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Biomedical subjects

M A Wolf

Publications and source records attributed to M A Wolf.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Memory impairment in schizophrenia: a study using event-related potentials in implicit and explicit tasks.

Although memory impairment is recognized as a major fact of schizophrenia, only a few studies have investigated memory impairments with specifically designed event-related potential (ERP) protocols. In this study, ERPs were recorded from 15 schizophrenia patients and 15 matched control subjects during implicit and explicit memory tasks for unfamiliar faces. The results showed that patients have a reduced modulation of an N400-like component in both the implicit and explicit tasks that suggests a deficient integration of incoming information with personal knowledge. Patients also displayed an enhanced frontally distributed activity in the explicit task that may represent an impairment in the integration of intrinsic contextual information, a disturbance in the ability to inhibit proactive interference or a combination of both processes. Finally, the modulation of the late positive component did not differ from that in control subjects in both implicit and explicit tasks, suggesting that the impairment in mnemonic binding processes suggested in schizophrenia is more qualitative, i.e. incomplete or inappropriate, due to the anomalies in antecedent processes. The correlations observed between impairments of ERP modulation and symptoms further support these interpretations.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Pigmented conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma simulating a conjunctival melanoma.

PURPOSE: To report a pigmented conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma that clinically simulated a conjunctival melanoma. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: Ocular examination, surgical excision, and clinicopathologic correlation. RESULTS: A 78-year-old white man developed a lightly pigmented mass at the temporal limbus of his right eye. The differential diagnosis included pigmented squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Histopathologic examination revealed a malignant squamous cell tumor that contained foci of melanin pigment. The final diagnosis was pigmented conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma may rarely be pigmented and simulate a conjunctival melanoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

The treatment of negative symptoms: a clinical and methodological study.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of remoxipride (controlled release) versus haloperidol in patients with negative symptoms. The study comprised a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial. Two hundred and five patients were randomised to either remoxipride or haloperidol. Patients eligible for this study were aged 18-65 years, met the DSM-III-R diagnosis for chronic schizophrenia and the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS) criteria for predominant negative symptoms. There was a statistically significant reduction in the PANSS scores of at least 20% from baseline to last rating for 39 remoxipride (49.4%) and 45 haloperidol (47.6%) treated patients. There were no statistical differences found between the two treatment groups with respect to improvement of negative symptoms and adverse events. The PANSS data suggest that both remoxipride and haloperidol improve the cluster of negative symptoms concerned with social functioning. In addition, the design of the study provides a methodology that is appropriate to the study of primary negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Objective assessment of sleep and alertness in medical house staff and the impact of protected time for sleep.

We studied 26 physicians in postgraduate medical training ("house staff") to objectively quantify their sleep, alertness, and psychomotor performance while working on call. This study provided precise data on the extent of sleep deprivation during a typical call night, the workload factors predictive of sleep loss, and the extent to which protected time for sleep within the call night can ameliorate sleep loss and consequent daytime sleepiness. We used ambulatory EEG recording equipment and a standardized computer-based performance test to monitor sleep and alertness over the course of a 36-hour call day. Comparisons were made between interns provided with 4 hours of protected time for sleep by a covering resident ("night-float") and interns without such coverage. As anticipated, we found evidence that hospital interns were severely sleep-deprived, to an extent even greater than prior behavioral observations have suggested. Interns in both conditions spent an average of less than 5 hours (295.4 minutes) in bed attempting to sleep and obtained an average of 3.67 hours (220.1 minutes) of sleep (range 37.4-358.4 minutes). Provision of the night-float for 4 hours did not significantly change total sleep time (TST) (212.8 minutes covered vs. 224.9 minutes uncovered), but sleep efficiency was significantly improved (86.5% vs. 70.3%; p = 0.001). Covered interns also obtained significantly more slow-wave sleep than the uncovered interns (65.4 minutes vs. 51.1 minutes; p = 0.05). However, measures of alertness and performance were not significantly different between the two groups and were only weakly related to TST. These data suggest that significant chronic sleep deprivation is relatively unaffected by sleep obtained in the hospital and that provision of protected time for sleep does not significantly improve TST.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Philosophy, psychiatry and psychoanalysis: the case of Nietzsche].

In this work dedicated to Frederic Nietzsche, we were first interested by the philosopher's personal psychopathology. Biographic and personality factors, the physical and moral pain, the mood variations, hypersensitivity, solitude and finally megalomanic traits have probably contributed to the development of his thought. Nietzsche gave personal interpretations of his own suffering. Freud himself recognized the organic component of the philosopher's illness. We reviewed the different symptoms in favor of a progressive general paresis. Philologist and moralist, Nietzsche was also a "psychologist". His intuitions in this area often preceded and prepared those of Freud. The relationship is surprising on certain points such as love and sexuality, the unconscious, the interpretation of dreams. We wish to remind readers that a prepsychoanalytic stream of thought, at the end of the 19th century, preceded the teaching now ascribed to Freud and his followers.

Famous Persons↗
PubMed1995

Gerontology for companions: a model curriculum.

Although paid companions spend many hours in direct contact with their older clients, the majority have little or no grounding in gerontological developmental theory. This article describes a project that provided academic training for paraprofessionals through a pilot curriculum. Goals were to provide companions who were already working with socially isolated clients with a sound theoretical and practical grounding in communication skills, the aging process, and issues of loss and grief. To accomplish these goals, partnership was developed between an academic institution, a case management agency, and a direct service provider. Preliminary analysis of the pretest and posttest data measuring the outcome of the modules found that, as companions learned about continued growth and development in their older clients, these workers achieved a greater sense of self-fulfillment and job satisfaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Mechanism of action of antidepressants].

Modifications in noradrenergic and serotonergic systems are involved in the central mechanism of action of antidepressants. Most antidepressants (electroconvulsive therapy included) induce a desensitization of the beta-noradrenergic receptor, as shown by a decrease in noradrenaline-stimulated cAMP production. Down-regulation of the beta receptor is often associated with desensitization, as well as modifications in the activity of the serotonergic system, among which alternations in 5-HT2 receptors are frequent. Finally, complex interactions between noradrenergic and serotonergic receptors may also contribute to the pharmacological effect of long term antidepressive treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Vascular implications of optic atrophy.

Optic atrophy can often be a result of arterial blood flow insufficiency associated with systemic vascular disease (cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus). The lack of adequate blood perfusion pressure can create conditions leading to anoxia and death of the nerve fiber layer with a resultant visual field defect. A case of a 63-year-old white male is presented with optic atrophy resulting from anterior ischemic optic neuropathy 5 years earlier. A review of the literature concerning the more common causes of ocular vascular insufficiency (i.e., anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, internal carotid disease, central retinal artery occlusion, and branch retinal artery occlusion) as well as diagnostic testing and therapeutic management is discussed.

Fundus Oculi↗
PubMed1992

[Use of low doses of bromocriptine in chronic schizophrenia resistant to neuroleptics. A preliminary study].

In this work, we report the efficiency of bromocriptine (1.25 and 2.5 mg/day) in 9 neuroleptic resistant chronic schizophrenics. Following an initial four-week placebo period, the subjects successively received bromocriptine (1.25 mg/day), placebo and bromocriptine (2.5 mg/day). The 2 bromocriptine treatments significantly improved the global psychiatric symptomatology and different scores and factors related to the more specific schizophrenic symptomatology. An escape phenomenon seems to occur during the 4th week of the first bromocriptine treatment (1.25 mg/day) but is not observed with the second treatment (2.5 mg/day). All patients improved.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The call to vocation: life histories of elderly women religious.

Thirty elderly women religious (Catholic nuns) were studied using a phenomenological interview technique. This paper discusses the women's "call to vocation"--the remembered life events that influenced their decisions to enter the convent as young girls. The women talked about romantic and pragmatic motivations as well as spiritual direction. Remembrances of three of the study participants are used to demonstrate circumstances and emotions that led the women to choose their life course. The recollections have significance for the women religious in late life; they provide a source of satisfaction and commitment. They also offer researchers a means of viewing the worlds of this population of women.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Antidepressant effect of lithium: a neurochemical study on neuronal uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.

1. The effect of lithium chloride on neuronal uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin was explored on a pure culture of chicken neurons. While an acute lithium treatment (25 minutes) proves ineffective, a long-term treatment (7 days) decreases the uptake of serotonin and increases the uptake of norepinephrine. 2. The combined administration of lithium (7 days) and clomipramine (25 minutes) appears to have a greater effect on the uptake of serotonin than a treatment limited to only one of the two products. 3. The clinical implications of these results are discussed while emphasizing the interest of lithium in the treatment of depression.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Risk factors and prevention of tardive dyskinesias].

Tardive dyskinesia is a frequent complication of a neuroleptic treatment. The physiopathology is unclear and the curative treatments inadequate. This explains the necessity for preventive measures at three levels: the prescription of neuroleptics, the evaluation of risk factors and early diagnosis. An analysis of epidemiological studies allows the evaluation of risk factors published in literature.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1989

[Importance of medical information for the institutionalized patient].

Medical information given to patients, notably to psychiatric patients, is guided by laws. Before starting any treatment the patient's informed consent is needed. One of the criteria of validity for such a consent is adequate information of the subject. This study shows that certain factors interfere with the institutionalized patient's initial knowledge about medication, hospitalization and illness. It points out that learning is diminished by two factors: the diagnostic of schizophrenia and the length of stay in the hospital. However learning is not changed by severity of symptoms. On the other hand the initial knowledge level is diagnosis independent but altered in case of intense psychiatric symptomatology. Possible explanations of these data are discussed. In conclusion, the importance of the variable of learning capacity is shown in the practice of the informed consent for psychiatric patients. The learning capacity must be taken into account when the patient is informed. Finally, additional research on that subject is indicated particularly concerning the persons disabled by schizophrenia.

Chronic Disease↗