There has been rapidly growing interest in understanding the pharmaceutical and clinical properties of psychedelic and dissociative drugs, with a particular focus on ketamine. This compound, long known for its anesthetic and dissociative properties, has garnered attention due to its potential to rapidly alleviate symptoms of depression, especially in individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or acute suicidal ideation or behavior. However, while ketamine’s psychopharmacological effects are increasingly well-documented, the specific patterns of its neural impact remain a subject of exploration and basic questions remain about its effects on functional activation in both clinical and healthy populations.

This meta-analysis seeks to contribute to the evolving landscape of neuroscience research on dissociative drugs such as ketamine by comprehensively examining the effects of acute ketamine administration on neural activation, as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), in healthy participants.

We conducted a meta-analysis of existing fMRI activation studies of ketamine using multilevel kernel density analysis (MKDA). Following a comprehensive PubMed search, we quantitatively synthesized all published primary fMRI whole-brain activation studies of the effects of ketamine in healthy subjects with no overlapping samples (N=18). This approach also incorporated ensemble thresholding (α=0.05-0.0001) to minimize cluster-size detection bias and Monte Carlo simulations to correct for multiple comparisons.

Our meta-analysis revealed statistically significant (p<0.05-0.0001; FWE-corrected) alterations in neural activation in multiple cortical and subcortical regions following the administration of ketamine to healthy participants (N=306).

These results offer valuable insights into the functional neuroanatomical effects caused by acute ketamine administration. These findings may also inform development of therapeutic applications of ketamine for various psychiatric and neurological conditions. Future studies should investigate the neural effects of ketamine administration, including both short-term and long-term effects, in clinical populations and their relation to clinical and functional improvements.

None Declared

According to UNICEF, 2 million children have left the country since the beginning of the war. 2.5 million Ukrainian children are internally displaced persons. Minors often become victims or witnesses of violence.

The events of 2022-2023 are the largest military conflict in the world since World War II. The impact on the mental health of the population is characterized by the variety and mass of traumatizing factors.

Mental trauma causes PTSD, depressive disorders (DD), anxiety disorders (AD), behavioral disorders (CD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of PTSD and its comorbidities at different stages of experiencing a traumatic experience.

785 teen`s displaced from the zone of military operations, occupied territories were surveyed. Examinations included: K-SADS-PL, PSC-17, SCARED, CATS. 260 teen`s were examined during - 6, 400 – 6–12 months after traumatization.

After 6 months of trauma, PTSD was diagnosed in 9.8%, ADHD – 10.2%, DD-22.3%, AD-30.8%, CD – 15.4%, 28.8%; examined 6 to 12 months after the injury, respectively: 21.9%, 12.6, 33.3%, 11.5%, 18.0%.

In war-affected children, PTSD is a risk factor for the subsequent development of comorbid depression, anxiety, conduct disorders, and ADHD. Female sex, secondary traumatization after displacement increase the risk of developing depression, signs of pervasive development and ADHD - the risk of destructive and self-injurious behavior. The prevalence of PTSD, DD, ADHD increases within 6-12 months after the trauma, the sensitivity of children with PTSD to secondary traumatic events increases.

None Declared

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked genetic enzymopathy that impacts 4.9% of the population, with greater prevalence among Mediterranean, East Asian, and African populations. G6PD deficiency results in levels of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and glutathione (GSH) that are insufficient for maintaining the balance of oxidation-reduction in the body. This results in elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress on proteins and lipids, damage to DNA, and potential activation of chemokine and cytokine pathways by astrocytes and microglia. We propose that these direct and indirect effects of G6PD deficiency are associated with development of ADHD.

This study investigated the association between G6PD deficiency and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The study involved 7,473 G6PD-deficient patients and 29,892 matched case-controls (selected at a 1:4 ratio) from a cohort of 1,031,354 within the Leumit Health Services database. Clinical characteristics were analyzed using Fisher’s Exact Tests for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables.

The average age of patients was 29.2 ± 22.3 years, with 68.7% being male. The mean follow-up duration was 14.3 ± 6.2 years. Individuals with G6PD deficiency showed a significant 16% higher risk of being diagnosed with ADHD (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.16 [95% CI, 1.08-1.25], p < 0.001) on follow up. Furthermore, G6PD deficiency was associated with a 30% greater likelihood of seeking care from adult neurologists (OR = 1.30 [95% CI, 1.22-1.38], p < 0.001) and a 12% higher probability of consulting adult psychiatrists (OR = 1.12 [95% CI, 1.01-1.24], p = 0.048). The use of stimulant medications among G6PD deficient individuals was 17% higher for methylphenidate class drugs (OR = 1.17 [95% CI, 1.08, 1.27], p < 0.001), and use of amphetamines elevated by 16% (OR = 1.16 [95% CI, 1.03, 1.37], p = 0.047).

This study establishes a significant association between G6PD deficiency and an increased risk of ADHD diagnoses. These findings suggest potential opportunities for the development of culturally sensitive interventions.

B. Krone Consultant of: HIPPO T&C, Signant Health, J. Newcorn: None Declared, I. Manor: None Declared, E. Merzon: None Declared

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric conditions, maintaining its presence well into adolescence and adulthood, resulting in impaired functioning. Evaluating ADHD symptoms through self-reporting plays a crucial role in assessing individuals within these age groups. The novel self-report version of the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD and Normal Behaviors (SWAN) scale offers a comprehensive assessment of behaviour, extending beyond just focusing on the typical signs and symptoms of ADHD, thus providing a more holistic perspective.

Our goal was to assess the factorial validity of the Hungarian version of the SWAN self-report by comparing a two-factor model with bifactor models with a general and 1) two specific factors (inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity), 2) three specific factors (inattention, motor hyperactivity/impulsivity, verbal hyperactivity/impulsivity) in a community sample.

Data from 717 adolescents and young adults (mean age = 20.0 years, SD = 3.10, range: 14 - 25 years, female: N = 664, 92.6%) were analysed. Participants completed an online questionnaire including the SWAN scale after giving informed consent. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted based on the maximum likelihood estimator (ML).

The bifactor model with a general and three specific factors demonstrated the best fit to our data (CFI = .933, RMSEA = .064 [90% CI: .058 – .071], SRMR = .038). While the overall composite reliability was excellent (ω = .91), the reliability of the specific verbal hyperactivity/impulsivity factor fell below acceptable (ωh = .40).

In line with previous studies, the fit indices of the bifactor models were superior to the non-hierarchical two-factor model. Our results support the existence of a strong general factor but suggest uncertainty in the capacity of the specific factors to consistently explain the distinct variance in observed variables, particularly when compared to the overarching influence of the general factor.

This work was supported by the ÚNKP-22-2 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund (grant number ÚNKP-22-2-I-ELTE-854).

None Declared

Children with parents with psychiatric diagnoses have an increased probability for not only the same condition as their parent, but also for other conditions and behavioral and psychosocial problems. Whereas many studies have focused on parental severe mental illness due to their significant impairment, less attention has been paid to more common disorders despite their higher prevalence. In addition, because most past research only included one exposure or one outcome at a time, it remains difficult to examine and compare broad patterns of intergenerational transmission.

To examine associations between six parental psychiatric diagnoses in parents, and a broad range of psychiatric diagnoses, psychotropic medications, criminality, suicide, violent victimization, accidents, and school and labor performance in their offspring.

Based on Swedish national registers, we linked all individuals born in Sweden between 1970 and 2000 to their biological parents (N = 3 286 293). We used a matched cohort design, analyzed with stratified Cox regression and conditional logistic regressions to examine associations between six psychiatric diagnoses in the parents, and 32 outcomes in their offspring. All exposed and unexposed children were followed from their date of birth to the date of emigration from Sweden, the death, or 31 December 2013 when the offspring were 14-44 years old.

In terms of absolute risk, most children who had parents with psychiatric diagnoses were not diagnosed in specialist care themselves, as the proportion of having any of the 16 types of psychiatric conditions ranged from 22.17% (exposed to parental depression) to 25.05% (exposed to parental drug-related disorders) at the end of follow-up. Nevertheless, in terms of relative risk, all six parental psychiatric diagnoses increased the probability of all 32 outcomes in their offspring, with the Hazard Ratio ranging from 1.04 to 8.91 for time-to-event outcomes, and the Odds Ratio ranging from 1.29 to 3.36 for binary outcomes. Some specificities were observed for parental psychotic and substance misuse diagnoses, which strongly predicted offspring psychotic-like and externalizing-related outcomes, respectively.

The intergenerational transmission of parental psychiatric conditions appeared largely transdiagnostic, even for non-psychiatric outcomes in offspring. Given the broad spectrum of associations with the outcomes, service providers (e.g., psychiatrists, teachers, and social workers) should consider clients’ broader psychiatric family history when predicting prognosis and planning interventions/treatment.

None Declared

From recent epidemiological studies to emerging epidemiological evidence, it becomes evident that numerous primary studies have investigated the prevalence of ADHD in children and adolescents. Additionally, several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have explored this subject. The objective of this umbrella review is to offer a robust synthesis of evidence derived from these systematic reviews and meta-analyses

To conduct a comprehensive umbrella review that synthesizes emerging epidemiological evidence regarding the prevalence of ADHD in children and adolescents, drawing insights from numerous primary studies as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

We conducted a systematic search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, PsychINFO, and Scopus, to identify relevant studies. The study was preregistered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42023389704). To assess the quality of these studies, we utilized the Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR). We employed an inverse variance-weighted random-effects meta-analysis to combine prevalence estimates from the included studies.

The final analysis incorporated thirteen meta-analytic systematic reviews, encompassing 588 primary studies and a total of 3,277,590 participants. A random-effects meta-analysis of these studies revealed that the global prevalence of ADHD in children and adolescents stood at 8.0% (95% CI: 6.0%–10%). Notably, the prevalence estimate was twice as high in boys (10%) compared to girls (5%). Among the three subtypes of ADHD, the inattentive type (ADHD-I) emerged as the most prevalent, followed by the hyperactive type (ADHD-HI) and the combined type (ADHD-C).

The comprehensive umbrella review findings emphasize the high prevalence of ADHD in children and adolescents, with a notable gender disparity, wherein boys are twice as likely to be affected compared to girls. These results underscore the urgency of prioritizing prevention, early identification, and treatment strategies for ADHD in children and adolescents.

None Declared

World Health Organization estimates that climate changes are expected to cause an additional 250 000 deaths worldwide per year between 2030 and 2050 (1). We do not know, in what extense, population mental health will deteriorate due to climate change. Unfortunately, not all European countries, including Poland collect the evidence-based information about current and possible future risks for mental health.

(1)World Health Organization. Climate change and health; 2018. Available from who.int/news-room/ fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health [cited 20 October 2020]

The aims of present study are: (1) summarize the available literature through a current review and (2) make recommendations for future actions/ prevention strategy for Poland.

Medline database (through PubMed) and Polish authorities documents was searched for records published in 2010–2024. Mental health-related descriptors (i.e. „mental health” OR “mental disorders”) and „climate change” and “Poland/ Polish” and “Europe” term were used in particular searches. The results of the screening were included in the final selection list. References of screened full-text articles and raports were manually searched for further literature. Additionally, European and worldwide publications and reports prepared by mental health and/ or climate change organizations were taken into account.

Mental health risks of climate change can stem from climate-related natural disasters (e.g., extreme weather events), slower moving events (e.g., drought), or concern about the phenomenon of climate change itself. Primary mental health impact is related mostly to disasters itself and its consequences: environment of disruption, trauma and grief. Direct consequences include increased rates of high-risk behaviours. Secondary effects of climate change are due to various processes of environmental changes and ecological disruptions. They consist of damages to physical and social infrastructure, physical health effects, food and water shortages, conflict, and displacement. Long-term droughts affect food and water supplies and can subsequently affect the economic and mental wellbeing not only the land-based workers.

A focus on climate change impact on mental health can help enhance the understanding of factors that strengthening psychosocial resilience and adaptation. The future mental health challenges of climate change in Poland cover:

• - developing scientific knowledge regarding adaptation process and resilience,

• - focusing on high-risk groups (i.e. children, rural workers),

• - strengthened community engagement,

• - developing available locally strategies for mental health improving.

None Declared

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition with varying degrees of social, emotional and behavioural disability. These children require focused and individualised learning plan to facilitate social integration. Robots have been used for this purpose but are not routinely available in several parts of the world. Effective, point of care (POC) digital therapies that can be used anywhere by anyone is the need of the day.

To evaluate the effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven individualised learning plans delivered through POC digital platform (CognitiveBotics) for children with ASD.

After Ethical approval and parental consent, children diagnosed with ASD (Childhood Autism Rating Scale CARS 2) aged 2 years and above were screened for study inclusion and exclusion criteria and enrolled. AI driven individualised learning plan was administered through CognitiveBotics software that could be used on either computer or a tablet. Initially, interactive questions were administered to parents by the AI tool to understand child’s functioning. Based on these, an individualised learning plan was assigned. Each task is delivered using either interactive videos, chatbot and/or animated/AI games. The child’s progress is captured for attention (attempted questions, retries and timeouts) and retention (first time corrects and corrects) continuously. The initial interactive questions administered to parents were repeated to assess child’s progress in real life. Paired ‘t’ test using SPSS version 26 was used to compare initial and final data.

Out of 85 registered children, 41 regularly used the AI tool. Mean age was 43.93 months (range 26 to 72 months). 37 (90.24%) were boys. The baseline mean scores (ranges), were CARS 33.48 (30-39.5); Social quotient 53.4 (27.25-80.32), Developmental quotient 71.35 (45.90-93.33) and IQ 62.34 (36.58-86.83). The base line mean score of parents assessed child function was 115.24 (range 58 to 215). A mean of 15.54 tasks were given (range 5 to 48). At the time of analysis with a mean follow up of 3 months (range 2 to 5 months) the children completed a mean of 10.10 tasks (range 0 to 42). There was significant improvement in child’s learning captured by the AI software based on attention and retention parameters (p = <0.00001). This improvement was also reflected in parent assessed child function (mean 147.15, (59 to 231)) (p = <0.00001). The percentage of improvement in both software captured and parent assessed child function was directly related to the amount of time spent by the child on the software.

AI driven individualised learning approach is effective in teaching skills and promote social integration for children with ASD. Such technology can capture the child’s progress on a day-to-day basis and deliver personalised training.

None Declared

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a multifaceted illness encompassing mood, energy, cognitive and biorhythms alterations. Sleep disturbances are common in prodromic, acute and inter-episodic phases of BD. Suicidality presents a known association with sleep disturbances. However, their interplay in BD remains intricate and not fully elucidated.

The aim of the present systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) is to summarise the available evidence and to provide an estimate of the association between sleep disturbances and suicidality, defined as presence of suicide ideation, behaviour and suicide attempts, in patients with BD.

We conducted a comprehensive literature search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines across PubMed, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS databases. We included all studies reporting an association between sleep problems and suicidal behaviour in BD patients. No language restriction was imposed. Effect sizes were calculated as odds ratio (OR) for dichotomic variables, standard mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes, and Spearman’s coefficient (r) for correlations. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Global inconsistency was evaluated using the Q statistics with the corresponding p-value.

The initial search yielded 911 unique abstracts, of which 62 underwent full-text screening. Fourteen publications were included, comprising twelve cross-sectional and two longitudinal studies. The total sample consisted of 19,601 subjects diagnosed with BD, of which 51.76% were females and 69.52% had a diagnosis of BD type 1. We found that people with BD and sleep disturbances tend to have higher suicidality, both current (SMD=0.79, 95%CI=0.53, 1.05) and lifetime (OR=1.8; 95%CI=1.41, 2.55), when compared with people with BD and no sleep disturbances. Additionally, patients with BD and a history of suicide attempts tend to have more sleep problems (OR=1.37, 95%CI=1.21, 1.55). Moreover, a positive correlation exists between suicidality and poor sleep quality measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (r= 0.24, 95%CI=0.10, 0.36). No heterogeneity was found, except in the subanalysis of correlation (I2=66.67%, Q p-value=0.01).

Our SRMA outlines a positive relation between sleep disturbances and suicidality in patients with BD. The small number of included studies and the scarcity of longitudinal studies, preventing the inference of a causal relationship, represent the major limitations of this study. Also, studies with objective measures of sleep alterations are currently lacking. The prompt recognition, objective measurement, and treatment of sleep alterations could be crucial in averting or reducing suicidal attempts in BD.

C. Possidente: None Declared, M. Bort: None Declared, M. De Prisco: None Declared, V. Oliva: None Declared, G. Fico Grant / Research support from: Fellowship from “La Caixa” Foundation (ID 100010434 - fellowship code LCF/BQ/DR21/11880019), L. Bracco: None Declared, C. Sommerhoff: None Declared, L. Montejo: None Declared, A. Murru Grant / Research support from: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PI19/00672, PI22/00840) integrated into the Plan Nacional de I+D+I and co-financed by the ISCIII-Subdireccion General de Evaluacio ́n and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), E. Vieta Grant / Research support from: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PI18/ 00805, PI21/00787) integrated into the Plan Nacional de I+D+I and cofinanced by the ISCIII-Subdireccio ́n General de Evaluacio ́n and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); the Instituto de Salud Carlos III; the CIBER of Mental Health (CIBERSAM); the Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca del Departament d’Economia i Coneixement (2017 SGR 1365), the CERCA Programme, and the Departament de Salut de la Generalitat de Catalunya for the PERIS grant SLT006/17/00357; the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (EU.3.1.1. Understanding health, wellbeing and disease: Grant No 754907 and EU.3.1.3. Treating and managing disease: Grant No 945151).

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (BPD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder that alters normal and psychological development processes among patients. Although cognitive deficits in BPD have identified in recent studies, little is known about the developmental trajectory of these deficits. DMDD is a newly defined diagnosis included in the DSM-V. Since it added a new dimension to the clinical spectrum but few studies conducted on DMDD, there are some conflicting discussions in the literature about how to distinguish this disorder from other childhood psychiatric disorders and how to treat it.

The aim of this study was to determine the phenomenological and neuropsychological differences between children and adolescents with a diagnosis of BPD (Pediatric Bipolar Disorder), DMDD (Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder), and children and adolescents who are genetically at high risk for Bipolar Disorder (BD), and healthy controls (HCs) who do not have any psychiatric diagnosis, to investigate endophenotypes that may be predictive for BD.

Our study sample consists of four groups, the BPD group (n=30), the Risk group (n=25), the DMDD group (n=36), and the Healthy Control group (n=29). All participants were evaluated by the “Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children—Now and Lifetime Pattern (K-SADS-PL)”. “Young Mania Rating Scale/Parent Form (YMRS-ABF), Conner’s Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-48), Child and Adolescent Behavior Rating Scale (CBCL)” scales were filled by parents, and “Child Depression Inventory (CDI), Youth Self-Report Form for 11-18 Years Olds (YSR)” scales were filled by children and adolescents. Neurocognitive test battery was applied to each participant: Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), Trait Making Test A and B sections (TMT-A/B), California Verbal Learning Test-Child version (CVLT-C).

While it was determined that the cases in the BPD and DMDD groups performed significantly worse in CPT, SCWT, CVLT-C, TMT A/B tests compared to healthy controls, it was found that the subjects in the Risk group performed worse at the CPT test than healthy controls. In addition, the cases in the BPD, Risk and DMDD groups reported more clinical and behavioral problems than the healthy controls.

There is a significant deterioration in the areas of continuous attention, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, response prevention, verbal memory and working memory in the BPD and DMDD groups, and in the continuous attention area in the Risk group compared to healthy controls. Prospective follow-up and imaging studies using larger samples and a larger neurocognitive test battery in the future will better reveal the neuropsychological characteristics of the BPD, Risk and DMDD groups.

None Declared

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and complex affective disorder among top diseases that cause disability worldwide. Internalized stigmatization is a process including the awareness of negative stereotypes adopted by the society, participation in and internalization of these judgements, associated with impaired social functionality. Studies examining internalized stigma and related factors in BD is limited.

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the associations between internalized stigmatization and clinical characteristics, as well as sociodemographic and marital features of patients with BD.

This observational and cross-sectional study was conducted at a specialized affective disorders clinic in a university hospital between November 2020 and March 2021. During routine follow-up, each consecutive patient with BD was invited and a total of 118 were included in the study. Information about sociodemographic, marital and clinical characteristics of patients was collected through a prepared data form and follow-up documents. Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS) was administered to assess internalized stigma. Statistical analysis of data was conducted by SPSS version 25 and a statistical significance level of p<0.05 was determined.

Mean ISMIS total score of the sample was 56.50 ±13.65. Multiple linear regression was used to test the predictors of higher ISMIS scores. Being currently unemployed (p=0.012, Β=0.208), shorter BD duration (p<0.001, Β=0.302) and presence of inter-episode residual symptoms (p=0.004, Β=0.248) predicted higher ISMIS total. Younger age (p=0.002, Β=0.264), being female (p=0.007, Β=0.226) and absence of mania dominance (p=0.019, Β=0.190) predicted higher alienation scores. Presence of inter-episode residual symptoms predicted both stereotype endorsement (p<0.001, Β=0.320) and perceived discrimination (p<0.001, Β=0.358). Younger age (p=0.001, Β=0.281) and total number of depressive episodes (p=0.015, Β=0.212) also predicted perceived discrimination. Shorter BD duration and absence of seasonality predicted higher ISMIS social withdrawal, while history of hospitalization predicted higher ISMIS stigma resistance.

Our study demonstrated similar mean ISMIS total scores to the findings previously reported in Türkiye, while roughly lower than results in the international literature. Considering that internalized stigmatization was increased in earlier stages of BD and in younger patients, as well as in patients with inter-episode residual symptoms, it might be important to implement psychosocial interventions for internalized stigmatization and appropriate psychoeducation programs in the earlier periods of BD. Therefore a multidimensional and holistic approach towards internalized stigmatization may positively contribute to the functionality of patients with BD.

None Declared

Persistent depressive episodes and subsyndromic depressive symptoms frequently characterize mood alterations in bipolar disorder (BD) and negatively influence quality of life and suicide risk. BD patients with predominant depressive episodes generally show significantly higher treatment resistance rates. Although not specifically approved in Italy for bipolar depression, recently published observational data suggest that the cariprazine add-on may be a potential effective short-term treatment for resistant bipolar depression. Nevertheless data on long-term cariprazine treatment are lacking.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of long-term cariprazine augmentation in patients suffering from treatment-resistant bipolar depression.

30 resistant bipolar depressed patients, whose resistance was defined according to The CINP Guidelines on the Definition and Evidence-Based Interventions for Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder, were treated with cariprazine 1,5 -3 mg flexible dose for 4 weeks, added to previous mood stabilizing and/or antidepressant treatment. Psychopathology at time 0 and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 weeks of treatment was evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS); safety and tolerability was measured by the UKU Side Effect Rating Scale. The drop-out rate was assessed throughout the study duration.

Cariprazine add-on was effective in the study sample but only during the first 4 weeks of treatment. Improvement in depression scores started from the first week, reaching about 40% mean HDRS score reduction at T4; a moderate ulterior decrease (-15%) was reached at T24 but was accompanied by a significant drop-out rate; anxiety symptoms improved (mean HARS score reduction 37% at T4) mainly during the first 4 weeks. The treatment was generally well tolerated. From week 4 to 24 we observed a near 70% drop-out rate (18 total drop-outs) with maximum drop-outs between weeks 4-8 (n=7) and 18-24 (n=7). Discontinuation causes were inefficacy (5/18); clinical worsening (10/18); side effects (3/18); hypomanic shift (2/18).

Despite the relatively small population examined and the observational design, our results suggest that cariprazine may represent an effective and safe short-term enhancement strategy in resistant bipolar depression. Long-term treatment, in this sample, did not lead to significant improvements and was burdened by a high drop-out rate, mainly due to inefficacy/clinical worsening. Further studies on larger samples are needed to confirm these preliminary findings, both in short-term and in longer observations.

None Declared

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and recurrent disease characterized by acute mood episodes alternated with periods of euthymia. The available literature postulates that a biphasic dysregulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics might be observed in BD.

We aimed to explore differences in in vivo mitochondrial respiration (1) intra-individually: longitudinally within patients during an acute mood episode of BD and after clinical remission, and (2) inter-individually: between patients with BD on depressive or manic episodes and healthy controls (HC).

Patients admitted to our acute psychiatric ward with a manic episode or bipolar depression were recruited. Different mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates (OCRs) were assessed during the acute episode (T0) and after clinical remission (T1) in one million of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC): Routine, Leak, ETC and Rox. They were measured as picomoles of oxygen per million cells (pmol O2/million). This experiment was also conducted in HC. High-resolution respirometry was performed at 37°C by polarographic oxygen sensors in a two-chamber Oxygraph-2k system. Manic and depressive symptoms were assessed using standardized psychometric scales. Oxygen consumption capacity was compared (1) intra-individually, during acute episodes and after clinical remission, and (2) inter-individually, during acute manic and depressive episodes, and in HC. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS, GraphPad and R Statistics.

20 patients with BD (15 manic, 5 depressed) and 10 HC were included. A significant increase in the maximal oxygen consumption capacity (ETC) was observed in clinical remission (27.4 ± 17.4) compared to the acute episodes (21.1 ± 11.7, p = 0.001), which remained significant after subtracting Rox from the other rates (p = 0.001). At T1, patients admitted with a manic episode tended to show higher mean ETC (31.2 ± 18.7) compared with T0 (24.1 ± 12.0, p = 0.074); the tendency persisted after Rox subtraction (p = 0.076). Patients admitted with a depressive episode also showed higher ETC means in T1 (16.3 ± 3.8) compared to T0 (12.1 ± 3.4), but there were not significant differences (p = 0.231). When HC, manic and depressive patients at T0 were compared between them, significant differences were observed in ETC (H =8.5; p =0.014) and Rox (H =13.8; p = 0.001). After Rox deduction, differences in ETC remained (H =11.7; p = 0.003). Individuals with bipolar depression showed lower ETC rates (12.1 ± 3.4) than those with a manic episode (24.1 ± 12.0; t = -3.5, p = 0.003), which was also found after Rox deduction (p = 0.001).

In both manic and depressive episodes in BD, mitochondrial respiration might be reduced and increase after clinical remission. Further studies with larger samples will allow to confirm these results and also to identify potential mitochondrial state-dependent biomarkers.

A. Giménez-Palomo Grant / Research support from: AGP is supported by a Rio Hortega 2021 grant (CM21/00094) from the Spanish Ministry of Health financed by ISCIII and cofinanced by Fondo Social Europeo Plus (FSE+)., M. Guitart-Mampel: None Declared, A. Meseguer: None Declared, M. Valentí: None Declared, L. Bracco: None Declared, H. Andreu: None Declared, E. Vieta: None Declared, G. Garrabou: None Declared, I. Pacchiarotti: None Declared

People with severe mental illness (SMI), including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, experience significant health inequalities and are more likely to develop long-term physical health conditions (LTCs), such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Many people with SMI rely on informal caregivers, typically friends and family, to support their health and enable them to live in the community. Informal caregivers of people with SMI experience high levels of caregiver burden, social isolation, and poor health outcomes. However, it is unclear how co-existing LTCs contribute to the caregiving experience.

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of informal caregivers of people with co-existing SMI and LTCs.

We conducted a qualitative study with informal caregivers of people with co-existing SMI and LTCs in England. We recruited 12 informal caregivers and conducted five semi-structured interviews and two focus groups between December 2018 and April 2019. The interviews and focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

SMI impacts profoundly on the health and well-being of both service users and their informal caregivers. Service users were described as too unwell with their SMI to engage in self-management of their mental and physical health, with the primary responsibility for these tasks falling to informal caregivers. There were significant barriers to adequate physical healthcare for service users, therefore informal caregivers needed to advocate extensively for their loved ones to ensure access to services. Informal caregivers felt significantly under-supported and struggled with the caregiver burden associated with SMI and LTCs. This burden included the constant monitoring of risk, anxiety around the vulnerability of their loved one, repeated hospitalisations, physical health concerns, lack of respite services, lack of recognition of their role, the guilt associated with paternalistic care, shame and stigma, and the difficulties managing the changeable nature of SMI.

Informal caregivers of people with SMI face an additional caregiver burden resulting from co-existing LTCS. This adds substantially to their caring role, yet they do not receive the necessary support, and therefore their own health and wellbeing are negatively impacted. Improved recognition of the role of informal caregivers and additional support, including improved provision of respite services, are needed to improve the well-being of informal caregivers.

C. Carswell: None Declared, J. Brown: None Declared, D. Shiers Consultant of: DS is an expert adviser to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Centre for Guidelines; the views expressed are those of the authors and not those of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence., P. Coventry: None Declared, N. Siddiqi: None Declared

People with personality disorder (PD) often experience suffering, suboptimal psychiatric treatment outcomes, and early mortality due to chronic physical illness (CPI) and multimorbidity (≥2 CPI)  (CPM). Increasing research underscores the elevated prevalence of CPI and CPM in those with PD.

To compare the prevalence of CPI/CPM between the general population and those with PD and to explore the relationship between CPI/CPM and various aspects of PD.

This cross-sectional study enrolled 126 PD patients (70.6% female, mean age 41.22 years) based on the ICD-10 criteria, and 126 socio-demographically matched individuals from the general population. The participants completed the following instruments: the ICD-11 Personality Disorder Severity Scale (PDS-ICD-11), the Personality Assessment Questionnaire for ICD-11 (PAQ-11), Subjective Emptiness Scale (SES), the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire-Revised-7 (RFQ-R-7), and self-reported chronic physical illnesses questionnaire.

The mean number of CPI in patients with PD and matched controls was 2.69 (SD=2.371) and 1.02 (SD=1.702), respectively, and this difference was statistically significant. Patients with PD also suffered more often from CPM than none or one CPI, compared to matched controls. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses among the patients with PD, higher personality disorder severity, increased trait Negative Affectivity and poorer reflective functioning/mentalizing were predictive of having CPM. These relationships were independent of age, gender, education status, income level, length of psychiatric treatment, and smoking status. Subjective emptiness was not significantly predictive of having CPM.

This study highlights a higher prevalence of CPI and CPM in individuals with PD compared to the general population. Factors such as higher PD severity, increased Negative Affectivity, and poorer reflective functioning were identified as predictors of CPM. These findings underscore the necessity for integrated healthcare approaches to address the multifaceted needs of PD patients, emphasizing the importance of considering both mental and physical health in treatment strategies.

None Declared

In DSM-5 Section III, the Alternative Model for Personality disorders (AMPD), a dimensional approach for conceptualization and diagnosing complex character problems was introduced. Based on recent findings, AMPD aligns well with the theory of Young’s Schema Therapy (ST). ST seems to offer a valuable clinical framework that complements the empirically based AMPD, which is not built upon a certain theory of psychopathology.

The aim of the current study was to explore the association between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), DSM-5 pathological personality traits and certain psychological symptoms to gain a better understanding of their relationship and highlight the connection points between AMPD and the theory of ST.

A total of 490 Hungarian participants, including 98 males, took part in the cross-sectional research, with an average age of 26.9 (SD = 9.34). All participants completed the short form of Young’s schema questionnaire (YSQ-S3), the brief form of PID-5 (PID-5 BF) and the revised version of the Derogatis Symptom Checklist (SCL-90 R).

Results of a series of hierarchical regression analyses found that all five schema domains were able to predict psychological symptoms and DSM-5 pathological personality traits at a statistically significant level. Moreover, in accordance with our data, specific EMS patterns are associated with different psychological symptoms and pathological personality traits. Ultimately, we identified two EMSs, namely Negativity/Pessimism and Insufficient Self-control, which predicted all of our dependent variables.

Our findings suggest that the relationship between EMSs and DSM-5 pathological personality traits goes beyond the established fact that EMSs, like any other indicators of personality problems are associated with psychopathological symptoms and traits. This is supported by the fact that we could link specific EMS patterns to the pathological personality traits and psychological symptoms that we investigated. We believe that our results contribute to the clinical utility of AMPD, by assisting the creation of schema profiles tailored to personality pathologies, thereby facilitate the diagnostic process and the development of schema - focused interventions. Furthermore, it seems that the identified EMSs, Negativity/Pessimism and Insufficient Self-control play a special role in relation to pathological personality traits and psychological symptoms and should be considered with particular emphasis in terms of risk group classification and vulnerability.

None Declared

Many COVID-19 survivors who were attacked and suffered severe symptoms of the virus have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which persists for long periods. These people need treatment to alleviate the severity of these disorders. Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is one of the modern therapeutic trends in psychological counseling, which focuses on the nature of the thought rather than on identifying and changing the thought as in other cognitive therapies. It is also concerned with whether people possess an aspect of reflective awareness and aims for a broader understanding of the way the mind works. Working on the process of metacognition, that is, the individual’s thinking about what he knows, being aware of his thoughts, and constantly monitoring and organizing them, helps reduce anxiety disorders and mood swings, and this will reduce psychotic disorders.

The current study aims to identify the effect of a virtual reality (VR) counseling program based on MCT in reducing the severity of PTSD among survivors of Covid-19. It also examines the continuity of the effectiveness of this program in reducing these disorders.

The quasi-experimental method (two group design) with experimental and control groups with a pre-posttest and a follow-up test was adopted. The sample for the current study consisted of 60 COVID-19 survivors suffering from PTSD. The PTSD scale was applied online to a group of people recovering from Covid-19 from the Arab Republic of Egypt. Then those who had high scores were selected, contacted and their consent was obtained to apply a virtual reality counseling program to them. The counseling program was implemented via virtual reality technology, and consisted of 20 counseling sessions, each session lasted between 60-90 minutes. The program continued for two months, with two sessions per week.

The results of the current research revealed a significant improvement in the experimental group through a significant reduction in their post-traumatic stress disorders. The results also showed the effectiveness of the counseling program based on metacognitive therapy in reducing the manifestations of post-traumatic stress disorders in those recovering from Covid-19. The results confirmed the continuing effect of the program after the follow-up period.

Using metacognitive therapy has an effective effect in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder, and it can be used with many psychologically disturbed people.

None Declared

Prolonged grief disorder has recently been added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5, Text Revision. To understand the health burden and then allocate economic and professional resources, it is necessary to provide epidemiological data for this new disorder. More information on the characteristics of people suffering from PGD is also beneficial to better identify individuals at risk.

This study, therefore, aimed to estimate the prevalence of the PGD criteria in a special period such as the Covid-19 pandemic and in a representative population-based sample, evaluate the sociodemographic, and loss-related correlates of PGD caseness and explore possible predictors.

The study included 126 people (97 females/29 males) who lost a relative for any reason during the Covid-19 pandemic period (March 2019-January 2022) in Turkey.We used self-reported data from articipants who all completed questions on socio-demographic and loss-related characteristics plus Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (PG-13), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27).

Median age was 34 years, range (18-63); 12 participants were diagnosed with PGD (9.5%). No difference was detected between deaths due to COVID-19 and its complications and deaths due to other causes in terms of PGD diagnosis and PGD symptom severity. When we divide the participants into two groups according to PGD diagnosis (PGD and nonPGD):The average age of the PGD group was higher (Z=-2.068; p=0,31) and they had more additional medical conditions (χ²=7.21; p=0,007). Thoughts of guilt were more common in the PGD group (χ²=7.92; p=0,005). Additionally, HADS-total, HADS -depression, HADS -anxiety and ASA-27 were higher in the PGD group (respectively: Z=-4.047; P=0,00, Z=-4.209; P=0,00, Z=-3.437; P=0,001, Z=-1.975; P=0,048). PGD occurred most frequently after first-degree losses (χ²=13.67; p=0,00) and was inversely proportional to the age of the loss (Z=-1.979; P=0,04). In the nonPGD group, the rate of believing in any religion (χ²=5.807; p=0,016). and the level of fulfilling the requirements of the religion were higher ( χ²=10.584; p=0,05). In the linear regression analysis examining the predictors associated with the severity of prolonged grief; the deceased person was a first-degree relative (t= 6.23; p<0,001) and younger in age (t=-3.71; p<0,001), the presence of guilt (t= 3.28; p=0,001), and increased separation anxiety (t= 4.13; p<0,001) and depression scores (t= 4.29; p<0,001) were significant boost of prolonged grief severity.

Although higher PGD rates were expected in deaths due to Covid-19 compared to deaths due to other causes, we did not detect any significant difference in this study. However, this study identified some possible predictors associated with PGD.

None Declared

Patients suffering from mental disorders tend to be less adherent to the recommended therapies. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic had a global impact on physical and social well-being, which turned out stronger in the most fragile patients, like those with a mental condition.

To assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the physical healthcare gap between patients with and without severe mental illness (SMI) treated for chronic conditions.

Data were retrieved from Healthcare Utilization Databases of Lombardy region (Italy). Prevalent users of antihypertensive drugs, statins or antidiabetic drugs, receiving healthcare in Lombardy during 2020, were identified. Among them, those with a previous diagnosis of schizophrenic or bipolar disorder were selected and matched with up to 3 patients without any sign of mental disorder by sex, age and number of contacts with the NHS during the previous year. 3 cohorts (not necessarily independent) were formed.

High adherence to specific recommended drug therapies and discontinuation during 2020 were evaluated.

Association between presence of SMI and high adherence was evaluated by using a log-binomial model (risk ratios, RR with 95% CI); a Cox model (hazard ratios, HR) was used for discontinuation.

As comparison, same analyses were performed to the cohorts of prevalent users in 2019, to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results were stratified according to the type of mental disorder.

36'436, 14'136 and 12'597 prevalent users of antihypertensives, statins or antidiabetics respectively were identified, of which 25% with SMI (9'109, 3'536 and 3'152 respectively).

During the pandemic period, for all the three cohorts, patients with mental illness had 10% lower probability of being adherent to the recommended drug therapies.

The association between SMI and discontinuation was significant and varied among the three cohorts, with HR (95% CI): 1.27 (1.21; 1.33) for antihypertensives users, 1.16 (1.07; 1.26) for antidiabetics users and 1.08 (1.01; 1.16) for statins users.

Compared with 2019 the gap remained similar, except for discontinuation of antidiabetics, where the gap diminished from 34% in 2019 to 16% in 2020.

No differences between the two mental disorders were found.

Results show that suffering from a mental disorder in people with chronic physical conditions affects their adherence to recommended drug therapies. During the pandemic period, the restrictive measures adopted may have led to a better care by family members, counteracting any increase in the gap.

The healthcare gap in patients suffering from mental illness remains an unsolved problem of primary importance for public health.

None Declared

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption during pregnancy can shape fetal brain development, increasing susceptibility to mental disorders. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying these negative outcomes remain unclear.

We hypothesize that mHFD induces inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) in the fetal brain, disrupting excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance in the adult brain. This results in altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity, emotional regulation, and cognitive function. We tested the ability of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) - a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compound - to counteract mHFD effects.

Our mHFD model consists of female C57BL/6N mice fed either HFD (fat 58%, carbohydrate 25.5%, and protein 16.4%) or control diet (CD, fat 10.5%, carbohydrate 73.1% and protein 16.4%) before and during pregnancy (13 weeks). After 5 weeks on diets, half of them received NAC (1g/kg) for 8 weeks, until delivery.

Gene expression of Il-1b, Cd68, Tmem119, iNOS, and Arg1 was measured in fetal brains. Cognitive function and emotional phenotype were assessed in adult male and female offspring through the Morris Water Maze (MWM) and the Emergence test, respectively. HPA axis functionality was assessed by measuring plasma corticosterone levels by ELISA following acute stress. Gene expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (Vglut1) and vesicular GABA transporter (Vgat) were assessed as markers of E/I balance.

Exposure to mHFD induced inflammation and OS in the fetal brain of both sexes, by increasing Il-1b and iNOS/Arg1. Additionally, Cd68 and Tmem119 were specifically increased in females. In adulthood, mHFD reduced latency to emerge from the shelter in the Emergence test in both sexes. In females, mHFD impaired cognitive function, reducing time spent in the MWM target zone, and increased HPA reactivity in response to acute stress. Furthermore, mHFD decreased Vgat expression in both sexes, resulting in an imbalanced Vglut1/Vgat ratio towards excessive excitatory input. Maternal NAC supplementation rescued this imbalance.

Overall, these data show that mHFD increases inflammation and OS in fetal brains, with greater effects in female offspring, inducing alterations in the E/I neuronal balance with concomitant disruptions of the neuroendocrine system and the emotional and cognitive profiles during adulthood. The supplementation with NAC was effective in rescuing the E/I imbalance as well as the behavioral phenotype.

None Declared