bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychological test performance and sedation thresholds of elderly dements, depressives and depressives with incipient brain change
Authors: Davies Gaius , Hamilton Susan , Hendrickson D. E. , Levy Raymond , Post Felix 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisAs expected, dements, depressives and patients with a mixed psychopathology were differentiated from one another on the sedation threshold measure and on a number of psychological tests. In depressives responding to treatment significant changes in physiological and psychological measures, which had been reported in an earlier study, could not be replicated except for an increase of psychomotor speed. In the present sample of patients there were significant correlations between various psychological measures and between them and the levels of the sedation threshold, suggesting that sedation thresholds and psychological tests measured related cerebral functions. Evidence obtained from the earlier investigations to the effect that cerebral age changes short of those occurring in dementia may facilitate the occurrence of depression in late life was only weakly confirmed by the replication study.
The survival of hysteria
Authors: Lewis Aubrey 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThere have been many battles in the last 100 years between those who consider hysteria to be a ‘morbid entity’ or ‘disease’ and those who would like to drop it once and for all. The controversy still goes on. It has not been settled by follow-up studies or by applying genetic considerations. Hysteria is a tough subject, unlikely to be killed so long as clinicians find it useful, if not indispensable.
Urinary free Cortisol excretion in depression
Authors: Carroll Bernard J. , Curtis George C. , Davies B. M. , Mendels J. , Sugerman A. Arthur 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisUrinary free Cortisol (UFC) excretion was determined in 60 depressed inpatients and in 35 psychiatric inpatients with other disorders. The depressed patients had high daily UFC values, while the other patients excreted normal amounts. Over 40% of the depressed patients had UFC excretions in the range seen in Cushing's disease, while only 6% of the other patients excreted such high amounts of Cortisol. Age and sex differences did not account for the results. Among the depressed patients those with depressive neuroses excreted less than unipolar or bipolar depressives. Following treatment, more normal UFC excretion was found in depressed patients. The estimation of UFC and its clinical utility are discussed in detail. UFC determination is a simple and informative indicator of adrenal cortical activation and its application to psychoendocrine studies is recommended.
Absorption of lithium following administration of slow-release and conventional preparations
Authors: Tyrer Stephen , Hullin R. P. , Birch N. J. , Goodwin J. C. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThe plasma lithium levels of 18 subjects receiving one standard and two slow-release preparations of lithium carbonate were measured at frequent intervals during the 24 hours following oral ingestion of a single dose of the drug. Although the slow-release tablets showed slow-release in vitro, this was not so in vivo. One slow-release preparation, in particular, was ineffectively absorbed by some subjects. There was no difference in the rate of absorption and excretion between the other slow-release product and the standard BP preparation. The implications of the results are discussed.
Cognitive impairment in long-term benzodiazepine users
Authors: Golombok Susan , Moodley Parimala , Lader Malcolm 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisIn view of the very extensive and often prolonged use of benzodiazepines in therapeutic practice, this study was designed to investigate whether or not cognitive ability is impaired in longterm benzodiazepine users, and to determine the nature and extent of any deficit. Fifty patients currently taking benzodiazepines for at least one year, thirty-four who had stopped taking benzodiazepines, and a matched control group of subjects who had never taken benzodiazepines or who had taken benzodiazepines in the past for less than one year were administered a battery of neuropsychological tests designed to measure a wide range of cognitive functions. It was found that patients taking high doses of benzodiazepines for long periods of time perform poorly on tasks involving visual-spatial ability and sustained attention. This is consistent with deficits in posterior cortical cognitive function.
Personality in torticollis: a controlled study
Authors: Jahanshahi M. , Marsden C. D. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThe Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the trait scales of the Leyton Obsessional Inventory, the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a questionnaire assessing marital status and harmony were completed by 100 torticollis patients and a control group of 49 cervical spondylosis sufferers. Information regarding employment status, and events preceding onset of their complaint was also obtained. The two groups did not differ in terms of any of the personality dimensions evaluated, or in their self-reports of events prior to onset of their illness. The groups differed significantly with regards to marital status (a higher proportion of the torticollis patients were single) but not marital harmony. A significantly higher proportion of the torticollis patients were in the permanently sick category of employment status. Findings of previous studies evaluating personality in torticollis and in sufferers of other disabling physical conditions are considered, and the results are discussed in terms of the effects of disabling chronic physical disorders.
Living density and psychopathology: a re-examination of the negative model
Authors: Magaziner Jay 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisMost density-pathology research has assumed that dense living conditions have ‘ pathological’ effects on urban dwellers. This study considers the possibility that both low and high density may be problematic and that in-unit and out-unit density may have interacting effects. The data included all first admissions from Chicago to 44 in-patient psychiatric facilities in Illinois during 1960–61. After controlling for socioeconomic status (SES) and race, living alone, which defines low in-unit density, was associated with high admission rates, but only when the outside density was low. Among those not living alone, the contribution of density to admissions was agelinked, with interactions between in–unit and out-unit density observed in the older ages. The results lead to the general conclusions that the negative model guiding earlier research is inadequate and that in-unit and out-unit density have interacting effects on the risk of psychopathology.
The assessment of lifetime psychopathology: a comparison of two interviewing styles
Authors: Harrington Richard , Hill Jonathan , Rutter Michael , John Karen , Fudge Hazel , Zoccolillo Mark , Weissman Myrna 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisA structured respondent-based version of the SADS-L interview was compared with a semi-structured investigator-based version of the same interview in terms of efficiency in assessing lifetime psychopathology. There was substantial agreement across most Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) categories, but there was less agreement on the rating of symptoms. The implications of these similarities and differences between the techniques are discussed.
Comparison of self-ratings with informant-ratings of pre-morbid personality on two personality rating scales
Authors: Dodwell David 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisIn a study of pre-morbid personality in 56 head-injured subjects, subjects' self-ratings of pre-morbid personality were compared with informants' ratings of the subjects' pre-morbid personality on two personality questionnaires (the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) and the Marke-Nyman Temperament Scale (MNTS)). Correlations between self-ratings and informantratings were positive and significant for all three MNTS and for EPI Extraversion and Lie scales, but not for EPI Neuroticism, where the lack of subject-informant correlation was attributed to contamination of the self-rating of the trait measure by current abnormalities of mental state. Further analyses supported previous evidence that the MNTS ‘Validity’ scale may predict the development of psychiatric symptoms.
Validation of the 30-item General Health Questionnaire in early pregnancy
Authors: Sharp Deborah J. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisOne-hundred-and-seventy-nine women attending their first antenatal clinic at two general practices in South London were asked to complete the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) as part of a larger prospective longitudinal study into childbirth-related affective disorders. The women were later interviewed at home and a standardized psychiatric interview administered. Relative operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the optimum cut-off point on the GHQ-30. Thirty-five per cent of the women were high scorers on the GHQ-30 (≥6) and 29% were found to be ‘cases’ at interview (CIS Overall Severity Rating ≥2).
Noise annoyance with regard to neurophysiological sensitivity, subjective noise sensitivity and personality variables
Authors: Öhrström Evy , Björkman Martin , Rylander Ragnar 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisTo evaluate the relation between annoyance to environmental noise, general neurophysiological sensitivity, subjective noise sensitivity and other individual characteristics, experiments were undertaken in which 93 subjects assessed their subjective annoyance after exposure to noise under laboratory conditions. Evaluations were made of the discomfort threshold for pulsating sound, the light discomfort, and heat and cold discomfort. The heart rate and discomfort after exposure to a series of impulse noises was also determined. Subjective noise sensitivity, attitudes to noise, mood and personality characteristics of the subjects were evaluated using questionnaires.The results show that the annoyance after exposure to noise was not closely related to the general neurophysiological sensitivity, measured as discomfort threshold for noise, heat, cold and light; or to the heart rate reaction or discomfort after exposure to impulse noise. The annoyance was highly correlated with subjectively reported noise sensitivity and with the attitude to noise. There was also a relationship with neuroticism, measured with the EPI scale.It is suggested that the subjective noise sensitivity, attitude and neuroticism for the definition of noise sensitivity be defined in future studies of long term effects of noise exposure.
On the age-period-cohort analysis of suicide rates
Authors: Newman Stephen C. , Dyck Ronald J. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisCohort analysis has become a popular method of examining national trends in suicide rates. Most of the studies investigating this phenomenon have reported a cohort effect to be present. Using a graphical approach, this paper places cohort analysis within the broader framework of age-period-cohort analysis. It is shown that published reports may have failed to identify cohort effects due to using only portions of the available data. With a simple mathematical model it is demonstrated that what appears to be a cohort effect may be a period effect, and conversely. It is recommended that suicide rates be examined for both period and cohort effects before conclusions are drawn regarding trends, and that the complete data set be used for this purpose.
Base-rates, cut-points and interaction effects: the problem with dichotomized continuous variables
Authors: Veiel H. O. F. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisOn the background of the recent discussion about the appropriateness of linear difference and ratio models for testing interaction effects of social support and stress, it is argued that interaction effects are basically unstable when dichotomized continuous variables are analysed. A data set with known interrelationships of the continuous variables ‘stress’, ‘social support’, and ‘depression’ was simulated and analysed in tabular format. It is shown that the choice of cut-points for the independent variables crucially determines the size and presence of interaction effects in ratio analysis models.
How often is multiple sclerosis mistaken for a psychiatric disorder?
Authors: Skegg K. , Corwin P. A. , Skegg D. C. G. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisIn a defined population of 112000, an attempt was made to discover every patient with multiple sclerosis. Using strict diagnostic criteria, 91 patients were identified. A search of psychiatric records for the same population revealed that 15 (16%) of these patients were referred to psychiatrists between the onset of their symptoms and the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Ten (11 %) were seen with symptoms attributable to multiple sclerosis. These symptoms were recognized as neurological in only two cases, while the other eight patients received a variety of psychiatric diagnoses.Possible reasons for diagnostic error included the subjective nature of many early symptoms, histrionic behaviour, and psychiatric disturbance which drew attention away from physical symptoms. The results underline the caution needed when patients with physical symptoms are referred for psychiatric assessment.
Eating attitudes and disorder in young women: a general practice based survey
Authors: Meadows G. N. , Palmer R. L. , Newball E. U. M. , Kenrick J. M. T. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisA postal survey with selected follow-up interviews was conducted on a complete population of females aged 18–22 registered with two group general practices in Leicestershire. The mailing included the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Crown—Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI). There was a 70% response rate and 411 usable questionnaires were returned. Twenty-eight respondents (6·8%) produced EAT scores of 30 or more. One case of anorexia nervosa and one of bulimia were identified. Interviews of high EAT scoring subjects revealed several subjects with partial syndromes which failed to fulfil diagnostic criteria for either clinical eating disorder.
Case finding for at risk drinking in general practice: cost—benefit analysis
Authors: King Michael B. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThere is an increasing need for early detection strategies to take a part in the daily routine of general practice. A cost—benefit analysis is performed for the use of the CAGE questionnaire in case finding for at risk drinkers among general practice attenders. The questionnaire is shown to be of advantage to the general practitioner over and above his usual diagnostic methods.
Psychological correlates of gastric and duodenal ulcer disease
Authors: Tennant C. , Goulston Kerry , Langeluddecke Pauline 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisPsychological correlates of gastric and duodenal ulcer disease were assessed in a group of somewhat older patients with ulcer disease identified by endoscopy. Associations between both ulcer types and symptom measures (anxiety and depression) seemed only to reflect severity or chronicity of gastrointestinal symptoms or the impending endoscopy procedure. Associations with ‘trait’ psychological indices may be of causal significance. Duodenal ulcer patients had higher ‘introversion’ and ‘psychoticism’ scores (on the EPQ) than controls, while gastric ulcer patients had higher psychoticism scores and ‘trait anxiety’ scores. These findings could not be attributed to confounding variables.When the two ulcer groups were compared, the gastric ulcer group had significantly higher neuroticism, psychoticism and hostility scores which were not attributable to confounding variables. The higher depression scores in gastric ulcer patients, however, simply reflected the greater chronicity of their physical symptoms. The groups did not differ significantly on measures of trait anxiety, tension, introversion or Type A behaviour.
Social support, dementia and depression among the elderly living in the Hobart community
Authors: Henderson A. S. , Grayson D. A. , Scott R. , Wilson J. , Rickwood D. , Kay D. W. K. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisIn a community sample of the elderly (N = 274) in Hobart, Tasmania, cases of dementia and depression were ascertained by the Canberra Geriatric Mental State and the Mini Mental State Examination. Social relationships and support were examined by means of the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction. The elderly had fewer social relationships than younger adults, but were more content with what they did have. Elderly women had more affectional ties than elderly men. The presence of offspring in the same town increased the number of close ties and of social relationships, but was more important for men than for women. Persons with cognitive impairment or an established dementia reported that they had less social interaction than they would like. Depressed subjects reported having markedly less social interaction than the mentally healthy elderly, but did not complain that it was too little. This study provides a systematic description of the social environment of the elderly, both in mental health and in states of depression or impaired cognition.
The design and development of a screening questionnaire (CHQ) for use in community studies of mental disorders in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Tai-Ann , Williams Paul 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThe problems which arise in the use of a psychiatric screening instrument in a language and culture other than that in which it was designed and developed are considered. An account is given of the development of a psychiatric screening questionnaire suitable for use in Chinese community samples. The questionnaire was derived from a Chinese translation of the General Health Questionnaire, with the addition of specially designed, culturally-relevant items. Discriminant function analysis was then used to select a subset of 12 items which discriminated well between ‘cases’ and ‘normals’ in the community.
Frequency of self-reported ‘anxiolytic withdrawal’ symptoms in a group of female students experiencing anxiety
Authors: Rodrigo E. K. , Williams P. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThis study describes the occurrence of self-reported perceptual phenomena in students experiencing anxiety. Phenomena like hypersensitivity to touch, hyposensitivity to taste and smell, and unusual tastes and smells appear to be non-specific and to be closely related to the level of anxiety. They emphasize the need for the development of techniques to elicit perceptual phenomena, and to investigate their occurrence and the intensity of their phenomena in variously defined groups. These also have implications for the assessment of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndromes.
Cerebral blood flow and metabolism of oxygen and glucose in young autistic adults
Authors: Herold Sigrid , Frackowiak R. S. J. , Le Couteur A. , Rutter M. , Howlin P. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisRegional cerebral blood flow, oxygen consumption and glucose consumption were measured by positron emission tomography in six young autistic men. No significant differences were found between patients and normal controls for any of the physiological variables. The results do not substantiate the previous finding of glucose hypermetabolism in autism; the likely reasons for the variance in findings are discussed.
Binding of tritiated yohimbine to platelets in women with maternity blues
Authors: Best N. R. , Wiley M. , Stump K. , Elliott J. M. , Cowen P. J. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisPlatelet α2-adrenoceptor binding was measured in 108 women in the 36th week of pregnancy, at ten and twenty days and at three and six months post-partum. An age matched non-pregnant control group of women (N= 25) was also studied. The number Bmax) of α2-adrenoceptors was elevated antepartum but fell to control values on the tenth post-partum day. At three and six months post-partum, however, α2-adrenoceptor Bmaxwas again increased. Women who developed maternity blues (N= 59) had significantly more platelet α2-adrenoceptors than those who did not (N= 49) at both ten and twenty days post-partum. In addition their α2-adrenoceptor Bmaxwas greater than controls at all time points measured except the tenth post-partum day. In contrast, the α2-adrenoceptor Bmaxof women without the blues did not differ from controls at any stage. It is suggested that women who develop maternity blues may have a relatively enduring abnormality in α2-adrenoceptor sensitivity which is associated with psychological symptoms when concentrations of circulating sex-steroids suddenly change.
Gender, family environment and schizophrenia
Authors: Goldstein Jill M. , Kreisman Dolores 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThis study examined the relationship between patient's gender and family environment, and the consequences of this for the course of treatment of schizophrenia. Data for 160 DSM-III schizophrenics and a family member were obtained regarding attitudes towards treatment, tolerance of symptomatic deviance, and one-year rehospitalization and lengths of hospital stay. Findings suggest that ill sons may be sent to hospital more often and remain in hospital longer than ill daughters, in part due to social norms and expectations of parents associated with gender.
The sporadic v. familial classification given aetiological heterogeneity: II. Power analyses
Authors: Kendler Kenneth S. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisThis paper examines the power of the sporadic v. familial method as applied to schizophrenia and major depression. The model used assumes aetiological heterogeneity with a subpopulation of cases due to a ‘major’ environmental event and the remainder resulting from a generalized single major locus. The findings suggest that, for sample sizes to which it is commonly applied, the sporadic v. familial classification has low power to detect aetiological heterogeneity. When applied to nuclear families, substantial power requires at a minimum 100–150 proband families. If the proportion of environmental cases in the population is low, or the ‘test’ for environmental aetiology in probands does not have high sensitivity and specificity, the required sample sizes are considerably larger. Adding monozygotic twins increases the power of the method, but including second-degree relatives does not. The optimal approach to the sporadic v. familial method will differ as a function of the frequency of the disorder and the relative effort and expense of examining probands versus family members. Other methods should be considered for discriminating genetic and environmental forms of illness.
Clinical applications of visual analogue scales: a critical review
Authors: McCormack Heather M. , de L. Horne David J. , Sheather Simon 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisVisual Analogue Scales (VAS) provide a simple technique for measuring subjective experience. They have been established as valid and reliable in a range of clinical and research applications, although there is also evidence of increased error and decreased sensitivity when used some subject groups. Decisions concerned with the choice of scoring interval, experimental design, and statistical analysis for VAS have in some instances been based on convention, assumption and convenience, highlighting the need for more comprehensive assessment of individual scales if this versatile and sensitive measurement technique is to be used to full advantage.
The diary of a madman, seventeenth-century style: Goodwin Wharton, MP and communer with the fairy world
Authors: Porter Roy 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisGoodwin Wharton (1653–1704) was a nobleman's son and a Whig MP who played no small part in English public life. His manuscript journal shows, however, that he also lived a bizarre secret life of the mind of a kind which, in later generations, would have led to his confinement as suffering from mental illness. Above all, through the offices of his medium and lover, Mary Parish, he entered into elaborate relations both with the fairy world and with God and His Angels. This paper examines our records of Wharton's consciousness