bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuropathological basis for drawing disability (constructional apraxia) in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Förstl H. , Burns A. , Levy R. , Cairns N.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The performance on four drawing tasks was studied in a sample of patients with verified Alzheimer's disease in order to examine the relationship of ‘constructional apraxia’ to neuropathological changes in the parietal lobe and in other brain areas. Twenty-three patients were able to attempt to copy pentagons, a spiral and a three-dimensional drawing of a house, 22 patients were able to draw a clock-face spontaneously. The results were rank-ordered by two independent raters. The values obtained in the different drawing tasks were correlated significantly with each other, with global estimates of cognitive performance (CAMCOG, Mini-Mental State), with a shorter duration of illness, higher brain weight (in the subsample of female patients), higher counts of large neurons in the parahippocampal gyrus and hippocampus, but not in the parietal lobe. This suggests that there is no specific relationship between ‘constructional apraxia’ and neuropathological changes in the parietal lobes of patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease, but that there is a correlation between widespread brain changes and several neuropsychological deficits, one of them being drawing disability.
The prevalence of depressive disorders and the distribution of depressive symptoms in later life: a survey using Draft ICD-10 and DSM-III-R
Authors: Henderson A. S. , Jorm A. F. , Mackinnon A. , Christensen H. , Scott L. R. , Korten A. E. , Doyle C.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The point prevalence of depressive disorders was estimated in a sample of persons aged 70 years and over, which included both those living in the community and those in institutional settings. Lay interviewers administered the Canberra Interview for the Elderly to the subjects and their informants. The point prevalence of depressive episodes as defined by the Draft ICD-10 diagnostic criteria was 3·3%. The rate for DSM-III-R major depressive disorder was 1·0%. The latter prevalence rate is similar to those reported elsewhere for the elderly. Evidence is accumulating that older persons may indeed have low rates for depressive disorders at the formal case level. Possible reasons for this finding are offered.

A scale for depressive symptoms, based exclusively on those specified in Draft ICD-10 and DSM-III-R, showed that the elderly do experience many depressive symptoms. Contrary to expectation, these did not increase with age. The number of depressive symptoms was correlated with neuroticism, poor physical health, disability and a history of previous depression. Attention now needs to be directed to the clinical significance of depressive symptoms below the case level in elderly persons.
Unemployment, underemployment and depressive affect among Southeast Asian refugees
Authors: Beiser Morton , Johnson Phyllis J. , Turner R. Jay
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This study of 1348 adult Southeast Asian refugees resettling in Vancouver, British Columbia and a comparison sample of 319 permanent residents of the city demonstrates a reciprocal relationship between unemployment and depressive affect. Increased risk of depression accompanied job loss and depression made it more difficult to stay employed. Although the association between unemployment and depression was common to both refugee and host society samples, links between these phenomena proved different in the two groups. In contrast to the refugees for whom income loss was the over-riding stress resulting from job loss, loss of esteem and loss of social contact also proved to be salient stressors for resident Canadians. Although a threat to the mental health of resident Canadians, underemployment – working at a level which considering one's education and previous occupation, is lower than might be expected – did not jeopardize the mental health of refugees.
Symptom dimensions and cognitive and social functioning in recent-onset schizophrenia
Authors: Van Der Does A. J. W. , Dingemans P. M. A. J. , Linszen D. H. , Nugter M. A. , Scholte W. F.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The relationships among symptoms, cognitive functioning and social functioning were investigated in 60 patients with recent-onset schizophrenia. Positive symptoms were unrelated to cognitive measures. Disorganization and depressive symptoms were correlated significantly with Card Sorting performance. Furthermore, only negative symptoms were correlated significantly with social functioning. These results replicate earlier studies with chronic and mixed samples, and support the validity of disorganization as a separate symptom dimension. In contrast to most previous studies, no significant correlations were found between negative symptoms and cognitive measures. However, some evidence was found for a non-linear association between negative symptoms and several cognitive measures. The variation explained by a curvilinear model was not high, but for some cognitive measures this model was clearly superior to a linear model. If replicated, this finding supports the position that cross-sectionally measured negative symptoms cannot be viewed as a unitary concept.
Selective memory loss and global intellectual deficits in alcoholic Korsakoff's syndrome
Authors: Jacobson R. R. , Lishman W. A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The principle of distinguishing between selective memory deterioration and global intellectual decline has been applied to 38 patients with alcoholic Korsakoff's syndrome. Indices were developed for each type of deficit and their distributions explored. Considerable variation was seen in both parameters, the transition from pure memory loss to global intellectual deficits appearing to be gradual. Differences were found in the sex and CT scan associations of the indices. The implications of the distinction for future research are discussed.
Vulnerability to life events exposure
Authors: Fergusson D. M. , Horwood L. J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A theoretical model designed to assess the contribution of systematic factors contributing to vulnerability to life-events exposure is described. This model is applied to six-year longitudinal data on life events exposure for a sample of New Zealand women with school-aged children. The fitted model suggests that in the region of 30% of the variance in life-event reports over the six-year period was attributable to a common vulnerability factor. Modelling of this vulnerability factor suggested that two major determinants of vulnerability to life events were the level of social disadvantage of the woman and her level of neuroticism: women of socially disadvantaged backgrounds and women with high neuroticism scores showed a consistent tendency to report high life-event exposure during the six-year period. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Old data, new interpretation: a re-analysis of Sir Aubrey Lewis' M.D. thesis
Authors: Parker Gordon , Hadzi-Pavlovic Dusan
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Sir Aubrey Lewis studied 61 depressives in considerable detail, principally cross-sectionally but also by reviewing progress. He concluded that he could find no qualitative distinctions between the depressed patients and thus established himself as a strong and influential advocate of the unitary view of depression (i.e. that depression varies dimensionally, not categorically). Subsequently, Kiloh & Garside (proponents of the binary view of two depressive ‘types’) coded the Lewis data and undertook a principal components analysis. They claimed success in distinguishing ‘endogenous’ and ‘neurotic’ depressive types within Lewis' sample. In this paper we re-analyse the data set using both a latent class categorical approach and mixture analyses. We suggest that any demonstration of sub-types was limited by relative homogeneity of the sample (in that up to 80% had probable or possible psychotic conditions), and by Lewis rating a number of important features (e.g. delusions) dimensionally rather than categorically. Nevertheless, we identify one categorical class (essentially an agitated psychotic depressive condition) and a residual (presumably heterogeneous) class. The presence of those two classes was supported by demonstrating bimodality in composite scores derived from the fourteen differentiating clinical features (and not evident when all clinical features were considered), and formally confirmed by mixture analyses. Membership of the categorical class was determined principally by psychotic features (delusions and hallucinations) and by objectively-judged psychomotor disturbance, and we consider the nature of that ‘class’. Lewis' data set is unusual (in having self-report and observationally rated data), and historically important in demonstrating that conclusions may depend on the choice of variables examined and analytical approaches.
Single spies and battalions: the clinical epidemiology of mental disorders
Authors: Cooper Brian
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Clinical epidemiology, a term that has been variously defined, is used here to refer to a discipline which, commencing with examination and diagnosis of the individual patient who presents in medical practice, proceeds to study the occurrence of similar, possibly connected cases in the local community, and in so doing may provide hypotheses for population-based studies of disease and its risk factors. While the relevance of this discipline to the modern practice of clinical psychiatry remains largely unexplored, its importance in the search for causes of mental disorder is attested by many instances, both historical and more recent, in which the spread or clustering of psychiatric syndromes in populations could be related to nutritional deficiency, infectious disease, the presence of environmental neurotoxins, the social communication of psychopathology or the transmission of abnormal, harmful behaviour patterns within family groups. Observations made in clinical practice have repeatedly served as the starting point for epidemiological investigation of mental disorders, while conversely epidemiological findings have influenced clinical thinking about their classification, diagnosis, prognosis and morbid risk. A review of the relevant literature underlines the need for a keener awareness of environmental risk factors and a fundamentally epidemiological frame of reference in trying to grapple with the aetiological problems of mental disorder.
Multiple sclerosis presenting as a pure psychiatric disorder
Authors: Skegg Keren
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Using strict diagnostic criteria, 91 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were identified in a defined population of 112000. Of these patients, 29 were found to have been referred to a psychiatrist at least once. Their psychiatric records were searched for cases of MS presenting as a pure psychiatric disorder. Only 18 of the 30 psychiatric referrals before the diagnosis of MS involved purely mental symptoms, and there was no reason to suppose most of them to be related to MS. This study highlighted the problem of how to define a true psychiatric presentation of MS. The uncovering of two likely candidates among a population-based sample of 91 supported the existence of such a phenomenon, but it was concluded that the only way to ascertain how often purely mental symptoms might be the first manifestation of MS would be to conduct a large population-based study with controls.
Psychological and social correlates of the onset of affective disorders among pregnant women
Authors: Kitamura T. , Shima S. , Sugawara M. , Toda M. A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

One hundred and twenty women recruited from attenders at the antenatal clinic of the Obstetrics Department of a general hospital were asked to complete ad hoc questionnaires during pregnancy; they were then interviewed by psychiatrists using a structured diagnostic interview, the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS). Nineteen (16%) women were identified as having an onset of an affective disorder during the period of pregnancy, mainly (68%) during the first trimester. As compared with the women without any such onset (controls), the women with pregnancy-related affective disorder (PRAD) were characterized by (1) it being their first pregnancy or first delivery with past termination of pregnancy, (2) early loss of either parent by death, (3) high Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) Neuroticism (N) and Psychoticism (P) scores, (4) living in a flat with either a plan to stay there after the forthcoming childbirth or an expectation that their accommodation would be crowded, and (5) negative response to the news of the pregnancy by the husband with low intimacy. The effects of these factors were additive since the probability of developing a PRAD episode was highly correlated with the number of factors reported.
Can children with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome edit their intentions?
Authors: Baron-Cohen S. , Cross P. , Crowson M. , Robertson M.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

In this paper we describe a cognitive mechanism, the Intention Editor, which is triggered whenever there are several intentions competing in parallel with each other. This mechanism is hypothesized to be a subcomponent of a larger mechanism, the Supervisory Attentional System (SAS: Shallice, 1988) which serves inhibition in general. The Intention Editor interrupts one of several simultaneously activated intentions, preventing it from executing its action, utterance, or thought. This mechanism appears to develop during the first five to six years of life. We propose that an impairment in the development of this mechanism may account for the triad of symptoms in children with Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS): involuntary movements, involuntary utterances, and obsessive thoughts. This mechanism is tested with normal children aged 3–6 years old, and with children with GTS, in two experiments.

In Experiment 1, subjects were required to make one hand movement while inhibiting making a (different) hand movement that the other hand was simultaneously making. In Experiment 2, they were asked to say one thing while inhibiting saying something else. On both tasks, normal 6-year-olds were significantly better than normal 4-year-olds, but children with GTS performed worse than normal 6-year-olds, despite having a mean age of 12 years. These results constitute preliminary evidence for the theory that the Intention Editor is dysfunctional in GTS.
The Gospel Oak Study stage III: the incidence of dementia
Authors: Boothby H. , Blizard R. , Livingston G , Mann A. H.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Of an original sample of 705 elderly (aged over 65) community residents 71% were rescreened after two years and four months using Short CARE. Thirty-one (6·7%) subjects were identified as possible new cases of dementia, implying a mean annual inception rate among the survivors of 26 per 1000. These were subjected to full clinical assessment, which yielded 10 cases of Alzheimer's disease (8 per 1000) and 5 multi-infarct dementia (4 per 1000). The remainder of the cases consisted of 6 with a dementia secondary to other causes, 1 case of mixed dementia and there was insufficient information to classify the remaining 3. Six were found not to be suffering from dementia. This yields an overall annual incidence rate for dementia among the survivors of 20 per 1000.
Multiple reciprocal relationships betweenin vivocellular immunity and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in depression
Authors: Maes M. , Meltzer H. Y. , Stevens W. , Cosyns P. , Blockx P.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Major depression is reportedly characterized by increased activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and byin vivoimmune activation. The present study was carried out in order to investigate the relationships between HPA-axis activity andin vivoimmune function in depression. Towards this end the following parameters were measured: 24 h urinary cortisol (UC) excretion; basal and post-dexamethasone (DST) plasma cortisol, β-endorphin/β-lipotropin (βEND/βLPH) and dexamethasone concentrations; and leucocyte subsets (i.e. lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, CD4+, CD4+CD45RA+, CD4+CD45RO+, CD8+, CD8+CD57+, CD8+CD57−, HLA-DR+, CD25+T cells, HLA-DR+, CD19+, CD20+, and CD21+B cells) both pre-and post-DST. Dexamethasone administration (1 mg orally) induced leucocytosis, lymphocytopaenia, monocytopaenia and neutrophilia. HPA-axis non-suppressors exhibited a relative resistance to the enhancing (e.g. neutrophils) or depressant (e.g. lymphocytes, CD4+T cells) effects of dexamethasone. There were significant correlations between UC excretion and the number of percentage of lymphocytes, monocytes, CD4+CD45RA+and CD8+CD57−T cells (negatively) and neutrophils (positively). It is concluded that multiple and complex intertwined relationships between HPA-axis hyperactivity and systemic immune stimulation participate in the pathophysiology or pathogenesis of major depression.
Complaints of cognitive decline in the elderly: a comparison of reports by subjects and informants in a community survey
Authors: Jorm A. F. , Christensen H. , Henderson A. S. , Korten A. E. , Mackinnon A. J. , Scott R.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

In a community survey, subjects and their informants were asked the same questions about memory and intellectual decline in the subjects. Subjects and informants both commonly reported cognitive decline, although in most cases the decline was not seen as interfering with daily life. However, when responses from subjects and informants were cross-tabulated, agreement was found to be poor. For subjects, reports of cognitive decline were correlated with anxiety and depression symptoms and with trait neuroticism. Subjects' reports were uncorrelated with age and only weakly correlated with cognitive test performance, indicating little validity. By contrast, informants' reports were correlated with the subjects' cognitive test performance and age, but also with the informants' own anxiety and depression symptoms. Although informants' reports have validity, they may also be contaminated by the informants' affective state.
A controlled investigation of right hemispheric processing enhancement after restricted environmental stimulation (REST) with floatation
Authors: Raab Jody , Gruzelier John
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Two groups of 16 subjects, 8 of each gender, were examined on two occasions, one group before and after restricted environmental stimulation with floatation, and the other group without floatation was the control group. They were examined with a tactile object discrimination task carried out with each hand separately while blindfolded, and with a recognition memory test for words and unfamiliar faces, a test validated on neurological patients with left and right hemispheric lesions respectively. Consistent with both tasks the floatation group showed a significantly greater enhancement of right hemispheric processing after floatation than was found when retesting the controls. The results were distinguished from previous research on hypnosis where the same relative state of hemispheric imbalance was achieved with the same tasks, but largely through inhibitory influences on the left hemisphere.
Bulimia comorbidity in the general population and in the clinic
Authors: Bushnell J. A. , Wells J. E. , McKenzie J. M. , Hornblow A. R. , Oakley-Browne M. A. , Joyce P. R.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This study compares rates of comorbidity of lifetime psychiatric disorder in a clinical sample of women with bulimia, with general population base rates, and with rates of comorbidity among bulimic women in the general population. Eighty-four per cent of the clinical sample of bulimic women had a lifetime affective disorder, and 44% a lifetime alcohol or drug disorder. These rates of disorder were significantly higher than the base rates in the general population. Bulimic women in the general population also had more affective and substance-use disorders than the general population base rates, but the rates of these disorders were lower than found in the clinical sample. In the general population, quite similar rates of other disorders including generalized anxiety, panic, phobia and obsessive–compulsive disorder, are found among those with bulimia, substance-use disorder and depression. Furthermore, among those with depression and substance-use disorder in the general population, rates of eating disorder are comparable. Rather than suggesting a specific relationship between bulimia and either depression or substance-use disorder, the data from this study suggest that the presence of any disorder is associated with a non-specific increase in the likelihood of other psychiatric disorder.
The effect of social adversity on the fatigue syndrome, psychiatric disorders and physical recovery, following glandular fever
Authors: Bruce-Jones W. D. A. , White P. D. , Thomas J. M. , Clare A. W.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Two hundred and fifty patients attending primary care with glandular fever or an upper respiratory tract infection were studied prospectively up to 6 months after onset. Of these patients 228 were interviewed with the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule and the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, giving Research Diagnostic Criteria for psychiatric disorders. The experience of severe social adversity (provoking agents) had a significant association with psychiatric disorder at 2 months (odds ratio = 5·3) and 6 months (odds ratio = 5·8) after onset of infection. This association was especially significant for depressive illness (odds ratio = 9·1 at 2 months and 11·9 at 6 months). In contrast, social adversity had little association with the development of the post-infectious fatigue syndrome, or delayed physical recovery. Social adversity may be an important maintaining factor for psychiatric disorders, especially depressive illness, following acute infections.
An investigation of the adequacy of MEDLINE searches for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the effects of mental health care
Authors: Adams C. E. , Power A. , Frederick K. , Lefebvre C.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Valid reviews of the effects of mental health care depend on identifying as high a proportion as possible of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). To investigate the sensitivity and precision both of MEDLINE and of hand-searching for RCTs in mental health, 12 journals specializing in mental health and indexed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) for MEDLINE were searched for the years 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986 and 1991. The sensitivity of the hand-search was 94% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 93–95%), but it had a precision of only 7% (CI 6–8%). The optimal MEDLINE search had a sensitivity of only 52% (CI 48–56%) and precision of 59% (CI 55–63%). Of the reports of RCTs identified by the hand-search, 9% (CI 7–11 %) were not included in MEDLINE at all. Authors had included methodological descriptions in 84% (CI 80–88%) of RCTs found by the hand-search but missed by the MEDLINE search. Systematic reviews of mental health care which are based solely on MEDLINE searches of the literature will miss a large proportion of the relevant RCTs, and are thus liable to random error and bias. A register of mental health RCTs is urgently required.
Stability and change in low self-esteem: the role of psychosocial factors
Authors: Andrews Bernice , Brown George W.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Low self-esteem, defined as negative evaluation of self (NES), has been shown to play a significant role in the development of depression at a case level (Brown et al. 1986). This study investigated the stability of this risk factor in 102 women over a 7-year period and examined psychosocial factors that might influence change. At the end of the 7 years about half of those originally identified as having NES no longer had it, but very few moved in the reverse direction to NES. Level of depressive symptomatology also decreased but this was not a sufficient explanation for the substantial improvement in self-esteem. Life changes that involved an improvement in the quality of close relationships or an increase in work status appeared to be the most important factors in positive NES change. Ratings made at the time of first contact of environmental difficulties and positive evaluation of self (measured independently of NES) were related to positive NES change, but only via their link with positive life changes occurring in the 7-year follow-up period.
Factors that mediate between child sexual abuse and adult psychological outcome
Authors: Romans S. E. , Martin J. L. , Anderson J. C. , O'Shea M. L. , Mullen P. E.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The psychological outcome for a random community sample of women who had experienced significant childhood sexual abuse was assessed, using two outcome measures: (i) psychiatric morbidity (measured with the short PSE); (ii) self-esteem. Sexual abused women with a good outcome, i.e. who were not a PSE ‘case’ or who had high self-esteem were compared with abused women with a poor outcome. This paper describes the post-abuse factors that modified the two outcomes.

In general, a range of variables, all correlated with each other in a complex manner, distinguished good outcome subjects from poor outcome subjects. Post-abuse adolescent variables included family factors (poor mother–father and parent–child relationships), high school factors (poor academic, sporting and social performance) and early pregnancy. Women who had a good adolescent relationship with their father did better than expected statistically. Sport emerged as an alternative at secondary school to academic achievement in catalysing a good psychological outcome.

Adult factors included the quality of relationship with partner, which was associated with a good outcome on both measures. Current paid employment was linked to high self-esteem but not to lowered psychiatric morbidity, while the converse applied for high socio-economic status. These findings imply that different processes operate for each outcome measure.

A clear recognition by the school of childhood sexual abuse may help to provide the opportunity for the girl to experience success in some arena; this in turn may protect her against the likely adult consequences of low self-esteem and increased psychiatric morbidity.
Measuring disease severity in patients with end-stage renal disease: validity of the Craven et al. ESRD Severity Index
Authors: Griffin K. W. , Friend R. , Wadhwa N. K.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The validity of a recently developed measure of disease severity, the End-stage Renal Disease Severity Index (Craven et al. 1991) was examined in haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients (total N = 82). Scores on the ESRD Severity Index were compared with three commonly identified components of disease severity: physiological indices of severity, functional status, and psychological burden of illness. For the entire group of subjects, scores on the ESRD Severity Index were negatively associated with functional ability and positively related to physiological severity. ESRD Severity Index scores showed a weaker relationship with psychological burden of illness which depended in part on treatment mode. Disease severity scores were positively related to depression in CAPD patients but not in HD patients. These findings suggest that the ESRD Severity Index is a valuable research tool with construct validity.
Suicide among psychiatric hospital in-patients
Authors: Roy Alec , Draper Ronald
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

We examined for risk factors for suicide among psychiatric in-patients by comparing 37 in-patients from an Ontario Provincial Psychiatric Hospital who had committed suicide with 37 age and sex matched in-patient controls. Significantly more of the suicide victims had made a previous suicide attempt (62·2 v. 35·1%), suffered from schizophrenia (75·7 v. 35·1%), were involuntary at their last admission (70·3 v. 43·2%) and lived alone (70·3 v. 43·2%). Only six patients committed suicide on the ward. Almost a third of the patients, the majority schizophrenic, committed suicide after having been in the hospital for more than a year. These results suggest that in the psychiatric hospital setting the in-patient at risk for suicide has previously exhibited suicidal behaviour, suffers from schizophrenia, was admitted involuntarily, lives alone and that the risk of suicide may remain high among long-stay schizophrenics.
The role of creatine kinase in the diagnosis of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Authors: O'Dwyer Anne-Marie , Sheppard Noel P.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Elevation of serum creatine kinase (CK) concentrations occurs almost invariably in neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). However, the role of CK levels in the diagnosis of the syndrome remains controversial. This study measured CK levels in patients who became pyrexial while on psychotropic medication and thereby mimicked some of the features of NMS. In all of these cases a diagnosis of infectious illness was made and patients responded to appropriate antibiotic therapy without alteration in psychotropic medication. Two other groups were studied for comparison – patients on psychotropics who were apyrexial and patients who became pyrexial but were not on psychotropics. Significant, unexpected elevations of CK were documented in 70% of those patients who became pyrexial while on psychotropics – in three cases elevation of concentrations to more than 1000 IU/1 (ten times reference value) were found. Thirty per cent of patients who became pyrexial but were not on psychotropics also developed elevation of CK but this was of a much smaller magnitude (lt; 200 IU/1 in five out of six cases). The results of the study suggest that elevation of CK is a non-specific finding, particularly in patients who become pyrexial on psychotropics. Use of CK as a diagnostic criterion may lead to overdiagnosis of NMS.
Familial resemblance of schizotypic traits
Authors: Berenbaum Howard , McGrew John
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The goal of this study was to examine the familial resemblance of schizotypic traits, and to explore whether different schizotypic traits are familially related to one another. Several of the Chapmans' psychosis proneness scales were administered to a group of college students and their families. Evidence of at least some familial resemblance was found for both physical anhedonia and perceptual aberration, though it was stronger for anhedonia. Anhedonia and perceptual aberration appeared to be familially influenced independently of one another. Finally, the results indicated that offspring resembled their mothers more than they resembled their fathers on both anhedonia and perceptual aberration.
Parental representation in twins discordant for schizophrenia
Authors: Onstad Sidsel , Skre Ingunn , Torgersen Svenn , Kringlen Einar
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Parental representation was assessed with the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) in 12 monozygotic (MZ) and 19 dizygotic (DZ) same-sexed twin pairs discordant for DSM-III-R schizophrenia. The schizophrenic twins reported less care and more overprotection from both parents than the non-schizophrenic co-twins. Multiple regression analysis disclosed that the results were independent of sex and age. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrated that whether the twins were monozygotic or dizygotic had no impact on the results. A stepwise discriminant analysis showed that difference in perceived paternal protection was the most important variable distinguishing between schizophrenic probands and their non-schizophrenic co-twins.
Korsakoff's syndrome, cognition and clonidine
Authors: O'Carroll R. E. , Moffoot A. , Ebmeier K. P. , Murray C. , Goodwin G. M.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Eighteen patients suffering from Alcoholic Korsakoff's Syndrome participated in a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over trial of clonidine 0·3 mg b.d. for two weeks versus matched placebo for two weeks. A detailed neuropsychological assessment was carried out at the end of each treatment phase and staff ratings of behaviour were also obtained. Clonidine treatment resulted in no significant improvement over placebo on any of the cognitive measures employed. The results contradict previous smaller studies which had suggested that chronic treatment with clonidine had a memory-enhancing effect in Korsakoff's syndrome.
Depression-related impairment: estimating concurrent and lingering effects
Authors: Tweed Dan L.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This article examines the effects of depression in the sphere of social functioning. On the basis of previous research, it is hypothesized that a major depressive episode has both concurrent and lingering effects and that these effects are a function of the clinical features associated with the episode. This hypothesis is examined using a large community sample and a non-linear model containing both concurrent and lingering effect parameters. The results corroborate the hypothesized effects. Limitations of the current study are discussed and suggestions are offered regarding appropriate research designs. It is suggested that the most general limitation is theoretical. The existence of lingering effects is a phenomenon which presents a theoretical challenge that may prove strategic in understanding the nature and course of depression.
Cardiovascular effects of traffic noise: the role of negative self-statements
Authors: Vera M. N. , Vila J. , Godoy J. F.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This study assesses cardiovascular and subjective effects of traffic noise and the mediator role that negative self-statements play. Eighty-four female students underwent a Physiological Reaction Test to two 15 min presentations of high intensity traffic noise (85–95 db) under two noise conditions, with and without negative self-statements. Half of the subjects were given specific instructions to increase the credibility of the self-statements. Dependent variables were heart rate (HR), blood volume pulse amplitude from both temporal arteries and subjective tension. Traffic noise provoked subjective tension and cardiovascular responses that did not habituate either within or between noise presentations. Negative self-statements had the greatest effect on HR. In fact, this response habituated to a second noise presented only when this condition was without negative self-statements. Instructions increased the effect of the self-statements only on the left temporal artery and also increased subjective tension. The implications of this physiological reactivity in psychosomatic problems and the importance of negative self-statements are discussed.
Cognitive function in depression: its relationship to the presence and severity of intellectual decline
Authors: Brown R. G. , Scott L. C. , Bench C. J. , Dolan R. J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Cognitive dysfunction is an integral feature of depression, in some cases of sufficient severity to warrant a diagnosis of dementia. There has been little systematic investigation of whether cognitive dysfunction is an inevitable consequence of depression, or is specific to a subgroup of depressed patients. Related to this is the distribution of cognitive dysfunction, whether there is a continuum of impairment or a distinct demented subgroup. Finally, there is the question of which aspects of cognitive function are most sensitive to the intellectual decline seen in depression. A study is described which addresses these issues. The distribution of global cognition was found to be normally distributed in the sample of 29 patients assessed. Based on this distribution and the scores of a control sample, the patients were classified as unimpaired, borderline or impaired. Two sets of independent comparisons were carried out. First, the unimpaired depressed patients were compared to matched non-depressed controls. Significant deficits were found on a range of neuropsychological measures covering aspects of language function, memory, both recall and recognition, attention and behavioural regulation. These same patients were also compared with two groups of matched depressed patients, with varying degrees of global cognitive impairment. In general, the cognitive measures showed a gradient of dysfunction across the three patient groups. Significant differences between the depressed groups were shown on measures of immediate recall, attention and behavioural regulation. The possible significance of attentional factors for the observed memory dysfunction is discussed.
A longitudinal study of the neuropsychiatric consequences of HIV-1 infection in gay men. I Neuropsychological performance and neurological status at baseline and at 12-month follow-up
Authors: Burgess A. P. , Riccio M. , Jadresic D. , Pugh K. , Catalan J. , Hawkins D. A. , Baldeweg T. , Lovett E. , Gruzelier J , Thompson C.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The aim of this study was to determine whether HIV infection is associated with neurological or neuropsychological impairment in the asymptomatic and early symptomatic stages of disease. Subjects included 61 gay men (41 HIV −, 20 HIV +) who were assessed at the time of requesting their first HIV test and again 12 months later. The assessments at baseline were conducted double-blind to HIV serostatus. Measures included a neuropsychological battery, neurological examination and full psychiatric assessment. There were no differences between the asymptomatic HIV + and HIV − groups at baseline or at follow-up in terms of mean scores on neuropsychological tests. Mean scores were within the normal range for all neuropsychological tests for both groups. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict each individual's performance at follow-up on the basis of their baseline performance, psychiatric state, neurological history and drug use for each of the neuropsychological tests. HIV + subjects were more likely than control subjects to perform at a significantly lower level at follow-up on one or more tests than predicted on the basis of their baseline performance.
Changes in attribution and expressed emotion among the relatives of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Brewin Chris R.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The study investigated whether reductions in hostility and criticism in the relatives of psychiatric patients would be associated with changes in their beliefs about the causes of the patients' symptoms and negative behaviours. Twenty-six relatives of patients with schizophrenia were assessed both before and after taking part in interventions designed to reduce levels of expressed emotion. Over the course of the interventions there was a general reduction in relatives' criticism and hostility, a shift towards making more universal attributions for patients' negative behaviours and more use of attributions to illness. Reductions in criticism were not related to attributional change, but reductions in hostility were associated with shifts towards more universal and uncontrollable attributions.
The course of psychological distress following threatened and actual conjugal bereavement
Authors: Hays J. C. , Kasl S. V. , Jacobs S. C.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

We measured multiple dimensions of distress among spouses (N = 440) of patients hospitalized for serious illness or elective surgery and compared the course of distress over 2 years of follow-up among five groups according to whether and when spouses were bereaved. Distress was related to the severity of the patient's illness, the actuality and timing of the bereavement, as well as the gender and age of the respondent.
Factorial study of the BDI in pregnant women
Authors: Salamero M. , Marcos T. , Gutiérrez F. , Rebull E.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This study was carried out to investigate the significance of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores and the influence of somatic items in a non-psychiatric population presenting with somatic complaints. Internal consistency, item frequency, factor dimensions, and correlation with Eysenck's ‘N’ were analysed in a sample of 882 non-psychiatric pregnant women. The BDI showed a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0·85). Factor analysis yielded two major factors. Low BDI scores were determined mainly by items related to somatic complaints or decreased activity without unequivocal depressive content. In contrast, it was unambiguous depressive items that were endorsed in high scores, and these showed higher correlations with neuroticism. It is concluded that in non-psychiatric populations the BDI may measure conditions other than depression and that low or medium range scores should not be interpreted as indicators of mild depressive symptomatology.
Hysterical fits previously diagnosed as epilepsy
Authors: Roy Alec
Published: July 2009

synopsis

Seventeen patients with hysterical fits, previously diagnosed and treated by neurologists as epileptics, were distinguished from a matched control group of 17 epileptics by 5 factors: a family history and personal history of psychiatric disorder, attempted suicide, sexual maladjustment, and a current affective syndrome.
Depressive illness: the role of aggression further considered
Authors: Cochrane Nils , Neilson Megan
Published: July 2009

synopsis

Measures of depression and undischarged drive were obtained for 292 psychiatric in-patients. In 200 of these cases inhibition of aggression was also assessed. All patients were classified as being endogenously depressed, reactively depressed, or as suffering from non-depressive primary disorders. The latter group was subdivided into secondarily depressed and non-depressed groups. The 3 depressed groups were then compared with the non-depressed subjects in respect of drive level and inhibition of aggression.

All 3 depressed groups showed significantly higher drive level than did the non-depressed subjects. The endogenous depressives also inhibited significantly more of their aggression than did the non-depressed subjects. These results are consistent with a drive inhibition theory of depression. However, while endogenous depression seems to be associated more specifically with the inhibition of aggression, reactive depression may be associated rather with the inhibition of drive generally.
Long-latency auditory event-related potentials in schizophrenia and in bipolar and unipolar affective disorder
Authors: Muir Walter J. , St. Clair David M. , Blackwood Douglas H. R.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Long-latency auditory event-related potentials were examined in 96 subjects with schizophrenia, 99 with bipolar affective disorder and 48 with major depressive (unipolar) disorder, and compared with 32 in-patient and 213 normal controls. The latency of the P3 component was significantly greater in the schizophrenic and bipolar subjects compared to other groups. The difference was stable with respect to clinical state at the time of testing and was not due to age differences or the effect of psychotropic medications. The results support the clinical distinction between bipolar and unipolar affective disorders, but also show that P3 change is not specific to schizophrenia and found in bipolar but not unipolar affective disorder.
Is age kinder to the initially more able? A study of eminent scientists and academics
Authors: Christensen Helen , Henderson A. S.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Elderly eminent academics and blue-collar workers were compared with Doctor of Philosophy students and trade apprentices to investigate whether intelligence and memory deteriorate at a slower rate in persons with high ability. The elderly groups showed decline on tests of perceptual-motor speed, visuospatial reasoning, inferential thinking and memory relative to the young subjects. Initial ability determined the level of intellectual performance, such that elderly academics maintained their initial advantage over the elderly blue-collar workers. However, with the exception of the Similarities subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the rate of change on tests of memory and intelligence did not differ for the high- and low-ability groups. The hypothesis that high ability is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline was not supported.
Four-year follow-up of teacher-reported problem behaviours
Authors: Verhulst Frank C. , Ende Jan Van Der
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

This study investigated the stability and change in teacher-reported problem behaviours across a four-year period. An epidemiological sample of 811 children aged 4–12 at the initial assessment was assessed twice with the Achenbach Teacher Report Form (TRF). We found medium stability in the level of TRF total problem scores. Highest stability was found for aggressive and other externalizing behaviours. Stability was higher for girls than for boys. Of the girls who could be regarded as disturbed at base line, 50% could still be so regarded four years later, whereas only 23% of the boys could be considered persistently disturbed across the study interval. Girls' scores on the Externalizing syndrome were especially stable.
Suicides and suicide attempts in cancer patients
Authors: Allebeck Peter , Bolund Christina
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Suicides and suicide attempts in cancer patients were analysed by following all patients treated for cancer in Stockholm County from 1975 to 1985. Among 59845 patients we identified 144 suicides and 196 suicide attempts during the follow-up, which represents a more than two-fold excess mortality from suicide and a moderately increased rate of suicide attempts. Although the absolute number of deaths from suicide in cancer patients is low, the increased risk highlights the problems of coping with severe illness and the need for psychological and social support in cancer care.
Demoralization and gender differences in a kibbutz
Authors: Levav Itzhak , Gilboa Shlomo , Ruiz Felipe
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Gender differences in demoralization (depressive symptoms) were examined in a firstever true prevalence study conducted in a kibbutz. The unusual organizational arrangements of this commune, where women have achieved higher levels of equality than in most other societies, offered a laboratory-like opportunity to test the psychosocial factors imputed as a partial explanation for the higher rates of demoralization in women.

Demoralization was studied using the 27-item scale of the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview (PERI) in all of the adult population of a single kibbutz. The response rate was close to 95%. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the effects of key sociodemographic and kibbutz-related variables on gender differences. The results showed that women had higher mean scores and rates even after these variables were controlled. The female: male demoralization ratio was well within the range of results obtained in non-socialist Israeli urban settings. The paper concludes with a discussion on the tentative relevance of the study results for the interpretation of the 2:1 female–male ratio of depression found in the epidemiological literature.
Prevalence of mental disorders in Sardinia: a community study in an inland mining district
Authors: Carta M. G. , Carpiniello B. , Morosini P. L. , Rudas N.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Using standardized interviews 374 subjects randomly selected among people living in two villages in a mining district in Sardinia (Italy), were studied. Of these, 57 subjects (15·2%) were identified as ‘cases’. Ten per cent of the sample was affected by a depressive syndrome and 4% by an anxiety disorder. Females were significantly more at risk for anxiety disorders, while a trend towards a major risk for depression emerged among middle-aged and elderly people. Of the sample 9·8% were taking benzodiazepines, with a significant over representation of females. Depressed subjects took benzodiazepines more frequently than anxious subjects, while the use of antidepressants was negligible.