bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Intravenous and Subcutaneous Administration of Apomorphine on the Clinical Symptoms of Chronic Schizophrenics
Authors: Syvälahti E. K. G. , Säkö E. , Scheinin M. , Pihlajamäki K. , Hietala J.
Published: August 2008

The effects of apomorphine, a stimulant of dopamine autoreceptors, were studied in 12 chronic schizophrenics on neuroleptic treatment; both subcutaneous and intravenous administration were used. Apomorphine has been reported to have therapeutic effects in previous studies but, we were not able to confirm any significant and specific differences in psychotic symptoms or tardive dyskinesia scores with apomorphine administration, compared with placebo. These results do not support the importance of dopamine autoreceptors in the regulation of schizophrenic and dyskinetic symptoms in chronic neuroleptic-treated patients.
Milton Erickson's Contribution to Psychiatry
Authors: Barker Philip
Published: August 2008

Milton H. Erickson, MD. was born in 1901 in a cabin in a desolate part of Nevada where his father was a gold miner. When he reached school age his family returned to rural Wisconsin, where they had previously lived. As a child Milton experienced the world differently from other children in that he had red-green colour blindness, was tone deaf and, probably, also dyslexic. At 17 he had a severe attack of poliomyelitis. He was extensively paralysed but rehabilitated himself, largely by his own efforts, during the following two years.
Clinical Tests of Memory
Authors: Kopelman Michael D.
Published: August 2008

This study compared the performance of groups Alzheimer, Korsakoff, and depressed patients and a group of healthy controls at various clinical tests of memory, and wide differences were found in the discriminatory power of the different tests. In addition, the patterns of performance of the Alzheimer and Korsakoff groups differed, and to some extent this was understandable in terms of what is known about the nature of organic amnesia. Depressed patients showed relatively mild impairments, which were not correlated with the severity of their depression.
The Prevalence of Schizophrenia in a Remote Area of Botswana
Authors: Ben-Tovim David I. , Cushnie Josephine M.
Published: August 2008

We ascertained the one-year prevalence of schizophrenia amongst individuals aged 15 years or older living in six villages in a remote area of Botswana. All cases were diagnosed independently by two experienced psychiatrists, following ICD9 rubrics. DSM-III criteria were also applied, separately. Accurate contemporary population estimates of the villages were available. The age-adjusted prevalence of schizophrenia was 5⋅3 per 1000 in terms of ICD9, or 4.3 per 1000 by DSM-III, which has an upper age limit for onset of 45 years. These figures are well within the range generally reported for industrial communities. Remote village life in Botswana appears to offer no protection against the development of schizophrenia.
Manic-Depressive Psychosis in a Mentally Handicapped Person: Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Kadambari S. R.
Published: August 2008

The diagnosis of manic-depressive psychosis in mentally handicapped people can be easily overlooked, partly because its presentation differs from that in people with normal intelligence. This report illustrates some of the difficulties involved in making the diagnosis of manic-depressive psychosis in a mentally handicapped person and in planning for her future care.
Does Viloxazine Really Improve Sex Drive? A Double-Blind Controlled Study
Authors: De Leo Diego , Magni Guido
Published: August 2008

The action of viloxazine on libido and sex drive was evaluated with a randomised controlled double-blind trial against placebo on a population of 26 male out-patients affected by primary depression (DSM III). Modifications in the sexual sphere were assessed by the ad hoc inclusion of a series of items in the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Thus modified, the scale was administered at the beginning and the end of a four-week trial period. Viloxazine proved to have a considerable disinhibiting effect, whose principal expression level was a return to pre-depression levels of frequency in sexual relations.
Psychiatry in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Parry-Jones William Li.
Published: August 2008

In the spring of 1985, a party of psychiatrists from Great Britain and Ireland visited four major Chinese cities—Beijing (Peking), Shanghai, Nanjing (Nanking) and Guangzhou (Canton), as a study tour of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, under the auspices of the Chinese Medical Association. A number of psychiatric hospitals were visited and there was opportunity for many discussions with psychiatrists and other professional staff. This paper records some impressions of the psychiatric services and practices that were observed, together with material obtained in discussions. It is hoped that it will update and complement previous reports by Western visitors to China, and thus increase understanding of mental health in China.
Alcoholism and the General Practitioner
Authors: Mowbray Alison , Kessel Neil
Published: August 2008

Fifty-three urban general practitioners were questioned about alcoholism. They mostly had reasonably good, if sometimes muddled knowledge of the condition, when to suspect it, and how to confirm its presence. Social harms were seen as predominant over somatic ones. The majority had had postgraduate instruction supplemented by reading. Most were prepared to treat alcoholics, and revealed tolerant and sympathetic attitudes towards them and their families. The survey negates the general impression of unwillingness by general practitioners to engage with alcoholism.
Causal Models in Psychiatric Research
Authors: Edlund Matthew J.
Published: August 2008

The nature of causal explanation remains a conceptual difficulty for psychiatric research. Most research workers and clinicians can describe their processes of causal inference with reference to some empirical example close at hand. Yet such demonstrations are themselves based on more fundamental abstract models that are themselves left unstated. Psychiatric classificatory schemata presently used in research possess unwritten, underlying assumptions regarding causality, and these assumptions need examination.
A Case of Parietal Lobe Atrophy
Authors: Dedman Paul , Numa Sharon
Published: August 2008

Bilateral parietal lobe atrophy was revealed by CT scan in a 48 year-old man, with a history of learning difficulties since childhood, encopretic up to the age of eight, and left-handedness. Nevertheless, he earned his living as a skilled potter, though unable to cope with the administration of the business.
Obsessional Symptomatology and Adverse Mood States
Authors: Farid Basem T.
Published: August 2008

Patients suffering from obsessional neurosis without other psychiatric diagnosis were examined with reference to the association of the mood disorders of depression, anxiety, and outwardly and inwardly directed irritability. All mood disorders were common, and many occurred together in individual patients, but anxiety was the most prevelant. Inwardly directed irritability was significantly related to the overall severity of obsessions, and to the degree of handicap or interference in everyday life experienced by the patient.
The Importance of Hysteria
Authors: Merskey H.
Published: August 2008

Hysteria has been a topic of interest throughout the history of medicine; those who have been concerned with it include Galen, Paré, Sydenham, Charcot and Freud. Anyone who chooses to proclaim its importance, therefore, might be asked to provide some reason for gilding the lily. Controversies have always attended the subject, and different disciplines still disagree over it. The diagnosis, which occurs in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9, 1978) has been deprecated on both sides of the Atlantic (Slater, 1965; DSM-III, 1980) and also advocated with varying degrees of fervour (Walshe, 1965; Lewis, 1975; Merskey, 1979). It is a subject of historical study (Veith, 1965; Walker, 1981; Shorter, 1984); there have been at least nine monographs on it since 1977 (Horowitz, 1977; Krohn, 1978; Jakubik, 1979; Merskey, 1979; Roy, 1982; Riley & Roy, 1982; Colliganet al.1982; Weintraub, 1983; Ford, 1983), and there is a steady flow of paper on the topic of hysteria or its major subdivisions (eg, hysterical personality, conversion symptoms) or pseudonyms and partial pseudonyms (eg, somatisation disorders, borderline personality, and operant pain).
The Prediction of Abnormal Evoked Potentials in Schizophrenic Patients by Means of Symptom Pattern
Authors: Andrews Harry B. , House Allan O. , Cooper John E. , Barber Colin
Published: August 2008

The case notes of 23 schizophrenic patients who participated in a study of somato-sensory cortical evoked responses were examined for descriptions of the clinical features of their mental state at the time of first illness or most recent relapse. A comparison of syndrome scores derived from Present State Examination with those derived from case notes showed that the latter was a reliable method of mental state description for the purposes of this study. A group of syndromes similar to that described in electrodermal research was identified from the case note review and found to be highly correlated with the presence of an abnormal response in the somato-sensory evoked potentials study.
The SOMA—A Questionnaire Measure of Sexual Anxiety
Authors: Patterson Diana G. , O'Gorman Ethna C.
Published: August 2008

SOMA, a questionnaire designed by J. T. Quinn to measure sexual anxiety in patients presenting at a psychosexual clinic, has been used extensively as a clinical and research tool. Its construction and scoring are described, and data are presented for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, principal components analysis, and validity. Practical applications for diagnosis, prognosis, and research are discussed.
The Role of Zinc in Senile Dementia
Authors: Kenn Chris , Gibb Elizabeth
Published: August 2008

Zinc deficiency has been reported in association with dementia and linked with its pathogenesis. A group of 45 elderly patients admitted to a mental hospital were given diagnoses in accordance with ICD-9, and their fasting plasma zinc levels were recorded. No difference was found in zinc levels between patients with diagnoses of senile dementia and those with other diagnoses.
Electro-Oculogram Changes at the Switch in a Manic-depressive Patient
Authors: Hanna S. M. , Jenner F. A. , Souster L. P.
Published: August 2008

The correlations between eye movements on the EOG of a patient with a 48 hour cycle of manic-depressive type are described. They are used to confirm the fact that his switch from one state to another occurred at the same time of night whether he was awake or asleep.
Priapism and Psychotropic Medication
Authors: Kogeorgos John , de Alwis Chandu
Published: August 2008

Priapism is a rare but serious adverse effect of psychotropic drugs resulting from their peripheral alpha-adrenoreceptor blocking action. Two patients developed this during treatment with oral phenothiazines: one was treated surgically with a venous shunt, and the second case resolved after intracavernosal injection of an alpha-adrenoreceptor stimulating drug.
The Dexamethasone Suppression Test in Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Schweizer Edward E. , Swenson Charlotte M. , Winokur Andrew , Rickels Karl , Maislin Greg
Published: August 2008

The dexamethasone suppression test was performed on 79 patients with a diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder. A non-suppression rate of 27% was obtained, comparable to that found in out-patient major depression but notably higher than previous reports in panic disorder. No good clinical predictors of non-suppression were discovered, nor was the co-occurrence of depression sufficient to account for the finding.
Disturbance of Water and Sodium in a Manic-Depressive Illness
Authors: Crammer J. L.
Published: August 2008

Specific questioning and frequent observation of a 69 year-old woman with cyclic bipolar manic-depressive illness showed that she had disturbances of thirst, appetite, bowel and bladder function and dramatic changes in body weight, in association with different phases of her mental illness. Examination of one manic phase under constant diet and inpatient control showed cardiovascular changes, sodium retention, body weight gain, with raised aldosterone secretion but steady vasopressin. There appears to be a sub-group of manic-depressive patients with evidence of disturbed hypothalamic functions as part of their mental illness, as shown particularly by changes in water and electrolyte metabolism.
Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase and Mean Corpuscular Volume: Their Usefulness in the Assessment of In-Patient Alcoholics
Authors: Latcham Richard W.
Published: August 2008

Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and mean corpuscular volume are shown to be of little value in the assessment of patients admitted to psychiatric beds for problem drinking.
Clopenthixol Decanoate in the Management of Aggressive Mentally Handicapped Patients
Authors: Mlele T. J. J. , Wiley Yvonne V.
Published: August 2008

The management of aggressive and disruptive behaviour in mentally handicapped patients is a severe problem, and it is widely accepted that drug therapy is only one component in the range of measures required for a comprehensive regime, although the use of depot phenothiazines is widespread (Craft & Schiff, 1980). The evidence for their therapeutic effectiveness in the mentally handicapped is usually empirical, and sometimes based on anecdotal evidence. Clopenthixol decanoate is widely used in the management of aggressive and disruptive behaviour in such patients, probably as a result of experience of the use of this drug in schizophrenic patients. Carney & Rutherford (1981) reported a marked improvement in both aggressive and non-aggressive behaviour disorders in 20 chronic schizophrenic patients treated for 11 months with clopenthixol decanoate, while Visiwanathan & Rajhkowa (1982) stated that it was of undoubted value in the management of chronic in-patients, especially those with ‘positive affective’ symptoms such as hostility, aggression, suspiciousness, and irritability.
Genetics of Fear and Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Marks I. M.
Published: August 2008

From protozoa to mammals, organisms have been selectively bred for genetic differences in defensive behaviour which are accompanied by differences in brain and other biological functions. Studies of twins indicate some genetic control of normal human fear from infancy onwards, of anxiety as a symptom and as a syndrome, and of phobic and obsessive- compulsive phenomena. Anxiety disorders are more common among the relatives of affected probands than of controls, especially among female and first-degree relatives; alcoholism and secondary depression may also be over-represented. Familial influences have been found for panic disorder, agoraphobia, and obsessive-compulsive problems. Panic disorder in depressed probands increases the risk to their relatives of phobia as well as of panic disorder, major depression, and alcoholism. The strongest family history of all anxiety disorders is seen in blood-injury phobia; even though it can be successfully treated by exposure, its roots may lie in a genetically determined specific autonomic susceptibility. Some genetic effects can be modified by environmental means.
The Attachment Dynamic in Adult Life
Authors: Heard D. H. , Lake B.
Published: August 2008

A case is presented for regarding the Attachment Dynamic as a theoretical model for hypotheses on the aetiology and management of neuroses and personality disorders. It is proposed that man has a number of natural propensities, including: (1) attaining “companionable interactions' with peers, in which competence is affirmed, self-esteem enhanced, and a state of well-being (”assuagement’) is promoted. (2) when hindered in the pursuit of interests and companionable interaction, an urge to seek support through proximity to, and often “supportive interaction’ with support-givers. (3) severe psychological distress (”disassuagement’) when support-givers cannot be induced to act effectively, with a propensity to devise defensive strategies, supplemented by psychological defence mechanisms; when maladaptive, these strategies are the source of neurotic symptoms and antisocial traits. Through these propensities, movement between companionable interaction and effective support sustains the urge to develop skills and explore interests creatively. However, this movement is hindered by the experience of repeated disassuagement and the need to maintain maladaptive defensive strategies.
Follow-up of Agoraphobic Patients Treated with Exposure in Vivo or Applied Relaxation
Authors: Jansson L. , Jerremalm A , Öst L. G.
Published: August 2008

The present study describes the results of a 7-month and a 15-month follow-up of 32 agoraphobic patients treated with exposurein vivoor applied relaxation. During the followup period, all patients were given self-exposure instructions. Assessments were made in three response systems-subjective-cognitive, behavioural, and physiological-at the follow-up points. The study showed overall maintenance of treatment results in all three response systems for exposure-treated patients. For applied relaxation/self-exposure, there was a relapse on Δ heart-rate at 7 months for physiologically reactive patients, but the improvement was regained at the 15 month follow-up. Furthermore, a large proportion of the total improvement occurred during the follow-up period: 36% and 22% for exposure and applied relaxation/self-exposure respectively. The proportion of patients reaching a clinically significant improvement was 50% at the end of treatment and 66% at the 15 month follow-up.
Sodium Bicarbonate Abuse: A Case Report
Authors: Linford S. M. J. , James H. D.
Published: August 2008

Sodium bicarbonate abuse is unusual, and rarely reported. A patient was extensively investigated at several hospitals for a recurrent hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis; it transpired that she had been abusing sodium bicarbonate for 8 years and had gained hospital admission at will by taking large amounts. She also showed features of the Munchausen syndrome.
HLA Antigens in Schizophrenia: A Family Study
Authors: Chadda R. , Kulhara P. , Singh T. , Sehgal S.
Published: August 2008

HLA haplotypes A and B were studied in eight familes with two or more schizophrenic members. All index cases and all but two sick relatives satisfied Research Diagnostic Criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia; 45 subjects were studied. Data were analysed by sequential tests for the detection of linkage and by the affected sib-pair method. The results do not support a linkage between HLA and schizophrenia.
Deliberate Self-harm: How Do Patients View Their Treatment?
Authors: Pierce D.
Published: August 2008

The opinions of patients who had caused deliberate self-harm about the attitudes of doctors, nurses, families and others towards their acts were studied. Their views of the attitudes of hospital staff were found to be markedly different from attitudes reported elsewhere by staff themselves. There were no differences between the patients' views of their handling by nurses, families, and others towards their acts were studied. Their views of the attitudes of families were unsympathetic. A significant association was found between repetition of an act of deliberate self-harm and the perception of an unsympathetic attitude within the family.
An American Validation Study of the Newcastle Diagnostic Scale: I. Relationship with the Dexamethasone Suppression Test
Authors: Zimmerman M. , Pfohl B. , Stangl D. , Coryell W.
Published: August 2008

The Newcastle diagnostic index was completed on 159 depressedin-patients, who received the dexamethasone suppression test during their first week in hospital. Patients suffering from endogenous depression had a significantly higher rate of DST non-suppression, were older, were more frequently psychotic, and more frequently lost weight; even after con trolling for these variables, DST non-suppression was significantly more frequent in the endogenous group. The relationship between Newcastle scores and the frequency of DST non-suppression was non-linear.
A Clinical Study of Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome in Korea
Authors: Min Sung Kil , Lee Helen
Published: August 2008

Clinical data on 30 Korean patients of the authors with Gilles de la Tourettes's syndrome are described, as well as data on seven other Korean cases from the literature. The overall characteristics and EEG findings were similar to those of Western patients, but there were fewer obsessive-compulsive behaviour problems, and family histories were less often positive.
Autocastration and Biblical Delusions in Schizophrenia
Authors: Waugh Arnold C.
Published: August 2008

A young male castrated himself in response to the biblical passage, Matthew 19:12. Although extremely rare, autocastration usually occurs in men with chronic paranoid schizophrenia, with a long history of delusions of sexual guilt which can only be relieved by castration. Management of these patients is long-term, involving both pharmacotherapy and individual and family therapy.
Adolf Meyer
Authors: Wortis J.
Published: August 2008

Adolf Meyer was famous when 1 first met him in 1933. I was at that time a psychiatric resident at Bellevue Hospital, and Meyer was Psychiatrist-in Chief at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He had been asked by the sponsors of a fellowship I was given to act as guide and supervisor, and had agreed. I met and corresponded with him throughout the tenure of that fellowship, to 1940, spending a year in his department in Baltimore in 1938–1939, and saw him irregularly thereafter.
The Effects of Weight Change on the Dexamethasone Suppression Test in Depressed and Anorexic Patients
Authors: Schweitzer I. , Maguire K. P. , Tiller J. W. G. , Gee A. H. , Harrison L. C. , Davies B. M.
Published: August 2008

Prior studies on weight change and hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning are reviewed. Data on 58 depressed and eight anorexic patients is presented. No significant difference in the frequency of cortisol non-suppression in the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was found between depressed patients with a history of weight loss and those without, nor between depressed patients who lost weight during their first week in hospital and those who did not. Mean weight loss of suppressors did not significantly differ from that of non-suppressors. Of 12 patients whose DST normalised during their stay in hospital, only four gained weight. Five anorexics who were non-suppressors were <70% of their ideal body weight (IBW), while three suppressor anorexics were ≧70% IBW. These results indicate that mild to moderate weight change is not a significant influence on DST response in depression.
Severe Self-Mutilation Among Kenyan Psychotics
Authors: Muluka E. A. P. , Dhadphale M.
Published: August 2008

Four case reports are presented of psychotic patients seen in clinical practice in Nairobi over a period of one year, who inflicted serious bodily harm to themselves during that period. Possible psychopathological basis for this self-damage is briefly considered. A review of the literature reveals paucity of similar reports from Africa and the third world. Reasons for this paucity are hard to come by.
Anorexia Nervosa and Dysmorphobia
Authors: Sturmey P. , Slade P. D.
Published: August 2008

Anorexia nervosa is frequently associated with neurotic traits and symptoms. The symptomatology and history of a housebound 20-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa and dysmorphophobia are described. The role of the family In maintaining the problems, use of external cues to control behaviour, overvalued somatic ideas and the definition of dysmorphophobia are discussed.
Organic Factors in Catatonia
Authors: Wilcox James A. , Nasrallah Henry A.
Published: August 2008

A retrospective case-control study was performed using the records of 59 catatonies, 59 non-catatonic schizophrenies, 59 manies, 59 depressives and 59 surgical Controls. The findings suggest that prior brain injury and physical illness at onset of psychosis are much more common in subjects with catatonia. While these findings do not account for all cases of catatonia, they may indicate an aetiology for some phenotypic cases of catatonia.
Suicide Among Schizophrenies: A Comparison of Attempters and Completed Suicides
Authors: Drake Robert E. , Gates Charlene , Cotton Paul G.
Published: August 2008

Schizophrenies who completed suicide were compared with those who made suicide attempts, on the basis of blind ratings of previous hospital records and follow-up interviews with treating clinicians. Results indicated that the two groups were relatively distinct. Suicides tended to live alone and to feel depressed, hopeless, worthless, and suicidal. Attempters, on the other hand, lived with their families or others and were less likely to manifest several features of depression during a period in hospital. In evaluating suicide potential among schizophrenics, living situation and mental state changes indicating depression, suicidal intent, worthlessness, and hopeiessness are more important than a history of suicidal behaviour.
A Case of Resistant Schizophrenia
Authors: Roberts J. E. , Edwards J. G. , Checkley S. , Crammer J. L. , Cutting J. C. , Lader M. H. , Murray R. M.
Published: August 2008

In an era when it is generally believed that the acute Symptoms of schizophrenia can be controlled pharmacologically, the case of a young man who has remained almost continuously floridly psychotic for 13 years, despite treatment, is disquieting. Conventional psychiatrie treatment appears to be rendered impotent. It is in this context that it may be of interest to report a summary of the proceedings of a Special Problems Conference held at the Institute of Psychiatry on 18 February 1985 to discuss such a case.
A Standardised Assessment of Personality Disorder in Mental Handicap
Authors: Ballinger Brian R. , Reid Andrew H.
Published: August 2008

Forty patients with mild or moderate mental handicap were assessed by two psychiatrists using the scale devised by Mann et al, 1981 which describes abnormalities of personality. Analysis by weighted Kappa showed excellent agreement for some items (introversion, hysterical explosive, sociopathic, anankastic and affective). This questionnaire may be useful in the evaluation of personality in the mentally handicapped.
A Case of ‘Lethal Catatonia’ in a 14-year-old Girl
Authors: Ainsworth Patricia
Published: August 2008

A case of apparent ‘lethal catatonia’ in a 14-year-old girl is described; similarities with earlier descriptions are identified, although the precise cause of death in this case remains somewhat obscure.
Brain Imaging in a Case of Capgras' Syndrome
Authors: Lewis Shôn W.
Published: August 2008

A patient developed Capgras' syndrome as part of an interictal psychosis of epilepsy; magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral subcortical lesions in occipitotemporal and frontal regions. These findings have implications for the postulated association between Capgras' syndrome and neuropsychological deficits, in particular prosopagnosia.
Prolonged Oculogyric Crisis on Addition of Nifedipine to Neuroleptic Medication Regime
Authors: Singh I.
Published: August 2008

Extrapyramidal symptoms, including oculogyric crisis, are well recognised side-effects of clopenthixol medication, but precipitation of prolonged oculogyric crisis on addition of nifedipine to an ongoing clopenthixol regime has not so far been reported.
The Influence of Depression on the Processing of Personal Attributes
Authors: Clifford P. I. , Hemsley D. R.
Published: August 2008

Depressed, schizophrenic and normal subjects were tested for incidental recall and recognition of lists of positive and negative personal attributes. It was hypothesised that depressives would show a deficit in recall and recognition of words of which they had been asked a self-referential encoding question, but would show equivalent performance to controls on words of which they had been asked an other-referential, semantic or structural encoding question. The experiment was designed to enable a decision to be made between two possible explanations of the expected deficit: Davis's (1979) suggestion that it is due to disorganisation of the self-schema in depression, and the hypothesis of Beck at al (1979) that depression is characterised by the predominance of a negative self-schema. The expected deficit was observed on the recall but not on the recognition task. However, the precise pattern of the results raises problems for both of the above interpretations, and alternative explanations are considered.
Assessment of Suicide Risk
Authors: Hawton K.
Published: August 2008

Among the many clinical skills that psychiatrists must acquire, the ability to assess the risk of patients killing themselves is probably the most important and demanding. It is often a crucial factor when making clinical decisions, such as in the choice of treatments, when deciding whether admission to a psychiatric hospital is necessary and when implementing the Mental Health Act. This review first explores the problems in assessing suicide risk. Subsequently, the risks of suicide for patients with major psychiatric disorders and for particular clinical populations, including hospitalised patients and suicide attempters, are examined together with the findings from research investigations which can assist psychiatrists when making decisions about the risk of suicide.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging in Chronic Schizophrenia
Authors: Besson J. A. O. , Corrigan F. M. , Cherryman G. R. , Smith F. W.
Published: August 2008

Patients with chronic schizophrenia were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Subgroups of the syndrome with high positive or high negative symptom scores and ventricular dilatation were compared with each other and with normal controls in respect of regional spin lattice relaxation time (T1) changes. Significant differences were not observed between the schizophrenic subgroups and controls but there were significant differences between the subgroups themselves. The presence of tardive dyskinesia was associated with increased T1 of the basal ganglia. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to findings using other techniques.
Plasma Levels of β-Endorphin in Depressed Patients
Authors: Daly R. J. , Duggan P. F. , Bracken P. J. , Doonan H. J. , Kelleher N. J.
Published: August 2008

We studied 27 patients who complained of pain, for which no organic basis could be found, and 11 patients without pain. All patients were depressed according to clinical diagnosis and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores. Plasma β-endorphin levels were found not to differ between the two groups or across other variables. The patients who complained of pain had significantly higher scores on the BDI.
Electroconvulsive Therapy and Cognitive Improvement in a Very Elderly Depressed Patient
Authors: O'Shea Brian , Lynch Thomas , Falvey Jane , O'Mahoney Gerald
Published: August 2008

A computer search of the literature revealed that the oldest documented patient to receive electro convulsive therapy (ECT) was a 94-year-old woman (Bernstein, 1972) who was diagnosed as having ‘anorexniearvosa’, but the history was suggestive of paranoid schizophrenia. She received a course of five ECTs and became much less paranoid, ate well, and put on weight. Her daughter lamented the fact that ECT had been deemed to be contra indicated 15years earlier on the grounds of advanced age.
The Burden of Care
Authors: Fadden G. , Bebbington P. , Kuipers L.
Published: August 2008

This paper reviews the literature on the effect of severe mental illness on other members of the patient's family. The burdens of caring for a patient at home are considerable. They often affect the caring relative's social and leisure activities, and financial problems arise frequently. Relatives have difficulties in understanding and coming to terms with illness-related behaviour. ‘Negative’ symptoms are often a particular problem. Despite their burden, relatives do not complain much, although they receive little support, advice or information from the professionals engaged in treating the patient; much is now known about the difficulties relatives face, but we still need to know how they can best be helped. Failure to do this will have bad effects on both relatives and patients.
Chronic Schizophrenic Disorder
Authors: White C. , Farley J. , Charles P.
Published: August 2008

Bilateral palmar skin conductance and heart rate were measured throughout a series of psychological tests and during both sitting and ambulant social interactions in 14 right-handed men with chronic schizophrenic disorder and 12 healthy volunteers matched for age and handedness. Miniature radio telemetry equipment was used to collect the physiological data. The schizophrenic group was effectively unresponsive to 70-dB auditory stimuli, while all but one of the control group responded and habituated to a nil response by the tenth tone in sequence. The schizophrenic group showed some evidence of increased skin conductance activity at rest, and in socially demanding conditions skin conductance level and variability were increased in the right hand. The present group of electrodermal ‘non-responders' was not in general autonomically underactive. Asymmetry of skin conductance activity during social interaction may be a characteristic of chronic schizophrenic disorder.
Chronic Schizophrenic Disorder
Authors: White C. , Farley J. , Charles P.
Published: August 2008

Reaction time, set index, critical flicker frequency, two-flash threshold, a sustained performance task and psychophysiological parameters from people with chronic schizophrenic disorder (n = 14) and a control group (n = 12) were analysed to assess the association between arousal, attentional dysfunction and social dysfunction in schizophrenia. Shorter reaction time, rated ability to mime and, in the schizophrenic group, scores on Venable's ward activity scale correlated with each other. In the schizophrenic group, prolonged reaction time latency correlated positively with skin conductance level in the right hand and negatively with skin conductance variability in the left hand, the latter being in the opposite direction to that for the control group. The results may provide support for the hypothesis that lateralised cerebral dysfunction is associated with performance deficits in people with chronic schizophrenic symptoms.
Expressed Emotion in the Families of the Mentally Handicapped: A Pilot Study
Authors: Greedharry Drone
Published: August 2008

The birth of a mentally handicapped child to a couple is a traumatic event. It has even been compared with a bereavement. In the crisis of family handicap, however, there is also anxiety, fright, guilt and shame. Some of these reactions have been denied by families but it has to be borne in mind that mothers of abnormal babies, although they are not aware of it consciously, may be protective and dominant (Prechtl, 1963). The reactions of parents of mentally handicapped may swing from extremes of over-protection to complete rejection. On the other hand, there is stress both emotional and physical in looking after the handicapped day in, day out. The amount of the emotional stress has not been quantified, but of the many forms of interactions between parent and offspring, over-involvement, criticism, hostility, and warmth can be evaluated using the Expressed Emotional scales.
Delusional Infestation and Dementia: A Case Report
Authors: Renvoize E.B. , Kent J. , Klar H. M.
Published: August 2008

The case of an 82-year-old woman with delusional infestation and senile dementia of the Alzheimer type is reported. Her symptoms of infestation ceased dramatically with pimozide given for 5 weeks, and did not recur during follow-up over 9 months. The importance of organic factors in patients with this disorder is emphasised.
Improving the Quality of Care on Psychiatric Hospital Rehabilitation Wards: a Controlled Evaluation
Authors: Lavender A.
Published: August 2008

This study attempted to use feedback from the Model Standards Questionnaires (a series designed to measure the quality of care) to improve care on a psychiatric hospital's rehabilitation wards. Both a controlled and quasi-experimental design were used. The controlled design provided evidence that feedback from the Questionnaire concerned with the Individual Programmes of Treatment and Care led to improvements in these practices but not for the remaining three questionnaires. The quasi-experimental design indicated that the significant generalised improvement in care, over all questionnaires, was most likely due to the feedback.
Electrodermal Response as a Monitor in Electroconvulsive Therapy
Authors: Simpson C. J. , Hyde C. E.
Published: August 2008

A study comparing the use of electrodermal response with the cuff technique and clinical judgment as monitors in electroconvulsive therapy is reported. A sensitivity of 90.5% and a specificity of 41.7% were found and it is, therefore, suggested that this method is not used routinely.
Female Sex Offenders
Authors: O'Connor Art A.
Published: August 2008

Information on 19 women convicted of indecency and 62 women convicted of other sex offences was examined. Those convicted of indecency offences often had poor social skills and had a high incidence of mental illness, mental handicap and alcoholism. Two were convicted of indecent exposure, a rare offence in women. In 39 (63%) of the sex offences with individual victims, the victims were children and in 9 cases the offender was the mother or step-mother. In 25 cases the women were convicted of aiding and abetting a male offender. Of those convicted of indecent assault on persons under 16 and of gross indecency with children, 48% had a previous history of psychiatric disorder.
A Case of Mosaicism with Fragile-X and XXY Components
Authors: Deb Saumitra , Cowie Valerie A. , Timberlake Carol
Published: August 2008

The case of a 63-year-old severely mentally handicapped man is reported with chromosomal mosaicism. His karyotype was established as mosaic 46XY/47XXY with the fragile site present in a proportion of cells of both cell-lines. He showed phenotypic features which could be related both to the fragile-X and Klinefelter's syndromes.
The Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, So-called
Authors: Kellam A. M. P.
Published: August 2008

Because of its rarity, the neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been studied in a survey of the world literature. Similar conditions which occurred before the advent of neuroleptics have also been included, as they may indicate that the drugs are not totally to blame. It is also apparent that with modern treatments, the condition is not usually lethal. The implications of this for theories of dopaminergic disturbances underlying the mental illnesses involved are considered. An overall picture of the syndrome, its treatment and outcome, is presented from over 200 published references. The spread of recognition of the condition throughout the world and especially across linguistic barriers has been followed.
Ethnic Differences in Self-poisoning
Authors: Merrill John , Owens John
Published: August 2008

The characteristics of West Indian patients admitted to a Birmingham hospital following deliberate self-poisoning were compared with those of White self-poisoners. West Indian patients were more likely to be young, female and single. They were less likely to have previously self-poisoned, have received previous psychiatric treatment, or be suffering from a personality disorder or alcoholism, but were more often followed-up by a social worker. Rates of self-poisoning for those aged under 25 were similar but for those aged over 25 were lower for West Indians than Whites.
Phenomenology of Intoxication with Toluene-based Adhesives and Butane Gas
Authors: Evans A. C. , Raistrick D.
Published: August 2008

The phenomenology of solvent inhalation was investigated comparing a group of young people who misused toluene (n= 31) with a group misusing butane (n=12).Marked changes of mental state were invariable. Most users reported elevation of mood and hallucinations but a rich variety of phenomena was elicited. Nearly one-quarter of subjects had the potentially dangerous delusion of believing they were able to fly or swim. In the toluene group thoughts were more likely to be slowed, time appeared to pass more quickly and tactile hallucinations were more commonly reported than in the butane group. Withdrawal phenomena and tolerance were also looked at.
A Combined Study of Cortisol, ACTH and Dexamethasone Concentrations in Major Depression
Authors: Charlton B. G. , Leake A. , Wright C. , Griffiths H. W. , Ferrier I. N.
Published: August 2008

The pathophysiology of hypercortisolaemia in major depression was examined. ACTH was measured using a novel immunoradiometric assay of high specificity and sensitivity. Twenty-eight patients with major depression and 18 control subjects were studied. Blood samples for basal hormone concentration were taken at 09:00, 16:00 and 23:00 on day 1, followed by administration of 1 mg dexamethasone at 23:00. Further samples were taken at 09:00 and 16:00 on day 2. Dexamethasone concentration was measured in day 2 samples and no significant difference was found between the depressed group and control subjects. In the depressed group Cortisol concentration was elevated at 23:00 on day 1, and ACTH concentrations were elevated in post-dexamethasone samples. ACTH and Cortisol concentrations were not directly correlated in individual patients. The elevated plasma Cortisol associated with major depression is not solely mediated by changes in ACTH.
Long-stay Patients in a Psychiatric Day Hospital
Authors: McGrath G. , Tantam D.
Published: August 2008

The case notes of all non-psychogeriatric patients attending the Psychiatric Day Hospital at the University Hospital of South Manchester during one week in October 1982 were reviewed. Clinical, demographic, social and occupational data were gathered for all patients, and their attendance at the day hospital monitored for the year following the census period. No significant differences between patients could be found on any of the factors that it was predicted would distinguish short from long-stay patients. The best predictor of length of day hospital attendance in the current admission was the total quantity of previous hospital treatment whether as an in-patient or a day-patient. It is concluded that in the day hospital studied all patients had similar characteristics, and the majority could be seen as ‘new long-stay’ patients. The implications of this finding are discussed.
Mania Following Head Injury
Authors: Clark A. F. , Davison K.
Published: August 2008

Secondary mania has been described in association with a variety of physical conditions. While there have been a number of reports of mania occurring in individuals with intracranial cerebral lesions, there have been few reporting its occurrence in association with non-penetrating cerebral trauma. Two further cases of mania following non-penetrating head injury and the efficacy of ECT in its management are reported, and a brief review of the literature relating to the subject is given.
Electrodermal Responding and Chlorpromazine Treatment in Schizophrenia
Authors: Yannitsi Stavroula , Liakos Aris , Papakostas Yannis
Published: August 2008

Skin conductance level (SCL) and skin conductance responses (SCR) to a random series of tones were measured in 25 drug-free schizophrenic patients, 15 male and 10 female, before and after standard chlorpromazine treatment. The DSM-III diagnostic criteria were used for selecting subjects. Psychopathology was measured with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. After treatment, patients showed an improved psychopathology and decreased SCL. There was a transition of patients to lower response categories: the number of responders decreased twice and the number of non-responders increased three times. Responders exhibited significantly higher SCL than non-responders and fast habituators were between the two groups.
Psychiatric Vulnerability and Cerebellar Haemangioblastoma
Authors: Summerfield D. A.
Published: August 2008

A case of cerebellar haemangioblastoma in described in a middle-aged woman with a history of multiple psychiatric admissions for depressive and psychosomatic symptomatology. The diagnosis was not made until a late stage, largely because of the knowledge of her psychiatric history and its particular slant. Similar psychiatric symptoms were present at the outset, colouring the emerging neurological picture. The clinical manifestations and management of cerebellar haemangioblastoma are described.
Assessing the Functional Value of Relatives' Knowledge about Schizophrenia: a Preliminary Report
Authors: Barrowclough C. , Tarrier N. , Watts S. , Vaughn C. , Bamrah J. S. , Freeman H. L
Published: August 2008

An instrument for assessing and evaluating what relatives know about schizophrenia was evaluated as both a pre- and a post-test for an educational programme. The Knowledge About Schizophrenia Interview (KASI) places emphasis on the functional value of the reported knowledge rather than on the recall of information; it is quick, easy to administer, can be rated reliably, and has face-validity for the relative. The educational programme increased scores from pre-test to a post-test one week after the programme. Relatives with high criticism ratings on the Camberwell Family Interview had lower scores at both tests. Relatives of less chronic patients showed lower scores at pre-test and acquired significantly more information from the programme, while relatives of more chronic patients were less influenced by the information sessions.
Asymmetry of Lateralised Hemispheric Functions in Schizophrenia
Authors: Scarone Silvio , Cazzullo Carlo Lorenzo , Gambini Orsola
Published: August 2008

The Quality Extinction Test was used to detect lateralised abnormalities of hemispheric functions in schizophrenic patients. Course of illness significantly affected the distribution of tactile extinctions, chronic patients showing more left-side extinctions than sub-chronic ones. Age significantly affected the number of left extinctions, and sex the number of right extinctions. The importance of clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients in determining the quality and degree of hemispheric dysfunction in schizophrenia was confirmed.
Correlates of Suicide Attempts and Ideation in Schizophrenia
Authors: Landmark J. , Cernovsky Z. Z. , Merskey H.
Published: August 2008

A group of 118 patients with a hospital diagnosis of schizophrenia was reviewed. The incidence of suicide attempts was significantly correlated with more frequent past psychiatric admissions, more frequent past diagnoses of schizophrenia, and poor work function. The apparent relationships could be spurious or based on a reversed causal sequence; for example, suicide attempts are likely to be followed by psychiatric admissions.
The Newcastle Adolescent Behaviour Screening Questionnaire
Authors: Place M. , Kolvin I. , Morton S. M.
Published: August 2008

As part of a larger study, a brief rating-scale was developed which focusses on the mid-adolescent phase of development. Completed by teachers, the questionnaire has an inter-rater reliability of 0.78, with a test-retest correlation of 0.82. When the performances of various screening instruments were compared it became clear that no single questionnaire was obviously more efficient than the others at detecting potential disturbance in an urban adolescent population. Indeed, different questionnaires seemed to highlight particular facets of functioning. The Newcastle Adolescent Questionnaire proved to be a reliable and valid screening measure.