Biomedical subjects

J Van Os

Publications and source records attributed to J Van Os.

39 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurodevelopmental hypothesis in functional psychosis].

Evidence from several studies supports the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia. Others suggest a substantial body of evidence attesting to a possible neurodevelopmental origin of affective disorders. However, there is little evidence that any risk factor or neurodevelopmental marker is specific to any diagnostic category within functional psychoses. Some authors have proposed a new model which implies a continuity within the category of psychosis based on a psychopathological continuum. This research strategy has important and useful advantages which are discussed in this review.

Brain↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Social adjustment and depression: value of the SAS-SR (Social Adjustment Scale Self-Report)].

The Social Adjustment Scale Self-Report (SAS-SR) is a simple and inexpensive method, which allows the routine assessment of the patient's social adjustment, especially in the case of depression. Compared with other scales based on an interview with the patient, the SAS-SR is more sensitive to change in the patient's clinical status. The SAS-SR is a useful method as part of the detection of even mild depressions, regular aftercare evaluation of out-patients or as an outcome measure in longitudinal studies. A French version of the SAS-SR is now available and is currently under evaluation in a large-scale randomized therapeutic trial.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Environmental and psychosocial aspects of genetic research in psychiatry].

Psychiatric disorders are thought to arise as a result of interactions between genetic vulnerability and environmental risk factors. However, research methods to actually investigate the pattern of hypothesized interactions have only recently been developed. In this article, we review the evidence that genes increase the risk for psychosis by making individuals more sensitive to environmental risk factors (genotype-environment interaction), or by making individuals more likely to select high-risk environments (genotype-environment correlation). It is likely that at least some of the impact of genes on the occurrence of psychosis is mediated through (sensitivity for ) environmental risk factors such as a dysfunctional early family rearing environment, paternal absence, use of cannabis, complications of birth and pregnancy, stressful life events and unknown environmental risk factors associated with urban life and membership of certain ethnic groups. With the advent of molecular genetics, further knowledge about possible genotype-environment interactions is urgently required in order to develop and improve strategies for the prevention and early treatment of psychosis.

Female↗