Electrical stimulation of the central gray for pain relief in human: autopsy data

Anatomopathological studies are reported of 5 brains in which electrical stimulation of the periventricular--periaqueductal gray was applied for the treatment of chronic pain. It was found that the recommended target was reached in 4 cases (only 1 case out of 5 was successful as far as a pain relief is concerned). PtIr electrodes caused little tissue reaction. The chronic stimulation had not provoked lesions observable by light-microscopy.

[Rehabilitation of chronic psychiatric patients. Description of a program and follow-up of 89 patients transfered to rest homes]

The reevaluation of the existence and function of the psychiatric hospital increases the problem presented by chronic patients. This study analyses the outcome of 89 chronic psychiatric patients transfered in rest homes. Is this alternative extramural solution for chronic hospitalization disirable? If yes, under which conditions? The favorable results of our survey have confirmed our basis hypothesis: all these patients do not need care structured on hospitalization.

[A token economy experiment in young schizophrenic patients]

The paradigm of operant behaviour (Skinner) systematically applied to a group constitutes the theoretical basis of token-economy programs. Such a system consists in relating a certain behaviour to a consequence known to the patient. The efficiency of a token-economy has already been demonstrated for various populations: delinquants, schooolboys, chronic psychiatric patients. This pilot-study reports on our experience in applying in token-economy program in a group of young schizophrenics, most of them being hebefrenics: concepts and difficulties in realisation, hierarchical structure of the system, and results obtained.