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Biomedical subjects

M M Robertson

Publications and source records attributed to M M Robertson.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Flupenthixol in depression. A study of serum levels and prolactin response.

The relationship between improvement in symptomatology and changes in prolactin and serum cis-flupenthixol levels has been evaluated in 16 patients with a clinical diagnosis of depression, who were treated with 1 or 2 mg of flupenthixol in a once daily morning dose. No significant differences in clinical response were noted between those on 1 and 2 mg, and side effects were few. The presentation of some side effects, in particular extrapyramidal symptoms, were related to higher serum levels and prolactin levels particularly in the early stages of the study. Improvements in depressive symptoms were unrelated to serum levels, but at day 56 of the trial were positively correlated to changes in prolactin levels. Improvements in anxiety symptoms were positively related to serum levels at day 3 but negatively related at day 56. These results are discussed in the light of possible influences of dopamine antagonism in relation to an antidepressant effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Major tranquillisers used as antidepressants. A review.

The use of major tranquillisers as antidepressants is reviewed and 34 double-blind trials evaluating this were found. Results suggest that some neuroleptics have antidepressant properties, although most studies have been conducted on mixed anxiety-depressive states. Advantages over the tricyclic antidepressants are the early onset of action and relative lack of side-effects. Post psychotic depression following major tranquilliser therapy is considered, and it is concluded that it is likely to be part of the underlying illness and not a drug-induced effect. It is suggested that further work with major tranquillisers in depression may be of value in exploring the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1982

The lateralising significance of hypergraphia in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Six patients with hypergraphia and epilepsy are presented and their clinical features compared with other patients reported in the literature. It is suggested that hypergraphia occurs more frequently in patients with right-sided non-dominant temporal lobe lesions, in contrast for example to the schizophreniform presentation of left-sided lesions. Other features of psychopathology possibly associated with non-dominant lesions, including elation, hypereligiosity and déjà vu experiences, are also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Osteitis deformans in the South African negro. A report of 3 cases.

Osteitis deformans is a relatively common disease in Caucasians, but rare in the indigenous people in Africa. Three cases of Paget's disease occuring in South African Negroes are reported here. Gene marker studies confirmed the absence of Caucasoid genes in these patients.

Black People↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antidepressant treatment of chronic tension-type headache: a comparison between fluoxetine and desipramine.

Amitriptyline, which is a noradrenaline reuptake and 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, has an established role in the management of chronic tension-type headaches. In a single-blind study, patients with chronic tension-type headache were randomized to either fluoxetine 20 mg (a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor) or desipramine 75 mg (a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) and followed for 12 weeks to compare the effectiveness of the two drugs in improving headache, and to assess whether pain control is related to changes in depression. Patients were evaluated at weekly intervals on an analog pain-rating scale and at 4-weekly intervals on the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the MOS general health status questionnaire (SF36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and a side effects checklist. Eighteen patients were randomized to take fluoxetine and 19 to take desipramine. Of the 25 patients who completed the trial, 12 were on fluoxetine and 13 were on desipramine. There was no significant difference between the two groups at baseline nor in change of pain; reduction in use of analgesic medication; nor change in the HADS, MADRS, or SF36 scores at 12 weeks, but 72% of patients who completed the study improved, and this improvement almost exactly mirrored the improvement on the MADRS. The results from this trial are compatible with the notion that the beneficial effect of antidepressants in chronic tension-type headache is indirect, mediated by an effect on depression, and not more,dependent on serotonin reuptake inhibition than noradrenaline reuptake inhibition.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lesbians as an invisible minority in the health services arena.

Ten self-identified lesbians were interviewed about their health care experiences. Analysis of the data from a grounded theory approach revealed four issues: health care providers' assumption of heterosexuality, reactions to coming out, lesbians' expectations of health care, and health-care-seeking behavior. It is the invisibility of lesbians in society that lends to the continued negative experiences lesbians relate. As health care professionals, we must assess our present practices and seek ways to improve the quality of care we offer to lesbians. Some recommendations for improving care to the lesbian community are made.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Phenomenology of depression in epilepsy.

Sixty-six patients with epilepsy and depression were studied. Thirty-four had a family history of psychiatric illness; depression was the most common condition. Assessed using standardised rating scales, the severity of the depression was moderate and was endogenous in approximately 40% of patients. Attendant features were high state and trait anxiety and hostility. The EEGs of the patients and a control group were not significantly different. Patients receiving phenobarbital (PB) were more depressed, whereas those taking carbamazepine (CBZ) were both less depressed and less anxious. The phenomenology of the depression was not clearly influenced by epilepsy variables. We suggest that the depression in patients with epilepsy represents the outcome of multiple factors in genetically predisposed individuals.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Depressive symptomatology in a general hospital sample of outpatients with temporal lobe epilepsy: a controlled study.

We compared temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) outpatients attending a general hospital with depressed psychiatric patients and normal control subjects to investigate depressive symptomatology. Both clinician-rated measures and self-report questionnaires were used. Rates of depressive and anxious symptomatology in TLE subjects were higher than those in a normal control sample, but TLE subjects did not differ significantly from controls on anxiety measures. The depressed psychiatric group scored higher than the TLE and control groups on both depression and anxiety measures. Rates of depressive symptomatology in the TLE group were lower than those reported in previous studies for persons attending specialist epilepsy clinics, but similar to the findings of one community study.

Adult↗