Enhancing social functioning in young people at Ultra High Risk (UHR) for psychosis: A pilot study of a novel strengths and mindfulness-based online social therapy
Psychological and pharmacological treatments have been shown to reduce rates of transition to psychosis in Ultra High Risk (UHR) young people. However, social functioning deficits have been unresponsive to current treatments. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 18, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: M. Alvarez-Jimenez, J.F. Gleeson, S. Bendall, D.L. Penn, A.R. Yung, R.M. Ryan, D. Eleftheriadis, S. D'Alfonso, S. Rice, C. Miles, P. Russon, R. Lederman, R. Chambers, C. Gonzalez-Blanch, M.H. Lim, E. Killackey, P.D. McGorry, B. Nelson Source Type: research
7 T MRI reveals hippocampal structural abnormalities associated with memory intrusions in childhood-onset schizophrenia
The hippocampus exhibits striking volume reductions in schizophrenia (van Erp et al., 2016), with regionally specific changes in subfields cornu ammonis 1 to 4 (CA1-4), dentate gyrus, and subiculum (Mathew et al., 2014). Models of hippocampal function suggest an association with memory deficits in schizophrenia patients; for example, impairment of the pattern separation component of declarative memory in schizophrenia suggests dentate gyrus dysfunction (Das et al., 2014). As yet, however, there is incomplete understanding of how subfield structure contributes to these impairments. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 18, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Dale Zhou, Siyuan Liu, Xueping Zhou, Rebecca Berman, Diane Broadnax, Peter Gochman, Judith Rapoport, Adam Thomas Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Refining strategies to drive cognitive gains through transcranial electrical stimulation
Combining conventional non-invasive neuromodulatory therapeutics like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) or Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) with behavioral interventions like cognitive training, in a neuroscience-informed manner has the potential to harness cortical plasticity and thus deliver more robust therapeutic gains than either treatment delivered in isolation (Mehta, 2016). The application of such combinatory therapies is prominent in treating cognitive deficits and residual negative symptoms, which pose tremendous clinical challenges. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 16, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Urvakhsh Meherwan Mehta Source Type: research
Distinctive profiles of traits predisposing to violence in schizophrenia and in the general population
We delineated important trait predispositions to violence, including psychopathic and impulsive traits and trait aggression, in patients with schizophrenia and in the general population. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 16, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Menahem I. Krakowski, Pal Czobor Source Type: research
Cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: New data and an updated meta-analysis
Few studies have been conducted examining cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid of patients compared to healthy volunteers. The goals of this study were: 1) to report original data detailing cytokine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 10 patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) diagnosis and 10 healthy controls and 2) to conduct a meta-analysis of the available data on cytokine levels in the CSF of patients with SSD compared to healthy controls, including our new data. Cytokine concentrations were measured using the Q-plex Human Cytokine Screen array in CSF of 10 patients with SSD and 10 healthy volunteers....
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 16, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Juan A. Gallego, Emily A. Blanco, Sehba Husain-Krautter, E. Madeline Fagen, Paula Moreno-Merino, Juan A. del Ojo-Jim énez, Anthony Ahmed, Thomas L. Rothstein, Todd Lencz, Anil K. Malhotra Source Type: research
Abnormalities of eye movement are associated with work hours in schizophrenia
Eye movement abnormalities have been reported in schizophrenia; however, their influences on everyday life remain unknown. From data on 69 subjects with schizophrenia and 246 healthy subjects, we found positive correlations between eye movement measures and work hours, which were only significant in subjects with schizophrenia. This relationship was also confirmed in a multi-site dataset including 118 subjects with schizophrenia and 280 healthy subjects. These findings further strengthen our understanding of eye movement abnormalities and their relevance in clinical recovery. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 15, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Kentaro Morita, Kenichiro Miura, Michiko Fujimoto, Emiko Shishido, Tomoko Shiino, Junichi Takahashi, Hidenaga Yamamori, Yuka Yasuda, Noriko Kudo, Yoji Hirano, Daisuke Koshiyama, Naohiro Okada, Manabu Ikeda, Toshiaki Onitsuka, Norio Ozaki, Kiyoto Kasai, Ry Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Social cognition and metacognition contribute to accuracy for self-evaluation of real-world functioning in patients with schizophrenia
Enhancement of social function is an important goal in the treatment of schizophrenia. To designate appropriate measures of real-world functioning, the Validation of Everyday Real-World Outcomes initiative recommended the Specific Levels of Functioning-Scale (SLOF). The SLOF has been developed as an interview-based assessment tool; the scores by clinicians are based on information from both patients and caregivers (Leifker et al., 2009). The SLOF covers interpersonal functioning, everyday activities, and vocational functioning (Schneider and Struening, 1983). (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 15, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Keiichiro Nishida, Atsuhito Toyomaki, Yosuke Koshikawa, Hidehito Niimura, Tsubasa Morimoto, Masayuki Tani, Ken Inada, Taiga Ninomiya, Hikaru Hori, Jun Manabe, Asuka Katsuki, Takamitsu Kubo, Masanao Shirahama, Kentaro Kohno, Toshihiko Kinoshita, Ichiro Kus Tags: Letter to the editor Source Type: research
Psychotic disorder symptom rating scales: Are dichotomous or multi-point scales more clinically useful? —An ICD-11 field study
This study investigated clinicians' use of dichotomous versus multi-point scales for rating these six domains. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 15, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Jared W. Keeley, Wolfgang Gaebel, Michael B. First, Destiny L. Peterson, Tahilia Rebello, Pratap Sharan, Geoffrey M. Reed Source Type: research
Sex differences in DEK expression in the anterior cingulate cortex and its association with dementia severity in schizophrenia
DEK is a chromatin-remodeling phosphoprotein found in most human tissues, but its expression and function in the human brain is largely unknown. DEK depletion in vitro induces cellular and molecular anomalies associated with cognitive impairment, including down-regulation of the canonical Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway. ToppGene analyses link DEK loss to genes associated with various dementias and age-related cognitive decline. To examine the role of DEK in cognitive impairment in severe mental illness, DEK protein expression was assayed by immunoblot in the anterior cingulate cortex ( ACC) of subjects with schizophreni...
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 11, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Sinead M. O'Donovan, Ana Franco-Villanueva, Valentina Ghisays, Jody L. Caldwell, Vahraim Haroutunian, Lisa M. Privette Vinnedge, Robert E. McCullumsmith, Matia B. Solomon Source Type: research
Stability in basic self-disturbances and diagnosis in a first treated psychosis: A seven year follow-up study
Basic self-disturbances (BSDs) are considered core features of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and are present in the prodromal, early psychotic and chronic phases. Considerable levels of BSDs are also present at first treatment in some patients with psychotic disorders outside the schizophrenia spectrum. There is limited knowledge about the stability of self-disturbances over time. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 11, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Ingrid Hartveit Svendsen, Merete G. Øie, Paul Møller, Barnaby Nelson, Ingrid Melle, Elisabeth Haug Source Type: research
Olfactory deficits and psychosis-spectrum symptoms in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Olfactory functioning is a promising biomarker for psychosis in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) but has not been well studied to date. This is a pilot effort to evaluate the potential for tests of olfactory functioning to contribute to risk and resilience prediction in 22q11DS, and is the first study to evaluate relationships among olfactory deficits, cognition and psychosis-spectrum symptoms. Odor identification and discrimination were evaluated in 32 individuals with 22q11DS and 110 healthy comparison subjects (HC). (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 11, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Sunny X. Tang, Paul J. Moberg, James J. Yi, Andrew S. Wiemken, Erich M. Dress, Tyler M. Moore, Monica E. Calkins, Donna M. McDonald-McGinn, Elaine H. Zackai, Beverly S. Emanuel, Ruben C. Gur, Raquel E. Gur, Bruce I. Turetsky Source Type: research
A meta-analysis of factors associated with quality of life in first episode psychosis
Improving quality of life for people with first episode psychosis is an important aspect of recovery. Our objective was to review the associative factors on quality of life in first episode psychosis. A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between quality of life, symptom severity, and duration of untreated psychosis. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 11, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Philip Watson, Jian-Ping Zhang, Asra Rizvi, Jonathan Tamaiev, Michael L. Birnbaum, John Kane Source Type: research
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for antipsychotic-free schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Does therapy dose influence outcome?
This study investigated the effect of “dose” and the components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on treatment effects. It is a secondary analysis of the ACTION (Assessment of Cognitive Therapy Instead of Neuroleptics) trial which investigated CBT for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders that chose not to take antipsycho tic medication. Using instrumental variable methods, we found a “dose-response” such that each CBT session attended, reduced the primary outcome measure (the PANSS total score) by approximately 0.6 points (95% CI −1.20 to −0.06, p = 0.031). (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 11, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Helen M. Spencer, Martina McMenamin, Richard Emsley, Douglas Turkington, Graham Dunn, Anthony P. Morrison, Alison Brabban, Paul Hutton, Robert Dudley Source Type: research
Surprising conservation of schizophrenia risk genes in lower organisms reflects their essential function and the evolution of genetic liability
Schizophrenia is a devastating psychiatric illness that affects approximately 1% of the population. Genetic variation in multiple genes causes elevated risk for the disorder, but the molecular basis is inadequately understood and it is not clear how risk genes have evolved and persisted in the genome. To address these issues, we have identified orthologs/homologs of 344 schizophrenia risk genes (from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium dataset) in lower organisms, including C. elegans, Drosophila and zebrafish, along with phenotypes produced by genetic disruption in C. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 11, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Merve Kasap, Vivek Rajani, Jackie Rajani, Donard S. Dwyer Source Type: research
Cooperation and sensitivity to social feedback during group interactions in schizophrenia
Patients with schizophrenia show reduced cooperation and less sensitivity to social cues in pairwise interactions, however, it remains unclear whether these mechanisms are also present in interactions within social groups. We used a public goods game to investigate cooperation and sensitivity to social feedback in group interactions in 27 patients with schizophrenia and 27 healthy controls. Participants played 40 trials in two conditions: 1) no fine (20 trials): participants had the choice of investing into the public good (i.e. (Source: Schizophrenia Research)
Source: Schizophrenia Research - July 10, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Esther Hanssen, Anne-Kathrin Fett, Thomas P. White, Caroline Caddy, Stian Reimers, Sukhi S. Shergill Source Type: research
