

24th European Congress of Psychiatry / European Psychiatry 33S (2016) S349–S805
S685
EV1050
Interferon-induced psychosis: Myth
or reality?
A. Antunes
∗
, L. Sousa
Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon Academic Medical Center, Psychiatry
and Mental Health, Lisbon, Portugal
∗
Corresponding author.
Introduction
Interferon combined with ribavirin is widely used
to decrease the burden of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), but some serious
side effects might limit its usefulness. There has been recently a
growing awareness about neuropsychiatric complications of many
drug treatments. Anecdotal case reports of HCV treatment induced
psychosiswere published but there seems to be no consensus about
the causative relation and no systematic reviews were done to the
date.
Objective
To describe a paradigmatic case that was managed as
an iatrogenic psychotic episode following interferon associated
with ribavirin.
Aim
Call attention to problems that interfere with the recogni-
tion, diagnosis and management of drugs induced psychosis.
Methods
Bibliographic research was conducted through the
PubMed in the Medline library and clinical information was
obtained through medical records and clinical interviews with the
patient.
Results
A 50-year-old Brazilian woman, with a previous episode
of postpartum depression, presented with paranoid psychosis six
months after initiating HCV antiviral therapy. Psychotic symptoms
consisted of persecutory delusions and auditory hallucinations and
developed together with agitation and aggressive behavior. Psy-
chiatric hospitalization was required and psychosis resolved with
discontinuation of therapy and initiation of risperidone. Laboratory
tests and brain imageswere of no help in the etiologic investigation.
Conclusions
There are many drugs known to possibly cause neu-
ropsychiatric symptoms. It is the job of every physician to be aware
of this hypothesis especially in cases with acute onset and atypical
presentations.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their decla-
ration of competing interest.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.2035EV1051
Use of cannabis components in the
treatment of mental disorders
C. Tsopelas
∗
, M. Dimitraka , P. Ntounas , A. Gatos-Gatopoulos ,
D. Karadima , T. Charalampos
Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, 5th Dept of Acute Admissions, Athens,
Greece
∗
Corresponding author.
Introduction
There is evidence that supports the increased risk
of developing psychosis or psychotic like symptoms in vulnera-
ble populations after use of cannabis. Cannabis’ main psychoactive
component,
9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), induces acute psy-
chotic effects and cognitive impairment. But there is also evidence
to suggest that molecules in the cannabis plant could have an
antipsychotic affect.
Aims
In this review we are trying to explore the possibilities of
cannabis use as a therapeutic agent in mental disorders.
Methods
Thorough research of the main databases, and web
search engines for relevant studies, using appropriate keywords.
We scrutinize them independently, before reaching consensus
about appropriateness.
Results
In animal models repeated treatment with cannabis con-
stituent cannabidiol CBD or the atypical antipsychotic clozapine
attenuates or reverses the schizophrenia-like behavioral disrup-
tion.
In humans there are data that CBD counteracts psychotic symp-
toms and cognitive impairment associated with cannabis use. Also
CBD may lower the risk for developing cannabis use associated
psychosis. There are opposite effects of CBD and THC on brain activ-
ity patterns in key regions implicated in the pathophysiology of
schizophrenia, such as the striatum, hippocampus and prefrontal
cortex.
Conclusions
The possible mechanism of action of GBD is not fully
clarified, as it may involve anti-inflammatory or neuroprotective
properties. These initial clinical studies with CBD treatment of psy-
chotic symptoms argument the potential of CBD as an effective
antipsychotic compound. Mechanisms responsible for these effects
need to be further investigated.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their decla-
ration of competing interest.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.2036EV1052
Nicotine as therapeutic agent in
treatment of mood disorders
C. Tsopelas
∗
, N. Petros , D. Maria , P. Dimitris , G.G. Angelica ,
K. Dimitra , T. Charalampos
Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, 5th Department of Acute Admissions,
Athens, Greece
∗
Corresponding author.
Introduction
The plant that has as active ingredient nicotine was
chewed or smoked for many years from American natives, for its
therapeutic properties. Nowadays after the extensive negative atti-
tude towards smoking, the main provider of nicotine, researchers
are now pointing out the therapeutic possibilities of nicotine in
mood disorders, as a substance that is acting in the acetylcholine
receptors in the brain.
Aims
In this review we are trying to explore the possibilities of
nicotine use as a therapeutic agent.
Methods
We did a detailed research of the main medical
databases, and web search engines for relevant studies. We
scrutinize them independently, before reaching consensus about
appropriateness for inclusion in the study.
Results
Diadermal administration of nicotine has a positive effect
in depressive disorder in 3–8 days, an effect that in one study
was reversed after cessation of nicotine. Patients with depres-
sion and/or healthy subjects show improvement of attention and
working memory after diadermal use of nicotine. Research is not
conclusive in the sustainability of these positive affects as other
researchers emphasize their short effect in mood.
Conclusion
Nicotine presents as part of novel and promising
therapeutic agents with complex interactions with other neuro-
transmitters in the brain. Before condemning nicotine along with
smoking we should acknowledge the potential use of nicotine as
a therapeutic compound since research shows that some of these
positive effects appear not only to smokers after abstinence but also
to non-smokers.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their decla-
ration of competing interest.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.2037EV1053
Awkward movements:
Extrapyramidal symptoms in a group
of patients treated with aripiprazole
long acting injectable
C. Victor
1 ,∗
, S. Berta
1, T. Ivan
2, O. Silvia
3, C. Sandra
3,
M. Estanislao
3, M. Luis Miguel
3, J. Moreno
11
Parc de Salut Mar, INAD, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
2
Parc de Salut Mar, INAD, Barcelona, Spain