A comparison of clinical characteristics and course predictors in early- and childhood-onset schizophrenia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) and early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) during the first- episode psychosis and the stable period, to examine psychopharmacological treatment approaches, and to investigate potential predictive factors for prognosis. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, and psychopharmacological therapy data for 31 patients diagnosed with COS and 66 with EOS were retrieved from the file records in this multicenter study. Symptom distribution and disease severity and course were evaluated twice, in the acute psychotic stage and in the latest stable phase, during follow-up using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) and clinical global impression (CGI) scales. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups' CGI improvement rates and median last stable stage PANSS positive, negative, and general psychopathology symptom scores (p = .005, p = .031, p = .005, and p = .012, respectively). Premorbid neurodevelopmental disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder and comorbidities were more common in the COS group (p = .025 and p = .030, respectively), and treatment required greater multiple antipsychotic use in that group (p = .013). When the independent variables affecting the difference between pre- and post-treatment PANSS scores were examined using linear regression analysis, the model established was found to be statistically significant (F = 5.393; p = .001), and the group variable (p = .024), initial disease severity (p = .001), and socioeconomic level (p = .022; p = .007) emerged as predictive factors for the disease course. CONCLUSION: Although early diagnosis and treatment is an important factor in improving prognosis in schizophrenia, more specific predictors for schizophrenia need to be identified. Additionally, preventive programs and pharmacological methods need to be developed in children with neurodevelopmental problems, particularly those from low socioeconomic status families.

Cytokine expression profiles in children and adolescents with tic disorders.

The etiology of tic disorders (TDs) is not precisely known, although several lines of evidence suggest involvement of the immune system in pathogenesis. Here, we aimed to determine the expression levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in children with TD and compare them with those of healthy controls. Furthermore, we also evaluated their association with clinical variables in the TD group. Within the study period, 88 children with tic disorders and 111 healthy control children were enrolled. Most children with tic disorders were diagnosed with Tourette's disorder (n = 47, 53.4%) or persistent motor tic disorder (n = 39, 44.3%), while the remainder (n = 2, 2.3%) were diagnosed with persistent vocal tic disorder. We found that children with tic disorders had significantly elevated levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-4 expression, while we detected lower expression levels of IL-17 in children with tic disorders. Our findings provide a molecular landscape of cytokine expression in children with TD, which may suggest a proinflammatory state not affected by the presence of comorbidity and symptom severity. Delineating the contribution of alterations in the immune system to the pathogenesis of tic disorders may pave the way for better therapeutic interventions.

Do Anthropometric Measurements of The Orbital Region Differ Between Healthy Children and Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate whether there may be differences in the measurements of the orbital region between healthy children and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: In this study, the orbital region measurements of 310 children, including 130 ADHD children and 180 healthy children aged 7 to 11 years, were analyzed. For this analysis, anterior view photographs of these individuals were used. For both sides, endocanthion (en), exocanthion (ex), and pupil (p) were determined in these photographs. A total of 5 distances (ex-ex, en-en, ex-en for the right side, ex-en for the left side and p-p) were analyzed using these points. RESULTS: In both sexes, no statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in all 6 parameters analyzed. CONCLUSION: Although it was concluded that there was no difference in orbital measurements between healthy children and children with ADHD in this study, it was thought that a definite conclusion could not be reached because the cases examined belonged to a single center. Therefore, it is thought that multicenter studies in which more individuals are evaluated are needed.

Does attention deficit hyperactivity disorder worsen family functioning and parenting styles? A case control study.

OBJECTIVE: A bidirectional relationship between family functioning and parenting styles and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is proposed. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of ADHD symptoms on parenting styles and the general functionality of the family as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety. METHODS: 73 children with ADHD (56%) and 56 controls (43%) (a total of 129 participants, 31% female, 69% male) with a mean age of 11.3 (7-17, n: 129) were included in the study, which was conducted in Gaziantep University Hospital Child Psychiatry Department in 2022. The participants completed psychometric scales. RESULTS: Parents of children with ADHD showed higher positive parenting scores than the control group (p < 0.05). Inconsistent discipline scores were substantially higher in the ADHD combined subtype (14.38 ± 5.2) than in the attention deficit dominant group (17.59 ± 3.96) In addition, a strong correlation was found between familial functionality scores and ADHD severity in the ADHD attention deficit dominant subtype (r:0.601; p:0.027) and as ADHD severity increased, family functionality decreased. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that parents of children with ADHD have different parenting styles and ADHD affects the overall functionality of the family in the Turkish sample.

functional outcome in late adolescence/early adulthood of patients with autism spectrum disorder and its relationships with parental burnout and depression: A preliminary multi-center, cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study is to determine the functioning of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) diagnosed in childhood and depression and burnout levels among their parents. A total of 261 adults with ASDs and their parents were recruited for the study. Both parents completed the Beck Depression and Maslach Burnout Inventories and reported the functioning of their adult offspring with ASDs. Only 5.4 % of our sample reported "good" or "very good" outcomes. The most common psychiatric comorbidities were intellectual disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Maternal burnout and depression scores were significantly elevated compared to those of fathers. There is an undeniable urgent need for more research to identify the needs of adults and families suffering from ASD. Modifications for those with ASD may have to be made for support in workplaces, achieving driving licenses, using public transportation and attendance at tertiary education.

Evaluation of the Regulatory Role of Circadian Rhythm Related Long Non-Coding RNAs in ADHD Etiogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: ADHD is associated with increased sleep problems and circadian rhythm disturbances. This study aimed to examine ADHD patients and healthy controls in terms of chronotypic features and expression levels of CLOCK, PER1, lncRNA HULC, lncRNA UCA1. METHOD: Eighty-three children were included (43 ADHD). Conner's Parent Rating Scale-Revised Short Form, Childhood Chronotype Questionnaire, Children's Sleep Disorders Scale were administered. Gene expression levels were studied from peripheral blood. RESULTS: Evening chronotype, sleep initiation/maintenance disorder, sleep-wake transition disorder, excessive sleepiness disorder were higher in the ADHD group compared to the controls in the scales reported by the parents. Expression levels of all examined genes were statistically significantly higher in the ADHD group. There was no significant relationship between genes and sleep parameters in the ADHD group. CONCLUSION: Our study provides the first evidence that lncRNA HULC and lncRNA UCA1 might have a role in the etiology of ADHD.

Body-focused repetitive behaviors in children and adolescents, clinical characteristics, and the effects of treatment choices on symptoms: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: This study determines clinical features of body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) among a sample of Turkish children and adolescents, evaluates the naturalistic treatments selected in this sample, and determines the effects of those treatments during a 3-month follow-up. METHODS: The study included a cohort of 67 patients 9 to 17 years old attending a tertiary center between March and June 2013 with complaints of nail biting, skin picking, and/or hair pulling. The patients completed psychometric scales and were evaluated for symptom severity, improvement, and adverse effects after an initial interview and at control visits during the 4th and 8th weeks. RESULTS: The most common BFRB was nail biting. In nail-biting behavior, subjective awareness was higher, and urges prior to the behavior and release after the behavior were found to be higher. Although there was no significant difference between the choice of treatment and the course of psychiatric measures, significant improvement was found in functionality after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its limitations, the small number of studies on BFRBs increases the importance of studies in this area.