Major depressive disorder in chronic heart failure patients: Does silent cerebral infarction cause major depressive disorder in this patient population?

Objective: Depression frequently occurs in patients with heart failure as similar pathophysiological mechanisms present in both these diseases. Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) have a high incidence of clinically asymptomatic silent cerebral infarction (SCI). This study aimed to evaluate the relation between SCI and major depressive disorder (MDD), and between MDD and clinical and biochemical parameters in DCM patients.

Correlations between alexithymia and pain severity, depression, and anxiety among patients with chronic and episodic migraine.

Aims: Some studies have found elevated alexithymia among patients with chronic pain, but the correlations between alexithymia and the severity of pain, depression, and anxiety among migraine patients are unclear. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether individuals suffering from episodic migraine (EM) differ from those with chronic migraine (CM) in regards to depression, anxiety, and alexithymia measures and to investigate the association of alexithymia with the results of depression and anxiety test inventories and illness characteristics.

Methods: A total of 165 subjects with EM and 135 subjects with CM were studied.

Route learning impairment associated with encephalomalasia secondary to traumatic brain injury: a case report.

Topographical disorientation is marked by difficulty finding one's way in familiar or new environments. The present case study reports findings from a 30-year-old male with encephalomalasia of the left parahippocampal region secondary to brain trauma with subsequent difficulty in learning of new routes. His navigation in premorbidly known (familiar) surroundings was intact.

The schizophrenia and Toxoplasma gondii connection: infectious, immune or both?

Introduction: Recent research has suggested a possible link between toxoplasmic agents and schizophrenia. We aimed to assess this by measuring Toxoplasma gondii-associated antibodies in schizophrenia patients and controls

Methods: We used a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit to measure the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies in serum samples from schizophrenia patients (n=40) and from a group of non-schizophrenic control subjects (n=37)

Results: Among schizophrenic patients, 16 (40%) showed IgG seropositivity and two (5%) showed IgM seropositivity. Among the control group, five (13.

Risperidone and liver function tests in children and adolescents: a short-term prospective study.

Objective: Revealing of unknown adverse effects of atypical antipsychotics on pediatric population may take a long period of time. The purpose of this prospective study is to document changes in the liver function tests (LFTs) associated with risperidone usage in a group of children and adolescents.

Method: Study subjects consist of 120 youths with ages ranging from 3-17 years.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and risk factors in parents of children with a cancer diagnosis.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in parents of children with cancer. Five questionnaires were administered to 104 parents, including a sociodemographic questionnaire, a traumatic events check list, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder modules, and the self-rating instrument General Health Questionnaire-12. The prevalence of PTSD was 34.

A review of liver function tests during treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs: a chart review study.

Objective: Atypical antipsychotic drugs commonly cause asymptomatic increase in the liver enzymes and serum bilirubin levels. However they rarely may induce a serious hepatic toxicity. In this article we aimed to evaluate the effect of atypical antipsychotic drugs namely olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine on the hepatic enzymes and serum bilirubin levels in psychiatric patients.

Correction of osteoporotic fracture deformities with global sagittal imbalance.

Unlabelled: Osteoporotic spinal deformities with global sagittal imbalance have devastating effects on patients. However, treatment is difficult and there is a high risk of perioperative medical and mechanical complications. Patients with osteoporotic spinal deformities are not ideal candidates for posterior pedicle subtraction osteotomy; the condition necessitates combined anterior-posterior for corrections of the deformity.

Delirium-associated disulfiram and ethanol interactions.

Background: Disulfiram, an agent used for the treatment of alcohol dependence, can exacerbate psychiatric syndromes (including psychosis, catatonia, delirium, depression, and mania) after extended use. However, delirium has yet to be reported following the short-term use of disulfiram in the setting of alcohol use.

Objectives: We report a case with a neuropsychiatric presentation and discuss the prevention and the progression of delirium associated with an interaction of disulfiram and ethanol.

Management of marked liver enzyme increase during clozapine treatment: a case report and review of the literature.

Objective: Clozapine-induced hepatotoxicity is not infrequent and usually transient. It mostly causes asymptomatic elevation of liver transaminases. "Elevation in liver enzymes to what extent should preclude further treatment?" or "Is only a dose-reduction sufficient?" are questions yet to be answered.