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Medication nonadherence has been associated with persistence of psychotic symptoms, relapse, and hospitalization in patients with schizophrenia. Patients with untreated psychosis are significantly less likely to achieve remission, whereas antipsychotic drug adherence has been associated with recovery. As such, adherence to antipsychotic drug treatment is a key issue for nurses and treatment team members caring for patients who typically are on chronic, progressive disease course. Long-acting injectable (LAI) anti-psychotic drugs, developed to improve adherence and provide and alternative antipsychotic drug treatment fro schizophrenia, have been associated with improved treatment outcomes including reduction of relapse rates approximately 30% and reduction in hospitalizations. However, LAI antipsychotic drugs remain underutilized in the United States despite a growing body of literature supporting positive outcomes of LAI versus oral antipsychotic drugs. Mental health nurses are in a key position to support improved adherence inpatients with schizophrenia through use of practical educational strategies that help patients, family members, and health care providers better understand and manage treatment.

The association between autosom al dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA ) and psychosis is little understood. A family was identified with three m ale m embers with AD CA , one of w hom suffered from a psychotic illness. D etailed neuropsychological testing was undertaken. The aim was to provide a detailed profile of these cases of ADCA , describing preserved abilities and cognitive deficits associated with this condition. It was intended to examine whether distinct differences in profile were apparent between the psychotic and nonpsychotic family members. There were three principal findings. (1) One case, ten years after Requests for reprints should be sent to Dr Nicola S. Gray,

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