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The study assessed the interactions and the impact of specialist mobile community care teams (assertive outreach teams or AOTs) implemented in the mental health (MH) system of Bizkaia (Spain) using a methodology derived from an ecosystem perspective.
Methods
First, the experts assessed the system’s services and codified them according to an international classification system. Second, following an iterative methodology for expert-knowledge elicitation, a clients’ flow diagram showing the inter-dependencies of the system’s components was developed. It included variables and their relationships represented in a causal model. Third, the system elements where the AOTs had a major impact (stress nodes) were identified. Fourth, three scenarios (variable combinations representing the ‘stress points’ of the system) were modelled to assess its relative technical efficiency (technical performance indicator).
Results
The classification system identified the lack of fidelity of the AOTs to the original assertive community treatment model, categorizing them as non-acute low-intensity mobile care. The causal model identified the following elements of the system as ‘stress nodes’ in relation to AOT: users’ families; social services (outside of the healthcare system); acute hospitals; non-acute residential facilities and, to a lesser extent, acute hospital day care services. When the stress nodes inside the healthcare system were modelled separately, acute and non-acute hospital care services resulted in a large deterioration in the system performance, while acute day hospital care had only a small impact.
Conclusions
The development of the expert-knowledge-based causal model from an ecosystem perspective was helpful in combining information from different levels, from nano to macro, to identify the components in the system likely to be most affected by a potential policy intervention, such as the closure of AOTs. It was also able to illustrate the interaction between the MH system components over time and the impact of the potential changes on the technical performance of the system. Such approaches have potential future application in assisting with service planning and decision-making in other health systems and socio-economic contexts.
Individuals differ greatly in their ability to learn the sounds of second languages, even when learning starts early in life. Recent research has suggested that the ability to identify the idiosyncratic acoustic variations introduced into the speech stream by the speaker might be relevant for second-language (L2) phoneme learning. However, only a positive correlation between voice recognition and phoneme learning has been shown. In the present study, we investigated whether voice processing ability predicts L2 phoneme learning. We employed a battery of behavioral cognitive ability measures to assess voice processing ability and L2 phoneme learning in 57 early bilingual adults. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) and structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that voice processing ability predicts L2 phoneme learning. Our findings align with theories of speech perception that attribute a fundamental role to the analysis of voice cues and suggest that the accurate identification of speaker-specific variation is also relevant for phoneme learning.
Tribrachidium heraldicum is an Ediacaran body fossil characterized by triradial symmetry. Previous work has suggested that the anatomy of Tribrachidium was conducive to passive suspension feeding; however, these analyses used an inaccurate model and a relatively simple set of simulations. Using computational fluid dynamics, we explore the functional morphology of Tribrachidium in unprecedented detail by gauging how the presence or absence of distinctive anatomical features (e.g., apical pits and arms) affects flow patterns. Additionally, we map particle pathways, quantify deposition rates at proposed feeding sites, and assess gregarious feeding habits to more fully reconstruct the lifestyle of this enigmatic taxon. Our results provide strong support for interpreting Tribrachidium as a macroscopic suspension feeder, with the apical pits representing loci of particle collection (and possibly ingestion) and the triradial arms representing morphological adaptations for interrupting flow and inducing settling. More speculatively, we suggest that the radial grooves may represent ciliated pathways through which food particles accumulating in the wake of the organism were transported toward the apical pits. Finally, our results allow us to generate new functional hypotheses for other Ediacaran taxa with a triradial body plan. This work refines our understanding of the appearance of suspension feeding in shallow-water paleoenvironments, with implications for the radiation of Metazoa across the Ediacaran/Cambrian boundary.
The concept of “Recovery” in the context of psychiatric rehabilitation has undergone significant evolution throughout history. This abstract delves into the question of the truth or falsity of this concept, examining diverse perspectives and arguments surrounding its application.
Objectives
The primary aim of this abstract is to critically analyze the concept of “Recovery” in psychiatric rehabilitation and ACT from both favorable and critical perspectives, considering its historical evolution, and highlighting key distinctions between the theories of Mike Slade and William Anthony.
Furthermore, it addresses the significance of measuring and evaluating the fidelity of healthcare practices to this mode
Methods
To conduct this analysis, an exhaustive review of current scientific literature was undertaken. Emphasis was placed on the importance of measuring and evaluating the fidelity of healthcare practices to this model.
Results
Slade and Anthony’s theories emphasize different aspects of recovery, while implementation models translate these theories into clinical practice and services. Additionally, the discussion highlights the significance of measuring and evaluating the fidelity of healthcare practices to this model.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs have increasingly recognized the importance of the “recovery” concept in promoting the empowerment and self-determination of individuals with severe mental illnesses. This discussion examines how ACT programs have adopted recovery-oriented principles, the ways in which they implement these principles, and the potential benefits and challenges associated with their integration.
Conclusions
The distinctions between Mike Slade and William Anthony’s theories and the implementation models underscore the importance of a precise and differentiated understanding within the field of psychiatric rehabilitation.
The integration of the “recovery” concept within Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) represents a significant shift towards person-centered care in psychiatric rehabilitation. Further research and evaluation are essential to assess the effectiveness and long-term impact of this integration.
References
1. Anthony, W. A. (1993). Recovery from mental illness: The guiding vision of the mental health service system in the 1990s. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 16(4), 11-23.
2. Slade, M. (2009). Personal recovery and mental illness: A guide for mental health professionals. Cambridge University Press
3. Kortrijk, H. E., Mulder, C. L., Drukker, M., Wiersma, D., & Duivenvoorden, H. J. (2020). The effects of assertive community treatment on service use in a homeless population in the Netherlands: A randomized controlled trial. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 47(3), 378-387
Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a product of polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation (Del Rio D, et al. A review of recent studies on MDA as toxic molecule and biological marker of oxidative stress. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2005;15:316-28). It is a biomarker of oxidative stress and is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (Goh et al. Asian J Psychiatr. 2022;67:102932). Schizofrenia is linked to disrupted oxidative balance and inflammation (Więdłocha et al. Brain Sci. 2023;13:490). Prior research has shown connections between biomarkers and circadian rhythms in schizophrenia (Morera & Abreu. Acta Physiol Scand. 2007;43:313-14) and diabetes type 2 (Kanabrocki EL, et al. Circadian variation in oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy and type II diabetic men. Chronobiol Int. 2002;19:423-39). To determinate if MDA levels have a role in schizophrenia and follow a circadian rhythm may be useful.
Objectives
The aim of our study is to compare diurnal and nocturnal MDA serum levels in patients in acute and stabilized phases of schizophrenia according to CIE-10 to find out if there are variations related with circadian rhythms
Methods
47 patients were included in our study in two clinical phases: acute episode and stabilization. Blood samples were collected at 12:00h and at 00:00h. MDA serum levels were measured twice: when patients were decompensated (admission) and at clinical stabilization (discharge). The relationship between quantitative variables at both times was analysed by T-Student test
Results
There is no significative difference between night and day MDA levels in the acute phase of the schizophrenia (2.22±1.352 vs. 1.93±1.530, p<0.09). There is statistical significance between 12:00 and 00:00 (1.90±1.136 vs. 1.34±0.868, p<0.001) at discharge: it was observed that levels decreased. This result can be interpreted as there is circadian rhythm in stabilized phases.
Conclusions
MDA levels in patients with schizophrenia do not follow a circadian rhythm in the acute episode. When they are clinically stabilized present a circadian change. These patients lose the circadian rhythm in acute episodes. MDA circadian rhythm may help diagnose the clinical phase and its severity. It is necessary to perform more studies to know its utility as an oxidative biomarker
Evidence from observational and genetic studies suggests a bidirectional relationship between loneliness and psychosis. To our knowledge, no previous study has assessed the association between loneliness in childhood and first-episode psychosis (FEP).
Objectives
We aimed to assess the association between loneliness in childhood and the odds of FEP and clinical variables of interest (i.e., diagnosis and clinical and functional severity) in FEP and to explore gender differences in this association.
Methods
This was an observational, case-control study, based on the AGES-CM cohort, a longitudinal prospective study including patients with FEP ages 7-40, their first-degree relatives, and an age- and sex-matched sample of controls in seven university hospitals in the region of Madrid. We assessed loneliness in childhood with the question “Have you ever felt lonely for more than 6 months before the age of 12” and objetive social isolation with the peer relationships item from the childhood subscale of the Premorbid Adjustment Scale. We conducted logistic and linear regression analyses to assess the association between childhood loneliness and i) the odds of presenting a FEP and ii) clinical variables of interest (diagnosis and scores on positive, negative, general, depressive, and manic symptoms and functioning), while adjusting for demographic variables.
Results
The study sample comprised 285 patients with FEP (32.6% female, age 24.50 ± 6.2 years) and 546 controls (48.7% female, age 25.93 ± 5.5 years). Loneliness in childhood was associated with increased odds of FEP (adjusted odds ratio; aOR: 2.17, 95% CI [1.40-3.51], p=.002). This association remained significant after controlling for objective social isolation in childhood (aOR:2.70, IC 95% [1.58-4.62], p<.001).
The effect of the association was stronger in females (aOR:4.74, 95% CI [2.23-10.05], p<.001) than in males (aOR:1.17, IC 95% [0.63-2.19], p=.623). In females with FEP, loneliness in childhood was significantly associated with increased odds of receiving a diagnosis of other psychosis (aOR:0.155, 95% CI [0.048-0.506], p=.002) relative to an SSD diagnosis. In the FEP sample, loneliness in childhood was associated with greater severity of positive and affective symptoms and worse functioning.
Conclusions
Loneliness in childhood is associated with increased odds of FEP and clinical variables of interest. This suggests the potential role of this phenotype as an early risk marker for psychosis that could help guide targeted interventions.
Disclosure of Interest
C. Díaz-Caneja Grant / Research support from: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI17/00481, PI20/00721, JR19/00024), European Union, Consultant of: Angelini, L. Donaire: None Declared, V. Cavone: None Declared, Á. Andreu-Bernabeu: None Declared, J. González-Peñas: None Declared, M. Díaz-Marsá: None Declared, R. Rodríguez-Jiménez: None Declared, Á. Ibáñez: None Declared, E. Baca-García: None Declared, J. C. Leza: None Declared, M. F. Bravo-Ortiz: None Declared, J. L. Ayuso-Mateos: None Declared, C. Arango Grant / Research support from: Madrid Regional Government (R&D activities in Biomedicine S2022/BMD-7216 AGES 3-CM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, European Union, Consultant of: Acadia, Angelini, Biogen, Boehringer, Gedeon Richter, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Medscape, Menarini, Minerva, Otsuka, Pfizer, Roche, Sage, Servier, Shire, Schering Plough, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, Sunovion and Takeda
The ability to remotely monitor cognitive skills is increasing with the ubiquity of smartphones. The Mobile Toolbox (MTB) is a new measurement system that includes measures assessing Executive Functioning (EF) and Processing Speed (PS): Arrow Matching, Shape-Color Sorting, and Number-Symbol Match. The purpose of this study was to assess their psychometric properties.
Method:
MTB measures were developed for smartphone administration based on constructs measured in the NIH Toolbox® (NIHTB). Psychometric properties of the resulting measures were evaluated in three studies with participants ages 18 to 90. In Study 1 (N = 92), participants completed MTB measures in the lab and were administered both equivalent NIH TB measures and other external measures of similar cognitive constructs. In Study 2 (N = 1,021), participants completed the equivalent NIHTB measures in the lab and then took the MTB measures on their own, remotely. In Study 3 (N = 168), participants completed MTB measures twice remotely, two weeks apart.
Results:
All three measures exhibited very high internal consistency and strong test-retest reliability, as well as moderately high correlations with comparable NIHTB tests and moderate correlations with external measures of similar constructs. Phone operating system (iOS vs. Android) had a significant impact on performance for Arrow Matching and Shape-Color Sorting, but no impact on either validity or reliability.
Conclusions:
Results support the reliability and convergent validity of MTB EF and PS measures for use across the adult lifespan in remote, self-administered designs.
Background: Synthetic data has garnered heightened attention in contemporary research due to confidentiality barriers and its capacity to simulate variables challenging to obtain. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of synthetic data in the context of neuro-oncology research, comparing findings from two published studies with results from synthetic datasets. Methods: Two published neuro-oncology studies focusing on prognostic factors such as serum albumin and systemic inflammation scores were selected, and their methodologies were replicated using MDClone Platform to generate five synthetic datasets for each. We used Chi-Square test to assess inter-variability between synthetic datasets. Survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and t-test was used to determine statistical significance. Results: Findings from synthetic data consistently matched outcomes from both original articles, with serum albumin and systemc inflammation scores correlating with survival prognosis in glioblastoma and metastasis patients (p<0.05) Reported findings, demographic trends and survival outcomes showed significant similarity (P > 0.05) with synthetic datasets. Conclusions: Synthetic data consistently reproduced the statistical attributes of real patient data. Integrating synthetic data into clinical research offers excellent potential for providing accurate predictive insights without compromising patient privacy. In neuro-oncology, where patient follow-up pose challenges, the adoption of synthetic datasets can be transformative.
Cerebral palsy (CP), or to use the Te Reo term “Hōkai Nukurangi”, is an umbrella name for a group of permanent neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting movement and posture(1), and is the most common childhood onset physical disability globally. The available literature on the nutritional status of children with CP describes high rates of malnutrition, however data appears to be skewed towards children of higher levels of impairment impacting functional independence. Less is known about the nutritional status of children with lower levels of impairment. The aim of the “Eat, Sleep, Play-CP” study was to evaluate total energy intake, total protein intake and the timing of protein intake in relation to physical activity for children with CP across all functional levels living in Aotearoa New Zealand. Children with CP aged 5-12 years were invited to participate in an observational assessment of dietary intake using parent reported 24-hour dietary recall (Intake 24) on three non-consecutive days, accompanied by a questionnaire capturing self-reported sleep and physical activity patterns. Body composition was assessed via whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Nine participants (6 males, median age: 10 years, n = 2 Māori), across Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-IV, and Eating and Drinking Classification System levels I-III took part in the study. The median total energy intake was 7267kJ/d (range 5355-10731.96kJ/d), and median protein intake was 67g/d (range 49-111g/d). According to the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand (NRV)(2), 3 of the 9 participants (33%) were within the recommended range for energy intake according to their age and reported physical activity levels. Of the other 6, 4 were below and 2 were above the recommended ranges. All 9 met the recommended protein intake (NRV). Participants had a median percentage body fat of 40% (range 20-46%), and non-fat mass of 58% (range 52-76%). Five participants fell within the overweight or obese range for their age and sex, three of whom were within the recommended range of total energy daily intake according to NRVs. This outcome may indicate that for some children with CP, recommendations could be over-estimating the actual requirements. These early results may bring in to question current practice around guidance for energy intake requirements for children with CP and their whānau to support healthy body composition. Further investigations are needed to establish whether specific energy intake guidelines are required for children with CP.
The available literature on the nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy (CP) worldwide has identified high rates of malnutrition, specifically undernutrition(1). However, there is a current lack of clear CP-specific dietary guidelines for children with CP across all functional levels. Standard reference tools such as estimated energy requirement (EER) and recommended dietary intake (RDI) may overestimate requirements in children with CP, especially those with reduced mobility and activity levels. Furthermore, for children with severe CP, body composition data indicates higher risks of obesity and obesity-related conditions(2). There can be a wide range of functional abilities, classifiable with tools such as the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS). The majority of nutrition-related CP literature focuses on children requiring assistance for feeding (EDACS IV-V) with little information available for children with higher levels of functional independence. The aim of this study was to determine whether children with CP had received any prior dietary guidance for healthy body composition and to summarise the type of advice received. Children aged 5-12 years and their whānau were invited to participate in a study where a purpose-developed questionnaire captured their history of receiving tailored dietary recommendations for CP. Body composition was assessed via whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Nine participants (6 males, median age: 10y, n = 2 Māori), across GMFCS levels I-IV and EDACS levels I-III took part in the study. Out of 9 children, 5 (55%) indicated that their child had never received dietary advice, 3 of whom were classified as obese or overweight based on growth chart percentiles using their measures of body fat percentage, 1 was classified as underweight and 1 was within the healthy ranges. Of the 4 who had previously received advice, its nature was reported as in support of weight gain (n = 3), and weight loss (n = 1). All 4 received dietary advice from a dietitian and 1 reported some additional advice from a pediatrician and/or orthopedic doctor. Two of the children who had received dietary advice fell within a healthy body fat percentage based on the growth chart percentiles at the time of the study, while the other two were classified as overweight or obese. The results indicate the importance of developing clear dietary guidance for children with CP which may differ from that for typically developing children, particularly depending upon CP subtype diagnosis and functional level, in order to support healthy body composition.
To assign far infrared (FIR) absorption bands of K+ in muscovite, dichroic experiments were performed. For a muscovite crystal rotated about a crystallographic axis, c*, a, or b, two bands corresponding to vibration modes of K+ appear, respectively, at 107 and 110 cm−1 (rotation about c*), 107 and 143 cm−1 (rotation about a), and 110 and 143 cm−1 (rotation about b). Two in-plane modes at 107 and 110 cm−1 and one out-of-plane mode at 143 cm−1 are identified for the vibrations of K+ in muscovite. Each of these transition moments are near the crystallographic axes b, a, and c, respectively. These observations match well predictions based on the approximate C3i symmetric environment of K+, although the site symmetry in the space group of muscovite is only C2.
To get a better understanding of the mechanisms of selective retention of cations by clay minerals, we have studied the physicochemical state and the location of immobilized cations. The approach developed is based on the concomitant study of the exchange isotherms and the compensating cations/clay structure interactions, using far infrared (FIR) spectroscopy. For that, cations are used as spectroscopic probes to characterize the selective sites.
Exchanged K, Rb-, K, Cs-, K, NH4- and NH4, Cs-Llano vermiculite samples were prepared. The exchange isotherms illustrate the higher selectivity of Llano vermiculite in the following order: K+ < Rb+ < Cs+. Desorption experiments show that a 2 N MgCl2 solution can extract a small fraction of immobilized Cs+. The concomitant analyses of the exchange phenomena at microscopic (X-ray diffraction) and molecular (far and middle IR spectroscopy) levels show that: (1) only ∼65% of the interlamellar hydrated Mg2+ of Llano vermiculite is exchanged; (2) cations are randomly distributed in the interlamellar spaces; and (3) retention is strongly related to the distance between compensating cations and oxygen atoms of the ditrigonal cavity.
The low hydration energy of selectively retained cations induces strong cation/clay interactions, which give FIR absorption bands of compensating cations. The FIR absorption bands of smaller cations shift towards lower wavenumbers when the proportion of the larger cations increases, whereas the wavenumber of the larger ones is constant. This reproducible scenario shows that larger cations act as wedges and expand layers, thus increasing the distance between the smaller cations and the layers. Calculation of the distances dM-O inner and dM-O outer shows that selectively-retained cations are six-coordinated in these dehydrated systems. The decrease of the difference between dM-O outer and dM-O inner from K+ to Cs+ may explain the observed selectivity of Llano vermiculite.
Agricultural workers are immersed in environments associated with increased risk for adverse psychiatric and neurological outcomes. Agricultural work-related risks to brain health include exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and organic dust. Despite this, there is a gap in our understanding of the underlying brain systems impacted by these risks. This study explores clinical and cognitive domains, and functional brain activity in agricultural workers. We hypothesized that a history of agricultural work-related risks would be associated with poorer clinical and cognitive outcomes as well as changes in functional brain activity within cortico-striatal regions.
Participants and Methods:
The sample comprised 17 agricultural workers and a comparison group of 45 non-agricultural workers recruited in the Northern Colorado area. All participants identified as White and non-Hispanic. The mean age of participants was 51.7 years (SD = 21.4, range 18-77), 60% identified as female, and 37% identified as male. Participants completed the National Institute of Health Toolbox (NIH Toolbox) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) on their first visit. During the second visit, they completed NIH Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI; N = 15 agriculture and N = 35 non-agriculture) while completing a working memory task (Sternberg). Blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) response was compared between participants. Given the small sample size, the whole brain voxel-wise group comparison threshold was set at alpha = .05, but not otherwise corrected for multiple comparisons. Cohen’s d effect sizes were estimated for all voxels.
Results:
Analyses of cognitive scores showed significant deficits in episodic memory for the agricultural work group. Additionally, the agricultural work group scored higher on measures of self-reported anger, cognitive concerns, and social participation. Analyses of fMRI data showed increased BOLD activity around the orbitofrontal cortex (medium to large effects) and bilaterally in the entorhinal cortex (large effects) for the agricultural work group. The agricultural work group also showed decreased BOLD activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia (medium to large effects).
Conclusions:
To our knowledge, this study provides the first-ever evidence showing differences in brain activity associated with a history of working in agriculture. These findings of poorer memory, concerns about cognitive functioning, and increased anger suggest clinical relevance. Social participation associated with agricultural work should be explored as a potential protective factor for cognition and brain health. Brain imaging data analyses showed increased activation in areas associated with motor functioning, cognitive control, and emotion. These findings are limited by small sample size, lack of diversity in our sample, and coarsely defined risk. Despite these limitations, the results are consistent with an overall concern that risks associated with agricultural work can lead to cognitive and psychiatric harm via changes in brain health. Replications and future studies with larger sample sizes, more diverse participants, and more accurately defined risks (e.g., pesticide exposure) are needed.
S100B is a calcium-binding astrocyte-specific cytokine, that is considered a biomarker of neurodegeneration; which may be involved in the imbalance of the inflammatory response observed in several brain disorders, including major depression and schizophrenia. Two meta-analyses have reported higher serum levels of S100B in patients with schizophrenia respect to healthy controls.
Different studies have described circadian and seasonal variations of biological variables, such as melatonin or cortisol. It has been reported that there is not circadian rhythm of S100B blood levels in healthy subjects. However, it is not known whether there are circadian oscillations in S100B blood concentrations in patients with schizophrenia.
Objectives
The aim of this study is to describe S100B serum levels in patients with schizophrenia and to analyse whether they follow a circadian rhythm.
Methods
Our sample consists in 47 patients in acute phase and stabilized status. Blood samples were collected at 12:00 and 00:00 hours by venipuncture. Serum levels of Protein S100B were measured three times: at admission, discharge and three months after discharge. Protein S100B was measured by means of ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) techniques.
Results
12:00
24:00
P
ADMISSION
132,95±199,27
85,85±121,44
0,004
DISCHARGE
73,65±71,744
75,80±123,628
0,070
CONTROL
43,49±34,60
40,14±23,08
0,47
P global
P Admission Vs. Discharge
P Admission Vs. Control
P Discharge Vs. Control
0,97
There is a significance difference between 12:00 and 24:00 at admission for the Protein S100B.However, these difference did not occur at discharge and at three months after discharge.It can be interpreted as there is a circadian rhythm of Protein S100B when the patient has got a psychotic outbreak and disappears at discharge and when is psychopathologically stable.
Conclusions
With respect to our results we can hypothesize that schizophrenic patients in acute relapse present circadian S100B rhythm that is not present when the patients are clinically stable.Furthermore, the decrease of serum protein S100B levels at discharge is indicative of a reduction of the cerebral inflammation, thus it can be a biomarker of cerebral inflammation and this reduction can be the effect of the treatment. Finally, its circadianity could be a guide of this process and clinical improvement.
The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia Autism Severity Scale (PAUSS) scale can be derived from the Positive and Negative Schizophrenia Syndrome Scale, enabling an assessment of psychotic and autistic dimensions with a single tool.
Objectives
The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of autistic traits and the diagnostic, developmental, clinical, and functional correlates of this phenotype in a sample of early-onset psychosis (onset before age 18 years; EOP).
Methods
Prospective observational 2 year- follow-up study in a sample of young people with a first-episode of EOP. Demographic, perinatal, developmental, cognitive, clinical, and functional data were collected. PAUSS total scores and socio-communication and repetitive behaviors subscores were calculated. We used the proposed cut-off points for adult populations to define prevalence of autistic traits (PAUSS≥30). Subgroups of patients with and without autistic traits were identified based on the total PAUSS terciles. We used the Cronbach’s alpha test to assess the PAUSS internal consistency. Linear mixed models were performed to compare changes in PAUSS during follow-up between diagnostic subgroups [i.e., non-affective psychosis (including schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder), affective psychosis (including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and major depressive disorder with psychotic features), and other psychosis (including brief psychotic disorder and psychosis not otherwise specified)]. Developmental, clinical, and functional variables were compared between subgroups with and without autistic traits with logistic regression analysis.
Results
248 patients with PIT were included (age 15.69 ± 1.86 years, 38.65% female). The prevalence of autistic traits in EOP was 7.04%, with significantly higher prevalence in the group of patients with non-affective psychosis (15.20%) than in other diagnostic groups. PAUSS scores significantly decreased over time, with no significant differences in the trajectories of the total PAUSS and its subscores among the three diagnostic subgroups during the 2-year follow-up. The PAUSS showed good internal consistency at all visits (Cronbach’s alpha > 0,88). Patients with autistic traits presented longer duration of untreated psychosis, longer duration of the first inpatient admission, poorer social adjustment in childhood, poorer functionality, greater clinical severity, and poorer response to treatment during follow-up than patients without autistic traits.
Conclusions
The PAUSS is an easy-to-apply tool that can be useful to differentiate psychosis subgroups with worse prognosis.
Disclosure of Interest
J. Suárez Campayo: None Declared, L. Pina-Camacho: None Declared, J. Merchán-Naranjo: None Declared, C. Ordas: None Declared, V. Cavone: None Declared, R. Panadero: None Declared, G. Sugranyes: None Declared, I. Baeza: None Declared, J. Castro-Fornieles: None Declared, E. de la Serna: None Declared, C. Arango Consultant of: Acadia, Angelini, Gedeon Richter, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeck, Minerva, Otsuka, Roche, Sage, Servier, Shire, Schering Plough, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, Sunovion and Takeda, C. Diaz Caneja Grant / Research support from: Exeltis and Angelini
Tardive dyskinesia is finally diagnosed, it is a drug-induced hyperkinetic movement disorder associated with the use of dopamine receptor blocking agents, including first and second generation antipsychotic drugs, metoclopramide and prochlorperazine. Typically, the first-generation antipsychotics with increased dopamine D2 receptor affinity are affiliated with a higher risk of inducing tardive dyskinesia.
The most common manifestations of TD involve spontaneous movements of the mouth and tongue, but the arms, legs, trunk, and respiratory muscles may also be affected. Less commonly, the prominent feature is dystonia involving a focal area of the body such as the neck. TD can be irreversible and lifelong, with significant negative impacts on psychological health and quality of life.
Objectives
Clinical review and treatment approach for tardive dyskinesia.
Methods
Clinical case and literature review.
Results
A 54-year-old male comes due to involuntary movements of a month of evolution in the tongue and lips that “he cannot control” and generates significant discomfort and anxiety. He reports occipital headache and at the level of both temporomandibular joints that does not wake him up at night or change its characteristics with postural changes. Reviewing the treatment describe that the patient was in treatment for at least 6 months without being able to specify the end of treatment (January to June 2021) Clebopride-Climethicone. This finding inclines the diagnosis towards an orolingual dyskinesia probably secondary to Orthopramides. Discharge was decided with treatment and follow-up in Neurology and Psychiatry consultations.
Conclusions
The diagnosis and management of tardive dyskinesia are best made with an interprofessional team. In most cases, the primary clinician may suspect the diagnosis during follow-up. Movement disorders like tardive dyskinesias are frequently aggravated by the use of drugs that block dopamine. In susceptible patients, even a single dose of an anti-dopaminergic drug can quickly develop disabling movement disorders.
Currently the american academy of neurology recommends few treatments such as tetrabenazine or clonazepam. The first treatment for tardive dyskinesia has recently been approved, such as Velbazine, a vesicular monoamine transport type 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor, the extent of its use remains to be seen.
CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy) is a cerebrovascular disease, tht appears in 1.98/100,000. It´s caused by a mutation of the Notch3 gene and is characterized by accumulation of granular osmiophilic material in the middle layer of the small and median sized cerebral arteries.
Sypmtoms are migraine, recurrent cerebral ischemic episodes, dementia, neuropsychiatric disorders (anosognosia, character disorders, apathy and cognitive impairment). It usually appears between 30-60 years, although there is an important variability. There is no curative treatment, only palliative.
Objectives
Clinical review of anosognosia and its presence in CADASIL disease.
Methods
Clinical case and literatura review.
Results
We presented the clinical case of a 68-year-old man, who was diagnosed with CADASIL after a stroke 3 years earlier. In his family, his brother was diagnosed also with CADASIL. The patient had previously presented disturbances in impulse control (hyperorality) and important executive failures. He currently presented anosognosia, deficits in verbal memory, spatial perception and executive functions, in addition to behavioral alterations and apathy. Due to these deficits he was prohibited from certain activities (driving, hunting).
The patient was not aware of these deficits and becouse of his “no knowledge of his illness”, he disagreed with these prohibitions, so he showed rage and anger at the impotence of not understanding why certain actions are prohibited.
In the consultation, mnesic errors and in naming objects were also objectified, for which it was recommended to carry out cognitive stimulation on a daily basis. In addition, he presented failures of sphincter incontinence, especially of urine and occasionally also of the anal sphincter. He had previously had episodes of myoclonus or fasciculations.
A genetic study by massive sequencing confirmed the heterozygous presence of the pathogenic variant c.1819C>T p.(Arg607Cys) in the NOTCH3 gene, a CADASIL disease.
Conclusions
The anosognosia that many patients with CADASIL disease present constitutes a problem because it contributes to the delay in consultation and, therefore, the delay in the adequate diagnostic approach, therapeutic possibilities and family genetic counseling. Due in part to anosognosia, CADASIL is considered an underdiagnosed entity. Due to the lack of awareness and the consequent lack of recognition of the deficit, these people are often seen as stubborn and difficult to deal with by people in their immediate environment.
In addition, there is general difficulty in the rehabilitation process, since patients do not think the neccesity to be treated. This can generate frustration and despair both in their relatives and in the health personnel.
For all these reasons, both in anosognosia and in CADASIL disease, adequate psychological support is needed for both those affected and their families.
Suicide behaviour is a complex and multifactor concept that includes different risk factors. According with literature a dimensional concept of illness could help to understand this complexity and clarify clinical aspects of suicide risk.
Objectives
The aim of this study is to identify different profiles of symptoms in a sample of suicide attempters and the relationship between this profiles and suicide behaviour in terms of outcome: presence and intensity of suicidal ideation, presence and number of attempts and severity of the medical damage in the current attempt.
Methods
634 patients were recruited at the psychiatry emergency of eight public general hospitals in Spain between November 2020 until February 2022 in the SURVIVE protocol. The patients were assessed in 15 days using a battery of clinical tools that includes Brief Symptom Inventory, a sociodemographic interview, Mini Clinical Interview and C-SSRS, ACSS and BIS-11 scales. Latent profile analysis was applied to obtain profile symptoms. Logistic and multivariant regression was used to obtain data about outcome.
Results
Three clinical profiles of psychiatric symptoms were described in suicide attempters (p < 0.01): high symptoms (HS) (45.02%), moderate symptoms (MS) (42.5 %) and low symptoms (LS) (12.48%). Significant differences were found between classes in four symptom domains (Figure 1): anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, sensitivity, and somatization (p < 0.01). Participants of the HS class showed higher values in relation with the BSI summary indexes, and more diagnoses, higher levels of suicidal ideation and suicidal related behaviour as well as higher acquired capability for suicide. Participants of the LS class were more likely to be women, older and unemployed and was related, according the analysis, with severe medical damage when compared with other groups (P< 0.01).
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Conclusions
According with the predictive model the study suggests different symptom-frequency clusters related with suicide attempt outcomes. Suicide ideation presence and intensity is related with HS class and acquired capability of suicide. Suicide ideation intensity is also related with number of diagnosis and number of previous attempts. Suicide behaviours presence is associated with being student and number with HS profile. Both presence and number were related with number of diagnosis as well as number of previous attempts (the higher all these clinical factors, the more intense of ideation in the last month). Finally, the severity of medical damage was related with LS profile and unemployed/retired work status. The dimensional symptom profile could be useful to predict suicide attempt outcome. Further study is needed to clarify this relation.
It has been reported an inflammatory state in schizophrenia, with altered levels of some cytokines (Zhou et al. Cytokine 2021; 141:155441). Recent publications have shown the importance of IL- 33, a member of the IL-1 cytokine family which acts as an alarmin (Han et al. Neurosci Bull 2011; 27, 351-357). The role of this cytokine as a biomarker has been investigated in schizophrenia (Koricanac et al. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13, 925757). However, results are controversial. Some studies have not found significant associations between IL-33 and chronic schizophrenia (Campos-Carli et al. Compr Psychiatry 2017; 74 96-101), while other papers have reported increased levels (Kozlowska et. al. J Psychiatr Res. 2021; 138 380-387). In all these studies, levels of IL-33 were measured in a single daily measure, so that it has not been studied if IL-33 has changes during hospitalization.
Objectives
To study the serum level of IL-33 at 12:00 and 00:00 hours in schizophrenia patients at admission and before hospital discharge.
Methods
Fifteen inpatients with diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia according to ICD-10 criteria were studied. Patients were hospitalized at the University Hospital of the Canary Islands psychiatric ward because of an acute relapse. A total of four blood samples were taken from each patient: at 12:00 and 00:00 hours the day after admission and at 12:00 and 00:00 hours the day before discharge. Serum IL-33 levels were measured by ELISA techniques. Daytime and nighttime IL-33 serum levels at admission and discharge were compared using a non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results
In table 1 the results of the comparison of IL-33 at admission and discharge are presented. There is a significant reduction of IL-33 levels at 00:00 h. at discharge in comparison with the IL-33 levels at 00:00 h. at admission (p=0.028). No other statistically significant differences were observed.
SerumIL-33
AdmissionMean±sd
DischargeMean±sd
Z
Pvalue
12:00 h.
191.0±348.7
247.0±378.2
-0.166
0.868
00:00 h.
218.8±370.3
153.6±275.7
-2.203
0.028
Conclusions
The decrease of serum IL-33 at 00:00 at discharge compared to the 00:00 IL-33 serum level at admission points to the utility of this biomarker as a surrogate of brain inflammation.
Wenicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. Wernicke Encephalopathy (WE) is the acute phase and the chronic phase is called Korsakoff-syndrome (KS).
Objectives
To review the current literature on the management of WKS in a patient with anorexia nervosa.
Methods
We report the case of a 63-year-old woman admitted to the Psychiatry Unit after weight loss in the last 3 months (from 39 kg to 33,500 kg). She only made one meal a day. By exploration and analysis, neoplastic disease is ruled out (thoraco-abdomino-pelvic CT without pathological findings). She has maintained restrictive intakes for more than 30 years. A long-term anorexia nervosa (AN) is suspected, with a worsening of restrictive behavior in recent months. Upon admission, she has a weight of 33,500 kg and a BMI of 14,10. She has a left palpebral ptosis and an alteration of the anterograde memory as well as affectation of executive functions. Progressive oral diet is started, and due to the suspicion of a WKS, thiamine ev is started for a week and then continued with oral thiamine. Thiamine levels are extracted once the ev treatment has begun, so we do not have previous levels to know if they were decreased. Brain MRI shows bilateral hyperintensities in white matter and at supratentorial level in T2 and FLAIR. After a month and a half of admission, the patient has progressively regained weight, has managed to make adequate intakes and has improvement in memory.
Results
An adverse consequence of severe malnutrition in AN due to severe food restriction and purging behavior is thiamine deficiency, and also global cerebral atrophy and concomitant cognitive deficits can be found. Thiamine deficiency occurs in 38% of individuals with AN and is often unrecognized. WKS is caused by thiamine deficiency, and WE is the acute phase of this syndrome (presentation of triad can vary). The chronic phase is KS and consists in amnesia with confabulations. WKS typically develops after malnourishment in alcoholic patients but can be associated in nonalcoholic such as prolonged intravenous feeding, hyperemesis, anorexia nervosa, refeeding after starvation, thyrotoxicosis, malabsorption syndromes; hemodialysis; peritoneal dialysis; AIDS; malignancy. WKS is a clinical diagnosis, and no specific abnormalities have been found in cerebrospinal fluid, brain imaging or electroencephalograms. MRI has a sensitivity of 53%, but high specificity of 93%, and shows an increased signal in T2 and FLAIR sequences, bilaterally symmetrical in the paraventricular regions of the thalamus, the hypothalamus, mamillary bodies, the periaquedutal region, the floor of the fourth ventricle and midline cerebellum.
Conclusions
If the disorder is suspected, thiamine should be initiated immediately in order to prevent irreversible brain damage, with an estimated mortality rate of about 20%, or to the chronic form of the WE in up to 85% of survivors