scholarly journals First Rank Symptoms and Neurological Soft Signs in Schizophrenia

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mahesh Hembram ◽  
Jayati Simlai ◽  
Suprakash Chaudhury ◽  
Parthasarathi Biswas
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Positive Symptom ◽  
Neurological Assessment ◽  
Neurological Soft Signs ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
First Rank Symptoms ◽  
Written Informed Consent ◽  
Normal Controls

The aim of the study was to compare the neurological soft signs (NSS) in schizophrenia patients with and without first rank symptoms (FRS), their first degree relatives (FDR), and normal controls. The study was conducted on 60 schizophrenia patients diagnosed according to ICD 10 DCR and categorized into groups with and without FRS using Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry, 30 FDRs of the study sample, and 30 normal controls matched for age, education, and handedness. All the subjects gave written informed consent. Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms were applied to have a comprehensive assessment of the symptoms. NSS were assessed using Extended Standard Neurological Assessment Instrument. The correlations between NSS and clinical symptoms were relatively modest but significant. There was a weak relation between NSS and positive symptom severity. The FDR of schizophrenia patients had significantly lower NSS scores than schizophrenia patients, but only FDR of schizophrenia patients without FRS had significantly higher scores than normal controls. Our results indicate that NSS are more prominent in schizophrenia patients with negative symptoms and support the theory of NSS being a trait marker of schizophrenia particularly in those without FRS.

scholarly journals Pattern of Attentional Task Impairment in Schizophrenic Patients: A Study Report

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Shailja Singh ◽  
Tapas Kumar Aich ◽  
Sanjeev Ranjan ◽  
Abhinav Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Positive Symptom ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Attentional Processing ◽  
Attentional Deficits ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Attentional Tasks

The present study attempted to find out the relationship between positive and negative clinical symptoms and  various attentional task impairment in a group of schizophrenic patients. METHODS: Fifty schizophrenic patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale  (PANSS) by a trained psychiatrist (TKA) who was blind to attentional test measures and two groups, each of 25  positive symptom and 25 negative symptom schizophrenic patients, were formed. On these 50 patients with  schizophrenia and 15 normal control groups, various attentional test measures were applied by a clinical  psychologist (SS) who remained blind to the PANSS score. RESULTS: It was found that schizophrenic patients were deficient in performing simple auditory and visual  attentional tasks in comparison to normal subjects. The results of this study are inconsistent with the assumption  that deficits in attention are uniquely associated with negative symptoms. The findings clearly support the  hypothesis of a relationship between type of attentional processing and “dimensions” of schizophrenic  symptomatology. The positive symptoms patients seem to be associated with attentional dysfunction especially  selective attention and short term recall, whereas negative symptoms patients seem to be associated with different  types of attentional deficits, e.g., sustained attention and visual attention. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study are consistent with the existing literature that schizophrenic patients  in general perform poorly on various measures of attentional tasks. Positive and negative symptoms  schizophrenics have some correlation with distinct attentional deficits.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jucms.v1i2.8402 Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences Vol.1(2) 2013: 1-7

Neurological soft signs significantly differentiate schizophrenia patients from healthy controls

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos N. Fountoulakis ◽  
Panagiotis Panagiotidis ◽  
Xenia Gonda ◽  
Vasilios Kimiskidis ◽  
Ioannis Nimatoudis
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Neurological Soft Signs ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Medication Status ◽  
Clinical Subtype ◽  
Normal Controls

ObjectiveNeurological soft signs (NSS) are a group of minor non-localisable neurological abnormalities found more often in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the current study was to test for the effect of gender, age, parental age, age at onset and clinical symptomatology on NSS.Material and methodsThe study sample included 133 patients suffering from schizophrenia according to DSM-IV-TR (77 males and 56 females; aged 33.55±11.22 years old) and 122 normal controls (66 males and 56 females; aged 32.89±9.91 years old). The assessment included the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES), and a number of scales assessing the clinical symptoms and adverse effects especially extrapyramidal. The statistical analysis included exploratory t-test, simple linear regression analysis, analysis of covariance and the calculation of correlation coefficients.ResultsThe results of the current study confirm that NSS are more frequent in patients with schizophrenia in comparison with normal controls (Wilks=0.622, p<0.0001), but do not support an effect of gender, age, age at onset, paternal or maternal age, education, medication status or clinical subtype of schizophrenia on NES scores.DiscussionOverall these results suggest that NSS constitute an independent (from the rest of symptoms), core (present in the vast majority of patients) and trait (unrelated to age and probably to the stage of schizophrenia) symptom of schizophrenia which could be of value in the clinical assessment and research of schizophrenia. Overall these results are not in full accord with the literature, but they could serve to fill in gaps and inconsistencies observed so far.

scholarly journals Neurological soft signs correlation with symptom severity in borderline personality disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aref A. Khoweiled ◽  
Yasmin Gaafar ◽  
Shirin M. El Makawi ◽  
Reham M. Kamel ◽  
Doaa R. Ayoub
Keyword(s):  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Subscale Score ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Neurological Soft Signs ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Injury Assessment ◽  
Normal Controls

Abstract Background Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe psychiatric disorder with multiple psychopathological domains; so studying the correlation of clinical or behavioral data with underlying structural and functional neurological findings in BPD is the focus of interest in recent years. The aim of our study was to compare the presence of neurological soft signs (NSS) in patients with borderline personality disorder with their presence in normal controls, and to correlate the severity of different symptoms of BPD with the presence of NSS through a case-control study which was conducted on 30 patients and 30 matching controls recruited from Al Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. All subjects were assessed by the Borderline Personality Questionnaire, the Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11, the Brief Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Assessment tool, and the Cambridge Neurological Inventory. Results The BPD group had significantly higher total NSS scores, primitive reflexes subscale score, and sensory integration subscale scores. There was also a positive correlation between NSS and overall severity of borderline symptoms. Conclusions The increased rates of NSS were associated with specific clinical symptoms in BPD including suicidality, self-harm, emptiness, and quasi-psychosis. Impulsivity was found to have the highest correlation with NSS.

Validity of the Schizophrenia Diagnosis of the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disability (PAS–ADD)

1996 ◽  
Vol 168 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Moss ◽  
Helen Prosser ◽  
David Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disability ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithm ◽  
Active Core ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Symptom Frequency ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Third Person ◽  
Core Symptoms ◽  
First Rank Symptoms

BackgroundFirst rank symptoms are central to the diagnosis of schizophrenia, but their complexity makes it difficult to validly detect them in people with learning disability. This report investigates ability of PAS–ADD to detect schizophrenia, validated against expert clinical opinion.MethodThe sample consisted of 98 patients with learning disability, and a key informant for each sample member. Clinical opinions of the referring psychiatrists were sought using a symptom checklist. Reportage of remission, and the number of core schizophrenia symptoms identified, were used to estimate level of symptom activity at time of interview.ResultsThe proportion of schizophrenia cases detected by PAS–ADD increases with the number of active core symptoms identified by the referrer. Where two or more core symptoms were indicated, PAS–ADD detected 71 % cases. The most frequently fulfilled criterion was third-person auditory hallucinations. Six schizophrenia diagnoses disagreed with the clinician, four of which were referred as being hypomania. Overall symptom frequency detected by PAS–ADD was positively correlated with IQ.ConclusionsResults suggest there may be scope for modifying the ICD–10 diagnostic algorithm for use with learning disability, particularly in relation to the delusions and negative symptoms criteria.

Introducing a new assessment instrument: The Measurements in the Addictions for Triage and Evalution (MATE)

2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 209-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard M. Schippers ◽  
Theo G. Broekman ◽  
Angela Buchholz ◽  
Ruud Rutten⁴
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Körperliche Beschwerden

Ein neues Messinstrument: Der Measurements in the Addictions for Triage and Evaluation (MATE) Fragestellung: Es wird ein neues Messinstrument, der Measurements in the Addictions for Triage and Evaluation (MATE) vorgestellt. Der MATE wurde für die Zuweisung von Patienten zu Behandlungen verschiedener Intensität (Triage) und zur Behandlungsevaluation im Suchtbereich entwickelt. </p><p> Konzeptueller Hintergrund: Im MATE werden Konzepte aus der ICD-10 und der ICF verwendet. Dies schließt Umweltfaktoren, also fördernde und hindernde Faktoren mit ein. Dadurch ist eine universale Anwendbarkeit des Instruments gewährleistet. </p><p> Aufbau des Instruments: Der MATE besteht aus 10 unabhängigen Modulen: (1) Substanzkonsum, (2) Abhängigkeit und ‑missbrauch, (3) Verlangen, (4) Depression, Angst und Stress, (5) Indikatoren für psychiatrische und medizinische Konsultationen, (6) Persönlichkeit, (7) körperliche Beschwerden und Symptome, (8) Aktivitäten und Partizipation, Hilfe und Unterstützung, Hilfebedarf, (9) Umweltfaktoren mit Einfluss auf die Rehabilitation und (10) frühere Suchtbehandlungen. </p><p> Schlussfolgerungen: Der MATE 2.0 ist hilfreich bei der Erfassung von Patientenmerkmalen in der Behandlung substanzbezogener Störungen. Seine psychometrischen Eigenschaften sind akzeptabel, er fördert den Wissensaustausch und unterstützt die standardisierte Zuweisung und Evaluation von Behandlungsmaßnahmen.

Clinical symptoms, mainly negative symptoms, mediate the influence of neurocognition and social cognition on functional outcome of schizophrenia

2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 231-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chieh-Hsin Lin ◽  
Chieh-Liang Huang ◽  
Yue-Cune Chang ◽  
Po-Wei Chen ◽  
Chun-Yuan Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Symptoms

Anti-DNA antibodies in the blood of patients with schizophrenia possess DNA-hydrolyzing activity

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s247-s248
Author(s):  
E. Ermakov ◽  
L. Smirnova ◽  
L. Sinyanskii ◽  
D. Dobrygina ◽  
A. Semke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Dnase Activity ◽  
Positive Symptoms ◽  
Linear Forms ◽  
Dna Antibodies ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Positive And Negative Symptoms

IntroductionAutoantibodies (Abs) to different neuronal receptors and DNA were detected in the blood of patients with schizophrenia. Abs hydrolyzing DNA were detected in pool of polyclonal autoantibodies in autoimmune and infectious diseases, such catalytic Abs were named abzymes.ObjectivesTo investigate the level of anti-DNA antibodies and DNA-hydrolyzing activity of IgG from the serum of patients with schizophrenia depending on leading clinical symptoms.Aims– To measure the concentration of anti-DNA Abs in serum of patients with leading positive and negative symptoms;– to determine DNA-hydrolyzing activity of IgG.MethodsIn our study, 51 patients were included. The levels of antiDNA Abs were determined using ELISA. DNA-hydrolyzing activity was detected as the level(%) of supercoiled pBluescript DNA transition in circular and linear forms. Statistical analysis was performed in “Statistica 9.0”.ResultsAnti-DNA Abs of patients with schizophrenia not only bind DNA, but quite efficiently hydrolyze the substrate. IgG of patient with schizophrenia were shown to possess DNA hydrolyzing activity. It should be noted that DNAase activity of IgG in patients with schizophrenia with a negative symptoms was significantly higher, than in patients with positive symptoms (Table 1).ConclusionsThe data show a correlation with the level of DNase activity and leading symptoms of patients with schizophrenia.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Clinical Experience with Aripiprazole Treatment in Ten Elderly Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder: Retrospective Case Studies

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 862-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subramoniam Madhusoodanan ◽  
Ronald Brenner ◽  
Sanjay Gupta ◽  
Harsha Reddy ◽  
Olivera Bogunovic
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Tardive Dyskinesia ◽  
Clinical Global Impression ◽  
Schizoaffective Disorder ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Clinical Global Impression Scale ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Positive And Negative Symptoms

ABSTRACTBackground: Clinical trials of aripiprazole, a recentl Food and Drug Administration-approved atypical antipsychotic, included elderly patients, but more data are needed on the effects of aripiprazole in this population, especially those with comorbid medical illnesses.Objective: To assess the response and safety of aripiprazole treatment in elderly patients with phrenia or schizoaffective disorder.Method: Data was obtained by retrospective review of medical records. Aripiprazole was used to treat 10 elderly hospitalized patients between 62 and 85 years of age who manifested signs of psychosis related to schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. All patients had been treated previously with atypical and classic antipsychotics. Response was assessed by clinical observation of patients' behavior and Clinical Global Impression Scale assigned retrospectively.Results: Seven patients responded to treatment, two did not respond, and one had a partial response. The mean Clinical Global Impression Scale scores improved from 6 (severely ill) at baseline to 2.3 (much improved) at discharge. Treatment was discontinued in the two patients who did not respond. Of the seven patients who responded, four presented with positive symptoms and showed significant improvement while three presented with positive and negative symptoms and both symptoms improved significantly. Four patients had preexisting extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and these symptoms decreased in three patients. In addition, two patients were able to discontinue antiparkinson medications. One patient who had severe tardive dyskinesia showed significant improvement in the dyskinetic symptoms. Four patients showed postural hypotension (without clinical symptoms) which resolved over time without treatment. Six patients showed a mean weight loss of 5.2 lbs. No adverse consequences occurred when divalproex sodium, carbamazepine, clonazepam or citalopram were given concurrently.Conclusion: The reduction of both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and the lack of significant EPS, tardive dyskinesia, sedation, weight gain, anticholinergic effects, and QTc prolongation gives preliminary indication that aripiprazole may be a safe and effective medication for elderly patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Predictors of quality of life and functioning in schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-356
Author(s):  
Octavia Căpățînă ◽  
◽  
Cristina Pojoga ◽  
Bogdan Savu ◽  
Mihaela Fadgyas-Stănculete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
General Functioning

Background: In order to pursue recovery, Quality of life (QoL) and general functioning in patients with schizophrenia are milestones that need to be addressed in the treatment of the disease. The major aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between QoL, functionality and symptoms, and clinical characteristics of the disease, and to identify whether the two domains of negative symptoms, avolition/apathy and diminished expression, are predictive factors for the quality of life and functionality in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. In the present cross-sectional study, 87 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia completed a thorough battery of instruments evaluating: clinical symptoms, stigma, QoL, functionality, socio-demographic and clinical variables. Multiple regression analyses were performed to test the significance of predictor variables for QoL and functionality. Multiple regression analyses revealed that internalized stigma, depression, and excitement were significant predictors for the variability of QoL, and experiential deficit and cognitive symptoms were significant predictors of the variability of functioning. In patients with schizophrenia, functioning and quality of life are two related but different constructs. Even though they are strongly associated, they have different predictive factors. The clinical implication of these results is that both of these constructs should be assessed and that the strategies for improving them should be different.

scholarly journals Comparison of tolerability between quetiapine and haloperidol in schizophrenia

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-64
Author(s):  
Naba Raj Koirala ◽  
Manisha Chapagain ◽  
Pratikchya Tulachan ◽  
Siquafa Zafreen
Keyword(s):  
Safety Profile ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
World Health ◽  
Typical Antipsychotic ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Health Organization

Schizophrenia is a serious, disabling, often lifetime condition, which can produce severe functional impairment in patients. The life time morbidity risk for schizophrenia is estimated to be 1% and account for 2.8% of the total global YLDs. The World Health Organization Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems report of 2006 done in Nepal states in Nepal states that 12% of the patients are diagnosed as schizophrenia in out-patient mental facilities, 14% in community based psychiatry inpatient units and 34% in mental hospital. Atypical antipsychotics are the first line agents recommended for the treatment of schizophrenia considering better efficacy at least in the negative symptoms and better side-effect profile compared with typical antipsychotic. Haloperidol has been used as a standard comparator in numerous trials and new drugs have been compared to it to establish their efficacy, and safety profile. As the authors could not find out any such study which had compared the safety profile of quetipine against conventional antipsychotic, hence this present study is purposed to carry as an attempt to address this issue among Nepalese population.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jonmc.v1i1.7289 Journal of Nobel Medical College Vol.1(1) 2011 59-64

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