Olanzapine treatment of premenstrual onset psychosis: a case report

Objective

Premenstrual onset psychosis is a rare condition of unknown etiology for which no treatment trials have been conducted and whose existence as a definitive diagnosis continues to be debated. The literature includes individual case reports and small case series, leaving psychiatrists to make decisions about prescribing antipsychotic agents on a case-by-case basis. Moreover, researchers continue to debate the efficacy of antipsychotic agents in the treatment of premenstrual onset psychosis.

Method

Case report.

Results

We report the case of a 17-year-old female with recurrent premenstrual onset psychosis that was successfully treated with olanzapine monotherapy (20 mg/day).

Conclusion

These findings may serve as a reminder to physicians to rethink the suitability of a more traditionally accepted diagnosis, including premenstrual exacerbation of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, and the potentially important role of antipsychotic agents, especially prolactin-sparing ones, in premenstrual onset psychosis.     

Psychosis in a cocaine-dependent patient with ADHD during treatment with methylphenidate

Objective

The objective was to report a case of experienced psychosis during the treatment with methylphenidate (MPH) in a cocaine-dependent adult treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with comorbid cocaine dependence.

Conclusion

ADHD is a frequent comorbidity in substance use disorder (SUD) patients. MPH may be effective in treating ADHD symptoms in SUD patients, thus preventing possible adverse outcomes. Cocaine-induced psychosis may be a risk factor for development of psychosis in the presence of a concurrent treatment with MPH.     

Paranoid psychosis and cognitive impairment associated with hepatitis C antiviral therapy

Objective

To report a case of paranoid psychosis and cognitive impairment associated with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antiviral therapy.

Methods

Case report.

Results

A 55-year-old male presented with paranoid psychosis and cognitive impairment, 4 months after initiating interferon-based HCV antiviral therapy. His psychosis resolved with discontinuation of therapy and initiation of risperidone, but his cognitive impairment persisted. His psychosis also re-emerged months later when attempting to titrate down his risperidone. Brain MRI demonstrated bilateral asymmetric subcortical and deep white matter changes, which were non-specific but may have rendered him susceptible to neuropsychiatric sequelae of antiviral therapy.

Conclusion

This case emphasizes the importance of neuropsychiatric screening and monitoring of patients being treated with interferon-based therapy for HCV, particularly if there is evidence of previous neurologic disease.     

Cenesthopathy in adolescence: An appraisal of diagnostic overlaps along the anxiety–hypochondriasis–psychosis spectrum

Objective

To discuss the diagnostic validity of unusual bodily perceptions along the spectrum from age-specific, often transitory and normal, to pathological phenomena in adolescence to hypochondriasis and finally to psychosis.

Methods

Critical literature review of the cornerstone diagnostic groups along the spectrum embracing anxiety and cenesthopathy in adolescence, hypochondriasis, and cenesthopathy and psychosis, followed by a discussion of the diagnostic overlaps along this spectrum.

Results

The review highlights significant overlaps between the diagnostic cornerstones. It is apparent that adolescents with unusual bodily perceptions may conceptually qualify for more than one diagnostic group along the spectrum. To determine whether cenesthopathies in adolescence mirror emerging psychosis, a number of issues need to be considered, i.e. age and mode of onset, gender, level of functioning and drug use. The role of overvalued ideas at the border between hypochondriasis and psychosis must be considered.

Conclusion

As unusual bodily symptoms may in some instances meet formal psychosis risk criteria, a narrow understanding of these symptoms may lead to both inappropriate application of the new DSM-5 attenuated psychosis syndrome and of treatment selection. On the other hand, the possibility of a psychotic dimension of unusual bodily symptoms in adolescents must always be considered as most severe expression of the cenesthopathy spectrum.     

Substance use disorders among treatment naïve first-episode psychosis patients

Objectives

To examine the prevalence of substance use among treatment naïve patients with first episode psychosis presenting to a psychiatry outpatient clinic in India.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 139 first episode treatment naïve patients with psychosis from in and around Bangalore, a city in South India. Self as well as informant-reported data on type, use and duration of substance use as well as the severity of psychotic symptoms were collected using structured instruments. Urine toxicology screen was also conducted for six common drugs of abuse. Breath alcohol analysis was performed in all patients.

Results

Acute and transient psychosis was the most common diagnosis (42.4%). Overall, 20% of the population reported current substance use disorder (excluding nicotine). Current alcohol dependence was diagnosed among 17.3%, whereas cannabis dependence in 3.6%. Life time as well as current use of cannabis was less than 6%. While one patient reported inhalant abuse none reported use of amphetamine or opioids. There was very high concordance between reported drug use and urine toxicology screen.

Conclusion

The use of illicit drugs is substantially less among first episode drug naïve patients with psychosis in an Indian urban clinical setting compared to rates reported from developed countries like North America, Canada and UK.     

A functional polymorphism in estrogen receptor alpha gene is associated with Japanese methamphetamine induced psychosis

Background

A recent study reported an association between rs2234693, which influences enhancer activity levels in estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR1), and schizophrenia. This study reported that schizophrenic patients with the CC genotype have significantly lower ESR1 mRNA levels in the prefrontal cortex than patients with other genotypes. The symptoms of methamphetamine induced psychosis are similar to those of paranoid type schizophrenia. Therefore, we conducted an association analysis of rs2234693 with Japanese methamphetamine induced psychosis patients.

Method

Using rs2234693, we conducted a genetic association analysis of case-control samples (197 methamphetamine induced psychosis patients and 197 healthy controls). The age and sex of the control subjects did not differ from those of the methamphetamine induced psychosis patients.

Results

We detected a significant association between ESR1 and methamphetamine induced psychosis patients in allele/genotype-wise analysis. For further interpretation of these associations, we performed single marker analysis of subjects divided by sex. Rs2234693 was associated with male methamphetamine induced psychosis.

Discussion

Our results suggest that rs2234693 in ESR1 may play a role in the pathophysiology of Japanese methamphetamine induced psychosis patients.     

How psychotic-like are paranormal beliefs?

Background and objectives

Paranormal beliefs and Psychotic-like Experiences (PLE) are phenotypically similar and can occur in individuals with psychosis but also in the general population; however the relationship of these experiences for psychosis risk is largely unclear. This study investigates the association of PLE and paranormal beliefs with psychological distress.

Methods

Five hundred and three young adults completed measures of paranormal beliefs (Beliefs in the Paranormal Scale), psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire), delusion (Peters et al. Delusions Inventory), and hallucination (Launay-Slade Hallucination Scale) proneness.

Results

The frequency and intensity of PLE was higher in believers in the paranormal compared to non-believers, however psychological distress levels were comparable. Regression findings confirmed that paranormal beliefs were predicted by delusion and hallucination-proneness but not psychological distress.

Limitations

The use of a cross-sectional design in a specific young adult population makes the findings exploratory and in need of replication with longitudinal studies.

Conclusions

The predictive value of paranormal beliefs and experiences for psychosis may be limited; appraisal or the belief emotional salience rather than the belief per se may be more relevant risk factors to predict psychotic risk.     

Cycloserine-induced psychosis in a young female with drug-resistant tuberculosis

Objective

To report a case of cycloserine-induced acute psychosis in a young female while on second line antitubercular treatment (ATT) for tubercular meningitis.

Method

Case report.

Results

A 20-year-old female, known case of tubercular meningitis on ATT since 8 months, presented with a 10-days history of headache, vomiting, and photophobia. A provisional diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis was made, and second-line ATT including cycloserine (750 mg/day) and levofloxacin (750 mg/day) was added. Three days after the start of cycloserine and levofloxacin, the patient developed psychosis with delusions and hallucinations. Since the patient was on several drugs with potential to cause psychotic reaction, we considered a provisional diagnosis of drug-induced acute psychosis. Two days following cycloserine withdrawal, the patient improved significantly, and on the third day, she was absolutely normal with disappearance of psychotic symptoms.

Conclusion

Our case highlights the importance of awareness regarding psychiatric adverse events of antitubercular agents and the reversible nature of the adverse events on drug withdrawal. We also suggest that caution should be exercised while administering cycloserine in MDR-TB patients because of a higher risk of psychiatric adverse events.     

Psicosis epiléptica periictal,una causa de psicosis reversible

Introduction

Epileptic psychoses are categorised as peri-ictal and interictal according to their relationship with the occurrence of seizures. There is a close temporal relationship between peri-ictal psychosis and seizures, and psychosis may present before (preictal), during (ictal) or after seizures (postictal). Epileptic psychoses usually have acute initial and final phases, with a short symptom duration and complete remission with a risk of recurrence. There is no temporal relationship between interictal or chronic psychosis and epileptic seizures. Another type of epileptic psychosis is related to the response to epilepsy treatment: epileptic psychosis caused by the phenomenon of forced normalisation (alternative psychosis), which includes epileptic psychosis secondary to epilepsy surgery. Although combination treatment with antiepileptic and neuroleptic drugs is now widely used to manage this condition, there are no standard treatment guidelines for epileptic psychosis.

Clinical cases

We present 5 cases of peri-ictal epileptic psychosis in which we observed an excellent response to treatment with levetiracetam. Good control was achieved over both seizures and psychotic episodes. Levetiracetam was used in association with neuroleptic drugs with no adverse effects, and our patients did not require high doses of the latter.

Conclusions

Categorising psychotic states associated with epilepsy according to their temporal relationship with seizures is clinically and prognostically useful because it provides important information regarding disease treatment and progression. The treatment of peri-ictal or acute mental disorders is based on epileptic seizure control, while the treatment of interictal or chronic disorders has more in common with managing disorders which are purely psychiatric in origin. In addition to improving the patient's quality of life and reducing disability, achieving strict control over seizures may also prevent the development of interictal psychosis. For this reason, we believe that establishing a treatment protocol for such cases is necessary.     

Limbic encephalitis and psychosis

Objective

To report a case of limbic encephalitis (LE) presenting with psychosis.

Method

Case report.

Results

A woman with LE initially presented with acute psychotic symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed hyperintensity in bilateral temporal lobes. Paraneoplastic and autoimmune antibodies were negative, but symptoms resolved after starting methylprednisolone.

Conclusion

A greater awareness for and knowledge of LE among all disciplines could help early recognition and management of LE and avoid permanent behavioral deficits.     

Increased serum Dickkopf-1 levels in drug-abusing psychotic patients

Background

Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt pathway, which is known to be impaired in both psychotic and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we examined serum DKK1 levels as an indicator of ongoing neurodegeneration in psychotic patients, with or without a recent or current history of drug abuse.

Methods

We measured serum DKK1 levels by ELISA in 22 inpatients with psychosis and no history of drug abuse, 22 with psychosis and drug abuse, and 16 controls. We rated psychopathology using the following rating scales: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS); the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) severity scale; and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Extrapyramidal motor symptoms were assessed by the Simpson-Angus Neurological Rating Scale (NRS).

Results

Inpatients with psychosis and comorbid substance abuse showed significantly higher serum DKK1 levels than inpatients with psychosis and no comorbid substance abuse or controls. Comorbid patients had earlier onset, longer duration of psychosis, and more severe extrapyramidal motor symptoms. However, we did not find any significant correlation between DKK1 levels and rating scale scores.

Conclusion

Psychosis led to elevated serum DKK1 levels, and substance abuse led to a further increase. Knowing that there is a correlation between brain and blood levels of DKK1, we speculate that the observed increase in DKK1 levels reflects drug-induced neurotoxicity in our patients.     

Dimensions underlying psychotic and manic symptomatology: Extending normal-range personality traits to schizophrenia and bipolar spectra

Objective

Covariance among psychiatric disorders can be accounted for by higher-order internalizing, externalizing, and psychosis dimensions, but placement of bipolar disorder within this framework has been inconsistent. Moreover, whether deviations in normal-range personality can explain psychosis and vulnerability to severe mood lability, as seen in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, remains unclear.

Methods

Exploratory factor analysis of interviewer-rated clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, their first-degree biological relatives, and nonpsychiatric controls (total N = 193), followed by examination of associations between symptom dimensions and self reports on personality questionnaires.

Results

Covariance in symptoms was accounted for by five factors: positive symptoms of psychosis, negative symptoms of psychosis, disorganization, mania, and depression/anxiety. Schizophrenia and bipolar patients/relatives reported elevated negative emotionality and absorption and lower positive emotionality relative to controls. Personality did not differ between schizophrenia and bipolar patients/relatives, but there was a different pattern of associations between symptoms and personality in these groups.

Conclusions

Discrete dimensions reflecting psychotic, manic, and depressive symptoms emerge when a broad set of clinical symptoms is examined in a sample overrepresented by psychotic experiences and affective disturbances. Although normal-range personality traits index common phenotypes spanning schizophrenia and bipolar spectra, the same symptoms may carry different significance across disorders.     

Anomalous self-experiences contribute independently to social dysfunction in the early phases of schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder

Background

Psychotic disorders are associated with significant social dysfunction. Anomalous self-experiences (ASE) present in psychotic disorders could contribute to social dysfunction.

Aim

To investigate if ASE contribute to social dysfunction in the early phases of psychotic disorders after controlling for factors related to social functioning including diagnoses.

Methods

ASE were assessed by means of the EASE (Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience) in 76 patients referred to their first adequate treatment for schizophrenia or psychotic bipolar disorder. Diagnoses, symptom severity, and functioning were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, Premorbid Adjustment Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning—Split Version, and Social Functioning Scale. Neurocognitive assessments included measures of psychomotor speed, working memory, executive and memory functions. Duration of untreated psychosis was also assessed.

Results

High levels of ASE were significantly associated with poorer social functioning in the early phases of schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder also after correcting for diagnosis.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the significance of ASE for social dysfunction in patients with psychotic disorders, and contributes to the understanding of the complexity of illness-related factors that affect social functioning.     

Association analysis of GRM2 and HTR2A with methamphetamine-induced psychosis and schizophrenia in the Japanese population

Background

Abnormalities in glutaminergic neural transmission have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. A recent study reported that alterations in the 5-HT2A–mGluR2 complex may be involved in neural transmission in the schizophrenic cortex. In addition, methamphetamine-induced psychosis is thought to be similar to schizophrenia. Therefore, we conducted a case-control study with Japanese samples (738 schizophrenia patients, 196 methamphetamine-induced psychosis patients, and 802 controls) to evaluate the association and interaction between GRM2, HTR2A and schizophrenia.

Methods

We selected three ‘tagging SNPs’ in GRM2, and two biologically functional SNPs in HTR2A (T102C and A1438G), for the association analysis.

Results

We detected a significant association between methamphetamine-induced psychosis and GRM2 in a haplotype-wise analysis, but not HTR2A. We did not detect an association between GRM2 or HTR2A and schizophrenia. In addition, no interactions of GRM2 and HTR2A were found in methamphetamine-induced psychosis or schizophrenia. We did not detect any novel polymorphisms in GRM2 when we performed a mutation search using methamphetamine-induced psychosis samples.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that GRM2 may play a role in the pathophysiology of methamphetamine-induced psychosis but not schizophrenia in the Japanese population. A replication study using larger samples or samples of other populations will be required for conclusive results.     

Psychosis following chloroquine ingestion: a 10-year comparative study from a malaria-hyperendemic district of India

Objectives

Serious adverse effects such as acute psychoses have been reported following treatment with chloroquine. Chloroquine can cause cell death, including neurons. We aimed to identify the most frequent type of psychiatric manifestation and symptomatological characteristics of psychosis following chloroquine ingestion (PFC).

Method

Out of a total of 4471 randomly selected recent-onset psychosis patients, 3610 consecutive patients who had responded to standard treatment were screened for entry in the study. We compared background clinicodemographic profile information and psychopathology of 51 PFC patients, who were either drug free or drug naive, to 51 brief psychotic disorder (BPD) patients who were matched in terms of age, sex and education. Only those patients who remitted within 8 weeks (PFC patients) or 4 weeks (BPD patients) were included. Cranial computed tomography, electroencephalography and lumbar puncture of the entire experimental group were normal, and none had Mini Mental Status Examination score < 22. Group difference and correlational statistics (parametric and nonparametric) have been used to test the hypotheses and explain the results.

Results

The most common (76.2%) type of psychiatric disturbance in PCF group was mood disorder (mixed episode) accompanied by predominant irritability with little blunting of affect. PFC patients characteristically had prominent positive symptoms with visual hallucination and derealization experiences. They were more restless, agitated and anxious and had more disturbed thought content and orientation, but better preserved insight. There was no linear relationship between the amount of chloroquine consumed and the severity of psychosis.

Conclusion

Considering the large number of patients still receiving chloroquine especially in developing countries, this study has been presented to draw attention of the psychiatrists and other health professionals to the hazardous effect of chloroquine on mental health.     

Apathy,poor verbal memory and male gender predict lower psychosocial functioning one year after the first treatment of psychosis

Background

Apathy is a negative symptom associated with poor psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia but has not been sufficiently studied as predictor of poor functioning in first episode psychosis (FEP).

Objective

The main aim of the current study was to evaluate if apathy predicts poor functioning after 1 year in FEP patients in the context of other clinical variables with influence on outcome.

Method

Sixty-four FEP patients completed an extensive clinical and neuro-psychological test battery at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Symptoms were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome scale (PANSS), apathy with the shortened Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES-C-12) and psychosocial functioning with the functioning score from the split version of the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF-F).

Results

High levels of apathy, poor verbal memory and being male were the baseline variables that best predicted poor functioning at 1-year follow-up, explaining 34% of the variance in GAF-F. When PANSS negative factor was included in the analysis, the significance of AES-C-12 diminished.

Conclusion

These findings points to a robust role for apathy among the negative symptoms in the development of persisting psychosocial dysfunction in FEP and supports the current effort in targeting motivation to improve functioning.     

Paliperidone-associated motor tics

Objectives

Paliperidone-associated motor tics.

Method

Case report.

Results

We report a 30-year-old man with schizophrenia who developed motor tics (eye blinking) after treatment of paliperidone up to 15 mg daily.

Conclusion

Tic-like symptoms, from simple eye blinking to complex Tourette-like syndrome, may occur during paliperidone treatment, especially with high dose.