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Biomedical subjects

H Sass

Publications and source records attributed to H Sass.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Altered relationships between rCBF in different brain regions of never-treated schizophrenics.

AIM: of this study was to investigate the relations between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of different brain regions in acute schizophrenia and following neuroleptic treatment. METHODS: Twenty-two never-treated, acute schizophrenic patients were examined with HMPAO brain SPECT and assessed psychopathologically, and reexamined following neuroleptic treatment (over 96.8 days) and psychopathological remission, rCBF was determined by region/cerebellar count quotients obtained from 98 irregular regions of interest (ROIs), summed up to 11 ROIs on each hemisphere. In acute schizophrenics, interregional rCBF correlations of each ROI to every other ROI were compared to the interregional correlations following neuroleptic treatment and to those of controls. RESULTS: All significant correlations of rCBF ratios of different brain regions were exclusively positive in controls and patients. In controls, all ROIs of one hemisphere except the mesial temporal ROI correlated significantly to its contralateral ROI. Each hemisphere showed significant frontal-temporal correlations, as well as cortical-subcortical and some cortico-limbic. In contrast, in acute schizophrenics nearly every ROI correlated significantly with every other ROI, without a grouping or relation of the rCBF of certain ROIs as in controls. After neuroleptic treatment and clinical improvement, this diffuse pattern of correlations remained. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate differences in the neuronal interplay between regions in schizophrenic and healthy subjects. In never-treated schizophrenics, diffuse interregional rCBF correlations can be seen as a sign of change and dysfunction of the systems regulating specificity and diversity of the neuronal functions. Neuroleptic therapy and psychopathologic remission showed no normalizing effect on interregional correlations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Relapse prevention by acamprosate. Results from a placebo-controlled study on alcohol dependence.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of acamprosate (calcium bisacetylhomotaurinate) as a treatment to maintain abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients was assessed for 1 year. METHODS: After short-term detoxification, 272 patients participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients received routine counseling and either the study medication or placebo for 48 weeks; they were followed up for another 48 weeks without medication. Statistical analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: Patients who were receiving acamprosate showed a significantly higher continuous abstinence rate within the first 60 days of treatment compared with patients who were assigned to placebo treatment (67% vs 50%) until completion of the treatment period (43% vs 21%, log rank P = .005), and they had a significantly longer mean abstinence duration of 224 vs 163 days, or 62% vs 45% days abstinent (P < .001); however, there was no difference in psychiatric symptoms. Of the patients who were receiving acamprosate, 41% had dropped out, whereas 60% of the placebo-treated patients dropped out of the study. Few side effects (mainly diarrhea and headache) were recorded. At the end of a further 48 weeks without receiving study medication, 39% and 17% of the acamprosate- and placebo-treated patients, respectively, had remained abstinent (P = .003). CONCLUSION: Acamprosate proved to be a safe and effective aid in treating alcohol-dependent patients and in maintaining the abstinence of patients during 2 years.

Acamprosate↗
PubMed1996

A search for components in human body odour that attract females of Aedes aegypti.

In a new type of wind tunnel, mosquitoes fly upwind towards host odour sources and towards human skin wash extracts obtained by rubbing the skin with a pad soaked in ethanol. We used this behavioural response as a bioassay to identify attractants in liquid chromatography fractions of such extracts. L-Lactic acid is a major constituent of skin wash extracts and it is a necessary component for the extract's effectiveness. As a single stimulus, however, L-lactic acid is only slightly effective. This indicates that the extract's high degree of effectiveness is based on a synergism of L-lactic acid and other odour components. The separation of the extract by liquid chromatography revealed three distinct regions of active fractions, only one of which contained L-lactic acid. The components of the other two regions have not yet been determined. A combination of fractions in these two regions together with L-lactic acid is as attractive as the complete extract.

Aedes↗
PubMed1996

[Entactogenic drugs "ecstasy" (MDMA), "eve" (MDE) and other ring-substituted methamphetamine derivatives. A new class of substances among illegal designer drugs?].

The widely used recreational drugs 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) and 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine (MDE, Eve) occupy an intermediate position between stimulants and hallucinogens. Besides stimulation similar to that caused by amphetamines, they usually induce a pleasant, easily controllable emotional state with relaxation, fearlessness and feelings of happiness, but they sometimes also have stronger, hallucinogenic, effects. A number of pharmacological studies support the hypothesis that these drugs make up a distinct class of psychoactive substances, which have been designated "entactogens." On the drug scene, MDMA and MDE are considered "safe." However, this view must be corrected. Complications are rare, but potentially devastating ([long-lasting anxiety and depressive syndromes in chronic users, fatalities with hyperpyrexia, rhabdomyolysis and DIC syndrome (disseminated instravascular coagulation), possible hepatotoxicity]. Moreover, the clinical relevance of animal studies showing neurotoxic effects of MDMA on central serotonergic pathways is still not clear.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed1995

Transcription of heat shock gene loci versus non-heat shock loci in Chironomus polytene chromosomes: evidence for heat-induced formation of novel putative ribonucleoprotein particles (hsRNPs) in the major heat shock puffs.

The heat shock response of Chironomus polytene chromosomes was reexamined. The in vivo effects of heat shock on chromosomal [3H]uridine labeling, RNA polymerase II distribution and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) formation were investigated. One primary result is a clarification of the number and location of chromosomal sites strongly induced by treatment at 37 degrees C for 60 min. In total, seven major heat shock loci were identified by transcription autoradiography in Chironomus tentans: I-20A, II-16B, II-10C, II-4B, II-1C, III-12B, and IV-5C. Secondly, combining immunofluorescence with transcription autoradiography, I find RNA polymerase II occurring after heat shock at multiple chromosomal sites that were also active under normal conditions (20 degrees C). Furthermore, the results demonstrate conclusively that the presence of RNA polymerase II at heat shock and non-heat shock loci is generally correlated with [3H]uridine labeling during heat shock. These latter results extend and corroborate previous findings. Thirdly, the most striking result of this study was revealed in ultrathin sections of puffs by electron microscopy: I discerned a site-specific ultrastructural difference in putative RNP particles between heat shock versus non-heat shock loci. At least three of the seven induced major heat shock puffs (I-20A, III-12B, IV-5C) were observed to contain globular particles that were different, i.e. significantly larger, 250-1,000 A in diameter with a prominent 500-750 A class, than RNP particles of other loci under non-heat shock conditions. These large heat shock puff particles presumably represent nascent or newly synthesized heat shock RNA associated with protein(s) to form heat shock RNPs (hsRNPs). This finding suggests the possible involvement of novel RNPs (hsRNPs) in transcriptional regulation or heat shock RNA turnover and may stimulate further molecular investigations on this subject in both cell physiological and structural terms. I conclude that the locus-specific putative hsRNPs are an intrinsic property of greatly increased heat shock gene transcription.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The Drosophila melanogaster tumor suppressor gene lethal(3)malignant brain tumor encodes a proline-rich protein with a novel zinc finger.

The lethal(3)malignant brain tumor [t(3)mbt] gene causes, when mutated, malignant growth of the adult optic neuroblasts and ganglion mother cells in the larval brain and imaginal disc overgrowth. Via overlapping deficiencies a genomic region of approximately 6.0 kb was identified, containing l(3)mbt+ gene sequences. The l(3)mbt+ gene encodes seven transcripts of 5.8 kb, 5.65 kb, 5.35 kb, 5.25 kb, 5.0 kb, 4.4 kb and 1.8 kb. The putative MBT163 protein, encompassing 1477 amino acids, is proline-rich and contains a novel zinc finger. In situ hybridizations of whole mount embryos and larval tissues revealed l(3)mbt+ RNA ubiquitously present in stage 1 embryos and throughout embryonic development in most tissues. In third instar larvae l(3)mbt+ RNA is detected in the adult optic anlagen and the imaginal discs, the tissues directly affected by l(3)mbt mutations, but also in tissues, showing normal development in the mutant, such as the gut, the goblet cells and the hematopoietic organs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

The significance of aggression and impulsivity for self-mutilative behavior.

Self-mutilative behavior (SMB) is presented as a specific form of inwardly directed aggressiveness which is thought to be associated with problems of impulse control. Conceptual problems concerning impulsivity and impulsive aggression are discussed. Among different forms of dyscontrolled behavior, SMB is of special heuristic interest because of distinction can be made between patients committing impulsive and those committing premeditated self-harming actions. Psychometric and biological measures of impulsivity and aggressiveness were assessed in self-mutilators in comparison to depressives and normal probands. Self-mutilators were differentiated into two subgroups, those with an impulsive (ISMB) and those with a premeditated (PSMB) form of SMB, and depressives were also differentiated into two subgroups, those with a history of suicide attempts and those without. Only patients with ISMB (and depressives with a history of suicide attempts) showed an enduring tendency towards dyscontrolled patterns of behavior and cognition; therefore, SMB cannot be generally regarded as an indicator of high impulsivity or an impulse control disorder. Measures of impulsivity and aggressiveness did not behave analogically to each other and aggressive or autoaggressive modes of behavior should not be generally used as an index of impulsivity. A reduction of serotonergic activity, proved by a blunted prolactin response to D-fenfluramine, was found in all patient-groups in comparison to normal probands. Prolactin response after D-fenfluramine challenge turned out to be most blunted among self-mutilators with ISMB and among depressives with a history of suicide attempts.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Positive or negative symptoms--which are more appropriate as diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia?

For over a decade there has been a consensus that the diagnosis of schizophrenia should rest upon the presence of positive symptoms. Recently it has been suggested to give negative symptoms, which have played a prominent role in research, more diagnostic importance again. This study investigated the usefulness of that suggestion. In a sample of 489 inpatients covering the whole range of psychiatric diagnoses, the frequencies and prevalences of positive and negative symptoms were determined. Analyses of variance were calculated to assess the diagnostic validity of the different classes of symptoms. The study demonstrates that positive symptoms are of much higher diagnostic value than negative symptoms. A change of diagnostic procedures giving more importance to negative symptoms is discouraged.

Delusions↗
PubMed1994

[Forensic psychiatry evaluation in determining free will and legal competence].

Freedom of will is the prerequisite for legal capacity. In adults, it can be repealed only by a psychiatric illness. On the part of the jurists a restrictive handling is stipulated. A theory of will and action accepted by jurisprudence and psychology/psychiatry in like manner is missing. From the viewpoint of the psychiatric expert, the diagnosis presents a frame of orienting lines, in which the analysis of the psychopathological findings yields the basis of judgement. The proceeding is described for the particular groups of diseases. Thereby the specific problems are discussed and proposals to solve them are drawn up. Further, the prerequisites for the capacity to give consent to methods of medical treatment are commented.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

"Patterns of comorbidity" among DSM-III-R and ICD-10 personality disorders as observed with a new inventory for the assessment of personality disorders.

Although DSM-III-R and ICD-10 suggest the assignment of multiple personality diagnoses, a high degree of overlap may be an indicator of insufficiently distinct and too inclusive types of personality. We studied this problem with a new inventory in an unselected clinical sample. The Aachen List of Items for the Registration of Personality Disorders (AMPS) integrates the different types of disordered personality according to DSM-III-R, ICD-10, and four subaffective categories, which largely follow the typologies of Kraepelin, K. Schneider, and Kretschmer. The prevalence rate of each personality disorder was calculated in a consecutive group of 231 patients. Patterns of comorbidity were computed using odds ratios. More than one personality disorder was found in 41% according to DSM-III-R. ICD-10 showed a significantly higher degree of overlap. Interesting comorbidity patterns are discussed in comparison with several North American studies. Results indicate that clear-cut categorical personality diagnoses are not likely to be set up.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Cerebral dysfunction, neurologic symptoms and recurrent delinquency--I. Review of the literature].

Men with polytropic and persistent delinquency constitute a core group of criminal offenders. Criminological research could establish a set of social characteristics for this group, but psychiatric, neurological and neuropsychological variables with importance to the formation of delinquent recidivism are rarely investigated. In this study we give a survey of the results concerning the relevance of genetic factors for delinquent behaviour. Then we review the development of the "minimal brain disorder" conception and its changes to "hyperkinetic syndrome", "attention deficit disorder" and to specific developmental disorders, which are all associated with a higher degree of conduct disorders and delinquent behaviour. We finally discuss the stability and relevance of nonfocal neurological ("soft") signs and depict a tentative model of the relations between the influential factors. Part II of this study (66) gives an account of the results of the "Heidelberg Delinquency Study" in this area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Cerebral dysfunction, neurologic symptoms and persistent deliquency. II. Results of the Heidelberg Delinquency Project].

In a multidimensional model, the "Heidelberg Delinquency Study" explores biological, biographical, psychological and social factors that may be important to the development and persistence of violent crimes. After a survey of the literature in part I (22) the empirical results in the areas of neurological anamnesis, neurological findings and nonfocal neurological ("soft") signs and their correlations with other variables, e.g. criminal relapses, are reported. In our population of 129 adult offenders we found a high relevance of nonfocal neurological signs. These symptoms were associated with problems in social adjustment and conduct disorder in childhood, cognitive impairment, reduced emotional response, externalizing attributional style and a pattern of rapid delinquent relapses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Personality disorders: conceptual issues and responsibility.

The historical roots of the concepts of abnormal personality, social deviance, delinquency and penal responsibility are described, demonstrating that former concepts of psychopathic personality often included negative social evaluations. Modern classification systems such as DSM-III-R and ICD-10 prefer a behavior-oriented definition of personality disorders, which increases reliability but may lead to a reductionistic and purely criteriological assessment of personality. A checklist for the assessment of personality disorders (AMPS) according to ICD-10 and DSM-III-R is presented, including four subaffective forms derived from the typology of personality disorders described by Kurt Schneider and Kretschmer. To justify statements of diminished legal responsibility or irresponsibility under the German Penal Code, a differentiation between psychopathological phenomena in personality disorders and pure social deviance is needed. The three notions of psychopathy, sociopathy and dissocial behavior are suggested to guide necessary decisions concerning prognosis and therapy chances.

Antisocial Personality Disorder↗
PubMed1994

[Positive or negative symptoms. Which are more reliable in the diagnosis of schizophrenia?].

Due to the anticipated revisions concerning diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia in DSM-IV, recent Anglo-American research has been particularly concerned with the controversial problem whether positive or negative symptoms are more suited for the determination of these criteria. We addressed this problem in an empirical study. A total of 489 consecutive admissions to the Department of Psychiatry at the RWTH University, Aachen were assessed for the distribution of positive, negative and basic symptoms according to six ICD-10 double-digit diagnostic categories. Positive symptoms were shown to be more useful for diagnosis than the negative or basic symptoms. Basic symptoms, however, had a pattern of distribution which supports the notion that they may also be useful for the early diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1994

[Open self-injury behavior].

Patients showing self-mutilation behavior are supposed to be a new group of problematic patients in psychiatric institutions. The theme is presented from an anthropological, phenomenological, nosological and etiological point of view. To understand the genesis we apply biological, behavioristic and psychoanalytical concepts. Finally, using this background therapeutic ideas are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Psychedelic experiences at the onset of productive episodes of endogenous psychoses].

Hallucinogenic drugs (psychedelics, e.g. Psilocybin, Mescaline, LSD) induce in humans qualitatively altered states of consciousness (ASC), which can be used as experimental models for endogenous psychosis. However, some researchers claim that these ASCs are not appropriate models for schizophrenia. We report two clinical cases of acute endogenous psychoses demonstrating striking similarities to psychedelic experiences. We consider the psychedelic-induced ASC to be an appropriate model for the beginning acute endogenous psychotic episode, but not for the schizophrenic disease as a nosological entity.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Acamprosate: a new pharmacotherapeutic approach to relapse prevention in alcoholism--preliminary data.

The efficacy of the homotaurine-derivative acamprosate (calcium acetylhomotaurinate) to increase abstinence rates in weaned alcoholics was examined in a placebo-controlled double-blind multicentre study involving 272 subjects. Preliminary results indicate a significantly higher abstinence rate during and at the end of the study (42.8% vs. 20.7%, p < 0.01), a higher number of abstinent days and a lower drop-out rate in the treated than in the placebo group.

Acamprosate↗