Relationship between hostility and subjective sleep quality.

While hostility and sleep disturbance are the potential risk factors for health problems and disease, few studies have examined the relationship between the two factors. The present study was performed to investigate the relationship between hostility and sleep problems assessed both subjectively and objectively in a nonclinical sample. Sixty-one healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.

Type A behavior pattern: Bortner scale vs. Japanese-original questionnaires.

Background: Type A behavior pattern (TABP) has been regarded as a putative risk factor for coronary heart disease and recent studies from our group suggest that TABP individuals, identified via the Bortner scale whose validity had been confirmed by structured interviews, may have a greater tendency towards hyperthymic temperament, shorter sleep time and shorter snooze time. Since the Bortner scale was developed in USA and may reflect western culture, it is necessary to reconfirm our findings using a Japanese questionnaire such as Coronary-prone Type Scale for Japanese (CTS) and Kwansei Gakuin's daily life questionnaire (KG questionnaire).

Methods: Fifty healthy subjects were assessed for TABP using the Bortner scale, as well as the CTS and KG questionnaires.

Aripiprazole may be free from tachyphylaxis: preliminary findings.

Loss of antipsychotic efficacy (tachyphylaxis), possibly linked to an increase in D₂ receptor number and sensitivity, is a significant impediment to treatment in chronic schizophrenia patients. Animal studies, however, suggest that aripiprazole may be free from tachyphylaxis. The aim of the present study was to investigate this hypothesis.

Is serotonergic function associated with the antidepressant effects of modified-electroconvulsive therapy?

Background: The effect of modified-electroconvulsive therapy (m-ECT) on central serotonergic function has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of the present study is to investigate this effect via the neuroendocrine challenge test.

Methods: Sixteen inpatients (9 men and 7 women) with major depressive disorder who were receiving m-ECT at our university hospital were recruited.

Bipolar temperaments and light.

Background: Converging lines of evidence have established a relationship between exposure to ambient light and both mood state and mood disorders. In view of the association between mood disorder and affective disposition, in this study, the relationship between temperament (depressive, cyclothymic, hyperthymic, irritable and anxious) and daily light exposure was closely examined.

Methods: Fifty-six subjects completed the Japanese standardized version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-auto questionnaire version (TEMPS-A) and illuminance of daytime using actigraphy.

Effect of temperaments on quality of life and social adaptation in depressive patients with mood disorder.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of temperament on quality of life and social adaptation in depressive patients with mood disorder.

Methods: Forty-six consecutive depressive outpatients were investigated by using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire version, the Munich Personality Test, the World Health Organization Quality of Life 26 (WHO QOL 26), and the Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale (SASS). The unpaired t-test, Pearson's r and multiple regression analysis were used to assess three variables (age, the number of temperaments and/or personality types, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores) as independent variables with the scores of WHO QOL 26 and SASS as the dependent variables.

Type A behavior pattern and hyperthymic temperament: possible association with bipolar IV disorder.

Background: Type A behavior pattern (TABP) has traditionally been reported to be associated with coronary heart disease and, more recently, several researchers have examined its association with depression and bipolar disorder. According to Akiskal and Pinto (1999), there are 2 subtypes of bipolar spectrum which are not associated with manic or hypomanic state. These are bipolar II1/2 (depression in those who have cyclothymic temperament) and bipolar IV (depression in those who have hyperthymic temperament).

Association between affective temperaments and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glycogen synthase kinase 3β and Wnt signaling pathway gene polymorphisms in healthy subjects.

Background: There is increased attention towards elucidating genetic factors that underlie both psychiatric diseases as well as healthy psychological phenomena. Recent evidence suggests that temperamental traits, including affective temperaments, are heritable and associated with genetic polymorphisms. Genetic research examining affective temperaments using the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) may therefore elucidate the concept of a spectrum of mood disorders and the genetic relationship between affective temperaments and mood disorders.

Biological aspect of hyperthymic temperament: light, sleep, and serotonin.

Rationale: Hyperthymic temperament is one of several premorbid temperaments putatively associated with bipolar disorder. Several reports suggest that depressive patients with hyperthymic temperament may belong to the proposed soft bipolar spectrum.

Objectives: To investigate biological aspects of hyperthymic temperament, the present study examined daily activity, sleep time, central serotonergic function, and other relevant variables in relation to hyperthymic temperament in healthy subjects.

Cyclothymic and hyperthymic temperaments may predict bipolarity in major depressive disorder: a supportive evidence for bipolar II1/2 and IV.

Background: The concept of soft bipolar spectrum has not been fully confirmed. The aim of the present study is to investigate the validity of bipolar II1/2 and IV concept.

Methods: The subjects were 46 consecutive outpatients.