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Though categorized as separate illnesses, schizophrenia and autism are known to exhibit shared characteristics. This study explored the distinctions in clinical, cognitive, and functional characteristics among individuals with recent-onset psychosis, considering the severity of their autistic symptoms, involving longitudinal examinations. We analyzed 671 patients with recent-onset psychosis from Korean Early Psychosis Cohort Study (KEPS), and used the PANSS Autism Severity Score (PAUSS) to categorize patient into 'autistic', 'moderate', and 'non-autistic' groups. The autistic group had the highest rate of schizophrenia diagnosis, and the lowest incidence of comorbid psychiatric disorders. Schizophrenia diagnosis predicted membership of the autistic group. More severe autistic symptoms correlated with worse overall symptoms and functional outcomes, which significantly predicted membership of the autistic group. Cognitive impairments and emotional recognition difficulties increased with the severity of autistic symptoms. 2-year longitudinal assessments demonstrated that group differences in autistic features and overall symptoms, and functional outcomes remained consistent, and membership of the autistic group significantly predicted symptomatic remission and functional recovery. In conclusion, the presence of autistic symptoms has a significant impact on the overall symptomatology and functional capabilities. They are enduring attributes rather than temporary state variables, and serve as a significant predictor for both symptomatic and functional recovery., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

To promote recovery in psychosis, targeting modifiable factors related to recovery is critical. Using more strict definition of full recovery, we examined predictors for recovery in patients with early stage schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) followed up to 6.5 years. The target subjects were 375 patients with early stage SSD who had been over at least 1-year after registration and evaluated. The criteria for full recovery were having the score of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) 8-item ≤ 2 and adequate functional recovery for at least 1-year. We performed univariate Cox and stepwise Cox regression in both total and acute patients. In stepwise Cox regression, several independent predictors for recovery, i.e., negative symptoms of the PANSS, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and non-professional job were identified in patients with early stage SSD. In acute patients, other factors such as professional job and subjective well-being under neuroleptics were more important. The present study identified independent predictors for recovery modifiable by various psychosocial intervention and early intervention services. Moreover, it highlights the need of providing different treatment strategies depending on clinical status., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have declared that there are no conflicts of interest in relation to the subject of this study., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Aim: Research on psychotic disorder not otherwise specified (PNOS) that clearly mentions its subgroups is very rare. This study was conducted to identify the demographic and clinical features, cognitive function, and 1-year outcomes of patients with early stage PNOS compared with those with early stage schizophrenia (SZ)., Methods: The study subjects were 54 and 321 patients with PNOS and SZ, respectively, who were registered at least more than 1 year ago. Due to drop out, only 37 and 210 patients with PNOS and SZ were evaluated at the 1-year follow-up. We compared clinical variables (duration of untreated psychosis, symptom severity, self-rating scales, and so on), cognitive function, and short-term outcomes (treatment response, remission, compliance, drop out, relapse) between the two groups., Results: The patients with PNOS were associated with higher diagnostic stability (53.7%) compared with those in previous studies. They had lower symptom severity, better treatment response at 2 months and higher remission rates at 12 months, but poorer compliance at 6 months compared with patients with SZ. Level of cognitive impairment in PNOS was intermediate between those of SZ patients and healthy controls., Conclusions: These findings indicate that PNOS has unique clinical features, suggesting that it should be treated as a distinct clinical syndrome. At the same time, however, prevention of its possible progression to other psychotic disorders in some patients with PNOS is also important., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background: Network approach has been applied to a wide variety of psychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to identify network structures of remitters and non-remitters in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) at baseline and the 6-month follow-up., Methods: Participants ( n = 252) from the Korean Early Psychosis Study (KEPS) were enrolled. They were classified as remitters or non-remitters using Andreasen's criteria. We estimated network structure with 10 symptoms (three symptoms from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, one depressive symptom, and six symptoms related to schema and rumination) as nodes using a Gaussian graphical model. Global and local network metrics were compared within and between the networks over time., Results: Global network metrics did not differ between the remitters and non-remitters at baseline or 6 months. However, the network structure and nodal strengths associated with positive-self and positive-others scores changed significantly in the remitters over time. Unique central symptoms for remitters and non-remitters were cognitive brooding and negative-self, respectively. The correlation stability coefficients for nodal strength were within the acceptable range., Conclusion: Our findings indicate that network structure and some nodal strengths were more flexible in remitters. Negative-self could be an important target for therapeutic intervention.

Objectives: Dopamine receptor D2 gene (DRD2) and glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) are implicated in the development of psychosis. We investigated methylation levels of DRD2 and NR3C1 in peripheral blood of patients with recent-onset (RO) psychosis using bisulfite pyrosequencing as well as its association with childhood trauma and rumination., Methods: In all, 51 individuals with RO psychosis and 47 healthy controls were recruited. DNA methylation levels in the targeted regions of two genes were analyzed and compared. Childhood trauma and rumination were evaluated using the Early Trauma Inventory Self-Report Short Form (ETI-SF) and Brooding Scale (BS), respectively. Correlations between the scores of the ETI-SF and BS and methylation levels were explored., Results: For DRD2, we found no significant differences between groups in terms of methylation level or association with childhood trauma or rumination. For NR3C1, we found a trend level significance for average value of all CpG sites and significant hypermethylation or hypomethylation at specific sites. There was also a significant positive correlation between the methylation level at the CpG8 site of NR3C1 exon 1F and negative symptom subscale score of the PANSS (PANSS-N)., Conclusion: Epigenetic alterations of NR3C1 are associated with the pathophysiology of psychosis. Further epigenetic studies will elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning the pathophysiology of psychosis., Competing Interests: There are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication., (Copyright © 2022 Yan Hong Piao et al.)

Aim: In the present study, the prevalence and predictors of symptomatic and full remission were investigated in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) at the 12-month follow-up., Methods: A total of 308 participants aged 18-45 years fulfilled the study inclusion criteria and 214 completed the 12-month follow-up., Results: At the 12-month follow-up, 67.3% (142) and 25.9% (55) of the FEP patients met the criteria for symptomatic and full remission, respectively. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed a shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), no family history, lower Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) negative symptom scores at baseline and higher familial support predicted symptomatic remission at the 12-month follow-up. A higher educational level, shorter DUP, lower PANSS general symptoms scores at baseline and higher subjective well-being under neuroleptics emotional regulation scores predicted full remission., Conclusions: Our findings regarding the rates of symptomatic and full remission are consistent with previous studies. The results indicate a large discrepancy between symptomatic versus full remission rates at a 12-month follow-up in patients with FEP. Effective psychosocial interventions are necessary to improve the outcomes of FEP patients., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

The classic subtype classification of schizophrenia has been removed, and DSM-5 now includes the Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity (CRDPSS). In the present study, a factor analysis of the CRDPSS was performed, and we assessed whether patient classification using the derived factor structure helps predict the clinical course. The participants were 390 patients with recent-onset psychosis enrolled in the Korean Early Psychosis Cohort Study (KEPS). Two factors were identified: psychotic (including delusions, hallucinations, disorganization, and abnormal psychomotor behavior) and negative-cognitive (including negative symptoms and impaired cognition). Patients were grouped based on the factor structure and changes in clinical course were monitored over 1 year. The negative-cognitive group demonstrated longer duration of untreated psychosis, earlier onset, and a higher rate of psychiatric comorbidities. Baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scores were higher in psychotic group, but group differences were not observed after 2 months. Conversely, the PANSS negative scale score was significantly higher in negative-cognitive group throughout follow-up, and CGI-S score was reversed at 12 months. The findings indicate that the factor structure derived herein for the CRDPSS could be helpful for predicting the clinical course of recent-onset psychosis patients., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Childhood trauma (ChT) is a risk factor for psychosis. Negative lifestyle factors such as rumination, negative schemas, and poor diet and exercise are common in psychosis. The present study aimed to perform a network analysis of interactions between ChT and negative lifestyle in patients and controls. We used data of patients with early-stage psychosis (n = 500) and healthy controls (n = 202). Networks were constructed using 12 nodes from five scales: the Brief Core Schema Scale (BCSS), Brooding Scale (BS), Dietary Habits Questionnaire, Physical Activity Rating, and Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form (ETI). Graph metrics were calculated. The nodes with the highest predictability and expected influence in both patients and controls were cognitive and emotional components of the BS and emotional abuse of the ETI. The emotional abuse was a mediator in the shortest pathway connecting the ETI and negative lifestyle for both groups. The negative others and negative self of the BCSS mediated emotional abuse to other BCSS or BS for patients and controls, respectively. Our findings suggest that rumination and emotional abuse were central symptoms in both groups and that negative others and negative self played important mediating roles for patients and controls, respectively.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: CUH201411002., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Rumination is a well-known risk factor for depression. It is also associated with negative and positive symptoms and suicidality in patients suffering from psychosis. However, no studies have addressed the effect of antipsychotics on rumination., Methods: Using the Brooding Scale (BS), we investigated the effect of antipsychotics on rumination at the 6-month follow up in patients with first-episode psychosis (n = 257). The relationship between rumination and other clinical variables was explored by conducting a correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). The clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes were compared between high and low ruminators at 6 months., Results: Significant reductions in rumination and various clinical variables were observed at the 6-month follow-up. A significant correlation was observed between rumination and the score on the positive subscale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). A direct path between the PANSS score and rumination was identified by SEM. High ruminators had more severe psychopathology, experienced more childhood traumas, and took less exercise than low ruminators. The recovery rate at 6 months was higher in low ruminators than in high ruminators., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that antipsychotics are beneficial for reducing rumination in patients with first-episode psychosis. The outcomes at the 6-month follow-up were better in low ruminators than high ruminators., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest There are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Several studies have investigated childhood trauma (ChT) and suicidality in psychosis. However, psychological factors intervening between ChT and suicidality are not well understood. The aims of this study were to explore the roles of negative schema and rumination in the relationship between ChT and suicidality in first-episode psychosis (FEP). Participants were 306 patients with FEP who were enrolled in the Korean Early Psychosis Cohort Study, a prospective naturalistic observational cohort study. ChT, suicidality, negative schema, and rumination were evaluated using the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form, Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, Brief Core Schema Scale, and Brooding Scale. In addition, psychopathology and depression were evaluated. Structural equation model and a phantom approach were employed to analyze the pathway from ChT to suicidality. We found close associations between ChT, rumination, negative schema, and suicidality. Importantly, negative schema played a direct intervening role in the relationship between ChT and suicidality in patients with FEP. Our findings suggest that targeting negative schema in individuals with FEP exposed to ChT will be an effective strategy for reducing suicidality., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: This study investigated the clinical characteristics and psychosocial factors associated with depression in patients with early psychosis according to stage of illness., Methods: The present study includes patients who fulfil the DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. Patients were divided into two groups according to illness stage (the acute stage of first-episode psychosis and stabilization phase of recent-onset psychosis). Clinically meaningful depression was defined as moderate or severe on the depression dimension of the Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity scale in the DSM-5., Results: In total, 340 (207 first-episode and 133 recent-onset) patients were recruited in this study. Patients with comorbid depression were characterized by frequent suicidal ideation, a past suicide attempt, and lower scores on the Subjective Well-being Under Neuroleptics and Brief Resilience Scale in both groups. Long duration of untreated psychosis and higher scores on the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report were associated with depression in the acute stage of first-episode psychosis. In the stabilization phase of recent-onset psychosis group, a monthly income and scores for sexual desire and on the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-III were significantly lower in patients with depression than in those without depression., Conclusion: Comorbid depression was associated with high suicidality, lower quality of life and poor resilience in patients with first-episode and recent-onset psychosis. Depression was associated with factors that had been present before the initiation of treatment in patients with first-episode psychosis and with environmental factors in those in the stabilization phase., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)