ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the social cognition profiles of male adults with ASD (n = 15), SCHZ (n = 16) and controls (n = 20). Change the second sentence of the abstract. Methods: A cross-sectional assessment of social cognition domains with emotional face perception with eye tracking was performed, and two IQ measures (Verbal IQ and Performance IQ) (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), and the DSM-IV Structured Clinical Interview were applied. Results: There were no significant differences in terms of average performance in social cognition tests or eye tracking tasks between the ASD and SCHZ groups. However, both had lower performances in most cases when compared to the control group. In the social cognition tasks, individuals in the control group performed better than both clinical groups. Conclusion: Although differences were identified between individuals with ASD and SCHZ, it was not possible to determine patterns or to differentiate the clinical groups.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os perfis de cognição social de adultos do sexo masculino com TEA (n = 15), SCHZ (n = 16) e controles (n = 20). Métodos: Foram aplicadas uma avaliação transversal dos domínios de cognição social com percepção emocional com rastreamento ocular, duas medidas de QI (QI verbal e QI de desempenho) (Escala de Inteligência Adulta de Wechsler) e a Entrevista Clínica Estruturada DSM-IV. Resultados: Não houve diferenças significativas em termos de desempenho médio em testes de cognição social ou tarefas de rastreamento ocular entre os grupos ASD e SCHZ. No entanto, ambos tiveram desempenhos mais baixos na maioria dos casos, quando comparados ao grupo controle. Nas tarefas de cognição social, os indivíduos do grupo controle tiveram melhor desempenho do que ambos os grupos clínicos. Conclusão: Embora tenham sido identificadas diferenças entre indivíduos com TEA e SCHZ, não foi possível determinar padrões ou diferenciar os grupos clínicos.

Objective: In schizophrenia, scores reflecting deficits in different cognitive processes are strongly correlated, making it difficult to establish a solid relationship between different cognitive mechanisms and other features of this disorder. The objective of this study was to explore whether three frequently postulated executive functions (updating, shifting, and inhibition) could be compared between groups and considered independently in terms of their respective roles in functional outcome. Methods: This study relied on confirmatory factor analysis of schizophrenia patients (n=141) and healthy controls (n=119). The main analyses examined the degree to which three executive functions (updating, set-shifting, and inhibition) could be separated in schizophrenia and compared this model among groups. Structural equation modeling analysis was also performed to examine the extent to which executive function components contribute to functional outcome in schizophrenia. Results: Multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis with unconstrained model parameters indicated that the full three-factor model may fit the data in both groups (χ2 = 61.48, degrees of freedom = 34, p < 0.001, comparative fit index = 0.95; standardized root mean square residual = 0.037; root mean square error of approximation = 0.04; Akaike’s information criteria = 169.49; normed fit index = 0.90), although there was also a good data fit for the patient group with a two-factor model. In the patient group, structural equation modeling suggested that shifting and (principally) updating were associated with the general measure of functional outcome (regression path coefficients: 0.34, p < 0.005; 0.39, p < 0.005, respectively), although when combined the mechanisms fail to contribute. Conclusion: This data suggests that the factor structure may be similar but not identical between groups, and both updating and shifting may play an important role in functional outcome in schizophrenia.

Objective: Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia, related to dopaminergic dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). It is hypothesized that functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4680 of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene could mediate the relationship between cognition and dopamine activity in the PFC. Other COMT SNPs could also play a role. Methods: We evaluated the role of three COMT SNPs (rs737865, rs165599, and rs4680) in schizophrenia and their impact on three working memory tasks. For genetic association analyses, 212 individuals with schizophrenia and 257 healthy controls (HCs) were selected. The Visual Working Memory (VWM) Task, Keep Track Task, and Letter Memory Task were administered to 133 schizophrenics and 93 HCs. Results: We found a significant association of rs737865, with the GG genotype exerting a protective effect and the GA haplotype (rs4680/rs165599) exerting a risk effect for schizophrenia. COMT rs4680 AA carriers and rs737865 AA carriers scored lowest on the Keep Track Task. When the genotype*group interaction effect was evaluated, rs165599 exerted opposite effects for VWM and Keep Track task performance in patients and controls, with AA carriers scoring lowest on both tests among controls, but highest among patients. Conclusion: These data support the hypothesis that COMT polymorphisms may be associated with schizophrenia and modulate cognition in patients and controls.

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi traduzir, adaptar e investigar propriedades psicométricas da Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) em uma amostra de crianças brasileiras. Após tradução, adaptação transcultural, retrotradução e equivalência semântica, realizada por juízes da área, a versão brasileira da CHEXI foi respondida por pais e professores de 408 crianças, idades entre 4 e 7 anos, também avaliadas com a Escala de Maturidade Mental Colúmbia e SNAP-IV. Elevados índices de consistência interna foram encontrados. A análise fatorial exploratória gerou dois fatores para a versão brasileira: um fator mais geral de funções executivas e um específico de inibição. As pontuações nas subescalas de planejamento, regulação e, marginalmente, memória de trabalho da CHEXI explicaram de modo significativo o indicador de desatenção da SNAP-IV, enquanto a pontuação na subescala de inibição explicou o indicador de hiperatividade/impulsividade. Os resultados fornecem bons parâmetros psicométricos para a CHEXI, além de contribuir para a realização de estudos com funções executivas e indicadores de TDAH no país.

Abstract The aim of the study was to translate, adapt and investigate psychometric properties of Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) for a sample of Brazilian children. After translation, cultural adaptation, back-translation and semantic equivalence performed by area judges, the Brazilian version of CHEXI was answered by parents and teachers of 408 children aged between 4 and 7 years, also evaluated with the Columbia Mental Maturity Scale and SNAP-IV. High internal consistency indices were found. Exploratory factor analysis yielded two factors for the Brazilian version: a more general factor of executive functions and one specific factor of inhibition. The scores on the subscales of planning, regulation and marginally working memory in CHEXI explained significantly the inattention indicator of SNAP-IV, while the score on the inhibition subscale explained the indicator of hyperactivity/impulsivity. The results provide good psychometric parameters for CHEXI, besides contributing to the studies with Executive functions and ADHD signs in Brazil.

Resumen El objetivo del estudio fue traducir, adaptar e investigar las propiedades psicométricas del Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) en una muestra de niños brasileños. Después de la traducción, adaptación transcultural, retro-traducción y equivalencia semántica realizada por jueces del área, la versión brasileña de la CHEXI fue respondida por padres y maestros de 408 niños de edad comprendida entre 4 y 7 años, también evaluados con la Escala de Madurez Mental Columbia y SNAP-IV. Se encontraron altos índices de consistencia interna. El análisis factorial exploratorio generó dos factores para la versión brasileña: un factor más general de las funciones ejecutivas y un factor específico de inhibición. Las puntuaciones en las subescalas de planificación, regulación y marginalmente memoria de trabajo de la CHEXI explicaron significativamente el indicador de falta de atención de la SNAP-IV, mientras que la puntuación en la sub-escala de inhibición explicó el indicador de hiperactividad / impulsividad. Los resultados proporcionaron buenos parámetros psicométricos para la CHEXI, además de contribuir para la realización de estudios con funciones ejecutivas e indicadores de TDAH en el país.

RESUMO Objetivo Adaptar para o Brasil e investigar a confiabilidade e validade da Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS) em pessoas com esquizofrenia. Métodos Etapa 1 – foi realizada tradução profissional para o português, adaptação e retrotradução da RAS. Etapa 2 – estudo-piloto em um grupo de 12 pessoas com esquizofrenia para garantir compreensão dos itens da escala. Etapa 3 – As pessoas com esquizofrenia (N = 104) foram submetidas à versão brasileira da RAS e a instrumentos de funcionalidade, qualidade de vida e sintomas para busca de evidências de validade. Resultados Os resultados revelaram bons índices de consistência interna e de precisão teste e reteste dos instrumentos. Foram estabelecidas evidências de validade convergente entre a RAS e medidas de qualidade de vida (r = 0,58; p < 0,001), funcionamento ocupacional (r = 0,40; p < 0,001), habilidades de vida independente (r = 0,24; p < 0,02), gravidade (CGI, r = -0,31; p < 0,003) sintomas da esquizofrenia: PANSS total (r = -0,21; p < 0,05), PANSS negativa (r = -0,28; p < 0.007), PANSS positiva (r = -0.08; p = 0,437)] e depressão [Calgary (r = -0,27; p < 0,01)]. A análise fatorial exploratória revelou seis fatores, sendo quatro destes similares a estudos prévios. Conclusão A partir deste estudo, considerou-se que a palavra “superação” reflete melhor o conceito de “recovery”. A versão brasileira da escala RAS é um instrumento válido e reprodutível para aferir a capacidade de “superação” das pessoas com esquizofrenia.

ABSTRACT Objective To adapt and investigate the validity reliability study of the Brazilian version of the Recovery Assessment Scale-RAS in people with schizophrenia. Methods Stage 1 – professional translation to Portuguese, adaptation, and back-translation of the RAS; Stage 2 – RAS was presented to 12 outpatients with schizophrenia to evaluate if they would be able to understand and respond to the instrument; Stage 3 – patients with schizophrenia (n = 104) were assessed with the Brazilian version of the RAS, functional outcomes measures, quality of life and symptoms scales. Results Results showed good internal consistency and retest reliability, and convergent validity between the RAS and quality of life measures (r = 0.58; p < 0.001), occupational functioning (r = 0.40; p < 0.001), independent living skills (r = 0.24; p < 0,02), functionality (CGI, r = -0.31; p < 0.003) and symptoms of schizophrenia, including PANSS total score total (r = -0.21; p < 0.05), PANSS negative (r = -0.28; p < 0.007), PANSS positive (r = -0.08; p = 0.48), and Calgary Depression Scale (r = -0.27; p < 0.01)]. Exploratory factor analysis yielded six factors, four of these very similar to previous studies. Conclusion This study suggests that the word “superação” (“overcome”) better reflects the concept of “recovery” in Brazilian Portuguese. The Brazilian version of RAS is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate the process of recovery in people with schizophrenia.

Objective: To investigate if verbal fluency impairment in schizophrenia reflects executive function deficits or results from degraded semantic store or inefficient search and retrieval strategies. Method: Two groups were compared: 141 individuals with schizophrenia and 119 healthy age and education-matched controls. Both groups performed semantic and phonetic verbal fluency tasks. Performance was evaluated using three scores, based on 1) number of words generated; 2) number of clustered/related words; and 3) switching score. A fourth performance score based on the number of clusters was also measured. Results: SZ individuals produced fewer words than controls. After controlling for the total number of words produced, a difference was observed between the groups in the number of cluster-related words generated in the semantic task. In both groups, the number of words generated in the semantic task was higher than that generated in the phonemic task, although a significant group vs. fluency type interaction showed that subjects with schizophrenia had disproportionate semantic fluency impairment. Working memory was positively associated with increased production of words within clusters and inversely correlated with switching. Conclusion: Semantic fluency impairment may be attributed to an inability (resulting from reduced cognitive control) to distinguish target signal from competing noise and to maintain cues for production of memory probes.

Objetivo O estudo descreve o desenvolvimento de duas medidas de atualização da memória de trabalho (MT): Teste de Atualização de Letras (TAL) e Teste de Atualização de Palavras (TAP). Métodos Na etapa 1 foram criados itens e os instrumentos foram analisados por experts e leigos. Na etapa 2, os testes foram aplicados em 15 pacientes com esquizofrenia e 15 controles pareados. Todos foram capazes de compreender e responder aos instrumentos. Na etapa 3, participaram 141 pacientes com esquizofrenia e 119 controles saudáveis com idades entre 18 e 60 anos, avaliados em MT, velocidade de processamento (VP) e funcionalidade. Resultados Os resultados revelaram bons índices de consistência interna para ambas as medidas desenvolvidas, tanto para a amostra total como para cada grupo separadamente, bem como evidências de validade convergente com medidas de MT, validade discriminante com medidas de VP e sensibilidade para discriminar o desempenho entre os grupos. Análise de componentes principais revelou que os testes de atualização apresentaram altas cargas e um fator separado das medidas de VP. Relações positivas, significativas, porém baixas, foram encontradas com medidas de funcionalidade. Conclusão Esses resultados fornecem bons parâmetros psicométricos para as medidas desenvolvidas, aplicáveis em contextos de pesquisa cognitiva da esquizofrenia.

Objective This study describes the development of two updating measures of working memory (WM): Letter Updating Test (LUT) and Word Updating Test (WUT). Methods In stage 1, items were created and the instruments were assessed by experts and laymen. In stage 2, tests were given to 15 patients with schizophrenia and 15 paired controls. All were able to understand and respond to the instruments. In stage 3, 141 patients with schizophrenia and 119 healthy controls aged 18 to 60 took part; they were assessed on WM, processing speed (PS) and functional outcome. Results The results showed adequate rates of internal consistency for both measures developed, for both the total sample and each group separately, as well as evidence of convergent validity, discriminant validity and sensitivity to differentiate performance among the groups. Principal component analysis yielded two components, one for updating tests and other for PS measures, indicating factorial validity. Positive and significant, yet low, correlations were found with functionality measures. Conclusion These results provide adequate psychometric parameters for the measures developed, applicable to cognitive research settings in schizophrenia.

Objectives: The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was developed to assess the symptoms of schizophrenia dimensionally. Although it is widely used in clinical trials in Brazil, it is not fully validated. The aim of this study is to assess the factor structure of the Brazilian PANSS and generate validation data for its current version. Methods: A total of 292 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were enrolled. Results: Principal component analysis suggested a forced five-factor final model that accounted for 58.44% of the total variance, composed of negative, disorganization/cognition, excitement, positive, and depression/anxiety. Conclusion: The Brazilian PANSS has a similar factor structure and internal consistency compared to its other country versions.

Objective: Functional neuroimaging techniques represent fundamental tools in the context of translational research integrating neurobiology, psychopathology, neuropsychology, and therapeutics. In addition, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has proven its efficacy in the treatment of anxiety disorders and may be useful in phobias. The literature has shown that feelings and behaviors are mediated by specific brain circuits, and changes in patterns of interaction should be associated with cerebral alterations. Based on these concepts, a systematic review was conducted aiming to evaluate the impact of CBT on phobic disorders measured by functional neuroimaging techniques. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted including studies published between January 1980 and April 2012. Studies written in English, Spanish or Portuguese evaluating changes in the pattern of functional neuroimaging before and after CBT in patients with phobic disorders were included. Results: The initial search strategy retrieved 45 studies. Six of these studies met all inclusion criteria. Significant deactivations in the amygdala, insula, thalamus and hippocampus, as well as activation of the medial orbitofrontal cortex, were observed after CBT in phobic patients when compared with controls. Conclusion: In spite of their technical limitations, neuroimaging techniques provide neurobiological support for the efficacy of CBT in the treatment of phobic disorders. Further studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.

O presente estudo objetivou verificar a produção científica de teses e dissertações em avaliação psicológica no Brasil, disponíveis na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde do Brasil (Bvs-Psi Brasil). Foram analisados 141 resumos de teses e dissertações em avaliação psicológica referentes a estudos que tinham avaliação psicológica, psicometria, validade, precisão e testes psicológicos como palavras-chave. Os resultados revelaram que 54,6% dos resumos eram de dissertações de mestrado, 43,3%, de teses de doutorado, e 2,1% eram de teses de pós-doutorado. Destes, 19,15% foram defendidos em Universidades estabelecidas na Região Sul do País, 80,14%, no Sudeste, e 0,71%, no Nordeste. Pode-se constatar que maior concentração da produção científica de avaliação psicológica fica na Região Sudeste. Verificou-se que 60,3% tinham por objetivo buscar parâmetros psicométricos, e 27,7% tinham a finalidade de utilizar os testes para validar protocolos de intervenção, descrever habilidades específicas e estudar relações entre variáveis, e constituem a maioria dos estudos transversais. Os construtos mais estudados são a personalidade e a inteligência, e as áreas de aplicação em que se utiliza mais avaliação psicológica são a clínica e a escolar, de acordo com os resultados do presente estudo.

The present study aimed to verify the scientific production of the thesis and dissertations in psychological assessment in Brazil, all which are from the Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde do Brasil (BVS-Psi Brasil). 141 theses’ and dissertations’ abstracts that referred to studies with psychological assessment, psychometric, validity, reliability and psychological tests as keywords were analyzed. The results showed that 54,6% of the abstracts were from Masters’ dissertations, 43,3% of PhD’s thesis and 2,1% were from post-doctoral thesis. 19,15% of the studies were defended in universities established in the south region of the country, 80,14% in the southeast and 0,71% in the northeast region. It can be seen that most of the scientific production in psychological assessment comes from the southeast region. It was verified that 60,3% were aimed to search psychometrics parameters and 27,7% had the purpose of using the test to validate intervention protocols, describe specific abilities and study relations between variables, being most of them from transversal studies. The constructs most studied are personality and intelligence and the clinic and the school are the areas of application where the psychological assessment is most used, according to the study’s results.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar la producción científica de tesis y disertaciones en evaluación psicológica en Brasil, disponibles en la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud de Brasil (Bvs-Psi Brasil). Fueron analizados 141 resúmenes de tesis y disertaciones en evaluación psicológica referentes a estudios que tenían evaluación psicológica, psicometría, validez, precisión y testes psicológicos como palabras-clave. Los resultados revelaron que 54,6% de los resúmenes eran de disertaciones de maestrazgo, 43,3%, de tesis de doctorado, y 2,1% eran de tesis de post-doctorado. De éstos, 19,15% fueron defendidos en Universidades establecidas en la Región Sur del País, 80,14%, en el Sudeste, y 0,71%, en el Nordeste. Se puede constatar que la mayor concentración de la producción científica de evaluación psicológica está localizada en la Región Sudeste. Se verificó que 60,3% tenían por objetivo buscar parámetros psicométricos, y 27,7% tenían la finalidad de utilizar los testes para validar protocolos de intervención, describir habilidades específicas y estudiar relaciones entre variables, y constituyen la mayoría de los estudios transversales. Los constructos más estudiados son la personalidad y la inteligencia, y las áreas de aplicación en la que se utiliza más evaluación psicológica son la clínica y la escolar, de acuerdo con los resultados del presente estudio.

OBJETIVO: Prejuízos em memória de trabalho são comuns na esquizofrenia e possíveis causas de múltiplas características do transtorno. Entretanto, poucos estudos reproduziram achados de padrões específicos de déficits em amostras brasileiras de pacientes com esquizofrenia. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a memória de trabalho auditiva e visual na esquizofrenia, verificar se estas habilidades operam como dois sistemas separados, e relacionar possíveis déficits de memória de trabalho com habilidades de funções executivas. MÉTODO: Foram incluídos 20 indivíduos com esquizofrenia e 20 indivíduos saudáveis pareados quanto a sexo, idade e escolaridade. As habilidades avaliadas foram memória de trabalho auditiva e visual, atenção seletiva, controle inibitório, flexibilidade cognitiva e planejamento. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes demonstraram prejuízos em todas as medidas dos testes, exceto em tempo de reação de controle inibitório. Pacientes apresentaram significante correlação entre MT auditiva com medidas de atenção seletiva, controle inibitório, flexibilidade e planejamento. Memória de trabalho visual apresentou correlações com planejamento e flexibilidade. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere que déficits em memória de trabalho e funções executivas estão presentes em pacientes esquizofrênicos na amostra brasileira avaliada. Alterações nas funções executivas podem levar a incapacidade de adequadas operações de memória de trabalho. Esses achados podem contribuir no delineamento de novos procedimentos de intervenção na esquizofrenia em populações brasileiras.

OBJECTIVE: Working memory impairment is common in schizophrenia and is possibly a cause of multiple features of the disorder. However few studies have replicated such findings of impairment patterns in Brazilian samples. The main target of this study was to assess auditory and visual working memory in patients with schizophrenia, to assess if they work as separate systems, and to correlate working memory deficits with executive functions. METHOD: Twenty subjects with schizophrenia and twenty healthy subjects matched by gender, age, and schooling have participated. The abilities assessed were auditory and visual working memory, selective attention, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and planning. RESULTS: Patients showed declines in all measures evaluated, except for a measure reaction time of inhibitory control. Auditory working memory was correlated to selective attention, inhibition, flexibility and planning while Visual working memory to planning and flexibility. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that working memory and executive functions deficits are present in patients with schizophrenia in the Brazilian sample evaluated. Alterations in executive functions may lead to incapacity of operation of processes of working memory. These findings may contribute to delineate and develop new strategies of schizophrenia treatment in the Brazilian population.