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Biomedical subjects

R J Nathan

Publications and source records attributed to R J Nathan.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1981

Dreams, first memories, and brain atrophy in the elderly.

A five-year longitudinal study of the healthy aged was begun utilizing several measures. These include a sociological instrument, the Older Americans Resources Scale (OARS), psychological tests, physical and laboratory examinations, Computerized Transaxial Tomography (CTT), and a psychiatric interview. In the first year of the study 215 individuals over the age of 65 (average age 73) were examined, and preliminary data are now emerging. Among these are fantasy material in the form of dreams and first memories that were obtained in the psychiatric interview. We analyzed these data vis-à-vis brain scan results. In addition, we divided manifest dream content into the following types: (1) lost resources; (2) regressive; (3) real life; and (4) aggressive, sexual, and miscellaneous, and again analyzed the data along with the brain scan results. Similarly, first memories were analyzed. These are discussed in terms of utilizing fantasy material in order to determine the individual's perception of loss of cognitive ability, as a measure of personality structure, and to determine its relationship to the function of memory.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

The CT scan appearance of the brain in the normal elderly population: a correlative study.

Atrophy of the brain as depicted on CT scan was correlated with social and psychological testing in 100 selected volunteers with no known neurologic or psychiatric impairment. The data indicated cognitive impairment based on psychometric test results in those with atrophy, independent of its severity. No organic or biochemical changes could be found that could explain these findings. Repeat examinations at 1-year intervals are planned to evaluate the evolution of these findings.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Nonpharmacologic control of essential hypertension in man: a critical review of the experimental literature.

Many nonpharmacologic (behavioral) techniques are being proposed for the therapy of essential hypertension. The research in this area is reviewed and divided roughly into two categories: the biofeedback and relaxation methodologies. While feedback can be used to lower pressures during laboratory training sessions, studies designed to alter basal blood pressure levels with biofeedback have not yet been reported. The absence of evidence for such changes through biofeedback limits the usefulness of this technique in hypertension control. The various relaxation methods, such as yoga, transcendental meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and others have shown more promise. With varying degrees of experimental vigor, many of these techniques have been associated with long-lasting changes in blood pressure. The strengths and weaknesses of the various authors' research designs, data and conclusions are discussed, and suggestions for further experimentation are offered.

Autogenic Training↗
PubMed1976

The effect of a change of director in a psychiatric inpatient unit.

Suicide, aggressive acting out, and increased numbers of AWOL patients are distinct possibilities if internal structures of psychiatric impatient units are altered-especially in units that offer intensive therapeutic experience on a short term basis to severely ill patients. One such time is when the directorship changes in this kind of unit. A sucessful unit is frequently thought to be the result of the charismatic leadership of its chief. With his departure, the unit loses its elan and becomes an uninspired pedestrian operation. Hence, such a unit loses personnel and even its program when the chief changes. In this paper, the authors give data to support the hypothesis that a unit with a specific philosophical treatment orientation will continue to function at a relatively high level of effectiveness and efficiency regardless of the difference between chiefs.

Aggression↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Four generations of arteriohepatic dysplasia.

Arteriohepatic dysplasia (AHD) is a multisystem disorder which is characterized by liver, heart, eye, and bony abnormalities. A characteristic facies is also present. The etiology is not clear, and some authors have favored an in utero toxin or infection as the cause. Other reports have shown parent-to-child transmission suggesting an autosomal dominant form of inheritance. This study documents the presence of AHD characteristics in four successive generations of a single kindred. Overall, 15 of 24 members had at least some characteristics of AHD. In addition to the usual findings, renal disease, a small flat face on lateral X-ray, and mild conductive hearing loss were frequently noted in this kindred. Physiological studies on one member revealed a normal bromosulfophthalein Tm and S but a late rise in plasma bromosulfophthalein and indocyanine green. This study strongly supports an autosomal dominant form of transmission for the AHD syndrome. The ease of determining the eye, bone, and heart abnormalities should simplify genetic studies of other patients' families. In addition, because these characteristics are recognizable at birth, documenting their presence in a jaundiced neonate should spare the infant unnecessary and potentially dangerous surgery to rule out extrahepatic obstruction, especially if one or more family members demonstrate the same abnormalities.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗