Male Schizophrenia Research Articles

Incidence of Gastric Cancer in the Patients with Schizophrenia: A Meta-analysis

Background: Several studies have reported the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) in the patients with schizophrenia, but the incidence of GC in schizophrenia patients remains controversy. It is necessary to perform a meta-analysis to detect the incidence of GC in schizophrenia patients. Methods: We search the relevant articles from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and Chinese electronic databases. The incidence of GC in schizophrenia patients and heterogeneity were analyzed with STATA10.0 software. Results: Our meta-analysis included total 283,422 patients with schizophrenia and 1,024 patients with GC in nine articles. The incidence of GC in schizophrenia patients was 0.62% (95%CI: 0.005-0.008; P<0.001), but there is obvious heterogeneity (I²=98.7%). We next performed subgroup analysis to explore the incidence of GC in schizophrenia patients by gender and region. The GC incidence in male schizophrenia patients (0.28%, 95%CI: 0.001-0.003; P<0.001) was higher than that in female patients (0.23%, 95%CI: 0.002-0.004). In European countries, the GC incidence in schizophrenia patients (0.98%, 95%CI: 0.005-0.008) was higher than that in Asian countries (0.13%, 95%CI: 0.000-0.002; P<0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of GC in patients with schizophrenia was 0.62%. The GC incidence was higher in male and European countries schizophrenia patients, but large cohort studies are needed to confirm further.

Generation of multiple iPSC clones from a male schizophrenia patient carrying de novo mutations in genes KHSRP, LRRC7, and KIR2DL1, and his parents

Here we describe the generation of induced pluripotent stem cell lines from each member - male proband, mother, father - of a schizophrenia case-parent trio that participated in an exome sequencing study, and 3 de novo mutations were identified in the proband. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from all three individuals and reprogrammed using Sendai virus particles carrying the Yamanaka transgenes. These 3 iPSC lines (iPSC-SZ-HU-MO 1, iPSC-SZ-HU-FA 1, and iPSC-SZ-HU-PROB 1) represent a resource for examining the functional significance of the identified de novo mutations in the molecular pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Investigation of de novo mutations in a schizophrenia case-parent trio by induced pluripotent stem cell-based in vitro disease modeling: convergence of schizophrenia- and autism-related cellular phenotypes

BackgroundDe novo mutations (DNMs) have been implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia (SZ), a chronic debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, cognitive dysfunction, and decreased community functioning. Several DNMs have been identified by examining SZ cases and their unaffected parents; however, in most cases, the biological significance of these mutations remains elusive. To overcome this limitation, we have developed an approach of using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from each member of a SZ case-parent trio, in order to investigate the effects of DNMs in cellular progenies of interest, particularly in dentate gyrus neuronal progenitors.MethodsWe identified a male SZ patient characterized by early disease onset and negative symptoms, who is a carrier of 3 non-synonymous DNMs in genes LRRC7, KHSRP, and KIR2DL1. iPSC lines were generated from his and his parents’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells using Sendai virus-based reprogramming and differentiated into neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) and hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells. We used RNASeq to explore transcriptomic differences and calcium (Ca2+) imaging, cell proliferation, migration, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial assays to characterize the investigated NPC lines.ResultsNPCs derived from the SZ patient exhibited transcriptomic differences related to Wnt signaling, neuronal differentiation, axonal guidance and synaptic function, and decreased Ca2+ reactivity to glutamate. Moreover, we could observe increased cellular proliferation and alterations in mitochondrial quantity and morphology.ConclusionsThe approach of reprograming case-parent trios represents an opportunity for investigating the molecular effects of disease-causing mutations and comparing these in cell lines with reduced variation in genetic background. Our results are indicative of a partial overlap between schizophrenia and autism-related phenotypes in the investigated family.LimitationsOur study investigated only one family; therefore, the generalizability of findings is limited. We could not derive iPSCs from two other siblings to test for possible genetic effects in the family that are not driven by DNMs. The transcriptomic and functional assays were limited to the NPC stage, although these variables should also be investigated at the mature neuronal stage.

Serum Progesterone and Testosterone Levels in Schizophrenia Patients at Different Stages of Treatment.

It has been suggested that dysregulation of hormones is associated with schizophrenia (SCZ). This study aimed to measure the serum levels of progesterone and testosterone in 125 SCZ patients at different stages of treatment and 96 healthy control (HC) subjects. Our results showed that first-episode drug-free SCZ patients had significantly increased testosterone levels when compared with HC subjects, and chronic medication, but not short-term medication, further increased the serum testosterone levels in the patients. Further analysis suggested that the sex of the patients did not affect testosterone levels. In contrast, serum progesterone levels did not show significant differences between first-episode, drug-free SCZ patients and controls, and the antipsychotics increased progesterone levels in the male SCZ patients, but not female patients. Interestingly, our analyses demonstrated that the serum progesterone levels were negatively correlated with PANSS total score and PNASS positive score, suggesting a correlation between blood hormone levels and disease severity in SCZ patients. Taken together, our data showed differential changes in serum testosterone and progesterone levels in SCZ patients with or without antipsychotics, and our results suggest that increased sex hormone levels may be a defensive response to protect the human body under stress.

Retraction “Methylation of the MAOA promoter is associated with schizophrenia”

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-4481.].

The Gene Polymorphism of VMAT2 Is Associated with Risk of Schizophrenia in Male Han Chinese.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between gene polymorphism of vesicular monoamine transporter type 2(VMAT2) and schizophrenia in Han Chinese population. Methods430 patients with schizophrenia and 470 age-sex matched controls were recruited from four mental health centers. All patients were diagnosed by two psychiatrists based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID). The ligase detection reactions (LDR) method was used to assess the polymorphism of the two SNPs (rs363371 and rs363324) of VMAT2. ResultsNo associations of two SNPs with schizophrenia was found. When we stratified males and females for the analysis, we found that that in the recessive model of rs363371, there was an obvious significant association between rs363371 and schizophrenia in males (OR=0.564, 95% CI=0.357–0.892, p=0.014) but not females. For the association between rs363324 and schizophrenia, no association was found in either males or females. No association was found when stratifying early-onset schizophrenia and late-onset schizophrenia. ConclusionOur findings indicate that both rs363371 and rs363324 were not associated with schizophrenia, while it seemed that the AA genotype of rs363371 plays a protective effect in male Chinese in developing schizophrenia.

Interstitial Lung Disease due to Quetiapine: Case Report and Literature Review

Quetiapine is a commonly used antipsychotic drug which has many common side effects such as dizziness, sedation, and metabolic side effects. In addition to them, the drug has also some rare side effects. Among them, little is known about drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DI-ILD). In this case report, we aimed to discuss the side effects of quetiapine use on the lung. We present a case of interstitial lung disease, which is rare side effect, that occurred following quetiapine use in a 54-year-old male schizophrenia patient. In our case, DI-ILD was examined due to the lung findings that occurred after quetiapine treatment started and regressed after quetiapine cessation. Clinicians should be careful about rare lung side effects such as DI-ILD that may develop as a result of quetiapine use.

Methylation of the MAOA promoter is associated with schizophrenia.

Earlier studies have shown that patients with schizophrenia have abnormalities in DNA methylation. Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) has been extensively studied due to its biological role in neurological function. However, the relationship between the DNA methylation of the MAOA gene and schizophrenia is unclear. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between the methylation of the MAOA gene promoter and schizophrenia. There were 151 individuals with schizophrenia (104 males and 47 females), which were diagnosed according to DSM-V, the DNA of peripheral blood of all samples was extracted and chemically modified with bisulfite. The promoter region of MAOA gene was sequenced by Methylation Target Technical Method (MethylTargetTM), and 247 controls (204 males and 43 females) included in the study. MAOA gene promoter methylation was compared between the case and control groups. Meanwhile, we measured DNA methylation in two regions of MAOA (MAOA-2 and MAOA-3). In the male schizophrenia group (BM) and the male control group (DM), MAOA-2 and MAOA-3 methylation were positively associated with schizophrenia. In the female schizophrenia group (BF) and the female control group (DF), MAOA-2 methylation was associated with schizophrenia. Although the role of gene methylation in the development of schizophrenia is still unclear, our findings suggest that DNA methylation of MAOA may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia.

Association between cortical volume and gray-white matter contrast with second generation antipsychotic medication exposure in first episode male schizophrenia patients

This cross-sectional study examines the differences in cortical volume and gray-to-white matter contrast (GWC) in first episode schizophrenia patients (SCZ) compared to healthy control participants (HC) and in SCZ patients as a function of exposure to second generation antipsychotic medication. We hypothesize 1) SCZ exhibit regionally lower cortical volumes relative to HCs, 2) cortical volume will be greater with longer exposure to second generation antipsychotics prior to the MRI scan, and 3) lower GWC with longer exposure to second generation antipsychotics prior to the MRI scan, suggesting more blurring from greater intracortical myelin. To accomplish this, MRI scans from 71 male SCZ patients treated with second generation oral risperidone and 42 male HCs were examined. 3D T1-weighted MPRAGE images collected at 1.5T were used to estimate cortical volume and GWC by sampling signal intensity at 30% within the cortical ribbon. Average cortical volume and GWC were calculated and compared between SCZ and HC. Cortical volume and GWC in SCZ patients were correlated with duration of medication exposure for the time period prior to the scan. First-episode SCZ patients had significantly lower cortical volume compared to HCs in bilateral temporal, superior and rostral frontal, postcentral gyral, and parahippocampal regions. In SCZ patients, greater cortical volume was associated with (log-transformed) duration of second-generation antipsychotic medication exposure in bilateral precuneus, right lingual, and right superior parietal regions. Lower GWC was correlated with longer duration of medication exposure bilaterally in the superior frontal lobes. In summary, second generation antipsychotics may increase cortical volume and decrease GWC in first episode SCZ patients.

T78. MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA ADMITTED FOR INCIDENT ISCHEMIC STROKE: A POPULATION-BASED COHORT STUDY

BackgroundEvidence shows that schizophrenia is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including stroke. The relationship between schizophrenia and post-stroke mortality was understudied, and mixed findings were observed. Of note, none of these studies specifically explored the association of schizophrenia with short-term mortality after incident ischemic stroke. One of them specifically examined short-term mortality following ischemic stroke in schizophrenia patients, but it did not address potential confounding by patients who had past history of stroke. The only study which included solely incident stroke patients indicated that patients with psychotic disorders experienced higher short-term mortality ensuing incident stroke.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate short-term mortality of schizophrenia patients after incident ischemic stroke. All individuals admitted for incident ischemic stroke between 2006 and 2016 in Hong Kong were identified using a territory-wide electronic health record database. 817 patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis of schizophrenia (F20) or schizoaffective disorder (F25) (termed schizophrenia henceforth) prior to index admission constituted the study group. The comparison group comprised 8170 patients (10:1 matched to schizophrenia patients on age, sex, treatment sites and calendar-period for index admission) without any non-affective psychoses, mania or bipolar disorder (F20, F22-25, F28-31).ResultsMultivariate logistic regression revealed that schizophrenia patients had higher 1-year (OR [95% CI] = 1.51 [1.22 – 1.85]) and marginally higher 30-day (OR [95% CI] = 1.34 [1.00 – 1.79]) mortality following incident ischemic stroke, after adjusting for medical comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, alcohol and substance use disorders and other comorbidities quantified by Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index. Additional age- (<65 years and ≥65 years) and gender-stratified analyses revealed similar results. Elevated 1-year mortality was exhibited by all schizophrenia subgroups, being more pronounced in younger patients (OR [95% CI] = 2.02 [1.38 – 2.96]). Increase in 30-day mortality was only seen in younger (OR [95% CI] = 1.75 [1.04 – 2.95]) and male (OR [95% CI] = 1.63 [1.06 – 2.50]) schizophrenia patients.DiscussionOur results of heightened short-term post-stroke mortality in schizophrenia were in line with the only previous study which compared short-term mortality ensuing incident stroke in patients with and without psychotic disorders. This intuitive result may be explained by some studies which demonstrated that schizophrenic stroke patients were less likely to receive reperfusion treatments and prophylactic medications. The absence of data on lifestyle factors, antipsychotic treatment and post-stroke management is a major limitation in our study. In conclusion, our results indicated that schizophrenia is associated with increased short-term mortality after incident ischemic stroke. Further research is warranted to clarify the contribution of possible risk factors to post-stroke mortality in schizophrenia patients.

Detection of Rare Methyl-CpG Binding Protein 2 Gene Missense Mutations in Patients With Schizophrenia.

Deleterious mutations of MECP2 are responsible for Rett syndrome, a severe X-linked childhood neurodevelopmental disorder predominates in females, male patients are considered fatal. However, increasing reports indicate that some MECP2 mutations may also present various neuropsychiatric phenotypes, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, depression, cocaine addiction, and schizophrenia in both males and females, suggesting varied clinical expressivity in some MECP2 mutations. Most of the MECP2 mutations are private de novo mutations. To understand whether MECP2 mutations are associated with schizophrenia, we systematically screen for mutations at the protein-coding regions of the MECP2 gene in a sample of 404 schizophrenic patients (171 females, 233 males) and 390 non-psychotic controls (171 females, 218 males). We identified six rare missense mutations in this sample, including T197M in one male patient and two female controls, L201V in nine patients (three males and six females) and 4 controls (three females and one male), L213V in one female patient, A358T in one male patient and one female control, P376S in one female patient, and P419S in one male patient. These mutations had been reported to be present in patients with various neuropsychiatric disorders other than Rett syndrome in the literature. Furthermore, we detected a novel double-missense mutation P376S-P419R in a male patient. The family study revealed that his affected sister also had this mutation. The mutation was transmitted from their mother who had a mild cognitive deficit. Our findings suggest that rare MECP2 mutations exist in some schizophrenia patients and the MECP2 gene could be considered a risk gene of schizophrenia.

HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR2A, HTR2C and HTR6 Gene Polymorphisms and Extrapyramidal Side Effects in Haloperidol-Treated Patients with Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a serious, chronic psychiatric disorder requiring lifelong treatment. Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) are common adverse reactions to antipsychotic medications. In addition to the dopaminergic system, serotonergic mechanisms, including serotonin (5-HT) receptors, might be involved in EPS development. This study aimed to examine molecular associations of HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR2A, HTR2C and HTR6 gene polymorphisms with acute EPS in 229 male schizophrenia patients, following two weeks of haloperidol monotherapy. The Simpson–Angus Rating Scale for Extrapyramidal Side Effects (SAS), Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS) and Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS) were used to evaluate EPS severity. Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR, following extraction of blood DNA. Significant acute EPS appeared in 48.03% of schizophrenia patients. For the rs13212041 HTR1B gene polymorphism, affecting microRNA regulation of HTR1B gene expression, a higher frequency of TT carriers was found among haloperidol-treated patients with akathisia when compared to the group without akathisia symptoms. In comparison to C-allele carriers, patients carrying the TT genotype had higher akathisia severity, as determined by the SAS, BARS and ESRS scales. These molecular findings suggest potential involvement of 5-HT1B receptors in akathisia development following haloperidol treatment, as well as possible epigenetic mechanisms of serotonergic modulation associated with antipsychotic-induced EPS.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Aggressive Behavior among Patients with Schizophrenia at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Introduction. Mental illness and aggression are often seen as inextricably linked. There is a growing body of evidence on aggressive behavior towards others by people with schizophrenia. Even though there is no study conducted in this study area, this study will help to identify the factors associated with aggressive behavior to be dealt early and as a base line for further study. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the prevalence of aggressive behavior and associated factors among people with schizophrenia. Method An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from May 6 to 31, 2019, among 403 participants who were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected by an interview technique by using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale, entered and analyzed by using EPI-INFO version 3.5.3 and Statistical Package for Social Science version 20, respectively. The association between variables was analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and the level of significance of association was determined at a P value < 0.05. Results A total of 403 schizophrenia patients were included making the response rate 95.4%. The prevalence of aggressive behavior was 26.6%. Significant associated factors for aggressive behavior were being male (AOR = 2.61, 95% CI (1.21, 5.61)), unemployment (AOR = 8.03, 95% CI (3.08, 25.95)), previous history of aggression (AOR = 6.22, 95% CI (2.75, 14.10)), psychotic symptoms (AOR = 8.12, 95% CI (3.11, 21.14)), drug nonadherence (AOR = 6.41, 95% CI (3.02, 13.63)), poor social support (AOR = 3.11, 95% CI (1.35, 7.17)), and alcohol use (AOR = 2.40, 95% CI (1.02, 5.66)). Conclusion Prevalence of aggressive behavior is high among schizophrenia patients. Professionals have to identify clearly predictors of aggressive behavior giving special emphasis when treating male schizophrenia patients, who are unemployed, lack social support, with previous history of aggression, and alcohol users.

Numerical density of oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte clusters in the anterior putamen in major psychiatric disorders.

There is increasing evidence to support the notion that oligodendrocyte and myelin abnormalities may contribute to the functional dysconnectivity found in the major psychiatric disorders. The putamen, which is an important hub in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical loop, has been implicated in a broad spectrum of psychiatric illnesses and is a central target of their treatments. Previously we reported a reduction in the numerical density of oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte clusters in the prefrontal and parietal cortex in schizophrenia. Oligodendrocyte clusters contain oligodendrocyte progenitors and are involved in functionally dependent myelination. We measured the numerical density (Nv) of oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte clusters in the putamen in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BPD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) as compared to healthy controls (15 cases per group). Optical disector was used to estimate the Nv of oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte clusters. A significant reduction in both the Nv of oligodendrocytes (- 34%; p < 0.01) and the Nv of oligodendrocyte clusters (- 41%; p < 0.05) was found in the schizophrenia group as compared to the control group. Sexual dimorphism for both measurements was found only within the control group. The Nv of oligodendrocytes was significantly lower in male schizophrenia cases as compared to the male control cases. However, the Nv of oligodendrocyte clusters was significantly lower in all male clinical cases as compared to the male control group. The data suggest that lowered density of oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte clusters may contribute to the altered functional connectivity in the putamen in subjects with schizophrenia.

Artificial intelligence-based classification of schizophrenia: A high density electroencephalographic and support vector machine study.

Background:Interview-based schizophrenia (SCZ) diagnostic methods are not completely valid. Moreover, SCZ-the disease entity is very heterogeneous. Supervised-Machine-Learning (sML) application of Artificial-Intelligence holds a tremendous promise in solving these issues.Aims:To sML-based discriminating validity of resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) quantitative features in classifying SCZ from healthy and, positive (PS) and negative symptom (NS) subgroups, using a high-density recording.Settings and Design:Data collected at a tertiary care mental-health institute using a cross-sectional study design and analyzed at a premier Engineering Institute.Materials and Methods:Data of 38-SCZ patients and 20-healthy controls were retrieved. The positive-negative subgroup classification was done using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale operational-criteria. EEG was recorded using 256-channel high-density equipment. Eight priori regions-of-interest were selected. Six-level wavelet decomposition and Kernel-Support Vector Machine (SVM) method were used for feature extraction and data classification.Statistical Analysis:Mann–Whitney test was used for comparison of machine learning-features. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under receiver operating characteristics-curve were measured as discriminatory indices of classifications.Results:Accuracy of classifying SCZ from healthy and PS from NS SCZ, were 78.95% and 89.29%, respectively. While beta and gamma frequency related features most accurately classified SCZ from healthy controls, delta and theta frequency related features most accurately classified positive from negative SCZ. Inferior frontal gyrus features most accurately contributed to both the classificatory instances.Conclusions:SVM-based classification and sub-classification of SCZ using EEG data is optimal and might help in improving the “validity” and reducing the “heterogeneity” in the diagnosis of SCZ. These results might only be generalized to acute and moderately ill male SCZ patients.

Insular volume reduction in young male schizophrenia patients

Objective: Recent developments in neuroimaging have advanced the understanding of biological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia. Structural and functional abnormalities of the insular cortex have been reported in schizophrenia patients. Many studies have demonstrated that insula volume is lower in schizophrenia patients than healthy individuals. The present study aimed to compare insula volumes of young male schizophrenia patients with that of age-matched young healthy male subjects to eliminate age and gender bias. Methods: Twenty-three male schizophrenia patients meeting DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, who were at the age of 18-40 years, and age-matched 25 healthy male subjects were included into the study. All patients magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure was completed. Insula volume of schizophrenia patients and healthy male volunteers was calculated using MRICloud method. Disease severity was assessed using Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS). Results: Volumes of both the left and the right insula were significantly lower in the patient group vs. the control group. Moreover, a positive correlation was determined between the right insula volume and the scores of positive symp-tom severity scale. Conclusion: Decreased insular volume is not a specific marker, but it may be a general marker regarding psychopathology. However, investigating whether the diagnostic specificity of insular cortex abnormalities in psychopathologies will be the focus of future studies.

Internalized stigmatization and quality of life in patients with bipolar disorders and schizophrenia

Aim: In this study the aim was to compare internalized stigmatization and quality of life between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients who were in remission.Material and Methods: Patients who were admitted to the psychiatry outpatient clinic of Gaziantep University Faculty with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia according to DSM-5 were included in this cross sectional study. Assessment tools were the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Measurement Instrument Short Form.Results: Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder groups were compared according to assessment tools. 58 bipolar disorder and 52 schizophrenia patients were included in the study. The Quality of Life of patients with bipolar disorder was found to be higher than patients with schizophrenia according to mental domain (p = 0.006) and social relationships domain (p = 0.050). Internalized Stigma of schizophrenia patients was higher than patients with bipolar disorder (p = 0.030). Internalized Stigma was higher in female patients with schizophrenia than female patients with bipolar disorder (p = 0.006). There were no significant differences between male schizophrenia patients and patients with bipolar disorder according to quality of life. Conclusion: Internalized stigmatization is a problem that should be considered in schizophrenia patients, especially in female schizophrenia patients. Internalized stigmatization may result in decreased quality of life in schizophrenia.

Evaluation Serum Levels of G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor and Its Diagnostic Value in Patients With Schizophrenia

Introduction: Estrogens not only play a role in the reproductive system of the female but also have a significant role in modulating the activities of serotonin, dopamine, glutamate and GABA, important neurotransmitters involved in schizophrenia. The physiological effects of estrogen-related components are mostly regulated by Estrogen receptor alpha (Erα), Estrogen receptor beta (Erβ), and G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER-1) which are subtypes of estrogen receptors. The aim of this study was to examine the possible role of GPER-1 in schizophrenia by comparing schizophrenia patients with sex- and age-matched healthy controls and examining the association between symptom severity and GPER-1. Methods: The study sample consisted of 36 people with schizophrenia and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded by pre-designed questionnaires for participants, and all required laboratory tests and physical examinations were performed; the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was administered to all schizophrenia patients. Results: We found that male schizophrenia patients had higher GPER-1 levels than male controls. However, we found no difference in the levels of GPER-1 between female patients and female controls. No significant correlation was found among age, PANSS score, duration of illness, and GPER-1 levels

Socio-demography and psychosis symptom severity among male schizophrenia – Diagnosed patients of MOH Mental Health Facilities, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; a correlational study

Socio-demography and psychosis symptom severity among male schizophrenia – Diagnosed patients of MOH Mental Health Facilities, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; a correlational study

Association of HSPA1B Polymorphisms with Paranoid Schizophrenia in a Polish Population

This study aimed to find the potential association between HSPA1B polymorphisms and risk of paranoid schizophrenia, clinical variables of the disease, and suicidal behavior. A total of 901 unrelated Polish subjects of Caucasian origin (377 schizophrenia patients and 524 controls) were recruited. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were genotyped using PCR–RFLP (rs539689, rs9281590) and TaqMan assays (rs263979, rs6547452). A strong tendency towards statistical significance (p = 0.051) was observed in rs539689 allele distribution between patients and controls in overall study subjects. After stratification according to gender, we found that rs539689 was significantly associated with schizophrenia in males, but not in females. The minor allele C had a protective effect in males [OR 0.73 (95% CI 0.61–0.88, p < 0.05)]. In addition, two SNPs (rs539689, rs9281590) were significantly associated with PANSS scores. Another important finding was a strong significant association between the HSPA1B rs539689 polymorphism and attempted suicide in schizophrenic patients. The C/C genotype and C allele were protective against suicidal behavior in entire sample (p < 0.001), in males (p < 001), and in females (p < 0.05), although associations were weaker than in males. Our findings support that HSPA1B gene may be involved in susceptibility to schizophrenia and clinical presentation of the disease in a sex-dependent manner, and may play a role in suicidal behavior in the Polish population of schizophrenic patients. Further independent analyses in different populations should be performed to clarify the role of HSPA1B in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.