Biomedical subjects
U Halbreich
Publications and source records attributed to U Halbreich.
Dextroamphetamine and cortisol in depression. Morning plasma cortisol levels suppressed.
Dextroamphetamine sulfate administered intravenously in the morning to 11 unmedicated depressed patients suppressed previously elevated plasma cortisol levels to normal in 90 minutes, a fall of 33% from baseline. Ten other depressed patients, without amphetamine, maintained high cortisol levels during the same time period. In each of five normal young men, amphetamine identically administered stimulated a rise in cortisol between 15 and 30 minutes after infusion, an acute response absent in ten of the 11 depressed patients; by 90 minutes after amphetamine administration, plasma cortisol had fallen to normal and identical levels in both groups. Since noradrenalin normally inhibits hypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor (and adrenocorticotropic hormone) secretion, a noradrenergic deficit may account for cortisol hypersecretion in depression; amphetamine may transiently "correct" this deficit in depressed patients, thereby reducing their cortisol secretion.
The effect of benztropine mesylate on the prolactin response to haloperidol.
The interaction between cholinergic and dopaminergic systems in regulating prolactin responses was investigated in normal men by administration of haloperidol (0.5 mg IM), with and without benztropine (1.0 and 2.0 mg IM). The acute prolactin response (at 30, 45, and 60 min) to haloperidol plus benztropine was significantly delayed compared to the response to haloperidol alone, in the same subjects. However, between 90 and 120 min after drug administration, prolactin responses achieved were similar in the three drug conditions. The results suggest a modest cholinergic-dopaminergic antagonism in the tuberoinfundibular system, apparent at low doses of neuroleptic and high doses of anticholinergic drugs.
Diurnal growth hormone responses to dextroamphetamine in normal young men and post-menopausal women.
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Prolactin changes in major depressive disorders.
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Neuroendocrine studies of major depressive disorder.
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Premonition of death in painting.
3 cases of subconscious premonition of death are presented. In these cases premonition found access to surface by means of painting. One may explain that phenomenon on grounds of determination. But an attempt for explanation by definition of a psychological and/or physiological pre-setting is done. If that pre-setting is not realized by an accidental death, it may be fulfilled by suicide, somatic complaint as a manifestation of masked depression or by overt depression. Flashes of the subconscious pre-setting may reach consciousness in dreams or in paintings.
The characteristics of tension-provoking composition and lines--as represented in Munch's paintings.
The way in which the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch conveyed the feeling of tension and anxiety to the viewer is analyzed, taking into account composition, form and characteristics of lines. This is in contradiction to the conventional way of content analysis. It is suggested that such an analysis may contribute to a better understanding of the way in which professional artists as well as emotionally disturbed patients express their emotions and convey them to the viewer. This may probably be used as an additional means for better evaluation of emotions in paintings.
Twenty-four-hour rhythm of prolactin depressive patients.
Twenty-four-hour rhythms of serum prolactin (PRL) levels were studied in seven depressive patients. Blood was collected through an indwelling catheter and the PRL level was determined by homologous double antibody radioimmunoassay. Findings showed a different pattern of secretion of prolactin among depressives as compared to the normal 24-hour rhythm of the hormone. A statistically significant elevation of PRL levels during the evening, several hours before sleep, was found. Morning PRL levels were slightly higher and the average increase of PRL level from one determination to the consecutive one was higher among the depressives. It is assumed that there may be a connection between the diurnal rhythmicity of mood, characteristic of vital depression, and the different 24-hour rhythmicity of PRL level.
Tardive dyskinesia presenting as a psychosis.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD), a movement disorder secondary to neuroleptic medication, is frequently found in psychiatric patients. The authors review reasons why some patients with TD go undetected. In addition, they report on another clinical situation which led to TD going undiagnosed: two cases which developed TD, then incorporated their movement disorder into a delusional system. Their clinicians focused exclusively on their psychosis, missing the underlying neurological disorder. How commonly this occurs in clinical practice is unknown.
Influence of deaf-mute parents on the character of their offspring.
Hearing children raised by deaf-mute parents suffer severe communication problems with their environment from the very moment of their birth. Later on feelings of alienation may ensue. Such conditions may influence the personality of offspring of deaf-mute people. A detailed representative case report of a patient with borderline personality is reported. The patient was a daughter of a quite typical deaf-mute couple. An attempt to relate some of her main characteristics and mechanisms of adaptation to factors in her early childhood is described.
Prolactin secretion during and after Noveril infusions to depressive patients.
Dibenzapine (720 mg, Noveril) was infused intravenously to 16 depressed patients during a period of 3 h. Serum prolactin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay and changes in clinical condition were evaluated according to the Hamilton Equation. The two variables were correlated to each other. In most of the patients Noveril caused a dramatic but short-lived improvement in depressive symptoms. There was much variability in the prolactin response to the drug. Serum prolactin levels showed a great elevation in 9 patients. In all patients the hormonal levels returned to their former normal levels after termination of the infusions. The treatment was then continued with Noveril per os. There was no significant correlation between serum prolactin levels and clinical condition or its change. The elevation of serum prolactin levels as a reaction to Noveril treatment may be explained by the prominent serotonergic action of Noveril. A time lag between serotonergic and dopaminergic actions of the drug when given in higher doses may be an additional explanation. Other possible hypotheses are discussed.
Electroencephalogram with sphenoidal needles in sleepwalkers.
The etiology of sleepwalking is controversial, the theory that sleepwalking is an epilepsy-like symptom is mostly discounted. Electroencephalogram records, obtained by using sphenoidal needles, are presented as a useful technique and aid to etiological and topical diagnosis. A temporal focus of waves of 4-6 cps was recorded which was not found in the routine EEG procedures. The question is thus raised as to whether sleepwalking may be a result of a paroxysmal disorder in the temporal lobe.
Day-to-day variations in serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in homosexual males.
Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone in sera of eight homosexual males and a matched control group were determined every second day during one month. Significant day-to-day variations in serum levels of FSH and a reversed LH area/FSH area ratio among homosexuals were found. There were no significant differences between homosexuals and controls in relation to the average levels of the tested hormones nor the average area and variance of LH and testosterone. It is suggested that a single blood sample for each subject is not enough for hormonal evaluation of homosexuals. It is suggested that the present findings may point to some defect in the gonadotropin regulation in male homosexuals.
[Prolactin secretion and mental activity].
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A nonverbal dialogue as a treatment of schizophrenic patients.
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Capillary fragility during air exposure of man to 1-5 ATA and after decompression.
Capillary fragility in man during exposure to 1-5 ATA air and after decompression from these pressures was studied by means of a petechiometer. A significant increase in capillary fragility was observed at 4 and 5 ATA air and after decompression from 3, 4, and 5 ATA air to normal pressure. It is suggested that this phenomenon may be associated with impairment of neurophysiological functions detectable only by special tests.