Background: Diagnosis of schizophrenia (SCZ) is made exclusively clinically, since specific biomarkers that can predict the disease accurately remain unknown. Machine learning (ML) represents a promising approach that could support clinicians in the diagnosis of mental disorders. Objectives: A systematic review, according to the PRISMA statement, was conducted to evaluate its accuracy to distinguish SCZ patients from healthy controls. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Library through December 2018 using generic terms for ML techniques and SCZ without language or time restriction. Thirty-five studies were included in this review: eight of them used structural neuroimaging, twenty-six used functional neuroimaging and one both, with a minimum accuracy >60% (most of them 75–90%). Sensitivity, Specificity and accuracy were extracted from each publication or obtained directly from authors. Results: Support vector machine, the most frequent technique, if associated with other ML techniques achieved accuracy close to 100%. The prefrontal and temporal cortices appeared to be the most useful brain regions for the diagnosis of SCZ. ML analysis can efficiently detect significantly altered brain connectivity in patients with SCZ (eg, default mode network, visual network, sensorimotor network, frontoparietal network and salience network). Conclusion: The greater accuracy demonstrated by these predictive models and the new models resulting from the integration of multiple ML techniques will be increasingly decisive for early diagnosis and evaluation of the treatment response and to establish the prognosis of patients with SCZ. To achieve a real benefit for patients, the future challenge is to reach an accurate diagnosis not only through clinical evaluation but also with the aid of ML algorithms.

Research has shown that a history of childhood adversities is common in patients with psychiatric disorders but few studies have investigated links between specific types of adversity and specific psychiatric disorders. We investigated the frequency of early childhood adversities in a sample consisting of 91 patients with diagnosis of schizophrenic spectrum disorders (SSD), 74 patients with bipolar disorder (BD), 83 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 85 healthy controls and sought to identify adverse early childhood life events that predict the development of major psychiatric disorders. The Childhood Experiences of Care and Abuse questionnaire was used to collect data on traumatic experiences occurring before the age of 17 years and comprehensive demographic data were also collected. The data were analyzed with chi-squared tests, t-tests, post-hoc and logistic regression. Maternal absence/loss and economic difficulties in the early life were more prevalent in the BD group than other groups. Escape from home, cannabis abuse, psychological abuse, physical abuse and loneliness were more frequent in the SSD group than in other groups. Paternal absence, neglect of core needs, serious familial tension and absence of adult and peer confidants were all less common in the HC group than in the other groups. The regression model confirmed that different types of adversities play a crucial role in the development of the three investigated disorders. Our results support that SSD, BD and MDD are associated to different childhood adversities. This suggests that psychosocial interventions that reduce the incidence of these early life adversities might reduce the incidence of severe and disabling psychiatric disorders.

Background: Aberrant salience is a well-known construct associated with the development and maintenance of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. However, only a few studies have investigated aberrance salience as a trait, with no study investigating the association between the five aberrant salience domains and psychotic symptoms. We aimed to explore the role of aberrant salience and its domains on psychotic dimensions in both clinically remitted and non-remitted patients. Methods: A sample of 102 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders was divided according to the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) remission criteria into two groups: remitted and non-remitted. Differences regarding psychotic symptomatology assessed by the PANSS and aberrant salience measured by the Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) were explored. Finally, a correlation analysis between the PANSS and the ASI was run. Results: Significantly higher ASI scores were evident among non-remitted patients. Positive symptoms (i.e. delusions, conceptual disorganization, and hallucinatory behaviour) and general psychopathology (i.e. postural mannerisms, unusual thought content) were correlated to the aberrant salience subscales ‘sharpening of senses’, ‘heightened emotionality’ and ‘heightened cognition’ and with the ASI total score. Significant correlations emerged between negative symptoms (blunted affect and social withdrawal) and ‘heightened cognition'. Finally, lack of spontaneity of conversation was related to the subscales ‘heightened emotionality’ and ‘heightened cognition’, as well as to the ASI total score. Conclusions: These preliminary results support the hypothesis of an association between aberrant salience and psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. Further research is needed, especially into the mechanisms underlying salience processing, in addition to social and environmental factors and cognitive variables.

Introduction: Cognitive models suggest the co-occurrence of cognitive biases and aberrant salience is unique to psychosis, but their interaction is not yet fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between subjective cognitive biases and aberrant salience in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) in this study. Methods: A sample of 92 subjects with SSDs underwent an assessment using Davos Assessment Cognitive Biases (DACOBS) and the Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) in a cross-sectional design. We evaluated psychopathological differences based on ASI scores and conducted a linear regression analysis to examine the variables associated with aberrant salience. Results: Subjects with an ASI score ≥14 demonstrated significantly higher scores across all subscales and total score of ASI and DACOBS (p < 0.001). ASI subscales were significantly positive correlated with all DACOBS subscales, ranging from 0.250 for Increased Significance and Safety Behavior to 0.679 for Heightened Emotionality and Social cognition problems. The linear regression analysis revealed a positive association between aberrant salience and the DACOBS subscales jumping to conclusions (JTC) (β = 0.220), social cognition problems (β = 0.442), subjective cognitive problems (β = 0.405), and a negative association with the subscale belief inflexibility (β = −0.350). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that JTC, social cognition problems and subjective cognitive problems may play a central role in the experience of aberrant salience in individuals with SSDs. This work informs about the need of developing prevention and intervention strategies that specifically target cognitive biases and aberrant salience in the treatment of psychosis.

Background and Objectives. Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with a significant burden due to affective symptoms and behavioral manifestations, but also cognitive and functional impairment. Comorbidity with other psychiatric conditions, including personality disorders, is frequent. The comorbidity with psychopathy deserves special consideration given that both disorders share some clinical characteristics, such as grandiosity, risky behavior or poor insight, among others, that can worsen the outcome of BD. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of psychopathy in a sample of clinically stabilized patients with BD and its impact on the severity of BD. Materials and Methods. A sample of 111 patients with BD (38 type I and 73 type II) was studied. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) served to assess the severity of BD. Psychopathy was measured by means of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R). Patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of psychopathy (Group 1: no psychopathy; Group 2: “psychopathic” trait; Group 3: clinical psychopathy). Other measures regarded impulsiveness (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, BIS-11) and empathy (Empathy Quotient, EQ). Comparisons of mania, depression, impulsivity and empathy scores were run with MANOVA considering psychopathy and diagnosis as independent variables. Results. The prevalence of psychopathy was 5.4%. A significant association between the level of psychopathy and YMRS, attentional/cognitive impulsivity and motor impulsivity scores emerged. No interaction between psychopathy and BD diagnosis was found. Post hoc analysis demonstrated significantly higher YMRS scores in Group 3 than in Group 1; that is, patients with psychopathy have more manic symptoms. Conclusion. Psychopathy seems quite frequent among patients with BD. The association of psychopathy with BD results in higher impulsivity and manic symptoms. In light of this, psychopathy should be investigated when assessing patients with BD, regardless of the comorbidity of BD with other personality disorders.

Background/Objectives: Individuals entering prison represent a highly vulnerable population with substantial mental health needs. While the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in correctional settings has been widely documented, evidence on the factors associated with a psychiatric diagnosis at prison admission remains limited. This study aimed to characterize the clinical and sociodemographic profile of newly admitted inmates and to identify independent factors associated with a psychiatric morbidity at prison entry. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included individuals newly admitted to the Correctional Center in Southern Italy between 2023 and 2025. Routinely collected sociodemographic, legal, and clinical admission data were analyzed. Participants with and without psychiatric diagnosis at admission were compared and independent factors associated with diagnosis at admission were identified through regression analyses. Results: Among 707 newly admitted male inmates, ~41% had a documented psychiatric diagnosis at prison entry, were younger, more frequently of foreign nationality, and more likely to report substance use. In multivariable analysis, substance-use profiles—particularly combined use of cannabis, cocaine, and psychostimulants (aOR = 11.55, p < 0.001)—and foreign nationality (aOR = 4.29, p < 0.001) were independently associated with documented psychiatric morbidity at prison admission. Awaiting final judicial disposition, age and first incarceration showed no significant association. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of individuals entering prison present with a psychiatric morbidity, with specific substance use profiles showing a strong independent association with outcome. These findings highlight the clinical complexity of individuals entering correctional settings and support systematic psychiatric assessment.