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Biomedical subjects

C Maggini

Publications and source records attributed to C Maggini.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

TRH test in alcoholics: relationship of the endocrine results with neuroradiological and neuropsychological findings.

Neuroradiological, neuropsychological and neuroendocrine parameters were evaluated in 20 non-depressed alcoholic men after 4 weeks (N = 11) or after at least 1 year (N = 9) of abstinence from alcohol and in normal men (N = 9). With regard to normal controls, 4-week abstinent alcoholics showed larger lateral and third ventricles, without modification in the number of cerebral sulci, and altered scores of tests evaluating subcortical and frontal function. Furthermore, in these patients the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and PRL (prolactin) responses to thyrotropin releasing hormone were higher than in controls, suggesting a reduced hypothalamic control of TSH and PRL secretion. Taken together, these findings suggest the presence of a frontal-subcortical disorder in alcoholics. Patients who had been abstinent from alcohol for at least 1 year were not distinguishable from controls for neuroradiological, neuropsychological and neuroendocrine findings, suggesting that the alcohol-related brain alterations are reversible after a long period of abstinence.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Chronic depressions (author's transl)].

The definition of chronic depression necessarily calls for a review of the concept of recovery which in psychopathology is not clearly and univocally defined. The percentage of chronic evolution among depressive patients either as a persistence of depressive symptoms or as an impairment of social and professional role, ranges from 12 to 15%. Chronic depression raises psychopathologic and nosographic problems as well as clinical ones. In fact chronic depressives are often not correctly diagnosed, inadequately treated and destined to be affected by an over increasing inability. The chronic evolution of depression may result as a concurrence of several factors: a neurotic personality, an inadequate antidepressant maintenance treatment, an inappropriated use of minor tranquillizers as the only treatment. The occurrence of physical impairement, the continuous nature of depression and the resistance of antidepressant treatment may be also considered. Moreover the psychodynamic mechanisms aroused by the depressive experience and the secondary advantages of the illness may plan an effective role maintaining depressive symptomatology.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed1978

Controlled double-blind trial of camazepam, a new benzodiazepine derivative, versus chlordiazepoxide.

31 in-patients with anxiety entered at random in a double-blind clinical trial of chlordiazepoxide and camazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative. They were assessed by three different rating scales. Statistical evaluation of the results showed similar psychopharmacological activity of both drugs. It is concluded that camazepam is suitable for treatment of mild and severe anxiety states.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1976

An integrated approach for the evaluation of psychotropic drug in man. I. Studies on amphetamine. Relationship between drug levels and psychophysiological measurements.

Following an integrated approach based on the contemporary recording of drug plasma levels, central (CNS) and peripheral responses and performance tests, the effects of two different amphetamine formulations were evaluated in healthy volunteers. Interesting relationships were observed between amphetamine initial rate of entry into the blood stream and both incidence of side effects (S.E.) and rise in arterial blood pressure. Minimal thresholds for CNS (5 ng/ml) and peripheral (20 ng/ml) effects could also be determined. It appeared also that the personality of the subject may have some bearing on both incidence of side effects and performance. The described methodology seems valuable in valuating psychotropic drug effects in man through a comprehensive integrated approach.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

An automated diagnostic process (PDA) in clinical psychopharmacology. An exemplification of its use in a sulpiride versus haloperidol comparative trial.

One of the main unsolved problems, and one which produces divergent results in clinical psychopharmacology, is that concerning the selection of patients and their diagnostic definition. An automated diagnostic procedure (PDA) was set up in order to classify each patient into one nosographic category on the basis of a cross-sectional examination of his mental state. Such diagnostic procedure appears particularly suitable for multicenter drug trials, since it gives a profile and a diagnostic definition of patients, assessed by investigators from different areas and with different cultural, and clinical backgrounds. In a multicenter trial (sulpiride versus haloperidol) PDA offered a chance to re-examine and analyze the characteristics of each patient and therefore to control the criteria followed for the sample selection in the various experimental settings. The agreement between clinician and computer diagnosis was 78.9%; this agreement rises to 85.5% if the computerlabelled schizo-affective syndromes are considered within the schizophrenic group. Moreover, and attempt has been made to relate psychopathological patterns to drug responses.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychological and physiopathological study on coronary patients.

In this paper the AA have tried to define the relationship between psychopathological characteristics or symptoms and angina attacks in coronary patients. The research plan was agreed upon and carried out as a collaborative program between psychiatrists and internists with the goal of reaching a more comprehensive approach to the psychosomatic patient. In 20 patients suffering from nocturnal angina attacks the polygraphic sleep recording was performed; 10 of them received psychodiagnostic examination (MMPI). In 8 cases during sleep recordings hemodynamic monitoring was also performed. The MMPI data were compared with 82 other individuals who had myocardial infarction (56 ss) and diurnal angina (26 ss) and 34 control subjects without cardiac disease. The results show that the sleep patterns were strongly affected and the most relevant alterations were recorded during the nights with ischemic episodes. No significant correlations were found between ischemic episodes and sleep stages. In no instance did the hemodynamic monitoring show an increase in the parameters related to myocardial oxygen consumption. The psychological data showed that the most severe symptomatology was observed in the nocturnal angina patients where the disease seems to be mostly related to a functional pathogenic mechanism.

Adolescent↗