摘要:

The prevalence of an abnormal response to the 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was examined in 40 inpatients suffering from a major depressive disorder (MDD), 17 inpatients suffering from schizophrenia, and 30 normal controls. 23.5% of the schizophrenics were DST nonsuppressors compared to 52.5% of MDD patients and 6.7% of normal controls. The prevalence of abnormal DST in schizophrenics in the literature is reviewed and factors like the presence of depression, doses of dexamethasone, and hospital admission, which may account for the wide variability of prevalence among studies (0-35%), are discussed.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000118252

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1986

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Twenty-three chronic undifferentiated schizophrenics, 13 women and 10 men, aged 37-64 years with 15-to 40-year histories of the disease were given either thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (10 subjects) or DDAVP (13 subjects) with the aim to improve the negative symptoms of the disease and memory. TRH (600 µg i.v.) and DDAVP (4 µg i.m.) were administered every other day for 30 days. Negative symptoms were monitored by the Andreasen rating scale and by the Honingfeld NOSIE rating scale, memory by the Folstein ‘Mini mental State’ rating scale and by the Luria-Nebraska rating scale before therapy and then at days 15, 16, 30 and 31 of treatment. Both therapies significantly improved negative symptoms. Memory was significantly improved in all the patients treated with TRH and in 9 of the 13 patients treated with DDAVP, who presented less severe cognitive impairments. A peripheral mechanism of action of DDAVP was excluded by the observation that plasma electrolytes and osmolality, blood pressure, ECG patterns, 24-hour urine volume and specific gravity, basal plasma cortisol and growth hormone levels and weight of the patients were unchanged during therapy. TRH treatment induced a transient borderline hyperthyroidism at day 15 and a progressive decrease of the thyrotropin response to TRH stimulation. A common mechanism of action of the two peptides on the central noradrenergic system is sugg

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000118253

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1986

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

In a recent Lundby paper, based on the original 1947 Lundby cohort [Hagnell et al., 1983], we reported a diminishing trend in the incidence of both senile and multi-infarct dementia from the first period of study 1947–1957 to the second, 1957–1972. In the present study we use the total Lundby population, including those who entered the Lundby project in 1957, as a basis for our calculations. The findings indicate no statistically significant changes in the prevalence and incidence of senile and multi-infarct dementia during the observation period 1947

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000118254

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1986

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

The hypothesis is presented that closely associated memories can be coded and decoded in a parallel manner analogous to genetic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) forming two or more different proteins from a single polynucleotide strand. Iconic, aural, and lexical stimuli could be imprinted and recovered from the same storage molecule. The described process which involved the decoding of the same neuronal DNA macromolecule two or more times but from slightly shifted reading frames has the advantage of promoting fidelity of coding and decoding. The suggested mechanism also explains why it is possible for some mnemonic elements to survive during aphasia and senile dementias, while closely linked synonymous engrams are lost.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000118255

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1986

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Data from post-mortem brain, cerebrospinal fluid and serotonin (5-HT) synapse studies indicate serious impairment of the serotoninergic system in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Decreased levels of the 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid have also been linked with aggressive behaviour – which may further complicate management of these patients. So far, results of treatment aimed at influencing the 5-HT deficit have proved generally disappointing. Present intensive research may eventually result in a multi-therapy approach to treatment of the many neurotransmitter abnormalities invol

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000118256

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1986

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Cyclic antidepressant treatment in adults is reported to increase caries activity. The aim of this study has been to evaluate if such treatment also causes a higher frequency of dental caries in children. Children with enuresis treated with tricyclic antidepressants (AD) were compared to matched controls and to enuretic children without antidepressant treatment. Dental records and radiographs were examined concerning caries activity. During the treatment period the mean caries activity was higher in the group of children treated with AD for 1 month or longer compared to both controls and enuretics without pharmacological treatment. These findings show the need to send the child to a dentist for optimal caries prophylaxis at the start of antidepressant treatment.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000118257

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1986

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Three principally different antidepressant drugs – amitriptyline (with effects on both noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake), maprotiline (a selective inhibitor of reuptake of noradrenaline) and zimelidine (a selective inhibitor of reuptake of serotonin) were tested after a single dose and, as concerns maprotiline and zimelidine, after long-term use in healthy volunteers as regards the effects on saliva secretion rate and saliva composition. Amitriptyline gave a strong decrease in both unstimulated and stimulated saliva secretion rate, indicating a strong anticholinergic effect, and a strong increase in the activity of amylase and the content of protein, fucose and hexose in saliva, indicating a strong agonistic effect on noradrenaline transmission. Maprotiline gave an intermediate decrease in saliva secretion rate, and the effect remained after 14 days of treatment. Single doses gave increases in saliva amylase activity and protein content. After 14 days this effect was increased, and there was also a pronounced increase in fucose and hexose content indicating a strong agonistic effect on noradrenaline transmission. Zimelidine gave a low decrease in saliva secretion rate, indicating a mild anticholinergic effect. No certain effect on the saliva composition could be settled after a single dose, but after 14 days there were consistent increases in amylase activity and protein, fucose and hexose content, indicating a facilitation of noradrenaline transmission. Zimelidine as well as its active metabolite, norzimelidine, are selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake. The action of zimelidine is discussed in view of recent hypotheses about a modulating serotoninergic influence on the noradrenergic syste

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000118258

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1986

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

Plasma prolactin (PRL) levels were measured before and 1, 2 and 4 h after oral administration of sulpiride (SPR) (2 mg/kg) in 91 healthy individuals (56 males and 35 females) and 36 patients with mental depression (15 males and 21 females). The identical measurements were conducted during remission in 16 available patients (9 males and 7 females) for comparison of the values during the depression and remission. During remission, the PRL values (lower in males and higher in females than the normal values), were closer to those of healthy subjects than they were during depression.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000118259

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1986

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

In this report, the clinical efficacy of specific neuroleptics in infantile autism was related to the degree to which they bind to different classes of neurotransmitter receptors and calcium channels in brain. Based upon available receptor-binding data, predictions were made regarding the efficacy of neuroleptics which have not yet been studied in this disorder. Future selection of potentially effective agents should be based upon a pharmacological rationale.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000118260

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1986

数据来源: Karger

摘要:

In addition to the hormonal action of corticotropin (ACTH) on the adrenal cortex, this peptide and fragments of it may function as chemical signals in CNS synapses. This report reviews studies on behavioral and psychophysiological effects of ACTH-related neuropeptides. Experiments will be emphasized which applied EEG techniques for the measurement of peptide-induced changes on aspects of information processing in man. It is proposed to conceptualize the pattern of actions of ACTH-related neuropeptides as a blocking of suppressive functions occurring, for example, during habituation or selective attention. Disinhibitory effects mediated by structures of the limbic system may be responsible for repeatedly observed improvements of sustained attention, but impairments of selective attention following the administration of ACTH-related neuropeptides. Under the influence of these peptides the attention is more easily attracted by stimuli, irrespective of their relevance.

ISSN:0302-282X    

DOI:10.1159/000118261

出版商:S. Karger AG    

年代:1986

数据来源: Karger