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Biomedical subjects

E Shufman

Publications and source records attributed to E Shufman.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Depersonalization after withdrawal from cannabis usage].

The phenomenon of depersonalization during cannabis usage (intoxication) is commonly known. However, its appearance after drug stoppage is relatively unknown. This article reviews the literature on depersonalization after cannabis withdrawal and discusses three representing cases demonstrating the severity of the problem. Clinical features are described as well as effects on functioning and the long-term nature of this disorder. The treatment approach in each case is also presented.

Anxiety Disorders↗
PubMed2002

[Cerebral and physical risks associated with cannabis use].

This article summarize the results of research studies that indicate that the accepting, permissive approach to cannabis use is not justified. After theoretical introduction and a discussion of the forms currently available, we review research and epidemiological surveys demoting the effects of cannabis on various body systems. The deleterious effects associated with cannabis use and its derivatives are discussed.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2001

LSD-induced Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder treated with clonazepam: two case reports.

Benzodiazepines are recommended for the treatment of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), although it is unclear which may be more helpful. Two out-patients with LSD-induced HPPD were successfully treated with clonazepam. They had not responded to low potency benzodiazepines or low doses of classic antipsychotics. After clonazepam discontinuation they reported a marked improvement and only mild symptomatology which persisted during a six month follow-up period. High potency benzodiazepines like clonazepam, which has serotonergic properties, may be superior to low-potency benzodiazepines in the treatment of some patients with LSD-induced HPPD.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Confirmation of an excess of the high enzyme activity COMT val allele in heroin addicts in a family-based haplotype relative risk study.

A previous case control study by Vandenbergh et al. [1997: Am J Med Genet 74:439-442] showed an association between the high activity catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) polymorphism and polysubstance abuse in a group of North American subjects. In the current study we confirm these results by genotyping 38 Israeli heroin addicts and both parents using a robust family-based haplotype relative risk (HRR) strategy. There is an excess of the val COMT allele (likelihood ratio = 4.48, P = 0.03) and a trend for an excess of the val/val COMT genotype (likelihood ratio = 4.97, P = 0.08, 2 df) in the heroin addicts compared to the HRR control group. We also genotyped an additional 101 nonrelated heroin addicts and 126 control subjects using a case control design and found no significant difference in COMT val allele frequency (25.4% vs. 29.7%, likelihood ratio = 1.04, P = 0.31). A significant difference is observed in COMT allele frequency among the three principal Israeli ethnic groups (Ashkenazi Jewish, non-Ashkenazi Jewish, and Palestinian Arab) in a large group of control subjects we have so far examined (chi-square = 7.9, P = 0.019, df = 2, n = 1,422 alleles) suggesting that population stratification is responsible for our failure to observe an excess of the COMT val allele when using the case-control design.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

[Drug abuse among patients requiring psychiatric hospitalization].

We assessed the incidence of drug abuse among patients requiring psychiatric hospitalization, and characterized the population at risk. The data on drug abuse were obtained from self-reports and urine tests in 103 patients, aged 18-65, hospitalized in the Kfar Shaul Psychiatric Hospital (autumn 1998). There was close correspondence between the self-reports and the results obtained from urine tests. 1/3 admitted to having used illegal drugs and signs of drug abuse were found in about 1/4 of the urine tests. The most prevalent drugs were cannabis products (hashish and/or marijuana) and in 15 patients opiates. Drug users were younger than non-users. With regard to psychiatric symptomatology, fewer negative symptoms were recorded among cannabis abusers with schizophrenia, compared to schizophrenic patients with no history, past or present, of cannabis abuse. The present findings confirm the clinical impression that there has been an increase in drug abuse among mental patients, parallel to that found in society at large. Confirmatory surveys are necessary. Our findings clearly suggest that a change in attitude has occurred in Israel to what has been considered a marginal problem. Hospitalized mentally-ill patients, the younger in particular, should be considered at risk for drug abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Cannabis--a drug with dangerous implications for mental health].

Accepting and forgiving attitudes to the use of cannabis in its various forms, such as marijuana or hashish, are not justified, as they may result in dangerous mental health consequences. A theoretical framework for this opinion is provided, including information on the various forms of cannabis available. Case studies presented exemplify possible complications resulting from use of cannabis or its derivatives.

Cannabis↗
PubMed1997

Taste- and odor-reactivity in heroin addicts.

Opiates in general, and heroin in particular, are known to induce compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior. Addiction is accompanied by psychobiological processes which may distort perception of sensory stimuli. Gustatory and olfactory stimuli are hedonically polarized and therefore most appropriate for the assessment of the organism's reactivity to "useful" and "harmful" chemosensory events. Previous studies revealed that psychophysical self-estimates and reflectory facial expressions mirror with comparable reliability the hedonics of the perceived taste and odor sensations. In the present study both cognitive verbal and reflectory facial expressions of a group of: a) heroin addicts were recorded and compared to those of a group of b) detoxified former addicts and to c) a group of matching controls. Results show that all three groups differentiate between pleasant, indifferent and aversive tastes and odors. Active addicts estimated sweet taste and savory smells as being somewhat more pleasant, and bitter and sour tastes and a putrid odor as less unpleasant than did the other two groups. The reflectory facial displays of addicts were less expressive and discriminative than those of the two other groups. Taste- and odor-induced facial displays are known to be controlled primarily by the brainstem. The findings indicate that heroin-addiction affects brain-mechanisms, which mirror taste- and odor-hedonics. Modulation of the phylogenetically ancient, sensory-motor coordinations was found to be of a different pattern than that of the cortically-controlled cognitive reactions.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Electro-encephalography spectral analysis of heroin addicts compared with abstainers and normal controls.

UNLABELLED: Previous studies have shown that opiates slow the EEG and, in high doses, reduce the threshold of seizure activity. The present work looks at computerized EEG analyses (in the Fast Fourier Transform-FFT-method) of heroin addicts, recent abstainers and normal controls, with the aim of comparison and delineation of group characteristics. Examinations of 60 taped EEG recordings were performed: 20 subjects were current heroin users, 20 were recent abstainers and 20 were normal controls. Statistical analysis was performed for the relative frequency of wave bands. To amplify the known findings of slowing in heroin users, specific ratios were calculated: the alpha ratio (namely, the 8.0-9.5 Hz to 9.5-12.0 Hz ratio) and the delta to low alpha ratio. The specificity and sensitivity of the FFT method were evaluated through the use of discriminant analysis. The EEG was also recorded on conventional paper and evaluated by a neurologist. RESULTS: The addicts had a higher alpha ratio. The abstainers had a slowing of their alpha waves, a high incidence of delta waves and a delta to low alpha ratio that was relatively high. As a function of time from the beginning of abstinence, this ratio decreased. Abstainers for more than 80 days and controls had identical EEGs. The FFT method had 50% sensitivity for the addicts and 70% for the abstainers, while the specificity was 55%. In contrast, the neurologist's reading of the EEG had a very low sensitivity (25% for the addicts, 30% for the abstainers and 20% for the controls) and a 70% specificity.

Adult↗