bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thirty-five males with double Y chromosome
Authors: Nielsen J. , Christensen A.-L.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Thirty-five males with double Y chromosome were studied. Among the features observed in certain subgroups of these 35 were a more than average height, minor vertebral abnormalities, abnormal seminiferous epithelium, minor EEG abnormalities, and a mean intelligence level significantly below the expected. Fifteen of the 35 were found in institutions for criminals. The frequency of XYY males among 1,500 criminal males was 8·67 per 1,000 compared with 1·24 per 1,000 among 6,455 randomly selected males in the general population. Males with double Y chromosome tended to have more difficulties at school, to be more mentally immature, to be more impulsive than their siblings, and to have more difficulty in making relationships with others.
The XYY syndrome: a study of four subjects and their families
Authors: Pitcher D. R. , Macfie A. M. C. , Carter W. I. , Kahn J.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

A study of four 47XYY subjects and their families is reported. These subjects were all exceptionally tall; were mostly of good intelligence and from intelligent families; and all had a history of delinquency or criminality, although they came from respectable homes. Evidence is presented, however, to suggest that both adverse environmental influences and constitutional factors other than their supernumary chromosomes nevertheless operated in these cases, indicating that their deviant behaviour need not be directly related to their chromosomal abnormality. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect especially to their bearing on conclusions drawn in the literature on the XYY syndrome.
Research in neurosis: a selective review: 2. Treatment
Authors: Marks Isaac M.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Treatment of neurosis is selectively surveyed, including physical methods. At least four differing aims of psychotherapeutic techniques can be distinguished—to produce a rewarding experience; to nurture self-knowledge; to allow confession or catharsis; and to effect a lasting change in behaviour. The report concentrates on the last two aims. Effects of psychological treatments are considered first by syndromes and then by procedures. Prognostic issues are defined and research strategies outlined. Further work is suggested, including the relief of acute neurotic distress before referral for specialist help, the combination of psychotropic drugs and psychological treatments, the application of specific psychotherapeutic techniques for defined ends, and elucidation of the active therapeutic ingredients in these methods.
Use of hospital beds in neighbouring East London boroughs
Authors: Robin A. A. , Hakki A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Two adjacent areas of Greater London are compared to determine their respective use of psychiatric beds of different types. The one-day census is shown accurately to reflect average bed use in any year. The areas and hospitals involved employed different community and social work policies. A difference emerges in the use of long stay beds. A community-based social work service appears to make little impact on the use of short stay beds, and appears less successful than a hospital-related service in preventing hospital chronicity. Community social work services may identify psychogeriatric patients requiring hospital admission.
A cognitive behavioural approach to the treatment of bulimia
Authors: Fairburn Christopher
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Bulimia nervosa is a relatively common eating disorder which has a significant physical and psychological morbidity and a poor prognosis. A behavioural approach to its treatment is described. This focuses on increasing control over eating, eliminating food avoidance and changing maladaptive attitudes. Preliminary findings are promising, with improvement appearing to be maintained. Components of the treatment may benefit patients who simply complain of overeating.
Does a plasma level of chlorpromazine help?
Authors: van Putten Theodore , May Philip R. A. , Jenden Donald J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Forty-eight newly admitted schizophrenic patients were treated with a fixed, conservative (6·6 mg/kg) dose of chlorpromazine (CPZ) for 28 days. CPZ plasma levels were measured by a gas chromatography mass spectrometry method (GCMS) using 2H6-chlorpromazine as an internal standard. At the end of the fixed-dose period, ‘responders’ had the same plasma levels as ‘non-responders’, suggesting that lack of response is primarily a matter of the illness' sensitivity to CPZ, not to a plasma level below some therapeutic window. After the fixed-dose period, the dosage of CPZ was increased in the ‘non-responders’ by physician's choice. Improvement occurred over a wide range of 10–225 picomoles (3–72 ng)/ml. Above 300 picomoles (95 ng/ml) 4 inaccessible patients eventually became much worse, suggesting psychotoxicity. It is in the inaccessible patient whose illness is only minimally, or not at all, sensitive to CPZ that a plasma level might be especially useful.

Interpretation of plasma levels is complicated by the speed of response: some initial non-responders improved by the 56th day of treatment on very conservative plasma levels.
The perception of drinking roles by recovering problem drinkers
Authors: McCartney John , O'Donnell Patrick J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The perception of and attitude to drinking patterns in recovering problem drinkers (N= 29) is analysed, utilizing a similar methodology to that of Richard & Burley (1978). Fault is found, however, in the latter study both in a failure to define variables and in the authors' statistical handling of the results. In the present study, it was found that controlled drinking is only seen as close to the problem drinker's concept of himself when it entails reasonably high levels of consumption. The importance of this finding for therapy is outlined. The possible negative effects of role conflict are mentioned. It is also found that problem drinkers perceive themselves as having quite different characteristics from those they themselves attribute to alcoholics. This finding is interpreted in terms of the fundamental attribution error (Jones & Nisbett, 1972).
The development and use of a standardized assessment of abnormal personality
Authors: Mann A. H. , Jenkins R. , Cutting J. C. , Cowen P. J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A standardized assessment of personality (SAP) based on interview with an informant has been developed to classify a patient's premorbid personality in clinical terms for use for research purposes in or out of a hospital setting. Three preliminary investigations of its use are reported. These indicate that an informant's account of personality can be rated reliably by psychiatrists and is consistent over time. The addition of two extra descriptive types to the schema of ICD Section 301, the anxious and the self-conscious personalities, is found to contribute usefully to a taxonomy of personality in two series of patients investigated with the SAP. Further investigations are indicated to determine the accuracy of an informant's account before epidemiological studies with this instrument can be considered.
Psychosis after acute alteration of thyroid status
Authors: Bewsher P. D. , Gardiner A. Q. , Hedley A. J. , Maclean H. C. S.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

A case of acute schizophrenic psychosis developing during the treatment of hyper-thyroidism with carbimazole is described. The patient was clinically and biochemically euthyroid at the time the psychosis developed. It is suggested that an acute alteration in thyroid status, without necessarily producing hyper- or hypothyroidism, may be sufficient to induce a psychotic reaction.
Tryptophan metabolism in depressive illness
Authors: Coppen Alec , Brooksbank Benjamin W. L. , Eccleston Eric , Peet Malcolm , White Stuart G.
Published: July 2009

SYSNOPSIS

[Methylene-14C]-L-tryptophan was administered intravenously to five patients suffering from severe depression before and after clinical recovery, and to six control subjects; all subjects were tested while on a standard diet. [14C]-5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid and [14C]-indoleacetic acid were isolated from urine during the following 48 hours and purified to constant specific radioactivity (SA). From the SA and the determination of the total excretion of the two acids their percentage conversion from labelled tryptophan was estimated. There was no consistent difference found, in patients before and after recovery, or between patients and controls, in the conversion of tryptophan to these indole acids. In another series of 11 depressive patients and 11 controls, plasma total (acid-soluble) tryptophan was measured at frequent intervals up to three hours after intravenous administration of a loading dose (1 g) of L-tryptophan. The height of the curves of plasma tryptophan throughout the three hour period was greater than in the depressive patients, even after they had recovered, than in the controls. It is concluded that the apparent volume of distribution of tryptophan is reduced in depressive individuals. This is consistent with other findings of increased protein-binding of plasma tryptophan and reduced CSF tryptophan levels in depressive patients.
Plasma prolactin and luteinizing hormone levels in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Beumont P. J. V. , Friesen H. G. , Gelder M. G. , Kolakowska T.
Published: July 2009

SYSNOPSIS

Five emaciated patients suffering from anorexia nervosa were studied. Mean plasma prolactin levels, as measured by radioimmunoassay, were within the normal range, although mean plasma levels of luteinizing hormone were depressed. This association is of interest as it suggests that basal levels of circulating prolactin are not affected by the hypothalamic disorder found in patients with anorexia nervosa.
Aspects of tyrosine metabolism in schizophrenia
Authors: Williams C. H.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Disordered amine metabolism is frequently suggested as being of aetiological significance in schizophrenia. The present study investigates the effects of loading doses of the cate-cholamine precursor L-tyrosine in this illness. Groups of schizophrenic and control subjects were given loading doses of L-tyrosine after which plasma tyrosine levels and excretion of some tyrosine metabolities were measured. In only one parameter, excretion of free p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, was any significant difference observed between the groups. The study is discussed in relation to some of the biochemical theories advanced from time to time for schizophrenia.
Developmental dyscalculia: a brief report on four cases
Authors: Slade P. D. , Russell G. F. M.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Four patients with ‘developmental dyscalculia’ are described who were initially identified on the basis of clinical tests, reports of longstanding and severe difficulties in arithmetic, and psychological test results. Descriptive psychological testing indicated (1) that the arithmetical deficits could not be accounted for on the basis of a generally low level of intellectual functioning; (2) that of the four basic arithmetical processes that of multiplication was relatively more deficient; (3) that this relative deficiency in multiplication stemmed from a faulty grasp of basic multiplication tables; that this was a real difficulty, experienced subjectively by the patient, and one that could not be accounted for simply by carelessness; and finally, that the degree of difficulty experienced varied with the multiplication table involved. Two kinds of attempt were made to improve arithmetical functioning. The first involved brief remedial coaching programmes directed at the basic multiplication tables: relatively little success was obtained with this method. The second kind of attempt involved methods of bypassing the necessity for learning multiplication tables: some success was obtained with these methods. The discussion concentrates on some of the features which may provide possibly useful cues for identifying ‘developmental dyscalculia’: these are classified in terms of: (1) pattern of deficit displayed; (2) qualitative features of arithmetical performance; and (3) response to remedial teaching. Some suggestions are made concerning further lines of investigation.
Suggestions for further improvement of the international classification of mental disorders
Authors: Essen-Möller Erik
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

The 8th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) favoured classification of mental disorders by a combination of predominant syndrome and predominant aetiology. However, this important principle has been carried through incompletely, to the disadvantage of diagnostic flexibility and innovation. In addition, too much work is required for the retrieval of cases with the same aetiology irerspective of the syndromes they exhibit, or of cases with the same syndrome whether in the setting of a personality disorder, a neurosis, or a psychosis. The present paper suggests certain simplifications by which the principle of combined classification can hopefully be applied to develop a more comprehensive and flexible instrument.
Preliminary Communication: 1: Declining-dose drug desensitization for phobias
Authors: McCormick W. O. , O'Gorman E. C.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

The use of a technique of Declining-dose Drug Desensitization (DDDD) in phobic patients is described. An anti-anxiety drug is used (diazepam), the blood level declining during each treatment session and the starting dose for each treatment session being gradually reduced. Some relevant animal work on state-dependent learaing in the drugged-state is briefly reviewed. Despite the multiplicity of other treatments available this method would appear to have some advantages.
The occurrence of the syndrome of anorexia nervosa in male subjects
Authors: Beumont P. J. V. , Beardwood C. J. , Russell G. F. M.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A syndrome characterized by the psychopathological features of anorexia nervosa occurs in male subjects. There have been 25 cases previously reported in the literature which appear to be fairly typical of the condition and the present paper adds the case histories of another six patients. Endocrine investigation on these patients reveals a disorder of urinary excretion levels of testosterone and of total gonadotrophic activity, which is comparable to the disturbance of sex hormones that accompanies the menstrual disturbance of female patients with anorexia nervosa. The exact nature of the endocrine disturbance in the male, however, is still less well understood than that in the female.
An epidemiological evaluation of a public health measure aimed at reducing the availability of methylamphetamine
Authors: de Alarcón R.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

This paper attempts to show how a public health measure, by reducing production and withdrawing methylamphetamine (Methedrine) from retail pharmacists, dramatically affected the prevalence of its abuse in a provincial population. This measure coincided with the midpoint of a four-year survey into drug abuse which was being carried out in that area. This opportune timing created a natural experiment whereby it became possible to observe and measure the short- and long-term effects of a single social factor on one form of abnormal behaviour.
Inhibition of entry of some amino acids into the brain, with observations on mental retardation in the aminoacidurias
Authors: Baños Guadalupe , Daniel P. M. , Moorhouse S. R. , Pratt O. E.
Published: July 2009

SYSNOPSIS

Abnormally high levels of various amino acids were maintained in the bloodstream of rats, causing saturation of amino acid transport into the brain and partial exclusion from the brain of other amino acids which are necessary for protein synthesis. Excluded amino acids could be made to enter the brain by raising their concentration in the bloodstream. The possible relevance of these findings to improvements in the dietary treatment of some inborn errors of metabolism is discussed.
The history of psychosomatic medicine
Authors: Ackerknecht Erwin H.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Psychosomatic medicine begins with the Greeks. It finds a place in Galen's system as diseases of passion, a concept current until the middle of the nineteenth century. The great French and German clinicians of the nineteenth century were all familiar with psychosomatic diseases. During the twentieth century the field was for a while monopolized by psychoanalysts. The psychosomatic specialist is essentially the doctor who listens to the patient.
The role of social factors in affective disorder: an assessment of the vulnerability model of Brown and his colleagues
Authors: Solomon Zahava , Bromet Evelyn
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The present study attempted to confirm the vulnerability model proposed by Brown and his colleagues, using data from a survey of 435 mothers from two semi-rural regions of Pennsylvania. The results were not consistent with the earlier findings. Methodological and conceptual issues were discussed to explain the differences in results.
Elderly psychiatric patients: a five-year prospective study
Authors: Whitehead Antonia , Hunt Ann
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

In a prospective study, 200 elderly psychiatric patients were followed for 5 years. A poor outcome–death or continuing major reliance on the hospital based services – was associated with poor intellectual functioning on admission. Continued use of the hospital services was also related to past psychiatric history.
Plotting n-dimensional psychiatric data in 2 dimensions using Andrews' method
Authors: Cairns Victoria
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Andrews' method of plotting n-dimensional data in 2 dimensions allows one to summarize all the data on one patient using a single curve. Comparisons have been made between different diagnostic groups on the basis of the 12 scales from the In-patient Multidimensional Psychiatric Scale (IMPS) using data from a sample of 787 newly admitted in-patients. For each diagnostic group, a figure was produced containing the Andrews' curves from all the patients in the group. Those groups that were particularly homogeneous or heterogeneous were noted. The main features of the different groups could be discerned.
An attempt to determine the impact of four types of care upon the elderly in London by the study of matched groups
Authors: Macdonald A. J. D. , Mann A. H. , Jenkins R. , Richard L. , Godlove C. , Rodwell G.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Groups of elderly people, matched by level of dependency and probability of dementia, were identified in day centres, day hospitals, wards, and local authority homes, and followed up over 9 months to determine the impact of type of care upon outcome. No difference in mortality or changes in dementia scores were found, but the survivors' levels of dependency improved most in day centres and local authority homes. This finding, and the problems of matching, are discussed.
Innovations in social psychiatry
Authors: Wing J. K.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Social psychiatry, like social medicine of which it is a part, has two basic sciences – biology and sociology. People with psychiatric disorders suffer from acute breakdowns or chronic impairments which can be severely disabling in themselves, but these are often precipitated, amplified or maintained by social pressures and social disadvantages and by personal reactions, such as a loss of self-esteem and self-confidence. It is impossible, therefore, to draw a line between the medical and the social aspects of treatment, care and prevention.

The chief innovations during the past 40 years have been made in the context of a change-over from a system of care based on large institutions towards a more open but much looser and less-coordinated system of smaller units managed by staff from different professions who have developed their own, sometimes conflicting, views as to the best ways of helping the mentally disabled. Nevertheless, knowledge has accumulated which, if properly applied, could lead to a better quality of life for the ill and disabled and a decrease in the burden placed upon relatives. Further innovations are now required which will lead to the development of a responsible, comprehensive and integrated mental health service.

It is not yet known whether social measures taken to relieve or prevent lesser psychiatric disorders will lead to a decrease in the incidence or prevalence of more severe conditions and this question deserves further investigation. There is evidence, however, that relatively inexpensive help can be useful in the short term.

Progress will depend upon the accumulation of new knowledge. One of the most encouraging trends has been the improvement of evaluative designs and methods aimed at testing ideas for improving services, thus allowing planners to make better informed decisions.
Social adjustment after rehabilitation: a two year follow-up of patients with severe head injury
Authors: Weddell Roger , Oddy Michael , Jenkins David
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Forty-four young adults, admitted to a rehabilitation centre after very severe head injury, were followed-up 2 years after their accident. Comparison with a control group showed that the head injured had experienced marked changes in work, leisure activities, contact with friends and family life. Though these changes still created problems, the majority of patients and relatives appeared to have made a number of successful adaptations to their altered situation. Neurophysical status, personality change and memory loss all affected work capacity, while presence of personality changes was especially important in the loss of pre-accident friendships.
Follow-up 10 years later of 34 Klinefelter males with karyotype 47,XXY and 16 hypogonadal males with karyotype 46,XY
Authors: Nielsen Johannes , Johnsen Svend G. , Sørensen Kurt
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

A 10-year follow-up study is reported of 50 hypogonadal males, 34 of whom had the karyotype 47,XXY and 16 karyotype 46,XY. The social class of the former group was significantly lower and the frequency of criminal behaviour higher when compared with the latter group and the Danish male population. The frequency of mental illness was higher in the Klinefelter males with karyotype 47,XXY than in the remainder. The aetiology and pathogenesis of deviant mental development in the patient population and various aspects of their treatment are discussed.
Meditation and the EEG
Authors: West Michael A.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Previous research on meditation and the EEG is described, and findings relating to EEG patterns during meditation are discussed. Comparisons of meditation with other altered states are reviewed and it is concluded that, on the basis of existing EEG evidence, there is some reason for differentiating between meditation and drowsing. Research on alpha-blocking and habituation of the blocking response during meditation is reviewed, and the effects of meditation on EEG patterns outside of meditation are described. In conclusion, the need for more precisely formulated research is pointed out.
Changes in rating behaviour during the learning of a standardized psychiatric interview
Authors: Von Cranach M. , Cooper J. E.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The rating behaviour of eight psychiatrists was studied while they learned to use a standardized psychiatric clinical interview schedule. Their progress was followed during live interviews, and also by their ratings of videotape interviews. Significant and consistent changes towards the standards of the teachers were demonstrated, as was a universal tendency to pass through a phase of rating at a higher level of abnormality than the standards they were trying to approach.
Comparison of amantadine, orphenadrine, and placebo in the control of phenothiazine-induced Parkinsonism
Authors: Mindham R. H. S. , Gaind R. , Anstee B. H. , Rimmer Lorna
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A double-blind comparison was made of the effects of amantadine hydrochloride, orphenadrine hydrochloride, and placebo in the control of the effects on the extrapyramidal nervous system of fluphenazine decanoate. Patients were assessed with regard to the main symptoms of Parkinsonism, the leading clinical signs, performance in walking, writing and squeezing, changes in mood, and unwanted effects of medication. Neither of the pharmacologically active substances was superior to placebo. Attention is drawn to the paucity of evidence for the effectiveness of anti-cholinergic drugs in both Parkinson's disease and in drug-induced Parkinsonism. The special difficulties in performing trials of substances used in relieving the unwanted effects of other drugs are discussed in relationship to defects in methodology in both this and earlier trials. The findings of the present study are not conclusive but show a clear need for further research in this field. The possible theoretical and practical importance of such research is discussed.
WHO International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia
Authors: Sartorius N. , Shapiro R. , Kimura M. , Barrett K.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The results are described of a transcultural psychiatric study of schizophrenia undertaken by WHO in nine countries. The study proved that such a collaboration was feasible, that it was possible to develop research procedures for international use, and that similar types of schizophrenia could be found in each of the countries involved. One thousand two hundred and two patients were studied and over 2 million items of information obtained.
Part 2. A logical analysis of the medico-psychological concept of disease
Authors: Taylor F. Kräupl
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

When no endopathological abnormalities are available to serve as classifying criteria, symptom clusters are generally used as substitutes. They then form the core of particular functional diseases, especially in psychiatry. The selection of symptom clusters on the basis of clinical impression is the predominant procedure, but it is subjective and arbitrary. To remedy this shortcoming, cluster-searching methods of a sophisticated statistical nature have been introduced, though they have not so far been conspicuously successful. In some functional psychiatric diseases, such as phobic neurosis, depressive neurosis, war neurosis, and compensation neurosis, exopathological environmental, but normal, events form the classifying criteria. They are presumed to activate idiosyncratic endopathological predispositions. The classification of organic diseases relies on endopathological and inherited exopathological abnormalities as classifying criteria. As an illustration of the establishment of an inherited exopathological disease, the discovery of phenylketonuria as a clinical sign and the gradual elucidation of its pathogenesis are described.
Dependence of schizophrenic patients on elderly relatives
Authors: Stevens Barbara C.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

As part of a survey of the need for rehabilitation services in Camberwell, a representative group of 56 unemployed psychiatric patients were selected from the Camberwell Register during 1968; most of these were chronic schizophrenics, and 29, or just over half of them, were living with their parents or siblings. This paper describes a special analysis made by a medical sociologist into the problems of these 29 patients as perceived by their relatives. Assessment of the patient's handicaps and the burden felt by the family showed a dependence on parents of pensionable age which is an obstacle to rehabilitation. Patients were content, but relatives were dissatisfied and experienced considerable financial burden and symptoms of reactive anxiety and depression. The need for special services is emphasized to help the patient towards a more independent existence when the relative dies.
A study of the association between quality of maternal care and infant development
Authors: Roberts C. J. , Rowley J. R.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

The investigation described in this paper considers the influence of social class and the infant's birth order on maternal care, and then, in the light of these findings, examines the association between quality of maternal care and infant development. The study population comprised 89% of all births during an 18-month period in a defined administrative area in Glamorganshire. Possible explanations for the findings are discussed.
The questionnaire measurement of psychoticism
Authors: Eysenck S. B. G. , Eysenck H. J.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

A study is reported of a random sample of 170 normal men and 192 normal women who were given a 110-item questionnaire incorporating items intended to measure personality variables P (psychoticism), N (neuroticism), E (extraversion), and L (a lie and dissimulation scale). Factor analysis of the intercorrelations between items disclosed a clear-cut psychoticism factor, relatively independent of the others. The rationale and the psychiatric importance of this factor are discussed.
Behavioural changes after treatment with testosterone: case report
Authors: Beumont P. J. V. , Bancroft J. H. J. , Beardwood C. J. , Russell G. F. M.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

A male patient is described whose loss of sexual interest and activity was due to gonadal failure, presumably the result partly of Klinefelter's syndrome and partly of orchitis, though the latter was unilateral. He showed no change during a placebo control period, but within a few days of starting replacement treatment with testosterone he reported a return of sexual interest and showed a response to sexually arousing stimuli; sexual attitudes also improved. This case is of interest because of the specific and rapid psychological response to the correction of an androgen deficiency.
School refusal, truancy, and adult neurotic illness
Authors: Tyrer Peter , Tyrer Stephen
Published: July 2009

SYSNOPSIS

Two hundred and forty adult psychiatric patients, comprising 60 phobic, 60 anxious, and 120 depressed patients, were interviewed about problems of school attendance during their childhood. Using a specially designed questionnaire, non-attendance due to school refusal was swparated from that due to truancy. A control population of 120 orthopaedic and dental patients, matched for age and sex with the psychiatric sample, was also interviewed. It was found that school refusal had occurred significantly more often among the psychiatric patients than among the controls (P < 0·05). The incidence of truancy was similar in both groups. Both school refusal and truancy had occurred more frequently in female than in male patients. The results suggest that, contrary to some studies, there is a link between childhood and adult neurotic disorders and that some children who present with problems of school refusal are at risk in adult life.
Relationship between mood and digit-symbol performance in hospitalized patients with functional psychiatric disorders
Authors: Luria Richard E.
Published: July 2009

SYSNOPSIS

This paper reports the relationship between mood, as measured by the Visual Analogue Mood Scale, and digit-symbol performance within individual hospitalized patients in a consecutive series of admissions with functional psychiatric disorders. It confirms the earlier finding of Folstein and Luria that a significant mood-digit-symbol relationship distinguishes clear cases of affective psychoses from clear non-affective disorders. Furthermore, it shows that, among patients who do not present with classical affective syndromes, those who manifest a significant mood-digit-symbol relationship tend to receive specific treatments for mood disturbances, have a positive family history of depression or mania, and improve significantly at discharge.
Psychological testing in depressive illness 1. Psychomotor performance
Authors: Gill J. , Horne D. J. De L.
Published: July 2009

SYSNOPSIS

This paper presents findings from a controlled investigation of psychomotor performance in depression and mania to test Court's (1968) continuum model. This model proposes that, unlike the common bipolar view of depression and mania, there is a continuum ranging from normal, through depression, to mania. Simple reaction time measures did not confirm this hypothesis. However, results of more complex psychomotor performance did provide some confirmation, and, also, provided evidence of a ‘central processing’ deficit in both manic and depressed subjects.
Studies on the activity of the pituitary-gonadal axis in the XYY syndrome
Authors: Wakeling A. , Haq A. , Naftolin F. , Neill M. P. , Horton R.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Results are presented of pituitary gonadotrophic and testicular steroid hormone assays carried out on 11 phenotypic males with a 47, XYY karyotype. These results are compared with those from a control group of normal ambulant males and a group of patients with a 46, XY karyotype who were detained in a maximum security hospital.
Plasma cortisol-binding capacity in mental illness
Authors: King David J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Plasma cortisol-binding capacity (CBC) was determined in 18 psychiatric patients, including 14 who had affective disorders, and 18 controls. Men with unipolar depressive illnesses had significantly lower CBC values than men with bipolar illnesses and male controls. No other significant differences in CBC values were found and it was concluded that elevated total plasma cortisol levels in affective disorder were probably associated with increased levels of unbound cortisol. The possibility that low CBC values may be a genetic marker for certain types of affective disorder requires further investigation. The effect of certain drugs on CBC was also investigated.
Life-events and psychiatric disorders Part 1: some methodological issues
Authors: Brown G. W. , Sklair F. , Harris T. O. , Birley J. L. T.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The paper focuses on recent criticisms of the study of the role of life-events in the onset of psychiatric conditions and suggests that measurement error and bias can be reasonably well controlled by various methodological procedures. Failure to comply with these may be expected, however, to increase rather than decrease the chances of establishing a ‘positive’ resuit. Three further factors to do with the design of studies and the analysis of data are discussed which are likely to mask real differences between patient and comparison group, and which therefore might explain the ‘negative’ results reported in the literature. They concern: (1) the choice of an appropriate comparison group; (2) specification of the length of the period between event and onset; and (3) specification of the event in terms of some measure of severity. Results from two London studies of schizophrenic and depressive patients are presented to illustrate the argument. The studies suggest that life-events do play an important causal role in bringing about both disorders.
Affective and suicidal symptoms in epileptic prisoners
Authors: Gunn John
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Previous writers have suggested a relationship between psychiatric disability and epilepsy, and this is confirmed in the present survey of epileptic prisoners.s The older epileptics, who included four cases of severe cerebral damage, were particularly prone to anxiety and depression. Those with temporal lobe epilepsy had been the most suicidal. The one schizophrenic was a ‘doubtful’ epileptic.
Sydenham's disease entities
Authors: Taylor F. Kräupl
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Sydenham's reputation rests in part on his self-deceptive assertion that he allowed clinical observation to speak for itself. In fact, however, his mind was steeped in philosophical world-views that went back via the Scholastics and Galen to Plato and Aristotle. A brief survey of these views is presented to clarify Sydenham's message. The basic formula of logical set theory is then used to put in perspective Sydenham's disease postulates and later views on the nature of disease. The point is made that, in the case of cryptogenic diseases, we sometimes tend to revert unwittingly to ideas akin to those of Sydenham.
The Charles Bonnet Syndrome in perspective
Authors: Damas-Mora J. , Skelton-Robinson M. , Jenner F. A.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The clinical condition occurring in the elderly with preserved intellectual functions, characterized by vivid, elaborate and dynamic recurrent visual pseudo-hallucinatory phenomena of a pleasant or neutral nature and often associated with ocular pathology – the Charles Bonnet Syndrome – is described. Its main clinical features are illustrated and the aetiology discussed. Two new cases are presented and areas for future research are outlined.
Gonadotrophin secretion abnormalities in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Ferrier I. N. , Cotes P. M. , Crow T. J. , Johnstone E. C.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

LH, FSH, PRL and testosterone were estimated by radioimmunoassay in serial venous samples from 20 male chronic schizophrenic patients, 17 age-matched controls, 3 patients in remission from acute schizophrenia, and in single samples from age–sex matched populations. LH and FSH, but not testosterone or PRL, were significantly reduced in patients with chronic schizophrenia. There was an associated reduction in the frequency, but not amplitude, of LH secretory episodes in patients with chronic schizophrenia. No abnormalities of LH secretion were detected in those patients in remission from acute schizophrenia. Fourteen of the chronic schizophrenic patients were retested at a later date with similar results, except in the case of the few patients who had been started on neuroleptic medication. Some relationships were established between hormonal secretion and the clinical features of these patients. The possible significance of these findings is discussed in the context of the complex control of gonadotrophin secretion from the anterior pituitary and the natural history and nature of chronic schizophrenia.
Suicide during 1961–70 of migrants in Australia
Authors: Burvill P. W. , Woodings T. L. , Stenhouse N. S. , McCall M. G.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Rates and methods of suicide during 1961–70 of migrants in Australia were compared with native born Australians. Large differences in both rates and methods of suicide were found in individual migrant groups. The rates were more akin to those in the country of origin than of the Australian-born, no matter how long the migrants had lived in Australia. By contrast, methods of suicide used by migrants approached more closely those of the Australian-born the longer they had lived in Australia. The change in methods used was greatest in those migrant groups coming from countries with a language and culture more akin to those in Australia. A discussion follows of various possible sociological and cultural factors, both within the countries of origin and within Australia, which could have contributed to these results.
Ward environment and disturbed behaviour
Authors: Bouras N. , Trauer T. , Watson J. P.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Disturbed behaviour and dissatisfaction were studied in relation to two contrasting ward environments, one representing the ‘medical model’ of psychiatry and the other being a modified form of ‘therapeutic community’. Specially designed forms were used for 18 months to obtain daily and weekly measures of behavioural disturbance from the nurses and of dissatisfaction with various aspects of the ward environment from the patients. The results suggested that the ‘therapeutic community’ ward was significantly more disturbed, and that disturbance on that ward varied according to the day of the week, something which did not happen on the ‘medical model’ ward. Differences in disturbance between diagnoses were also found. Disturbance was significantly correlated with, and tended to precede, dissatisfaction only in the ‘therapeutic community’ ward.
Social experiences in childhood and adult psychiatric morbidity: a multiple regression analysis
Authors: Tennant Christopher , Bebbington Paul , Hurry Jane
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

The effect of childhood experiences on adult psychiatric morbidity was examined in a community psychiatric survey. The Present State Examination was used to assess psychiatric morbidity. Childhood experiences assessed included childhood demographic factors and ‘loss and deprivation’ variables. The latter group comprised maternal and paternal deaths and separations and other disruptions in parental care. ‘Loss and deprivation’ in combination accounted for between 4·5 and 5·5% of the variance in adult psychiatric morbidity
Social factors associated with depression: a retrospective community study
Authors: Costello Charles G.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

A procedural replication of the Camberwell retrospective community study of depression in women (Brown et al. 1975; Brown & Harris, 1978 a) was conducted in Calgary, Alberta. A random sample of 449 women between the ages of 18 and 65 were interviewed. The shorter form of the Present State Examination (PSE) and Brown's Interview Schedules for Life Events and Difficulties were used.

By contrast to the findings of Brown, none of the following factors was associated with the onset of depression in the 12 months prior to interview: social class, employment status, number of children at home, loss of mother before age 11. In agreement with Brown, a lack of intimacy with spouse/cohabitant/boyfriend increased the risk of depression. Also in agreement with Brown, severe life events and difficulties were associated with depression. The association was particularly strong for ‘possibly independent’ events and difficulties, i.e. events (and difficulties) that may or may not have been caused in part by the woman herself. It was concluded that the role of social factors is community-specific and that the causal roles of events and difficulties in relation to depression remain uncertain. The implications of the findings in relation to the locus of vulnerability to depression are briefly discussed
Effects of vasopressin on memory and new learning in a brain-injured population
Authors: Fewtrell W. D. , House A. O. , Jamie P. F. , Oates M. R. , Cooper J. E.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Vasopressin was administered in the form of a nasal spray to a group of 7 head-injured patients and compared with placebo in its effects on intellectual functioning, each patient serving as his own control. No significant differences in performance were found during the conditions of placebo and the active agent.
Co-dergocrine (Hydergine) in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia
Authors: Rastogi Sudhir C. , Blowers Anthony J. , Gibson Alan C.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with co-dergocrine in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia in a group of elderly chronic psychiatric patients the reduction of dyskinetic scores in the group receiving active medication was slightly greater than that in the placebo group; however, this difference did not reach a level of statistical significance. It is suggested that further work could be undertaken with a longer period of treatment, and at a higher dosage level of co-dergocrine, in a younger patient sample.
Erythrocyte membrane cation carrier in manic-depressive psychosis
Authors: Naylor G. J. , Smith A. H. W. , Dick E. G. , Dick D. A. T. , McHarg A. M. , Chambers C. A.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Erythrocyte Na–K ATPase and sodium pump site numbers were estimated in groups of depressed, manic and recovered patients. The activity of Na–K ATPase per pump site was lower in the depressed group than in the recovered group. In the manic group Na–K ATPase was lower than that of the recovered group, whereas there was no difference in the pump site numbers. In the more severe manics the activity of Na–K ATPase per pump site was significantly lower than that of the recovered patients. Therefore, the change occurring in the erythrocyte membrane cation carrier in manic-depressive psychosis is probably in the activity of individual Na–K ATPase molecules and not in the number of Na–K ATPase molecules per cell.
Reaction time facilitation in affective psychotic patients
Authors: Bruder Gerard , Yozawitz Allan , Berenhaus Ira , Sutton Samuel
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

The extent to which the second member of a pair of monotic clicks facilitates simple reaction time was examined for 35 psychiatric patients and 43 non-patient controls across 2 studies. Affective psychotic patients showed greater reaction time facilitation than did either schizophrenic patients or non-patient controls. Computer simulations of a ‘statistical facilitation’ model for these data are also presented.
Self-perception of employed and unemployed haemophiliacs
Authors: Markova Ivana , Lockyer Ruth , Forbes C.
Published: July 2009

SYNOPSIS

Semi-structured interviews concerning various aspects of mental health were carried out with 13 employed and 13 unemployed haemophiliacs 20–35 years old. Significant differences in patients' responses were related to their employment status and the degree of severity of haemophilia. Unemployed patients with milder forms of haemophilia appeared to be least adjusted and suffered most from psychosomatic symptoms.
An investigation of the effects of intracerebral injection in the marmoset of cytopathic cerebrospinal fluid from patients with schizophrenia or neurological disease
Authors: Baker H. F. , Ridley R. M. , Crow T. J. , Bloxham C. A. , Parry R. P. , Tyrrell D. A. J.
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

In experiments designed to investigate transmission, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with schizophrenia and neurological disease (Huntington's chorea and multiple sclerosis) which had been found to induce cytopathic effects in human embryonic fibroblast cell culture was injected intracerebrally into mice, hamsters and marmosets (small New World primates). No evidence was obtained of transmission to mice or hamsters. A total of 15 marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) was injected intracerebrally with CSF [8 with samples from 4 patients with schizophrenia. 3 with samples from patients with neurological disease (2 with Huntington's chorea and 1 with multiple sclerosis) and 4 with samples from 3 patients without neurological or psychiatric disease] and was observed over a period of 2½ years.

Analysis of variance on data obtained from behavioural observations averaged over 6-month periods revealed that animals injected with CSF from patients with schizophrenia and neurological disease became progressively more inactive when compared with animals injected with CSF from control patients. The change detected by behavioural observation was confirmed as a difference 2 and 2½ years after injection by automated activity monitoring.

There was an incidence of reproductive anomalies (including two occipital encephalocoeles) in the females in the experimental group, but the numbers are too small to draw firm conclusions from this observation.

Many reported differences in biological samples from schizophrenic patients and normal controls have subsequently been found to be due to factors unrelated to the disease state. This may prove to be the case with the changes observed in this experiment. Nevertheless, the fact that marmosets injected with CSF from patients suffering from neuropsychiatric disease, including schizophrenia, subsequently differed in their behaviour from those injected with control CSF warrants further investigation.
The significance of subclassification in anorexia nervosa: a comparative study of clinical features in 141 patients
Authors: Vandereycken Walter , Pierloot Roland
Published: July 2009

Synopsis

Within a sample of 141 female anorexia nervosa patients comparative investigations were carried out between three subgroups: dieters, binge-eaters, and vomiters/purgers. A number of significant differences were found, especially with respect to age and duration of illness, previous treatment failures, and long-term outcome. The results appear to support the authors' view that the staic idea of anorexia nervosa as a unitary illness should be abandoned and replaced by a dynamic dimensional model according to which, in the course of time, changes may occur in the clinical picture of dysorectic patients.