bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of Methylphenidate to Improve Cognition in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Authors: Ashraf S. , Bachu A. , Srinivas S. , Tankersley W. , Shah K. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionMethylphenidate (MPH) is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has shown unique benefits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition to improving attention, hyperactivity, and repetitive movement, it also improves cognition in ASD. Our focus is to explore the understudied benefits and safety of methylphenidate use for cognition in ASD children.Objectives1) To study the response and benefit of methylphenidate in autistic kids to improve cognition and life function.2) To assess the safety profile and risks of using methylphenidate at different doses in children with autism as a guiding tool for prescribing physicians.MethodsA literature search was conducted using relevant medical subject headings (MeSH) terms in PubMed, Medline, and PubMed Central. We identified all published articles from inception until September 30, 2022. Initial search results found 41 studies, of which 15 were excluded as they did not meet inclusion and exclusion criteria. After a thorough full-text review, we included 5 studies in our final qualitative synthesis review.ResultsMethylphenidate was found to have the unique benefit of increasing cognitive processing speed, thus improving everyday life function in ASD and ADHD children compared with only ADHD, with a clinical significance of p<0.001. Stimulants may improve the processing of social situations and interactions or social functions due to this unique response (Peled, J et al. Nordic journal of psychiatry 2020; 74(3), 163–167) A clinically significant performance gain on cognitive tasks was identified with a linear dose-response at three different doses (10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg) of methylphenidate. ASD children with ADHD made significantly fewer omission errors, [F(3,69) = 7.21, p < 0.001], and commission errors [F(3,69) = 4.64, p = 0.005] on MPH, compared to placebo. They also showed more response at higher MPH doses, [F(3,69) = 10.45, p < 0.001]. Thus, the children were faster, more accurate, and had fewer errors at higher MPH doses (Pearson, D. A. et al. Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology 2020; 30(7), 414–426). There were no serious side effects or suicidality reported for low dose and a medium dose of MPH in ASD children assessed with Response Impressions and Side Effects Checklist-Kids (RISC-K), A 38-item parent rating scale (Kim, S. J. et al. Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2017; 47(8), 2307–2313).ConclusionsThe findings support the positive response of methylphenidate on cognitive function in ASD children. No serious adverse effects or suicidality were noted. Multi-center well-designed studies are recommended to determine further efficacy and safety of MPH in ASD children for cognition.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Exploring the Restoration of Brain Connectivity during Weight Normalization in Severe
Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Kaufmann L.-K. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Anorexia nervosa is a persistent and often difficult to treat eating disorder with
significant physical and mental health consequences. While it is known that the disorder is
associated with alterations in brain functional connectivity during the phase of acute
underweight, the effect of weight normalization on brain connectivity remains
unclear.
This talk focuses on the recovery of intrinsic brain connectivity during weight
normalization in severe anorexia nervosa, presenting data from a longitudinal study. Using
resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we assessed brain connectivity at three
different stages of inpatient treatment. Our findings indicate that patients with severe
anorexia nervosa have weaker intrinsic connectivity and altered network topology, which do
not improve during treatment. These persistent disruptions in brain networks suggest that
severe anorexia nervosa may have long-term effects on the way the brain processes
information, even after weight is restored.

Disclosure of Interest
None Declared
Neurobiological effects of early trauma exposure in people with eating disorders: implications for treatment
Authors: Cascino G. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPeople with eating disorders (EDs) exhibit a prevalence of childhood maltreatment higher than general population and, as for other psychiatric conditions, a history of childhood maltreatment in the context of EDs has been found associated with an earlier age at onset, a greater clinical severity, a more frequent comorbidity with other psychiatric conditions and a poorer treatment response . Neuroendocrine modifications as well as a heightened biological and emotional vulnerability to acute social stressor exposure and cortical measures alterations have been reported in people with EDs and history of childhood maltreatment. This evidence suggests the possibility to identify a “maltreated ecophenotype” also in people affected by EDs which recommends grouping individuals affected by the same psychiatric condition into subgroups characterized by different clinical and biological correlates in order to tailor treatements.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Intranasal Oxytocin as an adjunct treatment in patients with major depression with and
without comorbid borderline personality disorder
Authors: Maoz H. 
Published: August 2023

Introduction
The mechanisms leading to Oxytocin’s differential effects among patients with
borderline personality disorder have thus far been elusive.

Objectives
This study was aimed to explore the differential effect of OT administration among
depressive patients with or without comorbid borderline personality disorder, and to explore
the mediating role of attachment in these differential patterns.

Methods
Patients treated with psychotherapy in an inpatient settings (N=58) were randomized
and double-blindly allocated to receive oxytocin or placebo for a period of four weeks. The
effect of OT on therapy process and outcome was examined among patients with (n=35) and
without (n=23) borderline personality disorder. Moderated mediational models were estimated
to explore whether attachment differentially affected the association between oxytocin and
treatment outcomes.

Results
patients without BPD showed significantly larger improvements following OT
administration (B=-8.32, p=.001) as compared to placebo in OQ-45. On the other hand, patients
with BPD showed no significant improvement following OT (B=0.61, p=.76). The same pattern was
observed in the HSCL, where patients without BPD demonstrated significantly larger
improvements following OT administration (B=-0.29 ,p=.0009) as compared to placebo, while
patients with BPD demonstrated no significant improvement (B=-0.04 ,p=.55). Moderated
mediational models indicated no significant moderated indirect effect, however, a significant
trend of indirect effect only in the BPD group was observed, whereby the no-BPD group showed
a stronger direct effect (β=-0.19, t=-1.30, p=.20), whereas the BPD group showed a stronger
indirect effect (β=-0.72, SE=0.45, CI= -1,71, -0.00).

Conclusions
Patients with depression and comorbid BPD benefit less from OT administration as
compared depressive patients without such comorbidity. It is possible that the involvement of
the attachment system may be associated with the attenuation of OT’s effect.

Disclosure of Interest
None Declared
Assessing possible moderators on the association between frequency of contact with non-cohabitating adult children and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Noh J. , Roh H. W. , Rho Y. , Kim M. , Beon J. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionWith the increase of older adult population, late life depression is emerging as a major problem in many countries as it significantly deteriorates function and quality of life in older adults. Late life depression is a multidimensional disease that requires intervention in biopsychosocial perspective. Recent reduction in family size and rapid simplification of generations are making this decrease more dramatic. Thus, single older households are becoming general type of household in late life, emphasizing the importance of social engagement in late life depressionObjectivesthe purpose of this study is to assess the correlation between the frequency of face-to-face and non-face-to-face contact with non-cohabitating adult children and late life depression after the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we hypothesized 10 possible moderators and evaluated the moderation effect of each moderator on the correlation. By identifying groups of older adults that are more affected by contact with their children, the understanding of the relationship between late life depression and family contact in older adults might provide insights to set intervention targets in the community.MethodsOlder adults who completed the Living Profiles of Older People Survey in Korea were included. In total, 7,573 participants were analyzed by measuring their contact frequency and depression symptoms. Regression analysis was done adjusting covariates. Process macro was used to verify the moderating effects of variables.ResultsMultivariable logistic regression analysis showed that both infrequent face-to-face (OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.56-2.23) and non-face-to-face contact (OR=1.22, 95% CI=1.03-1.44) with non-cohabitating adult children group was associated with higher risk of late life depression compared to a frequent contact group. Further linear regression analysis, which viewed depressive symptoms as SGDS-K score, indicated consistent results in face-to-face and non-face-to-face contact (estimate=0.468, standard error [SE]=0.091, p<0.001 and estimate=0.262, standard error [SE]=0.079, p<0.001, respectively). Finally, using moderation analysis, association with late life depression and frequency of face-to-face contact was moderated by age, quartiles of household income, number of chronic diseases, frequency of physical activity, existence of spouse, and nutritional status (NSI) whether effect of frequency of non-face-to-face contact on late life depression was increased by participation in social activity, frequent physical activity, and good cognitive function (MMSE-DS score)(p for interaction<0.05).ConclusionsFrequent contact of non-cohabitating children lowers the risk of later life depression. Several variables were found significant in moderating contact frequency-depression symptoms.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Empathy training models and the effects on psychological concerns in paid and unpaid caregivers of older people: A systematic review
Authors: Pessoa R. M. D. P. P. , Maximiano-Barreto M. A. , Ottaviani A. C. , Luchesi B. M. , Chagas M. H. N. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionEmpathy training directed at empathic abilities and/or aspects of providing care can be effective at increasing levels of this ability. Moreover, training in different care contexts can minimize the negative impacts of providing care.ObjectivesTo identify empathy training models and the effects on psychological concerns in paid and unpaid caregivers of older people.MethodsA systematic review was conducted. Searches for relevant articles were performed in the Embase, LILACS, PsycInfo, Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science databases using the following search strategy: “Empathy AND (Education OR Training OR Intervention) AND Caregiver”. No restrictions were imposed regarding language or year of publication.ResultsEmpathy training for caregivers of older people were performed in six studies, three of which identified a significant increase in empathy levels and consequent reduction in psychological concerns. Empathy training focused on aspects of empathy and/or the caregiver had significant effects on the outcome variables. Moreover, training conducted online, by telephone and/or in person can generate satisfactory results. The other three studies that conducted training with a focus on aspects of dementia and/or old age did not present any effect on the outcome variables.ConclusionsEmpathy training for caregivers of older people can increase levels of this ability, especially in the cognitive domain, as well as diminish psychological concerns caused by the negative impact of providing care.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Attitude of Albanian psychiatrists towards their patients
Authors: Dashi E. , Skendi V. , Ori D. , Alikaj V. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionErving Goffman described stigma as an attribute considered to be undesirable and unpleasant by society and which differentiates the stigmatised person from other members of the community that he or she should belong to. (Hankir AK, et al., 2014). Mental illness has been always associated with stigma, moreover people with serious mental illness have higher rates of mortality and morbidity. (Patrick W. Corrigan, et al., 2014). The contact mental-health-care professionals have with people with mental illness is associated with positive attitudes towards civil rights, however it does not reduce stigma as does social contact such as with friends or family members with mental illness. (Henderson C et al., 2014)ObjectivesThis is the Albanian substudy of a larger multicenter study. We aimed to investigate the attitudes of specialists and trainees in psychiatry in Albania.MethodsAn anonymous online questionnaire was sent by email to the participants. We used questions on sociodemographic and professional details as well as requested personal information regarding their lived experience. The self reporting Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers was used to measure stigmatising attitudes, which contains 15-statements and 3-subscales: Attitude, Disclosure and Help-seeking and Social distance.ResultsAltogether 59 professionals completed the questionnaire, 59% of them worked as adult (n=35) and 41% as child psychiatrists (n=24). 58% were specialists (n=34) and 41% trainees (n=24). Based on their responses, 12% of them (n=7) have ever sought help for their own mental health problems. Regarding case discussion, supervision or Balint groups, 81% of the sample (n=48) was open to these; however, it was accessible for only 46% of the sample.The median stigma scores were the followings: attitude: 13 (11-16), Disclosure: 10 (9-12) and Social distance: 12 (9-13), total score: 35 (31-40); however, none of these were associated with any of the above variables.ConclusionsStigma is present towards people with mental health problems and psychiatrist play their part in it as well. Further investigation is needed into Albanian psychiatrists’ stigmatising attitudes to find appropriate anti-stigma interventions for them.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Autoimmune psychosis: a review of diagnostic and treatment guidelines
Authors: Barbosa P. , Remelhe M. , Ribeiro L. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionOver this decade, there has been progressive growth and evolution of the concept of autoimmune encephalitis. However, international consensus overly focus on major neurological signs, while discarding some attenuated presentations, sometimes with just psychiatric manifestations. It was only very recently that a new concept arouse from this disorder, named autoimmune psychosis, which can mimic schizophrenia. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of a structured approach of psychotic patients to cover this disorder. This has numerous implications, namely on management and prognosis of these patients. Not only, these patients have an increased risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, but it is also important to intervene early in the course of disease.ObjectivesTo conduct a review of the diagnostic and treatment guideliens of autoimmune psychosisMethodsThe authors conducted a non-systematic review, by resorting to the pubmed database, on the concept of autoimmune psychosis and updated proposals of diagnostic orienting lines.ResultsRecently, in 2016, Graus et al proposed diagnostic criteria for possible autoimmune encephalitis, in which the authors acknowledge subacute onset of psychiatric symptoms as a possible clinical manifestation. The authors accept normal diagnostic tests, provided that new neurological focal findings exist. Since then, there have been described a list of signs/symptoms, which should raise suspicion for this diagnostic on psychiatric patients, so called red flags. In accordance to diagnostic guidelines for autoimmune psychosis, defined by Pollak et, the presence of this symptoms should lead clinicians to perform diagnostic exams, as MRI, eletroencephalogram and blood serological tests and lumbar puncture. However, others criticize this initial lineup arguing that some patients could be missed, because they do not have any neurological signs, and so they propose new diagnostic criteria.ConclusionsAutoimmune psychosis represents an attenuated clinical form of autoimmune encephalitis, although demanding the same medication and prompt initiation of treatment as other autoimmune encephalitis. It is important to acknowledge that there are patients who are seronegative and that some of the diagnostic exams mentioned have sometimes limited availability. As acknowledged by Guasp et al, there are patients with first psychotic episodes that have an autoimmune etiology, but because of the lack of neurological signs, could potentially be missed of treatment. So, it is important to establish formal diagnostic guidelines for this disorder, namely orienting lines for first psychotic episodes, which is the most commson psychiatric manifestation. This also enlightens the need for neurologic and psychiatric cooperation for these patients.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Adjunctive short- and long-term combination treatment of esketamine and VNS in difficult to treat depression (DTD)
Authors: Kavakbasi E. , Baune B. T. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionNMDA-Receptor antagonists have rapid antidepressant and antisuicidal properties. However, the antidepressant effect is short lasting raising the question of best maintenance strategy, which is unanswered so far. Invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as a treatment option for refractory and chronic major depression was shown to reduce the need of maintenance treatment sessions in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) patients.ObjectivesThere are no published data on the combination of VNS and esketamine. To determine the impact of the combination of VNS and esketamine in DTD.MethodsIn this naturalistic observational study, we investigated the short- and long-term impact of combination of VNS and esketamine in n=8 patients with difficult-to-treat depression (DTD). Follow-up evaluations were scheduled prospectively pre-surgery at baseline and every 3 months after VNS-implantation (follow-up period 12-24 months, mean 17).ResultsThe mean age of patients was 50,8 years. 50 % of patients (n=4) were female. All patients suffered from severe DTD (mean MADRS at baseline 30,9). Mean number of hospitalizations per months decreased from 0.17 to 0.11 after VNS implantation. 6 of 8 patients were offered maintenance esketamine treatment. Mean MADRS at 12-months was 19 (38.5 % MADRS reduction). The need of mean esketamine treatment sessions decreased from 2.3 at 6-months visit (V6) to 1.37 at V9 and 0.96 at V12 respectively. Termination of maintenance esketamine was possible in 4 cases after a mean of 11.5 months.ConclusionsCombination of esketamine and VNS is a safe and effective treatment option in severely ill DTD patients to relieve disease severity and reduce hospitalizations. Need of esketamine treatment sessions decreases 6 months after VNS implantation.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Structural abnormalities of choroid vasculature in first-episode psychosis
Authors: Demirlek C. , Atas F. , Yalincetin B. , Baykara H. B. , Akdede B. B. , Kaya M. , Bora E. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe eye is considered as a part of the central nervous system and a window of the brain. The eye and the brain, also their microvascular system, share many common features in terms of anatomy and pathophysiology. Choroid and retina related abnormalities have been reported in psychotic disorders, especially in schizophrenia. Choroidal vascularity index (CVI) is a useful tool to assess choroidal structural alterations and CVI is defined as the proportion of luminal area (LA) to the total choroidal area (TCA).ObjectivesThis is the first study to investigate choroidal vascularity index in first-episode psychosis (FEP) using optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods31 patients with FEP and 30 age and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) included in this study. All participants underwent psychiatric and ophthalmological clinical assessments. Imaging of the choroid was performed using enhanced deep imaging (EDI) protocol - spectral domain OCT. Central choroidal thickness (CCT) with EDI-OCT was measured manually from the inner border of the sclera to the outer border of the RPE vertically using the calipers of the Heidelberg reader subfoveally. The choroidal vascularity index was assessed using the EDI-OCT images.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between FEP and HC in terms of CCT (p=0.33), TCA (p=0.809) and LCA (p=0.710). The CVIs were 66.66±2.98% and 62.32±3.32% in FEP and HC, respectively and it was significantly different between groups (p<0.001, effect size d=1.38).ConclusionsThese results suggest that first episode psychosis is characterized by choroidal vascular abnormalities. in vivo ophthalmological imaging with OCT, a non-invasive, fast, and safe technological tool, can be a promising biomarker to quantitatively evaluate microvasculature abnormalities in patients with psychosis.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Anterior pituitary hormones in first-episode psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cavaleri D. , Capogrosso C. A. , Guzzi P. , Misiak B. , Bernasconi G. , Re M. , Crocamo C. , Bartoli F. , Carrà G. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionAlthough the role of pituitary gland in schizophrenia and psychotic disorders has been studied for decades, evidence on anterior pituitary hormones in the early phases of psychoses – without the influence of chronicity, comorbidities, and pharmacological treatment – is mostly unclear and inconsistent.ObjectivesOur systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed at comparing the blood concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones (FSH and LH), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) between people with drug-naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) and healthy controls.MethodsWe searched main electronic databases for articles indexed up to September 2022. We appraised the quality of data. We carried out random-effects meta-analyses, generating pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) and estimating between-study heterogeneity. Moreover, we performed sensitivity and meta-regression analyses.ResultsTwenty-six studies were included. People with drug-naïve FEP had higher ACTH (p<0.001; moderate-to-high heterogeneity) and PRL (p<0.001; high heterogeneity) concentrations, as well as lower TSH concentrations (p=0.001; low heterogeneity), than healthy subjects. Sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings. Data were not sufficient to perform meta-analyses on other hormones (FSH, LH, and GH).ConclusionsPeople with drug-naïve FEP have abnormal ACTH, PRL, and TSH blood concentrations, supporting the hypothesis that anterior pituitary hormone secretion is altered in the first stages of schizophrenia and psychoses. Additional research is needed to clarify the complex interconnections between vulnerability, environmental factors, and pituitary hormones in FEP.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared