Cognitive functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Neuropsychological deficits in areas of Executive Functioning (EF), theory of mind, and central coherence have been well-documented among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, there remains a significant gap in knowledge with regards to neuropsychological profile in adults with ASD. This study aims to investigate the intellectual functioning and neuropsychological profiles of a clinical population of adults with ASD. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 40 available autistic individuals referred to an adult developmental disorders clinic at a hospital between 2021 and 2022. All participants were assessed using the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (SBIS), Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R), and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). RESULTS: Individuals with ASD exhibited lower IQ scores across all domains of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, compared to the general population, although the mean IQ scores remained within the normal range. Significant differences were observed in Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ, Non-Verbal IQ, Fluid Reasoning, Knowledge, Quantitative Reasoning, Visual-Spatial Processing, and Working Memory compared to the general population. Additionally, autistic individuals' performance on verbal knowledge was higher compared to non-verbal knowledge. No significant correlations were found between the total and subscale scores of verbal and nonverbal IQ and AQ, RAADS-R, and SRS scores. CONCLUSION: Considering the significant impacts of cognitive and executive function on the social and occupational aspects of autistic adults, further investigations in this area are warranted.

Investigation of Neurocognitive Deficits, Quality of Life, and Functional Performance in Ultra-High-Risk Individuals Compared to Familial High-Risk Individuals for Schizophrenia.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate neurocognitive functioning, quality of life, and global functional performance in Ultra-High Risk (UHR) individuals compared to Familial High-Risk (FHR) individuals for developing schizophrenia. Method : An observational cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenient sampling method at Roozbeh Hospital in Tehran, Iran, from June 2017 to January 2020. The study included 40 UHR individuals based on the Structured Interview for Psychosis Syndrome (SIPS) interview, as well as 34 FHR individuals due to genetic risk. Neurocognitive functioning, quality of life, and global functional performance were assessed by using the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB) and Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT), Quality of Life Scale (QLS), and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). Results: UHR individuals for schizophrenia demonstrated significant lower scores in phonemic and semantic verbal fluency (t = 6.218, P < 0.001; t = 4.184, P < 0.001, respectively), more total errors for spatial working memory (t = -5.874, P < 0.001), and fewer problems solved in minimum moves in Stocking of Cambridge (SOC) (t = -2.706, P < 0.01) compared to FHR individuals. Intra-Extra Dimension (IED) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Moreover, the study indicated significant GAF decline (F = 79.257, P < 0.001) and lower total score on the QLS (t = -10.655, P < 0.001) in UHR compared to FHR individuals. Conclusion: It is possible to differentiate UHR individuals from FHR individuals through neurocognitive, quality of life, and global functioning assessment.

A Short Course Computer-assisted Cognitive Remediation in Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) is used to improve cognitive functioning in patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs). Most of the previous studies had incorporated a long rehabilitation program. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a short and easy to implement computer-based CRT on cognitive performance in patients with SSDs using a randomized controlled trial design. METHODS: Sixty-Two patients with SSDs were enrolled in Roozbeh Hospital (Tehran City, Iran); they were randomized to either receive a CRT program added to the standard pharmacological treatment (n=31) or the standard treatment alone (n=31). The remediation consisted of 10 sessions of CRT provided 2-3 times a week applying the Cogpack software. The cognitive performance was assessed in attention, memory, and executive functions before and after the intervention using the respective tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). RESULTS: This study did not demonstrate any significant improvement in attention and executive function between the experimental and control group. However, we observed modest improvements in some aspects of visual memory (first trial memory score, F=9.152, P<0.001, Cohen's d=0.40; mean errors to success, F=6.991, P=0.011, Cohen's d=0.14; stages completed on the first trial, F=7.155, P=0. 010, Cohen's d=0.71; total errors, F=5.730, P=0.020, Cohen's d=0.53). CONCLUSION: We observed only modest improvements in the patients' cognitive functioning after a short course of CRT. The short duration of the training and lack of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan may explain the obtained findings.

A Preliminary Investigation of Deficits in Executive Functions of Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Several studies over the past two decades have investigated the neuropsychological deficits in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but much less has been done on adults. This study aimed to assess the deficits in executive functions of adults with ADHD, especially in the areas of attention, inhibition, impulsivity, and planning. Twenty-four adults (18 years and older) diagnosed with ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition criteria, and also assessed with Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale, participated in the study. Executive functions in cases were compared with 20 matched controls through the three instruments of Tower of London (TOL), Continuous Performance Test (CPT), and Stroop test. Performance of cases was weaker than that of the control group in TOL. The difference was significant in subsequent thinking time in most of the trials and number of movements only at level 2. In CPT, the adults with ADHD made more commission errors. In addition, the ADHD cases made more errors in the word card of the Stroop test, and the time they spent reading all three cards was significantly longer than that of the control group. Our study suggests that several deficits in executive functions related to ADHD persist into adulthood, such as impairments in planning time and set shifting, response inhibition, impulsivity, and visuolingual processing. However, simple (visual-motor processing) and sustained attention might improve with age.

Emotional Face Recognition in Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evidence From Event Related Gamma Oscillation.

INTRODUCTION: Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have some impairment in emotional relationship which can be due to problems in emotional processing. The present study investigated neural correlates of early stages of emotional face processing in this group compared with typically developing children using the Gamma Band Activity (GBA). METHODS: A total of 19 children diagnosed with ADHD (Combined type) based on DSM-IV classification were compared with 19 typically developing children matched on age, gender, and IQ. The participants performed an emotional face recognition while their brain activities were recorded using an event-related oscillation procedure. RESULTS: The results indicated that ADHD children compared to normal group showed a significant reduction in the gamma band activity, which is thought to reflect early perceptual emotion discrimination for happy and angry emotions (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study supports the notion that individuals with ADHD have some impairments in early stage of emotion processing which can cause their misinterpretation of emotional faces.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of an Aftercare Service vs Treatment-As-Usual for Patients with Severe Mental Disorders.

BACKGROUND: There have been claims that community mental health principles leads to the maintenance of better health and functioning in patients and can be more economical for patients with severe and chronic mental disorders. Economic evaluation studies have been used to assess the cost-effectiveness of national health programs, or to propose efficient strategies for health care delivery. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The current study is intended to test the cost-effectiveness of an Aftercare Service when compared with Treatment-As-Usual for patients with severe mental disorders in Iran. METHODS: This study was a parallel group randomized controlled trial. A total of 160 post-discharge eligible patients were randomized into two equal patient groups, Aftercare Service (that includes either Home Visiting Care, or Telephone Follow-up for outpatient treatment) vs Treatment-As-Usual, using stratified balanced block randomization method. All patients were followed for 12 months after discharge. The perspective of the present study was the societal perspective. The outcome measures were the rate of readmission at the hospitals after discharge, psychotic symptoms, manic symptoms, depressive symptoms, illness severity, global functioning, quality of life, and patients' satisfaction with the services. The costs included the intervention costs and the patient and family costs in the evaluation period. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in effectiveness measures between the two groups. The Aftercare Service arm was about 66,000 US$ cheaper than Treatment-As-Usual arm. The average total cost per patient in the Treatment-As-Usual group was about 4651 USD, while it was reduced to 3823 US$ in the Aftercare Service group; equivalent to a cost reduction of about 800 USD per patient per year. DISCUSSION AND LIMITATIONS: Given that there was no significant difference in effectiveness measures between the two groups (slightly in favor of the intervention), the Aftercare Service was cost-effective. The most important limitation of the study was the relatively small sample size due to limited budget for the implementation of the study. A larger sample size and longer follow-ups are warranted. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVISION, USE AND POLICIES: Considering the limited resources and equity concerns for health systems, the importance of making decisions about healthcare interventions based on cost-effectiveness evidence is increasing. Our results suggest that the aftercare service can be recommended as an efficient service delivery mode, especially when psychiatric bed requirements are insufficient for a population. IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Further research should continue the work done with a larger sample size and longer follow-ups to further establish the cost-effectiveness analysis of an aftercare service program compared with routine conventional care.

A multicenter randomized controlled trial of aftercare services for severe mental illness: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Severe mental illness is responsible for a significant proportion of burden of diseases in Iranian population. People with severe mental illnesses are more likely to have high rates of non-attendance at follow-up visits, and lack of an active follow-up system, particularly in the country's urban areas that has resulted in the revolving door phenomenon of rehospitalizations. Therefore, there is an increasing need for implementation of effective and cost-effective aftercare services. METHOD/DESIGN: This is a randomized control trial with the primary hypothesis that aftercare services delivered to patients with severe mental illnesses in outpatient department and patient's home by a community care team would be more effective when compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in reducing length of hospital stay and any psychiatric hospitalization. Patients were recruited from three psychiatric hospitals in Iran. After obtaining informed written consent, they were randomly allocated into aftercare intervention and control (TAU) groups. Aftercare services included treatment follow-up (through either home care or telephone follow-up prompts for outpatient attendance), family psychoeducation, and patient social skills training that were provided by community mental health teams. Patients were followed for 12 months after discharge. The primary outcome measures were length of hospital stay and any hospitalization in the 12 month follow-up. Secondary outcome measures included patients' clinical global impression, global functioning, quality of life, and patient's satisfaction. The trial also allowed an assessment of direct cost-effectiveness of the aftercare services. DISCUSSION: This paper presents a protocol for an RCT of aftercare services delivered to patients with severe mental illnesses within patients' home or outpatient department. The findings of this study can influence policy and program planning for people with severe mental illnesses in Iran. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT201009052557N2.

Negative priming in amphetamine psychosis.

Amphetamine abuse may lead to a psychotic state, its symptomatology being very similar to what is seen in paranoid schizophrenia. Failure of attentional inhibition of irrelevant information is thought to be associated with the psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. Negative priming (NP) paradigm is believed to measure this impairment. Several studies have shown impaired NP in schizophrenia. In the present study a spatial NP task was used to assess attentional inhibition in a group of amphetamine-induced psychosis patients. Nineteen patients with amphetamine-induced psychotic disorder and 20 healthy subjects participated in this study. Severity of psychotic symptoms was measured prior to testing using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Patients showed no deficit in NP, and the amount of their NP effect was not significantly different from healthy subjects. Besides, we did not find any correlation between the amount of NP effect and severity of symptoms. Our results may indicate that cognitive mechanisms underlying NP might not be affected in amphetamine psychosis.

Effectiveness of a low-intensity home-based aftercare for patients with severe mental disorders: a 12-month randomized controlled study.

To examine the effectiveness of a low-intensity home-based aftercare service, 130 patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder were randomized to receive either home aftercare or treatment-as-usual. In home aftercare, a general practitioner and a social worker made home visits once in a month after discharge from the hospital wherein they provided education and treatment. In a 1-year follow-up, home aftercare led to greater reduction in rehospitalization rate, more improvement in psychotic symptoms and global illness severity, as well as greater service satisfaction. The implementation of this low-intensity aftercare is recommended, especially in less resourceful settings.

Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy: intellectual development of offspring.

BACKGROUND: The effects of maternal subclinical hypothyroidism (M-SCH) on the neuropsychological development of the offspring are not clear. We evaluated the intellectual development of children of mothers who had M-SCH during the pregnancy for these children. METHODS: Sixty-two children were recruited. After excluding those age < 4 or age > 15, 44 were enrolled. The mothers of these children were part of a sub-pool of 90, of 441 hypothyroid women of reproductive age seen in Tehran endocrine clinics between 1991 and 2003 and who were observed during gestation. Mothers were receiving levothyroxine (LT4) before gestation. Mothers of 19 children (control group) had normal serum thyrotropin (TSH) during the pregnancy that produced these children. Mothers of the other 25 children had increased TSH during the comparable pregnancy. Nineteen mothers had M-SCH (case group) and six had overt hypothyroidism. Serum TSH and free T4 (FT4) and urine iodine were measured, and seven cognitive performance and intelligence quotient (IQ) tests were performed. RESULTS: Case children were similar to control children with respect to gender, age, parental education, maternal age at time of pregnancy and at the time of their hypothyroidism, percent mothers having thyroid peroxidase antibodies, LT4 dose of mothers during pregnancy, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and duration of breast feeding. Maternal TSH (mean ± standard deviation) in the case group during their mother's pregnancies was 11.3 ± 5.3 and 1.4 ± 1.0 mU/L in the controls (p < 0.001). Serum TSH, FT4 and urinary iodine concentrations were similar in the two groups. Total IQ, performance IQ, and verbal IQ were similar, being 120 ± 14, 117 ± 12, and 121 ± 16, respectively, in the case group and 121 ± 11, 120 ± 7, and 117 ± 15 in the control group. Cognitive performance tests were similar in both groups. No relationships were observed between variables and IQ except for education level of the mother and neonatal weight. CONCLUSION: IQ level and cognitive performance of children born to LT4-treated hypothyroid mothers is similar in those whose mothers have M-SCH during pregnancy compared with those whose mothers have normal serum TSH concentrations during pregnancy.

Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Estimates of the annual prevalence for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) were consistent across the international sites range, 1.9%-2.5%. The nine population surveys, which used Diagnostic Interview Schedule, estimated a six-month prevalence of OCD ranging from 0.7% to 2.1%. This study performed in order to determine the prevalence of OCD in a population-based study among Iranian adults aged 18 and older and to study the association of them with factors such as sex, marital status, education, type of occupation and residential area. METHODS: A cross-sectional nationwide epidemiological study of the Iranian population aged 18 and older was designed to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and their association with the above mentioned factors. 25180 individuals were selected and interviewed through a randomized systematic and cluster sampling method from all Iranian households. Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) criteria were used in diagnosis of OCD. 250 clinical psychologists interviewed the selected subjects face to face at their homes. RESULTS: The prevalence of OCD in Iran is 1.8% (0.7% and 2.8% in males and females; respectively). 50.3% of the survey sample were men, 49.9% women, 29.1% single, 67.45% married, 0.4% separated or divorced, 2.5% widow/widower and 4% undetermined. All of the above-mentioned factors were examined in the univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Although the data did not fit the models well, but in univariate models, sex, the category "single" of marital status, age, the categories "business" and "housewife" and residential areas showed significant effect adjusting for the factors, but the models didn't fit the data properly. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the prevalence of OCD is not rare in the community of Iran and is within the range of other countries. Similar to prior studies in other communities, OCD is more common in females than males.