The aim of the survey is to obtain an overview of the trends in the use of herbal smoke mixtures or “Spice” among clients and the specific nature of impairments associated with them.

Data on the use of “Spice” and cannabinoids have been analysed through clinical observations carried out at the Centre for Addiction Medicine and performance results of the Centre for Expertise and Toxicology over 41 months between 2009 and 2012 based on 257 individuals. Diagnosis was based on clinical and laboratory data. New psychoactive substances were identified in urine and blood, and express tests for “spice” were carried out through biochip matrix technology.

In 2012 a fourfold growth of “Spice” users has been noted as compared to 2009; among them 86.8% were 27 years old and younger and 38.7% were minors. Compared to cannabinoid cases, the individuals hospitalised for acute intoxication with “Spice” statistically more frequently (p< 0.05) suffered from fear, anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, whereas frequency of psychotic manifestations and acute schizophrenia symptoms demonstrated by the two groups were similar. Among the “Spice” cases proved through laboratory testing, 66.7% had signs of intoxication with characteristic, but non-specific symptoms of the vegetative nervous system.

Over the past years there has been a significant growth in the consumption of “Spice”.The clinical manifestations of “Spice” are not sufficiently typical for detecting the substance without the use of laboratory tests.Safe identification of substances through the use of specific testing methods is required.

Several studies have demonstrated various neuropsychological dysfunctions in patients with EDs [1]. Among them, cognitive inhibition deficits has been studied. While Eating Disorders (ED) are characterized by difficulties to inhibit feeding behavior, there is no consensus regarding neuropsychological studies about cognitive inhibition deficits [2, 3]. The goal of this study is to examine the contribution of the type of measurement used (self-report questionnaires versus neuropsychological tests) to explain these differences between studies.

Patients (ED) suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN; n=33), bulimia nervosa (BN; n=27) with no psychiatric comorbidity and free of psychotropic medication, and healthy controls (HC; n=xx) with no psychiatric history were assessed using the Hayling Test (neuropsychological test) and BIS-10 (self-report questionnaires).

1. [1] Significant differences in self-report questionnaires (BIS-10) were observed between ED and HC. BN showed more pronounced cognitive inhibition deficits then AN.

2. [2] No significant differences in neuropsychological tests (Hayling Test) were observed between ED and HC.

This study confirms dissociation between measures of self-report questionnaires and neuropsychological tests of cognitive inhibition and impulsivity in people with ED.

Comparative study of the blood lipid spectrum changes in first-episode schizophrenia patients treated with risperidone and haloperidol.

68 patients with first-episode schizophrenia (average age 24,9 years) and 20 age-matched normal controls were investigated. All patients had PANSS total score not less than 80 points. The patients were divided in two groups of 34 persons in each group: treated with haloperidol and risperidone. Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels were determined in serum before treatment and after 8 weeks of therapy.

Before the treatment TC, LDL, non-HDL, apoB, Lp(a) levels were authentically higher, but HDL level was lower. After treatment with risperidone and haloperidol HDL and apoA1 levels were increased. In patient group treated with risperidone TC, LDL, non-HDL, apoB, Lp(a) levels did not authentically change after 8 weeks. After treatment with haloperidol TC, LDL, non- HDL, apoB, Lp(a) levels were decreased.

Changes of blood lipid spectrum in first-episode schizophrenia patients were discovered. It was established changes of lipid spectrum in patients treated with risperidone and haloperidol. Haloperidol was noticed to positively influence on blood lipid spectrum in first-episode schizophrenia patients.

To explore the associations between depressive symptoms and cognition in patients with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

286 Patients (60.8% females) with SCI (n=96), MCI (n=125), AD (n=65) from a University hospital-based memory clinic were compared in several tests of cognitive performance. Mean (SD) age 67.73 (7.2) and median (range) MMSE score 28 (16-30) and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) score 5 (0-20). The three groups were subdivided into those with and without depression as evaluated by CSDD (≥12). Cognitive functions were assessed in five domains (verbal, visuospatial, short-term memory, episodic memory and executive function) based on a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests.

A MANOVA on the five cognitive domains showed that depression vs. no depression differed significantly in the verbal (F (1,167) =4.24, p=.041) and executive (F(1,167)=17.87, p=.0001) domains. There was a significant interaction between diagnostic group, depression and cognitive domains F(2,167)=5.34, p=.006, due to a poorer performance in the executive domain for depressed MCI and AD patient compared with non depressed, but such an association was not found in SCI patients. Other markers of depression (history and current medication) did not change this pattern.

Depression is associated with executive function in MCI and AD patients.

According to the United Nations, women are less likely to use illicit drugs compared with men. This gender gap is poorly understood, possibly because female drug users are underrepresented in research studies and treatment.

We test the hypothesis of gender differences in neural mechanisms mediating addiction.

We aimed to explore gender differences in terms of trait-impulsivity, cognitive function, and brain structure in stimulantdependent individuals.

We re-analysed exiting neuroimaging and behavioural data on stimulant-dependent individuals (n=37; 17 females) and healthy controls (n =40; 20 females), all matched for demographic variables. Male and female substance users were additionally matched for the type, duration and severity of stimulant use. Behavioural measures included substance use variables, impulsivity and depression scores, and measures of visual sustained attention. ANOVAs using planned contrasts, ttests and Chi-square tests were employed to examine group and gender differences.

Consistent with previous studies, stimulant-dependent individuals showed significant, widespread reduction in grey matter volume. Gender differences were observed within both stimulant-dependent individuals and healthy controls in the left parahippocampal gyrus: males showed grey matter reduction in this region relative to females. Stimulant-dependent individuals exhibited higher levels of impulsivity compared with healthy controls, but no gender differences were observed here. Aside from response time on the sustained attention task, there were no further group differences in any of the behavioural measures.

We found evidence for gender differences in brain structure between stimulant-dependent individuals and healthy controls, which can be statistically controlled for by matching for gender.

In our medical service specialized in feeding disorders, we observed a loss of sensorial abilites (i.e., olfactory and taste). Since 2006 we proposed to adolescent anorexic patients different sensorial trainings: somesthesic, auditory and olfactory. In this scope of research, the data suggest a rehabituation to smells and taste linked to food stimuli and enhance the remember of events related to feeding behaviors.

The use of this particular way of care focused on the oral area, lead to observe a diminution of hospitalization duration (30%). We propose an evaluation of the therapeutic impact after 6 months and one year on the basis of a main criteria the Body Mass Index.

We expected that the use of a olfactory food stimulus is associated to higher scores of pleasantness judgment and could participate to an adequate treatment of feeding disorders.

Two groups of patients were submitted to sensorial trainings: somesthesic and auditory vs somesthesic and olfactory. The sensorial trainings are conducted once a week. After 14 weeks several functions are tested (clinical, cognitive and sensorial). Sensorial evaluation consist in several judgment tasks (Liking vs Wanting) about stimuli presented visually or olfactory.

Preliminary results show that olfactory perception enhance the pleasantness judgment of stimuli (e.g., flower or strawberry).

Belonging to a minority often leads to stigmatization and reduction of social power.

The current study assessed the role of external shame on Greek Roma.

The present study aimed at evaluating external shame in a Roma living in Greece and assess the differentiation of these feelings between Roma men and women.

361 individuals (125 male and 236 female with mean age 33.96 SD=12.77), residents of the general area of Greece, participated in the present study. The measures used were: a) the Other As Shamer scale (OAS) b), a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic information.

The mean of the external shame (OAS total) was 24,08±13,71 (men), 31,84±15,15 (women) (p= .000). The mean of the inferior was 10,34±5,90 (men), 13,19±6,45 (women) (p= .000). The mean of the empty was 3,85±3,26 (men), 6,19±3,80 (women) (p= .000) and Mistakes was 8,64±5,28 (men), 10,85±5,17 (women) (p= .000). The analysis of variance showed that age did not affect the external shame in Greek Roma. Marital status and educational level had a significant effect on external shame of Greek Roma where the application of the Bonferonni criterion found that unmarried participants demonstrated a statistical significant difference from those married (p =.000), the latter had higher levels of external shame and illiterate participants demonstrated a statistical significant difference from those primary school graduates (p =.000), the latter had higher levels of external shame.

The role of gender, educational level and marital status are particularly important to increase the external shame to Greek Roma.

One out of four patients with eating disorders drop out of psychotherapeutic treatment. The high rate of dropout calls for ways to improve treatment adherence. Research indicates that continuous feedback to patient and therapist during treatment reduces the number of dropout and increases outcome; however there are only two published randomised trials on the effect of feedback on the treatment of eating disorders showing inconclusive results, and there are no randomised trials on the effect of feedback in group therapy.

We are investigating the impact of continuous feedback on dropout and outcome in group therapy. The hypothesis is that continuous feedback to patient and therapist on treatment progress and alliance will

1. 1) reduce the number of dropouts and

2. 2) increase treatment outcome.

We aim to discover if feedback is a way of improving adherence in group therapy for outpatients with eating disorders.

The trial is set up in a randomised design with 196 outpatients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder or eating disorder not otherwise specified, according to the DSM-IV. They are allocated to

1. a) systemic and narrative group therapy with feedback intervention or

2. b) systemic and narrative group therapy as usual.

In the experimental group, two sets of feedback measures are added to the treatment as usual: the outcome rating scale and the group session rating scale.

If the results will confirm the hypothesis, this trial will support feedback as a way to improve treatment adherence for outpatients with eating disorders.

Synthetic cathinones are becoming increasingly popular and available as legal highs on the internet smartshop. Since July 2012, all synthetic drugs from the cathinones family have been banned and listed as narcotic in France but remain used.

To describe the clinical presentation and alert the health care community about the abuse identification and risk assessment problems of these compounds.

We retrospectively reviewed cases of cathinone derivatives abuse notified to our Parisian centre during a two-year period (2011-2012).

Twenty cases of cathinones abuse were identified. Users were mostly men (19/20), with mean age of 38 years, showing occasional cathinones abuse in sexual gay party (12/20). The synthetic cathinones were most commonly administered by intravenous injection (75%): an increasingly popular practice among Parisian men who have sex with men (MSM). This practice is called “slam”. This is an especially worrisome trend since the prevalence of HIV infection in our cases were 70% (14/20) with frequent co-infection HIV/Hepatitis C (40%). Thirteen cases presented psychiatric disorders: psychotic symptoms (58%), agitation (37%), anxiety (37%), suicidal ideas (28%) or attempt (2/20), acute satyriasis (2/20). Seven patients presented a cathinones dependence with DSM 4 criteria. Two patients had forensic problems. Somatic complications were described in ten cases with various pattern of symptoms as headache or rhabdomyolysis with renal failure.

Cathinones cause fast dependence syndrome with strong craving and prolonged psychiatric symptoms. We discuss the relation between sex and drugs in our sample. Cathinones could have a specific effect on sexual drives.

With a life-time prevalence of about 3.5 percent, Panic disorder (PD) belongs to the most common anxiety disorders which can often chronify if not treated adequately. Characterized by the sudden onset of unexpected panic attacks it is associated with a significant loss of quality of life. As in other anxiety disorders, inadequate top-down regulation of subcortical structures by the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is assumed to be a core feature.

Even though fMRI studies could show that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment method that can normalize prefrontal hypoactivity, the onset of its effect is delayed. Moreover, recent neuroscientific studies indicated a beneficial effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which has been shown to modulate neural activity by depolarization of cortical neurons. The goal of this study was, therefore, to investigate the application of a sham (placebo) controlled activating rTMS protocol during CBT.

Forty PD patients were assessed with the optical imaging method near-infrared-spectroscopy (NIRS) while performing emotional paradigms as well as a cognitive task before and after receiving 15 sessions of rTMS.

Preliminary results show a significant increase in prefrontal activation from the beginning to the end of the treatment period. This effect was even larger in the active rTMS group.

It can hence be concluded that it is possible to depict the effects of CBT on a neural level after only three weeks. Furthermore, rTMS seems to serve as a useful tool in terms of supporting the general therapy outcome.

It is well recognized that alcohol dependence is among the major risk factors that are associated with suicidal behavior.

This study was design to extend our understanding of alcohol-parasuicide relationship by examining some of the socio-demographic and mental health characteristics of alcohol dependent suicide attempters.

The relationship between alcohol dependence and parasuicide was studied among patients admitted to a Gomel regional psychiatric hospital (Belarus). A total 117 male alcohol dependent in-patients (ADPS) and a comparison group of 128 non-alcohol dependent parasuicidal in-patients (NADPS) were investigated. The socio-demographic and mental health profile of each group was analyzed.

Risk factors for parasuicide were acute alcohol intoxication, social dysfunction and psychiatric symptoms. Results show that, compared with NADPS patients, those with an alcohol dependence were older (32.1 vs. 29.3; p< 0,001), unemployed (46.2% vs. 31.3%; p< 0,001), or with a past history of deliberate self-harm (21.4% vs. 14.1%; p< 0,01). Comorbid psychiatric disorders were presented in 58.1% of ADPS and in 69.2% of NADPS patients. The prevalence of personality disorders (23.4% vs. 17.1%) and schizophrenia (10.9% vs. 6.8%) were higher among NADPS compared with ADPS patients. Consumption of alcohol at the time of the parasuicidal act was reported more commonly by ADPS than by NADPS (70.1% vs. 45.31%; p< 0,001).

These findings are consistent with previous research indicating a causal role for acute alcohol intoxication in parasuicidal behavior among alcohol dependent individuals.

Problem of malignant tumors is one of leading for modern society due to large prevalence and lethality of these diseases in Russia. In this association, increasingly greater relevance is acquired by problem of diagnostics of nosogenias and rehabilitation of patients with nosogenic reactions.

In our investigation, sample included 30 patients at the age from 28 to 71 years (in average 49,7±11,1 years) with diagnosis “breast cancer” at Russian Oncological Scientific Center in pre- and post surgery period of radical mastectomy.

Average length of disease at baseline has constituted 6,8±1,2 months. In all studied cases, nosogenic reactions flew at two stages - manifestation and clinical differentiation. At stage 1 - manifestation - in all studied female patients, acute (“universal”) affective reaction developed (reaction of apparent death - according to E. Kretschmer). At stage 2 clinically differentiated reaction of one of 4 types formed: anxiety-depressive, anxiety-dissociative, anxiety-phobic and hypomaniacal. Anxiety-dissociative reaction formed predominantly in patients with hysteric personality disorder. Anxiety-phobic was more typical for persons with anxiety-avoidant personality disorder. Hypomaniacal nosogenic reaction was revealed in female patients with combined schizoid traits and schizotypal personality disorder (group of expansive schizoids). Peculiarity of these patients is signs of hyponosognosia in family history that explains seeking the oncologist at remote stages of disease (stage IIIIV of breast cancer at admission).

For more successful therapy and rehabilitation of patients with breast cancer it is necessary to develop differentiated indications of psychopharmacotherapy of nosogenic disorders in this diseases.

Positive affect (PA) is correlated to several positive outcomes and might be a constituent of happiness (Lyubomirsky et al., 2005).

To investigate the correlates of PA in pregnancy and postpartum.

397 pregnant women (T0) were also followed at 3 months postpartum (T1). At both time-points, they completed a questionnaire, the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS), the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and were also interviewed with some sections of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic studies (DIGS). Descriptive and correlation analyses were performed.

T0/T1 PA scores were correlated (p< .01). T0 PA was associated with fewer children, and T1 PA with a concurrent better self-reported health (p< .05). PA at T0/T1 was associated with nulliparity (p< .05/p< .01), mother's age (younger) (p< .05/p< .01). PA at T0/T1 was associated with lower levels of perceived life stress (p< .01); better life quality (p< .01); more social support (p< .01); lower levels of anxiety trait, depressive/anxious emotional states (p< .01), depressive symptoms (p< .01), and suicide ideation (p< .01); less self-reported maternal sleep difficulties and lower interference of it on their mood and working functioning. Moreover, PA assessed at pregnancy was associated with these variables at postpartum. PA at T1 was associated with a better perception of the infant as having less feeding/sleeping/and behavior problems.

PA is a protective emotional trait, a good indicator of physical/mental health, and well-being in perinatal period. Mother's PA influences her perception of the infant temperament and may contribute positively to the dyadic interaction.

The project “The Oldest Old: Coimbra aging study”’ (PTDC/CS-SOC/114895/2009) will be carried out based on an elderly population enrolled in Health Centers of the Municipality of Coimbra, Portugal. One of the areas in study is the mental health. This approach is complex due to the effects caused by changes occurring throughout life.

Evaluate the mental health status of Coimbra's elderly population applying the OARS/QAFMI (Older Americans Resources and Services/ Questionário de Avaliação Funcional Multidimensional para Idosos) questionnaire.

Assess the use and need felt for health services and social support by the elderly, related with their functional status in mental health.

Quantitative methodology using the QAFMI/OARS. The sample consisted of individuals aged 75, or more, randomly selected and representative of Coimbra's elder residents, to achieve 10% of the population. Their mental health status was evaluated using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), the Short Psychiatric Evaluation Schedule (SPES) and a self-evaluation.

The preliminary results showed that the majority of the individuals had scored a “good mental health” status. The female had tendentiously lower scores of the mental health status than the males with the same age. The oldest individuals (≥85 years old) had also scored lower results than the ones with 75-84 years old.

The results obtained with the OARS/QAFMI indicated a cognitive decline, with differences between gender and age of the individuals being the females and oldest individuals the ones to score the worst mental status.

Neurocognitive impairments are a core feature of schizophrenia. The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is a brain region associated with declarative memory important in conscious acquisition and recollection of facts and events. The basal ganglia (BG) instead are linked to non-declarative memory functions such as gradual learning of skills and habits.

Acquired equivalence (AE) is a phenomenon in which prior training to treat two stimuli as an equivalent increases generalization between them. Our objective was to study this phenomenon in birth cohort setting.

To investigate whether the recall of previously learned associations and memory generalization are declined in schizophrenia, other psychoses and siblings compared to healthy controls.

The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 is based upon 12, 068 women and their 12, 058 live-born children. The modified Rutger's AE-task was performed for 35 schizophrenia patients, 26 patients suffering from other psychosis, 18 siblings of psychotic subjects and 174 controls.

The behavioral data showed statistically significant impairment in both recall of learned associations and generalization in schizophrenia and other psychosis groups compared to control subjects. Siblings did not differ significantly from controls in recall of learned associations but they showed impairments in generalization.

Impairment in recall of learned associations and memory generalization seem to be present also in other psychotic disorders, not only in schizophrenia. Since decline in generalization was seen in addition in siblings the hypothesis that declarative memory could be one of endophenotypes of schizophrenia is supported by this study.

In 2007 the Mental Health Act in England and Wales was amended and the definition of Mental Disorder was broadened. This change affected people with Personality Disorders who now can be admitted for hospital treatment without consent, often for prolonged period of time.

This poster reviews patients’ attitudes towards the new legislation and its consequences and also presents the research on the different perspectives about the new law.

To review patients’ attitudes with regard to interfaces between Personality Disorders and the new law.

Use of the specifically designed questionnaire for patients with Borderline Personality Disorders hospitalized under Mental Health Act. MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases were also searched for all English-language articles published between 2008 and 2012 containing the keywords “Personality Disorder”, “Mental Health Act” and “patients’ view on compulsory treatment”. Additional key articles published before 2008 were reviewed. The most relevant articles were selected for review.

There is still no common consensus in regard to the benefit of compulsory hospital admission of persons with Borderline Personality Disorders. Results from questionnaires are under review.

Social intolerance is one major topic in every modern society, but although it receives much attention in the public space, there is relatively little information related to the behavioral correlates of such attitudes.

To investigate the relation between social intolerance and risk-taking behaviors in European adolescents.

Adolescents from the SEYLE and WE-STAY cohorts were included. The questions evaluating social intolerance, sensation-seeking and delinquent behavior, alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs use were extracted from the baseline questionnaire.

Adolescents positive for at-risk tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs use showed significantly lower levels of social intolerance. This observation might be explained by the social factors associated with substance use at this age group. No relationship was observed with sensation-seeking and delinquent behavior.

Social intolerance is not associated with risk-taking behaviors in adolescents.

There are a number of clinical scores to measure cognitive impairment and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) for dementia patients.

Previous BPSD scores are well established, but they usually take long time. Furthermore they were made almost 20 years ago, and therefore may not even fit a current BPSD because affective expressions may change depending on modern society change.

To make a new and simple score which fits modern change of BPSD.

Based on BPSD inquiry from 129 caregivers in local area (patients 81.6 ± 9.9 years old and female 70.5%), a new and simple BPSD score was created, and compared to standard BPSD score NPI (neuropsychiatry inventory). Time was measured to complete this new BPSD score (ABS, Abe's BPSD score) and NPI. This ABS was examined before and after a choline esterase inhibitor treatment.

We gave final scores to each BPSD items with such temporal frequencies taken into account ranging 0-9, and finalized a new BPSD score of score 0-44 between no BPSD to full BPSD. Average time to complete both NPI and ABS was 308.9 ± 86.3 sec and 46.5 ± 16.2 sec (**p< 0.01), respectively. Galantamine showed an improvement of average ABS with - 2.3 ± 1.0 (*p< 0.05) from original score of 6.1 ± 6.6 after 3 month of the treatment.

These data suggest that this new and simple BPSD score (ABS) may be beneficial to quickly evaluate BPSD before and after a treatment of dementia patients.

Family burden is considered to be an integrated psychosocial parameter negatively impacting on symptom levels, social functioning and outcomes of children and adolescents with schizophrenic spectrum disorders, and specific measures directly aimed at lessening the burden of these families should be developed.

To assess the influence of burden-focused group therapy (BFGT) with parents on social functioning of children and adolescents with schizophrenic spectrum disorders.

Parents of 126 children with administered standard antipsychotic therapy (aged 8 - 17 years) were recruited into this study. Parents were assigned to eight 90-minutes “module” structured sessions carried out in groups (8 - 9 members) and received a systematic assessment using CGSQ and CGAS at entry and after 1, 3 and 6 month.

Reciprocal effect with negative correlation (r=-0.463, P=0.005) between family burden indicators and children's total levels of functioning was established. BFGT did significantly affect family burden and correlated with positive changes in overall levels of social functioning of children using CGAS (p< 0,05). The largest decline was noted in Subjective burden (from 4.98 to 3.75).

BFGT aimed at managing family burden and improving children's social functioning proved to be one of key components of the psychosocial treatment and rehabilitation of children and adolescents with schizophrenic spectrum disorders in the context of increasing rehabilitation resource of their families. Further controlled studies are required to strengthen the evidence base for effective management of family burden.