bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls on cognitive development in children: A longitudinal study in Taiwan
Authors: Lai T. J. , Guo Y. L. , Guo N. W. , Hsu C. C. 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundFrom 1978 to 1979, a group of people in Taiwan were exposed to high levels of heat-degraded polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) owing to accidental ingestion of contaminated rice oil. Children born to mothers following the exposure (‘Yucheng’ children) were known to have hyperpigmented skin and other dysmorphology after birth.AimsTo determine the effect of prenatal exposure to PCBs on cognitive development in Yucheng children.MethodOne hundred and eighteen Yucheng children prenatally exposed to PCBs and degradation products, and community-matched control children who were exposed to background levels only, were followed from 1985 to 1998. The Bayley Scale for Infant Development, Chinese version of the Stanford – Binet IQTest, Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices and Raven's Standardised Progressive Matrices were used to assess the cognitive development of these children.ResultsThe Yucheng children scored lower than control children on each of these methods of measurement between the ages of 2 and 12 years.ConclusionsPrenatal exposure to PCBs and their derivatives has long-term adverse effects on cognitive development in humans.
Early-onset Alzheimer's disease in Scotland: environmental and familial factors
Authors: Whalley Lawrence J. 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a common, complex, age-related disorder in which both genetic and environmental factors are important.AimsTo integrate recent studies on genetic and environmental factors in AD into a multi-factorial disease model.MethodDisease models to explain gene-environment interaction in cardiovascular disease are related to observations on AD.ResultsInformative, community-based studies on the genetic epidemiology of AD are rare. Putative risk factors from the Scottish studies include increased paternal age in AD men and coal mining as paternal occupation in both AD and vascular dementia. Migration effects suggest that environmental factors in high-incidence AD areas are important during adult life.ConclusionsThe studies summarised do not provide sufficient data to support a single comprehensive disease model of gene-environment interaction in AD. Future studies will require very large (≥600) sample sizes, molecular genetic analysis, and environmental data that span neurodevelopment and the period between disease onset and appearance of clinical symptoms.
Understanding the excess of psychosis among the African-Caribbean population in England
Authors: Sharpley Mandy , Hutchinson Gerard , Murray Robin M. , McKenzie Kwame 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundIncreased rates of schizophrenia continue to be reported among the African–Caribbean population in England.AimsTo evaluate the competing biological, psychological and social explanations that have been proposed.MethodLiterature review.ResultsThe African–Caribbean population in England is at increased risk of both schizophrenia and mania; the higher rates remain when operational diagnostic criteria are used. The excess of the two psychotic disorders are probably linked: African–Caribbean patients with schizophrenia show more affective symptoms, and a more relapsing course with greater social disruption but fewer chronic negative symptoms, than White patients. No simple hypothesis explains these findings.ConclusionsMore complex hypotheses are needed. One such links cultural variation in symptom reporting, the use of phenomenological constructs by psychiatrists and social disadvantage.
Vulnerability factors for common mental illnesses
Authors: Goldberg David 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundTwin studies suggest that shared early family environment is of only minor importance in the aetiology of depression, most of the variance being attributable either to genetic or to individual ‘non-shared’ environmental factors.AimsTo examine the respective roles of personality and social experiences on the risk for common mental disorders, with special reference to depression.MethodAnalysis of preliminary findings from two large-scale British population surveys: (a) a multi-centre study of general practice patients, and (b) a study of working-class women in Manchester.Results(a) Persons recently separated from their partners have raised mean scores for psychological distress, but the relative excess is due entirely to persons with high ratings for introversion; (b) while severe life events were associated with physiological responses characteristic of depression, the probability of experiencing such life events varied between 0.2 monthly for low scorers and 1.5 monthly for high scorers on a vulnerability measure.ConclusionsSocial factors do appear to influence the prevalence of depression, but this effect is not independent of genetically determined vulnerability.
Neuroticism, life events and mental health: evidence for person-environment correlation
Authors: Van Os Jim , Park S. B. G. , Jones Peter B. 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundThere is some evidence that genetic effects on the likelihood of experiencing stressful life events (SLEs) are mediated by heritable traits such as cognitive ability (CA) and neuroticism (N).AimsTo examine whether the association between CA, N and mental ill-health is driven in part by a predisposition to experience depressogenic SLEs.MethodChildhood measures of N and CA were available in a birth cohort of 5362 individuals. At ages 36 and 43 years, mental state and occurrence of SLEs in the previous year were assessed. Using a path-analytic approach, models with and without a hypothesised influence of N and CA on the occurrence of SLEs were compared.ResultsThe fit of the model with childhood N having a direct influence on SLEs was good with χ2=5.72, d.f.=4,P=0.22 at age 36 years and χ2=3.50, d.f.=5,P=0.62 at age 43. The fit of the model was significantly worse without this path at both ages (36 years: χ2=42,5, d.f.=1,P<0.001; 43 years χ2=15.3 d.f.=1,P<0.001). No consistent differences were seen in comparisons of models with CA.ConclusionsThe results are congruent with the suggestion that genetic effects on SLEs are mediated by personal characteristics. Part of the well-established association between N and minor psychiatric disorder may be mediated by an indirect effect of N on the likelihood of experiencing SLEs.
Longitudinal study assessing the joint effects of socio-economic status and birth risks on adult emotional and nervous conditions
Authors: Fan Angela P. , Eaton William W. 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundPrevious investigations into the impact of birth complications and social environment have generally followed their subjects only at young ages.AimsTo assess the long-range impact of socio-economic status (SES) and birth risks on the development of emotional and nervous conditions through adulthood.MethodThe Johns Hopkins Pathways Study interviewed 1824 subjects born between 1960 and 1965. The median household income of the children at age 7–8 years was used to divide the cohort into high and low income categories. Differences in lifetime prevalence of emotional and nervous conditions through adulthood between the two income groups were identified.ResultsChildren in the lower income group were 1.86 times more likely to report an emotional or nervous condition in adult life. Boys in the lower income group at age 7–8 years were 3.2 times more likely to do so. The risks of difficult birth for adult mental disturbance were accentuated in the low-income group.ConclusionsChildren who experience birth complications are at increased risk of developing adult mental disturbances; this increase is mitigated by higher SES.
The promise of psychiatric enviromics
Authors: Anthony James C. 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundThe human genome dwells within environment, determines environment and its expression is shaped by environment.AimsTo introduce ‘psychiatric enviromics’ as a complement to human genomics and proteomics as applied to mental health.MethodSelective literature review and synthesis.Results and conclusionsPsychiatric enviromics can be planned to sustain the search for specific environments or environmental processes and conditions that promote mental health and reduce the occurrence of psychiatric disturbances. Subsets of the psychiatric envirome will be discovered to have functional importance precisely because specific environmental conditions or processes will reduce, amplify or otherwise modulate the expression of specific genes or multiple gene interactions at identifiable periods of life-span development. Other salubrious environmental conditions and processes will have funtional importance but lack specificity of action with respect to gene expression. An international collaboration in the form of a review of evidence is proposed as a starting point for ‘psychatric enviromics’.
Inter-generational longitudinal study of social class and depression: A test of social causation and social selection models
Authors: Ritsher Jennifer E. B. , Warner Virginia , Johnson Jeffrey G. , Dohrenwend Bruce P. 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundGenerations of epidemiologists have documented an association between low socio-economic status (SES) and depression (variously defined), but debate continues as to which is the causative factor.AimsTo test the extent to which social causation (low SES causing depression) and social selection (depression causing low SES) processes are in evidence in an inter-generational longitudinal study.MethodParticipants (n=756) were interviewed up to four times over 17 years using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS).ResultsLow parental education was associated with increased risk for offspring depression, even after controlling for parental depression, offspring gender and offspring age. Neither parental nor offspring depression predicted later levels of offspring occupation, education or income.ConclusionThere is evidence for an effect of parental SES on offspring depression (social causation) but not for an effect of either parental or offspring depression on offspring SES (social selection).
Nature, nurture and mental disorder: old concepts in the new millennium
Authors: Cooper Brian 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundEvidence from twin and adoption studies has highlighted the importance of gene-environment interaction in the aetiology of mental disorders, and advances in molecular genetics have raised hopes of more rapid progress in this field of investigation.AimsTo review epidemiological knowledge concerning genetic and environmental risk factors for a cross-section of psychiatric conditions, and evidence of interaction between the two types.MethodSearches of the literature in genetic and psychiatric epidemiology, including contributions to this supplement.ResultsOverall, firm knowledge on both genetic and environmental causal factors is still fragmentary, although progress has varied among diagnostic categories. Environmental aspects have been dealt with only perfunctorily in most genetic epidemiological research.ConclusionsBetter definition and classification of environmental hazards, and closer inter-disciplinary cooperation, will be necessary in future. Specific gene-environment interaction effects seem likely to prove most important in neuropsychiatric syndromes, and a less specific genetic influence on susceptibility to environmental stress among the common mental disorders.
Bipolar disorder: leads from the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of mood stabilisers
Authors: Manji Husseini K. , Moore Gregory J. , Chen Guang 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundNew research is dramatically altering our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal communication.AimTo elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of mood stabilisers.MethodResults from integrated clinical and laboratory studies are reviewed.ResultsChronic administration of lithium and valproate produced a striking reduction in protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes in rat frontal cortex and hippocampus. In a small study, tamoxifen (also a PKC inhibitor) had marked antimanic efficacy. Both lithium and valproate regulate the DNA binding activity of the activator protein 1 family of transcription factors. Using mRNA differential display, it was also shown that chronic administration of lithium and valproate modulates expression of several genes. An exciting finding is that of a robust elevation in the levels of the cytoprotective protein, bcl-2.ConclusionsThe results suggest that regulation of signalling pathways may play a major part in the long-term actions of mood stabilisers. Additionally, mood stabilisers may exert underappreciated neuroprotective effects.
Neuropsychology of bipolar disorder
Authors: Murphy F. C. , Sahakian B. J. 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundAlthough the presence of wide-ranging neuropsychological deficits in individuals with major depression is well established, few studies have investigated the nature of cognitive impairment in patients with bipolar disorder.AimsTo review research of the neuropsychology of bipolar disorder, with special attention to the relationship between mood and cognitive functioning.MethodLiterature review.ResultsFindings generally demonstrate mania-related impairments on conventional neuropsychological tests, with direct comparisons of patients with mania and patients with depression failing to find group differences. More recent work has sought to differentiate these disorders by employing tasks with affective components. This research has demonstrated biases for processing positive and negative stimuli in patients with mania and depression, respectively.ConclusionsFuture studies, employing tasks that require cognitive and emotional processing, should improve our understanding of the deficits observed in depression and mania. Neuroimaging studies of the neural regions that underlie cognitive processing of affective meaning suggest that the medial and orbitofrontal prefrontal cortex may be particularly involved.
Molecular genetics of bipolar disorder
Authors: Craddock Nick , Jones Ian 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundA robust body of evidence from family, twin and adoption studies demonstrates the importance of genes in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder. Recent advances in molecular genetics have made it possible to identify these susceptibility genes.AimsTo present an overview for clinical psychiatrists.MethodReview of current molecular genetics approaches and emerging findings.ResultsOccasional families may exist in which a single gene plays a major role in determining susceptibility, but the majority of bipolar disorder involves more complex genetic mechanisms such as the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. Molecular genetic positional and candidate gene approaches are being used for the genetic dissection of bipolar disorder. No gene has yet been identified but promising findings are emerging. Regions of interest include chromosomes 4p16, 12q23–q24, 16p13, 21q22, and Xq24–q26. Candidate gene association studies are in progress but no robust positive findings have yet emerged.ConclusionIt is almost certain that over the next few years the identification of bipolar susceptiblity genes will have a major impact on our understanding of disease pathophysiology. This is likely to lead to major improvements and treatment in patient care, but will also raise important ethical issues.
Genetic studies of bipolar affective disorder in large families
Authors: Blackwood Douglas H. R. , Muir Walter J. , Visscher Peter M. 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundGenetic factors are known to be important in the aetiology of bipolar disorder.AimsTo review linkage studies in extended families multiply affected with bipolar disorder.MethodSelective review of linkage studies of bipolar disorder emphasising the gains and drawbacks of studying large multiply-affected families and comparing the statistical methods used for data analysis.ResultsLinkage of bipolar disorder to several chromosome regions including 4p, 4q, 10p, 12q, 16p, 18q, 21q and Xq has first been reported in extended families. In other families chromosomal rearrangements associated with affective illnesses provide signposts to the location of disease-related genes. Statistical analyses using variance component methods can be applied to extended families, require no prior knowledge of the disease inheritance, and can test multilocus models.ConclusionStudying single large pedigrees combined with variance component analysis is an efficient and effective strategy likely to lead to further insights into the genetic basis of bipolar disorders.
Serial analysis of gene expression in the frontal cortex of patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Sun Yeping , Johnston Nancy L. , Yolken Robert H. , Zhang Lin , Fullertorrey E. 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundBipolar disorder is a serious brain disease affecting more than a million individuals living in the USA. Epidemiological studies indicate a role for both genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of this disorder.AimTo identify RNA transcripts that are up- or down-regulated in the frontal cortex regions of individuals with bipolar disorder.MethodSerial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were used to identify RNA transcripts which are differentially expressed in the frontal cortex of brains obtained postmortem from individuals with bipolar disorder compared with other psychiatric and control conditions.ResultsLevels of RNA transcripts encoding the serotonin transporter protein and components of the NF-κB transcription factor complex are significantly increased in individuals with bipolar disorder compared with unaffected controls. Increased levels of expression of these RNA transcripts were also detected in the brains of some individuals with schizophrenia and unipolar depression.ConclusionThe SAGE technique offers promise for the characterisation of complex human brain diseases.
Neuroanatomical studies on bipolar disorder
Authors: Baumann Bruno , Bogerts Bernhard 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundNeuroimaging data showing structural and functional brain abnormalities in mood disorders suggest that brain alterations at the neurohistological level may underlie the macropathology seen by imaging in vivo.AimsTo summarise recent post-mortem studies on affective disorders, with a focus on bipolar disorder.MethodLiterature review and discussion of results from volumetric, cyto-architectural and immunohistochemical analyses.ResultsBasal ganglia are smaller in patients with depression irrespective of diagnostic polarity. In addition, higher neuron numbers have been reported in the locus caeruleus of patients with bipolar disorder compared with those with unipolar depression. Patients with bipolar as well as unipolar illness show subtle structural deficits in the dorsal raphe. Histological data are consistent with a regional reduction in the synthesis of noradrenalin and serotonin, which appears to be compensated by antidepressants.ConclusionPreliminary results suggest that, aside from functional dysregulation, subtle structural abnormalities in the brain may contribute to the pathogenesis of mood disorders.
Use of antipsychotic drugs and lithium in mania
Authors: Cookson John 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundStudies highlighting the difficulties associated with lithium suggest that the role of antipsychotic drugs and mood stabilisers in bipolar disorder should be reconsidered.AimsTo review the efficacy and mode of action of antipsychotic drugs in mania, and to consider the differences between official guidelines and routine clinical practice in the use of these agents for mania.MethodReview of research, guideline- and practice-based literature.ResultsGuidelines recommend lithium or valproate as first-line treatments for mania, and antipsychotic agents only as ‘adjuncts’ for agitation, dangerous behaviour or psychosis. However, in routine practice, antipsychotic drugs are often prescribed. The effectiveness of these agents in mania has been established by several studies; newer atypical compounds demonstrate antimanic efficacy with a reduced incidence of neurological side-effects.ConclusionAntipsychotic drugs are important in the treatment of bipolar disorder and mania. Future studies should evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of newer atypical antipsychotic agents, and the place of anticonvulsants in combination with antipsychotics in bipolar disorder.
Evolving methodologies in bipolar disorder maintenance research
Authors: Calabrese Joseph R. , Rapport Daniel J. , Shelton Melvin D. , Kimmel Susan E. 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundDuring the development of a new treatment for bipolar disorder, maintenance studies are used to evaluate the ability of the putative mood stabiliser to prevent relapse and recurrence of further episodes. Comparisons with the early bipolar disorder maintenance studies indicate that the methodologies of recent trials have evolved substantially.AimsTo review the methods used in the first- and second-generation maintenance studies, highlighting the differences of the various designs.MethodLiterature review.ResultsMethods that have evolved the most include patient enrolment, randomisation schemes and the use of outcome measures and statistical analyses. In addition, regulatory and commercial issues have also influenced study design.ConclusionThere is little consensus on the methodology of bipolar disorder maintenance studies. As the integration of newer therapies into routine clinical practice is dependent on the evidence from controlled studies, it is essential that future maintenance trials in bipolar disorder achieve adequate methodological rigour without sacrificing overall feasibility.
Cognitive therapy as an adjunct to medication in bipolar disorder
Authors: Scott Jan 
Published: August 2002

BackgroundThere is increasing support for the use of cognitive behaviour therapy as an adjunct to medication for patients with bipolar disorder.AimsTo explore current psychological models of bipolar disorder, describing the clinical rationale for using cognitive therapy and providing a brief overview of the approach.MethodResults from outcome studies are discussed.ResultsPreliminary findings indicate that cognitive therapy may be beneficial for patients with bipolar disorder. The collaborative, educational style of cognitive therapy, the use of a stepwise approach and of guided discovery is particularly suitable for patients who wish to take an equal and active role in their therapy.ConclusionsRandomised, controlled trials of cognitive therapy in bipolar disorder are required to establish the short-term and long-term benefits of therapy, and whether any reported health gain exceeds that of treatment as usual.