Long-Term Changes in Cognition Among Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Different Durations of Illness: A Meta-Analysis.

In this meta-analysis, we evaluated changes in cognition for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) with different durations of illness (DOIs). Records were identified through searches in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane until December 2021. We used terms related to SSDs, chronicity, course, and recovery.

Optimizing subjective wellbeing with amisulpride in first episode schizophrenia or related disorders.

Background: Subjective response (SR) to antipsychotic medication is relevant for quality of life, adherence and recovery. Here, we evaluate (1) the extent of variation in SR in patients using a single antipsychotic; (2) the association between subjective and symptomatic response; and (3) predictors of SR.

Methods: Open-label, single treatment condition with amisulpride in 339 patients with a first episode of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, at most minimally treated before inclusion.

The bumpy road to achieve reliability of clinical profile characteristics in psychosis and related disorders.

Objectives: Profile characteristics are factors that are relevant for diagnosis, prognosis or treatment. The present study aims to develop a set of clinically relevant profile characteristics. Moreover, our goal is to determine the inter-rater reliability (IRR) of the selected profile characteristics.

An old but still burning problem: Inter-rater reliability in clinical trials with antidepressant medication.

Background: Antidepressant trials are criticized due to potential methodological flaws. Root causes of failing methodology can be found in insufficient inter-rater reliability (IRR) and training practices, leading to higher placebo response and reduced study-power. However, it is unknown to what extent reliability estimates or training procedures are currently included in antidepressant reports.

Measuring process indicators and adverse events to assess the quality of care for inpatients with psychosis.

Background: Research into the quality of care in psychiatry is scarce. Data collection is falling behind that for other fields of medicine and therefore the opportunity to improve care is missed.

Aims: In this medical record study we aim to determine: (i) whether or not patients' physical health indicators are assessed and pharmacological and behavioural treatment interventions applied; (ii) the incidence and nature of adverse events in psychotic inpatients.

Correction: The use and helpfulness of self-management strategies for depression: The experiences of patients.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Smoking, symptoms, and quality of life in patients with psychosis, siblings, and healthy controls: a prospective, longitudinal cohort study.

Background: The self-medication hypothesis postulates that the high prevalence of smoking in patients with psychosis can be explained by the ameliorating effect of smoking on symptoms. However, there are few large prospective studies testing this hypothesis. We aimed to examine the multi-cross-sectional and prospective associations of changes in smoking behaviour with symptoms and quality of life.

The use and helpfulness of self-management strategies for depression: The experiences of patients.

Objective: To explore which of 50 self-management strategies are actually used and which are perceived as most helpful by patients in their day-to-day management of depression, in order to empower patients and promote active engagement in their own care.

Methods: Retrospective study using an online self-report survey to assess the use and perceived helpfulness of 50 previously identified self-management strategies in 193 participants who recently recovered from a major depressive episode.

Results: Forty-five of the 50 strategies were used by at least half of all participants and about one third of all participants perceived almost 50% of all strategies as (very) helpful.

Association Between Smoking Behavior and Cognitive Functioning in Patients With Psychosis, Siblings, and Healthy Control Subjects: Results From a Prospective 6-Year Follow-Up Study.

Objective: The high prevalence of smoking and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia patients is well known, but findings regarding the association between the two are contradictory, and longitudinal studies are lacking. The authors sought to examine the multi-cross-sectional association between smoking behavior and performance in specific cognitive domains and the longitudinal association between change in smoking behavior and change in cognitive functioning in a large prospective study.

Method: The authors conducted a cohort study of patients with nonaffective psychosis (N=1,094), their siblings (N=1,047), and healthy control subjects (N=579).

Predictors of Adverse Events and Medical Errors Among Adult Inpatients of Psychiatric Units of Acute Care General Hospitals.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) or medical errors (MEs) during inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations.

Methods: A full-probability random sample of 4,371 charts from 14 inpatient psychiatric units at acute care general hospitals in Pennsylvania were reviewed in a two-stage process that comprised screening and flagging by nurses followed by review by psychiatrists. AE and ME rates were calculated overall and then stratified by patient and hospital factors.

Preliminary validation of a clinical staging model in schizophrenia and related disorders.

Clinical staging for schizophrenia and related disorders might provide an ideal means to overcome some limitations of the current diagnostic system and to facilitate early intervention. This study aims to retrospectively explore 1) the validity of a staging model 2) the stability of staging over time, and 3) the clinical factors associated with transition to more chronic stages. Data were derived from the Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis study, a large cohort study of patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

Dopamine D2-receptor affinity of antipsychotics in relation to subjective well-being in patients with a psychotic disorder.

Dopamine D2-receptor blockade by antipsychotic medication reduces psychotic symptoms, but may reduce subjective well-being. The current study aims to further explore the relation between dopamine D2-receptor affinity and subjective well-being within a large sample of patients with psychotic disorders. Patients participated in a longitudinal naturalistic cohort study: the Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis (GROUP) study.

Efficacy and safety of high-dose baclofen for the treatment of alcohol dependence: A multicentre, randomised, double-blind controlled trial.

Previous randomised placebo-controlled trials with low-to-medium doses of baclofen (30-60mg) showed inconsistent results, but case studies suggested a dose-response effect and positive outcomes in patients on high doses of baclofen (up to 270mg). Its prescription was temporary permitted for the treatment of alcohol dependence (AD) in France, and baclofen is now widely prescribed. Recently, a small RCT found a strong effect of a mean dose of 180mg baclofen.

Qualitative and quantitative aspects of information processing in first psychosis: latent class analyses in patients, at-risk subjects, and controls.

We aimed to determine profiles of information processing deficits in the pathway to first psychosis. Sixty-one subjects at ultrahigh risk (UHR) for psychosis were assessed, of whom 18 converted to a first episode of psychosis (FEP) within the follow-up period. Additionally, 47 FEP and 30 control subjects were included.

Can quantitative EEG measures predict clinical outcome in subjects at Clinical High Risk for psychosis? A prospective multicenter study.

Background: Prediction studies in subjects at Clinical High Risk (CHR) for psychosis are hampered by a high proportion of uncertain outcomes. We therefore investigated whether quantitative EEG (QEEG) parameters can contribute to an improved identification of CHR subjects with a later conversion to psychosis.

Methods: This investigation was a project within the European Prediction of Psychosis Study (EPOS), a prospective multicenter, naturalistic field study with an 18-month follow-up period.

Psychosis prediction: stratification of risk estimation with information-processing and premorbid functioning variables.

Background: The period preceding the first psychotic episode is regarded as a promising period for intervention. We aimed to develop an optimized prediction model of a first psychosis, considering different sources of information. The outcome of this model may be used for individualized risk estimation.

Effects of cannabis use on event related potentials in subjects at ultra high risk for psychosis and healthy controls.

Cannabis use has consistently been associated with psychotic symptoms as well as cognitive impairments. Moreover, its use may provoke subclinical psychotic symptoms and is associated with neuropsychological dysfunctions in subjects at ultra high risk (UHR) for developing psychosis. However, to our knowledge, no data are yet available on the relationship between cannabis use, UHR symptoms and information processing as assessed with event related potentials (ERP) in UHR subjects.

Neuropsychological profile of psychogenic jerky movement disorders: importance of evaluating non-credible cognitive performance and psychopathology.

Background: Psychogenic movement disorders are disorders of movements that cannot be explained by a known neurological disorder and are assumed to be associated with psychiatric symptoms such as depression and anxiety.

Objective: To examine the neuropsychological profile of patients with psychogenic movement disorders.

Methods: We examined cognitive functioning using neuropsychological tests in 26 patients with clinically established psychogenic jerky movement disorders (PMD).

Sensory gating in subjects at ultra high risk for developing a psychosis before and after a first psychotic episode.

Objectives: To explore sensory gating deficits in subjects at Ultra High Risk (UHR) for psychosis before and after transition to a first psychotic episode.

Methods: Sensory gating was assessed with the paired click paradigm in 61 UHR subjects, of whom 18 (30%) made a transition to psychosis (UHR + T) over a 3-year follow-up period and 28 matched healthy controls. Subjects were assessed at inclusion and again after approximately 18 months.

Cognition and psychopathology in myoclonus-dystonia.

Objective: (1) To study the neuropsychological and psychopathological profile in myoclonus-dystonia (M-D) patients with and without a mutation in the DYT11 gene. (2) To explore whether cognitive and psychiatric impairments are related to severity and duration of motor symptoms. Herewith, this study may help to clarify whether neuropsychological and psychiatric symptoms are associated with the DYT11 mutation or are secondary to the burden of motor impairments that originated in early childhood.

Auditory ERP components before and after transition to a first psychotic episode.

We investigated the course of Event Related Potentials (ERP) from prior to until shortly after a first psychotic episode in subjects at Ultra High Risk (UHR) for psychosis. N1, N2, N2b, P2 and P3 amplitudes were assessed using an auditory active oddball paradigm in 15 UHR subjects who made a transition to psychosis (UHR+T) at follow up, 23 subjects without a transition (UHR+NT) and 17 matched healthy controls at inclusion and again after approximately 18 months. Repeated-measures analyses revealed no significant time effects for any of the ERP components.

Impaired emotion recognition in music in Parkinson's disease.

Music has the potential to evoke strong emotions and plays a significant role in the lives of many people. Music might therefore be an ideal medium to assess emotion recognition. We investigated emotion recognition in music in 20 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and 20 matched healthy volunteers.