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Kristiina Moilanen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a comparison of the cumulative incidence and early risk factors for psychotic disorder in young adults in the northern finland birth cohorts 1966 and 1986
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 2017Co-Authors: Svetlana Filatova, Riikka Marttila, Heli Koivumaahonkanen, Tanja Nordstrom, Juha Veijola, Pirjo Maki, Gulam Khandaker, Matti Isohanni, Erika Jaaskelainen, Kristiina MoilanenAbstract:Aims. Few studies have compared time trends for the incidence of Psychosis. To date, the results have been inconsistent, showing a decline, an increase or no significant change. As far as we know, no studies explored changes in prevalence of early risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in early risk factors and cumulative incidences of Psychosis by type of Psychosis in two comparable birth cohorts. Methods. The Northern Finland Birth cohorts (NFBCs) 1966 (N = 12 058) and 1986 (N = 9432) are prospective general population-based cohorts with the children followed since mother's mid-pregnancy. The data for psychoses, i.e. schizophrenia (narrow, spectrum), bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depressive episode with psychotic features, brief Psychosis and other psychoses (ICD 8–10) were collected from nationwide registers including both inpatients and outpatients. The data on early risk factors including sex and place of birth of the offspring, parental age and Psychosis, maternal education at birth were prospectively collected from the population registers. The follow-up reached until the age of 27 years. Results. An increase in the cumulative incidence of all psychoses was seen (1.01% in NFBC 1966 v. 1.90% in NFBC 1986; p < 0.001), which was due to an increase in diagnosed affective and other psychoses. Earlier onset of cases and relatively more psychoses in women were observed in the NFBC 1986. Changes in prevalence of potential early risk factors were identified, but only parental Psychosis was a significant predictor in both cohorts (hazard ratios ≥3.0; 95% CI 1.86–4.88). The difference in Psychosis incidence was not dependent on changes in prevalence of studied early risk factors. Conclusions. Surprisingly, increase in the cumulative incidence of Psychosis and also changes in the types of psychoses were found between two birth cohorts 20 years apart. The observed differences could be due to real changes in incidence or they can be attributable to changes in diagnostic practices, or to early Psychosis detection and treatment.
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a comparison of the cumulative incidence and early risk factors for psychotic disorder in young adults in the northern finland birth cohorts 1966 and 1986
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 2017Co-Authors: Svetlana Filatova, Riikka Marttila, Heli Koivumaahonkanen, Tanja Nordstrom, Juha Veijola, Pirjo Maki, Gulam Khandaker, Matti Isohanni, Erika Jaaskelainen, Kristiina MoilanenAbstract:Aims. Few studies have compared time trends for the incidence of Psychosis. To date, the results have been inconsistent, showing a decline, an increase or no significant change. As far as we know, no studies explored changes in prevalence of early risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in early risk factors and cumulative incidences of Psychosis by type of Psychosis in two comparable birth cohorts. Methods. The Northern Finland Birth cohorts (NFBCs) 1966 ( N = 12 058) and 1986 ( N = 9432) are prospective general population-based cohorts with the children followed since mother's mid-pregnancy. The data for psychoses, i.e. schizophrenia (narrow, spectrum), bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depressive episode with psychotic features, brief Psychosis and other psychoses (ICD 8–10) were collected from nationwide registers including both inpatients and outpatients. The data on early risk factors including sex and place of birth of the offspring, parental age and Psychosis, maternal education at birth were prospectively collected from the population registers. The follow-up reached until the age of 27 years. Results. An increase in the cumulative incidence of all psychoses was seen (1.01% in NFBC 1966 v . 1.90% in NFBC 1986; p Conclusions. Surprisingly, increase in the cumulative incidence of Psychosis and also changes in the types of psychoses were found between two birth cohorts 20 years apart. The observed differences could be due to real changes in incidence or they can be attributable to changes in diagnostic practices, or to early Psychosis detection and treatment.
Patrick D Mcgorry - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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hippocampal and amygdala volumes according to Psychosis stage and diagnosis a magnetic resonance imaging study of chronic schizophrenia first episode Psychosis and ultra high risk individuals
Archives of General Psychiatry, 2006Co-Authors: Dennis Velakoulis, Patrick D Mcgorry, Alison R Yung, Lisa J Phillips, Stephen J Wood, Michael T H Wong, Deidre J Smith, Warrick J Brewer, Tina M Proffitt, Patricia DesmondAbstract:Context Magnetic resonance imaging studies have identified hippocampal volume reductions in schizophrenia and amygdala volume enlargements in bipolar disorder, suggesting different medial temporal lobe abnormalities in these conditions. These studies have been limited by small samples and the absence of patients early in the course of illness. Objective To investigate hippocampal and amygdala volumes in a large sample of patients with chronic schizophrenia, patients with first-episode Psychosis, and patients at ultra-high risk for Psychosis compared with control subjects. Design Cross-sectional comparison between patient groups and controls. Setting Individuals with chronic schizophrenia were recruited from a mental health rehabilitation service, and individuals with first-episode Psychosis and ultra-high risk were recruited from the ORYGEN Youth Health Service. Control subjects were recruited from the community. Participants The study population of 473 individuals included 89 with chronic schizophrenia, 162 with first-episode Psychosis, 135 at ultra-high risk for Psychosis (of whom 39 subsequently developed a psychotic illness), and 87 controls. Main Outcome Measures Hippocampal, amygdala, whole-brain, and intracranial volumes were estimated on high-resolution magnetic resonance images and compared across groups, including first-episode subgroups. We used 1- and 2-way analysis of variance designs to compare hippocampal and amygdala volumes across groups, correcting for intracranial volume and covarying for age and sex. We investigated the effects of medication and illness duration on structural volumes. Results Patients with chronic schizophrenia displayed bilateral hippocampal volume reduction. Patients with first-episode schizophrenia but not schizophreniform Psychosis displayed left hippocampal volume reduction. The remaining first-episode subgroups had normal hippocampal volumes compared with controls. Amygdala volume enlargement was identified only in first-episode patients with nonschizophrenic psychoses. Patients at ultra-high risk for Psychosis had normal baseline hippocampal and amygdala volumes whether or not they subsequently developed a psychotic illness. Structural volumes did not differ between patients taking atypical vs typical antipsychotic medications, and they remained unchanged when patients treated with lithium were excluded from the analysis. Conclusions Medial temporal structural changes are not seen until after the onset of a psychotic illness, and the pattern of structural change differs according to the type of Psychosis. These findings have important implications for future neurobiological studies of psychotic disorders and emphasize the importance of longitudinal studies examining patients before and after the onset of a psychotic illness.
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risk factors for Psychosis in an ultra high risk group psychopathology and clinical features
Schizophrenia Research, 2004Co-Authors: Alison R Yung, Lisa J Phillips, Hok Pan Yuen, Patrick D McgorryAbstract:Abstract The identification of individuals at high risk of developing a psychotic disorder has long been a goal of clinicians because it is thought that early treatment of this group may prevent onset of the disorder. However, little is known of predictive factors of Psychosis, even within a high-risk group. This study followed up 104 young people thought to be at ‘ultra high risk’ for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders by virtue of having a family history of psychotic disorder combined with some functional decline or the presence of subthreshold or self-limiting psychotic symptoms. All subjects were therefore symptomatic, but not psychotic, at intake. Thirty-six subjects (34.6%) developed frank psychotic symptoms within 12 months. Measures of symptom duration, functioning, disability and psychopathology were made at intake, 6 and 12 months. Poor functioning, long duration of symptoms, high levels of depression and reduced attention were all predictors of Psychosis. A combination of family history of Psychosis, a recent significant decrease in functioning and recent experience of subthreshold psychotic symptoms was also predictive of Psychosis. Combining highly predictive variables yielded a method of Psychosis prediction at 12 months with good positive predictive value (80.8%), negative predictive value (81.8%) and specificity (92.6%) and moderate sensitivity (60.0%). Within our symptomatic high-risk group, therefore, it appears possible to identify those individuals who are at particularly high risk of developing a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. Given the very high PPV and low false positive rate with this two-step process, it may be justifiable to target these individuals for intensive monitoring of mental state and even low-dose neuroleptic medication or other biological and psychosocial treatments depending on clinical condition. This indicated prevention approach could be further developed and preventive strategies in the psychoses refined.
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Psychosis prediction 12 month follow up of a high risk prodromal group
Schizophrenia Research, 2003Co-Authors: Alison R Yung, Patrick D Mcgorry, Lisa J Phillips, Hok Pan Yuen, Shona M Francey, Colleen A Mcfarlane, Mats HallgrenAbstract:Abstract Intervention in the prodromal phase of schizophrenia and related psychoses may result in attenuation, delay or even prevention of the onset of Psychosis in some individuals. However, a “prodrome” is difficult to recognise prospectively because of its nonspecific symptoms. This study set out to recruit and follow up subjects at high risk of transition to Psychosis with the aim of examining the predictive power for Psychosis onset of certain mental state and illness variables. Symptomatic individuals with either a family history of psychotic disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, subthreshold psychotic symptoms or brief transient psychotic symptoms were assessed and followed up monthly for 12 months or until Psychosis onset. Twenty of 49 subjects (40.8%) developed a psychotic disorder within 12 months. Some highly significant predictors of Psychosis were found: long duration of prodromal symptoms, poor functioning at intake, low-grade psychotic symptoms, depression and disorganization. Combining some predictive variables yielded a strategy for Psychosis prediction with good sensitivity (86%), specificity (91%) positive predictive value (80%) and negative predictive value (94%) within 6 months. This study illustrates that it is possible to recruit and follow up individuals at ultra high risk of developing Psychosis within a relatively brief follow-up period. Despite low numbers some highly significant predictors of Psychosis were found. The findings support the development of more specific preventive strategies targeting the prodromal phase for some individuals at ultra high risk of schizophrenia.
Juha Veijola - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a comparison of the cumulative incidence and early risk factors for psychotic disorder in young adults in the northern finland birth cohorts 1966 and 1986
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 2017Co-Authors: Svetlana Filatova, Riikka Marttila, Heli Koivumaahonkanen, Tanja Nordstrom, Juha Veijola, Pirjo Maki, Gulam Khandaker, Matti Isohanni, Erika Jaaskelainen, Kristiina MoilanenAbstract:Aims. Few studies have compared time trends for the incidence of Psychosis. To date, the results have been inconsistent, showing a decline, an increase or no significant change. As far as we know, no studies explored changes in prevalence of early risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in early risk factors and cumulative incidences of Psychosis by type of Psychosis in two comparable birth cohorts. Methods. The Northern Finland Birth cohorts (NFBCs) 1966 (N = 12 058) and 1986 (N = 9432) are prospective general population-based cohorts with the children followed since mother's mid-pregnancy. The data for psychoses, i.e. schizophrenia (narrow, spectrum), bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depressive episode with psychotic features, brief Psychosis and other psychoses (ICD 8–10) were collected from nationwide registers including both inpatients and outpatients. The data on early risk factors including sex and place of birth of the offspring, parental age and Psychosis, maternal education at birth were prospectively collected from the population registers. The follow-up reached until the age of 27 years. Results. An increase in the cumulative incidence of all psychoses was seen (1.01% in NFBC 1966 v. 1.90% in NFBC 1986; p < 0.001), which was due to an increase in diagnosed affective and other psychoses. Earlier onset of cases and relatively more psychoses in women were observed in the NFBC 1986. Changes in prevalence of potential early risk factors were identified, but only parental Psychosis was a significant predictor in both cohorts (hazard ratios ≥3.0; 95% CI 1.86–4.88). The difference in Psychosis incidence was not dependent on changes in prevalence of studied early risk factors. Conclusions. Surprisingly, increase in the cumulative incidence of Psychosis and also changes in the types of psychoses were found between two birth cohorts 20 years apart. The observed differences could be due to real changes in incidence or they can be attributable to changes in diagnostic practices, or to early Psychosis detection and treatment.
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a comparison of the cumulative incidence and early risk factors for psychotic disorder in young adults in the northern finland birth cohorts 1966 and 1986
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 2017Co-Authors: Svetlana Filatova, Riikka Marttila, Heli Koivumaahonkanen, Tanja Nordstrom, Juha Veijola, Pirjo Maki, Gulam Khandaker, Matti Isohanni, Erika Jaaskelainen, Kristiina MoilanenAbstract:Aims. Few studies have compared time trends for the incidence of Psychosis. To date, the results have been inconsistent, showing a decline, an increase or no significant change. As far as we know, no studies explored changes in prevalence of early risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in early risk factors and cumulative incidences of Psychosis by type of Psychosis in two comparable birth cohorts. Methods. The Northern Finland Birth cohorts (NFBCs) 1966 ( N = 12 058) and 1986 ( N = 9432) are prospective general population-based cohorts with the children followed since mother's mid-pregnancy. The data for psychoses, i.e. schizophrenia (narrow, spectrum), bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depressive episode with psychotic features, brief Psychosis and other psychoses (ICD 8–10) were collected from nationwide registers including both inpatients and outpatients. The data on early risk factors including sex and place of birth of the offspring, parental age and Psychosis, maternal education at birth were prospectively collected from the population registers. The follow-up reached until the age of 27 years. Results. An increase in the cumulative incidence of all psychoses was seen (1.01% in NFBC 1966 v . 1.90% in NFBC 1986; p Conclusions. Surprisingly, increase in the cumulative incidence of Psychosis and also changes in the types of psychoses were found between two birth cohorts 20 years apart. The observed differences could be due to real changes in incidence or they can be attributable to changes in diagnostic practices, or to early Psychosis detection and treatment.
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disc1 conditioned gwas for Psychosis proneness in a large finnish birth cohort
PLOS ONE, 2012Co-Authors: Juha Veijola, Liisa Tomppo, Jesper Ekelund, Dirk Lichtermann, Marjoriitta Jarvelin, William HennahAbstract:Background Genetic evidence implicates the DISC1 gene in the etiology of a number of mental illnesses. Previously, we have reported association between DISC1 and measures of Psychosis proneness, the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale (RSAS) and Revised Physical Anhedonia Scale (RPAS), in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC66). As part of the studies of this Finnish birth cohort genome-wide association analysis has recently been performed. Methodology In the present study, we re-analyzed the genome-wide association data with regard to these two measures of Psychosis proneness, conditioning on our previous DISC1 observation. From the original NFBC66 sample (N = 12 058), 4 561 individuals provided phenotype and genotype data. No markers were significant at the genome-wide level. However, several genes with biological relevance to mental illnesses were highlighted through loci displaying suggestive evidence for association (≥3 SNP with P Conclusions By conditioning a previous genome-wide association study on DISC1, we have been able to identify eight genes as associating to Psychosis proneness. Further, these molecules predominantly link to the DISC1 pathway, strengthening the evidence for the role of this gene network in the etiology of mental illness. The use of quantitative measures of Psychosis proneness in a large population cohort will make these findings, once verified; more generalized to a broad selection of disorders related to psychoses and Psychosis proneness.
Svetlana Filatova - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a comparison of the cumulative incidence and early risk factors for psychotic disorder in young adults in the northern finland birth cohorts 1966 and 1986
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 2017Co-Authors: Svetlana Filatova, Riikka Marttila, Heli Koivumaahonkanen, Tanja Nordstrom, Juha Veijola, Pirjo Maki, Gulam Khandaker, Matti Isohanni, Erika Jaaskelainen, Kristiina MoilanenAbstract:Aims. Few studies have compared time trends for the incidence of Psychosis. To date, the results have been inconsistent, showing a decline, an increase or no significant change. As far as we know, no studies explored changes in prevalence of early risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in early risk factors and cumulative incidences of Psychosis by type of Psychosis in two comparable birth cohorts. Methods. The Northern Finland Birth cohorts (NFBCs) 1966 (N = 12 058) and 1986 (N = 9432) are prospective general population-based cohorts with the children followed since mother's mid-pregnancy. The data for psychoses, i.e. schizophrenia (narrow, spectrum), bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depressive episode with psychotic features, brief Psychosis and other psychoses (ICD 8–10) were collected from nationwide registers including both inpatients and outpatients. The data on early risk factors including sex and place of birth of the offspring, parental age and Psychosis, maternal education at birth were prospectively collected from the population registers. The follow-up reached until the age of 27 years. Results. An increase in the cumulative incidence of all psychoses was seen (1.01% in NFBC 1966 v. 1.90% in NFBC 1986; p < 0.001), which was due to an increase in diagnosed affective and other psychoses. Earlier onset of cases and relatively more psychoses in women were observed in the NFBC 1986. Changes in prevalence of potential early risk factors were identified, but only parental Psychosis was a significant predictor in both cohorts (hazard ratios ≥3.0; 95% CI 1.86–4.88). The difference in Psychosis incidence was not dependent on changes in prevalence of studied early risk factors. Conclusions. Surprisingly, increase in the cumulative incidence of Psychosis and also changes in the types of psychoses were found between two birth cohorts 20 years apart. The observed differences could be due to real changes in incidence or they can be attributable to changes in diagnostic practices, or to early Psychosis detection and treatment.
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a comparison of the cumulative incidence and early risk factors for psychotic disorder in young adults in the northern finland birth cohorts 1966 and 1986
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 2017Co-Authors: Svetlana Filatova, Riikka Marttila, Heli Koivumaahonkanen, Tanja Nordstrom, Juha Veijola, Pirjo Maki, Gulam Khandaker, Matti Isohanni, Erika Jaaskelainen, Kristiina MoilanenAbstract:Aims. Few studies have compared time trends for the incidence of Psychosis. To date, the results have been inconsistent, showing a decline, an increase or no significant change. As far as we know, no studies explored changes in prevalence of early risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in early risk factors and cumulative incidences of Psychosis by type of Psychosis in two comparable birth cohorts. Methods. The Northern Finland Birth cohorts (NFBCs) 1966 ( N = 12 058) and 1986 ( N = 9432) are prospective general population-based cohorts with the children followed since mother's mid-pregnancy. The data for psychoses, i.e. schizophrenia (narrow, spectrum), bipolar disorder with psychotic features, major depressive episode with psychotic features, brief Psychosis and other psychoses (ICD 8–10) were collected from nationwide registers including both inpatients and outpatients. The data on early risk factors including sex and place of birth of the offspring, parental age and Psychosis, maternal education at birth were prospectively collected from the population registers. The follow-up reached until the age of 27 years. Results. An increase in the cumulative incidence of all psychoses was seen (1.01% in NFBC 1966 v . 1.90% in NFBC 1986; p Conclusions. Surprisingly, increase in the cumulative incidence of Psychosis and also changes in the types of psychoses were found between two birth cohorts 20 years apart. The observed differences could be due to real changes in incidence or they can be attributable to changes in diagnostic practices, or to early Psychosis detection and treatment.
Carol A Tamminga - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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5 3 evidence on a transdiagnostic Psychosis spectrum of schizophrenia schizoaffective and psychotic bipolar disorder in the bipolar schizophrenia network on intermediate phenotypes b snip
Schizophrenia Bulletin, 2018Co-Authors: Ulrich Reininghaus, Godfrey D Pearlson, Matcheri S Keshavan, John A Sweeney, Brett A Clementz, Jan R Boehnke, Unyoung Chavezbaldini, Carol A TammingaAbstract:Background The validity of the classification of non-affective and affective psychoses as distinct entities has recently been disputed in light of calls for a dimensional and transdiagnostic approach to diagnostic classification and evidence on shared aetiological factors. Despite the shifts in view, there remains a dearth of empirical efforts to clarify and identify a transdiagnostic spectrum of Psychosis. Our recent research has demonstrated evidence for a transdiagnostic Psychosis spectrum as detailed in a bifactor model with one transdiagnostic symptom dimension and five specific symptom dimensions of positive symptoms, negative symptoms, disorganization, mania, and depression in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorder. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether there is a transdiagnostic dimension cutting across symptoms of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and psychotic bipolar I disorder using widely established measures for assessing Psychosis, mania and depression in the large multi-centre Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes (B-SNIP) consortium in the United States.
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multivariate relationships between cognition and brain anatomy across the Psychosis spectrum
Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 2018Co-Authors: Amanda L Rodrigue, Godfrey D Pearlson, Carol A Tamminga, Jennifer E Mcdowell, Neeraj Tandon, Matcheri S Keshavan, John A Sweeney, Robert D Gibbons, Brett A ClementzAbstract:Abstract Background Cognitive and structural brain abnormalities range from mild to severe in Psychosis. The relation of specific cognitive functions to specific brain structures across the Psychosis spectrum is less certain. Methods Participants (n=678) with bipolar, schizoaffective, or schizophrenia psychoses, and healthy controls, were recruited via the Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network for Intermediate Phenotypes. The Schizo-Bipolar Scale was used to create a Psychosis continuum (from purely affective to purely nonaffective). Canonical correlation between 14 cognitive measures and structural brain measures (volume, thickness, surface area, and local gyrification indices) for 68 neocortical regions yielded constructs that defined shared cognition-brain structure relationships. Canonical discriminant analysis was used to integrate these constructs and efficiently summarize cognition-brain structure relationships across the Psychosis continuum. Results General cognition was associated with larger volumes and thicker cortices, but smaller surface area, in frontal/parietal regions. Working memory was associated with larger volume and surface area in frontal/temporal regions. Faster response speed was associated with thicker frontal cortices. Constructs that captured general cognitive ability and working memory and their relationship to cortical volumes primarily defined an ordered Psychosis spectrum (purely affective, least abnormal through purely nonaffective, most abnormal). A construct that captured general cognitive ability and its relationship to cortical surface area differentiated purely affective cases from other groups. Discussion General cognition and working memory with cortical volume deviations characterized more nonaffective psychoses. Alternatively, affective Psychosis cases with general cognitive deficits had deviations in cortical surface area, perhaps accounting for heterogeneous findings across previous studies.
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identification of distinct Psychosis biotypes using brain based biomarkers
American Journal of Psychiatry, 2016Co-Authors: Brett A Clementz, Godfrey D Pearlson, Elena I Ivleva, Matcheri S Keshavan, John A Sweeney, Jordan P Hamm, Lauren E Ethridge, Carol A TammingaAbstract:Objective:Clinical phenomenology remains the primary means for classifying psychoses despite considerable evidence that this method incompletely captures biologically meaningful differentiations. Rather than relying on clinical diagnoses as the gold standard, this project drew on neurobiological heterogeneity among Psychosis cases to delineate subgroups independent of their phenomenological manifestations.Method:A large biomarker panel (neuropsychological, stop signal, saccadic control, and auditory stimulation paradigms) characterizing diverse aspects of brain function was collected on individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder with Psychosis (N=711), their first-degree relatives (N=883), and demographically comparable healthy subjects (N=278). Biomarker variance across paradigms was exploited to create nine integrated variables that were used to capture neurobiological variance among the Psychosis cases. Data on external validating measures (social functioning, struct...
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genetics and intermediate phenotypes of the schizophrenia bipolar disorder boundary
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2010Co-Authors: Elena I Ivleva, David W Morris, Amanda F Moates, Trisha Suppes, Gunvant K Thaker, Carol A TammingaAbstract:Categorization of psychotic illnesses into schizophrenic and affective psychoses remains an ongoing controversy. Although Kraepelinian subtyping of Psychosis was historically beneficial, modern genetic and neurophysiological studies do not support dichotomous conceptualization of Psychosis. Evidence suggests that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder rather present a clinical continuum with partially overlapping symptom dimensions, neurophysiology, genetics and treatment responses. Recent large scale genetic studies have produced inconsistent findings and exposed an urgent need for re-thinking phenomenology-based approach in psychiatric research. Epidemiological, linkage and molecular genetic studies, as well as studies in intermediate phenotypes (neurocognitive, neurophysiological and anatomical imaging) in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders are reviewed in order to support a dimensional conceptualization of Psychosis. Overlapping and unique genetic and intermediate phenotypic signatures of the two psychoses are comprehensively recapitulated. Alternative strategies which may be implicated into genetic research are discussed.
