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Biomedical subjects

I Modai

Publications and source records attributed to I Modai.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Serotonin uptake by platelets of suicidal and aggressive adolescent psychiatric inpatients.

Thirty-four adolescent psychiatric inpatients were studied in order to find out whether there is a correlation between serotonin platelet uptake (SPU), suicidality and aggression. The patients were divided into four main diagnostic groups according to clinical data: borderline personality disorder, affective disorder (unipolar) including schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia and 'others'. These patients were also characterized by the quantitative symptoms profile from K-SADS scale (Children's Version of the Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia) and by their behavior: aggression, suicide attempts and violent suicide attempts. In the schizophrenic group, a correlation was found between low Vmax values of SPU and aggressive behavior (p less than 0.05). In addition, in the 'other' group a correlation was found between low Vmax values of SPU and conduct disorder (p less than 0.05). On the other hand, in 'other' patients a correlation was found between low Km values of SPU and violent suicide attempt (p less than 0.05). It is noteworthy that the lowest (20-35%) Vmax values of SPU were found in the patients of the affective group as compared to values of the three other diagnostic groups. These findings are similar to those concerning unipolar depressive adults. It is assumed that there are less binding sites for serotonin on platelets of depressive adolescents than was suggested for depressive adults.

Adolescent↗

Kinetic values of active serotonin transport by platelets of bipolar, unipolar and schizophrenic patients at 2 and at 8 a.m. Preliminary report.

Serotonin active transport by platelets of psychiatric patients was determined at 2 and at 8 a.m. Kinetic values, Vmax and Km, of serotonin uptake by platelets of bipolar depressive patients at 2 a.m. were higher than those at 8 a.m. Contrary to that, the kinetic values, Vmax and Km, for unipolar patients at 2 a.m. were rather lower than the values at 8 a.m. Serotonin uptake kinetics by platelets of schizophrenic patients at 2 a.m. were similar to those at 8 a.m. The curves of serotonin uptake kinetics by platelets of bipolar patients at 2 and at 8 a.m. were different from those observed for platelets of unipolar and schizophrenic patients. The variability of the kinetics of serotonin uptake by platelets of the three groups of psychiatric patients may offer a clue to the heterogenicity of these disorders.

Aged↗

Serum pseudocholinesterase in psychiatric patients.

Serum pseudocholinesterase activity was measured in 123 subjects: 16 agitated depressives, 12 retarded depressives, 7 acute schizophrenics, 14 residual schizophrenics, 16 healthy individuals, 45 surgical patients, and 13 first-degree relatives of 4 agitated depressive patients. The agitated depressive and acute schizophrenic patients had significantly higher pseudocholinesterase serum activity than their retarded inmates. As first-degree relatives of agitated depressive patients showed high levels similar to their ill relatives, a genetic component might play a crucial role. The level of pseudocholinesterase activity in serum of the surgical patients was significantly lower than that of all the psychiatric patients and the controls. The implications of this observation are still obscure.

Acute Disease↗

Serotonin (5-HT) uptake by blood platelets in anorexia nervosa.

Platelet serotonin (5-HT) uptake was determined in 15 underweight anorexia nervosa patients and a control group of 15 healthy individuals. The Vmax (picomoles/10(8) platelets/5 min) was 424 +/- 103 in patients and 424 +/- 69 in controls. The Km was 1.19 +/- 0.2 microM in patients and 1.08 +/- 0.17 microM in controls. The differences between the groups were not significant. These findings do not support the hypothesis that serotonin metabolism is disturbed in anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa↗

Musical hallucinations, depression and old age.

The association between musical hallucinations, depression and acquired hearing loss is described in two elderly patients. Following the presentation of this underdiagnosed clinical phenomenon we propose that musical hallucinations should be addressed as a final outcome of several factors including both mental and physical components. This conceptual framework enhances our understanding and treatment of such phenomena.

Aged↗

Serum pseudocholinesterase in state anxiety.

Levels of serum pseudocholinesterase in 14 medical students before and after oral examinations in psychiatry were compared. Blood samples were collected 1 hour before and 2 to 4 weeks after the oral examinations. Serum pseudocholinesterase was significantly higher in state anxiety than in relaxation. The relation between state anxiety and high levels of this enzyme was established. No significant difference was observed in pseudocholinesterase levels between students with physiologic anxiety symptoms and those without.

Adult↗

Circadian rhythm of serotonin transport in human platelets.

The circadian rhythm of serotonin active transport in human platelets was investigated in ten healthy men, aged 27-35 years. Blood was collected at 08.00, 14.00, 20.00, 02.00 and 08.00 hours the next morning. Simultaneous evaluation of the mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, platelet distribution skewness and platelet number in whole blood was performed. Km and Vmax for serotonin transport varied considerably among individuals over 24 h. However, the mean values and distribution of these kinetic parameters were reduced at 02.00 hours. All platelet size or number parameters were stable and normal over 24 h; therefore, the reduction in mean Km and Vmax values at 02.00 h is not related to morphological platelet differences but either to platelet intrinsic factors or plasmatic variables. Knowledge of the affinity and capacity of serotonin transport throughout the diurnal cycle is important for future comparisons with depressed patients as well as other hormonal rhythms in patients and healthy humans.

Adult↗

Conversion hallucinations--a possible mental mechanism.

Hallucinations are a well-recognized phenomenon in a dissociative state. In reference to conversion states, sensations may be distorted or inhibited but overstimulation to the extent of hallucination has not yet been recognized. We wish to offer a hypothesis of conversion hallucinations based on two detailed case reports, with a possible mode of action and in combination with the cognitive and dissociative models.

Conversion Disorder↗

Koro in an Israeli male.

The Koro syndrome, a 'special cultural psychiatric syndrome', is encountered in South China, Malaysia and Indonesia, especially among people of Chinese origin. There are only eight case reports of Koro from the Western hemisphere. We present a typical primary Koro patient from Israel. Jewish cultural mores are a contributory factor.

Anxiety, Castration↗

Urinary amine metabolite excretion in a patient with adrenergic hyperactivity state: reaction to phenelzine withdrawal and combined treatment.

Urinary MHPG (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol) amounts increased threefold during a toxic delirious state in a 57-year-old bipolar patient 3 days after phenelzine treatment was stopped. This norepinephrine metabolite was not expected to rise as monoamine oxidase (MAO) was completely blocked. In addition, the delirious state appeared as a rebound phenomenon and not an acute toxic state during drug administration. It seems that phenelzine acts more through catecholamine release phenomenon than by inhibition of MAO.

Bipolar Disorder↗

Musical hallucinations, acquired deafness, and depression.

Musical hallucinations associated with acquired deafness are rarely reported in the psychiatric literature. In the few cases studied no evidence of psychiatric disturbance is noted. The authors describe two patients with musical hallucinations while in a state of nonpsychotic depression. One of these suffered from acquired deafness and no organic pathology was demonstrable in the other. Cessation of musical hallucinations occurred concomitantly in both patients with improvement of the affective state. Depression might have a contributory role in the occurrence of such hallucinations.

Aged↗

The DST as a predictor of acute response to treatment with ECT, chlorimipramine, amitriptyline, and phenelzine.

Plasma cortisol levels of 41 patients suffering from major depressive episodes were measured at 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. one day after administration of 1 mg dexamethasone at 10 p.m. Comparison of cortisol results to clinical improvement measured by the Beck Depression Inventory before and after 5 weeks of treatment with either ECT, chlorimipramine, amitriptyline, or phenelzine showed no difference between nonsuppressors and suppressors in relation to clinical improvement. Clinical prediction of the outcome of acute response to these treatments using an initial DST does not seem feasible.

Amitriptyline↗