Publications by authors named "Allott K"

Background: Although attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is known to be common in psychotic disorders, reported prevalence rates vary widely, with limited understanding of how different factors (eg, assessment methods, geographical region) may be associated with this variation. The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of ADHD in psychotic disorders and factors associated with the variability in reported rates.

Study Design: Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus in May 2023.

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The aim of this study was to examine the neurocognitive deficits associated with the first episode of major depressive disorder (recent onset depression, ROD) in adolescents as compared to adult patients. Cross-sectional neurocognitive data from the baseline assessments of the PRONIA study with N = 650 (55.31% females) were analyzed.

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Background: Emotion processing (EP) is impaired in individuals with psychosis and associated with social functioning; however, it is unclear how symptoms fit into this relationship. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine interrelationships between EP, symptoms, and social functioning, test whether different symptom domains mediate the relationship between EP and social functioning, and examine the moderating effects of illness stage and EP task type.

Study Design: MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies that included individuals with psychosis and reported correlations between EP, symptom domains (positive, negative, depressive, and disorganization), and social functioning.

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Aim: To explore the cognitive treatment preferences of young people with mental illness.

Methods: Two-hundred and fourteen people, aged 12-25 years, were surveyed about their treatment priorities. Participants were specifically asked how they might like to receive cognitive treatments and identify factors that might influence their decisions to participate.

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Background: Disruptions of axonal connectivity are thought to be a core pathophysiological feature of psychotic illness, but whether they are present early in the illness, prior to antipsychotic exposure, and whether they can predict clinical outcome remain unknown.

Methods: We acquired diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images to map structural connectivity between each pair of 319 parcellated brain regions in 61 antipsychotic-naïve individuals with first-episode psychosis (15-25 years, 46% female) and a demographically matched sample of 27 control participants. Clinical follow-up data were also acquired in patients 3 and 12 months after the scan.

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Objective: To examine the evidence and practice of antipsychotic dose reduction from the lens of biomedical ethics (specifically principlism) to support evidence-based practice and patient choice and self-determination.

Methods: An overview of the evidence from randomized controlled trials of antipsychotic dose reduction versus maintenance is presented. This is followed by a theoretical examination of the four key biomedical ethical principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice and how they apply in the case of antipsychotic dose reduction.

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Objective: The current guidelines recommend continuation of antipsychotic medication for a minimum of at least 1 year following a first episode of psychosis (FEP). There have been several trials investigating whether early dose reduction or cessation leads to improved functional outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of consenting to and participating in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of antipsychotic medication cessation.

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Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an oncogenic herpesvirus that is linked directly to the development of Kaposi's sarcoma. KSHV establishes a latent infection in B cells, which can be reactivated to initiate lytic replication, producing infectious virions. Using pharmacological and genetic silencing approaches, we showed that the voltage-gated K channel K1.

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Introduction: First-Episode Psychosis (FEP) is a devastating mental health condition that commonly emerges during early adulthood, and is characterised by a disconnect in perceptions of reality. Current evidence suggests that inflammation and perturbed immune responses are involved in the pathology of FEP and may be associated specifically with negative symptoms. Exercise training is a potent anti-inflammatory stimulus that can reduce persistent inflammation, and can improve mood profiles in general populations.

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Objectives: Early maladaptive schemas represent unhelpful frameworks of cognitions, emotions and subsequent behavioural responses and can be associated with depressive symptoms. Caregivers of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) frequently report experiencing depressive symptoms. It is unclear whether depressive symptoms in caregivers are influenced by schemas.

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Aim: Cognitive impairments are a core feature of first-episode psychosis (FEP) and one of the strongest predictors of long-term psychosocial functioning. Cognition should be assessed and treated as part of routine clinical care for FEP. Cognitive screening offers the opportunity to rapidly identify and triage those in most need of cognitive support.

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This article describes the rationale, aims, and methodology of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Schizophrenia (AMP® SCZ). This is the largest international collaboration to date that will develop algorithms to predict trajectories and outcomes of individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis and to advance the development and use of novel pharmacological interventions for CHR individuals. We present a description of the participating research networks and the data processing analysis and coordination center, their processes for data harmonization across 43 sites from 13 participating countries (recruitment across North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America), data flow and quality assessment processes, data analyses, and the transfer of data to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Data Archive (NDA) for use by the research community.

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Background: Multimodal modeling that combines biological and clinical data shows promise in predicting transition to psychosis in individuals who are at ultra-high risk. Individuals who transition to psychosis are known to have deficits at baseline in cognitive function and reductions in gray matter volume in multiple brain regions identified by magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: In this study, we used Cox proportional hazards regression models to assess the additive predictive value of each modality-cognition, cortical structure information, and the neuroanatomical measure of brain age gap-to a previously developed clinical model using functioning and duration of symptoms prior to service entry as predictors in the Personal Assessment and Crisis Evaluation (PACE) 400 cohort.

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Article Synopsis
  • Neuropsychological interventions are increasingly recognized as essential for addressing the cognitive, psychological, and behavioral effects of brain conditions in clinical settings.
  • This clinical guidance paper outlines recommendations for selecting and implementing these interventions, focusing on principles like person-centered goals and essential clinical competencies.
  • Developed by an expert group, the guidance includes evidence from key patient cohorts—acquired brain injury, psychiatric disorders, and older adults—and emphasizes the importance of sustainable implementation and the need for action within neuropsychology.
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Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to examine whether a glycine-rich collagen peptides (CP) supplement could enhance sleep quality in physically active men with self-reported sleep complaints.

Methods: In a randomized, crossover design, 13 athletic males (age: 24 ± 4 years; training volume; 7 ± 3 h·wk) with sleep complaints (Athens Insomnia Scale, 9 ± 2) consumed CP (15 g·day) or a placebo control (CON) 1 h before bedtime for 7 nights. Sleep quality was measured with subjective sleep diaries and actigraphy for 7 nights; polysomnographic sleep and core temperature were recorded on night 7.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates how brain network architecture influences gray matter loss in individuals with psychotic disorders, aiming to uncover specific brain regions where this volume loss may initiate and spread over time.
  • - It includes a diverse sample of 534 participants, ranging from those experiencing early-stage psychosis to individuals with established schizophrenia, along with matched control groups.
  • - Researchers utilized advanced imaging techniques to analyze changes in gray matter volume over 3 and 12 months, focusing on the relationships between structurally and functionally connected brain areas.
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Aim: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in people with established psychotic disorders, but less is known about vitamin D levels in people with first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in people with FEP and identify the factors associated with vitamin D status.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study nested within a randomized controlled trial, which included 37 young people with an FEP with minimal antipsychotic medication exposure.

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Introduction: There is limited research into informal support processes amongst young people supporting a peer through a traumatic event and how this process occurs specifically within a rural setting.

Objective: The aim of this research was to understand how the contextual environment impacts on the personal and interpersonal processes of rural-based young people supporting a peer who experienced a traumatic event.

Design: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 young people (aged 14-19), who resided in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aims to unify two tools used to assess clinical high risk for psychosis: the SIPS and CAARMS.
  • Experts conducted workshops and videoconferences to achieve harmonization of symptom ratings and criteria for psychosis.
  • The outcome is a new semi-structured interview (PSYCHS) that allows for consistent evaluation and comparison of findings in research studies related to at-risk mental states.
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Background: There is limited research on how supporting a peer through a traumatic event is experienced by adolescents. The aim of this research was to understand the personal and interpersonal processes of adolescents supporting a peer who experienced a traumatic event based on youth definitions.

Method: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 adolescents aged 14-19, residing in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.

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Background: Studies investigating cognitive impairments in psychosis and depression have typically compared the average performance of the clinical group against healthy controls (HC), and do not report on the actual of cognitive impairments or strengths within these clinical groups. This information is essential so that clinical services can provide adequate resources to supporting cognitive functioning. Thus, we investigated this prevalence in individuals in the early course of psychosis or depression.

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