Effect of psychotropic drugs on caudate spindle in cats.
(1/960)
To ascertain whether neuroleptics act on the caudate nucleus itself, the effects of these compounds as well as other centrally acting drugs were examined in relation to caudate spindle and EEG arousal responses (sciatic nerve stimulation) in gallamine-immobilized cats. Haloperidol and chlorpromazine enhanced the caudate spindle at a dose which had no effect on the EEG arousal response. On the other hand, clozapine and a higher dose of chlorpromazine enhanced the caudate spindle, but depressed the arousal response. High frequency stimulation of the sciatic nerve suppressed the caudate spindle. Pentobarbital, biperiden and diazepam, while depressing the arousal response, caused an enhancement of the caudate spindle. Imipramine at a low dose had no effect on either response, whereas at a high dose this drug enhanced the caudate spindle with concomitant depression of the arousal response. From these results, it may be concluded that the enhancing action on the caudate spindle induced by haloperidol and a low dose of chlorpromazine is due to an increase in susceptibility of the caudate nucleus itself. In addition, it is suggested that depression of the activating system is involved in an appearance of the caudate spindle. (+info)
Improvement by nefiracetam of beta-amyloid-(1-42)-induced learning and memory impairments in rats.
(2/960)
1. We have previously demonstrated that continuous i.c.v. infusion of amyloid beta-peptide (A beta), the major constituent of senile plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, results in learning and memory deficits in rats. 2. In the present study, we investigated the effects of nefiracetam [N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl) acetamide, DM-9384] on A beta-(1-42)-induced learning and memory deficits in rats. 3. In the A beta-(1-42)-infused rats, spontaneous alternation behaviour in a Y-maze task, spatial reference and working memory in a water maze task, and retention of passive avoidance learning were significantly impaired as compared with A beta-(40-1)-infused control rats. 4. Nefiracetam, at a dose range of 1-10 mg kg(-1), improved learning and memory deficits in the A beta-(1-42)-infused rats when it was administered p.o. 1 h before the behavioural tests. 5. Nefiracetam at a dose of 3 mg kg(-1) p.o. increased the activity of choline acetyltransferase in the hippocampus of A beta-(1-42)-infused rats. 6. Nefiracetam increased dopamine turnover in the cerebral cortex and striatum of A beta-(1-42)-infused rats, but failed to affect the noradrenaline, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid content. 7. These results suggest that nefiracetam may be useful for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease. (+info)
Psychotropic drug use among women.
(3/960)
The consistent 2:1 ratio of women to men in the receipt of prescriptions for psychotropic drugs is reflected in the higher rates for women of neurotic illness, symptoms of both physical and mental discomfort, and help-seeking and drug-taking behaviour. Physicians' perceptions of the problems presented by their male and female patients influence their prescribing of these drugs. Recent statistics in Ontario indicate that greater use of physicians' services by women is an inadequate explanation of the higher rate of prescribing of psychotropic drugs to women. A longitudinal study of a large insured population in Ontario showed that almost twice the proportion of females, compared with males, received a prescription for psychotropic drugs in 1970-71 and in 1973-74, a higher proportion of females received multiple prescriptions for each drug class, and males were more likely than females to have received only one prescription in a year. (+info)
Acute encephalopathy: a new toxicity associated with high-dose paclitaxel.
(4/960)
The purpose of this study was to describe acute encephalopathy as a new toxicity associated with paclitaxel, when it is delivered at high doses (> or =600 mg/m2) with stem cell support. A total of 129 patients, included in clinical trials of paclitaxel-containing high-dose chemotherapy, were analyzed. A total of 114 patients received paclitaxel at a dose of > or =600 mg/m2. Six patients presented acute encephalopathy starting between 7 and 23 days after paclitaxel treatment; two of them had received prior whole-brain irradiation. Paclitaxel was given alone (one patient), with cyclophosphamide and cisplatin (two patients), and with cyclophosphamide and cisplatin plus 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (three patients). Central nervous system toxicity consisted of rapid obtundation and coma (five patients) and severe confusional picture with paranoid ideations (one patient). Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse white matter atrophy (one patient) or multiple small infarcts (one patient), or it was normal (four patients). Other complementary tests, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis and electroencephalography, were nondiagnostic. An effect from concomitant psychotropic medications or from other organ toxicities was excluded in all patients. Three patients recovered after 8-15 days, either spontaneously (two patients) or after high-dose steroids (one patient). Three patients died of irreversible coma. Necropsy, performed in two patients, showed generalized white matter atrophy and multiple brain parenchymal infarcts, respectively. No pharmacodynamic correlation between the occurrence of encephalopathy and a pharmacokinetic parameter of paclitaxel could be identified. Paclitaxel-containing high-dose chemotherapy can cause severe acute encephalopathy. An aggravating effect from prior brain irradiation or concurrent 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea seems possible. (+info)
Mental health care in the primary health care setting: a collaborative study in six countries of Central America.
(5/960)
The results of a naturalistic epidemiological study conducted in 6 Central American countries in collaboration with the WHO/PAHO Regional Office are reported, aimed at describing the patients with mental distress presenting to the primary health care setting, the interventions enacted and the evolution of the patients over the 6 months following recruitment. A total of 812 patients were recruited by the personnel of 11 primary health care centres. A high degree of heterogeneity was observed with respect to the patients' characteristics and the patterns of care provided. The factors potentially contributing to the heterogeneity, identified through multivariate analyses, are discussed in detail against the specific background differences between countries and between areas within each country. Interestingly albeit expectedly, besides the differences in health care provision and availability, social needs appear to influence both interventions and outcomes. (+info)
Evaluating the cost effectiveness of newer psychotropic medications.
(6/960)
With the introduction of newer, more expensive psychotropic medications, pharmacists must consider the cost-effectiveness issues related to the use of these drugs. In general, the newer agents are more effective than conventional drugs, have improved side-effect profiles, and are associated with a lower rate of recidivism. However, because of cost constraints, not every patient who needs a newer psychotropic drug has the opportunity to receive it. To provide these patients with the medication they need, we must look beyond the acquisition cost of the drug and focus on the global impact of the medication on the total mental health budget at a facility. Data from this point of view can justify the greater expense of the medication, and more importantly, the patient can be better served. Cost-effectiveness data from one's own institution may be more convincing to formulary committee members than data from academic centers and can help make newer, more expensive agents available to the patients who need them. Designing and implementing a retrospective study is one means of obtaining these cost-effectiveness data. (+info)
Effect of 'Mentat' on the pharmacokinetics of single and multiple doses o phenytoin in rabbits.
(7/960)
The effect of 'Mentat', a herbal preparation, was studied on pharmacokinetics of single and multiple doses of phenytoin in rabbits. No significant effect was found after single oral dose of 'Mentat' on single dose kinetics of phenytoin. However, 'Mentat' administration for 7 days increased the steady state kinetic parameters. Peak plasma phenytoin concentration, area under the implasma concentration and elimination half life were significantly increased and t-max was significantly reduced, indicating the suppression of phenytoin metabolism by 'Mentat'. (+info)
Epileptic psychoses and anticonvulsant drug treatment.
(8/960)
Forty four consecutive patients with epilepsy and psychoses were studied retrospectively for psychotic episodes associated with changes in antiepileptic drug therapy. Twenty seven patients (61%) developed their first episode of psychosis unrelated to changes in their antiepileptic drug regimen. Twenty three of these patients developed psychoses with temporally unrelated changes in seizure frequency. Many patients had chronic schizophrenia-like psychotic symptoms. Seventeen patients (39%) developed their first episode of psychosis in association with changes in their antiepileptic drug regimen. Twelve patients developed psychoses temporally related to seizure attenuation or aggravation. Many of their psychotic symptoms were polymorphic with a single episode or recurrent episodes. No marked differences were found in the various clinical backgrounds between the two groups. In the drug-related group, seven patients developed psychoses after starting add-on therapy with a new antiepileptic drug, six after abruptly discontinuing their drugs, and four after taking an overdose of antiepileptic drugs. Based on the present findings, drug regimens should be changed gradually and compliance should be maintained to prevent epileptic psychoses. (+info)