angarag, Naidan Bat-Ulzii, Binderiya Bayanmunkh, Gantsetseg Tumur-Ochir, Tsolmon Jadamba, Battuvshin Lkhagvasuren, Enkhnaran Tumurbaatar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Prenatal depression prevalence in Mongolia
Depression affects over 350 million people globally, with women disproportionately impacted. The World Health Organization (WHO) projected depression to become the second leading cause of global disease burden by 2020. In developing countries, common mental disorders like depression represent major public health challenges and often follow a chronic course if untreated. In Mongolia, data on prenatal depression remain limited. We conducted a population-based study using cross-sectional and cohort designs from February 21 to April 8, 2022, to estimate the prevalence of prenatal depression and identify associated factors. A total of 1,482 pregnant women (gestational age 6–40 weeks; aged 18–46 years, mean 30.12 ± 5.88 years) were randomly selected via multistage cluster sampling from 80 clusters across four regions and Ulaanbaatar. Depressive symptoms were screened using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), with diagnoses confirmed by psychiatrists using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). Associations were examined through linear and multivariable regression analyses. Ethical approval was granted by the Mongolian Ministry of Health (No. 267; March 15, 2022). The prevalence of prenatal depression was 15.9% (n=235). Younger maternal age, lower monthly income, and lower parity were weakly but significantly inversely associated with depression scores. Compared to women aged >40 years, younger age groups had significantly elevated risk, with the highest odds among those ≤19 years. Unplanned pregnancy, experience of violence, and family conflict were independently associated with significantly higher likelihood of prenatal depression. Prenatal depression affects nearly one in six pregnant women in Mongolia, particularly younger women. Key risk factors include unplanned pregnancy, violence, and family conflict. These findings highlight the need for targeted screening and interventions in maternal health services.
Pregnant women, suicidal ideation, unwanted pregnancy, mother; mental distress; family stress; baby, Mongolia
Copyright (c) 2025 Nasanjargal Lkhagvasuren, Nomin-Erdene Minjuurdorj, Orgil Zorigt, Nasantsengel Lkhagvasuren, Gantsetseg Tumur-Ochir (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Heart Rate Variability Normative Values in Mongolian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic nervous system function, yet normative data for Mongolian adults are limited. This study establishes short-term HRV normative values, stratified by gender and age. From July 2020 to August 2023, this cross-sectional study enrolled 1,144 adults (413 men, 731 women; aged 18–68 years) from Ulaanbaatar and four Mongolian regions. Participants underwent physical examinations, completed validated Mongolian-language patient-reported outcome measures (HADS, PSQI, WHOQOL-BREF, MMSE, and BOS), and 5-minute HRV recordings while seated. Time-domain (SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50) and frequency-domain (LF, HF, LF/HF) metrics were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p < 0.05). Participants had a mean age of 37.9 ± 11.1 years (63.9% women). Women exhibited higher median heart rate (80 ± 10 bpm vs. 74 ± 12 bpm, p < 0.01) and HF power (42.9 ± 18.1 nu vs. 39.6 ± 17.6 nu, p = 0.150). SDNN (37.2 ± 18.4 ms) and RMSSD (29.0 ± 16.7 ms) declined with age (p < 0.001). Parasympathetic metrics (pNN50, HF) were higher in women and younger groups. Age and gender significantly shape HRV in Mongolian adults, with time-domain metrics decreasing with age. These normative values support epidemiological and clinical research.
heart rate variability, autonomic nervous system, normative values, cross-sectional study, Mongolia
Copyright (c) 2025 Enkhnaran Tumurbaatar, Gantsetseg Tumur-Ochir, Tsolmon Jadamba, Battuvshin Lkhagvasuren (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of malocclusion traits on the quality of life, anxiety, and depression among the Mongolian population
The purpose of our population-based cross-sectional study was to assess the association between malocclusion and the quality of life (QoL), anxiety, and depression. The study was conducted between July and October 2020 in Mongolia. Clinical examinations were carried out by orthodontists. Using a millimeter ruler, excessive and reverse overjet were recorded as abnormal. Crowding was recorded for the incisor and posterior segments of each jaw. Anterior diastema was diagnosed when there was a space of at least 1 mm between incisors in either arch. Facial profile (straight, convex, and concave) was determined by vision using soft tissue reference points. Each participant completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHO-QoL-BREF) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and an orthodontic questionnaire. The study consists of 436 participants aged between 13 and 65 years (mean age = 39.6±14.8), the majority were females, 297 (68.1%). The prevalence of malocclusion, in general, was 371 (85.1%). In terms of the prevalence of the malocclusion traits: abnormal overjet was 245(56.2%), crowded dentition was 118 (27.1%), and diastema was 75 (17.2%). Participants with malocclusions had increased depression scores (p = 0.008). Participants with diastema had decreased QoL in physical and social domains (p = 0.022, p = 0.020). Moreover, reverse correlations were found between depression scores and QoL in psychological, social, and environmental domains in the population with malocclusion traits (p = 0.035, p = 0.0039, p = 0.002). We found that the prevalence of malocclusion was 85.1% in the general population. Participants with malocclusion have decreased QoL, which is associated with increased depression scores.
Malocclusion; Quality of Life (QoL); Anxiety; Depression; Abnormal overjet (excessive and reverse overjet); Diastema (spaced dentition); Crowding (crowded dentition); Facial profile (Concave, Convex and Straight)
Copyright (c) 2025 Zolzaya Bodikhuu, Enkhnaran Tumurbaatar, Gantsetseg Tumur-Ochir, Tsolmon Jadamba, Zoljargal Gereltekh-Od, Ganjargal Ganburged (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Depression, Anxiety, and Physiological Dysfunction in COPD
Depression and anxiety are common yet often underrecognized in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although airflow limitation measured by percent predicted FEV₁ has been considered the principal marker of disease severity, FEV₁ alone may not capture the heterogeneity of symptoms or patient-reported outcomes, including psychological distress. This study investigated the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and their associations with physiological parameters – %FEV₁, diffusing capacity (%DLCO/VA), estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (esPAP), and body mass index (BMI) – in Japanese outpatients with COPD. In a single-center cross-sectional study, 56 clinically stable COPD outpatients (mean age 73 years, 87.5% male) were assessed. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Physiological parameters included %FEV₁, %DLCO/VA, esPAP, and BMI. Associations were examined using correlation and multivariable regression analyses. Clinically relevant depressive symptoms were present in 46.5% of patients, including 16.1% moderate and 5.4% severe, and 41.1% exhibited elevated state anxiety, with 12.5% severe. Higher SDS scores correlated with lower %DLCO/VA (r = −0.396), higher esPAP (r = 0.415), and lower BMI (r = −0.376) (all p < 0.01). State anxiety correlated positively with esPAP (r = 0.369, p = 0.006). In multivariable models, %DLCO/VA and esPAP independently predicted depressive symptoms, while esPAP predicted state anxiety. Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in Japanese COPD outpatients and are independently associated with impaired gas exchange and pulmonary hypertension, underscoring the need for integrative psychophysiological management.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tetsuya Hiramoto, MD, PhD (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Treatment adherence to the COVID-19 treatment in psychiatric patients
The study was conducted using a hospital-based cross-sectional method, and data were obtained from psychiatric patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to the COVID-19 treatment wards of the National Center for Mental Health from April 22 to July 1, 2022, using a 126-item questionnaire that was classified into 4 sections. The study covered 39 (48.8%) men, 41 (51.3%) women aged 22-71 years, and a total of 80 psychiatric patients with COVID-19, and the average age was 44.5 ± 12.5. According to the severity of Covid-19 disease, 26.3% had no clinical signs, 43.8% had mild, 28.8% had moderate, and 1.3% had more severe clinical signs. In the study of adherence to the treatment regimen, patients with mental retardation and schizophrenia could not adhere to the treatment regimen with the support of medical staff. Although participants with alcoholism had severe form of Covid-19, 40.0% of patients with schizophrenia, 33.3% of patients with schizophrenic spectrum disorders, 36.4% of people with organic dementia, and 15.4% of people mental retardation had a mild form of Covid-19. Patients with mental retardation and schizophrenia were unable to follow the treatment regimen of Covid-19 on their own.
Copyright (c) 2025 Gantulga Javzandulam, T Enkhsaikhan, L Uyanga, Erdenesuvd Lkhagvasuren, Narandelger O, Zolzaya D, Khishigsuren Zuunnast, Gantsetseg Tumur-Ochir (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A longitudinal study result comparing Anxiety and Depression in hospitalized COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients in Mongolia
This longitudinal study aimed to compare levels of anxiety and depression between hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and those hospitalized for other conditions in Mongolia. Utilizing a mixed-methods design, 552 patients were assessed, including 339 with COVID-19 and 153 with non-COVID-19 conditions. Mental health was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) for anxiety. Results indicated that 58.4% of the COVID-19 group and 47.7% of the non-COVID-19 group exhibited signs of depression, while 48.9% and 35.9%, respectively, met criteria for anxiety, with significant differences (p=0.024 and p=0.006). Follow-up assessments at three- and twelve-months post-discharge showed higher rates of depression (57.3% at three months) and anxiety (46.9% at three months) in the COVID-19 group compared to their counterparts. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the COVID-19 group had a 1.5-fold increased risk of depression and a 1.7-fold increased risk of anxiety, even after adjusting for age, sex, marital status, employment, and household conditions. The findings confirm that COVID-19 significantly increases depression and anxiety among hospitalized patients. Notably, both short-term and long-term follow-ups revealed that depression and anxiety were highly prevalent in the COVID-19 group.
Copyright (c) 2025 Enkhtuvshin Regzedmaa, Yerkyebulan Mukhtar, Enkhnaran Tumurbaatar, Mongoljin Altankhuyag, Uranchimeg Mungunkhuyag, Battuvshin Lkhagvasuren, Maidar Erdenetsetseg, Amarsaikhan Altankhuyag, Amirlan Byambadash, Khishigsuren Zuunnast (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Stress, a pivotal factor in mind-body interactions, remains ambiguously defined, complicating research and clinical practice. This review redefines stress-related terms—stress stimuli, processing, response/sign, feedback loop, and symptom—to clarify their roles in homeostasis, building on Selye’s general adaptation syndrome and Cannon’s homeostasis framework. We emphasize chronic psychosocial stressors (e.g., social defeat, early-life adversity), which engage limbic circuits and mimic physical stressor symptoms (e.g., fatigue, psychogenic fever), leading to diagnostic confusion. An evolutionary perspective highlights humans’ predisposition to stress vulnerability as anxious, social mammals. Stress medicine is an emerging interdisciplinary field that integrates neurobiological, psychological, and clinical approaches to address these complexities. Treatment strategies differentiate biological symptoms, which are managed with pharmacotherapy (e.g., SSRIs for psychogenic fever), from behavioral problems (e.g., rumination, impulsivity), which are addressed through educational interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness training. A two-step approach, first distinguishing biological and behavioral pathologies, then integrating them, has been shown to optimize care. By elucidating stress mechanisms and treatments, this review lays the foundation for the stress theory series of Core Reports, advancing a holistic understanding of stress-related disorders.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tetsuya Hiramoto, Battuvshin Lkhagvasuren (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Introducing Core Reports - A New Platform for Exploring the Mind
The human mind, a nexus of biological, psychological, and philosophical phenomena, remains one of science’s most profound mysteries. Advances in neuroscience have illuminated the neural correlates of consciousness, emotion, and cognition, yet the essence of the mind transcends reductionist approaches, inviting exploration through diverse theoretical perspectives. It is with this vision that we are launching Core Reports, a new platform dedicated to elucidating the mind through innovative theories and concepts. Core Reports diverges from conventional journals by virtue of its interdisciplinary approach, which integrates the rigorous methodologies of the hard sciences, including neurobiology, with those of the soft sciences, including psychology, philosophy, and cultural studies. Our mission is to facilitate constructive discourse that integrates empirical rigor with theoretical insight, thereby fostering a comprehensive understanding of the mind and its interactions with the body. Our inaugural series of mini-reviews will focus on stress theory, a domain that exemplifies the intricate interplay between mind and body. Stress, a universal experience, impacts mental and physical health through complex mechanisms that span neural circuits, endocrine responses, and subjective perceptions. The series will provide a comprehensive exploration of stress, addressing four critical dimensions: What is Stress and Stress Medicine: This review will define stress as a dynamic response to environmental demands, encompassing physiological adaptations (e.g., activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) and psychological appraisals. Stress medicine, an emerging interdisciplinary field, integrates neuroscience, psychology, and clinical practice to address stress-related health challenges. It will offer insights into therapeutic strategies that target both mind and body. Psychosocial Stressors and Their Clinical Consequences: Psychosocial stressors, such as unemployment, interpersonal conflicts, and digital technology overuse, are potent triggers of stress-related disorders, including anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis. This review will explore how these stressors disrupt neural networks (e.g., amygdala-prefrontal circuits) and autonomic balance, leading to diverse clinical manifestations, from psychogenic fever to cognitive impairment. It will also highlight the need for stressor-specific diagnostics and interventions. Measuring Stress: The Brain Overwork Scale: Quantifying stress is essential for clinical diagnosis and public health interventions. This review will discuss established methods, such as cortisol assays and heart rate variability, alongside the novel Brain Overwork Scale (BOS), a questionnaire designed to assess stress-related symptoms (e.g., excessive thinking, hypersensitivity) in both clinical and community settings. The BOS provides a practical tool to bridge the gap between mental distress and subjective bodily symptoms. Identifying Predispositions and Preventing Stress-Related Disorders: Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, including early-life stress and serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms, modulate vulnerability to stress-related disorders. This review will examine these predispositions and propose preventive strategies, including lifestyle modifications, mindfulness-based interventions, and social support systems, to enhance resilience and proactive habits. This series sets the initial stage for the broad mission of Core Reports to explore the mind through a synthesis of empirical and theoretical perspectives. We invite contributions that challenge conventional boundaries, whether through neurobiological models, psychological frameworks, or philosophical inquiries. By providing a platform for diverse voices, Core Reports aims to redefine how we conceptualize the mind, paving the way for innovative approaches to mental health and well-being. We cordially invite researchers, clinicians, and intellectuals to join us in this endeavor. Please submit your work to Core Reports and contribute to a new era of mind science, where the interplay of biology, psychology, and culture illuminates the essence of human experience.
Copyright (c) 2025 Battuvshin Lkhagvasuren (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0