bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of long-stay schizophrenics on matched verbal and visuospatial recall tasks
Authors: Calev Avraham , Edelist Sanda , Kugelmass Sol , Lerer Bernard
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

A verbal and a visuospatial recall task were compared for discriminating power, using the matched-tasks methodology. These tasks were administered to long-hospitalized schizophrenics. No evidence of a differential deficit, that is, better recall of either the verbal or the visuospatial materials, emerged in the patients. The results replicate a former finding showing no difference between verbal and visuospatial recall in schizophrenics, using memory tasks which were less sensitive as left- and right-hemisphere measures and a non-verbal task less affected by verbal mediation. This replication questions the assumption that the hemispheric differences observed in schizophrenics affect such memory tasks.
Can the neuropsychological case-study approach be applied to schizophrenia?
Authors: Shallice T. , Burgess P. W. , Frith C. D.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Neuropsychological studies of schizophrenia typically apply a small number of tests to a large group of patients. This approach has at least two drawbacks. First, the heterogeneity of the condition will lead to group means which may not reflect the behaviour of any individual. Secondly, it is difficult to infer the nature of the underlying cognitive impairments from a small number of tests, since good performance on a particular test depends on many different cognitive processes. In these circumstances it is more appropriate to apply the methods of cognitive neuropsychology where a large number of tests are used on a single case. This approach has proved fruitful in the study of neurological patients. We have intensively studied 5 chronic schizophrenic patients. These patients varied greatly in terms of overall ability. However, all patients, whatever their overall ability, performed badly on tests sensitive to frontal lobe lesions. This result suggests impairment of the supervisory attentional system in these patients. In addition, one patient suffered from a visual agnosia.
Eating disorder patient referrals from a population region 1977–1986
Authors: Hall Anne , Hay Phillipa J.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Three hundred and forty-three eating disorder patients (50% anorexia nervosa, 37% bulimia and 13 % atypical eating disorder) were seen by the eating disorder service in the Wellington (New Zealand) region between 1977 and 1986. Ninety-six per cent were female. Annual rate of referral for anorexia nervosa remained stable at 5 per 100000 population (34 per 100000 females aged 15–29 years). Annual referral rate for bulimia increased from 6 to 44 per 100000 females aged 15–29 years.
Anorexia nervosa in Hong Kong: a Chinese perspective
Authors: Lee Sing
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

A prospective study of sixteen Chinese anorexic patients in Hong Kong indicates that they were single young females who came from lower social class, exhibited severe self-induced weight loss, rigid maintenance of low body weight and amenorrhea. Weight reduction was primarily by dietary restriction. The typical bulimic syndrome and major depression were uncommon. There were multiple aetiological factors, but no pre-morbid obesity and little pressure to pursue slimness for beauty. Instead of displaying an intense fear of obesity and a distorted body image, patients more commonly attributed poor food intake to abdominal bloating. As such, they only partially fulfilled current criteria for diagnosis. It is argued that such clinical patterns arise logically from their sociocultural backgrounds, but may gradually change with Westernization.
Post-traumatic stress disorder in the community: an epidemiological study
Authors: Davidson Jonathan R. T. , Hughes Dana , Blazer Dana G. , George Linda K.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was studied in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. Among 2985 subjects, the lifetime and six month prevalence figures for PTSD were 1·30 and 0·44 % respectively. In comparison to non-PTSD subjects, those with PTSD had significantly greater job instability, family history of psychiatric illness, parental poverty, child abuse, and separation or divorce of parents prior to age 10. PTSD was associated with greater psychiatric co-morbidity and attempted suicide, increased frequency of bronchial asthma, hypertension, peptic ulcer and with impaired social support. Differences were noted between chronic and acute PTSD on a number of measures, with chronic PTSD being accompanied by more frequent social phobia, reduced social support and greater avoidance symptoms.
The reliability of life event reports in a community survey
Authors: Kessler Ronald C. , Wethington Elaine
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

There is considerable evidence from inter-respondent and test–retest studies that the data obtained in structured life event inventories are not very reliable. Inter-respondent reliability estimates are presented in this paper for the life event reports obtained in a community survey that was designed to facilitate recall of life events. It is documented that respondents were able to recall many sorts of severe negative events with adequate reliability over a twelve-month recall period. Data are also presented to show that respondents could date event occurrence with good consistency. Sensitive events, such as involvement in criminal activities and difficulties in marriage, were not reliably reported. These results suggest that the problems of faulty memory and conceptual confusion about serious events can be overcome with careful question wording and administration procedures, but that the problem of respondent reticence about reporting sensitive events remains unresolved.
The prevalence of depression among Australian nursing home residents: results using draft ICD-10 and DSM-III-R criteria
Authors: Phillips C. J. , Henderson A. S.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

The aims of this study were, first, to estimate the prevalence of depressive disorders in Australian nursing home residents using international diagnostic criteria, and second, to explore environmental determinants of such disorders. Residents of 24 nursing homes were surveyed using the Canberra Interview for the Elderly (CIE) and a range of environmental measures was also taken. Of 323 residents who were screened for cognitive impairment, 165 (51%) scored 18 or above on the Mini-Mental State Examination (Folstein et al. 1975), and were interviewed with the CIE. According to DSM-III-R criteria and the CIE, the prevalence of major depressive episode was 9·7%. Using ICD-10 criteria, 6·1% of residents suffered from a severe depressive episode, 6·7% from a moderate depressive episode and 6·7% from a mild depressive episode. Some measures of the social environment were significantly related to depressive symptoms.
Assessing the quality of life of the individual: the SEIQoL with a healthy and a gastroenterology unit population
Authors: McGee Hannah M. , O'Boyle Ciaran A. , Hickey Anne , O'Malley Kevin , Joyce C. R. B.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Current methods of measuring quality of life (QoL) impose an external value system on individuals, rather than allowing them to describe their lives in terms of those factors which they consider important. The Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL) was developed to overcome such limitations. The QoL of 42 healthy attenders at an international immunization clinic was assessed using SEIQoL. Judgement reliability was high (r = 0·74) and individuals' judgement policies accounted for a large percentage of the variance in overall QoL (R2 = 0·75) demonstrating the construct validity of judgement analysis in this context.

In a second study of QoL of out-patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (N = 20) or peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (N = 20) was assessed using SEIQoL. Judgement reliability was lower (r = 0·54) although statistically highly significant (P < 0·01), and the variance in overall QoL judgements explained was high (R2 = 0·74).

SEIQoL is an acceptable, reliable and valid technique for measuring individual QoL that takes greater account of individual perspectives than traditional measurement approaches.
Plasma nortriptyline and clinical response–a study using changing plasma levels
Authors: Burrows Graham D. , Maguire Kay P. , Scoggins Bruce A. , Stevenson James , Davies Brian
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

In a 5-week study of 22 depressed patients treated with nortriptyline, significant changes in plasma levels, both elevated and reduced, were deliberately produced in the third and fourth weeks of each patient's treatment. Correlation of plasma nortriptyline levels and changes in the severity of depression, as measured by the Hamilton Depression Scale, showed no significant relationships. The implications of the study are discussed.
Brain damage in chronic alcoholism: a neuropathological, neuroradiological and psychological review
Authors: Ron M. A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The review deals with the possibility of diffuse brain damage, not always clinically obvious, in chronic alcoholics. Some of its implications are discussed with special reference to the role of frontal lobe damage. The main areas of enquiry-neuropathological, neuroradiological and psychological – are considered in detail.
The NHS practice of forensic psychiatry in one region
Authors: Bowden Paul
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The present paper outlines the number and distribution of forensic patients within one region. In addition, attitudes to both available services and existing legislation are described. Regional and national data are compared so that the results can be used by other regions which are currently planning a development of their own forensic services.
Biogenic amine-related enzymes and personality variations in normals
Authors: Murphy D. L. , Belmaker R. H. , Buchsbaum M. , Martin N. F. , Ciaranello R. , Wyatt R. J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Altered activities of biogenic amine-related enzymes have been reported in some studies of patients with affective disorders and chronic schizophrenia. To evaluate whether any relationship between personality variations, including non-diagnosed psychopathology, and these enzymes might occur in non-psychiatric patients, 95 young adult volunteers were studied. Higher MMPI and Zuckerman sensation-seeking scale scores were found in male, but not female, volunteers with lower platelet and plasma amine oxidase activities. Males generally exhibited negative correlations, while females had positive correlations between the psychological test scores and amine oxidase activities. In contrast to the amine oxidase results, no associations were observed between plasma dopamine β-hydroxylase activities and the personality variables.
Platelet serotonin concentration and monoamine oxidase activity in unmedicated chronic schizophrenic and in schizoaffective patients
Authors: Joseph Michael H. , Owen Frank , Baker Harry F. , Bourne Rachel C.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Elevated blood serotonin, perhaps secondary to reduced platelet MAO, has been reported in a group of chronic schizophrenic patients. We have failed to find elevated platelet serotonin, or any relationship between platelet serotonin and MAO either in a group of unmedicated chronic schizophrenic patients or in a group of schizoaffective patients. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed.
Two kinds of cognitive deficit associated with chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Frith C. D.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The performance of 21 chronic schizophrenic patients was investigated on two tests of feature selection. It was found that patients with negative symptoms (muteness, withdrawal, etc.) were characterized by an extreme lack of persistence, but selected usual features; whereas patients with positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, etc.) had a normal degree of persistence, but selected unusual features.
Sensitivity to noise in a community sample: II. Measurement of psychophysiological indices
Authors: Stansfeld S. A. , Clark C. R. , Turpin G. , Jenkins L. M. , Tarnopolsky A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A sample of 77 women of high and low noise sensitivity in 1977, living in areas of high and low exposure to aircraft noise, were interviewed in the community in 1980. High, intermediate and low noise sensitive women were compared, using measures of blood pressure, heart rate, skin conductance, hearing threshold, uncomfortable loudness level and magnitude estimation of six tones. These physiological measures did not clearly distinguish different noise sensitivity groups, except that highly noise sensitive women had a consistently slower heart rate. Noise sensitivity was not related to auditory threshold. In the high aircraft noise area there were significantly more skin conductance responses than in the low aircraft noise area, irrespective of noise sensitivity. This may be the result of chronic exposure to high aircraft noise.
The chronically mentally ill in primary care
Authors: Regier Darrel A. , Burke Jack D. , Manderscheid Ronald W. , Burns Barbara J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The role of primary care physicians in addressing the needs of chronically mentally ill patients is examined from three perspectives: (1) assessing community prevalence; (2) treating chronic medical problems in the context of other human service needs; and (3) treating specific types of chronic mental disorders. About 30% of primary care patients were found to have at least one Research Diagnostic Criteria mental disorder, five-sixths of which had a duration greater than 1 year. However, about 9% of patients had some impairment and 2% had severe impairment associated with a mental disorder. Although affective disorders have the highest overall rates, personality, psychotic, and anxiety disorders contribute the greatest proportion of severe disability.
Social support, social pressures and psychological distress during unemployment
Authors: Ullah Philip , Banks Michael , Warr Peter
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A sample of 1150 unemployed 17 year-olds, containing blacks and whites, males and females, was obtained from 11 urban regions in England. Social support was measured in respect of five different forms of help from others. Measures were also obtained of psychological distress, perceived pressure from others to obtain a job, employment commitment, contact with other young people, and contact with other unemployed young people. Two forms of social support (having someone to turn to for help with money, and having someone to suggest interesting things to do) were significantly associated with measures of distress, as were perceived pressure to obtain a job and employment commitment, but not contact with other unemployed young people. The association between distress and having someone to turn to for help with money was greater for those perceiving pressure from others to obtain a job than those not perceiving pressure. Also, the association between distress and having someone to turn to when feeling low was greater for those with a high employment commitment than for those with a low one. Other associations between support and distress were found to be affected by sex and ethnic differences in the sample. The results are discussed in the light of a stress-buffering model of social support; and the need to disaggregate social support into its component parts is emphasized.
CSF monoamine metabolites in chronic schizophrenic patients who attempt suicide
Authors: Roy Alec , Ninan Philip , Mazonson Anne , Pickar David , Kammen Daniel Van , Linnoila Markku , Paul Steven M.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The monoamine metabolites 5-hydroxindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG) were measured in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 27 chronic schizophrenic patients who at some time had attempted suicide, and were compared with values from 27 chronic schizophrenic patients without a history of attempted suicide. There were no significant differences between either the violent or non-violent attempters and those without a history of attempted suicide in the mean lumbar CSF concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA, the dopamine metabolite HVA, or the norepinephrine metabolite MHPG. Significantly more of the suicide attempters had a previous major depressive episode, had received a course of ECT, and had significantly more psychiatric admissions than those who had never attempted suicide.
Side-effects of lithium at lower therapeutic levels: the significance of thirst
Authors: King J. R. , Aylard P. R. , Hullin R. P.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The prevalence of thirst, subjective polyuria and related side-effects was investigated in 87 patients attending a lithium clinic and in a group of 52 controls. Thirst was surprisingly common, occurring in 67% of patients, in spite of the fact that they had been maintained on relatively low levels of lithium, and was due principally to the lithium rather than to other psychotropic drugs. Urine flow and impaired renal water absorption correlated with the serum lithium level and the length of treatment in the patients, despite the fact that few were clinically polyuric. The pattern of the results confirms previous suggestions that lithium may stimulate the thirst mechanism directly as well as via an increased renal resistance to vasopressin. The possible implications in terms of clinical response are discussed.
Investigating renal function during lithium treatment
Authors: Waller Derek G. , Edwards J. Guy
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The tests that have been used to assess glomerular and tubular function in patients receiving treatment with lithium have been reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of these are discussed. The most useful tests are the creatinine clearance, which may be predicted from the serum creatinine using a formula or nomogram, and the measurement of urine osmolality, followed if necessary by assessment of the maximum urine concentrating ability after desaminocys-1–8-Darginine vasopressin.
Psychiatric patients who marry each other
Authors: Shanks John , Atkins Paul
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Health care workers often advise patients with chronic psychiatric disability against marrying each other. A survey of a group of such marriages revealed no evidence of the predicted ill-effects, but rather a trend towards improvement after the marriage. There is a discrepancy between professional expectations and actual outcome of these marriages.
Measuring the burden of psychiatric illness on the family: an evaluation of some rating scales
Authors: Platt Stephen
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The gradual shift towards non-institutional treatment for severe and chronic psychiatric illnesses has been accompanied by a recognition of potentially harmful effects (‘burden’) upon the patient's caregivers. This paper aims to provide a framework for the development of further research into the burden of ‘community care’ by offering a clear definition of the burden concept, an exposition of the criteria for evaluating rating scales to measure the concept, a review of major rating scales of burden, and some suggestions for improvements in methodology which are urgently required.
Self-injurious behaviour and the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: a clinical study and review of the literature
Authors: Robertson Mary M. , Trimble M. R. , Lees A. J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Thirty (33%) of 90 patients with the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome exhibited selfinjurious behaviour. Fourteen were head bangers, of whom two had cavum septum pellucidum. Clinical correlates of self-injury were the severity of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome symptoms and psychopathology, with special reference to obsessionality and hostility. We discuss an additional patient who died from a subdural haematoma as a result of head banging, and three who had permanent vision impairment from self inflicted eye injuries.
The psychopathology of echophenomena
Authors: Ford R. A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Repetition of other person's activities is, to some extent, part of normal human behaviour. However, in some circumstances it becomes pathological and symptomatic of an underlying disease process. The pathogenesis of this type of behaviour is very diverse. The circumstances in which echoing can be expected to occur are reviewed.
Fear talk versus voluntary hyperventilation in agoraphobics and normals: a controlled study
Authors: Bass Christopher , Lelliott Paul , Marks Isaac
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Twenty-three drug-free patients with agoraphobia and panic disorder (DSM-III criteria) had, at rest, lower mean end-tidal PCo2 (32 v. 36 mmHg) and higher mean heart rate (92 v. 83 bpm) than did 18 controls. During 5 min of listening to fear talk, only eight (35 %) patients and three (16 %) controls panicked, but panic was associated with marked physiological changes in only two patients and one control. Patients said that breathlessness began slightly more often before than after panic. In 59 % of patients the symptoms from voluntary hyperventilation (VHV) were very similar or identical to those of their usual panics. Compared with the remainder, these patients felt more unpleasant during hyperventilation (HV); in such patients HV may aggravate somatic symptoms. Agoraphobics with panic differed from controls in having higher baseline arousal, but were not more reactive than controls to HV or fear talk.
Threat and loss in breast cancer
Authors: Deadman J. M. , Dewey M. J. , Owens R. G. , Leinster S. J. , Slade P. D.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The psychological well-being of forty-four breast cancer patients was assessed shortly before and after surgery, and at three and twelve months post-operatively. Regression analysis revealed type of treatment, control over treatment and concern for appearance as significant predictors of nature of subsequent mood state. Results are discussed with reference to the theoretical position that type of severe life event can predict the nature of ensuing psychological disorder.
Symptomatology of minor psychiatric morbidity: a crosscultural comparison
Authors: Cheng Tai Ann
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The basic symptoms of minor psychiatric morbidity (MPM) reported elsewhere were also found in a community survey in Taiwan. However, differences in the patterns of and manifestations of the symptoms were evident. Contrary to most Western surveys, the prevalence of anxiety (24·7 %) was found to be higher than that of depression (8·3 %) in Taiwan. Possible explanations based on sociocultural characteristics of the Chinese family were proposed. The notion of somatization as a predominant symptom in Chinese neurotic patients advocated by some research workers was not supported in this study. As a result of findings in community cases, it is argued that the importance of somatization has been considerably overemphasized as a factor in the illness behaviour of neurotic cases in Chinese and other cultures, and it is therefore not a culturespecific disease phenomenon. It is also suggested that certain culture-specific neurotic syndromes reported in Chinese, such asshen-ching-shuai-jo(neurasthenia) andshen-k'uei(semen loss syndrome), are clinically equivalent to MPM. Implications of the present findings on crosscultural research and management of MPM were discussed.
The contribution of childbearing to the sex difference in first admission rates for affective psychosis
Authors: Gater Richard A. , Dean Christine , Morris Julie
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This epidemiological study examines the contribution of childbearing to the sex difference in first admission rates for affective psychosis. The effects of sex, age, marital status and parity on first admission rates are examined in 114 patients admitted from a defined catchment area. The rate of first admission in females is almost twice that in males. Using logistic regression analysis one significant factor accounting for this sex difference emerges: female parity. The effect of parity is evident up to the age of 54, and it entirely accounts for the sex difference in relative risk. Non-parous females have a lower relative risk of admission than males. An apparent effect of marital status is only significant in females, and is accounted for by parity and age.
Polytomous logistic regression analysis of the General Health Questionnaire and the Present State Examination
Authors: Wilmink F. W. , Snijders T. A. B.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

First, two examples of dichotomous logistic regression analysis are presented. The probability of being a psychiatric case according to the Present State Examination is predicted from the total score on the General Health Questionnaire and from the general practitioner's judgement on the presence of a mental health problem. Subjects were 292 primary care attenders. Results are compared with those from prior studies.

Next, the extension to the polytomous case is demonstrated. The probability of being at any given level of the Index of Definition (computed from PSE data) is estimated from the General Health Questionnaire total score by an ordered polytomous logistic regression model. Several applications of the polytomous logistic regression model are discussed. These range from estimating the proportion of psychiatric cases among individuals who refuse to be interviewed to the formulation of sampling schemes which can be expected to reduce costs while at the same time yielding optimal information for testing specific hypotheses.
The spectrum of psychiatric morbidity in a defined geographical area
Authors: Tansella Michele , Williams Paul
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The concept of ‘the pathway to psychiatric care’ as described by Goldberg & Huxley (1980) using a scheme of five ‘levels’ and four ‘filters’, has provided a useful framework in investigating referral processes in places where health services are organized in a way similar to the British National Health Service. Previous estimates of psychiatric morbidity at each of the levels of this model have been calculated, based upon data obtained from diverse geographical areas and over different time frames. The value of these estimates for service planning is therefore limited by the heterogeneity of the data sources. This paper provides data related to all five levels based upon the same geographical area (South-Verona, Italy) and within the same time frame (one week in 1987).

The importance of studying the full spectrum of psychiatric morbidity at all levels in the same area is discussed. In particular, it is shown that the assessment of morbidity in the primary medical care setting (levels 2 and 3) and data about filters 2 and 3 can provide useful information for the evaluation of specialist services (levels 4 and 5) as well as for understanding changes in the provision of specialist care.
The influence of education, social class and sex on Mini-Mental State scores
Authors: O'connor D. W. , Pollitt P. A. , Treasure F. P. , Brook C. P. B. , Reiss B. B.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The Mini-Mental State Examination was administered to 1865 general-practice patients aged 75 years and over. Even when demented cases were removed from analysis, respondents with relatively little education, together with those in social classes Ill-manual and below, were significantly more likely to score below the cut-off point used in North American community surveys to denote ‘cognitive impairment’. Education and social class influenced scores on all sections within the MMSE with the exception of registration. Sex influenced scores on tests of calculation and spelling backwards but had no effect on total scores. These findings emphasize the importance of investigating low scorers in more detail before making a diagnosis of dementia.
The Child Behaviour Checklist and the Rutter Parental Questionnaire: a comparison between two screening instruments
Authors: Fombonne Eric
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

In order to carry out an epidemiological survey of child psychiatric disorders in a community sample, the Child Behaviour Checklist was chosen as a parental questionnaire for screening in the first stage of the study. A French version of this instrument was developed and a pilot study of the scale was completed on a clinical sample (N= 127). As a criterion to gauge its validity, the Rutter scale was used as a concurrent measure. The correlation coefficient between the total scores of the two scales is 0·79, and ranges between 0·22 and 0·96 for individual items. A linear regression analysis, using the total score of the Rutter scale as an independent variable, predicts a value of 41 as the optimal cut-off to be used for the Child Behaviour Checklist. Comparative properties (reliability and time of completion) of the two scales are presented and discussed.
The explicitly stated rationale for the involuntary commitment of the mentally ill given by the nineteenth-century German-speaking psychiatrists
Authors: Windholz George
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The contemporary practice of involuntary commitment to psychiatric institutions of individuals diagnosed as mentally ill is based upon practices established by psychiatrists in the nineteenth century. The justifications given by nineteenth-century German-speaking psychiatrists for involuntary commitment are considered. An examination of sixty-seven texts by German-speaking psychiatrists reveals that involuntary commitment was justified more often as benefiting the mentally ill individual than as benefiting society. Justification for involuntary commitment was made somewhat more frequently during the second part of the nineteenth century than during the first part
The timing, specificity and clinical prediction of tricyclic drug effects in depression
Authors: Katz M. M. , Koslow S. H. , Maas J. W. , Frazer A. , Bowden C. L. , Casper R. , Croughan J. , Kocsis J. , Redmond E.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This research was aimed at studying the rate of action of tricyclic drugs in depressive disorders, specifying the behavioural effects associated with recovery, and predicting clinical response. The research design involved comparison of a recovered group with a group treated for the equivalent four weeks, who showed minimal to no response. The findings indicated significant differences in baseline characteristics between responders and non-responders. Further, the drugs were found to act early in the responders, within the first week of treatment. Specific changes at one week which distinguished responder and non-responder groups occurred in the disturbed affects, and in cognitive functioning. Improvements also occurred in somatic symptoms, but these latter changes were general and not associated with later recovery. At 2½ weeks, all facets of the depressed condition showed positive change in the responders. Implications of the results for assessing rate of tricyclic drug actions, their effects on the interaction of affect and neurochemistry, and the practical application of the results for the clinical situation, are discussed.
The activation of red blood cell transketolase in groups of patients especially at risk from thiamin deficiency
Authors: Jeyasingham Marina D. , Pratt Oliver E. , Burns Alistair , Shaw George K. , Thomson Allan D. , Marsh Andrew
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Erythrocyte transketolase activation by thiamin diphosphate has been studied in elderly patients with moderate or severe chronic dementia, acute alcoholic admissions and chronic alcoholics with evidence of brain damage, mostly of the Wernicke–Korsakoff type. Significantly more patients in each group than controls showed abnormal activation of transketolase, not only by 0·3 mM thiamin diphosphate (TDP) but also in further activation by increase to 3 mM. This indicated the presence in a proportion of the alcoholic and the demented patients of an abnormal enzyme variant, similar to that previously found in vitro. The modified transketolase activation test may warn not only of marginal thiamin deficiency but also independently, of susceptibility to brain damage in patients at risk.
Selective effects of ECT on hypothalamic—pituitary activity
Authors: Whalley Lawrence J. , Eagles John M. , Bowler Geoffrey M. R. , Bennie John G. , Dick Heinz R. , McGuire Ralph J. , Fink George
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The hypothesis that ECT produces selective effects on hypothalamic–pituitary activity was investigated by determining the effect of ECT on pituitary hormone release in nine depressed patients. After ECT there were massive and rapid increases in the plasma concentrations of nicotine-and oestrogen-stimulated neurophysin (NSN and ESN), prolactin (PRL) and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), smaller increases in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and cortisol, a significant decrease in plasma growth hormone (GH) concentration but no change in plasma thyrotropin (TSH). There was significant attenuation of PRL responses with repeated ECT. The hormonal responses to ECT cannot simply be attributed to stress, since a similar pattern of increases in plasma hormone concentrations did not occur in psychologically normal patients in whom plasma hormone concentrations were measured during induction of anaesthesia and abdominal incision for cholecystectomy. Analysis of these hormonal responses in terms of the knowledge available on the neurotransmitter control of pituitary hormone release suggests that some of these hormonal responses to ECT may be mediated by the activation of serotonergic neurones, while others are probadly due to direct stimulation of the neuroendocrine neurones themselves.
Cholinergic effects on constructional abilities and on mnemonic processes: a case report
Authors: Sahakian Barbara , Joyce Eileen , Lishman W. A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The effects of physostigmine on test performance of a patient with multiple cognitive deficits were observed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Scores on tests of learning and memory and tests of visuo-spatial and constructional ability were both improved by physostigmine, while lecithin improved scores only on the former tests.
Vasopressin and memory: improvement in normal short-term recall and reduction of alcohol-induced amnesia
Authors: Millar Keith , Jeffcoate William J. , Walders Cristine P.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The vasopressin analogue 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) has been shown in healthy male volunteers to cause significant improvement in short-term memory and to reduce alcohol-induced amnesia. There was no significant effect upon semantic retrieval or simple reaction time. It was concluded that vasopressin benefited the initial processes of consolidation and learning, while the reduction of the amnesic effects of alcohol may support the contentions of other authors that the peptide improves memory in states of mild amnesia.
A study of genetic linkage in schizophrenia
Authors: Andrew B. , Watt D. C. , Gillespie C. , Chapel H.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Families with more than one member affected by schizophrenia were identified and their members were interviewed. Four standardized diagnostic definitions (PSE, DSM-III, ICD-9, Feighner) were applied to all subjects who were classified as schizophrenic or not schizophrenic according to each definition. Non-schizophrenic psychiatric disorders which have been shown to be familially associated with schizophrenia were also identified. Twenty blood markers were ascertained for all subjects and evidence of co-segregation with schizophrenia was sought. No selective segregation was found and therefore there was no evidence suggesting linkage or supporting a monogenic theory of transmission of susceptibility to schizophrenia.
The occurrence of organic disease of possible or probable aetiological significance in a population of 268 cases of first episode schizophrenia
Authors: Johnstone Eve C. , MacMillan J. Fiona , Crow Timothy J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

In a sample of 268 cases of first-episode schizophrenia, 15 patients were found to have organic disease which appeared relevant to the mental state. There were three cases of syphilis, two cases of sarcoidosis, three of alcohol excess and two of drug abuse. There was one case each of carcinoma of the lung, autoimmune multisystem disease, cerebral cysticercosis, thyroid disease and previous head injury. In this series, identified organic disease was associated with less than 6% of cases of schizophrenia.
Lymphocyte numbers in endogenous depression
Authors: Murphy Denis , Gardner Robert , Greden John F. , Carroll Bernard J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The blood counts of 80 patients with depression were examined (50 unipolar, 30 bipolar). Many had reduced numbers of circulating lymphocytes. This abnormality was more common in the unipolar group (52%) than in the bipolar group (27%). When those patients with an abnormal dexamethasone suppression test response in both groups were compared, the relative and absolute lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in unipolars. Although cortisol hypersecretion may reduce lymphocyte numbers it is not yet clear whether the findings can be satisfactorily explained in this way.
Affiliation patterns among cancer patients
Authors: Rofé Yacov , Lewin Isaac , Hoffman Michael
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Affiliation preferences of 150 cancer out-patients were assessed in the waiting-room and day-to-day life. Results indicated the vast majority avoided fellow patients, preferring to be alone or with healthy people. Similarly, patients tended to avoid the topic of illness in their social contacts. Moreover, those desiring to be with the healthy displayed the highest levels of negative emotion. Finally, avoidance of fellow patients was higher among males, the elderly, and the more highly educated. Overall, the findings were inconsistent with the thesis that those under stress seek out others in similar straits, as suggested by Schachter's emotional comparison theory or Will's downward comparison theory. Rather, they support Rofé's utility theory of stress and affiliation.
Anger and other psychological factors in coronary atherosclerosis
Authors: Tennant C. C. , Langeluddecke P. M. , Fulcher G. , Wilby J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This study of 519 coronary angiography patients failed to replicate our earlier findings in 90 angiography patients (Tennant & Langeluddecke, 1985) which showed that trait tension, trait anxiety and suppression of anger were correlates of atherosclerosis. In the present studya variety of psychological measures, including state and trait anxiety, tension, anger, locus of control and suppression of anger, depression and anxiety, showed no significant association with coronary atherosclerosis as assessed by coronary angiography.
Distraction in neurotic and endogenous depression: an investigation of negative thinking in major depressive disorder
Authors: Fennell Melanie J. V. , Teasdale John D. , Jones Simon , Damlé Anita
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The effects on depressive thinking and depressed mood of a brief, standardized distraction procedure were examined. In low endogenous patients (scoring 3 or less on the Newcastle Diagnosis Scale (NDS)), distraction significantly reduced the frequency of depressing thoughts. Consistent with Beck's cognitive model of depression, these patients were significantly less depressed after distraction than after a control procedure. In high endogenous patients (scoring 4 or more on the NDS), distraction produced less marked reductions in frequency of depressing thoughts, and no significant change in depressed mood. It is suggested that the relationship between negative thinking and depressed mood differs in the two patient groups.
Dimensions of neuroses seen in primary-care settings
Authors: Goldberg D. P. , Bridges K. , Duncan–Jones P. , Grayson D.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This study uses methods of latent trait analysis to examine the relationships between psychiatric symptoms that constitute the common psychiatric disorders encountered in primary-care settings. Two highly correlated symptom dimensions of anxiety and depression are shown to underlie these disorders. Neurovegetative sysmptoms of depression are shown to be on the same dimension as psychic symptoms of depression, but to represent a more severe manifestation of depression.
Assessment schedules for chronic psychiatric patients
Authors: Sturt E. , Wykes Til
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The Social Behaviour Schedule (SBS) was examined as a measure of disability in a series of 66 chronic psychiatric patients, who were also assessed using the Social Role Performance Schedule (SRP) and the ninth edition of the Present State Examination (PSE). All three schedules have been used in previous studies in their present form. SBS and SRP measures were correlated with each other and neither showed any relationship with subjectively described current PSE symptoms. SBS deficit was associated with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia and with problems in supervised occupational activity. Long-term hospital residents showed greater SBS deficit than chronic patients in active rehabilitation programmes, although impaired SRP was the major correlate with the type of supervision provided. SRP measures can be compared with population norms, unlike measures derived from the SBS, which cover more severe ranges of disability.
Epidemiological aspects of psychiatric disorder in a Dutch health area
Authors: Hodiamont Paul , Peer Nelly , Syben No
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A two-phase study of psychiatric prevalence has been carried out among the inhabitants (aged 18–64) of a Dutch health area (Nijmegen). In phase 1, a random sample of 3232 persons answered the GHQ–30 (response rate:75%). In phase 2,486 of the respondents were interviewed withthe full PSE within two weeks. The relationship of PSE-‘caseness’ (ID ≥ 5) and GHQ score was expressed in a logistic regression model, the parameters of which showed strong agreement with the Canberra results, for all socio-demographic variables examined, except for urbanization. means of the logistic model the point-prevalence of PSE cases was calculated at 7·3% (range5·5%-9·2%).

Prevalence did not differ significantly in men and women. Higher case rates were found in age category of 55–59 years, among divorced and widowed persons, the lower educational and occupational levels, the unemployed, chronically ill and unable to work, and with city people. This study adds further evidence to a growing body of epidemiological data suggesting similar rates and patterns of psychiatric disorder in populations in industrialized countries.
The placebo: from specificity to the non-specific and back
Authors: Shepherd Michael
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A brief historical outline is provided of the concept of specificity in biology and medicine. The advent of scientifically based therapeutics, and especially clinical pharmacology, has directed increasing attention to the role of non-specific factors in the field of mental disorders. The actions and effects of placebos are discussed in relation to the specific/non-specific dichotomy with particular reference to both pharmacological and psychological modes of treatment.
Reduction of cortical volume in schizophrenia on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Harvey I. , Ron M. A. , Boulay G. Du , Wicks D. , Lewis S. W. , Murray R. M.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The MRI scans of 48 schizophrenic patients, fulfilling RDC criteria, were compared to those of 34 healthy controls matched for age, ethnicity and parental social class. The volume of the frontal and anterior parietal lobes was significantly reduced in the schizophrenic group as a result of a selective decrease in cortical volume, with a corresponding increase in the volume of sulcal fluid. Reduction in the volume of the temporal grey matter was more marked on the right, but was not in excess of the loss of volume observed in other areas of the cortex. MRI abnormalities correlated poorly with clinical parameters, although both unemployment and poor pre-morbid adjustment predicted reduced cerebral volume and increased sulcal volume. These results question whether the medial temporal lobes are the only site of structural pathology in schizophrenia.
Anger suppression: its relationship to β-adrenergic receptor sensitivity and stress-induced changes in blood pressure
Authors: Mills Paul J. , Dimsdale Joel E.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

While studies from diverse fields of research suggest a relationship between problems expressing anger and cardiovascular illness, few studies have provided a potential pathophysiological link of such a relationship. Forty-five males were classified according to one of three anger expression categories: those who did not suppress their anger (N= 13), those who partially suppressed their anger (N= 19), and those who definitely suppressed their anger (N= 13). For each, we determined lymphocyte β-adrenergic receptor function and blood pressure responsiveness to a standardized mathematics stressor. Those subjects who routinely suppressed their expression of anger had increased β-adrenergic receptor sensitivity (P= 0·01) (isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP production) and a greater systolic blood pressure response to the stressor (P= 0·001). Anger suppression was unrelated to the subject's age, weight, or socioeconomic status. These findings may be germane to prior clinical and epidemiologic observations relating anger expression and cardiovascular illness.
An epidemiological study of mental disorders in a 10-year cohort of young adults in Israel
Authors: Levav I. , Kohn R. , Dohrenwend B. P. , Shrout P. E. , Skodol A. E. , Schwartz S. , Link B. G. , Naveh G.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This is an overview of a two-phase epidemiological study of mental disorders among young adults in a ten-year birth cohort (1949–58) conducted in Israel. A sample of 4914 Israel-born offspring of Jewish immigrants was obtained by full probability sampling procedures and screened for caseness using psychometric symptom scales from the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview (PERI). Those screened positive and almost a fifth of the negatives (N = 2741) were interviewed by psychiatrists using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Israel version (SADS-I), in order to determine prevalence rates of specific disorders as defined by the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). The completion rates for each interview phase were 94·5% and 90·7% respectively. Six-month prevalence rates are presented by gender, ethnic origin, and education. Approximately one-fifth of the birth cohort met current RDC criteria for a disorder at the definite level, excluding the RDC category of ‘other psychiatric disorder’. Generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder were the most commonly found types. The striking findings centre on alcoholism and drug use disorder which were exceedingly rare, and the unusually similar rates of major depression for males and females. The results from this study are discussed in comparison with those obtained from other epidemiological studies.