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Biomedical subjects

M A Sperber

Publications and source records attributed to M A Sperber.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1975

Schizophrenia and organic brain syndrome with trisomy 8 (group-C trisomy 8 [47, XX, 8+]).

A supernumerary autosomal syndrome in the C group of submetacentric autosomes has not yet been delineated phenotypically, although cases of an extra C-group autosome have been reported. Recent technical advances (fluorescence and Giemsa banding) now permit positive identification of each autosome. The present case reports the presence of schizophrenia and organic brain syndrome in association with trisomy 8. It is the sixth case of trisomy 8 reported to date. A stress-diathesis model is used to explain the development of the psychiatric disturbances. The patient's autosomal aberration is regarded as diathetic, and the multiple congenital anomalies, surgical interventions, infections, familial, and other environmental responses as stress. This report provides further data for the phenotypic delineation of a trisomy 8 syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Symbiotic psychosis and the need for fame.

This paper attempts to synthesize Tartakoff's concept of the Nobel Prize complex (a constellation of personality traits found in some achievement-oriented neurotics) with the symbiotic syndrome which Mahler noted among certain psychotic patients. The performance-oriented symbiotic syndrome formulated in this paper is found in patients whose pathology ranges from the normal to the psychotic. The familial constellation involved in this performance-oriented symbiosis consists of an obessive, successful father; a depressed, hysterical, unfulfilled mother; and a child who is made to take the father's place in the household. The mother exploits the child by offering attention only when he achieves or performs in such a way as to fulfill her narcissistic strivings and bolster her self-esteem. The father is often involved in a similar symbiotic relationship with his own mother and therefore sanctions his wife and son's dyadic relationship.

Achievement↗