An Investigation of Gene Polymorphisms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Family-Based Study.

Objective: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a complex pathophysiology including genetic, inflammatory and neurodevelopmental components. We aim to investigate the relationship between ASD and gene polymorphisms of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4), which may affect inflammatory and neurodevelopmental processes.

Methods: 101 children diagnosed with ASD aged 2-18 and their biological parents were included in the study.

High psychiatric comorbidity in adolescents with dissociative disorders.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate psychiatric comorbidity rates and patterns in a sample of clinically referred adolescents diagnosed with dissociative disorders (DD) by using a structured interview.

Methods: All participants completed a comprehensive test battery, which consisted of a questionnaire for sociodemographic data and clinical history, Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index, Childhood Abuse and Neglect Questionnaire and the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale. Diagnosis was made by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders.

Prevalence and patterns of psychiatric disorders in referred adolescents with Internet addiction.

Aim: To investigate prevalence and patterns of psychiatric disorders in young subjects with Internet addiction (IA).

Methods: Subjects were taken from a sample of patients, aged 10-18 years old, referred to Istanbul Medical Faculty, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department due to a variety of behavioral and emotional problems alongside problematic Internet use. Inclusion criteria included IQ ≥70 and score ≥80 on Young's Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS).

Phenomenology, psychiatric comorbidity and family history in referred preschool children with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate phenomenology, psychiatric comorbidity, and family history of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a clinical sample of normally developing preschool children with OCD.

Method: Subjects in this study were recruited from a clinical sample of preschool children (under 72 months of age) who were referred to a university clinic. Subjects with a normal developmental history and significant impairment related to OCD symptoms were included in the study.

Long-lasting conversion disorder and hospitalization in a young girl: importance of early recognition and intervention.

Psychosomatic symptoms are frequently observed in children in response to psychosocial stressors and may be a reason for referral. However, it may be difficult to identify psychosomatic symptoms in a non-psychiatric clinical setting, and it is not unusual in pediatric practice for patients to be admitted and/or investigated for psychosomatic symptoms. Here, we present a case of a 10-year-old girl who was admitted and investigated for a suddenly developing motor loss in her legs for more than three months.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis, co-morbidities, treatment patterns, and quality of life in a pediatric population in central and eastern Europe and Asia.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often poorly understood, and treatment practices are variable. This 12-month, prospective, observational study provides information about the diagnosis, co-morbidities, treatment patterns, and quality of life (QOL) of patients aged 6-17 years with ADHD symptoms from eastern Asia and central and eastern Europe. Here, we present baseline data for the 1068 enrolled and eligible patients in the study (median age 8 years, 82.

Efficacy and safety of fluoxetine in preschool children with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of fluoxetine in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in preschool children.

Method: Six preschool children (age range 40-61 months; mean 51.5 +/- 8.

Psychological evaluation of children with idiopathic constipation and their parents.

Background: Constipation is one of the most common problems in childhood. In idiopathic constipation it is not possible to identify primary cause in every case. Child behavioral problems and disturbances in parent-child relationships have been cited as causes of constipation.

Relationship between alexithymia, dissociation and anxiety in psychiatric outpatients from Turkey.

Several studies have examined the relationship between dissociation and alexithymia. In this study, the objective was to investigate whether there was a relationship between alexithymia, dissociation and state and trait anxiety in psychiatric outpatients. The evaluations of psychiatric outpatients (n=154) were based on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Dissociative Experiences Scale and the State and Trait Anxiety Index.

Nitric oxide as a physiopathological factor in neuropsychiatric disorders.

The dominant research subject on schizophrenia, mood disorders, autism and other central nervous system diseases has been related to neurotransmitter system abnormalities. For example, the dopamine hypothesis states that schizophrenia is the result of dopaminergic hyperactivity. The therapeutic approach has also been directed towards finding agents which will modulate or regulate these neurotransmitter systems at any step.

Increased oxidative stress and altered activities of erythrocyte free radical scavenging enzymes in autism.

There is great evidence in recent years that oxygen free radicals play an important role in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. The present study was performed to assess the changes in red blood cells thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), adenosine deaminase (ADA) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities in patients with autism (n = 27) compared to age- and sex-matched normal controls (n = 26). In the autistic group, increased TBARS levels (p < 0.

Changes in nitric oxide levels and antioxidant enzyme activities may have a role in the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in autism.

Background: There is evidence that oxygen free radicals play an important role in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Although it has not been investigated yet, several recent studies proposed that nitric oxide (NO) and other parameters related to oxidative stress may have a pathophysiological role in autism.

Methods: We assessed the changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels in plasma as well as NO levels in red blood cells (RBC) in patients with autism (n=27) compared to age- and sex-matched normal controls (n=30).

Hippocampal volume in schizophrenia and its relationship with risperidone treatment: a stereological study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the significance of the hippocampal volume differences and its relation with risperidone treatment in schizophrenia. In schizophrenic patients who were on risperidone treatment (n = 11) and in healthy volunteers (n = 11), volumes of the hippocampi were estimated using magnetic resonance images (MRIs). A detailed systematic series of coronal MRIs of the entire brain (3 mm thickness, T(1)-weighted, TR/TE 400/10 ms) was obtained for each subject.

The possible pathophysiological role of plasma nitric oxide and adrenomedullin in schizophrenia.

Evidence is accumulating for a possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in schizophrenia. Adrenomedullin (AM) induces vasorelaxation by activating adenylate cyclase and also by stimulating the release of NO. AM immune reactivity is present in the brain consistent with a role as neurotransmitter.

Significance of serotonin transporter gene 5-HTTLPR and variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and polymorphism of the two regions of the 5-HTT gene [variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and 5-HTTLRR] in a sample of Turkish children. Using the PCR technique, these polymorphisms were assessed in 71 patients with ADHD and 128 healthy controls. The 5-HTTLPR S/S genotype was significantly lower in the patients than in the controls (p = 0.