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J McCarron

Publications and source records attributed to J McCarron.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Scales to measure dimensions of hallucinations and delusions: the psychotic symptom rating scales (PSYRATS).

BACKGROUND: Scales to measure the severity of different dimensions of auditory hallucinations and delusions are few. Biochemical and psychological treatments target dimensions of symptoms and valid and reliable measures are necessary to measure these. METHOD: The inter-rater reliability and validity of the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS: auditory hallucination subscale and delusions subscale), which measure several dimensions of auditory hallucinations and delusions were examined in this study. RESULTS: The two scales were found to have excellent inter-rater reliability. Their validity as compared with the KGV scale (Krawiecka et al. 1977) was explored. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the PSYRATS are useful assessment instruments and can complement existing measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms and heart rate variability in twins.

Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with congestive heart failure, post-myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and advancing age. A deletion/insertion polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and a substitution (M235T) in the angiotensinogen gene have been associated with risk for heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine the heritability of HRV and related parameters in monozygotic and dizygotic twins and to assess the influence of ACE and angiotensinogen polymorphisms. We studied 95 MZ pairs and 46 DZ pairs. We measured HRV and related parameters, ACE and angiotensinogen levels, plasma norepinephrine, ACE, and angiotensinogen genotypes. We found that HRV and related parameters were significantly influenced by genetic variability, although nonshared genetic effects were also important. Angiotensinogen and plasma norepinephrine were generally correlated with decreased HRV, whereas ACE was correlated with perturbances of normal rhythmic HRV. Nevertheless, the DD ACE genotype was associated with increased HRV (p <0.05), whereas angiotensinogen polymorphisms had no effect. We conclude that HRV and related parameters are in part heritable. Interestingly, the DD ACE genotype is associated with increased HRV.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Anticipatory nausea and emesis, and psychological morbidity: assessment of prevalence among out-patients on mild to moderate chemotherapy regimens.

The prevalence of nausea and emesis among a series of out-patients (n = 95) receiving mainly mild-to moderately-emetic cytotoxics, was assessed, along with levels of psychological morbidity. Particular focus was given to the rates of psychologically-based (anticipatory) nausea and emesis. Results indicated that 23% of patients experienced anticipatory nausea and the majority reported that this occurred before at least half of the previous treatment cycles. Both emetic challenge of chemotherapy regimen and younger age were linked to this anticipatory effect. The data clearly indicated that nausea and emesis, both post-treatment and in anticipation of treatment, carried a psychological cost with anxiety being highest in those experiencing anticipatory nausea and/or emesis. The role of anxiety in the aetiology of psychologically-based nausea and emesis was not evaluated and it is considered that a prospective study is needed to clarify the exact contribution of psychological factors in the incidence of both post-treatment and anticipatory side-effects.

Adult↗