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A Pre-registered Meta-analysis Based on Three Empirical Studies Reveals No Association Between Prenatal (Amniotic) Cortisol Exposure and Fluctuating Asymmetry in Human Infants. Evol Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-020-09523-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractDevelopmental instability (DI) reflects an organism’s inability to develop an ideal phenotype when challenged by genetic and environmental insults. DI can be estimated via the proxy measure of fluctuating asymmetry (FA), i.e., the small random deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry observed in the morphology of paired traits. The mechanisms involved in the genesis of FA in human populations are relatively unknown, though animal research indicates that hormonal processes may be involved. As maternal stress during pregnancy is detrimental to various developmental processes, elevated prenatal cortisol may represent a causal factor in the subsequent emergence of an asymmetrical phenotype. The main purpose of this pre-registered meta-analysis based on three empirical studies was to investigate whether mid-trimester amniotic cortisol levels predict subsequent FA in finger lengths of infants from Germany, Portugal, and the UK. No statistically significant relationships were observed, and meta-analytic combination of the effect size estimates yielded a null result. We did, however, detect significant positive correlations between the cortisol present in the amniotic fluid and maternal plasma in the Portuguese cohort, and observed that FA in the German cohort was significantly lower at 70-months than at either 9- or 20-months. Taken together, the current findings run contrary to animal research showing that elevated prenatal corticosterone exposure leads to increased FA. However, this may be because a single cortisol assay obtained via amniocentesis is an inadequate proxy for average gestational exposure, and/or that prenatal cortisol levels at an earlier (i.e., first rather than second trimester) stage of pregnancy is what explains variance in subsequent FA.
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Abstract
Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are serious psychiatric disorders that are associated with substantial societal, family, and individual costs/distress. Evidence suggests that early intervention can improve prognostic outcomes; therefore, it is essential to accurately identify those at risk for psychosis before full psychotic symptoms emerge. The purpose of our study is to develop a brief, valid screening questionnaire to identify individuals at risk for psychosis in non-clinical populations across 3 large, community catchment areas with diverse populations. This is a needed study, as the current screening tools for at-risk psychotic populations in the US have been validated only in clinical and/or treatment seeking samples, which are not likely to generalize beyond these specialized settings. The specific aims are as follows: (1) to determine norms and prevalence rates of attenuated positive psychotic symptoms across 3 diverse, community catchment areas and (2) to develop a screening questionnaire, inclusive of both symptom-based and risk factor-based questions. Our study will develop an essential screening tool that will identify which individuals have the greatest need of follow-up with structured interviews in both research and clinical settings. Our study has the potential for major contributions to the early detection and prevention of psychotic disorders.
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Stephan-Otto C, Lombardini F, Núñez C, Senior C, Ochoa S, Usall J, Brébion G. Fluctuating asymmetry in patients with schizophrenia is related to hallucinations and thought disorganisation. Psychiatry Res 2020; 285:112816. [PMID: 32036154 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Fluctuating asymmetry represents the degree to which the right and left side of the body are asymmetrical, and is a sign of developmental instability. Higher levels of fluctuating asymmetry have been observed in individuals within the schizophrenia spectrum. We aimed to explore the associations of fluctuating asymmetry with psychotic and affective symptoms in schizophrenia patients, as well as with propensity to these symptoms in non-clinical individuals. A measure of morphological fluctuating asymmetry was calculated for 39 patients with schizophrenia and 60 healthy individuals, and a range of clinical and subclinical psychiatric symptoms was assessed. Regression analyses of the fluctuating asymmetry measure were conducted within each group. In the patient cohort, fluctuating asymmetry was significantly associated with the hallucination and thought disorganisation scores. T-test comparisons revealed that the patients presenting either hallucinations or thought disorganisation were significantly more asymmetrical than were the healthy individuals, while the patients without these key symptoms were equivalent to the healthy individuals. A positive association with the anxiety score emerged in a subsample of 36 healthy participants who were rated on affective symptoms. These findings suggest that fluctuating asymmetry may be an indicator of clinical hallucinations and thought disorganisation rather than an indicator of schizophrenia disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Stephan-Otto
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Christian Núñez
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Carl Senior
- School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK; Research and Development Unit - Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, c/ Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, 08830 - Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Ochoa
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Judith Usall
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gildas Brébion
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain.
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Alberti A, Kupek E, Comim CM, Rossoni C, Ruiz Reyes MA, Aparecida De Jesus J, Grigollo LR, Becker da Silva B, Duarte Dos Santos U, Souza R, Fin G, Baretta E, Nodari Júnior RJ. Dermatoglyphical impressions are different between children and adolescents with normal weight, overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study. F1000Res 2019; 8:964. [PMID: 32676182 PMCID: PMC7331104 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19471.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Obesity is a health condition that causes a great impact on public health. The aim of this study was to determine the association between dermatoglyphic characteristics and excessive weight in children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years in the center-west region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Methods: The sample comprised of 2,172 children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old of both sexes and from public and private teaching networks. Results: The results suggested a predictive marker of obesity, with a greater number of lines in left hand finger two (Mesql2) and a higher frequency of the whorl pattern in participants of a healthy weight, while the overweight group had a higher frequency of the radial loop pattern and the obese group had a higher frequency of the ulnar loop pattern. Conclusion: It was concluded that there may be different dermatoglyphic characteristics depending on the nutritional status of children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Alberti
- Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Palhoça, Santa Catarina, 88132-270, Brazil
| | - Emil Kupek
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Brazil
| | | | - Carina Rossoni
- Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, 89600-000, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Renan Souza
- Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, 89600-000, Brazil
| | - Gracielle Fin
- Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, 89600-000, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth Baretta
- Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, 89600-000, Brazil
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Gupta T, Dean DJ, Kelley NJ, Bernard JA, Ristanovic I, Mittal VA. Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Procedural Learning in Nonclinical Psychosis: A Double-Blind Crossover Study. Schizophr Bull 2018; 44:1373-1380. [PMID: 29301026 PMCID: PMC6192475 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbx179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The present double-blind crossover study examines the effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in controls and in an analogue population to psychosis: individuals reporting elevated symptoms of nonclinical psychosis (NCP). A total of 18 controls and 24 NCP individuals were randomized into conditions consisting of 25 minutes of anodal (active) or sham cerebellar tDCS. Following this, both groups completed a pursuit rotor task designed to measure procedural learning performance. Participants then returned 1-week later and received the corresponding condition (either active or sham) and repeated the pursuit rotor task. Results indicate that in the sham condition, control participants showed significantly greater rates of motor learning when compared with the NCP group. In the active condition, the NCP group exhibited significant improvements in the rate of motor learning and performed at a level that was comparable to controls; these data support the link between cerebellar dysfunction and motor learning. Taken together, tDCS may be a promising treatment mechanism for patient populations and a useful experimental approach in elucidating our understanding of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Gupta
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, US; tel: 847-467-5907, fax: 847-467-5707, e-mail:
| | - Derek J Dean
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO,Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
| | | | - Jessica A Bernard
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX,Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | | | - Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL,Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern University, Evanston, ILs,Institute of Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL,Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL,Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
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Dean DJ, Walther S, Bernard JA, Mittal VA. Motor clusters reveal differences in risk for psychosis, cognitive functioning, and thalamocortical connectivity: evidence for vulnerability subtypes. Clin Psychol Sci 2018; 6:721-734. [PMID: 30319928 PMCID: PMC6178957 DOI: 10.1177/2167702618773759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal development of parallel cortical-striatal networks may contribute to abnormal motor, cognitive, and affective behavior prior to the onset of psychosis. Partitioning individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR) using motor behavior may provide a novel perspective on different etiological pathways or patient subtypes. A K-means cluster analysis was conducted in CHR (N=69; 42% female, mean age=18.67 years) young adults using theoretically distinct measures of motor behavior. The resulting subtypes were then compared on positive and negative symptoms at baseline, and 2-year risk of psychosis conversion. CHR participants were followed for 2 years to determine conversion to psychosis. CHR subtypes and healthy controls (N=61; 57% female, mean age=18.58 years) were compared on multiple cognitive domains and cortical-striatal connectivity. Results suggest 3 vulnerability subtypes of CHR individuals with different profiles of motor performance, symptoms, risk for conversion to psychosis, cognition, and thalamocortical connectivity. This approach may reflect a novel strategy for promoting tailored risk assessment as well as future research developing individualized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek J. Dean
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, USA
- University of Colorado Boulder, Center for Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jessica A. Bernard
- Texas A&M University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
- Texas A&M University, Institute for Neuroscience, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Vijay A. Mittal
- Northwestern University, Department of Psychology, Evanston, IL, USA
- Northwestern University, Department of Psychiatry, Chicago IL, USA
- Northwestern University, Institute for Policy Research, Evanston, IL, USA
- Northwestern University, Medical Social Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Evanston/Chicago, IL, USA
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7
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Andorko ND, Millman ZB, Klingaman E, Medoff D, Kline E, DeVylder J, Reeves G, Schiffman J. Association between sleep, childhood trauma and psychosis-like experiences. Schizophr Res 2018; 199. [PMID: 29526453 PMCID: PMC6129231 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Psychosis-like experiences (PLEs), or attenuated positive symptoms of psychosis, present along a severity continuum and have been associated with distressing thoughts and impairments in functioning. Although knowledge of the clinical importance of PLEs is expanding, risk factors for their expression are still poorly understood. Sleep disturbances are one known factor that exacerbate PLEs expression and distress, and trauma exposure is associated with occurrence of PLEs, as well as increased risk of later sleep difficulties. This study examined the joint influences of sleep and trauma on PLEs in an undergraduate sample. Self-report questionnaires on presence and distress of PLEs, sleep problems, and occurrence of previous traumatic experiences were completed by participants (N=409). In order to determine the unique impact of sleep on PLEs, three sets of predictors: sociodemographic, psychosocial (including trauma), and sleep were entered in steps into a hierarchical multiple regression model. In the final model, specific sleep domains uniquely predicted PLEs, while previous trauma exposure, which was a significant predictor when entered in step two with other psychosocial variables, was no longer a significant predictor. Results suggest the possibility that disruptions in sleep following or occurring alongside a traumatic experience may somehow contribute to, or exacerbate the presence of PLEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D. Andorko
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Zachary B. Millman
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth Klingaman
- VA Capitol Health Care Network, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| | - Deborah Medoff
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| | - Emily Kline
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Jordan DeVylder
- Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Gloria Reeves
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| | - Jason Schiffman
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Gupta T, Kelley NJ, Pelletier-Baldelli A, Mittal VA. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Symptomatology, and Cognition in Psychosis: A Qualitative Review. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:94. [PMID: 29892215 PMCID: PMC5985327 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic, debilitating condition that affects approximately 1% of the population. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia typically exhibit positive (e.g., hallucinations) and negative symptoms (e.g., anhedonia) and impairments in cognitive function. Given the limitations of antipsychotic medication and psychotherapy in fully treating psychosis symptomatology, there has been increasing interest in other interventions such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, that is safe, cost-effective, and widely accessible. Here, we discuss treatment studies that seek to improve symptoms and cognitive performance in schizophrenia using tDCS. Currently within the literature, there is support for reductions in positive symptoms such as hallucinations after receiving tDCS. Further, studies indicate that tDCS can improve cognitive functioning, which is an area of investigation that is sorely needed, as it is unclear which types of interventions may be useful in ameliorating cognitive deficits among this group. Taken together, the evidence suggests that tDCS holds promise in improving symptoms and cognition. To that end, tDCS has critical clinical implications for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Gupta
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Nicholas J Kelley
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Andrea Pelletier-Baldelli
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.,Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States.,Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.,Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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9
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Savill M, D'Ambrosio J, Cannon TD, Loewy RL. Psychosis risk screening in different populations using the Prodromal Questionnaire: A systematic review. Early Interv Psychiatry 2018; 12:3-14. [PMID: 28782283 PMCID: PMC5812357 DOI: 10.1111/eip.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
AIM Diagnosing individuals at ultra high risk (UHR) for psychosis can improve early access to treatment, and a two-stage model utilizing self-report screening followed by a clinical interview can be accurate and efficient. However, it is currently unclear which screening cut-offs to adopt with different populations. METHODS A systematic review of diagnostic accuracy studies evaluating the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ) as a preliminary screener for UHR and psychosis was conducted to examine screening effectiveness in different contexts. MedLine, PsycInfo, SCOPUS and ProQuest Dissertations and Abstracts databases were electronically searched, along with a review screen and citation search of key papers. Findings were summarized in a narrative synthesis. RESULTS In total, 14 diagnostic accuracy studies and 45 studies using the PQ as a screening tool for UHR and psychosis were included. In all settings, the 3 different versions of the PQ were all found to accurately identify UHR and full psychosis. Higher cut-off points were required in non-help-seeking samples, relative to general help-seeking populations, which in turn were higher than those needed in samples highly enriched with UHR participants. CONCLUSION The findings support the use of the PQ as a preliminary screening tool for UHR in different settings; however, higher thresholds in lower UHR-prevalence populations are necessary to minimize false positives. Including the distress criteria, rather than just number of symptoms, may improve screening effectiveness. Different thresholds may be appropriate in different contexts depending on the importance of sensitivity vs specificity. Protocol registration: CRD42016033004.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Savill
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jennifer D'Ambrosio
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Tyrone D Cannon
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Rachel L Loewy
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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10
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Cortical Morphometry in the Psychosis Risk Period: A Comprehensive Perspective of Surface Features. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2018; 4:434-443. [PMID: 31054647 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gyrification features reflect brain development in the early prenatal environment. Clarifying the nature of these features in psychosis can help shed light on the role of early developmental insult. However, the literature is currently widely discrepant, which may reflect confounds related to formally psychotic patient populations or overreliance on a single feature of cortical surface morphometry (CSM). METHODS This study compares CSM features of gyrification in clinical high-risk (n = 43) youths during the prodromal risk period to typically developing control subjects over two time points across three metrics: local gyrification index, mean curvature index, and sulcal depth (improving resolution and examination of change over 1 year). RESULTS Gyrification was stable over time, supporting the idea that gyrification reflects early insult rather than abnormal development or reorganization associated with the disease state. Each of the indices highlighted unique, aberrant features in the clinical high-risk group with respect to control subjects. Specifically, the local gyrification index reflected hypogyrification in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, superior bank of the superior temporal sulcus, anterior isthmus of the cingulate gyrus, and temporal poles; the mean curvature index indicated sharper gyral and flatter or wider sulcal peaks in the cingulate, postcentral, and lingual gyrus; sulcal depth identified shallow features in the parietal, superior temporal sulcus, and cingulate regions. Further, both the mean curvature index and sulcal depth converged on abnormal features in the parietal cortex. CONCLUSIONS Gyrification metrics suggest early developmental insult and provide support for neurodevelopmental hypotheses. Observations of stable CSM features across time provide context for interpreting extant studies and speak to CSM as a promising stable marker and/or endophenotype. Collectively, findings support the importance of considering multiple CSM features.
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11
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Lunsford-Avery JR, Dean DJ, Mittal VA. Self-reported sleep disturbances associated with procedural learning impairment in adolescents at ultra-high risk for psychosis. Schizophr Res 2017; 190:160-163. [PMID: 28318840 PMCID: PMC5600637 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Sleep disturbance contributes to impaired procedural learning in schizophrenia, yet little is known about this relationship prior to psychosis onset. Adolescents at ultra high-risk (UHR; N=62) for psychosis completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and a procedural learning task (Pursuit Rotor). Increased self-reported problems with sleep latency, efficiency, and quality were associated with impaired procedural learning rate. Further, within-sample comparisons revealed that UHR youth reporting better sleep displayed a steeper learning curve than those with poorer sleep. Sleep disturbances appear to contribute to cognitive/motor deficits in the UHR period and may play a role in psychosis etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R. Lunsford-Avery
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC,Corresponding Author: Jessica R. Lunsford-Avery, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Duke University Medical Center, 2608 Erwin Road Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27705, Phone: 919-681-0035, Fax: 919-681-0016
| | - Derek J. Dean
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO,Center for Neuroscience University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
| | - Vijay A. Mittal
- Department of Psychology Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
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12
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The association between sleep dysfunction and psychosis-like experiences among college students. Psychiatry Res 2017; 248:6-12. [PMID: 27988426 PMCID: PMC6540802 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Sleep problems are prominent and pervasive clinical issues experienced by many people with psychotic disorders, often causing distress and functional impairment. Sleep problems are also related to psychosis-like experiences (PLE; non-diagnosable phenomenon such as transient perceptual disturbances, unusual thoughts, periodic suspiciousness) in epidemiological studies. Prior studies in this field have used brief measures that precluded the ability to test (1) whether risk for psychosis-like experiences are related to specific sub-types of sleep disturbance, and (2) whether sleep disturbance is specifically related to clinically significant (i.e., distressing) psychosis-like experiences. The current project examined the relation between specific sleep issues, and PLEs and distress associated with PLEs, in a college sample. Participants (N=420) completed the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief (PQ-B), which assesses PLEs and associated distress, and the Iowa Sleep Disturbances Inventory - extended version (ISDI-E), which assesses thirteen separate disturbed sleep domains. Symptoms of fragmented sleep, sleep hallucinations, and night anxiety significantly correlated with PLEs, and several sleep domains were significantly associated with PLE-related distress.
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14
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Russak ODF, Ives L, Mittal VA, Dean DJ. Fluctuating dermatoglyphic asymmetries in youth at ultrahigh-risk for psychotic disorders. Schizophr Res 2016; 170:301-3. [PMID: 26723845 PMCID: PMC4740197 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Fluctuating dermatoglyphic asymmetry represents one specific class of minor physical anomaly that has been proposed to reflect prenatal insult and vulnerability to psychosis. However, very little is known about fluctuating dermatoglyphic asymmetry in youth showing symptoms of ultrahigh risk (UHR) for psychosis. Using high-resolution photographs of fingerprints and clinical interviews, the UHR group in this study showed greater fluctuating dermatoglyphic asymmetry compared to controls; however, this was not further linked to symptomatology. The results of this study provide an important perspective on potential biomarkers and support neurodevelopmental conceptions of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Diane Fern Russak
- University of California Los Angeles, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Lindsay Ives
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Vijay A Mittal
- Northwestern University, Department of Psychology, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Derek J Dean
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, United States; University of Colorado Boulder, Center for Neuroscience, Boulder, CO, United States.
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15
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Kalmady SV, Shivakumar V, Gautham S, Arasappa R, Jose DA, Venkatasubramanian G, Gangadhar BN. Dermatoglyphic correlates of hippocampus volume: Evaluation of aberrant neurodevelopmental markers in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2015; 234:113-20. [PMID: 26385539 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a disorder of aberrant neurodevelopment is marked by abnormalities in brain structure and dermatoglyphic traits. However, the link between these two (i.e. dermatoglyphic parameters and brain structure) which share ectodermal origin and common developmental window has not been explored extensively. The current study examined dermatoglyphic correlates of hippocampal volume in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients in comparison with matched healthy controls. Ridge counts and asymmetry measures for palmar inter-digital areas (a-b, b-c, c-d) were obtained using high resolution digital scans of palms from 89 schizophrenia patients [M:F=48:41] and 48 healthy controls [M:F=30:18]. Brain scans were obtained for subset of subjects including 26 antipsychotic-naïve patients [M:F=13:13] and 29 healthy controls [M:F=19:10] using 3 T-MRI. Hippocampal volume and palmar ridge counts were measured by blinded raters with good inter-rater reliability using valid methods. Directional asymmetry (DA) of b-c and bilateral hippocampal volume were significantly lower in patients than controls. Significant positive correlation was found between DA and ridge count of b-c with bilateral anterior hippocampal volume. Study demonstrates the utility of dermatoglyphic markers in identifying structural changes in the brain which may form the basis for neurodevelopmental pathogenesis in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil V Kalmady
- InSTAR Program, Schizophrenia Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India; Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, NIMHANS, Bangalore, India
| | - Venkataram Shivakumar
- InSTAR Program, Schizophrenia Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India; Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, NIMHANS, Bangalore, India
| | - S Gautham
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, NIMHANS, Bangalore, India
| | - Rashmi Arasappa
- InSTAR Program, Schizophrenia Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India; Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, NIMHANS, Bangalore, India
| | - Dania A Jose
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, NIMHANS, Bangalore, India
| | - Ganesan Venkatasubramanian
- InSTAR Program, Schizophrenia Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India; Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, NIMHANS, Bangalore, India.
| | - B N Gangadhar
- InSTAR Program, Schizophrenia Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India; Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, NIMHANS, Bangalore, India
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16
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Pelletier-Baldelli A, Dean DJ, Lunsford-Avery JR, Smith Watts AK, Orr JM, Gupta T, Millman ZB, Mittal VA. Orbitofrontal cortex volume and intrinsic religiosity in non-clinical psychosis. Psychiatry Res 2014; 222:124-30. [PMID: 24746701 PMCID: PMC4073495 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Revised: 02/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Research indicates that religiosity plays a complex role in mental illness. Despite this link, little work has been done to clarify the role of religiosity in persons exhibiting non-clinical psychosis (NCP, individuals experiencing fleeting psychotic-like symptoms in the absence of a formal psychotic disorder). Further, there are no NCP investigations into whether abnormalities exist in brain structures that are associated with religiosity. Understanding these relationships in NCP is important to clarify the role of religiosity and brain structural anomalies in psychosis. Twenty individuals experiencing NCP and twenty controls were assessed for intrinsic religiosity (IR; motivation/commitment to religious beliefs and/or practices) using a well-validated self-report scale. Structural magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine volumes of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a critical region that has been associated with increased religiosity. Results indicate that IR is elevated in the NCP group, and that these individuals exhibit bilateral volume reduction in both the lateral and medial OFC. Sample-wide correlations are non-significant, but show notable relationships between smaller OFC regions and increased IR. Significant negative relationships were found between OFC volume and depressive and negative symptoms. Overall, results suggest that brain abnormalities associated with NCP may also confer a heightened susceptibility for religiosity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pelletier-Baldelli
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA,Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA,Corresponding Author: Andrea Pelletier-Baldelli, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, 345 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0345, Phone: 252.670.2571
| | - Derek J. Dean
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | - Ashley K. Smith Watts
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA,Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Joseph M. Orr
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA,Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Tina Gupta
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Zachary B. Millman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Vijay A. Mittal
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA,Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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17
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Dean DJ, Bernard JA, Orr JM, Pelletier-Baldelli A, Gupta T, Carol EE, Mittal VA. Cerebellar Morphology and Procedural Learning Impairment in Neuroleptic-Naive Youth at Ultrahigh Risk of Psychosis. Clin Psychol Sci 2014; 2:152-164. [PMID: 25419496 PMCID: PMC4240519 DOI: 10.1177/2167702613500039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite evidence suggesting a role for cerebellar abnormalities in the pathogenesis of psychosis, the structure has yet to receive attention in individuals at ultrahigh risk for psychosis (UHR). Accumulating research has suggested that the cerebellum helps modulate cognition and movement, domains in which UHR individuals show impairment; understanding putative markers of risk, such as structural abnormalities and behavioral correlates, is essential. In this study, participants underwent a high-resolution structural brain scan and participated in a pursuit rotor experiment. Cerebellar regions associated with movement (anterior cerebellum) and cognition (crus I) were subsequently analyzed. UHR participants showed impaired performance on the pursuit rotor task, learned at a slower rate, and showed smaller cerebellar volumes compared with control participants. Left crus I volume was significantly associated with poor rate of learning. The present results suggest that cerebellar abnormalities and their behavioral correlates (poor learning and motor control) precede the onset of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek J. Dean
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | | | - Joseph M. Orr
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
- Institute for Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Andrea Pelletier-Baldelli
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Tina Gupta
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Emily E. Carol
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Vijay A. Mittal
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
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18
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Orr JM, Turner JA, Mittal VA. Widespread brain dysconnectivity associated with psychotic-like experiences in the general population. Neuroimage Clin 2014; 4:343-51. [PMID: 24501703 PMCID: PMC3913833 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
It is becoming increasingly clear that psychosis occurs along a continuum. At the high end are formal psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, and at the low-end are individuals who experience occasional psychotic symptoms, but are otherwise healthy (non-clinical psychosis, NCP). Schizophrenia has been shown to be marked by altered patterns of connectivity between brain regions, but it is not known if such dysconnectivity exists in NCP. In the current study we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare resting-state functional connectivity in NCP individuals (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 27) for four brain networks of interest (fronto-parietal, cingulo-opercular, default mode, and cerebellar networks). NCP individuals showed reduced connectivity compared to controls between regions of the default mode network and frontal regions, and between regions in all of the networks and the thalamus. NCP individuals showed greater connectivity compared to controls within regions of frontal control networks. Further, positive symptom scores in NCP individuals were positively correlated with connectivity between the cingulo-opercular network and the visual cortex, and were negatively correlated with connectivity between the cerebellar network and the posterior parietal cortex and dorsal premotor cortex. Connectivity was not correlated with positive symptom scores in controls. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that a spectrum of abnormal connectivity underlies the psychosis continuum, and that individuals with sub-clinical psychotic experiences represent a key population for understanding pathogenic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Orr
- University of Colorado Boulder, Institute for Cognitive Science, USA
| | - Jessica A. Turner
- Mind Research Network, Translational Neuroscience Department, USA
- Georgia State University, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute, USA
| | - Vijay A. Mittal
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, USA
- University of Colorado Boulder, Center for Neuroscience, USA
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19
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Mittal VA, Orr JM, Turner JA, Pelletier AL, Dean DJ, Lunsford-Avery J, Gupta T. Striatal abnormalities and spontaneous dyskinesias in non-clinical psychosis. Schizophr Res 2013; 151:141-7. [PMID: 24156901 PMCID: PMC3855894 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Revised: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests that individuals experiencing non-clinical psychosis (NCP) represent a critical group for improving understanding of etiological factors underlying the broader psychosis continuum. Although a wealth of evidence supports widespread neural dysfunction in formal psychosis, there has been little empirical evidence to inform our understanding of putative vulnerability markers or brain structure in NCP. In this study, we examined the neural correlates of spontaneous movement abnormalities, a biomarker previously detected in NCP that is linked to abnormalities in the striatal dopamine. METHODS We screened a total of 1285 adolescents/young adults, and those scoring in the upper 15th percentile on a NCP scale were invited to participate; 20 of those invited agreed and these individuals were matched with healthy controls. Participants were administered a structural scan, clinical interviews, and an instrumental motor assessment. RESULTS The NCP group showed elevated force variability and smaller putamen (but not caudate), and there was a significant relationship between motor dysfunction and striatal abnormalities for the sample. Elevated force variability was associated with both higher positive and negative symptoms, and there was a strong trend (p=.06) to suggest that smaller left putamen volumes were associated with elevated positive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The results are among the first to suggest an association between neural structure and a risk marker in NCP. Findings indicate that vulnerabilities seen in schizophrenia also characterize the lower end of the psychosis spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay A. Mittal
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience,University of Colorado Boulder, Center for Neuroscience
| | - Joseph M. Orr
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience,University of Colorado Boulder, Institute for Cognitive Science
| | | | - Andrea L. Pelletier
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience,University of Colorado Boulder, Center for Neuroscience
| | - Derek J. Dean
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience,University of Colorado Boulder, Center for Neuroscience
| | | | - Tina Gupta
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
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20
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Pelletier AL, Dean DJ, Lunsford-Avery JR, Smith AK, Orr JM, Gupta T, Millman ZB, Mittal VA. Emotion recognition and social/role dysfunction in non-clinical psychosis. Schizophr Res 2013. [PMID: 23182437 PMCID: PMC3604191 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2012.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
As researchers continue to understand non-clinical psychosis (NCP-brief psychotic-like experiences occurring in 5-7% of the general population; van Os et al., 2009), it is becoming evident that functioning deficits and facial emotion recognition (FER) impairment characterize this phenomenon. However, the extent to which these domains are related remains unclear. Social/role functioning and FER were assessed in 65 adolescents/young adults exhibiting low and high-NCP. Results indicate that FER and social/role functioning deficits were present in the High-NCP group, and that the domains were associated in this group alone. Taken together, findings suggest that a core emotive deficit is tied to broader social/role dysfunction in NCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Pelletier
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder,Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Derek J. Dean
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | | | - Ashley K. Smith
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder,Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Joseph M. Orr
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder,Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Tina Gupta
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Zachary B. Millman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Vijay A. Mittal
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder,Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
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21
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Mittal VA, Smolen A, Dean DJ, Pelletier AL, Lunsford-Avery J, Smith A. BDNF Val66Met and spontaneous dyskinesias in non-clinical psychosis. Schizophr Res 2012; 140:65-70. [PMID: 22766130 PMCID: PMC3423560 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2012.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2012] [Revised: 06/10/2012] [Accepted: 06/13/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence indicating that symptoms of non-clinical psychosis (NCP) occur in 6-8% of the general population suggests that psychosis may occur across a continuum. Although a number of studies have examined environmental contributors, to date there have been few investigations of biological/genetic factors in this integral population. A recent study observed spontaneous dyskinetic movements (reflecting an innervated striatal system) in individuals reporting NCP. The present investigation is designed to replicate this finding and determine if brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (implicated in striatal dopamine function) is associated with dyskinesias. METHOD A total of 68 young-adult participants reporting High and Low-NCP were assessed for dyskinetic movements using a sensitive instrumental measure of force variability. Saliva from the participants was genotyped for val66met (rs6265), a common functional polymorphism of the BDNF gene (the Met allele is associated with lower activity-dependent release of BDNF). RESULTS Participants in the High-NCP group showed significantly elevated levels of force variability. Met allele carriers exhibited significantly higher levels of force variability when compared with the Val homozygotes. Logistic regression indicated that the odds of membership in the High-NCP group were significantly higher given the presence of dyskinesias (OR=2.32; CI: 1.25-4.28). CONCLUSION Findings of elevated force variability suggest that individuals with NCP exhibit subtle signs of striatal vulnerability, reflected more dramatically as jerking and hyperkinetic movements in patients with formal psychosis. The results are consistent with a larger literature implicating BDNF as a critical factor underlying abnormal movements, and suggest that specific candidate genes underlie putative markers across a psychosis continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, 345 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309‐0345, USA.
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