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Biomedical subjects

M F Poirier

Publications and source records attributed to M F Poirier.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

[Good and bad therapeutic combinations in the treatment of resistant depressions].

The definition of resistant depression is imprecise and variable according to the different authors. In most cases, the definition concerns depressed patients who have received well managed treatment with optimal doses of a thymoanaleptic over a sufficiently long period of time. The distinction of manic-depressive psychoses (MDP) with a rapid cycle also raises the problem of resistance to the prophylactic effect of mood regulators in MDP. The inefficacy of treatment in at least 20% of cases of depression has led a number of authors to propose original drug combinations with the aim of potentiating the action of previous treatments. Most of the studies published report isolated cases in which the therapeutic approach is often empirical and rarely explained. The most frequently reported combination is that of 2 drugs, generally including one antidepressant. Such combinations can induce pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic interactions resulting in either a potentiation or a reduction of the effects of one of the 2 drugs or to the induction of toxicity. These last two possibilities illustrate what the authors describe as "bad combinations". Various drug combinations are reviewed and critically analysed. The most interesting and best documented combinations involve the addition of lithium, MAOI and thyroid hormones to tricyclic treatment in non-responding patients. Other combinations with tricyclics have been reported less frequently: ECT, neuroleptics, reserpine, carbamazepine, 5 HTP, tryptophan, amphetamines, oestrogens, sleep deprivations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMed1986

[Cerebral noradrenaline metabolism and classification of depression].

Disturbed noradrenaline (NA) metabolism is thought to play a causal role in certain types of endogenic depression. This study was based on data from 88 patients with depression. The metabolism of NA was investigated by measuring urinary MHPG and plasma DOPEG concentrations and platelet nonoamine oxidase activity to determine if there were any differences in subgroups of depression defined by the DSM3. There was no difference in plasma DOPEG concentrations or of MAO activity in the different subgroups of depression, especially between episodes of major and non-major depression. On the other hand, depressed patients with an episode of major depression had significantly higher urinary MHPG concentrations than those with non-major depression.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1985

[Study of the metabolism of cerebral noradrenaline in depressed patients by the assay of plasma dihydroxyphenylethylene glycol].

Dihydroxy-phenyl-ethylene-glycol (DOPEG or DHPG), a deaminated catabolite of noradrenaline formed after presynaptic re-uptake, is a good marker of metabolic activity in noradrenergic pathways. Plasma levels of free, conjugated and total DOPEG were measured by a radioenzymatic method in 45 patients with major depression selected according to the DSM 3 criteria and in 45 matched controls. A significant decrease in man DOPEG levels was observed in all depressive patients. A dexamethasone suppression test performed in these patients showed no difference in DOPEG levels between responders and non-responders, thus failing to support the hypothesis that subjects with low noradrenergic drive escape suppression. There was no correlation between plasma DOPEG levels and urinary excretion of methoxy-hydroxy-phenylglycol (MOPEG), another marker of noradrenaline metabolic activity. Thirty-one patients were treated with a specific monoaminergic antidepressant: maprotiline or indalpine; contrary to urinary MOPEG levels, plasma DOPEG levels had no predictive value concerning the response to this category of antidepressants. The various possible reasons for the fall in DOPEG observed in depressive patients are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Changes in human platelet 5 HT level after 1 week of chlorimipramine treatment.

In platelets of six volunteers taking chlorimipramine (50 mg/day) for 1 week, 5-HT levels were markedly decreased at the time of treatment withdrawal, and remained significantly reduced after a 1-week washout. Individual levels in five subjects remained affected during a 3-week washout. The previously reported observations of reduced serotonin concentration in platelets from depressed patients may reflect a residual effect of previous antidepressant treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity and plasma 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylene glycol levels during the menstrual cycle.

The influence of endocrine factors on monoamine oxidase activity (MAO) and on noradrenaline metabolism has been evaluated by measuring platelet MAO activity and plasma levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylene glycol (DOPEG), the major deaminated metabolite of noradrenaline, as well as serum levels of steroid hormones weekly in 9 young healthy women during one menstrual cycle. A decrease in platelet MAO activity (correlated with high serum estradiol levels) was observed during the ovulatory period. In contrast, plasma free or sulfoconjugated DOPEG remained unchanged throughout the menstrual cycle. These results indicate that the hormonal status should be taken into consideration in studies dealing with platelet MAO activity in depressed women.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[3H]Imipramine binding and [3H]5HT uptake in human blood platelets: changes after one week chlorimipramine treatment.

In platelets of normal volunteers taking chlorimipramine (50 mg/day) for one week, the saturable uptake of [3H]5HT was fully inhibited at day 8, but returned to control values at day 15. The Bmax of [3H]imipramine binding was decreased by 65% at day 8 and remained significantly below control values at day 15. If the present findings can be extrapolated to other antidepressants, the reported decreases in [3H]imipramine binding in depression may partly reflect residual treatment effects. It cannot be excluded that, in depression, the platelet [3H]imipramine receptor already is down-regulated maximally which would preclude a further down-regulation due to antidepressant drug therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Regulatory function of Thy-1- cells. IV. Biologic and Biochemical characterization of B cell clone-derived lymphokine (BEF).

Studies were made on the immunoregulatory activity of a lymphokine produced by a B cell clone that does not express immunoglobulin heavy or light chains. The B factor (BEF; B cell-derived enhancing factor), was effective in augmenting the primary and the anamnestic response to SRBC and/or in prolonging the IgG anamnestic response to SRBC and the response to DNP-LE, provided it was added at early stages of culture. The BEF seems to act mainly by preventing the activation of T suppressor cells rather than by counteracting the activity of already activated suppressor cells. Indeed, thymocytes and virgin T cells, but not Con A-activated thymocytes, Con A-activated T cells or B cells, express acceptors for the BEF. The biochemical properties of the BEF were also reported. The apparent m.w. of the factor was 450,000 to 500,000 by gel chromatography. The BEF was sensitive to digestion by papain, trypsin, and subtilisin, indicating that it was protein in nature. The regulatory activity was precipitated by 50% (NH4)2SO4 and was destroyed by heating at 70 degrees C for 30 min or by exposure to pH 2.2 for 6 hr.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

[Antidepressive action, pharmacokinetic characteristics and biochemical properties of cimoxatone, a new reversible MAO-A inhibitor].

Cimoxatone is a new monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in comparison to the existing non-selective and irreversible MAOIs used in the therapy of depression. A clinical study has been carried out in 10 depressed patients. Cimoxatone was given from 0.32 to 0.78 mg/kg/day for 28 days. The drug was shown to be effective against depression and well tolerated at the given doses. The inhibition of monoamine oxidase and its reversibility were assessed by urinary excretion of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy- phenylethyleneglycol sulphate. The treatment had no effect on the plasma prolactin levels. The plasma concentrations of cimoxatone reached a plateau after 3 to 4 days of therapy. The study confirmed earlier findings in healthy volunteers that the principal metabolite is also active as a type A MAOI. The plasma elimination of cimoxatone and its metabolite is almost complete 4 days after the last dosing.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[New methods for computerized classification of psychopharmaceutical agents (author's transl)].

We describe a statistical technique for achieving unbiased classification of 111 psychopharmaceutical agents from computerized clinical data. Three different methods were used: the reciprocal averaging method describes and pictures the clusterings of the numerous clinical datum available; the cluster analysis method corroborates the arrangement of the drugs and their effects into groups; the discriminating analysis method assigns the remaining drugs to their groups. The drugs were ultimately classified into six different groups. One of these groups, which included many of the antidepressant drugs, was reanalyzed with the reciprocal averaging method. This led to separating the monoamine oxidase inhibitors from the other antidepressants. Our technique will be immediately useful for classifying new psychopharmaceutical agents. If biologic data are included, this technique will be helpful for studying correlations between the structure and the effects of drugs.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMed1982

[Towards an automatic classification of psychotropic drugs, based on computerized card-index of their properties].

The authors give the used statistical approach to realize automatic classification on computarized clinical data about 111 psychotropic drugs. Four ways of analyses are used: a reciprocal averaging method to describe and to put together the numerous properties, a cluster analysis and a sequential dynamic clusters method to define groups, a decisionnal method discriminal analysis, to put non classified drugs down these groups. This methodology points out six groups characterized by clinical properties. Others reciprocal averaging analysis part: desinhibitors antipsychotic drugs and sedative antipsychotic drugs, monoamine oxydase inhibitors and others antidepressants, amphetamine drugs and non amphetaminic psychostimulants. This statistical way permits classification of new drugs without a priori.

Computers↗
PubMed1979

[Loxapine succinate: a new neuroleptic].

Commercialized in the U.S.A. a few years ago, the loxapine succinate appears to be interesting among neuroleptic compounds. Used in 28 chronic schizophrenics, 19 of which were neuroleptic resistent patients, the parenteral route proved to be anti-psychotic and sedative in 26 patients. The usual daily dosages were between 100 and 200 mg. The local and general tolerances were good. The side effects were mild and essentially vegetative. The therapeutic efficiency seems to be better at the same dosages with the oral form than with the parenteral form.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[The place of carpipramine among the psychotropic agents].

Our purpose is to find objective statistic tests for classification of all psychotropic drugs. First a multifactorial analysis determine six profiles of groups. Results objectively confirm Delay and Deniker's classification and point out intermediate position of carpipramine. A specific method tries to put Carpipramine in one of these groups i.e. discriminant analysis. By this method it is impossible to classify nineteen psychotropic drugs, Carpipramine being one of them. Its clinical properties cannot brin together Carpipramine and other psychotropic drugs.

Benzodiazepines↗