bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Jet‐lag’: Strategies for prevention and cure
Authors: Redfern P. H. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractIn this review the phenomenon of jet‐lag is described and the causal mechanisms are considered. The theoretical basis for a variety of pharmacological and non‐pharmacological treatments designed to alleviate the symptoms of jet‐lag is discussed, and the evidence of clinical efficacy is outlined. The wider implications of jet‐lag as a possible model of circadian abnormalities underlying mental disorders is briefly considered.
EEG‐Brain mapping, psychometric and psychophysiological studies on central effects of kavain ‐ a kava plant derivative
Authors: Saletu B. , Grünberger J. , Linzmayer L. , Anderer P. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractIn a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study the encephalotropic and psychotropic effects of kavain‐a synthetic kava plant derivative as compared with clobazam were investigated, utilizing EEG brain mapping, psychometric and psychopysiological analyses. 15 normal volunteers received randomized in weekly intervals single oral doses of placebo, 200 mg, 400 mg and 600 mg kavain as well as 30 mg clobazam as reference compound. EEG recordings, psychometric tests, evaluations of pulse, blood pressure and side effects were carried out at the hours 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8. Brain maps of drug induced pharmaco‐EEG changes (pharmaco‐EEG maps) demonstrated that kavain exerted a significant action on the human brain function as compared with placebo characterized by a dose‐dependent increase of delta, theta and alpha 1 activity while alpha 2, beta activity and the centroid of the total activity decreased. These findings are indicative of a sedative effect which was, however, in type quite different from that of the 1·5 benzodiazepine. The latter produced a decrease of delta, theta, alpha 1 and alpha 2 and an increase of beta activity while the total centroid was accelerated. Interestingly, 200 mg kavain induced with a decrease of delta and beta activity and an increase of alpha activity and of total power also vigilance promoting effects. Psychometric investigations demonstrated also clear differences between the two compounds at the behavioural level. Kavain improved the noopsyche as compared with placebo in all 3 doses as there was a significant improvement in intellectual performance (Pauli test), attention, concentration, reaction time and motor speed (rigidity test), while opposite findings were observed after 30 mg clobazam. In regard to thymopsychic variables such as drive, wakefulness, affectivity, mood, well‐being, 200 mg kavain produced an improvement as compared with placebo while 600 mg kavain produced sedation as did 30 mg clobazam. Psychophysiological evaluations resulted in only minimal findings. Time efficacy calculations demonstrated after kavain a pharmacodynamic peak in the 1st to the 2nd hour then a drop and a second peak in the 8th hour while clobazam produced maximal central effects in the 1st hour which declined thereafter to show a second peak in the 6th hour. Topographically, most encephalotropic effects were found after kavain in the frontal, after clobazam in the central and parietal areas. Evaluations of pulse, blood pressure and side effect demonstrated good tolerability of both compounds with 30 mg clobazam producing more sedation than kavain.
The prescribing of antidepressants in general practice. II: A placebo‐controlled trial of low‐dose dothiepin
Authors: Thompson C. , Thompson C. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractGeneral practitioners rarely treat depressed patients with more than 75 mg of a tricyclic antidepressant. This is thought to be a subtherapeutic dose for depression seen in the setting of a psychiatric hospital, but has been thought to be effective for treating the milder, mixed anxiety depressive states of general practitioners. This double‐blind placebocontrolled trial of the commonest tricyclic in use, dothiepin, at 75 mg per day, demonstrates that there is no advantage over placebo in the prescription of this dose of dothiepin. Indeed on measures of depression and somatic symptoms placebo had a significant advantage in the group who completed the trial. Dothiepin caused more side‐effects.
Cerebral uptake of 11C—Ro 15—1788 and its acid metabolite 11C—Ro 15—3890; PET study in healthy volunteers
Authors: Persson A. , Pauli S. , Swahn C. G. , Halldin C. , Sedvall G. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe benzodiazepine antagonist Ro 15–1788 and its acid metabolic product Ro 15–3890 were labelled with 11C and used in a PET study to examine their ability to penetrate the blood‐brain barrier in man. After intravenous administration to healthy volunteers, 11C‐Ro 15–1788 immediately accumulated to a large extent in the brain, where about 5 per cent of the dose injected was still present after 20 min. 11C‐Ro 15–3890, on the other hand, did not accumulate significantly in the central nervous system. At 20 min after the injection less than 0·1 per cent of the radioactivity injected was present in the brain. The results allow the conclusion that the acid metabolite of Ro 15–1788 formed by peripheral metabolism does not significantly contribute to brain radioactivity levels after intravenous injection of 11C‐Ro 15–1788 to man. The results also demonstrate the potential of the PET technique to analyse pharmacokinetic aspects of drug transport into the central nervous system in man.
On the elimination half‐life of lithium in long‐term treatment of patients with affective disorders
Authors: Nilsson Agneta , Axelsson Rolf 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe elimination half‐life of lithium was investigated in 55 patients on long‐term treatment in 1980, when their mean treatment time was 7·5 years. Twenty‐seven of the patients were reinvestigated 7 years later, at which point their mean treatment time was 15 years. An approximate method for determining the elimination half‐life of lithium was used, and this variable was tested in eight chronic psychotic patients on lithium treatment, in whom the elimination half‐life was also determined by a conventional technique. The elimination half‐life was 32 h in 1980 and varied between 15 and 128 h. The elimination half‐life was significantly increased 7 years later, with a median increase of 8 h. The elimination half‐life of lithium was closely correlated to age and to daily weight‐related dose of lithium when the patients entered the study in 1980, but this was not seen at the time of the reinvestigation in 1987. The elimination half‐life did not vary with serum creatinine, maximal urine osmolality, or with the concomitant neuroleptic medication. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical significance of the prolonged elimination half‐life with time.
The effects of alcohol on skilled and moderately skilled subjects on measures of perceptual‐motor skill
Authors: Golby J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractFourteen normal female volunteers were allocated to either a ‘skilled’ or a control group. All subjects received acute doses of 0·8 g/kg absolute alcohol or placebo equivalent. Performance on a number of tests of cognitive functioning and perceptual‐motor skill was recorded commencing 30 min following treatment. The tests used were critical flicker fusion (CFF), gross‐bodily choice reaction time (GBCRT), ball control (CONT), slalom (SLAL) and shooting (SHOOT). Although alcohol did not significantly impair performance, results suggested a discernible trend, with the skilled performers being more able to withstand the alcohol‐induced impairment.
The effects of lormetazepam on aspects of memory, sleep and human performance
Authors: Dye Louise , Alford C. , Bhatti J. Z. , Hindmarch I. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe effects of lormetazepam 1 mg, 1·5 mg, 2 mg, a verum—triazolam 0·5 mg and placebo were examined in ten normal female volunteers, on tests of psychomotor function, performance and analogue rating scales for subjective sedation, sleep and early morning behaviour. Results showed all doses of lormetazepam to be effective hypnotics and free from residual effects 10 h after drug ingestion when tested on critical flicker fusion threshold (CFF), choice reaction time (CRT), simultated car tracking task and Maddox wing. Acquisition and immediate recall of word lists was poorer following administration of lormetazepam 1·5 mg and triazolam 0·5 mg. On memory scanning, lormetazepam 1 mg was the only dose completely free from residual impairment 10 h following administration.
Flumazenil and saccadic eye movements in patients with panic disorder and normal controls
Authors: Wilson Sue , Glue Paul , Nutt David 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe effects of the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil on saccadic eye movements were studied in patients with panic disorder and in controls. Compared with vehicle, flumazenil displayed slight partial agonist effects in that it significantly reduced peak deceleration of eye movements, with a similar but non‐significant trend for peak velocity, in both groups. In controls flumazenil had little in the way of subjective effects whereas in panic patients it produced marked anxiety. The paradoxical responses to flumazenil in panic disorder (partial agonist effects on saccadic eye movements but partial inverse agonist effects on mood) may be due to different receptor subtypes controlling these variables.
Variation in platelet [3H]imipramine binding during the menstrual cycle in healthy young women
Authors: Ellis Peter M. , McIntosh C. Joy , Cooke Russell R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractPlatelet [3H]imipramine binding, a putative biological marker for depression, varies considerably among healthy control subjects. This study examined whether changes associated with the menstrual cycle could account for part of this variability. No significant relationship was found between Bmax or Kd and the phase of the menstrual cycle, or symptoms associated with the premenstrual syndrome or progesterone or oestradiol levels. Other factors should be considered in exploring the variability of[3H]imipramine binding in healthy subjects.
The effects of alcohol on the cognitive function of males and females and on skills relating to car driving
Authors: Kerr J. S. , Sherwood N. , Hindmarch I. , Bhatti J. Z. , Starmer G. A. , Mascord D. J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractNine male and nine female subjects received one of four doses of alcohol (0‐25, 0‐5, 0‐75 or 1 g per kg of bodyweight for male subjects: females received 92% of these values) or placebo. Similar blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) for males and females were reached. Subjects were then tested on two batteries of psychological tests related to skills involved in driving. These included psychomotor, cognitive and subjective assessment tasks. The results showed a linear increase in the disruption of performance with dose for many of the tests, particularly those involving psychomotor function. In addition it was demonstrated that on certain tasks males were affected more by alcohol than females. It is concluded that moderate doses of alcohol (resulting in BACs of 0‐05 to 0‐08 g/100 ml) can produce significant deficits in perceptual and motor skills related to driving a vehicle.
The effect of anticonvulsant medication on the psychopathology of adults with a mental handicap and epilepsy
Authors: Deb S. , Hunter D. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractDifferent aspects of anticonvulsant treatment and psychopathology were studied in a group of 150 adult epileptic mentally handicapped patients and compared with a matched control group of 150 adult non‐epileptic mentally handicapped people. Patients were collected from both hospital and community. Most epileptic patients received monopharmacy of the modern generation of anticonvulsants within the British National Formulary recommended dosage schedule. Most had their serum anticonvulsant level within the local laboratory reference range. Anticonvulsants other than sodium valproate lowered serum folate level. In general there was no direct relationship with anticonvulsant medication and psychopathology, although carbamazepine monopharmacy showed some protective effect on aggressive behaviour.
PET analysis of central [11 C]raclopride binding in healthy young adults and schizophrenic patients—reliability and age effects
Authors: Nordström A.‐L. , Farde L. , Pauli S. , Litton J.‐E. , Halldin C. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractCentral D2‐dopamine receptor occupancy determined by positron emission tomography (PET) during neuroleptic drug treatment may be a useful measure for optimal dose finding in schizophrenic patients. The clinical benefit is dependent on the reliability of such determinations. The ratio of radioactivity in the striatum to that of the cerebellum is widely used for calculation of D2‐receptor occupancy and as an index of D2‐dopamine receptor density. To test the reliability of such ratios a test‐retest analysis was performed in a series of healthy subjects. The reliability was very high, both when experiments were repeated on the same day and after time intervals of months to years. A group of subjects were examined twice using PET camera systems with different resolution. The striatum to cerebellum ratios obtained from the high‐resolution PET camera system were significantly higher than ratios from the camera with lower resolution. The age effect on the striatum to cerebellum ratio was examined in 25 healthy young adults and in 18 neuroleptic‐naive schizophrenic patients. A statistically significant decline was found both in the healthy controls and in the schizophrenic patients. The results do not support the view that there is a lack of age effect on the D2‐dopamine receptor density in schizophrenia.
Who prescribes antidepressant drugs? A survey of a sample of pharmacies in Verona, Italy
Authors: Balestrieri M. , Paltrinieri E. , Bellantuono C. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA 4‐week cross‐sectional survey was undertaken on a sample of 24 pharmacies in the city of Verona (Italy). The aims were: (1) to describe the distribution of antidepressant drugs (AD) prescription according to the type of prescriber (GP, psychiatrist, ‘other physician’) and (2) to analyse the relationship between class of AD, type of prescriber and age/sex of patients. GPs were responsible for 31 per cent, psychiatrists for 61 per cent and ‘other physicians’ for 8 per cent of all AD prescriptions (852). Using a log‐linear model, we found that tricyclics were mainly prescribed by ‘other physicians’, followed by psychiatrists and least by GPs. Psychiatrists and GPs prescribed more tricyclics to older patients. The pattern of prescription of second‐generation AD was similar across all groups of prescribers. Older patients received more of these drugs than younger patients. Ademetionine was prescribed mainly by GPs. The rate of prescription of this drug declined with the age of the patients. A need for more data of this type, and for development of educational programmes on antidepressant drug use, is discussed.
Does cetirizine belong to the new generation of antihistamines? An investigation into its acute and subchronic effects on highway driving, psychometric test performance and daytime sleepiness
Authors: Volkerts E. R. , van Willigenburg A. P. P. , van Laar M. W. , Maes R. A. A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTwenty‐seven healthy male volunteers participated in a double‐blind, five‐way crossover designed comparison of the new, selective H1‐receptor antagonist cetirizine (10 mg q.d.) and terfenadine (60 mg b.i.d. and 120 mg q.d.) versus the older H1‐receptor antagonist triprolidine (5 mg b.i.d.) and placebo.Medication was administered during four consecutive days. Subjects were tested on the 1st and 4th treatment day. On each test day subjects drove an instrumented vehicle over a 100 km highway circuit while attempting to maintain a constant speed (90 km/hr) and a steady lateral position within the right traffic lane. Thereafter they performed three computerized memory tasks. On the 4th treatment day, sleep latency was measured before and after the driving test. On both days, triprolidine significantly impaired performance in the driving and psychometric tests. Triprolidine also significantly reduced sleep latency in comparison to placebo on the 4th treatment day. Terfenadine 60 mg b.i.d. impaired psychometric performance after subchronic treatment.It was concluded that cetirizine, like terfenadine, belongs to the newer class of antihistamines and can be safely used by patients who continue their daily activities.
Alpidem and lorazepam in the treatment of patients with anxiety disorders: Comparison of efficacy and rebound
Authors: Morton S. , Lader M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAlpidem, a novel imidazo‐pyridine anxiolytic, was compared with lorazepam for efficacy and withdrawal effects in 23 (17 male) anxious psychiatric out‐patients of mean age 35.3 years with a mean Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM‐A) total score of 26.4. Treatment was double blind for 4 weeks with doses built up to a mean of 112.5 mg alpidem and 3.5 mg lorazepam per day. Assessment were made for a further 2 weeks after abrupt withdrawal.There were no differences in scores between the groups before treatment. The HAM‐A, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Sleep Rating Scale and other measures showed both drugs to be equally effective for psychic and somatic anxiety, depression and insomnia. Despite the small numbers, lorazepam produced greater improvement in the anxious mood, fear and insomnia items of the HAM‐A. After stopping treatment serious rebound in mood and somatic scores was experienced by the lorazepam group in contrast to those patients on alpidem who maintained their improvement. Neither group was troubled by side effects; dropouts were few and due to inefficacy (1 alpidem) or withdrawal problems (2 lorazepam). Alpidem seemed to offer effective anxiolysis without the risk of rebound associated with lorazepam use.
Clovoxamine fumarate: Antidepressant or anxiolytic?
Authors: Edwards J. Guy , Goldie Ann 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA randomised placebo‐controlled trial of clovoxamine fumarate was carried out in 44 outpatients with major depression. Patients were rated on scales for depression and anxiety after a one‐week washout period and after two and four weeks' treatment with either clovoxamine or placebo. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the total depression scores, but a significant difference in favour of clovoxamine in the Leeds Self‐Assessment of Anxiety General Scale. Unwanted effects in both groups were mild but gastrointestinal symptoms occurred more often and lasted longer in patients receiving clovoxamine. The question as to whether clovoxamine is an antidepressant or an anxiolytic is addressed and the specificity of action of psychotropic drugs in general discussed.
Effects of benzodiazepine‐induced sedation on temporal processing
Authors: Rammsayer Thomas 
Published: December 2004

AbstractUnlike processing of time intervals in the range of seconds or more, processing of brief durations ranging from approximately 50 to 100 ms appears to be beyond cognitive control and based on neural counting mechanisms. In a placebo‐controlled study either 15 mg of midazolam or placebo were applied to 36 healthy male volunteers to investigate the effect of pharmacologically induced sedation on temporal processing of intervals in the range of milliseconds indicating performance on time perception and in the range of seconds indicating performance on time estimation. In addition, a test battery consisting of subtests measuring speed of information processing and cortical arousal was applied. Midazolam induced a very pronounced decrease in cortical arousal as well as a marked impairment of speed of information processing and performance on time estimation as compared to placebo. Performance on time perception, however, was not affected suggesting that temporal processing of very brief intervals is unrelated to the effective level of cortical arousal. These findings support the notion of two different timing mechanisms underlying time estimation and time perception.
The effect of vigabatrin on cognitive function and mood
Authors: Dijkstra J. B. , McGuire A. M. , Trimble M. R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractCognitive function and mood have been assessed in nine patients started on vigabatrin as additional therapy to their regular anticonvulsants. Psychological tests were given at baseline (S1) and at 4 weeks (S2) after starting treatment. A comparison group of nine patients on stable therapy was tested at the same time intervals. In particular, tasks with minimal or no motor components were used. Mood was rated with the Beck Depression Inventory. The vigabatrin group scored significantly higher on a task of attention and concentration at S2. This was not related to change of seizure frequency or serum levels of other anticonvulsants. No effects were observed on mood.
Steady‐state serum kinetics of zotepine
Authors: Otani K. , Kondo T. , Kaneko S. , Hirano T. , Mihara K. , Fukushima Y. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe steady‐state serum kinetics of zotepine, an antipsychotic drug, were studied in 59 psychiatric in‐patients receiving 50–500 mg/day (mean 215 mg/day) of the drug. There was a 26‐fold inter‐individual variation in the concentration/dose ratios (C/D ratios: ng/ml/mg/kg), which ranged from 2.4 to 62.2 (mean 13.2). The smokers (n = 37) had significantly lower C/D ratios (mean ±SD: 9.7 ± 7.0 vs 19.0 ± 15.5, p < 0.01), while the patients co‐administered benzodiazepines (n = 14) had significantly higher C/D ratios (19.06 ± 12.5 vs 11.2 ± 10.9, p < 0.01) than the others. There was no significant relationship between the C/D ratios and age or gender. In the 24 cases where the dose was fixed at 100 mg/day in the first week and at 200 mg/day for the next 3 weeks, no significant difference was found in the mean C/D ratios during the 4 weeks. The present study thus suggests a large inter‐individual variation in the metabolism of zotepine, and that smoking enhances, and co‐administration of benzodiazepines inhibits, the metabolism. Age and gender do not affect the kinetics of the drug. The results also suggest no dose‐dependent kinetics and no enzyme‐inducing effect of the drug.
Recruitment rates and factors affecting recruitment for a clinical trial of a putative anti‐psychotic agent in the treatment of acute schizophrenia
Authors: Bowen Joanna , Hirsch Steven 
Published: December 2004

AbstractProspectively collected data on screening of 166 patients for a placebo controlled double blind clinical trial of a putative anti‐psychotic drug was analyzed to establish the rate of recruitment of patients in an academic centre known for its interest in schizophrenia and its associated hospitals. Screening of patients was carried out intensively. A descriptive analysis was carried out on why otherwise eligible patients did not consent to enter the trial, and on why patients were not eligible to be entered, either because of physical or psychiatric morbidity. Social demography and morbidity were compared between the subgroups of consenting and non consenting eligible patients. No differences were detected between the demography and morbidity level of the consenters and non‐consenters. Nearly 60 per cent of patients screened were ineligible to enter the trial. Reasons for ineligibility are discussed. Of patients eligible 66 per cent were not willing or able to give their consent. This meant that overall, about 1 in 7 of all patients screened were able to be entered into the trial.