A standardised clinical examination which focused on neurological soft signs (NSS) was used by a neurologist blind to diagnosis to assess the presence of neurological soft signs. A comparison of NSS score was made among three groups of subjects consisting of 58 DSM-III schizophrenics, 31 of their healthy first-degree relatives and 38 normal controls. The schizophrenic group had significantly higher NSS total scores than normal controls but did not differ significantly from their first-degree relatives' group. The relatives' group showed higher NSS total scores than did normal controls although to a lesser extent than schizophrenics.

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Although preliminarily, the Italian version of the DAI seems to maintain the original psychometric properties and it can be used easily to get a valid measurement of the patients' attitude to neuroleptic medication.

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Abstract.Introduction. In the present work we describe the mental health condition of L'Aquila population in the aftermath of the earthquake in terms of structural, process and outcome perspectives. Method. Literature revision of the published reports on the L'Aquila earthquake has been performed. Results. Although important psychological distress has been reported by the population, capacity of resilience can be observed. However if resilient mechanisms intervened in immediate aftermath of the earthquake, important dangers are conceivable in the current medium-long-term perspective due to the long-lasting alterations of day-to-day life and the disruption of social networks that can be well associated with mental health problems. Conclusions. In a condition such as an earthquake, the immediate physical, medical, and emergency rescue needs must be addressed initially. However training first responders to identify psychological distress symptoms would be important for mental health triage in the field.

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The study reports the preliminary data from a small 12-patient sample assessed at the time of their first psychotic episode and diagnosed as having a schizophreniform disorder. After a 1-year follow-up period all the patients were newly evaluated on clinical and global functioning variables, using clinical diagnosis as an outcome measure. A diagnostic stability in the schizophrenic spectrum was found.