PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S J Kiraly

Publications and source records attributed to S J Kiraly.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Risperidone: treatment response in adult and geriatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and side effects of risperidone in younger adult and geriatric patients. METHODS: Open retrospective study of 102 consecutive intakes, prescribed risperidone, by a mental health team. All patients were non-hospitalized community residents. Prior to initiation of risperidone, and at termination of study period, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores were used to track progress. Variables monitored were: concurrent use of other antipsychotics, compliance, side effects, and maintenance dosage. RESULTS: The most common DSM-IV diagnoses were schizophrenia in the younger adult group and late onset delusional disorders in the geriatric group. Compliance was good for both groups. The geriatric group demonstrated a greater treatment response which was reached at a significantly lower dosage. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of side effects. Examination of response by diagnostic category indicated that geriatric patients with late onset delusional disorder showed the best response while adults with either schizophrenia or affective syndromes also showed positive response. CONCLUSIONS: Risperidone, at lower than recommended doses, shows promise in the treatment of late onset delusional disorders and behavior syndrome of dementia. The side effect profile was benign, as was suggested by experience in treating schizophrenia. Scientifically more rigorous prospective studies for the indications and efficacy of risperidone in late onset psychotic disorders and psychoses and behavior syndromes associated with dementing illness are overdue.

Adult↗

The relationship of endogenous cortisol to psychiatric disorder: a review.

OBJECTIVES: To focus on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, especially endogenous hypercortisolemia, to study its role in the maintenance of psychiatric illness, and to entertain the probability that the elderly are vulnerable. METHOD: Case presentation, clinical and research literature review, and theoretical discussion. RESULTS: Clinical and research evidence overwhelmingly suggest that hypercortisolemia is toxic to the hippocampus. Some research supports the position that it can be a treatable perpetuating factor in a subset of affective disorders and psychoses. Pharmacological treatments to correct hypercortisolemia have been used by endocrinologists. Hypercortisolemic treatment-resistant and nontreatment-resistant psychoses and affective disorders have been successfully treated by a small number of researchers who remain interested in this subject. Data pertaining to geriatric psychoses may be germane but are sparse. CONCLUSIONS: It behooves us to research diagnostic methods pertaining to psychoses and affective disorders associated with hypercortisolemic states. Very little research is available, but we must be alert to the possibility that the elderly are more susceptible to cortisol endotoxicosis than the younger adult population. Without accurate diagnosis, we cannot take advantage of existing antiglucocorticoid strategies.

Adrenocortical Hyperfunction↗