Tag: Schizophrenia spectrum

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Association of oxidative stress, metacognition, and psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia: a case-control study

BackgroundMetacognitive deficits are common in schizophrenia (SZ) and may worsen symptoms and impair insight. Oxidative stress (OS) abnormalities have also been reported, but findings are inconsistent, and no study has examined their associations with metacognition and psychopathology.MethodsThis case-control study included 89 SZ patients and 90 healthy controls (HC). OS markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were measured. The patient group and healthy control group underwent metacognition was assessed using the abbreviated Metacognitive Assessment Scale (MAS-A) and patients’ symptoms with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Covariates included age, gender, education, BMI, and smoking, illness duration, onset age and medication.ResultsPatients showed significantly lower MAS-A total score and subscale scores (all p < 0.01) versus HC. Patients had lower SOD, CAT and GPX (130.69 vs 152.12 ng/L, 2.46 vs 6.62 ng/L, 158.09vs 197.75μmol/L) and higher MDA (9.22vs 7.34μmol/L) than controls (all p < 0.05). Partial correlation revealed that in patients: SOD was negatively correlated with positive/negative/PANSS total and MAS-A decentration scores; CAT was negatively correlated with general pathological/PANSS total scores, and positively correlated with MAS-A total score and its subscales (self-reflectivity, understanding the other’s mind, decentration, mastery), MDA was negatively correlated with negative symptom score and self-reflectivity score, and positively correlated with general pathological score; GPX was positively correlated with most clinical and metacognitive scores. Linear regression revealed SOD, CAT, and GPX significantly associated with the PANSS total score (β = -0.119, -6.169, -0.226; all p < 0.05), and with MAS-A total score (β = 0.021,2.879 0.049, all p < 0.001).ConclusionSchizophrenia patients exhibit OS abnormalities and metacognitive impairments. Greater OS severity correlates with worse metacognition and more severe psychopathology, suggesting OS as a key factor linking these domains.
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<![CDATA[In “Managing Tolerability and Setting Patients Up for Success with Cobenfy,” David Walling, PhD, delved into the key tolerability considerations for patients with schizophrenia transitioning to Cobenfy and how clinicians should proactively manage gastrointestinal side effects?]]>
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Stigma and quality of life in hospitalized schizophrenia patient-family caregiver dyads in Northern China: an actor-partner interdependence model analysis

BackgroundSchizophrenia is a chronic and relapsing mental disorder that is consistently associated with a severely diminished quality of life (QoL) for patients. Existing research has predominantly focused on how the stigma experienced by patients with schizophrenia relates to their own QoL. However, stigma among family caregivers has received considerably less attention, and its potential association with patients’ QoL, in particular, remains underexplored. Therefore, this study aims to systematically analyze the dyadic associations of stigma—as experienced by both patients with schizophrenia and their family caregivers—with QoL, utilizing an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM). Through this framework, this study seeks to explore the interdependence of stigma between patients and their family caregivers and its correlational links to their quality of life.MethodsTwo hundred and sixty-four pairs of schizophrenic patients and their family caregivers were included, and the subjects’ stigma was measured using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale and the Conjunctive Stigma Scale, respectively, and the quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Measurement Short Form. The actor-partner effect of stigma on quality of life was explored by constructing an actor-partner reciprocity model.ResultsThe actor effect of stigma on quality of life was significant for people with schizophrenia and their family caregivers (β=-0.472, p < 0.001, β=-0.779, p < 0.001), and the partner effect of stigma on quality of life was significant for people with schizophrenia and their family caregivers (β=-0.128, p = 0.033, β=-0.419, p < 0.001).ConclusionIn future research and interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for people with schizophrenia and their caregivers, it is important to consider not only the individual’s own stigma, but also how the other person’s stigma is associated with one’s quality of life.
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<![CDATA[Explore 2024’s xanomeline–trospium: M1/M4 muscarinic therapy for schizophrenia, easing EPS and metabolic risks while raising GI concerns.]]>
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<![CDATA[This episode, titled “Integrating Novel Mechanisms into Schizophrenia Treatment Practice,” features panelist Mark Jankelow discussing the practical clinical considerations surrounding a novel muscarinic agent.
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Association of MAP2 gene polymorphisms and altered expression with schizophrenia risk in a Chinese Han population

BackgroundSchizophrenia (SCZ) is a highly heritable primary psychotic disorder. The microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) gene is essential for dendritic integrity and synaptic plasticity, positioning it as a key candidate for bridging genetic risk and neuropathology. Nevertheless, the role of common genetic variations within MAP2 in SCZ susceptibility remains to be elucidated.MethodsWe conducted a candidate gene association study of MAP2 in a Han Chinese cohort comprising 418 SCZ patients and 418 matched healthy controls. Targeted sequencing was used to genotype single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). MAP2 mRNA levels were quantified by RT-qPCR and correlated with genotypes and clinical symptoms. Bioinformatic tools (such as GTEx, BrainSeq, 3DSNP, HaploReg, RegulomeDB and SNP2TFBS database) were employed for functional annotation of risk loci.ResultsWe identified multiple MAP2 SNPs associated with SCZ risk in a Han Chinese cohort. Specifically, the AA genotype of rs288057 and the GG genotype of rs288087 were significantly associated with increased disease risk (OR = 2.393 and 2.258, respectively). Expression analysis revealed a marked reduction in peripheral MAP2 mRNA levels in patients compared to controls. This downregulation was genotype-dependent: the risk AA at rs288057 and GG at rs288087 were correlated with lower mRNA levels, a finding supported by its significant eQTL effect in the GTEx and BrainSeq database. In silico annotation suggested rs288087 resides within a putative enhancer region, while rs288057 may affect a promoter-proximal regulatory site. Clinically, MAP2 expression showed a significant positive correlation with the severity of negative symptoms (SANS score). Furthermore, ROC analysis indicated that MAP2 expression levels distinguished patients from controls with an AUC of 0.728.ConclusionThis study identifies MAP2 as a schizophrenia risk gene, wherein non-coding variants likely reduce its expression via distinct regulatory mechanisms, linking this downregulation to core negative symptoms. These findings highlight MAP2’s pathophysiological and translational relevance.