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Biomedical subjects

H G Pope

Publications and source records attributed to H G Pope.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Impaired attention in depressive states: a non-specific deficit?

Although cognitive research on attention has advanced significantly in recent years, these advances have produced few specific hypotheses regarding the attentional impairment seen in depression, and few experiments designed to test them. We review the limited neuropsychological literature on impaired attention in depressive states, with emphasis on areas where the findings of modern cognitive research might be applied in the future to design more sophisticated tests of attentional impairment. At present, it is not possible to determine whether the attentional deficits seen in depression are specific to this disorder, or whether they represent a final common pathway of impaired cognition seen in many different mental and organic deficit states, such as schizophrenia and dementias.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1996

Changes in lipoprotein-lipid levels in normal men following administration of increasing doses of testosterone cypionate.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between anabolic--androgenic steroids and lipoprotein levels in men receiving weekly injections of gradually escalating doses of up to 600 mg/week of testosterone cypionate. DESIGN: The design was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, 24-week cross-over design in which subjects were randomized to one of two treatment sequences: (a) weekly testosterone cypionate injections for 6 weeks, no treatment for 6 weeks, weekly placebo injections for 6 weeks, and then again no treatment for 6 weeks; or (b) placebo, no treatment, testosterone, and then no treatment, with each interval also lasting 6 weeks as in the first sequence. SETTING: The setting was a private hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were normal male volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Testosterone cypionate injections were given in gradually increasing doses of 150 mg/week for 2 weeks, 300 mg/week for 2 weeks, and 600 mg/week for 2 weeks. Eight subjects received testosterone injections during the first injection phase and placebo during the second injection phase, and the remaining eight subjects received placebo first and testosterone second. RESULTS: We found a 21% depression of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels following the first 300-mg testosterone dose. This depression remained unchanged after the two 600-mg doses. In contrast, we did not find any changes in low-density lipoprotein or total cholesterol levels at any of the time points studied. Subjects' total cholesterol/HDL-C ratios were significantly elevated during testosterone administration and even 4 weeks following the last injection. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that testosterone cypionate adversely affects cholesterol fractions, that this effect reaches its full magnitude even at very modestly supraphysiologic doses, and that this effect persists for several weeks after discontinuation of the drug.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Antidepressant treatment of binge-eating disorder: research findings and clinical guidelines.

Binge-eating disorder, characterized by recurrent eating binges without purging, affects a large number of individuals, especially among participants in weight loss programs. Recent studies have suggested that antidepressants, particularly serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors, may be effective in the treatment of binge-eating disorder. This paper reviews the findings of these studies and offers clinical guidelines for the use of antidepressants in binge-eating disorder.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMed1996

Fibromyalgia, psychiatric disorders, and assessment of the longterm outcome of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.

Fibromyalgia, medical disorders associated with fibromyalgia, and various psychiatric disorders may complicate the assessment of the longterm illnesses caused by the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS). The effect of these conditions on the evaluation of outcome in EMS is shown by the use of clinical vignettes derived from a review of medical records of patients with EMS. These observations have implications for the clinical management of patients with a history of EMS and for interpretation of studies of the longterm outcome of EMS.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Attributes of heavy vs. occasional marijuana smokers in a college population.

We sought to assess whether college students who smoked marijuana heavily were distinguishable from students who had used the drug only occasionally. We compared 45 long-term heavy marijuana smokers (individuals who had smoked daily for at least 2 years) with 44 "occasional" smokers (individuals who had never smoked more than 10 times in a month at any time in their lives), drawn from the student populations at two Boston-area colleges. measures included a questionnaire covering a range of demographic, drug use, and subjective items; the Rand Mental Health Inventory; and both the Axis I and Axis II sections of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. Heavy smokers reported higher rates of use of other substances, especially hallucinogens and cocaine, and they described greater subjective impairment of memory and motivation than occasional smokers; however, on a wide range of demographic, family background, and mental health measures, the heavy smokers proved almost indistinguishable from occasional smokers. Even the heaviest college marijuana smokers exhibit few demographic or psychiatric features that distinguish them from students who smoke only occasionally.

Boston↗
PubMed1995

Structural change in dopamine D2 receptor gene in a patient with neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Dysfunction of the dopaminergic system has been suggested as a pathogenic mechanism in neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Therefore, we examined the complete coding sequences of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene for structural abnormalities in 12 patients with a history of NMS, including two cases of familial NMS. Mutational analysis was performed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), a highly sensitive technique for detecting sequences differences. We found in one patient with a history of NMS a nucleotide substitution at codon 310 (CCG-->TCG) of exon 7 of the DRD2 gene which predicts the replacement of proline to serine in the third cytoplasmic loop of the receptor, a part of the receptor that interacts with G-proteins. A larger series of patients with NMS needs to be investigated to establish whether this allele is associated with an increased susceptibility to NMS.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Bulimia nervosa in two cultures: a comparison of Austrian and American college students.

We compared 33 college women meeting DSM-III-R criteria for bulimia nervosa, recruited at Leopold Franzens Universität in Innsbruck, Austria, with 33 bulimic women recruited by identical methods at Northeastern University and Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. Bulimia nervosa showed striking stereotypy across the two cultures. Austrian and American subjects reported similar demographic features, bulimic symptoms, severity and chronicity of illness, associated personal and familial psychiatric disorders, upbringing and family environment, and frequency of childhood sexual abuse. Only two variables, substance abuse and satisfaction with body image, differed markedly between the two groups. These differences appear to represent ambient differences between American and Austrian culture as a whole, rather than specific features of the bulimic syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Assessment of attentional bias and mood in users and non-users of anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Forty-six male strength athletes took part in a study to measure the effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids on attentional bias to aggressive cues. They were 16 current users of anabolic steroids, 16 former users and 14 non-users. Testosterone, deca-durabolin and anadrol were the three most commonly taken steroids during the last cycle. Users generally took 2-3 drugs during each cycle; the average cycle lasted 8-11 weeks and they had completed 3-4 cycles. The subjects completed visual analogue scales of current feelings and were presented with a modified Stroop Colour Word Conflict Task containing sets of neutral, verbally aggressive and physically aggressive words. Current users tended to rate themselves more negatively. Users took longer than former users to name the colours of all word sets but there were no significant differences between word sets. Therefore, attentional bias did not differ between groups but current steroid use produced subtle mood changes and slowed performance compared to users not currently taking steroids.

Affect↗
PubMed1995

The residual neuropsychological effects of cannabis: the current status of research.

Evidence for the residual neuropsychological effects of cannabis must first be separated from evidence regarding (i) the acute effects of the drug, (ii) attributes of heavy cannabis users, and (iii) actual psychiatric disorders caused or exacerbated by cannabis. The remaining evidence must then be subdivided into (a) data supporting a 'drug residue' effect during the 12-24 h period immediately after acute intoxication and (b) data suggesting a more lasting toxic effect on the central nervous system which persists even after all drug residue has left the system. We reviewed the literature, comparing both 'drug-administration' studies in which known amounts of cannabis were administered to volunteers, and 'naturalistic studies' in which heavy marijuana users were tested after some period of abstinence. The data support a 'drug residue' effect on attention, psychomotor tasks, and short-term memory during the 12-24 h period immediately after cannabis use, but evidence is as yet insufficient to support or refute either a more prolonged 'drug residue' effect, or a toxic effect on the central nervous system that persists even after drug residues have left the body. We describe possible study designs to address these latter questions.

Attention↗
PubMed1995

Increased aggressive responding in male volunteers following the administration of gradually increasing doses of testosterone cypionate.

The present study assessed the effects of supraphysiologic doses of testosterone on aggressive responding in a controlled laboratory setting. Eight male subjects received gradually increasing doses of testosterone cypionate (150 mg/week for two weeks, 300 mg/week for two weeks, and 600 mg/week for two weeks) or placebo using a double-blind, randomized, cross-over design. Subjects were tested both before and after the series of injections. During the experimental session subjects could press a button to accumulate points exchangeable for money (non-aggressive response) or press another button to subtract points from a fictitious opponent (aggressive response). Aggressive responding was instigated by subtracting points from the subject which was attributable to the fictitious opponent. Testosterone administration resulted in a significantly higher number of aggressive responding compared to placebo.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Can memories of childhood sexual abuse be repressed?

We sought studies which have attempted to test whether memories of childhood sexual abuse can be repressed. Despite our broad search criteria, which excluded only unsystematic anecdotal reports, we found only four applicable studies. We then examined these studies to assess whether the investigators: (1) presented confirmatory evidence that abuse had actually occurred; and (2) demonstrated that their subjects had actually developed amnesia for the abuse. None of the four studies provided both clear confirmation of trauma and adequate documentation of amnesia in their subjects. Thus, present clinical evidence is insufficient to permit the conclusion that individuals can repress memories of childhood sexual abuse. This finding is surprising, since many writers have implied that hundreds of thousands, or even millions of persons harbour such repressed memories. In view of the widespread recent public and scientific interest in the areas of trauma and memory, it is important to investigate further whether memories of sexual abuse can be repressed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Lack of insight in bipolar disorder. The acute manic episode.

This study examined the clinical correlates of lack of insight in bipolar disorder. In 28 acutely manic patients interviewed upon hospitalization and/or discharge, mean scores on the Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire (ITAQ) improved only slightly, from 12.0 on admission to 15.5 on discharge (p = .08), despite marked improvement in other psychiatric symptoms. A reciprocal relationship was found between higher ITAQ scores and involuntary hospitalization (r = -.38). Like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder appears to be a condition in which poor insight is a prominent characteristic.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Treatment orientation and associated characteristics of North American academic psychiatrists.

We present data showing the degree to which a "biological-psychotherapeutic" division persists in American psychiatry, and how psychiatrists' treatment orientation is associated with personal and professional characteristics. Almost two thirds of academic psychiatrists who responded to our survey (N = 435) could be classified as either biological (27%) or psychotherapeutic (37%) in orientation, according to the proportion of their caseload to which they provided psychotherapy (< or = 25% vs. > 75%). There appears to have been an increase over the last 35 years in the proportion of psychiatrists who can be classified as biologically oriented and a decrease in the proportion who can be classified as psychotherapeutically oriented, as well as the emergence of a large class of intermediate or "eclectic" practitioners (36%). Several personal and professional attributes were distributed differentially according to treatment orientation. Psychotherapeutically oriented respondents more frequently reported personal histories of psychiatric disorders than did biologically oriented respondents (64% vs. 39%) as well as greater satisfaction with clinical work (81% vs. 53% "very satisfied"). Differences were also found in age, gender, history of personal psychotherapy, family history of psychiatric disorder, history of marijuana use, degrees of involvement in research, teaching and clinical care of patients, and overall work satisfaction, as well as other characteristics.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Fat-free mass index in users and nonusers of anabolic-androgenic steroids.

We calculated fat-free mass index (FFMI) in a sample of 157 male athletes, comprising 83 users of anabolic-androgenic steroids and 74 nonusers. FFMI is defined by the formula (fat-free body mass in kg) x (height in meters)-2. We then added a slight correction of 6.3 x (1.80 m - height) to normalize these values to the height of a 1.8-m man. The normalized FFMI values of athletes who had not used steroids extended up to a well-defined limit of 25.0. Similarly, a sample of 20 Mr. America winners from the presteroid era (1939-1959), for whom we estimated the normalized FFMI, had a mean FFMI of 25.4. By contrast, the FFMI of many of the steroid users in our sample easily exceeded 25.0, and that of some even exceeded 30. Thus, although these findings must be regarded as preliminary, it appears that FFMI may represent a useful initial measure to screen for possible steroid abuse, especially in athletic, medical, or forensic situations in which individuals may attempt to deny such behavior.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1995

Eating disorders in college men.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the characteristics of men with eating disorders in the community. METHOD: The authors recruited 25 men meeting DSM-IV criteria for eating disorders and 25 comparison men through advertisements in college newspapers. A second comparison group comprised 33 women with bulimia nervosa who were recruited and interviewed with virtually identical methods. RESULTS: The men with eating disorders closely resembled the women with eating disorders but differed sharply from the comparison men in phenomenology of illness, rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders, and dissatisfaction with body image. Homosexuality did not appear to be a common feature of men with eating disorders in the community. Childhood physical and sexual abuse appeared slightly more common among the eating-disordered men than among the comparison men. CONCLUSIONS: Eating disorders, although less common in men than in women, appear to display strikingly similar features in affected individuals of the two genders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Body dysmorphic disorder: an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder, a form of affective spectrum disorder, or both?

Over the past century, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance, has been hypothesized to be related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). More recently, BDD has also been hypothesized to be a form of affective spectrum disorder. Affective spectrum disorder refers to a family of disorders postulated to have a common pathophysiologic abnormality. This grouping of disorders has been identified on the basis of their response to pharmacologic treatments and is supported by comorbidity and family studies. Available data suggest that BDD should be considered a candidate form of affective spectrum disorder--a disorder that may eventually be demonstrated to belong to this family of disorders. Available data also strongly support the hypothesis that BDD is an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder. Because OCD itself has been hypothesized to be an affective spectrum disorder, BDD may be more narrowly conceptualized as an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder and more broadly as a candidate form of affective spectrum disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The family background of bulimic women. An intercultural comparison of Austrian and American students].

Although various familial factors have been thought to influence the development and outcome of bulimia nervosa, no cross-cultural studies have examined familial factors in this disorder. To provide more data in this area, we compared 33 female college students with bulimia nervosa in Innsbruck (Austria), and 33 female college students with bulimia nervosa in Boston (USA), on several aspects of family background. These indices includes weight history and diet behavior of family members; psychiatric disorders among family members; intrafamilial relationships; types of and attitudes toward upbringing; sexual attitudes among family members; and experiences of physical and sexual abuse during childhood. We found few significant differences between the two groups on these indices. However, American bulimic women reported their family members to be more overweight, significantly more likely to be on a diet, and more likely to display a lifetime diagnosis of major depression than the family members of Austrian bulimic women. The findings of this study add to the literature and family background in bulimia nervosa, and suggest several avenues for future research for crosscultural studies in this area.

Adolescent↗