MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience' source. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:05:42 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5657866&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F72273429755m3674%2F Abstract  The aim of this paper was to review the literature concerning the relationship between suicide and substance abuse behaviours among adolescents, focusing on epidemiology, comorbidity and preventive programmes. We performed a Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, PsycLit and PsycInfo search to identify all papers and book chapters during the period between 1980 and 2011. Adolescents with substance abuse disorder who attempt or complete suicide can be characterized as having mood disorders, stressful life events, interpersonal problems, poor social support, lonely lives and feelings of hopelessness. The research supports the existence of a strong relationship between suicide and substance abuse. Preventive programmes should be based on the detection of risk factors associated wit... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5657866 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:07:15 +0100 5657866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5657867&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fnlr3p66x48774351%2F Abstract  Despite evidence for its efficacy, diagnosis-specific psychoeducation is not routinely applied. This exploratory randomized controlled trial analyses the efficacy of an easily implementable bifocal diagnosis-mixed group psychoeducation in the treatment of severe psychiatric disorders regarding readmission, compliance and clinical variables, for example global functioning. Inpatients of the Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel (N = 82) were randomly assigned to a diagnosis-mixed psychoeducational (PE) or a non-specific intervention control group. Relatives were invited to join corresponding family groups. Results at baseline, 3- and 12-month follow-ups are presented. Better compliance after 3 months and a lower suicide rate were significant... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5657867 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:07:14 +0100 5657867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5645043&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fw51448715321x741%2F Abstract  The neuronal sortilin-related receptor with A-type repeats (SORL1, also called LR11 or sorLA) is involved in amyloidogenesis, and the SORL1 gene is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We investigated AD-related CSF biomarkers for associations with SORL1 genetic variants in 105 German patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. The homozygous CC-allele of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 4 was associated with increased Tau concentrations in AD, and the minor alleles of SNP8, SNP9, and SNP10 and the haplotype CGT of these SNPs were associated with increased SORL1 concentrations in MCI. SNP22 and SNP23, and the haplotypes TCT of SNP19-21-23, and TTC of SNP22-23-24 were correlated with decreased Aβ42 levels in AD. These results strengthen... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5645043 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:55:12 +0100 5645043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636682&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fg743n1374g030p46%2F Abstract  In 2006 and 2007, around 0.4 and 0.7% of all German soldiers involved in missions abroad were registered as suffering from PTSD. The frequency of PTSD in the German Armed Forces was assessed from army records. All soldiers admitted to the German Military Hospital in Hamburg, Germany, with PTSD (n = 117) in the years 2006 and 2007 were assessed by using questionnaires and structure interviews. Risk factors associated with PTSD were identified. Of the 117 soldiers with PTSD, 39.3% were in missions abroad, and 18.0% had participated in combat situations. Five (4.3%) were wounded in combat, and 4 of them had a serious irreversible injury. In total, 53.8% of the PTSD cases were related to injuries or physical/sexual abuse, while 46.2% were due to psychological... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636682 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:26:03 +0100 5636682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636683&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fp3l9396717651692%2F Abstract  There is a general consensus that diagnoses for mental disorders should be based on criteria and algorithms as given in ICD or DSM. Standardized clinical interviews are recommended as diagnostic methods. In ICD and DSM, much emphasis is put on algorithms, while the underlying criteria get much less attention. The question is how valid are the criteria that are collected by structured diagnostic interviews. 209 patients from a cardiology inpatient unit were interviewed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). 32 (15.3%) were diagnosed as suffering from a major depressive episode or dysthymia. Additionally, a thorough clinical examination was done by a psychiatric expert in 15 patients. The standardized diagnosis of present major depression was r... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636683 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:26:01 +0100 5636683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636684&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fx5r6446t53757210%2F Abstract  Several studies have shown an involvement of the immune system, in particular the monocytic system, in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Beside others, the monocyte-derived cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were found to be affected. Since cytokines are secreted by several different cell types, the cellular source is only clear if intracellular levels are measured. Thus, in order to study the monocytic system in schizophrenia, the intracellular levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were determined. The intracellular concentration of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 in CD33 positive monocytes was evaluated in schizophrenic patients and controls with monoclonal antibodies against these cytokines. In addition, in vitro stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or poly I/C, which... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636684 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:34:45 +0100 5636684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5636685&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl714w37557868513%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-012-0294-yAuthors P. Falkai, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, GermanyH. -J. Möller, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwigs-Maximililans-University Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5636685 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:34:41 +0100 5636685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5579028&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fh20hn5732155w862%2F Abstract  Many studies have investigated seasonal affective disorder (SAD; fall-winter-depression) and its treatment with light therapy (LT). However, to the best of our knowledge, no other study has investigated the usage of LT in Europe since 1994. Thus, we performed a survey in hospitals with adult psychiatric departments in German-speaking countries by questionnaire. First, a questionnaire was constructed, considering also recent developments in LT. This questionnaire was sent to all hospitals with adult psychiatric departments listed in the “Deutsches Krankenhaus Adressbuch,” which contains hospitals from all German-speaking countries (Germany, Switzerland, and Austria). Non-responders were asked to answer the questionnaire by mail and by phone. We achieved a compl... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5579028 Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:47:34 +0100 5579028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5570395&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F253230x05n486150%2F This article describes ethical, legal and professional components of the two core requirements of clinical research: informed consent and risk–benefit relationships. It deals particularly with the ethically relevant reasons, criteria, procedures and validity of (1) the informed consent process, (2) the relationship between benefits and risks, and as a requirement of its assessment: (3) standards and (quasi quantitative) criteria of benefits and risks and/or burdens of a research intervention. These requirements will be discussed with specific reference to research interventions in mentally ill patients, and particularly in those who are incompetent to consent. (4) The analysis concludes by demanding a strong adherence to the ethical rules of clinical research in order to protect par... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5570395 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:53:19 +0100 5570395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5570394&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj230j7u5x541184u%2F Abstract  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is increasingly recognized as a clinically important syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric performance of a new scale for adult ADHD based on the widely used Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90-R). Scale performance was assessed in a clinical study including 100 ADHD patients and 65 opiate-dependent patient controls, and in the Zurich study, an epidemiological age cohort followed over 30 years of adult life. Assessments included a ROC analysis of sensitivity and specificity, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, external validity and measurement invariance over nine testing occasions. The new scale showed a sensitivity and specificity of 75 and 54%, respectively, ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5570394 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:53:19 +0100 5570394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5557382&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F95346344764103p0%2F Abstract  Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an important treatment for catatonia. We aimed to study the response rate of catatonia treated with ECT and its clinical correlates in a large sample of inpatients. The ECT parameters of all patients (n = 63) admitted with catatonia between the months of January and December 2007 were examined. The number of ECTs administered, seizure threshold, failure to achieve adequate seizures and clinical signs pertaining to catatonia were analyzed. Response was considered as complete resolution of catatonic symptoms with Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS) score becoming zero. ECT was mostly started after failed lorazepam treatment except in 6 patients where ECT was the first choice. Patients who responded in 4 ECT session... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5557382 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:08:56 +0100 5557382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5557383&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F3312h16w73408846%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0284-5Authors P. Falkai, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, GermanyH.-J. Möller, Psychiatry Hospital, Ludwigs-Maximililans-University Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5557383 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:03:27 +0100 5557383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5542897&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fr712243814506jx3%2F Abstract  The N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Administered to healthy individuals, a subanesthetic dose of the noncompetitive NMDAR antagonist ketamine reproduces several psychopathological symptoms commonly observed in patients with schizophrenia. In a counterbalanced, placebo-controlled, double-blind, within-participants study, fifteen healthy subjects were administered a continuous subanesthetic S-ketamine infusion while cortical activation was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging. While being scanned, subjects performed an overt word generation task. Ketamine-induced psychopathological symptoms were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Ketamine administration eli... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5542897 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:07:52 +0100 5542897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5535247&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fb042714327063576%2F Abstract  Previous studies on the association between affective disorders and the metabolic syndrome yielded inconclusive results. Therefore, we examined the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in 230 men and women with unipolar major depressive disorder during inpatient treatment and compared it to 1,673 subjects from primary care from a similar region in northern Germany. We used the AHA/NHBLI criteria to determine the rate of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and each single criterion of MetS in both groups. The age-standardized prevalence of MetS was 2.4× as high in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared with data from comparison subjects (41.0% vs. 17.0%). With respect to the single criteria, elevations were found in MDD patients for fasting glucose and t... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5535247 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:49:52 +0100 5535247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5521722&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F9016pt6q4112g20n%2F Abstract  Here, we review the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) candidate markers with regard to their clinical relevance as potential surrogates for disease activity, prognosis assessment, and predictors of treatment response. We searched different online databases such as MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies on schizophrenia and CSF. Initial studies on cerebrospinal fluid in patients with schizophrenia revealed increased brain–blood barrier permeability with elevated total protein content, increased CSF-to-serum ratio for albumin, and intrathecal production of immunoglobulins in subgroups of patients. Analyses of metabolites in CSF suggest alterations within glutamatergic neurotransmission as well as monoamine and cannabinoid metabolism. Decreased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5521722 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:49:53 +0100 5521722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5513564&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm2729w8g5k414750%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorPages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0283-6Authors Julian A. J. Jaros, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT UKDaniel Martins-de-Souza, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT UKHassan Rahmoune, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT UKEmanuel Schwarz, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT UKF. Markus Leweke, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, GermanyPaul C. Guest, Department of Chemical... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5513564 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:42:02 +0100 5513564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5513565&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fp8335374253jn781%2F In conclusion, apart from beneficial effects on synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, VGF may be linked to schizophrenia-related alterations in energy homeostasis. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0282-7Authors Stefan Busse, Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, 39120 Magdeburg, GermanyHans-Gert Bernstein, Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, 39120 Magdeburg, GermanyMandy Busse, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, Medical University of Hannover, Hannover, GermanyHendrik Bielau, Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, 39120 Magdeburg, GermanyRalf Brisch, Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5513565 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:05:00 +0100 5513565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5474509&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fd3466143j203l686%2F We examined the association between media reports of suicides accomplished with the use of hydrogen sulfide, the voluntary stoppage of sales of suicide-related products, and suicide rates for people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s in Japan. The Box-Jenkins transfer function model was applied to monthly time series data from February 2003 to December 2009 (83 months). In the male suicide time series, media reports of suicide were not related to suicide counts (ω(R) = 8.988, P = 0.694). Similarly, stopping the sale of bath salts was not related to the number of suicides (ω(S) = −7.344, P = 0.694). However, in the female suicide time series, media reports of suicide were related to the number of suicides (ω(R) = 17.225, P = 0... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5474509 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:09:47 +0100 5474509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5466651&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc1878g1826t20512%2F Abstract  The aim of this study is to investigate possible associations between a set of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 10 genes with Schizophrenia (SCZ) and response to antipsychotics in Korean in-patients treated with antipsychotics. Two hundred and twenty-one SCZ in-patients and 170 psychiatrically healthy controls were genotyped for 42 SNPs within ABCB1, ABCB4, TAP2, CLOCK, CPLX1, CPLX2, SYN2, NRG1, 5HTR1A and GPRIN2. Baseline and final clinical measures, including the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), were recorded. Rs10042486 within 5HTR1A was associated with both SCZ and clinical improvement on PANSS total scores as well as on PANSS positive and PANSS negative scores. The haplotype analyses focusing on the four, three and two blocks’ hapl... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5466651 Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:47:36 +0100 5466651 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5455203&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F045121v077426437%2F This study relied on data from the EUFEST trial, designed to compare first- and second-generation antipsychotics during 1 year. At baseline, 498 patients have been included. The first (baseline) and the last assessment (12 months after baseline) were used for the analyses. Predictors of quality of life were determined using regression analyses. We tested the complex longitudinal interrelations between baseline and outcome measures with structural equation models. Unmet needs were not definitively confirmed as a predictor of subsequent quality of life, unless unmet needs changing to no needs were separated from unmet needs changing to met needs. Each unmet need that changed to no need enhanced the quality of life (mean score 1–7) by 0.136 scale points. This study suggests ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5455203 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:37:32 +0100 5455203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5438787&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm4j2w855pj278535%2F Abstract  Given the importance of the term ‘evidence’ in evidence-based medicine (EBM), the meaning of this term is evaluated, going back to the philosophical tradition and current meaning of the terms ‘evidence’ and ‘truth’. Based on this, current problems in the definition of evidence and in the grading of evidence in EBM are described, taking examples from the field of psychiatry and especially pharmacopsychiatry. These problems underline that the use of the term evidence in EBM is inconsistent and inconclusive. This should be fairly stated in all EBM-related publications, especially in EBM-based guidelines, to avoid severe misunderstandings in and outside the field of psychiatry. Although EBM might have increased empirically driven rational decision-making in... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5438787 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:08:23 +0100 5438787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5429248&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fu2j20n71u46447v6%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0276-5Authors Tomoyuki Kawada, Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8602 Japan Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5429248 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:58:40 +0100 5429248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5419632&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ffg2544715x7062u7%2F Abstract  Current gold standard in the treatment of depression includes pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic strategies together with social support. Due to the actually discussed controversies concerning the differential efficacy of antidepressants, a contribution to a comprehensive clarification seems to be necessary to avert further deterioration and uncertainty from patients, relatives, and their treating psychiatrists and general practitioners. Both efficacy and clinical effectiveness of antidepressants in the treatment of depressive disorders can be confirmed. Clinically meaningful antidepressant treatment effects were confirmed in different types of studies. Methodological issues of randomized controlled studies, meta-analyses, and effectiveness studies will be ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5419632 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:53:51 +0100 5419632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5405161&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc2410412n4523k71%2F Abstract  The aim of this dual-isotope SPECT imaging study was to evaluate striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) and D2 receptor availability in first-episode never-treated and haloperidol-treated schizophrenic patients and whether the availability is associated with psychopathology. Twenty-four inpatients with a first acute schizophrenic episode were enrolled in the study; 12 of these patients were treated with haloperidol for 2 weeks before dual-isotope SPECT was performed, whereas the other 12 patients underwent the SPECT evaluation directly after enrollment. Twelve healthy control persons were also recruited and evaluated with the dual-isotope SPECT protocol. Psychopathology was assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and other scales. D2-radioligand bin... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5405161 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:53:44 +0100 5405161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5405162&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fdmr21n61822535x4%2F Abstract  This paper investigates the structure of psychopathological symptoms. Based on AMDP symptom profiles, a symptom space was calculated by robust nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and the symptom structures of a sample dating from 1980 and a sample from 2002/2003 were compared. The method of NMDS presented in this study allows results from other studies to be confirmed and complemented. The symptom factors identified in the past by factor-analytic studies were replicated as clusters in two-dimensional symptom maps. Additionally, some theoretically assumed clusters of symptoms were detected that were not found in previous factor analysis approaches. From the results, which are depicted in a continuous space, new insights can be gained, especially with regard t... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5405162 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:14:13 +0100 5405162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5405163&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc737gn0019574320%2F Abstract  Changes in the clinical presentation of functional disorders and the influence of social and cultural factors can be investigated through the historical case notes from mental hospitals. World War I (WWI) was a potent trigger of functional disorders with neurological or psychiatric symptoms. We analysed 100 randomly selected case files of German servicemen admitted to the Department of Psychiatry of the Charité Medical School of Berlin University during WWI and classified them according to contemporaneous and retrospective modern diagnoses. We compared the clinical presentations with accounts in the German and British medical literature of the time. Most patients obtained the contemporaneous diagnosis of ‘psychopathic constitution’ or hysteria reflecting the ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5405163 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:14:12 +0100 5405163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5398255&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F16863170rx303748%2F Abstract  The present study is aimed to exploring whether some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within GRIA1, GRIA2 and GRIA4 could be associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and whether they could predict clinical outcomes in Korean in-patients, respectively, treated with antidepressants. One hundred forty-five (145) patients with MDD and 170 healthy controls were genotyped for 17 SNPs within GRIA1, GRIA2 and GRIA4. Baseline and final clinical measures, including the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) for patients with MDD, were recorded. No association was observed between alleles, genotypes and haplotypes under investigation and clinical and demographical variables. As a secondary finding, a marginal association was observed between rs4302506 a... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5398255 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:49:59 +0100 5398255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378146&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl7471u1q22123085%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0268-5Authors P. Falkai, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, GermanyH.-J. Möller, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378146 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:50:32 +0100 5378146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5378147&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F6k831j5567835487%2F Abstract  Current gold standard approaches to the treatment of depression include pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic interventions with social support. Due to current controversies concerning the efficacy of antidepressants in randomized controlled trials, the generalizability of study findings to wider clinical practice and the increasing importance of socioeconomic considerations, it seems timely to address the uncertainty of concerned patients and relatives, and their treating psychiatrists and general practitioners. We therefore discuss both the efficacy and clinical effectiveness of antidepressants in the treatment of depressive disorders. We explain and clarify useful measures for assessing clinically meaningful antidepressant treatment effects and the types of... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5378147 Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:06:00 +0100 5378147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5332732&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc46l0552qgu60133%2F Abstract  The connection between cholinergic transmission and cognitive performance has been established in behavioural studies. The specific contribution of the muscarinic receptor system on cognitive performance and brain activation, however, has not been evaluated satisfyingly. To investigate the specific contribution of the muscarinic transmission on neural correlates of working memory, we examined the effects of scopolamine, an antagonist of the muscarinic receptors, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Fifteen healthy male, non-smoking subjects performed a fMRI scanning session following the application of scopolamine (0.4 mg, i.v.) or saline in a placebo-controlled, repeated measure, pseudo-randomized, single-blind design. Working memory was probe... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5332732 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:04:01 +0100 5332732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5322303&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ftr428118t425250n%2F Abstract  Although low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) have been associated with depression in clinical settings, this link in community-dwelling individuals is inconclusive. The present study aimed at examining the association between serum 25(OH)D and PTH levels and the presence of depression in a national population-based household sample of 4,002 Jordanian participants aged ≥25 years. The DASS21 depression scale was used to screen for depression, and serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and PTH were measured by radioimmunoassay. Multiple logistic regression models were used to explore the association between serum 25(OH)D and PTH levels and depression. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) decreased linearly with increasing qua... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5322303 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:47:34 +0100 5322303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5282789&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fb2j0228074g809x3%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0260-0Authors Frank Schneider, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, GermanyMichael Grözinger, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5282789 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 06:46:10 +0100 5282789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5282790&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F22tx64318735x456%2F Abstract  In the efficacy evaluation of antidepressant treatments, the total score of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) is still regarded as the ‘gold standard’. We previously had shown that the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) was more sensitive to detect depressive symptom changes than the HAMD17 (Helmreich et al. 2011). Furthermore, studies suggest that the unidimensional subscales of the HAMD, which capture the core depressive symptoms, outperform the full HAMD regarding the detection of antidepressant treatment effects. The aim of the present study was to compare several unidimensional subscales of the HAMD and the IDS regarding their sensitivity to changes in depression symptoms in a sample of patients with mild major, minor or subsyndromal de... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5282790 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:53:26 +0100 5282790 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5282791&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fh8l445683m657425%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Commemorative speechPages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0243-1Authors Frank Schneider, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5282791 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:53:24 +0100 5282791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5282792&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fg617141144802345%2F Abstract  Attentional deficits are prominent in schizophrenia, affecting nearly all cognitive functions. Human attention comprises three essential components: alerting, orienting and executive control. For the assessment of these functions, the attention network test (ANT) has been proposed and used in healthy controls and patients. In schizophrenia, the ANT has revealed behavioral deficits; however, the corresponding neural correlates have not been examined. In the present study, neural correlates of attention were investigated in 17 schizophrenia patients and 17 healthy controls using the ANT with fMRI. Behavioral deficits emerged in the alertness system with a reduced efficiency for temporal cues. In fMRI, changes were observed for all three domains–alerting, orienting... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5282792 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:53:22 +0100 5282792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5282793&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fa1q06w051r7u431v%2F Abstract  In recent years, we have witnessed an increase in media attention on the subject of mental illness, which mass media frequently portray as a new phenomenon affecting large sections of the population. Reports about people suffering from mental disorders and on psychiatric or psychotherapeutic clinics, however, are often characterised by their emphasis on stereotypes and one-sided invariably negative attributes both in the choice of wording and the images used. This paper is an attempt to elucidate this apparent contradiction from both a narrative and a socio-historical perspective. In view of the development of modern moving image formats and storytelling techniques, it seeks to identify possible ways of harnessing the media to present a more considered and differe... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5282793 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:19:15 +0100 5282793 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5270927&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fup8k402582761784%2F Abstract  The stigma of mental illness is a severe burden for people suffering from mental illness both in private and public life, also affecting their relatives, their close social network, and the mental health care system in terms of disciplines, providers, and institutions. Interventions against the stigma of mental illness employ complementary strategies (e.g., protest, education, and contact) and address different target groups (e.g., school children and teachers, journalists, stakeholders). Within this framework, the World Psychiatric Association has adopted an Action Plan with the goal to improve the image of psychiatry and to reduce potential stigmatizing attitudes toward psychiatry and psychiatrists. To evaluate such interventions, a questionnaire has been develo... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5270927 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:48:51 +0100 5270927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5258231&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F7j6187776729176w%2F Abstract  The field of imaging genetics traditionally studies unidirectional associations between genes, brain functioning, and behavior. In a recent study by Ursini et al. (J Neurosci 31:6692–6698, 2011), imaging genetics methods are combined with epigenetic marks in living human beings. This approach may lead to a new field of imaging epigenetics, providing more mechanistic insight into causal pathways of how gene and environment interact and affect brain development. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialPages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0261-zAuthors Corinde E. Wiers, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5258231 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:19:25 +0100 5258231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5258232&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Faj270065655r4125%2F Abstract  The aim of this article is to review how psychotherapy is dispensed to patients in psychiatric treatment and to render the future perspectives of psychotherapy in psychiatric outpatient and inpatient care in Germany. We demonstrate that—according to the currently available data about healthcare providers, allocation of financial resources and curricular regulations—the presently used definition of the term “psychotherapy” is ambiguous. One major problem for the application of psychotherapy in psychiatry is obviously constituted by the dominance of the major guideline therapies (“Richtlinienverfahren”) within psychiatric services. Here, guideline therapies do not meet the needs of a significant proportion of acutely, severely and/or chronically ill psyc... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5258232 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:53:29 +0100 5258232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5258233&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fn327tu2p353242l2%2F Abstract  Exercise (EX) and physical activity (PA) have been shown to prevent or delay the onset of several mental disorders and to have therapeutic effects in different groups of psychiatric disorders. This review focuses on studies investigating EX as therapeutic intervention in anxiety disorders, affective disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. Despite EX being discussed as a potential therapy for several decades, adequately powered randomized, controlled trials are sparse in most disorder groups. Nevertheless, evidence points toward disorder-specific benefits that can be induced by EX/PA. Mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of EX/PA are summarized, including metabolic and physiological as well as psychological aspects. Finally, implic... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5258233 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:46:48 +0100 5258233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5258235&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq766l5313m281183%2F Abstract  Mutations of the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene cause mental retardation with or without associated facial dysmorphisms and intermittent hyperventilation. Subsequently, a polymorphism of TCF4 was shown in a genome-wide association study to slightly increase the risk of schizophrenia. We have further analysed the impact of this TCF4 variant rs9960767 on early information processing and cognitive functions in schizophrenia patients. We have shown in a sample of 401 schizophrenia patients that TCF4 influences verbal memory in the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Contrary to expectations, carriers of the schizophrenia-associated allele showed better recognition, thus indicating that while TCF4 influences verbal memory, the TCF4-mediated schizophrenia risk is not... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5258235 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:49:59 +0100 5258235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5258234&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq7w438jht8w57278%2F Abstract  Since severe stress can induce mental disorder symptoms that interact with vulnerability factors, the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) was evaluated in a population of 419 young adults who survived an earthquake; results were compared to a database of 1,057 ‘non-exposed’ subjects. Unexpectedly, earthquake survivors showed lower CAPE scores for ‘small’ to ‘medium’ effect size. Post-trauma positive changes or re-appraisal for successful adaptation may explain these findings. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Short CommunicationPages 1-4DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0258-7Authors Alessandro Rossi, Institute of Experimental Medicine—Section of Psychiatry, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, ItalySilvia di Tommaso, Institute of Experim... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5258234 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:49:59 +0100 5258234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5235348&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ft3062421l283711t%2F Content Type Journal ArticleCategory EditorialPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0262-yAuthors P. Falkai, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, GermanyH.-J. Möller, Psychiatry Hospital, Ludwigs-Maximililans-University Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5235348 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:43:23 +0100 5235348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220547&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq827j5q535402g02%2F Abstract  The psychological well-being dimension and depressive symptoms are both important variables in an individual’s health. In this study, we evaluated the World Health Organization 5-item well-being index (WHO-Five) internal and external validities, and accuracy in detecting depression. A total of 1,128 individuals between 18 and 65 years old from a rural Brazilian population were included. Cronbach’s alpha and factor analysis were performed for internal validation. Demographic variables means were compared, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed, and sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for different cutoff points were calculated for external validation and accuracy in detecting depression. Cronbach’s ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220547 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:53:09 +0100 5220547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220549&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F55026536438w2w61%2F Abstract  The Italian psychiatric reform of 1978 was one of the most radical attempts in history to abolish the practise of custodial psychiatry using legislation. The work of the charismatic reformer Franco Basaglia had four main objectives, which have taken more than 30 years to achieve. Although the creation of outpatient mental health centres and a reduction in involuntary commitments occurred rapidly, the expensive development of small acute psychiatric departments in general hospitals as an alternative to psychiatric hospitals was implemented very slowly. According to a national survey by the Italian Ministry of Health, in 2001, there were a total of 9,300 acute beds for all of Italy, of which as many as 4,000 were in private facilities. With 1.72 acute beds per ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220549 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:47:49 +0100 5220549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220548&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe3167323p3270w68%2F Abstract  Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder entailing progressive psychotic, cognitive and affective symptoms. Several imaging studies identified brain structure abnormalities in schizophrenia patients, particularly in fronto-temporal regions and evidence for progressive anatomical changes. Here, we synthesised these findings by quantitative coordinate-based meta-analysis, assessing regions of consistently reported brain structure changes, their physiological functions and the correlation of their likelihood with disease duration. The meta-analysis revealed four significant clusters of convergent grey matter reduction, while one cluster indicated higher grey matter values in patients. A voxel-wise analysis revealed a correlation between grey matter reduction and ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220548 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 05:47:49 +0100 5220548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220550&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F21r0484w1431762u%2F Abstract  Professional athletes are subject to massive somatic, social, and mental stress. Despite great public interest for athletic achievements, the emotional strains thereof are very poorly investigated and discussed. The main reason for this is the widespread assumption that only emotionally very strong athletes are able to compete at the highly professional level and therefore mental disorders do not exist in professional sports. But available research data about the prevalence of mental disorders in this area suggest that this hypothesis must be revised. With respect to depression and the overtraining syndrome, attempts have been made to demonstrate the difficulties with etiology, diagnostics, and treatment for sports psychiatry and psychotherapy. Scientifically, spo... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220550 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:54:19 +0100 5220550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220551&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fhu453k606k982470%2F Abstract  Hypocapnia through hyperventilation is a well-known procedure in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to enhance seizure activity. However, it has mostly been applied in an uncontrolled manner. Originally intended for a better management of the supraglottic airway, laryngeal masks are more suited to monitor levels of CO2 during hyperventilation than face masks and thereby provide for the possibility of controlled hyperventilation (CHV). The impact of CHV was retrospectively studied in 114 consecutive patients; 65 of them had received ECT with CHV and 49 had received ECT with uncontrolled hyperventilation (UHV) directly prior to the time period when the laryneal mask was introduced to the ECT treatment procedure. The CO2 level in the CHV group was aimed at 30 mmHg o... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220551 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:54:18 +0100 5220551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5220552&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F1n61921670857070%2F Abstract  Mutations in postsynaptic scaffolding genes contribute to autism, thus suggesting a role in pathological processes in neurodevelopment. Recently, two de novo mutations in SHANK3 were described in schizophrenia patients. In most cases, abnormal SHANK3 genotype was also accompanied by cognitive disruptions. The present study queries whether common SHANK variants may also contribute to neuropsychological dysfunctions in schizophrenia. We genotyped five common coding or promoter variants located in SHANK1, SHANK2 and SHANK3. A comprehensive test battery was used to assess neuropsychological functions in 199 schizophrenia patients and 206 healthy control subjects. In addition, an independent sample of 77 subjects at risk for psychosis was analyzed for replication of si... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5220552 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:54:16 +0100 5220552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5205492&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F2485174364m13358%2F Abstract  Alterations of theory of mind (ToM) and empathy were implicated in the formation of psychotic experiences, and deficits in psychosocial functioning of schizophrenia patients. Inspired by concepts of neurocognitive endophenotypes, the existence of a distinct, potentially neurobiologically based social-cognitive vulnerability marker for schizophrenia is a matter of ongoing debate. The fact that previous research on social-cognitive deficits in individuals at risk yielded contradictory results may partly be due to an insufficient differentiation between qualitative aspects of ToM. Thirty-four unaffected first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients (21 parents, 8 siblings, 5 children; f/m: 30/4; mean age: 48.1 ± 12.7 years) and 34 controls subjects... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5205492 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 10:46:51 +0100 5205492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5205491&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F2wpt08m6791t0717%2F Abstract  Genetic factors determining the response to antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia are poorly understood. A new schizophrenia susceptibility gene, the zinc-finger gene ZNF804A, has recently been identified. To assess the pharmacogenetic importance of this gene, we treated 144 schizophrenia patients and assessed the response of positive and negative symptoms by PANSS. Patients homozygous for the ZNF804A risk allele for schizophrenia (rs1344706 AA) showed poorer improvement of positive symptoms (7.35 ± 0.46) compared to patients with a protective allele (9.41 ± 0.71, P = 0.022). This provides further evidence that ZNF804A is of functional relevance to schizophrenia and indicates that ZNF804A may be a novel target for pharmacological ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5205491 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 10:46:51 +0100 5205491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5191945&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fu8m7x57h846t2760%2F Abstract  Inattention is the most important behavioral feature of adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neuroimaging studies in ADHD have demonstrated abnormalities primarily in the frontostriatal circuitry and were mostly conducted in children. We investigated white matter (WM) integrity in adult ADHD patients and the correlation of WM microstructure and neuropsychological parameters in 37 (21 men) never-medicated adult ADHD patients and 34 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent clinical interviews, rating scales, and neuropsychological tests of attentional performance. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was acquired, and 12 WM regions-of-interest (ROIs) within the attentional network were chosen. Group differences of me... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5191945 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:52:33 +0100 5191945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174442&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fg37vt973k6m28209%2F Abstract  The article evaluates the arguments used by German psychiatrists in the first half of the twentieth century to raise their professional reputation. The arguments, which were used in Wilhelmine Germany and in the 1920s, changed with the establishment of the NS-regime. While psychiatrists claimed for open care systems and for more transparency of psychiatric practice to the public in the first decades of the twentieth century, psychiatry became a crucial part of NS-health policies after 1933. The psychiatrist’s participation in the largest systematic action to kill mentally ill patients known in history forced them to search for ways to legitimatize the murder program and to integrate it into a therapeutical view of future psychiatry by trying to avoid arbitrarine... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174442 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 05:48:41 +0100 5174442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174443&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc0k44363m25l2104%2F Abstract  In June 2001, the then president of the Max Planck Society addressed a formal apology to survivors of Nazi medical crimes. Starting from this ritual of repentance, the paper examines the participants’ diverse views of how to deal with the medical crimes of National Socialism. In comparison with the DGPPN, it asks about possibilities of going beyond historical retrospection to fulfil the imperative of remembrance. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory ReviewPages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0241-3Authors Carola Sachse, Institut für Zeitgeschichte, Universität Wien, Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 1, 1090 Wien, Austria Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174443 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:51:13 +0100 5174443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169364&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F26031148w885574t%2F Abstract  Schizophrenia is considered as a neurodevelopmental disorder with genetic and environmental factors playing a role. Animal models show that developmental hippocampal lesions are causing disconnectivity of the prefrontal cortex. Magnetic resonance imaging and postmortem investigations revealed deficits in the temporoprefrontal neuronal circuit. Decreased oligodendrocyte numbers and expression of oligodendrocyte genes and synaptic proteins may contribute to disturbances of micro- and macro-circuitry in the pathophysiology of the disease. Functional connectivity between cortical areas can be investigated with high temporal resolution using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetoencephalography (MEG). In this review, disconne... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169364 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:02:08 +0100 5169364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169365&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F157035l0p3143053%2F Abstract  Eating disorders and, in particular, anorexia nervosa (AN) have morbidity and mortality rates that are among the highest of any mental disorders and are associated with significant functional impairment. More than 25 years ago, several researchers hypothesised that the prerequisite for the development of AN was a family process characterised by an overprotective and conflict-avoiding parent–child interaction. Family studies, however, suggest that AN is a complex genetic disorder that is likely expressed primarily by temperament and specific traits during childhood, including inhibition, perfectionism and harm avoidance. Recent studies have described an impaired flexibility and deficits in social cognition that are independent of body weight and the current ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169365 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:02:06 +0100 5169365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169366&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Frm743646657475q6%2F This study identified, mapped and treated the clinical features of mentally ill people, who had been isolated and restrained by family and community members as a result of a functional failure of the traditional medical, hospital-based mental health model currently practiced in Indonesia. A 10-month epidemiological population survey was carried out in Karangasem regency of Bali, Indonesia. A total of 404,591 individuals were clinically interviewed, of which 895 individuals with mental health problems were identified, with 23 satisfying criteria of physical restraint and confinement. Of the latter, twenty were males; age range was 19–69 years, all diagnosed by the researchers with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (ICD-10 diagnostic criteria). Duration of restraint ranged from 3&... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169366 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:18:48 +0100 5169366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169367&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq546r5qw404x1443%2F Abstract  The history of the German Association for Psychiatry and—after its merger with the Society of German Neurologists in 1935—the Society of German Neurologists and Psychiatrists (Gesellschaft deutscher Neurologen und Psychiater, GDNP) during the period of National Socialism has been subjected to only rudimentary research. The conventionally accepted idea that two independent professional associations were “coordinated” from above and turned into the extended arm of Nazi genetic health policy (Erbgesundheitspolitik) against their will must be reconsidered. This paper asks how the relationship between the GDNP and the Nazi state can be described adequately. Psychiatry and neurology as practice and science, and the biopolicy development dictatorship of National S... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169367 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:18:47 +0100 5169367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169368&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F04n077812m0v7p57%2F Abstract  Research on social cognition focuses on several human abilities with a huge diversity in the approaches to tap the different functions. Empathy, for instance, is a rather elaborated human ability, and several recent studies point to significant impairments in patients suffering from psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia or autism. Neuroimaging data from these patients commonly indicate neural dysfunctions accompanying the behavioral deficits. Studying the neural correlates of social cognition is of particular importance, because deficits in these domains may explain the major dysfunctions in psychiatric disorders that prevent effective (re) integration into work and social life. It has also become clearer that social cognition deficits, similar to emotion d... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169368 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:18:45 +0100 5169368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125558&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fv504520802l11m24%2F Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0236-0Authors Tomoyuki Kawada, Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8602 Japan Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125558 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:46:40 +0100 5125558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107156&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj5156172n26007rk%2F Abstract  To assess the clinical validity of individual DSM-IV criteria for hypomania. In an international sample of 5,635 patients with major depressive episodes (Bridge Study), DSM-IV criteria for hypomania (stem questions, number and quality of symptoms, duration and exclusion criteria) were systematically assessed and their validity analysed on the basis of clinical data including family history, course, and other clinical characteristics. Three stem questions for hypomania, irritability, elevated mood and the added question of increased activity, showed comparable validity. The results support the current DSM-IV requirement for a higher symptom threshold (4 of 7 hypomanic symptoms) in cases of irritable mood. Longer durations of hypomanic episodes were associated with ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107156 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:59:37 +0100 5107156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107155&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ft742745464u17287%2F Abstract  Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) demonstrates decline of fractional anisotropy (FA) as a marker of fiber tract integrity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We aimed to assess the longitudinal course of white matter microstructural changes in AD and healthy elderly control (HC) subjects and to evaluate the effects of treatment with the cholinesterase inhibitor galantamine on white matter microstructure in AD patients. We enrolled 28 AD patients and 11 healthy elderly control subjects (HC). AD patients were randomly assigned to 6-month double-blind galantamine treatment or placebo, with a 6-month open-label extension phase. DTI was performed at baseline, as well as at 6 and 12-month follow-up in AD patients. The HC subjects underwent DTI at baseline and 12-month follow-up... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107155 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:59:37 +0100 5107155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103216&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl00581336g754m73%2F This study also included a small descriptive arm in which patients could also be randomized to aripiprazole. Results of this exploratory analysis are described here. Clinically stable adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder previously treated with oral risperidone, olanzapine, or an oral conventional antipsychotic were randomized to RLAI or aripiprazole. Efficacy and tolerability were monitored for up to 24 months. A total of 45 patients were treated with aripiprazole (10–30 mg/day) and 329 patients with RLAI (25–50 mg i.m. every 2 weeks). Relapse occurred in 27.3% (95% CI: 15.0–42.8%) of aripiprazole-treated and 16.5% (95% CI: 12.7–21.0%) of RLAI-treated patients. Kaplan–Meier estimates of mean (standard error) relapse-free period were 313... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103216 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 05:52:36 +0100 5103216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077352&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe651372426365670%2F Abstract  Earlier studies suggested more severe overall cognitive impairments in deficit versus non-deficit schizophrenia; however, the specific contribution of different cognitive domains to this overall cognitive impairment remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the two subtypes in general cognitive functioning as well as in individual cognitive domains using the composite score approach. One hundred and forty-three patients fulfilling the criteria for the deficit syndrome were compared with 123 patients diagnosed with non-deficit schizophrenia. Neurocognitive functioning was assessed by a neuropsychological test battery measuring the domains of sustained vigilance/attention, working memory, short-term memory, verbal memory, cognitive flexibility, and i... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077352 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:48:23 +0100 5077352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077353&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F61223lq7317v5320%2F Abstract  From the clinical practice and some experimental studies, it is apparent that paranoid schizophrenia patients tend to assign emotional salience to neutral social stimuli. This aberrant cognitive bias has been conceptualized to result from increased emotional arousal, but direct empirical data are scarce. The aim of the present study was to quantify the subjective emotional arousal (SEA) evoked by emotionally non-salient (neutral) compared to emotionally salient (negative) social stimuli in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Thirty male inpatients with paranoid schizophrenia psychosis and 30 demographically matched healthy controls rated their level of SEA in response to neutral and negative social scenes from the International Affective Picture System an... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077353 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:48:22 +0100 5077353 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077354&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F3p4910364541tu48%2F Abstract  The Trial Criteria in Schizophrenia Working Group was convened in November 2007 to define consensus criteria for clinical trials in patients suffering from acute schizophrenia with special focus on placebo-controlled trials and withdrawal conditions. Clinical trials involving patients give rise to ethical and medico-legal dilemmas. Essential research of new drugs may potentially expose patients to ineffective treatment regimens or placebo. The complexity of the problem increases when dealing with mentally ill patients. The Working Group’s criteria are thought to cover different aspects important in conducting clinical trials namely to ensure the patient’s safety, to present criteria that would allow the ethics committees to agree to the proposed criteria and t... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077354 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:48:27 +0100 5077354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5061899&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fp6146l0x50518250%2F Abstract  Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the transitional clinical stage between cognition in normal aging and dementia, have been linked to abnormalities in brain perfusion. Pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique for evaluating brain perfusion. The present study aimed to determine regional perfusion abnormalities in 19 patients with mild dementia in AD and 24 patients with MCI as compared to 24 cognitively healthy elderly controls using PASL. In line with nuclear imaging methods, lower perfusion in patients with MCI and AD was found mainly in the parietal lobe, but also in angular and middle temporal areas as well as in the left middle occipital lobe and precuneus. Our data imply that PASL may b... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5061899 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:54:09 +0100 5061899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5061900&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F9x51tw33611m3g2l%2F Abstract  Aim of this paper is to investigate the psychobiological reactions to experimentally induced negative emotional states in active marijuana-dependent smokers and whether changes in emotional reactivity were reversed by prolonged abstinence. Twenty-eight patients were randomly included into group A (fourteen active marijuana-dependent smokers) or group B (fourteen abstinent marijuana-dependent subjects). Emotional response evaluation of group B subjects was assessed after 6 months of abstinence. Fourteen healthy volunteers, matched for age and sex, were used as controls. Psychometric and emotional response evaluations were performed by administering Symptoms Check List-90 and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y-1 (STAI). Neutral and unpleasant set of pictures selec... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5061900 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:23:34 +0100 5061900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4997384&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ft6267066341u0721%2F In conclusion, the results of this study show that antibodies to WNV in people do not seem to be associated with schizophrenia. However, detecting antibodies to WNV in schizophrenic patients suggests that WNV infection should be considered in endemic areas as it may play role in psychiatric diseases. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0222-6Authors M. Aslan, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology Department, The University of Istanbul, Istanbul, TurkeyB. Kocazeybek, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology Department, The University of Istanbul, Istanbul, TurkeyN. Turan, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Virology, The University of Istanbul, Avcilar, Istanbul, TurkeyA. R. Karakose, Cerrahpasa F... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4997384 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 05:43:53 +0100 4997384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4920838&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe915563301r81q15%2F Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0221-7Authors H.-J. Möller, Psychiatry Hospital, Ludwigs-Maximilians-University Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, GermanyP. Falkai, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4920838 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:46:59 +0100 4920838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901992&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F323444595706v876%2F The objective of this study was to examine the concordance and clinical validity of alternative definitions of SP in patients with nonaffective psychotic disorders. Two-hundred drug-naive patients with nonaffective psychotic disorders were examined for core parkinsonian signs, including bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor, and diagnosed of SP according to the Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS) cutoff criterion, the UK Parkinson’s disease brain bank (UKPDBB) criteria, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) criteria, and criteria requiring the presence of all three core features (full syndrome criteria). Parkinsonian signs and criteria were examined in relation to a number of relevant clinical variables. The most frequent sign was rigidity (33.5%) followed by brad... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901992 Mon, 30 May 2011 17:08:57 +0100 4901992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901993&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ft585074644113l56%2F Abstract  The aims of this study were to analyze the presence of gender differences in the phenotypic expression of schizophrenia at the onset of illness and to explore whether these differences determine clinical and functional outcome 2 years after the initiation of treatment. Data from 231 first-episode-psychosis non-substance-dependent patients (156 men and 75 women) participating in a large-scale naturalistic open-label trial with risperidone were recorded at inclusion and months 1, 6, 12, and 24. Men presented a significant earlier age of onset (24.89 years vs. 29.01 years in women), poorer premorbid functioning, and a higher presence of prodromal and baseline negative symptoms. Women were more frequently married or lived with their partner and children ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901993 Thu, 26 May 2011 05:48:28 +0100 4901993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4840940&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fng21540622r1wr6x%2F In conclusion, we introduce here a novel in vitro system responding to rTMS at the level of second messenger signaling. The use of human-derived cells with neuron-like properties will prove useful for further studies on the cellular effects of rTMS. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0217-3Authors Julian Hellmann, Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Eschenallee 3, 14050 Berlin, GermanyRene Jüttner, Developmental Neurobiology, Max-Delbrück-Center, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13092 Berlin, GermanyClarisse Roth, Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Eschenallee 3, 14050 Berlin, GermanyMalek Bajbouj, Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Ps... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4840940 Thu, 12 May 2011 18:53:08 +0100 4840940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4812847&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ff05r22752715087q%2F Abstract  Recent findings in the literature suggest a relation between histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein-1 (HINT1) and psychiatric disorders such as major depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, although its physiological roles are not completely comprehended. Using Western blot, we compared HINT1 protein expression in the postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and thalamus of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls for contributing to elucidate the role of HINT1 in schizophrenia pathophysiology. HINT1 was found to be downregulated in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and upregulated in the thalamus. Our results combined to previous studies in human samples and preclinical models support the notion that HINT1 must be more explored as a potential target for ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4812847 Sat, 07 May 2011 15:45:34 +0100 4812847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4788833&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fw456h44646637057%2F Abstract  The aim of the present study is to identify the relative contribution of patient and caregiver characteristics in a sample of primary carers of patients with chronic mental disorders living in the community. As carers were recruited from caregiver organizations, mainly mothers of an adult child suffering from schizophrenia participated in the study (n = 102). Within a comprehensive transactional stress model, burden was assessed with respect to objective and subjective burden, cognitive-emotional well-being, psychological distress and subjective quality of life. Primary stressors include illness-related characteristics of the patient, and a number of personal dispositions and resources of the caregivers were included as potential moderating variables. Mul... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4788833 Tue, 03 May 2011 05:52:17 +0100 4788833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753452&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq57157452q422542%2F This study investigated the effect of familial risk of SZ or BD on these two aspects of inhibitory control. Seventeen healthy first-degree relatives of patients with BD (BD-R), 15 healthy relatives of patients with SZ (SZ-R) and 23 demographically matched controls were compared in terms of their performance during Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA), which measures contextually driven response selection, and during the Hayling Sentence Completion Test (HSCT), which assesses contextual response selection and inhibition. Compared to controls and BD-R, SZ-R showed deficits in contextual information processing that resulted in spontaneous errors in the COWA as well as deficits in response inhibition during the HSCT that resulted in higher error rates. BD-R also showed deficits in re... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753452 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:45:18 +0100 4753452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753453&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fy6681465250n5544%2F Abstract  The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key regulator of synaptic plasticity and has been suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of psychotic disorders, with particular emphasis on dysfunctions of the hippocampus. The aim of the present study was to replicate and to extend prior findings of BDNF val66met genotype effects on hippocampal volume and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) levels. Hundred and fifty-eight caucasians (66 schizophrenic, 45 bipolar, and 47 healthy subjects; 105 subjects underwent MRI and 103 MRS scanning) participated in the study and were genotyped with regard to the val66met polymorphism (rs6265) of the BDNF gene. Hippocampal volumes were determined using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and measures of ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753453 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 06:14:01 +0100 4753453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744743&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fmu786428u229123g%2F Abstract  Although several case reports have suggested a relationship between accessing Internet suicide sites and the incidence of suicide, the influence of the Internet on the incidence of suicide is not known. Thus, we examined the association between Internet suicide-related searches and the incidence of suicide in 20- and 30-year-old individuals in Japan. The Box–Jenkins transfer function model was applied to monthly time series data from January 2004 to May 2010 (77 months). The terms “hydrogen sulfide,” “hydrogen sulfide suicide,” and “suicide hydrogen sulfide suicide” at (t-11) were related to the incidence of suicide among people aged in their 20 s (P = 0.005, 0.005, and 0.006, respectively) and people aged in their 30 s (P&nbsp... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4744743 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:04:00 +0100 4744743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744744&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F8v303p4663178r73%2F Abstract  Little research on the prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD has been conducted outside the United States. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in a large representative sample of the German population aged 18–64 years (n = 1,655). Two self-rating screening instruments to assess childhood and adult ADHD symptomatology were used to estimate the prevalence of ADHD. A 4-item screening tool was used to assess probable cases of current depression and anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire). The estimated crude prevalence rate of current ADHD was 4.7%. Adult ADHD was significantly associated with lower age, low educational level, unemployment, marital status (never married and divorced), and rural resi... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4744744 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 05:49:21 +0100 4744744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642292&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F8p7145m762344t61%2F Abstract  Ventricular enlargement is one of the most consistent abnormal structural brain findings in schizophrenia and has been used to infer brain shrinkage. However, whether ventricular enlargement is related to local overlying cortex and/or adjacent subcortical structures or whether it is related to brain volume change globally has not been assessed. We systematically assessed interrelations of ventricular volumes with gray and white matter volumes of 40 Brodmann areas (BAs), the thalamus and its medial dorsal nucleus and pulvinar, the internal capsule, caudate and putamen. We acquired structural MRI ( patients with schizophrenia (n = 64) and healthy controls (n = 56)) and diffusion tensor fractional anisotropy (FA) (untreated schizophrenia n =&nb... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642292 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:57:59 +0100 4642292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636252&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm6236886j5435806%2F Abstract  The aim of this naturalistic observational study was to investigate EEG alterations in patients under olanzapine treatment with a special regard to olanzapine dose and plasma concentration. Twenty-two in-patients of a psychiatric university ward with the monodiagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia (ICD-10: F20.0), who received a monotherapy of olanzapine were included in this study. All patients had a normal alpha-EEG before drug therapy, and did not suffer from brain-organic dysfunctions, as verified by clinical examination and cMRI scans. EEG and olanzapine plasma levels were determined under steady-state conditions (between 18 and 22 days after begin of treatment). In 9 patients (40.9%), pathological EEG changes (one with spike-waves) consecutive to olanzapine... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636252 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:07:59 +0100 4636252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636253&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F55419n7471t0u676%2F Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0210-xAuthors Hsiang-Yuan Lin, Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7 Chung Shan S. Rd, Taipei, 10002 TaiwanYen-Nan Chiu, Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7 Chung Shan S. Rd, Taipei, 10002 TaiwanChen-Chung Liu, Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7 Chung Shan S. Rd, Taipei, 10002 Taiwan Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636253 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:07:58 +0100 4636253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4621992&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fb78670307pr0x2p5%2F Abstract  In recent studies, the glutamate (Glu) level has been quantified using the modified STEAM sequence on 3T MRI. We enrolled 15 healthy volunteers and a group of 51 patients who experienced stroke for the first time and had a good prognosis. The patients with infarction were divided into three groups according to their scores by using the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder and the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). We studied the association between post-stroke depression and 1H-MRS measurements in unaffected frontal lobes. Single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was performed to assess N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA)/Cr, (Glu)/Cr, choline (Cho)/Cr, and myoinositol (mI)/Cr ratios in stroke patients. The 11 pati... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4621992 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 02:54:08 +0100 4621992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610640&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fg3804756458h7xl2%2F Abstract  As a relatively large body of research has been published up to now, it may be informative to explore whether the use of endophenotypes has produced consistent findings in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We reviewed the results of genetic studies investigating associations between putative susceptibility genes for ADHD and neuropsychological traits relevant for this disorder. A PubMed database search identified 47 studies. Most of them (n = 36) examined a single candidate gene, while seven studies examined two or three genes and only four studies examined 10 genes or more. The most investigated genes were DRD4, DAT1, COMT, MAOA, and DBH. Regarding DRD4, association of high reaction time variability with the 7-R allele absence appears to be... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610640 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:54:17 +0100 4610640 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610641&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F17714041161226kv%2F We described the occurrence of psychotic symptoms, categorized into subgroups according to their clinical impact, disability, and help-seeking behavior. The correlation of socio-demographic variables, depressive symptoms, and alcohol and substance use disorders with those psychotic subgroups was analyzed. Polychotomic logistic regression tested the associations between subgroups of psychosis (clinical and subclinical) and the correlates. Of the total sample, 38.0% presented at least one lifetime psychotic symptom, 1.9% met the criteria for an ICD-10 diagnosis of non-affective psychosis, 5.4% presented clinically relevant psychotic symptoms, and 30.7% endorsed clinically non-relevant symptoms. The most common psychotic symptom was delusion with a plausible explanation (in 18.6%). The ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610641 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:26:21 +0100 4610641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600328&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fd276h3072782640m%2F Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0206-6Authors Dan Rujescu, Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336 München, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600328 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:57:18 +0100 4600328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600327&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm00n332136m44127%2F Abstract  Central nervous system (CNS) monoamine deficits have been linked to a number of pathological conditions such as major depressive disorder. Individual biological variations in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) might account for the variation in responses of neurotransmitter systems observed after the administration of clomipramine. The prolactin response to clomipramine has been widely used to assess CNS functioning. This open label study investigates the prolactin response induced by clomipramine in the plasma of healthy volunteers and whether it is related to changes in monoamine metabolites. The effects of clomipramine challenge on prolactin, 5-HIAA, HVA and MHPG were measured in 12 healthy vo... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600327 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:57:18 +0100 4600327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4591723&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl1w071810g066154%2F Abstract  In a retrospective chart review, we examined the effects of ketamine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) anaesthetic in patients suffering from therapy-resistant depression. We included 42 patients who received ECT treatment with either ketamine (n = 16) or the barbiturate thiopental (n = 26). We analysed the number of sessions until completion of ECT treatment (used as a surrogate parameter for outcome), psychopathology as assessed by pre- and post-ECT Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores as well as ECT and seizure parameters (stimulation dose, seizure duration and concordance, urapidil dosage for post-seizure blood pressure management). ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4591723 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:52:42 +0100 4591723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4580820&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fu0qu04334g860x0m%2F Abstract  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is now recognized as a common disorder both in child and adult psychiatry. Adult patients with a diagnosis of ADHD (n = 572) and community controls (n = 675) responded to auto-questionnaires rating past and present symptoms of ADHD, co-morbid conditions, including migraine, treatment history and work status. The prevalence of migraine was significantly higher in the patient group compared to the controls (28.3% vs. 19.2%, P < 0.001, OR = 1.67, CI 1.28–2.17). The difference from controls was particularly marked for men (22.5% vs. 10.7%, P < 0.001, OR = 2.43, CI 1.51–3.90) but was also significant for women (34.4% vs. 24.9%, P = 0.008, OR&nbsp... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4580820 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 06:53:08 +0100 4580820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565722&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ff2v0p57x127312m8%2F Abstract  Subjective quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial functioning constitute important treatment outcomes in schizophrenia. We aimed to investigate the relationship between them in schizophrenia patients living in the community. Symptom severity and insight were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in 76 community schizophrenia patients. Social functioning was measured with the Portuguese version of Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale, and subjective QoL was measured with the Portuguese version of the WHO Quality of Life Measure–Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL–Bref). The majority of patients were single (78%) and unemployed/inactive (74%). Mean PSP total score was 55.5, and mean scores on WHOQOL-Bref domains ranged from 54.1 to 63.0. ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565722 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:03:05 +0100 4565722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549581&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fy005651q00867145%2F In this study, outpatients who visited one of the participating psychiatric clinics in Tokyo, Japan between October and November, 2010 were asked to complete the Trust in Physician Scale (TPS), an 11-item self-report questionnaire. A univariate general linear model was used to examine the effects of the following variables on the TPS total score: age, sex, diagnosis, Global Assessment of Functioning score, educational background, physician’s years of practice as a psychiatrist, duration of treatment with their current psychiatrists, sex concordance between patients and their psychiatrists, and whether patients were older than their psychiatrists. Five hundred and four patients were enrolled (mean ± SD age = 42.8 ± 13.6 years; 176 men; Psychiatri... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549581 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 07:03:38 +0100 4549581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540384&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F24172n7qg2244783%2F Abstract  Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with increased volumes of visceral fat and a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. In turn, affective disorders are frequently found in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). It is therefore unclear whether BPD per se may influence body composition. In order to clarify a potential relationship between BPD and body composition, we measured visceral fat content (VFC) in young depressed women with and without comorbid BPD and related this parameter to various features of the metabolic syndrome. Visceral fat content was measured by magnetic resonance imaging in 22 premenopausal women with MDD only, in 44 women with comorbid MDD and BPD, in 12 female BPD patients without MDD, and in 34 healthy women (CG).... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540384 Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:18:14 +0100 4540384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4512211&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F221gr77712130585%2F Abstract  Cortical development and folding seems to be under environmental as well as genetic control. The aim of our study was to estimate the genetic influence on gyrification and cortical volumes, comparing prefrontal gyrification index (GI) in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, and unrelated pairs. Twenty-four subjects (6 pairs of MZ and 6 pairs of DZ twins) were included in this study. Prefrontal cortical folding (gyrification) was measured by an automated and manual version of the gyrification index (A-GI, M-GI) according to previously published protocols. MR-imaging was performed and 3 representative slices were selected from coronar MR-imaging scans. The volumes of the total brain, temporal lobes, prefrontal lobes, and cerebellum were analyzed, too. To ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4512211 Sat, 19 Feb 2011 07:24:36 +0100 4512211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4501408&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F7101507538km1pm8%2F Abstract  The presence of comorbidity in major psychoses (e.g., schizophrenia and psychotic subtypes of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder) seems to be the rule rather than the exception in both DSM-IV and ICD-10. Examining comorbidity in major psychoses, however, requires an investigation into the different levels of comorbidity (either full-blown and subsyndromal) which should be analyzed in both psychopathological and medical fields. On one hand, the high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in major psychoses may be the result of the current nosographic systems. On the other hand, it may stem from a common neurobiological substrate. In fact, comorbid psychopathological conditions may share a biological vulnerability, given that dysfunction in specific brain... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501408 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:58:56 +0100 4501408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4501409&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj684w66p42n2525q%2F Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0190-xAuthors P. Falkai, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, GermanyH.-J. Möller, Psychiatry Hospital, Ludwigs-Maximilians-University Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336, Munich, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501409 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:12:03 +0100 4501409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4501410&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fr567418717v87644%2F Abstract  Magnetic resonance imaging and postmortem studies on schizophrenia provided evidence for compromised myelin integrity and reduced numbers of oligodendrocytes, which may worsen during the disease course. However, it is not clear whether these findings result from disease-inherent oligodendrocyte degeneration or side effects of antipsychotic treatment. Therefore, effects of haloperidol and clozapine on the viability and apoptosis of immature oligodendrocytes (OLN-93 cells, immunopositive for NG2, Olig1, Olig2) have been evaluated in the present study by labeling with propidium iodide and a caspase 3 assay. Given the indications for impaired cerebral energy supply in schizophrenia, a serum and glucose deprivation (SGD) model was chosen in comparison with the basal co... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501410 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:12:02 +0100 4501410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489310&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fd4kh001502133j66%2F In this study, low-dose ω-3 PUFAs had some efficacy in the treatment of mild to moderate depression in elderly participants. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-11DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0191-9Authors Yaser Tajalizadekhoob, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 5th floor, Dr Shareeati Hospital, North Karegar Avenue, Tehran, IranFarshad Sharifi, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 5th floor, Dr Shareeati Hospital, North Karegar Avenue, Tehran, IranHossein Fakhrzadeh, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 5th floor, Dr Shareeati Hospital, North Karegar Avenue, Tehran, IranMojde Mirarefin, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran Un... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489310 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 07:12:39 +0100 4489310 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4470173&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fnv08830t8j557485%2F Abstract  Visually scored and power spectral analyses (PSA) of polysomnography (PSG) recordings reveal abnormalities in alcohol dependence (AD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), including deficiencies in slow wave activity (SWA) during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. SWA parameters reflect the integrity of the homeostatic sleep drive, which have not been compared in those with AD or MDD. Ten men with AD were compared with 10 men with MDD and 10 healthy controls (HCs), all aged 20–40 years. They maintained an 11 pm to 6 am sleep schedule for 5–7 days, followed by 3 consecutive nights of PSG in the laboratory: night 1 for adaptation/screening; night 2 for baseline recordings; and night 3 as the challenge night, delaying sleep until 2 am. SWA was quan... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4470173 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:55:57 +0100 4470173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450079&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F3311712022528983%2F Abstract  We evaluated the clinical use and the safety of cerebrospinal fluid diagnostics in 155 patients with the suspected diagnosis of first-episode schizophrenia. Five patients (3.2%) revealed pathological findings that lead to diagnostic re-evaluation and changes in clinical management. No serious adverse events occurred, but we documented 16 (10.3%) cases of mild to moderate headache or local pain at the puncture site. Our results underline the value of lumbar puncture in the clinical workup of first-episode patients with suspected schizophrenia. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-011-0193-7Authors Laura Kranaster, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, J5, 68159 M... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450079 Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:54:53 +0100 4450079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4441894&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj6p5q3846h240184%2F Abstract  Suicide and suicidal behaviour are a major health concern worldwide particularly in patients with mood disorders. Family, adoption and twin studies show that genetics influences suicidal behaviour. The serotonin transporter (5HTT) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of mood disorders and may also be involved in suicidal behaviour since 5HTT binding is decreased in the brain of suicide completers. Because the effect of genomic imprinting in the 5HTT gene on suicidal behaviour has not been investigated, we analysed the parent-of-origin effect (POE) of four 5HTT markers and the differential expression of the 5HTT G2651T (rs1042173) alleles in suicide attempters affected by bipolar disorder. We performed a family based association study and ETDT/QTDT analys... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4441894 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:51:24 +0100 4441894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4441895&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F2t48672tpw5284gg%2F In this study, we analyzed putative correlations in subjects unaffected by mental disorders between personality traits, serum BDNF levels (N = 107), and the BDNF Val66Met genotype (N = 217). Furthermore, we tested the possible interactions between these variables. A significant correlation has been observed between high scores of harm avoidance (HA) measured by the temperament and character inventory (TCI), and low BDNF serum concentration (r = −0.253, P = 0.009). In addition, an association has been evidenced between low BDNF levels in serum and the BDNF Val/Val genotype (P = 0.021). By analyzing putative concomitant effects of different variables on HA scores in a regression model, we observed a significant correlation only with BDN... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4441895 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:51:23 +0100 4441895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4418882&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl62v708354786348%2F This study analyzed brief hypomania that occurred in patients with bipolar disorder who were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria. Daily self-reported mood ratings were obtained from 393 patients (247 bipolar I and 146 bipolar II) for 6 months (75,284 days of data, mean 191.6 days). Episodes of hypomania were calculated using a 4, 3, 2, and single day length criterion. Brief hypomania occurred frequently. With a decrease in the minimum criterion from 4 days to 2 days, there were almost twice as many patients with an episode of hypomania (102 vs. 190), and more than twice as many episodes (305 vs. 863). Single days of hypomania were experienced by 271 (69%) of the sample. With a 2-day episode length, 33% of all hypomania remained outside of an episode. T... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4418882 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:45:42 +0100 4418882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411401&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F034127gw3537282k%2F Abstract  The aim of the study was to investigate which factors are associated with age at onset in bipolar disorder with a specific focus on excessive alcohol and cannabis use, and the sequence of the onsets of excessive substance use and bipolar disorder. We investigated a naturalistic sample of 151 patients with bipolar I and II disorder receiving psychiatric treatment. Whether the presence of excessive substance use prior to bipolar disorder onset or the type of substance used (alcohol or cannabis) was associated with differences in age at onset was investigated using hierarchical and multiple linear regression analyses, adjusting for potential confounders. Patients with excessive alcohol use had a significantly later onset compared with patients with excessive cannabis... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411401 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:14:43 +0100 4411401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382492&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F156577q062523785%2F Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-1DOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0180-4Authors Sara Lera-Miguel, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainSusana Andrés-Perpiñá, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainRosa Calvo, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainMar Fatjó-Vilas, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Barcelona, SpainLourdes Fañanás, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Barcelona, SpainLuisa Lázaro, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382492 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:37:40 +0100 4382492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377360&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fy2148665351634g1%2F Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0185-zAuthors H. J. Möller, Psychiatrische Klinik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität-München, Nußbaumstraße 7, 80336 München, GermanyP. Falkai, Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universität Göttingen, von-Siebold-Straße 5, 37075 Göttingen, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377360 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:25:09 +0100 4377360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322336&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F7vj2q76890470067%2F Abstract  In clinical samples, patients with severe psychiatric disorders are found to have cognitive impairments. Less is known whether this applies to samples derived from the general population. We aimed to study cognitive functioning in a population-based sample comprising individuals with schizophrenia, other non-affective psychoses, bipolar disorders, major depressive disorder, and controls derived from the same population. The current analysis was based on 148 persons with severe mental disorders and 66 control subjects, derived from the Psychoses in Finland study. All subjects were interviewed with SCID, and a neuropsychological test battery was administered. Subjects with schizophrenia had a generalized cognitive impairment (d = 0.43–1.07), while those w... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322336 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:45:00 +0100 4322336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318127&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fvl22604371521x01%2F This study presents a visual rating scale for the assessment of cerebral [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scans to characterize typical findings in dementias associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and to differentiate individual patients with FTLD compared to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 43 cerebral PET scans from patients with FTLD (n = 16, mean age 58.4 years), AD (n = 16, 59.9 years) and MCI (n = 11, 57.9 years) were analysed. Every PET data set was visually rated for seven brain regions on each hemisphere (frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, basal ganglia, thalamus and cerebellum). The extent of the impairment in me... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318127 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:50:58 +0100 4318127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4302831&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fy0474t6655153qw6%2F Abstract  Although perinatal complications are hypothesized to be risk factors for the development of anorexia nervosa (AN), no study to date explored this issue using a discordant sibling design. This type of design allows to explore whether the risk for obstetric complications is itself a consequence of the genetic vulnerability for AN (covariation model) or whether obstetric complications increase the risk of AN independently of (additive model), or in interaction with (interaction model), the disorder’s genetic liability. The presence of perinatal complications was assessed through review of the obstetric records of 60 AN subjects, 60 unaffected sisters, and 70 healthy subjects. Unaffected sisters and healthy controls were compared in relation to perinatal characteris... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4302831 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:03:25 +0100 4302831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4302051&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ff86706mv82625t70%2F This study reveals a pattern of structural alterations in schizophrenia associated with the response to risperidone or olanzapine. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0182-2Authors Vicente Molina, Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, SpainCarmen Martín, Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, SpainAlejandro Ballesteros, Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, SpainAlba G. Seco de Herrera, Laboratorio de Imagen Médica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, SpainJuan Antonio Hernández-Tamames, Laboratorio de Imagen Médica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4302051 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:09:31 +0100 4302051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4302052&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F96q106k156386t6j%2F Abstract  Gray matter (GM) volume deficits have been described in patients with schizophrenia (Sz) and bipolar disorder (BD), but to date, few studies have directly compared GM volumes between these syndromes with methods allowing for whole-brain comparisons. We have used structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to compare GM volumes between 38 Sz and 19 BD chronic patients. We also included 24 healthy controls. The results revealed a widespread cortical (dorsolateral and medial prefrontal and precentral) and cerebellar deficit as well as GM deficits in putamen and thalamus in Sz when compared to BD patients. Besides, a subcortical GM deficit was shown by Sz and BD groups when compared to the healthy controls, although a putaminal reduct... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4302052 Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:03:10 +0100 4302052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4288452&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl234066gkr0u4j08%2F Abstract  The Study aimed to assess clinical and social outcomes following involuntary admissions over 1 year and identify socio-demographic and clinical patient characteristics associated with more or less favourable outcomes. Seven hundred and seventy-eight involuntary patients admitted to one of 22 hospitals in England were assessed within the first week after admission and at 1 month, 3 month and 12 month follow-ups. Outcome criteria were symptom levels, global functioning, objective social outcomes, and subjective quality of life (SQOL). Baseline characteristics and patients’ initial experience were tested as predictors. Symptom levels and global functioning improved moderately. Objective social outcomes showed a small, but statistically significan... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4288452 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:13:53 +0100 4288452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4285040&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fy6184n610u740358%2F Abstract  While the impact of mentally ill patients’ perceptions of their key relatives’ expressed emotion is well examined with regard to relapse, there is a paucity of evidence concerning the impact on their key relatives’ burden. The present study aims to evaluate the relative prognostic value of expressed and perceived emotion on caregivers’ stress outcome within a 3-year follow-up period. Yearly follow-up data of the key relatives of 16 first-hospitalized schizophrenic and 34 depressed patients were available including expressed and perceived emotion and different dimensions of caregivers’ stress outcome: objective and subjective burden, well-being, psychological symptoms and subjective quality of life. Multiple linear regression analyses were computed to ass... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4285040 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:53:26 +0100 4285040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265185&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fc82100njw4r73u62%2F This study provides further support for the proposal that the auditory N1 deficit in schizophrenia is linked to the underlying genetic risk of developing this disorder. In light of recent studies, these results point to the N1 deficit as an endophenotypic marker for schizophrenia. The potential future utility of this metric as one element of a multivariate endophenotype is discussed. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0176-0Authors John J. Foxe, The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Program in Cognitive Neuroscience and Schizophrenia, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USASherlyn Yeap, The Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Richmond Road, Fairview, Dublin 3, IrelandAda... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265185 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 06:39:37 +0100 4265185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265186&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe0txm3l85r77h3g0%2F Abstract  Weight gain leading to obesity is a frequent adverse effect of treatment with atypical antipsychotics. However, the degree of its independent contribution to the risk of coronary heart disease events in patients treated with these drugs has not been elucidated. The aim of this study is to determine whether obesity is an independent risk factor for the 10-year risk of coronary heart disease events in psychiatric patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. We used the Framingham method, which is based on age, gender, blood pressure, smoking, and plasma levels of total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, to estimate the 10-year risk of coronary heart disease events in patients treated with second-generation antipsychotics who were obese (N = 44; me... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265186 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:58:18 +0100 4265186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241512&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm1jl134184302235%2F Abstract  Disgust may be a key emotion and target for psychotherapeutic interventions in borderline personality disorder (BPD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at explicit and implicit-automatic levels. However, automatically activated disgust reactions in individuals with these disorders have not been studied. Disgust and its correlation with childhood abuse were assessed in women with BPD, but without PTSD; women with PTSD, but without BPD; women with BPD and PTSD; and healthy women. Disgust sensitivity, anxiety and depression were measured by self-report. Implicit disgust-prone (relative to anxiety-prone) self-concept was assessed using the Implicit Association Test. Women with BPD and/or PTSD reported more disgust sensitivity than controls. The implicit self-con... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241512 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:06:37 +0100 4241512 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241513&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fv075u72h1u70m3x6%2F We examined charts from 79 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 55), persistent delusional disorders (n = 7), and schizoaffective disorders (n = 17) between 2003 and 2008. We recorded age, sex, indication for ECT, number of ECT sessions, ECT series, outcome, maintenance ECT, use of antipsychotics, duration of illness, and duration of the current exacerbation. All patients were taking antipsychotics at the time of enrolment in the study. Acute ECT included 2–26 sessions; maintenance ECT (M-ECT) was given to 18 patients for up to 12 years. Initial indications for ECT included psychosis (n = 28), pronounced affective symptoms (n = 28), delirious states (n = 20), and M-ECT (n = 3). Most patients experienced e... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241513 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:06:36 +0100 4241513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241514&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl0861qk82m202312%2F Abstract  Depression rating scales play a decisive role in the assessment of the severity of depression and the evaluation of the efficacy of antidepressant treatments. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) is regarded as the ‘gold standard’; nevertheless, studies suggest that the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) is more sensitive to detect symptom changes. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the IDS is more sensitive in detecting changes in depression symptoms in patients with mild major, minor or subsyndromal depression (MIND). Biweekly IDS-C28 and HAMD17 data from 340 patients of a 10-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of sertraline and cognitive-behavioural therapy in patients with MIND were ana... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241514 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:44:06 +0100 4241514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207220&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fm8422104np7n5044%2F Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0171-5Authors M. K. Yazıcı, Department of Psychiatry, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, TurkeyA. E. Anıl Yağcıoğlu, Department of Psychiatry, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, TurkeyA. Ertuğrul, Department of Psychiatry, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, TurkeyN. Eni, Department of Psychiatry, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, TurkeyS. Karahan, Department of Biostatistics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, TurkeyE. Karaağaoğlu, Department of Biostatistics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, TurkeyS. L. Tokgözoğlu, Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, T... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207220 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:05:06 +0100 4207220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207219&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fw6j216u58q44h541%2F Abstract  Agoraphobia (with and without panic disorder) is a highly prevalent and disabling anxiety disorder. Its neural complexity can be characterized by specific cues in fMRI studies. Therefore, we developed a fMRI paradigm with agoraphobia-specific stimuli. Pictures of potential agoraphobic situations were generated. Twenty-six patients, suffering from panic disorder and agoraphobia, and 22 healthy controls rated the pictures with respect to arousal, valence, and agoraphobia-related anxiety. The 96 pictures, which discriminated best between groups were chosen, split into two parallel sets and supplemented with matched neutral pictures from the International Affective Picture System. Reliability, criterion, and construct validity of the picture set were determined in a s... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207219 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:05:06 +0100 4207219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4203037&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe6104r28j1w52614%2F Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0170-6Authors Peter Falkai, Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, GermanyHans-Jürgen Möller, Psychiatry Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 München, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4203037 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:51:36 +0100 4203037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4196815&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fb61605k72524g717%2F Abstract  Adrenergic α2A receptor gene (ADRA2A) is one of the most promising candidate genes for ADHD pharmacogenetics. Thus far, three studies have investigated the association between the ADRA2A −1291 C>G polymorphism and the therapeutic response to methylphenidate (MPH) in children with ADHD, all of them with positive results. The aim of this study is to investigate, for the first time, the association between three ADRA2A polymorphisms (−1291 C>G, −262 G>A, and 1780 C>T) and the response to MPH in adults with ADHD. The sample comprises 165 Brazilians of European descent evaluated in the adult ADHD outpatient clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. The diagnostic procedures followed the DSM-IV criteria. Drug response was assessed by both cat... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4196815 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 06:56:03 +0100 4196815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4189941&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F462x8065t44046r8%2F Abstract  On the basis of impaired glutamatergic transmission and the potential role of astrocytes in schizophrenia, we treated cultured astrocytes with MK-801, an NMDA-receptor antagonist, to investigate whether the resulting proteome changes are similar to those we found in our earlier proteome analysis of schizophrenia human brain tissue as well as to better comprehend the role of astrocytes in the disorder. Indeed, there are similarities. Furthermore, to verify the efficacy of clozapine and its effect over the proteome, we treated MK-801-treated astrocytes with clozapine. Interestingly, clozapine reversed protein changes induced by MK-801. The treatment of cell cultures with neural transmission agonists and antagonists might provide useful insights about psychiatric dis... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4189941 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 07:27:23 +0100 4189941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4186820&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F05008177vwp10w14%2F Abstract   Early-onset bipolar disorder is an impairing condition that is strongly associated with genetic inheritance. Neurocognitive deficits are core traits of this disorder which seem to be present in both young and adult forms. Deficits in verbal memory and attention are persistent within euthymic phases in bipolar adults, adolescents, and children. In younger samples, including type I or II and not otherwise specified patients, executive functions are not widely impaired and the existence of visual-spatial deficits remains unclear. The main aim of this study was to compare the neurocognitive performance in young stabilized type I or II bipolar patients and healthy controls. Fifteen medicated adolescents with bipolar disorder and 15 healthy adolescents, matched in age ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4186820 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 07:56:13 +0100 4186820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175466&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F28p5423771g6g466%2F Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0168-0Authors Stefanie Klug, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, General Hospital of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Wa¨hringer-Gu¨rtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, AustriaPeter Anderer, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, General Hospital of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Wa¨hringer-Gu¨rtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, AustriaGerda Saletu-Zyhlarz, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, General Hospital of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Wa¨hringer-Gu¨rtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, AustriaMarion Freidl, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, General Hospital of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Wa¨hringer-Gu¨rtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, AustriaBernd Saletu, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Genera... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175466 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 06:45:27 +0100 4175466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4162760&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fr5vn65hr7r6x6144%2F Abstract  Verbal and visuospatial working memory (WM) impairment is a well-documented finding in psychiatric patients suffering from major psychoses such as schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder. However, in major depression (MDD) the literature on the presence and the extent of WM deficits is inconsistent. The use of a multitude of different WM tasks most of which lack process-specificity may have contributed to these inconsistencies. Eighteen MDD patients and 18 healthy controls matched with regard to age, gender and education were tested using process- and circuit-specific WM tasks for which clear brain-behaviour relationships had been established in prior functional neuroimaging studies. Patients suffering from acute MDD showed a selective impairment in articulato... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4162760 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:51:32 +0100 4162760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4142588&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F4101170k03h77170%2F Abstract  In the present study, we examined several metabolic parameters in a group of 19 acutely depressed inpatients with major depression (DSM-IV) at baseline and investigated their development after 4 weeks of antidepressant treatment with reboxetine (8–12 mg per day). We performed oral glucose tolerance tests and additionally assessed free saliva cortisol and post-dexamethasone cortisol levels, as well as whole cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, waist and hip circumference, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, we evaluated the incidence of a metabolic syndrome and investigated the metabolic changes in depressed patients with and without a metabolic syndrome. We found 42.1% of patients to fulfil ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4142588 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:51:47 +0100 4142588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097254&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F80184x6835n7r844%2F Abstract  The cholinergic system is essential in mediating cognitive processes. Although there has been extensive research regarding cholinergic receptor subsystems, the specific contribution of the muscarinic and nicotinic receptor system to cognitive processes still has not been sufficiently explored. In the present study, we examined the selective contribution of muscarinic and nicotinic antagonism to cognitive performance in healthy human subjects. A single-blind, double-dummy, time-elapsed, repeated measures cross-over design was used on 15 healthy males. Subjects completed a neuropsychological test battery assessing a wide range of cognitive domains after 0.4 mg scopolamine (intravenous), 0.2 mg/kg mecamylamine (max. 15 mg; oral) or placebo. Subjects we... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097254 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:01:04 +0100 4097254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097253&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq3596v2j14q829l3%2F Abstract  An increasing number of longitudinal cohort studies have identified a risk increase for dementia by the chronic use of drugs with anticholinergic properties. The respective data from the German Study on Aging, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe) also showing risk increase (hazard ratio = 2.081) are reported here. The mechanisms by which the risk increase is transported are still unknown. Irritation of compensated alterations of cholinergic transmission at the pre-dementia stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or acceleration of neuroinflammation by disturbance of the anti-inflammatory effect of cholinergic innervation are discussed. In terms of dementia prevention, centrally acting anticholinergic drugs should be strictly avoided, bec... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097253 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:01:04 +0100 4097253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097256&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fp413101322633602%2F Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0163-5Authors Frank Schneider, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, GermanyMichael Grözinger, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097256 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:01:03 +0100 4097256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097255&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fp41485u3m2252124%2F Abstract  Tourette’s syndrome (TS) is a developmental neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics as well as psychiatric comorbidities. Recently, differences in maturation of cortical networks using functional connectivity metrics have been described for this disorder. However, adult data on subcortical networks are scarce. In particular, the connectivity of the amygdala, for which a role in the pathophysiology of TS has been established, has not been examined so far. We studied 15 adult TS patients (11 male, aged 30.4 ± 9.7y) and 15 age- and sex-matched controls (11 male, aged 32.0 ± 9.3y) in a functional magnetic resonance imaging study at 1.5T using a simple motor task. We corrected for possible confounds introduced by tics, mot... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097255 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:01:03 +0100 4097255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097257&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj1365w2554220664%2F Abstract  Under the Euthanasia Program of Nazi Germany, more than 200,000 psychiatric patients were killed by doctors in psychiatric institutions. After summarising the historical facts and the slow and still going-on process of illuminating and understanding what happened, some ethical consequences are drawn. What can we learn from history? The following aspects are addressed: the special situation of psychiatry in times of war, bioethics and biopolitics, the responsibility of the psychiatrist for the individual patient, the effects of hierarchy on personal conscience and responsibility, the unethical “curable-uncurable” distinction and the atrocious concept that persons differ in their value. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0158-2Authors Micha... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097257 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 23:51:05 +0100 4097257 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097258&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F6176pmu0576u5055%2F This article will further cover the current state of peripheral and neural biomarker research. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0152-8Authors Lucie Bartova, Division of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, AustriaAndreas Berger, Division of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, AustriaLukas Pezawas, Division of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097258 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:26:47 +0100 4097258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097259&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fgl47272442260424%2F Abstract  Long-term relapse prevention is the biggest challenge in treating alcohol-dependent patients. It is equally based on psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Psychotherapy includes motivational interviewing, community reinforcement, cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational enhancement, twelve-step facilitation, social network behaviour therapy, cue exposure, etc. For pharmacological treatment, we dispose of disulfiram, acamprosate and naltrexone. Reviews and meta-analyses reveal only modest effect sizes of these approaches probably because they are usually tested in large and heterogeneous samples where “one size does not fit all”. However, attempts to form more homogeneous subgroups for which specific psychotherapies should be more effective (“matching”) als... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097259 Sat, 16 Oct 2010 08:35:33 +0100 4097259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086078&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fl14l735uj4682748%2F Abstract  Indicated prevention is currently one of the most promising approaches to fight the individual and societal burden associated with psychosis and particularly schizophrenia. The number of studies is still limited, yet encouraging results have been reported from pharmacological and psychotherapeutic trials. Furthermore, it has become clear that persons characterized by the at-risk criteria are already ill and do not only need preventive intervention but also treatment. As is indicated by a recent study successfully using omega-3 fatty acids for both purposes, it may be promising to develop and investigate interventions especially for the at-risk state, independent of their effectiveness in manifest disease states. An overview on the current findings and ongoing rese... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086078 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:35:47 +0100 4086078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4073687&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F374jxwhp82j8n630%2F Abstract  Psychiatry in Germany is characterized by high relevance both individually and socioeconomically, and by the burden caused by mental disorders as lifelong diseases. This is comparable to most industrialized countries in the world. For Germany, the role of psychiatry in Nazi-Germany has to be critically discussed and still remains incompletely researched. Another more current focus has to be directed to attracting the most promising young students to the discipline. Psychiatry promises to profit especially from new approaches that combine scientific and clinical expertise in education and professional career. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0162-6Authors F. Schneider, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwel... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4073687 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:11:56 +0100 4073687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4073686&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fbw94214335016183%2F Abstract  Obstetric complications play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, the biological consequences during neurodevelopment until adulthood are unknown. Microarrays have been used for expression profiling in four brain regions of a rat model of neonatal hypoxia as a common factor of obstetric complications. Animals were repeatedly exposed to chronic hypoxia from postnatal (PD) day 4 through day 8 and killed at the age of 150 days. Additional groups of rats were treated with clozapine from PD 120–150. Self-spotted chips containing 340 cDNAs related to the glutamate system (“glutamate chips”) were used. The data show differential (up and down) regulations of numerous genes in frontal (FR), temporal (TE) and parietal cortex (PAR), and in cauda... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4073686 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:11:56 +0100 4073686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4073688&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F82077w0v758v6l6x%2F Abstract  Capacity to consent is a basic prerequisite for participation of patients as probands in research. However, mental illness often impairs this competence. Therefore, in psychiatric research, the first obligation is to assess a mentally ill patient’s competence to consent. This is not a simple task. Informed consent should be viewed not only as a legal must, but also as a chance to build up a trusting patient–psychiatrist relationship. This is called for by respect for the autonomy and dignity of the patient. Specifically, competence to consent is related to the specific intervention; the validity of a consent requires that the patient understands the intervention-related medical information, comprehends its significance and consequences, and can appreciate its ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4073688 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:45:59 +0100 4073688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4073689&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fd513q1502k6u170u%2F Abstract  Why are savagery and violence so omnipresent among humans? We suggest that hunting behaviour is fascinating and attractive, a desire that makes temporary deprivation from physical needs, pain, sweat, blood and, ultimately, the willingness to kill tolerable and even appetitive. Evolutionary development into the “perversion” of the urge to hunt humans, that is to say the transfer of this hunt to members of one’s own species, has been nurtured by the resultant advantage of personal and social power and dominance. While a breakdown of the inhibition towards intra-specific killing would endanger any animal species, controlled inhibition was enabled in humans in that higher regulatory systems, such as frontal lobe-based executive functions, prevent the involuntary... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4073689 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:46:19 +0100 4073689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053221&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F1304w2l5367vm166%2F Abstract  A conflict of interests occurs when a doctor is unduly influenced by a secondary interest (i.e., a personal incentive) in his acts concerning one of the primary interests to which he is professionally committed (the welfare of patients, the progress of science, or the education of students or residents). One specific variety of conflicts of interests has monopolized the attention of the scientific and lay press: the financial conflicts of interests arising from the relationships between doctors and drug companies. A large literature has described the many, sometimes subtle, ways by which a psychiatrist can be influenced in his prescribing habits or research activities by his relationships with the industry. Some empirical evidence is now available in this area. On... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053221 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:03:16 +0100 4053221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053223&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Ff912w01870tl7873%2F Abstract  The insanity defense in the United States is available to provide a legal excuse for those whose criminal acts were due to serious mental illness. To an underappreciated extent, the evolution of the insanity defense is integrally related to the evolution of conceptions of psychopathic disorders and their relevance, or determined lack thereof, to the insanity defense. As legal and mental health professionals discuss the ideal insanity defense and whether psychopathic disorders should be qualifying or disqualifying conditions, any practical outcome of such discussions must take into account the politics of the insanity defense. When this is done, it becomes apparent that the insanity defense itself, even for serious, psychotic mental disorders, is withering under re... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053223 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:03:12 +0100 4053223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053222&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fp123lg1v8501g272%2F Abstract  Social learning is essential for adaptive behavior in humans. Neurofeedback based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) trains control over localized brain activity. It can disentangle learning processes at the neural level and thus investigate the mechanisms of operant conditioning with explicit social reinforcers. In a pilot study, a computer-generated face provided a positive feedback (smiling) when activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) increased and gradually returned to a neutral expression when the activity dropped. One female volunteer without previous experience in fMRI underwent training based on a social reinforcer. Directly before and after the neurofeedback runs, neural responses to a cognitive interference task (Simon task) were re... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053222 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:03:12 +0100 4053222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053224&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fn3w65lx7816h2706%2F Abstract  Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by recurrent panic attacks that are defined as distinct episodes of intense fear, accompanied by symptoms related to physical arousal. Because most patients interpret these symptoms as signs of serious somatic disease (e.g., a heart attack), utilization of healthcare services is high in PD sufferers. PD can become debilitating, interfering significantly with patients’ lives. Fortunately, effective treatments are available, but a considerable proportion of patients do not respond sufficiently. The aim of this paper is to outline some promising research strategies aimed at improving established treatments. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0143-9Authors J. Diemer, Mood and Anxiety Research Unit, Departmen... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053224 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:03:08 +0100 4053224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4044845&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fu0430j353j00h118%2F Abstract  To date, pain perception is thought to be a creative process of modulation carried out by an interplay of pro- and anti-nociceptive mechanisms. Recent research demonstrates that pain experience constitutes the result of top–down processes represented in cortical descending pain modulation. Cortical, mainly medial and frontal areas, as well as subcortical structures such as the brain stem, medulla and thalamus seem to be key players in pain modulation. An imbalance of pro- and anti-nociceptive mechanisms are assumed to cause chronic pain disorders, which are associated with spontaneous pain perception without physiologic scaffolding or exaggerated cortical activation in response to pain exposure. In contrast to recent investigations, the aim of the present study ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4044845 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 06:00:14 +0100 4044845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036354&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe72708890p7u377r%2F Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0154-6Authors P. Falkai, Department of Psychiatry und Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, GermanyH.-J. Möller, Psychiatry Hospital, Ludwigs-Maximilians-University Munich, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany Journal European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceOnline ISSN 1433-8491Print ISSN 0940-1334 (Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience) European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036354 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:19:25 +0100 4036354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4022510&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fe5402782n3p67390%2F Abstract  While neuroticism has been intensely investigated in caregivers of patients with serious somatic disorders, studies in caregivers of patients with mental illness are lacking. Additionally, most studies are cross-sectional not allowing conclusions about long-term effects of personality factors. The present study examines the impact of personality factors on the course of subjective burden and psychological well-being by a mediational model in a sample of caregivers of first hospitalized patients with schizophrenia or depression within a 2-year follow-up period. At baseline, 83 caregivers could be enrolled in the study, the drop-out rate was about 23% at 2-year follow-up. Personality factors were assessed by the German version of the NEO-FFI (Borstenau and Costa 199... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4022510 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 05:44:44 +0100 4022510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4012711&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fj1p36k3rl4v33373%2F In this study, we assessed ADC in 18 patients with schizophrenia and 18 healthy controls using a voxel-based approach. We did not find evidence of statistically significant changes in ADC in either direction at P < 0.05 (FDR corrected) using different smoothing filter sizes; only at an uncorrected threshold of P < 0.001 did we find an increase in a small right prefrontal area close to our previous FA finding. Our findings therefore do not support ADC changes to be a marker of white matter or grey matter abnormalities in schizophrenia. Changes in other parameters like fractional anisotropy (FA) might be a more sensitive indicator of white matter pathology in this disorder. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00406-010-0150-xAuthors Igor Nenadic, Dep... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4012711 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:58:17 +0100 4012711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3998683&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fd1g1111u045628m3%2F Abstract  The purpose of this analysis was to explore the potential role of anxious MDD as a treatment predictor and moderator in major depressive disorder (MDD) using a large escitalopram clinical trial dataset. Individual patient-level data from 13 double-blinded, randomized, controlled trials in patients with MDD were pooled. Both univariate, last observation carried forward (LOCF) analyses and repeated measurements analyses without imputation (MMRM) were carried out for change in symptom scores, response and remission rates. Of 3,919 patients, 48.0% were classified as having anxious MDD depression (HAMD) somatization/anxiety subscale score ≥7 at baseline. Patients with anxious MDD were less likely to report symptom improvement on some outcome measures than patients wi... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3998683 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:49:51 +0100 3998683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980548&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2F7705236k17136012%2F Abstract  Self/other (i.e., internal/external) source monitoring is one of the leading paradigms for the study of hallucinations in schizophrenia. The cognitive processes that underlie hallucinations are theorized to transform self-generated (internal) cognitive events into other-generated (external) cognitive events. These proposed cognitive operations also appear to play a role in producing analogous types of errors in self/other source monitoring, namely a memory bias whereby recalled material that was self-generated is misremembered as other-generated, referred to as an externalization bias. Externalization biases are more frequent in groups of hallucinating schizophrenia patients than in other groups. One source of measurement error that is inherent in the study of the ... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980548 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:46:35 +0100 3980548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980549&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fn4544637818x3144%2F Abstract  The self-medication hypothesis attempts to explain the extraordinary high levels of cigarette smoking in schizophrenia; patients may smoke in an attempt to reduce their cognitive deficits, symptoms, or the side effects of antipsychotics. In a previous report, we detected beneficial performance in attention and working memory in patients with first-episode psychosis who smoked compared to non-smoking patients soon after stabilization. In the present study, we examine differences in the course of those deficits 12 months after the initiation of antipsychotic treatment. We also explore the association between smoking and symptoms and side effects of medication. Neuropsychological assessments were performed at baseline, month 6 and month 12 using a computerized b... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980549 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:57:13 +0100 3980549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3968857&cid=s_33413_168_f&fid=33413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springerlink.com%2Fcontent%2Fq86255u174965133%2F Abstract  There is evidence that high alcohol use is associated with an increase in mortality. Little is known about long-term effects of problematic alcohol consumption in non-clinical (community) populations. The aim of our study was to obtain data on this and related issues in a representative rural community sample assessed longitudinally over a period of 20 years. Assessments focused on a baseline survey from 1980 to 1984 and 20-year follow-up from 2001 to 2004. Based on expert interviews and standardized self-rating scales (e.g. MALT; Munich Alcoholism Test), the following three groups were defined (a) severe alcohol problems, (b) moderate alcohol problems, and (c) no alcohol problems. Mortality and hazard rates were analyzed with logistic and Cox regression adjust... European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3968857 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:01:24 +0100 3968857