Overall incidence of mental disorders in the Russian Federation and federal districts in 2017–2019

The aim of the study was to identify the main trends in the overall incidence of mental disorders in the Russian Federation in 2017–2019. The analysis of indices based on statistical reports, revealed changes in the direction of the dynamics of the overall incidence of mental disorders in the Russian Federation. In 2018–2019, the indicator increased (by 0,1 %) for the first time after a yearslong (2007–2018) rather intense annual decline. The most noticeable increase is noted in the incidence of organic mental disorders, chronic inorganic disorders, childhood psychoses, including autism, as well as in indices in the groups of children and adolescents 0–14, 15–17 years old and individuals of 60 years and older. The authors of the article conclude that the change in the dynamics of overall incidence in the Russian Federation observed in 2017–2019 indicates a rise in the referral to psychiatric institutions in the last year with an increase in the total number of patients receiving specialized care.

Phenomenology and classification of the childhood psychoses

SynopsisTwo hundred and twenty-eight cases of children with final clinical diagnoses of childhood psychosis were reviewed using a standard coding scheme; cases were grouped in three broad categories on the basis of clinical diagnosis (autistic, atypical and schizophreniform). These three groups differed significantly in many respects, although the ‘atypical’ group more closely resembled the autistic group. While it was possible meaningfully to differentiate diagnostic groups using DSM-III criteria, some cases were difficult to classify. Childhood schizophrenia, as strictly defined, was far less common than childhood autism. The development of diagnostic schemes for those children whose disorders are difficult to classify is an important topic for future research.

CSF Monoamines in Autistic Syndromes and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders of Early Childhood

Spinal fluid concentrations of the three major monoamine metabolites were examined in 25 infantile autistic children and 12 children with other childhood psychoses, and were contrasted with results obtained in normal children and in groups of children with neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. Autistic children showed absolute and relative increases of the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid. The group with other childhood psychoses also showed an increase in HVA level; in this group there were also indications of high levels of serotonin and norepinephrine metabolites. The results are discussed in the context of a pathogenetic model for autism involving hyperfunction of dopaminergic nerve fibres in the brain stem-mesolimbic system.