Symptom fluctuations and daily physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

Objectives: To compare the activity pattern of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with healthy sedentary subjects and examine the relationship between the different parameters of performed activity (registered by an accelerometer device) and symptom severity and fluctuation (registered by questionnaires) in patients with CFS.

Design: Case-control study. Participants were asked to wear an accelerometer device on the nondominant hand for 6 consecutive days.

Antihypertensive activity in a series of 1-piperazino-3-phenylindans with potent 5-HT2-antagonistic activity.

A series of trans-1-piperazino-3-phenylindans were synthesized with the goal of replacing their established neuroleptic profile with that of peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2) antagonism. Compounds with an unsubstituted or fluoro-substituted 6-position in the indan ring, and which had a five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring attached by an ethylene chain to the piperazine ring, satisfied this objective. Some of the compounds had potent antihypertensive activity in conscious, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Comparison of the effect of irindalone, a novel serotonin 5-HT2 antagonist and ketanserin on mechanical responses of rat thoracic aorta.

The relaxant effect of irindalone [+)-(1R, 3.S)-1-[2-[4-[3-(p-fluorophenyl)-1-indanyl]-1-piperazinyl] ethyl]2-imidazolidinone) and ketanserin was studies on active tension in isolated rat thoracic aorta. Irindalone and ketanserin caused a concentration-related inhibition of serotonin-induced contractions and shifted the serotonin curve to the right.

Comparative animal studies on cardiovascular toxicity of tri- and tetracyclic antidepressants and citalopram; relation to drug plasma levels.

The aim of the present study was to compare cardiovascular and/or cardiotoxic effects of eight anti-depressants (imipramine, chlorimipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline , doxepin, maprotiline, mianserin and citalopram) in anaesthetized cats after oral dosing and in conscious rabbits after intravenous infusion. In the cats drug plasma levels were determined as well. When estimated from ECG recordings, citalopram and chlorimipramine in particular, but also mianserin, appeared less cardiotoxic than the other drugs tested.

Studies on acute toxicity and drug levels of citalopram in the dog.

Electrocardiographic and haemodynamic changes have been studied in conscious dogs after a sublethal oral dose (20 mg . kg-1) of citalopram. Furthermore, the effects of continuous intravenous infusion of citalopram (10 mg .

Effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on cerebral blood flow in the goat.

The effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on the cerebral blood flow was investigated in the goat. An electromagnetic flow probe was placed around the internal maxillary artery for continuous measurement of ipsilateral blood flow. Intraarterial injection of VIP resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the cerebral blood flow.

Electrocardiographic and cardiovascular changes in cats and dogs caused by high doses of amitriptyline given as conventional tablets or a sustained release preparation.

Electrocardiographic and haemodynamic changes have been compared in anesthetized cats and in conscious dogs after high doses of amitriptyline given as conventional tablets or as a sustained release form. Plasma or serum levels of amitriptyline and nortriptyline were determined. In anaesthetized cats tablets caused marked ECG changes in all 6 animals combined with pronounced acidosis in 3 of the animals.

Neuroleptic blockade of the effect of various neurotransmitter substances.

The antagonistic effect of neuroleptics to acetylcholine, histamine, 5-HT, and noradrenaline was examined in various in vivo and in vitro models. Piflutixol, a new potent thioxanthene neuroleptic, markedly antagonizes the effect of dopamine, noradrenaline, 5-HT and to some extent histamine, whereas the affinity for muscarinic receptors was rather weak. Clozapine and chlorprothixene on the other hand, have high affinity for muscarinic receptors and also antagonize the effect of histamine and 5-HT, whereas clozapine was a weak antagonist of noradrenaline and dopamine when compared to the effect of piflutixol.

The pharmacology of a new potent, long acting neuroleptic, piflutixol.

Piflutixol, 6-fluoro-9-[3-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidino)propylidene]-2-trifluoromethyl-thioxanthene, has been shown to have pronounced neuroleptic properties. It is a very potent inhibitor of methylphenidate-induced stereotypies in mice, amphetamine and apomorphine-induced stereotypies in rats, apomorphine-induced stereotypies and vomiting in dogs. Furthermore piflutixol causes cataleptic reaction in small doses and inhibits conditioned avoidance reaction in rats.

Pharmacology of cis(Z)-clopenthixol decanoate, a depot neuroleptic.

The duration and intensity of the neuroleptic effect of cis(Z)-clopenthixol decanoate in Viscoleo have been compared with those of cis(Z)-clopenthixol, 2 HCl in aqueous solution in a number of animal experimental models. Cis(Z)-clopenthixol, 2 HCl had a strong, but short-lasting neuroleptic effect (apomorphine antagonistic effect in dogs, inhibition of conditioned avoidance response in rats) which was accompanied by marked sedation. In contrast, cis(Z)-clopenthixol decanoate in oil had an effect which was slower in onset, but of much longer duration and only the highest doses caused a slight sedation.