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Biomedical subjects

H P Volz

Publications and source records attributed to H P Volz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Effect of initial treatment with antidepressants as a predictor of outcome after 8 weeks.

Most findings of antidepressant treatment prediction have not been replicated, and this applies to biological predictors as well as sociodemographic and early course predictors. One exception might be early psychopathological improvement. To reevaluate this question, we examined the results of two large-scale controlled clinical trials comparing the selective and reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) brofaromine with the standard tricyclic compound imipramine. One trial was carried out in a normal-aged patient group; the other, in elderly patients. Above all, we were interested in determining whether early treatment course would prove predictive of later outcome. The main finding was that the initial antidepressant effect (measured after 1 and 2 weeks) predicted longer term outcome. Although this association was not as strong in the elderly patient group, its predictive value did possess a certain clinical relevance.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Moclobemide].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMed1995

Antidepressant drugs and psychomotor performance. A review.

Nearly all antidepressants are tested psychometrically in order to detect side effects of these drugs. Based on a review of the relevant published data on critical flicker fusion frequency measurements, simple reaction time, complex reaction time, tracking, tapping, and car driving simulation measurements, the underlying principles of the different effects of these drugs in healthy volunteers are discussed. It seems that essentially the sedative properties of a compound are important rather than e.g. specific reuptake inhibiting properties or the chemical structure. This finding is discussed in the light of the usefulness of these test procedures for detecting side effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Are there any differences in the safety and efficacy of brofaromine and imipramine between non-elderly and elderly patients with major depression?

There is a rather limited database of controlled clinical trials on the comparative effects of antidepressants in elderly and non-elderly depressed patients. A common finding is reduced efficacy and an increased incidence of side effects. To further examine the question of efficacy and safety of antidepressant drugs in elderly versus non-elderly patients, the differential effects of a new selective type A monoamine oxidase inhibitor brofaromine, and the classical tricyclic imipramine were investigated using the data of two recently published trials. We found no major difference between non-elderly and elderly depressed patients as concerns efficacy, total incidence of adverse findings or safety parameters such as laboratory values and heart rate. These results are discussed in the light of some methodological questions and previous reports.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Brofaromine in treatment-resistant depressed patients--a comparative trial versus tranylcypromine.

In a controlled clinical inpatient trial (n = 93) comparing the efficacy and safety of brofaromine versus tranylcypromine for 6 weeks in treatment-resistant major depressed patients, the two drugs were found to be of comparable afficacy and tolerability. The response rate (a 50% reduction) on the Hamilton Scale for Depression (HAMD) in both groups was about 73%. The most common side effects in the brofaromine group were sleep disorders, hypotension, tremor and dryness of mouth; and in the tranylcypromine group sleep disorders, fatigue, hypotension, tremor and vertigo. Methodological and practical clinical implications of the results are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Differences in semantic information processing in schizophrenics.

Well-established findings in schizophrenics suggest that they have difficulties in interpreting contextual information. We used electrophysiological means to investigate this hypothesis. The N 400 paradigm was used in 29 acute schizophrenic patients and 28 controls. The main findings were a changed topographical distribution of amplitude in the schizophrenic group; that is, a reduced amplitude at the frontal sites and a pronunciation at the occipital sites. We did not find latency differences. When remitted patients (n = 17) were reinvestigated, a negative correlation of the amplitude to the total amount of neuroleptics used was found. These results are discussed in relation to structural and functional findings supporting the hypofrontality hypothesis in schizophrenia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Antidepressant drug therapy in the elderly--a critical review of the controlled clinical trials conducted since 1980.

We report on the results of controlled clinical antidepressant trials with elderly depressed patients which meet certain methodological requirements and have been published since 1980. The safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the investigated compounds are reviewed. In the light of the diagnostic problems and the altered pharmacokinetic behavior in this special age group we conclude that the progress in scientific knowledge in the last 13 years has only been moderate.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Brofaromine in non-endogenous major depressed inpatients--results of a preliminary dose-finding trial versus tranylcypromine.

In a controlled, double-blind, comparative four-week trial on reactive or neurotic major depressed inpatients, the efficacy and safety of the new selective and reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type A, brofaromine, was evaluated in three dose steps (50 mg/day [N = 13], 100 mg/day [N = 12], and 150 mg/day [N = 11]) versus 20 mg tranylcypromine/day (N = 11). In the four groups a pronounced reduction of the depressive symptomatology (measured by the Hamilton Depression Scale, the Zung Self-Rating Scale of Depression, and by a global evaluation of efficacy) was found, but it was not possible to show any differential effect. The safety parameters in all groups were comparable. The results of the trial are compared with other trials of monoamine oxidase inhibitors in this patient group and the possible reasons for the lack of a clear dose-response relationship are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Somatoform disorders--diagnostic concept, controlled clinical trials, and methodological issues.

The paper summarizes the concept of somatoform disorders, which was first introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in its third edition in 1980. The relevant clinical trials related to this concept are reviewed. On the basis of this experience, the present study discusses methodological requirements for clinical trials, including inclusion and exclusion criteria, measurements of efficacy and safety, and statistical considerations, in the hope that this will stimulate the use of this diagnostic entity in the future.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1994

Orthostatic challenge during neuroleptic test dose: a possible predictor of short-term outcome.

Cardiovascular measurements were used as indicators of autonomic arousal during an orthostatic challenge test without medication and after a test dose of 150 mg perazine in 20 acute schizophrenic patients. Unmedicated schizophrenics showed elevated heart rates and elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure in comparison to healthy volunteers. After a test dose of 150 mg perazine, responders (using BPRS outcome criteria after 23 days) showed a pronounced orthostatic heart rate reaction in comparison to nonresponders. Results are discussed in relation to arousal theories and central dopaminergic activity in schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Brofaromine in elderly major depressed patients--a comparative trial versus imipramine.

In an 8-week controlled double-blind clinical trial with a total of 189 elderly patients brofaromine showed comparable efficacy to imipramine (Hamilton Depression Scale, von Zerssen self-rating scale, global evaluation). The numbers of adverse events were the same in both groups, but the spectrum differed distinctly. In the global evaluation of tolerability, there was an advantage for brofaromine. Mean daily doses were 85 mg/day in the brofaromine group and 87 mg/day in the imipramine group. Long-term efficacy and tolerability also proved to be good in the open follow-up of the patients treated with brofaromine.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Brofaromine in major depressed patients: a controlled clinical trial versus imipramine and open follow-up of up to one year.

In an 8-week controlled double-blind clinical trial with a total of 216 patients Brofaromine was found to be superior to Imipramine with regard to efficacy (Hamilton Depression Scale, von Zerssen self-rating scale, global evaluation) and tolerability (adverse experiences, global evaluation). Mean daily dosages were 93.1 mg/day in the Brofaromine group and 92 mg/day in the Imipramine Group. No tyramine reduced diet had to be observed. Long-term efficacy and tolerability also proved to be good in an open follow-up in the Brofaromine group.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Blood serotonin, serum melatonin and light therapy in healthy subjects and in patients with nonseasonal depression.

The 24-h rhythms of blood serotonin and serum melatonin were determined in 39 unmediated inpatients with nonseasonal affective disorder and in 14 healthy men and women after 7 days of morning bright-light (2500 lx) or dim-light (50 lx) treatment. Bright-light treatment led to a more than 50% decrease in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) score in 4/19 patients and dim light in 1/17 patients. After light treatment the mesor (the daily mean estimated by cosinor analysis) of patients' and subjects' melatonin levels did not change significantly, nor was there a correlation between phase change and decrease in HRSD score. We observed after bright- and dim-light treatment a consistent increase in blood serotonin in patients and healthy subjects, which differed significantly between healthy subjects and patients. These findings suggest the involvement of serotonergic mechanisms following light therapy.

Depressive Disorder↗
PubMed1991

Phototherapy in nonseasonal depression.

Previous reports have shown that bright light exposure may benefit patients with seasonal depression. In the present study, the possible therapeutic effect of bright light in nonseasonal major depressive disorder was examined. Forty-two depressed patients not receiving additional antidepressant medication were exposed to bright white light of 2500 lux or dim red light of 50 lux over one week for two hr daily in the morning. The change in depressive symptoms was assessed by rating scales (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, CGI) and by self-rating scales (Depression Scale, Complaint List, Visual Analogue Scale). Consistent for all ratings, the decrease in depressive symptoms after bright white light was only slight and not different from dim red-light exposure. Contrary to the findings in seasonal affective disorder, phototherapy administered over one week for two hr daily is not effective in nonseasonal major depressive disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Side-effects of phototherapy in nonseasonal depressive disorder.

The data of the Berlin light therapy study were systematically reinvestigated for side-effects of light therapy as described in the literature. Forty-two patients with major depressive disorder (RDC), who also met the criteria of ICD-9 (296.1 and 296.3), were included. Patients were either given bright white-light treatment (2,500 lux) or dim red-light treatment (50 lux) from 7.20 a.m. to 9.20 a.m. every morning for a period of seven days. The study did not reveal any differences in side-effects between the two treatments. The results are discussed in relation to the two different treatment conditions.

Depressive Disorder↗
PubMed1991

Diurnal variations of mood and sleep disturbances during phototherapy in major depressive disorder.

The influence of diurnal variations of mood (DVM) and sleep disturbances on treatment response was investigated in 42 patients with major depressive disorder (not SAD) under the treatment of either bright white light (2,500 lx) or dim red light (50 lx). We found only a slight influence in certain subscales of DVM and no influence of sleep disturbances. These results are discussed under a clinical point of view and with respect to phase shift theories of depressive disorders.

Adult↗