scholarly journals Cognitive-perceptual deficits and symptom correlates in first-episode schizophrenia

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riaan M. Olivier ◽  
Sanja Kilian ◽  
Bonginkosi Chiliza ◽  
Laila Asmal ◽  
Petrus P. Oosthuizen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Visual Learning ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Thought Disorder ◽  
Form Perception ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
State Hospitals ◽  
Training Programmes

Background: Thought disorder and visual-perceptual deficits have been well documented, but their relationships with clinical symptoms and cognitive function remain unclear. Cognitive-perceptual deficits may underscore clinical symptoms in schizophrenia patients.Aim: This study aimed to explore how thought disorder and form perception are related with clinical symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in first-episode schizophrenia.Setting: Forty-two patients with a first-episode of schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorder were recruited from community clinics and state hospitals in the Cape Town area.Methods: Patients were assessed at baseline with the Rorschach Perceptual Thinking Index (PTI), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the MATRICS Cognitive Consensus Battery (MCCB). Spearman correlational analyses were conducted to investigate relationships between PTI scores, PANSS factor analysis-derived domain scores and MCCB composite and subscale scores. Multiple regression models explored these relationships further.Results: Unexpectedly, poor form perception (X- %) was inversely correlated with the severity of PANSS positive symptoms (r = -0.42, p = 0.02). Good form perception (XA%) correlated significantly with speed of processing (r = 0.59, p < 0.01), working memory (r = 0.48, p < 0.01) and visual learning (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). PTI measures of thought disorder did not correlate significantly with PANSS symptom scores or cognitive performance.Conclusions: Form perception is associated with positive symptoms and impairment in executive function during acute psychosis. These findings suggest that there may be clinical value in including sensory-perceptual processing tasks in cognitive remediation and social cognitive training programmes for schizophrenia patients.

scholarly journals M227. AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF AUTOMATED LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL NARRATIVES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S222-S223
Author(s):  
Tatiana Baxter ◽  
Hyeon-Seung Lee ◽  
Lénie Torregrossa ◽  
Seoyeon Kim ◽  
Sohee Park
Keyword(s):  
Social Communication ◽  
Text Analysis ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Thought Disorder ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Emotion Words

Abstract Background Schizophrenia has been suggested to be a disorder of social communication, which depends on the way language is used to convey thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and intentions. Everyday language can also reveal personality, emotions, and social skills of the speaker. Extensive past research affirms the central importance of language and thought disorder as diagnostic features of schizophrenia, mostly focused on the neurocognitive aspects of language output collected during clinical interviews, and not on the social nature of language. In this study, we examined narratives written in response to viewing social scenes by individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) and matched controls (CO) using an automated computational linguistics and statistical-based text analysis tool that computes socially-relevant variables. Methods 23 individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) and 23 demographically matched controls (CO) were shown paintings of social situations, and were asked to write reflections describing what they thought and felt about these scenes. Two pictures were presented consecutively. There was no time limit. Resulting narratives were analyzed with the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program (LIWC; Pennebaker et al, 2015). LIWC computes basic linguistic variables such as the % of self-referring and non-self-referring pronouns, social and emotion words, and cognitive items. LIWC also generates 4 complex variables: formal and logical thinking patterns (“analytic”); social status or confidence (“clout”); authenticity, and emotional tone. Clinical symptoms in SZ were assessed using the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). For all participants, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the National Adult Reading Test (NART), and the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) were administered. Results The two groups did not differ in NART or EHI. There was no group difference in the number of words produced. SZ produced greater number of pronouns than CO but this effect was driven by a higher % of self-referring pronouns in SZ than CO, with no group difference in non self-referring pronouns. For complex variables, CO scored significantly higher in authenticity than SZ but no group differences were observed in clout, analytics, or emotional tone. Loneliness was higher in SZ compared with CO. There were no other significant group differences. In SZ, pronoun use was correlated with positive symptoms (especially with ratings of hallucinations, bizarre behavior, delusions of mind-reading and thought broadcasting) and inversely correlated with negative symptoms (avolition, apathy and motor retardation). Social words were inversely correlated with SAPS Thought Disorder. Clout was inversely correlated with SANS Alogia and SAPS Thought Disorder. Authenticity was correlated with SANS Anhedonia and Asociality. In CO, loneliness was correlated with the % negative emotion words and NART was correlated with total number of emotion words. Discussion We used an automated linguistic analysis tool to extract information relevant to social communication from written narratives. We found group differences in the use of pronouns and authenticity. We also observed associations of clinical symptoms with certain social aspects of language use in schizophrenia. One advantage of automated text analysis tools is the minimization of implicit biases inherent in ratings of interviews. Limitations of this study include lack of direct social functioning measures and the sample size. Future work will incorporate linguistic text analysis within a social paradigm to directly examine the role of language use in social functioning.

scholarly journals rTMS Induces Brain Functional and Structural Alternations in Schizophrenia Patient With Auditory Verbal Hallucination

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanjun Xie ◽  
Muzhen Guan ◽  
Zhongheng Wang ◽  
Zhujing Ma ◽  
Huaning Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Visual Learning ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Inferior Temporal Cortex ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Auditory Verbal Hallucination

BackgroundLow-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left temporoparietal cortex reduces the auditory verbal hallucination (AVH) in schizophrenia. However, the underlying neural basis of the rTMS treatment effect for schizophrenia remains not well understood. This study investigates the rTMS induced brain functional and structural alternations and their associations with clinical as well as neurocognitive profiles in schizophrenia patients with AVH.MethodsThirty schizophrenia patients with AVH and thirty-three matched healthy controls were enrolled. The patients were administered by 15 days of 1 Hz rTMS delivering to the left temporoparietal junction (TPJ) area. Clinical symptoms and neurocognitive measurements were assessed at pre- and post-rTMS treatment. The functional (amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, ALFF) and structural (gray matter volume, GMV) alternations were compared, and they were then used to related to the clinical and neurocognitive measurements after rTMS treatment.ResultsThe results showed that the positive symptoms, including AVH, were relieved, and certain neurocognitive measurements, including visual learning (VisLearn) and verbal learning (VerbLearn), were improved after the rTMS treatment in the patient group. Furthermore, the rTMS treatment induced brain functional and structural alternations in patients, such as enhanced ALFF in the left superior frontal gyrus and larger GMV in the right inferior temporal cortex. The baseline ALFF and GMV values in certain brain areas (e.g., the inferior parietal lobule and superior temporal gyrus) could be associated with the clinical symptoms (e.g., positive symptoms) and neurocognitive performances (e.g., VerbLearn and VisLearn) after rTMS treatment in patients.ConclusionThe low-frequency rTMS over the left TPJ area is an efficacious treatment for schizophrenia patients with AVH and could selectively modulate the neural basis underlying psychiatric symptoms and neurocognitive domains in schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Dysregulation of complement and coagulation pathways: emerging mechanisms in the development of psychosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meike Heurich ◽  
Melanie Föcking ◽  
David Mongan ◽  
Gerard Cagney ◽  
David R. Cotter
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Psychotic Disorder ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Clinical High Risk ◽  
Blood Proteins ◽  
Episode Psychosis

AbstractEarly identification and treatment significantly improve clinical outcomes of psychotic disorders. Recent studies identified protein components of the complement and coagulation systems as key pathways implicated in psychosis. These specific protein alterations are integral to the inflammatory response and can begin years before the onset of clinical symptoms of psychotic disorder. Critically, they have recently been shown to predict the transition from clinical high risk to first-episode psychosis, enabling stratification of individuals who are most likely to transition to psychotic disorder from those who are not. This reinforces the concept that the psychosis spectrum is likely a central nervous system manifestation of systemic changes and highlights the need to investigate plasma proteins as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers and pathophysiological mediators. In this review, we integrate evidence of alterations in proteins belonging to the complement and coagulation protein systems, including the coagulation, anticoagulation, and fibrinolytic pathways and their dysregulation in psychosis, into a consolidated mechanism that could be integral to the progression and manifestation of psychosis. We consolidate the findings of altered blood proteins relevant for progression to psychotic disorders, using data from longitudinal studies of the general population in addition to clinical high-risk (CHR) individuals transitioning to psychotic disorder. These are compared to markers identified from first-episode psychosis and schizophrenia as well as other psychosis spectrum disorders. We propose the novel hypothesis that altered complement and coagulation plasma levels enhance their pathways’ activating capacities, while low levels observed in key regulatory components contribute to excessive activation observed in patients. This hypothesis will require future testing through a range of experimental paradigms, and if upheld, complement and coagulation pathways or specific proteins could be useful diagnostic or prognostic tools and targets for early intervention and preventive strategies.

scholarly journals Implementation of NAVIGATE Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis: the Michigan Experience

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-178
Author(s):  
Eric D. Achtyes ◽  
Kari Kempema ◽  
Zhehui Luo ◽  
Katharine N. Thakkar ◽  
Catherine Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
The United States ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Specialty Care ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Block Grant ◽  
Episode Psychosis

AbstractStudy ObjectivesCoordinated specialty care (CSC) is widely accepted as an evidence-based treatment for first episode psychosis (FEP). The NAVIGATE intervention from the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode Early Treatment Program (RAISE-ETP) study is a CSC intervention which offers a suite of evidence-based treatments shown to improve engagement and clinical outcomes, especially in those with shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). Coincident with the publication of this study, legislation was passed by the United States Congress in 2014–15 to fund CSC for FEP via a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) block grant set-aside for each state. In Michigan (MI) the management of this grant was delegated to Network180, the community mental health authority in Kent County, with the goal of making CSC more widely available to the 10 million people in MI. Limited research describes the outcomes of implementation of CSC into community practices with no published accounts evaluating the use of the NAVIGATE intervention in a naturalistic setting. We describe the outcomes of NAVIGATE implementation in the state of MI.MethodsIn 2014, 3 centers in MI were selected and trained to provide NAVIGATE CSC for FEP. In 2016 a 4th center was added, and 2 existing centers were expanded to provide additional access to NAVIGATE. Inclusion: age 18–31, served in 1 of 4 FEP centers in MI. Data collection began in 2015 for basic demographics, global illness (CGI q3 mo), hospital/ED use and work/school (SURF q3 mo) and was expanded in 2016 to include further demographics, diagnosis, DUP, vital signs; and in 2018 for clinical symptoms with the modified Colorado Symptom Inventory (mCSI q6 mo), reported via an online portal. This analysis used data until 12/31/19. Mixed effects models adjusted by age, sex and race were used to account for correlated data within patients.ResultsN=283 had useable demographic information and were included in the analysis. Age at enrollment was 21.6 ± 3.0 yrs; 74.2% male; 53.4% Caucasian, 34.6% African American; 12.9 ± 1.7 yrs of education (N=195). 18 mo retention was 67% with no difference by sex or race. CGI scores decreased 20% from baseline (BL) to 18 mo (BL=3.5, N=134; 15–18 mo=2.8, N=60). Service utilization via the SURF was measured at BL (N=172) and 18 mo (N=72): psychiatric hospitalizations occurred in 37% at BL and 6% at 18 mo (p<0.01); ER visits occurred in 40% at BL and 13% at 18 mo (p<0.01). 44% were working or in school at BL and 68% at 18 mo (p<0.01). 21% were on antipsychotics (AP) at BL (N=178) and 85% at 18 mo (N=13) with 8% and 54% on long acting injectable-AP at BL and 18 mo, respectively. Limitations include missing data and lack of a control group.ConclusionThe implementation of the NAVIGATE CSC program for FEP in MI resulted in meaningful clinical improvement for enrollees. Further support could make this evidence-based intervention available to more people with FEP.FundingSupported by funds from the SAMHSA Medicaid State Block Grant set-aside awarded to Network180 (Achtyes, Kempema). The funders had no role in the design of the study, the analysis or the decision to publish the results.

Reduced TMS-evoked fast oscillations in the motor cortex predict the severity of positive symptoms in first-episode psychosis

2021 ◽  
pp. 110387
Author(s):  
Francesco Luciano Donati ◽  
Rachel Kaskie ◽  
Catarina Cardoso Reis ◽  
Armando D'Agostino ◽  
Adenauer Girardi Casali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Fast Oscillations

scholarly journals Amusia and protolanguage impairments in schizophrenia

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (13) ◽  
pp. 2739-2748 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Kantrowitz ◽  
N. Scaramello ◽  
A. Jakubovitz ◽  
J. M. Lehrfeld ◽  
P. Laukka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Thought Disorder ◽  
Musical Ability ◽  
Group Status ◽  
Treatment Development ◽  
Discrimination Ability ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Language And Music ◽  
Auditory Tasks ◽  
Negative Syndrome

BackgroundBoth language and music are thought to have evolved from a musical protolanguage that communicated social information, including emotion. Individuals with perceptual music disorders (amusia) show deficits in auditory emotion recognition (AER). Although auditory perceptual deficits have been studied in schizophrenia, their relationship with musical/protolinguistic competence has not previously been assessed.MethodMusical ability was assessed in 31 schizophrenia/schizo-affective patients and 44 healthy controls using the Montreal Battery for Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA). AER was assessed using a novel battery in which actors provided portrayals of five separate emotions. The Disorganization factor of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used as a proxy for language/thought disorder and the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was used to assess cognition.ResultsHighly significant deficits were seen between patients and controls across auditory tasks (p < 0.001). Moreover, significant differences were seen in AER between the amusia and intact music-perceiving groups, which remained significant after controlling for group status and education. Correlations with AER were specific to the melody domain, and correlations between protolanguage (melody domain) and language were independent of overall cognition.DiscussionThis is the first study to document a specific relationship between amusia, AER and thought disorder, suggesting a shared linguistic/protolinguistic impairment. Once amusia was considered, other cognitive factors were no longer significant predictors of AER, suggesting that musical ability in general and melodic discrimination ability in particular may be crucial targets for treatment development and cognitive remediation in schizophrenia.

Anti-DNA antibodies in the blood of patients with schizophrenia possess DNA-hydrolyzing activity

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s247-s248
Author(s):  
E. Ermakov ◽  
L. Smirnova ◽  
L. Sinyanskii ◽  
D. Dobrygina ◽  
A. Semke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Dnase Activity ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Linear Forms ◽  
Dna Antibodies ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Positive And Negative Symptoms

IntroductionAutoantibodies (Abs) to different neuronal receptors and DNA were detected in the blood of patients with schizophrenia. Abs hydrolyzing DNA were detected in pool of polyclonal autoantibodies in autoimmune and infectious diseases, such catalytic Abs were named abzymes.ObjectivesTo investigate the level of anti-DNA antibodies and DNA-hydrolyzing activity of IgG from the serum of patients with schizophrenia depending on leading clinical symptoms.Aims– To measure the concentration of anti-DNA Abs in serum of patients with leading positive and negative symptoms;– to determine DNA-hydrolyzing activity of IgG.MethodsIn our study, 51 patients were included. The levels of antiDNA Abs were determined using ELISA. DNA-hydrolyzing activity was detected as the level(%) of supercoiled pBluescript DNA transition in circular and linear forms. Statistical analysis was performed in “Statistica 9.0”.ResultsAnti-DNA Abs of patients with schizophrenia not only bind DNA, but quite efficiently hydrolyze the substrate. IgG of patient with schizophrenia were shown to possess DNA hydrolyzing activity. It should be noted that DNAase activity of IgG in patients with schizophrenia with a negative symptoms was significantly higher, than in patients with positive symptoms (Table 1).ConclusionsThe data show a correlation with the level of DNase activity and leading symptoms of patients with schizophrenia.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Formal thought disorder in first-episode psychosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 209-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet Ayer ◽  
Berna Yalınçetin ◽  
Esra Aydınlı ◽  
Şilay Sevilmiş ◽  
Halis Ulaş ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Thought Disorder ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Formal Thought Disorder ◽  
Episode Psychosis
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