bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catatonia in patients with dementia
Authors: Khouadja S. , Taleb C. Ben , Melki R. , Younes S. , Zarrouk L. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionCatatonia has been reported with almost all types of dementia but it remains under-diagnosed.ObjectivesDescribe the characteristics of catatonia in patients with dementia and the efficiency of early management.MethodsWe review a case of a young patient admitted in our psychiatric department for catatonia and after efficient treatment, assessment revealed a dementia.ResultsA 49-year-old male treated with classic antipsychotic drug for an acute psychotic episode at age of 35 years. Three years later, the patient was admitted for behavioral disorders with delirium and confusion. The patient was treated with high-doses of antipsychotic drugs with vasodilator treatment. Currently, ten years later, he was hospitalized in a stuporous state with food refusal, sustained posture and worsening of his overall situation. At the mental assessment, the patient was motionless, mute and rigid with frozen facial expression and gaze stare. Negativity and opposition were obvious against any solicitation. Moreover, the physical examination has shown a worsening of the overall state of health, weight loss and walking difficulties. After symptomatic treatment of catatonia with benzodiazepine, the assessment revealed an aphaso-apraxo-agnotic syndrome with memory dysfunctions such as amnesia with false recognition and executive dysfunction as well as limitations in intellectual abilities. A brain scan revealed cortical and subcortical atrophy predominant in the bilateral fronto-temporo-parietal region associated with ventricular system expansion. The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease was made. Following atypical antipsychotic treatment combined with benzodiazepine, there was release of inhibition.ConclusionsCatatonia is a severe neuropsychiatric syndrome with an excellent prognosis if recognized and treated without delay.
The limits of medical recovery of post stroke patients suffering of different types of neoplasia
Authors: Rădulescu I.D. , Pâslaru A.M. , Creangă-Zărnescu V. , Fătu A.-M. , Ciubară A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionA stroke represents a major cause of the disability of an adult with various biological, physiological and social implications. Excluding the characteristic neurological pathology, a series of complications may follow and if they are neglected they might compromise the success of medical rehab and the reintegration of the patient back into society.Recent studies have demonstrated that there is a higher rate of incidence of cancer among the survivors of a stroke in comparison with the general population.ObjectivesThe correlation between strokes and oncological disease.MethodsWe have effectuated a prospective study of 6 months at the Neurology Section of Emergency Hospital “Saint Andrei”, Galati, in which we’ve included a total number of 50 patients who were over 60 years old. In this timeline we’ve analyzed the correlation between strokes and the comorbidities of the patient and the influence of these over the plan of medical rehab and the period of recovery after the stroke.ResultsOver these 6 months, of all 468 patients having suffered strokes, 50 of these had been secondarily diagnosed with neurocognitive disorders. 56% of them were male and 44% were female, 37% from rural areas and 63% from the urban areas.ConclusionsThe category of neurocognitive disorders includes the group of disorders in which the principal clinical deficit is located at the cognitive functions level and is usually acquired, not representing a disorder of development.
Psychological assessment of the cognitive development of children with IVF: The experience of neuropsychological approach
Authors: Sergienko A. , Zvereva N. , Zvereva M. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe first stage of interdisciplinary studying (EEG, IQ, immunology, psychology, neuropsychology) of cognitive development of children with IVF, conducting at the Mental Health Research Center (Moscow, Russia) is presenting. A small number of studies analyzing the cognitive development of children in a wide age range, determined the design of this study.ObjectivesAssessment of the capabilities of the neuropsychological approach in qualifying the cognitive development of children with IVF.Methods20 children aged 7 to 15 years old, born with IVF, studying in school. Neuropsychological diagnosis according to A.R. Luria-L.S.Tsvetkova. All participants signed voluntary consent to participate in the study.Results1. Neuropsychological approach and methods of neuropsychological diagnostics are effective in qualifying the neurocognitive development of children with IVF 2. The overwhelming majority of the examined children (90%) had energy factor dysfunction (at the level of brain stem structures in 65%, at the level of diencephalic structures in 82%, combined disorders at both levels in 52%) 3. Regulatory inhibitory control (impulse control - suppression of the dominant reaction) was impaired (functionally unformed) in 58% of the subjects 4. A gross violation of the kinetic factor was found in 46% of the examined children and adolescents IVF 5. The development of speech and visual memory is variable.ConclusionsThe conclusions are preliminary and require testing on a wider sample of children born because of IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies. It is necessary to study the functional state of other neuropsychological factors, to expand the number of participants.
Combination approaches to reduce weight-gain induced by antipsychotics
Authors: Hofer A. 
Published: February 2022

Research demonstrates that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the general population is increasing rapidly worldwide and that the environmental changes that have provoked these increases have also affected people with severe mental illness (SMI). Of note, obesity is two to three times more common among people with SMI and it contributes to a significantly reduced quality of life and to an increased morbidity and mortality rate in this population. The most important factor related to weight gain in people with SMI is the use of antipsychotic medication. Weight gain often occurs within 6-8 weeks after the initiation of antipsychotic treatment and may continue for at least 4 years. This can lead to non-adherence and risk of relapse. Next to behavioural interventions several pharmacological approaches have been investigated to deal with antipsychotic-induced weight gain. They target different receptor systems including dopaminergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic, adrenergic, opioid, and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptors. This symposium will provide an overview of the effectiveness of different add-on medications to treat weight gain in patients with SMI.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
Functional connectivity between brain regions underlying executive control and language in schizophrenia patients with history of auditory verbal hallucinations
Authors: Panikratova Y. , Lebedeva I. , Tomyshev A. , Kaleda V. , Vlasova R. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionSchizophrenia patients with auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) demonstrate impaired functional connectivity (FC) between brain regions, involved in executive functions and language. However, as most studies compare patients to healthy controls, the specificity of these findings either for schizophrenia in general or for AVH is unclear.ObjectivesWe aimed to compare whole-brain resting-state FC of main language brain regions between schizophrenia patients with and without history of AVH and healthy controls.MethodsSchizophrenia male patients with (n=31; mean age 29,8±11,6) or without history of AVH (n=16; 29±12,4) and 39 healthy male controls (30±8,9) underwent resting-state fMRI on 3T Philips scanner. No between-group differences in age, illness duration, and severity of clinical symptoms except AVH were revealed. Regions of interest (ROIs) were taken from the independent fMRI study with conventional language localizer and included left inferior frontal gyrus (l_IFG) and superior temporal gyri (STG) bilaterally. Whole-brain FC of each ROI was compared between groups (ANCOVA; p<.005 voxelwise; p(FDR)<.017 clusterwise, corrected for number of ROIs) with post hoc tests.ResultsDecreased FC between each STG (left and right) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was revealed in all patients, compared to healthy controls. Patients with history of AVH, compared to other groups, showed decreased FC between l_IFG and ACC.ConclusionsDisrupted fronto-temporal FC is non-specific for AVH and characterizes all schizophrenia patients. Patients with history of AVH have impaired FC between the l_IFG, underlying language production, and ACC, involved in differentiation between language production and comprehension. The study was supported by RFBR grant 18-013-01214.Conflict of interestThe study was supported by RFBR grant 18-013-01214.
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) promotes social behaviour through 5-HT2A and ampa in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC)
Authors: Markopoulos A. , Inserra A. , De Gregorio D. , Gobbi G. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAutism Spectrum Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder are mental illnesses characterized by a dysfunction in social behavior (SB); a phenomenon largely mediated by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Clinical studies have demonstrated that lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a partial agonist of the 5-HT2A receptor, can promote SB. However, its mechanism of action on SB is unknown.ObjectivesTo assess the effects of repeated LSD administration on social behavior in mice and to identify which mPFC receptors mediate LSD’s behavioral effects.MethodsEight-week-old C57BL/6J male mice received vehicle or repeated LSD (30 μg/kg/day i.p. for 7 days) as well the selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist MDL, or the AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX. Twenty-four hours following the last injection, mice underwent the Direct Social Interaction Test and the Three-Chamber Test (TCT) to assess sociability and preference for social novelty. in vivo electrophysiological recordings were performed in mice treated with vehicle or LSD using multi-barrelled electrodes for microiontophoretic ejections of the selective 5-HT2A receptor agonist DOI or the selective AMPA receptor agonist quisqualate on mPFC pyramidal neurons.ResultsRepeated treatment with low doses of LSD increased the interaction time in the DSI as well as sociability and social novelty indices in the TCT. These pro-social effects were blocked by the intra-PFC administration of both 5-HT2A and AMPA antagonists. LSD also potentiated, in a current-dependent manner, the excitatory response of mPFC neurons to 5-HT2Aand AMPA agonists.ConclusionsRepeated, low doses of LSD increases social behavior via a mechanism of action that is mediated by 5-HT2A and AMPA in the mPFC.
Comorbidity and therapeutic response of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Authors: Pedrero A. Alvarez , González-Rodríguez A. , Pérez D. Garcia , Delgado L. , Fucho G.F. , Uribe I. Parra , Acebillo S. , Monreal J.A. , Vidal D. Palao , Labad J. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a biological basis overlapped with obsessive compulsive disorders and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). The combination of pharmacological treatment and psychological interventions have been considered the gold-standardObjectivesOur main objective was to present the case of a patient with ASD and comorbid BDD. As a second objective, we reviewed recent works on the common neurobiological substrate and therapeutic options for both conditions.Methods(1)Clinical case: Patient with ASD and BDD, treated with fluoxetine 60 mg/day and aripiprazole 30 mg/day. (2)Non-systematic narrative review focused on neurobiological substrate and treatment of ASD and BDD. The electronic search was performed by the PubMed database (1990-2020) using the following key terms: “autism spectrum disorder”, “body dysmorphic disorder”, “dysmorphophobia”, “neurobiology”, “pharmacological treatment”, “psychological treatment” and “treatment”.ResultsOur patient is a 31-year-old single male fulfilling DSM-5 criteria for ASD, diagnosed in childhood, and BDD. He received pharmacological treatment and CBT. He also verbalized having been concerned with his lips and mouth for the last 10 years. This discomfort leads to passive ideas of death. Review: All articles (n=4) supported the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and CBT in this comorbidity. None of them reported the use of antipsychotics. Oone article described the use of Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and oxytocin.ConclusionsASD and BDD share the basis of corticostriatal circuits. ISRS and CBT may be effective in treatment. Other options (oxytocin or rTMS) should be further investigated. Examining this comorbidity could be useful for discovering possible endophenotypes.
Alcohol-related dementia – an overlooked entity?
Authors: Nogueira V. , Mendes M. , Pereira I. , Teixeira J. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe relationship between alcohol use and dementia is complex. There is a J-shaped relationship between alcohol use and cognitive impairment and evidence shows that one-quarter of the dementia population have alcohol related problems. It is estimated that alcohol-related dementia (ARD) contributes for about 10% of all cases of dementia, especially early-onset dementia, but is largely overlooked or seen as a comorbid factor.ObjectivesTo clarify the relationship between alcohol use, alcohol-related brain damage and dementia; to review the clinical features, neuropathology, nosology and neuropsychology of ARD and alcohol-induced persisting amnestic syndrome (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome- WKS).MethodsWe performed a review of systematic reviews from the last 10 years. A total of 28 systematic reviews were identified.ResultsHeavy alcohol use has been shown to be a contributory factor and necessary factor in the development of multiple brain diseases. It may cause brain damage in multiple ways: direct neurotoxic effect of acetaldehyde; thiamine deficiency. It is also a risk factor for other conditions, such as hepatic encephalopathy, epilepsy and head injury.ConclusionsClinical observation favors the diagnosis of ADR as a distinct entity, but broader evidence reflects significant commonality between ARD and WKS, tough neuropsychological studies have largely attempted to differentiate these syndromes. Repeated episodes of WKS may cause cognitive deterioration. In contrast to other common causes of dementia, the decline in cognitive functioning in ARD is relatively non-progressive if abstinence is maintained, or even partially reversible, as supported by neuroimaging evidence. Given the increase in per capita consumption, it is expected a disproportionate increase in ARD.
Phenocopy syndrome of frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Martins D. , Faria R. , Pinho M. , Rodrigues S. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionFrontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by behavioral or language changes with progressive executive dysfunction. It´s subdivided into two variants, the behavioral and language variants. The phenocopy syndrome of frontotemporal dementia (phFTD) mimics the behavioral variant, but doesn´t show frontotemporal atrophy in neuroimaging and doesn´t progress to frank dementia over the years.ObjectivesPresenting a review of phenocopy syndrome of frontotemporal dementia.MethodsSearch on Pubmed® and Medscape® databases with the following keywords: “frontotemporal dementia and phenocopy” or “FTD phenocopy”. We focused on data from systematic reviews and meta-analyzes published in the last five years. The articles were selected by the authors according to their relevance.ResultsMutations in GRN and MAPT gens and genetic expansion of C9orf72 have been identified. The discovery of the C9orf72 expansion in psychiatric disorders (psychosis, bipolar disorder or depressive disorder), for some authors, represents that phFTD is a psychiatric pathology. In fact, there’s a higher frequency of psychiatric and psychological symptoms in phFTD compared to the variants of FTD. Usually are male patients who don´t have significant cognitive deficits, with preservation of executive functions and episodic memory. Until now, there are no definitive biomarkers of the disease. The prognosis is more benigne, unlike FTD, which has an average survival of 3 years since diagnosis.ConclusionsphFTD is a clinical and scientific challenge. The neurobiological bases remain unknown, requiring further studies in this field. The identification of markers that can differentiate patients with typical FTD and phFTD can facilitate prognosis orientation and pharmacological an non-pharmacological treatment.
Dementia patients have greater anti-cholinergic drug burden on discharge from hospital: A multicentre cross-sectional study
Authors: Randall J. , Hook A. , Grubb C-M. , Ellis N. , Wellington J. , Hemmad A. , Zerdelis A. , Geers B. , Sykes B. , Auty C. , Vinchenzo C. , Thorburn C. , Asogbon D. , Granger E. , Boagey H. , Raphael J. , Patel K. , Bhargava K. , Dolley M.-K. , Maden M. , Shah M. , Lee Q. , Vaidya R. , Sehdev S. , Barai S. , Roche S. , Khalid U. , Harrison J. , Codling D. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionAnticholinergic medications block cholinergic transmission. The central effects of anticholinergic drugs can be particularly marked in patients with dementia. Furthermore, anticholinergics antagonise the effects of cholinesterase inhibitors, the main dementia treatment.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess anticholinergic drug prescribing among dementia patients before and after admission to UK acute hospitals.Methods352 patients with dementia were included from 17 hospitals in the UK. All were admitted to surgical, medical or Care of the Elderly wards in 2019. Information about patients’ prescriptions were recorded on a standardised form. An evidence-based online calculator was used to calculate the anticholinergic drug burden of each patient. The correlation between two subgroups upon admission and discharge was tested with Spearman’s Rank Correlation.ResultsTable 1 shows patient demographics. On admission, 37.8% of patients had an anticholinergic burden score ≥1 and 5.68% ≥3. At discharge, 43.2% of patients had an anticholinergic burden score ≥1 and 9.1% ≥3. The increase was statistically significant (rho 0.688; p=2.2x10-16). The most common group of anticholinergic medications prescribed at discharge were psychotropics (see Figure 1). Among patients prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors, 44.9% were also taking anticholinergic medications.ConclusionsThis multicentre cross-sectional study found that people with dementia are frequently prescribed anticholinergic drugs, even if also taking cholinesterase inhibitors, and are significantly more likely to be discharged with a higher anticholinergic drug burden than on admission to hospital.Conflict of interestThis project was planned and executed by the authors on behalf of SPARC (Student Psychiatry Audit and Research Collaborative). We thank the National Student Association of Medical Research for allowing us use of the Enketo platform. Judith Harrison was su
Use of benzodiazepines and related drugs and the risk of dementia: A review of reviews
Authors: Ferreira P. , Ferreira A.R. , Fernandes L. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionBenzodiazepines (BZDs) and related drugs (BZRDs) are widely used to reduce agitation, anxiety and sleep disturbances in the elderly, despite concerns raised about their modest efficacy for such indications and risk of severe adverse effects, including acute consequences on cognition. Recently, some studies have also raised concerns about the long-term effect of BZDs, suggesting their association with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.ObjectivesTo review published synthesis studies on the risk of dementia development due to BZDs/BZRDs use.MethodsAn electronic search was conducted in PubMed. Meta-analysis, systematic and non-systematic reviews examining the association between BZDs/BZRDs and subsequent dementia were included. No language nor publication date restrictions were applied. Search results other than synthesis studies were excluded. Studies were screened for relevance based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsOverall, 246 results were obtained. After initial screening, nine studies were included. From these, three were systematic reviews with meta-analysis of observational studies (cohort and/or case-control), one was a systematic review from observational studies and five were non-systematic reviews. Most studies found an association between BZDs/BZRDs and subsequent dementia, with meta-analysis studies reporting an increased risk (OR) between 1,38 and 1,78, even after controlling for protopathic bias. However, difficulties in establishing a causal relationship are reported due to the considerable clinical and methodological heterogeneity of the primary studies.ConclusionsMost studies suggest an association between the use of BZDs/BZRDs and dementia risk, highlighting that their prescription should be cautious, prevented or reduced to attenuate this risk.
The effects of the covid 19 pandemic on the elderly with depression
Authors: Rădulescu I.D. , Sarbu F. , Ciubară A. 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionDepression, as a psychiatric entity, has a number of emotional components. These are mainly known among patients over the age of 65: sadness, physical and mental exhaustion, irritability, feeling of emptiness and loneliness.ObjectivesThe main objective of this study is to detect if the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic over 65 years of age such as fear, excessive anxiety, lack of motivation, uncertainty and environmental changes, isolation (resulting in sleep disorders, appetite and attention) caused the exacerbation of depression.MethodsThis study included a total number of 126 patients, each over 65, hospitalized at the Psychiatric Hospital “Elisabeta Doamna” in Galati in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. They were diagnosed with depression, according to ICD-10 and the Hamilton scale.ResultsAll data obtained were centralized and used to detect whether, in Galați, the lockdown impacted the number of admissions of people over 65, diagnosed with depression, with an average age of 68,62. There is an increased incidence of female patients (75%), thus reporting an odds ratio of 3:1. The incidence of cases reported during the months of presentation is as follows: January (24%), February (28.8%), March (14.4%), April (3.2%), May (5.6%), June (23.2%).ConclusionsEnvironmental factors, unique in this situation, isolation, social distancing and changes in the daily routine, each associated with this global epidemiological crisis determinated a decrease of the number of depressive elderly admissions between March 15th and May 15th.