Sleep-endocrine effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) in patients with schizophrenia.

Changes in sleep-EEG after endocrine stimulation tests in patients with schizophrenia include reduced sleep efficiency, prolonged sleep latency and increased awaking after sleep onset Findings on sleep associated growth hormone (GH) secretion were ambiguous. The aim of this study was to elucidate the sleep-endocrine activity especially in the GH system of patients with schizophrenia after repeated administration of GHRH. The effect of repetitive injections of 4 × 50 μg GHRH between 22.

Self-selected intensity exercise in the treatment of major depression: A pragmatic RCT.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the therapeutic effect of physical exercise for patients with unipolar depression. Participants took part in an 8-week walking/running aerobic exercise program at a local sports club.

Methods: Forty-six outpatients aged 18-65 years and diagnosed with mild to severe depression (ICD-10 criteria) were randomly assigned to an intervention group or wait list.

[Gender-specific differences relating to depressiveness in 1st and 2nd generation migrants: results of a cross-sectional study amongst employees of a university hospital].

Aims: This study analysed the risk of depression in men and women with a background of immigration by means of a cross-sectional study amongst employees of a German university hospital. In addition we identified gender-specific differences related to risk factors for depressiveness in the subgroups.

Methods: 7062 employees with or without a 1st (1G) or 2nd (2G) generation background of migration were questioned with regard to their socio-economic status, to single markers of acculturation, and to existing symptoms of depression assessed on the general depression scale (CES-D).

[Measurement invariance of the German version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 20) among males and females with and without a history of migration].

Objective: The measurement invariance of the German version of the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D 20) among men and women with and without migration background has not been studied yet.

Methods: A total of 2786 employed persons without (female n = 1772, male n = 598) and with an immigrant background (female n = 301, male n = 115) were included in the study. The multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to test for the strong factorial invariance and to estimate latent mean differences.

Exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to resolve the relationship between physical capacity (PC) and quality of life (Qol) in schizophrenic patients and healthy controls. 31 patients (PG: 18 male, 13 female) and a control group (CG) of 50 healthy subjects (15 male, 35 female) were involved. PC was assessed as peak oxygen uptake [VO2peak, (ml (min kgKG)(-1))] and power output expressed as watts per kilogram (W kg(-1)).

Structure and activity of the only human RNase T2.

Mutations in the gene of human RNase T2 are associated with white matter disease of the human brain. Although brain abnormalities (bilateral temporal lobe cysts and multifocal white matter lesions) and clinical symptoms (psychomotor impairments, spasticity and epilepsy) are well characterized, the pathomechanism of RNase T2 deficiency remains unclear. RNase T2 is the only member of the Rh/T2/S family of acidic hydrolases in humans.

Depressive symptoms in first-and second-generation migrants: a cross-sectional study of a multi-ethnic working population.

Background: Migrants in Europe may suffer from depression more often than the native-born population of the particular host country. Reports about the prevalence of depression in migrants are, however, heterogeneous and the possible causes are the subject of controversial discussion.

Aims: The aims of this study are to determine the incidence of depressiveness in a large multi-ethnic working population with and without a history of migration, and to investigate possible connections with migration status and acculturation criteria.

A prospective study of protein excretion using short-interval timed urine collections in patients with lupus nephritis.

The 24-h urine protein-to-creatinine ratio is the gold standard in evaluating proteinuria in lupus nephritis; however, the urine collection is inconvenient to the patient. Random spot urine protein-to-creatinine ratios, although convenient, have poor agreement with the 24-h ratios in these patients. Here, we sought to define a timed collection interval providing accurate and precise data and patient convenience.

Comorbidity of alcohol and substance dependence with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Aims: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is of great clinical importance not only because of its high prevalence but also due to the frequent comorbid illnesses that are connected with this disorder. Several studies were able to demonstrate that ADHD constitutes a significant risk factor for the exacerbation of habit-forming illnesses, i.e.

[Evaluation of therapy outcome on a psychiatric admission ward. Background, methods and first results of a project on quality management].

Background: Quality management is an important management tool in modern health care systems. This applies also to the mental health care system, where in the past decade many concepts have been developed on how to implement quality management appropriately and successfully. However, for the German speaking countries there are only very few studies on the evaluation of therapy outcome in psychiatric inpatient populations available, furthermore they deal primarily with diagnostic subgroups.

Hannover study on long-stay hospitalization - part II: Characteristics and care conditions of long-stay hospitalization in cases of chronic mental illness.

Background: Long-stay hospitalization is often a consequence of insufficient care structures. This article examines the characteristics and care conditions of long-stay hospitalization (LSH) in an urban area in Germany.

Methods: Extensive data of patients in the urban catchment area of the Medical School of Hannover, capital of Lower Saxony, were evaluated during a 10 years period.

[Psychiatric evaluation of immigrants ].

The psychiatric evaluation of immigrants presents a particular challenge in the medical assessment process. Knowledge of cultural aspects of the aetiology, epidemiology and manifestation as well as the treatment of mental disorders is not only an important facet in daily psychiatric work with immigrants, it is also important for the assessment process itself.

[Attitudes towards psychotherapy of young second-generation Turkish immigrants living in Germany].

Objective: To assess the effect of cultural identification in Turkish immigrants living in Germany on attitudes towards psychotherapy.

Methods: The approach to psychotherapy of 139 Turkish immigrants and 164 Germans was examined.

Results: Overall the Turkish population reported a less positive attitude towards psychotherapy in comparison to the German population.

[Integration of immigrants into the mental health care system in Germany].

Objective: Due to the effects of globalization there has to be dealt with an increased number of immigrants in the German health care system. However, esp. the mental health care system in Germany is not sufficiently prepared for this challenge.

[Psychosocial problems and mental disorders among immigrants of German origin].

Objective: The number of ethnic German immigrants from former East bloc countries (Aussiedler) has considerably increased during the past 20 years. However, studies on the frequency of psychiatric disorders or on psychosocial risk factors for psychiatric morbidity in this partially inhomogenous population group are remarkably rare.

Method: We undertook a comprehensive research of the current literature to gain the first systematic review on this issue.

Nicotine and alcohol dependence in patients with comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Aims: Several studies have shown that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) represents a significant risk factor for the onset and development of an addiction. Thirty-five per cent of adult ADHD patients are known to be addicted to alcohol. Many ADHD patients also have an increased nicotine consumption, which typically, leads to an improvement of attention, ability to concentrate and control of impulses.

Effects of methylphenidate in ADHD adults on target evaluation processing reflected by event-related potentials.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a widely examined disease in childhood. There is evidence that the disease responds well to medication with methylphenidate (MPH). The effect of MPH in adults with ADHD is a question that is often raised, because many adults request such therapy today.

Aripiprazole augmentation of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a clinical observation.

Background: Therapeutic options for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia are limited, and combination treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs is an often used strategy. We tested the hypothesis that the combination of aripiprazole and clozapine would lead to an improvement in this patient group.

Methods: Eleven patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia participated in this clinical trial and received a combination of aripiprazole and clozapine.