The Strauss and Carpenter Prognostic Scale in subjects clinically at high risk of psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of the Strauss and Carpenter Prognostic Scale (SCPS) for transition to a first psychotic episode in subjects clinically at high risk (CHR) of psychosis. METHOD: Two hundred and forty-four CHR subjects participating in the European Prediction of Psychosis Study were assessed with the SCPS, an instrument that has been shown to predict outcome in patients with schizophrenia reliably. RESULTS: At 18-month follow-up, 37 participants had made the transition to psychosis. The SCPS total score was predictive of a first psychotic episode (P < 0.0001). SCPS items that remained as independent predictors in the Cox proportional hazard model were as follows: most usual quality of useful work in the past year (P = 0.006), quality of social relations (P = 0.006), presence of thought disorder, delusions or hallucinations in the past year (P = 0.001) and reported severity of subjective distress in past month (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The SCPS could make a valuable contribution to a more accurate prediction of psychosis in CHR subjects as a second-step tool. SCPS items assessing quality of useful work and social relations, positive symptoms and subjective distress have predictive value for transition. Further research should focus on investigating whether targeted early interventions directed at the predictive domains may improve outcomes.

[The subclinical course of a paracetamol intoxication: pitfall for patient and clinician]. / Het subklinische beloop van een paracetamolintoxicatie: valkuil voor patiënt en behandelaar.

A 24-year-old man took 20 grams of paracetamol during a hospital stay in the department of psychiatry. It was not until 60 hours later that therapy with acetylcysteine was initiated. Paracetamol intoxication has a long latency period. If there is no intervention, severe hepatic damage can develop within three days. Even after a few days have passed it is still advisable to start treating the patient with acetylcysteine.

Three-year course of clinical symptomatology in young people at ultra high risk for transition to psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: The investigation into the course of ultra high risk (UHR) symptomatology of those patients who eventually do not meet the psychosis-threshold criteria within the 3-year timeframe of the study. METHOD: The course of UHR symptoms, GAF score and employment status was investigated in 57 patients who did not make a transition to psychosis and who were examined within the Dutch Prediction of Psychosis Study in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. RESULTS: At the 3-year follow-up, 75% of the patients who did not make a transition to psychosis had remitted from UHR status. With a Generalized Estimation Equation Model it was shown that this group recovered from positive (F = 52.7, P < 0.0001), negative (F = 24.3, P < 0.0001), disorganization (F = 14.4, P < 0.0001) and general symptoms (F = 25.0, P < 0.0001) within the timeframe of the study. In addition, the level of global functioning and likelihood of having a job and/or education significantly improved. The largest improvements occurred within the first year. UHR symptoms did not re-occur after improvement. CONCLUSION: With the current UHR criteria, a large percentage of the included subjects appear to have transitory complaints and dysfunctioning. A refinement of the UHR criteria may diminish the chance of including 'false positives' in future UHR studies.

Treating prolactinoma and psychosis: medication and cognitive behavioural therapy.

The patient in this case report had two severe medical conditions that require oppositional treatment: prolactinoma and psychosis. A prolactinoma is a benign tumour of the pituitary gland that produces prolactin. Dopamine agonist medication is the first-line treatment in patients with prolactinoma. The psychotic symptoms started after a dosage increase of a dopamine D2-receptor agonist. Several antipsychotic medications were tried with and without the dopamine D2-receptor agonist, but severe command hallucinations remained. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was added which reduced the impact of the hallucinations to a great extent, indicating that CBT can have an additional positive effect in prolactinoma patients with psychosis that shows incomplete recovery after antipsychotic medication. Future research should be aimed at the severe and prolonged side effects of dopamine agonists in the treatment of prolactinoma patients with multiple risk factors for a psychotic decompensation.

Neurocognitive functioning before and after the first psychotic episode: does psychosis result in cognitive deterioration?

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is considered to be a core characteristic of schizophrenia. The relationship between psychosis and cognitive deterioration, however, remains unclear. This longitudinal study investigated the neuropsychological functioning of patients before and after their first psychotic episode. Cognitive functioning of participants who later developed a psychosis was compared to that of people at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis who did not develop psychosis at follow-up and healthy controls.MethodParticipants were 41 persons at UHR for psychosis (the UHR group), of whom 17 developed psychosis between the first and second assessment. Seventeen healthy controls were included in the study. Cognitive performance was assessed at intake (T0) and again after 18 months (T1). The areas of cognitive functioning assessed include verbal memory and learning, visuospatial working memory, executive function, sustained attention and motor speed. RESULTS: The transition group did not perform significantly worse at the second assessment than at the first on any of the outcome measures. The UHR group performed better on a verbal learning and memory test at T1 compared to T0. At T0, the control group scored significantly better than the UHR group and the transition group on the verbal learning and memory test and the verbal fluency test. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that no cognitive deterioration occurs during the first psychotic episode. Problems in verbal memory may be present before the first episode of psychosis.

Verbal fluency as a possible predictor for psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Neurocognitive abnormalities are prevalent in both first episode schizophrenia patients and in ultra high risk (UHR) patients. AIM: To compare verbal fluency performance at baseline in UHR in patients that did and did not make the transition to psychosis. METHOD: Baseline verbal fluency performance in UHR-patients (n=47) was compared to match first episode patients (n=69) and normal controls (n=42). RESULTS: Verbal fluency (semantic category) scores in UHR-patients did not differ significantly from the score in first episode schizophrenia patients. Both the UHR group (p<0.003) and the patient group (p<0.0001) performed significantly worse than controls. Compared to the non-transition group, the transition group performed worse on verbal fluency, semantic category (p<0.006) at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Verbal fluency (semantic category) is disturbed in UHR-patients that make the transition to psychosis and could contribute to an improved prediction of transition to psychosis in UHR-patients.

White-matter markers for psychosis in a prospective ultra-high-risk cohort.

BACKGROUND: Subjects at 'ultra high risk' (UHR) for developing psychosis have differences in white matter (WM) compared with healthy controls. WM integrity has not yet been investigated in UHR subjects in relation to the development of subsequent psychosis. Hence, we investigated a prospective cohort of UHR subjects comparing whole brain fractional anisotropy (FA) of those later developing psychosis (UHR-P) to those who did not (UHR-NP). METHOD: We recruited 37 subjects fulfilling UHR criteria and 10 healthy controls. Baseline 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) ratings were obtained. UHR subjects were assessed at 9, 18 and 24 months for development of frank psychosis. We compared baseline FA of UHR-P to controls and UHR-NP subjects. Furthermore, we related clinical data to MRI outcome in the patient population. RESULTS: Of the 37 UHR subjects, 10 had transition to psychosis. UHR-P subjects showed significantly lower FA values than control subjects in medial frontal lobes bilaterally. UHR-P subjects had lower FA values than UHR-NP subjects, lateral to the right putamen and in the left superior temporal lobe. UHR-P subjects showed higher FA values, compared with UHR-NP, in the left medial temporal lobe. In UHR-P, positive PANSS negatively correlated to FA in the left middle temporal lobe. In the total UHR group positive PANSS negatively correlated to FA in the right superior temporal lobe. CONCLUSIONS: UHR subjects who later develop psychosis have differences in WM integrity, compared with UHR subjects who do not develop psychosis and to healthy controls, in brain areas associated with schizophrenia.

Early intervention in patients at ultra high risk of psychosis: benefits and risks.

OBJECTIVE: Prediction of transition to psychosis in the prodromal phase of schizophrenia has raised interest in intervention prior to the onset of frank psychosis. The aim of this review was to examine whether interventions in the prodromal phase have a favourable benefit/risk ratio. METHOD: A literature search in PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO was performed. RESULTS: Three randomized clinical trials with antipsychotic medication and/or cognitive behavioural therapy as clinical intervention suggested a positive effect at the end of treatment, but no significant differences were found at the end of follow-up periods from 1 to 4 years. Naturalistic studies present a hypothesis about a possible preventive effect of antidepressive medication. The results of eight other studies are more difficult to interpret. Side-effects of antipsychotic medication and non-adherence with medication are essential problems. CONCLUSION: At the present time, the data concerning the benefits and risks do not justify prodromal intervention as standard clinical practice.

Pathways to psychosis: a comparison of the pervasive developmental disorder subtype Multiple Complex Developmental Disorder and the "At Risk Mental State".

BACKGROUND: The comparison of high-risk populations with different developmental pathways to psychosis may lend more insight into the heterogeneity of the manifestation of the psychotic syndrome, and possible differing etiological pathways. AIM: To compare high-risk traits and symptoms in two populations at risk for psychosis, i.e. (1) help-seeking adolescents presenting with prodromal symptoms meeting the criteria for At Risk Mental State (ARMS), and (2) adolescents with Multiple Complex Developmental Disorder (MCDD), a PDD-NOS subtype characterized by severe, early childhood-onset deficits in affect regulation, anxieties, disturbed social relationships, and thought disorder. METHOD: 80 ARMS- and 32 MCDD-adolescents (12-18 years) were compared on prodromal symptoms (Structured Interview of Prodromal Symptoms, and Bonn Scale for the Assessment of Basic Symptoms-Prediction list), and autism traits (Social Communication Questionnaire). In addition, both high-risk groups were compared with 82 healthy controls on schizotypal traits (Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Revised). RESULTS: Although the high-risk groups clearly differed in early developmental and treatment histories as well as autism traits, they did not differ with regard to schizotypal traits and basic symptoms, as well as disorganized and general prodromal symptoms. There were, however, group differences in positive and negative prodromal symptoms. Interestingly, 78% of the adolescents with MCDD met criteria for ARMS. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that children diagnosed with MCDD are at high risk for developing psychosis later in life, and support the notion that there are different developmental pathways to psychosis. Follow-up research is needed to compare the rates of transition to psychosis in both high-risk groups.

[Is there any point in detecting high risk factors prior to a first psychosis?]. / Wanneer heeft detectie van hoogrisicofactoren voor een eerste psychose zin?

BACKGROUND: If schizophrenia and related disorders are diagnosed and treated early, symptoms will be less severe and the prognosis will be more favourable. There is little point in screening for schizophrenia in the general population because the illness has such a low incidence. However, we do need to find out whether it is meaningful to screen genetically impaired individuals (high risk group) and specific groups of psychiatric patients (ultra high risk group). AIM: To survey the research into the (high and ultra high) risk factors for developing a first psychosis and to find out whether it makes good sense to screen certain groups of persons. METHOD: We conducted extensive desk-research and a wide-ranging search of the literature from 1990 to 2004. The key words we used in our search were 'prodrome', 'high risk', 'ultra high risk', in conjunction with 'psychosis' and 'schizophrenia'. RESULTS: In the genetically impaired group risk factors for developing schizophrenia seem to be transient psychiatric problems in childhood, schizotypical traits, anxiety, behavioural problems in adolescence, being brought up in an unstable environment and producing deviant results in neurocognitive tests. Among the patients referred to a psychiatrist it is possible to identify a special group of patients with an ultra high risk of developing a psychosis. Within ayear 40% of patients who had mild or short-term psychotic symptoms or who were genetically impaired adolescents with decreased functioning had developed a psychosis. CONCLUSION: Screening all genetically vulnerable persons in the general population has no consequencesfor treatment. Early diagnosis by psychiatrists is certainly advisable. However, larger groups and longer studies are needed in order to demonstrate conclusively the preventive effect of interventions prior to a first psychosis.

Agranulocytosis and granulocytopenia associated with quetiapine.

OBJECTIVE: Quetiapine is a recently introduced atypical antipsychotic. Although adverse effects are mainly mild, more serious infrequent adverse effects including leucopenia are mentioned. METHOD: We describe three case-reports concerning haematological adverse effects of quetiapine. RESULTS: Quetiapine was associated with leucopenia in two patients and clinically apparent agranulocytosis in one patient. CONCLUSION: Although a definite association has not been proven, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of agranulocytosis while using quetiapine. Further post-marketing surveys are required.

[Mania during the use of a combination preparation with St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)]. / Manie tijdens het gebruik van een combinatiepreparaat met sint-janskruid (Hypericum perforatum).

A 23-year-old woman with no psychiatric history developed acute mania and psychosis while using St. John's wort at a high dosage (Valdispert 'balans', a combination of valerian extract and hypericin). She was diagnosed as having substance-induced mood disorder, with manic features (DSM-IV). Discontinuation of the use of the product and treatment with olanzapine led to complete recovery. No causal relationship between the use of the extract and the mania was established, but the course of the mania does suggest this association. St. John's wort is a popular herbal antidepressant. Hyperforin and hypericin, components of St. John's wort, inhibit synaptosomal serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine uptake. The mechanism of action of St. John's wort is, however, not yet fully understood. St. John's wort should therefore be used with caution, especially in patients with a bipolar disorder.

Cardiac transplantation in a neonate with endocardial fibroelastosis.

An investigational orthotopic cardiac transplantation was performed to manage subendocardial fibroelastosis in a neonate. No unmanageable technical complications arose from the transplantation. Postoperative observation showed the infant developed normally except for moderate cerebral palsy.

Influence of Epstein-Barr virus infection on B lymphocyte responses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The influence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection on clinical and serological features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied. Patients with in-vivo activated, in-vitro spontaneously proliferating EBV-infected B lymphocytes had higher levels of serum IgG and IgA, and tended to have more extensive disease. The finding of in-vivo activated EBV-transformed B cells was not specific for RA but was also seen in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. When supernatants of spontaneously proliferating B-cell lines from patients with RA were studied, autoantibody reactivities comparable with those from patients with infectious mononucleosis were detected. These observations suggest that EBV infection might have a profound influence on B-lymphocyte responses and clinical course in patients with RA.

Light-stimulated electrical responses from skin.

When skin is exposed to an intense flash of light, an early electrical response can be detected from its surface. The signals that occur during the first milliseconds after the flash are similar to electrical signals recently observed in the eye from the cell layers containing melanin. Possibly the melanin in skin augments, but does not directly generate, this early electrical response. In addition, a late response, which arises hundreds of milliseconds after the flash, also occurs in skin. Unlike the early response, the late response is sensitive only to violet and shorter wavelengths of light and hence is probably mediated by a pigment other than melanin.