| 1 | Neuropsychopharmacology 2000 Feb 22: 125-32 |
|---|---|
| PMID | 10649825 |
| Title | The relationship between dorsolateral prefrontal neuronal N-acetylaspartate and evoked release of striatal dopamine in schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | schizophrenia has been linked to abnormal dopamine function, recently to excessive amphetamine-induced release of striatal dopamine, and also to pathology of prefrontal cortical neurons. It has been hypothesized that prefrontal pathology is a primary condition that leads to dopamine dysregulation. We evaluated in vivo the relationship between neuronal integrity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, assessed as N-acetylaspartate (NAA) relative concentrations measured with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging, and amphetamine-induced release of striatal dopamine, assessed with 11C-raclopride Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in patients with schizophrenia and in healthy subjects. In the patients, NAA measures in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex selectively predicted striatal displacement of 11C-raclopride after amphetamine infusions (RHO = -0.76, p < .02). In contrast, NAA measures in other cortical regions and in healthy subjects did not show any correlation. These results support the hypothesis that in schizophrenia neuronal pathology of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is directly related to abnormal subcortical dopamine function. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 2 | Work 2000 -1 14: 209-216 |
| PMID | 12441517 |
| Title | Evaluation of a Goal Attainment Program using the Goal Attainment Scale for Psychiatric In-patients in vocational rehabilitation. |
| Abstract | The purpose of this study is to evaluate the newly developed clinical protocol "Goal Attainment Program" to assist psychiatric in-patients in Hong Kong to formulate realistic life goals, with a view to shortening their length of stay and motivating them to join in work rehabilitation. The Goal Attainment Scale for Psychiatric In-patients was validated and used to evaluate the change in life goals after attending the four-session Goal Attainment Program. The validated 10-item version of the Goal Attainment Scale for Psychiatric In-patients (GASPI-10) was found to have good inter-rater reliability (RHO_{I} ranged from 0.64 to 0.88,p < 0.01; N = 26) and internal consistency (alpha of rater 1 = 0.92, rater 2 = 0.87, N = 26). Twenty-five chronic psychiatric in-patients of Castle Peak Hospital in Hong Kong completed the Goal Attainment Program and were assessed using a pre and post-test quasi-experimental design. The T-score computation of GASPI-10 indicated that 92% of patients showed improvement in goal attainment. Some 92% of patients stated that they were willing to leave hospital, and 72% of participants planned to seek paid employment upon discharge after completion of the program. The overall results of this study verified the effectiveness of the Goal Attainment Program in instilling hope in chronic patients with schizophrenia and the use of the Goal Attainment Scale in documenting patients' progress. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 3 | Schizophr. Res. 2000 Aug 44: 105-11 |
| PMID | 10913741 |
| Title | Seasonality of schizophrenia and stillbirths in The Netherlands. |
| Abstract | Studies from Denmark and the USA have reported a strong correlation between the seasonal pattern for stillbirths and the seasonal birth pattern for people who develop schizophrenia. It has been suggested that the correlation could be caused by a common seasonal factor (e. g. intra-uterine infections during the third trimester of pregnancy), which produces death in some fetuses and nonfatal brain changes in others, changes that are manifested in later life as schizophrenia. The aims of our study were (i) to assess the seasonal patterns for stillbirths and for pre-schizophrenic births in The Netherlands and (ii) to examine their relationship. The Dutch psychiatric registry provided data on all Dutch-born subjects who had been hospitalized at least once with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in the period 1970-1994. We selected data on patients born in the period 1926-1970 (n=29891). The government provided monthly numbers of live births and stillbirths in the latter period. Seasonality of birth was examined using Poisson regression analysis. The risk of an admission for schizophrenia was highest for people born in the months of May and June and lowest for those born in August and September. When the risk for subjects born in June was compared with the risk for subjects born in September, the Relative Risk was 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07 to 1.22]. The seasonal pattern of stillbirths was different, in that it showed a peak in the month of January. The low, however, as in schizophrenia, occurred in the months of August and September. The two seasonal patterns were found to be weakly correlated: Spearman's rank correlation coefficient RHO=0.41 (95% CI: -0.22 to 0.80). This was the largest European study on birth seasonality in schizophrenia. The hypothesis that a common factor is responsible for a seasonal excess of stillbirths and for a seasonal birth excess of people who develop schizophrenia was not supported. The possibility remains, however, that a common factor explains seasonal (birth rate) deficits in these disorders. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 4 | Schizophr. Res. 2000 Aug 44: 105-11 |
| PMID | 10913741 |
| Title | Seasonality of schizophrenia and stillbirths in The Netherlands. |
| Abstract | Studies from Denmark and the USA have reported a strong correlation between the seasonal pattern for stillbirths and the seasonal birth pattern for people who develop schizophrenia. It has been suggested that the correlation could be caused by a common seasonal factor (e. g. intra-uterine infections during the third trimester of pregnancy), which produces death in some fetuses and nonfatal brain changes in others, changes that are manifested in later life as schizophrenia. The aims of our study were (i) to assess the seasonal patterns for stillbirths and for pre-schizophrenic births in The Netherlands and (ii) to examine their relationship. The Dutch psychiatric registry provided data on all Dutch-born subjects who had been hospitalized at least once with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in the period 1970-1994. We selected data on patients born in the period 1926-1970 (n=29891). The government provided monthly numbers of live births and stillbirths in the latter period. Seasonality of birth was examined using Poisson regression analysis. The risk of an admission for schizophrenia was highest for people born in the months of May and June and lowest for those born in August and September. When the risk for subjects born in June was compared with the risk for subjects born in September, the Relative Risk was 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07 to 1.22]. The seasonal pattern of stillbirths was different, in that it showed a peak in the month of January. The low, however, as in schizophrenia, occurred in the months of August and September. The two seasonal patterns were found to be weakly correlated: Spearman's rank correlation coefficient RHO=0.41 (95% CI: -0.22 to 0.80). This was the largest European study on birth seasonality in schizophrenia. The hypothesis that a common factor is responsible for a seasonal excess of stillbirths and for a seasonal birth excess of people who develop schizophrenia was not supported. The possibility remains, however, that a common factor explains seasonal (birth rate) deficits in these disorders. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 5 | Schizophr. Res. 2000 Mar 42: 47-55 |
| PMID | 10706985 |
| Title | The longitudinal relationship of clinical symptoms, cognitive functioning, and adaptive life in geriatric schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Cognitive dysfunction is increasingly being recognized as a major contributor to the adaptive impairment seen in most patients with schizophrenia. Reported here is a prospective longitudinal evaluation of the relationship between cognitive and adaptive functioning in elderly patients with schizophrenia. It was hypothesized that baseline cognitive and negative, but not positive symptoms, would be predictive of cross-sectional impairment and longitudinal outcome. Subjects were 168 elderly patients with schizophrenia, free of major neurological disorders, who were residents of a long-term psychiatric facility. Subjects were assessed at baseline and again an average of 15months later. The PANSS was used to assess the severity of symptoms of schizophrenia. Cognitive symptoms were assessed using the components of the CERAD cognitive battery. Social and adaptive functioning was assessed using the SAFE scale. Spearman correlations were determined among clinical variables, and the rank ordering of prediction of SAFE scale scores at follow-up was determined using a stepwise regression procedure. At follow-up, adaptive life skills correlated with cognitive performance and negative symptoms (Spearman RHO values 0. 41-0.57, all p values <0.0001), but not positive symptoms (r=0.09, n. s.). Among cognitive tasks, verbal learning and memory were most highly correlated with adaptive skills at follow-up. These results confirm and extend previous studies that indicate that cognitive impairments are predictive, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, of adaptive life skills in persons with schizophrenia. Negative symptoms, but not positive symptoms, were correlated with impaired adaptive skills. Taken together, these results underscore the need to develop more effective treatments for cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 6 | Schizophr. Res. 2001 Mar 48: 255-62 |
| PMID | 11295378 |
| Title | Generalization of training effects in schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | The primary goal of this study was to investigate transfer of training (generalization) in patients with schizophrenia. We randomly assigned 33 schizophrenia subjects to one of three conditions: training on the Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST-T), training on the Halstead Category Test (CAT-T), or no training (No-T). The WCST and CAT were administered to all subjects at baseline. Subjects in the WCST-T and CAT-T groups then received training on the respective test, while the No-T group received additional untrained trials. All participants were subsequently retested on the WCST and CAT, and completed a brief neuropsychological battery. As hypothesized, the WCST-T and CAT-T groups exhibited large improvements on the trained test and moderate improvement on the untrained test, while the No-T group failed to show improvement on either test. These results suggest that the training paradigm did produce generalization, and that the changes were not due to practice effects. The extent of generalization across both training groups was strongly associated with neuropsychological test performance (Spearman's RHO=0.56, P<0.05). The implications of these findings for rehabilitation programs were discussed, and recommendations were made for future research. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 7 | Scand J Caring Sci 2002 Dec 16: 393-8 |
| PMID | 12445109 |
| Title | Need assessment and quality of life in outpatients with schizophrenia: a 5-year follow-up study. |
| Abstract | The present study is a 5-year follow-up of patients with schizophrenia who were in-patients for more than 3 months in 1993. In all, 19 patients fulfilled the criteria and were interviewed 6 months after their discharge. Seventeen of them also participated in a follow-up 5 years later. Their needs were independently rated by themselves and by their key workers according to the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN, research version 3.0). The interview with the patients also included quality of life assessed by the Quality of Life Scale (QLS-100). The results from CAN showed a difference when using a cut-off point for higher vs. lower problem at 10 needs. Using this cut-off point, five patients at the baseline and one at the follow-up had higher problems. The need ranking with key workers showed a correlation of RHO = 0.68 at the baseline and RHO = 0.74 at the follow-up. QLS-100 showed that the patient's total number of unsatisfied items were significantly higher (p = 0.01) at the baseline than at the follow-up. At the follow-up, full insight into their illness was shown by most of the patients. There are several possible explanations associated with the increased quality of life, e.g. less unsatisfied items among some patients and greater autonomy at the follow-up. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 8 | Neuropsychopharmacology 2003 Mar 28: 519-26 |
| PMID | 12629531 |
| Title | H1-histamine receptor affinity predicts short-term weight gain for typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs. |
| Abstract | As a result of superior efficacy and overall tolerability, atypical antipsychotic drugs have become the treatment of choice for schizophrenia and related disorders, despite their side effects. Weight gain is a common and potentially serious complication of some antipsychotic drug therapy, and may be accompanied by hyperlipidemia, hypertension and hyperglycemia and, in some extreme cases, diabetic ketoacidosis. The molecular mechanism(s) responsible for antipsychotic drug-induced weight gain are unknown, but have been hypothesized to be because of interactions of antipsychotic drugs with several neurotransmitter receptors, including 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) serotonin receptors, H(1)-histamine receptors, alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors, and m3-muscarinic receptors. To determine the receptor(s) likely to be responsible for antipsychotic-drug-induced weight gain, we screened 17 typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs for binding to 12 neurotransmitter receptors. H(1)-histamine receptor affinities for this group of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs were significantly correlated with weight gain (Spearman RHO=-0.72; p<0.01), as were affinities for alpha(1A) adrenergic (RHO=-0.54; p<0.05), 5-HT(2C) (RHO=-0.49; p<0.05) and 5-HT(6) receptors (RHO=-0.54; p<0.05), whereas eight other receptors' affinities were not. A principal components analysis showed that affinities at the H(1), alpha(2A), alpha(2B), 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C), and 5-HT(6) receptors were most highly correlated with the first principal component, and affinities for the D(2), 5-HT(1A), and 5-HT(7) receptors were most highly correlated with the second principal component. A discriminant functions analysis showed that affinities for the H(1) and alpha(1A) receptors were most highly correlated with the discriminant function axis. The discriminant function analysis, as well as the affinity for the H(1)-histamine receptor alone, correctly classified 15 of the 17 drugs into two groups; those that induce weight gain and those that do not. Because centrally acting H(1)-histamine receptor antagonists are known to induce weight gain with chronic use, and because H(1)-histamine receptor affinities are positively correlated with weight gain among typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs, it is recommended that the next generation of atypical antipsychotic drugs be screened to avoid H(1)-histamine receptors. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 9 | Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2004 May 39: 381-5 |
| PMID | 15133595 |
| Title | Needs in outpatients with schizophrenia, assessed by the patients themselves and their parents and staff. |
| Abstract | There has been a change in psychiatric care from a hospital-oriented care system to an outpatient-centred system, which has underlined the importance of support alternatives. The sample was drawn from outpatients with schizophrenia at an outpatient clinic in 2001. We used structured interviews when interviewing outpatients, parents and staff. The interview with the patient included the patient's needs, global function, clinical global impression and insight. Both parents and staff were interviewed about the patient's needs. The mean value of GAF was 56 +/- 10, CGI 4 +/- 1 and 89% of the patients had full insight into their illness. The patients rated the total score of the severity of needs at a mean of 7 +/- 4, while the parents' and staff's rating was 9 +/- 5. The needs ranking between patients and parents and patients and staff showed a correlation of RHO = 0.65 (p < 0.01) and parents and staff RHO =0.95 (p < 0.01). The parents rated more problems involving physical health and money than the patients. When planning mental health in the future, it is important to assess the views of the patients, the parents and the staff from a multiple perspective. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 10 | Front. Biosci. 2004 May 9: 1365-73 |
| PMID | 14977552 |
| Title | EPHB receptor signaling in dendritic spine development. |
| Abstract | Dendritic spines are small bulbous protrusions on the surface of dendrites that serve as principle postsynaptic targets for excitatory synapses (1-3). Structural modifications of dendritic spines have been implicated as a cellular basis for learning and memory. Morphological abnormalities of spines are observed in some neurological diseases such as mental retardation and schizophrenia (4). Thus, studies on the morphological regulation of dendritic spines could have strong relevance to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the higher brain function and the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. Here we review recent progress on the role of the cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan syndecan-2 and ephrin-Eph signaling in dendritic spine development. Information from these new developments suggests a model in which cell surface ephrin-Eph signaling induces clustering of syndecan-2 and recruitment of cytoplasmic molecules, which leads to localized actin polymerization via RHO family GTPases, N-WASP, and the Arp2/3 complex. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 11 | BMC Med Res Methodol 2004 Apr 4: 10 |
| PMID | 15117417 |
| Title | What is the value of social values? The uselessness of assessing health-related quality of life through preference measures. |
| Abstract | The use of preference-based measures in the evaluation of health outcomes has extended considerably over the last decade. Their alleged advantage over other types of general instruments in the evaluation of health related quality of life (HRQOL), supposedly lies in the fact that preference measures incorporate values or utilities that reflects the value of social preferences through health states. The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of social preference weights or utilities makes any real difference when calculating scores for the Euroqol (EQ5-D) questionnaire, a HRQOL preference-based measure. Responses to the EQ5-D of a sample of 10,972 patients from 10 countries enrolled in an observational study of the treatment of schizophrenia in Europe were used for this purpose. Two different methods of scoring the EQ-5D where compared: 'weighting the items' of the questionnaire through the UK official weight coefficients, and 'non-weighting the items'. Pearson's, Spearman's, and two-way mixed parametric intraclass correlation coefficients were used to estimate the association of the scores obtained in both ways. The association between weighted and unweighted Euroqol scores was extremely high (Pearson's r = 0.91), as was the association between their ranks (Spearman's RHO = 0.93). The intraclass correlation coefficient obtained (0.89) also suggested that the concordance between the score distributions was prominent. A non-weighted approach to score the EQ5-D is enough to explain a high proportion of variance in scores obtained through the use of utilities. The differential contribution of weights based on population preference values is therefore minimal and, in our opinion, negligible. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 12 | Pharmacol. Ther. 2004 Mar 101: 259-81 |
| PMID | 15031002 |
| Title | GABAA receptors: building the bridge between subunit mRNAs, their promoters, and cognate transcription factors. |
| Abstract | The type A gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(A)) receptors mediate the majority of fast inhibitory neurotransmission in the CNS, and alterations in GABA(A) receptor function is believed to be involved in the pathology of several neurological and psychiatric illnesses, such as epilepsy, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia. GABA(A) receptors can be assembled from eight distinct subunit families defined by sequence similarity: alpha(1-6), beta(1-3), gamma(1-3), delta, pi, theta, and RHO(1-3). The regulation of GABA(A) receptor function in the brain is a highly compensating system, influencing both the number and the composition of receptors at the cell surface. While transcriptional and translational points of control operate in parallel, it is becoming increasingly evident that many functional changes in GABA(A) receptors reflect the differential gene regulation of its subunits. The fact that certain GABA(A) receptor subunit genes are transcribed in distinct cell types during specific periods of development strongly suggests that genetic control plays a major role in the choice of subunit variants available for receptor assembly. This review focuses on the physiological conditions that alter subunit mRNA levels, the promoters that may control such levels, and the use of a conceptual framework created by bioinformatics to study coordinate and independent GABA(A) receptor subunit gene regulation. As this exciting field moves closer to identifying the language hidden inside the chromatin of GABA(A) receptor subunit gene clusters, future experiments will be aimed at testing models generated by computational analysis with biologically relevant in vivo and in vitro assays. It is hoped that through this functional genomic approach there will be the identification of new targets for therapeutic intervention. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 13 | Schizophr. Res. 2005 Mar 73: 383-5 |
| PMID | 15653288 |
| Title | A missense polymorphism (H204R) of a Rho GTPase-activating protein, the chimerin 2 gene, is associated with schizophrenia in men. |
| Abstract | -1 |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 14 | Biol. Psychiatry 2005 Sep 58: 468-78 |
| PMID | 15978550 |
| Title | Fronto-temporal disconnectivity in schizotypal personality disorder: a diffusion tensor imaging study. |
| Abstract | Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), we previously reported abnormalities in two critical white matter tracts in schizophrenia, the uncinate fasciculus (UF) and the cingulum bundle (CB), both related to fronto-temporal connectivity. Here, we investigate these two bundles in unmedicated subjects with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD). Fifteen male SPD subjects and 15 male control subjects were scanned with line-scan DTI. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (D(m)) were used to quantify water diffusion, and cross-sectional area was defined with a directional threshold method. Exploratory correlation analyses were evaluated with Spearman's RHO, followed by post hoc hierarchical regression analyses. We found bilaterally reduced FA in the UF of SPD subjects. For CB, there was no significant group difference for FA or D(m) measures. Additionally, in SPD, reduced FA in the right UF was correlated with clinical symptoms, including ideas of reference, suspiciousness, restricted affect, and social anxiety. In contrast, left UF area was correlated with measures of cognitive function, including general intelligence, verbal and visual memory, and executive performance. These findings in SPD suggest altered fronto-temporal connectivity through the UF, similar to findings in schizophrenia, and intact neocortical-limbic connectivity through the CB, in marked contrast with what has been reported in schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 15 | Biol. Psychiatry 2005 Sep 58: 468-78 |
| PMID | 15978550 |
| Title | Fronto-temporal disconnectivity in schizotypal personality disorder: a diffusion tensor imaging study. |
| Abstract | Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), we previously reported abnormalities in two critical white matter tracts in schizophrenia, the uncinate fasciculus (UF) and the cingulum bundle (CB), both related to fronto-temporal connectivity. Here, we investigate these two bundles in unmedicated subjects with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD). Fifteen male SPD subjects and 15 male control subjects were scanned with line-scan DTI. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (D(m)) were used to quantify water diffusion, and cross-sectional area was defined with a directional threshold method. Exploratory correlation analyses were evaluated with Spearman's RHO, followed by post hoc hierarchical regression analyses. We found bilaterally reduced FA in the UF of SPD subjects. For CB, there was no significant group difference for FA or D(m) measures. Additionally, in SPD, reduced FA in the right UF was correlated with clinical symptoms, including ideas of reference, suspiciousness, restricted affect, and social anxiety. In contrast, left UF area was correlated with measures of cognitive function, including general intelligence, verbal and visual memory, and executive performance. These findings in SPD suggest altered fronto-temporal connectivity through the UF, similar to findings in schizophrenia, and intact neocortical-limbic connectivity through the CB, in marked contrast with what has been reported in schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 16 | J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 2005 May 193: 346-9 |
| PMID | 15870619 |
| Title | Inverse correlations between symptom scores and spiritual well-being among African American patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders. |
| Abstract | Spirituality, religiosity, and spiritual/religious well-being are relatively understudied in the context of severe mental illnesses. Nonetheless, individuals dealing with such disorders, including schizophrenia, often make use of spirituality and religious affiliation as coping resources. In this preliminary study, we examined correlations between psychopathology severity and spiritual well-being among first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorder patients. The sample consisted of 18 African American patients hospitalized on an inpatient psychiatric unit in a large, urban, public hospital. After confirmation of diagnosis with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, symptom severity was rated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and self-reported spiritual well-being was evaluated with the Spiritual Well-Being Scale. Spearman correlations revealed that negative symptom scores were inversely correlated with religious well-being scores (RHO = -.614; p = 0.007), and that general psychopathology symptom scores were inversely correlated with existential well-being scores (RHO = -.539; p = 0.021). These preliminary findings indicate that negative symptoms and general psychopathology symptoms may have a detrimental effect on religious and existential well-being in patients with a first episode of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, or that religious and existential well-being may have an effect on symptomatology. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 17 | J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2006 -1 18: 516-20 |
| PMID | 17135377 |
| Title | Awareness of illness in schizophrenia: associations with multiple assessments of executive function. |
| Abstract | Though insight in schizophrenia is correlated with flexibility in abstract thought, it is unclear how differing dimensions of executive functions are linked to insight. Accordingly, the authors administered the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder and the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System to 53 participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Spearman RHO correlations revealed that symptom awareness was significantly related to Verbal Fluency, Color-Word, Tower, and Word Context scores. Awareness of treatment need was related to Color-Word, Tower, and Word Context tasks. Results suggest insight may be related to capacities to shift attention between differing environmental demands, plan ahead, and construct contextual understandings. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 18 | Schizophr. Res. 2006 Dec 88: 217-21 |
| PMID | 16919423 |
| Title | Auditory P300 latency prolongation with age in schizophrenia: gender and subcomponent effects. |
| Abstract | Previous studies showing prolongation of auditory P300b latency with increasing age provided support for post-onset progressive change in schizophrenia. We sought to extend the findings by evaluating the effects of gender and the subcomponents (P3b versus P3a) in schizophrenia (N=108) and controls (N=70). P3b latency significantly correlated with age in schizophrenia (Spearman's RHO=0.214, P=0.026) and in male patients with schizophrenia (RHO=0.260, P=0.049) whereas, it did not reach significance in female patients with schizophrenia (RHO=0.174, P=0.23). P3a latency showed no correlation. Our findings may provide evidence for progressive change in the brain function in schizophrenia, and this change may be slower in female than male patients. P3b may serve as a more sensitive index for cognitive decline than P3a. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 19 | J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 2006 Aug 194: 625-7 |
| PMID | 16909073 |
| Title | Procedural memory predicts social skills in persons with schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Despite a growing number of studies that have investigated the relationship between neurocognition and psychosocial outcome in schizophrenia, no studies have looked at the relationship between procedural memory and social skills measures in schizophrenia. The goal of this study was to investigate whether procedural memory, often preserved in schizophrenia, could predict nonverbal social skills in chronic patients with schizophrenia. Fourteen outpatients with schizophrenia participated in our study. Procedural memory was evaluated using the Mirror Reading Test, and nonverbal and verbal social skills were evaluated using a structured role play test. As predicted, there was a significant positive correlation between the learning index of the Mirror Reading Test and nonverbal skills (Spearman RHO=0.559, p = 0.038), but not for verbal communication skills or processing skills. Although preliminary, these results provide the first evidence of an association between procedural memory and nonverbal social skills in patients with schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 20 | Qual Life Res 2006 Jun 15: 889-98 |
| PMID | 16721648 |
| Title | A study of the construct validity of the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) in patients with schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | This study assessed the construct validity of the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) in patients with schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia recruited from a tertiary mental hospital in Singapore completed the HUI3, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS). Patients were assessed for presence and absence of 22 common psychiatric symptoms. Construct validity was assessed using 6 a priori hypotheses. Two hundred and two patients (mean age: 37.8 years, female: 52%) completed the survey. As hypothesized, overall HUI3 utility scores were correlated with SF-36 measures (Spearman's RHO: 0.19 to 0.51), SQLS scales (Spearman's RHO: -0.56 to -0.36), and the number of psychiatric symptoms (Spearman's RHO: -0.49). The HUI3 emotion attribute was moderately correlated with SF-36 mental health (Spearman's RHO: 0.45) and SQLS psychosocial scales (Spearman's RHO: -0.43), and HUI3 pain attribute was strongly correlated with SF-36 bodily pain scale (Spearman's RHO: 0.58). The mean HUI3 overall, emotion, cognition, and speech scores for patients with schizophrenia were 0.07, 0.09, 0.04 and 0.04 points lower than respective age-, sex- and ethnicity-adjusted population norms (p<0.001 for all, ANCOVA). This study provides evidence for the construct validity of the HUI3 in patients with schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 21 | Psychiatr Prax 2007 Jul 34: 223-9 |
| PMID | 17160750 |
| Title | [Dyslipidemia and schizophrenia]. |
| Abstract | There is some evidence that the treatment with new ("atypical") neuroleptics is associated with a higher frequency of hyperlipidemia. In this study the serum lipid levels of patients with chronic schizophrenia were investigated. The serum lipid levels of 177 consecutively admitted schizophrenic patients treated at least 5 years were evaluated. No gender differences of lipid concentrations could be detected. A considerable rate of the patients (35.6 %) showed elevated triglycerides (> 150 mg/dl) or elevated cholesterol levels (> 200 mg/dl; 43.9 %). The rate of patients with elevated cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations is associated with the duration of treatment. The comparison of different groups of neuroleptics yielded at best a trend to higher triglyceride levels in the patients treated with dibenzodiazepines compared to those receiving only classical neuroleptics. The triglyceride concentrations correlated with the body mass index (RHO = 0.25, p < 0.01). This study revealed evidence for an association of the rate of patients with elevated lipid levels and duration of neuroleptic treatment in schizophrenia patients. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 22 | Psychiatr Prax 2007 Jul 34: 223-9 |
| PMID | 17160750 |
| Title | [Dyslipidemia and schizophrenia]. |
| Abstract | There is some evidence that the treatment with new ("atypical") neuroleptics is associated with a higher frequency of hyperlipidemia. In this study the serum lipid levels of patients with chronic schizophrenia were investigated. The serum lipid levels of 177 consecutively admitted schizophrenic patients treated at least 5 years were evaluated. No gender differences of lipid concentrations could be detected. A considerable rate of the patients (35.6 %) showed elevated triglycerides (> 150 mg/dl) or elevated cholesterol levels (> 200 mg/dl; 43.9 %). The rate of patients with elevated cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations is associated with the duration of treatment. The comparison of different groups of neuroleptics yielded at best a trend to higher triglyceride levels in the patients treated with dibenzodiazepines compared to those receiving only classical neuroleptics. The triglyceride concentrations correlated with the body mass index (RHO = 0.25, p < 0.01). This study revealed evidence for an association of the rate of patients with elevated lipid levels and duration of neuroleptic treatment in schizophrenia patients. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 23 | Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2007 Dec 22: 1223-8 |
| PMID | 17506025 |
| Title | Suicidality in middle aged and older patients with schizophrenia and depressive symptoms: relationship to functioning and Quality of Life. |
| Abstract | Suicidality is a health concern in patients with schizophrenia. We examined the hypotheses: (1) Middle aged and older patients with schizophrenia, depressive symptoms and suicidality would exhibit worse quality of life and worse everyday functioning, social skills and medication management relative to those without suicidality; (2) higher levels of suicidality would be significantly associated with worse functioning, worse quality of life and older age. We examined 146 outpatients with schizophrenia and depression. Patients were at least 40 years old and were diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and had two or more depressive symptoms based on DSM-IV criteria for major depression. We assessed suicidality with the Intersept Suicide Scale (ISS) and functioning with the UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA), Social Skills Performance Assessment (SSPA), and Medication Management Ability Assessment (MMAA). Quality of life was assessed with the Heinrichs Quality of Life Scale (QLS). The mean age of patients was 52.4+ 6.9 years. Subjects with suicidality (ISS scores > 0) had lower QLS scores compared to those without suicidality. However, there were no differences in UPSA, SSPA nor MMAA scores between the two groups. In addition, based on Spearman's RHO correlational analysis, there were significant associations of QLS scores with ISS scores (r = - 0.236) and with MMAA "total errors" scores (r = 0.174). Logistic regression demonstrated that only QLS scores predicted suicidality. Thirty-six percent of our sample had at least mild degrees of suicidality. Lower quality of life appears to be an important predictor of suicidality. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 24 | Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry 2007 Mar 31: 510-6 |
| PMID | 17239513 |
| Title | Morphology of the orbitofrontal cortex in first-episode schizophrenia: relationship with negative symptomatology. |
| Abstract | Different studies have documented OFC abnormalities in schizophrenia, but it is unclear if they are present at disease onset or are a consequence of disease process and/or drug exposure. The evaluation of first-episode, drug-naïve subjects allows us to clarify this issue. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 43 first-episode, antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients and 53 healthy comparison subjects matched for age, gender, race, and handedness. Gray matter OFC volumes were measured blind to the diagnoses. As compared to controls, patients had greater volumes in left total OFC (p=0.048) and left lateral OFC (p=0.037). Severity of negative symptoms (anhedonia, flattened affect, and alogia) positively correlated with both the left lateral (Spearman's, RHO=0.37, p=0.019; RHO=0.317, p=0.041; r=0.307, p=0.048, respectively) and the left total OFC (Spearman's, RHO=0.384, p=0.014; RHO=0.349, p=0.023; RHO=0.309, p=0.047, respectively). The present results suggest that first-episode, antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia subjects exhibit increased OFC volumes that correlate with negative symptoms severity. The OFC, through extensive and complex interconnections with several brain structures with putative role in pathophysiology of schizophrenia including amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, DLPFC, and superior temporal lobe, may mediate schizophrenia symptoms such as blunting of emotional affect and impaired social functioning. Although the specific neuropathological mechanisms underlying structural abnormalities of the OFC remain unclear, increased OFC volumes might be related to deviations in neuronal migration and/or pruning. Future follow-up studies examining high-risk individuals who subsequently develop schizophrenia at different stages of disease could be especially instructive. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 25 | Psychiatry Res 2007 Jan 149: 33-40 |
| PMID | 17141330 |
| Title | Attention and non-REM sleep in neuroleptic-naive persons with schizophrenia and control participants. |
| Abstract | The relationship between sleep architecture and attentional performance was evaluated in neuroleptic-naive patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Participants were recorded in a sleep laboratory for two consecutive nights after which selective and sustained attention performance was tested. In both groups of participants, Spearman's RHO statistics revealed a negative correlation between reaction time on the selective attention task and sleep spindle density. Only control participants showed a negative correlation between reaction time and duration of stage 2 sleep and a positive correlation between reaction time and duration of stage 1 ("light") sleep. Only persons with schizophrenia showed a negative correlation between reaction time and duration of stage 4 ("deep") sleep. In the sustained attention task, we found no correlation between reaction time and sleep for control participants while persons with schizophrenia showed a negative correlation between reaction time and duration of stage 4 sleep. It is proposed that EEG sleep spindle activity is associated with automatic attentional processing, while stage 2 sleep continuity in healthy individuals and percentage of stage 4 in patients with schizophrenia are associated with voluntary processes. These results support the existence of a relationship between non-rapid-eye-movement sleep and cognitive performance in healthy individuals as well as in persons with schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 26 | Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry 2007 Jan 31: 225-33 |
| PMID | 16901598 |
| Title | Alterations of muscarinic and GABA receptor binding in the posterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), a key component of the limbic system, has been implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia because of its sensitivity to NMDA receptor antagonists. Recent studies have shown that the PCC is dysfunctional in schizophrenia, and it is now suspected to be critically involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Studies also suggest that there are abnormalities in muscarinic and GABAergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia. Therefore, in the present study we used quantitative autoradiography to investigate the binding of [(3)H]pirenzepine, [(3)H]AF-DX 384 and [(3)H]muscimol, which respectively label M1/4 and M2/4 muscarinic and GABA(A) receptors, in the PCC of schizophrenia and control subjects matched for age and post-mortem interval. The present study found that [(3)H]pirenzepine binding was significantly decreased in the superficial (-24%, p=0.002) and deep (-35%, p<0.001) layers of the PCC in the schizophrenia group as compared with the control group. In contrast, a dramatic increase in [(3)H]muscimol binding was observed in the superficial (+112%, p=0.001) and deep layers (+100%, p=0.017) of the PCC in the schizophrenia group. No difference was observed for [(3)H]AF-DX 384 binding between the schizophrenia and control groups. The authors found a significant inverse correlation between [(3)H]pirenzepine binding in the deep cortical layers and [(3)H]muscimol binding in the superficial layers (RHO=-0.732, p=0.003). In addition, negative correlations were also found between age and [(3)H]pirenzepine binding in both superficial and deep cortical layers (RHO=-0.669 p=0.049 and RHO=-0.778, p=0.014), and between age of schizophrenia onset and [(3)H]AF-DX 384 binding (RHO=-0.798, p=0.018). These results for the first time demonstrated the status of M1/M4, M2/M4 and GABA(A) receptors in the PCC in schizophrenia. Whilst the exact mechanism causing these alterations is not yet known, a possible increased acetylcholine and down regulated GABA stimulation in the PCC of schizophrenia is suggested. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 27 | J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 2008 May 196: 384-9 |
| PMID | 18477880 |
| Title | Metacognition in schizophrenia: associations with multiple assessments of executive function. |
| Abstract | Deficits in metacognitive capacity, or the abilities to think about thinking, are thought to be a key barrier to functioning in schizophrenia. Although metacognitive function may be linked to executive function, it is unclear how the different domains of each phenomenon are related to one another. Accordingly, we assessed 4 domains of metacognition on the basis of a self-generated narrative using the Metacognition Assessment Scale. These were correlated with subtests of the Delis Kaplan Executive Function System which assessed 2 domains of executive function: mental flexibility and inhibition. Participants were 49 men with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in a postacute phase of illness. Spearman RHO correlations revealed awareness of one's thoughts and feelings were more closely linked to performance on tests which required mental flexibility while recognizing others' needs, and independent relationships were more closely linked to performance on tasks which required inhibitory control. Results suggest different domains of metacognition may be influenced by and influence different neurocognitive processes. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 28 | Bipolar Disord 2008 Nov 10: 753-64 |
| PMID | 19032707 |
| Title | Relationship of cerebrospinal fluid glucose metabolites to MRI deep white matter hyperintensities and treatment resistance in bipolar disorder patients. |
| Abstract | Both diabetes mellitus and magnetic resonance image (MRI) deep white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are more common in bipolar disorder (BD) patients than in matched controls. Deep-as opposed to periventricular--WMHs and diabetes are associated with treatment resistance and poorer outcome. This study investigated whether brain glucose metabolism by the polyol pathway--a pathway linked to nervous tissue disease in diabetes--is related to deep WMH volume and treatment resistance in BD patients. Volumes of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery WMHs were quantified and correlated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of glucose metabolites in 20 nondiabetic patients with BD and nondiabetic comparison subjects with schizophrenia (n = 15) or transient neurologic symptoms (neurologic controls, n = 15). BD patients, but not schizophrenic patients, had significantly greater volumes of deep but not periventricular WMHs compared to neurologic controls. BD subjects also had significantly greater CSF concentrations of sorbitol and fructose (the polyol pathway metabolites of glucose) compared to controls. Significant positive correlations between CSF metabolites and WMH volumes were found only in the BD group and were between deep WMH volumes and CSF sorbitol (RHO = 0.487, p = 0.029) and fructose (RHO = 0.474, p = 0.035). An index of treatment resistance correlated significantly with deep WMH volume (RHO = 0.578, p = 0.008), sorbitol (RHO = 0.542, p = 0.013), and fructose (RHO = 0.692, p = 0.001) in BD subjects but not in other subjects. This is the first reported evidence of relationships between abnormal brain glucose metabolism and both deep WMHs and treatment resistance in a group of BD patients. Further studies are necessary to determine the significance of these findings to BD pathophysiology. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 29 | Bipolar Disord 2008 Nov 10: 753-64 |
| PMID | 19032707 |
| Title | Relationship of cerebrospinal fluid glucose metabolites to MRI deep white matter hyperintensities and treatment resistance in bipolar disorder patients. |
| Abstract | Both diabetes mellitus and magnetic resonance image (MRI) deep white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are more common in bipolar disorder (BD) patients than in matched controls. Deep-as opposed to periventricular--WMHs and diabetes are associated with treatment resistance and poorer outcome. This study investigated whether brain glucose metabolism by the polyol pathway--a pathway linked to nervous tissue disease in diabetes--is related to deep WMH volume and treatment resistance in BD patients. Volumes of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery WMHs were quantified and correlated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of glucose metabolites in 20 nondiabetic patients with BD and nondiabetic comparison subjects with schizophrenia (n = 15) or transient neurologic symptoms (neurologic controls, n = 15). BD patients, but not schizophrenic patients, had significantly greater volumes of deep but not periventricular WMHs compared to neurologic controls. BD subjects also had significantly greater CSF concentrations of sorbitol and fructose (the polyol pathway metabolites of glucose) compared to controls. Significant positive correlations between CSF metabolites and WMH volumes were found only in the BD group and were between deep WMH volumes and CSF sorbitol (RHO = 0.487, p = 0.029) and fructose (RHO = 0.474, p = 0.035). An index of treatment resistance correlated significantly with deep WMH volume (RHO = 0.578, p = 0.008), sorbitol (RHO = 0.542, p = 0.013), and fructose (RHO = 0.692, p = 0.001) in BD subjects but not in other subjects. This is the first reported evidence of relationships between abnormal brain glucose metabolism and both deep WMHs and treatment resistance in a group of BD patients. Further studies are necessary to determine the significance of these findings to BD pathophysiology. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 30 | Schizophr. Res. 2008 Dec 106: 328-36 |
| PMID | 18804960 |
| Title | Novel rating scales for schizophrenia - Targeted Inventory on Problems in Schizophrenia (TIP-Sz) and Functional Assessment for Comprehensive Treatment of Schizophrenia (FACT-Sz). |
| Abstract | Many rating scales have been in use to evaluate various symptomatic domains, and eventually there are too many scales to be selected and widely utilized in busy real-world settings. Relevant, quick, and user-friendly assessment scales are needed to facilitate measurement-based treatment of schizophrenia. The authors created unique convenient assessment scales: Targeted Inventory on Problems in schizophrenia (TIP-Sz), and Functional Assessment for Comprehensive Treatment of schizophrenia (FACT-Sz). The TIP-Sz consists of 10 items (behavioral dyscontrol/disorganization, hostility/agitation/violence, indifference/affective withdrawal/motor retardation, symptoms on mood/anxiety/obsession/compulsion, insight/reality testing, social competence/independence, adherence to treatment, therapeutic alliance/comfort of therapists on the situation, overall prognostic impression, and subjective well-being/satisfaction with therapy). They are all common and frequently problematic, and each item is rated from 0-10. The FACT-Sz evaluates psychosocial functioning of patients with a score of 0-100, and is judged entirely on an objective basis. Their correlations with the frequently utilized Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and Clinical Global Impression-Severity subscale were determined. Data on 36 patients, assessed separately by four experienced psychiatrists, were analyzed. Under an excellent interrater reliability among raters (Intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.822-0.966), correlations among the scales were very high (Spearman's RHO: 0.825-0.909), and other indicators of the scale were generally good. Specifically, the TIP-Sz and FACT-Sz could be rated at 1/3-1/4 of time to complete the PANSS and GAF. The TIP-Sz and FACT-Sz proved to be reliable and valid, which would be of value in daily clinical practice as a minimum standardized assessment set. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 31 | Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2008 Sep 23: 287-90 |
| PMID | 18703938 |
| Title | Is the Defined Daily Dose system a reliable tool for standardizing antipsychotic dosages? |
| Abstract | The present study was carried out to establish whether the Defined Daily Doses (DDDs) system could be reliably applied to standardize antipsychotic dosages. Initially, the relationship between antipsychotic doses expressed as DDDs, chlorpromazine equivalents (CPZEs) and percentages of the British National Formulary (BNF) maximum recommended daily dose were investigated by calculating Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Second, factors associated with antipsychotic dose, expressed as DDDs, CPZEs and percentages of the BNF maximum recommended daily dose, were investigated by means of linear regression analysis. The study sample consisted of 277 patients with schizophrenia. The relationship between antipsychotic daily doses expressed as multiples of DDDs and CPZEs revealed a significant correlation (Spearman's RHO=0.779, P<0.001). Similarly, the relationship between antipsychotic daily doses expressed as multiples of DDDs and percentages of the BNF maximum recommended daily dose revealed a significant correlation (Spearman's RHO=0.869, P<0.001). Linear regression analyses highlighted a high degree of coherence between antipsychotic doses expressed as DDDs, CPZEs and percentages of the BNF maximum recommended daily dose. In conclusion, this study found that the DDD system is a reliable tool for standardizing antipsychotic doses in drug utilization research. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 32 | Schizophr Bull 2008 Sep 34: 848-55 |
| PMID | 18628272 |
| Title | Reinforcement and reversal learning in first-episode psychosis. |
| Abstract | Abnormalities in reinforcement learning and reversal learning have been reported in psychosis, possibly secondary to subcortical dopamine abnormalities. We studied simple discrimination (SD) learning and reversal learning in a sample of 119 first-episode psychosis patients from the Cambridge early psychosis service (CAMEO) and 107 control participants. We used data on reinforcement learning and reversal learning extracted from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery Intradimensional-Extradimensional shift task, which measures cognitive flexibility but also involves simple reinforcement learning (SD learning) and reversal learning stages. We also gathered diagnostic information to examine whether there were any differences between patients ultimately diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and those diagnosed with affective psychosis. Psychosis patients demonstrated deficits in simple reinforcement learning (SD learning) and in reversal learning, with no differences between affective psychosis and schizophrenia-spectrum psychosis. There was a significant modest correlation between reversal errors and negative symptoms (Spearman RHO = 0.3, P = .02). There are reinforcement learning abnormalities in first-episode psychosis, which correlate with negative symptoms, suggesting a possible role for orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatal pathology in the pathogenesis of motivational deficits in psychosis. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 33 | Psychiatr. Genet. 2009 Jun 19: 162 |
| PMID | 19404162 |
| Title | No association between Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein serine/threonine kinase1 gene and schizophrenia in the Japanese population. |
| Abstract | -1 |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 34 | Hum Psychopharmacol 2009 Dec 24: 639-45 |
| PMID | 19946939 |
| Title | Associations between plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and negative symptoms or cognitive impairments in early-stage schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | schizophrenic patients demonstrate a variety of cognitive deficits, including attention, executive functions, and working memory, even in the early stage of disease. In the present study, we examined the association between blood levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA), or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in patients with early-stage schizophrenia. We also investigated the association between frontal GABA levels using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 3T and scores on the WCST in the same patients. Blood levels of BDNF and catecholamine metabolites and brain GABA levels using 1H-MRS were measured in 18 schizophrenic patients (nine males, nine females; age range 13-52 year). A significantly positive correlation was observed between plasma MHPG levels and %PEM (RHO = -0.686, p = 0.0047). A trend toward negative correlation was found between frontal lobe GABA levels and the per cent of preservation error (%PEM) in the early stage of schizophrenia (RHO = -0.420, p = 0.0836). These results suggest that noradrenergic neurons might be involved in neuropsychological functions in early-stage of schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 35 | Hum Psychopharmacol 2009 Dec 24: 639-45 |
| PMID | 19946939 |
| Title | Associations between plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and negative symptoms or cognitive impairments in early-stage schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | schizophrenic patients demonstrate a variety of cognitive deficits, including attention, executive functions, and working memory, even in the early stage of disease. In the present study, we examined the association between blood levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA), or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in patients with early-stage schizophrenia. We also investigated the association between frontal GABA levels using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 3T and scores on the WCST in the same patients. Blood levels of BDNF and catecholamine metabolites and brain GABA levels using 1H-MRS were measured in 18 schizophrenic patients (nine males, nine females; age range 13-52 year). A significantly positive correlation was observed between plasma MHPG levels and %PEM (RHO = -0.686, p = 0.0047). A trend toward negative correlation was found between frontal lobe GABA levels and the per cent of preservation error (%PEM) in the early stage of schizophrenia (RHO = -0.420, p = 0.0836). These results suggest that noradrenergic neurons might be involved in neuropsychological functions in early-stage of schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 36 | Psychiatr Q 2009 Sep 80: 155-65 |
| PMID | 19526340 |
| Title | Insight, global functioning and psychopathology amongst in-patient clients with schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | To explore whether cognitive impairment and global functioning can predict the degree of insight into illness as well as whether insight is mediated by specific symptom dimensions of psychopathology in schizophrenia. A dimensional/cross sectional approach was used. A mixed group of clients (n = 36) were assessed as part of a routine clinical evaluation. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) was used as a measure of intellectual performance, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) was used as a measure of general psychopathology while the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale assessed clients' psychosocial functioning; insight was assessed with the Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire (ITAQ). The correlation matrix of all outcome variables was examined; confounding effects of illness duration were tested by partial correlation analyses. GAF correlated with insight (RHO = 0.41, P = 0.01) and the interpersonal sensitivity dimension of BSI (RHO = -0.38, P = 0.03. Insight correlated positively with the anxiety (RHO = 0.38, P = 0.03) and psychoticism (RHO = 0.36, P = 0.04) dimensions of BSI. Our results suggest that insight is part of the phenomenology in schizophrenia, not being determined by neurocognitive disturbances. Improved insight was associated with more frequent psychotic symptoms endorsement, higher levels of anxiety and less severe psychopathological symptoms and difficulties in psychosocial functioning; clients with more pronounced difficulties in their personal and social interactions exhibited worse psychosocial functioning and more severe psychopathological symptoms. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 37 | J Psychiatry Neurosci 2009 May 34: 232-7 |
| PMID | 19448855 |
| Title | Dimethylated lysine 9 of histone 3 is elevated in schizophrenia and exhibits a divergent response to histone deacetylase inhibitors in lymphocyte cultures. |
| Abstract | A restrictive chromatin state has been thought to be operant in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Our objective was to ascertain whether differences exist between baseline levels of a repressive chromatin mark such as dimethylated lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9me2) in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls and whether a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor in an in vitro assay would differentially affect chromatin structure based on diagnosis. We obtained blood samples from 19 healthy controls and 25 patients with schizophrenia and isolated their lymphocytes. We measured baseline H3K9me2 levels (normalized to total histone 1) in the lymphocytes from all participants via Western blot analysis. To examine the effects of an HDAC inhibitor on H3K9me2, we cultured the lymphocytes from participants with trichostatin A (TSA) for 24 hours and then measured changes in H3K9me2 relative to the control condition (dimethyl sulfoxide). Patients with schizophrenia had significantly higher mean baseline levels of H3K9me2 than healthy controls (6.52 v. 2.78, p = 0.028). Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between age at onset of illness and levels of H3K9me2 (Spearman's RHO = -0.588, p = 0.008). In the lymphocyte cultures, TSA induced divergent responses in terms of H3K9me2 levels from patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy controls (F(1,14) = 5.082, p = 0.041). The use of lymphocytes to study schizophrenia has its limitations because they may not be appropriate models of synaptic activity or other brain-specific activities. Our results provide further evidence that schizophrenia is associated with a restrictive chromatin state that is also less modifiable using HDAC inhibitors. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 38 | Psychol Med 2009 Sep 39: 1433-45 |
| PMID | 19091160 |
| Title | Insight correlates in child- and adolescent-onset first episodes of psychosis: results from the CAFEPS study. |
| Abstract | The correlates of insight in early-onset psychosis have received little previous attention. We studied clinical correlates of insight in a sample of 110 adolescent recent-onset psychosis patients (mean age 15.53 years; psychotic symptoms present for <6 months). Insight was measured with the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD) at baseline, 6 months and 12 months follow-up. Insight improved over the early phases of the illness, in parallel with psychopathological improvement. Poor insight at baseline and 6 months correlated with poor functioning at 6 and 12 months respectively. schizophrenia patients had poorer insight than patients with bipolar disorder at 6 and 12 months but not at baseline. Logistic and linear regressions were used to predict 12-month diagnoses and functioning based on insight measurements. Baseline awareness of illness was a significant predictor for diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.97]. Treatment compliance at 6 months did not correlate with baseline SUMD subscores, but correlated with insight into having a disorder (Spearman's RHO=0.21, p=0.039), its consequences (Spearman's RHO=0.28, p=0.006) and the need for treatment (Spearman's RHO=0.26, p=0.012) at 6 months. The 'attribution of symptoms' dimension of insight is poorly correlated with other insight dimensions and with other clinical variables. Poor insight correlates with symptom severity and global functioning but also has some trait value for schizophrenia, which is apparent once acute psychotic symptomatology is not prominent. A multi-dimensional approach to the assessment of insight is necessary, as different dimensions are influenced by different factors. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 39 | Am. J. Med. Genet. B Neuropsychiatr. Genet. 2010 Oct 153B: 1347-9 |
| PMID | 20583128 |
| Title | Variation at the GABAA receptor gene, Rho 1 (GABRR1) associated with susceptibility to bipolar schizoaffective disorder. |
| Abstract | We have previously reported evidence that variation at GABA(A) receptor genes is associated with susceptibility to bipolar disorder with schizophrenia-like psychotic features (Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type) with gene-wide significance at GABRB1, GABRA4, GABRB3, GABRA5, and GABRR3. Here we provide suggestive evidence implicating a sixth member of the gene family, GABRR1 (gene-wide P?=?0.0058; experiment-wide corrected significance P?=?0.052). |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 40 | Hum Psychopharmacol 2010 Mar 25: 139-44 |
| PMID | 20196178 |
| Title | Association between plasma nitric oxide metabolites levels and negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a pilot study. |
| Abstract | Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. We hypothesize that plasma levels of NO and its metabolites (NO(x)) are decreased in patients with schizophrenia. To examine the hypothesis, we compared plasma NO(x) levels between 30 schizophrenic patients (M/F: 18/12, age: 38 +/- 15 years) and age- and sex-matched 30 healthy controls (M/F: 18/12, age: 41 +/- 19 years), and we also examined the effects of risperidone on plasma NO(x) levels in schizophrenic patients. The baseline plasma NO(x) levels were significantly lower in the schizophrenia group (1.85 +/- 0.70 microM) than those in control group (3.37 +/- 2.27 microM). A significantly negative correlation was found between plasma NO(x) levels and PANSS-N scores before risperidone administration (RHO = -0.385, p = 0.0416). Treatment with risperidone significantly increased the plasma NO(x) levels by 8 weeks (before; 1.85 +/- 0.70 microM, after; 2.25 +/- 1.00 microM, p = 0.0491). These results suggest that NO might be one of the candidates factors which are associated with the pathophysiology of negative symptoms of schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 41 | J Psychiatr Pract 2010 Sep 16: 325-33 |
| PMID | 20859109 |
| Title | Clozapine treatment causes oxidation of proteins involved in energy metabolism in lymphoblastoid cells: a possible mechanism for antipsychotic-induced metabolic alterations. |
| Abstract | There is increasing concern about the serious metabolic side effects and neurotoxicity caused by atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics. In a previous study by our group (Walss-Bass et al. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2008;11:1097-104), using a novel proteomic approach, we showed that clozapine treatment in SKNSH cells induces oxidation of proteins involved in energy metabolism, leading us to hypothesize that protein oxidation could be a mechanism by which atypical antipsychotics increase the risk for metabolic alterations. In this study, the same proteomic approach was used to identify specific proteins oxidized after clozapine treatment in lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients with schizophrenia and normal controls. Cells were treated with 0 and 20 ?M clozapine for 24 hours and protein extracts were labeled with 6-iodoacetamide fluorescein (6-IAF). The lack of incorporation of 6-IAF into the thiol group of cysteine residues is an indicator of protein oxidation. Labeled proteins were exposed to two dimensional electrophoresis, and differential protein labeling was assessed. Increased oxidation after clozapine treatment was observed in 9 protein spots (P<0.05). The following 7 proteins were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) in those 9 spots: enolase, triosephosphate isomerase (TPI), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD), RHO GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI), cofilin, uridine monophosphate/ cytidine monophosphate (UMP-CMP) kinase, and translation elongation factor. Several of these proteins play important roles in energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. These results further support the hypothesis that oxidative stress may be a mechanism by which antipsychotics increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 42 | Hum Psychopharmacol 2010 Mar 25: 139-44 |
| PMID | 20196178 |
| Title | Association between plasma nitric oxide metabolites levels and negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a pilot study. |
| Abstract | Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. We hypothesize that plasma levels of NO and its metabolites (NO(x)) are decreased in patients with schizophrenia. To examine the hypothesis, we compared plasma NO(x) levels between 30 schizophrenic patients (M/F: 18/12, age: 38 +/- 15 years) and age- and sex-matched 30 healthy controls (M/F: 18/12, age: 41 +/- 19 years), and we also examined the effects of risperidone on plasma NO(x) levels in schizophrenic patients. The baseline plasma NO(x) levels were significantly lower in the schizophrenia group (1.85 +/- 0.70 microM) than those in control group (3.37 +/- 2.27 microM). A significantly negative correlation was found between plasma NO(x) levels and PANSS-N scores before risperidone administration (RHO = -0.385, p = 0.0416). Treatment with risperidone significantly increased the plasma NO(x) levels by 8 weeks (before; 1.85 +/- 0.70 microM, after; 2.25 +/- 1.00 microM, p = 0.0491). These results suggest that NO might be one of the candidates factors which are associated with the pathophysiology of negative symptoms of schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 43 | Clin. Chem. Lab. Med. 2010 -1 48: 95-8 |
| PMID | 19929755 |
| Title | Inverse relationship between serum high density lipoprotein and negative syndrome in antipsychotic-naive schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Recent literature suggests a role for apolipoprotein L (apoL) aberrations in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. ApoL is almost exclusively associated with apolipoprotein A-I in high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between symptom scores and serum HDL in antipsychotic-naive schizophrenia patients. In this cross-sectional study, 60 antipsychotic-naive schizophrenia patients were systematically examined for their symptom scores, with good inter-rater reliability. Concurrently, an overnight fasting serum lipid profile from these patients was assessed. Serum HDL had a significant inverse correlation with a total negative syndrome score (RHO=-0.43; p=0.001). The study observation supports the potential role for HDL abnormalities in the genesis of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 44 | Psychiatry Res 2010 Jul 178: 255-9 |
| PMID | 20478629 |
| Title | Dermatoglyphic indices and minor physical anomalies in patients with schizophrenia and related disorders, their first-degree biological relatives, and non psychiatric controls. |
| Abstract | Abnormalities in dermatoglyphic indices and minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are two permanent markers of fetal development that have been studied in schizophrenia. This study sought to: (1) compare select dermatoglyphic indices across patients, first-degree relatives, and non psychiatric controls; (2) assess for associations between dermatoglyphic indices and symptoms in patients and schizotypal features in relatives and controls; and (3) examine correlations between dermatoglyphics and MPAs. The two types of markers were assessed in 62 patients with schizophrenia and related disorders, 36 of their unaffected first-degree relatives, and 47 non psychiatric controls. Symptoms were measured in patients and schizotypy was assessed in relatives and controls. Analyses took into account potential demographic confounders and non independence between patients and relatives. No significant differences in dermatoglyphic indices (total finger ridge count; ridge count asymmetry; numbers of arches, loops, and whorls) were found across the three groups. Patients' and their own relatives' dermatoglyphic indices were moderately to strongly correlated (RHO=0.33-0.66). Dermatoglyphic indices were unrelated to patients' cross-sectional symptom severity and were generally unrelated to relatives' and controls' levels of schizotypy. Several correlations among dermatoglyphic indices and MPAs were found in this exploratory analysis, particularly among relatives and controls. Implications for future research are discussed. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 45 | Psychiatry Res 2010 Jul 178: 255-9 |
| PMID | 20478629 |
| Title | Dermatoglyphic indices and minor physical anomalies in patients with schizophrenia and related disorders, their first-degree biological relatives, and non psychiatric controls. |
| Abstract | Abnormalities in dermatoglyphic indices and minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are two permanent markers of fetal development that have been studied in schizophrenia. This study sought to: (1) compare select dermatoglyphic indices across patients, first-degree relatives, and non psychiatric controls; (2) assess for associations between dermatoglyphic indices and symptoms in patients and schizotypal features in relatives and controls; and (3) examine correlations between dermatoglyphics and MPAs. The two types of markers were assessed in 62 patients with schizophrenia and related disorders, 36 of their unaffected first-degree relatives, and 47 non psychiatric controls. Symptoms were measured in patients and schizotypy was assessed in relatives and controls. Analyses took into account potential demographic confounders and non independence between patients and relatives. No significant differences in dermatoglyphic indices (total finger ridge count; ridge count asymmetry; numbers of arches, loops, and whorls) were found across the three groups. Patients' and their own relatives' dermatoglyphic indices were moderately to strongly correlated (RHO=0.33-0.66). Dermatoglyphic indices were unrelated to patients' cross-sectional symptom severity and were generally unrelated to relatives' and controls' levels of schizotypy. Several correlations among dermatoglyphic indices and MPAs were found in this exploratory analysis, particularly among relatives and controls. Implications for future research are discussed. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 46 | Psychiatry Res 2010 Jul 178: 255-9 |
| PMID | 20478629 |
| Title | Dermatoglyphic indices and minor physical anomalies in patients with schizophrenia and related disorders, their first-degree biological relatives, and non psychiatric controls. |
| Abstract | Abnormalities in dermatoglyphic indices and minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are two permanent markers of fetal development that have been studied in schizophrenia. This study sought to: (1) compare select dermatoglyphic indices across patients, first-degree relatives, and non psychiatric controls; (2) assess for associations between dermatoglyphic indices and symptoms in patients and schizotypal features in relatives and controls; and (3) examine correlations between dermatoglyphics and MPAs. The two types of markers were assessed in 62 patients with schizophrenia and related disorders, 36 of their unaffected first-degree relatives, and 47 non psychiatric controls. Symptoms were measured in patients and schizotypy was assessed in relatives and controls. Analyses took into account potential demographic confounders and non independence between patients and relatives. No significant differences in dermatoglyphic indices (total finger ridge count; ridge count asymmetry; numbers of arches, loops, and whorls) were found across the three groups. Patients' and their own relatives' dermatoglyphic indices were moderately to strongly correlated (RHO=0.33-0.66). Dermatoglyphic indices were unrelated to patients' cross-sectional symptom severity and were generally unrelated to relatives' and controls' levels of schizotypy. Several correlations among dermatoglyphic indices and MPAs were found in this exploratory analysis, particularly among relatives and controls. Implications for future research are discussed. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 47 | Can J Psychiatry 2010 Mar 55: 165-71 |
| PMID | 20370967 |
| Title | Age of onset of cannabis use is associated with age of onset of high-risk symptoms for psychosis. |
| Abstract | Increasing interest in the prodromal stage of schizophrenia over the past decade led us to perform our study to monitor people at high risk for developing a psychosis. We hypothesized that cannabis use or a cannabis use disorder at a younger age relates to high-risk symptoms at a younger age. People referred to the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with an ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis were interviewed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview to assess their cannabis consumption. The Interview for the Retrospective Assessment of the Onset of schizophrenia was used to collect data about age of onset of high-risk or prodromal symptoms. Nine high-risk symptoms were selected and clustered because of their known relation with cannabis use. Among the 68 included participants, 35 had used cannabis (51.5%), of whom 15 had used recently. Twenty-two participants had been cannabis abusers or cannabis-dependent (32.4%) in the past. Younger age at onset of cannabis use was related to younger age of onset of the cluster of symptoms (RHO = 0.48, P = 0.003) and also to 6 symptoms individually (RHO = 0.47 to 0.90, P < 0.001 to 0.04). Younger age at onset of a cannabis use disorder was related to younger age of onset of the cluster of symptoms (RHO = 0.67, P = 0.001) and also to 6 symptoms individually (RHO = 0.50 to 0.93, P = 0.007 to 0.03). Cannabis use or a cannabis use disorder at a younger age in a group with an UHR for transition to psychosis is related to onset of high-risk symptoms for psychosis at a younger age. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 48 | J Clin Psychopharmacol 2010 Oct 30: 496-503 |
| PMID | 20814316 |
| Title | Quetiapine and norquetiapine in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of schizophrenic patients treated with quetiapine: correlations to clinical outcome and HVA, 5-HIAA, and MHPG in CSF. |
| Abstract | This study investigated concentrations of quetiapine and norquetiapine in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 22 schizophrenic patients after 4-week treatment with quetiapine (600 mg/d), which was preceded by a 3-week washout period. Blood and CSF samples were obtained on days 1 and 28, and CSF levels of homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) concentrations were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks of quetiapine, allowing calculations of differences in HVA (?HVA), 5-HIAA (?5-HIAA), and MHPG (?MHPG) concentrations. Patients were assessed clinically, using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression Scale at baseline and then at weekly intervals. Plasma levels of quetiapine and norquetiapine were 1110 ± 608 and 444 ± 226 ng/mL, and the corresponding CSF levels were 29 ± 18 and 5 ± 2 ng/mL, respectively. After the treatment, the levels of HVA, 5-HIAA, and MHPG were increased by 33%, 35%, and 33%, respectively (P < 0.001). A negative correlation was found between the decrease in PANSS positive subscale scores and CSF ?HVA (r(RHO) = -0.690, P < 0.01), and the decrease in PANSS negative subscale scores both with CSF ?5-HIAA (r(RHO) = -0.619, P = 0.02) and ?MHPG (r(RHO) = -0.484, P = 0.038). Because, unfortunately, schizophrenic patients experience relapses even with the best available treatments, monitoring of CSF drug and metabolite levels might prove to be useful in tailoring individually adjusted treatments. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 49 | Psychopathology 2011 -1 44: 386-90 |
| PMID | 21847006 |
| Title | Examination of anomalous self-experience in first-episode psychosis: interrater reliability. |
| Abstract | The growing research focus on early detection of schizophrenia has fostered an increasing interest in the nonpsychotic experiential anomalies that may antedate schizophrenia spectrum disorders and assist early differential diagnosis. The Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) is a phenomenologically inspired checklist, specifically designed to support the comprehensive assessment of these characteristic subjective experiences. To assess the interrater reliability of the EASE. Twenty-five first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients were interviewed with the EASE. Videotaped interviews were blindly reevaluated. Internal consistency, overall interrater correlation and item interrater agreement (Cohen's kappa) were estimated. The EASE showed good to excellent internal consistency across the two raters (Cronbach's alpha above 0.87) and an overall inter-rater correlation above 0.80 (Spearman's RHO, p < 0.001). The average kappa of the EASE was 0.65, ranging from 0.51 to 0.73 over the 5 domains; kappa values at an item level were very good in 9 items, good in 20 items, moderate in 11 items and fair in 4 items. The EASE provides a reliable and internally consistent clinical tool for the assessment of subjective experience in FEP patients, suggesting that this instrument could usefully supplement standard clinical assessments during the onset phase of psychosis. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 50 | Psychol Rep 2011 Apr 108: 503-6 |
| PMID | 21675564 |
| Title | Test-retest reliability of the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire. |
| Abstract | Long-term reliability of the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire (FCQ) was investigated in two follow-up studies of participants with psychosis using a test-retest method. In the first study (N = 56), the duration of the follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2 years; Spearman RHO was .62 for the abridged (18 items) Spanish version of the questionnaire. In Study 2 (N = 21), in participants with stable schizophrenia, the follow-up ranged from 8 to 11 years; test-retest Spearman RHO was .83 for the French version of the questionnaire. Subjective experiences could constitute, in psychosis-prone people, traits or markers of psychotic vulnerability. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 51 | Prog. Neurobiol. 2011 Nov 95: 275-300 |
| PMID | 21907759 |
| Title | Schizophrenia: susceptibility genes, dendritic-spine pathology and gray matter loss. |
| Abstract | Gray matter loss in the cortex is extensive in schizophrenia, especially in the prefrontal-temporal-network (PTN). Several molecules such as neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and its ErbB4 receptor are encoded by candidate susceptibility genes for schizophrenia. The question arises as to how these genes might contribute to the observed changes in gray matter. It is suggested that one pathway involves molecules such as NRG1/ErbB4 determining the efficacy of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) found on dendritic spines at synapses in the PTN. The growth of dendritic spines is modulated by NRG1/ErbB4 through NMDARs as these activate small RHO-GTPases, such as kalirin, which control the actin cytoskeleton in the spines responsible for their growth. Another pathway involves NRG1/ErbB determining the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocytes in the white matter as well as their capacity for myelination, the integrity of which determines the stability of nerve terminals on dendritic spines. A causal chain is established between failure of the products of susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, the decrease of dendritic spines and synaptic terminals, and the loss of gray matter. It is suggested than an important focus for future research in schizophrenia is to identify interventions that prevent the loss of dendritic spines and synapses during the prodromal period or earlier during development as well as to re-establish dendritic spines and synapses lost subsequent to this period. This will help reestablish neural networks in the PTN and so the loss of gray matter in the PTN. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 52 | J Ment Health Policy Econ 2011 Dec 14: 187-96 |
| PMID | 22345360 |
| Title | Does the EQ-5D measure quality of life in schizophrenia? |
| Abstract | Most health economic evaluations in mental care include outcome measures aimed at specific aspects of health, like symptom improvement, functional improvement and quality of life instead of generic preference based outcome measures. The health economic guidelines (NICE) recommend to include a generic preference based outcome measure, like EQ-5D, in health economic evaluations in order to allow for comparisons of health related quality of life of patient groups across different diseases, providing information particular useful to support health policy decisions and cost-effectiveness analysis. Although the EQ-5D is by far the most widespread outcome measure within the context of economic evaluations, its validity in psychiatric populations has not yet been established unambiguously. An increasing number of articles have tested the validity of the EQ-5D in comparisons with clinical measures in mental health, but only few studies have addressed the correlation between the EQ-5D and a condition-specific quality of life measure in mental health. The aim of the article is to test for a potential correlation between the preferred generic outcome measure in health economic evaluations EQ-5D and Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) in order to assess to what extent quality of life dimensions measured by a psychiatric quality of life measure are captured in the EQ-5D in a population of patients with schizophrenia and cannabis abuse. Data analysed is a part of a study of 103 patients with schizophrenia and abuse of cannabis participating in a randomized controlled trial testing a specialized addiction intervention during the period 2008-09. The correlation of the EQ-5D and scores of MANSA was assessed using the Spearman's correlation coefficient. In addition, we tested how the EQ-5D and MANSA correlated with PANSS, GAF and WHO-DAS in order to make comparisons with earlier studies. We found moderate, statistically significant correlations between the EQ-5D index score and MANSA total score (RHO = 0.358**). The dimensions 'Mobility', 'Self-Care' and 'Pain/discomfort' on the EQ-5D were overall not sensitive in this population, while the dimensions 'Usual activities' and 'Anxiety/depression' were moderately correlated with MANSA. The EQ-5D and MANSA both showed statistically significant moderate correlations with the clinical measures in the study PANSS, GAF and WHO-DAS. Our results suggest that the EQ-5D and MANSA are complementary measures rather than substitutes. Mental health interventions often seek to improve the patients' quality of life in a broader perspective, like improving the patients' relationship with family, friends and other network, financial situation, employment and accommodation. If the EQ-5D is used as a single outcome in health economic evaluations of e.g. mental health community interventions, these factors may be overlooked. Based on a relatively small sample, we therefore recommend applying the EQ-5D together with condition-specific quality of life measures in future health economic evaluations in mental health. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 53 | Indian J Psychiatry 2011 Oct 53: 319-23 |
| PMID | 22303040 |
| Title | Prospective study of duration of untreated psychosis and outcome of never-treated patients with schizophrenia in India. |
| Abstract | Longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is known to be associated with poorer outcome of schizophrenia. DUP is also known to be longer in lower- and middle-income countries. Methodologically sound studies that have examined the association of DUP and outcome of schizophrenia in these countries are lacking. The aim was to evaluate the association between DUP and outcome of never-treated schizophrenia patients. This study was conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, using a prospective cohort design. 119 patients with schizophrenia/schizophreniform disorder diagnosed using the computerized diagnostic interview schedule for DSM-IV (CDIS-IV) were further assessed for DUP with the interview for retrospective assessment of onset of schizophrenia (IRAOS). After a mean (SD) follow-up period of 55.9 (37.2) weeks, the social and occupational functioning and psychopathology of 93 (80.2% of the surviving patients) patients were assessed using the social and occupational functioning scale (SOFS) and the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), by raters blind to the DUP data. Spearman's correlation and Kendall's tau-B test were used to analyze the relationship between DUP and the outcome variables. The mean DUP was 90.2 (median=30.1; SD=121.9) weeks. SOFS and PANSS scores at follow-up were statistically significantly associated with DUP, but not with other baseline variables (SOFS: RHO=0.22, P=0.03; PANSS: RHO=0.23, P=0.03). Among those with the shortest DUP (<16 weeks; n=33), 45.5%, 30.3%, and 24.2% had no impairment, mild-moderate impairment, and severe impairment, respectively. In contrast, 19.4%, 38.7%, and 41.9% of those with the longest DUP (>72 weeks; n=31) had no, mild-moderate, and severe impairment, respectively (Kendall's Tau-b=0.194; P=0.025). The delay in accessing treatment among patients with psychosis is considerable in India, a lower- to middle-income country. Longer DUP is associated with poorer psychopathological and functional outcomes in persons with schizophrenia/schizophreniform disorder. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 54 | Patient Prefer Adherence 2011 -1 5: 471-4 |
| PMID | 22003284 |
| Title | Impact of depressive symptoms on subjective well-being: the importance of patient-reported outcomes in schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | The subjective experience of psychotic patients toward treatment is a key factor in medication adherence, quality of life, and clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the subjective well-being in patients with schizophrenia and to examine its relationship with the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted with clinically stable outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. The Subjective Well-Being under Neuroleptic Scale - short version (SWN-K) and the Calgary Depression Scale for schizophrenia (CDSS) were used to gather information on well-being and the presence and severity of depressive symptoms, respectively. Spearman's rank correlation was used to assess the associations between the SWN-K total score, its five subscales, and the CDSS total score. Discriminative validity was evaluated against that criterion by analysing the area under the curve (AUC). Ninety-seven patients were included in the study. Mean age was 35 years (standard deviation = 10) and 72% were male. Both the total SWN-K scale and its five subscales correlated inversely and significantly with the CDSS total score (P < 0.0001). The highest correlation was observed for the total SWN-K (Spearman's rank order correlation [RHO] = -0.59), being the other correlations: mental functioning (-0.47), social integration (-0.46), emotional regulation (-0.51), physical functioning (-0.48), and self-control (-0.41). A total of 33 patients (34%) were classified as depressed. Total SWN-K showed the highest AUC when discriminating between depressive severity levels (0.84), followed by emotional regulation (0.80), social integration (0.78), physical functioning and self-control (0.77), and mental functioning (0.73). Total SWN-K and its five subscales showed a significant linear trend against CDSS severity levels (P < 0.001). The presence of moderate to severe depressive symptoms was relatively high, and correlated inversely with patients' subjective well-being. Routine assessment of patient-reported measures in patients with schizophrenia might reduce potential discrepancy between patient and physician assessment, increase therapeutic alliance, and improve outcome. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 55 | FASEB J. 2011 Dec 25: 4184-97 |
| PMID | 21859895 |
| Title | Disc1 regulates both ?-catenin-mediated and noncanonical Wnt signaling during vertebrate embryogenesis. |
| Abstract | Disc1 is a schizophrenia risk gene that engages multiple signaling pathways during neurogenesis and brain development. Using the zebrafish as a tool, we analyze the function of zebrafish Disc1 (zDisc1) at the earliest stages of brain and body development. We define a "tool" as a biological system that gives insight into mechanisms underlying a human disorder, although the system does not phenocopy the disorder. A zDisc1 peptide binds to GSK3?, and zDisc1 directs early brain development and neurogenesis, by promoting ?-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling and inhibiting GSK3? activity. zDisc1 loss-of-function embryos additionally display a convergence and extension phenotype, demonstrated by abnormal movement of dorsolateral cells during gastrulation, through changes in gene expression, and later through formation of abnormal, U-shaped muscle segments, and a truncated tail. These phenotypes are caused by alterations in the noncanonical Wnt pathway, via Daam and RHO signaling. The convergence and extension phenotype can be rescued by a dominant negative GSK3? construct, suggesting that zDisc1 inhibits GSK3? activity during noncanonical Wnt signaling. This is the first demonstration that Disc1 modulates the noncanonical Wnt pathway and suggests a previously unconsidered mechanism by which Disc1 may contribute to the etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 56 | Psychiatry Res 2011 May 192: 77-83 |
| PMID | 21458960 |
| Title | Hippocampal and amygdalar volume changes in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia display cognitive, behavioural disturbances and morphological abnormalities. Although these latter reflect progressive neurodegeneration in AD, their significance in schizophrenia is still unclear. We explored the patterns of hippocampal and amygdalar atrophy in those patients and their associations with clinical parameters. Structural magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 20 elderly schizophrenia patients, 20 AD and 19 healthy older controls. Hippocampal and amygdalar volumes were obtained by manual segmentation with a standardized protocol and compared among groups. In both schizophrenia and AD patients, left hippocampal and amygdalar volumes were significantly smaller. The hippocampus/amygdala ratio was significantly lower in schizophrenia compared to both AD cases [2.4 bilaterally, 95% C.I. 2.2 to 2.7] and healthy controls bilaterally [2.5, 95% C.I. 2.3 to 2.9 in left and 2.7, 95% C.I. 2.4 to 3.1 in right hemisphere]. In schizophrenia patients, a significant positive correlation was found between age at disease onset and the right hippocampus/amygdala volume ratio (Spearman RHO=0.56). Negative symptoms correlated with higher right/left amygdala volume ratio (Spearman's RHO=0.43). Our data show that unlike AD, the hippocampus/amygdala ratio is abnormally low and correlates with the age at onset in schizophrenia, being a neurodevelopmental signature of the disease. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 57 | Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry 2011 Mar 35: 473-82 |
| PMID | 21185903 |
| Title | Antipsychotic dose and diminished neural modulation: a multi-site fMRI study. |
| Abstract | The effect of antipsychotics on the blood oxygen level dependent signal in schizophrenia is poorly understood. The purpose of the present investigation is to examine the effect of antipsychotic medication on independent neural networks during a motor task in a large, multi-site functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation. Seventy-nine medicated patients with schizophrenia and 114 comparison subjects from the Mind Clinical Imaging Consortium database completed a paced, auditory motor task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Independent component analysis identified temporally cohesive but spatially distributed neural networks. The independent component analysis time course was regressed with a model time course of the experimental design. The resulting beta weights were evaluated for group comparisons and correlations with chlorpromazine equivalents. Group differences between patients and comparison subjects were evident in the cortical and subcortical motor networks, default mode networks, and attentional networks. The chlorpromazine equivalents correlated with the unimotor/bitemporal (RHO=-0.32, P=0.0039), motor/caudate (RHO=-0.22, P=0.046), posterior default mode (RHO=0.26, P=0.020), and anterior default mode networks (RHO=0.24, P=0.03). Patients on typical antipsychotics also had less positive modulation of the motor/caudate network relative to patients on atypical antipsychotics (t(77)=2.01, P=0.048). The results suggest that antipsychotic dose diminishes neural activation in motor (cortical and subcortical) and default mode networks in patients with schizophrenia. The higher potency, typical antipsychotics also diminish positive modulation in subcortical motor networks. Antipsychotics may be a potential confound limiting interpretation of fMRI studies on the disease process in medicated patients with schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 58 | Neuropsychopharmacology 2011 Mar 36: 827-36 |
| PMID | 21150914 |
| Title | Disruption of frontal ? coherence by ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol is associated with positive psychotic symptoms. |
| Abstract | The main ingredient in cannabis, ?(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can elicit acute psychotic reactions in healthy individuals and precipitate relapse in schizophrenic patients. However, the neural mechanism of this is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that THC psychopathology is related to changes in electroencephalography (EEG) power or inter-regional coherence. In a within-subjects design, participants (n=16) were given intravenous THC (1.25?mg) or placebo under double-blind conditions, during EEG recordings. Using fast-Fourier transform, EEG data were analyzed for power and coherence in the delta (1-3.5?Hz), theta (3.5-7?Hz), alpha (8-13?Hz), beta (14-25?Hz), low-gamma (30-40?Hz), and high-gamma (60-70?Hz) bands during engagement in the n-back test of working memory (WM). Compared with placebo, THC evoked positive and negative psychotic symptoms, as measured by the positive and negative syndrome scale (p<0.001) and slowed WM performance (p<0.05). Under THC, theta power was specifically reduced, (p<0.001) regardless of WM load; however, the reduction showed no relationship with psychotic symptoms or WM impairment. Coherence between bi-frontal electrodes in the theta band was also reduced by THC (p<0.05) and these reductions correlated with the change-in positive psychotic symptoms (RHO=0.79, p<0.001). Bi-frontal specificity was suggested by the absence of a relationship between psychotic symptoms and fronto-parietal coherence. The results reveal that the pro-psychotic effects of THC might be related to impaired network dynamics with impaired communication between the right and left frontal lobes. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 59 | J Affect Disord 2011 Jun 131: 37-44 |
| PMID | 21333358 |
| Title | Confirmation of the factorial structure of temperamental autoquestionnaire TEMPS-A in non-clinical young adults and relation to current state of anxiety, depression and to schizotypal traits. |
| Abstract | The 39-item TEMPS-A self-rated questionnaire assesses affective temperaments. We examined the factorial structure of its French version in a large sample of young adults and examined the relation to schizotypy, depression and anxiety. University students were enrolled during their mandatory preventive health visit in the University medical facility (n = 3807, 19.9 ± 2.5 y.o.). They answered to the 39-TEMPS-A questionnaire, the schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). We performed an exploratory Factorial Component Analysis (FCA) with varimax rotation of the 39-TEMPS-A in half of the sample, randomly selected, followed by a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in the remaining subsample. TEMPS-A dimensions were correlated to HADS and SPQ sub-scores. A five-factor structure was found by PCA and confirmed by the confirmatory analysis. The scale showed a good internal consistency (whole scale Cronbach's ?: 0.83 and from 0.78 to 0.59 for Cyclothymic, Depressive, Irritable, Hyperthymic, Anxious subscales). Depressive and Anxious TEMPS-A subscales were moderately correlated to HADS Depression and Anxiety subscales (Spearman ? = 0.37 to 0.33). Cyclothymic and Depressive TEMPS-A subscales were respectively correlated to SPQ Paranoid (? = 0.53) and Negative dimensions (? = 0.52). Representativity of the sample (higher education, response rate). We confirmed the five factor structure of the 39-item TEMPS-A in a large non-clinical population of young adults and found consistent correlations with anxiety - depression state markers and schizotypal traits. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 60 | J Affect Disord 2011 Jun 131: 37-44 |
| PMID | 21333358 |
| Title | Confirmation of the factorial structure of temperamental autoquestionnaire TEMPS-A in non-clinical young adults and relation to current state of anxiety, depression and to schizotypal traits. |
| Abstract | The 39-item TEMPS-A self-rated questionnaire assesses affective temperaments. We examined the factorial structure of its French version in a large sample of young adults and examined the relation to schizotypy, depression and anxiety. University students were enrolled during their mandatory preventive health visit in the University medical facility (n = 3807, 19.9 ± 2.5 y.o.). They answered to the 39-TEMPS-A questionnaire, the schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). We performed an exploratory Factorial Component Analysis (FCA) with varimax rotation of the 39-TEMPS-A in half of the sample, randomly selected, followed by a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in the remaining subsample. TEMPS-A dimensions were correlated to HADS and SPQ sub-scores. A five-factor structure was found by PCA and confirmed by the confirmatory analysis. The scale showed a good internal consistency (whole scale Cronbach's ?: 0.83 and from 0.78 to 0.59 for Cyclothymic, Depressive, Irritable, Hyperthymic, Anxious subscales). Depressive and Anxious TEMPS-A subscales were moderately correlated to HADS Depression and Anxiety subscales (Spearman ? = 0.37 to 0.33). Cyclothymic and Depressive TEMPS-A subscales were respectively correlated to SPQ Paranoid (? = 0.53) and Negative dimensions (? = 0.52). Representativity of the sample (higher education, response rate). We confirmed the five factor structure of the 39-item TEMPS-A in a large non-clinical population of young adults and found consistent correlations with anxiety - depression state markers and schizotypal traits. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 61 | Biochemistry 2012 Jul 51: 5663-73 |
| PMID | 22738176 |
| Title | Structural organization of the nine spectrin repeats of Kalirin. |
| Abstract | Sequence analysis suggests that KALRN, a RHO GDP/GTP exchange factor genetically linked to schizophrenia, could contain as many as nine tandem spectrin repeats (SRs). We expressed and purified fragments of Kalirin containing from one to five putative SRs to determine whether they formed nested structures that could endow Kalirin with the flexible rodlike properties characteristic of spectrin and dystrophin. Far-UV circular dichroism studies indicated that Kalirin contains nine SRs. On the basis of thermal denaturation, sensitivity to chemical denaturants, and the solubility of pairs of repeats, the nine SRs of Kalirin form nested structures. Modeling studies confirmed this conclusion and identified an exposed loop in SR5; consistent with the modeling, this loop was extremely labile to proteolytic cleavage. Analysis of a direpeat fragment (SR4:5) encompassing the region of Kalirin known to interact with NOS2, DISC-1, PAM, and Arf6 identified this as the least stable region. Analytical ultracentrifugation indicated that SR1:3, SR4:6, and SR7:9 were monomers and adopted an extended conformation. Gel filtration suggested that ?Kal7, a natural isoform that includes SR5:9, was monomeric and was not more extended than SR5:9. Similarly, the nine SRs of Kal7, which was also monomeric, were not more extended than SR5:9. The rigidity and flexibility of the nine SRs of Kal7, which separate its essential N-terminal Sec14p domain from its catalytic domain, play an essential role in its contribution to the formation and function of dendritic spines. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 62 | FASEB J. 2012 Nov 26: 4418-28 |
| PMID | 22820399 |
| Title | Srgap3?/? mice present a neurodevelopmental disorder with schizophrenia-related intermediate phenotypes. |
| Abstract | Mutations in the SRGAP3 gene residing on chromosome 3p25 have previously been associated with intellectual disability. Genome-wide association studies have also revealed SRGAP3, together with genes from the same cellular network, as risk genes for schizophrenia. SRGAP3 regulates cytoskeletal dynamics through the RHO protein RAC1. RHO proteins are known to be involved in cytoskeletal reorganization during brain development to control processes such as synaptic plasticity. To elucidate the importance of SRGAP3 in brain development, we generated Srgap3-knockout mice. Ten percent of these mice developed a hydrocephalus and died before adulthood. Surviving mice showed various neuroanatomical changes, including enlarged lateral ventricles, white matter tracts, and dendritic spines together with molecular changes, including an increased basal activity of RAC1. Srgap3(-/-) mice additionally exhibited a complex behavioral phenotype. Behavioral studies revealed an impaired spontaneous alternation and social behavior, while long-term memory was unchanged. The animals also had tics. Lower locomotor activity was observed in male Srgap3(-/-) only. Srgap3(-/-) mice showed increased methylphenidate stimulation in males and an impaired prepulse inhibition in females. Together, the results show neurodevelopmental aberration in Srgap3(-/-) mice, with many of the observed phenotypes matching several schizophrenia-related intermediate phenotypes. Mutations of SRGAP3 may thus contribute to various neurodevelopmental disorders. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 63 | BMC Psychiatry 2012 -1 12: 172 |
| PMID | 23075387 |
| Title | The feasibility and validity of ambulatory self-report of psychotic symptoms using a smartphone software application. |
| Abstract | Semi-structured interview scales for psychosis are the gold standard approach to assessing psychotic and other symptoms. However, such assessments have limitations such as recall bias, averaging, insensitivity to change and variable interrater reliability. Ambulant, real-time self-report assessment devices may hold advantages over interview measures, but it needs to be shown that the data thus collected are valid, and the collection method is acceptable, feasible and safe. We report on a monitoring system for the assessment of psychosis using smartphone technology. The primary aims were to: i) assess validity through correlations of item responses with those on widely accepted interview assessments of psychosis, and ii) examine compliance to the procedure in individuals with psychosis of varying severity. A total of 44 participants (acute or remitted DSM-4 schizophrenia and related disorders, and prodromal) completed 14 branching self-report items concerning key psychotic symptoms on a touch-screen mobile phone when prompted by an alarm at six pseudo-random times, each day, for one week. Face to face PANSS and CDS interviews were conducted before and after the assessment period blind to the ambulant data. Compliance as defined by completion of at least 33% of all possible data-points over seven days was 82%. In the 36 compliant participants, 5 items (delusions, hallucinations, suspiciousness, anxiety, hopelessness) showed moderate to strong (RHO 0.6-0.8) associations with corresponding items from interview rating scales. Four items showed no significant correlation with rating scales: each was an item based on observable behaviour. Ambulant ratings showed excellent test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change. Ambulatory monitoring of symptoms several times daily using smartphone software applications represents a feasible and valid way of assessing psychotic phenomena for research and clinical management purposes. Further evaluation required over longer assessment periods, in clinical trials and service settings. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 64 | Expert Opin Pharmacother 2012 Oct 13: 1989-97 |
| PMID | 22924902 |
| Title | Nitric oxide in patients with schizophrenia: the relationship with the severity of illness and the antipsychotic treatment. |
| Abstract | Past studies regarding the relationship between nitric oxide and schizophrenia have reported controversial results. Consequently, the aims of this study are i) to analyze the differences in nitric oxide concentration between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls, ii) to investigate the influence of antipsychotic treatment on nitric oxide, iii) to correlate nitric oxide concentration with severity of illness, and iv) to investigate the relationship between nitric oxide and any personality disorder. We recruited 24 patients and 24 controls; the sample was divided into three groups of 8 patients, each according to the pharmacological treatment (haloperidol, olanzapine, or risperidone). The severity of illness was assessed by PANSS and personality traits were evaluated by SCID II. A blood sample was taken to assess the plasma concentration of nitrites and nitrates. Patients presented higher nitrate levels than controls (p < 0.05); subjects under olanzapine reported lower nitrate levels than those treated with risperidone (p < 0.05) or haloperidol (p < 0.001). Nitrate levels were correlated with PANSS total score (RHO = 0.748; p < 0.001), but not with SCID II scores. Despite the fact that this study found a correlation between PANSS score and nitrate levels, it is unclear whether nitric oxide is related to the severity of schizophrenia, because nitrate levels are also affected by antipsychotic treatment. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 65 | Rev Neurol 2012 Apr 54: 468-74 |
| PMID | 22492099 |
| Title | [Minor physical abnormalities and clinical features in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders]. |
| Abstract | Minor physical anomalies are nonspecific morphologic variants generated during gestation. They are markers of events (inherited and/or acquired) related with the 'neuroprogression' of the schizophrenia spectrum disorders and may be differentially involved with their symptom profiles. The aim of the study was to explore the relationship of minor physical anomalies with positive syndrome, negative syndrome and general psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia or other functional psychoses. Cross-sectional study of patients with schizophrenia or other functional psychoses consecutively hospitalized with an acute psychotic episode. Minor physical anomalies were evaluated with the Waldrop scale and clinical characteristics of psychosis were measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). 41 patients with functional psychoses were evaluated: 32 (78%) with schizophrenia, 9 (21.9%) with psychotic disorder not otherwise specified. There was no relationship between the Waldrop scale score and score on the PANSS, its negative scale and its general psychopathology scale. The positive scale of the PANSS and the Waldrop scale were correlated in the whole sample (Spearman RHO = 0.356; p = 0.022). In the group of patients with schizophrenia, the correlation was even greater (Spearman RHO = 0.420; p = 0.017). The path from apparently premorbid stages to specific clinical pictures in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders is determined by the neurodevelopment, a dynamic process influenced by genetic inheritance and environmental injuries. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 66 | Patient Prefer Adherence 2012 -1 6: 83-5 |
| PMID | 22298947 |
| Title | The subjective well-being under neuroleptic scale - short version (SWN-K) and the SF-36 health survey as quality of life measures in patients with schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | The desired outcome in schizophrenia treatment has evolved from symptom management to maximization of quality of life and functional recovery. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between a specific well-being measure, the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptic Scale - short version (SWN-K), and the SF-36 Health Survey as a generic quality of life measure. A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted with clinically stable outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Spearman's rank correlation was used to assess the associations between the SWN-K total score, its five subscales, and the SF-36 domains. Ninety-seven patients were included in the study. The mean age was 35 years (standard deviation = 10) and 72% were male. All correlations among domains were positive and most were statistically significant. The bodily pain domain of the SF-36 presented the lower correlations with the SWN-K (RHO range 0.10-0.25), whereas the other seven domains correlated significantly (RHO range 0.49-0.60, all P < 0.001). The largest correlations were obtained between the SWN-K and the SF-36 domains of general health (RHO = 0.53), mental health (RHO = 0.60), and vitality (RHO = 0.54). The positive but nevertheless moderate correlations observed between a specific well-being instrument and a generic quality of life scale supports the inclusion of diagnosis-specific tools for outcome assessment of patients with schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 67 | Schizophr. Res. 2012 Mar 135: 158-63 |
| PMID | 22244183 |
| Title | Screening and assessing ideas and delusions of reference using a semi-structured interview scale: a validation study of the Ideas of Reference Interview Scale (IRIS) in early psychosis patients. |
| Abstract | Ideas and delusions of reference (IOR/DOR) are an important but underrecognized research target. Difficulty in their reliable assessment has been a barrier. A screening and assessment tool incorporating a self-information processing framework, the Ideas of Reference Interview Scale (IRIS), was developed and validated in patients with early psychosis. Comprehensive review of IOR/DOR phenomena in the literature and pilot interviews were conducted for scale item development. Self-referential themes were summarized into 15 items. A consecutive sample of 137 outpatients with early psychosis was interviewed using IRIS. Their IOR/DOR experiences were also rated independently by clinicians on the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and self-rated using the IOR subscale on the schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). Inter-rater reliability of IRIS was examined in a subsample of 15 participants. IRIS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.80), inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.95), and divergent validity with other symptoms. IRIS correlated satisfactorily with the IOR/DOR item or subscale on SAPS and SPQ (Spearman's RHO = 0.71 and 0.47, respectively). IRIS provided a reliable high-resolution tool for progressing single-symptom research into IOR/DOR, a potential target feature of schizophrenia. The scale allows future investigation into self-referential processing and detailed phenomenological comparison in different clinical, subclinical, and healthy populations. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 68 | Schizophr. Res. 2012 Mar 135: 158-63 |
| PMID | 22244183 |
| Title | Screening and assessing ideas and delusions of reference using a semi-structured interview scale: a validation study of the Ideas of Reference Interview Scale (IRIS) in early psychosis patients. |
| Abstract | Ideas and delusions of reference (IOR/DOR) are an important but underrecognized research target. Difficulty in their reliable assessment has been a barrier. A screening and assessment tool incorporating a self-information processing framework, the Ideas of Reference Interview Scale (IRIS), was developed and validated in patients with early psychosis. Comprehensive review of IOR/DOR phenomena in the literature and pilot interviews were conducted for scale item development. Self-referential themes were summarized into 15 items. A consecutive sample of 137 outpatients with early psychosis was interviewed using IRIS. Their IOR/DOR experiences were also rated independently by clinicians on the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and self-rated using the IOR subscale on the schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). Inter-rater reliability of IRIS was examined in a subsample of 15 participants. IRIS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.80), inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.95), and divergent validity with other symptoms. IRIS correlated satisfactorily with the IOR/DOR item or subscale on SAPS and SPQ (Spearman's RHO = 0.71 and 0.47, respectively). IRIS provided a reliable high-resolution tool for progressing single-symptom research into IOR/DOR, a potential target feature of schizophrenia. The scale allows future investigation into self-referential processing and detailed phenomenological comparison in different clinical, subclinical, and healthy populations. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 69 | Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry 2013 Jan 40: 1-11 |
| PMID | 22960606 |
| Title | Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed antipsychotic drugs induced protein expression modulations in C6 glioma cells. |
| Abstract | The efficacy and side effects of long-term administration of antipsychotic drugs (APDs) may be attributed to drug-induced change in protein expression in brain cells. Glial cells are non-neuronal cells that can provide nutrients and physiological support to neuronal cells. Glial cells are believed to participate in neurotransmission, neurons' early development, and guiding migration of neurons. Accumulated clinical data also indicate relationships between disturbance of glial cells' function and various psychotic diseases including schizophrenia. We used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry protein identification to analyze differentially expressed proteins in haloperidol-, risperidone-, and clozapine-treated C6 glioma cells. We found that the expression of pericentrin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, RHO GDP-dissociation inhibitor 1, anionic trypsin-1, peroxiredoxin-1, and parvalbumin were regulated by each of the three APDs. Western blot analysis supported the findings. Real-time quantitative PCR detected changed transcriptions of those proteins. Protein and gene expression of N-cadherin in C6 cells were affected by haloperidol and clozapine but not risperidone. In addition, regulatory effects of clozapine on the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene were observed in C6 cells. This may be the first study to uncover how APD-modulated genes may cause protein expression changes and affect ARHGDIA-mediated regulation of RHO GTPase family proteins in glial cells. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 70 | Schizophr. Res. 2013 Nov 150: 410-5 |
| PMID | 24064182 |
| Title | The Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (ASFQ): preliminary evidence for reliability and validity. |
| Abstract | The aim of this study is to describe the psychometric properties of the Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (ASFQ). Internal reliability, test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, validity and sensitivity to change were calculated in a sample of 30 patients with schizophrenia or a schizophrenia spectrum disorder using antipsychotics. The ASFQ is a semistructured interview, with good face validity and content validity, that takes on average about 10min to complete. The ASFQ has good internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.84) and good test-retest reliability (mean Spearman's RHO=.76). The inter-rater reliability is good for questions about libido, orgasm, erection and ejaculation. Correlation coefficients for calculating convergent validity were modest to good when comparing the ASFQ with the corresponding items on the Subject's Response to Antipsychotics (SRA) questionnaire and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). Based on preliminary evidence, it can be concluded that the Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire has reasonable reliability and is available for clinical use and research. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 71 | Schizophr. Res. 2013 Mar 144: 93-8 |
| PMID | 23352775 |
| Title | Psychometric properties of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) in Korean patients with schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Despite increasing interest in the relationship between childhood trauma and psychosis, measures used to assess early trauma have not had their psychometric properties extensively tested among individuals with serious mental illness. This study investigated the reliability and validity of one of the most widely-used self-reports of early adversity, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Short Form (CTQ), among patients with schizophrenia. The CTQ was administered to 100 patients (52 inpatients and 48 outpatients) diagnosed with schizophrenia in three training hospitals. Internal consistency, four-week test-retest reliability and validity were calculated. Participants also completed the Trauma Antecedents Questionnaire (TAQ), the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Dissociative Experiences Scale-Taxon (DES-T). Our analysis indicated high test-retest reliability (Spearman ?=0.75) and internal consistency (Cronbach ?=0.89). Concurrent validity was confirmed as each type of childhood trauma was significantly correlated with the corresponding subscales of the TAQ. In addition, the CTQ was positively related to post-traumatic stress symptoms and pathological dissociation, demonstrating the convergent validity of the scale. The CTQ is a reliable and valid self-report measure for assessing childhood trauma in both inpatients and outpatients with schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 72 | Behav. Brain Res. 2013 Oct 255: 44-54 |
| PMID | 23628212 |
| Title | Optogenetic insights into striatal function and behavior. |
| Abstract | Recent breakthroughs in optogenetic technologies to alter neuronal firing and function with light, combined with cell type-specific transgenic animal lines, has led to important insights into the function of distinct neuronal cell subtypes and afferent connections in the heterogeneously complex striatum. A vital part of the basal ganglia, the striatum is heavily implicated in both motor control and motivation-based behavior; as well as in neurological disorders and psychiatric diseases including Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, drug addiction, depression, and schizophrenia. Researchers are able to manipulate firing and cell signaling with temporal precision using optogenetics in the two striatal medium spiny neuron (MSN) subpopulations, the striatal interneurons, and striatal afferents. These studies confirmed the classical hypothesis of movement control and reward seeking behavior through direct versus indirect pathway MSNs; illuminated a selective role for TANs in cocaine reward; dissected the roles of glutamatergic and dopaminergic inputs to striatum in reward; and highlighted a role for striatal signaling molecules including an adrenergic G-protein coupled receptor in reward and the RHO-GTPase Rac1 in cocaine reward and cocaine induced structural plasticity. This review focuses on how the evolving optogenetic toolbox provides insight into the distinct behavioral roles of striatal cell subpopulations and striatal afferents, which has clinically relevant implications into neurological disorders and psychiatric disease. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 73 | J. Biol. Chem. 2013 Jul 288: 20034-45 |
| PMID | 23720743 |
| Title | The atypical guanine nucleotide exchange factor Dock4 regulates neurite differentiation through modulation of Rac1 GTPase and actin dynamics. |
| Abstract | Precise regulation of neurite growth and differentiation determines accurate formation of synaptic connections, whose disruptions are frequently associated with neurological disorders. Dedicator of cytokinesis 4 (Dock4), an atypical guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rac1, is found to be associated with neuropsychiatric diseases, including autism and schizophrenia. Nonetheless, the neuronal function of Dock4 is only beginning to be understood. Using mouse neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cells as a model, this study identifies that Dock4 is critical for neurite differentiation and extension. This regulation is through activation of Rac1 and modulation of the dynamics of actin-enriched protrusions on the neurites. In cultured hippocampal neurons, Dock4 regulates the establishment of the axon-dendrite polarity and the arborization of dendrites, two critical processes during neural differentiation. Importantly, a microdeletion Dock4 mutant linked to autism and dyslexia that lacks the GEF domain leads to defective neurite outgrowth and neuronal polarization. Further analysis reveals that the SH3 domain-mediated interaction of Dock4 is required for its activity toward neurite differentiation, whereas its proline-rich C terminus is not essential for this regulation. Together, our findings reveal an important role of Dock4 for neurite differentiation during early neuronal development. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 74 | ISRN Psychiatry 2013 -1 2013: 616304 |
| PMID | 23997978 |
| Title | Dimensions of hallucinations and delusions in affective and nonaffective illnesses. |
| Abstract | The aim of the study was to examine the dimensions of hallucinations and delusions in affective (manic episode, bipolar affective disorder, and depressive episode) and nonaffective disorders (schizophrenia, acute and transient psychotic disorders, and unspecified psychosis). Sixty outpatients divided equally into two groups comprising affective and nonaffective disorders were taken up for evaluation after screening, as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Scores of 3 or above on delusion and hallucinatory behavior subscales of positive and negative syndrome scale were sufficient to warrant rating on the psychotic symptom rating scales with which auditory hallucination and delusion were assessed on various dimensions. Insight was assessed using the Beck cognitive insight scale (BCIS). There were no significant differences between the two groups on age, sex, marital status, education, and economic status. There were significant differences in total score and emotional characteristic subscale, cognitive interpretation subscale, and physical characteristic subscale of auditory hallucination scales in between the two groups. Correlation between BCIS-total and total auditory hallucinations score was negative (Spearman RHO -0.319; P < 0.05). Hallucinating patients, more in nonaffective group, described a negative impact of hallucinating voices along with emotional consequences on their lives which lead to distress and disruption. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 75 | Schizophr. Res. 2013 Oct 150: 144-50 |
| PMID | 23920057 |
| Title | The diminished interhemispheric connectivity correlates with negative symptoms and cognitive impairment in first-episode schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Previous studies imply that interhemispheric disconnectivity plays a more important role on information processing in schizophrenia. However, the role of the aberrant interhemispheric connection in the pathophysiology of this disorder remains unclear. Recently, resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has reported to have potentials of mapping functional interactions between pairs of brain hemispheres. Resting-state whole-brain functional connectivity analyses were performed on 41 schizophrenia patients and 33 healthy controls. The first-episode schizophrenia patients showed significant aberrant interhemispheric connection in the globus pallidus, medial frontal gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus. The correlation of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale scores with odds ratio of the aberrant interhemispheric connections revealed positive correlation in the pallidum (RHO=0.335, p=.003) and medial frontal gyrus (RHO=0.260, p=.025). The connection in the pallidum was also positively correlated with duration of illness (RHO=-0.407, p=.009). Whereas, the aberrant interhemispheric connection in the inferior temporal gyrus was positively correlated with scores of Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (RHO=0.393, p=.012). The present study provides fMRI evidence for the aberrant interhemispheric resting-state functional connectivity within resting-state networks in first-episode schizophrenia patients. These aberrant interhemispheric connections, in particular the pallidum, due to its anatomical and functional connectivities, may be the primary disturbance for cognitive impairment, negative symptoms and chronicity of schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 76 | Transl Psychiatry 2013 -1 3: e271 |
| PMID | 23778581 |
| Title | mRNA and protein expression for novel GABAA receptors ? and ?2 are altered in schizophrenia and mood disorders; relevance to FMRP-mGluR5 signaling pathway. |
| Abstract | Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is an RNA-binding protein that targets ?5% of all mRNAs expressed in the brain. Previous work by our laboratory demonstrated significantly lower protein levels for FMRP in lateral cerebella of subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression when compared with controls. Absence of FMRP expression in animal models of fragile X syndrome (FXS) has been shown to reduce expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor mRNAs. Previous work by our laboratory has found reduced expression of FMRP, as well as multiple GABAA and GABAB receptor subunits in subjects with autism. Less is known about levels for GABAA subunit protein expression in brains of subjects with schizophrenia and mood disorders. In the current study, we have expanded our previous studies to examine the protein and mRNA expression of two novel GABAA receptors, theta (GABR?) and RHO 2 (GABR?2) as well as FMRP, and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in lateral cerebella of subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and healthy controls, and in superior frontal cortex (Brodmann Area 9 (BA9)) of subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and healthy controls. We observed multiple statistically significant mRNA and protein changes in levels of GABR?, GABR?2, mGluR5 and FMRP molecules including concordant reductions in mRNA and proteins for GABR? and mGluR5 in lateral cerebella of subjects with schizophrenia; for increased mRNA and protein for GABR?2 in lateral cerebella of subjects with bipolar disorder; and for reduced mRNA and protein for mGluR5 in BA9 of subjects with bipolar disorder. There were no significant effects of confounds on any of the results. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 77 | Health Expect 2013 Jun 16: 164-76 |
| PMID | 21668795 |
| Title | A test of concordance between patient and psychiatrist valuations of multiple treatment goals for schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | While much discussion has been placed on the problem of poor compliance in the treatment of schizophrenia, there has been little discussion on the concordance between patients and psychiatrists, an important contributing factor to patient-centred care. To estimate the concordance between patients' and psychiatrists' (ordinal and cardinal) valuations of multiple goals for schizophrenia treatment and to illustrate the utility of the self-explicated method in valuing a large number of treatment goals. Twenty treatment goals were identified during focus groups and literature review and were presented to patients and psychiatrists during structured interviews. Respondents were asked to rank the multiple treatment goals and rate them on a 5-point Likert scale. Three scores were calculated based on the ranking (1-20), rating (Likert scale) (1-5) and a self-explicated method estimated as the product of rating and ranking score (1-100). Concordance was tested using Spearman's RHO for overall ordinal rankings and via anova and F-test for the cardinal values assigned to a specific treatment goal. A total of 105 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 160 psychiatrists in Germany. Patient and psychiatrist values were concordant when the ordinal properties of their valuations were assessed by rating (? = 0.63; P = 0.002), ranking (? = 0.51; P = 0.02) and self-explicated methods (? = 0.54; P = 0.01). Significant discordances were found when comparing the cardinal value placed on any given treatment goal using all three approaches, but the self-explicated method produced a more discerning statistic. Relative to patients, psychiatrists significantly (P < 0.05) overvalued reduced lack of emotion, improved sexual pleasure and improved communication while undervaluing reuptake of activities of daily living, improved satisfaction and recovered capacity for work. While there is an overall concordance between patients' and psychiatrists' valuation, significantly different valuations on specific goals can be identified. Here, psychiatrists tend to focus on 'textbook' outcomes, while patients are more concerned with functioning and living a normal life. This study also demonstrates the importance of comparing the concordance in treatment goals and the importance of preference-based methods, such as the self-explicated method, in the study of concordance. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 78 | Cell Rep 2014 Dec 9: 2166-79 |
| PMID | 25533347 |
| Title | Cytoskeletal regulation by AUTS2 in neuronal migration and neuritogenesis. |
| Abstract | Mutations in the Autism susceptibility candidate 2 gene (AUTS2), whose protein is believed to act in neuronal cell nuclei, have been associated with multiple psychiatric illnesses, including autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia. Here we show that cytoplasmic AUTS2 is involved in the regulation of the cytoskeleton and neural development. Immunohistochemistry and fractionation studies show that AUTS2 localizes not only in nuclei, but also in the cytoplasm, including in the growth cones in the developing brain. AUTS2 activates Rac1 to induce lamellipodia but downregulates Cdc42 to suppress filopodia. Our loss-of-function and rescue experiments show that a cytoplasmic AUTS2-Rac1 pathway is involved in cortical neuronal migration and neuritogenesis in the developing brain. These findings suggest that cytoplasmic AUTS2 acts as a regulator of RHO family GTPases to contribute to brain development and give insight into the pathology of human psychiatric disorders with AUTS2 mutations. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 79 | Hum Psychopharmacol 2014 Nov 29: 552-8 |
| PMID | 25319871 |
| Title | Human Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 11 gene is associated with schizophrenia in a Japanese population. |
| Abstract | The human RHO guanine nucleotide exchange factor 11 (ARHGEF11) gene is one of the candidate genes for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). ARHGEF11 is mapped to chromosome 1q21, which has susceptible risk loci for T2DM and schizophrenia. We hypothesized that ARHGEF11 contributes to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We selected eight single nucleotide polymorphisms of ARHGEF11 that had significant associations with T2DM for a case-control association study of 490 patients with schizophrenia and 500 age-matched and sex-matched controls. We did not find any differences in allelic, genotypic associations, or minor allele frequencies with schizophrenia. Analysis of the rs6427340-rs6427339 haplotype and the rs822585-rs6427340-rs6427339 haplotype combination provided significant evidence of an association with schizophrenia (global permutations p = 0.00047 and 0.0032, respectively). C-C of the rs6427340-rs6427339 haplotype and A-C-C of the rs822585-rs6427340-rs6427339 haplotype carried higher risk factors for schizophrenia (permutation p = 0.0010 and 0.0018, respectively). A-C-T of the rs822585-rs6427340-rs6427339 haplotype had a possible protective effect (permutation p = 0.031). These results provide new evidence that ARHGEF11 may constitute a risk factor for schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 80 | J Affect Disord 2014 Aug 165: 24-30 |
| PMID | 24882173 |
| Title | The effect of exercise on hippocampal volume and neurotrophines in patients with major depression--a randomized clinical trial. |
| Abstract | The hippocampal volume is reduced in patients with major depression. Exercise leads to an increased hippocampal volume in schizophrenia and in healthy old adults. The effect of exercise on hippocampal volume is potentially mediated by brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The aim of this trial was to assess the effect of an aerobic exercise intervention on hippocampal volume and serum BDNF, VEGF, and IGF-1 in patients with major depression. Patients were randomized to an aerobic exercise intervention (n=41) or a control condition (n=38). Both interventions consisted of three supervised sessions per week during a three months period. Post-intervention the increase in maximal oxygen uptake was 3.90 ml/kg/min (SD 5.1) in the aerobic exercise group and 0.95 ml/kg/min (SD 6.2) in the control group (p=0.03). The hippocampal volume, BDNF, VEGF, or IGF-1 did not differ between the two groups. Post-hoc we found a positive association between change in hippocampal volume and verbal memory (RHO=0.27; p=0.05) and change in hippocampal volume and depressive symptoms (RHO=0.30; p=0.03). Participation was low in both groups corresponding to an average participation of one session per week. Despite a significant increase in maximal oxygen uptake, a pragmatic exercise intervention did not increase hippocampal volume or resting levels of neurotrophines in out-patients with mild to moderate major depression. Trial identifier: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00695552). |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 81 | Neurobiol. Aging 2014 Jun 35: 1510.e1-5 |
| PMID | 24411481 |
| Title | Analysis of the hexanucleotide repeat expansion and founder haplotype at C9ORF72 in an Irish psychosis case-control sample. |
| Abstract | The hexonucleotide repeat expansion 'GGGGCC' at the C9ORF72 gene has been strongly linked with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. There is some evidence for clinical and genetic overlap between frontotemporal dementia and schizophrenia. Here, we genotyped the repeat at C9ORF72 in a large Irish psychosis case-control sample (n = 2477). We found no carriers of >30 repeats. We found 7 samples with >22 repeats, 2 schizophrenia cases and 5 controls, but overall we observed no difference in the distribution of the repeat between our case and control samples. By using genome-wide association data to phase haplotypes at this gene, we investigated if carriers of the repeat expansion arose from a single common founder. All samples that carry 17 or more repeats also carry the founder haplotype and overall there is a very strong correlation between repeat length and the founder haplotype (Spearman RHO = 0.714, p < 0.001). Our study provides further evidence to bolster the claim that carriers of the repeat expansion at C9ORF72 arose from a single common founder. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 82 | J Psychiatr Res 2014 Sep 56: 130-6 |
| PMID | 24935901 |
| Title | Evaluation of neurotransmitter receptor gene expression identifies GABA receptor changes: a follow-up study in antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode psychosis. |
| Abstract | A study of the gene expression levels in the blood of individuals with schizophrenia in the beginning of the disease, such as first-episode psychosis (FEP), is useful to detect gene expression changes in this disorder in response to treatment. Although a large number of genetic studies on schizophrenia have been conducted, little is known about the effects of antipsychotic treatment on gene expression. The aim of the present study was to examine differences in the gene expression in the blood of antipsychotic-naïve FEP patients before and after risperidone treatment (N = 44) and also to verify the correlation with treatment response. In addition, we determined the correlations between differentially expressed genes and clinical variables. The expression of 40 neurotransmitter and neurodevelopment-associated genes was assessed using the RT2 Profiler PCR Array. The results indicated that the GABRR2 gene was downregulated after risperidone treatment, but no genes were associated with response to treatment and clinical variables after Bonferroni correction. GABRR2 downregulation after treatment can both suggest an effect of risperidone treatment or processes related to disease progression, either not necessarily associated with the improvement of symptoms. Despite this change was observed in blood, this decrease in GABRR2 mRNA levels might be an effect of changes in GABA concentrations or other systems interplay consequently to D2 blockage induced by risperidone, for example. Thus, it is important to consider that antipsychotics or the progression of psychotic disorders might interfere with gene expression. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 83 | Psychiatr. Genet. 2014 Dec 24: 249-56 |
| PMID | 25304226 |
| Title | Polymorphisms of the leptin and HTR2C genes and clozapine-induced weight change and baseline BMI in patients with chronic schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | We investigated the associations of the LEP-2548A/G and HTR2C-759C/T polymorphisms with long-term clozapine-induced weight changes and baseline BMI in chronic patients with schizophrenia. A total of 113 patients receiving clozapine for at least 1 year were enrolled. Body weight was measured cross-sectionally and data on body weight just before starting clozapine were retrospectively extracted from medical records. Clozapine-induced change in BMI was correlated inversely with the baseline BMI (P<0.001, ?=-0.347). The LEP-2548A/G polymorphism was associated significantly with the change in BMI (F=4.380, P=0.015) during clozapine use; those with the AA genotype had the highest BMI gain (1.4±3.1?kg/m), followed by those with the AG (-0.2±3.3?kg/m) and GG (-1.6±3.4?kg/m) genotypes. We also found a significant association between the leptin genotype and BMI at baseline (F=3.499, P=0.034); those with the AA genotype had the lowest baseline BMI (23.4±4.3?kg/m), followed by those with the AG (24.1±4.4?kg/m) and GG (28.8±7.3?kg/m) genotypes. In the case of the HTR2C-759C/T polymorphism, we found a trend in which T alleles were more prevalent in male patients with up to 7% increase in BMI than in those with a greater than 7% increase in BMI [12/54 (22.7%) vs. 1/27 (3.7%); Fisher's exact test: P=0.051]. This study shows an inverse correlation between the baseline BMI and change in BMI during long-term clozapine use in patients with schizophrenia, and the LEP-2548A/G polymorphism was associated significantly with both these measures. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 84 | J Psychiatr Res 2014 Apr 51: 37-41 |
| PMID | 24411593 |
| Title | Sex-specific associations between plasma oxytocin levels and schizotypal personality features in healthy individuals. |
| Abstract | Oxytocin (OT) has been shown to play a crucial role in the biology of social interaction. Sex differences associated with this neuropeptide system have been reported. OT may serves as an indicator of interpersonal stress, especially in women. The aim of this study was to investigate the sex-specific associations between plasma OT levels and schizotypal personality features, especially in interpersonal dimension, in healthy individuals. Ninety six healthy participants, including 41 males and 55 females, were recruited. Fasting blood samples were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay of OT. The schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) was administered. Mann-Whitney U test was used to test the difference between male and female. Spearman's ? correlation analysis (two-tailed) was carried out to examine the association between OT level and SPQ score. The results showed that OT level was significantly positively correlated with total score and interpersonal dysfunction dimensional scores of the SPQ only in females. Although the causal relationship remains unclear, our findings provide further evidence to support the sexual dimorphic role of OT in interpersonal biology. Moreover, the effect of sex difference also is taken into consideration. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 85 | Indian J. Med. Res. 2014 Nov 140: 637-43 |
| PMID | 25579145 |
| Title | Internal consistency & validity of Indian disability evaluation and assessment scale (IDEAS) in patients with schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | The Indian Disability Evaluation and Assessment Scale (IDEAS) has been recommended for assessment and certification of disability by the Government of India (GOI). However, the psychometric properties of IDEAS as adopted by GOI remain understudied. Our aim, thus, was to study the internal consistency and validity of IDEAS in patients with schizophrenia. A total of 103 consenting patients with residual schizophrenia were assessed for disability, quality of life (QOL) and psychopathology using the IDEAS, WHO QOL-100 and Positive and Negative symptom scale (PANSS) respectively. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. For construct validity, relations between IDEAS, and psychopathology and QOL were studied. The inter-item correlations for IDEAS were significant with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.721. All item scores other than score on communication and understanding; total and global IDEAS scores correlated significantly with the positive, negative and general sub-scales, and total PANSS scores. Communication and understanding was significantly related to negative sub-scale score only. Total and global disability scores correlated negatively with all the domains of WHOQOL-100 (?<0.01). The individual IDEAS item scores correlated negatively with various WHOQOL-100 domains (?0< 0.01). This study findings showed that the GOI-modified IDEAS had good internal consistency and construct validity as tested in patients with residual schizophrenia. Similar studies need to be done with other groups of patients. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 86 | Schizophr. Res. 2014 Nov 159: 546-51 |
| PMID | 25257944 |
| Title | The development of a self-reported scale for measuring functionality in patients with schizophrenia--self-reported version of the graphic Personal and Social Performance (SRG-PSP) scale. |
| Abstract | The Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale is used for the assessment of patient function by mental health professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the internal reliability and validity of a self-reported graphic version of the PSP (SRG-PSP) scale and its correlations with psychiatric symptoms, daily life ability and quality of life. The SRG-PSP scale was developed following the four PSP domains: socially useful activities, personal and social relationships, self-care, and disturbing and aggressive behavior. In total, 108 patients with schizophrenia were enrolled. All participants completed the SRG-PSP, the Activities of Daily Living Rating Scale II (ADLRS-II), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL). They were also assessed using the PSP and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Spearman's ? was used to examine the correlations between SRG-PSP scores and other variables. The results of the SRG-PSP were significantly correlated to those of their corresponding criteria on the PSP. The global score of the SRG-PSP and the scores of three domains, socially useful activities, personal and social relationships, and self-care, were positively correlated with most sub items of the ADLRS-II and WHOQOL, and were negatively correlated with the PANSS scores. The disturbing and aggressive behavior domain of the SRG-PSP was negatively correlated with most sub items of the ADLRS-II and WHOQOL (?=-0.19 to -0.36, all p<0.05) and positively correlated with the PANSS (?=0.24-0.30, all p<0.05), with the exception of negative symptoms (?=0.09, p=0.40). The SRG-PSP is a valid self-reported scale for the assessment of functionality in patients with schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 87 | Int. J. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2014 Nov 17: 1729-36 |
| PMID | 24830305 |
| Title | Neocortical serotonin2A receptor binding predicts quetiapine associated weight gain in antipsychotic-naive first-episode schizophrenia patients. |
| Abstract | Antipsychotic-induced weight gain is of major clinical importance since it is associated with severe metabolic complications and increased mortality. The serotonin2A receptor system has been suggested to be implicated in weight gain and obesity. However, no previous in vivo imaging data have related serotonin2A receptor binding to weight gain before and after antipsychotic monotherapy. Fifteen antipsychotic-naive first-episode schizophrenia patients were included and investigated before and after six months of quetiapine treatment. We examined the relationship between serotonin2A receptor binding as measured with positron emission tomography (PET) and [18F]altanserin and change in body mass index (BMI). Quetiapine was chosen because it is characterized by a moderately high affinity for the serotonin2A receptor and a fast dissociation rate from the dopamine D2 receptor. At baseline the mean BMI was 24.2 kg/m2, range 18-36 kg/m2. After six months of quetiapine treatment (mean dose: 383 mg/day) the BMI had, on average, increased by 6.7%, corresponding to an average weight gain of 5.0 kg. We found a significant positive correlation both between neocortical serotonin2A receptor binding prior to treatment and subsequent increase in BMI (RHO=0.59, p=0.022). At follow-up, the serotonin2A receptor occupancy was positively correlated with BMI increase (RHO=0.54, p=0.038). To our knowledge, these are the first in vivo receptor imaging data in initially antipsychotic-naive first-episode schizophrenia patients to show that the cerebral serotonin2A receptor is associated with antipsychotic-induced weight gain. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 88 | Bipolar Disord 2014 Sep 16: 592-9 |
| PMID | 24807680 |
| Title | Preattentive dysfunction in patients with bipolar disorder as revealed by the pitch-mismatch negativity: a magnetoencephalography (MEG) study. |
| Abstract | Mismatch negativity (MMN) and its magnetic counterpart (MMNm) are thought to reflect an automatic process that detects a difference between an incoming stimulus and the sensory memory trace of preceding stimuli. In patients with schizophrenia, an attenuation of the MMN/MMNm amplitude has been repeatedly reported. Heschl's gyrus (HG) is one of the major generators of MMN and the functional alteration of HG has been reported in patients with bipolar disorder. The present study investigated the pitch-MMNm in patients with bipolar disorder using whole-head 306-ch magnetoencephalography (MEG). Twenty-two patients and 22 healthy controls participated in this study. Subjects were presented with two types of auditory stimulus sequences. One consisted of 1,000 Hz standards (probability = 90%) and 1,200 Hz deviants (probability = 10%), and the other consisted of 1,000 Hz standards (90%) and 1,200 Hz deviants (10%). These two tasks were each performed twice. Event-related brain responses to standard tones were subtracted from responses to deviant tones. Patients with bipolar disorder showed a significant bilateral reduction in magnetic global field power (mGFP) amplitudes (p = 0.02) and dipole moments of the MMNm (p = 0.04) compared with healthy controls. Patients with admission experience showed significantly reduced mGFP amplitudes of MMNm compared with patients without admission experience (p = 0.004). Additionally, patients with more severe manic symptoms had smaller mGFP amplitudes of MMNm (? = -0.50, p = 0.05). The results of this study suggest that patients with bipolar disorder may exhibit preattentive auditory dysfunction indexed by reduced pitch-MMNm responses. Pitch-MMNm could be a potential trait marker reflecting the global severity of bipolar disorder. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 89 | JAMA Psychiatry 2014 Jul 71: 761-8 |
| PMID | 24806441 |
| Title | Stress-induced increase in kynurenic acid as a potential biomarker for patients with schizophrenia and distress intolerance. |
| Abstract | Several lines of evidence have linked the endogenous neuromodulator kynurenic acid (KYNA) to schizophrenia. The pathophysiology of schizophrenia is commonly associated with stress, and stress plays a key regulatory role in the first, rate-limiting step of the kynurenine pathway, which produces KYNA. To determine whether the level of KYNA changes following psychological stress and whether this change is associated with stress-related behavior. The KYNA level was measured in saliva samples taken at baseline and at 2 times following a laboratory-based psychological stress challenge in 128 participants (64 patients with schizophrenia from outpatient clinics and 64 healthy controls from the community). Laboratory-based psychological stress challenge. Quitting the stressful task early was used as a behavioral marker of distress intolerance. Patients with schizophrenia showed a significantly higher rate of distress intolerance compared with healthy controls (P?=?.003). Salivary KYNA levels increased significantly between baseline and 20 minutes following the stress task in both patients and controls (mean [SEM], 6.72nM [0.65nM] vs 8.43nM [1.05nM], respectively; P?=?.007). Patients who were unable to tolerate the stressful tasks and quit early showed significantly higher levels of KYNA than patients who tolerated the psychological stressor (P?=?.02) or healthy controls (P?=?.02). In patients with distress intolerance, KYNA elevation significantly correlated with the severity of clinical symptoms (??=?0.64; P?=?.008). Distress intolerance is more common in patients with schizophrenia. Patients with this behavioral phenotype have elevated salivary KYNA levels. This stress response behavior-linked biomarker may aid heterogeneity reduction in schizophrenia and other stress-related psychiatric conditions. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 90 | Physiol. Behav. 2014 Apr 129: 194-8 |
| PMID | 24576679 |
| Title | Peripheral interleukin-2 level is associated with negative symptoms and cognitive performance in schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Although several studies have pointed to a possible role of interleukin 2 (IL-2) in schizophrenia (SZ), association between IL-2 and the different groups of symptoms has not been explored. The objective of this study was to investigate a possible correlation of peripheral IL-2 levels with symptoms and cognitive performance in patients with SZ. In addition, we compared the plasma levels of IL-2 between patients with SZ and healthy controls. Twenty-nine chronically medicated outpatients with SZ according to DSM-IV were compared with twenty-six healthy controls. The patients were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Calgary Depression Scale for schizophrenia (CDSS), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). All the participants had blood collected into EDTA tubes by venipuncture between 9:00 and 10:00AM. Plasma concentrations of IL-2 were determined by cytometric bead array. A computerized neuropsychological battery assessed verbal learning, verbal fluency, working memory, set shifting, executive function, inhibition and intelligence. Patients with SZ had lower levels of IL-2 than healthy controls (p<0.001). In the SZ group, IL-2 levels were positively correlated with scores in the digit span test (RHO=0.416, P=0.025) and intelligence (RHO=0.464, P=0.011). We also found a negative correlation between IL-2 and total score in the negative subscale of PANSS (RHO=-0.447, p=0.015). Our findings suggest that IL-2 may be involved in the mechanisms related to cognitive deterioration and negative symptomatology in schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 91 | Schizophr Bull 2014 Nov 40: 1300-7 |
| PMID | 24476579 |
| Title | Self-disorders and the schizophrenia spectrum: a study of 100 first hospital admissions. |
| Abstract | Self-disorders (SD) have been described as a core feature of schizophrenia both in classical and recent psychopathological literature. However, the specificity of SD for the schizophrenia spectrum disorders has never been demonstrated in a diagnostically heterogeneous sample, nor has the concurrent validity of SD been examined. (1) To examine the specificity of Examination of Anomalous Self-Experiences (EASE) measured SD to the schizophrenia spectrum disorder in first contact inpatients, (2) to explore the internal consistency and factorial structure of the EASE, (3) to assess the concurrent validity of SD by exploring correlations between SD and the canonical psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia, (4) to explore relations of SD to intelligence, sociodemographic, and extrinsic illness characteristics. A total of 100 consecutive first admission patients underwent a comprehensive psychopathological examination and an assessment of SD with the EASE scale. The diagnostic distribution of the EASE scores was tested with ANOVA, whereas the relations between the EASE scores and other symptomatic dimensions of schizophrenia were tested with Spearman's RHO. A potential factorial structure and the internal consistency of the EASE scale were also examined. SD aggregated significantly in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders, with no differences between schizophrenia and schizotypal disorders. EASE scores correlated moderately with canonical psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia. Factor analysis of the EASE disclosed only one factor and the internal consistency of the EASE was excellent. SD aggregate selectively in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders, with similar levels in schizophrenia and schizotypy. The study lends validity to the view of SD as an experiential vulnerability phenotype of the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 92 | PLoS ONE 2014 -1 9: e77506 |
| PMID | 24465363 |
| Title | Participation during first social encounters in schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia are socially excluded. The aim of this study was to investigate how patients participate in first encounters with unfamiliar healthy participants, who are unaware of their diagnosis. Patterns of participation were investigated during interactions involving three-people. Three conversation roles were analysed: (i) speaker, (ii) primary recipient- focus of the speaker's attention and (iii) secondary recipient- unaddressed individual. Twenty patient interactions (1 patient, 2 healthy controls) and 20 control interactions (3 healthy participants) were recorded and motion captured in 3D. The participation of patients and their partners, in each conversation role, was compared with controls at the start, middle and end of the interaction. The relationship between patients' participation, their symptoms and the rapport others experienced with them was also explored. At the start of the interaction patients spoke less (ß =?-.639, p =?.02) and spent more time as secondary recipient (ß =?.349, p =?.02). Patients' participation at the middle and end of the interaction did not differ from controls. Patients' partners experienced poorer rapport with patients who spent more time as a primary recipient at the start of the interaction (RHO(11)?=?-.755, p<.01). Patients' participation was not associated with symptoms. Despite their increased participation over time, patients' initial participation appears to be associated with others' experience of rapport with them. Thus, the opening moments of patients' first encounters appear to be interpersonally significant. Further investigation of patient and others' behaviour during these critical moments is warranted in order to understand, and possibly develop interventions to address, the difficulties schizophrenia patients experience here. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 93 | Int J Biometeorol 2014 Jan 58: 61-7 |
| PMID | 23321798 |
| Title | The influence of air-suspended particulate concentration on the incidence of suicide attempts and exacerbation of schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | The main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of the concentration of solid air-suspended particles (SSP) in the incidence of mental disorders. The study is based on 1,871 cases, registered in the Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center (BS-MHC) at Ben-Gurion University (Israel) during a 16-month period from 2001 to 2002; 1,445 persons were hospitalized due to exacerbation of schizophrenia (ICD-10: F20-F29) and 426 after committing a suicide attempt using a variety of means as coded in the ICD-10 (ICD-10: X60-X84). Pearson and Spearman test correlations were used; the statistical significance was tested at p??0.3, p??0.2). A trend towards positive correlation (??>?0.2, p?schizophrenia as manifested in psychotic attack (N PS ) in periods with dominant eastern winds (4-9 am, local time) has been observed, while in the afternoon and evening hours (1-8 pm local time) with dominant western winds, N C and N PS are not correlated (p?>?0.1). Obviously, concentration of SSP is not the one and only parameter of air pollution state determining meteorological-biological impact, involving incidence of mental disorders, although its role can scarcely be overstated. However, since it is one of the simplest measured parameters, it could be widely used and helpful in the daily struggle for human life comfort in semi-arid areas as well as urban and industrial surroundings, where air pollution reaches crucial values. This study may permit determination of the limits for different external factors, which do not overcome threshold values (without provoking avalanche situations), to single out the group of people at increased risk (with according degree of statistic probability), whose reactions to the weather violations can involve the outbreak of frustration points and prevent or alleviate detrimental mental effects. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 94 | Schizophr Bull 2014 Nov 40: 1300-7 |
| PMID | 24476579 |
| Title | Self-disorders and the schizophrenia spectrum: a study of 100 first hospital admissions. |
| Abstract | Self-disorders (SD) have been described as a core feature of schizophrenia both in classical and recent psychopathological literature. However, the specificity of SD for the schizophrenia spectrum disorders has never been demonstrated in a diagnostically heterogeneous sample, nor has the concurrent validity of SD been examined. (1) To examine the specificity of Examination of Anomalous Self-Experiences (EASE) measured SD to the schizophrenia spectrum disorder in first contact inpatients, (2) to explore the internal consistency and factorial structure of the EASE, (3) to assess the concurrent validity of SD by exploring correlations between SD and the canonical psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia, (4) to explore relations of SD to intelligence, sociodemographic, and extrinsic illness characteristics. A total of 100 consecutive first admission patients underwent a comprehensive psychopathological examination and an assessment of SD with the EASE scale. The diagnostic distribution of the EASE scores was tested with ANOVA, whereas the relations between the EASE scores and other symptomatic dimensions of schizophrenia were tested with Spearman's RHO. A potential factorial structure and the internal consistency of the EASE scale were also examined. SD aggregated significantly in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders, with no differences between schizophrenia and schizotypal disorders. EASE scores correlated moderately with canonical psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia. Factor analysis of the EASE disclosed only one factor and the internal consistency of the EASE was excellent. SD aggregate selectively in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders, with similar levels in schizophrenia and schizotypy. The study lends validity to the view of SD as an experiential vulnerability phenotype of the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 95 | Schizophr Bull 2014 Nov 40: 1300-7 |
| PMID | 24476579 |
| Title | Self-disorders and the schizophrenia spectrum: a study of 100 first hospital admissions. |
| Abstract | Self-disorders (SD) have been described as a core feature of schizophrenia both in classical and recent psychopathological literature. However, the specificity of SD for the schizophrenia spectrum disorders has never been demonstrated in a diagnostically heterogeneous sample, nor has the concurrent validity of SD been examined. (1) To examine the specificity of Examination of Anomalous Self-Experiences (EASE) measured SD to the schizophrenia spectrum disorder in first contact inpatients, (2) to explore the internal consistency and factorial structure of the EASE, (3) to assess the concurrent validity of SD by exploring correlations between SD and the canonical psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia, (4) to explore relations of SD to intelligence, sociodemographic, and extrinsic illness characteristics. A total of 100 consecutive first admission patients underwent a comprehensive psychopathological examination and an assessment of SD with the EASE scale. The diagnostic distribution of the EASE scores was tested with ANOVA, whereas the relations between the EASE scores and other symptomatic dimensions of schizophrenia were tested with Spearman's RHO. A potential factorial structure and the internal consistency of the EASE scale were also examined. SD aggregated significantly in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders, with no differences between schizophrenia and schizotypal disorders. EASE scores correlated moderately with canonical psychopathological dimensions of schizophrenia. Factor analysis of the EASE disclosed only one factor and the internal consistency of the EASE was excellent. SD aggregate selectively in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders, with similar levels in schizophrenia and schizotypy. The study lends validity to the view of SD as an experiential vulnerability phenotype of the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 96 | Neuroreport 2015 Dec 26: 1095-100 |
| PMID | 26485094 |
| Title | White matter volume change and its correlation with symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia: a VBM-DARTEL study. |
| Abstract | The aim of this study was to evaluate the white matter (WM) volume change and its correlation with symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia using voxel-based morphometry. A total of 20 patients with schizophrenia and 20 age-matched healthy controls participated in this study. MR image data were processed using SPM8 software with diffeomorphic anatomical registration through an exponentiated Lie algebra (DARTEL) algorithm. The patients with schizophrenia showed significant decreases (P=0.042) in the WM volumes of the temporal lobe and superior frontal gyrus compared with the healthy controls. The WM volumes of the middle temporal gyrus were negatively correlated with the scores of both the Positive Subscale (Pearson's ?=-0.68, P=0.001) and the Negative Subscale (?=-0.71, P=0.0005) in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. In addition, the scores of the General Psychopathology Subscale were negatively correlated with the WM volumes of the superior frontal gyrus (?=-0.68, P=0.0009). This study evaluated the WM volume of patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy controls using DARTEI-based voxel-based morphometry and also assessed the correlation of the localized WM volume changes with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. These findings will be useful to understand the neuropathology associated with WM abnormality in schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 97 | PLoS ONE 2015 -1 10: e0145979 |
| PMID | 26717414 |
| Title | Heterozygous Disruption of Autism susceptibility candidate 2 Causes Impaired Emotional Control and Cognitive Memory. |
| Abstract | Mutations in the Autism susceptibility candidate 2 gene (AUTS2) have been associated with a broad range of psychiatric illnesses including autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability and schizophrenia. We previously demonstrated that the cytoplasmic AUTS2 acts as an upstream factor for the RHO family small GTPase Rac1 and Cdc42 that regulate the cytoskeletal rearrangements in neural cells. Moreover, genetic ablation of the Auts2 gene in mice has resulted in defects in neuronal migration and neuritogenesis in the developing cerebral cortex caused by inactivation of Rac1-signaling pathway, suggesting that AUTS2 is required for neural development. In this study, we conducted a battery of behavioral analyses on Auts2 heterozygous mutant mice to examine the involvement of Auts2 in adult cognitive brain functions. Auts2-deficient mice displayed a decrease in exploratory behavior as well as lower anxiety-like behaviors in the absence of any motor dysfunction. Furthermore, the capability for novel object recognition and cued associative memory were impaired in Auts2 mutant mice. Social behavior and sensory motor gating functions were, however, normal in the mutant mice as assessed by the three-chamber test and prepulse inhibition test, respectively. Together, our findings indicate that AUTS2 is critical for the acquisition of neurocognitive function. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 98 | Hippocampus 2015 Mar 25: 373-84 |
| PMID | 25330763 |
| Title | Inhibiting geranylgeranyltransferase I activity decreases spine density in central nervous system. |
| Abstract | Geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGT), a protein prenyltransferase, is responsible for the posttranslational lipidation of RHO GTPases, such as Rac, RHO and Cdc42, all of which play an important role in neuronal synaptogenesis. We previously demonstrated that GGT promotes dendritic morphogenesis in cultured hippocampal neurons and cerebellar slices. We report here that inhibiting GGT activity decreases basal- and activity-dependent changes in spine density as well as in learning and memory ability of mice in vivo. We found that KCl- or bicuculline-induced dendritic spine density increases was abolished by specific GGT inhibitor GGTi-2147 treatment in cultured hippocampal neurons. GGTi-2147 lateral ventricular injection reduced GGT activity and membrane association of Rac and decreased the density of dendritic spines in the mouse hippocampus, frontal cortex and cerebellum. GGTi-2147 administration also impaired learning and memory ability of mice. More importantly, mice exposed to environmental enrichment (EE) showed increased spine density and learning and memory ability, which were significantly reversed by GGTi-2147 administration. These data demonstrate that inhibiting GGT activity prevents both basal- and activity-dependent changes in spine density in central nervous system both in vitro and in vivo. Manipulating GGT activity may be a promising strategy for the therapies of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, depression, and schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 99 | J Relig Health 2015 Feb 54: 112-21 |
| PMID | 24154632 |
| Title | Validation of the Portuguese version of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being scale (FACIT-Sp 12) among Brazilian psychiatric inpatients. |
| Abstract | Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being scale (FACIT-Sp 12) is one of the most used and most validated instruments for assessing spiritual well-being in the world. Some Brazilian studies have used this instrument without, however, assessing its psychometric properties. The present study aims to validate the Portuguese version of the FACIT-Sp 12 among Brazilian psychiatric inpatients. A self-administered questionnaire, covering spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp 12), depression, anxiety, religiosity, quality of life, and optimism, was administered. Of those who met the inclusion criteria, 579 patients were invited to participate and 493 (85.1 %) were able to fill out the FACIT-Sp 12 twice (test and retest). Subsequently, the validation analysis was carried out. Estimation of test-retest reliability, discriminant, and convergent validity was determined by the Spearman's correlation test, and the internal consistency was examined by the Cronbach's alpha. The sample was predominantly male (63.9 %) with a mean age of 35.9 years, and the most common psychiatric condition was bipolar disorder (25.7 %) followed by schizophrenia (20.4 %), drug use (20.0 %), and depression (17.6 %) according to ICD-10. The total FACIT-Sp 12 scale as well as the subscales demonstrated high internal consistency (coefficient alphas ranging from 0.893 for the total scale to 0.655 for the Meaning subscale), good convergent and divergent validity, and satisfactory test-retest reliability (RHO = 0.699). The Portuguese version of FACIT-Sp 12 is a valid and reliable measure to use in Brazilian psychiatric inpatients. The availability of a brief and broad measure of spiritual well-being can help the study of spirituality and its influence on health by researchers from countries that speak the Portuguese language. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 100 | Mol Imaging Biol 2015 Jun 17: 355-63 |
| PMID | 25296765 |
| Title | Quantitative Multi-modal Brain Autoradiography of Glutamatergic, Dopaminergic, Cannabinoid, and Nicotinic Receptors in Mutant Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) Mice. |
| Abstract | Disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) is a promising genetic susceptibility factor for major psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia. We hypothesized that the mutant DISC1 alters the homeostasis of multi-receptor interactions between dopaminergic [dopamine 2/3 (D(2/3)R)], glutamatergic [metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGluR5)], cannabinoid 1 (CB(1)R), and nicotinic acetylcholine (?4?2-nAChR) receptors in the brains of mice with inducible forebrain neuronal expression of dominant-negative mutant DISC1. The quantitative in vitro autoradiography was performed with positron emission tomography (PET) ligands using [(11)C]raclopride (D2/3R), [(11)C]ABP688 (mGluR5), [(11)C]OMAR (CB(1)R), and [(18)F]AZAN (nAChR). Total binding (pmol/cc) from standard and binding index, defined as [(region of interest?-?reference)?/?reference], was analyzed in the parasagittal sections. The cerebellum was used as a reference for D(2/3)R, mGluR5, and ?4?2-nAChR, while the midbrain was the reference tissue for CB(1)R, because of the high density of CB(1)R in the cerebellum. We observed a significant positive correlation between mGluR5 and D2/3R in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in mutant DISC1 (RHO?=?0.6, p?=?0.04; y?=?0.02 x?+?6.7) and a trend of negative correlation between those receptors in the dorsal striatum (DS) in control animals (RHO?=?-0.5, p?=?0.09; y?=?-0.03 x?+?23), suggesting a co-release of dopamine (DA) and glutamate (Glu) in the NAc, but not in the DS. There were trends of an inverse relationship between striatal CB(1)R and D(2/3)R (RHO?=?-0.7, p?=?0.07) as well as between dorsal thalamic nAChR and striatal D2/3R (RHO?=?-0.5, p?=?0.08). There was no statistically significant difference of the individual receptor density in the majority of brain regions. The mutant DISC1 altered the homeostasis of multi-receptor interactions of coincident signaling of DA and Glu in the NAc, but not in the DS, and mutually negative control of striatal CB(1)R and D2/3R. Multi-receptor mapping with PET ligands in relevant animal models could be a valuable translational approach for psychiatric drug development. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 101 | JAMA Psychiatry 2015 Aug 72: 813-21 |
| PMID | 25587799 |
| Title | Spontaneous Gamma Activity in Schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | A major goal of translational neuroscience is to identify neural circuit abnormalities in neuropsychiatric disorders that can be studied in animal models to facilitate the development of new treatments. Oscillations in the gamma band (30-100 Hz) of the electroencephalogram have received considerable interest as the basic mechanisms underlying these oscillations are understood, and gamma abnormalities have been found in schizophrenia (SZ). Animal models of SZ based on hypofunction of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) demonstrate increased spontaneous broadband gamma power, but this phenomenon has not been identified clearly in patients with SZ. To examine spontaneous gamma power and its relationship to evoked gamma oscillations in the auditory cortex of patients with SZ. We performed a cross-sectional study including 24 patients with chronic SZ and 24 matched healthy control participants at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2012. Electroencephalograms were obtained during auditory steady-state stimulation at multiple frequencies (20, 30, and 40 Hz) and during a resting state in 18 participants in each group. Electroencephalographic activity in the auditory cortex was estimated using dipole source localization. Auditory steady-state response (ASSR) measures included the phase-locking factor and evoked power. Spontaneous gamma power was measured as induced (non-phase-locked) gamma power in the ASSR data and as total gamma power in the resting-state data. The ASSR phase-locking factor was reduced significantly in patients with SZ compared with controls for the 40-Hz stimulation (mean [SD], 0.075 [0.028] vs 0.113 [0.065]; F1,46?=?6.79 [P?=?.012]) but not the 20- or the 30-Hz stimulation (0.042 [0.038] vs 0.043 [0.034]; F1,46?=?0.006 [P?=?.938] and 0.084 [0.040] vs 0.098 [0.050]; F1,46?=?1.605 [P?=?.212], respectively), repeating previous findings. The mean [SD] broadband-induced (30-100 Hz) gamma power was increased in patients with SZ compared with controls during steady-state stimulation (6.579 [3.783] vs 3.984 [1.843]; F1,46 = 9.128 [P = .004]; d = 0.87) but not during rest (0.006 [0.003] vs 0.005 [0.002]; F1,34?=?1.067 [P?=?.309]; d?=?0.35). Induced gamma power in the left hemisphere of the patients with SZ during the 40-Hz stimulation was positively correlated with auditory hallucination symptoms (tangential, ??=?0.587 [P?=?.031]; radial, ??=?0.593 [P?=?.024]) and negatively correlated with the ASSR phase-locking factor (baseline: ??=?-0.572 [P?=?.024]; ASSR: ??=?-0.568 [P?=?.032]). Spontaneous gamma activity is increased during auditory steady-state stimulation in SZ, reflecting a disruption in the normal balance of excitation and inhibition. This phenomenon interacts with evoked oscillations, possibly contributing to the gamma ASSR deficit found in SZ. The similarity of increased spontaneous gamma power in SZ to the findings of increased spontaneous gamma power in animal models of NMDAR hypofunction suggests that spontaneous gamma power could serve as a biomarker for the integrity of NMDARs on parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory interneurons in humans and in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 102 | Psychiatr Danub 2015 Sep 27 Suppl 1: S261-5 |
| PMID | 26417776 |
| Title | Effects of hormones on cognition in schizophrenic male patients--preliminary results. |
| Abstract | schizophrenia is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder of an unknown etiology and a variable phenotypic expression. In the recent years, the impact of hormones on the course of schizophrenia has been investigated. This study is aimed at assessing the level of correlating serum levels of hormones in schizophrenic male patients with their cognitive functioning measured with neuropsychological tests. In the index group there were 15 medicated male schizophrenic patients. In the control group there were 15 age and education matched healthy men. All subjects underwent analysis of serum hormones level (TSH, testosterone, estradiol, FSH, LH, progesterone and prolactin) and a battery of tests (Trail Making Test A and B, Stroop Test, Verbal and Semantic Fluency Test). The mean serum levels of the following hormones were higher in the index group than in the control group: TSH (1.76 mIU/L vs 1.58 mIU/L; p=0.66), progesterone (0.85 ng/ml vs 0.69 ng/ml; p=0.22) and prolactin (558.71 uIU/ml vs 181 uIU/ml; p=0.025). The mean levels of estradiol (24.36 pg/ml vs 25.40 ng/ml; p=0.64), FSH (3.17 mIU/ml vs 5.72 mIU/ml; p=0.019), LH (3.85 mIU/ml vs 5.77 mIU/ml; p=0.056) and testosterone (2.90 ng/ml vs 5.38 ng/ml; p=0.003) were higher in the control group. In the index group there were significant negative correlations between FSH and semantic fluency (?=-0.678606), progesterone and: TMT B (?=-0.586763), Stroop 1 (?=-0.701880) and Stroop 2 (?=-0.601074) and prolactin and TMT A (?=-0.579607). The preliminary results of our study show that serum levels of FSH and testosterone are significantly lower, whereas the level of prolactin is markedly higher, in schizophrenic male patients than in healthy men. There is an inverse correlation between serum levels of progesterone, FSH and prolactin and the results of certain cognitive functioning tests in schizophrenic men. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 103 | Cortex 2015 Oct 71: 264-76 |
| PMID | 26277547 |
| Title | Abnormal white matter connections between medial frontal regions predict symptoms in patients with first episode schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | The medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) and rostral part of anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) have been suggested to be involved in the neural network of salience and emotional processing, and associated with specific clinical symptoms in schizophrenia. Considering the schizophrenia dysconnectivity hypothesis, the connectivity abnormalities between mOFC and rACC might be associated with clinical characteristics in first episode schizophrenia patients (FESZ). After parcellating mOFC into the anterior and posterior part, diffusion properties of the mOFC-rACC white matter connections for 21 patients with FESZ and 21 healthy controls (HCs) were examined using stochastic tractography, one of the most effective Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) methods for examining tracts between adjacent gray matter (GM) regions. Fractional anisotropy (FA) reductions were observed in bilateral posterior, but not anterior mOFC-rACC connections (left: p < .0001; right: p < .0001) in FESZ compared to HCs. In addition, reduced FA in the left posterior mOFC-rACC connection was associated with more severe anhedonia-asociality (RHO = -.633, p = .006) and total score (RHO = -.520, p = .032) in the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS); reduced FA in the right posterior mOFC-rACC connection was associated with more severe affective flattening (RHO = -.644, p = .005), total score (RHO = -.535, p = .027) in SANS, hallucinations (RHO = -.551, p = .018), delusions (RHO = -.632, p = .005) and total score (RHO = -.721, p = .001) in the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) in FESZ. The observed white matter abnormalities within the connections between mOFC and rACC might be associated with the psychopathology of the early stage of schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 104 | JAMA Psychiatry 2015 Sep 72: 882-91 |
| PMID | 26267151 |
| Title | Association of Thalamic Dysconnectivity and Conversion to Psychosis in Youth and Young Adults at Elevated Clinical Risk. |
| Abstract | Severe neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, affect distributed neural computations. One candidate system profoundly altered in chronic schizophrenia involves the thalamocortical networks. It is widely acknowledged that schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that likely affects the brain before onset of clinical symptoms. However, no investigation has tested whether thalamocortical connectivity is altered in individuals at risk for psychosis or whether this pattern is more severe in individuals who later develop full-blown illness. To determine whether baseline thalamocortical connectivity differs between individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis and healthy controls, whether this pattern is more severe in those who later convert to full-blown illness, and whether magnitude of thalamocortical dysconnectivity is associated with baseline prodromal symptom severity. In this multicenter, 2-year follow-up, case-control study, we examined 397 participants aged 12-35 years of age (243 individuals at clinical high risk of psychosis, of whom 21 converted to full-blown illness, and 154 healthy controls). The baseline scan dates were January 15, 2010, to April 30, 2012. Whole-brain thalamic functional connectivity maps were generated using individuals' anatomically defined thalamic seeds, measured using resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging. Using baseline magnetic resonance images, we identified thalamocortical dysconnectivity in the 243 individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis, which was particularly pronounced in the 21 participants who converted to full-blown illness. The pattern involved widespread hypoconnectivity between the thalamus and prefrontal and cerebellar areas, which was more prominent in those who converted to full-blown illness (t(173) = 3.77, P Thalamic dysconnectivity, resembling that seen in schizophrenia, was evident in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis and more prominently in those who later converted to psychosis. Dysconnectivity correlated with symptom severity, supporting the idea that thalamic connectivity may have prognostic implications for risk of conversion to full-blown illness. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 105 | Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2015 Apr 70: 278-82 |
| PMID | 26017795 |
| Title | Validity and reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the BACS (Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia). |
| Abstract | To assess the validity and reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in schizophrenia by examining its temporal stability, internal consistency, and discriminant and convergent validity. The Brief Assessment of Cognition in schizophrenia was administered to 116 stable patients with schizophrenia and 58 matched control subjects. To assess concurrent validity, a subset of patients underwent a traditional neuropsychological assessment. The patients with schizophrenia performed significantly worse than the controls (p<0.001) on all subtests of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in schizophrenia and on the total score, which attests to the discriminant validity of the test. The global score of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in schizophrenia was significantly correlated with all of the subtests and with the global score for the standard battery. The Brief Assessment of Cognition in schizophrenia also had good test-retest reliability (RHO>0.8). The internal consistency of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in schizophrenia was high (Cronbach's ? ???0.874). The Brazilian Portuguese version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in schizophrenia exhibits good reliability and discriminant and concurrent validity and is a promising tool for easily assessing cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and for comparing the performance of Brazilian patients with that of patients from other countries. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 106 | Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015 Jul 57: 125-33 |
| PMID | 25917886 |
| Title | Association of metabolic syndrome with sensory gating deficits in patients with chronic schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Metabolic syndrome is more prevalent in schizophrenia than in the general population and is associated with an increased rate of morbidity. It has been associated with cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, which are a core deficit in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Sensory gating deficit is also a core deficit in schizophrenia. The principal objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between sensory gating deficit and metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia, after adjusting for key confounding factors. We hypothesized that patients with metabolic syndrome exhibit a higher rate of sensory gating deficit compared to those without metabolic syndrome. This study investigated sensory gating with the auditory event-related potential method by measuring P50 amplitude changes in a double click conditioning-testing procedure in 51 patients with schizophrenia. Patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 14) had a higher rate of sensory gating deficit (P50 suppression <50%) (p < 0.001) compared to those without metabolic syndrome (n = 37). This result remained significant (B = 2.94, Wald = 8.32, p = 0.004) after taking into account 5 potential confounding factors (age, gender, duration of disorder, Fagerström test, presence of clozapine or olanzapine). In patients without metabolic syndrome, sensory gating deficit was linked to a poorer attentional performance (RHO = -0.371, p = 0.05). In patients with metabolic syndrome, sensory gating deficit was linked to poorer memory performance (RHO = -0.635, p = 0.02). These findings suggest that metabolic syndrome may be linked to sensory gating deficit in patients with schizophrenia and that the relationship between neurocognitive function and sensory gating deficit could be affected by the metabolic status of the patients. Further studies are needed to address the causal relationship between sensory gating deficit related to schizophrenia, cognitive impairments and metabolic syndrome. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 107 | Cogn Neurodyn 2015 Apr 9: 231-48 |
| PMID | 25852781 |
| Title | EEG-based investigation of brain connectivity changes in psychotic patients undergoing the primitive expression form of dance therapy: a methodological pilot study. |
| Abstract | Primitive expression (PE) is a form of dance therapy (DT) that involves an interaction of ethologically and socially based forms which are supplied for re-enactment. There exist very few studies of DT applications including in their protocol the measurement of neurophysiological parameters. The present pilot study investigates the use of the correlation coefficient (?) and mutual information (MI), and of novel measures extracted from ? and MI, on electroencephalographic (EEG) data recorded in patients with schizophrenia while they undergo PE DT, in order to expand the set of neurophysiology-based approaches for quantifying possible DT effects, using parameters that might provide insights about any potential brain connectivity changes in these patients during the PE DT process. Indication is provided for an acute potentiation effect, apparent at late-stage PE DT, on the inter-hemispheric connectivity in frontal areas, as well as for attenuation of the inter-hemispheric connectivity of left frontal and right central areas and for potentiation of the intra-hemispheric connectivity of frontal and central areas, bilaterally, in the transition from early to late-stage PE DT. This pilot study indicates that by using EEG connectivity measures based on ? and MI, the set of useful neurophysiology-based approaches for quantifying possible DT effects is expanded. In the framework of the present study, the causes of the observed connectivity changes cannot be attributed with certainty to PE DT, but indications are provided that these measures may contribute to a detailed assessment of neurophysiological mechanisms possibly being affected by this therapeutic process. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 108 | Encephale 2015 Apr 41: 174-83 |
| PMID | 25838239 |
| Title | [Attributable risk of co-morbid substance use disorder in poor observance to pharmacological treatment and the occurrence of relapse in schizophrenia]. |
| Abstract | There are numerous risk factors involved in poor (incomplete) compliance to pharmacological treatment, and the associated relapse risk, for patients with schizophrenia. Comorbid substance use disorders are considered as among the most important ones, although how much their presence increase the risk of poorer observance (and higher risk of relapse) has not been yet assessed. This measure would be important, especially if the published literature on the topic provides sufficient material to perform a meta-analysis and to assess different potential biases such as those related to time (new studies are easier to publish when positive) or sample size (small samples might drive the global positive conclusion). A PubMed(®) search was made, screening the following terms between 1996 and august 2014 "Addiction AND (Observance OR Adherence) AND schizophrenia AND (French OR English [Language])" and "(Substance Abuse OR substance dependance) AND Outcome AND schizophrenia AND (French OR English [Language])". Studies were included if they describe two patients groups (schizophrenia with and without present substance use disorder) and assess the studied outcome. MetaWin(®) version 2 was used for the meta-analysis, while publication time bias relied on non-parametric correlation and the one linked to sample size was assessed through normal quantile plots. An attributable risk was also computered, on the basis of the odds-ratio derived from the meta-analysis and the prevalence of the analyzed trait (associated substance use disorder). Eight studies could be included in the meta-analysis, showing that the presence of a substance use disorder significantly increases the risk of poor observance to pharmacological treatment (OR=2.18 [1.84-2.58]), no significant bias being detected, either linked to time (RHO=0.287, P=0.490) or sample size (Kendall's Tau=-0.286, P=0.322). The related attributable risk is 18.50%. Only three studies could be used for the meta-analysis of the risk of relapse associated with the presence of substance use disorders. The corresponding odds-ratio is 1.52 [1.19-1.94], and the attributable risk is 31.20%, but the search for biases could not be performed because of the small number of studies. These results shed light on the importance of comorbid substance use disorder to explain the poor observance frequently observed in patients with schizophrenia. Indeed, having an associated substance use disorder double the risk of poor compliance to pharmacological treatment, this comorbidity explaining a fifth of all factors involved. Although the number of available studies does not allow definite conclusions, the meta-analysis of prospective studies focusing this time of the risk of relapse requiring hospitalization is also in favor of a significant role of associated substance use disorder. These results argue in favor of developing specific strategies to better treat patients with dual diagnoses, i.e. schizophrenia and substance use disorder. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 109 | Neuropsychopharmacology 2015 Aug 40: 2157-64 |
| PMID | 25722115 |
| Title | Evaluation of Myo-Inositol as a Potential Biomarker for Depression in Schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Depression is highly prevalent in patients with schizophrenia and is associated with significant clinical consequences, but there is no known biomarker for depression in schizophrenia. One of the putative neurochemical biomarkers for depression in major depressive disorder (MDD) is reduced cerebral concentration of myo-Inositol. We examined whether myo-Inositol levels provide a potential marker for depressive symptoms in schizophrenia similar to that in MDD and are informative regarding causal biological pathways underlying both depression and schizophrenia. We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine myo-Inositol levels in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in 59 schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) patients and 69 matched community comparison participants. Participants completed the Maryland Trait and State Depression (MTSD) scale to measure symptoms of depression experienced around time of assessment ('State' subscale) and longitudinally ('Trait' subscale). Myo-Inositol in the ACC was negatively correlated with MTSD-Trait scores in both patients (?=-0.336, p=0.009) and community comparison samples (?=-0.328, p=0.006). Furthermore, patients with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder or a history of at least one major depressive episode had lower levels of myo-Inositol compared with schizophrenia patients without a current or past affective diagnosis (p=0.012). Since reduced brain myo-Inositol is associated with MDD, myo-Inositol may be a biochemical marker of depressive mood symptoms across diagnostic boundaries. If confirmed, this finding may aid investigation of the pathophysiology and therapeutics of depression common between depression, schizophrenia and other psychiatric diagnoses. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 110 | Eur. Psychiatry 2015 Jul 30: 606-14 |
| PMID | 25700728 |
| Title | On the correlation between perceptual inundation caused by realistic immersive environmental auditory scenes and the sensory gating inventory in schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | In schizophrenia, perceptual inundation related to sensory gating deficit can be evaluated "off-line" with the sensory gating inventory (SGI) and "on-line" during listening tests. However, no study investigated the relation between "off-line evaluation" and "on-line evaluation". The present study investigates this relationship. A sound corpus of 36 realistic environmental auditory scenes was obtained from a 3D immersive synthesizer. Twenty schizophrenic patients and twenty healthy subjects completed the SGI and evaluated the feeling of "inundation" from 1 ("null") to 5 ("maximum") for each auditory scene. Sensory gating deficit was evaluated in half of each population group with P50 suppression electrophysiological measure. Evaluation of inundation during sound listening was significantly higher in schizophrenia (3.25) compared to the control group (2.40, P<.001). The evaluation of inundation during the listening test correlated significantly with the perceptual modulation (n=20, RHO=.52, P=.029) and the over-inclusion dimensions (n=20, RHO=.59, P=.01) of the SGI in schizophrenic patients and with the P50 suppression for the entire group of controls and patients who performed ERP recordings (n=20, RHO=-.49, P=.027). An evaluation of the external validity of the SGI was obtained through listening tests. The ability to control acoustic parameters of each of the realistic immersive environmental auditory scenes might in future research make it possible to identify acoustic triggers related to perceptual inundation in schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 111 | Schizophr. Res. 2015 Mar 162: 42-6 |
| PMID | 25623602 |
| Title | Theory of mind in schizophrenia: error types and associations with symptoms. |
| Abstract | Social cognition is an important determinant of functioning in schizophrenia. However, how social cognition relates to the clinical symptoms of schizophrenia is still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between a social cognition domain, Theory of Mind (ToM), and the clinical symptoms of schizophrenia. Specifically, we investigated the associations between three ToM error types; 1) "overmentalizing" 2) "reduced ToM and 3) "no ToM", and positive, negative and disorganized symptoms. Fifty-two participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were assessed with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC), a video-based ToM measure. An empirically validated five-factor model of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess clinical symptoms. There was a significant, small-moderate association between overmentalizing and positive symptoms (RHO=.28, p=.04). Disorganized symptoms correlated at a trend level with "reduced ToM" (RHO=.27, p=.05). There were no other significant correlations between ToM impairments and symptom levels. Positive/disorganized symptoms did not contribute significantly in explaining total ToM performance, whereas IQ did (B=.37, p=.01). Within the undermentalizing domain, participants performed more "reduced ToM" errors than "no ToM" errors. Overmentalizing was associated with positive symptoms. The undermentalizing error types were unrelated to symptoms, but "reduced ToM" was somewhat associated to disorganization. The higher number of "reduced ToM" responses suggests that schizophrenia is characterized by accuracy problems rather than a fundamental lack of mental state concept. The findings call for the use of more sensitive measures when investigating ToM in schizophrenia to avoid the "right/wrong ToM"-dichotomy. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 112 | Neurotherapeutics 2015 Jan 12: 19-28 |
| PMID | 25588580 |
| Title | Reversing synapse loss in Alzheimer's disease: Rho-guanosine triphosphatases and insights from other brain disorders. |
| Abstract | Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a monumental public health crisis with no effective cure or treatment. To date, therapeutic strategies have focused almost exclusively on upstream signaling events in the disease, namely on ?-amyloid and amyloid precursor protein processing, and have, unfortunately, yielded few, if any, promising results. An alternative approach may be to target signaling events downstream of ?-amyloid and even tau. However, with so many pathways already linked to the disease, understanding which ones are "drivers" versus "passengers" in the pathogenesis of the disease remains a tremendous challenge. Given the critical roles of RHO-guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) in regulating the actin cytoskeleton and spine dynamics, and the strong association between spine abnormalities and cognition, it is not surprising that mutations in a number of genes involved in RHO-GTPase signaling have been implicated in several brain disorders, including schizophrenia and autism. And now, there is mounting literature implicating RHO-GTPase signaling in AD pathogenesis as well. Here, I review this evidence, with a particular emphasis on the regulators of RHO-GTPase signaling, namely guanine nucleotide exchange factors and GTPase-activating proteins. Several of these have been linked to various aspects of AD, and each offers a novel potential therapeutic target for AD. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 113 | Psychiatr Danub 2015 Sep 27 Suppl 1: S261-5 |
| PMID | 26417776 |
| Title | Effects of hormones on cognition in schizophrenic male patients--preliminary results. |
| Abstract | schizophrenia is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder of an unknown etiology and a variable phenotypic expression. In the recent years, the impact of hormones on the course of schizophrenia has been investigated. This study is aimed at assessing the level of correlating serum levels of hormones in schizophrenic male patients with their cognitive functioning measured with neuropsychological tests. In the index group there were 15 medicated male schizophrenic patients. In the control group there were 15 age and education matched healthy men. All subjects underwent analysis of serum hormones level (TSH, testosterone, estradiol, FSH, LH, progesterone and prolactin) and a battery of tests (Trail Making Test A and B, Stroop Test, Verbal and Semantic Fluency Test). The mean serum levels of the following hormones were higher in the index group than in the control group: TSH (1.76 mIU/L vs 1.58 mIU/L; p=0.66), progesterone (0.85 ng/ml vs 0.69 ng/ml; p=0.22) and prolactin (558.71 uIU/ml vs 181 uIU/ml; p=0.025). The mean levels of estradiol (24.36 pg/ml vs 25.40 ng/ml; p=0.64), FSH (3.17 mIU/ml vs 5.72 mIU/ml; p=0.019), LH (3.85 mIU/ml vs 5.77 mIU/ml; p=0.056) and testosterone (2.90 ng/ml vs 5.38 ng/ml; p=0.003) were higher in the control group. In the index group there were significant negative correlations between FSH and semantic fluency (?=-0.678606), progesterone and: TMT B (?=-0.586763), Stroop 1 (?=-0.701880) and Stroop 2 (?=-0.601074) and prolactin and TMT A (?=-0.579607). The preliminary results of our study show that serum levels of FSH and testosterone are significantly lower, whereas the level of prolactin is markedly higher, in schizophrenic male patients than in healthy men. There is an inverse correlation between serum levels of progesterone, FSH and prolactin and the results of certain cognitive functioning tests in schizophrenic men. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 114 | Eur. Psychiatry 2015 Jul 30: 606-14 |
| PMID | 25700728 |
| Title | On the correlation between perceptual inundation caused by realistic immersive environmental auditory scenes and the sensory gating inventory in schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | In schizophrenia, perceptual inundation related to sensory gating deficit can be evaluated "off-line" with the sensory gating inventory (SGI) and "on-line" during listening tests. However, no study investigated the relation between "off-line evaluation" and "on-line evaluation". The present study investigates this relationship. A sound corpus of 36 realistic environmental auditory scenes was obtained from a 3D immersive synthesizer. Twenty schizophrenic patients and twenty healthy subjects completed the SGI and evaluated the feeling of "inundation" from 1 ("null") to 5 ("maximum") for each auditory scene. Sensory gating deficit was evaluated in half of each population group with P50 suppression electrophysiological measure. Evaluation of inundation during sound listening was significantly higher in schizophrenia (3.25) compared to the control group (2.40, P<.001). The evaluation of inundation during the listening test correlated significantly with the perceptual modulation (n=20, RHO=.52, P=.029) and the over-inclusion dimensions (n=20, RHO=.59, P=.01) of the SGI in schizophrenic patients and with the P50 suppression for the entire group of controls and patients who performed ERP recordings (n=20, RHO=-.49, P=.027). An evaluation of the external validity of the SGI was obtained through listening tests. The ability to control acoustic parameters of each of the realistic immersive environmental auditory scenes might in future research make it possible to identify acoustic triggers related to perceptual inundation in schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 115 | Hum. Mol. Genet. 2016 May -1: -1 |
| PMID | 27146843 |
| Title | Fasudil treatment in adult reverses behavioural changes and brain ventricular enlargement in Oligophrenin-1 mouse model of intellectual disability. |
| Abstract | Loss of function mutations in human Oligophrenin1 (OPHN1) gene are responsible for syndromic intellectual disability (ID) associated with cerebellar hypoplasia and cerebral ventricles enlargement. Functional studies in rodent models suggest that OPHN1 linked ID is a consequence of abnormal synaptic transmission and shares common pathophysiological mechanisms with other cognitive disorders. Variants of this gene have been also identified in autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. The advanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying OPHN1-related ID, allowed us to develop a therapeutic approach targeting the Ras homolog gene family, member A (RHOA) signalling pathway and repurpose Fasudil- a well-tolerated RHO Kinase (ROCK) and Protein Kinase A (PKA) inhibitor- as a treatment of ID. We have previously shown ex-vivo its beneficial effect on synaptic transmission and plasticity in a mouse model of the OPHN1 loss of function. Here, we report that chronic treatment in adult mouse with Fasudil, is able to counteract vertical and horizontal hyperactivities, restores recognition memory and limits the brain ventricular dilatation observed in Ophn1(-) (/y) However, deficits in working and spatial memories are partially or not rescued by the treatment. These results highlight the potential of Fasudil treatment in synaptopathies and also the need for multiple therapeutic approaches especially in adult where brain plasticity is reduced. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 116 | JAMA Psychiatry 2016 May -1: -1 |
| PMID | 27145361 |
| Title | Dopamine-Related Disruption of Functional Topography of Striatal Connections in Unmedicated Patients With Schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Despite the well-established role of striatal dopamine in psychosis, current views generally agree that cortical dysfunction is likely necessary for the emergence of psychotic symptoms. The topographic organization of striatal-cortical connections is central to gating and integration of higher-order information, so a disruption of such topography via dysregulated dopamine could lead to cortical dysfunction in schizophrenia. However, this hypothesis remains to be tested using multivariate methods ascertaining the global pattern of striatal connectivity and without the confounding effects of antidopaminergic medication. To examine whether the pattern of brain connectivity across striatal subregions is abnormal in unmedicated patients with schizophrenia and whether this abnormality relates to psychotic symptoms and extrastriatal dopaminergic transmission. In this multimodal, case-control study, we obtained resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 18 unmedicated patients with schizophrenia and 24 matched healthy controls from the New York State Psychiatric Institute. A subset of these (12 and 17, respectively) underwent positron emission tomography with the dopamine D2 receptor radiotracer carbon 11-labeled FLB457 before and after amphetamine administration. Data were acquired between June 16, 2011, and February 25, 2014. Data analysis was performed from September 1, 2014, to January 11, 2016. Group differences in the striatal connectivity pattern (assessed via multivariable logistic regression) across striatal subregions, the association between the multivariate striatal connectivity pattern and extrastriatal baseline D2 receptor binding potential and its change after amphetamine administration, and the association between the multivariate connectivity pattern and the severity of positive symptoms evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Of the patients with schizophrenia (mean [SEM] age, 35.6 [11.8] years), 9 (50%) were male and 9 (50%) were female. Of the controls (mean [SEM] age, 33.7 [8.8] years), 10 (42%) were male and 14 (58%) were female. Patients had an abnormal pattern of striatal connectivity, which included abnormal caudate connections with a distributed set of associative cortex regions (?229 = 53.55, P?=?.004). In patients, more deviation from the multivariate pattern of striatal connectivity found in controls correlated specifically with more severe positive symptoms (??=?-0.77, P?=?.002). Striatal connectivity also correlated with baseline binding potential across cortical and extrastriatal subcortical regions (t25?=?3.01, P?=?.01, Bonferroni corrected) but not with its change after amphetamine administration. Using a multimodal, circuit-level interrogation of striatal-cortical connections, it was demonstrated that the functional topography of these connections is globally disrupted in unmedicated patients with schizophrenia. These findings suggest that striatal-cortical dysconnectivity may underlie the effects of dopamine dysregulation on the pathophysiologic mechanism of psychotic symptoms. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 117 | JAMA Psychiatry 2016 Apr 73: 396-406 |
| PMID | 26886143 |
| Title | Mediation of Developmental Risk Factors for Psychosis by White Matter Microstructure in Young Adults With Psychotic Experiences. |
| Abstract | White matter (WM) abnormalities have been identified in schizophrenia at the earliest stages of the disorder. Individuals in the general population with psychotic experiences (PEs) may show similar changes, suggesting dysfunction due to aberrant neurodevelopment. Studying such people is a powerful means of understanding the nature of neurodevelopmental problems without the confound of clinical management and allows other potential risk factors associated with the schizophrenia spectrum to be taken into account. To compare WM microstructure and myelination in young adults with and without PEs identified from a population-based cohort using diffusion and relaxometry magnetic resonance imaging and to quantify potential mediating effects of WM on several known risk factors for psychosis. In this case-control study, participants were drawn from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Psychotic experiences were assessed using a semistructured interview. Magnetic resonance imaging was carried out at age 20 years in 123 participants who had PEs and 124 individuals serving as controls. Participants with PEs were subdivided into those with operationally defined suspected PEs, definite PEs, and psychotic disorder. Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging and relaxometry-derived myelin water fractions were used to measure WM microstructure and myelination, respectively. Differences in quantitative WM indices were assessed using tract-based spatial statistics. A binary model and a continuum-like ordinal model of PEs were tested. Among the 123 participants who had PEs (mean [SE] age, 20.01 [0.004] years), 37 were male and 86 were female. Among the 124 controls (mean [SE] age, 20.11 [0.004] years), 49 were male and 76 were female. Fractional anisotropy in left frontomedial WM was significantly reduced in individuals with PEs (Montreal Neurological Institute [MNI] coordinates, -18, 37, -2; P?=?.0046). The ordinal model identified a similar but more widespread effect, with a corresponding increase in radial diffusivity (MNI coordinates, -15, 29, 21; P?=?.0042). Low birth weight (??=?-0.155; P?=?.015) and childhood IQ (??=?-0.188; P?=?.003) were associated with the presence of PEs. Results of mediation analysis were consistent with the association between birth weight (21.1% mediation effect; P?=?6.20?×?10-3) and childhood IQ (7.9% mediation effect; P?=?.041) and by PEs being mediated by fractional anisotropy changes in these regions. The results of the study imply the presence of abnormal WM microstructure in young adults with PEs. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that neurodevelopmental factors cause alterations in the cellular composition of WM circuits critical to higher cognitive function. Such alterations may first manifest in childhood as reduced IQ and later contribute to PEs in early adulthood. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 118 | Epilepsy Behav 2016 Mar 56: 38-43 |
| PMID | 26827300 |
| Title | Psychiatric comorbidities in patients from seven families with autosomal dominant cortical tremor, myoclonus, and epilepsy. |
| Abstract | The objective of this report was to assess the psychiatric comorbidity in a group of patients affected by autosomal dominant cortical tremor, myoclonus, and epilepsy (ADCME). Reliable and validated psychodiagnostic scales including the BDI (Beck Depression Inventory), STAI-Y1 and 2 (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - Y; 1 and 2), MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - 2), and QoLIE-31 (Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory - 31) were administered to 20 patients with ADCME, 20 patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), and 20 healthy controls. There was a higher prevalence of mood disorders in patients with ADCME compared to patients with JME and healthy controls, particularly depression (p=0.035 and p=0.017, respectively) and state anxiety (p=0.024 and p=0.019, respectively). Trait anxiety was not different from JME (p=0.102) but higher than healthy controls (p=0.017). The myoclonus score positively correlated with both state (RHO: 0.58, p=0.042) and trait anxiety (RHO: 0.65, p=0.011). These psychiatric features were also often associated with pathological traits of personality: paranoid (OR: 25.7, p=0.003), psychasthenia (OR: 7.0, p=0.023), schizophrenia (OR: 8.5, p=0.011), and hypomania (OR: 5.5, p=0.022). Finally, in patients with ADCME, decreased quality of life correlated with these psychiatric symptoms. Patients with ADCME show a significant psychiatric burden that impairs their quality of life. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation should be offered at the time of diagnosis to detect these comorbidities and to treat them. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 119 | Int. J. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2016 May 19: -1 |
| PMID | 26819282 |
| Title | Frontal D2/3 Receptor Availability in Schizophrenia Patients Before and After Their First Antipsychotic Treatment: Relation to Cognitive Functions and Psychopathology. |
| Abstract | We have previously reported associations between frontal D2/3 receptor binding potential positive symptoms and cognitive deficits in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients. Here, we examined the effect of dopamine D2/3 receptor blockade on cognition. Additionally, we explored the relation between frontal D2/3 receptor availability and treatment effect on positive symptoms. Twenty-five antipsychotic-naïve first-episode schizophrenia patients were examined with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, tested with the cognitive test battery Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, scanned with single-photon emission computerized tomography using the dopamine D2/3 receptor ligand [(123)I]epidepride, and scanned with MRI. After 3 months of treatment with either risperidone (n=13) or zuclopenthixol (n=9), 22 patients were reexamined. Blockade of extrastriatal dopamine D2/3 receptors was correlated with decreased attentional focus (r = -0.615, P=.003) and planning time (r = -0.436, P=.048). Moreover, baseline frontal dopamine D2/3 binding potential and positive symptom reduction correlated positively (D2/3 receptor binding potential left frontal cortex RHO = 0.56, P=.003; D2/3 receptor binding potential right frontal cortex RHO = 0.48, P=.016). Our data support the hypothesis of a negative influence of D2/3 receptor blockade on specific cognitive functions in schizophrenia. This is highly clinically relevant given the well-established association between severity of cognitive disturbances and a poor functional outcome in schizophrenia. Additionally, the findings support associations between frontal D2/3 receptor binding potential at baseline and the effect of antipsychotic treatment on positive symptoms. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 120 | Scand J Occup Ther 2016 Jul 23: 314-9 |
| PMID | 26539744 |
| Title | Exploring communication and interaction skills at work among participants in individual placement and support. |
| Abstract | Not all people with severe mental illness who attend Individual Placement and Support (IPS) gain and keep their jobs or work full time. Research has indicated a relationship between social disabilities and work performance in this group, and that support provided is often directed towards the social work environment. However, relationships between social skills performed in an authentic work setting and vocational outcomes have not been explored. To explore relationships between social communication and interaction skills and vocational outcomes among IPS service users in a Swedish context. Twenty-nine participants were appraised with the Assessment of Communication and Interaction Skills (ACIS-S) instrument, and their vocational data were registered. Correlations were estimated using Spearman's RHO test with Bonferroni corrections at item level. Better communication and interaction skills were significantly correlated with increased working hours (rs?=?0.64) and higher income (rs?=?0.45). Increased working hours were related to assuming postures, asking questions, sharing information, and sustaining conversation in an appropriate manner. The results indicate that occupational therapists need to focus on social skills and accommodation of the social work environment in order to promote sustainable working careers among people with severe mental illness. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 121 | Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2016 Jun 50: 566-76 |
| PMID | 26494850 |
| Title | Cognitive neuropsychological functioning in New Zealand M?ori diagnosed with schizophrenia. |
| Abstract | Previous research suggests that New Zealand M?ori may have an elevated rate of schizophrenia. However, there is limited evidence on important clinical features of the illness in this population. This study examined cognitive neuropsychological functioning in 54 adult M?ori diagnosed with schizophrenia and 56 M?ori controls. This study also examined associations between cognition, medication and symptoms of psychosis in the schizophrenia group. The groups were matched on socio-demographic variables, handedness and premorbid cognitive ability. Participants were assessed on neuropsychological tests of attention, executive ability, motor, premorbid ability, verbal/non-verbal memory and verbal fluency (English/M?ori versions). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to assess psychotic symptoms. Information on cultural identity, duration of illness, duration of untreated psychosis, medication and substance abuse was collected. The performance of the schizophrenia group was significantly lower than the control group on all the neuropsychological tests, except the test of attention. The effect sizes were moderate to large: 0.78 for motor function; 1.3 for executive ability, verbal fluency and visual memory; 1.6 for verbal learning and 1.8 for verbal memory. These differences remained after adjustment for multiple comparisons and covariates. A higher dose of antipsychotic medication and a higher anticholinergic load were associated with greater verbal memory impairment (r?=?-0.38 and r?=?-0.38, respectively). A longer duration of illness was associated with greater impairment of verbal memory (RHO?=?-0.48), verbal learning (RHO?=?-0.41) and visual memory (RHO?=?-0.44). The findings for the schizophrenia group show a profile of generalised cognitive impairment with greater impairment of verbal memory. The cognitive impairment in this group was independent of psychotic symptoms, but was associated with a higher antipsychotic dose, higher anticholinergic load and longer duration of illness. These findings have implications for clinical prescribing practices and rehabilitation for New Zealand M?ori diagnosed with schizophrenia. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |
| 122 | Eur. Psychiatry 2016 Mar 33: 37-44 |
| PMID | 26854985 |
| Title | Self-reported symptoms of schizotypal and borderline personality disorder in patients with mood disorders. |
| Abstract | Distinguishing between symptoms of schizotypal (SPD) and borderline personality disorders (BPD) is often difficult due to their partial overlap and frequent co-occurrence. We investigated correlations in self-reported symptoms of SPD and BPD in questionnaires at the levels of both total scores and individual items, examining overlapping dimensions. Two questionnaires, the McLean Screening Instrument (MSI) for BPD and the schizotypal Personality Questionnaire Brief (SPQ-B) for SPD, were filled in by patients with mood disorders (n=282) from specialized psychiatric care in a study of the Helsinki University Psychiatric Consortium. Correlation coefficients between total scores and individual items of the MSI and SPQ-B were estimated. Multivariate regression analysis (MRA) was conducted to examine the relationships between SPQ-B and MSI. The Spearman's correlation between total scores of the MSI and SPQ-B was strong (RHO=0.616, P<0.005). Items of MSI reflecting disrupted relatedness and affective dysregulation correlated moderately (r? varied between 0.2 and 0.4, P<0.005) with items of SPQ. Items of MSI reflecting behavioural dysregulation correlated only weakly with items of SPQ. In MRA, depressive symptoms, sex and MSI were significant predictors of SPQ-B score, whereas symptoms of anxiety, age and SPQ-B were significant predictors of MSI score. Items reflecting cognitive-perceptual distortions and affective symptoms of BPD appear to overlap with disorganized and cognitive-perceptual symptoms of SPD. Symptoms of depression may aggravate self-reported features of SPQ-B, and symptoms of anxiety features of MSI. Symptoms of behavioural dysregulation of BPD and interpersonal deficits of SPQ appear to be non-overlapping. |
| SCZ Keywords | schizophrenia, schizophrenic, schizophrenics, schizotypy, schizotypal |