Prediction of adult-onset schizophrenia from childhood home movies of the patients

Article Abstract:

Clinical symptoms of adult-onset schizophrenia are believed to begin between the ages of 20 and 25 years. But because research reveals that genetic factors and brain abnormalities are involved in schizophrenia, it makes sense that the pathology is at work at a much earlier age. Since data collected retrospectively have been shown to be inconsistent and unreliable, it is difficult to identify early developmental predictors of schizophrenia. Follow-back studies using school records and teachers' comments show that the first behavioral distinguishing point is adolescence, when pre-schizophrenic subjects have a greater incidence of behavioral problems. Schizophrenic subjects also showed significant deficits in test scores as far back as first grade. Using home movies to look for distinguishing factors between pre-schizophrenic children and their healthy siblings provides a unique opportunity. Home movies of five schizophrenic patients and their healthy siblings from birth to eight years of age were viewed by 13 graduate psychology students and six experienced clinicians. The viewers did not know the psychiatric status of any of the children, but were told that one child in each family later became schizophrenic. They were asked to identify which child they thought this was by using their own criteria, and to comment on which characteristics entered into their decisions. The viewers were also asked to rate their confidence in their judgment on a 4-point scale of no confidence to very confident. There was no significant relationship between accuracy and this confidence rating, or the experience of the viewer. In a preliminary study using the films of one of the schizophrenics and his siblings, five out of seven graduate psychology students correctly selected the patient, even though the parents had said that they had detected no signs of impending disorder until the patient was 22 years of age, and out of all their children he was the one they would have least expected to develop a problem. All the viewers had commented that they perceived this child to manifest abnormal emotional expressions and movements. All pre-schizophrenic children were identified at above-chance levels, and the viewers noted less responsiveness, eye contact, and positive expression, and poorer fine and gross motor coordination as identifying characteristics. It is suggested that these observable manifestations which helped make the correct selection may not be specific for schizophrenia, but may be signs of vulnerability that increase the risk for a variety of disorders. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Usage, Development and progression, Mental illness, Mental disorders, Video recordings, Developmental psychology

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The nature and course of olfactory deficits in Alzheimer's disease

Article Abstract:

To study the nature and course of olfactory disturbance in Alzheimer's disease, 55 Alzheimer's patients and 57 age-matched comparison subjects (controls) were given a scratch-and-sniff odor identification test of 40 common smells. An odor detection test was given to 46 Alzheimer's patients and 40 age-matched controls. All participants were given a mental state examination and a depression scale. Alzheimer's patients were rated on a seven-stage global deterioration scale. Stage three on the scale designates patients with early cognitive and behavioral changes, while stages four through seven denote further decline. To test odor detection, three sniff bottles were presented in nine trials. In each trial, two bottles contained an odorless fluid, while the third (randomly ordered) bottle contained geraniol, an olfactory stimulant used by the perfume industry. A threshold score for odor detection was designated by the lowest of three consecutively identified geraniol concentrations. Significant differences were found between Alzheimer's patients and controls on the odor identification test. The average score for the control group was 31.80. Alzheimer's patients' average scores were 20.25 for those in stage three, 12.93 for those in stage five, and 12.50 for those in stage six. When the scores of patients' in stages three and four were combined, their average score was significantly higher than that of the combined scores of patients in stages five and six. Geraniol threshold scores did not differ between stage-three and -four Alzheimer's patients and controls. However, scores for Alzheimer's patients in the more advanced stages were significantly poorer than controls'. Findings indicate progressive deficits in both odor detection and identification in Alzheimer's disease, with changes in detection acuity occurring only in the more advanced stages. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Testing, Physiological aspects, Alzheimer's disease, Cognition disorders, Cognitive disorders

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Sex differences in olfactory function in schizophrenia

Article Abstract:

An earlier study by the authors indicated that olfactory (sense of smell) function in schizophrenic patients was reduced. The ability to identify specific smells was found to be lacking in the study group. However, female subjects did not seem to have this impairment. This observation led to the current study which consisted of 41 schizophrenic patients (15 women and 26 men) being treated with antipsychotic drugs and 43 normal control subjects (20 women and 23 men). These four groups were given the Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test to measure their ability to distinguish different odors. Both acuity of smell, or sensitivity, as well as ability to differentiate were measured. Olfactory acuity was found to be normal in all 84 subjects and, therefore, it was concluded that the inability to distinguish smells was not a function of diminished acuity. Medication-induced olfactory impairment was also ruled out and test performance was not related to the severity of the patients' schizophrenia. The men and women in the normal control group scored comparably. The score for the female schizophrenic group was comparable to the scores of the control groups. The male schizophrenics were the exception with a lower mean score. The results suggest that the reduced ability to identify odors affects male but not female schizophrenics. Other distinctions between male and female schizophrenics have been noted, such as differing responses to neuroleptic therapy and neurological signs, different long-term social adjustment, as well as overall social skills prior to illness. Male patients often exhibit more severe symptoms of the disease. This implies that sex may very well be a critical variable in the processes involved in schizophrenia.

Psychological aspects, Smell

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