CYBERMED LIFE - ORGANIC  & NATURAL LIVING

Schizophrenia

  • Ashwagandha in brain disorders: A review of recent developments.

    Abstract Title:

    Ashwagandha in brain disorders: A review of recent developments.

    Abstract Source:

    J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Apr 16 ;257:112876. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32305638

    Abstract Author(s):

    Sultan Zahiruddin, Parakh Basist, Abida Parveen, Rabea Parveen, Washim Khan, Gaurav, Sayeed Ahmad

    Article Affiliation:

    Sultan Zahiruddin

    Abstract:

    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:Withania somnifera (Family: Solanaceae), commonly known as Ashwagandha or Indian ginseng is distributed widely in India, Nepal, China and Yemen. The roots of plant consist of active phytoconstituents mainly withanolides, alkaloids and sitoindosides and are conventionally used for the treatment of multiple brain disorders.

    AIM OF THE REVIEW:This review aims to critically assess and summarize the current state and implication of Ashwagandha in brain disorders. We have mainly focussed on the reported neuroactive phytoconstituents, available marketed products, pharmacological studies, mechanism of action and recent patents published related to neuroprotective effects of Ashwagandha in brain disorders.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS:All the information and data was collected on Ashwagandha using keywords"Ashwagandha"along with"Phytoconstituents","Ayurvedic, Unani and Homeopathy marketed formulation","Brain disorders","Mechanism"and"Patents". Following sources were searched for data collection: electronic scientific databases such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, Elsevier, PubMed, Wiley On-line Library, Taylor and Francis, Springer; books such as AYUSH Pharmacopoeia; authentic textbooks and formularies.

    RESULTS:Identified neuroprotective phytoconstituents of Ashwagandha are sitoindosides VII-X, withaferin A, withanosides IV, withanols, withanolide A, withanolide B, anaferine, beta-sitosterol, withanolide D with key pharmacological effects in brain disorders mainly anxiety, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Schizophrenia, Huntington's disease, dyslexia, depression, autism, addiction, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorders. The literature survey does not highlight any toxic effects of Ashwagandha. Further, multiple available marketed products and patents recognized its beneficial role in various brain disorders; however, very few data is available on mechanistic pathway and clinical studies of Ashwagandha for various brain disorders is scarce and not promising.

    CONCLUSION:The review concludes the results of recent studies on Ashwagandha suggesting its extensive potential as neuroprotective in various brain disorders as supported by preclinical studies, clinical trials and published patents. However vague understanding of the mechanistic pathways involved in imparting the neuroprotective effect of Ashwagandha warrants further study to promote it as a promising drug candidate.

  • Brain supplement helps to treat schizophrenia

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    Brain supplement helps to treat schizophrenia image

    A 'brain supplement' could help schizophrenics. Sarcosine has been described as a "logical treatment" because it helps restore brain functioning often damaged in schizophrenia.

  • Effect of Community-Based Social Skills Training and Tai-Chi Exercise on Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia: A Randomized, One-Year Study.

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    Abstract Title:

    Effect of Community-Based Social Skills Training and Tai-Chi Exercise on Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia: A Randomized, One-Year Study.

    Abstract Source:

    Psychopathology. 2016 Sep 2. Epub 2016 Sep 2. PMID: 27584836

    Abstract Author(s):

    Ruiying Kang, Yeqing Wu, Zhiwu Li, Jun Jiang, Qi Gao, Yuncui Yu, Keming Gao, Yuxiang Yan, Yan He

    Article Affiliation:

    Ruiying Kang

    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND:Antipsychotic drugs are limited in their ability to improve negative symptoms, quality of life, and medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia. The addition of nonpharmacological interventions like social skills training has a positive effect on medication adherence and decreases rehospitalization rates but is limited in improving patients' symptoms, aggressive behaviors, and quality of life. Aerobic exercise, especially Tai-chi, can potentially reduce psychopathological and negative symptoms, decrease aggressive behaviors, and improve quality of life. It is an ideal rehabilitation intervention for patients with schizophrenia. However, no study has investigated the effects of social skills training plus Tai-chi on outcomes among outpatients with schizophrenia. This study analyzes the effect of antipsychotics combined with community-based integrated interventions on outcomes of schizophrenia.

    METHODS:In this study, a 24-session social skills training plus Tai-chi was used in community settings among patients with schizophrenia. A total of 244 patients were randomly assigned to medication treatment alone (MTA group) or community-based integrated intervention (CBII group), which accepted social skills training plus Tai-chi in addition to medication treatment. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the intervention effect (group effect), intervention effect over time (time effect), and interaction effect (group× time effect). t tests were used to evaluate between-group differences on clinical variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the differences between the intervention at 12 months and baseline for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) negative symptoms and quality of life-social domain.

    RESULTS:Compared with the MTA group, the CBII group had lower scores on PANSS (F = 17.312, p<0.001) and negative symptoms (F = 44.909, p<0.001), a lower risk for aggressive behavior (F = 12.382, p<0.001), and a greater improvement in adherence to medication (F = 12.391, p<0.001) after 1 year of intervention. The changes in PANSS total scores, negative scores, and social domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) from baseline to 12 months were significant between the two groups (PANSS total score: t = 4.839, p<0.001; negative symptoms: t = 8.250, p<0.001, and quality of life-social domain: t = -2.171, p = 0.031). Multiple linear regression analysis also showed that the intervention was significantly effective for changes from baseline to 12 months on PANSS total score (B = 0.804, p<0.001), negative score (B = 0.709, p<0.001), and social domain of quality of life (B = -0.673, p = 0.044).

    CONCLUSIONS:This study suggested that the community-based integrated intervention such as social skills training plus Tai-chi should be part of a rehabilitation effort for patients with schizophrenia in order to improve clinical symptoms, quality of life, and medication adherence.

  • Effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in neuropsychiatric disorders: A review of pre-clinical and clinical findings.

    Abstract Title:

    Effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in neuropsychiatric disorders: A review of pre-clinical and clinical findings.

    Abstract Source:

    Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2019 ;167:25-75. Epub 2019 Aug 28. PMID: 31601406

    Abstract Author(s):

    Sonja Elsaid, Stefan Kloiber, Bernard Le Foll

    Article Affiliation:

    Sonja Elsaid

    Abstract:

    Cannabis sativa (cannabis) is one of the oldest plants cultivated by men. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the major non-psychomimetic compound derived from cannabis. It has been proposed to have a therapeutic potential over a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders. In this narrative review, we have summarized a selected number of pre-clinical and clinical studies, examining the effects of CBD in neuropsychiatric disorders. In some pre-clinical studies, CBD was demonstrated to potentially exhibit anti-epileptic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory anti-psychotic, anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties. Moreover, CBD was shown to reduce addictive effects of some drugs of abuse. In clinical studies, CBD was shown to be safe, well-tolerated and efficacious in mitigating the symptoms associated with several types of seizure disorders and childhood epilepsies. Given that treatment with CBD alone was insufficient at managing choreic movements in patients with Huntington's disease, other cannabis-derived treatments are currently being investigated. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have reported improvements in sleep and better quality of life with CBD; however, to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of CBD on the symptoms of PD-associated movement disorders, larger scale, randomized, placebo-controlled studies still need to be conducted in the future. Currently, there are no human studies that investigated the effects of CBD in either Alzheimer's disease or unipolar depression, warranting further investigation in this area, considering that CBD was shown to have effects in pre-clinical studies. Although, anxiolytic properties of CBD were reported in the Social Anxiety Disorder, antipsychotic effects in schizophrenia and anti-addictive qualities in alcohol and drug addictions, here too, larger, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are needed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CBD.

  • Effects of developmental fluoride exposure on rat ultrasonic vocalization, acoustic startle reflex and pre-pulse inhibition.

    Abstract Title:

    Effects of developmental fluoride exposure on rat ultrasonic vocalization, acoustic startle reflex and pre-pulse inhibition.

    Abstract Source:

    Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2010 Jun;14(6):507-12. PMID: 20712257

    Abstract Author(s):

    P Flace, V Benagiano, D Vermesan, R Sabatini, A M Inchingolo, A Inchingolo, P Auteri, G Ambrosi, A Tarullo, R Cagiano

    Article Affiliation:

    Department of Human Anatomy and Histology "R. Amprino", Medical School, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.

    Abstract:

    Rats receiving fluoride during the whole pregnancy up to the 9th day of lactation showed, when isolated at 10th day of life, a reduced rate of ultrasonic vocalizations (UV) in male pups (NaF 5.0 mg) and, in 90th days male rats, an increase of the Pre-Pulse Inhibition (PPI) with a reduction of the Peak response to the Startle stimulus given alone. Newborn rat reactivity could represent a useful and validated model in anxiety studies which could be moored with the Acoustic Startle Reflex (ASR) and PPI, appropriate models to study, in adulthood, particular neurological and psychiatric disorders showing deficits in attention and sensory-motor gating (Tourettes' syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorders, Huntington's disease and schizophrenia).

  • Effects of Exercise on Memory Interference in Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

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    Abstract Title:

    Effects of Exercise on Memory Interference in Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

    Abstract Source:

    Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020 ;1228:425-438. PMID: 32342475

    Abstract Author(s):

    Lindsay Crawford, Paul D Loprinzi

    Article Affiliation:

    Lindsay Crawford

    Abstract:

    There are several mechanisms that cause memory impairment, including motivated forgetting, active forgetting, natural decay, and memory interference. Interference occurs when one is attempting to recall something specific, but there is conflicting information making it more difficult to recall the target stimuli. In laboratory settings, it is common to measure memory interference with paired associate tasks-usually utilizing the AB-CD, AB-AC, AB-ABr, or AB-DE AC-FG method. Memory impairments are frequent among those with neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and multiple sclerosis. The memory effects of each condition differ, but are all related to alterations in brain physiology and general memory deterioration. Exercise, or physical activity, has been demonstrated to attenuate memory interference in some cases, but the mechanisms are still being determined. Further research is needed on memory interference, in regard to exercise and neuropsychiatric disorders.

  • Efficacy of Yoga therapy for the management of psychopathology of patients having chronic schizophrenia. 📎

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    Abstract Title:

    Efficacy of Yoga therapy for the management of psychopathology of patients having chronic schizophrenia.

    Abstract Source:

    Indian J Psychiatry. 2015 Oct-Dec;57(4):355-60. PMID: 26816423

    Abstract Author(s):

    Babu Paikkatt, Amool Ranjan Singh, Pawan Kumar Singh, Masroor Jahan, Jay Kumar Ranjan

    Article Affiliation:

    Babu Paikkatt

    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND:There is a large body of literature and scientific data regarding the efficacy of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia, however, studies on Yoga therapy is scanty. Yoga is a means of balancing and harmonizing the body, mind and emotion, and for enlightening the mind and upliftment of the total personality.

    AIMS:The present study was conducted to determine the efficacy of Yoga therapy as an adjunctive therapy and to see its effects on psychopathology on the patients suffering from chronic schizophrenia.

    SETTINGS AND DESIGN:Pre- and post-test design with the control group.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS:It is a study using purposive sampling technique by which 30 chronic schizophrenic patients were selected and 15 patients were randomly assigned to Yoga therapy along with pharmacotherapy (experimental group), and 15 were assigned pharmacotherapy alone (control group) after the baseline assessment using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The Yoga group attended Yoga therapy everyday for about 1½ h including motivational and feedback session.

    RESULTS:At the end of 1 month postassessment was done, and schizophrenic patients, who received the yogic intervention showed better rating than those in pharmacotherapy alone on PANSS variables.

    CONCLUSION:Yoga could be a right choice for improving psychopathology resulting in better quality of life along with other pharmacological management and psychosocial interventions.

  • Exercise Improves Clinical Symptoms, Quality of Life, Global Functioning, and Depression in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis📎

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    Abstract Title:

    Exercise Improves Clinical Symptoms, Quality of Life, Global Functioning, and Depression in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

    Abstract Source:

    Schizophr Bull. 2015 Nov 7. Epub 2015 Nov 7. PMID: 26547223

    Abstract Author(s):

    Meenakshi Dauwan, Marieke J H Begemann, Sophie M Heringa, Iris E Sommer

    Article Affiliation:

    Meenakshi Dauwan

    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND:Physical exercise may be valuable for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders as it may have beneficial effect on clinical symptoms, quality of life and cognition.

    METHODS:A systematic search was performed using PubMed (Medline), Embase, PsychInfo, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Controlled and uncontrolled studies investigating the effect of any type of physical exercise interventions in schizophrenia spectrum disorders were included. Outcome measures were clinical symptoms, quality of life, global functioning, depression or cognition. Meta-analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. A random effects model was used to compute overall weighted effect sizes in Hedges' g.

    RESULTS:Twenty-nine studies were included, examining 1109 patients. Exercise was superior to control conditions in improving total symptom severity (k = 14, n = 719: Hedges' g = .39, P<.001), positive (k = 15, n = 715: Hedges' g = .32, P<.01), negative (k = 18, n = 854: Hedges' g = .49, P<.001), and general (k = 10, n = 475: Hedges' g = .27, P<.05) symptoms, quality of life (k = 11, n = 770: Hedges' g = .55, P<.001), global functioning (k = 5, n = 342: Hedges' g = .32, P<.01), and depressive symptoms (k = 7, n = 337: Hedges' g = .71, P<.001). Yoga, specifically, improved the cognitive subdomain long-term memory (k = 2, n = 184: Hedges' g = .32, P<.05), while exercise in general or in any other form had no effect on cognition.

    CONCLUSION:Physical exercise is a robust add-on treatment for improving clinical symptoms, quality of life, global functioning, and depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The effect on cognition is not demonstrated, but may be present for yoga.

  • Loving-kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

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    Abstract Title:

    Loving-kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

    Abstract Source:

    J Clin Psychol. 2009 May ;65(5):499-509. PMID: 19267396

    Abstract Author(s):

    David P Johnson, David L Penn, Barbara L Fredrickson, Piper S Meyer, Ann M Kring, Mary Brantley

    Article Affiliation:

    Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3270, USA.

    Abstract:

    In this article, we describe the clinical applicability of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) to individuals suffering from schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with persistent negative symptoms. LKM may have potential for reducing negative symptoms such as anhedonia, avolition, and asociality while enhancing factors consistent with psychological recovery such as hope and purpose in life. Case studies will illustrate how to conduct this group treatment with clients with negative symptoms, the potential benefits to the client, and difficulties that may arise. Although LKM requires further empirical support, it promises to be an important intervention since there are few treatments for clients afflicted with negative symptoms.

  • Loving-kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

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    Abstract Title:

    Loving-kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

    Abstract Source:

    J Clin Psychol. 2009 May ;65(5):499-509. PMID: 19267396

    Abstract Author(s):

    David P Johnson, David L Penn, Barbara L Fredrickson, Piper S Meyer, Ann M Kring, Mary Brantley

    Article Affiliation:

    Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3270, USA.

    Abstract:

    In this article, we describe the clinical applicability of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) to individuals suffering from schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with persistent negative symptoms. LKM may have potential for reducing negative symptoms such as anhedonia, avolition, and asociality while enhancing factors consistent with psychological recovery such as hope and purpose in life. Case studies will illustrate how to conduct this group treatment with clients with negative symptoms, the potential benefits to the client, and difficulties that may arise. Although LKM requires further empirical support, it promises to be an important intervention since there are few treatments for clients afflicted with negative symptoms.

  • Music Intervention Leads to Increased Insular Connectivity and Improved Clinical Symptoms in Schizophrenia. 📎

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    Abstract Title:

    Music Intervention Leads to Increased Insular Connectivity and Improved Clinical Symptoms in Schizophrenia.

    Abstract Source:

    Front Neurosci. 2017 ;11:744. Epub 2018 Jan 23. PMID: 29410607

    Abstract Author(s):

    Hui He, Mi Yang, Mingjun Duan, Xi Chen, Yongxiu Lai, Yang Xia, Junming Shao, Bharat B Biswal, Cheng Luo, Dezhong Yao

    Article Affiliation:

    Hui He

    Abstract:

    Schizophrenia is a syndrome that is typically accompanied by delusions and hallucinations that might be associated with insular pathology. Music intervention, as a complementary therapy, is commonly used to improve psychiatric symptoms in the maintenance stage of schizophrenia. In this study, we employed a longitudinal design to assess the effects of listening to Mozart music on the insular functional connectivity (FC) in patients with schizophrenia. Thirty-six schizophrenia patients were randomly divided into two equal groups as follows: the music intervention (MTSZ) group, which received a 1-month music intervention series combined with antipsychotic drugs, and the no-music intervention (UMTSZ) group, which was treated solely with antipsychotic drugs. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were performed at the following three timepoints: baseline, 1 month after baseline and 6 months after baseline. Nineteen healthy participants were recruited as controls. An FC analysis seeded in the insular subregions and machine learning techniques were used to examine intervention-related changes. After 1 month of listening to Mozart music, the MTSZ showed increased FC in the dorsal anterior insula (dAI) and posterior insular (PI) networks, including the dAI-ACC, PI-pre/postcentral cortices, and PI-ACC connectivity. However, these enhanced FCs had vanished in follow-up visits after 6 months. Additionally, a support vector regression on the FC of the dAI-ACC at baseline yielded a significant prediction of relative symptom remission in response to music intervention. Furthermore, the validation analyses revealed that 1 month of music intervention could facilitate improvement of the insular FC in schizophrenia. Together, these findings revealed that the insular cortex could potentially be an important region in music intervention for patients with schizophrenia, thus improving the patients' psychiatric symptoms through normalizing the salience and sensorimotor networks.

  • Music therapy for people with schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like disorders.

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    Abstract Title:

    Music therapy for people with schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like disorders.

    Abstract Source:

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 ;12:CD004025. Epub 2011 Dec 7. PMID: 22161383

    Abstract Author(s):

    Karin Mössler, Xijing Chen, Tor Olav Heldal, Christian Gold

    Article Affiliation:

    GAMUT, University of Bergen, Lars Hilles Gt. 3, Bergen, Norway.

    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND:Music therapy is a therapeutic method that uses musical interaction as a means of communication and expression. The aim of the therapy is to help people with serious mental disorders to develop relationships and to address issues they may not be able to using words alone.

    OBJECTIVES:To review the effects of music therapy, or music therapy added to standard care, compared with 'placebo' therapy, standard care or no treatment for people with serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

    SEARCH METHODS:We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group Trials Register (December 2010) and supplemented this by contacting relevant study authors, handsearching of music therapy journals and manual searches of reference lists.

    SELECTION CRITERIA:All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared music therapy with standard care, placebo therapy, or no treatment.

    DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:Studies were reliably selected, quality assessed and data extracted. We excluded data where more than 30% of participants in any group were lost to follow-up. We synthesised non-skewed continuous endpoint data from valid scales using a standardised mean difference (SMD). If statistical heterogeneity was found, we examined treatment 'dosage' and treatment approach as possible sources of heterogeneity.

    MAIN RESULTS:We included eight studies (total 483 participants). These examined effects of music therapy over the short- to medium-term (one to four months), with treatment 'dosage' varying from seven to 78 sessions. Music therapy added to standard care was superior to standard care for global state (medium-term, 1 RCT, n = 72, RR 0.10 95% CI 0.03 to 0.31, NNT 2 95% CI 1.2 to 2.2). Continuous data identified good effects on negative symptoms (4 RCTs, n = 240, SMD average endpoint Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) -0.74 95% CI -1.00 to -0.47); general mental state (1 RCT, n = 69, SMD average endpoint Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS) -0.36 95% CI -0.85 to 0.12; 2 RCTs, n=100, SMD average endpoint Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) -0.73 95% CI -1.16 to -0.31); depression (2 RCTs, n = 90, SMD average endpoint Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) -0.63 95% CI -1.06 to -0.21; 1 RCT, n = 30, SMD average endpoint Hamilton Depression Scale (Ham-D) -0.52 95% CI -1.25 to -0.21 ); and anxiety (1 RCT, n = 60, SMD average endpoint SAS -0.61 95% CI -1.13 to -0.09). Positive effects were also found for social functioning (1 RCT, n = 70, SMD average endpoint Social Disability Schedule for Inpatients (SDSI) score -0.78 95% CI -1.27 to -0.28). Furthermore, some aspects of cognitive functioning and behaviour seem to develop positively through music therapy. Effects, however, were inconsistent across studies and depended on the number of music therapy sessions as well as the quality of the music therapy provided.

    AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:Music therapy as an addition to standard care helps people with schizophrenia to improve their global state, mental state (including negative symptoms) and social functioning if a sufficient number of music therapy sessions are provided by qualified music therapists. Further research should especially address the long-term effects of music therapy, dose-response relationships, as well as the relevance of outcomes measures in relation to music therapy.

  • Music therapy for schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses.

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    Abstract Title:

    Music therapy for schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses.

    Abstract Source:

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005(2):CD004025. Epub 2005 Apr 18. PMID: 15846692

    Abstract Author(s):

    C Gold, T O Heldal, T Dahle, T Wigram

    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND: Music therapy is a psychotherapeutic method that uses musical interaction as a means of communication and expression. The aim of the therapy is to help people with serious mental illness to develop relationships and to address issues they may not be able to using words alone. OBJECTIVES: To review the effects of music therapy, or music therapy added to standard care, compared to placebo, standard care or no treatment for people with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (July 2002) was searched. This was supplemented by hand searching of music therapy journals, manual searches of reference lists, and contacting relevant authors. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials that compared music therapy with standard care or other psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Studies were reliably selected, quality assessed and data extracted. Data were excluded where more than 30% of participants in any group were lost to follow up. Non-skewed continuous endpoint data from valid scales were synthesised using a standardised mean difference (SMD). If statistical heterogeneity was found, treatment 'dosage' and treatment approach were examined as possible sources of heterogeneity. MAIN RESULTS: Four studies were included. These examined the effects of music therapy over the short to medium term (1 to 3 months), with treatment 'dosage' varying from 7 to 78 sessions. Music therapy added to standard care was superior to standard care alone for global state (medium term, 1 RCT, n = 72, RR 0.10 CI 0.03 to 0.31, NNT 2 CI 1.2 to 2.2). Continuous data suggested some positive effects on general mental state (1 RCT, n=69, SMD average endpoint PANSS -0.36 CI -0.85 to 0.12; 1 RCT, n=70, SMD average endpoint BPRS -1.25 CI -1.77 to -0.73),on negative symptoms (3 RCTs, n=180, SMD average endpoint SANS -0.86 CI -1.17 to -0.55) and social functioning (1 RCT, n=70, SMD average endpoint SDSI score -0.78 CI -1.27 to -0.28). However these latter effects were inconsistent across studies and depended on the number of music therapy sessions. All results were for the 1-3 month follow up. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Music therapy as an addition to standard care helps people with schizophrenia to improve their global state and may also improve mental state and functioning if a sufficient number of music therapy sessions are provided. Further research should address the dose-effect relationship and the long-term effects of music therapy.

  • N-acetyl cysteine as a glutathione precursor for schizophrenia--a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

    Abstract Title:

    N-acetyl cysteine as a glutathione precursor for schizophrenia--a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

    Abstract Source:

    Biol Psychiatry. 2008 Sep 1;64(5):361-8. Epub 2008 Apr 23. PMID: 18436195

    Abstract Author(s):

    Michael Berk, David Copolov, Olivia Dean, Kristy Lu, Sue Jeavons, Ian Schapkaitz, Murray Anderson-Hunt, Fiona Judd, Fiona Katz, Paul Katz, Sean Ording-Jespersen, John Little, Philippe Conus, Michel Cuenod, Kim Q Do, Ashley I Bush

    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND: Brain glutathione levels are decreased in schizophrenia, a disorder that often is chronic and refractory to treatment. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) increases brain glutathione in rodents. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of oral NAC (1 g orally twice daily [b.i.d.]) as an add-on to maintenance medication for the treatment of chronic schizophrenia over a 24-week period. METHODS: A randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The primary readout was change from baseline on the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS) and its components. Secondary readouts included the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Severity and Improvement scales, as well as general functioning and extrapyramidal rating scales. Changes following a 4-week treatment discontinuation were evaluated. One hundred forty people with chronic schizophrenia on maintenance antipsychotic medication were randomized; 84 completed treatment. RESULTS: Intent-to-treat analysis revealed that subjects treated with NAC improved more than placebo-treated subjects over the study period in PANSS total [-5.97 (-10.44, -1.51), p = .009], PANSS negative [mean difference -1.83 (95% confidence interval: -3.33, -.32), p = .018], and PANSS general [-2.79 (-5.38, -.20), p = .035], CGI-Severity (CGI-S) [-.26 (-.44, -.08), p = .004], and CGI-Improvement (CGI-I) [-.22 (-.41, -.03), p = .025] scores. No significant change on the PANSS positive subscale was seen. N-acetyl cysteine treatment also was associated with an improvement in akathisia (p = .022). Effect sizes at end point were consistent with moderate benefits. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that adjunctive NAC has potential as a safe and moderately effective augmentation strategy for chronic schizophrenia.

  • Nasal cycle dominance and hallucinations in an adult schizophrenic female.

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    Abstract Title:

    Nasal cycle dominance and hallucinations in an adult schizophrenic female.

    Abstract Source:

    Psychiatry Res. 2015 Mar 30 ;226(1):289-94. Epub 2015 Jan 13. PMID: 25660663

    Abstract Author(s):

    David Shannahoff-Khalsa, Shahrokh Golshan

    Article Affiliation:

    David Shannahoff-Khalsa

    Abstract:

    Nasal dominance, at the onset of hallucinations, was studied as a marker of both the lateralized ultradian rhythm of the autonomic nervous system and the tightly coupled ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric dominance in a single case study of a schizophrenic female. Over 1086 days, 145 hallucination episodes occurred with left nostril dominance significantly greater than the right nostril dominant phase of the nasal cycle. A right nostril breathing exercise, that primarily stimulates the left hemisphere, reduces symptoms more quickly for hallucinations.

  • Nasal cycle dominance and hallucinations in an adult schizophrenic female.

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    Abstract Title:

    Nasal cycle dominance and hallucinations in an adult schizophrenic female.

    Abstract Source:

    Psychiatry Res. 2015 Mar 30 ;226(1):289-94. Epub 2015 Jan 13. PMID: 25660663

    Abstract Author(s):

    David Shannahoff-Khalsa, Shahrokh Golshan

    Article Affiliation:

    David Shannahoff-Khalsa

    Abstract:

    Nasal dominance, at the onset of hallucinations, was studied as a marker of both the lateralized ultradian rhythm of the autonomic nervous system and the tightly coupled ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric dominance in a single case study of a schizophrenic female. Over 1086 days, 145 hallucination episodes occurred with left nostril dominance significantly greater than the right nostril dominant phase of the nasal cycle. A right nostril breathing exercise, that primarily stimulates the left hemisphere, reduces symptoms more quickly for hallucinations.

  • Outdoor cycling improves clinical symptoms, cognition and objectively measured physical activity in patients with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial.

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    Abstract Title:

    Outdoor cycling improves clinical symptoms, cognition and objectively measured physical activity in patients with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial.

    Abstract Source:

    J Psychiatr Res. 2019 Oct 21 ;120:144-153. Epub 2019 Oct 21. PMID: 31678749

    Abstract Author(s):

    Jehkwang Ryu, Jae Hoon Jung, Jiheon Kim, Chan-Hyung Kim, Hwa-Bock Lee, Do-Hoon Kim, Sang-Kyu Lee, Ji-Hyeon Shin, Daeyoung Roh

    Article Affiliation:

    Jehkwang Ryu

    Abstract:

    PURPOSE:The therapeutic effects of outdoor cycling (OC) and its benefits on physical activity (PA) were investigated in people with schizophrenia.

    METHODS:Sixty patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to 16-weeks of Outdoor Cycling (OC) (n = 30, 50% male; mean age, 38.7 ± 10.1) or Occupational Therapy (OT) (n = 30, 50% male; mean age, 39.0 ± 8.6). OC and OT involved one 90-min group session per week. OC consisted of structured exercise programs and OT addressed daily living skills. Primary outcome measurements weremental health variables, such as Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Beck's Depression Inventory, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning and executive function (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, WCST). Secondary measures were the adherence and PA. PAwas measured by responding to the Physical Activity Scale (K-PASE) and wearing a pedometer for 2 days.

    RESULTS:Repeated measures ANOVA revealed improved psychotic symptoms (p = .014), depression (p = .007), state (p = .031) and trait anxiety (p = .002) and global functions (p = .024) in the OC group compared with OT group. The OC group showed increased correct rates (p = .022) and categories completed (p = .033) in the WCST. There was no difference in total K-PASE score between groups; however, there was a significant improvement in the number of daily steps in the OC group compared with the OT group (p = .030).

    CONCLUSION:OC significantly improved mental health and executive function in individuals with schizophrenia. Further, OC significantly increased PA measured by the pedometers. These findings suggest that OC offers a safe and attrition-lowering intervention promoting mental health and PA.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION:cris.nih.go.kr identifier: KCT-0000873.

  • Physical activity and exercise attenuate neuroinflammation in neurological diseases.

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    Abstract Title:

    Physical activity and exercise attenuate neuroinflammation in neurological diseases.

    Abstract Source:

    Brain Res Bull. 2016 Mar 26 ;125:19-29. Epub 2016 Mar 26. PMID: 27021169

    Abstract Author(s):

    Lindsay Joy Spielman, Jonathan Peter Little, Andis Klegeris

    Article Affiliation:

    Lindsay Joy Spielman

    Abstract:

    Major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCH), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) are devastating neurological disorders, which increasingly contribute to global morbidity and mortality. Although the pathogenic mechanisms of these conditions are quite diverse, chronic neuroinflammation is one underlying feature shared by all these diseases. Even though the specific root causes of these diseases remain to be identified, evidence indicates that the observed neuroinflammation is initiated by unique pathological features associated with each specific disease. If the initial acute inflammation is not resolved, a chronic neuroinflammatory state develops and ultimately contributes to disease progression. Chronic neuroinflammation is characterized by adverse and non-specific activation of glial cells, which can lead to collateral damage of nearby neurons and other glia. This misdirected neuroinflammatory response is hypothesized to contribute to neuropathology in MDD, SCH, AD, and PD. Physical activity (PA), which is critical for maintenance of whole body and brain health, may also beneficially modify neuroimmune responses. Since PA has neuroimmune-modifying properties, and the common underlying feature of MDD, SCH, AD, and PD is chronic neuroinflammation, we hypothesize that PA could minimize brain diseases by modifying glia-mediated neuroinflammation. This review highlights current evidence supporting the disease-altering potential of PA and exercise through modifications of neuroimmune responses, specifically in MDD, SCH, AD and PD.

  • Physical exercise increases adult neurogenesis and telomerase activity, and improves behavioral deficits in a mouse model of schizophrenia.

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    Abstract Title:

    Physical exercise increases adult neurogenesis and telomerase activity, and improves behavioral deficits in a mouse model of schizophrenia.

    Abstract Source:

    Brain Behav Immun. 2011 Jul;25(5):971-80. Epub 2010 Oct 21. PMID: 20970493

    Abstract Author(s):

    Susanne A Wolf, Andre Melnik, Gerd Kempermann

    Article Affiliation:

    Institute of Anatomy, Department of Cell and Neurobiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.

    Abstract:

    Epidemiological studies indicate that among other early life challenges, maternal infection with influenza during pregnancy increased the risk of developing schizophrenia in the child. One morphological manifestation of schizophrenia is hippocampal atrophy. In the hippocampus, playing a key role in learning and memory formation, new granule cell neurons are produced throughout life from resident precursor cells. We hypothesize that individuals exposed to a maternal anti-viral immune response would presumably enter life with a challenged neural precursor cell pool and might later be susceptible to psychiatric pathologies due to reduced adult neurogenesis. We used the injection of double-stranded RNA (polyriboinosinicpolyribocytidylic acid - PolyI:C) in pregnant C57Bl/6 and nestin-GFP reporter mice to induce a maternal viral-like infection and schizophrenia-like behavior in the offspring. In the progeny we found impairments in the open field test and in sensorimotor gating as measured by pre-pulse inhibition of the startle response. The behaviorial deficits were accompanied by reduced baseline adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Telomerase activity in neural precursor cells was reduced from birth on and telomere shortening was found in the same cell type in adult life. When we subjected the progeny of viral-like infected dams to voluntary exercise, a known stimulus of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, we could rescue the phenotype in behavior, adult neurogenesis, and cellular senescence. In summary, maternal viral-like immune response reduced telomerase activity and resulted in telomere shortening in neural precursor cells. Further we demonstrate that beneficial behavioral and cellular effects induced by exercise can be studied in a rodent model of schizophrenia.

  • Randomized controlled trial of a gluten-free diet in patients with schizophrenia positive for antigliadin antibodies (AGA IgG): a pilot feasibility study

    Abstract Title:

    Randomized controlled trial of a gluten-free diet in patients with schizophrenia positive for antigliadin antibodies (AGA IgG): a pilot feasibility study

    Abstract Source:

    J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2019 Mar 27 ;44(3):1-9. Epub 2019 Mar 27. PMID: 30938127

    Abstract Author(s):

    Deanna L. Kelly, Haley K. Demyanovich, Katrina M. Rodriguez, Daniela Ciháková, Monica V. Talor, Robert P. McMahon, Charles M. Richardson, Gopal Vyas, Heather A. Adams, Sharon M. August, Alessio Fasano, Nicola G. Cascella, Stephanie M. Feldman, Fang Liu, MacKenzie A. Sayer, Megan M. Powell, Heidi J. Wehring, Robert W. Buchanan, James M. Gold, William T. Carpenter, William W. Eaton

    Article Affiliation:

    Deanna L. Kelly

    Abstract:

    Background:Approximately one-third of people with schizophrenia have elevated levels of anti-gliadin antibodies of the immunoglobulin G type (AGA IgG)— a higher rate than seen in healthy controls. We performed the first double-blind clinical trial of gluten-free versus gluten-containing diets in a subset of patients with schizophrenia who were positive for AGA IgG.

    Methods:In this pilot feasibility study, 16 participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who had elevated AGA IgG (≥ 20 U) but were negative for celiac disease were admitted to an inpatient unit for a 5-week trial. All participants received standardized gluten-free meals and were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive a shake containing 10 g of gluten flour or 10 g of rice flour each day. Participantswere rated for psychiatric, cognitive and gastrointestinal symptoms at baseline and endpoint.

    Results:Of the 16 participants, 14 completed the 5-week trial (2 discontinued early for administrative reasons). Compared with participants on the gluten-containing diet, participants on the gluten-free diet showed improvement on the Clinical Global Impressions scale (Cohen d =–0.75) and in negative symptoms (Cohen d = –0.53). We noted no improvement in positive or global cognitive symptoms, but did observe an improvement in attention favouring the gluten-free diet (Cohen d = 0.60). Robust improvements in gastrointestinal adverse effects occurred in the gluten-free group relative to the glutencontaining group. Adverse effects were similar between groups.

    Limitations:This study was limited by its small sample size; larger studies are needed.

    Conclusion:This feasibility study suggests that removal of gluten from the diet is associated with improvement in psychiatric and gastrointestinal symptoms in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

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