Impulsivity and inhibitory control in deficit and non-deficit schizophrenia.

Background: There is conflicting evidence on impulsivity and its potential relationship with inhibitory control in schizophrenia. This study therefore aimed to identify differences in impulsivity and cognitive and motor inhibition between patients with deficit (DS) and non-deficit (NDS) schizophrenia and healthy controls (HC). We also explored the relationships between impulsivity and different dimensions of inhibitory control in all studied groups.

The importance of oxidative biomarkers in diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring schizophrenia patients.

Introduction: The etiology of schizophrenia (SCZ), an incredibly complex disorder, remains multifaceted. Literature suggests the involvement of oxidative stress (OS) in the pathophysiology of SCZ.

Objectives: Determination of selected OS markers and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in patients with chronic SCZ and those in states predisposing to SCZ-first episode psychosis (FP) and ultra-high risk (UHR).

Greater methylation of the IL-6 promoter region is associated with decreased integrity of the corpus callosum in schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with chronic subclinical inflammation and decreased integrity of the corpus callosum (CC). Our previous study showed associations between peripheral IL-6 levels and the integrity of the CC. Epigenetic studies show associations between methylation of the genes related to immunological processes and integrity of the CC.

Using different types of visual reaction time measurements for assessing cognitive difficulties in depression.

There is a need for objective, easy and relatively short methods to diagnose cognition in depression. We have constructed a set of simple visual tasks using three different ways of speed measuring: paper-pencil-based, computer-based, and eye-tracking based. We used a single case design with 22 participants.

Cognitive Dysfunctions Measured with the MCCB in Deficit and Non-Deficit Schizophrenia.

This study compared cognitive domains between deficit schizophrenia (DS) and non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients and healthy controls (HC), analyzing relationships between psychopathological dimensions and cognitive domains. A total of 29 DS patients, 45 NDS patients, and 39 HC subjects participated. Cognitive domains were measured using the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia Battery.

Executive Functions and Psychopathology Dimensions in Deficit and Non-Deficit Schizophrenia.

This study: (a) compared executive functions between deficit (DS) and non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients and healthy controls (HC), controlling premorbid IQ and level of education; (b) compared executive functions in DS and NDS patients, controlling premorbid IQ and psychopathological symptoms; and (c) estimated relationships between clinical factors, psychopathological symptoms, and executive functions using structural equation modelling. Participants were 29 DS patients, 44 NDS patients, and 39 HC. Executive functions were measured with the Mazes Subtest, Spatial Span Subtest, Letter Number Span Test, Color Trail Test, and Berg Card Sorting Test.

Complement Activation Products in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia.

Evidence suggests a role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of a number of mental conditions, including schizophrenia (SCH). In terms of physiology, aside from its crucial protective function, the complement cascade (CC) is a critical element of the regeneration processes, including neurogenesis. Few studies have attempted to define the function of the CC components in SCH.

Serum Inflammatory Markers and Integrity of the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus and the Inferior Longitudinal Fasciculus in Schizophrenia, from Prodromal Stages to Chronic Psychosis-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Chronic subclinical inflammation is believed to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Meta-analyses confirm the presence of increased levels of peripheral inflammatory markers (IM) in schizophrenia and its prodromal stages. Peripheral cytokines may affect the brain microstructure through chronic activation of microglia.

Visual pathway function in untreated individuals with major depression.

Background: Major depression (MD) is the one of the most debilitating diseases, affecting millions of people all around the world.

Objectives: To establish visual pathway function in untreated individuals with MD.

Material And Methods: In 29 untreated, newly diagnosed, ophthalmologically asymptomatic individuals (58 eyes) with MD (mean age: 47.

Do Personality, Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy, and Depressive Symptomatology Affect Abstinence Status in Treatment-Seeking Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder?

Given the high global incidence and disabling nature of alcohol use disorders, alongside high relapse rates, we sought to investigate potential predictors of abstinence, considered a prerequisite of full remission. With an aim to examine (i) the effect of personality, alcohol abstinence self-efficacy, and depressive symptomatology on abstinence status as our primary objective, and (ii) interactions between these three factors, as well as (iii) their changes over time as two secondary objectives, we recruited 51 inpatients at an alcohol rehabilitation center to complete the International Personality Item Pool, the Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory, and to provide information on abstinence attainment 2 months post-treatment. Although regression analyses revealed no evidence for the effect of the investigated factors (personality, self-efficacy, or depressive symptoms) on post-therapy abstinence, other findings emerged, demonstrating (i) a significant reduction in the severity of depressive symptoms, (ii) the effect of personality and alcohol abstinence self-efficacy on depressive symptom severity, and (iii) the role of personality in predicting the temptation to use alcohol in recovering drinkers.

Personality-Related Factors and Depressive Symptomatology Predict Behavioral Control in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorders.

In the face of increasing social, economic, and health consequences of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and limited effects of available treatment options, the search for novel prevention and management methods continues to remain a timely and valid endeavor. This, however, requires a better grasp of the theoretical framework underlying addiction mechanisms. With the goal to extend the existing body of evidence on AUDs, we set out to investigate the effect of personality-related factors and depressive symptomatology on (i) impulsivity, (ii) cognitive response inhibition, and (iii) the links between the two measures of behavioral control (different facets of impulsivity and response inhibition) in a treatment-seeking AUD sample.

The Relationship between Cognitive Functions and Psychopathological Symptoms in First Episode Psychosis and Chronic Schizophrenia.

Impairments in cognitive functions are one of the main features of schizophrenia. A variety of factors can influence the extent of cognitive deficits. In our study, we examined the severity of cognitive deficits at different stages of the disease and the relationship between psychopathological symptoms and cognitive functions.

Relationship between White Matter Alterations and Pathophysiological Symptoms in Patients with Ultra-High Risk of Psychosis, First-Episode, and Chronic Schizophrenia.

Some symptoms of schizophrenia might be present before full-blown psychosis, so white matter changes must be studied both in individuals with emerging psychosis and chronic schizophrenia. A total of 86 patients—12 ultra-high risk of psychosis (UHR), 20 first episode psychosis (FEP), 54 chronic schizophrenia (CS), and 33 healthy controls (HC)—underwent psychiatric examination and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in a 3-Tesla MRI scanner. We assessed fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) and inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILS).

Psychopathology and Integrity of the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus in Deficit and Nondeficit Schizophrenia.

The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) is a white matter bundle that connects the frontal areas with the parietal areas. As part of the visuospatial attentional network, it may be involved in the development of schizophrenia. Deficit syndrome (DS) is characterized by primary and enduring negative symptoms.

Serum inflammatory markers and their associations with white matter integrity of the corpus callosum in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.

Schizophrenia is associated with disrupted integrity of white matter microstructure of a variety of brain regions, especially the corpus callosum (CC). Chronic subclinical inflammation is considered to be one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of this disease, and increased levels of peripheral inflammatory markers are often observed in schizophrenia patients. Therefore, we decided to investigate whether the integrity of the corpus callosum is correlated with levels of these markers.

Physiotherapy and Physical Activity as Factors Improving the Psychological State of Patients With Cancer.

Physiotherapy in oncology is a process closely related to cancer treatment methods. Rehabilitation is based on physical activity in various forms involving the musculoskeletal system but also affects the emotional state. Physical activity influences physical and psychological well-being of people undergoing oncological treatment, in the course of which the most common psychiatric disorders are depression, substance use disorder, sleep disorders, fatigue syndrome, resulting in worsening of the quality of life.

Pharmacological treatment of a depressive episode and recurrent depressive disorder - guidelines of the Polish Psychiatric Association and the National Consultant for Adult Psychiatry.

Under the auspices of the Polish Psychiatric Association and the National Consultant in Psychiatry, on the basis of analysis of international guidelines, the expert group consisting of psychiatrists and an epidemiologist compiled recommendations for the treatment of adepressive episode and recurrent depressive disorder. The recommendations take into account the information that the patient should receive before starting the treatment, the selection criteria for the treatment method and the choice of the antidepressant, the method of assessing the efficacy of treatment, treatment monitoring, and the duration of treatment. Formulating the recommendations, the experts analyzed the source data for their applicability in Poland.

Relationship of Corpus Callosum Integrity with Working Memory, Planning, and Speed of Processing in Patients with First-Episode and Chronic Schizophrenia.

There is a paucity of reports examining the relationship between the integrity of the corpus callosum (CC) and different aspects of cognitive functioning in patients with first-episode (FES) and chronic schizophrenia (CS) simultaneously; furthermore, what results exist are inconclusive. We used diffusion tensor imaging tractography to investigate differences in integrity in five regions of the CC between FES, CS, and healthy controls (HC). Additionally, we analyzed correlations between these regions' integrity and working memory, planning, and speed of processing.

Is Virtual Reality Cue Exposure a Promising Adjunctive Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder?

This narrative review presents recent developments in virtual reality (VR)-based interventions for alcohol use disorders (AUDs). The latest advances in mental healthcare hail an imminent cyber revolution, ushering in novel treatment options, with immersive virtual technology at the very forefront of expected change. With an aim to (a) provide a background on VR use in mental healthcare of AUD patients, (b) summarize existing evidence on conventional approaches to the treatment of AUDs and a trending paradigm shift towards VR applications in their management, and (c) describe key issues and future directions in research on craving assessment and VR cue-induced therapy in AUDs, a search for experimental and meta-analytic evidence was performed in six databases: PubMed and EBSCO (Medline, ERIC, PsychINFO, Academic Search Ultimate, and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition).

White Matter Integrity of the Corpus Callosum and Psychopathological Dimensions in Deficit and Non-Deficit Schizophrenia Patients.

Deficit syndrome (DS) is a subtype of schizophrenia characterized by primary persistent negative symptoms. The corpus callosum (CC) appears to be related to psychopathology in schizophrenia. This study assessed white matter integrity in the CC using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in deficit and non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients.

Polish adaptation of the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief version PQ-B(PL) in psychiatric patients and healthy persons.

Objectives: Cognitive and affective experiences considered typical of psychotic disorders may also occur in the general population,though in aless severe form. The ability to differentiate them from prodromal states, preceding the onset of full-blown psychosis, is an important element of prevention and early detection of high risk of asudden deterioration of mental state. In response to the current lack of questionnaire tools enabling assessment of psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), an attempt was made to adapt the PQ-B questionnaire for use in the Polish population.

Assessing self-reported clinical high risk symptoms: The psychometric properties of the polish version of the prodromal questionnaire-brief and a proposal for an alternative approach to scoring.

Background: Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) might occur in the general population as low-risk individual differences or prodromal features, requiring quick detection and early intervention. The aims of this study were to conduct a mini-systematic review of the prognostic abilities of the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief (PQ-B), describe the PLEs distribution for the first time in a Polish population, assess PQ-B reliability and propose an innovative scoring approach based on cluster analysis.

Methods: Five hundred and twenty eight (334 female) adult volunteers underwent screening with the PQ-B, 49% also underwent the early psychosis screening test PRIME, to verify the tests' psychometric properties, to compare the prognostic accuracy of the PQ-B to the more restrictive PRIME, and to the detected types of possible diagnosis in the general population.

Analysis of gut microbiota and intestinal integrity markers of inpatients with major depressive disorder.

Previous studies have reported on the relationship between gut microbiota and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, there remain gaps in literature concerning the role of the intestinal barrier and microflora in the pathogenesis of depression. This study analyzes the potential causative relationship between gut microbiota and inflammatory and gut integrity markers and clinical symptoms in inpatients with depressive episodes.