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Biomedical subjects

J S Werry

Publications and source records attributed to J S Werry.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Effects of methylphenidate in normal adults with reference to drug action in hyperactivity.

Methylphenidate was administered to each of 12 adult volunteers in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study for purposes of comparison with previous studies in hyperactive children. Statistically significant changes occurred only on a minority of measures, but the results were generally in the direction of facilitated performance, reduced physical activity and increased emotional responsivity. As these results are similar to those in hyperactive and normal children, this appears to support the contention that stimulant drug effects in hyperactive children are not paradoxical or atypical.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The interrater reliability of DSM III in children.

A total of 195 admissions to a child psychiatric inpatient unit were diagnosed independently by two to four clinicians on the basis of case presentations at the first ward-round after admission. The DSM III as a whole and the major categories were of high or acceptable reliability, though a few were clearly unreliable. The results are generally consistent with other studies. Unlike other studies, the subcategories were examined and found to vary widely in reliability both as a whole across the system and within parent major categories, throwing considerable doubt upon their utility. The results indicate the need both for improved diagnostic data-gathering techniques in child psychiatry and for more better-designed studies of reliability and, most necessarily, of validity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Factor structure and norms for the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist in New Zealand children.

The Revised Behavior Problem Checklist (RBPC) is a recent expansion of the widely used Behavior Problem Checklist. This study attempted to replicate the factor structure of the RBPC, originally developed for U.S.A. children, and to establish norms for its use with New Zealand children. Two groups of children, aged five to 13 years, were rated on the scale by their parents. One was a clinic sample and comprised 266 patients attending two psychiatric clinics. The second was a random community sample of 267 children, from four census tracts in Auckland, selected to cover a range of socioeconomic strata representative of New Zealand. Factor analysis of the clinic data resulted in a factor structure similar to that found in American children. Only two of the six factors (Socialised Aggression and Psychotic Behaviour) differed to any degree. Using ratings from the community sample, norms were developed for screening and diagnostic purposes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Fluctuations in salivary carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide concentrations during the day in epileptic children.

Hourly salivary concentrations of carbamazepine (CBZ) and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (EP) were studied during 2 consecutive days in a group of epileptic children receiving twice daily CBZ monotherapy either as the tablet or syrup formulation. Relatively large fluctuations were observed for both CBZ (mean, 57%; range, 32-100%) and EP (mean, 97%; range, 19-189%) during a dosage interval. However, concentrations of EP were generally much lower, approximately 34% of corresponding CBZ levels, and in absolute terms the concentration-time curves for EP appeared much less variable. Further evidence supporting extensive CBZ concentration fluctuations during the day was provided by an additional group of 30 epileptic children receiving CBZ monotherapy whose time of dosage was manipulated to achieve peak and trough concentrations during assessment with a psychomotor test battery. Changes in salivary CBZ concentrations within subjects ranged from 4 to 272% (median, 65%), excluding two atypical cases who showed greater than 10-fold increases in the expected high concentration. These results suggest that in children there is a substantial risk of error in the interpretation of CBZ concentrations from a single sample without consideration of the time of last dose. The implications of these findings for clinical treatment with regard to the appearance of side effects and changes in psychomotor function are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Fluctuations in steady-state phenytoin concentrations as measured in saliva in children.

Data from two studies are reported. In the first, salivary concentrations were monitored hourly in epileptic children receiving phenytoin monotherapy, twice daily. The results indicated rapid drug absorption in the majority with time of maximum concentration occurring most frequently 1-5 hours following morning medication. A number of children showed moderate to large fluctuations in steady-state drug concentrations during the day, and there was a mean peak-to-trough fluctuation of 52% over the group. In the second study, drug concentration data are reported from an ongoing investigation of phenytoin's behavioral effects. Medication was given before sampling on one day, whereas it was delayed until after sample collection on the alternate day. Results indicated that salivary concentrations were higher, for 38 of 41 subjects, on the expected-high day with an overall mean difference in drug concentration of 56% between the 2 days. These findings were discussed in terms of their implications for clinical management and the possible relation of drug concentrations to psychomotor function.

Capsules↗
PubMed1982

Maternal health and health care in 150 Auckland mothers.

One hundred and fifty Auckland mothers of preschoolers were interviewed about their mental health, child rearing problems and the medical care sought for these. There was a high level of satisfaction with motherhood, and with the quantity and quality of family medical care. However, stress and psychosomatic symptoms were common, though frank depression unusual. Only occasionally was medical care sought and psychotropic drugs prescribed for these problems which were handled by stoicism, extended family and community support. Sleep problems in children were common and often resulted in medical consultation and prescription of antihistamines. Except in this respect there was no evidence of medical overtones.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1982

Schizophrenia in children under 16 years.

Schizophrenic children admitted as inpatients to a child psychiatric unit over a 10-year period were reviewed in terms of demographic characteristics, clinical features, and social adaptation using the DSM-III as a frame of reference. Ten children who were first seen at least 1 year previously were followed up and reassessed as regards clinical status and level of adaptive functioning. As in other studies, outcome was related to age at onset, premorbid level of adaptation, rapidly of onset, clinical subtype, and presence of affective symptoms. However, deterioration following the active phase of the illness occurred in only four cases. The outcome in childhood schizophrenia may be more favorable than generally assumed, but there is a need for longer and larger studies of carefully diagnosed groups.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1981

Drugs and learning.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMed1980

A pilot study of the effects of methylphenidate on the vigilance-related EEG in hyperactivity.

Seven hyperactive children underwent a reaction time (RT) test requiring prolonged (15 min) vigilance, once while receiving methylphenidate and once without medication. EEG samples taken immediately before each RT measurement were subjected to power-spectral analysis. Compared to the off-medication condition, methylphenidate reduced the RT whilst paradoxically increasing EEG alpha power relative to higher and lower frequencies in 5 out of the 7 children. On this medication, the RT increased during the course of the task, and the relative EEG alpha power increased compared to other frequencies. Off medication, RTs showed an even greater increase with prolonged vigilance, but the accompanying EEG changes were the reverse of those seen on medication. The altered EEG power spectrum on methylphenidate appears closer to that of a normal EEG, and may be related to the improvement in specific attention produced by this drug in hyperactivity.

Alpha Rhythm↗