Opening and session 1 - program extract

SESSION 2 - PROGRAM EXTRACT
WEDNESDAY 3rd DECEMBER
15:00 AFTERNOON TEA & SESSION 2 - POSTER SESSION
Room: Banquet Room (Host: Jayashri Kulkarni)

PP01 Kate Hoy
DOES SIZE MATTER? THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIPPOCAMPAL VOLUME
AND MEMORY ABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH TREATMENT RESISTANT MDD

PP02 Paul Fitzgerald
SUPERIOR TEMPORAL GYRUS SUBVOLUMES IN TREATMENT-RESISTANT
SCHIZOPHRENIA WITH AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS
PP03 Alexander Provost
MULTIMODAL ASSESSMENT OF AUDITORY PREPULSE INHIBITION IN
PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

PP04 Mariam Alexander
THE ORIGINS OF ANXIETY? : FMRI IN CHILDREN WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS
UNDERGOING PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT

PP05 Pritha Das
THEORY OF MIND (TOM) IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: A FUNCTIONAL MRI STUDY

PP06 Mary-Claire Hanlon
FUNCTIONAL BRAIN IMAGING OF RECOGNITION OF INTENTION TO
COMMUNICATE

PP07 Luke Reeves
BASIC NUMERICAL CAPACITIES IN VELO-CARDIO-FACIAL SYNDROME
(22Q11.2 DELETION SYNDROME)

PP08 Kim Kiely
AUSTRALIAN ESTIMATES OF PROBABLE DEMENTIA AND COGNITIVE
IMPAIRMENT: THE DYNOPTA STUDY

PP09 Kim Kiely
AUSTRALIAN ESTIMATES OF PROBABLE DEMENTIA AND COGNITIVE
IMPAIRMENT: THE DYNOPTA STUDY

PP10 Lana Williams
ANXIETY AND BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN COMMUNITY SAMPLES OF MEN AND
WOMEN
PP11 Natalie Chan
SUCCESSFUL AGEING AND AGEING-IN-PLACE: MINIMISING UNMET NEED

PP12 Sacha Filia
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: RESULTS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN
SCHIZOPHRENIA CARE AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (SCAP)

PP13 Jodie Fleming
STRESS RELATED GROWTH AND NEGATIVE OUTCOMES WITH FAMILIES
DEALING WITH INFERTILITY CAUSED BY CANCER: A CO-OCCURRENCE MODEL

PP14 Jodie Fleming
THE ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT SATISFACTION AS A MODERATOR OF
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS IN THE CONTEXT OF CANCER
PP15 Terry Lewin
HOPES REVISITED – INTRODUCING A 12-ITEM SCALE FOR MEASURING
PERSONAL HOPEFULNESS (HOPES-12)

PP16 Stuart Lee
ACCOMMODATION STATUS, SYMPTOM SEVERITY AND THE IMPACT ON
INPATIENT PSYCHIATRY LENGTH OF STAY AND READMISSION RATE

PP17 Shona Crabb
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN PSYCHIATRY

PP18 Denika Novello
IMPROVING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF
HOME BASED PALLIATIVE CARE PATIENTS: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED
TRIAL

PP19 Sue Cotton
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CAMPS FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

PP20 Marianne Ayre
VALIDATION OF THE ‘DIFFICULTIES IN EMOTION REGULATION SCALE’ (DERS) IN
TWO SAMPLES: SCHIZOPHRENIA AND CO-EXISTING DEPRESSION AND
ALCOHOL PROBLEMS

PP21 Anoop Sankaranarayanan
AN ANALYSIS OF SUICIDE DATA IN CURRENT PATIENTS OF THE HUNTER NEW
ENGLAND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: SOME INTERESTING RURAL URBAN
DIFFERENCES

PP22 Lana Williams
EFFECT OF SSRIs ON HUMAN OSTEOCLAST FORMATION AND FUNCTION

PP23 Katie Douglas
ABNORMAL RESPONSE TO EMOTIONAL STIMULI IN DEPRESSION: THE CLINICAL
IMPLICATIONS

PP24 Transferred to an oral presentation
PP25 Prashanth Mayur
ACUTE EFFECTS OF HYPERVENTILATION DURING ELECTROCONVULSIVE
THERAPY ON COGNITION, QUANTUM OF ANTIDEPRESSANT RESPONSE,
THRESHOLD AND ICTAL-EEG QUALITY. A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY

PP26 Suzi Riess
THE INTERACTION BETWEEN IVF HORMONE TREATMENT AND MOOD

PP27 Matthew Hyett
THE IMPACT OF GENERAL PRACTITIONER GENDER ON THE MANAGEMENT OF A
DEPRESSED PATIENT

PP28 Seetal Dodd
EARLY AGE OF ONSET IS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH RATES OF ANXIETY
COMORBIDITY IN BIPOLAR I AND SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDERS

PP29 Transferred to an oral presentation
PP30 Tania Perich
MINDFULNESS BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER

PP31 Jayashri Kulkarni
TWO-YEAR TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF AN AUSTRALIAN OUTPATIENT COHORT
WITH BIPOLAR I OR SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER

PP32 Racheal Degabriele
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF FACE PROCESSING IN BIPOLAR
DISORDER: AN ERP STUDY

Aim: To measure the HG and PT in SCZ patients with
DOES SIZE MATTER? THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN HIPPOCAMPAL VOLUME AND
Method: Forty-three patients with SCZ with TR-AH and
25 matched healthy controls underwent psychiatric
MEMORY ABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH
assessments and neuroimaging. Regions of interest TREATMENT RESISTANT MDD
(ROIs) volumetrics were determined by manual Kate Hoy, Jerome J. Maller, Sally Herring, Susan
Results: In SCZ, raw HG volumes on the right were
McQueen, Rebecca Segrave, Paul Fitzgerald
significantly smaller but not when normalized by Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University intracranial or total brain volume (TBV). By contrast, left School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological TBV-normalized HG volumes were significantly larger in females with SCZ. Right and left mean PT volumes were significantly reduced in both sexes but not in Background: While it is generally accepted that males when normalized.
memory is unlikely to be localised to a specific brain region, there is considerable evidence that the medial Conclusions: Right and left PT and right HG volumes
were reduced in patients with TR-AH SCZ, although the
temporal lobe (MTL) is crucial for aspects of episodic reduction was greatest in the PT and among females. memory. One such MTL structure shown to be heavily Left HG volumes in males were similar between involved in memory is the hippocampus; a finding controls and the clinical group and significantly larger in which has lead to numerous investigations examining SCZ females. Reduced left PT and preserved HG the relationship between memory performance and symmetry may be a marker of SCZ with TR-AH. hippocampal volume. These studies have been conducted in participants with known memory deficits, i.e., those with psychiatric disorders, with highly PP03
divergent findings.
MULTIMODAL ASSESSMENT OF AUDITORY
Aims: to directly examine the relationship between
PREPULSE INHIBITION IN PARKINSON’S
hippocampal volume and the retention of verbal DISEASE AND SCHIZOPHRENIA
memory in a specific group of patients – treatment
resistant major depressive disorder (MDD). Linda E. Campbell, Ross Fulham, Matthew Hughes,
Method: Twenty Nine subjects with treatment-resistant
Alexander Provost, Bill (Timothy, W) Budd, Patrick
MDD underwent neuropsychological assessment and Johnston, Mary-Claire Hanlon, Kathryn McCabe,
Frini Karayanidis, and Ulrich Schall
Results: There were a number of significant negative
Priority Research Centre for Brain & Mental Health correlations between measures of hippocampal Research, University of Newcastle; Australia, volume, with the exception of measures of hippocampal Schizophrenia Research Institute, Australia; Hunter tail volume alone, and verbal memory retention. Medical Research Institute, Australia. Conclusions: Given the known memory deficits in this
patient population, the current results appear to support Background: Disrupted sensorimotor gating has been
the contention that a larger hippocampus does not found in various neuropsychiatric conditions which are necessarily indicate better memory. Such a finding might in fact be indicative of inefficient memory, a neurotransmission. conclusion which has been suggested by recent meta- Aims: Previous findings suggest disrupted
analyses of hippocampal volume-memory studies. sensorimotor gating in schizophrenia (SCZ) and facilitated sensorimotor gating in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The current study aimed to investigate the neural SUPERIOR TEMPORAL GYRUS SUBVOLUMES
networks underlying sensorimotor gating by multimodal IN TREATMENT-RESISTANT SCHIZOPHRENIA
recordings of auditory prepulse inhibition (PPI). WITH AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS.
Method: PPI was assessed electromyographically
(startle eyeblinks), electroencephalographically (P300) Paul Fitzgerald, Jerome Maller, Faranak Farzan, Jeff
and by functional magnetic resonance imaging (Blood Z. Daskalakis
oxygen level-dependent brain activation) in 17 SCZ Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred and subjects, 23 PD subjects, and age-matched healthy Monash University School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Results: Multiple regression analysis of blood
oxygenation level-dependent contrasts identified Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of activation in the pons, thalamus, caudate nuclei, left angular gyrus and bilaterally in anterior cingulate, associated with electromyographically recorded Background: It has been suggested that treatment-
sensorimotor gating. Subsequent planned contrasts resistant auditory hallucinations (TR-AH) in also confirmed increased superior frontal and schizophrenia (SCZ) are associated with abnormalities decreased superior temporal gyri activation for PPI that of the superior temporal gyrus, specifically Heschl’s was not associated with electromyographically gyrus (HG) and Planum temporale([PT). However, few studies have investigated this region in patients with Conclusion: Our findings are consistent with a primary
pontine circuitry of sensorimotor gating that interconnects with inferior parietal, superior temporal, 1Academic Discipline of Psychological Medicine, frontal and prefrontal cortices via thalamus and striatum Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, while PPI processes in the prefrontal, frontal and Australia. superior temporal cortex were functionally distinct from 2Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway Background: Converging behavioural and
neuroimaging evidence using high-level verbal or visual THE ORIGINS OF ANXIETY? : FMRI IN
ToM stimuli suggests that the ability to represent one’s CHILDREN WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS
own and another persons’ mental states is impaired in patients with schizophrenia. UNDERGOING PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT
Aim: In this study we investigate whether these
purported ToM deficits in patients with schizophrenia in Mariam Alexander1,2, Jim Lagopoulos1,2, Pritha
‘dedicated’ mentalizing networks can be further defined Das1,2, Nicholas Kowalenko3, Steven Spielman3,
using complex, nonverbal stimuli that are designed to Julie Braithwaite3, Emma Gallagher3, Gin S. Malhi1,2
CADE Clinic, Department of Academic Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW Australia Methods: Functional fMRI were acquired in 20
schizophrenia and 20 healthy control subjects during Discipline of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of the presentation of ToM and random-motion animated Medicine, University of Sydney, NSW Australia sequences. Both within- and between-group analyses Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Royal were performed on fMRI data using Statistical North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW Australia Background: Anxiety is the most common of the
Results: Consistent with earlier findings control
childhood emotional disorders and is associated with subjects exhibit activations within a specialised network health and social problems both in childhood and including the middle and inferior frontal gyri, middle adulthood. Psychological treatments for anxiety are temporal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule and occipital preferred by patients of all ages as compared to cortex. Schizophrenia patients on the other hand show pharmacological interventions. However, the neural activity primarily in the occipital and temporal cortices mechanisms of psychological treatment are poorly but have diminished prefrontal cortical activation. understood. Conclusion: The primary findings from this study
suggest that schizophrenia patients’ deficit in making
Aims: This study that I (Mariam Alexander) have
undertaken as part of my NSW Institute of Psychiatry
inferences about other people’s mental state may in Fellowship aims to identify the neurobiological part be a consequence of a failure to activate the mechanisms of anxiety in childhood, by providing an prefrontal cortex. The implications and in particular the insight into the neural networks involved in generating emotional connotations will be presented and and maintaining anxiety states. We also aim to discussed. correlate putative changes with treatment outcome. Method: Anxious children and adolescents from RNSH
Child and Adolescent Anxiety Clinic are being recruited FUNCTIONAL BRAIN IMAGING OF
for this study and compared against age-matched non- RECOGNITION OF INTENTION TO
anxious controls. Prior to commencing psychological COMMUNICATE
treatment, both anxious children and healthy controls undergo a full clinical and neuropsychological Mary-Claire Hanlon, Gavin Cooper, Robyn
assessment to determine the nature and degree of the Langdon, W. Ross Fulham, Sandra Bucci, Ulrich
anxiety. Both groups then have a research fMRI scan involving an executive function and facial emotion Priority Research Centre for Brain & Mental Health recognition task. At the end of the prescribed Research psychological treatment, subjects have a repeat clinical evaluation in order to determine their response to Hunter Medical Research Institute Results: We have initiated the study and scanned
Background: Theory of Mind is the capacity to
subjects as young as 8 years old. Preliminary data recognise, interpret and predict identity, perception, indicates the anticipated engagement of fMRI stimuli. emotion and belief of other people in social interaction. Complete data and inferences will be presented at the A particular element of this social cognition is the recognition of the “intention to communicate”. Aims: We aimed to compare brain activation
associated with two tasks: (1) discriminating brief video THEORY OF MIND (TOM) IN SCHIZOPHRENIA:
clips showing well-known gestures versus incidental A FUNCTIONAL MRI STUDY
movements by an actor and (2) discriminating brief audio clips of communicative sounds versus noise. Pritha Das , Jim Lagopoulos , Antony Henderson ,
Method: Video clips were taken from Bucci et al. (Br. J.
Carissa M. Coulston , Oddbjørn Sæther , Gin S.
Psychol. 47: 232-334; 2008). Auditory stimuli were selected from a novel data set based on ratings on familiarity, source type, emotional salience, and meaningfulness, thus leading to a subset of 30 stimuli where the intention to communicate was either evident, AUSTRALIAN ESTIMATES OF PROBABLE
absent, or ambiguous. Both sets of stimuli were DEMENTIA AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: THE
presented whilst collecting functional magnetic DYNOPTA STUDY
Results: The identification of gestures was closely
Kaarin J. Anstey1, M.A. Luszcz2, L. Ross-Meadows1,
associated with activation in left-hemispheric language Kim Kiely1, David Steel3, Carole Birrel3, and the
processing areas while differential auditory cortex Dynopta Investigators
activation was associated with the identification of 1Australian National University, Canberra, Australia intentional versus to non-intentional auditory stimuli. 2Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia Conclusion: Our preliminary findings suggest a distinct
pattern of brain activation for each of the two tasks. This project aimed to estimate rates of cognitive impairment/probable dementia in the Dynopta study. BASIC NUMERICAL CAPACITIES IN VELO-
The Dynopta datafile is a newly derived dataset based CARDIO-FACIAL SYNDROME (22Q11.2
on 9 contributing Australian Longitudinal Studies of DELETION SYNDROME)
Ageing. MMSE Data were available for 8835 participants (51.5% female) between the years 1991 Luke Reeves1, Rayna Azuma3, Angela Stevens3,
and 2004. The ages ranged from 50 to 103 years, with Annette Karmiloff-Smith5, Robin Morris3, Kieran C.
a mean age of 71.6 (SD = 9.2). The data were drawn Murphy4, Declan G.M. Murphy3, Ulrich Schall1,2,
from Canberra, Adelaide, the Blue Mountains, Frini Karayanidis1, Linda E. Campbell1,2,3
Melbourne and Sydney. Rural participants were 1Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health underrepresented. Probable dementia was classified as Research, University of Newcastle, NSW Australia, a score of <= 24 on the MMSE. Possible cognitive 2Schizophrenia Research Institute, 3King’s College impairment was classified as a score of 24-26 on the London, Institute of Psychiatry, UK, 4Royal College of MMSE. Results showed that below the age of 65, 5.6% Surgeons in Ireland, 5University of London, Birkbeck. were cognitively impaired. The unweighted probable dementia rates of participants aged 65-69, 70-74, 75- Background: Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) is
79, 80-84, 85-89 and 90+ were 4%, 9.6%, 15.5%, one of the most common genetic syndromes with a 21.8%, 31.1%, and 51.3% respectively. The documented prevalence of 1:4000 live births. People unweighted possible cognitive impairment rates for the with VCFS often have palatal and cardiac same age groups were 5.7%, 11.3%, 12.8%, 17.3%, abnormalities, learning difficulties and a high 19.8%, and 15.3% respectively Males were prevalence of mental health problems, such as autism, overrepresented in each age group. Regional and ADHD and psychosis. In the last decade research has sampling differences were evaluated and weighted found that people with VCFS have specific cognitive estimates will also be reported. These estimates are profiles with particular difficulties in e.g., mathematics. compared with other published Australian and However, very little research has systematically International estimates of the prevalence of dementia investigated the basic numerical abilities in people with Aims: The current study aims to investigate the PP09
underlying mechanisms of mathematical deficits in AUSTRALIAN ESTIMATES OF PROBABLE
DEMENTIA AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT:
Methods: The current study investigated numerical
THE DYNOPTA STUDY
abilities in 50 children and adolescents with VCFS and 31 of their age-matched siblings. The participants Kaarin J. Anstey1, M.A. Luszcz2, L. Ross-Meadows1,
completed a battery of tests including, intellectual Kim Kiely1, David Steel3, Carole Birrel3, and the
functioning, academic achievement tasks and also Dynopta Investigators
basic tests of numeracy, such as tests of the symbolic 1Australian National University, Canberra, Australia distance effect, number processing and calculations. 2 Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia The study aims to investigate if people with VCFS have a general impairment of mathematics or if the observed difficulties are associated with specific deficits of This project aimed to estimate rates of cognitive impairment/probable dementia in the Dynopta study. Results: We found that people with VCFS have The Dynopta datafile is a newly derived dataset based
mathematical disorders with specific numerical deficits. on 9 contributing Australian Longitudinal Studies of Conclusions: Mathematical impairments in VCFS are
Ageing. MMSE Data were available for 8835 associated with basic numerical deficits. Further participants (51.5% female) between the years 1991 analyses will investigate the relationship between these and 2004. The ages ranged from 50 to 103 years, with a mean age of 71.6 (SD = 9.2). The data were drawn from Canberra, Adelaide, the Blue Mountains, Melbourne and Sydney. Rural participants were underrepresented. Probable dementia was classified as a score of <= 24 on the MMSE. Possible cognitive impairment was classified as a score of 24-26 on the MMSE. Results showed that below the age of 65, 5.6% SUCCESSFUL AGEING AND AGEING-IN-PLACE:
were cognitively impaired. The unweighted probable MINIMISING UNMET NEED
dementia rates of participants aged 65-69, 70-74, 75- 79, 80-84, 85-89 and 90+ were 4%, 9.6%, 15.5%, Natalie Chan1, Kaarin J. Anstey1, Tim D. Windsor1,
21.8%, 31.1%, and 51.3% respectively. The Mary A. Luszcz2
unweighted possible cognitive impairment rates for the 1Centre for Mental Health Research, The Australian same age groups were 5.7%, 11.3%, 12.8%, 17.3%, 19.8%, and 15.3% respectively Males were 2School of Psychology, Flinders University, Australia overrepresented in each age group. Regional and sampling differences were evaluated and weighted Many industrialised nations are currently experiencing estimates will also be reported. These estimates are a growing demand to ensure that their community care compared with other published Australian and policies (i.e., services that enable older adults to remain International estimates of the prevalence of dementia living independently in their own homes for as long as feasible) are both effective and financially sustainable. Important components of community care policies include the provision of formal services; supporting ANXIETY AND BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN
informal carers and minimising unmet need. The latter COMMUNITY SAMPLES OF MEN AND WOMEN
has been found to be related to a range of negative outcomes including poorer mental health, lower quality Lana J. Williams1, Ottar Bjerkeset2, Siri Forsmo3,
of life and an increased risk of institutionalisation (1,2). Arnulf Langhammer2, Berit Schei3, Julie A. Pasco1,
This paper aims to address a research gap by Michael Berk1
examining whether certain support combinations (i.e., 1 The University of Melbourne, Department of Clinical whether assistance is received from informal and/or and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, Australia formal sources) are more effective than others in 2 HUNT Research Centre, Department of minimising unmet need. Data were drawn from Wave 1 Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing. The University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, sample comprised 1961 community-dwelling older adults. Contrary to expectations, binary logistic 3 Department of Community Medicine and General regression analyses indicated that receipt of any type Practice, Norwegian University of Science and of support (informal only, formal only, or both informal and formal support) was related to a higher likelihood of unmet need. In addition, whilst increasing functional Background: Previous research has demonstrated
limitation was related to a higher likelihood of unmet reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in individuals with need for those receiving no support, for those receiving depression. This is yet to be examined among any type of support, increasing functional limitation was individuals with anxiety. related to a lower likelihood of unmet need. We discuss Aims: This study investigated the association between
our findings in relation to theories of successful ageing case level anxiety and BMD in a population-based and current community care policies. sample of men (n=1181) and women (n=7471) participating in the second Nord-Trøndelag Health 1. Tennstedt, S., McKinlay, J., & Kasten, L. (1994). Unmet need among disabled elders: A problem in access to community long term care. Method: Anxiety symptoms were self-reported using
the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A), and caseness was defined as a score ≥ 8. BMD was measured at the forearm using single-energy x-ray PP12
bone absorptiometry. Information on lifestyle factors GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA:
and medication use was obtained via questionnaire.
RESULTS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN
Results: 124 men (10.5%) and 1180 women (15.8%)
SCHIZOPHRENIA CARE AND ASSESSMENT
were identified with anxiety. In men, age-weight- PROGRAM (SCAP)
smoking-adjusted BMD was 3.0% lower at the ultradistal forearm for those with anxiety (p=0.01). BMD Sacha Filia1, Kate Filia1, Paul B. Fitzgerald1,
tended to be lower at the distal forearm (p=0.18). In Anthony de Castella1, William Montgomery2,
women, weight was an effect modifier in the Jayashri Kulkarni1
association between anxiety and BMD. Age-weight-
1 Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred and smoking-activity-HT-calcium adjusted BMD at the distal (p=0.03) and ultradistal (p=0.02) forearm was lower for heavier women with anxiety but this relationship diminished with decreasing weight. Background: The experience of schizophrenia differs
Conclusion: BMD was lower among men and women
between genders. Gender differences are evident in with anxiety. This was not explained by anthropometry age at onset, symptom expression, illness course and or lifestyle factors and was independent of co-morbid Aims: To examine gender differences in the fertile couples. Anxiety was able to predict SRG for
demographic, clinical and outcome variables in an fertile couples in a positive linear direction.
Australian cohort of people with schizophrenia. Psychological distress was able to predict SRG for Method: The Schizophrenia Care and Assessment
Program (SCAP) is a prospective longitudinal Conclusion: It is possible that both positive and
observational study of people with schizophrenia and
negative psycho-social outcomes can co-occur for related disorders. 350 participants were seen 6-monthly individuals experiencing cancer and its treatment for 3-years. Assessments included clinical measures effects. Anxiety is able to lead to an increase in stress such as the Positive and Negative Symptom Rating Scale (PANSS) and the Montgomery-Asberg
Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Other clinical PP14
variables including medications, side-effects, and THE ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT SATISFACTION
hospitalisations were recorded. Outcome variables AS A MODERATOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL
were assessed using the Quality of Life Scale (QLS), DISTRESS IN THE CONTEXT OF CANCER
the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and the SCAP Health Questionnaire. The economic impact of Jodie Fleming1, Martin Johnson
the condition was assessed using direct and indirect 1 School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Results: 347 people (132 females, 215 males)
participated. Female participants were significantly older than their male counterparts (mean overall age Background: Coping literature emphasises the
33.8±11 years). Despite significantly lower overall importance of social support satisfaction as a psychopathology, females with schizophrenia were mechanism for moderating the stress experience. more expensive to treat in the inpatient setting. Aims: The current study examined the role of social
Compared to males, the females in SCAP reported support satisfaction in negative outcomes including significantly higher levels of functioning and quality of anxiety, depression and psychological distress. Method: A path analysis was undertaken on a sample
of cancer patients and carers using the data describing
Conclusion: Gender differences in schizophrenia exist
with important clinical implications for the assessment
satisfaction with social support, coping style, and psychological distress. Participants (N=118) completed the self-report measures Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Coping Responses Inventory (CRI), the Significant Others Scale (SOS), Marital Satisfaction STRESS RELATED GROWTH AND NEGATIVE
Questionnaire (MSQ), and the revised version of the OUTCOMES WITH FAMILIES DEALING WITH
Stress Related Growth Scale (RSRGS). Multiple linear INFERTILITY CAUSED BY CANCER: A CO-
regressions were run for each variable for males, OCCURRENCE MODEL
females, patients, partners, infertile couples and fertile Jodie Fleming1, Martin Johnson
Results: Results indicate that it is social support
1 School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, satisfaction and not the total number of social supports that is able to predict anxiety, depression and psychological distress. Satisfaction with spousal social Background: Research suggests that stress related
support was a predictor of total social support growth can co-occur with negative psychological satisfaction across all groups. Familial social support experiences. However, to date there is little empirical was a predictor of total social support satisfaction for Aims: The aim of the present study was to explore the
Conclusion: Satisfaction with social support, not the
co-occurrence model within the context of couples total number of social supports, is the active coping with infertility caused by cancer and/or its component in the moderation of psychological distress treatment. Method: A path analysis was undertaken on a sample
of cancer patients and carers using the data describing satisfaction with social support, coping style, and HOPES REVISITED – INTRODUCING A 12-ITEM
psychological distress. Participants (N=118) completed SCALE FOR MEASURING PERSONAL
the self-report measures Brief Symptom Inventory HOPEFULNESS (HOPES-12)
(BSI), the Coping Responses Inventory (CRI), the Significant Others Scale (SOS), Marital Satisfaction Terry J. Lewin1,2, Kenneth P. Nunn1, Vaughan J.
Questionnaire (MSQ), and the revised version of the Carr1,2, Brian Kelly3, Helen J. Stain2,3, Clare
Stress Related Growth Scale (RSRGS). Multiple linear Coleman3, Ketrina A. Sly1
regressions were run using each variable for males, 1 Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, The females, patients, partners, infertile and fertile couples. University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Results: Results indicated that stress related growth
(SRG) predicted psychological distress for males and 2 Schizophrenia Research Institute, Australia fertile couples and depression for fertile couples. 3 Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (Orange), Depression was able to predict a decline in SRG for The University of Newcastle, Australia collected for consenting consecutively admitted Background: In the 1980’s we developed a 20-item
patients of The Alfred Psychiatry Inpatient Unit. self-administered measure of global personal Results: Many psychiatry inpatients experienced highly
hopefulness (the Hunter Opinions and Personal unstable accommodation pre-admission, which was
Expectations Scale, HOPES-20). Recently, we have related to LOS and risk of readmission. This resulted in
produced an abbreviated version (HOPES-12), with a
inpatient staff often arranging discharge modified scoring scheme, for potential use in accommodation that was not ideal, complicating epidemiological and clinical research. ongoing community mental health follow-up. Symptom Aims: To introduce the HOPES-12 and outline its
severity and dual diagnosis were also complicating properties, using data from the original HOPES-20 factors, highlighting the need to consider community studies (N=770), two schizophrenia studies accommodation within a holistic approach to care (N=283), and the current Australian Rural Mental delivery. Health Study (ARMHS) (approx. N=350). Conclusion: Stabilization of accommodation plays a
Method: Item and factor analyses will be reported,
key role in supporting the mental health and together with a variety of subgroup comparisons. psychosocial outcomes of psychiatric patients. Results: The HOPES-12 is performing satisfactorily.
For example, within the schizophrenia samples, the PP17
Hope (H12_HS) and Despair Subscales (H12_DS) QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN PSYCHIATRY
correlate -0.36 and have acceptable Cronbach alphas (0.78, 0.72), with 0.94 correlations between the H20 and H12 versions. For Global Personal Hopefulness Shona Crabb1, Anna Chur-Hansen1
(H12_GPH), the corresponding values are 0.79 and Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, SA, Australia Conclusion: Trait measures, such as personal
hopefulness, have been shown to be potentially useful
Background: There are a number of different
qualitative research methods which can offer significant
predictors of psychopathology and other responses to benefits to psychiatric research. These include thematic adverse events. Simplifying the instrument should analysis, discourse analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, ethnography, case studies Aims: The aim here is to outline and review some of
ACCOMMODATION STATUS, SYMPTOM
the qualitative approaches that can be of use in SEVERITY AND THE IMPACT ON INPATIENT
psychiatric research, with reference to examples of PSYCHIATRY LENGTH OF STAY AND
READMISSION RATE
Conclusion: Qualitative research methods are
currently under-utilised in psychiatric research, and can Adiel Bonett1, Steven Tahtalian1,2, Stuart Lee2,
bring a range of benefits to research conducted in this Frances Biffin2, Jayashri Kulkarni1,2, Julian Freiden1
field. Furthermore, psychiatrists are well placed to , Brent Hayward1, Yitzchak Hollander1,2
apply to qualitative methodologies the skills that they 1Department of Psychiatry, Alfred Hospital, Victoria, acquire through training. Such skills include interview Australia. techniques, case write-ups, mental status 2Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash examinations, history taking, and phenomenological Background: Stability of accommodation is closely
linked to outcomes for people with mental illness. IMPROVING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL
Chronic stress associated with accommodation WELLBEING OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF
instability can exacerbate psychiatric symptoms. HOME BASED PALLIATIVE CARE PATIENTS:
Frequently moving also disrupts social networks, removing supports that can prevent or minimize relapse A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL
rate and severity. Living homeless is particularly
traumatizing and socially disruptive, and often Peter Hudson1, Brian Kelly2, Lynn Oldham3, Tom
associated with itinerancy and poor engagement with
Trauer4, Denika Novello2, Kristina Thomas1, Ruth
mental health support. Coupled with increased risk of comorbid substance abuse, homelessness often results Centre for Palliative care Education and Research, in a cycle of crisis medical presentations. Stabilizing accommodation has however become more difficult, Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, with the past decade witnessing reductions in Victoria of available crisis or temporary accommodation WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, WA impacting psychiatric inpatient discharge planning. St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne 5 Greater Western Area Health Service, NSW Method: To explore the impact of accommodation
status and symptom severity on inpatient length of stay (LOS) and readmission rate, pre- and post-admission Aims: This study will examine the effectiveness of an
intervention aimed at improving psychological
accommodation status, demographics and symptom outcomes for caregivers of home based palliative care severity (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale - BPRS) were patients. The study is being conducted across three community-based sites - Melbourne Citymission PP20
Palliative Care (VIC), Silver Chain Hospice (WA), and VALIDATION OF THE ‘DIFFICULTIES IN
Greater Western Area Health Service Oncology and EMOTION REGULATION SCALE’ (DERS) IN
TWO SAMPLES: SCHIZOPHRENIA AND CO-
Method: An RCT with approximately 100 participants
per site is being conducted. Participants (carers of EXISTING DEPRESSION AND ALCOHOL
people receiving home based palliative care) are PROBLEMS
randomly allocated to either a control group or an
intervention group, each continuing usual care. The 3
Marianne Ayre1,2, Amanda Baker2,3, Vaughan Carr2,3,
session intervention is delivered in the home and via Terry Lewin1,3
telephone by a palliative care nurse. A rural version of the intervention is being trialed at the NSW site. Data is University of Newcastle, Australia collected three times: pre-intervention; post Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, intervention; and three months following bereavement. Measures include emotional wellbeing, social support, optimism, grief, caregiver confidence, appraisal of Background: Emotional dysregulation is a central
caregiving, rewards of caregiving, preparedness for feature in many mental health disorders such as co-
caregiving, and unmet needs.
existing depression and alcohol problems and schizophrenia. However, there are few measures Conclusions: Analyses will be conducted to examine
differences across conditions and sites.
designed to capture the construct. Recently Gratz & Roemer (2004) developed a scale that assessed four domains of emotional regulation: (a) awareness and understanding of emotions; (b) acceptance of OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CAMPS FOR YOUNG
emotions; (c) ability to control impulsive behaviours and ADULTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
to behave in accordance with desired goals when experiencing negative emotions; and (d) ability to use Sue M. Cotton1, Liz Leorke2
situational-appropriate emotion regulation strategies 1 ORYGEN Youth Health Research Centre, Department flexibly. Empirical evidence supports the distinct but of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, related nature of these four domains. The utility of the DERS in clinical populations remains unclear. 2 YMCA Victoria, Fairfield, Australia Aim: To determine the utility of the DERS in two
clinical populations; individuals diagnosed with Background: Advances in psychopharmacology schizophrenia, and individuals with co-existing
improve symptom outcomes for young adults with depression and alcohol problems. mental illness, however, functioning and social Method: A total of 550 subjects will be recruited; 200
participation can still be affected. Alternative models healthy controls, 130 volunteers diagnosed with such as outdoor adventure programs, encourage schizophrenia, and 220 volunteers diagnosed with co- engagement and increase functioning. This has led to existing depression and alcohol problems. Participants the development of Mental Health Access and will be asked to complete general socio-demographics and the DERS measure. Control participants will also Aims: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the
be asked to complete a re-test on the DERS. program model and outcomes of an outdoor adventure Results: Item and factor analyses will be reported,
camping program for young adults (18-25 years) with Conclusion: Having a simple measure of emotional
Method: An outdoor adventure camping program was
dysregulation across a number of domains that developed by YMCA Victoria in partnership with Sport highlights clinical problems will allow specific targets for and Recreation Victoria, and mental health service intervention. agencies. ORYGEN was commission to evaluate the Results: Data of the evaluation of the logistics of the
program will be presented. Also presented will be AN ANALYSIS OF SUICIDE DATA IN CURRENT
preliminary outcomes pertaining to self-esteem, PATIENTS OF THE HUNTER NEW ENGLAND
mastery of skill, social connectedness, and quality of
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: SOME
INTERESTING RURAL URBAN DIFFERENCES
Conclusion: This project has demonstrated that
utilizing the expertise of mental health services and a
Anoop Sankaranarayanan1, Gregory Carter1,2, Terry
community recreation provider benefits young adults J. Lewin1
1 Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Hunter New England Mental Health Service and the University
of Newcastle, Australia; 2 Calvary Mater Newcastle
Hospital
Background: There is a higher community rate of
suicide in rural versus urban populations and mental
health patients have a differential suicide attempt rate
by service type in Australia.
Aims: This study compared rural versus urban rates of
OC number, whereas sertraline may not only inhibit OC suicide death in current patients of a large area mental formation but also affect mature OC resorptive function. Conclusion: SSRIs directly effect human OC formation
Method: Suicide deaths were identified from and function and may alter bone homeostasis in vivo,
compulsory Root Cause Analyses of patients who died
however the nature and clinical significance of this by suicide in a 5 year period, 2003 to 2007. Age effect is poorly understood. Considerable differences in standardised rates of suicide were calculated for 2 effect on OC were observed between different SSRIs. groups; rural versus urban mental health service (at the last service contact). Rates were compared using PP23
Variance of Age standardised rates with 95% CIs. ABNORMAL RESPONSE TO EMOTIONAL
Results: There were a total of 44 suicides. There was
STIMULI IN DEPRESSION: THE CLINICAL
a male preponderance (73%), more with inpatient IMPLICATIONS
treatment (75%) and the majority were rural (62%). The commonest method was hanging (60%) with firearm Katie Douglas, Richard Porter
suicides (11%) exclusive to rural subjects. Rural mental Department of Psychological Medicine, University of health patients had a 2.7 times higher Age Otago – Christchurch, New Zealand standardised rate. There was a significant different in rates; rural suicides 3.09 /100,000/year (1.86-4.31CI Background: Neuropsychological studies of
95%) and urban suicides 1.15 /100,000/year (0.54- depression consistently reveal biases towards 1.75CI 95%), p < 0.05. Rural rates were higher than negatively valenced stimuli (Murphy et al., 1999) and abnormal responses to negative feedback (Beats, Discussion: Rural rates of suicide are greater in rural
Sahakian, & Levy, 1996; Elliott et al., 1996). than urban mental health populations, which is a similar Aims: To examine further the nature of this impairment
pattern to rural versus urban differentials for community and its clinical significance. The aim of our first study suicide in Australia. These differences in mental health was to investigate the ‘catastrophic response to failure’ populations may simply be a reflection of the underlying in depression. Unlike most previous studies, latency of community rates; or differences in access to treatment, response and delay condition data were included in the hospitalisation, after-care for inpatients, or analysis. Our second study is being conducted socioeconomic levels; or accounted for by currently and investigates the use of two facial emotion ascertainment biases, in the identification of cases or perception tasks in early treatment of severe Method: In Study 1, 44 unmedicated outpatients with a
primary diagnosis of major depression and an equal EFFECT OF SSRIs ON HUMAN OSTEOCLAST
number of matched healthy controls performed the FORMATION AND FUNCTION
simultaneous/delayed matching to sample task (S/DMTS). In Study 2, severely depressed inpatients Jason Hodge,1 Lana Williams,1 Seetal Dodd,1
and matched controls completed facial emotion Geoffrey Nicholson,1 Michael Berk,1,2,3
recognition (or perception) tasks on admission to 1 Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, hospital, 10-14 days later, and at 6 weeks. Results: In Study 1, depressed patients performed
2 Orygen Research Centre, Parkville significantly worse than controls on the S/DMTS task. Furthermore, the overall probability of making an error following feedback indicating that an error had been Background: SSRIs regulate serotonin (5-HT) made on the directly preceding trial was significantly
signalling in bone cells and thus may influence bone
greater in the depressed group (t=-2.60, d.f.=69.44, P=0.01). Preliminary results from the second study will Aims: To investigate if SSRIs can influence human
osteoclast (OC) formation and function in vitro. Conclusion: Overall, the findings from Study 1 show
Method: Human OC generation and function was
support for the concept of abnormal response to assessed on dentine substrate. Cultures were treated negative feedback in depressed patients. The ability of with citalopram, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine or facial perception tasks to predict response to treatment fluoxetine at 0.3 and 3.0 μM and incubated for 14 days. Results: At 3.0 μM, sertraline and paroxetine
decreased OC number (-23% and -28%) whereas PP24
citalopram increased OC number (+26%). Sertraline, Transferred to an Oral Presentation
fluoxetine and paroxetine increased OC size (+83%, +70 and +40%) but there was no effect on nuclei number per cell, indicating that size increases were due to cytoplasmic spreading and not cell fusion. Fluoxetine and paroxetine decreased resorption (-28% and –29%), whereas sertraline decreased resorption by 60%. Only sertraline decreased resorption per osteoclast (-47%) suggesting that the decreases in total resorption seen for fluoxetine and paroxetine may reflect a reduction in interpretation of results is difficult due to study ACUTE EFFECTS OF HYPERVENTILATION
heterogeneity and methodological problems. DURING ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY
Aims: This study aims to examine the dynamic
interplay between fertility hormones and women’s
ON COGNITION, QUANTUM OF
mood states, particularly depression and anxiety, and ANTIDEPRESSANT RESPONSE, THRESHOLD
to assess whether women with differing baseline levels AND ICTAL-EEG QUALITY. A RANDOMIZED
of pyschopathology react differently to fertility DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY
Method: A community sample of women (25 to 45
Prashanth Mayur, Amanda Bray, Joe Fernandez
years) are currently being recruited. Participants Cumberland Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia. complete psychological questionnaires (including Beck depression (BDI-II) and anxiety (BAI) inventories, and a Hyperventilation is an often used procedure to augment recent life events survey) at three time points over an seizure induction during electroconvulsive therapy. IVF cycle: pre-treatment, during treatment and post- Studies so far have shown that when hyperventilation is provided passively after the usual anaesthetic Results: Data is still being gathered and will be
induction, seizure length increases. Distinct analysed using repeated measures ANOVAs to physiological changes i.e. reduction of alveolar CO2 compare women with varying baseline levels of have been shown with hyperventilation. However, its depression/anxiety. Final results will be presented. effect on other seizure and clinical parameters such as Conclusion: This study’s results will further
seizure threshold and quality, cognitive and understanding of fertility hormones’ psychological antidepressant effects are yet to be systematically impact during the IVF cycle and will have clinical implications regarding development of sensitive screening tools and tailored psychological In this study, consecutive consenting patients (n=25) over a two year period (June 2006 to June 2008) who were referred to ECT for treatment of Major depression entered the study. All patients received Right Unilateral ECT. During the first ECT, threshold stimulus dose was THE IMPACT OF GENERAL PRACTITIONER
measured using standard Duke University protocol. GENDER ON THE MANAGEMENT OF A
From the second ECT onwards, the stimulus dose was
DEPRESSED PATIENT
three times the threshold dose. Patients were
randomized using the SNOSE method into Gordon Parker1,2, Matthew Hyett1,2
Hyperventilation or No Hyperventilation at the second, third and the fourth ECT sessions. In this study, Black Dog Institute, New South Wales, Australia. passive Hyperventilation is defined as passive hyperventilation of 25 breaths given between induction Aims: In Australia, up to a quarter of all primary care
and electrical stimulation. Thresholds were re- presentations involve mental disorders (1). High rates determined at the fifth ECT session. Baseline of depression mean that general practitioners (GPs) demographic details were collected. Clinical, cognitive play a particularly important role in providing adequate and ictal-EEG quality ratings were collected at baseline treatment. Several studies have identified that GPs fail and during the course of the ECT .The results are to detect depression in up to 50% of cases (2), raising being analyzed and will be duly discussed. the question as to the level of care provided for patients inherently in need. It has been previously reported that male and female GPs differ in the length of time they spend in consultation with their general patients (3). THE INTERACTION BETWEEN IVF HORMONE
These findings, in addition to anecdotal claims of TREATMENT AND MOOD
gender differences in the treatment of depression by GPs led to the current study being undertaken. We first Suzi Riess1, Diana Korevaar2, Jayashri Kulkarni1
sought to determine whether differing levels of care 1Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred existed in practice. Further, if there were any
Hospital and Monash University School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, VIC, Australia Methods: First, referral letters from 100 GPs to a
specialised psychiatric depression clinic were analysed by word count and gender of referrer. Second, a web- Background: Fertility-enhancing hormones have based survey of 517 participants inquired as to how
neuroendocrine consequences, and may affect they perceived their first encounter for depression with women’s mood states via numerous pathways, a GP in terms of levels of management nuances. The including alterations in oestrogen and progesterone interpersonal style of the practitioner was also levels, which in turn influence serotonergic systems. IVF therapy involves numerous hormones, generally Results: Our first study established that female
including gonadotrophin-releasing agonists, practitioners wrote distinctly longer referral letters. Our gonadotrophins, human chorionic gonadotrophin and second study identified that female practitioners were progesterone. Research investigating psychological seen as distinctly more caring over a range of side effects of IVF hormones is limited in scope, and parameters including being more likely to listen to the patient. Other practitioner/patient gender differences were also observed, including female patients being MINDFULNESS BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY
less likely to return to their male practitioner and male FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER
practitioners being more likely to prescribe Vijaya Manicavasagar, Tania Perich, Philip Mitchell,
Conclusion: Reasons why female practitioners are
Jillian Ball, Justine Corry
viewed as more caring – and any impact on the School of Psychiatry, University of NSW and Black Dog management of those with a depressive disorder – as well as prescribing practices across practitioner gender would benefit from refined investigation. Background: Bipolar disorder is a recurrent and
disabling condition that can result in impairment in 1. Wilhelm et al. (2008). MJA; 188: S114-S118. many areas of functioning. Anxiety disorders are also 2. Clarke et al. (2008). MJA; 188: S110-S113. 3. Britt et al. (2005). MJA; 183: 68-71. prevalent and anxiety has been found to predict poorer outcome amongst those with the disorder. Mindfulness programs have been shown to be an effective intervention for managing anxiety and stress and may EARLY AGE OF ONSET IS ASSOCIATED WITH
assist in reducing these symptoms for patients with HIGH RATES OF ANXIETY COMORBIDITY IN
BIPOLAR I AND SCHIZOAFFECTIVE
Aims: We describe a recently-commenced
DISORDERS
randomised-controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Seetal Dodd,2 Felicity Ng,2 Lesley Berk,2 Paul B
(MBCT) versus treatment as usual (TAU) to assist in Fitzgerald,1 Anthony de Castella,1 Sacha Filia,1 Kate
the management of bipolar disorder and to examine its Filia,1 Frances Biffin,1 Katarina Kelin,3 Meg Smith,4
Bill Montgomery,3 Jayashri Kulkarni,1 Michael
Method: Patients will be allocated to either to MBCT or
Berk,2,4,5
TAU. Patients allocated to the MBCT program will 1APRC, The Alfred and Monash University, Prahran receive 8 weekly sessions of group therapy based on 2Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, the MBCT treatment manual developed by Segal, Williams and Teasdale (2000). The TAU group will receive their usual care from their practitioner and 4School of Applied Social and Human Sciences, written educational material about bipolar disorder. University of Western Sydney, Penrith South Participants will be assessed at baseline, treatment 4Orygen Research Centre, Parkville mid-point, post-group and then at 3 months, 6 months, symptomatology associated with bipolar disorder, Background: The Bipolar Comprehensive Outcomes
anxiety and measures relating to social and Study is a 2-year observational study, which tracked illness and functional outcomes of patients with bipolar Results: Initial results will be presented at the meeting.
I disorder (n = 176) or schizoaffective disorder, bipolar Aims: As a substudy, the relationship between TWO-YEAR TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF AN
comorbid diagnoses and age at onset of the first symptoms of mental illness was investigated. AUSTRALIAN OUTPATIENT COHORT WITH
BIPOLAR I OR SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER
Method: Participants were assessed by structured
clinical interview at study entry. Primary and comorbid
diagnoses were determined using the Mini-International Jayashri Kulkarni,1 Michael Berk,2, 3, 4 Paul B.
Neuropsychiatric Interview Version 5. Information on Fitzgerald,1 Anthony de Castella,1 Seetal Dodd,2
the history of illness of participants prior to study entry Sacha Filia,1 Kate Filia,1 Frances Biffin,1 Lesley
was obtained by administration of a questionnaire. Berk,2 Bill Montgomery,5 Meg Smith,6 Alan Brnabic,7
Results: Comorbidities consisted mainly of anxiety,
Amanda Lowry,7 Katarina Kelin5
alcohol and substance disorders. In bipolar I disorder, APRC, The Alfred & Monash University, Melbourne an association was found between co-morbid anxiety Dept of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of disorders and early age of bipolar illness onset. Conclusion: This study demonstrates high rates of
Orygen Research Centre, Parkville comorbidities in bipolar I and schizoaffective disorders, and suggests an association between anxiety and early Social Justice Social Change Centre, University of Transferred to an Oral Presentation
Background: The Bipolar Comprehensive Outcomes
Study (BCOS) is a 2-year observational study of participants with bipolar I (n=175) or schizoaffective disorder (n=64). Aim: To explore clinical and functional outcomes bipolar groups to both facial expressions. In contrast,
associated with ‘real-life’ treatment.
the control group exhibited robust component Method: Participants prescribed olanzapine (n=84) or
amplitudes in response to both emotions but in addition conventional mood stabilizers (n=155) were assessed demonstrated a modulation in the amplitude of the every 3 months. Twenty-four month longitudinal N170 that was specific to facial expression. clinical, pharmacological, functional and socio- Conclusion: Both patients with bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia demonstrated impairments in their neural Results: At study entry, 51% participants smoked
coding of faces as reflected by blunted N170 daily, 29% were unemployed, and 63% had considered waveforms. The capacity to discriminate between suicide in the previous month. Overall, 44% of emotions also appears to be impaired in both patient participants required hospitalisation during the study, spending a cumulative median of 21 days (range 1- 345). By the end of the study, 68%(n=41/60) of
participants who reported severe depression at
baseline were mildly depressed; 17%(n=30/176)
became severely depressed (from mild/moderate
baseline symptoms); 29%(n=29/99) lost their paid
employment; 73%(n=33/45) who were manic at
baseline had no mania and 11%(n=21/192) developed
mania.
Conclusion: BCOS provides important insight into the
clinical and functional outcomes associated with long-
term treatment for bipolar and schizoaffective
disorders.

PP32
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF
FACE PROCESSING IN BIPOLAR DISORDER:
AN ERP STUDY

Racheal Degabriele1,2 Jim Lagopoulos1,2,3, Antony
Henderson1, Carissa M. Coulston1,2, Gin S. Malhi1,2,3
1 Department of Psychological Medicine, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney Australia 2CADE Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney Australia 3 Advanced Research and Clinical Highfield Imaging
(ARCHI), University of Sydney, Sydney Australia

Aims: Electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have
detected differences in Event-Related Potentials
(ERPs) in subjects with bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia in comparison to normal controls. The
goal of the present study was to identify key ERP
markers that correspond to the functional deficits
evident in these illnesses.
Methods: Face- and emotion-specific ERPs (N170)
were elicited using the go/no-go inhibition task. Twenty
subjects each diagnosed (DSM IV criteria) with
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and 20 age- and sex-
matched controls were presented with visual face
stimuli (240 images) depicting either a happy or sad
emotion. An equal number of both happy and sad faces
were displayed in quick succession (500ms), and
subjects were instructed to respond to one expression
only by pressing the response pad and to ignore/inhibit
a response to the other. Part way through the paradigm
the instructions were changed, requiring identification
of the alternate expression. Twelve sets in total
requiring six of each expression were presented.
Electrophysiological data were obtained from 36
channels.
Results: The N170 component was significantly
decreased in amplitude in both schizophrenia and

Source: http://www.willorganise.com.au/aspr2008/docs/SESSION_2.pdf