bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reversible and irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors in other psychiatric disorders
Authors: Liebowitz M. R. , Hollander E. , Schneier F. , Campeas R. , Welkowitz L. , Hatterer J. , Fallon B.
Published: August 2007

In addition to being effective in depressive disorders, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have been shown to be effective in controlled studies of patient with panic disorder with agoraphobia, social phobia, atypical depression or mixed anxiety and depression, bulimia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. Uncontrolled case reports have noted MAOI efficacy in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD), trichotillomania, dysmorphophobia and avoidant personality disorder. Reversible inhibitors of MAO‐A (RIMAs) appear safer than the classical irreversible MAOIs since they have less potential to increase blood pressure. They have not been studied as yet, however, in most of the conditions responsive to MAOIs. If RIMAs are found effective in these disorders, they would probably achieve wider use than MAOIs because they are safer and tend to cause fewer side effects.
Double‐blind comparison of moclobemide, imipramine and placebo in depressive patients
Authors: Udabe R. Ucha , Márquez C. A. , Traballi C. A. , Portes N.
Published: August 2007

In a prospective, randomized double‐blind study, moclobemide was compared with imipramine and placebo in the treatment of depressed outpatients. Three parallel groups of 24 patients each received capsules containing 100 mg moclobemide, 33 mg imipramine or placebo for 6 weeks; the maximum daily dose was 6 capsules. The only concomitant psychotropic medication allowed was diazepam for severe agitation or insomnia, and continuation of established lithium prophylaxis; no tyramine restrictions were imposed. Both moclobemide and imipramine were clearly superior to placebo in reducing depressive symptoms, moclobemide showing a somewhat faster response on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression than imipramine; the mean final improvement in total score compared with baseline was 48.3% for moclobemide, 50.2% for imipramine and 18.6% for placebo. The difference between moclobemide and imipramine was not significant. Placebo was clearly better tolerated than either active drug, and moclobemide slightly but not significantly better than imipramine. A 52‐week assessment in 22 of the patients receiving moclobemide showed that the clinical response was maintained and the long‐term treatment was well tolerated. It is concluded that both moclobemide and imipramine were superior to placebo in treatment of major depressive episodes in outpatients. There was a slight tendency to earlier response with moclobemide, probably because it can be given in the full dose from the start of treatment.
Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of moclobemide in poor and efficient metabolizers of debrisoquine
Authors: Schoerlin M. P. , Blouin R. A. , Pfefen J. P. , Guentert T. W.
Published: August 2007

A number of pharmacokinetics studies in which patients had been phenotyped and poor metabolizers for moclobemide found were analysed retrospectively. There were 27 subjects in all, aged between 19 and 75 years, and 5 of these were classified as poor debrisoquine metabolizers. Although there was a wide variability in the pharmacokinetic parameters observed, no consistent relationship was found between these and debrisoquine phenotype. Poor debrisoquine metabolizers all had values within the extremes for the efficient metabolism. This was true for both single and multiple dosing. This analysis is limited by the small number of subjects as well as its retrospective nature. Nevertheless, the data suggest that no deviations of moclobemide pharmacokinetics should be expected in poor metabolizers of debrisoquine compared with normal metabolizers.
Twins: a test of the equal environments assumption
Authors: Morris‐Yates A. , Andrews G. , Howie P. , Henderson S.
Published: August 2007

We asked a sample of 343 adult same‐sex twin pairs a number of questions about the similarity of their social environment during childhood and early adolescence. A factor analysis of their responses indicated that their common environment was derived from two sources, one being similar treatment “imposed” upon them by their parents, the other being “elicited” by the twins’ similar interests and behavior. Monozygotic (MZ) twins reported experiencing more similar “imposed” and “elicited” environments than dizygotic (DZ) twins. The extent of imposed similar treatment received during childhood and early adolescence was unrelated to either MZ or DZ twins’ current behavioral similarity, as indicated by absolute intrapair differences in their Neuroticism, Anxiety, and Depression scores. Similar treatment imposed upon MZ twins on the basis of their zygosity alone is therefore not a threat to the validity of the twin method.;
Psychiatric morbidity and physical illness in health centres
Authors: Vázquez‐Barquero J. L. , Wilkinson G. , Manrique J. F. Diez , Lequerica J. , Guillen J.
Published: August 2007

This study examined, in health care attenders, the effect of different sociodemographic variables and physical illness on the probability of suffering from mental disorders. In health centres, the prevalence of mental disorders was 19.3% (12.4% for males and 23.8% for females). Logistic modelling was used to investigate the joint effect on psychiatric morbidity of 6 sociodemographic variables and physical illness. It was found that sex, age, and physical illness exerted independent but not interactive effects on the probability of psychiatric morbidity.;
Short‐term course of depression following attempted suicide: a preliminary report
Authors: Davis A. T.
Published: August 2007

The course of depression over 1 week in patients admitted to hospital following an attempted suicide was examined utilizing a clinical interview, the Zung Self‐Rating Depression Scale, the Levine‐Pilowsky Depression (LPD) Questionnaire and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. On all measures the group had depression of moderate to marked severity at the time of attempted suicide. In males there was a statistically and clinically significant reduction in severity of depression over 1 week. This trend was also observed in the younger patients. There was no significant change in the frequency of the LPD category endogenous depression, but examination of changes in DSM‐III diagnostic frequencies revealed a significant reduction in major affective disorder over 1 week. Symptom changes were also examined. Factors that may have contributed to the observed changes in depression are discussed. Therapeutic implications and further research directions are outlined.;
Magnetic resonance imaging in clinical psychiatry
Authors: Sachdev P.
Published: August 2007

Although psychiatric researchers have been quick to adopt magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in their investigations, its clinical application has been slow to develop and most psychiatrists remain unaware of its potential advantages and disadvantages compared with CT scanning. In this article the procedures are compared and the potential advantages of MRI highlighted with the help of neuropsychiatric case histories. Clinical situations are then discussed in which a psychiatrist should consider ordering a MRI scan subsequent to or instead of a CT scan.;
Training primary care medical officers in mental health care: an evaluation using a multiple‐choice questionnaire
Authors: Sriram T. G. , Chandrashekar C. R. , Isaac M. K. , Murthy R. Srinivasa , Shanmugham V.
Published: August 2007

This report aimed to evaluate the mental health knowledge of primary care medical officers following short‐term training in mental health care using a multiple‐choice questionnaire. Seventy‐eight medical officers who underwent 2 weeks’ training in mental health care were assessed using parallel forms of a standardized multiple‐choice questionnaire administered before and soon after the training. Young doctors scored significantly higher in the pretraining assessment. The medical officers demonstrated a significant gain in knowledge, although the amount of gain varied. Doctors who had relatively lower pretraining scores showed a higher gain. Six doctors (8%) showed less than acceptable posttraining scores. These doctors were older than the rest of the group. The doctors’ pretraining knowledge was best with respect to epilepsy and poorest with respect to manic‐depressive psychosis. Items pertaining to epidemiology and aetiology elicited relatively less gain than other clinical dimensions.
Female alcoholics. II. The expression of alcoholism in relation to gender and age
Authors: Blankfield A.
Published: August 2007

A sample of 233 consecutive alcohol‐dependent female admissions were cross‐matched for date of birth and admission with male subjects of similar ethnic background. Primary drug abusers were not included. A quarter of subjects of both sexes were married. There were no gender or age differences in the level of family history of alcoholism. Highly significant gender and age differences were found in alcohol‐related behaviours, which were more prominent in the younger age groups and in male subjects. These crucial differences were highlighted by stratification of the results into age groups at decade intervals. Individual personality traits or a family history of alcoholism were found to determine the age of onset and pattern of alcoholism, whereas gender and maturational stage influenced the expression of alcohol‐related behaviours that occur in treatment populations.
Influence of stimulation parameters on auditory stimulus processing in schizophrenia and major depression: an auditory evoked potential study
Authors: Adler G. , Adler J. , Schneck M. , Armbruster B.
Published: August 2007

The influence of stimulation frequency and stimulus intensity on the auditory evoked potential components N1 and P2 was investigated in schizophrenic and major depressive patients. The findings in the patients were compared with those in normal controls. At a high stimulation frequency the amplitude of N1 was enhanced in both schizophrenic and major depressive patients; the latency of N1 increased only in the schizophrenic patients. These changes may be related to impairments of auditory input control and processing in these diseases. In the schizophrenic patients, P2 latency was prolonged under treatment with high‐potency neuroleptic drugs.
Confirmatory and disconfirmatory feedback in families of schizophrenics, pathological controls and normals
Authors: Holte A. , Wichström L.
Published: August 2007

Two studies are reported measuring feedback mechanism in 10,771 communication acts in families of schizophrenics, nonschizophrenics within the range of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and healthy offspring, using the Confirmation‐Disconfirmation Coding System (CONDIS). Couples were observed in interaction with their offspring in situations provoking disagreement using the Colour Conflict Method (CCM) (n= 21), and alone during collaboration (n= 21) using the Consensus Spouse‐Rorschach Method, respectively. The main categories of confirmatory and disconfirmatory feedback showed cross‐situational stability, whereas subcategories such as egocentric utterances and active disqualification of others varied across situations and gave predicted differential deficits in S‐parents. In 8 of 14 analyses, parents of pathological controls came out similar to normals or between normals and schizophrenics. The results supported the construct validity of CONDIS. Feedback mechanisms in parental communication were associated with schizophrenic traits in the offspring, incomprehensible egocentric utterances and active disqualification of others with schizophrenia.
Cerebral blood flow responses to inhaled carbon dioxide in schizophrenia
Authors: Mathew R. J. , Wilson W. H.
Published: August 2007

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a potent cerebrovasodilator; even mild changes in CO2 are associated with marked changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF). We measured CBF before and after 5% CO2, inhalation in 19 medicated patients with schizophrenia and 16 normal volunteers. Another group of 16 volunteers had 2 CBF measurements under resting conditions. Although both patients and controls showed marked CBF increase during CO2 inhalation, the CBF response was significantly less in the patients. Change in CBF per mm of CO2 was lower in the patients. The second group of controls did not show significant differences between the 2 resting CBF measurements.
Course characteristics in the differentiation of dementia of the Alzheimer type and multi‐infarct dementia
Authors: Fischer P. , Gatterer G. , Marterer A. , Simanyi M. , Danielczyk W.
Published: August 2007

Clinico‐pathological studies have shown that the clinical diagnosis of multi‐infarct dementia (MID) is even more difficult than that of dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). The study evaluated the significance of course characteristics for the diagnosis of MID and DAT. Course characteristics were rated when 57 demented patients were admitted to our neurogeriatric department. Diagnosis of MID and DAT, respectively, was established after a follow‐up study with repeated neurological, psychiatric and neuropsychological investigations. In 21 cases diagnosis was confirmed by postmortem neuropathology. MID lacked the typical course of the disease in about two thirds of patients, while most DAT patients presented with the typical course of primary degenerative dementia. Features of the “typical” clinical course of MID (abrupt onset, stepwise deterioration) helped to exclude DAT, whereas MID could not be excluded on the basis of a history of insidious onset and gradual decline.
Decreased R‐R variance in panic disorder patients
Authors: Yeragani V. K. , Balon R. , Pohl R. , Ramesh C. , Glitz D. , Weinberg P. , Merlos B.
Published: August 2007

To investigate autonomic function in panic disorder patients (n= 30), we compared postural changes in heart rate and the R‐R interval variance in patients and normal controls (n= 20). There was no significant difference in the immediate changes in heart rate upon standing between the groups. R‐R variance was significantly decreased during resting supine condition in patients as indicated by the corrected standard deviation of the R‐R intervals. The standing R‐R variance was significantly lower than that of normal controls as indicated by the corrected standard deviations, the corrected mean consecutive difference and the corrected standard deviation of the mean consecutive difference of the R‐R intervals, suggesting an increase in vagal withdrawal in patients, especially upon standing. If this finding is specific to panic disorder patients, it may be a useful peripheral marker for this condition.
Ethological assessment of the DSM‐III subtyping of unipolar depression
Authors: Troisi A. , Pasini A. , Bersani G. , Grispini A. , Ciani N.
Published: August 2007

An ethological method was employed to validate the DSM‐III subtyping of unipolar, nondelusional depression. The nonverbal behavior of 44 depressed outpatients was video‐recorded during psychiatric interview. The DSM‐III subtyping was not significantly associated with sex or level of education. Patients with major depression (with or without melancholia) were significantly older than those with dysthymic disorder. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) scores of the 3 diagnostic groups indicated a progressive increase in symptom severity across DSM‐III subtypes (dysthymic disorder < major depression without melancholia < major depression with melancholia). Ethological assessment failed to find any evidence for the validity of the DSM‐III subtyping of unipolar depression. Of the 8 behavioral categories analyzed in this study, none showed statistically significant differences between the 3 diagnostic groups. Our interpretation of these results is that, whereas the DSM‐III subtyping primarily reflects illness severity, the ethological profile measures a dimension of depression largely independent from severity, as indicated by the lack of correlation between the HRSD score and the categories of nonverbal behavior.
A 30‐year follow‐up study of a child psychiatric clientele. I. Demographic description
Authors: Larsen F. W. , Dahl V. , Hallum E.
Published: August 2007

A register investigation was carried out as of December 31, 1980, with the aim of giving a broad description of a child psychiatric clientele 30 years after admission to hospital. The material consists of 322 patients ‐ 189 boys (59%) and 133 girls (41%) ‐ who were admitted during the period 1949–1951 to the only 2 child psychiatric departments at that time in Denmark. We succeeded in identifying 93% of the patients. The mean age at the time of analysis was 38.6 years (range 32–46). The material was compared with the age‐related Danish population by marital status, vocational education, and socioeconomic class. A total of 115 patients (36%) had been admitted to an adult psychiatric department, and 50 patients only once. A total of 95 patients (30%) had committed criminal offences and 12 had only committed traffic offences. A total of 60 patients (19%) had obtained disability pensions. During the 30‐year follow‐up period, 19 patients (6%) had died. A statistically significant extra mortality was found only for women. Four patients had committed suicide. By logistic regression analysis, a statistically significant correlation was found between criminal record and admission to psychiatric department and the variables: divorce, no vocational education, and lowest socioeconomic class. About 54% had managed well, judging by the variables employed.
Blood platelet monoamine oxidase activity, serotonin uptake and release rates in anorexia and bulimia patients and in healthy controls
Authors: Hallman J. , Sakurai E. , Oreland L.
Published: August 2007

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, serotonin uptake rate and serotonin efflux rate have all been suggested to be markers for central serotonergic mechanisms. Platelet MAO activity is associated with certain personality traits, with low activity linked to traits such as impulsiveness, sensation‐seeking and avoidance of monotony, all possible expressions of low central serotonergic activity. Low platelet serotonin uptake rate has been connected to unipolar depression and the rate of efflux, in the presence of the ATP uncoupler CCP, higher in bipolar depressives than in controls. Platelet MAO was found to be lower in 16 consecutive female inpatients fulfilling the DSM‐III criteria for bulimia nervosa than in 12 female controls. Rates of serotonin uptake and efflux in the presence of CCP were, on the other hand, similar to the controls. In the controls there were no correlations between platelet MAO activity and any of the other parameters estimated. Vmax for the platelet uptake of serotonin correlated positively with the Km for the uptake, but not with any other parameter. The uninfluenced rate of efflux of serotonin correlated positively with the efflux in the presence of the ATP uncoupler CCP.
The prognosis in early adulthood of child psychiatric patients: a case register study in Denmark
Authors: Thomsen P. H.
Published: August 2007

A register‐based study of 485 children (0–15 years of age) admitted to a child psychiatric hospital from January 1, 1970 to December 31, 1972 who were followed up on December 31, 1986 showed higher rates of admission to psychiatric hospital in late adolescence or young adulthood (i.e. 16 years of age) than found in an age‐standardized general population. Patients with the childhood diagnosis neurosis (ICD‐8 300 + 308.00) were found to have higher rates of admission with personality disorders (ICD‐8 301.09–301.39 + 301.82–301.99) but not of other diagnoses including neurotic disorders. Patients with the childhood diagnosis of conduct disorder (ICD‐8 301.09–301.99 + 308.01) had a higher risk of admission in adulthood with the diagnosis of personality disorders and drug or alcohol abuse. Girls with adjustment disorder (ICD‐8 307 + 308.02–308.06) had higher risks of admission in young adulthood with diagnosis of personality disorders and psychosis. No connection was found between the age at first referral and the incidence of admission after the age of 15 years.
Psychometric properties of the Manchester Scale
Authors: Jackson H. J. , Burgess P. M. , Minas I. H. , Joshua S. D.
Published: August 2007

This article reports a preliminary investigation of the psychometric properties of the Manchester Scale (MS). Fifty‐three patients were assessed on the instrument, 33 at time 1 (7–10 days after admission) and 53 at time 2 (during the week prior to discharge). Interrater reliabilities were generally good at time 2. The factor analyses conducted on the 8 MS items at times 1 and 2 suggest that MS contains a heterogeneous group of items: only the MS negative symptoms were related to one another. The MS positive and negative symptoms were strongly correlated with their counterpart items on the Schedules for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms and Negative Symptoms, suggesting that the MS items have good concurrent validity.
Psychiatric morbidity among mothers attending well‐baby clinic: a cross‐cultural comparison
Authors: Upadhyaya A. , Creed F. , Upadhyaya M.
Published: August 2007

The Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ), a screening instrument developed for psychiatric disorders in developing countries, was administered to 149 mothers, half of whom where non‐white, attending a well‐baby clinic in Manchester, United Kingdom. Psychiatric interview confirmed that high scorers on the SRQ could be given DSM‐III diagnoses of anxiety and depression, but the cut‐off point on SRQ for being a definite psychiatric case was found to be 7/8, higher than previous validation studies. This was the same for Asians as well as white mothers. Comparison of somatic versus psychological scores between Asian and white mothers showed no significant difference across the range of total SRQ scores. Over half of the mothers who were psychiatric cases were attending their doctors and all the Asian women doing so were attending for somatic symptoms. This study suggests that when measured in a well‐baby clinic, somatic and psychological symptoms are reported equally frequently by white and Asian immigrant women in the United Kingdom but somatic symptoms predominate when Asian women consult a doctor.
A multicentre double‐blind comparative trial of fluvoxamine versus lorazepam in mixed anxiety and depression treated in general practice
Authors: Laws D. , Ashford J.J. , Anstee J. A.
Published: August 2007

Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, was compared with lorazepam in a multicentre double‐blind, parallel group study in 112 general practice patients with mixed anxiety and depression. For inclusion, patients were required to have minimum baseline scores of 21 on the Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and 11 on the Clinical Anxiety Scale (CAS). Treatment was for 6 weeks. There were no significant differences between treatments at any point except in an elderly subgroup in whom anxiety improved more rapidly with lorazepam. There were significant improvements in MADRS, CAS and global ratings compared with baseline at all subsequent assessments. Improvement continued during the whole treatment period. Lorazepam produced more sedation, whilst fluvoxamine produced significantly more nausea and vomiting; this was usually early in onset and, if tolerated, resolved during the course of the study. As it is now widely recognized that benzodiazepines should only be given in short courses of 2–4 weeks, the continued improvement up to 6 weeks has implications regarding choice of treatment.
Changes in the methods used for suicide in 16 countries from 1960 to 1980
Authors: Lester D.
Published: August 2007

Suicide rates by each major method of suicide are presented for 16 countries in 1960–1964 and in 1980. The overall suicide rate rose during this period in the sample countries. Suicide rates by motor vehicle exhaust, hanging, firearms and other methods rose during this period, suicide rates by domestic gas fell, and suicide rates by solids or liquids, drowning and cutting did not change. It is suggested that the changing availability of methods is probably responsible for these changes in the suicide rates by each method.
Effects of phosphatidylserine therapy in geriatric patients with depressive disorders
Authors: Maggioni M. , Picotti G.B. , Bondiolotti G.P. , Panerai A. , Cenacchi T. , Nobile P. , Brambilla F.
Published: August 2007

The effects of phosphatidylserine (BC‐PS) on cognitive, affective and behavioural symptoms were studied in a group of 10 elderly women with depressive disorders. Patients were treated with placebo for 15 days, followed by BC‐PS (300 mg/day) for 30 days. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Gottfries‐Bråne‐Steen Rating Scale, Nurse's Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation and Buschke Selective Reminding Test were administered before and after placebo and after BC‐PS therapy, to monitor changes in depression, memory and general behaviour. At the same time, basal plasma levels of noradrenaline, MHPG, DOPAC, HVA and 5‐HIAA, and GH/β‐endorphin/β‐lipotropin responses to clonidine stimulation were measured. BC‐PS induced consistent improvement of depressive symptoms, memory and behaviour. No changes in amine metabolite levels or in hormonal responses to α2‐adrenoceptor stimulation were observed.
A critique of the scientific status of biological psychiatry
Authors: Pam Alvin
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT Biological psychiatry has four principal modes of investigation but each has been flawed by errors in procedure and inference such that the bulk of existing findings must be called into question. Pedigree studies are ruined by selective adoption, the use of “throw‐away kids” to demonstrate so‐called genetic effects, lack of case history data, and lapses in “blind” diagnosis. In particular, the Danish adoption studies are challenged, despite the field's insistence that this research has settled the nature‐nurture controversy in schizophrenia. Pharmacological‐response studies are the next line of methodology and these are marred by a spurious assumption that drugs which work must be correcting a biochemical imbalance that causes the condition. Thirdly, neuropsychological‐neurophysiological studies are “heuristic” fishing‐expeditions to find a presumed abnormality to account for psychopathology, without doing the prospective longitudinal research necessary to validate such theory. Lastly, biochemical correlates of emotion are treated as if each emotion must have a distinct neuronal substrate rather than possibly representing a general visceral arousal where cognition defines the feeling. All told, biological psychiatry is often more reductionist than acknowledged, does not come up to current scientific standards, and uncritically cites work which is, or should be, discredited. At the heart of the problem is an implicit ideology within biological psychiatry, with insufficient awareness of its social ramifications: “blaming the victim's body” protects the status quo by holding protoplasm at fault for maladjustment rather than the person, family, or community.
Perception of early parenting in panic and agoraphobia
Authors: Faravelli C. , Panichi C. , Pallanti S. , Paterniti S. , Grecu L. M. , Rivelli S.
Published: August 2007

Thirty‐two patients with a DSM‐III‐R diagnosis of panic disorder (PD) were administered the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), a 25‐item self‐report questionnaire devised to evaluate parental rearing practices. Compared with 32 matched health controls, PD patients scored both their parents as being significantly less caring and more overprotective. Moreover, the consistency of parental attitudes between the 2 parents was significantly lower, indicating lesser uniformity in the rearing patterns.
Penis‐root perception of Koro patients
Authors: Chowdhury A. N.
Published: August 2007

Koro is an acute anxiety reaction in which the perception of decreased penis length because of intra‐abdominal traction is the main feature. This study attempts to explore the penis‐root perception of the Koro patients by a graphomotor protective test – the Draw‐a‐penis Test (DAPT). This controlled DAPT investigation shows that Koro patients perceived the penis as a detached organ with root‐boundary definiteness as evidenced from their close penis‐root perception. They also displayed reduced volumetric perception of penis‐root than the normal subjects. These perceptual deviations in penis‐root image are discussed in relation to their Koro vulnerability.
Child and adolescent psychiatric patients in adulthood
Authors: Östman O.
Published: August 2007

A total of 142 consecutive patients cared for by child and adolescent psychiatry were followed up to the age of 33–37 years; 49% were treated in adult psychiatry between the ages of 20–25 years, and 20% of these were hospitalized. The frequency of hospitalization was 4–5 times that of a control group. Between the ages of 20–34 years, 32% were admitted some time for inpatient psychiatric care. Psychiatric diagnoses of the patients: schizophrenia 4%, manic‐depressive 5%, neurosis and reactive insufficiency 11%, personality disorders and/or abuse diagnosis 12%. Patients with a schizophrenia diagnosis in adulthood needed the most hospitalization. The symptom picture was stable from child and adolescent psychiatric care through to adulthood, but abuse increased with age. The frequency of sick leave was 2.5 times higher among the child and adolescent psychiatric care patients than among the control group. At the age of 34–36 years, 13% of the former patients received disability benefits as compared with 1% for the same age groups in the entire population of Sweden. Twenty‐one percent received sentences for criminal offenses from the age of 20–34 years. The number of crimes decreased with increasing age. Nearly 50% were in contact with the social welfare services, 3 times as many as in the control group. A third of the men completed their national military service. A total of 6 men and 1 woman died, indicating an increased mortality rate for men. All deaths except one were related to the mental disorder.
Relationships between personality development, interpersonal perception and communication in parents of schizophrenics, psychiatric controls and normal subjects
Authors: Holte A. , Wichstrøm L.
Published: August 2007

Employing a family interaction paradigm, the psychodynamic development of personality (Consensus Spouse‐Rorschach, CSR), mutuality in interpersonal perception (Interpersonal Perception Method), and feedback mechanisms in communication (the Confirmation‐Disconfirmation Coding System) were investigated. The subjects were 66 parents (33 couples) whose offspring were as follows: 12 schizophrenics (RDC, DSM‐III, DSM‐III‐R), 12 with other mental disorders, and 9 subjects with no mental disorder. Communication was observed in 2 situations, using CSR and the Colour Conflict Method. Feedback mechanisms in parent communication, previously found to be associated with offspring mental disorder, were associated both with lack of mutuality in interpersonal perception and low personality development. Lack of mutuality was associated with low parent personality development. The results emphasize the usefulness of monitoring both parent personality development (family structure), mutuality in interpersonal perception (family phenomenology), and communication (family behaviour) when assessing interaction in families of patients with severe mental disorder. They also point to a need for theoretical integration between the different concepts of family interaction of different clinical and theoretical traditions.
A 30‐year follow‐up study of a child psychiatric clientele. II. Psychiatric morbidity
Authors: Larsen F. W.
Published: August 2007

Psychiatric morbidity, expressed as hospital admissions during a 30‐year follow‐up period, was studied among 322 former child psychiatric patients, who were admitted from 1949–1951, and who were followed up as of December 31, 1980. A total of 115 patients (36%) – 55 boys (29%) and 60 girls (45%) – had been admitted to an adult psychiatric department, with 50 patients having only one admission. The mean age at the time of the study was 39 years. The former child psychiatric patients were admitted to adult psychiatric hospitals 50 times more often than comparable age groups from the general population. At all times women had a higher prevalence of admission. The cumulative percentage of first admissions of men was almost unchanged during the last 10 years of the follow‐up period, and the figure for women was gradually increasing. The longitudinal course of mental disorders in the sample, measured as psychiatric admissions, was studied in relation to age at the time of admission to the child psychiatric department. The results consistently showed that older age of admission as a child meant fewer psychiatric admissions as an adult during the follow‐up period. A total of 39 of the psychiatrically admitted patients (34%) had been granted a disability pension. A total of 7 patients (6%) died during the study period, including 2 patients who committed suicide. By the variables employed, 37% of the sample were judged to have had a good overall outcome, with diagnosis being an inconsistent predictor of outcome. A psychiatric admission for men after age 25 was always a life event that did not change poor psychosocial adaptation, in contrast to the women.
Personality disorders 2–5 years after treatment: a prospective follow‐up study
Authors: Mehlum L. , Friis S. , Irion T. , Johns S. , Karterud S. , Vaglum P. , Vaglum S.
Published: August 2007

Ninety‐seven patients consecutively admitted to a day unit specializing in the treatment of personality disorders were included in a prospective follow‐up study. At follow‐up an average of 3 years after index admission, patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) displayed a moderate symptom reduction and a fair global outcome. Patients with schizotypal personality disorder (STP) showed a similar reduction in symptoms but retained relatively poor global functioning. Individuals with cluster C personality disorders, in contrast, showed both a good global outcome and a marked symptom reduction. STP individuals were the least socially adjusted, employed and self‐supporting of all diagnostic subgroups. STP and BPD individuals had far more inpatient treatment in the follow‐up period than other groups. The overall suicide rate was low compared with most similar studies.
Adjustment reactions: a long‐term prospective and retrospective follow‐up of former patients in a crisis intervention ward
Authors: Bronisch T.
Published: August 2007

The results of a 5‐year follow‐up study of 76 patients in a crisis intervention ward who were suffering from an adjustment reaction (brief or prolonged depressive reaction) according to ICD‐9 criteria indicate a rather favorable course and outcome using standardized instruments. Only 17% developed a chronic or severe course of primarily depressive symptoms and only 1 (2%) patient committed suicide after discharge, whereas 64% had a very favorable and 18% a favorable course and outcome. This result is reflected in a rather low use of psychiatric and psychotherapeutic outpatient services during the follow‐up period.
Pseudoakathisia and negative symptoms in schizophrenic subjects
Authors: Brown K. W. , White T.
Published: August 2007

The characteristics of schizophrenic subjects with pseudoakathisia were compared with those without. Those with pseudoakathisia displayed significantly more negative symptoms. This survived correction for other coexisting movement disorders.
Mental distress during winter. An epidemiologic study of 7759 adults north of Arctic Circle
Authors: Hansen V. , Jacobsen B. K. , Husby R.
Published: August 2007

The prevalence of mental distress in a general population north of the Arctic Circle at 69°N was studied over 4 midwinter months. Within the framework of a health survey for coronary heart disease. 3 questions about depression, coping problems and insomnia were posed. They were answered by 7759 people randomly assigned to a survey date from November to February. The extreme lack of daylight in December and January taken into consideration, the prevalence of mental distress found, 14% in men and 19% in women, is remarkably low compared with previous epidemiologic research. Except for insomnia in women, which was most prevalent in December, no significant relationship between month of survey and any of the 3 symptoms were found. Thus, the findings cast some doubt upon the importance of daylight for mental distress in the general population.
Cognitive functioning and survival in psychogeriatric patients
Authors: Berg S. , Jeppson L.
Published: August 2007

The relationship between cognitive functioning and survival was studied among 92 people referred to a psychogeriatric assessment unit. A follow‐up 4–5 years later showed that the nonsurvivors initially had lower scores on the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) than the survivors. The differences were greatest among individuals with nondementia diagnosis. Survival curves showed that about 50% of those who scored ≤19 on MMSE had died within 2 years but more than 60% of those who scored ≥20 were still alive 4–5 years after the initial assessment.
A 15‐year follow‐up study of Chinese schizophrenic patients
Authors: Tsoi W. F. , Wong K. E.
Published: August 2007

A cohort of 330 Chinese schizophrenic patients below age 40 were interviewed 5, 10 and 15 years later to determine which variables could predict their outcome. There were 189 males (57%) and 141 females (43%). At the end of 15 years, 48 (15%) died (34 (10%) from suicide). At the end of 5, 10 and 15 years, the percentages of patients still able to work were 55%, 54% and 48%, and still receiving treatment were 45%, 41% and 45% respectively. The patients who were well in 1990 had fewer readmissions. The only variables that consistently predicted outcome was duration of illness. Age and education level were fairly useful in predicting outcome. Sex, family history, work status, marital status, alcohol, drug and suicide history, and such symptoms as thought disorder, affective blunting, depression, delusions and hallucinations were not useful in predicting outcome.
Haloperidol and lithium carbonate treatment did not influence serum immunoglobulin levels in schizophrenic and affective patients
Authors: Spivak B. , Radwan M. , Bartur P. , Brandon J. , Tyano S. , Weizman A.
Published: August 2007

Serum immunoglobulin levels were studied in 153 psychiatric patients (87 schizophrenic, 48 bipolar and 18 unipolar patients), and 35 healthy controls. Psychotropic treatments (haloperidol in the schizophrenic patients and lithium in the bipolar affective patients) did not alter serum immunoglobulin levels. Decreased mean IgM serum level was detected in the major affective patients (unipolar and bipolar) compared with normal controls. Nonspecific environmental, infectious, autoimmune and emotional factors that can play a role in the alterations obtained in psychiatric patients are discussed.
Classification of postpartum psychosis: a study of 250 mother and baby admissions in the Netherlands
Authors: Klompenhouwer J. L. , van Hulst A. M.
Published: August 2007

The case registers of the patients admitted consecutively to the mother‐and‐baby unit of the Rotterdam University Hospital between 1967 and 1989 were studied in detail and classified according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). The temporal relationship between delivery and the onset of symptoms for the different RDC categories is presented. A comparison is made with the classical concept of puerperal psychosis as it is held in the Netherlands. According to RDC, postpartum psychosis has 3 main phenomenological manifestations: affective, schizoaffective and unspecified functional psychosis. The classical concept of puerperal psychosis largely overlaps the RDC categories schizoaffective disorder and unspecified functional psychosis. The implications regarding the nosology of postpartum psychosis are discussed.
The accuracy of early diagnosis and predictors of death in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia — a follow‐up study
Authors: Nielsen H. , Lolk A. , Pedersen I. , Autzen M. , Sennef C. , Kragh‐Sørensen P.
Published: August 2007

A total of 87 patients with mild or moderate degree of dementia of the Alzheimer type (AD) or vascular dementia (VD) was identified (DSM‐III criteria), and their cognitive capacity was evaluated by means of rating scales and psychometric tests. Three years later 30 patients (34%) were dead. Significantly more VD than AD patients died. Eight of the survivors declined to participate in a follow‐up study, and 1 patient was excluded by mistake. Of the survivors, 17 had indisputably suffered cognitive decline during the follow‐up period (4 VD and 13 AD, 35%). In the case of 11 patients (2 VD and 9 AD) cognitive decline remained doubtful, and 20 patients (9 VD and 11 AD, 42%) underwent no intellectual deterioration during the follow‐up period. The results underline the problems of early diagnosis of dementia according to DSM‐III criteria. For both sexes a high ischemia score and a low body mass index predicted death. A low score on a verbal fluency test predicted death for men but not for women, and a high difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased the risk of death for men but not for women.
Latent class analysis of organic aspects of obsessive‐compulsive disorder in children and adolescents
Authors: Thomsen P. H. , Jensen J.
Published: August 2007

Organic aspects of obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) have previously been described and hypotheses of biological etiology have been suggested. Sixty‐one patients, 8–17 years of age, who fulfilled the DSM‐III criteria for OCD in a review of the records were compared with 117 matched control patients for organic features. The indicators chosen for an organic concept were neurological signs, more than mild electroencephalographic abnormality, specific developmental disorder and attention deficit, and their defining property of an organic concept was confirmed by latent class analysis. Neurological signs was the most sensitive and specific indicator. Significantly fewer OCD children than control patients were assigned to the organic class. Almost all the types of obsessive‐compulsive symptoms were more related to the non‐organic class. Such extroverted symptoms as behavioral problems and loss of temper were significantly more frequent in patients assigned to the latent organic class, whereas symptoms of phobia and depressive mood were more often present in patients belonging to the nonorganic class. No difference was found between OCD patients and controls as to frequency of birth complications. The findings do not support the evidence of OCD having signs of major cerebral disturbance found by conventional neuropediatric methods.
Lithium and electroconvulsive therapy: adversaries, competitors, allies?
Authors: Schou M.
Published: August 2007

As treatments for manic‐depressive illness, lithium and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) share the properties of efficacy, diagnostic specificity, and action on both mania and depression. Therapeutic and prophylactic similarities and dissimilarities are analyzed, as well as the use of lithium continuation treatment following ECT. Possible adverse interaction is discussed, and a strategy is proposed for studying biologic modes of action.
Gender differences in the incidence of definite schizophrenia and atypical psychosis — focus on negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Authors: Ring N. , Tantam D. , Montague L. , Newby D. , Black D. , Morris J.
Published: August 2007

In a catchment area study of 101 first inceptions of schizophrenia, mania and atypical psychoses, women were significantly more likely to have atypical psychosis and men were more likely to have definite schizophrenia. Negative symptoms such as affective flattening and poverty of speech were already present in many cases, and were significantly increased in patients with definite schizophrenia (geometric mean 5.6) compared with those with atypical psychosis (geometric mean 3.2) and mania (geometric mean 1.5). Negative symptoms were also twice as severe in men (geometric mean 5.5) than women (geometric mean 2.6). There was a significant increase in negative symptom severity with longer illness and greater depression, but the diagnosis and the sex effects were not caused by these factors. We suggest that our findings are further support for the hypothesis that men have a greater biological vulnerability to negative symptoms and consequent social disability in the face of psychosis, particularly a schizophrenic psychosis, and that this may be one explanation for the apparently greater risk of definite schizophrenia and its poorer prognosis in men.
Factor structure of DSM‐III‐R personality disorders shown by self‐report questionnaire: implications for classifying and assessing personality disorders
Authors: Dowson J. H. , Berrios G. E.
Published: August 2007

A modified version of the revised Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire (PDQ‐R), based on DSM‐III‐R personality disorders (PD), was completed by 74 psychiatric patients. A factor analysis of the scores for each of the PD (i.e. of the number of positive DSM‐III‐R criteria for each of the PD) yielded 3 factors that defined 3 PD clusters. These were similar to the 3 DSM‐III‐R PD clusters for 7 of the 11 PD categories. The 3‐group solution of a cluster analysis of the patients (using their scores of positive criteria for each of the PD) did not reflect these factors; the main discriminating variable between the 3 groups of patients was the total number of positive PD criteria. It is suggested that, for the routine assessment of patients, the most important derivative of the DSM‐III‐R classification of PD is the total score of positive PD criteria.
Measures of serotonin metabolism in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Hassanyeh F. , Marshall E. F.
Published: August 2007

Thirty‐five consecutive attenders at a clinic specializing in anorexia nervosa were studied. All conformed to a DSM‐III‐R diagnosis for anorexia nervosa. In addition, 3 cases suffered from major depressive disorder and 9 from dysthymia. Blood from all patients was analysed for monoamine oxidase, serotonin (5‐HT), 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), tryptophan and platelet paroxetine binding. Findings showed that blood 5‐HT was higher than normal in all patient groups, and was highest in those having affective disorder with anorexia nervosa. However, of the patients with anorexia nervosa alone, a subgroup having greatest weight loss had blood 5‐HT levels significantly below all other groups. Lack of significant changes in other parameters compared with normal subjects points to the possibility of abnormal 5‐HT storage or release.
Interaction between carbamazepine and fluvoxamine
Authors: Fritze J. , Unsorg B. , Lanczik M.
Published: August 2007

In 3 patients the addition of fluvoxamine to a constant dosage of carbamazepine (CZP) caused a substantial rise of plasma CZP accompanied by symptoms of intoxication. As this drug combination may occur increasingly in the future, this probably pharmacokinetic interaction is of practical relevance.
Continued clinical validation of dementia diagnosed in the community using the Cambridge Mental Disorders of the Elderly Examination
Authors: O'Connor D. W. , Pollitt P. A. , Jones B. J. , Hyde J. B. , Fellowes J. L. , Miller N. D.
Published: August 2007

We describe the outcome 2 years later of elderly Cambridge residents who had been diagnosed as demented using the Cambridge Mental Disorders of the Elderly Examination. Mortality rates were high but diagnoses were confirmed for all of the 43 moderate and severe cases who survived for this period, and for 51 of the 56 subjects who had been rated initially as mildly demented; 28 of the 56 mildly demented subjects progressed to more severe levels of impairment. As many as 12 of the 24 original minimally demented cases showed evidence of intellectual deterioration, which lends weight to the validity of this experimental category.