Hippocampal Subfield Volumes and Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The hippocampus is relevant to cognitive function in schizophrenia (SCZ) and mood disorder patients. Although not anatomically uniform, it is clearly divided into subfields. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between hippocampal subfield volume and cognitive function in patients with SCZ, bipolar disorder (BP), and major depressive disorder (MDD). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The study included 21 patients with SCZ, 22 with BP, and 21 with MDD and 25 healthy controls (HCs). Neurocognitive function was assessed using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia. We obtained hippocampal subfield volumes using FreeSurfer 6.0. We compared the volumes of the hippocampal subfield between the 4 groups and ascertained correlation between the cognitive composite score and hippocampal subfield volume in each group. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The SCZ group had significantly lower cognitive composite score than the BP, MDD, and HC groups. In the SCZ group, the left and right hippocampus-amygdala transition area and right subiculum and right presubiculum volumes were significantly reduced compared to those in the HC group. The left presubiculum volumes in the SCZ group were significantly reduced compared to those in the MDD group. Subfield volumes did not significantly differ between the BP, MDD, and HC groups. Interestingly, in the SCZ group, volumes of the right CA1, right molecular layer of the hippocampus, and right granule cell and molecular layer of the dentate gyrus were significantly correlated with the cognitive composite score. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Patients with SCZ had poorer cognitive function, which is related to their hippocampal pathology, than those with mood disorders.

Die Erfassung des allgemeinen familiären Funktionsniveaus: Psychometrische Evaluation der deutschen Version der Brief Assessment of Family Functioning Scale

ZusammenfassungDie Funktionalität des Systems Familie spielt nicht nur in der Entwicklungspsychologie und Familienforschung, sondern auch bei vielen körperlichen Erkrankungen und psychischen Störungen eine zentrale Rolle. Trotz dieser hohen Relevanz existieren nur sehr wenige ultra-kurze, d. h. anwendungsökonomische Selbstbeurteilungsverfahren, die das allgemeine familiäre Funktionsniveau abbilden. Diese Lücke schließt die Brief Assessment of Family Functioning Scale (BAFFS), die aus drei Items der General Functioning Scale des international weit verbreiteten Family Assessment Device besteht. In dieser Studie wurde die deutsche Version der BAFFS erstmals an einer großen und repräsentativen Allgemeinbevölkerungsstichprobe (n=2463) psychometrisch evaluiert. Mittels Multigruppen-konfirmatorischen Faktorenanalysen konnte starke Messinvarianz für relevante Teilstichproben (Frauen vs. Männer; Probanden in Partnerschaften mit vs. ohne Kinder) bei guter Modellpassung gezeigt werden. Obwohl eines der drei Items, welches als einziges negativ formuliert ist, ungenügende psychometrische Itemkennwerte aufwies, lag die interne Konsistenz bei Cronbachs α=0,71. Als Hinweis auf eine adäquate Konstruktvalidität fanden sich hypothesenkonform Assoziationen des familiären Funktionsniveaus mit dem sozioökonomischen Status sowie mit aktueller Depressivität und Ängstlichkeit. Trotz ausstehender Anwendungserfahrungen und psychometrischer Analysen der Kurzskala Allgemeines Familiäres Funktionsniveau (KSAFF) als der deutschen Version der BAFFS in relevanten Zielgruppen und bei Patienten in Klinik und Forschung, kann das mit drei Items sehr anwendungsökonomische Verfahren zur orientierenden Erfassung des allgemeinen familiären Funktionsniveaus empfohlen werden, zumal es in der Allgemeinbevölkerung mit einigen Einschränkungen akzeptable bis gute psychometrische Kennwerte zeigte.

PHYSICS AND RUSSIA

An outline of the development of physics in Russia is given, with an emphasis on Russian specifics. The conflict between “academic” and “university” physics in Stalin's times is presented somewhat differently, in comparison with the available literature. The term “mystical atheism” was introduced to characterize the philosophical basis of physics of the twentieth century. A brief assessment of the state of science and education in Russia after 1991 is presented.

Substitute Behaviors following Residential Substance Use Treatment in the Western Cape, South Africa

The dynamics of substitute behaviors and associated factors remain poorly understood globally, and particularly in low- and middle-income contexts. This prospective study describes the prevalence and types of substitute behaviors as well as predictors, correlates, and motivations associated with substitution in persons (n = 137) admitted to residential substance use treatment in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The brief assessment of recovery capital, overall life satisfaction scale, and an adapted version of the addiction matrix self-report measure were completed during and post-treatment. Results indicate that substitutes were employed consciously for anticipated appetitive effects, for time-spending, (re)connecting with others, and enjoyment. At follow-up, 36% of service users had substituted their primary substance(s) with another substance or behavior; 23% had relapsed and 40% had maintained abstinence. While some service users may be especially vulnerable to developing substitute behaviors, targeted prevention and intervention efforts can reduce this risk.

Duration Mismatch Negativity Predicts Remission in First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients

Objective: Remission in schizophrenia patients is associated with neurocognitive, social, and role functioning during both the early and chronic stages of schizophrenia. It is well-established that the amplitudes of duration mismatch negativity (dMMN) and frequency MMN (fMMN) are reduced in schizophrenia patients. However, the potential link between MMN and remission has not been established. In this study, we investigated the relationship between MMNs and remission in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) and their association with neurocognitive and social functioning.Method: dMMN and fMMN were measured in 30 patients with FES and 22 healthy controls at baseline and after a mean of 3 years. Clinical symptoms and cognitive and social functioning in the patients were assessed at the time of MMN measurements by using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), modified Global Assessment of Functioning (mGAF), Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS), and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Remission of the patients was defined using the criteria by the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group; of the 30 patients with FES, 14 achieved remission and 16 did not.Results: Baseline dMMN amplitude was reduced in FES compared to healthy controls. Further, baseline dMMN in the non-remitters had decreased amplitude and prolonged latency compared to the remitters. MMN did not change during follow-up period regardless of parameters, diagnosis, or remission status. Baseline dMMN amplitude in FES was correlated with future SCoRS and PANSS total scores. Logistic regression analysis revealed that dMMN amplitude at baseline was a significant predictor of remission.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that dMMN amplitude may be a useful biomarker for predicting symptomatic remission and improvement of cognitive and social functions in FES.

Method and scope in Joseph A. Schumpeter's economics: a pluralist perspective

This study aims to evaluate the ideas on the scope and method of economics of Joseph Schumpeter who is one of the important economists of the 20th century. The study consists of four sections: In the first section we underline the interesting points of his life to understand the roots, background, or 'vision' of his thought system. In the second section, we will examine his methodological views that he asserted in his first (but translated into English only in 2010) book. Third section will be concerned with his 'analysis of economics' which refers to his critics of Leon Walras's general equilibrium analysis (as static) and his own alternative (dynamics analysis of capitalist economies) about the central subject matter of economics. In the fourth section we will treat his approach about the development/evolution process of economic thought in time. The study concludes with a brief assessment: Schumpeter is one of the rare economists who can build his own thought system in the history of economics, and he embraced a pluralist perspective in the field of the methodology of economics.

Cross-sectional study comparing cognitive function in treatment responsive versus treatment non-responsive schizophrenia: evidence from the STRATA study

Background70%–84% of individuals with antipsychotic treatment resistance show non-response from the first episode. Emerging cross-sectional evidence comparing cognitive profiles in treatment resistant schizophrenia to treatment-responsive schizophrenia has indicated that verbal memory and language functions may be more impaired in treatment resistance. We sought to confirm this finding by comparing cognitive performance between antipsychotic non-responders (NR) and responders (R) using a brief cognitive battery for schizophrenia, with a primary focus on verbal tasks compared against other measures of cognition.DesignCross-sectional.SettingThis cross-sectional study recruited antipsychotic treatment R and antipsychotic NR across four UK sites. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS).ParticipantsOne hundred and six participants aged 18–65 years with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder were recruited according to their treatment response, with 52 NR and 54 R cases.OutcomesComposite and subscale scores of cognitive performance on the BACS. Group (R vs NR) differences in cognitive scores were investigated using univariable and multivariable linear regressions adjusted for age, gender and illness duration.ResultsUnivariable regression models observed no significant differences between R and NR groups on any measure of the BACS, including verbal memory (ß=−1.99, 95% CI −6.63 to 2.66, p=0.398) and verbal fluency (ß=1.23, 95% CI −2.46 to 4.91, p=0.510). This pattern of findings was consistent in multivariable models.ConclusionsThe lack of group difference in cognition in our sample is likely due to a lack of clinical distinction between our groups. Future investigations should aim to use machine learning methods using longitudinal first episode samples to identify responder subtypes within schizophrenia, and how cognitive factors may interact within this.Trail registration numberREC: 15/LO/0038.