randomized, double-blind, placebo - controlled study of safety of the adjunctive saffron on sexual dysfunction induced by a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Recent studies have indicated potential of saffron for applying in a wide variety of diseases such as psychiatric and neurologic disorders. The concurrent use of saffron with SSRIs can lead to reducing the dose of SSRIs. Saffron at a dose of 200 mg may change some hematological and biochemical parameters. The goal of this trial was to assess the safety of concomitant administration of saffron and SSRI in patients with major depressive disorder [MDD]. Twenty adult outpatients between 18 to 55 years-old with the diagnosis of MDD who were receiving an SSRI for at least 1 month prior to the initiation of the study entered this double-blind trial. They were randomly assigned to receive capsule of saffron [15 mg twice daily] or placebo. Some laboratory parameters were measured at baseline and week 4 of the study. Other side effects checked on a prepared list of side effects, were systematically recorded throughout the study at baseline and on a weekly basis. Saffron as an add-on medication to SSRIs for 4 weeks did not cause any statistically significant changes in laboratory parameters including AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, Cr., FBS, TG, TC, WBC, RBC, Hgb, Ht, PT, INR, and Pl count. This preliminary study provides safety evidences of concurrent intake of saffron and SSRI

Combination of fluoxetine and nortriptyline in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorders

There is growing interest in investigating noradrenergic functions in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [OCD] because some antidepressants with strong effects of serotonin reuptake inhibition fail to relieve obsessive-compulsive symptoms. We undertook a trial to investigate whether the combination of fluoxetine with nortriptyline is more effective than fluoxetine alone. Thirty nine patients who met the DSM-IV criterias for OCD were included in the study. Patients were allocated in a random fashion, 19 patients to fluoxetine 40mg/day plus nortriptyline 40mg/day and 20 patients to fluoxetine 40mg/day plus placebo. Although both protocols significantly decreased the scores of the Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale over the trial period, the combination of fluoxetine and nortriptyline showed a significant superiority over fluoxetine alone in the treatment of OCD. As this study indicates, a rapid onset of action is one of the advantages of this combination. This study supports further investigation of the noradrenergic-serotoninergic hypothesis in OCD

Survey on the Personality and Intellectual Characteristics of Transsexuals in Iran

The present research on the personality and intellectual characteristics of transsexuals is the first study carried out in Iran. In this research all transsexuals applying for sexual transformation to the Forensic Medicine Center in Tehran during 1991-1993 were interviewed. They were examined and evaluated psychologically by MMPI [Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory] and adults Raven's progressive matrices. The transsexuals taking part in this study consisted of 36 males and 8 females. The control group was identical to the study group regarding number, sex, age and education. The findings indicated a significant statistical difference between females in the two groups in their degree of hysteria and psychopathic deviation in MMPI. Between men in the two groups a significant statistical difference was observed in their degree of psychopathic deviation, infrequency scale and paranoia measured by MMPI. Regarding their intelligence quotient no considerable difference was found between the subjects and controls