bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dimensional approach to obsessive‐compulsive disorder in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Thomsen P. H. , Jensen J.
Published: August 2007

Based on a review of the charts of child and adolescent psychiatric patients, a group of patients with obsessive‐compulsive symptoms and a control group were identified. Obsessive‐compulsive symptoms described in the charts were classified according to form using the checklist of Khanna et al. By use of latent trait models, a 6‐item obsessive‐compulsive rating scale was established revealing a dimensional rather than a categorical distribution of obsessive‐compulsive symptoms. The correlation with other clinical features was investigated.
Psychopathology and substance abuse as predictors of program completion in a therapeutic community for drug abusers: a prospective study
Authors: Ravndal E. , Vaglum P.
Published: August 2007

A total of 144 substance abusers entering consecutively a hierarchical therapeutic community, Phoenix House, Oslo, were followed prospectively 18 months through the entire program. Thirty percent completed the 1‐year inpatient phase and 20% completed the total program. Using a structured interview and 3 self‐report instruments, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, Basic Character Inventory and Symptom Checklist‐90, significant differences between dropouts and completers were found in 3 areas of pre‐admission characteristics: gender, substance abuse and psychopathology. Completers were characterized by a greater percentage of females, a higher frequency of amphetamine use and a lower frequency of alcohol use and a higher frequency of histrionic and a lower frequency of schizotypal traits than dropouts. The study indicates the importance of paying closer attention to these factors durins treatment.
Tardive dyskinesia in the mentally retarded: comparison of prevalence, risk factors and topography with a schizophrenic population
Authors: Cohen S. , Khan A. , Zheng Y. , Chiles J.
Published: August 2007

Thirty mentally retarded patients treated with neuroleptics for aberrant behavior were compared with 30 neuroleptic‐treated schizophrenics for the presence, topography and risk factors associated with tardive dyskinesia (TD). In the total sample (n= 60), female sex, schizophrenic diagnosis and increasing age were associated with TD. The length of neuroleptic treatment and current neuroleptic dose were not significantly associated with TD. The only topographical difference in TD presentation was that the mentally retarded group had significantly more tongue involvement.
Change in barbiturate anaesthesic sensitivity as a prognostic indicator of electroconvulsive therapy outcome
Authors: Barry S. , Rowan M. J. , Mulhall J. , Webb M. G. T.
Published: August 2007

Barbiturate anaesthesia is modulated by brain noradrenergic (NA) function. As derangement of NA pathways is postulated to occur in depression, changes in anaesthetic sensitivity measured as producing loss of eyelash reflex were monitored in 29 depressed patients throughout a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Patients thus monitored were followed for 12 months after completing treatment. An increase in barbiturate induction dose over a course of ECT, indicating a decrease in anaesthetic sensitivity, was a powerful predictor of maintained wellbeing. All patients who increased their sensitivity to the anaesthetic either failed to respond to the course of ECT or relapsed within 12 months. The possible mechanism for this is discussed.
Reduced concentrations of galanin, arginine vasopressin, neuropeptide Y and peptide YY in the temporal cortex but not in the hypothalamus of brains from schizophrenics
Authors: Frederiksen S. O. , Ekman R. , Gottfries C.‐G. , Widerlöv E. , Jonsson S.
Published: August 2007

Postmortem investigations were performed in brains from 14 schizophrenic patients and 21 controls matched for age and autopsy latency. Concentrations of galanin, delta‐sleep‐inducing peptide (DSIP), corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF), arginine vasopressin (AVP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and peptide YY (PYY) were determined in the hypothalamus and grey matter from the temporal cortex. A significant positive correlation between age and the concentrations of galanin and CRF was found in the controls. No sex differences were found except a higher mean of CRF in the hypothalamus of the women. In the temporal cortex of the schizophrenic brains, galanin, AVP, NPY and PYY were significantly reduced. DSIP reduction only bordered on significance. CRF was not reduced. Comparing neuroleptic‐treated vs non‐treated schizophrenics, the treatment factor could not explain the reduced concentrations of neuropeptides in the temporal lobe. A comparison of controls with schizophrenics showed no significant differences in hypothalamic neuropeptide concentrations.
Normalization of personality characteristics in patients with incapacitating anxiety disorders after capsulotomy
Authors: Mindus P. , Nyman H.
Published: August 2007

The personality characteristics of 24 consecutive patients undergoing psycho‐surgery for incapacitating anxiety disorders were assessed prospectively using a self‐report personality inventory. The main findings were: absence of negative personality changes after surgery, significant postoperative changes towards normalization on the majority of the scales, and significant symptomatic relief in 80% of the cases. The changes on scales reflecting anxiety proneness were conspicuous in patients suffering from “pure” anxiety disorders, as compared with those suffering from obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). In OCD patients, correlations were obtained between changes in brain metabolism studied with positron emission tomography and changes in personality scores. It is concluded that negative personality changes are not likely to occur after capsulotomy.
Prolactin responses to thyrotropin‐releasing hormone in multi‐infarct dementia and senile dementia of the Alzheimer type
Authors: Bille A. , Olafsson K. , Jensen H. V. , Andersen J.
Published: August 2007

The serum prolactin (PRL) responses to stimulation with thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) (500 μg Protirelin®) were compared in 14 patients with multi‐infarct dementia (MID) and 10 patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). Between the MID and the SDAT patients, there were no statistically significant differences in the median serum PRL concentrations, median changes in serum PRL concentrations or median proportional changes in serum PRL concentrations. Further, the serum PRL responses did not correlate with the GBS scale scores (degrees of dementia) or the GBS subscale scores (clinical profiles, including motor functioning, emotional functioning and intellectual functioning). In conclusion, the study does not support the hypothesis that serum PRL responses to TRH stimulation are of diagnostic value in differentiating between MID and SDAT.
Comparison of participants and nonparticipants in a neuroendocrine investigation of psychosis
Authors: Keks N. A. , Copolov D. L. , Mackie B. , Stuart G. W. , Singh B. S. , McGorry P. D. , Coffey C.
Published: August 2007

Of all neuroleptic‐naive, acutely psychotic subjects admitted to hospital over a 2‐year period (n= 62), 27 participated in a neuroendocrine study and 35 did not participate (51% refused consent, 19% were incapable of consent and 31% started neuroleptics immediately). However, all nonparticipants agreed to psychopathological evaluation, thus allowing comparison between participants and nonparticipants. The 2 groups were similar in most respects, except that more nonparticipants were hostile. Among subjects with schizophrenia, 47% of nonparticipants had the paranoid subtype vs 8% of participants. There was also a trend towards longer illness duration in nonparticipants. These results underline the need for neurobiological studies of psychosis to consider sample bias as a confounding variable.
Suicide on the paternal and maternal sides of depressed patients with a lifetime history of attempted suicide
Authors: Papadimitriou G. N. , Linkowski P. , Delarbre C. , Mendlewicz J.
Published: August 2007

The computational model of Slater, based on the analysis of ancestral secondary cases on the paternal and maternal sides of the subjects, was applied to depressed patients with a lifetime history of attempted suicide, either violent or nonviolent, in order to investigate possible modes of transmission of suicidal behavior. Among 549 patients, 15 had 2 or more ascendant first‐ and second‐degree relatives who committed suicide. The results of the distribution of these cases were compatible with polygenic inheritance of suicidal behavior in depressed patients with a history of attempted suicide. In patients using violent methods, a significantly greater loading of ancestral secondary cases of suicide was observed on the maternal side and, in the nonviolent attempter group, on the paternal side.
Suicide risk varies by subtype of affective disorder
Authors: Newman S. C. , Bland R. C.
Published: August 2007

A cohort study of mortality was conducted in which 4022 patients with affective disorder who were treated during 1976‐1985 in a mental institution or community clinic operated by the province of Alberta, Canada, were followed to the end of 1985. Vital status was determined by record linkage to the Statistics Canada Mortality Data Base. There were 326 deaths altogether, 96 from suicide. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for all causes of death combined was 2.3, and for suicide the SMR was 26.0. The SMR was also elevated for mental, circulatory and respiratory disorders, but not for neoplasms. The principal objective of the study was to determine whether there was a gradient of increasing mortality risk across the following diagnostic subgroups: manic disorder, bipolar affective disorder and major depressive disorder. A trend was found for suicide but not for all causes of death combined. The pattern of risk persisted after adjustment for the covariates sex, age and marital status in a Cox regression analysis.
Double‐blind comparative multicentre study of fluvoxamine and mianserin in the treatment of major depressive episode in elderly people
Authors: Phanjoo A. L. , Wonnacott S. , Hodgson A.
Published: August 2007

This is a multicentre double‐blind study of fluvoxamine versus mianserin in the treatment of major depressive episode in patients over 65 years of age. Fifty‐seven patients received either fluvoxamine (100‐200 mg daily) or mianserin (40‐80 mg daily). There was no statistically significant difference in improvement between the 2 treatment groups as measured by the Montgomery‐Ǎsberg Depression Rating Scale. Eleven patients (7 in the fluvoxarnine group and 4 in the mianserin group) discontinued treatment because of intolerance. No statistically significant differences were seen in biological parameters with either drug. Both drugs improved the symptoms of depression though the overall response rate was not outstanding. The side effects profile for the fluvoxamine was contrary to previous studies in that frequent nausea and vomiting were not seen.
A three‐year follow‐up study of age‐related dementia in an urban area of Beijing
Authors: Li G. , Shen Y. C. , Chen C. H. , Zhau Y. W. , Li S. R. , Lu M.
Published: August 2007

A 3‐year follow‐up study of 1090 people aged 60 years or over in an urban area of Beijing, China, was conducted to determine the incidence of dementia and its characteristics of distribution. This cohort had been studied first in a cross‐sectional survey of dementia in 1986. The follow‐up examination employed the same interviewers, psychiatrists, instruments (Mini‐Mental State Examination and the Crichton Royal Behavior Rating Scale) and diagnostic criteria for dementia (modified DSM‐III) in 1989. The respondent rate in this study was 75.7%. The average annual incidence rate of moderate and severe dementia for ≥60 years was 0.3% (95% confidence interval 0.08–0.52%). As expected, the rate increased sharply with aging. No sex difference was found. The prevalence rate of moderate and severe dementia was 1.10% among those aged ≥65 years, similar to that (1.82%) in the first survey. Our results showed that the multi‐infarct dementia was somewhat more common than primary degenerative dementia (ratio 3:2), both among incident cases and current prevalent ones. The average duration of dementia in the community was 8.0 years (SD 3.4). The risk for death in demented patients was 3 times higher than in the whole cohort (standardized mortality ratio = 2.95), and no specific cause of death was observed. In addition, our study showed that elderly people with less education, a history of consistent unemployment, limited physical activity and stroke history had a higher risk for developing dementia.
Characteristic distribution of alpha 2 wave in electroencephalograms of schizophrenic patients during discriminative tasks: support for the hypofrontality hypothesis of schizophrenia
Authors: Nakagawa M. , Takeda K. , Kakimoto Y.
Published: August 2007

In a preliminary study, we noticed that alpha 2 activity in the frontal regions was suppressed less in schizophrenic patients than in other patients during the discriminative tasks. This was confirmed with 37 schizophrenic and 16 nonschizophrenic patients under the treatment of neuroleptics, 15 nonmedicated schizophrenic patienits and 32 normal controls. The EEGs in eye‐closed resting and during the auditory and visual discriminative tasks were recorded. Alpha 2 power values of the frontal, central, parietal, occipital and temporal regions in every subject group were processed by cluster analysis. During the discriminative tasks, the frontal regions were the most isolated cluster in schizophrenic patients and, in the normal and medicated nonschizophrenic groups, the frontal regions were incorporated in a different cluster. The same result was obtained by different statistical analyses of F‐α2 power ratio. The relative abundance of alpha 2 power value shifts from the occipital to the frontal regions during the discriminative tasks in schizophrenic patients. The weakened suppression of alpha 2 waves in the frontal regions by the discriminative tasks in schizophrenic patients supports the hypofrontal hypothesis of schizophrenia.
The Parental Bonding Instrument: a measure of perceived or actual parental behavior?
Authors: Mackinnon A. J. , Henderson A. S. , Andrews G.
Published: August 2007

In the investigation of the relationship between childhood adversity and adult psychopathology. scales that require retrospective reports of parental style are often employed. Controversy exists as to whether these scales reflect the actual behavior of the parents concerned or reflect the perceptions of the child. One such scale, the Parental Bonding Instrument, was completed by a volunteer sample of 672 twins. For females, agreement between twins was generally high and a shared environment model fitted all scales except maternal care. This is consistent with the view that the ratings reflect the behavior of the parents. Agreement between male twins was substantially lower and well‐fitting models did not include a shared environment component. It is argued that the scales may be affected by competition between twins or comparisons made by the respondent with his or her co‐twin.
Computerized psychiatric diagnoses based on euclidean distances: a Chinese example
Authors: Chen H. Y. , Luo H. C. , Phillips M. R.
Published: August 2007

Current diagnostic methods in psychiatry use sequential logical decision rules that generate a single diagnosis. Insufficient attention has been paid to parallel methods that can simultaneously determine the relative probability of many diagnoses. This study installed 45 items from various symptom scales on a portable computer and applied a euclidean distance formula to generate immediate diagnoses based on responses to the items. The reliability and validity of the method were assessed using Chinese psychiatric inpatients. Interrater reliability was excellent (kappa = 0.91) and 3‐week test‐retest reliability was fair (k = 0.50). The concordance of this method with clinicians’ diagnoses and with diagnoses based on standardized Chinese diagnostic criteria was excellent (k = 0.73 and 0.76). Concordance with DSM‐III‐R diagnoses and ICD‐10 diagnoses was fair (kappa = 0.55 and 0.65). The clinical utility of such parallel methods of psychiatric diagnosis deserves further evaluation.
Kidney functioning during lithium treatment: a prospective study of patients treated with lithium for up to ten years
Authors: Povlsen U. J. , Hetmar O. , Ladefoged J. , Bolwig T. G.
Published: August 2007

A cohort of 53 patients with affective disorders who originally carried through renal functional tests before start of prophylactic lithium treatment were followed up prospectively after an average period of 8.5 years (range 7–10 years). Ten patients who had continued lithium treatment were re‐examined. In this subgroup, the glomerular function was unaffected by the treatment, whereas the average urine volume increased during lithium treatment (NS). Polyuria and low renal concentrating abilities were also found before start of treatment and these findings underline the importance of access to renal baseline information prior to lithium treatment.
Effects of antipsychotic drugs on memory functions of schizophrenic patients
Authors: Eitan N. , Levin Y. , Ben‐Artzi E. , Levy A. , Neumann M.
Published: August 2007

In this research we investigated the effects of 4 antipsychotic drugs with different anticholinergic components on different memory functions of schizophrenic patients. Drugs were administrated in cumulative doses and memory was tested 90 min after each drug was administered. The results show that chlorpromazine and thioridazine impaired short‐term verbal memory after 6 h of sequential administration. Trifluoperazine and haloperidol improved short‐term verbal memory from the third to the fifth administration. Immediate memory, long‐term memory and visual short‐term memory were not impaired by any drug.
The function of agoraphobia in the marital relationship
Authors: Lange A. , Dyck R. van
Published: August 2007

A secondary analysis was carried out of data from a previous experiment on the treatment of agoraphobia. This analysis shows that, contrary to some reports in the literature, agoraphobics do have more problems in the relationship with their partner than the average members of the normal population. The analysis also shows that individual‐oriented behavioural treatment of the agoraphobia significantly improves the marital relationship. The findings contradict the theory that agoraphobia serves a function in the relationship with the partner.
A questionnaire to screen for cognitive impairment among elderly people in developing countries
Authors: Kua E. H. , Ko S. M.
Published: August 2007

Most questionnaires designed to assess cognitive impairment among elderly people are constructed in the West, where literacy is high. However, such questionnaires may not be applicable in developing countries because of cultural differences or low literacy. The Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ) is derived from items in the Mini‐Mental State Examination and Geriatric Mental State Schedule. It is a satisfactory scale for quantitative assessment of cognitive impairment among elderly people living in developing countries. This 10‐item questionnaire shows a sensitivity of 85.3%, specificity 91.5%, positive predictive value 82.8% and overall miscalculation rate 10.5%. In a sample of 105 elderly subjects from 2 day centres and a psychiatric outpatient clinic in Singapore, the ECAQ was compared with Kahn's Mental Status Questionnaire. The sensitivity of the scales was found to be similar but the ECAQ had a higher specificity and positive predictive value, and lower overall miscalculation rate.
Aggressive behaviour in elderly psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Patel V. , Hope R. A.
Published: August 2007

We describe the types of aggressive behaviour and determine their prevalence in a sample of hospitalized elderly psychiatric patients. Data were obtained by nurse ratings of aggressive behaviour using the recently developed Rating Scale for Aggressive Behaviour in the Elderly; 90 patients were rated over a 3‐d period. Nearly half the sample were at least mildly aggressive; the frequencies of some specific types of aggressive behaviour were high. In contrast, the frequency of injuries and the use of restraints and medication for aggressive behaviour were low. Some correlates of the aggressive behaviour were also analysed.
Effect of psychopharmacotherapy on suicide risk in discharged psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Modestin J. , Schwarzenbach F.
Published: August 2007

We investigated 64 former psychiatric inpatients who had committed suicide within 1 year after their discharge and compared them with a carefully matched control group of patients who did not commit suicide. One third of the patients in both groups were no longer in treatment at the time of the suicide or, for controls, at the corresponding point in time. At that time, a significantly higher proportion of controls had been receiving psychopharmacotherapy and a significantly higher proportion of them were on lithium.
Ventricular enlargement, clinical correlates and treatment outcome in chronic schizophrenic inpatients
Authors: Wilms G. , Ongeval C. Van , Baert A. L. , Claus A. , Bollen J. , Cuyper H. De , Eneman M. , Malfroid M. , Peuskens J. , Heylen S.
Published: August 2007

The ventricle‐brain ratio (VBR) of 42 chronic schizophrenic patients was compared with that of 42 age‐matched medical controls. For the schizophrenics, the relationship of various clinical parameters to the VBR was assessed, and the outcome of 12 weeks of double‐blind treatment with either risperidone or haloperidol. The results confirm that schizophrenic patients have slightly enlarged lateral ventricles compared with medical controls. Only for schizophrenics, an effect of age, but not of duration of illness, was noticed. This study does not support the validity of a clinical subdivision of chronic schizophrenic patients on the basis of the VBR. Neither negative, positive nor general psychopathological symptoms, as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS), were related to the VBR, nor were abnormal involuntary movements or extrapyramidal symptoms. No association between season of birth or a family history of major mental disorder and VBR could be demonstrated. Treatment response was predicted by the total PANSS score and the PANSS general psychopathology subscale score at baseline. There was a trend for patients with higher VBR to have a more favourable treatment outcome, independent of the treatment (risperidone or haloperidol).
Outcome in untreated schizophrenia: a search for symptoms and traits with prognostic meaning in patients admitted to a mental hospital in the preneuroleptic era
Authors: Jönsson S. A. T. , Jonsson H.
Published: August 2007

A cohort of schizophrenic patients consecutively admitted to a mental hospital for the first time in 1925 was investigated in search of symptoms and traits with prognostic meaning. Since Leonhard's diagnostic system was applied, cases with mixed symptoms and a favourable outcome were excluded as being neither schizophrenic nor manic‐depressive. Owing to the admission policy then prevailing, cases with clinically less striking and socially less deleterious features were underrepresented. The sample (n= 70), so demarcated, was still considered fairly appropriate for the purpose of a differential study of outcome in nuclear schizophrenia with a life‐long follow‐up. The best outcome group consisted of 33% of the sample; 24% formed an intermediate group, and 43% profoundly deteriorated with continuous psychotic symptoms and a total loss of social function. Marriage before index admission was the only characteristic related to a favourable outcome. Nuclear schizophrenic symptoms, thought disturbance, blunted affect and all catatonic symptoms listed in DSM‐III were related to an unfavourable outcome. When prognostic subgroups were compared pairwise, no favourable trait was detectable, and there were no decisive differences between the group with the best outcome and the intermediate group. When these 2 groups were compared with the group with worst outcome, however, significant differences arose with respect to unfavourable characteristics. Predictions using a discriminant analytic procedure yielded the same results. The hypothesis that affective and atypical signs would also have prognostic meaning in nuclear schizophrenia was disproved.
Fluvoxamine in the treatment of demented elderly patients: a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Olafsson K. , Jørgensen S. , Jensen H. V. , Bille A. , Arup P. , Andersen J.
Published: August 2007

The efficacy of fluvoxamine on cognitive functioning and behavioral changes was evaluated in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of 46 elderly demented patients. The patients had a DSM‐III diagnosis of primary degenerative dementia or multi‐infarct dementia and were aged ≥65 years. Twenty‐two patients were given 150 mg fluvoxamine per day and 24 received placebo tablets; 14 and 15 patients, respectively, completed 6 weeks of treatment. Within treatments, there were no significant changes in median scores on neuropsychological tests (picture recall and recognition, trail making and finger tapping) or the GBS scale scores (degrees of dementia) or GBS subscale score (clinical profiles, including symptoms common in dementia, motor, emotional and intellectual functioning). Between treatments, the median changes in psychometric test scores did not differ significantly. However, within and between treatments, there were trends favoring fluvoxamine on symptoms common in dementia (confusion, irritability, anxiety, fear‐panic, mood level and restlessness). In conclusion, the study does not support the hypothesis that fluvoxamine improves cognitive functioning or behavioral changes in elderly dementia patients.
Clinical staging of dementia in a population survey: comparison of DSM‐III‐R and the Washington University Clinical Dementia Rating Scale
Authors: Forsell Y. , Fratiglioni L. , Grut M. , Viitanen M. , Winblad B.
Published: August 2007

In a population survey in Stockholm, 224 dementia cases were staged using two scales: the Washington University Clinical Dementia Rating Scale and DSM III‐R. Both scales had to be modified by adding additional specifications and, in the case of DSM III‐R, a new category of questionable dementia. After modification, the comparison of the two scales showed good agreement when all stages were analyzed (k = 0.60), but moderate agreement on the questionable and mild stages (k = 0.47). These results confirm the staging of mild dementia as the most problematic issue. Finally, the scales both showed moderate agreement with the categorized Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) (0–17 for severe and moderate forms; 18–23 for mild cases). Our data suggest new cut‐off points for the MMSE when used as a staging scale.
The Nordic concept of reactive psychosis – a multicenter reliability study
Authors: Hansen H. , Dahl A. A. , Bertelsen A. , Birket‐Smith M. , von Knorring L. , Ottosson J.‐O. , Pakaslahti A. , Retterstøl N. , Salvesen C. , Thorsteinsson G. , Väisänen E.
Published: August 2007

Reactive psychosis is a common diagnosis in the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland) and in several other parts of the world. In ICD‐9 and DSM‐III‐R, the concept is defined more narrowly than in the Nordic tradition. In this study we examined the interrater reliability of the Nordic concept by the case‐summary method between clinicians from 9 university departments in the Nordic countries. The results show that Nordic psychiatrists have a reasonably reliable concept of reactive psychosis, and that this psychosis can be diagnosed as reliably as schizophrenia and affective psychosis.
The Bible suicides
Authors: Barraclough B. M.
Published: August 2007

Death by suicide is described in the Holy Bible. The number of characters affected ranges from 3 to 11, depending on the inclusion of the Apocrypha, the definition of suicide adopted and the version of the death accepted when there is more than one account. The Bible treats suicide in a factual way and not as wrong or shameful.
Long‐term changes after brief dynamic psychotherapy: symptomatic versus dynamic assessments
Authors: Høglend P. , Sørlie T. , Sørbye Ø. , Heyerdahl O. , Amlo S.
Published: August 2007

Dynamic change in psychotherapy, as measured by theory‐related or mode‐specific instruments, have been criticized for being too intercorrelated with symptomatic change measures. In this study, long‐term changes after brief dynamic psychotherapy were studied in 45 moderately disturbed neurotic patients by a reliable outcome battery. The factor structure of all the change variables suggested that they tapped 2 distinct and stable sources of variance: dynamic and symptomatic change. The categories of overall dynamic change were different from categories of change on the Global Assessment Scale. A small systematic difference was found between the categories of overall dynamic change and the categories of target complaints change also, due to false solutions of dynamic conflicts.
Incidence of anorexia nervosa in Denmark
Authors: Møller‐Madsen S. , Nystrup J.
Published: August 2007

From 1970 to 1989, 915 people were admitted for the first time to psychiatric institutions in Denmark and had as their main diagnosis an eating disorder, ICD‐8 306.50‐59. The incidence of these admissions increased from 0.42/100,000 population in 1970 to a maximum of 1.36/100,000 in 1988. During the time of our investigation, the number of discharges of patients with an eating disorder as the main diagnosis was constant from somatic hospitals, whereas discharges from psychiatric institutions increased.
Risk factors for depression in elderly people: a prospective study
Authors: Green B. H. , Copeland J. R. M. , Dewey M. E. , Sharma V. , Saunders P. A. , Davidson I. A. , Sullivan C. , McWilliam C.
Published: August 2007

In 1982‐1983 a random sample of 1486 people aged 65 years and above was generated from general practitioner lists; 1070 were interviewed in the community using the Geriatric Mental State and a Social History questionnaire. The cohort was followed up by interview 3 years later. At year 3 the diagnostic computer program AGECAT diagnosed 44 incident cases of depression. Information from the depressed group's initial and further interviews was compared with a control group (which excluded cases of affective or organic mental illness). Univariate analysis yielded three factors that were significantly associated with the development of depression 3 years later: a lack of satisfaction with life; feelings of loneliness; and smoking. Multivariate analysis confirmed their independent effects and revealed 2 further factors attaining significance: female gender and a trigger factor, bereavement of a close figure within 6 months of the third‐year diagnosis. Some other factors traditionally associated with depression, such as poor housing, marital status and living alone, failed to attain significance as risk factors.
Depressive symptoms and depression among elderly people in Athens
Authors: Madianos M. G. , Gournas G. , Stefanis C. N.
Published: August 2007

A total of 251 elderly residents of 2 boroughs of greater Athens were examined by a psychiatrist. For the assessment of depressive symptoms, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES‐D) Scale was used. Cognitive functioning was also evaluated. The prevalence of affective disorders of any type was estimated by a clinical examination with a semistructured psychiatric interview (PEF) supplemented by DSM‐III criteria. A total of 27.1% of the elderly respondents reported a significant number of dysphoric or depressive symptoms and were identified as depressed cases. Respondents who had lower socioeconomic status, were widowed, were experiencing stressful life events or were living alone exhibited a significant degree of depressive psychopathology. An association between depressed mood and cognitive impairment was also found. A total of 9.5% of the sample was diagnosed as suffering from any type of affective disorder (1.6% major depression, 0.6% bipolar, 5.5% dysthymic disorder and 2.0% adjustment disorder with depressed mood). Affective disorders constitute nearly half of the total number of psychiatric diagnoses (20.3% at the sample). It is interesting that, of the 27.1% of the sample with depressed mood (≥ 16 score on CES‐D Scale), only 9.5% of the sample were diagnosed as suffering from clinical types of depression.
Age at onset in a cohort of schizophrenics in Nigeria
Authors: Ohaeri J. U.
Published: August 2007

Over a period of 3 years, 340 patients (199 men and 141 women) who met DSM‐III‐R criteria for schizophrenia and who knew their exact date of birth were interviewed to determine the age at onset of illness. The immediate family's first awareness of psychotic symptoms was used as the index of onset. Men had a significantly earlier mean age at onset (24 ± 6) than the women (27 ± 8). By the time they were 30 years of age, 83% of the men and 66% of the women had become ill. The findings are remarkably similar to those of an earlier report in the same cultural setting, and add to the evidence of sex differences in age at onset of schizophrenia.
D2 dopamine receptor genotype and cerebrospinal fluid homovanillic acid, 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol in alcoholics in Finland and the United States
Authors: Goldman D. , Dean M. , Brown G. L. , Bolos A. M. , Tokola R. , Virkkunen M. , Linnoila M.
Published: August 2007

If a genetic association between the D2 dopamine receptor genotype and alcoholism is mediated by altered dopamine function, then a stronger association might be found in alcoholics who are deviant in indices of dopamine function and by comparing alcoholics to nonalcoholics matched for ethnic origin. Therefore, we evaluated the D2/TaqI polymorphism in 29 impulsive violent alcoholic Finns, 17 nonimpulsive violent alcoholic Finns and 36 Finnish controls free of mental disorders, alcoholism and substance abuse. In 37 of the alcoholics, we measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homovanillic acid (HVA), 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol. There was no relationship between D2/Taq 1 genotype and concentrations of these monoamine metabolites in this group, which exhibits lower CSF HVA and 5‐HIAA as compared to controls. There was also no genotypic difference between Finnish alcoholics and nonalcoholic controls. The lack of relationship between D2/Taq1 genotype and HVA concentration was replicated in 24 Caucasian alcoholics in the United States.
Reduced bone density and major hormones regulating calcium metabolism in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Kiriike N. , Iketani T. , Nakanishi S. , Nagata T. , Inoue K. , Okuno M. , Ochi H. , Kawakita Y.
Published: August 2007

Bone density of lumbar vertebrae (L2 to L4) and the whole body in 29 patients with anorexia nervosa were measured by dual photon absorptiometry, and the results were compared with those of 10 age‐matched normal controls. The patients had significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) in L3 and L2‐4 than controls. However, there was no difference in whole‐body BMD. L3 and L2‐4 BMD was positively correlated with body weight and was negatively correlated with duration of illness and amenorrhea. Patients who had been more active 6 months before the time of the study had significantly higher L3 BMD than the less active patients. Most patients had an abnormally low serum estrogen level, whereas the mean serum levels of thyroid hormone (T3, T4), cortisol, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D were within the normal range. No correlation was found between L3 or L2‐4 BMD and the levels of these hormones. These results suggest that severe weight loss, low physical activity, longer duration of amenorrhea and deficiency of estrogen contribute to bone loss in patients with anorexia nervosa, whereas calcium‐regulating hormones such as parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and vitamin D are unlikely to be a primary contributor to bone loss.
Treatment with neuroleptics: the patient's perspective
Authors: Windgassen K.
Published: August 2007

Sixty‐one acute schizophrenic patients were questioned on the effects ascribed subjectively by them to their neuroleptic medication and on their rating of neuroleptic therapy. Although negative effects ascribed to the medication outnumbered positive effects by 3 to 1, the global rating was predominantly positive. Patients approving of neuroleptic therapy reported favourable changes under medication significantly more often than patients with a rejecting attitude. There was, however, no significant difference between the two groups in the frequency with which negatively experienced effects of medication were described.
Search for evidence of herpes simplex virus, type 1, or varicella‐zoster virus infection in postmortem brain tissue from schizophrenic patients
Authors: Alexander R. C. , Cabirac G. , Lowenkopf T. , Casanova M. , Kleinman J. , Wyatt R. J. , Kirch D. G.
Published: August 2007

The highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to search for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐I) or varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) in the DNA extracted from postmortem temporal cortex samples of 8 schizophrenic subjects, 8 nonschizophrenic suicide victims and 8 normal controls. HSV‐I or VZV‐specific DNA amplification was not detected in any of the samples studied.
Evaluation of the effects of total sleep deprivation on cerebral blood flow using single photon emission computerized tomography
Authors: Volk S. , Kaendler S. H. , Weber R. , Georgi K. , Maul F. , Hertel A. , Pflug B. , Hör G.
Published: August 2007

HMPAO‐single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) is a useful technique in studying cerebral blood flow (CBF). This method is suitable to evaluate the differences of CBF with reference to total sleep deprivation (TSD) within 24 h because of the short half‐life of the radiopharmaceutical compound. In the present study, CBF before and after TSD was analysed in patients suffering from major depression. The morning before and after TSD, Tc‐HMPAO‐SPECT was performed in 20 patients. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores and subjective ratings were obtained daily. Eleven patients responded to TSD; 9 were nonresponders. The main finding was a significant left temporal and mainly right parietal increase of CBF, which was observed in the responders only. CBF values and the severity of depression correlated inversely.
Anorexia nervosa families – a homogeneous group? A case record study
Authors: Røijen S.
Published: August 2007

Nineteen consecutive case records of inpatients at a child psychiatric department with the diagnosis anorexia nervosa (AN) (DSM‐III‐R) were investigated to describe the family interaction pattern. To evaluate the families, the information from the case records was supplemented by interviews of the therapists and finally the result was discussed with the supervisors until agreement. The evaluation instrument used was Beavers’ Scales for Family Style and Function. Level of aggression, dominance pattern among parents, socioeconomic stratification and psychiatric diagnosis among parents were also evaluated. The study shows 3 groups of AN families, centripetal (53%), centrifugal (24%) and mixed (24%), supporting a hypothesis that AN families are a heterogeneous group. Evaluated family functioning was highest in the mixed group, followed by the centripetal group. The poorest family functioning and severest psychopathology among the parents was found in the centrifugal group.
A cross‐cultural family history study of primary progressive dementia in relatives of nondemented elderly Chinese, Italians, Jews and Puerto Ricans
Authors: Silverman J. M. , Li G. , Schear S. , Wang Z. X. , Sotolongo C. , Somary K. , Mohs R. C.
Published: August 2007

Very few studies have directly compared the risk for Alzheimer's disease in different ethnic groups. This may be due in part to the costs and methodological difficulties associated with conducting traditional epidemiological studies. The family history method, in which information is collected on the dementia status of relatives of normal elderly members of ethnic groups of interest, offers a less costly and more practical preliminary approach. In the present study, 6866 first‐degree relatives of 924 elderly, nondemented index subjects (305 Chinese, 212 Jewish, 215 Italian and 192 Puerto Rican, living in New York City) were assessed through family history interview for progressive primary and other dementias using previously published family history criteria. Both the Jewish and Italian groups had significantly increased cumulative risk for progressive primary dementia compared with both the Chinese and Puerto Rican groups. Although possible methodological biases cannot be discounted, these results appear to reflect differences between ethnic groups in the degree of risk for dementia.
Distress in the relatives of psychiatric patients admitted for the first time
Authors: Mors O. , Sørensen L. V. , Therkildsen M. L.
Published: August 2007

Seventy‐three relatives of psychiatric patients aged 18–49 years admitted for the first time from a well‐defined catchment area were interviewed using the Social Behaviour Assessment Schedule to determine the distress elicted by the patients' illness. The patients were interviewed with the Present State Examination. 10th edition, development version. Regardless of sex and age, frequency of contact and relation to the patient, the relatives experienced distress from symptoms, lowered social performance and the adverse effects of the illness. Informant's social class, male sex of patient and duration of illness significantly predicted distress. No differences were found in a comparison of the level of distress between non‐organic psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders and psychoactive substance use disorders, but specific distressful areas within each disorder could be delineated.
The interrater reliability of a Dutch version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐III‐R Personality Disorders
Authors: Arntz A. , van Beijsterveldt B. , Hoekstra R. , Hofman A. , Eussen M. , Sallaerts S.
Published: August 2007

This study presents data on the interrater reliability of a Dutch version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐III‐R Personality Disorders (SCID‐II). Seventy outpatients were interviewed before the start of their treatment by one rater, while a second rater observed. Both raters were instructed to make independent ratings and the second rater was not allowed to participate in the discussion. On criterion level, interrater reliabilities appear to be very good, with a few exceptions (most reliabilities are higher than 0.75). However, all 5 observation criteria had poor interrater reliabilities. Agreement on personality disorder, on the whole, was excellent (overall kappa = 0.80). The possible reasons why relatively lower reliabilities are found with some criteria are discussed. Finally, problems encountered during the interviews are addressed and possible adjustments of the SCID‐II are suggested.
A case‐control study of family history and cerebral cortical abnormalities in schizophrenia
Authors: Jones P. B. , Owen M. J. , Lewis S. W. , Murray R. M.
Published: August 2007

The relationship between family history of psychosis and cortical sulcal widening on CT scans was investigated. Forty‐two schizophrenic subjects with a positive family history were individually matched to 42 schizophrenics with no documented family history and 42 healthy controls. Abnormally wide sulci, as defined on the basis of the normal control data, were significantly more common in the family history negative group (9/42) than in the family history positive group (1/42) or the controls (2/36). No significant correlation was found between cerebral cortical ratings and ventricular size.
Cognitive impairment, dementia and psychosocial functioning in human immunodeficiency virus infection
Authors: Oechsner M. , Möller A. A. , Zaudig M.
Published: August 2007

Progressive cognitive impairment in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex (ADC), significantly influences the social prognosis of afflicted patients. The frequency and character in different stages of the infection are controversially discussed. In previous studies, differences in the selection of patients and methods of testing led to widely differing results. For these reasons, in the present prospective study on 45 HIV‐infected patients, a structured psychiatric interview (SIDAM) was conducted based on the algorithm of diagnosing dementia in DSM‐III‐R and the ICD‐10 guidelines. The psychopathological findings are expressed in syndrome scores; the results are summarized in a total score (SISCO). The interview contains the Mini‐Mental State Examination. The degree of psychosocial functioning was estimated on the global assessment of functioning, Axis V of DSM‐III‐R. In stages preceding AIDS, only slight cognitive dysfunction was found compared with age‐ and education‐matched normal controls, and this caused no relevant disturbance of psychosocial functioning. In 9 patients with manifest AIDS, dementia was diagnosed with DSM‐III‐R criteria and ICD‐10 guidelines (30% of the AIDS patients). They showed marked impairment of intellectual ability, memory, verbal ability and calculation and constructional ability and fewer cortical focal symptoms (aphasia and apraxia). Corresponding to previous studies, major cognitive dysfunction in HIV infection can be characterized as subcortical dementia.
Bereavement among elderly people: grief reactions, post‐bereavement hallucinations and quality of life
Authors: Grimby A.
Published: August 2007

Ratings of grief reactions, post‐bereavement hallucinations and illusions and quality of life were made during the first year after the death of a spouse among 14 men and 36 women in their early seventies. In both sexes, the reactions were generally moderate or mild and characterized by loneliness, low mood, fatigue, anxiety and cognitive dysfunctioning. Feeling lonely was the most persistent problem during the year. Post‐bereavement hallucinations or illusions were very frequent and considered helpful. Half of the subjects felt the presence of the deceased (illusions); about one third reported seeing, hearing and talking to the deceased (hallucinations). Former marital harmony was found to make a person more prone to loneliness, crying and hallucinations or illusions. The quality of life was significantly lower among the bereaved than among married people and those who never married, but equalled that found among divorcees.
Poor neuroleptic response in acutely exacerbated schizophrenic patients
Authors: Shalev A. , Hermesh H. , Rothberg J. , Munitz H.
Published: August 2007

Poor neuroleptic response is a major unresolved clinical problem. Precise data concerning the frequency of poor neuroleptic response are not available. The implementation of treatment modalities that are specifically recommended for non‐responders (such as clozapine) increases the desirability of such data. This study evaluated the proportion of acutely exacerbated schizophrenics who remained unimproved by consecutive administration of haloperidol, chlorpromazine and perphenazine, in randomly determined order. The overall improvement rate was 95%. The frequency of good responses to the first, second and third drug were 67%, 55%, and 67% respectively. Differences in receptor affinity profile might explain the added beneficial effect of a second or third drug.