The impact of a history of psychotic symptoms on cognitive function in euthymic bipolar patients: a comparison with schizophrenic patients and healthy controls

BACKGROUND: About two-thirds of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have a lifetime history of at least one psychotic symptom. Objective: To compare the neurocognitive performance of four groups: BD patients with and without a history of psychotic symptoms (BD HPS+ and BD HPS-, respectively); patients with schizophrenia (SZ); and healthy control (HC) subjects. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, 35 stabilized patients with SZ, 79 euthymic (44 HPS+ and 35 HPS-) patients with BD, and 50 HC were administered a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: There was worse neurocognitive functioning in both BD and SZ patients compared to HC. Overall, data from both groups of BD patients did not differ on sociodemographic, clinical, or neurocognitive variables. However, BD HPS+ patients had significantly more negative symptoms, as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and showed a trend toward worse performance on executive functions compared to BD HPS- patients. Moreover, both BD groups had better performance on all neurocognitive tests compared to SZ group. CONCLUSIONS: Neurocognitive dysfunction may be more marked in SZ than in BD, yet qualitatively similar. A history of past psychotic symptoms in BD was not associated with more severe cognitive impairment during euthymia. Therefore, BD with psychotic symptoms does not appear to be a distinct neurocognitive phenotype.

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Burden of neurological and neurocognitive impairment in pediatric sickle cell anemia in Uganda (BRAIN SAFE): a cross-sectional study

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-019-1758-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nancy S. Green ◽

Deogratias Munube ◽

Paul Bangirana ◽

Linda Rosset Buluma ◽

Bridget Kebirungi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Sickle Cell Anemia ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Neurocognitive Impairment ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neurocognitive Dysfunction ◽

The Impact ◽

Prior Stroke

Abstract Background Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are highly susceptible to stroke and other manifestations of pediatric cerebral vasculopathy. Detailed evaluations in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. Methods We aimed to establish the frequency and types of pediatric brain injury in a cross-sectional study at a large SCA clinic in Kampala, Uganda in a randomly selected sample of 265 patients with HbSS ages 1–12 years. Brain injury was defined as one or more abnormality on standardized testing: neurocognitive impairment using an age-appropriate test battery, prior stroke by examination or transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocities associated with stroke risk in children with SCA (cerebral arterial time averaged mean maximum velocity ≥ 170 cm/second). Results Mean age was 5.5 ± 2.9 years; 52.3% were male. Mean hemoglobin was 7.3 ± 1.01 g/dl; 76.4% had hemoglobin < 8.0 g/dl. Using established international standards, 14.7% were malnourished, and was more common in children ages 5–12. Overall, 57 (21.5%) subjects had one to three abnormal primary testing. Neurocognitive dysfunction was found in 27, while prior stroke was detected in 15 (5.7%). The most frequent abnormality was elevated TCD velocity 43 (18.1%), of which five (2.1%) were in the highest velocity range of abnormal. Only impaired neurocognitive dysfunction increased with age (OR 1.44, 95%CI 1.23–1.68), p < 0.001). In univariate models, malnutrition defined as wasting (weight-for-height ≤ −2SD), but not sex or hemoglobin, was modestly related to elevated TCD (OR 1.37, 95%CI 1.01–1.86, p = 0.04). In adjusted models, neurocognitive dysfunction was strongly related to prior stroke (OR 6.88, 95%CI 1.95–24.3, p = .003) and to abnormal TCD (OR 4.37, 95%CI 1.30, p = 0.02). In a subset of 81 subjects who were enriched for other abnormal results, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography (MRI/MRA) detected infarcts and/or arterial stenosis in 52%. Thirteen subjects (25%) with abnormal imaging had no other abnormalities detected. Conclusions The high frequency of neurocognitive impairment or other abnormal results describes a large burden of pediatric SCA brain disease in Uganda. Evaluation by any single modality would have underestimated the impact of SCA. Testing the impact of hydroxyurea or other available disease-modifying interventions for reducing or preventing SCA brain effects is warranted.

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Neurocognitive dysfunctioning and the impact of comorbid depression and anxiety in patients with somatic symptom and related disorders: a cross-sectional clinical study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291717003300 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (11) ◽

pp. 1803-1813 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lars de Vroege ◽

Anique Timmermans ◽

Willem J. Kop ◽

Christina M. van der Feltz-Cornelis

Keyword(s):

Visual Memory ◽

Somatic Symptom ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Information Processing Speed ◽

Comorbid Depression ◽

Health Care Centre ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neurocognitive Dysfunction ◽

The Impact

BackgroundThe prevalence and severity of neurocognitive dysfunctioning of patients with somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRD) is unknown. Furthermore, the influence of comorbid depression and anxiety has not been evaluated. This study examines neurocognitive dysfunctioning of patients with SSRD and explores if comorbid depression and anxiety is associated with specific neurocognitive dysfunctioning.MethodsCross-sectional study with consecutive patients suffering from SSRD visiting an outpatient specialty mental health care Centre of Excellence for SSRD. Extensive neuropsychological assessment and assessment of depression and anxiety symptom levels using the Patient-Health-Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire-7 were performed at intake. Multivariate analysis was performed.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 201 SSRD patients, with a mean age of 43 years (Standard deviation = 13) years; 37.8% were male. Neurocognitive dysfunction in the domains information processing speed, sustained and divided attention, working memory, verbal and visual memory were reported, compared with normative data. Comorbid depression and anxiety occurred frequently within the sample (75.1% and 65.7%, respectively). Neurocognitive dysfunctioning was worse in patients suffering from comorbid depression [multivariateF(7,161) = 2.839,p= 0.008] but not in patients with comorbid anxiety.ConclusionsPoor neurocognitive performance of patients with SSRD is common and worsens in case of comorbid depression. This may explain treatment dropout of patients with SSRD from neurocognitive behavioral therapy. Research on novel interventions is needed targeting neurocognitive functioning of patients with SSRD, particularly those with comorbid depression.

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Sex differences in impact of sarcopenia on falls in community-dwelling Korean older adults

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02688-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yunsoo Soh ◽

Chang Won Won

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Diagnostic Algorithm ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Adjusted Model ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Falls are one of the most serious health problems among older adults. Sarcopenia is characterized by a decrease in muscle mass, strength, and physical function. Due to potentially age-related conditions, both falls and sarcopenia have common risk factors. However, the association between sarcopenia and falls is controversial. Moreover, the sex differences in the impact of sarcopenia on falls is not yet clear. This study aimed to investigate the sex differences in the impact of sarcopenia, defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), on falls in Korean older adults. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we used data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study; 2323 community-dwelling older adults (1111 males and 1212 females) aged 70–84 years were recruited in this cross-sectional study. To evaluate sarcopenia, the AWGS diagnostic algorithm was used. We compared the faller and non-faller groups. We performed unadjusted and fully adjusted logistic regression analyses to evaluate the relationship between sarcopenia, falls, and fall-related fractures. Results A total of 239 (24.1%) females in the faller group had a history of falls in the past year, which was statistically higher than that in males (176, 15.8%). In the fully adjusted model, handgrip strength (odds ratio [OR] = 1.508, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.028–2.211), and short physical performance battery (OR = 2.068, 95% CI = 1.308–3.271) were significantly lower in the male faller group. However, in the fully adjusted model, the female faller group only showed a significantly low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (OR = 1.419, 95% CI = 1.058–1.903). Conclusions This large cohort study aimed to identify the sex differences in the incidence of sarcopenia in the older Korean population, using the AWGS diagnostic algorithm, and its correlation with falls and fall-related fractures. The incidence of falls did not increase in the sarcopenia group. Among the sarcopenia components, sex differences affect the history of falls. Therefore, when studying the risk of falls in old age, sex differences should be considered.

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Depressive Symptoms Differentially Predict Neurocognition in Latinx and Non-Hispanic White People Living with HIV

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617720000855 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Emily P. Morris ◽

Desiree Byrd ◽

Angela C. Summers ◽

Kayla Tureson ◽

Vanessa Guzman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neurocognitive Dysfunction ◽

Affective Symptoms ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hispanic White

Abstract Objectives: Depression is common in people living with HIV (PLWH) and can contribute to neurocognitive dysfunction. Depressive symptoms in PLWH are often measured by assessing only cognitive/affective symptoms. Latinx adults, however, often express depressive symptoms in a somatic/functional manner, which is not typically captured in assessments of depression among PLWH. Given the disproportionate burden of HIV that Latinx adults face, examining whether variations in expressed depressive symptoms differentially predict neurocognitive outcomes between Latinx and non-Hispanic white PLWH is essential. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 140 PLWH (71% Latinx; 72% male; mean (M) age = 47.1 ± 8.5 years; M education = 12.6 ± 2.9 years) who completed a comprehensive neurocognitive battery, Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Neurocognitive performance was measured using demographically adjusted T-scores. BDI-II domain scores were computed for the Fast-Screen (cognitive/affective items) score (BDI-FS) and non-FS score (BDI-NFS; somatic/functional items). Results: Linear regressions revealed that the BDI-NFS significantly predicted global neurocognitive function and processing speed in the Latinx group (p < .05), such that higher physical/functional symptoms predicted worse performance. In the non-Hispanic white group, the cognitive/affective symptoms significantly predicted processing speed (p = .02), with more symptoms predicting better performance. Interaction terms of ethnicity and each BDI sub-score indicated that Latinx participants with higher cognitive/affective symptoms performed worse on executive functioning. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms differentially predict neurocognitive performance in Latinx and non-Hispanic white PLWH. These differences should be considered when conducting research and intervention among the increasingly culturally and ethnically diverse population of PLWH.

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T63. TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE? EXPLORING EFFORT IN SCHIZOPHRENIA WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF MOTIVATIONAL INTENSITY THEORY

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbaa029.623 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S255-S255

Author(s):

Amandine Décombe ◽

Lionel Brunel ◽

Delphine Capdevielle ◽

Stéphane Raffard

Keyword(s):

Task Difficulty ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Psychotic Symptoms ◽

Central Feature ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Effort ◽

Schizophrenia Group ◽

Motivational Intensity

Abstract Background Motivation impairments have long been seen as a central feature of schizophrenia. Attention has focused on the reward system and effort-based decision-making deficits. However, according to motivational intensity theory (MIT), effort mobilization and perception are not directly – and not only – determined by reward but, fundamentally, by task difficulty. At the same time, the link between effort and difficulty has been poorly studied in schizophrenia. Methods Therefore, this cross-sectional study compared effort perception in an experimental schizophrenia group with healthy controls. Participants were asked to carry various quantities of objects from one point to another using their hands. Task difficulty was manipulated by increasing the number of objects and the distance covered. Perceived difficulty, perceived effort and walking speed were assessed for all levels of difficulty. Psychotic symptoms, depression, self-efficacy and bodyweight data were also recorded. Results The results are consistent with MIT, in that perceived effort increased with task difficulty in both groups. Effort and difficulty perceptions were higher in the schizophrenia group, and although this was positively correlated with bodyweight and depression, there was no association with negative symptoms. Importantly, although schizophrenia patients perceived the task as more effortful, walking speed was similar between the two groups, suggesting that the schizophrenia group mobilized more effort to overcome higher perceived effort and difficulty. Discussion Together, these results suggest that the schizophrenia group perceived the task as more difficult, but mobilized more effort to complete it. This observation could partly explain the chronic decrease in motivation to engage in physically demanding activities, leading to a decline in such activities in daily life among schizophrenia individuals.

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Job satisfaction in a group of patients with tinnitus

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-213598 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Katarzyna Bieńkowska ◽

Elżbieta Gos ◽

Justyna Kutyba ◽

Joanna Rajchel ◽

Piotr Henryk Skarżyński ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Job Satisfaction ◽

Work Performance ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Hearing ◽

Future Research ◽

Satisfaction Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is an auditory impression without any external auditory stimulus. It may cause negative symptoms (anxiety, insomnia, depression) significantly affecting work performance and job satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the job satisfaction in tinnitus sufferers. METHODS: Cross- sectional study were conducted and 51 individuals (23–70 years) were recruited. Participants completed two questionnaires: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Job Satisfaction Scale. RESULTS: People affected by tinnitus report higher job satisfaction than healthy people. Job satisfaction was significantly related to age: r = 0.31; p < 0.05 in all tinnitus patients. There was a correlation between job satisfaction and tinnitus severity but only in people with normal hearing (–0.69; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that job satisfaction is affected by the level of tinnitus annoyance (from both its emotional and functional aspects), but only in people with normal hearing. In future research it is recommended that additional factors be investigated, both work and non-work related, to thoroughly explore the impact of tinnitus on job satisfaction.

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Factors Associated with Nonattendance to a Geriatric Clinic among Mexican Older Adults

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000517919 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Juan Pablo Negrete-Najar ◽

Yoselin Juárez-Carrillo ◽

Jimena Gómez-Camacho ◽

Nancy R. Mejía-Domínguez ◽

Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Geriatric Medicine ◽

Health Resources ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Time Frame ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Multinomial Regression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Outpatient appointment nonattendance (NA) represents a public health problem, increasing the risk of unfavorable health-related outcomes. Although NA is significant among older adults, little is known regarding its correlates. This study aimed to identify the correlates (including several domains from the geriatric assessment) of single and repeated NA episodes in a geriatric medicine outpatient clinic, in general and in the context of specific comorbidities. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including data from 3,034 older adults aged ≥60 years with ≥1 scheduled appointments between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2016. Appointment characteristics as well as sociodemographic, geographical, and environmental information were obtained. Univariate and multivariate multinomial regression analyses were carried out. Results: The mean age was 81.8 years (SD 7.19). Over a third (37.4%) of participants missed one scheduled appointment, and 14.4% missed ≥2. Participants with a history of stroke (OR 1.336, p = 0.041) and those with a greater number of scheduled appointments during the study time frame (OR 1.182, p < 0.001) were more likely to miss one appointment, while those with Parkinson’s disease (OR 0.346, p < 0.001), other pulmonary diseases (OR 0.686, p = 0.008), and better functioning for activities of daily living (ADL) (OR 0.883, p < 0.001) were less likely to do so. High socioeconomic level (OR 2.235, p < 0.001), not having a partner (OR 1.410, p = 0.006), a history of fractures (OR 1.492, p = 0.031), and a greater number of scheduled appointments (OR 1.668, p < 0.001) increased the risk of repeated NA, while osteoarthritis (OR 0.599, p = 0.001) and hypertension (OR 0.680, p = 0.002) decreased it. In specific comorbidity populations (hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer), better ADL functioning protected from a single NA, while better mobility functioning protected from repeated NA in older patients with hypertension and cancer. Discussion/Conclusion: Identifying geriatric factors linked to an increased probability of NA may allow one to anticipate its likelihood and lead to the design and implementation of preventive strategies and to an optimization of the use of available health resources. The impact of these factors on adherence to clinical visits requires further investigation.

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Saliva microRNA Biomarkers of Cumulative Concussion

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21207758 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (20) ◽

pp. 7758

Author(s):

Steven D. Hicks ◽

Robert P. Olympia ◽

Cayce Onks ◽

Raymond Y. Kim ◽

Kevin J. Zhen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Case Control Study ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Professional Athletes ◽

Neurocognitive Deficits ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increase Risk ◽

History Of ◽

Control Study

Recurrent concussions increase risk for persistent post-concussion symptoms, and may lead to chronic neurocognitive deficits. Little is known about the molecular pathways that contribute to persistent concussion symptoms. We hypothesized that salivary measurement of microribonucleic acids (miRNAs), a class of epitranscriptional molecules implicated in concussion pathophysiology, would provide insights about the molecular cascade resulting from recurrent concussions. This hypothesis was tested in a case-control study involving 13 former professional football athletes with a history of recurrent concussion, and 18 age/sex-matched peers. Molecules of interest were further validated in a cross-sectional study of 310 younger individuals with a history of no concussion (n = 230), a single concussion (n = 56), or recurrent concussions (n = 24). There was no difference in neurocognitive performance between the former professional athletes and their peers, or among younger individuals with varying concussion exposures. However, younger individuals without prior concussion outperformed peers with prior concussion on three balance assessments. Twenty salivary miRNAs differed (adj. p < 0.05) between former professional athletes and their peers. Two of these (miR-28-3p and miR-339-3p) demonstrated relationships (p < 0.05) with the number of prior concussions reported by younger individuals. miR-28-3p and miR-339-5p may play a role in the pathophysiologic mechanism involved in cumulative concussion effects.

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First-generation versus second-generation antipsychotic drugs for depression in schizophrenia

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.620 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. s245-s245

Author(s):

M. Corbo ◽

T. Acciavatti ◽

S. Marini ◽

E. Cinosi ◽

L. Di Tizio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Social Performance ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Symptom Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Schizophrenic Patients ◽

Multiple Variables

IntroductionA certain degree of depressive symptoms is common in schizophrenic patients. The assessment and treatment of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia is clinically challenging.ObjectivesWe conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the depressive dimension of schizophrenic patients.AimsThe aim was to evaluate the effect of pharmacotherapy on depressive symptomatology.MethodsThirty-four outpatients (18-65 years old) with stable schizophrenia in monotherapy with FGAs or SGAs. We evaluated: depressive symptoms with Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia; positive and negative symptoms (with Positive and Negative Symptom Scale); neurocognition (with Matrics Cognitive Consensus Battery); social cognition (with Facial Emotional Identification Test); social functioning (with Personal and Social Performance Scale and with UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment). Collected data underwent statistical analyses.ResultsA SGAs therapy was associated with: lower depressive symptoms (mean SGAs group = 4.0; mean FGAs group = 7.86, P < 0.05); lower mean positive symptoms (mean SGAs group = 12.65; mean FGAs group = 17.43, P < 0.05); lower negative symptoms (mean SGAs group = 21.35; mean FGAs group = 29.07, P < 0.05); lower scores on the PANSS-total (mean SGAs group = 71.05; mean FGAs group = 91.86, P < 0.01). After correction for multiple variables, the SGAs group still had significantly lower values towards the FGAs group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur study support the notion that switch from a FGA to a SGA could be a relatively simple first-step for the treatment of this condition. Atypical antipsychotics might exercise antidepressant effects with different potential mechanism including: remission of a FGA-induced depression and action on of 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine [other than postsynaptic D2], and α1-noradrenergic receptor sites.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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High leptin levels are associated with migraine with aura

Cephalalgia ◽

10.1177/0333102416648650 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (5) ◽

pp. 435-441 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Claudia Pisanu ◽

Martin Preisig ◽

Enrique Castelao ◽

Jennifer Glaus ◽

Janet L Cunningham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Migraine With Aura ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Recurrent Headache ◽

Lifetime History ◽

Depression Status ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact

Background Migraine is a prevalent disorder characterised by recurrent headache attacks preceded or accompanied by aura in a subgroup of patients. Migraine often occurs together with major depressive disorder (MDD). Alterations of adipokine levels have been reported both in migraine and in MDD. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the associations between serum leptin and adiponectin levels and migraine or migraine subtypes. Analyses were adjusted for a lifetime history of MDD in order to investigate the association between adipokines and migraine under consideration of depression status. Methods We included 3025 participants from the CoLaus/PsyCoLaus study. The impact of leptin and adiponectin levels on a diagnosis of migraine was analysed by binary regression analyses, adjusting for variables known to influence adipokine levels. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on the presence of aura. Results Crude leptin levels were significantly higher in subjects with migraine than controls (Mann–Whitney U = 515,102, p = 6 × 10−7). When performing adjusted analyses, leptin levels were found to be significantly higher in subjects with migraine (odds ratio = 1.22, p = 0.024) and migraine with aura (odds ratio = 1.34, p = 0.004). Conclusion High leptin levels might play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine and migraine with aura.

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