OBJECTIVES: Neurological soft signs have been regarded as endophenotypes associated with the genetic basis of schizophrenia. This study was to investigate the intra-familial correlations of the neurological soft signs according to their genetic loading. METHODS: Schizophrenic patients(N=14) were included, who had one parent with a family history of schizophrenia and the other without it. Genetic loading was determined by the patient's family history of schizophrenia using the Family Interview for Genetic Studies(FIGS). These parents were subdivided into two groups. The first group was designated as'presumed carriers'(N=9) of genetic loading, who had one or more schizophreic first- or second-degree relatives. The second group was designated as'presumed non-carriers'(N=11) of genetic loading, who had no schizophrenic first- or second-degree relatives. Normal controls(N=12) consisted of people without schizophrenic relatives. NSS were evaluated using the Neurological Evaluation Scale-Korean Version (NES-K), and the intra-familial correlations of NSS were tested using the Intra-Class Coefficients(ICC) method. RESULTS: The scores of Motor Coordination subdimension of NES-K were significantly correlated between the patients and their presumed carriers(ICC=.804, p=.016), but not significantly correlated between the patients and their presumed noncarriers. In other subdimensions of NES-K, no significant correlation were found between the patients and their parents regardless of the genetic loading. But, there were no statistically significant differences in the scores of Motor Coordination subdimension of NES-K between the patients and controls. CONCLUSION: This study did not prove that the neurological soft signs might be an endophenotype of schizophrenia that cosegregate with the genetic loading. The future study using more subjects than this would be needed.
Endophenotypes ; Genetic Load ; Humans ; Parents ; Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVES: In South Korea, there is limited information on nicotine dependence (ND) and its correlation with psychiatric disorders. Based on the National Epidemiologic Survey of Psychiatric Disorders in South Korea in 2006, we examined the relationship between the severity of tobacco smoking and mental disorders, paying specific attention to suicidal ideas, plans, and attempts. METHODS: A total of 6,510 adults underwent face-to-face interviews. The Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI) was used to evaluate lifetime prevalence and correlates of mental disorders. According to the the severity of tobacco smoking, participants were grouped into never-smokers, ever-smokers, and ND. The frequencies of mental disorders and suicidal tendencies were analyzed among ND/ever-smokers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to predict the odds ratios and significance levels among groups. RESULTS: Associations of ND with alcohol use disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, pathological gambling, and suicidal tendencies were significant, even after controlling for demographic characteristics. Associations of most psychiatric disorders with smoking were stronger in females than in males. CONCLUSION: ND is highly associated with alcohol use disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, pathological gambling, and suicidal tendencies. Interventions are needed in order to prevent the development of ND from regular smoking.
Adult ; Anxiety Disorders ; Female ; Gambling ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mental Disorders ; Mood Disorders ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Suicide ; Tobacco ; Tobacco Use Disorder

OBJECTIVES: Diffuse tensor imaging (DTI) was applied to explore the difference in regional distribution and extent of white matter (WM) abnormalities in boys with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) versus boys with comorbid ADHD and tic disorders. METHODS: Fifteen boys with ADHD (mean age 9.3+/-1.8), 24 ADHD boys with chronic tic disorder or Tourette's disorder (9.9+/-1.2) and 9 age-, gender-matched controls (9.2+/-1.8) received DTI assessments. Fractional Anisotropy (FA) maps of WM were compared between groups with a voxel-wise analysis after intersubject registration to MNI space. RESULTS: Both groups, ADHD group and ADHD with tic disorder group, commonly showed decreased FA than healthy control group in left cerebellar middle peduncle and right frontal lobe, increased FA in right middle occipital WM. In the common areas of left cerebellar middle peduncle and right middle occipital WM, comorbid group showed broader areas of significant FA. The comorbid group also showed increased FA in right cerebellar peduncle, additionally. CONCLUSION: The findings in ADHD group support previous ADHD hypothesis of the functional abnormalities in corticocerebellar circuit, and suggest that ADHD might have more complicated pathology of neuronal circuit including occipital visual system. The comorbid group showed common areas of overlapping but more extensive abnormalities and also had additional WM abnormalities. ADHD with chronic tic disorders may represent a severe form of ADHD with additional regions of abnormal connectivity.
Anisotropy ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; Diffusion ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Neurons ; Tic Disorders ; Tics ; Tourette Syndrome

OBJECTIVES : The aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of the DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in the Korean population using the Korean version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI), and to compare those with previous studies. METHODS : The Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area study Replication (KECA-R) was conducted between August 2006 and April 2007. The sampling of the subjects was carried out across 12 catchment areas. A multistage, cluster sampling design was adopted. The target population included all eligible residents aged 18 to 64 years. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the Korean version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI) based on the DSM-IV (N=6,510, response rate=81.7%). RESULTS : A total of 6,510 participants completed the interview. The lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates for all types of DSM-IV disorders were 30.0% and 17.3%, respectively. Those of specific disorders were as follows : 1) alcohol use disorder, 16.2% and 5.6% ; 2) nictotine use disorder, 9.0% and 6.0%;3) specific phobia, 3.8% and 3.4%;4) major depressive disorder, 5.6% and 2.5% ; and 5) generalized anxiety disorder, 1.6% and 0.8%. Data relating to nicotine and alcohol use disorder revealed a very high male/female ratio. Mood disorder and anxiety disorder were more prevalent among females than males. CONCLUSION : The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was high. In comparison with other studies, remarkable differences in the distribution of psychiatric disorders across the country and times were observed.
Adult ; Aged ; Anxiety Disorders ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Female ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; Mood Disorders ; Nicotine ; Phobic Disorders ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in Korean adults. METHODS: Door to door household surveys were conducted with community residents aged 18-74 years from July 19, 2011, to November 16, 2011 (n=6,022, response rate 78.7%). The sample was drawn from 12 catchment areas using a multistage cluster method. Each subject was assessed using the Korean version of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). RESULTS: Lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates were as follows: alcohol use disorders, 13.4% and 4.4%, respectively; nicotine use disorders, 7.2% and 4.0%, respectively; anxiety disorders, 8.7% and 6.8%, respectively; and mood disorders, 7.5% and 3.6%, respectively. The prevalence rates of all types of DSM-IV mental disorders were 27.6% and 16.0%, respectively. Being female; young; divorced, separated, or widowed; and in a low-income group were associated with mood and anxiety disorders after adjustment for various demographic variables, whereas being male and young were associated with alcohol use disorders. Higher income was not correlated with alcohol use disorder as it had been in the 2001 survey. CONCLUSION: The rate of depressive disorders has increased since 2001 (the first national survey), whereas that of anxiety disorders has been relatively stable. The prevalence of nicotine and alcohol use disorders has decreased, and the male-to-female ratio of those with this diagnosis has also decreased.
Adult* ; Anxiety Disorders ; Depressive Disorder ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders* ; Divorce ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders* ; Mood Disorders ; Nicotine ; Prevalence* ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; Widowhood ; World Health Organization