bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cannabis Use and Age at Onset of Psychosis: Further Evidence of Interaction with COMT Val158Met Polymorphism
Authors: Fatjó-Vilas M. , Arias B. , Estrada G. , Muñoz M.J. , Ilia J.M. , Miralles M.L. , Martin M. , Toledo E. , Miret S. , Navarro M.E. , Fañanas L. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionDifferent studies have confirmed the association between cannabis use and psychosis and, also, the relationship between age at first cannabis use and age at onset of psychosis (Henquet et al 2005, Barnes et al 2006). In a young psychiatric sample, we aimed to investigate the correlation between cannabis use and the age at onset of psychotic and non-psychotic symptoms and whether this relationship is modulated by the genetic variability at COMT, CNR1 and CHRNA7genes.MethodsThe sample comprised 157 Caucasian patients (mean age: 17.01 (3.6)) diagnosed following DSM-IV-TR criteria: 80 patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, 77 patients with affective or conduct disorders. Cannabis use was assessed with UNICA-A and DIGS scales (Nurnberger 1994) and 49% individuals were classified as consumers. SNPs were genotyped using Taqman 5′-exonuclease assays.ResultsWe observed a positive relationship between age at first cannabis use and age at onset in, both, schizophrenia-spectrum (β = 1.44 p < 0.001) and other psychiatric disorders (β = 0.56 p < 0.002). An interaction was observed between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and cannabis use specifically within schizophrenia-spectrum disorders’ group (β = −2.72 p = 0.04), with Val/Val genotype carriers showing an earlier age of onset than Val/Met carriers, and these, lower than the Met/Met carriers. No modulation effect of CNR1 or CHRNA7 polymorphisms was observed.ConclusionsOur results seem to indicate the importance of maturation timing and brain development in which exposition to cannabis occurs. We provide new evidence about the COMT modulation effect on the association between cannabis use and age at onset of symptoms, specifically in individuals affected by schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
Anxiety sensitivity depending on presence of positive symptoms in psychosis
Authors: Fernândez-Jiménez E. , Pastor-Morales J. , Sanz-Largo V. , Castillo-Gordillo E. , Rivas-Marîn F. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionAn important corpus of scientist evidence is linking psychotic activity and anxiety-related processes (Freeman and Garety, 2003).ObjectivesWe intended to assess differences in Anxiety Sensitivity dimensions between patients diagnosed by psychosis with and without positive symptoms.MethodsParticipants: 49 patients with DSM psychosis diagnosis (42 men and 7 women; mean age: 40), who attended a Mental Health Rehabilitation Service in 2008, of whom 24 patients had positive symptomatology.Design, materials and procedure: A Cross-sectional design (one measurement) for a co-relational method of comparison between groups.We used the Spanish validated Anxiety Sensitivity lndex-3 -ASI 3- (Sandîn et al, 2007), a 18-item Likert self-report that assesses fears of anxious symptoms. It presents a hierarchical structure (a general factor and three subscales -Physical, Cognitive and Social Concerns-). It's also used the first and third items (delusions and hallucinatory behaviour) of The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale -PANSS- (Kay, Opler and Lindenmayer, 1988) to detect positive symptoms.ResultsPatients with positive symptoms showed a higher sensitivity to cognitive (z = -3.22, p < 0.01) and social anxiety (z = -2.66, p < 0.01), as well as higher punctuations in ASI-total (z = -2.91, p < 0.01), than patients without positive symptoms.ConclusionsPatients with positive symptoms show significant fears of symptoms of different anxious domains (ASI-total) with regard to patients without this kind of symptomatology. Specially, they are worried about the possibility that concentration difficulties and restlessness lead to mental incapacitation (ASI-cognitive) and about social reactions before their own publicly observable anxiety manifestations (ASI-social).
Quality of Life in Metabolic Risk Patients with Psychosis in Relation to the Population
Authors: Foldemo A. , Ösby U. , Holmberg T. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundThe International Diabetes Federation (IDF)(2004) has defined criteria for metabolic syndrome and in patients with schizophrenia four of ten meet the criteria for having the syndrome. Its important too study more about the influence of metabolic syndrome because there association with high morbidity and increased risk of influence on patients health and the treatment itself The aim of the study was to investigate metabolic risk factors influence on quality of life. The method was a prospective cohort study from specialized psychiatric outpatients departments in Sweden. The study recruits consecutively patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and other long-term psychotic disorders (ICD10). A prospective population based study is serving as a control group. Patients are assessed with a psychiatric questionnaire witch included CGI and GAF. Health-related quality of life assessed using the questionnaire EQ5D both in patients and population and health status with BMI, smoke habits and alcohol consume.ResultsThe results on patients (n = 777) and population (n = 7238) showed significant differences in lower EQ5D Index in man especially in younger age. The diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizoaffective were the most common in the patient group (n = 481). In patients was nearly 50% non alcoholic users compared to the control group (=population) were the non consumers was 18%. BMI over 35 were more common in the patient group than in the population 13.2% versus 2.8%.ConclusionIn conclusion there were differences in quality of life between metabolic risk patients with psychosis and the control group.
“Mental Illness Awareness in Institutionalized Schizophrenics”
Authors: Gallardo R. , González E. , García F. , Botillo C. , Martínez J.D. , Salgado C. , López R. 
Published: May 2011

Our study aimed to compare the mental illness awareness in institutionalized schizophrenics when compared to non institutionalized schizophrenics.Diagnoses of Schizophrenia was done following the ICD-10 dignosis criteria. We chose a convenience sample of our patients: 74 patients, 69.9% of institutionalized inpatients and a 31.1% of outpatients.Specific survey applied by the group of investigators aiming to collect socio-demographical data and clinical data, using the following psychometric scales: Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD), Global Assessment Scale (GAS), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI).Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v 15.0, including descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.Differences found among awareness of response to medication and the awareness of social consequences of mental disorders are statistically significant, being higher in the institutionalized group of schizophrenics.
How do Symptoms and Level of Functioning Affect the Quality of Life in Schizophrenia? a Study on the Community Mental Health Centre of Ferrara (Italy)
Authors: Galuppi A. , Turola M.C. , Nanni M.G. , Mazzoni P. , Grassi L. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionA specific interest regarding quality of life(QoL) of patients with schizophrenia dates back to the de-institutionalisation process. Italy worked on decentralising its mental health services since 1978. It was apparent that capturing psychopathological symptoms alone was not sufficient to reflect relevant outcomes. In particular, information on the social functioning and quality of life is regarded as essential for evaluating long-term outcomes.ObjectiveThe relationship between Quality of life and global functioning and symptoms in outpatients with Schizophrenia.MethodIn the present study we examined all the subjects with a diagnosis of schizophrenia attending a same Community Mental Health Centre in Northern Italy, in 2008. Each patient completed the WHO QoL Instrument - Brief and was administerd the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-24 to assess psychiatric symptoms and the VADO Personal and social Functioning Scale to assess the level of functioning.ResultsThe population studied subjects showed an intermediate satisfaction on the overall QoL and health; these data can be juxtaposed to the national standard sample rates. QoL resulted positively associated to personal and social functioning, while it was negatively related to psychiatric symptoms.ConclusionThe QoL in our study is not extremely negative, though schizophrenia is an often an impairing chronic illness. Furthermore, the present research on social functioning, psychiatric symptoms and QoL in people with schizophrenia suggest that symptoms, but, above all, personal and social functioning are important elements to determine QoL. These studies point to the importance of looking beyond symptom-reduction strategies for improving QoL in schizophrenia.
Functional Outcome in First-Episode-Schizophrenia Receiving Assured Antipsychotic Medication: 52-week Prospective Study with Risperidone Long-Acting Injection
Authors: Garcia J. , Segarra R. , Ojeda N. , Peña J. , Eguiluz I. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionIt is well stablished that therapeutic compliance is a fundamental predictive factor in the outcome of first-episode psychosis. Risperidone long-acting injection has demonstrated high remission rates and improvements in treatment adherence.Objective1-To analyse the efficacy of risperidone long-acting injection vs oral atypical antipsychotics in first-episode psychosis.2-To describe in both groups the evolution of clinical and cognitive symptoms, functional outcome, quality of life, insight and treatment adherence.Method18 patients with a first-episode psychosis treated with long-acting risperidone were compared with 21 first-episode psychosis treated with oral atypical antipsychotic medication. They were matched one on one for age, gender and years of education. All subjects were compared regarding psychopathology and functional outcome terms. Patients were examined with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for clinical symptoms. Longitudinal functionality was prospectively assessed with the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) rating scales.ResultsWe found significant differences between both groups in negative symptom severity and global assessment of functioning. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in PANSS positive and general components. Negative symptom severity was associated with poorer GAF ratings.ConclusionsOur data suggest that risperidone long-acting injection assures treatment compliance and therefore could improve clinical and functional outcome.
Predictive Models of Metabolic Syndrome for Patients with Schizophrenic or Bipolar Disorders
Authors: Garcia-Portilla P. , Santamarina S. , Saiz P.A. , Sánchez F. , Diaz-Mesa E. , Iglesias C. , Bobes J. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionMetabolic syndrome is a frequent, severe, undiagnosed physical comorbidity in patients with severe mental disorders.AimTo develop a predictive model of metabolic syndrome for patients with schizophrenic or bipolar disorders, useful for both clinical practice and research.MethodsNaturalistic, one-year follow-up study conducted in Asturias, Spain. A total of 172 patients with schizophrenic (Sch-P) or bipolar (BD-P) disorders (ICD-10 criteria), under maintenance treatment, who gave written informed consent were included. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the modified NCEP ATP-III criteria. Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS), Genetic Algorithms (GA), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) analysis were performed.ResultsStarting from a large set of demographic and clinical variables, and by means of intermediate MARS and GA models, an SVM model able to classify if a patient with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder suffers from metabolic syndrome with an accuracy of 98.68% (sensitivity 100%, specifity 94.4%) was obtained. The final model only needs 6 variables: Sch-P:(1)Low HDL-cholesterol,(2)Fasting glucose level,(3)Family history of obesity,(4)Triglyceride level,(5)Family history of dyslipidemia, and(6)Use of antidepressants; BD-P: (1), (2), (3),(7)Use of lipid-lowering medication,(8)Use of antipsychotics, and(9)Use of mood stabilizers.ConclusionWe developed a simple and easy to use predictive model to identify metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenic or bipolar disorders.
Schizophrenia- a Syndrome of Insulin Impairment
Authors: Diaconeasa A.G. , Ghita C. , Blacioti M. , Spiru L. , Turcu I. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionSchizophrenia is a human specific disease, unknown in other primates. Low adiposity during childhood was associated with a greater risk of developing schizophrenia, but this disease has a higher incidence in the obese children and adults, too.ObjectivesWe developed a new hypothesis on the human evolution. According to it, changes in the activity of the IGF1 (insulin-like growth factor1)/insulin pathway (altered in human pathological conditions such as the psychiatric disorders) could be responsible for the appearance of certain specific human traits.AimsThis hypothesis predicts that schizophrenia should result from a deviation of the normal IGF1/insulin signaling in brain in both directions. A drug that increases insulin resistance should improve the condition in the slim patients and worsen them in the obese patients.MethodsA multi-center double-blind study on palmitate paliperidone (pp), the major active metabolite of the antipsychotic risperidone (that increases insulin resistance and stimulates weight gain), was conducted. 25–150 mg eq pp was injected intramuscular (into the deltoid muscle or the gluteal muscle) at 1 week interval for 1 year in a double blind study in patients with acute symptoms.ResultsOur preliminary observations based on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores showed that the slim patients had statistically the best response to pp and the worse effects were observed in the obese patients. The study is still ongoing.ConclusionsThese results suggest that schizophrenia is a polarized disease with 2 major phenotypes- one with either insulin sensitivity or obesity and insulin resistance.
Pathways to Care, Duration of Untreated Psychosis and Treatments Received by Patients with First-Episode Psychosis
Authors: Giacco D. , Fiorillo A. , Del Vecchio V. , Luciano M. , Sampogna G. , Vinci V. , De Rosa C. , Catapano F. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionPathways to care and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) strongly influence the long-term outcome of schizophrenia.AimsTo investigate pathways to care, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and treatments received by a sample of individuals aged between 18 and 35 years meeting diagnostic criteria for psychosis.MethodsPathways to care and DUP were explored by an “ad-hoc” schedule administered to patients and caregivers.ResultsThe sample consists of 30 patients. The first episode of psychosis, which occurred at 19.7 (± 4.7) years, was characterized by negative symptoms and disorganized behaviours in more than half of the sample, suicide attempts (28%) and hospital admissions (26%). DUP was 41.6 ± 60.4 weeks, being longer than that reported in international literature. In 76% of cases patients’ relatives asked for a first contact with health professionals, referring the patients to psychiatrists (34% of cases), general practitioners (31%), neurologists (21%) or psychologists (13%). When professionals other than psychiatrists were contacted, the interval between the contact and receipt of appropriate psychiatric treatment (according to the current guidelines) was particularly long (15.2 ± 32.1 weeks). 34% of patients were treated with a monotherapy of psychotropic drugs: 24% with antipsychotics, 7% with anxiolytics and 3% with antidepressants; 48% received a poly-pharmacotherapy. 35% were treated with psychotherapy (in most of the cases cognitive-behavioural therapy), which was the only treatment for 18% of patients.ConclusionsThese results emphasize the need to train health professionals on diagnosis and treatment of first episode psychosis. DUP may be reduced by anti-stigma campaigns among general population.
Bromocriptin and Cabergolin in Treatment of Hyperprolactinemia in Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder
Authors: Gorobets L. , Bulanov V. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionCorrection of the syndrome of hyperprolactinemia is very important problem of psychopharmacotherapy.AimsComparative assessment of efficacy by bromocriptin and cabergolin action in syndrome of hyperprolactinemia in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.Methods120 female patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia (86) and schizoaffective disorder (34) were treated for a long period with risperidon; all of them suffered of hyperprolactinemia. Bromocriptin and cabergolin were used for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. All patients were separated for 2 groups: patients of the 1st group (n = 64) were treated with bromocriptin (5 mg daily/2 months), patients of the 2nd group (n = 56) - with cabergolin (5 mg weekly/2 months). The level of prolactin was estimated in blood serum using immunoenzyme method.ResultsIn the 1st group 48 patients (75%) were responders: prolactin level decreased from 1997 ± 504 m ME/I to 1125 ± 293 m ME/I (p ≤ 0.05) and in 16 (25%) nonresponders prolactin level did not change - 2165 ± 606 m ME/I before and 2190 ± 441 m ME/I after the treatment (p ≥ 0.05). In the 2nd group 48 patients were responders (85.7%) and serum prolactin level was reduced in the range of 30-75% from 2294 ± 634 mME/l to 1109 ± 240 mME/l (p ≤ 0.05). In the nonresponders (8 patients; 14.3%) changes of serum prolactin were insignificant (2514 ± 578 mME/l/ before and 2084 ± 451 mME/l after the therapy; p ≥ 0.05).ConclusionsInvestigation has shown a high level of efficiency of cabergolin (dostinex) and bromocriptin in correction of hyperprolactinemia.
Demographic and neuro-cognitive characteristics of patients with schizophrenia in Bahrain
Authors: Kamel C. , Grey I. 
Published: May 2011

Previous research has indicated differential patterns of neuro-cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we explored the relationship between neuro-cognitive functioning with both socio-demographic and symptom characteristics of 35 Arab patients attending an out-patient psychiatric clinic in the kingdom of Bahrain.All patients participated in an OPCRIT diagnostic assessment, assisted in the completion of a socio-demographic questionnaire (CSSRI) and completed a minimum of four computerized neuro-cognitive tests from the CANTAB. These were Motor Screening (MOT), Paired Associates Learning (PAL: Visual Leaning and New Memory), Stockings of Cambridge (SOC: Spatial Planning and Frontal Lobe functioning) and Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift (IED: Testing rule acquisition and reversal)). The average age of onset of symptoms was at age 28 (age range 19–47) and symptom onset in the majority of cases was within between 1 and 6 months. Results indicated using standard score measures on tests of cognitive function that the majority of patients experienced significant deficits in the areas of frontal lobe functioning, working memory and visual memory. Neuro-cognitive test results were not related to(1) presence/absence of insight,(b) diagnostic category, and(c) duration of illness.However, results did appear to predict employment status.Results are discussed in the context of service provision and development of psychiatric services for patients with schizophrenia in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Brain activity during social cognition tasks in individuals with schizophrenia, their unaffected siblings, and healthy controls
Authors: de Achaval D. , Villarreal M. , Costanzo E. , Douer J. , Buglioni K. , Lopez J. , Fahrer R. , Guinjoan S. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundSeveral studies have shown that patients with schizophrenia have impaired performance in various aspects of social cognition including emotion processing and theory of mind. Most available neuroimaging studies have compared patients and healthy controls during such mental.ObjectiveTo determine whether alterations in brain activation associated with social cognition reflects a heritable trait in schizophrenia.MethodsSixteen patients with schizophrenia (age 31.3 ± 6.5), 16 non-psychotic siblings (age 31.8 ± 3.5, 6 females) and 16 healthy subjects (age 30.1 ± 9.2, 6 females) underwent BOLD fMRI during emotion processing (Ekman Faces Test) and Theory of Mind (ToM) paradigms: Faces and Reading the Mind in the Eyes tasks. In all cases a gender condition was used as a control task. Random effects analysis was done for each task within groups, measuring signal changes between the target and control conditions of each paradigm, and later a group analysis was done.ResultsIn patients, social cognition tasks brought about activations in language areas (left inferior frontal gyrus and structures near tempo parietal junction). The intensity of the activations was minimum in the emotional processing task (basic emotions), and maximum in the detection of complex mental states in eyes. Healthy controls also activated symmetric brain structures on the right side. Unaffected siblings also showed bilateral activation in the same brain structures but asymmetrically distributed (left > right).DiscussionThese results support the idea that schizophrenia is an illness characterized by abnormalities in the process of brain lateralization.
Social functioning and cognition in patients with schizophrenia, their unaffected siblings and healthy controls: impact on quality of life
Authors: Achaval D.D. , Buglioni K. , Lopez J. , Douer J. , Costanzo E. , Mora M. , Fahrer R. , Guinjoan S. 
Published: May 2011

BackgroundPatients with schizophrenia show deficits in many cognitive domains and social functioning, social skills, and self management skills in their daily life activities.ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between general-social cognition, mental state and social functioning, and impact on quality of life.MethodsTwenty patients with chronic disorder of schizophrenia were evaluated and compared with 20 siblings and 20 healthy controls regarding performance in a series of tests: Cognitive Screening: Word Accentuation Test, MCCB (Matrics Consensus Cognitive Battery) Social Functioning: UPSA (University of California Performance Skills Assessment), TABS (Test of Adaptive Behaviour in Schizophrenia), SSPA (Social Skills Performance Assessment), Beck and Hamilton depression scales, Scale for Positive and Negative Syndrome of Schizophrenia, and SF-36 as indicator of quality of life.ResultsPatients showed significant differences from controls and siblings in MCCB total score (p < 0.001), whereas siblings showed significant differences compared to controls in MCCB total score (p = 0.053). Siblings performed differently from patients (p < 0.001) and controls (p = 0.019) in social functioning measured with TABS. A series of correlations between general cognition and social functioning were demonstrated for patients and their unaffected siblings (not shown).ConclusionResults suggest that the performance of nonpsychotic siblings is located between patients and healthy controls, suggesting that social performance measures are (or associated with) intermediate phenotypes of the disease. General and social cognition have a complex relationship with social functioning and quality of life.