Meta-analysis of cognitive function in Chinese first-episode schizophrenia: MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) profile of impairment

Background Compromised neurocognition is a core feature of schizophrenia. With increasing studies researching cognitive function of Chinese patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) using MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), it is not clear about the level and pattern of cognitive impairment among this population. Aim To provide a meta-analysis systematically analysing studies of neurocognitive function using MCCB in Chinese patients with FES. Methods An independent literature search of both Chinese and English databases up to 13 March 2019 was conducted by two reviewers. Standardised mean difference (SMD) was calculated using the random effects model to evaluate the effect size. Results 56 studies (FES=3167, healthy controls (HC)=3017) were included and analysed. No study was rated as 'high quality' according to Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology. Compared with HCs, Chinese patients with FES showed impairment with large effect size in overall cognition (SMD=-1.60,95% Cl -1.82 to -1.38,厂=67%) and all seven cognitive domains, with the SMD ranging from -0.87 to -1.41. In nine MCCB subtests, patients with FES showed significant difference in Symbol Coding (SMD=-1.90), Trail Making Test (TMT)(SMD=-1.36), Continuous Performance Test-Identical Pairs (SMD=-1.33), Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (SMD=-1.24), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (SMD=-1.18), Mazes (SMD=-1.16), Category Fluency (SMD=-1.01), Spatial Span (SMD=-0.69) and Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (SMD=-0.38). Conclusions Our meta-analysis demonstrates that Chinese patients with FES show neurocognitive deficits across all seven MCCB cognitive domains and all nine subtests, particularly in two neurocognitive domains: speed of processing and attention/vigilance, with the least impairment shown in social cognition. Symbol Coding and TMT may be the most sensitive tests to detect cognitive deficit in Chinese patients with FES.

Effect of Narrative Therapy on the Psychological Status and Life Quality of Family Caregivers of Adolescents with First-episode Depression

[Objectives]The research aimed to explore the effect of narrative therapy on the negative emotion,quality of life,care burden and nursing satisfaction of family caregivers of adolescents with first-episode depression.[Methods]Using convenient sampling method,the family caregivers of the adolescents with first-episode depression hospitalized in the Children and Adolescents Psychology Department of a GradeⅢLevel A hospital in Shiyan City,Hubei Province from July 2021 to April 2022 were selected as the research objects.The coin toss method was used to determine the test group and the control group,with 60 cases in each group.The control group received routine nursing care,and the experimental group implemented narrative therapy on this basis.Self-rating anxiety scale,self-rating depression scale,health status questionnaire(SF-36),and caregiver burden inventory were used to evaluate the anxiety and depression level,quality of life,and care burden level of the caregivers before and after the intervention.The nursing satisfaction questionnaire was used to evaluate the nursing satisfaction to the caregivers after the intervention.[Results]After 8 weeks of intervention,4 cases fell off in the control group and 3 cases fell off in the intervention group.The scores of anxiety and depression in the two groups were lower than those before intervention,and the scores in the test group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The life quality scores of life vitality,emotional function and mental health dimensions were higher than before the intervention,and the scores in the test group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The total score of care burden and the scores in time dependence,development limitation and physiological dimension of the two groups were lower than those before intervention,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).[Conclusions]Narrative therapy can effectively alleviate the negative emotions of family caregivers of adolescents with first-episode depression,and improve their quality of life and nursing satisfaction,but not their care burden.

Integrated Review of Lifestyle Interventions Targeting Diet and Exercise in Early or First-Episode Psychosis

Aims: Life expectancy is reduced by 10 - 20 years in psychotic disorders compared with the general population, largely due to high incidence of physical health disorders: heart attack, stroke, obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and type 2 diabetes. Early or first-episode psychosis patients can be especially vulnerable to physical health, psychological and social consequences of antipsychotic medication weight gain. The aim of this paper is to review diet and exercise lifestyle interventions employed to address these issues. Method: A review of research evidence on lifestyle interventions (diet and exercise) for individuals with early or first-episode psychosis (2000 to 2020) was undertaken. An internet-based literature search employed Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science. Results: Nine studies meeting the criteria were identified: comprising of three exercise intervention studies, one diet intervention study, and five combined diet and exercise intervention studies. Only one study used a RCT design with prior power analysis to determine participant numbers, two had a RCT design, two had a comparison group and four had no control group. Overall, these studies show that exercise and diet focused interventions may provide beneficial physical and mental health outcomes, but participant engagement and behaviour change may be difficult to achieve in early or first-episode psychosis due to individual factors associated with the experience of psychosis and medication prescribed, and health service related factors. Conclusion: There is a need for evidence-based lifestyle programmes in early or first-episode psychosis that includes individually targeted evidence based exercise and diet interventions. Further appropriately powered RCTs are required to strengthen the evidence base.

Prepulse inhibition deficits in antipsychotic-na-ve first-episode schizophrenia:a meta-analysis

Objective:Published studies have found prepulse inhibition(PPI)in schizophrenia is impaired,suggesting PPI may be a biomarker of schizophrenia.We aim to examine whether PPI deficits exist in antipsychotic-na-ve,first-episode schizophrenia,and evaluate the effect size of PPI deficits between patients and healthy controls.Methods:The effect size of PPI deficits was evaluated for PPI%by calculating standard mean differences(SMDs)between patients with antipsychotic-na-ve,first-episode schizophrenia and healthy controls.Results:Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria,consisting390antipsychotic-na-ve,first-episode schizophrenia and406healthy controls.The effect sizes of76dB PPI in60ms and120ms interstimulus interval(ISI)were-0.19and-0.41respectively,and the76dB PPI overall effect size was-0.30.The effect sizes of85/86dB PPI in30ms,60ms and120ms ISI were-0.25,-0.42and-0.59respectively,and the85/86dB PPI overall effect size was-0.46.One study were excluded due to heterogeneity in the85/86dB,120ms ISI group,the pooled effect size of the PPI differences between patient group and health control dropped to-0.42,and the overall effect size changed to-0.39.There were no statistical differences in startle magnitude(overall effect size=-0.18)and habituation%(overall effect size=-0.17)between patients and healthy controls.Conclusions:Antipsychotic-na-ve,first-episode schizophrenia patients exhibit robust and reliable deficits in PPI,85/86dB PPI deficit was more severe than76dB PPI,and85/86dB,60-ms ISI PPI was more likely to be a biomarker for schizophrenia,it suggested that the parameters of PPI are particularly significant to affect the effect size so that should be interpreted with cautions in the future studies.

The Doppelgänger phenomenon and death:a peculiar case of homicide by a subject with first-episode psychosis

The Doppelgänger phenomenon refers to the experience of a direct encounter with one’s self,characteriswed by:(i)the perception of a figure with one’s own identical physical features;or(ii)the apprehension that the perceived figure shares the same personality and identity.The Doppelgänger does not only look like the same person,it is his/her double.The perceptual element is usually a hallucination,although occasionally a false perception of an actual figure may be involved.This phenomenon has been described in individuals suffering from overwhelming fear,severe anxiety or intoxication,epilepsy,as well as in the sleep-wakefulness transition.It has also been reported in major psychoses.The fear of imminent death often precedes the Doppelgänger experience.This report presents the case of a 30-year-old man,Mr.Y,who was stabbed to death by Mr.X,his“double”.The aggressor and his victim,although not related,were truly doubles;remarkably,they shared the same name and surname,age,professional activity and place of work.Moreover,they attended the same sports center but barely knew each other.The forensic psychiatric evaluations in Mr.X,subsequent to the crime committed,were suggestive of a psychotic condition.This case is unique in the scientific literature.In the most serious psychotic forms,the issue of the“double”calls into question not only the dissociative processes involved in the etiopathogenesis of the disorder,but also bio-psycho-social elements,as well as personal data in this case,which made the victim and the aggressor“identical”.In the context of psychopathological functioning,the delusional mood(Wahnstimmung)that precedes the development of delirium is a sort of gateway to an impending psychotic illness,involving delusional awareness or mood(atmosphere).In psychosis,splitting is the main issue and this influence is seen as an evil,foreign,apocalyptic and unknown side no longer recognised as belonging to the self even in a physical sense.In such a situation,it is felt that the only way to survive is by suppressing one’s double as a defense against disorganisation of the self.

Comparison of Treatment Effect of Resperidone on First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients at Different Ages and its Influencing Factor Analysis

Objectives To explore the treatment effect of risperidone on patients with firstepisode schizophrenia at different ages and analyze its influencing factors.Methods fifty cases of adult patients with the first-episode schizophrenia(adult group)and forty cases of juvenile patients with the firstepisode schizophrenia(juvenile group)treated in our hospital from March 2013 to March 2015 were selected for oral administration of risperidone.The clinical efficacy,adverse effect,brief psychiatric rating scale(BPRS)score before and after the therapy,brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and blood lipid level were compared between the two groups after eight weeks’treatment with risperidone,and meanwhile,the multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to the related factors possibly influencing the efficacy of risperidone.Results The difference of total effective rate between the adult group(86%)and the juvenile group(82.5%)was not significant(P>0.05).The total score of BPRS,TC,TG,and LDL-C levels in the two groups after the treatment were significantly decreased compared with that before the treatment,while BDNF was significantly increased.The difference of inter-group comparison was significant before and after the treatment(P>0.05).However,the comparison difference between two groups was not significant before and after the treatment(P>0.05).The multivariable linear regression equation was used to analyze the longer duration of untreated psychosis(DUP),BPRS total score before treatment and BDNF levels that influence the efficacy of risperidone on patients with schizophrenia.Conclusion the treatment efficacy of risperidone on adult patients and juvenile patients with first-episode schizophrenia was similar and it was safe and effective.The DUP,BPRS total score before treatment and BDNF levels were associated with the efficacy of risperidone.