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Biomedical subjects

M Corcos

Publications and source records attributed to M Corcos.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Bulimia nervosa and autoimmunity.

The autoantibodies that react with dopamine and serotonin are of interest in the study of bulimia nervosa. These neurotransmitters play an important role in appetite control, sexual and social behavior, and stress responses, all of which form a part of the clinical picture of bulimia nervosa. Are these autoantibodies involved in the serotoninergic hypofunctioning present in bulimia nervosa? Are they a part of an immunity regulation system essential for the cerebral system's homeostasis? To address these questions, 31 bulimic females (diagnosed according to DSM-III-R criteria) were compared with 10 control subjects (matched to the patients for sex, age, and demographic/psychosocial features). Measurement of the activity of natural autoantibodies reacting with dopamine, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and serotonin was performed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for typical immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA). All of the autoantibodies of the IgG type were lower in the bulimic group than in the control group, a difference that was statistically significant for IgG anti-serotonin and IgG anti-dopamine. There was a trend for the amount of IgM anti-dopamine to be lower in patients than in controls. Dopamine and serotonin are specific components of brain cells. It can therefore be hypothesized that these antigens acting with autoantibodies could be the antigenic cerebral targets reacting with 'anti-brain' antibodies. The study of these specific autoantibodies provides information about the immunological characteristics that may be related to brain disturbances.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa in adolescents].

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA: Anorexia nevrosa is mainly observed in young women in the 15-24 year age range. The incidence is 1 to 2% in the general population of female adolescents. The sex ratio is 9 girls for 1 boy. SYMPTOM TRIAD: Three symptoms predominate in anorexia nevrosa: weight loss, anorexia, amenorrhea. Weight loss results from restrictive eating behavior and not from a loss of appetite. CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS: Diagnosis is clinical and confirmed by an analysis of the underlying psychological conflicts which involve difficulty in accepting the female identity and in assuming self-sufficiency outside the family. The clinician should evaluate the quality of the familial environment, particularly the mother-daughter and father-daughter relationship as well as the social environment (school, friends) which is also needed to apprehend the global situation. Physical examination and laboratory tests are aimed at rapidly eliminating any differential diagnosis and to quantify the weight loss and its rate, and identify any nutritional disorders. ETIOLOGY: Anorexia nevrosa is not a truly structured psychopathological disorder but rather a loss of a stable organization of Self, with a highly vulnerable narcissistic element and precarious neurotic defences. CLINICAL COURSE: The risk of poor outcome is very real, sometimes life threatening. The treatment of choice is to implement analytical management as soon as possible, but outside acute episodes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Eating disorders. Prepubertal anorexia nervosa].

AN UNCOMMON CONDITION: Anorexia nevrosa in the prepubertal period occurs more frequently in boys than common anorexia nevrosa and is characterized by rapid major weight loss more so than by signs of bulimia. ASSOCIATED SIGNS: Depression and volitional disorders are frequently observed together with growth retardation which portends poor prognosis. The patient's personal history (eating disorders during infancy are often found) is an essential factor together with psychiatric conditions in the parents who often have major narcissistic fragility.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Eating disorders. Osteoporosis and infertility after anorexia nervosa].

EATING DISORDERS: The development of somatic complications observed in patients with eating disorders depends both on the duration of the clinical course and on the gravity of the symptoms and psychological factors. It would thus appear advisable to obtain a complete endocrine (gonadotropic, thyroid, hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal) work-up which could be repeated every year after the patient has controlled the behavior disorder. Two aspects of these complications predominate: osteoporosis and infertility. OSTEOPOROSIS: A common finding after anorexia nevrosa, osteoporosis can lead to multiple, sometimes spontaneous, fractures. Bone mass can be assessed with biphotonic absorptiometry. The indication for estroprogestogen prophylaxis is debatable, depending on the patient's psychological profile, but also because efficacy has not always been demonstrated. Third-generation biphosphonates appear to offer promising results. INFERTILITY: Among a population of women consulting for infertility, a non-negligible percentage have infraclinical manifestations of anorexia nevrosa. The question of prescribing estroprogestogens, which would allow normal cycles and a certain vaginal trophicity, is often raised. We advocate a dose coordination between endocrinologists, infertility specialists and psychiatrists in order to better define the precise modalities of a given treatment aimed at regulating hypothalamo-pituitary function or favoring procreation.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Suicidal behavior and borderline states in adolescence. Thoughts on a dependence problem].

The process of self destruction in suicidal behavior for borderline patients seems to have a breaking function of filiation which has to live in mortify parental desire- or non-desire, both of them reflect a lack of investment. It tries to reach a part of the adolescent's body, figuration place of filial alienation, neither in a death desire, but in will rebirth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Therapeutical management of depression during adolescence.

Our model of reference remains essentially the psychoanalytic theory of psychic functioning which has permitted us to have a general outlook on the individual: taking into account the genetic and biological aspects of mental functioning, cognitive capacities, requirements concerning learning, as well as the role of affectivity such as is organized through interactions with the environment throughout the patient's life. We suggest that the therapeutical management of depression in adolescence is related to the psychopathology of the patient, especially when there are narcissistic dimensions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pharmacologic treatment of bulimia].

The rationale for pharmacological treatment of bulimia nervosa is summarized and a review of controlled therapeutic trials shows contradictory results. A number of antidepressant agents (tricyclics: imipramine, desipramine, amitriptyline; IMAO: phenelzine, isocarboxazide; trazodone; fluoxetine) appear more effective than placebo in double-blind controlled trials of 6 to 16 weeks. In similar studies, other antidepressants (mianserine, fluvoxamine) are ineffective. Improvement reported is often incomplete and the low percentage of patients totally abstinent at the end of treatment appears of poor pronostic value for long-term outcome. Methodological limitations of existing studies are discussed, and some psychopathological factors to consider in the assessment of therapeutic response are proposed.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Manic-depressive psychoses in adolescence. Influence of life change events. Study of family dynamics].

A sample of 38 adolescents hospitalized for a major depressive episode melancholic type or a manic episode during the course of a bipolar disorder (according to the DSM III-R Criteria) was examined with particular emphasis on precipating life events and family relationships. Psychosocial stressors in the year preceding onset of the affective disorder were found in a very high proportion of cases (about 80%). Stressors are most often severe. All of these stressors have to do with loss or threat of loss, particularly the most frequent one: the sentimental failure. Analyzing results of a familial dynamic questionnaire, we showed in the MDD sample the prevalence of two psychopathological index: maternal rejection, parental dysharmony.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bulimia and autoimmunity].

In the first part of this study, we investigated the rate of natural autoantibodies, in a sample of 31 female inpatients with bulimia nervosa according to DSM III-R criteria. The control (age and sex matched) group consisted in high school students including 10 females without eating disorders, depressive disorder or immunological disease. We investigated especially natural autoantibodies reacting with compounds of the central nervous system (Dopamine, Dopamine beta Hydroxylase, Serotonin). Our first conclusion is that there is a lower level of these natural auto-antibodies among female patients with bulimia nervosa. In the second part of the study, we have especially investigated the correlation between impulsivity in bulimia nervosa and the rate of natural autoantibodies against serotonin.

Adolescent↗