bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antipsychotics Efficacy in Treatment of Schizophrenia Negative Symptoms: Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials [P03-188]
Authors: Darbá J. , Minoves A. , Rojo E. , Jiménez F. , Rejas J.
Published: March 2009

Purpose:

To examine the efficacy of second-generation-antipsychotics (SGAs) in the treatment of negative symptoms in Schizophrenia.

Methods:

Two meta-analyses were carried out using placebo or haloperidol as comparators. Studies were identified by searching for randomized, double-blind, placebo and/or haloperidol -controlled trials reporting data on efficacy of SGAs. Search was extended to the following databases: Pubmed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Proquest Health and Medical Complete, Science Citation Index Expanded, and Current Contents Connect. the outcome measure used was the change in negative symptoms, choosing a standardized statistic (Cohen's d) to synthesize data.

Results:

A total of 46 homogeneous trials (Q=45.18, df=50, p=0.667, I2=0%) were included. in the placebo-controlled meta-analysis, the effect sizes (Cohen's d) obtained for amisulpride, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone were 0.52, 0.34, 0.43, 0.36, 0.40 and 0.46, respectively, favoring active treatment against placebo (p< 0.001 in all cases). Comparing SGAs against haloperidol, showed just a statistically significant trend favoring SGA's in treatment of negative symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.15, p=0.008). Comparisons by drug showed a significant low and low-to-moderate standardized mean favoring SGA: Cohen's d = 0.34, p< 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.27, p< 0.001 and Cohen's d = 0.19, p=0.030, respectively for ziprasidone, risperidone and olanzapine.

Conclusion:

Most antipsychotics (aminosulpride, haloperidol, olanzapine. quetiapine, risperidone, ziprasidone) are effective in treatment of negative symptoms, showing moderate effect sizes. Amisulpride and ziprasidone were slightly better than the rest of drugs when compared with placebo. Compared with haloperidol, SGA showed controversial results.
is the Brief Psychotic Disorder a Distinct Nosologic Entity?: A Longitudinal Study of 80 Patients
Authors: Incio L. Rodriguez , Fullana I. Grande , Gistau V. Sánchez , Arroyo M. Bernardo , Rodón E. Parellada
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

The DSM-IV-TR category “brief psychotic disorder” includes different concepts that have been defined before like bouffée délirante, cycloid psychosis and “acute and transient psychosis” in the last ICD-10. Limited prospective studies have been done, and they all show a marked diagnostic instability during follow-up. According to that, its independent nosologic entity is still uncertain.

Aims:

To determine the diagnostic stability of the brief psychotic disorders as well as their distinct clinical features.

Method:

Observational, retrospective, longitudinal study of 80 consecutive patients admitted at the acute psychiatric inpatient service of a general hospital between 2000 and 2006. at discharge, all of them fulfilled diagnostic criteria for “brief psychotic disorder” according to DSM-IV. Demographic and psychopathological data were analysed.

Results:

Mean age (SD) was 31.3 (9.5), most of them women (63%). the most frequent previous stressor was related to labour, while up to 45% didn't report any. 51% had no psychiatric family history. 15 (19%) patients previously had a brief psychotic episode. Psychopathological disturbances identified were: thought disorder 69%, anxiety 66.6%, insomnia 57.7%, suspiciousness 53.5%, rapidly changing delusions 53.3% (paranoid contents 75.3%), perplexity 46.5%, auditory hallucinations 45.1%, mood lability 36.6%, elation 23.9%, depressed mood 22.5% and irritability 12.7%. in the 24 month follow-up, 32.5% changed diagnosis to schizophrenia, 3"9% to schizoaffective, 10% to bipolar disorder and 16.9% achieved clinical remission. 28.5% were lost to follow-up.

Conclusion:

“Brief psychotic disorder” category is still uncertain and more data may be necessary to clarify if it should remain as a distinct nosologic entity.
Social Cognition and Schizophrenia: New Frontiers in Interpreting other’s Mind in Subjects Affected by Schizophrenia
Authors: Roncone R. , Mazza M. , Pollice R. , Casacchia M.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Research in social cognition has shown that subjects affected by schizophrenia are impaired in understanding other people mental state named “Theory of Mind” and in many other social cognition tasks. It is possible to apply qualitative analysis to examine their errors in different social cognition tasks. Typically they fail in perspective taking, in adherence to the context and in emotional contagion (the tendency to express and feel emotions that are similar to and influenced by those of others). the aim of our study was to examine the different answers of schizophrenic subjects in social cognition tasks and apply a model of path analysis on their errors in these tasks.

Method:

We assessed multiple dimension of social cognition in 210 schizophrenic patients and 200 healthy controls, matched for age and gender, with emotion recognition task, false beliefs task and social knowledge task. to control for modulating effects of symptoms and cognitive deficits, clinical scales and a neuropsychological test battery were employed. All patients were recruited from the psychiatric service San Salvator Hospital in L'Aquila (Italy).

Results:

Schizophrenic patients showed significantly lower scores, errors in perspective taking (p< 0.001), in emotional contagion (p=0.001) and adherence to the context (p=0.001). Results in the domains of perspective taking and emotion contagion were not explained by symptoms, duration of illness or neurocognition deficits.

Conclusion:

Our findings are in line with previous reports on theory of mind deficits in schizophrenia, as measured by a variety of paradigms, and may suggest deficits in all social cognition domains.
Processing Speed is the Best Predictor of Functional Disability in Chronic Schizophrenia
Authors: Sánchez P. , Elizagárate E. , Yoller A.B. , Ojeda N. , Peña J. , Larumbe J. , Gutiérrez M. , Ezcurra J.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

We aimed to identify best predictors of cognitive and functional disability in chronic schizophrenia over time.

Method:

We examined 95 hospitalised patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV criteria) in a long stage unit and 53 healthy controls (matched for age, gender, and years of education). Neuropsychological assessment included tests for Verbal Memory, Working Memory, Executive Functioning and Processing Speed. Functional Disability was assessed with the Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS-WHO) both at baseline and 6 months after.

Results:

As expected, patients" performance was significantly lower than healthy comparison subjects on all neurocognitive variables at baseline. Most, but not all, neurocognitive measures were positively correlated with the Functional Disability domains at follow up, including Self Care Management, Vocational Outcome, Family Contact and Social Competence. Results of mediation analyses suggest that all significant relationships identified between cognitive measures and functional outcome were significantly mediated by the Index Processing Speed (PS) with various effects ((between p < 0.05 for PS (z = -2.06) and p < 0.01 for PS (z = -3.01)).

Conclusions:

Our data show that Processing Speed plays a determinant role in the relationship among neurocognitive symptoms and Self Care, Vocational Outcome and Social Competence. the model emphasizes the role of PS as the best longitudinal predictor of the level of autonomy in chronic patients with schizophrenia. PS acts as a pathway through which VM, EF and WM predict the course of patients’ functional ability over time.
the Deleterious Effect of Cognitive Impairment, Negative Symptoms and Functional Disability on Quality of Life in Chronic Schizophrenia
Authors: Elizagárate E. , Sánchez P. , Yoller A.B. , Peña J. , Ojeda N. , Larumbe J. , Gutiérrez M. , Ezcurra J.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

To examine the relative contributions of psychiatric symptoms, functional disability, neuropsychological functioning and sociodemographic variables to quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Method:

We examined 165 hospitalised patients with long term schizophrenia (DSM-IV). Measures of psychiatric symptoms included depression (Calgary depression Scale), insight (David Insight Scale), symptom severity (BPRS) and PANSS (Positive and Negative Symptom Scale). Neuropsychological battery included tests for verbal memory, executive functioning, verbal fluency, working memory, motor speed and processing speed. Functional disability was assessed with the Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS-WHO) and Quality of life was assessed with the Quality of Life Scale.

Results:

Age, years of evolution, negative symptoms, insight and neuropsychological variables (except motor speed) all were significantly related to level of quality of life. in a multiple regression analysis, entering the neuropsychological functioning, functional disability and negative symptoms generated a model which accounted for a 74.9% of the variance in QOL. Functional disability, as expected, accounted for 56% of the variance, whereas Processing Speed explained an additional 6.2%. Symptom Severity and Verbal Fluency predicted 3.7% and 3.5% of the variance, respectively. Negative symptoms, Verbal Memory and Vocabulary, were also significant predictors in the model, but had less predictive value. However, Positive Symptoms and Sociodemographic Variables did not significantly contribute to predict quality of life.

Conclusion:

Our findings support the predictive value of neuropsychological functioning, functional disability and severity of negative symptoms in long term quality of life in schizophrenia.
Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Flexible doses of Paliperidone ER in Non-acute Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Schreiner A. , Franco M. , Buccomino D. , Lara E. , Kühn K.U. , Tzotzoras T. , Hoeben D. , Millet B.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To explore tolerability, safety and efficacy of flexible doses of oral paliperidone ER in adult non-acute patients with schizophrenia requiring a change in their medication due to lack of efficacy with their previous oral antipsychotic.

Methods:

Interim analysis of a prospective 6-month, open-label, international study. Patients completing the first 3 months of this study were analyzed. Endpoints were the change in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) from baseline to endpoint, Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S), weight change and adverse events (AEs).

Results:

81 patients were included (57% male, mean age 41.3±13.6 years, 85% paranoid schizophrenia). 89% of the 81 patients completed the first 3 months of the study. Reasons for early discontinuation were lack of efficacy (3.7%), subject choice (2.5%), loss to follow-up (2.5%) and AE (1.2%). the mean mode dose of paliperidone ER was 6 mg/day. Mean total PANSS decreased from 82.8±16.0 at baseline to 69.2±19.1 at endpoint (mean change -13.6±15.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]-17.0;-10.1, p< 0.0001). the percentage of patients rated mildly ill or less in CGI-S increased from 19.8% to 49.4%. AEs reported in ≥3% were insomnia (4.9%), somnolence (4.9%), extrapyramidal disorder (3.7%), restlessness (3.7%) and psychotic disorder (3.7%). Mean weight change from baseline to endpoint was 0.34 kg (95%CI -0.35;1.03, p=0.71).

Conclusion:

These interim open-label data support results from recent randomized controlled studies that flexibly dosed paliperidone ER is safe, well tolerated and effective in patients with schizophrenia requiring a change in medication due to lack of efficacy with their previous oral antipsychotic treatment.
Safety, Tolerability and Treatment Response of Flexible Doses of Paliperidone ER in Acutely Exacerbated Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Schreiner A. , Badescu G.M. , Jukic V. , Siracusano A. , Maciulis V. , Hoeben D. , Schmauss M.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To explore tolerability, safety and treatment response of flexible doses of oral paliperidone ER in patients with schizophrenia suffering from an acute episode.

Methods:

Interim analysis of a 6-week prospective, open-label, international study. Endpoints were the rate of responders defined as a ≥30% improvement in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) from baseline to endpoint, the Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S), weight change and adverse events (AEs).

Results:

100 patients were analyzed (51% male, mean age 39.0±11.6 years). 82% of patients completed the study. Most frequent reasons for early discontinuation were subject choice (10%) and lack of efficacy (7%). the mean dose of paliperidone ER was 5.9 mg/day at baseline and 7.9 mg/day at endpoint. an improvement of ≥30% in total PANSS was observed in 68% of patients (95% confidence interval [CI]58%;77%], with a decrease in mean total PANSS scores from 98.2±16.2 at baseline to 71.1±20.3 at endpoint (mean change -27.1±19.9; 95%CI -31.1;-23.2, p< 0.0001) and onset of efficacy as of day 2. the percentage of patients rated as at least markedly ill in CGI-S decreased from 69% to 20.3%. AEs reported in ≥5% were insomnia (14%), tachycardia (10%), akathisia (6%), extrapyramidal disorder (6%), headache (5%) and schizophrenia (5%). Median weight gain was 0.7 kg (95% CI 0.19;1.96) from baseline to endpoint.

Conclusion:

This analysis supports data from recent controlled studies that flexibly dosed paliperidone ER is safe, well tolerated and associated with a clinically meaningful treatment response in patients with an acute schizophrenic episode.
Structural Neural Correlates of Memory Performance in Schizoprhenia as Revealed by Cortical Thickness
Authors: Sergerie K. , Evans A.C. , Lepage C. , Lepage M.
Published: March 2009

In addition to the positive and negative symptoms, schizophrenia is associated with a variety of cognitive impairments, and in particular with episodic memory deficits. Functional neuroimaging studies have begun exploring the potential neural correlates of memory deficits but there are few reports of structural brain abnormalities underlying memory impairment in schizophrenia. We investigated the potential association between morphological brain abnormalities as revealed by cortical thickness measures and episodic memory performance on a face recognition task. Differences in regional cortical thickness between 27 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia and 28 control matched subjects were investigated using MRI T1 images and computer image analysis (CIVET pipeline; Lerch and Evans, 2005). Cortical thickness was estimated as the shortest distance between the pial surface of the cerebral cortex and the white-matter/gray-matter interface surface at numerous points (40 962 vertices) across the cortical mantle. Consistent with previous studies, a group comparison revealed thinner cortex in the patient group relative to controls in the right prefrontal cortex and parahippocampal gyrus. Interestingly, a significant positive correlation between memory performance and cortical thickness of the anterior cingulate, bilaterally as well as the right parahippocampal gyrus was noted in the schizophrenia group. That is, the thinner the cortex in those regions, the more impaired the patients were in terms of memory performance as compared to healthy participants.
Sexual Dysfunction in Patients on Antipsychotic Therapy Vladica Sibinovic Psychiatry Clinic CC NIS
Authors: Sibinovic V.
Published: March 2009

The aim of this study was to determine difference in sexual dysfunction between 137 stabilized male outpatients who met ICD-10 criteria for acute and transient psychotic disorders (F 23) and schizophrenia (F 20) under therapy atypical and typical antipsychotic.

Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and the subscale on sexual function of the UKU Side Effects Rating Scale were applied at a single interview.

Sexual dysfunction was observed in 55, 47% (76 patients). We find higher ASEX and UKU score in patient with schizophrenia under therapy atypical and typical antipsychotic (p=0, 01). in patients with schizophrenia under typical antipsychotic, orgastic dysfunction (p< 0, 05) is more common.

Ejaculatory dysfunction and erectile dysfunction are also high in that group (p< 0, 05).

Therapies with atypical and typical antipsychotic have the same effects on increased or diminished sexual desire in bout group of patients.

In patients with schizophrenia under typical antipsychotic there is higher ASEX score then in patients under atypical antipsychotic (p< 0, 05). Patients with acute and transient psychotic disorders do not have difference on level of sexual dysfunction in correlation with treated by atypical and typical antipsychotic.

Results show that sexual dysfunction is more common in patients with schizophrenia under therapy with typical antipsychotic. in group of patients with acute and transient psychotic disorders there is no difference betven therapy atypical or typical antipsychotic in sexual dysfunction.
Glucose Intolerance as Morbidity in Schizophrenia
Authors: Sibinovic V. , Raicevic-Sibinovic S. , Slavkovic V.
Published: March 2009

This was an eight months prospective study.Study was active controlled in patients who were hospitalized in our Clinic. Schizophrenia was diagnosed by using PANSS scale and by using MKB 10 criteria. Laboratory data were measured at baseline, every month after therapy and at endpoint. Laboratory tests included glucose level in serum and OGTT, which were determined from blood, before breakfast and in the same hospital laboratory. Patients with family history of diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study.

A total of 30 patients were recruited. the risperidone shows clinically insignificant effect on plasma glucose levels. Incidence of new onset diabetes was abaut 5% higher with olanzapine than risperidone, and the biggest increasing was in first three months. Elevated serum glucose levels have been shown with clozapine and dose-related effects were noted. We also found modest, but significant risk for increasing plasma glucose levels in patients with chlorpromazine medication. Lack of relationship between serum levels of zuclopentixol and plasma glucose has been shown. There are no apparent problems with sulpiride and with haloperidol. Medication with chlorpromazine did not show any significant modifications to blood glucose levels.

The antipsychotics appear to be associated with the development of glucose intolerance, new-onset diabetes mellitus and exacerbation of existing diabetes mellitus. These disturbances in glucose metabolism have their own medical consequences. Thus, to minimize morbidity and mortality associated with the use of antipsychotic medications, close screening and monitoring for diabetes mellitus should become a priority for all clinicians treating schizophrenia patients receiving antipsychotic therapy.
Harm Avoidance as an Endophenotype of Schizophrenia: Comparative Study of First-degree Relatives, Schizophrenia Probands, and Healthy Controls
Authors: Sim M. , Kim J.H. , Yim S.J. , Kwon O.H. , Cho S.J. , Kim S.J. , Lim W.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

Schizophrenia is highly familial neuropsychiatric disorder with heritability estimated at 60-90%. Even unaffected first-degree relatives of schizophrenia manifested some neuropsychological abnormalities as well as neurologic soft sign and morphologic anomalies. the aim of this study was to evaluate personality profile in first-degree relatives of schizophrenia compared to their schizophrenia probands and healthy controls and whether personality profile might be endophenotype of schizophrenia.

Methods:

The subjects were 97 first-degree relatives of schizophrenia, 48 their schizophrenia probands, and 106 healthy controls, who completed Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) scale. Relatives were further divided into presumed carriers and pesumed non-carriers by schizophrenia genetic loading. Group difference in TCI scores were compared by general linear model using age and gender as covariates.

Results:

1.

There were significant group differences in HA scores between healthy controls, relatives, and probands after controlling age and gender, in that HA scores were increased by healthy controls, relatives, and probands in order.

2.

Presumed carriers have higher HA scores than presumed non-carriers and healthy controls.

3.

Proband group showed significantly lower RD and lower P in temperament dimension and lower SD, lower C, and higher ST in character dimension compared to other groups.

Conclusion:

We found that HA scores of first-degree relatives of schizophrenia is intermediate level between schizophrenia probands and healthy controls. Considering increase of HA with schizophrenia genetic loading, HA may be potential endophenotype of schizophrenia. Further research with longitudinal follow up is needed to elucidate the clinical implication of high HA observed in schizophrenia family.
Requisition of Blood Analysis for Patients with Schizophrenia Upon Acute Admission
Authors: Teixeira J. , Rebelo D. , do Couto F. Simões , Figueira M.L.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Patients with schizophrenia have high rates of mortality, despite improvement in health care. Acute admission can be an excellent target for the screening of acute and chronic disorders in these patients. to our knowledge no study has been performed clarifying which blood analysis should be requested to patients with schizophrenia upon an acute admission. the aim of the present study is to clarify which blood analysis should be requested to these patients, when acutely admitted.

Methods:

A case-control study was performed, comparing blood analyses in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder upon their admission, with subjects without schizophrenia from the general population.

Results:

We found a significantly higher number of patients with changes on leukocytes, glucose, and AST values, and a significantly lower number with higher cholesterol (total and LDL), creatinine, ALP, and albumin. Many patients presented low values of hemoglobin, erythrocytes, platelets, glucose, vitamin B12, albumin, and HDL-cholesterol, and high values of CK, blood electrolytes, and CRP.

Conclusions:

Present data clearly support the routine requisition of full blood count, CRP, CK, glucose and AST on admission. Although the evidence is less robust, it seems reasonable to request electrolytes, albumin and vitamin B12. NCEP laboratorial parameters may be should not be requested by routine in this context, as it tends to underestimate metabolic syndrome. the present work does not find evidence for routine requisition of urea, folic acid, and VDRL. Blood phosphorus, calcium and thyroid hormones need further investigation.
Hazardous Lifestyles in Patients with Schizophrenia Treated with Antipsychotics: Results of the Bosnian Clinical Study
Authors: Softic R. , Sutovic A. , Avdibegovic E.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Individuals with schizophrenia are in greater risk of physical illnesses and their life is shorter comparing with general population. Hazardous lifestyles as tobacco smoking, lack of physical activity, and obesity contributing to this negative trend. Role of antipsychotic therapy, particularly second generation is also possible. This study aimed to establish hazardous lifestyles in clinical sample of patients with schizophrenia treated with first or second generation antipsychotics.

Method:

Study included 60 patients with schizophrenia (38.3% women) treated with antipsychotics for period of six months or longer. Experimental group included 30 patients treated with second generation antipsychotics, and control group included 30 patients treated with first generation antipsychotics. Physical activity, tobacco smoking, and waist circumference as an increased body weight indicator were analysed. Overweight was defined as a waist circumference above 102 cm for males and 88 cm for females.

Results:

Mean age was 44.5±12.6. in this sample was 75% tobacco smokers, 30% of subjects taking typical, and 43% of subjects taking atypical antipsychotics declared physical inactivity during most of the day. Increased waist circumpherence was established in 51.6% of subjects. There wasn't statistically significant difference between two group of subjects (p=0.538).

Conclusion:

Hazardous lifestyles including cigarette smoking, lack of physical activity and increased body weight are common in the individuals with schizophrenia. There wasn't statistically significant difference between subjects taking first or second generation antipsychotics.
Cognitive Dysfunctions in Chronic Schizophrenia Patients in Relationship with Clinical and Functional Capacity
Authors: Tintila C. , Miclutia I.V. , Popescu C. , Barsan I.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

The aims of the current study are:

•

To examine the clinical symptoms and functional capacity of the patients.

•

To evaluate the cognitive dysfunctions and to see how they develop in 6 month.

•

To examine the relationship between clinical and functional capacity and the cognitive dysfunctions of the chronic schizophrenia patients.

Method:

24 people with chronic schizophrenia were followed up 6 month along with a control group of 50 individuals free from schizophrenia. Patients were diagnosed using DSM-IV criteria, assessed with the PANSS, GAF, to evaluate psychiatric symptoms, respectively functionality. Rey Memory Test, Trail Making, Spatial Recognition Memory (SRM),Spatial Working Memory (SWM), Paired Associated Learning (PAL), Spatial Spam (SSP) and Stoking of Cambridge (SOC) from the CANTAB were applied to all patients at the start point of the study and after 6 month, in order to evaluate the cognitive functions.

Results:

The overall performance of chronic schizophrenia patients was significantly lower compared to healthy individuals on all cognitive tasks. the cognitive dysfunction is independent of age and intellectual level, but does correlate with global functioning and remain stable. CANTAB is a useful tool to detect and estimate the cognitive impairments.

Conclusions:

The current study reveals that cognitive impairments are a central feature of schizophrenia and a major cause of poor functioning of the patients. the chronic schizophrenia patients perform worse on all investigated cognitive domains (memory, attention and executive function). the reviewed studies show different opinions about the development of these impairments. Further longitudinal studies are required in order to settle if they remain stable or progress in time.
Blood Flow of Carotid Arteries in Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Toubaei S.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Based on new imaging, some results have led to the hypothesis, indicating left hemispheric dysfunction in schizophrenic patients,

Transcranial color Doppler sonography also showed significant blood flow velocity changes in schizophrenic patients.

Our study tried to clarify possible differences between carotid blood flow of each side, in symptom positive and symptom negative schizophrenic patients, as well as differences of blood flow between schizophrenic patients versus control cases.

Methods:

31 schizophrenic patients which had been selected randomly were divided in two separate groups of symptom positive (14 cases) and symptom negative (17 cases) patients, according to PANSS test. Then carotid color Doppler sonography was performed for them and for 32 control cases.

Velosities (PSV, DV) and Doppler indices (RL, PI) were measured to be compared statistically in patients and control cases.

Results:

According to P value < 0.05 as level of significance in all comparisons, no evidence of any significant differences is seen between two sides of patients(positive symptoms and negative symptoms) as though between control cases and patients. No positive conclusion also derived based on sex interference.

Conclusion:

So examination reveals no differences between carotid blood flows of two sides in schizophrenic patients(positive and negative symptom).

There is no differences between carotid blood flow of patients and control group, even when sex interfered as a variety.
Bupropion Increases Rate of Smoking Abstinence in Smokers with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Trial Data
Authors: Tsoi D.T.-Y. , Porwal M. , Webster A.C.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

In patients with schizophrenia, higher rates of tobacco dependency contribute significantly to increased morbidity and mortality of various physical illnesses. However, evidence for treatment of nicotine addiction in these patients is uncertain. We performed a systematic review of the effectiveness and safety of bupropion (Zyban) for smoking cessation in schizophrenia.

Method:

We searched databases and conference proceedings for reports of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in all languages, comparing bupropion with placebo or with a different therapeutic control in adult smokers with schizophrenia. Eligibility and quality of RCTs were independently assessed by two reviewers. Results are synthesised using a random effects model and expressed as Risk Ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD), both with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results:

16 reports from six RCTs were included (258 participants). Smoking cessation rates after bupropion were significantly higher than placebo at the end of bupropion treatment (RR 2.56, CI 1.46 to 4.50) and at six months (RR 2.82, CI 1.04 to 7.69). Expired carbon monoxide level was significantly lower with bupropion at the end of therapy (MD -5.39ppm, CI -7.43 to -3.34ppm) but the effect was not sustained at six months (p=0.33). Positive and negative symptoms were not significantly different between bupropion and placebo group, but depressive symptoms were significantly reduced with bupropion at the end of treatment. There were no seizures reported with bupropion use.

Conclusion:

Our review suggests that bupropion increases the rates of smoking abstinence in smokers with schizophrenia, without jeopardising their mental state.
Peculiarities of Biochemical Changes in the First-episode Drug Naïve Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Uzbekov M. , Misionzhnik E. , Gurovich I. , Shmukler A.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

The aim of the study was to investigate the state of parameters characterizing different sites of metabolism and the degree of endogenous intoxication in drug-naïve first episode schizophrenic patients (FES).

Methods:

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) and serum semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activities, serum concentrations of middle-mass endotoxic molecules (MMEM) and malondialdehyde and parameters of serum albumin functional state (Uzbekov et al., 2006) were measured in 16 FES patients and 15 age-matched healthy volunteers.

Results:

Severity of disorder prior the treatment was 73.1±12.5 according to PANSS score. FES patients were characterized by significant increase in MAO activity (by 107 %) and MMEM concentration (by 140 %) and significant decrease in SSAO activity (by 29 %) as compared with controls. Degree of endogenous intoxication in 13 patients was assessed as moderate and severe. Changes of all other parameters were insignificant. Regression analysis has shown significant relationship of 3 parameters - MAO (p< 0,01), SSAO (p< 0,01) and MMEM (p< 0,02) with values of PANNS score. Three methods of extraction of factor analysis have revealed that MAO and SSAO are belonged to factor 1 whereas MMEM and albumin functional parameters - to factor 2.

Conclusions:

It is supposed that MAO and SSAO are integral components of schizophrenia pathogenetic mechanisms. Comparing our earlier data on chronic schizophrenic patients with these data we suppose that FES patients are on the stage of the formation of the pathological state of metabolism.Study was partially supported by the ISTC grant 3156.
Belief Revision in Schizophrenia
Authors: Kaliuzhna M. , Van der Henst J.-B. , Chambon V.
Published: March 2009

A critical human ability is to revise one's own beliefs in light of contradictory evidence. Many argue that it is precisely this ability that is missing among schizophrenic patients and that such a deficit could be the source of delusions. However, no study, as far as we know, has ever directly investigated belief revision ability in schizophrenia. Thus we introduced several tasks requiring patients to revise their beliefs. First, the Wason's hypothesis testing task (the 2-4-6 task) was used. Subjects have to discover a simple rule known by the experimenter concerning a series of three numbers. A belief revision deficit would suggest that patients are incapable of abandoning their initial hypothesis and finding such a rule, since this requires flexible evaluation and hypothesis testing. Second, the way patients treat advice was explored in a task involving encyclopaedic knowledge. According to the belief revision deficit theory, patients should exhibit no change in their answers when they encounter advice that differs from their own view; they should also have a high degree of confidence in their responses. Finally, a Myside bias task was used to see whether patients exhibit closed-mindedness concerning everyday topics. A belief revision deficit would predict that patients would show an important Myside bias, thus being incapable of envisaging arguments against their beliefs. Surprisingly, our findings suggest that deluded schizophrenics are in fact able to revise their beliefs in the light of evidence and alternatives. Further research is needed to establish the causes of delusions.
the Evaluation of Mentalization Deficit with Faux Pas Tests in Schizophrenia
Authors: Varga E. , Herold R. , Tényi T. , Fekete S.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Patients with schizophrenia have difficulties in representing the mental states of others. the capacity to appreciate others’ mental states is called Theory of Mind (ToM). Usually patients in remission are able to pass first- and second order ToM tasks, but they have difficulties with understanding more complex situations. A faux pas (FP) task contains a social situation when someone says something he or she should not have said, or something awkward. Understanding these situations requires higher-order ToM skills. in our study faux pas tasks were used to assess mentalization deficits among patients with schizophrenia in remission.

Methods:

Seventeen patients and seventeen matched control individuals were evaluated. ToM skills were assessed by computerized FP tasks. the answers and the time the participants used to read the stories and answer the questions were recorded. the participants carried out 5 FP tasks and 5 control tasks.

Results:

Patients with schizophrenia performed significantly worse in faux pas tasks (p=0,0033), and memory questions (p=0,0033). Patients needed significantly more time to read both faux pas (p=0,0098) and control stories (p=0,0002). However the patients did not spend significantly more time to answer the questions then the control subjects (p=0,9966 p=0,8705).

Discussion:

Patients with schizophrenia performed a sinificant impairment in ToM tasks. Beside, an improving tendency was found also in the patient's and in the control group's answers suggesting a capacity to “learn” in the dimension of mentalization.
Neurocognitive Predictors of Functioning in Schizophrenia: Five Years Follow Up Study
Authors: Vargas M.L. , Sanz J.C. , Jimeno-Bulnes N. , Lopez S.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Verbal memory and processing speed are two of the proposed neurocognitive predictors in schizophrenia. the objective is to determinate neurocognitive predictors of functioning in one five years follow-up period on ambulatory schizophrenia patients.

Method:

We conduct one cohort study on 30 schizophrenia out-patients (19 male; age mean: 32.8 years; SD:7.2). at the moment of inclusion it was applied one neuropsychological battery sensitive to neuropsychological deficit in schizophrenia: WAIS-III, BADS, WCST, Colour Trails, Trail Making A and B, BVRT, California Verbal Learning Test (Spanish version: TAVEC). Variables was summarized determining Z values and principal components. the cohort was prospectively studied for up to five years. as result variables it were considered: time to the first antipsychotic-drug change, time to the first psychiatric admission, and average five-years annual score in the Strauss-Carpenter Outcome Scale. It was constructed Cox and Linear Regression Models to determinate the better predicting neurocognitive components.

Results:

The better global outcome was directly related with WAIS-III processing speed index (corrected R square: 0.19; p = 0.02; beta constant= 0.469; beta WAIS-III processing speed= 0.125). None predictor was selected for the outcome variable change of antipsychotic. Psychiatric admission was predicted (p=0.006) by implicit learning (beta= -2.19), executive functioning (beta= 1.02), WAIS-III Total IQ (beta= 0.45) and WAIS-III Perceptual Organization Index (beta= -0.20).

Conclusion:

Higher processing speed index predicts one better functioning outcome during five-years follow-up. the risk for psychiatric admission was heterogeneously related with neurocognitive predictors. Verbal memory did not predict functional outcome.
Comorbidity in Schizophrenia
Authors: Chinchilla A. , Vega M. , Cebollada A. , Alvarez T. , Gómez M. , Pando F. , Erausquin C. , de Velasco R. Martinez , De La Vega D.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

The coexistence of comorbidity in schizophrenia (somatic, dual pathology, personality…) can conditionate evolution and prognosis in this severe mental illness, those aspects should be taken in account to planify treatments and follow up issues.

Objective:

We are interested in this work in evaluate previous and developed comorbidity in schizophrenic patients; we also analyzed comorbidity consequences in clinical, therapeutical management, treatment adherence, relapses and hospitalizations.

Material and method:

In 50 Schizophrenic patients (DSM-IV TR Diagnostic criteria) with at least one previous psychotic episode we have studied longitudinal and transversally sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutical variables, related comorbidity (somatic, drugs related and dual pathology) and evolution, prognosis, clinical, treatment adherence and tolerance variables were also studied. We also evaluate psychopathologic and medical status (EEG, EKG, Chest RX, BMI, body weight, general analysis) secondary effects were registered. Uxue and CGI were the scales used.

Results:

Between 20% and 25% had other medical conditions, and 25-30% had some kind of drug abuse, those were who had worse prognosis, more secondary effects and usually were treated with classic antipsychotics.

Conclusions:

The results are discussed, and we propose integrative treatments for schizophrenia and the co morbidities, focusing on affectivity and tolerance.
Influence of Personality on Sexual Satisfaction in Patients Suffering from Schizophrenia and Depression
Authors: Peitl M. Vucic , Peitl V. , Pavlovic E. , Ljubicic D.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Although there is no consensus regarding the definition of personality, personality psychology is getting near to understanding that personality traits can be summed up into five basic dimensions. Five factor personality model consists of these five basic dimensions: neuroticism, extraversion/introversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness.

Aim:

Of this research was to establish in what manner certain personality traits of patients suffering from schizophrenia and depression and healthy individuals, influence their sexual satisfaction.

Participants and methods:

This research was conducted on 100 patients suffering from schizophrenia, 100 patients suffering from depression and 100 healthy individuals. Instruments used in this research were: five factor personality questionnaire and sexual experience scale (Arizona).

Results:

Among patients suffering from schizophrenia, sexual drive and easier sexual arousal were linked to higher extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness and to lower neuroticism. among patients suffering from depression, smaller number and less pronounced sexual dysfunctions were linked to higher extraversion, openness to experience and conscientiousness, and also to lower neuroticism. among healthy individuals, higher extraversion is linked to easier sexual arousal and higher neuroticism to lower orgasm satisfaction.

Conclusion:

Personality traits have a significant influence on sexual satisfaction of patients suffering from depression and patients suffering from schizophrenia, but also of healthy individuals.
Kibra Allelic Variation is Associated with Memory Processes in Early Onset Schizophrenia
Authors: Vyas N.S. , Burke L. , Vourdas A. , Vassos E. , Frangou S. , Collier D.A.
Published: March 2009

Background:

A single nucleotide polymorphism, rs17070145, in the KIBRA protein, is thought to influence memory function in humans (Papassotiropoulos et al, 2006). We sought to investigate its effect on memory performance in people with Early Onset Schizophrenia (EOS; onset before age of 18) and their first-degree relatives.

Methods:

53 EOS probands and 117 non-psychotic first-degree relatives were examined on IQ (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised), learning and memory (California Verbal Learning Test; CVLT). the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV yielded four diagnostic groups: EOS probands; relatives with Mood Disorders; other Axis I diagnoses; and no diagnosis (healthy relatives). Analysis of co-variance was performed, with diagnosis and genotype as fixed factors and age as covariate.

Results:

Carriers of the rs17070145 T allele achieved higher performance IQ, and recalled more words in short-delayed and long-delayed recall in the CVLT compared to C allele carriers [p< 0.003 and p< 0.009, respectively]. However TT homozygotes made more perseverative errors than C allele carriers [p=0.04]. after applying the Bonferroni for multiple comparisons, a genotype by diagnosis interaction revealed that relatives who were TT homozygotes and had mood disorders performed better on long-delayed recall [p< 0.04] but made more intrusion errors in the CVLT than the CC/CT genotype group.

Conclusions:

KIBRA may be involved in:

1.

processes that enhance overall competence in non-verbal tasks;

2.

phenotypic expression of cognition in mentally unwell relatives of schizophrenia patients.
Neurocognitive Vulnerability Indicators in Psychosis
Authors: Vyas N.S. , Frangou S.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Cognitive impairments are considered a component of the extended clinical syndrome of schizophrenia. the aim of the current project was to investigate putative cognitive deficits in individuals with Early Onset Schizophrenia (EOS; defined herein as onset before the age of 18) and their relatives.

Methods:

53 EOS probands and 117 unaffected first-degree-relatives were examined on memory (Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised), verbal learning and recognition (California Verbal Learning Test), and attention (SPAN of apprehension test and degraded-stimulus continuous performance test (DS-CPT)). the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV yielded four diagnostic groups: EOS probands; relatives with Mood Disorders; other Axis I diagnoses; and no diagnosis (healthy). Analysis of co-variance was performed with diagnosis as fixed factor and age as covariate.

Results:

EOS probands under performed on General Memory, Verbal Memory and Delayed Recall indices (WMS-R) compared to their relatives. both EOS and relatives with a mood disorder performed less well on Visual memory and Attention/Concentration indices [p< 0.001]. Relatives without Axis I diagnosis differentiated from EOS on all indices [p< 0.01]. Verbal learning and recognition impairments segregated in EOS and differentiated patients from their relatives. EOS probands and relatives with an Axis I diagnoses showed rapid visual information processing impairments (SPAN) compared to healthy relatives, while sustained attention (DS-CPT) remained relatively preserved in EOS and relatives.

Conclusions:

Genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may be mediated by visual information processing impairments, which differentiates healthy relatives from relatives with an Axis I diagnosis. Sustained attention seems to be a selective strength in EOS and relatives.
an Alternative-splicing Hot-spot in gabrb2: Novel Splicing Variants Associated with Major Psychotic Disorders
Authors: Zhao C.Y. , Xu Z. , Wang F. , Yu Z. , Lo W.S. , Chen J. , Pun F.W. , Tsang S.Y. , Xue H.
Published: March 2009

GABRB2, the gene for β2 subunit of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor, is known to display two splicing isoforms in the brain, namely β2L containing Exon 10 and β2S devoid of Exon 10. Previously, the expressions of these isoforms were correlated with both schizophrenia and various sequence polymorphisms of the gene. in the present study, a series of deletions made on Intron 9 of a minigene construct affected the expression of Exon 10, and generated additional splicing variations suggesting the existence of additional splicing variants of β2subunit. A search among brain cDNAs uncovered the two novel short forms: β2S1which is devoid of Exons 10 and 11 and bears an extended Exon 9, and β2S2 which is devoid of Exon 10 and bears a shortened Exon 11.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, performed with a cohort of 31 schizophrenics, 30 bipolar disorder and 31 controls of US population, showed that the level of β2S2 was significantly decreased in bipolar disorder, and marginally decreased in schizophrenia, while β2S1 was marginally increased in both of these psychotic disorders. Significant genotypic effects of rs1816071, rs1816072 and rs187269 on β2S2 level were observed in male schizophrenic and bipolar patients. These findings pointed to the neighborhood of Exon 10 as an alternate-splicing hot-spot, and underlined the relevance of β2 subunit isoforms to the etiology of psychotic disorders.
Association Study between Ntrk2 Gene Polymorphisms and Schizophrenia in Chinese Han People
Authors: Yi Z.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To explore the relationships between Neurotrophic Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Type 2 (NTRK2) gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.

Methods:

The NTRK2SNPs rs1187272 were genotyped by applying polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RLFP) technique in 100 patients with schizophrenia and 119 unrelated healthy controls, then the comparison of the alleles and genotypes frequencies of the NTRK2 gene between two groups was performed.

Results:

There were no significant difference in alleles（χ2=1.78, df=1, P>0.05）and genotypes（χ2=1.01, df=2, P>0.05） distribution of NTRK2 gene between patients and controls. There were also no significant difference in alleles（χ2=2.70, df=3, P>0.05）and genotypes（χ2=4.72, df=6, P>0.05） distribution among male and female patients and controls. There were significant difference in alleles（χ2=5.53, df=1, P=0.02）distribution between different first-onset age patients groups, There were also significant difference in alleles（χ2=4.38, df=1, P=0.04）distribution between schizophrenia with earlier first-onset age (≤25 years old) and control subjects.

Conclusion:

The NTRK2 gene was associated with schizophrenia with earlier first-onset age, and it may be one of common susceptible genes for schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.