bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological profile of patients in the first episode of psychosis
Authors: Bozikas V.P. , Dardagani A. , Athanasis P. , Gliatas I. , Ntouros E. , Parlapani E. 
Published: June 2017

Neurocognitive dysfunction in patients presenting psychotic symptoms for the first time has been repeatedly noted by researchers. However, there is still much diversity in data concerning the performance of these patients in specific cognitive domains and their degree of impairment. We used the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), in order to administer a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. A series of tests was selected measuring attention, memory, planning, inhibition, shifting ability, mental flexibility, working memory and visuospatial ability. The sample comprised 64 patients (37 male) with first episode of psychosis and 14 healthy individuals (9 male). Patients’ performance was lower in all cognitive domains, in relation to the performance of controls. More specifically, impairments in sustained attention (–.6 SD), memory (–.7 SD), planning (–.6 SD), working memory (–.7 SD), shifting ability (–.6 SD) and visuospatial ability (–.6 SD) were prominent. Also, patients presented a severe deficit in speed of processing (–.7 SD) and selective attention (–.6 SD). Our data confirms that patients in the first episode of psychosis present deficits in all cognitive domains. A more rigorous and thorough examination of specific subcomponents of cognitive abilities may be necessary in order to examine possible contributing factors as to specify the exact nature of cognitive deficits in first episode of psychosis.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Clinical Variants of Psychopathological Disorders in Users of Synthetic Cannabinoids (Spices)
Authors: Bokhan N. , Selivanov G.Y. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionThe problem of mental health of synthetic (“designer”) drug or “spice” users draws the increasing attention of experts of various areas in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry and psychotherapy.Research objective To classify and describe the psychotic states arising after the use of “spice”; to define the personality changes and probable consequences of the use observed in patients in the conditions of a hospital.Material and methodsOne hundred and one patients (93 men and 8 women; mean age 27.8 ± 7.6 years) with dependence on “spice” revealed between 2014 and 2015 were examined. History taking, clinical-psychopathological investigation and experimental psychological testing were used.Results and discussionAs a result of research the patients were divided into 5 groups according to criteria of ICD-10:– group 1: acute intoxication with delirium (n = 16; 15.84%);– group 2: residual and late-onset psychotic disorders like flashbacks (n = 9; 8.92%);– group 3: withdrawal state with delirium (n = 32; 31.68%);– group 4: psychotic disorder, mainly hallucinatory (n = 30; 29.70%);– group 5: paranoid schizophrenia (n = 14; 13.86%).The use of synthetic cannabinoids (“spice”) can initiate transient psychotic episodes, serve as the contributing factor of development of paranoid schizophrenia, continuous type of the course, leads to “accentuation” of schizoid, paranoid and psychopathic traits of the personality. It is proposed to make up a question of the possibility of additional use of the clarifying designation “synthetic cannabinoids/spice” at reference of patients using synthetic cannabinoids to the section of ICD-10 F12 “Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids” the agenda of clinicians.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Evaluation of The use of Psychoactive Substances Among Patients Admitted to a Cardiology Intensive Care Unit: Prevalence and Prevention
Authors: Chevallier C. , Batisse A. , Merat B. , Dillinger J.G. , Bourgogne E. , Gourlain H. , Marillier M. , Henry P. , Laprevote O. , Samira D. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionAddiction to psychoactive substances (PAS) can lead to cardiovascular complications. Cardiotoxicity of drugs is known but it is rarely documented by toxicology.ObjectivesWe conducted a prevalence study on PAS use among patients with cardiac symptoms, with an analysis of diagnosis and a description of PAS user's characteristics.AimsTo improve the therapeutic management in addictology for cardiac patients.MethodsProspective observational study performed during 3 months. Patients admitted in cardiology had to complete a hetero-questionnaire about his PAS consumption and a qualitative toxicological research in urine and/or blood (immunochemical/GC–MS detection).ResultsOne hundred and sixty-one patients were included: 86% men, aged 24–68 years (Table 1). Results show a high level of PAS use in our population: 8.7%. A significant PAS use is observed among patients aged 40–70 years, with a prevalence of 22% for the 40–49, 15% for the 50–59 and 7% for the 60–69. PAS detected were mainly cannabis and cocaine. Clinical diagnoses of patients positive to PAS were acute coronary syndromes and severe cardiac arrhythmias.ConclusionsIn patients admitted in cardiology, toxicological screening is rarely done. Our study shows a significant PAS use among patients aged 40–70 years. According to data of the French Health Barometer, there is regular use of cannabis and cocaine at respectively 3% and 1.1% among people aged 18–64. These results invite us to achieve a more systematic identification of PAS use among patients with cardiovascular disorders and to optimize the therapeutic management by a systematic orientation in addictology.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Neuropsychological Differences Between Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder Patients
Authors: Michopoulos I. , Tournikioti K. , Gournellis R. , Ferentinos P. , Vassilopoulou K. , Karavia A. , Papadopoulou M. , Douzenis A. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionThere is a continuing debate about the differences and similarities between bipolar disorder (BD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD).ObjectivesOnly few studies have focused on the neuropsychological profile of these two disorders.AimsWe studied the differences on memory, executive function and inhibitory control between BD and BPD patients.MethodsTwenty-nine patients with BD in euthymia, 27 patients with BPD and 22 healthy controls matched for age and education were included in the study. All of them were female. BD patients who could also be diagnosed with BPD were excluded from the study. Participants were administered a series of tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), accessing memory, executive function and inhibitory control.ResultsBD and BPD patients performed worse than controls in general. Significant differences were found in the PAL test; BD patients had 46.71, BPD patients had 36.56 and controls had 15.77 errors (P = 0.004). BPD patients performed worse in the IE/ED set-shifting test; they made 48.16 errors while BD patients made 23.64 and controls 16.14 (P = 0.001). BPD patients performed better in the problem-solving task (SOC), they solved 10.0, BD patients 6.32 and controls 8.32 problems (P < 0.001).BD and BPD patients had similar performance in the SST inhibition task but worse than controls (P = 0.03).ConclusionsBD and BPD seem to have differences in neuropsychological performance. BD patients show more deficits in memory learning and problem solving while BPD patients show more deficits in set shifting.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Bipolar Disorder in Epilepsy
Authors: Sivakova N. , Mazo G. , Lipatova L. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionBipolar disorder (BD) and epilepsy are the chronic recurrent diseases with several similarities in pathogenic mechanisms. There are high prevalence of comorbidity between affective disorders and epilepsy. However, most recent studies focused on association epilepsy with depression, while lack of scientific data about relationship between epilepsy and BD.ObjectivesThis study examined the frequency of bipolar disorder in epileptic patients.AimsTo improve the diagnostic tool for BD in epileptic patients.Materials and methodsWe observed 50 patients with epilepsy (PE). In this study, the symptoms of BD were measured by the Hypomania Checklist-32 (HCL-32).ResultsThe mean age of the entire cohort was 40 (SD = 19.2) years. The proportion of females were 62%. The mean score using HCL-32 were 11.1 (SD = 4.5, range: 3–20) with 17 (34%) scoring above 14, the cut-off points for the basic version of the HCL-32. Among of high score subgroup there were 6 men and 11 women, maximum age was 74 and minimum 19, the mean age of the subgroup were 37 years. The patients 8 out of 17 (47%) received a score of 20 or more (maximum of 37) on the bipolar index that corresponds to ≥ 20% probability BD.ConclusionThe results of the study observed a high prevalence of BD in PE. Future research addressing (1) using of psychiatric examination instruments to assess affective symptoms among PE and (2) treatment management of affective symptoms by antiepileptic drugs might result in better treatment outcomes among patient with comorbidities of BD and PE.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Social Aesthetics and Mental Health–Theory and Practice
Authors: Musalek M. 
Published: June 2017

The Hows of dealing with life and with our fellow human beings is the main focus of scientific endeavor of social aesthetics as a multidisciplinary research domain. This knowledge about the Hows of our social coexistence in general and in preventative and curative medicine in particular provides the indispensable social aesthetics foundation for therapeutic interventions in which the individual once more becomes the measure of all things and activities. European intellectual history teaches us that beauty is not just an adornment to life but is also a major source of strength for our life. Moreover, the positive aesthetic experience also has healing power. Social aesthetics that wishes also to be understood as the science of beauty in interpersonal relationships provides us with knowledge that in medical-therapeutic practice becomes a key pillar of human-centred approaches to prevention and treatment.Disclosure of interestThe author declares that he has no competing interest.
Exploring Maternal Mental Health in Syrian Refugee Women
Authors: Bowen A. , Ahmed A. , Feng C. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionThere has been a rapid influx of 30,000 Syrian refugees in Canada, many are women of childbearing age, and most have young children. The literature reports that refugee women are almost 5 times more likely to develop postpartum depression than Canadian-born women. However, little is known about the experiences that the Syrian refugee women have encountered pre- and post-resettlement and their perceptions of mental health issues in general, and of maternal depression in particular. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the refugee women's experiences of having a baby in Canada from a mental health perspective.MethodsParticipants include Syrian refugee women who migrated to Saskatoon Canada in 2015–16 and who were either pregnant or up to one year postpartum. Qualitative data was collected via a focus group with thematic analysis, while depression with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and PTSD screening and sociodemographic descriptive data were collected from a structured questionnaire to provide context for the qualitative analysis.ResultsTwelve women participated in the focus group, despite smiling often, 58% of them screened as probable depression (EPDS > 10), 25% screened positive for depression (> 12 on EPDS), and 17% screened positive for PTSD. None of the women indicated intimate partner violence or suicidal thoughts. All participants indicated social support, mostly partner, and 25% had a history of depression. Thematic analysis will be shared.ConclusionsPerinatal Depression is a serious problem for refugee women that deserve more in-depth study to ensure optimal outcomes and to develop services and programs.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Does Hikikomori Exist in Ukraine?
Authors: Frankova I. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionThe term “Hikikomori” refer to the modern phenomenon–severe (acute, prolonged) social withdrawal (SSW). Recently, there have been increasing reports of Hikikomori around the globe, Ukraine is not an exception.ObjectivesTo describe epidemiological and psychopathological features of Hikikomori from Ukraine.MethodsHikikomori was defined as a six-month or longer period of spending almost all time at home, avoiding social situations, social relationships, associated with significant distress/impairment. Lifetime history of psychiatric diagnosis was determined by the M.I.N.I. 7.0. Additional measures was Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Life experience questionnaire (LEQ), Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), Chaban quality of life scale (CQLS).ResultsIn total, 65.4% of Hikikomori group (HG, n = 26) had at least one psychiatric diagnosis, 34.6% had not. Personality disorders (15.4%), PTSD (11%), MDD (7.7%), SAD (7.7%), OCD (7.7%), bulimia nervosa (3.8%) were the most common. Onset of SSW in 41.7% started before 18 y.o. Healthy individuals formed the control group (CG, n = 25). Individuals with Hikikomori had high level of alexithymia (TAS-20 M = 71, SD = 11.6 vs. M = 60.8 SD = 13.8, P = 0.006). Childhood trauma was reported by 31.8% of CG vs. 52% of HG. Hikikomori had higher trauma index (LEQ M = 3.03, SD = 0.98 vs. 2.31, SD = 1.1, P = 0.019), larger number of lifespan traumatic events (LEQ 95%CI 4.57–7.35 vs. 2.8–5.28, P = 0.039); higher levels of irritability, resentment, suspiciousness, higher aggressiveness (BDHI M = 23, SD = 6.4 vs. M = 16.6, SD = 6, P = 0.001), low quality of life (CQLS M = 12.4, SD = 3.3, Р ≤ 0.001).ConclusionHikikomori exist in Ukraine, SSW quantitatively and qualitatively related to childhood trauma, manifests in adolescence, can be characterized by defined psychopathological features and affects quality of life.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
Psychiatric Symptomatology and Health-related Quality of Life in Children With Epilepsy
Authors: Bilgic A. , Işık Ü. , Derin H. , Sivri R. Çolak , Çaksen H. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionThere is a limited amount of data regarding the relationship between epilepsy and psychiatric symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in children and adolescents.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the levels of depression, anxiety and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children and adolescents with epilepsy.MethodsThe sample consisted of 75 children with epilepsy and 50 healthy controls aged 8–18 years. Questionnaires were used to evaluate the psychiatric status and HRQL of the patients.ResultsPatients had lower child-rated psychosocial and total area HRQL scores, and lower parent-rated psychosocial, physical and total area HRQL scores than the controls did. Inattention scores of the epilepsy group were significantly higher compared to controls. No significant differences were found between patients and controls in terms of anxiety and depression scores. Regarding determinants of HRQL, severity of depression and anxiety had a decreasing effect on child-rated HRQL total scores; and severity of anxiety had a decreasing effect on parent-rated HRQL total scores.ConclusionsEpilepsy is associated with poor QoL in childhood and severity of depression and anxiety are among the determinants of QoL. Clinicians should be more aware of accompanying psychiatric symptoms in epileptic patients and take the necessary precautions in the early period of the illness in an effort to improve QoL.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Exploring the Correlation Between Perceived Attachment Security and Levels of GH Hormone in a Sample of Children with Non-organic Failure to Thrive: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Fojanesi M. , Gallo M. , Russo F. , Valentini M. , Spaziani M. , Radicioni A. , Bersani F.S. , Biondi M. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionShort stature caused by growth hormone (GH) deficiency is one of the causes of the “Failure to Thrive” (FTT) condition. In absence of clear organic causes, several different psychosocial conditions may play a role in explaining the FTT phenotype. Advances in developmental psychology have highlighted the role of emotions and caregiving behaviors in the organization of child's personality and psychobiology, with the mother–son attachment bond being considered a fundamental developmental experience. The objective of the present preliminary study was to assess whether there are significant correlations between attachment styles and GH levels in a sample of subjects with non-organic FTT.MethodsWe enrolled 27 children (mean age: 9.49 ± 2.63) with non-organic FTT. Perceived attachment security was assessed through the Security Scale (SS) and its subscales focused on maternal and paternal security. Pearson partial correlation was used to test associations between GH levels and SS measures adjusting for confounding factors (i.e. age, gender and BMI).ResultsAcross all subjects, GH was significantly positively correlated with general security (r = 0.425; P = 0.038) and maternal security (SSM) (r = –0.451; P = 0.027) and not significantly correlated with paternal security (SSP) (r = 0.237; P = 0.264).DiscussionThese findings preliminarily suggest that perceived attachment security may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of non-organic GH deficiencies and add to the accumulating evidence that attachment styles are associated with specific psychoendocrine underpinnings.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Belief inflexibility and dimensions of delusional beliefs in non-affective psychosis: Comparison with non-clinical meaningful beliefs
Authors: Zhu C. , So S.H. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionBelief inflexibility (BI) has been considered as a crucial factor for delusional conviction, but less is known about other dimensions of delusional beliefs. Question has been raised regarding the extent to which BI distinguishes delusions from strongly held (non-deluded) personally meaningful beliefs.ObjectivesWe examined the association between BI and major dimensions of delusional beliefs/non-clinical personally meaningful beliefs, and compared results from two BI measures (Maudsley assessment of delusions schedule [MADS] and bias against disconfirmatory evidence [BADE] task).MethodsIdiosyncratic delusional beliefs from 40 outpatients with non-affective psychosis and personally meaningful beliefs from 30 healthy controls were assessed in an interview. Belief dimensions (conviction, preoccupation, and distress) and BI were measured.ResultsCompared with controls, patients reported higher levels of distress and preoccupation but a comparable level of conviction (3.30/4 vs. 3.00/4, t(66.967) = 1.928. P = n.s.). Patients exhibited lower belief flexibility than controls on MADS but not on BADE. In patients, delusional conviction was associated with lower flexibility on a MADS item (“possibility of being mistaken”: t(38) = 4.808, P < 001) and the BADE evidence integration index (r = 0.463, P = 01). In healthy controls, belief conviction was associated with lower flexibility on a MADS item (“reaction to hypothetical contradiction”: t(27) = 3.345, P=.002). Two-way ANOVA revealed that the association between possibility of being mistaken and conviction was stronger in patients than controls (F(1) = 6.718, P = 012). In both groups, BI on either measure did not correlate with distress or preoccupation.ConclusionsBI was specifically associated with belief conviction. The association was significant for both groups, and was stronger in patients than controls.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Assessing the Role of Weight Suppression (WS) and Weight Loss Rate (WLR) in Eating Disorders
Authors: Miotto G. , Chiappini I. , Favaro A. , Santonastaso P. , Gallicchio D. 
Published: June 2017

Introduction and aimsIn this study, we aim to assess the role of weight suppression (WS) in eating disorders, not only from a quantitative point of view but also assessing the speed of the weight loss by using a new parameter: the weight loss rate (WLR). We analysed the role of these two indexes in different eating disorders domains, considering both eating behaviours and outcome profiles.MethodsThe sample consisted of 414 patients, including 62 with AN binge purge subtype (ANBP), 146 with AN restrictive subtype (ANR) and 206 with bulimia nervosa (BN). Data about response to treatment were available for a subsample of 201 patients. A cross-sectional design was used for the clinical symptoms detected during the initial assessment and a longitudinal design was adopted for the response to treatment analysis.ResultsNo significant relationship emerged between both WS and WLR and variables collected at baseline assessment. We observed, on the contrary, a significant association between WS and weight gain at the end of treatment. High WLR predicted remission of binge eating and compensatory behavior in BN patients. We further analyzed our data to identify threshold values of both WS and WLR of clinical utility.ConclusionsThe role of WS and WLR as predictive factors in the outcome of eating disorders is of great interest and these initial results remark the usefulness of collecting these data during the initial assessment in order to plan a tailored therapeutic intervention.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Subcortical Structures in Suicide Attempters with Bipolar Disorder, Type I
Authors: Sani G. , Simonetti A. , Ambrosi E. , Janiri D. , Kotzalidis G. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionSuicidality is a major health concern with as yet unclear neurobiology.ObjectivesTo identify emotional correlates of suicidality in bipolar disorder I (BD-I).AimsTo detect subcortical structural morphology changes associated with suicide attempts.MethodsWe enrolled 30 patients with BD-I of which 15 had history of suicide attempts, and 15 healthy controls (HCs) with no such history. Groups were defined according to suicide attempt history and psychopathology. Subcortical gray matter volumes were obtained from 3 T structural MRI scans using FreeSurfer. Intergroup differences were investigated through ANOVAs followed by post hoc Fischer's least significant difference.ResultsHCs had larger left hippocampal and left accumbens volumes than both BD-I attempters and nonattempters. BD-I attempters had smaller left hippocampi and larger left amygdala than both nonattempters and HCs.ConclusionsDifferences were observed in emotional processing mediating neural circuitries, with BD-I attempters showing opposite patterns to nonattempters between amygdala and hippocampus.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.