Endocannabinoid system alterations in schizophrenia: association with cannabis use and antipsychotic medication.

Determining peripheral modulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be important for differentiating individuals with schizophrenia. Such differentiation can also be extended to subgroups of individuals, those who use cannabis and antipsychotic medications, particularly those who are treatment resistant. Patients and controls were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Psychosis Group of the University of São Paulo, Brazil.

Cannabis use influences disorganized symptoms severity but not transition in a cohort of non-help-seeking individuals at-risk for psychosis from São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder. However, in individuals with at-risk mental states for psychosis (ARMS) this association is not clear, as well as the impact of cannabis use on symptom severity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of cannabis use patterns and ARMS risk status, transition to psychotic and psychiatric disorders, and psychopathology.

Application of Lipidomics in Psychiatry: Plasma-Based Potential Biomarkers in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.

In this study, we obtained a lipidomic profile of plasma samples from drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) in comparison to healthy controls. The sample cohort consisted of 30 BD and 30 SZ patients and 30 control individuals. An untargeted lipidomics strategy using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry was employed to obtain the lipid profiles.

Inflammatory cytokines and white matter microstructure in the acute phase of first-episode psychosis: A longitudinal study.

Objectives: Schizophrenia-related psychosis is associated with abnormalities in white matter (WM) microstructure and structural brain dysconnectivity. However, the pathological process underlying such changes is unknown. We sought to investigate the potential association between peripheral cytokine levels and WM microstructure during the acute phase of first-episode psychosis (FEP) in a cohort of drug-naïve patients.

Inequality and barriers in psychosis prevention: A systematic review on clinical high-risk for psychosis studies from developing countries.

Background: The clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR) paradigm is one of the best studied preventive paradigms in psychiatry. However, most studies have been conducted in high-income countries. It is unclear if knowledge from such countries applies to low and middle-income countries (LAMIC), and if there are specific limitations hindering CHR research there.

A dopamine receptor D2 genetic polymorphism associated with transition to mental disorders in a cohort of individuals with at-risk mental state for psychosis.

Objectives: To test the association of 45 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with transition to psychiatric disorders in a cohort of individuals at ultrahigh risk (UHR) mental state for psychosis.

Methods: Through general population screening, 88 non-help-seeking UHR subjects and 130 healthy control individuals were genotyped for 45 SNPs related to psychosis. They were followed for a mean of 2.

Motion energy analysis during speech tasks in medication-naïve individuals with at-risk mental states for psychosis.

Movement abnormalities are commonly observed in schizophrenia and at-risk mental states (ARMS) for psychosis. They are usually detected with clinical interviews, such that automated analysis would enhance assessment. Our aim was to use motion energy analysis (MEA) to assess movement during free-speech videos in ARMS and control individuals, and to investigate associations between movement metrics and negative and positive symptoms.

Use of a Bayesian Network Model to predict psychiatric illness in individuals with 'at risk mental states' from a general population cohort.

The 'at risk mental state' (ARMS) paradigm has been introduced in psychiatry to study prodromal phases of schizophrenia. With time it was seen that the ARMS state can also precede mental disorders other than schizophrenia, such as depression and anxiety. However, several problems hamper the paradigm's use in preventative medicine, such as varying transition rates across studies, the use of non-naturalistic samples, and the multifactorial nature of psychiatric disorders.

Cognitive Patterns and Conversion in a Representative Sample of Individuals at Risk for Psychosis.

Clinical high-risk (CHR) individuals belong to a heterogeneous group, of which only a few will cross the threshold for a clinical diagnosis. Cognitive disturbances are present in CHR subjects and may be indicative of transition. Our study aims to identify such deficits in a representative CHR for psychosis sample.

COX-2 pathway is upregulated in ultra-high risk individuals for psychosis.

Background: The identification of Ultra-High Risk (UHR) individuals is thought to be useful for early intervention to improve psychosis outcomes. However, transition rates vary widely, and there is an effort to make these criteria more specific and accurate. Neuroinflammation has been discussed in the pathophysiology of psychosis.

Addressing Mood Disorder Diagnosis' Stigma With an Honest, Open, Proud (HOP)-Based Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The public stigma and self-stigma contribute to the dilemma of disclosing or not one's own mental illness diagnosis. Studies suggest that revealing it diminishes stress, besides helping with self-esteem. Honest, Open, Proud (HOP) is a group program that aids in the process of deciding on it, reducing its impact.

Treatment of Patients with Recently Exacerbated Schizophrenia with Paliperidone Palmitate: A Pilot Study of Efficacy and Tolerability.

Background: Paliperidone palmitate is a long-acting, second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) indicated for the treatment of acute exacerbations and maintenance treatment of adults with schizophrenia. This study addressed the response to paliperidone palmitate in Latin American patients with acute symptoms and recently diagnosed schizophrenia.

Objective: Explore the efficacy and tolerability of paliperidone palmitate administered once a month for 4 months in patients with acute phase and recent diagnosis (within 1-6 years) of schizophrenia in 3 Latin American countries.

Relationship Between Symptomatic Dimensions and Global Functioning of Non-Help-Seeking Individuals at Risk for Psychosis.

This study aims to analyze the relationship between the symptomatic dimensions of psychosis and functioning of individuals at risk for psychosis (ultrahigh risk [UHR]) in a non-help-seeking UHR sample from the general population. The sample is the same as the one used in the Brazilian Subclinical Symptoms and Prodromal Psychosis cohort study. We applied questionnaires of functioning (Global Assessment of Functioning Scale) and symptomatic dimensions (Scale of Prodromal Symptoms).

Influence of migration on the thought process of individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis.

Objective: To assess the influence of migration on the psychopathological presentation of individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR) in São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: This study is part of the Subclinical Symptoms and Prodromal Psychosis (SSAPP) project, a cohort study in São Paulo, Brazil, designed to follow individuals at UHR. After screening with the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ) and a clinical interview, the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) was administered, a neuropsychological assessment was performed, sociodemographic and migration data were obtained.

Plasma Metabolite Profiles in First Episode Psychosis: Exploring Symptoms Heterogeneity/Severity in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Cohorts.

Introduction: The first symptoms of psychosis are frequently shared amongst several neuropsychiatry disorders, which makes the differentiation by clinical diagnosis challenging. Early recognition of symptoms is important in the management of psychosis. Therefore, the implementation of molecular biomarkers will be crucial for transforming the currently used diagnostic and therapeutic approach, improving insights into the underlying biological processes and clinical management.

Childhood maltreatment in individuals at risk of psychosis: Results from the Brazilian SSAPP cohort.

Background: Childhood maltreatment is a known risk factor for the development of mental disorders, such as psychotic symptoms. An extensive body of literature about childhood maltreatment and mental health has been developed in wealthy countries, but information about this connection is lacking in developing countries.

Aims: To explore a possible relationship between childhood maltreatment and ultra-high risk of psychosis in a non-help-seeking population in a low- and middle-income country.

Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Treating Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Negative symptoms represent a substantial burden in schizophrenia. Although preliminary studies have suggested that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is effective for some clusters of symptoms, the clinical benefits for negative symptoms are unclear.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of tDCS vs sham as an add-on treatment for patients with schizophrenia and predominant negative symptoms.

Schizophrenia TreAtment with electRic Transcranial Stimulation (STARTS): design, rationale and objectives of a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial.

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder. While some antipsychotic medications have demonstrated efficacy in treating positive symptoms, there is no widely recognized treatment for negative symptoms, which can cause significant distress and impairment for patients with schizophrenia. Here we describe the rationale and design of the STARTS study (Schizophrenia TreAtment with electRic Transcranial Stimulation), a clinical trial aimed to test the efficacy of a non-pharmacological treatment known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Disclosing the diagnosis of schizophrenia: A pilot study of the 'Coming Out Proud' intervention.

Background: Schizophrenia is one of the most stigmatized psychiatric disorders, and disclosing it is often a source of stress to individuals with the disorder. The Coming Out Proud (COP) group intervention is designed to reduce the stigma's negative impact and help participants decide if they want to disclose their disorder.

Aims: To assess the effect of the COP intervention in individuals with the diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Hearing spirits? Religiosity in individuals at risk for psychosis-Results from the Brazilian SSAPP cohort.

In the last decades, biological and environmental factors related to psychosis were investigated in individuals at ultra-risk for psychosis (UHR) to predict conversion. Although religion relates to psychosis in a variety of ways, it is understudied in subclinical samples. Therefore, we assessed the interplay between religion and prodromal symptoms in 79 UHR and 110 control individuals.

Increased platelet glycogen sysnthase kinase 3beta in first-episode psychosis.

Past studies have linked intracellular pathways related to psychotic disorders to the GSK3B enzyme. This study aimed to investigate GSK3B protein expression and phosphorylation in drug-naïve first-episode psychosis patients (n=43) at baseline and following symptom remission, and in healthy controls (n=77). At baseline GSK3B total level was higher in patients (p<0.