Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation sustainably increases EEG alpha activity in patients with schizophrenia.

Aims: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the prefrontal cortex has been frequently used to elicit behavioral changes in patients with schizophrenia. However, the interaction between prefrontal tDCS and electrophysiological changes remains largely uncharted. The present study aimed to investigate cortical electrophysiological changes induced by tDCS in frontal areas by means of repeated electroencephalography (EEG) in patients with schizophrenia.

A case-control study of paternal and maternal age as risk factors in mood disorders.

Advanced parental age might constitute a risk factor for various disorders. We tested whether this concerns also mood disorder patients. The study included 314 subjects (42 bipolar-BD patients; 21 manics and 21 depressives, 68 unipolar-UD, and 204 normal controls-NC).

Paternal and maternal age as risk factors for schizophrenia: a case-control study.

Objective: Advanced parental age might constitute a generic risk factor for mental and somatic disorders. The current study tested whether this concerns also patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: A total of 231 schizophrenic, 56 other severe mental disorders patients and 204 controls were diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR.

Mood Symptoms in Stabilized Patients with Schizophrenia: A Bipolar Type with Predominant Psychotic Features?

Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are traditionally distinguished on the basis of progressive deterioration and long-term outcome, but a more dimensional approach is warranted. There are limited data on the occurrence of manic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the current study was to search for patterns in the clinical symptomatology, which may suggest the presence of one or several mood disorders under the label of schizophrenia.

Higher than recommended dosages of antipsychotics in male patients with schizophrenia are associated with increased depression but no major neurocognitive side effects: Results of a cross-sectional pilot naturalistic study.

Introduction: The current small pilot naturalistic cross-sectional study assesses whether higher dosages of antipsychotics are related to a satisfactory outcome concerning symptoms of schizophrenia but also to a worse outcome in terms of adverse events and neurocognitive function.

Material And Methods: 41 male stabilized hospitalized schizophrenic patients were assessed by PANSS, Calgary Depression Rating Scale, UKU and Simpson-Angus Scale and a battery of neurocognitive tests. Medication and dosage was prescribed according to clinical judgement of the therapist.

Could PANSS be a useful tool in the determining of the stages of schizophrenia? A clinically operational approach.

Staging in schizophrenia might be an important approach for the better treatment and rehabilitation of patients. The purpose of this study was to empirically devise a staging approach in a sample of stabilized patients with schizophrenia. One hundred and seventy patients aged ≥18 years (mean = 40.

Standardization and normative data of the Greek version of the temperament and character inventory (TCI).

Background: Robert Cloninger's psychobiological model of temperament and character is a dimensional approach to personality assessment and gave birth to the temperament and character inventory (TCI). The aim of the present report is to examine the psychometric properties of the Greek version of the TCI, and to replicate its postulated structure and provide preliminary normative data for the Greek population.

Methods: The study sample included 734 subjects from the general Greek population (436 females; 59.

Standardization of the NEO-PI-3 in the Greek general population.

Background: The revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-3) includes 240 items corresponding to the Big Five personality traits (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience) and subordinate dimensions (facets). It is suitable for use with adolescents and adults (12 years or older). The aim of the current study was to validate the Greek translation of the NEO-PI-3 in the general Greek population.

Standardization of the TEMPS-A in the Greek general population.

Background: The current study evaluates the reliability and factor-structure replicability of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) in its Greek Version.

Methods: The TEMPS-A was administered to a convenient sample of 734 subjects from the general Greek population (436 females; 59.4% and 298 males; 40.

Burning issues in the meta-analysis of pharmaceutical trials for depression.

During the last decade a number of meta-analytic studies have been published and they triggered a debate on the true clinical usefulness of antidepressants. The current article comments on problems within the randomized controlled trials design, the study samples, the psychometric scales, the methods of meta-analysis, the interpretation of the results, and the reporting of conflicts of interest. Although the meta-analyses published so far agree that medication works in severe depression, they question its efficacy in mild cases.

No role for initial severity on the efficacy of antidepressants: results of a multi-meta-analysis.

Introduction: During the last decade, a number of meta-analyses questioned the clinically relevant efficacy of antidepressants. Part of the debate concerned the method used in each of these meta-analyses as well as the quality of the data set.

Materials And Methods: The Kirsch data set was analysed with a number of different methods, and eight key questions were tackled.

A systematic review on the role of anticonvulsants in the treatment of acute bipolar depression.

Despite the high morbidity and mortality associated with bipolar depression, the optimal treatment for this phase is still a matter of debate. The aim of the current review was to provide updated evidence about the efficacy and tolerability of anticonvulsants in the treatment of acute bipolar depression. A comprehensive review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of anticonvulsants for the treatment of acute bipolar depression up to June 2011 was conducted by means of the PubMed-Medline database.

Treatment of mixed bipolar states.

Mixed bipolar states are associated with more severe symptoms and outcome. Our aim is to review the literature examining their treatment. We conducted a literature search of randomized clinical studies and post-hoc analyses on mixed bipolar states' treatment.

A standardized scoring method for the copy of cube test, developed to be suitable for use in psychiatric populations.

Background: Although the 'copy of cube test', a version of which is included in the Short Test of Mental Status (STMS), has existed for years, little has been done to standardize it in detail. The aim of the current study was to develop a novel and detailed standardized method of administration and scoring this test.

Methods: The study sample included 93 healthy control subjects (53 women and 40 men) aged 35.

The standardised copy of pentagons test.

Background: The 'double-diamond copy' task is a simple paper and pencil test part of the Bender-Gestalt Test and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Although it is a widely used test, its method of scoring is crude and its psychometric properties are not adequately known. The aim of the present study was to develop a sensitive and reliable method of administration and scoring.

Obesity and smoking in patients with schizophrenia and normal controls: a case-control study.

Cardiovascular risk factors, especially obesity and smoking are highly prevalent in patients with schizophrenia. Central obesity and the metabolic syndrome are conditions mostly attributed to the use of antipsychotic medication and lifestyle habits, and they constitute a significant health concern. Our study sample included 105 patients suffering from schizophrenia aged 36.