Browsing by Author "Balikci K."

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    Manifestation of hashimoto's encephalopathy with psychotic signs: A case presentation
    (Yerkure Tanitim ve Yayincilik, 2016) Kisabay A.; Balikci K.; Sari S.; Selcuki D.
    Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) is a rare autoimmune disease with unclear pathophysiology, developing on the basis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), associated with antithyroid antibodies, that presents with autoimmune, neuroendocrine, and neuropsychiatric findings. The disease is characterized by generalized or focal slowing in the EEG, elevated antithyroid antibody titration in the serum, elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein level, and the presence of antithyroid antibodies. HE is known as an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. With this feature, it is differentiated from cognitive alterations observed in hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. The response to treatment with corticosteroids in line with the autoimmune nature of HE supports this diagnosis. This report shows a case presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms, elevated antithyroid antibody titration in the serum, and complete response to steroid therapy. A clear indicator for the diagnosis of HE has not yet been found. Therefore, other potential causes need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of this clinical picture until they can be excluded after investigations. With this case report, we want to emphasize that in differential diagnosis of patients presenting with a variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms, Hashimoto's encephalopathy-though being seen quite rarely-should not be disregarded, given the dramatic improvement of patients receiving a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
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    The developmental origins of metacognitive deficits in schizophrenia
    (Elsevier Ireland Ltd, 2016) Aydin O.; Balikci K.; Tas C.; Aydin P.U.; Danaci A.E.; Brüne M.; Lysaker P.H.
    The deficits in metacognition have been observed in schizophrenia but developmental roots of impaired metacognition are not well understood. Accordingly, this study compared metacognitive abilities of patients with schizophrenia and healthy group and examined the relationship between childhood trauma, attachment style and caregiver attitudes with metacognitive capacity which might contribute to metacognitive deficits in patient group. 35 patients with schizophrenia and 35 healthy people were included in the study. Metacognitive capacity was measured using the Metacognition Assessment Scale Abbreviated (MAS-A). This scale comprises four domains: self-reflectivity, understanding other's mind, decentration and mastery. Group comparisons revealed that schizophrenia patients had greater deficits in metacognitive ability. We found that the report of childhood emotional abuse, a pattern of anxious attachment and over protection by caregivers were uniquely related to metacognitive capacity. © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd
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    Oxytocin and social cognition in patients with schizophrenia: Comparison with healthy siblings and healthy controls
    (Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2018) Balikci K.; Aydin O.; Tas C.; Danaci A.E.
    Objective: There is substantial evidence from animal research indicating a key role of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in the regulation of complex social cognition and behaviour. Social cognition is indispensable for social relationships for the whole of human society, and numerous studies have shown impaired social cognition in schizophrenia (SCH) and unaffected first-degree relatives also seem to be impaired, albeit to a lesser extent. Because of that, this study focuses on the role of OT in social cognition in SCH. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with SCH, 27 healthy siblings (HS) of these patients, and 27 psychologically healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. Blood samples were collected through a peripheral venous catheter. Differences in the socio-demographical and WAIS-R were tested by chi-square and one way-ANOVA. To explore the relationships between social cognition and blood samples we performed Pearson correlations. MANCOVA (gender and WAIS-R as covariates) test was performed to investigate the effect of gender on blood levels of OT and WAIS-R on social cognition. Results: Significant differences were found in neurocognitive and social cognitive capacity but not in OT levels. In the healthy control group, there was a positive correlation between blood OT levels and RMET. There is a statistically significant difference between high and low OT groups with regard to social cognition in all subtests of the RMET. Conclusions: In the current study, we found that patients had deficits in social cognition and neurocognition. Lower endogenous OT levels are also predictive for poor social cognitive functioning in HS and HC. © 2018, The authors.