bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of cortisol levels in patients with schizophrenia and in healthy controls
Authors: Wilczyński K.M. , Tobolska D. , Lorek M. , Mazgaj E. , Gawlik A. , Krysta K. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionThe hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) plays a pivotal role in response to a range of external and internal factors often described as “stress”. Growing evidence in a literature, suggest various dysregulations of HPAA, in course of numerous mental disorders. Patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder seem to have elevated basal cortisol secretion, what might be caused by the diminution of glucocorticoid receptors’ amount. It was of the interest if the cortisol concentration in patients, with diagnosed schizophrenia, differs from healthy individuals.Materials and methodsTwo groups of participants were included into the study. First group (study) consisted of 10 patients with diagnosed schizophrenia and control group which included 38 healthy individuals. Study was divided into two stages, first one (pilot) included only control group, and utilized cortisol concentrations measurement from saliva, blood and 24 h urine sample. Second part (main study) involved both groups although focused on a salivary cortisol concentrations.ResultsA mean salivary cortisol concentration in patients with schizophrenia who underwent treatment was significantly lower in comparison with healthy individuals.ConclusionsObtained results indicate that patients who underwent a treatment, and does not present notable clinical signs of schizophrenia, may have moderately lowered levels of salivary cortisol. This may be a reflection of relenting psychotic symptoms as well as a direct effect of atypical antipsychotic drugs on a HPA axis activity.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Reasons to choose a long acting antipsychotic and tolerability
Authors: Molina I. Martínez , Venegas N. Gómez-Coronado Suárez de , Ramón P. Blanco 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionAripiprazole depot is an atypical antipshycotic used to treat positive and negative symptoms of psychosis or acute mania.AimDescribe the reason why psychiatrists switch the current antipsychotic treatment on to aripiprazol depot, its tolerability and the reasons to stop aripiprazol depot treatment.MethodsDescriptive analysis based on a sample of 37 patients, aged 18–65 years, treated during one year with antipsychotics at two community mental health units.ResultsSwitching on to aripiprazole depot principal reasons: promote adherence (25%), persistence of symptoms (25%) and high levels of prolactin or sexual dysfunction (16.66%):– side effects of aripiprazole depot: insomnia (11.11%), inquietude (8.33%), sexual dysfunction (2.77%) and hypertensive crisis during administration (2.77%);– 83.33% of the patients are still taking it after one year. The most common reasons to stop or change it were the presence of secondaries (11.11%) and clinical exacerbation (5.55%).ConclusionsAripiprazole depot is well tolerated (even better than other antipsychotics). Common side effects are not severe and appear in a small percent of patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Corticospinal Excitability Predicts Antidepressant Response to RTMS
Authors: Oliveira-Maia A. , Press D. , Pascual-Leone A. 
Published: June 2017

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a treatment option for patients with medication-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD). However, antidepressant response is variable and there are currently no response predictors with sufficient accuracy for clinical use. Here we report on results of an observational open-label study to determine whether the modulatory effect of 10 Hz motor cortex (MC) rTMS is predictive of the antidepressant effect of 10 Hz DLPFC rTMS. Fifty-one medication-resistant MDD patients were enrolled for a 10-day treatment course of DLPFC rTMS and antidepressant response was assessed according to post-treatment reduction of the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score. Prior to treatment, we assessed the modulation of motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude by MC rTMS. We measured MEP's to single pulse TMS using surface electromyography, before and after MC rTMS, and calculated MEP modulation as the change of mean MEP amplitude after MC rTMS. MEP modulation proved to be a robust predictor of reduction of clinician-rated depression severity following the course of DLPFC rTMS: larger MC rTMS-induced increase of corticospinal excitability anticipated a better antidepressant response. These findings suggest that MC rTMS-induced modulation of corticospinal excitability warrants further evaluation as a potential predictive biomarker of antidepressant response to left DLPFC 10 Hz rTMS, and could inform future developments of rTMS to treat depression.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Stressors in patients with schizoaffective disorder
Authors: Reula L. Montes , García H. Saiz , Fernández A. Portilla 
Published: June 2017

Patients with schizoaffective disorder have recurrent episodes of a mood disorder with severe psychotic symptoms. In many cases, patients have toxic abuse in some situations that could cause confusion in symptoms and ranking it. It is about a patient diagnosed 5 years ago of schizoaffective disorder with decompensation caused by leaving medication and drug consumption. A year ago, the treatment was changed to intramuscular formulation with abilify maintena to ensure compliance and adherence. The patient continues to consume toxic in weekends, with symptoms of self-referentiality and suspicion towards their environment. Two weeks ago, he was with the girlfriend of a friend and after this event, the friend has been threatening him. The patient has a state of anxiety rising, with interpretations and associations delirious about this friend. He sleeps with a knife in bed if the friend entered his home. It is a very overwhelmed situation, magnifying and causing severe impact on their underlying disorder. When the patient is evaluated, it is decided to add treatment with olanzapine a few days to reduce symptoms and anxiety. Patients with mental disorders have stressors that cause anxiety like a healthy patient. It is true that the impact it has on the patients tend to be older and to overvalue the signs and real situations. In these cases should not be considered a decompensation and attribute symptoms to lack of efficacy of treatment. In many cases, if we associate a more sedating antipsychotic profile, they shall reduce symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
A descriptive study of a sample of 42 male outpatients diagnosed psychotic disorder
Authors: Ortega Garcia M.D. , Marti Garnica M.V. , Garcia Marin S. , Martinez Martinez C. , Blanco del Valle P. , Gomez Martinez R. , Lopez Bernal M.A. 
Published: June 2017

AimsThe approach to mental illness and specifically in serious mood disorders, long-term treatments that improve adhesion as continuous treatments ensure compliance are needed, they minimize the risk of relapse and readmission and therefore increase the chances to have a good fit and social, relational and even occupational functioning.MethodWe analysed a sample of 42 male diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, chronic delusional disorder that starts treatment with Paliperidone Palmitate in outpatients. It is analysed the dose of paliperidone palmitate employed for stabilization and family satisfaction at the time of stabilization is analysed in the study.ResultsThe mean dose of Paliperidone Palmitate is 138 mg. The patient diagnosed with schizophrenia are 47.6% and the average dose is 132.5 mg. Chronic delusional disorder is 2.3% and the mean dose 50 mg. Other comorbility mood disorders are 21.4% and the mean dose is 183 mg. Other disorders (F70, F72…) are 28.5% and mean dose 133 mg. The average family satisfaction (minimum 1 up to 5) is 4, with the highest score among patients diagnosed with F20 Schizophrenia.ConclusionsLong lasting injectable medications achieve important adherence and a high percentage of antipsychotic monotherapy, thus reducing the side effects, although in our sample 8% which has occurred was removed therefrom.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Staging in Bipolar Disorder: Clinical, Biochemical, and Functional Correlates
Authors: Grande I. 
Published: June 2017

In the field of bipolar disorder, some proposals of a staging model have been suggested considering the progressive features of the disorder. The staging model regards special features of the patients and further draws a route to define the prognosis and treatment as well as the neurobiological background of the disorder. The aim of this model is to identify rational therapeutic targets and provide the most effective and less toxic intervention in a time-sensitive manner. Advocating for a model of staging in bipolar disorder that can group the patients according to quantitative cut-offs of common practice clinical variables as well as defining a biochemical correlation seems to be a further step towards an operative and valid model of staging in bipolar disorder.Disclosure of interestDr. I. Grande has received a Juan Rodés Contract (JR15/00012), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness, Barcelona, Spain and has served as a consultant for Ferrer and as a speaker for AstraZeneca, Ferrer and Janssen-Cilag.
Sexual-dimorphism of the planum temporale in schizophrenia: An MRI study
Authors: Pigoni A. , Delvecchio G. , Perlini C. , Barillari M. , Ruggeri M. , Altamura C. , Bellani M. , Brambilla P. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionAnatomical alterations in the Superior Temporal Gyrus (STG) have been reported in schizophrenia. The STG is one of the most asymmetric and lateralized structure of the brain, and the process of lateralization seems to vary according to gender. Although it has been suggested that patients with schizophrenia do not show normal brain lateralization, only few studies investigated it in the STG considering the effects of sex.ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to evaluate sexual dimorphism in STG volumes in a sample of patients with schizophrenia compared to age-and sex-matched healthy controls.MethodsSeventy-two right-hander males (40 schizophrenia patients and 32 controls) and 45 right-hander females (18 schizophrenia patients and 27 controls) underwent clinical evaluation and a 1.5 T MRI scan. Gray and white matter volumes of regions of interests within the STG were detected, including the Heschl's Gyrus (HG) and the planum temporale (PT).ResultsFemale patients with schizophrenia presented a reduction in left PT gray matter volumes (F = 4.58, P = 0.03) and a lack of the normal PT asymmetry index (t = 0.27; P = 0.79) compared to female controls (t = 5.47; P < 0.001). No differences were found between males for volumes or laterality. Also, in patients with schizophrenia STG gray and white volumes negatively correlated with positive symptoms (r = −0.33, P = 0.02 and r = −0.29, P = 0.03 respectively), whereas left PT gray matter volumes were negatively associated to duration of illness (r = −0.27, P = 0.04).ConclusionsSexual dimorphism plays a key role on PT in schizophrenia, underlying the importance of gender as a modulator of brain morphology and lateralization of schizophrenia.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Clinical Staging of Psychotic Disorders: From Dimensions to Neurobiology
Authors: Batalla A. 
Published: June 2017

The clinical staging model is an approach used in medicine to define the extent of disease. In psychiatry, this model has recently been applied to psychotic disorders to distinguish the earlier, non-specific features of illness (e.g. ultra-high risk [UHR]; at-risk mental state [ARMS]), from later, more severe features associated with chronic illness. A key element of the staging model is to identify and classify the neurobiological processes underlying the disorder and to define potential interventions in the different stages. With the premise that dysfunctional neural mechanisms underlie symptomatology, the integration of categorical phenotypic classifications (class of disorder) with dimensional criteria (domains of dysfunction) becomes crucial. This approach aims to better classify trans-diagnostic dimensions of disease and discrete symptom-specific subgroup populations within biological frameworks, which may lead to the detection of new biomarkers and the development of more effective treatment and prevention strategies.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Enjoying expression: Exploring the benefits of music therapy on patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and using metaphor games/improvisations for increasing emotional awareness level
Authors: Salur Ö. , Ala-Ruona E. , Uçar S. , Eren N. 
Published: June 2017

Although music therapy is an evidence-based and effective therapy method in clinical psychiatric settings all around the world, the literature on music therapy's effect specifically on emotional awareness is very limited. This study, which has been conducted as a part of presenter's music therapy master's thesis aims to examine the clinical benefits of music therapy in a Turkish university hospital, to enable further research and promote the recognition of music therapy as a valid clinical method in psychiatry in this country. A study was conducted in Istanbul university psychiatry clinic with 6 patients currently under standard care due to diagnoses of schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like disorders by the hospital staff. The participants attended 20 music therapy sessions with pre-post clinical psychological tests applied around the sessions. The results reveal that group music therapy supports the well being of outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Significant changes on general functionality, personal and social performance, depression levels, increase in the level of ways of coping with stress and decrease in difficulties in emotion regulation concerning emotional awareness and are reported. Music therapy games/improvisations using animals as metaphors were played to reach emotional content of patients that normally have very limited verbal sharing in sessions, which possibly effected the change on emotional awareness. Session notes consisting of the therapy crew's observations support the statistical analysis of these benefits. These findings show that music therapy can be beneficial on multiple dimensions, including emotional awareness, in a Turkish university hospital; and therefore, more implication opportunities are suggested.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
When schizophrenia leads to terrorism: A case report
Authors: Staali N. 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundSome have suggested that terrorists are mentally ill and have used labels such as psychopathic or sociopathic, narcissistic, paranoid, are schizophrenic types, or passive–aggressive. Others have argued that although terrorist actions may seem irrational or delusional to society in general, terrorists in fact, act rationally, and there is no evidence to indicate that they are mentally ill/disordered, psychopathic or otherwise psychologically abnormal.Objective and methodHere we present the case of Mr. A, a 32 year old man diagnosed with schizophrenia, who travelled to Egypt and Syria in attempt to join the ISIS terrorist organization, and discuss the clinical features, treatment processes and two years follow-up of this particular case.ConclusionAs described in some studies, most terrorists do not demonstrate serious psychopathology and there is no single personality type. Thus, the relationship between terrorism and mental illness mostly refers to the question about pathological travel as part of a religious and messianic delirium.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.
The emergence of psychosis in a patient with severe hypothyroidism: A case report and literature review
Authors: Turk M.L. , Rosen J. 
Published: June 2017

Hypothyroidism is associated with changes in mental state that can range from mild cognitive impairment to depression to florid myxedema coma. A few cases have linked the occurence of psychotic symptoms in the context of severe hypothyroidism, an event referred in the literature as “myxedema madness”. We describe the case of a 48-year-old male with no past psychiatric history and a past medical history of hypertension and hypothyroidism who presented to the psychiatric unit for management of new-onset psychosis, particularly paranoid delusions. On basic medical screening, the patient was found to have severe hypothyroidism manifested by a TSH level of 51.85 and a free T4 level less than 0.4. The patient was treated with both an antipsychotic and thyroid hormone replacement, after which his hypothyroid symptoms and his psychosis improved. Liothyronine was also prescribed to speed up the recovery course, as his delusions were thought to be due to his hypothyroidism. The aim of this poster is to shed light on the possibility of development of psychosis concomitantly with severe hypothyroidism, given the rarity of such events, as well as to illustrate the importance of treating the underlying medical cause rather than only focusing on the treatment of the psychiatric symptoms. The use of Liothyronine proved to be beneficial in this case, as the patient's symptoms drastically improved after its administration. This could potentially illustrate the importance of using Liothyronine particularly in the treatment of delusional disorder in severe hypothyroidism.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder
Authors: Vrbova K. , Prasko J. , Cinculova A. , Krnacova B. , Talova B. , Tichackova A. , Latalova K. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionA recent reviews of published researchers suggest, that up to 25% of schizophrenia patients suffer from obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCs) and about 12% fulfill the diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Recently, the interest in this issue has significantly increased, probably due to the finding, that second generation antipsychotics, especially clozapine, might induce or aggravate OCs.ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to investigate and clarify the literature data about the extent to which comorbid OCs affects the severity and course of schizophrenia.MethodsThe articles were identified by the keywords “schizophrenia comorbidity” and “obsessive compulsive disorder”, using the medline and web of science search. Additional information was obtained by studying the references of summaries of relevant articles.ResultsObsessive-compulsive symptoms or fully expressed obsessive-compulsive disorder leads to more severe overall psychopathology and poorer treatment outcomes in patients with schizophrenia. This comorbidity is accompanied by increased neurocognitive impairment, high levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidality, less favorable levels of social and vocational functioning, and greater social and health service utilization.ConclusionsIn clinical practice, schizophrenia patients should be carefully monitored for OCs, which may occur at any time during the schizophrenia disease. Early recognition and targeted treatment of this comorbidity reduce patient's distress; positively influence the course of illness and overall treatment outcome.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Regional features of prevalence of cannabinoid dependence in children in Siberia
Authors: Artemyev I. , Vladimirova S. 
Published: June 2017

AimTo distinguish socio-cultural predictors of cannabinoid dependence of child population in Siberia.MethodsClinical verification of dependence, due to cannabinoid use in the age group “0–14 years” across 22 administrative territories of Siberia and the far east. Review, of statistical materials of regional narcological institutions.ResultsCannabinoid dependency in children has been revealed in 8 of 22 territories–intensive indices per 10,000 of the population of the matched age were in two territories–0.2, one territory–0.4, in two–0.7, and in three–2.1, 3.2, 14.0, respectively. In the related territories, the specific weight of cannabinoid dependence in total structure of substance dependence for population as a whole (children, adolescents, and adults) was as follows: 0.7%, 0.8%, 2.7%, 3.5%, 27.2%, 67.6% and 76.9%. Therefore, for those territories where ill children are under observation their number per 10,000 of the population is closely associated with structural size of addictions: high level of cannabinoid dependence, formed in the territory, is interrelated with greater number of children, dependent on cannabinoids in this territory. With account for made corrections it should be recognized that “saturation level” of the territories, in particular, with cannabinoids results in higher indices of substance dependence among child population.ConclusionsIt should be considered that calculation of intensive indices is conducted for the age group “0–14 years” while diagnosed age range includes children aged 9–14 years, therefore, real indices of dependence, with account for this hypothetical correction, are three times higher as a minimum.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Oxytocin as a Treatment Enhancer in Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Russell J. , Maguire S. , Kesby A. , McGregor I. , O’Dell A. , Treasure J. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionNutritional rehabilitation in anorexia nervosa (AN) is impeded by fear of food, eating and change leading to treatment resistance. Oxytocin exerts prosocial effects on anxiolysis, fear modulation, trust and brain plasticity.ObjectiveA placebo-controlled RCT examined the effects of self-administered intranasal oxytocin (IN-OT) in AN patients.AimTo ascertain whether single and repeated doses of IN-OT enhance treatment in AN.MethodsFemale AN patients self-administered twice daily 18IU IN-OT (n = 21) or placebo (n = 21) for 4–6 weeks during hospital treatment. Weight and BMI were measured at baseline and after treatment. The Eating Disorders Examination (EDE) was the primary outcome measure. Cognitive rigidity was compared between groups after four weeks repeated dosing. The effects of the first and last doses of IN-OT versus placebo, on salivary cortisol before a high-energy afternoon snack, were compared.ResultsWeight gain was similar in IN-OT and placebo groups. Only the EDE eating concern subscale score was significantly lower after 4–6 weeks (mean 35 days) of IN-OT (p = 0.006). Anticipatory levels of salivary cortisol fell from baseline after the initial dose in contrast to the placebo group where levels increased. After four weeks IN-OT, salivary cortisol was significantly lower (p = 0.023) overall with little anticipatory increase compared to placebo. There were no differences in anxiety scores. Cognitive rigidity was significantly lower in the IN-OT group (p= 0.043)ConclusionsSelf-administered IN-OT might enhance nutritional rehabilitation in AN by reducing eating concern and cognitive rigidity. Lower salivary cortisol before a high-energy snack, suggests reduction of fear rather than anxiety.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.