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Biomedical subjects

B K Toone

Publications and source records attributed to B K Toone.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Post-ictal psychoses. A clinical and phenomenological description.

Post-ictal psychoses have so far received little attention. The clinical details of 14 cases, diagnosed according to newly formulated criteria, were examined. Psychoses were usually precipitated by a run of seizures and occurred after a lucid interval. The seizures were partial complex with secondary generalisation in 11 cases. Catego analysis of the Present State Examination confirmed pleomorphic phenomenology. Follow-up details were available in all cases, for up to eight years. Psychoses tended to recur. Similarities with chronic epileptic psychosis are discussed, and a possible organic aetiology for post-ictal psychosis is proposed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

S-adenosylmethionine and affective disorder.

Several open and double-blind studies suggest that SAMe may have an anti-depressant effect, and further studies are indicated. SAMe may exert a beneficial effect selectively on endogenous rather than neurotic depression. SAMe crosses the blood-brain barrier. SAMe is involved in several central enzyme pathways relating to transmethylation and folate and monoamine metabolism as well as in membrane function and neuro-transmission. The neuropharmacology of SAMe's effect on mood and the switch mechanism has yet to be fully explored. The actions of SAMe on the dopaminergic system are as yet unclear. SAMe is a physiologic substance that is non-toxic and relatively free of severe side effects (with the exception of mania, which may be a manifestation of the basic mood disorder.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMed1986

Computerized tomographic scan changes in early schizophrenia--preliminary findings.

Thirty patients who fulfilled DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia but who were within 2 years of presentation were compared with 26 age-matched normal volunteers with respect to CT scan appearances. In the index group the ventricle-brain ratio (VBR) was significantly greater. The VBR values were positively correlated with average alcohol intake and with early physical trauma, and negatively correlated with a family history of schizophrenia. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of the present uncertainty about the meaning of CT scan findings in schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Attitudes to psychiatry in doctors at the end of their first post-graduate year: two-year follow-up of a cohort of medical students.

The significantly favourable changes in medical students' general attitudes to psychiatry which we found after their 8-week clerkship in psychiatry and at the end of their clinical curriculum were not maintained at the end of their first post-graduate year. Three of their specific attitudes to psychiatry changed significantly in an unfavourable direction over this 2-year period. Our findings suggest that, while favourable changes in students' specific attitudes to psychiatry can be found following a clerkship, these attitudes do not seem to endure and, in some cases, they later become less favourable. The results are discussed with reference to the relationships between undergraduate medical training in psychiatry, attitudes to psychiatry, and subsequent career choice, particularly general practice.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1986

Affective illness and S-adenosyl methionine: a preliminary report.

S-Adenosyl methionine may well have an antidepressant action beyond a placebo effect but this is virtually confined to endogenous depression. This should be subjected to further study. Our own double-blind placebo-controlled study is still incomplete. The indications are that SAM specifically affects folate, dopamine, and serotonin metabolism as well as activating and switching brain mechanisms. This suggests exciting prospects for further investigations. SAM is a nontoxic physiological metabolite virtually free of side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Sexual behaviour in a centre for epilepsy.

The sexual behaviour and hormonal profiles in 97 patients with chronic epilepsy from an epilepsy centre were studied. Sexual behaviour relating to numbers of sexual contacts, orgasms, spontaneous erections, and early morning erections, whether there was difficulty in obtaining or maintaining an erection, or in ejaculation, was assessed at interview. Hormonal profiles consisted of LH, FSH, prolactin, total testosterone, free testosterone, and SHBG. Information was obtained relating to type of seizure, seizure frequency, age of onset, likely pathology, IQ, and medication. The study showed that this patient group was profoundly hyposexual and had a high level of sexual dysfunction. Serum free testosterone levels were low, and it is suggested that the high level of sexual dysfunction and lack of sexual interest may well have a hormonal basis. The reasons for this are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Methylation and mood.

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) has antidepressant properties. The commonest neuropsychiatric complication of severe folate deficiency is depression. These independent observations suggest that methylation in the nervous system may underlie the expression of mood and related processes and may be implicated in some affective disorders; suggest new biological approaches to the understanding and treatment of some affective disorders; and may explain why methionine sometimes aggravates schizophrenia.

Anemia, Megaloblastic↗
PubMed1983

Medical students' attitudes to psychiatry at the end of the clinical curriculum.

The significantly favourable changes in medical students' general attitude to psychiatry and intention to specialize in the subject, which we found after an 8-week psychiatric clerkship, were maintained one year later, at the time of the students' M.B., B.S. examinations. However, of 18 specific attitudes to psychiatry, only one changed significantly overall - fewer students agreed that 'psychiatrists are held in poor regard by most other doctors'. Contrary to other reports, these preliminary findings suggest that a psychiatric clerkship may be followed by stable attitudes and intent towards the specialty.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1983

Medical students' attitudes to psychiatry.

A questionnaire was developed to elicit medical students' attitudes to psychiatry. All 94 second year clinical students at a London teaching hospital completed the instrument before and after an 8-week psychiatric clerkship. Although two-thirds of the sample had mixed feelings about psychiatry initially, by the end of the clerkship the students' general attitude to psychiatry had changed significantly in a favourable direction. Analysis of 18 specific attitudes to psychiatry revealed that the students' first responses showed anticipatory bias and lack of uniformity. Later, however, only two specific attitudes had changed significantly: more students agreed that 'problems presented by psychiatric patients are often particularly interesting and challenging', and more of them disagreed with the statement that 'psychiatric patients, generally speaking, are not easy to like'. The sexes differed on one attitude; more males than females agreed that 'psychiatry is too inexact; it seems to lack a proper scientific basis'. Finally, the proportion of students who considered the possibility of specializing in psychiatry rose from 6 to 17% during the clerkship. The students' reasons for or against such a career are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Sex hormones, sexual activity and plasma anticonvulsant levels in male epileptics.

Testosterone, LH, FSH, PRL, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in 72 male epileptic patients on chronic anticonvulsant drug regimes. Sexual activity was estimated and plasma anticonvulsants measured. Total testosterone (TT), LH, FSH, PRL, and SHBG were increased; free testosterone (FT) was decreased. Sexual activity appeared diminished particularly in relation to reduced FT.

Adolescent↗