Article
Genetics & Heredity
Marina Sagud, Lucija Tudor, Gordana Nedic Erjavec, Matea Nikolac Perkovic, Suzana Uzun, Ninoslav Mimica, Zoran Madzarac, Maja Zivkovic, Oliver Kozumplik, Marcela Konjevod, Dubravka Svob Strac, Nela Pivac
Summary: This study investigated the association of COMT rs4680 and rs4618 polymorphisms with the severity of cognitive and other clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The results showed that male carriers of rs4818 G allele had more abstract thinking difficulties, whereas male carriers of rs4680 A allele had worse abstract thinking scores. Male carriers of rs4818-rs4680 GA haplotype had higher somatic concern scores, while GG haplotype carriers had lower anxiety and depression scores. Female patients with severe disturbance of volition had less COMT GG haplotype and more CG haplotype.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takeshi Saga, Hiroki Tanaka, Yasuhiro Matsuda, Tsubasa Morimoto, Mitsuhiro Uratani, Kosuke Okazaki, Yuichiro Fujimoto, Satoshi Nakamura
Summary: Social skills training (SST), a rehabilitation program for improving interpersonal communication, has been used for over 40 years. However, the lack of experienced trainers limits its accessibility, leading to the study of automated SST systems. In this paper, an evaluation-feedback system was developed based on analysis of a human-human SST dataset. The system showed reasonable performance in estimating social skill scores and user-study revealed preferences for video feedback and a specific feedback format. The results suggest the potential future practicality of an automated evaluation-feedback system to complement SSTs conducted by professional trainers.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Krzysztof Chmielowiec, Jolanta Chmielowiec, Jolanta Masiak, Aleksandra Stronska-Pluta, Malgorzata Smiarowska, Agnieszka Boron, Anna Grzywacz
Summary: This study investigated the association between COMT rs4680 polymorphism and personality dimensions as well as anxiety in patients addicted to stimulants other than cocaine. The results showed that the G/G genotype of COMT rs4680 was associated with higher levels of anxiety in patients dependent on amphetamine.
Article
Neurosciences
Jingsong Ma, Mingzhe Zhao, Wei Zhou, Mo Li, Cong Huai, Lu Shen, Ting Wang, Hao Wu, Na Zhang, Zhiruo Zhang, Lin He, Shengying Qin
Summary: The study used meta-analysis to demonstrate a significant association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and antipsychotic response, which was consistent in both Caucasian and Asian patient populations. Genotyping of patients for predicting antipsychotic response may be relevant for future randomized clinical trials.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Francesca Manago, Diego Scheggia, Maria Pontillo, Maddalena Mereu, Rosa Mastrogiacomo, Gayatri Udayan, Paola Valentini, Maria Cristina Tata, Daniel R. Weinberger, Cynthia S. Weickert, Pier Paolo Pompa, Maria A. De Luca, Stefano Vicari, Francesco Papaleo
Summary: This study discovered a genetic interaction between the Comt and Dtnbp1 genes, which modulate dopaminergic signaling in the brain and lead to specific cognitive disturbances. The researchers also developed an easy and inexpensive genetic screening kit for clinical application.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Chuanjun Zhuo, Hongjun Tian, Guangdong Chen, Jing Ping, Lei Yang, Chao Li, Qiuyu Zhang, Lina Wang, Xiaoyan Ma, Ranli Li, Yun Sun, Xueqin Song, Langlang Cheng
Summary: A combination of low-dose lithium and moderate-dose quetiapine improved cognitive performance in murine models of schizophrenia, while moderate-dose lithium used either as monotherapy or as an adjunct with quetiapine worsened cognitive function. Further research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these contrasting effects.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Kendra L. Pizzonia, Julie A. Suhr, Leatha A. Clark, Brian C. Clark
Summary: This study examined the relationship between ApoE and COMT genes and their interaction on cognitive and motor performance in community-dwelling older adults. Results showed that COMT genotypes were associated with worse cognitive performance in older adults with at least one ApoE ε4 allele, while women scored higher than men in cognitive tasks. There were no significant effects on motor function.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Chris Sumner, John E. Scofield, Erin M. Buchanan, Mimi-Rose Evans, Matthew Shearing
Summary: The results of the study show that the Brexit referendum in the UK revealed significant societal divisions. Personality traits, cognition and cognitive biases played a crucial role in voters' choices.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Eunsil Cha, Hyun Jung Ahn, Wonil Kang, Kwang-Ik Jung, Suk Hoon Ohn, Shahid Bashir, Woo-Kyoung Yoo
Summary: The COMT gene polymorphism is associated with individual cognitive function in aging. Individuals carrying the Met allele showed better cognitive performance and lower diffusivity values in several brain regions. These findings suggest a protective effect of the COMT Met allele on cognitive decline in late life.
Article
Psychiatry
Narges Taheri, Rokhshid Pirboveiri, Mehdi Sayyah, Mahdi Bijanzadeh, Pegah Ghandil
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between four polymorphisms in DRD2, DRD4, and COMT genes and antipsychotic treatment response in patients with schizophrenia. The study found significant associations between certain gene polymorphisms and treatment resistance, as well as correlations with clinical and demographic factors. Discovering these polymorphisms can potentially enhance treatment response and reduce side effects and costs through genetic screening before initiating antipsychotic treatment.
Article
Psychiatry
Vijaya Lakshmi Valaparla, Ritu Nehra, Urvakhsh Meherwan Mehta, Sandeep Grover
Summary: The study found that in patients with schizophrenia, all domains of social cognition and neurocognition show significant improvement during the remission phase, except for the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) in neurocognition and the social perception index in social cognition.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kah Kheng Goh, Chun-Hsin Chen, Hsien-Yuan Lane
Summary: Schizophrenia is characterized by abnormal behavior, and dysregulation of oxytocin may play a role in its expression. Studies have shown potential clinical benefits of oxytocin in improving the psychopathology of patients with schizophrenia. Oxytocin has the potential to be a therapeutic agent for schizophrenia and may have implications for future treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Yannick Stephan, Angelina R. Sutin, Martina Luchetti, Damaris Aschwanden, Antonio Terracciano
Summary: This study tested inflammatory markers as mediators between personality traits and cognition. The results showed that higher extraversion and conscientiousness were related to lower levels of inflammatory markers and better cognition.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Cristiana Montemagni, Elisa Del Favero, Cecilia Riccardi, Laura Canta, Mario Toye, Enrico Zanalda, Paola Rocca
Summary: The study found that computer-assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) programs showed significant improvements in cognitive function, reduction in depressive symptoms, enhancement of social cognition, and real-world functioning compared to standard therapy in patients with schizophrenia. Notably, significant improvements were observed in specific metacognitive sub-functions and verbal learning, indicating the potential benefits of integrating CACR into mental health rehabilitation services.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Henry S. Lange, Joshua D. Vardigan, Christopher E. Cannon, Vanita Puri, Darrell A. Henze, Jason M. Uslaner
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a profoundly debilitating neurodegenerative disorder, and Compound 24 has shown potential therapeutic effects in non-human primates, reducing behavioral disturbances and enhancing cognitive function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tim Hahn, Nils R. Winter, Jan Ernsting, Marius Gruber, Marco J. Mauritz, Lukas Fisch, Ramona Leenings, Kelvin Sarink, Julian Blanke, Vincent Holstein, Daniel Emden, Marie Beisemann, Nils Opel, Dominik Grotegerd, Susanne Meinert, Walter Heindel, Stephanie Witt, Marcella Rietschel, Markus M. Noethen, Andreas J. Forstner, Tilo Kircher, Igor Nenadic, Andreas Jansen, Bertram Mueller-Myhsok, Till F. M. Andlauer, Martin Walter, Martijn P. van den Heuvel, Hamidreza Jamalabadi, Udo Dannlowski, Jonathan Repple
Summary: Network control theory is used to investigate the relationship between network controllability and genetic, individual, and familial risk in patients with major depressive disorder. The findings suggest that network controllability may be useful in predicting treatment response and designing personalized interventions.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nynke A. Groenewold, Janna Marie Bas-Hoogendam, Alyssa R. Amod, Max A. Laansma, Laura S. Van Velzen, Moji Aghajani, Kevin Hilbert, Hyuntaek Oh, Ramiro Salas, Andrea P. Jackowski, Pedro M. Pan, Giovanni A. Salum, James R. Blair, Karina S. Blair, Joy Hirsch, Spiro P. Pantazatos, Franklin R. Schneier, Ardesheer Talati, Karin Roelofs, Inge Volman, Laura Blanco-Hinojo, Narcis Cardoner, Jesus Pujol, Katja Beesdo-Baum, Christopher R. K. Ching, Sophia Thomopoulos, Andreas Jansen, Tilo Kircher, Axel Krug, Igor Nenadic, Frederike Stein, Udo Dannlowski, Dominik Grotegerd, Hannah Lemke, Susanne Meinert, Alexandra Winter, Michael Erb, Benjamin Kreifelts, Qiyong Gong, Su Lui, Fei Zhu, Benson Mwangi, Jair C. Soares, Mon-Ju Wu, Ali Bayram, Mesut Canli, Rasit Tukel, P. Michiel Westenberg, Alexandre Heeren, Henk R. Cremers, David Hofmann, Thomas Straube, Alexander G. G. Doruyter, Christine Lochner, Jutta Peterburs, Marie-Jose Van Tol, Raquel E. Gur, Antonia N. Kaczkurkin, Bart Larsen, Theodore D. Satterthwaite, Courtney A. Filippi, Andrea L. Gold, Anita Harrewijn, Andre Zugman, Robin Buelow, Hans J. Grabe, Henry Voelzke, Katharina Wittfeld, Joscha Boehnlein, Katharina Dohm, Harald Kugel, Elisabeth Schrammen, Peter Zwanzger, Elisabeth J. Leehr, Lisa Sindermann, Tali M. Ball, Gregory A. Fonzo, Martin P. Paulus, Alan Simmons, Murray B. Stein, Heide Klumpp, K. Luan Phan, Tomas Furmark, Kristoffer N. T. Mansson, Amirhossein Manzouri, Suzanne N. Avery, Jennifer Urbano Blackford, Jacqueline A. Clauss, Brandee Feola, Jennifer C. Harper, Chad M. Sylvester, Ulrike Lueken, Dick J. Veltman, Anderson M. Winkler, Neda Jahanshad, Daniel S. Pine, Paul M. Thompson, Dan J. Stein, Nic J. A. Van der Wee
Summary: Limited convergence exists in neuroimaging investigations of subcortical brain region volumes in social anxiety disorder (SAD). Variations in methodological approaches and sample selection based on age and clinical characteristics may contribute to inconsistent findings. A global mega-analysis initiated by the ENIGMA-Anxiety Working Group revealed subtle volumetric alterations in subcortical regions in SAD patients. Differences were found in putamen and pallidum volumes, with additional factors such as comorbid anxiety disorders and age of SAD onset influencing these volumetric differences.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Friederike S. David, Frederike Stein, Till F. M. Andlauer, Fabian Streit, Stephanie H. Witt, Stefan Herms, Per Hoffmann, Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach, Nils Opel, Jonathan Repple, Andreas Jansen, Igor Nenadic, Sergi Papiol, Urs Heilbronner, Janos L. Kalman, Sabrina K. Schaupp, Fanny Senner, Eva C. Schulte, Peter G. Falkai, Thomas G. Schulze, Udo Dannlowski, Tilo Kircher, Marcella Rietschel, Markus M. Noethen, Axel Krug, Andreas J. Forstner
Summary: This study investigated the genetic contribution to shared psychiatric symptom dimensions in major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The results suggest that these symptom dimensions are influenced by genetic factors, albeit with small effects. Further research in larger, more thoroughly phenotyped cohorts is needed to understand the genetic factors shaping psychopathological symptom dimensions.
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Janik Goltermann, Susanne Meinert, Carina Huelsmann, Katharina Dohm, Dominik Grotegerd, Ronny Redlich, Lena Waltemate, Hannah Lemke, Katharina Thiel, David M. A. Mehler, Verena Enneking, Tiana Borgers, Jonathan Repple, Marius Gruber, Nils Winter, Tim Hahn, Katharina Brosch, Tina Meller, Kai G. Ringwald, Simon Schmitt, Frederike Stein, Julia-Katharina Pfarr, Axel Krug, Igor Nenadic, Tilo Kircher, Nils Opel, Udo Dannlowski
Summary: This study examines the validity of adults' retrospective self-reports of childhood maltreatment and the potential bias from depression. The findings show that these self-reports are highly stable over a 2-year period and are minimally affected by depressive symptoms. This supports the use of retrospective self-reports of childhood maltreatment for research and clinical purposes.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Review
Psychology, Developmental
Laust Knudsen, Abigail J. Sheldrick, Manouchehr S. Vafaee, Tanja Maria Michel
Summary: Cognition and brain homeostasis rely on cerebral blood flow for adequate oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain tissue. Altered cerebral blood flow has been observed in individuals with autism spectrum condition, suggesting it as a potential biomarker for autism. Technological advancements have made it possible to non-invasively measure cerebral blood flow using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging. However, most neuroimaging studies still rely on indirect measures from functional magnetic resonance imaging. This review explores the use of arterial spin labeling in studying the neurobiology of autism, comparing the results with molecular imaging and discussing its potential applications. We found consistent results between arterial spin labeling and molecular imaging, especially when considering age and sex. Arterial spin labeling also has other applications beyond measuring cerebral blood flow, such as evaluating functional connectivity. Researchers are encouraged to consider the application of arterial spin labeling in future studies to better understand the neurobiology of autism.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Frederike Stein, Simon Schmitt, Katharina Brosch, Tina Meller, Julia-Katharina Pfarr, Kai Ringwald, Gunnar Lemmer, Alexandra Philipsen, Susanne Meinert, Hannah Lemke, Lena Waltemate, Katharina Thiel, Michael Franz, Ulrich W. Preuss, Florian G. Metzger, Arne Nagels, Igor Nenadic, Udo Dannlowski, Tilo Kircher, Axel Krug
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dimensional psychopathological syndromes and neurocognitive functions, particularly across major psychiatric disorders. The results showed that negative syndrome, positive formal thought disorder, and paranoid-hallucinatory syndrome were associated with neurocognition in an illness state-dependent manner, while depression and increased appetite only showed weak associations.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Sean R. McWhinney, Christoph Abe, Martin Alda, Francesco Benedetti, Erlend Boen, Caterina del Mar Bonnin, Tiana Borgers, Katharina Brosch, Erick J. Canales-Rodriguez, Dara M. Cannon, Udo Dannlowski, Ana M. Diaz-Zuluaga, Lorielle M. F. Dietze, Torbjorn Elvsashagen, Lisa T. Eyler, Janice M. Fullerton, Jose M. Goikolea, Janik Goltermann, Dominik Grotegerd, Bartholomeus C. M. Haarman, Tim Hahn, Fleur M. Howells, Martin Ingvar, Neda Jahanshad, Tilo T. J. Kircher, Axel Krug, Rayus T. Kuplicki, Mikael Landen, Hannah Lemke, Benny Liberg, Carlos Lopez-Jaramillo, Ulrik F. Malt, Fiona M. Martyn, Elena Mazza, Colm McDonald, Genevieve McPhilemy, Sandra Meier, Susanne Meinert, Tina Meller, Elisa M. T. Melloni, Philip B. Mitchell, Leila Nabulsi, Igor Nenadic, Nils Opel, Roel A. Ophoff, Bronwyn J. Overs, Julia-Katharina Pfarr, Julian A. Pineda-Zapata, Edith Pomarol-Clotet, Joaquim Radua, Jonathan Repple, Maike Richter, Kai G. Ringwald, Gloria Roberts, Alex Ross, Raymond Salvador, Jonathan Savitz, Simon Schmitt, Peter R. Schofield, Kang Sim, Dan J. Stein, Frederike Stein, Henk S. Temmingh, Katharina Thiel, Sophia I. Thomopoulos, Neeltje E. M. van Haren, Cristian Vargas, Eduard Vieta, Annabel Vreeker, Lena Waltemate, Lakshmi N. Yatham, Christopher R. K. Ching, Ole A. Andreassen, Paul M. Thompson, Tomas Hajek
Summary: This study found that body mass index (BMI) and bipolar disorder (BD) have an impact on brain structure, particularly in cortical thickness. Both BMI and BD negatively affect the same brain regions, and BMI has a greater effect on brain alterations in individuals with BD. It is important to assess the neuroanatomical changes in BD caused by BMI and the effects of psychiatric medications on the brain.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Edward Ody, Tilo Kircher, Benjamin Straube, Yifei He
Summary: This study investigated the pre-movement electroencephalography (EEG) activity of active and passive movements and found evidence that it may represent action-feedback prediction in which information about the subsequent sensory outcome is encoded. The results showed distinct neural markers for visual and auditory conditions, and multivariate pattern analysis revealed decoding accuracies for active and passive movements. The study highlights the importance of pre-movement EEG activity in predicting action feedback.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Christina V. Schmitter, Konstantin Kufer, Olaf Steinstraeter, Jens Sommer, Tilo Kircher, Benjamin Straube
Summary: Through the study of behavioral and neural correlates of temporal recalibration, it was found that the hippocampus plays an important role in encoding and retrieving temporal stimulus associations, the activation in the cerebellum may reflect the retention of multiple representations of temporal stimulus associations, and sensorimotor predictions modulate recalibration-related processes, explaining the perceptual advantage of sensorimotor versus intersensory temporal recalibration.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Yann Quide, Oliver J. Watkeys, Emiliana Tonini, Dominik Grotegerd, Udo Dannlowski, Igor Nenadic, Tilo Kircher, Axel Krug, Tim Hahn, Susanne Meinert, Janik Goltermann, Marius Gruber, Frederike Stein, Katharina Brosch, Adrian Wroblewski, Florian Thomas-Odenthal, Paula Usemann, Benjamin Straube, Nina Alexander, Elisabeth J. Leehr, Jochen Bauer, Nils R. Winter, Lukas Fisch, Katharina Dohm, Wulf Roessler, Lukasz Smigielski, Pamela DeRosse, Ashley Moyett, Josselin Houenou, Marion Leboyer, James Gilleen, Sophia I. Thomopoulos, Paul M. Thompson, Andre Aleman, Gemma Modinos, Melissa J. Green
Summary: The present study investigated the relationship between schizotypy and childhood trauma exposure on brain morphological differences. The results showed that higher levels of schizotypy were associated with thicker or thinner cortical regions in individuals exposed to higher levels of childhood trauma. This suggests that the effects of schizotypy on brain regions critical for higher cognitive processes may be enhanced in those with a history of significant trauma.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Hamidreza Jamalabadi, Tim Hahn, Nils R. Winter, Erfan Nozari, Jan Ernsting, Susanne Meinert, Elisabeth J. Leehr, Katharina Dohm, Jochen Bauer, Julia-Katharina Pfarr, Frederike Stein, Florian Thomas-Odenthal, Katharina Brosch, Marco Mauritz, Marius Gruber, Jonathan Repple, Tobias Kaufmann, Axel Krug, Igor Nenadic, Tilo Kircher, Udo Dannlowski, Birgit Derntl
Summary: This study investigates the impact of parenthood on brain controllability and finds that parenthood can counteract the effects of aging on brain controllability, especially in mothers.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Mark Berardi, Katharina Brosch, Julia-Katharina Pfarr, Katharina Schneider, Angela Sueltmann, Florian Thomas-Odenthal, Adrian Wroblewski, Paula Usemann, Alexandra Philipsen, Udo Dannlowski, Igor Nenadic, Tilo Kircher, Axel Krug, Frederike Stein, Maria Dietrich
Summary: Speech is a promising biomarker for schizophrenia spectrum disorder and major depressive disorder. This study demonstrates that speech and voice features can be used as objective and reproducible classifiers for these disorders. The important features identified in this study are related to articulation coordination, number of pauses per minute, and speech variability, and they differ between healthy individuals, those with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, and those with major depressive disorder.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
