High but not low ECS stimulus intensity augments apomorphine-stimulated dopamine postsynaptic receptor functioning in rats.

BACKGROUND: Clinical research shows that the antidepressant and cognitive adverse effects of electroconvulsive therapy are both dependent on the administered electrical stimulus intensity (dose); however, dose-dependent neurotransmitter system changes in the brain, which might underlie the therapeutic or adverse effects, remain to be demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: We used a behavioral model to examine dose-related effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on dopamine postsynaptic receptor functioning in the rat brain. METHODS: In a factorially designed study, rats (n = 100) were treated with five once-daily ECSs at three levels (sham ECS, 30 mC ECS, and 120 mC ECS), and with drug at two levels (saline, and 1 mg/kg s.c. apomorphine). Motility was assessed in the small open field. RESULTS: Apomorphine-elicited, dopamine postsynaptic receptor-mediated hypermotility was significantly increased by 120 mC ECS but not by 30 mC ECS. An additional but unrelated finding was that, while the ECS seizure duration expectedly decreased across time, no dose-dependent effects were observed. CONCLUSION: ECS-induced dopamine postsynaptic receptor up-regulation may depend on the intensity of the administered electrical stimulus.

A preliminary survey of rhinotillexomania in an adolescent sample.

BACKGROUND: Rhinotillexomania is a recent term coined to describe compulsive nose picking. There is little world literature on nose-picking behavior in the general population. METHOD: We studied nose-picking behavior in a sample of 200 adolescents from 4 urban schools. RESULTS: Almost the entire sample admitted to nose picking, with a median frequency of 4 times per day; the frequency was > 20 times per day in 7.6% of the sample. Nearly 17% of subjects considered that they had a serious nose-picking problem. Other somatic habits such as nail biting, scratching in a specific spot, or pulling out of hair were also common; 3 or more such behaviors were simultaneously present in 14.2% of the sample, only in males. Occasional nose bleeds complicating nose picking occurred in 25% of subjects. Several interesting findings in specific categories of nose pickers were identified. CONCLUSION: Nose picking is common in adolescents. It is often associated with other habitual behaviors. Nose picking may merit closer epidemiologic and nosologic scrutiny.

Melatonin in medically ill patients with insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that melatonin improves sleep functioning, but this possibility has not been studied in medical populations. METHOD: 33 medically ill persons with initial insomnia were randomly assigned to receive either melatonin (N = 18) or placebo (N = 15) in a flexible-dose regimen. Double-blind assessments of aspects of sleep functioning were obtained daily across the next 8 to 16 days. RESULTS: The mean stable dose of melatonin was found to be 5.4 mg. Relative to placebo, melatonin significantly hastened sleep onset, improved quality and depth of sleep, and increased sleep duration without producing drowsiness, early-morning "hangover" symptoms, or daytime adverse effects (p < .05). Melatonin also contributed to freshness in the morning and during the day and improved overall daytime functioning. Benefits were most apparent during the first week of treatment. CONCLUSION: Melatonin may be a useful hypnotic for medically ill patients with initial insomnia, particularly those for whom conventional hypnotic drug therapy may be problematic.

Effects of zopicloone and Lorazepam on ect seizure duration : clinical implications of findings from an animal model.

Lorazepam is commonly prescribed to treat insomnia in depressed patients who receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); however, lorazepam may interfere with ECT seizure parameters, and may thereby compromise the efficacy of the treatment. This study therefore sought to assess whether zopicione, a hypnotic agent, interferes less with the ECT seizure. For ethical reasons, the study utilized an animal model. Sprague-Dawley rats (n=10/group) received either zopicione (1.5 mg/ kg), lorazepam (0.2 mg/kg), or a placebo equivalent. After 30 minutes, an electroconvulsive shock was administered to the rats. It was observed that the motor seizure duration but not the total motoric phase was significantly attenuated by zopicione. Lorazepam did not impact significantly upon either seizure measure. It is concluded that zopicione may be a suitable hypnotic for patients receiving ECT only if sufficient time is allowed for the drug to be substantially washed out of the body.