Subjective and behavioural consequences of striatal dopamine depletion in schizophrenia--findings from an in vivo SPECT study.

Dysphoria is an integral part of the symptomatology of a variety of clinical states, though there is little empirical data available on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of this phenomenon. The purpose of the study was to administer alphamethyl paratyrosine (AMPT), a catecholamine depleting agent as a chemical probe to induce dysphoria, and document the ensuing changes in mental status. AMPT (4-5 g/day) was administered to a group of medication-free schizophrenic patients (n=13) over a 48 hour period, and changes in their mental status were monitored at 12 hour intervals with the Profile of Mood States (POMS), Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI), Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI) and other standardized rating scales.

Neuroleptic dysphoria: revisiting the concept 50 years later.

Objective: To review the concept of neuroleptic dysphoria, its historical development and the current state of the art.

Method: This paper is based on extensive but selective literature review and also draws on our extensive clinical and research experiences.

Results: Although the construct of neuroleptic dysphoria was recognized shortly following the introduction of the first antipsychotic, chlorpromazine, it took several years for the concept to receive adequate research and clinical attention.

Plasma total homocysteine levels among patients undergoing nocturnal versus standard hemodialysis.

Mild hyperhomocysteinemia, a putative risk factor for arteriosclerotic outcomes, is seen in >85% of hemodialysis patients. Therapeutic strategies, including pharmacologic-dose B vitamin supplementation and "high-flux" or "super-flux" hemodialysis, have consistently failed to normalize total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in these patients. Predialysis plasma tHcy levels in 23 patients who were undergoing nocturnal hemodialysis (NHD) six or seven nights/wk were compared with those in 31 patients from the same Canadian dialysis unit who were undergoing chronic standard hemodialysis (SHD) (all <65 yr of age, undergoing thrice-weekly treatments).