Schizophrenia and the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase gene: results of a linkage and association study.

Alterations in dopamine neurotransmission and disturbed norepinephrine activity have been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We considered the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) gene located on the long arm of chromosome 9 (9q34.3) as a candidate gene for schizophrenia. DBH catalyzes the synthesis of norepinephrine from dopamine in noradrenergic neurons. In addition to DBH we used in the linkage study DNA markers ABL (centromeric) and D9S114 (telomeric). The aim of this study was to test linkage and association between PCR-based genotyped markers and schizophrenia. A simulation was done to investigate the power of our sample. In 34 Austrian families we could not detect linkage between schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders and the three genetic markers. We could not find any significant deviation in allelic or genotypic distribution from expectations. Based on our results we conclude that the DBH gene seems to have no strong contribution in the etiology of schizophrenia.

[Stabilizing the social and health status of drug dependent patients with methadone. Long-term maintainance therapy--Vienna results]. / Soziale und gesundheitliche Stabilisierung Drogenabhängiger durch Methadon. Langzeitsubstitutionstherapie--Wiener Ergebnisse.

On September 25th, 1987 methadone was legalized in Austria for therapeutic use in drug addiction treatment in case of: 1. Long-term drug addiction with intravenous application of the drug, and several unsuccessful withdrawal therapies and/or 2. opiate addiction through intravenous application of the drug along with an existing HIV-1 infection. Since than, 291 patients were treated with methadone at the drug-dependency outpatient clinic of the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Vienna. In 1990, 96 patients treated for more than one year were investigated using a standardized questionnaire. The image in which crime, prostitution, poverty, ill health all merge was broken by this decriminalization. Methadone treatment offers a first step toward social rehabilitation for drug addicts who have been living as criminals on the fringe of society.

[Nicotine--drug addiction--AIDS. Drug use habits of Vienna addicts]. / Nikotin--Drogensucht--AIDS. Drogengebrauchsgewohnheiten Wiener Süchtiger.

In Austria it is illegal to sell tobacco to young adolescents. A diverse sample of 358 narcotic addicts was investigated at the Psychiatric University Clinic of Vienna. Data were obtained from on site confidential interviews and a HIV-test was conducted. The individual drug use history was recorded and, interestingly, tobacco addiction was the first stage in starting a drug career. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between onset of heroin use and HIV-1 infection. It is concluded that in Austria not only the availability nicotine and alcohol to young adolescents should be prohibited, but also their use should be punishable. Easy access to nicotine as in public restaurants or from automatic distributors, has to be withdrawn. Tobacco advertisements may drive vulnerable young adolescents to early nicotine abuse and this may be followed by addition to other drugs and diseases causing death, including AIDS. Socioeconomic data, as well as the methadone data are presented. 180 out of the 358 patients were on methadone maintenance. Methadone treatment offers a first step toward social rehabilitation for drug addicts who have been living as criminals on the fringe of society. Physicians have a clear responsibility to lead the effort on all fronts against tobacco, especially in view of the HIV epidemic.

[Prevalence of HIV-1 infection in intravenous drug dependent patients 1986 to 1989 in Vienna]. / Prävalenz von HIV-1-Infektion bei intravenös Drogenabhängigen 1986 bis 1989 in Wien.

We report the results of a survey of a total of 553 intravenous drug users (IVDUs) investigated at the drug addiction out-patient unit of the Psychiatric Department of Vienna University for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) using both enzyme-linked immuno sorbent and Western blot assays. HIV-1 antibodies were found 1985/86 in 8.5%, 1986/87 in 14.5%, 1988 in 27.7% and 1989 in 29.7% of IVDUs. The introduction of methadone maintenance in 1987 attracted many IVDUs and increased the number of patients at the out-patient clinic. In 1989 more than 50% of the IVDUs are on methadone maintenance and already 84.5% of the HIV-1 infected drug users are treated with methadone.

[HIV infection in intravenous drug dependent patients--Vienna 1988 results]. / HIV-Infektion bei intravenös Drogenabhängigen--Wiener Ergebnisse 1988.

The rapid spread of HIV infection among intravenous drug abusers plays an increasing role in the AIDS epidemic. In this context the Austrian government changed politics and introduced a methadone maintenance program 1987, to reach more intravenous drug addicts and to stop intravenous drug abuse of this clients. 119 intravenous drug users were anonymously tested for HIV antibodies between April 18 and May 17, 1988 at the out-patient clinic of the Psychiatric University clinic of Vienna and were examined by means of a standardized questionnaire. The data are discussed in respect of the benefits of a methadone maintenance program to decrease HIV-infection among intravenous drug abusers in Vienna.