Clinical Interview Research Articles

Traumatic experiences, dissociative symptoms, and alexithymia in patients with alopecia areata.

Although genetic, environmental, autoimmune, and psychological factors are believed to play a role in the onset of alopecia areata (AA), the exact cause remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether there are differences in traumatic experiences, dissociative symptoms, and alexithymia levels between groups. Fifty eight patients diagnosed with AA, 58 individuals with dermatological diseases thought to have a low psychosomatic component, and 58 individuals not diagnosed with any chronic disease were included in the study. All participants were assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). A Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5-CV) form was used to exclude additional psychiatric diagnoses. Mean scores on the CTQ-28 scale revealed differences between groups in terms of physical neglect and emotional neglect scores (p < 0.001; p = 0.022; p < 0.001). There were no differences in DES scores between groups (p = 0.085). When compared in terms of TAS-20 and PCL-5 scores, differences were found (p = 0.016; p = 0.024). As a result of this study, it was concluded that physical neglect and emotional neglect could play a significant role in the onset of AA. Alexithymia and traumatic stress disorder symptoms might be more prevalent in patients with AA.

Enhancing Wellbeing in Emergency Department Allied Health Care Coordinators: A Multifaceted Intervention Approach

This practice note outlines a structured, team-based intervention to address clinician burnout within a metropolitan Care Coordination team within one health organisation. This twelve-month project (April 2023–2024) was implemented in collaboration with Safer Care Victoria (SCV), utilising the Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) Joy in Work (JIW) framework aiming to improve clinician wellbeing and burnout. Strategies included a wellbeing survey adapted from the Mini Z survey, What Matters to You (WMTY) clinician interviews, and the impact-effort matrix prioritisation tool. This approach targeted burnout drivers and establish a sustainable framework for employee support by emphasising feedback, high-impact interventions, and resilience through collaboration. Targeted interventions like reviewing orientation documents, team learning sessions, and updating clinical resources led to a decrease in the team’s mean Mini Z, scores of perceived burnout. Challenges during implementation highlighted the need for a toolkit to support this project in other settings where knowledge of quality improvement methodology may be limited. The initiative established a potential replicable model for addressing burnout, though its broader effectiveness remains under evaluation.

GPT-4 shows potential for identifying social anxiety from clinical interview data

While the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI)—particularly Natural Language Processing (NLP) models—for detecting symptoms of depression from text has been vastly researched, only a few studies examine such potential for the detection of social anxiety symptoms. We investigated the ability of the large language model (LLM) GPT-4 to correctly infer social anxiety symptom strength from transcripts obtained from semi-structured interviews. N = 51 adult participants were recruited from a convenience sample of the German population. Participants filled in a self-report questionnaire on social anxiety symptoms (SPIN) prior to being interviewed on a secure online teleconference platform. Transcripts from these interviews were then evaluated by GPT-4. GPT-4 predictions were highly correlated (r = 0.79) with scores obtained on the social anxiety self-report measure. Following the cut-off conventions for this population, an F1 accuracy score of 0.84 could be obtained. Future research should examine whether these findings hold true in larger and more diverse datasets.

Wearable equipment-based telemedical management via multiparameter monitoring on cardiovascular outcomes in elderly patients with chronic coronary heart disease: an open-labelled, randomised, controlled trial

BackgroundThe prevalence of chronic coronary heart diseases (CHDs) increases with age in the elderly, which represents one of the top-ranked causes of death and disease burden.MethodsThis study aimed to investigate...

Young and adult patients with gaming disorder: Psychiatric co-morbidities and progression of problematic gaming

BackgroundPrevious research suggests age-dependent differences in the progression of addiction, and evidence is accumulating, showing that an early initiation of gaming increases the risk for addiction. With the recent introduction of gaming disorder (GD) as a psychiatric diagnosis, there is a need to extend the knowledge of the clinical characteristics of patients seeking treatment for GD of all age groups. Compared to adolescents and young adults, less is known about treatment-seeking adults. This study aimed to investigate whether there are clinically relevant age-dependent differences among patients seeking treatment for GD.MethodParticipants were recruited among patients seeking treatment and fulfilling diagnosis for GD at an outpatient clinic specialized in the treatment of GD. During the study period, 142 patients went through assessment for GD at the clinic, 37 did not fulfill the diagnosis for GD, and 36 declined participation, leaving a sample of 69 patients (age range = 15–56) for analysis. The sample (men, n = 66; women, n = 3) was divided in two age groups: adolescents and young adults (25 years or younger) and adults (26 years or older). Gaming-related data and information about psychiatric co-morbidity was collected through structured clinical interviews and questionnaires.ResultsThe adolescents and young adults (AYAs) reported a more rapid progression into problematic gaming than the adult group. The younger group developed problematic gaming four years faster than the adults. We also observed comparable clinical profiles in both groups. Both age groups had similar levels of GD as well as symptoms of psychiatric co-morbidities including possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and problematic gambling. We also noticed that half of our study population consisted of adults.ConclusionWith the increasing prevalence of gaming in all age groups, it is unknown how the occurrence of GD will develop in different stages of life. We conclude that the adolescents and young adults had almost double as fast progression to problematic gaming than the adult group, highlighting the need for preventive strategies. The similarity in clinical profiles indicates that treatments with the same type of interventions could be offered to both age groups.

Impact of traumatic experiences on obsessive-compulsive disorder: a study of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip – a conflict area

ABSTRACT Objective: Prior research has indicated a possible relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and trauma that appears to affect symptom severity and comorbidity. The Gaza Strip, a region characterised by ongoing violence and conflict, would benefit from further study to address psychopathology in the context of psycho-traumatology. Considering these circumstances, in this study, we investigated the prevalence of trauma aetiology among OCD patients and its impact on the clinical picture by studying the effects of trauma on three different levels of trauma-aetiology: (1) history of trauma exposure (TE-OCD), (2) individual perception of OCD as trauma-related (TR-OCD), and (3) the onset of OCD within six months post-trauma (PT-OCD). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 103 Gazans diagnosed with OCD, aged 18–56 years. Semi-structured clinical interviews, including self-report measures, were used to collect demographic and diagnostic data. Results: Out of 103 participants, 77.7% reported a history of trauma (TE-OCD), 29.1% perceived their trauma as a cause of OCD (TR-OCD), and 18.4% developed their symptoms within six months of the trauma (PT-OCD). No significant correlation was found between the severity of OCD symptoms and a history of trauma exposure. Statistical differences in symptom severity were found across TR- and PT-OCD levels of trauma-aetiology. However, after controlling for major depressive disorder (MDD), these differences were observed only for obsessions. Conclusions: These findings reveal that trauma is common among OCD patients in Gaza and could be a major predisposing factor. The perception of trauma as a cause and the time between trauma exposure and OCD onset could impact the clinical picture of OCD in terms of symptom severity and increased MDD comorbidity.

The role of suicidal motivations in adolescence: implications for the psychotherapeutic treatment of suicidal risk.

The study of suicidal risk has increasingly emphasized the importance of assessing specific suicidal motivations. Motivations express an elaboration of the condition of psychache, representing an effective perspective on the management of suicidal risk in psychotherapy. This study explores suicidal motivations and personality pathology in a clinical sample of adolescents with suicidal ideation or a history of suicide attempts. We aim to investigate how specific motivational factors and personality disorders (PDs) contribute to the foreseeability of suicidal outcomes, such as the occurrence, number, and lethality of suicide attempts and their interaction with the impact of personality disorders. A sample of 134 adolescents aged 12-18, with active suicidal ideation or recent suicide attempts, was assessed using a combination of self-report measures and structured clinical interviews. Binomial logistic regressions and linear regressions were conducted to explore the predictive value of PDs and motivational factors on suicidal behaviors. The results indicate that specific suicidal motivations, such as interpersonal influence, escape fantasy, and absence of fear, provide an additional increase in the foreseeability value beyond personality disorder criteria alone. These findings suggest that assessing suicidal motivations can significantly enhance risk evaluation and inform more effective therapeutic interventions. Beyond identifying certain risk factors, the therapist's ability to diss and process specific suicidal motivations in the context of the therapeutic relationship can be a decisive factor in monitoring and directly intervening on the risk.

The Relationship Between Psychopathology, Personality Traits, and a History of Traumatic Brain Injury.

To determine whether history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with psychopathology, and, in particular, substance use disorder (SUD) in young adults with a history of athletic participation. Observational study. University in the northeastern United States. A large (n = 534) and mixed sex (57% female) sample of varsity and club sport athletes older than 18 years. None. The Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury ID assessment and the Structured Clinical Interview for the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition. Twenty-five percent of participants reported no history of head injuries, 32% reported 1 head injury, and 43% reported more than 1 head injury. Thirty-eight percent of participants had been diagnosed with 1 or more concussions. Twenty-eight percent of participants had a current psychiatric diagnosis and 49% had at least 1 lifetime diagnosis. Head injuries and concussions were significantly associated with the presence of lifetime psychiatric diagnosis and symptoms or diagnosis of alcohol or SUD. More head injuries were associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Higher number of self-reported head injuries and diagnosed concussions were associated with a lifetime history of psychopathology, and specifically, with alcohol and substance use disorders. These relationships are similar to those seen in the general population of adults. The relationships also raise several interesting questions about recovery from head injuries in young adult athletes.

Psychosomatic influences on insomnia: Mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment strategies

Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder with significant implications for mental and physical health. While traditionally understood through a biomedical lens, increasing evidence highlights the role of psychosomatic factors in its onset and perpetuation. This narrative review explores the relationship between psychological and somatic influences on insomnia, examining the underlying mechanisms, diagnostic challenges, and treatment strategies. We discuss neurobiological pathways, including the hypothalamic&amp;ndash;pituitary&amp;ndash;adrenal axis and neurotransmitter imbalances, alongside psychological factors such as anxiety, hyperarousal, and cognitive distortions. Somatic symptoms, particularly chronic pain, and other physical conditions are also regarded as integral contributors to insomnia. Diagnosis of psychosomatic insomnia requires a comprehensive approach that incorporates both psychological and physical assessments, utilizing a combination of clinical interviews, standardized questionnaires, and differential diagnostic techniques. Treatment strategies are discussed in this paper with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, pharmacological interventions, and integrative approaches that address the multifaceted nature of the disorder. The review also highlights the importance of lifestyle modifications and the potential role of alternative therapies in managing insomnia. A rounded understanding of psychosomatic influences is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment of insomnia. Future research should focus on personalized therapeutic approaches and further interpreting the complex interconnections between mind and body in the pathophysiology of insomnia. This perspective has the potential to enhance clinical practice and improve outcomes for individuals suffering from this challenging disorder.

Lived experiences of mothers: A longitudinal study of impacts and adjustment following adolescent psychiatric hospitalization for suicide attempts or other reasons.

Parents play crucial roles in monitoring and supporting youth who have been hospitalized after suicide attempts, but their adjustment in the period following hospitalization has been understudied. This study assessed the adjustment and impacts on mothers during the year following hospitalization. Participants included 135 mothers of suicidal adolescents and 117 mothers of adolescents hospitalized for other reasons. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID) and the Child and Adolescent Impact Assessment were used to assess psychiatric diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder [MDD], Generalized Anxiety Disorder [GAD], and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD], and impacts on caregivers at one, three, six, and 12 months after hospitalization. Higher rates of MDD, GAD, and PTSD, and greater impacts were evidenced closer in time to the hospitalization. There were few overall differences between mothers of youth with and without suicidal behavior. However, family history of suicidal behavior was related to higher rates of MDD and PTSD, and greater severity of youth suicidal thoughts and behavior over the follow-up was related to greater impact upon mothers of suicidal youth. This study highlights the mental health struggles of mothers of suicidal and other hospitalized youth and underscores the importance of support for caregivers.

Estudio prospectivo del síndrome de piernas inquietas en una muestra de donantes de sangre

Background and objectivesBlood donation is suggested to increase the risk of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). This study aims to assess the prevalence of RLS in Spanish blood donors and determined its potential correlation with iron metabolism parameters. Materials and methodsProspective cohort study of 129 blood donors (54.3% men, 39.44 years±11.0) that underwent a physical examination, blood analysis (hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin saturation index and soluble transferrin receptor) and a RLS screening questionnaire followed by a prospective follow-up study including a clinical phone interview. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to examine the association between RLS and other variables. ResultsEighty-four (65.1%) participants were repeat blood donors (mean of 2.11 donations/year) at inclusion and 61 (47.4%) at follow-up (mean of 2.09 donations/year). Non-anemic iron deficiency (ferritin<50μg /L) was high in women P<.001 and in repeat donors (P=.003). The prevalence of RLS was 14.1% at inclusion increasing prospectively (19.5%; P=.065). On multivariate analysis, gender was the only variable significantly associated with a RLS diagnosis, being higher in women (OR 5.1; 95% CI 1.71-15.3; P=.003). ConclusionsDespite the high prevalence of non-anemic iron deficiency there was no association between ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor concentration values and RLS diagnosis. Gender was associated with RLS diagnosis regardless of other variables.

Investigation of psychopathology in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria

Aims: Aim of this study is, to establish the frequency of axis I and axis II comorbidity and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and coping ability of patients who admitted to allergy policlinics of Dermatology and Respiratory Diseases departments and who were diagnosed as chronic idiopathic urticaria. Methods: Study population divided into three groups consisted of fifty patients each, chronic urticaria, contact dermatitis and control groups, respectively. All patients underwent SCID-I (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I Disorders) and SCID-II (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personamy Disorders) for determining axis I and axis II diagnosis and trauma evaluation form for traumatic life events. Patients who showed high scores in this test also underwent SCID-I PTSD module. Coping scale (COPE) was applied in order to evaluate patients’ coping ability for problems which he encounters. Results: In our study, when axis I diagnosis were compared; major depression (%48) and anxiety disorder (%48) were significantly more frequent in chronic idiopathic urticaria group than other two groups. When it came to comparison of axis II diagnosis, avoidant personal disorder (%20) and dependent personality disorder (%16) were significantly more frequent in chronic idiopathic urticaria group than other two groups. Urticaria group also showed significantly higher frequency for PTSD (%42) than other two groups. Patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria used religious (%64), denial (%26), substance abuse (%40), adoption (%40), emotional social support (%32) and abstaining (%26) maladaptive coping methods which were incoherent, significantly more than other two groups. Conclusion: Probability of mental disorders is high among patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. It is important to consider existence of PTSD and coping methods for life events. Studies enrolling larger patient groups are needed for detailed investigation of cause-and-effect relationship.

Utility of Tau PET in the diagnostic work up of neurodegenerative dementia among Indian patients

Background and objectivesTau PET is being increasingly appraised as a novel diagnostic modality for dementia work up. Given limited data among South Asians, we assessed the frequency, patterns, phenotypic associations and incremental value of positive Tau PET scans in clinically diagnosed neurodegenerative dementia. MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited consecutive patients of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-AD syndromes (September 2021 to October 2022, India). Participants underwent clinical interview, cognitive assessment, MRI brain and tau PET scan ([F-18]ML-104). Visual read in a priori regions of interest was used to identify patterns of tau deposition in the brain. ResultsWe recruited 54 participants (mean age: 63.2 ± 9.2 years, 70.4 % men, 77.8 % dementia, 70.4 % early onset cases, 37.8 % APOE4+). The analysis identified abnormal tau uptake in 40/54 (74.1 %) participants; with uptake in AD signature areas in 27/40 (67.5 %) cases [cortical subtype (74.1 %), limbic (14.8 %), combined cortical/limbic (11.1 %)], and patterns not conforming to AD in 13/40 (32.5 %) cases. Tau PET substantiated the diagnosis of AD among 17/19 (89.5 %) cases with clinically diagnosed AD dementia, 8/23 (34.8 %) cases with suspected non-AD cause, and 2/12 (16.7 %) cases with mild cognitive impairment. A trend for increasing proportion of early onset cases, and worsening cognition, behavior and functional ability was seen, from ‘limbic’ to ‘combined cortical/limbic’ to ‘cortical’ subgroups. ConclusionTau PET is a useful modality to differentiate AD dementia from other neurodegenerative causes in the Indian setting where amyloid biomarkers are not widely available. Biological subtypes of AD map well onto clinical phenotypes and need study in larger cohorts.

The effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on perceived stress, rumination, and distress tolerance in women with Bulimia Nervosa

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in mitigating perceived stress, rumination, and distress tolerance among women diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) in Ahvaz, Iran. A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group was employed. The target population consisted of all female BN patients referred to the Ahvaz Binge Eaters Association between February and May 2022. Patients were definitively diagnosed with BN by a clinical specialist using a structured clinical interview adhering to DSM-5 criteria. From an initial pool of 91 patients, 50 were randomly selected for participation and subsequently assigned to either the experimental or control group, with each group comprising 25 individuals. Pre-test analysis revealed no significant group differences in perceived stress, rumination, or distress tolerance among women with BN. However, post-test scores indicated a significant decrease in both perceived stress and rumination within the experimental group compared to the control group (p < .01). Furthermore, the post-test analysis demonstrated that ACT intervention significantly improved distress tolerance in women with BN (p < .01). These findings suggest that ACT may be a promising therapeutic approach for alleviating psychological distress and enhancing emotional regulation in individuals grappling with BN.

Improving Access to Dementia Care in the Era of Monoclonal Antibody Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease: a Pilot Clinical Protocol Using Abbreviated Neuropsychological Assessment.

To meet the growing demand for timely diagnosis in the new era of disease-modifying medications for Alzheimer's disease (AD), the present study aimed to reduce clinic wait times by developing and refining an abbreviated neuropsychological battery to assess individuals with a suspected amnestic process (i.e., Early-Stage AD Pathway). Early-Stage AD Pathway patients were referred by an internal neurology provider who determined that the patient had: (1) an amnestic clinical presentation, (2) a normal neurological examination, and (3) a Montreal Cognitive Assessment total score between 18 and 25. These patients were scheduled for a 2-h neuropsychological evaluation, including a brief clinical interview and an abbreviated testing battery. We evaluated n = 19 patients in the Early-Stage AD Pathway and compared them to 114 older adults referred via traditional clinic procedures (i.e., General Clinic). Most individuals evaluated via the Early-Stage AD Pathway were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; 68.4%) or mild dementia (21.1%) through the neuropsychological evaluation. Rate of diagnosis of MCI/dementia was comparable between groups. The average number of days between initial referral and completion of the neuropsychological evaluation was significantly lower (Mdiff = 145.8days, U = 1867.500, p < 0.001) for the Early-Stage AD Pathway group than for the General Clinic group, as the former could be scheduled more flexibly. Implementing an abbreviated neuropsychological assessment process significantly reduced the time between referral and evaluation to identify individuals who may be eligible for emerging pharmacological treatments for AD and/or non-pharmacological interventions in a timely manner.

A Blended Learning Course on the Diagnostics of Mental Disorders: Multicenter Cluster Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

Clinical diagnoses determine if and how therapists treat their patients. As misdiagnoses can have severe adverse effects, disseminating evidence-based diagnostic skills into clinical practice is highly important. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a blended learning course in a multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial. Undergraduate psychology students (N=350) enrolled in 18 university courses at 3 universities. The courses were randomly assigned to blended learning or traditional synchronous teaching. The primary outcome was the participants' performances in a clinical diagnostic interview after the courses. The secondary outcomes were diagnostic knowledge and participants' reactions to the courses. All outcomes were analyzed on the individual participant level using noninferiority testing. Compared with the synchronous course (74.6% pass rate), participation in the blended learning course (89% pass rate) increased the likelihood of successfully passing the behavioral test (odds ratio 2.77, 95% CI 1.55-5.13), indicating not only noninferiority but superiority of the blended learning course. Furthermore, superiority of the blended learning over the synchronous course could be found regarding diagnostic knowledge (β=.13, 95% CI 0.01-0.26), course clarity (β=.40, 95% CI 0.27-0.53), course structure (β=.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.32), and informativeness (β=.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.32). Blended learning can help to improve the diagnostic skills and knowledge of (future) clinicians and thus make an important contribution to improving mental health care. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05294094; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05294094.

A mindfulness-based, cognitive, social, digital relapse-prevention intervention for youth with depression in Australia: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of Rebound

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) causes significant disease burden and functional impairment during adolescence and young adulthood. While most young people recover from their first episode, around two-thirds will experience one...

The Caregiver-Child Relationship Checkup Program for Infants 4–12 Months of Age: Application for Family Centers

The current government support for families with infants centers around financial aid and physical health checkups. This study aims to extend these narrow approaches by developing a new type of checkup that focuses on the relationship between caregivers and infants, as well as the entire family system. Based on various theoretical perspectives, including family systems theory, attachment theory, and cognitive-behavioral theory, the online caregiver-child relationship checkup, which consists of assessment and feedback sessions, was conducted using multiple methods (self-report questionnaires, observations of parent-child play interactions, and clinical interviews). Four families with infants aged 4 to 12 months participated in this study. A single-case research design, specifically a multiple baselines design, was employed. The results from 7 to 9 assessment points over 4 months showed that the relationship checkup improved multiple outcome indices, including the understanding of parental strengths and weaknesses, knowledge of relationship improvement, co-parenting relationships, parental stress, and parent-child relationships. Additionally, participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the program and a strong intention to recommend it. Qualitative interviews indicated that they received reliable guidance from their family consultant amidst the abundant information provided by pseudo-experts on social networking sites (SNS). Coaching while reviewing videos of parent-child interactions was also considered effective in terms of improving their parental competence. Implications for practice and policy were also discussed.

Clinical Utility and Diagnostic Validity of the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology for Borderline Personality Disorder

Background: The hierarchical taxonomy of psychopathology (HiTOP) aims to address the limitations of traditional nosologies. This model organizes borderline personality disorder (BPD) along two dimensions: The distress sub-factor of negative affectivity and antagonism. Objectives: For the HiTOP model to be effectively integrated into clinical practice, its clinical utility must be established. This study aimed to assess the clinical utility and diagnostic validity of HiTOP in diagnosing BPD. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 113 inpatients with a primary diagnosis of BPD and 100 nonclinical individuals. The Structured Clinical Interview for diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) Personality Disorders, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5-Screening Personality Questionnaire, Personality Inventory for DSM-5, and the Personality Assessment Inventory–Borderline Features Scale were used for BPD diagnosis and severity assessment. Multiple regression analyses were conducted on BPD-HiTOP-related and other maladaptive personality domains to identify the best predictive factors for BPD. Borderline personality disorder scales were created based on the regression algorithms. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses and diagnostic efficiency statistics were used to assess the relative diagnostic efficiency of these scales. Results: Regression analyses indicated that negative affectivity and disinhibition significantly predicted BPD severity, whereas antagonism did not. The ROC analysis demonstrated that both the HiTOP-BPD algorithm (antagonism/negative affectivity) and the proposed BPD algorithm (disinhibition/negative affectivity) showed excellent accuracy. Regarding diagnostic validity, the proposed BPD algorithm exhibited higher sensitivity and specificity levels compared to the HiTOP-BPD algorithm. Conclusions: These findings support the clinical utility of the disinhibition-negative affectivity algorithm in diagnosing BPD.

Psychometric properties and clinical correlates of the Frontal Behaviour Inventory in progressive supranuclear palsy: data from the PSP-NET.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as apathy, disinhibition and irritability, are common in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). The Frontal Behaviour Inventory (FBI) is a useful instrument for the evaluation of behavioural disorders in neurodegenerative diseases. The main goal of the present study was to explore the psychometric properties of the FBI in PSP. FBI was administered to the PSP-NET cohort including Italian patients diagnosed according to the Movement Disorder Society criteria. Patients underwent a clinical interview, a motor evaluation, extensive cognitive and behavioural testing. Two hundred and eight subjects were included in this study. The internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.868) and no improvement of this value was noted upon removal of any item. FBI showed also good acceptability, reliability and validity. The standard error of measurement (SEM) value for FBI total score was 0.169 [SEM = SD √ (1 - Cronbach's alpha)]. Factor analysis indicated a five-factor structure: Apathy, Behavioural disorders, Impulsivity, Motor and speech frontal behaviour and Executive disorders that explained the 54.92% of the total variance. Linear regression analysis showed that global cognitive impairment significantly affects both Apathy and Motor and speech frontal behaviour factors. In conclusion, FBI is a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in PSP, despite some constructs, such as euphoria and irritability, are better measured by the NPI. Two third of the cohort was represented by Richardson's syndrome, thus our data are mainly applicable to such common phenotype. Such data are useful in both clinical and research settings to plan adequate therapeutic interventions and to improve the quality of life of PSP patients and their caregivers.