摘要:

Alterations of neuroendocrinological indices determined by the impaired regulating effects of cholinergic neurotransmission have been described in primary dementia. In this study we have evaluated the effects of acetylcholines-terase inhibition by pyridostigmine on growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol secretion and on their responses to GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in 7 patients with primary degenerative dementia and in 8 sex- and age-matched controls. Demented subjects showed higher cortisol basal levels and lower ACTH levels than controls. Pyridostigmine increased the GH response to GHRH in both groups, the effect being significantly enhanced in patients. An increase of ACTH and cortisol levels was found in both groups after pyridostigmine and CRH administration. Pyridostigmine pretreatment significantly increased the ACTH response to CRH in controls but not in patients. The obtained data may indicate that a muscarinic receptor upregulation and an impairment of somatostatinergic function are operative in the regulation of GH secretion in dementia. An underlying hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis impairs the responses of ACTH and cortisol to CRH in this disorder.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119020

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1993

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Neuropeptides were examined in relation to suicidal behavior and its repetition in depression. There were no significant differences between depressed patients who had or had not attempted suicide for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, diazepam-binding inhibitor, GABA, or corticotropin releasing hormone. A 5-year follow-up was carried out. There were no significant differences between depressed patients who did or did not reattempt suicide during the follow-up or who had never attempted for CSF concentrations of any of the neuropeptides measured. These negative results suggest that these neuropeptides are probably not major determinants of suicidal behavior or its repetition in depression.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119021

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1993

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The responses of cortisol to acute administration of saline and of clonidine (2.5 µg/kg B.W.) were examined in 10 children and adolescents with major depressive disorder and in 10 age- and sex-matched controls. Clonidine administration did not inhibit cortisol secretion in controls or in patients, contrary to what has been observed in depressed adults. In controls, but not in patients, clonidine administration induced a transitory increase of the steroid

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119022

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1993

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The therapeutic use of interferon (IFN)-α administered as adjuvant medication in chronic schizophrenia was investigated. Natural leukocyte IFN-α was given to 9 long-term hospitalized chronic schizophrenic patients daily as subcutaneous injection of 3 million units 5 times a week. The trial followed a placebo-controlled double-blind crossover design. Each treatment period lasted for 8 weeks with a 2-week washout period in between. IFN-α did not prove to be beneficial for the total group of patients. Yet, 3 patients improved during the IFN-α drug period. The clinical improvement was seen as better social competence and less affective tension in the ward surroundi

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119023

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1993

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The third edition of the DSM provided a standardized, operationalized classification system of mood disorders. In this paper, the question is raised whether this system is a good starting point for biological depression research. The question is answered in the negative and the reasons why are being discussed. The proposed mood disorders are not properly validated and utterly heterogenous and overlapping. An etiological axis is wanting and no hypothesis as to the relations between axis I and II diagnoses is required. The comorbidity problem is not satisfactorily resolved. The system leaves no room for a dimensional/functional analysis of mood and personality disorders. The frequent revisions that are only to a small extent based on preconceived research, lead to havoc in the research arena. The DSM III classification is considered to be the single most important factor hampering biological depression research. Ways to remedy the situation are pointed out.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119024

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1993

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

To examine the relationship between functional abnormality of the brain and the development of epileptic psychosis, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) patterns with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using N-isopropyl-(iodine-123)-p-Modoamphetamine (123I-IMP) were serially examined in interictal stages with and without the psychotic state in 2 medicated patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with schizophrenia-like syndrome. Both patients had epileptic EEG foci in the left temporal lobe and schizophrenialike syndrome in Bruens’ classification of epileptic psychosis, mainly consisting of auditory hallucinations and delusions of persecution and reference accompanying the enhancement of interictal epileptic discharges. In both patients, the SPECT scans obtained in the stages without the psychotic state revealed focal hypoperfusion images in the left temporal lobe regionally consistent with the EEG foci. On the other hand, the SPECT scans in the stages with the psychotic states revealed focal hyperperfusion images in the left temporal lobe or amygdala in case 1, and a normal perfusion pattern without asymmetric images of the right and left temporal lobes in case 2. These results suggest that temporo-limbic dysfunction, in particular hyperfunction in the temporo-limbic system in the left dominant hemisphere, arises at the time of the psychotic state in epileptic psychosi

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119025

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1993

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

We examined whether a single administration of piracetam produces dose-dependent effects on brain functions in healthy young men. In 6 subjects, 42-channel event-related EEG potential maps (ERP) were recorded during a task requiring subjects to watch single digits presented in a pseudorandom order on a screen and to press a button after all triplets of three consecutive odd or even digits. The ERP maps to the three digits of the correctly detected triplets were analyzed in terms of their mapped ERP field configuration (landscape). Different landscapes of the maps indicate different configuration of the activated neural population and therefore reflect different functional microstates of the brain. In order to identify these microstates, adaptive segmentation of the map series based on their landscapes was done. Nineteen time segments were found. These segments were tested for direct effects on brain function of three single doses of piracetam (2.9, 4.8 or 9.6 g) and a placebo given double-blind in balanced order. Piracetam mainly affected the map landscape of the time segments following the triplet’s last digit. U-shaped dose-dependent effects were found; they were strongest after 4.8 g piracetam. Since these particular ERP segments are recognized to be strongly correlated to cognitive functions, the present findings suggest that single medium doses of piracetam selectively activate differently located or oriented neurons during cognitive steps of information processin

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119026

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1993

数据来源: Karger

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119027

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1993

数据来源: Karger

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119028

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1993

数据来源: Karger

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119019

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1993

数据来源: Karger