Sympathicomimetics as Diagnostic Tests in Psychiatry

Cyvin, Karel; Jørstad, Jarl; Retterstøl, N

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1956.tb04746.x

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…In the last half-century the blood pressure response of schizophrenic patients to autonomic drugs has been studied repeatedly (see the brief review by Cyvin et al,37). Considerable variation from normal in response to epinephrine, acetylcholine, methacholine, carbaminoylcholine, histamine, atropine, pain, etc.…”

Section: Blood Pressure Response To Autonomic Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, Elmadjian et al (47) presented evidence suggesting a relation between the blood pressure response to methacholine and the excretion of these sympathomimetics. Some investigators (4,65) have confirmed the usefulness of the methacholine and epinephrine tests, but Cyvin et al (37) raised serious objections to the blood pressure curves obtained by Funkenstein and his colleagues, arguing that the only valid technique for recording rapid changes in blood pressure is by arterial puncture. They have also shown that considerable variability may exist in the blood pressure reaction to repeated doses of epinephrine in some patients.…”

Section: Blood Pressure Response To Autonomic Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biochemical and Physiological Changes Associated with Schizophrenia.

Domino¹

1959

Psychopharmacology: Problems in Evaluation.

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As our knowledge and clinical experience with phrenotropic drugs increases it is evident that agents such as reserpine, chlorpromazine, promazine, proclorperazine, perphenazine, and others make the disturbed psychotic more manageable but still leave him psychotic (48,130). The incidence of remissions following drug therapy appears no better than that following the myriad of more drastice somatic shock therapies. These results are not necessarily disappointing, for the widespread use of phrenotropic drugs as therapeutic adjuncts in psychiatry has strengthened the view that functions of the mind are the end result of an actively metabolizing brain. By giving fresh impetus to the search for possible physiochemical abnormalities in mental disease, the present nonspecific symptomatic drug therapies have already accomplished a great deal.Since the design of more specific drug treatments is dependent upon discrete knowledge of possible biochemical and physiological aberrations associated with mental disease, it is pertinent to the objectives of this conference to review critically the available evidence for such alterations. Both primary and secondary biochemical and physiological changes are of interest. Obviously it may be extremely difficult to distinguish between cause and effect. If one assumes that most mental disease has purely psychic etiological factors, it still follows that they will probably produce secondary physiological abnormalities; the psychosomatic literature provides many examples (40). The reverse is equally true; somatopsychic phenomena are well known. Physiological and biochemical alterations profoundly influence mental functions, as evidenced by the effects of hypoxia, hypoglycemia, and hypercapnia, and by such drugs as the hallucinogens LSD-25 and mescaline. Drug therapy, if rational, need not affect only primary physiochemical alterations, but may give symptomatic relief by modifying secondary disturbances. For example, an agent like amphetamine does not correct the primary psychopathology involving neurotic obesity but does curb the secondary increase in appetite.All physiological and biochemical changes in psychoses, if real, are of interest to the pharmacologist, for drugs might be designed that can affect either primary or secondary metabolic or physiologic disturbances. Presumably our present tranquilizers act to reduce secondary physiologic disturbances in the overreactive, vociferous, and hallucinating patient but do not affect his primary psychopathology.In 1895, Maudsley (132) wrote on insanity with excitement that: "The many diligent and elaborate chemical analyses of the urine which have been made by different inquirers in different countries, notwithstanding that the tabular exposition of them might fill a large volume, have failed to yield definite and constant results or to warrant any positive inference." This statement is equally true today for all types of insanity, but perhaps it should be qualified. Thus, in 1957, we can paraphrase Maudsley's remarks of 62 years ago and say t...

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Section: Blood Pressure Response To Autonomic Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%