bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Research on the effects of psychodrugs on human interaction A theoretical/experimental approach
Authors: De Giacomo P. , Silvestri A. , Pierri G. , Lefons E. , Corfiati L. , Tangorra F. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTAn original method of testing which can measure interactional patterns is presented. This method is based on a relational model, which describes the relational behaviour as a sequence of elementary interactions, in which a “single bit of information” is exchanged. The model and the testing method are applied to monitoring treatment of patients with psychodrugs.
Combination of psychotherapy and drugs in the treatment of neurosis
Authors: Dencker S. J. , Fasth B. G. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTEighty out‐patients with neurotic disorders were studied in an integrated treatment model combining psychotherapy and psychotropics in a “conjoint marital therapy” setting. The spouses, who seemed a healthy group, were used as reporters, as controls and as participants in the psychotherapy. The pharmacological trial was a double‐blind, cross‐over study, comparing bromazepam and thioridazine after a placebo period. Bromazepam was more effective in controlling different anxiety symptoms and demonstrated more potent activating properties than thioridazine. Hostility symptoms, however, responded better to thioridazine. These findings were confirmed by ratings performed by patients, spouses and the investigator. Differences in drug preference and drop‐out rate showed the same tendency. Nine weeks’ continuous treatment did not change the differences found in the cross‐over study. No pharmacological rebound symptoms were observed after drug withdrawal. The personality of the spouses was related to the outcome in the patients. Moreover, there was an obvious positive interaction between the psychotherapy given and the drug treatment.
Pharmaco‐EEG, behavioural methods and blood levels in the comparison of temazepam and flunitrazepam
Authors: Saletu B. , Grünberger J. , Sieghart W. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT In a double‐blind placebo‐controlled cross‐over study, the blood levels and pharmacodynamic properties of temazepam were compared with flunitrazepam using quantitative pharmaco‐EEG and psychometric methods in ten healthy volunteers.Computer‐assisted spectral analysis of the EEG after three doses of temazepam (10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg) compared with placebo showed statistically significant changes in brain function. These changes were also seen after the administration of the reference drug (flunitrazepam 2 mg) and are typical of anxiolytic sedatives. Psychometric and psychophysiological tests demonstrated significant alterations at the behavioural level, especially after higher doses of temazepam and 2 mg flunitrazepam, as expected. However, low doses or low blood levels of temazepam induced an improvement of performance in certain variables. Dose‐efficacy calculations identified 2 mg flunitrazepam and 40 mg temazepam as the most CNS‐effective, followed by 20 mg and 10 mg temazepam, while the least changes occurred after placebo. Time‐efficacy calculations showed marked inter‐drug differences. The pharmacodynamics of both drugs parallel their respective pharmacokinetics. Regression and correlation analyses between blood levels and EEG or psychometric changes revealed that beta activity and the centroid of the EEG were positively correlated with plasma levels, while alpha activity, psychometric variables and skin conductance were negatively correlated. Psychometric variables started to deteriorate above a blood level of approximately 250 nglml, while below this level an improvement was seen. Such (sedative) blood levels were only reached after doses higher than 10 mg temazepam. Our findings indicate that 10 mg temazepam has tranquillizing properties, wnile 20 mg and 40 mg doses exert, in addition, sedative sleep‐inducing effects.
DSM‐III and Norway: History, attitudes and future
Authors: Malt Ulrik Fr. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThe first Norwegian evaluation of the DSM‐III system of classification occured in 1980. A Norwegian translation of the diagnostic criteria was published as part of a textbook in psychiatry in 1984. The Mini DSM‐III (Quick reference) was published in 1985. The DSM‐III system has been generally well accepted in Norway and is currently used in most research projects besides the ICD system. Several training courses have been arranged for senior psychiatrists and psychologists. Introduction to the DSM‐III system is also part of the obligatory training course for psychiatric residents in Norway.From 1987 Norway will use a clinical modification of the ICD‐9 system of classification. This modification applies 5 digit coding and includes diagnostic categories found in the DSM‐III system but not in the 4 digit ICD‐9 version.The DSM‐III system of classification represents a major step forward in psychiatric classification. However, revisions are necessary to increase clinical validity. Although Norwegian psychiatry has been inspired by the DSM‐III system, Norway remains committed to the ICD systems. The goal must be to make further revisions of the DSM‐III and ICD systems, and in the end unite the strengths of these two systems of psychiatric classsification.
Special problems relating to the use of hypnotics in the elderly
Authors: Swift C. G. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT‐ The problems experinced by elderly patints taking hypnotic durgs are reviewed. They include those associated with accumulation, tolerance, drug dependence and the intensity and duration of response. Biological mechanisms associated with ageing enhance some of these effects in the elderly. Care should be taken to define the precise indications for hypnotic use and to choose the correct drug and dose for the patient's condition and age.
Female independence in Portugal: effect on suicide rates*
Authors: de Castro E. Ferreira , Pimenta F. , Martins I. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThe greater incidence of suicide among males could be ascribed to the distinct roles still attributed to each sex. Progress towards female independence could reduce this different incidence. We analysed the following in Portugal: male and female suicide rates; profiles; and male/female suicide ratio before (1955–1969) and after the development of a movement for women's independence (1970–85). Concomitant with progress towards female independence there is a significant rise in female suicide and a decrease in male/female suicide ratio. The highest rates are among professional/technical women living in urban areas. In professional groups there is significant correlation between deaths caused by suicide and by liver cirrhosis. It is concluded that alcoholism often leads to suicide; in women, taboos about alcoholism and suicide explain a higher incidence of suicide among culturally freer professional groups; female independence will catalyse a rise in alcoholism, which together with other factors resulting from that independence will lead to a predictable increase of suicide among Portuguese women and a reduced difference in rates of suicide between the sexes.
A comparison between patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals in Botswana and South Australia
Authors: Ben‐Tovim D. I. , Boyce G. P. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTCohorts of patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals in Botswana and South Australia were compared. The psychiatric hospital in Botswana was used almost entirely for the care of patients with psychotic disorders, whilst one third of the patients in South Australia had either a neurotic or personality disorder diagnosis. A higher proportion of patients in Botswana than South Australia had had only a brief period of illness prior to admission. Violence was equally common amongst Tswana and Australian patients, but was directed outwards towards property and other people in Botswana and inwards towards the self in Australia. It was tentatively concluded that in both countries there was a group of severely ill patients who could not be handled without containment.
Suicidal behavior, impulsiveness and serotonin
Authors: Roy A. , Linnoila M. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThe authors review the accumulating evidence from preclinical, clinical and postmortem studies suggesting that abnormality in serotonin systems may be associated with both attempts at suicide and aggression towards others and inanimate objects. Although these behaviors are multidetermined they often involve poor impulse control, which may reflect low central serotonin turnover. The need for further studies of possible peripheral biological markers for suicidal and impulsive behavior is discussed.
Relationships between clinical symptoms and monoamine metabolite concentrations in biochemically defined subgroups of depressed patients
Authors: Nordin C. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTIn 28 patients with primary depression, relationships were sought between rating scores on the Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and the concentrations of the monoamine metabolites 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenylglycol (HMPG) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Among the single items in the rating scale, reported sadness correlated negatively with HMPG. No other significant relationships were found in the total group of patients. However, in subgroups with low or high concentrations of monoamine metabolites, several significant relationships were found, such as a negative correlation between inner tension and concentration difficulties, respectively, and 5‐HIAA in the low‐HMPG subgroup. Curvilinear relationships were found between pessimistic thoughts and 5‐HIAA in the high‐5‐HIAA subgroup and between apparent sadness and 5‐HIAA in the low‐HMPG subgroup. Suicidal thoughts tended to correlate in a curvilinear way with the ratio of HMPG/5‐HIAA in the low‐HVA and the high‐HMPG subgroups, but the curves were mirrored. The results indicate that relationships between clinical symptoms and monoamine metabolite homeostasis in CSF are qualitatively and quantitatively different in defined high‐and low‐monoamine subgroups of depressed patients.
MORBIDITY RISK OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
Authors: Newman S. C. , Bland R. C. , Orn H. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTLifetime morbidity risks and percentiles of the age of onset distribution are given for a series of psychiatric disorders based on data collected as part of a community survey in Edmonton, Canada. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) was used to gather information from 3,258 community residents between January 1983 and May 1986. Using a recently developed method of estimating morbidity risks from survey data, the lifetime morbidity risks for depression (male 16.4%, female 22.3%), schizophrenia (male 1.2%, female 1.0%), and other disorders were calculated. These results are consistent with previously published reports.
On The Possibility of Ethological Explanations of Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: McGuire Michael T. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses: previous ethological and evolutionary explanations of psychiatric disorders; a behavior‐physiology interation framework for explaining the frequency and course of selected psychiatric illnesses; atypical behavioral capacities among persons with psychiatric disorders; behavioral mechanisms; and ethological explanations of the behavior of patients suffering from psychiatric illnesses. The importance of behavior‐physiology interactions is emphasized. Possible consequences of current taxonomic systems (DSM‐III) are considered. It is concluded that ethology has a vital role in increasing our understanding of psychiatric disorders through identifying: characteristics of disorders; selected causes; degree and type of compromised mechanisms; and, intervention effectiveness.
Hosts to adversity
Authors: Surtees P. G. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThis article examines the relationship between event rates, demographic and psychosocial factors and the onset of psychiatric disorder according to Research Diagnostic Criteria in the context of a longitudinal general population survey of women. Life events were classified according to ratings of their severity and dependence. Analyses revealed the extent to which case inception was associated with risk factor status, as determined from respondents when psychiatrically well, and the complex interrelationship between the factors according to powerful statistical modelling techniques.
Ranking of needs: a new method of assessment for use with chronic psychiatric patients
Authors: Waismann L. C. , Rowland L. A. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTAn instrument to measure the relative importance that individuals attribute to needs is presented. This device employs a methodology especially designed for use with individuals who often have difficulties in concentrating when faced with the more traditional methods of assessment. The instrument was tested on both psychiatric patients and individuals with no psychiatric history. The results showed its satisfactory psychometric properties and its suitability for use with severely disabled psychiatric patients.
Why do fatal overdose rates vary between antidepressants?
Authors: Farmer R. D. T. , Pinder R. M. 
Published: August 2007

Age specific death rates for poisoning with different antidepressant drugs, based on mortality statistics and the numbers of prescriptions dispensed, were calculated for England and Wales 1979–1985. There are marked varitions in mortality associated with different drugs; the highest rates are found with amitriptyline and dothiepin whereas the lowest were associated with mianserin and clomipramine. For all drugs considered, the calculated mortality rates for the over 65 year olds, though still substantial, were lower than those in patients under 65 years of age, probably because of a diminished detection rate of poisoning in this older age group. A high proportion of the fatal overdoses implicating amitriptyline and dothiepin involved more than one substance. The rank order of mortality rates from antidepressants was identical in the different age groups.The implications of these findings are discussed. It is concluded that the variations in mortality rates are mostly due to variations in the inherent toxicity of the drugs (particularly their cardiovascular effects) and only in part due to possible differences in compliance. It is suggested that when antidepressant drugs are prescribed, the risk of death from overdose should be taken into account. Tricyclic drugs, particularly amitriptyline, dothiepin, doxepin, trimipramine and maprotiline, should be avoided in patients at risk of suicide, whatever the age of the patient.
The stressors and the post‐traumatic stress syndrome after an industrial disaster
Authors: Weisæth Lars 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT ‐Acute and subacute post‐traumatic stress reactions are reported among 246 employees of an industrial factory which was severely damaged by an explosion and fire. Sixty‐six A‐subjects had narrow escape experiences (high stress exposure group), while 59 B‐subjects were less severely exposed (medium stress exposure group). The 121 C‐subjects were not present at work when the explosion occurred (low stress exposure group). A response rate of 97.6% was achieved at the primary examination, and a 100% response at the 7 months follow‐up.The frequency and intensity of post‐traumatic stress reactions were linked to the severity (A,B,C) of the stress exposure; specific post‐traumatic anxiety reactions reported by more than 80% of A‐subjects. The reactions appeared immediately or within hours, only 5% of A had delays of a few weeks. While 24.3% of A had State Anxiety Inventory scores 1 week post‐disaster higher than 60, 8.5% of B and 2.5% of C had similar scores. Depressive reactions, social withdrawal, guilt, shame and irritability were less frequent, and appeared nearly always concommittant with anxiety symptoms. While the anxiety symptoms made up a tight knit syndrome, the less frequent non‐anxiety symptoms were linked to the post‐traumatic anxiety syndrome. The subjects' fears reflected the trauma, they feared inanimate objects, and there were hardly any paranoid ideations.The disaster exposure of the A and B but not of the C group members constituted a stressor which fulfilled the PTSD stressor criterion of the DSM III R. A minority of the C group developed a post‐traumatic stress syndrome. After 7 months, all 30 post‐traumatic stress reactions were more frequent and severe in the A than B group which again differed from the C group. Irritability was the only post‐traumatic stress reaction that increased in frequency and intensity during the 7 months observation period. The findings represent evidence that supports the face validity, descriptive and construct validity of the PTSD diagnosis.
Approaches for finding new types of antipsychotic compounds
Authors: Sedvall Göran 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThere is strong evidence that pharmacological interaction with central dopamine transmission at several levels may induce antipsychotic effects in psychiatric patients. All the pharmacological principles interacting with other systems have so far not been established with regard to antipsychotic potential. Besides the dopamine system pharmacological manipulation of central serotonergic, gabaergic and noradrenergic mechanisms may also be of therapeutic value in schizophrenia. The interaction of peptidergic mechanisms and central dopaminergic mechanisms is another avenue for further exploration regarding to pathophysiology of psychosis and its treatment. Elucidation of the heterogeneity and molecular structure of central dopamine receptors seems the most rational approach for creating new dimensions for further development of drug design for pharmacotherapy of psychosis. The detailed mapping of afferent and efferent systems coupled to central dopamine neurons is also an approach that may give guide‐lines for finding new types of antipsychotic drugs.
Predictive value of the four good prognostic features in DSM‐III‐R schizophreniform disorder
Authors: Guldberg C. A. , Dahl A. A. , Hansen H. , Bergem M. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTDSM‐III‐R divides schizophreniform disorder into 2 subtypes with and without good prognostic features. The 4 prognostic features have been selected based on the literature, and the presence of at least 2 should indicate a good prognosis. The predictive value of the good prognostic features was tested in a sample of 16 untreated patients with DSM‐III‐R schizophreniform disorder with known long‐term outcome based on personal follow‐up examination. No correlation between the presence of 2 or more features and favorable outcome was observed. Confusion, disorientation or perplexity at the height of the psychotic episode was the only feature consistently associated with a favorable outcome in this sample. The introduction of good prognostic features of schizophreniform disorder by DSM‐III‐R has been done without due consideration of the methodological problems of prediction research.
Leucocyte arylsulphatase A activity and subtypes of chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Heavey A. M. , Philpot M. P. , Fensom A. H. , Jackson M. , Crammer J. L. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have suggested that arylsulphatase A (ASA ‐ the biochemical marker of metachromatic leucodystrophy) deficiency may be present in a sizeable proportion of patients with chronic psychosis. This study surveyed leucocyte ASA activity in a group of chronic psychotic patients and compared ASA activity in 3 subgroups fulfilling Research Diagnostic Criteria for schizophrenia (undifferentiated), paranoid schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychosis. Three of 45 patients had significantly reduced ASA activity but none had metachromatic leucodystrophy. Although ASA levels did not differ significantly between the groups, schizophrenics without a family history of schizophrenia had significantly lower ASA levels than those with. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Differential drug response of panic and agoraphobic avoidance in a case of panic disorder
Authors: Klein E. , Metz L. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTA case is presented of a patient with severe panic disorder and agoraphobia in whom initial treatment with clomipramine resulted in complete elimination of panic attacks, with no improvement in agoraphobic avoidance. The addition of phenelzine to the pre‐existing clomipramine treatment resulted in rapid and complete disappearance of the agoraphobic avoidance. The possible implications of this case for our understanding of the neurobiological relationship between panic attacks and agoraphobia are discussed.
The prolonged benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome: anxiety or hysteria?
Authors: Higgitt A. , Fonagy P. , Toone B. , Shine P. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTIn an attempt to establish whether prolonged withdrawal symptoms after stopping intake of benzodiazepines is caused by return of anxiety, hysteria, abnormal illness behaviour or the dependence process itself producing perhaps a prolonged neurotransmitter imbalance, a group of such patients suffering prolonged withdrawal symptoms (PWS) was compared on a range of psychophysiological measures with matched groups of anxious and conversion hysteria patients and normal controls. It was found that the psychophysiological markers of anxiety were not marked in the PWS group; nor were the averaged evoked response abnormalities found to be associated with cases of hysterical conversion in evidence. The PWS group were hard to distinguish from normal controls on the basis of psychophysiological measures and thus it was felt to be unlikely to be an affective disturbance. It was concluded that PWS is likely to be a genuine iatrogenic condition, a complication of long‐term benzodiazepine treatment.
Prolactin responses in dexamethasone suppression test in patients with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Tamai H. , Takii M. , Nozaki T. , Kiyohara K. , Kobayashi N. , Nakagawa T. , Benbarka M. M. , Jr R. M. Walter , Kumagai L. F. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTIn anorexia nervosa (AN), abnormalities are present in the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis, but the prolactin (PRL) response to dexamethasone suppression test (DST) has not yet been studied. In order to study the interrelationships between the various endocrine abnormalities, we investigated the responses of PRL and cortisol to DST (1 mg of dexamethasone at 2300) in AN patients. The subjects were 12 female inpatients with AN and 8 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. The percentage suppression and absolute change in PRL levels before and after dexamethasone administration were significantly different in the 2 groups. In the control group PRL levels suppressed to 36.5 ± 3.7% of basal, while AN levels declined to 79.4 ± 8.9% of basal. When the percentage suppression of PRL was compared between patients with and without cortisol suppression, the mean PRL level was 68.9 ± 7.8% of the basal level for the cortisol‐suppressed patients and 100.4 ± 19.1% for the nonsuppressed patients. Hence in both groups, the percentage PRL suppression was significantly reduced compared with the control group, and indeed nonexistent in cortisol‐nonsuppressed patients. The finding that there was less PRL suppression in the cortisol‐suppressed patients than in the controls suggests that, in AN, there may be an abnormality in PRL secretion not related to the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis. Further work is needed to distinguish between the PRL response to stress and potential hypothalamic abnormality.