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Shoham N, Dunca D, Cooper C, Hayes JF, McQuillin A, Bass N, Lewis G, Kuchenbaecker K. Investigating the association between schizophrenia and distance visual acuity: Mendelian randomisation study. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e33. [PMID: 36746515 PMCID: PMC9970182 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased rates of visual impairment are observed in people with schizophrenia. AIMS We assessed whether genetically predicted poor distance acuity is causally associated with schizophrenia, and whether genetically predicted schizophrenia is causally associated with poorer visual acuity. METHOD We used bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomisation to assess the effect of poor distance acuity on schizophrenia risk, poorer visual acuity on schizophrenia risk and schizophrenia on visual acuity, in European and East Asian ancestry samples ranging from approximately 14 000 to 500 000 participants. Genetic instrumental variables were obtained from the largest available summary statistics: for schizophrenia, from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium; for visual acuity, from the UK Biobank; and for poor distance acuity, from a meta-analysis of case-control samples. We used the inverse variance-weighted method and sensitivity analyses to test validity of results. RESULTS We found little evidence that poor distance acuity was causally associated with schizophrenia (odds ratio 1.00, 95% CI 0.91-1.10). Genetically predicted schizophrenia was associated with poorer visual acuity (mean difference in logMAR score: 0.024, 95% CI 0.014-0.033) in European ancestry samples, with a similar but less precise effect that in smaller East Asian ancestry samples (mean difference: 0.186, 95% CI -0.008 to 0.379). CONCLUSIONS Genetic evidence supports schizophrenia being a causal risk factor for poorer visual acuity, but not the converse. This highlights the importance of visual care for people with psychosis and refutes previous hypotheses that visual impairment is a potential target for prevention of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Shoham
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, UK; and Islington Early Intervention Service, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK
- Correspondence: Natalie Shoham.
| | - Diana Dunca
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, UK
| | - Claudia Cooper
- Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, UK; and Tower Hamlets Memory Service, East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Joseph F. Hayes
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, UK; and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Nick Bass
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, UK; and Tower Hamlets Memory Service, East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Gemma Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, UK
| | - Karoline Kuchenbaecker
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, UK; and UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, UK
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Shoham N, Cooper C. Eyes, the window on psychosis? BJPsych Open 2022; 8:e44. [PMID: 35139983 PMCID: PMC8867869 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Much has been written on the theory that congenital blindness might protect against schizophrenia, but proof remains elusive. It has been suggested that visual ability might be associated with schizophrenia in a bell-shaped distribution, with both lifelong absent and perfect vision being protective. Alternatively, ocular aberrations and schizophrenia may share an aetiology. Any neuronal pathology implicated in schizophrenia could affect the retina, since it is an embryological extension of the brain. The retina is more amenable to direct imaging than other parts of the central nervous system and may give unique insights into schizophrenia-associated neuropathology. It is also possible that psychosis causes visual impairment: people with psychotic illnesses are probably not accessing optical care optimally and have higher levels of risk factors for visual loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Shoham
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London (UCL), UK; and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK
| | - Claudia Cooper
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London (UCL), UK; and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK
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Shoham N, Hayes JF, Cooper C, Theodorsson M, Lewis G. Association Between Childhood Visual Acuity and Late Adolescent Psychotic Experiences: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study. Schizophr Bull 2021; 48:325-334. [PMID: 34624117 PMCID: PMC8886579 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbab121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional association between visual impairment and psychosis exists, but longitudinal evidence from children and young people is limited. We investigated whether childhood visual acuity was associated with subsequent psychotic experiences. Our sample was 6686 individuals from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We investigated whether our primary exposures, best corrected visual acuity at ages 7 and 11, were associated with psychotic experiences at ages 17 and 24. We also tested whether the following exposures at ages 7 and 11 were associated with subsequent psychotic experiences: requiring glasses, presence of any visual impairment, and between-eye visual acuity difference; and at age 7: strabismus, measures of binocular vision, history of eye patch, near vision impairment, and abnormal saccadic or pursuit eye movements. Analyses used multilevel models before and after adjusting for confounders. Odds of psychotic experiences increased with each 0.1-point deterioration in visual acuity score at age 11 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.42), and at age 7 (AOR 1.18; 95% CI 1.00-1.40). Wearing glasses and visual impairment at age 11 were associated with psychotic experiences (AOR 1.63; 95% CI 1.21-2.19; AOR 1.64; 95% CI 1.23-2.19, respectively). There was no evidence of an association with other visual exposures. Visual acuity impairment in childhood is associated with psychotic experiences in late adolescence. Future research should aim to elucidate the nature of this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Shoham
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK,Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 6th Floor Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1C 7NF, UK; e-mail:
| | - Joseph F Hayes
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK,Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK
| | - Claudia Cooper
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK,Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Gemma Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
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Shoham N, Eskinazi M, Hayes JF, Lewis G, Theodorsson M, Cooper C. Associations between psychosis and visual acuity impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2021; 144:6-27. [PMID: 34028803 PMCID: PMC8504204 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several theories propose that visual acuity impairment is associated with psychosis. Visual impairment could lead to psychosis or the converse, or they may share underlying pathology or risk factors. In the first evidence synthesis in this area for over 25 years, we collated studies measuring the association between visual acuity impairment and psychosis. METHODS We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases for studies published from 1992 to 2020, using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale to assess risk of bias. We narratively synthesized findings and meta-analyzed sufficiently homogenous results. RESULTS We included 40 papers, which reported on 31 studies. Evidence from seven cohort studies was inconsistent, which precluded meta-analysis of this study design. These contradictory results also made it difficult to draw conclusions regarding a temporal association. We found evidence for an association from eight cross-sectional studies treating visual acuity impairment as the exposure and psychosis as the outcome [pooled odds ratio (OR) =1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34-2.31], and four with the reverse exposure and outcome (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.17-2.92). Seven case-control studies with mixed findings were found, but only two primarily addressed our research question, and these findings were mixed. CONCLUSIONS Although evidence supports a cross-sectional association between visual acuity impairment and psychosis, further research is needed to clarify the temporal direction, given the mixed findings in cohort studies. Understanding the association may give insights into prevention strategies for people at risk of visual acuity impairment and psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Shoham
- Division of PsychiatryUniversity College LondonLondonUK,Camden and Islington NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Michelle Eskinazi
- Division of PsychiatryUniversity College LondonLondonUK,Camden and Islington NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Joseph F. Hayes
- Division of PsychiatryUniversity College LondonLondonUK,Camden and Islington NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Gemma Lewis
- Division of PsychiatryUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Claudia Cooper
- Division of PsychiatryUniversity College LondonLondonUK,Camden and Islington NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
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MacCabe JH. Seeing is believing. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2021; 144:3-5. [PMID: 34231210 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James H MacCabe
- Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Shoham N, Lewis G, Hayes J, McManus S, Kiani R, Brugha T, Bebbington P, Cooper C. Psychotic symptoms and sensory impairment: Findings from the 2014 adult psychiatric morbidity survey. Schizophr Res 2020; 215:357-364. [PMID: 31481335 PMCID: PMC7613093 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hearing and visual impairment have been associated with psychosis. Mechanisms behind this are poorly understood. We tested whether i) self-reported hearing and visual impairments are associated with psychotic symptoms in the 2014 UK Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey; ii) the odds of having psychotic symptoms vary with self-perceived degree of impairments; and iii) reduced social functioning partially explains these associations. METHODS We analysed cross-sectional data using logistic regression. Hearing and visual impairment were the exposures, and screening positive on the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire was the outcome. We used structural equation modelling to assess mediation by social functioning, measured by the Social Functioning Questionnaire. RESULTS Psychotic symptoms were strongly associated with visual impairment (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.81, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 1.33 to 2.44), especially moderate visual impairment (AOR 2.75, 95% CI 1.78 to 4.24, p < .001). Psychotic symptoms were associated with a severe degree of hearing impairment (AOR 4.94, 95% CI 1.66 to 14.67, p = .004), and weakly associated with hearing impairment overall (AOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.04, p = .010). Social functioning accounted for approximately 50% of associations with both types of sensory impairment, but the confidence intervals around these estimates were broad. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest an association between psychosis and visual impairment, with the strongest evidence for moderate visual impairment; the findings also support a linear relationship between psychosis and degree of hearing impairment. Social functioning may mediate these relationships and be a potential target for intervention, alongside sensory correction. These should be investigated longitudinally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Shoham
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 6th Floor, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7BN, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Gemma Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 6th Floor, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7BN, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Joseph Hayes
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 6th Floor, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7BN, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Sally McManus
- NatCen Social Research, 35 Northampton Square, London EC1V 0AX, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Reza Kiani
- University of Leicester, Centre for Medicine, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Traolach Brugha
- University of Leicester, Centre for Medicine, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Paul Bebbington
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 6th Floor, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7BN, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Claudia Cooper
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 6th Floor, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7BN, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Hayes JF, Picot S, Osborn DPJ, Lewis G, Dalman C, Lundin A. Visual Acuity in Late Adolescence and Future Psychosis Risk in a Cohort of 1 Million Men. Schizophr Bull 2019; 45:571-578. [PMID: 29901774 PMCID: PMC6483575 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sby084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to determine whether late adolescent visual impairment is associated with later psychosis. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of Swedish male military conscripts aged 18 or 19 years from January 1, 1974, through December 31, 1997 (N = 1140710). At conscription, uncorrected and optometry-lens-corrected distance visual acuity was measured. Participants were then followed up to see if they received an inpatient diagnosis of non-affective psychotic disorder, including schizophrenia (N = 10769). Multivariable Cox modeling was used to estimate differences between groups. RESULTS After adjustment for confounders, those with severe impairment before optical correction in their best eye (decimal fraction <0.3) had an increased psychosis rate compared to those with normal uncorrected vision (decimal fraction 1.0) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.26, 95% CI 1.16-1.37). Larger interocular visual acuity difference was associated with an increased psychosis rate (adjusted HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.37-1.63 in those with differences >0.5 compared to those with no between eye acuity difference). Individuals with impaired vision that could not be corrected to normal with lenses had highest rates of psychosis (best eye adjusted HR 1.56; 95% CI 1.33-1.82), those with imperfect, but correctable vision also had elevated rates (best eye adjusted HR 1.21; 95% CI 1.15-1.28). Individuals with visual impairment had higher rates of psychosis than their full siblings with normal vision (adjusted HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07-1.35). CONCLUSIONS Impaired visual acuity is associated with non-affective psychosis. Visual impairment as a phenotype in psychosis requires further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Hayes
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 6th Floor Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK; tel: 020-767-99736, e-mail:
| | - Suzanne Picot
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Glyn Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Christina Dalman
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Unit of Public Health Epidemiology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Lundin
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Unit of Public Health Epidemiology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Abstract
The shift in ocular dominance (OD) of binocular neurons induced by monocular deprivation is the canonical model of synaptic plasticity confined to a postnatal critical period. Developmental constraints on this plasticity not only lend stability to the mature visual cortical circuitry but also impede the ability to recover from amblyopia beyond an early window. Advances with mouse models utilizing the power of molecular, genetic, and imaging tools are beginning to unravel the circuit, cellular, and molecular mechanisms controlling the onset and closure of the critical periods of plasticity in the primary visual cortex (V1). Emerging evidence suggests that mechanisms enabling plasticity in juveniles are not simply lost with age but rather that plasticity is actively constrained by the developmental up-regulation of molecular 'brakes'. Lifting these brakes enhances plasticity in the adult visual cortex, and can be harnessed to promote recovery from amblyopia. The reactivation of plasticity by experimental manipulations has revised the idea that robust OD plasticity is limited to early postnatal development. Here, we discuss recent insights into the neurobiology of the initiation and termination of critical periods and how our increasingly mechanistic understanding of these processes can be leveraged toward improved clinical treatment of adult amblyopia.
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Janowski M, Bulte JWM, Handa JT, Rini D, Walczak P. Concise Review: Using Stem Cells to Prevent the Progression of Myopia-A Concept. Stem Cells 2015; 33:2104-13. [PMID: 25752937 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of myopia has increased in modern society due to the educational load of children. This condition is growing rapidly, especially in Asian countries where it has already reached a pandemic level. Typically, the younger the child's age at the onset of myopia, the more rapidly the condition will progress and the greater the likelihood that it will develop the known sight-threatening complications of high myopia. This rise in incidence of severe myopia has contributed to an increased frequency of eye diseases in adulthood, which often complicate therapeutic procedures. Currently, no treatment is available to prevent myopia progression. Stem cell therapy can potentially address two components of myopia. Regardless of the exact etiology, myopia is always associated with scleral weakness. In this context, a strategy aimed at scleral reinforcement by transplanting connective tissue-supportive mesenchymal stem cells is an attractive approach that could yield effective and universal therapy. Sunlight exposure appears to have a protective effect against myopia. It is postulated that this effect is mediated via local ocular production of dopamine. With a variety of dopamine-producing cells already available for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, stem cells engineered for dopamine production could be used for the treatment of myopia. In this review, we further explore these concepts and present evidence from the literature to support the use of stem cell therapy for the treatment of myopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslaw Janowski
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of Neurosurgery, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jeff W M Bulte
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - James T Handa
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David Rini
- Department of Art as Applied to Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Piotr Walczak
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
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