Associations between methamphetamine use disorder and SLC18A1, SLC18A2, BDNF, and FAAH gene sequence variants and expression levels.

INTRODUCTION: Assessing candidate gene sequence variations and expression helps to understand methamphetamine use disorder and inform potential treatments. We investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and gene expression in four candidate genes: SLC18A1, SLC18A2, BDNF, and FAAH, between controls and people with methamphetamine use disorder. METHODS: Fifty-nine participants (29 people with methamphetamine use disorder and 30 controls) completed a clinical interview, cognitive tasks, and provided a blood sample. SLC18A1, SLC18A2, BDNF, and FAAH SNPs were genotyped, and gene expression was assessed with real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: SLC18A1 Pro4Thr was associated with methamphetamine use disorder (OR = 6.22; p = .007). SLC18A2 variants, rs363227 and rs363387, were negatively associated with methamphetamine use severity (p = .003) and positively associated with inhibitory control performance (p = .006), respectively. BDNF Val66Met was associated with the severity of use (p = .008). SLC18A2 and FAAH mRNA levels were lower in people who use methamphetamine relative to controls (p = .021 and .010, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: SLC18A1 is identified for the first time to play a potential role in methamphetamine use disorder. Lower levels of blood SLC18A2 and FAAH mRNA in people with methamphetamine use disorder suggest reduced monoamine reuptake, recycling, or release, and higher anandamide levels in this clinical group, which may be potential therapeutic targets.

Diagnostic utility of exome sequencing followed by research reanalysis in human brain malformations.

This study aimed to determine the diagnostic yield of singleton exome sequencing and subsequent research-based trio exome analysis in children with a spectrum of brain malformations seen commonly in clinical practice. We recruited children ≤ 18 years old with a brain malformation diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and consistent with an established list of known genetic causes. Patients were ascertained nationally from eight tertiary paediatric centres as part of the Australian Genomics Brain Malformation Flagship. Chromosome microarray was required for all children, and those with pathogenic copy number changes were excluded. Cytomegalovirus polymerase chain reaction on neonatal blood spots was performed on all children with polymicrogyria with positive patients excluded. Singleton exome sequencing was performed through a diagnostic laboratory and analysed using a clinical exome sequencing pipeline. Undiagnosed patients were followed up in a research setting, including reanalysis of the singleton exome data and subsequent trio exome sequencing. A total of 102 children were recruited. Ten malformation subtypes were identified with the commonest being polymicrogyria (36%), pontocerebellar hypoplasia (14%), periventricular nodular heterotopia (11%), tubulinopathy (10%), lissencephaly (10%) and cortical dysplasia (9%). The overall diagnostic yield for the clinical singleton exome sequencing was 36%, which increased to 43% after research follow-up. The main source of increased diagnostic yield was the reanalysis of the singleton exome data to include newly discovered gene-disease associations. One additional diagnosis was made by trio exome sequencing. The highest phenotype-based diagnostic yields were for cobblestone malformation, tubulinopathy and lissencephaly and the lowest for cortical dysplasia and polymicrogyria. Pathogenic variants were identified in 32 genes, with variants in 6/32 genes occurring in more than one patient. The most frequent genetic diagnosis was pathogenic variants in TUBA1A. This study shows that over 40% of patients with common brain malformations have a genetic aetiology identified by exome sequencing. Periodic reanalysis of exome data to include newly identified genes was of greater value in increasing diagnostic yield than the expansion to trio exome. This study highlights the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of brain malformations, the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and the large number of patients that remain without a genetic diagnosis despite clinical exome sequencing and research reanalysis.

Use of a gene expression signature to identify trimetazidine for repurposing to treat bipolar depression.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to repurpose a drug for the treatment of bipolar depression. METHODS: A gene expression signature representing the overall transcriptomic effects of a cocktail of drugs widely prescribed to treat bipolar disorder was generated using human neuronal-like (NT2-N) cells. A compound library of 960 approved, off-patent drugs were then screened to identify those drugs that affect transcription most similar to the effects of the bipolar depression drug cocktail. For mechanistic studies, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from a healthy subject and reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells, which were then differentiated into co-cultured neurons and astrocytes. Efficacy studies were conducted in two animal models of depressive-like behaviours (Flinders Sensitive Line rats and social isolation with chronic restraint stress rats). RESULTS: The screen identified trimetazidine as a potential drug for repurposing. Trimetazidine alters metabolic processes to increase ATP production, which is thought to be deficient in bipolar depression. We showed that trimetazidine increased mitochondrial respiration in cultured human neuronal-like cells. Transcriptomic analysis in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuron/astrocyte co-cultures suggested additional mechanisms of action via the focal adhesion and MAPK signalling pathways. In two different rodent models of depressive-like behaviours, trimetazidine exhibited antidepressant-like activity with reduced anhedonia and reduced immobility in the forced swim test. CONCLUSION: Collectively our data support the repurposing of trimetazidine for the treatment of bipolar depression.

Generation and heterozygous repair of human iPSC lines from three individuals with cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) carrying biallelic AAGGG expansions in RFC1.

Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder predominantly caused by biallelic AAGGG expansions in the second intron of the RFC1 gene. Here, we used a simultaneous reprogramming and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing approach to generate three patient iPSC lines with homozygous AAGGG expansions along with three heterozygous gene corrected iPSC lines. The iPSC lines expressed pluripotency markers, had a normal karyotype, and were able to differentiate into all three embryonic germ layers. These mutant and corrected iPSC lines will be a valuable tool for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying CANVAS.

A preliminary investigation of the clinical and cognitive correlates of circulating vitamin D in bipolar disorder.

The role that vitamin D plays in the cognitive and clinical characteristics of bipolar disorder (BD) is unclear. We examined differences in the levels and deficiency status of vitamin D in an Australian sample of BD patients compared to healthy controls; and determined the extent to which vitamin D is associated with clinical variables and cognitive function in the sample. 22 healthy controls and 55 stable outpatients with a diagnosis of BD and low-grade mood symptomatology provided a sample of blood and completed cognitive tests and clinical measures. Plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D) were assayed and used to segregate participants into subgroups with sufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D. Subgroups were then compared in terms of global cognition and a range of sociodemographic and clinical factors (number of past mood episodes, illness duration, seasonal mood pattern, mood symptom severity), while mean levels of vitamin D were compared between patients and controls. Although almost 27% of the current sample were vitamin D deficient, no significant differences in mean vitamin D levels or the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency were evident between BD patients and controls. Vitamin D was not associated with global cognition in either patients or controls, nor any of the clinical measures assessed in the study. In conclusion, we observed no difference in the vitamin D levels and deficiency status of an Australian sample of healthy individuals and BD patients with low grade mood symptomatology compared to controls. Clinical symptoms and global cognition also appear to be independent of vitamin D levels in BD.

The relationship between cognitive clusters and telomere length in bipolar-schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are complex mental illnesses that are associated with cognitive deficits. There is considerable cognitive heterogeneity that exists within both disorders. Studies that cluster schizophrenia and bipolar patients into subgroups based on their cognitive profile increasingly demonstrate that, relative to healthy controls, there is a severely compromised subgroup and a relatively intact subgroup. There is emerging evidence that telomere shortening, a marker of cellular senescence, may be associated with cognitive impairments. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between cognitive subgroups in bipolar-schizophrenia spectrum disorders and telomere length against a healthy control sample. METHODS: Participants included a transdiagnostic group diagnosed with bipolar, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 73) and healthy controls (n = 113). Cognitive clusters within the transdiagnostic patient group, were determined using K-means cluster analysis based on current cognitive functioning (MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery scores). Telomere length was determined using quantitative PCRs genomic DNA extracted from whole blood. Emergent clusters were then compared to the healthy control group on telomere length. RESULTS: Two clusters emerged within the patient group that were deemed to reflect a relatively intact cognitive group and a cognitively impaired subgroup. Telomere length was significantly shorter in the severely impaired cognitive subgroup compared to the healthy control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study replicates previous findings of transdiagnostic cognitive subgroups and associates shorter telomere length with the severely impaired cognitive subgroup. These findings support emerging literature associating cognitive impairments in psychiatric disorders to accelerated cellular aging as indexed by telomere length.

Unexpected diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy type 2 repeat expansion by genome sequencing.

Several neurological disorders, such as myotonic dystrophy are caused by expansions of short tandem repeats (STRs) which can be difficult to detect by molecular tools. Methodological advances have made repeat expansion (RE) detection with whole genome sequencing (WGS) feasible. We recruited a multi-generational family (family A) ascertained for genetic studies of autism spectrum disorder. WGS was performed on seven children from four nuclear families from family A and analyzed for REs of STRs known to cause neurological disorders. We detected an expansion of a heterozygous intronic CCTG STR in CNBP in two siblings. This STR causes myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2). The expansion did not segregate with the ASD phenotype. Repeat-primed PCR showed that the DM2 CCTG motif was expanded above the pathogenic threshold in both children and their mother. On subsequent examination, the mother had mild features of DM2. We show that screening of STRs in WGS datasets has diagnostic utility, both in the clinical and research domain, with potential management and genetic counseling implications.

Evidence that a working memory cognitive phenotype within schizophrenia has a unique underlying biology.

It is suggested studying phenotypes within the syndrome of schizophrenia will accelerate understanding the complex molecular pathology of the disorder. Supporting this hypothesis, we have identified a sub-group within schizophrenia with impaired working memory (WM) and have used Affymetrix™ Human Exon 1.0 ST Arrays to compare their blood RNA levels (n=16) to a group of with intact WM (n=18). Levels of 72 RNAs were higher in blood from patients with impaired WM, 11 of which have proven links to the maintenance of different aspects of working memory (cognition). Overall, changed gene expression in those with impaired WM could be linked to cognition through glutamatergic activity, olfaction, immunity, inflammation as well as energy and metabolism. Our data gives preliminary support to the hypotheses that there is a working memory deficit phenotype within the syndrome of schizophrenia with has a biological underpinning. In addition, our data raises the possibility that a larger study could show that the specific changes in gene expression we have identified could prove to be the biomarkers needed to develop a blood test to identify those with impaired WM; a significant step toward allowing the use of personalised medicine directed toward improving their impaired working memory.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Schizophrenia Resistant to Clozapine: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Targeting Negative Symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, yet a significant proportion of individuals on clozapine continue to experience disabling symptoms, despite being treated with an adequate dose. There is a need for adjunct treatments to augment clozapine, notably for negative and cognitive symptoms. One such potential agent is the glutathione precursor N-acetylcysteine (NAC). STUDY DESIGN: A randomized double-blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled trial for clozapine patients with enduring psychotic symptoms (n = 84) was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of adjunctive NAC (2 g daily) for negative symptoms, cognition and quality of life (QoL). Efficacy was assessed at 8, 24, and 52 weeks. STUDY RESULTS: NAC did not significantly improve negative symptoms (P = .62), overall cognition (P = .71) or quality of life (Manchester quality of life: P = .11; Assessment of quality of life: P = .57) at any time point over a 1-year period of treatment. There were no differences in reported side effects between the groups (P = .26). CONCLUSIONS: NAC did not significantly improve schizophrenia symptoms, cognition, or quality of life in treatment-resistant patients taking clozapine. This trial was registered with "Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials" on the 30 May, 2016 (Registration Number: ACTRN12615001273572).

Methylomic and transcriptomic characterization of postoperative systemic inflammatory dysregulation.

In this study, we define and validate a state of postoperative systemic inflammatory dysregulation (PSID) based on postoperative phenotypic extremes of plasma C-reactive protein concentration following major abdominal surgery. PSID manifested clinically with significantly higher rates of sepsis, complications, longer hospital stays and poorer short, and long-term outcomes. We hypothesized that PSID will be associated with, and potentially predicted by, altered patterns of genome-wide peripheral blood mononuclear cell differential DNA methylation and gene expression. We identified altered DNA methylation and differential gene expression in specific immune and metabolic pathways during PSID. Our findings suggest that dysregulation results in, or from, dramatic changes in differential DNA methylation and highlights potential targets for early detection and treatment. The combination of altered DNA methylation and gene expression suggests that dysregulation is mediated at multiple levels within specific gene sets and hence, nonspecific anti-inflammatory treatments such as corticosteroids alone are unlikely to represent an effective therapeutic strategy.

A family study implicates GBE1 in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with an estimated heritability of >60%. Family-based genetic studies of ASD have generally focused on multiple small kindreds, searching for de novo variants of major effect. We hypothesized that molecular genetic analysis of large multiplex families would enable the identification of variants of milder effects. We studied a large multigenerational family of European ancestry with multiple family members affected with ASD or the broader autism phenotype (BAP). We identified a rare heterozygous variant in the gene encoding 1,4-ɑ-glucan branching enzyme 1 (GBE1) that was present in seven of seven individuals with ASD, nine of ten individuals with the BAP, and none of four tested unaffected individuals. We genotyped a community-acquired cohort of 389 individuals with ASD and identified three additional probands. Cascade analysis demonstrated that the variant was present in 11 of 13 individuals with familial ASD/BAP and neither of the two tested unaffected individuals in these three families, also of European ancestry. The variant was not enriched in the combined UK10K ASD cohorts of European ancestry but heterozygous GBE1 deletion was overrepresented in large ASD cohorts, collectively suggesting an association between GBE1 and ASD.

Influence of cortisol awakening response on telomere length: Trends for males and females.

Although telomere attrition is associated with the process of normal ageing, shorter telomere length (TL) has been associated with acute and chronic stressors. A neurobiological factor hypothesised to be responsible for this accelerated attrition is the dysregulation of the cortisol stress response, which can induce DNA damage affecting DNA telomeric caps. Marked sex differences are reported in both the cortisol stress response and telomere dynamics, yet no explicit investigation of sex specificity on the relationship between cortisol and TL exists. This study used mathematical equation modelling to describe the relationship between diurnal cortisol levels and telomere length within the context of sex, in a healthy population. Cortisol awakening responses (CAR) were measured via ELISA methodology in fifty-one healthy participants (28 males, 23 females). qPCRs determined TL from genomic DNA extracted from saliva. To assess the effect of free cortisol on relative TL ratio, a semi-log regression plot of the two variables trended for sex were fitted using spline curves. Results demonstrated significant differences between males and females in the relationship defining CAR and TL association (p = 0.03). These results suggest the relationship is not linear and can be represented as a complex arcsin function, and that the patterns are opposite in males and females. Males demonstrate a positive correlation, with higher levels of CAR being associated with longer telomere sequences. Females demonstrated a negative correlation. Future studies must carefully take into consideration moderating factors such as sex, and sex hormones across the lifespan when investigating telomere length.

Generation of four iPSC lines from Neurofibromatosis Type 1 patients.

We describe the generation and characterisation of four human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from individuals with neurofibromatosis type (NF1). PBMC reprogramming was performed using a non-integrative Sendai virus containing the reprogramming factors OCT4, SOX2, MYC and KLF4. All iPSC lines exhibited a normal karyotype, and pluripotency was validated by flow cytometry (EPCAM, TRA-1-81, SSEA1 and CD9) and immunofluorescence (OCT4 and Nanog). Differentiation of the cells into the three embryonic germ layers was confirmed using immunofluorescence. These iPSC lines are a valuable pre-clinical resource to study the molecular mechanisms underlying NF1.

DNA methylation patterns from peripheral blood separate coronary artery disease patients with and without heart failure.

AIMS: Natriuretic peptides are useful for diagnosis and prognostication of heart failure of any cause. Now, research aims to discover novel biomarkers that will more specifically define the heart failure phenotype. DNA methylation plays a critical role in the development of cardiovascular disease with the potential to predict fundamental pathogenic processes. There is a lack of data relating DNA methylation in heart failure that specifically focuses on patients with severe multi-vessel coronary artery disease. To begin to address this, we conducted a pilot study uniquely exploring the utility of powerful whole-genome methyl-binding domain-capture sequencing in a cohort of cardiac surgery patients, matched for the severity of their coronary artery disease, aiming to identify candidate peripheral blood DNA methylation markers of ischaemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recruited a cohort of 20 male patients presenting for coronary artery bypass graft surgery with phenotypic extremes of heart failure but who otherwise share a similar coronary ischaemic burden, age, sex, and ethnicity. Methylation profiling in patient blood samples was performed using methyl-binding domain-capture sequencing. Differentially methylated regions were validated using targeted bisulfite sequencing. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to identify differences in methylation at or near gene promoters in certain known Reactome pathways. We detected 567 188 methylation peaks of which our general linear model identified 68 significantly differentially methylated regions in heart failure with a false discovery rate <0.05. Of these regions, 48 occurred within gene bodies and 25 were located near enhancer elements, some within coding genes and some in non-coding genes. Gene set enrichment analyses identified 103 significantly enriched gene sets (false discovery rate <0.05) in heart failure. Validation analysis of regions with the strongest differential methylation data was performed for two genes: HDAC9 and the uncharacterized miRNA gene MIR3675. Genes of particular interest as novel candidate markers of the heart failure phenotype with reduced methylation were HDAC9, JARID2, and GREM1 and with increased methylation PDSS2. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the utility of methyl-binding domain-capture sequencing to evaluate peripheral blood DNA methylation markers in a cohort of cardiac surgical patients with severe multi-vessel coronary artery disease and phenotypic extremes of heart failure. The differential methylation status of specific coding genes identified are candidates for larger longitudinal studies. We have further demonstrated the value and feasibility of examining DNA methylation during the perioperative period to highlight biological pathways and processes contributing to complex phenotypes.

Distribution of Parkinson's disease associated RAB39B in mouse brain tissue.

Pathogenic variants in the gene encoding the small GTPase Ras analogue in Brain 39b (RAB39B) are associated with early-onset parkinsonism. In this study we investigated the expression and localization of RAB39B (RNA and protein) in mouse brain tissue to gain a better understanding of its normal physiological function(s) and role in disease.We developed novel resources, including monoclonal antibodies directed against RAB39B and mice with Rab39b knockout, and performed real-time PCR and western blot analysis on whole brain lysates. To determine the spatial localization of Rab39b RNA and protein, we performed in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry on fresh frozen and fixed brain tissue. Our results show that RAB39B is localized throughout the cortex, hippocampus and substantia nigra of mice throughout postnatal life. We found high levels of RAB39B within MAP2 positive cortical and hippocampal neurons, and TH positive dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.Our studies support and extend current knowledge of the localization of RAB39B. We validate RAB39B as a neuron-enriched protein and demonstrate that it is present throughout the mouse cortex and hippocampus. Further, we observe high levels in the substantia nigra pars compacta, the brain region most affected in Parkinson's disease pathology. The distribution of Rab39b is consistent with human disease associations with parkinsonism and cognitive impairment. We also describe and validate novel resources, including monoclonal antibodies directed against RAB39B and mice with Rab39b knockout, both of which are valuable tools for future studies of the molecular function of RAB39B.

Generation of seven iPSC lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells suitable to investigate Autism Spectrum Disorder.

We have generated and characterized seven human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a single family, including unaffected and affected individuals clinically diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The reprogramming of the PBMCs was performed using non-integrative Sendai virus containing the reprogramming factors POU5F1 (OCT4), SOX2, KLF4 and MYC. All iPSC lines exhibited a normal karyotype and pluripotency was validated by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and their ability to differentiate into the three embryonic germ layers. These iPSC lines are a valuable resource to study the molecular mechanisms underlying ASD.

Acute effects of active breaks during prolonged sitting on subcutaneous adipose tissue gene expression: an ancillary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Active breaks in prolonged sitting has beneficial impacts on cardiometabolic risk biomarkers. The molecular mechanisms include regulation of skeletal muscle gene and protein expression controlling metabolic, inflammatory and cell development pathways. An active communication network exists between adipose and muscle tissue, but the effect of active breaks in prolonged sitting on adipose tissue have not been investigated. This study characterized the acute transcriptional events induced in adipose tissue by regular active breaks during prolonged sitting. We studied 8 overweight/obese adults participating in an acute randomized three-intervention crossover trial. Interventions were performed in the postprandial state and included: (i) prolonged uninterrupted sitting; or prolonged sitting interrupted with 2-minute bouts of (ii) light- or (iii) moderate-intensity treadmill walking every 20 minutes. Subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were obtained after each condition. Microarrays identified 36 differentially expressed genes between the three conditions (fold change ≥0.5 in either direction; p < 0.05). Pathway analysis indicated that breaking up of prolonged sitting led to differential regulation of adipose tissue metabolic networks and inflammatory pathways, increased insulin signaling, modulation of adipocyte cell cycle, and facilitated cross-talk between adipose tissue and other organs. This study provides preliminary insight into the adipose tissue regulatory systems that may contribute to the physiological effects of interrupting prolonged sitting.

The effects of a muscarinic receptor 1 gene variant on executive and non-executive cognition in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Individuals with schizophrenia who are homozygous at the c.267C > A (rs2067477) single nucleotide polymorphism within the muscarinic M1 receptor gene have been reported to perform less well on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). We investigated if rs2067477 genotype variation influenced WCST performance and non-executive cognition cross-diagnostically in a sample of 147 schizophrenia spectrum participants (SSD) and 294 healthy controls. We were unable to detect any significant differences in executive and non-executive cognitive performance across genotype. A broader genetic focus should be considered when investigating the association between the muscarinic system and cognition in SSD.

Generation of iPSC lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 5 healthy adults.

We describe the generation and characterization of 5 human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy adult individuals. The PBMCs were reprogrammed using non-integrating Sendai viruses containing the reprogramming factors POU5F1 (OCT4), SOX2, KLF4 and MYC. The iPSC lines exhibited a normal karyotype, expressed pluripotency markers and differentiated into cells representative of the three embryonic germ layers. These iPSC lines can be used as controls in studying disease mechanisms.

Do schizotypy dimensions reflect the symptoms of schizophrenia?

OBJECTIVE: The personality characteristics and symptoms observed in schizophrenia are postulated to lie on a continuum, with non-clinical manifestations referred to as schizotypy. High schizotypy behaviours are argued to correspond with the three main clusters of symptoms in schizophrenia: positive, negative and cognitive/disorganised symptoms, yet there is limited empirical evidence to support this. This study aimed to investigate whether schizotypy dimensions significantly correlate with their respective schizophrenia symptomatology in the largest sample to date. METHODS: A total of 361 adults (103 patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and 258 healthy controls) were assessed for schizotypy using the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences. The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery supplemented by the Stroop task and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test was administered to all participants to obtain objective measurements of cognition. Schizophrenia symptomatology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in patients only. RESULTS: The results demonstrated significant correlations between the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences positive and negative subscales and their respective Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale subscales only, indicating that positive and negative schizotypy dimensions across patients and controls accurately reflect the respective schizophrenia symptomatology observed in patients. Cognitive performance did not correlate with cognitive/disorganised symptom dimensions of the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences or the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, indicating that cognitive impairment is an independent symptom dimension that requires objective cognitive testing. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the findings provide empirical evidence for the continuum theory and support the use of schizotypy as a model for investigating schizophrenia.