P5993Comprehensive characterization of experimental aortic valve stenosis by multiparametric MRI

Background

Recently, we established an experimental model of moderate aortic valve stenosis (AS) aiming to mimic human disease progression closely. Functional and structural MRI of a mouse model in experimental aortic valve stenosis has not been accomplished so far.

Purpose

Here, we aimed at developing comprehensive MRI approach for simultaneous assessment of changes in valvular, left ventricular and aortic morphology and function.

Methods

Male 12-week-old wildtype mice (C57Bl/6) were subjected to wire injury of the aortic valve to induce aortic valve stenosis. High resolution MRI at 9.4T was used to monitor subsequent functional and structural changes in the aortic valve, the ascending aorta, the left ventricle and aortic flow patterns.

Results

MRI permits accurate planimetry of the orifice and the thickness of the aortic valve, allows a reliable three-dimensional mapping of transvalvular aortic flow, simultaneously depicts aortic regurgitation in 3D fashion and permits assessment of left ventricular changes due to AS. In our model we observed a reduced valve orifice and an increase in valve thickness. Homogenous flow pattern under control converted to heterogenous and turbulent flow with progression of AS associated with increased aortic strain, aortic wall and left ventricular wall thickness.

Conclusions

In a murine model of aortic valve stenosis MRI is capable to reliably display a three-dimensional transvalvular aortic flow profile with concomitant quantification of structural and functional changes in aortic valve, left ventricle, and ascending aorta. This comprehensive functional imaging at high resolution and distinct reproducibility offers for the first time serial assessment of disease progression in an experimental model of aortic valve stenosis.

Noninvasive detection of graft rejection by in vivo (19) F MRI in the early stage

Diagnosis of transplant rejection requires tissue biopsy and entails risks. Here, we describe a new (19) F MRI approach for noninvasive visualization of organ rejection via the macrophage host response. For this, we employed biochemically inert emulsified perfluorocarbons (PFCs), known to be preferentially phagocytized by monocytes and macrophages. Isografts from C57BL/6 or allografts from C57B10.A mice were heterotopically transplanted into C57BL/6 recipients. PFCs were applied intravenously followed by (1) H/(19) F MRI at 9.4 T 24 h after injection. (1) H images showed a similar position and anatomy of the graft in the abdomen for both cases. However, corresponding (19) F signals were only observed in allogenic tissue. (1) H/(19) F MRI enabled us to detect the initial immune response not later than 3 days after surgery, when conventional parameters did not reveal any signs of rejection. In allografts, the observed (19) F signal strongly increased with time and correlated with the extent of rejection. In separate experiments, rapamycin was used to demonstrate the ability of (19) F MRI to monitor immunosuppressive therapy. Thus, PFCs can serve as positive contrast agent for the early detection of transplant rejection by (19) F MRI with high spatial resolution and an excellent degree of specificity due to lack of any (19) F background.

Targeting murine heart and brain: visualisation conditions for multi-pinhole SPECT with (99m)Tc- and (123)I-labelled probes

PURPOSE

The study serves to optimise conditions for multi-pinhole SPECT small animal imaging of (123)I- and (99m)Tc-labelled radiopharmaceuticals with different distributions in murine heart and brain and to investigate detection and dose range thresholds for verification of differences in tracer uptake.

METHODS

A Triad 88/Trionix system with three 6-pinhole collimators was used for investigation of dose requirements for imaging of the dopamine D(2) receptor ligand [(123)I]IBZM and the cerebral perfusion tracer [(99m)Tc]HMPAO (1.2-0.4 MBq/g body weight) in healthy mice. The fatty acid [(123)I]IPPA (0.94 +/- 0.05 MBq/g body weight) and the perfusion tracer [(99m)Tc]sestamibi (3.8 +/- 0.45 MBq/g body weight) were applied to cardiomyopathic mice overexpressing the prostaglandin EP(3) receptor.

RESULTS

In vivo imaging and in vitro data revealed 45 kBq total cerebral uptake and 201 kBq cardiac uptake as thresholds for visualisation of striatal [(123)I]IBZM and of cardiac [(99m)Tc]sestamibi using 100 and 150 s acquisition time, respectively. Alterations of maximal cerebral uptake of [(123)I]IBZM by >20% (116 kBq) were verified with the prerequisite of 50% striatal of total uptake. The labelling with [(99m)Tc]sestamibi revealed a 30% lower uptake in cardiomyopathic hearts compared to wild types. [(123)I]IPPA uptake could be visualised at activity doses of 0.8 MBq/g body weight.

CONCLUSION

Multi-pinhole SPECT enables detection of alterations of the cerebral uptake of (123)I- and (99m)Tc-labelled tracers in an appropriate dose range in murine models targeting physiological processes in brain and heart. The thresholds of detection for differences in the tracer uptake determined under the conditions of our experiments well reflect distinctions in molar activity and uptake characteristics of the tracers.

Biglycan Is Required for Adaptive Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction

Background— After myocardial infarction (MI), extensive remodeling of extracellular matrix contributes to scar formation and preservation of hemodynamic function. On the other hand, adverse and excessive extracellular matrix remodeling leads to fibrosis and impaired function. The present study investigates the role of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan biglycan during cardiac extracellular matrix remodeling and cardiac hemodynamics after MI.

Methods and Results— Experimental MI was induced in wild-type (WT) and bgn −/0 mice by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Biglycan expression was strongly increased at 3, 7, and 14 days after MI in WT mice. bgn −/0 mice showed increased mortality rates after MI as a result of frequent left ventricular (LV) ruptures. Furthermore, tensile strength of the LV derived from bgn −/0 mice 21 days after MI was reduced as measured ex vivo. Collagen matrix organization was severely impaired in bgn −/0 mice, as shown by birefringence analysis of Sirius red staining and electron microscopy of collagen fibrils. At 21 days after MI, LV hemodynamic parameters were assessed by pressure-volume measurements in vivo to obtain LV end-diastolic pressure, end-diastolic volume, and end-systolic volume. bgn −/0 mice were characterized by aggravated LV dilation evidenced by increased LV end-diastolic volume ( bgn −/0 , 111±4.2 μL versus WT, 96±4.4 μL; P <0.05) and LV end-diastolic pressure ( bgn −/0 , 24±2.7 versus WT, 18±1.8 mm Hg; P <0.05) and severely impaired LV function (EF, bgn −/0 , 12±2% versus WT, 21±4%; P <0.05) 21 days after MI.

Conclusion— Biglycan is required for stable collagen matrix formation of infarct scars and for preservation of cardiac hemodynamic function.

Measurement of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-type flavor entanglement in Upsilon(4S) --> B0 B0 decays

The neutral B meson pair produced at the Upsilon(4S) should exhibit a nonlocal correlation of the type discussed by Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen. We measure this correlation using the time-dependent flavor asymmetry of semileptonic B(0) decays, which we compare with predictions from quantum mechanics and two local realistic models. The data are consistent with quantum mechanics, and inconsistent with the other models. Assuming that some B pairs disentangle to produce B(0) and B(0) with definite flavor, we find a decoherent fraction of 0.029 +/ -0.057, consistent with no decoherence.

End-to-side nerve coaptation: a qualitative and quantitative assessment in the primate

There are several reasons why end-to-side nerve coaptation has not been widely adopted clinically. Among these are the putative damage inflicted on the donor nerve and the variable quality of the regeneration in the recipient nerve. So far experiments on end-to-side nerve repair have been short term and mostly carried out on rats. This long-term study of end-to-side nerve repair of ulnar to median and median to ulnar nerve was performed using adult nonhuman primates. Eleven nerve repairs were studied at different time points. Eighteen, 22, 33 and 57 months after surgery a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the donor nerve and regenerating nerve revealed variable levels of percentage axonal regeneration compared with matched controls (1.4%-136%). Morphological evidence of donor nerve damage was identified distal to the coaptation site in four of the 11 cases, and in these cases the best axonal regeneration in the corresponding recipient nerves was observed. This donor nerve damage could neither be demonstrated in terms of a decrease in axon counts distal to the coaptation nor as donor target organ denervation. Recipient target organ regeneration like the axonal regeneration varied, with evidence of motor regeneration in eight out of 11 cases and sensory regeneration, as measured by percentage innervation density compared with matched controls, varied from 12.5% to 49%. Results from the present study demonstrate that the end-to-side coaptation technique in the nonhuman primate does not give predictable results. In general the motor recovery appeared better than the sensory and in those cases where donor nerve damage was observed there was better motor and sensory regeneration overall than in the remaining cases.

Response to symptom-limited exercise in patients with the hepatopulmonary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To study the response to symptom-limited exercise in patients with the hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).

DESIGN

The response to maximal cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) was studied in 5 patients with HPS and compared with 10 case control (normoxemic, NC) cirrhotics (matched for age, gender, etiology and severity of liver disease, tobacco use, and beta-blocker therapy) and 9 hypoxemic control cirrhotics (HC) without clinical evidence of HPS.

SETTING

Cardiopulmonary exercise physiology laboratory in a tertiary care referral center.

PATIENTS

Cirrhotics referred for CPX as part of their preliver transplantation evaluation.

MEASUREMENTS

Standard pulmonary function tests and echocardiography were performed to assess resting pulmonary and cardiac function. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2), minute ventilation, arterial blood gases, and dead space (VD/VT) were determined during symptom-limited maximal CPX.

RESULTS

Resting spirometry and lung volumes were similar between HPS and NC subjects, while HC subjects had restrictive physiology. Differences existed in diffusing capacity corrected for hemoglobin and alveolar volume percent predicted (HPS, 45+/-2 vs NC, 68+/-3, p<0.05; vs HC, 70+/-4, p<0.05), PaO2 (HPS, 70+/-5 mm Hg; HC, 79+/-3 mm Hg, vs NC, 102+/-3 mm Hg, p<0.05) and alveolar-arterial (A-a) O2 gradient (HPS, 42+/-8 mm Hg vs HC, 27+/-2 mm Hg, p<0.05; vs NC, 6+/-2 mm Hg, p<0.05). During CPX, HPS patients achieved a lower peak VO2 percent predicted (HPS, 55+/-6 vs NC, 73+/-3, p<0.05; vs HC, 71+/-5, p<0.05) and VO2 at the ventilatory threshold as percent predicted peak VO2 (HPS, 36+/-2 vs NC, 55+/-4, p<0.05; vs HC 55+/-5, p<0.05). While no differences existed in heart rate and breathing reserve, HPS patients had significantly lower PaO2 (HPS, 50+/-5 mm Hg vs NC, 97+/-4 mm Hg, p<0.05; vs HC, 87+/-6 mm Hg, p<0.05), wider A-a O2 gradient (HPS, 73+/-5 mm Hg vs NC, 13+/-3 mm Hg, p<0.05; vs HC, 31+/-5 mm Hg, p<0.05) and higher VD/VT (HPS, 0.36+/-.03 vs NC, 0.18+/-.02, p<0.05; vs HC, 0.28+/-.02, p<0.05) at peak exercise. For HPS patients, VO2 was negatively correlated with VD/VT (r2=0.9) and positively correlated with PaO2 (r2=0.41) at peak exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HPS demonstrate a severe reduction in aerobic capacity, beyond that found in cirrhotics without syndrome. The significant hypoxemia and elevated VD/VT at peak exercise suggest that an abnormal pulmonary circulation contributes to further exercise limitation in patients with HPS.

Analysis of impaired exercise capacity in patients with cirrhosis

Exercise limitation in cirrhosis is typically attributed to a cirrhotic myopathy (without impaired oxygen utilization) and/or a cardiac chronotropic dysfunction. We performed symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 19 cirrhotics without confounding variables (cardiopulmonary disease, beta blockade, anemia, smoking). Twelve concurrently exercised patients without cirrhosis and with normal resting pulmonary function were controls. Oxygen consumption (VO2) at peak exercise, at anaerobic threshold (VO2-AT), work rate (WR), and heart rate (HR) were measured. Cirrhotics had significantly lower peak WR (73+/-4 vs 107+/-7% predicted, p < 0.001), VO2 (72+/-4 vs 98+/-5% predicted, P < 0.001), VO2-AT (53+/-4 vs 71+/-5% predicted peak VO2, P < 0.01), HR (83+/-2 vs 91+/-2% predicted, P < 0.01) and were more likely to have chronotropic dysfunction (peak HR < 85% predicted). Six cirrhotics had normal aerobic capacity (peak VO2 > 80% predicted), while 13 were abnormal. The abnormals had an earlier AT (46+/-2 vs 67+/-3% predicted peak VO2, P < 0.05) but no difference in peak HR percent predicted was found. In conclusion, two thirds of cirrhotics, without confounding factors, have significantly reduced aerobic capacity. Cirrhotic myopathy (without impaired O2 utilization) and cardiac chronotropic dysfunction do not adequately account for the observed decrease in aerobic capacity.

Inhibition of human thyroid adenylyl cyclase by 2-iodoaldehydes

2-Iodohexadecanal (IHDA), which can be formed upon addition of iodine to the vinyl ether group of plasmalogens, has been identified as a major thyroid iodolipid (Pereira et al. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 17018-17025). In this study, we have investigated the possibility that it would be a mediator of the inhibitory effect of iodide on thyroid adenylyl cyclase. In human thyroid membranes, IHDA inhibited the adenylyl cyclase activity stimulated by thyrotropin (TSH), GTP-gamma-S or forskolin (FSK), whereas it did not decrease the specific binding of TSH to its receptors. The inhibitory effect on the cyclase reached a maximum after a 1-h-pre-incubation of the membranes with IHDA at 30 degrees C and was poorly reversible. It was also observed following a 4-h incubation with IHDA at 4 degrees C, a condition in which adenylyl cyclase is protected against heat inactivation. IHDA decreased the Vmax of adenylyl cyclase, but had no effect on the Km for ATPMg2-.IHDA also inhibited the FSK-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in liver and kidney cortex membranes, but had no effect on the Mg(2+)-ATPase activity of thyroid membranes. The inhibitory effect of IHDA has also been demonstrated in intact cells. As in membranes, IHDA decreased the rise in cAMP induced by TSH in cultured dog thyroid cells and this inhibition was maintained following pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin. In order to evaluate the specificity of the IHDA action, various analogs have been synthesized. This study has permitted the identification of two major structural features required for the inhibition of human thyroid adenylyl cyclase; the terminal aldehyde function and an iodine atom at C2, other halogens being ineffective. In conclusion, we have shown that IHDA exerts a direct inhibitory effect at or near adenylyl cyclase; all the properties of this effect characterized so far are identical to those of the adenylyl cyclase inhibition obtained following the exposure of thyroid tissue to iodide.

Inhibition of H2O2 production by iodoaldehydes in cultured dog thyroid cells

2-Iodohexadecanal (IHDA) has been identified as a major thyroid iodolipid which can be formed upon addition of iodine to the vinyl ether group of plasmalogens (Pereira et al., 1990). In order to test whether IHDA plays a role in the thyroid autoregulation by iodide, we have investigated its effects on the production of H2O2 by cultured dog thyroid cells. IHDA inhibited the formation of H2O2 in dog thyroid cells stimulated by carbamylcholine (CCHOL). In the presence of BSA, which potentiated its action, the effect of IHDA was maximal after 2 h and had an IC50 around 5 microM. The effect of IHDA was not decreased by methimazole, which abolished the inhibition by iodide. IHDA also inhibited the stimulatory effect of bradykinin, but had only a marginal effect on the production of H2O2 induced by ionomycin or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The accumulation of inositol phosphates in CCHOL-stimulated thyroid cells was decreased by IHDA. As evaluated by measurements of 51Cr release and [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, IHDA had no adverse effect on thyroid cell viability. Several analogs of IHDA, of which the synthesis is described, have been tested for their inhibitory activity. This allowed the identification of two major structural features required for the biological activity: the carbonyl group at C1 and an halogen atom at C2, with iodine conferring a greater activity than bromine, while chlorine and fluorine were inactive. In conclusion, IHDA inhibits the production of H2O2 in CCHOL-stimulated dog thyroid cells by decreasing the phospholipase C cascade activity. This effect involves both the aldehyde function and the iodine atom. These results suggest that IHDA might be the mediator of some of the regulatory actions of iodide on the thyroid gland.

Social competence promotion with inner-city and suburban young adolescents: effects on social adjustment and alcohol use

This study assessed the impact of school-based social competence training on skills, social adjustment, and self-reported substance use of 282 sixth and seventh graders. Training emphasized broad-based competence promotion in conjunction with domain-specific application to substance abuse prevention. The 20-session program comprised six units: stress management, self-esteem, problem solving, substances and health information, assertiveness, and social networks. Findings indicated positive training effects on Ss' skills in handling interpersonal problems and coping with anxiety. Teacher ratings revealed improvements in Ss' constructive conflict resolution with peers, impulse control, and popularity. Self-report ratings indicated gains in problem-solving efficacy. Results suggest some preventive impact on self-reported substance use intentions and excessive alcohol use. In general, the program was found to be beneficial for both inner-city and suburban students.

Social competence promotion with inner-city and suburban young adolescents: Effects on social adjustment and alcohol use

This study assessed the impact of school-based social competence training on skills, social adjustment, and self-reported substance use of 282 sixth and seventh graders. Training emphasized broad-based competence promotion in conjunction with domain-specific application to substance abuse prevention. The 20-session program comprised six units: stress management, self-esteem, problem solving, substances and health information, assertiveness, and social networks. Findings indicated positive training effects on Ss' skills in handling interpersonal problems and coping with anxiety. Teacher ratings revealed improvements in Ss' constructive conflict resolution with peers, impulse control, and popularity. Self-report ratings indicated gains in problem-solving efficacy. Results suggest some preventive impact on self-reported substance use intentions and excessive alcohol use. In general, the program was found to be beneficial for both inner-city and suburban students.

Effect of an endurance triathlon on pulmonary function

We assessed the effect of an endurance triathlon consisting successively of a 3.8-km swim, a 180-km bicycle ride, and a 42-km run on the forced expiratory spirogram, indices of inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength (PImax and PEmax), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV). Twelve male participants were recruited from competitors in the Cape Cod Endurance Triathlon and underwent studies on the afternoon before the event, after each segment, and on the following morning. Participants averaged 32.9 yr of age. All completed the triathlon with an average finishing time of 12 h 45 +/- 90 min. Following completion of the triathlon, statistically significant declines occurred in FVC (7.1%), FEV1 (8.4%), FEF25-75% (15.2%), and FEF50% (18.6%), but not in MVV. On the morning after the triathlon, only FEV1 remained significantly below baseline. PImax was not significantly reduced after the swim, but significant reductions did occur after the bicycle and running events (26% and 25%, respectively); full recovery had occurred by the following morning. PEmax did not change significantly. We conclude that vital capacity, flow rates at mid-lung volumes, and inspiratory muscle strength decline as a consequence of participation in a triathlon.

Chemotherapy drug dose alteration due to radiation therapy in an adjuvant situation in breast cancer

Fifty-six patients with T1-T3 and T2-T3 N0 medial lesions of breast carcinoma were randomized after modified radical mastectomy to receive either cytoxan, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) (CMF) chemotherapy for 1 year (group A) or CMF for 1 year and postoperative radiation therapy (group B). Thirty-two patients received chemotherapy alone and 25 patients received both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Twenty-five of 32 group A patients (median age 52) and 20/24 group B patients (median age 50) were evaluable. Leukopenia was the major cause of drug dose reduction in both groups. In group A, 4/25 patients (16%) had leukopenia at less than the 2500 level, whereas 8/20 (40%) group B patients had leukopenia at the same level. If 70% of all three drug dosages are considered as adequate chemotherapy, 21/25 (84%) patients received adequate chemotherapy in group A, and 10/20 (50%) in group B (p approximately equal to 0.029 from contingency table). It appears that radiation therapy in postmastectomy patients hinders adequate drug dose delivery in an adjuvant setting.

[Kurt Schneider's concept of cyclothymic mania in the light of a research-oriented catatonic syndrome]

Catatonic motor signs were specifically sought out in the case records of 89 episodes of Schneider-oriented mania. Only some so-called "minor" catatonic motor phenomena were found and "major" catatonic motor disturbances, recently reported to frequently occur in some American samples of mania, were completely absent. Indeed, the only motor abnormalities seen in Schneider-oriented mania appeared to be of a kind and degree typically associated with Kraepelins "hypomania". These findings are then primarily discussed in historical perspective and their relationships to some important modern research trends also highlighted.

Neoplastic angioendotheliosis: a clinicopathological entity with multifocal presentation. Case report

Neoplastic angioendotheliosis is a rare disorder characterized by intravascular neoplastic proliferation of endothelial cells within vessels of all caliber in the meninges and neuropil. Ischemic infarcts of brain and spinal cord result from occlusion of the lumina by neoplastic cells of fibrin thrombi. Transition from reactive to neoplastic endothelium can be identified in many vessels. Steroid therapy can be beneficial in reduction of severity of symptoms, but cannot alter the course of disease. Therapeutic intervention must be undertaken promptly after the diagnosis is confirmed by meningeal and cortical biopsy if the inexorable course of the disease is to be altered.

[Psychopathology of schizophrenic diseases]

After a short historical review the main symptoms of schizophrenia such as disorders of thought, perception, emotion and motor behavior are discussed. Doing this, the acknowledgements of the classical German psychiatry are displayed. Finally, the Schneiderian first and second rank symptoms (Symptome 1. und 2. Ranges) and the Bleulerian basic symptoms (Grundsymptome) are discussed.

Kraepelin-oriented research-diagnosable schizophrenia, mania, and depression in Schneider-negative schizophrenics

The rigorous neo-Kraepelinean research criteria of the St. Louis/Iowa and Taylor groups were applied to case record data of 116 first admissions of Schneider-negative schizophrenics--that is, those without first-rank symptoms (FRSs)--hospitalized in a strongly Schneider-oriented German University Psychiatric Clinic from 1962 to 1971. This sample had a total of 45.7% (53 cases) of psychiatric illness diagnosable by research methods. Indeed, only 31% (36 cases) of Schneider-negative schizophrenics turned out to have research-positive Kraepelin-oriented schizophrenia; and of these, 21 fulfilled both sets of research criteria for schizophrenia. It is important that 14.6% (17 cases) of Schneider-negative schizophrenia consisted of research-diagnosable affective disorder, with mania making up 5.2% and depression 9.4% of this figure. The findings suggest that a sample of Schneider-oriented schizophrenia without FRSs as routinely diagnosed in Germany does not seem to represent a clear-cut homogeneous and 'uncontaminated' group of schizophrenics.

Acute confabulatory psychosis: a rare form of unipolar mania?

Emil Kraepelin's paper on false memories (Erinnerungsfälschungen) was probably the most extensive and incisive analysis of these phenomena ever made. Using his views as a starting point, the concept of confabulation is then defined in a Kraepelin-oriented manner, making it also applicable to the phantastic false memories found in some rarer forms of functional psychotic illness. Kraepelin and Leonhard have been preeminent in their concern with such clinical states; thus, Leonhard's confabulatory euphoria and confabulatory paraphrenia can be symptomatically and syndromally linked up with points of view on paranoid mania and confabulatory paraphrenia held by Kraepelin. An "ideally typical" case is also presented to highlight some of the difficulties involved in trying to distinguish mania from schizophrenia when the clinical picture is dominated by phantastic "functional" confabulations.

Schneider-negative schizophrenia and schizo-affective illness

A slightly modified version of provisional research criteria for so-called 'schizo-affective and related psychosis', as recently published by the St. Louis Group, was used to investigate the case records of 116 Schneider-oriented first admissions of schizophrenics without first rank symptoms (Schneider-negative) who were hospitalized in a German center during the years 1962-1971. The sample contained 19.8% (23 cases) of research diagnosable schizo-affective illness as thus defined. 'Full' affective research criteria were satisfied by 13 of these schizo-affectives, and 10 were able to fulfill the 'adjusted' affective criteria assumed to be indicative of labile mixed mood states. The sample was then further analyzed in terms of 'schizophreniform' psychoses and 'atypical schizophrenia'. The findings seem to support the view that a non-negligible segment (23.3%) of Schneider-negative schizophrenia actually may represent either research diagnosable schizo-affective or affective disorders or satisfy criteria for both diagnoses.

Season of birth and Schneider-oriented diagnosis of schizophrenia, "neurosis" and psychopathy

Most earlier studies and all studies on national samples in Scandinavia and in England and Wales have shown that schizophrenics have a significant excess of births in the early months of the year when compared with the expected distribution of the normal population. The present German study, carried out on schizophrenic patients diagnosed in a strongly Kurt Schneider--oriented clinic, in contrast to almost all other authors, demonstrated no such significant overrepresentation of births in the winter months. Thus, the findings of Danneel's (1973) German report, also utilizing Schneider-diagnosed schizophrenics, seem, at least for the present, to be confirmed.

Season of birth and Schneider-oriented diagnosis of affective disorder

Most earlier studies and all recent studies on national samples have shown that compared with live births in the control population, schizophrenic patients have a significant excess of birth rates in the winter or early months of the year. In contrast, only some of the early research efforts and only some of the national studies (in England and Wales as well as for certain decades in Sweden) have demonstrated that the same holds true for patients with affective psychosis. The present German study, carried out on affective disorder diagnosed in a strongly Kurt Schneider-oriented clinic, found (as did most Scandinavian research on national samples) that there was no significant overrepresentation of births in the winter or early months of the year for all types of affective disorder, neurotic as well as psychotic. Thus, the findings on Schneider-diagnosed affective disturbances were similar to those on Schneider-diagnosed schizophrenia reported elsewhere.