Publications (36) View all
-
Article: Occurrence of robust psychotic symptoms after initial rTMS treatment session.
The journal of ECT 09/2011; 27(3):265-6. · 1.19 Impact Factor -
Article: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: One of the fundamental prerequisites of the successful schizophrenia treatment is represented by an adequately significant impact on the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Since the present pharmacotherapy has probably reached its limit in this area, there is a logical effort to utilize other, non-pharmacological methods. One of the most promising supplements that has been for a long time verified in the clinical practice is rTMS. Most of the studies have arrived at the conclusion that rTMS is an efficient method in the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia. A valuable contribution to the assessment of the rTMS application in the treatment of negative symptoms is represented by meta-analyses. The meta-analyses indicate that the effect is mild to moderate (d=0.43 to 0.68). To sum it up, there will be higher probability of the rTMS effect on negative symptoms if 10 Hz stimulating frequency and a longer stimulation period in the extent at least three, ideally four to six weeks is used.Neuro endocrinology letters 04/2011; 32(2):121-6. · 1.30 Impact Factor -
Article: Maximum-uncertainty linear discrimination analysis of first-episode schizophrenia subjects.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Recent techniques of image analysis brought the possibility to recognize subjects based on discriminative image features. We performed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based classification study to assess its usefulness for outcome prediction of first-episode schizophrenia patients (FES). We included 39 FES patients and 39 healthy controls (HC) and performed the maximum-uncertainty linear discrimination analysis (MLDA) of MRI brain intensity images. The classification accuracy index (CA) was correlated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) at 1-year follow-up. The rate of correct classifications of patients with poor and good outcomes was analyzed using chi-square tests. MLDA classification was significantly better than classification by chance. Leave-one-out accuracy was 72%. CA correlated significantly with PANSS and GAF scores at the 1-year follow-up. Moreover, significantly more patients with poor outcome than those with good outcome were classified correctly. MLDA of brain MR intensity features is, therefore, able to correctly classify a significant number of FES patients, and the discriminative features are clinically relevant for clinical presentation 1 year after the first episode of schizophrenia. The accuracy of the current approach is, however, insufficient to be used in clinical practice immediately. Several methodological issues need to be addressed to increase the usefulness of this classification approach.Psychiatry Research 02/2011; 191(3):174-81. · 2.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Suicides in males after the first episode of schizophrenia.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was a retrospective analysis of available data on patients who committed suicide after the first episode of schizophrenia with focus on risk factors for suicide. Seven of 162 patients consecutively hospitalized at the Department of Psychiatry in Brno with first-episode schizophrenia and followed up for 10 years committed suicide by hanging (n = 4), shooting (n = 1), jumping from height (n = 1), and drowning (n = 1). All patients had more known risk factors and had visited a psychiatrist shortly before their suicide. However, according to the documentation, the patients were not asked about their intention to commit suicide and the potentially modifiable risk factors. Under the conditions of routine clinical practice, the prevention of suicide after the first psychotic episode should include early aggressive treatment and careful monitoring for suicidal behaviors in patients with known risk factors.The Journal of nervous and mental disease 01/2011; 199(1):62-4. · 1.77 Impact Factor -
Article: Outcome in males with first-episode schizophrenia: 7-year follow-up.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The early course of schizophrenia is highly variable. We assessed outcomes of patients with first-episode schizophrenia at 7-year follow-up. Consecutively hospitalized male patients were included if they were experiencing their first admission for first-episode schizophrenia and were reassessed at 1-, 4- and 7-year follow-ups. The psychopathology was evaluated using the PANSS, relative decrease of PANSS and remission status based on severity of core symptoms. Forty-four of 76 patients were reassessed three times. At the end of index hospitalization 73% of patients achieved remission; however, after 1, 4 and 7 years, the percentage had dropped to 50, 50 and 52%, respectively. When compared post-hoc there was no significant difference in PANSS and response to treatment between remitters and non-remitters during the index hospitalization; however, a significant difference in psychopathology emerged first after 1, 4 and 7 years. All patients who had not achieve remission after 1 year also failed to achieve remission after 4 and 7 years. Response to treatment during the first psychotic break-through may not be a decisive indicator for the outlook of the disease. Our data suggest that when deterioration occurs, it does so early after the first episode.The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry 11/2010; 12(1):66-72. · 2.38 Impact Factor
