Differences in audiovisual integration, as measured by McGurk phenomenon, among adult and adolescent patients with schizophrenia and age-matched healthy control groups.

Background: McGurk effect is a perceptual phenomenon that reflects the integration of visual and auditory information during speech perception. Using McGurk effect, the authors examined the audiovisual integration in adolescents and adults with schizophrenia as compared with healthy volunteers.

Sampling And Methods: Thirty hospitalized patients with schizophrenia and 20 age-matched healthy controls were examined for perception of ambiguous audiovisual stimuli.

The relation between latent inhibition and symptom-types in young schizophrenics.

Latent inhibition (LI), retarded conditioning to a stimulus that has been previously repeatedly presented without reinforcement, was examined in young schizophrenics and normal controls using a within-subject visual search task. Healthy controls exhibited the usual LI effect. LI was potentiated in schizophrenics who simultaneously exhibited high levels of negative symptoms and low levels of positive symptoms.

Olanzapine, risperidone and haloperidol in the treatment of adolescent patients with schizophrenia.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the drug response and side effects of adolescents with schizophrenia treated with olanzapine, risperidone, and haloperidol.

Methods: Forty-three patients were treated with olanzapine (n = 19), risperidone (n = 17) and haloperidol (n = 7) for 8 weeks in an open clinical trial. Clinical improvement was evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and side effects with the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale.

Weight gain associated with olanzapine and risperidone in adolescent patients: a comparative prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate weight gain associated with olanzapine, risperidone, and haloperidol treatment and its clinical risk factors in adolescent patients.

Method: The study was conducted at three adolescent psychiatric departments in two mental health centers in the Tel Aviv area. All patients were Jewish Israelis.

Effect of melatonin on active transport of serotonin into blood platelets.

Previous research has demonstrated that the circadian rhythm of melatonin negatively correlates with that of the sensitivity of platelet serotonin uptake sites. Moreover, serotonin has been found to be a competitive inhibitor of melatonin binding to platelets. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether melatonin directly affects platelet serotonin transport.