Toxoplasma infection in schizophrenia patients: a comparative study with control group

Schizophrenia is a serious, chronic, and often debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder. Its causes are still poorly understood. Besides genetic and non-genetic [environmental] factors are thought to be important as the cause of the structural and functional deficits that characterize schizophrenia. This study aimed to compare Toxoplasma gondii infection between schizophrenia patients and non-schizophrenia individuals as control group. A case-control study was designed in Tehran, Iran during 2009-2010. Sixty-two patients with schizophrenia and 62 non-schizophrenia volunteers were selected. To ascertain a possible relationship between T. gondii infection and schizophrenia, anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were detected by indirect-ELISA. Data were statistically analyzed by chi- square at a confidence level of 99%. The sero-positivity rate among patients with schizophrenia [67.7%] was significantly higher than control group [37.1] [P <0. 01]. A significant correlation between Toxoplasma infection and schizophrenia might be expected

Farsi version of the strength and difficulties questionnaire self-report form: the normative data and scale properties

This study was performed to evaluate the normative data and psychometric properties and the internal consistency of the Farsi [Persian] version of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire [SDQ] self-report form, as a screening tool in a community-based sample of 12 to 17 year-old adolescents of urban Tehran. In this investigation, 1105 adolescents [12 to 17 years old], selected from 250 clusters from all the 22 municipality areas of Tehran, responded to 25 questions of the Farsi version SDQ self-report form. The frequency of each symptom domains according to Goodman's cutoff points and 90th percentile and the mean score in each subscale were determined. The 90th percentile cutoff points were somewhat different from those of the previous reports. Using Goodman's cutoff points, the prevalence of symptom domains was relatively high. For example, 13.7 percent of the adolescents studied had total scores equal to 20 or more. There were significant correlations between different subscales and their constituting questions. Self-report form of SDQ is a valuable tool in the screening of adolescent psychopathologies. Frequency of majority of the symptom domains seems to be higher in the adolescents in Tehran urban areas

Effects of maternal postpartum thyroiditis on thyroid function, intelligence quotient and cognitive development of their offspring

The effect of thyroid hormones on all stages of the development of central nervous system has been documented in different studies. Postpartum thyroiditis [PPT] is associated with high titers of TPO-Ab during pregnancy. Thyroid autoimmunity in pregnancy results in reduction of serum free thyroxin level, even in the presence of normal thyroid function. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of PPT on the thyroid function and cognitive development of the offspring. Materials and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, conducted between December 2007 and March 2008, children born to mothers who had developed postpartum thyroiditis after delivery and those mothers who had not, were included in this study. Blood and urine samples were obtained from all children and blood samples were drawn from their mothers. All children underwent 7 cognitive tests in a clinical psychology laboratory. Results: We enrolled 124 children for the study, 55 cases [children of mothers with PPT] and 69 controls [children of mothers without PPT]. Average age of cases was 9.5 +/- 1.4 and in controls was 9.4 +/- 0.1 [P=0.2]. No difference was noted between the two groups for baseline characteristics which might have affected their neurodevelopment. Mean scores for total IQ, performance IQ, and verbal IQ in cases and controls were as follows: 115 +/- 10 vs. 116 +/- 12, 113 +/- 11 vs. 116 +/- 12, and 113 +/- 12 vs. 113 +/- 13, respectively [P=0.5]. There was no difference between the results of the other tests [CPT, WCST, PRM Test, SWM Test, MFVP Test, SOC] in the two groups. No difference was noted between the thyroid function of the two groups. Conclusion: Prevalence of goiter, thyroid function, cognitive development, and intelligence quotient of children born to mothers who later develop postpartum thyroiditis are similar to those of normal children. Postpartum thyroiditis in mother is not a threat for the newborn

[Relationship between maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy and intellectual development of offspring]

Children who were born from untreated hypothyroid mothers, have lower intelligence quotient [IQ] levels in school age in comparison with same age group. Nonetheless, the effect of hypothyroidism, especially subclinical form on fetal neuronal cell growth and subsequent imprints on intelligence and learning are unclear. This study was designed to evaluate intellectual development of children of mothers who had hypothyroidism, especially subclinical type during their pregnancies. In this historical cohort study, out of 441 hypothyroid women, 90 patients with 106 pregnancies were reviewed. 44 children were enrolled in this study. They were divided to case [N=25] and control groups [N=19] according to the maternal TSH level during pregnancy. For all children serum TSH and free T4 were measured by radioimmunoassay and urine Iodine concentration was assayed by acid digestion method. IQ level and cognitive performance of all children were also evaluated. The basic characteristics of children except maternal TSH and 14 were the same between two groups. The age range of children was 4-14.5 years. All laboratory parameters [TSH, free T4 and urinary iodine] were similar in two groups. There was no significant difference in IQ level and cognitive performance between two groups. Using Pearson correlation test, except mother education level and neonatal weight there were no relationship between variables and IQ level. This study showed that IQ level and cognitive performance in children who were born from sub clinical hypothyroid mothers are similar to control group