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Biomedical subjects

P Linkowski

Publications and source records attributed to P Linkowski.

138 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

ACTH, cortisol and growth hormone 24-hour profiles in major depressive illness.

Circadian rhythms of ACTH, cortisol and growth hormone have been studied in eighteen major depressives (eight unipolar and ten bipolar) as well as in eight normal controls. Both unipolar and bipolar depressed patients secreted more growth hormone than normal men. This hypersecretion occurred during waking hours rather than during sleep. An early sleep GH increase was found in all but one of the normal men, but was absent in seven of the eight unipolar depressed patients, who had instead a presleep increase. No consistent disturbance of the temporal association between sleep onset and GH secretion was found in bipolar depressed patients. Both unipolar and bipolar depressed patients had higher 24 h mean cortisol levels than normal men, but no significant difference was found for 24 h ACTH levels. An early timing of the nadir of ACTH-cortisol secretion which was observed in our depressed patients also suggest that disorders of circadian time keeping may characterize major endogenous depression.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Modifications of cerebral amine metabolism in psychiatric illness].

Abnormalities in brain monoamines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several psychiatric disorders. A brief revue of biochemical studies on indolamines and catecholamines in mental disorders with special emphasis on endogenous depression will be presented. Progress in neurochemistry makes it possible to investigate the biochemical disturbances present in the major psychoses. Recent knowledge in the neuropharmacological mechanism of action of psychotropic drugs have shed some light on the basic understanding of the pharmacological treatment of psychotic disorders. The implication of biogenic amine studies in psychiatry for endocrinological research in mental disorders will also be discussed.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Biological aspects of suicide].

Genetic, neurochemical and neuroendocrine factors in the pathogenesis of suicide are reviewed. Study of the metabolism of indolamines in the cerebrospinal fluid of depressive patients as well as the study of abnormal TSH secretion after TRH may help to identify patients with high suicide potential and serve as potential biological markers of suicide.

Depressive Disorder↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Apropos of the 18th case of bismuth encephalopathy recognized in Belgium].

The authors present a typical case of bismuth encephalopathy detected in 1982. The patient was given oral insoluble bismuth salts for 20 years. Blood bismuth level was regularly measured (twice a year). No pathologic level was ever noted before she developed the intoxication. Up to now, only few reports are known in Belgium. Measures to prevent this encephalopathy are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sleep during post-partum depression].

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have been published on postnatal depression (PND) over the last 10 years. A controversy has arisen regarding the specificity of the diagnostic concept. It is based on 2 points: the hormonal environment and the course and recurrence of PND. EEG Sleep studies are also numerous, but this paper presents the first study on EEG sleep profile during PND. METHODS: 24 women suffering from major depression according to RDC were placed in 3 groups: 1) Group A (n = 8): PND; 2) Group B (n = 8): depression with a past history of PND; 3) Group C (n = 8): depression without a past history of PND. Women were age-matched and according to the Hamilton 24 item severity score. Group A patients were delivered within less that 6 months, groups B and C within a minimum of 3 years. None were pregnant or alcoholic, and none were physically ill. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups B and C. Group A was characterised by a significantly longer stage IV sleep. There was also a strong tendency to a shorter stage I sleep and a better quality of sleep (total sleep time and number of awakenings) during PND. DISCUSSION: Our study shows that, even if similar to major depression, specific polysomnographic alteration can be found during post-partum depression. This finding is relevant to the hypothesis of PND's diagnostic specificity. The perfect similarity between groups B and C strengthens this evidence. Nevertheless, the significance of SWS alterations are difficult to explain and additional studies are required. CONCLUSION: The EEG Sleep profile during PND differs from major depression of the same severity. This appears to favour the specificity of the diagnostic concept.

Adult↗