bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of child and adolescent forensic psychiatry : procedure and clinical profile Abstract
Authors: Gadhoum R. , Hamza M. , Rezgui H. , Ben Youssef H. , Ben Hamouda A. , Daoued M. , Bourgou S. , Charfi F. , Belhadj A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Forensic psychiatry is a specific field of practice in child psychiatry where skills are applied for legal purposes and the expert is faced with certain difficulties.

Objectives

Our objective was to determine the characteristics of the forensic procedure and the clinical profile of the consultants.

Methods

Cross-sectional and retrospective descriptive study concerning patients consulting the child psychiatry department of Mongi Slim Hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 in the context of a forensic expertise, excluding administrative expertise. Telephone interviews were carried out for the medicolegal follow-up.

Results

The average age was 9 [+/- 3.1] years and the sex ratio was 0.97. The majority of the requests for expertise came from the specialised unit for violence against women and children (40%). The expert’s task was to carry out a child psychiatric examination in 44% of cases and to establish credibility in 6.8% of cases. Apart from 3 cases of perpetrators, the requests concerned victims of physical (40.1%), sexual (38.6%) and psychological (21.3%) aggression. The assault had taken place within the family in 52% of cases and the alleged aggressor was the father in 36%. The average time between the incident and the request for an expert opinion was significantly longer in cases of sexual assault (p =0.01). The physical assaults concerned more boys (p = 0.05) while those of a sexual nature concerned female children (p=0.005). Victims of sexual aggression showed more sexualised behaviour (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in psychiatric diagnoses according to the type of assault, but an examination without abnormalities was prevalent in cases of psychological assault (p=0.009). Claims were significantly more difficult to interpret in preschool children (p=0.05). Child victims of sexual abuse had more subsequent requests for further investigations (p=0.05) and a judgment, pronounced in 34% of cases, was most often related to psychological abuse (p=0.05).

Conclusions

The practice of forensics requires a specific competence that requires extensive training. Better coordination between the professionals involved is needed as well as the creation of specialised forensic units.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Transcultural validation of the “Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults” among Tunisian adolescents
Authors: Rezgui H. , Bourgou S. , Ben Youssef H. , Gadhoum R. , Hamza M. , Hadj Amor S. , Fakhfekh R. , Belhadj A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Adolescence is considered as a particularly vulnerable period for body image disturbance. Body esteem is defined as the self-evaluation of one’s own body or appearance.

Objectives

Validate the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA) in Tunisian adolescents.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among adolescents who attend Tunisian high school from 11 October 2021 to 11 November 2021.

We translated the BESAA into dialectal Tunisian Arabic based on the translation back-translation method. The validity of the scale was evaluated through content validity, reliability and construct validity. We used the Arabic version of Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale as an external validator.

Results

We recruited 340 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years’ old. The translated version was considered satisfactory. The internal consistency showed a good result with a Cronbach Alpha of 0,830. The correlation between items and subscales demonstrated statistically significant and logical results. Statistically significant correlations were found between the BESAA and its external validator the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (r= 0,422; p< 0,01). The exploratory analysis related three factors similarly to the original version of the questionnaire and in confirmatory analysis. The scale demonstrated good model fit statistics as follow: Comparative fit index= 0,87; goodness of fit index=0,81; adjusted goodness of fit index=0,77; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation=0,1 and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual=0,09.

Conclusions

Our BESAA version can be reliably used to conduct further studies and researches on body esteem in the Tunisian population.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Immunotherapy In Autism Spectrum Disorder; A Case Series
Authors: Agdere S. F. , Topaloglu P. , Erata M. , Karacetin G. , Yapici Z.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Researches has shown that a subset of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) population presents with immune dysregulation. Based upon the immunological abnormalities, various treatment modalities have been applied to children with ASD. One immunomodulatory treatment that has been studied in ASD is intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG).

Objectives

This report is based upon two hypotheses: autism etiology may be closely related to neuroinflammation; and, an effective treatment should restore the individual’s comminication skills. In this report, we present two cases who were diagnosed with ASD and received IVIG treatment.

Methods

Case A is a 5-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with ASD at the age of 3. The second case, B is a 9 -year-old male patient who is a 7th grade student and was also diagnosed with ASD at the age of 3. The first patient’s autism symptoms was noticed by her family at the age of 2. Although she had the ability to coordinate eye contact, understood simple commands, she was observed to lose all her acquired developmental skills one by one at around 18-24 months. Towards the age of 3, stereotypical movements such as turning around and flapping wings, started. Similarly, the second patient’s acquired skills were lost around at the age of 2-3, after having recurrent infections. Based on deficits in social‐emotional reciprocity, deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction and restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior, both patients were diagnosed with ASD. Considering that autoimmune mechanisms may have been affected in ASD, IVIG treatment was initiated at 1 g/kg/month. Case A received IVIG once in a month, total 5 infusions had been applied. Case B received total 12 infusions with the same protocol. Treatment response was assessed with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).

Results

In these two ASD cases which were treated with IVIG ,a subjective partial reduction in autism symptoms and an objective decrease in CARS scores were detected. Current evidence suggests that there are various factors contributing to the development of autism and different combinations of these aspects give rise to different variations of some ASD subtypes. Recent studies in this field indicate a possible connection between the immune system impairments and ASD. This report, therefore, provide support for the notion that at least a subset of children with ASD might have immune abnormalities and may respond to the immune modulating effect of IVIG therapy.

Conclusions

Although, autoimmune or inflammatory etiologies may not explain the majority of cases of autism, it might at least be useful to understand some. Further studies with larger number of patients should be conducted about the use of IVIG in selected patients with ASD.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Releation between marital adjustment and somatic symptoms on parents of children with Spina Bifida
Authors: Ulual P. , Ozer V. , Çetiner R. , Alataş I. , Güçlü O.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Spine Clearance; which means; SB is a congenital disease . In the first month of pregnancy, the unborn baby’s spine does not close properly is the result . In the spinal cord due to a developmental disorder often causes serious permanent disability . Multi-system associated with this congenital anomaly affected, families with infants and these infants are faced with major challenges in the future. Often the expectations of all parents is to have a normal, healthy children. The birth of a disabled child in the family, family members, their (lives, feelings , behaviors , social life) is a condition that affects negatively.

Objectives

The SCL-90 is a self repost clinical rating scale oriented toward the symptomatic behavior of psychiatric outpatients. The primary symptom dimensions measured by the SCL-90 are the nine symptom constructs given below: somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychotism. Marital adjustment test: A 15-item scale that measures marital satisfaction. It was initially used to differentiate well-adjusted couples from distressed (unsatisfied) couples. The 15 items are answered on a variety of response scales.

Methods

In this study; The SCL-90 and Marital Adjustment Test have been applied on parents of children with Spina Bifida. A total of 40 person was used which is 25 women and 15 men. Above of 1 score has been examined high level for SCL-90 test. For Marital Adjustment Test, we accept the lowest score is 1 and the highest score is 60. Cut-off score accepted is 43. If the parents have score that is below 43, is determined incompatible, and is above 43 is determined compatible.

Results

The result has been obtained, showed us, the parents who have above 1 score for SCL-90, have below score 43 on Marital Adjustment Test.

Conclusions

The study show that parents who have somatization problems are not align with their partners. Participants have symptomatic problems because of their children health situation can cause an unaligned marriage. This suggests that parents of patients with diseases like SB should get the needed psychiatric help and supportive care during the course of treatment.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Age-Related Differences in Reading Negative Texts on COVID-19
Authors: Popov A. , Tukaiev S. , Rizun V. , Havrylets Y. , Ivaskevych D. , Petrenko-Lysak A. , Yachnik Y.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic leads to the development of stress disorders, increased anxiety in the society. One of the strongest factors leading to the development of anxiety, stress in society during a pandemic is the Mass Media. The mechanisms of stressogenic effects of Mass Media remain not completely clear.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate age-specific characteristics of gaze behaviour related to the perception of anxiety-provoking information.

Methods

189 volunteers took part in the study (164 participants aged between 17 and 22 years old (students, control group), 25 people aged between 59 and 71 (experimental group)). Participants were asked to fill in Psychological Stress Measure (PSM-25), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) questionnaires in order to determine their levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. The second stage of the research was an eye-tracking study of text perception - we analysed eye-tracking data during the text perception by using web-eye tracking (EyePass).

Results

To identify the relevance of COVID-19 information, we compared the perception of positive, neutral and negative texts and detected rather a negativity bias than attraction to the positive or neutral stimuli: fixations positive vs negative (p-value < 0.01), positive vs neutral (p-value < 0.01), neutral vs negative (p-value < 0.01). Under the competitive conditions (higher relevance of negative information during Pandemic) the perception of negative text is characterized by attentional priority. Moreover, it should be taken into account that highly anxious participants showed a negativity bias than attraction to the positive stimuli, and this is typical during quarantine.

Conclusions

Therefore, participants showed a negativity bias than attraction to the positive stimuli, and this is typical during quarantine. There are significant age-related differences in gaze behavior while reading text with negative text elements. While the origin of these differences between older and younger adults remains unknown, further research may provide more evidence about the origin of this effect.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Alcohol spectrum disorders in women : a review of current data
Authors: Thibaut F.
Published: August 2023

Epidemiological studies indicate an alarming narrowing in the gender gap of alcohol and tobacco use especially in adolescents, which may reflect changes in sociocultural patterns in women. Moreover, women use more often alcohol to cope with stress and negative feelings. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics differences, reward process specificities, and female hormones play a major role in gender differences. Women’s consumption of alcohol may be associated with serious birth and developmental consequences in newborns.Thibaut F et al. WFSBP and IAWMH Guidelines for the treatment of alcohol use disorders in pregnant women. The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry 2019 20(1):17-50

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Telomere length from peripheral blood DNA in major depressive disorder: a case/control comparison and association with antidepressant treatment response
Authors: Kalinovic R. , Homorogan C. , Nitusca D. , Seclaman E. , Marian C. , Adela B. , Enatescu V. R.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Major depressive disorder (MDD)is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and a large number of patients present a poor response to treatment. Shortening of telomeres physiologically occurs after each cell division and their shortening is also associated with cell ageing. Studies are affirming that patients who suffer from mental illnesses have shorter telomeres in comparison with patients without such affections. 4 The effect of antidepressant medication on the biology of the telomeres was studied very little in humans and the current data suggest that the length of telomeres is a promising target regarding the prognosis and the response to psychotropic treatment.

Objectives

To analyze the telomere length (TL) from peripheral blood DNA of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to healthy controls. A second objective was to compare the TL of patients in relation to antidepressant treatment.

Methods

We analysed the clinical data from 16 patients admitted to the Psychiatry Clinic of Timisoara with the diagnosis of MDD and 10 healthy controls. The collection of clinical data was carried out in a structured and standardized manner both on paper and electronically, and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was applied to assess the severity of depression. Also, blood samples were collected, and plasma and white blood cells (WBC) were separated by centrifugation. Patients’ samples were collected before and after 12 weeks of escitalopram antidepressant treatment, and a structured diagnostic interview and a standardized depression rating scale were done. DNA was extracted from WBC using the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen), and TL was determined by real time PCR using the Absolute Human Telomere Length Quantification qPCR Assay Kit (Sciencell Research Laboratories) according to the manufacturers’ specifications. The TL expressed as megabases/diploid cell (Mb/DC) were compared between cases and controls using a Mann-Whitney test, and between patients before and after treatment using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank statistical test.

Results

The mean±SD telomere length for healthy controls was 0.3614±0.082Mb/DC, for treatment naïve patients was 0.4513±0.199Mb/DC, and for patients after treatment was 0.3476±0.070Mb/DC. There was no statistical significant difference in TL between patients and controls (p=0.266), nor between patients before and after treatment (p=0.055).

Conclusions

In this pilot project of limited sample size there was no difference in TL between MDD patients and healthy controls. Moreover, the TL of patients did not significantly change after 12 weeks of escitalopram antidepressant treatment.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
loneliness, solitude and social desintegration in the elderly and their relationship to health
Authors: Stoppe G.
Published: August 2023

Loneliness has become a big issue in the time of the COVID pandemic. The attention to the topic also has to do with the increase in people living alone in Europe, although this also has to do with prosperity. Living alone does not yet mean being lonely. In the scientific discussion and especially in the measures, a differentiation must be made between loneliness, solitude and social disintegration. Poor social integration is easily measurable and has a lot to do with the physical health (mobility, vision and hearing) of the people concerned. However, the extent to which participation in social and cultural opportunities is possible, for example through the expansion of public transport, also plays an important role.

Loneliness, on the other hand, is by definition subjective and strongly linked to mental health. It describes the subjective suffering of missing or unsatisfactory social relationships, lack of integration and security. Loneliness is often found in two peaks, among the young and the old. Political and public health campaigns often focus on social integration measures. However, measures to combat loneliness mean first and foremost recognising mental illness in old age, especially depression. But they also mean providing help to people with long-term mental illness in old age.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Efficacy of two intensive and spaced protocols of theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation in treatment-resistant depression: a double-blind randomized trial
Authors: Cañada Y. , Navalón P. , Benavent P. , Sabater A. , Ribes J. , Livianos L. , Sierra P.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Depression is the disease with the greatest burden of disability. Despite pharmacological options, up to 30% of depressions are considered resistant to treatment (RTD). Theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex allows the application of shorter protocols and with longer-lasting effects than conventional TMS. Its implementation in the Public Health System requires the design of efficient, cost-effective and accessible protocols for patients.

Objectives

The objective of this project is to assess the efficacy and safety of two intensive and spaced protocols (unilateral and bilateral) of 1800 pulses TBS compared to sham stimulation in outpatients with unipolar and bipolar TRD in a public hospital.

Methods

This project is the 1st double-blind placebo-controlled RCT with TBS in Spain. It is now in the recruitment phase. Patients receive a total of 22 sessions of 1800 pulses in 6 weeks: 5 days/week the 1st and 2nd weeks (10 sessions) and 3 sessions/week the following weeks (12 sessions). Patients are randomized into three groups: i) bilateral, ii) left unilateral, and iii) sham. The main variable is the change in the HDRS-17 score at the end of treatment compared to baseline. The results were analyzed with a general linear model of HDRS, using time as the intrasubject factor and randomization group as the intersubject factor, using resistance to treatment (Maudsley Score) and diagnosis (bipolar, unipolar) as covariates.

Results

Preliminary results from 13 participants (nbil=4, nuni=4, nsham=5) reveal a significant effect of (group x time) on HDRS change (p= 0.020) with no influence of Maudsley Score or diagnosis. The bilateral group presented a greater decrease in the HDRS with a mean difference of 4,38 points [CI95% 0,17-8,58), (p=0.043)] with respect to the unilateral group and a difference of 8.23 [CI95% 4,24-12,21)(p =0.001)] compared to the sham group.Table 1:

Sample description. Data shown are means and standar deviations. In bold significant diferences p<0,05.

Bilateral TBS
(n=4)Unilateral
TBS
(n=4)Sham
TBS
(n=5)Age [M (SD)]55,50
(5,80)48,50
(16,86)56,40
(5,86)Male: Female [n]0:42:23:2Depression:Bipolar disorder [n]3:13:14:1Length of depresive episode (months) [M (SD)]12,00
(4,08)16,50
(6,61)15,00
(5,83)Current number of antidepressants [M (SD)]2,00
(0,82)1,75
(0,50)2,60
(0,55)Maudsley score [M (SD)]7,00
(1,82)8,75
(1,5)7,90
(1,30)Basal HDRS basal [M (SD)]16,00
(1,82)19,75
(4,03)20,40
(3,21)Final HDRS [M (SD)]5,75
(3,30)10,75
(3,10)17,80
(2,49)Response /Remission[n (%)]3:3 (75%)2:0(50:0%)0:0 (0%)

Image:

Conclusions

The results demonstrate the preliminary efficacy of intensive TBS protocols relative to sham.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Unsupervised neurobiology-driven stratification of clinical heterogeneity in depression
Authors: Colombo F. , Calesella F. , Bravi B. , Fortaner-Uyà L. , Monopoli C. , Maggioni E. , Tassi E. , Zanardi R. , Attanasio F. , Bollettini I. , Poletti S. , Benedetti F. , Vai B.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

One of the main obstacles in providing effective treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) is clinical heterogeneity, whose neurobiological correlates are not clearly defined. A biologically meaningful stratification of depressed patients is needed to promote tailored diagnostic procedures.

Objectives

Using structural data, we performed an unsupervised clustering to define clinically meaningful clusters of depressed patients.

Methods

T1-weighted and diffusion tensor images were obtained from 102 MDD patients. In 64 patients, clinical symptoms, number of stressful life events, severity and exposure to adverse childhood experiences were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Schedule of Recent Experiences (SRE), Risky Family Questionnaire (RFQ), and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Clustering analyses were performed with extracted tract-based fractional anisotropy (TBSS, FSL), cortical thickness, surface area, and regional measures of grey matter volumes (CAT12). Gaussian mixture model was implemented for clustering, considering Support Vector Machine (SVM) as classifier. A 10x2 repeated cross-validation with grid search was performed for hyperparameters tuning and clusters’ stability. The optimal number of clusters was determined by normalized stability, Akaike and Bayesian information criterion. Analyses were adjusted for total intracranial volume, age, and sex. The clinical relevance of the identified clusters was assessed through MANOVA, considering domains of clinical scales as dependent variables and clusters’ labels as fixed factors. Discriminant analysis was subsequently performed to assess the discriminative power of these variables.

Results

Cross-validated clustering approach identified 2 highly stable clusters (normalized stability=0.316, AIC=-80292.48, BIC=351329.16). MANOVA showed a significant between-clusters difference in clinical scales scores (p=0.038). Discriminant analysis distinguished the two clusters with an accuracy of 78.1%, with BDI behavioural and CTQ minimisation/denial domains showing the highest discriminant values (0.325 and 0.313).

Conclusions

Our results defined two biologically informed clusters of MDD patients associated with childhood trauma and specific clinical profiles, which may assist in targeting effective interventions and treatments.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The role of stigma as an obstacle for social inclusion for people with severe mental disorders
Authors: Sartorius N.
Published: August 2023

Stigma continues to be the main obstacle to the improvement of mental health care and to a life of good quality for people with mental disorders or with the experience of a mental disorder. It affects all that is related to mental illness, not only the person who has the disorder but also the institutions in which people with mental disorders receive treatment, treatment means, such as medications, staff working in mental health care and the family of the person with mental disorder.

Recent years have witnessed effective programs against stigma in various countries and it would be logical to expect that work against stigma will be a crucial part of mental health programs. This unfortunately is not the case.

The presentation will focus on interventions that have been successful in reducing stigmatisation or its consequences and propose action to reduce stigma.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Postictal psychosis in a psychiatric pacient, about a case
Authors: López Rodrigo M. V. , Palomo Monge M. , Osca Oliver A. , Ros Fons V. , Tascón Guerra F.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Postictal psychosis is the most frequent psychosis in epileptic patients, appearing between 3-8% of them. As temporary criteria, it must appear in less than a week after the epileptic crisis, with a duration of between 15 hours and 3 months.

Objectives

We present the case of an 82-year-old patient admitted to the ED due to an epileptic seizure. Request evaluation for agitation and disorientation.

Methods

This is an 82-year-old patient diagnosed with epilepsy for 5 years, with unwitnessed seizures, under treatment with levetirazetam. In the last consultation with neurology, the differential diagnosis was raised with anxiety crises due to normal intercritical EEG.The patient went to the emergency room after a partial crisis, presenting a post-critical state and beginning hours later with disorientation in time and place, manifesting delusions of religious content, as well as visual hallucinations of the same type, presenting agitation that required pharmacological and mechanical restraint.

Results

Admission to the Neurology Service was decided, with a good response to treatment with a typical intramuscular antipsychotic, with complete remission of the condition in 48 hours. Small areas of ischemia compatible with the patient’s age are observed in the cranial CT and the EEG shows slowed global activity.

Conclusions

Postictal psychosis is a phenomenon of low prevalence, however, it is important to take it into account. It is important to recognize the postictal “lucid” period in patients with a family or personal history of psychiatric illness and seizures with compromised consciousness.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Dysfunction of microstructure and metabolism in corpus callosum in juvenile schizophrenia
Authors: Ublinskiy M. , Manzhurtsev A. , Akhadov T. , Lebedeva I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The corpus callosum (CC) is one of the important structures responsible for communication between the brain hemispheres. Its role is particularly important in cognitive tasks performance, information processing, concentration of attention, in mnestic processes. The corresponding dysfunctions are the major symptoms of schizophrenia, and hence, structural characteristics of CC in schizophrenics are in the focus of attention.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to analyze the microstructural and metabolic features of the corpus callosum in recently onset schizophrenia.

Methods

The study was carried out in 13 men with juvenile endogenous paroxysmal psychosis (disease standing ≤ 5 years after first manifestation) aged 17-27 years (median 22.0±3.1 years). The studies were carried out during unfolding remission or in remission. Control group consisted of 15 mentally healthy young men (18-28 years). MRI and 1H-MRS studies were carried out on Achieva 3T MRI scanner device (Phillips). Diffuse tensor images were obtained in the axial plane using echo-planar pulse sequence. Diffuse gradients were applied in 32 noncolinear vectors. The spectra were recorded by single voxel 1H-MRS. The spectroscopic voxel (2×1×1 cm) was placed in the CC genu region. The PRESS sequence was used (TR/TE=1500/40 msec).

Results

Statistical analysis showed no abnormal diffusion values in the CC splenium in the patients. Significant changes in the parameters were found in the CC genu. The values of ADC and RD increased, while FA coefficient decreased in the CC genu of patients with the initial stage of schizophrenia; PD values were normal. The increase of RD in the presence of unchanged PD indicated a decrease of water diffusion velocity and anisotropy in the direction perpendicular to the axon orientation. A typical 1H-MRS of the CC genu was presented in Figure 1. The results of statistical analysis of metabolite signal intensities in the CC genu of patients and normal subjects were presented in Figure 2. NAA level was reduced significantly in the patients. No appreciable changes in Cho values in the CC genu were detected in the patients vs. normal subjects.

Image:

Image 2:

Conclusions

The increase of RD could be caused by several factors: impairment of myelin membranes, axon damage because of impairment of axon cytoskeleton, and changed organization of fibrils. Our results showed that RD increase in patients with early schizophrenia did not conform to active demyelination, which was proven by the normal level of Cho, while axon damage, shown by low level of NAA, did not lead to PD reduction.

The decrease of NAA level detected in our study indicated axonal damage in the CC genu of patients in the early stage of schizophrenia. The increase of RD in the presence of normal Cho level seemed to indicate disorders in the axon cytoskeleton damage, but not active demyelination.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The mediating role of the boredom and loneliness dimensions in the development of Problematic Internet Use
Authors: Longo G. , Orsolini L. , Volpe U.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

During the last decade, a growing digitalization allowed to implement technologies in daily life activities. Conversely, the increased use of technologies in general population, particularly in youths, facilitated the emergence of new web-based psychopathologies, including Pathological Internet use (PIU).

Objectives

Our study aims at investigating the relationship between PIU and boredom as well as loneliness dimensions in youths, by also focusing on the association with the main psychopathological symptomatology (i.e., depression, anxiety and stress).

Methods

A nationwide population-based cross-sectional case-control study was conducted by recruiting a sample of Italian young adults (aged 18-24), using a snowball sampling strategy. After data cleaning, only 1,643 participants were selected for analysis based on age and classified according to the presence/absence of PIU/non-PIU. Linear regression analyses as well as Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to check for possible associations and correlations between PIU and stress/anxiety/depression. Subsequently, mediation analyses regarding boredom and loneliness were conducted on these relationships.

Results

Participants were predominantly females (68.7%; n = 1,129). The mean age was 21.8 years (SD = 1.7), particularly ranging 20-24 years-old (88.5%; n = 1454). Around 41.7% (n = 685) of the sample declared previous psychological issues without a history of professional support (psychological and/or psychiatric), while 32.7% (n = 538) stated that they had an overt mental disorder and were currently receiving professional support. Mediation analysis demonstrated that both boredom and loneliness act as mediators in the association between PIU and depression.

Conclusions

Further studies are needed to evaluate how boredom and loneliness dimensions could be managed in order to alleviate the emergence of PIU in youths with clinically relevant depressive symptomatology.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Where art thou? Reflecting on auditory hallucinosis
Authors: Ganhao I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Hallucinosis has evolved out of classification systems but what about patients who present with exclusive or almost exclusive hallucinations? Auditory hallucinations are especially likely to swiftly be considered due to psychiatric illness.

An elderly patient with chronic auditory hallucinations without other significant psychopathology nor other symptoms prompted reflection and literature review.

Objectives

To review differential diagnosis of auditory hallucinosis.

Methods

Pubmed search for terms: auditory and hallucinosis.

Results

Hallucinations should be evaluated according to: type, onset and evolution, association with physical and /or neurological symptoms, association with other hallucinations and/or other psychopathology, characteristics.

Auditory hallucinations may present along a continuum from tinnitus, simple, verbal, musical.

The Pubmed search retrieved articles pertaining to auditory hallucinations associated with:

1. Sensory deprivation; 2. Hearing loss, auditory Charles Bonnet syndrome; 3. Dementia, neurodegenerative disorders; 4. Brainstem lesions; 5. Other central nervous lesions: thalamus, temporal, other; 6. Epilepsy; 7. Tic disorders; 8. Alcohol use disorders; 9. Borderline personality disorder; 10. Others.

Conclusions

Patients presenting with auditory hallucinosis should be carefully evaluated to exclude non-psychiatric disorders.

In some patients, such as the one who prompted the review, an identifiable cause may not yet be found.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The use of Polygenic Scores in a family design of First Episode Psychosis
Authors: Murillo-Garcia N. , Papiol S. , Barrio-Martínez S. , Sevilla-Ramos M. , Magdaleno-Herrero R. , Yorca-Ruiz Á. , Ortíz-García de la Foz V. , Miguel-Corredera M. , Fatjó-Vilas M. , Ayesa-Arriola R.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

A wide variety of traits is heritable and has genetic loading, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and its associated neurocognitive features. The genetic architecture of SSDs is polygenic, with the contribution of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms of small effect with an estimated SNP-heritability of 24%. The same occurs with neurocognitive phenotypes such as intelligence or educational attainment. Therefore, the method of polygenic risk scores (PRS) is useful in estimating the genetic burden of such traits. Moreover, the use of PRS in a sample of genetically related individuals would allow analyzing the contribution of genetic and environmental factors involved in the development of the disorder and its candidate endophenotypes.

Objectives

To estimate PRS for schizophrenia, and polygenic scores for intelligence and educational attainment in patients with First Episode Psychosis (FEP), their first-degree relatives (siblings and parents), and a group of healthy controls.

Methods

The sample is comprised of 579 participants of the PAFIP-FAMILIAS project in Santander, Spain (133 FEP patients, their 244 first-degree relatives, and 202 healthy controls). All provided sociodemographic information and completed the same neuropsychological battery. Participants’ DNA was extracted from venous blood samples, and genotyping was performed at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CeGen) by the Global Screening Array v.3.0 panel (Illumina). Data quality control, imputation, calculation of PRS, and genetic association analysis are being performed using PLINK, SHAPEIT, IMPUTE2, SPSS and R.

Results

Data analysis is currently in progress, at the quality analysis stage, in collaboration with the Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG) in Munich, Germany. We expect to find higher PRS for schizophrenia in FEP patients, while their first-degree relatives will potentially show intermediate risk scores between patients and healthy controls. A similar finding is expected regarding intelligence and educational attainment, as FEP patients may show more genetic burden for low intelligence and education.

Conclusions

The estimation of PRS has demonstrated to be valuable in studying complex traits such as schizophrenia. We believe that by applying this method in a family design can provide interesting insights on the development of SSDs and its potential endophenotypes, and potentially useful in their prevention.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The relationship between linguistic features of speech and psychological characteristics in schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Semenova N. D. , Sizova N.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Text analysis can significantly enrich ideas about the functioning of the psyche in mental illness.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to identify the linguistic features of texts written by people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and to study the relationship between them and the personality traits and indicators of the standard of living of patients.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (F20, F21, F23, F25 according to ICD-10) and 37 without mental disorders participated. All participants wrote a text on a given topic and filled in psychodiagnostic methods: a short version of the Big Five method (TIPI-RU), Q-Les-Q, and MOS SF-36. The text was analyzed using the phpMorphy morphological analysis library.

Results

A comparative analysis showed that in the speech of patients, there are fewer adjectives and more verbs than in the speech of healthy subjects (p<0.05) and that the volume of speech production in patients is significantly reduced (<0.001). The results of correlations of such data with the volume of words were contradictory. A statistically significant inverse relationship was found between the verbality index and the factors of extraversion and openness to experience in the clinical group. As for the indicators of quality of life, expectedly positive correlations between the use of adjectives and negative correlations of the use of verbs with the quality of life were revealed.

Conclusions

Studying the linguistic features of the speech of patients with mental disorders is essential. These indicators can be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The comparison of plasma zonulin levels between symptom exacerbation and treatment response periods in schizophrenia: a case-control study with follow-up
Authors: Aydın O. , Kocabaş T. , Sarandöl A. , Muştucu A. , Onur E. , Esen-Danacı A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Plasma zonulin is acknowledged to be a biomarker for intestinal permeability. Previous studies have demonstrated significant relationships regarding potential effects of zonulin in several major psychiatric conditions including attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder and depression, however its role in schizophrenia still remains unclear.

Objectives

We aimed to identify the alterations of plasma zonulin levels between the different periods of the illness and we strive to reveal the associations between plasma zonulin levels and symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Methods

30 patients with schizophrenia and 29 healthy controls participated in the study. Sociodemographic data form and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were administered. Blood sampling was performed for patients who are in exacerbation and following treatment response periods along with the healthy controls. ELISA method was utilized to measure plasma zonulin levels.

Results

The groups did not differ in plasma zonulin level comparisons. Plasma zonulin did not fluctuate between the symptom exacerbation and treatment response periods of the patients. Besides, plasma zonulin level was found to be associated with passive/apathetic social withdrawal, active social avoidance, and somatic concern items of the PANSS in a negative direction.

Conclusions

This is the first follow-up study in the literature that assesses plasma zonulin in patients with schizophrenia. The measurement of plasma zonulin may not be a convenient parameter in distinguishing symptom exacerbation and treatment response periods in chronic schizophrenia, nevertheless it may have implications on reduced social interaction and somatic symptoms. Our study can provide better insight for future studies to be more cautious while interpreting the associations of plasma zonulin levels with psychiatric disorders.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Use of paliperidone palmitate half-yearly release in patients diagnosed with psychotic disorder: profile and satisfaction of use
Authors: Andres-Olivera P. , Alvarez A. , Garzon M. D. L. A. , Gonzalez R. , Roncero C. , Jesús P.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The lack of insight can be present among patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, which often results in lack of adherence to pharmacological treatments1 and, subsequently, in treatment discontinuation and relapses2. This vicious pattern leads to further clinical deterioration, impaired functioning, and reduced quality of life 3. There is a plethora of evidence supporting the fact that long-acting injectable and depot antipsychotics can increase adherence to treatment, reduce the risk of discontinuation and hospital admissions4. It is also known that low fluctuations between peaks and lows in plasma drug levels could be related to a better tolerability profiles5. A new paliperidone palmitate prolonged release formulation, which is administered twice annually, has been approved as maintenance treatment for patients with schizophrenia who are already stable on the monthly or quarterly prolonged release paliperidone palmitate6.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the transition of monthly and quarterly paliperidone palmitate to the new six-monthly formulation and patients’ satisfaction with it in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods

We collected a basic epidemiologic questionnaire, responses to a query about local pain after administration, and the Drugs Attitude Inventory (DAI).

Results

A total of 21 patients from an outpatient clinic for severe mental disorders with a long evolution of their disease in Salamanca, Spain, were included. All of them had a DSM5-TR diagnosis of Schizophrenia. Sixteen were male and 5 female. The mean age was 42.6 years. 14 were receiving quartlery paliperidone palmitate (10 with high doses (525 mg) and 4 with moderate doses (350 mg)) and 7 were on monthly injections (6 with high doses (150 mg) and 1 with a moderate dose (100 mg)). Those receiving moderate doses of quarterly or monthly paliperidone palmitate were administered 700 mg of six-monthly paliperidone palmitate; 1000 mg were injected to those with higher doses. The mean score on the DAI scale was 8. Only one patient reported an increase in local pain after the injection, and another reported dissatisfaction with the administration in the gluteus instead of the deltoid muscle. The first administration of the new formulation in our site was on June 26th; to date none of these patients have required hospital admission due to relapse.

Conclusions

Six-monthly prolonged release paliperidone palmitate seems to be an effective maintenance treatment for schizophrenia. In addition, this new formulation is well received and tolerated by patients previously on monthly or quarterly formulations of the same drug.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
The role of interleukin 10 in the development of the schizophrenia deficit syndrome in the light of the disconnection hypothesis
Authors: Podwalski P. , Tyburski E. , Michalczyk A. , Samochowiec J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

One of the subtypes of schizophrenia is the deficit syndrome (DS). Because of different risk factors, course, response to treatment weak prognosis, researches on this group of patients are important. Etiology of schizophrenia is often hypothesized as the inflammation process. Due to the imbalance of certain cytokines (interleukin-10 (IL-10) -antyinflamation cytokine, among others) changes in the function and structure of central nervous system may occur. That process could stand behind the outbreak of psychotic and deficit symptoms of the illness. Subinflammation can have an impact on the white matter structure. Disturbances in this area can cause impairment of cortical communication and hence, produce psychopathology. One of the structures that seem to have the basis of the deficit syndrome isinferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF). ILF is a bundle of association fibers with interconnects temporal cortex with ocapital cortex.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to investigate a relationship between the integrity of ILF and interleukin – 10.

Methods

39 schizophrenia subjects divided into two groups DS (16) and non-deficyt sydrome (NDS) (23) and 18 healthy controls (HC) participated in the study. A DTI analysis was performed on all study participants. The psychopathology of schizofrenia was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The ILF analysis was then conducted using fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) parameters. Blood samples were obtained to analyze serum level of IL-10 level.

Results

The differences in FA value in left ILF between DS and HC group were confirmed. The difference in values of IL-10 between groups were not confirmed. A negative correlation was found between FA values in left ILF and IL-10 (p = 0.033) among DS group.

Conclusions

The imparment of the structure of ILF may be involved in ethiopatogenesis of DS. Moreover, changes in IL-10 levels may be related to the microstructure of ILF bundle.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Woman aspects of behavior addiction, including gambling
Authors: Kalo Z.
Published: August 2023

Behavioral addictions, also known as non-substance or non-drug addictions, refer to a range of compulsive behaviors that individuals engage in despite the negative consequences that result from these behaviors. Research on behavioral addiction in women has shown that women are at a higher risk for certain types of behavioral addictions, such as shopping addiction and internet addiction, compared to men. Studies suggest that women may be more susceptible to these types of addictions because of social and cultural factors, such as societal expectations of women to be nurturing and caregiving, which may lead them to use these behaviors as a form of coping mechanism. There is also evidence that women are more likely to experience shame and guilt as a result of their addiction, which can make it more difficult for them to seek help and support. Gambling among women has traditionally been less common than among men however, this trend is changing. Survey have shown that the number of women who gamble is on the rise, and that they are becoming increasingly diverse in terms of age, income, social background. Research studies have found that the rate of problem gambling among women is lower than men, but that women tend to develop gambling problems more quickly than men. This is thought to be due to a number of factors, including women’s greater vulnerability to stress and depression, as well as the fact that women are more likely to have a history of trauma or abuse. Overall, research on behavioral addictions among women is still a relatively new field, and there is a need for more studies to be conducted in order to better understand the unique factors that contribute to the development of these types of addictions in women.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared