IntroductionThe findings of epidemiological studies suggest that a relationship exists between the risk of schizophrenia and winter births in the Northern Hemisphere, which may affect the process of fetal neurodevelopment. However, it remains unclear whether birth seasons are associated with the brain morphological characteristics of patients within the schizophrenia spectrum.MethodsThe present magnetic resonance imaging study using FreeSurfer software examined the effects of birth seasons (i.e., summer-born vs. winter-born) on the comprehensive brain surface characteristics of 101 patients wi ..read more

IntroductionAcquired hepatocerebral degeneration (AHD) is a neurological condition associated with cerebral manganese (Mn) accumulation caused by portosystemic shunts (PSS), usually because of advanced liver disease. AHD is diagnosed by the identification of T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hyperintensities coupled with the presence of PSS and neurological symptoms. Clinical presentations primarily involve motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment. As a result of the frequently concurrent hepatic encephalopathy, the psychiatric symptoms of AHD alone remain unclear. This repo ..read more

BackgroundAdolescence is not only an important transitional period of many developmental challenges, but also a high risk period for mental health problems. Psychotherapy is recommended for mental health problems in adolescents, but its effectiveness is not always satisfactory. One possible contributing factor may be the lack of clarity surrounding core symptoms.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the mental health status of senior grade three students, a group of adolescents facing college entrance exams, by the Middle School Student Mental Health Test (MHT) and analyzed the core symptoms b ..read more

Although it is well established that individuals living with psychosis are at increased risk for suicidal ideation, attempts, and death by suicide, several gaps in the literature need to be addressed to advance research and improve clinical practice. This Call-to-Action highlights three major gaps in our understanding of the intersection of psychosis and suicide as determined by expert consensus. The three gaps include research methods, suicide risk screening and assessment tools used with persons with psychosis, and psychosocial interventions and therapies. Specific action steps to address th ..read more

IntroductionCorrectional workers (CWs) are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic events in the workplace, leading to an increased prevalence of mental health concerns. Online psychotherapy can address many of the barriers CWs face when seeking adequate mental health care. Despite their benefits, CWs’ experience using digital mental health interventions is relatively unknown. This information could be valuable in developing enhanced care delivery to improve recruitment, retention, satisfaction, and treatment outcomes.MethodsThis study investigated the experiences of a sample of CWs enroll ..read more

BackgroundPerinatal mental health conditions affect 800,000 individuals annually in the United States and are a leading cause of complications in pregnancy and childbirth. However, the impact of these conditions varies across racial and ethnic groups. Portable digital solutions, such as mobile apps, have been developed for maternal mental health, but they often do not adequately cater to the needs of women of color. To ensure the effectiveness and equity of these interventions, it is crucial to consider the unique experiences of perinatal women from diverse racial backgrounds. This qualitative ..read more

IntroductionMembrane phospholipid abnormalities are considered a pathophysiological background for schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to explore in detail the fatty acid (FA) composition in patients with antipsychotic-free schizophrenia and its association with clinical symptoms and cognitive function.Materials and methodsErythrocyte membrane FAs were measured in 29 antipsychotic-free patients with schizophrenia (male/female = 11/18; mean [standard deviation] age=26.7 [7.9] years) and age and sex-matched 32 healthy volunteers. Clinical symptoms and cognitive function were assessed using t ..read more

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder affecting women of reproductive age, with an estimated global prevalence of 47.8%, with severe symptoms occurring in 3-8%, significantly affecting daily functioning. GABA conductance and changes in neurosteroid levels, particularly allopregnanolone, are suspected to play a substantial role in the disorder’s etiology. In this paper, we provide an overview of recent reports on the etiology and recognized therapeutic approaches, encompassing both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Our examination includes studies on SSRIs, hormo ..read more

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder that confers one of the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric illnesses. Although the disorder’s psychotic symptoms are treatable with conventional antipsychotics, they remain incurable. Moreover, medication adherence is poor, and individuals with schizophrenia choose to self-medicate with illicit substances, including cannabis. It is well-established that the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) component of cannabis elicits psychotomimetic effects at high doses; worsens schizophrenia-related psychosis; commonly develops into cannab ..read more

BackgroundRecent studies have shown that regular physical activity (PA) can positively influence mobile phone addiction (MPA) behaviors in college students. However, it remains unknown whether this effect is mediated by other factors. Evidence suggests that resilience and interaction anxiousness may be candidate mediators that partly explain the positive effect of PA on MPA. This study aims to explore the impact of PA on MPA through a mediation model, and the role of resilience and interaction anxiousness in this relationship.MethodsThe participants were 590 college students (272 males; mean a ..read more