bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a self-replicating plasmid for non-toxic expression of CRISPR-repressors to study schizophrenia-risk genes
Authors: Abashkin D. , Kurishev A. , Karpov D. , Golimbet V.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Genome-wide association studies revealed that polymorphisms located within non-coding regions significantly contribute to the genetic architecture of schizophrenia. Such regions may affect the expression of tens and hundreds of neuronal genes. Epigenetic CRISPR editors help to elucidate the causative polymorphisms. However, efficient CRISPR-repressors are highly toxic to neuronal cells, and their activity rapidly declines with time after transfection due to plasmid silencing. Therefore, less toxic, effective, and long-acting epigenetic CRISPR instruments are required to advance schizophrenia genetic research.

Objectives

We aimed at creating a less toxic and effective CRISPR-repressor for the investigation of schizophrenia-risk genes.

Methods

Plasmids were obtained used standard molecular cloning techniques and lipofected into the SH-SY5Y cell line. Cells were cultured using standard conditions and techniques. Cell viability and GFP-reporter fluorescence were observed using a fluorescent microscope.

Results

We obtained a set of plasmids encoding dCas9-KRAB-MeCP2 repressor under the control of different promoters (hEF1a, hPGK1, mPGK1, hSYN2, synthetic TRE). Non-toxic expression of the CRISPR-repressor was achieved using tetracyclin controllable TRE promoter. Moreover, the Epstein-Barr virus origin of replication (oriP) and its regulator EBNA were introduced to make the self-replicating plasmid. High activity of CRISPR-repressor was confirmed on a schizophrenia-risk gene DDC encoding L-DOPA decarboxylase catalyzing the last step of dopamine biosynthesis.

Conclusions

We have created a plasmid encoding the non-toxic and effective CRISPR repressor encoded by a self-replicating plasmid. The study was supported by the grant from the Russian Science Foundation №21-15-00124, https://rscf.ru/project/21-15-00124/.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Phenomenology and comorbidity in late onset bipolar disorder : A comparative study
Authors: Mohapatra D.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Bipolar disorder in later life is a complex & confounding neuropsychiatric syndrome with diagnostic & therapeutic challenges.

Objectives

To assess the clinical characteristics of late onset bipolar disorder and to compare with adult onset bipolar disorder and to compare the medical co morbidity between age, sex matched healthy control group.

Methods

It was a hospital based, observational, analytical and cross-sectional study conducted over 2 and half years. The patients > 60 years presenting with manic features after satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were the study group. Control group -1 was selected from adult onset bipolar disorder. YMRS, MMSE, SCID were applied for both. Control group -2 was selected from age, sex, education matched normal population and the three groups were compared for co morbidity. Secondary mania cases are excluded from the study.

Results

Mean age at onset was 67.4 years. 63.3% of our patients were female. H/O psychiatric illness in family is more in control group (53.3%) than in study group (26.7%) (p=0.035). 86.6% patients present with irritability. 73.3% patients were presented with aggression. Control group –irritability=90%, aggression=75% The difference is not statistically significant. Scoring of each symptom showed significant difference. It means presence & severity of delusion is significantly more in young bipolar control group.(p=0.035 for % score, p=0.015 for mean SAPS score). 70% presented with co morbidities.

Conclusions

Geriatric mania shows mixed presentation compared to early onset disease. Psychotic features are more common. Late onset mania is less associated with family history. Common co morbidities are DM, HTN, Hypothyroidism, neurologic disorders.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The role of Executive Attention in the association between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and relapses in Major Depressive and Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Lucassen L. , Tioli I. , Ferrari M. , Ossola P. , Marchesi C.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Major Depressive (MDD) and Bipolar Disorder (BD) are chronic relapsing condition in which mood episodes are interspersed with periods of euthymia. Impairments in Executive Attention (EA) are a trait characteristic of mood disorder that persists also during remission. Similarly prefrontal dysfunctions are crucial in the genesis and maintenance of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms (OCS), which are highly comorbid in both MDD and BD.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to test a model in which deficits in EA mediate the relationship between the OCS and the relapse in a cohort of patients with MDD and BD.

Methods

Sixty-four euthymic subjects with BD and MDD performed the Attentional Network Task Revised (ANT-R), that gauges EA in a standard conflict task. Here we adopted a drift diffusion model to measure the task efficiency as the drift rate in incongruent trials. Patients also completed at baseline the YBOCS, a questionnaire that evaluate the severity of OCS. All the participants have been followed-up for up to 5 years and relapses have been recorded.

Results

The association between OCS and time in euthymia was fully mediated by the EA so that greater OCS were associated with poorer executive functions (beta=-0.341; p=0.006) that in turn predicted a sooner relapse (beta=0.349; p=0.005). This held true even when controlling for classic predictors of recurrence such as previous episode distance, the duration of illness and medications.

Conclusions

Treatment targeting executive functions could hence be crucial in preventing relapses in subjects with mood disorders experiencing obsessive compulsive-symptoms.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Clinical Features of Bipolar Disorder Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross Sectional Clinic Based Study
Authors: Sahmelikoglu Onur O. , Baş Uluyol Ö.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is highly prevalent in patients with bipolar disorder(BD), and may affect the functionality of this population.The increased rate of MS in BD might be due to poorer access to physical health care, unhealthy lifestyle related with psychiatric symptoms and adverse effects of pharmacological treatments.

Objectives

We sought to compare differences in clinical features of patients with Bipolar Disorder Type 1 (BPD-1)with and without MS in euthymic period.

Methods

This study included 67 euthymic BPD-1 patients without MS and 33 age- and sex-matched BPD-1 patients with MS. All participants completed a sociodemographic form; took the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Young Mania Rating Scale score. MS was diagnosed according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.

Results

Age at onset of disease was significantly lower in BPD-1 group with MS than without MS (p < 0.05). Number of suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitalisation, was significantly higher in BPD-1 group with MS than without MS (p < 0.05). Catatonic and melancholic depression were significantly more prevalent in the BPD-1 with MS than without MS (p < 0.05). Having history of comorbid psychiatric diseases, mixed episodes, are significantly more prevalent in the BPD-1 with MS than without MS (p < 0.05). There was not significant difference between groups in terms of the medication between groups (p>0.05)

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that MS might have an effect on the course of BD patients. The development and testing of interventions for preventing and treating the MS and its components in patients with BD might be important .

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Kappa accuracy of prototypical diagnosis and ICD-10 criteria for mental disorders: A cross-sectional study in a real-life setting
Authors: Rocha Neto H.G.D. , Cavalcanti M. , Telles Correia D.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The use of “operational criteria” in DSM-III was proposed as a solution to low reliability among psychiatrist’s diagnosis. It is considered a turning point in the psychiatric classification and diagnostic process, furtherly adopted in ICD. However, the utility of using such criteria in everyday clinical practice is still not clear.

Objectives

To measure agreement between prototypical and ICD-10 categorical diagnosis.

Methods

In IPUB’s outpatient clinics, psychiatry residents work in a real-life clinical scenario, attending patients from Rio de Janeiro/RJ-Brazil. Although regularly trained in ICD criteria, it is not usual to check every criterion in their daily practice. Thus, patients are diagnosed with a prototype-based disorder, not necessarily strictly attached to ICD criteria. We propose a cross-sectional study, where psychiatry residents check their clinical diagnosis according to ICD criteria and compare its agreement with kappa statistics.

Results

Three of thirty residents joined the study, providing diagnosis for 146 patients under their care. Forty-five diagnoses were obtained before and 51 after ICD-10 criterion application. Diagnoses were grouped under 8 groups (Organic, Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Depression, Anxiety-Related Disorders, Personality Disorders, Neurodevelopmental Disorders), and kappa agreement obtained using ICD-10 diagnosis as the gold standard against prototypical diagnoses. Overall kappa was 0.77 (IC - 0.69 - 0.85), ranging from 0.58 (Personality Disorders) to 0.91 (Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder). These findings also were reflected as high sensibility, specificity, Positive Predictive, and Negative Predictive values in all groups.

Conclusions

Prototypical diagnostic elaboration, while probably based on previously learned, but not applied operational criteria, was equivalent to diagnostic obtained through ICD-10 categories.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Clinical Feasibility of Speech Phenotyping for Remote Assessment of Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Disorders (RHAPSODY): a study protocol
Authors: Taylor R. , Hampsey E. , Mészáros M. , Skirrow C. , Strawbridge R. , Chok L. , Aarsland D. , Al-Chalabi A. , Chaudhuri K.R. , Weston J. , Fristed E. , Young A. , Awogbemila O.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The diagnosis of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders (NPDs) in primary care can suffer from inefficiencies resulting in misdiagnoses and delayed diagnosis, limiting effective treatment options. The development of speech and language-based profiling biomarkers could aid in achieving earlier motor diagnosis for PD for instance, or more accurate diagnosis of clinically similar or late presenting NPDs.

Objectives

RHAPSODY aims to investigate the feasibility of the remote administration of a battery of speech tasks in eliciting continuous narrative speech across a range of NPDs. The project also aims to determine the feasibility of using acoustic and linguistic biomarkers from speech data to support the clinical assessment and disambiguation of common NPDs

Methods

All participants (n=250) will take part in a single virtual telemedicine video conference with a researcher in which they are screened and complete a battery of speech tasks, in addition to cohort-specific screening measures. Over the following month, participants will be asked to complete a series of short, self-administered speech assessments via a smartphone application.

Results

The speech tasks will be audio-recorded and analysed on Novoic’s technology platform. Objectives will be analysed using measures including average length of speech elicitation for speech tasks, intra- and inter-subject variance, differences in linguistic patterns, and response rates to speech assessments.

Conclusions

The analyses could help to identify and validate speech-derived clinical biomarkers to support clinicians in detecting and disambiguating between NPDs with heterogeneous presentations. This should further support earlier intervention, improved treatment options and improved quality of life.

Disclosure

In terms of significant financial interest and relationships, it is emphasised that the private organisation Novoic, who aim to develop speech algorithms for diagnostic use, is the study’s sponsor and employees or former employees of this company comprise
Impact of WPA’s Telepsychiatry Global Guidelines on Clinical Practice, International Collaboration, and Education
Authors: Mucic D.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Telepsychiatry is the best-documented e-Mental Health application. It refers to the use of videoconferencing in the provision of mental health services. During the COVID19 pandemic, in response to physical distancing, mental health services worldwide have turned to online consultations. For the vast majority of clinicians, it was the first time they use telepsychiatry, and very few have received training in how to do it.

Objectives

- to present the main objectives and messages of the WPA Global Guidelines for Telepsychiatry related to competencies & skills, educational & legislative needs, and international collaboration.

Methods

A structured review of the main challenges, innovations, and settings in the first Global Telepsychiatry Guidelines, published by WPA in February 2021.

Results

The benefits of increased access to telehealth services are apparent for telepsychiatry, but benefits can only be realized if the tools are used by clinicians who have the appropriate training and guidance. With proper preparation and thoughtful risk management, telepsychiatry can be an invaluable tool for allowing greater access to care. However, certain prerequisites must be fulfilled to achieve the desired goals. These prerequisites are e.g. choice of the technology, settings, patient/provider preferences as well as competencies and skills described in this document.

Conclusions

The need for training among health care professionals is the highest priority. The urgent need for clinical training and skills building around e-mental health inclusive telepsychiatry, will determine the influence that psychiatry can have in addressing the mental health sequelae of the COVID19 pandemic via competent practice and increased international collaboration.

Disclosure

I am the main author of “WPA Telepsychiatry Global Guidelines”
Associations of neuroinflammatory parameters with clinical features in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia
Authors: Zorkina Y. , Syunyakov T. , Andriushchenko A. , Abramova O. , Kurmishev M. , Kostyuk G. , Morozova A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represent a state of cognitive function between normal aging and dementia and does not always progress to dementia. Neuroinflammation has a key role in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. Determining the associations of neuroinflammatory markers in the blood with clinical disease severity may be useful for early diagnosis of cognitive impairment and prediction of the development of severe dementia.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to compare the serum concentration of a panel of inflammatory markers in patients with MCI and dementia as well as their associations with clinical symptoms.

Methods

Patients were evaluated using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test (CDT), Montreal Cognitive Assessment scales (MoCA), Clinical Dementia rating (CDR) and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). We determined the serum concentration of a panel of inflammatory markers (25 units) cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and several others on Mulliplex and prepared multivariate analysis to investigate associations between clinical features and serum concentration.

Results

Patients with dementia had lower scores on scales than the control and MCI groups. MCI patients were equal to the control group, except for the MMSE scale. EGF, eotaxin-1, GRO-α, IP-10, IL-8, MIP-1β, sCD40L, TNF-α, MDC and MCP-1, VEGF were differ between groups. Multivariate analysis identified some neuroinflammatory parameters associated with the severity of the disease.

Conclusions

We identified some neuroinflammatory parameters associated with dementia and MCI. Many of them have been poor described and data is contradictory. It is necessary to investigate these parameters as potential biomarkers of neurodegeneration in further studies.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Standard Units for Cannabis Dose: Why is it Important to Standardise Cannabis Dose for Drug Policy and How Can we Enhance its Place on the Public Health Agenda?
Authors: López-Pelayo H. , Balcells-Oliveró M. , Gual A. , Matrai S. , Oliveras C.
Published: September 2022

Regular cannabis use is associated with several adverse health outcomes including psychosis and cannabis use disorders. In the last decade, prevalence of last-month cannabis use increased by 27% and rate of treatment demand rose from 27 to 35.1 per 100000 inhabitants in Europe. Cannabis legal status is changing worldwide, and recently two European countries (Malta and Luxembourg) legalized its production, sales and use. Even United Nations withdrew cannabis from Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (retained in Schedule I). This new scenario aligns cannabis more closely with alcohol, prescribed drugs or tobacco than illegal drugs. Implementing prevention and harm reduction strategies will be even more relevant in the nearly future. Based on the history with alcohol or tobacco, frequency of use alone misestimates the risks due to limited capture of variations of quantity per day of use on regular users. Standardisation of cannabis use has been proposed in the literature as an instrument to assessing the level of risk. In the Lisbon Addictions Conference (2019) a group of 32 professionals from 13 countries and 10 disciplines participated in a back-casting foresight exercise aiming to addresses challenges of implementation of SJU. They proposed three key steps in the implementation of SJU: 1) constitution of task-force for an evidence-based approach to SJU; 2) expanding the available data on cannabis-related risks; 3) examining the relationship between ‘risky use’ and SJU.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Which residual symptoms predict relapse after successful electroconvulsive therapy for late-life depression?
Authors: Lambrichts S. , Vansteelandt K. , Wagenmakers M. , Oudega M. , Obbels J. , Dols A. , Bouckaert F. , Sienaert P.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Introduction: Residual depressive symptoms are common after a successful acute treatment of late-life depression (LLD), and their presence predicts increased risk of relapse. While electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for LLD, little is known about which particular symptoms remain and impact long-term outcome after a successful acute ECT course.

Objectives

Objectives: We aimed to assess the association between specific residual depressive symptoms after an effective acute ECT course for LLD and relapse at six-month follow-up.

Methods

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, including 110 patients aged 55 years and older with LLD, information about relapse was collected six months after the acute ECT course. Relapse was defined as a Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score >15, hospital admission or restart of ECT. We used multivariable stepwise logistic regression models including the scores on the 10 individual MADRS items at the end of the acute ECT course to predict relapse.

Results

Results: Of the 80 responders with available six-month follow-up data, 29 patients (36.25%) had suffered relapse. Higher scores on the MADRS items ‘reduced sleep’ (odds ratio (OR)=2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.11-3.69, p=0.0214) and ‘lassitude’ (OR=1.62, 95% CI=1.00-2.62, p=0.0497) at the end of the acute ECT course were significantly associated with increased risk of relapse at six-month follow-up.

Conclusions

Conclusions: Some residual depressive symptoms, including sleep disturbance and fatigue, may help better identify patients vulnerable to relapse following a successful acute ECT course for LLD. Future studies assessing interventions that target specific residual symptoms may further reduce post-ECT depressive relapse.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Trichotillomania in adulthood, a case report
Authors: Navarro L. , Fernández T. , Tardon L. , Marco O. , Arbelo N. , Baldaquí N. , Cavero M.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Trichotillomania is a disorder (estimated prevalence 0.5-2.0%) with common onset in childhood, rarely seen in adulthood, characterized by the repetitive pulling out of one’s own hair leading to hair loss and functional impairment, associated with other comorbidities: major depression (39-65%), anxiety disorder (23-32%), SUDs (15-19%), OCD (13-27%).

Objectives

To present a case of late-onset trichotillomania in a 60-year-old woman.

Methods

The present study is a case report of a patient visited in outpatient psychiatry for trichotillomania. We also searched previously case reports, series and systematic reviews of clinical trichotillomania using a pubmed query.

Results

This is a 60-year-old morbidly obese woman diagnosed with dysthymia, binge eating disorder and histrionic personality disorder. She explained a worsening of anxiety associated with work problems of one year of evolution and, for six months, the beginning of the plucking of eyebrow hairs and scabs to decrease this symptom, with inability to avoid the behaviour and without eating the hairs. The mental evaluation highlighted psychic anxiety, hypothymia, low self-esteem and feelings of failure and did not suggest a delirium. We started treatment with topiramate up to 150mg/day which was not successful. After that we switched to fluoxetine up to 60mg/day associated to psychotherapy observing a slight gradual improvement.

Conclusions

The clinical presentation suggested the diagnosis of trichotillomania in the context of dysthymia. No particular medication demonstrates efficacy in the treatment of trichotillomania. Preliminary evidence suggests treatment effects of clomipramine, NAC and olanzapine based on individual trials with small sample sizes. Research findings also recommend psychotherapy based on habit reversal.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Success rates of smoking cessation therapies to patients with mental illness by video consultants or by treatment in the community: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sorensen M.K. , Rasmussen M. , Hjorth P. , Christiansen R.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Smoking is probably the one single factor with the highest impact on reducing the life expectancies of patients with mental illness. In Denmark, 38.8% of patients with persistent mental health problem are smoking. Patients may have problem in participating in ordinary smoking cession programs offered in the community, but they are concerned about the impact of tobacco use on their health and finances and are motivated to stop smoking.Videoconferencing addressing smoking cessation might be an alternative to ordinary consultation at the clinic because the patients can access the treatment at home.

Objectives

Compare rates of smoking cessation in two interventions.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorders or depression in 3 outpatient clinics are eligible for inclusion.Primary outcome is changes in number of cigarettes smoked pr. patients per day in at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcome is abstinence from smoking at 6-month follow-up.This is a two-arm randomized controlled trial. 1. Daily video consultants at the start of smoking cessation and the months after. 2. Treatment as usual consistent of smoking cessation treatment in the community by weekly consultants.

Results

By September 2021, we have included 64 patients. Among patients, receiving video 26% has stopped and 15% has stopped from treatment as usual.Many patients has reduced their smoking considerably. The patients in general express that they are satisfied with both interventions.

Conclusions

Smoking cessation delivered by daily short video consultants seems to be the best and most effective way to help patients with serious mental illness to stop smoking.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The mediating role of state shame, guilt, and pride in the relationship between self-compassion and prolonged grief
Authors: Szőcs H. , Sandheden L. , Horváth Z. , Vizin G.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Most people experience grief-related symptoms after losing a loved one. Approximately 9.8% of bereaved individuals’ symptoms persist over the first year post-loss, emphasizing the importance of research in prolonged grief. The role of self-conscious emotions in prolonged grief, such as self-compassion, state shame, guilt and pride has been proposed in previous studies.

Objectives

Our aim was to examine the mediating role of state shame, guilt and pride in the relationship between self-compassion and prolonged grief.

Methods

This cross-sectional study collected data via online questionnaires based on self-reports (N=177, mean age: 42.26 years [SD=12.32], 97.2% women). Demographic and loss-related variables were measured, and further instruments assessed levels of self-compassion, state shame, guilt, and pride, and prolonged grief. Correlation and mediation analyses were used.

Results

Two significant indirect effects were shown in the mediation model. First, lower levels of self-compassion predicted higher levels of state shame, which in turn predicted elevated levels of prolonged grief. Second, higher levels of self-compassion predicted higher levels of pride, which subsequently contributed to lower levels of prolonged grief. Guilt did not have a significant mediating role.

Conclusions

The results highlight the possible role of elevated levels of state shame and lower levels of self-compassion and state pride in the development of prolonged grief. It is important for researchers and clinicians to be attentive to the role of self-compassion, state shame and pride in grieving.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The association between benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine and suicide: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Høier N. , Madsen T. , Spira A. , Hawton K. , Jennum P. , Nordentoft M. , Erlangsen A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines have been linked to a variety of adverse effects including addiction. Long term use of these drugs has been associated with an increased risk of suicide.

Objectives

We assessed if individuals in treatment with non-benzodiazepine (n-BZD) and benzodiazepine (BZD) had higher rates of suicide when compared to individuals not in treatment with these drugs.

Methods

We utilized a cohort design and national longitudinal data on all individuals aged 10 or above who lived in Denmark between 1995 and 2018. Treatment with either n-BZD or BZD was identified via the Danish National Prescription Registry and suicide deaths were identified in the national cause of death registries.

Results

In a total of 6,494,206 individuals, 10,862 males and 4,214 females died by suicide. Of these, 1,220 (11.2%) males and 792 (18.8%) females had been in treatment with n-BZD, resulting in adjusted IRR for suicide of 4.2 (95% CI, 4.0 – 4.5) and 3.4 (95% CI, 3.1 – 3.7) for males and females, respectively, when compared to those not in treatment. In all, 529 (4.8%) males and 395 (9.3%) females who died by suicide had been in treatment with BZD. The IRRs for suicide were 2.4 (95% CI, 2.2 – 2.6) and 2.5 (95% CI, 2.3 – 2.8) for males and females, respectively, and compared to those not in treatment.

Conclusions

In this study we find that those in treatment experienced higher suicide rates than those not in treatment, this persisted when also adjusting for a large variety of covariates.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Preliminary Examination of the Effect of Fatigue, Physical Disability, and Low Self-Compassionate Attitude
Authors: Carvalho T. , Côrte-Real Lopes Nunes A.L. , Benedito L. , Gomes C.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating, neurodegenerative, and immune-mediated disease that affects the central nervous system. Usually co-occurs with difficulties in emotional regulation and psychopathology. Anxiety is one of the most common psychiatric manifestations in patients with MS. Nonetheless, empirical evidences on the joint predictive effect of MS clinical conditions and emotion regulation processes on the development of anxiety in MS patients are scarce.

Objectives

This preliminary study aimed to explore whether fatigue, physical disability (MS clinical conditions) and a low compassionate attitude (maladaptive emotion regulation process based on self-judgment, over-identification, and isolation) predict anxiety symptoms in MS patients.

Methods

A convenience sample of 107 patients with MS diagnosis and without other neurological disorders was used in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed the Anxiety Subscale of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21, the Analogic Fatigue Scale, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, and the Self-judgment, Isolation and Over-identification Subscales of the Self-Compassion Scale.

Results

All potential predictors showed significant correlations with anxiety symptoms and predicted this symptomatology through simple linear regressions. Therefore, they were selected as covariates of the multiple linear regression model, which explained 32% of the variance of anxiety symptoms. This model revealed that fatigue, physical disability, and low compassionate attitude are significant predictors.

Conclusions

The results support the relevance of psychological interventions for MS patients to implement effective strategies to regulate anxiety associated with fatigue and physical disability. Helping patients to adopt a more compassionate attitude toward the self can reduce their anxiety.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Determinants of sexual dysfunction in women recovered from COVID-19
Authors: Lagha M. , Hamdi G. , Dhaouadi N. , Chebli S. , Ridha R.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

While several studies have assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexuality and sexual behavior in the general population, very few studies have assessed sexuality in patients recovered from Sars-Cov 2 infection.

Objectives

The objectives of our study were to assess factors associated with sexuality dysfunction in women recovered from covid-19.

Methods

This is a case-control study.

The women in the case group have been infected with Sars-Cov 2, and cured for one to two months at the time of the study, women in the control group have not been infected with Sars-Cov 2. We assessed depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sexuality in both groups using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), the Post traumatic stress disorder Checklist Scale (PCLS) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results

In total, we recruited 30 women in the case group and 30 women in the control group. An FSFI score <26.55 and corresponding to impaired sexual function was found in 63.33% of women in the case group versus 53.33% of women in the control group (p=0.009). Factors influencing sexual activity were depression (OR = 17.86, CI95% = [1.1-290.12]) and PTSD (OR = 18.51, CI95% = [1.43-240.30]).

Conclusions

Depression and PTSD are significantly associated with sexual dysfunction in women recovered from COVID-19, even in mild or pauci-symptomatic clinical forms.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Combined Low Dose of Ketamine and Social Isolation: A Possible Model of Induced Chronic Schizophrenia-Like Symptoms
Authors: Khalifa D. , Rashed L. , Shamseldeen A. , Stephan S.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Identifying a feasible model of chronic schizophrenia would be valuable for studying the possible underlying mechanism and to investigate emerging treatments. Our hypothesis starts from the observation that combining ketamine with isolation could result in long-lasting neuro-psychological deficits and schizophrenia-like features; thus, it could probably be used as the first model of chronic schizophrenia that emphasizes the characteristic of having a multifactorial etiology

Objectives

creation of a complex animal model capable of exhibiting the multifactorial origin and manifestation of schizophrenia.

Methods

we investigated the effects of ketamine administration combined with isolation in inducing schizophrenia-like symptoms in male albino rats and the brain reactive oxygen species levels.

Results

Our results showed that the number of lines crossings in the open field test, the number of open arm entries in the elevated plus maze, and the spontaneous alternations percentage in the Y-maze were significantly lower in the ketamine + isolation group compared to both the control and ketamine + social housing group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ketamine + isolation intervention significantly increased the MDA levels and decreased the GPx levels both in the hippocampus and the cortex of the rats. In addition, our premise of creating a model capable of exhibiting both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia was also based on adding the aripiprazole treatment to a group of rats

Conclusions

combining ketamine with isolation could result in long-lasting neuro-psychological deficits and schizophrenia-like features

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Mechanisms and Effectiveness of Online CB-ART Interventions in Reducing Covid-19-related Distress
Authors: Segal-Engelchin D. , Daitchman V. , Huss E. , Sarid O.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The combination of cognitive behavioral interventions and art therapy provides a unique tool for image transformation as a strategy for managing distress in extremely stressful situations. Previous studies offer evidence of the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral- and art-based (CB-ART) interventions in reducing stress related to community crises such as wars and earthquakes.

Objectives

This study aimed to extend current knowledge by investigating the effectiveness of CB-ART interventions in the Covid-19 context, and the mechanisms underlying them.

Methods

Online CB-ART interventions were implemented during the first national lockdown in Israel with 15 women. The intervention included drawing three pictures related to: (1) Covid-19-related emotions and thoughts; (2) resources that may help them cope with the pandemic outcomes; and (3) integration of the stressful image and the resource picture. To examine the intervention effect, participants’ Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs) values were measured using a pre-post design.

Results

Participants’ initial distress levels decreased on completion of the intervention. Another key finding is the reduction of the initial size of the stressful image and enlargement of the resource images within the integrated drawing. This may be the proposed mechanisms underlying the reduction of the SUDs values.

Conclusions

The new perspective derived from the compositional transformations performed by the participants may have increased their sense of control and competence, enabling them to perceive the Covid-19-related stressors as less threatening. The described art-based tool can be easily implemented online by mental health professionals with diverse populations in times of community crises.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The impact of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) on facial affect recognition in psychosis
Authors: Mikhailova V. , Alfimova M. , Lezheiko T. , Gabaeva M. , Plakunova V. , Golimbet V.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Oxytocin is considered as potential treatment targeting social dysfunctions in psychoses. However, results of clinical trials are inconsistent which may be due to genetic variation in the oxytocin system involved in social information processing.

Objectives

To examine the effect of the OXTR polymorphism and its interaction with childhood adversity (CA) on facial affect recognition (FAR) in psychotic patients.

Methods

Patients with schizophrenic and affective psychotic disorders (n=934) completed a task that required labeling six basic and three social emotions. The polymorphisms rs53576 and rs7632287 within the OXTR locus were genotyped and dichotomized based on prior research. For 65% of the sample, information on CA defined as parental alcoholism or psychiatric illness was collected. The polymorphisms’ role in FAR was assessed using ANCOVAs adjusted for sex, age, and diagnosis.

Results

After Bonferroni correction, there was a significant effect of rs53576, mainly driven by the difference between genotypes in the affective patients. GG-homozygotes recognized emotions better than A-allele carriers. A nominally significant effect in the expected direction was also found for rs7632287. CA influenced FAR but did not interact with any genotype.

Conclusions

The results provide further evidence that OXTR impacts social cognition and behavior in diverse cohorts, including psychotic patients, with rs53576 GG-homozygotes having enhanced social competencies. However, we have failed to confirm that OXTR modulates the relations between CA and FAR in psychosis. The difference in FAR between genotypes was more pronounced in affective patients, which might be due to more severe FAR deficits in schizophrenia.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Impact of the Pandemic on Psychiatric Research and Publications
Authors: Mohr P.
Published: September 2022

In addition to the global negative impact on mental health of general population, as well as psychiatric patients, Covid-19 pandemic affected significantly research. Initially, lockdowns and restrictions of human contacts temporarily disrupted clinical research activities, but the unprecedented health crisis also provided unique opportunity to study epidemiology of mental disorders, direct and indirect effects of the pandemic on psychiatric disorders, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, or long-term neuropsychiatric consequences. Research has refocused now on better understanding of the causes, presentations, outcome trajectories, and therapy of mental illnesses. New research topics are followed by the surge in publications covering Covid-19 and mental health and/or psychiatric disorders and treatments. The impact of the pandemic on research and publications is also evidenced by the results of a survey among psychiatric researchers.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The psychological well-being of family caregivers of autistic people during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy
Authors: Martinez M. , Fusar-Poli L. , Meo V. , Patania F. , Surace T. , Avanzato C. , Aguglia E. , Signorelli M.S.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently need support due to the elevated prevalence of psychiatric and medical comorbidities. The Covid-19 outbreak has severely affected the routinary functioning of healthcare services, thus causing severe consequences for autistic people and their caregivers, an already fragile population prone to mental health diseases.

Objectives

1. To compare the levels of psychological well-being, insomnia, and family distress perceived by caregivers of autistic people to those perceived by caregivers of people with other types of disability. 2. To evaluate predictors of individual and family distress reported by caregivers of autistic individuals.

Methods

We collected data through a cross-sectional web-based observational study from April 19 to May 3, 2020. Socio-demographic information were collected, and psychopathological variables were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-12, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Brief Resilient Coping Scale, and the Family Distress Index.

Results

No significant differences emerged between the two groups of caregivers in terms of well-being, sleep quality, family distress, and level of resilience. The risk of individual distress during the pandemic was higher in people caring for younger autistic people. Lower levels of resilience predicted higher levels of individual distress among caregivers of autistic people.

Conclusions

Our study confirmed that caregivers’ mental health is worthy of attention and that people with disabilities may benefit for well-organized healthcare support networks (e.g. in-home services). The non-significant differences found between caregivers of ASD and non-ASD individuals may be related to the severe distress that Covid pandemic caused on the entire population.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Dissociation, cognitive reflection and health literacy have modest effect on belief in conspiracy theories about COVID-19
Authors: Pisl V. , Vevera J.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Understanding the predictors of belief in covid-related conspiracy theories and willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 may aid the resolution of current and future pandemics.

Objectives

We aim to investigate how psychological and cognitive characteristics influence general conspiracy mentality and covid-related conspiracy theories.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from an online survey of a sample of Czech university students (n=866) collected in January 2021, using multivariate linear regression and mediation analysis.

Results

Sixteen percent of respondents believed that COVID-19 is a hoax; 17% believed that COVID-19 was intentionally created by humans. Seven percent of the variance of the hoax theory and 10% of the variance of the creation theory was explained by (in descending order of relevance) low cognitive reflection, low digital health literacy, high experience with dissociation and, to some extent, high bullshit receptivity. Belief in covid-related conspiracy theories depended less on psychological and cognitive variables compared to conspiracy mentality (16% of the variance explained). The effect of digital health literacy on belief in covid-related theories was moderated by cognitive reflection.

Conclusions

Belief in conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 was influenced by experience with dissociation, cognitive reflection, digital health literacy and bullshit receptivity.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Working in the Woodlands: A mixed methods evaluation of Green Care in First Episode Psychosis
Authors: Sharp H. , Berry C. , Cuthbert S.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Recognition of the essential role of nature-based activities for general wellbeing is expanding. Currently, there is limited evidence of the benefits of green care for those with severe and enduring mental illness, including psychosis.

Objectives

We aim to establish benefits and difficulties encountered during a 10-session green care programme for 18-30 year olds who have experienced first episode of psychosis (FEP) using a mixed methods approach.

Methods

This was a service evaluation of a ’Woodland Group’ of 10 half-day sessions for participants with FEP. Sessions consisted of a welcome and agenda setting, ice-breaking activity, core nature-based activity. Quantitative data for this evaluation was collected through the 15-item Questionnaire on the Process of Recovery (QPR), and a semi-structured intervention experience questionnaire. Qualitative data was collected via a focus group. Thematic analysis was performed by the three co-authors.

Results

4/8 patients showed reliable improvement on QPR outcome measures, 1 showed deterioration and 3 showed no change. Mean QPR scores showed modest increase from average 3.4 (week 1) to 3.8 (week 10). 100% of respondents would recommend this group to others. Thematic analysis identified themes of connection with nature and others, development of a sense of wellbeing and ‘peacefulness’ and new perspectives on psychotic experience.

Conclusions

This small, retrospective evaluation is the first to investigate green care interventions for young people experiencing FEP. Our results reflect the positive informal feedback from participants and supporting staff. Limitations include small sample size, incomplete data, and reliance on patient-reported outcomes. These findings show promise for nature-based activities within EIS.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
The effects of fetal or neonatal hypoxia and genetic variants on age at onset of schizophrenia
Authors: Golimbet V. , Lezheiko T. , Gabaeva M. , Korovaitseva G. , Kolesina N. , Plakunova V.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Fetal or neonatal hypoxia (FoNH) is a known risk factor for schizophrenia. It has been hypothesized that FoNH induced expression of schizophrenia susceptibility genes (Schmidt-Kastner et al. 2012, Giannopoulou et al. 2018).

Objectives

To test this hypothesis, we explore the effects of FoNH and some genetic variants on age at onset (AAO) of schizophrenia.

Methods

The study included 1670 patients (women 1021 (61.1%), mean age 34.6 (SD 13.6), mean age at disease onset 25.4 (10.5) years) with ICD-10 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective psychosis. The effects of FoNH in interaction with sex, family history (FH) and genetic variants on AAO of schizophrenia were evaluated. Polymorphisms rs2514218 DRD2 (n=943), Val66Met BDNF (n=820) and VNTR AS3MT (n=804) were genotyped.

Results

Among all patients studied 179 (10.8%) had experienced FoNH. Regression model showed that FoNH, sex and FH of schizophrenia contribute significantly (p=0.000) to AAO. In the FoNH group, AAO was lower compared to the group without FoNH (20.7 (6.2) vs 25.5 (10.) years). When comparing men and women, there was a difference between FoNH and non- FoNH subgroups only in women (p=0.000). No interaction between FH and FoNH was observed though positive FH had an effect on AAO. There was the interaction effect of VNTR AS3MT and FoNH on AAO. In the FoNH group, carriers of 2 repeats had younger AAO compared to the carriers homozygous for 3 repeat variant (19.6 (4.9) vs 22. (7.6) years).

Conclusions

We demonstrate the interaction effects of FoNH and VNTR AS3MT polymorphism on AAO of schizophrenia.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.
Prevalence of eating disorders in adolescent girls in Siberia
Authors: Semenova N. , Slobodskaya H. , Rezun E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Eating disorders (ED) are an urgent public health problem, however, many adolescents with clinical symptoms fail to meet stringent diagnostic criteria.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) and subthreshold eating disorders (SED) in adolescent girls.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of girls attending secondary schools (n = 917) was carried out. The sample comprised of 18.3% early adolescents (aged 12-13), 51% middle adolescents (aged 14-15), and 30.6% late adolescents (aged 16-17). We used the Body Image and Eating Distress scale (Koskelainen et al., 2001) coded on a 1-3 scale. The answers were scored on a scale of 1-3. Adolescents scoring 12 or above on four items measuring body dissatisfaction were considered as dissatisfied with their bodies and were further divided into two subgroups: girls scoring 10 or above on three items measuring eating distress were considered as having ED, whereas girls scoring less than 10 were considered as having SED.

Results

The prevalence of ED was 2.1% (CI 1.4-3.3), the prevalence of SED was 9.6% (CI 7.8-11.7). In early adolescence, the prevalence of SED was 1.6% (CI 0.9-2.7). In middle adolescence, the prevalence of SED was 5.1% (CI 3.9-6.7), the prevalence of ED was 0.9% (CI 0.5-1.8). In late adolescence, the prevalence of SED was 2.8% (CI 1.9-4.1), the prevalence of ED was 1.2% (CI 0.7-2.1).

Conclusions

In adolescent girls, the SED are 4.6 times commoner than overt above-threshold ED. During adolescence, the prevalence of SED decreases, while the prevalence of ED increases with age.

Disclosure

The reported study was funded by grant RNF according to the research project № 21-15-00033