bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical validity
Authors: Kendell R. E. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisFew psychiatric disorders have yet been adequately validated and it is still an open issue whether there are genuine boundaries between the clinical syndromes recognized in contemporary classifications, or between these syndromes and normality. In the long run validation depends on the elucidation of aetiological processes. There are, however, a number of strategies which clinicians could use, but at present rarely do, in order to improve and validate existing classifications. Most of these involve studying populations which have been deliberately chosen to represent a broader grouping than a single diagnostic category, or even a group of related categories.
Diagnostic grammar and assessment: translating criteria into questions
Authors: Robins Lee N. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThere has been concern about whether standardized psychiatric interviews make valid diagnoses. Agreements between the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS), as an example of a standardized interview, with independent assessments by a clinician are reasonably high in most studies, but the clinical assessment is itself of uncertain validity. Using predictive ability is an alternative way of judging validity. Data are presented to show that the DIS is almost as good at prediction as a clinician's assessment, but here too there are problems. Because prediction is probabilistic (i.e. the same disorder can have multiple outcomes, and different disorders can share outcomes), it is not possible to say how good prediction has to be to demonstrate perfect validity.Across varied methods of validity assessment, some disorders are regularly found more validly diagnosed than others, suggesting that part of the source of invalidity lies in the diagnostic grammar of the systems whose criteria standardized interviews evaluate. Sources of invalidity inherent in the content and structure of a variety of diagnoses in DSM-III and its heir, DSM-III-R, are reviewed and illustrated, in part with results from the Epidemiological Catchment Area study.The relationship between diagnostic criteria and standardized interviews is symbiotic. While attempts to adhere closely to existing diagnostic criteria contribute to the diagnostic accuracy of standardized interviews, the exercise of translating official diagnostic criteria into standardized questions highlights problems in the system's diagnostic grammar, enabling standardized interviews to contribute to improvements in diagnostic nosology.
Distinct memory impairments following electroconvulsive therapy and imipramine
Authors: Calev Avraham , Ben-Tzvi Edna , Shapira Baruch , Drexler Heinz , Carasso Refael , Lerer Bernard 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisMemory functioning was assessed in 26 unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder (DSM-III) who were then administered either bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (N = 16) or imipramine 200 mg per day (N = 10). The subjects were retested following seven ECT administrations or 21 days of imipramine treatment respectively. The retrograde memory tasks included recall of public and autobiographic events. The anterograde memory tasks included an immediate memory task, a verbal paired-associates recall task, and a non-verbal figure reproduction task. Depression was significantly improved in the ECT-treated subjects but not in those administered imipramine. Both ECT- and imipramine-treated patients showed a deficit in recent anterograde memory relative to their pretreatment performance, but no deficit in immediate memory. ECT-treated patients also had a significant and well-characterized impairment in retrograde remote memory. By contrast, imipramine-treated patients did not show a retrograde memory impairment which could be explained by treatment. The results suggest qualitatively different memory deficits produced by ECT and imipramine.
Caffeine abstention in the management of anxiety disorders
Authors: Bruce M. S. , Lader M. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisCaffeine toxicity remains a rarely reported condition, which may mimic anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorder patients do not consume toxic amounts of caffeine. However, increased sensitivity to caffeine in these patients has been suggested as contributing to their symptoms. Six cases of anxiety disorder are presented who improved with only caffeine abstention, and remained well for at least a six-month follow-up period.
Binding of yohimbine and imipramine to platelets in depressive illness
Authors: Braddock L. , Cowen P. J. , Elliott J. M. , Fraser S. , Stump K. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisRadioligand binding to intact platelets was carried out in antidepressant-free patients and the 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was performed. There were no differences in binding characteristics between patients and controls for either [H]yohimbine or [H]imipramine. There were no differences in binding between patients classified as endogenous using the Newcastle Scale, compared with non-endogenous patients, and no difference between DST suppressors and non-suppressors. The severity of depression did not affect binding values. After 4–6 weeks antidepressant treatment [H]yohimbine binding was significantly reduced but [H]imipramine binding was unaffected.
The cerebral cortical appearance in depressed subjects
Authors: Dolan R. J. , Calloway S. P. , Thacker P. F. , Mann A. H. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThis paper describes a comparison of the cerebral cortical appearance of 101 patients with a history of clinical depression and 52 control subjects. An age-related increase in sulcal widening was evident in both groups. However, after controlling for age, the patients were found to differ from control subjects in two respects: they had a greater amount of sulcal widening, most noticeably in the frontal and temporal areas; and there was a positive correlation between increasing sulcal widening and increasing lateral ventricular size not found in the control subjects. Patients with a past history of treatment by electroconvulsive therapy showed more sulcal widening in the parietal and occipital areas than those not so treated.
The social desirability of the Type A behaviour pattern
Authors: Furnham Adrian 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisNearly one hundred subjects completed two Type A behaviour questionnaires twice. First, they were asked to complete them honestly, reporting accurately on their behaviour patterns. Half of the subjects were then asked to fake good, presenting themselves in a positive light, and half to fake bad, presenting themselves in a negative light. There was only a marginal difference on one questionnaire's total score, with fake good subjects having lower Type A (i.e. higher Type B scores) yet nearly every individual question revealed large significant differences. The subjects' own A/B classification did not effect the way in which they faked the questionnaires. The results are discussed in terms of the literature on faking, lay concepts of psychological phenomena and the multidimensionality of the Type A concept.
Social support, self-esteem and depression
Authors: Brown G. W. , Andrews B. , Harris T. , Adler Z. , Bridge L. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisA prospective study of 400 largely working-class women with children living at home has used measures of self-esteem and ‘social support’ to predict the risk of depression in the following year once a stressor had occurred. Actual support received at the time of any crisis in the follow-up year was also measured. Self-esteem was correlated quite highly with some of the measures of support.A core tie was defined as a husband, lover or someone named as very close at first contact. Negative evaluation of self (i.e. low self-esteem), and various indices of lack of support from a core tie at the first interview, were associated with a greatly increased risk of subsequent depression once stressor occurred. Lack of support from a core tie at the time of the crisis was particularly highly associated with an increased risk. There was also a high risk among those who were ‘let down’ - that is, for those who did not receive the support which they might have expected in terms of the first interview material. It is concluded that it is essential for prospective enquiries to take account of the actual mobilization of support in the follow-up period.
Psychotropic drug use in Italy: national trends and regional differences
Authors: Williams Paul , Bellantuono Cesario , Fiorio Roberto , Tansella Michele 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisPsychotropic drug sales data for Italy were examined for the years 1975–84. The principal findings were of more-or-less consistent annual increases in sales of antidepressants, minor tranquillizers and, to a lesser extent, of neuroleptics. These trends are interpreted in the context of the characteristics of the Italian National Health Service (NHS), and in relation to findings from psychotropic drug utilization studies in other Western countries.Regional differences in psychotropic drug sales for 1983/4 were also examined. Marked differences were found and, in general, levels of use were higher in North/Central Italy than in the South. Factors influencing regional differences were explored using regression analysis. Regional NHS expenditure (excluding that on drugs) was found to influence strongly the sales of all categories of psychotropic drug, whereas there was also a marked urban > rural difference in the sales tranquillizers.
The abridged census method as an estimator of lifetime risk
Authors: Chase Gary A. , Kramer Morton 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThe abridged census estimator, also known as Weinberg's shorter method, is a device used to estimate lifetime incidence from the observed age distribution of a population at risk coupled with data on the current prevalence of a mental disorder. This method, which still enjoys considerable popularity, should have been replaced many years ago by more accurate techniques for making such estimates using similar information. In particular, the abridged census method uses the assumption that the remaining life expectancy of incident cases equals that of non-cases. This assumption is likely to lead to an underestimate of the lifetime risk. Two examples are presented from published literature which illustrate some problems encountered with the use of the abridged census method. Some alternative estimation methods are presented which can be implemented using only a hand calculator and which lead to more accurate results.
Expertise, procedure and the possibility of a comparative history of forensic psychiatry in the nineteenth century
Authors: Smith Roger 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThe comparative history of forensic psychiatry may help unravel relations between legal and administrative procedure, medical knowledge and expertise, and social interests, as they determine judgements about the criminal responsibility of the mentally disordered. But little has been done to compare the past or the present under different jurisdictions. This paper, therefore, suggests some points which would encourage such comparisons, and particularly a comparison between France and England in the nineteenth century, for both of which countries there is now a valuable historical literature. It also illustrates the complex interaction of procedure and medical expertise by reference to the case of George Victor Townley (1863).
Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis abnormalities in depression: a review and a model
Authors: Charlton Bruce G. , Ferrier I. Nicol 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisA wide range of abnormalities of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been described in depression. This paper reviews recent advances in the understanding of this system, and draws them together to construct a model for the purposes of further research and discussion. It is proposed that there are two fundamental changes which both originate in the hypothalamus: an increased secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone, and a neurally mediated adrenal hyper-responsivity to ACTH. The resulting changes in hormone regulation would be expected to produce all the characteristic HPA axis abnormalities commonly seen in depression. The model makes several predictions which could be tested by future experiment.
Quantitative computed tomographic study in schizophrenia: cerebral density and ventricle measures
Authors: Rossi Alessandro , Stratta Paolo , D'Albenzio Luigi , Di Michele Vittorio , Serio Antonio , Giordano Luigi , Petruzzi Concetta , Casacchia Massimo 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisTwenty-seven chronic schizophrenics and nineteen controls, all male, were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) scans. Lateral, third and fourth ventricles and cerebral density numbers were measured. In the schizophrenic patients there was a significant increase in third ventricle width. Ventricular Brain Ratio (VBR) and there were significantly higher densities of white matter in the right frontal and parietal region.
The relationship between smooth pursuit eye movement impairment and psychological measures of psychopathology
Authors: Coursey Robert D. , Lees Richard W. , Siever Larry J. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisTwo hundred and eighty-four male college volunteers were screened for smooth pursuit eyetracking deficiencies, a commonly reported concomitant of schizophrenia. A sample of 36 subjects, weighted with poor eyetrackers, was brought into the National Institute of Mental Health laboratory and retested on electro-oculogram and infrared tracking procedures. They were also administered psychological tests which assessed nine dimensions relevant to schizophrenic, neuropsychological, and affective disorders. In the area of schizophrenia-like symptoms, measures of attention deficits, stimulation avoidance, and identity problems predicted poor eyetracking for the whole sample. Using the poor eyetracking subjects alone (N = 24), interpersonal withdrawal was also significantly related to poor performance but not stimulation avoidance. In the neuropsychological area, measures of attention control and perceptual-motor dysfunction for the total sample, and perceptual problems and general intellectual decrements for the poor eyetrackers were significantly related to poor performance. There was no relationship between measures of affective dysfunction and poor eyetracking.
Dietary intake and clinical, anthropometric and biochemical indices of malnutrition in elderly demented patients and non-demented subjects
Authors: Burns Alistair , Marsh Andrew , Bender David A. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisAnthropometric and biochemical indices of nutritional status and weighed dietary intake have been studied in hospitalized patients with senile dementia, demented patients living in the community and age-matched control subjects who were not cognitively impaired. Demented patients were lighter than control subjects, and had a lower body mass index, skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference and arm muscle bulk. The hospitalized patients were more seriously affected than those living in the community, and body weight was significantly negatively correlated with duration of hospitalization. Over a 6-month period the hospitalized patients showed a further weight loss, while those living in the community did not. Both groups of demented patients had higher intakes of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals than the control subjects. The diet of the hospitalized patients was slightly, but not significantly, superior to that of the patients living in the community. Biochemical evidence of specific vitamin inadequacy was equally prevalent in all three groups of subjects, and there were no significant correlations between the degree of cognitive impairment or behavioural disorder and any of the indices of nutritional state. Clinical signs suggestive of malnutrition were not correlated with either biochemical evidence of deficiency or cognitive impairment and behavioural disturbance.
Priming and cued recall in elderly, alcohol intoxicated and sleep deprived subjects: a case of functionally similar memory deficits
Authors: Nilsson Lars-Göran , Bäckman Lars , Karlsson Thomas 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisYoung, old, alcohol intoxicated, and sleep deprived subjects studied weakly and strongly related word pairs, and were tested in lexical decision priming and cued recall. Results showed memory deficits for old, alcohol intoxicated, and sleep deprived subjects in cued recall of weakly related pairs. In contrast, there were no differences between these three groups and a control group of young subjects in cued recall of strongly related pairs, and there were no differences between groups in priming. This pattern of results is interpreted to support (a) a hypothesis of functional similarities between the memory deficits associated with adult ageing, alcohol intoxication, and sleep deprivation; (b) the notion that memory deficits in these subjects are more likely to occur in tasks which require effortful rather than automatic processes; and (c) the view that the memory deficits observed are due to inefficiencies at both encoding and retrieval.
Validation of 30- and 12-item versions of the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ) in patients admitted for general health screening
Authors: Chong Mian-Yoon , Wilkinson Greg 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisA study of the validity of the 30- and 12-item versions of the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ) was carried out with a consecutive sample of 386 patients admitted during one year to a medical centre in Taiwan for a 3-day comprehensive general health screening. The Chinese version of the Clinical Interview Schedule was used to derive a criterion measure of minor psychiatric morbidity.The areas under the Relative Operating Charcteristic curves of both short versions of the CHQ were equivalent (area = 0·85, S.D. = 0·02). The sensitivities of the CHQ-30 and CHQ-12 were found to be 76 and 78% respectively, while the specificity of both was 77%. The estimated prevalence of minor psychiatric morbidity in the sample was 37% (95% confidence intervals 32–41%). In contrast, physicians diagnosed 11% of these patients as having psychiatric disorders, and their sensitivity was 29%.Taken altogether, the above findings suggest that the CHQ-12 is as effective as and is more efficient than the CHQ-30 in this context, and could be used by physicians in similar settings to improve their identification of minor psychiatric disorders in Chinese patients.
Development of a new self-report questionnaire to measure self esteem
Authors: Robson Philip 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisIn constructing a new self-report questionnaire for measuring self esteem, the aim has been to satisfy psychometric requirements without sacrificing the intuitive meaning of the concept. Self esteem is seen as a composite, and examination of its components may have more analytic or predictive value than ‘ global’ scores. Preliminary reliability and validity data are encouraging.
The interrelationship of beta endorphin, ACTH and cortisol in depressive illness: a controlled study
Authors: Ball Rosemary , Howlett Trevor , Silverstone Trevor , Rees Lesley 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisPlasma cortisol, ACTH and beta endorphin were measured before and after dexamethasone in 8 severely depressed patients and 8 age- and sex-matched controls to examine the relationship of ACTH and endogenous opioids to cortisol in depression. Despite having significantly higher plasma levels of cortisol than the controls, the depressed patients did not have correspondingly elevated plasma levels of ACTH. Beta-endorphin levels were also similar in the two groups. All three hormones suppressed to some degree after dexamethasone, but cortisol suppressed less in patients than controls. Our findings suggest that in severe depressive illness abnormalities exist in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis peripherally as well as centrally.
Social interaction following severe closed head injury
Authors: Elsass L. , Kinsella G. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThis paper describes research which sought to investigate and describe the interpersonal relationships and vulnerability to psychiatric disturbance in severely closed head injured subjects. The head injured subjects were severely injured, with mild or extremely severely injured individuals being excluded from this study. Self-report by the injured individual was compared with relatives' reports. Fifteen head injured people were individually matched with non-head injured people from the general population who acted as controls. Each subject nominated one ‘close other’ for comparative interview. The dependent variables included interpersonal relationships, non-psychotic psychiatric disturbance and behavioural change.The head injured group differed significantly from the control group in the quantity of interaction but not in the perceived quality of interaction. The groups differed significantly on behavioural change. No significant difference was found between responses given by the head injured and their ‘close other’ compared with the controls. Deficient quantity of interpersonal relationships and greater vulnerability to psychiatric disorders was shown in this sample. Further research on the assessment of long-term social outcome and psychiatric stability in the head injured could assist in the improved long-term rehabilitation of the survivors.
Visual and graphic abilities of the idiot savant artist
Authors: O'Connor N. , Hermelin B. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisFive idiots savants whose artistic output was judged to be at art school entrance standard were matched for performance and verbal IQ with control subjects who had no special artistic talent. Each subject was given tests of reproductive skill with both concrete pictures and unfamiliar and unnameable geometric designs. They were also asked to draw a man, and a test of picture completion was given which involved constructive imagination. In all tests the idiots savants proved clearly superior to IQ-matched controls, indicating the presence of an IQ-independent talent. The results are interpreted in terms of a superior image memory and ready access to a ‘picture lexicon’. In addition, the existence of superior graphically directed motor programmes must be assumed.
Mass hysteria: two syndromes?
Authors: Wessely Simon 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisOn the basis of a literature review it is concluded that mass hysteria can be divided into two syndromes. One form, to be called ‘mass anxiety hysteria’, consists of episodes of acute anxiety, occurring mainly in schoolchildren. Prior tension is absent and the rapid spread is by visual contact. Treatment consists of separating the participants and the prognosis is good. The second form, to be called ‘mass motor hysteria’, consists of abnormalities in motor behaviour. It occurs in any age group and prior tension is present. Initial cases can be identified and the spread is gradual. Treatment should be directed towards the underlying stressors but the outbreak may be prolonged. In mass anxiety hysteria the abnormality is confined to group interactions; in mass motor hysteria abnormal personalities and environments are implicated.