Structural neuroimaging and predominant polarity in patients with type 1 bipolar disorder from Antioquia.

INTRODUCTION: Predominant polarity (PP) has been proposed as a specifier of bipolar disorder (BD) due to its relationship with clinical and prognostic variables. It is possible that this is due to a different underlying neurobiology, in such a way that the changes found by structural nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) in BD are different and specific. OBJECTIVES: To explore findings of structural neuroimaging in patients with BD type I (BD-I) according to PP. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that evaluated 77 patients with BD-I using the DIGS interview. PP was established using the operative definition of two-thirds of all affective episodes throughout life to classify PP as manic (MPP), depressive (DPP) or indeterminate (IPP). MRI was performed during the euthymia phase to measure intracranial structures. The data obtained was analysed using a linear regression model adjusted for confounding variables (drug use, alcohol use, psychoactive substance use) and were compared between the three groups finding the standardised mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: Differences with adequate effect size were found in three brain structures after adjusting for confounding variables, specifically in the right fusiform gyrus and the left lingual gyrus, which were greater in the DPP group than in the MPP group (SMD = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.34-1.49 and SMD = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.21-1.35). Likewise, in the right thalamus, it was shown to be greater in the IPP group compared to MPP group (SMD 0.89, 95% CI = 0.31-1.46). CONCLUSIONS: A reduction in the thickness of the right fusiform gyrus and the left lingual gyrus, as well as the right thalamic volume was observed in patients with BD-I with PPM, which supports the hypothesis that PP has a plausible neurobiological correlate and could have potential utility as a BD specifier.

Neuroimagen estructural y polaridad predominante en pacientes con trastorno afectivo bipolar tipo I de Antioquia / Structural Neuroimaging and Predominant Polarity in Patients with Type 1 Bipolar Disorder from Antioquia

RESUMEN Introducción: La polaridad predominante (PP) se ha propuesto como un especificador del trastorno afectivo bipolar (TAB) por su relación con variables clínicas y pronósticas. Es posible que esto se deba a una neurobiología subyacente distinta, de tal manera que los cambios encontrados por resonancia magnética estructural (RMe) en el TAB sean diferentes y específicos. Objetivos: Explorar hallazgos de neuroimagen estructural en pacientes con TAB I de acuerdo con la PP. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal que evaluó a 77 pacientes con TAB I usando la entrevista DIGS. Se estableció la PP utilizando la definición operativa de los 2 tercios de todos los episodios afectivos a lo largo de la vida para clasificar la PP en maniaca (PPM), depresiva (PPD) o indeterminada (PPI). Se les realizó RMe durante la fase de eutimia para medir estructuras intracraneales. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron mediante un modelo de regresión lineal ajustado por variables de confusión (consumo de medicamentos, consumo de alcohol, consumo de sustancias psicoactivas) y se compararon entre los 3 grupos para hallar la diferencia de medias estandarizada (DME). Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias con adecuado tamaño de efecto en 3 estructuras cerebrales tras ajustar por variables de confusión, específicamente en el giro fusiforme derecho y el giro lingual izquierdo, que fueron mayores en el grupo de PPD que en el de PPM (DME = 0,92; IC95%, 0,34-1,49; DME = 0,78; IC95%, 0,21-1,35). Así mismo en el tálamo derecho, que se mostró mayor en el grupo de PPI frente al de PPM (DME = 0,89; IC95%, 0,31-1,46). Conclusiones: Se observó una reducción del espesor del giro fusiforme derecho y el giro lingual izquierdo, así como del volumen talámico derecho en pacientes con TAB I con PPM, lo que respalda la hipótesis de que la PP cuenta con un correlato neurobiológico plausible y podría tener potencial utilidad como especificador del TAB.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Predominant polarity (PP) has been proposed as a specifier of bipolar disorder (BD) due to its relationship with clinical and prognostic variables. It is possible that this is due to a different underlying neurobiology, in such a way that the changes found by structural nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) in BD are different and specific. Objectives: To explore findings of structural neuroimaging in patients with BD type I (BD-I) according to PP. Methods: Cross-sectional study that evaluated 77 patients with BD-I using the DIGS interview. PP was established using the operative definition of two-thirds of all affective episodes throughout life to classify PP as manic (MPP), depressive (DPP) or indeterminate (IPP). MRI-was performed during the euthymia phase to measure intracranial structures. The data obtained was analyzed using a linear regression model adjusted for confounding variables (drug use, alcohol use, psychoactive substance use) and were compared between the three groups finding the standardized mean difference (SMD). Results: Differences with adequate effect size were found in three brain structures after adjusting for confounding variables, specifically in the right fusiform gyrus and the left lingual gyrus, which were greater in the DPP group than in the MPP group (SMD = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.34 to 1.49 and SMD = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.21 to 1.35). Likewise, in the right thalamus, it was shown to be greater in the IPP group compared to MPP group (SMD 0.89, 95% CI = 0.31 to 1.46). Conclusions: A reduction in the thickness of the right fusiform gyrus and the left lingual gyrus, as well as the right thalamic volume was observed in patients with BD-I with PPM, which supports the hypothesis that PP has a plausible neurobiological correlate and could have potential utility as a BD specifier.

Validation of the Self Stigma of Seeking Help (SSOSH) scale in a population of Colombian medical students.

OBJECTIVE: Validate the Self Stigma Of Seeking Help (SSOSH) scale in a population of students of a medical school for its use in Colombia. METHODS: We included 384 medical students from the city of Medellín. Initially, two direct translations were made, two back translation and one pilot test. The internal consistency, test-retest repeatability and structural, convergent, divergent and discriminative construct validity were then evaluated. RESULTS: A easy-to-understand and to fill out Spanish version was obtained. The internal consistency of the scale was adequate (Cronbach's alpha = .80; 95%CI, .77-.83) as well as the test-retest repeatability (CCI = .77; 95%CI, .63-.86). The Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed a good fit with the one-dimensional structure (RMSEA = .073; IC90%, .056-.089; CFI = .968; TLI = .977; WRMR = .844). The convergent validity was supported by the correlation with the Public Stigma scales (ρ = .39) and Attitudes towards Seeking Help (ρ = -0.50) and the divergent validity with the Social Desirability scale (ρ = -0,05). When examining the discriminative validity, differences were found between the scores of those who would be willing to seek professional help when having a mental health problem and those who probably would not (Difference of means = 4.9; 95%CI, 2.99-6.83). CONCLUSIONS: The Colombian version of the SSOSH is valid, reliable and useful for the measurement of the Self-stigma associated with seeking professional help in the university population of the Colombian health sector. Its psychometric properties must be investigated in populations of other programs and outside universities.

Correlation Between Cognitive Performance and Structural Neuroanatomy in Patients with Type I Bipolar Affective Disorder Treated with and Without Lithium. / Correlación entre el desempeño cognitivo y la neuroanatomía estructural en pacientes con trastorno afectivo bipolar tipo I tratados con y sin litio.

INTRODUCTION: Lithium treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) has been associated with less cognitive impairment and fewer changes in structural brain anatomy compared to other treatments. However, the studies are heterogeneous and few assess whether these effects are related. The objective of this study was to evaluate and relate cognitive performance and structural neuroanatomy in patients treated with and without lithium. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included 48 subjects with BD-I, of which 22 were treated with lithium and 26 without lithium. Performance was assessed on Wechsler III (WAIS III), TMT A and B (Trial Making Test) neuropsychological tests, California verbal learning test (CVLT), Rey complex figure test and Wisconsin card sorting test. Brain structures obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated. The standardised mean difference (SMD) between both groups was calculated, adjusted for confounding variables using a propensity score, and the Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to assess the relationship between cognitive performance and neuroanatomical regions. RESULTS: Compared to the group without lithium, the group with lithium had fewer perseverative errors in the Wisconsin test (SMD = -0.69) and greater left and right cortical areas (SMD = 0.85; SMD = 0.92); greater surface area in the left anterior cingulate (SMD = 1.32), right medial orbitofrontal cortex (SMD = 1.17), right superior frontal gyrus (SMD = 0.82), and right and left precentral gyrus (SMD = 1.33; SMD = 0.98); greater volume of the right amygdala (SMD = 0.57), right hippocampus (SMD = 0.66), right putamen (SMD = 0.87) and right thalamus (SMD=.67). In the lithium group, a correlation was found with these errors and the thickness of the left precentral gyrus (ρ = -0.78), the volume of the right thalamus (ρ =-0.44), and the right amygdala (ρ = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: The lithium group had better cognitive flexibility and greater dimension in some frontal and subcortical cortical regions. Furthermore, there was a moderate to high correlation between performance in this executive function and the thickness of the right precentral gyrus, and the volumes of the thalamus and the right amygdala. These findings could suggest a neuroprotective effect of lithium.