Improved estimation of the risk of manic relapse by combining clinical and brain scan data.

Introduction: Estimating the risk of manic relapse could help the psychiatrist individually adjust the treatment to the risk. Some authors have attempted to estimate this risk from baseline clinical data. Still, no studies have assessed whether the estimation could improve by adding structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data.

Emerging cycloid psychosis episodes during COVID-19 pandemic: a case series.

Aims: Cycloid psychosis (CP) is a clinical entity characterized by sudden onset of psychotic polymorphic symptomatology and fluctuant course. It has a reported rate of psychosocial precipitating factors ranging 30-65%. The aim of the study was to describe all cases of CP, admitted in our Psychiatry ward, during the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Differential failure to deactivate the default mode network in unipolar and bipolar depression.

Objectives: Neuroimaging studies have revealed evidence of brain functional abnormalities in bipolar depressive disorder (BDD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, few studies to date have compared these two mood disorders directly.

Methods: Matched groups of 26 BDD type I patients, 26 MDD patients and 26 healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing the n-back working memory task.

Evaluation of machine learning algorithms and structural features for optimal MRI-based diagnostic prediction in psychosis.

A relatively large number of studies have investigated the power of structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) data to discriminate patients with schizophrenia from healthy controls. However, very few of them have also included patients with bipolar disorder, allowing the clinically relevant discrimination between both psychotic diagnostics. To assess the efficacy of sMRI data for diagnostic prediction in psychosis we objectively evaluated the discriminative power of a wide range of commonly used machine learning algorithms (ridge, lasso, elastic net and L0 norm regularized logistic regressions, a support vector classifier, regularized discriminant analysis, random forests and a Gaussian process classifier) on main sMRI features including grey and white matter voxel-based morphometry (VBM), vertex-based cortical thickness and volume, region of interest volumetric measures and wavelet-based morphometry (WBM) maps.

Structural and Functional Brain Correlates of Cognitive Impairment in Euthymic Patients with Bipolar Disorder.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment in the euthymic phase is a well-established finding in bipolar disorder. However, its brain structural and/or functional correlates are uncertain.

Methods: Thirty-three euthymic bipolar patients with preserved memory and executive function and 28 euthymic bipolar patients with significant memory and/or executive impairment, as defined using two test batteries, the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) and the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS), plus 28 healthy controls underwent structural MRI using voxel-based morphometry (VBM).

Prevalence of cavum vergae in psychosis and mood spectrum disorders.

Background: Midline brain abnormalities might increase susceptibility to both first-episode and chronic mental disorder. Evidence of cavum vergae (CV) abnormality in mental disorders is scarce.

Methods: The presence of CV was assessed by a researcher blind to clinical information in a cross-disorder sample of 639 patients with mood and psychotic disorders and in 223 healthy controls.

Brain functional changes across the different phases of bipolar disorder.

Background: Little is known about how functional imaging changes in bipolar disorder relate to different phases of the illness.

Aims: To compare cognitive task activation in participants with bipolar disorder examined in different phases of illness.

Method: Participants with bipolar disorder in mania (n = 38), depression (n = 38) and euthymia (n = 38), as well as healthy controls (n = 38), underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during performance of the n-back working memory task.

Transcultural adaption and validation of the Spanish version of the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS-S).

Background: The Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS) arguably better captures symptoms in bipolar depression especially depressive mixed states than traditional unipolar depression rating scales. The psychometric properties of the Spanish adapted version, BDRS-S, are reported.

Methods: The BDRS was translated into Spanish by two independent psychiatrists fluent in English and Spanish.

Successful treatment of hydroxyzine and dexclorfeniramine maleate in combination with electroconvulsive therapy in a neuroleptic malignant catatonia: a case report.

Malign neuroleptic syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that is normally treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In this case report, we discuss a severely agitated and catatonic bipolar I patient who developed a neuroleptic malignant syndrome and did not improve with benzodiazepines and ECT. On the basis of anecdotal reports of the positive effects of antihistamines in psychosis and ECT, we treated our case with a combination of two antihistamines, hydroxyzine and dexclorfeniramine maleate, and ECT, which improved the clinical picture to the point of clinical remission.

Bipolar depressed patients show both failure to activate and failure to de-activate during performance of a working memory task.

Background: Bipolar depression has been found to be associated with changes in prefrontal cortex activity during performance of cognitive tasks. However, the role of task-related de-activations has been little investigated.

Method: Forty-one bipolar depressed patients and 41 matched normal controls underwent fMRI scanning while performing baseline, 1-back and 2-back versions of the n-back task.

Failure of de-activation in the medial frontal cortex in mania: evidence for default mode network dysfunction in the disorder.

Objectives: Manic patients have been found to show reduced activation in the prefrontal cortex and other regions during performance of cognitive tasks. However, little is known about de-activations associated with the disorder. This study aimed to examine, at the whole-brain level, abnormal patterns of task-related activation and de-activation during performance of a working memory task.

ECT in a patient with Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia, with dopamine transporter visualisation using 123I-ioflupane SPET.

A 58-year old woman with chronic schizophrenia developed worsening parkinsonian symptoms over the previous 6 years, and was eventually diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease. Antipsychotics were stopped because they worsened these symptoms. Antiparkinsonian treatment led to a significant increase in delusions and behavioural disorganisation.