Schizoaffective Disorder

Archives of General Psychiatry, a monthly professional medical journal published by the American Medical Association, publishes original, peer-reviewed articles about psychiatry and related fields

A standardized definition of remission criteria in schizophrenia was proposed by the International group of NC Andreasen in 2005 (low symptom threshold for the eight core Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) symptoms for at least 6 consecutive months).|A standardized definition of remission criteria in schizophrenia was proposed by the International group of NC Andreasen in 2005 (low symptom threshold for the eight core Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) symptoms for at least 6 consecutiv

Neuropsychopharmacology, the official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, publishing the highest quality original research and advancing our understanding of the brain and behavior.

Command hallucinations are among the most distressing, high risk and treatment resistant symptoms for people with psychosis; however, currently, there are no evidence-based treatment options available for this group. A cognitive therapy grounded in the principles of the Social Rank Theory, is being evaluated in terms of its effectiveness in reducing harmful compliance with command hallucinations.|Command hallucinations are among the most distressing, high risk and treatment resistant symptoms for people wi

Several lines of evidence have implicated the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1) in the etiology of schizophrenia. Although a number of genetic association studies have been reported, very few have systematically examined gene-wide tagging polymorphisms.|Several lines of evidence have implicated the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1) in the etiology of schizophrenia. Although a number of genetic association studies have been reported, very few have systematically examine

The effectiveness and safety of various antipsychotics was evaluated in a long-term study on 47 patients, 29 with schizophrenia and 18 with schizoaffective disorder, aged 10 to 17 years (mean 15.5) at onset. Follow-up ranged from 3 years (all 47 patients) to 11 years (19 patients). Data were collected on the following antipsychotics: haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole and clozapine. Cases with positive response were significantly more frequent with clozapine as compared to haloperidol, risperidone and olanzapine. Risperidone was significantly better than haloperidol at the 3-year follow-up. A comparison of the degree of clinical improvement evaluated with PANSS and CGI in patients treated with drugs in subsequent periods showed clozapine led to significantly greater improvement as compared to haloperidol, risperidone and olanzapine, and risperidone as compared to haloperidol. Data on long-term functioning significantly favored clozapine as compared to all

Baseline body mass index (BMI), baseline BMI status (normal, overweight, obese) and early (1 month) BMI increases were tested as predictors of 6- and 12-month increases in glucose and lipid measures in 82 olanzapine (OLZ)- and 78 risperidone (RIS)-treated patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder who participated in a 12-month randomized, prospective metabolic effects study. Baseline BMI predicted greater fasting glucose and HgbA1c levels at 12 months for both treatments. Early BMI change predicted fasting glucose levels at 6 months, but not HgbA1c or BMI, at either time point. For patients who received no concomitant mood stabilizers, early BMI change predicted 12 month HgbA1c values in the OLZ group, and 6- (but not 12-) month fasting glucose and HgbA1c values in the RIS group. Neither baseline BMI nor early BMI change consistently predicted increases in lipids with either drug. OLZ-treated patients with normal baseline BMI had greater increases in

To assess changes in insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder treated with olanzapine or risperidone.|One hundred and thirty patients were randomly assigned to 12 weeks double-blind treatment with olanzapine or risperidone. Insulin sensitivity was measured using a two-step euglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic clamp procedure. Whole-body adiposity was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The primary endpoint was the within-group change from baseline in insulin sensitivity normalized to fat-free mass (M(ffm) /I) during the clamp procedure's low-insulin phase, using an analysis of covariance model including the covariate weight change.|Forty-one olanzapine-treated and 33 risperidone-treated patients completed baseline and endpoint clamp measurements. Mean M(ffm) /I during the low-insulin phase declined 9.0% (p = 0.226) in olanzapine-treated patients and 13.2% (p = 0.047) in risperidone-treated patients (between-group difference p =

Correctly diagnosing schizoaffective disorder depends on having an accurate history of the patient's signs and symptoms, including documentation from medical and psychiatric records and information gathered from patients and their family members or caregivers. Placing the patient's symptoms within a diagnostic framework helps to differentiate schizoaffective disorder from other psychotic disorders so that an individualized, evidence-based treatment plan can be formulated. Clinicians should monitor treatment adherence, which is closely correlated with treatment outcomes; using multiple, objective measures to assess adherence is optimal. This performance improvement activity provides opportunities to improve strategies for diagnosing schizoaffective disorder, individualizing treatment, and assessing and managing medication nonadherence.

Clinical practice guidelines for psychosocial interventions in severe mental illness.

Schizophrenia. Core interventions in the treatment and management of schizophrenia in adults in primary and secondary care.

Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Second edition.