摘要:

AbstractReliability, validity and standardization are well‐established principles in most areas of psychometrics, but are rarely mentioned in performance assessment within human psychopharmacology. Test reliability and standardization are examined here, while validity is covered in two succeeding articles. The undocumented reliability of human psychopharmacology performance tests makes the interpretation of findings difficult and ambiguous. Reliability, or consistency within and between test sessions is, however, easy to calculate. Several procedures for calculating reliability are described, with test–retest reliability recommended as the most appropriate single summary measure. Poor test standardization is another major problem, with many research groups using different tests. The extent of this problem is examined, and a set of standardization requirements proposed. They could comprise the basis for test manuals. The problems of undocumented reliability and unstandardized tests have been recognized within the field for many years, yet no moves have been made to remedy the situation. One simple solution would be for psychopharmacology journals to accept only documented tests, and to request test–retest reliability

ISSN:0885-6222    

DOI:10.1002/hup.470060102

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractPlasma MHPG levels and AMDP rating score were measured in depressed patients before treatment, and a follow‐up study was performed during the next 3 months of drug therapy to detect possible relationships between the parameters. Before treatment, MHPG levels were moderately lower in depressed than in age‐ and sex‐matched normal subjects. Bipolar depressed patients presented the lowest values. In the three diagnostic groups (DSM‐III), antidepressant treatment resulted in a significant decrease of mean levels in unipolar and dysthymic depressed, but not in bipolar depressed patients. When the type of antidepressant was considered, imipramine (IMI)‐ or desipramine (DMI)‐treated patients, but not fluvoxamine (FLU)‐treated, also decreased their mean values of MHPG, with minor difference between improved and non‐improved patients. However, when patients were grouped according to their pattern groups (low (LL), high (HL), or normal (NL) baseline MHPG levels), interesting information emerged: improvement of clinical state of patient (i.e. 60 per cent of AMDP baseline reduction) resulted in ‘normalization’ of erratic values (HL and NL) whatever the treatment, while in non‐improved patients such evolution was not observed. In the latter group, change in MHPG levels was only drug‐related (decrease in IMI–DMI‐treated and no change in FLU‐treated values). Results suggest that mechanisms of buffering NA activity were lost in endogenous depression and restored in pat

ISSN:0885-6222    

DOI:10.1002/hup.470060103

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractSerum free T4, free T3 and TSH (IRMA), along with TSH responsiveness to TRH (500 μg i.v.), were investigated in 12 patients, initially when severely depressed and again upon recovery, and in a group of age‐matched controls. The TSH response to TRH did not differ significantly between patients and controls, nor did it alter with treatment of depression. There were no significant differences in basal TSH levels. Free T3 levels were very significantly lower in untreated patients than in controls (p= 0·004), as were free T4 levels (p= 0·02), and had not improved significantly at recovery. Basal TSH levels showed a strong association with the integrated TSH response to TRH (p<0·001) in both patients and controls. Thus in depression, as in thyoid dysfunction, the TRH test can be abandoned in favour of sensitive basal TSH measurement but, more importantly, the TRH test has no value in the diagnosis of endogenous depression or in monitoring treatment response. However, there is a reduction in free thyroid hormone levels in depression which has not been rectified by the time of clinical rec

ISSN:0885-6222    

DOI:10.1002/hup.470060104

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractMeasurements of plasma homovanillic acid (HVA), plasma 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), serum prolactin and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores were made in 21 cocaine‐dependent patients seeking inpatient treatment. These measurements were obtained within 1–3 days of the last dose of cocaine and were repeated after 10–20 days of abstinence from cocaine. Abnormal values on any of the biochemical measurements were unusual and showed no convincing evidence of dopamine or norepinephrine depletion. Ten patients had significant HDRS scores on admission which decreased by 50% or more during hospitalization without specific treatment. The controversy over whether chronic exposure to cocaine depletes dopamine remains unsettled. Howevr, it is more likely that down‐regulation of postsynaptic dopamine receptors is the major consequence of

ISSN:0885-6222    

DOI:10.1002/hup.470060105

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractViloxazine was one of the first of the ‘second‐generation’ antidepressants. Its relative lack of cardiotoxic, anticholinergic, sedative and seizure‐inducing adverse effects suggested its use as an antidepressant in general hospitals where tricyclic antidepressants might be frequently contraindicated. We conducted a double‐blind trial of 300 mg viloxazine against placebo in 43 patients with major depressive disorder. The placebo‐treated group showed a slightly, but not significantly, greater improvement in depression scores using observer and self‐rating scales over those using viloxazine. A review of previous placebo‐controlled studies of viloxazine offers little support to its use as an

ISSN:0885-6222    

DOI:10.1002/hup.470060106

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractClonazepam was administered to nine patients with tardive akathisia which could not be controlled by antiparkinsonian drugs, and a good response was obtained in all cases. The daily dose of clonazepam given was only 1.0–3.0 mg. In two of the nine patients, akathisia recurred when the dose of clonazepam was reduced, but disappeared again after the dose was increased again. Clonazepam appears to be worth trying in patients with tardive akathisia, and is effective at relatively low doses. However, a dose reduction should be performed with caution, since there is the possibility that akathisia will recu

ISSN:0885-6222    

DOI:10.1002/hup.470060107

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractUrinary excretion of phenylethylamine (PEA) was determined in 19 agoraphobic, 15 obsessive compulsive and 10 neurotic depressive outpatients, and 17 healthy volunteers. Variations in urinary PEA concentrations did not appear to correlate with any of the diagnostic groups.

ISSN:0885-6222    

DOI:10.1002/hup.470060108

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractTo establish the presence and magnitude of irritability in panic disorder, and its relationship with anxiety and depression, ratings of each variable were monitored in 18 patients with panic disorder before and during imipramine treatment. Pretreatment ratings of inward‐and outward‐directed irritability demonstrated borderline levels of morbidity. Over the duration of treatment, irritability ratings fell, and there were substantial reductions in ratings of depression, but only small reductions in ratings of state anxiety. There were a number of significant correlations between pre‐ and post‐treatment ratings of irritability and depression, but little association between these and ratings of

ISSN:0885-6222    

DOI:10.1002/hup.470060109

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractClomipramine was used to treat 14 patients with panic attacks. Diagnosis was made according to DSM‐III criteria for agoraphobia with panic attacks or panic disorder uncomplicated. An open evaluation of the drug over an 8‐week treatment period was conducted. A total of 10 patients completed the study. Clomipramine was effective in reducing the mean number of panic attacks, the greatest response being observed in the first 2 weeks of treatment. Findings on all outcome measures showed that clomipramine was also effective in alleviating depression secondary to panic attacks, non‐specific aspects of anxiety and improving phobic avoidance. There was a suggestion that responders to treatment received lower doses of clomipramine than non‐responders. Further studies are required to evaluate this issue and the role of clomipramine in the treatment of panic di

ISSN:0885-6222    

DOI:10.1002/hup.470060110

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThe effect of multiple dose regimens of amantadine, reserpine, chlorpromazine alone or combined on liver alcohol (L‐ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (L‐ALDH) was studied in three strains of mice. A strain‐dependent difference between endogenous specific activity of these enzymes and their sensitivity to the agents studied was determined. The C57BL/6 mice showed most resistance to drug effect and possessed greater activity of mitochondrial L‐ALDH isoenzymes and L‐ADH than either ICR or BALB/C mouse strains, respectively. Amantadine induced both L‐ADH and mitochondrial L‐ALDH while reserpine inhibited them also as a function of mouse strain. Both reserpine‐and chlorpromazine‐mediated inhibition of albino ICR mouse L‐ADH and BALB/C mitochondrial L‐ALDH was alleviated by pretreatment with amantadine. This indicates antagonism between amantadine and these agents. The results suggest a genotypic sensitivity to drug action which may explain the individual sensitivity to the development of chlorpromazine and reserpine‐produced side‐effects, and the potency of amantadine in management of such drug

ISSN:0885-6222    

DOI:10.1002/hup.470060111

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1991

数据来源: WILEY