Subsyndromal and syndromal depressive symptoms among older adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder: Prevalence and associated factors in a multicenter study.

Background: Few studies have examined the prevalence and correlates of subsyndromal and syndromal depressive symptoms (SSSD) among older adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. In this report, we examined the prevalence of SSSD and their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics of schizophrenia, comorbidity, psychotropic medications, quality of life, functioning and mental health care utilization in a large, multicenter sample of older adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

Methods: Data from the Cohort of individuals with Schizophrenia Aged 55 years or more (CSA) were used to examine the prevalence of SSSD, defined using the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) scale.

Linear association between social anxiety symptoms and neural activations to angry faces: from subclinical to clinical levels.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), which is characterized by the fear of being rejected and negatively evaluated, involves altered brain activation during the processing of negative emotions in a social context. Although associated temperament traits, such as shyness or behavioral inhibition, have been studied, there is still insufficient knowledge to support the dimensional approach, which assumes a continuum from subclinical to clinical levels of social anxiety symptoms. This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the neural bases of individual differences in social anxiety.

Executive functions in adult offspring of alcohol-dependent probands: toward a cognitive endophenotype?

Background: Executive function (EF) impairment in alcohol dependence (AD) has been related to the toxic effects of alcohol on frontal lobes. However, this impairment could be partially present before the onset of the disease and might constitute a vulnerability factor. Although a considerable body of research has investigated executive functioning among AD patients, much less attention has been directed toward high-risk individuals.

Neural basis of autobiographical memory retrieval in schizophrenia.

Background: Autobiographical memory retrieval is impaired in schizophrenia.

Aims: To determine the neural basis of this impairment.

Method: Thirteen patients with schizophrenia and 14 healthy controls performed an autobiographical memory retrieval task based on cue words during functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Depression, anxiety and personality dimensions in female first-degree relatives of alcohol-dependent probands.

A total of 136 with or without first-degree relatives with alcohol dependence were compared according to lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders and personality dimensions. Family history positive women showed significant higher prevalence rates of depression and agoraphobia, and exhibited lower scores on Reward Dependence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness dimensions.

Alcohol dependence in women: difficulty of its assessment in general practice.

Background: In France, women represent approximately 20% of alcohol-dependent subjects. Although general practitioners (GPs) are often these women's first medical contact, GPs may be reluctant to probe for alcohol dependence.

Method: In this context, in 1996 and 2006 we conducted a cross-sectional survey using self-completion postal questionnaires sent to all GPs in a French département (administrative area), with the aim to explore and to compare after a ten-year time lapse, expectations and relational difficulties in managing alcohol dependence in women.