Dr. Nikitas A. Arnaoutoglou
Consultant Psychiatrist
• Vis. Researcher – Dept. Of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
Founder of the website psyxiatros.gr
Dr. Nikitas Arnaoutoglou, Ph.D – Consultant Psychiatrist
Short Biography
I am a consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Lead at the New memory service at Papageorgiou Hospital and the 1st Department of Psychiatry at Aristotle University Thessaloniki.
I also hold a private practice at 30 Agias Sofias Str, Thessaloniki, Greece. I am also a Research Associate at the 1st Dpt of Psychiatry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou Hospital.
From 2017-2019 I was a visiting researcher at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge collaborating with Prof. J.T. O’Brien and member of the OAP team. Until July 2019, I worked as a consultant in Old Age Psychiatry at the Cambridge & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and the Windsor Research Unit. From 2017-2018 I was a clinical research fellow working within the same organizations.
From 2015 until 2017, I worked as an H. Clinical and Research Fellow at the Department of Old Age Psychiatry in the Neurobiology of Aging Research Team with Prof. K.P. Ebmeier‘s team, University of Oxford, UK.
I graduated from the School of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece in 2004 and completed my one year mandatory army conscription, working as a military doctor.
For the next two years I worked as a rural doctor and examined patients living in a remote area of Greece. In 2011, under the supervision of Prof. St J Baloyannis I received my PhD in dementia, in which I investigated the color perception of demented patients. Four years later, I became a fully board-certified psychiatrist.
I am the administrator and owner of a non-commercial stand-alone website (www.psyxiatros.gr) that has freely performed online anonymized anxiety and depression screening tests in the Greek language (2016-present).
In collaboration with the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees and the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), I am trying to normalize psychiatric training schemes and advance practices across the continent. Thus, I was one of the MOOC facilitators of the 1st EPA Massive Open Online Course titled: Introduction to #CBT for psychiatry and the 1st Free Online guidebook for psychotherapies.
My current project focuses on identifying accurate and effective screening assessment tools for Dementia with Lewy bodies, via state-of-the-art machine-learning techniques.
My goal is to improve the diagnostic rate of memory and mood disorders in older populations earlier than presented in the clinic and advance psychiatric training.
Private Outpatient Clinic
I hold a private practice at Agias Sofias 30, Thessaloniki, Greece
Tel: (+30) 6947.002.834
Awards, Post Doc Distinctions or Scholarships
| 2018-19 | Significant impact on European Psychiatric Training – European Psychiatric Association (EPA) Committee of Education |
| 2018-19 | Excellent Teaching Award – ClinSoc University of Cambridge |
| 2017 | World Psychiatric Association (WPA) – Young Psychiatrist Fellowship Program |
| 2016 | Scholarship to attend Cognition in mental disorders |
| 2015 | Scholarship to attend Leadership Course on Psychiatry |
| 2015 | European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees, Portugal – Best European Country Award |
| 2014 | Scholarship to attend ECNP School of old age Psychiatry |
| 2013-14 | Delegate of Greece European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees |
| 2014 | Scholarship European Psychiatric Association, Excellence in Psychiatry |
| 2013 | Member of the Board – Hellenic Association of Psychiatric Trainees |
| 2005 | Honorary Reserve Lieutenant Military Doctor of Hellenic Army |
| 2004 | Ph.D. Scholarship Greek State Scholarship Foundation, I.K.Y. |
Postdoc Experience, Schools and Workshops
Research and Academic Positions
V. Researcher – Department of Psychiatry – University of Cambridge
H. Clinical Research Fellow – Department of Psychiatry – University of Oxford
Ph.D. Neurosciences – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Attended Schools:
“Cognitive Deficits in Mental Disorders”, Oct. 2016, Copenhagen, Denmark
“ECNP School of Old Age Neuropsychopharmacology”, April 2015, Venice, Italy
“Leadership in Psychiatry and Professional Skills” June 2015, Porto, Portugal
“4th EPA Academia For Excellence in Psychiatry”, Summer School, May – June 2014, Strasbourg, France
e.t.c.
Attended Workshops – Courses:
Solving Biological Problems with Python – Bioinformatics Department – University of Cambridge, September 2018
2nd Cambridge Representational Similarity Analysis and Advanced Computational Methods Workshop (RSA2018), MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit – University of Cambridge, May 2018
MRI and Radiation Safety course, Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, March 2018
Cambridge Computational Psychiatry Workshop – Dpt of Psychiatry – University of Cambridge, March 2018
Management Essentials: Recruitment, Compliance and Redeployment – School Of Clinical Medicine University of Cambridge, February 2018
MDS-UPDRS Training Program – Motor Examination: Ratings Assessment – January 2018
Good Clinical Practice In Research, November 2017
Section 12 Approved Clinician Course, Maudsley Hospital, September 2017
Computational Psychiatry Course , UCL, London July 2017
Ethics in Medical Research, University of Oxford, May 2016
Biostatistics in Medical research, University of Oxford, October 2016
Psychiatry Masterclass VII, Kings College, London, Thessaloniki June 2014
Advanced Motivational Interviewer – Workshop, Sept and Oct. 2014, Psychiatric Hospital Thessaloniki, 2014
Psychiatry Masterclass VII, Kings College, London, Thessaloniki June 2013
Leap Institute Practitioner, Nov 2012
e.t.c.
Congresses
Multiple at an International and National level
Publications
-
How is psychotherapy training perceived by psychiatric trainees? A cross-sectional observational study in Europe
Gargot T., Dondé C., Arnaoutoglou NA., Klotins S., Marinova P., Silva R., Sönmez E., EFPT Psychotherapy Working Group
European Psychiatry – Elsevier
Abstract: Background: Current recommendations on psychotherapy training for psychiatric trainees in Europe are available from the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) and the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Despite trainees’ high motivation and the acknowledged effectiveness of psychotherapy, recent studies have shown a significant lack of training. No study so far has focused on a large European sample. Methods: From 2013 to 2015, the EFPT conducted an online cross – sectional survey among psychiatric trainees and early career psychiatrists from 22 European countries. Results: Out of 572 respondents, 92% considered psychotherapy important for their professional ide ntity, 90% wanted to practice psychotherapy after their training. Respondents were interested in a great variety of psychotherapies. Almost half underwent psychotherapy training, a third did not have any training experience in psychotherapy. Less than one half had access to supervision. Only 9% were satisfied with the level of funding of their psychotherapy training. Although recommendations of the EFPT and UEMS are widely recognised, they are not implemented consistently. Conclusions: There is a large mismatch between the high motivation of respondents to train in psychotherapy and the actual training opportunities available. The EFPT strongly supports initiatives that can improve psychotherapy training. We believe that wider availability of high – quality online learning resources for trainees, as well as international collaborations between psychiatry training associations and psychotherapy associations could be a step in the right direction to bridge this gap.
http://www.europsy-journal.com/article/S0924-9338(17)32901-2/fulltext
2. Polyneuropathy and myopathy in beta-thalassemia major patients
Annals of Hematology – Nature Springer
The thalassemias are the most common single gene disorder in the world. Nowadays, the average life expectancy of patients in developed countries has increased significantly, while, there was an increase of complications. We aimed to investigate peripheral neuropathy and myopathy in this patient group using a neurophysiological study. We performed nerve conduction studies and electromyography of upper and lower extremities on 36 beta-thalassemia major (β-thal) patients. The electrophysiological findings were correlated with demographic data and laboratory parameters of the disease. Patients with β-thal present polyneuropathy or myopathy at (50%). Polyneuropathy was detected in (38.9%) and myopathy in (27.8%), while polyneuropathy and myopathy were present at (16.7%) with an overlap of the diseases in 1/3 of the patients. There was not a statistically significant correlation of polyneuropathy and myopathy with age, sex, splenectomy, nor with respect to laboratory parameters, hemoglobin, and ferritin. However, there was a statistically significant correlation of polyneuropathy and myopathy with iron overload, as recorded by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart and the liver. Our findings suggest that iron overload plays a key role in the pathogenesis of polyneuropathy and myopathy in β-thal patients, and performing heart and liver MRI for the prediction of such lesions in an annual basis is warranted.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00277-018-3251-7
3. Cognitive tests for the detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the prodromal stage of dementia: meta‐analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies.
Alexandre Breton, Daniel Casey, Nikitas A. Arnaoutoglou
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry – Willey
Introduction -Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is regarded as a prodrome to dementia. Various cognitive tests can help with diagnosis; meta‐analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies would assist clinicians in choosing optimal tests. Methods – We searched online databases for ‘mild cognitive impairment’ and ‘diagnosis’ or ‘screening’ from 01/01/1999 to 01/07/2017. Articles assessing the diagnostic accuracy of a cognitive test compared to standard diagnostic criteria were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed. Bivariate random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to evaluate sensitivity and specificity. Results – Eight cognitive tests (ACE‐R, CERAD, CDT‐Sunderland, IQCODE, Memory Alteration Test, MMSE, MoCA and Qmci) were considered for meta‐analysis. ACE‐R, CERAD, MoCA and Qmci were found to have similar diagnostic accuracy, while the MMSE had lower sensitivity. Memory Alteration Test had the highest sensitivity, and equivalent specificity to the other tests. Discussion – Multiple cognitive tests have comparable diagnostic accuracy. The Memory Alteration Test is short and has the highest sensitivity. New cognitive tests for MCI diagnosis should not be compared to the MMSE.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/gps.5016
or
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30370616
4. Dementia with Lewy bodies — from scientific knowledge to clinical insights.
Nikitas A. Arnaoutoglou, John T. O’Brien & Benjamin R. Underwood
Nature Reviews Neurology – Nature Springer (2019)
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the underlying aetiology of 10–15% of all cases of dementia and as such is a clinically important diagnosis. In the past few years, substantial advances have been made in understanding the genetics and pathology of this condition. For example, research has expanded our knowledge of the proteinaceous inclusions that characterize the disease, has provided an appreciation of the role of disease-associated processes such as inflammation and has revealed an association between DLB and genes such as GBA. These insights might have broader relevance to other neurodegenerative conditions and are beginning to be translated into clinical trials. In this Review, we provide clinical insights for the basic scientist and a basic science foundation for the clinician. We discuss the history of the condition; the definition of DLB; the relationship between DLB and other neurodegenerative conditions; current understanding of the pathology, genetics, clinical presentation and diagnosis of DLB; options for treatment; and potential future directions for research.
5. Color perception differentiates Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) from Vascular Dementia (VaD) patients
Arnaoutoglou NA., Arnaoutoglou M., Nemtsas P., Costa V., Baloyannis SJ., Ebmeier KP.
International Psychogeriatrics – Cambridge University Press
Background: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Vascular Dementia (VaD) are the most common causes of dementia in older people. Both diseases appear to have similar clinical symptoms, such as deficits in attention and executive function, but specific cognitive domains are affected. Current cohort studies have shown a close relationship between deposits and age-related macular degeneration (Johnson et al., 2002; Ratnayaka et al., 2015). Additionally, a close link between the thinning of the retinal nerve fiber (RNFL) and AD patients has been described, while it has been proposed that AD patients suffer from a non-specific type of color blindness (Pache et al., 2003). Methods: Our study included 103 individuals divided into three groups: A healthy control group (n=35), AD (n=32) according to DSM-IV-TR, NINCDS-ADRDA criteria, and VaD (n=36) based on NINDS-AIREN, as well as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) results. The severity of patient’s cognitive impairment, was measured with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and was classified according to the Reisberg global
Teaching – Book Chapters
Book Chapters
Online Teaching
MOOC facilitator – 1st European Psychiatric Association Massive Online Course titled: Introduction to #CBT for psychiatry
Clinical Trials
Currently, sub-investigator in three active phase II Clinical trials testing new compounds in dementia.
Scientific Societies
| 2018 – present | International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society |
| 2017 | World Psychiatric Association (WPA) |
| 2016 | Young Psychiatrists Network (YPN) |
| 2015 – present | Hellenic Psychiatric Association (HPA) |
| 2014 – present | European Psychiatric Association (EPA) |
| 2014 – 2015 | European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) |
| 2013 – 2015 | European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) |
| 2012 – 2015 | Union of Greek Psychiatric Trainees – Member of the board |
Contact Details
Πόρταλ ψυχικής υγείας, κατάθλιψη, άγχος, θλίψη, ερωτήσης για κατάθλιψη, τέστ κατάθλιψης.
Ψυχιατρος θεσσαλονίκη, Ψυχοθεραπεία, Ψυχολόγος, Ψυχοθεραπευτής, Αλζχειμερ, άνοια, ψύχωση, κατάθλιψη, άγχος, θλίψη, κλάμα, σχιζοφρένεια, Ψυχίατρος Θεσσαλονίκη,αρναούτογλου νικήτας, αρναούτογλου Ψυχίατρος, αρναούτογλου ψυχοθεραπεία, ψυχολόγος καλός ψυχίατρος στην θεσσαλονίκη, ψυχοθεραπεία θεσσαλονίκη, ψυχολόγος θεσσαλονίκη, θεσσαλονίκη κέντρο ψυχίατρος, γνωστική συμπεριφορική θεραπεία, γνωσιακή συμπεριφοριστική θεραπεία, ψυχίατροι θεσσαλονίκη, ψυχίατροιθεραπεία ζεύγους, ψυχίατρος , ψυχίατρος ελλάδαAlzheimer stress άγχος άνοια αλήθεια ανορεξία αντικαταθλιπτικά αντιψυχωσικά αποπροσανατολισμός αϋπνία βουλιμία ηλεκτροσπασμοθεραπεία ηρεμιστικά κατάθλιψη καταναγκαστική διαταραχή κυκλοθυμία μανιοκατάθλιψη μνήμη μύθος νεύρα παιδοψυχίατρος πανικός σεξουαλική δυσλειτουργία σχιζοφρένεια υπερφαγία ψευδαισθήσεις ψυχίατρος ψυχανάλυση ψυχαναγκασμός ψυχαναγκαστική διαταραχή ψυχοθεραπεία
ψυχίατρος θεσσαλονίκη, γνωστική συμπεριφορική , Καλός Ψυχίατρος Θεσσαλονίκη, ψυχιατροι θεσσαλονίκη, γνωσιακή συμπεριφοριστική θεραπεία, ψυχίατροι θεσσαλονίκη, ψυχίατροι, ψυχοθεραπεία, ψυχανάλυση,Ψυχίατρος Αθήνα, Ψυχίατροι Αθήνα, Παιδοψυχίατρος Αθήνα, Ψυχοθεραπεία Αθήνα,