Psychopharmacology of maternal separation anxiety in vervet monkeys.

Maternal separation in non-human primates has been proposed as a model of early adversity. The symptoms of separation anxiety were studied in vervet monkeys, during the weaning period, when psychotropic medications were administered. The control group received a normal diet and treatment groups received citalopram, reboxetine or lamotrigine in their food daily.

Pharmacological challenge with a serotonin 1D agonist in alcohol dependence.

Background: Both animal and clinical studies have implicated serotonergic dysfunction in the pathogenesis of alcohol abuse and dependence. However the exact mechanisms involved remain unknown. Theoretically, low serotonin promotes alcohol seeking behavior.

Single photon emission computed tomography in posttraumatic stress disorder before and after treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is recognized as a disorder mediated by specific neurobiological circuits. Functional imaging studies using script-driven trauma imagery and pharmacological challenges have documented altered cerebral function (activation and deactivation) in several brain regions, including the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate. However, the neural substrates of PTSD remain poorly understood and the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibition on regional cerebral activity is deserving of further investigation.

Community attitudes toward and knowledge of mental illness in South Africa.

Background: Although recent advances in psychiatry have increased our understanding of psychiatric disorders,many people with chronic or severe psychiatric disorders may be unaware that effective treatment is available. It is possible that ignorance and stigma prevent such persons from seeking appropriate help, and that community attitudes and beliefs play a role in determining the help-seeking behaviour and successful treatment of the mentally ill. Nevertheless, there is little research on the attitudes of lay persons toward mental illness within the South African community.

Fluoxetine decreases stereotypic behavior in primates.

Background: Primates reared in captivity may display stereotypic behaviors. These behaviors are arguably reminiscent of human obsessive-compulsive or posttraumatic symptoms, which respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Captive primates with marked stereotypic behaviors were entered into a randomized controlled study of the SSRI, fluoxetine.

Functional brain imaging and pharmacotherapy in trichotillomania. Single photon emission computed tomography before and after treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram.

The neurobiology and pharmacotherapy of trichotillomania has received increasing attention in recent years. Parallels have been drawn between findings in this disorder and those in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To date, however, there has been little work on the effect of a pharmacotherapeutic intervention on functional brain imaging in trichotillomania.

SPECT scans in identical twins with trichotillomania.

SPECT scans of a set of twins with trichotillomania showed that the twin with more severe disease had larger perfusion defects, involving more areas on the scan. Prospective brain imaging studies of twins may provide useful information about the neurobiology of trichotillomania and other obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.