Propranolol in experimentally induced stress

The beta-adrenergic receptor-blocking drug, d,l-propranolol, was compared with placebo for relief of experimentally induced anxiety. Subjects were chosen on the basis of having high levels of trait anxiety. Stress was induced experimentally by two performance tests. Single 40-mg doses of propranolol significantly slowed the heart rate, suggesting a satisfactory pharmacologic effect of the drug. The treatment was not superior to placebo, however, on any other measure. The experimental model used had clearly demonstrated an antianxiety effect of single 5-mg doses of diazepam. Propranolol at the dose used had little effect on psychic anxiety as determined by this model.

Equillibrium disorders with diffuse brain atrophy in long-term toluene sniffing

A Japanese male who became habituated to sniffing toluene exhibited ataxia, tremor, incoordination and equilibrium disorders. There was pendular nystagmus with a normal caloric response. There were an inhibition of optokinetic nystagmus and a failure to follow over 0.1 Hz sine waves on eye tracking test. Angiogram and pneumoencephalogram revealed an atrophy of the midbrain and cerebrum, and degeneration of the cerebellum was suspected.

Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan, oxotermorine, and tetrahydroaminoacridine on apomorphine-induced stereotypy

The stereotyped behavior induced by apomorphine in rats was inhibited by oxotremorine and tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA). 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) did not change stereotypy scores. These data show influence of cholinergic mechanisms on such behavior. Possible clinical applications are discussed.

Production of several substances by medullary carcinoma of the thyroid

Two patients with the typical morphology of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid are reported. Biochemical analysis of the tumor tissue demonstrated the presence of calcitonin, ACTH and MSH, although symptoms referable to these hormones were hardly manifested. Serum CEA levels were elevated and CEA immunofluorescences in the tumor cells were positive. Moreover, in one patient, serotonin concentration was raised in the tumor tissue, and gastrin level was also elevated in the peripheral blood. These results suggest that the tumors may produce several substances.

Effects of antianxiety drug and personality on stress-inducing psychomotor performance test

The present study was carried out to clarify the effects of an antianxiety drug and of personality characteristics on a psychomotor performance test. Forty-eight healthy women college students were chosen from 64 volunteers as having either high or low levels of trait anxiety, neuroticism, or extroversion. Subjects with high trait anxiety and/or neuroticism tended to show a decrease in both speed and accuracy of the mirror drawing test (MDT) in the initial nondrug trials. Bromazepam, 5 mg, a benzodiazepine derivative, decreased this decrement in highly anxious subjects but worsened the speed in less anxious subjects. The personality traits of subjects, as well as the degree to which a performance test will induce stress, must be considered when evaluating the effects of antianxiety drugs on the performance of normal volunteers. The clinical anxiety-reducing efficacy of drugs may be predicted by using the MDT in subjects with high levels of anxiety and/or neuroticism.

No circadian effect on nortriptyline kinetics in man

Kinetics of a single 100-mg dose of nortriptyline were studied in 10 normal men who took this dose at 9 A.M. in the morning and on another occasion at 9 P.M. Only minimal differences in kinetic parameters were observed, none enough to be of any clinical consequence. A rather high first-pass metabolism of the drug was evident by high plasma concentrations of 10-hydroxynortriptyline. It is thus unlikely that the recent custom of giving single daily doses of tricyclic antidepressants in the evening excludes regimens with more favorable drug kinetics.

Psychosomatic studies of Japanese youth under social changes. An overview

Psychosomatic studies of adolescent patients were conducted at the Kyushu University Hospital. Among many adolescent psychosomatic disorders, the incidence of irritable colon syndrome ranked first. The dynamic mechanisms and therapeutic results of these patients were introduced. Next, an epidemiological study showed that the frequency of constipation and diarrhea rapidly increases over the period from junior high school to senior high school. Through matched pair studies conducted with high school students, significant interrelationships were proven to exist among the occurrence of diarrhea and constipation, awareness of illness and psychological factors.

A model for evaluation of antianxiety drugs with the use of experimentally induced stress: Comparison of nabilone and diazepam

Volunteer subjects were used to compare a potential antianxiety drug (nabilone, 2-mg single doses) with a standard drug (diazepam, 5-mg single doses). A double-masked design with placebo control was used. Volunteer subjects were selected on the basis of high levels of train anxiety and were tested by two anxiety-inducing procedures--the mirror drawing test and the Stroop color-word test. Anxiety induced by the experimental procedure was alleviated by diazepam and, to a lesser extent, by nabilone. Since doses of the two drugs may not have been equivalent, or the time courses identical, conclusions about their relative efficacy must be guarded. The experimental model is unusual in that antianxiety drugs can be tested in volunteer subjects for true antianxiety effects rather than for side effects, such as cognitive or motor impairment, sleepiness, or other signs of central nervous system depression.

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and pancreozymin secretin test

Eighy cases with carcinoma of the pancreas were divided into 10 groups according to the location and size of the tumor. Drip infusion cholangiography, percutaneous transphepatic cholangiography, hypotonic duodenography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were employed for this classification. Comparison of cholangiopancreatograms (ERCP) with results of the biliary and pancreatic secretory function assessed by pancreozymin secretin test (PS test clarifies secretory capacity of the exocrine pancreas. But combination of ERCP and PS test with cytology is necessary for the correct diagnosis of the pancreatic cancer and it is hoped that the combination may excavate the disease in the early stage.