Our aim was to explore the possible association between four SNPs related with 5-HTR2A signal pathways and phenotype characteristics of major depressive disorder (MDD) in Chinese Han.

194 patients with recurrent major depressive episodes were from Chinese Han origin. 4 SNPs were detected with LDR (ligase detection reaction). The multidimensional scaling analysis was use for testing the association between different genotypes of four SNPs (5-HTR2A rs6311, Gβ3 rs5443, ADCY9 rs2230739 and PDE1A rs1549870 related with 5-HT2A signal pathway) and phenotype characteristic of MDD.

The multidimensional scaling illustrated: rs6311CC, rs5443CC and rs1549870GG with the certainly-existed fundamental symptom 2 were in the same zone; rs6311CC and accessory symptoms 7, and rs6311CC and depressive episode with psychotic symptoms and repeated episodes are in the same zone. The results showed rs6311CC had a close correlation with depressive symptoms.

It is concluded that rs6311 may be the functional point of the 5-HT2A gene in MDD; It is presumed that different genotypes of rs5443 and rs2230739 can modulate the second message signal pathways in MDD.

To analyze social, demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with schizophrenia and comorbidity drug dependence.

Clinical interview with specially elaborated formalized card. Patients were diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria. 182 patients were treated in St Petersburg state mental hospital № 3 in 2005-2010.

Alcohol, cannabis, and heroin tend to be the primary substances of abuse. According to the drug usage we form two groups. The first group (n = 105, 57,7%) consisted of patients who abuse alcohol only. The second group consisted of patients who use different types of drugs (n = 77, 42,3%). Both groups had high rates of unemployment, disability, length of stay in a psychiatric hospital.

Schizophrenia patients with multidrug dependence (2nd group) were younger than patients with alcohol dependence only (1st group). Middle age of patients of 2nd group was 31, 38 ± 0, 94 and middle age of patients of 1st group was 42, 45 ± 1,14. Patients of both group were unemployed 92 (87, 61%) and 62 (80,52%) respectively.

We identified statistically significant between-group differences in patients with paranoid schizophrenia. Patients of 1st group had paranoid schizophrenia higher 76 (72, 38%) than patients of 2nd group 39 (50, 65%). On the contrary, simple schizophrenia was diagnosed more often in patients of 2nd group 29, 87% and 14, 28% respectively.

Drug dependence disorders come before schizophrenia manifestation significantly more often (51,95%) than alcohol use disorders (AUD) (31,43%).

AUD occurred after schizophrenia manifestation (33, 33%) significantly more often than drug dependence disorders (12,9%).

Suicide is complex, multifactorial phenomenon, and is an outcome of interplay of environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which mediates neural plasticity, different behaviours, and stress response has been associated with stressful life events or childhood adversity in depression and suicidal behaviour in various psychopathologies, and it may as well modulate antidepressant response.

We genotyped 600 subjects, suicide victims and controls, for polymorphism Val66Met (rs6265), and performed methylation analysis on 44 subjects. Different subgroups were formed to test impact of specific variables (violent and nonviolent methods, psychiatric disorders, suicide in victims with/without stressful childhood experience) on suicide and genetic component.

The frequency of the combined Met/Met and Met/Val genotypes and the homozygous Val/Val genotype was significantly different between female suicide victims and controls, between female suicide victims who used violent suicide methods and controls, and between all included suicide victims with or without stressful life events. Postmortem brain samples from suicide subjects showed a statistically significant increase of DNA methylation at specific CpG sites in promoter/exon IV compared with controls. Higher methylation degree corresponded to lower mRNA levels. BDNF promoter/exon IV was frequently hypermethylated in postmortem brain of suicide subjects irrespective of genome-wide methylation levels, indicating that a gene-specific increase in DNA methylation could cause or contribute to the downregulation of BDNF expression in suicide subjects.

DNA variation and methylation stauts of the BDNF could be very importnant prognistic factors for increased vulnerability to suicidal behaviour, and therefore significant target of future studies.

To examine the predictors of suicidal ideation and self-harm in patients diagnosed with a depressive episode or an adjustment disorder, and to examine any difference in these predictors between the two diagnostic categories.

Patients referred to the liaison psychiatry services at two Dublin hospitals and diagnosed with either a depressive episode or an adjustment disorder were recruited to this study. They were interviewed at time of diagnosis, and again after six months, with a number of validated instruments to examine levels of suicidality or self-harm and their relationship to depressive symptoms, life events, social functioning and personality factors.

300 patients were recruited to the study, 154 of whom had a diagnosis of an adjustment disorder and the remainder diagnosed with a depressive episode. On univariate analysis there was no significant difference in the rates of suicidal ideation between the diagnoses of depressive episode and adjustment disorder. On logistic regression there were no significant predictors of suicidal ideation in adjustment disorder. A single marital status and low levels of social support were more predictive of suicidality in the subgroup with a diagnosis of depression.

There has been little prior research into the predictors of suicidal behaviour in patients with diagnoses of depression and adjustment disorders. Our finding that social support and marital status are protective against suicidality in this population is in keeping with the literature. The absence of any significant contribution of the severity of depressive symptoms to suicidality was unexpected.

In this study we aimed to examine the characteristics of patients diagnosed with depressive episode or adjustment disorder, and to explore the interplay between these diagnoses and personality disorder/traits.

Patients referred to the liaison psychiatry services at three Dublin hospitals and diagnosed with either a depressive episode or an adjustment disorder were recruited to this study. They were interviewed at time of diagnosis and again after six months using validated instruments, including SCAN (Schedule for Clinical Diagnosis in Neuropsychiatry - a semi-structured diagnostic interview schedule) and possible personality disorder as measured by SAPAS (Standardised Assessment of Personality - Abbreviated Scale).

370 patients were recruited to the study, 185 of whom had a diagnosis of an adjustment disorder; the remainder were diagnosed with a depressive episode according to ICD-10 criteria. SCAN (Schedule for Clinical Diagnosis in Neuropsychiatry - a semi-structured diagnostic interview schedule) was not useful in distinguishing between these two diagnoses. Patients with a SAPAS score above 3 (cut-off for likely personality disorder) and a diagnosis of adjustment disorder had an increased risk of suicidal behaviour (p = 0.001). When both diagnostic groups were analysed together, patients with a SAPAS score above 3 had an increased risk of suicidal behaviour (p = 0.007).

There has been little prior research into personality disorder and its association with adjustment disorder. Personality traits are associated with a diagnosis of depression rather than adjustment disorder, but have a stronger association with suicidal behaviour in patients with a diagnosis of adjustment disorder.

To examine the referrals to a new Psycho-oncology service (one session per week) in a tertiary referral hospital in north Dublin with a Liaison Psychiatry service, and to examine the challenges and benefits of setting up a specialised psychiatry service for patients with a diagnosis of a malignancy.

Referrals were taken from any member of the multidisciplinary oncology and haematology teams, as well as from other medical or surgical teams involved in providing medical care to this population. The referrals were examined closely, along with the outcome and the follow up advised.

In the first year of the service, 28 patients were referred to the service and 26 (93%) were seen.18 (64%) were referred as consults during the course of an inpatient admission or while attending the oncology day ward; 10 (36%) were referred as out-patients. Overall 57 appointments were scheduled with an 86% attendance rate. Over the year, the number of referrals gradually increased with time as the service became more widely known. The most common psychiatric diagnoses were depression and adjustment disorder, at 21% each. 54% of patients also had input from the Palliative Medicine service.

It became evident from the referrals that there are substantial psychiatric needs in this population, and this need had been previously unmet. As we established a specialist service, the service uptake was initially slow, but as the service became more widely known in the hospital the number of referrals increased.

Perinatal depression encompasses major and minor depressive episodes that occur either during pregnancy or within the first 12 months following delivery.

To screen 213 women for depression symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum at the Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Center of Serbia and in the Primary Health Center “Zvezdara”.

Two thousand thirteen women, without psychiatric history, were screened for depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Questionnaire that covered key demographic and obstetric information and EPDS, were administered at the third trimester of pregnancy, and 8 weeks postpartum. Women were identified as at high risk for depression if scores were above a cut-off score of twelve.

Twenty one percent of the sample was screened as depression positive during pregnancy. Subsequently, efforts were made to follow-up 195 women with a postnatal EPDS and ten percent were screened positive during postpartum. Risk factors low education level, dissatisfaction with financial situation, high risk pregnancy and depression during pregnancy. Logistic regression with backwards elimination showed that women who had high risk pregnancy have threefold increased risk for postpartum depression; antenatal depressive symptoms tenfold increased risk for postpartum depression.

Clinicians should be aware of the frequency and level of depressive symptoms during pregnancy, especially in countries where screening tool for depression is not applied routinely in obstetrics settings. Therefore, it is very important to identify women at high risk. Be aware that depression is one of the risk factors that complicate pregnancy.

There is a relative dearth of studies assessing the course of early onset psychoses especially other than schizophrenia.

Follow-up assessment of level of functioning in early onset psychosis.

Analysis of the course and outcome in early onset psychoses. Assessment of prognostic significance of psychopathological symptoms profile in the early course of illness.

144 patients with schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis (F20 - F29 according to International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision ICD-10), hospitalized in the period June 1998 - June 2008 in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department was interviewed a mean 7.3 years after the index hospitalization. During interview data concerning course of illness after discharge and present level of functioning were obtained. For 50 of the patients with available results of baseline assessment with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale these data were also analyzed.

Mean age at the index hospitalization was 16.9 years, mean age at the follow-up assessment 24,3 years. Psychotropic drugs were currently receiving 72% of patients. In some kind of educational or vocational activity were engaged 68% of patients. Mortality rate was 2%. Baseline diagnosis of schizophrenia was associated with higher number of hospitalizations, current pharmacotherapy and lower probability of being in romantic relationship. Negative symptoms present during index hospitalization were associated with more intensive further treatment, but not with the current level of functioning.

Baseline diagnosis and baseline level of negative symptoms were associated with mental health services utilization but had little impact on functional outcome.

Early Intervention Services (EIS) have a number of objectives including reducing legal harm to individuals suffering from psychosis. There are no standardised practices in the UK.

The characteristics of the offending behaviour in an EIS service were profiled using demographic variables, identifying the nature of the offence and reviewing the patient outcomes.

It was a retrospective audit of case notes. The inclusion criterion was a conviction during the EIS care spell.

12 offenders out of 120 patients were identified.58% of offenders were male.58% had harmful use of alcohol/substances and 8% had dependency.

The most prevalent diagnosis was paranoid schizophrenia (25%) and unspecified psychosis (25%). 17% had substance induced psychosis and 8% had bipolar disorder.

The most prevalent crimes were violence to person (41%), threats to life of others (41%), followed by larceny (33%) and violence to property (17%).

25% were detained in hospital, 8% imprisoned and 33% received community sentences.

There was no change in diagnosis in 91% of offenders after the offence.

There was no change in medication in 75% of offenders. 8% had antipsychotic medication changed, 8% had antidepressant medication added, and 8% had ADHD medication added.

A number of demographic risk variables for offending in an EIS were identified. The offending led to limited responses around diagnosis and interventions. Given the proliferation of EIS worldwide, the issue of managing (and ideally preventing) offending will have wide application. Our study suggests more comprehensive evaluation is needed for developing models of intervention.

To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the prison population in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Through stratified random sampling, 1,192 men and 617 women prisoners were evaluated for the presence of psychiatric disorders by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, 2.1 version, according to definitions and criteria of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The prevalence estimates of mental disorders and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated and adjusted for sample design through complex sample analysis.

Lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates differed between genders. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any mental disorder was, respectively, 68.9% and 39.2% among women, and 56.1% and 22.1% among men. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of anxious-phobic disorders was, respectively, 50% and 27.7% among women and 35.3% and 13.6% among men, of affective disorders was 40% and 21% among women and 20.8% and 9.9% among men, and of drug-related disorders was 25.2% and 1.6% among women and 26.5% and 1.3% among men. For severe mental disorders (psychotic, bipolar disorders, and severe depression), the lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates were, respectively, 25.8% and 14.7% among women, and 12.3% and 6.3% among men.

This study, which was performed with a representative prison population, showed high rates of psychiatric disorders among men and women. Epidemiological studies on mental health needs of prisoners are crucial for planning and development of appropriate health care programs for specific prison populations.

The Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) has been shown to have good psychometric properties.

To translate, adapt, and validate a Spanish version of the MASC (MASC-SP) for use in patients with Asperger's syndrome.

To develop an ecological and standardized assessment of social cognition for the Spanish-speaking community.

MASC-SP was administered to a sample of twenty-two patients diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome (3 women, 19 men; mean age 21.94) and twenty-six healthy volunteers (9 women, 17 men; mean age 22.92). Other measures of social cognition were also administered: the Strange Stories Task, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, and a emotion recognition task. A brief scale for cognitive evaluation in psychiatric patients was also administered (SCIP).

The Asperger group scored lower on the MASC-SP (p = 0.000), had fewer correct answers on the emotion recognition test (p = 0.000), and poorer understanding of social situations (p = 0.000). The area under the ROC curves was 0.814 for the MASC-SP, 0.795 for the emotion recognition test, 0.912 for the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, and 0.806 for the Strange Stories Task. The Asperger group did not show cognitive deterioration and MASC-SP was proven to be independent for other general cognitive functions. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.86, demonstrating satisfactory internal reliability (> 0.80) very similar to the original instrument (0.84).

The Spanish adaptation of the MASC can be a useful, ecologically valid tool for assessing social cognition.

Depression is one of the most common health issues impacting the university student population. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a short measure that has the potential to serve as a dual-purpose instrument that establishes depressive disorder diagnoses as well as grades the depressive symptom severity.

The current study was designed to study the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of the PHQ-9 in a sample of university students.

Specifically, we examined the internal reability and convergent validity of the measure.

The English language of the PHQ-9 was translated into Portuguese. The process involved back-translation, crosscultural adaptation, field testing of the pre-final version, as well as final adjustments. A sample of university students completed the PHQ-9, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Complete data were obtained from 1241 participants. The mean age of the participants was 23.81 years (SD = 4.87) and 75.3% of them were females. The mean PHQ-9 score was 4.15 (SD = 4.05). The Portuguese version of the PHQ-9 had satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86) and showed moderate convergent validity with the HADS anxiety (r = 0.61; p < 0.01) and HADS depression (r = 0.59; p < 0.01), and strong convergent validity with the BDI (r = 0.85; p < 0.01).

The PHQ-9 has good psychometric properties amongst Portuguese university students. Implications for using the measure as an assessment instrument in the university setting are discussed.

Individuals with bipolar disorder show consistent deficits in olfactory ability and have also shown deficits in social cognition.

To explore the relationship between olfactory ability and social cognition, especially facial emotion perception, in bipolar disorder.

Thirty-nine euthymic outpatients meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for bipolar disorder and a sample of 39 healthy volunteers matched on demographic criteria were recruited. Both groups were assessed at one time point with the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), the Emotion Recognition Test, the Faux Pas Recognition Test, as well as measures of general cognition (Asarnow's Span of Apprehension Test, Wisconsin Sort Card Test) and general functioning (GAF, FAST).

Bipolar patients achieved significant lower scores on both capacity for olfactory discrimination (p = 0.02) and recognition of facial emotions (p = 0.03), compared to healthy controls. A significant correlation between the capacity for smell identification (UPSIT) and the recognition of facial expressions (FACE test) was found (p = 0.001). Analyses revealed significant relationships between olfactory identification and facial emotion recognition, theory of mind, general cognition, and functioning. Controlling for age and cigarettes smoked, relationships remained significant between olfactory function and facial emotion recognition. Regression models showed a trend level association between olfactory function and facial emotion recognition above and beyond the influence of age, cigarette smoking, and general cognition.

There is a deficit of olfactory identification in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder that is correlated with a deficit in non-verbal measure of social cognition.