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Biomedical subjects

J C Wheless

Publications and source records attributed to J C Wheless.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1975

Depression in elderly patients.

Depression is a common reaction to the vicissitudes of life among elderly people. Aged persons are physiologically and psychologically less able to adapt, yet they are required to change their life styles because of retirement, lowered financial resources, death of family and friends, and illness. Although many mental health professionals are reluctant to treat geropsychiatric patients, the prognosis for depressed patients can be good. Drug therapy is usually the most effective, although psychotherapy and other behavioral therapies may be used adjunctively. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be indicated for severely depressed patients. The beginning dosage of medication should be lower than for younger patients, and elderly patients must be monitored carefully for side effects. Adverse reactions due to multiple drug interactions are also possible. When aged persons become severely depressed, they are at high risk of suicide; almost all suicide attempts by elderly people are successfl. Depression in later life is treatable, and the pessimism that often surrounds the prognosis for geropsychiatric patients is unwarranted.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pharmacology, efficacy, and adverse effects of halazepam, a new benzodiazepine.

Halazepam is a new benzodiazepine derivative that is molecularly similar to chlordiazepoxide and diazepam. Animal studies indicated that halazepam produces sedative and antianxiety effects with less toxicity than chlordiazepoxide or diazepam. Computer EEG and somatosensory evoked potential studies demonstrated that halazepam has a significant effect on the EEG, characteristic of changes that occur with benzodiazepines. In initial clinical studies, halazepam exhibited not only anxiolytic properties but also reduced symptoms of depression and had a therapeutic effect on epilepsy. In preliminary, uncontrolled clinical trials, halazepam was effective in ameliorating anxiety and tension in alcoholic and acute schizophrenic patients, with few adverse effects. Later double-blind studies generally demonstrated that halazepam is significantly superior to placebo in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and tension. Most comparative studies indicate that halazepam is equal to or more effective than diazepam with a lower frequency of side effects. Halazepam does not increase hostility and aggression, as chlordiazepoxide and diazepam have been shown to do, and it is effective in both situational and characterologic anxiety. Drowsiness and slight dry mouth are the only side effects reported in more than isolated instances, although geriatric patients may frequently become ataxic with higher doses.

Alcoholism↗