Neuropsychological functioning in individuals at-risk for schizophrenia : a multidimensional investigation of attention, executive functioning, and memory

"Schizophrenia is currently conceptualized as a neurodevelopmental disorder in which subtle brain dysmaturation is expressed across a continuum of impairment referred to as schizotypy. Recently, schizophrenia researchers have attempted to identify markers that are present during all stages of the illness, as well as in subclinical manifestations of the disorder. The discovery of markers for schizophrenia should enhance our knowledge about the etiology and development of the disorder, as well as facilitate the identification of individuals at increased risk for developing the disorder. Neuropsychological impairment has long been recognized as a central feature of schizophrenia. Furthermore, neuropsychological impairment has been purported to be present before the onset of schizophrenia and indicative of liability for the disorder. The present study examined the relationship of attention, executive functioning, and memory with ratings of positive and negative schizotypy in a sample of 156 college students. Results indicated that positive schizotypy was associated with neuropsychological deficits, above and beyond the variance associated with intellectual functioning and general psychological distress. Surprisingly, negative schizotypy was not related to impaired neuropsychological performance. "--Abstract from author supplied metadata

Extralimital triradii as a putative marker of schizotypy

Dermatoglyphic anomalies are reported to occur at a higher rate in schizophrenic patients and schizotypic individuals than in the general population, supporting the hypothesis that they are a marker of vulnerability for such conditions. Dermatoglyphic anomalies are hypothesized to indicate severe disruptions in the second trimester of prenatal development, a time period that appears to be etiologically relevant to the development of schizophrenia and related conditions. The present study provides the first examination of extralimital triradii in schizotypic young adults (n=197) and control participants (n=135) identified by the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale [Eckblad, M., Chapman, L.J., Chapman, J.P., Mishlove, M., 1982. The Revised Social Anhedonia Scale. Unpublished test (copies available from T.R. Kwapil, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro P.O. Box 26164 Greensboro, NC 27402-6164)], the Perceptual Aberration Scale [Chapman, L.J., Chapman, J.P., Raulin, M.L., 1978. Body image aberration in schizophrenia. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 87, 399–407], the Magical Ideation Scale [Eckblad, M.L., Chapman, L.J., 1983. Magical ideation as an indicator of schizotypy. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 51, 215–225], and the Physical Anhedonia Scale [Chapman, L.J., Chapman, J.P., Raulin, M.L., 1976. Scales for physical and social anhedonia. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 85, 374–382]. As hypothesized, the schizotypic participants (6.6%) exhibited significantly higher rates of extralimital triradii than control participants (1.5%). These findings strongly encourage the future investigation of extralimital triradii in at-risk and psychotic populations

Use of liver stiffness measurement for liver resection surgery: correlation with indocyanine green clearance testing and post-operative outcome.

BACKGROUND: Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using transient elastography has recently become available for the assessment of liver fibrosis. Whether LSM can predict the functional liver reserve in patients undergoing liver resection is not certain. AIM: To correlate liver stiffness measurement (LSM) with indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test and liver biochemistry, and to determine its usefulness in predicting postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing liver resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Transient elastography and ICG clearance test were performed pre-operatively in 44 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The LSM and ICG retention rate at 15 minutes (R15) were correlated with pre-operative factors and post-operative outcomes. RESULTS: There was significant correlation between ICG R15 and LSM. In patients with LSM ≥11 kPa vs <11 kPa, there was significantly higher ICG R15 (17.1% vs 10.0% respectively, p = 0.025). For patients with ICG R15≥10% compared to those <10%, there was significantly higher LSM (12.0 vs 7.6 kPa respectively, p = 0.015). Twenty-eight patients proceeded to resection. There was a significant correlation between LSM and the peak INR after liver resection (r = 0.426, p = 0.024). There was a significant correlation between ICG R15 and the post-operative peak AST level (r = -0.414, p = 0.029) and peak ALT level (r = -0.568, p = 0.002). The operative time was a significant independent factor associated with post-operative complications and peak INR. CONCLUSION: LSM correlated well with ICG R15 in patients undergoing liver resection, and predicted early post-operative complications. Addition of LSM to ICG R15 testing may provide better prognostic information for patients undergoing resection

Correlation between pre- and post- operative parameters.

<p>Correlation between pre- and post- operative parameters.</p

Pre-operative ICG R15 associated with higher post-operative transaminases.

<p>Pre-operative ICG R15 associated with higher post-operative transaminases.</p

Basic patient demographics and laboratory data.

<p>Continuous variables are expressed as median values (range).</p

Pre-operative liver stiffness associated with higher post-resection INR.

<p>Pre-operative liver stiffness associated with higher post-resection INR.</p