Epileptic, organic and genetic vulnerabilities for timing of the development of interictal psychosis.
BACKGROUND
Age at the first psychotic episode and an interval between the onset of epilepsy and that of psychosis reflect developmental processes of interictal psychosis. However, factors relating to these indices remain unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To identify clinical variables that are associated with the timing of the development of interictal psychosis.


METHODS
In 285 adults with epilepsy with interictal psychosis, effects of epileptic (epilepsy type), organic (intellectual functioning) and genetic (family history of psychosis) variables on timing of the development of psychosis were examined.


RESULTS
The mean interval between the onset of epilepsy and that of psychosis was 14.4 years. Some psychosis occurred within a few years of the first seizure. Generalised epilepsy, normal intellectual function and a positive family history of psychosis were associated with early onset of psychosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Early development of interictal psychosis in people with epilepsy may reflect other individual vulnerabilities to psychosis rather than epilepsy-related damage.
Adachi
Naoto
N
Adachi Mental Clinic, Kitano 7-5-12, Kiyota, Sapporo, Japan. adacchan@tky2.3web.ne.jp
Akanuma
Nozomi
N
Ito
Masumi
M
Kato
Masaaki
M
Hara
Tsunekatsu
T
Oana
Yasunori
Y
Matsuura
Masato
M
Okubo
Yoshiro
Y
Onuma
Teiichi
T
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult