Association between leptin levels and doses of clomethiazole during alcohol withdrawal: a pilot study.

Aims: The issue of leptin as a putative state marker of alcohol use and its role in craving has been raised in the last few years. Recently, a strong GABA-ergic modulation of leptin was postulated. The aim of the pilot study was to examine leptin levels in correlation with the strongly GABA-mimetic active substance clomethiazole.

Phosphatidylethanol: normalization during detoxification, gender aspects and correlation with other biomarkers and self-reports.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct ethanol metabolite, and has recently attracted attention as biomarker of ethanol intake. The aims of the current study are: (1) to characterize the normalization time of PEth in larger samples than previously conducted; (2) to elucidate potential gender differences; and (3) to report the correlation of PEth with other biomarkers and self-reported alcohol consumption. Fifty-seven alcohol-dependent patients (ICD 10 F 10.

[Situation of treatment for depressed in-patients in Germany].

Objective: To show the treatment situation for severely depressed in-patients in German clinics for psychiatry and psychotherapy.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all German "depression units" including questions about number of beds and admission, treatment strategies and diagnostic profile in the year 2005.

Results: 65 of 71 clinics which are members of the "Working Group Depression Units" responded 52 reports could be used for the study.

Phosphatidylethanol as a sensitive and specific biomarker: comparison with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, mean corpuscular volume and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a direct ethanol metabolite, is detectable in blood for more than 2 weeks after sustained ethanol intake. Our aim was to assess the usefulness of PEth [comparing sensitivity, specificity and the area under the curve (AUC)] as compared with carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), calculating the results from sober patients against those from alcohol-dependent patients during withdrawal. Fifty-six alcohol-dependent patients (ICD-10 F 10.

Determination of glucuronidated 5-hydroxytryptophol (GTOL), a marker of recent alcohol intake, by ELISA technique.

Objectives: To compare markers of alcohol consumption.

Design And Methods: Measurement of urinary ethyl glucuronide, 5-hydroxytryptophol, 5-hydroxytryptophol glucuronide, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in 10 patients during alcohol withdrawal.

Results: 5-Hydroxytryptophol glucuronide was measured by ELISA with good analytical precision, its diagnostic specificity and sensitivity was better than that of 5-hydroxytryptophol and its correlation was closer to ethyl glucuronide than to 5-hydroxytryptophol.

Adherence to guidelines for treatment of depression in in-patients.

Background: Adherence to treatment guidelines enhances treatment outcome. However, in clinical practice many patients with depression do not receive appropriate treatment.

Aims: To evaluate the treatment of depression in in-patients of German psychiatric hospitals with respect to treatment outcome and adherence to guidelines.