bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modifications and problems of behavioural inpatient management of anorexia nervosa: A “patient‐suited” approach?
Authors: Bossert S. , Schnabel E. , Krieg J.‐C. , Berger M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— Several treatment modalities, especially behaviour therapy, had been successfully administered in order to normalize body weight in anorexia nervosa inpatients. However, improvement in affective, cognitive and psychosocial features and associated psychopathologic symptoms was rather poor. It is hypothesized that the limited effect of behaviour therapy may be also due to therapeutic shortcomings of the behavioural treatment programme. In the present study of 16 anorectic inpatients a behavioural treatment programme, which had been applied in a former investigation at the same unit, was modified and yielded the following results: rapid increase in weight, good improvement of anorectic and depressive symptoms and a treatment duration of less than 3 months. Although the short‐term outcome of the modified treatment programme is encouraging, the therapeutic difficulties encountered in this programme deserve special attention and its long‐term effects on the course and prognosis of anorexia nervosa have to be established.
Priapism and neuroleptics: A case report
Authors: Morera A. , Estrada A. G. , Valenciano R.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— We present a case of priapism caused by the alpha adrenoreceptor blocking action of a butyrophenone. The problem was solved surgically performing a cavernousspongiosum fistula.
Thyrotropin releasing hormone test in unipolar depressed patients and controls: Relationship to clinical and biologic variables
Authors: Roy A. , Karoum F. , Linnoila M. , Pickar D.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— We compared unipolar depressed patients (n= 31) with controls (n— 38) for their responses to the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) test. Depressed patients showed significantly smaller thyrotropin stimulating hormone (TSH) responses to TRH which correlated negatively with post‐dexamethasone plasma cortisol levels. Depressed patients also showed significant negative correlations between Δmax TSH and urinary outputs of norepinephrine and normetanephrine with similar trends with plasma levels of norepinephrine and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol. Patients who showed a blunted TSH response, compared with those who did not, had significantly lower platelet serotonin uptake values. These results suggest that the blunted TSH response to TRH seen in depression may be associated with dysregulation of the cortisol, noradrenergic and serotonin systems.
Post‐traumatic stress in Northern Ireland
Authors: Bell P. , Kee M. , Loughrey G. C. , Roddy R. J. , Curran P. S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— The sample studied was a group of 643 adults each seeking compensation for “Nervous Shock” and seen by a single Belfast psychiatrist for medico‐legal assessment. Demographic information, risk factors, diagnosis, type of incident, symptoms and outcome were recorded for each patient. From the symptoms recorded, a subgroup of 23% were indentified as suffering from Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as defined in DSM III. This subgroup tended to be older, included more females, had more depressive symptoms and had more severe, prolonged disturbance. The findings document our experience of PTSD in the special context of Northern Ireland and suggest it may be a more useful term in describing psychological reaction to violence than the nebulous concept of “Nervous Shock” used at present by our courts.
The effect of sodium valproate on serum cortisol levels in healthy subjects and depressed patients
Authors: Aggernæs H. , Kirkegaard C. , Magelund G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— In nine healthy subjects the i.v. injection of 800 mg of the GABA‐transaminasc inhibitor sodium valproate (SV) was able to suppress serum cortisol significantly when compared to saline. Three and a half hours after the administration of SV, serum cortisol was reduced to less than 50% of the basal value in each of the subjects. Among 17 depressed patients serum cortisol was reduced to less than 50% of basal value 3 1/2 h after SV in only two patients. No difference was found between nine patients with endogenous depression and eight with non‐endogenous depression. The dexamethasone suppression test was abnormal in four out of 17 patients. These four patients had endogenous depression, and also an abnormal response to SV. A positive correlation was found between the effect of SV on serum cortisol, and age (r = 0.55), but not between the percentual decrease of serum cortisol and the severity of depression. The effect of SV on serum cortisol was significantly less pronounced in depressed patients than in controls but no difference was found between patients with endogenous and non‐endogenous depression.
A comparison of different diagnostic tools for childhood depression
Authors: Kronenberg Y. , Blumensohn R. , Apter A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— A comparison was made of the agreement of 5 different diagnostic tools for childhood depression. The diagnostic tools used were: 1) a non‐directive interview with projective testing; 2) a semi‐structured psychiatric interview developed by Herjanic: 3) the child behaviour check list developed by Achenbach; 4) the Kovacs child depression inventory and 5) the DSM‐III criteria diagnosis. In the diagnostic tools using classic psychaitric techniques of interview there was a fairly high diagnostic agreement for depression, while the non‐interview techniques (questionnaires) were less reliable in diagnosing affective disorder. Depressive symptoms were found to play an important part in non‐affective disorder psychopathology in children. The good correlation between the standard intake procedure and the research methods is encouraging in that it seems that clinicians can make the diagnosis of childhood affective disorder in their everyday clinical work.
Carbon dioxide chemosensitivity in panic disorder
Authors: Lousberg H. , Griez E. , van den Hout M.A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— The ventilatory response to the inhalation of carbon dioxide was studied in 19 panic patients and 14 normal controls, using the Read rebreathing technique. The panic patients showed significantly higher ventilatory response compared with normal controls.
The timing and duration of sleep in partial sleep deprivation therapy of depression
Authors: Sack D. A. , Duncan W. , Rosenthal N. E. , Mendelson W. E. , Wehr T. A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— The antidepressant response to partial sleep deprivation early in the night (PSD‐E) was compared with the response to partial sleep deprivation late in the night (PSD‐L) in 16 drug‐free depressed inpatients using a balanced order crossover design. PSD‐L had a significantly greater antidepressant effect that PSD‐E. The response to PSD‐L was sustained and enhanced by a second night of treatment. Patients had significantly shorter sleep durations and reduced REM sleep on PSD‐L that did not occur in the PSD‐E situation. There was a significant negative correlation between response to PSD and sleep duration, and in particular, REM sleep duration, in the late sleep deprivation situation. Thus, the amount and timing of sleep appear to be factors in the response to PSD, but additional studies are needed to evaluate the relative importance of these parameters.
The effect of benzodiazepine withdrawal on the dexamethasone suppression test
Authors: Weppner G. J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— Recent studies of the dexemethasone suppression test (DST) suggest lack of specifity for the diagnosis of melancholia. An earlier study showed that high doses of benzodiazepines lead to DST normalisation in depressed patients. This present study examines the effect of benzodiazepine withdrawal on the DST in a middle aged, non‐depressed group. Forty‐eight volunteers from a double blind placebo‐controlled trial of triazolam 0.5 mg and lormetazepam 2 mg all suppressed normally when given the DST on the sixth day of withdrawal following 25 days of drug.
Antipsychotic withdrawal symptoms: Phenomenology and pathophysiology
Authors: Dilsaver S. C. , Alessi N. E.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— The authors review the literature discribing non‐dyskinetic antipsychotic withdrawal phenomena. Withdrawal of these agents can cause nausea, emesis, anorexia, diarrhea, rhinorrhea, diaphoresis, myalgia, paresthesia, anxiety, agitation, restlessness, and insomnia. Psychotic relapse is often presaged by increased anxiety, agitation, restlessness and insomnia, but the temporal relationship of these prodromal symptoms to reduction in the dosage or discontinuation of neuroleptics distinguishes them from the effects of abrupt withdrawal.
Patterns of mental health care in two European areas: Mannheim, Federal Republic of Germany; and Groningen, The Netherlands
Authors: ten Horn G. H. M. M. , Moschel G. , Giel R. , Häfner H.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— All consecutive cases entering the mental health services cooperating with the cumulative psychiatric case register of Mannheim between 1‐31 July 1976 were followed up until the end of June 1978 and compared with the consecutive cases entering the mental health services cooperating with the psychiatric case register of Groningen between 1 January and 1 May 1979. Patterns of in‐, day‐ and outpatient care delivered to these 2 cohorts of patients, who were ≥ 15 years of age, and who had not been in contact with one of the services for at least 6 months prior to entry, were compared by diagnostic category. The most common episode of care was the relatively brief outpatient one. Mixed types of care and chronic cases were more common among patients with a psychosis or an addiction than in other diagnostic categories. Between 6 and 24 months after first contact 76% of the patients in Mannheim and 43% of the patients in Groningen had no more contacts. Between 18 and 24 months after the first contact the percentages had increased to 90 and 72% (respectively). In Groningen a higher percentage of patients received outpatient care only. Although a larger percentage of patients in Mannheim received inpatient care, the accumulation of “new chronic” patients was larger in Groningen, as a result of a greater length of stay in Groningen.
The temporal lobe epilepsy syndrome elucidated through Søren Kierkegaard's authorship and life
Authors: Hansen H. , Hansen L. Bork
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— In 1975 American scientists postulated the existence of the temporal lobe epilepsy syndrome. The authors of this paper demonstrate that the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard in “The Book on Adler” 140 years ago has given an eminent phenomenological description of this syndrome. The authors at the same time state the hypothesis that Søren Kierkegaaard's description of Magister Adler actually might be a disguised self portrait.
Topographical distribution of absolute alpha‐power in the EEG and psychopathology in schizophrenic outpatients
Authors: Gaebel W. , Ulrich G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— In 36 schizophrenic outpatients (Research Diagnostic Criteria) under neuroleptic maintenance treatment the EEG was recorded under resting conditions. The absolute alpha‐power (7.5‐13 Hz) was estimated by Fast Fourier Transform as the mean of 300 2‐second epochs for the leads F3/A1, F4/A2, 01/A2 and 02 A2. Two lateralization quotients (anterior, posterior) and two anteriorization quotients (left, right) were calculated from the absolute alpha‐power. Clinical status was assessed cross‐sectionally with BRPS, GAS and CGI. The main findings are: 1) A linear relationship between the left/right ratio of absolute alpha‐power over posterior regions and anxiety/depression — the more the alpha‐power is left‐lateralized, the higher the anxiety/depression score; 2) a curvilinear, inverted U‐shaped relationship between the left/right ratio of absolute alpha‐power over posterior regions and the score of schizophrenia‐specific symptomatology; 3) the amount of daily neuroleptic dose (mgCPZ) has no impact on EEG‐parameters. Results are discussed with respect to hemisphere asymmetry models of psychopathology.
The development of antisocial behaviour and sudden violent death
Authors: Rydelius P.‐A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— In order to detect possible relationships between antisocial behaviour and the incidence of “sudden violent death” in young people, information relating to mortality in antisocial Swedish adolescents has been traced and compiled. A register was drawn up covering those young persons (1,056; 832 boys and 224 girls; mean age 16 years) who were admitted to Swedish probationary schools during the period 1 January — 31 December 1967. Using the registers of immigration and emigration, and causes of death kept by SCB (Statistiska Centralbyrån), mortality occurring between 1 January 1967 — 31 December 1985 was tabulated. One hundred and ten boys (13%) and 22 girls (10%) had died. The deaths had occurred at a rate of approximately seven new deaths per observation year, the youngest being still in their teens when they died. For comparison, the criteria set up by insurance companies for life insurance premiums are based on a death expectancy for healthy Swedish boys and girls in the age groups corresponding to the subjects under observation of 1.2‐3.1% for boys and 1.1‐2.6% for girls. Eighty‐eight percent of the dead boys and 77% of the dead girls had died “sudden violent deaths”— accidents, suicides, death from uncertain causes, murder/manslaughter, or alcohol/drug abuse. For both sexes, death from uncertain causes and suicides were the most frequent single causes of death. Death as a direct result of alcohol/drug abuse occurred only in boys. The results give support to the assumption that a link exists between childhood environment, the development of antisocial behaviour/mental insufficiency and a “sudden violent death” at an early age. If further studies can provide proof for this assumption, a broader understanding of the natural course of events leading to “sudden violent death” should make it possible to prevent such deaths, by providing children in the risk zone with more extensive help than has been the case so far and by intervening at a much earlier stage.
Gonadotropin response to LH‐RH in anorexia nervosa and bulimia
Authors: Kiriike N. , Nishiwaki S. , Nagata T. , Maeda Y. , Kawakita Y.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— Serum LH and FSH levels before and after stimulation with LH‐RH were measured in 9 patients with bulimia, 7 with a restricting subtype and 6 with a bulimie subtype of anorexia nervosa. All patients with anorexia nervosa and 5 (56%) patients with bulimia showed amenorrhea for at least 5 months, while 4 (44%) of the bulimic patients showed oligomenorrhea. Mean basal levels of LH and FSH were low in patients with restricting and bulimic anorexia nervosa, but were normal in patients with bulimia. The response of LH and FSH to LH‐RH was impaired in approximately half of the patients with the two subtypes of anorexia nervosa, whereas it was normal in all but one patient with bulimia. These results suggest that bulimic patients with amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea have hypothalamic dysfunctions, which do not appear to be due solely to low weight or to metabolic changes resulting from binge eating, vomiting or purgative use.
Validity of Axis V of DSM‐III and other measures of adaptive functioning
Authors: Rey J. M. , Stewart G. W. , Plapp J. M. , Bashir M. R. , Richards I. N.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— In order to address validity issues which have not been adequately explored in the existing literature on Axis V, the authors compared ratings on this axis with ratings on three other measures of adaptive functioning (Social Competence, premorbid and present) in a diagnostically heterogeneous group of 195 referred adolescents. It was found that correlations amongst the measures were moderate, except between premorbid and present functioning, which was high. Axis V was found to be comparable with a measure of premorbid functioning while Social Competence was similar to present functioning.
A multivariate predictor analysis of course and outcome in delusional psychosis
Authors: Jørgensen P. , Aagaard J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— The purpose of the study was to examine whether certain social variables of first‐admitted patients with delusional psychosis were of predictive value of course and outcome as illuminated through the dimensions: psychiatric symptoms, impairment, remission, and relapse at 2‐year follow‐up. Furthermore, the aim was to perform a multivariate analysis of the most informative clinical and social predictors of course and outcome. Several predictors were significantly associated with at least one of the dimensions of poor outcome. In the multivariate logistic analysis an independent significant effect was assigned to male sex, no work, no evasiveness of delusions, perceptual disorder, preoccupation with delusions, dread, and few social contacts. The most informative clinical and social predictors yielded a maximal information of 27% to 47% for the different dimensions of course and outcome. One fifth of the patients had good outcome. This was significantly predicted by the following variables: married, living with others, frequent social contacts, high social group, full time work, clouding, delusions of guilt, and attempt at concealment of delusions and hallucinations, yielding a maximal information of 41%. Frequent social contacts and delusions of guilt had an independent statistical effect on good outcome. It is concluded that good prognosis is exceptional in patients with delusional psychosis and not combined to a single nosological unit. The findings stress the need for a specific investigation of the prognostic importance of social intervention and community care in patients with delusional psychosis.
Hypochondriacal psychoses: A long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Opjordsmoen S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— From a large series of delusional subjects 23 patients demonstrated hypochondriacal delusions as the main delusion during the long‐term course of approximately 30 years. An extensive study of these cases reveals that the majority had abnormal premorbid personality, especially somatization, paranoid and/or avoidant traits. Previous and/or precipitating somatic illnesses, if present, were not very serious. The hypochondriacal preoccupation diminished in the long term, but the overall prognosis varied, as the patients did not belong to a uniform diagnostic category. Implications for the clinician in diagnosing and treating are discussed, and the importance of early detection of correct diagnostic category is stressed.
A prospective study of postpartum psychoses in a high‐risk group
Authors: McNeil T. F.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— Within a sample of 88 pregnant women with a history of nonorganic psychosis, mental health characteristics during pregnancy, assessed prospectively through interviews and psychiatric records, were studied in relationship to the development of 25 postpartum psychotic episodes (PPPs) occurring during the first 6 months postpartum. Cases with PPP onset within 3 weeks of delivery (mostly affective or cycloid psychoses) evidenced more frequent tension‐anxiety and excitement at interviews during pregnancy than did diagnostically comparable cases not developing PPPs. Cases with PPP onset later than 3 weeks postpartum (mostly schizophrenic‐like psychoses) were not more frequently disturbed than were diagnostically comparable cases not developing PPPs. An absence of both affective symptoms and common fears represented a sign of increased PPP‐risk in these later onset cases. The subsample of actively disturbed cases who were in contact with a psychiatrist during pregnancy were at notably increased risk for a PPP during the total 6‐month period.
A prospective study of postpartum psychoses in a high‐risk group
Authors: McNeil T. F.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— Within a sample of 88 pregnant women with a history of nonorganic psychosis, the woman's life situation and experience of pregnancy, assessed through interviews during pregnancy, were studied in relationship to the development of 25 postpartum psychotic episodes (PPPs) occurring during the first 6 months postpartum. Neither Early nor Later Onset PPPs were associated with more current material situational problems, interpersonal difficulties, lack of relatives' support for the pregnancy, the woman's negative attitude toward the pregnancy or her experience of somatic health complaints. Contrary to expectation, PPP cases reported several more positive situational, attitudinal and experiential characteristics than did risk cases not developing PPPs. A number of different possible explanations for this finding are discussed.
Paroxetine in the treatment of depression
Authors: Mertens C. , Pintens H.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— Paroxetine is a new antidepressant drug. It is a potent and selective 5‐HT re‐uptake inhibitor with only weak anticholinergic properties and less effect on the cardiovascular system than the classical tricyclics. In this double‐blind multicenter study the antidepressant effect of paroxetine was compared with mianserin in 70 patients with unipolar or bipolar depression. Each drug was administered for 6 weeks after a 1 week run‐in period at a daily dosage of 30 mg for paroxetine or 60 mg for mianserin. The 21‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D) and the physician's global assessment were used to assess efficacy. Both treatment groups showed statistically significant improvement of the HAM‐D at Weeks 1 (base‐line values: paroxetine mean 28.5; mianserin mean 30.8) through to Week 6 (paroxetine mean 11.5; mianserin mean 17.8) (P < 0.06). The endpoint differences between treatments however were not statistically different (P= 0.11). The Cleary and Guy factor analysis showed a significant difference (P < 0.03) at Weeks 2 and 4 for cognitive disturbance and at Weeks 4 and 6 for retardation in favour of paroxetine compared with mianserin. Both drugs were well tolerated with nausea and headache in four patients and somnolence in six patients being reported as the most common side‐effect for paroxetine and mianserin respectively.
Parasuicide in an Arab industrial community: The Arabian‐American Oil Company experience, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Daradkeh T. K. , Al‐Zayer N.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT—The parasuicide phenomena was investigated for the first time in a retrospective and prospective way in an Arab industrial community in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia during 1985 and 1986. Though the parasuicide rate of 20.7 per 100,000 is substantially lower from the reported rates in the West, underreporting and misdiagnosing of the phenomena may explain the low rate. The results of this study confirm that the act is predominantly the activity of young females, and disordered interpersonal relationships with spouses and parents stand out as precipitating factors. Acute reaction to stress was the commonest diagnosis followed by depression. Deliberate self‐poisoning by analgesics and psychotropic drugs was the commonest method used. The findings of this study refute the hypothesis that parasuicide is rare in this part of the world, and time probably has come to amend the law in order to give the opportunity for distressed people to receive help.
Dexamethasone suppression test and response to antidepressant therapy in psychogeriatric patients
Authors: Shrimankar J. , Soni S. D. , Sampath G.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— Senile dementia patients show a high incidence of abnormal Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) which has been suggested to reflect the presence of atypical or subclinical depression; this study was designed to test this hypothesis. Thirty‐six patients, diagnosed as suffering from dementia and/or depression on the DSM‐III criteria, participated in the study. They were divided into three groups. dementia (12), depression (12) and dementia with depression (12). The results indicated that although patients with depression alone responded well to antidepressant therapy, no improvement occurred in patients with dementia. Demented patients who had clinical depression also showed a poor response. The response to treatment was unrelated to the DST status of the patients. It is concluded that abnormal DST in dementia patients is not indicative of a masked affective state, and antidepressants have no place in the management of dementia patients who have a positive DST but no overt affective symptoms.
N‐acetylation and serotonergic measures in a group of psychiatric patients
Authors: Träskman‐Bendz L. , Stanley M. , Stanley B. , Matthews B. , Brown L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT— Serotonin is N‐acetylated to melatonin. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of N‐acetylation of dapsone reflecting serotonergic activity. The ratio of monoacetyldapsone/dapsone (MAD/DDS) in plasma, 5‐HIAA in CSF, and imipramine‐binding to platelets were investigated in a group of psychiatric patients, diagnosed according to the DSM‐III as affective disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. There was no significant correlation between either of the serotonergic estimates and N‐acetylation in the whole patient group or in diagnostic subgroups of patients. Sixty‐four percent of the patients were slow N‐acetylators (MAD/DDS < 0.4), which is a ratio in line with several other studies of psychiatric patients. Among patients with affective disorders, all unipolar patients were slow N‐acetylators, while five out of six bipolar patients were fast N‐acetylators. The N‐acetylation of patients with a history of suicide attempt did not differ from those without. The discrepancy in N‐acetylation between uni‐ and bipolar patients might again address the issue of them representing two different biochemical and genetic disorders.
Crime and the schizophrenia spectrum: a diathesis‐stress model
Authors: Silverton L.
Published: August 2007

Previous studies support a relationship between schizophrenia and antisocial behavior. In the present study, offspring of schizophrenics showed a greater degree of antisocial behavior than did offspring of parents without psycho‐pathology. The present study clarifies the interplay between risk for schizophrenia and developmental factors in determining antisocial behavior. Those variables which distinguished high‐risk criminal behavior from high‐risk non‐criminal behavior were irritability and shortened attention span in infancy, paternal absence during ages 15 to 17, lower WAIS Verbal IQ, impoverished neighborhood, family discord and negative attitude towards father. In a multiple regression analysis, paternal absence in adolescence, shortness of attention span, and low Verbal IQ each contributed a unique portion of the variance in antisocial behavior. A block of interaction terms (Stressor X Risk) did not contribute a significant portion of the variance in antisocial behavior, suggesting that those factors which predict antisocial behavior in the high‐risk group are the same factors which predict antisocial behavior in the low‐risk group. In addition, a significant portion of the variance in phenotypic outcome (criminal vs. schizophrenic) was accounted for by passivity in infancy (predictive of schizophrenia) and low Verbal IQ (more common in high‐risk criminals). Shortened attention spans in infancy were found to precede both criminal behavior and schizophrenia in this sample. This feature may therefore indicate a genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia.
Mothers of primary school children with Down's syndrome
Authors: Ryde‐Brandt B.
Published: August 2007

The occurrence of anxiety or depression, experience of social support and feelings about the family situation were evaluated in 13 mothers of children of primary school age with Down's syndrome (DS). The results were compared with those obtained in a group of 13 females engaged in taking care of these children and assisting their families. Questionnaires were used to assess feelings of depression or anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), to evaluate social support (Interview Schedule for Social Interaction) and the family situation (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale). A semi‐structured interview with the mothers was also conducted. The results indicated that negative feelings at the birth of a child with DS had almost invariably changed in a positive direction. Experience of depression or anxiety was uncommon. Social and emotional contacts were quantitatively normal, although more empathy was often desired. The families were relatively often described as enmeshed and controlled, but the experience of the family situation was generally positive.
Neurotransmitters, receptors and neuropeptides in post‐mortem brains of chronic schizophrenic patients
Authors: Toru M. , Watanabe S. , Shibuya H. , Nishikawa T. , Noda K. , Mitsushio H. , Ichikawa H. , Kurumaji A. , Takashima M. , Mataga N. , Ogawa A.
Published: August 2007

In the analysis of post‐mortem brains of 14 chronic schizophrenic patients and 10 controls, biochemical evidence of a hyperdopaminergic state was found in the basal ganglia of schizophrenics; tyrosine hydroxylase activity was increased with a concomitant increase of homovanillic acid. Unusually high tyrosine hydroxylase activity was noted in 2 schizophrenic cases. The Bmaxvalue of3H‐spiperone binding for schizophrenics was higher than the controls. We also found increased specific binding of3H‐kainic acid to the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenics. A negative correlation existed between3H‐kainic acid binding in the medial frontal cortex, and glutamic acid content in various brain areas. Increased immunoreactivity of substance P was found in more than ten brain areas. Methionineenkephalin was also increased in three areas of the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenics. These results suggest that the hyperdopaminergic state co‐existed with glutamatergic hypofunction and increased neuropeptides in various brain areas of chronic schizophrenic patients.
Imipramine binding in depressive patients diagnosed according to different criteria
Authors: Plenge P. , Mellerup E. T. , Gjerris A.
Published: August 2007

3H‐imipramine binding to platelet membranes, Bmax and KD, was measured in depressed patients, who were divided into endogenous and non‐endogenous depression according to three different criteria, the ICD‐9, the Newcastle I and the Newcastle II rating scales. Two groups served as controls, a group of healthy volunteers and a group of psychiatric patients suffering from schizophrenia or senile dementia. No significant differences were found in either Bmax or in KD among the different groups of patients and the control groups.
Clinical course and outcome of cycloid psychotic disorder: a three‐year prospective study
Authors: Maj M.
Published: August 2007

The course and outcome of cycloid psychotic disorder was explored by means of a prospective three‐year follow‐up of a sample of patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for the disorder provided by Perris & Brockington, compared to patients with a diagnosis of affective or schizoaffective disorder. The most striking difference between cycloids and affectives was the lack of manic episodes during the follow‐up period in the former group. Moreover, the mean age at onset was lower in cycloids. No difference between these patient groups was observed with regard to outcome. Compared to schizoaffectives, cycloids showed several differences in the clinical picture during the index episode, and their symptomatological pattern was more consistent from one episode to another during the follow‐up. Moreover, the outcome of cycloids was significantly more favourable than that of schizodepres‐sives.
Pain in non‐psychotic psychiatric patients: life events, symptomatology and personality traits
Authors: Jensen J.
Published: August 2007

Occurrence of pain was investigated in 73 non‐psychotic psychiatric inpatients; 75% had been bothered by pain within the last 3 months and about half of these had pain every day. Pain was most frequent in patients with neurosis and personality disorder. The occurrence of pain was significantly associated with unskilled work, but was not related to experience of social stress. Patients with pain reported more anxiety and hostile feelings and had a higher degree of somatic anxiety and muscular tension, thus attaching importance to anxiety‐induced muscle spasm as a pain‐mediating mechanism. A specific relationship between pain and depression was not supported.
Group therapy with schizophrenic patients in outpatient departments
Authors: Wode‐Helgodt B. , Berg G. , Petterson U. , Rydelius P.‐A. , Trollehed H.
Published: August 2007

Twelve schizophrenic patients were treated with neuroleptic drugs and psychoanalytically oriented group therapy during a period of 2 years. Twelve other patients, matched with regard to the state of their disease, sex, age, civil status and social situation, were given neuroleptic drugs and contact therapy during the same period. All patients were evaluated by the same test procedures. The Rorschach test, the Defence Mechanism Test (DMT), interviews and a self‐evaluation test, were performed before and after 2 years of treatment. The dates of discharge, number of days in hospital and neuroleptic drugs prescribed were recorded for all patients over a 2‐year period before, during and after treatment. Half of the patients improved, regardless of the treatment they received. No evaluation instrument used before the start of treatment could predict the patients who later improved. After 2 years of treatment, it was assessed that the patients who improved required a further period of insight therapy.
Withdrawal reactions to diazepam in combined imipramine/diazepam treatment of primary nonagitated depressed outpatients
Authors: Feet P. O. , Larsen S. , Lillevold P. E. , Robak O. H.
Published: August 2007

Twenty‐seven outpatients who had primary nonagitated depression that had been treated for 3.5 months with imipramine were included in the study. Of these, 14 patients were given additional diazepam treatment (10 mg/day) and 13 patients got placebo. The additional medication was stopped, and withdrawal reactions were observed after two weeks. The depression scores (both global evaluation and CPRS) increased significantly in the diazepam group, without any changes in the placebo group. Eleven patients in the diazepam group and four in the placebo group reported their condition as impaired after discontinuing their additional medication. Four patients in the placebo group and none in the diazepam group reported improvement. The level of working activity decreased significantly in the diazepam group and increased in the placebo group. The serum level of imipramine decreased in the placebo group (P= 0.07), but not in the diazepam group. Serum levels of desipramine decreased significantly in both groups (P < 0.05). Our study indicates that the discontinuation of diazepam, even when given in moderate dosage over a relatively short period of time, may cause withdrawal reactions in combined anti‐depressant/diazepam treatment. This may be caused by a possible tendency for the depression to become chronic. Such chronicity may be the reason for secondary dependency to diazepam.
DSM‐III symptom disorders (Axis I) and personality disorders (Axis II) in an outpatient population
Authors: Alnæs R. , Torgersen S.
Published: August 2007

Type and prevalence of Axis I and Axis II disorders (DSM‐III) were assessed in a sample of 298 consecutive psychiatric outpatients. The instruments used were SCID and SIDP. About half of the Axis I diagnoses consisted of different subgroups of depression. Most patients had more than one diagnosis, anxiety being the second most common disorder. Eighty one percent of the subjects met the criteria for a personality disorder diagnosis; half of them obtained more than one Axis II diagnosis. Personality disorder was more common among men than among women. Avoidant and dependent personality disorders constituted the most frequent diagnoses.
Levodopa addiction
Authors: Tack E. , De Cuypere G. , Jannes C. , Remouchamps A.
Published: August 2007

A case is presented of a young woman with a serious addiction to levodopa who over the years developed an extrapyramidal syndrome and chronic paranoid psychotic behaviour. The possible pathophysiological mechanism is discussed.
Treatment of a mild form of neuroleptic malignant syndrome with oral diazepam
Authors: Kontaxakis V. P. , Christodoulou G. N. , Markidis M. P. , Havaki‐Kontaxaki B. J.
Published: August 2007

A mild form of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) in a schizophrenic patient who was receiving a depot neuroleptic is described and beneficial response to oral diazepam 50 mg daily is reported.
Correlates of addiction‐related problems in Kuwait: a cross‐cultural view
Authors: Bilal A. M.
Published: August 2007

The promise of adopting a valid and reliable tool for diagnosing addiction‐related problems is offered by the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Socially determined admissions and poor treatment facilities may have biased the representativeness of our sample, though methodological difficulties were minimal. The ASI was used to evaluate 120 hospitalized addicts in Kuwait's only addiction unit, categorized according to their primary drug of abuse: 61% were alcoholics and 39% drug addicts. Examination of ASI composite scores showed no difference between the two patient groups except in their corresponding problem area of substance abuse. ASI composite scores were similar to the interviewer's severity ratings. Intercorrelations between scores for different problem areas were low. The validity of ASI in diagnosing these problems was unquestionable, but the cross‐cultural significance of some problem areas is doubtful.
Prolactin responses to hypoglycemia and thyrotropin‐releasing hormone in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Karibe C. , Tamai H. , Kiyohara K. , Kobayashi N. , Nakagawa T.
Published: August 2007

Although prolactin (PRL) responses to thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) have been described by many investigators, PRL secretion after insulin stimulation has rarely been documented in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). We investigated PRL responses to TRH (500 μg) and insulin (0.1 U/kg) in 19 women with AN and 10 normal women. Levels of PRL stimulation at 60 min and later following insulin administration were significantly lower in AN than in normal women. PRL increased by at least 10 μg/ml after insulin in 42% of women with AN and in 70% of normal women. The maximum PRL increase (max Δ PRL) did not differ after the two stimulations in the normal women. However, in AN, the max Δ PRL after insulin stimulation (17.2 ± 4.0 μg/1, mean ± SEM) was significantly lower than that after TRH (49.1 ± 6.4 μg/1). These findings suggest that anorectic women may have a disturbance in hypothalamic functions. Insulin‐induced hypoglycemia is useful to determine the integrity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary axis for PRL secretion, in combination with TRH stimulation.
The relationship between DSM‐III symptom disorders (Axis I) and personality disorders (Axis II) in an outpatient population
Authors: Alnæs R. , Torgersen S.
Published: August 2007

The relationship between symptom disorder and personality disorder according to DSM‐III was studied in 289 consecutive outpatients. It was observed that personality disorders occurred frequently among the chronic affective and anxiety disorders. The “dramatic” personality disorders were observed especially frequently among patients with cyclothymic disorder, and the “eccentric” personality disorders among patients with a diagnosis of dysthymic disorder, social phobia and agoraphobia. Dramatic personality disorder was also common among patients with simple phobia. As expected, a close correspondence was observed between social phobia, agoraphobia and avoidant personality disorder, between substance use disorder and borderline personality disorder, and between obsessive‐compulsive disorder and compulsive personality disorder. Even if a relationship was observed, it was not strong enough to warrant a combination of chronic symptom disorder diagnoses and personality disorder diagnoses.
Projected increases in the number of dementia cases for 29 developed countries: application of a new method for making projections
Authors: Jorm A. F. , Korten A. E. , Jacomb P. A.
Published: August 2007

A method is described for making projections of increases in dementia cases over a given base year. The method is based on a statistical model relating dementia prevalence to age that is derived from the results of all published prevalence studies. This method was applied to United Nations population projections for 29 developed countries to arrive at expected increases in number of dementia cases in each country for the period 1980 to 2025.
Neurological soft signs in Nigerian schizophrenics: a controlled study
Authors: Gureje O.
Published: August 2007

The prevalence of neurological soft signs in schizophrenics was compared with that in patients with major affective disorder and in normal subjects. The two patient groups did not differ from one another, but both differed from normal controls in the occurrence of right‐left confusion. The paranoid and non‐paranoid subtypes of schizophrenia did not differ in the prevalence of neurological soft signs. Schizophrenic patients with or without one sign had similar demographic, clinical and treatment attributes. It is concluded that neurological soft signs are not specific to schizophrenia, but may, in general, reflect the level of obstetric care in a community. However, certain soft signs may be more strongly indicative of neurodysfunction associated with the psychotic state.
CSF monoamine metabolites in patients and controls: support for a bimodal distribution in major affective disorders
Authors: Westenberg H. G. M. , Verhoeven W. M. A.
Published: August 2007

The monoamine metabolites 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in 38 patients with major affective disorder and 48 age‐ and sex‐matched controls by means of liquid chromatography. Statistical analysis using maximum likelihood normal mixture computations provided evidence for a subgroup of patients characterized by low CSF levels of both 5‐HIAA and HVA. In controls, CSF 5‐HIAA and HVA levels appeared to be normally distributed when fitted separately, whereas a subgroup of controls characterized by higher values of 5‐HIAA and HVA could be discerned when metabolite data were fitted simultaneously. No relationship was found between monoamine levels and suicidal behaviour in patients. A statistically significant relationship was found between CSF 5‐HIAA and HVA levels in patients and controls. These data provide supportive evidence for the existence of a subgroup of patients with an abnormal serotonin metabolism as reflected by 5‐HIAA, and probably HVA, in CSF.
Long‐term course and outcome in delusional disorder
Authors: Opjordsmoen S.
Published: August 2007

Out of 301 first‐time admitted patients with delusional psychoses, 71 met Kendler's criteria of delusional disorder (DD) and 137 met the ICD‐9 criteria of schizophrenia (S). DD was subdivided according to operational criteria into reactive delusional disorder (RDD) with precipitating factors (n= 31) and non‐RDD (n= 40). At follow‐up after 22‐39 years, 20 RDD patients, 21 non‐RDD patients and 85 S patients were personally interviewed. The delusions had faded in 61% of DD cases, were unchanged in 17%, and more prominent in another 17%. Recovery was recorded in 37%, mild defect in 32%, moderate impairment in 10%, and severe impairment in 22% of DD patients. Outcome was more favourable in DD compared with S, in RDD compared with non‐RDD, and in non‐RDD compared with S. The study supports distinctions between DD and S, RDD and non‐RDD, and non‐RDD and S based on course and outcome.
Major depression, anxiety disorders and mixed conditions Childhood and precipitating events
Authors: Alnaes R. , Torgersen S.
Published: August 2007

A consecutive sample of non‐psychotic outpatients was divided into 4 groups: pure major depression, mixed major depression‐anxiety disorder, pure anxiety disorder and a remaining group of other disorders. The patient reports of childhood losses, relation to parents, siblings and family climate, their own personality characteristics as children and precipitating events were compared in the various groups. On childhood experiences and precipitating events, it appears that the mixed group reported somewhat differently from the pure anxiety and the pure depression group, and very often differently from the group of other disorder. Patients with mixed major depression‐anxiety disorder generally remembered their childhood as being more traumatic with a less satisfactory relationship to their parents. Prior to the onset of the disorder, they had more often experienced conflicts with partner, spouse or fiancé.
An integrated approach to the assessment of family adjustment to acute lymphocytic leukemia in children
Authors: Magni G. , Silvestro A. , Tamiello M. , Zanesco L. , Carli M.
Published: August 2007

This study evaluated psychological distress, social support and adjustment to the disease of 69 parents of 35 children suffering from acute lymphocytic leukemia. The study dealt with the initial phase of the disease. The following rating scales were used: the Symptom Distress Checklist‐90, the Social Support Questionnaire and the Family Adjustment Scale. Psychological distress of the mothers was negatively correlated with their and their child's adjustment to the disease. A similar trend was found for fathers but the correlations reached statistical significance only for fathers' adjustment. Social support as evaluated by the 2 parents was positively correlated with their and their child's adjustment to the disease experience.
A prospective study of psychosocial background factors associated with congenital malformations
Authors: McNeil T. F. , Blennow G. , Lundberg L.
Published: August 2007

Women's life situation and experiences during pregnancy were prospectively studied in relationship to the development of congenital malformations (CMs) in their offspring, within samples of 84 offspring of pregnant index women with a history of nonorganic psychosis and 100 offspring of pregnant control women. Within both samples, offspring CMs were related to more problematic maternal life situations during pregnancy, the common denominator in these problems across samples being difficulties associated with the husband. Little relationship was found between CMs and the woman's own attitude toward the pregnancy or her mental condition during pregnancy. In both groups, total life situational problems and distress were more strongly related to the development of very minor CMs (termed “variants”) than to the major, classical CMs.
Comparative study of affective disorders in three Asian countries I. Differences in diagnostic classification
Authors: Nakane Y. , Ohta Y. , Uchino J. , Takada K. , Yan H.Q. , Wang X.D. , Min S.K. , Lee H.Y.
Published: August 2007

A study aimed at the standardization of symptom evaluation of patients with depression was carried out as the first step in an extensive collaborative study on affective disorders between centers in Nagasaki, Shanghai and Seoul. This study was initiated in order to clarify the factors affecting the low reported prevalence rates of depressive disorders in Asia. No significant difference in evaluation of psychiatric symptoms was observed between the 3 centers. Nevertheless, the diagnoses given by ICD‐9 showed very interesting differences. For any given case, Nagasaki tended to make a diagnosis of an affective psychosis depression, while Shanghai made a diagnosis of neurotic disorder. No significant tendency was observed in the Seoul center. These findings are discussed in terms of their importance for future international collaborative studies.