[The influence of atypical antipsychotics on brain functioning in schizophrenia. A proton magnetic resonance study].

Introduction: The influence of antipsychotic medication on brain alterations in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) in schizophrenia can be the explanation of many discrepancies observed in the previous papers.

Aim: The aim of this study was the evaluation of antipsychotic medication effect on the metabolite levels in the brain of schizophrenic patients based on 1H MRS examination.

Methods: The group of 32 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia according to DSM-IV and 26 healthy controls were included into the study.

[Biomarkers of alcohol abuse. Part II. New biomarkers and their interpretation].

An increasing number of new biomarkers of alcohol abuse appear in the literature. The most commonly used biomarkers (5-hydroxytryptophol, fatty acid ethyl esters, ethyl glucuronide, phosphatidyl ethanol, ethyl sulphate, mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase, carbohydrate deficient transferrin, acetaldehyde adducts, beta-hexosaminidase, and sialic acid) were described. Then other known and less known biomarkers associated with alcohol abuse were described in brief (e.

[Biomarkers of alcohol abuse. Part I. Traditional biomarkers and their interpretation].

Approximately 15% of the Polish population abuse alcohol. Early detection of alcohol problems may prevent their further development and progression. The study reviews traditional biomarkers associated with alcohol abuse.

Effect of risperidone and olanzapine on reproductive hormones, psychopathology and sexual functioning in male patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: To study the effect of drugs on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis we compared the endocrine actions of two neuroleptics with different receptor affinity profiles-risperidone and olanzapine in male schizophrenic patients.

Methods: We investigated the levels of prolactin, estradiol, testosterone, LH, FSH and testicular peptide hormone-inhibin B, and we assessed psychopathology (PANSS), sexual function (ASEX) and treatment adherence (DAI-10) in 89 male schizophrenic inpatients treated with olanzapine or risperidone administered orally. The initial and final evaluations were carried out at weeks 3 and 8 after the onset of treatment, respectively.

[Impact of neuroleptic-induced hyperprolactinemia on sexual dysfunction in male schizophrenic patients].

Human sexual function is complex and effected in many different ways by schizophrenia and the antipsychotic drugs used in its treatment. Although not extensively researched, sexual dysfunction seems to be frequent in patients with schizophrenia, especially in men. They appear, in significant part, to be a direct consequence of dopamine antagonism, combined with indirect effects due to increased serum prolactin (PRL) concentration.

[Impact of alcohol dependence on the course and psychopathology of schizophrenia].

Aim: The study was undertaken to investigate possible influence of alcoholism on the course and psychopathology of schizophrenia.

Method: A representative sample of 61 subjects was selected from schizophrenic patients with a history of alcohol dependence (dual diagnosis) registered in the period of 1997-2000. They were compared with 60 control patients with a single diagnosis of schizophrenia.

N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels in selected areas of the brain in patients with chronic schizophrenia treated with typical and atypical neuroleptics: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) study.

Background: NAA, marker of neurons integrity and viability, is one of the most important brain metabolites visible in 1H MRS. In most studies of schizophrenia, the decrease of NAA level was observed in the temporal, frontal lobes and in the thalamus. This finding was observed more often among chronic patients, what suggests the influence of disease duration or the effect of neuroleptic treatment.

[The effectiveness of psychoeducation in schizophrenic and depressive patients--preliminary report].

Unlabelled: Earlier studies suggest that psychoeducation as a form of psychosocial care is of value in improving the patient's attitude towards mental illness as well as in reducing and delaying the relapse rates of both--psychotic and depressive disorders.

Aim: The aim of this study was the evaluation of influence of psychoeducation on clinical symptoms, quality of life and drug attitude in schizophrenic and depressive patients.

Method: 52 patients, aged 18-50 years, hospitalized in the Department of Psychiatry of Medical Academy in Białystok, were involved in the study.

[Mental problems in Lyme disease].

North-East of Poland is an area endemic for borreliosis. Psychiatric disorders, the most common for the late stage, are more and more frequent manifestations of Lyme disease. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence of different psychiatric complications and identify the spectrum of symptoms and psychopathological syndromes associated with Borrelia burgdorferi infection.