{"title":"Glutamate Neurotransmission in Psychotic Disorders and Substance Abuse.","authors":"Berit Kerner","doi":"10.2174/1874354400903010001","DOIUrl":"10.2174/1874354400903010001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Psychotropic substance abuse and addiction are very prevalent among individuals with major psychiatric disorders world wide. However, this significant association is poorly explained. The dopaminergic circuits have been implemented in addiction as well as in schizophrenia. Recently the important role of glutamatergic neurotransmission has gained attention and current theoretical models of psychosis and substance abuse support the role of interactions between glutamate and other neurotransmitters in the patho-physiology of both disorders. However, the identification of the underlying genetic risk factors remains challenging and not a single genomic variant has been identified with certainty, possibly due to important limitations of the methods used. Clinical trials with glutamatergic neurotransmission modulators, even though still controversial, support the role of glutamate in psychosis and justify further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":88755,"journal":{"name":"The open psychiatry journal","volume":"3 ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2009-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2773545/pdf/nihms117241.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"28495827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Screening for Impulse Control Disorders Among Patients Admitted to a French Psychiatric Emergency Service~!2008-09-16~!2008-11-06~!2008-11-28~!","authors":"P. Adam, Charlotte Richoux, M. Lejoyeux","doi":"10.2174/1874354400802010030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874354400802010030","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: The authors want to examine the prevalence of all impulse control disorders (ICD) among patients examined in a French psychiatric emergency ward and to compare patients with and without ICD. Method: 210 consecutive patients examined in a psychiatric emergency ward were included. We used the Minnesota Im- pulsive Disorders Interview, a semi-structured clinical interview assessing impulse control disorders (ICD): compulsive buying, trichotillomania, compulsive sexual behavior, kleptomania, pyromania and intermittent explosive disorder. We assessed the DSM-IV-TR criteria for personality disorders and we used the Zuckerman scale to study the level of sensa- tion-seeking. All patients answered in addition the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) for pathological gambling, the Lejoyeux scale of compulsive buying, the DETA questionnaire for alcohol use disorders and the Fagerstrom questionnaire for nicotine consumption. Results: Fifty-four patients (25%) showed signs of at least one ICD. Fifteen patients (7%) reported current symptoms of two impulse control disorders. The most common impulse control disorders were compulsive buying (N=41, 19.5%), pathological gambling (N=13, 6.2%) and intermittent explosive disorder (N=11, 5.2%). Psychiatric comorbidity was not different between patients from the ICD+ and the ICD- groups. Alcohol, nicotine and cannabis consumption were equiva- lent in the ICD+ and ICD- groups. Patients with co-occurring impulse control disorders were younger. They had a higher score of pathological gambling as- sessed with the SOGS and a higher level of sensation seeking. Sub-scores of disinhibition, experience seeking and bore- dom susceptibility were also significantly higher. Conclusion: An important proportion of patients (25%) examined in a French psychiatric emergency service shows at least one diagnosis of impulse control disorder. Emergency ward may give them an opportunity for identifying ICD and offering information and treatment. Additional research could try to validate effective treatment for psychiatric patients with impulse control disorder.","PeriodicalId":88755,"journal":{"name":"The open psychiatry journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"30-36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84521472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Associations of Past Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Adults with Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder","authors":"J. Dowson","doi":"10.2174/1874354400802010023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874354400802010023","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: While DSM-IV Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbid with antisocial behav- iours identified by DSM-IV conduct disorder (CD) has been claimed as a 'distinct subtype', there is less information about the validity of a subtype based on the more prevalent comorbidity of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The pre- sent study investigated the associations of past ODD with past and recent psychopathology in adults with ADHD. Methods: 94 clinic-referred adults (73 male; 21 female) with DSM-IV ADHD, and their informants, completed question- naires. Results: 59% of males had past ODD (with or without past CD), 42% had past CD (with or without past ODD) and 36% had past ODD and past CD; for females, 57%, 33% and 29% respectively. In males with the DSM-IV ADHD 'combined' type (i.e. the most common presentation of ADHD), ratings of past ODD, when compared with those of past CD, were more strongly correlated with past and recent ADHD-related hyperactivity/impulsivity and with past and recent functional impairment. In females, ratings of past ODD, compared with those of past CD, also yielded stronger correlations with fea- tures of ADHD. In males and females, ratings of past CD (but not of ODD) were correlated with features of personality disorders. Conclusions: The results indicated that ODD ( and a history of ODD) is relevant in studies of the validity of ADHD sub- types based on comorbid antisocial behaviour. Identification of valid subtypes is important for studies of clinical course and response to treatment.","PeriodicalId":88755,"journal":{"name":"The open psychiatry journal","volume":"146 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83043308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Hood, Jonathan Shufflebotham, J. Hendry, D. Hince, A. Rich, C. Probert, J. Potokar
{"title":"Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients Exhibit Depressive and Anxiety Scores in the Subsyndromal Range","authors":"S. Hood, Jonathan Shufflebotham, J. Hendry, D. Hince, A. Rich, C. Probert, J. Potokar","doi":"10.2174/1874354400802010012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874354400802010012","url":null,"abstract":"Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients frequently experience affective disorders and psychiatric outpatients frequently meet criteria for IBS. The exact nature of this co-morbidity is not clear. 34 patients with Rome-II diagnosed IBS were recruited from a Gastroenterology clinic. Patients with social anxiety disorder (10 SSRI-remitted and 7 un- treated subjects) were used as a psychiatric comparison, 28 normal subjects from our register were included as a fourth group (Volunteers). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively. Personality traits were measured with the Swedish universities Scales of Personality (SSP). IBS subjects had BDI and STAI scores intermediate between those of volunteers and patients, despite their lack of a co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis. A principle component factor analysis of the SSP dataset corre- sponded closely to the solution published with other samples. ANOVA revealed significant between-group differences for 7 of the 13 SSP variables.","PeriodicalId":88755,"journal":{"name":"The open psychiatry journal","volume":"130 1","pages":"12-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76579783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Anckarsäter, T. Larson, S. Hansson, E. Carlström, O. Ståhlberg, C. Gillberg, M. Råstam, C. Gillberg, P. Lichtenstein
{"title":"Child Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Problems are Intercorrelated and Dimensionally Distributed in the General Population","authors":"H. Anckarsäter, T. Larson, S. Hansson, E. Carlström, O. Ståhlberg, C. Gillberg, M. Råstam, C. Gillberg, P. Lichtenstein","doi":"10.2174/1874354400802010005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874354400802010005","url":null,"abstract":"The Autism - Tics, AD/HD, and other Comorbidities inventory (A-TAC) is a comprehensive interview for evaluating problems related to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), tic disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), and common comorbid conditions in children and adolescents. A-TAC telephone interviews were administered to parents of 2,957 children aged nine- or twelve-years, representing one in each twin pair included in the population- based Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS). A total of 16.4% were screen-positive for one or several of the targeted disorder, 1.3% for ASD and 5.6% for AD/HD. All types of problems were more common among boys, with the exception of those related to \"eating habits\". They were all dimensionally/continuously distributed, highly inter-correlated, and overlapped across types. They aggregated in three ba- sic factors corresponding to externalizing/disruptiveness, socio-communicative problems, and compulsiveness. Population-based data on problems in children thus challenge current categorical diagnostic definitions, calling for dimen- sional and complementary models of problem descriptions.","PeriodicalId":88755,"journal":{"name":"The open psychiatry journal","volume":"26 1","pages":"5-11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76693706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Y. Ozeki, T. Mizuguchi, N. Hirabayashi, M. Ogawa, N. Ohmura, Miyuki Moriuchi, N. Harada, N. Matsumoto, H. Kunugi
{"title":"A Case of Schizophrenia with Chromosomal Microdeletion of 17p11.2 Containing a Myelin-Related Gene PMP22","authors":"Y. Ozeki, T. Mizuguchi, N. Hirabayashi, M. Ogawa, N. Ohmura, Miyuki Moriuchi, N. Harada, N. Matsumoto, H. Kunugi","doi":"10.2174/1874354400802010001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874354400802010001","url":null,"abstract":"We report a patient with schizophrenia who had a chromosomal deletion of 17p11.2 containing a myelin- related gene PMP22 by using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) array and quantitative PCR. Since genetic link- age to 17p11, reduced expression of PMP22, and alterations in myelination have previously been reported, this report fur- ther suggests an etiological role of PMP22 in schizophrenia.","PeriodicalId":88755,"journal":{"name":"The open psychiatry journal","volume":"68 4","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2008-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72629360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Ekholm, M. N. Ogdie, J. Dang, J. McCracken, J. McGough, S. Smalley, S. Nelson
{"title":"Association Analysis of Candidate Genes for ADHD on Chromosomes 5p13, 6q12, 16p and 17p","authors":"J. Ekholm, M. N. Ogdie, J. Dang, J. McCracken, J. McGough, S. Smalley, S. Nelson","doi":"10.2174/1874354400701010034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874354400701010034","url":null,"abstract":"Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, heterogeneous psychiatric disorder of childhood displaying inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive symptoms. Although the biological basis of ADHD remains unknown, it has been shown that genetic factors substantially contribute to the aetiology of the disorder. Our group has previously reported significant linkage to four chromosomal regions on 5p13, 6q12, 16p13 and 17p11 in genome-wide scans and subsequent fine-mapping. We selected nine positional candidate genes within the linkage intervals for study based on bio- logical plausibility. We analyzed at least 189 ADHD trios to determine if common variants in these genes have a major af- fect on ADHD risk. None yielded significant association. This does however not completely exclude these genes as poten- tial susceptibility genes for ADHD since it is plausible for common causal variants with low effect size to go undetected due to insufficient power of the study sample. We conclude that none of the tested alleles confer a major risk for develop- ing ADHD and that investigation of other genes within the linked regions is warranted.","PeriodicalId":88755,"journal":{"name":"The open psychiatry journal","volume":"85 1","pages":"34-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89025162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Bulbena, L. Sperry, Bosco Anguiano, Guillem Pailhez, J. Gago
{"title":"Joint Hypermobility in Schizophrenia: A Potential Marker for Co-Morbid Anxiety","authors":"A. Bulbena, L. Sperry, Bosco Anguiano, Guillem Pailhez, J. Gago","doi":"10.2174/1874354400701010031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874354400701010031","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The objective is to evaluate the presence and clinical relevance of the Joint Hypermobility Syn- drome (JHS) among patients with schizophrenia. Methods: One hundred and twenty four outpatients with DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia were assessed by means of the following: Hospital del Mar criteria for joint Hypermobility (JHdMar), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Fear Survey Schedule (FSS) and Social Adjustment Scale (SAS). Results: JHS correlated positively with FSS (rho= 0.36p<0.0001) and negatively with age (rho=-0.34; p=0.0001). When taken as a dichotomic variable, PANSS-P (positive subscale) scores were significantly higher in the group with JHS as well (Z=2.0; p=0.045). Subjects with co-morbid panic disorder scored significantly higher in the JHdMar. JHdMar scores were linked by stepwise multiple regression to panic disorder, positive symptoms, and age(-). Conclusion: Joint hypermobility is significantly related to panic anxiety, positive symptoms and age in patients with schizophrenia. It is a probable clinical biological marker of interest.","PeriodicalId":88755,"journal":{"name":"The open psychiatry journal","volume":"23 1","pages":"31-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85072063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Eytan, S. Favre, M. Gex-fabry, L. Borras, F. Ferrero, G. Bertschy
{"title":"Pathological Journeys or Help Seeking Behavior: The Case of Travelers to Geneva, An International City","authors":"A. Eytan, S. Favre, M. Gex-fabry, L. Borras, F. Ferrero, G. Bertschy","doi":"10.2174/1874354400701010026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874354400701010026","url":null,"abstract":"Several international organizations have their headquarters in Geneva and are thus hypothesized to attract both people seeking help for human right abuses and also pathological travelers. The present study aimed at characterizing pathological travelers, a population seldom studied in psychiatry. Patients referred for pathological journeys to the only psychiatric hospital in Geneva were retrospectively identified on the basis of medical certificates. Their medical records were then analyzed. The study covered a 4-year period. Seventy-six patients were identified. They were in majority male, aged less than 50 and single; 62% came from European countries and 84% had some prior psychiatric history; 58% were diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, mainly schizophrenia, acute transient psychotic disorder and delusional disorder. Sixteen patients (21%) had been attracted to Geneva specifically because of its international organizations, while 60 came for other reasons. Prevalence of persecutory delusions was significantly higher among travelers attracted by the \"interna- tional Geneva\" (88% versus 43%, P<0.005). Pathological journeys represent an identifiable cause of psychiatric hospitali- zation in Geneva. Prospective studies should be conducted using a more precise and restrictive definition of this entity in order to avoid stigmatization of people crossing borders for other motives.","PeriodicalId":88755,"journal":{"name":"The open psychiatry journal","volume":"5 1","pages":"26-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80149197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Hebb, G. Anger, P. Mendella, F. Sirois, R. Gilbert, R. Zacharko
{"title":"The myth of panic spontaneity: Consideration of behavioral and neurochemical sensitization.","authors":"A. Hebb, G. Anger, P. Mendella, F. Sirois, R. Gilbert, R. Zacharko","doi":"10.2174/1874354400701010001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874354400701010001","url":null,"abstract":"Panic disorder is characterized by a progression of panic symptom severity with repeated attacks. Repeated panic episodes evoke heightened anticipatory anxiety, phobic avoidance and are typically associated with comorbid symptoms of depression. Due to the heterogeneity of the disorder, reliable neurochemical correlates attending panic have not been identified. However, variable neuropeptide interfacing with major and minor transmitter systems may modulate individual vulnerability to panic and account for variable panic profiles. The extensive colocalization of cholecystokinin (CCK) with other neurotransmitters, including dopamine (DA), enkephalin (ENK) and GABA, in specific central sites may influence various aspects of anxiety and panic. The behavioral correlates attending panic likely follow from variable neurochemical release and conditioning/sensitization. Clinicians maintain that recurrent panic attacks are spontaneous (unexpected, uncued) and fail to acknowledge the wealth of information implicating a prominent role for stressful life events in panic. Conditioning and sensitization of both behavior (e.g., fear-motivated) and neurochemical events (e.g., DA and CCK) in response to uncontrollable stressors parallel the diverse heterogeneity of panic amongst clinical samples. Cholecystokinin-4, pentagastrin, lactate acid, and CO2 induce panic attacks that are dependent on subjective history, expectancy measures and panic profiles. Panic disorder is associated with chronic illness and familial sick-role modeling exacerbates the course of the illness. The current review outlines the evidence in support of a conditioning/sensitization model for panic, a model that may explain the variable efficacies of pharmacological interventions.","PeriodicalId":88755,"journal":{"name":"The open psychiatry journal","volume":"28 1","pages":"1-25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2007-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86607662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}