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Biomedical subjects

D Aizenberg

Publications and source records attributed to D Aizenberg.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Trazodone treatment in clomipramine-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Trazodone (TZ) was administered to nine patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), who failed to respond to either clomipramine (CMI) or to CMI plus lithium carbonate. The group, as a whole, showed significant but mild improvement. Three patients responded very favorably to TZ. In these three responders, efficacy was substantiated by the return of the original obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms following TZ withdrawal and their amelioration after its readministration. Interestingly, the aggravation of OCD symptomatology that has been associated with a specific TZ metabolite was not observed. This study is consistent with previous reports of the anti-OC efficacy of TZ and suggests the involvement of complex serotonergic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of this disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Pseudocholinesterase in obsessive-compulsive patients.

Levels of pseudocholinesterase (PsChe) were measured in 20 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and 20 healthy volunteers. The OCD group had significantly higher PsChe serum activity than in their sex- and age-matched control group. Patients' scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HRS-A) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were not correlated with their PsChe levels. The results provide additional support for the observation of higher PsChe levels among anxiety-related psychiatric conditions. However, the relationships among anxiety, depression, and PsChe appear to be complex. The nature and implications of elevated PsChe levels are still unknown.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Religious compulsions and the spectrum concept of psychopathology.

The authors present a clinical description of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among a unique population of patients with religious compulsions. Analysis of 2 cases demonstrates that OCD represents a psychopathological spectrum, varying along a continuum of insight and resistance. Associated clinical features together with diagnostic and treatment implications are considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Multiple exostosis, brain ventricular enlargement and schizophrenia.

Case histories of two family members with multiple exostosis and schizophrenia are presented. There are no previous reports of such an association. The computerized axial tomography scan revealed signs of hydrocephalus in one patient and substantial enlargement of lateral brain ventricles in the other. The mutual occurrence of all three clinical findings (multiple exostosis, ventricular brain enlargement and psychosis) in two family members may suggest a subgroup of patients who manifest schizophrenic symptomatology.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Catatonic signs in severe obsessive compulsive disorder.

Two cases of prolonged catatonic states that were part of severe obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are described. The catatonic symptoms failed to respond to neuroleptics but were ameliorated by conventional OCD treatments; clomipramine was used in one case, and behavior therapy in the other. Inclusion of severe OCD in the differential diagnosis of catatonia is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Risk of malignant hyperthermia among patients with neuroleptic malignant syndrome and their families.

The occurrence of malignant hyperthermia in 20 patients who had had neuroleptic malignant syndrome and in their 108 first-degree relatives was retrospectively studied. The patients had experienced a total of 20 courses of ECT and 12 surgical operations in which drugs that can cause malignant hyperthermia were used, but no cases of malignant hyperthermia had occurred, and no cases had occurred in the 37 relatives who had undergone surgery or ECT. The authors conclude that patients who have had malignant neuroleptic syndrome are not at considerably greater risk than others for developing malignant hyperthermia during surgery or ECT; the clinical data suggest that the two disorders are not related.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Serum pseudocholinesterase in psychiatric patients.

Serum pseudocholinesterase activity was measured in 123 subjects: 16 agitated depressives, 12 retarded depressives, 7 acute schizophrenics, 14 residual schizophrenics, 16 healthy individuals, 45 surgical patients, and 13 first-degree relatives of 4 agitated depressive patients. The agitated depressive and acute schizophrenic patients had significantly higher pseudocholinesterase serum activity than their retarded inmates. As first-degree relatives of agitated depressive patients showed high levels similar to their ill relatives, a genetic component might play a crucial role. The level of pseudocholinesterase activity in serum of the surgical patients was significantly lower than that of all the psychiatric patients and the controls. The implications of this observation are still obscure.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

A successful electroconvulsive treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

A case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) treated successfully with electroconvulsive therapy (ETC) is described. Repeated exposures of the patients to succinylcholine during ECT did not cause malignant hyperthermia. The efficacy of ECT is probably related to its facilitatory effect upon dopamine (DA) activity in CNS.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Musical hallucinations, depression and old age.

The association between musical hallucinations, depression and acquired hearing loss is described in two elderly patients. Following the presentation of this underdiagnosed clinical phenomenon we propose that musical hallucinations should be addressed as a final outcome of several factors including both mental and physical components. This conceptual framework enhances our understanding and treatment of such phenomena.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Clomipramine-induced urinary dysfunction in an obsessive-compulsive adolescent.

Two episodes of urinary retention occurred in a 15-year-old male following administration of clomipramine given for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Improvement of behavioral symptoms along with side effects was clearly correlated with clomipramine dosage. Severity of side effects, and their resistance to bethanechol and to phenoxybenzamine, necessitated a complete withdrawal of clomipramine. This case demonstrates that clomipramine-induced urinary retention is not limited to older individuals. Possible involvement of noncholinergic and nonadrenergic mechanisms in this adverse drug reaction is suggested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Koro in an Israeli male.

The Koro syndrome, a 'special cultural psychiatric syndrome', is encountered in South China, Malaysia and Indonesia, especially among people of Chinese origin. There are only eight case reports of Koro from the Western hemisphere. We present a typical primary Koro patient from Israel. Jewish cultural mores are a contributory factor.

Anxiety, Castration↗
PubMed1986

Musical hallucinations, acquired deafness, and depression.

Musical hallucinations associated with acquired deafness are rarely reported in the psychiatric literature. In the few cases studied no evidence of psychiatric disturbance is noted. The authors describe two patients with musical hallucinations while in a state of nonpsychotic depression. One of these suffered from acquired deafness and no organic pathology was demonstrable in the other. Cessation of musical hallucinations occurred concomitantly in both patients with improvement of the affective state. Depression might have a contributory role in the occurrence of such hallucinations.

Aged↗