"Psychosis in Youth"
Portland, Maine; March 30, 2004
Psychiatry Grand Rounds at Maine Medical Center
*Learn clinical assessment of psychosis in youth
*Learn neurobiology of psychosis
*Learn course and prognosis of psychosis
*Learn treatment of psychosis in youth
1. Psychosis in YouthPsychosis in Youth
Carlo G. Carandang, M.D.Carlo G. Carandang, M.D.
Pediatric Affective Disorder ServicesPediatric Affective Disorder Services
Maine Medical CenterMaine Medical Center
Clinical Assistant Professor of PsychiatryClinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
University of Vermont College of MedicineUniversity of Vermont College of Medicine
2. ObjectivesObjectives
Learn clinical assessment of psychosis inLearn clinical assessment of psychosis in
youthyouth
Learn neurobiology of psychosisLearn neurobiology of psychosis
Learn course and prognosis of psychosisLearn course and prognosis of psychosis
Learn treatment of psychosis in youthLearn treatment of psychosis in youth
3. What is psychosis?What is psychosis?
Thought Disorder/Disorganized ThinkingThought Disorder/Disorganized Thinking
(core deficit)(core deficit)
Hallucinations (accessory symptom)Hallucinations (accessory symptom)
Delusions (accessory symptom)Delusions (accessory symptom)
Disorganized/Bizarre BehaviorDisorganized/Bizarre Behavior
Impaired reality testingImpaired reality testing
4. Thought DisorderThought Disorder
Disturbance in the form or manner that one presentsDisturbance in the form or manner that one presents
their thoughts to otherstheir thoughts to others
No consensus definition: includes loosening ofNo consensus definition: includes loosening of
associations, illogical thinking, incoherence, tangentiality,associations, illogical thinking, incoherence, tangentiality,
circumstantiality, poverty of speechcircumstantiality, poverty of speech
Must account for developmental level (normal youth <Must account for developmental level (normal youth <
age 7 exhibit illogical thinking and loosening ofage 7 exhibit illogical thinking and loosening of
associations)associations)
R/O language d/o’s, PDDR/O language d/o’s, PDD
Usually more bizarre or marked in youth withUsually more bizarre or marked in youth with
schizophrenia vs. youth with affective psychosisschizophrenia vs. youth with affective psychosis
Mild forms can present in youth with ADHDMild forms can present in youth with ADHD
5. HallucinationsHallucinations
Perceptions in the absence of external stimuliPerceptions in the absence of external stimuli
Any sensory modality (auditory most often)Any sensory modality (auditory most often)
Distinguish from hypnogogic (falling asleep) andDistinguish from hypnogogic (falling asleep) and
hypnopompic (awakening) hallucinationshypnopompic (awakening) hallucinations
Differentiate from illusions (misperceptions ofDifferentiate from illusions (misperceptions of
external stimuli) and elaborate fantasyexternal stimuli) and elaborate fantasy
Hearing a voice calling name once or twice notHearing a voice calling name once or twice not
likely to be pathologic hallucinationlikely to be pathologic hallucination
6. DelusionsDelusions
Fixed false belief that is not consistentFixed false belief that is not consistent
with person’s subculture and cannot bewith person’s subculture and cannot be
changed by evidence against itchanged by evidence against it
Distinguish from magical thinking, fantasyDistinguish from magical thinking, fantasy
Can be somatic, grandiose, guilt,Can be somatic, grandiose, guilt,
persecutory, referentialpersecutory, referential
Less systematized in younger agesLess systematized in younger ages
Anxiety (excessive worry) sometimesAnxiety (excessive worry) sometimes
mistaken for paranoid delusionmistaken for paranoid delusion
7.
8. Psychotic-like phenomenaPsychotic-like phenomena
Developmental delays causing idiosyncraticDevelopmental delays causing idiosyncratic
thinking and perceptionsthinking and perceptions
Speech and language disordersSpeech and language disorders
Exposure to traumatic eventsExposure to traumatic events
– Dissociation/DerealizationDissociation/Derealization
– FlashbacksFlashbacks
Obsessions in OCD (ego dystonic)Obsessions in OCD (ego dystonic)
Hypnogogic and hypnopompic hallucinationsHypnogogic and hypnopompic hallucinations
Overactive imagination (intact reality testing)Overactive imagination (intact reality testing)
9. Screening psychosis in youthScreening psychosis in youth
Use age-appropriate language (does yourUse age-appropriate language (does your
mind ever play tricks on you?)mind ever play tricks on you?)
Normalize the experience to make lessNormalize the experience to make less
threatening (some children tell me…)threatening (some children tell me…)
How pervasive are the experiencesHow pervasive are the experiences
(transient vs. frequent)(transient vs. frequent)
Make sure symptoms occur while awakeMake sure symptoms occur while awake
11. Organic PsychosisOrganic Psychosis
Delirium/encephalopathyDelirium/encephalopathy
Seizure disorders (complex partial seizures)Seizure disorders (complex partial seizures)
CNS lesions (***always get brain imaging forCNS lesions (***always get brain imaging for
new onset psychosis***)new onset psychosis***)
Neurodegenerative diseasesNeurodegenerative diseases
Metabolic DisordersMetabolic Disorders
Infectious diseases (i.e. HIV)Infectious diseases (i.e. HIV)
***Rule-out organic etiology before diagnosing***Rule-out organic etiology before diagnosing
psychosis***psychosis***
12. Workup for New-Onset PsychosisWorkup for New-Onset Psychosis
MRI-brainMRI-brain
CBCCBC
Electrolytes, BUN, Creatinine, Ca, MgElectrolytes, BUN, Creatinine, Ca, Mg
Hepatic panelHepatic panel
Sed RateSed Rate
RPRRPR
Vit B12, RBC and serum FolateVit B12, RBC and serum Folate
Urine PorphyrinsUrine Porphyrins
CeruloplasminCeruloplasmin
TSH, free T4TSH, free T4
Heavy metalsHeavy metals
13. Schizophrenia DSM-IV criteriaSchizophrenia DSM-IV criteria
Two or more of: 1) delusions; 2)Two or more of: 1) delusions; 2)
hallucinations; 3) disorganized speech; 4)hallucinations; 3) disorganized speech; 4)
grossly disorganized behavior; or 5)grossly disorganized behavior; or 5)
negative symptoms (four A’s: flat Affect,negative symptoms (four A’s: flat Affect,
Alogia, Avolition, Autism-like social W/D)Alogia, Avolition, Autism-like social W/D)
Impairment of functioningImpairment of functioning
At least 6 months continuous disturbanceAt least 6 months continuous disturbance
< 6 months but > 1 month =< 6 months but > 1 month =
Schizophreniform d/oSchizophreniform d/o
14. Schizophrenia in YouthSchizophrenia in Youth
Early-Onset Schizophrenia (EOS): OnsetEarly-Onset Schizophrenia (EOS): Onset
before age 18before age 18
Very Early-Onset Schizophrenia (VEOS):Very Early-Onset Schizophrenia (VEOS):
Onset before age 13Onset before age 13
Usually family history of schizophreniaUsually family history of schizophrenia
Prevalence:Prevalence:
– VEOS: 1/5000 (NIMH est. 1/40,000)VEOS: 1/5000 (NIMH est. 1/40,000)
– EOS: 4/5000EOS: 4/5000
– Adult-onset Schizophrenia: 1/100Adult-onset Schizophrenia: 1/100
15.
16. Clinical PresentationClinical Presentation
VEOS: insidious onsetVEOS: insidious onset
EOS: insidious or acute onsetEOS: insidious or acute onset
Pre-morbid abnormalities occur in 90% ofPre-morbid abnormalities occur in 90% of
youth with schizophrenia (especiallyyouth with schizophrenia (especially
VEOS)VEOS)
17. Premorbid AbnormalitiesPremorbid Abnormalities
Disruptive Behavior Disorders (ADHD,Disruptive Behavior Disorders (ADHD,
Conduct D/O)Conduct D/O)
Autistic features (social withdrawal,Autistic features (social withdrawal,
unusual peer relationships, developmentalunusual peer relationships, developmental
delays)delays)
Speech and language problemsSpeech and language problems
Academic difficultyAcademic difficulty
18. SymptomatologySymptomatology
Most common: Thought Disorder,Most common: Thought Disorder,
Hallucinations, Flattened AffectHallucinations, Flattened Affect
Less common: Delusions, CatatoniaLess common: Delusions, Catatonia
Types of Thought Disorder:Types of Thought Disorder:
– More common: loosening of associations,More common: loosening of associations,
illogical thinking, impaired executive skillsillogical thinking, impaired executive skills
– Less common: incoherence, poverty ofLess common: incoherence, poverty of
speechspeech
19.
20. Neurobiological AbnormalitiesNeurobiological Abnormalities
None are diagnosticNone are diagnostic
Neuroimaging findings:Neuroimaging findings:
– Progressive increase in lateral ventricular sizeProgressive increase in lateral ventricular size
– VEOS:VEOS: ↓↓ brain volume,brain volume, ↓↓ total grey matter,total grey matter,
andand ↓↓ frontal grey matter compared to ADHDfrontal grey matter compared to ADHD
controls and normal controls (longitudinalcontrols and normal controls (longitudinal
NIMH study following schizophrenic childrenNIMH study following schizophrenic children
into adolescence)into adolescence)
27. Longitudinal CourseLongitudinal Course
Rarely complete remission (<20%)Rarely complete remission (<20%)
80-90% had more than one psychotic episode80-90% had more than one psychotic episode
over 5-year follow-upover 5-year follow-up
Long term follow-up into adulthoodLong term follow-up into adulthood
– 50-75% had moderate or severe impairment50-75% had moderate or severe impairment
– Good prognosis: later age of onset, good premorbidGood prognosis: later age of onset, good premorbid
functioning, acute onsetfunctioning, acute onset
– Poor prognosis: early age of onset, poor premorbidPoor prognosis: early age of onset, poor premorbid
functioning, insidious onset (VEOS has worstfunctioning, insidious onset (VEOS has worst
outcome)outcome)
– Prognosis for affective psychosis much betterPrognosis for affective psychosis much better
28.
29.
30. Complications of SchizophreniaComplications of Schizophrenia
Functional DisabilityFunctional Disability
Family Distress and DisruptionFamily Distress and Disruption
Increased MortalityIncreased Mortality
SuicideSuicide
Substance AbuseSubstance Abuse
ViolenceViolence
Criminal BehaviorCriminal Behavior
31. Differentiating from Psychosis dueDifferentiating from Psychosis due
to Substance Useto Substance Use
Substance-induced psychosis not likely ifSubstance-induced psychosis not likely if
symptoms persist 1 week beyondsymptoms persist 1 week beyond
discontinuationdiscontinuation
Substance use often occurs duringSubstance use often occurs during
prodromal phaseprodromal phase
Substance use may trigger active phase ofSubstance use may trigger active phase of
schizophreniaschizophrenia
32. Differentiating Psychosis from PDDDifferentiating Psychosis from PDD
Psychotic symptoms more transient andPsychotic symptoms more transient and
less prominent in PDDless prominent in PDD
Language, social deficits,Language, social deficits,
restricted/bizzare interests morerestricted/bizzare interests more
prominent in PDDprominent in PDD
PDD has earlier onset (usually before agePDD has earlier onset (usually before age
3) and more severe developmental delays3) and more severe developmental delays
33. Treatment for SchizophreniaTreatment for Schizophrenia
Antipsychotic medications (cornerstone ofAntipsychotic medications (cornerstone of
treatment)treatment)
Psychoeducation (patient and family)Psychoeducation (patient and family)
Educational/Vocational Support ProgramsEducational/Vocational Support Programs
PsychotherapyPsychotherapy
– SupportiveSupportive
– Social Skills trainingSocial Skills training
– Family Therapy (reduce expressed emotions)Family Therapy (reduce expressed emotions)
34. AntipsychoticsAntipsychotics
All exert blockade of post-synaptic dopamineAll exert blockade of post-synaptic dopamine
receptors (Dreceptors (D22))
Relative overactivity of dopaminergic mesolimbicRelative overactivity of dopaminergic mesolimbic
circuits (axonal projections from midbrain tocircuits (axonal projections from midbrain to
limbic area) produces positive symptomslimbic area) produces positive symptoms
(thought d/o, hallucinations, delusions)(thought d/o, hallucinations, delusions)
Relative hypoactivity of mesocortical circuitsRelative hypoactivity of mesocortical circuits
(esp. prefrontal) leads to negative symptoms(esp. prefrontal) leads to negative symptoms
(four A’s: flat Affect, Alogia, Avolition, Autism-like(four A’s: flat Affect, Alogia, Avolition, Autism-like
social withdrawal)social withdrawal)
35.
36.
37. Randomized Controlled TrialsRandomized Controlled Trials
Psychosis in YouthPsychosis in Youth
Loxapine = Haldol > placeboLoxapine = Haldol > placebo (Pool et al., 1976)(Pool et al., 1976)
Thiothixene = thioridazine (50% showedThiothixene = thioridazine (50% showed
improvementimprovement (Realmuto et al., 1984)(Realmuto et al., 1984)
Haldol > placeboHaldol > placebo (Spencer et al., 1992)(Spencer et al., 1992)
Clozapine > Haldol in treatment-resistantClozapine > Haldol in treatment-resistant
schizophreniaschizophrenia (Kumra et al., 1996)(Kumra et al., 1996)
44. ConclusionConclusion
Consider broad differential diagnosis ofConsider broad differential diagnosis of
psychosis in youth: most youth will notpsychosis in youth: most youth will not
have schizophrenia (very rare)have schizophrenia (very rare)
Evaluate potential psychotic symptoms inEvaluate potential psychotic symptoms in
developmental contextdevelopmental context
Treatment with atypical antipsychoticsTreatment with atypical antipsychotics
first-line, given less adverse effectsfirst-line, given less adverse effects
Hinweis der Redaktion
Symptoms of schizophrenia develop gradually into the hallmark mentally disruptive features.
In almost all cases, patients are symptomatic for approximately 50 weeks before they seek--or are brought into--treatment.
These are MRI scans of identical twins. The twin on the right has schizophrenia; the twin on the left is healthy. Even to the unprofessional eye, there are obvious differences, a systematic and consistent variation between the affected and the unaffected twin in the gross anatomy of the brain.
PET scans of five normal individuals (left), each row is one person, and each image is a slice from five different levels of the person&apos;s brain. The red areas show regions of the brain that are activated when a person performs a memory task.
PET scans of five individuals with schizophrenia (right), each row representing a different person, with comparable slices. Clearly, the patients with schizophrenia do not generate the dramatic brain activity in the circuits of the brain critical to the memory task.
On this slide, each white dot represents cells in a particular part of the brain.
A patient with schizophrenia is compared to an individual with another psychiatric illness, bipolar disorder, and to a normal subject. The white dots show the turning-on of a gene that is the blueprint for a protein related to the process by which cells adapt themselves to a changing environment.
This illustrates so-called &quot;linkage studies,&quot; showing a number of places in the human genome where pieces of DNA are inherited along with risk for the illness.
It shows one of each of the 23 pairs of chromosomes, and the red dots indicate regions where a piece of DNA has been shown to be inherited along with the risk for schizophrenia in certain families and certain studies.
The slide shows brain scans of normal brains versus brains of young children with childhood onset schizophrenia. The scans reveal significant gray matter loss. Brain volume (gray matter) decreases and lateral ventricular volume increases. Their most intriguing avenue of inquiry is the examination of siblings, which could lead to the finding of a trait marker because this back to front wave of gray matter loss could be diagnostically specific. The loss stops in early adulthood.