Sertindol it's a very good option for the treatment of the schizophrenia patients with antipsychotics. It brings a safety and efficacy medicine that doesn’t have hardly secondary effects and that gives a better quality of life to this patients.

Affective temperament-based personality traits such as neuroticism have been found to be related to schizophrenia and schizotypy. However, studies thus far have not clarified the differential association of neuroticism with individual schizotypy dimensions and the role it plays in the expression of schizophrenia-spectrum phenomena.

204 nonclinically ascertained participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing neuroticism and the positive and negative schizotypy dimensions, and underwent structured interviews assessing schizophrenia-spectrum psychopathology (psychotic-like experiences, negative symptoms, cluster A personality disorders), mood episodes, substance abuse, and global functioning.

Results indicated that neuroticism predicted positive symptoms of schizophrenia and depression, over and above the effects of both schizotypy dimensions. Also, neuroticism moderated the association of positive schizotypy with interview measures of psychopathology and functioning.

The results of this study support other research indicating that neuroticism is etiologically relevant for spectrum psychopathology and that it cannot be considered solely a ‘secondary effect’ of spectrum disorders. Current psychological models of psychosis can accomodate the finding of neuroticism being a shared vulnerability factor for affective and psychotic disorders.

Paranoia is considered a key characteristic of schizotypy and schizophrenia, although it also shares phenomenological features with social anxiety (e.g., social fear and discomfort). Our first study examined the relation of paranoia with positive and negative schizotypy and with social anxiety. The second study examined the experience of paranoia and social anxiety in daily life using experience sampling methodology (ESM).

Study 2: Participants were 862 university students who completed the Perceptual Aberration, Magical Ideation, Physical Anhedonia, and Social Anhedonia Scales, the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, the Paranoia Checklist, the MMPI-2 Persecutory Ideas subscale, and the Social Phobia Scale. Study 1: A subset of 240 participants from study 1 carried palm pilots for 7 days that signaled them randomly 8 times daily to complete brief questionnaires inquiring about their cognitions, affect, activities, and social functioning at the time of the signal.

A series of confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the best fitting model was a four-factor model with positive and negative schizotypy, paranoia, and social anxiety. As hypothesized, the paranoia factor was most strongly associated with positive schizotypy. While some measures of paranoia correlated with negative schizotypy, measures of core features of paranoid ideation were only minimally associated with negative schizotypy. Social anxiety comprised a separate factor outside of schizotypy, but was moderately associated with positive schizotypy and paranoia.

ESM findings indicated that paranoia and social anxiety are differentially experienced in daily life. The results are consistent with a multidimensional model of schizotypy/schizophrenia.

We analyzed the association of age at onset of psychosis(AOP) with having a history of cannabis use in patients with a first episode of non-affective psychosis(FENAP) and investigated the impact on the AOP of exposure to cannabis in adolescence, compared with young adulthood, and of the additional exposure to cocaine.

We recruited 112 consecutive patients with a FENAP. CIDI was used to assess drug use and to define the age at onset of heaviest use(AOHU) of a drug, as the age when drug was used the most for each patient. The effect of cannabis and cocaine AOHU on AOP was explored through Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests, and logistic regression. Sex-adjusted cumulative hazard curves and Cox regression models were used to compare the AOP of patients with and without a history of cannabis use, or associated cocaine use.

AOP was significantly associated with the use of cannabis, independently of sex, use of cocaine, tobacco smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. There was a dose-response relationship between cannabis AOHU and AOP: the earlier the AOHU the earlier the AOP. Hazard curves showed that patients with a history of cannabis use had a higher hazard of having a first episode psychosis than the rest of the patients (sex-adjusted log rank χ2=23.43,df=1, p< 0.001). Their respective median AOP (25th, 75th percentiles) were 23.5 (21,28) and 33.5 years (27,45) (for log-transformed AOP, t=5.6, df=110, p< 0.001).

Our results are in favor of a catalytic role for cannabis use in onset of psychosis.

Substance abuse frequently occurs in schizophrenia and has a poor prognosis. In 85 patients with schizophrenia from a long-term psychiatric hospital we previously examined the clinical impact of substance abuse and found that 48% of patients had comorbid substance use disorders and that they responded less to treatment. Naltrexone has been used in patients without schizophrenia for the treatment of substance use disorder. Consequently, we conducted a double-blind controlled study of adjunctive treatment with naltrexone or placebo in patients with schizophrenia with co-morbid substance use disorders to determine whether naltrexone would improve outcome.

Thirty-seven patients entered the study and were randomized to placebo vs. naltrexone 50mg/day. The monthly assessments included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS), Global Assessment Scale (GAF), and the Quality of Life Scale (QLS). We used an analysis of variance of the change scores between final visit and baseline with the last visit carried over.

All patients improved in PANSS and QLS but those on naltrexone improved less with a statistically significant group difference between the PANSS total (F=6.5, p≤0.03) and general symptom change scores (F=4.2, p≤0.04) when weighted for the Michigan Alcohol Screening (MAS).

Both groups of patients improved in this controlled setting where patients refrained from substance abuse; those on naltrexone improved less, however. As patients with schizophrenia have pervasive neuroreceptor deficits, it is possible that they have deficits in the opioid system suggesting that the addition of the opioid-blocker naltrexone may be counterproductive.

Schizophrenia is very common, chronic illness affects 1% of population. Cognition dysfunctions are considered as important factors of social and general life impairment. There are many unchangeable risk factors of cognition decline in schizophrenia subjects such as age, duration of illness, and sex.

The aim of study were to examined correlations among age, sex, education, duration of illness and scores in neuropsychological tests.

In our study 220 subjects (116 male, and 104 female) in mean age 41 ± 11,3 with diagnosis of schizophrenia were examined with battery of computerized neuropsychological tests: simple reaction test (SRT), verbal memory test (VMT) and delayed verbal memory test (VMDT), visual working memory test (VWMT). Mean duration of illness was 12 years (min 1 year; max 41 years). Mean duration of education was 11,5 years (min 6 years; max 18 years)

1. 1) Age was correlated with worse scores in every parameters of all tests.

2. 2) Females got lower correct answers and longer reaction time (815 vs. 630 ms) in SRT, remember fewer words in VMT and cards (3,9 vs.4,3) in VWMT.

3. 3) Longer duration of education was correlated with better results in every parameters of all tests except number of correct answers in SRT,

4. 4) Longer duration of illness was correlated with worse scores in SRT, better scores in VMT, VMDT and VWMT.

Cognition decline in schizophrenia is connected not only with factors related with illness. Demographic factors, mostly unchangeable, are take important rule in cognition functioning.

The Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale is a reliable and valid instrument that utilizes objective parameters for assessment of social functioning in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the French version of PSP in a population of French schizophrenic patients.

Patients with DSM-IV diagnoses of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder were recruited and assessed in a cross-sectional design using the PSP, GAF, SOFS, PANSS, CGI severity. Internal consistency for the PSP was obtained and convergent validity was assessed using correlations between PSP, GAF and PANSS factors. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated with intra class correlation coefficient (ICC).

147 in and out patients, at 5 French sites participated in this study. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the PSP was good (alpha=0.77). The PSP showed very good inter rater reliability (ICC = 0.90). Pearson correlation coefficient for association between PSP and GAF (r=0.85) and PSP and SOFS (r=- 0.78).are high proving good convergent validity for PSP. Pearson correlation coefficients are moderate when PSP is correlated with 4 of the five PANSS sub factors (r from -0.43 to -0.48). The anxious and depression factor (r=-0.17) showed low correlation with PSP. Spearman Rank correlation coefficient between PSP and CGI severity was r=-0.72.

Our results demonstrate that the PSP scale is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing social functioning of patients with schizophrenia during the course of treatment as well as in acute state.

This presentation will compare preliminary results from the first two European studies being carried out on acupuncture and schizophrenia, one in the UK and one in Germany. Statistical comment will be made on comparable study outcomes and there will be discussion on the methodological successes and challenges of the studies. Implications for future research on acupuncture on acupuncture and schizophrenia in European mental health settings will be explored.

Both studies are using a case study approach, incorporating a wide range of methods, in order to explore the possible effects that acupuncture may have on schizophrenia. Amongst the methods used to explore the possible effect that acupuncture might have, both studies are using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

The intervention phase of both studies is currently underway. First results of the PANSS and the PSQI will be presented.

These are the first attempts to carry out research on the possibility of acupuncture as a treatment or an adjunct treatment for schizophrenia in Europe. It is hoped that these results will indicate the way forward in terms of analysis of the remainder of the outcomes of the study and there will be some indication for the possibility for future research in this area.

The purpose of this study is to determine the type of somatic pathology which appears in schizophrenic spectrum psychosis, in a sample of subjects admitted in the Psychiatric Clinic in Timisoara in the year 2008.

The sample studied contained 158 patients (105 with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, 46 with schizoaffective disorder and 7 with acute and transitory psychotic disorder) who were admitted in the year 2008. This sample was evaluated from a clinical (PANSS), global functioning (GAF) and somatic co morbidities perspective.

The case evaluatian showed that 30% of the patients presented also somatic pathology. High incidence presented cardiovascular pathology (8,86%), digestive pathology (7,59%) and respiratory pathology (3,79). Obesity was present in 6,32% of the subjects. There was a category of subjects who presented various types of somatic comorbidities (8,22%).

Subjects with psychotic disorders present a high risc for developing somatic pathology, the most common being the cardiovascular pathology. There was no evidence for differencies in the type of somatic pathology between subjects with schizophrenia and those with schizoaffective disorder.

Neurocognition is impaired in patients with schizophrenia, and almost all patients demonstrate some measure of decline from their expected level. Neurocognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia and is the single strongest correlate of real-world functioning. To date, several instruments can measure neurocognition, but none of them could be used in daily clinical practice because of their long duration of assessment or the high level of training needed to use them. The aim of the present study was to create a scale that measures different neurocognitive domains usually impaired in schizophrenia (attention, work memory, verbal memory and executive functions).

40 patients with schizophrenia according to DSM-IV-TR criteria have been included in the study and 100% of the patients have been able to complete the scale, that was generally well accepted. Neurocognition was also evaluated in some of the patients with the WAIS-III to compare the scores with our new and not validated scale. Psychiatrists, neuropsychologists and ergotherapists administered the scale. Inter-ratter reliability was evaluated. The time to complete the scale was not more than 10 minutes. Results are under analysis and will be presented during the meeting.

Measuring neurocognition in daily practice is crucial to better evaluate the effect on neurocognition of pharmacological and none pharmacological cares in schizophrenia.

Memory impairment has been acknowledged as a core cognitive deficit in schizophrenia, however distinct functional subtypes of memory are differently impaired in these patients.

To assess working memory in schizophrenia patients.

Forty schizophrenia inpatients, mean age 29.1 years from the 3rd Psychiatric Clinic Cluj-Napoca, Romania, were included. Exclusion criteria were mental retardation, history of drug or alcohol use, neurological or systemic conditions, recent electroconvulsive therapy. The control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects (mean age = 29.6). The Word List Memory Test (WLM), the Face Memory Test and the Spatial Working Memory Test on a Cogtest Console were used in the assessment of the 2 groups.

Schizophrenia patients displayed specific impairments of working memory, such as lower learning (42.65 ± 12.87 vs. 51.80 ± 14.31, p = 0.006) and trial-to-trial transfer capabilities (54.82 ± 25.29 vs. 87.21 ± 8.99, p < 0.001), impaired face recognition abilities reflected in lower correct answer proportion (0.66 ± 0.13 vs. 0.83 ± 0.09, p < 0.001), and impaired visuo-spatial memory, when compared to controls (89.42 ± 55.42 vs. 49.37 ± 16.57, p < 0.001). It was specifically observed that higher rates of non-list words were recorded in WLM in the schizophrenia patients group.

The study supports the current data which state that working memory deficits in schizophrenia are consistent, stable and comprehensive, which is particularly relevant for the social functioning of schizophrenia patients. Occurrence of non-list words in auditory memory may explain the mechanism of paranoid delusions.

Alert to the high prevalence and familial association between schizophrenia and mental retardation.

Review relevant literature after the description if a clinical case example; additional diagnostic exams.

Description of a clinical case: Man with 25 years old with mental retardation and first episode of pchicosys.

He and his all family works in the fire department. In his family history there is a mother with pchicosys, father with mental retardation, sister with a post partum depression, aunt with bipolar affective disorder, and two uncles who comet suicide.

In January of 2008, he begins to hear voices, in his work, that call him and ask for help; then he begin to see an old lady in his bedroom's window; he stop sleeping and eating. The family brings him to the emergency room and he's started diazepam (15 mg/day) and olanzapina (20 mg/day) and the symptom remit.

Three days later, he stops the medication and the symptoms came back. He gets very scared and begin to take the medication every day.

He did a brain computerized tomography that excludes organic diseases and psychological tests that confirms mental retardation.

It is well established that prevalence of schizophrenia is around three times greater in those with mild mental retardation and the co-association between mental retardation and schizophrenia is highly familial. Both bipolar illness and major depressive disorder have also increased prevalence in the mental retarded. The prognosis is directly linked with family and social support.

To underline the importance of a correct diagnosis and management of catatonia and complications increasing its morbidity and mortality. Catatonia is a syndrome of altered motor behaviour, mainly classified as a form of schizophrenia. Recent literature suggests catatonia is an independent syndrome, frequent among patients diagnosed with mania/depression or accompanying many general medical conditions and neurological disorders.

We describe the case of a 58-year-old woman with NIDDM in antidiabetic oral therapy and history of schizophrenia, diagnosed when aged 20 and treated with Haloperidol (10 mg/day), Levomepromazine (100 mg/day) and Lorazepam (2.5 mg/day) who was admitted to our clinic for a condition characterized by mutacism, staring into space, muscular rigidity and bilateral arm cogwheeling, initially suggesting a neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

At hospitalization there was no fever, leukocytosis or CPK elevation. She quickly developed altered consciousness, autonomic dysfunction (hypertension, dysphagia, uncontrolled hyperglycaemia) and waxy flexibility finally recognized as a catatonic syndrome, according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Multiple infections (urinary trait infection, teeth infections leading to sepsis) worsened her clinical condition. The first therapeutic strategy was suspending neuroleptics. Psychomotor symptoms, rated with the Catatonia Rating Scale (CRS), gradually resolved by intravenous administration of Lorazepam high doses (up to 12 mg/day). General medical conditions improved with specific antibiotic therapy, endovenous hydratation and parenteral nutrition. A physiatric rehabilitation program was started, with significative motricity improvement.

This report underlines the importance of the differential diagnosis between catatonia and similar conditions (such as NMS) and the fundamental role of multidisciplinary approach to complications.

The sample was comprised by 38 patients who were admitted in the psychiatric ward of the University Hospital of the Canaries. Thirty eight patients were male and 9 were female with medium average age of 37.41±11.23. Exclusion criteria were psychoactive substance use, presence of acute or chronic organic pathology, treatment with immunosuppressive medication, pregnancy and mental retardation or severe cognitive impairment. There were performed two blood extractions following the circadian rhythm, at 12:00 and at 24:00 hours. One hour before night blood collection, each patient was placed in a reclined position in bed, with the eyes closed, in complete darkness and with eyes covered with a mask. Blood was centrifuged at 3.000 rpm for 10 minutes. Specific biological and psychopathological determinations were performed at admission and at discharge. Psychopathology was assessed with PANSS and by the same psychiatrist. Statistical analyses were carried out with the Social Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). MDA was determined spectrophotometrically.

MDA level at night was 1.94±1.54 while MDA level at midday was 2.23±1.36.Mean PANSS negative score was 15.73±6.31.Serum MDA level correlated positively with PANSS negative scores, both at midday and night (midday r=0.39, p< 0.01, midnight r=0.41, p< 0.01).

The total negative subscale score correlated positively with day and night time levels of MDA, therefore we can conclude that MDA may be used as a marker of negative psychopathology.