ABSTRACT
A device that generates low-energy x rays at the tip of a needle-like probe was developed for stereotactic interstitial radiosurgery. Electrons from a small thermionic gun are accelerated to a final energy of up to 40 keV and directed along a 3 mm outside diameter drift tube to a thin Au target, where the beam size is approximately 0.3 mm. All high-voltage electronics are in the probe housing, connected by low-voltage cable to a battery-operated control box. X-ray output, which is nearly isotropic, consists of a bremsstrahlung spectrum and several lines between 7 and 14 keV, with characteristic radiation contributing 15% of the total energy output. To date, 14 patients with metastatic brain tumors have been treated with this device.
Subject(s)
Radiosurgery/instrumentation , Biophysical Phenomena , Biophysics , Electronics, Medical , Equipment Design , Humans , Miniaturization , Technology, RadiologicABSTRACT
The effectiveness of ritanserin, a selective 5-HT2 and 5-HT1c antagonist, in reducing negative symptoms in schizophrenia was investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Trial treatment was added to a stable neuroleptic treatment in 33 schizophrenic patients with predominantly negative symptoms. Ritanserin reduced the negative symptoms, as measured with the SANS. The main reduction was for the items facial expression, global affective flattening, and relationships with friends and peers. Also a reduction in total BPRS score was found, which approached statistical significance. Significant reductions were observed for the BPRS items emotional withdrawal and depressive mood. Ritanserin or other drugs blocking 5-HT2 and/or 5-HT1c receptors could be important in reducing specific symptoms in schizophrenic patients.
Subject(s)
Ritanserin/therapeutic use , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Schizophrenic Psychology , Antipsychotic Agents/adverse effects , Antipsychotic Agents/metabolism , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Basal Ganglia/drug effects , Double-Blind Method , Drug Therapy, Combination , Facial Expression , Female , Humans , Male , Placebos , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Receptors, Serotonin/drug effects , Ritanserin/pharmacology , Schizophrenia/diagnosisABSTRACT
Pimozide 2-12 mg (median 4 mg) was tried for ten weeks in 44 pseudo-neurotic patients. Unsuccessfully used tranquillizers were continued and the use of the antiparkinsonian agent dexetimide was allowed if needed. By the end of the study, a considerable improvement was observed for the vast majority of the items of the Wittenborn psychiatric scale. Their socio-professional adaptation showed a similar tendency. Dexetimide was required in four patients who received high doses of pimozide.
