aim To provide further evidence for the protective effect of oestrogen in the expression of psychosis and the influence of the mean and relative oestrogen level on the symptomatology, cognitive functioning and subjective wellbeing.
method This cross-sectional exploratory study is an add-on study of the group-project (Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis; restricted to the Amsterdam site). Based on the inclusion of both hospitalized and outpatients and based on the upper age limit of 50 years, we expect to include 40 female subjects with a recent onset psychotic disorder and 40 sisters and 20 female controls. Inclusion will proceed according to the general group-criteria. Exclusion criteria are menopause, pregnancy and irregular menstrual cycle. Serum progesterone and oestrogen (estradiol) are taken at the same time points of the menstrual cycle for all women: first within 5 days of menstruation and second 9 to 13 days after the first day of the last menstruation, with an interval of at least 7 days. Further assessment consists of: cognitive testing, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Subjective Wellbeing under Neuroleptics at time of blood sampling; age of menarche, duration of menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception.
results and conclusion This is a study in progress. Therefore data have not yet been collected or assessed.