[Organic versus functional factors in the diagnosis of conversion disorders (author's transl)].

Conversion symptoms involving conspicous pseudoneurological signs of the motor system are very seldom today. To differentiate in these cases between organic and functional disturbances is highly difficult. Two patients are described.

Levels of total and free tryptophan in the plasma of endogenous and neurotic depressives.

The levels of total and free tryptophan were determined in the plasma of 34 endogenous depressives, 20 neurotic depressives and 25 healthy volunteers. Whilst the levels of total tryptophan were not different in the three groups, the level of free tryptophan was reduced in both endogenous and neurotic depressives.

[Palmomental electrography: evoked facial responses to median nerve stimulation methods and results in normal subjects (author's transl)].

Reflex, instinct and voluntary movements of the face and the upper limbs, especially those between hand and mouth show a widespread interrelationship. Little is known of the neurophysiological pathways involved. One of these interrelated reflexes which is easily elicited clinically, is the palmomental reflex (PMR).

[Clinical, endocrinological, and computerized tomography scans for symmetrical calcification of the basal ganglia (author's transl)].

Symmetrical calcification of the basal ganglia was found in 2% of 8000 computerized tomography (CT) scans. Of 19 cases, only 2 were detectable on conventional skull films. The less prominent calcifications were most often found in the region of the pallidum, the knee of the internal capsule.