[Unchanged life situation of the mentally ill in southern Bohus county].
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
S O Frederiksen
Publications and source records attributed to S O Frederiksen.
Swedish physicians' inclination to prescribe benzodiazepines: differences between regions and characteristics of the prescriber.
There are substantial differences in the sales of benzodiazepines between Swedish regions. In order to determine whether there are consistent differences in the inclination of Swedish doctors to prescribe benzodiazepines depending on region and characteristics of the prescriber, a questionnaire was sent to a stratified random sample of physicians (116 family practitioners, 78 psychiatrists, and 96 private practitioners). The questionnaire contained six case studies in which benzodiazepine treatment was suggested and two case studies concerning change of benzodiazepine dosage. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the inclination to prescribe benzodiazepines depending on both region and the physician's age in two cases and the physician's speciality and gender in one case each. Psychiatrists and female physicians were, in general, less inclined to prescribe benzodiazepines. In spite of higher sales of benzodiazepines in Göteborg, physicians there had a lower inclination to prescribe benzodiazepines compared with physicians working in regions with lower prescription rates.
Adult↗
[A survey according to the demands of Psychiatriutredningen in the southern Bohusl[n: How is the living situation of mentally disabled? A study which may be a basis of supportive measures].
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Adult↗
Neuropeptides and Alzheimer's disease.
Numerous neuropeptides have been isolated from the human brain and postulated as neurotransmitter candidates. Their biochemical characteristics and anatomical distribution have been elucidated in some detail, but their possible physiological and pathophysiological roles, as well as their utility as diagnostic markers in brain disorders, have been more difficult to establish. The concentrations of several neuropeptides have been measured in postmortem human brain studies and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Here we critically review these findings with focus on: (1) the relation between brain tissue and CSF neuropeptide alterations; (2) the specificity of neuropeptide alterations in Alzheimer's disease in relation to other degenerative brain diseases; (3) possible functional implications.
Alzheimer Disease↗
Reduced concentrations of galanin, arginine vasopressin, neuropeptide Y and peptide YY in the temporal cortex but not in the hypothalamus of brains from schizophrenics.
Postmortem investigations were performed in brains from 14 schizophrenic patients and 21 controls matched for age and autopsy latency. Concentrations of galanin, delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), arginine vasopressin (AVP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and peptide YY (PYY) were determined in the hypothalamus and grey matter from the temporal cortex. A significant positive correlation between age and the concentrations of galanin and CRF was found in the controls. No sex differences were found except a higher mean of CRF in the hypothalamus of the women. In the temporal cortex of the schizophrenic brains, galanin, AVP, NPY and PYY were significantly reduced. DSIP reduction only bordered on significance. CRF was not reduced. Comparing neuroleptic-treated vs non-treated schizophrenics, the treatment factor could not explain the reduced concentrations of neuropeptides in the temporal lobe. A comparison of controls with schizophrenics showed no significant differences in hypothalamic neuropeptide concentrations.
Age Factors↗
Influence of ACTH 4-10 and unilateral ECT on primary and secondary memory in depressive patients.
Primary and secondary memory were tested in depressive patients by means of immediate free recall of lists of words in a double blind intraindividual cross-over comparison between ACTH 4-10 in a single s.c. dose and placebo, in connection with the second and third unilateral electroconvulsive treatment (ECT). The results of the study did not show any memory facilitating effect of ACTH 4-10 in immediate recall from primary and secondary memory, after ECT. The results indicate a negative effect of ECT on delayed recall from secondary memory 120 min after ECT.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
Reliability and validity of two tests for non-verbal memory.
Because of its lenient effects on memory, unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on the non-dominant hemisphere is routinely used in most ECT units in the Scandinavian countries. Considering the neuropsychological peculiarities of the non-dominant hemisphere, two tests were constructed to evaluate the effect of ECT on non-verbal memory. The tests are characterized by visual mode of administration and complex figurative items. They can measure both immediate and delayed memory and exist in two parallel forms. Analysis of a number of studies on unilateral non-dominant and dominant ECT indicates that the two non-verbal memory tests have good reliability and validity. Convergent validity between the two non-verbal memory tests, discriminant validity against tests of verbal memory, and criterion-related validity in relation to the influence of different treatment modalities, indicate the tests as valid instruments for measuring non-verbal memory. The two test forms show satisfactory parallelism. Together with tests of verbal memory, the total battery provides an all-round instrument for studying memory functions after ECT or other cerebral influences.
Dominance, Cerebral↗
ACTH 4-9 analogue (Org 2766) in depressed elderly patients. I. Effect on depressed mood.
Sixty-two moderately depressed elderly in- and out-patients were administered 80 mg ACTH 4-9 analogue (Org 2766) or placebo daily for 4 weeks in a double-blind interindividual comparison. Patients were rated on days 0, 15 and 29 with the Hamilton Psychiatric Depression Rating Scale (HPDRS), The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) and the Sandoz Clinical Assessment Geriatric Scale (SCAG). After 4 weeks 23 patients crossed over to the opposite treatment for a further 2 weeks. A statistically significant reduction in the severity of depression and anxiety was found in both treatment groups. No statistically significant differences were found between the treatment groups, when comparing scores for each item and total scores of HPDRS, HAS and SCAG on day 0, 15 or 29. Nor were there any statistically significant differences after the cross-over. Somatic examination and laboratory screenings before and at the end of the study did not reveal any pathological changes. No side effects were recorded.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
ACTH 4-9 analogue (Org 2766) in depressed elderly patients. II. Effect on memory and vigilance.
In a double-blind interindividual comparison 80 mg of an ACTH 4-9 analogue (Org 2766) or placebo was administered daily to 49 elderly depressed in- and out-patients for 4 weeks. 20 patients then changed to the opposite treatment in a cross-over study for a further 2 weeks. All patients were tested for memory on days 0 and 29 with a battery consisting of the 30 World-Pair Test, the 30 Figure-Test and the 30 Personal-Facta Test. Three scores were obtained from each test, immediate memory score (IMS), delayed memory score (DMS) and their difference, forgetting score (FS). Cross-over patients were tested for vigilance on days 0, 29 and 43 in an apparatus testing ability to rapidly detect and react to specific minor changes at random intervals. Org 2766 had no better effect than placebo on learning, consolidation, or retrieval of memorized material in elderly depressed patients. Statistically significant fewer target misses in the test of vigilance suggest a higher degree of sustained attention after treatment with Org 2766.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
Early visual information processing in depressive patients treated with ORG 2766 (an ACTH 4-9 analogue).
Twenty-one depressive patients (7 males, 14 females, mean age 61.6, range 50-72) participated in an inter- and intraindividual double-blind comparative study between the ACTH 4-9 analogue (ORG 2766), 80 mg daily during 14-28 days, and placebo. The temporal thresholds for detection and recognition of rapidly presented single letters were assessed by a tachistoscopic technique. The results indicate that the peptide has a reducing effect on recognition threshold, and appears to improve automatic, preattentive levels of information processing possibly involved in the transfer of information from the peripheral icon to the cortical centre, i.e. from iconic storage to short-term memory.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
ACTH4-10 and memory in ECT-treated and untreated patients. I. Effect on consolidation.
The aim of the study was to investigate the possible effect of a single dose of ACTH4-10 (30 mg subcutaneously) on memory as measured with a test battery appropriate for the study of "consolidation". Twenty depressive inpatients participated in the intraindividual double-blind cross-over comparison between ACTH4-10 and placebo in connection with the second and third treatment in the ECT series. ACTH4-10 (or placebo) was administered subcutaneously 30 min after unilateral ECT. Memory functions were examined 90 min before and 150 min after the administration of the drug. A similar design was used in a study of 20 inpatients with neurotic depression not treated with ECT. The results of both studies give no evidence of a positive influence of a single dose of ACTH4-10 on consolidation of memory. Possible sources of error are discussed.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
ACTH4-10 and memory in ECT-treated patients and untreated controls. II. Effect on retrieval.
The aim of the investigation was to find whether a single dose of ACTH4-10 could alleviate the retrograde dysmnesic effects of unilateral ECT and improve retrieval. Twenty depressive inpatients participated in the study, which was a double-blind intraindividual cross-over comparison between ACTH4-10 (30 mg subcutaneously) and placebo. The drug was administered 150 min after learning and 90 min after the second or third ECT unilateral treatment. Retrieval was tested 30 min after the administration of the drug. An identical design was used in 20 unmedicated healthy female subjects. The results of both studies give no support to the hypothesis that a single dose of ACTH4-10 facilitates memory retrieval.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
Electroconvulsive therapy in Sweden.
In spite of a decrease in the number of electroconvulsive treatments (ECT) administered during the decade 1966-1975, ECT is still commonly used in Sweden. About 4 per cent of all patients admitted for psychiatric treatment during 1975 received ECT. Affective disorders and confusional states appear to be the main indications. Treatment is usually unilateral, with general anaesthesia and muscle relaxants, generally using the same type of ECT machine.
Electroconvulsive Therapy↗
Comparison of fronto-frontal and temporo-parietal unilateral ECT.
An intraindividual double-blind cross-over comparison for the anterograde effect on memory of unilateral non-dominant frontofrontal (FF) and temporo-parietal (TP) ECT was performed in connection with the second and third treatment of an ECT-series, the electrode placement being alternated at random. Treatment technique was standardized and seizure duration was measured by means of EEG. Memory functions were tested after treatments by means of four memory tests: the 30 Word-Pair Test, the 30 Figure Test, the 30 Geometrical Figure Test and the 30 Face Test. Three operationally defined memory variables, immediate memory (IMS, 3 hours after ECT), delayed memory (DMS, 3 hours after IMS), and their difference, forgetting, were scored. No differences were found in the mean time of electrical stimulation, in the amount of methohexital and suxamethonium chloride, and in seizure duration between the two treatment groups. No statistically significant differences in any of the memory tests were found. The FF electrode position did not show any advantage compared with the routine TP electrode placement.
Aged↗