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Biomedical subjects

M Brodsky

Publications and source records attributed to M Brodsky.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A model integrating risk variables involved in the development of the schizophrenia spectrum.

A theoretical model of the etiology of schizophrenia, the schizophrenia spectrum, and normal development is proposed. This model is based upon replicated research. A selected review of the literature on the etiology of schizophrenia indicated that schizophrenia may be a developmental disorder of the quality of attachment interacting with the development of the reticulothalamocortical system, beginning in the earliest months of life. A genotype, phenocopy, and stress are specified, based upon replicated research results. We hypothesize that schizophrenia results from a continuing malforming transaction, beginning at birth, between a temperament genotype of a sensitive, easily aroused to high peaks of arousal baby and an environmental stress of an unempathic/insensitive, physically rejecting, noncontingent mother. This results in a classical conditioning paradigm wherein people become an aversive stimulus for an anxiously/avoidant attached infant. This anxious/avoidant response may have permanent biochemical and structural effects. It is also hypothesized that the same genotype interacting with an empathic, sensitive, physically affectionate, contingent mother may also account for artistically or musically creative superphrenics.

Adolescent↗

An arousal interval scale: a psychophysical scale for GSR analysis.

An interval scale method of measuring GSR is presented, which measures only deflections without correction for base level. The scale is derived from psychophysics. A distinction is made between the psychological meaning a GSR is given and its physical measurement. This paper asserts, on the basis of empirical studies, that GSR measures the hypothetical construct arousal. Therefore, scales of physical units are unjustified. A review of the literature finds that GSR does not conform to Wilder's (1962) Law of Initial Values. Therefore, an interval scale assuming base level as a "zero" of convenience is justified. Extensions of the use of such an interval scale are discussed.

Arousal↗

Arrhythmias documented by 24 hour continuous electrocardiographic monitoring in 50 male medical students without apparent heart disease.

Results are reported of portable 24 hour dynamic electrocardiographic monitoring in 50 male medical students without cardiovascular disease, as defined by normal clinical and noninvasive cardiovascular examination. During waking periods, maximal sinus rates ranged from 107 to 180 beats/min (mean +/- 5). Twenty-five subjects (50 percent) had episodes of marked sinus arrhythmia as defined by spontaneous changes in adjacent cycle lengths of 100 percent or more. Fourteen subjects (28 percent) had sinus pauses of more than 1.75 seconds, usually during sinus arrhythmia. Transient nocturnal type I second degree atrioventricular (A-V) block was noted in three subjects (6 percent). Of 28 patients (56 percent) having atrial premature beats, only 1 (2 percent) had more than 100 such beats (141) in 24 hours. Of 25 patients (50 percent) having premature ventricular contractions, only 1 (2 percent) had more than 50 such contractions (86) in 24 hours. In conclusion, frequent atrial and ventricular premature beats are unusual in a young adult male population. In contrast, bradyarrhythmias (including marked sinus arrhythmia with sinus pauses, sinus bradycardia and nocturnal A-V block) are common. These findings are useful in evaluating the clinical significance of arrhythmias detected with portable monitoring.

Adult↗

Familial atrial tachyarrhythmia with short PR interval.

A family had an unusual and perhaps unique familial dysrhythmia. The proband had a short PR interval with normal QRS and chronic recurrent paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome). The arrhythmia produced left ventricular dysfunction. Both paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) and left ventricular dysfunction were reversed with administration of digoxin and propranolol hydrochloride. Three family members had paroxysmal or chronic atrial fibrillation, first diagnosed at a relatively young age (23 years, 38 years, and early 40s, respectively). Five additional family members had short PR intervals with normal QRS, and eight other family members had borderline short PR intervals. The mode of inheritance appeared to be autosomal dominant with varying expressivity. We have described a familial syndrome characterized by PAT or atrial fibrillation in its advanced form with short PR interval as a possible identifying trait. The future course of members with isolated short PR is unknown.

Adult↗

Radial keratotomy in myopia of 6 to 12 diopters using full-length deepening incisions.

Radial Keratotomy was performed in 409 eyes with myopia of -6 to -12 diopters using eight incisions and deepening them from the optic zone to the limbus. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -7.83 D and the mean postoperative was -1.02 D. Fifty-eight percent of the eyes were corrected to within 1 D of emmetropia and 38% achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better.

Adult↗