bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adrenocorticotropin hormone, β-endorphin and cortisol responses to oCRF in melancholic patients
Authors: Maes M. , Claes M. , Vandewoude M. , Schotte C. , Martin M. , Blockx P. , Cosyns P.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Several authors have reported attenuated adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) responses to corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) administration in melancholic patients as compared with healthy controls. In order to explore the integrity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)-axis in melancholics, we examined the following parameters in 98 subjects: the ACTH; β-endorphin; and cortisol responses to ovine CRF (oCRF) (100 μg/i.v.); and the postdexamethasone cortisol values. We found significant lower CRF-induced ACTH responses in melancholic patients as opposed to healthy controls and minor depressives, while major depressives occupied an intermediate position. The psychopathological correlates of the blunted CRF-induced ACTH responses were feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach, or excessive guilt. The CRF-stimulated β-endorphin and cortisol response did not differ between the study samples. Higher baseline plasma cortisol was associated with attenuated CRF-induced ACTH responses, but these effects were not pertinent to melancholia. There were no relationships between the disordered oCRF test results, and postdexamethasone cortisol values, age, body size, sex and severity of illness. The diagnostic power of the oCRF and the dexamethasone suppression test for melancholia is enhanced when both test results are combined.
The Northwick Park ‘Functional’ Psychosis Study: diagnosis and outcome
Authors: Johnstone E. C. , Frith C. D. , Crow T. J. , Owens D. G. C. , Done D. J. , Baldwin E. J. , Charlette A.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Three hundred and twenty-six consecutively admitted patients with functional psychotic illnesses to which no diagnostic classification had been applied were followed up after 2·5 years. They were examined in social, clinical and psychological terms and the CATEGO programme and DSM-III criteria were applied to data concerning the index episode to derive diagnostic classifications. The deterioration in occupational functioning and the hospital careers of patients with diagnostic classifications of schizophrenia were worse than those in the other groups and positive and negative features were also more severe in patients with a classification of schizophrenia. By contrast, no differences in psychological test performance were found between the groups based upon diagnostic classification. Impaired psychological test performance was found and it was strongly related to concurrent mental state abnormalities, particularly negative symptoms. It is concluded that the diagnostic classifications used were of limited value in predicting outcome in functional psychosis.
Frontal and non-frontal lobe neuropsychological test performance and clinical symptomatology in schizophrenia
Authors: Morrison-Stewart S. L. , Williamson P. C. , Corning W. C. , Kutcher S. P. , Snow W. G. , Merskey H.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Schizophrenic subjects performed significantly worse on neuropsychological tests of frontal lobe function but not on tests of non-frontal lobe function when compared to a matched group of normal subjects. Correlations expected between frontal lobe neuropsychological test performance and negative symptoms were not found.
The Mental Impairment and Evaluation Treatment Service: staff attitudes and staff–client interactions
Authors: Walz Linda T. , Goldstein Laura H.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

This study describes and evaluates a new short-term residential service for adults with mild learning difficulties and challenging behaviour, the Mental Impairment Evaluation and Treatment Service. The study examines staff attitudes towards management practices, towards the potential achievement of individuals with learning difficulties, the staff's perceived involvement in decision making, and also the nature of their interaction with the clients, in two different settings on the Unit. The Unit's management practices were found to be client-orientated in nature and staff were more in agreement with client-orientated than institution-orientated management practices. Staff were generally optimistic about clients' potential and felt involved in decision making. Correlations between certain staff characteristics, attitudes and interactions are discussed. The study extends the range of services that have been evaluated in this way, and provides a description of the service in its early stages, which will provide an important comparison point for it when it is more permanently established.
Emotional disturbance following childbirth: clinical findings and urinary excretion of cyclic AMP (adenosine 3'5' cyclic monophosphate)
Authors: Ballinger C. Barbara , Buckley Dorothy E. , Naylor Graham J. , Stansfield David A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Emotional disturbance was assessed in a group of women in the first few days following childbirth and again 2 months and 1 year following childbirth; the clinical features are described. Variables such as social class, age and parity were not related to the level of emotional disturbance, but a history of marital problems, sexual difficulties, poor relationships with immediate family or disrupted family relationships in childhood were so related.

Twenty-four hour urinary excretion of cyclic AMP (adenosine 3' 5' cyclic monophosphate) was estimated in the same group of women on 2 occasions in the week following childbirth and again 2—3 months later in approximately one third of the original sample. Excretion of cyclic AMP in the few days following delivery was elevated compared with excretion 2—3 months later, and there was a significant rise in urinary excretion of cyclic AMP between the 1st and 2nd urine collections.

Those women showing most emotional disturbance on the 3rd day after delivery and women indicating most mood change in the direction of becoming elated had the highest levels of cyclic AMP in the 2nd urine collection.
The Leyton Obsessional Inventory: an analysis of the responses of 73 obsessional patients
Authors: Murray R. M. , Cooper J. E. , Smith A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The Leyton Obsessional Inventory was administered to 73 obsessive-compulsive neurotics, and their responses compared with those of 100 normal subjects. The ratio of the mean patient to normal scores ranged from 2·4: 1 for obsessional traits and 3·2: 1 for symptoms to 6·2: 1 for resistance and 12·5: 1 for interference with other activities. A principal components analysis on the patients' replies produced 3 unitary components (household order, personal contamination, and doubting) plus 2 bipolar components (checking/parsimony and desire for closure/unpleasant ruminations). These appeared to be more definitive representations of components identified from a similar analysis on normal subjects, suggesting that obsessional neurotics differ from normal subjects quantitatively rather than qualitatively. A cluster analysis on the patients' responses produced 3 subgroups. Thirty-two patients were predominantly hesitant and indecisive (‘doubters’), 30 were concerned with bodily and clothing contamination (‘contaminators’), and 7 were preoccupied with checking (‘checkers’).
Priorities for research on mental health in primary care settings
Authors: Wilkinson Greg , Williams Paul
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A Delphi study was conducted with a multi-disciplinary group of experts attending a conference on mental illness in primary care settings. Respondents' priorities for research which could maximize benefits for service developments in this field were elicited by asking them to distribute hypothetical annual research budgets among (a) 6 mental health priority areas, and (b) 7 subjects ‘needing’ investigation within the primary care priority area. The respondents' three top-ranked priority areas for research were: (1) primary care; (2) the elderly mentally ill; and (3) chronically disabling mental illness. Their three top-ranked subjects for investigation within the primary care priority area were: (1) the effectiveness of treatment measures; (2) the problems of mental health presenting to primary care services; and (3) the training requirements for family doctors in psychiatric skills.

The results are discussed with reference to the method used and to the economic concepts of programme budgeting and marginal analysis.
Problems in evaluating the consequences of disabling illness: the case of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Lawson Annette , Robinson Ian , Bakes Claire
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

There is a need for a method, useful both to the clinician and to the research worker which can assess both the ‘quantity’ and the ‘quality’ of daily life. In this paper two ‘diary’ methods are described for obtaining accounts of daily activities, social contacts and patterns of interaction from people diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis. The information obtained is compared with that derived from a major decennial national survey of the population aged over 4 years and from a selected group of matched non-patient controls. The paper is divided into two parts, each concentrating on one of the techniques. The first is a postal 24-hour written account; the second a detailed tape-recorded interview known as the ‘Standard Day Interview’. Difficulties and advantages in using these approaches to assess both the quantitative and the qualitative changes during disabling illness are discussed and proposals for developing the methods are presented. Indications of substantive variation in the use of time by samples drawn from the ‘healthy’ and from populations with multiple sclerosis are reported.
The psychiatric correlates of coronary pathology: validity of the GHQ-60 as a screening instrument
Authors: Vázquez-Barquero J. L. , Acero J. A. Padierna , Marti´n C. Peña , Ochoteco A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The 60-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS) were administered to a consecutive series of 194 patients with established or presumptive coronary heart disease (CHD) attending an out-patient cardiology unit. The GHQ proved to be a valid instrument for the routine screening of this population. The presence of organic anginal pain was associated with high scores on the GHQ, but with a lower specificity and a higher percentage of false positives. This was not found in patients with atypical or non-cardiac chest pain. These findings suggest a need for an upward revision of the cut-off score on the GHQ in patients with organic anginal pain. False negatives were found predominantly among patients with personality disorders, and in those characterized by the longstanding nature of their symptomatology and by higher levels of defensiveness.
Psychopathology and Boolean Factor Analysis: a mismatch
Authors: Veiel Hans O. F.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

It has recently been claimed that Boolean Factor Analysis (BFA) is superior to more traditional approaches to empirical syndrome identification in psychopathology (Weber & Scharfetter, 1984). This paper examines the underlying assumptions and the empirical basis of this claim. A hypothetical data set, with a more complex structure than the examples used by Weber & Scharfetter to support their claim, is analysed by means of both BFA and Ordinary Factor Analysis (OFA). It is shown that, as data sets resemble empirical conditions more closely, BFA may break down completely while OFA continues to yield adequate results.
Cumulated need for psychiatric service as shown in a community psychiatric project
Authors: Munk-Jørgensen Povl
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

District psychiatric services often supplement intramural mental health programmes. They usually result in an increase in the number of referrals to the mental health facilities, which reflects a cumulative need for psychiatric examination and treatment in the population. A significant decrease in the annual first referral rates per 1000 inhabitants aged 15 years and above is apparent in an analysis of the trends in the Danish Samsø community psychiatric service from its inception in 1957 until 1982. The average annual rates were 19·4 in the first 5-year period, 10·0 in the second 5-year period, and 8·4 in the ‘steady state period’ from 1967 to 1982. The conclusion is, therefore, that the work load connected with the cumulative need for psychiatric examination and treatment should be terminated in approximately 10 years. A comparison of the two 5-year periods, 1957–61 and 1978–82, demonstrated a decrease in first referral rates in almost all diagnostic groups: this is significant among manic-depressive psychoses, neurotic states and unspecified mental disorders. The rates of no mental disorders and senile and arteriosclerotic psychoses were almost unchanged. In the 10-year age groups there was a decrease in first referral rates for all groups, except for the groups aged 75 years and above whose rates were unchanged. The concept of cumulative need for psychiatric examination and treatment is discussed in relation to the reports of various district psychiatric service programmes in different European countries.
Asperger's syndrome and non-verbal communication: a pilot study
Authors: Scott Derek W.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The study investigated the ability of 10 patients with Asperger's syndrome to recognize and produce non-verbal aspects of facial and spoken (e.g. vocal intonation) communication by use of photographs, audiotape and videotape. It also aimed to establish materials to differentiate individuals with this condition from a comparable non-Asperger group. Asperger subjects tended to be poorer than comparable patients on all subtests.
Bulimia nervosa: an ominous variant of anorexia nervosa
Authors: Russell Gerald
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Thirty patients were selected for a prospective study according to two criteria: (i) an irresistible urge to overeat (bulimia nervosa), followed by self-induced vomiting or purging; (ii) a morbid fear of becoming fat. The majority of the patients had a previous history of true or cryptic anorexia nervosa. Self-induced vomiting and purging are secondary devices used by the patients to counteract the effects of overeating and prevent a gain in weight. These devices are dangerous for they are habit-forming and lead to potassium loss and other physical complications. In common with true anorexia nervosa, the patients were determined to keep their weight below a self-imposed threshold. Its level was set below the patient‘s healthy weight, defined as the weight reached before the onset of the eating disorder. In contrast with true anorexia nervosa, the patients tended to be heavier, more active sexually, and more likely to menstruate regularly and remain fertile. Depressive symptoms were often severe and distressing and led to a high risk of suicide.

A theoretical model is described to emphasize the interdependence of the various symptoms and the role of self-perpetuating mechanisms in the maintenance of the disorder. The main aims of treatment are (i) to interrupt the vicious circle of overeating and self-induced vomiting (or purging), (ii) to persuade the patients to accept a higher weight. Prognosis appears less favourable than in uncomplicated anorexia nervosa.
Influence of experience and nationality on assessment and outcome of parasuicide
Authors: Goodhead David G. , Hussain M. Farrukh , Seager C. Philip
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

In Sheffield 544 consecutive cases of attempted suicide (parasuicide) were seen at 2 large hospitals over a 12-month period, and allocated in sequence to the junior and senior psychiatric staff, of British and foreign origin. During the follow-up period of 12 months, 31 patients had a further episode of parasuicide and 5 patients committed suicide.

The outcome (as measured by repeat parasuicide or suicide) was not significantly affected by the country of origin of the psychiatrist, nor his length of training in psychiatry
The effect of sex, marriage and age at first admission on the hospitalization of schizophrenics during 2 years followings discharge
Authors: Watt David C. , Szulecka Teresa K.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Two hundred and eighty-two schizophrenics discharged from St John's Hospital, Stone, were followed-up. The reliability of the diagnosis was measured by the extent of agreement among the hospital clinicians. The number of readmissions and the time spent in hospital were ascertained and correlated with the sex, civil state and age at first admission of the subjects.

It was found that a higher proportion of males than of females was readmitted; that the proportion of single persons among male schizophrenics is higher than among comparable age groups in the general population; that single males are more frequently admitted than single females; that the peak age of first admission for males is 10 years earlier than for females and that men whose age at first admission is below the median are more frequently readmitted than those whose age at first admission is above it.

Women are more frequently married than men at the onset of schizophrenia, giving rise to the suggestion that marriage has a protective effect in schizophrenia. This hypothesis was not supported by our findings. The bearing of these findings on the course, genetics and marital handicap of schizophrenia is discussed.
Long-stay patients in Danish psychiatric hospitals
Authors: Weeke A. , Kastrup M. , Dupont A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The numbers of long-stay patients in Danish psychiatric hospitals were studied, based on information from the Danish cumulative psychiatric register and from the census studies of patients in Danish psychiatric hospitals, performed at 5-year intervals since 1957.

In 1977, 2079 (20%) of the in-patient population which had been admitted before 1957 were still in hospitals. This ‘old long-stay’ group has diminished exponentially, with an annual reduction of 7%.

During the period 1972–6, the number of patients who, on any given day, had been in-patients or attending as day-patients for more than 1 but less than 2 years (the ‘new long-stay’) varied between 847 and 1089: an average of 20 per 100000 total population. The ratio of in-patients to day-patients was approximately 4:1.
The extent of mental and physical ill-health of clients referred to social workers in a local authority department and a general attachment scheme
Authors: Corney Roslyn H.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Information regarding the physical and mental health of clients referred to social workers in a local authority intake team and to a general practice attachment scheme was collected over a 3-month period. Although returns to the Department of Health and Social Security during this period indicated that a very low proportion of clients were physically or mentally ill, it is clear that these figures greatly underestimate the extent of illness present. While social workers operating outside hospital and general practice attachments have been shown to have little contact with medical staff, in this study high proportions of their clients were ill and their social problems were often associated with their illness.
A controlled study of 99mTc-HMPAO single-photon emission imaging in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Lewis S. W. , Ford R. A. , Syed G. M. , Reveley A. M. , Toone B. K.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during a word fluency task was compared in twenty-five male, right-handed, medicated schizophrenic patients and twenty-five age-matched male, right-handed healthy volunteers, using 99mtechnetium-HMPAO multidetector single-photon emission tomography. Increased rCBF in caudate and thalamus was found in patients, probably secondary to neuroleptic medication. Patients showed decreased rCBF in left frontal cortical regions and increased rCBF in left posterior cortical regions, compared to controls. Patterns of left-sided frontal rCBF dominance in controls were reversed in patients, as were normal patterns of right-sided parietal rCBF dominance. Negative symptom score correlated inversely with mesial frontal rCBF, particularly on the left.
Evidence for a systemic immune activation during depression: results of leukocyte enumeration by flow cytometry in conjunction with monoclonal antibody staining
Authors: Maes M. , Lambrechts J. , Bosmans E. , Jacobs J. , Suy E. , Vandervorst C. , De Jonckheere C. , Minner B. , Raus J.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Several studies have reported a suppressed immune function (e.g. blast transformation) during depression. In an attempt to define the cellular basis of the reported immune disorders, the present study investigates the leukocyte cell subset profile of minor, simple major, and melancholic depressives,versusnormal controls. We have counted the number of white blood cells (WBC) lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes, while the number of lymphocyte (sub)populations has been identified by phenotype, using monoclonal antibody staining in conjunction with flow cytometry. The following cell surface antigens were determined: CD3+(pan T), CD19+(pan B), CD4+(T helper/inducer), CD8+(T suppressor/cytotoxic), CD4+CD45RA (T-memory cells), CD4+CD45RA+(T-virgin cells), surface Ig, class II MHC HLA-DR, and CD25+(IL-2 receptor). By means of pattern recognition methods, we established distinct immunological changes in minor and simple major depressed and in melancholic patients, setting them apart from the reference population. Depression,per se, is characterized by a higher number of WBC, monocytes, class II MHC HLA-DR, and memory T cells. Minor and simple major depressives exhibited an increased T helper/suppressor ratio. Increased numbers of IL-2 receptor bearing cells are a hallmark for major depression. Melancholics showed an increased number of pan T, pan B and T suppressor/cytotoxic cells. It was concluded that the established immune cell profile of depressed patients may point towards the existence of a systemic immune activation during that illness.
Genetic and environmental factors in the aetiology of menstrual, premenstrual and neurotic symptoms: a population-based twin study
Authors: Kendler K. S. , Silberg J. L. , Neale M. C. , Kessler R. C. , Heath A. C. , Eaves L. J.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Symptoms during the premenstrual and menstrual phases of the female reproductive cycle were assessed in 827 pairs of female same-sex twins from a population-based registry. By conventional factor analysis, premenstrual and menstrual symptoms were relatively independent of one another and of baseline ‘neurotic’ symptoms (i.e. anxiety, depression and somatization). Familial resemblance for menstrual and premenstrual symptoms was due solely to genetic factors with heritability estimates of 39·2% and 35·1%, respectively. Multivariate genetic analysis revealed distinct genetic and environmental factors for menstrual, premenstrual and neurotic symptoms. The genes and individual-specific experiences that predispose to premenstrual symptoms appear to be largely distinct from those which predispose either to menstrual or to neurotic symptoms. The generalizability of these results may be limited because only a modest number of premenstrual and menstrual symptoms were assessed, all by retrospective self-report.
The prevalence of dementia among elderly people living in Zaragoza and Liverpool
Authors: Lobo Antonio , Dewey Michael , Copeland John , Día José-Luis , Saz Pedro
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

The prevalence of dementia in elderly people living in the community was compared using data from Zaragoza (Spain) and Liverpool (UK). A standardized interview, the Geriatric Mental State (GMS), was administered to a random sample of 1070 persons in Liverpool and 1080 in Zaragoza. Using diagnoses derived from the GMS-AGECAT package we found no significant difference between the prevalence of dementia in Zaragoza (7·4%) and Liverpool (5·0%). The expected increase in prevalence with age was found, but the two cities did not appear to differ in the relationship between age and prevalence. No sex difference was apparent, and the two cities do not differ in the relationship between sex and prevalence.
The Royal Free Interview for Religious and Spiritual Beliefs: development and standardization
Authors: King M. , Speck P. , Thomas A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

We present the development and standardization of a measure of spiritual, religious and philosophical beliefs. An interview was constructed based on on-going studies by the authors of the nature and strength of belief held by people hospitalized with an acute illness. The interview was tested with three standard populations–staff of a teaching hospital; attenders to an inner city general practice; and people with clearly defined, devout religious beliefs–in order to establish population norms, validity and reliability for each question. The interview performed well with satisfactory validity and high internal and test–retest reliability. It is not presented, however, as a final product which will meet all needs in this complicated area of study. Rather, we have attempted to refine a measure of spiritual and religious belief that might apply to people with a range of personal and public faiths. It is clear that people are able to express these aspects of their lives in a way that can be measured with acceptable reliability and validity. We believe that this interview could, therefore, be applied in any medical, psychological or social setting in which a measure of belief is sought.
Filters on the pathway to mental health care, II. Sociodemographic factors
Authors: Gallo J. J. , Marino S. , Ford D. , Anthony J. C.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This study uses the prospectively gathered data of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program, a multi-site interview survey of mental disturbances among adult household residents in the United States, to compare health services use by individuals with different sociodemographic characteristics, accounting for the first-time occurrence of psychiatric disorder, over the course of a 1-year follow-up interval. Case ascertainment was by means of a standardized interview method, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. In the present investigation, 13400 continuing participants in the household sample who reported no contact with mental health services in the 6 months prior to the initial interview were studied with regard to health services use and sociodemographic characteristics. Separately, and before the mental health assessments were made, respondents were asked about their use of health and mental health services. African-Americans were significantly less likely than whites to have consulted with a specialist in mental health (estimated relative odds, 0·22, 95% confidence interval 0·10 to 0·52), even accounting for coincident psychiatric disorder, gender, and other covariates known to be associated with differential use of health care services. Hispanics and other minorities were also less likely to have consulted a specialist in mental health (estimated relative odds, 0·37 and 0·26, respectively). This large community study extends previous work on mental health services and ethnicity.
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy: an in vivo method of estimating hippocampal neuronal depletion in schizophrenia
Authors: Maier M. , Ron M. A. , Barker G. J. , Tofts P. S.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Diffuse loss of cortical volume and ventricular enlargement have been demonstrated in schizophrenia using imaging. In addition, histological studies have provided evidence that the number of neurons in the medial temporal lobe structures is reduced and that the cytoarchitecture is abnormal. In an attempt to correlate these histological findings with in vivo estimates of neuronal integrity we have studied the concentration of the neuronal marker N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) in the hippocampi of schizophrenics using in vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS). Compared with a group of healthy volunteers schizophrenics showed a 22% loss of NAA in the left hippocampus. Two other metabolites, choline and creatine showed bilateral reduction in schizophrenics and these achieved significance in the left hippocampus. These results indicate a significant depletion of NAA in schizophrenia and are in close agreement with the reported neuronal loss in the hippocampus detected histologically. We propose that in vivo MRS is a valid measure of integrity of neuronal populations in schizophrenia.
Structural abnormalities of the brain in schizophrenia: sex differences in the Cantabria First Episode of Schizophrenia Study
Authors: Vázquez-Barquero J. L. , Núñez M. J. Cuesta , Pando F. Quintana , Varga M. De La , Castanedo S. Herrera , Dunn G.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This paper examines structural brain abnormalities, as evaluated by the CT scan, in first episodes of schizophrenia and their association with sociodemographic, diagnostic and clinical variables. The investigation included all patients with a first episode of schizophrenia who, over a 2-year period, made contact with any of the public mental health services of the Autonomous Region of Cantabria in Northern Spain. Diagnostic and clinical characteristics were evaluated through the use of the Spanish version of the Present State Examination (PSE-9) and the Scales for the Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms (SANS and SAPS respectively). The study demonstrated the presence of structural brain abnormalities in this sample of first episode schizophrenics. These abnormalities were mainly expressed in the presence of larger VBR for schizophrenic patients than in the controls, these findings being more marked in women than in men. We failed to reveal, however, any evidence of an association of these brain abnormalities with diagnostic or clinical characteristics.
Procedural validity of the computerized version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-Auto) in the anxiety disorders
Authors: Peters Lorna , Andrews Gavin
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The procedural validity of the computerized version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-Auto) was examined against the consensus diagnoses of two clinicians for six anxiety disorders (agoraphobia, panic disorder (±agoraphobia), social phobia, simple phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive episode (MDE)). Clinicians had available to them all data obtained over a 2- to 10-month period. Subjects were 98 patients accepted for treatment at an Anxiety Disorders Clinic, thus, all subjects had at least one of the diagnoses being examined. While the CIDI-Auto detected 88·2% of the clinician diagnoses, it identified twice as many diagnoses as did the clinicians. The sensitivity of the CIDI-Auto was above 0·85 except for GAD, which had a sensitivity of 0·29. The specificity of the CIDI-Auto was lower (range: 0·47–0·99). The agreement between the CIDI-Auto and the clinician diagnoses, as measured by intraclass kappas, ranged from poor (k = 0·02; GAD) to excellent (k = 0·81; OCD), with a fair level of agreement overall (k = 0·40). Canonical correlation analysis suggested that the discrepancies between the CIDI-Auto and clinicians were not due to different diagnostic distinctions being made. It is suggested that the CIDI-Auto may have a lower threshold for diagnosing anxiety disorders than do experienced clinicians. It is concluded that, in a sample where all subjects have at least one anxiety disorder diagnosis, the CIDI-Auto has acceptable validity.
Development of a new scale for measuring acculturation: the Taiwan Aboriginal Acculturation Scale (TAAS)
Authors: Cheng Andrew T. A. , Hsu Mutsu
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

As part of the Taiwan Aboriginal Study Project (TASP), a new acculturation scale (the Taiwan Aboriginal Acculturation Scale, or TAAS) has been developed among the aboriginal minorities of Austronesian origin in Taiwan. The design of the original 54 items was based on Milton Gordon's concept of assimilation in association with a careful consideration of cross-cultural validity. These items were administered to 144 subjects stratified by age and sex who were randomly sampled from four major Taiwanese aboriginal groups. Item analysis and factor analysis were applied to select an 18-item scale which has three subscales (factors): cultural assimilation, social assimilation, and social attitude. Results of validity and reliability studies of the TAAS were found to be acceptable. The development of TAAS demonstrates the applicability of the concept of acculturation as a process that involves changes both in attitude, and in behaviour, to non-western societies.
Education, gender and cognitive performance in a 62-year-old normal population: results from the Turva Project
Authors: Portin R. , Saarijärvi S. , Joukamaa M. , Salokangas R. K. R.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Four WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) subtests, and tasks of memory and cognitive control were administered to a population sample of 143 men and 179 women. Subjects with a minor advantage in years of education out-performed those with only primary schooling. Gender-related effects were also remarkable. Whereas the general abilities were equal in the genders, women out-performed men on recall of word pairs and objects, on verbal cognitive control and on Digit Symbol. In contrast, men excelled on Trail Making A, and on Block Design. The findings emphasize the need for age norms by gender and education for cognitive tests.
Saccadic abnormalities in psychotic patients. I. Neuroleptic-free psychotic patients
Authors: Crawford T. J. , Haeger B. , Kennard C. , Reveley M. A. , Henderson L.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Most of the previous research reporting abnormalities of rapid re-fixation eye movements (saccades) in patients with schizophrenia has used patients receiving neuroleptic medication. In this study non-neuroleptically medicated schizophrenics were compared with other psychiatric patients using a variety of saccadic paradigms to determine the specificity of saccadic dysfunction. The patient groups consisted of schizophrenics (N = 18), bipolar affectives (N = 18), anxiety neurotics (N = 10) and normal controls (N = 31), none of whom had received neuroleptic medication for the preceding 6 months. Four behavioural paradigms, reflexive, predictive, remembered and ANTI were used to elicit saccades. The primary abnormality in the schizophrenic group was a significantly increased rate of distractibility in the ANTI (saccades made towards the target rather than in an opposite direction) and REM (saccades made prior to the imperative cue) paradigms. The major neuropsychological variable predictive of these errors was Wisconsin card sort perseverative errors. These data, in conjunction with findings from previous neurological research, would seem to provide converging evidence towards dysfunction of prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia.
Exclusion of linkage of schizophrenia to the gene for the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) and chromosome 11q translocation sites
Authors: Kalsi G. , Mankoo B. S. , Curtis D. , Brynjolfsson J. , Read T. , Sharma T. , Murphy P. , Petursson H. , Gurling H. M. D.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

There have been previous reports of a 1q43;11q21 translocation cosegregating with schizophrenia and a 9p22;11q22.3 translocation cosegregating with manic depression. In addition, the genes for the dopamine D2 receptor and for tyrosinase both map to chromosome 11q. Three 11q DNA markers were used to investigate 23 pedigrees containing multiple cases of schizophrenia. Strongly negative lod scores were obtained, providing evidence against linkage over a 70 cM region which included both translocation sites and both candidate genes.
Enhanced adrenal sensitivity to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) is evidence of HPA axis hyperactivity in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: O'Brien J. T. , Ames D. , Schweitzer I. , Mastwyk M. , Colman P.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Adrenal sensitivity was assessed in 16 non-depressed patients with NINCDS/ADRDA Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 18 control subjects by measuring cortisol response to low dose (0·05 μg/kg i.v.) exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Controlling for sex and medication, both peak cortisol level (peak–baseline) and area under cortisol response curve (AUC above baseline) were significantly greater in AD subjects. This shows that HPA axis hyperactivity, as demonstrated by enhanced adrenal sensitivity to ACTH, occurs in AD. Similar findings have been reported to occur in depression. Among AD subjects, AUC cortisol response correlated with current age (r= 0·70,P= 0·001) and age at onset of dementia (r= 0·73,P= 0·001) and an inverse correlation was seen between cortisol AUC and cognitive test (CAMCOG) score (r= −0·51,P= 0·044). Our findings suggest that HPA axis hyperactivity in AD is associated with advancing age and cognitive dysfunction. Such changes may be cause, or consequence, of neuronal loss.
Verbal fluency in schizophrenia: relationship with executive function, semantic memory and clinical alogia
Authors: Joyce E. M. , Collinson S. L. , Crichton P.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

To examine whether poor verbal fluency in schizophrenia represents a degraded semantic store or inefficient access to a normal semantic store, 25 normal volunteers and 50 DSM-III-R schizophrenic patients, matched for age, sex and IQ, were recruited. Although schizophrenic patients were impaired on both letter and category fluency, they showed a normal pattern of output in that category was superior to letter fluency, and an improvement in category fluency when a cueing technique was employed (Randolph et al. 1993). These results resemble those found in disorders of frontostriatal systems (Parkinson's and Huntington's disease) and suggest that poor verbal fluency in schizophrenia is because of inefficient access to semantic store. A measure of improvement with cueing was directly related to performance on the Stroop executive task. Of all symptom measures derived from SANS and Manchester Scales, only alogia was related to verbal fluency in that superior improvement correlated inversely with the degree of alogia. It is suggested that both alogia and poor verbal fluency are mediated by the same underlying cognitive abnormality that reflects frontostriatal dysfunction.
Reported parental behaviour and adult affective symptoms. 2. Mediating factors
Authors: Rodgers Bryan
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Potential mediators of the modest association between retrospectively rated parental behaviour and adult affective symptoms in offspring were investigated in a national longitudinal study of a cohort followed to the age of 43. Personality measures from adolescence could account for a small part of this association. Personal relationships in adulthood were more strongly associated with both parental behaviour and symptoms: marital history, emotional support, social network and availability of help in a crisis. Poor parenting did not lead to a general vulnerability to later life events, and socio-economic status and financial hardship were not implicated in the link between parental behaviour and adult symptoms. However, parental affectionless control was associated with certain types of life stressors in adulthood, i.e. interpersonal as opposed to non-interpersonal life events. Collectively, aspects of personal relationships accounted for much of the elevated symptom levels in those rating parents as low on care or high on control. Findings were consistent with the notion that interpersonal competence is important in the continuity between childhood experience and adult mental health, but other possible interpretations are discussed.
Service utilization by schizophrenic patients in Groningen and South-Verona: an event-history analysis
Authors: Sytema S. , Micciolo R. , Tansella M.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The question addressed to in this paper is whether severely mentally ill patients are treated differently in a community mental health service without the back-up of a mental hospital (South-Verona, Italy) compared with an institution-based system in which mental hospitals, although highly modernized, are still predominant (Groningen, The Netherlands). Using the psychiatric case-registers in both areas, the patterns of care in 2 years of follow-up of schizophrenic patients were constructed. Survival analysis was used to analyse in-, day- and out-patient episodes of care. Three-quarters of the Groningen and half of the South-Verona patients experienced at least one episode of hospitalization; 20% of the Groningen and 5% of the South-Verona patients were long-stay patients at the end of the observation period. The South-Verona patients had more episodes of in-patient and especially of day-patient and out-patient care. Cox's regression showed that the duration of episodes controlled for the history of events and sociodemographic characteristics, was significantly shorter in South-Verona. One of the main conclusion was that hospitalizations for the severely mental ill are also needed in a community-based system of care, supporting the assumption of a ‘bed-rock’ of mental illness. However, the South-Verona community mental health service seems to be able to reduce the duration of hospitalizations considerably.
Personality traits in LLPDD and normal controls during follicular and luteal menstrual-cycle phases
Authors: Parry B. L. , Ehlers C. L. , Mostofi N. , Phillips E.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

In 15 women with Late Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder (LLPDD) and in 15 normal control subjects, personality traits were assessed using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) during follicular and luteal menstrual-cycle phases. Compared with controls, LLPDD subjects had less compulsive but more passive/aggressive and borderline/cycloid traits, and more depression and hypomania. Menstrual-cycle phase did not significantly affect personality variables in either group. In particular, depression and hypomania in LLPDD subjects suggests a relationship with affective disorders.
On the medical history of the doctrine of imagination
Authors: Fischer-Homberger Esther
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

In the early moderera the notion of imagination was made responsible for phenomena which were later explained in terms of embryology, genetics, psychology, bacteriology or other scientific disciplines. Images, often seated in the upper abdomen (hypochondriac region) or the womb (hysteria), were regarded as powerful influences on material reality. In the course of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the hypochondriac forms of imagination became mere whims and spleens, but they kept much of their original potency in respect of the uterus, accounting for monstrosities and the shaping of human offspring. The hysterical conversion of imagination into somatic phenomena has never been questioned. Since the two World Wars the realm of imagination has again expanded beyond the uterus and the older disease-concepts. In the last 10–20 years images seem to have regained some of their original creative force.
Factors affecting the prescribing of psychotropic drugs in general practice consultations
Authors: Raynes Norma V.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

The characteristics of patients and information-gathering processes in general practice consultations producing prescriptions for antibiotics and psychotropic drugs are discussed. The contribution of patients presenting symptoms and the exploration of these by the general practitioner in the prescribing of psychotropic drugs, is compred with that of diagnosis.
Is schizophrenia an HLA-associated disease?
Authors: McGuffin Peter
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Certain specificities of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system have been shown to be associated with particular diseases. A review of recent studies in schizophrenia shows inconsistent results for schizophrenia as a whole, although a significant increase in HLA A28 remains on combining the data. There are more consistent findings for disease subtypes. In particular, HLA A9 and HLA CW4 are increased in paranoid schizophrenics, while HLA Al and the A1–B8 haplotype are increased in nuclear forms. It is postulated that the relationship between the schizophrenias and certain HLA types could be due to an influence of the latter upon neuronal postsynaptic membrane sensitivity to central neurotransmitters such as dopamine.
Alzheimer's disease in a mother and identical twin sons
Authors: Sharman Melanie G. , Watt D. C. , Janota I. , Carrasco L. H.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Alzheimer's disease confirmed by histological examination is described for the first time in identical twin brothers who both died at the age of 38 years. Their mother died of a dementing illness at the age of 42 years and her brain was atrophied at post mortem.
A case of anorexia nervosa with an associated urogenital malformation
Authors: Robertson Mary M. , Hamburger Anthony S.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

A further case of anorexia nervosa with an associated urogenital malformation, namely hypospadias, is presented. The prevalence of urogenital abnormalities in patients with anorexia nervosa is much higher than expected on the basis of coincidence.

A relationship between anorexia nervosa and urogenital malformations has been suggested previously. We report a further case with certain unique features.
A cross-national comparison of the institutionalized elderly in the cities of New York and London
Authors: Gurland B. , Cross P. , Defiguerido J. , Shannon M. , Mann A. H. , Jenkins R. , Bennett R. , Wilder D. , Wright H. , Killeffer E. , Godlove C. , Thompson P. , Ross M. , Deming W. E.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Two random samples, each constituting 0·5 % of the institutionalized elderly (over 65) in the cities of New York and London have been compared. This preliminary report of a collaborative study demonstrates the similarity of the 2 samples.

Institutions in the 2 cities are shown to differ in size, type of ownership and the frequency that skilled nursing is provided.

Some implications of these 2 findings are raised now, and will be discussed later when the full data for the study are presented.
The recognition of alcoholism by psychiatrists in training
Authors: Jones G. H.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

One tenth of all patients admitted to hospital via a psychiatric emergency clinic were found to be alcoholic. Of these, just over half were recognized as such by a psychiatrist in training at initial interview. The reasons are assessed, with discussion of the implications for post-graduate education in alcoholism.
Measuring the need for psychiatric treatment in the general population: the community version of the MRC Needs for Care Assessment
Authors: Bebbington P. , Brewin C. R. , Marsden L. , Lesage A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The community version of the MRC Needs for Care Assessment Schedule (NFCAS-C) is a new instrument designed for the psychiatric conditions seen in general populations. Its principles are based on the original Needs for Care Assessment, although that was developed for the very different population of those with long-standing mental illness (Brewinet al.1987). The NFCAS-C is designed to reproduce, in an itemized and systematic manner, the functioning of well-organized primary care and psychiatric services. It is primarily intended for research purposes, in particular, the comparison of treatment needs and services in different populations. In this paper we describe the problems of assessing the need for psychiatric care in general populations and the rationale and development of the instrument, while in its companion we present the results of a reliability study (Lesageet al.1995).