Antisocial Personality Disorder

The GENESIS clinical study aims to map HLA genetic variation in the Greek population and evaluate possible correlations with selected underlying diseases. It is a multicenter, prospective, non-interventional clinical study targeting 12,000 subjects over an anticipated duration of 36 months, with the goal of creating a pilot HLA map for medical research and possible clinical applications. Each subject will complete one visit at a participating site and provide demographic information, including date of birth, gender, race, ancestry, height, and weight, as well as information about smoking or vaping, alcohol consumption, arterial blood pressure, diagnosed diseases, and current treatments. Recent clinical laboratory results from up to 12 months before sample collection may also be collected when available, including blood count, metabolic, liver enzyme, and biochemical parameters. Two buccal swabs will be collected from each subject for DNA extraction and HLA genotyping analysis. Selected DNA samples will also undergo low-pass whole genome sequencing to further investigate associations between the HLA region and autoimmune diseases. After the analysis is completed, an individualized ancestry report will be securely available to study subjects if they elect to access it.

Researchers are investigating the effects of a multidomain lifestyle intervention to slow cognitive decline and dementia risk in elderly residents aged 60 to 80 in Zhejiang Province, China. The study builds on findings from Finland, where a similar approach combining physical activity, nutrition, cognitive training, social activities, and vascular risk management showed promise in healthy older adults at risk of cognitive decline. This trial aims to explore how such an intervention may change brain structure and function as well as cognitive abilities in an Asian population. Participants are randomly assigned to either a structured multidomain intervention group or a self-guided control group. The intervention group receives tailored nutritional guidance, cognitive training, physical exercises, and vascular risk monitoring, all adapted to Chinese cultural norms. The control group receives regular health education campaigns and basic health monitoring every 6 to 12 months. This trial runs for two years with ongoing assessments to evaluate the impact of these lifestyle changes. During the study, participants undergo various evaluations including cognitive tests measuring global and domain-specific cognition, neuroimaging scans like MRI and fMRI, laboratory blood tests, and physical performance measures such as grip strength and gait speed. Questionnaires assess quality of life, depression, sleep quality, and daily activities. Researchers also monitor cardiovascular health, dementia onset, and falls. This comprehensive monitoring will help determine the interventions effects on brain health and daily functioning over the 24-month period.

This research aims to understand the needs and preferences of patients and their caregivers regarding different forms of antipsychotic medications, specifically focusing on risperidone. It seeks to clarify the clinical value of a patch-form antipsychotic for conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, conduct disorder, and mental retardation. The study is observational and sponsored by the Shanghai Mental Health Center. Participants include patients diagnosed with the mentioned psychiatric disorders or their primary caregivers. The study observes their preferences for risperidone dosage forms, particularly the patch form, without administering any investigational treatment. The study is planned to last for about six months, during which researchers will track patient and caregiver preferences. During the study, participants will be asked about their preferences for risperidone patch-form medicine and related factors influencing these preferences. Researchers will collect data through questionnaires or interviews over the six-month period. The primary measure is the proportion of patients and caregivers who prefer the patch form, with secondary measures focusing on factors influencing this preference. Participation involves ongoing observation without intervention, ensuring safety and respect for individual choices.

Researchers are evaluating a mentalization-based parenting program called the Lighthouse MBT Parenting Program for parents with various mental disorders who are receiving adult mental health services. This trial compares this program to the usual care provided to these parents. The goal is to study both the short- and long-term effects of this intervention on parenting stress and related outcomes, addressing the high need for evidence-based support for parents with mental health conditions and their children. The study involves two groups one receives the Lighthouse MBT Parenting Program, which includes a preparatory individual session followed by twelve weekly group sessions of two hours each. The other group receives care as usual, consisting of one or two sessions with family members, commonly offered in adult mental health services. Both interventions are provided alongside the participants regular outpatient treatment. Participants will be assessed at the start of the study and again at 6, 12, and 24 months after starting the program. The research team will measure parenting stress using a standardized index and evaluate other factors such as childrens psychological adjustment, family functioning, quality of life, parenting competence, and the severity of psychiatric symptoms. The study includes careful follow-up to monitor these outcomes over two years.

This research aims to develop and scientifically evaluate a set of self-assessment scales to support psychiatric diagnostics and follow-up in adults with psychiatric problems. These scales collect detailed information on symptoms, age of onset, symptom development, relation to external stress, and the impact on function and suffering. The goal is to create validated tools that help clinicians classify psychiatric conditions more effectively using fewer, optimized questions. Participants are recruited consecutively from five specific sites and asked to complete various item sets measuring relevant psychiatric symptoms. The study involves multiple groups, each responding to different item sets that are refined and validated over time using statistical methods. After optimizing individual item sets, the scales are combined and further tested to reduce the number of questions and dimensions needed for accurate assessment. Participants will answer sets of questions about their symptoms and experiences during multiple recruitment phases. Researchers analyze the responses to refine the scales, aiming for concise and reliable tools. The main outcome measure is the Scalability H index, which assesses the measurement quality of the scales. Participation involves completing questionnaires, with ongoing evaluation to improve the diagnostic support system.

This research aims to evaluate an adapted version of the Helping Ovarian Cancer Patients Cope HOPE intervention designed to address burnout among gynecologic oncology clinicians. Burnout and stress in these clinicians can lead to serious personal, professional, and societal impacts including distress, mental illness, poorer patient outcomes, increased errors, and reduced physician availability in this specialty. The adapted intervention, called HOPE-C, applies hope theory and social-cognitive theory to foster peer support and help clinicians reframe their challenging experiences. The study includes three main objectives. First, clinicians review the HOPE-C materials and provide feedback through interviews and questionnaires to help develop the intervention. Next, clinicians participate in weekly HOPE-C sessions for four weeks, each lasting about 30 to 45 minutes, focusing on changing their narrative, managing uncertainty, and finding meaning. After completing the sessions, clinicians complete questionnaires and may participate in follow-up interviews to optimize and assess the intervention. Participants will be assessed before, during, and after the intervention using questionnaires and interviews. Researchers will track feasibility measures such as enrollment rate, intervention completion, survey completion, as well as acceptability and satisfaction with the HOPE-C program. The study runs from the initial feedback phase through intervention delivery and follow-up, lasting several weeks, with assessments at baseline, during, and two weeks after completing sessions to understand the programs impact on clinician burnout.

This research aims to improve neuropsychological diagnostics by developing, calibrating, and evaluating new clinical and forensic neuropsychological tests. These tests focus on both instrumental and non-instrumental functions and are being studied in neurologically healthy individuals representing the Italian population, as well as in patients with various neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. The goal is to modernize and expand diagnostic tools to meet clinical and forensic needs, including remote testing and assessments of testamentary capacity. Participants include people with brain disorders and neurologically healthy controls. The study involves cognitive and behavioral tests and questionnaires designed to assess various mental functions. These tests will be administered at baseline, then repeated after one month for healthy participants, and at 6, 12, and 18 months for those with neurodegenerative disorders to evaluate changes over time. Throughout the study, participants will undergo multiple assessments including tests like the Brief Assessment of Social Skills-Dementia, Picture Interpretation Test, and Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status among others. These evaluations are done at enrollment and at scheduled intervals to monitor cognitive and behavioral changes. The study will track outcomes to understand test reliability and clinical usefulness over an extended period, with participation lasting up to 18 months for some individuals.

Researchers are exploring the reliability of a new model designed to understand personality disorders by using evolutionary concepts. This study aims to confirm that the initial validity findings of this model apply across different cultures and countries. It involves psychology students from China, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United States. Participants will undergo specific training on the model through online sessions, including a recorded presentation, live experiential training with clinical cases, and exercises applying the model to case transcripts and assessment reports. A smaller group will participate in structured interviews to evaluate how acceptable and useful the model is. During the study, participants will be evaluated on how consistently they apply the model to the same patient cases, with supervisors scoring their adherence. The primary outcome is the cross-cultural agreement in assessments, measured within one month from recruitment. The study includes assessments of model acceptability and involves about 110 students in total.

Researchers are evaluating how pharmacological and psychotherapeutic group treatments affect clinical symptoms in children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, emotional-behavioral dysregulation, and externalizing disorders. This observational study aims to determine the effectiveness of these treatments on symptoms and explore associations between individual characteristics and treatment responses using behavioral, neuropsychological, and neurophysiological data. The study seeks to develop more personalized interventions based on these findings. Participants will receive either pharmacological treatment with methylphenidate or group psychological therapy. The drug treatment involves a test dose followed by a varying daily dose 5-20 mg adjusted by a child neuropsychiatrist. The group psychological treatment includes 16 weekly sessions lasting 1.5 hours each over four months, divided into age-based groups. A control group of patients on a waiting list will undergo the same assessments but will not receive treatment. Participants will undergo assessments before treatment and at multiple follow-ups at treatment start, end of treatment or drug titration phase 2-3 months, and six months post-treatment. Assessments include clinical and socio-demographic questionnaires, computerized neuropsychological tests, and neurophysiological recordings using near-infrared spectroscopy, EEG during attention tasks, and data from a smartwatch. Researchers will analyze clinical symptoms, emotion regulation, neuropsychological performance, and neurophysiological measures to assess changes and predict treatment outcomes.

Researchers are studying adults who have both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD and one or more addictions. The purpose is to collect detailed social, clinical, and neuropsychological information over two visits, spaced 12 months apart, to better understand how these conditions co-occur and affect patients. This observational study is conducted alongside usual medical care and aims to support treatment decisions tailored to each individual. Participants undergo a medical evaluation as part of routine care, including structured clinical interviews and neuropsychological assessments at the start and after 12 months. These evaluations track various aspects such as ADHD symptoms, addictive behaviors including substance use, gambling, sex addiction, and eating addiction, psychiatric disorders, and neuropsychological functions like attention, memory, inhibition, flexibility, and planning. Throughout the study, researchers collect data on functional impairment, quality of life, personal and family medical history, and treatments received. The study involves two visits one at inclusion and another one year later, each involving interviews, questionnaires, and neuropsychological testing. This helps monitor changes over time and assess the impact of treatments such as methylphenidate MPH when indicated.