Biomedical subjects

C Pacchierotti

Publications and source records attributed to C Pacchierotti.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Melatonin in psychiatric disorders: a review on the melatonin involvement in psychiatry.

In normal subjects, the secretion of melatonin, the pineal hormone that regulates the rhythm of many functions, exhibits a circadian pattern synchronized with the day-night cycle. An alteration of this secretory pattern has been found in various psychiatric disorders (seasonal affective disorder, bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, bulimia, anorexia, schizophrenia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder). At present, it is not known if such alterations have an etiological role or are secondary to the dysfunctions underlying the different disorders. In addition, we do not know if the involvement of melatonin in several disorders has the same significance in the pathophysiology of each disorder. An understanding of the role of the pineal hormone and of its alterations in psychiatric diseases could help to identify the biological mechanisms underlying such disorders.

Circadian Rhythm↗

PubMed2001

Electroretinogram B-wave amplitude in panic disorder.

Abnormal light-related behaviors have been described for patients with panic disorder (PD). The present study was undertaken to investigate the retinal light response in PD using electroretinography (ERG). The authors conducted b-wave ERG measurements with a bright light (after dark adaptation) in 28 patients with PD and 28 control subjects. There were no significant differences in the mean b-wave amplitude between the two groups, but the retinal response to light in PD patients was generally lower than in healthy subjects. A large interindividual variability was found; also noted was a significant difference in the mean b-wave amplitude between the right and left eyes in the control group. The data indicate subtle variation of retinal photosensitivity in a subgroup of patients with PD. Because dopaminergic retinal activity affects b-ERG amplitude, the authors hypothesize that the dopaminergic system is involved in the response to light in PD patients.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Season of birth in panic disorder.

Several studies have investigated the seasonal distribution of the birth dates of patients with psychiatric diseases. Our purpose was to verify if there is a specific distribution (by month) of birth dates in subjects with panic disorder (PD). The birth dates of 843 outpatients with a diagnosis of PD were compared with those of 1,181 subjects with other mental diseases. The birth dates of psychiatric patients were compared to those of the general Tuscane and Italian populations. The monthly distribution of birth in patients with PD (with and without comorbidity) peaked in September to December, while no relevant deviation in birth rate was observed in other mental diseases. Our results suggest a pathogenic role of birth seasonality in the development of PD.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Season of birth in psychiatry. A review.

Numerous studies suggest that seasonal birth may play a pathogenic role in the development of mental disorders. A birth excess of 10% during winter and spring has been shown in schizophrenia. The few studies carried out on affective disorders revealed a significant increase of births in the first quarter of the year in bipolar disorders and major depressive disorder. Subjects with seasonal affective disorder show a peak of births in May. Data on personality, eating and 'neurotic' disorders are less consistent. At the moment there are no data in the literature about anxiety disorders.

Autistic Disorder↗