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Biomedical subjects

T Supprian

Publications and source records attributed to T Supprian.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Psychoactive mushrooms - an update].

Psychoactive mushrooms ("magic mushrooms") have been consumed in northern Europe since the late seventies. Recently, the use of hallucinogenic fungi has become popular among young people again. In autumn, psychoactive mushrooms can be collected from their natural habitats throughout Europe. Some species are cultivated in the Netherlands and are sold in "smart-shops" or via Internet. In Germany, dried specimens are sold as "Duftkissen" (aroma pads). The article reviews the common psychoactive species and illustrates medical risks.

Agaricales↗
PubMed2000

Cerebellar vermis area in schizophrenic patients - a post-mortem study.

Neuroimaging studies of cerebellar atrophy in schizophrenia have yielded contradictory results. In computer-tomography (CT) studies, cerebellar atrophy was found in up to 40% of schizophrenic patients. However, several recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies could not replicate these early findings; in addition, contradictory observations of enlargement of vermal structures were reported. In contrast to the number of CT and MRI studies, there are only a few neuropathological reports on this subject. In a post-mortem study we analyzed the midsagittal vermal area of formaldehyde-fixed cerebella of 12 deceased schizophrenic patients and 12 age- and gender-matched control subjects by using morphometrical methods. Statistical analysis using ANOVA revealed no significant group effects, but there were interactions with gender and cerebellar brain weight. In view of the present results, the common concept of cerebellar atrophy in schizophrenic patients appears premature. Gender effects and secondary processes (e.g., relevant alcohol or drug abuse) cannot be excluded as possible factors causing decrease of vermal areas in schizophrenic patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Cavum veli interpositi and psychotic disorder in a monocygotic twin.

The case of monocygotic twins discordant for a psychotic disorder is presented. An anomaly of the septum pellucidum, a so-called cavum veli interpositi was found in the psychotic twin while his brother showed no such anomaly. Previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of septum pellucidum anomalies in schizophrenic patients. Abnormalities of the septum pellucidum may be associated with disturbed neuronal development in distinct limbic brain areas which cannot yet be visualized yet by brain imaging techniques. The finding of the cavum veli interpositi in the psychotic twin could be incidental; however, it may indicate a dysgenic process in early brain development and, thus, play a significant role in the etiology of psychosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[The role of diffuse axonal injury in psychiatric assessment of brain-head trauma].

The concept of diffuse axonal injury is presented and the relevance in medicolegal assessment of brain injured patients is discussed. The lesion pattern of diffuse axonal injury not only plays a significant role in the acute management and rehabilitation of brain injured patients but also in issues of litigation. Brain imaging techniques are most important in the evaluation of structural damage to the brain and play a pivotal role in the detection of diffuse axonal injury. While computer-tomography follow-up studies may be valuable for the detection of diffuse axonal injury, magnetic resonance imaging is superior due to better sensitivity and contrast-resolution. The article presents selected case studies and illustrates the different lesion patterns.

Axons↗
PubMed2000

Lesion pattern in patients with multiple sclerosis and depression.

To assess if a specific lesion pattern or changes of the basal limbic system as seen in primary depression and depression associated with neurodegenerative disorders might be identified in depressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, we submitted 78 MS patients to a MRI examination consisting of a quantitative measurement of lesions and of hyperintense signals from the pontomesencephalic midline (raphe). Furthermore relaxometry of the pontomesencephalic midline, a transcranial ultrasound examination rating its echogenicity semiquantitatively and a standardized neurological, neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological assessment were obtained. Thirty-one patients fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for depression. Depressed MS patients had a significantly larger temporal lesion load than non-depressed MS patients, especially on the right side. A trend of difference was detected for lesions of the right parietal lobe, the right frontal lobe, the cerebellum and the total lesion load. Neither hyperintense signals or relaxometry nor echogenicity of the region at the level of the pontomesencephalic midline were significantly different between the groups. We conclude that depression in MS patients is not associated with an alteration of the basal limbic system at the brainstem as seen in Parkinson's disease or unipolar depression but with an increased lesion load of the projection areas of the basal limbic system.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Agenesis septum pellucidum in a schizophrenic patient].

Absence of the septum pellucidum is a rare developmental disorder of the human brain. Previous reports focused on the association with other cerebral anomalies. We present MRI scans showing an isolated absence of the septum pellucidum. The patient was suffering from a schizophrenic psychosis. Mental retardation or epileptic seizures, which are often found in more complex developmental brain disorders, were not observed. The septal area is part of the limbic system and aplasia of the septum pellucidum could indicate developmental anomalies of the limbic system. The concept of cerebral maldevelopment and the limbic system in schizophrenic psychosis is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Isolated absence of the septum pellucidum.

Absence of the septum pellucidum in the human is a rare congenital anomaly. Previous reports suggest it is almost always associated with other brain anomalies. However, MRI in two patients with absence of the septum pellucidum presented here, indicates that this anomaly may occur without associated anomalies. It may be one manifestation of a spectrum of developmental anomalies. One patient presented with schizophrenic psychosis; developmental disturbances in limbic areas are believed to be associated with schizophrenia. Agenesis of the septum pellucidum may indicate abnormal development of limbic structures and it may be associated with anomalies, such as cytoarchitectural disturbances of cortical layers, as yet undetectable by MRI.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Depression in Parkinson's disease: brainstem midline alteration on transcranial sonography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Recent studies using transcranial sonography (TCS) have provided evidence of alterations in the mesencephalic midline structures in patients with unipolar depression and depression in Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting an involvement of the basal limbic system in primary and secondary mood disorders. This study tested the hypothesis of brainstem midline abnormality in depression and investigated 31 PD patients by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and TCS. Signal intensity of the pontine and mesencephalic brainstem midline was rated on T2-weighted images and measured by relaxometry. In addition, two blinded investigators assessed the echogenicity of the brainstem midline by TCS. The severity of motor symptoms and depression were graded independently using standard research scales. Rating of signal intensity and T2 relaxometry of the pontomesencephalic midline structures revealed significant difference between depressed and nondepressed PD patients (P < 0.05). This corresponded to a significant reduction in mesencephalic midline echogenicity of depressed PD patients on TCS images. No correlation was found between raphe signal intensity, T2 relaxation times, or TCS echogenicity and the severity of motor symptoms or depression. This study is the first to show changes in signal intensity and T2 relaxation time of the pontomesencephalic midline structures on MRI in depressed PD patients confirming previous TCS findings. As these midline structures comprise fiber tracts and nuclei of the basal limbic system, the findings may support the hypothesis of an alteration in the basal limbic system in mood disorders.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

MRI T2 relaxation times of brain regions in schizophrenic patients and control subjects.

In this MRI investigation T2 relaxation times were studied in schizophrenic patients compared to normal control subjects. Approximate T2 relaxation times were calculated using signal intensity at two echo times in several brain regions of 25 male schizophrenic patients and 25 age-matched, normal male control subjects. The schizophrenic patients showed significantly longer T2 relaxation times as compared to normal control subjects in the left anterior column of the fornix. This is a small structure, prone to partial volume effects and this may account for these findings. There was a trend towards longer T2 times in the left frontal cortex and shorter T2 times in [corrected] right temporal cortex in schizophrenic patients as compared to control subjects. There were right/left differences in relaxation times within each group. In both patients and control subjects, frontal lobe white matter T2 was longer on the right than on the left side. This finding is probably due to brain asymmetry and unrelated to the presence or absence of psychiatric illness. In schizophrenic patients only the left temporal cortex showed longer T2 times than the right side. This observation could indicate left sided temporal lobe pathology in schizophrenia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The fornix of the human brain: evidence of left/right asymmetry on axial MRI scans.

This article reports the observation that there is a left/right asymmetry of the anterior columns of the fornix in the human brain. This asymmetry is present in the position of the two columns of the fornix in relation to the septum pellucidum. The left columna fornicis was found to be located caudal to the right, and this can be readily visualized on axial MRI scans. This difference was seen in most of the subjects, but in some subjects there was no left/right-difference and in a few the asymmetry was inverse. The asymmetry of the fornix with respect to the anterior-posterior axis was independent of the well-known dissimilar lateral ventricular volumes. However, the left/right difference in the position of the fornix was evident in subjects with or without differences in ventricular volumes. This suggests that the mechanism underlying the development of asymmetry of the fornix is independent of the mechanism leading to ventricular asymmetry. So far, no functional relevance has been ascribed to such differences in location. The finding is gaining interest in connection with recent reports of asymmetries in hippocampal subfields. Studies of fornical lesions should therefore give attention to possible side-to-side differences.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Coincidence of Huntington chorea and epilepsy].

We report on a patient suffering from epilepsy and severe personality changes. Huntington disease was diagnosed by molecular-biological investigation. Clinical characteristics are discussed on the basis of modern concepts of the genetic mechanism. Neuroradiological investigation revealed marked cerebellar atrophy, while typical findings of Huntington disease, such as caudate nucleus volume loss, were lacking. The cerebellar atrophy could be attributable either to long-term phenytoin-medication or to the pathological process itself.

Atrophy↗
PubMed1996

[Sexual dimorphism of the human brain--a review of the literature].

Some findings of neurobiological brain research regarding structural sex differences of the human brain are reviewed and discussed. Besides the well known difference in brain size, especially some cell groups of the hypothalamus display differences between the sexes. The results obtained for other regions, such as the corpus callosum and other commissural systems, are inconclusive. Further dimorphisms involve the temporal lobes and sex-specific brain asymmetry. These differences seem to be subtle and are superimposed by high interindividual variability. Finally, little morphological support is found for behavioural differences between the sexes.

Brain↗
PubMed1996

Lenticular nucleus lesion in idiopathic dystonia detected by transcranial sonography.

We report the transcranial sonography (TCS) findings of the basal ganglia in 86 patients with dystonic disorders including idiopathic dystonia (facial, cervical, upper limb, and generalized dystonia), drug-induced tardive dystonia, dopa-responsive dystonia, and kinesigenic dystonia. The TCS was focused on alterations of the lenticular, caudate, raphe nuclei, and the thalamus. Seventy-five percent of patient with idiopathic cervical and 83% of those with idiopathic upper limb dystonia had a hyperechogenic lesion of the middle segment of the lenticular nucleus on the side opposite to the clinical dystonic symptoms. The ipsilateral side was also affected in 20%. In facial dystonia, only one-third of the patients revealed lenticular nucleus lesions. The mean area of the lenticular nucleus lesion opposite to the clinically affected side was 30 mm2 in cervical dystonia, 17 mm2 in upper limb dystonia, and 7.5 mm2 in facial dystonia. These lenticular abnormalities were significantly more frequent (p < 0.001) and their areas were significantly greater (p < 0.001) compared with a control group of 50 patients afflicted with radiculopathy. There was a significant correlation of the severity of symptoms with the intensity of lenticular nucleus hyperechogenicity in patients with cervical and upper limb dystonia (p < 0.05). Increased caudate nucleus echogenicity was present in 20% of patients with cervical and upper limb dystonia, mostly contralateral to the clinically affected side and raphe abnormalities were present in 7% of all patients with idiopathic dystonia. In contrast, there were no abnormalities of the lenticular nucleus or thalamus in nonidiopathic dystonias. We conclude that idiopathic dystonia is associated with lesions in the basal ganglia, particularly the lenticular nucleus, that can be visualized by TCS. An alteration of the basal ganglia matrix may be the pathologic basis of idiopathic dystonia with secondary affliction of striatopallidothalamic pathways.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Psychiatric sequelae of craniocerebral trauma--a review of the literature].

In a brief review psychiatric aspects of head-injured patients are discussed. The topic is put into a historical perspective. Examples of recent developments in head-trauma research are given. Differentiation between focal and diffuse brain injury is suggested to be of clinical relevance. Little is known as yet about the neuropsychologic and psychiatric sequelae of diffuse axonal injury to the brain.

Brain Concussion↗
PubMed1993

Presentation of human neocortical neurons stained with the carbocyanine dye dil compared to the Golgi silver impregnation technique.

The carbocyanine dye Dil (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate) not only serves as an excellent neuronal tracer, but also produces staining of neurons similar to the results of the Golgi technique. In one aspect staining with Dil seems superior to the Golgi technique: the axons are well stained and show morphological details of their structure. The dendrites and the spines can also be studied easily so that this technique seems to be a promising alternative of the Golgi technique. The fading of the fluorescence could probably be overcome by photoconversion of the stained neurons.

Brain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychopathological symptoms of depression in Parkinson's disease compared to major depression.

Parkinson's disease is frequently associated with depressive symptoms. When depression occurs at early stages and before the onset of characteristic motor symptoms of the disease, differential diagnosis of major depression may be difficult. Differences in psychopathological features of depression in Parkinson's disease and major depression have been reported by some authors. This study presents data of 49 patients with depression in Parkinson's disease and 38 patients with major depression. The severity of depressive symptoms was equivalent in both groups. Depressive features did not differ between the two groups with exception of affective flattening, delusional ideas and suicide attempts. In conclusion, this investigation gives support to the assumption of a common neurobiological origin of depression in Parkinson's disease and major depression.

Affect↗