The Neuropsychology of Cannabis and other Substance use in Schizophrenia: Review of the Literature and Critical Evaluation of Methodological Issues

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 869-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carissa M. Coulston ◽  
Michael Perdices ◽  
Christopher C. Tennant
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Correlates ◽  
Polydrug Abuse ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Relationship Of

Research on the neuropsychology of substance use in schizophrenia has been steadily growing over the past decade. However, significant gaps remain in the knowledge of individual substances and their relationship to cognition in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Approximately 65 studies to date have directly examined this relationship. Of these, approximately 20 have focused on nicotine, 15 on alcohol, 10 on cocaine, three on stimulants/hallucinogens, one on benzodiazepines, 10 on polydrug abuse, and seven on cannabis. Research on cannabis is especially lacking, given that worldwide it is the most commonly used illicit drug in schizophrenia, is used at higher rates in schizophrenia than in the general population, and makes its own unique contribution to the onset and prognosis of schizophrenia. In the present paper an overview of the neuropsychology literature on substance use in schizophrenia is presented, with special emphasis on cannabis. This incorporates a discussion of the methodological limitations inherent in these studies, and range of potential confounding variables that were not considered or controlled, providing directions for future research into the cognitive correlates of cannabis and other substance use in schizophrenia.

Imaging the “social brain” in schizophrenia: A systematic review of neuroimaging studies of social reward and punishment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Mow ◽  
Arti Gandhi ◽  
Daniel Fulford
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Interaction Network ◽  
Social Motivation ◽  
Social Impairment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Reward ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Social Stimuli ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Reward And Punishment

Decreased social functioning and high levels of loneliness and social isolation are common in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), contributing to reduced quality of life. One key contributor to social impairment is low social motivation, which may stem from aberrant neural processing of socially rewarding or punishing stimuli. To summarize research on the neurobiology of social motivation in SSD, we performed a systematic literature review of neuroimaging studies involving the presentation of social stimuli intended to elicit feelings of reward and/or punishment. Across 11 studies meeting criteria, people with SSD demonstrated weaker modulation of brain activity in regions within a proposed social interaction network, including prefrontal, cingulate, and striatal regions, as well as the amygdala and insula. Firm conclusions regarding neural differences in SSD in these regions, as well as connections within networks, are limited due to conceptual and methodological inconsistencies across the available studies. We conclude by making recommendations for the study of social reward and punishment processing in SSD in future research.

The Schizophrenia Spectrum

2018 ◽  
pp. 208-230
Author(s):  
Marco Del Giudice
Keyword(s):  
General Pattern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evolutionary Models ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
External Reality ◽  
Schizotypal Personality ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Loss Of Contact ◽  
Developmental Features

The chapter discusses schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs), including schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder (SPD). Schizophrenia and related disorders are part of the broader spectrum of psychosis, a cluster of genetically and phenotypically related conditions marked by loss of contact with external reality. After an overview of these disorders, their developmental features, and the main risk factors identified in the epidemiological literature, the chapter critically reviews existing evolutionary models and suggests new directions for research. The final section applies the criteria developed earlier in the book to classify the disorders within the fast-slow-defense (FSD) model and identify functionally distinct subtypes. The author concludes that most instances of SSDs can be classified as fast spectrum (F-type) conditions; however, there are indications of heterogeneity within these conditions, and future research is likely to identify exceptions to the general pattern.

scholarly journals Hallucinations Under Psychedelics and in the Schizophrenia Spectrum: An Interdisciplinary and Multiscale Comparison

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1396-1408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pantelis Leptourgos ◽  
Martin Fortier-Davy ◽  
Robin Carhart-Harris ◽  
Philip R Corlett ◽  
David Dupuis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Imaging ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Computational Approaches ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Multidisciplinary Working ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Abstract The recent renaissance of psychedelic science has reignited interest in the similarity of drug-induced experiences to those more commonly observed in psychiatric contexts such as the schizophrenia-spectrum. This report from a multidisciplinary working group of the International Consortium on Hallucinations Research (ICHR) addresses this issue, putting special emphasis on hallucinatory experiences. We review evidence collected at different scales of understanding, from pharmacology to brain-imaging, phenomenology and anthropology, highlighting similarities and differences between hallucinations under psychedelics and in the schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Finally, we attempt to integrate these findings using computational approaches and conclude with recommendations for future research.

scholarly journals S201. HIPPOCAMPAL SUBFIELD VOLUMES AND CHANGE IN BODY MASS OVER 12 MONTHS OF TREATMENT IN FIRST-EPISODE SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S114-S115
Author(s):  
Stéfan Du Plessis ◽  
Hilmar Luckhoff ◽  
Sanja Kilian ◽  
Laila Asmal ◽  
Frederika Scheffler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Hippocampal Subfields ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract Background In this study, we explored the relationship between hippocampal subfield volumes and change in body mass over 12 months of treatment in 90 first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients (66 males, 24 females; mean age= 24.7±6.8 years). Methods Body mass index was assessed in patients at baseline, and at months 3, 6, 9 and 12. Hippocampal subfields of interest were assessed using a segmentation algorithm included in the FreeSurfer 6.0 software program. Results Linear regression analysis showed a significant interactive effect between sex and anterior hippocampus size as a predictor of change in body mass over 12 months, adjusting for age, substance use, treatment duration, and posterior hippocampal volumes. In an exploratory sub-analysis, partial correlations revealed a significant association between weight gain and smaller CA1, CA3 and subiculum volumes in females, but not males, adjusting for age and substance use, with similar trends evident for the CA4 and presubiculum subfields. Discussion In conclusion, our findings suggest that smaller anterior hippocampal subfields are associated with the development of weight gain over the course of treatment in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders in a sex-specific fashion, and may partly explain the more severe and ongoing increase in body mass evident for female patients.

Cognitive and Prepulse Inhibition Deficits in Psychometrically High Schizotypal Subjects in the General Population: Relevance to Schizophrenia Research

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 643-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella G. Giakoumaki
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
General Population ◽  
Prepulse Inhibition ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Attention And Memory ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Schizotypal Personality ◽  
Psychosis Proneness ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractSchizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder share common clinical profiles, neurobiological and genetic substrates along with Prepulse Inhibition and cognitive deficits; among those, executive, attention, and memory dysfunctions are more consistent. Schizotypy is considered to be a non-specific “psychosis-proneness,” and understanding the relationship between schizotypal traits and cognitive function in the general population is a promising approach for endophenotypic research in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. In this review, findings for executive function, attention, memory, and Prepulse Inhibition impairments in psychometrically defined schizotypal subjects have been summarized and compared to schizophrenia patients and their unaffected first-degree relatives. Cognitive flexibility, sustained attention, working memory, and Prepulse Inhibition impairments were consistently reported in high schizotypal subjects in accordance to schizophrenia patients. Genetic studies assessing the effects of various candidate gene polymorphisms in schizotypal traits and cognitive function are promising, further supporting a polygenic mode of inheritance. The implications of the findings, methodological issues, and suggestions for future research are discussed. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–14)

Factor Structure of the Bern Psychopathology Scale in a Sample of Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 880-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian U. Lang ◽  
Annabel S. Stierlin ◽  
Katharina Stegmayer ◽  
Sebastian Walther ◽  
Thomas Becker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Motor Behaviour ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Longitudinal Assessment ◽  
Symptom Pattern ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Binary Division ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

AbstractBackground:The Bern Psychopathology Scale (BPS) is based on a system-specific approach to classifying the psychopathological symptom pattern of schizophrenia. It consists of subscales for three domains (language, affect and motor behaviour) that are hypothesized to be related to specific brain circuits. The aim of the study was to examine the factor structure of the BPS in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.Methods:One hundred and forty-nine inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were recruited at the Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Germany (n = 100) and at the University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland (n = 49). Psychopathology was assessed with the BPS. The VARCLUS procedure of SAS® (a type of oblique component analysis) was used for statistical analysis.Results:Six clusters were identified (inhibited language, inhibited motor behaviour, inhibited affect, disinhibited affect, disinhibited language/motor behaviour, inhibited language/motor behaviour) which explained 40.13% of the total variance of the data. A binary division of attributes into an inhibited and disinhibited cluster was appropriate, although an overlap was found between the language and motor behaviour domains. There was a clear distinction between qualitative and quantitative symptoms.Conclusions:The results argue for the validity of the BPS in identifying subsyndromes of schizophrenia spectrum disorders according to a dimensional approach. Future research should address the longitudinal assessment of dimensional psychopathological symptoms and elucidate the underlying neurobiological processes.

Violent offending in schizophrenia spectrum disorders preceding and following diagnosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 782-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henning Hachtel ◽  
Cieran Harries ◽  
Stefan Luebbers ◽  
James RP Ogloff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Violent Offending ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
History Of ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Violent Victimisation ◽  
Violent Offences

Objective: People affected by schizophrenia spectrum disorders are at a higher risk of offending violently. This study aims to investigate risk factors in relation to the peri-diagnostic period and possible predictors of post-diagnostic violence of people diagnosed for the first time in the public mental health system. Methods: The study compared various risk factors for post-diagnostic violence in patients ( n = 1453) diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Patients were grouped according to the occurrence of peri-diagnostic violence. Of the 246 violent offenders, 164 committed their first offence pre-diagnosis. Mental health and criminological variables were evaluated across the lifespan (median age at end of follow-up = 34.22 years, range = 17.02–55.80 years). Results: Gender, employment, non-violent offending, family incidents, violent and non-violent victimisation, substance use, personality disorder, number of in-patient admissions and history of non-compliance differed significantly across violent and non-violent subgroups (all p ⩽ 0.01 and at least small effect size). More frequent and longer inpatient admissions were found in the violent subgroups (all p ⩽ 0.01). For the whole sample, sex, number of violent offences, non-violent offences, violent victimisation, substance use and number of inpatient admissions predicted post-diagnostic violence (χ2 (6) = 188.13, p < 0.001). Among patients with a history of pre-diagnostic violence, a history of non-violent offending in the 18-month period pre-diagnosis was the strongest predictor of future violence (odds ratio = 3.08, 95% confidence interval [1.32, 7.21]). Conclusion: At triage, violence risk assessment should consider the presence of antisocial behaviour and violent victimisation, substance use, male gender and frequency of inpatient admissions. Common treatment targets for the prevention of post-diagnostic violence include criminality and victimisation. Treatment of positive symptoms should be of greater emphasis for individuals without a history of pre-diagnostic violence.

scholarly journals Characterizing the sensorimotor domain in schizophrenia spectrum disorders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Fritze ◽  
Fabio Sambataro ◽  
Katharina M. Kubera ◽  
Geva A. Brandt ◽  
Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Process ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Cognitive Correlates ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Intrinsic Component

AbstractThe rapidly evolving field of sensorimotor neuroscience reflects the scientific and clinical relevance of sensorimotor abnormalities as an intrinsic component of the disease process, e.g., in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). Despite previous efforts, however, prevalence rates and relationships between different categories of sensorimotor abnormalities in SSD patients are still subject of ongoing debate. In this study, we examined five different categories of the sensorimotor domain (Neurological soft signs (NSS), parkinsonism, catatonia, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia) according to well-established clinical ratings scales and the respective cut-off criteria in a sample of 131 SSD patients. We used a collection of statistical methods to better understand prevalence, overlap and heterogeneity, as well as psychopathological and cognitive correlates of sensorimotor abnormalities. 97.7% of the SSD patients considered by this study exhibited at least one categorically defined sensorimotor abnormality that tended to co-vary within three different sensorimotor subgroups (moderate, hyperkinetic and hypokinetic). Finally, hyperkinetic and hypokinetic groups differed significantly in their neurocognitive performance compared with the moderate group. The results suggest different patterns of clinical overlap, highlight the relationship between sensorimotor and cognitive domain and provide clues for further neurobiological studies.

Schizophrenia

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex S. Cohen ◽  
Dallas A. Callaway ◽  
Tracey L. Auster
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Treatment Considerations ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
New Treatments

Depressive symptoms commonly occur in individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Empirical investigation of this comorbidity has revealed a number of interesting and potentially confusing findings. The purpose of this review is to summarize this literature, focusing on clinical, cognitive, behavioral, phenomenological, and neurobiological processes that are common and potentially disparate to these disorders. Additionally, the review will discuss four depression-related paradoxes that have emerged within the schizophrenia literature. It concludes with a brief summary of treatment considerations for patients with schizophrenia with co-morbid depressive symptoms. It is hoped that this chapter can serve as an organizing framework for future research and can help focus efforts on designing new treatments for ameliorating depression-related symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Trustworthiness judgments are associated with interpersonal functioning in individuals with schizophrenia

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 204380871982709
Author(s):  
Michal Hajdúk ◽  
Dana Krajčovičová ◽  
Miroslava Zimányiová ◽  
Viera Kořínková ◽  
Anton Heretik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Interpersonal Functioning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Rapid and accurate trustworthiness judgments are important during successful day-to-day social interactions because they can influence the decision whether to approach someone and initiate social interaction. The aim of the present study was to analyze associations between these judgments and self-reported and clinician-rated social functioning. The sample consisted of 48 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 35 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and educational level. A trustworthiness task, subjective, and clinician-rated scales for social functioning were administered to both samples. Trustworthiness judgments did not differ between patients and healthy controls. Both groups were able to discriminate between trustworthy and untrustworthy faces. Trustworthiness ratings were associated with self-reported and clinician-rated measures of interpersonal functioning in patients with schizophrenia. Despite the absence of differences between groups, in patients with schizophrenia, a tendency to mistrust based on facial appearance was related to worse functional outcome, predominantly in the domain of disturbed interpersonal functioning. This study highlights the importance of future research into social–cognitive biases in schizophrenia.

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