Goal commitment evolution in a Spanish adolescent sample with cannabis use disorder.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of adolescents with Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) presents a variety of challenges. The identification of a patient's treatment goal might be an important predictor of cannabis consumption and a key factor when designing the intervention. This paper aims to present the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Goal Commitment (ASAGC) questionnaire in adolescent consumers of cannabis and to report the association of goal commitment with the treatment outcome. METHOD: A sample of 115 adolescents between 13 and 18 years old with CUD in outpatient treatment were evaluated. Psychometric properties including exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, predictive validity, reliability and stability over time were analyzed. RESULTS: ASAGC shows good psychometric properties, with excellent reliability (Cronbach's α of >0.95 for both subscales, Abstinence and Harm Reduction) at baseline and 3 and 6 months (>0.95 for both subscales) and good stability at 3 and 6 months (K = 0.572 and 0.659). Higher scores in Commitment to abstinence at baseline are associated with lower scores of THC in urine at 3 and 6 months (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The ASAGC is a useful tool to study treatment commitment in adolescents that present a CUD. Abstinence commitment is a reliable prognostic factor. However, adolescents committed to HR remain a therapeutic challenge.

Folie à deux en un niño prepúber y su madre / Folie à deux in a prepuberal child and his mother

El Trastorno psicótico compartico (DSM-5) o Trastorno por ideas delirantes inducido (CIE-10), tradicionalmente conocido como "folie à deux" es una patología rara, probablemete infradiagnosticada debido al grave aislamiento social y falta de conciencia de enfermedad que caracteriza a estos pacientes. Se han publicado algunos casos clínicos y revisiones sobre este trastorno, mostrando que la mayoría de relaciones se establecen en el núcleo familiar, sobre todo entre parejas. Hay pocos casos documentados que se presenten en un paciente inducido menor de edad. Se describe un caso clínico de una díada madre-hijo menor de edad, seguida de una breve discusión basada en la literatura

Shared Psychotic Disorder (DSM-5) or Induced Delusional Disorder (ICD-10), traditionally known as "folie à deux", is a rare condition, probably under-diagnosed due to the serious social isolation and lack of insight that characterizes these patients. Some case reports and reviews have been published about this disorder, showing that the majority of the relationships are within the nuclear family with married or common-law couples being the most frequent. There are very few documented cases involving an induced partner younger than 18 years of age. We describe one case of a mother-son dyad, followed by a brief discussion based on the literatura

Persistent psychotic symptoms after long-term heavy use of mephedrone: A two-case series. / Síntomas psicóticos persistentes después del uso abusivo prolongado de mefedrona: una serie de dos casos.

Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is a synthetic stimulant drug of the cathinone class. Similar effects to those of cocaine and ecstasy are reported by users, with a high addictive potential. Given its increasing rate of consumption in Europe, it is getting more and more attention from the addiction field. In spite of that, little is known about the long-term consequences of prolonged heavy use. The two following cases might depict some of them. Case 1 was a middle-age man who reported three years of intravenous use of mephedrone. He used to binge for several days in a row. Psychotic symptoms appeared after a few months, especially paranoid delusions. Sent to aftercare in a therapeutic community, delusions kept reappearing after prolonged abstinence. A good response to risperidone was observed. Case 2 was a young man who used mephedrone heavily for two years, always snorted. Upon admission to the therapeutic community, the patient reported auditory hallucinations that partially remitted with olanzapine. Both cases showed a good insight and no personality deterioration. Given its similarities to other substances that are known to induce psychotic symptoms, and the increasing consumption of mephedrone around Europe, similar cases are expected in the near future. Conventional antipsychotic treatment seems a reasonable pharmacological approach.

La mefedrona (4-methylmethcathinone) es un estimulante sintético del grupo de las catinonas. Los usuarios refieren efectos similares a los de la cocaína y el éxtasis, con un potencial adictivo elevado. Dada la creciente tasa de consumo en Europa, cada vez recibe más atención desde el campo de las adicciones. No obstante, poco se sabe sobre las consecuencias a largo plazo de su consumo abusivo. Los dos siguientes casos pueden servir para mostrar alguna de ellas. El caso 1 es un hombre de mediana edad, quien refería un consumo intravenoso de mefedrona de 3 años de duración. Su patrón de uso consistía en atracones que duraban varios días. Tras varios meses de consumo, aparecieron síntomas psicóticos, especialmente delirios paranoides. Tras ser enviado a una comunidad terapéutica, los síntomas psicóticos se continuaron produciendo pese a mantener una abstinencia prolongada. Se observó una buena respuesta a la risperidona. El caso 2 es un hombre joven, con un consume abusivo de 2 años de duración, vía nasal. A su llegada a la comunidad terapéutica, el paciente refirió alucinaciones auditivas que remitieron parcialmente con olanzapina. Ambos casos mostraron una buena conciencia de enfermedad, así como ausencia de deterioro en su personalidad. Dadas las similitudes bioquímicas con otras sustancias con potencial para inducir síntomas psicóticos, y el creciente consumo de mefedrona en Europa, casos similares son esperables en un futuro cercano. El uso de antipsicóticos convencionales parece una estrategia razonable de tratamiento.

Síntomas psicóticos persistentes después del uso abusivo prolongado de mefedrona: una serie de dos casos / Persistent psychotic symptoms after long-term heavy use of mephedrone: A two-case series

La mefedrona (4-methylmethcathinone) es un estimulante sintético del grupo de las catinonas. Los usuarios refieren efectos similares a los de la cocaína y el éxtasis, con un potencial adictivo elevado. Dada la creciente tasa de consumo en Europa, cada vez recibe más atención desde el campo de las adicciones. No obstante, poco se sabe sobre las consecuencias a largo plazo de su consumo abusivo. Los dos siguientes casos pueden servir para mostrar alguna de ellas. El caso 1 es un hombre de mediana edad, quien refería un consumo intravenoso de mefedrona de 3 años de duración. Su patrón de uso consistía en atracones que duraban varios días. Tras varios meses de consumo, aparecieron síntomas psicóticos, especialmente delirios paranoides. Tras ser enviado a una comunidad terapéutica, los síntomas psicóticos se continuaron produciendo pese a mantener una abstinencia prolongada. Se observó una buena respuesta a la risperidona. El caso 2 es un hombre joven, con un consume abusivo de 2 años de duración, vía nasal. A su llegada a la comunidad terapéutica, el paciente refirió alucinaciones auditivas que remitieron parcialmente con olanzapina. Ambos casos mostraron una buena conciencia de enfermedad, así como ausencia de deterioro en su personalidad. Dadas las similitudes bioquímicas con otras sustancias con potencial para inducir síntomas psicóticos, y el creciente consumo de mefedrona en Europa, casos similares son esperables en un futuro cercano. El uso de antipsicóticos convencionales parece una estrategia razonable de tratamiento

Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is a synthetic stimulant drug of the cathinone class. Similar effects to those of cocaine and ecstasy are reported by users, with a high addictive potential. Given its increasing rate of consumption in Europe, it is getting more and more attention from the addiction field. In spite of that, little is known about the long-term consequences of prolonged heavy use. The two following cases might depict some of them. Case 1 was a middle-age man who reported three years of intravenous use of mephedrone. He used to binge for several days in a row. Psychotic symptoms appeared after a few months, especially paranoid delusions. Sent to aftercare in a therapeutic community, delusions kept reappearing after prolonged abstinence. A good response to risperidone was observed. Case 2 was a young man who used mephedrone heavily for two years, always snorted. Upon admission to the therapeutic community, the patient reported auditory hallucinations that partially remitted with olanzapine. Both cases showed a good insight and no personality deterioration. Given its similarities to other substances that are known to induce psychotic symptoms, and the increasing consumption of mephedrone around Europe, similar cases are expected in the near future. Conventional antipsychotic treatment seems a reasonable pharmacological approach

Personality psychopathology, drug use and psychological symptoms in adolescents with substance use disorders and community controls.

Substance use is a risk behavior that tends to increase during adolescence, a time when part of the personality is still in development. Traditionally, personality psychopathology has been measured in terms of categories, although dimensional models have demonstrated better consistency. This study aimed to analyze differences in personality profiles between adolescents with substance use disorders (SUD n = 74) and matched community controls (MCC n = 74) using the Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY-5) dimensional model. Additionally, we compared age at first drug use, level of drug use and internalizing and externalizing symptoms between the groups. In this study, the PSY-5 model has proved to be useful for differentiating specific personality disturbances in adolescents with SUD and community adolescents. The Disconstraint scale was particularly useful for discriminating adolescents with substance use problems and the Delinquent Attitudes facet offered the best differentiation.

Eficacia de los ácidos grasos omega-3 como tratamiento suplementario en la esquizofrenia / Efficacy of Omega-3 Fatty Acids as a Supplementary Treatment in Schizophrenia

La teoría de la membrana fosfolípidica en torno a la etiopatogenia de la esquizofrenia sostiene que una deficiencia en la composición de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (PUFA) de los lípidos en la membrana neuronal es un factor relevante en la fisiopatología de este trastorno. Diversos ensayos clínicos evalúan el papel terapéutico de la suplementación con PUFA omega-3 en la esquizofrenia. Una revisión sistemática de la literatura publicada identificó siete ensayos clínicos realizados en condiciones de doble ciego y control con placebo que evaluaron la eficacia de dicha suplementación. Los resultados de estos estudios son heterogéneos. Parte de los datos indica una eficacia moderada de la suplementación con ácido eicosapentaenoico en dosis de 2 g/día en pacientes con esquizofrenia establecida. Dos estudios se centraron en psicosis incipiente, con resultados alentadores a corto plazo. Sin embargo, los estudios que reclutaron mayor número de pacientes no advirtieron diferencias respecto a placebo (AU)

The phospholipid membrane theory about the aetiopathogenesis of schizophrenia supports the idea that a deficiency in the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the lipids in the neuronal membrane is a significant factor in the pathophysiology of this disorder. Various clinical trials have evaluated the therapeutic role of omega-3 PUFA supplements in schizophrenia. A systematic review of the published literature was performed, identifying 7 double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials that evaluated the efficacy of these supplements. The study results are heterogeneous. The data suggest that there is a moderate effect with supplements containing eicosapentaenoic acid in a dose of 2 g/day in patients with established schizophrenia. Two studies focused on incipient psychosis, with encouraging results in the short term. However, the studies that recruited a larger number of patients did not observe any differences compared to the placebo (AU)

¿Debería considerarse la obesidad un factor limitante para el tratamiento con clozapina? / Should obesity be a limiting factor for clozapine treatment?

Objetivo. Clozapina es el fármaco de elección en el tratamiento de la esquizofrenia resistente, pero genera importantes cambios ponderales que pueden disuadir al clínico de utilizarlo, preocupado por los posibles riesgos para la salud del paciente. Para valorar estos aspectos evaluamos los cambios producidos en el índice de masa corporal (IMC) a las 18 y 56 semanas de tratamiento con clozapina. Método. En una muestra de pacientes diagnosticados de esquizofrenia, el peso y la estatura fueron medidos a nivel basal y posteriormente de forma semanal durante las primeras 18 semanas de tratamiento con clozapina. Posteriormente la evaluación fue mensual. Se registraron así mismo las dosis regulares de clozapina, los niveles plasmáticos de clozapina y norclozapina, la medicación concomitante, el género y la edad. Resultados. A las 18 semanas (n=76) el incremento medio en IMC era de 1,83kg/m2. El IMC basal se correlacionaba de forma inversa con el incremento en IMC. A las 56 semanas (n=57) el incremento medio en IMC era 2,67kg/m2 y se correlacionaba de forma inversa con el IMC basal. Análisis de regresión múltiple replicaron estos resultados. Considerando categorías diferentes según el IMC basal, los pacientes que partían de un sobrepeso tenían menor riesgo de incremento ponderal continuado. Conclusiones. La presencia de sobrepeso no debiera disuadir al clínico de considerar el tratamiento con clozapina en pacientes con esquizofrenia resistente(AU)

Objective. Clozapine is the first choice in drug-resistant schizophrenia but also causes important weight changes. This might discourage clinicians who are concerned about the risk of developing health problems. To assess this issue we measured change in body mass index (cBMI) induced by clozapine at 18 and 56 weeks. Methods. Baseline body weight and height were measured and weight weekly thereafter during the first 18 weeks of treatment. After that, measurements were made monthly. Steady clozapine dose, clozapine and norclozapine blood concentrations, concomitant medication, gender and age were recorded. Results. At 18 weeks (n=76) mean cBMI was 1.83kg/m2. Baseline BMI was inversely correlated with cBMI. At 56 weeks (n=57) cBMI was 2.67kg/m2 and was inversely correlated with basal BMI. Multiple regression analysis replicated the results. When split with BMI categories, obese patients had lesser risk for further weight gain. Conclusions. Obesity should not discourage clinicians from starting clozapine in drug-resistant patients(AU)

Should obesity be a limiting factor for clozapine treatment?

OBJECTIVE: Clozapine is the first choice in drug-resistant schizophrenia but also causes important weight changes. This might discourage clinicians concerned about the risk of developing health problems. To assess this issue we measured change in body mass index (cBMI) induced by clozapine at 18 and 56 weeks. METHODS: Baseline body weight and height were measured and weight weekly thereafter during the first 18 weeks of treatment. After that, measurements were made monthly. Steady clozapine dose, clozapine and norclozapine blood concentrations, concomitant medication, gender and age were recorded. RESULTS: At 18 weeks (n=76) mean cBMI was 1.83 kg/m(2). Baseline BMI was inversely correlated with cBMI. At 56 weeks (n=57) cBMI was 2.67 kg/m(2) and was inversely correlated with basal BMI. Multiple regression analysis replicated the results. When split with BMI categories, obese patients had lesser risk for further weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity should not discourage clinicians from starting clozapine in drug-resistant patients.

Subtipos de adolescentes con trastornos por uso de sustancias y comorbilidad psiquiátrica utilizando los análisis de cluster y discriminante de perfiles MMPI-A / Subtypes of adolescents with substance use disorders and psychiatric comorbidity using cluster and discriminant analysis of MMPI-A profiles

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue replicar y ampliar los resultados de estudios previos sobre subtipos de adolescentes con trastorno por uso de sustancias (TUS), de acuerdo con sus perfiles de personalidad en el Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for adolescents (MMPI-A). Sesenta pacientes con TUS y comorbilidad psiquiátrica (41.7% hombres, edad media = 15.9 años) completaron el MMPI-A, el Teen Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI), el Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), y entrevistas para obtener diagnósticos DSM-IV y medidas del nivel de uso de sustancias. El perfil general de personalidad MMPI-A mostró elevaciones moderadas en las escalas de Desviación Psicopática, Depresión e Histeria. El análisis de cluster jerárquico reveló cuatro perfiles (acting-out, 35% de la muestra; disorganized-conflictive, 15%; normative-impulsive, 15%; y deceptive-concealed, 35%). Se encontraron asociaciones entre el cluster 1, la sintomatología externalizante a nivel clínico del CBCL y los trastornos de conducta, así como entre el cluster 2 y un nivel clínico de síntomas internalizantes y externalizantes del CBCL. El análisis discriminante mostró que las escalas del MMPI-A Depresión, Desviación Psicopática y Psicastenia, clasificaron correctamente el 90% de los pacientes dentro de los subgrupos obtenidos (AU)

The main aim of this study was to replicate and extend previous results on subtypes of adolescents with substance use disorders (SUD), according to their Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for adolescents (MMPI-A) profiles. Sixty patients with SUD and psychiatric comorbidity (41.7% male, mean age = 15.9 years old) completed the MMPI-A, the Teen Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI), the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), and were interviewed in order to determine DSMIV diagnoses and level of substance use. Mean MMPI-A personality profile showed moderate peaks in Psychopathic Deviate, Depression and Hysteria scales. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed four profiles (acting-out, 35% of the sample; disorganized-conflictive, 15%; normative-impulsive, 15%; and deceptive-concealed, 35%). External correlates were found between cluster 1, CBCL externalizing symptoms at a clinical level and conduct disorders, and between cluster 2 and mixed CBCL internalized/externalized symptoms at a clinical level. Discriminant analysis showed that Depression, Psychopathic Deviate and Psychasthenia MMPI-A scales correctly classified 90% of the patients into the clusters obtained (AU)

Subtypes of adolescents with substance use disorders and psychiatric comorbidity using cluster and discriminant analysis of MMPI-A profiles.

The main aim of this study was to replicate and extend previous results on subtypes of adolescents with substance use disorders (SUD), according to their Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for adolescents (MMPI-A) profiles. Sixty patients with SUD and psychiatric comorbidity (41.7% male, mean age = 15.9 years old) completed the MMPI-A, the Teen Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI), the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), and were interviewed in order to determine DSMIV diagnoses and level of substance use. Mean MMPI-A personality profile showed moderate peaks in Psychopathic Deviate, Depression and Hysteria scales. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed four profiles (acting-out, 35% of the sample; disorganized-conflictive, 15%; normative-impulsive, 15%; and deceptive-concealed, 35%). External correlates were found between cluster 1, CBCL externalizing symptoms at a clinical level and conduct disorders, and between cluster 2 and mixed CBCL internalized/externalized symptoms at a clinical level. Discriminant analysis showed that Depression, Psychopathic Deviate and Psychasthenia MMPI-A scales correctly classified 90% of the patients into the clusters obtained.

Drug awareness in adolescents attending a mental health service: analysis of longitudinal data.

One of the procedures used most recently with longitudinal data is linear mixed models. In the context of health research the increasing number of studies that now use these models bears witness to the growing interest in this type of analysis. This paper describes the application of linear mixed models to a longitudinal study of a sample of Spanish adolescents attending a mental health service, the aim being to investigate their knowledge about the consumption of alcohol and other drugs. More specifically, the main objective was to compare the efficacy of a motivational interviewing programme with a standard approach to drug awareness. The models used to analyse the overall indicator of drug awareness were as follows: (a) unconditional linear growth curve model; (b) growth model with subject-associated variables; and (c) individual curve model with predictive variables. The results showed that awareness increased over time and that the variable 'schooling years' explained part of the between-subjects variation. The effect of motivational interviewing was also significant.

Drug awareness in adolescents attending a mental health service: analysis of longitudinal data

One of the procedures used most recently with longitudinal data is linear mixed models. In the context of health research the increasing number of studies that now use these models bears witness to the growing interest in this type of analysis. This paper describes the application of linear mixed models to a longitudinal study of a sample of Spanish adolescents attending a mental health service, the aim being to investigate their knowledge about the consumption of alcohol and other drugs. More specifically, the main objective was to compare the efficacy of a motivational interviewing programme with a standard approach to drug awareness. The models used to analyse the overall indicator of drug awareness were as follows: (a) unconditional linear growth curve model; (b) growth model with subject-associated variables; and (c) individual curve model with predictive variables. The results showed that awareness increased over time and that the variable ‘schooling years’ explained part of the between-subjects variation. The effect of motivational interviewing was also significant (AU)

Uno de los procedimientos más recientemente utilizados con datos de carácter longitudinal son los modelos lineales mixtos. Su creciente interés en investigación sanitaria se constata por un aumento de los estudios que utilizan este tipo de análisis. Este trabajo se centra en los modelos lineales mixtos aplicados a un estudio longitudinal sobre el conocimiento acerca del consumo de alcohol y otras drogas en una muestra de adolescentes españoles que inician tratamiento en un centro de salud mental. Concretamente, el objetivo principal fue comparar la eficacia de un programa de entrevista motivacional con otro estándar sobre el conocimiento de las drogas. Los modelos utilizados a fin de analizar el indicador global de conocimiento sobre drogas fueron los siguientes: (a) modelo incondicional lineal de curva de crecimiento, (b) modelo de crecimiento con variables asociadas a las personas y (c) modelo de curvas individuales con variables predictoras. Los resultados mostraron que el conocimiento incrementa con el paso del tiempo y que la escolarización explica parte de la variación entre-sujetos. En cuanto al efecto de la entrevista motivacional resultó ser significativo (AU)

Patterns of substance use in adolescents attending a mental health department.

This study aimed to describe patterns of substance use in adolescents initiating mental health treatment and analyse factors associated with a high-risk pattern of substance use differentially by gender. Two hundred and thirty-seven 12- to 17-year-old new patients in an urban public mental health service were prospectively recruited and evaluated using semi-structured interviews and standardized questionnaires to obtain socio-demographic, psychopathological, family, school and substance use data. The most prevalent primary diagnoses among males were attention deficit disorder and conduct disorder, while among females they were eating disorders, affective and conduct disorders. Substance use disorder was diagnosed as follows: cannabis in 10.1% of the sample, alcohol in 3.4% and other drugs in 0.4%. A pattern of substance use with high risk of developing problems (at least regular use of alcohol or occasional use of cannabis or other illegal drugs) was found in 48.9% of the sample. After adjusting for age in the multivariate logistic regression, this pattern of risky use of drugs was found to be associated with Youth Self-Report scales of thought problems, delinquent and aggressive behaviour, in both genders. Altered family structure, having had to repeat a school grade and Youth Self-Report attention problems were only significantly associated with risky drug consumption in females. The high prevalence of risky and problematic substance use in adolescents entering mental health treatment warrants early systematic screening and specific preventive and therapeutic interventions, addressing mental health psychoeducation and motivation to avoid drugs, as well as differential associated risk factors for males and females.

Prevalence and factors related to substance use among adolescents with eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Very few studies have assessed substance use in clinical samples of adolescents with eating disorders (ED). This paper reports the prevalence of regular or risky substance use (RRSU) and substance use disorder (SUD) in adolescents with ED. METHODS: The Teen-Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI), the Youth Self-Report (YSR) scale and substance use questionnaires were administered to 95 adolescent patients aged 12-17 years who fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and ED not otherwise specified. All patients were consecutively attended at an Eating Disorders Unit. RESULTS: 14.7% presented SUD related to tobacco, 3.2% to cannabis, 1.1% to alcohol, and 1.1% to other substances. Patients with RRSU-SUD of any substance except tobacco were 34.7%. Patients with RRSU-SUD failed more subjects, repeated more school years and had higher scores on T-ASI scales of problems at school, family function and social relationships, and on YSR scales of delinquent behavior and externalizing problems. CONCLUSIONS: Substance use problems in ED adolescents are frequent and formal screening of them as well as a specific therapeutic approach are necessary.

Brief intervention in substance-use among adolescent psychiatric patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective of the study is to assess the efficacy of a brief motivational enhancement intervention in adolescents referred to psychiatric treatment who reported substance-use. In a sample of adolescents (n = 237) consecutively admitted to a psychiatry department, 143 were identified as users. Subjects were randomly allocated to one of two groups: an experimental group that received a brief intervention aimed at increasing their awareness of the risks of substance-use, or a control group. All subjects received standard treatment according to the primary diagnosis. Structured questionnaires assessing knowledge, problems, perception of risks and intention of use of psychoactive substances were administered upon admission and 1 month later. Fifty-nine subjects entered the experimental group and 44 the control group. No significant differences between the two groups were identified in socio-demographic features or substance-use. Non-parametric analyses showed a significant increase across time in overall knowledge about drugs and perception of risk in the experimental group (P < 0.05). A significant increase in overall knowledge in the experimental group compared to controls was found (P < 0.05). No differences were observed for other variables such as intention of use or perception of risk. Brief intervention in adolescents entering psychiatric treatment led to a significant change in overall knowledge about psychoactive substances but not in other variables related to use. Our results point to the need of more intensive interventions.

Plasma homovanillic acid differences in clinical subgroups of first episode schizophrenic patients.

This study evaluates the relationship between plasma homovanillic acid (pHVA) levels, which have been used to study the role of central dopamine in schizophrenia, and the positive/negative syndrome in first episode schizophrenic patients before and after antipsychotic treatment. Forty neuroleptic-naive first episode schizophrenic patients were monitored at baseline and on days 7, 14 and 28. Clinical status was evaluated with the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and the Brief Psychotic Rating Scale. Plasma HVA levels were also measured. Patients were divided into predominantly positive or negative syndrome groups by subtracting SAPS from SANS scores, at baseline. A healthy control group was also enrolled. Schizophrenic patients as a group had significantly higher pHVA levels than controls at baseline (20.50+/-11.85 vs. 13.04+/-7.22 ng/ml). Moreover, 12 predominantly negative syndrome patients had similar mean baseline pHVA levels (21.30+/-12.36 ng/ml) to those of 28 predominantly positive syndrome patients (19.40+/-11.33 ng/ml). During follow-up, there was a different evolution of pHVA levels in the predominantly positive syndrome group than in the predominantly negative syndrome group, with a significantly greater global reduction of pHVA levels in the former. Although both groups showed clinical improvement following 4 weeks of treatment with risperidone, pHVA levels at endpoint were lower (13.29+/-5.91 ng/ml) than at baseline in patients in the predominantly positive syndrome group, while among those in the predominantly negative syndrome group there was no difference in pHVA levels before and after treatment (21.02+/-13.06 ng/ml). The different pHVA level profiles observed in predominantly positive and negative syndrome first episode patients after 4 weeks of treatment with risperidone suggest that each syndrome may have a different underlying neurobiology.

Cannabis use and age of diagnosis of schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Observational studies have reported earlier onset of psychosis in schizophrenic patients with a history of cannabis use. Earlier age of onset of schizophrenia has been associated with a poorer outcome. We aimed to examine whether cannabis use determined an earlier onset of schizophrenia in a sample of first episode patients, in an area with one of Europe's highest rates of cannabis use. METHODS: 116 subjects with first episode psychosis and subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia (after a 12-month follow-up) were included Age at first antipsychotic treatment (A1T) was used as proxy for age of psychosis onset, and acted as dependent variable for the statistical analysis. Cannabis use was evaluated retrospectively, and divided into three groups according to peak frequency (never, sporadic/frequent, daily). RESULTS: 46 (39.7%) subjects had never used cannabis, 23 (19.9%) had done so sporadically/frequently, and 47 (40.5%) daily. A1T differed between the three groups (mean, in years and [SD]: 27.0 [4.94]; 25.7 [4.44] and 24.5 [4.36]; p=0.033) and diminished as cannabis use increased (linear tendency; p=0.009). Post-hoc analysis showed that cannabis use (irrespective of frequency) was significantly associated with decrease in A1T (p=0.033), as shown by the first contrast [1 -1/2 -1/2]. Post-hoc contrast showed that cannabis users had a significantly lower age of onset of psychosis (mean decrease, in years: 1.93; CI (confidence interval) 95%: 0.17-3.70; p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis use was significantly associated with a decrease in age of onset of schizophrenia. Age of onset of the disease correlated with frequency of cannabis use.

-141C Ins/Del polymorphism of the dopamine D2 receptor gene is associated with schizophrenia in a Spanish population.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we examined the relationship between dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) polymorphisms (TaqIA, TaqIB, -141C Ins/Del) and dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) Ser9Gly polymorphism and the risk of schizophrenia in a Spanish population. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-three schizophrenia patients and 291 healthy controls from the general population participated in a case-control study. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the allele or genotype frequencies of TaqIA, TaqIB or Ser9Gly polymorphisms between the schizophrenia patients and the healthy controls. The frequency of the -141C Del allele was significantly lower in the former group (odds ratio=0.4, P=0.01). The -141C Del allele, which produces lower expression of DRD2, may protect against dopaminergic hyperactivity in schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: This study is one of the few studies of Caucasian participants that supports the results obtained in the original Japanese study, in which the -141C Ins/Del polymorphism was first described. Furthermore, our findings reinforce the hypothesis that excess dopaminergic activity leads to schizophrenia.

Cognitive functions after only one ECT session: a controlled study.

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of one electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) session on learning, attention, and frontal and visuospatial functions. Twenty-four psychiatric patients receiving maintenance ECT participated in the study. The 12 patients in the experimental group were assessed before and 90 min after the ECT session. The twelve patients in the control group were assessed on arrival at the hospital and 90 min afterwards. They were then given their ECT session. The experimental group did not show significant learning, attention or frontal decline in the second assessment after the ECT session, in comparison with the control group. However, visuospatial ability was lower in experimental patients' second assessment than it was in the control group's second assessment. This preliminary study showed that there was no significant clinical cognitive decline in psychiatric patients 90 min after a single ECT session. However, patients presented visuospatial dysfunction, suggesting that ECT sessions may cause some acute, mild dysfunction of right hemispheric cognitive functions.

Clinical and research utility of Spanish Teen-Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI).

This paper aims to test the clinical and research utility of a Spanish version of the Teen-Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI) in adolescents with psychiatric disorders attending a treatment programme. Eighty adolescents, 12 to 17 years old (Mean=14.5; SD=1.48) were evaluated with a research battery including the T-ASI to obtain data on socio-demographics, psychopathology, drug use, family environment and school achievement. The Substance Use scale of the T-ASI correlated significantly (Rho=0.90, p