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Biomedical subjects

A E Andersen

Publications and source records attributed to A E Andersen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Quantitative assessment of psychologic state of patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia: response to caloric stimulus.

Hospitalized patients with anorexia nervosa (N = 17) or bulimia (N = 11) were given a standard liquid meal containing 400 calories. Using analogue scales, bulimic patients were found to have greater anxiety, lower mood, lower sexual arousal, and more fear of fatness than either control or anorectic patients. This finding of increased general "dysphoria" in bulimic patients persisted after the meal without any significant premeal to postmeal changes. Anorectic patients also differed from controls, but less than the bulimic patients. Some measures of anxiety correlated significantly with body mass index before the meal in bulimic patients, whereas in anorectic patients the correlation was significant only after the meal.

Anorexia Nervosa↗
PubMed1983

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia: diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.

The following principles are associated with successful treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia: (1) correct identification of these syndromes by history and mental examination, rather than by the elimination of all possible medical explanations; (2) a balanced approach between changing the abnormal weight or eating pattern and understanding and correcting the predisposing and underlying psychodynamics; (3) an empirical practical approach to treatment that avoids speculative concepts of origin; (4) an understanding of the natural history and underlying psychopathology of these disorders; (5) a non-blaming supportive approach, with variation in the specific kind of psychotherapy chosen according to the needs and abilities of the patient; (6) global treatment goals including psychologic, biologic, and social improvement; (7) avoidance of procedures with high morbidity such as tube feeding, hyperalimentation, and high-dose medication; and (8) an attitude of realistic optimism. Virtually all aspects of these disorders have the potential for complete improvement.

Anorexia Nervosa↗
PubMed1981

Anorexia nervosa: a multidisciplinary treatment program for patient and family.

This paper estimates a multidisciplinary team approach to the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Beginning with a review of the demographic characteristics of seventy-five patients involved in this sample, a brief examination of diagnostic and etiological issues, and a description of treatment practices, the authors describe a five-year inpatient experience involving a team composed of social work, medicine and nursing. The importance of each role in treating this disorder is discussed and initial outcome data are reviewed. The social worker's responsibilities, experiences, and interventions with the families of patients are emphasized. Several general principles used in working with anorectic families derived from this five-year experience are also described.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Hypothalamic dysfunction in secondary amenorrhea associated with simple weight loss.

We tested hypothalamic, pituitary and endocrine function in 19 patients with secondary amenorrhea associated with simple weight loss who did not have anorexia nervosa to evaluate the effects of weight loss on these systems. Thermoregulation at 10 degrees C and 49 degrees C was abnormal and correlated with the percentage below ideal body weight (r = 0.62, P less than 0.02, and r = 0.55, P less than 0.05, respectively). Partial diabetes insipidus was found in 27 per cent of patients with simple weight loss. They had delayed peak plasma luteinizing hormone levels after 10 microgram of luteinizing-hormone-releasing factor, which was correlated with percentage below ideal body weight (r = 0.49, P less than 0.05). Delayed peak plasma thyrotropin levels after 500 microgram of thyrotropin-releasing factor were found. No prolactin, pituitary, thyroid or adrenal abnormalities were present. These findings are qualitatively similar to results of studies in 29 patients with anorexia nervosa, but less severe and less frequently present. We conclude that hypothalamic dysfunction may be caused by weight loss per se.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Lowering brain phenylalanine levels by giving other large neutral amino acids. A new experimental therapeutic approach to phenylketonuria.

Hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase activity was inhibitied in F344 rat pups by injection with parachlorophenylalanine on days 7, 8, and 9 after birth. On day 10, animals were divided into control and experimental groups. Controls received an injection of phenylalanine, with the characteristic phenylketonuria (PKU) changes of elevated phenylalanine but normal tyrosine levels. The experimental group received a similar injection of phenylalanine but in addition received either a single amino acid or a combination of amino acids from the large neutral amino acids (LNAA) group. The LNAA group of amino acids--phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, and valine--compete with each other for entry into brain by a common transport mechanism. Compared with controls, the experimental group had lower phenylalanine levels in brain, but no change in serum levels, giving a lower brain-serum phenylalanine ratio. Increasing the serum concentrations of amino acids competitive with phenylalanine for transport across the blood brain barrier might form an alternative approach to effective dietary treatment of PKU.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1976

Delayed pituitary hormone response to LRF and TRF in patients with anorexia nervosa and with secondary amenorrhea associated with simple weight loss.

The qualitative and quantitative responses of LRF-induced LH and FSH release and TRF-induced TSH and Prolactin (PRL) release were evaluated in 21 patients with anorexia nervosa, 19 patients with secondary amenorrhea associated with simple weight loss (SWL) who did not fulfill the psychologic criteria for anorexia nervosa, and 7 normal women in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Basal plasma LH and FSH were significantly lower in the anorexia nervosa group compared to the SWL group and normals (P less than 0.05). The LRF-induced integrated LH responses, however, were the same in the 3 groups and the integrated FSH responses were greater in the underweight groups when compared to normal. The time of the peak LH response (mean+/-SE) was signifantly delayed (P less than 0.01) in both the anorexia nervosa (49 +/- 6.1 min) and SWL (28 +/- 2.5 min) groups when compared to normal (17 +/- 2.3 min). The time of the FSH response was significantly delayed (P less than 0.05) in anorexia nervosa (95 +/- 9.6 min) when compared to normals (35 +/0 7.9 min) and SWL patients (62 +/- 11.7 min). Normal basal TSH and PRL and normal peak TSH and PRL responses to TRF were found in anorexia nervosa. The time of the TSH and PRL peak (56+/-8.9 and 36+/-3.6 min,, respectively) in anorexia nervosa was significantly later than normal (26 +/- 1.7 and 36 +/- 3.6 min respectively) (P less than 0.01). It is concluded that despite normal quantitative response to releasing hormones, there are abnormally delayed responses in both anorexia nervosa and SWL patients. The SWL responses were intermediate between those of the anorexia nervosa group and normals. The constellation of normal quantitative but abnormal kinetic LRF and TRF responses supports the hypothesis that the endocrine changes seen in anorexia nervosa are consistent with hypothalamic dysfunction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1974

The enduring behavioral changes in rats with experimental phenylketonuria.

The biochemical features of phenylketonuria have been reproduced in developing rat pups by administering to them a combination of p-chloro-DL-phenylalanine plus L-phenylalanine for the first 21 days after birth. During the treatment period, the experimental animals show delayed eye opening and decreased brain weight compared with controls given saline. Neuropathological examination of developing animals reveals deficient myelination and some inhibition of cerebellar maturation. When tested as adults, after a long recovery period, animals with phenylketonuria are hyperactive in activity wheels. Adult rats are deficient in reversing a position choice and demonstrate impaired performance in a Y-maze. Rats treated with p-chloro-DL-phenylalanine plus L-phenylalanine during the vulnerable period of rapid brain development thus have enduring behavioral changes that persist throughout life.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1972

Enduring behavioral changes in rats with experimental phenylketonuria.

Several criticisms of past attempts to produce experimental phenylketonuria are discussed, and a model that appears to meet these criticisms is presented. This model uses inhibition in rats of phenylalanine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.3.1) by p-chlorophenylalanine and supplementation with phenylalanine to produce a high ratio of phenylalanine to tyrosine in their blood. By this method, an experimental subject is produced whose behavioral, neurological, and biochemical characteristics are similar to those of clinical patients with phenylketonuria.

Aggression↗