Publications
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Aamodt, Anne Hege; Ueland, Thor; Boldingh, Marion Ingeborg; Bezgal, Burcu; Argren, Maria Bengtson Argren & Dunne, Cecilia Adele
[Show all 29 contributors for this article]
(2025).
Altered amyloid plasma profile in patients with disabling headaches after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.
BMJ Neurology Open.
7(2).
doi:
10.1136/bmjno-2024-001013.
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Background and objectives Persistent headache has emerged as a symptom following acute COVID-19 and, to a lesser extent, after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate plasma levels of amyloid-related biomarkers in patients experiencing persistent headaches after COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Methods In this prospective observational cohort, patients presenting with severe headache as the dominating symptom after COVID-19 (n=29) or SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (n=31) had neurological assessments with reassessments after 6 months. Plasma levels of amyloid precursor protein (APP), pregnancy zone protein (PZP), cathepsin L1 (CTSL) and serum Amyloid A (SAA1) were measured using ELISA and compared with levels in healthy controls (n=16). Results We found a strong and persistent upregulation of APP in patients with headache after COVID-19 as compared with the two other groups. Notably, APP levels remained elevated at both inclusion and after 6 months in individuals with accompanying cognitive symptoms. In contrast, PZP levels were increased in patients with headache after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination at both time points relative to healthy controls. CTSL was only elevated in the post-COVID-19 at baseline, whereas SAA1 showed levels comparable across all groups. Conclusion Altered plasma levels of soluble markers, potentially reflecting changes in amyloid processing, were found in patients with persistent headache following SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, particularly in those with persistent headache after COVID-19. In the latter group, we also found some association with cognitive symptoms. Trial registration numbers NCT04576351 and NCT05235776 .
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Harel, Daphna; Wu, Yin; Levis, Brooke; Fan, Suiqiong; Sun, Ying & Xu, Mingyao
[Show all 229 contributors for this article]
(2024).
Comparison of Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression – Depression subscale scores by administration mode: An individual participant data differential item functioning meta-analysis.
Journal of Affective Disorders.
ISSN 0165-0327.
361,
p. 674–683.
doi:
10.1016/j.jad.2024.06.033.
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McWhinney, Sean R.; Hlinka, Jaroslav; Bakstein, Eduard; Dietze, Lorielle M. F.; Corkum, Emily L. V. & Abé, Christoph
[Show all 91 contributors for this article]
(2024).
Principal component analysis as an efficient method for capturing multivariate brain signatures of complex disorders—ENIGMA study in people with bipolar disorders and obesity.
Human Brain Mapping.
ISSN 1065-9471.
45(8).
doi:
10.1002/hbm.26682.
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Multivariate techniques better fit the anatomy of complex neuropsychiatric disorders which are characterized not by alterations in a single region, but rather by variations across distributed brain networks. Here, we used principal component analysis (PCA) to identify patterns of covariance across brain regions and relate them to clinical and demographic variables in a large generalizable dataset of individuals with bipolar disorders and controls. We then compared performance of PCA and clustering on identical sample to identify which methodology was better in capturing links between brain and clinical measures. Using data from the ENIGMA-BD working group, we investigated T1-weighted structural MRI data from 2436 participants with BD and healthy controls, and applied PCA to cortical thickness and surface area measures. We then studied the association of principal components with clinical and demographic variables using mixed regression models. We compared the PCA model with our prior clustering analyses of the same data and also tested it in a replication sample of 327 participants with BD or schizophrenia and healthy controls. The first principal component, which indexed a greater cortical thickness across all 68 cortical regions, was negatively associated with BD, BMI, antipsychotic medications, and age and was positively associated with Li treatment. PCA demonstrated superior goodness of fit to clustering when predicting diagnosis and BMI. Moreover, applying the PCA model to the replication sample yielded significant differences in cortical thickness between healthy controls and individuals with BD or schizophrenia. Cortical thickness in the same widespread regional network as determined by PCA was negatively associated with different clinical and demographic variables, including diagnosis, age, BMI, and treatment with antipsychotic medications or lithium. PCA outperformed clustering and provided an easy-to-use and interpret method to study multivariate associations between brain structure and system-level variables.
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Wu, Yin; Levis, Brooke; Daray, Federico M.; Ioannidis, John P. A.; Patten, Scott B. & Cuijpers, Pim
[Show all 119 contributors for this article]
(2023).
Comparison of the Accuracy of the 7-Item HADS Depression Subscale and 14-Item Total HADS for Screening for Major Depression: A Systematic Review and Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.
Psychological Assessment.
ISSN 1040-3590.
35(2),
p. 94–114.
doi:
10.1037/pas0001181.
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Zak, Nathalia; Moberget, Torgeir; Bøen, Erlend; Boye, Birgitte; Rygvold, Trine Waage & Malt, Ulrik Fredrik
[Show all 10 contributors for this article]
(2023).
Baseline long-term potentiation-like cortical plasticity is associated with longitudinal cortical thinning in healthy adults and in adults with bipolar disorder type II.
European Journal of Neuroscience.
ISSN 0953-816X.
58(3),
p. 2824–2837.
doi:
10.1111/ejn.16038.
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Abstract The precise neurobiological processes underlying cerebral cortical thinning in aging and psychiatric illnesses remain undetermined, yet aging‐ and synaptic dysfunction‐related loss of synapses are potentially important mechanisms. We used long‐term potentiation‐like plasticity of the visual evoked potential as an index of synaptic function in the cortex and hypothesized that plasticity at baseline would be negatively associated with future cortical thinning in healthy adults and in adults with bipolar disorder type II. Thirty‐two healthy adults and 15 adults with bipolar disorder type II underwent electroencephalography‐based measurement of visual evoked potential plasticity and 3T magnetic resonance imaging of the brain at baseline and a follow‐up brain scan on average 2.3 years later. The relationships between visual evoked potential plasticity at baseline and longitudinal cortical thickness changes were examined using Freesurfer and the Permutation Analysis of Linear Models tool. The analyses showed a negative association between the plasticity of the N1 visual evoked potential amplitude at baseline and thinning rate in the medial and lateral parietal and medial occipital cortices in healthy adults and in the right medial occipital cortex in the total sample of healthy adults and adults with bipolar disorder type II, indicating greater thinning over time in subjects with less N1 plasticity ( p FWER < .05). Although preliminary, the results indicate an association between visual evoked potential plasticity and the future rate of cortical thinning in healthy adults and in bipolar disorder type II, supporting the hypothesis that cortical thinning might be related to synaptic dysfunction.
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Alme, Tomas Nordheim; Andreasson, Anna; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre; Bakken, Anne Karen; Beadsworth, Michael BJ & Boye, Birgitte
[Show all 51 contributors for this article]
(2023).
Chronic fatigue syndromes: real illnesses that people can recover from.
Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care.
ISSN 0281-3432.
41(4),
p. 372–376.
doi:
10.1080/02813432.2023.2235609.
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The ‘Oslo Chronic Fatigue Consortium’ consists of researchers and clinicians who question the current narrative that chronic fatigue syndromes, including post-covid conditions, are incurable diseases. Instead, we propose an alternative view, based on research, which offers more hope to patients. Whilst we regard the symptoms of these conditions as real, we propose that they are more likely to reflect the brain's response to a range of biological, psychological, and social factors, rather than a specific disease process. Possible causes include persistent activation of the neurobiological stress response, accompanied by associated changes in immunological, hormonal, cognitive and behavioural domains. We further propose that the symptoms are more likely to persist if they are perceived as threatening, and all activities that are perceived to worsen them are avoided. We also question the idea that the best way to cope with the illness is by prolonged rest, social isolation, and sensory deprivation.Instead, we propose that recovery is often possible if patients are helped to adopt a less threatening understanding of their symptoms and are supported in a gradual return to normal activities. Finally, we call for a much more open and constructive dialogue about these conditions. This dialogue should include a wider range of views, including those of patients who have recovered from them.
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Schaefert, Rainer; Stein, Barbara; Meinlschmidt, Gunther; Roemmel, Noa; Blanch, Jordi & Boye, Birgitte
[Show all 27 contributors for this article]
(2023).
COVID-19-related consultation-liaison (CL) mental health services in general hospitals: A perspective from Europe and beyond.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research.
ISSN 0022-3999.
167.
doi:
10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111183.
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Objective The COVID-19 pandemic posed new challenges for integrated health care worldwide. Our study aimed to describe newly implemented structures and procedures of psychosocial consultation and liaison (CL) services in Europe and beyond, and to highlight emerging needs for co-operation. Methods Cross-sectional online survey from June to October 2021, using a self-developed 25-item questionnaire in four language versions (English, French, Italian, German). Dissemination was via national professional societies, working groups, and heads of CL services. Results Of the participating 259 CL services from Europe, Iran, and parts of Canada, 222 reported COVID-19 related psychosocial care (COVID-psyCare) in their hospital. Among these, 86.5% indicated that specific COVID-psyCare co-operation structures had been established. 50.8% provided specific COVID-psyCare for patients, 38.2% for relatives, and 77.0% for staff. Over half of the time resources were invested for patients. About a quarter of the time was used for staff, and these interventions, typically associated with the liaison function of CL services, were reported as most useful. Concerning emerging needs, 58.1% of the CL services providing COVID-psyCare expressed wishes for mutual information exchange and support, and 64.0% suggested specific changes or improvements that they considered essential for the future. Conclusion Over 80% of participating CL services established specific structures to provide COVID-psyCare for patients, their relatives, or staff. Mostly, resources were committed to patient care and specific interventions were largely implemented for staff support. Future development of COVID-psyCare warrants intensified intra- and inter-institutional exchange and co-operation.
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Sheikh, Mashhood Ahmed; O'Connell, Kevin Sean; Lekva, Tove; Szabo, Attila; Akkouh, Ibrahim Ahmed & Osete, Jordi Requena
[Show all 31 contributors for this article]
(2022).
Systemic cell adhesion molecules in severe mental illness: Potential role of intercellular CAM-1 in linking peripheral and neuroinflammation.
Biological Psychiatry.
ISSN 0006-3223.
93,
p. 187–196.
doi:
10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.06.029.
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Background
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) orchestrate leukocyte trafficking and could link peripheral and neuroinflammation in patients with severe mental illness (SMI), by promoting inflammatory and immune-mediated responses and mediating signals across blood-brain barrier. We hypothesized that CAMs would be dysregulated in SMI and evaluated plasma levels of different vascular and neural CAMs. Dysregulated CAMs in plasma were further evaluated in vivo in leukocytes and brain tissue and in vitro in induced pluripotent stem cells.
Methods
We compared plasma soluble levels of different vascular (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, P-SEL) and neural (JAM-A, NCAD) CAMs in circulating leukocytes in a large SMI sample of schizophrenia (SCZ) spectrum disorder (n = 895) and affective disorder (n = 737) and healthy control participants (n = 1070) controlling for age, sex, body mass index, C-reactive protein, and freezer storage time. We also evaluated messenger RNA expression of ICAM1 and related genes encoding ICAM-1 receptors in leukocytes using microarray (n = 842) and in available RNA sequencing data from the CommonMind Consortium (CMC) in postmortem samples from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (n = 474). The regulation of soluble ICAM-1 in induced pluripotent stem cell–derived neurons and astrocytes was assessed in patients with SCZ and healthy control participants (n = 8 of each).
Results
Our major findings were 1) increased soluble ICAM-1 in patients with SMI compared with healthy control participants; 2) increased ITGB2 messenger RNA, encoding the beta chain of the ICAM-1 receptor, in circulating leukocytes from patients with SMI and increased prefrontal cortex messenger RNA expression of ICAM1 in SCZ; and 3) enhanced soluble ICAM-1 release in induced pluripotent stem cell–derived neurons from patients with SCZ.
Conclusions
Our results support a systemic and cerebral dysregulation of soluble ICAM-1 expression in SMI and especially in patients with SCZ.
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Szabo, Attila; O'Connell, Kevin Sean; Ueland, Thor; Sheikh, Mashhood Ahmed; Agartz, Ingrid & Andreou, Dimitrios
[Show all 31 contributors for this article]
(2021).
Increased circulating IL-18 levels in severe mental disorders indicate systemic inflammasome activation.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
ISSN 0889-1591.
99,
p. 299–306.
doi:
10.1016/j.bbi.2021.10.017.
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Background
Schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are severe mental illnesses (SMI) that are part of a psychosis continuum, and dysregulated innate immune responses have been suggested to be involved in their pathophysiology. However, disease-specific immune mechanisms in SMI are not known yet. Recently, dyslipidemia has been linked to systemic inflammasome activation, and elevated atherogenic lipid ratios have been shown to correlate with circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers in SMI. It is, however, not yet known if increased systemic cholesterol load leads to inflammasome activation in these patients.
Methods
We tested the hypothesis that patients with SCZ and BD display higher circulating levels compared to healthy individuals of key members of the IL-18 system using a large patient cohort (n = 1632; including 737 SCZ and 895 BD), and healthy controls (CTRL; n = 1070). In addition, we assessed associations with coronary artery disease risk factors in SMI, focusing on relevant inflammasome-related, neuroendocrine, and lipid markers.
Results
We report higher baseline levels of circulating IL-18 system components (IL-18, IL-18BPA, IL-18R1), and increased expression of inflammasome-related genes (NLRP3 and NLRC4) in the blood of patients relative to CTRL. We demonstrate a cholesterol dyslipidemia pattern in psychotic disorders, and report correlations between levels of blood cholesterol types and the expression of inflammasome system elements in SMI.
Conclusions
Based on these results, we suggest a role for inflammasome activation/dysregulation in SMI. Our findings further the understanding of possible underlying inflammatory mechanisms and may expose important therapeutic targets in SMI.
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Engh, John; Ueland, Thor; Agartz, Ingrid; Andreou, Dimitrios; Aukrust, Pål & Boye, Birgitte
[Show all 27 contributors for this article]
(2021).
Plasma Levels of the Cytokines B Cell-Activating Factor (BAFF) and A Proliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL) in Schizophrenia, Bipolar, and Major Depressive Disorder: A Cross Sectional, Multisite Study.
Schizophrenia Bulletin.
ISSN 0586-7614.
48(1),
p. 37–46.
doi:
10.1093/schbul/sbab106.
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Background
Immune dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and other nonaffective psychosis (SCZ), bipolar spectrum disorder (BIP) and major depressive disorder (MDD). The cytokines B cell-activating factor (BAFF) and A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) belong to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) super family and are essential in orchestrating immune responses. Abnormal levels of BAFF and APRIL have been found in autoimmune diseases with CNS affection.
Methods
We investigated if plasma levels of BAFF and APRIL differed between patients with SCZ, BIP, and MDD with psychotic symptoms (n = 2009) and healthy control subjects (HC, n = 1212), and tested for associations with psychotic symptom load, controlling for sociodemographic status, antipsychotic and other psychotropic medication, smoking, body-mass-index, and high sensitivity CRP.
Results
Plasma APRIL level was significantly lower across all patient groups compared to HC (P < .001; Cohen’s d = 0.33), and in SCZ compared to HC (P < .001; d = 0.28) and in BIP compared to HC (P < .001; d = 0.37). Lower plasma APRIL was associated with higher psychotic symptom load with nominal significance (P = .017), but not with any other clinical characteristics. Plasma BAFF was not significantly different across patient groups vs HC, but significantly higher in BIP compared to HC (P = .040; d = 0.12) and SCZ (P = .027; d = 0.10).
Conclusions
These results show aberrant levels of BAFF and APRIL and association with psychotic symptoms in patients with SCZ and BIP. This suggest that dysregulation of the TNF system, mediated by BAFF and APRIL, is involved in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders.
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Nordheim, Espen; Lindahl, Jørn Petter Hanto; Carlsen, Rasmus Kirkeskov; Åsberg, Anders; Birkeland, Kåre I. & Horneland, Rune
[Show all 9 contributors for this article]
(2021).
Patient selection for islet or solid organ pancreas transplantation: experiences from a multidisciplinary outpatient-clinic approach.
Endocrine Connections.
10(2),
p. 230–239.
doi:
10.1530/EC-20-0519.
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Objective - β-cell replacement therapy (βCRT), including pancreas transplantation alone (PTA) and islet transplantation (ITX), is a treatment option for selected type 1 diabetes patients. All potential candidates for βCRT in Norway are referred to one national transplant centre for evaluation before any pre-transplant workup is started. This evaluation was performed by a transplant nephrologist alone prior to 2015 and by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) from 2015. We have reviewed the allocation of patients to treatment modality and the 1-year clinical outcome for the patients after transplantation.<p> <p>Research design and methods - Medical charts of all patients evaluated for βCRT between 2010 and 2020 in Norway were retrospectively analysed and the outcome of patients receiving βCRT were studied.<p> <p>Results - One hundred and forty-four patients were assessed for βCRT eligibility between 2010 and 2020. After MDT evaluation was introduced for βCRT eligibility in 2015, the percentage of referred patients accepted for the transplant waiting list fell from 84% to 40% (P < 0.005). One year after transplantation, 73% of the PTA and none of the ITX patients were independent of exogenous insulin, 8% of the PTA and 90% of the ITX patients had partial graft function while 19% of the PTA and 10% of the ITX patients suffered from graft loss.<p> <p>Conclusion - The acceptance rate for βCRT was significantly reduced during a 10-year observation period and 81% of the PTA and 90% of the ITX patients had partial or normal graft function 1 year post-transplant.
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Andreou, Dimitrios; Steen, Nils Eiel; Jørgensen, Kjetil Nordbø; Smelror, Runar; Wedervang-Resell, Kirsten & Nerland, Stener
[Show all 25 contributors for this article]
(2021).
Lower circulating neuron-specific enolase concentrations in adults and adolescents with severe mental illness.
Psychological Medicine.
ISSN 0033-2917.
p. 1–10.
doi:
10.1017/S0033291721003056.
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Background Both neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental abnormalities have been suggested to be part of the etiopathology of severe mental illness (SMI). Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), mainly located in the neuronal cytoplasm, may indicate the process as it is upregulated after neuronal injury while a switch from non-neuronal enolase to NSE occurs during neuronal maturation. Methods We included 1132 adult patients with SMI [schizophrenia (SZ) or bipolar spectrum disorders], 903 adult healthy controls (HC), 32 adolescent patients with SMI and 67 adolescent HC. Plasma NSE concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassay. For 842 adults and 85 adolescents, we used total grey matter volume (TGMV) based on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images processed in FreeSurfer v6.0. We explored NSE case-control differences in adults and adolescents separately. To investigate whether putative case-control differences in NSE were TGMV-dependent we controlled for TGMV. Results We found significantly lower NSE concentrations in both adult (p < 0.001) and adolescent patients with SMI (p = 0.007) compared to HC. The results remained significant after controlling for TGMV. Among adults, both patients with SZ spectrum (p < 0.001) and bipolar spectrum disorders (p = 0.005) had lower NSE than HC. In both patient subgroups, lower NSE levels were associated with increased symptom severity. Among adults (p < 0.001) and adolescents (p = 0.040), females had lower NSE concentrations than males. Conclusion We found lower NSE concentrations in adult and adolescent patients with SMI compared to HC. The results suggest the lack of progressive neuronal injury, and may reflect abnormal neuronal maturation. This provides further support of a neurodevelopmental rather than a neurodegenerative mechanism in SMI.
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Bøen, Erlend; Hummelen, Benjamin; Boye, Birgitte; Elvsåshagen, Torbjørn & Malt, Ulrik Fredrik
(2020).
Borderline patients have difficulties describing feelings; bipolar II patients describe difficult feelings. An alexithymia study.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
ISSN 0001-690X.
142(3),
p. 203–214.
doi:
10.1111/acps.13204.
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Elvsåshagen, Torbjørn; Bahrami, Shahram; Meer, Dennis van der; Agartz, Ingrid; Alnæs, Dag & Barch, Deanna M.
[Show all 76 contributors for this article]
(2020).
The genetic architecture of human brainstem structures and their involvement in common brain disorders.
Nature Communications.
11.
doi:
10.1038/s41467-020-17376-1.
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Brainstem regions support vital bodily functions, yet their genetic architectures and involvement in common brain disorders remain understudied. Here, using imaging-genetics data from a discovery sample of 27,034 individuals, we identify 45 brainstem-associated genetic loci, including the first linked to midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata volumes, and map them to 305 genes. In a replication sample of 7432 participants most of the loci show the same effect direction and are significant at a nominal threshold. We detect genetic overlap between brainstem volumes and eight psychiatric and neurological disorders. In additional clinical data from 5062 individuals with common brain disorders and 11,257 healthy controls, we observe differential volume alterations in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, multiple sclerosis, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease, supporting the relevance of brainstem regions and their genetic architectures in common brain disorders.
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Mikkelsen, Audun; Boye, Birgitte; Diseth, Trond H; Malt, Ulrik Fredrik; Mørkrid, Lars & Ijsselstijn, Hanneke
[Show all 7 contributors for this article]
(2020).
Traumatic stress, mental health and quality of life in adolescents with esophageal atresia.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery.
ISSN 0022-3468.
15(26),
p. 1–9.
doi:
10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.10.029.
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Introduction We aimed to investigate QoL in EA patients in relation to comparison groups and to clinical factors including experienced traumatic stress. Material and Methods Adolescents with EA in Norway born between 1996 and 2002 were included. Clinical assessment and patient's characteristics were collected. Quality of life (PedsQL), traumatic stress (IES-13) and mental health (SDQ-20) were compared to groups of healthy controls, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and kidney transplanted children (TX). Results 68 EA adolescents participated. Total scores for PedsQL were not different from the healthy group and ALL patients, but significantly better than the TX patients. The subscale for physical performance was significantly lower than in healthy adolescents, and nine (17%) patients had scores ≤70 indicating reduced health status. Five EA adolescents (12%) had mental health scores suggesting a psychiatric disorder, and six (9%) reported high traumatic stress scores with a significant correlation to days on ventilator in the neonatal period. The strongest predictors for quality of life among EA adolescents were self-reported mental health, posttraumatic stress and GERD symptoms. Conclusion Scores for Quality of life in the EA group are good except for subscale for physical performance. Symptoms of posttraumatic stress, mental strain and gastroesophageal reflux are predictors of reduced QoL.
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Weissner, Kristin Howlid; Diseth, Trond H; Boye, Birgitte; Færden, Ann & Ekeberg, Øivind
(2019).
Examining the organization and quality of the psychiatric consultative service in Norway.
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry.
ISSN 0803-9488.
73(1),
p. 9–15.
doi:
10.1080/08039488.2018.1525426.
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Aim: Patients admitted to somatic departments may face psychiatric challenges, such as suicidal behavior, substance abuse, crisis reactions, or somatoform disorders. Mental disorders can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of a somatic disorder. The Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service (CLP) can provide advice and guidance to attending staff in somatic departments. CLP in Norwegian hospitals was last reviewed in 1997. There is insufficient awareness of the service as it currently stands. This specialist field is expanding, and there is a need to examine how the service is organized at present and how it works. Materials and methods: A study of the scope, quality, availability, content, and organization of the psychiatric consultative service was conducted in February–March 2016. The study also examined whether service users and providers were satisfied with the service, the content of the service, and whether they considered the service to be adequate. Results and conclusions: Although CLP has expanded over the last three years, somatic and psychiatric departments wish for its further expansion. The service provision is at an acceptable level during the daytime, but not during weekends and holidays. We found that 20% of all referrals are rejected and that 80–90% of all physicians wanted outpatient services for short-term follow-up and for help with undiagnosed, unclear, unexplained, (indeterminate) conditions. Discussion: The service works satisfactorily during ordinary working hours. There is a need to establish outpatient services and to strengthen the services outside these hours. Collaborative research should be further developed.
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Zak, Nathalia; Bøen, Erlend; Boye, Birgitte; Andreassen, Ole Andreas; Doan, Nhat Trung & Malt, Ulrik Fredrik
[Show all 8 contributors for this article]
(2019).
Mood episodes are associated with increased cortical thinning: A longitudinal study of bipolar disorder type II.
Bipolar Disorders.
ISSN 1398-5647.
21,
p. 525–538.
doi:
10.1111/bdi.12771.
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Objectives Previous studies found evidence for thinner frontotemporal cortices in bipolar disorder (BD), yet whether this represents a stable disease trait or an effect of mood episodes remains unknown. Here, we assessed the reproducibility of thinner frontotemporal cortices in BD type II, compared longitudinal changes in cortical thickness between individuals with BD type II and healthy controls (HCs), and examined the effect of mood episodes on cortical thickness change. Methods Thirty‐three HCs and 29 individuals with BD type II underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging at baseline, as published previously, and 2.4 years later, at follow‐up. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses of cortical thickness were performed using Freesurfer, and relationships with mood episodes from baseline to follow‐up were assessed. Results Individuals with BD type II had thinner left and right prefrontal and left temporal cortex clusters at follow‐up (all corrected P < 0.001), consistent with baseline results. Both groups showed widespread longitudinal cortical thinning, and patients had increased thinning in a left temporal cortex cluster compared to HCs (corrected P < 0.001). Patients with more (>2) depressive episodes between baseline and follow‐up had greater left temporal cortical thinning than patients with fewer depressive episodes (corrected P < 0.05). In addition, patients with more depressive episodes had greater thinning in bilateral ventromedial prefrontal clusters relative to HCs (uncorrected P < 0.05), yet these results did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusions Together, these findings support reduced frontotemporal cortical thickness in BD type II and provide the first preliminary evidence for an association between depressive episodes and increased cortical thinning.
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Zak, Nathalia; Moberget, Torgeir; Bøen, Erlend; Boye, Birgitte; Waage, Trine Rygvold & Dietrichs, Espen
[Show all 12 contributors for this article]
(2018).
Longitudinal and cross-sectional investigations of long-term potentiation-like cortical plasticity in bipolar disorder type II and healthy individuals.
Translational Psychiatry.
8(103).
doi:
10.1038/s41398-018-0151-5.
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Visual evoked potential (VEP) plasticity is a promising assay for noninvasive examination of long-term potentiation (LTP)-like synaptic processes in the cerebral cortex. We conducted longitudinal and cross-sectional investigations of VEP plasticity in controls and individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) type II. VEP plasticity was assessed at baseline, as described previously (Elvsåshagen et al. Biol Psychiatry 2012), and 2.2 years later, at follow-up. The longitudinal sample with VEP data from both time points comprised 29 controls and 16 patients. VEP data were available from 13 additional patients at follow-up (total n = 58). VEPs were evoked by checkerboard reversals in two premodulation blocks before and six blocks after a plasticity-inducing block of prolonged (10 min) visual stimulation. VEP plasticity was computed by subtracting premodulation VEP amplitudes from postmodulation amplitudes. Saliva samples for cortisol analysis were collected immediately after awakening in the morning, 30 min later, and at 12:30 PM, at follow-up. We found reduced VEP plasticity in BD type II, that impaired plasticity was present in the euthymic phases of the illness, and that VEP plasticity correlated negatively with depression severity. There was a positive association between VEP plasticity and saliva cortisol in controls, possibly reflecting an inverted U-shaped relationship between cortisol and synaptic plasticity. VEP plasticity exhibited moderate temporal stability over a period of 2.2 years. The present study provides additional evidence for impaired LTP-like cortical plasticity in BD type II. VEP plasticity is an accessible method, which may help elucidate the pathophysiological and clinical significance of synaptic dysfunction in psychiatric disorders.
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Bjørge, Heidi; Notland, T.H.; Boye, Birgitte; Ulstein, Ingun; Smeby, Nina Aarhus & Malt, Ulrik Fredrik
[Show all 7 contributors for this article]
(2017).
How do Patients with Schizophrenia Perceive Relatives’ Levels of Expressed Emotions? A Brief Patient Rated Scale.
Open Journal of Psychiatry.
ISSN 2161-7325.
7(3).
doi:
10.4236/ojpsych.2017.73020.
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Background: Patients’ perspective on relatives’ attitude and behaviour towards them (Expressed emotion―EE) may be an important addition to the current focus on relatives’ perspective only, as measured by Camberwell Family Interview (CFI) or other methods. Based on the theory of EE, we have designed a brief, three-item questionnaire completed by patients, named Felt Expressed Emotion Rating Scale (FEERS). FEERS measures the patient’s experience of criticism (Cri) and emotional over involvement (i.e. worry (Wo), and control (Con). Aims: To investigate the test-retest reliability of the FEERS and associations between the FEERS and the CFI and to which extent FEERS scores were modified by severity of psychotic symptoms, cognitive function, patient mood and amount of face-to-face contact with relatives. Methods: Forty-five patients with schizophrenia and related psychoses admitted to a psychiatric hospital and 67 relatives were included. Assessments included FEERS, CFI and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results: FEERS-Cri test-retest intra-class correlation (ICC1,1) was 0.71 among patients with low total PANSS scores, low cognitive impairment (0.59) and depression (0.63). For low levels of cognitive impairment, the ICCs of the FEERS-Wo and the FEERS-Con were 0.62 and 0.83, respectively. The FEERS-Cri and FEERS- Wo correlated significantly with CFI-CC and CFI-positive comments, respectively. Among the relatives that the patient deemed “not at all critical” (low FEERS-Cri scores), 94% had low CFI-CC levels. Conclusions: The FEERS may be a brief, time-saving alternative for identifying relatives with low levels of criticism. However, illness severity, cognitive function and mood influence FEERS test-retest reliability and link to CFI.
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Elvsåshagen, Torbjørn; Zuzarte, Pedro; Westlye, Lars Tjelta; Bøen, Erlend; Josefsen, Dag & Boye, Birgitte
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Brottveit, Margit; Vandvik, Per Olav; Wojniusz, Slawomir Donat; Løvik, Astrid; Lundin, Knut E A & Boye, Turid Birgitte
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Reme, Silje Endresen; Landmark, Live; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre; Suvatne, Christer; Herner, Linn Breen & Drivenes, Elin
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(2026).
Gi pasientene livet tilbake.
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Vi vet nok til å kunne hjelpe langt flere pasienter med langvarige symptomer. Likevel holder vi tilbake håpet, av frykt for å skuffe. Det kan koste pasientene store deler av livet.
Denne kronikken er et faglig opprop fra 63 klinikere, forskere og fagpersoner fra hele landet. Vi har klinisk og forskningsmessig erfaring med vedvarende fysiske symptomer, som smerter, utmattelse, «hjernetåke», svimmelhet og mageplager og har samlet oss om et felles budskap: Ny kunnskap om hvordan slike symptomer oppstår og opprettholdes gir grunn til langt større håp om bedring enn mange pasienter får formidlet i dag.
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Boye, Birgitte; Abrahamsen, Cathrine; Helgeland, Helene; Kristiansen, Hege; Diseth, Trond Haaken & Elgen, Irene Bircow
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(2026).
Jan Christian Vestre, Helse Midt-Norge | Jan Christian Vestre: Leger krever krafttak mot funksjonelle lidelser.
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Én av tre pasienter ved norske sykehus lider av plager leger ikke finner ut av. Samfunnskostnadene er enorme.
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Helgeland, Helene; Boye, Birgitte & Kristiansen, Hege
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Pasienter med funksjonelle lidelser trenger et bedre behandlingstilbud
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Malt, Ulrik Fredrik; Boye, Birgitte & Malt, Eva Albertsen
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Psykosomatiske lidelser.
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Rø, Karin Isaksson; Djerv, Lasse; Boye, Birgitte & Ekeberg, Øivind
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Gruppeveiledning - et udekket behov hos leger i spesialisering.
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Elvsåshagen, Torbjørn; Westlye, Lars Tjelta; Bøen, Erlend; Hol, Per Kristian; Andersson, Stein & Boye, Turid Birgitte
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Elvsåshagen, Torbjørn; Bøen, Erlend; Moberget, Torgeir; Harkestad, Nina; Murison, Robert & Boye, Turid Birgitte
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(2013).
Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Studies of LTP-Like Cortical Plasticity in Subjects with Bipolar Disorder and Healthy Controls.
Biological Psychiatry.
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Elvsåshagen, Torbjørn; Bøen, Erlend; Moberget, Torgeir; Harkestad, Nina; Boye, Turid Birgitte & Malt, Ulrik Fredrik
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(2013).
Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies of LTP-like cortical plasticity in subjects with bipolar disorder and healthy controls.
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Published
June 18, 2015 9:52 AM
- Last modified
June 18, 2015 9:52 AM
