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Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford,... Oct 2023Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a psychiatric emergency that generally warrants acute inpatient care. PPP is marked by the sudden onset of affective and psychotic symptoms... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a psychiatric emergency that generally warrants acute inpatient care. PPP is marked by the sudden onset of affective and psychotic symptoms with a rapid deterioration in mental state. Evidence suggests that PPP is a discrete disorder on the bipolar disorder spectrum with a distinct treatment profile and prognosis.
METHODS
We conducted a PubMed database search for various terms involving PPP and its treatment and included peer-reviewed articles published in English.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a treatment algorithm for the management of PPP based on available evidence.
RESULTS
Pharmacological therapy is the mainstay of PPP management in the acute phase. Evidence points to a combination of antipsychotics and lithium in the acute treatment of PPP. Electroconvulsive therapy can offer a rapid treatment response where required. Lithium appears to have the best evidence for relapse prevention and prophylaxis in PPP. Psychoeducation is essential and psychosocial interventions used in bipolar disorder may be effective in PPP.
CONCLUSION
Early detection and prompt treatment with antipsychotics and lithium, followed by maintenance treatment with lithium, is associated with a favourable prognosis in PPP.
Topics: Female; Humans; Lithium; Psychotic Disorders; Bipolar Disorder; Antipsychotic Agents; Postpartum Period; Algorithms
PubMed: 37515460
DOI: 10.1177/02698811231181573 -
Journal of Child Psychology and... Jul 2023Psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and behaviors, are the hallmarks of schizophrenia; but may also present in the context... (Review)
Review
Psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and behaviors, are the hallmarks of schizophrenia; but may also present in the context of other psychiatric and medical conditions. Many children and adolescents describe psychotic-like experiences, which can be associated with other types of psychopathology and past experiences (e.g., trauma, substance use, and suicidality). However, most youth reporting such experiences do not have, nor will ever develop, schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. Accurate assessment is critical because these different presentations have different diagnostic and treatment implications. For this review, we focus primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of early onset schizophrenia. In addition, we review the development of community-based first-episode psychosis programming, and the importance of early intervention and coordinated care.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Hallucinations; Suicidal Ideation; Psychopathology; Delusions
PubMed: 36878476
DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13777 -
Schizophrenia Bulletin Jul 2023Social determinants of health (SDoHs) are receiving growing attention and are particularly relevant to persons with schizophrenia-spectrum psychotic disorders (SSPDs),... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Social determinants of health (SDoHs) are receiving growing attention and are particularly relevant to persons with schizophrenia-spectrum psychotic disorders (SSPDs), considering their heightened risk of comorbidities, cognitive and functional decline, and early mortality. Yet, we did not find any comprehensive review of multiple SDoHs in SSPD.
STUDY DESIGN
We conducted a scoping review of meta-analyses and systematic reviews of nine major SDoHs in SSPD.
STUDY RESULTS
Childhood abuse, parental psychopathology, parental communication problems, bullying, and urban settings with lower socioeconomic status were major risk factors for the greater incidence of SSPD and/or worse health. Social network size was inversely associated with overall psychopathology and negative symptoms. Experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination correlated with the prevalence of psychotic symptoms and experiences. Compared to native populations, the risk of psychosis was higher in immigrants, refugees, and asylees. Social fragmentation was associated with an increased prevalence of schizophrenia. Homeless populations had a 30-fold higher prevalence of schizophrenia than the general population. Seriously mentally ill people were 2.7 times more likely to report food insecurity than controls. The prevalence of non-affective psychosis in prisoners was 2.0%-6.5%, compared to 0.3% in the general population. Certain potentially positive factors like family and community resilience remain poorly studied.
CONCLUSIONS
SDoHs are associated with higher rates of and worse outcomes in SSPD. Well-designed longitudinal studies are needed to understand SDoHs' contribution to health in persons with SSPD, to develop interventions, and to implement changes in clinical care and public health policies that would reduce adverse health impacts of SDoHs. Positive SDoHs deserve greater attention.
Topics: Humans; Child; Schizophrenia; Social Determinants of Health; Psychotic Disorders; Risk Factors; Psychopathology
PubMed: 37022779
DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad023 -
Pharmacological Reports : PR Dec 2023Psychedelics are compounds acting by serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor activation and induce several behavioral responses. They are of special interest... (Review)
Review
Psychedelics are compounds acting by serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor activation and induce several behavioral responses. They are of special interest because of their positive effects on neuropsychiatric disorders (depression and posttraumatic stress disorder). However, several findings revealed that some psychedelic actions are similar to symptoms observed in schizophrenia (psychosis, sensorimotor gating impairments, attention, and working memory deficits) which might limit their clinical applications. Psychedelics activate some neurotransmitters, i.e., serotonergic, and glutamatergic, that are also impaired in schizophrenia. Therefore, the neurobiological background of psychedelics and schizophrenia is partially similar. Another important aspect to discuss is the perspective of using psychedelics in schizophrenia therapy. Postmortem studies showed a loss of synapses in schizophrenia, and the positive effects of psychedelics on neuroplasticity (synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, and neuritogenesis) might be essential in the context of schizophrenia therapy. However, because of psychedelics' psychotic action, the recommended doses of psychedelics in schizophrenia treatment are not established, and subpsychedelic dosing or microdosing are considered. Exploratory studies are needed to determine the tolerability of treatment and appropriate dosing regimen. Another therapeutic option is using non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogs that also induce neuroplastic outcomes but do not have psychotogenic effects. Further preclinical and clinical studies are needed to recognize the potential effectiveness of 5-HT agonists in schizophrenia therapy.
Topics: Humans; Hallucinogens; Schizophrenia; Serotonin; Psychotic Disorders; Memory, Short-Term
PubMed: 37899392
DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00546-5 -
The Lancet. Psychiatry Nov 2023Maintenance antipsychotic medication is recommended for people with schizophrenia or recurrent psychosis, but the adverse effects are burdensome, and evidence on... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Antipsychotic dose reduction and discontinuation versus maintenance treatment in people with schizophrenia and other recurrent psychotic disorders in England (the RADAR trial): an open, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Maintenance antipsychotic medication is recommended for people with schizophrenia or recurrent psychosis, but the adverse effects are burdensome, and evidence on long-term outcomes is sparse. We aimed to assess the benefits and harms of a gradual process of antipsychotic reduction compared with maintenance treatment. Our hypothesis was that antipsychotic reduction would improve social functioning with a short-term increase in relapse.
METHODS
RADAR was an open, parallel-group, randomised trial done in 19 National Health Service Trusts in England. Participants were aged 18 years and older, had a diagnosis of recurrent, non-affective psychotic disorder, and were prescribed an antipsychotic. Exclusion criteria included people who had a mental health crisis or hospital admission in the past month, were considered to pose a serious risk to themselves or others by a treating clinician, or were mandated to take antipsychotic medication under the Mental Health Act. Through an independent, internet-based system, participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to gradual, flexible antipsychotic reduction, overseen by treating clinicians, or to maintenance. Participants and clinicians were aware of treatment allocations, but assessors were masked to them. Follow-up was for 2 years. Social functioning, assessed by the Social Functioning Scale, was the primary outcome. The principal secondary outcome was severe relapse, defined as requiring admission to hospital. Analysis was done blind to group identity using intention-to-treat data. The trial is completed and has been registered with ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN90298520) and with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03559426).
FINDINGS
4157 people were screened, of whom 253 were randomly allocated, including 168 (66%) men, 82 (32%) women, and 3 (1%) transgender people, with a mean age of 46 years (SD 12, range 22-79). 171 (67%) participants were White, 52 (21%) were Black, 16 (6%) were Asian, and 12 (5%) were of other ethnicity. The median dose reduction at any point during the trial was 67% in the reduction group and zero in the maintenance group; at 24 months it was 33% versus zero. At the 24-month follow-up, we assessed 90 of 126 people assigned to the antipsychotic dose reduction group and 94 of 127 assigned to the maintenance group, finding no difference in the Social Functioning Scale (β 0·19, 95% CI -1·94 to 2·33; p=0·86). There were 93 serious adverse events in the reduction group affecting 49 individuals, mainly comprising admission for a mental health relapse, and 64 in the maintenance group, relating to 29 individuals.
INTERPRETATION
At 2-year follow-up, a gradual, supported process of antipsychotic dose reduction had no effect on social functioning. Our data can help to inform decisions about the use of long-term antipsychotic medication.
FUNDING
National Institute for Health Research.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Schizophrenia; Antipsychotic Agents; Drug Tapering; State Medicine; Treatment Outcome; Psychotic Disorders; England; Recurrence
PubMed: 37778356
DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00258-4 -
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience Dec 2023In the present qualitative literature review, we summarise data on psychotic disorders and urbanicity, focusing particularly on recent findings. Longitudinal studies of... (Review)
Review
In the present qualitative literature review, we summarise data on psychotic disorders and urbanicity, focusing particularly on recent findings. Longitudinal studies of the impact of urbanicity on the risk for psychotic disorders have consistently shown a significant association, with a relative risk between 2 and 2.5. However, most of the original studies were conducted in Western Europe, and no incidence studies were conducted in low- and middle-income countries. European studies suggest that neighbourhood-level social fragmentation and social capital may partly explain this association. Exposure to air pollution (positive association) and green space (negative association) may also be part of the explanation, but to date, available data do not make it possible to conclude if they act independently from urbanicity, or as part of the effect of urbanicity on psychotic disorders. Finally, several studies have consistently shown significant associations between the polygenic risk score for schizophrenia and urbanicity, with several possible explanations (pleiotropic effects, results of prodromic symptoms, or selection/intergenerational hypothesis). Thus, more studies are needed to understand the factors that explain the association between urbanicity and the risk of psychotic disorders. Further studies should account for the interdependence and/or interactions of different psychosocial and physical exposures (as well as gene-environment interactions), and explore this association in low- and middle-income countries.
Topics: Humans; Urban Population; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Risk Factors; Gene-Environment Interaction
PubMed: 37994794
DOI: 10.1080/19585969.2023.2272824 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Oct 2023This review investigates the mortality gap that exists between people with or people without mental illness. Poor physical health is the leading cause of excess... (Review)
Review
This review investigates the mortality gap that exists between people with or people without mental illness. Poor physical health is the leading cause of excess mortality among people with mental illness. Mental disorders increase the risk of developing a broad range of physical diseases and the risk of death caused by somatic diseases is increased. Also, mental disorder is associated with less optimal treatment in the somatic healthcare system, which is also evident within a broad spectrum of somatic diseases. The role of structural factors such as the design of the healthcare system and stigma are developing.
Topics: Humans; Mental Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Morbidity
PubMed: 37897384
DOI: No ID Found -
Psychiatrische Praxis Mar 2024
Topics: Humans; Outpatients; Germany; Ambulatory Care; Psychotic Disorders; Crime
PubMed: 38442868
DOI: 10.1055/a-2206-3781 -
Schizophrenia Bulletin Nov 2023The neurocomputational framework of predictive processing (PP) provides a promising approach to explaining delusions, a key symptom of psychotic disorders. According to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS
The neurocomputational framework of predictive processing (PP) provides a promising approach to explaining delusions, a key symptom of psychotic disorders. According to PP, the brain makes inferences about the world by weighing prior beliefs against the available sensory data. Mismatches between prior beliefs and sensory data result in prediction errors that may update the brain's model of the world. Psychosis has been associated with reduced weighting of priors relative to the sensory data. However, delusional beliefs are highly resistant to change, suggesting increased rather than decreased weighting of priors. We propose that this "delusion paradox" can be resolved within a hierarchical PP model: Reduced weighting of prior beliefs at low hierarchical levels may be compensated by an increased influence of higher-order beliefs represented at high hierarchical levels, including delusional beliefs. This may sculpt perceptual processing into conformity with delusions and foster their resistance to contradictory evidence.
STUDY DESIGN
We review several lines of experimental evidence on low- and high-level processes, and their neurocognitive underpinnings in delusion-related phenotypes and link them to predicted processing.
STUDY RESULTS
The reviewed evidence supports the notion of decreased weighting of low-level priors and increased weighting of high-level priors, in both delusional and delusion-prone individuals. Moreover, we highlight the role of prefrontal cortex as a neural basis for the increased weighting of high-level prior beliefs and discuss possible clinical implications of the proposed hierarchical predictive-processing model.
CONCLUSIONS
Our review suggests the delusion paradox can be resolved within a hierarchical PP model.
Topics: Humans; Delusions; Psychotic Disorders; Brain; Prefrontal Cortex
PubMed: 37478890
DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad084 -
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Oct 2023Salla disease (SD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder characterised by intellectual disability ataxia, athetosis, nystagmus, and central nervous system demyelination.... (Review)
Review
Salla disease (SD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder characterised by intellectual disability ataxia, athetosis, nystagmus, and central nervous system demyelination. Although the neurological spectrum of SD's clinical phenotype is well defined, psychotic symptoms in SD remain unreported. We reviewed the presence of psychiatric symptoms in patients diagnosed with SD. Medical records of all SD patients at Oulu University Hospital during the years 1982-2015 were systematically reviewed to evaluate the presence of psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms were frequently associated with SD (10/24, 42%), and two patients were described as developing psychosis as adolescents. We reported their clinical characteristics in detail and assessed the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in a cohort of 24 patients. Other psychiatric factors associated with SD were sleeping disorders (8/24, 32%), aggressive behaviour disorders or restlessness (6/24, 25%), and off-label antipsychotic medication (4/24, 17%). This report expands the knowledge of the phenotypic spectrum of SD and demonstrates the importance of recognising the possibility of psychiatric symptoms, including psychosis, in persons with SD.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Sialic Acid Storage Disease; Mental Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Antipsychotic Agents; Phenotype
PubMed: 35796883
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02031-5