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Biomedical subjects

G Papadimitriou

Publications and source records attributed to G Papadimitriou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Reversible pathological gambling under treatment with pramipexole].

In the recent past, pathological gambling has been increasingly reported to be related with dopamine agonist application in patients with Parkinson's disease. We present the case of a female patient whose gambling behavior occurred shortly after reaching the final dose of a combined levodopa and pramipexole therapy and resolved completely after stopping pramipexole. Pathological gambling seems to be a rare and serious but reversible adverse reaction to treatment with dopamine agonists of which clinicians should be aware in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Antiparkinson Agents↗
PubMed2005

Rates and social patterning of household smoking and breastfeeding in contrasting European settings.

OBJECTIVE: To compare rates and social patterning of household smoking and breastfeeding in families with newborn infants in birth cohorts in Coventry, UK and Veria, North Greece. METHODS: Infants born in 1996 in Coventry, 1999 in Veria were recruited into birth cohort studies using similar methodologies. In Coventry recruitment was by family health visitor at the primary visit; in Veria, hospital-based paediatricians enrolled infants at the neonatal examination. Data were collected at the initial contact on household smoking, type of feeding, and household socio-demographic characteristics. Rates of initial breastfeeding and household smoking with 95% confidence intervals were estimated and breastfeeding and household smoking regressed on parental education and housing tenure in logistic regression models. RESULTS: Data were available on 2612 Coventry infants and 773 Veria infants. Rates of household smoking and breastfeeding were higher in Veria compared to Coventry. In Coventry, living in rented accommodation and lower maternal and paternal education were associated with household smoking and bottle feeding. Logistic regression models fitted on initiation of breastfeeding failed to show social patterning in Veria but more educated mothers showed a longer duration of breastfeeding. Only low paternal education was associated with household smoking after adjustment for maternal education and housing tenure. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and breastfeeding are more prevalent among households with young infants in Veria compared with Coventry. The social patterning of health-related behaviours noted in Coventry is less marked in Veria. The relevance of these findings for public health interventions in the contrasting settings is discussed.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2004

Multicenter linkage study of schizophrenia loci on chromosome 22q.

The hypothesis of the existence of one or more schizophrenia susceptibility loci on chromosome 22q is supported by reports of genetic linkage and association, meta-analyses of linkage, and the observation of elevated risk for psychosis in people with velocardiofacial syndrome, caused by 22q11 microdeletions. We tested this hypothesis by evaluating 10 microsatellite markers spanning 22q in a multicenter sample of 779 pedigrees. We also incorporated age at onset and sex into the analysis as covariates. No significant evidence for linkage to schizophrenia or for linkage associated with earlier age at onset, gender, or heterogeneity across sites was observed. We interpret these findings to mean that the population-wide effects of putative 22q schizophrenia susceptibility loci are too weak to detect with linkage analysis even in large samples.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed2001

Tryptophan hydroxylase polymorphism and suicidality in unipolar and bipolar affective disorders: a multicenter association study.

BACKGROUND: Being the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of serotonin, the tryptophan hydroxylase gene (TPH) has been considered a possible candidate gene in bipolar and unipolar affective disorders (BPAD and UPAD). Several studies have investigated the possible role of TPH polymorphisms in affective disorders and suicidal behavior. METHODS: The TPH A218C polymorphism has been investigated in 927 patients (527 BPAD and 400 UPAD) and their matched healthy control subjects collected within the European Collaborative Project on Affective Disorders. RESULTS: No difference of genotype distribution or allele distribution was found in BPAD or UPAD. No statistically significant difference was observed for allele frequency and genotypes counts. In a genotype per genotype analysis in UPAD patients with a personal history of suicide attempt, the frequency of the C-C genotype (homozygosity for the short allele) was lower in UPAD patients (24%) than in control subjects (43%) (chi(2) = 4.67, p =.03). There was no difference in allele or genotype frequency between patients presenting violent suicidal behavior (n = 48) and their matched control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: We failed to detect an association between the A218C polymorphism of the TPH gene and BPAD and UPAD in a large European sample. Homozygosity for the short allele is significantly less frequent in a subgroup of UPAD patients with a history of suicide attempt than in control subjects.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

Lack of association between GABRA3 and unipolar affective disorder: a multicentre study.

Available data on gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) support the hypothesis that a dysfunction in the brain GABAergic system activity contributes to vulnerability to affective disorders (AD), including bipolar disorder (BPAD) and unipolar disorder (UPAD). The localization of the alpha3 subunit GABA receptor (GABRA3) gene in Xq28, a region of interest for BPAD suggests that GABRA3 may be a relevant candidate gene. In the present study, we tested the genetic contribution of the GABRA3 dinucleotide polymorphism in a European multicentre UPAD case-control sample [UPAD (n = 106), controls (n = 212)]. Our negative results suggest that GABRA3 does not confer susceptibility nor is it in linkage disequilibrium with another close gene involved in the genetic aetiology of UPAD.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Association between GABA-A receptor alpha 5 subunit gene locus and schizophrenia of a later age of onset.

Heritability is considered to be a major etiologic factor for schizophrenia. Among the genes considered as candidates for the disease, are those related to GABAergic neurotransmission. Our aim was to test for a genetic association between GABA-A receptor alpha 5 subunit gene locus (GABRA(5)) and schizophrenia. Genotyping of the GABRA(5) locus was performed by the use of a dinucleotide (CA) repeat marker in 46 schizophrenic patients and 50 healthy individuals, all unrelated Greeks. Eight alleles were identified, 276-290 bp long. A nonsignificant excess of the 282-bp allele, which was found in a previous study in a Greek population to be associated with bipolar affective disorder, was observed in schizophrenic patients (33.8 vs. 23.9% in the controls). The frequency of this allele was 43.3% among patients with a later age of onset (over 25 years), differing at a statistically significant level from the controls (p < 0.05). These results suggest that common pathophysiological mechanisms may possibly underlie affective disorders and schizophrenia, at least in a subgroup of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A European multicenter association study of HTR2A receptor polymorphism in bipolar affective disorder.

The available data on the role of 5-HT in a variety of behaviors support the hypothesis that a dysfunction in brain serotoninergic system activity contributes to vulnerability to major depression. The diversity in the electrophysiological actions of 5-HT in the central nervous system can now be categorized according to receptor subtypes and their respective effector mechanisms. In particular, the implication of central postsynaptic 5-HT2A receptor in affective disorders has been supported by findings consistent with the hypothesis of 5-HT2A receptor up-regulation in depression. For these reasons, the 5-HT2A receptor (HTR2A) gene can be considered as a candidate gene in bipolar affective disorder (BPAD). We tested the possible genetic contribution of the polymorphic DNA variation T102C in exon 1 of HTR2A (chromosome 13q14-21) gene in a large European multicentric case-control sample. Allele and genotype frequencies, as well as homo-heterozygote distributions were compared between the two groups of 309 bipolar affective disorder patients and 309 matched controls. No significant differences were observed in the allelic and genotypic (also for homo-heterozygote) distribution between BPAD and controls. These results indicate that, in our sample, the 5-HT2A receptor polymorphism studied is unlikely to play a major role in the genetic susceptibility to BPAD. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 96:136-140, 2000.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The dexamethasone suppression test and sleep electroencephalogram in nonbipolar major depressed inpatients: a multivariate analysis.

BACKGROUND: The present study further examined relationships between postdexamethasone cortisol plasma values and sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters. METHODS: The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and polysomnographic recordings were performed in a sample of 300 inpatients with primary major depressive disorder (MDD) (102 men and 198 women, mean age 44 +/- 12 years, range 20-74 years) consecutively admitted to Erasme Hospital (Brussels, Belgium) between 1981 and 1992. RESULTS: The DST was abnormal in 40% of the sample. Postdexamethasone cortisol plasma values at 4:00 PM were significantly influenced by age, but not by gender. They were also significantly and positively correlated with weight loss, total scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, total scores on the Newcastle Scale, percentage of awakenings during sleep, and percent of stage 1. They were significantly and negatively correlated with percent of stage 2, slow-wave sleep, and REM sleep. Multiple regression analyses were conducted in two successive steps. First among clinical variables, only age and depressive symptom severity remained correlated with postdexamethasone plasma cortisol values. In the second step, with age and severity held constant, postdexamethasone plasma cortisol values were positively associated with amount of wake time and stage 1, and negatively with amount of slow-wave sleep. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide further indirect support for an overarousal state in MDD with sympathoadrenal system hyperactivity and impaired sleep continuity. They also underline the importance of taking into account various clinical confounding factors in the interpretation of both DST and sleep EEG results.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

TSH response to TRH and EEG sleep in non-bipolar major depression: a multivariate approach.

The TSH response to TRH and selected sleep EEG variables were studied in a homogeneous sample of 280 non-bipolar major depressed inpatients (95 males and 185 females). The TSH response to TRH was blunted in 28% of the sample. delta max TSH was correlated negatively with age, Hamilton rating scale, Newcastle scale, percentage of wake, and positively with basal TSH, percentage of stage II, slow wave sleep, REM sleep and REM latency. delta max TSH was also lower in male patients and in patients suffering from an endogenous or a psychotic subtype of major depression. Basal TSH was only correlated negatively with the Newcastle score. In view of intercorrelations between all these variables, and because of the confounding effect of age, gender and severity on both the TSH response to TRH and sleep EEG variables, a multiple regression analysis was performed and demonstrated that basal TSH and gender were the two variables with the highest contribution to the delta max TSH variance, followed by age and the presence of psychotic symptoms. When controlling strictly for these significant effects, correlation with the severity or with the endogenous character of depression, and with sleep EEG parameters disappeared.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Prolactin and thyrotropin responses to ECT after pindolol administration. A placebo controlled study.

The effect of pindolol, a beta-receptor blocker with potent 5-HT1 receptor antagonistic properties, on the prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) responses to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was systematically studied in 12 female depressed patients. In a balanced order, crossover design, the patients were given placebo or pindolol 5 mg orally, 1 h prior to bilateral ECT. The last five patients were additionally tested with 10 mg pindolol during the third ECT. Plasma levels of PRL and TSH increased in all three trials, but no consistent effect of pindolol on these hormonal responses could be demonstrated. Pindolol tended to attenuate seizure duration, especially at the 10 mg dose. The participation of 5-HT1 receptor activity in the secretion of PRL and TSH during ECT remains uncertain.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Thyrotropin and prolactin responses to ECT in schizophrenia and depression.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) plasma levels were studied during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in five schizophrenic patients in a simulated ECT (SECT) controlled experimental design. The data were compared to those obtained from a group of 10 depressed patients treated with ECT. In the schizophrenic group, both PRL and TSH increased significantly during ECT compared to SECT, as they did in the depressive group during ECT. Thus, the hormonal TSH and PRL profile during ECT is similar in schizophrenia and depression. It is concluded that the changes in TSH and PRL induced by ECT are specifically linked to the current or the seizure, and are not related to the type of psychopathology.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Ritanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, does not modify ECT-induced prolactin release.

The effect of pretreatment with ritanserin, a potent and selective serotonin-S2 (5-HT2) receptor antagonist, on the prolactin (PRL) response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was studied in seven female patients suffering from major depressive disorder. They were given either ECT alone, or ECT after 10 or 20 mg ritanserin PO, and PRL was estimated in blood samples taken at times -5, 0, +5, +15, +30 and +60 min. The PRL responses after drug administration were not different from the responses after ECT alone. We conclude that, if serotonergic mechanisms are involved in the ECT-induced PRL increase, this neuroendocrine response seems to be rather a 5-HT1 than 5-HT2 receptor mediated event.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Alpha-2-adrenoreceptor binding as a possible vulnerability marker for affective disorders.

The affinity (1/Kd) and density (Bmax) of alpha 2-adrenoreceptors in platelet membranes were studied in patients with major depressed illness (n = 10), affected first-degree relatives (n = 17), nonaffected first-degree relatives (n = 44) and controls (n = 31). The alpha 2 selective antagonist 3H-yohimbine was used as the radioligand. The mean Bmax values of affected subjects (probands and relatives) were significantly lower than those of controls. There was no difference in Kd values between the controls and affected subjects. There was a positive gradient of the mean Bmax values from the groups of probands to affected relatives, unaffected relatives and control subjects. A familial effect of Bmax values between members of the same families confirms a genetic control of alpha-receptor affinity. These results support the hypothesis that the density of alpha 2-adrenoreceptors, evaluated by 3H-yohimbine binding on human platelets, could be a potential vulnerability marker for affective disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Prolactin response induced by ECT and TRH.

The prolactin response after ECT in ten female melancholic patients correlated significantly to their prolactin response to i.v. TRH. These findings may suggest an underlying common mechanism between TRH and ECT regarding their PRL releasing properties.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Increases in prolactin levels following bilateral and unilateral ECT.

Plasma prolactin levels were studied after bilateral and unilateral ECT in eight female melancholic patients. Although prolactin levels were higher after both treatments, patients who received bilateral ECT had significantly higher prolactin levels than did those who received unilateral ECT.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Pre- and postoperative chemoendocrine treatment with or without postoperative radiotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer.

From July, 1978 to September, 1981, 184 patients with localy advanced breast cancer (T3; T4a-b; any N; M0) regardless of their hormonal receptor status, entered a trial to evaluate the contribution of radiotherapy when added to an intensive preoperative chemoendocrine regimen. Seventy-eight patients were ultimately disqualified. All patients underwent sequentially: (1) two cycles of chemotherapy: Day 1--Oncovin 1.4 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 350 mg/m2, Adriamycin 30 mg/m2; Day 2--methotrexate 20 mg/m2, 5-fluorouracil 350 mg/m2 (in addition, antiestrogens were given to postmenopausal patients); (2) mastectomy with complete axillary dissection combined with oophorectomy in patients before and one year after menopause; (3) radiotherapy randomly to one-half of the patients; and (4) ten additional chemotherapy cycles as above, with antiestrogens to all patients. No serious local sequellae were encountered from mastectomy or radiotherapy, but complications of chemotherapy were numerous, particularly in irradiated patients. One death due to toxicity occurred after preoperative chemotherapy. The results to date suggest that in irradiated patients metastases may become enhanced and that their local disease is not more effectively controlled than in patients not having radiotherapy. Two factors may have been largely responsible for the differences observed between the two groups: the delay of chemotherapy in irradiated patients and the sustained immunosuppression known to occur after mediastinal radiotherapy.

Aged↗