bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marker of schizophrenia with enduring negative symptoms
Authors: Dmitrieva E. , Smirnova L. , Semke A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The relevance of this study is determined by the need to search for biological markers of schizophrenia. The detection and validation of such molecules can become the basis for the creation of additional paraclinical diagnostic methods or contribute to the creation of targets for individual pharmacotherapy, which is an important task of modern fundamental medicine.

Objectives

Comparative proteomic analysis of serum in schizophrenic patients with positive and negative symptoms.

Methods

The study includes 10 healthy donors and 27 patients with schizophrenia. Samples preparation included: serum purification from major proteins via affinity chromatography, 1D-PAGE proteins separation, in-gel tryptic hydrolysis, LC-MS/MS mass-spectrometry (Orbitrap Q-exactive HF mass spectrometer, Agilent Technologies). Identification of proteins was carried out using Mascot software Ver. 2.1 («Matrix Science», USA). Proteins for quantitative analysis were selected in view of the DISGENET database. Quantitative LC-MS-SRM analysis of selected protein was performed on QQQ TSQ Vantage (Thermo Scientific) with labeled peptide standards.

Results

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 was selected for quantitative assessment. Significant differences were revealed in the RIPK1 concentrations in the serum of schizophrenic patients with negative and positive symptoms (p=0.02). The serum concentration of RIPK1 in patients with negative symptoms is tenfold in patients with positive symptoms.

Conclusions

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 can be considered a biomarker of negative symptoms of schizophrenia based on a significant increase in serum concentration. Mass spectrometric analysis was carried out of the “Human Proteome” Core Facility of the Institute of Biomedical Chemistry Moscow. Support by Grant of RSF № 18-15-00053P.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Paranoia
Authors: Gordillo Montaño M.J. , Rodriguez Rodriguez L. , Boned Torres S.V.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Paranoid ideas occur very often in humans (prevalence of 0.2%). According to several studies, the origin could be found in a genetic predisposition to a selective hyperdopaminergia related to the D2 receptor and dopamine neurotransmitter dysfunction.

Objectives

To delve into this pathology, including origin and development, epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, clinical aspects, differential diagnosis, treatment, evolution and prognosis.

Methods

We conducted a literature review of delusional disorder.

Results

The disease appears in middle age, between ages 35 and 55, being slightly more frequent in women. It seems to affect more economically and educationally disadvantaged social strata, and it is more frequent in immigrants. The onset is usually progressive and insidious. Correct perception but delusional interpretation: the objectivity of what is perceived is disturbed by the subjectivity of what is registered. The delirium is usually logical, contagious, and frequently credible. Patients retain their lucidity. It is very important to make a correct differential diagnosis with schizophrenia. With regard to treatment, the therapeutic relationship with the patient will be basic. If possible, psychotherapy should be combined with pharmacological treatment (second generation antipsychotics being the treatment of choice). In general, their evolution is compatible with out-of-hospital life, being considered “odd guys”.

Conclusions

The risk of suffering from Delusional Disorder during the lifetime is between 0.05 and 0.1%. This pathology constitutes 1-4% of all psychiatric admissions. Therefore, it is essential to know it in depth in order to be able to manage it properly.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Development of approaches to stratification of patients with schizophrenia based on cytokine levels using cluster analysis
Authors: Ermakov E. , Boiko A. , Parshukova D. , Dmitrieva E. , Ivanova S. , Buneva V.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Alterations in a variety of immune parameters, including abnormal cytokine levels, are known to be found in schizophrenia. These changes can be useful in identifying patients with the most severe immune abnormalities.

Objectives

To develop approaches to stratification of schizophrenia patients based on cytokine levels using cluster analysis.

Methods

We recruited 53 patients (25 women/28 men) with a verified diagnosis of simple or paranoid schizophrenia and 37 healthy individuals (19 women/18 men) in our study. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNFα, INFα, BAFF, GM-CSF, NGFβ, NRG1, and GDNF were determined using a MAGPIX multiplex analyzer (Luminex, USA). Statistical analysis was performed in Statistica 10.

Results

Principal component analysis and partial least-squares discriminant analysis showed that the combined multi-cytokine profiles of the studied groups differ. The results of the k-means cluster analysis are presented in Table 1 The most reliable results are obtained by a combination of 4 variable: IL-1β, IL- 4, BAFF and GDNF. Table 1 Percent of individuals classified in different clusters depending of number of parameters using for classification.Number of variables for classification
Healthy individualsSchizophrenia patientsCluster 1Cluster 2Cluster 1Cluster 210 variables5,496,426,473,64 variables010011,188,93 variables2,797,329,670,42 variables8,191,920,479,6

Conclusions

A subgroup (сluster 1) of schizophrenic patients with severe immune abnormalities was identified using data on the levels of IL-1β, IL-4, BAFF and GDNF. Anti-inflammatory therapy is recommended for this subgroup of patients. Support by Grant of RSF № 21-75-00102.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Prodromal phase and first episode psychosis in schizophrenia: early signs and diagnosis
Authors: Buciuc A.-G. , Tapoi C. , Sindrilaru M.-I.-T. , Grecu A. , Petcu C.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The detection of the initial prodrome of schizophrenia (SK) before the first episode psychosis remains a major concern in current psychiatric research.

Objectives

In this paper we aimed to analyse clinical and psychopathological aspects of prodromes leading to first-lifetime psychotic episodes and to highlight the high-risk features in order to establish preventive strategies and to provide early intervention in SK.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational descriptive study conducted in the ‘Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia’ Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry in Bucharest, Romania. We collected data from the medical records of 139 patients previously diagnosed with SK who were admitted to our clinic. For all included patients, diagnoses were recorded according to the DSM-IV TR and ICD-10 classification criteria. Data collected included patient demographics and clinical information. All analyses were conducted using SPSS package.

Results

Of the 139 patients included in this study, 130 patients (93,5%) presented prodromal symptoms. 73 of these patients (52,5%) presented with negative symptoms that were more common in our study in single male patients that had low academic performance and a family history of mental illness, findings consistent with the literature. A decline in social functioning decline was observed in 64 patients (46%) prior to their first admission. 87 patients (62,6%) had a prodromal phase which lasted more than one year.

Conclusions

These findings support the value of early psychopathology in predicting the diagnosis of SK, but clinical guidelines are needed for a more systematic evaluation of the SK prodrome.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The use of technologies and social media in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
Authors: Elleuch O. , Zouari L. , Omri S. , Feki R. , Gassara I. , Smaoui N. , Ben Thabet J. , Charfi N. , Maalej M. , Maalej M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Technologies such as the phone , the computer , and social media network nowadays are becoming more and more available to everyone including patients with mental illnesses.

Objectives

Our study aimed to examine the prevalence of technology use in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Methods

Study participants were recruited from the outpatient unit of the department C of psychiatry in Hedi Chaker hospital of Sfax , Tunisia. A total of 38 male patients were recruited , from whom the diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to the DSM-5 criteria had been confirmed. Socio-demographic and clinical information as well as details about their technology use were was collected from all the patients.

Results

Of the 38 study participants, 65.8% owned a cell phone , and 52.6% used the cell phone to send or receive messages. A rate of 21.1% owned a computer , 34.2% had internet access and 28.9% had an email account. A rate of 23.7% used social media. Facebook was the most popular social media site. 72% of cell phone owners would like to communicate with their doctor via text messages , and 68% would like to be reminded of their appointments via text messages. Among social media users , 55.6% expressed their interest in a social-media-based doctor-patient communication and appointment reminders.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that these technologies afford an opportunity to improve the management of these patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Combination of clozapine, cariprazine and fluoxetine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia patient with prominent negative symptoms: A Case report
Authors: Everte I. , Pamše-Romāne A. , Taube M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Despite pharmacological advances in the treatment of schizophrenia, significant number of patients are still treatment-resistant. Clozapine is recommended as first-line treatment for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) in guidelines. Despite the greater efficacy of clozapine over other antipsychotics in the management of TRS, a significant number of patients fail to attain adequate response or develop adverse effects, and more interventions are needed.

Objectives

To describe a clinical case of treatment-resistant schizophrenia patient with prominent negative symptoms treated with combination of clozapine, cariprazine and fluoxetine, and to review the literature.

Methods

Clinical case presentation through review of the clinical file and non-systematic review on PubMed and ResearchGate.

Results

A 41 year old female patient presented to inpatient clinic with low mood, occasional commanding and commenting verbal hallucinations, occasional suicidal thoughts, blunted affect, anhedonia, asociality, she was apathetic, lacked motivation to get up from bed, had night’s sleep disturbance. Patient was diagnosed with Schizophrenia in 2009, she has been hospitalized in Psychiatric wards for 16 times. She has received treatment with combinations of several antipsychotic drugs and antidepressants, had side-effects and have not reached full remission. During treatment with clozapine (up to 175mg per day) in combination with cariprazine (up to 4.5mg per day) and fluoxetine (up to 20mg per day), gradually negative symptoms decreased, patient became more active, showed interest in daily and rehabilitation activities, night’s sleep improved.

Conclusions

Patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia benefited from combination of clozapine, cariprazine and fluoxetine. Further research is necessary on treatment combination strategies for TRS.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Ultra-treatment-resistant Schizophrenia. A case report
Authors: Osca Oliver A. , Palomo Monge M. , Pérez Fominaya M. , López Rodrigo M.V. , Tascón Guerra M.F.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Despite the efficacy of antipsychotics, up to about 30% of schizophrenia patients do not respond adequately to treatment and are called treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) patients. The treatment of choice in these patients is clozapine, which is used last due to the adverse effects it can cause. However, it has been shown that half of TRSs are also resistant to clozapine, leading to ultra-resistant schizophrenia.

Objectives

We present a clinical case corresponding to a 33-year-old man, single, residing in a community residence, undergoing psychiatric follow-up from the age of 7, receiving during this period the diagnoses of schizotypal personality disorder and paranoid schizophrenia.

Methods

As of 2015, he began to make autolytic attempts, the last being this year, 2021. Moment in which he manifests for the first time presenting imperative, sporadic auditory pseudo-hallucinations, which incite self-harm. These sensory-perceptual alterations appeared from 2015, together with the worsening of the negative symptoms.

Results

The patient has been treated with numerous antipsychotics, without complete remission, so since 2019 treatment with Clozapine 200mg was started. As the symptoms did not subside, the dose was increased to 400mg, at which point some of its side effects began to appear; urinary incontinence, sedation, sexual impotence … so the patient abandoned the treatment, suffering a relapse of his mental pathology.

Conclusions

Despite the arrival of atypical antipsychotics, it remains a challenge that there is a complete remission of symptoms in some patients with schizophrenia, for which we consider that psychopharmacological research in this group of patients is of the utmost importance.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Variation in cognitive insight processes between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in a Tunisian population
Authors: Ben Hmida M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Cognitive insight is a relatively recent concept referring to the ability, not only to reassess unusual experiences objectively after corrective feedback but also to distance oneself from them and it seems to be specifically altered in schizophrenia. Yet, despite its importance in the understanding of psychotic symptoms, this process has never been studied in the North African population.

Objectives

Therefore, this paper aims to compare cognitive insight performances between two Tunisian psychiatric populations and to explore its relationship with other cognitive processes.

Methods

The study population comprised 17 participants with schizophrenia, 9 with bipolar disorder, and 30 healthy controls. The groups were paired for age, education level, and socioeconomic status. We assessed depression, global executive functioning, verbal episodic memory, metamemory (online and offline), and cognitive insight. The latter was evaluated by the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale.

Results

The results showed that, compared to the other groups, participants with schizophrenia obtained a lower self-reflectiveness score and a higher self-certainty score, resulting in a significantly lower composite index. These findings seem to indicate the alteration of cognitive insight in schizophrenia. However, no significant differences were found between the other two groups. Moreover, correlational analyses showed that cognitive insight components were only associated with metamemory indices which proved to be the best predictors of this ability, along with the global executive score.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our data seems to corroborate the international literature reporting a cognitive insight deficit in schizophrenia. However, further research is needed in order to better understand the specific processes underlying this metacognitive function.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The First Research in Your Career: How to Use your Resources as Productively as Possible
Authors: Sartorius N.
Published: September 2022

The first engagement in research in your career This presentation will argue that in addition to considering the scientific interest of a topic presented for research it is important to consider other criteria before engaging in a study. These include the place of the study, the team which will be engaged in the work, the ownership of the data which will be produced, the duration of the study and other matters. The presentation will also discuss the amount of time that should be given to scientific research early in one’s career and the nature of the gain that engagement in research can offer for one’s development and career.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Psychotherapeutic intervention for treatment of psychotic symptoms in patients with paranoid development. About a case
Authors: Martín Villarroel C. , Carpio García L. , Sánchez Revuelta M. , Matsuura J. , Belmonte García G. , Santolaya López L. , Benavides Rivero E.F.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Psychotic symptoms are not exclusive to schizophrenia, they can be due to paranoid development and can be treated differently.

Objectives

The objective of this paper is to study, from the following case, the effect of psychotherapeutic treatment in patients with paranoid development.

Methods

A bibliographic search was performed from different database (Pubmed, TripDatabase) about psychological intervention for the improvement of paranoid symptoms. 20-year-old man, born into a family with marital problems, without difficulties in psychomotor development, socialization or academic performance, who began with behavioral alterations from the age of 5 that he had begun to suffer abuse from his father, showing aggressiveness towards other children and progressively worsening over the years: consuming cannabis, isolating himself, listening to protective voices and distrusting of people, to whom he responded aggressively believing that they wanted to harm him.

Results

Initially, he was treated with antipsychotics that were later suspended when acute psychotic symptoms were ruled out, diagnosing a paranoid development secondary to trauma, for which he had felt fear and defenselessness, and had learned to be alert and respond aggressively to everything he considered threatening, showing anger that he did not know how to express. During therapy, abstinence to drugs was worked on, therapeutic link, mentalization-based therapy, emotions, narrative techniques, trauma and systemic family therapy.

Conclusions

To conclude, we need to pay attention to development of pathologies like this so as not to rush with antipsychotics, when it may be due to a development secondary to trauma that needs to be treated psychotherapeutically.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Negative symptoms - a real unmet need
Authors: Soares Da Costa I. , Moreira R.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Schizophrenia is frequently a chronic and disabling disorder, characterized by heterogeneous positive and negative symptoms. Negative symptoms are a major health concern and a core component of schizophrenia that account for a large part of the long-term disability and poor functional outcomes in patients with the disorder. Adequate treatment would mean important progress and Distinguishing primary from secondary negative symptoms may inform about treatment options.

Objectives

Objective: to provide information that may be useful for clinicians treating patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Methods

We searched Pubmed and Cochrane Library database for english language articles.

Results

Negative symptoms are a core component of schizophrenia that account for a large part of the long-term disability and poor functional outcomes. Negative symptoms are common in schizophrenia; up to 60% of patients may have prominent clinically relevant negative symptoms that require treatment. Negative symptoms can occur at any point in the course of illness, although they are reported as the most common first symptom of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms can be primary symptoms, which are intrinsic to the underlying pathophysiology of schizophrenia, or secondary symptoms that are related to psychiatric or medical comorbidities, adverse effects of treatment, or environmental factors. Negative symptoms clearly constitute an unmet medical need in schizophrenia, and new and effective treatments are urgently needed.

Conclusions

Clinically relevant negative symptoms of schizophrenia need to be recognized, assessed, and as well managed as possible in order to achieve improved outcomes for patients. More studies are needed to establish the better approach to negative symptoms.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Cariprazine as a useful treatment for patients with schizophrenia and antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms: a case report and literature review
Authors: Llach C. , Ilzarbe L. , Sagué-Vilavella M. , Arbelo N. , Catalan R. , Gutierrez F.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The discovery of second-generation antipsychotics represented an authentic breakthrough for the management of psychotic disorders. Nevertheless, they still don’t adequately manage some aspects of these disorders, such as negative symptoms (NS), cognitive impairment, or extra-pyramidal symptoms (EPS). New-generation antipsychotics present different pharmacological mechanisms and have been reported to ameliorate these aspects. Among them, cariprazine acts as a D2/D3 partial agonist with variable affinity with serotoninergic receptors, and many studies show its efficacy for preventing and treating positive symptoms as well as for the management of NS and EPS.

Objectives

To report a case of a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia with highly invalidating antipsychotic-induced EPS that remitted after switching to cariprazine, while maintaining clinical stability. To review literature about cariprazine and its relationship with NS and EPS.

Methods

We describe the case of a 66-year-old woman diagnosed with schizophrenia and under treatment with three-month injectable paliperidone 175mg. During her follow-up at outpatient clinic, she presented a progressively highly invalidating non-trembling parkinsonian syndrome attributable to medication. Paliperidone plasmatic levels were within therapeutic range. An antipsychotic switch was agreed, and cariprazine was started.

Results

The switch from a second-generation antipsychotic to cariprazine entailed the remission of a highly invalidating EPS while improving some of the NS and maintaining psychopathological stability.

Conclusions

Assessing and differentiating NS and EPS is of an utmost importance during the follow-up of patients under antipsychotic treatment. Cariprazine is an interesting alternative when treating patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders that present mostly NS and antipsychotic-induced
EPS.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Schizophrenic or blind but not both
Authors: Chamsi F.Z. , Katir I. , Korchi A. , Belbachir S. , Ouanass A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Although visual impairment appears to be a risk factor for schizophrenia, early blindness may be protective. It’s a phenomenon that has puzzled even the smartest scientific brains for decades. It might surprise you: no person born blind has ever been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Objectives

The aim of this research is to discover the relationship between schizophrenia and congenital blindness and whether there is a protective gene and whether visual perception is an essential stage in the onset of diseases itself.

Methods

It’s a case study of a family consisting of 13 brothers and sisters, three of whom were blind at birth, three with schizophrenia. We proceeded with a study of the medical files of all the schizophrenic patients and also ophthalmological exams for all the family members.

Results

Preliminary observational analysis of this clinical case suggests the following hypothesis: the presumed protective role of congenital blindness against schizophrenia. Moreover, the ophthalmological exams showed no visual impairment in schizophrenic patients. The bibliographic research has objectified more than three recent studies in this direction.

Conclusions

The relationship between schizophrenia and congenital blindness is still unrecognized and controversial. Several studies are done in this neurodevelopmental field but so far there has been no assertion nor confirmation of the suggested hypothesis. More research is needed.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Gender differences in clinical and psychosocial features in a large sample of Italian patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Bucci P. , Galderisi S. , Rossi A. , Rocca P. , Bertolino A. , Giordano G.M. , Mucci A. , Maj M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

An extensive literature regarding gender differences relevant to several aspects of schizophrenia is nowadays available. It includes some robust findings as well as some inconsistencies. The identification of gender differences and the understanding of their explanations may help to clarify the underlying etiopathogenetic mechanisms of specific aspects of the disorder.

Objectives

The present study aimed at investigating gender differences on premorbid, clinical, cognitive and outcome indices, as well as their impact on recovery, in a large sample of patients with schizophrenia recruited within the multicenter study of the Italian Network for Research on Psychoses.

Methods

State-of-the-art instruments were used to assess the investigated domains. Group comparisons between male and female patients were performed on all considered indices. The associations of premorbid, clinical and cognitive indices with recovery in the two patient groups were investigated by means of multiple regressions.

Results

Males with respect to females had a worse premorbid adjustment – limited to the academic dimension – an earlier age of onset, a higher frequency of history of substance and alcohol abuse, more severe negative symptoms (both avolition and expressive deficit), positive symptoms and impairment of social cognition. No gender difference was observed in neurocognition nor in the rates of recovery.

Conclusions

Although males showed some disadvantages in the clinical picture, this was not translated into a worse outcome. This finding may be related to the complex interplay of several factors acting as predictors or mediators of outcome.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Microbiota, Immune System and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Integrative Model Towards Novel Treatment Options
Authors: Marazziti D. , Carpita B. , Palermo S. , Parra E. , Dell’Osso L.
Published: September 2022

The functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) is the result of the integration of bidirectional messages between the brain and peripheral organs. Despite the anatomical separation, gut microbiota, i.e., the microorganisms colonising the gastrointestinal tract, is related to the CNS through the so-called “gut–brain axis” that is also involved in immune processes. The recent literature indicates that the gut microbiota may affect brain functions through endocrine and metabolic pathways, antibody production and the enteric network, while supporting its possible role in the onset and maintenance of several neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The term ASDs includes autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, childhood disintegrative and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified different. All these conditions are characterised by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, as well as limited and repetitive behaviours, interests or activities. In the last two decades, an impressive number of cross-sectional studies reported significant differences in microbiota composition between children with an ASD and controls, thus strengthening the hypothesis of a possible link between GI dysbiosis and ASD. The amount of studies documenting the possible involvement of microbiota in ASD pathogenesis led to considering whether treatments acting on gut flora could ameliorate ASD symptoms. The available findings, although preliminary, would indicate data gut microbiota might represent an interesting field of research for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of ASD (of also of other neuropsychiatric disorders), and possibly a target for the development of innovative treatments just labelled as “psychobiotics”.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Successful Treatment with Lurasidone of First-Episode Psychosis in Down Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Delgado Montfort L.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Co-morbid psychiatric disorders are common in Down syndrome (DS). Evidence is limited for pharmacotherapy, specifically antipsychotics, for psychiatric co-morbidity in DS.

Objectives

To describe a case of a patient with DS who developed a first-episode psychosis (FEP) and who responded to lurasidone in monotherapy and to review recent literature on the treatment of psychosis in patients with DS.

Methods

(1) Case report: FEP in DS patient treated with lurasidone 37 mg/day. (2) Narrative review on the treatment of psychosis in DS patients through PubMed database (1990-2020). Key terms: “psychosis”, “Down Syndrome”, “pharmacological treatment”, “antipsychotic drugs”.

Results

A 21-year-old woman with DS, without psychiatric history, presenting with behavioural anomalies, aggressiveness, soliloquies, and unmotivated laughs was referred to our outpatient clinic by her general practitioner. Symptoms began one year prior and progressively worsened, impairing her daily functionality. Previous blood workup was normal. She was diagnosed with FEP and began treatment with lurasidone 37 mg. At 4-week follow-up, she showed total remission of the psychotic symptoms, had no tolerability complaints, and returned to baseline functionality levels. Discussion: No reports of lurasidone use in psychosis in DS have been published. To treat psychotic symptoms in DS, most literature reports describe the use of typical antipsychotics, which are usually effective, but often poorly tolerated; atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone and aripiprazole have also been used.

Conclusions

Lurasidone may be a useful option in patients with FEP in DS. Further research is warranted on treatment of psychosis in this population.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Sensory and Motor Difficulties in Autism
Authors: Gargot T.
Published: September 2022

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviors. A meta-analysis describes motor difficulties in ASD (Downey and Rapport, 2012) in 85% to 90% of cases (Liu et al. 2010). Electronic devices will help to better characterize these movement impairments (Gargot et al., in press). Another meta-analysis shows difficulties in sensorial integration in ASD, with a prevalence ranging from 45 to 95% (Ben Sasson, 2009). Sensorimotor contigencies are learned interactively (Jacquey et al., 2020), in a perception-action loop, an early milestone in development (Piaget, 1937). A cascade model (Bonnet-Brilhault, 2017) hypothesizes that social difficulties stem in sensorimotor difficulties (Cook, 2016; Neal, 2011; Dziuk et al. 2007; Kojovic, 2019), themselves atypically developed due to a peculiar neurobiological background. This model predicts that early sensorimotor reeducation could prevent the development of social difficulties, whereas the rehabilitation of social skills would improve only part of the impairment, that is driven by sensorimotor processes. How to target these issues? Grandin, 1992 and Edelson et al., 1999 validated the efficacy of deep pressure therapy in ASD. It is important to improve attractivity and decrease the stigmatization of this method. Oto is a compressive armchair with inflatable cushions controlled electronically. It records level of pressure and its duration, chosen by the user. A systematic review showed the efficacy of virtual reality in ASD (Mesa-Gresa et al, 2018). A CAVE device could habituate children to ecological audio-visual stimulations.

Disclosure

Thomas Gargot was paid by the French ministry of research (Doctoral school), French ministry of health (médaille d’argent, CCA-AHU) for a PhD and CCA position. During his PhD, he prepared several scientific presentations with Dr Asselborn. This work led
Students’ understanding of normal sexual behavior definition through evaluation and group discussion
Authors: Shilko R. , Kumchenko S.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The assumption that “normal” or typical sexual behavior exists is important for research and practice (van Lankveld, 2013). The definition of normal sexual behavior is multifaceted, that is why its adequate understanding by students in the course of sexuality requires some effort.

Objectives

The focus of the research was the students’ understanding of complicated normal sexual behavior.

Methods

24 students (20 women; aged from 20 to 37 with M=25.5 and SD=5.7) completed adapted and modified questionnaire (Kite, 1990) consisting 30 items concerning sexual behavior by deciding whether or not they consider each item as normal. Then the evaluations by each student on all items were generalized and discussed and summarized in this general form among all participants.

Results

Only 2 items were considered by all students as a normal: concerning sex somewhere other than a bed and masturbation after marriage. Some items were evaluated as normal by the half of participants: fantasizing about a person other than one’s partner during sex; becoming aroused by peeping; dressing of the clothing of the other sex; having rape fantasies. Many items were characterized as normal by less or more than a half of the participants. Trying to answer the question of what elements of sexual behavior can be considered as normal, students aware the ambiguity of these assumptions and observe the variability in the opinions of other participants.

Conclusions

Evaluation of different elements of sexual behavior and subsequent group discussion demonstrates for students some difficulties and uncertainty in defining normal sex behavior.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Time trends in treated incidence, sociodemographic risk factors and comorbidities: a Finnish nationwide study on anxiety disorders
Authors: Khanal P. , Ståhlberg T. , Luntamo T. , Gyllenberg D. , Kronström K. , Suominen A. , Sourander A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Anxiety disorders (ADs) are common in childhood and adolescence and global estimates suggest they affect 6.5% of individuals under 19 years of age.Yet, there has been a lack of research on time trends and socio-demographic risks for children and adolescents who receive treatment for ADs.

Objectives

We aim to fill gaps in our knowledge by examining a nationwide sample of Finnish children and adolescents diagnosed in specialized healthcare settings.

Methods

We used register data of all singleton children born in Finland from 1992-2006 and diagnosed with ADs from 1998-2012. Changes in time trends in incidence were studied by dividing the study sample into three cohorts by birth years: 1992-1996, 1997-2001 and 2002-2006. The 22,388 individuals with ADs were matched with 76,139 controls. Nested case-control design was used to study the socio-demographic risk factors.

Results

Comparing the 1992-1996 and 2002-2006 cohorts showed the cumulative incidence of treated ADs at the age of 10 increased from 0.3% to 1.2% (females) and 0.46% to 1.9% (males). Subjects had higher odds of being diagnosed with an AD if mothers had low SES (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.42-1.58) and were single parents (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.84-2.15) at birth. Unipolar depression was the most common psychiatric comorbidity (31.2%).

Conclusions

ADs diagnosed by specialized services increased from 1998-2012 in both genders. This could indicate real increase in overall ADs, an increase in seeking treatment or both phenomena. The findings on maternal socioeconomic status and single parenting help improve understanding of environmental risk for anxiety disorders among children and adolescents.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Interaction between cognitive, emotional and behavioral factors of sleep-related complaints in the normative sample
Authors: Rasskazova E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Complaints about sleep and sleepiness are widespread and are closely associated with dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, disturbed sleep hygiene and anxiety-depressive experiences (Perlis et al., 2011, Riemann et al., 2017, Sateia et al., 2017), however, the specific role and interactions of these factors are understudied.

Objectives

The aim was to reveal the relationship between cognitive, emotional and behavioral factors of subjective sleep quality, sleepiness and typical patterns of nighttime sleep in the normative sample.

Methods

224 people 18-47 years old without diagnosed sleep disorders answered questions about their sleep patterns, filled in the Insomnia Severity Index, Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep Scale (Morin, 1993), Behavioral Factors of Sleep Disorders Scale (Rasskazova, 2020), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (Johns, 1991), Glasgow Thought Content Inventory (Harvey, Espie, 2004), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Zigmond, Snaith, 1983).

Results

The poorer subjective quality of sleep is predicted by more dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, cognitive arousal and disturbed sleep hygiene (R2=45.1%). The negative effect of cognitive arousal on sleep quality is higher in people with sleep hygiene disturbances (ΔR2=1.4%, p<.05). Only disturbance of sleep hygiene is a predictor of sleep duration, sleepiness and the experience of insufficient sleep (R2=9.9%-12.2%), while cognitive arousal (R2=23.4%) and (in people with higher sleep hygiene disturbances, ΔR2=3.5%, p<.01) negative emotions predict poorer sleep efficacy.

Conclusions

Both relationship between cognitive arousal and poorer subjective sleep and relationship between anxiety, depression and poorer sleep efficacy are stronger in people with poorer sleep hygiene. Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00740.

Disclosure

Research is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 20-013-00740
Sleep impact of pandemic COVID-19 crisis on university students in Saudi Arabia and associated factors
Authors: Alhadi A. , Alhuwaydi A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

COVID-19 pandemic has many psychological and physical effects. University students are among vulnerable population.

Objectives

We aimed in this study to assess sleep effects of COVID-19 pandemic on university students in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

We conducted cross-sectional study to collect responses of 5,140 participations from Saudi universities, responders completed the demographic questions, psychological scales including insomnia severity scale (ISI) between 24th and 30th of April 2020.

Results

About 41% of the sample suffered from moderate to severe insomnia. Mean ISI score was 12.9 (SD 6.62). Insomnia was associated with female gender, younger age, students from new universities, junior students, if a relative got COVID-19, having a chronic medical illness, and having a psychiatric disorder.

Conclusions

Covid-19 pandemic has clear effect on sleep among Saudi university students. Universities need to plan and implement protective and intervention strategies to deal with this important issue.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Somnambulism induced by Hydroxyzine
Authors: Jomli R. , Jemli H. , Ghabi H. , Madouri S. , Ouertani A. , Ouali U.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Somnambulism or sleepwalking could be explained by dysfunction in the regulation of slow-wave sleep. It may be caused by drugs; in the literature, cases of somnambulism that occurred by olanzapine and lithium have been reported.

Objectives

Discuss the association between somnambulism and Hydroxyzine.

Methods

We will discuss the case of a patient with bipolar disorder treated with olanzapine and lithium who experienced episodes of somnambulism after adding Hydroxyzine.

Results

A 42-year-old woman, with no history of somnambulism, followed in our department for a bipolar disorder type 1, treated with 750 mg of lithium and 20 mg of olanzapine. During her usual control, she reported insomnia Hydroxyzine was added at the dose of 50 mg. At the next medical appointment, she said that her husband had noticed that she waked up at night and she eats, she ambulates and searches things. Episodes that the patient did not remember. She was tranferd to the neurolgic departement. She did a neurological exam, an electroencephalogram, and a brain scan, witch were normal. The polysomnography confirmed the diagnosis. The neurologist retained the diagnosis of somnambulism induced by Hdroxizine regarding the chronology of the symptoms. The somnambulism ceased after stopping Hydroxyzine.

Conclusions

Lithium and olanzapine were associated with the occur of somnambulism, but hydroxyzine had never been reported as a somnambulism drug inducing. Drug interaction may explain this phenomenon.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Sleep disorders among prison officers in Poland
Authors: Piotrowski A. , Ewa Sygit-Kowalkowska E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Workplace conditions have a documented effect on employee health including sleep. Occupational stress and burnout are more frequent among penitentiary personnel than the general population.

Objectives

The aim of the current study was to examine the phenomenon of insomnia and its relationship with occupational burnout in a sample of Polish prison officers.

Methods

The study was carried out on a sample of Polish prison officers using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI).

Results

showed that the Polish prison officers exhibited early symptoms of insomnia. Sleep disorders had a significant role in developing occupational burnout. Coping strategies such as help-seeking and engagement were revealed to have a mediating role in the relationship between insomnia and occupational burnout dimensions. The coping strategy of help-seeking was the only predictor of insomnia.

Conclusions

The results can constitute a significant argument for health promotion campaigns highlighting sleep hygiene directed at penitentiary personnel. A research model created for the purposes of future studies would allow for measuring the frequency of health behaviors, including the general category of preventive behaviors. The study warrants continuation.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Significantly improved outcomes – both in retention and CGI scores - using Long Acting Buprenorphine (LAB-Buvidal) versus treatment as usual for Opioid Dependence in Wales during the Pandemic
Authors: Melichar J. , Pearson L. , Richards E. , Lindsay A. , Greenwood R.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

We have been using LAB (Buvidal) in Cardiff after its pandemic use was funded by Welsh Government.

Objectives

We wished to review the benefits of introducing LAB (Buvidal) into treatment during the pandemic.

Methods

This service development review of the first 73 patients treated with LAB (24mg/96mg rapid titration Welsh protocol) was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

Results

43 (58%) male, 30 (41%) female. <25years=1, 38 (52%) aged 25-40, 34 (47%) 40-55. Prior to LAB 14% (10 people) using Espranor, 8% (6) Buprenorphine, 28% (20) Methadone. 50% (36) illicit opiates (mainly Heroin). We had continuous data for patients for up to 9 months of LAB. Two stopped for non-discontinuation reasons: One wanted to detox, one died of natural causes (LAB-unrelated). Both were excluded from discontinuation rate analysis. 55 people have data for over a month. Of these, 11 discontinued treatment. 80% remained on LAB for 1 month or more [95%CI 67-90%]. Kaplan-Meier plots showed similar discontinuation rates when comparing different OST programmes or none prior to LAB, and comparing by age, sex and initial illness severity (CGI severity). These rates all far exceeded data for traditional OST. CGI scores dramatically improved, even at one week. By month 2 all scores “much improved” or “very much improved”.

Conclusions

Buvidal (LAB) has 80% retention rates, regardless of underlying prescribed/illicit opioid /demographics. The commonly held belief that those on heroin are further from Recovery than those more stable on OAD may be incorrect. LAB may be a more acceptable and useful first line therapy that other OSTs

Disclosure

Dr Melichar has provided consultancy work, presentations, training and chaired panel discussions for all the companies in this area in the UK and some outside the UK. Recent work includes Althea (UK), Britannia (UK), Camurus (UK and Global), Martindale (U
Possible association between high social anxiety level and genetic markers in young adult Internet addicts
Authors: Trusova A. , Gvozdetckii A. , Merkulova T. , Chuprova N. , Solovieva M. , Grechany S. , Soldatkin V. , Yakovlev A. , Ponizovsky P. , Iluyk R. , Egorov A. , Krupitsky E. , Kibitov A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Internet addiction (IA) is a rapidly growing disorder especially among adolescents and young adults. Social anxiety is one of the risk factors for IA. Also, genes involved in dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems are among the candidate genes most frequently associated with IA.

Objectives

The study aimed to investigate the association between social anxiety level and genetic markers in young adult Internet addicts.

Methods

IA group included 44 people (Chen/Chinese Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS) score ≥ 65), 75,0% males), the average age 22,0 [18,0;25,0] y.o. (Md [Q1; Q3]). Healthy control group (CIAS score was less 65) included 120 people, (73,3% males), the average age 23,0 [22,0;24,0] y.o. Psychometric measures: Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Genetic markers: rs2072450 in GRIN2A, rs2832407 in GRiK-GluR5, HUMTH01 in TH01(S<9, L>=9 repeats). The impact of genotypes on social anxiety scores was identified using Proportional Odd Logit modeling taking into account group affiliation.

Results

Group of IA reported significantly higher levels in almost all LSAS measures including total score. We found that carriers of the genotypes rs2072450 CC (p=0.004 vs.CA/AA), rs2832407 CC (p=0.023 vs AA), and TH01 SS (p=0.013 vs. LL) scored significantly higher of LSAS total in the IA group. There were no significant differences in the healthy controls group.

Conclusions

The rs2072450(CC) in GRIN2A, rs2832407(CC) in GRiK-GluR5, and HUMTH01 in TH01(SS) genotypes may be possibly associated with higher social anxiety levels in Internet addicts.

Disclosure

The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), project #18-29-22079.