Highlights from ECNP 2022

Unravelling the cognitive impairment puzzle in schizophrenia

Several symposia considered aspects of schizophrenia management including cognitive dysfunction, holistic medicine and patient-centered care

• Although highly prevalent, cognitive impairment is not part of the diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia and yet it is among the first signs of illness.^1,2
• The profile of impaired cognitive functioning, as a consequence of mental illness, was examined alongside the link to negative functional outcomes, impact on the individual and consequences for their friends, families and caregivers.
• A holistic approach to patient care is essential and the benefit of holistic treatment for patients with schizophrenia was explored.
• Clinical and functional recovery are closely linked in schizophrenia, and non-adherence to antipsychotic medication results in poor outcomes.^3,4 The implementation of therapeutic choices tailored to the needs and preferences of individual patients to improve adherence was advised.
• Patient-centered treatment is a hot topic in psychiatry, and important differences between men and women in terms of treatment needs were identified.

Cognitive impairment is present in almost all patients with schizophrenia from the start of illness and significantly impacts their real-life functioning

Neurobiology of anxiety, cognition and depression

Symposia and educational sessions variously covered interesting subjects in neurobiology and patient management

• Advances in unravelling the interplay of genetic, environmental and temperamental/coping factors in anxiety and novel approaches to pharmacological treatment.
• How to manage the beginnings of cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment among older adults, and the risk of developing dementia.
• Understanding the neurobiology of major depressive disorder and postpartum depression, the burden of sub-optimal treatment and the impact of delayed treatment and symptom resolution.
• Increased understanding of the neurobiology of behavioral addictions and clinical trials investigating more effective ways to manage substance use disorders in autism.

Sub-optimal or delayed treatment has a detrimental impact on depression and symptom resolution

Research sparks from the fireside

Today’s program included campfire sessions introducing an array of topics covering

• The neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, exploring social dysfunction exhibited in schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s dementia and depression.
• How identification of microglial subsets may provide novel targets for intervention across neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
• How science and clinical practice interact to understand, prevent and treat psychiatric disorders faster and better.
• The impact of natural and urban environments on cognitive processes and mental health and the role of environmental and sensorimotor structures.

Identification of disease-associated microglia provides novel targets for therapeutic intervention in neuropsychiatric disorders

Plenary lectures on obesity, diet and play

Recipient of the Rising Star Award, Professor Nils Opel, University of Jena, Germany provided insights into obesity-related brain circuit dysfunctions that underlie the association between obesity and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as major depression.

Similarities in patterns of impaired brain structural integrity exist between obesity and major depression

Professor Felice Jacka, Deakin University, Australia discussed the association between diet quality and mental and brain health across the lifespan, and the potential for nutritional interventions in prevention and treatment of mental and neurodegenerative disorders.

Professor Michael Brecht, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany delivered his plenary lecture on play, an important activity but probably the least understood class of all mammalian behaviors.