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Gesi C, Giacovelli L, Reibman YL, Dell'Osso B. Beyond imagination: Sorting out and treating psychosis in the context of autism spectrum disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 173:363-366. [PMID: 38593694 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
In the last decades, growing caseness for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been observed, owing to the diagnostic accretion of low-impairment forms, over and above other possible causes. Unrecognized ASD is likely to be mislabeled as a psychotic disorder (PD), as people in the spectrum may show 'pseudopsychotic' symptoms, resembling both negative and positive symptoms. On the other hand, PDs are likely to be overlooked when they arise in people with ASD, due to the 'diagnostic overshadowing' of new-onset conditions by lifelong core autistic symptoms. The three available metanalyses on the occurrence of psychosis in adults with ASD convergently reported a rate of PDs that is at least ten times higher than in the general population. Therefore, the lack of literature addressing risk factors, outcomes, and treatment options for psychosis in the context of ASD is utterly concerning. The present review aims to summarize up-to-date knowledge of PDs with comorbid ASD in terms of clinical features, course, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Gesi
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Giacovelli
- Psychiatry 2 Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Yacob Levin Reibman
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Psychiatry 2 Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Nanotechnology and Neurostimulation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States; "Centro per lo studio dei meccanismi molecolari alla base delle patologie neuro-psico-geriatriche", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Dong Y, Zhu M, Li Y, Liu N, Wang X, Yang B, Li S, Li Z. Association of cytokines levels, psychopathology and cognition among CR-TRS patients with metabolic syndrome. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 10:47. [PMID: 38627438 PMCID: PMC11021544 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-024-00469-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Clozapine-resistant treatment-refractory schizophrenia (CR-TRS) patients face significant clinical challenges. While links between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and inflammatory cytokines in schizophrenia have been established, the relationship between MetS and cytokine levels in CR-TRS patients remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cytokines levels, clinical symptoms and cognitive impairments in CR-TRS patients, both with and without MetS. The study included 69 CR-TRS patients (31with MetS and 38 without MetS) and 84 healthy controls. The levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α and routine biochemical parameters were measured. Psychopathological symptoms and cognitive function were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), respectively. We found that CR-TRS patients with MetS displayed lower cognitive function scores compared to those without MetS, even when accounting for potential confounders. TNF-α levels were significantly higher in CRTRS patients with MetS compared to those without MetS, demonstrating substantial pathophysiological potential for CR-TRS patients with MetS via receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). In CR-TRS patients without MetS, IL-2 independently contributed to the total score and general psychopathology subscore of PANSS. Additionally, IL-6 exhibited an independent contribution to the positive subscore of PANSS. In terms of cognition function, IL-6 independently contributed to the delayed memory of RBANS in CR-TRS patients without MetS. TNF-α could potentially serve as a predictive marker for distinguishing between CR-TRS patients with/without MetS, while IL-2 and IL-6 could independently contribute to psychopathological symptoms or cognitive function in CRTRS patients without MetS. Our study provided insights into the potential interplay between cytokines, clinical symptoms and cognitive impairments in CR-TRS patients with/without MetS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeqing Dong
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
- Psychoneuromodulation Center, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Minghuan Zhu
- Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200124, China
| | - Yanzhe Li
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
- Psychoneuromodulation Center, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Nannan Liu
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
- Psychoneuromodulation Center, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Xinxu Wang
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
- Psychoneuromodulation Center, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Bing Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Shen Li
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China.
- Psychoneuromodulation Center, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300222, China.
| | - Zezhi Li
- Department of Nutritional and Metabolic Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510370, China.
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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3
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Kogure M, Kanahara N, Miyazawa A, Shiko Y, Otsuka I, Matsuyama K, Takase M, Kimura M, Kimura H, Ota K, Idemoto K, Tamura M, Oda Y, Yoshida T, Okazaki S, Yamasaki F, Nakata Y, Watanabe Y, Niitsu T, Hishimoto A, Iyo M. Association of SLC6A3 variants with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a genetic association study of dopamine-related genes in schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2024; 14:1334335. [PMID: 38476817 PMCID: PMC10929739 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1334335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Most genetic analyses that have attempted to identify a locus or loci that can distinguish patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) from those who respond to treatment (non-TRS) have failed. However, evidence from multiple studies suggests that patients with schizophrenia who respond well to antipsychotic medication have a higher dopamine (DA) state in brain synaptic clefts whereas patients with TRS do not show enhanced DA synthesis/release pathways. Patients and methods To examine the contribution (if any) of genetics to TRS, we conducted a genetic association analysis of DA-related genes in schizophrenia patients (TRS, n = 435; non-TRS, n = 539) and healthy controls (HC: n = 489). Results The distributions of the genotypes of rs3756450 and the 40-bp variable number tandem repeat on SLC6A3 differed between the TRS and non-TRS groups. Regarding rs3756450, the TRS group showed a significantly higher ratio of the A allele, whereas the non-TRS group predominantly had the G allele. The analysis of the combination of COMT and SLC6A3 yielded a significantly higher ratio of the putative low-DA type (i.e., high COMT activity + high SLC6A3 activity) in the TRS group compared to the two other groups. Patients with the low-DA type accounted for the minority of the non-TRS group and exhibited milder psychopathology. Conclusion The overall results suggest that (i) SLC6A3 could be involved in responsiveness to antipsychotic medication and (ii) genetic variants modulating brain DA levels may be related to the classification of TRS and non-TRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanobu Kogure
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Kanahara
- Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Atsuhiro Miyazawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
- Doujin-kai Kisarazu Hospital, Kisarazu, Japan
| | - Yuki Shiko
- Biostatistics Section, Clinical Research Center, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ikuo Otsuka
- Department of Psychiatry, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Koichi Matsuyama
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
- Douwa-kai Chiba Hospital, Funabashi, Japan
| | | | - Makoto Kimura
- Chiba Psychiatric Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Kameda Medical Center, Kamogawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
- Gakuji-kai Kimura Hospital, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan
| | - Kiyomitsu Ota
- Doujin-kai Kisarazu Hospital, Kisarazu, Japan
- Choshi-kokoro Clinic, Choshi, Japan
| | - Keita Idemoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
- Doujin-kai Kisarazu Hospital, Kisarazu, Japan
| | - Masaki Tamura
- Doujin-kai Kisarazu Hospital, Kisarazu, Japan
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Psychology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yasunori Oda
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Satoshi Okazaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Yamasaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yusuke Nakata
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Tomihisa Niitsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akitoyo Hishimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masaomi Iyo
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
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Vita A, Barlati S, Deste G, Rossi A, Rocca P, Bertolino A, Aguglia E, Altamura CA, Amore M, Bellomo A, Bucci P, Carpiniello B, Cuomo A, Dell’Osso L, Giuliani L, Marchesi C, Martinotti G, Monteleone P, Montemagni C, Nibbio G, Pasquini M, Pompili M, Rampino A, Roncone R, Rossi R, Siracusano A, Tenconi E, Zeppegno P, Galderisi S, Maj M. Autistic symptoms in unaffected first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia: results from the Italian Network for Research on Psychoses multicenter study. Eur Psychiatry 2023; 66:e85. [PMID: 37869966 PMCID: PMC10755574 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autistic symptoms represent a frequent feature in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). However, the prevalence and the cognitive and functional correlates of autistic symptoms in unaffected first-degree relatives of people with SSD remain to be assessed. METHODS A total of 342 unaffected first-degree relatives related to 247 outpatients with schizophrenia were recruited as part of the multicenter study of the Italian Network for Research on Psychoses (NIRP). Autistic features were measured with the PANSS Autism Severity Scale. Three groups of participants, defined on the presence and severity of autistic symptoms, were compared on a wide array of cognitive and functional measures. RESULTS Of the total sample, 44.9% presented autistic symptoms; 22.8% showed moderate levels of autistic symptoms, which can be observed in the majority of people with SSD. Participants with higher levels of autistic symptoms showed worse performance on Working Memory (p = 0.014) and Social Cognition (p = 0.025) domains and in the Global Cognition composite score (p = 0.008), as well as worse on functional capacity (p = 0.001), global psychosocial functioning (p < 0.001), real-world interpersonal relationships (p < 0.001), participation in community activities (p = 0.017), and work skills (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS A high prevalence of autistic symptoms was observed in first-degree relatives of people with SSD. Autistic symptoms severity showed a negative correlation with cognitive performance and functional outcomes also in this population and may represent a diagnostic and treatment target of considerable scientific and clinical interest in both patients and their first-degree relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Vita
- Psychiatric Unit, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Mental Health, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Barlati
- Psychiatric Unit, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Mental Health, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Deste
- Psychiatric Unit, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Mental Health, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rossi
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Paola Rocca
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertolino
- Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Eugenio Aguglia
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Mario Amore
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonello Bellomo
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Paola Bucci
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Bernardo Carpiniello
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cuomo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Clinical Department of Mental Health, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell’Osso
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luigi Giuliani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Marchesi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Palmiero Monteleone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Cristiana Montemagni
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriele Nibbio
- Psychiatric Unit, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Massimo Pasquini
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Rampino
- Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Rita Roncone
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Rossi
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Alberto Siracusano
- Department of Systems Medicine, Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Tenconi
- Psychiatric Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Patrizia Zeppegno
- Department of Translational Medicine, Psychiatric Unit, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Silvana Galderisi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Maj
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
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Mohamed Saini S, Bousman CA, Mancuso SG, Cropley V, Van Rheenen TE, Lenroot RK, Bruggemann J, Weickert CS, Weickert TW, Sundram S, Everall IP, Pantelis C. Genetic variation in glutamatergic genes moderates the effects of childhood adversity on brain volume and IQ in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 9:59. [PMID: 37709784 PMCID: PMC10502098 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-023-00381-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Suriati Mohamed Saini
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Chad A Bousman
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, Psychiatry, and Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Serafino G Mancuso
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Vanessa Cropley
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tamsyn E Van Rheenen
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rhoshel K Lenroot
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jason Bruggemann
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cynthia S Weickert
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, NY, USA
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas W Weickert
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, NY, USA
| | - Suresh Sundram
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash Medical Centre, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian P Everall
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Christos Pantelis
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Western Centre for Health Research & Education, Sunshine Hospital, Western Health, St Albans, VIC, 3021, Australia
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Yon-Hernández JA, Canal-Bedia R, Wojcik DZ, García-García L, Fernández-Álvarez C, Palacio-Duque S, Franco-Martín MA. Executive functions in daily living skills: A study in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1109561. [PMID: 37113122 PMCID: PMC10127455 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1109561] [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: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adults with autism and adults with schizophrenia show difficulties in adaptive skills, especially those related to daily functioning. Some studies suggest that adaptive skills are associated with deficits in executive functions (EF), while others indicate that intelligence quotient (IQ) might also play a role. Literature suggests that autistic symptoms further affect adaptive skills. The interest of the current study, therefore, was to explore to what extent IQ, EFs as well as core autistic symptoms predict adaptive skills. Methods To do this, 25 controls, 24 adults with autism, and 12 with schizophrenia were assessed on IQ (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), and executive functioning. The EF was measured with neuropsychological tasks (inhibition, updating, and task switching) and with the Dysexecutive-Spanish Questionnaire (DEX-Sp) which assessed everyday life EF problems. Core ASD symptoms were measured using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, the Autism Spectrum Quotient-Short version (AQ-S), and the Repetitive Behavior Questionnaire - 3 (RBQ-3). Results The results indicated EF difficulties in both, autism and schizophrenia. The IQ explained a high percentage of the variance found in adaptive skills, but only in the autism group. We can conclude, therefore, that high IQ is associated with low adaptive skills levels and EFs affect adaptive functioning in people with autism; however, this does not explain the difficulties in adaptive functioning in the schizophrenia group. Core features of autism assessed with self-report questionnaires (but not the ADOS-2) predicted low scores on the adaptive skills, only in the autism group. Discussion Both EF measures predicted adaptive skills scores in autism, but not in schizophrenia. Our results suggest that different factors affect the adaptive functioning in each disorder. For instance, the EFs should be a central focus for improvement, especially for individuals with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo A. Yon-Hernández
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad, InFoAutismo, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ricardo Canal-Bedia
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad, InFoAutismo, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ricardo Canal-Bedia,
| | - Dominika Z. Wojcik
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad, InFoAutismo, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Clara Fernández-Álvarez
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad, InFoAutismo, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Stefanny Palacio-Duque
- Instituto Universitario de Integración en la Comunidad, InFoAutismo, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel A. Franco-Martín
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Zamora Hospital (Complejo Asistencial de Zamora), Zamora, Spain
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7
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Liu C, Kim WS, Shen J, Tsogt U, Kang NI, Lee KH, Chung YC. Altered Neuroanatomical Signatures of Patients With Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia Compared to Patients With Early-Stage Schizophrenia and Healthy Controls. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:802025. [PMID: 35664476 PMCID: PMC9158464 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.802025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between brain structural changes and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia is strong. However, few studies have investigated both neuroanatomical abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). We examined neuroanatomical markers and cognitive function between patients with TRS or early-stage schizophrenia (ES-S) and healthy controls (HCs). Relationships between neuroanatomical markers and cognitive function in the patient groups were also investigated. METHODS A total of 46 and 45 patients with TRS and ES-S and 61 HCs underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scanning and comprehensive cognitive tests. MRI scans were analyzed using the FreeSurfer to investigate differences in cortical surface area (CSA), cortical thickness (CT), cortical volume (CV), and subcortical volume (SCV) among the groups. Four cognitive domains (attention, verbal memory, executive function, and language) were assessed. Comparisons of neuroanatomical and cognitive function results among the three groups were performed. RESULTS A widespread reduction in CT was observed in patients with TRS compared to HCs, but differences in cortical thinning between TRS and ES-S patients were mainly limited to the inferior frontal gyrus and insula. Several subcortical structures (accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, putamen, thalamus and ventricles) were significantly altered in TRS patients compared to both ES-S patients and HCs. Performance in the verbal memory domain was significantly worse in TRS patients compared to ES-S patients. A positive relationship between the thickness of the left middle temporal gyrus and the composite score for language was identified in patients with ES-S. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest significant cognitive impairment and reductions in CT and SCV in individuals with TRS compared to those with ES-S and HCs. These abnormalities could act as biomarkers for earlier identification of TRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Woo-Sung Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea.,Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Uyanga Tsogt
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Nam-In Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Maeumsarang Hospital, Wanju, South Korea
| | - Keon-Hak Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Maeumsarang Hospital, Wanju, South Korea
| | - Young-Chul Chung
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea.,Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea
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Barlati S, Nibbio G, Morena D, Cacciani P, Corsini P, Mosca A, Deste G, Accardo V, Regina V, Lisoni J, Turrina C, Valsecchi P, Vita A. Autistic Symptoms in Schizophrenia: Impact on Internalized Stigma, Well-Being, Clinical and Functional Characteristics. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:801651. [PMID: 35432047 PMCID: PMC9005776 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.801651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) symptoms and internalized stigma (or self-stigma) can have a negative impact on cognitive and functional outcomes in people living with schizophrenia. Aim of the present study were to assess and compare internalized stigma, subjective well-being and other socio-demographic, clinical and functional characteristics in people diagnosed with schizophrenia with and without prominent autistic features. Ninety-four inpatients were assessed with measures of internalized stigma, subjective well-being, global clinical severity, schizophrenia symptoms severity, real-world functioning, medication side effects and attitude toward prescribed medications. Subjects with high levels of ASD symptoms were identified with the PANSS Autism Severity Score and compared to other participants. Predictors of prominent ASD features were also assessed. Thirteen patients showed prominent ASD symptoms. They were characterized by fewer years of education, worse real-world functioning and greater symptoms severity. No between-group differences were observed regarding subjective well-being and global internalized stigma severity; however, participants in the "autistic schizophrenia" group showed better stigma resistance. A worse clinical condition and fewer years of education emerged as predictors of autistic schizophrenia. Despite showing a more severe clinical presentation of the disorder and worse functional impairment, participants with prominent ASD symptoms do not present worse subjective well-being or more severe internalized stigma; on the contrary, they show better stigma resistance. ASD symptoms could therefore play a protective role in the internalization of stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Barlati
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Nibbio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Cacciani
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paola Corsini
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Mosca
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Deste
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Vivian Accardo
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Regina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lisoni
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cesare Turrina
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Valsecchi
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Vita
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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9
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Nibbio G, Barlati S, Calzavara-Pinton I, Necchini N, Invernizzi E, Dell'Ovo D, Lisoni J, Deste G, Vita A. Assessment and correlates of autistic symptoms in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders measured with the PANSS Autism Severity Score: A systematic review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:934005. [PMID: 36111306 PMCID: PMC9468543 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.934005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are considered separate entities, but the two spectra share important similarities, and the study of these areas of overlap represents a field of growing scientific interest. The PANSS Autism Score (PAUSS) was recently developed specifically to assess autistic symptoms in people living with SSD reliably and quickly. The aims of the present systematic review were to provide a comprehensive assessment of the use of the PAUSS scale in available literature and to systematically analyze cognitive, functional and neurobiological correlates of autistic symptoms measured with this instrument in SSD. The systematic literature search included three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus and PsycINFO) as well as a manual search in Google Scholar and in reference lists of included papers. Screening and extraction were conducted by at least two independent reviewers. Out of 213 identified records, 22 articles referring to 15 original studies were included in the systematic review. Studies were conducted in several different countries by independent groups, showing consistent scientific interest in the use of the scale; most works focused on cognitive and functional correlates of ASD symptoms, but some also considered neurobiological features. Results of included studies showed that autistic symptoms in people with SSD are consistently associated with worse cognitive performance, especially in the social cognition domain, and with worse psychosocial functioning. However, the presence of autistic symptoms appears to also have a protective role, particularly on functioning, in subjects with more severe psychotic symptoms. Further exploring the impact of autistic symptoms could be of significant scientific and clinical interest, allowing the development of tailored interventions to improve treatment for people living with SSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Nibbio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Barlati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Necchini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Invernizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Dario Dell'Ovo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lisoni
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Deste
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Kogure M, Kanahara N, Miyazawa A, Oishi K, Nakata Y, Oda Y, Iyo M. Interacting Roles of COMT and GAD1 Genes in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: a Genetic Association Study of Schizophrenia Patients and Healthy Controls. J Mol Neurosci 2021; 71:2575-2582. [PMID: 34125398 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-021-01866-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The projection from dopaminergic neurons to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons in the prefrontal cortex is involved in the etiology of schizophrenia. The impact of interacting effects between dopamine signals and the expression of GABA on the clinical phenotypes of schizophrenia has not been studied. Since these interactions could be closely involved in prefrontal cortex functions, patients with specific alleles of these relevant molecules (which lead to lower or vulnerable genetic functions) may develop treatment-refractory symptoms. We conducted a genetic association study focusing on COMT and GAD1 genes for a treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) group (n=171), a non-TRS group (n=592), and healthy controls (HC: n=447), and we examined allelic combinations specific to TRS. The results revealed that the percentage of subjects with Met allele of rs4680 on the COMT gene and C/C homozygote of rs3470934 on the GAD1 gene was significantly higher in the TRS group than the other two groups. There was no significant difference between the non-TRS group and HC groups. Considering the direction of functions of these single-nucleotide polymorphisms revealed by previous studies, we speculate that subjects with the Met/CC allelic combination could have a higher dopamine level and a lower expression of GABA in the prefrontal cortex. Our results suggest that an interaction between the dopaminergic signal and GABA signal intensities could differ between TRS patients and patients with other types of schizophrenia and healthy subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanobu Kogure
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Kanahara
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan.
- Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Atsuhiro Miyazawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
- Doujin-kai Kisarazu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kengo Oishi
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Cyclic Innovation, Japan Agency for Medical Research Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Nakata
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yasunori Oda
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaomi Iyo
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
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