PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE

Childhood trauma is associated with developmental trajectories of EEG coherence, alcohol-related outcomes, and PTSD symptoms
Neale ZE, Bountress K, Sheerin C, Saenz de Viteri S, Cusack S, Chorlian D, Barr PB, Kaplan I, Pandey G, Osipenko KA, McCutcheon V, Kuo SI, Cooke ME, Brislin SJ, Salvatore JE, Kamarajan C, , Porjesz B, Amstadter AB and Meyers JL
Associations between childhood trauma, neurodevelopment, alcohol use disorder (AUD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are understudied during adolescence.
Cognitive impairment in the schizophrenia spectrum: exploring the relationships of the g-factor with sociodemography, psychopathology, neurodevelopment, and genetics
Yeh D, He Q, Krebs E, Iftimovici A, Martinez G, Bourgin-Duchesnay J, Mouaffak F, Danset-Alexandre C, de Gasquet M, Jantac C, Bendjemaa N, Chaumette B, Krebs MO and Scoriels L
Cognitive impairment constitutes a prevailing issue in the schizophrenia spectrum, severely impacting patients' functional outcomes. A global cognitive score, sensitive to the stages of the spectrum, would benefit the exploration of potential factors involved in the cognitive decline.
The efficacy of psychological treatments on body dysmorphic disorder: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials
Liu Y, Lai L, Wilhelm S, Phillips KA, Guo Y, Greenberg JL and Ren Z
This meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the psychological treatment of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) was conducted to evaluate the intervention effects and robustness of the evidence. This study included 15 RCTs up until 15 June 2024, with 905 participants. Results showed significant improvements in BDD symptoms ( = -0.97), depression ( = -0.51), anxiety ( = -0.72), insight/delusion ( = -0.57), psychosocial functioning ( = 0.45), and quality of life ( = 0.44), with effects sustained from 1 to 6 months follow-up. RCTs with a waitlist/inactive control reported larger effect sizes for post-intervention BDD symptoms compared to those with a placebo/active control group. In addition, studies with low risk of bias demonstrate larger effect sizes for post-intervention psychosocial functioning compared to studies with some concerns. Notably, the presence of exposure and response prevention in the treatment, as well as the mode of delivery (face-to-face or digital), did not have a significant impact on the intervention outcomes. Females exhibited greater effect sizes in post-intervention BDD symptoms and psychosocial functioning than males. With increasing age, the effect size for insight/delusion symptoms diminished. Longer session duration was associated with larger effect sizes for BDD symptoms, depression at post-treatment, and depression at follow-up. TSA indicated robust evidence for depression at post-treatment and BDD symptoms, while the remaining outcome variables did not meet the desired level of evidence. In conclusion, this study underscores the effectiveness of psychological treatments in reducing BDD symptoms and improving related outcomes, highlighting the need for further research to confirm the impact of these therapies on other outcomes.
Long-term sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 two years following infection: exploring the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors
Verveen A, Nugroho FA, Bucur IG, Wynberg E, van Willigen HDG, Davidovich U, Lok A, Moll van Charante EP, de Bree GJ, de Jong MD, Kootstra N, Claassen T, de Jonge MI, Heskes T, Prins M, Knoop H, Nieuwkerk PT and
Severe fatigue and cognitive complaints are frequently reported after SARS-CoV-2 infection and may be accompanied by depressive symptoms and/or limitations in physical functioning. The long-term sequelae of COVID-19 may be influenced by biomedical, psychological, and social factors, the interplay of which is largely understudied over time. We aimed to investigate how the interplay of these factors contribute to the persistence of symptoms after COVID-19.
Daily estradiol and progesterone levels moderate genetic and environmental influences on emotional eating across 45 consecutive days in female twins
Klump KL, Mikhail ME, Anaya C, Keel PK, Culbert KM, Sisk CL, Johnson A, Boker S, Neale MC and Burt SA
Past studies indicate daily increases in estrogen across the menstrual cycle protect against binge-eating (BE) phenotypes (e.g. emotional eating), whereas increases in progesterone enhance risk. Two previous studies from our laboratory suggest these associations could be due to differential genomic effects of estrogen and progesterone. However, these prior studies were unable to directly model effects of daily changes in hormones on etiologic risk, instead relying on menstrual cycle phase or mean hormone levels. The current study used newly modified twin models to examine, for the first time, the effects of daily changes in estradiol and progesterone on genetic/environmental influences on emotional eating in our archival twin sample assessed across 45 consecutive days.
Major depression symptom severity associations with willingness to exert effort and patch foraging strategy
Bustamante LA, Barch DM, Solis J, Oshinowo T, Grahek I, Konova AB, Daw ND and Cohen JD
Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) can experience reduced motivation and cognitive function, leading to challenges with goal-directed behavior. When selecting goals, people maximize 'expected value' by selecting actions that maximize potential reward while minimizing associated costs, including effort 'costs' and the opportunity cost of time. In MDD, differential weighing of costs and benefits are theorized mechanisms underlying changes in goal-directed cognition and may contribute to symptom heterogeneity.
Fractal motor activity during wakefulness and sleep: a window into depression recency and symptom recurrence
Minaeva O, Riese H, Booij SH, Lamers F, Giltay EJ, Scheer FAJL and Hu K
Motor activity fluctuations in healthy adults exhibit fractal patterns characterized by consistent temporal correlations across wide-ranging time scales. However, these patterns are disrupted by aging and psychiatric conditions. This study aims to investigate how fractal patterns vary across the sleep-wake cycle, differ based on individuals' recency of depression diagnosis, and change before and after a depressive episode.
The geographical distribution of the family-genetic risk score for drug use disorder in Sweden and its co-localization with areas of social deprivation
Kendler KS, Mansourian A, Zhao P, Ohlsson H, Stewart K, Sundquist J, Malmberg B and Sundquist K
Drug use Disorder (DUD), the risk for which is substantially influenced by both genetic and social factors, is geographically concentrated in high-risk regions. An important step toward understanding this pattern is to examine geographical distributions of the genetic liability to DUD and a key demographic risk factor - social deprivation.
Childhood conduct problems and adolescent medical service use: serial mediating effects of peer victimization and internalizing problems
Crescenzi O, Martin-Storey A, Poirier M, Boutin S, Lemieux A, Déry M, Latimer E and Temcheff CE
Adolescents with a history of conduct problems (CP) are at heightened risk of increased service utilization as they develop. While the mechanisms underlying this association are unclear, early CP have also been linked with peer victimization and internalizing problems. The goals of the current study were: (1) to examine peer victimization and internalizing problems as potential serial mediators explaining increased medical and psychiatric service use in adolescents with a history of childhood CP, and; (2) to explore whether the proposed mediation models vary by sex.
Associations of cannabis use, tobacco use, and incident anxiety, mood, and psychotic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Burke C, Freeman TP, Sallis H, Wootton RE, Burnley A, Lange J, Lees R, Sawyer K and Taylor GMJ
Observational studies consistently report associations between tobacco use, cannabis use and mental illness. However, the extent to which this association reflects an increased risk of new-onset mental illness is unclear and may be biased by unmeasured confounding.
Longitudinal evaluation of the early auditory gamma-band response and its modulation by attention in first-episode psychosis
Sklar AL, Matinrazm S, Esseku A, López-Caballero F, Curtis M, Seebold D, Torrence N, Fishel V, Coffman BA and Salisbury DF
Executive control over low-level information processing is impaired proximal to psychosis onset with evidence of recovery over the first year of illness. However, previous studies demonstrating diminished perceptual modulation via attention are complicated by simultaneously impaired perceptual responses. The present study examined the early auditory gamma-band response (EAGBR), a marker of early cortical processing that appears preserved in first-episode psychosis (FEP), and its modulation by attention in a longitudinal FEP sample.
Age at onset as an index of genetic heterogeneity in major psychiatric and substance use disorders
Kendler KS, Henrik O, Sundquist J and Sundquist K
Robust clinical indices of etiologic heterogeneity for psychiatric disorders are rare. We investigate whether age at onset (AAO) reflects genetic heterogeneity, utilizing Genetic Risk Ratios (GRR) derived from Family Genetic Risk Scores (FGRS).
Childhood sexual abuse and lifetime depressive symptoms: the importance of type and timing of childhood emotional maltreatment
Hutson LM, Dan R, Brown AR, Esfand SM, Ruberto V, Johns E, Null KE, Ohashi K, Khan A, Du F, Teicher MH and Pizzagalli DA
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and emotional maltreatment are salient risk factors for the development of major depressive disorder (MDD) in women. However, the type- and timing-specific effects of emotional maltreatment experienced during adolescence on future depressive symptomatology in women with CSA have not been explored. The goal of this study was to fill this gap.
Prevalence of body-focused repetitive behaviors in a diverse population sample - rates across age, gender, race and education - CORRIGENDUM
Moritz S, Scheunemann J, Jelinek L, Penney D, Schmotz S, Hoyer L, Grudzień D and Aleksandrowicz A
Striatal and peripheral dopaminergic alterations related to cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia
Yang KC, Yang BH, Lan CC, Liu MN and Chou YH
Cognitive impairment, a major determinant of poor functioning in schizophrenia, had limited responses to existing antipsychotic drugs. The limited efficacy could be due to regional differences in the dysregulation of the dopamine system. This study investigated striatal and peripheral dopaminergic makers in schizophrenia and their relationship with cognitive impairment.
Which behavioral regulations predict physical activity and sedentary behavior in people with mental illness?
Chapman J, Korman N, Malacova E, Robertson C, Arnautovska U, Siskind D, Suetani S, Stubbs B and Vancampfort D
Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is beneficial for health, and reducing sedentary behavior (SB) is recommended in international guidelines. People with mental illnesses are at higher risk of preventable diseases than the general population, partly attributable to lower MVPA and higher SB. Self-determination theory provides a framework for understanding how motivation regulates behavior. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of different forms of motivation for physical activity (amotivation, controlled, autonomous) to MVPA and SB in people with mental illnesses.
Cannabis use and cognitive biases in people with first-episode psychosis and their siblings
Roldan L, Sánchez-Gutiérrez T, Fernández-Arias I, Rodríguez-Toscano E, López G, Merchán-Naranjo J, Calvo A, Rapado-Castro M, Parellada M, Moreno C, Ferraro L, La Barbera D, La Cascia C, Tripoli G, Di Forti M, Murray RM, Quattrone D, Morgan C, Gayer-Anderson C, Jones PB, Jongsma HE, Kirkbride JB, van Os J, García-Portilla P, Al-Halabí S, Bobes J, de Haan L, Bernardo M, Santos JL, Sanjuán J, Arrojo M, Szoke A, Rutten BP, Stilo SA, Tarricone I, Lasalvia A, Tosato S, Llorca PM, Menezes PR, Selten JP, Tortelli A, Velthorst E, Del-Ben CM, Arango C and Díaz-Caneja CM
Cannabis use and familial vulnerability to psychosis have been associated with social cognition deficits. This study examined the potential relationship between cannabis use and cognitive biases underlying social cognition and functioning in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), their siblings, and controls.
Enriching ultra-high risk for psychosis cohorts based on accumulated exposure to environmental risk factors for psychotic disorders
O'Donoghue B, Oliver D, Geros H, Sizer H, Thompson A, McGorry P and Nelson B
Transition to psychosis rates within ultra-high risk (UHR) services have been declining. It may be possible to 'enrich' UHR cohorts based on the environmental characteristics seen more commonly in first-episode psychosis cohorts. This study aimed to determine whether transition rates varied according to the accumulated exposure to environmental risk factors at the individual (migrant status, asylum seeker/refugee status, indigenous population, cannabis/methamphetamine use), family (family history or parental separation), and neighborhood (population density, social deprivation, and fragmentation) level.
A comparative meta-analysis of structural magnetic resonance imaging studies and gene expression profiles revealing the similarities and differences between late life depression and mild cognitive impairment
Zhao L, Niu L, Dai H, Lee TMC, Huang R and Zhang R
Late-life depression (LLD) predisposes individuals to cognitive decline, often leading to misdiagnoses as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) can distinguish the profiles of these disorders according to gray matter (GM) volumes. We integrated findings from previous VBM studies for comparative analysis and extended the research into molecular profiles to facilitate inspection and intervention.
Review and consensus on pharmacogenomic testing in psychiatry
Faiz M and Ahmed S
Examining the association between aggression and suicide attempts among army soldiers
Krauss A, Greene AL, Edwards ER and Goodman M
Suicide is a major concern among active-duty military personnel. Aggression represents a salient risk factor for suicide among civilians, yet is relatively understudied among military populations. Although several theories posit a relation between aggression and suicide with putative underlying mechanisms of social isolation, access to firearms, and alcohol use, researchers have yet to test these potential mediators. This study uses rich, longitudinal data from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience (STARRS) Pre/Post Deployment Study (PPDS) to examine whether aggression longitudinally predicts suicide attempts and to identify mediators of this association.
Functional gradient dysfunction in drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenia and its correlation with specific transcriptional patterns and treatment predictions
Yao G, Luo J, Li J, Feng K, Liu P and Xu Y
First-episode schizophrenia (FES) is a progressive psychiatric disorder influenced by genetics, environmental factors, and brain function. The functional gradient deficits of drug-naïve FES and its relationship to gene expression profiles and treatment outcomes are unknown.
Adverse psychiatric effects of psychedelic drugs: a systematic review of case reports
Yildirim B, Sahin SS, Gee A, Jauhar S, Rucker J, Salgado-Pineda P, Pomarol-Clotet E and McKenna P
Psychedelic drugs are a focus of interest in the treatment of depression and other disorders but there are longstanding concerns about possible adverse psychiatric consequences. Because the relevant literature is largely informal, the seriousness of these risks is difficult to evaluate.
Examining the mental health trajectories of children and adolescents: a cross-cohort analysis
McNicholas F, Gavin B, Sellers R, Ji I, Zhang X, Browne WV and Harold G
Epidemiological samples provide opportunity to understand the development of mental health trajectories to better understand whether such epidemiological data can help to plan and modify service delivery for youth mental health. Variation between countries is not well understood and thus applying evidence from other countries to national strategies limits support service policy and planning. We therefore examine developmental patterns of youth mental health across different countries using the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) Cohorts, with comparison to existing UK longitudinal cohort data (Millennium Cohort Study, MCS; Growing up in Scotland, GUS).
Charting brain GABA and glutamate levels across psychiatric disorders by quantitative analysis of 121 H-MRS studies
Zhang J, Toulopoulou T, Li Q, Niu L, Peng L, Dai H, Chen K, Wang X, Huang R, Wei X and Zhang R
Psychiatric diagnosis is based on categorical diagnostic classification, yet similarities in genetics and clinical features across disorders suggest that these classifications share commonalities in neurobiology, particularly regarding neurotransmitters. Glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the brain's primary excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, play critical roles in brain function and physiological processes.
Shared differential factors underlying individual spontaneous neural activity abnormalities in major depressive disorder
Han S, Tian Y, Zheng R, Wen B, Liu L, Liu H, Wei Y, Chen H, Zhao Z, Xia M, Sun X, Wang X, Wei D, Liu B, Huang CC, Zheng Y, Wu Y, Chen T, Cheng Y, Xu X, Gong Q, Si T, Qiu S, Lin CP, Tang Y, Wang F, Qiu J, Xie P, Li L, He Y, Chen Y, Zhang Y, and Cheng J
In contemporary neuroimaging studies, it has been observed that patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit aberrant spontaneous neural activity, commonly quantified through the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF). However, the substantial individual heterogeneity among patients poses a challenge to reaching a unified conclusion.
Co-occurrence between mental disorders and physical diseases: a study of nationwide primary-care medical records
Hanna MR, Caspi A, Houts RM, Moffitt TE and Torvik FA
Mental disorders and physical-health conditions frequently co-occur, impacting treatment outcomes. While most prior research has focused on single pairs of mental disorders and physical-health conditions, this study explores broader associations between multiple mental disorders and physical-health conditions.
Letter to the editor: social influences on the relationship between dissociation and psychotic-like experience
Toyoshima H and Akase T
Association of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health and social connection with the risk of depression and anxiety
Huang X, Liang J, Zhang J, Fu J, Xie W and Zheng F
To explore the association of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health with the risk of depression and anxiety and to investigate the joint association of CKM health and social connection with depression and anxiety.
The effects and costs of an anti-bullying program (KiVa) in UK primary schools: a multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial
Bowes L, Babu M, Badger JR, Broome MR, Cannings-John R, Clarkson S, Coulman E, Edwards RT, Ford T, Hastings RP, Hayes R, Lugg-Widger F, Owen-Jones E, Patterson P, Segrott J, Sydenham M, Townson J, Watkins RC, Whiteley H, Williams ME, and Hutchings J
Childhood bullying is a public health priority. We evaluated the effectiveness and costs of KiVa, a whole-school anti-bullying program that targets the peer context.