Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the 12-week trajectories of symptom change and functional outcomes associated with methylphenidate and risperidone monotherapies in preschool-aged children with ADHD across four sequential evaluation points. Method: This naturalistic, non-randomized retrospective chart review, in which treatment allocation was based on routine clinical practice, analyzed clinical data from 38 drug-na & iuml;ve male preschool children (aged 52-72 months) who completed a 12-week monotherapy regimen (methylphenidate, n=20; risperidone, n=18). Treatment outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0), week 3 (T1), week 6 (T2), and week 12 (T3) using the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised Short Form (CPRS-R:S) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs indicated no statistically significant Time & times; Group interactions for any CPRS-R:S subscales (p >0.05), with both monotherapies showing a parallel, significant reduction in core ADHD symptoms that stabilized after week 6 (T0 > T1 > T2=T3). In contrast, significant Time & times; Group interactions were observed across multiple SDQ dimensions (p <0.05). In the methylphenidate group, significant reductions in global behavioral difficulties were observed by week 3, whereas the risperidone group showed a more gradual trajectory, with improvement in conduct problems becoming evident after week 6 and improvement in emotional symptoms becoming evident at week 12. Conclusion: Both methylphenidate and risperidone monotherapies were associated with substantial reductions in core diagnostic ADHD symptoms over 12 weeks in preschool children. However, they demonstrated distinct trajectories across broader functional domains: functional improvement emerged earlier in children receiving methylphenidate, whereas children receiving risperidone showed a more gradual and time-dependent pattern of behavioral improvement.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the short-term effects of the Healthy Living Guide psychoeducation program on insight development and treatment adherence among 54 male patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders who were receiving treatment in a High-Security Forensic Psychiatry (HSFP) center. Method: All participants took part in a psychoeducation program during their hospitalization. Assessments were conducted both before and after the program using the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), the Schedule for the Assessment of Insight (SAI), the Global Assessment Scale (GAS), and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), together with a Sociodemographic Data Form and the Violence Profile for Current Offense scale. Results: Following the psychoeducation program, reductions were observed in both positive and negative symptoms, along with improvements in functionality, insight, and treatment adherence. The program was particularly more effective in patients with lower baseline insight. However, for patients who had been admitted during an acute psychotic episode, the impact of the intervention remained limited even after clinical remission. Additionally, after the program, insight was negatively correlated with both positive and negative symptom severity. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the Healthy Living Guide psychoeducation program, when implemented in forensic psychiatric populations, may serve as a complementary approach to treatment by contributing to symptom reduction, enhanced functionality, improved insight, and better treatment adherence in patients with psychotic disorders.
Objective: Brain health is essential for overall well-being, yet its determinants vary across regions due to geopolitical, cultural, and socioeconomic factors. Southeastern Europe (SEE) faces unique challenges that influence brain health outcomes. Addressing brain health this region requires tailored approaches that consider the complexity and diversity of these factors. This paper reports on a region-specific framework for addressing brain health challenges in SEE by identifying key determinants through expert collaboration and evidence-based analysis. Methods: In 2023, a Brain Health Task Force convened in Ohrid, North Macedonia, gathering input from brain health experts across 13 SEE countries and individuals with lived dementia experience. The Task Force focused on the World Health Organization (WHO) brain health determinants, integrating expert feedback with a literature review and a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. A scoring system was developed, and the results were visualized through thematic maps, highlighting brain health performance variations across the region. Results: The initial findings reveal significant disparities in SWOT across 25 WHO subdomains of brain health determinants among the 13 SEE countries. Kosovo and Bosnia & Herzegovina scored overall lower (greater weaknesses and threats), while Slovenia and Serbia exhibited stronger outcomes (greater strengths and opportunities). The thematic maps provide a visual representation of these differences, underscoring the diverse challenges and opportunities for brain health across the SEE region. Conclusions: These findings provide a foundation for further examination of brain health in SEE, guiding policy and strategic interventions, addressing stigma, and fostering cross-sectoral, cross-border, and interregional collaboration.
