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Biomedical subjects

G Eikmeier

Publications and source records attributed to G Eikmeier.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PINV--topography and primary negative symptoms in chronic schizophrenia.

PINV was recorded during a warned reaction time paradigm in 16 chronic schizophrenics in remission. Clinical symptoms were assessed by BPRS, SANS, and the anhedonia scale of the Chapman Questionnaire. Ten healthy controls were studied in the same manner. Over the frontocentral area we found a significantly elevated PINV amplitude with an altered topographical distribution in the patient group. The difference values "PINVCz-PINVFz" were correlated negatively with primary negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Adult↗

Altered fronto-central PINV topography and the primary negative syndrome in schizophrenia.

Postimperative negative variation (PINV) was recorded during a warned reaction time paradigm in 16 chronic DSM-IIIR schizophrenics in remission. Clinical symptoms were assessed by BPRS, SANS and the anhedonia scale of the Chapman Questionnaire. Ten healthy controls were studied in the same manner. Over the fronto-central area we found a significantly elevated PINV amplitude with an altered topographical distribution in the patient group. The difference values 'PINV Cz-PINV Fz' were correlated negatively with primary negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Adult↗

Postimperative negative variation and skin conductance response in chronic DSM-III-R schizophrenia.

The hypothesis was tested that there are relationships between schizophrenic negative or deficit symptoms, the skin conductance nonresponding and an elevated amplitude of the postimperative negative variation (PINV). These variables were recorded in 16 chronic schizophrenics and 10 healthy controls. Clinical symptoms were assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire 3 and Chapman Questionnaire. In the patient group we found a significantly elevated PINV at Fz. Surprisingly, only one patient was a skin conductance nonresponder. PINV amplitude at Fz and the number of skin conductance responses to habituation were not correlated with negative or deficit symptoms inclding anhedonia. The hypothesis thus had to be rejected.

Adult↗

[Central anticholinergic intoxication syndrome. A contribution to the differential diagnosis of exogenous psychoses].

A withdrawal syndrome in a 50-year-old alcoholic subsided within 5 days in response to treatment with doxepin (150 mg/d). But 2 days later he developed auditory hallucinations which were interpreted as alcohol hallucinations, for which he was additionally given haloperidol, 15 mg/d. He then developed early dyskinesia which was treated with 5 mg biperiden i.v. followed by twice 2 mg/d by mouth, while doxepin and haloperidol were continued. 5 days after detoxification there occurred, under this combination of drugs which included two with marked anticholinergic action, an anticholinergic intoxication syndrome characterized by restlessness, optical hallucinations, dysarthritic speech, mydriasis, urinary retention, fever, tachycardia and red, dry skin. After all previous drugs had been discontinued and clomethiazole started, the intoxication syndrome began to regress within 3 days. The case demonstrates the need to consider a central anticholinergic syndrome, which could end fatally, as a possible cause of otherwise unexplained delirium.

Akathisia, Drug-Induced↗

A double-blind comparative multicentre study of controlled-release remoxipride, immediate-release remoxipride and haloperidol in schizophrenia.

A double-blind multicentre study comparing the efficacy and safety of remoxipride in controlled-release formulation (REM-CR), given once a day, and immediate-release formulation (REM-IR) and haloperidol, given twice daily, was conducted in patients with schizophrenic illness. In total, 150 inpatients were randomized: 49, 51 and 50 in the REM-CR, REM-IR, and haloperidol groups, respectively. The mean daily dose of REM-CR during the last week of treatment was 361 mg, that of REM-IR 332 mg. In the haloperidol group the corresponding dose was 12.5mg per day. The study treatment period was four weeks. The median BPRS total score was 37.5 in the REM-CR group at start of treatment, and 14.5 at last rating (n = 38). For the REM-IR group and the haloperidol group the corresponding figures were 36.0 and 38.0 at start of treatment and 18.0 (n = 43) and 16.5 (n = 40) at last rating. No statistically significant differences were found between the treatments. Therapy-emergent extrapyramidal symptoms (Simpson & Angus rating scale) were significantly (p less than 0.05) more frequent and more severe during haloperidol than during REM-CR and REM-IR treatment, despite significantly higher concurrent use of anticholinergic drugs in the haloperidol group.--REM-CR was comparable in efficacy and tolerability to REM-IR. The tolerability profile favoured both remoxipride formulations over haloperidol. Evaluation of the clinical chemistry, haematology, and cardiovascular data showed no clinically significant deleterious effects on any organ system for either drug.

Adolescent↗

Trimipramine--an atypical neuroleptic?

Trimipramine and clozapine show some similarities in their receptor binding profiles. Since both have the same affinity for the D2 receptor and since the affinity for this receptor correlates closely with the antipsychotic potency of a drug, an antipsychotic efficacy of trimipramine in acute schizophrenia could be expected. Therefore 28 schizophrenic patients in an acute phase were treated with trimipramine up to 400 mg/d in an open clinical trial. For the whole group of patients the BPRS total score changed from 58 +/- 5 before treatment to 46 +/- 18 at the last rating (p less than 0.05). According to our clinical judgement the patients were divided into three subgroups. Thirteen patients showed a good remission under trimipramine so that they could be discharged on a trimipramine maintenance treatment. They improved on the BPRS from 58 +/- 6 before treatment to 32 +/- 8 at endpoint. Six patients deteriorated during the first week of treatment and had to be withdrawn from the study. Nine patients showed insufficient improvement or became worse after an initial improvement. The observed side-effects (dry mouth, sedation, sweating, increased appetite, constipation, tremor, vertigo) are well known under trimipramine and were therefore expected. Beyond these, one patient developed a cardiac insufficiency. No clinical relevant extrapyramidal side-effects occurred. Since the improvement of florid psychotic symptoms seems to be markedly higher under trimipramine than the one reported under placebo, our results indicate that trimipramine may have an antipsychotic potency.

Acute Disease↗

[Event-related potentials in schizophrenic patients in the acute phase and in remission].

In 15 schizophrenic patients event-related potentials were recorded during an auditory two-tone-discrimination task in the acute phase and after remission. The control group consisted of ten healthy subjects of the same age. The schizophrenic patients showed reduced amplitudes of N1, P2 and P3 and prolonged latencies of N2 and P3 independent of neuroleptic medication and clinical state. We found no differences in the topographical distribution of P3 between schizophrenic patients and controls. The changes of the event-related potentials in the schizophrenic patients may be interpreted as electrophysiological correlates of basic disturbances in information processing in schizophrenia.

Acute Disease↗

High-dose trimipramine in acute schizophrenia. Preliminary results of an open trial.

Trimipramine and clozapine show some similarities in receptor-binding profiles. Both have the same dissociation constant for D2-receptors and marked binding potencies for H1-receptors and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Based on these similarities an antipsychotic efficacy of trimipramine might be postulated. To generate hypotheses 15 schizophrenic patients with a BPRS total score of at least 50 were treated with trimipramine up to 400 mg per day. Four patients deteriorated under this treatment and had to be withdrawn from the study between the 4th and the 10th day. One patient stopped participating after the 15th day due to lack of improvement. These drop-outs showed a mean impairment in BPRS total score from 56 at baseline to 66 at endpoint. Ten patients were treated for 4 to 5 weeks successfully and improved on the BPRS from 57 at baseline to 31 at endpoint. High-dose trimipramine was tolerated well. In schizophrenic patients the expected sedative effect was small. One patient developed a modest parkinsonism, no acute dystonia was seen.

Acute Disease↗

[Priapism in neuroleptic therapy].

The case of a 47-year old schizophrenic patient, who developed priapism on the fourth day of treatment with 40 mg Haloperidol and 50 mg Levomepromazin daily, is presented. Clinical aspects and possible mechanisms of pathogenesis are discussed.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗