Increasing literature reported higher rates of psychiatric disorders in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as of autistic-like features in social and cognitive functioning. However, little attention has been paid to the association between autistic traits (AT) and global functioning in this population. The aim of the present work was to investigate clinical and functional correlates of AT among parents of ASD children, with a specific focus on ruminative thinking.

One hundred and twenty parents of ASD children were assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS), the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS).

Subjects with at least 1 psychiatric disorder (39.2%) showed significantly higher AdAS Spectrum and RRS scores. Subjects with a history of school difficulties and with language development alterations scored significantly higher on specific AdAS Spectrum domains. A significant negative correlation was found between SOFAS and AdAS Spectrum scores, as well as between SOFAS and RRS scores. AdAS Spectrum nonverbal communication domain score was identified has a statistically predictive variable for the presence of psychiatric disorders and lower SOFAS scores. Finally, we found a significant indirect effect of AdAS total score on SOFAS score, which was fully mediated by RRS total score.

AT in parents of ASD children seem to be associated with a higher vulnerability toward psychopathology and with a lower global functioning. Ruminative thinking may play a role in the relationship between AT and functional outcome.

Evaluate the relative bioavailability of single-dose amphetamine extended-release tablet (AMPH ER TAB) 20 mg, swallowed whole or chewed, and amphetamine extended-release oral suspension (AMPH EROS) 2.5 mg/mL; evaluate food effect on AMPH ER TAB.

Healthy volunteers (18–55 years) were randomized to 1 dose of AMPH ER TAB 20 mg swallowed (fasted), chewed (fed/fasted), or 20 mg AMPH EROS (fasted). A crossover study design was used. Plasma samples were collected each period predose and at time points to 60 hours postdose. d- and l-amphetamine were measured and pharmacokinetic (PK) was calculated (90% confidence intervals of the ratios of the plasma levels) for AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, and Cmax. Comparative relative bioavailability between formulations was determined when ratios were within 80% and 125%. Safety was also assessed.

Thirty-two subjects completed the study. AMPH ER TAB swallowed versus AMPH EROS (fasted): for d- and l-amphetamine, the total and peak exposure was similar: d: AUC0-t: 100.68% to 108.08%, AUC0-∞: 101.47% to 109.52%, Cmax: 98.10% to 103.17%; l: AUC0-t: 100.31% to 108.57%, AUC0-∞: 101.27% to 111.09%, Cmax: 98.2% to 103.37%. For d- and l-amphetamine when the tablet is swallowed whole, Tmax was 5.00 hours (with a range of 2.00–9.00 hours). AMPH ER TAB chewed versus AMPH EROS (fasted): for d- and l-amphetamine, the total and peak exposure was similar: d: AUC0-t: 99.23% to 106.62%, AUC0-∞: 99.58% to 107.59%, Cmax: 99.91% to 105.14%; l: AUC0-t: 98.16% to 106.35%, AUC0-∞: 98.44% to 108.11%, Cmax: 99.53% to 104.75%. For d- and l-amphetamine when the tablet has been chewed, Tmax was 5.00 hours (with a range of 3.00-7.00 hours). PK results were similar for patients in the fasted and fed groups, indicative of no presence of food effect. No serious adverse events (AEs) were reported, overall AE profiles between the tablet and oral suspension were comparable without any unanticipated safety concerns.

Single doses of AMPH ER TAB for both d- and l-amphetamine demonstrated comparable bioavailability to a 20 mg dose of AMPH EROS, 2.5 mg/mL under fasted conditions when chewed and swallowed whole, and demonstrated equivalent peak and overall exposure without apparent food effect. AMPH ER TAB was well-tolerated and consistent with adverse events noted in other amphetamine formulations.

Our objective was to assess unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) as biomarker for schizophrenia (SCZ) and schizoaffective (SAF) spectrums disorder (relapse vs. partial remission).

Eighty-eight psychotic patients completed first assessment during relapse at ward admission, half with SCZ and half with SAF disorder. Forty-four acute bipolar patients were used as controls. After 12-month follow-up, we collected longitudinal protocol (laboratory, psychopathological, and psychosocial data) from 60 patients, half with SCZ and half with SAF disorder.

During psychotic relapse (N = 88), we found a statistically significant difference (analysis of variance [ANOVA]; p = .002), confirmed after post hoc multiple comparisons (Bonferroni) between SCZ (N = 44) and both SAF (N = 44; p = .05) and bipolar controls (N = 44; p = .05); a positive correlation (Pearson’s r = .314) between UCB mean levels and Personal and Social Performance item (d) “disturbing and aggressive behaviors”; and a positive correlation (R2 = .223), with statistically significance (p = .008), between UCB mean levels and mean length of stay at the psychiatric ward in SAF patients who completed full protocol (N = 30). During partial remission (N = 60) we found: a statistically significant difference (ANOVA; p = .006), confirmed after post hoc multiple comparisons (Bonferroni) between SCZ (N = 30) and SAF (N = 30; p = .05); plus a negative correlation (Pearson’s r = −.399) between UCB mean levels and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale item G7 “psychomotor retardation.” Comparing first and second assessments (paired samples t test) we found a statistically significant difference in UCB mean levels among SAF patients (p = .034).

There is potential in the research of UCB as a biological marker for SCZ and SAF spectrums disorders during relapse and partial remission of both syndromes.

Mental disorders can have a major impact on brain development. Peripheral blood concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are lower in adult psychiatric disorders. Serum BDNF concentrations and BDNF genotype have been associated with cortical maturation in children and adolescents. In 2 large independent samples, this study tests associations between serum BDNF concentrations, brain structure, and psychopathology, and the effects of BDNF genotype on BDNF serum concentrations in late childhood and early adolescence.

Children and adolescents (7-14 years old) from 2 cities (n = 267 in Porto Alegre; n = 273 in São Paulo) were evaluated as part of the Brazilian high-risk cohort (HRC) study. Serum BDNF concentrations were quantified by sandwich ELISA. Genotyping was conducted from blood or saliva samples using the SNParray Infinium HumanCore Array BeadChip. Subcortical volumes and cortical thickness were quantified using FreeSurfer. The Development and Well-Being Behavior Assessment was used to identify the presence of a psychiatric disorder.

Serum BDNF concentrations were not associated with subcortical volumes or with cortical thickness. Serum BDNF concentration did not differ between participants with and without mental disorders, or between Val homozygotes and Met carriers.

No evidence was found to support serum BDNF concentrations as a useful marker of developmental differences in brain and behavior in early life. Negative findings were replicated in 2 of the largest independent samples investigated to date.

Several studies suggested a potential role of viral infection in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the association between herpes zoster and PD was not investigated well till now.

Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 13 083 patients aged ≥45 years with herpes zoster and 52 332 (1:4) age-/sex-matched controls were enrolled between 1998 and 2008 and followed to the end of 2011. Those who developed PD during the follow-up period were identified.

The Cox regression analysis with adjustment of demographic characteristics, health system utilization, and comorbidities demonstrated that patients with herpes zoster had an increased risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43-2.28) of developing PD in later life compared to the control group. Sensitivity tests after excluding the first year (HR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.16-1.93) and first 2-year (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.10-1.88) observation periods showed consistent results.

Patients with herpes zoster were more likely to develop PD in later life compared to the controls. Additional studies are necessary for validating our results and to clarify the underlying pathophysiology between herpes zoster and PD.