Association of genetic variations in DTNBP1 with cognitive function in schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects.

The dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 gene (DTNBP1) has been regarded as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. Recent studies have investigated its role on cognitive function that is frequently impaired in schizophrenia patients, and generated inconsistent results. The present study was performed to elucidate effects of genetic variations in DTNBP1 on various cognitive domains in both schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects. Comprehensive neuropsychological tests were administered to 122 clinically stable schizophrenia patients and 119 healthy subjects. Based on positive findings reported in previous association studies, six SNPs were selected and genotyped. Compared to healthy subjects, schizophrenia patients showed expected lower performance for all of the cognitive domains. After adjusting for age, gender, and educational level, four SNPs showed a nominally significant association with cognitive domains. The association of rs760761 and rs1018381 with the attention and vigilance domain remained significant after applying the correction for multiple testing (P < 0.001). Similar association patterns were observed both, in patients and healthy subjects. The observed results suggest the involvement of DTNBP1 not only in the development of attention deficit of schizophrenia, but also in the inter-individual variability of this cognitive domain within the normal functional range.

Examining the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale in 20 diverse samples: Support for use of a total score and six subscale scores.

This study examined the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) using secondary data drawn from 20 samples (N = 11,685)-7 English and 13 non-English-including 10 community, 6 student, 1 mixed community/student, 1 meditator, and 2 clinical samples. Self-compassion is theorized to represent a system with 6 constituent components: self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness and reduced self-judgment, isolation and overidentification. There has been controversy as to whether a total score on the SCS or if separate scores representing compassionate versus uncompassionate self-responding should be used. The current study examined the factor structure of the SCS using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) to examine 5 distinct models: 1-factor, 2-factor correlated, 6-factor correlated, single-bifactor (1 general self-compassion factor and 6 group factors), and 2-bifactor models (2 correlated general factors each with 3 group factors representing compassionate or uncompassionate self-responding). Results indicated that a 1- and 2-factor solution to the SCS had inadequate fit in every sample examined using both CFA and ESEM, whereas fit was excellent using ESEM for the 6-factor correlated, single-bifactor and correlated 2-bifactor models. However, factor loadings for the correlated 2-bifactor models indicated that 2 separate factors were not well specified. A general factor explained 95% of the reliable item variance in the single-bifactor model. Results support use of the SCS to examine 6 subscale scores (representing the constituent components of self-compassion) or a total score (representing overall self-compassion), but not separate scores representing compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

The relationship between adolescents' academic stress, impulsivity, anxiety, and skin picking behavior.

BACKGROUND: Skin picking behavior involves an individual picking or biting their skin repeatedly. Although this behavior commonly occurs at a young age, little research has addressed its harmful effects among the Korean population. Therefore, we examined the characteristics of South Korean adolescents who reported skin picking behavior. METHOD: South Korean students aged 12-16 years participated (N=410, females=52.2%). They completed questionnaires that addressed skin picking behavior, academic stress, impulsivity, and anxiety. The survey was conducted in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do from February-March 2016. RESULTS: Among participants, 66.8% reported that they had picked their skin and 15.4% did so currently. Skin picking was positively correlated with academic stress, impulsivity, and anxiety. Students who picked their skin more often displayed more anxiety, academic stress, and impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should address skin picking adolescents' characteristics, especially regarding anxiety and academic stress. Educational programs should be implemented to help adolescents decrease their anxiety and academic stress and prevent the worsening of skin picking behavior.

Cognitive rehabilitation for patients with schizophrenia in Korea.

Psychosocial rehabilitation programs received mental health professional support in addition to traditional medication therapy. Many psychosocial programs were developed since the 1990s, including cognitive remediation therapy. In this review, we focus on cognitive remediation therapy in Korea since the 1990s. We review several cognitive rehabilitation programs developed in Korea and their outcome studies and suggest future research directions and prospects. We reviewed cognitive rehabilitation programs including social cognitive training as well as more recent forms of computerized cognitive rehabilitation. Although there are differences in cognitive domains by training targets, almost all neurocognitive remediation trainings in Korea have beneficial effects on early visual processing, various attention types, and executive function. Future studies need to investigate the mechanisms and various mediators underlying the relationships between cognitive functions and functional outcomes. With more comprehensive cognitive and social cognitive programs, we can enhance both cognition and functional outcomes of the patients with schizophrenia.

Psychological characteristics of self-harming behavior in Korean adolescents.

Recently, self-injury is drawing the attention of researchers and clinicians. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and psychological characteristics of adolescents who engage in self-harm and to examine the risk factors for engaging in this harmful behavior among Korean mid-adolescents. Participants were 784 adolescents aged 13-15 years. They completed self-report questionnaires that assessed (1) Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: the Self-Harm Questionnaire, Toronto Alexithymia Scale; (2) depression: Children's Depression Inventory; (3) adolescent-parent relationship: Parental Bonding Instrument; (4) peer attachment: Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment; and (5) academic stress. Overall, 12.4% (n=97) of participants reported engaging in self-destructive behavior at least once in their lives. The primary reason for engaging in self-harm was to regulate negative emotions such as anger and sadness. As expected, the self-harm group showed statistically significant higher levels of academic stress, alexithymia, depression, and poor relationships with their parents and peers. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that alexithymia, depression, and peer relations were significant predictors of self-harming behavior. Given that the primary reason for engaging in self-harm is to cope with negative emotions, mental health professionals in school settings should regularly evaluate self-injurious behavior and provide prevention programs for adolescents at risk.

Comparative effects of emotion management training and social skills training in Korean children with ADHD.

OBJECTIVE: ADHD is associated with social and emotional impairment that goes beyond the core symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attention deficits. This study evaluates the comparative efficacy of emotional management training (EMT) with social skills training (SST) and no treatment in children with ADHD. METHOD: A randomized, controlled treatment outcome study was conducted with 32 boys and 40 girls (aged 10-12 years). The Child Behavior Checklist, Emotion Expression Scale for Children, Child Depression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for children were completed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The EMT group exhibited a significant improvement in emotion recognition and expressive reluctance. Therefore, focusing on emotion identification and expression in social cognitive processes (i.e., EMT), instead of merely focusing on social skills (SST), enhances treatment efficacy. CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that focusing on the identification and expression of emotional information processes, instead of merely focusing on social skills (SST) enhances treatment efficacy.

Effects of genetic variations in NRG1 on cognitive domains in patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: The neuregulin 1 (NRG1) gene has been investigated as a candidate susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. A number of studies have also explored the genetic effect of NRG1 on cognitive deficits related to schizophrenia, and thus far generated inconsistent results. The current study aimed to determine whether genetic variations in NRG1 are associated with cognitive domains in schizophrenic patients and healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive neuropsychological tests composed of six cognitive domains were administered to 135 clinically stable patients with schizophrenia and 119 healthy individuals. On the basis of previous reports of positive association, a total of four single nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed. In testing the genotype effect on cognitive domains, we used repeated-measure analysis for six cognitive domain scores of each individual as repeated measurements. RESULTS: An association of P-value less than 0.05 with at least one cognitive domain in patients and/or healthy individuals was observed for all of the single nucleotide polymorphisms. After applying the correction for multiple testing, the association remained statistically significant between rs6994992 and general cognitive ability (g) in the patient group and between rs2439272 and the 'working memory' domain in the group of healthy participants. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the involvement of NRG1 in the susceptibility for developing cognitive deficits in schizophrenic patients. For some cognitive domains, its genetic effect was also significant in generating interindividual variability within the normal functional range.

Effectiveness of computerized cognitive rehabilitation training on symptomatological, neuropsychological and work function in patients with schizophrenia.

INTRODUCTION: There has been plenty of interest in cognitive rehabilitation for schizophrenia here in Korea since the year 2000. But the efficacy studies of cognitive remediation intervention are still deficient. The primary purpose of this study was to develop a computer-assisted cognitive remediation program and conduct a clinical trial in a group of schizophrenic patients. METHODS: Sixty patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to a computerized cognitive rehabilitation (Cog-trainer) group plus usual rehabilitation (UR) or to a usual rehabilitation (UR) group only. Clinical, neuropsychological and functional outcome variables were assessed at baseline and after intervention. The Cog-trainer group received 20 sessions of computerized cognitive remediation training over 3 months. This training program consists of 10 units, with each unit being divided into three stages: (i) practice; (ii) application; and (iii) advanced. RESULTS: Compared to the UR group, the Cog-trainer exhibited a significant improvement in attention, concentration and working memory. The Cog-trainer group also showed improvement in the work quality subscale of the work behavior inventory. However, there were no significant benefits of computerized cognitive remediation where symptoms were concerned. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that computerized cognitive rehabilitation training can contribute to an improvement in the cognitive function of people with schizophrenia. The changes in cognitive outcomes can also contribute to improvement in job functioning. Further study of generalization to other functional outcome measures will be necessary. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm the maintenance of such improvements.

Theory of mind in schizophrenia: correlation with clinical symptomatology, emotional recognition and ward behavior.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have suggested the presence of a theory of mind (ToM) deficit in schizophrenic disorders. This study examined the relationship of emotion recognition, theory of mind, and ward behavior in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with chronic schizophrenia completed measures of emotion recognition, ToM, intelligence, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Nurse's Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE). RESULTS: Theory of mind sum score correlated significantly with IQ, emotion recognition, and ward behavior. Ward behavior was linked to the duration of the illness, and even more so to theory of mind deficits. Theory of mind contributed a significant proportion of the amount of variance to explain social behavior on the ward. DISCUSSION: Considering our study results, impaired theory of mind contributes significantly to the understanding of social competence in patients with schizophrenia.

Cognitive profiles of healthy siblings of schizophrenia patients: application of the cognitive domains of the MATRICS consensus battery.

Even though a large body of data suggests the presence of various types of cognitive deficits in the unaffected relatives of schizophrenia patients, more study is needed to clarify the comparative sensitivities of specific cognitive measures for relative-control differences. In this study, the authors compared the cognitive profiles of unaffected siblings of schizophrenia patients and those of patients and normal controls, and attempted to identify cognitive markers that might be associated with genetic liability to schizophrenia. Eighty-eight clinically stable schizophrenia patients, 44 healthy patient siblings, and 100 normal controls were evaluated using comprehensive neuropsychological tests. The domain structure of the MATRICS consensus cognitive battery was adopted, and both domain scores and individual test scores were used in the analysis. Performances of the sibling group were intermediate between those of patients and controls on most measures. A significant difference between the sibling and control groups was observed only in the Category Fluency Test. This cognitive deficit might be caused by familial predisposition to schizophrenia and could be a candidate of endophenotype for schizophrenia.