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James SH, Strauss GP. Racial differences in attenuated psychotic symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early Interv Psychiatry 2024; 18:165-169. [PMID: 37434396 PMCID: PMC10782813 DOI: 10.1111/eip.13451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
AIM Rates of attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS) have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, it is unclear whether this is most evident among individuals from marginalized racial groups. METHODS The current study evaluated APS screening data across a six-year period in the state of Georgia in the United States, spanning several years prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate interactions between time and race. Participants included 435 clinical help-seeking individuals. RESULTS The rate of individuals scoring above the APS screening cut-off was higher during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic (41% vs 23%). This pandemic-related increase in APS was significant for Black, but not White or Asian participants. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate APS are increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic among clinical help-seeking populations. Black individuals may be at greater risk for developing a psychotic disorder during the pandemic, suggesting increased need for screening, mental health monitoring, and treatment.
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Strauss GP, Walker EF, Pelletier-Baldelli A, Carter NT, Ellman LM, Schiffman J, Luther L, James SH, Berglund AM, Gupta T, Ristanovic I, Mittal VA. Development and Validation of the Negative Symptom Inventory-Psychosis Risk. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:1205-1216. [PMID: 37186040 PMCID: PMC10483448 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESES Early identification and prevention of psychosis is limited by the availability of tools designed to assess negative symptoms in those at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR). To address this critical need, a multi-site study was established to develop and validate a clinical rating scale designed specifically for individuals at CHR: The Negative Symptom Inventory-Psychosis Risk (NSI-PR). STUDY DESIGN The measure was developed according to guidelines recommended by the NIMH Consensus Conference on Negative Symptoms using a transparent, iterative, and data-driven process. A 16-item version of the NSI-PR was designed to have an overly inclusive set of items and lengthier interview to support the ultimate intention of creating a new briefer measure. Psychometric properties of the 16-item NSI-PR were evaluated in a sample of 218 CHR participants. STUDY RESULTS Item-level analyses indicated that men had higher scores than women. Reliability analyses supported internal consistency, inter-rater agreement, and temporal stability. Associations with measures of negative symptoms and functioning supported convergent validity. Small correlations with positive, disorganized, and general symptoms supported discriminant validity. Structural analyses indicated a 5-factor structure (anhedonia, avolition, asociality, alogia, and blunted affect). Item response theory identified items for removal and indicated that the anchor range could be reduced. Factor loadings, item-level correlations, item-total correlations, and skew further supported removal of certain items. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the psychometric properties of the NSI-PR and guided the creation of a new 11-item NSI-PR that will be validated in the next phase of this multi-site scale development project.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elaine F Walker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Nathan T Carter
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Lauren M Ellman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jason Schiffman
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California- Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Luther
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Sydney H James
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Tina Gupta
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Ivanka Ristanovic
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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Berglund AM, James SH, Raugh IM, Strauss GP. Beliefs About the Uncontrollability and Usefulness of Emotion in the Schizophrenia-Spectrum: Links to Emotion Regulation and Negative Symptoms. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2023; 47:282-294. [PMID: 36779179 PMCID: PMC9894745 DOI: 10.1007/s10608-023-10357-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Beliefs about the usefulness and controllability of emotions are associated with emotion regulation and psychological distress in the general population. Although individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders evidence emotion regulation abnormalities, it is unclear whether emotional beliefs contribute to these difficulties and their associated poor clinical outcomes. Methods Participants included 72 individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses (outpatients with schizophrenia n = 38; youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis, n = 34) and healthy controls (CN: n = 61) who completed the Emotional Beliefs Questionnaire, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and measures of clinical symptom severity. Results Those with schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses reported believing that emotions were less controllable than CN; however, groups did not differ regarding beliefs about the usefulness of emotion. Greater beliefs of the uncontrollability of emotion were associated with greater use of suppression, less use of reappraisal, and increased negative symptoms. Emotion regulation partially mediated the association between emotional beliefs and negative symptoms. Conclusions Individuals in the schizophrenia-spectrum display superordinate beliefs that emotions are uncontrollable. These beliefs may influence emotion regulation strategy selection and success, which contributes to negative symptoms. Findings suggest that beliefs of emotional uncontrollability reflect a novel process related to both emotion regulation and negative symptoms that could be targeted in psychosocial treatments. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10608-023-10357-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alysia M. Berglund
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St, Athens, GA USA
| | - Sydney H. James
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St, Athens, GA USA
| | - Ian M. Raugh
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St, Athens, GA USA
| | - Gregory P. Strauss
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, 125 Baldwin St, Athens, GA USA
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Strauss GP, Bartolomeo LA, Luther L. Reduced willingness to expend effort for rewards is associated with risk for conversion and negative symptom severity in youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis. Psychol Med 2023; 53:714-721. [PMID: 34120660 DOI: 10.1017/s003329172100204x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia (SZ) is typically preceded by a prodromal (i.e. pre-illness) period characterized by attenuated positive symptoms and declining functional outcome. Negative symptoms are prominent among individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis (i.e. those with prodromal syndromes) and predictive of conversion to illness. Mechanisms underlying negative symptoms are unclear in the CHR population. METHODS The current study evaluated whether CHR participants demonstrated deficits in the willingness to expend effort for rewards and whether these impairments are associated with negative symptoms and greater risk for conversion. Participants included 44 CHR participants and 32 healthy controls (CN) who completed the Effort Expenditure for Reward Task (EEfRT). RESULTS Compared to CN, CHR participants displayed reduced likelihood of exerting high effort for high probability and magnitude rewards. Among CHR participants, reduced effort expenditure was associated with greater negative symptom severity and greater probability of conversion to a psychotic disorder on a cross-sectional risk calculator. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that effort-cost computation is a marker of illness liability and a transphasic mechanism underlying negative symptoms in the SZ spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lauren Luther
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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5
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Macfie WG, Spilka MJ, Bartolomeo LA, Gonzalez CM, Strauss GP. Emotion regulation and social knowledge in youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis and outpatients with chronic schizophrenia: Associations with functional outcome and negative symptoms. Early Interv Psychiatry 2023; 17:21-28. [PMID: 35362242 PMCID: PMC10084209 DOI: 10.1111/eip.13287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
AIM Previous studies indicate that several aspects of social cognition are associated with poor social and vocational outcome in the chronic phase of psychosis. However, it is less clear whether specific aspects of social cognition are impaired in those at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis and associated with functioning. The current study evaluated two understudied components of social cognition, emotion regulation knowledge and social knowledge, to determine whether CHR and chronic schizophrenia (SZ) samples demonstrated comparable magnitudes of impairment and associations with functioning. METHODS Two studies were conducted. Study 1 included n = 98 outpatients with chronic SZ and n = 88 demographically matched healthy controls (CN). Study 2 included 30 CHR and 30 matched CN participants. In both studies, participants completed the emotion management and social management subtests of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test to assess emotion regulation knowledge and social knowledge, respectively. A battery of clinical interviews was also administered, including measures of: role and social functioning, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, disorganization and general symptoms. RESULTS Individuals with SZ demonstrated lower emotion management and social management scores than CN participants. CHR demonstrated lower scores in social management than CN but did not display deficits in emotion management. In both studies, reduced social knowledge was associated with worse functioning and negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that deficits in social knowledge are transphasic across the SZ spectrum, and are associated with clinical functioning. Social knowledge may be a novel treatment target for psychosocial interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- William G Macfie
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Michael J Spilka
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Lisa A Bartolomeo
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Gregory P Strauss
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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6
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Giordano GM, Caporusso E, Pezzella P, Galderisi S. Updated perspectives on the clinical significance of negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Expert Rev Neurother 2022; 22:541-555. [PMID: 35758871 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2022.2092402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Negative symptoms in schizophrenia are associated with poor response to available treatments, poor quality of life, and functional outcome. Therefore, they represent a substantial burden for people with schizophrenia, their families, and health-care systems. AREAS COVERED In this manuscript, we will provide an update on the conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of this complex psychopathological dimension of schizophrenia. EXPERT OPINION Despite the progress in the conceptualization of negative symptoms and in the development of state-of-the-art assessment instruments made in the last decades, these symptoms are still poorly recognized, and not always assessed in line with current conceptualization. Every effort should be made to disseminate the current knowledge on negative symptoms, on their assessment instruments and available treatments whose efficacy is supported by research evidence. Longitudinal studies should be promoted to evaluate the natural course of negative symptoms, improve our ability to identify the different sources of secondary negative symptoms, provide effective interventions, and target primary and persistent negative symptoms with innovative treatment strategies. Further research is needed to identify pathophysiological mechanisms of primary negative symptoms and foster the development of new treatments.
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7
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Strauss GP, Raugh IM, Zhang L, Luther L, Chapman HC, Allen DN, Kirkpatrick B, Cohen AS. Validation of accelerometry as a digital phenotyping measure of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 8:37. [PMID: 35853890 PMCID: PMC9261099 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-022-00241-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Negative symptoms are commonly assessed via clinical rating scales; however, these measures have several inherent limitations that impact validity and utility for their use in clinical trials. Objective digital phenotyping measures that overcome some of these limitations are now available. The current study evaluated the validity of accelerometry (ACL), a passive digital phenotyping method that involves collecting data on the presence, vigor, and variability of movement. Outpatients with schizophrenia (SZ: n = 50) and demographically matched healthy controls (CN: n = 70) had ACL continuously recorded from a smartphone and smartband for 6 days. Active digital phenotyping assessments, including surveys related to activity context, were also collected via 8 daily surveys throughout the 6 day period. SZ participants had lower scores on phone ACL variables reflecting vigor and variability of movement compared to CN. ACL variables demonstrated convergent validity as indicated by significant correlations with active digital phenotyping self-reports of time spent in goal-directed activities and clinical ratings of negative symptoms. The discriminant validity of ACL was demonstrated by low correlations with clinical rating scale measures of positive, disorganized, and total symptoms. Collectively, findings suggest that ACL is a valid objective measure of negative symptoms that may complement traditional approaches to assessing the construct using clinical rating scales.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian M Raugh
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Luyu Zhang
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lauren Luther
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Hannah C Chapman
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Daniel N Allen
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Brian Kirkpatrick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Alex S Cohen
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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8
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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on negative symptoms in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis and outpatients with chronic schizophrenia. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 272:17-27. [PMID: 33881621 PMCID: PMC8057945 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-021-01260-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Negative symptoms are core features of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders that are frequently observed across all phases of illness. By their nature, COVID-19 social isolation, physical distancing, and health precautions induce behavioural aspects of negative symptoms. However, it is unclear whether these prevention measures also lead to increases in experiential negative symptoms, whether such effects are equivalent across individual negative symptom domains, and if exacerbations occur equivalently across phases of illness. The current study compared negative symptom severity scores obtained during the pandemic to pre-pandemic assessments in two samples: (1) outpatients with chronic schizophrenia (SZ: n = 32) and matched healthy controls (CN: n = 31) and (2) individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR: n = 25) and matched CN (n = 30). Pre-pandemic ratings of negative symptoms were clinically elevated in SZ and CHR groups, which did not differ from each other in severity. In SZ, ratings obtained during the pandemic were significantly higher than pre-pandemic ratings for all 5 domains (alogia, blunted affect, anhedonia, avolition, and asociality) and item-level analyses indicated that exacerbations occurred on both experiential and behavioral symptoms of anhedonia, avolition, and asociality. In contrast, CHR only exhibited increases in anhedonia and avolition items during the pandemic compared to pre-ratings. Findings suggest that negative symptoms should be a critical treatment target during and after the pandemic in the schizophrenia spectrum given that they are worsening and critically related to risk for conversion, functional outcome, and recovery.
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Chan KN, Chang WC, Ng CM, Lee HC, Chan SI, Chiu SY, Wong CF, Wo SF, Lee HM, Chan KW, Wong MC, Chan KL, Yeung WS, Chan CWH, Choy LW, Chong SY, Siu MW, Lo TL, Yan WC, Ng MK, Poon LT, Pang PF, Lam WC, Wong YC, Chung WS, Mo YM, Lui SY, Hui LM, Chen EYH. Sex differences in symptom severity, cognition and psychosocial functioning among individuals with at-risk mental state for psychosis. Early Interv Psychiatry 2022; 16:61-68. [PMID: 33590717 DOI: 10.1111/eip.13131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM Sex differences are well documented in schizophrenia, but have been much less studied in at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis. We aimed to examine sex differences in symptomatology, cognition, social and role functioning in individuals with ARMS, with specific focus on clarifying relationships between sex, negative symptoms and functioning. METHODS One hundred and seventy-seven Chinese participants aged 15-40 years with ARMS were recruited from a specialized early intervention service in Hong Kong. ARMS status was verified by Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental State. Assessments encompassing symptom profiles, a brief battery of cognitive tests and social and role functioning were conducted. Brief Negative Symptom Scale was adapted to measure negative symptoms at the level of five core domains. RESULTS Males with ARMS exhibited significantly poorer social functioning and more severe asociality of negative symptoms than female counterparts. Mediation analysis revealed that sex difference in social functioning became statistically insignificant when asocality was included in the model, indicating that asociality mediated the relationship between sex and social functioning. No sex differences were observed in other core domains of negative symptoms, other symptom dimensions, cognitive measures and role functioning. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that sex differences in ARMS may be less pronounced that those observed in established psychotic disorders. Our findings of differential pattern of asociality between sexes and its mediating role on sex difference in social functioning underscore the importance in investigating negative symptoms at a separable domain-level. Further research is required to identify sex-specific predictors of longitudinal outcomes in at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwun Nam Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing Chung Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chung Mun Ng
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hoi Ching Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suet In Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - San Yin Chiu
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cheuk Fei Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sui Fung Wo
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho Ming Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kit Wa Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ming Cheuk Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwok Ling Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Song Yeung
- Department of Psychiatry, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Charles Wai Hong Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lam Wai Choy
- Department of Psychiatry, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shiu Yin Chong
- Department of Psychiatry, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man Wa Siu
- Department of Psychiatry, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tak Lam Lo
- Department of Psychiatry, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Ching Yan
- Department of Psychiatry, Kowloon Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man Kin Ng
- Department of Psychiatry, Kowloon Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lap Tak Poon
- Department of Psychiatry, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pui Fai Pang
- Department of Psychiatry, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Chung Lam
- Department of Psychiatry, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yip Chau Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, Tai Po Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Sau Chung
- Department of Psychiatry, Tai Po Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi Man Mo
- Department of Psychiatry, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sai Yu Lui
- Department of Psychiatry, Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lai Ming Hui
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eric Yu Hai Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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10
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Bartolomeo LA, Chapman HC, Raugh IM, Strauss GP. Delay discounting in youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis and adults with schizophrenia. Psychol Med 2021; 51:1898-1905. [PMID: 32248851 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720000677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia (SZ) is typically preceded by a prodromal (i.e. pre-illness) period characterized by attenuated positive symptoms and declining functional outcome. Negative symptoms are prominent among individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis (i.e. those with prodromal syndromes) and highly predictive of conversion to illness. Mechanisms underlying negative symptoms in the CHR population are unclear. Two studies were conducted to evaluate whether abnormalities in a reward processing mechanism thought to be core to negative symptoms in SZ, value representation, also exist in CHR individuals and whether they are associated with negative symptoms transphasically. METHODS Study 1 included 33 individuals in the chronic phase of illness who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SZ) and 40 healthy controls (CN). Study 2 included 37 CHR participants and 45 CN. In both studies, participants completed the delay discounting (DD) task as a measure of value representation and the Brief Negative Symptom Scale was rated to measure negative symptoms. RESULTS Results indicated that patients with SZ had steeper discounting rates than CN, indicating impairments in value representation. However, CHR participants were unimpaired on the DD task. In both studies, steeper discounting was associated with greater severity of negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that deficits in value representation are associated with negative symptoms transphasically.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian M Raugh
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, USA
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11
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Clay KB, Raugh IM, Bartolomeo LA, Strauss GP. Defeatist performance beliefs in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis and outpatients with chronic schizophrenia. Early Interv Psychiatry 2021; 15:865-873. [PMID: 32743974 DOI: 10.1111/eip.13024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM Prior studies indicate that defeatist performance beliefs (DPBs) are elevated in those in the chronic phase of schizophrenia (SZ) and associated with negative symptoms, functional outcome and neurocognitive impairment. However, it is unclear whether these same patterns of results hold in participants at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis. METHODS Two studies were conducted to determine whether prior results in SZ could be replicated and extended to CHR. Participants included 184 healthy controls (CN) and 186 outpatients with chronic SZ for Study 1, and 30 CN and 35 CHR in Study 2. In both studies, participants completed the DPB scale and measures of negative symptoms, psychosocial functioning and neurocognition. RESULTS Both chronic SZ and CHR participants had elevated DPBs compared to CN (p's < .01). In SZ, higher DPBs were associated with greater negative symptoms (r's = .31-.37, p's < .01), poorer social functioning and impaired social cognition (r = -.40, P < .001). In CHR, greater DPBs were associated with poorer social functioning (r = -.52, P < .05) and impairments in the neurocognitive domains of reasoning (r = -.48, P < .05) and processing speed (r = -.41, P < .05). Models testing whether DPBs mediated links between negative symptoms and functioning, negative symptoms and cognition and cognition and functioning were nonsignificant in SZ and CHR samples. CONCLUSIONS Findings generally provide support for the cognitive model of negative symptoms and functioning and suggest that DPBs are an important clinical target across phases of psychotic illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall B Clay
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Ian M Raugh
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Lisa A Bartolomeo
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Gregory P Strauss
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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12
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Reinforcement learning abnormalities in the attenuated psychosis syndrome and first episode psychosis. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 47:11-19. [PMID: 33819817 PMCID: PMC8197752 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Prior studies indicate that chronic schizophrenia (SZ) is associated with a specific profile of reinforcement learning abnormalities. These impairments are characterized by: 1) reductions in learning rate, and 2) impaired Go learning and intact NoGo learning. Furthermore, each of these deficits are associated with greater severity of negative symptoms, consistent with theoretical perspectives positing that avolition and anhedonia are associated with impaired value representation. However, it is unclear whether these deficits extend to earlier phases of psychotic illness and when individuals are unmedicated. Two studies were conducted to examine reinforcement learning deficits in earlier phases of psychosis and in high risk patients. In study 1, participants included 35 participants with first episode psychosis (FEP) with limited antipsychotic medication exposure and 25 healthy controls (HC). Study 2 included 17 antipsychotic naïve individuals who were at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR) (i.e., attenuated psychosis syndrome) and 18 matched healthy controls (HC). In both studies, participants completed the Temporal Utility Integration Task, a measure of probabilistic reinforcement learning that contained Go and NoGo learning blocks. FEP displayed impaired Go and NoGo learning. In contrast, CHR did not display impairments in Go or NoGo learning. Impaired Go learning was not significantly associated with clinical outcomes in the CHR or FEP samples. Findings provide new evidence for areas of spared and impaired reinforcement learning in early phases of psychosis.
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Galderisi S, Mucci A, Dollfus S, Nordentoft M, Falkai P, Kaiser S, Giordano GM, Vandevelde A, Nielsen MØ, Glenthøj LB, Sabé M, Pezzella P, Bitter I, Gaebel W. EPA guidance on assessment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Eur Psychiatry 2021; 64:e23. [PMID: 33597064 PMCID: PMC8080207 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background During the last decades, a renewed interest for negative symptoms (NS) was brought about by the increased awareness that they interfere severely with real-life functioning, particularly when they are primary and persistent. Methods In this guidance paper, we provide a systematic review of the evidence and elaborate several recommendations for the conceptualization and assessment of NS in clinical trials and practice. Results Expert consensus and systematic reviews have provided guidance for the optimal assessment of primary and persistent negative symptoms; second-generation rating scales, which provide a better assessment of the experiential domains, are available; however, NS are still poorly assessed both in research and clinical settings. This European Psychiatric Association (EPA) guidance recommends the use of persistent negative symptoms (PNS) construct in the context of clinical trials and highlights the need for further efforts to make the definition of PNS consistent across studies in order to exclude as much as possible secondary negative symptoms. We also encourage clinicians to use second-generation scales, at least to complement first-generation ones. The EPA guidance further recommends the evidence-based exclusion of several items included in first-generation scales from any NS summary or factor score to improve NS measurement in research and clinical settings. Self-rated instruments are suggested to further complement observer-rated scales in NS assessment. Several recommendations are provided for the identification of secondary negative symptoms in clinical settings. Conclusions The dissemination of this guidance paper may promote the development of national guidelines on negative symptom assessment and ultimately improve the care of people with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Galderisi
- Department of Psychiatry, Campania University Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - A Mucci
- Department of Psychiatry, Campania University Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - S Dollfus
- CHU de Caen, Service de Psychiatrie, 14000Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, ISTS EA 7466, GIP Cyceron, 14000Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, UFR de Médecine, 14000Caen, France
| | - M Nordentoft
- Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health (CORE), Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, CINS, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - P Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - S Kaiser
- Division of Adult Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - G M Giordano
- Department of Psychiatry, Campania University Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - A Vandevelde
- CHU de Caen, Service de Psychiatrie, 14000Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, ISTS EA 7466, GIP Cyceron, 14000Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, UFR de Médecine, 14000Caen, France
| | - M Ø Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, CINS, Glostrup, Denmark.,Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, CNSR, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - L B Glenthøj
- Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health (CORE), Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, CINS, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - M Sabé
- Division of Adult Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - P Pezzella
- Department of Psychiatry, Campania University Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - I Bitter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - W Gaebel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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14
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Devoe DJ, Lu L, Cannon TD, Cadenhead KS, Cornblatt BA, McGlashan TH, Perkins DO, Seidman LJ, Tsuang MT, Woods SW, Walker EF, Mathalon DH, Bearden CE, Addington J. Persistent negative symptoms in youth at clinical high risk for psychosis: A longitudinal study. Schizophr Res 2021; 227:28-37. [PMID: 32362460 PMCID: PMC7606256 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severity of negative symptoms has been associated with poor functioning, cognitive deficits, and defeatist beliefs in schizophrenia patients. However, one area that remains understudied is persistent negative symptoms (PNS). Negative symptoms, including PNS, have been observed in those at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis. The aim of this study was to determine if PNS were associated with functioning, neurocognition, and defeatist beliefs in a CHR sample. METHOD CHR participants (n = 764) were recruited for the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study. Negative symptoms were rated on the Scale of Psychosis-risk Symptoms. Generalized linear mixed models for repeated measures were used to examine changes over time between and within groups (PNS vs non-PNS). RESULTS The PNS group (n = 67) had significant deficits in functioning at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24-months compared to the non-PNS group (n = 673). Functioning improved over time in the non-PNS group, while functioning in the PNS group remained relatively stable and poor over a two-year period. A consistent trend emerged demonstrating higher defeatist beliefs in the PNS group; however, this result was lost when controlling for persistent depressive symptoms. There were no significant differences between the groups on neurocognition, social cognition, and transition to psychosis. CONCLUSIONS PNS exist in youth at CHR for psychosis, resulting in significant and persistent functional impairment, which remains when controlling for persistent depressive symptoms. PNS remain even in CHR youth who do not transition to psychosis. Thus, PNS may represent an unmet therapeutic need in CHR populations for which there are currently no effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Devoe
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - L Lu
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - T D Cannon
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - K S Cadenhead
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - B A Cornblatt
- Department of Psychiatry, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Queens, NY, United States
| | - T H McGlashan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - D O Perkins
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - L J Seidman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - M T Tsuang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - S W Woods
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - E F Walker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - D H Mathalon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States; Psychiatry Service, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - C E Bearden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Department Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - J Addington
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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15
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Strauss GP, Pelletier-Baldelli A, Visser KF, Walker EF, Mittal VA. Reprint of: A review of negative symptom assessment strategies in youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis. Schizophr Res 2021; 227:63-71. [PMID: 33526203 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Studies attempting to deconstruct the heterogeneity of schizophrenia and the attenuated psychosis syndrome consistently find that negative symptoms are a core dimension that is distinct from other aspects of the illness (e.g., positive and disorganized symptoms). Negative symptoms are also highly predictive of poor community-based functional outcomes, suggesting they are a critical treatment target. Unfortunately, pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for negative symptoms have demonstrated limited effectiveness. To address this critical unmet therapeutic need, the NIMH sponsored a consensus development conference to delineate research priorities for the field and stimulate treatment development. A primary conclusion of this meeting was that next-generation negative symptom rating scales should be developed to address methodological and conceptual limitations of existing instruments. Although second-generation rating scales were developed for adults with schizophrenia, progress in this area has lagged behind for youth at clinical-high risk (CHR) for developing psychosis (i.e. those meeting criteria for a prodromal syndrome). Given that negative symptoms are highly predictive of the transition to diagnosable psychotic illness, enhancing our ability to detect negative symptoms in CHR youth is paramount. The current paper discusses conceptual and methodological limitations inherent to existing scales that assess negative symptoms in CHR youth. The theoretical and clinical implications of these limitations are evaluated. It is concluded that new scales specifically designed to assess negative symptoms in CHR youth are needed to accurately chart mental illness trajectories and determine when, where, and how to intervene. Recent efforts to develop next-generation measures designed specifically for CHR youth to meet this urgent need in the field are discussed. These new approaches offer significant progress for addressing issues inherent to earlier scales.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elaine F Walker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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16
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Chang WC, Strauss GP, Ahmed AO, Wong SCY, Chan JKN, Lee EHM, Chan SKW, Hui CLM, James SH, Chapman HC, Chen EYH. The Latent Structure of Negative Symptoms in Individuals With Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome and Early Psychosis: Support for the 5 Consensus Domains. Schizophr Bull 2020; 47:386-394. [PMID: 32909606 PMCID: PMC7965067 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbaa129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Negative symptoms are prevalent in the prodromal and first-episode phases of psychosis and highly predictive of poor clinical outcomes (eg, liability for conversion and functioning). However, the latent structure of negative symptoms is unclear in the early phases of illness. Determining the latent structure of negative symptoms in early psychosis (EP) is of critical importance for early identification, prevention, and treatment efforts. In the current study, confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate latent structure in relation to 4 theoretically derived models: 1. a 1-factor model, 2. a 2-factor model with expression (EXP) and motivation and pleasure (MAP) factors, 3. a 5-factor model with separate factors for the 5 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) consensus development conference domains (blunted affect, alogia, anhedonia, avolition, and asociality), and 4. a hierarchical model with 2 second-order factors reflecting EXP and MAP, as well as 5 first-order factors reflecting the 5 consensus domains. Participants included 164 individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) who met the criteria for a prodromal syndrome and 377 EP patients who were rated on the Brief Negative Symptom Scale. Results indicated that the 1- and 2-factor models provided poor fit for the data. The 5-factor and hierarchical models provided excellent fit, with the 5-factor model outperforming the hierarchical model. These findings suggest that similar to the chronic phase of schizophrenia, the latent structure of negative symptom is best conceptualized in relation to the 5 consensus domains in the CHR and EP populations. Implications for early identification, prevention, and treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Chung Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Gregory P Strauss
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: +1-706-542-0307, fax: +1-706-542-3275, e-mail:
| | - Anthony O Ahmed
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Sandra C Y Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Joe K N Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Edwin H M Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Sherry K W Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Christy L M Hui
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Sydney H James
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | | | - Eric Y H Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
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17
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Abstract
Emotion regulation dysfunction is characteristic of psychotic disorders, but little is known about how the use of specific types of emotion regulation strategies differs across phases of psychotic illness. This information is vital for understanding factors contributing to psychosis vulnerability states and developing targeted treatments. Three studies were conducted to examine emotion regulation across phases of psychosis, which included (a) adolescent community members with psychotic-like experiences (PLEs; n = 262) and adolescents without PLEs (n = 1,226); (b) adolescents who met clinical high-risk criteria for a prodromal syndrome (n = 29) and healthy controls (n = 29); and (c) outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SZ; n = 61) and healthy controls (n = 67). In each study, participants completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and measures of psychiatric symptoms and functional outcome. The three psychosis groups did not differ from each other in reported use of suppression; however, there was evidence for a vulnerability-related, dose-dependent decrease in reappraisal. Across each sample, a lower use of reappraisal was associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Findings indicate that emotion regulation abnormalities occur across a continuum of psychosis vulnerability and represent important targets for intervention.
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18
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A Meta-Analysis of Neuropsychological Effort Test Performance in Psychotic Disorders. Neuropsychol Rev 2020; 30:407-424. [PMID: 32766940 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-020-09448-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Psychotic disorders are characterized by a generalized neurocognitive deficit (i.e., performance 1.5 SD below controls across neuropsychological domains with no specific profile of differential deficits). A motivational account of the generalized neurocognitive deficit has been proposed, which attributes poor neuropsychological testing performance to low effort. However, findings are inconsistent regarding effort test failure rate in individuals with psychotic disorders across studies (0-72%), and moderators are unclear, making it difficult to know whether the motivational explanation is viable. To address these issues, a meta-analysis was performed on data from 2205 individuals with psychotic disorders across 19 studies with 24 independent effects. Effort failure rate was examined along with moderators of effort test type, forensic status, IQ, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, diagnosis, age, gender, education, and antipsychotic use. The pooled weighted effort test failure rate was 18% across studies and there was a moderate pooled association between effort failure rate and global neurocognitive performance (r = .57). IQ and education significantly moderated failure rate. Collectively, these findings suggest that a nontrivial proportion of individuals with a psychotic disorder fail effort testing, and failure rate is associated with global neuropsychological impairment. However, given that effort tests are not immune to the effects of IQ in psychotic disorders, these results cannot attest to the viability of the motivational account of the generalized neurocognitive deficit. Furthermore, the significant moderating effect of IQ and education on effort test performance suggests that effort tests have questionable validity in this population and should be interpreted with caution.
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19
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Strauss GP, Pelletier-Baldelli A, Visser KF, Walker EF, Mittal VA. A review of negative symptom assessment strategies in youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis. Schizophr Res 2020; 222:104-112. [PMID: 32522469 PMCID: PMC7572550 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Studies attempting to deconstruct the heterogeneity of schizophrenia and the attenuated psychosis syndrome consistently find that negative symptoms are a core dimension that is distinct from other aspects of the illness (e.g., positive and disorganized symptoms). Negative symptoms are also highly predictive of poor community-based functional outcomes, suggesting they are a critical treatment target. Unfortunately, pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for negative symptoms have demonstrated limited effectiveness. To address this critical unmet therapeutic need, the NIMH sponsored a consensus development conference to delineate research priorities for the field and stimulate treatment development. A primary conclusion of this meeting was that next-generation negative symptom rating scales should be developed to address methodological and conceptual limitations of existing instruments. Although second-generation rating scales were developed for adults with schizophrenia, progress in this area has lagged behind for youth at clinical-high risk (CHR) for developing psychosis (i.e. those meeting criteria for a prodromal syndrome). Given that negative symptoms are highly predictive of the transition to diagnosable psychotic illness, enhancing our ability to detect negative symptoms in CHR youth is paramount. The current paper discusses conceptual and methodological limitations inherent to existing scales that assess negative symptoms in CHR youth. The theoretical and clinical implications of these limitations are evaluated. It is concluded that new scales specifically designed to assess negative symptoms in CHR youth are needed to accurately chart mental illness trajectories and determine when, where, and how to intervene. Recent efforts to develop next-generation measures designed specifically for CHR youth to meet this urgent need in the field are discussed. These new approaches offer significant progress for addressing issues inherent to earlier scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory P. Strauss
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA,Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Gregory P. Strauss, Ph.D., . Phone: +1-706-542-0307. Fax: +1-706-542-3275. University of Georgia, Department of Psychology, 125 Baldwin St., Athens, GA 30602
| | | | | | | | - Vijay A. Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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20
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Abstract
LEARNING OBJECTIVE After participating in this activity, learners should be better able to:• Evaluate the relationship between negative symptoms and functioning in youth at clinical high risk for psychosis. AIM Youth at CHR for psychosis often demonstrate significant negative symptoms and poor functioning, though the magnitude and direction of the relationship between the two remains unknown. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize the relationship between negative symptoms and functioning in CHR samples. METHOD Electronic databases CINAHL, EBM, Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were searched from inception. Studies were selected if they included any study that reported a relationship between negative symptoms and functioning in youth at clinical high risk (CHR). The correlation coefficient r was converted to Cohen's d, and all random-effects meta-analyses were performed using the transformed values. RESULTS Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, including a total of 4574 individuals at CHR for psychosis. Negative symptom total scores were significantly associated with poorer global functioning (d, -1.40; 95% CI, -1.82 to -0.98; I = 79.4%; p < .001 [9 studies, n = 782]), social functioning (d, -1.10; 95% CI, -1.27 to -0.93; I = 10.40%; p < .001 [12 studies, n = 811]), and role functioning (d, -0.96; 95% CI, -1.17 to -0.76; I = 41.1%; p < .001 [9 studies, n = 881]). In addition, negative symptoms were consistently associated with poor premorbid functioning. When examining negative symptom domains, avolition, anhedonia, and blunted affect were each significantly and independently associated with poorer social functioning and role functioning. In terms of prediction models, negative symptoms contributed to the prediction of lower functioning across multiple studies. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis demonstrates a strong relationship between negative symptoms and functioning in youth at clinical high risk for psychosis.
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21
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Azis M, Strauss GP, Walker E, Revelle W, Zinbarg R, Mittal V. Factor Analysis of Negative Symptom Items in the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes. Schizophr Bull 2019; 45:1042-1050. [PMID: 30535399 PMCID: PMC6737478 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sby177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Negative symptoms occur early in the clinical high risk (CHR) state and indicate increased risk of conversion to psychotic disorder and poor functional outcome. However, while the negative symptom domain has shown to be parsimoniously explained by a 2-factor construct in schizophrenia, there has yet to be an established factor structure of negative symptoms in CHR. METHODS 214 individuals meeting the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS) criteria for CHR were recruited through 3 active research programs in the United States. Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted on the 6 negative symptom items of the SIPS, and factors were evaluated with respect to functional outcome and depression. RESULTS Factor analysis indicated a 2-factor hierarchical model with 2 negative symptom dimensions reflecting volition (Occupational Functioning and Avolition) and emotion (Expression of Emotion, Experience of Emotion and Social Anhedonia). Linear Regression showed that the emotion factor was associated with poor social function, and the volition factor was associated with poor role function and depression. CONCLUSIONS Similar to factor solutions identified in adults diagnosed with psychotic disorders, results indicated that the SIPS negative symptom subscale is not a unidimensional construct. Rather, the SIPS negative subscale has 2 distinct factors that have different associations with clinical outcome and should be interpreted independently. Results have significant relevance for informing the valid assessment and conceptual interpretation of early clinical phenomenology in the psychosis prodrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda Azis
- Department of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Institute for Policy Research, Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | | | - Elaine Walker
- Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - William Revelle
- Department of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Institute for Policy Research, Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | - Richard Zinbarg
- Department of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Institute for Policy Research, Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | - Vijay Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Institute for Policy Research, Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
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22
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Dollfus S, Delouche C, Hervochon C, Mach C, Bourgeois V, Rotharmel M, Tréhout M, Vandevelde A, Guillin O, Morello R. Specificity and sensitivity of the Self-assessment of Negative Symptoms (SNS) in patients with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2019; 211:51-55. [PMID: 31345705 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Negative symptoms can be present at any stage of schizophrenia but their evaluation remains challenging. Self-evaluations may be particularly useful in screening negative symptoms quickly and effectively. The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity, the specificity, and the threshold beyond which the negative symptoms are considered pathological in a comparative study between patients with schizophrenia and healthy subjects using the Self-assessment of Negative Symptoms (SNS). METHODS One hundred and nine patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders (DSM-5) and 99 healthy controls were included and evaluated with the SNS. AUROC analyses were performed to assess the discriminant performance of the SNS scale for screening negative symptoms in the whole sample of patients but also in 2 patient sub-samples without high scores of depression or negative symptoms. RESULTS The SNS (AUROC = 0.942 ± 0.046; p < 0.001) appears to be an appropriate screening tool for distinguishing between SZ and HC with a threshold value of 7, and the sensitivity and specificity were 92.7% (95CI = [86.1-96.8]) and 85.9% (95CI = [77.4-92.1]) respectively. A threshold at 7 was also observed in the samples without patients with high level of depressive or negative symptoms. CONCLUSION These results indicate that SNS might be a valuable tool for screening negative symptoms in clinical practice regardless the level of depressive and negative symptoms. Further studies using SNS in subjects at high risk for psychosis or with a first psychotic episode would be useful in the detection of negative symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Dollfus
- CHU de Caen, Service de Psychiatrie, 14000 Caen, France; Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, ISTS, GIP Cyceron, 14000 Caen, France; Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, UFR de Médecine, 14000 Caen, France.
| | | | | | - Cyril Mach
- CHU de Caen, Service de Psychiatrie, 14000 Caen, France
| | | | - Maud Rotharmel
- Centre Hospitalier du Rouvray, 76300 Rouen, France; CHU Charles Nicolle, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Maxime Tréhout
- CHU de Caen, Service de Psychiatrie, 14000 Caen, France; Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, ISTS, GIP Cyceron, 14000 Caen, France; Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, UFR de Médecine, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Anaïs Vandevelde
- CHU de Caen, Service de Psychiatrie, 14000 Caen, France; Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, ISTS, GIP Cyceron, 14000 Caen, France; Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, UFR de Médecine, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Olivier Guillin
- Centre Hospitalier du Rouvray, 76300 Rouen, France; CHU Charles Nicolle, 76000 Rouen, France; INSERM U 1079, University of Medicine, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Rémy Morello
- CHU de Caen, Unité de Biostatistiques et de Recherche Clinique, 14000 Caen, France
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23
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Bartolomeo LA, Erickson MA, Arnold LE, Strauss GP. FRONTAL ALPHA ASYMMETRY IN YOUTH AT CLINICAL HIGH-RISK FOR PSYCHOSIS. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2019; 6:21-26. [PMID: 31857941 PMCID: PMC6922025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Negative symptoms are highly predictive of whether individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) develop a psychotic disorder. However, little is known about pathophysiological mechanisms underlying negative symptoms during this period. The current study examined neurophysiological mechanisms underlying negative symptoms in CHR individuals using electroencephalography frontal alpha asymmetry power, a biomarker of approach and avoidance motivation. RECENT FINDINGS People with schizophrenia display abnormal patterns of frontal alpha asymmetry indicative of reduced approach motivation. However, It is unknown whether similar abnormalities occur in CHR youth that predict negative symptoms. SUMMARY Results indicated that CHR and healthy controls did not differ in frontal alpha asymmetry scores. However, in CHR youth, frontal alpha asymmetry was inversely correlated with the motivation and pleasure dimension of negative symptoms, which was accounted for by mood symptoms. Findings suggest that depression contributes to reduced approach motivation in CHR youth that manifests clinically as negative symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Molly A. Erickson
- University Behavioral HealthCare, Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Lauren E. Arnold
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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24
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25
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Hashimoto N, Toyomaki A, Oka M, Takanobu K, Okubo R, Narita H, Kitagawa K, Udo N, Maeda T, Watanabe S, Oyanagi Y, Miyazaki A, Ito K, Kusumi I. Pilot Validation Study of the Japanese Translation of the Brief Negative Symptoms Scale (BNSS). Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:3511-3518. [PMID: 31920311 PMCID: PMC6934108 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s237449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The brief negative symptoms scale (BNSS) is a concise instrument used to assess negative symptoms of subjects with schizophrenia covering five domains of negative symptoms and is suitable for use in clinical, experimental, and epidemiological settings. The original and translated version of BNSS has thus far been shown to have adequate psychometric properties. This study aimed to examine internal consistency, inter-rater and test-retest reliability, discriminant and convergent validity, and factor structure of the Japanese version of BNSS. PATIENTS AND METHODS The assessment was performed by 11 raters using interview videos of nine subjects. Reliability was calculated with Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency and intra class correlation coefficient (ICC) for inter-rater reliability. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to estimate the test-retest reliability. In addition to BNSS, Scale for assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) and scale for assessment of positive symptoms (SAPS) was obtained to assess the convergent and discriminant validity. Factor structure was assessed using principle factor analysis. RESULTS The Japanese BNSS showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.95), inter-rater reliability (intra class correlation coefficient=0.97), and test-retest reliability (r=0.94, p<0.001). The convergent validity shown by correlation with SANS total score (r=0.87, p<0.001) and discriminant validity shown by correlation with SAPS total score (r=0.17, p=-0.68) were also good. Principal factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure of BNSS, although the loading of each item differed from that in the literature. CONCLUSION Our pilot study demonstrated that Japanese BNSS had good psychometric properties which were achieved with relatively brief training. Further studies with more subjects and raters with various backgrounds recruited from multiple sites are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Hashimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Atsuhito Toyomaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Matsuhiko Oka
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Keisuke Takanobu
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Ryo Okubo
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Translational Medical Center, National Center for Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Hisashi Narita
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Kan Kitagawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Niki Udo
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Tamaki Maeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Shinya Watanabe
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Yuka Oyanagi
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Akane Miyazaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Koki Ito
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Ichiro Kusumi
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
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