No significant relationships.

Intelligence is inversely associated with schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD); it remains unclear whether low intelligence is a cause or consequence. We investigated causal associations of intelligence with SCZ or BD risk and a shared risk between SCZ and BD and SCZ-specific risk.

To estimate putative causal associations, we performed multi-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Mendelian randomization (MR) using generalized summary-data-based MR (GSMR). Summary-level datasets from five GWASs (intelligence, SCZ vs. control [CON], BD vs. CON, SCZ + BD vs. CON, and SCZ vs. BD; sample sizes of up to 269,867) were utilized.

A strong bidirectional association between risks for SCZ and BD was observed (odds ratio; ORSCZ → BD = 1.47, p = 2.89 × 10−41, ORBD → SCZ = 1.44, p = 1.85 × 10−52). Low intelligence was bidirectionally associated with a high risk for SCZ, with a stronger effect of intelligence on SCZ risk (ORlower intelligence → SCZ = 1.62, p = 3.23 × 10−14) than the reverse (ORSCZ → lower intelligence = 1.06, p = 3.70 × 10−23). Furthermore, low intelligence affected a shared risk between SCZ and BD (OR lower intelligence → SCZ + BD = 1.23, p = 3.41 × 10−5) and SCZ-specific risk (ORlower intelligence → SCZvsBD = 1.64, p = 9.72 × 10−10); the shared risk (ORSCZ + BD → lower intelligence = 1.04, p = 3.09 × 10−14) but not SCZ-specific risk (ORSCZvsBD → lower intelligence = 1.00, p = 0.88) weakly affected low intelligence. Conversely, there was no significant causal association between intelligence and BD risk (p > 0.05).

These findings support observational studies showing that patients with SCZ display impairment in premorbid intelligence and intelligence decline. Moreover, a shared factor between SCZ and BD might contribute to impairment in premorbid intelligence and intelligence decline but SCZ-specific factors might be affected by impairment in premorbid intelligence. We suggest that patients with these genetic factors should be categorized as having a cognitive disorder SCZ or BD subtype.

No significant relationships.

The European impact of the clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) paradigm is constrained by the lack of critical mass (detection) to power prognostic and preventive interventions.

An ITAlian partnership for psychosis prevention (ITAPP) was created across CHR-P centers, which were surveyed to describe: (a) service, catchment area, and outreach; (b) service users; and (c) interventions and outcomes. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan–Meier failure function complemented the analyses.

The ITAPP included five CHR-P clinical academic centers established from 2007 to 2018, serving about 13 million inhabitants, with a recruitment capacity of 277 CHR-P individuals (mean age: 18.7 years, SD: 4.8, range: 12–39 years; 53.1% females; 85.7% meeting attenuated psychotic symptoms; 85.8% without any substance abuse). All centers were multidisciplinary and included adolescents and young adults (transitional) primarily recruited through healthcare services. The comprehensive assessment of at-risk mental state was the most widely used instrument, while the duration of follow-up, type of outreach, and preventive interventions were heterogeneous. Across 205 CHR-P individuals with follow up (663.7 days ± 551.7), the cumulative risk of psychosis increased from 8.7% (95% CI 5.3–14.1) at 1 year to 15.9% (95% CI 10.6–23.3) at 2 years, 21.8% (95% CI 14.9–31.3) at 3 years, 34.8% (95% CI 24.5–47.9) at 4 years, and 51.9% (95% CI 36.3–69.6) at 5 years.

The ITAPP is one of the few CHR-P clinical research partnerships in Europe for fostering detection, prognosis, and preventive care, as well as for translating research innovations into practice.

Personality traits have been associated with long-term suicide risk but their relationship with short-term risk is still unknown. Therefore, to address this gap, we explored the moderating effect of personality traits on the relationship between the Suicide Crisis Syndrome (SCS) and short-term suicidal behaviors (SB).

Adult participants (N = 459) were administered the Suicide Crisis Inventory (SCI), a validated self-report questionnaire designed to measure the intensity of the Suicidal Crisis Syndrome, the Big Five Inventory for personality traits, and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale for SB at intake and at a 1-month follow-up. The PROCESS macro in SPSS was used to test the moderation model. Covariates hypothesized to influence the results were added: age, gender, ethnicity, years of education, and depressive symptomatology on the Beck Depression Inventory. This study was a secondary analysis drawn from a larger study on the SCS.

SCI total score had a significant positive relationship with SB at the 1-month follow-up for patients with lower levels of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness, respectively. Hence, these four traits were protective against SB. There was an association between SCI and SB for patients with high levels of neuroticism at the 1-month follow-up.

High levels of neuroticism served as a risk factor, whereas high levels of the other Big Five traits were protective factors against short-term SB in the context of elevated SCS symptoms. Thus, personality traits play a role in moderating the relationship between the SCS and imminent SB.

No significant relationships.

Certain neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), namely apathy, depression, and anxiety demonstrated great value in predicting dementia progression, representing eventually an opportunity window for timely diagnosis and treatment. However, sensitive and objective markers of these symptoms are still missing. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the association between automatically extracted speech features and NPS in patients with mild neurocognitive disorders.

Speech of 141 patients aged 65 or older with neurocognitive disorder was recorded while performing two short narrative speech tasks. NPS were assessed by the neuropsychiatric inventory. Paralinguistic markers relating to prosodic, formant, source, and temporal qualities of speech were automatically extracted, correlated with NPS. Machine learning experiments were carried out to validate the diagnostic power of extracted markers.

Different speech variables are associated with specific NPS; apathy correlates with temporal aspects, and anxiety with voice quality—and this was mostly consistent between male and female after correction for cognitive impairment. Machine learning regressors are able to extract information from speech features and perform above baseline in predicting anxiety, apathy, and depression scores.

Different NPS seem to be characterized by distinct speech features, which are easily extractable automatically from short vocal tasks. These findings support the use of speech analysis for detecting subtypes of NPS in patients with cognitive impairment. This could have great implications for the design of future clinical trials as this cost-effective method could allow more continuous and even remote monitoring of symptoms.

The call for alternatives to coercion in mental health care is growing both within the profession and among people with lived experience of coercion in mental healthcare. There is widespread agreement that coercive practices are over-used. Considerable work is warranted across the mental health sector and in communities and governments to ensure that people living with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities uniformly have access to high-quality care and support that meet their needs and respect their personhood and human rights. The question of whether coercive interventions can ever be justified as part of mental health treatment, to protect rights holders’ own interests or on other grounds, is highly contested. WPA issued a Position Statement and Call to Action in 2020: Implementing Alternatives to Coercion: A Key Component of Improving Mental Health Care after extensive consultation and review. The purpose is (1) to recognize the substantive role of psychiatry in implementing alternatives to coercion in mental health care and (2) to support action in this regard, essential to improving mental health treatment and care in all countries. The Statement recognises the diversity of views and experiences among mental health professionals, people with lived experience and their families and carers. This initial step is the beginning of a longer-term process, which requires continued engagement with WPA member societies, people with lived experience, families and other partners to encourage and support the implementation of alternatives to coercion in mental health care. https://www.wpanet.org/alternatives-to-coercion

No significant relationships.

No significant relationships.

No significant relationships.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is traditionally understood as a disorder that occurs more commonly in women than in men, and in younger age groups than in older age groups. The objective of this study was to determine if these patterns are also observed in relation to International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD).

Secondary data analysis was performed using data collected from three nationally representative samples from the Republic of Ireland (N = 1,020), the United States (N = 1,839), and Israel (N = 1,003), and one community sample from the United Kingdom (N = 1,051).

Estimated prevalence rates of ICD-11 PTSD were higher in women than in men in each sample, and at a level consistent with existing data derived from Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-based models of PTSD. Furthermore, rates of ICD-11 PTSD were generally lower in older age groups for men and women. For CPTSD, there was inconsistent evidence of sex and age differences, and some indication of a possible interaction between these two demographic variables.

Despite considerable revisions to PTSD in ICD-11, the same sex and age profile was observed to previous DSM-based models of PTSD. CPTSD, however, does not appear to show the same sex and age differences as PTSD. Theoretical models that seek to explain sex and age differences in trauma-related psychopathology may need to be reconsidered given the distinct effects for ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD.

The brain oxytocin system is involved in a wide range of addictive behaviors, inhibiting prime- and cue-induced relapse in preclinical models of substance use disorders. Animal studies linked oxytocin’s effects on drug ingestion to modulation of neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). We set out to investigate whether oxytocin can modulate alcohol cue-induced functional connectivity between the brain reward system and cortical regions.

Fifteen male heavy social drinkers were enrolled in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over functional magnetic resonance imaging study (fMRI) investigating the effect of 24 IU oxytocin on alcohol cue-modulated functional connectivity.

Results of the functional connectivity analyses show that oxytocin application significantly reduced connectivity between the NAc and cuneus and thalamo-occipital connectivity, while enhancing connectivity between the paracingulate gyrus and precentral gyrus (tow-sided seed-level false discovery rate pFDR < 0.05). These effects were specific to the alcohol presentation and were absent during processing of neutral pictures. In addition, the NAc-cuneus connectivity significantly correlated with subjective alcohol cue-induced craving during the scanning session (r = 0.538, p = 0.024). Conclusion: Results provide initial evidence for condition-specific and significant attenuation of NAc connectivity by oxytocin in a sample of heavy social drinkers that was related to lower subjective alcohol craving during the fMRI task. Oxytocin-induced attenuation of NAc connectivity was specific to processing alcohol stimuli and might reflect an attenuation of alcohol-cue saliency by oxytocin that could lead to a reduction of the sensitivity towards the appetitive aspects of alcohol cues.

No significant relationships.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as a complementary approach in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED), and to assess how the reduction of the cognitive load of words related to eating disorders (ED) could constitute an intermediate factor explaining its global efficacy.

Eighty-eight women and men participated in clinical assessments upon inscription, prior to and following 8-week group MBCT. Mindfulness skills were assessed using the five facet mindfulness questionnaire; eating behaviors were assessed using the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ); comorbid pathologies were assessed using the beck depression index and the state-trait anxiety inventory. The cognitive load of words associated with ED was assessed through a modified version of the Stroop color naming task.

Mindfulness skills improved significantly (p < .05) after group MBCT. The improvement of TFEQ scores was accompanied by reduced levels of depressive mood and trait anxiety. The positive impact of MBCT on TFEQ score was directly related to an improvement of the performance in the Stroop task.

MBCT represents an interesting complementary therapy for patients with either BN or BED, at least when cognitive and behavioral domains are concerned. Such efficacy seems to be mediated by the reduction of the cognitive load associated with ED stimuli, which offers a possible explanation of how MBCT could reduce binge-eating behaviors. Other studies are needed, in independent centers, to focus more directly on core symptoms and long-term outcome.

Paliperidone 3-monthly (PP3M) long-acting injection has proven efficacy and effectiveness in schizophrenia. Little is known of its effectiveness in other diagnoses.

All patients starting PP3M were followed up for 2 years. Main outcome measures were relapse and discontinuation from PP3M. Post hoc we examined outcomes in those switched back to one monthly paliperidone (PP1M) long-acting injection.

Overall, 186 patients were followed-up. At the 2-year end point, 110 patients (59%) were still receiving PP3M, and 129 (70%) were receiving some form of paliperidone long-acting injection. Discontinuation from paliperidone long-acting injections (PPLAIs) was more likely with a nonschizophrenia diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] for continuation 0.429 [95% confidence intervals (CI) – 0.21, 0.87 p = 0.018)), and prior clozapine use [in PP3M patients; HR for discontinuation 1.87 [95% CI – 1.05, 3.30 p = 0.032]). Relapse occurred in 20 (11%) of those receiving PP3M. Relapse on PP3M and PPLAIs was more likely in nonschizophrenia diagnosis (HR 0.17 for remaining relapse-free [95% CI – 0.06, 0.50; p = 0.001]; HR 0.21 [95% CI – 0.08, 0.58 p = 0.002], respectively), polypharmacy in PP3M patients (HR for relapse 7.91 [95% CI – 3.73, 22.9; p < 0.001]) and PPLAI patients (HR for relapse 6.45 [95% CI – 2.49, 16.5; p < 0.001]), and prior clozapine use in PP3M patients (HR for relapse 6.11 [95% CI – 1.82, 20.5; p = 0.003]) and PPLAI patients (HR for relapse 4.52 (95% CI – 1.51, 13.5; p = 0.007).

Outcomes with PP3M are excellent in practice, even when used outside its formal license. PP3M was relatively more effective in those with an F20 schizophrenia diagnosis and in those never before considered for or prescribed clozapine.

This project is funded by ERA-NET of the European Union.

Benjamin Rolland declare having received fees for lectures and expertise from Ethypharm. He was the principal investigator of a phase-1 study funded by Ethypharm

To determine the proportion of patients in symptomatic remission and recovery following a first-episode of psychosis (FEP).

A multistep literature search using the Web of Science database, Cochrane Central Register of Reviews, Ovid/PsychINFO, and trial registries from database inception to November 5, 2020, was performed. Cohort studies and randomized control trials (RCT) investigating the proportion of remission and recovery following a FEP were included. Two independent researchers searched, following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines and using a PROSPERO protocol. We performed meta-analyses regarding the proportion of remission/recovery (symptomatic plus functional outcomes). Heterogeneity was measured employing Q statistics and I2 test. To identify potential predictors, meta-regression analyses were conducted, as well as qualitative reporting of studies included in a systematic review. Sensitivity analyses were performed regarding different times of follow-up and type of studies.

One hundred articles (82 cohorts and 18 RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled proportion of symptomatic remission was 54% (95%CI [30, 49–58]) over a mean follow-up period of 43.57 months (SD = 51.82) in 76 studies. After excluding RCT from the sample, the proportion of remission remained similar (55%). The pooled proportion of recovery was 32% (95%CI [27–36]) over a mean follow-up period of 71.85 months (SD = 73.54) in 40 studies. After excluding RCT from the sample, the recovery proportion remained the same. No significant effect of any sociodemographic or clinical predictor was found.

Half of the patients are in symptomatic remission around 4 years after the FEP, while about a third show recovery after 5.5 years.

Accumulating evidence suggests beneficial effects of media stories featuring individuals mastering their suicidal crises, but effects have not been assessed for psychiatric patients.

We randomized n = 172 adult psychiatric patients (n = 172, 97.1% inpatients) to read an educative article featuring a person mastering a suicidal crisis (n = 92) or an unrelated article (n = 80) in a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Questionnaire data were collected before (T1) and after exposure (T2) as well as 1 week later (study end-point, T3). The primary outcome was suicidal ideation as assessed with the Reasons for Living Inventory; secondary outcomes were help-seeking intentions, mood, hopelessness, and stigmatization. Differences between patients with affective versus other diagnoses were explored based on interaction tests.

We found that patients with affective disorders (n = 99) experienced a small-sized reduction of suicidal ideation at 1-week follow up (mean difference to control group [MD] at T3 = −0.17 [95% CI −0.33, −0.03], d = −0.15), whereas patients with nonaffective diagnoses (n = 73) experienced a small-sized increase (T2: MD = 0.24 [95% CI 0.06, 0.42], d = 0.19). Intervention group participants further experienced a nonsustained increase of help-seeking intentions (T2: MD = 0.53 [95% CI 0.11, 0.95], d = 0.19) and a nonsustained deterioration of mood (T2: MD = −0.14 [95% CI −0.27, −0.02], d = −0.17).

This study suggests that patients with affective disorders appear to benefit from media materials featuring mastery of suicidal crises. More research is needed to better understand which patient groups are at possible risk of unintended effects.

To examine the prevalence and correlates of suicidal behavior among adolescents with bipolar disorder (BD).

47 adolescents, ages 12 to 19 years (15.8 ± 2), meeting DSM-5 criteria for BD-I (n=40) and BD-II (n=7) were assessed using the KSADS-PL and tested with a battery of tests measuring mood, psychotic symptoms, life events and functioning. History of suicidal attempts (SA) was ascertained using the K-SADS-PL.Results: One third (n=15, 32%) of the BD sample had a lifetime history of SA. There were no differences in socio-demographics factors between SA versus non- SA. BD adolescents with lifetime SA, were more likely to have lower weight at birth, a lifetime history of comorbid eating disorder, non-suicidal self-injurious behavior, 2nd degree family history of suicide attempt, and more stressful life events as compared with non-attempters. Adolescents with lifetime history of SA also showed statistically significant higher scores in depression, suicidal ideation and anxiety as compared with BD adolescents without lifetime SA. Logistic regression analysis found that the most robust correlates of SA in adolescents with BD were having 2nd degree family history of SA, the interaction of self-injury behavior and comorbid eating disorder and increased number of life events. Limitations: Retrospective data. Small sample size. Since this is a cross-sectional study, no inferences regarding causality can be made. Conclusion: One third of the adolescents with BD have attempted suicide. These results are in agreement with previous studies. History of SA in adolescents with BD is strongly associated with family history of suicidal behavior, lifetime self-injury behavior with comorbid eating disorder and increased number of stressful life events.

No significant relationships.