Biological psychiatry
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Biological psychiatry · Apr 2002
Superior temporal gyrus volumes in maltreated children and adolescents with PTSD.
The structure and function of the superior temporal gyrus (STG), a structure involved in receptive and nonverbal auditory and language processing, is understudied in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Event-related potential abnormalities were previously reported in PTSD, implicating the existence of dysfunction in the primary auditory cortex and adjacent anterior auditory cortex of the STG in adult PTSD. ⋯ These STG findings may suggest developmental alterations in maltreatment-related pediatric PTSD.
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Biological psychiatry · Feb 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialClinical predictors of response to lamotrigine and gabapentin monotherapy in refractory affective disorders.
The objective of the current study was to examine possible clinical predictors of positive response to lamotrigine or gabapentin monotherapy in treatment-refractory affectively ill patients. ⋯ In this highly treatment-refractory population, lamotrigine appeared most effective for male patients with fewer prior medication trials. Gabapentin monotherapy, although not better than placebo, appeared most effective in those with younger age and lower baseline weight. These preliminary data in a treatment refractory subgroup may help in the further definition of the range of clinical utility of these widely used anticonvulsants.
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Biological psychiatry · Dec 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe effect of stress doses of hydrocortisone during septic shock on posttraumatic stress disorder in survivors.
Exposure to intense physical and psychological stress during septic shock can result in posttraumatic stress disorder in survivors. Patients with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder often show sustained reductions in serum cortisol concentration. This investigation examines whether increasing serum cortisol levels with hydrocortisone treatment during septic shock reduces the incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder in survivors. ⋯ The administration of hydrocortisone during septic shock in a dosage similar to the endogenous maximal production rate was associated with a lower incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder in long-term survivors, which seems to be independent of the number of categories of traumatic memory.
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Biological psychiatry · Dec 2001
Increased pituitary and adrenal reactivity in premenopausal women with posttraumatic stress disorder.
Limited studies of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder have been performed in premenopausal women. We therefore undertook a study of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation in this population. ⋯ Pituitary and adrenal hyperreactivity to exogenous corticotropin releasing factor and adrenocorticotropic hormone is demonstrated in premenopausal women with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. Cortisol hyperreactivity thus may play a role in the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder in women.