[Biological correlates of prefrontal activating and temporoparietal inhibiting treatment with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)].

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a tool that enables clinicians and neuroscientists to modulate cortical activity in a non-invasive way. High-frequency rTMS has predominantly an activating effect on the stimulated brain region while low-frequency rTMS has an inhibitory effect. In addition to its usefulness as a research tool and in neurological diagnostics, rTMS may prove useful as a therapeutic option in psychiatry, especially in disorders that are associated with regional changes in cortical activity.

Relationship between cardiovagal modulation and psychotic state in patients with paranoid schizophrenia.

Disturbed autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in schizophrenia might contribute to increased cardiovascular mortality. We obtained heart rate variability indices from 40 unmedicated schizophrenic patients and 58 matched controls. Mainly we found that patients displaying stronger psychotic symptoms as assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale exhibit more severe cardiac ANS disturbances compared with controls.

[Psychosocial problems and mental disorders among immigrants of German origin].

Objective: The number of ethnic German immigrants from former East bloc countries (Aussiedler) has considerably increased during the past 20 years. However, studies on the frequency of psychiatric disorders or on psychosocial risk factors for psychiatric morbidity in this partially inhomogenous population group are remarkably rare.

Method: We undertook a comprehensive research of the current literature to gain the first systematic review on this issue.

[40 years beta-adrenoceptor blockers in psychiatry].

Beta-adrenoceptor blockers belong to the most successful drug classes of medicine. Mainly they are used in internal medicine. 40 years ago beta-adrenoceptor blockers have occasionally been used in psychiatry for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Potential clinical targets of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment in schizophrenia.

Despite the introduction of atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment-resistant symptoms still represent a serious problem in schizophrenia. Currently, there is evidence from clinical studies suggesting that treatment with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may improve schizophrenia symptoms. Our review provides an overview of clinical rTMS studies in schizophrenic patients.