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Background: Schizophrenia is a disorder with considerable heterogeneity in course and outcomes, which is in part related to the patients' sex. Studies report a link between serum lipids, body mass index (BMI), and therapeutic response. However, the role of sex in these relationships is poorly understood. In a cross-sectional sample of first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients, we investigated if the relationship between serum lipid levels (total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides), BMI, and symptoms differs between the sexes. Methods: We included 435 FEP patients (males: N = 283, 65%) from the ongoing Thematically Organized Psychosis (TOP) study. Data on clinical status, antipsychotics, lifestyle, serum lipid levels, and BMI were obtained. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) were used to assess psychotic and depressive symptoms. General linear models were employed to examine the relationship between metabolic variables and symptomatology. Results: We observed a female-specific association between serum HDL-C levels and negative symptoms (B = −2.24, p = 0.03) and between triglycerides levels (B = 1.48, p = 0.04) and BMI (B = 0.27, p = 0.001) with depressive symptoms. When controlling for BMI, only the association between serum HDL-C levels and negative symptoms remained significant. Moreover, the HDL-C and BMI associations remained significant after controlling for demography, lifestyle, and illness-related factors. Conclusion: We found a relationship between metabolic factors and psychiatric symptoms in FEP patients that was sex-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The experience of childhood trauma is linked to more severe symptoms and poorer functioning in severe mental disorders; however, the mechanisms behind this are poorly understood. We investigate the relationship between childhood trauma and sleep disturbances in severe mental disorders including the role of sleep disturbances in mediating the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of clinical symptoms and poorer functioning. Methods: In total, 766 participants with schizophrenia-spectrum (n = 418) or bipolar disorders (n = 348) were assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Sleep disturbances were assessed through the sleep items in the self-reported Inventory of Depressive Symptoms. Clinical symptoms and functioning were assessed with The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Mediation analyses using ordinary least squares regression were conducted to test if sleep disturbances mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of clinical symptoms and poorer functioning. Results: Symptoms of insomnia, but not hypersomnia or delayed sleep phase, were significantly more frequent in participants with childhood trauma experiences compared to those without. Physical abuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect were significantly associated with insomnia symptoms. Insomnia symptoms partly mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of positive and depressive/anxiety symptoms, in addition to poorer functioning. Conclusion: We found frequent co-occurrence of childhood trauma history and current insomnia in severe mental disorders. Insomnia partly mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of clinical symptoms and functional impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Explanatory factors for the observed neurocognitive impairment in early-stage bipolar I disorder ( BD-I) have received little attention. The current study investigated neurocognitive functioning in first-treatment ( FT) BD-I compared to FT schizophrenia ( SCZ), and healthy controls ( HCs), and the effect of history of psychosis and previous episodes in the two clinical groups. Methods A total of 202 FT patients with BD-I (n = 101) and SCZ spectrum disorder (n = 101), in addition to HCs (n = 101), were included. A comprehensive neurocognitive test battery was used to assess verbal learning and memory, executive functioning, processing speed, and attention and working memory. Neurocognitive functioning and the effect of history of psychosis and number of previous episodes were analyzed using separate multivariate analyses of variance and correlation analysis. Results FT patients with BD-I performed intermediately between FT SCZ spectrum patients and HCs on all measures. Compared to HCs, FT BD-I showed impaired functioning across all neurocognitive domains. No differences in neurocognitive functioning were observed in psychotic versus nonpsychotic FT patients with BD-I. With the exception of an association between number of manic episodes and two measures of executive function in FT BD-I, no associations were found between number of episodes and neurocognitive performance. Conclusions Neurocognitive impairments were present in FT BD-I, and were not explained by history of psychosis or number of previous psychotic or depressive episodes. There were indications that executive function could be associated with number of previous manic episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between the symptoms delusions and hallucinations measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and cognitive insight as assessed with the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) in patients with schizophrenia. The BCIS is based on 2 subscales, self-reflectiveness and self-certainty, measuring objectivity, reflectiveness and openness to feedback, and mental flexibility. Overall cognitive insight was defined as the difference between self-reflectiveness and self-certainty. This cross-sectional study of 143 patients showed that the occurrence of delusions is associated with low self-reflectiveness and high self-certainty, reflecting low cognitive insight. Hallucinations in the absence of delusions were associated with high self-reflectiveness and low self-certainty, possibly reflecting more open-mindedness and higher cognitive insight. The present findings suggest that delusions are associated with low cognitive insight, whereas solitary hallucinations may be associated with high cognitive insight. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sleep disturbances are prevalent in people with psychosis and are related to several negative outcomes. Recent research indicates that sleep disturbances contribute to the development of psychosis and is therefore an important treatment target. Despite this, a study found that sleep problems in people with psychosis were mostly assessed informally and treated with non-recommended interventions. However, it is uncertain whether these findings reflect local practise or rather status quo for how sleep disturbances in the context of psychosis are approached across different treatment sites. We aimed to replicate this study and investigate how sleep disturbances in people with psychosis are viewed, assessed and treated by clinicians across several mental health services, and the clinicians' perceived barriers to sleep treatment. A total of 204 clinicians completed an e-mail survey about sleep problems and psychosis. The main findings were highly consistent with previous research; the clinicians found sleep problems in patients with psychosis to be highly prevalent and with negative consequences. However, structured assessments and the use of recommended treatment interventions were rare. This apparent paradox may at least partly be explained by the clinicians' perceived barriers to sleep treatment, including their declared lack of knowledge about sleep assessment and sleep treatment, and beliefs that sleep treatment is (too) demanding in this population. Many patients with psychosis across several treatment sites receive less than optimal sleep treatment. Increasing clinicians' knowledge about adequate sleep treatment and its feasibility for patients with psychotic disorders is therefore imperative. • Clinicians identify sleep problems as significant in patients with psychosis. • Sleep problems are recognized as detrimental for symptoms and functioning. • Structured assessments and recommended treatment of sleep problems are rare. • Lacking knowledge and believing sleep treatment is demanding obstructs treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Self-reporting of apathy for patients with psychosis is in concordance with clinician ratings. • Patients with schizophrenia reported higher levels of apathy than other diagnostic groups. • Controlling for level of depression altered some results. Abstract Negative symptoms have traditionally been assessed based on clinicians’ observations. The subjective experience of negative symptoms in people with psychosis may bring new insight. The Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) is commonly used to study apathy in psychosis and has corresponding self-rated (AES-S) and clinician-rated (AES-C) versions. The aim of the present study was to determine the validity and reliability of the AES-S by investigating its concordance with the AES-C. Eighty-four first-episode (FEP) patients completed the shortened 12-item AES-S and AES-C at baseline (T1) and 12 months (T2). Concordance was studied by degree of correlation, comparison of mean scores, and change and difference between diagnostic groups. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was used to study convergent and discriminative properties. High concordance was found between AES-S and AES-C at both T1 and T2 regarding mean values, change from T1 to T2, and the proportion with high levels of apathy. Both versions indicated high levels of apathy in FEP, while associations with PANSS negative symptoms were weaker for AES-S than AES-C. Controlling for depression did not significantly alter results. We concluded that self-rated apathy in FEP patients is in concordance with clinician ratings, but in need of further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A potential link between increase in total cholesterol and triglycerides and clinical improvement has been observed during antipsychotic drug treatment in chronic schizophrenia patients, possibly due to drug related effects on lipid biosynthesis. We examined whether changes in serum lipids are associated with alleviation of psychosis symptoms after one year of antipsychotic drug treatment in a cohort of first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients.Methods: A total of 132 non-affective antipsychotic-treated FEP patients were included through the Norwegian Thematically Organized Psychosis (TOP) project. Data on antipsychotic usage, serum lipids (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG)), body mass index (BMI) and clinical state were obtained at baseline and after 12months. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess psychotic symptoms. Mixed-effects models were employed to examine the relationship between serum lipids and psychotic symptoms while controlling for potential confounders including BMI.Results: An increase in HDL during one year of antipsychotic treatment was associated with reduction in PANSS negative subscores (B=-0.48, p=0.03). This relationship was not affected by concurrent change in BMI (adjusted HDL: B=-0.54, p=0.02). No significant associations were found between serum lipids, BMI and PANSS positive subscores.Conclusion: We found that an increase in HDL level during antipsychotic treatment is associated with improvement in negative symptoms in FEP. These findings warrant further investigation to clarify the interaction between lipid pathways and psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the trajectories of diminished expression and apathy over 10 years. Further, to explore the effects of baseline- and persistent cannabis use on the development of diminished expression and apathy during follow-up, while controlling other potential sources and predictors of secondary negative symptoms. 351 participants with a first episode of non-affective psychosis were examined at baseline and invited to follow-up at one year and 10 years. The trajectories of diminished expression and apathy were investigated using linear mixed models. Subsequently, cannabis use and other potential predictors and sources of secondary negative symptoms were added to the model to investigate the respective impact on their trajectories. The severity of both diminished expression and apathy decreased during the follow-up period after the first episode of psychosis, with the most improvement observed from baseline to 1-year follow-up. Cannabis use at baseline was associated with a long-lasting higher symptom load for diminished expression, but not apathy. Introducing persistent cannabis use to the model further strengthened the association with diminished expression. Both cannabis use at baseline and persistent cannabis use after a first episode of psychosis were associated with more severe symptoms of diminished expression. Our results imply a causal relationship between cannabis use and diminished expression and suggest that measures to reduce cannabis use both before and after psychosis onset may reduce expressive negative symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of psychosis spectrum disorders. Antipsychotics have at best small positive effects on cognitive performance. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the effects of antidepressants on cognitive functioning in these disorders. In the present study cognitive performance was investigated in relation to serum levels of antidepressants in persons with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Serum concentrations of escitalopram, citalopram and venlafaxine plus O-desmethylvenlafaxine were measured in a total of 187 participants with bipolar disorder (N=74) or schizophrenia spectrum disorders (N=113), and analyzed in relation to neuropsychological tests performance of verbal learning, verbal memory, attention, working memory, executive functioning and processing speed. Analyses were performed using linear regression adjusting for a range of confounders. There was a significant positive association between the serum level of venlafaxine plus O-desmethylvenlafaxine and verbal memory (immediate recall: Logical Memory Test immediate recall [p=0.015], and long term delayed recall: Logical Memory Test delayed recall [p=0.011]). No significant associations were seen between citalopram or escitalopram and verbal memory. There were no significant associations between the tested antidepressants and verbal learning, attention, working memory, executive functioning, or processing speed. Venlafaxine seem to be associated with better verbal memory in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This suggests a possible beneficial role of certain antidepressants on cognitive dysfunction, which may have clinical implications and provide insight into underlying pathophysiology. However, the current findings should be replicated in independent samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurocognitive impairment has been found to be a marked feature in bipolar disorder (BD), also in the early phase of the illness. The longitudinal course of neurocognitive functioning, however, remains sparsely investigated. The aims of the study were to investigate the course of neurocognitive function in BD I, and to what degree neurocognitive change or stability is observed also on the individual level. Forty-two patients and 153 comparable healthy controls were assessed at baseline and one-year follow-up. Compared to the healthy control (HC) group BD I patients perform significantly poorer at both baseline and follow-up across all neurocognitive domains and on most neurocognitive subtests. Neurocognitive impairment remained stable for most patients from baseline to follow-up, both on a group level and when investigating individual trajectories, indicative of a relatively stable course of neurocognitive functioning in the early phase of BD I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]