Long-lasting cognitive effects of COVID-19: is there a role of BDNF?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects numerous systems of the body during the illness, and there have been long-lasting effects. BDNF plays an important role in synaptic plasticity and synaptic communication. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 54 patients who had COVID-19 infection participated in this study. Thirty-six age-, sex-, body mass index (BMI)-, education level- and smoking status-matched healthy controls were included in the present study. All participants were individually administered the Stroop test and Visual Aural Digit Span Test Form B (VADS-B). Serum BDNF levels were measured by ELISA. Stroop test word reading spontaneous correction number and reading time, word color saying wrong number, spontaneous correction number and reading time, box color speaking spontaneous correction number and reading time, Stroop interference and speed factor duration were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than in the control group. All scores of the VADS-B test were found to be significantly lower in the COVID-19 group. The mean serum BDNF levels were found to be 10.9 +/- 6.9 ng/ml in the COVID-19 group and 12.8 +/- 6.4 ng/ml in the healthy control group. Two-way ANOVA showed that the serum mean BDNF level was significantly lower in the COVID-19 group than in the control group. Gender had a significant effect on BDNF levels (F = 12.21; p = 0.008). The present study is the first to demonstrate the association between the role of serum BDNF and cognitive decline in patients with COVID-19 infection. Additionally, there is a significant role of male gender in terms of lower BDNF level and cognitive decline

Altered cooperativeness in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to compare temperament and character traits between patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and age-body mass index-matched healthy controls (HC). We hypothesized that patient with PCOS would differ in terms of temperament and character traits compared with HCs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients who were diagnosed with PCOS and 42 age-body mass index-matched healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. The groups were compared in terms of temperament and character traits and anxiety status with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-1 and STAI-2). FINDINGS: There was a statistically significant difference between patient and the control group in terms of cooperativeness dimension (t = ?2.81; p = 0.006). It was a lower mean in the PCOS group (20.98 ± 2.992). In addition, scores of STAI-1 and STAI-2 were significantly higher in the PCOS group compared with the HC group (respectively; t = 5.70; p < 0.001; t = 2.12; p = 0.037). The score of cooperativeness and multivariate analysis of variance was found to be significantly lower in the PCOS group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PCOS had significant a different character trait such as lower cooperativeness compared with HC. Additionally, we found that this different character dimension would be a trait in PCOS after covariant analysis. We suggest that our result supported the psychiatric background of PCOS. © 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Increased serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the first episode but not in subsequent episodes in male patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: Many studies have investigated the relationship between blood levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester (DHEA-S), cortisol, progesterone, and testosterone and the onset, prognosis, symptom severity, and treatment response of schizophrenia. In the present study, we assessed potential differences in blood levels of neurosteroids between drug-naïve first-episode patients with schizophrenia (FES), and drug-free patients with schizophrenia who were not in the first episode but were in a phase of acute exacerbation (DFP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 32 male FES, 28 male DFP, and 24 male healthy controls (HC). Groups were compared in terms of blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA-S. RESULTS: Blood levels of ACTH, cortisol, testosterone, and progesterone were similar among the groups. The mean value of serum DHEA-S was significantly different among the groups (P<0.001). The value of serum DHEA-S was higher in the FES group than in the DFP and HC groups (both P<0.001). The mean values of serum DHEA-S in the HC and DFP groups were found to be similar (P=0.33). CONCLUSION: We suggest that higher values of DHEA-S in the FES group compared with both the DFP and HC groups indicate that this neurosteroid response is unique to first-episode schizophrenia patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the difference in blood levels of neurosteroids in different groups in terms of age of diagnosis

Increased serum prolactin levels in drug-naive first-episode male patients with schizophrenia

Background: Prolactin is a hormone receiving considerable attention in psychiatry. Increased serum prolactin level is frequently associated with dopamine blocking antipsychotics. Furthermore, decreased prolactin level was considered a reflector of the effect of antipsychotics. However, there is restricted numbers of investigations that researched baseline prolactin levels in first-episode patients with schizophrenia. Aims: We purpose to investigate serum baseline prolactin levels in drug-naive first-episode patients with schizophrenia (FES) and to explore the differences in serum prolactin levels between FES, drug-free schizophrenic patients (DFS) and healthy controls (HC). Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the Departments of Psychiatry, Golbasi Hasvak and Kirklareli State Hospitals, Turkey. Thirty male FES, 41 male DFS and 32 male HC were included in study. All participants were clinically examined and individually interviewed. Before initiating any pharmacological treatment, 5 ml of venous blood was collected to measure serum prolactin levels between 08:00 and 10:00 h, which was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Prolactin levels were also collected from the consenting HC using the same assay. Results: The mean age was higher in the DFS group. The mean score of Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale was higher in the FES group and mean score of Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms was higher in the DFS group. The mean value of prolactin was higher in the FES group (34.1 +/- 19.9 ng/dl) compared with DFS (17.9 +/- 6.5 ng/dl) and HC (9.7 +/- 2.3 ng/dl) (F = 35.5, P < 0.001). Additionally, the mean value of serum prolactin is higher in the DFS group compared with HC (P < 0.001). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate higher serum prolactin levels in male FES compared with male DFS and male HC. Prolactin might act as a protective factor while first episode of schizophrenia is experienced. Future studies are needed to provide the role of prolactin in schizophrenia

Increased serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the first episode but not in subsequent episodes in male patients with schizophrenia

Background: Many studies have investigated the relationship between blood levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester (DHEA-S), cortisol, progesterone, and testosterone and the onset, prognosis, symptom severity, and treatment response of schizophrenia. In the present study, we assessed potential differences in blood levels of neurosteroids between drug-naive first-episode patients with schizophrenia (FES), and drug-free patients with schizophrenia who were not in the first episode but were in a phase of acute exacerbation (DFP). Materials and methods: The present study included 32 male FES, 28 male DFP, and 24 male healthy controls (HC). Groups were compared in terms of blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA-S. Results: Blood levels of ACTH, cortisol, testosterone, and progesterone were similar among the groups. The mean value of serum DHEA-S was significantly different among the groups (P<0.001). The value of serum DHEA-S was higher in the FES group than in the DFP and HC groups (both P<0.001). The mean values of serum DHEA-S in the HC and DFP groups were found to be similar (P=0.33). Conclusion: We suggest that higher values of DHEA-S in the FES group compared with both the DFP and HC groups indicate that this neurosteroid response is unique to first-episode schizophrenia patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the difference in blood levels of neurosteroids in different groups in terms of age of diagnosis

Favorable Personality Traits in Women Who Have Undergone Cosmetic Breast Augmentation Surgery

Objective: Breast augmentation surgery is one of the most common cosmetic procedures among women. In the present study, we compared personality traits, self-esteem, and body perception between women who had undergone breast augmentation surgery and a control group of women who had not. We hypothesized that the personality traits of women who had vs those who had not undergone breast augmentation surgery would differ. Materials and Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients who had undergone breast augmentation surgery and age- and education-matched, healthy women were included in the present study. The breast augmentation group and control group were compared in terms of personality traits under the Basic Personality Traits Inventory. Additionally, self-esteem, which was assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and body perception, which was evaluated using the Body Cathexis Scale, were measured and compared between the two groups. Results: When the patients (n = 80) and the control group (n = 100) were compared, the Body Cathexis Scale, extroversion, and openness scores were statistically significant and were found to be higher in the breast augmentation group (p<0.05). In regression analysis, it was found that age, openness, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score had statistically significant effects on extroversion. Conclusion: We argue that there may be a presupposition, based on stigma, that women who undergo breast augmentation surgery are more neurotic than those who do not. Consequently, this may influence the outcomes of studies evaluating the personalities of these women. Our results indicate that women who had undergone breast augmentation had more positive personality traits than women in an un-operated control group

Deficit syndrome schizophrenia: A review about biological evidences

Şizofreninin klinik görünümünün homojen olmadığı, bu nedenle bu hastalığın birden fazla alt tipi olabileceği düşüncesi Kraepelin’den beri mevcuttur. Bununla beraber önde gelen tanı sistemlerinde yer alan şizofreni alt tiplerinin tanısal geçerliliği de hep tartışma konusu olmuştur. Bir tanısal sınıflandırmanın geçerliliğini güçlendirecek en önemli dayanakların biyolojik kanıtlar olduğu iddia edilebilir. “Defisit sendrom şizofreni” terimi şizofreni tanısı almış hastalar içinde klinik belirti ve bulgular açısından göreceli olarak homojen bir grubu tanımlamak için ileri sürülmüştür. “Defisit sendrom şizofreni” terimi bugün için şizofreni hastalığını alt tiplere ayırma konusunda güçlü sayılabilecek bir öneri gibi görülmektedir. Bu gözden geçirme yazısında defisit sendrom şizofreninin tarihçesi, klinik özellikleri ve tanılandırılmasına kısa bir şekilde değinilecek, defisit sendrom şizofreni ile ilgili biyolojik çalışmaların sonuçları değerlendirilecek ve bu sınıflamanın biyolojik açıdan geçerliliği hakkında bilgiler sunulacaktır.Especially because of the lack of clinical homogeneity within schizophrenia patients, opinions claiming that there should be subtypes of schizophrenia have been existing since Kraepelin. Nevertheless, diagnostic validity of schizophrenia subtypes in leading classification systems has been controversial. It can be asserted that the biological proofs are the most important references to strengthen the validity of a classification system. The concept of “deficit syndrome schizophrenia” was introduced to identify a relatively homogeneous group within the schizophrenia patients, in terms of clinical signs and symptoms. This concept can be considered as a promising candidate for the attempts to identify subtypes of schizophrenia. In this review, the history of “deficit syndrome schizophrenia”, its clinical aspects and its diagnostic validity will be addressed shortly and then results of the biological studies about deficit syndrome schizophrenia will be evaluated, and by this way some information about the biological validity of this classification system will be presented

Psychological dimension of Turkish-Armenian dispute

Türkler ile Ermeniler arasında çözüme kavuşamamış bir sorunun varlığı, her iki toplumun ve uluslararası alanda bu toplumları temsil eden devletlerin müzminleşmiş bazı sıkıntılar yaşamasına sebep olmaktadır. İki toplumu da olumsuz olarak etkileyen bu sorun, şimdiye kadar çeşitli sosyal bilim disiplinlerinin araçlarıyla irdelenmeye çalışıldıysa da elde edilen sonuçlar derde deva olamamıştır. Sorunu münferit barış girişimleri, kardeşlik söylemleri, kültürel ortak paydaların öne çıkarılması gibi yollarla çözebileceğine inanan duyarlı bazı insanlar da çabalarının neticesinde umduklarını elde edememişlerdir. Gelinen nokta ve devam etmekte olan, çözüm vaat etmeyen süreç, konunun daha farklı bir perspektiften ele alınması gerektiğinin ve farklı tetkik araçlarıyla incelenmesinin şart olduğunu düşündürmektedir. Psikoloji biliminin sosyal psikoloji, politik psikoloji gibi alt disiplinleri, son elli yılda gerek teorik birikim ve gerek pratik araştırmalar bakımından oldukça ilerleme göstermiştir. Bu ilerlemeler sayesinde psikoloji biliminin toplumsal-politik konuların ele alınmasında farklı bir perspektif sunmak ve farklı tetkik araçları sağlamak bakımından oldukça faydalı hale geldiğini iddia etmek mümkündür. Psikolojik bakış açısı, makro düzeyde analizler yerine kişiiçi (intrapersonal) süreçlerden başlayarak, kişilerarası (inter-personal), grup-içi ve gruplar-arası ilişkileri belli bir sıra ile mikro düzeyden makro düzeye doğru analiz etme yolunu seçtiği için toplumsal-politik sorunların daha detaylı biçimde anlaşılmasına aracılık edebilir. Türk ve Ermeni toplumları arasındaki sorunu psikolojik perspektiften ele alan birkaç çalışma mevcutsa da psikolojinin konu hakkında ufuk açıcı bir rol oynayabilmesi için bu tür çalışmaların sayısının artması gerekmektedir. Bu yazıda Türk ve Ermeni toplumları arasındaki sorun, psikoloji biliminin araçlarıyla ve çözüme ulaşmanın ön şartının sorunun doğru anlaşılması olduğunu benimseyen bir bakış açısıyla ele alınmaya çalışılacak ve çözüm yolunda atılması gereken ilk ve en doğru adımın ne olması gerektiği tartışılacaktır.The existence of an unsettled problem between Turks and Armenians is causing some difficulties for both societies and states that represent these societies at international platforms. Although the problem that is troublesome for both parties has been being elaborated by the tools of various social science disciplines, the results couldnt turn out to be as effective remedies. Some sensible promoters who believe that the problem can be solved by some efforts such as individual peace endeavors, discourses of brotherhood, putting forward the cultural denominators, were disappointed at the end of their efforts. Recent situation and the ongoing process which has been in an abeyance suggest that the subject must be handled from a different perspective and must be further investigated by different instruments. Some subfields of psychology such as social psychology and political psychology have advanced especially during the last fifty years, with regard to both theoretical accumulation and practical researches. It can be asserted that the science of psychology has become quite useful by means of these progress, namely it is now able to present a different perspective and provide different instruments for the researches of social-political issues. While psychological point of view prefers an analyze method starts from the intrapersonal process to proceed subsequently throughout the inter-personal, intra-group and inter-group relationships, in other words from micro-level analyses to macro-level analyses instead of a method directly oriented to macro-level analyses, psychology, as a science can be a mediator for understanding the social-political problems more closely. Although there are few studies handling the problem between Turkish and Armenian societies from a psychological perspective, to make psychology play a stimulating role about this problematique, there is a need for more studies in this field. In this article, this problematique will be taken in hand with the tools of psychology and a perspective embracing the fact that, understanding the problem correctly is the first prerequisite of the solution; and what the first and most appropriate step must be for solution will be discussed

Deficit Syndrome Schizophrenia: A Review about Biological Evidences.

Şizofreninin klinik görünümünün homojen olmadığı, bu nedenle bu hastalığın birden fazla alt tipi olabileceği düşüncesi Kraepelin’den beri mevcuttur. Bununla beraber önde gelen tanı sistemlerinde yer alan şizofreni alt tiplerinin tanısal geçerliliği de hep tartışma konusu olmuştur. Bir tanısal sınıflandırmanın geçerliliğini güçlendirecek en önemli dayanakların biyolojik kanıtlar olduğu iddia edilebilir. “Defisit sendrom şizofreni” terimi şizofreni tanısı almış hastalar içinde klinik belirti ve bulgular açısından göreceli olarak homojen bir grubu tanımlamak için ileri sürülmüştür. “Defisit sendrom şizofreni” terimi bugün için şizofreni hastalığını alt tiplere ayırma konusunda güçlü sayılabilecek bir öneri gibi görülmektedir. Bu gözden geçirme yazısında defisit sendrom şizofreninin tarihçesi, klinik özellikleri ve tanılandırılmasına kısa bir şekilde değinilecek, defisit sendrom şizofreni ile ilgili biyolojik çalışmaların sonuçları değerlendirilecek ve bu sınıflamanın biyolojik açıdan geçerliliği hakkında bilgiler sunulacaktır.Especially because of the lack of clinical homogeneity within schizophrenia patients, opinions claiming that there should be subtypes of schizophrenia have been existing since Kraepelin. Nevertheless, diagnostic validity of schizophrenia subtypes in leading classification systems has been controversial. It can be asserted that the biological proofs are the most important references to strengthen the validity of a classification system. The concept of “deficit syndrome schizophrenia” was introduced to identify a relatively homogeneous group within the schizophrenia patients, in terms of clinical signs and symptoms. This concept can be considered as a promising candidate for the attempts to identify subtypes of schizophrenia. In this review, the history of “deficit syndrome schizophrenia”, its clinical aspects and its diagnostic validity will be addressed shortly and then results of the biological studies about deficit syndrome schizophrenia will be evaluated, and by this way some information about the biological validity of this classification system will be presented

Neurological soft signs might be endophenotype candidates for patients with deficit syndrome schizophrenia

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic, disabling, disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population. The nature of schizophrenia is heterogeneous, and unsuccessful efforts to subtype this disorder have been made. Deficit syndrome schizophrenia (DS) is a clinical diagnosis that has not been placed in main diagnostic manuals. In this study, we aimed to investigate and compare neurological soft signs (NSS) in DS patients, non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS) patients, and healthy controls (HCs). We suggest that NSS might be an endophenotype candidate for DS patients. Methods: Sixty-six patients with schizophrenia and 30 HCs were enrolled in accordance with our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were sub-typed as DS (n=24) and NDS (n=42) according to the Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome. The three groups were compared in terms of sociodemographic and clinical variables and total scores and subscores on the Physical and Neurological Examination for Soft Signs (PANESS). Following the comparison, a regression analysis was performed for predictability of total PANESS score and its subscales in the diagnosis of DS and NDS. Results: The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and smoking status. The results of our study indicated that the total PANESS score was significantly higher in the DS group compared to the NDS and HC groups, and all PANESS subscales were significantly higher in the DS group than in the HC group. The diagnosis of DS was predicted significantly by total PANESS score (P<0.001, odds ratio =9.48, 95% confidence interval: 0.00-4.56); the synergy, graphesthesia, stereognosis, motor tasks, and ability to maintain posture subscales were found to be significant predictors. Conclusion: This study confirms that NSS were higher in patients with DS. In addition, we suggest that our results might support the notion of DS as a different and distinct type of schizophrenia. NSS might also be a promising candidate as an endophenotype for DS. However, large sampled, multicentric studies are needed to clarify the place of NSS as an endophenotype in DS