bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moclobemide versus placebo in the treatment of depression: a multicentre study in Belgium
Authors: Botte L. , Gilles C. , Evrard J. L. , Mesters P. , Wolfram C. , Berger M. , Hellstern K. , Ward J.
Published: August 2007

Moclobemide was compared with placebo for antidepressant activity, tolerance and safety in 2 parallel groups of 23 and 24 depressed patients. At the end of treatment (4 weeks or longer), 9 patients on moclobemide (41%) showed an improvement >50% on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, compared with only 4 (17%) of those on placebo. The overall assessment of efficacy was significantly better for moclobemide (good or very good results in 50% of patients) than for placebo (80% poor results). Moclobemide was well or very well tolerated by 85% of patients and placebo by 100%. Moclobemide was thus shown to be clearly more effective than placebo and only slightly less well tolerated.
Moclobemide (Ro 11‐1163) versus imipramine in the treatment of depression
Authors: Casacchia M. , Moll E.
Published: August 2007

Moclobemide and imipramine were compared single‐blind in 2 groups of 20 depressed patients (75% and 65% endogenous depression respectively). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in improvement on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. The final overall assessment of efficacy was good or very good in 80% of the moclobemide patients and 55% on imipramine. Tolerance was good to very good in 95% of moclobemide patients, compared with 80% on imipramine. No severe adverse effects were reported in either group.
Moclobemide versus amitriptyline in the treatment of depression: two small double‐blind multicentre studies in Belgium
Authors: Beckers G. , Vereecken A. , de Bleeker E. , Jaunes C. , Sieben G. , Faidherbe J. , Wolfram C. , Berger M. , Hellstern K. , Ward J.
Published: August 2007

Moclobemide was compared with amitriptyline for antidepressent efficacy, safety and tolerance. Two studies were conducted, both over at least 4 weeks; in the first, 8 patients were given moclobemide in doses ranging from 300 to 328 mg, and 9 patients amitriptyline in doses of 75 to 96 mg; in the second, the numbers were 13 on moclobemide and 14 on amitriptyline, and the mean doses were 294‐408 mg and 95‐129 mg respectively. Both studies showed the 2 treatments to be equally effective, and there were no significant differences at any point. Moclobemide appeared slightly more effective and slightly better tolerated than amitriptyline, but the numbers were too small for any valid conclusion.
Moclobemide (Ro 11‐1163) versus tranylcypromine in the treatment of endogenous depression
Authors: Gabelic I. , Kuhn B.
Published: August 2007

In this study, moclobemide (100–350 mg daily) was compared with tranylcypromine (10–30 mg daily) in 40 patients with endogenous depression. Treatment was randomly allocated and most patients also received benzodiazepines or mild neuroleptics concomitantly. Improvement on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression at the end of treatment was 66% for moclobemide and 41% for tranylcypromine patients. There were 3 suspected tyramine reactions in patients on tranylcypromine. Tolerance was considered good or very good for 95% of moclobemide patients, and for 75% of tranylcypromine patients. No clinically relevant changes in laboratory data were attributed to either of the trial drugs. The results clearly favour moclobemide over tranylcypromine for both efficacy and tolerance in the treatment of endogenous depression.
Moclobemide compared with second‐generation antidepressants in elderly people
Authors: Vanna M. De , Kummer J. , Agnoli A. , Gentili P. , Lorizio A. , Anand R.
Published: August 2007

Two multicentre studies are described here; the first compared moclobemide with mianserin and the second with maprotiline, both in elderly patients with a DSM‐III diagnosis of major depressive episode. In the first study, 80 eligible patients were randomized to either moclobemide 300–500 mg or mianserin 75–125 mg per day for 4 weeks. Mean reduction in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) score was 52% in both groups. The overall assessment of efficacy was good or very good for 60% of the patients, and tolerance was considered good or very good for 85% of the patients in both groups; no significant differences between the 2 treatments were seen. The second study comprised 39 hospitalized patients randomized to either moclobemide 150–300 mg daily or maprotiline 75–150 mg daily for 6 weeks. At the end of treatment, HRSD scores declined 85% in both groups compared with baseline. The overall assessment of efficacy was over 90% good or very good in both groups. Tolerance was rated good or very good for 80% of moclobemide and 75% of maprotiline patients; none of these results differed significantly between the groups, indicating that moclobemide is as effective in elderly patients as the 2 second‐generation antidepressants. In view of the safety of moclobemide, it should be considered first‐line therapy for depression in elderly people.
Potential of moclobemide to improve cerebral insufficiency identified using a scopolamine model of aging and dementia
Authors: Wesnes K. , Anand R. , Lorscheid T.
Published: August 2007

After a baseline performance assessment, 28 healthy male volunteers received subcutaneous injections of scopolamine hydrobromide to induce deficits in memory, attention and cognitive processes. Subsequent performance testing established the decrements caused by the scopolamine, and then each subject was given one of 3 investigational drugs including moclobemide, or placebo, according to a latin‐square design. Parallel versions of the test procedures were used to assess drug effects on the scopolamine‐induced cognitive deficits. Whereas marked and statistically significant impairment was identified 60 min after scopolamine injection, the global analysis revealed statistically significant superiority of moclobemide over placebo at 120 min in relieving the scopolamine‐induced decrement in performance. These results show that moclobemide may improve cognition in conditions associated with cholinergic deficit. It may therefore be especially indicated in the treatment of cognitive decline occurring with normal aging, depression in elderly people and Alzheimer's disease.
Potentiation of the pressor effect of intravenously administered tyramine during moclobemide treatment
Authors: Zimmer R. , Fischbach R. , Breuel H. P.
Published: August 2007

Potentiation of the pressor effect of tyramine (TYR) by intravenous (i. v.) injection during moclobemide treatment was investigated in healthy volunteers and in depressed patients. The TYR sensitivity factor (TSF) is calculated as the ratio between the dose of TYR required to raise systolic blood pressure by 30 mmHg (TYR 30) without drug and that required with drug. After single‐dose administration the TYR 30 for 100 mg moclobemide was 1.8 mg, and those for moclobemide 200 and 300 mg 1.6, compared with 3.2 for placebo, giving corresponding TSF values of 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 respectively. Twenty‐four hours after moclobemide intake, only the 300‐mg dose yielded a mean TYR 30 value significantly different from placebo. The same doses of moclobemide given 3 times daily for 1 week resulted in a peak TSF of 2.0 with 100 mg, 2.9 with 200 mg and 3.3 with 300 mg (the latter dose being higher than normally recommended for 3 times daily administration). Nevertheless, 24 h after the last 300‐mg dose the TSF was 1.2, similar to that of a single dose. In a study of 17 depressed female patients treated with moclobemide 100 mg 3 times daily, no relevant differences were found in TSF values from those of the volunteers. The authors conclude that, because of the short‐lasting, reversible and selective MAO‐A‐inhibiting effect of moclobemide, there is no marked interaction with tyramine given by i. v. injection. No relevant difference was seen between depressed patients and healthy volunteers in the tyramine pressor effect. Although the potentiation of the pressor effect was time‐ and dose‐dependent, only a slight difference between 200 and 300 mg 3 times daily was observed, indicating that, in the event of overdosage, no major further increase in the potentiation of the pressor effect of tyramine is likely.
Interaction between orally administered tyramine and moclobemide
Authors: Zimmer R. , Puech A. J. , Philipp F. , Korn A.
Published: August 2007

This article describes a standardized oral tyramine pressor test designed to give information on safety aspects in the real everyday life situation where tyramine is ingested only with food. Results showed that significantly higher doses of tyramine were required to raise standing blood pressure by at least 30 mmHg (TYR 30) when it was taken with food than when subjects fasted. The same test was then conducted in 8 healthy volunteers during treatment with moclobemide 200 mg 3 times daily and tranylcypromine 10 mg 3 times daily. With moclobemide the mean TYR 30 dose was 306 mg, and the ratio of this to baseline was 5.0. With tranylcypromine, however, the mean TYR 30 dose was only 35 mg and the TSF ratio 38.2. The potentiation by tranylcypromine was thus 7.6 times greater than that of moclobemide. When tyramine was given in the food under treatment with MAO inhibitors, the TYR 30 doses were larger than those obtained under fasting conditions, but the TSF ratios were not altered. When the tyramine was given in a protein‐rich or a lipid‐rich meal, the previously established TYR 30 had significantly less effect on the blood pressure. The lowest TYR 30 dose during moclobemide treatment is at least 150 mg tyramine, an amount contained in about 300 g strong cheese or 100 g of yeast extract. These quantities are unlikely to be consumed in a normal meal. The corresponding TYR 30 dose for tranylcypromine, however, is only 20 mg tyramine, which can easily be contained in a fairly normal portion of strong cheese (40 g). This means that, when moclobemide 600 mg daily is taken as recommended (at the end of meals), food containing up to 150 mg tyramine can be ingested safely; such amounts are unlikely to be found in normal meals.
Relationship between tyramine potentiation and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition: comparison between moclobemide and other MAO inhibitors
Authors: Zimmer R.
Published: August 2007

The pharmacodynamic properties of moclobemide, a reversible inhibitor of MAO‐A (RIMA), were compared with the properties of other reversible as well as older irreversible MAO inhibitors in human subjects. All the substances supposed to have MAO‐A‐inhibitory activity, with the exception of toloxatone, were shown by the decrease in plasma DHPG or MHPG levels to cause inhibition ranging between 50% and 85%. Toloxatone and low doses of deprenyl (a MAO‐B inhibitor) caused 20% and 17% inhibition respectively; higher doses of deprenyl, however, strongly inhibited MAO‐A. MAO‐B inhibition was confirmed for all nonselective and selective MAO‐B inhibitors. Moclobemide and clorgyli‐ne were found to be the most highly selective MAO‐A inhibitors, although both also inhibited 30% of platelet MAO‐B activity. Potentiation of the tyramine pressor effect is mainly influenced by the irreversibility and degree of MAO‐A inhibition. Tyramine sensitivity was raised (a factor of 10–30) by all irreversible MAO inhibitors in doses inhibiting MAO‐A; it diminished with increasing reversibility. In therapeutic doses, moclobemide potentiated the intravenous tyramine pressor effect 3 times less than the old irreversible MAO inhibitors; with the highest therapeutic dose, the tyramine sensitivity factor for moclobemide is only one‐seventh to one‐tenth that of tranylcypromine or phenelzine. Duration of action is obviously also closely related to the reversibility of inhibition: it ranged from up to 2 days with high doses of moclobemide to 3 weeks with tranylcypromine; clorgyline and phenelzine have been shown to maintain their action for several months. The new generation of RIMAs represents a significant progress in safety. Among the RIMAs having significant pharmacodynamic activity, moclobemide appears to be the safest, the most selective and the most readily reversible.
Biotransformation of moclobemide in humans
Authors: Jauch R. , Griesser E. , Oesterhelt G. , Arnold W. , Melster W. , Ziegler W. H. , Guentert T. W.
Published: August 2007

The structure of the urinary metabolites formed after moclobemide administration in humans was elucidated, and the pattern compared with that in the plasma. The metabolic pathways of moclobemide were also compared with those of structurally related substances. After oral moclobemide administration, on average 95% of the dose was recovered in the urine within 4 days, with a mean of 92% being excreted during the first 12 h. The drug is extensively metabolized: less than 1 % of the dose was excreted unchanged. A total of 19 metabolites, accounting together for about 64% of the dose, was isolated and all metabolites accounting for more than 1 % of the dose were identified. Consistent with other morpholine‐containing compounds, metabolic pathways of moclobemide include mainly oxidative attack on the morpholine moiety, leading to a multitude of oxidation products. Four primary metabolic reactions were identified: morpholine N‐oxidation, aromatic hydroxylation, morpholine C‐oxi‐dation and deamination. The major metabolites in urine are 4 carboxylic acids (M7A and M7B, M8, M9) that account for 49% of the dose. Only 2 metabolites (M3, M10) were found to be hydroxylated on the aromatic nucleus. They were excreted completely as conjugates of glucuronic and/ or sulfuric acid. Conjugation in general, however, seems to be of minor importance in the overall biotransformation of the drug. The metabolite pattern in plasma was found to be qualitatively but not quantitatively similar to that observed in urine. Almost all of the main urinary metabolites were found in plasma as well. The unchanged parent compound and 2 primary oxidation products of the morpholine ring (M1, M15), which were present in urine only in trace amounts, could easily be detected in plasma.
Hypotensive action and weak potentiation of tyramine effect by moclobemide in rats
Authors: Prada M. Da , Burkard W. P.
Published: August 2007

Moclobemide belongs to a new class of reversible, selective monoamine oxidase‐A (MAO‐A) inhibitors; it is clinically well tolerated and has little liability to potentiate tyramine pressor effects. Measurement of blood pressure and heart rate in conscious, freely moving rats showed only a slight, nonsignificant decrease in mean arterial pressure in normotensive animals. However, in spontaneously hypertensive rats, moclobemide significantly decreased blood pressure by 20 mmHg within 30 min of oral intake of 30 mg/kg. In the same animals, heart rate was decreased by 20%; normal values returned after 2‐3 h. Tyramine alone in oral doses up to 15 mg/kg had no effect on blood pressure in normotensive rats, and after treatment with 30 mg/kg moclobemide, tyramine at 5 mg/kg did not alter mean arterial pressure, whereas there was a significant increase after doses of tranylcypromine, toloxatone and brofaromine. Higher doses of tyramine (10‐20 mg/kg) following moclobemide led to a rise of 30‐40 mmHg in pressure, but this had disappeared within 20 min. This effect was almost completely eliminated by desipramine, suggesting that coadministration of a norepinephrine uptake inhibitor with a reversible MAO inhibitor is likely to reduce the risk of tyramine‐induced hypertensive crisis. Thus, the authors conclude that moclobemide exerts only a slight hypotensive action in hypertensive rats, and differs from other MAO inhibitors in potentiating the pressor effect of tyramine only weakly.
Species‐specific biotransformation of moclobemide: a comparative study in rats and humans
Authors: Schoerlin M.‐P. , Prada M. Da
Published: August 2007

This study measured plasma concentration of moclobemide and 2 of its active metabolites in the rat after oral doses of 30 mg/kg moclobemide. The secondary amine metabolite Ro 16–3177 was found in rat plasma at all times investigated (up to 3 weeks); the peak concentration of 200 ng/ml was reached 15 min after administration of moclobemide. The primary amine 16–6491 was found after only 30 min at about 40 ng/ml, and remained at about one half to one third the level of the secondary amine. Unchanged moclobemide appeared in much higher concentrations than the metabolites initially, but declined rapidly to about the same level as Ro 16–3177 by 3 h. In the humans, peak concentrations of moclobemide were reached more slowly than in the rats, and neither of the amine metabolites was found in human plasma at any time. Metabolism of moclobemide, as has been shown for other morpholine compounds, is quantitatively different in rats and humans. Since the concentration of Ro 16–6491 in human plasma remains below the limit of detection, only a very weak inhibition of MAO‐B is produced in human platelets, and moclobemide can thus be considered a selective MAO‐A inhibitor in humans.
Depressive disorder in elderly Chinese people
Authors: Kua E. H.
Published: August 2007

This is a study of the prevalence of depressive disorder among elderly Chinese people living in the community in Singapore. A total of 612 subjects were assessed using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule. The prevalence of depressive disorder was found to be 4.6%. The rate was higher among Chinese people between 65‐74 years than among those 75 years and above, and also higher for females than males. The majority of cases were mild and the common symptoms were feelings of sadness, insomnia, headache, pessimism and tension. There was no depressive psychosis or mania.;
Stress, depression, and mania: relationship between perceived role of stressful events and clinical and biochemical characteristics
Authors: Swann A. C. , Secunda S. K. , Stokes P. E. , Croughan J. , Davis J. M. , Koslow S. H. , Maas J. W.
Published: August 2007

We investigated the perceived role of stressful events in episodes of major affective disorder in patients studied in the NIMH Clinical Research Branch Collaborative Program on the Psychobiology of Depression (Biological Studies). Using items from the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS), episodes were divided into environment‐sensitive (high perceived role of stressful events) and autonomous (minimal or no perceived role of stressful events). Patients with environment‐sensitive episodes had fewer previous episodes and a longer index episode. The groups did not differ with respect to age, gender, education, socioeconomic group, diagnosis, severity of illness, or eventual response to treatment. Unipolar depressed patients with environment‐sensitive episodes had lower CSF 5‐HIAA than those with autonomous episodes. Among bipolar depressed patients, those with autonomous episodes had elevated excretion of O‐methylated catecholamine metabolites and of epinephrine, while those with environment‐sensitive episodes had normal excretion of cate‐cholamines and metabolites. Manic subjects with environment‐sensitive episodes had elevated norepinephrine excretion, while this was normal in manics with autonomous episodes. Relationships between environmental sensitivity of affective episodes and neurotransmitter function therefore appear to be related to the type of episode.;
The antidepressant potential of oral S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine*
Authors: Rosenbaum J.F. , Fava M. , Falk W.E. , Pollack M.H. , Cohen L.S. , Cohen B.M. , Zubenko G.S.
Published: August 2007

S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine (SAMe), a naturally occurring brain metabolite, has previously been found to be effective and tolerated well in parenteral form as a treatment of major depression. To explore the antidepressant potential of oral SAMe, we conducted an open trial in 20 outpatients with major depression, including those with (n= 9) and without (n= 11) prior history of antidepressant nonresponse. The group as a whole significantly improved with oral SAMe: 7 of 11 non‐treatment‐resistant and 2 of 9 treatment‐resistant patients experienced full antidepressant response. Side effects were mild and transient.
Computed tomography scans and negative symptoms in schizophrenia: chronic schizophrenics with negative symptoms and nonenlarged lateral ventricles
Authors: Serban G. , George A. , Siegel S. , DeLeon M. , Gaffney M.
Published: August 2007

Computed tomography scans of 31 chronic schizophrenics with negative symptoms and 31 age‐matched normal volunteers were assessed for ventricular size, cortical atrophies, third ventricle diameter, and cerebellar atrophies. No significant differences were found in the size of the lateral ventricles or third ventricles between the chronic schizophrenics and the controls. The frontal horns in patients did show a tendency toward increased size compared with controls. Sulci width showed significant differences between patients and controls. The clinical variables, except for the memory test, did not correlate with any brain morphology. A meta‐analysis was performed on 17 studies that used the planimetric method in order to evaluate the relationships between the size of the lateral ventricles in patients and their respective controls. We found significant differences between the group of studies using normal controls and the group using medical controls.
Female alcoholics. III. Some clinical associations of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test and diagnostic implications
Authors: Blankfield A. , Maritz J. S.
Published: August 2007

In an age‐matched sample of male and female inpatient alcoholics of the same ethnic background, the mean Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) score declined significantly with age group and was lowest in elderly people. Females and first‐admission subjects recorded lower mean MAST scores. A correlation was noted in both sexes between reported alcohol consumption and MAST scores. Although screening tests such as MAST have been found of value in detecting alcoholism in high‐risk populations, this study of some of the MAST parameters in a clinical population suggests that some of the “invisible” and older alcoholics might not be grossly disturbed persons and that other more subtle behavioural clues to diagnosis should be determined. Despite the limitations inherent in any diagnostic technique, the ultimate detection of invisible alcoholics lies at the interface of clinical judgement, the use of screening tests, community awareness and the development of personal responsibility.
Personality traits in young adults with a history of conditioning‐treated childhood enuresis
Authors: Strömgren A. , Thomsen P. H.
Published: August 2007

At follow‐up, 29 young adults treated previously (ages 7‐14 years) for nocturnal enuresis by means of conditioning, mostly with a bed alarm, had shown no excess of mental abnormalities, including psychosomatic symptoms. To investigate whether the probands displayed personality traits that could be related to the former enuresis and its treatment, they were asked to answer a mailed questionnaire that attempts to find deviations of personality, the Karolinska Scales of Personality. The scores were compared with those of a group drawn from the general population in the same geographical area and matched for sex and age. The enuresis group was found to have moderately (but significantly) lower scores on socialization and higher scores on suspicion. Possible causes for these findings are discussed. It is concluded that conditioning therapy, which is usually successful in rapidly alleviating enuresis, can also be regarded as a safe treatment. According to this study, it does not seem to leave unwanted aftereffects that could be interpreted as expressions of persisting psychological conflicts.
Premenstrual anxiety and depression: comparison of objective psychological tests with a retrospective questionnaire
Authors: Chisholm G. , Jung S. O. J. , Cumming C. E. , Fox E. E. , Cumming D. C.
Published: August 2007

Increased anxiety and depression are among the most frequently reported psychological problems in women seeking help for severe symptomatic premenstrual change, but there has been little objective evaluation of these symptoms. We therefore examined the results of objective psychological testing in 40 women with no apparent psychiatric or psychological disorder who had reported moderate to extreme increased anxiety and depression on a retrospective assessment form. Scores on the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory and Institute of Personality and Ability Testing (IPAT) Depression Scale increased from the low symptom intermenstrual phase of the cycle (days 5–10) to the premenstrual phase (within the last 6 days of the cycle), suggesting that retrospective complaints of increased premenstrual anxiety and depression can be confirmed on objective psychological assessment. However, it was observed that the distribution of intermenstrual IPAT depression scores was bimodal. Cyclic changes varied among the tests depending upon the IPAT depression score. The study suggests that 2 populations may exist in this screened sample; one population appears to have “pure PMS” and the second groups manifests a premenstrual exacerbation of subclinical depression.
Physical illness and depression: the effects of acute physical illness on the mental state of psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Deahl M. P.
Published: August 2007

A patient is described with a severe agitated depression who made a dramatic recovery following an acute myocardial infarction. A retrospective case notes study was conducted to investigate the effects of a sudden physical illness on the mental state of a group of psychiatric inpatients. Seven patients were identified with agitated depression who improved considerably following an acute life‐threatening physical event. Patients with other forms of depression, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder showed either no change or underwent a deterioration in mental state.
Dopaminergic supersensitivity and vomiting among schizophrenic patients
Authors: Stedman T. J. , Whiteford H. A.
Published: August 2007

The prevalence of vomiting among schizophrenic inpatients was determined over a 6‐week period; 8 of 19 patients (42%) experienced at least one episode of vomiting and 3 (16%) experienced 4 episodes. A hypothesis that this may be a dopaminergic supersensitivity phenomenon is proposed, but no association with tardive dyskinesia, another putative supersensitivity phenomena, could be demonstrated. The authors suggest that vomiting among schizophrenic patients is usually underestimated and may at times be a serious clinical problem.
Reduced performance in tests of memory and visual abstraction in seamen exposed to industrial solvents
Authors: Moen B. E. , Riise T. , Haga E. M. , Fossan G. O.
Published: August 2007

Eighty‐five seamen exposed to a variety of organic solvents and hydrocarbon compounds during their work on chemical tankers were compared with 59 unexposed seamen. Visual memory, auditory memory and visual abstraction were examined 14 days or more after the last solvent exposure. Multivariate analyses were performed to control the effects of confounding factors such as age, alcohol consumption, smoking, cerebral concussions and educational level. Significant correlations were found between increasing solvent exposure and poor results in tests of auditory memory and visual abstraction. These results indicate adverse psychological effects caused by chronic organic solvent exposure.
The dexamethasone suppression test and completed suicide
Authors: Norman W. H. , Brown W. A. , Miller I. W. , Keitner G. I. , Overholser J. C.
Published: August 2007

The present study was undertaken to further explore the relationship between the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and suicide. Depressed inpatients who had undergone the DST at index admission and later committed suicide (n= 13) were matched for age, gender, diagnosis, and type of DST (1 mg, 2 mg) with depressed inpatients from the same hospital and study time period to form 2 groups: a suicide attempter group (n= 25) and a nonattempter group (n= 28). The suicide completers group had significantly higher 1600 postdexamethasone cortisol levels than the suicide attempters group and a significantly higher 1600 rate of DST nonsuppression compared with the suicide attempter + nonattempter combined group. Although the rate of DST nonsuppression did not differ between the suicide attempter and nonattempter groups, serious attempters had significantly higher 1600 cortisol levels and a statistically higher proportion of patients who completed suicide than nonserious attempters. Comparing suicide completers with and without DST nonsuppression revealed a marginal difference concerning the time of the DST to suicide, with the nonsuppressor group time to suicide being less than the suppressor group (4.3 months vs 11.7 months).
Mild tardive dyskinesia: an 8‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Yassa R. , Nair V.
Published: August 2007

The authors re‐examined 20 patients who were found to exhibit mild tardive dyskinesia (TD) involving only one body area in 1980. Of these, 11 still showed TD of the same degree, whereas 4 had no TD and 5 aggravated TD. The authors conclude that mild TD involving one body area should be included in prevalence studies and that Schooler & Kane's definition of minimal manifestation of TD should be extended to include these patients.
Seasonal mood variation: an epidemiological study in northern Norway
Authors: Haggag A. , Eklund B. , Linaker O. , Götestam K. G.
Published: August 2007

In an epidemiological study carried out in the town of Tromsö in northern Norway an extensive questionnaire was sent twice, in summer and winter, to 1000 subjects to investigate the degree of symptoms of mood variation (depression or hypomania) during the polar winter night and midnight sun seasons. The results suggest that the general population north of the Arctic Circle shows a major seasonal mood variation. It is suggested that seasonal mood variation is a chronobiological mood disturbance related to and probably precipitated by extreme variations in light. The therapeutic implications and preventive measures are discussed.
The availability of firearms and the use of firearms for suicide: a study of 20 countries
Authors: Lester D.
Published: August 2007

The availability of firearms in a country was measured by noting the percentage of homicides committed using a firearm. This measure of gun availability was found to be positively associated with the suicide rate using firearms and negatively associated with the suicide rate using all other methods. The implications of these findings for suicide prevention are discussed.
Suicidal thoughts during early adolescence: prevalence, associated troubles and help‐seeking behavior
Authors: Choquet M. , Menke H.
Published: August 2007

A total of 1600 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 16 living in a county bordering on Paris were interviewed concerning their health, their use of drugs, both legal and illegal, their behavior, and their seeking of health care. Fourteen percent of the boys and 23% of the girls had already thought about suicide and 5% and 10% (respectively) proclaimed having thought about it frequently. Young adolescents who thought about suicide, the girls as well as the boys, had more health problems (fatigue, nightmares, insomnia), used more drugs (including tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, psychotropic medicine) and had more delinquent behavior (robbery, running away from home, racketeering). Furthermore, the girls had problems in school (absenteeism and being left back). In general, youngsters with suicidal thoughts resorted to violence in a variety of ways. Although these youngsters spoke less readily about their personal problems, they more frequently sought physical health care (doctors, nurses, social workers). This discrepency between their difficulty in communication and their readiness to ask for physical care is a clear indication of their need to be helped.
Attempted‐suicide trends in Stockholm County, Sweden, 1975‐1985
Authors: Wasserman D. , Spellerberg S.
Published: August 2007

A total of 22,961 admissions, representing 19,127 individuals, diagnosed as certain or undetermined attempted suicide were registered in the computer medical information system in Stockholm County for the study period 1975–1985. Two different statistical regression models were used to describe the trends of attempted suicide and undetermined attempted suicide. A simple linear ordinary least squares model generally performed better at describing the observed rates in sex‐ and age‐specific rates of attempted suicide when the diagnosis of attempted suicide was certain. Significantly increasing attempted‐suicide trends for men over 35 and women over 45 as well as for all ages pooled for both men and women were found. Undetermined attempted suicides were described better by a quadratic model than by the linear model. Women 35–44 and 65–85 years old and men 25–54 years old were found to have an increasing initial phase followed by a leveling out in the rates around 1980–1982, with weak evidence that the rate might even be slowly decreasing. Comparing earlier findings of decreasing rates in completed suicides for all ages, and findings in this study of increasing attempted‐suicide trends during the same period, we believe that improved somatic and psychiatric treatment of attempted‐suicide patients may partly account for the decreased rates of completed suicides.
Relationship between involuntary admission and the therapeutic process in a closed ward functioning as a therapeutic community
Authors: Isohanni M. , Nieminen P.
Published: August 2007

In a therapeutic community for acute psychiatric patients, the relationship between involuntary admission (13.6% of the episodes) and some patient and program characteristics was analyzed, using a total of 1586 treatment episodes in 838 patients between 1978–1987. Based on a logistic regression model, an elevated relative risk of involuntary admission was seen in the diagnostic groups of schizophreniform psychosis, unspecific psychosis, paranoid psychosis, and borderline psychosis. Also, the association with involuntary admission increased in the first or second treatment episode, or for patients that had a controversial or negative immediate outcome, for young patients under 21 years, and for patients who were passive in individual therapy. Still, the difference in outcome was minimal, and there were no differences in group or milieu therapy activity. The results suggest that involuntary admission is not necessarily a traumatic, negative experience in subsequent treatment episodes or in the patient career. The modified therapeutic community model presented contains peer and family support and ample opportunity to discuss and negotiate, which may alleviate the possible narcissistic pain of involuntary admission.
Visuospatial impairment in depression: a controlled ECT study
Authors: Rossi A. , Stratta P. , Nistico R. , Sabatini M. D. , Di Michele V. , Casacchia M.
Published: August 2007

In order to study the effect of bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on visuospatial function in depression, a comparison was made between the performance of 20 ECT‐treated patients and 20 healthy controls on a battery of neuropsychological tests including the Complex Figure Test (CFT) and the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). The CFT but not the MMSE performances of depressives vs controls were impaired in pre‐ECT testing. While ECT does not affect visuospatial performance, cognitive deficits are unveiled by MMSE. Possible meanings of these findings are discussed.
Psychopathological characteristics in alcohol hallucinosis and paranoid schizophrenia
Authors: Soyka M.
Published: August 2007

In a retrospective study psychopathology, psychiatric family history and demographic data were studied in 53 patients with alcohol hallucinosis and an age‐ and sex‐matched control group of 53 patients with paranoid schizophrenia who had been treated at the Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Munich between 1979 and 1986. The psychopathology was assessed by the AMDP system. The paranoid‐hallucinatory symptoms in both conditions were very similar; verbal hallucinations and delusions of reference were most common in both groups. Disorders of ego were found in 87% of the schizophrenics, but only 30% of the alcoholic patients (P < 0.001). Schizophrenics developed psychosis at a younger age than alcoholics and seemed to have poorer outcome. Patients with alcohol hallucinosis had more relatives with an alcohol history (P < 0.001), and schizophrenics more relatives with schizophrenic psychosis (P < 0.001).
Hostility, hopelessness and deliberate self‐harm: a prospective follow‐up study
Authors: Brittlebank A. D. , Cole A. , Hassanyeh F. , Kenny M. , Simpson D. , Scott J.
Published: August 2007

Sixty‐one consecutive patients who presented following an episode of deliberate self‐harm (DSH) were assessed on a number of variables, including measures of hopelessness and hostility. Attempts were made to follow all of the patients. Those who were known to have had a further episode of DSH had significantly higher levels of hopelessness and intropunitive hostility after the index episode than those who did not repeat. The question of vulnerability to DSH is discussed as well as the possibility of using measures of hopelessness and intropunitive hostility to identify those at greater risk of repetition.
Affective symptoms associated with the onset of major depression in the community: findings from the US National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program
Authors: Dryman A. , Eaton W. W.
Published: August 2007

This study examined the strength of relationships between forms of depressive symptoms over a one‐year period and the onset of major depression. The data analyzed were collected in 4 sites of the US National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program (NIMH‐ECA, 1981–1985). The Diagnostic Interview Schedule's specifications of DSM‐III criteria for major depression were employed. Overall, the results indicated a strong positive association between an onset episode and the following depressive symptoms over 1 year: diminished sexual drive, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt and trouble concentrating or thinking. Sleep disturbance among women and fatigue among males were also significantly associated with experiencing an onset of major depression. The implications of the findings for secondary prevention efforts are explored.
A comparison of the mental status, personality profiles and life events of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulcer disease
Authors: Dinan T. G. , O'Keane V. , O'Boyle C. , Chua A. , Keeling P. W. N.
Published: August 2007

Forty patients with a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 32 patients with peptic ulcer disease underwent a full psychiatric assessment. All were rated using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale, the Life Experiences Survey and the Eysenck Personality Inventory. The 2 groups were not distinguishable on total GSRS scores or rates of DSM‐III diagnosed mental disorder. However, greater trait scores for neuroticism and introversion were found in the IBS group, together with a greater reporting of life events perceived as negative.
Platelet imipramine binding and serotonin uptake in obsessive‐compulsive patients
Authors: Vitiello B. , Shimon H. , Behar D. , Stoff D. , Bridger W. H. , Friedman E.
Published: August 2007

Platelet imipramine binding was measured in 16 drug‐free nondepressed patients (aged 20‐61 years, mean ± SD 35 ± 8) suffering from obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) and in 16 sex‐, race‐ and age‐matched healthy controls. Imipramine binding capacity and affinity were not different in the 2 groups. Platelet serotonin (5‐HT) uptake capacity, Vmax, was also measured in 15 of these patients and their matched controls. Vmax was significantly higher in the patients (309 ± 149 pmol/109 cells/min) than in the controls (181 ± 110). An increase in platelet 5‐HT uptake supports the involvement of 5‐HT in OCD and may suggest that a hyperactive serotonergic system is present in this disorder.
Rapid eye movement latency and mood following a delay of bedtime in healthy subjects: do the effects mimic changes in depressive illness?
Authors: David M. M. , MacLean A. W. , Knowles J. B. , Coulter M. E.
Published: August 2007

The phase advance hypothesis proposes that a phase advance of certain circadian rhythms (such as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep propensity) relative to the sleep‐wake cycle is implicated in the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of depression. In an earlier study, we reported that a 6‐h delay of sleep in normals produced REM changes that resembled the depressive pattern. Mood change was generally modest, although 2 of the 10 subjects became noticeably depressed. This study assessed the replicability of these results, and introduced a phase advance control condition. Predicted changes were observed in REM parameters. Modest but reliable mood change was confined to the first night of the phase delay, and was attributed to sleep loss. These results suggest that the effects of the phase shift were relatively benign, except in a minority of cases. Such individuals may have a susceptibility to depression that manifests itself under certain conducive physiological conditions.
Validity and reliability of the Dysfunctional Behaviour Rating Instrument
Authors: Molloy D. W. , Mcllroy W. E. , Guyatt G. H. , Lever J. A.
Published: August 2007

The objective of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Dysfunctional Behaviour Rating Instrument (DBRI) in cognitively impaired older adults living in the community. A total of 184 adults with suspected cognitive impairment received a standardized history, physical examination and work‐up that included the Standardized Mini‐Mental State Examination. Caregivers scored a DBRI Behaviour Problem Checklist (BPC) and Lawton Scale for each patient. The reliability of the DBRI, measured by an intraclass correlation coefficient, was 0.75. The correlation coefficient between the DBRI and the BPC total score was 0.71. The correlations between the DBRI and the cognitive, activities of daily living and self‐care domain scores of the BPC were lower (0.66, 0.38 and 0.26 respectively). The DBRI is a specific, reliable and valid caregiver‐reported measure of dysfunctional behaviour in cognitively impaired elderly living in the community.
Serotonergic interhemispheric asymmetry: gender difference in the orbital cortex
Authors: Arató M. , Frecska E. , Tekes K. , MacCrimmon D. J.
Published: August 2007

The asymmetry of tritiated imipramine (IMI) binding sites (which are associated with serotonergic mechanisms) were investigated in the orbital frontal cortex in 6 women and men who died of natural causes, and who did not have a history of mental disorders. There was significant interhemispheric asymmetry in both sexes, higher Bmax on the right side compared with the left. The Bmax values of IMI binding in the right orbital cortex in women were significantly higher than in men. Our preliminary findings – gender difference of serotonergic mechanisms in some area of the human brain ‐ are in accordance with the observed gender differences in a variety of serotonin‐regulated behaviors (sexual behavior, aggression and impulse control), and serotonergic mental disorders (eating disorders, suicidal behavior, anxiety disorders and depression).
Efficacy and safety of alprazolam, imipramine and placebo in treating panic disorder. A Scandinavian multicenter study
Authors: Andersch S. , Rosenberg N. K. , Kullingsjö H. , Ottosson J.‐O. , Bech P. , Bruun‐Nansen J. , Hanson L. , Lorentzen K. , Mellergård M. , Rasmussen S. , Rosenberg R.
Published: August 2007

As part of the cross‐national collaborative panic study, a double‐blind comparison of alprazolam, imipramine and placebo was performed in Scandinavian outpatients with panic disorder according to DSM‐III; 41 patients were randomly allocated to each drug. Doses were increased for 3 weeks to an average of about 6 mg alprazolam, 150 mg imipramine and a corresponding number of placebo capsules, which were then given for 5 weeks. No more than supportive psychotherapy was given. Key symptoms were rated weekly. The drugs were tapered for 4 or 8 weeks and the patients were followed up for 6 months. Compliance at 3 weeks was 95% for alprazolam, 83% for imipramine and 88% for placebo; at 8 weeks 95% for alprazolam, 73% for imipramine and 46% for placebo. At 3 weeks plasma determination showed that the proportion taking diazepam outside the protocol was 0% for alprazolam, 19% for imipramine and 31% for placebo; at 8 weeks the corresponding proportions were 3%, 11% and 16%. Intention‐to‐treat analysis showed that freedom from panic attacks was obtained for 68% with alprazolam, 61% with imipramine and 34% with placebo. Alprazolam was more effective than imipramine and placebo on anticipatory anxiety and phobic symptoms. Globally rated by physicians and patients, about 60% had complete remission with alprazolam and imipramine and 30% on placebo. At least partial remission was obtained in about 85% with alprazolam, 70% with imipramine and 40% with placebo. Alprazolam had a more rapid onset of action than imipramine on all symptoms. Side effects were generally mild, with a preponderance of drowsiness for alprazolam and anticholinergic effects for imipramine. Tapering was uneventful without significant discontinuation phenomena. During taper and follow‐up, several patients in remission relapsed, leaving approximately 30% patients in complete remission in all groups. To obtain more stable improvement, either long‐term drug treatment or combinations of drug treatment and psychotherapy should be evaluated.
Cholinergic neuropharmacology: an update
Authors: Palacios J. M. , Boddeke H. W. G. M. , Pombo‐Villar E.
Published: August 2007

The current status of the pharmacology of central cholinergic transmission is reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the compounds that have been or are potential candidates as therapeutic agents for the treatment of mental disorders, particularly senile dementia. Compounds affecting acetylcholine synthesis, storage and release, affecting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, acting on nicotinic cholinergic receptors, as well as compounds acting on muscarinic cholinergic receptors are reviewed. It is concluded that the most promising approaches for the development of new therapeutic agents might be specific acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and compounds with specific action at only one of the muscarinic cholinergic receptor subtypes.
Cholinergic strategies in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Davidson M. , Stern R. G. , Bierer L. M. , Horvath T. B. , Zemishlani Z. , Markofsky R. , Mohs R. C.
Published: August 2007

Since the identification of the cholinergic deficit, strategies aimed at enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission have dominated the field of pharmacology in Alzheimer's disease (AD). These strategies include increasing acetylcholine precursor availability, delaying synaptic degradation and stimulating muscarinic receptors. Although most clinical trials report mild symptomatic improvements in some patients, support for large‐scale clinical use of cholinomimetics in AD is not yet available. This article presents the most representative clinical trials, discusses the limitations of the cholinergic strategies and suggests future directions in the treatment of AD.
Reliability and the factor structure of the Yoruba version of the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire
Authors: Gureje O.
Published: August 2007

The reliability and the factor structure of the Yoruba translation of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were investigated using data collected during a study of psychiatric morbidity among a sample of 787 primary care attendees. The instrument was shown to have a high degree of internal consistency. A two‐factor solution provided the best description of the GHQ in this setting. Using subsamples selected on the basis of sex and age, these two factors were shown to be stable. Also, using data collected on a second‐stage sample of 214 patients who were given a structured clinical interview, both factors discriminated “cases” from “non‐cases” and one of the factors discriminated between depressed from non‐depressed “cases”.