Gambling disorder involves repeated problematic gambling behavior that causes significant problems or distress. It is also called gambling addiction or compulsive gambling.

In Tunisia, a muslum country, gambling is prohibited and casinos are non-existent or only for tourists with foreign currency. Lately, with the spread of casinos online and sites of sports betting, gambling’s become problematic in Tunisia. People accumulated huge debts with feelings of shame and guilt leading to suicidal attempts.

Studying the link between gambling disorder and suicidal attempts and comparing the different preventive measures proposed for online gambling.

a case of a patient with gambling disorder that was hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital for a suicidal attempt by stabbing himself and a review of a literature.

Mr R.A was a 42-year-old man with no family nor personal psychiatric history. He has no history of a particular substance use disorder. He was married and a father of two children and has a regular job.

A year ago, he stated gambling on internet sites using his phone cell and, in several months, he lost a lot of money and accumulated debts.

Lately he committed two attempts of suicide. The first one was by swallowing rat poison. The second one was a month later, by stabbing himself with a knife that caused evisceration and required surgery then an hospitalization in a psychiatric unit.

There’s evidence that GD and SB are associated, although there’s disagreement about the nature of this association. Adequate preventive measures should be considered by governments

No significant relationships.

The incidence and severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is higher in women than men because of environmental and biological factors. Specific mechanisms in the PACAP-PAC1R (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and its type I receptor) system may confer PTSD risk in women. Interestingly, while the PACAP (ADCYAP1) - PAC1R (ADCYAP1R1) system is expressed highly in the hypothalamus, no relationship has been described for this pathway in the hypothalamus with fear processing or in PTSD.

We studied whether the estrous/menstrual cycle at the moment of trauma predicts PTSD and the involvement of the PACAP neurons in the amygdala and hypothalamus during traumatic stress.

Mice: DREADDs, immunohistochemistry and behavior. Humans: fear-potentiated startle and questionnaires.

Here, we show that acute stress immobilization (IMO) produces fear extinction impairments in female mice. Also, IMO elicits Adcyap1 and Adcyap1r1 mRNA upregulation in the hypothalamus, PACAP/c-Fos downregulation in the medial amygdala (MeA), and PACAP/FosB/ΔFosB upregulation in the ventromedial hypothalamus dorsomedial part (VMHdm) after fear extinction. We also found that women with the risk genotype of ADCYAP1R1 rs2267735 SNP show impaired fear extinction. In mice, DREADD-mediated inhibition of the MeA neurons projecting to the VMHdm during IMO rescues both PACAP upregulation in VMHdm and the fear extinction impairment. We ruled out contributions from inherent hormonal states showing that the menstrual or estrous cycle phase at the moment of trauma does not result in a vulnerable phenotype.

Our data suggest that the PACAP-PAC1R hypothalamic system may be a novel candidate to treat and prevent PTSD symptoms including fear dysregulations.

No significant relationships.

Tranylcypromine (TCP), an irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), is recommended for difficult-to-treat depression. Besides the requirement of a low-tyramine diet, there are concerns about the safety of TCP treatment during anaesthesia and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). For safety reasons, many psychiatrists prefer to terminate TCP before ECT.

To assess the safety of tranylcypromine treatment during ECT series in patients with difficult-to-treat depression (DTD).

In this retrospective study we report on n=19 patients, who were treated with tranylcypromine during the ECT series. ECT parameters, clinical and safety data were obtained from our clinical database.

Mean age of patients was 51 years (range 29-77) at time of the first ECT sessions. 58 % (n=11) of patients were female. In total, 198 ECT sessions were analysed (mean 11, median 9,5 per patient). Mean TCP dose was 44 mg at time of first ECT (median 43). Concomitant TCP and ECT treatments were well tolerated during the entire ECT series. In one case TCP treatment was discontinued due to self-limiting bigeminus during the ECT session. In another case TCP and other drugs as well as the ECT series were stopped after the patient developed delirium. At the end of ECT series the mean TCP dosage was 37 mg.

Tranylcypromine appears to be safe during ECT series and does not necessarily have to be terminated prior to electroconvulsive therapy.

No significant relationships.

The use of psychoactive substances in pregnancy has a similar profile to the general population, in which ethyl alcohol and tobacco are the most widely used drugs, followed, to a much lesser extent, by marijuana and cocaine. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant of the Central Nervous System. Like other smokable cocaines, PBC is highly fat soluble and rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier, causing maternal-fetal harm when consumed during pregnancy. Being its pathophysiological mechanism the vasoconstriction of uterine and fetal vessels. Obstetric complications related to this toxic mechanism of action include: increased risk of spontaneous abortion, premature detachment of the normal inserted placenta, and intrauterine growth restriction.

We present how was the management of a 26-year-old woman, polytoxic, unemployed, living in a “squatting house”, referred from the Gynecology and Obstetrics service to the Addictive Behavior Unit, due to fetal alterations seen in ultrasound follow-ups. Presenting the fetus: delayed intrauterine growth, and bilateral ventriculomegaly with dilation of the left ventricle.

We report this case to social services and we started doing a weekly poison check. Presenting positive controls for both: cannabis and cocaine.

Due to the physical, psychological and environmental situation of the patient, the withdrawal of custody of her child is being considered.

These types of cases must be treated in a multidisciplinary way, with awareness of the disease and the consequences of continuing to consume must be addressed.

No significant relationships.

Since the rates of female criminality are rising it would appear important to conduct the study of the relationship between criminal behaviour and psychiatric diagnoses in female offenders.

The main purpose of this investigation is to find out origins of crimes in women and to reveal the influence of child and adolescent maltreatment on personality disorders in adult women.

Clinical psychopathological, psychological, statistical.

A cohort of 13 females with diagnosis of personality disorders was examined. All of them had committed crimes of violence. In the majority of the sample women had a previous history of psychiatric admissions (child psychiatric hospitals, adolescent units). The retrospective review revealed that the majority of women in their childhood were exposed to emotional, physical and sexual abuse in their families. Our results point that maltreatment may distort personality formation and social adjustment and contribute to behaviour problems, negative relation to socialization and criminal behaviour in adulthood.

The study revealed that psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence are predictive of adult criminality in females and also revealed the risk of girls who are victims of maltreatment to become a perpetrator in adulthood. This findings may be used as prognostic indicators of development of aggression in female forensic patients.

No significant relationships.

The links between body image disturbances and distorted relationships with parents were supposed since the early conceptualizations of AN by Hilde Bruch. The empirical studies however were concerned with perceptual aspects of body image and much less is known about how the attitudinal aspects and the body-related behaviors are affected.

To study the attitudinal and behavioral aspects of body image in adolescents with AN in relation to perceived parental care and the attachments to close people.

The Body Investment Scale (BSI), Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) were used. 53 girls with Anorexia Nervosa were compared to 63 controls (adjusted by age).

Girls with AN scored significantly higher on BIS Body attitude (p<.001) and Protection scales (p<.01), while displayed equal results on Body Care scale. They displayed lower Confidence in relationships (p<.01), higher Need for approval, Discomfort and preoccupation in close relationships (p<.05). No differences were found on PBI, excerpt for AN group perceiving less paternal control (p<.05). The correlation analysis, while showing a number of similar correlations within groups, suggests that in AN group positive Body image was more closely linked to perceived early care, especially from father (r=.6), in contrast with controls. In current relationships negative Body image for AN is stronger related to Discomfort and Need for approval (r>0.6), while Discomfort with Touch is less linked to problems in relationships than in controls.

Results suggest the importance of studying the father’s mediating role in the formation of body attitudes in AN.

No significant relationships.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling psychiatric disorder that affects 2-3% of the population. Pharmacological or cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce symptoms. Deep brain stimulation is emerging for treatment-resistant patients.

We measured neuronal activity in two patients with treatment-resistant OCD, who had DBS electrodes implanted bilaterally in the BNST. Local field potentials were recorded directly from the BNST during and without symptom provocation and without electrical stimulation.

In two patients with a diagnosis of treatment resistant OCD (TR-OCD) local field potentials (LFP) were recorded as part of their clinical follow up post-implantation. In both patients, the diagnosis of TR-OCD was confirmed by a neuropsychiatric examination and a multidisciplinary committee comprising both experienced psychiatrists and neurosurgeons from different medical centers in Belgium. We used BrainSense recording technology in the Percept PC to record the LFPs. The LFP recordings in the first patient were acquired on the 15th day after DBS surgery. In the second patient, the interval between implantation and recording was 18 days. Symptom provocation was performed using the MOCCS image set, developed by Mataix-Cols.

At rest, relative power peaks in the BNST were highest in the theta (4-8 Hz) frequency band for both patients. In both patients switching DBS ON during provocation images appears to cause the LFP signal to closely resemble that recorded during neutral images.

The main finding of this pilot study is that switching stimulation ON in the BNST during provocation images causes the LFP signal to more closely resemble the LFP recorded during neutral images.

No significant relationships.

Rapid cycling Bipolar disorder and mixed affective states are treatment resistant conditions. Standard treatments are ineffective. Homozygous polymorphism of DIO2 gene is associated 3.75-fold risk of bipolar disorder.

High Dose Levothyroxine combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in Rapid cycling Bipolar disorder: Is it thyroid disease?

20 RCBPD with ICD-10criteria for bipolar disorder. All were severely symptomatic. TFTs and ECGs were monitored weekly with cardiology and endocrinology backup. Genetic testing was undertaken for DiO1/DiO2 status.

17 were female, average age 32.4 yrs. 19/20 had Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of either DIO1, DIO2 or both. All but two patients were treated with rTMS to induce cerebral neuroplasticity. Average pre-treatment fT4 was 17.0 pmol/L , and fT3 4.5 pmol/L Average post-treatment, fT4 was 59.7 pmol/L and fT3 5.3 pmol/L. Average fT4:fT3 ratio pre-treatment was 4:1, and post-treatment was 5:1. HDL range was 200-800 mcg daily for remission. Average dose 472 mcg daily. Discontinuation rate was 0%. All patients had ECG and cardiac review One patient required a dose reduction because of minimal side effects 12 patients needed one mood stabiliser All were in remission for a minimum of 6 months.

We speculate that BPD may be a form of cerebral hypothyroidism and that HDL helps to overcome the deficit while robust inactivating deiodinases in the periphery protect from systemic thyrotoxicosis. This is evidenced by findings of normal clinical examination and elevated rT3. rTMS exercises its well established neuroplastic effect, helping to achieve and maintain remission as an adjunct to HDL.

The London Psychiatry Centre (TLPC) has pending patents for the combined protocol of rTMS and/or Thyroid hormones depending on the territory: - Pending US Patent application: (and/or) US20200384279 - Pending European patent appl

Evidence from epidemiological studies indicated that intrauterine exposure to alcohol and tobacco is linked with a number of adverse outcomes in offspring. However, few studies have linked prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposures to offspring depressive symptoms with mixed results.

The objective of this study was to examine the link between maternal prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposures and depressive symptoms in offspring.

Using data from the Raine Study, a prospective multigenerational observational study, we examined the associations between maternal prenatal alcohol and tobacco use and the risk of depressive symptoms in offspring at age 17 years (N=1168). Depressive symptoms in offspring were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory for Youth. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate relative risk (RR) for associations between exposures and outcome. To better investigate the role of potential confounders, risk factors were sequentially added as adjustment variables in separate models.

After adjustment for potential confounders, depressive symptoms in offspring remained related to maternal alcohol use of six or more standard drinks per week during the first trimester of pregnancy [RR 1.59 (95% CI: 1.11-2.26)]. Further, the risk of depressive symptoms was 50% higher for offspring exposed to prenatal tobacco use when compared to non-exposed. The Associations did not appear to be mediated by the effects of prenatal alcohol and tobacco use on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Early screening and prevention of these exposures could possibly reduce depressive symptoms in offspring. Moreover, future examinations such as Mendelian Randomization that allow a stronger causal inference is warranted.

No significant relationships.

Adolescents patients presenting with mood disorders, including disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), often present with the comorbid disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

1) Evaluate the association between suicide in adolescents and various mood disorders. 2) To study the impact of comorbid conditions in DMDD on suicide ideation and attempt in adolescents.

We used 2016-2017 National Inpatient Sample dataset to select patients with mood disorders. Rao Scott adjusted Chi-Square test used to compare the groups with SPSS v26.

In this study, 15195 patients were in the DMDD group (Mean age:12.1,F: 38%) and 219205 in the ‘other mood disorders’ group (Mean age:14.4,F:67%). The odds of SI/SA were two times more in patients with the ‘other type of mood disorder’ (OR:2.07, 95%CI: 1.77-2.14). Patients with the primary diagnosis of DMDD sub-classified into four groups (Group 1: DMDD only (n=5160), Group 2: DMDD+ADHD (n=7240), Group 3: DMDD +ODD (n=700), and Group 4: DMDD+ADHD+ODD (n=2095). SI/SA was prevalent in 30.8%, 26.0%, 22.9% and 26.3% in Group 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively (p: 0.03). SI/SA was more prevalent in females compared to males (31.3% vs. 25.2%). An increase of 1 year in age was associated with a higher SI/SA (OR:1.05, 95%CI:1.01-1.08, 0.01). The SI/SA odds were 5% more in female patients (OR:1.27, p:0.01).

The study reveals that the risk of suicide ideation or suicide attempt is almost twice in the adolescent with mood disorders without DMDD compared to the DMDD group.

No significant relationships.

The overall goal was to determine the degree of mental, neuromuscular and statodynamic functions disorders resulting from toxic effect of mercury and its compounds, to study relationship between the degree of loss of professional ability to work as a result of occupational disease with the presence of complications due to concomitant diseases.

The relevance of studying the degree of violations of the main indicators of vital activity due to the toxic effect of mercury and its compounds is due to the persisting high level of loss of professional ability to work, and in some cases, and disability of this contingent. Analysis of indicators of primary and repeated disability due to occupational diseases showed that a sufficiently high number of persons recognized as disabledю

We studied the dynamics of psychopathological disorders: violation of the emotional sphere, thinking, perception, attention, volitional activity and cognitive functions. The functional and metabolic activity of segmented neutrophils in the peripheral blood of 42 patients, men and women aged 43 to 64 years, and 22 healthy donors were studied.

Long-term exposure to chronic industrial mercury intoxication led to persistent disorders of mental functions, suppression of phagocytic activity of neutrophils up to 42.3+-4.7 per cent and inhibition of the reaction with nitro blue cytosol 4.2+-0.1 per cent..

The revealed violations of the emotional-volitional sphere and cognitive mental functions are possibly associated with the suppression of nonspecific cellular reactions of microphages. Violations of neuroimmune interactions in mercury intoxication require further study.

No significant relationships.

During the COVID-19 pandemic residents of the central region of Hungary also had to adapt to several challenges such as changes of hospitals’ specialty profiles and delegation of health care workers to COVID wards.

Hungarian residents have their practical training in various hospitals, while their psychiatric academic training is organised in groups.

Our aim is to share our personal experiences about how our work and training have changed during the pandemic and it’s effect on our patients.

Participants of the study were the authors of the poster. Responses to open questions were structured based on the following topics: competencies in internal medicine, infectious diseases and psychiatry, our collaboration with other medical disciplines, psychiatric training and attitudes towards mental health patients.

We worked min 2 weeks max 8 months at COVID wards and also treated COVID-19 infected psychiatric patients, thus gaining a greater experience in general medicine. In psychiatric work, acute care became prominent, communication in PPE and restricted contact with patients’ relatives were particularly difficult. Our relationship with other specialists has improved, consultation became easier. Increased use and misuse of psychiatric consultation requests led to further pressure. Restrictions, stigmatisation and discrimination increased against psychiatric patients, including difficult access to care. Psychiatric training in the hospitals became limited, however seminars organized by the university continued online with our active participation.

During the pandemic we gained greater experience in general medicine. Psychiatric care and our training was negatively affected, however the latter was mitigated by online seminars.

No significant relationships.

A delusion of pregnancy is defined as a fixed false belief that one is pregnant in the absence of any evidence to support the pregnant state. Different mechanisms have been advanced to explain this phenomenon.

Herein, we present a case of hyperprolactinemia with delusion of pregnancy during the use of Amisulpride.

Herein, we present a case of hyperprolactinemia with delusion of pregnancy during the use of Amisulpride.

This case concerns a 39-year-old, divorced Tunisian woman with the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder,She has never been pregnant. She was taking Amisulpride at the dose of 400 mg per day with 100mg of Haldol Decanoate. In June 2021, she was admitted to our department as she expressed the thought that she was pregnant. No other psychotic symptoms were reported. There was no history of alcohol or illicit drug use. The physical examination was normal. The blood pregnancy test was negative. A measure of serum prolactin was performed and revealed a high prolactin level at 700 ng/ml. Amisulpride was discontinued. We then recorded the serum prolactin level at one month and then at three months after we stopped Amisulpride. We found that as her prolactin levels decreased her complaint of pregnancy also diminished. Actually, the patient has a normal level of prolactin and has no pregnancy delusion.

Clinicians should be aware that delusion of pregnancy in psychotic patients may be caused by side effects of the treatment. Monitoring of serum prolactin levels in patients under Amisulpride may help to improve the management of these patients.

No significant relationships.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity. It is one of the most common disabilities in college populations and comorbidity with depression is frequently reported.

The aim of the study is to shed light on depression as comorbidity and other intrapersonal correlates of ADHD in young adults.

Participants were Hungarian university students (N=420; M=24.5, SD=5.0 years). Criteria of the ADHD group were based on the Adult ADHD Self Report Scale V1.1 (ASRS-V.1.1) screening tool. The participants filled in the Beck’s Depression Inventory, the Hyperfocus Scale, Flow State Scale, Academic Persistence Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale.

We found that in the group of students who had ADHD symptoms, depression score was significantly (p<.001) higher (M=18.38, SD=5.87) than the control group’s scores (M=14.56, SD=4.45). Frequency of severe depression was 13.4% (moderate: 33.5%) while in the control group: 1.6% and 17.6% respectively. Participants reporting ADHD symptoms (N=164, 39%) also reported lower levels of resilience (M=23.40, SD=6.96), relative to their non-ADHD peers (M=27.69, SD=6.48). Significant differences were found in the areas of self-efficacy, depression, flow and hyperfocus as well, and ADHD symptoms contributed to lower level of life satisfaction (β=-0.24, p<.001).

Our findings suggest that university students reporting symptoms of ADHD may be assisted with strategies that are focused on increasing protective factors (i.e., resilience, self-efficacy, flow) to prevent depression and improve their life satisfaction and quality of life.

No significant relationships.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) – nosological continuum of genetically and clinically heterogeneous mental disorders united by complex violation of mental development, social interaction and behavior.

Identify the features of brain functioning in children with ASD.

Neuropsychological diagnostics (Zh. Glozman), results acoustic brainstem evoked potentials (ABEP), mathematical methods. The study involved 48 children with diagnoses (ICD-10): F84. 0, F84. 1, F84.5, aged 3 to 8 years (average age 4.18 years).

Neuropsychological examination revealed the main Indices of the functioning of brain blocks: the Index of activation and energy components of activity (I Index), the Index of the right-hemisphere holistic strategy of information processing (Index II-rights), the Index of the left-hemisphere analytical strategy of information processing (Index II-left), the Index of programming, regulation and control of activity (III Index). Then the children were divided into groups (p<0.001): 1 group – 10 children with high I Index (W = -6.03); 2 – 20 children with high Index II-rights (W = -5.74); 3 – 18 children with high III Index (W = -2.32). Correlation analysis showed: for group 1 difficulties in the perception of auditory information are characteristic; for group 2 – reduced level of control over the course of mental activity, difficulties in automating thinking and speech, coordination of movements; for group 3 – relationship is not manifested.

Phonemic perception causes the greatest difficulties in children of group 1. Children of group 2 are characterized by difficulties in the formation of motor speech skills, a decrease in voluntary activity and control over it.

No significant relationships.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in individuals with SMI. The sedentary lifestyle that usually guides these individuals associated with the use of some psychotropic drugs increases the risk of adverse events related to these pathologies

Presentation of the Study Protocol for the Implementation of a Psychoeducational Group directed to Prevention and Monitoring Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in patients with SMI

It is intended to implement a psychoeducational program, which includes a 30-minute walk, focused on healthy lifestyle habits, for 16 weeks.

It is intended to include SMI individuals, from a convenience sample, who present any of these criteria: Excess weight; At risk or diagnosed with DM; Sedentary lifestyle; Smoker. Data regarding socio-demographic, clinical and motivational for and about physical activity will be collected from the intervention group. Patients who refuse to join the study will only receive information about lifestyle changes at the beginning and will continue with their usual care.

According to available literature, it is expected that the monitoring and control of these parameters will translate into a benefit in reducing cardiovascular risk factors and optimizing the treatment of MS, contributing to the empowerment of patients in managing their disease and increasing their quality and years of life.

The impact of lifestyle changes proved to be effective and are sometimes lasting, with objective gains in quality of life of these patients. The main measure to face this issue, improve the well-being and physical health of these individuals, is to reduce weight and increase baseline physical activity.

No significant relationships.

Aripiprazole once-monthly is a long-acting intramuscular injectable formulation of aripiprazole. The starting dose can be administered by following one of two regimens: • One injection start: On the day of initiation, administer one injection of 400 mg Aripiprazole once monthly and continue treatment with 10 mg to 20 mg oral aripiprazole per day for 14 consecutive days • Two injection start (New regimen): On the day of initiation, administer two separate injections of 400 mg Aripiprazole once monthly at separate injection sites, along with one 20 mg dose of oral aripiprazole.

To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of Aripiprazole long-acting injectable (ALAI) in patients with schizophrenia. The starting dose was administered following the two injection start regimen

Sample:10 patients with schizophrenia (DSM 5 criteria) who started treatment with ALAI. The starting dose was administered following the two injection start regimen. On a tri-monthly basis, the following evaluations were performed during a follow-up period of 6 months: The Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia scale (CGI-SCH), treatment adherence, the number of hospitalizations and Side effects reported

Mean variations from baseline scores at 6 months was (-1.1 ±0.89) on the GCI-SCH. The percentage of patients who remained free of admissions at the end of the 6 months was 90%. The rate of adherence to treatment after 6 months was 80%. The most frequent side effect was transient mild insomnia (20%) .

Aripiprazole long-acting injectable (The starting dose was administered following the two injection start regimen) is effective, safe and well tolerated in clinical practice conditions

No significant relationships.

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is prevalent among psychiatric patients than general population.

To assess the SD and quality of life (QOL) of patients with schizophrenia, and to identify the factors associated with it.

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, which began in December 2019, conducted with 60 subjects followed for SCZ or SAD, at the psychiatry outpatient unit of the Hédi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax (Tunisia). General, clinical and therapeutic data were collected using a pre-established questionnaire. The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and the 36 item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to evaluate subjective sexual dysfunction and QOL respectively.

Patients enrolled had SCZ in 78.2% and SAD in 21.8% of cases. The mean age was 47.2 years. Psychiatric family history, the presence of personal somatic illnesses and tobacco use were found in 43.6%, 61.8% and 67.3% of cases, respectively. The average score of ASEX was 18.21. QOL was altered in 73.3% of participants with an SGM of 53.29. The psychic component was more altered than the physical one with average scores estimated respectively at 48 and 58.44. Participants with SD were more likely to have tobacco consumption (p= 0.025), history of suicide attempt (p=0.023) and they are treated by a combination of several treatments (p=0.025). Impaired QOL was not statistically correlated with SD (p=0.5)

The physicians should pay attention to SD during the assessment and treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

No significant relationships.

The direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the population have become a concern in the field of research in psychiatry. First psychotic episodes following infection with SARS cov2 have been reported.

Through a clinical case, we will illustrate the association of psychiatric symptoms with SARS cov2 infection.

We discussed , through a clinical case, the association of psychiatric symptoms with infection by the coronavirus 19.

L.R, Tunisian 52-year-old, diabetic (type 2) women, with no personal or family psychiatric history and no toxic habits. she did not receive receive covid 19 vaccination. Twenty days before her admission to the psychiatry departement, she had fever, cough, myalgia, and anosmia .The diagnosis of a SARS COv2 infection was retained by her general practitioner. Two weeks later she suddenly presented a persecutory delirium, distressing auditory hallucinations, and attempted rat poison suicide. On admission, The patient had a delirium of persecution towards her entourage and an auditory hallucinatory syndrome with distressing content. She was put on 1 mg of Risperidone with restitution ad integrum after 7 days. COVID-19 serology test detected IgM antibodies which allowed us to conclude that the symptomatology was related to the infection by this virus. For the etiological research, we performed a serology that confirmed the recent exposure to SARS COV2 and. The diagnosis retained is a brief psychotic disorder post-Sars Cov2.

The advanced hypothesis that infection with SARS CoV-2 could be the cause of the psychiatric manifestations remains unclear to this day.

No significant relationships.

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are among the most debilitating mental disorders and evidence on its pathophysiological underpinnings is scant. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) appears to be involved in the pathophysiology of these complex psychiatric disorders.

The present study investigates the longitudinal variation of serum BDNF levels in a 24-month observational cohort study of Sardinian psychotic patients (LABSP). This study assessed the variation in BDNF serum levels and its relationship with psychopathological and cognitive changes. Further, we also examined if genetic variations within the BDNF gene could moderate these relationships.

Every six months 105 LABSP patients were assessed for their BDNF serum levels, as well as for a series of psychopathological, cognitive, and drug-related measures. Four tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the BDNF gene were selected and analyzed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Longitudinal data were analyzed using mixed-effects linear regression models (MLRM).

Analysis showed significantly lower peripheral BDNF levels in psychotic patients with depressive and negative symptoms. BDNF levels were also decreased in patients scoring lower in cognitive measures such as symbol coding and semantic fluency. In addition, Val66Met polymorphism within the BDNF gene significantly moderated the relationship between the severity of negative symptoms and BDNF levels.

Our findings are consistent with previous literature suggesting that peripheral BDNF levels are associated with some cognitive domains and mood disruption in major psychosis. The results also suggest the lack of association between most BDNF genetic variants, except Val66Met polymorphism, with the severity of negative symptoms.

No significant relationships.