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Biomedical subjects

S Davidson

Publications and source records attributed to S Davidson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Antipsychotic effect of propranolol on chronic schizophrenics: study of a gradual treatment regimen.

Ten chronic treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients were treated in a single-blind trial for six weeks with propranolol in daily doses increasing up to 3 g in order to evaluate a modified dose regimen of propranolol treatment in these patients. Four of the patients improved significantly and could be released from the hospital, regaining premorbid social and work adjustments. The modified regimen proved safe as long as the dose increment was not more than 80 mg/day. The mean therapeutic level of propranolol was 1600 mg/day, which proved to be a safe dose. Although three patients with hypertensive encephalophaty responded, their response was related not to the maximum dose but to a drastic change in the rate of the dose increase. It seems that on the basis of these results a double-blind comparative study would be worthwhile.

Adolescent

The clinical and psychological effects of pemoline in depressed patients--a controlled study.

The clinical and psychological effects of pemoline were compared with placebo in a double-blind study of 20 depressed patients. Target symptoms were disturbances of concentration and memory, tension, depression, fatigue, decreased libido, anorexia and insomnia. The two groups were matched for their clinical picture, age, sex, and duration of illness. During the three-week study period the pemoline group received 50 mg daily. Significant differences in some clinical symptoms were found between the groups, but not in the performance of psychological tests, administered before and after the three-week study period. These differences proved the effectiveness of pemoline in combating symptoms of disturbances in concentration, memory, tension, depression and fatigue.

Adult

Behavioral toxicity. Neuroleptic-induced paradoxical behavioral toxicity in young borderline schizoprenics.

9 young borderline schizophrenics who developed an acute paradoxical behavioral toxicity as a reaction to the initiation of antipsychotic medication are described. The dynamics, the psychological issues as well as some possible psychopharmacological interactions are discussed. The risk of behavioral toxicity should not be overlooked or underestimated and the occurrence of this reaction must be carefully differentiated from other drug-induced reactions.

Adult

Urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) excretion in depression.

Twelve acute depressed patients were studied in the course of antidepressant treatment. Three-day-24-hour urine samples for 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (MHPG) were collected both before and after a five week treatment schedule. MHPG were estimated by spectrophotometry. Initial MHPG excretion did not reflect the severity of pretreatment depression and final MHPG showed no specific correlation with post-treatment improvement. No specific or uniform influence of different anti-depressant treatments or changes in MHPG was evident. Depressed patients with bipolar affective disorder tend to have initially lower MHPG levels than patients with unipolar depression. Urinary MHPG excretion measurements may prove not to be a useful index in the diagnosis and choice of treatment in patients suffering from primary depression.

Adult

Treatment of Bell palsy with prednisone: a prospective, randomized study.

Two hundred thirty-nine patients with Bell palsy were randomly distributed into prednisone-treated and control groups. Patients were followed until complete recovery or for 1 year. In the steroid-treated and control groups, respectively, incomplete recovery of facial strength occurred in 12 percent and 20 percent; motor synkinesis in 9 percent and 15 percent; autonomic synkinesis in 1 percent and 10 percent; and electromyographic evidence of severe denervation in 9 percent and 17 percent. The differences reached statistical significance only for autonomic synkinesis. In the total series recovery of facial strength was incomplete in 16 percent. Residual weakness was mild in 14 percent and moderate in 2 percent. No patient remained with severe weakness. Age, hyperacusis, and severity of the initial palsy were associated with an increased risk of poor outcome.

Adolescent

A psychosomatic triad in a bipolar patient.

A 56-year-old white male with a rare case of psychosomatic triad occurring during a single depressive episode is presented. The dynamics, course, and treatment are discussed. It is suggested that common psychosomatic mechanisms are interacting with the bipolar illness.

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