bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severity of depression and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis dysregulation: identification of contributing factors
Authors: Meador‐Woodruff J.H. , Greden J.F. , Grunhaus L. , Haskett R. F.
Published: August 2007

Severity of depression, as reflected by total scores on depression rating scales, has been established as one of several major sources of variance associated with hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis dysregulation in patients with major depressive disorder. To determine which of the symptoms comprising clinically defined severity of illness contribute most to this relationship, we studied the associations between postdexamethasone plasma cortisol levels and components of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) in 114 patients with major depressive disorder. At pretreatment baseline, severity of depression was modestly but significantly correlated with postdexamethasone plasma cortisol; a large part of this relationship was associated with the anxiety components of the HRSD. When relationships between postdexamethasone plasma cortisol and severity measures were studied longitudinally during treatment, this contribution of the anxiety items persisted. The anxiety associated with depression appears to be a major clinical factor associated with the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis dysregulation in major depressive disorder.;
Nature of the genetic contribution to psychotic illness ‐ a continuum viewpoint
Authors: Crow T. J.
Published: August 2007

The recurrent psychoses, rather than, as Kraepelin supposed, constituting 2 major entities, manic depressive illness and schizophrenia, as separate diseases, may be distributed along a continuum that extends from unipolar depressive illness through bipolar and schizoaffective psychosis to schizophrenia with increasing severities of defect state. It is proposed that this continuum rests on a genetic base, variations in the form of the gene accounting for variations in form of psychosis. The simplest interpretation of the continuum is that such variation relates to changes at a single genetic locus. Evidence from a postmortem study of brain structure in schizophrenia suggests that this is the gene that determines the development of asymmetries in the human brain, i.e., the cerebral dominance gene or right shift factor of Annett; a possible genomic location is in the pseudoautosomal region of the sex chromosomes.
Suicidal indicators in schizophrenia
Authors: Dassori A. M. , Mezzich J. E. , Keshavan M.
Published: August 2007

The clinical and sociodemographic profile of suicidal and nonsuicidal schizophrenia patients was investigated in 801 patients with this diagnosis seen at a comprehensive psychiatric facility between 1983 and 1987. Suicidal patients tended to exhibit depression, aggressiveness, substance abuse and a severe and progressive impairment in adaptive functioning.
Schizophrenic and borderline patients: introjection, relationship to mother and symptoms
Authors: Öhman K. , Armelius K.
Published: August 2007

The main question of this study is: how does the psychiatrist's view of schizophrenic and borderline patients according to DSM‐III relate to the patients’ view of themselves in terms of their introjection ratings and their self‐reported symptoms? For schizophrenic patients there is a great discrepancy between how they see themselves and how psychiatrists describe them. These patients have a most serious psychiatric diagnosis but their introjection ratings are not different from normal ratings and they also rate low levels of symptoms. Two different ways of understanding the schizophrenic patients’ normal ratings are discussed. For the borderline group, the psychiatrist's view corresponds well with the patients’ self‐ratings. The psychiatrist and the patients agree about the patients’ self‐hatred and lack of self‐control. Also, the borderline patients’ high ratings of symptoms is very compatible with the general appearance on DSM‐III of a person acting out.
Course of schizoaffective psychosis: a retrospective study
Authors: Vega J. M. del Rio , Ayuso‐Gutierrez J. L.
Published: August 2007

This study investigated the clinical course and outcome of 72 patients diagnosed as suffering from schizoaffective psychosis according to ICD‐9 criteria who also satisfied RDC criteria for schizoaffective disorder. The results show a clear relationship between patients’ overall functioning and premorbid personality: a better premorbid social adjustment indicates a better current state. Those who met DSM‐III criteria for schizophrenic or schizophreniform disorder had an earlier age of onset and a higher frequency of relapse, followed by schizoaffective and affective patients. Patients who presented interepisodic psychotic symptoms differed from those who did not in that they showed more recurrences, an earlier age of onset and a premorbid personality with poorer social adjustment. The age of onset of the disease was significantly earlier in patients who had hyperthymic episodes. Schizoaffective disorders therefore are a heterogeneous group as regards premorbid personality, DSM‐III diagnosis, and the presence or absence of interepisodic psychotic symptoms and hyperthymic episodes.
Serum creatine kinase BB isoenzyme levels in an epidemiological study of dementia and cognitive impairment
Authors: Brayne C. , Calloway P.
Published: August 2007

It has been suggested that serum creatine kinase levels might be useful in the investigation of dementia. In this study serum creatine kinase BB (CKBB) isoenzyme levels were investigated in a community population of elderly women aged 70 to 80 years. Normative data for this group were compared with the findings in younger age groups. No relationship was found between levels of CKBB and level of dementia, or with the specific clinical diagnosis of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, although a weakly positive relationship was found between CKBB and 3 cognitive scales.
Suppressant effects of dexamethasone on the availability of plasma L‐tryptophan and tyrosine in healthy controls and in depressed patients
Authors: Maes M. , Jacobs M.‐P. , Suy E. , Minner B. , Leclercq C. , Christiaens F. , Raus J.
Published: August 2007

Formation in the brain of serotonin from L‐tryptophan (L‐TRP) and noradrenaline from tyrosine are pathways related to the pathophysiology of major depression and to the regulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis. In the past, decrements in L‐TRP availability and disorders in the HPA axis have repeatedly been observed in major depressed patients; both factors were shown to be inversely correlated. In order to investigate the relationships between glucocorticosteroid activity and the availability of L‐TRP and tyrosine, the authors measured L‐TRP, tyrosine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and phenylalanine in baseline conditions and after treatment with 1 mg dexamethasone in 16 healthy controls and in 50 depressed patients. The ratios between L‐TRP and tyrosine and the sums of the amino acids known to compete with them during transport across the blood‐brain barrier were computed as an index of (respectively) the serotonin and noradrenaline synthesis in the brain. We found significantly decreased plasma L‐TRP and tyrosine levels after treatment with dexamethasone compared with basal levels. Accordingly, the plasma ratios between L‐TRP and tyrosine and the sum of the competing amino acids were significantly reduced by dexamethasone administration. It was hypothesized that through these actions of dexamethasone on peripheral amino acids, the central noradrenaline and serotonin control over the HPA‐axis could be altered.
Cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites in alcoholic patients who attempt suicide
Authors: Roy A. , Lamparski D. , De Jong J. , Adinoff B. , Ravitz B. , George D. T. , Nutt D. , Linnoila M.
Published: August 2007

Reduced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of the serotonin metabolite 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid have been reported to be commonly associated with suicidal behaviour. Alcoholics are known to often manifest suicidal behaviour. Therefore, we compared cerebrospinal fluid levels of monoamine metabolites in alcoholics who had (n= 20) and had not (n= 108) attempted suicide and healthy volunteers (n= 30). There were no significant differences among the 3 groups for CSF levels of either 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid, norepinephrine, or the norepinephrine metabolite 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxy‐phenylglycol.
Coding guidelines for ICD‐9 section on mental disorders and reliability of chart clinical diagnoses
Authors: Torgersen T. , Rosseland L. A. , Malt U. F.
Published: August 2007

A major innovation of the ICD‐10 draft is provision of diagnostic guidelines. This is assumed to be appropriate for use in clinical situations. In Norway a similar approach was adopted when ICD‐9 was introduced as the official classification system in 1987. This was done in order to avoid national diagnostic bias and increase diagnostic reliability. A comparison with the DSM‐III criteria was included in the diagnostic guidelines. The effectiveness of this approach was investigated by comparing the chart ICD‐9 diagnoses of 104 psychiatric in‐ and outpatients from 2 teaching hospitals with the diagnoses obtained by using case record rating forms (criterion diagnosis). According to the criterion diagnoses, the base rate of chart diagnoses of schizophrenia and manic‐depressive psychosis was too low, and the base rate of reactive psychosis too high. Several chart diagnoses proved to have low reliability, particularly reactive psychosis, paranoid psychosis, depressive neurosis and personality disorders. The study suggests that the provision of extensive diagnostic guidelines does not necessarily alter previous diagnostic practice. Reasons for these findings and the implications for the ICD‐10 diagnostic criteria and diagnostic guidelines are discussed.
Depressive type and state effects on personality measures
Authors: Boyce P. , Hadzi‐Pavlovic D. , Parker G. , Brodaty H. , Hickie I. , Mitchell P. , Wilhelm K.
Published: August 2007

We examine the hypothesis that the effect of mood state on personality questionnaire scores is more a function of diagnosis than of depression severity. Sixteen endogenous and 83 neurotic depressives completed a battery of personality questionnaires at a baseline assessment and again 20 weeks later. Scores on the personality measures changed significantly. Endogenous depressives were found to have more pronounced changes on measures of dependence and timidity, but when change in mood state was partialled out only one of the dependence measures and timidity remained significant. Thus the hypothesis only received partial support ‐ change in mood state appears to be the major factor in elevating personality questionnaire scores.
Attempted suicide in Denmark. IV. A five‐year follow‐up
Authors: Nielsen B. , Wang A. G. , Brille‐Brahe U.
Published: August 2007

From October 1, 1980 to April 20, 1981, 207 patients were admitted to the Department of Psychiatry, Odense University Hospital, after attempting suicide. Information on physical, mental and social conditions was collected. The patients were then followed for 5 years, to register subsequent suicidal behaviour and to try to identify relevant factors for evaluation of future suicide risk. During the follow‐up period 11.6% of the attempters committed suicide, the majority within the first year after the index attempt. Seventy‐five percent of the suicides were committed less than 6 months after the last contact with the psychiatric ward. Predictors for future suicide were chronic somatic disease, depression, abuse of medicine, and chronic alcohol abuse. The authors emphasize the need for a thorough medical evaluation of patients attempting suicide, to be able to identify and eventually treat these conditions.
Prospective study of EDTA clearance among patients in long‐term lithium treatment
Authors: Christensen E. M. , Aggernæs H.
Published: August 2007

EDTA clearance as a measure of the glomerular filtration rate was followed up to 10 years in 14 patients in long‐term lithium treatment. The results in the lithium‐treated patients were identical to the results in a standard population.
Ultrasonography detected a higher incidence of gallstones in psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Fukuzako H. , Hashiguchi T. , Nomaguchi M. , Nagatomo I. , Matsumoto K.
Published: August 2007

A total of 105 psychiatric inpatients (55 men, 50 women) were investigated for gallstones and associated factors by means of ultrasonography. Gallstones were detected in 27 (26%) of the 105 patients. The overall incidence tended to be higher in female patients than in males. The duration of mental illness and neuroleptic medication in patients with gallstones was significantly longer than in those without gallstones. A stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that the duration of neuroleptic medication was the most informative for discrimination between the 2 groups. These results, in combination with previous studies on the effects of neuroleptics on the bile and biliary system, suggest that neuroleptics may accelerate the formation of gallstones.
Adolescents and benzodiazepines: prescribed use, self‐medication and intoxication
Authors: Pedersen W. , Lavik N. J.
Published: August 2007

In a longitudinal study of 1230 people aged 13–18 years from the Greater Oslo Area, the past‐year prevalence of anxiolytic or hypnotic use was 10%, which is higher than previously reported. The majority gave therapeutic reasons as a motive for using these drugs. However, most of the use was unprescribed. The parents, and especially the mother, were the most important suppliers. A minority gave intoxication as a motive for using these drugs. In this group, the suppliers were mainly peers and the illegal market. Neither the unprescribed nor the prescribed therapeutic use show any association with use of drugs such as alcohol and cannabis. There is, however, a strong association between the unprescribed use of benzodiazepines by young people and by their parents. This suggests a pattern of learning and role modelling, which must be regarded as problematic for public health policy. Those who use the drugs to become intoxicated have particularly poor mental health, and they use many other drugs as well. This group probably runs a special risk of developing more serious drug abuse.
The basal forebrain cholinergic system: efferent and afferent connectivity and long‐term effects of lesions
Authors: Gaykema R. P. A. , Gaal G. , Trader J. , Hersh L. B. , Luiten P. G. M.
Published: August 2007

The first part of this article deals with several aspects of efferents and afferents of the rat basal forebrain cholinergic system (BFChS) studied with anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L). PHA‐L tracing of the BFChS efferents revealed topographically differentiated axonal trajectories and patterns of presynaptic endings to the neocortex, mesocortex, olfactory nuclei and hippocampus. Combining this method with second immunolabeling, we identified the muscarinic cholin‐oceptive neurons in the neocortex and the somatostatinergic neurons in the hippocampus as being directly innervated by the magnocellular basal nucleus and the medial septum, respectively. The prefrontal cortex was identified as a source of afferent input to the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. This projection also exhibits a topographic organization, which shows a reciprocal relationship with the BFChS efferents to the cortex. The second part of this article describes the anatomical changes of cortical cholinergic and some other neurotransmitter systems after long‐term cholinergic denervation in the aged rat cortex. The spared cholinergic projection in the largely denervated areas shows abundant malformations, which are similar in appearance to the anatomical alterations of the surviving cholinergic fibers in dementia of the Alzheimer type (AD). Hypertrophic changes also occur in the serotonergic system. The neuropeptide‐Y‐ and somatostatin‐containing cortical systems respond with an increment of their axonal densities, in contrast to the decline of these peptides in AD. Although transsynaptic effects are mediated by long‐term cholinergic lesions, they do not support the hypothesis that the cholinergic deficiency is a primary event in the pathophysiology of AD.
Cholinergic drugs as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in affective disorders
Authors: Berger M. , Riemann D. , Krieg C.
Published: August 2007

The hypothesis of a significant involvement of the cholinergic system in the pathogenesis of affective disorders still lacks strong experimental support. This is mainly because of missing specific peripheral markers of the central nervous activity of the cholinergic system and the lack of specific cholinergic agonists and antagonists without severe peripheral side effects. As the direct cholinergic agonist RS 86 seems to be more suitable because of its minor side effects, long half‐life and oral applicability, it was tested for its antimanic property and its effect on the hypothalamo‐pituitary adrenal system and the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep‐generating system. RS 86 exhibited antimanic and REM sleep‐inducing properties, but failed to stimulate the Cortisol system.
AIDS panic: effects of mass media publicity
Authors: Soni S. D. , Windgassen E.
Published: August 2007

Twenty‐four patients with AIDS panic, who presented to the psychiatric services between 1983 and 1986, were assessed on various clinical rating scales. The severity of clinical symptoms was estimated by adding together the total scores on Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety. The level of mass media publicity about AIDS was calculated by counting the number of major reports about the disease in national and local newspapers and on television. The findings suggested that, contrary to expectations, the referral rates of AIDS panic cases were highest in the earlier months when the level of media activity was low and decreased during the months following intense publicity about AIDS. Patients who presented in the later stages also showed fewer anxiety symptoms.
An interdisciplinary study towards a multiaxial classification of male sexual dysfunction
Authors: Krause J. , Herth T. , Maier W. , Steiger A. , Schöneich S. , Benkert O.
Published: August 2007

The classification of male sexual dysfunction (SD) was investigated in a multidisciplinary study involving a sample of 25 outpatients whose phenomenology, course and biologic comorbidity is described. All 25 patients were suffering from arousal disorders; 9 men complained of lack of desire and 9 of orgasm disorders. For the vast majority (19/25), the arousal disorder preceded the other sexual dysfunctions. Eleven patients suffered from a psychopathological disorder according to DSM‐III or DSM‐III‐R (Axis I and II), with general anxiety, major depression and obsessive‐compulsive personality being the most common disorders. Only 6 patients were free of any organic disorder or pathological laboratory finding known to be related to sexual dysfunction. These results served as the basis for analyzing the fit of our data in the most prominent classification systems DSM‐III, DSM‐III‐R. Mainz multiaxial classification model and the traditional dichotomy model. According to our data, the comorbidity of biologic and mental conditions was very high, as most patients (60%) suffered from more than one etiologic factor known to be related to SD. Based on these results, a modification of the DSM‐III‐R system is suggested.
Personality disorders in New Zealand hospitals
Authors: Mulder R. T.
Published: August 2007

A survey was carried out of all patients admitted to New Zealand psychiatric hospitals over a 7‐year period with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder. Despite a decrease in the total number of admissions, the relative totals for each personality disorder remained consistent. The personality categories differed significantly in terms of age, sex, marital status and committal status. These variables conformed closely to traditional clinical descriptions of the personality disorders, indicating that the reliability and utility of classical categorical systems may be greater than has been assumed in the literature. The DSM‐III‐R prototypical categories, which may possibly be a more natural representation of personality disorder syndromes, may be less useful than the traditional categories in clinical and research applications.
Subtypes of schizophrenia — evidence from a twin‐family study
Authors: Onstad S. , Skre I. , Torgersen S. , Kringlen E.
Published: August 2007

In a combined twin‐family study, the concordance for subtype of schizophrenia was investigated. The sample included 31 monozygotic (MZ) and 28 dizygotic (DZ) twin probands fulfilling the criteria of DSM‐III‐R schizophrenia. Their co‐twins and first‐degree relatives were personally interviewed and diagnosed in accordance with DSM‐III‐R. Any twin or relative diagnosed as schizophrenic was subclassified as either paranoid or nonparanoid. Schizophrenia was more often observed in co‐twins of MZ probands with nonparanoid schizophrenia than in MZ probands with paranoid schizophrenia, indicating a stronger genetic influence in nonparanoid schizophrenia. Fifteen MZ pairs were concordant for schizophrenia, and 13 of these pairs were also concordant for subtype. Such a relationship was not observed in the first‐degree relatives with schizophrenia. Our results indicate a complex etiology of subtypes in schizophrenia, and to some extent the etiology of subtypes may differ from the etiology of schizophrenia.
Recovered versus nonrecovered schizophrenic patients among those who have had intensive psychotherapy
Authors: Cullberg J.
Published: August 2007

Eight cases of fully recovered formerly schizophrenic (DSM‐III‐R) patients who had been treated with intensive psychodynamic psychotherapy were compared with 10 nonrecovered schizophrenic patients who also had been treated with intensive psychotherapy. There were no significant differences in chronicity, medication or type and amount of psychotherapy given. The most striking difference between the groups was the type and quality of auditory hallucinations. In the nonrecovered group the hallucinations were more dominating and often of the running commentary type, sometimes occurring even in calm periods. Visual hallucinations were also found more commonly in the nonrecovered group. The findings are discussed in terms of predominantly genetic vs predominantly lesional vulnerability. The limitations of the study lie in the scarcity of cases and the sometimes low quality of the hospital records.
Interleukin‐2 receptor in peripheral blood lymphocytes of Alzheimer's disease patients
Authors: Ikeda T. , Yamamoto K. , Takahashi K. , Kaneyuki H. , Yamada M.
Published: August 2007

In this study, we investigated the differences in the incidence rate of human leukocyte antigen‐DR (HLA‐DR) and interleukin 2 receptor (IL‐2R) in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 13 women who were diagnosed clinically as having Alzheimer's disease (AD group), and 13 healthy women with no mental disorders (control group). As a result, the AD group showed a markedly higher rate of lymphocyte subsets of CD4+ HLA‐DR+, CD4+ IL‐2R+, CD8+ HLA‐DR−. CD8− HLA‐DR+ and CD8+ IL‐2R+. This finding indicates a possible immune reaction occurring in the peripheral blood of AD patients. In addition, these higher rates correlate well with the changes in the immune system reported in the postmortem brains of AD patients. Our findings indicate that immunological interactions exist between the central nervous system and the peripheral blood lymphocytes of AD patients, and AD might be induced by an immune reaction occurring in the brain.
Expressed emotion: a Swedish version of the Camberwell Family Interview
Authors: Orhagen T. , D'Elia G.
Published: August 2007

A Swedish version of the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI), a psychiatric, semistructured interview schedule for assessing a family's emotional atmosphere, is described. Thirty‐two relatives of patients with schizophrenic disorders, according to DSM‐III criteria, were interviewed. Eighteen relatives were interviewed twice, before and after one part of a psychoeducational programme. The total number of interviews analysed was 50. Two independent investigators rated the audiotape‐recorded interviews to test the interrater reliability of 5 different measures of expressed emotion (critical remarks, hostility, emotional overinvolvement, warmth and positive remarks). High interrater reliabilities were found for the frequency scales, i.e. critical remarks and positive remarks. For the global scales the interrater reliabilities were lower. The use of only one interviewer, the interviewer being one of the raters and shortage of co‐training probably influence the reliability. The CFI schedule could probably gain in clarity, structure and shortness in a revised form, although the interview time cannot be reduced to less than 1.5 h. The ratings of measures of expressed emotion are quite complicated and require extensive and specific training of the raters. The total procedure is complex, time‐consuming and not easily learned. In its present form, the CFI probably discourages clinicians and researchers from using it.
Puerperal psychosis in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia: clinical profile and cross‐cultural comparison
Authors: Rahim F. M. A. , Al‐Sabiae A.
Published: August 2007

Rahim FMA, Al‐Sabiae A. Puerperal psychosis in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia: clinical profile and cross‐cultural comparison.

The clinical profile of 39 women with puerperal psychosis admitted within 90 days of childbirth to a teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is described and compared with groups of women with a similar diagnosis admitted to Royal Edinburgh Hospital within the same period after delivery. The majority of women in both groups had an affective illness, acute presentation and similar interval between parturition and onset of illness. There were significant differences between the groups as regards parity, duration of illness prior to admission and presence of motility disturbances. These differences were attributed to sociocultural factors that are briefly discussed.
An evaluation of DSM‐III‐R personality disorders
Authors: Schroeder M. L. , Livesley W. J.
Published: August 2007

This study evaluated the extent to which the features of personality disorders are organized into the 11 diagnoses proposed by DSM‐III‐R. The traits composing personality disorder diagnoses were identified in earlier studies. Seventy‐nine traits were required to represent personality diagnoses. Self‐report scales were developed to measure each trait. The factorial structure underlying the trait scales was examined in a sample of 158 patients with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder and a sample of 274 general population subjects. Eleven principal components were extracted from each data set and were rotated to the same oblique criterion. The decision to extract 11 components was based on a priori expectations derived from DSM‐III‐R. Factor comparability coefficients were computed to quantify the similarity of the 2 solutions. A high degree of similarity was observed between the factor structure in the clinical and general population samples, suggesting that features of personality pathology are continuous dimensions. Although a number of factors demonstrated a degree of resemblance to some DSM‐III‐R diagnostic categories, the overall correspondence was not strong. A second‐order factor analysis failed to reproduce the 3 Axis II diagnostic clusters. The results do not support the categorical model used in DSM‐III‐R and they provide only limited support for DSM‐III‐R diagnostic concepts.
Suicide in the Canary Islands, 1977–1983
Authors: Rodriguez‐Pulido F. , Sierra A. , Gracia R. , Doreste J. , Delgado S. , González‐Rivera J. L.
Published: August 2007

We studied suicide in the Canary Islands between 1977 and 1983 and found 775 cases, twice the official number of 381. This indicates the lack of validity and reliability of official figures for suicide in Spain today. The figures reveal an upward trend in the Canary Islands, with the annual rate of 6.81 per 100,000 in 1977 having increased to 10.64 per 100,000 in 1983. There were no significant differences in the frequency of suicide according to season, month or day of the week.
Confirmatory and disconfirmatory feedback in families of schizophrenics, pathological controls and normals: replication and expansion
Authors: Wichstrøm L. , Holte A.
Published: August 2007

The question of whether or not there are types of family communication specific to schizophrenia was addressed by a replication of a previous study and expanding the material. The interaction between parents of schizophrenics (S) (n= 17), non‐schizophrenic pathological controls (NS) (n= 15) and normals (N) (n= 14) was observed during consensus couple Rorschach. Their communication was analyzed by a newly developed revised edition of the Confirmation and Disconfirmation Coding System, CONDIS‐R. Studies of intrarater agreement and split‐half estimates supported the reliability of CONDIS‐R. The results showed that S had more egocentric communication and active disqualifications than NS and N. S were also less likely to communicate that they kept track of and understood the other spouse's communication.
Attenuation of carbon dioxide‐induced panic after clonazepam treatment
Authors: Pols H. , Zandbergen J. , Loof C. de , Griez E.
Published: August 2007

Ten patients meeting the DSM‐III‐R criteria for panic disorder were treated with clonazepam. Prior to clonazepam treatment and after a 5‐week treatment period, patients underwent a 35% carbon dioxide challenge procedure. Following clonazepam treatment, a significant reduction in carbon dioxide vulnerability was observed.
Psychopathology and treatment of 30,344 twins in Sweden. II. Heritability estimates of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment in 12,884 twin pairs
Authors: Allgulander C. , Nowak J. , Rice J. P.
Published: August 2007

We estimated the heritability for inpatient psychiatric treatment, treatment with psychoactive medication, and for psychiatric diagnoses in a randomized sample of 12,884 Swedish twin pairs drawn from the general population for a health survey. We found a genetic contribution to treatment and diagnosis, independent of sex and shared environment. The heritability estimate for inpatient treatment was 0.47, for reported treatment with psychoactive medication 0.49, and for an inpatient diagnosis of neurotic or personality disorder 0.60. No statistically significant heritability was found for the diagnoses of alcohol abuse nor for the heterogeneous group of diagnoses of psychoses. This was probably because of the heterogeneity of cases necessary to form large enough groups for analysis, or ascertainment requiring treatment in a psychiatric unit.
Preventing alcohol problems: the implications of a case‐finding study in Christchurch, New Zealand
Authors: Wells J. E. , Bushnell J. A. , Joyce P. R. , Oakley‐Browne M. A. , Hornblow A. R.
Published: August 2007

In 1986 the Christchurch Psychiatric Epidemiology Study obtained 1498 interviews using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Respondents were from a probability sample of adults aged 18‐64 years. This article reports results relevant to preventing alcohol problems. The symptoms most likely ever to be experienced were types of heavy drinking (7‐22%) and their consequences such as blackouts (13%). Thirty‐two percent of men and 6% of women had met criteria for alcohol disorder prior to interview. The predictors of alcohol disorder were gender, childhood conduct disorder symptoms, early drunkenness, family breakdown and age of leaving school. Cohort effects were clear for onset of drunkenness and alcohol problems. The median duration of alcohol problems was at least 10 years, indicating scope for secondary prevention. General practice and hospitals appeared to be the most suitable places for intervention.
The clinical manifestation of mental disorder in Huntington's disease: a retrospective case record study of disease progression
Authors: Pflanz S. , Besson J. A. O. , Ebmeier K. P. , Simpson S.
Published: August 2007

All cases (86) of Huntington's Disease presenting between 1970 and 1987 in the Grampian Health Board region were identified and a case note analysis of neurological and psychiatric syndromes carried out ‐ the latter using the PSE syndrome check‐list. The commonest syndromes were organic impairment, irritability, loss of interest and concentration and simple depression and these were often the presenting psychiatric syndromes. General anxiety, worrying and social unease occurred early, commonly before movement disorder and were associated with longer survival.
The Karolinska Psychodynamic Profile. I. Validity and dimensionality
Authors: Weinryb R. M. , Rössel R. J. , Åsberg M.
Published: August 2007

The Karolinska Psychodynamic Profile (KAPP) is a new rating instrument based on psychoanalytical theory that is intended to assess relatively stable modes of mental functioning, as they appear in self‐perception and in interpersonal relations. The 18 subscales of the KAPP and their scale steps are described in detail. The information needed for assessment is obtained through a structural interview procedure. The KAPP can discriminate between patients with and without a DSM‐III diagnosis. It does not appear to be sensitive to the strain of a major life event. Comparison between interview‐based ratings and projective test‐based ratings shows satisfactory agreement and similarities in factor structure. The KAPP appears to possess both discriminative and construct validity.
Refractory depression: the addition of lithium to fluoxetine or desipramine
Authors: Ontiveros A. , Fontaine R. , Elie R.
Published: August 2007

We carried out an open clinical study with 60 consecutive patients suffering from major depression with melancholia who were resistant to anti‐depressants. After at least 6 weeks of desipramine (DMI) or fluoxetine (FX) without improvement, lithium carbonate was added to the anti‐depressant. Semistructured clinical interviews using the 7‐point Clinical Global Impression Scale and 90‐item Symptom Checklist were done at baseline and weeks 1, 6 and 14. Following the addition of lithium, more patients on FX improved within the first week than those on DMI. However, with FX, 6 relapses occurred during the 2 months of follow‐up and none with DMI. The unified serotonergic and noradrenergic hypothesis for the antidepressant action could be relevant in drug‐refractory depression and should be studied further.
The interrater reliability of a Dutch version of the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale
Authors: Goekoop J. G. , Klein E. A. M. Knoppert‐Van der , Hoeksema T. , Klinkhamer R. A. , Gaalen H. A. E. Van , Velde E. A. Van der
Published: August 2007

To apply the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) in the Netherlands we translated the English version into Dutch and examined its interrater reliability. Three patient groups were investigated. Kappa coefficients were generally comparable with those reported in a study of the German version of the CPRS and in a Dutch study measuring the present state by means of the Present State Examination.
The course of tardive dyskinesia in newly treated psychogeriatric patients
Authors: Yassa R.
Published: August 2007

The author reports on the course of tardive dyskinesia in 10 newly treated psychogeriatric patients. Of the 5 whose medication was discontinued, 3 improved; TD continued unchanged in the other 5 patients whose neuroleptics were not discontinued. The author recommends that neuroleptics be discontinued whenever possible in this patient population.
Immune system‐associated antigens on the surface of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ikeda T. , Yamamoto K. , Takahashi K. , Yamada M.
Published: August 2007

We investigated the immune‐associated antigens of peripheral lymphocytes from 13 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 13 age‐matched healthy control subjects using two‐color analysis with flow cytometry. Four ratios of immune‐related antigens, T/B lymphocytes, CD4/CD8, CD4/CD45R and CD4/HLA‐DR. were compared for the AD and control groups. The T/B and CD4/CD8 ratios did not differ between the groups, the ratio of CD4+ CD45R+ subset in the AD group was lower than the ratio in the control group, and the ratios of CD4+ CD45R− and. CD4+ HLA‐DR+ subsets in the AD group were significantly higher. Further, in the AD group, the CD4+ CD45R+/CD4+ ratio was lower and the CD4+ CD45R−/CD4+ ratio was higher than in the control group.
Predicting course and outcome in delusional psychoses
Authors: Schanda H. , Wörgötter G. , Berner P. , Gabriel E. , Küfferle B. , Knecht G. , Kieffer W.
Published: August 2007

Eighty‐four of 90 patients with delusional syndromes of different nosological attribution underwent a 7‐year follow‐up. From 179 items covering the whole spectrum of psychiatric description of index examination, 20 were found to be statistically significant in predicting different aspects of course and outcome by stepwise discriminant analysis. Course and outcome were defined by 6 criteria (course of illness, course of delusion, development of deficiency, length of inpatient care, adequate activity and social adjustment) encompassing separate (but only partly independent) aspects of a disorder. In contrast to the literature, clinical and psychopathological variables have major prognostic weight for different psychopathological as well as psychosocial aspects of outcome. Ten of the 20 significant items cover psychopathology, 4 pre‐index course, 3 precipating events, 2 data from childhood, and 1 premorbid personality. Our results stress the importance of sensitive data collection and a clear separation of different outcome variables.
The translation and evaluation of an Urdu version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Authors: Mumford D. B. , Tareen I. A. K. , Bajwa M. A. Z. , Bhatti M. R. , Karim R.
Published: August 2007

The translation of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) into Urdu was undertaken by the authors in committee. After examining initial drafts by 6 independent translators, an agreed Urdu text was given to 6 back‐translators, and subsequently modified further. The evaluation of the new translation was performed in 3 stages: evaluation of linguistic equivalence of items in a bilingual population; evaluation of conceptual equivalence by examining item‐subscale correlations; and evaluation of scale equivalence by 2‐way classification of high and low scorers. Satisfactory results at each stage suggest that the Urdu version is a reliable and valid translation of the HADS for use in Pakistan.
Prevalence and short‐term stability of depressive symptoms in schoolchildren
Authors: Larsson B. , Melin L.
Published: August 2007

This study examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a sample of 471 Swedish schoolchildren aged 8–13 years from urban and rural areas. Children self‐reported their experience of depressive symptoms on a Swedish version of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Short‐term stability of children's depressive symptoms was evaluated for a 6‐ to 9‐week period. In addition, the children's satisfaction with their school, home and leisure time was assessed. The results indicated that the prevalence of depressive symptoms was related to neither location (urban vs rural) nor age. Although girls experienced significantly more depressive symptoms than boys, the clinical importance of this difference is negligible. Approximately 1% of the schoolchildren reported severe suicidal thoughts. As expected, children's depression was negatively associated with their home and school satisfaction and leisure interest. A cut‐off score of 13 on the CDI could identify the upper 10% of the children in the school sample as depressed and, at the follow‐up, 44% of these children continued to be depressed. Overall, the total CDI mean scores obtained in this study were lower than those reported in comparative surveys in Anglo‐Saxon countries.
Neural symptoms induced by tricyclic antidepressants: phenomenology and pathophysiology
Authors: Lejoyeux M. , Rouillon F. , Adès J. , Gorwood P.
Published: August 2007

The authors review the literature describing the neural symptoms induced by tricyclic antidepressants, especially tremor, seizures, akathisia, myoclonus, dyskinesia and delirium. Sedation, modifications of sleep, memory and appetite are also described. Tremor and myoclonus are the most frequent drug‐induced neural symptoms. Delirium is most often caused by high‐dosage treatments. The pathophysiology of akathisia and dyskinesia raises important questions concerning the mode of action of antidepressants.
An epidemiological study of mental health and socioeconomic conditions in Sumatera, Indonesia
Authors: Bahar E. , Henderson A. S. , Mackinnon A. J.
Published: August 2007

A mental health survey was conducted in Palembang, Indonesia, to test the hypothesis that rapid socioeconomic and cultural change is detrimental to mental health. The 30‐item General Health Questionnaire, translated into Bahasa Indonesia, was administered to a probability sample of 1670 adults (94.9% of the target sample). The Present State Examination was conducted on a weighted subsample of 100, using a 2‐phase design. Overall morbidity rates were surprisingly similar to those in industrialized countries. A strong association was found between psychological symptoms and poverty. Persons belonging to communities that had progressed substantially in standards of living had fewer symptoms. The evidence points to a possibly beneficial effect of economic progress on mental health. Longitudinal data are needed to confirm this.
Attempted suicide and depression in schizophrenia
Authors: Addington D. E. , Addington J. M.
Published: August 2007

The relationships between symptoms and both prior suicide attempts and current suicidal thinking were examined in a sample of schizophrenics at 2 points in time. Fifty subjects meeting DSM‐III criteria for schizophrenia were assessed within 1 week of admission, and 41 were reassessed at a 6‐month follow‐up. On admission, prior suicide attempts were significantly associated with current depression, female sex, lower education and more frequent hospitalization. The association with depression remained significant at follow‐up. In addition, current suicidal thinking was associated with depression at both times but also with negative symptoms at time 1 and delusions and hallucinations at time 2. These findings confirm and strengthen prior reports of an association between depression and attempted suicide.
Exploration and support in psychotherapeutic environments for psychotic patients
Authors: Werbart A.
Published: August 2007

Clinical experience and previous investigations suggest that insight‐oriented milieu therapy with psychotic patients presupposes a specific balance of explorative and supportive factors in the milieu. Explorative and supportive factors were translated here to two optimal ward atmosphere profiles using the subscales in the Community‐oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES) as profile variables. Three Swedish therapeutic communities for psychotic patients were then studied by means of COPES. The study showed distinct patterns in these units regarding deviations from the optimal profiles, differences in the balance between the explorative and supportive factors, divergences between explicit treatment philosophy and the perceived ward atmosphere, and differences between patient and staff perceptions of the ward atmosphere. These patterns followed a continuum from a self‐governing, nonhierarchical and nonmedical organization to a hierarchical unit that is an integral part of the medical care organization. The conclusion was that a beneficial psychotherapeutic environment requires consistency in the applied treatment model, including an organization and setting that corresponds to the explicit treatment philosophy, well mirrored in the patients’ perceptions.
The course of thyroid abnormalities during lithium treatment: a two‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Bocchetta A. , Bernardi F. , Burrai C. , Pedditzi M. , Loviselli A. , Velluzzi F. , Martino E. , Del Zompo M.
Published: August 2007

A total of 116 patients on lithium treatment were followed up for 2 years to determine the course and the clinical relevance of thyroid abnormalities. Elevated thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were transitory in most patients, except those with serum antithyroid antibodies. The patients who initially had microsomal antibodies remained positive, with an increase in titre in two‐thirds of cases. Three young patients of both sexes developed thyroid autoimmunity early in the treatment. The risk of developing hypothyroidism was higher in women, especially in the presence of antibodies. TSH concentrations were significantly lower when carbamazepine was combined with lithium.
Evolutionary biology: a basic science for psychiatry?
Authors: McGuire M. T. , Marks I. , Nesse R. M. , Troisi A.
Published: August 2007

Evolutionary biology has much to offer psychiatry. It distinguishes between ultimate and proximate explanations of behavior and addresses the functional significance of behavior. Subtheories, frequently voiced misconceptions, specific applications, testable hypotheses and limitations of evolutionary theory are reviewed. An evolutionary perspective is likely to improve understanding of psychopathology, refocus some clinical research, influence treatment and help integrate seemingly unrelated findings and theoretical explanations.
Inadequate treatment response to des‐enkephalin‐gamma‐endorphin compared with thioridazine and placebo in schizophrenia
Authors: Montgomery S. A. , Green M. , Rimon R. , Heikkilä L. , Forsström R. , Hirsch S. R. , Hallstrom C. , Hippius H. , Naber R. , Khan M. C. , Sitsen J. M. A.
Published: August 2007

The possibility of an involvement of peptidergic systems in schizophrenia has been under investigation for a number of years. Studies of the efficacy of des‐tyr‐gamma‐endorphin were equivocal; more recent studies with des‐enkephalin‐gamma‐endorphin have reported some activity but the peptide has only been investigated as an adjunct to neuroleptic medication, apart from one very small active reference comparator study. In the multicentre study reported here, 96 patients suffering from schizophrenia (DSM‐III with a current exacerbation if chronic) were allocated randomly to double‐blind treatment with either des‐enkephalin‐gamma‐endorphin (DE‐gamma‐E) (Org 5878) 10 mg given as a once daily intramuscular injection for 4 weeks, thioridazine 400 mg orally in 2 divided doses or placebo using a double‐dummy technique to preserve blindness. There was a significant advantage for thioridazine compared with placebo registered on all measures at weeks 3 and 4. There was no difference between DE‐gamma‐E and placebo. There was a significant difference between thioridazine and DE‐gamma‐E at weeks 3 and 4 registered on the MSS and at week 3 registered on the BPRS. The lack of efficacy of DE‐gamma‐E suggests that the theories that the endorphins have an important role in schizophrenia have to be revised. The need for well designed placebo controlled studies for assessing efficacy in schizophrenia is emphasized.