High variability in the exposure of baclofen in alcohol-dependent patients.

Background: Baclofen is a GABA-B receptor agonist used in the treatment of spasticity. Recently, baclofen is used out of its label to decrease craving of alcoholic patients. Its optimal use in these patients requires further pharmacokinetic information.

[The profile of drug addicts attending the Sainte Marguerite University Hospital in Marseille analysis of the active file from 1996 to 2001].

Objectives: Present the evolution in the characteristics of drug addicts treated in the Addictions-Sud centre (Marseille) between 1996 and 2001, and compare the profile of patients according to the substitution therapy prescribed.

Methods: Descriptive analysis of the data collected from the inclusion questionnaire of patients seen during a hospital consultation in the centre and registered in a substitution program (n = 585 patients).

Results: In our active file, the use of heroin and injections has decreased since 1996, whereas the consumption of cocaine and above all amphetamines and LSD has greatly increased.

[Frontal lobe cognition disorders in 42 schizophrenic patients compared with 19 normal probands].

In schizophrenia, the hypothesis of frontal dysfunctions is sustained by various clinical, neuroradiological and neuropsychological observations. We have studied the degree of frontal cognitive impairment in 42 schizophrenic patients according to the DSM IV as compared to 19 normal subjects. Furthermore, the performances of the different tests were connected with the age, the duration of the disease, the severity of the illness (measured by the PANSS scale) and the incidence of the treatments.