Genetic variants in COMT and ESR1 genes shape treatment response to raloxifene in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

Background/objective: Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), may improve symptoms and cognition in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). Studies have shown inconsistent efficacy, especially in men with SSD. We assessed whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on genes involved in the pharmacodynamics (ESR1 and COMT) and pharmacokinetics (UGT1A8) of raloxifene can explain the heterogeneous treatment response to raloxifene augmentation in patients with SSD.

Self-Diagnosed Cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder on Social Media: Conceptualization, Assessment, and Treatment.

Recent global popularity of social media content about dissociative identity disorder (DID) has coincided with increased self-diagnosis among children and young people who have formed large online communities and presented in clinical settings seeking to affirm their self-diagnoses. We situate this phenomenon within a broader trend toward self-diagnosis due to the widespread visibility and accessibility of mental health content on social media. Social media propelled self-diagnosis raises particular questions for the study and treatment of DID due to long-standing debates over whether the condition is traumagenic, sociogenic, or iatrogenic.

Child Dissociation: The Descriptive Psychopathology Analysis of a Case.

With a reliable retrospective link to early-life traumatic stress, dissociation has been formulated as a pathology of abnormal socioemotional development. Dissociation hence should be identifiable and diagnosable in childhood. This study aimed to address the extent to which current formulation and diagnostic criteria of adult dissociation is applicable to children.

"They thought I was just making it up": Dissociative individuals' understandings of their dissociation, perceptions of their clinicians' conceptualizations of dissociation, and discrepancies between them.

Objective: Dissociation is thought to be traumagenic, though this conceptualization is not without misunderstanding and stigma. There is little research regarding people's conceptualizations of their dissociative experiences and client-clinician discrepancies in understanding dissociation.

Method: An online survey assessed 208 self-reported dissociative participants' understandings of their dissociation and their beliefs about their clinicians' understanding of dissociation via two open-ended questions.

Multispectral investigation of natural resins.

Resins have been used as remedies since ancient times and various embalming resins have been identified in recent years. In Europe, Mumia vera aegyptiaca, a resinous substance from ancient Egyptian mummies, was even sold in pharmacies as a tonic until the early 20th century. It is difficult to examine the composition of these archeological samples in detail as the well-established analytical techniques, that is, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, are destructive and therefore do not allow the analysis of valuable archeological samples.

Distinguishing genuine from simulated dissociative identity disorder using the Morel Emotional Numbing Test.

Objective: Few studies have identified validity tests that are appropriate for use in individuals with dissociative identity disorder (DID). This study investigated whether the Morel Emotional Numbing Test (MENT) could distinguish between genuine and simulated DID.

Method: Thirty-five participants with DID diagnosed via a semistructured interview were compared to 88 participants taking an abnormal psychology course who were instructed to simulate DID.

Antipsychotic-induced prolactin elevation in premenopausal women with schizophrenia: associations with estrogen, disease severity and cognition.

Purpose: Antipsychotic-induced prolactin elevation may impede protective effects of estrogens in women with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSD). Our study sought to confirm whether the use of prolactin-raising antipsychotics is associated with lower estrogen levels, and to investigate how estrogen and prolactin levels relate to symptom severity and cognition in premenopausal women with SSD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 79 premenopausal women, divided in three groups of women with SSD treated with prolactin-sparing antipsychotics (n = 21) or prolactin-raising antipsychotics (n = 27), and age-matched women without SSD (n = 31).

The association of prolactin and gonadal hormones with cognition and symptoms in men with schizophrenia spectrum disorder: Divergent effects of testosterone and estrogen.

Background: Certain antipsychotics elevate prolactin levels in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), potentially affecting cognition, symptoms, and hormone levels. This study examines the association between prolactin, testosterone, and estrogen and cognition and symptoms in men with SSD, considering antipsychotic medication.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 128 men with SSD and 44 healthy men from two trials.

Helpful and meaningful aspects of a psychoeducational programme to treat complex dissociative disorders: a qualitative approach.

Complex dissociative disorders (CDDs) are prevalent among psychotherapy clients, and research suggests carefully paced treatment for CDDs is helpful. The purpose of the present study is to qualitatively explore helpful and meaningful aspects of the TOP DD Network programme, a web-based adjunctive psychoeducational programme for the psychotherapeutic treatment of clients with CDDs. TOP DD Network programme participants (88 clients and 113 therapists) identified helpful and meaningful aspects of their participation in response to two open textbox questions.

Coverage of child maltreatment in undergraduate psychopathology textbooks.

Objective: Past research found that undergraduate psychopathology textbooks present child maltreatment (CM) and its consequences inadequately or inaccurately. Given the prevalence and psychological impact of CM, it is essential that mental health professionals receive adequate training in CM, including trauma-related dissociation. Updated research is needed to determine whether current psychopathology textbooks adequately present information about CM and its consequences.

Treatment of dissociative identity disorder: leveraging neurobiology to optimize success.

Introduction: Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a treatable mental health condition that is associated with a range of psychobiological manifestations. However, historical controversy, modern day misunderstanding, and lack of professional education have prevented accurate treatment information from reaching most clinicians and patients. These obstacles also have slowed empirical efforts to improve treatment outcomes for people with DID.

Fostering Governance and Information Partnerships for Chronic Disease Surveillance: The Multi-State EHR-Based Network for Disease Surveillance.

Context: Electronic health records (EHRs) are an emerging chronic disease surveillance data source and facilitating this data sharing is complex.

Program: Using the experience of the Multi-State EHR-Based Network for Disease Surveillance (MENDS), this article describes implementation of a governance framework that aligns technical, statutory, and organizational requirements to facilitate EHR data sharing for chronic disease surveillance.

Implementation: MENDS governance was cocreated with data contributors and health departments representing Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, Chicago, Washington, and Indiana through engagement from 2020 to 2022.

Utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 in differentiating genuine from feigned dissociative identity disorder.

Objective: This study sought to determine the utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) in accurately distinguishing genuine dissociative identity disorder (DID) patients from coached and uncoached DID simulators.

Method: DID patients ( = 34) who were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for -Dissociative Disorders were recruited from inpatient and outpatient settings. Coached ( = 25) and uncoached ( = 64) simulator groups were recruited from a Mid-Atlantic university.

Evidence-Based Recommendations for the Pharmacological Treatment of Women with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders.

Purpose Of Review: Despite clear evidence that sex differences largely impact the efficacy and tolerability of antipsychotic medication, current treatment guidelines for schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) do not differentiate between men and women. This review summarizes the available evidence on strategies that may improve pharmacotherapy for women and provides evidence-based recommendations to optimize treatment for women with schizophrenia.

Recent Findings: We systematically searched PubMed and Embase for peer-reviewed studies on three topics: (1) sex differences in dose-adjusted antipsychotic serum concentrations, (2) hormonal augmentation therapy with estrogen and estrogen-like compounds to improve symptom severity, and (3) strategies to reduce antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia.

Acute Downregulation but Not Genetic Ablation of Murine MCU Impairs Suppressive Capacity of Regulatory CD4 T Cells.

By virtue of mitochondrial control of energy production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and maintenance of Ca homeostasis, mitochondria play an essential role in modulating T cell function. The mitochondrial Ca uniporter (MCU) is the pore-forming unit in the main protein complex mediating mitochondrial Ca uptake. Recently, MCU has been shown to modulate Ca signals at subcellular organellar interfaces, thus fine-tuning NFAT translocation and T cell activation.

The Direct and Long-Term Effects of Raloxifene as Adjunctive Treatment for Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background And Hypothesis: Several studies suggest that raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, improves symptoms and cognition in post-menopausal women with Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders (SSD). We aimed to assess the effects of adjunctive raloxifene in women and men with SSD.

Study Design: This parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included adult SSD patients across the Netherlands and Belgium.

[Antipsychotic drugs for women: a narrative review and clinical guidelines].

Background: It has long been thought that women with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder have a more favorable course than men. However, this is not the case, even though they become ill later in life and are less likely to have comorbid drug abuse. Guidelines for prescribing antipsychotics are based on research with mostly male participants, and by following these guidelines we are doing our female patients a disservice.