摘要:

One-locus models have been fitted to two sets of two-generational families, studied by Kallmann because each contained a schizophrenic twin proband; in one set each twin proband was in the nuclear group, in the other in the peripheral group. Allowing for a lognormal age of onset distribution and a dependence of ascertainment probability on age of onset, the following hypotheses were tested and rejected: ascertainment probability is a noncurvilinear function of age of onset on a log-log scale; the transmission of schizophrenia is via one Mendelian locus, and the transmission of schizophrenia is independent of parental type. The last hypothesis is more likely than one-locus Mendelian inheritance, but it too must be rejected.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000117633

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1978

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

In previous articles, evidence has been presented which supports the hypothesis that detectable neurophysiological changes occur in the course of affective disorders, mainly of a depressive type. The scope of the present report has been to expand the previous investigation to comprise variables not hitherto taken into account and to present a new approach to the analysis of EEG in psychiatry. This new approach, a systemic structural analysis, follows the concepts borrowed from the general system theory, and is based on the assumption that brain activity can be regarded as a type of hierarchical system. Hints about the theoretical principles beyond a systemic structural analysis of EEG are given, and the point is stressed that possible correlations between, e.g., neurophysiological and clinical variables must be sought starting from characteristics which are at a comparable level of integration in both realms. The preliminary findings of an international collaborative study of depressive syndromes are presented. 45 patients suffering from depressive syndromes of different aetiology and of varying severity participated in the study. These patients were rated by means of a rating scale which permitted a division for further analysis into subgroups according to the main symptomatology. The results show that characteristic neurofunctional structures can be identified which correspond to various symptomatological patterns. The occurrence of pronounced interhemispheric differences in electrical activity, related to the severity of the depressive syndrome, has also found further support in the results of this present investigation.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000117634

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1978

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

An attempt is made to provide a description and a biological foundation of the amotivational syndrome as a part of the schizophrenic impairment. The role of a reward system, brain stem arousal, and cortical facilitation is discussed as a neurophysiological support for self and species preservation functions, goal directed behavior and performances. Damage caused to the NA-ergic neurons by toxic metabolites of DA results in a flattening of basic motivations and an incapacity to achieve higher cortical motivations and to perform high cortical activities. As the source of the syndrome a pathological gene might be involved; at its end the superimposed institutionalization has to be removed, in order to uncover the schizophrenic defect itself.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000117636

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1978

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Serum dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) activity was tested in 160 psychiatric patients suffering from affective disorders. The patients were divided into subgroups according to strict diagnostic criteria and clinical state at the time of the examination. Since no relationship was found between DBH activity and age or sex, these variables have been discarded from further analyses. Bipolar (manic-depressive) patients had lower (p < 0.05) DBH mean values than patients suffering from unipolar, recurrent depressive psychoses. No other differences were found either among groups or in relation to the clinical state. As such a wide range of DBH values was recorded in all the groups examined, measurements of DBH activity do not seem to be useful as a diagnostic aid, or as an indicator of the clinical state of patients suffering from affective disorders

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000117637

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1978

数据来源: Karger

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000117638

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1978

数据来源: Karger