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Brain Sciences
Special Issues
Advanced Clinical Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Psychosis
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Advanced Clinical Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Psychosis

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuropsychiatry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 May 2025 | Viewed by 4423

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Giulia Menculini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
Interests: psychotic disorders; affective psychoses; schizophrenia; antipsychotic drugs; psychosocial treatments; at-risk mental states; biomarkers; early intervention; prevention; social psychiatry
Dr. Gaia Sampogna

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Interests: psychotic disorders; affective psychoses; schizophrenia; antipsychotic drugs; psychosocial treatments; at-risk mental states; biomarkers; early intervention; prevention; social psychiatry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Psychotic disorders represent the most prevalent psychiatric conditions with a significant impact on quality of life and functioning. The treatment of these conditions has historically been based on therapeutic strategies acting on the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems, with the main target of symptom remission. 

During the last decades, a precision approach to the diagnosis of affective and non-affective psychosis has been implemented, supported by research in the field of neuroimaging and biomarkers, possibly helping with the characterization of different clinical phenotypes that are beyond diagnostic boundaries. This has also led to the introduction of novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions directed not only towards symptom resolution but also targeting the functioning dimension, with the major objective of full-functional recovery. Moreover, the “at-risk mental state” paradigm has promoted the new challenge of early diagnosis and intervention of psychotic disorders. 

All these topics will be addressed in this Special Issue, and thus all papers focusing on novel diagnostic and treatment approaches to psychotic disorders in different periods of life are welcome.

Dr. Giulia Menculini
Dr. Gaia Sampogna
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • psychotic disorders
  • affective psychoses
  • schizophrenia
  • antipsychotic drugs
  • psychosocial treatments
  • at-risk mental states
  • biomarkers
  • early intervention, prevention, social psychiatry

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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16 pages, 499 KiB  
Article
Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, and Psychosocial Work Factors Among Scientific Researchers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Paraguay
by Julio Torales, Anthon Torres-Romero, Iván Barrios, Marcelo O’Higgins, Tomás Caycho-Rodríguez, João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia and Antonio Ventriglio
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15010065 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1122
Abstract
Background: This study examined the prevalence of mental health issues among Paraguayan researchers and their relationships with emotional regulation and psychosocial factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 235 researchers was conducted using validated instruments: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21); the Job [...] Read more.
Background: This study examined the prevalence of mental health issues among Paraguayan researchers and their relationships with emotional regulation and psychosocial factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 235 researchers was conducted using validated instruments: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21); the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ); and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Sociodemographic, academic, and behavioral variables were also analyzed. Results: Findings revealed significant rates of depression (26.4%), anxiety (30.6%), and stress (32.3%), with female researchers reporting nearly twice the rates of anxiety and stress compared to males. Researchers with doctoral degrees exhibited lower anxiety levels, emphasizing the protective role of advanced academic qualifications. Conversely, younger and early-career researchers were more vulnerable to psychological distress. High job demands and emotional dysregulation were strongly associated with poorer mental health outcomes, while hazardous alcohol consumption and low physical activity further exacerbated risks. Conclusions: These findings highlight the urgent need for institutional reforms to prioritize mental health and well-being in academic environments. By advancing the understanding of occupational health in resource-limited settings, this study provides actionable recommendations to improve the working conditions and mental health of researchers in Paraguay and beyond. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Clinical Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Psychosis)
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15 pages, 338 KiB  
Article
Altered Rhythmicity, Depressive Ruminative Thinking and Suicidal Ideation as Possible Correlates of an Unrecognized Autism Spectrum in Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder
by Ivan Mirko Cremone, Liliana Dell’Osso, Benedetta Nardi, Federico Giovannoni, Francesca Parri, Cristiana Pronestì, Chiara Bonelli, Gabriele Massimetti, Stefano Pini and Barbara Carpita
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1297; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14121297 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 768
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Recent research has explored the presence of subthreshold autistic traits (ATs) in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), suggesting that these traits may contribute to the severity of BPD symptoms and increase the risk of other mental health issues, including suicidal behaviors. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Recent research has explored the presence of subthreshold autistic traits (ATs) in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), suggesting that these traits may contribute to the severity of BPD symptoms and increase the risk of other mental health issues, including suicidal behaviors. This study aims to investigate the relationship between ATs and affective symptoms, such as mood instability and suicidality, in people diagnosed with BPD. Methods: A total of 48 subjects with BPD were assessed with self-report questionnaires including the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), the mood spectrum self-report version (MOODS-SR) and the ruminative response scale (RRS). Results: Subjects with significant ATs scored higher than BPD subjects in all domains and in the total score of AdAS Spectrum, RRS, and MOODS-SR, as well as in the items investigating suicidality. RRS total score, its depression domain, and the MOODS-SR rhythmicity domain, as well as suicidality, were predictors of the presence of ATs. Conclusions: Our data confirm the relationship between the presence of clinically significant ATs and affective symptoms, ruminative thinking, and suicidality in patients with BPD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Clinical Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Psychosis)
18 pages, 11109 KiB  
Article
Effects of Sarcosine (N-methylglycine) on NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) Receptor Hypofunction Induced by MK801: In Vivo Calcium Imaging in the CA1 Region of the Dorsal Hippocampus
by Yi-Tse Hsiao, Ching-Yuan Chang, Ting-Yen Lee, Wan-Ting Liao, Wen-Sung Lai and Fang-Chia Chang
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111150 - 16 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1198
Abstract
Background: Hypofunction of the glutamate system in the brain is one of the pathophysiological hypotheses for schizophrenia. Accumulating animal and clinical studies show that sarcosine (N-methylglycine), a glycine transporter-1 inhibitor, is effective in ameliorating the negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. The aims [...] Read more.
Background: Hypofunction of the glutamate system in the brain is one of the pathophysiological hypotheses for schizophrenia. Accumulating animal and clinical studies show that sarcosine (N-methylglycine), a glycine transporter-1 inhibitor, is effective in ameliorating the negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. The aims of the present study were to observe the effects of sarcosine on neuronal activity in the dorsal CA1 (dCA1) hippocampal neurons within an NMDA receptor hypofunction model induced by MK801. Methods: We applied in vivo calcium imaging to observe the dynamics of fluorescence from the dCA1 hippocampal neurons when the mice were exploring in an open field. Using this tool, we directly measured and compared neuronal properties between sarcosine-treated and untreated mice. At the same time, the physiological function of the neurons was also quantified by measuring their place fields. Results: Our data demonstrated that MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg) diminished the fluorescence intensity of dCA1 neurons that had been genetically modified with a calcium indicator. MK-801 also significantly increased the correlation coefficient between the fluorescence dynamics of pairs of cells, a feature that may be linked to the symptom of disorganization in human patients with schizophrenia. The spatial correlations of place fields in the mice were impaired by MK-801 as well. Injected sarcosine (500 mg or 1000 mg/kg) significantly alleviated the abovementioned abnormalities. Conclusions: Our data provide evidence to support the use of sarcosine to alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia, especially hippocampus-related functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Clinical Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Psychosis)
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11 pages, 253 KiB  
Study Protocol
The Endocannabinoid Activity Remodulation for Psychosis Liability in Youth (EARLY) Study: An Open-Label Feasibility Trial of Ultramicronized-Palmitoylethanolamide Oral Supplementation in Clinical High-Risk State for Psychosis
by Riccardo Bortoletto, Marco Garzitto, Fabiana Piscitelli, Stefano Fornasaro, Claudia Scipioni, Orietta Sepulcri, Martina Fabris, Francesco Curcio, Matteo Balestrieri and Marco Colizzi
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1230; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14121230 - 7 Dec 2024
Viewed by 846
Abstract
To date, no psychotropic medication has shown to effectively halt progression to psychosis among individuals at Clinical High-Risk for psychosis (CHR), fueling the search for novel therapeutic agents. Recent evidence supports Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) signaling as a potential psychosis biomarker, also indicating a therapeutic [...] Read more.
To date, no psychotropic medication has shown to effectively halt progression to psychosis among individuals at Clinical High-Risk for psychosis (CHR), fueling the search for novel therapeutic agents. Recent evidence supports Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) signaling as a potential psychosis biomarker, also indicating a therapeutic role for its supplementation in the treatment of psychotic disorders. Nonetheless, the effect of sustained PEA intake in CHR subjects has never been explored so far. We will assess the feasibility of enrolling 20 CHR young adults presenting with attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS) in a 12-week, open-label, investigator-initiated, proof-of-concept, single-arm trial of ultramicronized-PEA (um-PEA) 600 mg/day. Once completed the 12-week phase, participants will be proposed to enter a 24-week extension phase of the study. We will examine um-PEA ability to reduce APS and psychic distress, um-PEA safety and tolerability, and the biological basis of um-PEA effect in terms of modulation of inflammatory response, endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling, and microbiome composition. Our trial aims to address an unmet clinical need in CHR subjects, providing an initial solid basis for the development of future studies evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of PEA supplementation in this group of patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Clinical Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Psychosis)
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