bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Dysfunctions in Chronic Schizophrenia Patients in Relationship with Clinical and Functional Capacity
Authors: Tintila C. , Miclutia I.V. , Popescu C. , Barsan I. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:The aims of the current study are:•To examine the clinical symptoms and functional capacity of the patients.•To evaluate the cognitive dysfunctions and to see how they develop in 6 month.•To examine the relationship between clinical and functional capacity and the cognitive dysfunctions of the chronic schizophrenia patients.Method:24 people with chronic schizophrenia were followed up 6 month along with a control group of 50 individuals free from schizophrenia. Patients were diagnosed using DSM-IV criteria, assessed with the PANSS, GAF, to evaluate psychiatric symptoms, respectively functionality. Rey Memory Test, Trail Making, Spatial Recognition Memory (SRM),Spatial Working Memory (SWM), Paired Associated Learning (PAL), Spatial Spam (SSP) and Stoking of Cambridge (SOC) from the CANTAB were applied to all patients at the start point of the study and after 6 month, in order to evaluate the cognitive functions.Results:The overall performance of chronic schizophrenia patients was significantly lower compared to healthy individuals on all cognitive tasks. the cognitive dysfunction is independent of age and intellectual level, but does correlate with global functioning and remain stable. CANTAB is a useful tool to detect and estimate the cognitive impairments.Conclusions:The current study reveals that cognitive impairments are a central feature of schizophrenia and a major cause of poor functioning of the patients. the chronic schizophrenia patients perform worse on all investigated cognitive domains (memory, attention and executive function). the reviewed studies show different opinions about the development of these impairments. Further longitudinal studies are required in order to settle if they remain stable or progress in time.
Blood Flow of Carotid Arteries in Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Toubaei S. 
Published: March 2009

Background:Based on new imaging, some results have led to the hypothesis, indicating left hemispheric dysfunction in schizophrenic patients,Transcranial color Doppler sonography also showed significant blood flow velocity changes in schizophrenic patients.Our study tried to clarify possible differences between carotid blood flow of each side, in symptom positive and symptom negative schizophrenic patients, as well as differences of blood flow between schizophrenic patients versus control cases.Methods:31 schizophrenic patients which had been selected randomly were divided in two separate groups of symptom positive (14 cases) and symptom negative (17 cases) patients, according to PANSS test. Then carotid color Doppler sonography was performed for them and for 32 control cases.Velosities (PSV, DV) and Doppler indices (RL, PI) were measured to be compared statistically in patients and control cases.Results:According to P value < 0.05 as level of significance in all comparisons, no evidence of any significant differences is seen between two sides of patients(positive symptoms and negative symptoms) as though between control cases and patients. No positive conclusion also derived based on sex interference.Conclusion:So examination reveals no differences between carotid blood flows of two sides in schizophrenic patients(positive and negative symptom).There is no differences between carotid blood flow of patients and control group, even when sex interfered as a variety.
Bupropion Increases Rate of Smoking Abstinence in Smokers with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Trial Data
Authors: Tsoi D.T.-Y. , Porwal M. , Webster A.C. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:In patients with schizophrenia, higher rates of tobacco dependency contribute significantly to increased morbidity and mortality of various physical illnesses. However, evidence for treatment of nicotine addiction in these patients is uncertain. We performed a systematic review of the effectiveness and safety of bupropion (Zyban) for smoking cessation in schizophrenia.Method:We searched databases and conference proceedings for reports of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in all languages, comparing bupropion with placebo or with a different therapeutic control in adult smokers with schizophrenia. Eligibility and quality of RCTs were independently assessed by two reviewers. Results are synthesised using a random effects model and expressed as Risk Ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD), both with 95% confidence interval (CI).Results:16 reports from six RCTs were included (258 participants). Smoking cessation rates after bupropion were significantly higher than placebo at the end of bupropion treatment (RR 2.56, CI 1.46 to 4.50) and at six months (RR 2.82, CI 1.04 to 7.69). Expired carbon monoxide level was significantly lower with bupropion at the end of therapy (MD -5.39ppm, CI -7.43 to -3.34ppm) but the effect was not sustained at six months (p=0.33). Positive and negative symptoms were not significantly different between bupropion and placebo group, but depressive symptoms were significantly reduced with bupropion at the end of treatment. There were no seizures reported with bupropion use.Conclusion:Our review suggests that bupropion increases the rates of smoking abstinence in smokers with schizophrenia, without jeopardising their mental state.
Peculiarities of Biochemical Changes in the First-episode Drug Naïve Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Uzbekov M. , Misionzhnik E. , Gurovich I. , Shmukler A. 
Published: March 2009

Aim:The aim of the study was to investigate the state of parameters characterizing different sites of metabolism and the degree of endogenous intoxication in drug-naïve first episode schizophrenic patients (FES).Methods:Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) and serum semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activities, serum concentrations of middle-mass endotoxic molecules (MMEM) and malondialdehyde and parameters of serum albumin functional state (Uzbekov et al., 2006) were measured in 16 FES patients and 15 age-matched healthy volunteers.Results:Severity of disorder prior the treatment was 73.1±12.5 according to PANSS score. FES patients were characterized by significant increase in MAO activity (by 107 %) and MMEM concentration (by 140 %) and significant decrease in SSAO activity (by 29 %) as compared with controls. Degree of endogenous intoxication in 13 patients was assessed as moderate and severe. Changes of all other parameters were insignificant. Regression analysis has shown significant relationship of 3 parameters - MAO (p< 0,01), SSAO (p< 0,01) and MMEM (p< 0,02) with values of PANNS score. Three methods of extraction of factor analysis have revealed that MAO and SSAO are belonged to factor 1 whereas MMEM and albumin functional parameters - to factor 2.Conclusions:It is supposed that MAO and SSAO are integral components of schizophrenia pathogenetic mechanisms. Comparing our earlier data on chronic schizophrenic patients with these data we suppose that FES patients are on the stage of the formation of the pathological state of metabolism.Study was partially supported by the ISTC grant 3156.
the Evaluation of Mentalization Deficit with Faux Pas Tests in Schizophrenia
Authors: Varga E. , Herold R. , Tényi T. , Fekete S. 
Published: March 2009

Background:Patients with schizophrenia have difficulties in representing the mental states of others. the capacity to appreciate others’ mental states is called Theory of Mind (ToM). Usually patients in remission are able to pass first- and second order ToM tasks, but they have difficulties with understanding more complex situations. A faux pas (FP) task contains a social situation when someone says something he or she should not have said, or something awkward. Understanding these situations requires higher-order ToM skills. in our study faux pas tasks were used to assess mentalization deficits among patients with schizophrenia in remission.Methods:Seventeen patients and seventeen matched control individuals were evaluated. ToM skills were assessed by computerized FP tasks. the answers and the time the participants used to read the stories and answer the questions were recorded. the participants carried out 5 FP tasks and 5 control tasks.Results:Patients with schizophrenia performed significantly worse in faux pas tasks (p=0,0033), and memory questions (p=0,0033). Patients needed significantly more time to read both faux pas (p=0,0098) and control stories (p=0,0002). However the patients did not spend significantly more time to answer the questions then the control subjects (p=0,9966 p=0,8705).Discussion:Patients with schizophrenia performed a sinificant impairment in ToM tasks. Beside, an improving tendency was found also in the patient's and in the control group's answers suggesting a capacity to “learn” in the dimension of mentalization.
Neurocognitive Predictors of Functioning in Schizophrenia: Five Years Follow Up Study
Authors: Vargas M.L. , Sanz J.C. , Jimeno-Bulnes N. , Lopez S. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:Verbal memory and processing speed are two of the proposed neurocognitive predictors in schizophrenia. the objective is to determinate neurocognitive predictors of functioning in one five years follow-up period on ambulatory schizophrenia patients.Method:We conduct one cohort study on 30 schizophrenia out-patients (19 male; age mean: 32.8 years; SD:7.2). at the moment of inclusion it was applied one neuropsychological battery sensitive to neuropsychological deficit in schizophrenia: WAIS-III, BADS, WCST, Colour Trails, Trail Making A and B, BVRT, California Verbal Learning Test (Spanish version: TAVEC). Variables was summarized determining Z values and principal components. the cohort was prospectively studied for up to five years. as result variables it were considered: time to the first antipsychotic-drug change, time to the first psychiatric admission, and average five-years annual score in the Strauss-Carpenter Outcome Scale. It was constructed Cox and Linear Regression Models to determinate the better predicting neurocognitive components.Results:The better global outcome was directly related with WAIS-III processing speed index (corrected R square: 0.19; p = 0.02; beta constant= 0.469; beta WAIS-III processing speed= 0.125). None predictor was selected for the outcome variable change of antipsychotic. Psychiatric admission was predicted (p=0.006) by implicit learning (beta= -2.19), executive functioning (beta= 1.02), WAIS-III Total IQ (beta= 0.45) and WAIS-III Perceptual Organization Index (beta= -0.20).Conclusion:Higher processing speed index predicts one better functioning outcome during five-years follow-up. the risk for psychiatric admission was heterogeneously related with neurocognitive predictors. Verbal memory did not predict functional outcome.
Comorbidity in Schizophrenia
Authors: Chinchilla A. , Vega M. , Cebollada A. , Alvarez T. , Gómez M. , Pando F. , Erausquin C. , de Velasco R. Martinez , De La Vega D. 
Published: March 2009

Introduction:The coexistence of comorbidity in schizophrenia (somatic, dual pathology, personality…) can conditionate evolution and prognosis in this severe mental illness, those aspects should be taken in account to planify treatments and follow up issues.Objective:We are interested in this work in evaluate previous and developed comorbidity in schizophrenic patients; we also analyzed comorbidity consequences in clinical, therapeutical management, treatment adherence, relapses and hospitalizations.Material and method:In 50 Schizophrenic patients (DSM-IV TR Diagnostic criteria) with at least one previous psychotic episode we have studied longitudinal and transversally sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutical variables, related comorbidity (somatic, drugs related and dual pathology) and evolution, prognosis, clinical, treatment adherence and tolerance variables were also studied. We also evaluate psychopathologic and medical status (EEG, EKG, Chest RX, BMI, body weight, general analysis) secondary effects were registered. Uxue and CGI were the scales used.Results:Between 20% and 25% had other medical conditions, and 25-30% had some kind of drug abuse, those were who had worse prognosis, more secondary effects and usually were treated with classic antipsychotics.Conclusions:The results are discussed, and we propose integrative treatments for schizophrenia and the co morbidities, focusing on affectivity and tolerance.
Influence of Personality on Sexual Satisfaction in Patients Suffering from Schizophrenia and Depression
Authors: Peitl M. Vucic , Peitl V. , Pavlovic E. , Ljubicic D. 
Published: March 2009

Background:Although there is no consensus regarding the definition of personality, personality psychology is getting near to understanding that personality traits can be summed up into five basic dimensions. Five factor personality model consists of these five basic dimensions: neuroticism, extraversion/introversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness.Aim:Of this research was to establish in what manner certain personality traits of patients suffering from schizophrenia and depression and healthy individuals, influence their sexual satisfaction.Participants and methods:This research was conducted on 100 patients suffering from schizophrenia, 100 patients suffering from depression and 100 healthy individuals. Instruments used in this research were: five factor personality questionnaire and sexual experience scale (Arizona).Results:Among patients suffering from schizophrenia, sexual drive and easier sexual arousal were linked to higher extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness and to lower neuroticism. among patients suffering from depression, smaller number and less pronounced sexual dysfunctions were linked to higher extraversion, openness to experience and conscientiousness, and also to lower neuroticism. among healthy individuals, higher extraversion is linked to easier sexual arousal and higher neuroticism to lower orgasm satisfaction.Conclusion:Personality traits have a significant influence on sexual satisfaction of patients suffering from depression and patients suffering from schizophrenia, but also of healthy individuals.
Kibra Allelic Variation is Associated with Memory Processes in Early Onset Schizophrenia
Authors: Vyas N.S. , Burke L. , Vourdas A. , Vassos E. , Frangou S. , Collier D.A. 
Published: March 2009

Background:A single nucleotide polymorphism, rs17070145, in the KIBRA protein, is thought to influence memory function in humans (Papassotiropoulos et al, 2006). We sought to investigate its effect on memory performance in people with Early Onset Schizophrenia (EOS; onset before age of 18) and their first-degree relatives.Methods:53 EOS probands and 117 non-psychotic first-degree relatives were examined on IQ (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised), learning and memory (California Verbal Learning Test; CVLT). the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV yielded four diagnostic groups: EOS probands; relatives with Mood Disorders; other Axis I diagnoses; and no diagnosis (healthy relatives). Analysis of co-variance was performed, with diagnosis and genotype as fixed factors and age as covariate.Results:Carriers of the rs17070145 T allele achieved higher performance IQ, and recalled more words in short-delayed and long-delayed recall in the CVLT compared to C allele carriers [p< 0.003 and p< 0.009, respectively]. However TT homozygotes made more perseverative errors than C allele carriers [p=0.04]. after applying the Bonferroni for multiple comparisons, a genotype by diagnosis interaction revealed that relatives who were TT homozygotes and had mood disorders performed better on long-delayed recall [p< 0.04] but made more intrusion errors in the CVLT than the CC/CT genotype group.Conclusions:KIBRA may be involved in:1.processes that enhance overall competence in non-verbal tasks;2.phenotypic expression of cognition in mentally unwell relatives of schizophrenia patients.
Neurocognitive Vulnerability Indicators in Psychosis
Authors: Vyas N.S. , Frangou S. 
Published: March 2009

Background:Cognitive impairments are considered a component of the extended clinical syndrome of schizophrenia. the aim of the current project was to investigate putative cognitive deficits in individuals with Early Onset Schizophrenia (EOS; defined herein as onset before the age of 18) and their relatives.Methods:53 EOS probands and 117 unaffected first-degree-relatives were examined on memory (Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised), verbal learning and recognition (California Verbal Learning Test), and attention (SPAN of apprehension test and degraded-stimulus continuous performance test (DS-CPT)). the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV yielded four diagnostic groups: EOS probands; relatives with Mood Disorders; other Axis I diagnoses; and no diagnosis (healthy). Analysis of co-variance was performed with diagnosis as fixed factor and age as covariate.Results:EOS probands under performed on General Memory, Verbal Memory and Delayed Recall indices (WMS-R) compared to their relatives. both EOS and relatives with a mood disorder performed less well on Visual memory and Attention/Concentration indices [p< 0.001]. Relatives without Axis I diagnosis differentiated from EOS on all indices [p< 0.01]. Verbal learning and recognition impairments segregated in EOS and differentiated patients from their relatives. EOS probands and relatives with an Axis I diagnoses showed rapid visual information processing impairments (SPAN) compared to healthy relatives, while sustained attention (DS-CPT) remained relatively preserved in EOS and relatives.Conclusions:Genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may be mediated by visual information processing impairments, which differentiates healthy relatives from relatives with an Axis I diagnosis. Sustained attention seems to be a selective strength in EOS and relatives.
Association Study between Ntrk2 Gene Polymorphisms and Schizophrenia in Chinese Han People
Authors: Yi Z. 
Published: March 2009

Objective:To explore the relationships between Neurotrophic Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Type 2 (NTRK2) gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.Methods:The NTRK2SNPs rs1187272 were genotyped by applying polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RLFP) technique in 100 patients with schizophrenia and 119 unrelated healthy controls, then the comparison of the alleles and genotypes frequencies of the NTRK2 gene between two groups was performed.Results:There were no significant difference in alleles（χ2=1.78, df=1, P>0.05）and genotypes（χ2=1.01, df=2, P>0.05） distribution of NTRK2 gene between patients and controls. There were also no significant difference in alleles（χ2=2.70, df=3, P>0.05）and genotypes（χ2=4.72, df=6, P>0.05） distribution among male and female patients and controls. There were significant difference in alleles（χ2=5.53, df=1, P=0.02）distribution between different first-onset age patients groups, There were also significant difference in alleles（χ2=4.38, df=1, P=0.04）distribution between schizophrenia with earlier first-onset age (≤25 years old) and control subjects.Conclusion:The NTRK2 gene was associated with schizophrenia with earlier first-onset age, and it may be one of common susceptible genes for schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.
Efficacy of the Integrated Long-term Program of Management of Patients after First Psychotic Episode in 5-year Follow-up [P03-221]
Authors: Zaytseva Y. 
Published: March 2009

The study was carried out as prospective, longitudinal investigation of first episode patients having been treated in the integrative program in first episode clinic (1st group, 114 patients) and in routine care (2nd group, 109 patients) during 5-year follow-up. the integrated program included management according to the following principles: decrease of duration of untreated psychosis; using of services with initial or early transition to day treatment and at the following outpatient treatment stages; primary use of atypical neuroleptics in combination with psychosocial interventions; long-term follow up with individualized case management; family involvement in treatment and rehabilitation process. the efficacy was evaluated according to the comparative pairwise analysis using initial demographical and clinical characteristics of patients (34 pairs).Comparing to the routine care, patients who have been treated in first episode clinic were more adherent to therapy regimen during the follow-up period, more than half of patients maintained the condition of complete remission. Moreover, patients of the 1st group were more likely to show help-seeking behavior and referred to services during the earlier stages of the exacerbation, therefore the relapse rates were decreased and 2/3 of patients were treated in outpatient settings. Symptomatic control of the illness contributed to social recovery in patients within integrated care. by the 5th year, only 1/5 of the cases of the 1st group were formally recognized as unemployable due to psychiatric disability. Significantly better clinical and psychosocial outcomes have been shown in comparison with the group of patients, treated in routine psychiatric services.
A Weak Association of the CLDN5 Locus with Schizophrenia in Chinese Case-control Samples
Authors: Wu N. , Zhang X. , Ye L. , Xu Q. , Jin S. , Wang Z. , Liu S. , Ju G. , Shen Y. , Wei J. 
Published: March 2009

Background:An increasing number of studies have described the relationship between velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) and schizophrenia. in a family-based study, we found that rs10314, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) present in the 3’-flanking region of the CLDN5 gene, was associated with schizophrenia among a Chinese population. High false positive rate is a common problem with the association study of human diseases. It is very important to replicate an initial finding with different samples and experimental designs.Methods:A total of 749 patients with schizophrenia and 383 age and sex matched healthy control subjects in Chinese population were recruited. PCR-based RFLP protocol was applied to genotype rs10314 to see its disease association.Results:The χ2 goodness-of-fit test showed that the genotypic distributions of rs10314 were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both the patient group (χ2=1.12, P=0.289) and the control group (χ2=0.22, P=0.639). rs10314 was associated with schizophrenia with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.32 in the male subjects (χ2=5.45, P=0.02, 95% CI 1.05-1.67) but not in the female subjects (χ2=0.64, P=0.425, OR=1.14, 95% CI 0.83-1.57). the χ2 test showed a genotypic association only for combined samples (χ2=7.80, df=2, P=0.02). SNP rs10314 is a G to C base change. Frequency of the genotypes containing the C allele was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group.Conclusions:The present work shows that the CLDN5 gene polymorphism is more likely to be involved in schizophrenic men than women, suggesting that this gene may contribute to the gender differences in schizophrenia.