bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dementia in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Comparison of MRI and 1H-MRS Findings Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Mullins D. , Lamar M. , Daly E. , Simmons A. , Murphy K. , Lovestone S. , Murphy D. 
Published: March 2009

Aim:To compare Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS) between people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Background review:AD is characterised by cognitive impairment. 10-15% of people with MCI progress to dementia each year. The hippocampus is involved in memory functioning and is one of the brain regions first affected by AD. MRI based hippocampal volumetric measurement enables accurate quantification of atrophy. In addition, 1H-MRS can be used to measure concentrations of brain metabolites including myoinositol (mI) and N-acetylaspartate (NAA). NAA is a proxy measure of neuronal density.Method:Subjects with AD (n=46), MCI (n=28) and controls (n=39) were scanned using a 1.5 Tesla MR system. Manual tracing of hippocampal volumes was undertaken using Measure software. 1H-MRS voxels of interest were defined in the left and right hippocampi. A point-resolved spectroscopy pulse sequence produced spectra from each voxel and clearly resolved NAA and mI peaks. Statistical analysis was undertaken using SPSS15.Results:Hippocampal volumes were significantly reduced between AD and controls (p=0.003) and between AD and MCI (p=0.001). Compared to controls, individuals with AD and MCI had a significant reduction in [NAA]. MCI showed a non-significant increase in [mI]. A positive relationship was found between hippocampal volume and [NAA] and between hippocampal volume and [mI] for MCI.Conclusions:AD is associated with decreased viable neuronal density/function (as measured by NAA) and a reduction in hippocampal volume associated with impaired cognitive functioning. The elevated [mI] in MCI may be a “tipping point” into dementia.
Neural Activation During the STROOP Task in Bipolar Disorder Patients and Their Unaffected Relatives
Authors: Pompei F. , Haldane M. , Kempton M. , Jogia J. , Girardi P. , Tatarelli R. , Frangou S. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:To examine potential similarities in neural activation during the STROOP colour word test (SCWT) in patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD) and their unaffected first degree relatives of BD patients as an expression of genetic predisposition.Methods:39 remitted BD patients were compared to 46 of their healthy relatives and to 42 controls. fMRI data were collected on a 1.5 T GE Signa MR system using a blocked periodic design and analysed in SPM5.Results:There was no statistically significant group difference in the behavioural performance. At the corrected cluster level threshold of p< 0.001 controls showed more activation than:a.BD patients in the caudate, the inferior (BA 47), middle and superior frontal gyri (BA 8, 6, 46), the parietal cortices (BA 7, 40), the precuneus and occipital cortices (BA 7, 19).b.Relatives in the caudate and cingulate cortex (BA 24, 31!). No other contrasts were significant.Conclusion:These findings suggest that changes in neural activation during response inhibition may reflect genetic predisposition to BD.
Affect Recognition Deficits in First Episode Schizophrenia and in Subjects with Anxiety Disorders: An ERP Study
Authors: Mazza M. , Lucci G. , Pollice R. , Roncone R. , Casacchia M. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:Disturbances in affect recognition may be one of the most pervasive and serious aspects of the schizophrenic patient's interpersonal problems. Many of the studies used chronic patients, and therefore present difficulties in interpretation of results, due to the confounding influence of institutionalization, length of disease, cognitive deficits, and positive symptoms. If emotion recognition deficits are a core feature of schizophrenia, they should be apparent in a first-episode sample.Aim of the study was to examine affect recognition deficits in first psychotic episode and in young suffering of anxiety disorders (using a case-control design) during event-related potentials (ERPs).Method:Pictures from Ekman and Friesen series has been used in an ERPs study to investigate the neurophysiological correlates of the emotional processing of fear and happiness in patients with first episode (N°12) and in patients (N°12) with anxiety disorders versus healthy subjects. The three groups were compared using a visual oddball design.Results:Significant differences between groups in ERP components, the P100, N170, and N250 latency and amplitude differences for target stimuli faces were found. Significant differences were also observed in amplitude between positive and negative expression. First episode schizophrenic patients showed reduced amplitude in front of positive vs. negative stimuli. Anxious subjects did not show amplitude difference between the two kinds of emotional stimuli.Conclusion:We can hypothesized that subjects with first-episode show specific altered patterns of cognitive effort in the perception of different emotional stimuli compared to normal controls and subjects affected by anxiety disorders.
The Role of Quantitative Electroencephalography in Psychiatry
Authors: Rodrigues T. , Saavedra I. 
Published: March 2009

Background:The more recent advances in the field of Neurosciences include the study of abnormal pathophysiological findings in patients suffering from Psychiatric disorders. Several new brain imaging technologies are conveying numerous data concerning structural and functional abnormalities in such patients.Aims:To provide an overview of the role of quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG) in Psychiatry.Methods:Review of the literature.Results:Among the various imaging studies, the application of three-dimensional qEEG may be the most practical and economic alternative. The qEEG consists in the statistical analysis of the EEG parameters, with computer-treated data. It is a portable, radiation-free, non-invasive method that measures excitatory and inhibitory cortical neuronal activity directly.Conclusion:The latest literature regarding the potential role of the qEEG in Psychiatry debates its applicability in clinical settings. Several authors have been trying to evaluate its usefulness in clinical diagnosis and prediction of response to medication. We review the possible recommendations for the use of this test and the controversies surrounding them.
Meta-analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies in Velocardiofacial Syndrome (VCFS)
Authors: Tan G. , Arnone D. , McIntosh A.M. , Ebmeier K.P. 
Published: March 2009

Introduction:Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is a common genetic disorder due to a micro deletion on chromosome 22q11. This region includes several risk-associated genetic variants, including COMT, and VCFS is associated with a substantially increased risk for schizophrenia. As such, VCFS may serve as a valuable model for clarifying the neuroanatomical changes associated with genetic risk for psychosis.Methods:A systematic literature search was conducted. Studies were included if they presented original data and were published by March 2008, compared subjects with VCFS and healthy controls and reported measures of brain regions according to SI units as mean and standard deviation. Data extracted from the studies included diagnosis, demographic variables and IQ. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA 8.0 supplemented by ‘Metan’ software.Results:Twenty studies were retrieved. All measures were expressed in volumes apart from the corpus callosum (area). Subjects with VCFS showed reduced total brain volume (N=156 versus N=138), ([ES]=1.04, 95% CI:1.40, -0.67), with no significant heterogeneity or publication bias. This reduction was reflected in total hemisphere grey and white matter. Prefrontal, parieto-occipital and temporal cortices appeared to be particularly affected. A number of sub-cortical areas also showed decreased volumes including the hippocampus and putamen. In contrast, callosal areas were increased in VCFS.Conclusion:In relation to controls, subjects with VCFS present with an overall reduction in brain volumes and specific abnormalities in multiple cortical and subcortical brain regions. These abnormalities may explain partly why VCFS is associated with a greatly increased risk of psychosis and other psychiatric disorders.
Gender Differences in [123I]-ADAM Binding to Serotonin Transporters in Patients with Major Depression Before and After Treatment with Citalopram
Authors: Uebelhack K. , Franke L. , Herold N. , Plotkin M. , Amthauer H. , Uebelhack R. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:The aim was to determine the relation between characteristics of [123I]-ADAM binding to serotonin transporters (SERT) in several brain regions to different symptoms in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) and to analyze data for males and females separately. Differences of [123I]-ADAM binding in patients before and after treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant Citalopram were assessed.Method:12 non medicated patients (5 females and 7 males) diagnosed with MDD were examined by SPECT with specific Serotonin transporter radioligand [123I]-ADAM before and after treatment with SSRI Citalopram. We administered the dose of 10 mg Citalopram per day intravenously at first day, followed by a 6 days period of oral application. After 7 days of treatment patients were examined for second time with SPECT. The relationships between [123I]-ADAM binding and different aspects of major depression represented by HAMD items, assessed twice by Hamilton Depression-Scale (HAMD) once at baseline and second after treatment period, were evaluated.Results:We found significant correlations with significant gender differences between singular sub items of HAMD and indices of [123I]-ADAM binding in midbrain before and after treatment. These findings points to the need of data analysis separately in males and females. No correlations between HAMD total scores at baseline and indices were found.Conclusion:SERT availability for 123-ADAM binding in the midbrain in drug naives as well as in treated patients with major depression disorder seems to be related to intensity of sub items in the HAMD and the outcome of treatment.
Acceptance and Mindfulness-based Psychotherapies
Authors: Santo S. , Pinto A. 
Published: March 2009

Aims:Exploration of the essential features of Mindfulness-based therapies, considered the third wave of cognitive therapy.Methods:Databases were searched for literature on the principles through which mindfulness-based therapies may operate, the possible mechanisms of action underlying these interventions, their clinical applications and evidence of their therapeutic and adverse effects. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), which has been developed for depression relapse prevention, is highlighted.Results:These techniques have been used for various applications such as chronic pain control, stress reduction and prevention of depression relapse. Some of their important features are cultivation of conscious awareness and attention on a moment-to-moment basis, with openness, curiosity and a non-judgemental attitude and their aim is to change cognitive processes, rather than cognitive content. There have been some well-designed empirical evaluation studies published addressing the effectiveness of these interventions but current evidence of their mechanisms is limited.Conclusions:There is evidence that mindfulness-based approaches add an important dimension to available psychotherapies in the management of the psychological aspects of a range of mental and physical health problems.
Risk Behaviours in Adolescence: Prediction Cognitive and Psychosocial
Authors: Albuquerque C.M. Sousa , Franco V.D. , Albuquerque C.P. Ferreira O , Mota C.P. Baptista 
Published: March 2009

This investigation's main goal was to determine if some psychosocial (self-concept, control locus, assertiveness and satisfaction towards social support) and cognitive variables (health beliefs and attitudes towards health) were associated to health related behaviours. The sample was constituted by 829 teenagers, 382 male and 447 female, whose average age is 14.66 years old, who attended the 9th grade of the public and daily schools in the district of Viseu, Portugal.Results:1.Study on the association between health and risk behaviours and psychosocial variables: The better the self-concept, the better the behaviours; The higher the satisfaction with social support, the better the behaviours; The higher the assertiveness, the better the behaviours; The association between control locus and healthy and risk behaviours is not significant.2.Study on the association between health and risk behaviours and cognitive variables: The more favourable the attitudes towards health, the better the behaviours; The more adequate the health beliefs, the better the behaviours.3.Study on the psychosocial variables interaction effects with cognitive variables in health and risk behaviour prediction: The interaction variable was revealed as the best health and risk behaviour predictor is the variable resulting from Factor 1 - behavioural aspect (Self-Concept) and Factor 4 - preventive attitude (Attitudes Towards Health) interaction, with a determination coefficient (R2) of .409. The patterned coefficient analysis Beta (beta=.427) indicates that the higher this interaction effect (F1 - behavioural aspect * F4 - preventive attitude) the better the behaviours.
Depression and Cytokines: A Psychoneuroimmune Perspective [P02-21]
Authors: Castro L.C. 
Published: March 2009

Background:Cytokine-induced sickness behaviour is an adaptative response to infection. Activation of the immune system, particularly the increased activity of several cytokines, has been implicated in the provocation or exacerbation of mood disorders.Aim:To discuss the relevance of psychoneuroimmunologic research in the understanding of the patophysiology and therapeutic targets of certain mental health disorders.Methods:Review of the literature. MEDLINE and PubMed databases searches for peer-reviewed studies, published between 2000 and 2008, using combinations of the Medline Subject Heading terms cytokines, sickness behaviour, immune system and depression, depressive illness.Results:Several lines of evidence support the relationship between cytokines and mood disorders. Cytokine elevations are more marked in severe depression and their activity may also relate with illness chronicity, neurovegetative features and high stress perception. It is argued that the activation of the inflammatory system, eliciting cytokine release and synthesis, provoke neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter changes, contributing to the development of depression. Some studies support that the brain cytokine system can become sensitized in response to non-immune stressors or to immune stressors occurring early in life.Discussion:The cytokines actions in the brain can help to clarify the patophysiology of certain psychiatric disorders, including depression. The research findings show an association between the activation of the brain cytokine system and depression, although the precise relationship between sickness behaviour and depression is still not clear. Further research in such a promising area of study is needed and can contribute to new therapeutical targets and a broader understanding of psychiatric disorders.
The Risk of Using Antidepressants During Pregnancy: Serious Concern or Much Ado about Little? [P02-24]
Authors: Steiner M. , Shea A. , Soares C.N. 
Published: March 2009

Perinatal psychiatric disorders are a leading cause of maternal morbidity, they transmit across generations and may pose the first adverse life event for a child. The myth that pregnancy is “protective” in terms of mental health has long been refuted and it is now well established that the incidence of depression during pregnancy is at least as high when compared to other phases in a woman's lifetime. Moreover, depression during pregnancy has been associated with a number of adverse outcomes both for the mother and the baby. Untreated depression during pregnancy is also one of the strongest predictors of a subsequent postpartum depression.Data on the “relative safety” of antidepressants during pregnancy are accumulating but at the same time sporadic, at times inconsistent reports on potential risks associated with their use are cause for concern. Recognizing the limitations of our knowledge regarding the “relative safety” of antidepressants during pregnancy it is paramount to weigh the risk of not treating vs. the benefit of treating in each case.We report here on more than 400 pregnant women at risk for depression seen at our clinic. One third of these women received antidepressants during different phases of their pregnancies and the outcome/well-being of their babies assessed. There were no significant increases in long-term untoward outcomes in these babies.We also demonstrated in a smaller subpopulation that the use of antidepressants has a “positive” effect on both neuroendocrine and neurophysiological parameters, using the cortisol awakening response and heart rate variability as biological markers.
Psychosis in Patients with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Requiring Multidisciplinary Inpatient Rehabilitation
Authors: Faruqui R. , Tajer A. , Moffat B. , Haider S. , Haider K. , El-Kadi K. 
Published: March 2009

Background:Patients with ABI present with a relatively higher risk of developing psychotic illness. A co-morbid psychotic illness may pose multiple challenges in rehabilitation of these patients. The medical literature provides limited information on the nature, presentation, diagnosis, course, and prognosis of psychotic disorders after ABI.Methods:Clinically generated data was used to study the prevalence and nature of co-morbid psychotic illness and cause of ABI amongst inpatients requiring multidisciplinary neurobehavioral rehabilitation. The data were collected in an anonymized fashion and analyzed using SPSS version 16.Results:We examined data from 64 patients (51 Male, 13 Female). The age range was 21-61 years (Mean 39, S.D. 10.6). 40% patients had a history of mental illness or self harm prior to ABI. 16% had sustained their ABI as a result of suicide attempts. 12% had history of schizophrenia or bipolar mood disorder prior to ABI.A third (33%) had a Post-ABI diagnosis of a psychotic illness. The most common diagnosis was organic psychosis (21%) followed by schizophrenia (9%) and bipolar mood disorder (3%). The factors that influenced diagnostic differentiation in organic or non-organic psychotic illness included consideration of past psychiatric history, family history, psychopathology, and course of the disorder. The overall patient group showed a significant difference in post admission and latest HONOS-Secure (P< 0.01) and HONOS ABI (P< 0.01) ratings, showing improvement in outcomes during rehabilitation programme. This difference persisted when sub-groups of psychotic and non-psychotic patients were analysed separately.
The Neglected Relationship Between Compulsiveness and Impulsiveness - Implications in Psychiatric Diagnosis
Authors: Ferreira M. , Pissarra C. , Cunha-Oliveira J. 
Published: March 2009

The goal of the authors is to stimulate reflection on the distribution in continuum of compulsive and impulsive behaviours and highlight how important it is to constantly question psychiatric diagnoses, to avoid running the risk of dangerous categorisations.They describe the case of a 31 year-old patient who attended the Emergency department of Coimbra University Hospitals complaining of depression and obsessive-compulsive symptoms that interfered with his daily life and with his sleep. He said that he used to attend psychiatry appointments and that he was “antisocial”, but added: “I'm as impulsive as much as I'm emotional”.The patient's records show that he was always diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, established by the first consultant he saw,specifically mentioning: “problems obeying rules”, “impulsiveness”, “getting into fights and brawls entailing legal action” with the obsessive-compulsive symptoms being secondary. However, the follow-up of the patient conduced by me revealed obsessive-compulsive symptoms in special compulsive checking rituals (which began in childhood), excessive concern with the size of his nose (and other parts of the body) that started in adolescence, as well as a personality marked by impulsiveness and a poor frustration tolerance, leading to highly aggressive episodes triggered by events/circumstances that he himself did not regard as particularly relevant. The results of the studies on the relationship between impulsiveness and compulsiveness could have a strong impact on reformulating the psychiatric nosology. Whenever we come across a new patient, as complete a clinical history as possible should be taken and easy diagnoses should be avoided.
Improving the Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia (FM) in Europe: Identification of Factors that Aid in the Detection of FM [P02-30]
Authors: Serra E. , Perrot S. , Guillemin I. , Barbosa C. Dias , Arnould B. , Baron R. 
Published: March 2009

Aim:Prior to facing the challenges of FM management, an initial diagnosis must be made. To guide general practitioners (GPs) in the early detection of FM in Europe, we developed an easy-to-use screening tool specific to FM.Method:A European multidisciplinary expert group was constituted with the aim of providing clinical expertise, defining methodology, and identifying key issues around the detection of FM. Three conceptual models describing factors that may contribute to the identification of FM patients were derived from; a) a comprehensive literature review, 2) clinician focus groups (N=6), and 3) face-to-face interviews with German, French, and English-speaking patients (N=29) conducting by psychologists to explore their attitudes and perceptions of the disease. A FM screening tool was developed in all three languages and tested for comprehension and applicability in FM-diagnosed and FM-suspected patients.Results:The models derived from the literature, clinician focus groups, and FM patient interviews showed high consistency. The resulting FM screening tool is comprised of 14 questions that describe patients' pain, fatigue, associated symptoms, impact on everyday life, personal history, and attitudes towards their FM.Conclusion:Based on this qualitative study, the detection of FM is likely to require the assessment of multiple psychological factors in addition to symptoms, including patient reporting of personal history and patient behaviour. The quantitative validation of these findings is currently underway.
Uintary Psychosis - New Evidences
Authors: Martins A. , Silva A. 
Published: March 2009

The idea that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder stand as two distinct entities of mental illness came from German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin in the late 1800s. So began the separation of the diseases that still marks today's psychiatry. However, in practice, it's not always easy to distinguish the two disorders. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have a number of symptoms and epidemiological characteristics in common, and both respond to dopamine blockade. Family, twin and molecular genetic studies suggest that the reason for these similarities may be that the two conditions share certain susceptibility genes.The authors present a revision of several articles that reveal new evidences supporting the unitary psychosis theory. This theory has its origins in 1830s with Guislain, Zeller and Griesinger and defends a continuum of mental illness from schizophrenia to bipolar disorder. More recently genetic studies show overlapping of some predisponent genes of both diseases and some imagiological findings are also present in both. The existence of a continuum of mental illness may be useful for new treatment strategies and prognosis.