bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biogenic amine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with affective disorders
Authors: Vestergaard P. , Sørensen T. , Hoppe E. , Rafaelsen O. J. , Yates C. M. , Nicolaou N.
Published: August 2007

Concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA), 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were measured in lumbar CSF from 33 patients with affective illnes and from 23 neurological controls. The group of patients with affective illness comprised 29 depressed and four manic patients. During illness, the concentration of HVA was higher in the depressed patients (P >0.001) than in the controls. Both unipolar and bipolar depressed patients had increased HVA levels (P >0.001 and P >0.05, respectively). The concentration of MHPG was greater than control values in the unipolar (P < 0.001) and bipolar (P < 0.002) subgroups but did not differ from control values in the depressed group as a whole. The concentration of 5‐HIAA in the depressed patients as a whole and in the unipolar and bipolar subgroups did not differ from control concentrations. During illness the manic patients had increased levels of HVA (P >0.01) and normal levels of 5‐HIAA and MHPG. Sixteen of the 29 depressed patients had a second lumbar puncture after they had recovered. Compared with the pre‐recovery values, the concentration of HVA was reduced in the unipolar depressives (P < 0.01) and the concentration of 5‐HIAA lowered in the depressed group as a whole (P >0.02).

The present findings suggest involvement of catecholamines in affective disorders.
Comparative trial of amitriptyline‐N‐oxide and amitriptyline in the treatment of out‐patients with depressive syndromes
Authors: Rapp W.
Published: August 2007

Amitriptyline‐N‐oxide and amitriptyline were compared double‐blind in a material of out‐patients with depressive syndromes, 21 and 22 patients respectively. Both drugs had a good antidepressant effect. The globally rated effect was equal. The effect upon the various depressive symptoms was equal.

Definite reversal of depression occurred somewhat earlier on amitriptyline‐N‐oxide on which side effects were also less marked, both those of an anticholinergic and of a sedative nature. No orthostatic reaction, nor any effect upon blood status or liver function, was observed.

Amitriptyline‐N‐oxide appears to show a tendency to a some‐what more rapid onset of effect and less side effects.
The switch process in manic‐depressive illness
Authors: Sitaram N. , Gillin J. C. , Bunney W. E.
Published: August 2007

Research data collected on 75 Bipolar I patients, hospitalized at the NIMH between 1963 and 1975, were reviewed to identify “switches” into and out of mania. There were 27 “slow” switches (i.e. occurring over a period of 2–6 days) in 14 patients and 89 “rapid” switches (i.e. occurring in 24 hours or less) in 35 patients. No patient showed both “rapid” and “slow” switches during his hospitalization. Among the 89 rapid switches, 52 switches were into mania and 37 were out of mania. Rapid switches into and out of mania occurred significantly more often in the morning (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) than at night (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) or in the evening (3 p.m. to 11 p.m.). Estimated average sleep time on the night prior to switch into mania showed a significant drop as compared to sleep time on the second, third and fourth nights prior to switch. Patients who switched into mania at night were rated as significantly more manic during the 4 days following the switch than patients who switched in the morning or evening. Patients who switched into mania at night and evening were rated as sleeping significantly less during the 4 days following the switch than patients who switched in the morning.
Salivary secretion in the affective disorders and schizophrenia
Authors: Toone B. K. , Lader M. H.
Published: August 2007

Salivary secretion was measured in 54 psychiatric patients comprising four diagnostic groups: schizophrenia, mania, depression and anxiety state. Detailed psychometric assessment was carried out at the time of measurement. Although salivary flow failed to show an association with either diagnostic category or mental state at the time of examination, it was positively correlated with a subjective rating of appetite. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Fertility and sibship size in a psychiatric patient population| A COMPARISON WITH NATIONAL CENSUS DATA
Authors: Vogel H. P.
Published: August 2007

Fertility and sibship size of 2,518 psychiatric inpatients during 1968–1975 were compared with national census data and examined according to psychiatric diagnoses, psychiatric diseases in first‐degree relatives, early psychic disturbances, duration of disease, and school achievement. Fertility is markedly reduced in all diagnostic subgroups, though particularly in schizophrenia. While psychic disturbances before the age of 15, as an index of a severe disturbance of personality, reduced fertility even further, no significant correlation was found with the duration of the patients’actual disease. Less than ordinary schooling, but also higher qualifications led to a further reduction in fertility. This is particularly so in schizophrenia. Schizophrenics have their children at a later stage of their reproductive career. The psychological and biological consequences of this fact for the transmission of schizophrenia are discussed in detail. No change of fertility relative to the normal population was detected during the observed 8 years. There is suggestive evidence that patients stem from families smaller than expected from the national data. The inherent methodological problems are discussed. The results do not favour the hypothesis of a balanced polymorphism as a mechanism which could explain the constant incidence of psychoses in spite of the severe selection pressure against them.
Cerebrospinal fluid adrenaline and noradrenaline in depressed patients
Authors: Christensen N. J. , Vestergaard P. , Sørensen T. , Rafaelsen O. J.
Published: August 2007

Mean adrenaline concentration in cerebrospinal fluid measured by a sensitive and specific isotope‐derivative assay was significantly lower in 15 depressed patients during illness compared with 18 control subjects. At the time of recovery cerebrospinal adrenaline levels had increased markedly to normal levels. Cerebrospinal fluid noradrenaline did not differ in patients compared with controls. The present findings suggest that adrenaline as a neurotransmitter may be involved in affective disorders.
Fertility of psychiatric first admissions in Norway 1936–1975
Authors: ØDegarrd Ø.
Published: August 2007

A statistical study is made of the children born up to first admission to married women hospitalized for serious mental disease in Norway 1936–1975. 30,428 women were registered, with a total of 60,916 children. This observed number of children was related to the number to be expected if the fertility of the patients had been equal to that of a corresponding sample of the general population. The relative fertility (number of children observed per 100 expected) was found to have increased moderately from 72.4 in 1936‐45 to 83.6 in 1966–75. There was no difference between the diagnostic categories, in particular not between schizophrenia and manic‐depression.

It is pointed out that individuals with a psychotic parent may represent a high‐risk group because of their social and personal situation. Our material indicates that each year 1,800 children are born in Norway who during their childhood or adolescence were exposed to this particular risk.
Neuroticism and ABO blood types
Authors: Rinieris P. M. , Christodoulou G. N. , Stefanis C. N.
Published: August 2007

In an attempt to interpret previous findings of a higher incidence of blood phenotype A and a lower incidence of blood phenotype 0 in patients with either obsessive‐compulsive neurosis or hysteria, it was hypothesized that phenotype 0 might be associated with personality traits that render the individual less prone to developing neurotic symptoms. To test the validity of this hypothesis Form A of the Eysenck Personality Inventory was administered to 600 normal individuals and their ABO phenotype was determined.

Our results failed to support the above hypothesis, because the blood phenotype of the participants did not differentiate them with respect to their mean neuroticism score. The possibility of an association between ABO blood phenotypes and other, more specific, personality traits, such as hysteroid or obsessional is presently under investigation.
Platelet MAO activity and personality characteristics
Authors: Gattaz W. F. , Beckmann H.
Published: August 2007

Low levels of platelet monoamine oxidase have been found in schizophrenic and bipolar depressive patients. The enzyme activity seems to correlate negatively with certain personality traits (social activity, sensation seeking, hypomania, positive affect and monotony avoidance) which are correlated to some extent with the score “extraversion” from the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). The present study was carried out in an attempt to investigate further the possible correlation between platelet MAO activity and the personality traits measured by the EPQ. 41 schizophrenic patients and 20 healthy probands were blindly examined for platelet MAO activity and personality characteristics. The enzyme activity was found to correlate negatively with the extra‐version score in patients and healthy probands, which is in agreement with the data from other studies. This correlation is discussed and a hypothesis suggested.
Some current problems related to the mode of action of antidepressant drugs
Authors: Carlsson A.
Published: August 2007

An important relationship between antidepressant drugs and the monoamine transmitters of the brain is generally recognized. Major groups of established antidepressants are inhibitors of monoamine inactivation (by reuptake or monoamine oxidase) or monoamine precursors. However, the tricyclic antidepressants have many actions in addition to the blockade of monoamine reuptake, e.g. blockade of muscarinic, α‐adrenergic and histaminic receptors and general membrane effects which may lead to cardiotoxicity.

The discovery that certain antihistaminic agents devoid of condensed ring systems are fairly potent inhibitors of monoamine reuptake led to the synthesis of zimelidine, a potent and selective 5‐HT reuptake inhibitor with little affinity for receptors and almost devoid of cardiotoxicity. Careful pharmacological studies and clinical trials with such selective monoaminergic agents are of considerable value for testing the possible role of monoaminergic mechanisms in various aspects of human and animal behaviour and for central nervous disorders, including depression.
Electroconvulsive therapy and receptor sensitivity
Authors: Modigh K. , Balldin J. , Edén S. , Granérus A.‐K. , Wålinder J.
Published: August 2007

Administration to rats of one electroconvulsion daily for seven days (ECS × VII) resulted in enhanced behavioural responses to dopamine (DA) agonists and enhanced growth hormone (GH) secretion after treatment with reserpine followed by the DA agonist apomorphine and the noradrenaline (NA) agonist clonidine. The GH response to reserpine followed by clonidine alone was unaffected by pretreatment with ECS × VII. The enhancements, which in animals persist for at least ten days, indicate increased responsiveness in DA sensitive structures. Subsequent investigations in other laboratories have found no changes in either DA‐binding sites or in the DA activated adenylate cyclase system after repeated ECS. The treatment must therefore be assumed to engage structures connected to the DA receptors rather than the receptors themselves. The hGH response was studied in depressed patients before and after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and twice also in a control group, where the subjects received no treatment between the two investigations. ECT induced no unitary change in hGH responses. The intra‐individual variation was however significantly greater in the ECT treated patients than in the controls. Eight parkinsonian patients with partial therapy resistence to L‐DOPA were administered ECT during maintenance of their L‐DOPA therapy. Six out of 8 patients improved with respect to their extrapyramidal symptoms. The improvement after ECT was significantly correlated to the duration of the L‐DOPA therapy but not to the degree of mental depression. The results indicate that changes, related to DA receptors, also develop when ECT is administered clinically.
Serotonin and noradrenaline uptake inhibitors in the treatment of depression – relationship to 5‐HIAA in spinal fluid
Authors: Träskman‐Bendz L. , ÅSberg M. , Bertilsson L.
Published: August 2007

Evidence is accumulating that endogenous depression, in spite of its relatively uniform clinical picture, may have different pathophysiological correlates, and that these may predict the outcome of treatment. The distribution of the serotonin (5‐HT) metabolite, 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) in the spinal fluid (CSF) from depressed patients has repeatedly been shown to be bimodal, provided that sufficiently sensitive biochemical methods (mass fragmentography) are used for the analysis.

A study of nortriptyline revealed a poor antidepressant effect of this typical noradrenaline (NA) uptake blocker in patients with low pretreatment CSF 5‐HIAA. Chlorimipramine (CI), which is a potent 5‐HT uptake blocker in vitro and in animals was therefore given to depressed patients. The serotonin effects were borne out by a profound decrease in CSF 5‐HIAA. This effect, which is presumably mediated by feed‐back inhibition of 5‐HT synthesis was correlated to the plasma concentration of CI, but only up to a certain plasma level. Above this, there was little effect on 5‐HIAA, suggesting that high concentrations of CI may block 5‐HT receptors. The concentration of the NA metabolite, 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl glycol (HMPG) in CSF decreased in proportion to the demethyl metabolite (DMCI) concentration in plasma. DMCI is a potent NA uptake blocker in vitro. Patients with low pretreatment CSF 5‐HIAA reacted equally well to treatment with CI as those with high levels, but only in the latter group was there a correlation to plasma levels (between DMCI and antidepressant effect). The antidepressant effect was also correlated to HMPG reduction in CSF, suggesting that these patients recover in proportion to drug effect on NA
Depressive illness in general practice
Authors: Barber J. H.
Published: August 2007

A review of published literature concerning psychological illness in General Practice shows that the spectrum of illness seen differs considerably from that met with in hospital practice. The incidence of depressive illness in General Practice is described and the relationship of life events, physical disease and social factors to depression are noted. The difficulties experienced in the diagnosis of depression in the General Practice setting are described and evidence is given of the high use of drug therapy in the General Practice management of depression. The need for education in psychological illness that is mote appropriate to the understanding and management of depression in General Practice is stressed.
Prediction of suicide
Authors: Borg S. Egede , Ståhl M.
Published: August 2007

In order to find possible factors predicting suicide among psychiatric patients, a prospective study of 2,184 in‐ and outpatients treated at the Department of Psychiatry, Linköping, Sweden, during 1976 was made. Information was obtained by semi‐structured interview covering demographics, diagnosis, symptomatology, life events and received treatment, supplemented by officially registered information about annual income, public assistance, sick‐leave and cause of death. During the period of observation (1–2 years), 34 patients had committed suicide. These were matched according to age, sex, diagnosis and in‐ or outpatient status with controls from the original census. The findings suggest that psychiatric patients who commit suicide, often are drug and alcohol abusers and neurotics with symptoms of depression. They often have made suicide attempts earlier in their lives, are often widowed and have suffered loss of key persons by death. After the initial contact they receive less outpatient treatment than controls. Their method of committing suicide is mainly by intoxication.
Predictors of successful rehabilitation in long‐stay patients
Authors: Presly A. S. , Grubb A. B. , Semple D.
Published: August 2007

Fifty‐one long‐stay psychiatric patients admitted to a new rehabilitation unit were followed up for 3–4 years. Two groups were identified, one (n= 29) where significant progress had been made, and a second (n= 22) where no significant progress had been made. The groups were compared on a number of demographic measures and on measures of mental state, social behaviour, self‐care skills, and work performance in hospital. The only items which successfully differentiated the groups related to self‐care skills such as use of money, catering ability, and care of clothes. The implications of these findings for future rehabilitation policy are discussed.
Lithium treatment: does the kidney prefer one daily dose instead of two?
Authors: Plenge P. , Mellerup E. T. , Bolwig T. G. , Brun C. , Hetmar O. , Ladefoged J. , Larsen S. , Rafaelsen O. J.
Published: August 2007

Renal structure and function were investigated in two groups of long‐term lithium treated patients. Lithium was administered in two different ways either in a one‐dose per day schedule where the whole dose of lithium was given between 8 and 10 p.m. or in a schedule where the lithium dose was given, divided into two or three doses, during the day. Kidney biopsy was performed, and structural changes in the kidney tissue were determined together with 24‐h urine volume in the individual patients. The functional as well as the structural changes were most pronounced in patients given their lithium in divided doses during the day. Lithium may be more harmful to the kidney when the lithium administration gives a relatively constant serum lithium level than when the administration causes greater variations including peak values and low minimum levels in serum lithium. The reason for this might be that a number of regenerative processes only occur in periods with low lithium concentrations.
A multicentre placebo‐controlled trial comparing the efficacy of mianserin and chlordiazepoxide in general practice patients with primary anxiety
Authors: Bjertnaes A. , Block J. M. , Hafstad P. E. , Holte M. , Otremo I. , Larsen T. , Pinder R. M. , Steffensen K. , Stulemeuer S. M.
Published: August 2007

In a double‐blind multicentre trial in general practice, 144 patients with primary anxiety received daily treatment with mianserin or chlordiazepoxide, 30‐60 mg, or placebo. There were no statistically significant differences in efficacy between the three treatments in the 106 patients who completed the 6‐week trial. However, there was a substantial trend in favour of mianserin (P= 0.1), but not chlordiazepoxide, over placebo as assessed by the difference in overall improvement on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. This trend may be clinically significant since more patients dropped out from the placebo group because of lack of effect or deterioration than did from the active treatment groups, particularly during the latter part of the trial.

Side effects occurred to a similarly low extent with all treatments, except that mianserin caused more weight gain and, initially, more drowsiness than placebo, while placebo produced more nausea and vomiting. Taken together with the evidence from previous trials in patients with anxiety, these results support the notion that mianserin has anxiolytic properties.
Continuity of Character neurosis from childhood to adulthood
Authors: Parnas J. , And T. W. Teasdale , Schulsinger H.
Published: August 2007

In a prospective longitudinal study, stability of personality traits was examined between the age of 15 and the age of 25. Scales, derived from an Adjective Check List, intending to predict obsessive‐ compulsive character neurosis, anti‐aggressive character neurosis and non‐neuromtic personality have been utilized. Temporal stability of the examined personality traits was demonstrated.
Does the season of conception influence the frequency of post partum mental illness?
Authors: Bgedahl‐Strindlund M. , Jansson B.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ The study is based on two series of patients with post partum mental illness, one consisting of 71 women in Gothenburg 1952–56 and another of 68 women in Stockholm 1976–77. The total number of births in the two cities during the periods in question were used as reference. A strategy of chi‐squared test and the Edwards’criteria of seasonality was applied for statistical analyses of the results. A yearly double periodic trend in month of conception could be observed.
Alcoholic women in fertile age treated at an alcohol clinic
Authors: Hollstedt C. , Dahlgren L. , Rydberg U.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ The consumption of alcohol by women in Sweden is strongly increasing, especially in younger individuals. Since the re‐discovery of the teratological properties of alcohol most of the studies concerning foetal alcohol damage in man have covered female skid row alcoholics. This investigation describes the medical and social characteristics of a group of women (n= 92) receiving inpatient care for alcoholism compared with an age‐matched control group, in relation to obstetrical history. The conditions in the control group were in accord with those of the general population. Social problems and degree of alcoholism were noticeably advanced among the pro‐bands. The proband women who gave birth after established regular alcohol consumption were younger, showed more psychiatric complications during the treatment period, had started drinking and developing signs of advanced alcoholism earlier in life compared with probands who gave birth before established regular alcohol consumption. They also exhibited more social disturbances. The social problems caused by the mothers’alcohol abuse are expected to aggravate the biological consequences to their children.
Studies on biogenic amine metabolizing enzymes (DBH, COMT, MAO) and pathogenesis of affective illness
Authors: Puzynski S. , Rode A. , Zaluska M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT – On the basis of studies carried out with a group of 47 patients with endogenous depressive illness, lower plasma activity of dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase (DBH) was found as compared with a control group (31 healthy persons). Lower DBH activity particularly characterized bipolar patients. Lowest DBH activity was found in patients with a family history of psychiatric disorders, in particular, affective illness (in comparison with the control group the difference was statistically significant, P < 0.05). It was noticed, that in a period of remission or significant improvement the enzymatic activity increases, although in some cases the level of activity is still lower than in the control group. There was a correlation between activity of the enzyme and clinical course of the illness and susceptibility to antidepressive drugs. Most of the observed phenomena are related to male patients. On the basis of these studies and data supplied by corresponding literature, concerning in particular the effects of DBH inhibitors (fusaric acid, disulfiram), the authors consider that changes in DBH activity may play a role in the pathogenesis of depression and that DBH deserves further studies, also of genetic nature.
Bromocriptine in the prevention of alcohol abuse
Authors: Borg V.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– – In a double‐blind trial comprising 50 chronic alcoholics, randomized in two parallel groups, bromocriptine was compared with placebo on psycho‐social variables in the prevention of alcohol abuse for 6 months. The overall effects on the abuse situation, social functioning, social belonging and psychic status were significantly bettered by bromocriptine. Craving was reduced from strong to very mild, indicating a distancing effect of bromocriptine on dependency. Neurotic states and depressive reactions were significantly improved by bromocriptine, as were social situation, motivation and personal insight. Global evaluation of bromocriptine treatment was beneficial in most patients, with a substantial reduction in the number of patients abusing alcohol. Our results indicate that bromocriptine may affect the craving.
Offspring of women with nonorganic psychoses
Authors: McNeil T. F. , Kaij L. , Malmquist‐Larsson A. , Näslund B. , Persson‐Blennow I. , McNeil N. , Blennow G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT–This article describes the development of a prospective, longitudinal study of 88 “high‐risk” offspring of pregnant index women with a history of nonorganic psychoses and 104 offspring of demographically‐similar pregnant control women. The maternal psychoses represented the diagnostic categories, Schizophrenia, Cycloid Psychosis, Affective Illness, Psychogenic Psychosis, Postpartum Psychosis and Other (remaining) Psychoses. The first phase of the study began during pregnancy and continued until the offspring reached 2 years of age. Selected characteristics of the mothers, the offspring and their environments were investigated during this project phase.
Alcohol‐abusing teenage boys
Authors: Rydelius P.‐A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A study material of teenage boys from the general population was used to test the hypothesis on early alcohol abuse suggested by the results of previous prospective studies on selected materials. The results of interviews of 1,004 18‐year‐old boys from the general population in the Stockholm area support the hypothesis that there is a group (about 4 % during autumn 1980) of boys with a high consumption of alcohol, simultaneous use of drugs and criminal behaviour. As a group these boys had been brought up in emotionally disturbed homes, with alcoholic parents, and they also showed personality features indicating psychopathy. The study provides evidence that results of investigations on selected materials are also relevant to the general population.
High urinary norepinephrine excretion in major depressive disorders: effects of a new type of MAO inhibitor (Moclobemide, RO 11‐1163)
Authors: Dajas F. , Lista A. , Barbeito L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The urinary excretion rates of norepinephrine were assayed in 26 patients diagnosed as major depressive disorders (primary, unipolar), before and after 14 days of treatment with the rnono‐amine oxidase inhibitor Moclobemide (Ro 11‐1163). A standardized 1‐h urine collection procedure was used and norepinephrine was assayed by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Norepinephrine was found significantly increased in depressed patients when compared with a control population. The psychotic patients showed the highest excretion rates although they were not significantly different from the endogenous (non‐psychotic) group. Urinary norepinephrine output significantly decreased after 14 days of treatment with Moclobemide. This decrease was also marked in those patients that did not show any therapeutic effect. A clear antidepres‐sant effect, shown by a significant decrease of the Hamilton Scale scores for depression, was apparent as early as the 7th day. Increased norepinephrine in melancholic patients was taken as a presumptive indication of altered sympathetic activity.
Drug abuse in military conscripts. Prevalence and background
Authors: Benson G. , Kjellson S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A questionnaire investigation in 1969/70 concerning drug use among military conscripts constitutes the basis for a study of the course and outcome of drug abuse and of drug‐related medical and social conditions, 19% of military conscripts from Gothenburg indicated that they had at some time used drugs compared with 11% in the whole country. Between 4 and 5% of the men in Gothenburg indicated current drug use. Of those with some drug experience, more than 40% had used drugs more than 10 times. Cannabis smoking predominated. These figures are probably an underestimate because of the pattern of selection for military service. Those who had used drugs had more frequently used solvents and also had more advanced habits as regards alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking. Their intelligence level was somewhat higher than others’ but they were less well‐adjusted at home and at school. They had more frequently been in contact with the police or the Social Welfare Administration and more often had nervous problems.
Relation between outcome and the patient's initial experience of the therapist and therapeutic conditions in four treatment methods for phobic disorders
Authors: Persson G. , Alström J. E. , Nordlund C. L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– One hundred and three phobic women not suitable for insight‐oriented psychotherapy were randomized to either therapistdirected prolonged exposure therapy (PE), supportive therapy of dynamic type (ST), relaxation therapy (R), or basal therapy (B). Immediately after seeing their therapist for history taking and beginning of treatment, the patients were asked to report their experience of the therapist, of themselves in relation to the therapist, and of the therapy (Experience of Therapy Inventory, ETI). The patients were informed that the therapists would not see the ETI. The patients were rated by an independent rater with regard to symptoms and functions at the beginning of treatment, at termination of treatment 3 months later, and at a follow‐up 1 year after the commencement of the study.

1) Patients treated with PE and R were more satisfied with their therapists than patients treated with ST or B. The PE patients considered their therapists provided better contact, were more assured and knowledgeable, and gave what seemed to be the correct therapy, the R patients considered their therapist showed more warmth. Both PE and R patients felt their therapists were more interested than the ST and B therapists. These differences were probably due to differences in the amount of time offered, in the attitudes of the therapists, and in the characteristics of the therapies. 2) In the PE group there were positive associations between outcome and the initial experience of the therapist. There is, thus, empirical evidence that a good therapist‐patient relation is of importance to a good outcome in this type of behaviour therapy. In the ST group there was an association between a good outcome and a positive experience of the rather conflict‐centred beginning of the procedure. A positive experience of a conflict‐centred approach may thus be regarded as an indication for dynamic therapy.
Memories of parental rearing practices and personality features
Authors: Benjaminsen S. , Jørgensen J. , Kragh‐Hansen L. , Pedersen L. L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Relationships between own memories of parental rearing practices and adult personality features were examined. Two hundred healthy volunteers, 86 males and 114 females, completed the Own Memories of Child‐Rearing Experiences (EMBU), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and the Lazare‐Klerman‐Armor Trait Scale (LKAS). Relations between two sets of variables were examined by means of Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, and Bonferroni inequalities were applied for each family of hypotheses. For the male sample all correlations were not significant. For females there were several significant correlations. The most consistent finding was that the experience of negative parental rearing factors was associated with pathological features in the personality. About one half of the significant correlations were found between female hysterical scores and EMBU father. The findings support the general assumption that females with hysterical traits have complicated relations to their fathers, which may indicate fixation in the Oedipal stage.
Clinical Evaluation of Sulpiride in Schizophrenic Patients ‐ A Double‐blind Comparison with Chlorpromazine
Authors: Härnryd C. , Bjerkenstedt L. , Björk K. , Gullberg B. , Oxen‐Stierna G. , Sedvall G. , Wiesel F‐A , Wik G. , Åberg‐Wis‐Tedt A.
Published: August 2007

Abstract To evaluate the clinical potential of sulpiride for the treatment of schizophrenic patients, a double‐blind study was performed comparing fixed doses of sulpiride (800 mg daily) and chlorpromazine (400 mg daily). Twentyfive schizophrenic (RDC) patients participated in each treatment group. Antipsychotic effects were evaluated by CPRS and NOSIE ratings before and after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Interrater reliabilities for CPRS items and subscales were satisfactory.

Treatment with sulpiride or chlorpromazine resulted in a significant reduction of psychotic morbidity as estimated by CPRS and global ratings. CPRS scores reflecting autism were significantly reduced in all ratings of sulpiride‐treated patients, but only after four weeks in the chlorpromazine group. Total NOSIE scores indicated improvement in both treatment groups. A significant difference in favour of sulpiride was obtained for the NOSIE subscale “retardation”.

Extrapyramidal side effects occurred at a similar frequency in both treatment groups. Autonomic side effects occurred to a greater extent in chlorpromazine‐treated patients. Lactation was reported only in four sulpiride‐treated patients. Liver transaminase enzymes in serum were markedly elevated only in chlorpromazine‐treated patients.

The results indicate that sulpiride has a marked antipsychotic effect which is at least not inferior to that of chlorpromazine. A better effect on autistic components of behaviour was demonstrated for sulpiride. The results indicate a higher risk of lactation but a lower risk of anticholinergic side effects and liver toxicity for treatment with sulpiride than with chlorpromazine.
Longitudinal studies of drug abuse in a fifteen‐year‐old population
Authors: Holmberg M. B.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– In an attempt to identify prognostic factors, non‐drug users and abusers in the Gothenburg year cohort of 1953 were compared with reference to background data. Individuals with chronic abuse differed most from the “normal” group. Prognostic factors for drug abuse were; member of a multiproblem family, child psychiatric care, contact with the Social Welfare Administration at an early age, truancy, placement in special class, premature drop‐out from school, admitted high‐frequency drug use in a school questionnaire, for boys early registration for crimes and for girls nervous complaints. The results indicate the necessity of earlier and more effective prevention.
Withdrawal of trihexyphenidyl
Authors: Mclnnis M. , Petursson H.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Trihexyphenidyl, a synthetic anticholinergic, used to control ex I rap y ram id al symptoms arising from neuroleptic drug therapy has been a subject of controversy regarding the need for continuous antiparkinsonian therapy. In a group of 22 psychiatric patients receiving long‐term anti‐psychotic medication concurrently with trihexyphenidyl the effects of trihexyphenidyl withdrawal were studied double‐blind and placebo controlled. Anxiety, psychotic symptoms, extrapyramidal symptoms and salivary flow were monitored. Blood pressure, pulse, sleep duration, weight and body temperature were recorded daily. The result was a recognizable withdrawal syndrome indicated by an increase in anxiety with various physical complaints, as well as evidence of orthostatic hypotension and tachycardia. A temporary deterioration was noted in psychotic symptomatology and extra‐pyramidal symptoms. The majority of the parameters regained baseline values, indicating the symptoms were related to the discontinuation of trihexyphenidyl and supporting the existence of a withdrawal syndrome.
Reliability and validity of two tests for non‐verbal memory
Authors: D'Elia G. , Frederiksen S. O.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Because of its lenient effects on memory, unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on the non‐dominant hemisphere is routinely used in most ECT units in the Scandinavian countries. Considering the neuropsychological peculiarities af the non‐dominant hemisphere, two tests were constructed to evaluate the effect of ECT on non‐verbal memory. The tests are characterized by visual mode of administration and complex figurative items. They can measure both immediate and delayed memory and exist in two parallel forms. Analysis of a number of studies on unilateral non‐dominant and dominant ECT indicates that the two non‐verbal memory tests have good reliability and validity. Convergent validity between the two non‐verbal memory tests, discriminant validity against tests of verbal memory, and criterion‐related validity in relation to the influence of different treatment modalities, indicate the tests as valid instruments for measuring non‐verbal memory. The two test forms show satisfactory parallelism. Together with tests of verbal memory, the total battery provides an all‐round instrument for studying memory functions after ECT or other cerebral influences.
A contribution to the validity of Leonhard's classification of endogenous psychoses
Authors: Ungvári G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT–The author made a clinical‐genetical study of the schizophrenias and cycloid (schizoaffective) psychoses following the Leonhardian classification, using the traditional pedigree analysis and multiple threshold method. According to the latter method ‐ on the basis of phenotypical correlations ‐ the systematic schizophrenias could be clearly distinguished from the cycloid psychoses, while the non‐systematic category presumably occupies a genetical position between the two former categories.
Ventricular size, the dexamethasone suppression test and outcome of severe endogenous depression following psychosurgery
Authors: Standish‐Barry H. M. A. S. , Hale A. S. , Honig A. , Bouras N. , Bridges P. K. , Bartlett J. R.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– To assess the possible significance of cerebral ventricular size and the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in the outcome of severe endogenous depression, 28 patients were followed up and reviewed 1 year after stereotactic subcaudate tractotomy. Neither ventricular size nor the dexamethasone suppression test predicted either a good or poor outcome. There was no relationship between ventricular size and the DST results.
ACTH 4–9 analogue (ORG 2766) in depressed elderly patients
Authors: Frederiksen S. O. , D'Elia G. , Bengtsson B.‐O.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– In a double‐blind interindividual comparison 80 mg of an ACTH 4–9 analogue (Org 2766) or placebo was administered daily to 49 elderly depressed in‐and out‐patients for 4 weeks. 20 patients then changed to the opposite treatment in a cross‐over study for a further 2 weeks. All patients were tested for memory on days 0 and 29 with a battery consisting of the 30 Word‐Pair Test, the 30 Figure‐Test and the 30 Personal‐Facta Test. Three scores were obtained from each test, immediate memory score (IMS), delayed memory score (DMS) and their difference, forgetting score (FS). Cross‐over patients were tested for vigilance on days 0, 29 and 43 in an apparatus testing ability to rapidly detect and react to specific minor changes at random intervals. Org 2766 had no better effect than placebo on learning, consolidation, or retrieval of memorized material in elderly depressed patients. Statistically significant fewer target misses in the test of vigilance suggest a higher degree of sustained attention after treatment with Org 2766.
Paranoid psychosis in the elderly
Authors: Jørgensen P. , Munk‐Jørgensen P.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Hospital records comprising 106 first admissions of patients aged 60 years or more diagnosed paranoid disorder were studied. Affective psychosis and dementia were excluded. The female/male ratio was 2:1. Symptomatology, treatment and diagnostic classification are presented. Seventy‐five per cent revealed persecutory delusions, and nearly half were hallucinated. Almost all patients received neuroleptics. The majority were diagnosed paranoid psychosis or reactive psychosis.

After 5–15 years of observation a full remission was seen in 27% according to the judgement of general practitioners as well as hospital records. Delusions such as megalomania and delusions with ideas of sex and jealousy showed a significantly poor outcome. The diagnosis reactive psychosis predicts a course of illness characterized by few relapses.
Manic‐depressive patients with delusions
Authors: Jørgensen P.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A study was made of the hospital records of 114 first admission patients under 60 years with a diagnosis of manic‐depressive psychosis and coexisting paranoid symptoms. The male/female ratio was 1/1.4, and the females were significantly older. Symptomatology and treatment are presented. Seventy per cent disclosed delusions of reference and misinterpretation and 50% had synthymic delusions. During 11–15 years of admisson 75% of the patients were re‐admitted. The diagnostic concept was changed in 33%. Significantly more females were diagnosed unipolar manic‐depressive. According to the general practitioners and hospital records psychotic traits were still present in 50% of the patients at followup. Significantly more patients diagnosed as unipolar manic‐depressive had no relapse and no remaining psychotic traits. And significantly more patients with changed diagnosis had remaining psychotic traits. The need for prospective studies of patients with coexisting affective and paranoid symptomatology is stressed.
Psychiatric morbidity following total and partial thyroidectomy
Authors: Berrios G. E. , Leysen A. , Samuel C. , Dowson J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Thirty subjects were screened for psychiatric morbidity approximately 7 years after they had undergone a thyroid operation. Thirteen were identified as “cases” by the General Health Questionnaire. Total and partial thyroidectomy subjects were compared. The total thyroidectomy patients identified as “cases” showed lower values of plasma calcium and higher values of inorganic phosphate than the partial thyroidectomy “cases”, but the difference failed to reach statistical significance. No clinical or biochemical differences were found between cases and non‐cases, irrespective of the type of operation.
An approach to the diagnosis and classification of schizoaffective disorders for research purposes
Authors: Maj M. , Perris C.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A classification of schizoaffective disorders for research purposes is presented. Two main categories are preliminarily singled out: 1) that characterized by the consecutive appearance of an affective and a schizophrenic syndrome (type I), 2) that marked by the concurrent appearance of a full schizophrenic and a full affective syndrome (type II). Within type I, two subtypes are distinguished: 1) that beginning as a typical schizophrenic disorder and shifting later on into a recurrent affective syndrome (affective subtype), 2) that beginning as an affective disorder and showing in its further course a progressive schizophrenic development towards deterioration (schizophrenic subtype). For type II, a multiaxial classification is proposed. Axis 1 should be used to describe the cross‐sectional symptomatology, axis 2 to define the course, and axis 3 to note the presence of associated factors. On axis 1, schizoaffective disorder type II can be divided into a manic and a depressive subtype. Operational diagnostic criteria for each are provided. On axis 2, an affective (recurrent) and a schizophrenic (continuous with exacerbations) subtype can be distinguished.
Longitudinal studies of drug abuse in a fifteen‐year‐old population
Authors: Holmberg M. B.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT A representative, stratified sample from a year cohort of ninth‐grade mostly 15 years of age, examined in 1968 with a questionnaire, was followed over a decade in official registers. After 5 and 8 years, subsamples were also interviewed. During the period in question there was a polydrug abuse pattern in the area of Gothenburg, the second city in Sweden with approx. 450,000 inhabitants. The sample comprised 1,047 individuals and the whole year cohort 5,367. The estimated proportions of registered drug abusers in the cohort were 9 % men and 8 % women. 3 % men and 5 % women had drug careers for 2 years or Jess, 1 % men and 0.2 % women for 10 years or more. Those who became registered had with few exceptions stated drug use in the school questionnaire or had attended special classes or dropped out of school prematurely. After 5 years 60–80 % of the registered abuse remained among the men in these groups and 30–40 % among the women. According to interviews abuse remained in 70–90 % of men who had admitted drug use in the school survey and in 50–60 % of the women from the same groups. According lo both registers and interviews intravenous abuse of central stimulants had increased among men but decreased among women. After 11 years, 20–60 % of the registered abuse remained in men and 5–60 % in the women.
Longitudinal studies of drug abuse in a fifteen‐year‐old population
Authors: Holmberg M. B.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT A representative, stratified sample of ninth‐graders of comprehensive school 1968 were followed retrospectively and prospectively in files from hospitals and Social Welfare Administration and in other official registers. Those who had stated high‐frequency drug use in a school questionnaire, those who had attended special classes or had dropped out of school appeared to a larger extent than the average ninth‐graders in social and child psychiatric registers during childhood. Over a follow‐up period of 11 years they had a large over‐consumption of drug‐related psychiatric and social care. They were more often sick‐listed and assessed to be without income than the average year cohort. The women had children before 20 years of age and the men were exempted from military service lo a higher extent.
BRINGING INTO ACTION THE PSYCHIATRIC REFORM IN SOUTH‐VERONA. A FIVE YEAR EXPERIENCE
Authors: Tansella Ch. Zimmermann ‐ , Burti L. , Faccincani C. , Garzotto N. , Siciliani O. , Tansella M.
Published: August 2007

The organization of psychiatric care in Verona prior to the new Italian Mental Health Act, and the organization of the new South‐Verona Community Psychiatric Service (CPS) implemented in 1978 after the approval of the new law, are described. Case‐register data for the period 1979‐1983 are also reported. To compare in‐patient care provided in South‐Verona after the Reform with that of the previous year, data on hospital admissions during 1977 were collected retrospectively. From 1977 to 1983 compulsory admissions have decreased by 67%, the average number of occupied beds per day and the average length of in‐patient stay have decreased by 34%, while the total rates of admission have increased by 4%. The long‐stay in‐patient rate, which was already considerably low in 1977 (48/100,000), is still decreasing slightly and no ≪new≫ long‐stay patients have accumulated in psychiatric institutions during the past three years. In South‐Verona most of the patients are treated outside the hospital and the same staff is responsible for in‐ as well as for out‐patient care (which includes domiciliary visits and day care), to ensure therapeutic continuity. Although it lacks some complementary facilities the South‐Verona CPS in its five years of experience has been able to bring into action the psychiatric reform as indicated by the new Law.
Density values of the corpus callosum in schizophrenic brains
Authors: Kono E. , Hirano M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT Density values of the corpus callosum and ventricular brain ratio (VBR) were obtained by coronal computerized tomography (CT) in 16 chronic schizophrenic patients and 16 normal controls. The corpus callosum of schizophrenic brains showed no apparent density loss which could indicate a dysfunctional brain. A significant ventricular dilatation was found in the patient group compared with age‐matched controls. This finding was compatible with several former observations with transverse scanning.