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Biomedical subjects

H Beckmann

Publications and source records attributed to H Beckmann.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Melatonin immunoreactivity in cerebrospinal fluid of schizophrenic patients and healthy controls.

Melatonin is produced in the pineal gland. Its involvement in various psychiatric and somatic diseases has been suggested. We investigated melatonin in cerebrospinal fluid of 16 healthy controls, 15 paranoid schizophrenics being treated with neuroleptics, and 13 unmedicated paranoid schizophrenics. There were no significant differences in melatonin concentrations among these three groups. No significant correlations were found between melatonin concentrations and various other biochemical substances such as noradrenalin, cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate, prolactin, and cortisol. These negative results do not support the suggestion that melatonin is involved in the etiology of schizophrenia. However, other possibilities, e.g., a change of biological rhythms and its influence on other neuroendocrine functions, may be of importance.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Clinical investigations into antidepressive mechanisms. II. Dexamethasone suppression test predicts response to nomifensine or amitriptyline.

This prospective study investigates the possibility of a central noradrenergic-cholinergic imbalance in subgroups of depressed inpatients using the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) as one peripheral indicator. The DST was performed in 43 depressed inpatients. Subsequently, a group (n = 20) of DST suppressors (DST-) and a group (n = 23) of DST nonsuppressors (DST+) were treated under double blind conditions with either nomifensine (NOM) a noradrenaline potentiating drug, or amitriptyline (AMI) a noradrenaline potentiating and strong anticholinergic compound. DST+ depressives responded favorably to AMI, but not to NOM. Conversely, DST- depressives responded favorably to NOM but less well to AMI. Together with other biochemical findings this data suggests: 1) a hypofunction of the noradrenergic system in DST- patients who may, from a clinical point of view, usually show minor or 'neurotic' depressions; 2) a hypofunction of the noradrenergic and a hyperfunction of the cholinergic system in DST+ patients who may present a more severe or 'endogenous' depression. These data suggest a biochemical heterogeneity of depression and offer an aid for a more specific antidepressive drug therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Low angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (kininase II) in cerebrospinal fluid of schizophrenics.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (kininase II, E. C., 3.4.15.1) activity was present in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid of paranoid schizophrenic patients and psychiatrically healthy controls. Both schizophrenics under neuroleptic treatment and drug-free patients had low cerebrospinal enzyme activity when compared with controls. No correlation existed with the scores of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. A negative correlation of enzyme activity with cerebrospinal levels of both dopamine and noradrenaline was detected. Our findings suggest the possibility of a central alteration of the metabolism of neuropeptides in paranoid schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Haloperidol increases the cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of cyclic GMP in schizophrenic patients.

The concentration of cyclic guanosine 3',5' monophosphate (cGMP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is supposed to reflect central cholinergic activity. Earlier findings in the literature of decreased CSF concentrations of cGMP in drug-free schizophrenic patients accorded with the hypothesis of a cholinergic-dopaminergic imbalance in schizophrenia, with a relative dominance of dopaminergic activity. In the present study, treatment with haloperidol for 3 weeks significantly increased the CSF concentration of cGMP in 14 of 18 schizophrenics. This finding suggests that haloperidol and possibly other antipsychotic drugs might restore the cholinergic-dopaminergic balance in schizophrenia through central cholinergic stimulation in addition to the blockade of dopaminergic receptors.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Phenylethylamine and phenylacetic acid in CSF of schizophrenics and healthy controls.

Phenylethylamine (PEA) is an endogenous substance with amphetamine-like stimulant properties. On the basis of this ability an abnormal brain PEA metabolism has been proposed as an etiological factor in some forms of schizophrenia. In the present study 28 schizophrenic patients and 15 healthy controls were investigated. No significant difference from control values was found in PEA concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of either untreated of neuroleptic-treated schizophrenics. However, 2 schizophrenics with highest BPRS scores had extremely high PES concentrations. Free phenylacetic acid (PAA), the major metabolite of PEA, was significantly decreased in ummedicated but not in drug-treated schizophrenics. Because of the assumed neuromodulatory properties of PEA, it is suggested that lowered PAA concentrations and the tendency for PEA to be elevated may imply that altered central neurotransmission occurs in certain forms of schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Clinical investigations into antidepressive mechanisms. I. Antihistaminic and cholinolytic effects: amitriptyline versus promethazine.

It is assumed that established antidepressants exert their clinical efficacy by potentiation or decrease of central noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. However, recent experimental work suggests that antihistaminic and/or cholinolytic effects may also be involved. This double-blind controlled study compared amitriptyline (catecholamine potentiating, antihistaminic, cholinolytic) with promethazine (antihistaminic, cholinolytic) in 50 severely depressed inpatients over a 30-day treatment period. Analysis of the Hamilton depression rating scale revealed significant clinical superiority of amitriptyline over promethazine in such major depressive symptoms as depressed mood, suicidal ideation, psychic anxiety, and sleep disturbances. No significant difference was evident as far as autonomous side effects were concerned. Similar results were found by analysis of the AMP rating system. It is concluded that antihistaminic or cholinolytic effects per se do not explain the antidepressants' efficacy. However, potentiation of noradrenergic neurotransmission by cholinolytic activity might be the major antidepressive mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Phenylethylamine and monoamine metabolites in CSF of schizophrenics: effects of neuroleptic treatment.

Phenylethylamine (PEA) and the monoamine metabolites 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) have been measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of nine paranoid schizophrenics before and after three weeks of neuroleptic treatment. Patients were classified according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria and rated by means of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. A significant increase was seen in HVA CSF concentrations during neuroleptic treatment (p less than 0.01). No influence was found on levels of PEA, 5-HIAA, and MHPG. Concentrations of both MHPG and 5-HIAA correlated positively with those of HVA. These results in combination with previous findings do not support the contention that PEA and NA metabolisms are grossly disturbed in paranoid schizophrenics whereas involvement of other neurotransmitters i.e. dopamine, seems more probable.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Dopamine and noradrenalin in the cerebrospinal fluid of schizophrenic patients.

Concentrations of both dopamine (DA) and noradrenalin (NA) were determined in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of schizophrenic patients with and without neuroleptic treatment and in healthy controls. No significant differences were found between unmedicated patients and controls for either DA or NA. Patients receiving neuroleptics showed significantly higher levels of both DA and NA in the CSF. These results suggest that the reported findings of increased NA in the CSF and increased DA and NA in the brain of schizophrenic patients could be due, at least in part, to the effects of neuroleptic drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Serotonin precursors as antidepressive agents: a review].

The serotonin hypothesis postulates a decreased function of this neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of depressed patients. L-tryptophan and--more specific--5-hydroxytryptophan are natural precursors of this biogenic amine. Results of numerous therapeutic trials with L-tryptophan are not convincing of this compound's antidepressant efficacy in marked to severe endogenous depressions. On the other hand, it cannot be excluded that it is effective in moderate dysphoric states with apathy and sleep disturbances. However, possible toxic effects of high and long term use render its clinical use doubtful. The antidepressant efficacy of 5-hydroxytryptophan has not been proven. However, the possibility exists that a serotonin deficient subgroup of depressed patients responds to this substance and further, that it has depression prophylactic properties. As both tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan are less effective than tricyclic antidepressants and not without side effects they do not appear to be useful antidepressants.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1983

Dexamethasone suppression test in a pluridiagnostic approach: its relationship to psychopathological and clinical variables.

Using a pluridiagnostic approach, the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was studied in 67 depressed inpatients in its relationship to diverse clinical variables. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC), the Newcastle Index, the Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAM-D), and the Bf-s self rating questionnaire were applied. Fifty-two per cent of endogenous depressed (ICD), 51% of major depressive (RDC) and 53% of endogenous depressed (Newcastle) patients demonstrated dexamethasone nonsuppression (DSTN) with a value above 110 nm/l. Six per cent of neurotic depressed (ICD), 9% of minor depressive (RDC) and 23% of neurotic depressed (Newcastle) patients were dexamethasone nonsuppressors. Significantly higher values (after P-correction) for DSTN could be detected in severity ratings as measured with Newcastle (P less than 0.001) and HAM-D global score (P less than 0.001) and also for HAM-D factor 4 (somatic complaints, P = 0.001). All the other evaluated variables did not discriminate between patients with dexamethasone suppression and with nonsuppression.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1983

Dexamethasone suppression test combined with total sleep deprivation in depressed patients.

The effect of one night's total sleep deprivation (SD) on the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was studied in groups of endogenously and nonendogenously depressed patients who were diagnosed according to different research classification systems. The DST was normal (less than 5 micrograms/dl) before and after SD in the group of nonendogenously depressed patients. Deterioration, no change or only slight clinical response in single items occurred. In the group of endogenous depressives 8 out of 11 were baseline nonsuppressors (greater than 5 micrograms/dl). After SD a large variability of cortisol nonsuppression was found in this group. Clinical response occurred in the majority of these patients but was more favorable in those who had a trend for normalization of DST. Clinical diagnosis as well as DST seem to have a therapy-predictive value for one night's total SD in patients with affective disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Low CSF concentrations of cyclic GMP in schizophrenia.

Increasing evidence suggests that the concentrations of cyclic guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cGMP) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may reflect central cholinergic activity. When the concentrations of this nucleotide in the CSF from 28 schizophrenic patients (13 without and 15 with neuroleptic treatment) and 16 psychiatrically healthy controls was determined the schizophrenics showed significantly lower CSF levels of cGMP as compared to controls. As dopamine and homovanillic acid concentrations were not altered in these CSF samples, this finding of reduced cGMP suggests a cholinergic-dopaminergic imbalance in schizophrenia, with a reduction of the former and consequently a relative dominance of the latter.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Plasma concentration and elimination behavior of the cardiac glycoside meproscillarin in patients with liver cirrhosis].

During a one week period patients with liver cirrhosis and a control group were treated with a repeated dosage of the new heart glcoside Meproscillarin. After achieving a steady state in plasma level the same Meproscillarin plasma levels were found among both groups. Compared with the control group no difference was detected in the elimination rate of Meproscillarin in patients with liver cirrhosis, which means a complex disturbed liver function. Nevertheless the greater variance of the Meproscillarin plasma levels in the patients with liver cirrhosis in comparison with the controls means a diminished predictability of the therapeutic success in the cirrhosis group. With this limitation Meproscillarin can be used therapeutically in patients with liver cirrhosis, because a toxic accumulation is not to be expected.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The cholinolytic biperiden in depression. An acute placebo controlled study.

Clinical and experimental work indicates that cholinergic functions might play a role in modulating affectivity in man. In this acute double-blind study either the cholinolytic agent biperiden or placebo infusions were administered to six depressed females. The Janke and Debus self-rating questionnaire (EWL-K), the modified Hamilton depression scale (HAM-D), and the Montgomery and Asberg depression scale (MADRS) were used for documentation of psychopathological change. There was an acute antidepressant effect during infusion of the active drug in comparison to placebo as measured on the global MADRS and EWL-K, but not on the modified HAM-D. Single items such as depressed mood, work and interests (HAM-D), sadness, concentration difficulties, inability to feel (MADR-S), and depressiveness (EWL-K) responded selectively and significantly to the biperiden infusion. It is concluded that cholinergic activity might be involved in the regulation of affectivity in man.

Adult↗