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Biomedical subjects

A K Pandurangi

Publications and source records attributed to A K Pandurangi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Schizophrenic symptoms and deterioration. Relation to computed tomographic findings.

Thirty-two patients with a research diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia were studied using structured clinical scales for premorbid adjustment, clinical symptomatology, and social deterioration. By computed axial tomography (CAT), ventricle-brain ratio (VBR) and cortical atrophy were assessed. The relation between the clinical variables and CAT findings was assessed using linear correlation. CAT-based subgroups were compared using univariate analysis of variance. Previous findings of ventricular enlargement and cortical atrophy in some schizophrenics were replicated. Premorbid asociality and social deterioration were found to have a modest, positive relation with CAT findings but formal thought disorder had a negative relation to ventricle size. There was no relation between the negative symptoms and CAT measures. Within the CAT-positive group the presence of cortical atrophy appeared to be associated with a more severe illness compared with those with ventricular enlargement but the sample sizes were too small to obtain any significant differences.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Relative utility of three indices of neuropsychological impairment in a young, chronic schizophrenic population.

The complete Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale were administered to 20 young, male, chronic schizophrenics. Three commonly used indices of neuropsychological impairment were calculated and compared. Although all three indices were similar in separating computerized axial tomography normal from abnormal patients, statistical significance was achieved only with the Halstead Impairment Index. Thus, the easier-to-obtain Halstead Impairment Index appears to be at least as good as, and possibly better than, the more-difficult-to-obtain indices of Percent of Ratings within the Impaired Range and the Average Impairment Rating. Reasons for these findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

A comprehensive study of chronic schizophrenic patients. I. Quantitative computed tomography: cerebral density, ventricle and sulcal measures.

Based on recent computed tomography (CT) studies that have suggested the presence of distinct structural abnormalities in the brains of chronic schizophrenics, the authors evaluated 23 chronic schizophrenics and 23 controls by CT, using linear and area lateral ventricular measures, sulcal and Sylvian fissure widths and cerebral density measures. Technical problems inherent in CT studies and their impact on the use of data generated by such studies are discussed. Although there were few differences between groups, there emerged a distinct subgroup of schizophrenic patients with mild lateral ventricle enlargement associated with increased cortical density. The possible etiopathology for this atypical combination is discussed, including the striking parallels with a recent neuropathological study's findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

A comprehensive study of chronic schizophrenic patients. II: Biological, neuropsychological, and clinical correlates of CT abnormality.

There are numerous reports of lateral cerebral ventricle enlargement on computed tomography (CT) in schizophrenics, but the significance and its relationship to traditional notions of organicity remain unclear. Therefore we studied a subgroup of chronic schizophrenics who had lateral ventriculomegaly (and also cortical hyperdensity) on a battery of relevant biological, neuro-psychological, and clinical parameters such as electroencephalogram (EEG), platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) and serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity, the Halstead Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRB), premorbid personality adjustment, drug response, positive and negative symptoms, employment history, and family history. Our findings support the notion that there is an "organic" subgroup of schizophrenia that has 1) CT structural abnormalities such as lateral ventricle enlargement and cortical hyperdensity; and cerebral dysfunction or deficits as evidenced by 2) an increased incidence of abnormal EEGs and also 3) greater impairment on neuropsychological tests. The biochemical measures, platelet MAO and serum DBH activity, nor any of the clinical measures could differentiate between the subgroups. The implications of these findings for the subtyping of schizophrenia are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Symptomatic and neuropsychological components of defect states.

The distinction between positive and negative symptoms has gained prominence in schizophrenia research, but the construct has not been unequivocally validated. The authors report preliminary findings of investigations in which symptomatic and neuropsychological assessments were conducted in a sample of 32 chronic schizophrenic inpatients. Three distinct clusters of symptoms were identified in correlative analyses. One cluster of symptoms (alogia, attentional impairment, positive formal though disorder, and bizarre behavior) appeared to reflect primarily a disorganization of though independent of current definitions of the positive/negative symptom construct. A second cluster of symptoms (affective flattening, avolition/apathy, and anhedonia) appeared to reflect predominantly blunting of affect and volition. A third cluster (delusions, hallucinations, and "breadth of psychosis") seemed to represent only the florid psychotic features. The first and (to a lesser extent) second clusters of symptoms were selectively associated with neuropsychological impairment. The patterns of neuropsychological deficits correlated with the first cluster of symptoms appeared to be consistent with a process characterized by failure in the development of a normal repertoire of cognitive abilities. It is suggested that the "defect state" may not be a monothetic construct, and that within the domain of "type II" schizophrenia, disturbances of thought may be distinguished from those of affect and motivation.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Are schizophrenics with abnormal dexamethasone suppression test results a distinct subgroup?

Nonsuppression on the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in schizophrenics has been reported by three independent groups. To elucidate the significance of this finding a schizophrenic cohort was tested on a wide range of parameters: computed tomography (CT), electroencephalography (EEG), the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRB), platelet monoamine oxidase activity (MAO), serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase levels (DBH), premorbid personality adjustment, response to medication and family history of mental illness. Our results indicate that DST nonsuppressing and DST suppressing schizophrenics are no different on any of these measures, lending support to the notion that DST nonsuppression in schizophrenics is a random and changing event.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The ventricular system in chronic schizophrenic patients. A controlled computed tomography study.

Twenty-three chronic schizophrenic patients and 23 controls, all males between 20 and 40 years of age, were evaluated by CT scan. The lateral, third and fourth ventricles, the Sylvian fissures, and the largest sulcus from each of the frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes, were measured in order to determine whether the previously reported ventriculomegaly in schizophrenics was perhaps due to a disturbance of CSF flow or to atrophy, two common causes of ventricular enlargement. We found that in the schizophrenic group the third and fourth ventricles and both Sylvian fissures were significantly enlarged, but not the lateral ventricles or cerebral sulci. Our data suggest that these ventricular changes are not due to a disturbance of CSF flow or to cerebral atrophy. Other possible explanations are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

False-positive dexamethasone suppression test results related to antipsychotic drug withdrawal: case report.

A nonmelancholic schizophrenic patient showed a positive dexamethasone suppression test (DST) 3 days after antipsychotic drug withdrawal. The patient was then put on a stable dose of the antipsychotic and a repeat DST showed normal suppression. The drug was again stopped, and 3 days later a DST was positive. This indicates that antipsychotic withdrawal may lead to false-positive DST results. The theoretical implications and clinical relevance of this finding are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Cerebellar morphology in chronic schizophrenic patients: a controlled computed tomography study.

Simple, objective, linear, and density measures were used to evaluate by computed tomography (CT) the cerebellum-fourth ventricular region of 23 chronic schizophrenic patients and 23 normal controls. Our data suggest that a subgroup of chronic schizophrenic patients have cerebellar atrophy associated with a strong but nonsignificant trend toward increased cerebellar density. The implications of these findings are discussed in view of previous CT and neuropathological studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Central brain morphology in chronic schizophrenic patients: a controlled CT study.

A comprehensive quantitative computed tomography (CT) study of the diencephalic region of 23 chronic schizophrenic patients and 23 normal controls was done. The third ventricle width, the Sylvian fissure widths, and the densities of the head of the caudate nucleus, thalamic nucleus, and medial temporal lobe were measured. In the schizophrenic patients, there was a significant increase in third ventricle and Sylvian fissure widths and a significantly greater density of both periventricular nuclei. The several explanations for this atypical association of atrophy with greater density are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Reactive psychosis. A prospective study.

A prospective study was carried out on 30 patients suffering from a psychotic episode following a stressful life event. They were found to have an Emotional, Timid, Sensitive, Tense and Insecure personality. Sleep disturbance, Affective symptoms, Histrionic behaviour and Excitement were the common clinical features. Sixty-six per cent were found to be clinically and socially remitted during a 6 months' follow-up. For 20% the diagnosis was revised to Affective Psychosis and for 10% to Schizophrenia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Caudate atrophy in irreversible tardive dyskinesia (a pneumoencephalographic study).

Pneumoencephalography done under standard conditions on 5 patients with tardive dyskinesia and 3 matched controls revealed evidence of caudate atrophy in 3 of the dyskinetic patients. The same 3 patients proved refractory to treatment of their dyskinesia. It is concluded that tardive dyskinesia is a heterogenous entity with some patients having irreversible dyskinesia and exhibiting radiologically demonstrable damage.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

A comparative study of reactive psychosis and acute psychosis without precipitating stress.

A study was carried out to compare the antecedent factors, phenomenology, treatment required and prognosis in 30 cases of Reactive Psychosis and 30 cases of Acute Psychosis without antecedent stress, matched on age and sex. Both groups were followed up for 7 months. It was found that the two groups differed markedly on several dimensions: The Reactive Psychotics had more hysterical and affective features, more vulnerable personality, higher stress experience in their life prior to illness and relatively better prognosis compared to the Acute Psychotics. The difference still remained when those in either of the groups who at the end of the follow-up turned out to be schizophrenics or suffering from affective disorder were excluded from analysis.

Acute Disease↗