Auditory-verbal declarative and operating memory among patients suffering from depressive disorders - preliminary study.

PURPOSE: Dysfunctions of auditory-verbal declarative and working memory are observed in patients with depressive disorders (DD). The authors wanted to see, whether antidepressive therapy improved the efficiency of cognitive processes among patients suffering from DD and determine possible associations between auditory-verbal declarative and working memory performance, evaluated before treatment vs. remission degree after treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 87 subjects, patients with depressive disorders (n=30, DD) and healthy subjects (n=57, CG, control group). The AVLT (Auditory Verbal Learning Test) and the Stroop Test were used. RESULTS: CG obtained higher results vs. DD-I (the evaluation started on the therapy onset) in the Stroop Test-RCNb (Reading Colour Names in Black)/time, NCWd (Naming Colour of Word - Different)/time, NCWd/errors, AVLT: the number of words after 30 minutes. CG demonstrated higher results than DD-II (following eight weeks of pharmacological treatment) in RCNb/time, NCWd/time, AVLT: the number of words in the first trial, the number of words after 30 minutes. Compared to DD-I, DD-II achieved better results in NCWd/errors. No statistically significant differences were observed in both tests between the patients with remission and without remission. Statistical analysis revealed the lack of significant dependences among HDRS after treatment and cognitive functions before treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive disorders are associated with deteriorated efficiency of auditory-verbal declarative and working memory. No improvement was observed in the efficiency of auditory-verbal declarative or working memory after 8-week therapy. The performance level of cognitive processes before pharmacotherapy has no effect on the intensity of depression symptoms after therapy.

Etiological factors of mental disorders among members of the Polish military forces.

OBJECTIVE: This project attempts to establish possible links between psychosocial factors and mental disorders among Polish professional soldiers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The examined group consisted of 1,785 professional soldiers hospitalized in the psychiatric department of the 107th Military Hospital in Walcz in the years 1982 to 1984, 1986 to 1989, and 1993 to 1996. The study was based on analysis of accessible medical files. Special attention was paid to diagnosis, age, year of service, garrison size, position, and motivation to remain in military service. The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, diagnostic scheme was used. RESULTS: Neurotic disorders were the most often diagnosed psychic disturbances in all groups of professional soldiers. More than half of the soldiers hospitalized from 1986 to 1989 became unfit for further military duty because of their mental disturbances. This study confirmed statistical links between dismissals of professional soldiers and motivation, age, or job seniority. Also, we found a link between military positions and increased psychiatric morbidity among soldiers. Personality disturbances, maladaptive syndromes, and substance-related disorders dominated at command positions in all years investigated. CONCLUSION: The results showed the necessity of further elaborations of preventive and new treatment rules, leading to a diminution of mental disturbances among professional soldiers in Poland.

Selected biochemical parameters of blood serum in soldiers committing self-mutilation.

OBJECTIVE: This project attempts to establish a possible link between selected biochemical parameters (cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and levels of malonyl dialdehyde and superoxide dismutase) in soldiers with autoaggressive behaviors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 33 soldiers treated for self-aggressive behavior from July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999. Average patient age was 20.7 years. The control group consisted of 21 soldiers hospitalized for mental disturbances but not showing autoaggressive tendencies. Total cholesterol and activity of platelets, considering the generation of free radicals and triglyceride concentration levels, were determined in the blood serum of members of both groups. RESULTS: The results indicate significantly lower concentrations of total cholesterol in the serum of soldiers showing self-aggressive behaviors. Also, increased concentrations of malonyl dialdehyde in blood platelets and decreased superoxide dismutase activity were found in individuals prone to autoaggression. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the dysfunction of oxidation-reduction processes in brain tissue leads to excessive generation of free radicals, which can cause brain cell damage and disturb metabolic processes, resulting in mental disturbances that may constitute a background for self-aggressive behavior. The decreased activity of superoxide dismutase is a major factor in the observed oxidation-reduction disturbances.

Evaluation of psychopathological factors and origins of suicides committed by soldiers, 1989 to 1998.

Research and scientific observations indicate that, in the armed forces, some individuals tend to experience strong feelings of solitude and harm and do not always have opportunities to receive help. The inability to solve and successfully cope with problems may lead to adaptive difficulties and provoke reckless reactions, including suicide attempts. The aim of this project was a retrospective analysis of the origins and factors leading to successful suicide attempts undertaken by soldiers from 1989 to 1998, with special emphasis on psychopathological determinants. The study examined all cases of successful suicides in the Polish Armed Forces: 163 professional soldiers (military service was their job) and 274 privates (obligatory military service group). The most common reason for suicides in the analyzed group was the combination of psychiatric disorders and psychosocial factors. Among privates, most of the suicides occurred during the first 12 months of service, whereas professional soldiers committed most suicides between their 11th and 15th years of service. The results suggest the urgent introduction of a suicide prevention program.

[Alprazolam in the treatment of anxiety disorders and mixed anxiety and depressive disorders. Results of multicenter clinical trial]. / Alprazolam w leczeniu zaburzen lekowych i lekowo-depresyjnych. Wyniki wieloosrodkowego badania klinicznego.

Alprazolam is one of the most commonly prescribed psychotropics drug all over the world. This suggests that alprazolam is very effective and safe. A multicentre clinical trial was carried out for assessing its efficacy and side effects. 130 patients suffering from anxiety disorders, mixed anxiety and depressive disorders and dysthtymia were involved in the trial. During 6 weeks they used to take from 1.5 to 2.5 mg. of alprazolam daily. Mental state has been assessed with Hamilton rating scales of anxiety and depression, Montgomery Asberg scale of depression and CGI scales. At the endpoint good recovery was found in 75% of the patients, mild recovery in 19%, and 6% got worse. The effect of treatment depends on individual patients' traits rather than on initial mental state. Adverse events were noted in a half of patients, were not severe and were going down during the treatment. 4.6% of patients dropped out because of adverse events, the others tolerated alprazolam well.

[Room for the improvement of soldier selection for the landing brigade]. / Mozliwosci usprawnienia doboru zolnierzy do Brygady Desantowo-Szturmowej.

After realization of psychological examinations the authors identified and qualified personality traits which co-determine effectiveness in performing duties by soldiers in the Brigade. The authors worked out a set of psychological tests which facilitate for selection and classification of recruits to the Brigade.

[Personality determinants of effectiveness in performing duties by soldiers in active service in the landing-shock brigade]. / Osobowosciowe wyznaczniki efektywnosci funkcjonowania zolnierzy zasadniczej sluzby wojskowej w Brygadzie Desantowo-Szturmowej.

After studies in the Brigade the authors identified and qualified personality traits which co-determine effectiveness in performing duties in active service. The efficiency of performing duties is determined by: high emotional resistance, high level of ability to logical conclusion, high level of self-control, low extroversion level, lack of antisocial tendencies. The authors worked out some indications concerning choice and selection for this military formation.

The Royal Princess Anna Vasa. Historical note and radiological examination of her skeleton.

Radiological findings on the skeleton of the Royal Princess Anna Vasa are presented. Anna Vasa (1568-1625) was the sister of Sigismund Vasa, who reigned as Sigismund III, king of Sweden and Poland. She was born in Sweden but spent most of her life in Poland. Her skeleton was removed from the tomb in Torun during restoration work at St. Mary's Church in April 1994. It was then subjected to anthropological and radiological examinations (conventional radiography and CT). The studies revealed a number of anatomical deviations and pathological abnormalities; e.g. basilar impression and congenital anomalies of the spine. These findings can explain many of the complaints troubling Anna Vasa during her lifetime. A fragmentary historical outline and biography of Anna Vasa and Sigismund III are also presented.

[Suicidal attempts among soldiers]. / Usilowania samobójstw wsród zolnierzy.

The authors conducted the analysis of 93 case histories of soldiers who were subjected to clinic observation in two four-year periods owing to suicide attempts. It was shown that the most frequent psychiatric diagnoses following observation were disadaptative syndromes (36.6%) and abnormal personality (32.3%). The reason for suicide attempts of the soldiers were mostly adjustment difficulties (45.2%) and conflicts of premature release from army (79%).

[Group psychotherapy of neuroses and personality disorders in regular soldiers]. / Psychoterapia grupowa nerwic i zaburzen osobowosci u zolnierzy zawodowych.

Environmental conditions cause neuroses and symptoms of personality disorders in regular soldiers. Military service in highly formalized and hierarchical conditions makes it impossible to: express emotions (particularly negative ones), to arrange one's own time, to choose the position and place of work. Another important psychotraumatic factor is excessive load of work and responsibility for the sake of "the service". Psychotherapy is the main part of neurotic and personality disorder therapy in regular soldiers. The social context is the bass for theoretical assumptions of psychotherapy carried out by the authors. Based on the theory of learning, the aims of the applied psychotherapy are: eagerness for the elimination of symptoms and changing the mode of behaviour. Group psychotherapy is carried out in stationary conditions, in groups of 8 to 13 patients, for 8-9 weeks. The applied methods are: debating psychotherapy, interaction-communicative methods, psychodrawing, musicotherapy, choreotherapy and relaxation techniques. As the result of the therapy, about 89% of symptomatic improvement and about 81% of the change of attitude and behaviour were obtained.

[Procaine kindling in acute non-allergic reaction to procaine penicillin G]. / Kindling prokainowy w ostrej niealergicznej reakcji na penicyline prokainowa.

On the basis of the analysis of acute nonallergic reaction to a course of procaine penicillin G, the authors have stated that symptoms of this reaction result from the irritation of temporal limbic structures. The authors think that it is connected with procaine kindling mechanism, the procaine component of the drug.

[Mental disorders in active service men as a reason for premature discharge from the army]. / Zaburzenia psychiczne u zolnierzy sluzby zasadniczej jako przyczyna przedwczesnego zwolnienia z wojska.

The authors, on the basis of analysis of medical records of 94 active service men hospitalized in the Department of Psychiatry, conclude that the frequency of premature elimination from the army was personality disorder (55.3%) and disadaptation syndromes (24.5%). Revealed in (94.7%) cases symptoms of disadaptation occurred during the first year of duty.

[Mentally ill patients' absconding from hospitals]. / Samowolne opuszczenia szpitala przez pacjentów z zaburzeniami psychicznymi.

Based on 677 incidents of absconding from hospitals of patients with psychiatric disorders the authors stated that the escapes took place mostly among men aged 26-45 years, hospitalizated compulsorily with the diagnosis of schizophrenia and affective illness (manic phase). It was revealed that the most popular motivation of absconding in a group of women and men were sociopsychological factors.