bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age‐specific characteristics of attempted suicide in adolescence
Authors: Kotila L.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A total of 422 suicide attempts of adolescents (15 to 19 years of age) were investigated and compared with 327 suicide attempts of young adults. Adolescents had more serious social problems than young adults. Their adaptive problems became worse while growing older until the age of 20. Adolescents made suicide attempts with serious intent more often than young adults, but their suicide attempts were not as often lethal as in young adults. Although repeated suicide attempts were relatively common in both groups, only 10 people were part of both materials. Adolescents were as often psychotic when attempting suicide as young adults were. Twenty‐four percent of adolescents and 26% of young adults were admitted to a psychiatric hospital as treatment.
Experience of parental loss and later suicide: data from published biographies
Authors: Lester D.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– A study of 30 individuals who committed suicide whose biographies or autobiographies have been published revealed that 16 had experienced loss in childhood. There was an excess of loss caused by death and of fathers rather than mothers. Fourteen of the 16 losses occurred when the child was aged 6 to 14 (latency age).
Endocrine responses to growth hormone‐releasing hormone, thyrotropin‐releasing hormone and corticotropin‐releasing hormone in depression
Authors: Lesch K.‐P. , Müller U. , Rupprecht R. , Kruse K. , Schulte H. M.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT– To explore and to compare hypothalamic‐pituitary‐somatotropic (HPS), hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid (HPT) and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adreno‐cortical (HPA) axis function in depression, 30 subjects (15 patients with a major depressive episode and individually matched controls) received 50μg growth hormone‐releasing hormone‐44 amide at 9:00, 200 μg thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) at 9:00 and 100 μg human corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) at 18:00 on consecutive days as an i.v. bolus dose. Compared with controls, depressed patients showed blunted growth hormone (GH) responses to GHRH, decreased TRH‐induced thyrotropin (TSH) release and reduced corticotropin (ACTH) but normal cortisol secretion following CRH. ACTH secretion following CRH and TRH‐induced TSH release were positively correlated across depressed patients and controls but no significant correlations between GH responses to GHRH and TRH‐induced TSH release or ACTH and cortisol secretion following CRH administration were demonstrated. Our findings suggest that altered HPT and HPA axis function associated with depression are triggered by factors that are at least partly different from those that cause HPS system dysfunction. We conclude that the pathophysiological process resulting in aberrant neuroendocrine secretory dynamics associated with depression may primarily occur at a suprapituitary site, and that HPS, HPT and HPA axis dysfunction may be precipitated by complex central and peripheral regulatory mechanisms involving largely independent factors.
Violent and nonviolent suicide attempts — a controlled Rorschach study
Authors: Rydin E. , Åsberg M. , Edman G. , Schalling D.
Published: August 2007

Rorschach records from 20 patients who had made active, violent suicide attempts were compared with records from 20 patients who had taken drug overdoses and 20 psychiatric control patients who had not made a suicide attempt. Ego function ratings showed that violent attempters were more paranoid than both other groups and less able to cope with conflict situations, to handle dysphoric affect and to differentiate between reality and imagination. Violent attempters had lower level of cognitive maturity than controls and tended to produce fabulized combination responses, suggesting cognitive slippage, and distorted human content responses, indicating pathological object relationships. Nonviolent attempters did not differ from controls. Six patients, all from the violent attempt group, completed suicide within a follow‐up period of 4 years. Compared with the survivors, they were less tolerant of dysphoric affect and showed more pronounced decline of developmental level within cards. Completers could be identified on the Rorschach at 55% sensitivity and 93% specificity.
The epidemiology of demoralization in a kibbutz
Authors: Gilboa S. , Levav I. , Gilboa L. , Ruiz F.
Published: August 2007

This article reports a true prevalence study of demoralization conducted in a kibbutz. This commune, which assures its members all their instrumental needs throughout the individual life span, is probably one of the few of its kind in the world. All adult members (n= 353) of a kibbutz affiliated with the most orthodox of the federations replied to a self‐administered interview containing the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research interview 27‐item Demoralization Scale. The response rate approached 95%. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using demoralization rates and mean scores as dependent variables. The overall prevalence of demoralization was 25%. Women exhibited higher rates and mean scores. There was a clear association between occupational prestige scores and demoralization in both sexes. Discussion is based on the comparison between the study findings and those published in the literature, both in terms of the overall results and their pattern of association with key sociodemographic variables.
Mental disorders among primary health care patients in Nicaragua
Authors: Penayo U. , Kullgren G. , Caldera T.
Published: August 2007

The objective of this study was to validate the Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ‐20) as a screening instrument to identify probable psychiatric cases in the general population in Nicaragua and to study the prevalence and identification of mental disorders in primary health care. In the general population 576 people were screened using SRQ‐20. A subsample was further interviewed using the Present State Examination (PSE). In primary health care centers 781 patients were screened according to SRQ‐20 and staff indicated whether a mental disorder was identified or not. In the general population study, 9/10 turned out an adequate cut‐off for SRQ‐20, identifying 23% as probable cases. Using the same cut‐off, 47% of the primary health care patients were identified as probable cases. Among male probable cases only 7% were identified as cases by health care staff, and among female probable cases health care staff identified 13% as cases. When the results are compared with previous studies, it becomes evident that the general level of psycho‐emotional complaints and accordingly the cut‐off for caseness differ in different parts of the world. SRQ must be calibrated for each cultural setting. Among primary health care patients, mental disorders were overrepresented and frequently overlooked by the physicians. Educational programs with training in psychiatry should be implemented for primary health care staff.
Reactive psychosis among elderly people
Authors: Ungvari G. S. , Hantz P. M.
Published: August 2007

Two cases of reactive psychosis occurring over the age of 65 are briefly reported. The role of organic impairment and evaluation of previous psychiatric illness in the diagnosis of reactive psychosis in elderly people is discussed. In addition, a brief review of the relevant Scandinavian literature is provided.
Platelet tritiated imipramine binding in psychiatric patients: relationship to symptoms and severity of depression
Authors: Ellis P.M. , Mclntosh C.J. , Beeston R. , Salmond C.E. , Cooke R.R. , Mellsop G.
Published: August 2007

The clinical and research significance of reduced imipramine binding has remained unclear despite considerable investigation. This study used an assay of demonstrated reliability to investigate the clinical correlates of imipramine binding to platelets in 63 depressed and 33 nondepressed psychiatric patients and 40 healthy control subjects. Both patient groups had Bmax values significantly lower than those of the healthy controls. Unequivocal associations between binding parameters and individual symptoms or groups of symptoms were not established, but a negative correlation between Kd and the number of adverse life events experienced in the preceding 6 months was apparent. These findings provide no support for the view that reduced binding is a trait marker for susceptibility to depression and cast doubt on its specificity as a state marker for the syndrome of depression.
Vitamin B12 levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of people with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ikeda T. , Furukawa Y. , Mashimoto S. , Takahashi K. , Yamada M.
Published: August 2007

Vitamin B12 levels in the serum and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were compared between patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and senile dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT) (AD group) and patients with multi‐infarct dementia (MID group). The B12 levels in the serum and the CSF were 742 ± 359 pg/ml and 28 ± 7 pg/ml (mean ± SD), respectively, in the AD group, and 962 ± 254 pg/ml and 50 ± 26 pg/ml, respectively, in the MID group. CSF B12 levels were significantly lower in the AD group than in the MID group, whereas the serum levels were not different. At the same time, the serum levels of almost all patients were within the normal range, whereas the CSF levels were 25 pg/ml or lower in 10 of 12 AD patients. Therefore, this low level in the CSF is considered to be a characteristic finding in the AD group.
Do suicides who write notes differ from those who do not? A study of suicides in West Berlin
Authors: Heim N. , Lester D.
Published: August 2007

People who completed suicide in West Berlin and left suicide notes were found to differ in sex, age, method used for suicide and the reason for suicide, compared with those not leaving notes. These results suggest that conclusions from research into the psychodynamics of suicide based on suicide notes may be biased.
Alcoholism among Taiwan aborigines defined by the Chinese Diagnostic Interview Schedule: a comparison with alcoholism among Chinese
Authors: Hwu H.‐G. , Yeh Y.‐L. , Wang J.‐D. , Yeh E.‐K.
Published: August 2007

The prevalence of alcoholism was reported to be 0.1 % in an aboriginal study on Taiwan using the census survey method in the 1950s. This study adopted a modified Chinese Diagnostic Interview Schedule to determine the prevalence of DSM‐III‐defined alcohol abuse (AA) and alcohol dependence (AD) in the Atayal, Paiwan and Yami ethnic groups of Taiwan aborigines. Stratified random sampling was used. The sample sizes of Atayal, Paiwan and Yami were 793, 656 and 106 respectively. The prevalence rates of DSM‐III‐defined AA and AD were 11.6%, 11.4% and 14.2%; and 9.0%, 8.1% and 6.4% respectively. No significant difference was found between the 3 ethnic groups. These prevalence figures are significantly higher than those for Chinese. In this comparative analysis, 2 distinct etiological hypotheses are proposed for the AA and the AD.
Women as victims of torture
Authors: Fornazzari X. , Freire M.
Published: August 2007

This is a retrospective study on the effects of torture on Latin American refugee women in Toronto. Thirty‐six cases of female torture victims are reviewed. The cases are divided in 2 groups, according to whether they experienced physical and psychological torture or only psychological assaults. Both groups are compared in terms of demographic characteristics, social and/or political involvement prior to the traumatic experiences, symptoms for which they sought psychiatric intervention and recovery rates. The symptoms presented by all women are consistent with those described in the literature for torture victims, regardless of their sex. The main findings are that women who experienced direct physical and psychological violence more frequently had persistence of symptoms than women who experienced only psychological violence.
Effect of an educational program for general practitioners on Gotland on the pattern of prescription of psychotropic drugs
Authors: Rutz W. , von Knorring L. , Wålinder J. , Wistedt B.
Published: August 2007

During the years 1983–1984, an educational program was given to all general practitioners on the island of Gotland. This report evaluates changes in prescription habits from 1982 to 1985. To correct for general trends that occurred simultaneously, the prescription habits were compared to the habits in the rest of Sweden. Both on Gotland and in Sweden as a whole, the use of antidepressants increased from 1982–1985, but significantly more on Gotland. In 1982, the use of antidepressants was low on Gotland, 54% of that in the rest of Sweden. After the educational programs, Gotland reached 77% of the use in the rest of Sweden. In 1982, the use of lithium was 123% of that in the rest of Sweden. After the educational programs, the use of lithium was unchanged, and a small increase of 5.6% was seen in the rest of Sweden. After the educational programs, the prescription of sedatives on Gotland decreased (– 8.2%), and an increase of 4.5% was seen in the rest of Sweden. The use of major tranquilizers also decreased significantly (– 23%) on Gotland. Even in the rest of Sweden, a significant but much smaller decrease was seen: – 13%. On Gotland the frequency of hypnotics remained stable from 1982–1985, and a significant increase was seen in the rest of Sweden.
A longitudinal evaluation of dexamethasone and cortisol plasma concentrations in the dexamethasone suppression test before and during treatment with antidepressant drugs
Authors: Guthrie S. K. , Vartanian L. , Grunhaus L. , Hariharan M. , Pande A. , Haskett R. F.
Published: August 2007

Thirty depressed in‐ and outpatients received serial dexamethasone suppression tests (DSTs). Plasma dexamethasone and cortisol concentrations were drawn at 1600 on the day following a 1‐mg oral dose of dexamethasone. The first DST was performed after patients were drug‐free for a period of 1 week; the second, third, and fourth DSTs while patients received antidepressant medication. Dexamethasone and cortisol concentrations drawn in the drug‐free period correlated significantly. The cortisol to dexamethasone ratio changed significantly with time in DST nonsuppressors, suggesting that nonsuppression is associated with an altered pharmacodynamic response of the hypothalamopituitary‐adrenal axis to dexamethasone during depression. When dexamethasone concentrations from the drug‐free period were compared with those drawn during antidepressant treatment, no significant differences were noted.
A double‐blind multicentre comparison of remoxipride, at two dose levels, and haloperidol
Authors: Patris M. , Agussol P. , Alby J. M. , Brion S. , Burnat G. , Castelnau D. , Deluermoz S. , Dufour H. , Ferreri M. , Goudemand M. , Leguay D. , Lamperiere T. , Martin A. , Morin D. , Tignol J. , Vincent T. , Albaret C.
Published: August 2007

Abstract A total of 186 patients who met the DSM‐III criteria for schizophrenia were admitted to a double‐blind randomized multicentre trial in which the efficacy and safety of remoxipride at two dose levels was compared with those of haloperidol. Over a period of six weeks the patients received remoxipride 100–300 mg/day (n=60), remoxipride 200–600 mg/day (n=61), or haloperidol 10–30 mg/day (n=64). There was no significant difference between the three treated groups with regard to the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores obtained. Remoxipride, at both dosage ranges used, thus had comparable therapeutic efficacy to that of haloperidol. In contrast, extrapyramidal symptoms occurred significantly more frequently in the group treated with haloperidol. Laboratory tests and cardiovascular investigations showed no specific drug effect in any of the treated patients. Remoxipride is thus effective in acute treatment of schizophrenia at both dosage levels and has an advantage over haloperidol in neurological acceptability.
The neuroleptics: a historical survey
Authors: Deniker P
Published: August 2007

Abstract The history of the neuroleptic drugs has been marked by various milestones: some have been successes, others have been associated with complications and side effects, especially when the drugs have been misused. At the Paris meeting in 1955, it was confirmed that neuroleptics were indicated in chronic psychoses. In 1963, a new form of long‐acting neuroleptic was introduced which appeared useful for non‐compliant patients. However, following the introduction of the American concept of “CPZ‐ equivalent” which is opposed to the European distinction between sedative and “disinhibitory” neuroleptics, the problem of the development of tardive dyskinesia became serious. The antipsychotic actions of the neuroleptics in some psychoses eventually led to the so‐called “dopaminergic theories” of schizophrenia, which are still under discussion. It should be underlined that the specific anti‐manic action of neuroleptics, which is included in the early definition, has been prematurely neglected. In fact, mania is the opposite of depression and, in general, the antidepressants are “anti‐neuroleptic”. The neurobiological studies of the neuroleptics resulted in the differentiation of the compounds according to their action on different parts of the dopamine system, especially on the mesolimbic and mesocortical structures. This was particularly useful in the efforts to avoid extrapyramidal side effects. The clarification of the role of the D1 and D2 dopamine receptors has been important in understanding the development of tardive dyskinesias. There are now some 50 different neuroleptic drugs, in about a dozen chemical families, which can be classified by an “automatic” statistical method.
A double‐blind multicentre study comparing remoxipride, two and three times daily, with haloperidol in schizophrenia
Authors: Laux G. , KIieser E. , Schröder H. G. , Dittmann V. , Unterweger B. , Schutert H. , König P. , Schöny H. W. , Bunse J. , Beckmann H.
Published: August 2007

Abstract A double‐blind multicentre study comparing the efficacy and safety of remoxipride in relation to haloperidol was conducted in 160 inpatients with schizophrenic illness diagnosed according to DSM‐III. The study period was 4 weeks. The mean daily dose of remoxipride (whether given twice or three times daily) during the last week of treatment was 395 mg; the corresponding dose of haloperidol was 17 mg per day. No significant difference in therapeutic efficacy was found; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) median total scores dropped from 41 to 20 (remoxipride twice daily, n=51), 43 to 20 (remoxipride three times daily, n=44) 40 to 19 (haloperidol three times daily, n=48) at last valid rating. According to Clinical Global Impression (CGI) 68% in the remoxipride twice daily, 58% in the three times daily and 60% in the haloperidol group were very much or much improved. Treatment‐emergent extrapyramidal checklist symptoms (hypokinesia, rigidity and tremor) were statistically significantly more frequent and more severe during haloperidol than during remoxipride treatment despite a statistically significantly higher concurrent use of anticholinergic drugs in the haloperidol group. Haloperidol treated patients reported more tiredness and drowsiness than remoxipride treated patients. Also, haloperidol treated patients had a significantly higher frequency of extrapyramidal symptoms on 8 out of 10 items of the Simpson and Angus scale.
A double‐blind comparative study of remoxipride and thioridazine in the acute phase of schizophrenia
Authors: McCreadie R. G. , Todd N. , Livingston M. , Eccleston D. , Watt J. A. G. , Herrington R. N. , Tait D. , Crocket G. , Mitchell M. J. , Huitfeldf B.
Published: August 2007

Abstract Sixty‐one patients with acute schizophrenia received either remoxipride (75–375 mg daily) or thioridazine (150–750 mg daily) for 6 weeks. There was no statistically significant between‐drug difference in improvement in mental state, as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, although the trend favoured thioridazine; global assessment of illness severity at the last rating also favoured thioridazine. Sedation, anticholinergic effects, autonomic dysfunction, and weight gain were significantly more common in patients receiving thioridazine. Both drugs produced few extrapyramidal effects, but both were associated with cardiovascular changes in two patients; neither drug produced significant abnormalities in laboratory tests.
A double‐blind comparative study of remoxipride and haloperidol in schizophrenic and schizophreniform disorders
Authors: Mendlewicz J. , de Bleeker E. , Cosyns P. , Deleu G. , Lotstra F. , Masson A. , Mertens C. , Parent M. , Peuskens J. , Suy E. , de Wilde J. , Wilmotte J. , Nörgard J.
Published: August 2007

The antipsychotic effect of remoxipride was compared to that of haloperidol in a randomized double‐blind study with parallel group design comprising 98 patients with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder according to DSM‐III. After a 3–7 day placebo washout period, patients received either 150–600 mg of remoxipride or 5–20 mg of haloperidol daily for 6 weeks. No significant differences in efficacy were found between the two treatments. Treatment‐emergent checklist symptoms such as hypokinesia, rigidity, and tremor occurred more frequently and were more severe during haloperidol than during remoxipride treatment despite a significantly higher concurrent use of anticholinergic drugs in the haloperidol group. Haloperidol‐treated patients reported greater increases in sleep and salivation than remoxipride‐treated patients. Shoulder shaking and tremor were reported as occurring more frequently in the haloperidol group according to the Simpson and Angus rating scale for extrapyramidal symptoms. In summary, the two drugs seemed to be equally efficacious, though the tolerability profile favoured remoxipride.
Treatment programme and long‐term outcome in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Kane J. M.
Published: August 2007

AbstractAntipsychotic drug treatment is usually started during an acute episode or exacerbation of a pre‐existing psychosis. Although the medication has marked therapeutic benefit for most patients, there is considerable heterogeneity in drug response. A variety of factors may influence this response, but at present we have no well‐established predictors which would help targeting specific pharmacological treatments. The continuation of antipsychotic drug treatment to control persistent symptoms and to prevent further exacerbations or relapse has become a mainstay in the long‐term treatment of schizophrenia. There are various considerations which come into play in deciding which patients should receive such treatment, at what dose, and for how long. Research in recent years has attempted to identify strategies to minimize the risks associated with long‐term treatment (particularly tardive dyskinesia). In addition, other factors influencing long‐term outcome have been better studied in combination with controlled drug treatment.
Safety evaluation in both short‐ and long‐term treatment of schizophrenia with remoxipride
Authors: Morrison D. , Englund A. , Lawrie V. , Lewander T. , Schlachet A. , Westerbergh S.‐E.
Published: August 2007

Abstract Results for laboratory and cardiovascular variables in both short‐term (4–6 weeks) and long‐term (>6 weeks) double‐blind studies in schizophrenic patients consistently showed comparably low incidences of both transient treatment‐emergent changes and changes present at last rating for both remoxipride and haloperidol. The total incidence of serious adverse events in the short‐term double‐blind programme was approximately 2% for both remoxipride and haloperidol. The corresponding figure for remoxipride (n=434) in long‐term treatment was approximately 6%. Compared to those on haloperidol, fewer patients on remoxipride had trough plasma prolactin levels above the normal range in short‐term treatment. The results with long‐term treatment with remoxipride were similar. Breast swelling and galactorrhoea were infrequent treatment‐emergent side effects with either drug. It was impossible to evaluate menstrual disturbance in short‐term studies but in long‐term use the incidence of treatment‐emergent menstrual disorder was low in remoxipride patients. Too few patients continued treatment with haloperidol for a comparative long‐term evaluation. Overall, based on the information available at present, remoxipride appears to offer a high degree of safety in both short‐term and long‐term treatment of schizophrenia.
Pharmacokinetics of moclobemide after single and multiple oral dosing with 150 milligrams 3 times daily for 15 days
Authors: Guentert T. W. , Tucker G. , Korn A. , Pfefen J. P. , Haefelfinger P. , Schoerlin M. P.
Published: August 2007

This study was undertaken to determine the absolute bioavailability and steady‐state concentrations of moclobemide after doses of 150 mg. In 14 healthy human volunteers, no differences in tmax, t1/2β, Cl/F, Cmax and AUC were found between a single oral dose of 100 mg and one of 150 mg. The mean absolute oral availability was 0.66 and 0.69 respectively. Plasma concentration profiles of moclobemide on repeated dosing with 150 mg 3 times daily for 15 days were essentially superimposable, although the mean concentration was higher than after the single 150 mg dose. This concentration increased over the first week and then remained relatively constant. Mean accumulation factors for moclobemide during the first week were 1.85 for Cmax and 3.0 for AUC. These values were higher than predicted from single‐dose characteristics. There was a marked reduction in the variability of AUC and clearance (CI/F) values at steady‐state compared with the first dose. Minimum plasma concentrations of the 2 metabolites, Ro 12‐5637 and Ro 12‐8095, were relatively stable throughout dosing. The exact mechanism of the decrease in systemic and oral clearance of moclobemide with time during multiple oral dosing is not known at present. Either moclobemide inhibits its own clearance or moclobemide metabolism is inhibited by one or more of its metabolites. The findings indicate that, if dosage needs to be adjusted during treatment with moclobemide, the changes should be made carefully and at intervals of not less than 1 week.
Absorption and disposition of moclobemide in patients with advanced age or reduced liver or kidney function
Authors: Stoeckel K. , Pfefen J. P. , Mayersohn M. , Schoerlin M. P. , Andressen C. , Ohnhaus E. E. , Frey F. , Guentert T. W.
Published: August 2007

Three different studies were conducted to assess the pharmacokinetics of moclobemide in subjects with conditions complicating dose determination. The first examined the absorption and disposition of moclobemide in an elderly population and compared these with results obtained in a group of normal young subjects. No significant differences were found between the groups in the intravenous (i. v.) parameters of disposition, and no differences with regard to disposition of the metabolite, Ro 12‐8095. In addition, the minimum steady‐state concentrations of moclobemide and the main plasma metabolite did not differ between the elderly and younger patients. In the second study, clearance tests in patients with cirrhosis of the liver confirmed that hepatic function is drastically reduced in this group of patients; it is therefore possible that moclobemide absorption and distribution might be influenced. In only 3 of the 12 patients investigated, slowly declining plasma concentrations after administration pointed to a severely limited elimination capacity for moclobemide. In the remaining 9 subjects, average values of several parameters changed significantly (t1/2β, MRT and CI), whereas Vss and renal clearance were not significantly altered. In patients with kidney dysfunction, there were no differences in kinetics between patients undergoing hemodialysis and those who were not. Compared with normal healthy volunteers, no differences were found for renal patients, with the exception of the mean absorption time, which was significantly prolonged. From these studies it can be concluded that, pharmacokinetically, neither age nor renal impairment require adjusting the dosage of moclobemide. Patients with liver cirrhosis, however, need to have the usual dose reduced to one half or one third, or else the dosage intervals can be increased to prevent cumulation.
Comparison of monoamine oxidase‐A inhibition by moclobemide in vitro and ex vivo in rats
Authors: Kettler R. , Prada M. Da , Burkard W. P.
Published: August 2007

Inhibition of MAO activity was measured in rat brain homogenates using 5‐HT as MAO‐A substrate and phenylethylamine as MAO‐B substrate. Moclobemide rather selectively inhibited MAO‐A. Its inhibitory potency is rather low, like that of toloxatone, whereas clorgyline, harmaline, cimoxatone and brofaromine were all found to be at least 100 times more potent. Phenelzine, isocarboxazid and tranylcypromine were nonspecific, inhibiting MAO‐A and MAO‐B to about the same extent. The same drugs were also tested ex vivo. Here again moclobemide preferentially inhibited MAO‐A; it was equipotent to clorgyline and brofaromine in these tests, and 2–4 times as potent as cimoxatone and harmaline. Moclobemide is a relatively weak MAO‐A inhibitor in vitro and yet more potent in vivo than other reversible inhibitors, suggesting that the compound may be converted in vivo to an active form. Nevertheless, it has not been possible so far to identify activated derivatives, and recent findings that moclobemide markedly inhibits liver MAO‐A within 5 min of an intravenous injection strongly suggests that the compound itself is responsible for the inhibition.
Patterns of response during placebo treatment of panic disorder
Authors: Mellergård M. , Rosenberg N. K.
Published: August 2007

Data from the cross‐national study of panic disorder are used for an analysis of response patterns. The main purpose of the study is a search for specific placebo patterns and a discussion of possible differences in patterns from patients treated with alprazolam, imipramine, and placebo. Four outcome measures were registered at baseline and weekly during the treatment period: the number of panic attacks, Physician's Global Evaluation of treatment effect, the Overall Phobia Score and the level on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety. Response patterns from the 3 treatment groups are described and compared, and subsequently categorized with regard to completeness and persistency. No specific placebo pattern is recognized. Some differences are found, however, as many placebo patients demonstrate an early and temporary remission. The variations in response patterns do not compromise the blindness of the study, and their predictive validity is low.;
Need for mental health services of the adult population in Finland: results from the Mini Finland Health Survey
Authors: Lehtinen V. , Joukamaa M. , Jyrkinen E. , Lahtela K. , Raitasalo R. , Maatela J. , Aromaa A.
Published: August 2007

This article presents results on the self‐perceived and clinically assessed met and unmet need for mental health care as indicated by the Mini Finland Health Survey, an extensive epidemiological study of the Finnish population aged 30 years or over. The prevalence of self‐perceived definite or probable need for care was 6.4% in the men and 8.2% in the women. The corresponding clinical assessments were 14.5% in the men and 19.6% in the women. The need for specialist care was 7.5% in the men and 9.6% in the women. The need was greatest in the middle‐aged groups. About 60% of persons in need of care were not receiving any treatment. Half of the treatment received was assessed as inadequate. The treatment situation was much better for psychoses than for neuroses, but it varied little between the different parts of the country.
Alcohol intoxication and psychosocial problems among children
Authors: Lamminpää A. , Vilska J.
Published: August 2007

A drunken child is a common sight in the streets during weekends in Finland. An early episode of drunkenness may be an early sign of a serious tendency, or it may be an isolated incident. In this study 300 alcohol intoxications treated in hospital were examined. The underlying risk factors of the patients, their motives for drinking and their symptoms and signs were recorded. Underlying family problems were usual; in 45% of the cases the family was broken, in 36% the family had visited child guidance clinics, and in 31% of the families one parent was an alcoholic. The lower the mother's social group was, the higher the frequency of alcohol intoxication. Previous intoxications were reported in 9% of the cases. Most of the children's intoxications were experimental (49%); suicidal cases amounted to 8% and cases in which the child had been forced to drink amounted to 6%, and the rest of the patients belonged to the problem group and the mixed‐motives group.
Mortality and aggressiveness in a 30‐year follow‐up study in child guidance clinics in Stockholm
Authors: Chǎteau P. de
Published: August 2007

The mortality rate and aggressiveness in a cohort of 2364 former patients of the child guidance clinics in Stockholm were studied during a 30‐year follow‐up period; 106 died during this observation period. This frequency is significantly higher than the calculated mortality rate in a reference population. In all, 82% of the total deaths were caused by suicide, accidents, or abuse of alcohol or drugs. Among the patients that died of suicide and abuse, more mental disorders, abuse and criminality were found in their parents during the initial evaluation. Significantly more males than females died as a result of accidents and alcohol or drug abuse. Aggressive feelings and acts, both against oneself and others, were overrepresented in the initial contacts with the child guidance clinics. To prevent these deaths, an alternative approach during the first contact with a child psychiatric centre is discussed, as well as more extensive help and intervention at an early stage.
Lithium toxicity: when is hemodialysis necessary?
Authors: Hauger R. L. , O'Connor K. A. , Yudofsky S. , Meltzer H. L.
Published: August 2007

A case of severe lithium intoxication is presented in which the function of the lithium pump was monitored, and ws found to improve as teh signs of lithium toxicity abated. The status of the lithium pump may provide an index of the severity of lithium intoxication. Since the lithium pump regulates the extrusion of lithium from the intracellular to the extracellular space, it is argued that the activity of the lithium pump is an index of the severity of lithium intoxication and crucial to the process of detoxification.
Who gets treated? Factors associated with referral in children with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Costello E. J. , Janiszewski S.
Published: August 2007

There is evidence from several industrialized countries that only a small proportion of children with psychiatric disorders receive specialist treatment. It is unclear, however, why some disturbed children are brought for treatment while others are not. To examine this issue in one community, children aged 7 through 11 were screened for behavioral problems using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL); 89 treated and 126 nontreated children, all of whom scored in the clinical range (above the 90th percentile) on the CBCL, were compared on measures of psychopathology, environmental factors and adaptive functioning. All the children were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children. There was no difference between the groups in the proportions receiving a psychiatric diagnosis, or in the proportions with more than one psychiatric disorder. The nontreated disturbed children were as likely as the treated ones to have attention deficit disorders, anxiety, and oppositional disorders, and to be failing in school. The treated children had more cases of conduct disorder and depressive disorders, and were more likely to be poor, male and black. Teachers reported twice as many behavioral problems in treated as in untreated children, suggesting that adults’ discomfort with children's behavior may have been a more potent precipitator of referral than the children's failure to perform well at school. The findings suggest that many nontreated children may be no less impaired than those who receive treatment, and that other factors than severity of psychopathology may dictate which disturbed children receive mental health services.
Non‐right‐handedness and maleness correlate with tardive dyskinesia among patients taking neuroleptics
Authors: Joseph A. B.
Published: August 2007

Forty‐eight consecutive psychiatric outpatients receiving neuroleptics were assessed for handedness and the presence of tardive dyskinesia (TD). Twenty‐seven patients had TD and 21 did not. Twenty‐one of the patients with TD had some degree of non‐right‐handedness compared with 3 of the patients without TD. These results were found to be statistically significant. Maleness also correlated with the presence of TD, but the results were less robustly significant. These findings indicate that non‐right‐handedness and maleness may correlate with the risk of developing TD. To the author's knowledge, these findings have not been previously reported.
The neuroleptic malignant syndrome and its differentiation from lethal catatonia
Authors: Fleischhacker W. W. , Unterweger B. , Kane J. M. , Hinterhuber H.
Published: August 2007

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and lethal catatonia are potentially lifethreatening diseases with similar clinical features, including fever, akinesia and rigidity. Differential diagnosis is difficult but possible by exact clinical observation and a detailed history of the 2 weeks prior to the onset of illness.
A quantitative study of nursing staff interactions in psychiatric wards
Authors: Sandford D. A. , Elzinga R. H. , Iversen R.
Published: August 2007

Data from 2 studies investigating staff‐patient and staff‐staff interaction rates are presented. In the first the staff‐patient ratio was varied by holding patient numbers constant and systematically varying staffing levels. The results showed that although the percentage of time nurses spent interacting with patients did not change, staff‐staff interaction increased as a function of increased staffing levels. In the second study the interaction rates from 4 wards were combined. These data showed that, as in the first study, staff‐patient interaction remained constant, as staff numbers increased, whilst staff‐staff interaction increased. However, unlike the first study, when analysed in terms of the staff‐patient ratio, both categories of interaction increased as the staff‐patient ratio increased.
Platelet serotonin decrease in alcoholic patients
Authors: Bailly D. , Vignau J. , Lauth B. , Racadot N. , Beuscart R. , Servant D. , Parquet P. J.
Published: August 2007

This study investigated the platelet 5‐HT levels and their changes according to different physiological and pathological factors in 30 young alcoholic patients (16 alcohol abusers and 14 alcohol‐dependent subjects) and 26 healthy controls. Platelet 5‐HT levels were determined by a fluorescent‐orthophthalaldehyde assay. The mean platelet 5‐HT levels obtained in patients during withdrawal and after 2 weeks of abstinence were significantly lower than in controls. Presence of positive history of impulse control disorders (ICD) influenced the mean platelet 5‐HT levels in patients. These preliminary results suggest that the platelet 5‐HT level decrease observed in alcohol‐dependent patients mostly free from ICD and in alcohol abusers mostly affected by ICD might result from comparable neurobiological mechanisms. However, the age of onset of alcohol dependence might depend on psychological functioning features.
Effect of clomipramine on premenstrual syndrome
Authors: Eriksson E. , Lisjö P. , Sundblad C. , Andersson K. , Andersch B. , Modigh K.
Published: August 2007

Clomipramine (25–50 mg) was administered daily for 5 consecutive menstrual cycles to 5 nondepressed women with severe premenstrual irritability and sadness. All subjects reported a dramatic reduction in premenstrual complaints.
Alcoholism and panic disorder: is the comorbidity more than coincidence?
Authors: George D. T. , Nutt D. J. , Dwyer B. A. , Linnoila M.
Published: August 2007

Studies on alcoholic patients have found a higher than expected prevalence of panic disorder, and suggest a positive correlation between the level of alcohol consumption and severity of anxiety. Conversely, there is an increased prevalence of alcoholism among patients with panic disorder and their blood relatives. A comparison of symptoms, physiological and neurochemical changes known to occur in both alcohol withdrawal and panic disorder reveals a degree of similarity between the 2 conditions. Based on the data, we propose that the chemical and cognitive changes occurring as the result of repeated alcohol withdrawals may kindle and condition coincidence of panic attacks in susceptible individuals. Implications of our postulates for treatment of alcohol withdrawal and panic disorder in alcoholics and for future studies are discussed.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome during abrupt reduction of neuroleptic treatment
Authors: Spivak B. , Weizman A. , Wolovick L. , Hermesh H. , Tyano S. , Munitz H.
Published: August 2007

Development of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) following discontinuation of high‐dose and high‐potency neuroleptic agents is described. This case, although rare and atypical, should alert clinicians to consider the possibility of NMS as a complication of abrupt neuroleptic drug withdrawal. It is suggested that dopaminergic imbalance, as opposed to excessive dopaminergic blockade, may also play a role in the precipitation of NMS.
The changing pattern of suicide by gassing in Australia, 1910–1987: the role of natural gas and motor vehicles
Authors: Burvill P. W.
Published: August 2007

There have been large changes in the use of gas as a suicide method in Australia during this century, the most marked being the increased use of motor vehicle exhaust fumes, and the introduction of natural gas in the early 1960s. In males, use of motor vehicle exhaust fumes as a suicide method has substituted for use of domestic gas. It was concluded that in neither sex did the elimination of toxic carbon monoxide in domestic gas, with the introduction of natural gas, result in a lasting reduction of suicide rates. Attention is drawn to possible failed suicide attempts using motor vehicles with emission controls, resulting in serious cerebral damage.
Parasuicide in psychiatric inpatients: results of a controlled investigation
Authors: Modestin J. , Kamm A.
Published: August 2007

A group of 20 psychiatric inpatients who committed parasuicide during their hospital stay were compared with 58 randomly selected control inpatients and with 34 patients who were admitted following a parasuicide. The findings indicate: (1) The frequency of in‐hospital parasuicide amounts to 3.2% of all admissions. (2) Apart from the more frequent past suicidal activity of the in‐hospital parasuicide group, no really important differences were identified between these and control patients. The broad definition of parasuicide probably accounts for this result. (3) The patients who committed parasuicide before admission represent a diagnostically different, clinically less severely ill population. The differences between both groups of parasuicide patients support the notion of the heterogeneity of the parasuicide population.
Twenty years’ follow‐up of first psychiatric presentation for schizophrenia: what could have been prevented?
Authors: Helgason L.
Published: August 2007

Of 2388 patients seeking psychiatrists for the first time in Iceland during the years 1966 and 1967, 107 suffered from schizophrenia. They were followed to the end of the year 1987 with particular emphasis on preventive measures. The majority of these schizophrenic patients experienced serious difficulties in achieving a satisfactory quality of life. Over half of them never married, 32% of those who married had divorced and a similar number had lost the support of their families. Patients who underwent treatment improved but only 29% achieved an acceptable level of health. Such figures point to the fact that changes are required in basic treatment structure if this situation is to be altered. A serious shortage of compliance emerged both among patients and their relatives. This shortage had a serious effect on outcome. The necessity for specific methods of prevention is emphasized.
Oligoclonal bands in acute schizophrenia: a negative search
Authors: Stevens J. R. , Papadopoulos N. M. , Resnick M.
Published: August 2007

Numerous immunologic abnormalities have been reported in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting that this disorder may in some cases represent a viral or immunologic disorder of the brain. To further examine this question, evidence for intrathecal production of immunoglobulin (IgG) and immunoglobulin oligoclonal bands (OCB) was sought in patients with acute or early schizophrenia. Using high resolution zone electrophoresis and immunofixation, there was no evidence for intrathecal IgG generation in 5 of 5 patients tested. One of 9 patients had OCBs in CSF. This man, although he had a typical history of schizophrenia, tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus antibody in serum.
Screening for alcoholism among alcohol users in a traditional Arab Muslim society
Authors: Al‐Ansari E. A. , Negrete J. C.
Published: August 2007

The Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (S‐MAST) was applied to 140 alcohol users in the traditional Muslim society of Kuwait. One hundred were confirmed alcoholics and40 were self‐disclosed social drinkers in the community. The questionnaire significantly discriminated between the groups. Its sensitivity level was 100% and its specificity 82.5 V Although all except one of the S‐MAST items elicited significant differences between the groups in question, it appears that the particular sociocultural conditions of the setting may influence the validity of some of them.
The influence of early and recent life stress on severity of depression
Authors: Garnefski N. , van Egmond M. , Straatman A.
Published: August 2007

The influence of life stressors arising in different life stages on the severity of depression was examined in a sample of 123 depressive women, ranging from 22 to 64 years of age. In an interview, information was obtained on the incidence of certain life stressors in early and recent periods. The severity of depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory. The results indicate that experience of physical or sexual abuse before the age of 19 is strongly associated with severity of depression. Also, most women suffering from severe depression had previous and recent difficulties in their relationships with parents, partner or others and recent problems with self‐esteem. A hypothetical model for predicting the severity of depression was evaluated. Difficulties experienced one year prior to assessment appeared to directly predict severity of depression. Difficulties with social relationships whose origin could be traced back to early periods and that had a continuing effect throughout life were found to be crucial factors for indirectly predicting the severity of depression.
The concept of cycloid psychosis: the discriminatory power of symptoms
Authors: Jönsson S. A. T. , Jonsson H. , Nyman G. E.
Published: August 2007

Records of all 154 psychotic patients first admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 1925 were rated according to a checklist of 33 dichotomous items expected to characterize cycloid and schizoaffective psychosis; 64 cases satisfied 5 or more items. Among them, 34 were globally judged as cycloid and showed a favourable outcome when followed up. The remaining 30 cases were used as a contrast sample, consisting of schizoaffective psychotics with an unfavourable outcome and schizophrenics and affective patients who shared some symptoms with the experiment group. Six symptoms significantly more frequent in the cycloid group were all characteristic for confusional and anxiety or happiness psychoses in the sense of Leonhard. Happiness‐ecstacy and global altruism were exclusively recorded in cycloid psychosis. A discriminant analysis yielded a significant proportion of correct predictions. The result was thought to be relevant for differential therapeutic strategies.