bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Essential Fatty Acids and the Brain
Authors: Haag Marianne 
Published: July 2017

Objective: To review the role of essential fatty acids in brain membrane function and in the genesis of psychiatric disease. Method: Medline databases were searched for published articles with links among the following key words: essential fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexanoic acid, eicosapentanoic acid, arachidonic acid, neurotransmission, phospholipase A2, depression, schizophrenia, mental performance, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimer's disease. Biochemistry textbooks were consulted on the role of fatty acids in membrane function, neurotransmission, and eicosanoid formation. The 3-dimensional structures of fatty acids were obtained from the Web site of the Biochemistry Department, University of Arizona (2001). Results: The fatty acid composition of neuronal cell membrane phospholipids reflects their intake in the diet. The degree of a fatty acid's desaturation determines its 3-dimensional structure and, thus, membrane fluidity and function. The ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in particular, influences various aspects of serotoninergic and catecholaminergic neurotransmission, as shown by studies in animal models. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) hydrolyzes fatty acids from membrane phospholipids: liberated omega-6 PUFAs are metabolized to prostaglandins with a higher inflammatory potential, compared with those generated from the omega-3 family. Thus the activity of PLA2 coupled with membrane fatty acid composition may play a central role in the development of neuronal dysfunction. Intervention trials in human subjects show that omega-3 fatty acids have possible positive effects in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders, but more data are needed to make conclusive directives in this regard. Conclusion: The ratio of membrane omega-3 to omega-6 PUFAs can be modulated by dietary intake. This ratio influences neurotransmission and prostaglandin formation, processes that are vital in the maintenance of normal brain function.
Symptom Outcome 1 Year after Admission to an Early Psychosis Program
Authors: Addington Jean , Leriger Erin , Addington Donald 
Published: July 2017

Objective: To determine the change in positive, negative, and depressive symptoms after 1 year in an early psychosis program. Method: One hundred and eighty subjects were included from the first 257 admissions for a first episode of psychosis to a comprehensive early psychosis program. Most had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder. Subjects were assessed on admission to the program and at 3, 6, and 12 months after admission. All 180 subjects completed the 1-year assessment. Assessment measures included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. Results: There was a clinically and statistically significant improvement in positive symptoms by 3 months, depression increased at 3 months but significantly improved by 12 months, and negative symptoms changed little over the first year. Conclusions: The differential changes in symptoms in the first year after admission have implications for treatment.
The Canadian Psychiatric Association Practice Profile Survey: I. Methods and General Sample Characteristics
Authors: Lin Elizabeth , Woodside D Blake , Rhodes Anne 
Published: July 2017

Objective: To describe the rationale, methodology, and general sample characteristics of the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) practice profile survey, a national survey of psychiatrists and psychiatric practice. Method: Mail-in interviews were sent to all Canadian psychiatrists listed in their provincial registers and to all active CPA members (total = 3628). Respondents provided general information about their professional activities for one 24-hour day and detailed information for 1 randomly selected hour. Patient information—including sociodemographics, diagnostic profiles, functioning levels, risk of harm to self or others, and disposition—was elicited for 1 patient seen during the random hour as well as for the most seriously ill patient receiving clinical services that day. Results: There was a 45.5% response rate. Questionnaires completed by nonpsychiatrists or with a large percentage of missing or incorrect data were eliminated (107 surveys), resulting in a final sample size of 1570. CPA members and those from Western Canada responded at a higher rate to the survey. The results suggest some cause for concern about future manpower shortages. Most psychiatrists practise eclectically, seeing patients across the life-span, and working in both community and institutional settings. The old and the young appear to be underserviced, compared with adults. Conclusions: This study represents an important step forward in evaluating the profile and activities of the profession.
The Neurobiology of Suicide and Suicidality
Authors: van Heeringen Kees 
Published: July 2017

Objective: To investigate the current state of knowledge regarding the neurobiology of suicide and suicidality. Method: The literature on the neurobiology of suicidality and suicide was reviewed. Results: There is clear evidence that the activity of 3 neurobiological systems has a role in the pathophysiology of suicidal behaviour. This includes hyperactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, dysfunction of the serotonergic (5-HTergic) system, and excessive activity of the noradrenergic system. While the first and the last system appear to be involved in the response to stressful events, dysfunction of the serotonergic system is thought to be trait-dependent and associated with disturbances in the regulation of anxiety, impulsivity, and aggression. It can be hypothesized that neurobiological dysfunctions mediate the occurrence of suicidal behaviour through the disturbed modulation of basic neuropsychological functions. Conclusion: Increasing insight into the neurobiological basis of suicidal behaviour suggests that serotonin (5-HT) agonists have an important role in the treatment and prevention of suicidal behaviour. Studies of the efficacy of such drugs have, however, been disappointing. Because suicidal behaviour continues to be a major public health problem, further study is clearly needed, including research on the effect of combined pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches.
Structured Interview Assessment of Symptoms and Concerns in Palliative Care
Authors: Wilson Keith G , Graham Ian D , Viola Raymond A , Chater Susan , de Faye Barbara J , Weaver Lynda A , Lachance Julie A 
Published: July 2017

Objective: Assessment in palliative care requires a multidimensional review of physical symptoms and psychosocial concerns in a format appropriate for patients with advanced illness. In this study, we describe the initial development and validation of a structured interview for assessing common symptoms and concerns faced by terminally ill individuals. Method: We constructed a 13-item Structured Interview for Symptoms and Concerns (SISC) based on a review of end-of-life issues and administered it to 69 patients receiving palliative care for advanced cancer. Along with the interview, each participant completed visual analog scales (VAS) addressing the same constructs. Test–retest and interrater reliability were determined, as was the concordance between interview ratings and VAS scores. Results: Overall, the interview items had excellent interrater reliability (intraclass correlations were > 0.90) and at least moderate temporal stability (test–retest correlations ranged from 0.50 to 0.90). Concurrent validity was evident in the good concordance between interview items and VAS measures (correlations were > 0.70). The SISC was also sensitive to individual differences between subgroups of participants who did or did not meet diagnostic criteria for anxiety or depressive disorders. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that structured interviews provide a reliable and valid approach to assessment in palliative care and may be an appropriate alternative for some research applications.
Psychological Effects of the SARS Outbreak in Hong Kong on High-Risk Health Care Workers
Authors: Chua Siew E , Cheung Vinci , Cheung Charlton , McAlonan Grainne M , Wong Josephine WS , Cheung Erik PT , Chan Marco TY , Wong Michael MC , Tang Siu W , Choy Khai M , Wong Meng K , Chu Chung M , Tsang Kenneth WT 
Published: July 2017

Objective: To quantify stress and the psychological impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) on high-risk health care workers (HCWs). Method: We evaluated 271 HCWs from SARS units and 342 healthy control subjects, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to assess stress levels and a structured list of putative psychological effects of SARS to assess its psychological effects. Healthy control subjects were balanced for age, sex, education, parenthood, living circumstances, and lack of health care experience. Results: Stress levels were raised in both groups (PSS = 18) but were not relatively increased in the HCWs. HCWs reported significantly more positive (94%, n = 256) and more negative psychological effects (89%, n = 241) from SARS than did control subjects. HCWs declared confidence in infection-control measures. Conclusions: In HCWs, adaptive responses to stress and the positive effects of infection control training may be protective in future outbreaks. Elevated stress in the population may be an important indicator of future psychiatric morbidity.
Validation de la Version française du Questionnaire de Sociotropie-Autonomie de Beck et collègues
Authors: Husky Mathilde M , Grondin Olivier S , Compagnone Philippe D 
Published: July 2017

Objectifs: L'objectif de cette étude est la validation de la version française du “Sociotropy- Autonomy Scale” (SAS) de Beck et collègues. Le SAS est un autoquestionnaire de 60 items divisé en 2 dimensions mesurant la sociotropie et l'autonomie. Méthode: Mille vingt-huit étudiants ont rempli le SAS, dont 140 ont conjointement rempli le “Personal Style Inventory-Revised” de Robins et collègues, et 75 ont repassé le SAS à 3 mois d'intervalle. Résultats: L'analyse factorielle en composante principale effectuée sur les 60 items a permis de dégager 2 dimensions distinctes: la sociotropie et l'autonomie. Les analyses factorielles appliquées à chaque dimension ont permis l'identification de 6 sous-dimensions comme dans l'outil original. Conclusion: La version française présente des qualités psychométriques et conceptuelles satisfaisantes et permet l'étude de ces dimensions dans un échantillon francophone. La discussion des résultats porte sur l'adéquation avec la version originale de Beck.
Depressive Symptoms and Alcohol Consumption among Nonalcoholic Depression Patients Treated with Desipramine
Authors: Goldstein Benjamin I , Schaffer Ayal , Levitt Anthony , Zaretsky Ari , Joffe Russell T , Wesson Virginia , Bagby R Michael 
Published: July 2017

Objective: There are few data addressing the effect of alcohol consumption on response to antidepressants among nonalcoholics with depression. Similarly, the effect of antidepressant treatment on alcohol consumption in this group is not yet understood. This study focuses on changes in depressive symptoms and alcohol consumption in response to treatment with desipramine. Method: Twenty-seven nonalcoholic outpatients with major depression (as determined by the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version) completed measures of depression (that is, the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory) and alcohol consumption at intake and after 5 weeks of open treatment with desipramine. Subjects were characterized as minimal or mild-to-moderate drinkers. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to effectiveness of antidepressant treatment. Analysis for repeated measures demonstrated that alcohol consumption with desipramine was significantly lower after treatment than at intake ( F = 4.8, df 23:2, P < 0.01). Further, carbohydrate consumption was also significantly lower after treatment than at intake ( F = 4.4, df 23:2, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Desipramine treatment appeared to result in decreases in alcohol consumption in nonalcoholic patients with depression. Further research is needed to elucidate the effect of alcohol consumption on the course and outcome of major depressive illness among nonalcoholics as well as the effect of antidepressant medication on alcohol consumption in this population.
Screening for Mild Cognitive Impairment: Comparing the SMMSE and the ABCS
Authors: Molloy D William , Standish Timothy IM , Lewis David L 
Published: July 2017

Objective: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of the AB Cognitive Screen (ABCS) with the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE) to differentiate normal cognition from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), especially when educational level and age are taken into account. Method: This cross-sectional study took place at geriatric outpatient memory clinics. Participants were community-dwelling adults, aged 55 years or over, referred from primary care settings (a minority of participants were referred from specialists) for assessment of memory loss and age-matched control subjects with no complaint of memory loss. Each participant had the ABCS and the SMMSE administered in random order on the same day. Results: Participants included 124 patients diagnosed with MCI and 111 with normal cognitive function. The ABCS showed a statistically significant difference between normal cognition and MCI (ABCS score 111.7 and 104.6 points, respectively, P < 0.001) for the whole group. This difference was significant with the ABCS, regardless of participants' age or education. There was a significant difference between normal cognition and MCI for SMMSE scores (SMMSE score 27.8 and 27.2 points, respectively, P = 0.040), but the differences were not significant when age and education were taken into account. Age and education were shown to affect the scores of both instruments except for the ABCS scores of MCI subjects, which were not significantly affected by education ( P = 0.059). Conclusions: The ABCS is more sensitive than the SMMSE in differentiating normal cognition from MCI. The ABCS appears to be less influenced by education. It has improved clinical utility with a wider range of scoring gradations, reduced ceiling effects, and shorter scoring and administration times.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with and without Obsessive—Compulsive Behaviours: Clinical Characteristics, Cognitive Assessment, and Risk Factors
Authors: Arnold Paul Daniel , Ickowicz Abel , Chen Shirley , Schachar Russell 
Published: July 2017

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of obsessive–compulsive behaviours (OCB) in a clinical sample of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to compare ADHD children (with and without OCB) with respect to clinical and cognitive characteristics and risk factors. Method: We compared ADHD children ( n = 134) with and without OCB, and we compared all ADHD children with a group of normal control subjects ( n = 26) on various clinical, cognitive, and inhibitory control measures; neurobiological and psychosocial risk factors; and family histories of psychiatric illness. Results: Clinically significant OCB was identified in 11.2% (15/134) of children with ADHD. Comorbid OCB was associated with significantly increased perfectionism, improved teacher ratings of inattention, and a decreased likelihood of having a first-degree relative with ADHD. Comorbid ADHD and OCB may also be associated with increased oppositional behaviour at home and better inhibitory control, though these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Comorbid OCB is common in clinically referred children with ADHD and is associated with increased impairment relative to ADHD alone. Further, children with ADHD and OCB may develop symptoms as the result of different genetic and environmental risk factors, compared with children with ADHD only.
The Gambling Follow-up Scale: Development and Reliability Testing of a Scale for Pathological Gamblers under Treatment
Authors: de Castro Viviane , Fuentes Daniel , Tavares Hermano 
Published: July 2017

Objective: To provide preliminary data on the Gambling Follow-Up Scale (GFS), a new scale assessing recovering gamblers. Secondary goals included assessing the impact of “work status,” “family relationship,” “leisure,” and “enrolment in Gamblers Anonymous (GA)” on gambling (all items from the scale), together with the impact of treatment. Method: Using the GFS, 3 independent raters interviewed gamblers under treatment. The sample was collected in 2 university centres in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Patients attended psychotherapy coupled with psychiatric follow-up, participation in GA, or both. Results: We interviewed 47 pathological gamblers; 13 were interviewed twice, with a minimum interval of 6 months, for a total of 60 GFS interviews. Interviews took on average 6.0 minutes, SD 2.7. Interrater concordance ranged from 82% to 95% (intraclass correlation coefficient range 0.85 to 0.99, P < 0.001). A factorial analysis showed a 1-factor solution (Eigenvalue = 2.4, 47.6% of total variance accounted). “Leisure,” “frequency and time gambling,” and “family relationship” showed considerable loadings (0.84; 0.71; 0.71), whereas “enrolment in GA” and “work status” showed moderate loadings (0.59; 0.56). A linear regression model significantly correlated gambling ( R2 = 0.356; P < 0.001) with “leisure” and length of treatment. Treatment modalities affected “leisure” ( F2,43 = 5.00, P = 0.011), with GA attendees reporting more regular and gratifying activities. Conclusions: The GFS showed interrater reliability and construct validity. More leisure and lengthier treatment were significantly related to less gambling. GA enrolment seemed to particularly benefit the quality of leisure. Future studies could profit from the quickness and simple structure of the GFS in providing shareable outcome measures.
First-Episode Psychosis, Early Intervention, and Outcome: What Have We Learned?
Authors: Malla Ashok K , Norman Ross MG , Joober Ridha 
Published: July 2017

Objective: There has been increased interest in the potential of early intervention to positively influence outcome in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and, consequently, to influence mental health policy and practice. This study's objective was to examine the concept of early intervention and the evidence that currently exists to support such a shift in the delivery of care. Method: We examined the evidence for phase-specific treatment of FEP, looking for interventions that attempt to arrest the transition from a putative prodromal state to full psychosis, as well as for interventions that attempt to reduce delay in treatment. Results: Some evidence supports specialized FEP interventions for short-term outcome in terms of symptom reduction, relapse rates, and greater adherence to and retention in treatment. As well, there is modest support for benefits to aspects of social and community functioning and satisfaction with life. Limited evidence supports a positive effect of community-wide case detection in terms of reduced delays in treatment and pharmacologic and psychological interventions in the prodromal phase. Conclusions: The field of early intervention in psychosis is young, with encouraging preliminary results, especially for improving outcome in established FEP. It requires further study, especially of longer-term outcome. Further studies need to examine the effects of a specialized approach on longer-term outcome and to explore cost-effective methods to reduce delays in treatment and provide interventions in the prodromal phase.
A European Approach to Rural—Urban Differences in Mental Health: The ESEMeD 2000 Comparative Study
Authors: Kovess-Masféty Viviane , Alonso Jordi , de Graaf Ron , Demyttenaere Koen 
Published: July 2017

Objective: The study aimed to answer the following questions: Are there any rural–urban differences in mental health, once sociodemographic variables are controlled for, and are any of these differences observed in EU countries? Did the individuals suffering from mental health disorders have the same characteristics in rural and urban areas, particularly concerning self-reported impairment? Method: The European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD 2000 study) is a cross-sectional, in-person, household interview survey based on probability samples representative of the adult population of 6 European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The rural population is defined as those living in towns with fewer than 10 000 inhabitants, and the urban population is defined as those living in towns or cities with 10 000 or more inhabitants. A stratified, multistage, random sample without replacement was drawn in each country. The overall response rate of the study was about 61.2% (weighted response rate). Results: The study results confirmed previous findings on the variation in mood disorders between rural and urban areas. Overall, urbanicity seemed to be linked to a higher risk of mental health disorders, particularly depressive disorders, whereas the link to anxiety disorders was only moderate and there was no link at all to alcohol disorders. Country differences concerned male respondents and not female respondents, with the exception of Belgium, where the differences concerned women only (and showed fewer disorders in rural areas). Conclusions: This study will, hopefully, stimulate further intra-European studies using comparable methods and instruments to look at the experience across the European continent and introduce steps to harmonize rural–urban population limits across diverse countries.
Using Publication Statistics for Evaluation in Academic Psychiatry
Authors: Maunder Robert G 
Published: July 2017

Objective: The validity of using publication statistics to evaluate university faculty is not established. This study aimed to determine if publication statistics vary among psychiatric faculty members of different academic rank and if there are biases among disciplines. Method: Using the 10 most recent publications written by psychiatric faculty members at 2 schools of medicine, we compared the time to publish 10 papers, the 5-year impact, the citation rate, and the citation ratio according to academic rank and school. Leaders in neuroscience were compared with leaders in clinical subspecialties. Results: All statistics were associated with academic rank ( P ⩽ 0.001) and there were significant differences between the 2 schools. There were more basic scientists than clinical subspecialists in the 80th percentile for 5-year impact ( P = 0.04), but the latter disciplines performed equally in citation ratio. Conclusions: Publication statistics differ among academic ranks. Citation ratio minimizes the effect of biases among disciplines. Publication statistics may provide useful information for evaluating psychiatric faculty.