bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brain Atrophy in Normal Ageing and Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Förstl Hans , Zerfaß Rainer , Geiger-Kabisch Claudia , Sattel Heribert , Besthorn Christoph , Hentschel Frank 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundWe examined the differences in volume of the ventricular and extracerebral cerebrospinal fluid spaces in normal ageing and in probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and we tried to investigate the effects of the severity of illness on the morphometric differentiation of AD and ageing, the principal components underlying brain atrophy in both conditions, and the correlations of these measurements with clinical findings.MethodForty patients with probable AD were matched with 40 non-demented elderly controls. Both groups underwent standardised clinical tests and unenhanced cranial computed tomography for post hoc volumetric analysis.ResultsThe lateral and third ventricles and the anterior and lateral fissures were significantly larger in AD than in normal ageing. The volumes of the lateral ventricle and lateral fissure permitted a highly efficient differentiation between normal ageing and AD even at the mild stage of dementia, and this differentiation was improved further in the more severe stages of illness. We identified one principal component underlying brain atrophy in normal ageing and two components in AD: a ‘grey matter’ component accounting for sulcal and third ventricular enlargement, and a ‘white matter’ component for lateral ventricular enlargement. In AD, most of the volumetric measurements were significantly correlated with cognitive impairment, but in the group of non-demented elderly controls they were correlated with age.ConclusionVolumetric indices of brain atrophy permit a highly efficient differentiation between normal ageing and AD even in the mild stages of illness and this demonstrates that substantial structural brain changes have developed in the preclinical phase of illness. We suggest that there is an uncoupling between lateral ventricular enlargement and cortical brain atrophy in AD.
Time Trends in the Care-Based Incidence of Schizophrenia
Authors: Oldehinkel A. J. , Giel R. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundSeveral studies have suggested a declining first-admission rate for schizophrenia. This study examines the care-based incidence of schizophrenia in a Dutch register area.MethodData from Groningen psychiatric case register were used to compare first-admission rates for schizophrenia over 1976–90 with those of other functional psychoses, and to consider various potential biases.ResultsDiagnostic habits probably affected time trends in incidence rates. Using a broader definition of schizophrenia, no evidence was found for a decrease in the incidence of schizophrenia. Although first admissions to intramural services showed a (non-significant) decrease, this effect seemed to be neutralised when all mental health services were taken into account.ConclusionsCare-based studies of time trends in psychiatric disorders should embrace all mental health services. Furthermore, unless a diagnostic classification system with univocal criteria is used, bias caused by changing diagnostic habits cannot be ruled out.
Month of Birth, Hemisphere of Birth and Schizophrenia
Authors: Mcgrath John , Welham Joy , Pemberton Michael 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundTo assess quarterly fluctuations in schizophrenia births in a southern hemisphere data set, and to compare the quarterly birth distributions of patients born in the northern and southern hemisphere.MethodThe month and place of birth of patients with schizophrenia (n = 9348) were extracted from a mental health register.ResultsThe quarterly birth distribution of patients with schizophrenia differed significantly from the estimated general population distribution in SH-born patients. The quarterly distribution of patient births differed significantly when the two hemispheres were compared.ConclusionThese data support the hypothesis that there is a risk for schizophrenia that is related to the time of birth, and which fluctuates across the year.
Obstetric Complications and Schizophrenia: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Geddes John R. , Lawrie Stephen M. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThis systematic review of the association between schizophrenia and obstetric complications (OCs) was performed to assess the degree of heterogeneity between studies and to quantify the increased risk of schizophrenia in exposed subjects.MethodTwenty case-control, one prospective cohort and two historical cohort studies were identified using a medline search supplemented by a manual search and direct communication with other researchers. Individual odds ratios were calculated for each study and a pooled estimate produced. The effect of methodological variation between studies was further assessed by partitioning studies according to study characteristics.ResultsOverall, there was no significant heterogeneity of effect between studies, and the pooled odds ratio for the exposure to OCs on subsequent development of schizophrenia was 2.0 (95% CI 1.6–2.4). However, partitioning according to study design revealed significant heterogeneity (z = –2.60, P < 0.01) between the pooled estimate from the case-control studies and that from the historical cohort studies. There was a gap on the funnel plot in the region of small studies finding no effect.ConclusionsAlthough the result indicates that subjects exposed to OCs are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia, the analysis suggests that the observed association could be inflated by both selection and publication biases.
Gender Differences in Parental Psychological Distress Following Perinatal Death or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Authors: Vance John C. , Boyle Frances M. , Najman Jackob M. , Thearle M. John 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundStress responses of bereaved parents (mothers 194, fathers 143) who experienced infant loss were compared with parents (mothers 203, fathers 157) with a live born child.MethodPsychological distress using scales of anxiety, depression and alcohol use was compared at 2, 8, 15 and 30 months post-loss.ResultsBereaved mothers showed significantly more anxiety/depression than controls at all four interviews. For bereaved fathers, anxiety/depression differed significantly from controls only at two months. Heavy alcohol use was significantly more prevalent at 2 and 30 months. Relative risks showed significant gender differences between bereaved parents at all four interviews for anxiety/depression. When this outcome was extended to include heavy drinking in addition to anxiety/depression, these differences diminished and were significant only at 2 and 8 months.ConclusionFemale responses are longer lasting and reflected by elevated levels of anxiety/depression. Male responses equally involve anxiety, depression and heavy alcohol consumption.
Psychotherapy Assessment and Treatment Selection
Authors: Tillett Richard 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundCurrent acceptance of the need for a wide range of treatments and growing pressure for cost-effectiveness suggest the need for a more discriminating approach to assessment of psychotherapy.MethodMedline and manual literature searches, and personal experience of over 1000 assessments in a district psychotherapy service.ResultsThere is substantial evidence for the general efficacy of psychotherapy; differential benefits are beginning to be identified. Short-term treatments are appropriate in a wide variety of situations and can be surprisingly effective. Chronic/complex psychopathology is likely to need longer term therapy.ConclusionsEffective use of scarce psychotherapy resources requires knowledge of the research evidence of treatment effectiveness, careful assessment of the patient and a logical and collaborative approach to treatment planning.
Plasma Beta-Endorphin Concentrations in People with Learning Disability and Self-Injurious and/or Autistic Behaviour
Authors: Willemsen-Swinkels Sophie H. N. , Buitelaar Jan K. , Weijnen Florence G. , Thijssen Jos H. H. , Engeland Herman Van 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundIt has been suggested that the key variable in reduced plasma immunoreactive β-endorphin concentrations in autistic subjects may be concomitant self-injurious behaviour.MethodWe studied morning levels of plasma β-endorphin in 33 learning disabled people with self-injurious and/or autistic behaviour.ResultsThe β-endorphin level of the subjects with severe self-injurious behaviour proved to be significantly lower than that of autistic subjects without severe self-injurious behaviour (3.6 (1.4) pmol/l v. 5.8 (4.3) pmol/l; t-test: P = 0.045. Replication: 3.7 (1.1) pmol/l v. 5.7 (3.8) pmol/l; t-test P = 0.043). Individuals with mild and occasional self-injurious behaviour were found to have β-endorphin levels comparable to those without self-injurious behaviour. Further, subjects being treated with neuroleptics had lower β-endorphin levels than untreated subjects.ConclusionsThese results stress that in any study of opioid systems of learning disabled people, it is very important to differentiate between people with and without severe self-injurious behaviour. The results support the idea that severe self-injurious behaviour may be related to functional disturbances in the endogenous opioid system.
Effect of Early Life Experiences and Personality on the Reporting of Psychosocial Distress in General Practice: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Weich Scott , Lewis Glyn , Mann Anthony 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundAbout 25% of primary care attenders are ‘somatic presenters’; individuals consulting for physically-attributed somatic symptoms in the presence of psychiatric morbidity. We tested the hypothesis that somatic presenters differed from psychological presenters on measures of personality and childhood experience.MethodCase-control study of ‘psychological presenters’ and ‘somatic presenters’.ResultsPsychological presenters reported significantly greater insecurity in intimate relationships, and recalled their fathers as significantly less caring and more over-protective, than somatic presenters. These differences remained after adjusting for differences in the severity and duration of psychiatric symptoms.ConclusionsPersonality and childhood experiences may be associated with specific types of adult illness behaviour, independent of associations with the prevalence of psychiatric disorder.
Assessment of Personality Functioning in the Transition from Adolescent to Adult Life: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Naughton Mary , Oppenheim Audrey , Hill Jonathan 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe Adolescent to Adult Personality Functioning Assessment (ADAPFA) a modification of the Adult Personality Functioning Assessment (APFA) is described. It may be used to assess specific and general social dysfunction in the transition from childhood to adult life.MethodTwo raters independently rated 38 audiotaped interviews to test the interrater reliability of the instrument. The relationship between dysfunction in specific domains and overall psychosocial dysfunction was examined.ResultsInterrater reliabilities for the total ADAPFA score and for the majority of the domains were high. Agreement on type of dysfunction and on categorical ratings indicating the presence of personality disorder were good.ConclusionThe ADAPFA is a useful measure of interpersonal and social role performance in the transition between adolescent and adult life.
A One Year Prospective Study of the Effect of Life Events and Medication in the Aetiology of Schizophrenic Relapse
Authors: Hirsch Steven , Bowen Jo , Emami Javad , Cramer Philip , Jolley Anthony , Haw Camilla , Dickinson Mark 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundWe set out to determine whether and to what degree life events independent of illness increase the risk of relapse in schizophrenia following withdrawal from medication in the previous 6 months, either by triggering a relapse in the following 4 weeks or by acting cumulatively over time.MethodSeventy-one patients fulfilling DSM–III–R criteria for schizophrenia with chronic illness were followed for 48 weeks and assessed on the LEDS scale. Half were treated with regular neuroleptic medication and half had been recently withdrawn from medication. A subgroup was randomised double-blind to treatment or placebo.ResultsA proportional hazards regression model showed that life events made a significant cumulative contribution over time (P< 0.05) to the risks of relapse and that ceasing medication made an independent contribution. The risk of relapse increased in proportion to the number of life events but no interaction between medication status and events could be detected, i.e. life events were not more closely associated with relapse on medication than off medication. For those of the sample exposed to the mean rate of life events during the study period, it was estimated that 23% of the relapse risk could be attributed to life events, and for those with twice the mean rate of events, 41%. In contrast, patients who continued on regular medication had 80% less risk of relapse than those who had been withdrawn from medication either by choice or under double-blind controlled conditions.ConclusionA contribution of life events to the risk of relapse in schizophrenia was confirmed by this study but the hypothesis that life events trigger relapse was not supported, nor was the hypothesis that life events are more relevant to relapse in patients on maintenance medication than in patients off medication.
Effect of Age on the Outcome of Hospital Treated Depression
Authors: Tuma T. A. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundDepression affects a significant proportion of the expanding elderly population in the UK. Reports of a poorer prognosis for older than for younger adult patients have been challenged by recent papers.MethodThe casenotes of 56 adults (mean age 47.8 years) and 54 elderly (mean age 72.9 years) patients with primary depression were assessed one year after receiving hospital treatment. Outcome measures were compared with earlier reported findings and factors possibly influencing outcome were explored.ResultsThe pattern of outcome in both age groups was broadly similar, thus: adults v. elderly: recovered 44.6% v. 44.4%; relapsed and recovered 23.2% v. 24%; residual symptoms 19.6% v. 13% and chronic depression 7.1% v. 5.5%. In the adults there were two natural deaths and one suicide. In the elderly there were two cases of dementia and five natural deaths, which was double the expected death rate. Predictors of poor outcome were melancholic depression in adults and longer duration of illness at intake and an increasing number of previous episodes of affective disorder in the elderly.ConclusionThe outcome of treated depressive illnesses appears similar in elderly and adult patients. Associated physical ill health did not adversely affect outcome in the elderly group.
Young ‘Psychopaths’ in Special Hospital: Treatment and Outcome
Authors: Reiss D. , Grubin D. , Meux C. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe ‘Young Persons Unit’ (YPU) at Broadmoor Hospital offers psychotherapeutic treatment for young adult male patients. The study objective was to report background details, treatment and outcome of the ward's personality disordered patients.MethodThe sample consisted of 49 patients, with the legal classification of psychopathic disorder, treated on the unit for at least one year. Data were collected from existing case records. Outcome was recorded until discharge from statutory supervision. Outcome measures were recidivism and a variety of social factors.ResultsAt follow-up 10 patients had reoffended, with four having committed serious violent or sexual offences. Two patients had died. A history of sex offending was the strongest predictor of subsequent reoffending. No patients with good social outcome reoffended.ConclusionsYoung patients with personality disorder can be successfully treated on the YPU. The management of sex offenders in this group requires further attention. Successful social integration within the community after discharge may help prevent future reoffending.
Suicides by Burning in England and Wales
Authors: Prosser David 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundThe aim was to examine suicides by burning (SBB) occurring in England and Wales.MethodThe method was a retrospective case note examination of death certificates, coroners' inquest notes and GP notes for all SBBs registered in 1991 by OPCS in England and Wales, and an examination of SBB statistics from 1979–1992.ResultsIn 24% of cases the incident involved others either as intended or actual victims or as witnesses, and three distinct groups (Asian-born women, schizophrenics, and homicide–suicides) were over-represented. The majority were not in contact with current psychiatric services, and 43% had never had contact with psychiatric services. There was no trend in SBB compared to other suicides in 1979–1992.ConclusionsWhile SBB may be associated with Asian-born women, homicide–suicide and schizophrenia, the majority of cases did not have these characteristics, and the overall psychiatric contact rate was similar to suicide by unspecified means.
Negative Symptoms, Neurological Signs and Neuropsychological Impairments in 204 Hong Kong Chinese Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Chen E. Y. H. , Lam L. C. W. , Chen R. Y. L. , Nguyen D. G. H. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundStudies of the relationship between negative symptoms, neuropsychological impairments and neurological signs in schizophrenia have yielded inconsistent results. In addition, little attention has been directed to address the extent of cultural modulation of negative symptoms.MethodWe carried out cross-cultural validation of the High Royds Evaluation of Negativity Scale (HEN) in 50 Hong Kong Chinese patients with schizophrenia. We then investigated the relationship between negative symptoms, neurological signs and neuropsychological impairment in 204 patients.ResultsGood interrater reliability, internal reliability, convergent and discriminant validity were found with the HEN. The HEN contained four factors corresponding to ‘behaviour‘, ‘functioning‘, ‘thought’ and ‘appearance’. Negative symptoms were correlated with semantic fluency but not with Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance or sustained attention. Negative symptoms were also correlated with tardive dyskinesia and catatonia but not with soft neurological signs.ConclusionsCross-cultural robustness of the negative symptoms construct is supported. Association of negative symptoms with a specific profile of neurocognitive impairment suggests diversity within deficit domains in schizophrenia.
Mixed-Handedness in Patients with Functional Psychosis
Authors: Malesu R. R. , Cannon M. , Jones P. B. , McKenzie K. , Gilvarry K. , Rifkin L. , Toone B. K. , Murray R. M. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundAn excess of non-right-handedness has been shown among patients with schizophrenia. However it is not clear whether this finding can be accounted for by an increase in left-handedness, mixed-handedness or both. It is not known whether atypical patterns of hand preferences occur in other functional psychotic illnesses.MethodThe Annett hand preference questionnaire was administered to patients with schizophrenia (n=120); affective psychosis (n=55); schizoaffective psychosis (n=41), and control subjects (n=86). Handedness was classified into three categories: right, mixed and left-handedness.ResultsThe hand preference patterns of patients with functional psychotic illnesses were not significantly different from controls. Patients with schizophrenia showed a non-significant excess of mixed-handedness compared with controls. Patients with schizophrenia and affective psychosis showed a non-significant decrease in left-handedness compared with controls.ConclusionsAlthough our results showed a trend in the hypothesised direction, we failed to demonstrate that patients with psychotic illness differed from controls on self-reported hand preference patterns.
Negative Interaction between Lithium and Electroconvulsive Therapy – A Case-Control Study
Authors: Jha A. K. , Stein G. S. , Fenwick P. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundConcurrent use of lithium and ECT is suspected to increase neurotoxicity.MethodA retrospective case-control study over an eight-year period was conducted to investigate the adverse effects of a combined lithium/ECT treatment Thirty-one subjects with combined lithium/ECT treatment were compared with a control group (ECT only) of 135 cases matched for age and sex.ResultsMost cases in both groups had no adverse effects. Three (10%) study group subjects and 15 (11 %) controls experienced brief delirium. Three controls and none of the subjects developed a prolonged confusion. There were no significant differences in the profile of other adverse effects between the two groups.ConclusionPrescription of lithium together with ECT was not associated with higher frequency of adverse effects.
A Case-Control Study of Alzheimer's Disease and Aluminium Occupation
Authors: Salib Emad , Hillier Valerie 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundWe examined clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease patients and controls, and collected information from informants, to examine the association between Alzheimer's disease and aluminium occupation.MethodAn unmatched case-control study comparing 198 cases of Alzheimer's disease (ADRDA–NINCDS diagnostic criteria), to selected controls (164 other dementias and 176 non-dementing group) in respect of their occupational history. The subjects included all patients referred to and seen by the first author during a 2 year study period.ResultsTwenty-two of 198 patients with Alzheimer's disease (11.1 %) reported having an aluminium occupation at some stage in their working life compared with 39 of 340 controls (11.5%), odds ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.53–1.75, P > 0.05. Aluminium workers reported to have worked in direct contact with aluminium dust and fumes did not appear to be at any greater risk than other workers who were employed at the same factory, odds ratio 1.19, 95% CI, 0.64–4.18, P > 0.05.ConclusionThere is no evidence to support an association between having previously worked in an aluminium factory and the risk of Alzheimer's disease later in life.
A One-Year Follow-Up Study of Depression in Dementia Sufferers
Authors: Ballard C. G. , Patel A. , Solis M. , Lowe K. , Wilcock G. 
Published: October 2008

BackgroundLittle data are available about the course or incidence of depression in dementia sufferers.MethodMonthly follow-up data over one year is reported regarding depression in a cohort of 124 dementia sufferers. Dementia was diagnosed according to DSM–III–R criteria. Depression was assessed with the Cornell Depression Scale and diagnosed according to RDC criteria. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the CAMCOG.ResultsEighty-nine of the 124 patients completed the follow-up. The annual incidence rates of RDC major depression and RDC minor depression were 10.6% and 29.8%, respectively. Twenty per cent of patients with depression experienced these symptoms for six months or longer. Patients with vascular dementia were significantly more likely to experience three or more months of depression than patients with other dementias. RDC minor depression was highly persistent among 23.8% of sufferers.ConclusionsDepression is persistent in patients with vascular dementia. Some patients with minor depression have a dysthymia-like disorder.