Persistent psychotic symptoms and neurocognitive deficits in borderline personality disorder.

BACKGROUND: Persistent psychotic symptomatology might be present in a group of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) according to recent research findings. AIMS: Investigate whether psychotic symptoms could be associated to greater cognitive and functional impairment in BPD patients. METHOD: In this observational, cross-sectional study (PI14/01449 and PI17/01023), we investigated the incidence of persistent psychotic symptoms in BPD patients and its association with specific neurocognitive impairments. A sample of 120 patients with diagnosis of BPD according to DSM IV TR was studied. RESULTS: A substantial number of BPD patients (52, 43,3%) presented psychotic symptoms for a period longer than 6 months. Among BPD patients with psychotic symptoms, 25 (48%) presented hallucinations, 35 (67,3%) presented delusional thoughts and 8 patients (15%) presented both. BPD psychotic patients had greater global severity at the CGI than non-psychotic patients (p 0.02). Psychotic BPD patients had greater impairment in attention (Hedges g = -0.36, 95% CI = -0.72 to 0.00) and in the executive functions domain (Hedges g = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.84 to -0.12) including working memory and cognitive flexibility. There were no differences of neurocognitive performance between patients with hallucinations and patients with delusional thoughts. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent psychotic symptoms are present in one third of BPD patients and are probably associated with neurocognitive and social impairment. Thus, it is a priority to extensively investigate the nature of interactions between psychosis, BPD psychopathology and neurocognitive impairment, in order to better understand BPD phenotypes and to design adjusted treatment interventions.

Executive Dysfunction Associated With the Primary Psychopathic Features of Borderline Personality Disorder.

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the presence of psychopathic features in BPD is related to dysfunction in executive functions and other neuropsychological functions in these patients. Methods: 82 patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and 54 control subjects were studied through clinical and neuropsychological evaluation protocols and the Levenson Psychopathy Inventory. Results: BPD patients showed significantly higher scores on both primary (F1) and secondary (F2) global rates of psychopathy, than controls. The results for these patients also showed a statistically significant association between high scores in primary psychopathy and deficits in executive functions. However, no associations were found between the scores of secondary psychopathy and executive dysfunction. Conclusion: Primary psychopathic features present in patients with BPD are associated with patterns of executive dysfunction. It would therefore be interesting to investigate the role of cognitive rehabilitation in the empathy dysfunctions within these disorders.

Hypothalamic-pituitary axis response to a 0.25-MG dexamethasone test in women with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia has been reported as having some clinical overlap with both depression and emotionally-unstable disorders, although both types of disorders present different cortisol suppression response to dexamethasone. In this study we investigated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system (HPA) in the fibromyalgic syndrome (FMS) using a dexamethasone suppression test (DST) of 0.25 mg designed to specifically detect cortisol hypersuppression. We studied 59 women (20 patients and 39 healthy controls) to whom the DST was administered together with a battery of psychometric tests. In our results, patients with FMS had significant lower levels of basal cortisol pre- and post-DST compared with control subjects. However, cortisol suppression rate in patients after DST was not significantly different than in controls. As other syndromes like post-traumatic stress disorder or emotionally unstable personality disorders, also related with high incidence of severe trauma, FMS patients presented significant low basal cortisol. However, they did not have cortisol hypersuppression as is commonly found in the mentioned disorders. The relation of FMS with lifetime traumas and with emotional instability should be further investigated in order to improve psychological treatment approaches for these patients.LAY SUMMARYPatients with fibromyalgic syndrome have basal hypocortisoism but no cortisol hypersuppression after dexamethasone infusion compared to control subjects, as other trauma-related syndromes.

Trastorno del espectro autista y prematuridad: hacia un programa de cribado prospectivo / Autism spectrum disorder and prematurity: towards a prospective screening program

Introducción. La prevalencia de trastornos del espectro autista (TEA) comunicada en estudios actuales en grupos de riesgo como son los recién nacidos pretermino o con bajo peso al nacer, es más alta que en la población normal. Este hecho ha supuesto el incremento en los últimos anos de estudios de cribado que investigan posibles factores de riesgo de TEA en los recién nacidos pretermino y su trayectoria evolutiva. Objetivo. Exponer los resultados de los principales estudios de cribado de recién nacidos pretermino a fin de presentar recomendaciones de cribado en esta población de riesgo. Desarrollo. Los resultados de los estudios presentados sugieren la posibilidad de que la trayectoria del desarrollo sociocomunicativo y conductual de los recién nacidos pretermino difiera de lo esperado si su nacimiento se hubiera producido a término, lo que apoya el hecho de que se realicen programas de cribado basados en una monitorización evolutiva del desarrollo y se utilicen herramientas de cribado adaptadas a esta población de riesgo. Conclusión. Los menores prematuros son un grupo de riesgo que muestra características diferenciales para el cribado de TEA (AU)

Introduction. The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) reported in current studies in risk groups such as preterm or low birth weight infants is higher than in the normal population. This fact has led to the increase in recent years of screening studies that investigate possible risk factors for ASD in preterm newborns and their developmental trajectory. Aim. To present the results of the main screening studies of preterm newborns in order to propose screening recommendations for this population at risk. Development. The results of the studies presented suggest the possibility that the trajectory of socio-communicative and behavioral development of preterm infants differed from what was expected if their birth had occurred at term. This supports the fact that screening programs are carried out based on developmental surveillance and that it is advisable to use screening tools adapted to this population at risk. Conclusion. Premature children are a risk group that shows differential characteristics for the screening of ASD (AU)

Multiple cluster axis II comorbidity and functional outcome in severe patients with borderline personality disorder.

BACKGROUND: Current literature suggests that personality disorder comorbidity negatively contributes to both the severity and prognosis of other disorders; however, little literature has been devoted to its influence on borderline personality disorder (BPD). The objective of the present work is to study comorbidity with other personality disorders in a severe clinical sample of patients with BPD, and its relationship with global functionality. METHODS: A sample of 65 patients with severe borderline personality disorder was included in the study. Clinical and functionality measures were applied in order to study comorbidity of BPD with other disorders and its relationship with functionality. Associations with other comorbid PDs were analyzed with t-tests and linear correlations. RESULTS: Most patients (87%) presented comorbidity with other PDs. Almost half of the sample (42%) presented more than two PDs, and cluster A (paranoid) and C (obsessive and avoidant) PD were more frequent than cluster B (histrionic and antisocial). Only the presence of avoidant PD predicted a worse functional outcome in the long term (U Mann Withney p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Severely impaired BPD patients present greater comorbidity with cluster A and C PDs. Comorbid avoidant personality disorder might negatively predict for prognosis.

Crisis parainfecciosas: estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico / Para-infectious seizures: a retrospective multicentre study

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las crisis parainfecciosas son crisis convulsivas afebriles en el contexto de infecciones banales en niños sin afectación neurológica, siendo aún una patología poco conocida en nuestro medio. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico donde se incluye a pacientes con crisis única o múltiple en el contexto de una infección banal afebril, con desarrollo psicomotor normal. RESULTADOS: Se recogió a 38 pacientes (47% varones, 53% mujeres) en un periodo de 3 años (2012-2015) con edad media de 2,1 años. El 7,9% presentaba antecedentes de crisis febriles. La media de crisis por paciente fue de 2,2, siendo el 57,9% crisis tónico-clónicas generalizadas, con una duración media de 3,2 min. Se realizó electroencefalograma durante su ingreso al 73,7%. Se efectuó punción lumbar en un 34,2% (todas normales) y prueba de neuroimangen en el 36,9%, siendo la más realizada la RM craneal en el 21,1%, sin hallazgos patológicos. El proceso infeccioso más frecuente (68%) fue tener gastroenteritis aguda seguida de la infección respiratoria de vías altas (32%). El 63,2% no precisó medicación anticomicial. En urgencias el fármaco más usado fue el diazepam rectal. Posteriormente, debido a la agrupación de crisis, un 28,9% de los casos precisó administración de fármacos por vía intravenosa (el más usado fue el ácido valproico), manteniéndose en el 16% tratamiento antiepiléptico al alta. El 76,3% de los pacientes fue diagnosticado al alta de crisis parainfecciosas. CONCLUSIONES: Es fundamental el conocimiento de las crisis parainfecciosas, su diagnóstico clínico y evolución benigna, ya que su identificación evita la realización de pruebas complementarias y tratamientos innecesarios

INTRODUCTION: Para-infectious seizures are afebrile seizures that are associated with mild infections, and occur in children with no pre-existing neurological illness. They are still little known in our environment. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective study was conducted that included patients with normal psychomotor development and had presented with one or more seizures in the context of a mild afebrile infection. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients (47% male, 53% female) were included in the study over a period of three years (2012-2015). The mean age was 2.1 years. A previous history of febrile seizures was found in 7.9% of them. Mean number of seizures per patient was 2.2, with 57.9% of them being tonic-clonic seizures. The mean duration of seizures was 3.2minutes. An EEG was performed during admission in 73.7% of cases. Lumbar punctures were performed in 34.2% of cases. All were normal. Neuroimaging tests were carried out in 36.9% of cases. Brain MRI was the imaging test performed in most cases (21.1%), with no any pathological findings. The most frequent infection found was acute gastroenteritis (68%), followed by upper respiratory tract infection (32%). Almost two-thirds (63.2%) of patients did not require anticonvulsant medication. Rectal diazepam was the most frequently used drug in emergencies. Intravenous medication was required by 28.9% of patients due to repeated seizures. The most frequently used drug in the non-emergency setting was valproic acid. Anticonvulsant treatment was continued after discharge in 16% of patients. Para-infectious seizures was the diagnosis in 76.3% of cases when discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of para-infectious seizures, their clinical diagnosis and benign course is crucial, as this would avoid further testing and unnecessary treatments

[Para-infectious seizures: A retrospective multicentre study]. / Crisis parainfecciosas: estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico.

INTRODUCTION: Para-infectious seizures are afebrile seizures that are associated with mild infections, and occur in children with no pre-existing neurological illness. They are still little known in our environment. METHODS: A multicentre retrospective study was conducted that included patients with normal psychomotor development and had presented with one or more seizures in the context of a mild afebrile infection. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients (47% male, 53% female) were included in the study over a period of three years (2012-2015). The mean age was 2.1 years. A previous history of febrile seizures was found in 7.9% of them. Mean number of seizures per patient was 2.2, with 57.9% of them being tonic-clonic seizures. The mean duration of seizures was 3.2minutes. An EEG was performed during admission in 73.7% of cases. Lumbar punctures were performed in 34.2% of cases. All were normal. Neuroimaging tests were carried out in 36.9% of cases. Brain MRI was the imaging test performed in most cases (21.1%), with no any pathological findings. The most frequent infection found was acute gastroenteritis (68%), followed by upper respiratory tract infection (32%). Almost two-thirds (63.2%) of patients did not require anticonvulsant medication. Rectal diazepam was the most frequently used drug in emergencies. Intravenous medication was required by 28.9% of patients due to repeated seizures. The most frequently used drug in the non-emergency setting was valproic acid. Anticonvulsant treatment was continued after discharge in 16% of patients. Para-infectious seizures was the diagnosis in 76.3% of cases when discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of para-infectious seizures, their clinical diagnosis and benign course is crucial, as this would avoid further testing and unnecessary treatments.

A study of verbal memory in a sample of euthymic patients with bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have confirmed the presence of cognitive impairment in euthymic patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD). A significant relationship between memory difficulties and poor psychosocial adjustment has also been found in these subjects. While some studies suggest that these memory deficits may be secondary to executive functioning instead of being directly related to a primary impairment of the memory systems, others suggest that these memory deficits may be secondary to clinical symptoms. Some authors reject the existence of any relationship between clinical state and neurocognitive impairments and suggest that this relationship may be mediated by other factors. The goal of this research was to replicate the findings of verbal memory impairment in euthymic patients with Bipolar Disorder and relate these impairments with neocortex structures. METHODOLOGY: We carried out a cross-sectional study. The sample was made up of 44 BDI and 9 BDII euthymic patients and 32 healthy subjects, aged 18-65 years. Both groups were evaluated with the California Verbal Learning Test. RESULTS: Both bipolar patients performed worse than healthy control subjects in most memory measures and showed difficulties in components of memory that are associated with both frontal (semantic organization) and temporal lobe function (recall and recognition). CONCLUSIONS: We have hypothesized that verbal memory could be a trait marker of bipolar disorder.

The efficacy of lamotrigine in a resistant case of depersonalization disorder.

The individuals with depersonalizattion disorder suffer from a painful feeling that their body and mental experiences or the experiences of the environment seem become unreal, distant or mechanical. This phenomenon is often associated with other mental disorders, as in the case presented. Among the many psychoactive drugs studied, none of them has been shown to be the treatment of choice. Among those with which the best results are obtained are opioid receptor antagonists, the combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with lamotrigine and clorimipramine. We are presenting a resistant case that responded to lamotrigine.