Schizophrenia

Treatment of Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia

Impairments in everyday functional outcomes are very common in people with schizophrenia and these impairments are associated with deficits in cognitive functioning. Cognitive enhancement has been proposed as a pathway to disability reduction. This pathway has been clearly defined in terms of the required clinical trials methods, with primary (cognitive) and secondary (functional) outcome measures well validated. Second generation (Newer, Atypical) antipsychotic medications have been thoroughly evaluated with their cognitive enhancement potential. Read more about this session.

2010-2011 Psychiatric Pharmacy Review Course - ACPE Credit Only

The Psychiatric Pharmacy Review Course (Review Course) is an excellent course of study and resource for those seeking a review of psychopharmacology and current standards of care. Read more about this session.

The gene encoding the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 is associated with schizophrenia in a Danish case–control sample

Objective: The MCHR1 gene encoding the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 is located on chromosome 22q13.2 and has previously been associated with schizophrenia in a study of cases and controls from the Faroe Islands and Scotland.

Genetic associations between neuregulin-1 SNPs and neurocognitive function in multigenerational, multiplex schizophrenia families

Objectives: Recent work shows promising associations between schizophrenia and polymorphisms in neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and a large literature also finds strong familial relationships between schizophrenia and cognitive deficits.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid Interventions in Schizophrenia: Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Studies

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have been suggested as augmentation strategies in the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychosis. Published results are conflicting, and the antipsychotic efficacy of such augmentation strategies is not well established.
Methods: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies using purified or EPA-enriched oils in established schizophrenia were included in a meta-analysis. The effect size of EPA on psychotic symptoms was measured using Hedges’ g.

Risk Factors Associated With Metabolic Syndrome in Bipolar and Schizophrenia Subjects Treated With Antipsychotics: The Role of Folate Pharmacogenetics

Abstract: Folate has been implicated in cardiovascular disease with atypical antipsychotic (AAPs) use, and individuals with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) variants are at greater risk. This study examined the relationship between the MTHFR 677C/T, MTHFR 1298A/C, and COMT Val158Met variants; metabolic syndrome; and lifestyle measures in schizophrenia and bipolar subjects. A total of 237 subjects with bipolar or schizophrenia receiving an antipsychotic for at least 6 months were included in this cross-sectional analysis.

Impaired Visual Cortical Plasticity in Schizophrenia

Background:
Impaired cortical plasticity may be part of the core pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SZ). Long-term potentiation is a form of neuroplasticity that has been recently demonstrated in humans by showing that repetitive visual stimulation produces lasting enhancement of visual evoked potentials (VEP). Using this paradigm, we examined whether visual cortical plasticity is impaired in SZ.

Methods:
Electroencephalographic data were recorded from 19 SZ and 22 healthy control (HC) subjects during a visual long-term potentiation paradigm.

ASAM Weekly -- News in Addiction Medicine: March 13, 2012

Hi All, I practice in the field of addiction and our MD's are ASAM certified. I get the weekly newsletter and journal. I am forwarding the current weekly where the second issue in the news is a call to fill the demand for addiction specialists. ...