Comparison of the neurocognitive profile of the children of parents with bipolar disorder and controls: A transnational cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Studies that have compared the cognitive alterations of the children of parents with bipolar disorder (CPBD) versus the children of control parents (CCP), present heterogeneous results due to the studies' methodological differences, the age of the population studied, and the lack of standardisation of the measures used for the different neurocognitive domains. The objective was to compare the neurocognitive profile of CPBD versus CCP to observe if there are differences that could be proposed as possible endophenotypes of BD. RESULTS: A total of 107 individuals (51 CPBD, and 56 CCP) with ages between 6 and 16 (mean, 12.2±2.80) years of age were evaluated. Seventy-four point five percent of the CPBD group had some disorder compared to 67.9% of the CCP group. Tests such as letter-F phonemic verbal fluency, letter-S phonemic verbal fluency, overall F-A-S phonemic verbal fluency, story recall and retrieval, and Wisconsin perseverative errors showed a difference with a small effect size, but with a high degree of uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS: The CPBD did not have differences in their neurocognitive profile in comparison with CCP. Both groups have a high prevalence of psychopathology, which is a factor that could explain the lack of differences in neurocognitive performance.

¿Los hijos de pacientes con trastorno bipolar tienen una peor percepción de la calidad de sueño? / Do Children of Patients with Bipolar Disorder have a Worse Perception of Sleep Quality?

RESUMEN Introducción: los Hijos de Padres con Trastorno Bipolar (HPTB) constituyen una población de riesgo ya que pueden heredar el Trastorno Bipolar (TB) como también manifestaciones clínicas tempranas como seria las alteraciones en el sueño. Objetivo: comparar la presencia de trastornos psiquiátricos y las alteraciones en el sueño de los HPTB con los Hijos de Padres Control (HPC). Métodos: Se realizó un estudio analítico de corte transversal, que comparó HPTB versus HPC. Se entrevistaron con instrumentos validados para determinar la existencia de síntomas y trastornos psiquiátricos. Utilizamos las escalas: "Cuestionario de evaluación de sueño" y "Encuesta sobre hábitos de sueño en escolares" para determinarlas características del sueño y factores asociados con el mismo. Adicionalmente se obtuvo el registro de sueño (7-21 días) por medio de un reloj de actígrafia. Resultados: Se reunió una muestra con 42 sujetos (18 HPTB y 24 HPC). Se encontraron diferencias en la presentación de los trastornos psiquiátricos. El grupo de HPTB presento mayor frecuencia del trastorno depresivo mayor (TDM; p = 0,04) y el trastorno disruptivo de la regulación emocional (TDRE, p = 0,04). En el grupo de HPC por su parte se presentó una mayor frecuencia de Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH; p = 0,65) y de Trastorno de Ansiedad por Separación (TAS; p = 0,46). También se encontraron diferencias a nivel del sueño en las medidas subjetivas. En comparación con el HPC, el grupo de HPTB presento una peor percepción de la calidad de sueño (p = 0,02), una mayor presencia de pesadillas (p = 0,01), un menor tiempo total de sueño y una mayor latencia de sueño. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias entre los dos grupos en las mediciones de actigrafías. Conclusiones: el grupo de HPTB presenta mayor frecuencia de trastornos del estado de ánimo, y a su vez una mayor presencia de alteraciones del sueño en las medidas subjetivas. Es posible que exista una asociación entre los síntomas afectivos, las alteraciones en el sueño y el consumo de café. No se encontraron diferencias en el perfil de sueño por actígrafía. © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. Todos los derechos reservados. Children

ABSTRACT Introduction: The offspring of bipolar parents (BO) is a high-risk population for inheriting the bipolar disorder (BD) and other early clinical manifestations, such as sleep disturbances. Objective: To compare the presence of psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbances of BO versus offspring of control parents (OCP). Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted that compared BO versus OCP. The participants were assessed using valid tools to determine the presence of psychiatric symptoms or disorders. The "Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire" and "School Sleep Habits Survey" were used to determine sleep characteristics and associated factors. Sleep records (7-21 days) were also obtained by using an actigraphy watch. Results: A sample of 42 participants (18 BO and 24 OCP) was recruited. Differences were found in the presentation of the psychiatric disorder. The BO group showed a higher frequency of major depression disorder (MDD; P = .04) and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD; P = .04). The OCP group showed a higher frequency of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; P = .65), and Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD; P = .46). Differences were also found in sleep by using subjective measurements. Compared to the OCP group, BO had a worse perception of quality of sleep (P = .02), a higher frequency of nightmares (P = .01), a shorter total sleep time, and a higher sleep latency. Nevertheless, no differences were found between groups in the actigraphy measurements. Conclusions: The BO group had a higher frequency of Mood Disorders, and at the same time a higher number of sleep disturbances in the subjective measurements. It is possible that there is an association between mood symptoms, sleep disturbances, and coffee intake. No differences were found in the sleep profile by using actigraphy. © 2020 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Executive function deficit in bipolar offspring: A neurocognitive endophenotype?

BACKGROUND: Recent studies in bipolar offspring (BO) showed that a low cognitive performance, especially executive function deficit, could be an early marker of bipolar disorder (BD). Nevertheless, these findings have not been replicated (specifically attentional control, flexibility, and working memory). In addition, most studies have focused on children and adolescents, but few studies analyze the executive function performance in BO adults. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to compare the neurocognitive performance of BO with control parent-offspring (CO) in a sample that included various age groups. METHOD: We conducted a cohort study, including subjects between six to 30 years old. We evaluated 129 BO and 113 CO subjects using validated psychiatric diagnostic interviews and an extensive neuropsychological battery. RESULTS: Compared to the CO group, the BO group presented a lower performance in several executive functioning domains, mainly in tasks of attentional control, flexibility, and working memory. All age groups exhibited these findings. CONCLUSIONS: BO group presents executive function deficits, regardless of the age group: children, adolescents, and adults. This neurocognitive deficit should be accountable as a neurocognitive endophenotype candidate in BD.

Effects of socioeconomic status in cognition of people with schizophrenia: results from a Latin American collaboration network with 1175 subjects.

BACKGROUND: Cognition heavily relies on social determinants and genetic background. Latin America comprises approximately 8% of the global population and faces unique challenges, many derived from specific demographic and socioeconomic variables, such as violence and inequality. While such factors have been described to influence mental health outcomes, no large-scale studies with Latin American population have been carried out. Therefore, we aim to describe the cognitive performance of a representative sample of Latin American individuals with schizophrenia and its relationship to clinical factors. Additionally, we aim to investigate how socioeconomic status (SES) relates to cognitive performance in patients and controls. METHODS: We included 1175 participants from five Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico): 864 individuals with schizophrenia and 311 unaffected subjects. All participants were part of projects that included cognitive evaluation with MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery and clinical assessments. RESULTS: Patients showed worse cognitive performance than controls across all domains. Age and diagnosis were independent predictors, indicating similar trajectories of cognitive aging for both patients and controls. The SES factors of education, parental education, and income were more related to cognition in patients than in controls. Cognition was also influenced by symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: Patients did not show evidence of accelerated cognitive aging; however, they were most impacted by a lower SES suggestive of deprived environment than controls. These findings highlight the vulnerability of cognitive capacity in individuals with psychosis in face of demographic and socioeconomic factors in low- and middle-income countries.

High risk for psychiatric disorders in bipolar offspring. A four years prospective study / Riesgo elevado de trastornos psiquiátricos en hijos de padres con trastorno bipolar. Estudio prospectivo de cuatro años de duración

ABSTRACT Bipolar disorder (BD) has a large hereditary component. It is a disorder that begins in early adulthood, but about which it has been described a premorbid period preceding the onset of BD. During this herald expression psychiatric disorders and symptoms, such as depressive, manic, psychotic, anxious and others, may appear. Objective: To determine the psychopathological profile of a Bipolar Offspring (BO) group compared with the Community Control Offspring (CCO) group, and its evolution over time, including subthreshold symptoms and mental disorders. Methods: We conducted an observational mixed cohort study, with a prospective design. We included subjects from six to 30 years of age, from the region of Antioquia, Colombia. A total of 131 subjects from the risk group BO and 150 subjects from the CCO group were evaluated through validated psychiatric diagnostic interviews (K-SADS-PL and DIGS) at baseline and at 4 years follow up. All interviews were carried out by a staff blind to parent diagnoses. Follow-up assessment were complete in 72% of the offspring. Forty-two subjects were excluded as they surpassed the age of 30 years, and only 46 subjects were not followed (change of address or did not consent to participate). Results: Compared with the CCO group, the BO group had a higher frequency of affective disorder, psychotic disorder, externalizing disorders and use of the psychoactive substances during both assessments at time 1 and 2. The magnitude of the differences between the groups increased when they reach time 2. The BO group had a greater risk for presenting subthreshold symptoms and definitive psychiatric disorders, such as affective disorders, psychotic disorders and externalizing disorders. In addition, the BO group had a younger age of onset for psychoactive substances consumption. Conclusion: During the follow-up period, the BO group had a higher risk of presenting mental disorders compared with the CCO group. The most relevant symptoms and disorders that could precede the onset of BD were depressive, bipolar not otherwise specified, psychotic and substance use.

RESUMEN El trastorno bipolar (TB) tiene un gran componente hereditario. Es un trastorno que comienza en la edad adulta temprana, pero acerca del cual se ha descrito un período premórbido que precede al inicio de TB. Durante esta expresión heraldo, pueden aparecer trastornos y síntomas psiquiátricos, como depresivos, maníacos, psicóticos, ansiosos y otros. Objetivo: Determinar el perfil psicopatológico de un grupo de hijos de padres con TB (BO) en comparación con el grupo de hijos de padres control de la misma comunidad (CCO), y su evolución en el tiempo. Los síntomas subumbrales y los trastornos mentales serán incluidos. Métodos: Nosotros llevamos a cabo un estudio observacional mixto de cohorte, con diseño prospectivo. Incluimos sujetos de seis a 30 anos de edad, de la región de Antioquia, Colombia. Un total de 131 sujetos del grupo de riesgo BO y 150 sujetos del grupo CCO fueron evaluados a través de entrevistas de diagnóstico psiquiátricas validadas (K-SADS-PL y DIGS), al inicio yalos4anos de seguimiento. Todas las entrevistas se llevaron a cabo por personal ciego a los diagnósticos de los padres. La evaluación de seguimiento se completó en el 72% de la descendencia. Cuarenta y dos sujetos fueron excluidos ya que superaron la edad de 30 anos, y solo 46 sujetos no fueron seguidos (cambio de dirección o no dieron su consentimiento para participar). Resultados: En comparación con el grupo CCO, el grupo BO tuvo una mayor frecuencia de trastorno afectivo, el trastorno psicótico, los trastornos de externalización y el uso de las sustancias psicoactivas durante ambas evaluaciones en los tiempos 1 y 2. La magnitud de las diferencias entre los grupos aumentó cuando alcanzaron el tiempo 2. El grupo BO tuvo un mayor riesgo de presentar síntomas subumbrales y trastornos psiquiátricos definitivos, tales como trastornos afectivos, trastornos psicóticos y trastornos de externalización. Además, el grupo BO tuvo una edad de comienzo más baja para el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas. Conclusión: Durante el período de seguimiento, el grupo BO tuvo un mayor riesgo de presentar trastornos mentales en comparación con el grupo CCO. Los síntomas y trastornos más importantes que preceden al inicio del TB fueron: depresivo, bipolar no especificado de otra manera, psicóticos y el uso de sustancias.

High risk for psychiatric disorders in bipolar offspring. A four years prospective study.

Bipolar disorder (BD) has a large hereditary component. It is a disorder that begins in early adulthood, but about which it has been described a premorbid period preceding the onset of BD. During this herald expression psychiatric disorders and symptoms, such as depressive, manic, psychotic, anxious and others, may appear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the psychopathological profile of a Bipolar Offspring (BO) group compared with the Community Control Offspring (CCO) group, and its evolution over time, including subthreshold symptoms and mental disorders. METHODS: We conducted an observational mixed cohort study, with a prospective design. We included subjects from six to 30 years of age, from the region of Antioquia, Colombia. A total of 131 subjects from the risk group BO and 150 subjects from the CCO group were evaluated through validated psychiatric diagnostic interviews (K-SADS-PL and DIGS) at baseline and at 4 years follow up. All interviews were carried out by a staff blind to parent diagnoses. Follow-up assessment were complete in 72% of the offspring. Forty-two subjects were excluded as they surpassed the age of 30 years, and only 46 subjects were not followed (change of address or did not consent to participate). RESULTS: Compared with the CCO group, the BO group had a higher frequency of affective disorder, psychotic disorder, externalizing disorders and use of the psychoactive substances during both assessments at time 1 and 2. The magnitude of the differences between the groups increased when they reach time 2. The BO group had a greater risk for presenting subthreshold symptoms and definitive psychiatric disorders, such as affective disorders, psychotic disorders and externalizing disorders. In addition, the BO group had a younger age of onset for psychoactive substances consumption. CONCLUSION: During the follow-up period, the BO group had a higher risk of presenting mental disorders compared with the CCO group. The most relevant symptoms and disorders that could precede the onset of BD were depressive, bipolar not otherwise specified, psychotic and substance use.

Comparison of the Neurocognitive Profile of the Children of Parents with Bipolar Disorder and Controls: a Transnational Cross-Sectional Study. / Comparación del Perfil Neurocognitivo de los Hijos de Padres con Trastorno Bipolar y Controles: un Estudio de Corte Transversal.

INTRODUCTION: Studies that have compared the cognitive alterations of the children of parents with bipolar disorder (CPBD) versus the children of control parents (CCP), present heterogeneous results due to the studies' methodological differences, the age of the population studied, and the lack of standardisation of the measures used for the different neurocognitive domains. The objective was to compare the neurocognitive profile of CPBD versus CCP to observe if there are differences that could be proposed as possible endophenotypes of BD. RESULTS: A total of 107 individuals (51 CPBD, and 56 CCP) with ages between 6 and 16 (mean, 12.2±2.80) years of age were evaluated. Seventy-four point five percent of the CPBD group had some disorder compared to 67.9% of the CCP group. Tests such as letter-F phonemic verbal fluency, letter-S phonemic verbal fluency, overall F-A-S phonemic verbal fluency, story recall and retrieval, and Wisconsin perseverative errors showed a difference with a small effect size, but with a high degree of uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS: The CPBD did not have differences in their neurocognitive profile in comparison with CCP. Both groups have a high prevalence of psychopathology, which is a factor that could explain the lack of differences in neurocognitive performance.

Habilidades gnósico-práxicas relacionadas con dificultades del aprendizaje de la lectura y la escritura en individuos de 9 a 12 años / Gnosis-praxic Skills Related to Disabilities in Learning to Read and Write in Individuals Aged 9 to 12 Years

Resumen Las dificultades del aprendizaje constituyen una de las principales causas de fracaso escolar; su aparición temprana puede evidenciarse en las habilidades gnósico-práxicas que soportan los procesos de lectura y escritura. Objetivo: Describir las habilidades gnósicas y práxicas en niños escolares, de 9 a 12 años de edad, asociadas a la presencia o no de dificultades en la lectura y/o la escritura. Participantes: 53 niños de una institución pública del municipio de Sabaneta-Colombia, divididos en dos grupos, uno compuesto por 16 niños con dificultades en la lectura y/o escritura y, el otro, por 37 niños sin dificultades en estos procesos. Resultados: La comparación intergrupos evidenció diferencias estadísticas (valor p y tamaño del efecto) significativas en aspectos cruciales para el proceso de lectura y escritura: la formación de imágenes visoconstruccionales y la velocidad, la planeación y la coordinación motora, evaluadas a partir de las tareas gnósico-práxicas de Sucesión de números y letras (WISC-IV) y Tapping (BANETA). Adicionalmente, se hallaron diferencias estadísticas en las subpruebas de Esterognosia, y correlaciones significativas entre Tapping y la velocidad al escribir palabras (BANETA). Conclusión: Las habilidades gnósico-práxicas no son plenamente los procesos predominantes en las diferencias intergrupos, si bien las habilidades motoras se vinculan con los procesos de aprendizaje y las dificultades que en ellos puedan presentarse, como lo sugieren las correlaciones dadas entre la subprueba de velocidad motora y el proceso de escritura. Adicionalmente, la velocidad de procesamiento y la memoria operativa se presentan como procesos transversales a las habilidades gnósico-práxicas y de lectura y escritura.

Abstract Learning disabilities constitute one of the main causes of school failure; their early manifestation may be evidenced in the gnosis-praxis skills that support reading and writing processes. Objective: To describe the performance of gnosis-praxis skills in school children (aged from 9 to 12 years old), associated to the existence or not of reading and/or writing difficulties. Participants: 53 children of a public school in Sabaneta - Colombia, divided into two groups, one consisting of 16 children with difficulties in reading and/or writing and, the other, by 37 children without difficulties in these processes. Results: The intergroup comparison showed significant statistical differences , in crucial aspects for reading and writing process: the visoconstructional image formation, speed, planning and motor coordination, obtained from the gnosis - praxis tasks of Letter-Number Sequencing (WISC-IV) and Tapping (BANETA). Additionally, statistical differences were found in the subtests of Stereognosis (BANETA) and significant correlations between Tapping and the speed rate in writing words. Conclusion: Gnosis - praxis skills are not the predominant processes in intergroup differences, even though motor skills are linked to learning process and the difficulties they may arise, as suggested by the correlations given between the motor speed subtest and the writing process. In addition, processing speed and operational memory are shown as crosscutting processes in gnosis-praxis, reading and writing skills.

High Risk for Psychiatric Disorders in Bipolar Offspring. A Four Years Prospective Study.

Bipolar disorder (BD) has a large hereditary component. It is a disorder that begins in early adulthood, but about which it has been described a premorbid period preceding the onset of BD. During this herald expression psychiatric disorders and symptoms, such as depressive, manic, psychotic, anxious and others, may appear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the psychopathological profile of a Bipolar Offspring (BO) group compared with the Community Control Offspring (CCO) group, and its evolution over time, including subthreshold symptoms and mental disorders. METHODS: We conducted an observational mixed cohort study, with a prospective design. We included subjects from six to 30 years of age, from the region of Antioquia, Colombia. A total of 131 subjects from the risk group BO and 150 subjects from the CCO group were evaluated through validated psychiatric diagnostic interviews (K-SADS-PL and DIGS) at baseline and at 4 years follow up. All interviews were carried out by a staff blind to parent diagnoses. Follow-up assessment were complete in 72% of the offspring. Forty-two subjects were excluded as they surpassed the age of 30 years, and only 46 subjects were not followed (change of address or did not consent to participate). RESULTS: Compared with the CCO group, the BO group had a higher frequency of affective disorder, psychotic disorder, externalizing disorders and use of the psychoactive substances during both assessments at time 1 and 2. The magnitude of the differences between the groups increased when they reach time 2. The BO group had a greater risk for presenting subthreshold symptoms and definitive psychiatric disorders, such as affective disorders, psychotic disorders and externalizing disorders. In addition, the BO group had a younger age of onset for psychoactive substances consumption. CONCLUSION: During the follow-up period, the BO group had a higher risk of presenting mental disorders compared with the CCO group. The most relevant symptoms and disorders that could precede the onset of BD were depressive, bipolar not otherwise specified, psychotic and substance use.

Do Children of Patients with Bipolar Disorder have a Worse Perception of Sleep Quality? / ¿Los hijos de pacientes con trastorno bipolar tienen una peor percepción de la calidad de sueño?

INTRODUCTION: The offspring of bipolar parents (BO) is a high-risk population for inheriting the bipolar disorder (BD) and other early clinical manifestations, such as sleep disturbances. OBJECTIVE: To compare the presence of psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbances of BO versus offspring of control parents (OCP). METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted that compared BO versus OCP. The participants were assessed using valid tools to determine the presence of psychiatric symptoms or disorders. The "Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire" and "School Sleep Habits Survey" were used to determine sleep characteristics and associated factors. Sleep records (7-21 days) were also obtained by using an actigraphy watch. RESULTS: A sample of 42 participants (18 BO and 24 OCP) was recruited. Differences were found in the presentation of the psychiatric disorder. The BO group showed a higher frequency of major depression disorder (MDD; P=.04) and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD; P=.04). The OCP group showed a higher frequency of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; P=.65), and Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD; P=.46). Differences were also found in sleep by using subjective measurements. Compared to the OCP group, BO had a worse perception of quality of sleep (P=.02), a higher frequency of nightmares (P=.01), a shorter total sleep time, and a higher sleep latency. Nevertheless, no differences were found between groups in the actigraphy measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The BO group had a higher frequency of Mood Disorders, and at the same time a higher number of sleep disturbances in the subjective measurements. It is possible that there is an association between mood symptoms, sleep disturbances, and coffee intake. No differences were found in the sleep profile by using actigraphy.