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Causes and Treatment of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Spectrum Disorders

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A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuropsychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2023) | Viewed by 4782

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Carmen Concerto

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Guest Editor

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: bipolar disorder; neuroplasticity; depression; addiction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Alessandro Rodolico

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Guest Editor

Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: schizophrenia; antipychotics; psychosocial interventions; evidence based medicine; digital psychiatry

Prof. Dr. Andrea Aguglia

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, 16128 Genoa, Italy
2. IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16128 Genova, Italy
Interests: bipolar disorder; suicide; psychopharmacology; depression

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Schizophrenia and Bipolar Spectrum Disorders are leading cause of disability and premature mortality. The progress in understanding the neurobiology of the disorders has fostered the development of novel treatment approaches for the improvement of treatment-resistant symptoms and for the reduction of cardiovascular and metabolic side effects. Furthermore, various psychosocial interventions have been developed to improve patients' functioning and quality of life and to reduce the severity of residual symptoms and risk of relapse. However, on the one hand, the biological causes of the disorders are not fully understood, and current treatments are characterized by several limitations, representing a challenge in psychiatric and medical care. On the other hand, the impact of psychosocial interventions on the evolution of psychosis and how they can overall improve the well-being of the patient needs to be better investigated.

This Special Issue of Brain Sciences aims to present a collection of original research articles and reviews that could bring original new ideas and findings about current hypotheses on etiology and treatment of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Spectrum Disorders.

Particularly, we aim to present research advances that may have a significant translational effect to clinical services.

Dr. Carmen Concerto
Dr. Alessandro Rodolico
Prof. Dr. Andrea Aguglia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

schizophrenia
bipolar disorder
antipsychotics
psychological interventions
psychosocial interventions
neuropsychopharmacology

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1201 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Activity of Protein Kinase A in the Frontal Cortex in Schizophrenia

by Smita Sahay, Nicholas Daniel Henkel, Christina Flora-Anabelle Vargas, Robert Erne McCullumsmith and Sinead Marie O’Donovan

Brain Sci. 2024, 14(1), 13; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/brainsci14010013 - 22 Dec 2023

Viewed by 805

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a serious cognitive disorder characterized by disruptions in neurotransmission, a process requiring the coordination of multiple kinase-mediated signaling events. Evidence suggests that the observed deficits in schizophrenia may be due to imbalances in kinase activity that propagate through an intracellular signaling network. Specifically, 3′-5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-associated signaling pathways are coupled to the activation of neurotransmitter receptors and modulate cellular functions through the activation of protein kinase A (PKA), an enzyme whose function is altered in the frontal cortex in schizophrenia. In this study, we measured the activity of PKA in human postmortem anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) tissue from schizophrenia and age- and sex-matched control subjects. No significant differences in PKA activity were observed in male and female individuals in either brain region; however, correlation analyses indicated that PKA activity in the ACC may be influenced by tissue pH in all subjects and by age and tissue pH in females. Our data provide novel insights into the function of PKA in the ACC and DLPFC in schizophrenia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Causes and Treatment of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Spectrum Disorders)

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18 pages, 441 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Pain Correlates with Mind Wandering, Self-Reflection, and Insight in Individuals with Psychotic Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Alessandro Rodolico, Pierfelice Cutrufelli, Natascia Brondino, Pasquale Caponnetto, Gaetano Catania, Carmen Concerto, Laura Fusar-Poli, Ludovico Mineo, Serena Sturiale, Maria Salvina Signorelli and Antonino Petralia

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(11), 1557; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/brainsci13111557 - 07 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1355

Abstract

Understanding the cognitive processes that contribute to mental pain in individuals with psychotic disorders is important for refining therapeutic strategies and improving patient outcomes. This study investigated the potential relationship between mental pain, mind wandering, and self-reflection and insight in individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders. We included individuals diagnosed with a ‘schizophrenia spectrum disorder’ according to DSM-5 criteria. Patients in the study were between 18 and 65 years old, clinically stable, and able to provide informed consent. A total of 34 participants, comprising 25 males and 9 females with an average age of 41.5 years (SD 11.5) were evaluated. The Psychache Scale (PAS), the Mind Wandering Deliberate and Spontaneous Scale (MWDS), and the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS) were administered. Statistical analyses involved Spearman’s rho correlations, controlled for potential confounders with partial correlations, and mediation and moderation analyses to understand the indirect effects of MWDS and SRIS on PAS and their potential interplay. Key findings revealed direct correlations between PAS and MWDS and inverse correlations between PAS and SRIS. The mediation effects on the relationship between the predictors and PAS ranged from 9.22% to 49.8%. The largest statistically significant mediation effect was observed with the SRIS-I subscale, suggesting that the self-reflection and insight component may play a role in the impact of mind wandering on mental pain. No evidence was found to suggest that any of the variables could function as relationship moderators for PAS. The results underscore the likely benefits of interventions aimed at reducing mind wandering and enhancing self-reflection in psychotic patients (e.g., metacognitive therapy, mindfulness). Further research will be essential to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Causes and Treatment of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Spectrum Disorders)

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16 pages, 1650 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Adipokine, Resitin, and BDNF Concentrations in Treatment-Resistant Depression after Electroconvulsive Therapy

by Agnieszka Permoda-Pachuta, Magda Malewska-Kasprzak, Maria Skibińska, Krzysztof Rzepski and Monika Dmitrzak-Węglarz

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(10), 1358; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/brainsci13101358 - 22 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 717

Abstract

Objectives: One of the current challenges in psychiatry is the search for answers on how to effectively manage drug-resistant depression. The occurrence of drug resistance in patients is an indication for the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This method is highly effective and usually results in relatively quick health improvement. Despite the knowledge of how ECT works, not all of the biological pathways activated during its use have been identified. Hence, based on the neuroinflammatory hypothesis of depression, we investigated the concentration of two opposite-acting adipokines (anti-inflammatory adiponectin and proinflammatory resistin) and BDNF in antidepressant-resistant patients undergoing ECT. Methods: The study group comprised 52 patients hospitalized due to episodes of depression in the course of unipolar and bipolar affective disorder. The serum concentration of adipokines and BDNF was determined before and after the therapeutic intervention using an ELISA method. In the analyses, we also included comparisons considering the type of depression, sex, and achieving remission. Results: Adiponectin, resistin, and BDNF concentrations change after ECT treatment. These changes are correlated with an improvement in the severity of depressive symptoms and are more or less pronounced depending on the type of depression. Conclusions: Although not all observed changes reach statistical significance, adipokines in particular remain exciting candidates for biomarkers in assessing the course of the disease and response to ECT treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Causes and Treatment of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Spectrum Disorders)

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Review

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19 pages, 489 KiB

Open AccessReview

Monitoring the Effectiveness of Treatment in Women with Schizophrenia: New Specialized Cooperative Approaches

by Mentxu Natividad, Mary V. Seeman, Jennipher Paola Paolini, Ariadna Balagué, Eloïsa Román, Noelia Bagué, Eduard Izquierdo, Mireia Salvador, Anna Vallet, Anabel Pérez, José A. Monreal and Alexandre González-Rodríguez

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1238; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/brainsci13091238 - 25 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1451

Abstract

Women with schizophrenia have specific health needs that differ from those of men and that change through successive life stages. We aimed to review the biopsychosocial literature on schizophrenia that addresses clinically important questions related to the treatment of women, including somatic morbi-mortality, hyperprolactinemia, comorbid substance use disorders, social risk factors, and medication effectiveness/safety. Data search terms were as follows: (Morbidity AND mortality) OR hyperprolactinemia OR (“substance use disorders” OR addictions) OR (“social risk factors”) OR (“drug safety” OR prescription) AND women AND schizophrenia. A secondary aim was to describe a method of monitoring and interdisciplinary staff strategies. Schizophrenia patients show an increased risk of premature death from cardiovascular/respiratory disease and cancer compared to the general population. The literature suggests that close liaisons with primary care and the introduction of physical exercise groups reduce comorbidity. Various strategies for lowering prolactin levels diminish the negative long-term effects of hyperprolactinemia. Abstinence programs reduce the risk of victimization and trauma in women. Stigma associated with women who have serious psychiatric illness is often linked to reproductive functions. The safety and effectiveness of antipsychotic drug choice and dose differ between men and women and change over a woman’s life cycle. Monitoring needs to be multidisciplinary, knowledgeable, and regular. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Causes and Treatment of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Spectrum Disorders)

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