This study examines the relative re-hospitalisation rates for mental health relapse and adverse events associated with clozapine and other antipsychotics in adult and child/youth cohorts. Open access article - no login required.
How early in life stress-immune related environmental factors increase risk predisposition to schizophrenia remains unknown. We examined if pro-inflammatory changes perturb the brain epidermal growth factor (EGF) system, a system critical for neurodevelopment and mature CNS functions including synaptic plasticity. Open access article - no login required
Based on up-to-date evidence (as of January 2024), we present a rationale for the selection of “first-line treatments” for patients with early-stage schizophrenia and challenges surrounding the selection of these agents. We present a general rationale, such that when idiographic factors of individuals dictate a different approach, the considerations discussed here should defer to individualized plans, and patients and practitioners should engage in shared decision-making at every step... Open access article - no login required
Both the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) valine (Val)/methionine (Met) polymorphism and mismatch negativity (MMN) amplitude are reportedly linked to working memory impairments in schizophrenia. However, there is evident scarcity of research aimed at exploring the relationships among the three factors. In this secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, we investigated these relationships. Open access article - no login required
We conducted a 10-year follow-up study of a comprehensive first-episode psychosis (FEP) cohort investigating the prevalence of clinical recovery (CR) and treatment resistance (TR) after ten years, as well as clinical, demographic, and pre-illness predictors of long-term outcomes. Open access article - no login required
Psychosis can be thought of as a threat-based experience. Compassion has been shown to be effective in reducing threat, although highly distressed individuals may struggle to be self-compassionate. This study explored the effects of compassionate interactions with staff on inpatients with psychosis. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study aims to determine the effect of physical activity on cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating in individuals with a psychotic disorder. Open access article - no login required
We constructed a parameterized, rate-based neural model of on-center/off-surround neurons in the early visual system to investigate the impacts of changes to the excitatory and inhibitory receptive field subfields. Open access article - no login required
It remains unclear whether unmedicated and medicated individuals with schizophrenia would share common neuroanatomy-cognition associations. Therefore, we aimed to investigate multivariate neuroanatomy-cognition relationships in both groups. Open access article - no login required
...we tested whether hippocampal subfield volume deficits link with deviations in glucose metabolism commonly seen in early psychosis, and whether the glucose parameters or subfield volumes change during follow-up period using one-year longitudinal study design of 78 first-episode psychosis patients (FEP), 48 clinical high-risk patients (CHR) and 83 controls (CTR). Open access article - no login required
To compare psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in adolescents and young adults referred to the Mental Health Services (MHSs). Open access article - no login required
Since there are few studies on this topic, the goals of this examination were: (1) to calculate service disengagement rates in a CHR-P sample along 2-years of follow-up; and (2) to examine the most relevant predictive factors of disengagement at baseline. Open access article - no login required
The current pilot study aimed to evaluate whether individuals at CHR showed changes in emotional and stigma-related experiences following a CHR psychoeducation intervention, BEGIN: Brief Educational Guide for Individuals in Need. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The study was designed to assess the role of coping style and self-esteem in the context of different phases of schizophrenia. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study aimed to replicate research investigating the prevalence of OCD in a CHR clinic sample, validate and investigate factor structure of a self-report OCS measure in a CHR sample, explore how OCS may relate to CHR and co-occurring symptoms, and investigate whether real-world CHR treatment improves OCS and CHR symptoms. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Development and evaluation of a model that could predict the risk of treatment-resistant schizophrenia in routine clinical practice. External validation of the tool is needed followed by co-design methodology to support implementation in early intervention services. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This systematic review investigates the associations between social factors and positive psychotic experiences. Open access article - no login required.
We aimed to investigate the potential immune-mediated hyperactivity of KP in individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and the relationship with symptom severity and treatment response outcomes. Open access article - no login required
The extraction of linguistic markers from social media posts, which are indicative of the onset and course of mental disorders, offers great potential for mental healthcare. In the present study, we extracted over one million posts from the popular social media platform... Open access article - no login required
Functional impairments contribute to poor quality of life in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). We sought to (Objective I) define the main functional phenotypes in SSD, then (Objective II) identify key biopsychosocial correlates, emphasizing interpretable data-driven methods. Open access article - no login required
The significant clinical heterogeneity among CHR-P individuals suggests that interventions may need to be personalized during this emerging illness phase. We examined longitudinal trajectories within-persons during treatment to investigate whether baseline factors predict symptomatic and functional outcomes. Open access article - no login required
We aimed to explore the utility of NEET status (not in education, employment or training) at FEP onset in predicting high threshold clinical remission (absence of positive symptoms and off antipsychotic medication for 6 months) at 3 years following treatment with an early intervention for psychosis service. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) regulates intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate and guanosine monophosphate (cAMP/cGMP) levels, which contribute to processes crucial for learning and memory. BI 474121, a potent and selective PDE2 inhibitor, is in development for treating cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. Open access article - no login required
The aims of this study were to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model for risperidone ISM® and to investigate the relationships between active moiety exposure, as described by apparent clearance (CL40), and several covariates using all data from five clinical studies. Open access article - no login required
What this paper adds to existing knowledge?
-The Interactive Approach model can be used to improve communication between nursing staff and patients in numerous critical situations.
-Using a structured risk scale to evaluate a conflict can be an effective way to guide action and sort out the different aspects of communication between nursing staff and psychotic patients.
Open Access Article - no password required
The present study included 644 schizophrenia patients from two centers. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at baseline and 4 weeks after admission to investigate the correlation between metabolites, episodes, usage of AAPDs, and occurrence of dyslipidemia. Open access article - no login required.
We show how acoustic prosodic features, such as pitch and gaps, can be used computationally for detecting symptoms of schizophrenia from a single spoken response. Open access article - no login required.
Cognitive Remediation in Schizophrenia Spectrum Illness: Evidence for Treatment Persistence. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
The authors revisit the neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia with genomic insights from the most recent schizophrenia clinical genetic association studies, transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses from human postmortem brain studies, and analyses from cellular models that recapitulate neurodevelopment. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
In this study, the most common trajectories of illness course are described for a cohort of individuals followed for 25 years since first admission for psychosis. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study aimed to establish a comprehensive set of recovery-oriented rehabilitation programs for individuals with schizophrenia, comparing the efficacy of video-based rehabilitation to traditional face-to-face interventions. The primary objective was to assess whether video-based rehabilitation could serve as a viable alternative for individuals with schizophrenia residing in remote areas. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study elucidated the factors contributing to the development and severity of MetS in first-treatment drug-naïve (FTDN) patients with SCZ. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
We define criteria for methamphetamine-induced psychotic disorder (MIPD) to aid in accurate and reliable diagnosis. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
This study adds epidemiological weight to the implementation of health maintenance strategies and risk management procedures to reduce the risk of violent outcomes in individuals with mental health disorders (specifically, substance use disorder, psychosis, and ‘personality disorders’). The findings highlight how experiences of victimisation and perpetration are more often comorbid, with experiences of both victimisation and perpetration more common than an experience of only one of the outcomes.
This editorial presents ten principles for the design and development of effective psychological treatments for psychosis. Open access article - no login required.
This study uses habit formation models to investigate the dynamic interplay between psychosis, clozapine dose and obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCS). Open access article - no login required.
This study found higher ethnic density related to lower risk of FEP within the Pakistani population in East Lancashire, highlighting the impact of local social context on psychosis incidence. Open access article - no login required.
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cytokines levels, clinical symptoms and cognitive impairments in CR-TRS patients, both with and without MetS. Open access article - no login required
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations of OS parameters with psychopathological symptoms in male chronically medicated schizophrenia (CMS) and treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) patients. Open access article - no login required
this study contributes to the growing evidence-base which suggests that ACT could be another treatment option for people with psychosis. Further studies of ACT for people with psychosis are required to continue building upon the evidence-base.
Within healthcare services, we facilitate ACT-based groups for people with mental health difficulties. We have an opportunity here to set up ACT-based groups specifically for people with psychosis and conduct service evaluation studies to evaluate their feasibility in services.
"I believe this study has one major implication for clinical practice – it highlights the urgent need to improve the survival rates of patients with psychosis.
It is unacceptable that 13-14% of people with a FEP in this study passed away by the 20-year follow-up, especially given the average age for these patients was just 46. This rate is likely to be the result of multiple factors, including death by suicide (3.5%). We know that the main cause of death in these patients is cardiovascular-related, and more research is needed to investigate why this is the case, and what to do about it."
Based on a number needed to assess (NNA) of 18 for clinically relevant abnormalities, Blackman et al. (2023) conclude that their findings “support the use of MRI as part of the initial clinical assessment of all patients with FEP.” However, due to the authors’ liberal definition of clinical relevance together with the exclusion of patients with a suspected non-psychiatric cause of psychosis in most of the included studies, it remains debatable whether routine screening is warranted for all patients with FEP. Given recent evidence about the prevalence of autoimmune encephalitis as a potential cause of FEP (Scott et al., 2018), there may be other diagnostic procedures that are better warranted than routine neuroimaging in FEP depending on clinical presentation.
This study is important because it raises awareness of available resources, such as HVGs and peer support, from which people who hear voices can access care outside mental health services. The findings can be used to inform further training for professionals working in secondary care mental health services (i.e., CMHTs) and/or those supporting people who hear voices. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the benefits of HVGs and other groups and encourage collaborations between HVGs and the NHS (i.e., via signposting or community referrals).
This study evaluated the relationship between negative symptoms, daily time use (productive/non-productive activities, PA/NPA), and negative emotions in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSDs): 618 individuals with SSDs (311 residential care patients [RCPs], 307 outpatients) were surveyed about socio-demographic, clinical (BPRS, BNSS) and daily time use (paper-and-pencil Time Use Survey completed twice/week) characteristics.
This systematic review aimed to review neuroimaging studies comparing clozapine-resistant schizophrenia patients with clozapine-responding patients, and with first-line antipsychotic responding (FLR) patients.
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in people with established psychotic disorders, but less is known about vitamin D levels in people with first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in people with FEP and identify the factors associated with vitamin D status.
The quality of life in people with psychosis has been consistently demonstrated to be lower than those without, with self-stigma contributing greatly to this impairment. Hence, it is imperative to address this gap in order to facilitate recovery-oriented and other outcomes. This study investigates the potential of religiosity in moderating the effects of self-stigma on quality of life among those with psychosis. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Schizophrenia is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), although there is variation in risk among individuals. There are indications of shared genetic etiology between schizophrenia and CVD, but the nature of the overlap remains unclear. The aim of this study was to fill this gap in knowledge. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.
Identification of robust biomarkers that predict individualized response to antipsychotic treatment at the early stage of psychotic disorders remains a challenge in precision psychiatry. The aim of this study was to investigate whether any functional connectome-based neural traits could serve as such a biomarker. To read the full article, choose Open Athens “Institutional Login” and search for “Midlands Partnership”.