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Biomedical subjects

H Hermesh

Publications and source records attributed to H Hermesh.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Pseudocholinesterase in obsessive-compulsive patients.

Levels of pseudocholinesterase (PsChe) were measured in 20 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and 20 healthy volunteers. The OCD group had significantly higher PsChe serum activity than in their sex- and age-matched control group. Patients' scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HRS-A) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were not correlated with their PsChe levels. The results provide additional support for the observation of higher PsChe levels among anxiety-related psychiatric conditions. However, the relationships among anxiety, depression, and PsChe appear to be complex. The nature and implications of elevated PsChe levels are still unknown.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Religious compulsions and the spectrum concept of psychopathology.

The authors present a clinical description of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among a unique population of patients with religious compulsions. Analysis of 2 cases demonstrates that OCD represents a psychopathological spectrum, varying along a continuum of insight and resistance. Associated clinical features together with diagnostic and treatment implications are considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Mortality from neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

The authors assess the mortality from the neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) based on an exhaustive review of 202 published case reports, including a differential assessment of risk factors and protective factors. The results indicate a significant (p less than .05) decrease in mortality since 1984 (11.6% vs. 25% before 1984), which occurs independently of the therapeutic use of dopamine agonists and dantrolene. A significantly (p less than .001) lower rate of mortality from haloperidol-induced NMS (7%) and a high rate of mortality (38.5%) among patients with organic brain syndrome were also found. Myoglobinemia and renal failure are strong predictors of mortality, representing a mortality risk of approximately 50%. The authors discuss the implications of these findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Catatonic signs in severe obsessive compulsive disorder.

Two cases of prolonged catatonic states that were part of severe obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are described. The catatonic symptoms failed to respond to neuroleptics but were ameliorated by conventional OCD treatments; clomipramine was used in one case, and behavior therapy in the other. Inclusion of severe OCD in the differential diagnosis of catatonia is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Chlorprothixene-induced hypouricemia: a biologic indicator of drug compliance.

Chlorprothixene is a neuroleptic as well as a potent uricosuric drug that consistently lowers the levels of plasma uric acid (PUA). The usefulness of this relative hypouricemia as an indicator of compliance with treatment was evaluated in 17 outpatients treated from 120 to 600 days. Plasma uric acid values were substantially reduced in all patients with all doses within the therapeutic range. Low levels of PUA remained stable as long as the patients were treated and returned to normal within 7 days after treatment was terminated. The authors discuss the advantages and the limitations of PUA as an indicator of chlorprothixene treatment compliance.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Vitamin B12 and folic acid serum levels in obsessive compulsive disorder.

Vitamin B12 and folate serum levels were studied in 30 patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and in two control groups comprised of 30 chronic schizophrenics and 30 normal healthy subjects. Six patients (20%) of the OCD group had abnormal low levels of vitamin B12. This prevalence was significantly higher than that of the control groups. No clinical neurological or haematological abnormalities accompanied the reduced vitamin B12 levels. Possible implication of this finding for the pathophysiology of OCD in a subgroup of patients and the possibility that the B12 deficiency could be the consequence rather than the cause of OCD are suggested.

Folic Acid↗
PubMed1988

Risk of malignant hyperthermia among patients with neuroleptic malignant syndrome and their families.

The occurrence of malignant hyperthermia in 20 patients who had had neuroleptic malignant syndrome and in their 108 first-degree relatives was retrospectively studied. The patients had experienced a total of 20 courses of ECT and 12 surgical operations in which drugs that can cause malignant hyperthermia were used, but no cases of malignant hyperthermia had occurred, and no cases had occurred in the 37 relatives who had undergone surgery or ECT. The authors conclude that patients who have had malignant neuroleptic syndrome are not at considerably greater risk than others for developing malignant hyperthermia during surgery or ECT; the clinical data suggest that the two disorders are not related.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The hypouricemic effect of chlorprothixene.

The hypouricemic effect of chlorprothixene (Taractan), a major tranquilizer from the group of thioxanthenes, was evaluated in 30 psychiatric patients who took the drug as part of their regular treatment. Levels of serum uric acid, urea, and creatinine before, during, and after the treatment were measured, as well as creatinine clearance and uric acid clearance before and during the treatment. A uricosuric effect, resembling that of probenecid, was found that exerts itself in all the patients, regardless of age, sex, diagnosis, and associated drugs. The resulting hypouricemia starts as soon as 24 hours from the beginning of treatment, stabilizes within 10 days, and averages, at that time, 48% of the initial level. It is reversible within 10 days from the end of treatment.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1987

A successful electroconvulsive treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

A case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) treated successfully with electroconvulsive therapy (ETC) is described. Repeated exposures of the patients to succinylcholine during ECT did not cause malignant hyperthermia. The efficacy of ECT is probably related to its facilitatory effect upon dopamine (DA) activity in CNS.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Severe akathisia causing neuroleptic failure: an indication for lithium therapy in schizophrenia?

Several neuroleptics recurrently failed to ameliorate psychosis in three schizophrenic patients. Failures were caused by recurrent intractable akathisia, unresponsive to diazepam and trihexyphenidyl. Lacking this extrapyramidal side effect, lithium carbonate was tried and proved an effective antipsychotic. It is suggested that in schizophrenic psychosis lithium is a rational therapeutic option in cases of neuroleptic intolerance and failures due to akathisia.

Adult↗