bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychiatric Challenges of Incarcerated Illegal Immigrants
Authors: Williams G.
Published: March 2009

More than 2,300,000 men and women are incarcerated in America’s jails and prisons. The citizenship status of many offenders is unknown, since it is often not checked for a variety of budgetary and political reasons. The undocumented citizenship status of offenders commonly becomes known only after a felony conviction. They then serve their prison time in America, all the while facing ultimate deportation to their country of origin. During the past two years there has been a political intensification of the alleged need to rid America of “illegals,” with well-publicized arrests of fully-employed “illegals” in Iowa and Mississippi.

Many of these prisoners have lived in the states for years, often with wives, children, and siblings living here as well. Obviously, incarceration and deportation become an incredible emotional and economic challenge for the entire family. The War on Illegals mirrors politically the War on Drugs and is probably doomed to an equal degree of failure.

The presenter works in a prison with convicted felons from more than twenty countries. Many of these prisoners face deportation to their country of origin, yet they may have no family or other support systems in that country. Some are from nations that have no deportation agreements with the USA! The mental health team neeeds to respond to the effects of this political process on the inmate-patients.

It is important to understand the international challenges of human migration in our time. Deepening our understanding of the driving forces of the politics of punishment is essential.
Patients’ Attitude to Breast Conserving Surgery for Breast Cancer in West China
Authors: Zhang L. , Liu C. , Guan Y. , Jiang Y. , Jiang M. , Yan X. , Zheng H. , Li P. , Chen N. , Zou L.
Published: March 2009

Background:

There seems to be geographical differences in decisions about breast conserving surgery (BCS) in breast cancer patients. This study was to evaluate patients’ attitude to BCS and to assess the factors affecting cancer practice in West China.

Methods:

A structured questionnaire was distributed to 184 patients, eliciting information about the patients’ characteristics, occupation, education, family life, recognition of illness, knowledge about BCS, the main means of gaining surgery information, selecting surgery approaches, preferences to breast reservation.

Results:

In all, 163 patients completed the questionnaire. The results indicated that only 7.4% of patients received BCS and 23% of the remaining patients desired to have BCS and the affecting factors were significantly associated with their family life, recognition of illness and the main means of gaining surgery information (P < 0.05). No associations were between BCS selecting and the other variables studied. The most frequent reasons for selecting BCS were keeping the female shape and improving quality of life (71%), the second most were postoperative recovery, minimal influence of physical function (47%) and patients’ knowledge about BCS (42%). The most frequent reasons for not selecting BCS were uncertainty about BCS results and worry about recurrence (81%), the second most was the elderly age unnecessary for BCS (40%).

Conclusions:

The findings indicate that breast cancer patients in West China do not take BCS as the first choice as the best treatment method. It is warranted that further study of more patients, attitude of patients’ partners and physicians to BCS.
The Role of the Clinical and Social Factors in Aggressive Behaviour of Adolescents
Authors: Badmaeva V.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

The aim of investigation is the examination of the role of clinical and social factors in genesis of formation of adolescent aggression.

Materials and methods:

During 2000-2006 years 977 adolescents were examined by the complex psychological-psychiatric expertise. A middle age of the patients compiled 16,7 (±1,05).

Results:

Among the examined adolescents in 57,9% the organic disorder was principally diagnosed, 18,3% of them revealed the disorders of schizophrenic spectrum, 8,5% compiled the forming personal disorder, another nosological stations were qualified in 10,3% of adolescents. The analyses of the consummated acts showed that 61,2% of adolescents were accused in hard and very hard aggressive-violent acts against personality (murder, the infliction of leaden physical injuries with lethal exit and sexual delicts). 1/3 of adolescent delinquents were in the station of drunkenness during committing a crime. Nearly 50% were recognized irresponsible because of mental disorder. The study of microsocial factors elicited that more then 80% of adolescents were accomplished in conditions of parents deprivation, 65% of parents abused alcohol.

55% of the children had tendency to early forms of antisocial behaviour.

Conclusion:

An essential role in formation of early aggression interpersonal relations perform, negative family influence is determinate and lead to social and psychological alienation of a child. Negative socialization of interpersonal relations comes out on the one hand through the open conflict with other people, contrariwise, trough transference of basis activity to such spheres as abuse of psychoactive substances that aggravate their exasperation and aggression.
Compulsory Admissions in a Psychiatric Inpatient Unit: A 4-year Retrospective Study
Authors: Vieira C. , Ramos J. , Alexandre J. , Cardoso G.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Large discrepancies in psychiatric compulsory admission rates have been found in the different European countries. However, some trends seem to exist in most studies: compulsorily admitted patients are more frequently male, unemployed, with a lower level of education, are more likely to belong to racial minorities (mainly black), and the most frequent diagnosis is schizophrenia.

Aims:

To compare demographic and clinical characteristics of patients voluntarily and compulsorily admitted to a Portuguese psychiatric unit.

Methods:

Retrospective data of all the patients admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit, from January 2004 to December 2007, were reviewed. The demographic and clinical characteristics of compulsorily and voluntarily admitted patients were compared.

Results:

In a total of 1434 admissions, 180 were compulsory (11.2%). Compared to voluntarily admitted patients, those admitted compulsorily were significantly younger (38.2 vs. 43.6 years), more frequently male (62.8 vs. 47.1%), and black (27.8% vs. 19.9%), received more often a diagnosis of schizophrenia (34.4 vs. 19.0%), and had a longer average length of stay (27.0 vs. 18.5 days). There were no statistically significant differences in the seasonality of admissions or the number of readmissions in both groups.

Conclusion:

The results are similar to those obtained in other studies, except for a higher rate of compulsory admissions. That can be explained by, among other factors, the low socioeconomic level and high percentage of immigrants in the local population. The comparison with voluntarily admitted patients helps identify characteristics associated with the two groups.
Forensic Psychiatric Examination of the Mixed Personality Disorders
Authors: Gorinov V. , Basilashvili O.
Published: March 2009

The mixed personality disorder unlike other types is often enough diagnosed recently in forensic psychiatric clinic. Inspection of 50 patients with this diagnosis (men at the age from 18 till 47 years) which were convicted in violent and crimes against property has been spent.

Concerning 39 persons the decision that in a crime they could realise actual character, the social danger of the actions and to supervise over them was made (full responsibility). Decisions about necessity of application of item 22 of the Criminal code of the Russian Federation («the reduced responsibility») have been accepted concerning the others exanimated persons with the recommendation about necessity of awarding punishment and treatment by the psychiatrist in the places of confinement. These persons to the present offence and inspection were earlier repeatedly involved in the criminal liability for violent crimes. They had mental immaturity, condition of unstable indemnification, infringement of inclinations (dependence on psychoactive substances, a pathological inclination to gambling, plural frustration of sexual preference). The basis for the decision about application in their relation of the item 22 of the Criminal code of the Russian Federation was the subjectively significant psycho injuring situation in a combination to the expressed emotional pressure, self-inflation reactions, and also peculiar to these persons immaturity and rigidity of emotional reactions, easing of the strong-willed control, and these factors limited their possibility to realise actual character and the social danger of the actions and to supervise over them during the tort.
Forensic Parenting Evaluations: Challenges Inherent in the Evaluation of Latin American Parents for the USA Courts
Authors: Guzman-Hosta L.
Published: March 2009

Most often a mental health professional is consulted by the court in cases involving the Care and Protection of children. Most often judges are interested in learning about the emotional and cognitive strengths and weaknesses of parents to aid in the decision making process. The court is most essentially interested in recommendations that could increase the likelihood of the successful reunification of a family. When reunification is not possible, the expert is often consulted regarding the prospect of successful supervised visits or whether an open adoption is a viable option. The complexity of the cases can exponentially increase when the parent who is being evaluated is a Latin American immigrant. Factors such as a history of trauma and oppression, language barriers, education and literacy issues impact the already complex nature of these cases. Another important factor is the differences in parenting across cultures. As multicultural evaluators for the court we are in a unique position to offer education regarding sociocultural issues, and the impact of the dominant culture on an immigrant family. This presentation aims to illustrate and discuss the challenges inherent in these evaluations and to propose recommendations for improvement of the field.
Sexual Addiction and Psychiatric Comorbidity
Authors: Kamenskov M.
Published: March 2009

In order to create hypotheses about the relationship between the dynamic of paraphilia and the other mental disorders we conducted a study of 60 males with paraphilia. All the patients were distributed in 3 diagnostic groups:

1.

Paraphilia and organic mental disorders (dementia - 10%; organic asthenic disorder - 5%; syndrome of limbic epilepsy personality - 18,3%; organic pseudopsychopathic disorder - 26,7%).

2.

Paraphilia and schizophrenic disorders (paranoid schizophrenia - 15%; pseudopsychopathic schizophrenia - 10%).

3.

Paraphilia and mixed and other personality disorders - 15%.

Results:

Dynamic transformation of paraphilia (connection of new paraphilia’s forms to already existing) has been connected with the psychotic symptoms, convulsive attacks and increase of negative symptoms of schizophrenia, epilepsy and dementia (r=0.87, p=0.02 - canonical analysis).

Abnormal sexual imaginations appear during manifestation of schizophrenia in puberty age. A syndrome of a metaphysical intoxication, delusional depersonalization coexisted with available sexual perversion. In sexually mature age of patients with schizophrenia, dynamic transformation of paraphilia was associated with increase of negative symptoms (in remission). Anabatic of schizophrenia correspond with a degree of aggression sexual perversion.

New forms paraphilia of patients with epilepsy appear after repeatedly transferred convulsive attacks.

In persons with other organic mental disorders, dynamic transformation of paraphilia was observed in cases of formation dementia against a background of the impairments of cognitive function, deterioration in emotional control, social behavior, motivation and prognosis.

Conclusion:

Dynamic transformation of paraphilia corresponds with a clinic and dynamic of mental disease: schizophrenia, epilepsy and dementia.
Psychosexual Indicators of Sexual Violence in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Yakovleva E.
Published: March 2009

Purpose:

Searchof psychosexual indicators of sexual violence.

Object:

Infant and juvenile victims of sexual offends (51 persons).

Method:

Sexological.

Results:

Psychosexual disorders associated with sexual violence were observed in 24%.

For children of 3-7 years set is significant:

Sexualization of behavior:

– french kissing with friends;

– interest to intimate parts of body;

– a frequent situating of fingers in perineum;

– inserting into genitals different subjects;

– seizing for a breast or genitals.

Description to strangers those sexual actions which with them were realized.

For children of 7-12 years set is significant:

Sexualization of behavior:

– tempting behavior with persons of an opposite sex with make a suggestion of sexual contact;

– imitation of sexual contact;

– masturbation in public place.

Unusual sexual knowledge for this age.

For male adolescents set is significant:

Psychosexual dissociation: platonic and erotic libido is heterosexual, sexual libido is homosexual.

Disorders of identity: feminine identity and hyper-role behavior only with coevals of own sex.

For female adolescents set is significant:

Psychosexual dissociation:

– love for the concrete coeval with lack of sexual desire to him;

– presence of physiological sexual reactions on without personality object (heroes of books, television movies, etc.).

Illegible erotic behavior and lack of sexual desire.

Sexual aversion, restrictions of verbal contacts with young men, victims terminate to use of formal female attributes.

Conclusion:

Results may be used for differential diagnostics of sexual development's disorders of different genesis.
Specialty of Anxiety States in Elderly
Authors: Koroleva E. , Kcharitonova N.
Published: March 2009

Anxiety states in elderly are often connected with different stress factors. One of the most common form of anxiety states is qualified as mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. Stress factors in elderly have their particularity. Anxiety states in elderly can develop in response to factors that wouldn’t cause mental disorders in a young persons. The most common chronic factors in elderly are lonely dwelling, change of life conditions and financial losses, diminished capacity of self-serving, helplessness and living in dependence of other people because of somatic diseases. Among acute stress factors could be mentioned on interrupted association with relatives, moving to a new place, had planned hospitalization and surgical treatment. Clinical picture of mixed anxiety and depressive disorder in elderly has its particularity. It is characterized by impairment of emotional and will functions expressed in depressive mood, fear, anxiety assessment of future. These factors lead to forming pathological motivation of behavior, accompanied by feeling of helplessness, uncertainty in abilities. Cognitive functions are also disturbed, especially in case of comorbide organic emotionally labile disorder of vascular genesis. In such cases symptoms of both disorders enforce each other. Firstly, attentive functions are disturbed because of fixation on unreal problems, connected with anxiety apprehensions. Voluntary memory is also reduced, especially on recent events. Although mixed anxiety and depressive disorder has a mild level of severity, it is accompanied with disturbance of critical functions. It has a great influence on persons’ capacity to make decisions and on level of social functioning.
Prevention of Criminality and Psychothereutic Programs
Authors: Kecman B.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Freud point to the special typo of delinquents, cold «delinquents from feeling of guilt». They delinquent behavior is determinate with unconscious motivations, delinquency of this type cannot be solved by social repression.

Methods and material:

This research is comparative clinical analytic prospective study in witch are compared different parameters in two examined groups. We studies 40 delinquents with neurotic disorders. All of them are examined on the Department of forensic psychiatry in Special prison hospital in Belgrade. In control group were 40 non-delinquents with neurotic disorders who are treated in the psychiatric hospital «Dr.Dragiâ Miôvić» in Belgrade. For this research, we construed special questionnaire that contains the sets of questions for analyze different variables. The results are work out by objective statistical methods, which are adapted for this research: methods of descriptive statistic and methods of statistical tests.

Aim:

Delinquency of people with neurotic disorders cannot be solved only by social repression, but primarily by psychotherapy, that presents special type of general prevention of criminality.

Results:

The results indicate that previous psychiatric treatment is the most important factor that influence on delinquent behavior. The results indicate that the risk for delinquent behavior in the non-treated group of patients with neurotic disorders elevated for twenty times (O.R. 19, 96). Those results indicated that the most important prevention factor for delinquent behavior is creating therapeutic programs for treatment of delinquents with neurotic disorders in penal institutions.
Abduction of Children by Their Parents: The Psychopathological Approach of the Problem in Mixed-ethnicity Marriages
Authors: Kontoangelos K. , Douzenis A. , Lykouras L. , Papadimitriou G.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Children abduction by one parent and their transport refers to a foreign country is a gradually increasing phenomenon worldwide as well as Greece. Data from the Greek Ministry of Justice show that the frequency of such incidences is up to one a day (360/year). Some but not all of these cases come to the attention of the International Social Services (Division of Greece).

Method:

Records of fifty (50) cases of inter family abduction were obtained. These were cases that took place during the year 2003. These records were studied and analysed. The majority of cases concerned abductions within the European Union. Permission from the Personal Data Protection service was obtained before the research.

Results:

It was found that fathers were predominantly the abductors (60%). Based on the medical records of the parents, the abductor had established psychopathology (fathers 51,1%; mothers 48,5%). The abducting fathers made significant use of violence (50%) compared to the mother abductors (20%). The legal procedures that ensued the abductions were particularly prolonged: The trial period until the reach of a verdict took an average of 3 years.

Conclusions:

In the cases of children abduction by a parent, there is high correlation between the action and the psychopathology of the abductor. The need for establishment of services appropriate to face this multidisciplinary problem is imminent. The long time each case takes to be resolved has obvious implications for the mental health of the children and the parents involved.
Mental Consequences Resulting from Torture
Authors: Arandjelovic D. , Misic P. , Petrovic M. , Serafimovic S. , Todorovic V.
Published: March 2009

Torture is considered as physical or mental harassment, torment, causing pain, injuries and humiliation of an innocent person occurring during the shorter or longer period of time.

Is human emotional behavior based on primary biological mechanism that human inherited not only from close animal predecessors, but also significantly more distant kinds on evolutionary ladder?

Results of researches indicate that aggressiveness is stable pattern of behavior in children and young people. Aggressive behavior of humans decreases over the years, although certain types of personalities preserve stability of aggressive behavior.

Psychological profile of torturer includes diagnostical category of antisocial personality disorder.

Mental consequences resulting from torture are depression, psychosomatic reactions, aggression, state of anxiety. The contribution of victimology is significant, particularly from aspect of “selecting” psychopathological reaction. It is also important whether the torturer is known to be victims or it is a stranger. It is understandable that consequences are much more severe with people who had unfortunate to be tortured by known person.

The most common psychopathological reactions are:

1.

Fear lived during the torture.

2.

Depressive reaction.

3.

Aggression - which may not be demonstrated in adequate manner, may be shifted to other people, which may create interpersonal disputes, before all for the victim and represents one of physical consequences resulting from torture.

Torture prevention is problem of individuals, community and society as whole.

Degradation of authorities in one society leads to moral erosion, and on its part, to torture on all functioning levels.
Structural Brain Abnormalities in Homicidal Patient: Forensic Case Report
Authors: Radeljak S. , Žarkovic-Palijan T. , Kovač M. , Kovačević D.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Studies have revealed that areas associated with violent behaviour are located in the prefrontal cortex, medial temporal regions and limbic regions. Key regions commonly found to be impaired in population of violent homicide offenders include prefrontal cortex, temporal gyrus, amygdala-hippocampal complex, and anterior cingulate cortex. Recent findings have confirmed link between large arachnoid cysts and psychotic symptoms. There is no scientific data in literature on the case of homicidal forensic patient with large arachnoidal cyst and lesion of frontal and temporal brain regions.

Clinical presentation:

We present the first forensic clinical case of male homicidal patient, age 29, with arachnoidal cyst (Galassi III) occupying large portion of the right brain hemisphere. The patient is presented with acute psychotic behavior after he killed his father and was escorted to our department for psychiatric evaluation. The patient was catatonic upon admission to the hospital and completely non-cooperative (mute). After interviewing patient's family members we have collected data regarding visible changes in his behaviour in the last two years accompanied with frequent attacks of headache. MRI study revealed large arachnoid cyst in the right brain hemisphere compressing right frontal and temporal cortex with lesions in frontal and temporal cortex and lesion of the white brain matter in insular region of both hemispheres. The patient was ordered antipsychotic therapy (clozapin) and schedulled for further psychiatric observation.

Conclusion:

This clinical case represents highly probable link between structural brain changes and homicidal forensic patient. We have shown multiple structural brain abnormalities supporting neuroscientific hypothesis that impulsive homicide offenders lack the prefrontal “inhibitory” machinery.
Organisation and Practice of Prison Mental Health Care in Europe - the EUPRIS Study [P02-153]
Authors: Salize H.J. , Dressing H.
Published: March 2009

Among the more than 9.25 million people currently being held in penal institutions worldwide, mentally disordered inmates constitute a serious problem. Despite the standard doctrine in most countries that mentally ill offenders lacking criminal responsibility have to be referred to in forensic psychiatric facilities for specialised care, the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among prisoners by far exceeds the rate of mental disorders in the general population. However, international research on this issue is scarce. The EU has recently funded a study on the overall concepts and capacities of mental health care in prisons from 25 European countries. Hindered by very bad health reporting standards, the study revealed deficient mental state screening and assessment procedures at prison entry as well as during the term or prior to release. This is an obstacle for implementing adequate primary, secondary or tertiary prevention programmes for most prevalent mental disorders in prisons. Additionally it increases the risk of relapsing and re-offending of released prisoners. None of the included countries provides regular national statistics on the frequency of mental disorders of prisoners or on the availability of psychiatric treatments. Together with a mostly unknown share of general psychiatry involvement into prison mental health care, the information gap currently prevents from identifying favourable concepts of prison mental health care in Europe. The paper presents the data collected during the study as well as a suggested set of standardized indicators whose implementation would enable to describe and evaluate this seriously neglected field.
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Country in Transition with No Forensic-psychiatric Facilities
Authors: Sutovic A.
Published: March 2009

The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995), the post-war period and the period of transition had significant consequences on the structure of the population, economic and social status, on the mental health and general health of the population, and the organization of medical institutions and mental health services.

On the area of forensic psychiatry, the biggest problem in Bosnia-Herzegovina after the war is the issue of complete lack of capacity for treatment and keeping mentally ill crime committers. Before the war, there existed special institutions (a combination of psychiatry and prison facilities) in the framework of former Yugoslavia. One of such hospital, something like “maximum security hospital” existed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in territory that belongs to Republic of Srpska after Dayton Agreement. Unfortunately, even 13 years after the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, such institution simply does not exist. This results in formidable fact that crime committers who are mentally ill can not be processed or convicted of classical imprisonment. They are placed in the jurisdiction of Social Services, which is neither organized nor capable of adequate acceptance, follow up and treat these people. In practice, this means that these patients are free out of institution, often without any treatment.
Prevalence Depression in HCV - Infected Inmates Treated with Pegylated Interferon Alpha Interferon Pegilated
Authors: Tort V. , Silva A. Da , Macià L. , Prat E. , Varoucha C.
Published: March 2009

The succes results in the pegylated interferon plus rivabarina therapy in HCV-infected people has made an increase of the prescription of this treatment in the last years. Side-effects of the pegylated inclose the neuropsychiatric symptoms as depressive and anxiety both simptoms and disorders. The prevalence of depressive disorders has been described between 22%-38%, while the depressive symptoms between 21% and 64%. In the penitentiary field, both the prevalence of HCV and depression are higher than in general population. The aim our study is to know the prevalence od depressive disorders in a population of HCV- infected inmates treatede with pegylated interferon. This inmates in the Centre Penitenciario Quatre Camins, (n:40) were administered the following depression scales. Hamilton Depression Scale (HDRS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scal (MADRS) and Hospitalary Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). These scales were passed at basal, 1-month, 3-month, ending of treatment and 3 month after finising the treatment. Data was collected regarding HCV infection

(genotype, interferon dose, etc.), comorbidity, and psychiatric background and psychopharmacological treatment. All the particpants were informed about the study and ask about their agreement.

Inmates population in CP Quatre Camins (Prison) is about 1800, which 723 have positive serology to HCV. From this group 40 inmates were treated with interferon. Regarding the genotype of HCV, 55% were genotype 1, l 33% genotype 3 and 12% genotype 4. HIV Comorbidy is the l 21%.

Preliminary data about depression disorder point to a prevalence of a modertae depressive disorder in 12,5% of inmates.
Role Constants and Transient Factors at Affect-delikt
Authors: Ulyanenko A.
Published: March 2009

At inspection of 80 patients it was taped, that in all cases the offence was preceded by the interpersonal conflict. Equally among representatives met as «acute roughly proceeding» and "fixing" conflicts, were much more often conflicts inevitable and provoked, the small part was constituted by "spontaneous" conflicts. The significant role was played by provoking and causing behavior of a victim that was shown in offensive statements or in threats to life or to material welfare. Persons to prevalence in structure of the person of erethitic lines have "roughly proceeding" conflicts is more often. The behavior of patients only quantitatively is beyond habitual reaction. Among constants factors depression of adaptive ability of vegetative nervous system and dysfunction median and stvolovo-diencefalon brain structures is noted. At the analysis of transient factors data on change of a mental and physical condition of patients directly ahead of crime were considered. At the analysis of the specified factors it was established, that in cases of the "fixing" interpersonal conflict at all patients the same disturbances of mental condition of neurotic level that was shown in development of the depressive disorders in some cases accompanied by disturbance of social adaptation became perceptible. A part of patients’ offence fulfillment was in a condition of physical overtired after work. «Acute roughly proceeding» conflicts were not accompanied by long intense relations with victims. In these cases it was not observed changes of a mental and physical condition of patients before crime.
Risk Factors for Criminal Offending of Patients Suffered from Epilepsy
Authors: Usyukina M. , Kornilova S.
Published: March 2009

Study material: 148 male offenders with the proved diagnosis of epilepsy, stayed for inpatient forensic psychiatric evaluation.

Risk factors could be relevant to clinical psychopathological (mechanisms of aggressive actions, primary syndrome, a course of the disorder) and different social and psychological factors such as social maladjustment (unemployed person, absence of the trade, not qualified physical work), poor living conditions, family disturbances with aggressive attitudes of patients in family and susceptibility to antisocial influence from others; alcohol abuse, repeated committing of criminal offences both before and after the onset of the disease, breach of a hospital regimen, particularly - a violent behavior. The syndromal description of the patient's condition has provided us with key data that allowed to make an opinion of the probability of committing a new crime and of its potential severity. Social dangerousness of patients with psychotic conditions (delirium, hallucinations, impairment of coinsciousness, paroxysmal states) could be found at the periods of psychotic manifestations. The social dangerousness of patients with negative symptoms (personality changes, dementia signs) is relatively stable. There has been a prevalence of situation driven negative and personality mechanisms such as affective control loss and intellectual incapacity. Assessing the dangerousness of the patients with positive psychotic mechanisms of an offence the content of delirious experience should be discovered as well and the place and the role of real persons who might be involved into the pathological delirious plot have to be found. Assessment of the dangerousness of positive psychotic mechanisms without delirious motivation requires to focus on stability on probability of the recurrence of the syndrome that produced this psychopathological mechanism.
N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptors are Involved in the Effect of Lithium on Passive Avoidance Memory in Mice
Authors: Zarrindast M.-R. , Niasari H. , Ahmadi S. , Shafaghi B.
Published: March 2009

In the present study, the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist and antagonist on the lithium state-dependent memory have been investigated. For memory assessment, one-trial step-down passive avoidance task was used in adult male NMRI mice. Post-training intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of lithium (10 mg/kg) impaired the memory of passive avoidance task. Pre-test administration of the same dose of the drug (10 mg/kg) restored impairment of memory by lithium given after training. This is known as state-dependent memory. In addition, pre-test administration of both NMDA receptor agonist (NMDA; 0.01 and 0.1 ng/mouse, i.c.v.) and the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801 (0.1 and 0.5 mg/mouse, i.c.v) also restored impairment of memory induced by post-training lithium. On the other hand, pre-test co-administration of ineffective dose of NMDA (0.001 ng/mouse, i.c.v.) or MK-801 (0.001 mg/mouse, i.c.v) with lower doses of lithium (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the restoration of memory by lithium. The results suggest that NMDA receptors are involved, at least partly, in the lithium state-dependent memory of passive avoidance task.
The Effect of Life Skills Education on Mild Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Authors: Ahmadian M. , Fata L.
Published: March 2009

Introduction and aim:

This study examines the effect of life skills education on mild intellectual and developmental disabled students.

Life skills education program is widely used in other disabilities but rarely utilized with children who have intellectual disabilities, possibly on the assumption that the cognitive skills on which it capitalizes are less likely to be available. The primary goal of education for this group is to increase self-sufficiency by teaching functional skills needed in everyday life across home, community, work, and leisure domains.

Method:

A total of 30 participants took part in this study (20 male, 10 femal). The IQ level of these participants were assessed by WISC_R. we also assessed intervention effects on three skills targeted by classroom teachers. The three target skills were self-knowledge, social and interpersonal relationships, and anger-management.

Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient and factor analyses were used to examine the reliability and validity of the LSEQ in this special students sample.

Results:

The alpha coefficient reliability of the total scale of the LSEQ was 0.76. The total effect of Life skills education program showed positive effects ( T=-7.136 df=29, p< .001 ), Self-knowledge ( T=-5.882 df=29, p< .001 ), interpersonal relationship ( T=-7.430 df=29, p< .001 ), anger-management ( T=-4.762 df=29, p< .001 ).

Cunclusion:

Overall, results showed positive effects of the intervention on participants" skills. Further research on the effects of various systematic instructional strategies on the social- skills of individuals with various disabilities in multiple settings is recommended.
The Cognitive Interview: Application to Clinical Setting to Enhance Traumatic Experiences
Authors: D'Ambrosio A. , Luna M.
Published: March 2009

The cognitive interview is a very powerful technique to facilitate the recall of eye witness, so far it was used only in forensic psychology.

The cognitive interview focuses on two major component of testimony: memory and comunication. The core memory priciple of this technique is the notion of guided retrieval. Because all of the relevant information resides in the eye mind, the goal is to assist her to access that. Each person is the Eye Witness of own Traumatic experiences. The Cognitive Interview enhances memory by:assisting the doctor to infer the patient"s mental representation of the event,suggesting techniquesto ensure that the patient becomes the central personality of the interview and providing retrieval strategies to facilitate the person"s accessing specific memories.

in this study we apply this technique in the clinical setting to improve the retrieval of the patient"s traumatic experiences.

We considered two classes of subjects (age and sex mached), assessed with psychopatological rating scales:

1.

using cognitive interview

2.

using structured interview

after was evaluated the quality and the quantity of past traumatic experiences.
The use of MMSE to Identify Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). A Population-Based Study
Authors: Moretti F. , Atti A.R. , Cesano S. , Morini V. , Forlani C. , Bernabei V. , Modenese A. , Dalmonte E. , De Ronchi D.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

To evaluate the prevalence of MCI and its subtypes in the Faenza Project, using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Methods:

Subjects living in the municipality of Faenza were clinically assessed. The diagnosis of MCI was achieved according to international criteria using a double-step procedure: first, we excluded subjects with dementia, functional impairment and MMSE< 24, leaving 6,745 persons. Then, the performance in different cognitive domains was considered and scores less than 1.5 standard deviations below the age- and education-adjusted norms on MMSE were settled as cut-offs. Four subtypes were identified: amnestic MCI, single non-memory MCI, multidomains non-amnestic, multidomains amnestic MCI.

Results:

2,720 (40.3%) participants met MCI criteria. Prevalence were 4% (amnestic MCI), 26.5% (single non-memory MCI), 4.4% (multidomains amnestic MCI), and 5.4% (multidomains non-amnestic MCI).

Conclusions:

MCI is common among Italian elderly. In our study prevalence are higher than reported in other population-based studies. The use of MMSE with different operational criteria, diverse sampling and assessment procedure might explain such discrepancy. The role of MMSE to identify persons with mild cognitive deficits deserves concerns. However, MMSE is largely used in both clinical practice and research and has been suggested as a useful screening tool for assessing the degree of cognitive impairment in the guidelines for the Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.
Corticobasal Degeneration Presenting with Depression and Dystonia: A Case Report
Authors: Cerejeira J. , André R. , Batista P. , Carriço P. , Ferreira A.M. , Firmino H. , Januário C.
Published: March 2009

Corticobasal degeneration is a rare neurodegenerative disorder affecting both cortex and basal ganglia with clinical and underlying pathological heterogeneity. Although motor features of CBD were emphasized in earlier descriptions psychiatric symptoms, including cognitive impairment and mood disorders, have been consistently reported during the course of the disease. Clinical diagnosis of CBD is challenging and can be difficult to differentiate from other neuropsychiatric disorders with overlapping features. This can lead to significant underdiagnosis of CBD particularly during its early stages.

We report a case of a 48 year-old female patient presenting with insidious orofacial dystonia co-occurring with depression which remained controlled for five years. Later, while experiencing major psycho-social stress factors, she presented with a rapidly progressive clinical syndrome compatible with the diagnosis of cortico-basal degeneration with severe motor, cognitive and behavioural symptoms, including alien limb phenomenon, nonfluent aphasia and personality changes. Neuropsychological assessment revealed significant frontal lobe dysfunction and SPECT imaging showed asymetrical fronto-parietal hypoperfusion.

This case illustrates the difficulties in the clinical diagnosis of CBD both in early and late stages due to its clinical overlap with mood and movement disorders as well as with Fronto-Temporal Dementia. At the same time, it highlights the influence of psycho-social stress factors in the manifestation of degenerative disorders.
Physical Health Co-Morbidity in Patients with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Receiving in-Patient Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation
Authors: Tajer A. , Faruqui R. , Moffat B. , Haider S. , El-Kadi K. , Haider K.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Patients with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) present with a range of physical health problems. Co-morbid physical conditions can complicate these patients’ rehabilitation and also may lead to secondary disabilities. The medical literature provides limited information on the prevalence of physical health issues in patients with ABI.

Methods:

We surveyed health records of 64 patients receiving multi-disciplinary rehabilitation at a tertiary Brain Injury Rehabilitation service. The data was collected in an anonymized fashion and analyzed using SPSS version 16.

Results:

We analysed data from 64 patients (51 Male, 13 Female). The age range was 21-61 years (Mean 39, S.D. 10.6). Epilepsy was the commonest co-existing physical health condition (47%) amongst these patients. Chronic constipation (20%), peptic ulcer disease (14%), Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (11%), Asthma/COPD (9%), recurrent urinary tract infection (8%) and hypothyroidism (8%) were the co-existing conditions for which the patients needed treatment. Also dysphasia (38%), dysartheria (34%), dysphagia (28%) and mobility difficulties (37%) were common in this patient group.

Conclusions:

These findings have implications for continuing medical education needs for psychiatrists and other health care professionals working in this field. The findings also highlight the need for improved communication and working relationship between psychiatric and general hospital based specialities in order to implement holistic delivery of care for patients with ABI.
Amnesia or Simulation? - Case Report
Authors: Ferreira J. , Santos T. , Mesquita A.
Published: March 2009

The boundaries of simulation and dissociative amnesia are thin and not rarely unclear. Diagnostic criteria and a thorough clinical history are sometimes not enough to shed light on the nature and essence of one's will and conduct. Throughout history, psychiatry has been challenged to testify before society over patients’ truth and deceit. Do they share common grounds or must we accept that uncertainty is the inevitable price of truth?

The authors present a clinical case of a young man coming to the emergency services with multiple lacerations in the upper abdomen and limbs, referring “amnesia” for the last five years of his life. The patient had no previous psychiatric record or any known family or social dysfunction. Approach, management and diagnosis are discussed.
Functional Integration of Adult-Generated Granule Cells into Hippocampal Memory
Authors: Tsuyuoshi M.
Published: March 2009

Throughout adulthood new neurons are continuously added to the dentate gyrus, a hippocampal sub-region that plays a critical role in learning. Our recent studies have used immunohistochemical approaches to visualize the recruitment of these new neurons into circuits supporting water maze memories in intact animals. We showed that functional integration of these adult-generated granule cells into memory circuits proceeds in a maturation-dependent manner, with new granule cells not contributing in significant numbers until they are 4 weeks or older in age. Our current studies are designed to define the range of conditions under which adult-generated granule cells contribute to hippocampal memory formation and focus, in particular, on three issues. First, the hippocampus is involved in multiple forms of spatial and non-spatial memory: Does integration depend upon the type of memory being formed? Second, levels of adult neurogenesis decline exponentially with age and are regulated by a large number of genetic and environmental factors: Does the availability of new neurons affect their rate of incorporation? Third, the dentate gyrus is composed of neurons generated embyonically and postnatally, as well as those throughout adulthood: Are developmentally- and adult-generated neurons incorporated into memory networks at the same or different rates?
Intra-Dorsal Hippocampal Microinjection of Lithium and Scopolamine Induce a Cross State-Dependent Learning in Mice
Authors: Ghorbanalizadeh-Khalifeh-Mahaleh B. , Taheri S. , Sahengharani M. , Rezayof A. , Haeri-Rohani A. , Zarrindast M.-R.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Lithium a mood stabilizer may exert adverse effects on memory. We have previously shown that lithium induces state-dependent learning. Cholinergic systems of the brain may play an important role in memory function and mood regulation. In the present study, effects of intra-dorsal hippocampal (intra-CA1) injections of lithium and scopolamine on memory and cross state-dependent learning between two drugs were investigated.

Methods:

For memory assessment, a one-trial step-down inhibitory avoidance task was used in adult male NMRI mice.

Results:

Intra-CA1 administration of lithium (0.5 and 1 μg/mouse) after training or injection of the drug (0.5μg/mouse) before testing impaired memory when retrieval was tested 24 h later. The memory impairment by post-training lithium was reversed by pre-test administration of the drug (0.5μg/mouse, intra-CA1) suggesting lithium state-dependent learning. On the other hand, intra-CA1 administration of scopolamine (0.5, 1 and 2 μg/mouse) after training or injection of the drug (2μg/mouse) before testing impaired memory when retrieval was tested 24 h later. The impairment of memory by post-training injection of scopolamine (2μg/mouse) was restored by the pre-test injection of the drug (1 and 2 μg/mouse). Furthermore, memory impairment induced by post-training injection of lithium (0.5 μg/mouse) and scopolamine (2 μg/mouse) were reversed by pre-test administration of scopolamine (0.5, 1 and 2 μg/mouse) and lithium (0.5 and 1 μg/mouse) respectively. The impairment by lithium was also reversed by physostigmine.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that microinjection of both lithium and scopolamine induce state-dependent memory and there may be a cross state-dependency between two drugs.
Comparative Effects of Captopril, Losartan and PD123319 on the Memory Processes in Rats
Authors: Bild W. , Hritcu L. , Ciobica A. , Artenie V. , Haulica I.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Renin-angiotensin system in the central nervous system participates in the processing of sensory information, learning and memory processes. Inhibitors of renin-angiotensin system, particularly angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists are reported to have potential effects in various learning and memory processes. In the present study we assessed the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril and the angiotensin AT1 receptors antagonists, lostartan and PD123319, in learning and memory processes by means of Y-maze and passive avoidance tasks. The anxiety state was measured in elevated plus maze.

Methods:

Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: 1. sham-operated; 2. Captopril; 3. Losartan; 4. PD123319. All drugs were stereotaxically icv injected, rather than captopril (i.p.). Learning and memory tests began 2 weeks after the operation, and the ability of the rats to acquire the operant task was studied by means of Y-maze task and passive avoidance task, respectively. The anxiety state was measured in elevated plus maze.

Results:

Captopril, losartan and PD123319 significantly impaired spatial memory in Y-maze task, suggesting significant effects on short-term memory. In passive avoidance task, all drugs, significantly decreased step-through-latency, suggesting significant effects on long-term memory. In elevated plus maze measuring anxiety, all drugs diminished anxiety state.

Conclusions:

These results suggest the involvement of the brain renin-angiotensin system in learning and memory formation.