Affective Neuroscience Primary Brain Emotional Systems in Ultra-High-Risk (UHR) and non-UHR Adolescent Helpseekers

Introduction. Several risk factors have been identified at the onset of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, especially in Ultra-High-Risk (UHR) samples. It might be useful to focus attention on structural characteristics of personality in order to identify individuals at risk for psychosis more accurately. The aim of the present study is to investigate the differences of the six primary brain emotional systems between UHR and non-UHR adolescent patients. Methods. A sample of 95 patients, 48% males, (14-18 years) were included and referred to the clinic for Anxiety and Mood Disorders in Adolescence (Department of Psychiatry of Sant'Andrea Hospital in Rome). Subjects met diagnostic criteria for the following DSM-5 diagnoses: Anxiety Disorders (30%), Depressive Disorders (40%), Bipolar Disorders (15%), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (10%); UHR patients were 12. The sample was evaluated with the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales 2.4 (ANPS 2.4) and with the Structured Interview for Prodromal/Psychosis-risk Symptoms (SIPS). Results. There were no significant differences based on gender (F=0,747; p=.390) and age (F=1,850;p=.177). With regard to emotional-motivational systems, there are significant differences between non-UHR and UHR in SEEKING (F=9.233; p=.003) and Dominance (F=7.371; p=.008). Conclusions. UHR adolescent patients showed a higher levels of “mental energy” to explore, to discover and to over-interpret surroundings, as well as a greater propensity to read social reality in terms of competition, rank and control.