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Biomedical subjects

S Lis

Publications and source records attributed to S Lis.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Treatment of primary insomnia with trimipramine: an alternative to benzodiazepine hypnotics?

A group of 19 middle aged patients suffering from primary insomnia according to the DSM-III-R were treated in a single-blind study with trimipramine, a sedating antidepressant. A total of 15 patients completed the study protocol and were evaluated. The present pilot study aimed at investigating the sleep-inducing properties of trimipramine, and at clarifying the question of whether short- or long-term rebound insomnia occurs after discontinuation of this drug. At four measurement points, i.e. under baseline conditions, under treatment and 4 and 14 days after drug discontinuation, sleep was recorded with an ambulatory-electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring device in the patient's home environment. Simultaneously, psychometric tests were applied to measure withdrawal symptoms, subjective sleep quality and well-being during daytime. Trimipramine at a mean dose of 166 +/- 48 mg led to a significant increase in sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and stage 2% sleep-period time (SPT), whereas a significant decrease in wake time and stage 1% SPT was noted. Insomniac patients reported an improvement in subjectively perceived sleep quality following trimipramine. Additionally, an improvement in well-being during the daytime occurred. Negative side effects were limited to dry mouth due to the anticholinergic properties of the drug. Discontinuation of trimipramine did not provoke either short- or long-term rebound insomnia in objective and subjective sleep measurements considering mean values of the whole sample, although a subgroup of patients did display total sleep times below baseline values during short- and long-term withdrawal, but generally without a concomitant worsening of sleep quality according to the sleep questionnaire.

Adult↗

Cholinergic neurotransmission, REM sleep and depression.

It is known from animal experiments that the regulation of REM and Non-REM sleep is governed by cholinergic and serotonergic/adrenergic neurons in the brain stem. Cholinergic neurons in the gigantocellular field of the tegmentum seem to be responsible for the triggering and maintenance of REM sleep. These findings are of special interest for interpreting abnormalities of REM sleep in depression. Psychiatric sleep research in the last two decades has demonstrated that an early onset of REM sleep and heightened REM density frequently occurs in patients suffering from depression. Extrapolating from animal data on REM sleep regulation, the premature onset of REM sleep in depression may be interpreted as the consequence of a central nervous cholinergic overactivity or muscarinic supersensitivity. In our experimental work we have tested assumptions of the so-called reciprocal interaction model of NonREM and REM sleep by cholinergic/anticholinergic stimulation strategies of sleep in healthy subjects. Furthermore, the impact of cholinergic stimulation on sleep in depression, healthy control subjects and other psychopathological conditions was investigated. These studies demonstrated that the most pronounced REM sleep response to cholinergic stimulation occurred in depression.

Adolescent↗

Influence of biperiden and bornaprine on sleep in healthy subjects.

Biperiden, 4 mg, an anticholinergic drug that is relatively selective for the M1 receptor subtype, and bornaprine, 4 mg, a nonselective M1 and M2 antagonist, were administered orally in a randomized, double-blind design to twelve healthy volunteers to investigate the effect on polysomnographically recorded sleep. Both drugs suppressed rapid eye movement (REM) sleep as reflected by an increase of REM latency and a decrease in the percentage of REM sleep period time with the effects of biperiden being more pronounced. No significant effect on slow wave sleep was observed. The results of this study support the hypothesis that both the M1 and the M2 receptor subtype are involved in the regulation of REM sleep in humans.

Adult↗

Drug-induced dysphagia.

Dysphagia is a problem commonly treated and frequently diagnosed on the rehabilitation unit. It can be caused by trauma, injury, or diseases of the nervous system and can result in potentially serious and life threatening complications. The disruption of normal swallowing has also been reported to occur in psychiatric patients treated with psychotropic medication. Relatively unappreciated by physicians, and unreported by the rehabilitation patient, drug-induced dysphagia can likewise result in serious complications. This report describes a case of drug-induced dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia during the rehabilitation of a traumatically brain injured male who received psychotropic medication to control aggressive behavior. The course of his dysphagia was followed and documented both clinically and with videofluoroscopic studies.

Aggression↗

Early diagnosis of brain damage in prematures with birthweight below 1250 g in the light of follow up examinations.

A follow up study of 67 prematures born with a low birthweight (1250 g or less) was made since July 1962 at the Premature Department and Aftercare Clinic of the Medical School in Warsaw. The study consisted of physical, psychological and anthropometrical examinations. Results revealed a high percentage of children with developmental disturbances such as brain damage, behavioural and visuo-motor disturbances. No evident, statistically significant interrelation between these disturbances and the course of the neonatal period could be found. The interrelation was more evident between these disturbances and the course of pregnancy. Haemorrhage in the first half of pregnancy seemed to be a most serious complication. It is difficult to predict the chances of a normal psychophysical development of the smallest prematures. Such prognosis depends on many different and complicated factors.

Birth Weight↗