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Autism Research : Official Journal of... Mar 2022Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) are separate disorders, with distinct clinical profiles and natural histories. ASD, typically diagnosed in... (Review)
Review
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) are separate disorders, with distinct clinical profiles and natural histories. ASD, typically diagnosed in childhood, is characterized by restricted or repetitive interests or behaviors and impaired social communication, and it tends to have a stable course. SCZ, typically diagnosed in adolescence or adulthood, is characterized by hallucinations and delusions, and tends to be associated with declining function. However, youth with ASD are three to six times more likely to develop SCZ than their neurotypical counterparts, and increasingly, research has shown that ASD and SCZ converge at several levels. We conducted a systematic review of studies since 2013 relevant to understanding this convergence, and present here a narrative synthesis of key findings, which we have organized into four broad categories: symptoms and behavior, perception and cognition, biomarkers, and genetic and environmental risk. We then discuss opportunities for future research into the phenomenology and neurobiology of overlap between ASD and SCZ. Understanding this overlap will allow for researchers, and eventually clinicians, to understand the factors that may make a child with ASD vulnerable to developing SCZ. LAY SUMMARY: Autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia are distinct diagnoses, but people with autism and people with schizophrena share several characteristics. We review recent studies that have examined these areas of overlap, and discuss the kinds of studies we will need to better understand how these disorders are related. Understanding this will be important to help us identify which autistic children are at risk of developing schizophrenia.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Child; Communication; Humans; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 34967130
DOI: 10.1002/aur.2659 -
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Jul 2021Narcolepsy is a rare sleep disorder in which psychotic-like symptoms can present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We aimed to review the association between, and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Narcolepsy is a rare sleep disorder in which psychotic-like symptoms can present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We aimed to review the association between, and medical management of, narcolepsy and psychosis in children and adults.
METHODS
We reviewed the full text of 100 papers from 187 identified by a PubMed search on narcolepsy plus any of these keywords: psychosis, schizophrenia, delusion, side effects, safety, and bipolar disorder.
RESULTS
Three relevant groups are described. (i) In typical narcolepsy, psychotic-like symptoms include predominantly visual hallucinations at the sleep-wake transition (experienced as "not real") and dissociation because of intrusion of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep phenomena into wakefulness. (ii) Atypical patients ("the psychotic form of narcolepsy") experience more severe and vivid, apparently REM-related hallucinations or dream/reality confusions, which patients may rationalize in a delusion-like way. (iii) Some patients have a comorbid schizophrenia spectrum disorder with psychotic symptoms unrelated to sleep. Psychostimulants used to treat narcolepsy may trigger psychotic symptoms in all three groups. We analyzed 58 published cases from groups 2 and 3 (n = 17 and 41). Features that were reported significantly more frequently in atypical patients include visual and multimodal hallucinations, sexual and mystical delusions, and false memories. Dual diagnosis patients had more disorganized symptoms and earlier onset of narcolepsy.
CONCLUSION
Epidemiological studies tentatively suggest a possible association between narcolepsy and schizophrenia only for very early-onset cases, which could be related to the partially overlapping neurodevelopmental changes observed in these disorders. We propose a clinical algorithm for the management of cases with psychotic-like or psychotic features.
Topics: Adult; Child; Hallucinations; Humans; Narcolepsy; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Sleep, REM
PubMed: 33779983
DOI: 10.1111/acps.13300 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2022Schizophrenia is a disabling psychotic disorder characterised by positive symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech and behaviour; and negative symptoms... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Schizophrenia is a disabling psychotic disorder characterised by positive symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech and behaviour; and negative symptoms such as affective flattening and lack of motivation. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a psychological intervention that aims to change the way in which a person interprets and evaluates their experiences, helping them to identify and link feelings and patterns of thinking that underpin distress. CBT models targeting symptoms of psychosis (CBTp) have been developed for many mental health conditions including schizophrenia. CBTp has been suggested as a useful add-on therapy to medication for people with schizophrenia. While CBT for people with schizophrenia was mainly developed as an individual treatment, it is expensive and a group approach may be more cost-effective. Group CBTp can be defined as a group intervention targeting psychotic symptoms, based on the cognitive behavioural model. In group CBTp, people work collaboratively on coping with distressing hallucinations, analysing evidence for their delusions, and developing problem-solving and social skills. However, the evidence for effectiveness is far from conclusive.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate efficacy and acceptability of group CBT applied to psychosis compared with standard care or other psychosocial interventions, for people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
SEARCH METHODS
On 10 February 2021, we searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Study-Based Register of Trials, which is based on CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, four other databases and two trials registries. We handsearched the reference lists of relevant papers and previous systematic reviews and contacted experts in the field for supplemental data.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We selected randomised controlled trials allocating adults with schizophrenia to receive either group CBT for schizophrenia, compared with standard care, or any other psychosocial intervention (group or individual).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We complied with Cochrane recommended standard of conduct for data screening and collection. Where possible, we calculated risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for binary data and mean difference (MD) and 95% CI for continuous data. We used a random-effects model for analyses. We assessed risk of bias for included studies and created a summary of findings table using GRADE.
MAIN RESULTS
The review includes 24 studies (1900 participants). All studies compared group CBTp with treatments that a person with schizophrenia would normally receive in a standard mental health service (standard care) or any other psychosocial intervention (group or individual). None of the studies compared group CBTp with individual CBTp. Overall risk of bias within the trials was moderate to low. We found no studies reporting data for our primary outcome of clinically important change. With regard to numbers of participants leaving the study early, group CBTp has little or no effect compared to standard care or other psychosocial interventions (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.59; studies = 13, participants = 1267; I = 9%; low-certainty evidence). Group CBTp may have some advantage over standard care or other psychosocial interventions for overall mental state at the end of treatment for endpoint scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total (MD -3.73, 95% CI -4.63 to -2.83; studies = 12, participants = 1036; I = 5%; low-certainty evidence). Group CBTp seems to have little or no effect on PANSS positive symptoms (MD -0.45, 95% CI -1.30 to 0.40; studies =8, participants = 539; I = 0%) and on PANSS negative symptoms scores at the end of treatment (MD -0.73, 95% CI -1.68 to 0.21; studies = 9, participants = 768; I = 65%). Group CBTp seems to have an advantage over standard care or other psychosocial interventions on global functioning measured by Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF; MD -3.61, 95% CI -6.37 to -0.84; studies = 5, participants = 254; I = 0%; moderate-certainty evidence), Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP; MD 3.30, 95% CI 2.00 to 4.60; studies = 1, participants = 100), and Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS; MD -1.27, 95% CI -2.46 to -0.08; studies = 1, participants = 116). Service use data were equivocal with no real differences between treatment groups for number of participants hospitalised (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.60; studies = 3, participants = 235; I = 34%). There was no clear difference between group CBTp and standard care or other psychosocial interventions endpoint scores on depression and quality of life outcomes, except for quality of life measured by World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) Psychological domain subscale (MD -4.64, 95% CI -9.04 to -0.24; studies = 2, participants = 132; I = 77%). The studies did not report relapse or adverse effects.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Group CBTp appears to be no better or worse than standard care or other psychosocial interventions for people with schizophrenia in terms of leaving the study early, service use and general quality of life. Group CBTp seems to be more effective than standard care or other psychosocial interventions on overall mental state and global functioning scores. These results may not be widely applicable as each study had a low sample size. Therefore, no firm conclusions concerning the efficacy of group CBTp for people with schizophrenia can currently be made. More high-quality research, reporting useable and relevant data is needed.
Topics: Adult; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Hallucinations; Humans; Psychotic Disorders; Quality of Life; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 35866377
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009608.pub2 -
Cureus Jan 2022Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a prevalent cause of disability worldwide. Distinguished mainly by psychosis, behavioral alterations could range from hallucinations to delusions.... (Review)
Review
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a prevalent cause of disability worldwide. Distinguished mainly by psychosis, behavioral alterations could range from hallucinations to delusions. This systematic review examines evidence of a relationship between childhood trauma/adverse life events and psychosis, especially in SCZ. A methodical search provided reproducible results using these five databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Semantic Scholar, JSTOR, and Cochrane Library. The systematic search focused on articles published between July 2016 and July 2021. The search strategy utilized specific keywords relevant to SCZ, psychosis, and childhood trauma. The formulation of specified inclusion and exclusion criteria was necessary to ensure a comprehensive narrowed-down search, such as the inclusion of free full-text articles published or translated in English and exclusion of irrelevant subject areas. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a strategic search initially identified 741 articles; three additional articles were identified from citation searching. After relevance screening, duplicate removal, and quality appraisal, 12 studies from databases/registers and three from citation searching met the criteria proving relevance to our review with minimal evidence of bias. The final selected 15 studies included observational studies and reviews. A review of relevant data unveiled findings on childhood adversity, individual lived experiences, and their involvement in SCZ. Evidence suggests that certain neurobiological processes occur in brain after trauma. The inflammation and dysregulation from oxidative stress predispose patients to an at-risk-mental state, facilitating the progression to SCZ. This review encourages further evaluation of early trauma detection and the potential benefits of early intervention.
PubMed: 35223250
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21466 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Jan 2016Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are being increasingly recognized as common serious problems in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, published data on the prevalence of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are being increasingly recognized as common serious problems in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, published data on the prevalence of NPS in persons with AD are conflicting. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of NPS in persons with AD.
METHODS
Studies published from 1964 to September 30, 2014, were identified from PubMed and Embase database, reference lists and conference abstracts. We calculated prevalence rates and conducted meta-regression analysis with random-effects model, according to study characteristics, population demographics or condition information.
RESULTS
We identified 48 eligible articles, which provided data for 12 NPS reported in Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). The most frequent NPS was apathy, with an overall prevalence of 49% (95% CI 41-57%), followed by depression, aggression, anxiety and sleep disorder, the pooled prevalence estimates of which were 42% (95% CI 37-46%), 40% (95% CI 33-46%), 39% (95% CI 32-46%) and 39% (95% CI 30-47%), respectively. The less prevalent NPS were irritability (36%, 31-41%), appetite disorder (34%, 27-41%), aberrant motor behavior (32%, 25-38%), delusion (31%, 27-35%), disinhibition (17%, 12-21%) and hallucination (16%, 13-18%). Least common was euphoria, with an overall prevalence of 7% (95% CI 5-9%).
LIMITATIONS
Several aspects, such as the quality of included studies were not always optimal and there was significant heterogeneity of prevalence estimate across studies.
CONCLUSIONS
NPS were observed to be highly prevalent in AD patients. Disease duration, age, education level, population origin and the severity of cognitive impairment had influence on the prevalence of some NPS.
Topics: Aggression; Alzheimer Disease; Anxiety; Apathy; Comorbidity; Delusions; Depression; Euphoria; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Hallucinations; Humans; Irritable Mood; Prevalence; Sleep Wake Disorders
PubMed: 26540080
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.09.069 -
The Lancet. Psychiatry Apr 2020Approximately 188 million people use cannabis yearly worldwide, and it has recently been legalised in 11 US states, Canada, and Uruguay for recreational use. The... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Approximately 188 million people use cannabis yearly worldwide, and it has recently been legalised in 11 US states, Canada, and Uruguay for recreational use. The potential for increased cannabis use highlights the need to better understand its risks, including the acute induction of psychotic and other psychiatric symptoms. We aimed to investigate the effect of the cannabis constituent Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alone and in combination with cannabidiol (CBD) compared with placebo on psychiatric symptoms in healthy people.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO for studies published in English between database inception and May 21, 2019, with a within-person, crossover design. Inclusion criteria were studies reporting symptoms using psychiatric scales (the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale [BPRS] and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS]) following the acute administration of intravenous, oral, or nasal THC, CBD, and placebo in healthy participants, and presenting data that allowed calculation of standardised mean change (SMC) scores for positive (including delusions and hallucinations), negative (such as blunted affect and amotivation), and general (including depression and anxiety) symptoms. We did a random-effects meta-analysis to assess the main outcomes of the effect sizes for total, positive, and negative PANSS and BPRS scores measured in healthy participants following THC administration versus placebo. Because the number of studies to do a meta-analysis on CBD's moderating effects was insufficient, this outcome was only systematically reviewed. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42019136674.
FINDINGS
15 eligible studies involving the acute administration of THC and four studies on CBD plus THC administration were identified. Compared with placebo, THC significantly increased total symptom severity with a large effect size (assessed in nine studies, with ten independent samples, involving 196 participants: SMC 1·10 [95% CI 0·92-1·28], p<0·0001); positive symptom severity (assessed in 14 studies, with 15 independent samples, involving 324 participants: SMC 0·91 [95% CI 0·68-1·14], p<0·0001); and negative symptom severity with a large effect size (assessed in 12 studies, with 13 independent samples, involving 267 participants: SMC 0·78 [95% CI 0·59-0·97], p<0·0001). In the systematic review, of the four studies evaluating CBD's effects on THC-induced symptoms, only one identified a significant reduction in symptoms.
INTERPRETATION
A single THC administration induces psychotic, negative, and other psychiatric symptoms with large effect sizes. There is no consistent evidence that CBD induces symptoms or moderates the effects of THC. These findings highlight the potential risks associated with the use of cannabis and other cannabinoids that contain THC for recreational or therapeutic purposes.
FUNDING
UK Medical Research Council, Maudsley Charity, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and the UK National Institute for Health Research.
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Cannabidiol; Dronabinol; Drug Combinations; Drug Interactions; Hallucinogens; Humans; Marijuana Smoking; Psychoses, Substance-Induced
PubMed: 32197092
DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30074-2 -
Autoimmunity Reviews Dec 2016Steroid-responsive encephalopathy and associated autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) is characterized by encephalopathy and the presence of antithyroid antibodies. We... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Steroid-responsive encephalopathy and associated autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) is characterized by encephalopathy and the presence of antithyroid antibodies. We describe the clinical presentation, outcome and treatments for SREAT by a systematic review of the literature.
METHODS
MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles published until 2015. Inclusion criteria were unexplained encephalopathy with antithyroid antibodies.
RESULTS
We found reports of 251 patients (median age 52years [range 18-86], 73% females, 80 [32%] with preexisting thyroiditis). Patients presented encephalitis signs with convulsions (n=117; 47%), confusion (n=115, 46%), speech disorder (n=91, 37%), memory impairment (n=107, 43%), gait disturbance (n=67, 27%) and persecutory delusions (n=61, 25%). Twenty-eight patients (11%) presented progressive memory impairment and 26 (10%) isolated psychiatric disorders. In serum, 34% of patients were positive for anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, 7% for anti-thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies, and 69% both. Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were usually normal, at 2 UI/ml [0.001-205]. Cerebrospinal fluid from 10/53 patients (19%) was positive for anti-TPO antibodies, 2/53 (4%) anti-TG antibodies and 28 (53%) both. Electroencephalography findings were abnormal for 82% of patients, showing diffuse slowing consistent with encephalopathy (70%) or epileptic activity (14%). The first-line treatment was steroids in 193 patients and other immunosuppressive drugs in 10 cases. At a median follow-up of 12months [range 0.2-110], 91% of patients showed complete or partial neurological response, with anti-TPO and -TG antibody titers at 347 UI/ml [0-825,000] and 110 UI/ml [0-50,892], respectively. During follow-up, 40 patients (16%) experienced at least one relapse. Relapse was more frequent in patients with initial coma (26% vs 13%, p=0.08).
CONCLUSION
The diagnosis of SREAT should be suspected in case of encephalopathy without obvious cause, to quickly start corticosteroid treatment. The exact modalities of treatment must be defined.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Encephalitis; Hashimoto Disease; Humans; Middle Aged; Steroids; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune; Young Adult
PubMed: 27639840
DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2016.09.008 -
Pain Management Sep 2018Tapentadol is a novel atypical opioid. Anecdotal evidence suggests that tapentadol has a lower toxicity than conventional opioids. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Tapentadol is a novel atypical opioid. Anecdotal evidence suggests that tapentadol has a lower toxicity than conventional opioids.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate all single-drug mortality due to tapentadol and assess serious adverse events caused by tapentadol.
METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) reporting guidelines, an evidence-based minimum set of items for reporting in systematic reviews, were followed in this systematic review.
RESULTS
24 peer-reviewed papers were identified. They indicate that tapentadol toxicity can cause mortality and serious adverse effects.
CONCLUSION(S)
At least four confirmed fatalities, and serious adverse effects have been documented for individuals abusing or using tapentadol as prescribed. Serious adverse effects of tapentadol use may include respiratory depression, confusion, coma, hallucination/delusion, seizures, tachycardia, hypertension, agitation, tremor, miosis, hypotension, dyspnea, electrolyte abnormality, atrial fibrillation or severe upper abdominal pain. Tapentadol is unlikely to cause serotonin syndrome. The toxicity of tapentadol is significantly less than pure mu opioids, such as oxycodone.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Phenols; Tapentadol
PubMed: 30079795
DOI: 10.2217/pmt-2018-0027 -
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2021The term myxedema psychosis (MP) was introduced to describe the occurrence of psychotic symptoms in patients with untreated hypothyroidism, but the optimal assessment... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
The term myxedema psychosis (MP) was introduced to describe the occurrence of psychotic symptoms in patients with untreated hypothyroidism, but the optimal assessment and treatment of this condition are unclear. We aimed to synthesize data from the literature to characterize the clinical presentation and management of MP.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review according to the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines in PubMed (Medline), Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases, including observational studies, case series, and case reports published from 1/1/1980 to 31/12/2019 in the English language. Descriptive statistics along with univariate and multivariate analysis were used for data synthesis.
RESULTS
Out of 1583 articles screened, 71 case reports met our inclusion criteria providing data on 75 MP cases. The median age at diagnosis was 42 years [32-56]. About 53% had no prior hypothyroidism diagnosis. Delusions occurred in 91%, with a predominance of persecutory ideas (84%), while hallucinations occurred in 78%. Physical symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism were absent in 37% and 26%, respectively. If symptoms occurred, nonspecific fatigue was seen most frequently (63%). The median thyroid-stimulating hormone value was 93 mIU/L [60-139]. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies were found positive in 75% (23/33) of reported cases. Creatinine kinase was reported abnormal in seven cases. Cranial imaging (CT or MRI) and electroencephalogram were normal in 89%, 75%, and 73% of the cases reported. The majority of patients were treated orally with thyroxine in combination with short-term antipsychotics. More than 90% of them showed complete recovery. Univariate analysis revealed a trend towards a shorter duration of psychosis with IV thyroid hormone therapy (= 0.0502), but the effect was not consistent in a multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSION
While we identified a substantial lack of published research on MP, our pooled analysis of case observations suggests that the condition presents a broad spectrum of psychiatric and physical symptoms lending support to the value of screening for thyroid dysfunction in patients with first-ever psychosis.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020160310.
PubMed: 34447249
DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S318651 -
Substance use and psychotic-like experiences in young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychological Medicine Jan 2023This study aimed to systematically review and synthesise the available evidence on the prevalence and associations between psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This study aimed to systematically review and synthesise the available evidence on the prevalence and associations between psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and substance use in children and adolescents aged ⩽17 years, prior to the typical age of development of prodromal symptoms of psychosis. As substance use has been associated with earlier age of psychosis onset and more severe illness, identifying risk processes in the premorbid phase of the illness may offer opportunities to prevent the development of prodromal symptoms and psychotic illness. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases were searched for chart review, case-control, cohort, twin, and cross-sectional studies. Study reporting was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist, and pooled evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Searches identified 55 studies that met inclusion criteria. Around two-in-five substance users reported PLEs [rate = 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32-0.51; low quality evidence], and one-in-five with PLEs reported using substances (rate = 0.19, 95% CI 0.12-0.28; moderate-to-high quality evidence). Substance users were nearly twice as likely to report PLEs than non-users [odds ratio (OR) 1.77, 95% CI 1.55-2.02; moderate quality evidence], and those with PLEs were twice as likely to use substances than those not reporting PLEs (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.55-2.41; very low quality evidence). Younger age was associated with greater odds of PLEs in substance users compared to non-users. Young substance users may represent a subclinical at-risk group for psychosis. Developing early detection and intervention for both substance use and PLEs may reduce long-term adverse outcomes.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prodromal Symptoms; Psychotic Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36377500
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291722003440