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Biomedical subjects

G D Burrows

Publications and source records attributed to G D Burrows.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Mood and the menstrual cycle.

A majority of women are aware of menstrual cycle-related changes in mood and behaviour. Psychiatric disorders may also be influenced by the menstrual cycle. A premenstrual tension syndrome has been described. Research into the prevalence, aetiology and management of this condition has been hampered by additions and alterations to the original description and methodological difficulties involved in menstrual cycle research. Biological, psychological and sociological theories have been proposed to explain menstrual cycle-related mood changes. Our own studies have found evidence of ovarian steroid disturbances, and impaired psychological functioning in women with the premenstrual syndrome. Therapeutic approaches must consider both aspects. Medication often makes the patient more accessible and receptive to regimens aimed at increasing coping skills. More vigorous research into this disorder is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Benzodiazepine anxiolytic action and affinities for serotonergic and adrenergic receptors.

Tissue homogenates were prepared from brains of four week old Lewis rats. 5HT receptors were prepared from three brain regions and labelled with 3H-5HT and 3H-spiperone. Alpha-receptors were prepared from rat forebrains and labelled with 3H-WB4101 and 3H-clonidine. Incubations were carried out at seven concentrations for each of twelve benzodiazepines. IC50 values were derived from specific binding versus log (drug concentration) plots. The benzodiazepines appeared to have little affinity for 5HT or NA post-synaptic receptors in rat brain.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Plasma concentrations of benzodiazepines--a review of clinical findings and implications.

Methods for benzodiazepine analysis are briefly discussed and the pharmacokinetics of the benzodiazepines reviewed. Studies of the relationship between plasma concentration and anxiolytic response have produced conflicting results. Routine monitoring in anxiety states is not warranted. Some specific indications for monitoring are in elderly patients; in cases of suspected non-compliance; in patients with renal and hepatic disease. The relationship between plasma concentration and ECG changes following benzodiazepine overdose showed that monitoring was of little value in these cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Psychosis after withdrawal of steroid therapy.

We report a case of schizophreniform illness, which occurred after the withdrawal of steroid therapy. Despite the withdrawal of steroids, the patient's illness persisted and she required symptomatic treatment with phenothiazines and electroconvulsive therapy. The specific role of steroids in the causation of these illnesses is not clear, and may have implications for the aetiology of schizophrenia. Cases such as this have been reported only rarely in the literature.

Asthma↗
PubMed1983

Maprotiline in affective illness. Plasma concentration and clinical response.

Twenty patients suffering from endogenous depression were treated with maprotiline for 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals and severity of depression assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. No simple relationship between plasma maprotiline concentration and amelioration score was observed at week 3 (rs = 0.25) or week 4 (rs = -0.05). No significant difference in plasma concentrations between responders and non-responders was observed at week 4. Maprotiline was effective as an antidepressant in some patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

The pharmacokinetics of mianserin in elderly depressed patients.

The pharmacokinetics of mianserin were examined in eight elderly depressed patients following a single oral dose of 60 mg. Plasma concentrations were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and the data analyzed using a two-compartment open model. Mean (+/- SD) estimates were: absorption half-life 0.8 +/- 1.0h, peak concentration 117 +/- 23 micrograms/l, peak time 2.2 +/- 1.3h, distribution half-life 3.4 +/- 1.2h, elimination half-life 33 +/- 15h, apparent volume of distribution 20.2 +/- 7.9 1/kg, and oral clearance 0.49 +/- 0.21 l/kg/h. These parameters were not significantly different from those found in healthy volunteers. The absorption lag time (0.6 +/- 0.2h) and area under the curve (2009 +/- 566 micrograms/l/h) were significantly different in the elderly. The clinical implications of these differences for the treatment of elderly depressed patients are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1983

Zimelidine: a placebo-controlled trial in depression.

Twenty-eight hospital inpatients with a primary major depressive disorder were treated with either zimelidine or placebo. Patients were matched for age, sex, and initial severity of depression and assigned double blind to the treatment regimen. An initial dosage of 150 mg/day was used for up to 6 weeks. Zimelidine was significantly more effective in alleviating the symptoms of depression than placebo, with 82% of zimelidine and 25% of placebo patients showing clinical improvement. There were few complaints of severe side effects in zimelidine-treated patients, and few effects on the cardiovascular system. Two zimelidine-treated patients were withdrawn for suspected drug-related adverse events. Zimelidine was a safe, effective antidepressant in this group of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Zimeldine in depressive illness--efficacy and safety data.

Two studies of zimeldine in depressive illness are reported, one a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the other an open evaluation. In both studies, zimeldine was shown to have antidepressant properties. No simple relationship between plasma zimeldine or norzimeldine and clinical effect was demonstrated in eight patients treated for 6 weeks. Minor changes in electrocardiographic parameters were noted in some zimeldine patients. Side-effects attributable to zimeldine treatment were generally of mild to moderate severity and the drug was well tolerated. During the studies, one patient overdosed on zimeldine (5.2 g) and, although plasma concentrations were excessive, minimum side-effects were recorded. Two cases of suspected adverse drug reactions with zimeldine are described.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Measurement of stress and arousal: validation of the stress/arousal adjective checklist.

It is suggested that, although often confounded, the mood states of stress and arousal may be independent, and that they may have different psychological consequences. The present investigation demonstrated the ability of a stress/arousal adjective checklist to differentiate between groups of people subject to different potentially stressful situations. The results are interpreted as suggesting that two distinct responses to a perceived demand are possible. Elevated arousal is associated with a coping response, whilst elevated stress appears to indicate the presence of fear or doubts about coping.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1983

Use of drugs in the treatment of anxiety.

Anxiety is a common problem and often its treatment is inappropriate. Many classes of drugs have been used and benzodiazepines are the mainstay of treatment. Although drugs in this group are almost equivalent in their anxiolytic and hypnotic effects there are differences between their pharmacological characteristics and dosage schedules.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1983

Daily ECT.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

A pharmacokinetic study of mianserin.

The kinetics of mianserin have been evaluated in eight healthy male volunteers following a single oral dose of 60 mg. Plasma and blood concentrations of mianserin were measured by gas chromatography-mass fragmentography. The peak blood concentration observed was 65 microgram/1 at 3 h following the dose. Mean kinetic parameters (and range) calculated from the blood concentrations were: (t1/2)abs 1.1 h (0.3-2.8), (t1/2) alpha 2.5 h (0.9-4.7), (t1/2) beta 21 h (14-33), (Vd) beta 27.5 l/kg (16.8-46.5) and Cloral 0.98 l/kg/h (0.47-1.75). Blood/plasma concentration ratios ranged from 0.50-0.74.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1982

Assessment of the antidepressant activity of dothiepin and its metabolites by preclinical tests.

The affinities of dothiepin and its principal metabolites northiaden, dothiepin sulphoxide and northiaden sulphoxide for [3H]imipramine binding sites in the rat cortical homogenates, and for [3H]spiperone and [3H]serotonin receptor sites in preparations from the rat frontal cortex and hippocampus were studied. As inhibitors of [3H]imipramine binding, the strengths of the drugs are, in terms of their IC50 (concentration corresponding to 50% inhibition): dothiepin 2.8 X 10(-6) M, northiaden 5.0 X 10(-6) M, northiaden sulphoxide 4.0 X 10(-5) M and dothiepin sulphoxide 3.2 X 10(-5) M. The potencies of the drugs in inhibiting serotonergic binding followed a similar trend. Using frontal cortical tissue suspensions and [3H]spiperone, the IC50 values were determined to be: dothiepin 4.2 X 10(-6) M, northiaden 5.0 X 10(-6) M, northiaden sulphoxide 1.6 X 10(-4) M and dothiepin sulphoxide 1.6 X 10(-4) M; whereas in hippocampal suspensions and using [3H]serotonin, the IC50 values were 2.5 X 10(-6) M, northiaden 4.0 X 10(-5) M, dothiepin sulphoxide 2.5 X 10(-4) M and northiaden sulphoxide greater than 10(-3) M. The influence of the drugs on the uptake of [14C]serotonin into human platelets was also investigated. All had an inhibitory effect upon the uptake, the order of potency being dothiepin greater than northiaden greater than northiaden sulphoxide greater than dothiepin sulphoxide. Plots of 1/v versus 1/s showed that the inhibition was competitive for all four compounds.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Blood and plasma concentrations of dothiepin and its major metabolites and clinical response.

Ten patients suffering from primary depressive illness were treated with 150 mg/d of dothiepin for 4 weeks. Blood and plasma concentrations of dothiepin and two metabolites, dothiepin S-oxide and northiaden were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Severity of depression was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. No significant correlation was found between amelioration score or percentage change and either blood or plasma concentrations of dothiepin, its metabolites or total drug and metabolite concentrations at week 4.

Adult↗