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Biomedical subjects

Makio Iimori

Publications and source records attributed to Makio Iimori.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Factor structure of the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire and its relationship with the revised NEO personality inventory in a Japanese sample.

The Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology, Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ) was developed to assess 18 personality traits that provide a systematic representation of personality disorder. This study investigates the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the DAPP-BQ and the relationship between the DAPP-BQ and Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) in a heterogeneous general population sample (n = 1485). Internal consistency (coefficient alpha) and test-retest reliability over a 3-week period was satisfactory for all scales. Factor analysis yielded 4 factors labeled "emotional dysregulation," "dissocial behavior," "inhibition," and "compulsivity" that accounted for 76.0% of the total variance. Subsequently, we investigated the relationships between the 18 dimensions and the 5 dimensions of the NEO-PI-R in a second heterogeneous general population sample (n = 717). Combined factor analysis of the 2 scales again yielded 4 factors accounting for 70.4% of the total variance. Finally, we used multiple regression analyses to examine the extent to which the 5 NEO-PI-R scales could be used to predict individual DAPP-BQ scales. These indicated that the NEO-PI-R does not have content that covers some DAPP-BQ dimensions, especially conduct problems, narcissism, and stimulus seeking.

Adult↗

Caffeic acid attenuates the decrease in cortical BDNF mRNA expression induced by exposure to forced swimming stress in mice.

We previously reported that caffeic acid produces antidepressive-like effects in the forced swimming test in mice, an animal model of depression. Increased evidence suggests that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family that has high affinity for the tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), plays an important role in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. The present study examined whether caffeic acid affects the expression levels of BDNF and TrkB mRNA in brain regions of mice subjected to a forced swimming test. Caffeic acid (4 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced the duration of immobility of mice in the forced swimming test. The levels of BDNF mRNA in the frontal cortex as well as TrkB mRNA in the amygdala were significantly decreased after the forced swimming test, and the former reduction was significantly inhibited by caffeic acid (4 mg/kg, i.p.). Caffeic acid (4 mg/kg, i.p.) did not modify the levels of BDNF and TrkB mRNA in brain regions of naive mice. These results suggest that caffeic acid can attenuate the down-regulation of BDNF transcription that results from stressful conditions.

Animals↗

Effects of a 5-HT7 receptor antagonist DR4004 on the exploratory behavior in a novel environment and on brain monoamine dynamics in mice.

The present study examined whether serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT)7 receptors play a role in the modulation of emotionality in mice using the selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist 2a-[4-(4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridyl)butyl]-2a,3,4,5-tetrahydrobenzo (c,d)indol-2-(1H)-one (DR4004). The emotionality of mice was evaluated in terms of exploratory activity in the hole-board test. The mice treated with DR4004 (2.5-10 mg/kg, i.p.) displayed a dose-dependent decrease in locomotor activity by moving less distance in the hole-board, and statistically significant decreases were observed at 5 and 10 mg/kg. On the other hand, DR4004 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect spontaneous motor activity. In a neurochemical study, decreases in amygdaloid dopamine and 5-HT turnover were observed in mice in which locomotor activity in the hole-board test was attenuated following the administration of DR4004 (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Also, a simple linear regression analysis revealed that locomotor activity on the hole-board was significantly correlated with dopamine and 5-HT turnover in amygdala. Furthermore, co-injection of the selective dopamine reuptake inhibitor 1-(2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (GBR12909; 1.25-5 mg/kg, i.p.) or the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reversed the DR4004 (10 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced decrease in locomotor activity in the hole-board test. These findings constitute the behavioral evidence that 5-HT7 receptors may play a role in the modulation of emotionality. Furthermore, it is also suggested that amygdaloid dopamine and 5-HT neuronal systems may be involved in this modulation.

Amygdala↗

[Preliminary reports on psychiatric practice in correctional facilities].

In October 2001, Nanashakon, a council composed of seven psychiatry-related organizations in Japan, decided to launch an investigation into forensic psychiatry in Japan, and established a working team (WT) for this purpose. From its establishment to March 2004, the WT performed surveys and analyses of the current situation of preliminary reports by psychiatric experts (preliminary reports) and of psychiatric practice in correctional facilities. Based on the results, the WT has presented proposals including guidelines for preliminary reports. In January 2002, the WT conducted an awareness survey on the status quo of testimony by psychiatric experts and forensic psychiatry, targeting the members of the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology, and obtained 666 replies. The survey revealed various critical opinions such as skepticism over the current punishment imposed on criminal patients with mental disorders. In February 2002, the WT obtained data on preliminary reports (2,042 cases) compiled prior to prosecution in FY2000 from the Japanese Ministry of Justice. Reviewing the details and differences between the evaluation by psychiatrists and the decision by public prosecutors, the WT pointed out the ambiguity of criteria used for the evaluation of competency of weak-minded persons and the criteria for criminal punishment. Around the same time, the WT was also asked by a news agency to analyze the preliminary reports of 50 district public prosecutor offices. The results revealed marked regional differences in the operation of the preliminary evaluation system for competency. In January 2003, the WT collected 146 preliminary reports from around the country for comparison and review, and again found conspicuous individual and regional discrepancies in the format and content. Based on these results, the WT conducted a hearing of 41 expert opinions on preliminary reports, and in January 2004, proposed guidelines outlining a format model of preliminary reports, and a training and authorizing system for forensic psychiatrists, to standardize preliminary reports and enhance their reliability. In February 2004, the WT conducted a questionnaire survey on the current situation of psychiatry in correctional facilities, targeting doctors with experience working under these circumstances. Fifty-one replies were obtained. Most of the respondents approved of the current system. However, to incite arguments in this area, attempts were made to draw critical responses and discussion by presenting data on the current situation of psychiatric practice in correctional facilities.

Criminal Law↗

Caffeic acid produces antidepressive- and/or anxiolytic-like effects through indirect modulation of the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor system in mice.

We previously reported that caffeic acid produce antidepressive- and/or anxiolytic-like effects in two different types of stress models. It has recently been reported that caffeic acid affects the alpha1A-adrenoceptor system. The present study examined whether the alpha1A-adrenoceptor system is involved in the antidepressive- and/or anxiolytic-like effects of caffeic acid. Caffeic acid reduced the duration of immobility and freezing of mice produced by forced swimming and conditioned fear stress, respectively. These effects of caffeic acid were suppressed by the alpha1- and alpha1A-adrenoceptor antagonists. However, caffeic acid did not alter the binding of [3H]prazosin to alpha1A-adrenoceptor in mouse cortical membranes. These results suggest that indirect modulation of the alpha1A-adrenoceptor system may be involved in the antidepressive- and/or anxiolytic-like effects of caffeic acid.

Animals↗

Prevalence of substance abuse among patients with physical diseases seen in an emergency room in Japan.

According to a nationwide general population survey on drug use in Japan, the lifetime prevalence of methamphetamine is low when compared to the United States. To confirm the hypothesis of a lower point prevalence of methamphetamine in an emergency room (ER) in Japan than in the United States, we collected blood specimens from an urban area of heavy methamphetamine prevalence in Tokyo, Japan, and analyzed the sera using REMEDi-HS based on an unlinked anonymity. Twenty kinds of drugs other than psychotropics were detected in 55 of 279 subjects (19.7%). Nineteen kinds of psychotropics were detected in twenty (7.2%) subjects. Psychotropics were detected in eleven patients with physical diseases and no acute intoxication. Methamphetamines were detected in three subjects (1.09%, 95% confidence interval 1.073-1.088) and in one of 46 subjects with injury (2.2%). It is necessary to look at the methodological differences between this study and previous studies; however, this finding supports the lower point prevalence of methamphetamine in an ER in Japan than in an ER in the United States.

Amphetamine-Related Disorders↗

Psychosocial factors associated with quality of life in Japanese patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The purpose of this study was to identify psychosocial factors, including coping style, that are associated with quality of life (QOL) in Japanese patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and to clarify the difference in coping style between patients with hemophilia and patients with sexually transmitted infection. We administered the World Health Organization QOL-26 questionnaire, the Mental Adjustment Toward Cancer scale, and the Social Support scale to 50 patients with HIV infection. Regarding QOL scores, Fighting Spirit was the positive coping style; Helplessness/Hopelessness and Anxious Preoccupation were negative coping styles. Psychological QOL scores in patients with hemophilia were lower than those in patients with sexually transmitted infection. Patients with hemophilia had a significantly weaker Fighting Spirit than patients with sexually transmitted infection.

Adaptation, Psychological↗