An examination of the relationship between regulatory T cells and symptom flare-ups in children and adolescents diagnosed with chronic tic disorder and Tourette syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by several motor and phonic tics. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to compare activated regulatory T cell (Treg) values between patients with TS/chronic tic disorder (CTD) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Patients with TS/CTD and age- and sex-matched HCs were included in the study. The severity of the disease was evaluated using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale. CD4+CD25+CD127low Tregs from the patient group and the control group were compared using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The study included 48 patients diagnosed with TS/CTD (36 males and 12 females, mean age: 11.58 ± 2.61) and 24 HCs (18 males and 6 females, mean age: 11.63 ± 2.60). The TS/CTD group had significantly higher activated regulatory T percentile with respect to the T helper value compared to the HCs (p = 0.010). Lymphocyte count, T lymphocyte count, T lymphocyte percentage, T-helper lymphocyte count, and T-helper lymphocyte percentage were lower in the patient group compared to the control group (p = 0.024, 0.003, 0.007, <0.001, <0.001, respectively). The comparison of three groups (mild, moderate-severe, and HCs) revealed that T lymphocyte number and percentage and the T helper number and percentage were significantly higher in the HC group compared to the moderate-severe group, whereas the activated Treg percentage with respect to the T helper value was significantly higher in the moderate-severe group compared to the HC group (0.002, 0.026, <0.001, <0.001, 0.027, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Tregs may have a role in the pathogenesis of TS/CTD.

Decreased serum orexin A levels in drug-naive children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood and characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and its etiology has not yet been determined precisely. Orexin A is thought to play an important role in different forms of learning, memory, and attention. Despite its importance in attention and learning, no study has investigated serum orexin levels in patients with ADHD. In the present study, we aimed to compare serum orexigenic neuropeptides such as orexin A and orexin B, neuropeptide Y, and ghrelin between drug naive children with ADHD and healthy children. Fifty-six drug-naive children with ADHD and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. After comparison of serum orexin A and orexin B, neuropeptide Y, and ghrelin, we found that serum orexin A levels were significantly lower in the ADHD group (p = 0.001). Furthermore, serum orexin A levels were compared between ADHD subgroups. Orexin A levels were significantly lower in the inattentive subtype compared with the hyperactive subtype and combined subtype (p = 0.009). Our results indicate that orexin A might be a neurobiological etiological factor in ADHD, particularly associated with attention symptoms. The present study is the first to demonstrate decreased serum orexin A levels in drug-naive children with ADHD. Further studies are needed to confirm our results and to show the effects of treatments involving orexin A in patients with ADHD.

An Examination of the Relations Between Symptom Distributions in Children Diagnosed with Autism and Caregiver Burden, Anxiety and Depression Levels.

High stress levels and impairment of physical/mental health in parents can delay early and effective intervention in autism. The purpose of this study was to examine relations between the clinical characteristics of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and caregiver burden, and anxiety and depression levels. Seventy cases under monitoring at the Namik Kemal University Medical Faculty Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Polyclinic with a diagnosis of ASD, and their principal caregivers, were included in the study. The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale were completed. At multiple regression analysis, autism symptom severity and caregiver depressive symptom levels emerged as significant predictors of total caregiver burden scores. Only the ABC language subscale score had a determining effect on caregiver burden (r = 0.51, r2 = 0.26, p = 0.04). ABC body and object use subscale scores were identified as the symptom cluster affecting depression and anxiety scores (r = 0.25, r2 = 0.06, p = 0.03 and r = 0.28, r2 = 0.08, p = 0.01). Our findings show that ASD symptom severity and depressive symptoms in the caregiver are the most important factors giving rise to the caregiver burden, and that the main ASD symptom cluster affecting the caregiver burden was problems associated with language development. Better understanding of variables impacting on the caregiver burden will increase the quality of psychosocial services for caregivers.

Continuation of Treatment in Children With ADHD: A Multicenter Turkish Sample Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the variables that may affect treatment continuation in children aged 6 to 12 years who were newly diagnosed with ADHD. METHODS: A total of 132 children diagnosed with ADHD and their parents participated in the study. Sociodemographic and clinical risk factors affecting continuation of treatment were examined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Multiple model examination revealed that greater age increased the risk of treatment discontinuation 1.824 times (p = .003) while a lower total length of paternal education increased the risk of discontinuation (1/0.835) 1.198 times (p = .022). Other variables emerging as significant in the univariate model lost that significance in the multiple model. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the variables associated with medication discontinuation in ADHD in different populations and taking these variables into account in the development of health policies, will be useful in improving the long-term devastating effects of the disorder.

A comparison of clinical characteristics and course predictors in early- and childhood-onset schizophrenia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) and early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) during the first- episode psychosis and the stable period, to examine psychopharmacological treatment approaches, and to investigate potential predictive factors for prognosis. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, and psychopharmacological therapy data for 31 patients diagnosed with COS and 66 with EOS were retrieved from the file records in this multicenter study. Symptom distribution and disease severity and course were evaluated twice, in the acute psychotic stage and in the latest stable phase, during follow-up using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) and clinical global impression (CGI) scales. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups' CGI improvement rates and median last stable stage PANSS positive, negative, and general psychopathology symptom scores (p = .005, p = .031, p = .005, and p = .012, respectively). Premorbid neurodevelopmental disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder and comorbidities were more common in the COS group (p = .025 and p = .030, respectively), and treatment required greater multiple antipsychotic use in that group (p = .013). When the independent variables affecting the difference between pre- and post-treatment PANSS scores were examined using linear regression analysis, the model established was found to be statistically significant (F = 5.393; p = .001), and the group variable (p = .024), initial disease severity (p = .001), and socioeconomic level (p = .022; p = .007) emerged as predictive factors for the disease course. CONCLUSION: Although early diagnosis and treatment is an important factor in improving prognosis in schizophrenia, more specific predictors for schizophrenia need to be identified. Additionally, preventive programs and pharmacological methods need to be developed in children with neurodevelopmental problems, particularly those from low socioeconomic status families.

An Examination of the Relationship Between Exposure to Bisphenol A and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to environmental toxic agents in the prenatal and/or postnatal periods may play in the acquired development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in groups with genetic risks. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used industrial chemical with neurotoxic effects. This study examined the relationship between exposure to BPA and clinical ADHD. METHODS: This cross-sectional, case-controlled clinical study compared 45 drug-naive children and adolescents with ADHD and 30 healthy controls in terms of serum BPA levels. Psychiatric comorbidities in the ADHD group were determined using the "Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for school-aged children, lifetime version." The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was also administered to all participants. RESULTS: Serum BPA levels were significantly higher in the ADHD group than in the healthy control group. In addition, significant, weak positive correlation was found between BPA levels and CBCL attention and CBCL total problem scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that BPA may be an environmental toxic agent with a potential role in the etiology of ADHD and particularly attention deficiency. Preventive interventions can be developed if this can be confirmed with longitudinal studies and repeated measurements.

Aripiprazole Used to Treat Capgras Syndrome in an Adolescent Diagnosed With Autism.

OBJECTIVES: This report discusses the emergence, clinical appearance, and treatment of the rare entity Capgras syndrome (CS) in an adolescent diagnosed with autism. METHODS: After a brief introduction to the CS, we conduct a detailed description of the case and review, after a search on the PubMed database, the known pathophysiology, psychiatric disorders associated with the onset of this syndrome, and the management of CS. RESULTS: Capgras syndrome generally emerges during the course of delusional disorder, schizophrenia, or mood disorders, and for reasons such as neurological, infectious, or endocrinological diseases, drug intoxications, or deprivation. We encountered no previous reports of CS developing during the course of autism. There are no prospective studies concerning the treatment of the syndrome. However, antipsychotic drug use is primarily recommended in treatment. Antipsychotic drug therapy was therefore planned for the treatment of delusion, a psychotic symptom, in this case. The atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole was used based on the presence of accompanying diagnosis of autism, and the patient's body mass index and age. A relatively high dose of aripiprazole was required for the first psychotic attack in our patient. However, a good level of response was achieved within the expected time frame. In addition, no marked adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Aripiprazole seems to be an effective and well-tolerated antipsychotic drug in the treatment of CS accompanying autism.

Neuropsychological weaknesses in adult ADHD; cognitive functions as core deficit and roles of them in persistence to adulthood.

Prior investigations have shown that individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have impaired neuropsychological functions. This study had two aims, first to investigate weakened cognitive functions in adult ADHD (aADHD), and second, to investigate difference between persisters (those having persistently ongoing ADHD diagnosis in adulthood), and remitters (those having ADHD diagnosis only in childhood and not in adulthood), in terms of cognitive deficits. We evaluated performance on a comprehensive neuropsychological battery in three groups including 34 persisters, 35 remitters, and 35 healthy control group (absence of childhood and adulthood ADHD diagnosis). Our findings showed that adults with ADHD have inefficient attention, interference control and set-shifting functions, which may be revealed on neuropsychological tests that require greater cognitive demand. Given the finding that interference control deficit exists across the lifespan in people with ADHD, we suggest that interference control-associated functional weakness may be a core deficit for ADHD. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1-8).

Altered methyltetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism in mothers of children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood and causes significant functional impairments in children. Behavioral genetic and molecular genetic studies have provided significant evidence in terms of highlighting the etiology of ADHD. Folate deficiency during pregnancy is an established risk factor for ADHD. Polymorphisms in the Methyltetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) encoding gene, such as A1298C and C667T, are associated with the decreased bioavailability of folate, and this condition can act like folate deficiency. In the literature, no study has investigated MTHFR polymorphisms in mothers of children with ADHD. Sixty-four children diagnosed with ADHD and their mothers as well as 40 healthy children and their mothers participated in this study. MTHFR polymorphisms were investigated in all participants. Comparison of the C677C and A1298C MTHFR polymorphisms in children with and without ADHD revealed no significant differences. We found that the maternal C677C_CT genotype counts, both observed and expected values, were significantly different from those based on Hardy-Weinberg Principle Analysis in the ADHD group. The most important result of this study was that maternal C677C MTHFR gene polymorphisms are significant risk factors in for ADHD, and we argue that children with ADHD are exposed to folate deficiency, even if their mothers received a sufficient amount of folate during pregnancy. This result also highlights one of the genetic factors of ADHD. Further studies should be performed to confirm this finding.

The Clinical Features of Comorbid Pediatric Bipolar Disorder in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The aim of this study was to describe clinical features of PBD comorbidity in children with ASD. Forty children with ASD and PBD aged 6-18 years, and 40 age- and sex-matched ASD subjects with no affective episodes were included in the study. Autism Behavior CheckList, Abberant Behavior CheckList, and Young Mania Rating Scale-Parent Version were completed. This study shows that PBD comorbidity in children with ASD involves a highly episodic course, with manic episodes, subsyndromal symptoms and interepisodic periods commonly being described in the manic symptom profile of these children. These findings need to be repeated with large samples, together with controlled studies concerning therapeutic interventions directed toward PBD comorbidity in children with ASD.

The Effect of Atomoxetin Use in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on the Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome: A Case Report.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently accompanied with sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and circadian rhythm disorder. We have limited information about the effects of medical therapies used in the treatment of ADHD on RLS. This article discusses the effects of atomoxetine treatment on both disorders in a patient followed by diagnoses of ADHD and RLS.

Increased serum levels of apoptosis in deficit syndrome schizophrenia patients: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating disorder, the etiology of which remains unclear. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death mechanism that might be implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to compare the serum levels of apoptosis among deficit schizophrenia (DS) syndrome patients, nondeficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients, and healthy controls (HCs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: After the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 23 DS patients, 46 NDS patients, and 33 HCs were included in the study. The serum apoptosis levels were measured using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay with human monoclonal antibodies directed against DNA and histones. RESULTS: There was a significant difference among the three groups in terms of the levels of apoptosis (F 2,96=16.58; P<0.001). The serum apoptosis levels in the DS and NDS groups were significantly higher than those in the HC group. Furthermore, the serum apoptosis levels in the DS group were significantly higher than the levels in the NDS group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that increased levels of apoptosis may be implicated in the pathophysiology of DS syndrome. However, further studies are needed to support the role of apoptosis in DS.

Neurological soft signs might be endophenotype candidates for patients with deficit syndrome schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a chronic, disabling, disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population. The nature of schizophrenia is heterogeneous, and unsuccessful efforts to subtype this disorder have been made. Deficit syndrome schizophrenia (DS) is a clinical diagnosis that has not been placed in main diagnostic manuals. In this study, we aimed to investigate and compare neurological soft signs (NSS) in DS patients, non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients, and healthy controls (HCs). We suggest that NSS might be an endophenotype candidate for DS patients. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with schizophrenia and 30 HCs were enrolled in accordance with our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were sub-typed as DS (n=24) and NDS (n=42) according to the Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome. The three groups were compared in terms of sociodemographic and clinical variables and total scores and subscores on the Physical and Neurological Examination for Soft Signs (PANESS). Following the comparison, a regression analysis was performed for predictability of total PANESS score and its subscales in the diagnosis of DS and NDS. RESULTS: The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and smoking status. The results of our study indicated that the total PANESS score was significantly higher in the DS group compared to the NDS and HC groups, and all PANESS subscales were significantly higher in the DS group than in the HC group. The diagnosis of DS was predicted significantly by total PANESS score (P<0.001, odds ratio =9.48, 95% confidence interval: 0.00-4.56); the synergy, graphesthesia, stereognosis, motor tasks, and ability to maintain posture subscales were found to be significant predictors. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that NSS were higher in patients with DS. In addition, we suggest that our results might support the notion of DS as a different and distinct type of schizophrenia. NSS might also be a promising candidate as an endophenotype for DS. However, large sampled, multicentric studies are needed to clarify the place of NSS as an endophenotype in DS.

Neuropsychological and Clinical Profiles of Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Childhood Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: The differential features of childhood-onset obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) compared to adult-onset OCD are being more of a focus of attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and neuropsychological profiles of children and adolescents diagnosed with childhood-onset OCD and to investigate the association between the duration, severity, comorbidity, and family history of the disorder and clinical and neuropsychological functional impairments. METHODS: Thirty-five OCD patients (patient group) and 35 healthy control subjects (control group) between 8-15 years of age were included. To investigate the neuropsychological profiles, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop Test, and Continuous Performance Test (CPT) were applied. To assess the clinical and behavioral profiles, the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Conner's Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-48), and the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YB-OCS) and Yale Global Tic Severity Rating Scale (YGTSRS) were given. RESULTS: Based on the performance in the WCST, Stroop Test, and SPT, the results of the study reveal that childhood-onset OCD patients have statistically significant worse performance compared to healthy controls in terms of executive functions, sustained attention, and motor inhibition tasks. Excluding the comorbid diagnoses, childhood-onset OCD patients did not show a difference in behavioral problems, but they had higher levels of anxiety compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study reveal that independent of the duration, severity, comorbid problems, and anxiety levels, the disorder itself is associated with worse performance in executive functions, attention, and motor inhibition processes, and a positive family history of OCD is an important risk factor. Long-term follow-up studies with patients diagnosed with childhood-onset OCD would be a logical next step in order to determine the cause-effect relation between the disorder and cognitive impairments.

[Neuropsychological profiles of adolescents with bipolar disorder and adolescents with a high risk of bipolar disorder]. / Bipolar bozukluk tanisi olan ve bipolar bozukluk için yüksek riskli ergenlerin nöropsikolojik özellikleri.

PURPOSE: In recent years evidence of an association between bipolar disorder (BD), and specific neuropsychological impairment and familial transmission of BD has been mounting. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical and neuropsychological features of BD in adolescents, to assess the clinical and neuropsychological parameters in adolescents with a high risk of familial transmission of BD, and to identify probable early markers of the disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 25 patients aged 12-18 years that were diagnosed as BD (case group), 25 adolescents without a mood disorder that had a parent and/or sibling diagnosed as BD, (risk group), and 25 typically developing adolescents (control group). To determine neuropsychological profiles the participants were administered the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT), and Continuous Performance Test (CPT), and to evaluate clinical and behavioral profiles the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Parent-Young Mania Rating Scale (P-YMRS), Youth Self-Report (YSR), and Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-48) were administered. RESULTS: The case group performed significantly lower on the WCST, SCWT, and CPT in terms of executive and attention functions, whereas there wasn't a difference between the risk group and control group. In addition, significantly more of the adolescents in the case and risk groups had clinical and behavioral problems than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings show that behavioral and clinical problems were more common in the risk group than in the control group, and that the frequency of attention and executive function impairment was similar in both of those groups. The findings suggest that BD itself may be associated with attention and executive function impairments, whereas a familial risk of BD may be associated with some behavioral problems. Follow-up and neuroimaging studies conducted with a larger number of participants, and neuropsychological test profiles may provide more detailed information about the neuropsychological profiles of individuals with a genetic risk for BD and may provide descriptive data about where and how the biological and psychometric deterioration initiate.