[Comment on the contribution by U. Sailor et al. Epileptic prodromal symptoms and episodic affective symptoms: nonspecific manifestations or status epilepticus non convulsivus?].
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PURPOSE: To analyze whether affective symptoms during psychiatric treatment in childhood or adolescence could predict the later development of depressive symptoms. METHOD: We used a "catch-up" design. A cohort of former child and adolescent psychiatric patients was assessed in adulthood with standardized instruments according to the criteria of ICD-10 (SCAN) and dimensional values for depression (both self-reported and observer-rated). Initial affective symptoms had been extracted from clinical records according to a standardized system (AMDP). RESULTS: We assessed 164 former patients. Twelve percent of these fulfilled diagnostic criteria of an affective disorder (F3) according to ICD-10. In univariate analyses of variance the depression scores were significantly related to affective symptoms during childhood treatment, even if the presence of an affective disorder at catch-up was considered as an independent covariate variable. Nevertheless, the latter variable explained a large part of the variance of depression scores, while initial affective symptoms explained no more than 6%. CONCLUSION: Affective symptoms in childhood and adolescence may predict the later development of subthreshold depressive symptomatology.
We report a case with Behçet's disease with initial onset of affective symptoms. This disease most commonly affects the brain stem in the nervous system, but a large lesion is very rare in the pons; initial onset of affective symptoms has not yet been reported in literature. This case was treated successfully with corticosteroids. Total clinical improvement was observed and the lesion was reduced in size within nine months (1.5 x 1.3 cm to 0.2 x 0.4 cm).
The effects of risperidone on affective symptoms were determined by an analysis of pooled data from six double-blind trials of risperidone versus haloperidol in 1254 patients with chronic schizophrenia. Symptoms indicating mania were assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) excitement and grandiosity items and by the excited cluster (excitement, hostility, uncooperativeness, and poor impulse control); anxious / depressive symptoms were assessed by the PANSS anxious / depressive cluster (somatic concern, anxiety, guilt feelings, and depression). Mean change scores from baseline to endpoint were compared in patients receiving risperidone, haloperidol or placebo by analysis of variance with factors for trial and baseline score included in the model. In all patients, change scores on excitement and grandiosity items and excited and anxious / depressive clusters were significantly greater for risperidone than for haloperidol or placebo. Dropouts due to inefficacy were less frequent with risperidone (5 of 59; 8%) than with haloperidol (7 of 38; 18%) or placebo (8 of 10; 80%). In patients with anxious / depressive symptoms at baseline (anxiety / depression cluster score > or = the median), anxiety / depression scores decreased significantly more with risperidone than with haloperidol, and symptom reduction occurred faster with risperidone. These results are consistent with previous reports and suggest that risperidone is more efficacious than haloperidol for affective symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is associated, after controlling for other adversities, with a range of non-psychotic disorders in adult life. There is a need to clarify whether CSA contributes to risk of disorder in the absence of such adversities, and given that associations may be accounted for by genetic mechanisms, whether they are seen where the perpetrator of CSA is not a biological relative, and where there has been only one incident. METHODS: A questionnaire-based study of a socio-economically representative sample of women age 25-36 (N = 862) was carried out. Parental care and control were assessed using the Parental Bonding Instrument, and CSA using a previously validated questionnaire. Current affective symptoms were assessed from the depression scale of the GHQ-28. RESULTS: Low maternal and paternal care were associated with risk of abuse by a biologically unrelated perpetrator before the age of 11, but not during early adolescence. Low maternal care and CSA each made independent contributions to the prediction of affective symptoms. CSA by a non-relative was strongly associated with GHQ depression, as was CSA by a non-relative that had occurred only once. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of parental care probably influences risk of CSA by unrelated abusers in younger children, while there may be a combination of genetic and parental influences on the risk of abuse by a relative. The strong association of affective symptoms in adult life with CSA by a non-relative suggests an environmental effect. Studies, utilizing genetic designs, of the role of childhood trauma in relation to adult affective symptoms are needed.
BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing recognition of bipolar disorder in childhood, there have been no controlled, randomized clinical trials of atypical antipsychotics in this population. Preliminary data from open-label trials in children suggest that these agents might be effective in treating pediatric bipolar disorder, however. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this post hoc analysis of data from Aman et al was to determine the effects of risperidone in the management of affective symptoms in children with disruptive behavioral disorders (DBDs). METHODS: This report presents a secondary analysis of a previously reported 6-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-arm trial comparing 6 weeks of administration of risperidone (flexible dosing starting at 0.02 mg . kg .1 . d(-1) and titrated up to 0.06 mg kg(-1) d(-1)) versus placebo in children with DBDs and subaverage intelligence. Twenty-four candidate affective symptoms of mania and depression were extracted from the 64-item Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form (NCBRF). To define independent dimensions of mood-disorder psychopathology, these 24 symptoms were assigned 1 of 3 independent dimensions (symptoms of mania) based on loading: explosive irritability; agitated, expansive, grandiose; and depression. A fourth, nonaffective independent dimension encompassed a combination of nonaffec tive symptoms on the NCBRF Conduct Problem subscale. To assess treatment effect, each independent dimension was assigned a score derived from the sum of the symptoms that loaded on that dimension at weeks 2, 4, and 6 of study drug administration. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients were included in the independent-dimension analysis (89 boys, 21 girls; risperidone, 49 patients; placebo, 61 patients; mean [SD] age, 8.6 [2.3] and 8.1 [2.4] years in the risperidone and placebo groups, respectively; mean [SD] weight, 33.9 [12.8] and 32.1 [12.0] kg in the risperidone and placebo groups, respectively). The treatment-effect analysis found that the mean scores of all 3 independent dimensions were significantly reduced with risperidone compared with placebo at weeks 2, 4, and 6 (all, P <or= 0.03). The effect sizes of improvement in these factors ranXged from 0.44 to 0.95 at end point. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this post hoc analysis of affective symptoms of DBDs using data from a previously published randomized, double-blind clinical comparison of risperidone and placebo in the treatment of children with DBDs and subaverage intelligence suggest that risperidone was effective in treating the factors of explosive irritability; agitated, expansive, grandiose; and depression.
A survey of affective symptoms in two groups of institutionalized adults with mental retardation was conducted. The groups were comprised of subjects with prior diagnoses of affective disorders or other psychiatric disorders. Informants reported retrospectively on the presence or absence of DSM-III-R criteria for major depression and mania. Thirteen percent of the affective disorders group did not meet these criteria for depression or mania, whereas 20% of the other psychiatric disorders group did. Aggression was a frequent concomitant of psychopathology in both groups. These findings support previous reports that affective disorders may be underdiagnosed in this population. However, unlike prior investigations, most of the subjects (74%) in the present survey had severe to profound mental retardation.
In the present study we assessed the presence and severity of unconventional affective symptoms (apathy, anhedonia and emotional lability) and depression in 33 elderly patients with first ever stroke and evidence of a single supratentorial lesion at neuroimaging. Patients were submitted to neurological, functional, and affective assessment at a mean interval of 2 weeks after stroke onset. Given the putative role of the frontal lobes in the pathogenesis of these symptoms, we also performed a cognitive assessment focused on executive functions. The prevalence of the various affective symptoms was as follows:apathy 15.2 %, anhedonia 6.1 %, emotional lability 48.5 %, depression 57.6 % of cases. Patients had a normal global cognitive level (mean short portable mental status questionnaire: 8.4 +/- 1.0, range 7-10). Apathy and anhedonia showed significant reciprocal correlations and they were also correlated with the executive score and the Barthel index;apathy was also correlated with depression; emotional lability, instead, was correlated only with depression. The study of possible anatomo-functional correlates between unconventional affective symptoms and lesion site did not show significant differences (stroke in the right versus left hemisphere, anterior versus posterior and cortical versus subcortical locations).
BACKGROUND: Offspring of parents with bipolar disorder, by virtue of their high-risk status for developing bipolar disorder, merit an investigation of the efficacy of treatment with mood stabilizers. Behavioral and mood difficulties in this population may represent prodromal forms of bipolar disorder. We studied the efficacy of divalproex in treating child and adolescent bipolar offspring with mood or behavioral disorders who did not yet meet criteria for bipolar I or II disorder. METHOD: We studied 24 children aged 6-18 years (mean = 11.3 years; 17 boys/7 girls) with at least 1 biological parent with bipolar disorder. Participants were diagnosed by the Washington University in St. Louis Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia with at least 1 of the following DSM-IV disorders: major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, cyclothymic disorder, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Subjects all had at least moderate affective symptoms (28-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression or Young Mania Rating Scale score > 12). After a 2-week washout period, subjects were treated with divalproex for 12 weeks, titrated to achieve serum levels of 50-120 micro g/mL (mean final dose = 821 mg/day; mean final serum level = 79.0 micro g/mL). RESULTS: One subject discontinued after 2 weeks due to continuation of symptoms. Of the remaining 23 subjects, 18 (78%) were considered responders by primary outcome criteria ("very much improved" or "much improved" on the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale). Divalproex was well tolerated with no discontinuations due to adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Bipolar offspring with mood or behavioral disorders and at least mild affective symptoms may respond to divalproex treatment. Our study was limited by the open treatment, lack of a placebo group, and the heterogeneous nature of the sample. Controlled studies are warranted in the use of divalproex in symptomatic bipolar offspring.
Symptoms of bipolar disorders include depression and mania. The term "bipolar" implies states that are opposite to each other. Construing scales that define mania and depression as opposite ends of one dimension cannot account for the existence of mixed symptoms. One self-report instrument, the Internal State Scale (ISS), combines both dimensions in one measure. However, the ISS only assesses internal subjective states and does not tap other typical and more objective symptoms of (hypo-) mania. To explore the factorial structure of affective symptoms in a general population sample, we extended the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), adding items to assess manic symptoms as described in DSM-IV. The scale was completed by 2,059 young adults. The results for the original CES-D are comparable to prior studies. Factor-analysis for the extended CES-D revealed two factors in women and men: most manic symptoms loaded high on a factor "euphoria-activation," whereas the other factor included all typical dysphoric-depressive symptoms, but also included the "manic symptoms" of distractibility and irritability. Our results support a two-factor model of bipolar symptoms in the general population with irritability being more closely associated with dysphoria than euphoria. The implications and limitations of the present results are discussed.
We report the results of an open trial of valproic acid in the treatment of affective symptoms in people with mental retardation. The study population consisted of 209 people with mental retardation who were serially referred to a tertiary-care medical center for the evaluation of behavioral symptoms. Criteria for treatment included the presence of three of the four following symptoms: irritability, sleep disturbance, aggressive or self-injurious behavior, and behavioral cycling. Twenty-one patients met enrollment criteria and were studied prospectively for a 2-year period. Two patients were lost to follow-up. One patient experienced severe drug side effects. Eighteen patients completed the study. Fourteen patients (78%) responded favorably to treatment and were maintained on valproic acid for the 2 years of the study (p < 0.001). Medications prescribed at the time of enrollment were usually discontinued, including neuroleptic medication in 9 of 10 patients and in all patients (N = 3) who were receiving phenobarbital. A history of epilepsy or a suspicion of seizures was strongly associated with a favorable response to valproic acid (p < 0.005). The results of this study suggest that people with mental retardation and concurrent affective disorders can be recognized by a cluster of developmentally appropriate symptoms such as those listed above. In addition, affective symptoms can be successfully treated with valproate with reductions in neuroleptic and barbiturate anticonvulsant medication. Further study of the comparative benefit of valproate and carbamazepine in this population is warranted.
OBJECTIVE: In a population-based nationwide survey, we aimed to study symptoms in children with malignancies during the last month of their lives. Understanding which symptoms affect children in the terminal phase of disease is crucial to improve palliative care. METHODS: We attempted to contact all parents in Sweden who had lost a child to cancer during a 6-year period. The parents were asked, through an anonymous postal questionnaire, about symptoms that affected the child's sense of well-being during the last month of life. RESULTS: Information was supplied by 449 (80%) of 561 eligible parents. The symptoms most frequently reported with high or moderate impact on the child's well-being were: physical fatigue (86%), reduced mobility (76%), pain (73%), and decreased appetite (71%). Irrespective of the specific malignancy, physical fatigue was the most frequently reported symptom, and pain was among the 3 most frequently reported. Children who died at 9 to 15 years of age were reported to be moderately or severely affected, by a number of symptoms, significantly more often than other children. The gender of the reporting parent had no significant bearing on any of the symptoms reported. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequently reported symptoms in children with malignancies to be aware of and possibly address during the terminal phase are physical fatigue, reduced mobility, pain, and decreased appetite. Children aged 9 to 15 years are reported to be moderately or severely affected by more symptoms than children in other age groups. Mothers and fathers report a similar prevalence of symptoms.
Forty-two epileptics were given a psychiatric interview and completed five questionnaires. Current affective symptoms were significantly associated with a past history of neurotic disorder but not with temporal lobe epilepsy.
A variety of psychiatric disorders accompany multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting the spheres of cognition, affect, and personality. These disorders may be of primary and/or secondary nature, reflecting, respectively, neurologic damage and/or functional distress associated with a disabling disease. Evaluation of the nature, severity, and frequency of affective symptoms of MS patients is of importance to sensitize the treating physician to the possible need for specific psychiatric treatment. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study assessing correlations of psychiatric symptomatology and the neurologic parameters of disease duration, disease activity (as expressed by the number of disease exacerbations per year), and disease severity (as measured by the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS]) in 20 relapsing-remitting (RR)-MS patients. Patients were also evaluated by a semistructured psychiatric interview and the following rating scales: Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS), Hackett-Cassem Denial Scale, and Lubin Adjective Affective List. Results demonstrated a high prevalence of anxiety (90%) and to a lesser extent depression (50%) in RR-MS patients. Depression and anxiety were found to be associated with disease activity, but not with disease duration or severity. The mechanism of denial played a significant role in the psychiatric profile of the disease and was correlated with disease duration. We suggest that in RR-MS patients, psychiatric evaluation should also include assessment of defense and coping mechanisms, which in turn could guide specific individualized treatment.
Atypical antipsychotics have demonstrated beneficial effects on affective symptoms, in addition to antipsychotic activity. Consequently, their role in the treatment of bipolar disorder and treatment-resistant or psychotic depression has been explored. Adjunctive atypical antipsychotic therapy appears to benefit patients experiencing manic episodes of bipolar disorder, and some studies suggest that monotherapy may also be efficacious. Clinical studies of patients with schizoaffective disorder and major depression support the use of atypical antipsychotics to treat depression. This review focuses on risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone and provides evidence that these drugs demonstrate activity against manic episodes of bipolar disorder when used as adjunctive therapy and possibly as monotherapy and that depression in patients with schizoaffective disorder also responds to these agents.
A convenient sample of 60 brain-injured subjects and their spouses was evaluated cross-sectionally in the chronic stage of recovery on self-rated measures of sensory, motor, cognitive and behavioural disability and on the SCL-90-R depression and anxiety subscales. A majority of the brain-injured subjects, who were on average almost 6 years post-injury, demonstrated elevations on the affective symptom scales, with almost 70% showing depression and 50% showing anxiety. The spouses of the brain-injured individuals also demonstrated significantly elevated affective symptom scales, with 73% acknowledging symptoms of depression and 55% demonstrating symptoms of anxiety. For the individuals with brain injury, those with higher self-ratings of cognitive disability and social aggression had higher self-ratings of depression and anxiety. In contrast, spouse gender appeared to have the greatest association with the presence of elevation affective responses, with female spouses having higher levels of depression and anxiety than male spouses. These findings are discussed in terms of the reactionary nature of affective disturbances in the chronic stage of recovery.
We report a 4-year-old boy with benign partial epilepsy (BPE) with affective symptoms associated with hyperkinetic behavior during interictal periods. He had had hypermobility and restlessness since about age 3. At 4 years, 6 months, he developed episodes consisting of an expression of terror without complete loss of consciousness. Although we first suspected an acute psychic problem, the ictal EEG was abnormal. After carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy, the frequency of the attacks decreased dramatically and the hyperkinetic behavior gradually diminished.
The authors present the results of an electroclinical study in 20 children (16 girls and 4 boys) having epileptic attacks with affective symptoms of a terrifying type. These were often interpreted (6/20) initially as nocturnal terrors or acute anxiety attacks. In 8 cases (40%) there was a previous family history of epilepsy. The age of onset was between 2 and 10 years. The attacks occurred several times during the 24 hours, both day and night, but were controlled rapidly and permanently (4 children over 15 years of age have had no further attacks 4 years after discontinuing treatment), and neurological and intellectual development was normal. This benign progression is correlated with a homogeneous critical and intercritical electroclinical picture enabling an early favorable prognosis to be made. The classification of this type of epilepsy, and its analogy with epilepsy with rolandic spikes is discussed.