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F M Ferro

Publications and source records attributed to F M Ferro.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
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The role of C-reactive protein in mood disorders.

Recently, a possible relationship between C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a marker of underlying low-grade inflammation, and mood disorders has been proposed by some researchers. The aim of this review is to elucidate the current facts and views about CRP in mood disorders such as Depressive and Bipolar Disorders. Several studies have examined the relationship between affective disorders and CRP, but the majority of the studies in literature have been limited by retrospective, case-controlled study design, and very few studies have examined the relationship between depression and CRP in large study samples. In conclusion, the role of CRP in mood disorders is, to date, intriguing but somewhat unclear. Further prospective studies are needed to introduce the CRP in clinical settings as a marker of affective states and suicidability.

C-Reactive Protein↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neuropathological study of a case of progressive familial myoclonic epilepsy (author's transl)].

We previously reported (Europ, Neurol., 3, 347-364, 1970) on two clinical observations of progressive myoclonus epilepsy in the same family. Now, we complete the clinical study showing the neuropathological findings concerning one of the two patients who died at the age of twenty. Degenerative neuronal alterations were found involving the olivo-cerebello-rubral system and, in a minor degree, the brain stem and thalamic structures. No Lafora bodies were found. These pathological features make it possible to suggest a differentiation from a first group of progressive myoclonus epilepsy (Unverricht-Lundborg) and another group (with epileptic manifestations) of dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica (Ramsay Hunt). We agree with the suggestion of other authors that it is difficult to establish precise differentiations between these groups at neuropathological level. We think however that the distinction is still possible on the basis of the clinical picture. Our observations cupport the hypothesis that our patient is an "abiotrophic" case of Unverricth-Lundborg syndrome, as we previously had suggested on clinical and especially neurophysiological findings.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Flunitrazepam a benzodiazepine most used among drug abusers.

Flunitrazepam (FZ) is a sedative/hypnotic nitro-benzodiazepine. This drug has been accepted by both patients and physicians and in the last 20 years flunitrazepam has been included and studied in many clinical trials so, in many countries, flunitrazepam is one of the most prescribed hypnotic. Since 1980 it has been found that FZ began to be a popular drug among drug abusers all over the word. However, little is known about the difference between Fz and other Benzodiazepines in capacity to produce physiologic dependence or in ability to produce drug taking or drug seeking behaviour. Flunitrazepam has little risk of abuse by the vast majority of patients; however when the drug is taken i. v. or intranasally, its effect is much faster and risk of abuse is much greater. In this report we examine the reasons why some populations of drug abusers prefer flunitrazepam over the other benzodiazepines.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Relational models and psychopathology of epileptics in a group-psychotherapy perspective (author's transl)].

Epileptic patients show a large range of psychopathologic manifestations, both from a qualitative point of view (even with an exact reference to the nature and the site of lesion) and from a quantitative point of view (from the so-called characterial attitude to the psychotic developments). Perhaps all these alterations of psychiatric interest have a common denominator because, after all, they arise from the sum of two essential moments: the experience of the critical event on the one hand, and the interactive network between the patient and those who are present to his critical manifestations on the other. In particular this complex relational psychopathology needs several therapeutic interventions which are to be complementary and concordant so that they may give satisfactory results of psychosocial reinsertion. We think that the model of intervention to be preferred for its effectiveness is that drawn from group-psychotherapy tecniques: the model in which "psychoanalysis meets sociology (Foulkes) seems to be particularly specific to this problem because it concerns the microsocial and investigates (and, by means of the conduction, it resolves) distorted ways of communication and conflictual dynamic interactions. We followed some epileptics in the group-community of the neurological department of a general hospital (of course with other mental, not epileptic, patients). These preliminary studies lead us to point out the theoretical reasons and the practical justifications of such possible management of the psychological manifestations of epileptic patients.

Adult↗