Schizophrenia bulletin
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Schizophrenia bulletin · Jan 1999
Review Comparative StudyThe effects of clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine on cognitive function in schizophrenia.
Cognitive function is markedly impaired in most patients with schizophrenia. Antecedents of this impairment are evident in childhood. The cognitive disability is nearly fully developed at the first episode of psychosis in most patients. ⋯ These differences may be valuable adjunctive guides for their use in clinical practice if cognitive improvements reach clinical significance. The effects of the atypical antipsychotic drugs on cholinergic and 5-HT2a-mediated neurotransmission as the possible basis for their ability to improve cognition are discussed. It is suggested that the development of drugs for schizophrenia should focus on improving the key cognitive deficits in schizophrenia: executive function, verbal fluency, working memory, verbal and visual learning and memory, and attention.
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Schizophrenia bulletin · Jan 1999
Dispelling the stigma of schizophrenia: II. The impact of information on dangerousness.
This study addressed a relatively neglected topic in schizophrenia: identifying methods to reduce stigma directed toward individuals with this disorder. The study investigated whether presentation of information describing the association between violent behavior and schizophrenia could affect subjects' impressions of the dangerousness of both a target person with schizophrenia and individuals with mental illness in general. Subjects with and without previous contact with individuals with a mental illness were administered one of four "information sheets" with varying information about schizophrenia and its association with violent behavior. ⋯ Results showed that subjects who reported previous contact with individuals with a mental illness rated the male target individual and individuals with mental illness in general as less dangerous than did subjects without previous contact. Subjects who received information summarizing the prevalence rates of violent behavior among individuals with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders (e.g., substance abuse) rated individuals with a mental illness as less dangerous than did subjects who did not receive this information. Implications of the findings for public education are discussed.
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Schizophrenia bulletin · Jan 1998
Review Historical ArticleThe Russian concept of schizophrenia: a review of the literature.
The focus of this article is a comprehensive review of the Russian-Soviet conceptualization of schizophrenia, which can be understood only in the broader historical and cultural context of Russian-Soviet psychiatry. Because of multiple barriers and the political abuse of psychiatry in the former Soviet Union, international psychiatric literature has lacked unbiased data about the scientific merit and historical logic of the Russian-Soviet concept of schizophrenia. This article represents an attempt to examine phenomenology, nosology, and some biological theories of schizophrenia developed in the former U. ⋯ The article also addresses historical and cultural antecedents of the abuse of psychiatry. The author suggests that the lack of a democratic tradition in Russia, a totalitarian regime, and oppression and "extermination" of the best psychiatrists during the 1930-50 period prepared the ground for the abuse of psychiatry and Russian-Soviet concept of schizophrenia. Perspectives on the potential changes in the Russian concept of schizophrenia in changing historical conditions are discussed.
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This article focuses on (1) the dimensionality of the caregiving concept; (2) the relation between the identified caregiving dimensions and characteristics of the patient, the caregiver, and their relationship; and (3) the relation between caregiving dimensions and caregiver distress. Findings are based on data from 480 members of the Dutch family organization for patients with schizophrenia/chronic psychosis who completed (1) the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ), which assesses general information (e.g., household characteristics), caregiving, help seeking, coping and distress, and (2) a questionnaire comprising questions on onset and course of the patient's disorder and symptoms characteristic of schizophrenic disorders. Four caregiving domains were found: tension, supervision, worrying, and urging. ⋯ The connection between patient, caregiver, and relationship variables and the caregivers' distress could be explained substantially by the overall caregiving score. Our findings suggest that caregiving tasks and problems may be diminished and related distress lowered by reducing the patient's symptomatology, increasing relatives' coping capacities, and decreasing the number of contact hours. If distress is reduced, relatives may use less psychotropic medication and may visit their general practitioner less often.
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Schizophrenia bulletin · Jan 1997
ReviewAt issue: genes, experience, and chance in schizophrenia--positioning for the 21st century.
Genetic factors make important contributions to the etiologies of schizophrenia. The mode of familial inheritance remains unknown, but it is highly likely that multiple genes and idiosyncratic environmental factors are involved. ⋯ In this article we discuss genetic risk factors, gene-environment interaction, the feasibility of genetic testing, psychiatric genetic counseling, and the dangers of genetic discrimination as they apply to schizophrenia. We also address and correct specific misconceptions about the genetics of schizophrenia held by many in the scientific community and in the media, and discuss a blueprint for future genetic research and informed dissemination of findings to the public and to lawmakers.