bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
M19. NIGROSTRIATAL CONNECTIVITY AND THE PREDICTION OF THOUGHT DISTURBANCE IN EARLY PSYCHOSIS
Authors: Homan Philipp , Malhotra Anil , Lencz Todd , De Rosse Pamela 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Dopamine neurons are known to fire both tonically and phasically, resulting in tonic dopamine concentrations and spikes in those concentrations (often referred to as transients). Empirical evidence has shown elevated activity in the striatum in response to neutral stimuli which correlated with positive symptoms, in line with the proposed increased prediction errors. The increase of sponataneous phasic dopamine release in early psychosis should also be evident by altered resting state connectivity between the midbrain and its dopaminergic projections to the dorsal striatum. Given that all antipsychotics bind to striatal dopamine D2 receptors, we assumed that this altered functional connectivity would also relate to treatment efficacy of those antipsychotic agents. Using striatal seeds, and extending our own group’s prior work exploring striatal connectivity, we computed an index of nigrostriatal connectivity and estimated its relationship with improvement of positive symptoms under antipsychotic monotherapy.

Methods
We conducted a parcellation of subcortical midbrain structures including the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area in two independent early phase psychosis cohorts. Early phase psychosis was defined as having an antipsychotic life time exposure of less than 52 weeks. Patients were between 15 and 40 years old and with a DSM-V-defined diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder with psychotic features and provided informed consent to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria were active alcohol or substance abuse disorders, serious medical conditions, and pregnancy. Preprocessing involved the state-of-the art Human Connectome Project pipeline and extensive correction for motion artifacts. After parcellation, we extracted the connectivity values of the striatal seeds with the substantia nigra and calculated an improved version of the striatal connectivity index with the R-package sci developed by the presenter and freely available online at http://github.com/philipphoman/sci.

Results
We found that nigrostriatal connectivity was predictive of treatment efficacy in a sample of 41 patients with early phase psychosis. Indeed, individual differences in this connectivity index explained 18% of the variance of positive symptom improvement under antipsychotic treatment. Importantly, we replicated this effect in an independent replication cohort of 40 early phase psychosis patients, where we found that the identical model explained 11% of the variance in symptom improvement.

Discussion
There is an urgent need for diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in psychotic disorders, and our results suggest that nigrostriatal connectivity is a promising candidate for a prognostic biomarker for antipsychotic treatment.
M20. CYTOKINE LEVELS THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY AND RISK FOR PSYCHOSIS IN ADULT OFFSPRING: EARLY PREGNANCY MATTERS
Authors: Allswede Dana , Yolken Robert , Buka Stephen , Cannon Tyrone 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Schizophrenia has been associated with pregnancy and birth complications, and fetal exposure to inflammation is thought to be a common underlying mechanism. However, it is unclear whether the risk associated with inflammation is specific to particular phases of pregnancy, as no prior studies have examined maternal serum samples across multiple assessments from the first trimester onward. This study examined differences in longitudinal patterns of maternal serum levels of TNFa, IL-1b, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17a across pregnancy for offspring who were later ascertained as having a psychotic disorder diagnosis, non-psychotic siblings of these cases, and unrelated, non-psychotic individuals who served as controls.

Methods
Participants included 90 offspring, 79 siblings, and 273 matched controls from the Philadelphia cohort of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project. Psychotic disorder diagnoses in adulthood were assessed with review of medical records and were confirmed with a validation study. Cytokine levels were assessed using a multiplex bead assay in archived maternal serum samples collected across prenatal visits and birth.

Results
Levels of pro-inflammatory TNFa, IL-1b, and IL-6 were significantly higher in maternal serum of offspring who later developed psychosis relative to maternal serum of non-psychotic siblings and matched controls. These differences were maximal in first half of pregnancy (7–20 weeks), tapering to non-significant during the second half of pregnancy.

Discussion
These findings elucidate the importance of exposure to elevated maternal pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in early pregnancy to the etiology of psychosis.
M29. SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS IN ADOLESCENCE PREDICT PSYCHOSIS IN THE NORTHERN FINLAND BIRTH COHORT 1986
Authors: Palomäki Johanna , Kerkelä Martta , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Jones Peter , Murray Graham , Nordström Tanja , Therman Sebastian , Veijola Juha 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
A number of psychological symptoms have been found to predict psychosis. Many studies have found no specificity to separate symptoms predicting non-psychotic psychiatric disorders from those predicting psychotic disorders. Prodromal symptoms are non-specific problems often preceding frank psychosis. Previously prodromal symptoms have been studied mainly retrospectively or in high-risk clinical populations. We were able to conduct prospective study comparing adolescent symptoms predicting non-psychotic psychiatric disorders and psychotic psychiatric disorders.

Methods
Members of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 were asked to fill in PROD-screen questionnaire at age 15–16 years. PROD-screen includes 21 items both measuring positive prodromal symptoms, negative prodromal symptoms and general symptoms.
We were able to follow 5,368 participants using Finnish Hospital Discharge Register detecting new hospital treated mental disorders till 30 years.

Results
Subjects who developed psychosis had significantly more commonly positive and negative symptoms than subjects without psychiatric disorder or subjects who developed non-psychotic disorder.
When comparing separate symptoms in those having psychiatric hospital treatments, we found three positive symptoms and three negative symptoms predicting specifically psychotic disorders.
After adjusting for confounders, the symptoms predicting psychosis were: Difficulty in controlling one’s speech, behavior or facial expression while communicating, Difficulties in understanding written text or speech heard, Feelings, thoughts or behaviors that could be considered weird or peculiar. Three of the negative symptoms also predicted psychosis: Difficulty or uncertainty in making contact with other people, Lack of initiative or difficulty in completing tasks, Difficulties in carrying out ordinary routine activities (at least one week).

Discussion
In this large prospective population sample both positive and negative symptoms in adolescence associated specifically with development of first episode psychosis compared to hospital treated non-psychotic disorders. This finding is in line with the other prospective general population follow-up studies. The main contribution of our study to the literature is that we had the possibility to compare the subjects who developed clinically real hospital-treated psychosis not only to healthy comparison subjects but also to subjects who developed non-psychotic psychiatric disorder.
M33. ATTENTUATED POSITIVE SYMPOMS AND FACIAL AFFECT PROCESSING IN HIGH-RISK ADOLESCENTS WITH AND WITHOUT AUTISM
Authors: Maat Arija , Therman Sebastian , Swaab Hanna , Ziermans Tim 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders both represent severely disabling neurodevelopmental disorders with marked impairments in social functioning. Despite an increased incidence of psychosis in autism, and substantial overlap in symptoms and cognitive markers, it is unclear whether such phenotypes are specifically related to risk for psychosis or perhaps reflect more general, idiosyncratic autism traits. Attenuated positive symptoms (APS) currently constitute the best and most-replicated clinical predictors of schizophrenic psychosis, and are common in clinical youth with and without autism. The aims of this study were to test the hypothesis that facial affect processing is impaired in adolescents with APS and to explore whether such deficits are more indicative of psychotic or autistic phenotypes on a categorical and dimensional level.

Methods
Fifty-three adolescents with APS and 81 typically developing controls (aged 12–18) were included. The APS group consisted of adolescents with (n = 21) and without (n = 32) a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Facial affect recognition and ‘lower-level’ cognitive skills, namely pattern and face recognition, were assessed with the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks. For associations with schizotypal and autistic-like traits the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire and Social Communication questionnaire were used and one-dimensional factor scores were generated with confirmatory factor analysis.

Results
Our preliminary findings suggest that APS in adolescents is not associated with impairments in pattern, face, or emotion recognition. However, the APS group with autism spectrum disorder generally showed slower reaction times for face/emotional stimuli and they were significantly worse in recognizing fearful expressions than APS participants without autism spectrum disorder and controls. There were no dimensional correlations with schizotypal traits and marginal correlations between autistic-like traits and speed of recognizing faces.

Discussion
Contrary to our expectations, APS demonstrated limited use in identifying cognitive deficits typical to schizophrenic psychosis. A more autistic-like profile may be characterized by slower reaction times to facial stimuli, suggesting that more complicated and dynamic social cognitive stimuli have a better chance of discerning between autistic and psychotic-like phenotypes.
M59. THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN THEORY OF MIND AND NEUROCOGNITION IN RECENT ONSET PSYCHOSIS
Authors: Thibaudeau Élisabeth , Pothier William , Lavoie Andréanne , Turcotte Mélissa , Achim Amélie M , Vallières Chantal , Roy Marc-André , Cellard Caroline 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Deficits in theory of mind (ToM), the ability to infer the mental states of others, are common in psychotic disorders and are associated with functioning difficulties. While ToM is a social cognitive process, several neurocognitive processes are involved when inferring the mental states of others. A better understanding of the associations between ToM and neurocognitive domains could help better target treatment for ToM in schizophrenia. A recent meta-analysis has revealed that all neurocognitive domains are moderately associated with ToM in schizophrenia, but very few studies have looked at these associations in recent onset psychosis. These studies showed associations between ToM and speed of processing, episodic memory and executive functions although few neurocognitive domains have been assessed in each study. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between ToM and the key neurocognitive domains in recent onset psychosis.

Methods
These results are part of a larger study that aimed to determine the cognitive predictors of return to work or school in recent onset psychosis. Twenty-seven recent onset psychosis patients were recruited for this study, with a mean age of 24.9 years. The clinical assessment included the Combined Stories Test for ToM and the Matrics Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) for neurocognition. The MCCB assesses the key cognitive domains relevant for schizophrenia, including attention/vigilance, speed of processing, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, reasoning/problem solving and social cognition. Pearson correlations were conducted between the ToM scores of the Combined Stories Test and each neurocognitive domain of the MCCB.

Results
Correlations revealed a moderate to strong association between ToM and working memory (r = 0.443, p = 0.021), visual learning (r = 0.493, p = 0.009) and verbal learning (r = 0.443, p = 0.021). The correlations between ToM and attention/vigilance, speed of processing and reasoning/problem solving were not significant (p &gt; 0.05).

Discussion
This is the first study that has assessed the associations between ToM and the neurocognitive domains of the MCCB in recent onset psychosis. This study did not show association between ToM and speed of processing nor executive functions, but rather with working memory and learning. These contradictory results could be explained by the large heterogeneity of tasks used across studies, particularly ToM tasks that often present with psychometric limitations such as ceiling effect. Learning processes highlighted here should be considered in the understanding of the therapeutic response following a cognitive remediation therapy for ToM in recent onset psychosis.
M62. PERIPHERAL INFLAMMATION MARKERS IDENTIFY SUBSET OF PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA AND RELATED PSYCHOSES WHO HAVE INTELLECTUAL DECLINE FROM PREMORBID LEVELS
Authors: Weickert Thomas , Ramanathan Seetha , Lenroot Rhoshel , Liu Dennis , Balzan Ryan , Galletly Cherrie , Shannon Weickert Cynthia 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Higher inflammation has been identified in a substantial subset of both high-risk and chronically ill patients with schizophrenia and related psychoses and this may account for some of the heterogeneity of the schizophrenia. There is also much heterogeneity in cognitive deficits related to schizophrenia with some patients showing a marked decline from premorbid intellectual levels while others show little change from either normal or low intellect. However, the relationship between intellectual change with the illness onset and inflammation in schizophrenia has not been established.

Methods
Here, we report the assessment of two common markers of inflammation from two independent samples of generally chronically ill patients with schizophrenia and related psychoses (one sample of 73 patients versus 70 healthy controls from Sydney, NSW, Australia and one sample of 297 patients from Syracuse, NY, USA). Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from all patients and blood markers of inflammation (C-Reactive Protein, CRP, and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio, NLR) were assayed using standard procedures. Assessment of premorbid and current intellectual abilities were obtained from the Sydney cohort of patients.

Results
Grouping the patients and controls from the Sydney sample into those with elevated (&gt; 3 mg/L) versus normal (&lt; 3 mg/L) CRP levels revealed 42% of the patients versus 20% of the healthy controls had elevated CRP (Chi Square = 9.16, p = .002) and further evidence of inflammation with an elevated mean NLR of 2.5. The frequency of peripheral inflammation was confirmed by the independent sample from Syracuse in which 39% of the patients (n= 115) had an elevated NLR above a cutoff score for normal of 2.2 which was consistent with the Sydney sample. Patients from the Sydney sample who had an elevated CRP also had a significant mean 15-point IQ decline from premorbid IQ levels, whereas the patients with CRP levels within normal limits did not show a statistically significant drop in IQ from premorbid levels (mean IQ decline 7.6 points). Healthy controls with normal CRP had no IQ change (0.0 points) and healthy controls with elevated CRP has a slight, non-significant IQ decline (mean 2.3 points).

Discussion
Thus, our study showed supportive evidence of elevated peripheral inflammation markers in subgroups of chronically ill patients with schizophrenia from two independent samples and a link between marked intellectual decline from premorbid levels and current peripheral inflammation in one chronically ill subgroup of patients with schizophrenia suggesting a role for inflammation in the cognitive impairment of a substantial proportion (40%) of patients with schizophrenia.
M63. TRANSDIAGNOSTIC NEUROCOGNITIVE DEFICITS IN PSYCHIATRY: A REVIEW OF META-ANALYSES
Authors: East-Richard Caroline , R-Mercier Alexandra , Nadeau Danielle , Cellard Caroline 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
In recent decades, several meta-analyses have documented the severity of neurocognitive impairments in various domains and psychiatric disorders. There is also a growing body of literature on the common factors among psychiatric disorders (e.g., common psychological factors, neurobiological alterations or genetic variants). The first objective of this review was to investigate transdiagnostic neurocognitive impairments across several psychiatric disorders. The second objective was to document transdiagnostic neurocognitive impairments across the life span, to establish whether they are consistent across age.

Methods
A literature search was conducted in Pubmed, PsycINFO and Embase to identify all meta-analyses of neurocognitive deficits in psychiatry published prior to August, 2017. The following psychiatric disorders were considered: mood disorders, psychotic disorders, autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety disorders. The R-AMSTAR (Revised Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews) was used to assess methodological quality of all retrieved meta-analyses. The final selection included only the most rigorous meta-analyses.

Results
A total of 36 meta-analyses were included. They documented neurocognitive impairments in schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Neurocognitive impairments were observed in the majority of psychiatric disorders, regardless of age group (childhood/adolescence, first episode, adulthood, elderly). Across all disorders, deficits in executive functions and in episodic memory were the most severe and the most frequently reported. Moreover, severe deficits in executive functions were frequently reported across age groups. Neurocognitive deficits were consistently more severe in schizophrenia compared to other psychiatric disorders, across all age groups.

Discussion
Neurocognitive impairments were observed in almost all disorders, in all age groups. Some neurocognitive impairments were more frequently reported across all disorders. Indeed, executive functions and episodic memory were severely impaired in almost every age group and psychiatric disorder considered in this review. Deficits in these two domains appear to be transdiagnostic and they remain relatively stable across the life span. Transdiagnostic factors could be key targets for transdiagnostic cognitive interventions in psychiatric populations. Neurobiological, neuropsychological, and genetic hypotheses of transdiagnostic neurocognitive impairments are discussed.
M76. ATYPICAL RESPONSE INHIBITION IN 22Q11.2DS: DIMINISHED ERROR REGISTRATION AND AWARENESS
Authors: Alves Francisco Ana , Horsthuis Douwe J , Foxe John J , Molholm Sophie 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS; also known as DiGeorge syndrome or velo-cardio-facial syndrome) is characterized by increased vulnerability for neuropsychiatric symptoms, with approximately 30% of the individuals with the deletion developing schizophrenia. Clinically, deficits in executive function have been noted in this population, but the underlying neural processes are not well understood.

Methods
Using high-density electrophysiology (EEG), we investigated the neural dynamics of inhibition of a prepotent response (a critical component of executive function) in individuals with 22q11.2DS with and without psychotic symptoms. Twenty-seven individuals with 22q11.2DS (14–35 years old, 14 with at least one psychotic symptom) and 27 age-matched neurotypical controls participated in a go/no-go task while EEG was recorded. Analyses were focused on the P3 go/no-go response and error-related positivity (Pe).

Results
Behaviorally, individuals with 22q11.2DS were slower and unable to inhibit prepotent responses as the controls, with significantly more false alarms. Atypical inhibitory processing was confirmed by significantly reduced P3 no-go responses in the 22q11.2DS group. Such reductions were particularly marked in those with psychotic symptomatology. Pe was likewise significantly decreased (regardless of the presence of psychotic symptoms), suggesting impaired ability to register errors (i.e., false alarms) in 22q11.2DS. Both Pe and P3 correlated with clinical measures of inhibition (DKEFS and CPT).

Discussion
To our knowledge, this is the first study looking at electrophysiological measures of response inhibition in 22q11.2DS. P3 and Pe reductions, which have also been shown in schizophrenia, suggest diminished error registration and awareness in 22q11.2DS and, possibly, a consequent difficulty in adjusting response strategies.
M82. GROWING BURDEN OF DISEASE: THE PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AFTER A FIRST EPISODE OF PSYCHOSIS
Authors: Rodrigues Myanca , Stranges Saverio , Ryan Bridget , Anderson Kelly 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Over 12% of Canadians live with two or more (2+) co-occurring chronic physical health conditions or multimorbidity. This proportion is expected to rise with increased exposure to risk factors for these diseases. People with psychotic disorders often have co-occurring chronic physical health conditions; however, to date there has been a paucity of research on the prevalence of multimorbidity among people with psychosis. The objective of our study was to examine the prevalence of multimorbidity ten years after a first episode of psychosis (FEP) utilizing data from a retrospective cohort study based on health administrative data.

Methods
The health administrative dataset has been linked to data from the Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses in London, Canada to enable identification of FEP patients (n=455). FEP patients were compared to a randomly selected comparison group from the general population (n=1,783), matched on age, gender, and neighbourhood. This cohort has been followed for a 10-year period in the health administrative data to ascertain the prevalence of physical comorbidities.

Results
Preliminary analyses on 2,238 patients (557 females, 1,681 males) at 10-year follow-up, reveals that 32.1% (95% CI 28.0%, 36.5%) of FEP patients have 2+ conditions, as compared to 15.1% (95% CI 13.6%, 16.9%) of people without psychosis. Full results on risk factors for multimorbidity will be presented.

Discussion
The findings from this study will facilitate increased surveillance and recognition of the common physical health conditions faced by people with psychosis, including those contributing to premature mortality of this patient population. This information aims to assist decision-makers in creating tailored intervention plans to improve the physical health of patients with psychotic disorders, and integrate care across multiple specialties to reduce the growing burden of disease to the Canadian health system.