Two Neuroanatomical Signatures in Schizophrenia: Expression Strengths Over the First 2 Years of Treatment and Their Relationships to Neurodevelopmental Compromise and Antipsychotic Treatment.

Background And Hypothesis: Two machine learning derived neuroanatomical signatures were recently described. Signature 1 is associated with widespread grey matter volume reductions and signature 2 with larger basal ganglia and internal capsule volumes. We hypothesized that they represent the neurodevelopmental and treatment-responsive components of schizophrenia respectively.

Differences in white matter microstructure in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders vs healthy volunteers and their association with cognition.

Objective: Both cognitive impairment and alterations in white matter tissue microstructure are well recognised in schizophrenia. We investigated whether differences in white matter microstructure underpin cognitive impairments in patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders when controlling for multiple confounding factors.

Methods: We employed a cross-sectional study design and compared fractional anisotropy (FA) between individuals diagnosed with first- episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (FES) (n = 68) and matched healthy controls (n = 120).

Antipsychotic treatment effects and structural MRI brain changes in schizophrenia.

Background: Progressive brain structural MRI changes are described in schizophrenia and have been ascribed to both illness progression and antipsychotic treatment. We investigated treatment effects, in terms of total cumulative antipsychotic dose, efficacy and tolerability, on brain structural changes over the first 24 months of treatment in schizophrenia.

Methods: A prospective, 24-month, single-site cohort study in 99 minimally treated patients with first-episode schizophrenia, schizophreniform and schizoaffective disorder, and 98 matched healthy controls.

Childhood trauma exposure and reward processing in healthy adults: A functional neuroimaging study.

The association between childhood trauma exposure and risk of developing psychopathology may in part be mediated by the effects of chronic stress on dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, little is known about the differential effects of distinct trauma types on reward processing, particularly in adults without concurrent medical or psychiatric disorders. We examined the association of childhood trauma exposure, including the differential effects of abuse and neglect, with reward processing in healthy adults (n = 114).

Sex and gender associations with indicators of neurodevelopmental compromise in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Background: It has been proposed that sex and gender differences described in schizophrenia can be explained from a neurodevelopmental perspective.

Aim: In this study, we examined the associations of biological sex and gender role endorsement with putative indicators of neurodevelopmental compromise.

Methods: We used the Bem Sex Role Inventory to calculate masculinity scores in 77 patients with a first episode of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, and selected the following indicators of neurodevelopmental compromise: family history of schizophrenia, obstetric complications, premorbid functioning, neurological soft signs, and cognitive function.

The trajectories and correlates of two negative symptom subdomains in first-episode schizophrenia.

Background: Recent studies suggest a two-factor structure for negative symptoms as assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in schizophrenia, namely experiential and expressive subdomains. Little is known about their clinical correlates and treatment trajectories.

Objectives: We sought to replicate the two factor-analysis derived subdomains for PANSS negative symptoms in schizophrenia and to assess their independent demographic, premorbid and treatment-related characteristics.

The course and concomitants of depression in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A 24-month longitudinal study.

Depressive symptoms are common in schizophrenia and have been associated with both favourable and unfavourable outcomes. We studied the longitudinal course of depressive symptoms and explored their temporal relationships with other manifestations of the illness and its treatment. This longitudinal cohort study included 126 antipsychotic naïve or only briefly treated patients with first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders treated with a long-acting antipsychotic over 24 months.

Safety of the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in psychiatric patients: results from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are increasingly being used by psychiatric patients. Most studies have concentrated on efficacy aspects, while little is known about their safety and tolerability in psychiatric populations. This study aimed to assess the effects of EPA treatment on body mass, glucose metabolism, lipid profiles, prolactin secretion, bleeding time, haematology and liver functions.

Effects of quetiapine and haloperidol on body mass index and glycaemic control: a long-term, randomized, controlled trial.

The topic of antipsychotic-induced weight-gain and its relationship to glucose metabolism is under-studied. We evaluated the long-term effects of a new-generation antipsychotic, quetiapine and a conventional antipsychotic, haloperidol on body mass index (BMI) and glycaemic control in patients with schizophrenia previously treated with conventional antipsychotics. Forty-five clinically stable patients with schizophrenia participated in this randomized, investigator-blinded, parallel-group comparison of flexible doses of quetiapine and haloperidol treatment over 52 wk.

A single-blind, randomized trial comparing quetiapine and haloperidol in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.

Background: While the atypical antipsychotics should ultimately reduce the prevalence of tardive dyskinesia, it is likely to remain a significant clinical problem for a long time to come. No strategy has clearly emerged as the treatment of choice for tardive dyskinesia. Atypical antipsychotics have reduced propensities for producing acute extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and possibly tardive dyskinesia and may be effective in treating patients with established tardive dyskinesia.