摘要:

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by severe communication, social and behavioral abnormalities. Over the past several years a fair amount of evidence has accumulated suggesting that some cases of autism may be associated with immune abnormalities and with products of the HLA complex including the C4B gene located in the class III region of HLA. This study sought additional evidence for an association of autoimmune processes with autism by investigating the presence of activated T cells in 26 autistic subjects. Fourteen of the autistic subjects had DR+ T cells, an indicator of activated T cells, but none of the autistic subjects had T cells expressing the interleukin-2 receptor, another indicator of T cell activation. Similar findings of incomplete or partial T cell activation have been reported in autoimmune disorders and in a recent study of autism. In the current investigation, the DR+ T cells were not found to be associated with age of the autistic patients but were inversely correlated with a decreased plasma level of the C4B protein. In conclusion, this study provides additional evidence for the involvement of an autoimmune mechanism in autism.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119172

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Inconsistent findings in X linkage studies of manic-depressive illness (MDI) have been ascribed to the presence of phenotypic uncertainties (incomplete penetrance), considerable variation in form and severity of MDI, and the likely presence of phenocopies (or false positives). In order to address some of these issues, previous X linkage data with colour blindness, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and blood coagulation factor IX (F9) markers were reanalysed using a narrow and a broad definition of MDI. Our results confirm the X-linked hypothesis for MDI genetic transmission when controlling for diagnostic variation. The lod score (log of odds ratio) is reduced for a more conservative definition of the disease, but nevertheless remains significant. However, conclusive linkage between the MDI gene and the F9 gene in the Xq27 region is not maintained in our series. Our findings emphasize the need to reanalyse previous genetic data with more sophisticated diagnostic and statistical techniques.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119173

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

We evaluated platelet 3H-imipramine (3H-IMI) binding parameters (Bmax and Kd) at baseline (t0) and 2 months after (t1) treatment with fluoxetine in a group of outpatients affected by a major depressive episode, according to DSM-IIIR criteria. The possible relationships between biological parameters and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) total score were examined. The results confirmed previous reports that depressed patients possessed a lower density (Bmax) of platelet 3H-IMI binding sites than healthy controls, but the Bmax tended to decrease with fluoxetine. In addition, we observed a negative correlation between Bmax values at t0 and the HRSD total scores at t1 indicating that the patients who responded better to fluoxetine were those with a lower Bmax at t0. Future studies will substantiate this preliminary observation on the possible usefulness of platelet 3H-IMI binding as a predictor of pharmacological response.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119174

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

This multicentre study compares the therapeutic efficacy and safety of minaprine (200 mg) to that of imipramine (50, 75, 100 mg) in the treatment of patients over 40 years suffering from dysthymic disorders as diagnosed according to DSM III. After 4–7 days on placebo, 67 patients were randomly assigned to receive either drug for a period of 6 weeks in a double-blind manner. As rated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and evaluated by exploratory statistics, minaprine showed similar efficacy to imipramine in these patients. Minaprine was better tolerated than imipramine according to the physicians’ tolerance rating (p < 0.05) and produced significantly fewer symptoms of the autonomic nervous system as compared to imipramine (p < 0.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119175

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

To test the hypothesis that the therapeutic effects of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate (GAP) in primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type (PDD) is associated with a reversal of biochemical changes seen in PDD, a two-phase, clinical-biochemical study was conducted. In the first phase of this study a number of biochemical parameters were compared in 12 patients with PDD and their sex- and age-matched controls, and it was found that platelet monoamine oxidase B activity was significantly higher and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homovanillic acid levels significantly lower in the PDD than in the normal control group. In the second phase of this study the same 12 PDD patients were treated with GAP at a daily dosage of 250 lipasemic-releasing units for a period of 1 month and it was found that all four biochemical parameters shifted towards normal values during therapy with the changes in CSF 5-hydroxy-indole acetic acid levels attaining statistical significance. Although clinical changes were minimal, in light of prior clinical findings in studies conducted with GAP in similar populations, the possibility was entertained that clinical improvement with GAP in PDD patients is preceded by biochemical changes.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119176

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Effects of benzodiazepine (diazepam, lorazepam) and benzodiazepine-like anxiolytics (alpidem, suriclone) and a 5-HT-3 antagonist (ondansetron) on actual driving performance were measured in three double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Subjects were healthy volunteers in two and anxious patients in the third. Treatments lasted for 8 days. Standardized testing occurred within the first full day and on the last day of treatment. No important differences existed between volunteers’ and patients’ baseline and/or placebo performances and both groups responded similarly to comparable drugs/doses. Benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine-like anxiolytics produced marked and pervasive driving impairment, which lasted throughout treatment; but ondansetron, n

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119177

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The relation between EEG spectral power and alterations of the visual evoked potential (VEP) during different behavioral states and after intraperitoneal application of neuroactive drugs have been investigated in Long-Evans rats. FFT power and field potential maps were made in five behavioral states of the unrestrained rat: exploratory sniffing, face washing, relaxed waking immobility, slow wave sleep, and during cortical high-voltage spindling. Fourteen epidural electrodes were implanted in the bulbus olfactorius, in the frontal areas Fr2 and Fr1, in the visual areas 18 and 17, and in the cerebellum of the right hemisphere. Two regions in the investigated cortex were found to be the probable origins of slow delta and theta waves: the frontal cortex and the anterior area 18. Area 17 does not express prominent EEG frequencies that contribute to the cortical EEG in any of the investigated behavioral states. The VEP was found to originate in area 17. The neural activity of the occipital cortex is reflected in the VEP whereas the occipital EEG possibly reflects the hippocampal activity in some behavioral states. This may be a reason for partly independent changes of VEP and EEG during different behavioral states and after application of neuroactive drugs.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119178

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The aim of this study was to investigate the activation process of the central nervous system during mental demand in a complex psychophysiological situation. A 17-channel quantitative topographical EEG was recorded in 48 healthy volunteers (male and female, aged 49 ± 6 years), using the CATEEM system, during four different psychometric tests (simple reaction time measurement, concentration performance, figure detection and word recall test). The mental load varied with each test, producing a graduated increase in spectral power density in delta and theta frequency range on the EEG in the frontotemporal, parietal and occipital regions of the cortex and a generalized decrease in alpha power. During the rest periods after each test a graduated increase in alpha1 power was seen as a possible expression of change in vigilance level. With this method we were able to differentiate two effects of psychometric tests on brain activity: the actual mental demand itself and the influence on the vigilance level

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000119179

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1995

数据来源: Karger