Do Microplastics Have Neurological Implications in Relation to Schizophrenia Zebrafish Models? A Brain Immunohistochemistry, Neurotoxicity Assessment, and Oxidative Stress Analysis.

The effects of exposure to environmental pollutants on neurological processes are of increasing concern due to their potential to induce oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Considering that many industries are currently using different types of plastics as raw materials, packaging, or distribution pipes, microplastics (MPs) have become one of the biggest threats to the environment and human health. These consequences have led to the need to raise the awareness regarding MPs negative neurological effects and implication in neuropsychiatric pathologies, such as schizophrenia. The study aims to use three zebrafish models of schizophrenia obtained by exposure to ketamine (Ket), methionine (Met), and their combination to investigate the effects of MP exposure on various nervous system structures and the possible interactions with oxidative stress. The results showed that MPs can interact with ketamine and methionine, increasing the severity and frequency of optic tectum lesions, while co-exposure (MP+Met+Ket) resulted in attenuated effects. Regarding oxidative status, we found that all exposure formulations led to oxidative stress, changes in antioxidant defense mechanisms, or compensatory responses to oxidative damage. Met exposure induced structural changes such as necrosis and edema, while paradoxically activating periventricular cell proliferation. Taken together, these findings highlight the complex interplay between environmental pollutants and neurotoxicants in modulating neurotoxicity.

The Effect of Antipsychotics on Cognition in Schizophrenia-A Current Narrative Review.

The majority of schizophrenia-affected individuals display deficiencies in multiple cognitive domains such as attention, working memory, long-term memory, and learning, deficiencies that are stable throughout the disease. The purpose of this narrative review was to examine the effect of antipsychotics on several cognitive domains affected by schizophrenia. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Elsevier, Scopus, and DOAJ databases for randomized controlled trials and other studies investigating the effects of typical and atypical antipsychotics on cognition in patients with schizophrenia in studies conducted in the last decade. Results: The majority of studies included in this review showed that antipsychotics (especially SGAs) have positive effects on both cognition and general psychopathology of schizophrenia. We mention that treatment with antipsychotic substances represents an ongoing effort of the researchers, who are constantly searching for the best approach to meet the mental health needs of schizophrenia patients. Conclusions: Even with those positive results, it should be noted that more studies are needed in order to fully observe the various effects of certain antipsychotic substances on cognition.

Metacognition in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders-Current Methods and Approaches.

Metacognition essentially represents "thinking about thinking", or the individual's capacity to control and monitor their own cognitive processes. Metacognition impairment in schizophrenia represents a core feature of the disease, and, in the last fifteen years, the subject has evolved into a growing study area concentrating on a wide variety of processes, such as clinical insight, autobiographical memory, cognitive beliefs, reasoning, and memory biases. Since metacognition is a complex subject, we wanted to focus on the different nuances of metacognition transposed into the lives of patients diagnosed with either schizophrenia or a schizoaffective disorder. Therefore, this narrative review aims to analyze the literature in order to provide an insight regarding the current methods and approaches in the study of metacognition in schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders, as well as the results provided. Results from the reviewed studies showed that patients with schizophrenia have a lower metacognitive ability, which is strongly reflected in their lives. Studies to date have highlighted the interaction between schizophrenia symptoms and metacognition, which shows how metacognition impacts work performance, autobiographical memory, motivation, the severity of symptoms, and social cognition.