Cognitive impairments are considered a component of the extended clinical syndrome of schizophrenia. the aim of the current project was to investigate putative cognitive deficits in individuals with Early Onset Schizophrenia (EOS; defined herein as onset before the age of 18) and their relatives.

53 EOS probands and 117 unaffected first-degree-relatives were examined on memory (Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised), verbal learning and recognition (California Verbal Learning Test), and attention (SPAN of apprehension test and degraded-stimulus continuous performance test (DS-CPT)). the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV yielded four diagnostic groups: EOS probands; relatives with Mood Disorders; other Axis I diagnoses; and no diagnosis (healthy). Analysis of co-variance was performed with diagnosis as fixed factor and age as covariate.

EOS probands under performed on General Memory, Verbal Memory and Delayed Recall indices (WMS-R) compared to their relatives. both EOS and relatives with a mood disorder performed less well on Visual memory and Attention/Concentration indices [p< 0.001]. Relatives without Axis I diagnosis differentiated from EOS on all indices [p< 0.01]. Verbal learning and recognition impairments segregated in EOS and differentiated patients from their relatives. EOS probands and relatives with an Axis I diagnoses showed rapid visual information processing impairments (SPAN) compared to healthy relatives, while sustained attention (DS-CPT) remained relatively preserved in EOS and relatives.

Genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may be mediated by visual information processing impairments, which differentiates healthy relatives from relatives with an Axis I diagnosis. Sustained attention seems to be a selective strength in EOS and relatives.

To explore the relationships between Neurotrophic Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Type 2 (NTRK2) gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.

The NTRK2SNPs rs1187272 were genotyped by applying polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RLFP) technique in 100 patients with schizophrenia and 119 unrelated healthy controls, then the comparison of the alleles and genotypes frequencies of the NTRK2 gene between two groups was performed.

There were no significant difference in alleles（χ2=1.78, df=1, P>0.05）and genotypes（χ2=1.01, df=2, P>0.05） distribution of NTRK2 gene between patients and controls. There were also no significant difference in alleles（χ2=2.70, df=3, P>0.05）and genotypes（χ2=4.72, df=6, P>0.05） distribution among male and female patients and controls. There were significant difference in alleles（χ2=5.53, df=1, P=0.02）distribution between different first-onset age patients groups, There were also significant difference in alleles（χ2=4.38, df=1, P=0.04）distribution between schizophrenia with earlier first-onset age (≤25 years old) and control subjects.

The NTRK2 gene was associated with schizophrenia with earlier first-onset age, and it may be one of common susceptible genes for schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.

An increasing number of studies have described the relationship between velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) and schizophrenia. in a family-based study, we found that rs10314, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) present in the 3’-flanking region of the CLDN5 gene, was associated with schizophrenia among a Chinese population. High false positive rate is a common problem with the association study of human diseases. It is very important to replicate an initial finding with different samples and experimental designs.

A total of 749 patients with schizophrenia and 383 age and sex matched healthy control subjects in Chinese population were recruited. PCR-based RFLP protocol was applied to genotype rs10314 to see its disease association.

The χ2 goodness-of-fit test showed that the genotypic distributions of rs10314 were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both the patient group (χ2=1.12, P=0.289) and the control group (χ2=0.22, P=0.639). rs10314 was associated with schizophrenia with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.32 in the male subjects (χ2=5.45, P=0.02, 95% CI 1.05-1.67) but not in the female subjects (χ2=0.64, P=0.425, OR=1.14, 95% CI 0.83-1.57). the χ2 test showed a genotypic association only for combined samples (χ2=7.80, df=2, P=0.02). SNP rs10314 is a G to C base change. Frequency of the genotypes containing the C allele was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group.

The present work shows that the CLDN5 gene polymorphism is more likely to be involved in schizophrenic men than women, suggesting that this gene may contribute to the gender differences in schizophrenia.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects nearly 1.5 million individuals in the United States each year. During peacetime, over 7,000 Americans with a diagnosis of TBI are admitted to military and veterans hospitals every year; this number increases significantly during combat, during which TBI may comprise up to 20% of survivor casualties. Pain and discomfort relating to injuries are frequent causes of sleep disturbance in TBI patients. Sleep disturbances can manifest as difficulty falling or staying asleep, early morning wakening and non-restorative sleep, and affects up to 30% of individuals with TBI. Because there are few studies on pharmacotherapy for sleep disturbances in TBI, many physicians base their intervention on experience with the general population. in this poster, we will consider the unique features of the patient with TBI and make recommendations for psychoactive medications that are appropriate to treat insomnia in this population.

A literature review was performed and recommendations for treatment of sleep disturbances in patients with TBI are summarized here based on published findings.

Non-pharmacological means should be the first-line treatment for sleep disturbances in patients with TBI. These include sleep hygiene and cognitive behavioral therapy. Physicians and other clinicians should pay attention to the specific sleep complaint, adverse effect profile of the medication as well as the anticipated duration of treatment before deciding upon a sleep agent for patients with TBI.

Melatonin may be used to treat sleep disorders in both children and adults with intellectual disability. the evidence for its efficacy, potential adverse effects and drug interactions are reviewed in the context of prescribing to people with intellectual disability.

This study presents the use of melatonin to treat severe circadian sleep-wake disturbances in 6 adults with pervasive developmental disorders. Melatonin was initiated at a daily dose of 3 mg at nocturnal bedtime. If this proved ineffective, the melatonin dose was titrated over the following 4 weeks at increments of 3mg/2weeks up to a maximum of 9 mg, unless it was tolerated. Assessments included the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and CGI-Improvement (CGI-I).

Melatonin administered in the evening dramatically improved the sleep-wake pattern in all patients. Melatonin appears to be effective in reducing sleep onset latency and is probably effective in improving nocturnal awakenings and total sleep time in adults with pervasive developmental disorders. Its effectiveness remained stable for the 6-months period of administration. Melatonin was well-tolerated in all patients and no side effects were noted during the therapy.

Melatonin appears to be promising as an efficient and seemingly safe alternative for treatment of severe circadian sleep disturbances in adults with intellectual disability. There may be heterogeneity of response depending on the nature of the sleep problem and cause of the intellectual disability or associated disabilities. Further studies are necessary before firm conclusions can be drawn and guidelines for the use of melatonin for people with ID formulated.

Varenicline is a drug used for smoking withdrawal symptoms. It reduces cravings by binding to alpha4-beta2-nicotine-acethylcholine-receptors of the central nervous system. Side effects are nausea, headache, sleeping disorders. Patients with PTSD complain of depressions, social isolation, insomnia, nightmares and flashbacks. These symptoms often cause a severe drug abuse. We present two patients complaining of sleeping disorders caused by nightmares. These symptoms were significantly reduced under treatment with Varenicline due to a nicotine abuse.

Patient A was a woman with a history of sexual abuse in childhood. Besides a drug abuse of benzodiazepines she presented a nicotine addiction. She was increasingly affected by nightmares and insomnia. Patient B was a woman, who grew up in a children's protectory, where she was involved in violence. A PTSD was accompanied by alcohol and benzodiazepine abuse. The PTSD caused episodes of depression with suicidal ideation, nightmares and insomnia.

Both patients were treated with Varenicline for smoking cessation. After few days of treatment, they reported improved sleeping behaviours and diminished nightmares.

Currently only few studies confirm the effectiveness of alpha1-receptor-agonists (Prazosin) in PTSD-associated nightmares. Our case reports demonstrated the effectiveness of Vareniclin in the treatment of nightmares and sleeping disorders in two patients. The treatment with Vareniclin lead to modified dreaming behaviours with positive, less threatening dreams. Therefore a placebo-controlled study to assess the effectiveness of Vareniclin in the treatment of nightmares is necessary.

Limited to no literature exists on the association among sleep quality, obesity and depression in pediatric populations. This study aims to explore this association by examining the sleep quality of children and adolescents before and after a twelve-week comprehensive multidisciplinary pediatric obesity program.

Archival data from the pediatric obesity program included 71 children ages 6-17 (M=10.24, SD=2.74 ) who had been assessed pre and post intervention using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), a Sleep Questionnaire, and physician derived Body Mass Index (BMI). On all measures, higher scores indicate presence of symptoms of depression, sleep difficulties, or obesity.

High scores on the CDI proved to predict poor sleep quality both at intake and exit. Hierarchical regression exhibited change in BMI from intake to exit and predicted sleep quality. As BMI decreased from intake to exit, sleep quality increased.

The current study suggests that sleep quality is influenced by the level of depression in children and adolescents both at pre and post intervention measures. Both depression and BMI influenced sleep quality. When the effect of BMI was accounted for, depression significantly predicted sleep quality. The more depressed children/adolescents reported to be, the lower their quality of sleep. Thus, this study suggests the importance of sleep and depression in the treatment of pediatric obesity. This research supports the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to addressing pediatric obesity.

This study examines the relationship between the personality traits of Neuroticism and Extroversion and sleep patterns and others sleep behaviours in medical students.

Neuroticism and Extroversion were assessed using the Portuguese version of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Sleep was assessed with a self-response questionnaire covering a wide range of sleep-wake habits and difficulties. A factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed with seventeen items of the questionnaire and four factors were extracted: Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Timing, Insufficient Sleep and Dreams/Nightmares. A total of 203 third year medical students (127 females, 62.6%) mean age 20.01 (SD=1.09; Range=18-24) participated in the study.

There were no significant gender differences in Neuroticism and Extroversion mean scores (Neuroticism: p=.454; Extroversion: p=.891). Extroversion was significantly correlated with Sleep Timing (p=.000), whereasthere was a trend for Neuroticism to be associated with Sleep Disturbance (p=.095). Concerning the relationship of Neuroticism and Extroversion mean scores with other Sleep problems, Neuroticism was found associated with concentration difficulties in the morning (p=.006), inadequate sleep duration (p=.001), sleep problems (p=.012), and use of sleep medication (p=.052). No significant associations were found with Extroversion.

Neuroticism was significantly associated with sleep problems, use of sleep medication, inadequate sleep duration, and concentration difficulties in the morning. Extroversion was correlated only with later Sleep Timing.

The objective of this study was to examine the sleep patterns of medical students and its associations with significant health behaviours.

Sleep was assessed with a self-response questionnaire covering a wide range of sleep-wake habits and difficulties. A factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed with seventeen items of the questionnaire and four factors were extracted: Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Timing, Insufficient Sleep and Dreams/Nightmares. The questionnaire also included questions on coffee use, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and physical exercise. The sample consisted of 212 females (M age=20.32 years, SD=1.26) and 128 males (M age=20.19 years, SD=1.23) third year medical students.

Habitual alcohol intake was reported by 6.5% of the students (males=14.8% vs females=1.4%; p=.000) and regular physical exercise by 37.9% (males=47.7% vs females=32.1%; p=.004); The mean number of coffee cups used per day was 2.16±1.16 (males M=2.18±1.35 vs females M=2.13±1.03; NS) and the mean number of cigarettes smoked per day was 3.69±5.71 (males M=4.41+6.55 vs females M=3.25±5.10; NS). Students who regularly practice physical exercise reported less Sleep Disturbance (p=.004). Habitual alcohol intake was significantly associated with Sleep Timing (p=.051) and Insufficient Sleep (p=.007). Significant correlations were also found between cigarette smoking and Sleep Timing (p=.000), Dreams/nightmares (p=.023) and Insufficient Sleep (p=.001). Coffee use was correlated only with Sleep Timing (p=.000).

In this sample of healthy young adults habitual alcohol intake and cigarette smoking was associated with Insufficient Sleep and regular physical exercise was associated with less Sleep Disturbance.

As benzodiazepines (BDZ) abuse is highly prevalent among former heroin addicts, current MMTpatients, and poor sleep is highly prevalent complaint, we studied objective sleep patterns by polysomnography (PSG) and it relation with BDZ abuse.

Urine results for BDZ (and opiates, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines) which are routinely monitored, were taken at the month before PSG night. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a self report questionnaire, questionnaire for pain (chronic pain defined if patient had current pain that lasted for ≥6month, of moderate or worse intensity), and DSM-IV-TR lifetime psychiatric diagnosis were studied.

Of 67 patients, 44(64.7%) were positive to BDZ. Patients included 86% males, 64.2% with any DSM-IV-TR axis I psychiatric diagnosis, 47% with chronic pain, with no differences between BDZ groups. PSQI scores and objective sleep efficiency were similar between yes and no BDZ groups (12.4±4.1 vs. 11.1±4.5, p=0.3, and 78±17.4% vs. 74±19.5%, p=0.4), but architecture differed notably. Specifically, 23(53.5%) of BDZ group had no non-REM deep sleep (phases 3+4) at all as compared with 4(16.7%) of the no-BDZ patients. REM phase was shorter among BDZ group (10.5±8.9 vs. 15.4±7.3, F=5.4, p=0.02). No other differences were found, and the absence of phase 3-4 was not related to methadone dose, treatment duration, or history of opiate abuse.

Chronic / prolonged use of BDZ (which at times are prescribed for sleep), may disturb sleep, as shown to absolutely delete all restorative sleep phase. BDZ discontinuation is of important, but further studies are needed to establish the best way.

Sleep is absolutely essential for normal, healthy function. Sleep disturbances are one of the most common under diagnosed and under treated health problems among the adult population. The disturbances in sleep and wake process caused physical and mental disorders.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of sleeping problems to in the nursing and midwifery students.

This research is a descriptive study. The participants consist of 321 individual were selected by census sampling. Data were collected by questionnaire that concluded 2 parts; A- demographic factors B- questions related to sleep disorders.

Outcome showed that nearly one-three of nursing and midwifery students suffered from insomnia. The percentage was significantly higher among women (37.1%) than among men (23.1%). The prevalence of insomnia was higher in nursing students (39.3%) than midwifery students (31.2%).

Sleep disorders distracted the physical and mental health of students. It impacted on academic performance and decreased educational achievement of students. Emotional stress and anxiety are some factors of sleep disorders, with recognizing these factors, we can operate effective interventions.

This article implicates that doctors must know the Over Warming Syndrome in Adults’ harmful effects, its clinical managements, imperative importance to prevent other critical diseases attacks. So that the doctors can do patient and normal people education, counsel about the new syndrome, enhance people's health level and quality of life.

Name a new kind of syndrome, in order to provide new methods of thinking and behavior for doctors to well diagnose, prevent, and treat the syndrome and other diseases and for doctors to do patient education and counseling.

Summarize author of this paper the self-experiences about this syndrome's clinical medicine.

The etiology, clinical symptoms, mechanism, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this new syndrome are easy to understand by the doctors. Which like the symptoms of the dehydration caused by over warming.

It is very important to name and understand this new syndrome for enhancing the human-being's health level and quality of life, preventing the human-being from development of other critical diseases. which is much too worth to be spread.

The objectives of the study were:

1. 1. Investigating the impact of early traumatic experiences in adult physical and mental health;

2. 2. Analysing the relationship between early traumatic experiences and adult vulnerability to stress.

The sample consisted of 552 adults of the general population. Individuals filled out a series of questionnaires inquired about physical and mental symptoms and early traumatic experiences. A correlational design was used.

In relation to mental health, observed that the higher the impact of the situation of rape, aggressive family and alcoholism in parents, during childhood, more psychopathological symptoms have in adulthood. When we regard to physical health, sexual abuse and aggressive family are the early experiences most relevant, they are related with the perceived state of health at present, 1 year ago and 5 years ago, and with the existence of chronic disease. We must also add that, greater the impact of living in an aggressive family, in childhood, greater the vulnerability to stress in adulthood.

Given the results obtained, the main conclusion can be drawn from this study are: The higher the degree of impact of traumatic experiences in childhood, worse physical and mental health, and greater vulnerability to stress in adulthood.

This study examines the cumulative effect of life events in physical and mental symptoms. We have two main goals:

1. 1. Investigating the cumulative effect of life events in the health of the individual;

2. 2. Examining the relationship between the nature of adverse events and type of symptoms presented in terms of physical and mental health.

Data collection was performed in the general population, in 2 different moments: time 1 (T1) and time 2 (T2) spaced of nine months. The sample consisted initially by 552 individuals, and by 328 individuals at T2. A correlational design was used.

The number of life events, with impact on the individual, accumulated throughout the 9 months shows significant relationships with the physical and mental health in last evaluation. The hassles with impact for the individual are the events most relevant in terms of health. Certain circumstances of life are more closely related to mental health (changing the frequency of familiar meetings, the non-recognition of tasks, the workload increased). Others are more related to physical health (have been robbed or stolen, infidelity).

Findings suggest the importance of hassles in the heath and some specificity in the relation with the life events and the physical and mental symptoms.