Biomedical subjects

G Charles

Publications and source records attributed to G Charles.

83 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Endocrinological and neurophysiological modifications in a case of atropinic delusional state].

In this case report, we observed a delirium probably owing to toxic effects of homatropine eye drops. We reproduced this syndrome and we reversed it with physostigmine salicylate as an antidote. We observed a decrease of cortisol at 9.00 a.m. and impairment of regional cerebral blood flow with increase in the previous right side. The unusual susceptibility of this patient to the anticholinergic effect of homatropine is perhaps related to a preexisting mild cognitive defect possibly related to a cholinergic neurotransmitter deficit.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Dexamethasone suppression test repeated after a suicide attempt].

The authors performed 3 consecutive DSTs in 54 non-endogenous depressives admitted after a suicide attempt. The DST results are not correlated with the lethality of the suicide attempt. Stress and numerous drug interactions are most probably responsible for the high proportion of DST nonsuppressors among our patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[In unipolar depression does the response to the dexamethasone suppression test predict a symptomatic recurrence after clinical cure?].

We assessed the length and the quality of the remission of 13 unipolar endogenous depressed DST nonsuppressors before treatment in a 2-year prospective study. During this period, we recorded stressful life events. Persistent dexamethasone non-suppression after treatment and complete clinical recovery correlated highly with early clinical relapse. All six nonnormalizers but only one normalizer were rehospitalized within the following two years for a major depressive relapse. Persistent DST nonsuppression was unrelated to any impact of drug discontinuation, to the occurrence of stressful life events or to the length of illness-free intervals in the patient's prior course of illness. Persistent DST non-suppression appears to have a significant prognostic value.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Cortisol suppression after dexamethasone administration in patients with dementia].

Sixty-four nondepressed, carefully selected senile demented inpatients underwent two 1.0 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression tests (DSTs) separated by 7 days. These patients had been in a clinically stable and drug-free state for at least six months prior to testing. The Modified Ischemic Scale score and ICD-9 criteria for Alzheimer's disease were used to dichotomize subjects into Alzheimer's and multi-infarct types of dementia. Patients with vascular dementias were significantly more likely to evidence DST nonsuppression, furthermore, DSTs in this group were less reproducible from week to week than DSTs in Alzheimer's patients.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[French adaptation and validation of the Carroll rating scale for depression].

The authors translated the Carroll Rating Scale for depression published in 1982. They evaluated the reliability of this scale in 50 normal volunteers. They validated the French Version against the Hamilton Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. The translation has been shown to be reliable. The correlation between the Hamilton Rating Scale and the Carroll Rating Scale is better than the one between the Hamilton Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. The Carroll Rating Scale appears to be useful for a quick evaluation of depressive symptoms.

Depression↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The dexamethasone suppression test in affective disorders. A review].

The Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) is a new tool to help in the diagnosis of depression. The authors present the clinical methodology for in- and out-patients and review the current literature on the DST. Some show a correlation between cortisol non-suppression after dexamethasone and the diagnosis of endogenous or primary depression. The authors illustrate the interest of the DST by providing there personal experience of this test. The influence of clinical state, severity of depression and other variables, such as age, sex, menopause and family history, are reviewed in reference to the neuro-transmitters control of the DST.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Cerebral blood flow and depression].

Regional cerebral blood flow is an index of cerebral metabolism. We have studied with the Xenon 113 inhalation method, regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with various types of depression and in remission. A left frontal hypervascularisation and a right posterior hypovascularisation have been found in primary major depression, but not in minor depression and bipolar depression in remission. These results confirm and complete results from other authors who have studied the physiopathology of depression with other technics.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Compatibility between AMDP scales and "Research Diagnostic Criteria" (RDC) for the diagnosis of endogenous depression].

Research Diagnostic Criteria represent the most widely used system in research in biological psychiatry to select homogenous samples of patients with a defined psychiatric illness. The AMDP system represents the most complete system for documentation and quantification of psychopathology. On the conceptual point of view, it seems possible to use AMDP psychopathological and somatical scales to select patients who meet criteria of "major depressive disorder" of RDC. In fact, equivalents exist for most of the criteria. For an optimal correspondence, only two psychopathological reserve items--in place of little useful items--and two somatical reserve items could easily be included. A preliminary study has enabled to control the sense of this methodology. A more complete study that verifies the compatibility of both approaches and the ability to automatically select endogenous depressives from AMDP scales is ongoing.

Depressive Disorder↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The necessity for standardized diagnosis in research in biological psychiatry. Attempted integration of "Research Diagnostic Criteria" into the AMDP system].

Standardization of diagnosis is an essential preliminary in the clinical research in biological psychiatry. Between the different systems of nosographical selection, Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) are the most internationally diffused. After having recalled the spirit of RDC, we have looked for seven major illnesses (major and minor depressive disorders, endogenomorphic major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, manic disorder, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder) equivalents of RDC criteria in psychopathological and somatical items of AMDP system. With a minimum of modifications (adjonction of some reserve items for each illness), AMDP scales could become compatible. The verification of this theorical equivalence secondly makes it a duty to use jointly RDC and AMDP scales and to analyse both of them separately. After this methodological control, patients who meet RDC criteria could be automatically selected from AMDP scales.

Anxiety Disorders↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative statistics of cancers in Sahara (author's transl)].

Statistics of 204 cases of cancer observed in Saharian populations from 1969 to 1976 and a comparison with studies previously made in this area and statistics from other countries. Skin cancer have a special frequence which may be related to climatic and atmospheric environment.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lithium therapy in the treatment of manic-depressive illness. Present status and future perspectives. A critical review.

This article reviews critically the present status of lithium in the treatment and prophylaxis of manic-depressive illness compared to the two anticonvulsant drugs, carbamazepine and valproic acid. Lithium is used successfully in the prophylaxis and treatment of manic-depression. The mechanism by which it exerts its effects is still not very clear. There is much evidence to indicate that lithium may exert its therapeutic action by interfering with the metabolism of phosphoinositides which play an important role in synaptic transmission. Because of lithium's narrow therapeutic/toxic ratio, blood concentration monitoring is crucial. Published data suggest that, compared to lithium, carbamazepine is similar in its relative specificity in treating mania. It is often faster in achieving its antimanic effects and best established as an alternative for patients not responding or intolerant to lithium. Carbamazepine is a good substitute for lithium when severe renal problems exclude the use of lithium. The therapeutic profile of valproic acid in manic-depression, although less extensively studied, appears to be similar to that of carbamazepine. As carbamazepine, it seems to be best indicated in patients with rapid cycles. Whereas lithium inhibits myo-inositol monophosphatase, carbamazepine shows a stimulating effect and valproic acid has no effect on this biochemical target. The implication of the inositol pathway in the pathogenesis of adverse effects, such as neurotoxicity and dermatological irritation, is discussed. A further understanding of this pathway is important for the future development of new lithium-like compounds in order to maximize the therapeutic benefits without the adverse effects.

Anticonvulsants↗