bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developmental Risk Factors in Patients with Schizophrenia and Severe Neurocognitive Dysfunction
Authors: Herta D.-C. , Nemes B. , Nica S. , Cozman D.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Recent data suggest that schizophrenia is a complex disorder with intricate patterns of neurocognitive impairment supported by specific neurobiological systems, present in schizophrenia patients, regardless of individual or clinical variables. the neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia states that early insults (pre-, perinatal), late environmental, early and late genetic factors interact in various developmental stages, leading to various individual expressions of the disorder.

Aim:

To assess specific developmental risk factors in connection with the level of neurocognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.

Material and methods:

Issues concerning family history, parenting style, attachment and early life stress were investigated in correlation with general intellectual functioning, working memory and executive functions in a set of young schizophrenia patients and a control group.

Results:

The authors found that certain prenatal insults, complications of delivery and early development, along with the quality of attachment and parenting style, were strongly correlated with the patterns of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia patients.

Conclusions:

Cognitive impairment might be a trait-like feature, stable throughout the lifetime, occurring years before the onset of the illness. Extending the concept of development to the entire life span could entail that factors with limited timeframe of action may play a role in the epigenetic regulation of certain genes and proteins expressed in specific areas of the brain, in specific developmental stages, which in turn may lead to overt and definitive changes much later in life.
Comparison of Reaction Time in Schizophrenic Patients and Normal People
Authors: Homayouni A. , Nikpour G.A. , Khanmohammadi A. , Amiri S.J. Mosavi
Published: March 2009

Introduction and aim:

Based on clinical observations individuals with schizophrenia have deficits in a large number of functional domains, including social skills, social cognition, difficulties in perceiving, understanding, anticipating and reacting to social cues and deficient in social networks that are crucial for normal social interaction. (Yager and Ehmann, 2006). Disturbances and disorders in the domains are thought to explain impairments in social functioning that potentially have an direct link to social behavior, social function and interaction with others. in this field and for better and more understanding about schizophrenia, the study aims to investigate reaction time to stimuli in the field of light and sound attention and perception in schizophrenic patients and comparison with normal people.

Method:

Method of the research is experimental. 30 schizophrenic subjects were randomly selected from three psychiatric hospitals and compared with 30 normal subjects. Chronoscope apparatus was used to assess reaction time to light and sound stimuli. the apparatus assesses the light and sound stimuli in 0/001 seconds. Independent T test was used to analyze and compare means of experiment group (schizophrenic subjects) with control group (normal subjects).

Results:

Analysis of means showed differences between groups. Normal subjects were much more rapid in reaction and responding to light and sound than schizophrenic subjects.

Conclusion:

Findings showed schizophrenic subjects because of their affective and emotional disorders and depressed temperament that caused to disorder in abilities and functions, cannot response rapid to light and sound than normal people.
the Implantation of Assertive Community Treatment in Spain
Authors: Jambrina J.J. Martinez
Published: March 2009

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) or Assertive outreach is not a treatment but a way of organising and delivering care via a specialised team to provide intensive, highly co-ordinated and flexible support and treatment for clients with longer term needs living in the community. to be effective, teams must deliver a mix of evidence based psychosocial intervention and intensive practical support from multi-skilled and multi-disciplinary practitioners. This lecture will focus on an overview of ACT development in Spain and a number of issues affecting the implementation of ACT services. the Assertive Community Treatment team of Avilés (Asturias, Spain) was the first ACT service-delivery model implemented in Spain. It started in 1999 as an effort to give an answer to the increasing needs of patients with the most severe and persistent mental illnesses and their families. Due to lack of previous community-based programs following ACT model in Spain, our development process and start-up procedure have guided a number of similar teams all over our country.
the Effect of Drug Abuse on the Duration of Acute Hospitalization in Schizophrenia
Authors: Ortega M.D. , Jimeno N. , Vargas M.L.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Drug-induced psychosis and drug abuse/dependence in schizophrenia are new clinical problems due to the increasing prevalence of drug consumption in this population. the objective is to know if the abuse/dependence of illegal drugs may influence the duration of acute hospitalization in schizophrenia.

Method:

It was conducted a retrospective cohort study on a sample of 256 acute hospitalizations of patients with schizophrenia and related disorders in Valladolid (Spain) between 2004 and 2006. at the moment of admission 82 patients had active drug abuse/dependence and 174 did not. A Cox proportional-hazards regression model was constructed considering drug abuse/dependence as predicting factor and length of stay as result variable.

Results:

The mean length of stay was 12.2 days (SD= 7.5) in the group without drug abuse/dependence and 7.7 days (SD= 29.0) in the drug group (means difference p=0.05). When abuse/dependence of drugs is present, the risk of discharge at any moment during the hospitalization increases in 34% (p=0.04). When Global Assessment of Functioning at the moment of admission is included in the regression model, the results remain significant (risk 35%, p=0.047). Clinical status at discharge was significantly better for the drug users group. Drug users were more frequently at his/her first hospitalization (58.2% versus 35.2%; p=0.001).

Conclusion:

In schizophrenia, abuse/dependence of drugs is associated with a 34% lower duration of acute hospitalization. This fact might be due to a relevant proportion of drug-induced psychosis who recovers earlier than idiopathic schizophrenia episodes.
Effective Treatment of Risperidone-induced Hyperprolactinemia with Aripiprazole: A Series of Case Reports
Authors: Saitis M. , Papazisis G. , Katsigiannopoulos K.
Published: March 2009

Background:

In contrast to risperidone, aripiprazole seems to be less frequently associated with hyperprolactinemia or may even lower prolactin levels.

Aim:

We present three cases of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia and resolution by aripiprazole.

Material and results:

Case1. Ms. A was a 31-year-old woman with schizophrenia who was treated with risperidone 4 mg/day. One year after risperidone treatment, the patient complained of galactorrhea, amenohrea and breast tenderness and prolactin level was 99.61 ng/ml. She was switched to aripiprazole 15 mg/day. Two weeks after aripiprazole treatment, the patient's prolactin level decreased to 6.74 ng/ml and she menstruated 1 week later. Case 2. Mr. B was a 23-year-old man with schizophrenia. He was treated with risperidone 6 mg/day. Five months after risperidone treatment, the patient developed gynecomastia and his prolactin level was 73.64 ng/ml. He was switched to aripiprazole 30 mg/day. Four weeks after aripiprazole treatment the prolactin level decreased to 17.10ng/ml and gynecomastia disappeared. Case3. Ms. C. was a 30-year-old woman with schizophrenia. She was treated with risperidone 3 mg/day. Nine weeks after risperidone treatment, she complained of galactorrhea and amenohrrea and prolactin level was 90.6 ng/ml. She was switched to aripiprazole 15 mg/day. Only 7 days after the introduction of aripiprazole, the patient's prolactin level declined to 19.6 ng/ml. Her menses resumed with 3 weeks.

Conclusion:

Aripiprazole maybe an effective treatment for resolution of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia.
Clinical Content of Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Authors: Klembovskaya E. , Fastovtsov G.
Published: March 2009

Background and aim:

«Schizotypal personality disorder» occupies a special position in the classification of mental disorders. It is not enough investigated, what kind of disorders they are like, their characteristics are, and how they differ from schizoid personality disorder and continuous sluggish schizophrenia. with the aim to define the clinical features of schizotypal personality disorder 58 patients were examined.

Results:

•

Schizotypal personality disorder is similar to deficit states, observed at schizophrenia, clinically limited to personality sphere, without the signs of flow of endogenous process and psychotic disorders.

•

Schizotypal personality disorder on the clinical content reminds schizoid, but insignificant ideatory disorders are typical. Dymamic of psychopathy - disposition to decompensation - is never observed.

•

Schizotypal personality disorder can be diagnosed as latent schizophrenia, because the clinical picture is similar. the special value acquires a dynamic aspect typical of the endogenous process.

•

High quality remission of schizophrenia limited of specific personality changes, as a variant of «acquired psychopathy» can be considered as clinically identical to «schizotypal personality disorder».

Conclusion:

A content of Schizotypal personality disorder includes a group of disorders of schizophrenia spectrum, different originally, from shizofreniform personality disorders without the signs of dynamics to the different states of development of schizophrenia - initial (latent schizophrenia), and final (high quality remission of schizophrenia as practical completion of schizophrenia process with the formation of certain features of personality). It can explain the special place of «Schizotypal personality disorder» in the classification of psychic disorders.
Oxcarbazepine as an Adjunct of Antipsychotic Therapy in Acute Schizophrenia: A Double-blind, Randomised Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Koethe D. , Kranaster L. , Hellmich M. , Nolden B.M. , Klosterkoetter J.
Published: March 2009

The outcome in treatment of schizophrenia is still not satisfactorily, and using the adjunctive administration of various anticonvulsant drugs adjunctive to antipsychotics has become widely distributed. This study determines the efficacy of oxcarbazepine combined to olanzapine in treatment of schizophrenia in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, add-on therapy, 7 week study in 54 patients suffering schizophreniform disorder or schizophrenia. Patients were randomized to oxcarbazepine or placebo and titrated up to 1800 mg/ day in week 1 and maintained at that dose for another 6 weeks. Treatment of olanzapine started at week 2 with 5 mg/day. According to weekly improvement in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), olanzapine dose was maintained constant or escalated in regular steps of 2.5 mg. Main outcome measure was the cumulative olanzapine dose from beginning administration of oxcarbazepine/placebo for a period of 42 days. Comparing treatment of oxcarbazepine and olanzapine with placebo and olanzapine, there was no difference in cumulative olanzapine doses in both groups. in the oxcarbazepine group was not significantly more rescue medication given. A mixed regression model was used to assess time trends in BPRS over the treatment period: the differences in the rate of change of BPRS in the two treatment groups suggested that the scores sank more rapidly in the oxcarbazepine group (p=0.063). Mean post-treatment aggression score also showed no significant difference. Results from this study do not support the use of OXC as an adjunct to atypical antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia.
Birmingham Risk, Resilience, Intervention Treatment and Evaluation Project
Authors: Melo S.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

To track the levels of emotional dysfunction, symptoms, risk and resilience factors and responses to treatment in the Ultra High Risk (UHR) group.

Background:

There has been an increasing interest in the study, detection and treatment of individuals at UHR of developing psychosis. MacGorry et al. (2003) have put forward criteria for identifying UHR, who have been found to have a 40% chance of making the transition to psychosis within one year (Yung et al., 1998). Research trials are ongoing to study whether CBT can prevent these individuals from developing psychosis completely, or at least delay its onset (Morrison et al., 2005).

Method:

100 participants (16-35 years old) were recruited and assessed from the Early Detection and Intervention Team (ED: IT) over a two-year follow-up period. Inclusion criteria were based on the SIPS (McGlashan et al., 2002). Participants were asked to complete questionnaire measures at baseline, 6-month and 12-month follow-up. the baseline measures were: Beck Anxiety Inventory; Beck Depression Inventory; Dissociative Experience Scale; Social Comparison Scale; Social Phobia Scale; Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and Eysenck Personality Inventory. the follow-up measures were: Trauma and Distress Scale; Childhood Trauma Questionnaire; other as Shamer; MOPS, RAAS: Pathways to care; Premorbid Adjustment Scale; Chart of life events and Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire.

Results:

Study is still ongoing.

Discussion:

Our preliminary findings seem to suggest that different risk factors have consistent detrimental effects on mood regulation and symptom contention. It might be possible to manage these factors in at-risk clients in psychological therapy.
Gender Differences of First Admitted Patients with Acute Psychotic Disorder
Authors: Murgulescu A.-M.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

The gender differences in aspect of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics have been analyzed in a sample of first admitted patients with acute psychotic disorder in an acute psychiatric hospital.

Method:

Retrospective sociodemographic and clinical data regarding first admitted patients diagnosed with acute psychotic disorder were gathered and analyzed.

Results:

Of all patients 52.7% were female and 47.3% were male. We analyzed gender differences in age of onset, marital status, education period, employment status, and time between onset of symptoms and admission in hospital. Female patients were older at their first admission than male patients, and more female patients were educated longer than male patients. Female patients tend to be married (30%) and employed (40%) at the time of their admission than male patients (11.1% married and 22.2% employed). the time between onset of symptoms and admission in hospital was longer for the majority of male patients (more than 1 year for 62.9% of men) than for the majority of female patients (0-3 months for 40% of women).

Conclusions:

There were gender differences in age of onset, marital status, education period, employment status, time between onset of symptoms and admission in hospital pointing to the role played by biopsychosocials factors in onset of acute psychotic disorder.
Clozapine - on the Level?
Authors: Natarajan S.P. , Lewin C.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

To discover whether clozapine is being prescribed and monitored according to accepted guidelines.

Method:

Sample size 30 with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia generated from a list of patients attending clozapine clinic. Clozapine levels were done prospectively from December 07 to March 08.

Results:

Of 30 patients, 73% were male and 27% female. 57% were prescribed >450 mg once daily and 50% had trough plasma levels >0.60mg/l. Only 21% were within the therapeutic range (as recommended by Clozapine Patient Monitoring System) 0.35-0.60 mg/l. 29% of patients had a plasma level < 0.35 mg/l. Only 10% had plasma levels checked within the last 6 months.Among 8 patients taking more than 600 mg of clozapine, 5 had an anticonvulsant prescribed prophylactically. among 14 patients with a plasma level >0.60 mg/l, only five had an anticonvulsant co-prescribed.

Discussion:

The outcome of this audit has wide implications from a medico-legal perspective. There is significant evidence implicating clozapine in the development of metabolic syndrome as well as potentially serious side effects including seizures. It is important that clozapine plasma levels are checked when therapeutic doses (Maudsley guidance: 450mg once daily) are reached and that anticonvulsant prophylaxis is considered at high plasma levels.
Episodic Memory in Schizophrenic Patients, their Biological Relatives and Normal People
Authors: Nikpour G.A. , Homayouni A. , Khanmohammadi A.
Published: March 2009

Introduction and aim:

In order to better understanding of the schizophrenia, the present study examines one of the most problem, memory impairments, specially episodic memory in schizophrenic patients, their biological relatives and comparison with normal people.

Method:

20 schizophrenic patients, 20 their biological relatives and 20 normal people were randomly selected and William's individual episodic memory test (WIEMT) was administered on them. in the research to the participants were presented 15 target words (5 pleasant, 5 unpleasant,5 neutral words). the participants were asked to recall a past memory associated with target words. ANOVA test was used to analyze the data.

Results:

Finding showed significant differences among groups. Majority of schizophrenics oriented to choose neutral and somewhat unpleasant stimuli (words) and recall their past memory with depressive and unpleasant theme and their relatives too. But majority of normal people choose the better and pleasant words with good and pleasant their past memory.

Discussion:

Our results reveal that deficits in episodic memory perception can be regarded one of the most prominent cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and should thus be taken seriously in both its diagnosis and treatment. So it stresses the importance of assessing memory function impairments in clinical settings. Also choosing the neutral (and not pleasant) stimuli (words) may cause tendency to depressed mood and it can impair social cognition in schizophrenia that may be an important predictor of social dysfunction.
CAPOPUS Trial: an Observer-blinded RCT of Specialized Addiction Treatment Versus Standard Treatment for Young Patients with Cannabis Abuse and Psychosis
Authors: Nordentoft M. , Hjorthøj C. , Fohlmann A.
Published: March 2009

Background:

A number of studies indicate a link between cannabis-use and psychosis as well as more severe psychosis in those with existing psychotic disorders. There is currently insufficient evidence to decide the optimal way to treat cannabis abuse among patients with psychosis.

Objectives:

The major objective for the CapOpus trial is to evaluate the effects of a specialized addiction treatment program adding group treatment and motivational interviewing to treatment as usual compared with just treatment as usual.

Design:

The trial is designed as a randomized, parallel-group, observer-blinded clinical trial. Patients are recruited through teams for early detection of people with psychosis, community mental health centers, and assertive community treatment teams. Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms, both lasting six months:

1.

specialized addiction treatment plus treatment as usual or

2.

treatment as usual.

The specialized addiction treatment is manualized and consists of both individual and group-based motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy, and incorporates both the family and the case-manager of the patient.

The primary outcome measurement will be amount of reduction in cannabis consumption. other outcome measures will be improvements in psychosis symptoms, cognitive functioning, quality of life and social functioning, and cost-benefit of the treatments.
A 16-week, Multicentre, Randomized, Open-label Study Assessing Effects of Aripiprazole Versus other Atypicals for Schizophrenia Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Day-Poulsen H. , Thomas P. , Loze J.-Y. , Fortan L. , Kerselaers W. , Owen R.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Metabolic syndrome - a significant risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality - is twice as prevalent among psychiatric patients (21-63%) as general populations (20-24%). Although there is an inherent illness-associated metabolic risk, medications do contribute. Atypicals vary in metabolic risk from high (clozapine, olanzapine), moderate (risperidone, quetiapine) to low (aripiprazole, ziprasidone) (ADA, 2004). Few studies have comprehensively measured cardiovascular risk or directly compared antipsychotics. Limited controlled data show that antipsychotic-induced metabolic abnormalities may be reversible, rationalizing the switch to a lower-risk agent (DeNayer, 2004). Non-HDL-cholesterol encompasses all atherogenic cholesterols and provides a marker of CV risk: an increase of 29ng/dL in diabetics is associated with 50% increased risk (Jiang, 2004). Non-HDL-cholesterol is independently associated with increased risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction and angina.

Aim:

This study will provide cross-European data from 13 countries on MS rates in schizophrenia and will assess antipsychotic metabolic profiles and benefits of antipsychotic switching.

Methods:

In this ongoing, 16-week, open-label, European multicentre study, 258 schizophrenia patients treated for ≥3 months with olanzapine, risperidone or quetiapine and who have MS will be randomized to switch to aripiprazole (Week 1: 5mg/day; Week 2: 10mg/day; flexible 10-30mg/day after Week 2) or continue with previous antipsychotic. the primary objective is to demonstrate superiority of aripiprazole versus atypicals on mean percentage change of fasting non-HDL-cholesterol from baseline to Week 16.

Conclusion:

This study will provide the first direct and comprehensive comparison of metabolic risk with various atypicals in Europe and should impact the future management of schizophrenia.
Wandering in Brief Psychotic Disorders: A Case Study
Authors: Papanikolaou K. , Stilopoulos L. , Voura N.
Published: March 2009

Wandering is a symptom present in a variety of psychiatric disorders.

A case of a patient manifesting wandering in the scope of a brief psychotic disorder is described in this presentation.

A 28-year-old male patient was transferred in the Acute Ward of the Psychiatric Hospital of Petra Olympus from the emergency ward of the General Hospital of Katerini.

He was exhausted, filthy, and full of scratches, mentioning that while being with his girlfriend in a remote area, they were verbally attacked by strangers. Panicked, he ran away (this being the last thing he could clearly recall). from that point on, he was wandering in the forest disorientated and feeling threatened. He accidentally approached his village and sought for help.

Upon his admission he had a good self, place orientation but he was disorientated in time and couldn't define the time period he had been wandering. (His relatives mentioned that he was missing for three days, confirming the incident he described). He presented persecutory ideas, auditory hallucinations and he was extremely anxious since he strongly believed that his life was in danger.

He was free of psychiatric history, being functional till the day of the incident. His lab results were normal as well as his neurological examination, EEG and brain-CT. the test for substance use was also negative. He received medication with risperidone (3mg/day) and diazepam (15mg/day). Few days upon his admission he was free of symptoms and was dismissed within 10 days with diagnosis: Brief Psychotic Disorder on risperidone (2mg/day).
Positive and Useful Auditory Vocal Hallucinations: Prevalence, Characteristics, Attributions and Implications for Treatment
Authors: Rutten S. , Jenner J. , Beuckens J. , Boonstra N. , Sytema S.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

Patients who seek treatment often suffer from negative auditory vocal hallucinations (‘voices’). However, some of these patients also report positive or useful voices, that they wish to preserve. When this wish is neglected by their therapist, this may lead to rejection of therapy or low compliance. This study describes prevalence, characteristics, course of and attributions to these voices in psychotic and non-psychotic patients.

Method:

One hundred and thirty one patients of a Voices Clinic and 65 members of the Dutch Resonance Foundation were assessed with the Positive and Useful Voices Inquiry. Data were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square, one-way ANOVA, Student's T-test and Crohnbach's alpha statistics.

Results:

First voices are most often reported as negative. the lifetime prevalence of positive voices ranged from 50 to 75%, useful voices were reported by 40 to 60% of respondents, with higher prevalences among the members of the Resonance Foundation. Positive voices occur more among non-psychotic patients. No significant association was found between voice characteristics and diagnosis. Attributions of protective power to positive voices has the strongest association with positive experience. Useful voices that are advising are experienced as most useful. Over 30% of respondents want to keep their positive and/or useful hallucinations. This wish is significantly associated with perceived control over the voices.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of positive and useful voices is considerable and therefore clinically relevant. A substantial part of patients want to preserve these voices.
Do We Need to Review Outcome Measures in Schizophrenia to Capture ‘Real-life’ Situation? [P03-197]
Authors: Shrivastava A.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Outcome measures in schizophrenia are defining aspects for deciding the status of recovery based upon which people’ scientific body forms opinions. It is also important in dealing with stigma related to schizophrenia. Recently the concept of ‘recovery’ and ’ outcome’ has come under scientific scrutiny. Literature does not show a consistent pattern in outcome. both short term and long-term outcome show variability, which is often, explained by cultural factors. It has been generally considered that devolved countries have poor outcome than developing, non-industrialized countries. This view has also been challenged recently. the paper draws from the conceptual aspects if our outcome measure are capturing ‘real-life’ situation. We conducted two studies in Mumbai, India:

1.

Study of stigma & discrimination, which brought out the facts of families’ expectation and disappointments with level of recovery.

2.

A 10 years long term study, to determine recovery status of recovered patients.

80% patients and families felt that recovery is inadequate and short of social integration despite continued treatment in stigma study. in outcome study, 60% patients showed good recovery as per CGIS. These patients were reassessed on 13 outcome criteria's of Meltzer. It is observed tat half of the patients who recovered continue to live with symptoms, a quarter with varying suicidality and side effects, most of the patients were not socially integrated, majority have not returned to productivity, employment and education It is concluded that outcome criteria's need a thoughtful revision and a new perspective to capture ground reality.
Neurocognitive Impact of Umbilical Blood Stem Cells on Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Smulevich A.B. , Dubnitskaja E.B. , Pavlova L.K. , Morosova Y.V.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

To assess the safety and effectiveness of umbilical blood stem cells (UBSC) regarding neurocognition and social cognition in schizophrenic patients.

Samples and methods:

10 men (33,6±10,6 years old) with episodic type of paranoid schizophrenia in remission with dominating negative symptomatic (F20.04 in ICD-10), who gave the informed consent and received concentrate of 250 millions UBSC intravenously. the control sample (10 patients) meeting the key demographic and disorder criteria received placebo. All patients continued antipsychotic therapy in fixed doses. in the first phase, both samples previously examined against PANSS and MCCB received one injection of UBSC or placebo. in the second phase, ten patients received four injections of UBSC each, one injection every two weeks. the dynamic was rated before each injection and at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 12th week after the last injection.

Results:

The date of the first phase points to a safety of UBSC injections (no serious or severe adverse events registered). the second phase proves the effectiveness of UBSC: the PANSS score drops from 24.5±2.4 to19.2±2.7(р< 0,001)on the negative psychopathology scale, and 41.2±6.8 to 30.82±4.4 on the general psychopathology scale. the neurocognition improved (р< 0,001) in speed of processing (30.6±1.6 to 49.4±1.7), attention (30.6±2.4 to 48.5±3.1), memory (39.7±1.4 to 56.1±1.4), verbal learning (41.3±1.7 to 62±3.2), visual learning (38.6±3.4 to 62.9±2.5), executive functions (35±2.2 to 59.5±2.5). However, the increase in social cognition was statistically nonsignificant (43.6±1.6 to 46.1±2.1).

Conclusion:

The cognitive impact of UBSC appears to be made via its obvious metabolic (nootropic) and psychostimulant actions.
Effect of Perospirone on p300 Electrophysiological Activity and Social Cognition in Schizophrenia: A Three-dimensional Analysis with (s)loreta
Authors: Sumiyoshi T. , Higuchi Y. , Itoh T. , Matsui M. , Arai H. , Suzuki M. , Sumiyoshi C. , Kawasaki Y.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine if perospirone, a second generation antipsychotic drug and partial agonist at serotonin-5-HT1A receptors, enhances electrophysiological activity, such as event-related potentials (ERPs), in frontal brain regions, as well as cognitive function in subjects with schizophrenia. P300 current source images were obtained by means of standardized low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) before and after treatment with perospirone for 6 months. Perospirone significantly increased P300 current source density in the left superior frontal gyrus, and improved positive symptoms and performance on the script tasks, a measure of verbal social cognition. Perospirone also tended to enhance verbal learning memory in patients with schizophrenia. There was a significant correlation between the changes in P300 amplitudes on the left frontal lead and those in social cognition. These results suggest the changes in three-dimensional distribution of cortical activity, as demonstrated by sLORETA, may mediate some of the actions of antipsychotic drugs. the distinct cognition-enhancing profile of perospirone may be related to its actions on 5-HT1A receptors.
to be from not to Be
Authors: Tavares J. , Soares E.
Published: March 2009

From the trema stage defined by Conrad to the unique place that delusional perception occupies in classical psychopathology, the early stages of schizophrenia have always attracted the interest of philosophers and phenomenologists as well as psychopathologists. Pre-delusional state has been understood, since the nineteenth century, as a pervasive disorder affecting cognition, affect, conscioussness or motility. This pathological matrix transports patients to a place where they are not able to relate the significances to the common intersubjective world, and are trapped in self-referential meanings. the mistery that surrounds this experience becomes a challenge to patients, doctors and particularly to their empathic relationship.

By presenting a clinical case we wish to illustrate how clinical practice is in fact in a hazardous intersection of different angles of analysis of the reality of human behavior and how phenomenological, empirical and biological approaches intersect explaining psychiatric illness in a hybrid way. Furthermore we wish to review the historical and phenomenological approaches to the early stages of schizophrenia, and confront them with more recent empirical and epidemiological data.
Conformation of Albumin Binding Sites are Disturbed in Schizophrenia
Authors: Uzbekov M. , Gryzunov Y. , Misionzhnik E. , Syrejshchikova T. , Dobretsov G. , Smolina N. , Sokolova T. , Molodetskich A.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

Investigate some properties of albumin binding sites in schizophrenic patients.

Methods:

Properties of serum albumin binding sites were studied using quenching of fluorescence of probe K-35 (N-carboxyphenylimide of dimethylaminonaphthalic acid) with nitrate anion. Serum samples were collected from 24 schizophrenic patients and 24 healthy volunteers.

Results:

In the absence of quencher specific probe fluorescence in patients was 1,4 times higher than in controls. Fluorescent quenching constant for probe bound to albumin was 2,5 L/mol in patients versus 4,6 L/mol in volunteers (p< 0,01). Fluorescent fraction assessable to quenching was significantly lower in patients than in volunteers. Fluorescent decay studies on S-60 synchrotron have revealed in patient's albumin the redistribution between long-lived and short-lived molecules of the probe with increase of the latter. There were found decrease of albumin accessible SH-groups in schizophrenic patients as compared with volunteers.

Conclusions:

In schizophrenic patients conformational state of albumin binding sites is significantly disturbed that can lead to changes in protein-ligand interaction and to damage of main albumin functions (transport and detoxification) and aggravation of endotoxicosis.
Default Mode and Temporal Lobe Networks Activity During a Working Memory Performance in Schizophrenia
Authors: Verébová K. , Horáček J.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Temporal correlations in the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal oscillations of widely separated brain regions are presumed to reflect intrinsic functional connectivity and have been demonstrated across several distinct networks serving different functions. Impaired connectivity or disturbed integration of neural activity, as seen in brain networks in schizophrenia, might influence the symptoms of the disorder and biologically implicates in temporal and spatial alterations in BOLD signal fluctuations.

The objective of this study is to examine the activity of a temporal lobe and default modes during working memory task in schizophrenic patients. These two networks were selected because both have been previously studied.

Methods:

Patients with schizophrenia and healthy comparison subjects undergo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning while performing a verbal working memory “n-back” task. All subjects receive identical training in task performance prior to scanning. Independent component analysis will be used to identify the default mode and temporal lobe component. Spatial and temporal aspects of the networks will be examined in patients versus healthy control subjects.

Results:

Data collection and statistical evaluation will proceed until October 2008.

Conclusions:

Identifying specific activation patterns for the temporal lobe and default mode components may contribute to the identification of a trait-related marker for schizophrenia and improve diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.
Treatment of Sleep Disturbance in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Alao A. , Chung C.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects nearly 1.5 million individuals in the United States each year. During peacetime, over 7,000 Americans with a diagnosis of TBI are admitted to military and veterans hospitals every year; this number increases significantly during combat, during which TBI may comprise up to 20% of survivor casualties. Pain and discomfort relating to injuries are frequent causes of sleep disturbance in TBI patients. Sleep disturbances can manifest as difficulty falling or staying asleep, early morning wakening and non-restorative sleep, and affects up to 30% of individuals with TBI. Because there are few studies on pharmacotherapy for sleep disturbances in TBI, many physicians base their intervention on experience with the general population. in this poster, we will consider the unique features of the patient with TBI and make recommendations for psychoactive medications that are appropriate to treat insomnia in this population.

Methodology:

A literature review was performed and recommendations for treatment of sleep disturbances in patients with TBI are summarized here based on published findings.

Conclusion:

Non-pharmacological means should be the first-line treatment for sleep disturbances in patients with TBI. These include sleep hygiene and cognitive behavioral therapy. Physicians and other clinicians should pay attention to the specific sleep complaint, adverse effect profile of the medication as well as the anticipated duration of treatment before deciding upon a sleep agent for patients with TBI.
Melatonin in Treatment of Chronic Sleep Disorders in Adults with Pervasive Development Disorders: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Deriaz N. , Galli-Carminati G. , Bertschy G.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Melatonin may be used to treat sleep disorders in both children and adults with intellectual disability. the evidence for its efficacy, potential adverse effects and drug interactions are reviewed in the context of prescribing to people with intellectual disability.

Methods:

This study presents the use of melatonin to treat severe circadian sleep-wake disturbances in 6 adults with pervasive developmental disorders. Melatonin was initiated at a daily dose of 3 mg at nocturnal bedtime. If this proved ineffective, the melatonin dose was titrated over the following 4 weeks at increments of 3mg/2weeks up to a maximum of 9 mg, unless it was tolerated. Assessments included the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and CGI-Improvement (CGI-I).

Results:

Melatonin administered in the evening dramatically improved the sleep-wake pattern in all patients. Melatonin appears to be effective in reducing sleep onset latency and is probably effective in improving nocturnal awakenings and total sleep time in adults with pervasive developmental disorders. Its effectiveness remained stable for the 6-months period of administration. Melatonin was well-tolerated in all patients and no side effects were noted during the therapy.

Conclusions:

Melatonin appears to be promising as an efficient and seemingly safe alternative for treatment of severe circadian sleep disturbances in adults with intellectual disability. There may be heterogeneity of response depending on the nature of the sleep problem and cause of the intellectual disability or associated disabilities. Further studies are necessary before firm conclusions can be drawn and guidelines for the use of melatonin for people with ID formulated.
Over Warming Syndrome in Adults
Authors: Han-You X.
Published: March 2009

Clinical significance:

This article implicates that doctors must know the Over Warming Syndrome in Adults’ harmful effects, its clinical managements, imperative importance to prevent other critical diseases attacks. So that the doctors can do patient and normal people education, counsel about the new syndrome, enhance people's health level and quality of life.

Objectives:

Name a new kind of syndrome, in order to provide new methods of thinking and behavior for doctors to well diagnose, prevent, and treat the syndrome and other diseases and for doctors to do patient education and counseling.

Method:

Summarize author of this paper the self-experiences about this syndrome's clinical medicine.

Results:

The etiology, clinical symptoms, mechanism, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this new syndrome are easy to understand by the doctors. Which like the symptoms of the dehydration caused by over warming.

Conclusions:

It is very important to name and understand this new syndrome for enhancing the human-being's health level and quality of life, preventing the human-being from development of other critical diseases. which is much too worth to be spread.
Psychopathology of Traumatic Experience and Cultural Perception of Time
Authors: Bastos C. , Coelho C.L. Maia
Published: March 2009

Two fundamental aspects of cultural intuitive conceptions of time's passage - cyclic and continuous temporality - are here related to clinical psychopathology of post-traumatic stress in Brazil. People with predominantly cyclical cultural perceptions of time tend to see life and death as part of an eternal movement. Severity and persistence of mental trauma are not directly related to the magnitude of the catastrophe or even of the traumatic experience, but rather to the way they pervade the mind and to the roles they represent on it. Modern culture tends to produce individuals prepared to a highly complex world, running in a frantic rhythm and under constant pressure. Nearly all events must be anticipated, planned or controlled, and obsessive traits tend to be facilitated. However, in catastrophic, unpredictable events, when nothing can be done, these full-schedule people may show frailty and despair.

Traditional communities seem capable to bear extremely high levels of aggression or suffering - in traumatic and catastrophic situations - without showing proportional signs of mental stress. While in the high social layers of modern communities an act of violence as an assault or rape may have serious and long lasting consequences, in everyday public hospital practice we come across victims of potentially traumatic events without any of the expected devastating effects on their mental life. Periodic dissociative rituals may have a role in their resilience.
Erectile Dysfunction in War Veterans in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Authors: Becirovic E. , Avdibegovic E.
Published: March 2009

Results of previous studies suggest that people with traumatic experiences frequently have sexual problems. This study aimed to assess erectile function in war veterans. One hundred and five war veterans were tested using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). They were divided into two groups; those with symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and those without, measured with the HTQ. We tested war veterans that hadn"t been using psychotropic or other medications that could cause sexual dysfunction and who did not have either a physical or psychological disease and were not alcohol or drug addicts. The average age of the group tested was 40.84±5.94 years. All participants had had a sexual partner for longer than 6 months. We found that 67.6% of all tested veterans showed below normal erectile function. Average results of erectile function in both groups were 22.10±5.73 as measured by the IIEF. Participants without PTSD symptoms had significantly better results of erectile functioning (χ2=44.62, p=0.001). There was a significant negative corrrelation (p<0.01) between the intensity of PTSD symptoms of intrusion, avoidance and hyperarousal and the intensity of sexual dysfunction as measured by the IIEF. War veterans with more intensive symptoms of PTSD and a higher number of traumatic experiences have more problems with sexual functioning.
Study of Stress Level Among Medical School Students of Semnan University, Iran
Authors: Bineshian F. , Saberian M. , HajiAghajani S. , Ghorbani R. , Fredonian M. , Bineshian D. , Bineshian M.
Published: March 2009

Background:

The professional education can be stressful experience and medical students are exposed to high levels of stress in both theoretical and clinical components of their educational programme. The high level of stress often leads to disruptions in physiological and psychological health.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to study stress in medical school students of Semnan university.

Methods:

This study was a descriptive and cross-sectional research. The sample were 211 students of general physicians (160) and paramedical (51). 206 students filled in a questionnaire.Data were collected using a stress questionnaire (R.S.Eliot). Then data were analyzed by SPSS and mean, frequency distributions. For this study were used chi-square, spearman and pearson correlation coefficient.

Results:

The findings showed 9.7% of students under study had high control degree, 82.5% of students had intact life but sometimes stressful situation caused anxiety for them, 6.8% of students feel depress and 1% in their life have mental crisis or conflict.

Conclusion:

Teaching to students in order to reduce stress level and provide educational improvement in medical students are recommended.
Personality and Stress: Personality Factors that Affect on Emerge of Stress
Authors: Homayouni A. , Aghajanipour H. , Nikpour G.A. , Khanmohammadi A.
Published: March 2009

Introduction and aim:

Studies of relationships between personality dimensions and mental health indicate that people with psychiatric disorders have distinct personality patterns that comprising behavioural, emotional and cognitive patterns in the society(Malouff, 2005 & Widiger,1994). The study aimed to investigate relationship among personality dimensions (introversion-extroversion E/I, intuition- sensing N/S, thinking-feeling T/F, perceiving-judging P/J) based on Jungian personality types and stress in students of university.

Method:

The studied population included 200 students between ages of 19-23 were randomly selected from four universities center and Hogan-Champagne's Personal Style Inventory (PSI) and Coudron's Stress Inventory (CSI) were administered on them. PSI assesses eight personality dimensions based on Jungian personality types mentioned above. The data were analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results:

Analysis showed positive correlation between introversion and stress and negative correlation between extroversion and stress. Analysis of personality dimensions showed female are more sensing than male and male are more intuition than female.

Conclusions:

In regard to introverted are quiet, diligent at working alone, and socially reserved make decisions, some what independently constraints and prodding from situation, culture, people, or things around them and so facing to stress factors interrupt their own world and reduce their function. These factors cause to variability in situation and stress com about. The last finding is the students believe themselves beyond they are, and with facing to problems beyond their ability, stress has more effects.