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Various diseases that impact different systems and organs in the body may trigger manic episodes. Strokes are often associated with psychiatric symptoms, particularly depressive and, more rarely, manic. We herein report a case of bipolar disorder secondary to cerebrovascular disease in a 67-year-old man with no personal or family history of psychiatric illness who, at the age of 64, had a bilateral ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory. About 20 days after this stroke, he experienced a manic episode. Three years later, he experienced a second manic episode, with another hospitalization in a psychiatric ward. With this case, we intend to emphasize that, although rare, the diagnosis of mania after stroke should not be forgotten, and most important, one should be aware of the recurrence of affective episodes just as in non-medical-caused bipolar disorder.

© The Author(s) 2021. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data., Background: Suicide is one of the main causes of excess of premature death in psychotic patients. Published studies found that suicide risk begins in ultra-high risk of psychosis and continues in early years of the disease. Previous studies identifying predictive and risk factors associated with suicidality in first-episode psychosis (FEP) are highly inconsistent. Also, there are relatively few longitudinal studies on suicidal behaviour in FEP. The aim of this study was to examine prevalence, evolution and predictors of suicidal behaviour at baseline and the 12-month follow-up in patients presenting with FEP. Methods: One hundred and eighteen patients presenting with FEP were recruited from two early psychosis units in Portugal. A comprehensive assessment examining socio-demographic and clinical characteristics was administered at baseline and the 12-month follow-up. Odds ratio were calculated using logistic regression analyses. McNemar test was used to evaluate the evolution of suicidal behaviour and depression prevalence from baseline to 12 months of follow-up. Results: Follow-up data were available for 60 participants from the 118 recruited. Approximately 25.4% of the patients had suicidal behaviour at the baseline evaluation, with a significant reduction during the follow-up period to 13.3% (p = 0.035). A multivariate binary logistic regression showed that a history of suicidal behaviour and depression at baseline independently predicted suicidal behaviour at baseline, and a history of suicidal behaviour and low levels of total cholesterol predicted suicidal behaviour at the 12-month follow-up. A significant proportion of patients also had depression at the baseline evaluation (43.3%), with the last month of suicidal behaviour at baseline independently predicting depression at this time. Conclusions: The findings of our study indicate that suicidal behaviour was prevalent on the year after FEP. Patients with a history of suicidal behaviour, depression at baseline and low levels of cholesterol should undergo close evaluation, monitoring and possible intervention in order to reduce suicide risk in the early phases of psychosis.

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We explored the adherence to a home-delivered, computer-based, cognitive remediation protocol in a first-episode psychosis outpatient cohort. Seventeen patients underwent a cognitive training protocol for 6 months using an online platform accessible from their home under the supervision of a qualified neuropsychologist. Neuropsychological, psychopathological, and functional data were collected at baseline and postintervention, whereas qualitative appraisal of the intervention was assessed monthly. Overall, participants' evaluation of the program was positive. This was reflected in a good adherence rate with 12 (70%) of 17 patients completing 80% of the prescribed sessions. Exploratory analysis revealed significant improvements in sustained attention (p = 0.020) and verbal memory (p = 0.018). A decrease in negative symptoms and an improvement on the Clinical Global Impression were also found (p = 0.009). We believe these are encouraging results to further explore the adopted delivery approach, which could facilitate access to cognitive training earlier and to a larger group of patients.

Background Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) are a cardinal symptom of psychosis but are also present in 6–13% of the general population. Alterations in sensory feedback processing are a likely cause of AVH, indicative of changes in the forward model. However, it is unknown whether such alterations are related to anomalies in forming an efference copy during action preparation, selective for voices, and similar along the psychosis continuum. By directly comparing psychotic and nonclinical voice hearers (NCVH), the current study specifies whether and how AVH proneness modulates both the efference copy (Readiness Potential) and sensory feedback processing for voices and tones (N1, P2) with event-related brain potentials (ERPs). Methods Controls with low AVH proneness (n = 15), NCVH (n = 16) and first-episode psychotic patients with AVH (n = 16) engaged in a button-press task with two types of stimuli: self-initiated and externally generated self-voices or tones during EEG recordings. Results Groups differed in sensory feedback processing of expected and actual feedback: NCVH displayed an atypically enhanced N1 to self-initiated voices, while N1 suppression was reduced in psychotic patients. P2 suppression for voices and tones was strongest in NCVH, but absent for voices in patients. Motor activity preceding the button press was reduced in NCVH and patients, specifically for sensory feedback to self-voice in NCVH. Conclusions These findings suggest that selective changes in sensory feedback to voice are core to AVH. These changes already show in preparatory motor activity, potentially reflecting changes in forming an efference copy. The results provide partial support for continuum models of psychosis.

Aim There is currently no national plan for early intervention in first-episode psychosis in Portugal. Consequently, there is some heterogeneity in the evaluation and treatment of first-episode psychosis across the country. The aim of this article is to provide a complete description of the early intervention programme Programa de Intervencao nas Fases Iniciais da Psicose (PROFIP) in Lisbon, a pioneering team in Portugal for treating first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients. We also describe the baseline socio-demographic and clinical data obtained from new patients over a 1-year period. PROFIP programme accepts all cases of FEP, taking a transdiagnostic approach. Methods Description of PROFIP programme and baseline socio-demographic and clinical data obtained from new patients over a 1-year period. Results The team was constituted to provide early detection, treatment and support to people aged 16 to 35 years with affective and non-affective FEP. Over a 1-year period, 39 patients were included in the PROFIP programme. The majority of patients were young male patients with a diagnosis of non-affective psychosis, and with 56% of patients reporting cannabis use. Patients received pharmacological and psychosocial interventions based on evidence and individual needs. Conclusions Our team allowed young people with early psychosis to receive effective care. We do need improvements, namely in referrals and the education of health professionals. More teams in our country should be constituted, allowing larger numbers of patients with early psychosis to be treated by specialized teams.

Hypokalemia is the most frequent electrolyte abnormality seen in clinical practice. Hypokalemia is defined as serum potassium below 3.5 mEq/L and is usually asymptomatic and only identified in routine laboratory analysis. However, in some cases, symptoms include hypertension, palpitations, muscle weakness, easy fatigability, cramping and myalgias, memory impairment, disorientation and confusion, depressed or anxious mood, and irritability. Although rare, hypokalemia has been associated with psychosis. In particular, hypokalemia has been associated with psychotic exacerbations in patients with chronic psychotic disorder. We present a case report of a young female who developed a first presentation of acute psychosis and in which complementary investigations revealed hypokalemia. The psychosis resolved in few hours after replacement therapy with potassium chloride. The patient returned her usual functioning after discharge and there were no signs of psychosis at six-month follow-up.

Treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotic drugs is frequently sub-optimal. One reason for this may be heterogeneity between patients with schizophrenia. The objectives of this study were to identify patient, disease and treatment attributes that are important for physicians in choosing an antipsychotic drug, and to identify empirically subgroups of patients who may respond differentially to antipsychotic drugs. The survey was conducted by structured interview of 744 randomly-selected psychiatrists in four European countries who recruited 3996 patients with schizophrenia. Information on 39 variables was collected. Multiple component analysis was used to identify dimensions that explained the variance between patients. Three axes, accounting for 99% of the variance, were associated with disease severity (64%), socioeconomic status (27%) and patient autonomy (8%). These dimensions discriminated between six discrete patient subgroups, identified using ascending hierarchical classification analysis. The six subgroups differed regarding educational level, illness severity, autonomy, symptom presentation, addictive behaviors, comorbidities and cardiometabolic risk factors. Subgroup 1 patients had moderately severe physician-rated disease and addictive behaviours (23.2%); Subgroup 2 patients were well-integrated and autonomous with mild to moderate disease (6.7%); Subgroup 3 patients were less well-integrated with mild to moderate disease, living alone (11.2%); Subgroup 4 patients were women with low education levels (5.4%), Subgroup 5 patients were young men with severe disease (36.8%); and Subgroup 6 patients were poorly-integrated with moderately severe disease, needing caregiver support (16.7%). The presence of these subgroups, which require confirmation and extension regarding potentially identifiable biological markers, may help individualizing treatment in patients with schizophrenia.

Besides intervention in prepsychotic period, early intervention in psychosis includes interventions done after the onset of the first-episode psychosis, namely psychopharmacological and psychosocial phase-specific intervention. The main aim is to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and to ensure that besides remission of the symptoms there is also a psychosocial recovery. Many centers set up an assertive and integrated early intervention program, involving an active search of patients with a treatment that includes antipsychotic medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, family and vocational interventions. The authors of this review explain the concepts and main studies that support this kind of treatment in early psychosis. The results of published data show that is possible to reduce the DUP and improve the clinical and functional outcomes with this intervention. Critical period hypothesis proposes that deterioration occurs aggressively in the first 2 to 5 years of early psychosis, so it is crucial to intervene in this period to ensure a functional recovery. Cost-benefit ratio seems to be favorable to early intervention model, with reduction of in-stay period, which is an important component of the direct costs of psychotic illness. Early intervention service model organization is also reviewed by the authors of this research. The results of many studies show favorable outcomes for the integrative early intervention and so many countries included it in their political mental health directives and attributed funds for early intervention in psychosis.

This article addresses points to consider when switching patients to the second-generation antipsychotic (SGA), ziprasidone, in everyday clinical practice: 1) the pharmacologic properties of the pre-switch antipsychotic and of ziprasidone; 2) switch and dosing strategies to ensure maintenance or attainment of efficacy; 3) recognition and management of possible rebound effects of the pre-switch medication discontinuation; 4) recognition and management of potential side effects of ziprasidone; and 5) education and support for patients/caregivers concerning correct ziprasidone administration.A Medline search (up to July 7, 2010) identified studies in which adult patients with schizophrenia were switched to ziprasidone from another antipsychotic. In addition, based on their extensive clinical experience, an expert faculty of European psychiatrists provided advice on identifying patients who may be appropriate candidates for switching to ziprasidone, and on establishing optimal strategies for switching to ziprasidone in everyday clinical practice.Data from 10 studies, in which 1395 patients were switched to ziprasidone, showed that switching from first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) or SGAs generally resulted in maintenance or improvement of efficacy across all studied symptom domains, improvements in tolerability, and acute and long-term benefits regarding cardiometabolic parameters, including body weight. Maintenance of efficacy is most likely to be achieved using a plateau cross-titration strategy, with a rapid uptitration of ziprasidone to a dose range of 60 to 80 mg administered twice daily with food. Temporary coadministration of benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, or beta-blockers should be considered for the management of potential rebound effects.Optimal switching of patients with schizophrenia from FGAs or SGAs to ziprasidone requires careful attention to differences in the pharmacological profiles of the pre-switch medication and of ziprasidone, which may impact efficacy and tolerability. Good communication between the clinician and patient/caregiver about the goals of switching, the importance of adherence to the chosen switch strategy, and the correct administration of ziprasidone are essential.

Limited information is available on the clinical issues and strategies for optimal clinical usage of ziprasidone in the treatment of adult patients with acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar disorder.To address those issues, information from clinical trials addressing the efficacy and tolerability of ziprasidone in acute bipolar mania was reviewed and supplemented with the input from an expert faculty of European psychiatrists with extensive experience in treating patients with bipolar mania, both in clinical trials and in everyday clinical practice.Effective use of oral ziprasidone in the treatment of acute bipolar mania requires rapid titration to doses in the range 120 - 160 mg/day and administration with meals of ≥ 500 kcal. As in the clinical trials, temporary short-term use of benzodiazepines (in particular lorazepam for agitation or temazepam for insomnia) could be advisable. Available evidence from randomized clinical trials in combination with clinical experience supports the use of ziprasidone as one of the first-line effective and safe treatments for acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.

This review addresses practical clinical issues related to the use of ziprasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia using information from clinical trials, unpublished data, manufacturer's information, and input from an expert faculty of European psychiatrists with extensive experience of the use of ziprasidone, both in clinical trials and in everyday clinical practice.A Medline search of published data (1998 - 2010) was carried out, together with a review of unpublished data and manufacturer's information. In addition, expert opinion was sought from psychiatrists with extensive experience of ziprasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia in clinical settings across Europe.This review has been undertaken to determine how the information from clinical trials can be optimally translated into 'real-life' practice and to establish how a decade of experience with ziprasidone in clinical practice can inform its optimal use to maximize effectiveness and minimize side effects.Effective use of ziprasidone in everyday clinical practice usually requires rapid titration to doses in the range of 120 - 160 mg/day and administration with proper meals, thereby achieving the high levels of schizophrenia symptom control reported in clinical trials. Additional guidance is provided about effective management of side effects, and appropriate coadministration of benzodiazepines and other agents, to achieve desired outcomes.