Dynamic functional connectivity in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: A review of the evidence and associations with psychopathological features

Alterations of functional network connectivity have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). Recent studies also suggest that the temporal dynamics of functional connec-tivity (dFC) can be altered in these disorders. Here, we summarized the existing literature on dFC in SCZ and BD, and their association with psychopathological and cognitive features. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for studies investigating dFC in SCZ and BD and identified 77 studies. Our findings support a general model of dysconnectivity of dFC in SCZ, whereas a heterogeneous picture arose in BD. Although dFC alterations are more severe and widespread in SCZ compared to BD, dysfunctions of a triple network system underlying goal-directed behavior and sensory-motor networks were present in both disorders. Furthermore, in SCZ, positive and negative symptoms were associated with abnormal dFC.Implications for understanding the pathophysiology of disorders, the role of neurotransmitters, and treatments on dFC are discussed. The lack of standards for dFC metrics, replication studies, and the use of small samples represent major limitations for the field

Clinical evaluation of switching from immediate-release to prolonged-release lithium in bipolar patients, poorly tolerant to lithium immediate-release treatment: A randomized clinical trial

open13Aim: The effect of switching from lithium immediate release (Li-IR) to lithium prolonged release (Li-PR) on lithium-induced tremor after 1 and 12 weeks of treatment was evaluated in a randomized, multicenter, open trial, in bipolar patients from the participating sites with a tremor severity ≥2 (Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser [UKU] rating scale) despite optimal lithium titration. Methods: The primary endpoint was the evaluation of tremor by means of the UKU scale after 1 week of treatment. Secondary endpoints included manic Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and depressive symptoms (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale), a global assessment of the patient's status (Clinical Global Impression), polyuria/polydipsia (UKU item 3.8) and patient-reported outcomes. Results: Owing to difficulties in including suitable patients the enrollment phase was closed when 73 patients were randomized. Notwithstanding the lower number of patients, in the modified intention-to-treat population (n = 70) the primary endpoint was statistically significant: tremor improved after 1 week in 62.9% in Li-PR group against 20.0% of patients in Li-IR group (p = .0006; two-tailed Fisher's exact test). The difference remained statistically significant after 4 (p = .0031) and 12 weeks (p = .0128). The same analysis performed in the PP population confirmed these results. Among the secondary endpoints, only the factor convenience of the treatment satisfaction questionnaire showed a statistically significant difference between groups. There were no apparent differences in the safety profile of the two formulations. Conclusions: This study is the first comparative documentation of a potential benefit of the prolonged-release formulation in reducing the symptom tremor, a well-known adverse effect of lithium therapy. Indeed, the study results should be interpreted taking into account the sample size lower than planned.openPelacchi, Federica; Dell'Osso, Liliana; Bondi, Emi; Amore, Mario; Fagiolini, Andrea; Iazzetta, Paolo; Pierucci, Daniela; Gorini, Manuela; Quarchioni, Elisa; Comandini, Alessandro; Salvatori, Enrica; Cattaneo, Agnese; Pompili, MaurizioPelacchi, Federica; Dell'Osso, Liliana; Bondi, Emi; Amore, Mario; Fagiolini, Andrea; Iazzetta, Paolo; Pierucci, Daniela; Gorini, Manuela; Quarchioni, Elisa; Comandini, Alessandro; Salvatori, Enrica; Cattaneo, Agnese; Pompili, Maurizi

Management of acute behavioral disturbance in the Emergency Department: An Italian position paper from AcEMC, CNI-SPDC, SIP-Lo, SITOX

The phenomenon of acute behavioral disturbance is an underrecognized and potentially life-threatening syndrome, and sometimes an emergency in psychiatric settings. Patients presenting to the Italian emergency department (ED) with acute behavioral disturbances account for approximately 3.2% of all ED visits. The spectrum of behaviors and signs overlap with many clinical disease processes. In addition to patients with behavioral problems related to mental disorders or substance abuse, there is also a large group whose behavioral emergencies directly result from medical illness. The complexity of these patients, as well as the interdisciplinary nature of their care, requires a clear and consensual framework for care. A network of Italian scientific societies developed ten reccomendations for good clinical practice. The main purpose is to draw up a document that presents a standardized method for the organization of the care of patients with acute behavioral disorders in E

Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Treatment during Pregnancy: A Case Series

Introduction: Data from the literature show that prolonged-release injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) ensure constant blood drug levels better patient compliance and offer a simpler treatment regimen for both patients and caregivers. This observational–descriptive study aims to detect the possible complications found in newborns of women with bipolar or psychotic disorders and LAI therapy during pregnancy. Methods: This study involved women with psychotic disorders during pregnancy who contacted the Teratology Information Center of Bergamo, Italy between 2016 and 2021 to receive counseling on the possible risks of exposure to LAI therapy. The follow-up procedure was carried out by telephone interview or direct contact with the patient and/or her physician. Results: In this study, LAI treatment in pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of malformations. All but one of the children in the sample were born healthy and the mothers maintained psychopathological compensation during pregnancy. Conclusions: This study showed that, despite the small size of the sample under examination, the administration of LAIs do not compromise the normal intrauterine development of the unborn child and there were no evident major malformations

Behavioral, cognitive, and emotional coping strategies of women with endometriosis: a critical narrative review

Endometriosis is a disabling and long-term medical condition affecting quality of life and mental health. Behavioral, cognitive, and emotional coping strategies, emotional intelligence, and metacognition could in part explain the link between the disease and impaired psychological and life functioning. This critical narrative review aimed at examining the state of the art of the relationships between endometriosis and these factors. According to PRISMA principles, we performed a systematic search for quantitative and qualitative studies on multiple electronic databases as regards coping strategies, emotional intelligence, and metacognition in women with endometriosis. Studies were subjected to interpretative and critical narrative synthesis. A total of 9 papers were included in the review. Three main categories were identified in thematic analysis and resumed in the manuscript. Findings suggested that (a) pain is considered the major stressor; (b) they usually use both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies; (c) women with endometriosis and related chronic pain seem to repress emotions more likely than healthy ones; (d) suppressing own emotions, pain catastrophizing, and having a passive coping style are related to higher self-reported pain; and (e) emotional and avoidance coping styles are associated to poor mental status, while positive coping strategies focusing on the problem or on emotions, detached and rational styles are associated to better mental health. Few studies with mixed results and some methodological flaws have focused on coping strategies in women with endometriosis. No studies focusing on metacognition or emotional intelligence were found. Methodological biases, suggestions for future research, and implications for clinical practice were discussed

E-mental health for elderly: Challenges and proposals for sustainable integrated psychological interventions in primary care

[No abstract available

Quality of life and mental health of infertile women affected by endometriosis: A narrative review

Objective: Infertility has a severe impact on quality of life and mental health. This condition could be exacerbated by the existence of comorbid medical disease, like endometriosis. The aim of this critical narrative review is the examination of the state of the art about the quality of life and mental health in infertile women with endometriosis. Methods: We performed a rigorous and systematic search for studies on multiple electronic databases. A total of 6 papers were included in the review and were subjected to interpretative and critical narrative synthesis. Results and Discussion: Major findings are resumed in the following points: (a) infertile women with endometriosis when compared to infertile ones without endometriosis show higher depression, stress perception, and anxiety, and lower general quality of life; (b) quality of life specifically related to infertility is similar among women with and without endometriosis and seems to be related to personality and beliefs factors; (c) giving birth to a child is related to better mental quality of life; (d) during assisted reproductive treatment (ART) stimulation, infertile women with endometriosis have a decrease of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia; (e) satisfaction of ART is related to the number of attempts, treatment accomplishment and pregnancy test outcomes. Clinical implications of these findings and suggestions for future researches were discussed. Conclusion: Concluding, it is crucial to assess the psychological factors related to endometriosis and infertility to reduce the impact of these diseases on quality of life and mental health, provide adequate support to these patients, improve their satisfaction and increase the change to get pregnant

Which factors delay treatment in bipolar disorder? A nationwide study focussed on duration of untreated illness

Aim The aim of the present study was to detect factors associated with duration of untreated illness (DUI) in bipolar disorder (BD). Method A total of 1575 patients were selected for the purposes of the study. Correlation analyses were performed to analyse the relation between DUI and quantitative variables. The length of DUI was compared between groups defined by qualitative variables through one-way analyses of variance or Kruskal-Wallis's tests according to the distribution of the variable. Linear multivariable regressions were used to find the most parsimonious set of variables independently associated with DUI: to this aim, qualitative variables were inserted with the numeric code of their classes by assuming a proportional effect moving from one class to another. Results An inverse significant correlation between length of DUI and time between visits in euthymic patients was observed (r= -.52,P < .001). DUI resulted to be longer in patients with: at least one lifetime marriage/partnership (P= .009), a first psychiatric diagnosis of major depressive disorder or substance abuse (P < .001), a depressive polarity of first episode (P < .001), no lifetime psychotic symptoms (P < .001), BD type 2 (P < .001), more lifetime depressive/hypomanic episodes (P < .001), less lifetime manic episodes (P < .001), presence of suicide attempts (P= .004), depressive episodes (P < .001), hypomanic episodes (P= .004), hospitalizations (P= .011) in the last year. Conclusions Different factors resulted to increase the length of DUI in a nationwide sample of bipolar patients. In addition, the DUI was found to show a negative long-term effect in terms of more suicidal behaviour, more probability of hospitalization and depressive/hypomanic episodes