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Tandon R, Nasrallah H, Akbarian S, Carpenter WT, DeLisi LE, Gaebel W, Green MF, Gur RE, Heckers S, Kane JM, Malaspina D, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Murray R, Owen M, Smoller JW, Yassin W, Keshavan M. The schizophrenia syndrome, circa 2024: What we know and how that informs its nature. Schizophr Res 2024; 264:1-28. [PMID: 38086109 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
With new data about different aspects of schizophrenia being continually generated, it becomes necessary to periodically revisit exactly what we know. Along with a need to review what we currently know about schizophrenia, there is an equal imperative to evaluate the construct itself. With these objectives, we undertook an iterative, multi-phase process involving fifty international experts in the field, with each step building on learnings from the prior one. This review assembles currently established findings about schizophrenia (construct, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical expression, treatment) and posits what they reveal about its nature. Schizophrenia is a heritable, complex, multi-dimensional syndrome with varying degrees of psychotic, negative, cognitive, mood, and motor manifestations. The illness exhibits a remitting and relapsing course, with varying degrees of recovery among affected individuals with most experiencing significant social and functional impairment. Genetic risk factors likely include thousands of common genetic variants that each have a small impact on an individual's risk and a plethora of rare gene variants that have a larger individual impact on risk. Their biological effects are concentrated in the brain and many of the same variants also increase the risk of other psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder, autism, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Environmental risk factors include but are not limited to urban residence in childhood, migration, older paternal age at birth, cannabis use, childhood trauma, antenatal maternal infection, and perinatal hypoxia. Structural, functional, and neurochemical brain alterations implicate multiple regions and functional circuits. Dopamine D-2 receptor antagonists and partial agonists improve psychotic symptoms and reduce risk of relapse. Certain psychological and psychosocial interventions are beneficial. Early intervention can reduce treatment delay and improve outcomes. Schizophrenia is increasingly considered to be a heterogeneous syndrome and not a singular disease entity. There is no necessary or sufficient etiology, pathology, set of clinical features, or treatment that fully circumscribes this syndrome. A single, common pathophysiological pathway appears unlikely. The boundaries of schizophrenia remain fuzzy, suggesting the absence of a categorical fit and need to reconceptualize it as a broader, multi-dimensional and/or spectrum construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Tandon
- Department of Psychiatry, WMU Homer Stryker School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, United States of America.
| | - Henry Nasrallah
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, OH 45267, United States of America
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America
| | - William T Carpenter
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Lynn E DeLisi
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Wolfgang Gaebel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LVR-Klinikum Dusseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael F Green
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, United States of America; Greater Los Angeles Veterans' Administration Healthcare System, United States of America
| | - Raquel E Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States of America
| | - Stephan Heckers
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States of America
| | - John M Kane
- Department of Psychiatry, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Glen Oaks, NY 11004, United States of America
| | - Dolores Malaspina
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, Genetics, and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannhein/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Robin Murray
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, Kings College, London, UK
| | - Michael Owen
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, and Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jordan W Smoller
- Center for Precision Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Walid Yassin
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Matcheri Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
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Chen Q, Li X, Weng K, Zhang Y, Xu Z, Fang Z, Liu Y, Zhang H, Huang Q. Inflammatory mediators and the effect of electroconvulsive therapy in patients with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2023; 261:125-127. [PMID: 37717510 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Quliang Chen
- Shantou University Medical College - Faculty of Medicine of University of Manitoba Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou, China
| | - Xuchun Li
- Shantou University Medical College - Faculty of Medicine of University of Manitoba Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou, China; Department of Mental Health, Bao'an Chronic Diseases Prevent and Cure Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kehua Weng
- Shantou University Medical College - Faculty of Medicine of University of Manitoba Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou, China
| | - Yinnan Zhang
- Shantou University Medical College - Faculty of Medicine of University of Manitoba Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou, China
| | - Zhenqiang Xu
- Shantou University Medical College - Faculty of Medicine of University of Manitoba Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou, China
| | - Zeman Fang
- Shantou University Medical College - Faculty of Medicine of University of Manitoba Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou, China
| | - Yiang Liu
- Shantou University Medical College - Faculty of Medicine of University of Manitoba Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou, China
| | - Handi Zhang
- Shantou University Medical College - Faculty of Medicine of University of Manitoba Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou, China.
| | - Qingjun Huang
- Shantou University Medical College - Faculty of Medicine of University of Manitoba Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou, China.
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Ainsworth NJ, Avina-Galindo AM, White RF, Zhan D, Gregory EC, Honer WG, Vila-Rodriguez F. Impact of medications, mood state, and electrode placement on ECT outcomes in treatment-refractory psychosis. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:1184-1191. [PMID: 36028155 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment-refractory psychosis (TRP) is a significant clinical challenge. While clozapine is frequently effective, alternate or augmentation strategies are often necessary. Evidence supports effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), but questions remain about optimal treatment parameters and impacts of concomitant pharmacotherapy. OBJECTIVE /Hypothesis: To analyze the impact of clozapine, anticonvulsant medication, mood state, and ECT electrode placement on outcomes in TRP. We hypothesized that ECT would lead to greater reduction in positive symptoms, particularly in patients receiving clozapine. METHODS Retrospective study in a tertiary TRP program. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used for clinical outcomes, with positive subscore as primary outcome. Clinical and ECT data were analyzed using a linear modelling approach, controlling for relevant covariates. RESULTS A total of 309 patients were included. ECT plus clozapine associated with greater improvement in positive, general, and total symptoms than ECT alone. ECT associated with greater improvement in negative symptoms in depressed patients. Bifrontal placement was mostly equivalent to bitemporal, with greater reduction of positive symptoms in patients receiving clozapine, and associated with lower electrical dose in patients on anticonvulsants. Clozapine increased seizure duration, while anticonvulsants decreased it. Anticonvulsant use in ECT patients associated with equivalent to slightly improved symptom reduction. CONCLUSIONS ECT's benefit in TRP may be greatest in patients receiving clozapine. ECT can improve negative symptoms in depressed TRP patients. Bifrontal placement is effective in TRP. Clozapine and anticonvulsants have opposite effects on seizure duration, but anticonvulsants may not adversely affect clinical outcomes of ECT for TRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Ainsworth
- Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - A Michelle Avina-Galindo
- Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Randall F White
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; British Columbia Psychosis Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Denghuang Zhan
- Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcomes Sciences, St Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Elizabeth C Gregory
- Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William G Honer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; British Columbia Psychosis Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada; British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fidel Vila-Rodriguez
- Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Sugita K, Mori Y, Kanemoto K, Sugita S. Long-lasting leukocytosis in patients with schizophrenia treated with clozapine after electroconvulsive therapy : ECT stabilizes white blood cell count. Sci Prog 2022; 105:368504221117067. [PMID: 36000301 PMCID: PMC10358617 DOI: 10.1177/00368504221117067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The present study was conducted to investigate the possible hematologic impact of long-term electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with drug-resistant schizophrenia and receiving clozapine therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In this retrospective study, clinical charts of 57 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia who required clozapine therapy because of active psychotic symptoms resistant to other antipsychotics were examined. For 18 who underwent ECT, the first assessment was conducted at the end of that therapy (average two months after start, 7.68 sessions) and the second two months later. As for the 39 patients who did not undergo ECT, the first and second assessment points were at two and four months, respectively, after a randomly chosen time point. RESULTS Multiple regression analysis revealed that modified ECT (m-ECT) (ß = 0.346, p = 0.005), gender (males showed greater increase) (ß = 0.273, p = 0.023), and disease duration (longer associated with greater increase) (ß = 0.258, p = 0.033) were correlated with a change in white blood cell (WBC) count (ΔR2 = 0.277, p < 0.001) at the first assessment point. At the second assessment point, multiple regression analysis showed that m-ECT (ß = 0.262, p = 0.039), gender (males showed greater increase) (ß = 0.264, p = 0.036), and disease duration (longer associated with greater increase) (ß = 0.234, p = 0.068) were again correlated with changed WBC count (ΔR2 = 0.203, p < 0.007). DISCUSSION An increase in leukocytes may have a protective influence against the adverse myelosuppressive effects of clozapine. However, a simple mobilization of leukocytes from bone marrow to peripheral circulation may not enhance the immune system, leading to only a masking of the effects of a potential immuno-insufficient state in the treated patient. In either case, should leukocytosis be induced and then remain for an extended period, hematologists, as well as psychiatrists involved in electroconvulsive intervention for clozapine-treated patients, must keep this factor in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Sugita
- Department of Neruro-Psychiatry, Achi Medical University, Nagakute city, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Mori
- Department of Neruro-Psychiatry, Achi Medical University, Nagakute city, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kousuke Kanemoto
- Department of Neruro-Psychiatry, Achi Medical University, Nagakute city, Aichi, Japan
| | - Sotaro Sugita
- Department of Neruro-Psychiatry, Achi Medical University, Nagakute city, Aichi, Japan
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Rojas M, Ariza D, Ortega Á, Riaño-Garzón ME, Chávez-Castillo M, Pérez JL, Cudris-Torres L, Bautista MJ, Medina-Ortiz O, Rojas-Quintero J, Bermúdez V. Electroconvulsive Therapy in Psychiatric Disorders: A Narrative Review Exploring Neuroendocrine-Immune Therapeutic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6918. [PMID: 35805923 PMCID: PMC9266340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23136918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is based on conducting an electrical current through the brain to stimulate it and trigger generalized convulsion activity with therapeutic ends. Due to the efficient use of ECT during the last years, interest in the molecular bases involved in its mechanism of action has increased. Therefore, different hypotheses have emerged. In this context, the goal of this review is to describe the neurobiological, endocrine, and immune mechanisms involved in ECT and to detail its clinical efficacy in different psychiatric pathologies. This is a narrative review in which an extensive literature search was performed on the Scopus, Embase, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from inception to February 2022. The terms "electroconvulsive therapy", "neurobiological effects of electroconvulsive therapy", "molecular mechanisms in electroconvulsive therapy", and "psychiatric disorders" were among the keywords used in the search. The mechanisms of action of ECT include neurobiological function modifications and endocrine and immune changes that take place after ECT. Among these, the decrease in neural network hyperconnectivity, neuroinflammation reduction, neurogenesis promotion, modulation of different monoaminergic systems, and hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenal and hypothalamus-hypophysis-thyroid axes normalization have been described. The majority of these elements are physiopathological components and therapeutic targets in different mental illnesses. Likewise, the use of ECT has recently expanded, with evidence of its use for other pathologies, such as Parkinson's disease psychosis, malignant neuroleptic syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In conclusion, there is sufficient evidence to support the efficacy of ECT in the treatment of different psychiatric disorders, potentially through immune, endocrine, and neurobiological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagros Rojas
- Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo 4004, Venezuela; (D.A.); (Á.O.); (M.C.-C.); (J.L.P.)
| | - Daniela Ariza
- Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo 4004, Venezuela; (D.A.); (Á.O.); (M.C.-C.); (J.L.P.)
| | - Ángel Ortega
- Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo 4004, Venezuela; (D.A.); (Á.O.); (M.C.-C.); (J.L.P.)
| | - Manuel E. Riaño-Garzón
- Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Cúcuta 540006, Colombia; (M.E.R.-G.); (M.J.B.)
| | - Mervin Chávez-Castillo
- Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo 4004, Venezuela; (D.A.); (Á.O.); (M.C.-C.); (J.L.P.)
- Psychiatric Hospital of Maracaibo, Maracaibo 4004, Venezuela
| | - José Luis Pérez
- Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo 4004, Venezuela; (D.A.); (Á.O.); (M.C.-C.); (J.L.P.)
| | - Lorena Cudris-Torres
- Programa de Psicología, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, Valledupar 200001, Colombia;
| | - María Judith Bautista
- Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Cúcuta 540006, Colombia; (M.E.R.-G.); (M.J.B.)
| | - Oscar Medina-Ortiz
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Santander, Cúcuta 540003, Colombia;
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
| | - Joselyn Rojas-Quintero
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 77054, USA;
| | - Valmore Bermúdez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
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Gong J, Cui LB, Zhao YS, Liu ZW, Yang XJ, Xi YB, Liu L, Liu P, Sun JB, Zhao SW, Liu XF, Jia J, Li P, Yin H, Qin W. The correlation between dynamic functional architecture and response to electroconvulsive therapy combined with antipsychotics in schizophrenia. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:2024-2036. [PMID: 35388553 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Attempts to determine why some patients respond to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are valuable in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is associated with aberrant dynamic functional architecture, which might impact the efficacy of ECT. We aimed to explore the relationship between pre-treatment temporal variability and ECT acute efficacy. Forty-eight patients with schizophrenia and thirty healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine whether patterns of temporary variability of functional architecture differ between high responders (HR) and low responders (LR) at baseline. Compared with LR, HR exhibited significantly abnormal temporal variability in right inferior front gyrus (IFGtriang.R), left temporal pole (TPOsup.L) and right middle temporal gyrus (MTG.R). In the pooled patient group, ∆PANSS was correlated with the temporal variability of these regions. Patients with schizophrenia with a distinct dynamic functional architecture appear to reveal differential response to ECT. Our findings provide not only an understanding of the neural functional architecture patterns that are found in schizophrenia but also the possibility of using these measures as moderators for ECT selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gong
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Long-Biao Cui
- Department of Radiology, The Second Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medical Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ying-Song Zhao
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhao-Wen Liu
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xue-Juan Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi-Bin Xi
- Department of Radiology, Xi'an People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jin-Bo Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shu-Wan Zhao
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medical Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao-Fan Liu
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medical Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Jia
- Department of Early Intervention, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Medical Imaging, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hong Yin
- Department of Radiology, Xi'an People's Hospital, Xi'an, China.,Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Qin
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuroimaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
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Joo SW, Kim H, Jo YT, Ahn S, Choi YJ, Choi W, Park S, Lee J. One-Year Clinical Outcomes Following Electroconvulsive Therapy for Patients with Schizophrenia: A Nationwide Health Insurance Data-Based Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022; 18:1645-1652. [PMID: 35968513 PMCID: PMC9374090 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s373222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of schizophrenia has decreased since the advent of antipsychotic drugs, ECT is still implemented in several clinical indications. However, a few population-based studies have examined its real-world effectiveness in schizophrenia. METHODS We used data from 2010 to 2019 from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database in the Republic of Korea. We selected 380 schizophrenia patients having more than six ECT sessions and 1140 patient controls matched for age, sex, calendar year at entry, and the number of psychiatric hospitalizations before the time point of start of psychiatric hospitalization for ECT. Antipsychotic treatment discontinuation, psychiatric hospitalization, and direct medical costs were used as measures of clinical outcomes. Multiple regression analysis was used for any group-by-time interaction effect, and 1-year pre- and post-ECT periods were compared within and between the groups. RESULTS We found a significantly lower number of antipsychotic treatment discontinuations in the ECT group during the 1-year post-ECT period (t=2.195, p=0.028). A larger decrease was found in the number of psychiatric hospitalizations in the ECT group, with a group-by-time interaction effect (p=0.043). The direct medical costs in the 1-year pre- (t=-8.782, p<0.001) and post-ECT periods (t=-9.107, p<0.001) were higher in the ECT group than in the control group, with no significant change across both periods. CONCLUSION We found that the ECT group had a larger decrease in the number of psychiatric hospitalizations in the 1-year post-ECT period than the control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Woo Joo
- Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Harin Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Tak Jo
- Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soojin Ahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jae Choi
- Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woohyeok Choi
- Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeon Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Foundation Yongin Mental Hospital, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungsun Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Chakrabarti S. Clozapine resistant schizophrenia: Newer avenues of management. World J Psychiatry 2021; 11:429-448. [PMID: 34513606 PMCID: PMC8394694 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v11.i8.429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
About 40%-70% of the patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia have a poor response to adequate treatment with clozapine. The impact of clozapine-resistant schizophrenia (CRS) is even greater than that of treatment resistance in terms of severe and persistent symptoms, relapses and hospitalizations, poorer quality of life, and healthcare costs. Such serious consequences often compel clinicians to try different augmentation strategies to enhance the inadequate clozapine response in CRS. Unfortunately, a large body of evidence has shown that antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, electroconvulsive therapy, and cognitive-behavioural therapy are mostly ineffective in augmenting clozapine response. When beneficial effects of augmentation have been found, they are usually small and of doubtful clinical significance or based on low-quality evidence. Therefore, newer treatment approaches that go beyond the evidence are needed. The options proposed include developing a clinical consensus about the augmentation strategies that are most likely to be effective and using them sequentially in patients with CRS. Secondly, newer approaches such as augmentation with long-acting antipsychotic injections or multi-component psychosocial interventions could be considered. Lastly, perhaps the most effective way to deal with CRS would be to optimize clozapine treatment, which might prevent clozapine resistance from developing. Personalized dosing, adequate treatment durations, management of side effects and non-adherence, collaboration with patients and caregivers, and addressing clinician barriers to clozapine use are the principal ways of ensuring optimal clozapine treatment. At present, these three options could the best way to manage CRS until research provides more firm directions about the effective options for augmenting clozapine response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subho Chakrabarti
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
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Grover S, Shouan A, Chakrabarti S, Sahoo S, Mehra A. Comparative study of effectiveness of augmentation with ECT in clozapine resistant schizophrenia (CRS) and non-clozapine resistant schizophrenia (Non-CRS). Nord J Psychiatry 2021; 75:397-405. [PMID: 33630681 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2021.1877349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited evidence for different treatment strategies in patients with clozapine resistant schizophrenia (CRS). AIM To determine the effectiveness of ECT in patients with clozapine resistant schizophrenia and compare the same with a group of patients with non-clozapine resistant schizophrenia, receiving ECT. RESULTS Out of a total of 68 patients with schizophrenia, 27 (38.66%) of patients had CRS. With 6 ECTs, there was a significant reduction in PANSS positive, negative, general psychopathology, prosocial score and depression symptoms in the CRS (p < 0.001) and Non-CRS group (p < 0.001), but no statistically significant difference was seen between the 2 groups in terms of proportion of patients showing >40% response on PANSS total score. The reduction in PANSS score of >40% in CRS group was seen in 48.1% of patients in the positive symptoms subscale, in 25.9% of patients in negative symptoms subscale, in 46.7% of cases in the general psychopathology subscale, in 44.4% of the patients in Depression subscale, in 29.6% of the patients in the modified prosocialsubscaleand in 29.6% of the patients in total PANSS score. CONCLUSION ECT is an effective augmentation strategy for patients with CRS and it is as effective as when used in patients with non-CRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Grover
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Anish Shouan
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Subho Chakrabarti
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Swapnajeet Sahoo
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Aseem Mehra
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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10
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Zierhut MM, Bernard RM, Turner E, Mohamad S, Hahn E, Bajbouj M. Electroconvulsive therapy for negative symptoms in schizophrenia: a literature review from 2000 to 2021. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01989-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
AbstractNegative symptoms in schizophrenia remain a clinical challenge with small effect sizes and evidence for pharmacological or psychotherapeutic treatment approaches. Studies suggest that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) holds some promise as a treatment option of often persistent negative symptoms with clinically meaningful effects. This review summarizes the existing evidence on the efficacy of ECT on negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Thirty-five publications were included in this literature review comprising 21 studies, two meta-analyses, eight reviews and four case reports. Conclusions should be interpreted cautiously, given the small number and methodological shortcomings of the included publications with a variation of study designs and missing standardized protocols. Implications for future research and practice are critically discussed. Recommendations are given to provide more evidence that will meet the clinical challenge of reducing the negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Study designs that focus explicitly on negative symptoms and assess patients over longer follow up periods could be helpful. Future research should include control groups, and possibly establish international multicentered studies to get a sufficient study population. Findings suggest that patients with schizophrenia resistant to pharmacological treatment might benefit from ECT. A risk and benefit assessment speaks in favour of the ECT treatment. Future practice of ECT should include a combination treatment with antipsychotics. Whereas the use of anaesthetics and electrode placement does not seem to play a role, the recommendation regarding frequency of ECT treatments is currently three times a week, For the assessment of negative symptoms the assessment tool should be chosen carefully.
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11
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Dragoi AM, Radulescu I, Năsui BA, Pop AL, Varlas VN, Trifu S. Clozapine: An Updated Overview of Pharmacogenetic Biomarkers, Risks, and Safety-Particularities in the Context of COVID-19. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E840. [PMID: 33187329 PMCID: PMC7697202 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10110840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND clozapine (CLZ) use is precarious due to its neurological, cardiovascular, and hematological side effects; however, it is the gold standard in therapy-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) in adults and is underused. OBJECTIVE to examine the most recent CLZ data on (a) side effects concerning (b) recent pharmacological mechanisms, (c) therapy benefits, and (d) the particularities of the COVID-19 pandemic. DATA SOURCES a search was performed in two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) using the specific keywords "clozapine" and "schizophrenia", "side effects", "agranulocytosis", "TRS", or "bipolar affective disorder (BAF)" for the last ten years. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA clinical trials on adults with acute symptoms of schizophrenia or related disorders. RESULTS we selected 37 studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and clinical case series (CCS), centered on six main topics in the search area: (a) CLZ in schizophrenia, (b) CLZ in bipolar disorder, (c) side effects during the clozapine therapy, (d) CLZ in pregnancy, (e) CLZ in early-onset schizophrenia, and (f) CLZ therapy and COVID-19 infection. LIMITATIONS we considered RCTs and CCS from two databases, limited to the search topics. Conclusions and implications of key findings: (a) clozapine doses should be personalized for each patient based on pharmacogenetics testing when available; the genetic vulnerability postulates predictors of adverse reactions' severity; patients with a lower genetic risk could have less frequent hematological monitoring; (b) a CLZ-associated risk of pulmonary embolism imposes prophylactic measures for venous thromboembolism; (c) convulsive episodes are not an indication for stopping treatment; the plasma concentration of clozapine is a better side effect predictor than the dosage; (d) COVID-19 infection may enhance clozapine toxicity, generating an increased risk of pneumonia. Therapy must be continued with the proper monitoring of the white blood count, and the clozapine dose decreased by half until three days after the fever breaks; psychiatrists and healthcare providers must act together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Miruna Dragoi
- Department of Psychiatry, “Alexandru Obregia” Clinical Hospital for Psychiatry, 10 Berceni St., 041914 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Ioana Radulescu
- Department of General Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 37 Dionisie Lupu St., 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (I.R.); (V.N.V.)
| | - Bogdana Adriana Năsui
- Department of Community Health, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur St., 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; or
| | - Anca Lucia Pop
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Food Safety, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia St., 020945 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Valentin Nicolae Varlas
- Department of General Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 37 Dionisie Lupu St., 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (I.R.); (V.N.V.)
| | - Simona Trifu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 37 Dionisie Lupu St., 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
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Usta Saglam NG, Aksoy Poyraz C, Yalcin M, Balcioglu I. ECT augmentation of antipsychotics in severely ill schizophrenia: a naturalistic, observational study. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2020; 24:392-397. [PMID: 32538214 DOI: 10.1080/13651501.2020.1777313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is positive evidence to support the role of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the treatment of schizophrenia; however, it is unclear to what extent this growing evidence reflects the actual situation in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of ECT augmentation to antipsychotics in individuals with schizophrenia in a naturalistic-observational environment. METHODS Eighty-one patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, hospitalised due to acute psychotic exacerbation were included in the study. We compared changes in Positive and Negative Symptom Rating Scale (PANSS) scores between patients treated only with APs and those in the ECT augmentation group. RESULTS A statistically significant decrease in symptom severity was observed in all PANSS subscales in both groups. In the ECT group, 95% of the patients (n = 39) responded to treatment compared to 75% of the non-ECT group (n = 30) (χ2=6.496, df = 1, p = 0.011). We found that combining ECT with AP significantly increased treatment response, which was defined as at least 25% PANSS symptom reduction, in patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia, compared to AP alone. CONCLUSIONS Augmentation of ECT seems to increase responsiveness during acute treatment of severely ill schizophrenia patients. The mean percentage reduction in PANSS scores by 25% following antipsychotic treatment can help identify patients that will benefit from ECT after psychotic relapse in future. Key points There is positive evidence to support the role of ECT in the treatment of schizophrenia; however, it remains unclear to what extent this growing evidence reflects the actual situation in clinical practice. Augmentation of ECT seems to increase responsiveness during acute treatment of severely ill schizophrenia patients. The addition of ECT to antipsychotic treatment may only be beneficial in patients with antipsychotic responses below 50%. The mean percentage reduction in PANSS scores by 25% following antipsychotic treatment can help identify patients that will benefit from ECT after psychotic relapses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazife Gamze Usta Saglam
- Erenkoy Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurological Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cana Aksoy Poyraz
- Psychiatry Department, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Murat Yalcin
- Erenkoy Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurological Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey
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13
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Janjua AU, Dhingra AL, Greenberg R, McDonald WM. The Efficacy and Safety of Concomitant Psychotropic Medication and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). CNS Drugs 2020; 34:509-520. [PMID: 32342484 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-020-00729-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe psychiatric disorders. Patients referred to ECT are often taking multiple medications, many of which can potentially affect the safety and efficacy of their course of ECT. This review evaluates the impact of a variety of psychotropic medications often used in conjunction with ECT and examines strategies to optimize their management. The review encompasses mood stabilizers, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, and other commonly used psychotropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Umair Janjua
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
| | - Amitha L Dhingra
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | | | - William M McDonald
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
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14
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Predicting response to electroconvulsive therapy combined with antipsychotics in schizophrenia using multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging. Schizophr Res 2020; 216:262-271. [PMID: 31826827 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been shown to be effective in schizophrenia, particularly when rapid symptom reduction is needed or in cases of resistance to drug treatment. However, there are no markers available to predict response to ECT. Here, we examine whether multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomic features can predict response to ECT for individual patients. A total of 57 treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients, or schizophrenia patients with an acute episode or suicide attempts were randomly divided into primary (42 patients) and test (15 patients) cohorts. We collected T1-weighted structural MRI and diffusion MRI for 57 patients before receiving ECT and extracted 600 radiomic features for feature selection and prediction. To predict a continuous improvement in symptoms (ΔPANSS), the prediction process was performed with a support vector regression model based on a leave-one-out cross-validation framework in primary cohort and was tested in test cohort. The multi-parametric MRI-based radiomic model, including four structural MRI feature from left inferior frontal gyrus, right insula, left middle temporal gyrus and right superior temporal gyrus respectively and six diffusion MRI features from tracts connecting frontal or temporal gyrus possessed a low root mean square error of 15.183 in primary cohort and 14.980 in test cohort. The Pearson's correlation coefficients between predicted and actual values were 0.671 and 0.777 respectively. These results demonstrate that multi-parametric MRI-based radiomic features may predict response to ECT for individual patients. Such features could serve as prognostic neuroimaging biomarkers that provide a critical step toward individualized treatment response prediction in schizophrenia.
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15
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Xi YB, Cui LB, Gong J, Fu YF, Wu XS, Guo F, Yang X, Li C, Wang XR, Li P, Qin W, Yin H. Neuroanatomical Features That Predict Response to Electroconvulsive Therapy Combined With Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study Using Radiomics Strategy. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:456. [PMID: 32528327 PMCID: PMC7253706 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neuroimaging-based brain signatures may be informative in identifying patients with psychosis who will respond to antipsychotics. However, signatures that inform the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) health care professional about the response likelihood remain unclear in psychosis with radiomics strategy. This study investigated whether brain structure-based signature in the prediction of ECT response in a sample of schizophrenia patients using radiomics approach. METHODS This high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging study included 57 patients at baseline. After ECT combined with antipsychotics, 28 and 29 patients were classified as responders and non-responders. Features of gray matter were extracted and compared. The logistic regression model/support vector machine (LRM/SVM) analysis was used to explore the predictive performance. RESULTS The regularized multivariate LRM accurately discriminated responders from non-responders, with an accuracy of 90.91%. The structural features were further confirmed in the validating data set, resulting in an accuracy of 87.59%. The accuracy of the SVM in the training set was 90.91%, and the accuracy in the validation set was 91.78%. CONCLUSION Our results support the possible use of structural brain feature-based radiomics as a potential tool for predicting ECT response in patients with schizophrenia undergoing antipsychotics, paving the way for utilization of markers in psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Bin Xi
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Long-Biao Cui
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medical Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Gong
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yu-Fei Fu
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medical Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xu-Sha Wu
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medical Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fan Guo
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuejuan Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xing-Rui Wang
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Radiology, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Qin
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hong Yin
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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16
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Abstract
Clozapine is established as the gold standard for antipsychotic treatment of patients suffering from treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Over virtually 3 decades, the level of inadequate response to clozapine was found to range from 40% to 60%. A heightened interest developed in the augmentation of clozapine to try to achieve response or maximize partial response. A large variety of drug groups have been investigated. This article focuses on the meta-analyses of these trials to discover reasonable evidence-based approaches to the management of patients not responding to clozapine.
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17
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Ochi S, Inoue S, Yoshino Y, Shimizu H, Iga JI, Ueno SI. Efficacy of Asenapine in Schizophrenia Resistant to Clozapine Combined with Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Case Report. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2019; 17:559-563. [PMID: 31671497 PMCID: PMC6852681 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2019.17.4.559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shinichiro Ochi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
| | - Saori Inoue
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
| | - Yuta Yoshino
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
| | - Hideaki Shimizu
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
| | - Jun-ichi Iga
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
| | - Shu-ichi Ueno
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
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18
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Teodorczuk A, Emmerson B, Robinson G. Revisiting the role of electroconvulsive therapy in schizophrenia: Where are we now? Australas Psychiatry 2019; 27:477-479. [PMID: 31287328 DOI: 10.1177/1039856219860033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this opinion article is to review the recent evidence base in relation to the role of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the management of patients with schizophrenia. Specifically, we explore the efficacy and safety of ECT. Furthermore, consideration is given to the profile of patients who benefit most from ECT, the role of maintenance ECT and what happens when ECT is not given. CONCLUSION Our brief review of the evidence suggests that clinical practice in developing countries has not kept up with the growing literature supporting ECT use in schizophrenia. As such, we advocate that ECT should not be a treatment of last resort. Rather, it should be considered more readily as an add-on therapy when there has been a poor response to antipsychotic medications or concerns exist about side effects. Further research is needed into the efficacy of maintenance ECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Teodorczuk
- School of Medicine, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, and; The Prince Charles Hospital, Metro North Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Brett Emmerson
- The Prince Charles Hospital, Metro North Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD, and; School of Clinical Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gail Robinson
- The Prince Charles Hospital, Metro North Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD, and; Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University Campus, Nathan, QLD, Australia
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19
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Kinfe TM, Hurlemann R. [Brain stimulation for the selective treatment of schizophrenia symptom domains : Non-invasive and invasive concepts]. DER NERVENARZT 2019; 90:73-88. [PMID: 30430190 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-018-0640-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Given that one third of patients with schizophrenia (SZ) only show limited response to established treatments, alternative therapeutic strategies such as non-invasive/invasive brain stimulation approaches have emerged as an adjunctive treatment option for distinct SZ symptom domains (e.g. acoustic hallucinations, negative/positive symptoms and cognitive impairment). Taking comparative interventional studies and standardized technical parameters into consideration, current meta-analyses indicate that adjunctive electroconvulsive therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation have a positive effect. Invasive deep brain stimulation and MR-guided ultrasound brain ablation procedures represent treatment modalities that are currently being clinically tested. Complementary pre-interventional screening approaches (e.g. electrophysiology, neuroimaging and molecular inflammatory profiling) have been recommended in order to identify symptom-tailored predictive measures for diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Kinfe
- Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Deutschland.
| | - René Hurlemann
- Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Deutschland
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20
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Wagner E, Löhrs L, Siskind D, Honer WG, Falkai P, Hasan A. Clozapine augmentation strategies - a systematic meta-review of available evidence. Treatment options for clozapine resistance. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:423-435. [PMID: 30696332 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118822171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment options for clozapine resistance are diverse whereas, in contrast, the evidence for augmentation or combination strategies is sparse. AIMS We aimed to extract levels of evidence from available data and extrapolate recommendations for clinical practice. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search in the PubMed/MEDLINE database and in the Cochrane database. Included meta-analyses were assessed using Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria, with symptom improvement as the endpoint, in order to develop a recommendation grade for each clinical strategy identified. RESULTS Our search identified 21 meta-analyses of clozapine combination or augmentation strategies. No strategies met Grade A criteria. Strategies meeting Grade B included combinations with first- or second-generation antipsychotics, augmentation with electroconvulsive therapy for persistent positive symptoms, and combination with certain antidepressants (fluoxetine, duloxetine, citalopram) for persistent negative symptoms. Augmentation strategies with mood-stabilisers, anticonvulsants, glutamatergics, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation or cognitive behavioural therapy met Grades C-D criteria only. CONCLUSION More high-quality clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of add-on treatments for symptom improvement in patients with clozapine resistance. Applying definitions of clozapine resistance would improve the reporting of future clinical trials. Augmentation with second-generation antipsychotics and first-generation antipsychotics can be beneficial, but the supporting evidence is from low-quality studies. Electroconvulsive therapy may be effective for clozapine-resistant positive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Wagner
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Löhrs
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Dan Siskind
- 2 School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,3 Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - William G Honer
- 4 Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Peter Falkai
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
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22
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Effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Medial Prefrontal γ-Aminobutyric Acid Among Schizophrenia Patients: A Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study. J ECT 2018; 34:227-232. [PMID: 29877964 DOI: 10.1097/yct.0000000000000507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has often been applied to augment antipsychotics for schizophrenia patients. However, the underpinning mechanism is still unclear. Previous studies of major depressive disorder reported an increase in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) after ECT. The present study investigated the effects of ECT on medial prefrontal GABA in schizophrenia using a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. METHODS Inpatients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) were assigned to 2 groups, ECT group (n = 14) receiving ECT plus antipsychotic drugs (APD) and drug group (n = 17) only receiving antipsychotic drugs. Medial prefrontal GABA+/Cr concentrations of all patients were measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy at baseline and after 4-week treatment. Sex- and age-matched healthy comparisons (n = 19) were scanned at baseline. RESULTS γ-Aminobutyric acid level did not show a significant difference among 3 groups. However, when 2 patient groups were combined, their GABA level was significantly lower than that in healthy comparisons group. For schizophrenia patients, repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that both the group effect and group × time interaction were insignificant, but the time effect of baseline versus after treatment was significant. Exploratory post hoc paired t test found a significant increase of GABA only in ECT group, but not in drug group. No correlation was found between GABA change and clinical symptom improvement in either group. CONCLUSIONS γ-Aminobutyric acid level in the medial prefrontal lobe was reduced in schizophrenia patients. An increase in GABA concentration in the medial prefrontal cortex is more significantly associated with ECT plus antipsychotics than antipsychotics alone, possibly supporting the hypothesis of ECT augmentation for GABA mediated neural inhibition.
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ECT augmentation of clozapine for clozapine-resistant schizophrenia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 105:23-32. [PMID: 30144667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is common and debilitating. A subgroup of patients even has clozapine-resistant schizophrenia (CRS). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) augmentation of clozapine for CRS. Systematic literature search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on ECT augmentation of clozapine in CRS. Co-primary outcomes included symptomatic improvement at post-ECT assessment and study endpoint. Eighteen RCTs (n = 1769) with 20 active treatment arms were identified and meta-analyzed. Adjunctive ECT was superior to clozapine regarding symptomatic improvement at post-ECT assessment (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = -0.88, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): -1.33 to -0.44; I2 = 86%, P = 0.0001) and endpoint assessment (SMD: -1.44, 95%CI: -2.05 to -0.84; I2 = 95%, P < 0.00001), separating as early as week 1-2 (SMD = -0.54, 95%CI: -0.88 to -0.20; I2 = 77%, P = 0.002). Adjunctive ECT was also superior regarding study-defined response at post-ECT assessment (53.6% vs. 25.4%, Risk Ratio (RR) = 1.94, 95%CI: 1.59-2.36; I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001, number-needed-to-treat (NNT) = 3, 95%CI: 3-5) and endpoint assessment (67.7% vs. 41.4%, RR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.38-1.99; I2 = 47%, P < 0.00001, NNT = 4, 95%CI: 3-8), and remission at post-ECT assessment (13.3% vs. 3.7%, RR = 3.28, 95%CI: 1.80-5.99; I2 = 0%, P = 0.0001, NNT = 13, 95%CI: 6-100) and endpoint assessment (23.6% vs. 13.3%, RR = 1.80, 95%CI: 1.39 to 2.35; I2 = 5%, P < 0.0001, NNT = 14, 95%CI: 6-50). Patient-reported memory impairment (24.2% vs. 0%; RR = 16.10 (95%CI: 4.53-57.26); I2 = 0%, P < 0.0001, number-needed-to-harm (NNH) = 4, 95%CI: 2-14) and headache (14.5% vs 1.6%; RR = 4.03 (95%CI: 1.54-10.56); I2 = 0%, P = 0.005, NNH = 8, 95%CI: 4-50) occurred more frequently with adjunctive ECT. No significant group differences were found regarding discontinuation and other adverse effects. Despite increased frequency of self-reported memory impairment and headache, ECT augmentation of clozapine is a highly effective and relatively safe treatment for CRS. REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42018089959.
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Kim JH, Youn T, Choi JG, Jeong SH, Jung HY, Kim YS, Chung IW. Combination of Electroconvulsive Therapy and Clozapine in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia. Psychiatry Investig 2018; 15:829-835. [PMID: 30086612 PMCID: PMC6111217 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2018.05.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of the combination of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with clozapine-treated schizophrenia. METHODS Patients with clozapine-treated schizophrenia during five years of pre-determined period were recruited from Electronic Medical Record. Clinical effects of acute ECT on psychotic symptoms were investigated. We also tried to identify predictive variables requiring maintenance treatment of ECT. RESULTS Fourteen patients received ECT and clozapine and sixteen were treated with clozapine alone. In the ECT group, which could be refined as clozapine-resistance, PANSS total score was significantly reduced by 19.0±9.9 points, corresponding to a reduction rate of 18.5±8.3%. The clinical remission defined as 20% PANSS reduction criteria was achieved at 42.9%. The subscale factors were significantly reduced, among which the negative symptom was the least. There was no difference in demographic and clinical information between patients receiving and not receiving maintenance ECT, and not all patients seemed to need maintenance ECT if clozapine is continued. CONCLUSION Combination of ECT and clozapine in patients with clozapine-resistant schizophrenia resulted in a rapid and substantial reduction of psychotic symptoms. Further studies are needed to improve the effectiveness and tolerability of ECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Hyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry & Electroconvulsive Therapy Center, Dongguk University International Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Tak Youn
- Department of Psychiatry & Electroconvulsive Therapy Center, Dongguk University International Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea.,Institute of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Gwon Choi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Dongguk University International Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Hoon Jeong
- Department of Psychiatry, Eulji University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Yeon Jung
- Department of Psychiatry, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science and Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sik Kim
- Department of Psychiatry & Electroconvulsive Therapy Center, Dongguk University International Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea.,Institute of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - In Won Chung
- Department of Psychiatry & Electroconvulsive Therapy Center, Dongguk University International Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea.,Institute of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Republic of Korea
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW ECT remains an important, yet underutilized, treatment for schizophrenia. Recent research shows that medication-resistant patients with schizophrenia, including those resistant to clozapine, respond well to ECT augmentation. The purpose of this article is to review recent studies of the use of ECT in the treatment of schizophrenia. RECENT FINDINGS We performed an electronic database search for articles on ECT and schizophrenia, published in 2017. The main themes of these articles are: epidemiological data on ECT use from various countries; retrospective studies, prospective studies and meta-analyses focusing on efficacy and cognitive side-effects of ECT in schizophrenia; ECT technical parameters and potential biomarkers. SUMMARY There is growing evidence to support the use of ECT for augmentation of antipsychotic response in the treatment of schizophrenia. Cognitive side-effects are generally mild and transient. In fact, many studies show improvement in cognition, possibly related to the improvement in symptoms. There is wide variation among countries in the use of ECT for the treatment of schizophrenia. There are also variations in the choice of ECT electrode placement, parameters and schedules. These technical differences are likely minor and should not interfere with the treatment being offered to patients. Further, long-term studies are needed to optimize ECT treatment parameters, to examine the effect of maintenance ECT and to investigate neuroimaging/biomarkers to understand the mechanism of action and identify potential response predictors to ECT.
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