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Biomedical subjects

P E Stokes

Publications and source records attributed to P E Stokes.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Insulin tolerance test: human growth hormone response and insulin resistance in primary unipolar depressed, bipolar depressed and control subjects.

Preliminary data from the National Institute of Mental Health-Clinical Research Branch Collaborative Program on the Psychobiology of Depression dealing with the human growth hormone (hGH) response to the Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT) during the pre-treatment (drug-free) period of the study are presented in this paper. Data are reported for 54 unipolar depressed, 21 bipolar depressed, and 40 normal control subjects, who represent approximately 50% of the final subject sample to be studied. In this population the unipolar depressed subjects showed a significantly greater resistance to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia than bipolar and control subjects. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria necessary to interpret hGH responses accurately, the data from only 54 subjects were acceptable. Mean peak hGH concentrations were not significantly different among the three groups. There was, however, a significant difference in the distributions of the hGH peak response, with the bipolar depressed population demonstrating greater variability in response than unipolar and control populations. These findings are discussed as they relate to previous reports and theoretical considerations.

Adult↗

Stable isotopes of lithium: in vivo differential distribution between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.

Stable and radioactive isotopes of an element have been utilized to study a variety of complex phenomena including metabolic pathways and enzyme reactions. It is generally assumed that isotopes of an element are not treated in a differential manner. Nevertheless we have demonstrated that the two stable isotopes of lithium (Li), one of mass 6 and the other with a mass of 7, are differentially taken up by red blood cells with 6-8% higher quantities of 6-lithium (6Li) being accumulated. We report here on the in vivo pharmacokinetics of Li isotopes. Nineteen adult cats were given a single dose of either 6LiCl by gastric intubation (1 meq/kg) and 2 weeks later the treatment was crossed. Plasma concentrations of the two Li isotopes were determined. In another series of studies 19 adult cats were given either 6LiCl or 7LiCl by intubation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples were collected simultaneously and isotropic Li concentrations of the spinal fluid and plasma were determined. The average plasma concentration of 6Li was higher than 7-lithium (7Li) between 2 and 9 hr postadministration. The elimination curve for both isotopes had an initial fast and later slow component. For the slow component 6Li had an average half-life of 12.9 and 7Li 15.9 hr. Comparison of the CSF/plasma ratio for 6Li and for 7Li indicated that the ratios were higher for 6Li than 7Li 2-6 hr after administration. These data suggest that factors in addition to concentration gradients influence the transport of Li isotopes across the blood-brain barrier. These studies demonstrate the acute pharmacokinetics of the two Li isotopes are not the same in compartmental distribution and rate of disappearance from plasma. It is conceivable 6Li may have a greater toxic or therapeutic effect than 7Li in the treatment of manic-depressive illness.

Administration, Oral↗

Platelet MAO during the alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

The authors explored platelet MAO activity in alcoholism and focused on the impact of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome on MAO values. They found that platelet MAO activity is relatively increased in alcoholic patients who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and that it does not appear to be stable during the period of withdrawal.

Adult↗

Guanine nucleotide-binding and autophosphorylating activities associated with the p21src protein of Harvey murine sarcoma virus.

The purified p21src protein of Harvey sarcoma virus shows a guanine nucleotide-binding activity and, in addition, at elevated temperature an autophosphorylating activity at a threonine residue using as phosphoryl donor GTP or dGTP but not ATP or dATP. These biochemical activities are unique among those associated with transforming proteins of RNA-containing or DNA-containing tumour viruses.

Animals↗

Reuptake of biogenic amines by brain slices: effect of hydrocortisone.

Biogenic amines and steroid hormones are postulated to play an important role in human and animal behavior. Steroids may exert some control over amine activity by influencing one or more aspects of amine metabolism. The brain slice technique offers a useful in vitro system for determining biogenic amine reuptake, a major control mechanism for regulating the amount of physiologically available amine. Using this technique the effect of hydrocortisone (HC) upon the reuptake of norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) was studied. HC had no detectable effect upon the reuptake of NE, 5-HT, or DA by hypothalamic tissue slices.

Animals↗

Biological component of the NIMH clinical research branch collaborative program on the psychobiology of depression: I. Background and theoretical considerations.

There are many reports which suggest that patients with effective illness (mania and/or depression) have abnormalities in the functioning of one or more neurobiological systems. At a conference convened by the Clinical Research Branch, Division of Extramural Research Programs, National Institute of Mental Health, these findings were reviewed and some of the factors impeding movement towards a more complete and integrated view of the functioning of neurobiological systems in patients with mania or depression were identified. As a result, a multi-research centre, collaborative approach to the study of the psychobiology of affective disorders was developed. In this collaborative programme, which has now been underway for several years, the focus has been upon: (a) the assessment of the functioning of several different types of biological systems in the same patient, both before and during treatment; (b) obtaining a reasonably large number of patients and comparison subjects; and (c) the use within and across centres of standardized diagnostic categories and behavioural rating methodologies. In this paper the history, background, and rationale for this collaborative effort are reviewed. Those biological systems chosen for study are noted, and issues such as reliability and validity of diagnoses, measurement of state variables, assessment of change with treatment, and logistical and coordinating problems are discussed.

Affective Disorders, Psychotic↗

Lithium maintenance: factors affecting outcome.

The authors reviewed the charts of 61 manic-depressive outpatients maintained on lithium for 6--75 months for relationships between clinical outcome and various demographic, clinical, and pharmacological variables. Good outcome (50% reduction in episode frequency) did not correlate with any demographic or most natural history variables. A history of frequent episodes was correlated with decreased episode frequency but not with a lower percentage of prophylaxis failure during follow-up. A nonsignificant trend toward decreasing episode occurrence with increasing duration of lithium maintenance was present. Depression occurred considerably more frequently than manic episodes at adequate maintenance plasma lithium levels. More medication noncompliance was found among patients who experienced both manic and depressive relapses.

Bipolar Disorder↗

Papilledema following therapeutic dosages of lithium carbonate.

A patient with diagnosis of manic-depressive illness, circular type, and receiving therapeutic dosages of lithium carbonate, developed papilledema that seemed to be directly related to the drug. Although this is an extremely rare complication, the authors suggest that fundal exams may be considered in patients treated with lithium.

Adult↗

Increase in CSF protein in association with ECT.

In this case report we describe a 44 year old man who developed a transient increase of CSF protein in association with a course of electroconvulsive therapy for depression. Neurological evaluation failed to show any other abnormalities. The finding seems to reflect a transient dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier.

Adult↗

Temporal changes in growth hormone, cortisol, and glucose: relation to light onset and behavior.

Plasma growth hormone (GH), cortisol, and glucose were measured every 20 min in the last 2 h of a 12-h dark cycle and the first 4 h of a 12-h light cycle in eight environmentally limited rhesus monkeys; additionally, ongoing behavior was scored every 20 min in the last 4 h when the lights in the booths housing the monkeys were on. Episodic fluctuations in levels of GH, cortisol, and glucose occurred. Onset of booth illumination was associated with a significant number of GH secretory bursts (6 of 18), and more than twice as many bursts per hour occurred in the light than in the dark (L:D = 0.44:0.19). The onset of illumination was also associated with significant increases in glucose for the eight animals. In addition, plasma glucose increased concurrently with the onset of 13 of 18 bursts of GH secretion. Monkeys were rated as significantly more alert or aroused when plasma levels of GH and glucose were increasing than when they were decreasing. In contrast plasma cortisol showed small, rhythmic fluctuations over time that did not correlate with booth illumination or degree of behavioral arousal. This latter finding challenges the traditional assumption that cortisol is a sensitive index of behavioral arousal.

Animals↗