bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemoprophylaxis of depressions An attempt to compare lithium with 5‐hydroxytryptophan
Authors: Praag H. M. Van , De Haan S.
Published: August 2007

There are indications that the group of vital (‘endogenous’) depressions encompasses a subgroup with central 5‐HT deficiency and that this factor contributes to the development of the (or some) depressive symptoms instead of resulting from them. In a majority of patients the suspected S‐HT deficiency persists even when the depressive symptoms have disappeared and the medication has been discontinued. This led us to the hypothesis that the disturbed central 5‐HT metabolism is not a direct causal, but a predisposing factor. If this is true, then abolition of the suspected 5‐HT deficiency, for example with the aid of 5‐HTP, can be expected to have a prophylactic effect. This hypothesis was investigated in this study and confirmed. 5‐HTP reduces the relapse rate in recurrent vital depressions with a unipolar and those with a bipolar course. This effect would seem to be most pronounced in patients whose disorders of central 5‐HT metabolism are persistent. Tentatively it was concluded that 5‐HTP seems to be inferior to lithium in bipolar patients and at least equivalent to lithium in unipolar patients. This problem, however, is still under investigation.

5‐HTP prophylaxis is the first aimed (i.e. pathological substrate‐oriented) type of chemoprophylaxis known in psychiatry.
The antidepressant efficacy of zimelidine and maprotiline
Authors: Montgomery S. A. , Rani S. J. , Mcauley R. , Roy D. , Montgomery D. B.
Published: August 2007

In a double‐blind group comparison study of 39 patients with primary depressive illness zimelidine in a dose of 200 mg at night demonstrated the same order of antidepressant efficacy as maprotiline in a dose of 150 mg at night after either two or four weeks treatment measured by the amelioration or final score on the Hamilton Rating Scale (HRS) and on the Montgomery & Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

Both zimelidine and maprotiline demonstrated significant antidepressant activity at 2 weeks compared with 2 weeks prior treatment with placebo measured by amelioration on HRS (paired t 4.1 P < 0.001, t 2.7 P < 0.02) or MADRS (paired t 3.5 P < 0.005, t 5.1 P < 0.001).

An item analysis of the MADRS showed significantly better sleep and appetite in the maprotiline‐treated group compared with the zimelidinetreated group which is in accord with the pharmacology of the two compounds.
Establishment of a local psychiatric service
Authors: Wang A. G.
Published: August 2007

The Faroe Islands are a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean between Norway and Iceland inhabited by about 42,000 people. They are considered a nation with home rule within the Danish Kingdom. A Psychiatric Department was not established on the islands until 1969. Before this, psychiatric patients were referred to the local General Hospital and about half of the patients in each diagnostic group were sent on to the Psychiatric Hospital in Nykøbing on Zealand, Denmark. Since the establishment of the department, admissions have increased in all diagnostic groups, especially in the group of senile psychoses. The total increase amounts to 2.4 times the admission rates of psychiatric cases to the General Hospital and 4.4 times the admission rates to the Psychiatric Hospital in Nykøbing in the last years prior to the start of the local service. The outpatient department has grown steadily, the patients attending are distributed in diagnostic groups similar to Danish outpatient departments.
Rating of anxiety, depression and vulnerability
Authors: Hassanyeh F. , Eccleston D. , Davison K.
Published: August 2007

A new self‐rating scale is presented, which incorporates items on anxiety, depression and vulnerability.

A high correlation was obtained between its depression scale and the Beck Depression Inventory, and between its vulnerability scale and the Neuroticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.

The new anxiety scale differentiated patients with anxiety neurosis from those with depression.
Lack of tolerance to long‐term neuroleptic treatment in dopamine tuberoinfundibular system
Authors: Chouinard G. , Annable L. , Jones B. D. , Collu R.
Published: August 2007

The plasma prolactin (PRL) levels of 35 chronic schizophrenic patients undergoing long‐term maintenance treatment with neuroleptic drugs were measured before and after either neuroleptic withdrawal or a switch to a fixed dose of chlorpromazine 900 mg/ day. In both men and women there tended to be a significant correlation between the initial log plasma PRL level while on neuroleptic maintenance treatment and the dosage received converted to chlorpromazine equivalents. Neuroleptic withdrawal in each of 19 cases was followed by a decline in PRL plasma levels. Switching to chlorpromazine 900 mg/day (16 cases) produced either increases or decreases in PRL plasma levels that were significantly correlated with the change in neuroleptic dosage converted to chlorpromazine equivalents. Thus there was no evidence of tolerance to the PRL‐elevating effect of neuroleptics in these patients who had been treated for many years with neuroleptics.
Cis(Z)‐clopenthixol and haloperidol in chronic schizophrenic patients ‐ a double‐blind clinical multicentre investigation
Authors: Heikkilä L. , Laitinen J. , Vartiainen H.
Published: August 2007

Sixty‐three chronic schizophrenic in‐patients were included in the double‐blind, double‐dummy clinical trial comparing antipsychotic activity and side effects of cis(Z)‐clopenthixol and haloperidol. Test treatment was administered at least 8 and in most cases 12 weeks with clinical evaluations including BPRS, NOSIE‐30, CGI and single side effects done at weeks 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12. The average end‐of‐trial doses were 40 mg cis(Z)‐clopenthixol and 10 mg haloperidol. Statistically significant improvements of total BPRS‐score and Thinking disturbance were registered with both drugs from week 2 onwards. At week 12 when 36 patients were receiving test treatment total BPRS‐score was reduced by 31% in the cis(Z)‐clopenthixol group and by 17% in the haloperidol group. At week 4 Thinking disturbance was reduced by 32% in the cis(Z)‐clopenthixol group and by 16% in the haloperidol group ‐ these findings constituted the only significant difference between test drugs. Compared to the BPRS‐results less improvements and no differences between test drugs were registered with NOSIE‐30 and CGI. Any trends towards different frequency and severity of side effects were in the favour of cis(Z)‐clopenthixol.
Serum levels of the isomers of clopenthixol in patients given cis(Z)‐clopenthixol or cis(Z)/trans(E)‐clopenthixol
Authors: Aaes‐Jørgensen T. , Gravem A. , Jørgensen A.
Published: August 2007

The serum levels of the two geometric isomers of clopenthixol and N‐dealkylated clopenthixol were estimated in 9 patients, who received cis(Z)‐clopenthixol (Cisordinolr̀, Clopixolr̀ tabl.) in one period and the double dose of cis(Z)/trans(E)‐clopenthixol (Sordinolr̀, Ciatylr̀) in another period. Nearly equal concentrations of the neuroleptically active isomer, cis(Z)‐clopenthixol, were found in the two periods. This finding is in agreement with the clinical experience, but in disagreement with the administered amounts of cis(Z)‐clopenthixol, which were larger when the cis(Z)‐isomer was given alone. Highly significant correlations were found between dose and mean serum level of cis(Z)‐clopenthixol and between dose and area under the serum concentration curves for 8 of the patients, the ninth patient, who had received additional medication showed deviating results. No indication of transformation of cis(Z)‐clopenthixol into trans(E)‐clopenthixol or vice versa was found. Trans(E)‐clopenthixol was found in the serum samples even after administration for one week with the cis(Z)‐clopenthixol tablets indicating a relatively long half‐life of the trans(E)‐isomer. The cis(Z)‐isomer of N‐dealkyl clopenthixol was found in about the same concentration as cis(Z)‐clopenthixol in both periods, while trans(E)‐N‐dealkyl clopenthixol occurred in about 4 times higher concentrations in patients who had either been given cis(Z)/trans(E)‐clopenthixol before they went into the study or had received it in the first period of the study.
The diversity of premenstrual changes as reflected in the Premenstrual Assessment Form
Authors: Halbreich U. , Endicott J. , Schacht S. , Nee J.
Published: August 2007

The Premenstrual Assessment Form (PAF) is a new self report procedure designed to measure changes in mood, behavior, and physical condition during the premenstrual period. It reflects the great variability of premenstrual syndromes as opposed to the common practice of viewing these changes as a single entity. In comparison to commonly used procedures, the PAF 1) contains a broader variety and more specific descriptions of positive as well as negative changes; 2) provides Unipolar Summary Scales and Bipolar Continua which are sensitive measures for indexing levels of severity on various types of change; and 3) provides specific criteria for Typological Categories descriptive of different syndromes of change, especially those of mood and behavior. The paper describes the development of the PAF and the three scoring Systems and illustrates the sensitivity of the individual items and scoring Systems in reflecting the great diversity of change manifested during the premenstrual period.
Epidemiological psychiatry in Africa
Authors: Olatawura M. O.
Published: August 2007

The study of the distribution of psychiatric disorders in space and time in African populations, and of the factors that influence this distribution (Lilienfeld (1957)), has had very limited scope in black Africa. Although the shortcomings of earlier epidemiological work in black Africa become obvious when some of the studies are cited, some pertinent general background information is thought necessary by way of introduction.
Diagnosis of killers seen for psychiatric assessment
Authors: Langevin R. , Paitich D. , Orchard B. , Handy L. , Russon A.
Published: August 2007

109 killers, 38 nonviolent offenders and 54 community controls were compared on psychiatric diagnosis, the MMPI, Cattell 16 PF, IQ and clinical neurological results. Killers did not differ from nonviolent offenders on diagnosis or personality in general. Only higher MMPI Hysteria scale scores differentiated the killers from the other groups. IQ tended to be lower and neurological findings more often positive in homicide cases than in controls. Results suggest that previous uncontrolled research on homicide has been misleading.
Behavior, attitude, nutrition and endocrinology in anorexia nervosa: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY IN 24 PATIENTS
Authors: Fichter M. M. , Doerr P. , Pirke K. M. , Lund R.
Published: August 2007

Twenty‐four anorexia nervosa patients participated in an inpatient broad spectrum behavior therapy program. The changes in body weight, anorectic behaviors and attitudes and endocrine variables (24‐h plasma cortisoml, dexamethasone suppression test, 24‐h plasma luteinizing hormone) were measured. Data indicate that specific anorectic behaviors and attitudes showed significant improvement during inpatient treatment, while attitudes of a more general neurotic scope such as the feeling of insufficiency, general distress, (sexual) anxieties and anancasm did not. On admission 24‐h plasma cortisol levels were elevated, episodic secretory spikes occurred at unusual times and the number was increased, cortisol plasma halflife was increased and non‐suppression of cortisol secretion following the application of dexamethasone was observed. All these parameters normalized already after 10 % weight gain. 24‐h plasma LH pattern showed a close relationship with body weight. Our data suggest that the dysfunctions in anorexia nervosa patients in the hyporthalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal and ‐gonadal axis have little specificity for this disease and are mainly a consequence of nutritional factors and starvation. The relationship between cortisol and LH‐secretion, behavioral and attitudinal variables and weight gain was more complex than previously suggested by others and a positive relationship between the LH secretory pattern and anorectic symptomatology could not be established.
Patient attitudes towards lithium
Authors: Vestergaard P. , Amdisen A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ Many patients discontinue prophylactic lithium treatment against medical advice. Knowledge of patient attitudes towards lithium treatment may help explain and prevent non‐compliant behaviour. One hundred and forty patients given lithium treatment from 2 to 17 years were asked what they found most advantageous about the treatment and what they found most disadvantageous. Seventy‐five per cent of the patients experienced freedom from symptoms and the re‐establishment of social functions in the family and in work as the main benefit of the treatment. Twenty‐five per cent perceived no other advantages than possibly the satisfaction of demands from the family or the doctor. Seventy per cent of the patients considered various somatic and non‐somatic complaints the main disadvantage of lithium treatment and 30% found no disadvantages at all. Psychological and other non‐somatic complaints related to work, training, patient status, and the administration of lithium tablets were almost as frequent as somatic complaints. The advantages and disadvantages perceived by the patients did not necessarily correspond with the physician's perception of good or bad treatment response or the presence of unwanted effects.
Psychiatric study of 69‐year‐old health examinees in Stockholm
Authors: Enzell K.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ Persons born in 1905 and living in the municipality of Stockholm were, in 1971, invited to a health check‐up. The participants in this investigation were 3 years later invited to a follow‐up‐control. In this, 4,930 persons participated, i.e. approx. 50% of Stockholmers born in 1905, the original target population. In a questionnaire administered in connection with the 1974 health check‐up 4% of the men and 7% of the women claimed to have symptoms suggesting a depressive syndrome. These 284 persons were examined psychiatrically, as well as 178 who had claimed the same symptoms 3 years earlier, and 127 who constituted a control group, in all 589 persons. In nearly all cases the depressed mood was judged to be a sign of neurotic condition. Severe untreated depressive states were not observed. In most cases retirement as such seemed not to have had any negative effect on the mental health of the examinees. Fifty‐nine subjects stated that their mental problems had begun after the health examination in 1971, i.e. after the age of 65. The majority of subjects with mental disorders had developed their problems much earlier. It would appear that a general health control for elderly people in a major urban area does not reach those pensioners who are most de‐pressed.
Platelet monoamine oxidase activity and trace acid levels in plasma of agoraphobic patients
Authors: Yu P. H. , Bowen R. C. , Davis B. A. , Boulton A. A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ Platelet monoamine oxidase activity and plasma trace acid levels in 29 patients classified as agoraphobics was estimated. MAO activity towards p‐tyramine and β‐phenylethylamine was found to be significantly higher in agoraphobics than in non‐agoraphobic depressed patients and healthy controls. In addition plasma p‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid levels were low in both agoraphobic and depressed patient groups. All patients were also assessed by Spielberger State Anxiety and the short form of the Beck Depression Inventory scales. No significant correlations could be found between platelet MAO activity or plasma trace acid levels and the psychological scores.
Prediction of outcome in psychogeriatric patients
Authors: Katona C. L. E. , Lowe D. , Jack R. L.
Published: August 2007

A 1‐year follow‐up study was carried out of the 212 patients aged 65 and over admitted to Fulboum Hospital in 1980. Outcome was uniformly poor for patients with dementia and better but more variable in those with functional illnesses. No social or demographic variables were significantly associated with outcome in the demented group but age, female sex, previous admission and independent accommodation prior to admission were significantly associated with good outcome in those with functional illnesses. A predictive index was constructed relating social variables on admission to 1‐year outcome.
Classification and diagnosis of depression
Authors: Malt U.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐ There is no general concensus how to classify and diagnose depressive disorders. The main reason is disagreement regarding etiology. This is reflected in the several theoretical models of depression which has been proposed.

On the other hand, a reliable way of characterizing groups of patients that can be used by both clinicians and researchers, is necessary both for communication and progress of research.

Facing this situation, the inclusion of etiological theories in classification of depression obviously would be an obstacle to the use of such a classfication system by clinicians of various theoretical orientation at current. Thus, a classification system which describes the clinical features of the mental disorders comprehensively and at the lowest order of inference necessary to identify the disorder in a reliable way is needed.

The third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM‐III) represents such a classification system.

By providing operational diagnostic criteria for each diagnosis, DSM‐III represents a major achievement of classification in clinical psychiatry and research. This paper will present the classification of depression and the problem of differential diagnosis as outlined in DSM‐III. Further, the validity of the DSM‐III classification of depression will be discussed with reference to some recent research findings on biopsychosocial and treatment aspects of depressive disorders.
Psychiatric illness due to manganese poisoning
Authors: Chandra S.V.
Published: August 2007

Rats were exposed to manganese (1 mg/ml through drinking water) daily to study behavioral and neurochemical changes 14 and 30 days after the treatment. Manganese produced hyperactivation after 14 and 30 days with greater magnitude of alteration at the latter period. Reduction in the percentage of conditional avoidance response and increase in fighting score were also observed after 30 days. These behavioral changes were associated with increased levels of striatal dopamine and norepinephrine in rats exposed to manganese. Thus, it was indicated that increased turnover of striatal catecholamines was responsible for producing behavioral changes in early manganese intoxication.
Dimensions of child‐rearing practices: Factor structure of the EMBU
Authors: Ross M. W. , Clayer J. R. , Campbell R. L.
Published: August 2007

Measurement of the dimensions of parental‐rearing practices was undertaken using an English form of the EMBU inventory, which was administered to 282 non‐clinical subjects. Results indicated that eight of the 14 subscales of the EMBU could be identified on oblique factor analysis, and that six other dimensions were specific to Mother or Father. Results suggest that method of factor extraction plays an important part in number of dimensions of child‐rearing practices identified, and that it may be appropriate to assume that dimensions of parental rearing are correlated rather than independent.
Mixed anxiety/depressive illness in general practice: A therapeutic comparison of nomifensine with fluphenazine/nortriptyline
Authors: Valle‐Jones J. C. , Craven J. R. , Wallis T. D. , Schiff A. A.
Published: August 2007

The effect of the dopamine agonist antidepressant drug, nomifensine, on mixed anxiety/depressive states in general practice was assessed by means of a double‐blind comparison with a standard fluphenazine/nortriptyline preparation. 57 patients were randomly allocated to 4 weeks’ treatment with either nomifensine 25‐50 mg taken three times daily, or a tablet containing 1.5 mg fluphenazine with 30 mg nortriptyline (Motipres® taken once daily. The overall response to both treatments was satisfactory, but Motipres was significantly superior (P < 0.01) to nomifensine in the relief of fatigue and loss of energy, irritability, poor concentration and difficulty in coping, and there was also evidence of greater relief of depressive symptoms. In mixed anxiety/deprssive states in general practice, nomifensine offers no advantage over a simple one tablet daily Motipress regimen.
Reduced platelet MAO activity in healthy male students with blood group O
Authors: Arató M. , Bagdy G. , Rihmer Z. , Kulcsár Z.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT – The association between the two genetic markers of affective disorders, ABO blood group system and platelet MAO (mono‐amine oxidase) activity was studied in 70 healthy young males. The platelet MAO activity of subjects with blood type O was significantly lower than that of subjects with blood type A and with blood types A+AB+B together. This finding could constitute a “bridge” between the two genetic approaches to affective disorders.
Dexamethasone suppression test and TRH test in endogenous depression
Authors: Aggernses H. , Kirkegaard C. , Krog‐Meyer I. , Kijne B. , Larsen J. K. , Laursen A. Lund , Lykke‐Olesen L. , Mikkelsen P. L. , Rasmussen S. , Bjørum N.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT – Dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test were performed in 34 patients with endogenous depression. Compared with 33 psychiatric controls (limit of discrimination for serum cortisol of 275 nmol/l = 10 μg/ 100 ml) the specificity of the DST was 91 % and the sensitivity was 65 %. Compared with 24 healthy subjects the sensitivity of the TRH test was 24 %, and the combined sensitivity for the DST and the TRH test was 76 %. In contrast to the TRH test the DST showed a significant relationship (r= 0.54, P < 0.01) to the Hamilton Rating Score. Repeating the tests after clinical recovery parallel changes of the two tests were found in 14 of 19 patients with abnormal DST in the depressed phase. In the remaining five patients the DST normalized, while the TRH test remained unchanged. It is suggested that both the apparent higher diagnostic sensitivity and the higher rate of normalization after clinical recovery of the DST is due to the dependency of the severity of depression.
Psychiatric study of non‐responders among elderly health examinees in Stockholm
Authors: Enzell K.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A psychiatric study has been carried out on a group of 72‐year‐olds. They were selected at random among the 2,878 persons born in 1905 and resident in the municipality of Stockholm who failed to appear for a general health checkup 6 years earlier. Among the 86 persons who could be evaluated of the 104 originally selected, 53 were found to be without psychiatric symptoms. Organic brain diseases were found in four cases, psychoses in three and neurotic disorders, chiefly depressive states, in 15 cases, while 10 subjects had sleeping disturbances and one chronic alcoholism. The social group distribution among the examinees indicated that it was those most in need of medical or social help who failed to participate in the health checkup.
Psychotropic drug prescription in Nigeria
Authors: Famuyiwa O. O.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– – A study of prescribing practice in three psychiatric institutions in Nigeria revealed high frequency of polypharmacy, liberal routine use of antiparkinsonian agents and daily multiple administration of drugs. In the treatment of depression and schizophrenia older and better known oral neuroleptics were preferred to newer ones, but there was apparent tendency for depressives to be under‐treated and long‐acting depot preparations were seldom administered to schizophrenics. Several aspects of drug use were similar to those observed elsewhere, particularly in the Anglo‐American practice – an observation presumed explicable in terms of common psychiatry training background. The need for clinicians to comply with accept‐able pharmacokinetic principles of drug treatment is stressed.
Castration complex
Authors: Berg G. , Berg R.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Thirty‐three adult hypospadiacs and 36 matched controls were investigated by means of Rorschach's test, in a double‐blind design. From psychoanalytic theory predictions were made about the effects of the influences of the genital malformation and its treatment on the psychological adjustment. The hypospadiacs differed significantly from the controls as predicted. They exhibited more neurotic constriction with less ego‐strength and less utilization of resources. Their anxiety and hostility levels were judged higher and they showed less self‐esteem and activity as well as less capacity for interpersonal relations. The results are compatible with psychoanalytic theory on the role of castration anxiety in the neurosis formation. The need of psychotherapeutic support for these boys and their parents is stressed.
Personality changes in the aged
Authors: Nilsson L. V.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– As part of a comprehensive epidemiological study in the elderly the Eysenck Personality Inventory was administered to 70‐, 75‐ and 79‐year‐old samples. Extraversion and Lie scores were approximately normally distributed whereas Neuroticism was positively skewed. There was a negative correlation between Lie‐scale and Neuroticism. Norms for EPI scores in 70‐year‐olds are presented. Transectional comparisons with 50‐year‐old samples showed that in 70‐year‐olds Extraversion was lower in both sexes, Neuroticism was higher in females, and Lie scores were higher in both sexes. Between 70 and 79 years of age Neuroticism scores were progressively lower for males, which may be explained by selective mortality. Females scored significantly higher than males on Neuroticism in all four age groups. Subjects with lower intelligence scored higher on Extraversion and Neuroticism than subjects with higher intelligence. Subjects with mild‐moderate dementias and with neurotic conditions scored higher on Neuroticism than subjects with no diagnosis. There were also some differences associated with subjective age, sexual activity and survival, indicating that subjects who were more vital in these respects scored higher on Extraversion and lower on Neuroticism.
Comparative double‐blind study of flupenthixol decanoate and fluphenazine decanoate in the treatment of patients relapsing in a schizophrenic symptomatology
Authors: Wistedt B. , Ranta J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT–Thirty‐two chronic schizophrenics who had relapsed entered a double‐blind randomised study and were followed‐up for 2 years with the intention of measuring any difference in therapeutic effect and side effects between flupenthixol decanoate and fluphenazine decanoate. No differences could be seen as regards the global effect or the effect on the schizophrenic symptomatology during the first 6 months. After 1 year of treatment flupenthixol decanoate showed a trend towards a better effect on schizophrenic symptomatology. A corresponding result was seen for the depressive symptoms. There There were no differences in the appearance of side effects. The need for additional neuroleptics in the initial phase seemed to be identical for both drugs. A possible slow antipsychotic effect with flupenthixol decanoate is probably due to the administered dose being somewhat low (in the present study approximately 31 mg flupenthixol corresponding to 27 mg fluphenazine). This suggests that flupenthixol should have been given in a somewhat higher dose (25 mg fluphenazine decanoate corresponding to 40 mg flupenthixol decanoate).
A cross‐cultural comparative study of patterns of depression in a hospital‐based population
Authors: Ndetei D. M. , Vadher A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– In a study of Catego depressive syndromes, using the Syndrome Check List and the Catego programme, no significant differences in depression symptomatology frequencies were found in nine different cultural groups of patients admitted to a London hospital. There were some differences in the frequencies of the hospital diagnoses of depression, whereas the Catego diagnoses showed greater similarity. It is argued that symptoms characteristic of depression in the West are common to all cultures and will become apparent on enquiry in conjunction with other culturally determined symptoms.
Deaths among child and adolescent psychiatric patients
Authors: Rydelius P.‐A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Of 1,206 patients treated during the period 1970–1980 in a department of child psychiatry in a large city in Sweden 24 (2 %) (14 boys and 10 girls) had died by the end of 1981. Twenty‐one of these (88 %) died of ‘“injuries following external violence and poisoning”, of whom 15 (63 %) were suicides. Twenty subjects (83 %) had grown up in surroundings characterised by one or more psychosocial stress factors. The study indicates a possible link between psycho‐social background factors and deaths from “injuries following external violence and poisoning”.
Dexamethasone suppression test in acute grief reaction
Authors: Das M. , Berrios G. E.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The authors report a study on the response to the dexamethasone suppression test of bereaved first‐degree relatives. Of the 21 subjects who took part two were non‐suppressors (plasma cortisol > 138 mmol/1), but their grief scores were no higher than the suppressors. Both subjects showed a suppressor response 3 months later.
Lack of effect of tryptophan treatment in demented gerontopsychiatric patients
Authors: Smith D. F. , Stromgren E. , Petersen H. N. , Williams D. G. , Sheldon W.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Twenty‐eight elderly patients with dementia and in many cases also depression received daily treatment with either L‐tryptophan (3g in the evening) or casein (control substance) for 1 monih each, using a crossover design and double‐blind procedures. Each patient's mental condition and performance ability were rated, and biological variables (serum Iryptophan levels, platelet 5‐HT up‐take, platelet MAO activity, red blood cell thiamine, pyridoxine and riboflavin levels) were measured. Serum tryptophan levels were elevated by tryptophan treatment, but the treatment failed to have significant effects on the mental condition of the patients as a whole. Dividing the patients into two groups on the basis of the treatment during which they received their best behavioral rating failed to show significant relations to biological variables, except for differences between Vmax values for platelet 5‐HT uptake. The findings indicate that long‐term administration of tryptophan to gerontopsychiatric patients does not generally have beneficial effects.
Seven year follow‐up of 300 young drug abusers
Authors: Haastrup S. , Jepsen P. W.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– 300 young morphine addicts in Copenhagen were personally followed up 7 years after their first referral for treatment. The tracking rate was 93.7 %. Of the original population, approximately 2 % died yearly, i.e. 16 %. Each year 5‐6 % ceased drug abuse, and in 1980, 39 % were characterized as being socially well adjusted. In all, 20 % remained heavy drug users, though some had changed to other drugs.
Health attitudes and psychological distress in patients attending a lithium clinic
Authors: Fava G. A. , Molnar G. , Spinks M. , Loretan A. , Bartlett D.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Health attitudes and psychological distress were investigated in 50 patients attending a lithium clinic and in 50 normal controls. Patients receiving lithium treatment did not report more worry about illness, hypochondriacal attitudes, concern about pain, disease phobia and bodily preoccupations than normals, even though they took fewer precautions about their health and exhibited more self‐rated psychological distress. Since most of the psychiatric patients were found to display more fears about illness and death than controls in other studies, this preliminary report may suggest that normal health attitudes are associated with lithium compliance in affective illness.
Prevalence of schizophrenia in the Labadi District of Ghana
Authors: Sikanartey T. , Eaton W. W.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Age‐ sex‐specific point prevalence rates for schizophrenia are presented for an area in Ghana. Sources of case material included local mental hospitals, general health clinics, shrines of traditional healers, and roaming eccentrics. Denominators are projected from the 1970 census. Diagnosis was made by a single psychiatrist from interview and chart review.
A comparison of puerperal psychosis and the schizophreniform variant of manic‐depression
Authors: Hays P. , Douglass A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The authors review the evidence indicating that puerperal psychosis is a nosological entity. The psychosis most closely resembling puerperal psychosis is the schizophreniform variant of manic‐depression, and the authors propose that if marked differences can be found between that state and puerperal psychosis, then the finding will tend to confirm the separateness of puerperal psychosis. They compare two such sets of patients, and conclude that the claim of puerperal psychosis to the status of a nosological entity is further supported.
Reliability of clinical assessment of blunted affect
Authors: Kitamura T. , Kahn A. , Kumar R.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The affect of 20 chronic schizophrenic in‐patients was assessed by two psychiatrists using two rating scales. The interview recordings were reviewed three times ‐ firstly with the auditory information only (the “audio review”), secondly with the visual information only (the “visual review”) and thirdly with both (the “audiovisual review”). The “blunted affect score” correlated strongly with the total score of the verbal items of scales, but did not when a single mode of information was given. Since the absolute values of the “blunted affect score” were lower in the “visual review” than in the live interview and in the “audio‐visual review”, it was speculated that speech tended to bias the assessment of affect.
Prognostic factors with four treatment methods for phobic disorders
Authors: Persson G. , Alström J. E. , Nordlund C. L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The associations between prognostic factors and outcome with four treatment methods for phobic disorders were studied in 103 women. The prognostic factors were sociodemographic, intelligence, personality, early interpersonal relations, aspects of previous and current mental disorder, and intensity of symptoms at start of treatment. All patients received basal therapy, which implied information, advice on exposure in vivo, and anxiolytics. One group received this treatment only (B), while others received supplementary treatment, with therapist‐directed prolonged exposure in vivo (PE), supportive therapy (ST) of dynamic type, or relaxation (R). The patients were treated for 3 months, with a 9‐month follow‐up period. Factors associated with a better outcome were: PE: greater needs for succourance and lower avoidance; ST: higher social class, better relations between parents and with father during childhood, inner conflicts as cause, and lower levels of free anxiety; R: satisfaction with contact when aged 15, bereavement as a cause, and lower levels of several symptoms; B: greater needs for order, stress at the onset, shorter duration and satisfaction with work. There were thus interactions between prognostic factors and type of treatment. The prognostic factors should be taken into account in the choice and design of treatment.
Life events occurring before and after onset of depression in a Kenyan setting ‐ any significance?
Authors: Ndetel D. M. , Vadher A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– In a controlled study of life events in depressed patients in Kenya it was found that the rate of life events was higher in the depressed group in the 27 weeks preceding the onset of depression but with a sharp increase in the last 6–9 weeks before onset. It was also found that the depressed patients continued to experience independent life events after the onset of the depression. It is hypothesized that the continued occurrence of life events after the onset of depression is an incentive to seek help and, eventually, a psychiatric referral.
Suicide in a northern town of Sri Lanka
Authors: Ganesvaran T. , Subramaniam S. , Mahadevan K.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Suicide mortality in a northern town of Sri Lanka for the year 1982 is examined. The rate was 53.5 per 100,000 general population and shows an increasing trend amongst the 15–34 age group. The commonest method was self‐poisoning by agrochemicals and insecticides of organophosphorus type. Psychiatric diagnosis, social, economic and political factors are presented. Easy availability of dangerous agrochemicals and rapid social and political changes appear to be of equal importance in producing a high rate of suicide.
Side preference in women and men when holding their newborn child: psychological background
Authors: Bogren L. Y.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT: In a prospective study 81 randomly selected parents awaiting their first baby were interviewed early during pregnancy and again during the week after delivery. About 80% of the women and their partners were found to hold their child to the left, and 20% to the right, irrespective of handedness. There was no relation between side preference in child holding in the couples. Common to both sexes is the trend that left‐holders are more attached to and identified with the parent of their own sex whereas right‐holders are more attached to and identified with the parent of the opposite sex. Right‐holders have also more often had mental symptoms prior to pregnancy and were concerned about the pregnancy, delivery and health of the child at birth.
Point prevalence of major depressive disorder in a Swedish urban female population
Authors: Hällström T.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT: In a representative sample of 800 women in Gothenburg, aged 38–54 years, the point prevalence of major depressive episode according to DSM‐III criteria was 6.9%. Of these, 2.9% had a melancholic episode and 4.0% a non‐melancholic. There was no age difference between the two groups. The episode duration was less than a year in 65% of both groups. Mean age at initial episode was significantly lower in the melancholic (33.3 years) than in the non‐melancholic group (38.7). The melancholics presented symptoms of mental disorder before age 20 in 39% of cases as against 18% of the non‐melancholics. None of the depressives had had a manic episode. The prevalence rate of 6.9% is of the same magnitude as rates recently found in other industrialized countries when standardized diagnostic criteria are used. The earlier onset of melancholic major depression might be indicative of etiological differences between melancholic and non‐melancholic major depression.
Assaultive alcoholics 20 years later
Authors: Berglund M. , Tunving K.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– In a consecutive series of 257 alcoholics from an out‐patient department 53 were judged as assaultive and 38 as suicidally inclined at the clinical examination 20 years ago. At the follow‐up the assaultive alcoholics had a 3.3 times increased mortality rate, the suicidally inclined 1.9 times and the others 1.7 times compared with the general population. The assaultive alcoholics had an increased rate of suicides, intoxications and other alcohol‐related deaths compared with other alcoholics. Repealed assaultive behaviour was uncommon. It is concluded that a skilled psychiatric evaluation of assaultive behaviour in alcoholism has an important predictive value.
Tolerability and therapeutic effect of clozapine
Authors: Povlsen U. Juul , Norrng U. , Fog R. , Gerlach J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Two hundred and sixteen psychiatric patients (183 men and 33 women) hospitalized in Set. Hans Hospital were treated with clozapine between 1971–1983. All had been treated previously with one or more neuroleptic(s) and had either failed to respond adequately, or their response was limited by side effects. Eighty‐five patients were treated exclusively with clozapine, while the remaining 131 received additional medication, mainly other neuroleptic drugs. The mean clozapine dosage was 317 mg/day (range 50‐1200), and the mean duration of treatment was 2 3/4 years (range 1/12‐12). The tolerability to clozapine was determined by an evaluation of haematological changes, pronounced side effects and mortality. One patient treated with clozapine (8 months) and nitrofurantoin (8 days) developed a reversible granuiocytopenia. One patient (treated with a combination of drugs) had clinically insignificant depression of the leucocytes and three of segmented granulocytes. Seven had a reduction in thrombocytes. Two patients developed cardiac insufficiency, and four epileptic seizures. None of the patients treated exclusively with clozapine developed neurological side effects. A global estimation of therapeutic effect revealed that clozapine alone or in combination with other neuroloptic drugs was significantly better than previous antipsychotic therapy, although 47‐63 % of the patients showed no change. It is concluded that clozapine is a potent antipsychotic drug offering particular advantages in the treatment of schizophrenic patients with a pronounced symptomatology and tendency towards developing extrapyramidal side effects. Caution is advised in patients with cardiac insufficiency and epilepsy. There appears to be a slight risk of granuiocytopenia, and therefore the present monitoring of WBC should continue in order to prevent this reaction and to obtain more complete information regarding risk of granuiocytopenia.
A double‐blind comparison of alaproclate and placebo in the treatment of patients with senile dementia
Authors: Dehlin O. , Hedenrud B. , Jansson P. , Norgard J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT–A double‐blind parallel comparison of alaproclate and placebo was carried out in patients suffering from senile dementia of primary degenerative type, or multiinfarction dementia. Both groups consisted of 20 patients each, valid for efficacy evaluation. The patients received either alaproclate 200 mg twice daily or placebo according to a randomized procedure. The study started with a placebo washout period of 2 weeks followed by a 4‐week period of active treatment or placebo and a finishing 2‐week placebo washout period. The efficacy was evaluated with a dementia rating scale by Gottfries, Brane and Steen (GBS), selected items from the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS), a rating scale for dementia adapted for nurses, and by clinical global evaluations. No difference in efficacy between the two treatments was observed with the exception of the intellectual factor of the GBS scale, where a statistically significant improvement was detected in the alaproclate group compared with the placebo group. There were no serious adverse symptoms.
Comparison of computerised self‐rating scales for depression with conventional observer ratings
Authors: Ancill R. J. , Rogers D. , Carr A. C.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Highly significant correlations are demonstrated between a microcomputer‐delivered self‐rating Hamilton Rating Scale and conventional Observer Hamilton Rating Scales. These results demonstrate that self‐rating using a microcomputer can provide a clinically useful tool in assessing the severity of depressive illness and monitoring progress with treatment.
Inter‐rater reliability of the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale in Japan
Authors: Kasa M. , Hitomi K.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT In order to apply the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) to psychiatric clinical practice in Japan we have made a preliminary Japanese version and examined the doctor to doctor and doctor to nurse inter‐rater reliability. Compared with the high reliability of the items of reported psychopathology, the coefficients of correlation of observed psy‐chopathology were considerably scattered. Education and training of the rater may improve the reliability. It is considered that the CPRS will become a very useful psychiatric rating scale in Japan.
Mortality in the long‐stay population of Dutch mental hospitals
Authors: Brook O. H.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT The cohort study by Giel et al. of mortality in Dutch mental hospitals is repealed. In the total cohort of 12,139 long‐stay patients counted on prevalence day (31 December 1979) 1226 deaths occurred over a period of 2 years. Similar to the study of Giel et al. the overall death rate of long‐stay patients in the 1979 cohort was approximately twice the expected death rates in the general population. The death rate of patients of both sexes and in each age group significantly exceeded the expected. In our study we found a different pattern of somatic causes of death. In the 1969 cohort respiratory disease was a major cause of death. In our long‐stay cohort respiratory disease was a minor cause of death in all age groups. Another difference is the replacement of cardiovascular disease as a main cause of death by diseases of the cerebrovascular system.
Home assessment and treatment in a community psychiatric service
Authors: Tufnell G. , Bouras N. , Watson J. P. , Brough D. I.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– The work of a new community‐based crisis intervention team is described. 326 psychiatric emergencies were seen over a period of 3 years. An increasing proportion of these were acutely psychotic at the time of assessment. Home treatment was effective for a significant number of patients, including those with a previous history of hospital admission. Some practical and theoretical aspects of the service are discussed.
Development of a screening method for probable somatizing syndromes
Authors: Pålsson N. , Kaij L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– “Somatizing syndromes” is proposed to describe all conditions in which patients present with somatic complaints but without signs of organic disease. Fifty consecutive G.P. patients were given a Swedish version of the 52‐item Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ) to test whether this questionnaire identifies those with signs of somatizing syndromes. The patients were also independently categorized by the G.P. into seven clinical groups reflecting the presence or absence of somatic disease, social/psychological problems and various combinations thereof. The test‐retest reliability of the IBQ expressed as Pearson's r was 0.89. Patients presenting with concern over non‐existing somatic disease and apparently unaware of any related psychological problem had significantly higher mean IBQ scores than did other patients. The IBQ was thus found to be a satisfactory instrument for primary identification of patients with probable somatizing syndromes.
Mentally retarded admitted to psychiatric hospitals in Denmark
Authors: Lund J.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– Computerized register linkage and a questionnaire survey showed that the number of mentally retarded admitted to psychiatric hospitals in Denmark is rapidly increasing. This development is highly deplorable. Diagnosis and treatment are frequently complicated by the nature of the mental handicap and, especially, the often diverging clinical appearance of the psychiatric disorders in these persons. Mentally retarded with a psychiatric disorder should, in general, be treated in special institutions or outpatient clinics, by specially trained social psychiatrists and staffs.