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Biomedical subjects

A L Pottash

Publications and source records attributed to A L Pottash.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Serum prolactin and opiate withdrawal.

To evaluate the dopamine hyperactivity hypothesis for opiate withdrawal, we measured serum prolactin (PRL) in 21 male methadone addicts during significant opiate withdrawal and after clonidine suppression of opiate withdrawal signs and symptoms. We also measured serum PRL in these addicts 4 weeks after they were free of clonidine and opiates. Serum PRL was significantly decreased during opiate withdrawal and after clonidine reversal of withdrawal symptoms when compared to serum PRL measured in the drug-free baseline samples. These data suggest that dopaminergic hyperactivity is present in opiate withdrawal, but may not be related to the signs and symptoms of withdrawal. A noradrenergic hyperactivity hypothesis is proposed to explain the neurobiological system that becomes activated in withdrawal, generates symptoms, and is inhibited after clonidine administration.

Clonidine↗
PubMed1980

Efficacy of clonidine in opiate withdrawal: a study of thirty patients.

In a placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial, clonidine caused a marked and significant reduction of objective signs and subjective symptoms of opiate withdrawal in thirty hospitalized opiate addicts. In an open trial of clonidine in opiate withdrawal, clonidine was found to suppress opiate withdrawal signs and symptoms, allowing all of the patients to detoxify successfully from chronic opiate addiction. Clonidine was demonstrated to reverse and suppress the signs, symptoms, and effects associated with opiate withdrawal. These data support a release from chronic opiate-induced noradrenergic inhibition producing noradrenergic hyperactivity as the pathophysiological substrate for opiate withdrawal. Clonidine replaces opiate-mediated inhibition with alpha-2 mediated inhibition of noradrenergic nuclei.

Brain↗
PubMed1978

Utilization of psychiatry in a primary care center.

The pattern of use of psychiatry over a 12-month period in a university-based primary care center is reported. Interest in pursuing careers in family practice and amount of time spent in the center were related to seeking consultation. All nurse practitioners and social workers sought psychiatric consultations. The majority of patients received care for their psychiatric problems by their primary care clinicians after consultation rather than being referred to a traditional psychiatric clinic.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dexamethasone suppression test testing of depressed alcoholics.

In order to determine the sensitivity of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) for major depression in alcoholics, we administered this test to 27 alcoholics with major depression. Sixteen of 27 had abnormal DST results, yielding a 59% sensitivity for depression in alcoholics. When combined with previously reported specificity findings of 100%, the DST significantly (p less than 0.001) distinguished depressed from nondepressed alcoholics.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cocaine update: from bench to bedside.

The aim of this paper is to review and explore the psychopharmacology of cocaine from two divergent points of view--the chronic user and the laboratory. Cocaine's behavioral effects will be correlated with neurophysiological, neurochemical events, and reports by users of consequences of chronic use. These studies and reports when pieced together offer considerable promise in the development of a natural history of compulsive cocaine use. Additional neurochemical and neurophysiological research investigations are needed to allow for the development of non-addicting treatments for detoxification (à la clonidine) and prophylaxis (à la naltrexone). In the absence of these data cocaine treatment programs have been developed borrowing heavily from self help, contingency contracting and inpatient programs for working addicts.

Affect↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Drug abuse and bipolar disorders.

Abuse of multiple substances can coexist in many patients who present with symptoms indistinguishable from any Bipolar Disorder. Failure to recognize and treat this coexistent substance abuse may preclude the proper management of the bipolar disorder.

Amphetamine↗