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Biomedical subjects

L Terenius

Publications and source records attributed to L Terenius.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Endorphins in human cerebrospinal fluid: clinical correlations to some psychotic states.

The significance of endorphins, endogenous morphine-like agents, in some psychiatric disorders was investigated. Samples of cerebrospinal fluid were taken by lumbar puncture from healthy volunteers and from patients with schizophrenic, manic-depressive and puerperal psychosis and analyzed for two major fractions of endorphins (Fractions I and II). In 19 healthy volunteers the levels of the two fractions fell within a fairly narrow range. In contrast, six out of nine drug-free and symptom-rich schizophrenics showed elevated levels of Fraction I, which returned to normal or slightly supranormal values after treatment with neuroleptics or propranolol. This decrement was paralleled by a clinical improvement in four of six responding patients. In four manic-depressive patients, serial samples of cerebrospinal fluid revealed elevated endorphin levels, particularly Fraction I during the manic stage. In three out of four patients with puerperal psychosis, the levels of endorphins (either Fraction I or II) were elevated in the acute drug-free stage. During a later symptom-free stage, after treatment with ECT and/or neuroleptics, the endorphin levels were within the normal range. The present data lend credit to the hypothesis that endorphins are involved in some psychotic states in the human.

Adult↗

Effects of prednisolone in 6 cases of glucocorticoid receptor-positive CLL.

The effect of treatment with prednisolone on clinical and laboratory variables was studied in 6 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The laboratory variables analyzed on the leukaemic cells were surface immunoglobulin (S-Ig), sheep red blood cell receptors (SRBC), proliferative activity (PI) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In all cases the CLL was of B-cell type and the leukaemic cells contained a significant amount of GR. 4 out of 6 patients had a progressive disease with increased PI. On treatment they went into clinical remission, which was paralleled by a reduction in the leukaemic B-cell number and in PI. The amount of GR was unaffected. In 2 patients with nonprogressive disease, prednisolone produced no clearcut effect on clinical or laboratory variables.

Complement System Proteins↗

Peptide neurons in peripheral tissues including the urinary tract: immunohistochemical studies.

Using the indirect immunofluorescence technique of Coons and collaborators, neurons containing substance P-, enkephalin-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)--and somatostatin-like immuno-reactivity have been identified in the peripheral nervous system. They have a widespread distribution, particularly in the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. Whereas part of these peptide containing fibres may belong to sensory neurons, the majority seem to have their origin in peripheral autonomic ganglia, indicating a complex built up of the autonomic nervous system. There is evidence that some noradrenergic neurons contain somatostatin, which may suggest that one neuron can synthesize and store two transmitters. The significance of such neurons, as well as of peripheral peptide neurons in general, remains to be elucidated.

Angiotensin II↗

Biochemical characteristics of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Glucocorticoid receptors, B and T lymphocyte surface markers, concanavalin A-induced agglutination and thymidine incorporation.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) has a variable clinical course and there is a great need of new prognostic laboratory parameters in this disease. 24 CLL patients were subjected to routine haematological and clinical investigation. The leukaemic cells were analyzed for surface immunoglobulins, complement and sheep red blood cell receptors, Concanavalin A-induced agglutination, cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor and for proliferative activity by measurement of tritiated thymidine incorporation. The surface markers studied indicated that all cases were of B-cell origin. Only 5 of 23 patients studied had normal serum immunoglobulin levels. These cases showed a nonprogressive disease. 8 patients had increased infection tendency, all of whom had subnormal IgG levels; 4 of them also had subnormal IgA and IgM and 2 had subnormal IgA levels. 5 out of 6 patients with progressive disease and 3 of 11 with nonprogressive disease had an increased proliferative index, indicating a correlation between this parameter and disease progression. ConA agglutinability was not correlated to disease activity. Cells from 17 of 22 patients showed measurable amounts of glucocorticoid receptor. The 5 patients lacking this receptor had inactive disease.

Aged↗

Naloxone (Narcan) treatment in depression: clinical observations and effects on CSF endorphins and monoamine metabolites.

Various dysphoric states are seen both in mood depression and on taking opiates. On the hypothesis that opiate antagonists would alter mood level, naloxone (Narcan), 0.4--0.8 mg t.i.d., was given to five depressed patients in six trials for a duration of 6--12 days. The CSF endorphin and monoamine metabolite content was analyzed before and after naloxone treatment. We observed no positive effect on mood level. However, an abrupt worsening of symptoms was noted in two cases on discontinuation of treatment. Decreasing values of endorphin Fraction I as a result of treatment was noted as a general trend. Fraction II, although elevated, showed no distinct trend. 5HIAA increased in four of the six trials. The results suggest that naloxone treatment changes endorphin and serotonin activity, though not to a clinically observable extent.

Adult↗

Naloxone-induced reversal of schizophrenic hallucinations.

In a single-blind pilot study 0.4 mg naloxone i.v. was found temporarily to reduce or abolish auditory hallucinations in four cases of chronic schizophrenia whereas saline was without effect. In one of these patients there was a similar reversal also of her visual hallucinations. Two additional cases who denied hearing voices before the injections, reported no subjective effects.

Adult↗