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Biomedical subjects

D Servant

Publications and source records attributed to D Servant.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Effects of beta-blocking drugs in alcohol withdrawal: a double-blind comparative study with propranolol and diazepam.

Alcohol withdrawal is associated with a decrease in gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmission. This explains the efficacy of benzodiazepines. However, an increase in adrenergic activity may also play a part in alcohol withdrawal symptoms, suggesting a potential efficacy of beta-blocking drugs. A double-blind comparative study of propranolol and diazepam was carried out in 28 patients suffering from moderate uncomplicated alcohol withdrawal. Patients were treated for 15 days with either 75 mg of propranolol or 30 mg of diazepam. The results show that both drugs at the dosages used are equipotent in reducing physical withdrawal symptoms and anxiety symptoms. This suggests that most likely the central as well as the peripheral effects determine the clinical usefulness of propranolol in the management of alcohol withdrawal. However, propranolol is ineffective in preventing major motor seizures, suggesting that different neurobiological mechanisms underlie the alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1990

Platelet serotonin decrease in alcoholic patients.

This study investigated the platelet 5-HT levels and their changes according to different physiological and pathological factors in 30 young alcoholic patients (16 alcohol abusers and 14 alcohol-dependent subjects) and 26 healthy controls. Platelet 5-HT levels were determined by a fluorescent-ortho-phthalaldehyde assay. The mean platelet 5-HT levels obtained in patients during withdrawal and after 2 weeks of abstinence were significantly lower than in controls. Presence of positive history of impulse control disorders (ICD) influenced the mean platelet 5-HT levels in patients. These preliminary results suggest that the platelet 5-HT level decrease observed in alcohol-dependent patients mostly free from ICD and in alcohol abusers mostly affected by ICD might result from comparable neurobiological mechanisms. However, the age of onset of alcohol dependence might depend on psychological functioning features.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus, delta agent and human immunodeficiency virus infections in drug addicts.

Infections with the hepatitis B (HBV) and delta (HDV) viruses and with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are very common among intravenous drug addicts. The serum of 80 percent of drug addicts contains one of the HBV markers, and 15 percent of them carry an anti-D antibody. Infections with the hepatitis A and non A-non B viruses are also very common among drug abusers. Some of them may harbour several of these pathogens. This can explain the frequency of liver disease (biological anomalies and histological lesions) observed in drug addicts, as does alcohol consumption associated with drug abuse. Fifty to 60 per cent of intravenous drug addicts are seropositive for HIV. This prevalence varies across studies and countries. The high prevalence of infection by HIV in drug addicts may be explained by the use of a shared syringe. This prevalence exposes drug addicts to an increase in AIDS cases in the near future. The high prevalence of infections by HBV, HDV and HIV in drug addicts represents a risk factor for the spread of HBV, HDV and HIV infections among the general population. Preventing the rapid spread of these viruses among drug addicts is of utmost importance for the future.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

[Tercian].

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Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1986

[Humoryl].

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Depressive Disorder↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Major depression in panic disorder: role of recent life events.

The authors assessed life events during the year before the onset of panic disorder in 57 panic patients with a lifetime history of major depression. Compared with a group of 43 panic patients without major depression, the group with depression had experienced more severe events. The clinical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed in the context of current concepts regarding the role of recent life events in comorbidity of panic disorder and major depression.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Obsessive-compulsive symptoms associated with panic disorder. Predictive factor of a good therapeutic response to fluvoxamine].

In a sample of 35 patients with a diagnosis of panic disorder or agoraphobia with panic attacks according DSM III criteria, the authors found 8 patients (23%) with obsessive compulsive symptoms. This subgroup and 7 patients without obsessive compulsive symptoms were treated with fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor in an 8 weeks open study (2 weeks wash out, 6 weeks treatment). At the end of the study, a dramatic reduction of anxiety was found in different rating scales. Ten patients improved and no panic attack was noted: 7 in the group with obsessive compulsive symptoms (N = 8) and 3 in the group without obsessive compulsive symptoms (N = 7). Interest of fluvoxamine in panic patients with obsessive compulsive symptoms who do not respond to common antipanic medication is suggested. Controlled studies are necessary to confirm these first results.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Monoamine oxidase inhibitor in the treatment of attention deficit disorder of residual type. Apropos of a case].

Attention deficit disorder is common in children and it may continue during adolescence and adulthood. Some psychotropic drugs can improve the social, school and professional adaptation. A 16 year old girl suffering from an attention deficit disorder of the residual type according to the DSM III criteria was treated by toloxatone, a new monoamine oxidase inhibitor. According to clinical improvement observed with this drug, it may be considered as a new symptomatic treatment of this disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Rohypnol].

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Flunitrazepam↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Victan].

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Benzodiazepines↗